Bacterial pathogens under high-tension: Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to von Willebrand factor is activated by force
Attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to platelets and endothelial cells involves binding of bacterial cell surface protein A (SpA) to the large plasma glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (vWF). SpA-mediated bacterial adhesion to vWF is controlled by fluid shear stress, yet little is currently known ab...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Shared Science Publishers OG
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Microbial Cell |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://microbialcell.com/researcharticles/2019a-viela-microbial-cell/ |
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| Summary: | Attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to platelets and endothelial cells involves binding of bacterial cell surface protein A (SpA) to the large plasma glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (vWF). SpA-mediated bacterial adhesion to vWF is controlled by fluid shear stress, yet little is currently known about the underlying molecular mechanism. In a recent publication, we showed that the SpA-vWF interaction is tightly regulated by mechanical force. By means of single-molecule pulling experiments, we found that the SpA-vWF bond is extremely strong, being able to resist forces which largely outperform the strength of typical receptor-ligand bonds. In line with flow experiments, strong adhesion is activated by mechanical tension. These results suggest that force induces conformational changes in the vWF molecule, from a globular to an extended state, leading to the exposure of cryptic binding sites to which SpA strongly binds. This force-sensitive mechanism may largely contribute to help S. aureus bacteria to resist shear stress of flowing blood during infection. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-2638 |