The acquisition of metal ions and the proper maturation of holo-metalloproteins are essential processes for all organisms. However, metal ion homeostasis is a double-edged sword. A cytosolic accumulation of metal ions can lead to mismetallation of proteins and cell death. Therefore, maintenance of proper concentrations of intracellular metals is essential for cell fitness and pathogenesis. Staphylococcus aureus, like all bacterial pathogens, uses transcriptional metalloregulatory proteins to aid in the detection and the genetic response to changes in metal ion concentrations. Herein, we review the mechanisms by which S. aureus senses and responds to alterations in the levels of cellular zinc, iron, heme, and copper. The interplay between metal ion sensing and metal-dependent expression of virulence factors is also discussed.

金属离子的获取和全金属蛋白的适当成熟是所有生物体的必要过程。然而，金属离子稳态是一把双刃剑。金属离子的细胞溶质积累可导致蛋白质错金属化和细胞死亡。因此，维持适当浓度的细胞内金属对于细胞健康和发病机制至关重要。与所有细菌病原体一样，金黄色葡萄球菌使用转录金属调节蛋白来帮助检测和对金属离子浓度变化的遗传反应。在此，我们回顾了金黄色葡萄球菌的机制感觉并响应细胞中锌、铁、血红素和铜水平的变化。还讨论了金属离子传感和毒力因子的金属依赖性表达之间的相互作用。