ThesigS gene was found disrupted in several S. aureus strains isolated from subclinical ovine mastitis.
When disrupted the sigS gene did not affect S. aureus O11 in growth conditions mimicking mastitis.
Although the mutant S. aureus ΔsigS induced similar clinical signs in experimental mastitis in a mouse model, the local immune response was milder in mice infected with S. aureus ΔsigS compared to those infected with the wild type strain.