Characterisation of SdrC, SdrD and SdrE from the serine-aspartate repeat family of Staphylococcus auerus

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen. The ability of S. aureus to initiate infection is attributed at least partly to the expression of cell wall-associated proteins known as MSCRAMMs (microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules). MSCRAMMs mediate the adherence of S. aureus to a variety of host ligands such as fibrinogen, fibronectin, collagen, elastin, thrombospondin, vitronectin, laminin, von Willebrand factor and mucin. This allows the bacterium to establish infections at various tissue sites and on biomaterial implants that have become coated with host proteins.