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An autolysin ring associated with cell separation of Staphylococcus aureus
S Yamada1, M Sugai, H Komatsuzawa
1Department of Microbiology, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan.
Journal of Bacteriology
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus autolysin (atl) gene products form a ring structure on the cell surface, specifically at the division site. This localization is crucial for proper separation of daughter cells after division.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus possesses a newly discovered autolysin gene, atl.
- The ATL protein is a bifunctional enzyme with amidase and glucosaminidase domains.
- ATL is proteolytically processed into extracellular peptidoglycan hydrolases involved in cell division.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell surface localization of Staphylococcus aureus atl gene products.
- To determine the role of atl gene products in daughter cell separation.
Main Methods:
- Immunoelectron microscopy using specific antibodies against ATL enzyme components.
- Analysis of gold particle distribution on the cell surface and protoplast cells.
- Examination of ultrathin sections of pre-embedded samples.
Main Results:
- ATL gene products were found to be cell-associated.
- A ring structure of ATL proteins was observed at the septal region, the site of future cell division.
- ATL proteins showed preferential distribution at presumptive cell separation sites before complete septum formation.
- ATL association with cell surface components like lipoteichoic acid was suggested.
Conclusions:
- The ring-like structure of ATL gene products at the cell division site is essential for efficient daughter cell partitioning.
- ATL localization indicates a critical role in the final stages of Staphylococcus aureus cell division and separation.
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