Characterization of a sucrase gene from Staphylococcus xylosus

The Complex GH32 Enzyme Orchestra from Priestia megaterium Holds the Key to Better Discriminate Sucrose-6-phosphate Hydrolases from Other β-Fructofuranosidases in Bacteria

Inulin is widely used as a prebiotic and emerging as a priming compound to counteract plant diseases. We isolated inulin-degrading strains from the lettuce phyllosphere, identified as Bacillus subtilis and Priestia megaterium, species hosting well-known biocontrol organisms. To better understand their varying inulin degradation strategies, three intracellular β-fructofuranosidases from P. megaterium NBRC15308 were characterized after expression in Escherichia coli: a predicted sucrose-6-phosphate (Suc6P) hydrolase (SacAP1, supported by molecular docking), an exofructanase (SacAP2), and an invertase (SacAP3). Based on protein multiple sequence and structure alignments of bacterial glycoside hydrolase family 32 enzymes, we identified conserved residues predicted to be involved in binding phosphorylated (Suc6P hydrolases) or nonphosphorylated substrates (invertases and fructanases). Suc6P hydrolases feature positively charged residues near the structural catalytic pocket (histidine, arginine, or lysine), whereas other β-fructofuranosidases contain tryptophans. This correlates with our phylogenetic tree, grouping all predicted Suc6P hydrolases in a clan associated with genomic regions coding for transporters involved in substrate phosphorylation. These results will help to discriminate between Suc6P hydrolases and other β-fructofuranosidases in future studies and to better understand the interaction of B. subtilis and P. megaterium endophytes with sucrose and/or fructans, sugars naturally present in plants or exogenously applied in the context of defense priming.

Staphylococcus aureus Multiplexes Death-Effector Deoxyribonucleosides to Neutralize Phagocytes

Adenosine synthase A (AdsA) is a key virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus, a dangerous microbe that causes fatal diseases in humans. Together with staphylococcal nuclease, AdsA generates deoxyadenosine (dAdo) from neutrophil extracellular DNA traps thereby igniting caspase-3-dependent cell death in host immune cells that aim at penetrating infectious foci. Powered by a multi-technological approach, we here illustrate that the enzymatic activity of AdsA in abscess-mimicking microenvironments is not restricted to the biogenesis of dAdo but rather comprises excessive biosynthesis of deoxyguanosine (dGuo), a cytotoxic deoxyribonucleoside generated by S. aureus to eradicate macrophages of human and animal origin. Based on a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out screen, we further demonstrate that dGuo-induced cytotoxicity in phagocytes involves targeting of the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis, a signaling cascade that is concomitantly stimulated by staphylococcal dAdo. Strikingly, synchronous targeting of this route by AdsA-derived dGuo and dAdo boosts macrophage cell death, indicating that S. aureus multiplexes death-effector deoxyribonucleosides to maximize intra-host survival. Overall, these data provide unique insights into the cunning lifestyle of a deadly pathogen and may help to design therapeutic intervention strategies to combat multidrug-resistant staphylococci.

mazEF Homologue Has a Minor Role in Staphylococcus epidermidis 1457 Virulence Potential

Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm cells are characterized by increased antimicrobial tolerance and improved ability to evade host immune system defenses. These features are, in part, due to the presence of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells. A previous study identified genes potentially involved in VBNC cells formation in S. epidermidis biofilms, among which SERP1682/1681 raised special interest due to their putative role as a toxin–antitoxin system of the mazEF family. Herein, we constructed an S. epidermidis mutant lacking the mazEF genes homologues and determined their role in (i) VBNC state induction during biofilm formation, (ii) antimicrobial susceptibility, (iii) survival in human blood and plasma, and (iv) activation of immune cells. Our results revealed that mazEF homologue did not affect the proportion of VBNC cells in S. epidermidis 1457, refuting the previous hypothesis that mazEF homologue could be linked with the emergence of VBNC cells in S. epidermidis biofilms. Additionally, mazEF homologue did not seem to influence key virulence factors on this strain, since its deletion did not significantly affect the mutant biofilm formation capacity, antimicrobial tolerance or the response by immune cells. Surprisingly, our data suggest that mazEF does not behave as a toxin–antitoxin system in S. epidermidis strain 1457, since no decrease in the viability and culturability of bacteria was found when only the mazF toxin homologue was being expressed.

Inactivation of the Response Regulator AgrA Has a Pleiotropic Effect on Biofilm Formation, Pathogenesis and Stress Response in Staphylococcus lugdunensis

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus that emerges as an important opportunistic pathogen. However, little is known about the regulation underlying the transition from commensal to virulent state. Based on knowledge of S. aureus virulence, we suspected that the agr quorum sensing system may be an important determinant for the pathogenicity of S. lugdunensis. We investigated the functions of the transcriptional regulator AgrA using the agrA deletion mutant. AgrA played a role in cell pigmentation: ΔargA mutant colonies were white while the parental strains were slightly yellow. Compared with the wild-type strain, the ΔargA mutant was affected in its ability to form biofilm and was less able to survive in mice macrophages. Moreover, the growth of ΔagrA was significantly reduced by the addition of 10% NaCl or 0.4 mM H2O2 and its survival after 2 h in the presence of 1 mM H2O2 was more than 10-fold reduced. To explore the mechanisms involved beyond these phenotypes, the ΔagrA proteome and transcriptome were characterized by mass spectrometry and RNA-Seq. We found that AgrA controlled several virulence factors as well as stress-response factors, which are well correlated with the reduced resistance of the ΔagrA mutant to osmotic and oxidative stresses. These results were not the consequence of the deregulation of RNAIII of the agr system, since no phenotype or alteration of the proteomic profile has been observed for the ΔRNAIII mutant. Altogether, our results highlighted that the AgrA regulator of S. lugdunensis played a key role in its ability to become pathogenic. IMPORTANCE Although belonging to the natural human skin flora, Staphylococcus lugdunensis is recognized as a particularly aggressive and destructive pathogen. This study aimed to characterize the role of the response regulator AgrA, which is a component of the quorum-sensing agr system and known to be a major element in the regulation of pathogenicity and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. In the present study, we showed that, contrary to S. aureus, the agrA deletion mutant produced less biofilm. Inactivation of agrA conferred a white colony phenotype and impacted S. lugdunensis in its ability to survive in mice macrophages and to cope with osmotic and oxidative stresses. By global proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, we identified the AgrA regulon, bringing molecular bases underlying the observed phenotypes. Together, our data showed the importance of AgrA in the opportunistic pathogenic behavior of S. lugdunensis allowing it to be considered as an interesting therapeutic target.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius synthesizes deoxyadenosine to cause persistent infection

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen of canine origin that causes an array of fatal diseases, including bacteremia and endocarditis. Despite large-scale genome sequencing projects have gained substantial insights into the genomic landscape of MRSP, current knowledge on virulence determinants that contribute to S. pseudintermedius pathogenesis during human or canine infection is very limited. Using a panel of genetically engineered MRSP variants and a mouse abscess model, we here identified the major secreted nuclease of S. pseudintermedius designated NucB and adenosine synthase A (AdsA) as two synergistically acting enzymes required for MRSP pathogenesis. Similar to Staphylococcus aureus, S. pseudintermedius requires nuclease secretion along with the activity of AdsA to degrade mammalian DNA for subsequent biosynthesis of cytotoxic deoxyadenosine. In this manner, S. pseudintermedius selectively kills macrophages during abscess formation thereby antagonizing crucial host immune cell responses. Ultimately, bioinformatics analyses revealed that NucB and AdsA are widespread in the global S. pseudintermedius population. Together, these data suggest that S. pseudintermedius deploys the canonical Nuc/AdsA pathway to persist during invasive disease and may aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat infections caused by MRSP.

