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Plasmid-mediated pristinamycin resistance. PAC IIA: a new enzyme which modifies pristinamycin IIA
The Journal of Antibiotics
|August 1, 1977
Abstract:
A wild strain of Staphylococcus aureus which inactivates a wide variety of antibiotics has been found to inactivate pristinamycin IIA, an antistaphylococcal antibiotic. This phenomenon has been demonstrated to be plasmid mediated. The plasmid directs the biosynthesis of an acetyltransferase which is able to O-acetylate the drug. We propose to call the new enzyme PAC (IIA): Pristinamycin acetyltransferase.
Insights
A new enzyme, Pristinamycin acetyltransferase (PAC), inactivates the antibiotic pristinamycin IIA in Staphylococcus aureus. This antibiotic resistance is mediated by a plasmid, highlighting a novel drug resistance mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant pathogen known for its resistance to various antibiotics.
- Pristinamycin IIA is a crucial antistaphylococcal antibiotic.
- Emerging antibiotic resistance mechanisms pose a threat to public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which a wild strain of Staphylococcus aureus inactivates pristinamycin IIA.
- To identify the genetic basis of this antibiotic inactivation.
- To characterize the enzyme responsible for the inactivation.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic screening of Staphylococcus aureus strains for antibiotic inactivation.
- Plasmid isolation and characterization.
- Enzyme assays to determine substrate specificity and activity.
- Biochemical characterization of the novel enzyme.
Main Results:
- A wild strain of Staphylococcus aureus was identified that inactivates pristinamycin IIA.
- The inactivation mechanism was found to be plasmid-mediated.
- A novel acetyltransferase enzyme, designated PAC (IIA), was identified.
- PAC (IIA) was shown to O-acetylate pristinamycin IIA, rendering it inactive.
Conclusions:
- A novel plasmid-mediated mechanism of pristinamycin IIA inactivation by Staphylococcus aureus has been elucidated.
- The newly discovered enzyme, Pristinamycin acetyltransferase (PAC) (IIA), represents a new class of antibiotic-inactivating enzymes.
- Understanding this resistance mechanism is crucial for developing strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.