Activities | Families | Sequences | Fold types | References | Help
B6db references: 14996787

type Journal Article
authors Lithgow, J.K., Hayhurst, E.J.; Cohen, G.; Aharonowitz, Y.; Foster, S.J.
title Role of a cysteine synthase in Staphylococcus aureus
journal J Bacteriol
Activity 2.5.1.47
Family 2.5.1.47
sel selected
ui 14996787
year (2004)
volume 186
number 6
pages 1579-90
 
abstract The gram-positive human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is often isolated with media containing potassium tellurite, to which it has a higher level of resistance than Escherichia coli. The S. aureus cysM gene was isolated in a screen for genes that would increase the level of tellurite resistance of E. coli DH5alpha. The protein encoded by S. aureus cysM is sequentially and functionally homologous to the O-acetylserine (thiol)-lyase B family of cysteine synthase proteins. An S. aureus cysM knockout mutant grows poorly in cysteine-limiting conditions, and analysis of the thiol content in cell extracts showed that the cysM mutant produced significantly less cysteine than wild-type S. aureus SH1000. S. aureus SH1000 cannot use sulfate, sulfite, or sulfonates as the source of sulfur in cysteine biosynthesis, which is explained by the absence of genes required for the uptake and reduction of these compounds in the S. aureus genome. S. aureus SH1000, however, can utilize thiosulfate, sulfide, or glutathione as the sole source of sulfur. Mutation of cysM caused increased sensitivity of S. aureus to tellurite, hydrogen peroxide, acid, and diamide and also significantly reduced the ability of S. aureus to recover from starvation in amino acid- or phosphate-limiting conditions, indicating a role for cysteine in the S. aureus stress response and survival mechanisms.
last changed 2009/02/02 10:48

B6db references