Staphylococcal methicillin resistance: fine focus on folds and functions

Globalisation has entailed a massive increase in trade and human mobility facilitating the rapid spread of infectious agents, including those that are drug resistant. A particularly serious threat to human health is posed by methicillin-resistant staphylococcal strains which have acquired molecular...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEMS microbiology letters 2004-06, Vol.235 (1), p.1-8
Main Authors: Mallorqui-Fernandez, G, Marrero, A, Garcia-Pique, S, Garcia-Castellanos, R, Gomis-Ruth, F X
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Staphylococcus aureus
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Summary:Globalisation has entailed a massive increase in trade and human mobility facilitating the rapid spread of infectious agents, including those that are drug resistant. A particularly serious threat to human health is posed by methicillin-resistant staphylococcal strains which have acquired molecular mechanisms to evade the action of beta -lactam antibiotics (BLAs). Full expression of high-level methicillin resistance involves a complex network of molecules and depends primarily on sufficient expression of a penicillin-binding protein with low sensitivity towards BLAs. Other factors include the fine-tuned regulation of autolytic activity of cell-wall components, as well as an optimal rate of peptidoglycan precursor formation and a highly specific peptidoglycan precursor structure. Three-dimensional structural data are available on several of the pieces involved in the jigsaw puzzle and provide a molecular basis for the understanding of methicillin resistance and for the design of new therapeutic strategies.
ISSN:0378-1097
DOI:10.1016/j.femsle.2004.04.035