The iron-regulated surface determinant B (IsdB) protein fromStaphylococcus aureusacts as a receptor for the host protein vitronectin

Staphylococcus aureusis an important bacterial pathogen that can cause a wide spectrum of diseases in humans and other animals.S. aureusexpresses a variety of virulence factors that promote infection with this pathogen. These include cell-surface proteins that mediate adherence of the bacterial cells to host extracellular matrix components, such as fibronectin and fibrinogen. Here, using immunoblotting, ELISA, and surface plasmon resonance analysis, we report that the iron-regulated surface determinant B (IsdB) protein, besides being involved in heme transport, plays a novel role as a receptor for the plasma and extracellular matrix protein vitronectin (Vn). Vn-binding activity was expressed by staphylococcal strains grown under iron starvation conditions when Isd proteins are expressed. Recombinant IsdB bound Vn dose dependently and specifically. Both near-iron transporter motifs NEAT(1)and NEAT(2)of IsdB individually bound Vn in a saturable manner, withK(D)values in the range of 16?18 nm. Binding of Vn to IsdB was specifically blocked by heparin and reduced at high ionic strength. Furthermore, IsdB-expressing bacterial cells bound significantly higher amounts of Vn from human plasma than did anisdBmutant. Adherence to and invasion of epithelial and endothelial cells by IsdB-expressingS. aureuscells was promoted by Vn, and an ?(v)?(3)integrin-blocking mAb or cilengitide inhibited adherence and invasion by staphylococci, suggesting that Vn acts as a bridge between IsdB and host ?(v)?(3)integrin.