Compound-gene interaction mapping reveals distinct roles for Staphylococcus aureus teichoic acids
Abstract
As primary components of the Staphylococcus aureus cell envelope, teichoic acids play important but poorly understood roles in cell division and pathogenesis. Using an unbiased screen combined with targeted gene knockouts, we constructed an interaction network connecting wall teichoic acids to several other cellular pathways, including peptidoglycan biosynthesis, surface protein display, cell envelope D-alanylation, and lipoteichoic acid synthesis. We showed that lipoteichoic and wall teichoic acids play redundant roles in initiating cell division, but have distinct genetic interactions that reveal unique functions. Our findings provide insight into essential cell envelope processes in a clinically important pathogen as well as targets for compound combinations to kill antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- August 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1404099111
- Bibcode:
- 2014PNAS..11112510S