Differential expression of virulence-related genes in Enterococcus faecalis in response to biological cues in serum and urine.
Enterococci rank among leading causes of nosocomial bacteremia and urinary tract infection and are also a leading cause of community acquired subacute endocarditis. Limited evidence suggests that biological cues in serum and urine may play an important role in modulating enterococcal virulence at sites of infection. To determine the extent to which biological cues affect enterococcal virulence-associated gene expression, we used quantitative real-time PCR to compare mRNA levels in Enterococcus faecalis cultures grown in serum or urine to that achieved in laboratory medium. Both environment- and growth phase-specific variations were observed, demonstrating the occurrence of as-yet-uncharacterized mechanisms for control of gene expression in E. faecalis that may play an important role in vivo.
Department of Ophthalmology, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
Brett D
BD
Shepard
Michael S
MS
Gilmore
D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014774:Virulence
D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger