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What degradative enzymes does S. aureus produce?

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Final answer:

S. aureus produces DNAse to degrade extracellular DNA and escape tissues, and proteases like gelatinase and caseinase to degrade proteins.

Step-by-step explanation:

S. aureus produces a variety of degradative enzymes that aid in its pathogenicity. One such enzyme is DNAse, which degrades extracellular DNA to escape and spread through tissues. This enzyme helps the bacteria overcome the obstacles created by trapped bacteria and immune system defenses. S. aureus also produces proteases that degrade proteins, such as gelatinase and caseinase, which can be used to distinguish the bacterium from other gram-negative bacteria.

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