Open AccessInduction of vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium by inhibition of transglycosylation
Author(s) -
Handwerger Sandra,
Kolokathis Antonia
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb13972.x
Subject(s) - peptidoglycan , enterococcus faecium , vancomycin , microbiology and biotechnology , glycopeptide , enterococcus , bacteria , chemistry , biology , antibiotics , staphylococcus aureus , genetics
1. Summary Vancomycin resistance has recently been recognized among clinical isolates of enterococci. Resistance is inducible, and associated with production of a novel 39 kDa membrane protein. The mechanism by which exposure to vancomycin, which does not penetrate the cell membrane, induces resistance is unknown. In the vancomycin resistant strain Enterococcus faecium 228, resistance was also inducible by moenomycin, suggesting that inhibition of the transglycosylation step in peptidoglycan synthesis may be required for induction of resistance. Cytoplasmic pools of peptidoglycan precursors were increased after exposure to vancomycin or moenomycin, representing a potential means for regulation of induction.