Plasmid-Chromosome Crosstalk in Staphylococcus aureus: A Horizontally Acquired Transcription Regulator Controls Polysaccharide Intercellular Adhesin-Mediated Biofilm Formation

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) of clonal complex CC398 typically carry various antimicrobial resistance genes, many of them located on plasmids. In the bovine LA-MRSA isolate Rd11, we previously identified plasmid pAFS11 in which resistance genes are co-localized with a novel ica-like gene cluster, harboring genes required for polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA)-mediated biofilm formation. The ica genes on pAFS11 were acquired in addition to a pre-existing ica locus on the S. aureus Rd11 chromosomal DNA. Both loci consist of an icaADBC operon and icaR, encoding a corresponding icaADBC repressor. Despite carrying two biofilm gene copies, strain Rd11 did not produce PIA and transformation of pAFS11 into another S. aureus strain even slightly diminished PIA-mediated biofilm formation. By focusing on the molecular background of the biofilm-negative phenotype of pAFS11-carrying S. aureus, we identified the pAFS11-borne ica locus copy as functionally fully active. However, transcription of both plasmid- and core genome-derived icaADBC operons were efficiently suppressed involving IcaR. Surprisingly, although being different on the amino acid sequence level, the two IcaR repressor proteins are mutually replaceable and are able to interact with the icaA promoter region of the other copy. We speculate that this regulatory crosstalk causes the biofilm-negative phenotype in S. aureus Rd11. The data shed light on an unexpected regulatory interplay between pre-existing and newly acquired DNA traits in S. aureus. This also raises interesting general questions regarding functional consequences of gene transfer events and their putative implications for the adaptation and evolution of bacterial pathogens.

The plant-derived naphthoquinone lapachol causes an oxidative stress response in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, which causes life-threatening systemic and chronic infections and rapidly acquires resistance to multiple antibiotics. Thus, new antimicrobial compounds are required to combat infections with drug resistant S. aureus isolates. The 2-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone lapachol was previously shown to exert antimicrobial effects. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial mode of action of lapachol in S. aureus using RNAseq transcriptomics, redox biosensor measurements, S-bacillithiolation assays and phenotype analyses of mutants. In the RNA-seq transcriptome, lapachol caused an oxidative and quinone stress response as well as protein damage as revealed by induction of the PerR, HypR, QsrR, MhqR, CtsR and HrcA regulons. Lapachol treatment further resulted in up-regulation of the SigB and GraRS regulons, which is indicative for cell wall and general stress responses. The redox-cycling mode of action of lapachol was supported by an elevated bacillithiol (BSH) redox potential (E_BSH), higher endogenous ROS levels, a faster H₂O₂ detoxification capacity and increased thiol-oxidation of GapDH and the HypR repressor in vivo. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine and microaerophilic growth conditions improved the survival of lapachol-treated S. aureus cells. Phenotype analyses revealed an involvement of the catalase KatA and the Brx/BSH/YpdA pathway in protection against lapachol-induced ROS-formation in S. aureus. However, no evidence for irreversible protein alkylation and aggregation was found in lapachol-treated S. aureus cells. Thus, the antimicrobial mode of action of lapachol in S. aureus is mainly caused by ROS formation resulting in an oxidative stress response, an oxidative shift of the E_BSH and increased protein thiol-oxidation. As ROS-generating compound, lapachol is an attractive alternative antimicrobial to combat multi-resistant S. aureus isolates.

Enterococcus faecalis Maltodextrin Gene Regulation by Combined Action of Maltose Gene Regulator MalR and Pleiotropic Regulator CcpA

Enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria present in the healthy human microbiota, but they are also a leading cause of nosocomial infections. Maltodextrin utilization by Enterococcus faecalis has been identified as an important factor for colonization of mammalians hosts. Here, we show that the LacI/GalR transcriptional regulator MalR, the maltose gene regulator, is also the main regulator of the operons encoding an ABC transporter (mdxEFG) and three metabolic enzymes (mmdH-gmdH-mmgT) required for the uptake and catabolism of maltotetraose and longer maltodextrins. The utilization of maltose and maltodextrins is consequently coordinated and induced by the disaccharide maltose, which binds to MalR. Carbon catabolite repression of the mdxEFG and mmdH-gmdH-mmgT operons is mediated by both P-Ser-HPr/MalR and P-Ser-HPr/CcpA. The latter complex exerts only moderate catabolite repression, which became visible when comparing maltodextrin operon expression levels of a malR ^- mutant (with a mutant allele for the malR gene) and a malR ^- ΔccpA double mutant grown in the presence of maltose, which is transported via a phosphotransferase system and, thus, favors the formation of P-Ser-HPr. Moreover, maltodextrin transport via MdxEFG slows rapidly when glucose is added, suggesting an additional regulation via inducer exclusion. This complex regulation of metabolic operons likely allows E. faecalis to fine-tune gene expression in response to changing environmental conditions.IMPORTANCE Enterococcus faecalis represents a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. Several studies highlighted the importance of carbohydrate metabolism in the infection process of this bacterium. The genes required for maltodextrin metabolism are particularly induced during mouse infection and, therefore, should play an important role for pathogenesis. Since no data were hitherto available concerning the regulation of expression of the maltodextrin operons, we have conducted experiments to study the underlying mechanisms.

Sucrose enhances colour formation in dry sausages by up-regulating gene expression of nitric oxide synthase in Staphylococcus vitulinus

The effects of glucose and sucrose on the gene expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in Staphylococcus vitulinus and colour formation in dry sausages were investigated. The results showed that sucrose addition promoted nitric oxide (NO) production in media when compared with glucose. In addition, sucrose could up-regulate nos (encoding NOS) and katA (encoding catalase KatA) gene expression by enhancing oxidative stress levels. In the sausages inoculated with S. vitulinus, a*-values (indicating redness) of the sausages with added sucrose were higher than those of samples with added glucose (P < 0.05) but did not differ from those in the nitrite treatment group (P > 0.05). The UV-vis spectra results showed that nitrosylmyoglobin (NO-Mb) was formed in the sausages with either S. vitulinus or nitrite added. In the S. vitulinus-inoculated sausages, sucrose addition led to a higher NO-Mb content than that after glucose addition, which was attributed to up-regulation of the nos gene. This study provides a potential method to enhance NO yield in S. vitulinus and colour formation in dry sausages without nitrite addition.

