Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
09:44

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Published on: December 23, 2022

Cloning and sequencing of Enterobacter aerogenes OmpC-type osmoporin linked to carbapenem resistance

Enno Stürenburg1, Ingo Sobottka, Dietrich Mack

  • 1Institut für Meidzinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universitäts-Klinikum Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg, Germany. estueren@uke.uni-hamburg.de

International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|May 15, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Lack of outer membrane protein OmpK39 in Enterobacter aerogenes is linked to carbapenem resistance. This resistance likely stems from regulatory gene changes, not direct mutations in the ompK39 gene.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play crucial roles in bacterial physiology and antibiotic resistance.
  • Enterobacter aerogenes is an opportunistic pathogen where carbapenem resistance is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of outer membrane protein OmpK39 in Enterobacter aerogenes.
  • To elucidate the genetic basis of carbapenem resistance associated with OmpK39 deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning and sequencing of the ompK39 gene from outbreak strains.
  • Amino acid sequence alignment and homology analysis.
  • 3D structure prediction based on known porin structures.

Main Results:

  • The ompK39 gene was cloned and sequenced.
  • OmpK39 deficiency correlated with low-level carbapenem resistance.
  • OmpK39 belongs to the OmpC subclass of enterobacterial porins, sharing structural similarities with Klebsiella pneumoniae OmpK36.
  • No mutations were found in the ompk39 gene of resistant strains.

Conclusions:

  • Porin deficiency, specifically OmpK39, contributes to carbapenem resistance in Enterobacter aerogenes.
  • Carbapenem resistance in this context is likely due to alterations in regulatory genes or promoter sequences, rather than direct mutations in the ompk39 structural gene.

More Related Videos

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance09:00

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Antibiotic Selection01:45

Antibiotic Selection

Researchers use antibiotic resistance genes to identify bacteria that possess a plasmid containing their gene of interest. Antibiotic resistance naturally occurs when a spontaneous DNA mutation creates changes in bacterial genes that eliminate antibiotic activity. Bacteria can share these new resistance genes with their offspring and other bacteria. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have created a public health crisis, as resistant and multi-resistant bacteria continue to develop.Antibiotic...