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ccfA, the genetic determinant for the cCF10 peptide pheromone in Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF
Michelle H Antiporta1, Gary M Dunny
1Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0312, USA.
Journal of Bacteriology
|January 25, 2002
Summary
The study identifies the ccfA gene as crucial for producing the cCF10 pheromone in Enterococcus faecalis. This discovery sheds light on the bacteria
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis utilizes a unique pheromone-inducible conjugative mating system.
- Plasmid pCF10 transfer in E. faecalis is triggered by the cCF10 peptide pheromone (LVTLVFV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the genetic determinants responsible for cCF10 pheromone production.
- To investigate the role of the ccfA gene in pheromone synthesis and conjugation.
Main Methods:
- Genomic sequencing and analysis to identify putative pheromone genes.
- Cloning and expression of the ccfA gene in E. faecalis and Lactococcus lactis.
- Site-directed mutagenesis to confirm gene function.
Main Results:
- The ccfA gene was identified, encoding a putative lipoprotein precursor containing the cCF10 sequence.
- Expression of ccfA significantly increased cCF10 production in E. faecalis and induced production in L. lactis.
- Mutagenesis confirmed ccfA as the functional genetic determinant for cCF10.
Conclusions:
- The ccfA gene is essential for the production of the cCF10 pheromone in Enterococcus faecalis.
- The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating bacterial conjugation and pheromone signaling.