Staphylococcus saprophyticus

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Firmicutes; Bacilli; Bacillales; Staphylococcaceae

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Description and significance

‘’Staphylococcus saprophyticus’’ is a coagulase-negative species of ‘’Staphylococcus’’, which is a leading cause of cystisis in women and is associated with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in humans. [3] Like other Staphylococci, ‘’S. saprophyticus’’ is globular and resembles clusters of grapes. ‘’S. saprophyticus’’ resides in the urinary tract of humans and is isolated from urine samples. 

In 1962, Torres Pereira first isolated a coagulase-negative Staphylococci with antigen 51 from women with acute UTI. [4]. This antigen was later classified as ‘’S. saprophyticus’’. [3]

Genome structure

As of 2005, the genome of S. saprophyticus (strain ATCC 15305) has been fully sequenced by Japanese researchers. [1] S. saprophyticus contains a circular chromosome of 2,516,575 bp, 2,446 ORF’s, and two plasmids 38.4 and 22.9 kb in size. The genome was sequenced to better understand the parthenogenesis of the organism. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing was used, sequencing in 1-2 kb or 10 kb inserts. The inserts were then assembled using PHRED/PHRAP/CONSED programs. The gaps were filled by PCR direct sequencing, using specific primers at the ends of each gap. [1]

The genome of S. saprophyticus contains many mobile elements including Staphylococcal cassette chromosomes (SCCs), an insertion sequence and a genomic island. The SCCs are thought to have integrated into the genome through a two-step process and contain a restriction enzyme modification system and a cassette chromosome recombinase (Ccr). [1] The SCCs are responsible for contributing to pathenogenicity and antibiotic resistance in Staphylococci. The genomic island in S. saprophyticus is associated with resistance to the antibiotics streptomycin and fosfomycin unlike the genomic islands in other Staphylococci genomes, which are associated with pathenogenicity, such as in Staphylococci aureus. [2] These mobile elements allow for lateral gene transfer between other bacterial species.

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

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References

[1] Kuroda, M., A. Yamashita, H. Hirakawa, M. Kumano, K. Morikawa, M. Higashide, A. Maruyama, Y. Inose, K. Matoba, H. Toh, S. Kuhara, M. Hattori, and T. Ohta. 2005. Whole genome sequence of Staphylococcus saprophyticus reveals the pathogenesis of uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102:13272-13277

[2] Novick, R. P. (2003) Plasmid 49:, 93-105.

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by Paul Wong, student of Rachel Larsen, UCSD.