qorA associated data

Staphylococcus aureus is categorized into sequence types (STs), with ST59-MRSA being the predominant clone in Chinese hospitals. Infections caused by ST59-MRSA require the expression of specific virulence factors, making the identification of virulence-related traits of ST59 particularly important. In this study, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), an advanced systems biology approach, was used to identify genetic traits unique to ST59-MRSA. Our research showed that qorA is highly expressed in ST59 compared to other STs, highlighting its critical role in clone adaptation. While previous studies have associated qorA with metabolic responses, we determined that it also plays a crucial role in the host adaptation of ST59. QorA is essential for converting NAD+ to NADH, thereby maintaining redox balance within bacterial cells. Consequently, the ΔqorA strain exhibited decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and reduced pigment production. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses indicated that the ΔqorA strain underwent a significant metabolic shift to cope with the redox imbalance. Notably, the qorA mutant exhibited impaired survival against neutrophil killing as well as reduced viability in human blood, plasma, and during mouse bloodstream infections, along with a significant decline in its anti-phagocytic capability. Complementation of qorA restored the ability to survive under host conditions and enhanced anti-phagocytosis in the ΔqorA strain. These findings underscore the essential role of qorA in the survival of S. aureus within innate immune cells and during host infection, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for combating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.