Open AccessIsolation and characterization of temperature‐sensitive mutants of the Staphylococcus aureus dnaC gene
Author(s) -
Kaito Chikara,
Kurokawa Kenji,
Hossain Muktadir Shahid,
Akimitsu Nobuyoshi,
Sekimizu Kazuhisa
Publication year - 2002
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.1574-6968.2002.tb11175.x
Subject(s) - dnab helicase , mutant , dnaa , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillus subtilis , biology , gene , dna replication , chemistry , helicase , genetics , control of chromosome duplication , bacteria , rna
A protein encoded by the Staphylococcus aureus dnaC gene has 44% and 58% homology with Escherichia coli DnaB and Bacillus subtilis DnaC replicative DNA helicases, respectively. We identified five mutant strains whose temperature‐sensitive colony formation phenotypes were complemented by the dnaC gene. DNA replication in these mutants has a fast‐stop phenotype, indicating that the S. aureus dnaC gene encodes the replicative DNA helicase required for the elongation step. These mutants were also sensitive to UV irradiation, suggesting that the dnaC gene is involved in DNA repair. The number of viable mutant cells decreased at a non‐permissive temperature, suggesting that S. aureus DnaC helicase is a promising target for antibiotics providing bactericidal effects.