The Role of msa in Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation
Author Information
Author(s): Sambanthamoorthy Karthik, Schwartz Antony, Nagarajan Vijayaraj, Elasri Mohamed O
Primary Institution: The University of Southern Mississippi
Hypothesis
The msa gene modulates the expression of sarA and is essential for biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion
The msa gene plays an important role in biofilm development, likely due to its role in modulating the expression of sarA.
Supporting Evidence
- The msa mutant showed no detectable expression of msa in planktonic cultures or biofilm.
- Transcription of sarA was reduced at least five-fold in msa mutant cultures.
- The msa mutant formed a weak and unstable biofilm compared to the wild-type strain.
Takeaway
The msa gene helps Staphylococcus aureus form strong biofilms, and without it, the bacteria struggle to build stable communities.
Methodology
The study involved creating an msa mutant in the MRSA strain COL and assessing its biofilm formation through various assays including microtiter plate and flow cell assays.
Limitations
The study does not explore all potential regulatory pathways that may influence biofilm formation.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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