Iron-responsive regulation of biofilm formation in staphylococcus aureus involves fur-dependent and fur-independent mechanisms.

We have shown that Staphylococcus aureus biofilm production is induced in iron-restricted conditions and is repressed by iron via a Fur-independent mechanism, while Fur has both positive and negative regulatory roles in low iron. Furthermore, there is no significant increase in polymeric N-acetylglucosamine polysaccharide expression to account for induction of biofilms in low iron.