Functional characterization of the sigmaB-dependent yabJ-spoVG operon in Staphylococcus aureus: role in methicillin and glycopeptide resistance.
The alternative sigma factor sigma(B) of Staphylococcus aureus controls the expression of multiple genes, including virulence determinants and global regulators; promotes capsule production; and increases the resistance levels of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and glycopeptide-intermediate-resistant S. aureus (GISA) strains. We show here that deletion of the sigma(B)-controlled yabJ-spoVG operon, which codes for potential downstream regulators of sigma(B), abolished capsule synthesis and reduced resistance in MRSA and GISA to the same extent that sigma(B) inactivation did. Introduction of the yabJ-spoVG operon in trans restored the original phenotype. By genetic manipulations, we show that SpoVG but not YabJ is required for complementation. We therefore postulate that SpoVG is the major factor of the yabJ-spoVG operon required in S. aureus for capsule formation and antibiotic resistance.
Schulthess
Bettina
B
Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastr. 32, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland.
Meier
Stefan
S
Homerova
Dagmar
D
Goerke
Christiane
C
Wolz
Christiane
C
Kormanec
Jan
J
Berger-Bächi
Brigitte
B
Bischoff
Markus
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009876:Operon; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006020:Glycopeptides; C079011:SigB protein, Bacteria; D012808:Sigma Factor; D008712:Methicillin