scholarly journals Cloning and Characterization of Arylamine N -Acetyltransferase Genes from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Increased Expression Results in Isoniazid Resistance

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (4) ◽  
pp. 1343-1347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Payton ◽  
Roy Auty ◽  
Rupika Delgoda ◽  
Martin Everett ◽  
Edith Sim

ABSTRACT Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are found in many eukaryotic organisms, including humans, and have previously been identified in the prokaryote Salmonella typhimurium. NATs from many sources acetylate the antitubercular drug isoniazid and so inactivate it. nat genes were cloned fromMycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and expressed in Escherichia coli andM. smegmatis. The induced M. smegmatis NAT catalyzes the acetylation of isoniazid. A monospecific antiserum raised against pure NAT from S. typhimurium recognizes NAT fromM. smegmatis and cross-reacts with recombinant NAT fromM. tuberculosis. Overexpression of mycobacterialnat genes in E. coli results in predominantly insoluble recombinant protein; however, with M. smegmatisas the host using the vector pACE-1, NAT proteins from M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis are soluble. M. smegmatis transformants induced to express the M. tuberculosis nat gene in culture demonstrated a threefold higher resistance to isoniazid. We propose that NAT in mycobacteria could have a role in acetylating, and hence inactivating, isoniazid.

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (9) ◽  
pp. 2568-2573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murali D. Bashyam ◽  
Anil K. Tyagi

ABSTRACT Earlier studies from our laboratory on randomly isolated transcriptional signals of mycobacteria had revealed that the −10 region of mycobacterial promoters and the corresponding binding domain in the major sigma factor are highly similar to their Escherichia coli counterparts. In contrast, the sequences in −35 regions of mycobacterial promoters and the corresponding binding domain in the major sigma factor are vastly different from their E. colicounterparts (M. D. Bashyam, D. Kaushal, S. K. Dasgupta, and A. K. Tyagi, J. Bacteriol. 178:4847–4853, 1996). We have now analyzed the role of the TGN motif present immediately upstream of the −10 region of mycobacterial promoters. Sequence analysis and site-specific mutagenesis of a Mycobacterium tuberculosispromoter and a Mycobacterium smegmatis promoter reveal that the TGN motif is an important determinant of transcriptional strength in mycobacteria. We show that mutation in the TGN motif can drastically reduce the transcriptional strength of a mycobacterial promoter. The influence of the TGN motif on transcriptional strength is also modulated by the sequences in the −35 region. Comparative assessment of these extended −10 promoters in mycobacteria and E. coli suggests that functioning of the TGN motif in promoters of these two species is similar.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masuzu Kikuchi ◽  
Keiichi Kojima ◽  
Shin Nakao ◽  
Susumu Yoshizawa ◽  
Shiho Kawanishi ◽  
...  

AbstractMicrobial rhodopsins are photoswitchable seven-transmembrane proteins that are widely distributed in three domains of life, archaea, bacteria and eukarya. Rhodopsins allow the transport of protons outwardly across the membrane and are indispensable for light-energy conversion in microorganisms. Archaeal and bacterial proton pump rhodopsins have been characterized using an Escherichia coli expression system because that enables the rapid production of large amounts of recombinant proteins, whereas no success has been reported for eukaryotic rhodopsins. Here, we report a phylogenetically distinct eukaryotic rhodopsin from the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina (O. marina rhodopsin-2, OmR2) that can be expressed in E. coli cells. E. coli cells harboring the OmR2 gene showed an outward proton-pumping activity, indicating its functional expression. Spectroscopic characterization of the purified OmR2 protein revealed several features as follows: (1) an absorption maximum at 533 nm with all-trans retinal chromophore, (2) the possession of the deprotonated counterion (pKa = 3.0) of the protonated Schiff base and (3) a rapid photocycle through several distinct photointermediates. Those features are similar to those of known eukaryotic proton pump rhodopsins. Our successful characterization of OmR2 expressed in E. coli cells could build a basis for understanding and utilizing eukaryotic rhodopsins.


