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

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.