Kinetic Properties of Four Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamases

Abstract

ABSTRACT The heterologous production in Escherichia coli , the purification, and the kinetic characterization of four plasmid-encoded class C β-lactamases (ACT-1, MIR-1, CMY-2, and CMY-1) were performed. Except for their instability, these enzymes are very similar to the known chromosomally encoded AmpC β-lactamases. Their kinetic parameters did not show major differences from those obtained for the corresponding chromosomal enzymes. However, the K m values of CMY-2 for cefuroxime, cefotaxime, and oxacillin were significantly decreased compared to those of the chromosomal AmpC enzymes. Finally, the susceptibility patterns of different E. coli hosts producing a plasmid- or a chromosome-encoded class C enzyme toward β-lactam antibiotics are mainly due to the overproduction of the β-lactamase in the periplasmic space of the bacteria rather than to a specific catalytic profile of the plasmid-encoded β-lactamases.