Lesions in Teichoic Acid Biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus Lead to a Lethal Gain of Function in the Otherwise Dispensable Pathway

An extensive study of teichoic acid biosynthesis in the model organism Bacillus subtilis has established teichoic acid polymers as essential components of the gram-positive cell wall. However, similar studies pertaining to therapeutically relevant organisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are scarce. In this study we have carried out a meticulous examination of the dispensability of teichoic acid biosynthetic enzymes in S. aureus. By use of an …