Biomedical subjects

R A Segarra

Publications and source records attributed to R A Segarra.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Genetic structure of the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1-encoded cytolytic toxin system and its relationship to lantibiotic determinants.

Pheromone-responsive conjugative plasmids are unique to the species Enterococcus faecalis. Many pheromone-responsive plasmids, including those frequently isolated from sites of infection, express a novel cytolysin that possesses both hemolytic and bacteriocin activities. Further, this cytolysin has been shown to be a toxin in several disease models. In the present study, nucleotide sequence determination, mutagenesis, and complementation analysis were used to determine the organization of the E. faecalis plasmid pAD1 cytolysin determinant. Four open reading frames are required for expression of the cytolysin precursor (cylLL, cylLS, cylM, and cylB). The inferred products of two of these open reading frames, CyILL and CyILS, constitute the cytolysin precursor and bear structural resemblance to posttranslationally modified bacteriocins termed lantibiotics. Similarities between the organization of the E. faecalis cytolysin determinant and expression units for lantibiotics exist, indicating that the E. faecalis cytolysin represents a new branch of this class and is the first known to possess toxin activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1992

PCR amplification of streptococcal DNA using crude cell lysates.

Gram-positive organisms such as streptococci and enterococci are often difficult to lyse. Obtaining DNA for procedures such as PCR amplification usually requires a large scale isolation for each strain under investigation. We describe a simple procedure for small volumes of whole cells, involving pretreatment with detergent and proteinase that allows for efficient release of DNA for PCR amplification. This procedure is fast, reproducible, can be used with a large number of samples, and has been successfully applied to a variety of streptococcal and enterococcal strains.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Molecular characterization of the Enterococcus faecalis cytolysin activator.

The gene encoding component A (cylA), the activator protein of the Enterococcus faecalis cytolysin, has been localized on pAD1, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. cylA consists of a 1,236-bp open reading frame encoding a 412-amino-acid polypeptide. A search of the National Biomedical Research Foundation data base revealed significant homology between the inferred amino acid sequence of component A and subtilisin BPN'. Component A activation of the cytolysin precursor (component L) was observed to be inhibited by the serine protease inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate. Mature component A exhibits a molecular weight of approximately 30,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.5. Differences between the size of the primary translation product (45,625 daltons) and the mature enzyme suggest that, as for subtilisin, component A is secreted as a proenzyme. These results provide the basis for a model of component A activation of component L and a role for component A in protecting the cytolysin-producing cell from lysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

An HlyB-type function is required for expression of the Enterococcus faecalis hemolysin/bacteriocin.

The nucleotide sequence of a 3,422-bp internal restriction fragment from the Enterococcus faecalis pAD1 hemolysin/bacteriocin-encoding region was determined. This fragment was associated with expression of hemolysin/bacteriocin component L and contained a 2,142-bp open reading frame. The inferred amino acid sequence revealed a protein which shared extensive similarity with HlyB of the Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin operon. The inferred protein, CylB, was observed to be independently expressed in E. coli and capable of complementing an insertion mutation in the cloned hemolysin/bacteriocin operon in trans. Despite the extensive similarity to HlyB, CylB was incapable of complementing an insertion mutation in hlyB. Cytolysin determinants possessing an HlyB-type transport function are widely dispersed throughout gram-negative genera. We believe this to be the first example of an HlyB-type protein encoded within a cytolysin determinant from a gram-positive bacterium.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1990

Genetic analysis of the pAD1 hemolysin/bacteriocin determinant in Enterococcus faecalis: Tn917 insertional mutagenesis and cloning.

Thirty-seven nonhemolytic/nonbacteriocinogenic mutations in Enterococcus (Streptococcus) faecalis plasmid pAD1 were generated by Tn917 insertion. All were found to belong to one of two complementation classes. Each class of mutants secreted either hemolysin/bacteriocin (Hly/Bac) component A or L into the culture medium. DNA encoding Hly/Bac was cloned in Escherichia coli in which both components of the hemolysin were expressed individually and collectively. The region encoding components A and L was further defined by deletion analysis and physically mapped. A total of approximately 8.4 kilobases of pAD1 DNA were observed to be required for hemolysin expression. Hly/Bac activity of the wild-type and the inactive L substance was observed to be heat stable. Active Hly/Bac resulting from incubating separately secreted components A and L was also found to be heat stable. The results indicate that component A activates component L and that activated component L possesses the Hly/Bac activity. Component A was also observed to be associated with host immunity to the Hly/Bac.

Bacteriocins↗