Comparative genomic analysis of RNA-binding proteins across some drug resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

The adaptability and persistence of Staphylococcus aureus in diverse host environments may be influenced by its genetic repertoire, including RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). These proteins play critical roles in regulating post-transcriptional processes; however, their significance in bacteria, particularly in pathogenic strains, remains poorly understood. This gap necessitates a comprehensive exploration of RBPs in bacterial pathogens such as S. aureus better to understand their potential contributions to virulence and adaptability. In this study, a bioinformatics-based analysis of the genomes and proteomes of 51 pathogenic S. aureus strains was conducted, focusing on their RNA-binding proteome (RBPome). The pathogenicity of all analyzed strains was confirmed, and both known and putative virulence genes were identified. In addition, strains were categorized as drug-resistant or drug-sensitive based on genomic data, providing insights into their genetic variation. Phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data revealed distinct groupings of major clonal complexes, highlighting evolutionary relationships among the strains. Eight conserved RNA-binding proteins were identified, and their RNA-binding domains and molecular dynamics were predicted. Notable differences in molecular phylogeny, RNA-binding domains, and dynamics were observed in cold shock proteins A and B and S1 RNA-binding domain proteins between resistant and sensitive strains. These findings suggest that RNA-binding proteins may play important roles in the pathogenicity and adaptability of S. aureus and could be potential molecular targets for future therapeutic strategies.