Triton X-100-induced lipoteichoic acid release is correlated with the methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.

We previously reported that Triton X-100 (TRX) reduced methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, although the degree of reduction varied among strains. One of the biological effects of TRX on S. aureus cells was enhancement of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) release. We investigated the correlation between the amount of LTA released and the degree of reduction in methicillin resistance induced by TRX. The strains showing the greatest reduction of methicillin resistance released the largest amount of LTA, compared to those showing slight or moderate reduction. A mutant whose resistance was not affected by TRX did not increase its release of LTA. These findings suggest that LTA release is associated with a reduction in methicillin resistance in the presence of TRX.