A proteolytic transmembrane signaling pathway and resistance to beta-lactams in staphylococci

Citation
Hz. Zhang et al., A proteolytic transmembrane signaling pathway and resistance to beta-lactams in staphylococci, SCIENCE, 291(5510), 2001, pp. 1962-1965
Citations number
27
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary,Multidisciplinary,Multidisciplinary
Journal title
SCIENCE
ISSN journal
0036-8075 → ACNP
Volume
291
Issue
5510
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1962 - 1965
Database
ISI
SICI code
0036-8075(20010309)291:5510<1962:APTSPA>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
beta -Lactamase and penicillin-binding protein Za mediate staphylococcal re sistance to beta -lactam antibiotics, which are otherwise highly clinically effective. Production of these inducible proteins is regulated by a signal -transducing integral membrane protein and a transcriptional repressor. The signal transducer is a fusion protein with penicillin-binding and zinc met alloprotease domains. The signal for protein expression is transmitted by s ite-specific proteolytic cleavage of both the transducer, which autoactivat es, and the repressor, which is inactivated, unblocking gene transcription. Compounds that disrupt this regulatory pathway could restore the activity of beta -lactam antibiotics against drug-resistant strains of staphylococci .