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Update on acquired tetracycline resistance genes
1Department of Pathobiology, Box 357238, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. marilynr@u.washington.edu
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|April 20, 2005
Summary
New tetracycline resistance genes and bacterial genera carrying them have emerged since 2001. This includes novel efflux, ribosomal protection, and inactivating enzyme genes, expanding bacterial defense mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bacterial acquired tetracycline resistance (tet) and oxytetracycline (otr) genes are crucial for understanding antibiotic resistance.
- The last major review of these genes was published in 2001, necessitating an update on recent developments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the significant changes and new discoveries in bacterial acquired tetracycline resistance genes since 2001.
- To identify novel tetracycline resistance genes and the bacterial genera that harbor them.
Main Methods:
- This study is a mini-review, synthesizing existing literature and data on bacterial tetracycline resistance genes.
- Analysis of newly identified genes and their functions (efflux, ribosomal protection, inactivation).
- Tracking the prevalence of known resistance genes in newly identified bacterial genera.
Main Results:
- Nine new acquired tetracycline resistant (Tc(r)) genes have been identified, including efflux, ribosomal protection, and inactivating enzyme types.
- The number of known tetracycline inactivating enzymes has increased from one to three.
- 66 new bacterial genera carrying previously described Tc(r) genes have been identified, including an obligate intracellular pathogen.
- Significant increase in genera carrying ribosomal protection genes (e.g., tet(M) in 42 genera, tet(W) in 17 new genera).
- New conjugative transposons carrying tet genes and an increase in antibiotic resistance genes linked to tet genes have been observed.
Conclusions:
- The landscape of bacterial tetracycline resistance has evolved significantly since 2001 with the emergence of new genes and host bacteria.
- The increase in inactivating enzymes warrants further investigation into their role in resistance.
- The identification of Tc(r) genes in obligate intracellular pathogens suggests potential for DNA exchange.
- New mobile genetic elements may facilitate the spread of tetracycline resistance genes to a broader range of bacterial hosts.