Background Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) is a common opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for causing various infections in humans. Owing to its inducible chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase (AmpC), ECC is inherently resistant to the 1st- and 2nd- generation cephalosporins. However, whether β-lactams antibiotics enhance ECC resistance remains unclear. Results In this study, we found that subinhibitory concentrations (SICs) of cefazolin (CFZ) and imipenem (IMP) can advance the expression of AmpC and enhance its resistance towards β-lactams through NagZ in Enterobacter cloacae (EC). Further, AmpC manifested a substantial upregulation in EC in response to SICs of CFZ and IMP. In nagZ knockout EC (ΔnagZ), the resistance to β-lactam antibiotics was rather weakened and the effect of CFZ and IMP on AmpC induction was completely abrogated. NagZ ectopic expression can rescue the induction effects of CFZ and IMP on AmpC and increase ΔnagZ resistance. More importantly, CFZ and IMP have the potential to induce the expression of AmpR's target genes in a NagZ-dependent manner. Conclusions Our findings suggest that NagZ is a critical determinant for CFZ and IMP to promote AmpC expression and resistance and that CFZ and IMP should be used with caution since they may aggravate ECC resistance. At the same time, this study further improves our understanding of resistance mechanisms in ECC.

Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC), one of the most common opportunistic pathogens causing multiple infections in human, is resistant to β-lactam antibiotics mainly due to its highly expressed chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase. It seems that regulation of chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase is associated with peptidoglycan recycling. However, underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we confirmed that NagZ, a glycoside hydrolase participating in peptidoglycan recycling in Gram-negative bacteria, plays a crucial role in developing resistance of E. cloacae (EC) to β-lactam antibiotics by promoting expression of chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase. Our data shows that NagZ was significantly up-regulated in resistant EC (resistant to at least one type of the third or fourth generation cephalosporins) compared to susceptible EC (susceptible to all types of the third and fourth generation cephalosporins). Similarly, the expression and β-lactamase activity of ampC were markedly enhanced in resistant EC. Moreover, ectopic expression of nagZ enhanced ampC expression and resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in susceptible EC. To further understand functions of NagZ in β-lactam resistance, nagZ -knockout EC model (Δ nagZ EC) was constructed by homologous recombination. Conversely, ampC mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated, and resistance to β-lactam antibiotics was attenuated in Δ nagZ EC, while specific complementation of nagZ was able to rescue ampC expression and resistance in Δ nagZ EC. More interestingly, NagZ and its hydrolyzates 1,6-anhydromuropeptides (anhMurNAc) could induce the expression of other target genes of AmpR (a global transcriptional factor), which suggested that the promotion of AmpC by NagZ is mediated AmpR activated by anhMurNAc in EC. In conclusion, these findings provide new elements for a better understanding of resistance in EC, which is crucial for the identification of novel potential drug targets.

Background: Enterobacter cloacae (EC) is a commonly occurring opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for causing various infections in humans. Owing to its inducible chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase (AmpC), EC is inherently resistant to the 1st- and 2nd- generation cephalosporins. However, whether β-lactams antibiotics enhance EC resistance remains unclear.Results: In this study, we found that subinhibitory concentrations (SICs) of cefazolin (CFZ) and imipenem (IMP) are able to advance the expression of AmpC and improve its resistance towards β - lactams through NagZ in EC clinical isolate. Our work indicate that AmpC manifested a substantial upregulation in EC in response to SICs of CFZ and IMP. In nagZ knockout EC (ΔnagZ), we found that the resistance to β - lactam antibiotics was rather weakened and the effect of CFZ and IMP on induction of AmpC was completely abrogated. Ectopic expression of NagZ can rescue the induction effect of CFZ and IMP on AmpC and enhance resistance in ΔnagZ. More importantly, CFZ and IMP have the potential to bring about the target genes expressions of AmpR in a NagZ-dependent manner.Conclusions: Our findings show that NagZ is a critical determinant for CFZ and IMP to promote AmpC expression and improve resistance and that CFZ and IMP should be used with caution since they may aggravate EC resistance. At the same time, this study further improves our understanding of resistance mechanisms in EC.