Staphylococcus aureus Uses the Bacilliredoxin (BrxAB)/Bacillithiol Disulfide Reductase (YpdA) Redox Pathway to Defend Against Oxidative Stress Under Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen and has to cope with reactive oxygen and chlorine species (ROS, RCS) during infections. The low molecular weight thiol bacillithiol (BSH) is an important defense mechanism of S. aureus for detoxification of ROS and HOCl stress to maintain the reduced state of the cytoplasm. Under HOCl stress, BSH forms mixed disulfides with proteins, termed as S-bacillithiolations, which are reduced by bacilliredoxins (BrxA and BrxB). The NADPH-dependent flavin disulfide reductase YpdA is phylogenetically associated with the BSH synthesis and BrxA/B enzymes and was recently suggested to function as BSSB reductase (Mikheyeva et al., 2019). Here, we investigated the role of the complete bacilliredoxin BrxAB/BSH/YpdA pathway in S. aureus COL under oxidative stress and macrophage infection conditions in vivo and in biochemical assays in vitro. Using HPLC thiol metabolomics, a strongly enhanced BSSB level and a decreased BSH/BSSB ratio were measured in the S. aureus COL ΔypdA deletion mutant under control and NaOCl stress. Monitoring the oxidation degree (OxD) of the Brx-roGFP2 biosensor revealed that YpdA is required for regeneration of the reduced BSH redox potential (E_BSH) upon recovery from oxidative stress. In addition, the ΔypdA mutant was impaired in H₂O₂ detoxification as measured with the novel H₂O₂-specific Tpx-roGFP2 biosensor. Phenotype analyses further showed that BrxA and YpdA are required for survival under NaOCl and H₂O₂ stress in vitro and inside murine J-774A.1 macrophages in infection assays in vivo. Finally, NADPH-coupled electron transfer assays provide evidence for the function of YpdA in BSSB reduction, which depends on the conserved Cys14 residue. YpdA acts together with BrxA and BSH in de-bacillithiolation of S-bacillithiolated GapDH. In conclusion, our results point to a major role of the BrxA/BSH/YpdA pathway in BSH redox homeostasis in S. aureus during recovery from oxidative stress and under infections.

The LiaFSR and BsrXRS Systems Contribute to Bile Salt Resistance in Enterococcus faecium Isolates

Two-component systems (TCSs) are dominant regulating components in bacteria for responding to environmental stimuli. However, little information is available on how TCSs in Enterococcus faecium respond to bile salts - an important environmental stimulus for intestinal bacteria. In this study, the gene expression of 2 TCSs, BsrXRS and LiaFSR, was positively correlated with survival rates of different E. faecium isolates during exposure to ox gall. Moreover, gene disruptions of bsrR, bsrS, liaS, and liaR significantly reduced the survival rates of E. faecium in the presence of ox gall. Finally, EMSA results indicated that BsrR functioned as a transcription regulator for expression of its own gene as well as lipoate-protein ligase A (lplA). Additional 27 potential target genes by BsrR were revealed through in silico analyses. These findings suggest that BsrXRS and LiaFSR systems play important roles in bile salt resistance in E. faecium.

The Agr Quorum Sensing System Represses Persister Formation through Regulation of Phenol Soluble Modulins in Staphylococcus aureus

The opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus has become an increasing threat to public health. While the Agr quorum sensing (QS) system is a master regulator of S. aureus virulence, its dysfunction has been frequently reported to promote bacteremia and mortality in clinical infections. Here we show that the Agr system is involved in persister formation in S. aureus. Mutation of either agrCA or agrD but not RNAIII resulted in increased persister formation of stationary phase cultures. RNA-seq analysis showed that in stationary phase AgrCA/AgrD and RNAIII mutants showed consistent up-regulation of virulence associated genes (lip and splE, etc.) and down-regulation of metabolism genes (bioA and nanK, etc.). Meanwhile, though knockout of agrCA or agrD strongly repressed expression of phenol soluble modulin encoding genes psmα1-4, psmβ1-2 and phenol soluble modulins (PSM) transporter encoding genes in the pmt operon, mutation of RNAIII enhanced expression of the genes. We further found that knockout of psmα1-4 or psmβ1-2 augmented persister formation and that co-overexpression of PSMαs and PSMβs reversed the effects of AgrCA mutation on persister formation. We also detected the effects on persister formation by mutations of metabolism genes (arcA, hutU, narG, nanK, etc.) that are potentially regulated by Agr system. It was found that deletion of the ManNAc kinase encoding gene nanK decreased persister formation. Taken together, these results shed new light on the PSM dependent regulatory role of Agr system in persister formation and may have implications for clinical treatment of MRSA persistent infections.

Insight into the Genome of Staphylococcus xylosus, a Ubiquitous Species Well Adapted to Meat Products

Staphylococcus xylosus belongs to the vast group of coagulase-negative staphylococci. It is frequently isolated from meat products, either fermented or salted and dried, and is commonly used as starter cultures in sausage manufacturing. Analysis of the S. xylosus genome together with expression in situ in a meat model revealed that this bacterium is well adapted to meat substrates, being able to use diverse substrates as sources of carbon and energy and different sources of nitrogen. It is well-equipped with genes involved in osmotic, oxidative/nitrosative, and acidic stress responses. It is responsible for the development of the typical colour of cured meat products via its nitrate reductase activity. It contributes to sensorial properties, mainly by the the catabolism of pyruvate and amino acids resulting in odorous compounds and by the limiting of the oxidation of fatty acids, thereby avoiding rancidity.

Attenuating Staphylococcus aureus Virulence by Targeting Flotillin Protein Scaffold Activity

Scaffold proteins are ubiquitous chaperones that bind proteins and facilitate physical interaction of multi-enzyme complexes. Here we used a biochemical approach to dissect the scaffold activity of the flotillin-homolog protein FloA of the multi-drug-resistant human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. We show that FloA promotes oligomerization of membrane protein complexes, such as the membrane-associated RNase Rny, which forms part of the RNA-degradation machinery called the degradosome. Cells lacking FloA had reduced Rny function and a consequent increase in the targeted sRNA transcripts that negatively regulate S. aureus toxin expression. Small molecules that altered FloA oligomerization also reduced Rny function and decreased the virulence potential of S. aureus in vitro, as well as in vivo, using invertebrate and murine infection models. Our results suggest that flotillin assists in the assembly of protein complexes involved in S. aureus virulence, and could thus be an attractive target for the development of new antimicrobial therapies.

