Clumping factor A
Encyclopedia
Clumping factor A, or ClfA, is a virulence factor
from Staphylococcus aureus
(S. aureus) that binds to fibrinogen
.
ClfA also has been shown to bind to complement regulator I protein.
It is responsible for the clumping of blood plasma
observed when adding S. aureus to human plasma.
Virulence factor
Virulence factors are molecules expressed and secreted by pathogens that enable them to achieve the following:* colonization of a niche in the host...
from Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...
(S. aureus) that binds to fibrinogen
Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen is a soluble plasma glycoprotein, synthesised by the liver, that is converted by thrombin into fibrin during blood coagulation. This is achieved through processes in the coagulation cascade that activate the zymogen prothrombin to the serine protease thrombin, which is responsible for...
.
ClfA also has been shown to bind to complement regulator I protein.
It is responsible for the clumping of blood plasma
Blood plasma
Blood plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of blood in which the blood cells in whole blood are normally suspended. It makes up about 55% of the total blood volume. It is the intravascular fluid part of extracellular fluid...
observed when adding S. aureus to human plasma.