The Surface Protein SdrF Mediates Staphylococcus epidermidis Adherence to Keratin

Staphylococcus epidermidis, a major component of skin flora, is an opportunist, often causing prosthetic device infections. A family of structurally related proteins mediates staphylococcal attachment to host tissues, contributing to the success of S. epidermidis as a pathogen. We examined the ability of the surface protein SdrF to adhere to keratin, a major molecule expressed on the skin surface.A heterologous Lactococcus lactis expression...