A rot mutation restores parental virulence to an agr-null Staphylococcus aureus strain in a rabbit model of endocarditis

Infect Immun. 2005 Jun;73(6):3806-9. doi: 10.1128/IAI.73.6.3806-3809.2005.

Abstract

Mutations in rot restore in vitro toxin production to agr-negative strains of Staphylococcus aureus. We show that a rot mutation returns wild-type virulence to an agr mutant, as measured in experimental endocarditis infections by target organ bacterial counts. Implications of our data are discussed in terms of agr antagonist strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology*
  • Female
  • Mutation
  • Rabbits
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity*
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Agr protein, Staphylococcus aureus
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • rot protein, Staphylococcus aureus