Characterization of tetA‐like gene encoding for a major facilitator superfamily efflux pump in Streptococcus thermophilus. Issue 1 (12th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arioli, Stefania; Guglielmetti, Simone; Amalfitano, Stefano; Viti, Carlo; Marchi, Emmanuela; Decorosi, Francesca; Giovannetti, Luciana; Mora, Diego
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology letters. Volume 355:Issue 1(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2014-05-12
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1111/1574-6968.12449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-1097

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fml12449-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Efflux pumps are membrane proteins involved in the active extrusion of a wide range of structurally dissimilar substrates from cells. A multidrug efflux pump named TetA belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters was identified in the <italic>Streptococcus thermophilus </italic>DSM 20617^T genome. The <italic>tetA</italic>‐like gene was found in the genomes of a number of <italic>S. thermophilus</italic> strains sequenced to date and in <italic>Streptococcus macedonicus </italic>ACA‐DC 198, suggesting a possible horizontal gene transfer event between these two <italic>Streptococcus</italic> species, which are both adapted to the milk environment. Flow cytometry (single‐cell) analysis revealed bistable TetA activity in the <italic>S. thermophilus</italic> population, and <italic>tetA</italic>‐like gene over‐expression resulted in a reduced susceptibility to ethidium bromide, tetracycline, and other toxic compounds even when the efflux pump was over‐expressed in a strain naturally lacking <italic>tetA‐</italic>like gene.</p> </abstract>