The chromosomal 2 -N-acetyltransferase of providencia stuartii physiological functions and genetic regulation

Aminoglycoside antibiotics have had a major impact on our ability to treat bacterial infections for the past half century. Whereas the interest in these versatile antibiotics continues to be high, their clinical utility has been compromised by widespread instances of resistance. The multitude of mechanisms of resistance is disconcerting but also illuminates how nature can manifest resistance when bacteria are confronted by antibiotics. This article reviews the most recent knowledge about the mechanisms of aminoglycoside action and the mechanisms of resistance to these antibiotics

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Ecology and Evolution of Chromosomal Gene Transfer between Environmental Microorganisms and Pathogens

Martínez

2018

Microbiol Spectr

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Inspection of the genomes of bacterial pathogens indicates that their pathogenic potential relies, at least in part, on the activity of different elements that have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from other (usually unknown) microorganisms. Similarly, in the case of resistance to antibiotics, besides mutation-driven resistance, the incorporation of novel resistance genes is a widespread evolutionary procedure for the acquisition of this phenotype. Current information in the field supports the idea that most (if not all) genes acquired by horizontal gene transfer by bacterial pathogens and contributing to their virulence potential or to antibiotic resistance originate in environmental, not human-pathogenic, microorganisms. Herein I discuss the potential functions that the genes that are dubbed virulence or antibiotic resistance genes may have in their original hosts in nonclinical, natural ecosystems. In addition, I discuss the potential bottlenecks modulating the transfer of virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants and the consequences in terms of speciation of acquiring one or another of both categories of genes. Finally, I propose that exaptation, a process by which a change of function is achieved by a change of habitat and not by changes in the element with the new functionality, is the basis of the evolution of virulence determinants and of antibiotic resistance genes.

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The chromosomal 2 -N-acetyltransferase of providencia stuartii physiological functions and genetic regulation

Cited by 3 publications

References 36 publications

Intercellular Signaling by Rhomboids in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Intercellular Signaling by Rhomboids in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Versatility of Aminoglycosides and Prospects for Their Future

Ecology and Evolution of Chromosomal Gene Transfer between Environmental Microorganisms and Pathogens

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