Differential expression of ccrA in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains carrying staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type II and IVa elements.
Excision of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) is mediated through the ccrA- and -B-encoded recombinases. We investigated the effects of different antimicrobial agents on ccrA expression by using a ccrA::lacZ fusion and reverse transcription-PCR with methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains MW2 (SCCmec IVa) and N315 (SCCmec II). Upregulation of ccrA was observed upon exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics. Vancomycin increased ccrA expression in MW2 but had no effect on N315. Vancomycin may contribute to the transfer of SCCmec IVa but have no effect in SCCmec II.
Higgins
Paul G
PG
Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Rosato
Adriana E
AE
Seifert
Harald
H
Archer
Gordon L
GL
Wisplinghoff
Hilmar
H
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009598:Nitrophenylgalactosides / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D047090:beta-Lactams; C055012:2-nitrophenylgalactoside; D009598:Nitrophenylgalactosides; D014640:Vancomycin; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C063912:carbapenemase