Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Novel Qnr Families as Conserved and Intrinsic Quinolone Resistance Determinants in Aeromonas spp.

  • Sang-Gyu Kim (Department of Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University) ;
  • Bo-Eun Kim (Microbial Safety Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration) ;
  • Jung Hun Lee (National Leading Research Laboratory of Drug Resistance Proteomics, Department of Biological Sciences, Myongji University) ;
  • Dae-Wi Kim (Department of Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University)
  • Received : 2024.03.24
  • Accepted : 2024.04.04
  • Published : 2024.06.28
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Abstract

The environment has been identified as an origin, reservoir, and transmission route of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Among diverse environments, freshwater environments have been recognized as pivotal in the transmission of ARGs between opportunistic pathogens and autochthonous bacteria such as Aeromonas spp. In this study, five environmental strains of Aeromonas spp. exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR) were selected for whole-genome sequencing to ascertain their taxonomic assignment at the species-level and to delineate their ARG repertoires. Analyses of their genomes revealed the presence of one protein almost identical to AhQnr (A. hydrophila Qnr protein) and four novel proteins similar to AhQnr. To scrutinize the classification and taxonomic distribution of these proteins, all Aeromonas genomes deposited in the NCBI RefSeq genome database (1,222 genomes) were investigated. This revealed that these Aeromonas Qnr (AQnr) proteins are conserved intrinsic resistance determinants of the genus, exhibiting species-specific diversity. Additionally, structure prediction and analysis of contribution to quinolone resistance by AQnr proteins of the isolates, confirmed their functionality as quinolone resistance determinants. Given the origin of mobile qnr genes from aquatic bacteria and the crucial role of Aeromonas spp. in ARG dissemination in aquatic environments, a thorough understanding and strict surveillance of AQnr families prior to the clinical emergence are imperative. In this study, using comparative genome analyses and functional characterization of AQnr proteins in the genus Aeromonas, novel Aeromonas ARGs requiring surveillance has suggested.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grants funded by the Korean government (NRF-2019R1I1A1A01059574 and NRF-2022R1F1A1074068). This paper was supported by research funds for newly appointed professors of Jeonbuk National University in 2020.

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