AGR-RELATED SEQUENCES IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS-LUGDUNENSIS

Sequences related to the Staphylococcus aureus accessory gene regulato r (agr) were demonstrated in S. lugdunensis by Southern blot analysis of 13 strains and sequencing of the S. lugdunensis agr-like locus (agr -sl). Northern blot analysis of cellular RNA revealed the presence of a transcript having homology with the agr-P3 transcript (RNAIII) for t hree of the six strains tested. The three strains containing this tran script produce a hemolysin with phenotypic properties similar to that of S. aureus delta-hemolysin. Nevertheless, unlike agr-P3 from S. aure us, agr-sl does not encode any potential peptide homologous to S. aure us delta-hemolysin, suggesting that the hemolytic activity detected in S. lugdunensis is encoded elsewhere and may be controlled by agr-sl.