Two‐component system VraSR positively modulates the regulation of cell‐wall biosynthesis pathway in Staphylococcus aureus

M Kuroda, H Kuroda, T Oshima… - Molecular …, 2003 - Wiley Online Library
M Kuroda, H Kuroda, T Oshima, F Takeuchi, H Mori, K Hiramatsu
Molecular microbiology, 2003Wiley Online Library
DNA microarray covering the whole genome of Staphylococcus aureus strain N315 was
prepared to investigate transcription profiles. The microarray analyses revealed that
vancomycin induces transcription of 139 genes. Forty‐six genes among them failed to be
induced in the vraSR null mutant KVR. Part of the genes regulated by VraSR system is
associated with cell‐wall biosynthesis, such as PBP2, SgtB and MurZ. Other cell‐wall
synthesis inhibitors also induced VraSR, suggesting that the sensor kinase VraS responds …
Summary
DNA microarray covering the whole genome of Staphylococcus aureus strain N315 was prepared to investigate transcription profiles. The microarray analyses revealed that vancomycin induces transcription of 139 genes. Forty‐six genes among them failed to be induced in the vraSR null mutant KVR. Part of the genes regulated by VraSR system is associated with cell‐wall biosynthesis, such as PBP2, SgtB and MurZ. Other cell‐wall synthesis inhibitors also induced VraSR, suggesting that the sensor kinase VraS responds to the damage of cell‐wall structure or inhibition of cell‐wall biosynthesis. Additionally, the vraSR null mutants derived from hetero‐ and homo‐methicillin‐resistant S. aureus showed significant decrease of resistance against teicoplanin, β‐lactam, bacitracin and fosfomycin but not of d‐cycloserine and levofloxacin. The observation strongly indicates that VraSR constitutes a positive regulator of cell‐wall peptidoglycan synthesis, and that is deeply involved in the expression of β‐lactam and glycopeptide resistance in S. aureus.
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