Ebsg, a Novel Surface Protein, Is Involved in the Biology of Lipoteichoic Acid in Enterococcus Faecalis.
Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most frequently encountered enterococcal isolates and accounts for about 80 % of enterococcal infections. Treatment of enterococcal infections has become increasingly difficult as this organism has a high incidence of antibiotic resistance. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an essential amphiphilic polymer on the surface of most Gram positive bacteria. While the molecule’s exact role is not yet fully understood, a role in cell-cell contact during conjugation enabling the spread of extrachromosomal elements has been discussed. LTA also has implications in regulating autolysis, sequestering cations to the cell surface, adhesion, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, UV sensitivity, acid tolerance, and virulence. The gene ebsG was identified in a mutant of E. faecalis with major alterations in LTA structure and decreased ability to act as a recipient in conjugative mating. ebsG codes for a 119 kDa protein with only weak homology to other surface proteins of Gram positive bacteria. Transcriptional linkage analysis indicated ebsG and its downstream genes are organized in an operon. LTA analysis reveals a higher glycosyl content of the molecule in the
Author: Megan Kaltinger
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: King Saud University
OpenAlex ID: W59857208