The staphylococcal transferrin receptor: a glycolytic enzyme with novel functions

Abstract

To obtain iron from the host for growth, staphylococci have evolved sophisticated iron-scavenging systems including siderophores and a cell surface receptor for transferrin, the mammalian iron-transporting glycoprotein. The staphylococcal transferrin receptor has been identified as a member of a newly emerging family of multifunctional, cell-surface-associated glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases, which not only retain their glycolytic enzyme activities but also bind diverse human serum proteins and possess NAD-ribosylating activity. These multiple functions suggest a potential contribution to virulence far beyond iron acquisition.