Accessory gene regulator protein C (AgrC) (AgrC)

Accessory gene regulator protein C (AgrC) is a transmembrane histidine kinase that serves as the sensor component of the accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum-sensing system, primarily in Staphylococcus aureus (UniProt P0C1P6). It is activated by the binding of secreted autoinducing peptides (AIPs), which triggers a phosphorylation cascade leading to the activation of the response regulator AgrA (PubMed: 10493711). This system acts as a master switch, controlling the transition from a colonizing phenotype to an invasive, virulent phenotype by upregulating toxins and downregulating surface adhesins (PubMed: 23403495). As a therapeutic target, AgrC is highly attractive for anti-virulence therapy, which aims to disarm the pathogen without exerting the strong selective pressure for resistance seen with traditional biocidal antibiotics (PubMed: 24413152). Inhibitors of AgrC, such as synthetic AIP analogs or natural products like Solonamide B, can attenuate the production of virulence factors like alpha-hemolysin and proteases, potentially improving patient outcomes in severe staphylococcal infections (PubMed: 24413152).

Other names

Histidine kinase AgrCQuorum-sensing sensor kinase AgrCAgrC receptorStaphylococcal accessory gene regulator C

Inhibition of the binding of autoinducing peptides (AIPs) to the AgrC receptor, preventing autophosphorylation and subsequent activation of the AgrA response regulator, thereby suppressing the expression of virulence factors (PubMed: 23403495, PubMed: 24413152).