qorA associated data

<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> 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 <i>qorA</i> is highly expressed in ST59 compared to other STs, highlighting its critical role in clone adaptation. While previous studies have associated <i>qorA </i>with metabolic responses, we determined that it also plays a crucial role in the host adaptation of ST59. <i>QorA</i> is essential for converting NAD⁺ to NADH, thereby maintaining redox balance within bacterial cells. Consequently, the Δ<i>qorA</i> strain exhibited decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and reduced pigment production. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses indicated that the Δ<i>qorA</i> strain underwent a significant metabolic shift to cope with the redox imbalance. Notably, the <i>qorA</i> 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 <i>qorA</i> restored the ability to survive under host conditions and enhanced anti-phagocytosis in the <i>ΔqorA</i> strain. These findings underscore the essential role of <i>qorA</i> in the survival of <i>S. aureus</i> within innate immune cells and during host infection, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for combating Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) infections.