Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have been incurable by many antibiotics. It is imperative that we elucidate the virulence mechanisms of S. aureus. The virulence factors are capable of causing damage to the host. Other factors such as chaperones may be needed to assist in host invasion. Previously, we hypothesize that the putative protease GcpMB may be involved in virulence. The purpose of this study is to identify the mechanisms of GcpMB and their possible associations with the virulence factors of S. aureus. Protein interaction studies and immunoblot analysis show that rGcpMB physically interacts with the serine protease/chaperone HtrA and cysteine protease ScpA of S. aureus. This suggests that GcpMB may share a common pathway with the virulence factors of S. aureus. In conclusion, GcpMB may be involved in the production, processing or maturation of important S. aureus virulence factors.

Putative GcpMB can interact with virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus

245th National Meeting (2013)

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