Cited by 691Antibiotic Resistance in BacteriaBacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyPharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Tetracycline resistance determinants: Mechanisms of action, regulation of expression, genetic mobility, and distribution

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Roberts, Marily C.·1996·FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Abstract

Tetracycline-resistant bacteria were first isolated in 1953 from Shigella dysenteriae, a bacterium which causes bacterial dysentery. Since then tetracycline-resistant bacterial have been found in increasing numbers of species and genera. This has resulted in reduced effectiveness of tetracycline therapy over time. Tetracycline resistance is normally due to the acquisition of new genes often associated with either a mobile plasmid or a transposon. These tetracycline resistance determinants are distinguishable both genetically and biochemically. Resistance is primarily due to either energy-dependent efflux of tetracycline or protection of the ribosomes from the action of tetracycline. Gram-negative tetracycline efflux proteins are linked to repressor proteins which in the absence of tetracycline block transcription of the repressor and structural efflux genes. In contrast, expression of the Gram-positive tetracycline efflux genes and some of the ribosomal protection genes appears to be regulated by attenuation of mRNA transcription. Specific tetracycline resistance genes have been identified in 32 Gram-negative and 22 Gram-positive genera. Tetracycline-resistant bacteria are found in pathogens, opportunistic and normal flora species. Tetracycline-resistant bacteria can be isolated from man, animals, food, and the environment. The nonpathogens in each of these ecosystems may play an important role as reservoirs for the antibiotic resistance genes. It is clear that if we are to reverse the trend toward increasingly antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria we will need to change how antibiotics are used in both human and animal health and food production.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1574-6976.1996.tb00251.x

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  1. Nelson, W.L., Kuritsky, J.N., Kennedy, D.L, and Lao, C.S. (1987) Outpatient (outpt) pediatric antibiotic use in the US: trends and therapy for otitis media (OM) 1977-1986. Abstr. 455 p. 175. In Program and Abstracts of the 27th Inter- science Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. American Society for Microbiology, Wash- ington, DC.

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Authors
Roberts, M. C.
Venue
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
Published
1996-10
Volume
19
Issue
1
Pages
1-24
ISSN
  • 0168-6445 (ISSN-L)
  • 1574-6976
OpenAlex
W2165499943
Cited by
689
References
130
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 18
FWCI
6.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • FEMS Microbiology Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ai024136-08, 5r03de010913-02)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI 24136)
  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE10913)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
Keywords
tetracycline resistance, antibiotic resistance determinants, efflux pumps, gene expression regulation, transposable elements, mobile genetic elements, plasmids, gene transfer, reservoir of resistance genes, Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, antibiotic use in agriculture, Shigella dysenteriae
MeSH terms
Animals, Bacteria, Bacterial Proteins, Carrier Proteins, Genes, Bacterial, Gram-Negative Bacteria, Gram-Positive Bacteria, Humans, Molecular Sequence Data, Ribosomes, Tetracycline, Tetracycline Resistance, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial

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