Staphylococcus aureus PBP2a

Staphylococcus aureus PBP2a, as the core resistance determinant of MRSA, maintains bacterial cell wall synthesis despite exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics. This protein's unique structural features prevent beta-lactams from interfering with its peptidoglycan cross-linking activity, allowing MRSA to thrive in the presence of drugs that kill susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains. The presence of PBP2a is a defining characteristic of MRSA, and its detection is essential for guiding clinical treatment decisions-avoiding ineffective beta-lactams and choosing alternative antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin). Given the rising prevalence of MRSA and the limited number of new antibiotics, targeting PBP2a with novel inhibitors remains a top priority in antibacterial research, aiming to overcome resistance and restore the efficacy of existing drug classes.