Elucidation of autophagy evasion mechanism of Staphylococcus aureus by toxic shock syndrome toxin-1

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460517
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Bacteriology (including mycology)
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Asano Krisana 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 講師 (70598622)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): NAKANE AKIO 弘前大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (30164239)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 黄色ブドウ球菌 / TSST-1 / オートファジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Regarding the intracellular survival of S. aureus, we reported that toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) suppresses autophagy in a superantigenic activity-independent manner. In this study, we further analyzed autophagy suppressing mechanism by TSST-1. In vitro
study revealed that TSST-1 interacts with one of Septin family proteins in the host cells. Interaction of TSST-1 promotes function of this target protein to regulate the autophagy, which
then leads to suppression of autophagosome formation and decrease of the bacterial number in the host cells. For in vivo analysis, S. aureus harboring superantigen activity-deficient mutant of TSST-1 (mTSST-1) was constructed. Autophagy - suppressing activity of this S. aureus strain was confirmed. We plan to analyze the mechanism using the mouse genetic modification model in the future.

Free Research Field

細菌学