Cloning and expression of Staphylococcus epidermidis urease gene sequences in Staphylococcus carnosus

The urease gene sequences of Staphylococcus epidermidis CNS23 were cloned and expressed in Staphylococcus carnosus TM300. In vitro translation of the cloned sequences revealed four polypeptides (60, 17, 11 and 7.5 kDa) that were associated with enzyme activity. Southern hybridisation experiments showed high homologies with the urease genes of Staphylococcus saprophyticus.     

Plasmids in Staphylococcus hyicus

Fifty-one strains of Staphylococcus hyicus and six of Staph, chromogenes were collected from porcine and bovine sources in England and Belgium. Antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles were established. Plasmids associated with resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin and streptomycin were identified in many strains; these plasmids were about the same size as those mediating similar resistances in Staph. aureus of human origin. Many small cryptic plasmids were also seen.     

Plasmids in Staphylococcus hyicus

Fifty-one strains of Staphylococcus hyicus and six of Staph. chromogenes were collected from porcine and bovine sources in England and Belgium. Antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles were established. Plasmids associated with resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin and streptomycin were identified in many strains; these plasmids were about the same size as those mediating similar resistances in Staph. aureus of human origin. Many small cryptic plasmids were also seen.     

Transposase-dependent formation of circular IS256 derivatives in Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus

IS256 is a highly active insertion sequence (IS) element of multiresistant staphylococci and enterococci. Here we show that, in a Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolate, as well as in recombinant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli carrying a single IS256 insertion on a plasmid, IS256 excises as an extrachromosomal circular DNA molecule. First, circles were identified that contained a complete copy of IS256. In this case, the sequence connecting the left and right ends of IS256 was derived from flanking DNA sequences of the parental genetic locus. Second, circle junctions were detected in which one end of IS256 was truncated. Nucleotide sequencing of circle junctions revealed that (i) either end of IS256 can attack the opposite terminus and (ii) the circle junctions vary significantly in size. Upon deletion of the IS256 open reading frame at the 3' end and site-directed mutageneses of the putative DDE motif, circular IS256 molecules were no longer detectable, which implicates the IS256-encoded transposase protein with the circularization of the element.     

Cloning of the ribokinase gene of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus in Staphylococcus carnosus

Summary A gene library with DNA of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus was established in S. carnosus by using the plasmid vector pCT20. Two clones of S. carnosus were isolated which were able to ferment d-ribose. The two hybrid plasmids (pRib 1) and (pRib 2) were isolated and characterized. They contained inserted DNA fragments of S. hyicus subsp. hyicus with sizes of 10.2 and 8.2 kb, respectively. d-Ribose uptake and enzyme activities were studied. All strains tested [S. hyicus subsp. hyicus, S. carnosus (wild type) and the two S. carnosus clones] possessed an inducible uptake system for d-ribose. S. hyicus subsp. hyicus possessed in addition enzyme activities of d-ribokinase and d-ribose-5-P isomerase. None of these enzyme activities could be detected in S. carnosus (wildtype). Only in the S. carnosus clones containing (pRib 1) or (pRib 2) could a d-ribokinase activity be demonstrated, indicating that the gene for d-ribokinase of S. hyicus subsp. hyicus was cloned in S. carnosus.Abbreviations bp base pairs - C-TLC cellulose-thin layer chromoatography - kb kilo base pairs - pR_ib 1 and 2 ribokinase activity conferring hybridplasmids - MBq megabequerel - wt wild type     

Phosphorylation of Glycerol in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus dissimilates glycerol via an adenosine triphosphate-dependent kinase and not by the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in animals

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a critically important human pathogen that is also an emerging concern in veterinary medicine and animal agriculture. It is present in a wide range of animal species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, cattle, pigs, poultry, and exotic species, both as a cause of infection and in healthy carriers. Identification of MRSA in various species and in food has led to concerns about the roles of animals, both pets and livestock, in the epidemiology of MRSA infection and colonization in humans. There is evidence of the role of food animals in human MRSA infections in some countries and of pets as a possible source of human infection. Some groups of individuals who work closely with animals, such as veterinarians, have high MRSA colonization rates. This article includes discussions of MRSA in human medicine, animals, and food, as well as its interspecies transmission, colonization, infection, strains, and affected populations. However, clear answers are lacking in many of these areas and limited studies may lead to premature conclusions. It is certain that animals are a source of human MRSA infection in some circumstances--but humans may also serve as sources of infection in animals. Changes in the epidemiology of MRSA in one species may be reflected in changes in other species. The true scope of MRSA in animals and its impact on human health are still only superficially understood, but it is clear that MRSA is a potentially important veterinary and public health concern that requires a great deal more study to enhance understanding and effective response.     

Colony spreading in Staphylococcus aureus

Wild-type Staphylococcus aureus rapidly expands on the surface of soft agar plates. The rates of expansion and the shapes of the resultant giant colonies were distinct for different strains of laboratory stocks and clinical isolates. The colony spreading abilities did not correlate with the biofilm-forming abilities in these strains. Insertional disruption of the dltABCD operon, which functions at the step of D-alanine addition to teichoic acids, and of the tagO gene, which is responsible for the synthesis of wall teichoic acids, decreased the colony spreading ability. The results indicate that wall teichoic acids and D-alanylation of teichoic acids are required for colony spreading.