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Results for “Functional characterization”

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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Functional characterization of the human thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) gene promoter.

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes S-methylation of aromatic and heterocyclic sulfhydryl compounds, including anticancer and immunosuppressive thiopurines. We recently isolated the human TPMT promoter, which does not contain TATA box or CCAAT element consensus sequences, but is GC rich with multiple GC boxes and other putative cis-regulatory elements. Here, we report the functional characterization of the TPMT promoter, revealing several positive regulatory elements and identifying stimulating protein 1 (Sp1) as an important trans-activator essential for constitutive activity in cell culture. One major and two closely located minor transcription start points were identified in HepG2 cells. Deletion analysis revealed positive cis-regulatory elements located in the regions -85 to -75, -68 to -58, -58 to -51 and +34 to +60 relative to the transcription start site. DNaseI footprinting analysis and cotransfection in Drosophila Schneider SL2 cells documented that Sp1 binds to the TPMT promoter and is important for constitutive activity. We conclude that constitutive transcription of the TPMT gene involves a limited upstream GC-rich DNA sequence, containing multiple GC boxes, and that transcription factor Sp1 [or related protein(s)] is an important trans-activator of this TATA-less promoter.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The combined use of immunohistochemistry and intracellular staining with horseradish peroxidase for light and electron microscopic studies of transmitter-identified inputs to functionally characterized neurons.

Physiologically identified triceps surae alpha motoneurons in the cat were stained intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After fixation with 2% glutaraldehyde and treatment with sodium borohydride, spinal cord sections were incubated with rabbit antiserum against thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and rabbit peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. Light microscopically detected close contacts between immunoreactive nerve terminals and intracellularly HRP-stained profiles were studied under the electron microscope. In this way, synaptic contacts between TRH-immunoreactive boutons and functionally characterized alpha motoneurons could be demonstrated.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Human hnRNP protein A1 gene expression. Structural and functional characterization of the promoter.

hnRNP protein A1 (34 kDa, pl 9.5) is a prominent member of the family of proteins (hnRNP proteins) that associate with the nascent transcripts of RNA polymerase II and that accompany the hnRNA through the maturation process and the export to the cytoplasm. New evidence suggests an active and specific role for some of these proteins, including protein A1, in splicing and transport. Contrary to the other hnRNP proteins, the intracellular level of protein A1 was reported to change as a function of proliferation state and cell type. In this work we analyse the A1 gene expression in different cells under different growth and differentiation conditions. Proliferation dependent expression was observed in lymphocytes and fibroblasts while purified neurons express high A1 mRNA levels both in the proliferative (before birth) and in the quiescent (after birth) state. Transformed cell lines exhibit very high (proliferation independent) A1 mRNA levels compared to differentiated tissues. A structural and functional characterization of the A1 gene promoter was carried out by means of DNase I footprinting and CAT assays. The observed promoter features can account for both elevated and regulated mRNA transcription. At least 12 control elements are contained in the 734 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site. Assays with the deleted and/or mutated promoter indicate a co-operation of multiple transcriptional elements, distributed over the entire promoter, in determining the overall activity and the response to proliferative stimuli (serum).

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Structural and functional characterization of the rod outer segment membrane guanylate cyclase.

In the vertebrate photoreceptor cell, rod outer segment (ROS) is the site of visual signal-transduction process, and a pivotal molecule that regulates this process is cyclic GMP. Cyclic GMP controls the cationic conductance into the ROS, and light causes a decrease in the conductance by activating hydrolysis of the cyclic nucleotide. The identity of the granylate cyclase (ROS-GC) that synthesizes this pool of cyclic GMP is unknown. We now report the cloning, expression and functional characterization of a DNA from bovine retina that encodes ROS-GC.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1990

Isolation and functional characterization of TIF-IB, a factor that confers promoter specificity to mouse RNA polymerase I.

