title: Inactivation of the indigenous methyltransferase RlmN in Staphylococcus aureus increases linezolid resistance.
abstract: The indigenous methyltransferase RlmN modifies A2503 in 23S rRNA. A recently described rlmN mutation in a clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolate decreases susceptibility to linezolid and was thought to increase the extent of A2503 modification. However, we show that the mutation in fact abolishes RlmN activity, resulting in a lack of A2503 modification. Since many mutations could inactivate the rlmN gene, our findings unveil a potential mechanism for future linezolid resistance in clinical strains.
authors: Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Illinois, 900 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
authors: Jacqueline M
authors: JM
authors: LaMarre
authors: Benjamin P
authors: BP
authors: Howden
authors: Alexander S
authors: AS
authors: Mankin
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D008780:Methyltransferases; D000069349:Linezolid