Transcription of the Staphylococcus aureus cid and lrg murein hydrolase regulators is affected by sigma factor B.

ABSTRACT: The Staphylococcus aureus lrg and cid loci are homologous operons that have been shown to regulate murein hydrolase activity and affect sensitivity to penicillin. Although the mode of action of these operons has not been demonstrated, a model based on the similarities of the lrgA and cidA gene products to the bacteriophage holin family of proteins has been proposed. In this study, the transcription organization and regulation of these operons were examined by Northern blot analyses. Unexpectedly, cidB and a gene located immediately downstream, designated cidC, were found to be cotranscribed on a 2.7-kb transcript. Maximal cidBC transcription occurred during early exponential growth, and high-level transcription of cidBC was dependent on the rsbU-mediated activation of the alternative sigma

SUBMITTER: Rice KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC400629 | biostudies-literature | 2004 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature