RNA-seq transcriptome of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA at mid-exponential phase

<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a known commensal of the human skin microbiome, but it is increasingly recognised as a human pathogen. Specifically, the transformation of this commensal bacterium into a pathogenic species remains enigmatic. More importantly, increasing prevalence of a methicillin resistant strain of <i>S. aureus</i> points to a major clinical need to understand the fundamental biology and pathogenesis mechanisms of this important human pathogen. To this end, this contribution hopes to illuminate the RNA-seq transcriptome of <i>S. aureus</i> MRSA BD02-25 (ArrayExpress accession number: E-GEOD-67344) through processing 0.5 million reads via an in-house MATLAB RNA-seq analysis software. The most highly expressed genes were: clumping factor, formate acetyltransferase, alkaline shock protein 23, pyruvate formate-lyase 1 activating enzyme, transcriptional regulator Spx, anaerobic ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase, DNA-binding protein HU, and ATP-dependent Clp protease ATP-binding subunit. Drugs or antibiotics targeting <i>S. aureus</i> MRSA should ideally identify molecules unique to the bacterium’s physiology. These molecules need not be highly expressed proteins or enzymes, but should play a critical role in <i>S. aureus</i> MRSA physiology and metabolism. Hence, deeper analysis of the presented RNA-seq transcriptome of <i>S. aureus</i> MRSA by the scientific community might offer clues to new molecular targets suitable for drug development, or helping gain additional insights of the pathophysiological process of this important human pathogen. <br><br>