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Prophages of Staphylococcus aureus Newman and their contribution to virulence
Author(s) -
Bae Taeok,
Baba Tadashi,
Hiramatsu Keiichi,
Schneewind Olaf
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05441.x
Subject(s) - prophage , biology , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcus aureus , pathogenicity island , genetics , siphoviridae , virology , gene , bacteriophage , bacteria , escherichia coli
Summary Four prophages (φNM1–4) were identified in the genome of Staphylococcus aureus Newman, a human clinical isolate. φNM1, φNM2 and φNM4, members of the siphoviridae family, insert at different sites ( poiA , downstream of isdB and geh ) in the staphylococcal chromosome. φNM3, a β‐haemolysin ( hlb ) converting phage, encodes modulators of innate immune responses ( sea , sak , chp and scn ) in addition to other virulence genes. Replication of φNM1, φNM2 and φNM4 occurs in culture and during animal infection, whereas φNM3 prophage replication was not observed. Prophages were excised from the chromosome and S. aureus variants lacking φNM3 or φNM1, φNM2 and φNM4 displayed organ specific virulence defects in a murine model of abscess formation. S. aureus Newman lacking all four prophages was unable to cause disease, thereby revealing essential contributions of prophages to the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections.