Phenotypic conversion of drug-resistant bacteria to drug sensitivity

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997 Aug 5;94(16):8468-72. doi: 10.1073/pnas.94.16.8468.

Abstract

Plasmids that contain synthetic genes coding for small oligoribonucleotides called external guide sequences (EGSs) have been introduced into strains of Escherichia coli harboring antibiotic resistance genes. The EGSs direct RNase P to cleave the mRNAs transcribed from these genes thereby converting the phenotype of drug-resistant cells to drug sensitivity. Increasing the EGS-to-target mRNA ratio by changing gene copy number or the number of EGSs complementary to different target sites enhances the efficiency of the conversion process. We demonstrate a general method for the efficient phenotypic conversion of drug-resistant bacterial cultures.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance / genetics*
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Phenotype*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • RNA, Catalytic / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Ribonuclease P
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • RNA, Catalytic
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Ribonuclease P
  • ribonuclease P, E coli