Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

[Composition of AME encoding gene in Gram positive Cocci--study on spread of aminoglycoside resistance]

Tomasz Jarzembowski1

  • 1Katedra i Zakład Mikrobiologii Lekarskiej, Akademia Medyczna w Gdańsku.

Medycyna Doswiadczalna I Mikrobiologia
|April 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) contribute to bacterial resistance. This study analyzed AME gene profiles in staphylococci and enterococci, revealing shared resistance genes and potential for spread via conjugation proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Context:

  • Aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) are key determinants of aminoglycoside resistance in bacteria.
  • Understanding the genetic basis and spread of AME genes is crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance.
  • Previous studies have highlighted the role of AME genes in bacterial pathogens.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the composition and diversity of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme (AME) encoding genes in clinical isolates of *Enterococcus faecalis*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS).
  • To analyze the spread of AME encoding genes among and within these Gram-positive cocci species.
  • To explore the genetic relatedness and potential mechanisms of gene transfer for AME genes.

Summary:

  • PCR was used to profile six AME genes in 16 *E. faecalis*, 16 *S. aureus*, and 13 CoNS isolates from Poland (1998-2001).
  • Eleven distinct AME gene profiles were identified, with one common profile found across *S. aureus*, CoNS, and enterococci.
  • Statistical analyses (Fstat, AMOVA, UPGMA) indicated significant differences between *S. aureus* and other groups, but not between enterococci and CoNS, with higher within-species variability and a multispecies cluster.

Impact:

  • Findings suggest that the spread of aminoglycoside resistance genes among Gram-positive cocci may be facilitated by staphylococci's ability to synthesize enterococcal pheromones, potentially mediated by conjugation proteins.
  • This highlights the importance of considering horizontal gene transfer mechanisms in the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance.
  • The study provides insights into the genetic diversity and dissemination patterns of AME genes in clinically relevant bacteria.

More Related Videos

Characterizing Multidrug Efflux Systems in Acinetobacter baumannii Using an Efflux-Deficient Bacterial Strain and a Single-Copy Gene Expression System05:06

Characterizing Multidrug Efflux Systems in Acinetobacter baumannii Using an Efflux-Deficient Bacterial Strain and a Single-Copy Gene Expression System

Published on: January 5, 2024

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing09:44

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

Published on: December 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis01:25

Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis

Aminoglycosides constitute a highly potent class of bactericidal antibiotics that exert their antimicrobial effects by targeting the bacterial ribosome, specifically disrupting protein synthesis. These polycationic molecules consist of amino-modified sugars linked via glycosidic bonds to an aminocyclitol core such as 2-deoxystreptamine or streptamine. Their strong positive charges facilitate tight binding to the negatively charged phosphate backbone of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), primarily at the 16S...
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...
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...
Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...