The nucleotide sequence of the eta gene, which codes for the epidermolytic toxin serotype A
of Staphylococcus aureus TC16, is reported. The coding sequence of 840 nucleotides
specifies a protein which, when secreted, has a predicted molecular weight of 26,950. The
sequence of eta and the deduced amino acid sequence of the toxin have been compared
with those of epidermolytic toxin serotype B. The coding sequences have 52% identical
residues, and the polypeptides have 40% identical residues. Amino acid residues have …

The gene coding for serotype A of epidermolytic (exfoliative) toxin has been cloned from
Staphylococcus aureus in Escherichia coli phage λ and plasmid vectors. The coding
sequence for eta was localised by subcloning and transposon Tn5 mutagenesis
experiments. The eta gene was probably expressed from its natural promoter in E. coli. The
protein synthesised in E. coli was located predominantly in the periplasm. It was
immunochemically indistinguishable from the toxin purified from S. aureus culture …