D-serine transporter in Staphylococcus saprophyticus identified

Among staphylococci Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the only species that is typically uropathogenic and an important cause of urinary tract infections in young women. The amino acid D-serine occurs in relatively high concentrations in human urine and has a bacteriostatic or toxic effect on many bacteria. In uropathogenic Escherichia coli and S. saprophyticus, the amino acid regulates the expression of virulence factors and can be used as a nutrient. The ability of uropathogens to respond to or to metabolize D-serine has been suggested as a factor that enables colonization of the urinary tract. Until now nothing is known about D-serine transport in S. saprophyticus We generated mutants of putative transporter genes in S. saprophyticus 7108 that show homology to the D-serine transporter cycA of E. coli and tested them in a D-serine depletion assay to analyze the D-serine uptake rate of the cells. The mutant of SPP1070 showed a strong decrease in D-serine uptake. Therefore, SSP1070 was identified as a major D-serine transporter in S. saprophyticus 7108 and was named D-serine transporter A (DstA). D-serine caused a prolonged lag phase of S. saprophyticus in a chemically defined medium. This negative effect was dependent on the presence of DstA.

VraH Is the Third Component of the Staphylococcus aureus VraDEH System Involved in Gallidermin and Daptomycin Resistance and Pathogenicity

In bacteria, extracellular signals are transduced into the cell predominantly by two-component systems (TCSs) comprising a regulatory unit triggered by a specific signal. Some of the TCSs control executing units such as ABC transporters involved in antibiotic resistance. For instance, inStaphylococcus aureus, activation of BraSR leads to the upregulation ofvraDEexpression that encodes an ABC transporter playing a role in bacitracin and nisin resistance. In this study, we show that the small staphylococcal transmembrane protein VraH forms, together with VraDE, a three-component system. Although the expression ofvraHin the absence ofvraDEwas sufficient to mediate low-level resistance, only this VraDEH entity conferred high-level resistance against daptomycin and gallidermin. In most staphylococcal genomes,vraHis located immediately downstream ofvraDE, forming an operon, whereas in some species it is localized differently. In an invertebrate infection model, VraDEH significantly enhancedS. aureuspathogenicity. In analogy to the TCS connectors, VraH can be regarded as an ABC connector that modulates the activity of ABC transporters involved in antibiotic resistance.

Important contribution of the novel locus comEB to extracellular DNA-dependent Staphylococcus lugdunensis biofilm formation

The coagulase-negative species Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an emerging cause of serious and potentially life-threatening infections, such as infective endocarditis. The pathogenesis of these infections is characterized by the ability of S. lugdunensis to form biofilms on either biotic or abiotic surfaces. To elucidate the genetic basis of biofilm formation in S. lugdunensis, we performed transposon (Tn917) mutagenesis. One mutant had a significantly reduced biofilm-forming capacity and carried a Tn917 insertion within the competence gene comEB. Site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent complementation with a functional copy of comEB verified the importance of comEB in biofilm formation. In several bacterial species, natural competence stimulates DNA release via lysis-dependent or -independent mechanisms. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) has been demonstrated to be an important structural component of many bacterial biofilms. Therefore, we quantified the eDNA in the biofilms and found diminished eDNA amounts in the comEB mutant biofilm. High-resolution images and three-dimensional data obtained via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CSLM) visualized the impact of the comEB mutation on biofilm integrity. The comEB mutant did not show reduced expression of autolysin genes, decreased autolytic activities, or increased cell viability, suggesting a cell lysis-independent mechanism of DNA release. Furthermore, reduced amounts of eDNA in the comEB mutant biofilms did not result from elevated levels or activity of the S. lugdunensis thermonuclease NucI. In conclusion, we defined here, for the first time, a role for the competence gene comEB in staphylococcal biofilm formation. Our findings indicate that comEB stimulates biofilm formation via a lysis-independent mechanism of DNA release.

Proteins involved in flor yeast carbon metabolism under biofilm formation conditions

A lack of sugars during the production of biologically aged wines after fermentation of grape must causes flor yeasts to metabolize other carbon molecules formed during fermentation (ethanol and glycerol, mainly). In this work, a proteome analysis involving OFFGEL fractionation prior to LC/MS detection was used to elucidate the carbon metabolism of a flor yeast strain under biofilm formation conditions (BFC). The results were compared with those obtained under non-biofilm formation conditions (NBFC). Proteins associated to processes such as non-fermentable carbon uptake, the glyoxylate and TCA cycles, cellular respiration and inositol metabolism were detected at higher concentrations under BFC than under the reference conditions (NBFC). This study constitutes the first attempt at identifying the flor yeast proteins responsible for the peculiar sensory profile of biologically aged wines. A better metabolic knowledge of flor yeasts might facilitate the development of effective strategies for improved production of these special wines.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus surface-associated protein (Ssp) is associated with lifespan reduction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Staphylococcal lipases have been proposed as pathogenicity factors. In Staphylococcus saprophyticus the surface-associated protein (Ssp) has been previously characterized as a cell wall-associated true lipase. A S. saprophyticus Δssp::ermB mutant has been described as less virulent in an in vivo model of urinary tract infection compared with its wild-type. This is the first report showing that S. saprophyticus induced a lifespan reduction in Caenorhabditis elegans similar to that of S. aureus RN4220. In two S. saprophyticus Δssp::ermB mutants lifespan reduction in C. elegans was partly abolished. In order to attribute virulence to the lipase activity itself and distinguish this phenomenon from the presence of the Ssp-protein, the conserved active site of the lipase was modified by site-directed ligase-independent mutagenesis and lipase activity-deficient mutants were constructed. These results indicate that the Ssp is associated with pathogenicity in C. elegans and one could speculate that the lipase activity itself is responsible for this virulence.

Targeting of PBP1 by β-lactams determines recA/SOS response activation in heterogeneous MRSA clinical strains

The SOS response, a conserved regulatory network in bacteria that is induced in response to DNA damage, has been shown to be associated with the emergence of resistance to antibiotics. Previously, we demonstrated that heterogeneous (HeR) MRSA strains, when exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations of oxacillin, were able to express a homogeneous high level of resistance (HoR). Moreover, we showed that oxacillin appeared to be the triggering factor of a β-lactam-mediated SOS response through lexA/recA regulators, responsible for an increased mutation rate and selection of a HoR derivative. In this work, we demonstrated, by selectively exposing to β-lactam and non-β-lactam cell wall inhibitors, that PBP1 plays a critical role in SOS-mediated recA activation and HeR-HoR selection. Functional analysis of PBP1 using an inducible PBP1-specific antisense construct showed that PBP1 depletion abolished both β-lactam-induced recA expression/activation and increased mutation rates during HeR/HoR selection. Furthermore, based on the observation that HeR/HoR selection is accompanied by compensatory increases in the expression of PBP1,-2, -2a, and -4, our study provides evidence that a combination of agents simultaneously targeting PBP1 and either PBP2 or PBP2a showed both in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy, thereby representing a therapeutic option for the treatment of highly resistant HoR-MRSA strains. The information gathered from these studies contributes to our understanding of β-lactam-mediated HeR/HoR selection and provides new insights, based on β-lactam synergistic combinations, that mitigate drug resistance for the treatment of MRSA infections.

