ABSTRACT
The intrinsic ruggedness of Enterococcus faecalis is responsible for its widespread distribution in nature and is often viewed as an important virulence determinant. Previously, we showed that the ClpB ATPase is negatively regulated by CtsR and is required for thermotolerance and virulence in a Galleria mellonella invertebrate model. Here, we used in silico, Northern blot and quantitative real-time PCR analyses to identify additional members of the CtsR regulon, namely the clpP peptidase and the clpC and clpE ATPases. When compared to the parent strain, virulence of the ΔctsR strain in G. mellonella was significantly attenuated.
Subject(s)
Adenosine Triphosphatases/biosynthesis , Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis , Enterococcus faecalis/genetics , Enterococcus faecalis/pathogenicity , Heat-Shock Proteins/biosynthesis , Lepidoptera/microbiology , Repressor Proteins/biosynthesis , Adenosine Triphosphatases/genetics , Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism , Animals , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Base Sequence , Endopeptidase Clp/biosynthesis , Endopeptidase Clp/metabolism , Enterococcus faecalis/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Heat-Shock Response/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Virulence , Virulence Factors/biosynthesis , Virulence Factors/geneticsABSTRACT
Here we report the presence and expression levels of the vanC1 and vanC(2/3) genes in vancomycin-susceptible strains of Enterococcus faecalis. The vanC1 and vanC(2/3) genes were located in the plasmid DNA and on the chromosome, respectively. Specific mRNA of the vanC1 gene was detected in one of these strains. Additionally, analysis of the vanC gene sequences showed that these genes are related to the vanC genes of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus. The presence of vanC genes is useful for the identification of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus. Moreover, this is the first report of vanC mRNA in E. faecalis.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects , Enterococcus faecalis/genetics , Vancomycin Resistance/genetics , Vancomycin/pharmacology , Animals , Chickens , Cloaca/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/analysis , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests , Enterococcus faecalis/isolation & purification , Genes, Bacterial/genetics , Real-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Here we report the presence and expression levels of the vanC 1 and vanC 2/3 genes in vancomycin-susceptible strains of Enterococcus faecalis. The vanC 1 and vanC 2/3 genes were located in the plasmid DNA and on the chromosome, respectively. Specific mRNA of the vanC 1 gene was detected in one of these strains. Additionally, analysis of the vanC gene sequences showed that these genes are related to the vanC genes of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus. The presence of vanC genes is useful for the identification of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus. Moreover, this is the first report of vanC mRNA in E. faecalis.