Close amino acid sequence relationship between the new plasmid-mediated extended-spectrum beta-lactamase MEN-1 and chromosomally encoded enzymes of Klebsiella oxytoca.

Isolated from an Escherichia coli strain MEN-1 is a plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase that confers resistance to methoxy imino third-generation cephalosporins. The protein purified to homogeneity was digested by trypsin, chymotrypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N. Amino acid sequence determinations of the resulting peptides gave rise to the alignment of the 263 residues of the beta-lactamase. From amino acid sequence comparison MEN-1 was found to share more than 72% identity with the chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases of Klebsiella oxytoca. Therefore, MEN-1 is the first transferable extended-spectrum beta-lactamase which is not directly derived from the widespread TEMs or SHV-1 penicillinases with which it presents less than 39% identity.     

Killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae mediated by conjugation with bacteria carrying antibiotic-resistance plasmids of the group N

Escherichia coli K-12 strains carrying any one of a number of different plasmids of the incompatibility group N have been found to kill Klebsiella pneumoniae, M5a1. A simple spot test is described that could be of value in diagnosing the presence of these plasmids. Killing is closely associated with the ability of the N⁺ strains to mate with M5a1 and all conjugation-deficient (Tra^?) mutants were also unable to kill M5a1 (Kil^?1). At a low frequency, some Kil^? mutants could be isolated that showed little or no transfer deficiency. Plasmids of the groups P and W which have been suspected (on other grounds) to specify conjugative systems interrelated in some manner to that specified by N plasmids, also kill M5a1 but to a lesser degree.     

肺炎克雷伯菌β-内酰胺酶检测及耐药性分析

目的 了解肺炎克雷伯菌临床分离株产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs)、头孢菌素酶(AmpC)、金属酶(MBLs)、碳青霉烯酶(KPC)情况,并分析其对19种常见抗菌药物的耐药性.方法 ESBLs和AmpC及MBLs采用三维试验检测,碳青霉烯酶采用改良Hodge试验进行检测,并以K-B法测定19种常见抗菌药物的耐药性.结果 582株肺炎克雷伯菌单产ESBLs 168株,检出率为28.86％;单产AmpC52株,检出率为8.93％;单产KPC 38株,检出率为6.53％;所有菌株中未检出MBLs;同产ESBLs及AmpC43株,检出率为7.39％;同产ESBLs及KPC 12株,检出率为2.06％,同产AmpC及KPC 10株,检出率为1.72％,未发现同产ESBLs、AmpC及KPC 3种酶菌株.单产ESBLs、单产AmpC、同产ESBLs+ AmpC肺炎克雷伯菌分离株对亚胺培南、美罗培南培南的耐药率低于3.0％,与非产酶菌株相比,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);对其余抗生素的耐药率均明显高于非产酶菌株(P＜0.01).另外,同产ESBLs+ AmpC肺炎克雷伯菌分离株与单产ESBLs、单产AmpC株相比,对头孢他啶、头孢噻肟、庆大霉素、环丙沙星、左氧氟沙星和复方新诺明等多种抗生素表现为明显升高(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).单产碳青霉烯酶株、同产ESBLs及KPC、同产AmpC及KPC菌株对多粘菌素B的耐药率为28.94％～33.33％,其余抗生素的耐药率均高于50.0％;单产KPC株与非产酶菌株相比,对所有抗生素的耐药率均明显升高(P＜0.01).结论 肺炎克雷伯菌分离株产生多种β-内酰胺酶,且对常用抗生素呈高度耐药,建议临床医师合理使用抗生素,以免耐药菌株的产生.     

Klebsiella oxytoca: Resistance to aztreonam by overproduction of the chromosomally encoded β-lactamase

Abstract Aztreonam-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca strain SL7811 was selected on agar containing 1 μg of aztreonam per ml from a susceptible strain SL781. The MICs for the resistant mutant towards penicillins, aztreonam and ceftriaxone were much higher, to cefotaxime slightly higher and to ceftazidime unchanged. Synthesis of β-lactamase was 223-fold greater in the mutant compared with the susceptible strain. SL781 and its resistant mutant SL7811 produced β-lactamase with the same isoelectric point and substrate profile. The β-lactamase genes from SL781 and SL7811 were cloned in plasmid pBGS18 giving pBOF-1 and pBOF-4 respectively. The sequences of the two putative promoters indicated two modifications in the resistant plasmid pBOF-4: a transversion (G → T) in the first base of the − 10 consensus sequence and a deletion of one C residue four base pairs upstream of the − 10 hexamer.     