Distribution and infection-related functions of bacillithiol in Staphylococcus aureus

Bacillithiol (Cys-GlcN-malate, BSH) serves as a major low molecular weight thiol in low GC Gram-positive bacteria including Bacillus species and a variety of Staphylococcus aureus strains. These bacteria do not produce glutathione (GSH). In this study, HPLC analyses were used to determine BSH levels in different S. aureus strains. Furthermore, the role of BSH in the resistance against oxidants and antibiotics and its function in virulence was investigated. We and others (Newton, G.L., Fahey, R.C., Rawat, M., 2012. Microbiology 158, 1117-1126) found that BSH is not produced by members of the S. aureus NCTC8325 lineage, such as strains 8325-4 and SH1000. Using bioinformatics we show that the BSH-biosynthetic gene bshC is disrupted by an 8-bp duplication in S. aureus NCTC8325. The functional bshC-gene from BSH-producing S. aureus Newman (NWMN_1087) was expressed in S. aureus 8325-4 to reconstitute BSH-synthesis. Comparison of the BSH-producing and BSH-minus strains revealed higher resistance of the BSH-producing strain against the antibiotic fosfomycin and the oxidant hypochlorite but not against hydrogen peroxide or diamide. In addition, a higher bacterial load of the BSH-producing strain was detected in human upper-airway epithelial cells and murine macrophages. This indicates a potential role of BSH in protection of S. aureus during infection.

Characterization of the modular design of the autolysin/adhesin Aaa from Staphylococcus aureus

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of serious and life-threatening infections, such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. Its adherence to various host structures is crucial for the establishment of diseases. Adherence may be mediated by a variety of adhesins, among them the autolysin/adhesins Atl and Aaa. Aaa is composed of three N-terminal repeated sequences homologous to a lysin motif (LysM) that can confer cell wall attachment and a C-terminally located cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase (CHAP) domain having bacteriolytic activity in many proteins.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we show by surface plasmon resonance that the LysM domain binds to fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vitronectin respresenting a novel adhesive function for this domain. Moreover, we demonstrated that the CHAP domain not only mediates the bacteriolytic activity, but also adherence to fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vitronectin, thus demonstrating for the first time an adhesive function for this domain. Adherence of an S. aureus aaa mutant and the complemented aaa mutant is slightly decreased and increased, respectively, to vitronectin, but not to fibrinogen and fibronectin, which might at least in part result from an increased expression of atl in the aaa mutant. Furthermore, an S. aureus atl mutant that showed enhanced adherence to fibrinogen, fibronectin, and endothelial cells also demonstrated increased aaa expression and production of Aaa. Thus, the redundant functions of Aaa and Atl might at least in part be interchangeable. Lastly, RT-PCR and zymographic analysis revealed that aaa is negatively regulated by the global virulence gene regulators agr and SarA.

Conclusions/Significance

We identified novel functions for two widely distributed protein domains, LysM and CHAP, i.e. the adherence to the extracellular matrix proteins fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vitronectin. The adhesive properties of Aaa might promote S. aureus colonization of host extracellular matrix and tissue, suggesting a role for Aaa in the pathogenesis of S. aureus infections.

Current view on phytoplasma genomes and encoded metabolism

Phytoplasmas are specialised bacteria that are obligate parasites of plant phloem tissue and insects. These bacteria have resisted all attempts of cell-free cultivation. Genome research is of particular importance to analyse the genetic endowment of such bacteria. Here we review the gene content of the four completely sequenced ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma' genomes that include those of ‘Ca. P. asteris' strains OY-M and AY-WB, ‘Ca. P. australiense,' and ‘Ca. P. mali'. These genomes are characterized by chromosome condensation resulting in sizes below 900 kb and a G + C content of less than 28%. Evolutionary adaption of the phytoplasmas to nutrient-rich environments resulted in losses of genetic modules and increased host dependency highlighted by the transport systems and limited metabolic repertoire. On the other hand, duplication and integration events enlarged the chromosomes and contribute to genome instability. Present differences in the content of membrane and secreted proteins reflect the host adaptation in the phytoplasma strains. General differences are obvious between different phylogenetic subgroups. ‘Ca. P. mali' is separated from the other strains by its deviating chromosome organization, the genetic repertoire for recombination and excision repair of nucleotides or the loss of the complete energy-yielding part of the glycolysis. Apart from these differences, comparative analysis exemplified that all four phytoplasmas are likely to encode an alternative pathway to generate pyruvate and ATP.

Construction and characterization of three knockout mutants of the fbl gene in Staphylococcus lugdunensis

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an important human pathogen that causes infectious diseases similar to those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast to S. aureus, only a very few pathogenicity factors of S. lugdunensis have been characterized. Notably, a genetic manipulation of S. lugdunensis has not yet been described. Ours is the first report where transformation of three different plasmids (pBT2, pRB473, and pT181) into S. lugdunensis and a directed genetic manipulation of S. lugdunensis are described. We constructed fbl knockout mutants from three different strains of S. lugdunensis to show that at least in these strains, the fibrinogen binding is exclusively mediated by Fbl.

Regulation of the intercellular adhesin locus regulator (icaR) by SarA, sigmaB, and IcaR in Staphylococcus aureus

The staphylococcal accessory regulator SarA and the alternative sigma factor sigma(B) have been previously identified as positive regulators, and IcaR as a negative regulator, of icaADBC expression. Here, we show that in Staphylococcus aureus SarA and sigma(B) are also required for icaR expression and that IcaR does not have a significant effect on its own expression.

Microbial ecosystems of traditional fermented meat products: The importance of indigenous starters

This paper reviews the diversity of microbiota, both in the environment and in traditional fermented European sausages. The environments of processing units were colonised at variable levels by resident spoilage and technological microbiota, with sporadic contamination by pathogenic microbiota. Several critical points were identified such as the machines, the tables and the knives - knowledge crucial for the improvement of cleaning and disinfecting practices. Traditionally fermented sausages generally did not present a sanitary risk. The great diversity of lactic acid bacteria and staphylococci was linked to manufacturing practices. Development of indigenous starters is very promising because it enables sausages to be produced with both high sanitary and sensory qualities. Our increasing knowledge of the genomes of technological bacteria will allow a better understanding of their physiology in sausages.

Carbon catabolite repression of sucrose utilization in Staphylococcus xylosus: catabolite control protein CcpA ensures glucose preference and autoregulatory limitation of sucrose utilization

Sucrose utilization in Staphylococcus xylosus is dependent on two genes, scrA and scrB; encoding a PTS permease and a sucrose phosphate hydrolase, respectively. The genes are encoded on separate loci and are transcribed from two promoters, P(scrA) and P(scrB), both of which are controlled by the repressor ScrR by binding to the operator sequences O(A) and O(B). In the scrA promoter region, a catabolite-responsive element (cre), operator for the global catabolite control protein CcpA, is also present, but its contribution to scrA regulation has not been determined. Using an integrative promoter probe plasmid, the activities of the promoters P(scrA) and P(scrB) were determined under different growth conditions. Both promoters are induced by sucrose and induction is prevented when glucose is also present. Without a functional CcpA, glucose-mediated prevention of induction is lost, clearly demonstrating that CcpA ensures hierarchical sugar utilization with glucose as preferred substrate. Measurements of promoter activities in the absence of a functional ScrR repressor indicated that CcpA also acts upon the operators O(A) and O(B), albeit not as efficiently as on the genuine cre in P(srcA). Besides determining the choice of the carbon source, CcpA has a second effect on sucrose gene expression. When sucrose is the sole carbon source, sucrose catabolism activates carbon catabolite repression and CcpA prevents full induction of the sucrose utilization genes by partially repressing the scrA promoter. Thus, CcpA-dependent regulation serves as a built-in autoregulatory device to restrict sucrose uptake.

