Mechanisms other than penicillin-binding protein-2 alterations may contribute to moderate penicillin resistance in Neisseria meningitidis.
Penicillin resistance in Neisseria spp is thought to be generated by the interspecies transfer of genetic material from naturally penicillin-resistant, commensal species. We examined a series of successive transformants with increasing levels of penicillin resistance, obtained by co-cultivation of Neisseria meningitidis derivatives with Neisseria polysaccharea. Our results suggest that, in addition to the well-known decrease in penicillin affinity of penicillin-binding protein-2 (PBP-2), decreased expression of the class 3 porin as well as decreased affinity of PBP-1 may contribute to higher level resistance of N. meningitidis to penicillin G and other beta-lactam compounds.
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Laboratori de Microbiologia, Biomedical Research Center of Bellvitge, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, 08907 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007769:Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009343:Neisseria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D010403:Penicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018272:Porins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
D003470:Culture Media; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007769:Lactams; C400748:PBP-2 protein, Leptomonas seymouri; D010406:Penicillins; D018272:Porins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors