Bioactive specialized metabolites from Staphylococcus: diversity, biosynthesis and biotechnological potential.

Abstract

Staphylococci are a heterogeneous group of bacteria capable of colonizing diverse ecological niches and adopting a wide variety of lifestyles. While several strains are known as notorious, multidrug-resistant human pathogens, others are harmless inhabitants of soil, water and food products, or beneficial members of the skin microbiota. To survive and remain competitive under challenging environmental conditions, staphylococci have evolved the ability to assemble and secrete a diverse range of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides, nonribosomal peptides, terpenes, siderophores and other specialized metabolites with antibiotic, immunomodulating and metal chelating activities. In this review, we provide an overview of the bioactive metabolite arsenal of staphylococci with a focus on their biosynthetic pathway, mode of action and industrial application potential. We also highlight unexplored natural product biosynthetic pathways in staphylococci, along with strategies to access this hidden potential.