The Glycosyltransferases sdgA and sdgB Expression in Staphylococcus Epidermidis Depends On The Conditions of Biofilm Formation

The Staphylococcus aureus’ SdrG protein is glycosylated by SdgA and SdgB for their protection against its degradation by the neutrophil’s cathepsin G. So far, there is not information about the role of Staphylococcus epidermidis’ SdgA nor SdgB in the production of biofilm, therefore the main of this work was to determine the distribution and expression of sdrG, sdgA and sdgB genes in S. epidermidis in conditions of biofilm. The frequency of the genes sdrG, sdgA and sdgB were evaluated by PCR in a collection of 75 isolates. The isolates were grown in dynamic conditions (in agitation) or static conditions (biofilm productor: planktonic or sessile cells). The expression of sdrG, sdgA and sdgB were determined by RT-qPCR in cells grown under dynamic conditions (CGDC), as well as planktonic and sessile cells, and in cells adhered to a catheter (in vivo). The genes sdrG and sdgB were detected in 100% of isolates, meanwhile the gene sdgA was detected in 71% of the samples (psdrG, sdgA and sdgB mRNAs. The planktonic and sessile cells expressed sdrG and sdgB, and the same was seen in cells adhered to the catheter. In particular, one isolate, able to induce biofilm under cathepsin G treatment, expressed sdrG and sdgB in planktonic, sessile and in cells adhered to the catheter. This suggests that the state of cells adherence is an important factor for the transcription of sdgA, sdgB and sdrG.