Open AccessShift‐down in growth rate rather than high cell density induces toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s) -
Timmins Barry S,
Holland Keith T
Publication year - 1999
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.1574-6968.1999.tb13466.x
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , gene expression , toxin , reporter gene , toxic shock syndrome , luciferase , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cell growth , cell culture , gene , biology , biochemistry , transfection , genetics , bacteria
A luciferase‐based reporter system for the expression of the toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 gene ( tst ) of Staphylococcus aureus FRI 1187 was used in continuous culture to determine whether high cell density on transient shift‐down or shift‐up of specific growth rate ( μ ) induced expression of tst . Little expression occurred at steady state at a low dilution rate ( D ) and in a transient period of increasing μ . However, a rapid and approximately 130‐fold increase in expression occurred during a transient shift‐down of μ . These findings suggest reduction of μ is a key element in the control of tst expression.