We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Polyamine Resistance Key to MRSA Survival in the Skin

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Feb 2013
A team of microbiologists has discovered the molecular mechanism that allows the USA300 strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to survive in the acidic environment of the skin that kills other strains of the organism.

Investigators at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA) found after analysis of the genomes of many hundreds of MRSA strains that only the USA300 strain possessed a block of 34 genes, called the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME). More...
The activity of the ACME genes gave the bacteria a survival advantage by protecting them from polyamines in the skin. Polyamines, which are toxic to most bacteria, are critical to wound repair, as they are anti-inflammatory and promote tissue regeneration.

The investigators selectively mutated and inactivated the individual ACME components. They reported in the January 16, 2013, issue of the journal Cell Host & Microbe that one gene, SpeG, was critical due to the activity of its polyamine-resistant enzyme product that was essential for neutralizing excess host polyamines. SpeG activity was shown to be required for USA300 survival in a mouse model. Furthermore, transfer of the SpeG gene to MRSA strains other than USA300 enhanced their ability to survive in the mouse model.

"Previously, the field tried to understand MRSA by focusing on attributes that we already knew were important, such as the amount of toxins or virulence factors a given strain makes. Those elements may explain why the disease is so bad when you get it, but they do not explain how a particular strain takes over. Our work uncovers the molecular explanation for one strain's rapid and efficient spread to people outside of a crowded hospital setting," said senior author Dr. Anthony Richardson, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of North Carolina. "The problem is by the time you figure out how one strain comes into dominance, it often fades away and a new strain comes in. But because these compounds occur naturally and are so toxic, we still think they can lead to treatments that are effective against all MRSA. We will just have to put in a little extra work to block the gene and make this particular strain of MRSA susceptible to polyamines."

Related Links:
University of North Carolina




New
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Automated Biochemical Analyzer
iBC 900
New
Specimen Radiography System
TrueView 200 Pro
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A diagnostic test can distinguish patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who can be cured with surgery alone (Photo courtesy of University of Turku)

Novel Diagnostic Tool to Revolutionize Treatment Guidance of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a solid tumor type commonly treated with surgery. However, there has been no clinically available method to determine which patients can be cured with surgery... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The 3D paper-based analytical device has shown high clinical accuracy for adult-onset immunodeficiency (Photo courtesy of National Taiwan University)

Paper-Based Device Accurately Detects Immune Defects in 10 Minutes

Patients with hidden immune defects are especially vulnerable to severe and persistent infections, often due to autoantibodies that block interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a key molecule in immune defense.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The groundbreaking salmonella antimicrobial resistance prediction platform has demonstrated 95% accuracy (Photo courtesy of Yujie You et al., DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.01.013)

New Platform Leverages AI and Quantum Computing to Predict Salmonella Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella strains are a growing public health concern due to the overuse of antimicrobials and the rise of genetic mutations. Accurate prediction of resistance is crucial for effective... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.