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Mol Microbiol

Title:		Identification and characterization of genes encoding sex pheromone cAM373 activity in Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s):		Flannagan SE; Clewell DB;
Address:		"Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Michigan, 1011 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor 48109-1078, USA"
Journal Title:		Mol Microbiol
Year:		2002
Volume:		44
Issue:		3
Page Number:		803 - 817
DOI:		10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02922.x
ISSN/ISBN:		0950-382X (Print) 0950-382X (Linking)
Abstract:		"The sex pheromone cAM373 of Enterococcus faecalis and the related staph-cAM373 of Staphylococcus aureus were found to correspond to heptapeptides located within the C-termini of the signal sequences of putative prelipoproteins. The deduced mature forms of the lipoproteins share no detectable homology and presumably serve unrelated functions in the cells. The chromosomally encoded genetic determinants for production of the pheromones have been identified and designated camE (encoding cAM373) and camS (encoding staph-cAM373). Truncated and full-length clones of camE were generated in Escherichia coli, in which cAM373 activity was expressed. In E. faecalis, insertional inactivation in the middle of camE had no detectable phenotypic effects on the pheromone system. Establishment of an in frame translation stop codon within the signal sequence resulted in reduction of cAM373 activity to 3% of normal levels. The camS determinant has homologues in Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes; however, corresponding heptapeptides present within those sequences do not resemble staph-cAM373 closely. The particular significance of staph-cAM373 as a potential intergeneric inducer of transfer-proficient genetic elements is discussed"
Keywords:		"Amino Acid Sequence Bacterial Proteins/*genetics Base Sequence Chromosomes, Bacterial/genetics Cloning, Molecular Codon, Terminator Conjugation, Genetic/genetics Enterococcus faecalis/*genetics *Genes, Bacterial Lipoproteins/metabolism Molecular Sequence;"
Notes:		"MedlineFlannagan, Susan E Clewell, Don B eng GM33956/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ Comparative Study Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. England 2002/05/08 Mol Microbiol. 2002 May; 44(3):803-17. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02922.x"