Identifying Antibiotic Resistance in Yersinia pestis
Author Information
Author(s): Karen L Stirrett, Julian A Ferreras, Sebastian M Rossi, Richard L Moy, Fabio V Fonseca, Luis E Quadri
Primary Institution: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Hypothesis
Can a multicopy suppressor screening approach identify antibiotic resistance determinant candidates in Yersinia pestis?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that overexpression of the robAYp gene in Yersinia pestis can reduce susceptibility to multiple antibiotics.
Supporting Evidence
- The robAYp gene increased the MIC99 of ofloxacin by 23-fold when overexpressed.
- Overexpression of robAYp conferred low-level resistance to multiple antibiotics.
- The study identified four efflux pumps significantly upregulated by robAYp overexpression.
Takeaway
Researchers found a gene in Yersinia pestis that, when increased in number, helps the bacteria resist antibiotics, making it harder to treat infections.
Methodology
The study constructed a multicopy plasmid-based expression library of Yersinia pestis in E. coli and screened for antibiotic resistance.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on one gene and its effects, which may not represent all mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Yersinia pestis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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