The Extracellular Matrix of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms Comprises Cytoplasmic Proteins That Associate with the Cell Surface in Response to Decreasing pH

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>Biofilm formation by<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">Staphylococcus aureus</jats:named-content>involves the formation of an extracellular matrix, but the composition of this matrix has been uncertain. Here we report that the matrix is largely composed of cytoplasmic proteins that reversibly associate with the cell surface in a manner that depends on pH. We propose a model for biofilm formation in which cytoplasmic proteins are released from cells in stationary phase. These proteins associate with the cell surface in response to decreasing pH during biofilm formation. Rather than utilizing a dedicated matrix protein,<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">S. aureus</jats:named-content>appears to recycle cytoplasmic proteins that moonlight as components of the extracellular matrix.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>IMPORTANCE</jats:bold><jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">Staphylococcus aureus</jats:named-content>is a leading cause of multiantibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections and is often found growing as a biofilm in catheters and chronic wounds. Biofilm formation is an important pathogenicity strategy that enhances resistance to antimicrobials, thereby limiting treatment options and ultimately contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Cells in a biofilm are held together by an extracellular matrix that consists in whole or in part of protein, but the nature of the proteins in the<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">S. aureus</jats:named-content>matrix is not well understood. Here we postulate that<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">S. aureus</jats:named-content>recycles proteins from the cytoplasm to form the extracellular matrix. This strategy, of cytoplasmic proteins moonlighting as matrix proteins, could allow enhanced flexibility and adaptability for<jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">S. aureus</jats:named-content>in forming biofilms under infection conditions and could promote the formation of mixed-species biofilms in chronic wounds.</jats:p>