beta-Lactamases: protein evolution in real time.
The evolution and spread of bacteria resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics has progressed at an alarming rate. Bacteria may acquire resistance to a given drug by mutation of pre-existing genes or by the acquisition of new genes from other bacteria. One ongoing example of these mechanisms is the evolution of new variants of the TEM and SHV beta-lactamases with altered substrate specificity.
Petrosino
J
J
Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Cantu
C
C
Palzkill
T
T
D002384:Catalysis; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016296:Mutagenesis; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C054882:beta-lactamase PIT-2; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C034413:beta-lactamase TEM-1