Clumping factor A, or ClfA, is a
virulence factor
Virulence factors (preferably known as pathogenicity factors or effectors in plant science) are cellular structures, molecules and regulatory systems that enable microbial pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa) to achieve the following ...
from ''
Staphylococcus aureus
''Staphylococcus aureus'' is a Gram-positive spherically shaped bacterium, a member of the Bacillota, and is a usual member of the microbiota of the body, frequently found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin. It is often positive ...
'' (''S. aureus'') that binds to
fibrinogen
Fibrinogen (factor I) is a glycoprotein complex, produced in the liver, that circulates in the blood of all vertebrates. During tissue and vascular injury, it is converted enzymatically by thrombin to fibrin and then to a fibrin-based blood clo ...
.
ClfA also has been shown to bind to complement regulator I protein.
It is responsible for the clumping of
blood plasma
Blood plasma is a light amber-colored liquid component of blood in which blood cells are absent, but contains proteins and other constituents of whole blood in suspension. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume. It is the intra ...
observed when adding ''S. aureus'' to human plasma. Clumping factor can be detected by the
slide test.
See also
*
Tefibazumab
Tefibazumab (named Aurexis but not approved) is a humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of severe infections with '' Staphylococcus aureus''. Possible indications include the treatment of ''S. aureus'' in a phase 2a patients with cystic ...
*
Coagulase
Coagulase is a protein enzyme produced by several microorganisms that enables the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. In the laboratory, it is used to distinguish between different types of '' Staphylococcus'' isolates. Importantly, '' S. aureus' ...
References
Staphylococcaceae
Bacterial proteins
Virulence factors
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