Identification of the <i>sigB</i> Operon in <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> : Construction and Characterization of a <i>sigB</i> Deletion Mutant

Abstract

The role of the alternative sigma factor sigma(B) in Staphylococcus epidermidis was investigated by the construction, complementation, and characterization of a sigB deletion mutant. Electrophoretic analyses confirmed a profound influence of sigma(B) on the expression of exoproteins and cytoplasmic proteins. Detailed investigation revealed reduced lipase and enhanced protease activity in the sigma(B) mutant. Furthermore, no significant influence of sigma(B) on heterologous biofilm formation or on the activity of the global regulator agr was detected.