Molecular Specificities of R Factor-Determined Beta-Lactamases: Correlation with Plasmid Compatibility

Abstract

Beta (β)-lactamases determined by 29 ampicillin resistance plasmids could be divided into two types. One, TEM-type, was very uniform with respect to substrate specificity but heterogeneous in absolute levels of β-lactamase activity. The TEM-type β-lactamase was determined by R factors of compatibility groups FII, Iα, Iε, N, C, A, T, W, P, L, and X, and by prophage φ Amp. The other type, characterized by the ability to hydrolyze oxacillin, was less common, showed lower absolute levels of activity, and was heterogeneous as regards substrate specificities. Oxacillin-hydrolyzing β-lactamases were determined by R factors of compatibility groups FI, Iα, N, C, and O.