1970 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Biswas ◽  
MAK Parvez ◽  
M Shafiquzzaman ◽  
S Nahar ◽  
MN Rahman

Context: Escherichia coli is shed in the feces of warm blooded animals and humans and thus potential for public health. Detection and characterization of E. coli in the ready-to-eat (RTE) foods concerns due to their presence indicates fecal contamination of the food.   Objective: To identify, characterize and RFLP pattern analysis of E. coli isolated from RTE foods vended in Islamic University campus, Kushtia.   Materials and Methods: Fifty samples from four types of consumed foods in six student halls of residence, some temporary restaurants of Islamic University, Kushtia were assessed for bacterial contamination by standard methods. Identification and characterization of E. coli isolates were performed using IMViC tests. Genomic DNA was used to perform RFLP pattern analysis.   Results: Thirty seven out of 50 (74%) examined samples of RTE foods had E. coli contamination. The highest number of E. coli was isolated from vegetable oriented RTE foods (90.90%) and fish, meat and cereals samples were also significantly E. coli positive. RFLP profiling of two E. coli isolates were observed.   Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that some RTE foods had unsatisfactory levels of contamination with E. coli. Thus street vended RTE food could be important potential vehicles for food-borne diseases. Molecular characterization may be exploited to identify food borne pathogen among different species.  Keywords: Ready-to-eat foods; Escherichia coli; RFLP pattern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v18i0.8783 JBS 2010; 18(0): 99-103


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 205873921879295
Author(s):  
Saeed Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
Syed Muhammad Ali Shah ◽  
Sabira Sultana

This study was conducted to investigate the antipyretic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Corchorus depressus Linn. against Escherichia coli ( E. coli)-induced pyrexia in rabbits. Hydroalcohalic extracts of C. depressus were given orally at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg for antipyretic affect in E. coli-induced fever in rabbits. The animals were divided into five groups of five each. Among these five groups, three received various doses of experimental treatments, whereas the fourth one served as positive control and received paracetamol. The fifth group of animals served as negative control and received no treatment. The body temperature of the rabbits was measured rectally over a period of 5 h. C. depressus exhibited better effects at dose rate of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. The hydroalcoholic extract of C. depressus has significant antipyretic effect. These results lend support to the popular use of C. depressus in traditional medicine as a remedy for pyrexia and suggest that the characterization of the principles for such activity deserves further investigation.


2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (20) ◽  
pp. 6005-6015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna K. Gopaul ◽  
Patricia C. Brooks ◽  
Jean-François Prost ◽  
Elaine O. Davis

ABSTRACT The recA gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is unusual in that it is expressed from two promoters, one of which, P1, is DNA damage inducible independently of LexA and RecA, while the other, P2, is regulated by LexA in the classical way (E. O. Davis, B. Springer, K. K. Gopaul, K. G. Papavinasasundaram, P. Sander, and E. C. Böttger, Mol. Microbiol. 46:791-800, 2002). In this study we characterized these two promoters in more detail. Firstly, we localized the promoter elements for each of the promoters, and in so doing we identified a mutation in each promoter which eliminates promoter activity. Interestingly, a motif with similarity to Escherichia coli σ70 −35 elements but located much closer to the −10 element is important for optimal expression of P1, whereas the sequence at the −35 location is not. Secondly, we found that the sequences flanking the promoters can have a profound effect on the expression level directed by each of the promoters. Finally, we examined the contribution of each of the promoters to recA expression and compared their kinetics of induction following DNA damage.


2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 1728-1734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongguo Wang ◽  
Enping Hu ◽  
Jiayu Chen ◽  
Xiulin Tao ◽  
Katelyn Gutierrez ◽  
...  

A total of 69 strains of Escherichia coli from patients in the Taizhou Municipal Hospital, China, were isolated, and 11 strains were identified that were resistant to bacitracin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and erythromycin. These strains were PCR positive for at least two out of three genes, ybjG, dacC and mdfA, by gene mapping with conventional PCR detection. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that these genes existed in plasmids that conferred resistance. Novel ybjG and dacC variants were isolated from E. coli strains EC2163 and EC2347, which were obtained from the sputum of intensive care unit patients. Genetic mapping showed that the genes were located on 8200 kb plasmid regions flanked by EcoRI restriction sites. Three distinct genetic structures were identified among the 11 PCR-positive strains of E. coli, and two contained the novel ybjG and dacC variants. The putative amino acid differences in the ybjG and dacC gene variants were characterized. These results provide evidence for novel variants of ybjG and dacC, and suggest that multiple drug resistance in hospital strains of E. coli depends on the synergistic function of ybjG, dacC and mdfA within three distinct genetic structures in conjugative plasmids.


2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 1018-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
MEILI XI ◽  
QIAN WU ◽  
XIN WANG ◽  
BAOWEI YANG ◽  
XIAODONG XIA ◽  
...  

