Inactivation of the putative tetracycline resistance gene HP1165 in Helicobacter pylori led to loss of inducible tetracycline resistance.
Tetracycline has been used with other antibiotics in treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, tetracycline resistance has developed in H. pylori clinical isolates, rendering treatment failure. Mutations in 16S rRNA genes have been reported to mediate tetracycline resistance in some isolates. The diversity of tetracycline resistance cases suggests multiple genes are involved. HP1165, a putative tetracycline resistance gene in H. pylori 26695, displays 49.8% identity to the tetracycline efflux gene tetA (P) from Clostridium perfringens. To determine the function of the HP1165 gene in H. pylori, the tetracycline resistance phenotype was investigated, transcription of HP1165 was examined by RT-PCR, and a DeltaHP1165 mutant was generated by insertion of the pBCalpha3 plasmid. The results showed that strains harboring HP1165 were induced to intermediate level resistance in the laboratory (minimum inhibitory concentration=4-6 microg/ml). No mutation was found at or near the tetracycline binding sites of the 16S rRNA gene. The gene was transcribed both in the induced tetracycline resistant and wild type strains, indicating translational or posttranslational control of gene function. Mutation of HP1165 gene resulted in increased tetracycline susceptibility and loss of inducible tetracycline resistance, suggesting that the HP1165 gene is involved in the inducible tetracycline resistance in H. pylori.
Department of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, 6th and Chestnut Streets, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA.
Yuhuan
Y
Li
H Kathleen
HK
Dannelly
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009154:Mutation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013753:Tetracycline Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S