Fig. 7: Evolution of camSOD was driven by altered metal availability in the host.
From: An evolutionary path to altered cofactor specificity in a metalloenzyme
Schematic model depicting the evolution of S. aureus camSOD (orange) under selection pressure caused by exposure of the S. aureus ancestor to host-imposed manganese-starvation mediated by calprotectin. Acquisition and evolution of camSOD enabled the ancestor of S. aureus to maintain its antioxidant defense under these conditions using its iron-dependent catalysis, and coincided with its acquisition of numerous genes (green) involved in infection. Collectively, these acquired systems resulted in increased survival of S. aureus during interaction with host immune mechanisms, creating pathogenic S. aureus.
