The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 48, Issue 3 245-252, Copyright © 1999 by Society for General Microbiology
Identification and partial characterisation of an extracellular activator of fatty acid modifying enzyme (FAME) expression in Staphylococcus epidermidis
N. R. Chamberlain
Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO, USA. nealc@fileserver4.kcom.edu
Fatty acid modifying enzyme (FAME) is an extracellular enzyme that
inactivates bactericidal fatty acids by esterifying them to cholesterol.
Inactivation of these fatty acids may allow Staphylococcus epidermidis to
live for long periods of time on the skin. This study describes the
identification and partial characterisation of an extracellular activator
of FAME production. Addition of FAME-free concentrated culture filtrate
(activator) to S. epidermidis cultures (OD600 = 0.05) caused a 3-5-fold
increase in FAME activity. Addition of the activator did not increase the
amount of exopolysaccharide produced by S. epidermidis. The mol. wt of this
activator was <3000 kDa and it was quite resistant to boiling. Treatment
of the activator with proteinase K did not destroy its ability to induce
FAME expression. Addition of S. aureus activator to S. epidermidis cultures
also increased FAME expression. However, when S. epidermidis activator was
added to S. aureus cultures no increase or inhibition in FAME production
was observed.