临床分离肺炎克雷伯菌Ⅰ整合子分布及其与qnr基因关系研究

目的 了解临床分离肺炎克雷伯菌中qnr基因和Ⅰ类整合子基因的分布及其耐药特征.方法 采用PCR法对45株耐环丙沙星肺炎克雷伯菌进行qnrA、qnrB、qnrS基因筛查并测序,用PCR法检测qnr阳性菌株Ⅰ类整合子基因,并采用SPSS 13.0和Whonet 5.4软件分析药敏结果及比较.结果 45株肺炎克雷伯菌中,24株(51.1％)细菌检出qnrS基因,未检出qnrA和qnrB基因.20株qnr阳性菌株同时携带Ⅰ类整合子基因.qnr阳性菌株Ⅰ类整合子基因携带率显著高于阴性菌株,qnr阳性菌株对阿米卡星、妥布霉素、亚胺培南、哌拉西林/他唑巴坦及头孢哌酮舒巴坦的敏感性较高.结论 肺炎克雷伯菌对氟喹诺酮类抗菌药物耐药主要由qnrS引起,qnr阳性株同时携带Ⅰ类整合子,导致呈现多重耐药性,加强临床耐药监测对控制多重耐药传播有着重要的意义.     

Chromosomal sequences from Klebsiella pneumoniae flank the SHV-5 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene in pACM1

The nucleotide sequence was determined for Anon 13, a 1250-bp SmaI fragment located approximately 2.8 kb downstream from bla(SHV-5) in pACM1. Anon 13 is 99% identical to a segment of the unpublished sequence of the Klebsiella pneumoniae chromosome. Genes of the K. pneumoniae sequence are undefined, but conceptual amino acid translations of two ORFs in Anon 13 are homologous to L-fuculose-1-phosphate aldolase (FucA) and a conserved hypothetical protein present in the chromosomes of several species of bacteria. In addition, restriction mapping indicates that the region of homology between the K. pneumoniae chromosome and pACM1 is as least 7.9 kb and includes both Anon 13 and bla(SHV). These observations demonstrate the chromosomal origin of the bla(SHV-5) on pACM1.     

Cloning and characterization of chromosomally encoded cephalosporinase gene of Enterobacter cloacae

The cephalosporinase gene, cpa, which codes for an inducible class I chromosomal beta-lactamase in Enterobacter cloacae was cloned on a fragment of 6.05 kilobase pairs inserted into plasmid pACYC184 and transferred into Escherichia coli HB101 recipient cells. The constructed hybrid plasmid, designated pGGQ101, carried a genomic fragment which retained its parental inducibility characteristics, although its expression level in transformed E. coli cells fell to 40-65% of its initial level in E. cloacae. The localization of the cpa gene on pGGQ101 plasmid was determined by Bal31 exonuclease deletion mapping and further confirmed by subcloning HindIII-AvaI restriction fragment on pMB9 plasmid vector. Labeling with [35S]methionine of pGGQ101 specified proteins in a minicell system showed that six or seven proteins are encoded by the insert. Two proteins with apparent molecular mass of 42 000 and 39 500 daltons, respectively, most probably represent the premature and mature cephalosporinase forms.     

Conjugational transfer systems of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata mediated by R plasmids

Plasmids RP1, R68.45 and RP4::Mu cts 61 were transferred into Rhodopseudomonas capsulata from Escherichia coli. The frequency of intraspecies transfer of these plasmids in R. capsulata was 10^-4–10^-5 per donor. The plasmids also mobilized chromosomal genes at a low frequency. Phototrophic recombinants from matings between recipient strains defective in the photosynthetic-apparatus and wild type donors were obtained at a frequency of 10^-7–10^-8 per donor.     

Immunochemical comparison between an oxacillin-hydrolyzing penicillinase of Aeromonas hydrophila and those mediated by R plasmids.

Antiserum against an oxacillin-hydrolyzing penicillinase of Aeromonas hydrophila did not show immunochemical cross-reaction with four oxacillin-hydrolyzing penicillinases mediated by R plasmids.     

Extracellular polysaccharide production by Klebsiella pneumoniae and its relationship to virulence

Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 1 and serotype 2 and their capsular variants were examined for production of cell-associated capsular polysaccharides and extracellular capsular polysaccharides. The virulence of these organisms in experimental animals was examined via intraperitoneal injection in mice and transtracheal inoculation into the lungs of rats. It was found that the production of either polysaccharide component correlated with the observed virulence. The extracellular polysaccharides were purified by ethanol precipitation, electrodialysis, extraction with quaternary ammonium salts, and gel filtration. These purification steps allowed for the separation and purification of both the extracellular lipopolysaccharide and the extracellular capsular polysaccharide. Purified extracellular capsular polysaccharide and extracellular lipopolysaccharide were co-injected with K. pneumoniae intraperitoneally into mice to determine if either of these substances would produce an effect on the natural course of infection in these animals. These studies showed that only purified extracellular lipopolysaccharide enhanced the virulence of K. pneumoniae when co-injected into mice, and this virulence enhancement correlated with the content of extracellular lipopolysaccharide, but not extracellular capsular polysaccharide in mixtures of these polysaccharides. Saponification of K. pneumoniae serotype 1 extracellular polysaccharides significantly decreased their virulence-enhancing capabilities in mice, further suggesting that extracellular lipopolysaccharide may play a role in these infections.     

