VraSR two-component regulatory system and its role in induction of pbp2 and vraSR expression by cell wall antimicrobials in Staphylococcus aureus

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Jan;50(1):336-43. doi: 10.1128/AAC.50.1.336-343.2006.

Abstract

The VraS/VraR two-component system (VraSR) regulates transcriptional induction of penicillin-binding protein 2 (encoded by pbp2) by vancomycin in Staphylococcus aureus. We have now defined the vraSR operon and determined that its induction by beta-lactams as well as by vancomycin is autoregulated. Induction of the pbp2 and vraSR operons by beta-lactams and related compounds within 1 hour after exposure to the antimicrobials was dependent on vraS. However, when a disk diffusion assay that can detect induction of genes over an extended time period was used, induction of the pbp2 operon was mediated by some beta-lactams, including oxacillin; this induction was independent of vraS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Wall / chemistry*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Operon
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins
  • Signal Transduction
  • Staphylococcus aureus / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / physiology
  • Vancomycin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins
  • VraR protein, Staphylococcus aureus
  • VraS protein, Staphylococcus aureus
  • Vancomycin