A vancomycin photoprobe identifies the histidine kinase VanSsc as a vancomycin receptor

Expression of vancomycin resistance genes is known to be controlled by the two-component regulatory system VanRS, but the identity of the VanS receptor ligand has been controversial. Synthesis of a vancomycin photoaffinity probe has now revealed that vancomycin directly binds VanS to induce the expression of resistance genes.