Transformation of fluoroquinolone-resistance Neisseria gonorrhoeae gyrA and parC genes

Abstract

Introduction: N. gonorrhoeae is one of the etiological causative agents of one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Gonococci has created many resistance mechanisms, which is associated with bacterial evolution. Natural transformation is the basic method of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria of the genus Neisseria, which can lead to a mutation in the gyrA gene encoding DNA gyrase. The aim of the study was to verify the view on the significance of mutations at positions 91 and 95 of the gyrA protein on the sensitivity of N. gonorrhoeae to antibiotics of the quinolone type. Methods: GyrA gene was introduced into an sensitive isolate of N. gonorrhoeae using genetic transformation. Resistance gene donor, recipient and transform strains were tested for susceptibility and the gyrA gene was sequenced. Results: It has been shown that double mutation in amino acid acid sequence of the GyrA protein at positions 91 and 95 increase the value of MIC from 0,003 mg / L to 0,125 mg / L at CIP sensitive N. gonorrhoeae strain. Conclusions: Mutations in the amino acid sequence at positions 91 and 95 affet the strain’s sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, but it is not the only mechanism which could alter the MIC value of quinolones.