σ B and the σ B -Dependent arlRS and yabJ-spoVG Loci Affect Capsule Formation in Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

ABSTRACT The alternative transcription factor σ B of Staphylococcus aureus affects the transcription of the cap gene cluster, required for the synthesis of capsular polysaccharide (CP), although this operon is lacking an apparent σ B -dependent promoter. Regulation of cap expression and CP production in S. aureus strain Newman was shown here to be influenced by σ B , the two-component signal transduction regulatory system ArlRS, and the yabJ-spoVG locus to different extents. Inactivation of arlR or deletion of the sigB operon strongly suppressed capA (CP synthesis enzyme A) transcription. Deletion of spoVG had a polar effect on yabJ-spoVG transcription and resulted in a two- to threefold decrease in capA transcription. Interestingly, immunofluorescence showed that CP production was strongly impaired in all three mutants, signaling that the yabJ-spoVG inactivation, despite its only partial effect on capA transcription, abolished capsule formation. trans -Complementation of the Δ spoVG mutant with yabJ-spoVG under the control of its native promoter restored CP-5 production and capA expression to levels seen in the wild type. Northern analyses revealed a strong impact of σ B on arlRS and yabJ-spoVG transcription. We hypothesize that ArlR and products of the yabJ-spoVG locus may serve as effectors that modulate σ B control over σ B -dependent genes lacking an apparent σ B promoter.