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Escherichia coli strains have been reported worldwide; however, the incidence and characterization of foodborne ESBL-producing E. coli strains have been rarely reported in the People's Republic of China. Among a collection of 659 E. coli isolates recovered from retail foods in Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China, 223 cefoxitin-resistant and/or cefoperazone-resistant isolates were screened for ESBL production with the double disk diffusion test. The ESBL-producing isolates were characterized for antimicrobial resistance and the presence of blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genes. Isolates with blaCTX-M were further classified by PCR as having blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-8, blaCTX-M-9, or blaCTX-M-25. One hundred forty-seven isolates were identified as ESBL positive. PCR detection revealed that 146 isolates (99.3%) contained the blaCTX-M gene. Among these isolates, 42 (28.8%) were positive for the enzyme CTX-M-1, 5 (3.4%) for CTX-M-2, and 99 (67.8%) for CTX-M-9. No CTX-M-8 and CTX-M-25 were found in this study. One hundred fifteen isolates (78.2%) were positive for the blaTEM gene, but blaSHV was not detected. Among the 147 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates, 75 (51.0%), 35 (23.8%), and 4 (2.7%) isolates were positive for blaTEM and blaCTX-M-9, blaTEM and blaCTX-M-1, and blaTEM and blaCTX-M-2, respectively. All of the 147 ESBL-producing isolates were resistant to three or more non–β-lactam antibiotics. This study provides evidence that foodborne E. coli can harbor ESBL-encoding genes. Thus, food could be a vehicle for the dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli strains, a situation that requires surveillance and appropriate management strategies.


Author(s):  
Tanushree Barua Gupta ◽  
Malini Shariff ◽  
Thukral Ss ◽  
S.s Thukral

  Objective: Indiscriminate use of β-lactam antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of β-lactamase enzymes. AmpC β-lactamases, in particular, confer resistance to penicillin, first-, second-, and third-generation cephalosporins as well as monobactams and are responsible for antibiotic resistance in nosocomial pathogens. Therefore, this study was undertaken to screen nosocomial Escherichia coli isolates for the presence and characterization of AmpC β-lactamases. The study also envisaged on the detection of inducible AmpC β-lactamases and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in AmpC β-lactamase-producing E. coli.Methods: A total of 102 clinical isolates of E. coli, were subjected to cefoxitin screening, and screen-positive isolates were further subjected to inhibitor-based detection method, phenotypic confirmatory test, disc antagonism test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and isoelectric focusing (IEF).Results: In this study, 33% of E. coli were resistant to cefoxitin, of which 35% were found to be positive for AmpC β-lactamase by inhibitor-based phenotypic test. Of the AmpC-positive isolates, 83% were positive for ESBLs, whereas 25% were producing inducible AmpC β-lactamases. PCR and IEF showed CIT and EBC types of AmpC β-lactamases present in the tested isolates.Conclusion: Our study showed the presence of inducible AmpC enzymes and ESBLs in E. coli isolates and PCR identified more isolates to be AmpC producers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Lauhon

ABSTRACT In bacteria, tRNAs that decode 4-fold degenerate family codons and have uridine at position 34 of the anticodon are typically modified with either 5-methoxyuridine (mo5U) or 5-methoxycarbonylmethoxyuridine (mcmo5U). These modifications are critical for extended recognition of some codons at the wobble position. Whereas the alkylation steps of these modifications have been described, genes required for the hydroxylation of U34 to give 5-hydroxyuridine (ho5U) remain unknown. Here, a number of genes in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are identified that are required for wild-type (wt) levels of ho5U. The yrrMNO operon is identified in B. subtilis as important for the biosynthesis of ho5U. Both yrrN and yrrO are homologs to peptidase U32 family genes, which includes the rlhA gene required for ho5C synthesis in E. coli. Deletion of either yrrN or yrrO, or both, gives a 50% reduction in mo5U tRNA levels. In E. coli, yegQ was found to be the only one of four peptidase U32 genes involved in ho5U synthesis. Interestingly, this mutant shows the same 50% reduction in (m)cmo5U as that observed for mo5U in the B. subtilis mutants. By analyzing the genomic context of yegQ homologs, the ferredoxin YfhL is shown to be required for ho5U synthesis in E. coli to the same extent as yegQ. Additional genes required for Fe-S biosynthesis and biosynthesis of prephenate give the same 50% reduction in modification. Together, these data suggest that ho5U biosynthesis in bacteria is similar to that of ho5C, but additional genes and substrates are required for complete modification. IMPORTANCE Modified nucleotides in tRNA serve to optimize both its structure and function for accurate translation of the genetic code. The biosynthesis of these modifications has been fertile ground for uncovering unique biochemistry and metabolism in cells. In this work, genes that are required for a novel anaerobic hydroxylation of uridine at the wobble position of some tRNAs are identified in both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. These genes code for Fe-S cluster proteins, and their deletion reduces the levels of the hydroxyuridine by 50% in both organisms. Additional genes required for Fe-S cluster and prephenate biosynthesis and a previously described ferredoxin gene all display a similar reduction in hydroxyuridine levels, suggesting that still other genes are required for the modification.


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