Genetic screens reveal novel major and minor players in magnesium homeostasis of Staphylococcus aureus

Magnesium is one of the most abundant metal ions in living cells. Very specific and devoted transporters have evolved for transporting Mg(2+) ions across the membrane and maintain magnesium homeostasis. Using genetic screens, we were able to identify the main players in magnesium homeostasis in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we show that import of magnesium relies on the redundant activity of either CorA2 or MgtE since in absence of these two importers, bacteria require increased amounts of magnesium in the medium. A third CorA-like importer seems to play a minor role, at least under laboratory conditions. For export of magnesium, we identified two proteins, MpfA and MpfB. MpfA, is the main actor since it is essential for growth in high magnesium concentrations. We show that gain of function mutations or overexpression of the minor factor, MpfB, which is part of a sigmaB controlled stress response regulon, can compensate for the absence of MpfA.