Sucrose utilisation in bacteria: genetic organisation and regulation

Sucrose is the most abundant disaccharide in the environment because of its origin in higher plant tissues, and many Eubacteria possess catalytic enzymes, such as the sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolases and sucrose phosphorylases, that enable them to metabolise this carbohydrate in a regulated manner. This review describes the range of gene architecture, uptake systems, catabolic activity and regulation of the sucrose-utilisation regulons that have been reported in the Eubacteria to date. Evidence is presented that, although there are many common features to these gene clusters and high conservation of the proteins involved, there has been a certain degree of gene shuffling. Phylogenetic analyses of these proteins supports the hypothesis that these clusters have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer via mobile elements and transposons, and this may have enabled the recipient bacteria to colonise sucrose-rich environmental niches.

Preliminary characterization of beta-decarboxylase activities in Staphylococcus carnosus 833, a strain used in sausage fermentation

In sausage, Staphylococcus carnosus increases the levels of methyl ketones which could arise from incomplete beta-oxidation of fatty acids followed by a decarboxylation. The objective of this work was to characterize the beta-decarboxylase activities in cell-free extract. By using different substrates, at least two kinds of beta-decarboxylase activities were shown: an acetoacetate-like and an oxaloacetate-like. The first one leads to the production of ketones from ethylbutyryl acetate or acetoacetic acid. The activity was optimal at pH 6.0, stimulated by pyridoxal phosphate but ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), NaCl, iodoacetate and curing additives were inhibitory. The second decarboxylase activity leads to the production of pyruvic acid from oxaloacetic acid. This activity was optimal at pH 5.0 and stimulated by divalent ions and biotin.

Characterization of the single superoxide dismutase of Staphylococcus xylosus

Staphylococcus xylosus is a facultative anaerobic bacterium used as a starter culture for fermented meat products. In an attempt to analyze the antioxidant capacities of this organism, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) was characterized. S. xylosus contains a single cytoplasmic SOD, which was not inhibited by H2O2. The SOD activity in crude extracts was completely lost upon metal depletion, but it could be recovered by manganese and very weakly by iron. It is therefore suggested that the S. xylosus SOD is a manganese-preferring enzyme. The corresponding gene, sod, was isolated from a genomic library of S. xylosus DNA and complemented the growth defect of an Escherichia coli SOD-deficient mutant. As deduced from the nucleotide sequence, sod encodes a protein of 199 amino acids with a molecular mass of 22.5 kDa. Two transcriptional start sites 25 and 120 bp upstream of the sod start codon were identified. A terminator-like structure downstream of the gene suggested a monocistronic sod mRNA. Regulation of sod expression was studied using fusions of the sod promoters to a genomic promoterless beta-galactosidase gene. The sod expression was not affected by manganese and increased slightly with paraquat. It was induced during stationary phase in a complex medium but not in a chemically defined medium. To investigate the physiological role of SOD, a mutant devoid of SOD activity was constructed. Growth experiments showed that sod is not essential for aerobic growth in complex medium. However, in chemically defined medium without leucine, isoleucine, and valine, the sod mutant hardly grew, in contrast to the wild-type strain. In addition, the mutant was sensitive to hyperbaric oxygen and to paraquat. Therefore, sod plays an important role in the protection of S. xylosus from oxidative stress.

Roles of superoxide dismutase and catalase of Staphylococcus xylosus in the inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation

Staphylococcus xylosus used as starter culture in sausages decreases the level of volatile organic compounds arising from lipid oxidation and so contributes to the aroma by avoiding rancidity. The aim of this study was to characterize the roles of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the inhibition of free fatty acid oxidation by comparing antioxidant capacity of the S. xylosus wild-type strain with those of the katA mutant and the sod mutant. Antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring the volatile organic compounds and the conjugated diene hydroperoxides arising from linoleic acid oxidation. The three strains inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid. However, the katA mutant, and especially the sod mutant, had less antioxidant capacity than the S. xylosus wild-type strain. Thus both catalase and SOD of S. xylosus contributed to the inhibition of lipid oxidation.

Cloning of maltase gene from a methylotrophic yeast, Hansenula polymorpha

The Hansenula polymorpha maltase structural gene (HPMAL1) was isolated from a genomic library by hybridization of the library clones with maltase-specific gene probe. An open reading frame of 1695 nt encoding a 564 amino-acid protein with calculated molecular weight of 65.3 kD was characterized in the genomic DNA insert of the plasmid p51. The protein sequence deduced from the HPMAL1 exhibited 58 and 47% identity with maltases from Candida albicans and Saccharomyces carlsbergesis encoded by CAMAL2 and MAL62, respectively, and 44% identity with oligo-alpha-1,6-glucosidase from Bacillus cereus. The recombinant Hansenula polymorpha maltase produced in Escherichia coli hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG), sucrose, maltose and alpha-methylglucoside and did not act on melibiose, cellobiose, trehalose and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG). The affinity of the recombinant enzyme for its substrates increased in the order maltose <alpha-methylglucoside <sucrose <PNPG. Southern analysis revealed presence of a single maltase gene in H. polymorpha. This is the first report on the maltase gene sequence from a methylotrophic yeast.

Identification of beta-oxidation and thioesterase activities in Staphylococcus carnosus 833 strain

Staphylococcus carnosus 833, inoculated into sausage meat, increased the level of methyl ketones, which contributed to the cured aroma. These ketones can arise from incomplete beta-oxidation followed by two enzymatic activities: a thioesterase and a decarboxylase. In this study we identified the beta-oxidative pathway (through the measure of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity) and the thioesterase activity in extracts of S. carnosus cells grown in the presence of different methyl esters. The beta-oxidative system was induced by methyl esters and highest induction was found with a 12-carbon substrate. It was specific for medium chain length fatty acyl CoA substrates. Its maximal activity was observed at the end of stationary growth phase. HPLC analyses of acyl-CoA after incubation of cell extracts with palmitoyl-CoA showed that the beta-oxidation system released preferentially long chain hydroxyacyl-CoAs, enoyl-CoAs, and acyl-CoAs. The time-course of intermediate formation indicated a precursor product relationship indicative of a model of free intermediates which could be further deacylated by a thioesterase. The thioesterase activity was enhanced when S. carnosus was grown in the presence of methyl esters with at least 12 carbons and this enzyme was specific for short chain acyl-CoAs. The maximal activity was reached at the stationary growth phase.

