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Characterisation and expression of fatty acid modifying enzyme produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis

Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501, USA

*Division of Science, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501, USA

Corresponding author: Dr N. R. Chamberlain.

Received August 20, 1996 Revision received December 24, 1996.
Accepted December 24, 1996

The production of fatty-acid modifying enzyme (FAME) - first identified as a possible virulence factor in Staphylococcus aureus - has also been identified in S. epidermidis. This extracellular enzyme inactivates bactericidal fatty acids by esterifying them to cholesterol. FAME may provide protection for S. epidermidis by inactivating these lipids present on the skin. Over 88% of 51 randomly collected S. epidermidis isolates produced FAME; 92.2% and 13.7% of the same strains produced lipase and slime, respectively. There appeared to be no correlation of lipase activity or slime production with FAME production. The temperature optimum for FAME was between 20°C and 35°C, and the pH optimum was 6.0. Optimal enzyme activity was present at NaCl concentrations of between 250 and 500 mM. FAME was not detected in culture filtrates until early stationary phase, indicating some regulatory control over enzyme production.

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