The role of staphyloxanthin in the regulation of membrane biophysical properties in Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that is considered a global health threat. This microorganism can adapt to hostile conditions by regulating membrane lipid composition in response to external stress factors such as changes in pH and ionic strength. S.

Modulates Carotenoid and Phospholipid Content in Response to Oxygen-Restricted Growth Conditions, Triggering Changes in Membrane Biophysical Properties.

membranes contain carotenoids formed during the biosynthesis of staphyloxanthin. These carotenoids are considered virulence factors due to their activity as scavengers of reactive oxygen species and as inhibitors of antimicrobial peptides. Here, we show that the growth of under oxygen-restricting conditions downregulates carotenoid biosynthesis and modifies phospholipid content in biofilms and planktonic cells analyzed using LC-MS.

Cardiolipin Strongly Inhibits the Leakage Activity of the Short Antimicrobial Peptide ATRA-1 in Comparison to LL-37, in Model Membranes Mimicking the Lipid Composition of .

Cardiolipin is one of the main phospholipid components of membranes. This lipid is found at varying concentrations in the bilayer, depending on the growth stage of the bacteria, and as a response to environmental stress. Cardiolipin is an anionic phospholipid with four acyl chains, which modulates the bending properties of the membrane due to its inverted conical shape.

Carotenoids Modulate the Thermotropic Phase Behavior of Model Systems That Mimic Its Membrane Composition.

() is a pathogenic gram-positive bacterium that normally resides in the skin and nose of the human body. It is subject to fluctuations in environmental conditions that may affect the integrity of the membrane. produces carotenoids, which act as antioxidants.

Carotenogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus: New insights and impact on membrane biophysical properties.

Staphyloxanthin (STX) is a saccharolipid derived from a carotenoid in Staphylococcus aureus involved in oxidative-stress tolerance and antimicrobial peptide resistance. STX influences the biophysical properties of the bacterial membrane and has been associated to the formation of lipid domains in the regulation of methicillin-resistance. In this work, a targeted metabolomics and biophysical characterization study was carried out to investigate the biosynthetic pathways of carotenoids, and their impact on the membrane biophysical properties.