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Penicillin-binding proteins in the pathogenic intestinal spirochete Brachyspira pilosicoli

Rohana P Dassanayake1, Gautam Sarath, Gerald E Duhamel

  • 1Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska--Lincoln, Rm. 147, VBS Bldg., Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0905, USA.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|March 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in Brachyspira pilosicoli strains from humans and pigs. This finding aids in understanding the genes of these proteins in intestinal spirochetes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Veterinary Medicine

Background:

  • Brachyspira pilosicoli is a pathogenic intestinal spirochete affecting both humans and animals.
  • Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are essential targets for beta-lactam antibiotics.
  • Understanding PBPs in B. pilosicoli is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in Brachyspira pilosicoli.
  • To lay the groundwork for gene characterization of PBPs in pathogenic intestinal spirochetes.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic analysis was used to identify PBPs.
  • Bacterial strains included one human and two porcine isolates of B. pilosicoli.

Main Results:

  • Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) with varying molecular masses (94, 62/68, 42/50, 25, and 22 kDa) were identified.
  • PBPs were detected in both human and porcine B. pilosicoli strains.

Conclusions:

  • The identification of PBPs in B. pilosicoli is a significant step.
  • This research provides a foundation for studying the genes encoding PBPs in pathogenic intestinal spirochetes of clinical and veterinary importance.

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