RNA Sequencing Identifies a Common Physiology in Vancomycin- and Ciprofloxacin-Tolerant Staphylococcus aureus Induced by ileS Mutations

Abstract

Little is known about the mechanisms by which ileS mutations induce vancomycin tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus . This study showed that transcriptome profiles were similar in vancomycin-tolerant mutants and the IleRS-inhibitor-treated parent. Notably, ileS and relA , which induce a stringent response, were upregulated. The same mechanism was responsible for cross-tolerance to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. These findings suggest that the accumulation of uncharged isoleucyl-tRNA following ileS mutations in S. aureus was responsible for drug tolerance.