Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation

Strains of Staphylococcus aureus are able to form biofilms and often colonize medical devices. Clinical isolates of S. aureus generally form a more robust biofilm than laboratory strains.

Mutations of the staphylococcal accessory regulator (sarA) resulted in decreased biofilm formation. The reduced capacity to form biofilms correlates with increased production of extracellular proteases from sarA mutated strains. Production of extracellular proteases has a negative impact on surface-associated adhesins like fibronectin-binding proteins (FnbA and FnbB). Mutations of the accessory gene regulator (agr) in clinical isolates did not enhance biofilm formation.

In addition mutation of sarA correlates with increased susceptibility to antibiotics daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin. Inhibitors of sarA-mediated regulation could be used to limit biofilm formation in S. aureus (Beenken et al. 2010). Clinical S. aureus strains and sarA and agr mutants used for biofilm formation studies were deposited with the CCOS by Mark Smeltzer and Linda Michelle Griffin from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Staphylococcus aures special property strains CCOS 662, CCOS 663, CCOS 664, CCOS 665, CCOS 666 and CCOS 667 are available as actively growing cultures or as cryo cultures. We look forward to receiving your order and please contact us for further details.