Lipoic acid deficiency causes BCFA auxotrophy in S. aureus. (A) In vivo lipoylation profiles of WT, ΔlipL, ΔlipL+lipL, and ΔlipA ΔlplA1 ΔlplA2 strains after 9 h subculture growth in RPMI + BCFAP [10 mM IB, 9 mM 2MB, 9 mM IV + 10 mM NaAc], with or without 5 μM lipoic acid (LA), were assessed by immunoblotting SDS-PAGE–resolved whole-cell lysates with rabbit α-lipoic acid antibody. Presented blot is representative of at least three independent experiments. (B) Growth (log10 CFU/mL) of WT, ΔlipL, ΔlipL+lipL, and ΔlipA ΔlplA1 ΔlplA2 strains after 24 h growth in RPMI only or RPMI + 10 mM NaAc or any one BCFAP (9 mM 2MB, 9 mM IV, or 10 mM IB).