Transformation in Staphylococcus aureus: role of bacteriophage and incidence of competence among strains

Thompson, Nancy E.; Pattee, P A

doi:10.1128/jb.129.2.778-788.1977

Cited by 50 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The maximum phage release in planktonic cultures after 6 h of growth also fits with the earlier observation that competence for transformation is phage-dependent and only occurs in the early growth phase [34][35][36][37]. Phage induction and release likely accomplish two functions: release of DNA by cell lysis and facilitated uptake of DNA (transformation) by disruption of cell envelope integrity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Phage release from biofilm and planktonicStaphylococcus aureuscells

Resch

Fehrenbacher

Eisele

et al. 2005

FEMS Microbiology Letters

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The ability of pathogenic staphylococci to form biofilms facilitates colonization and the development of chronic infections. Therapy is hampered by the high tolerance of biofilms towards antibiotic treatment and the immune system. We found evidence that lysogenic Staphylococcus aureus cells in a biofilm and in planktonic cultures spontaneously release phages into their surroundings. Phages were detected over a much longer period in biofilm cultures than in planktonic supernatants because the latter were degraded by secreted proteases. Phage release in planktonic and biofilm cultures was artificially increased by adding mitomycin C. Two morphologically distinct phages in the S. aureus strain used in this work were observed by electron microscopy. We postulate that phage-release is a frequent event in biofilms. The resulting lysis of cells in a biofilm might promote the persistence and survival of the remaining cells, as they gain a nutrient reservoir from their dead and lysed neighboring cells. This might therefore be an early differentiation and apoptotic mechanism.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Phage release from biofilm and planktonicStaphylococcus aureuscells

Resch

Fehrenbacher

Eisele

et al. 2005

FEMS Microbiology Letters

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“…In contrast to the Enterobacteriaceae, transduction is believed to be virtually the only means of transfer of genetic material between staphylococcal cells. Although transformation in staphylococci in vitro has been described, practically all cultures of S. aureus contain high levels of nucleases which can be expected to prevent transformation under natural conditions (25,27). Conjugation has not yet been reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transfer of resistance plasmids from Staphylococcus epidermidis to Staphylococcus aureus: evidence for conjugative exchange of resistance

Forbes¹,

Schaberg²

1983

J Bacteriol

165

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The ability of Staphylococcus epidermidis to transfer antimicrobial resistance to Staphylococcus aureus was tested by mixed culture on filter membranes. Two of six clinical isolates examined were able to transfer resistance to S. aureus strains 879R4RF, RN45ORF, and UM1385RF. Subsequent S.aureus transconjugants resulting from matings with S. epidermidis donors were able to serve as donors to other S. aureus strains at similar frequencies. Cell-free and mitomycin C-induced filtrates of donors and transconjugants showed no plaque-forming ability. Addition of DNase I, citrate, EDTA, calcium chloride, and human sera to mating mixes and agar showed no effect on transfer. Nonviable donor cells were unable to transfer resistance and transfer did not occur at 4°C. Cell-to-cell contact was required since transfer did not occur in broth or when filters of donor and recipient, respectively, were placed back-to-back so cells were not in direct contact. Analysis of DNA from S. epidermidis isolate UM899, its subsequent S. aureus transconjugants, and cured derivatives demonstrated that all resistance markers which transferred resided on plasmids. Mating experiments suggested a central role for the gentamicin plasmid pAM899-1 in the transfer process. It is concluded that our results are consistent with a conjugative transfer of resistance from S. epidermidis to S. aureus analogous to plasmid transfer demonstrated in streptococcal species for plasmids such as pAM,1. This represents a novel mechanism for gene exchange among staphylococci.

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“…Transformations and transfections. Transforming DNA was prepared by the method of Pattee and Neveln (13), and DNA from phage 80a (used for transfections) was prepared by the method of Thompson and Pattee (18), but with a phenol extraction before precipitation of the DNA (10,16). DNA was assayed by the diphenylamine reaction (4).…”

Section: Materlals and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic transformation in Staphylococcus aureus: isolation and characterization of a competence-conferring factor from bacteriophage 80 alpha lysates

Birmingham¹,

Pattee²

1981

J Bacteriol

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The competence-conferring activity in crude lysates of the staphylococcal bacteriophage 80a was concentrated and purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, differential ultracentrifugation and rate-zonal centrifugation through Ficoll. This concentrated preparation exhibited lytic activity toward assay cells of Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4 that could not be attributed to the residual 80a infectious particles present. Electron microscopic examination of the concentrated competence-conferring activity revealed an occasional intact but empty virion and large numbers of free phage tails. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel analysis of this material confirmed that the competence-conferring activity contained only some, but not all, of the major virion proteins. The competence-conferring activity exhibited single-hit kinetics when assay cells and 80a transfecting deoxyribonucleic acid were present in excess. The competence-conferring activity thus seems to be a unique morphogenic precursor of the 80a virion that mediates transfection and transformation in the presence of 0.1 M CaCl2.

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Transformation in Staphylococcus aureus: role of bacteriophage and incidence of competence among strains

Cited by 50 publications

References 34 publications

Phage release from biofilm and planktonicStaphylococcus aureuscells

Phage release from biofilm and planktonicStaphylococcus aureuscells

Transfer of resistance plasmids from Staphylococcus epidermidis to Staphylococcus aureus: evidence for conjugative exchange of resistance

Genetic transformation in Staphylococcus aureus: isolation and characterization of a competence-conferring factor from bacteriophage 80 alpha lysates

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