Comparative genomic analysis of RNA-binding proteins across some drug resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

The adaptability and persistence of Staphylococcus aureus in diverse host environments may be influenced by its genetic repertoire, including RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). These proteins play critical roles in regulating post-transcriptional processes; however, their significance in bacteria, particularly in pathogenic strains, remains poorly understood. This gap necessitates a comprehensive exploration of RBPs in bacterial pathogens such as S. aureus better to understand their potential contributions to virulence and adaptability. In this study, a bioinformatics-based analysis of the genomes and proteomes of 51 pathogenic S. aureus strains was conducted, focusing on their RNA-binding proteome (RBPome). The pathogenicity of all analyzed strains was confirmed, and both known and putative virulence genes were identified. In addition, strains were categorized as drug-resistant or drug-sensitive based on genomic data, providing insights into their genetic variation. Phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data revealed distinct groupings of major clonal complexes, highlighting evolutionary relationships among the strains. Eight conserved RNA-binding proteins were identified, and their RNA-binding domains and molecular dynamics were predicted. Notable differences in molecular phylogeny, RNA-binding domains, and dynamics were observed in cold shock proteins A and B and S1 RNA-binding domain proteins between resistant and sensitive strains. These findings suggest that RNA-binding proteins may play important roles in the pathogenicity and adaptability of S. aureus and could be potential molecular targets for future therapeutic strategies.