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Cloning and characterization of the sisomicin-resistance gene from Micromonospora inyoensis

S L Goldberg1, J G Romero, Y M Deo

  • 1Department of Microbiological and Cell Culture Development, Schering Corporation, Union, NJ 07083.

Insights

Researchers identified the sisomicin-resistance (sisA) gene in Micromonospora inyoensis. This gene, though related to the Micromonospora purpurea Kan-Gen resistance gene, did not enhance gentamicin production when introduced into the M. purpurea strain.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The sisA gene confers resistance to sisomicin in Micromonospora inyoensis.
  • Aminoglycoside resistance genes are crucial for understanding antibiotic biosynthesis and resistance mechanisms.
  • Comparing resistance genes across different Micromonospora species can reveal evolutionary relationships and functional similarities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone and characterize the sisA gene from Micromonospora inyoensis.
  • To compare the sisA gene with the kanamycin-gentamicin resistance gene from Micromonospora purpurea.
  • To investigate the effect of the sisA gene on gentamicin biosynthesis in Micromonospora purpurea.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of DNA fragments from M. inyoensis into Streptomyces plasmid vectors.
  • Transformation of Streptomyces lividans TK24 with recombinant plasmids.
  • Analysis of gene expression and resistance patterns in transformants.
  • Restriction endonuclease digestion and cross-hybridization studies.
  • Transformation of the sisA gene into the M. purpurea gentamicin-production strain.

Main Results:

  • The sisA gene from M. inyoensis was successfully cloned and expressed in S. lividans TK24.
  • The sisA gene demonstrated close genetic relatedness to the M. purpurea Kan-Gen resistance gene, despite divergent restriction patterns.
  • Both genes conferred similar levels of aminoglycoside resistance and showed cross-hybridization.
  • Introduction of the sisA gene into the M. purpurea strain did not enhance gentamicin production.

Conclusions:

  • The sisA gene is a novel aminoglycoside resistance determinant in M. inyoensis.
  • The sisA gene and the M. purpurea Kan-Gen resistance gene share a common ancestry.
  • The sisA gene does not play a direct role in enhancing gentamicin biosynthesis in M. purpurea.

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