Characterization of an HPr kinase mutant of Staphylococcus xylosus

The Staphylococcus xylosus gene hprK, encoding HPr kinase (HPrK), has been isolated from a genomic library. The HPrK enzyme, purified as a His(6) fusion protein, phosphorylated HPr, the phosphocarrier protein of the bacterial phosphotransferase system, at a serine residue in an ATP-dependent manner, and it also catalyzed the reverse reaction. Therefore, the enzyme constitutes a bifunctional HPr kinase/phosphatase. Insertional inactivation of the gene in the genome of S. xylosus resulted in the concomitant loss of both HPr kinase and His serine-phosphorylated-HPr phosphatase activities in cell extracts, strongly indicating that the HPrK enzyme is also responsible for both reactions in vivo. HPrK deficiency had a profound pleiotropic effect on the physiology of S. xylosus. The hprK mutant strain showed a severe growth defect in complex medium upon addition of glucose. Glucose uptake in glucose-grown cells was strongly enhanced compared with the wild type. Carbon catabolite repression of three tested enzyme activities by glucose, sucrose, and fructose was abolished. These results clearly demonstrate the prominent role of HPr kinase in global control to adjust catabolic capacities of S. xylosus according to the availability of preferred carbon sources.

Identification of a gene in Staphylococcus xylosus encoding a novel glucose uptake protein

By transposon Tn917 mutagenesis, two mutants of Staphylococcus xylosus were isolated that showed higher levels of beta-galactosidase activity in the presence of glucose than the wild type. Both transposons integrated in a gene, designated glcU, encoding a protein involved in glucose uptake in S. xylosus, which is followed by a glucose dehydrogenase gene (gdh). Glucose-mediated repression of beta-galactosidase, alpha-glucosidase, and beta-glucuronidase activities was partially relieved in the mutant strains, while repression by sucrose or fructose remained as strong as in the wild type. In addition to the pleiotropic regulatory effect, integration of the transposons into glcU reduced glucose dehydrogenase activity, suggesting cotranscription of glcU and gdh. Insertional inactivation of the gdh gene and deletion of the glcU gene without affecting gdh expression showed that loss of GlcU function is exclusively responsible for the regulatory defect. Reduced glucose repression is most likely the consequence of impaired glucose uptake in the glcU mutant strains. With cloned glcU, an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in glucose transport could grow with glucose as sole carbon source, provided a functional glucose kinase was present. Therefore, glucose is internalized by glcU in nonphosphorylated form. A gene from Bacillus subtilis, ycxE, that is homologous to glcU, could substitute for glcU in the E. coli glucose growth experiments and restored glucose repression in the S. xylosus glcU mutants. Three more proteins with high levels of similarity to GlcU and YcxE are currently in the databases. It appears that these proteins constitute a novel family whose members are involved in bacterial transport processes. GlcU and YcxE are the first examples whose specificity, glucose, has been determined.

Transcriptional analysis of levU operon encoding saccharolytic enzymes and two apparent genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis in Zymomonas mobilis

Extracellular levansucrase (LevU) and sucrase (InvB) are two of the three saccharolytic enzymes involved in the sucrose metabolism of Zymomonas mobilis. The levU and invB genes were clustered with a 155bp interval on the chromosome. Both genes were transcribed constitutively at the basal level and the transcription of both genes was induced significantly when sucrose was added to the medium. These genes were transcribed as a bicistronic mRNA and the expression was modulated by a single promoter, which is located upstream of the levU gene. The transcriptional initiation site was mapped to -64bp from the translation start site of levU gene. These results indicated that two genes are most likely to constitute an operon. The glk operon, which encodes four glycolytic enzymes, was located close to the levU operon on the chromosome. Two apparent ORFs (ORF3 and 4) were found at the intervening sequence located between the glk and levU operons. These ORFs were transcribed divergently and showed high homology at the amino acid level with the bacterial global regulatory protein (Lrp) and aspartate racemase.

Isolation and characterization of a DNA probe for Staphylococcus aureus subspecies aureus biovar

The gene encoding for polynucleotide phosphorylase (pnp) of a new biovar of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (NBSA) has been isolated from a genomic library of strain M280(0). The coding region consisted of a 1094-bp HindIII-HindIII DNA fragment encoding for a protein of 277 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 29.5 kDa. The nucleotide sequence of the structural gene, contained a continuous open reading frame of 836 bp, showed significant homology with the genes of bacterial polynucleotide phosphorylase from Bacillus subtilis (67.7% identity), from Haemophilus influenzae (62.4% identity), from Pseudomonas luminescens (61.6% identity), and from Escherichia coli (59.7% identity). DNA-DNA and DNA-colony slot-blot hybridizations demonstrated that the pnp gene, employed as a molecular probe, is specific for the identification of NBSA strains.

Regulation of lactose utilization genes in Staphylococcus xylosus

The lactose utilization genes of Staphylococcus xylosus have been isolated and characterized. The system is comprised of two structural genes, lacP and lacH, encoding the lactose permease and the beta-galactosidase proteins, respectively, and a regulatory gene, lacR, coding for an activator of the AraC/XylS family. The lactose utilization genes are divergently arranged, the lacPH genes being opposite to lacR. The lacPH genes are cotranscribed from one promoter in front of lacP, whereas lacR is transcribed from two promoters of different strengths. Lactose transport as well as beta-galactosidase activity are inducible by the addition of lactose to the growth medium. Primer extension experiments demonstrated that regulation is achieved at the level of lacPH transcription initiation. Inducibility and efficient lacPH transcription are dependent on a functional lacR gene. Inactivation of lacR resulted in low and constitutive lacPH expression. Expression of lacR itself is practically constitutive, since transcription initiated at the major lacR promoter does not respond to the availability of lactose. Only the minor lacR promoter is lactose inducible. Apart from lactose-specific, LacR-dependent control, the lacPH promoter is also subject to carbon catabolite repression mediated by the catabolite control protein CcpA. When glucose is present in the growth medium, lacPH transcription initiation is reduced. Upon ccpA inactivation, repression at the lacPH promoter is relieved. Despite this loss of transcriptional regulation in the ccpA mutant strain, beta-galactosidase activity is still reduced by glucose, suggesting another level of control.

Simple enzymatic method for rapid identification of a Staphylococcus aureus subspecies aureus biovar

In order to correctly identify a new biovar of Staphylococcus aureus subsp, aureus, (NBSA) a simple, rapid, and reliable enzymatic assay was developed. The assay was based on the detection of the production of three enzymes: alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase and beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase. Of a total of 46 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus from clinical specimens, the new assay correctly identified 19 as NBSA and 27 as typical Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus. Among the 19 NBSA isolates, 15 (79%) showed a clear biochemical profile while only four isolates (21%) showed a less well-defined enzymatic combination, due to a phenotypic alteration caused by subculturing. Since this assay is both simple to perform and inexpensive, it is potentially applicable in the laboratory.

