Enhanced expression of dltabcd is associated with the development of daptomycin nonsusceptibuity in a clinical endocarditis isolate of staphylococcus aureus

Using isogenic clinical bloodstream Staphylococcus aureus strains from a patient with relapsing endocarditis, we investigated the transcriptional profiles of the mprF and dlt genes in the context of cell-surface charge and daptomycin nonsusceptibility. As in prior studies, a point mutation within mprF was observed in the daptomycin-nonsusceptible strain. However, neither the transcriptional profile of mprF nor the membrane phospholipid analyses were compatible with the anticipated mprF gain-in-function phenotype. In contrast, we demonstrated enhanced dit expression coincident with increased positive surface charge and reduced daptomycin binding.