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. 1983 Sep;80(17):5369–5373. doi: 10.1073/pnas.80.17.5369

Modification of Streptococcus faecalis sex pheromones after acquisition of plasmid DNA.

Y Ike, R A Craig, B A White, Y Yagi, D B Clewell
PMCID: PMC384257  PMID: 6412228

Abstract

Recipient strains of Streptococcus faecalis excrete multiple, peptide sex pheromones that induce mating responses in donors harboring certain conjugative plasmids. Acquisition of plasmid DNA leads to a "shutting off" of pheromone excretion, and such cells become responsive to exogenous pheromone. Data are presented showing that donors excrete low levels of a modified, inactive form of the pheromone. This substance, when mixed in excess with active pheromone, inhibits pheromone activity (probably by competition for a receptor site on the donor). Modified forms of both cPD1 and cAD1 were revealed, and each appeared to have a mass about 350-400 daltons larger than the active pheromone. In both cases, pheromone activity could be regenerated by treatment with phosphodiesterase II.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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