1
Return

Plasminogen Recruitment by Staphylococcus aureus SdrC Reveals a Tractable Antivirulence Target

delete2026-06-30
delete0
delete
OA
AI
E
Elisa Bellan Menegussi
A
Angelica Pellegrini
L
Laura Acquasaliente
G
Giorgio Milli
M
Monica Campagnoli
S
Simona Viglio
P
Pasquale Linciano
S
Simona Collina
V
Vincenzo De Filippis
G
Giampiero Pietrocola
DOI:10.1021/acsinfecdis.6c00205delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Staphylococcus aureus exploits host extracellular matrix components to promote tissue invasion and dissemination. Here, we identify the serine-aspartate repeat protein C (SdrC) as a previously unrecognized plasminogen-binding protein on the S. aureus surface. Using recombinant domains and isogenic mutants, we show that SdrC is a major determinant of plasminogen recruitment at the cellular level. Biochemical and biophysical analyses demonstrate that plasminogen recognition is enhanced by the cooperative action of the SdrC N2 and N3 domains, which together bind plasminogen with submicromolar to low-micromolar affinity. This interaction is lysine-dependent and is selectively inhibited by lysine and 6-aminocaproic acid, with measurable IC50 values, and requires plasminogen kringle domain 4. Importantly, SdrC-bound plasminogen remains readily activatable by host plasminogen activators, generating active plasmin capable of degrading fibrinogen. Consistently, heterologous expression of SdrC enhances plasminogen binding and promotes plasmin activity at the bacterial surface. These findings link a defined staphylococcal adhesin to localized engagement of the host fibrinolytic system and suggest that SdrC-mediated plasminogen recruitment may contribute to persistence and tissue dissemination during invasive infection. Overall, our results establish the SdrC-plasminogen axis as a mechanistically characterized and pharmacologically tractable antivirulence target.
Keywords:
Bacteria
Biopolymers
Copolymers
Immunology
Peptides and proteins
Staphylococcus aureus
Plasminogen recruitment
MSCRAMMs
Host−pathogen interaction
Fibrinolysis
Antivirulence strategy
Kringle domains

Journal

ACS Infectious Diseases cover
ACS Infectious Diseases
IF:
3.8
Papers:
2.4K
Citations:
6.9K

Organization

U
university of padua
Scholars:
4.0K
Papers: 1.5K
Citations: 0
U
university of pavia
Scholars:
2.0W
Papers: 1.6W
Citations: 8
U
university of birmingham
Scholars:
4.2K
Papers: 2.0K
Citations: 0
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers