Vectors for improved Tet repressor-dependent gradual gene induction or silencing in Staphylococcus aureus.

A set of vectors for improved tetracycline-dependent gene regulation in Staphylococcus aureus is presented. Plasmid pRAB11 was generated from pRMC2 by adding a second tet operator within the TetR-regulated promoter P(xyl/tet). Pronounced repression was observed in the absence of anhydrotetracycline (ATc) combined with high induction in the presence of the drug, as demonstrated for pRAB11 bearing staphylococcal nuclease nuc1, lacZ or gfp.