An evolutionary relationship between the ColE5-099 and the ColE9-J plasmids revealed by nucleotide sequencing

The nucleotide sequence of a 1124 bp fragment of the ColE5-099 plasmid which encodes colicin E5 immunity, a lys gene involved in colicin release from the host cell, and the 3' end of the colicin E5 structural gene has been determined. Open reading frames corresponding to the three genes have been located by analogy with similar sequences from other E colicin plasmids. The location of these open reading frames corresponds with the position of the genes as determined by subcloning and transposon mutagenesis. The amino acid sequence of the carboxy-terminal 107 amino acid residues of the colicin E5 gene shows no homology with any other E colicin, suggesting a different mode of action in killing sensitive cells. A comparison of the nucleotide sequence of this region of the ColE5-099 plasmid with that of the equivalent region of the ColE9-J plasmid suggests a close evolutionary relationship between these two plasmids.     

Direct sequencing of the amplified structural gene and promoter for the extended-broad-spectrum beta-lactamase TEM-9 (RHH-1) of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Extended-broad-spectrum beta-lactamase TEM-9, detected in a clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae, confers high-level resistance to recent cephalosporins, in particular ceftazidime, and to the monobactam aztreonam. Using oligonucleotide probes, we found that the plasmid gene blaT-9 encoding TEM-9 differs from characterized blaT genes by a new combination of already known mutations. Gene blaT-9 was further studied by direct sequencing of an amplified 1.1-kb DNA fragment which contained the open reading frame and its promoter. Analysis of the nucleotide and of the deduced amino acid sequence confirmed the hybridization results and indicated that TEM-9 differs from TEM-1 by four amino acid substitutions: Phe at position 19 and Met at position 261, which have been found in TEM-4 and are known not to expand the enzyme substrate range; Lys 102, detected in TEM-3 and TEM-4, and Ser 162, present in TEM-5 and TEM-7. Each of the latter substitutions enlarges the substrate spectrum of the enzymes and they are found associated for the first time in TEM-9.     

Revisit on the evolutionary relationship between alternative splicing and gene duplication

Gene duplications and alternative splicing (AS) isoforms are two widespread types of genetic variations that can facilitate diversification of protein function. A number of studies claimed that after gene duplication, two AS isoforms with differential functions can be 'fixed', respectively, in each of the duplicate copies. This simple 'functional-sharing' hypothesis was recently challenged by Roux and Robinson-Rechavi (2011). Instead, they proposed a more sophisticated hypothesis, invoking that less alternative splicing genes tend to be duplicated more frequently, and single-copy genes are younger than duplicate genes, or the 'duplicability-age' hypothesis for short. In this letter, we show that all these genome-wide analyses of AS isoforms actually did not provide clear-cut evidence to nullify the basic idea of functional-sharing hypothesis. After updating our understanding of genome-wide alternative splicing, duplicability and CNV (copy number variation), we argue that the foundation of the duplicability-age hypothesis remains to be justified carefully. Finally, we suggest that a better approach to resolving this controversy is the correspondence analysis of indels (insertions and deletions) between duplicate genes to the genomic exon-intron structure, which can be used to experimentally test the effect of functional-sharing hypothesis.     

Heat resistance mediated by a new plasmid encoded Clp ATPase, ClpK, as a possible novel mechanism for nosocomial persistence of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important opportunistic pathogen and a frequent cause of nosocomial infections. We have characterized a K. pneumoniae strain responsible for a series of critical infections in an intensive care unit over a two-year period. The strain was found to be remarkably thermotolerant providing a conceivable explanation of its persistence in the hospital environment. This marked phenotype is mediated by a novel type of Clp ATPase, designated ClpK. The clpK gene is encoded by a conjugative plasmid and we find that the clpK gene alone renders an otherwise sensitive E. coli strain resistant to lethal heat shock. Furthermore, one third of a collection of nosocomial K. pneumoniae isolates carry clpK and exhibit a heat resistant phenotype. The discovery of ClpK as a plasmid encoded factor and its profound impact on thermal stress survival sheds new light on the biological relevance of Clp ATPases in acquired environmental fitness and highlights the challenges of mobile genetic elements in fighting nosocomial infections.     

Genetic characterization and evolutionary implications of a chromosomally encoded naphthalene-degradation upper pathway from Pseudomonas stutzeri AN10.

Pseudomonas stutzeri strain AN10 is a naphthalene-degrading strain whose dissimilatory genes are chromosomally encoded. We sequenced a total of 11514bp including the entire naphthalene-degradation upper pathway (nah) of P. stutzeri AN10. Nine open reading frames, nahAaAbAcAdBFCED, encoding the enzymes for the degradation of naphthalene to salicylate, were identified. The nah genes of P. stutzeri AN10 have been compared with genes encoding isofunctional proteins from other Pseudomonas naphthalene-degradation upper pathways. The implications of the sequence homologies to the evolution of aromatic catabolic pathways are discussed. Our findings indicate that this entire catabolic module of P. stutzeri AN10 was recruited from other microorganisms and a short period of time has elapsed after its incorporation within the P. stutzeri AN10 genome. Comparisons also suggest the coexistence of two entire nah upper pathways in a host strain, and further recombination between them. These events could accelerate the evolution of modern catabolic pathways.