Phenol-soluble modulins in staphylococci: What are they originally for?
Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are amphipathic peptides produced by staphylococci that have multiple functions in pathogenesis. For example, they may function as cytotoxins and pro-inflammatory agents. Additionally, in a recent study we demonstrated that Staphylococcus aureus PSMs structure biofilms and cause dissemination during biofilm infection. Based on those results suggesting a surfactant-like mechanism by which PSMs work, we here propose that all PSM functions in pathogenesis arose from an original role in non-pathogenic surface colonization. This original role may have included overcoming surface tension in environments of strongly varying hydrophobicity and emulsification of hydrophobic molecules for use as food sources.
Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section; Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); The National Institutes of Health (NIH); Bethesda, MD USA.
Saravanan
S
Periasamy
Som S
SS
Chatterjee
Gordon Y C
GY
Cheung
Michael
M
Otto