Role of class A penicillin-binding proteins in the expression of beta-lactam resistance in Enterococcus faecium

J Bacteriol. 2009 Jun;191(11):3649-56. doi: 10.1128/JB.01834-08. Epub 2009 Mar 20.

Abstract

Peptidoglycan is polymerized by monofunctional d,d-transpeptidases belonging to class B penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and monofunctional glycosyltransferases and by bifunctional enzymes that combine both activities (class A PBPs). Three genes encoding putative class A PBPs (pbpF, pbpZ, and ponA) were deleted from the chromosome of Enterococcus faecium D344R in all possible combinations in order to identify the glycosyltransferases that cooperate with low-affinity class B Pbp5 for synthesis of peptidoglycan in the presence of beta-lactam antibiotics. The viability of the triple mutant indicated that glycan strands can be polymerized independently from class A PBPs by an unknown glycosyltranferase. The susceptibility of the DeltapbpF DeltaponA mutant and triple mutants to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefepime) identified either PbpF or PonA as essential partners of Pbp5 for peptidoglycan polymerization in the presence of the drugs. Mass spectrometry analysis of peptidoglycan structure showed that loss of PonA and PbpF activity led to a minor decrease in the extent of peptidoglycan cross-linking by the remaining PBPs without any detectable compensatory increase in the participation of the L,D-transpeptidase in peptidoglycan synthesis. Optical density measurements and electron microscopy analyses showed that the DeltapbpF DeltaponA mutant underwent increased stationary-phase autolysis compared to the parental strain. Unexpectedly, deletion of the class A pbp genes revealed dissociation between the expression of resistance to cephalosporins and penicillins, although the production of Pbp5 was required for resistance to both classes of drugs. Thus, susceptibility of Pbp5-mediated peptidoglycan cross-linking to different beta-lactam antibiotics differed as a function of its partner glycosyltransferase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Ceftriaxone / pharmacology
  • Cephalosporins / pharmacology
  • Electroporation
  • Enterococcus faecium / drug effects
  • Enterococcus faecium / genetics
  • Enterococcus faecium / metabolism*
  • Enterococcus faecium / ultrastructure
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Mutation
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Penicillins / pharmacology
  • Peptidoglycan / chemistry
  • Peptidoglycan / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • beta-Lactam Resistance / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cephalosporins
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins
  • Penicillins
  • Peptidoglycan
  • Ceftriaxone