A model for the secondary structure of beta-lactamases

The effects of the quaternary agent meproadifen on ACh-activated channel currents were studied on myoballs cultured from hind limb muscles of neonatal rats. Meproadifen (0.02-0.1 microM) combined with ACh (0.1-0.3 microM) in the patch pipette caused an increase, followed by a decrease, in the frequency of channel openings. At concentrations greater than 0.2 microM the initial phase was not detected and a rapid and marked reduction in the opening frequency was observed. Meproadifen (up to 2.5 microM) produced no change in the duration or conductance of the open state of ACh-activated channels. In addition, this agent induced the appearance of events with a marked increase in the 'noise' during the opening phase. The lack of effect under inside-out patch conditions suggested that meproadifen binds to a site located at the external portion of the nicotinic macromolecule and has no access to it through the cell membrane. This study indicated that non-competitive antagonists such as meproadifen can facilitate receptor activation and desensitization.     

Factors that influence the permeability assay of the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Brief exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to a temperature of 10 degrees C or lower caused a significant leakage of the periplasmic beta-lactamase into the medium. The extent of leakage increased as the incubation temperature was lowered to 4 degrees C and reached a maximum at 0 degrees C. Cells grown in the presence of beta-lactamase inducers were unsuitable for the permeability assay. It was found that the diffusion rates of beta-lactams through the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa were much lower than those previously reported, as assayed under refined conditions. The diffusion rates of beta-lactams in one of the mutants tested were an order of magnitude lower than those of the other strains, despite the fact that the outer membrane protein profile of the strain appeared to be indistinguishable from those of the others. These results suggest that beta-lactam antibiotics diffuse through the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa, at least partly, through a non-porin pathway.     

Biochemical, immunological and physicochemical comparisons between OHIO-1 and four SHV-type β-lactamases

The biochemical, immunological and physicochemical properties of the beta-lactamase OHIO-1 were compared to those of four beta-lactamases commonly found in Klebsiella pneumoniae: SHV-1, SHV-3 and the beta-lactamases of strains GN 11-03 and GN 422. The substrate profile of SHV-1, OHIO-1 and of the beta-lactamases GN 11-03 and GN 422 were similar, while that of SHV-3 appeared comparable to that of the extended spectrum SHV-2. Moreover, anti-TEM-1 serum inactivated OHIO-1 as well as SHV-1 and the beta-lactamases of strains GN 11-03 and GN 422. Analysis of the electrophoretic mobilities, isoelectric points and titration curves demonstrated that OHIO-1 and the 4 other beta-lactamases examined were closely related variants. From these findings it appears that OHIO-1 could be classified among the SHV-type beta-lactamases.     

Cloning and expression in Enterobacteriaceae of the extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa plasmid

Abstract An extended-spectrum β-lactamase, the gene for which is located on plasmid pMS350 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, hydrolyzes carbapenems and other extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics. We cloned the pMS350 β-lactamase gene in an Escherichia coli K-12 strain using the vector plasmid pHSG398, and subcloned it into pMS360, a plasmid with a wide host-range. This resulted in the formation of the recombinant plasmid, pMS363, containing a 4.1-kb DNA insert that includes the extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene. Plasmid pMS363 was introduced into the P. aeruginosa PAO strain or into six species of Enterobacteriaceae, and the specific activities of the β-lactamase and MICs of various β-lactam antibiotics were estimated. The cloned gene was capable of expression in these strains and caused resistance to carbapenem, penem and other β-lactam antibiotics, with the exception of aztreonam.     

Cefotaxime-hydrolysing activity of the β-lactamase of Klebsiella oxytoca D488 could be related to a threonine residue at position 140

The chromosomally encoded beta-lactamase of Klebsiella oxytoca D483 strain, active against all third-generation cephalosporins but ceftazidime, was purified to homogeneity. The pure protein was digested by trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease or proteinase Asp-N. Amino acid sequences of the HPLC-separated proteolytic peptides were determined by manual Edman degradation. Overlapping fragments gave the alignment of the 263 residues of the beta-lactamase which presented 90% homology with the beta-lactamase of the K. oxytoca E23004 strain and about 40% homology with the other enzymes of the structural class A. The cefotaximase activity might result from interaction of a threonine residue at position 140 (position 165 in the numbering of Ambler) with the oxyimino group of the antibiotic.     

Biochemical characterization of the carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamase AsbM1 from Aeromonas sobria AER 14M: a member of a novel subgroup of metallo-β-lactamases

Abstract AsbM1, a carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamase produced by Aeromonas sobria AER 14M, was purified chromatographically, with anion exchange chromatography performed in the absence of Zn²⁺. The molecular mass of AsbM1 was approximately 34000; the isoelectric point was 9.1. AsbM1 had high hydrolytic specificity for carbapenems but low hydrolysis rates for penicillins and cephalosporins. AsbM1 was resistant to the commercially available β-lactamase inhibitors but was inhibited by pCMB and the chelators EDTA and o -phenanthroline. Zinc, an activator for many metallo-β-lactamases, inhibited AsbM1 with an IC₅₀ of 8 μM. Analysis of the N-terminal sequence (27 amino acids) showed 26% similarity to the CphA metallo-β-lactamase. Because of the high specificity for carbapenems and the sensitivity to inhibition by Zn²⁺, AsbM1 should be included in a new subgroup of metallo-β-lactamases.     

A β-lactamase produced by a thermophilic Bacillus

Abstract A β-lactamase was purified from a thermophilic Bacillus strain, that had been isolated from a traditional hot bath in the Meknes area (Morocco). The properties of the enzyme were very similar to those of the β-lactamase produced by Bacillus licheniformis 749C but it exhibited a somewhat increased thermostability and a higher activation energy with cefazolin as substrate. These properties were expected for an enzyme produced by a thermophilic strain.