Gene replacement in Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus

A system for high-efficiency gene replacement in Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus has been developed, that is based on temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli-Staphylococcus shuttle vectors for fragment delivery and erythromycin resistance cassettes to facilitate selection of genomic copies of disrupted genes. The approach was tested by constructing a phosphotransferase-deficient mutant of S. carnosus and an S. xylosus mutant strain unable to utilize sucrose. Allelic replacements were observed at rather high frequencies, ranging from approximately 10% for the ptsI gene in S. carnosus up to 50% for the scrB gene in S. xylosus. These differences most likely reflect the length of homology rather than strain-specific variations in recombination efficiencies. Apart from the staphylococcal species tested in this study, the system appears to be applicable in other staphylococci.

Molecular analysis of the scrA and scrB genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae and plasmid pUR400, which encode the sucrose transport protein Enzyme II Scr of the phosphotransferase system and a sucrose-6-phosphate invertase

The Klebsiella pneumoniae genes scrA and scrB are indispensable for sucrose (Scr) utilisation. Gene scrA codes for an Enzyme IIScr (IIScr) transport protein of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent carbohydrate: phosphotransferase system (PTS), while scrB encodes a sucrose 6-phosphate specific invertase. A 3.7 kbscr AB DNA fragment has been cloned from K. pneumoniae and expressed in Escherichia coli. Its nucleotide sequence was determined and the coding regions for scrA (1371 bp) and scrB (1401 bp) were identified by genetic complementation, enzyme activity test and radiolabelling of the gene products. In addition, the nucleotide sequence of the scrB gene from conjugative plasmid pUR400 isolated from Salmonella typhimurium was also determined and errors in the previously published sequence of the scrA gene of pUR400 were corrected. Extensive similarity was found between the sequences of ScrA and other Enzymes II, as well as between the two invertases and other sucrose hydrolysing enzymes. Based on the analysis of seven IIScr proteins, a hypothetical model of the secondary structure of IIScr is proposed.

Characterization of Tn917 insertion mutants of Staphylococcus epidermidis affected in biofilm formation

Biofilm formation is thought to result from the concerted action of primary attachment to a specific surface and accumulation in multilayered cell clusters. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of transposon (Tn917) mutants of Staphylococcus epidermidis O-47 which were biofilm negative in the polystyrene microtiter plate assay. Among 5,000 Tn917 insertion mutants, 4 biofilm-negative mutants were isolated. Each mutant carried one copy of Tn917. The mutants were divided into two phenotypic classes: class A (mut1 and mut1a) and class B (mut2 and mut2a). Mutants of phenotypic class A lacked four cell surface proteins, were less hydrophobic, and were affected in primary attachment to polystyrene, but were still able to form multilayered cell clusters. They were able to form a biofilm on a glass surface, a trait that was even more pronounced than in the wild-type stain O-47. Loss of several surface proteins might have led to the reduced surface hydrophilic structures, thus favoring primary attachment to a glass surface and leading to subsequent biofilm formation. Mutants of phenotype class B were able to attach to polystyrene but were unable to form multilayered cell clusters, had unchanged cell surface proteins and hydrophobicity, and were unable to form a biofilm on a glass surface, mut1 and mut2 could be complemented by wild-type DNA fragments containing the Tn917 insertion sites of mut1 and mut2, respectively. The complemented biofilm-positive clone mut1 (pRC20) produced a 60-kDa protein which is postulated to function as the adhesin for binding to plastic. The traits of binding to polystyrene and the ability to form multilayered cell clusters are phenotypically and genetically distinct.

Transcriptional regulation of the sucrase gene of Staphylococcus xylosus by the repressor ScrR

In Staphylococcus xylosus, scrB is one of two genes necessary for sucrose utilization. It encodes a sucrase that hydrolyzes intracellular sucrose-6-phosphate generated by the uptake of sucrose via the sucrose-specific enzyme II of the phosphotransferase system, the gene product of scrA. ScrB sucrase activity is inducible by the presence of sucrose in the culture medium. Primer extension experiments demonstrated that the observed regulation is achieved at the level of scrB transcription initiation. The protein mediating sucrose-specific regulation of scrB was found to be encoded immediately upstream of the sucrase gene. The nucleotide sequence of the regulatory gene scrR comprises an open reading frame that specifies a protein of 35.8 kDa. This protein exhibits similarity to transcriptional regulators of the GalR-LacI family. Inactivation of the scrR reading frame in the genome of S. xylosus led to the constitutive expression of scrB at a high level, identifying ScrR as a repressor of transcription. Sucrose-specific regulation of scrB was also lost upon deletion of 4 bp of a palindromic sequence (OB) covering positions +6 to +21 downstream of the scrB transcriptional start site. These results suggested a direct interaction of the ScrR repressor and the operator OB. Accordingly, a fusion protein consisting of the maltose-binding protein of Escherichia coli and the ScrR protein was able to interact with an scrB promoter fragment in gel mobility shift experiments but failed to bind an scrB fragment carrying the 4-bp deletion derivative of OB. An scrR promoter fragment, which dose not contain a sequence resembling OB, was not shifted by the fusion protein. This result corroborates scrR primer extension analyses showing that transcription of the repressor gene itself is not regulated. Therefore, the sucrase gene operator OB is the target sequence through which the ScrR protein exerts its negative effect on transcription initiation. In the promoter region of scrA, the gene essential for sucrose transport, two palindromic sequences that are similar to the scrB operator are found. Their presence in scrA suggests that ScrR controls a sucrose-specific regulon in S. xylosus.

Glucose kinase-dependent catabolite repression in Staphylococcus xylosus

By transposon Tn917 mutagenesis, 16 mutants of Staphylococcus xylosus were isolated that showed higher levels of beta-galactosidase activity in the presence of glucose than the wild-type strain. The transposons were found to reside in three adjacent locations in the genome of S. xylosus. The nucleotide sequence of the chromosomal fragment affected by the Tn917 insertions yielded an open reading frame encoding a protein with a size of 328 amino acids with a high level of similarity to glucose kinase from Streptomyces coelicolor. Weaker similarity was also found to bacterial fructokinases and xylose repressors of gram-positive bacteria. The gene was designated glkA. Immediately downstream of glkA, two open reading frames were present whose deduced gene products showed no obvious similarity to known proteins. Measurements of catabolic enzyme activities in the mutant strains grown in the presence or absence of sugars established the pleiotropic nature of the mutations. Besides beta-galactosidase activity, which had been used to detect the mutants, six other tested enzymes were partially relieved from repression by glucose. Reduction of fructose-mediated catabolite repression was observed for some of the enzyme activities. Glucose transport and ATP-dependent phosphorylation of HPr, the phosphocarrier of the phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system involved in catabolite repression in gram-positive bacteria, were not affected. The cloned glkA gene fully restored catabolite repression in the mutant strains in trans. Loss of GlkA function is thus responsible for the partial relief from catabolite repression. Glucose kinase activity in the mutants reached about 75% of the wild-type level, indicating the presence of another enzyme in S. xylosus. However, the cloned gene complemented an Escherichia coli strain in glucose kinase. Therefore, the glkA gene encodes a glucose kinase that participates in catabolite repression in S. xylosus.