Differential Expression of ccrA in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Carrying Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Type II and IVa Elements

Excision of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) is mediated through the ccrA- and -B-encoded recombinases. We investigated the effects of different antimicrobial agents on ccrA expression by using a ccrA::lacZ fusion and reverse transcription-PCR with methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains MW2 (SCCmec IVa) and N315 (SCCmec II). Upregulation of ccrA was observed upon exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics. Vancomycin increased ccrA expression in MW2 but had no effect on N315. Vancomycin may contribute to the transfer of SCCmec IVa but have no effect in SCCmec II.