Utilization of glycerophosphodiesters byStaphylococcus aureus

What is it about?

<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a facultative pathogen that colonizes the human nose and causes life-threatening infections. Which carbon, energy, and phosphate sources can be utilized by <i>S. aureus</i> in nutrient-poor habitats has remained largely unknown. We describe that <i>S. aureus</i> secretes a protein that is able to degrade head groups of phospholipids such as human phosphatidylcholine (GroPC) and use it as a carbon- and phosphate-sources. Thus, <i>S. aureus</i> can use a broader spectrum of nutrients than previously thought which underscores its capacity to adapt to the highly variable and nutrient-poor surroundings.

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