Open AccessOsmoprotective properties and accumulation of betaine analogues by Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s) -
Peddie Barbara A,
WongShe Jacqueline,
Randall Kelly,
Lever Michael,
Chambers Stephen T
Publication year - 1998
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.1574-6968.1998.tb12885.x
Subject(s) - betaine , staphylococcus aureus , trigonelline , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , glycine , osmotic concentration , osmotic shock , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , bacteria , amino acid , genetics , gene
Betaines were evaluated as potential antistaphylococcal agents for urinary tract infections. Staphylococcus aureus accumulated all tested betaines except trigonelline. S. aureus transport systems were less sensitive to carbon chain length than those of Escherichia coli . Betaines were accumulated in the absence of osmotic stress, and 10‐fold more in hyperosmotic medium. Most betaines increased the osmotolerance of S. aureus in defined minimal medium. Unlike E. coli , S. aureus did not significantly accumulate a second betaine in the presence of glycine betaine. Betaines are less likely to be useful in treating staphylococcal than E. coli urinary infections.