Staphylococcus aureus and Fatty Acids: Impact on Membrane Function and Signaling

View/ Open
Issue Date
2021-05-31Author
DeMars, Zachary
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
210 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Discipline
Microbiology, Molecular Genetics & Immunology
Rights
Copyright held by the author.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Staphylococcus aureus can utilize exogenous fatty acids for phospholipid synthesis. The fatty acid kinase FakA is essential for this utilization by phosphorylating exogenous fatty acids for incorporation into lipids. How exogenous fatty acid utilization from the environment via FakA affects the composition and function of the phospholipid membrane, central metabolism, and virulence factor regulation is not well understood. We found that inactivation of the exogenous fatty acid utilization system through genetic deletion of fakA resulted in a membrane that is more rigid than membranes of wild-type S. aureus. Central metabolism, particularly the production and consumption of acetate, was significantly altered resulting in a more oxidized cellular environment when fakA was deleted. Both the accumulation of free fatty acids within the cell of a fakA mutant and the presence of exogenous fatty acids in the growth medium decrease virulence factor production through the transmembrane domains of the two-component system SaeRS. In summary, we identified previously unknown roles for the exogenous fatty acid utilization system in maintaining membrane and metabolic homeostasis in addition to expanding our mechanistic understanding of how fatty acids negatively influence virulence factor expression.
Collections
- Dissertations [4466]
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.