β-lactamases in Francisella novicida
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Higgins, Kayleen
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Abstract
The bacterium Francisella tularensis is a versatile bacterium. It is able to infect multiple hosts through multiple transmission routes, including the bite of an arthropod, ingestion, inhalation, and contact through the eyes, causing tularemia. In the 1950s, it was developed as a biowarfare agent as it can cause infection with a low dosage of bacterial cells within the host. F. tularensis is resistant to penicillins and there is a possibility that it will acquire resistance to the current antibiotics used to treat tularemia. While studying the bacterium's resistance to penicillin, researchers have discovered that F. tularensis produces β-lactamases to hydrolyze the drug before it can destroy the bacterial cell wall. F. tularensis has two β-lactamase genes in its genome: FTT_0681c (bla1) and FTT_0611c (bla2). However, F. tularensis is a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) organism, so it requires special resources and training of the researchers to study this bacterium. Francisella novicida U112 has homologous genes to F. tularensis Schu S4 (FTN_1002 and FTT_0681c (bla1), FTN_1072 and FTT_0611c (bla2), and FTN_1227 and FTT_0783), so it could be used as a model for the BSL-3 organism. Understanding more about the β-lactamase enzyme produced by F. novicida will allow for a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of F. tularensis' antibiotic resistance and whether it can express carbapenemase activity. Increasing knowledge of this bacterium allows researchers to prepare for alternative treatment options if F. tularensis becomes resistant to the current antibiotic treatments.
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Lactamase, Francisella, Novicida, Carbapenemase, Tularensis, Antibiotic resistance