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Phenol-soluble modulins and staphylococcal infection

Nature Reviews Microbiology volume 11, pages 667–673 (2013)Cite this article

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A Corrigendum to this article was published on 16 October 2013

This article has been updated

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen and a leading cause of death worldwide. Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) have recently emerged as a novel toxin family defining the virulence potential of highly aggressive S. aureus isolates. PSMs have multiple roles in staphylococcal pathogenesis, causing lysis of red and white blood cells, stimulating inflammatory responses and contributing to biofilm development and the dissemination of biofilm-associated infections. Moreover, the pronounced capacity of PSMs to kill human neutrophils after phagocytosis might explain failures in the development of anti-staphylococcal vaccines. Here, we discuss recent progress made in our understanding of the biochemical and genetic properties of PSMs and their role in S. aureus pathogenesis, and suggest potential avenues to target PSMs for the development of anti-staphylococcal drugs.

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Figure 1: Phenol-soluble modulin genes, amino acid sequences and structure.
Figure 2: Regulation of phenol-soluble modulins.
Figure 3: Export of phenol-soluble modulins.
Figure 4: Overview of phenol-soluble modulin activities.

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Change history

  • 16 October 2013

    In Figure 1 of the above article, the amino acid sequences for PSMα4 in part b and PSM-mec in part c were transposed, and the amino acid sequences of δ-toxin and PSMβ2 in part b contained minor errors. The figure has now been corrected online and the authors apologize to readers for any confusion caused.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, US National Institutes of Health (to M.O.) and by the German Research Council (grants SFB685 and TRR34 to A.P).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tubingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany

    Andreas Peschel

  2. Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike Building 33 1W10, Bethesda, 20892, Maryland, USA

    Michael Otto

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Correspondence to Michael Otto.

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Peschel, A., Otto, M. Phenol-soluble modulins and staphylococcal infection. Nat Rev Microbiol 11, 667–673 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro3110

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