The murine ribosomal gene promoter contains two cis-acting control elements which operate in concert to promote efficient and accurate transcription initiation by RNA polymerase I. The start site proximal core element which is indispensable for promoter recognition by RNA polymerase I (pol I) encompasses sequences from position -39 to -1. An upstream control element (UCE) which is located between nucleotides -142 and -112 stimulates the efficiency of transcription initiation both in vivo and in vitro. Here we report the isolation and functional characterization of a specific rDNA binding protein, the transcription initiation factor TIF-IB, which specifically interacts with the core region of the mouse ribosomal RNA gene promoter. Highly purified TIF-IB complements transcriptional activity in the presence of two other essential initiation factors TIF-IA and TIF-IC. We demonstrate that the binding efficiency of purified TIF-IB to the core promoter is strongly enhanced by the presence in cis of the UCE. This positive effect of upstream sequences on TIF-IB binding is observed throughout the purification procedure suggesting that the synergistic action of the two distant promoter elements is not mediated by a protein different from TIF-IB. Increasing the distance between both control elements still facilitates stable factor binding but eliminates transcriptional activation. The results demonstrate that TIF-IB binding to the rDNA promoter is an essential early step in the assembly of a functional transcription initiation complex. The subsequent interaction of TIF-IB with other auxiliary transcription initiation factors, however, requires the correct spacing between the UCE and the core promoter element.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Construction and functional characterization of scFv(14E1)-ETA - a novel, highly potent antibody-toxin specific for the EGF receptor.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-overexpression is characteristic of many human tumours of epithelial origin and has been correlated with unfavourable patient prognosis. Its involvement in the malignant process, its elevated expression in tumours and its accessibility on the tumour cell surface make the EGF receptor a potential target for directed tumour therapy. We have previously characterized a recombinant antibody - Pseudomonas exotoxin A fusion protein, scFv(225)-ETA, which displayes antitumoral activity towards EGF receptor-overexpressing tumour cells but is less potent in tumour cell killing than TGF-alpha-ETA, a recombinant toxin using the natural EGF receptor ligand transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) as a targeting domain. Here, we describe the construction and functional characterization in vitro of a novel single-chain antibody-toxin, scFv(14E1)-ETA, based on the independently isolated EGF receptor-specific monoclonal antibody 14E1. ScFv(14E1)-ETA binds to an EGF receptor epitope that is very similar or identical to that of scFv(225)-ETA with nine times higher affinity than the latter and displays more than tenfold higher cytotoxic activity on EGF receptor-overexpressing tumour cells. ScFv(14E1)-ETA cell killing activity was very similar to that of TGF-alpha-ETA on receptor-overexpressing cells but, in contrast to the latter, scFv(14E1)-ETA was much more selective and did not display significant cytotoxic activity on cells expressing moderate EGF receptor levels.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

PubMed1994

cDNA cloning and functional characterization of a meiosis-specific protein (MNS1) with apparent nuclear association.

It is well known that cytoskeleton and karyoskeleton proteins are associated with changes in cell shape and with the rearrangement of the dynamic structures involved in cell division and motility. In higher vertebrates, there are three major skeletal protein groups: microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments, each representing a multigene family. Some of these skeletal proteins are expressed in a temporally- and spatially-specific fashion, and they establish cell-specific cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic organization during development. Here we report the cDNA cloning of a novel 60 kDa skeletal protein from mouse spermatocytes, termed MNS 1 (meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein), whose computer-predicted protein configuration indicates long alpha-helical coiled-coil domains flanked by non-helical terminal domains. Functional characterization of MNS1 by ectopic expression in culture cells indicated that it is a detergent- and high salt-resistant skeletal protein which is involved in organization of the nuclear or perinuclear architecture. The MNS1 protein is specifically expressed at the pachytene stage during spermatogenesis, so that its function may involve the determination and maintenance of the appropriate nuclear morphology during meiotic prophase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2026

Genetic evidence and cross-species functional characterization implicate CNN2 in age-related macular degeneration susceptibility.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in the aging population globally. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many AMD susceptibility loci, the genes and mechanisms underlying many of these associations remain unresolved. Here, we integrated expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data with AMD GWAS to prioritize nine putative genes. Through in vivo screening in zebrafish, we demonstrated that the downregulation of cnn2 and sarm1 expression led to ocular structural abnormalities and visual functional impairment. Subsequent mouse model studies confirmed that Cnn2 deficiency affected photoreceptor structure and function, impaired contrast sensitivity, and caused abnormalities in cone cell immunostaining. Given that CNN2 is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells, we propose that endothelial dysfunction may cascade to impair photoreceptor function. Collectively, through in silico prioritization and cross-species functional characterization, we identify CNN2 as a candidate susceptibility gene in AMD pathogenesis, providing vital underlying mechanistic insights.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Functional characterization of Ost3p. Loss of the 34-kD subunit of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyltransferase results in biased underglycosylation of acceptor substrates.

Within the lumen of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, oligosaccharyltransferase catalyzes the en bloc transfer of a high mannose oligosaccharide moiety from the lipid-linked oligosaccharide donor to asparagine acceptor sites in nascent polypeptides. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyltransferase was purified as a heteroligomeric complex consisting of six subunits (alpha-zeta) having apparent molecular masses of 64 kD (Ost1p), 45 kD (Wbp1p), 34 kD, 30 kD (Swp1p), 16 kD, and 9 kD. Here we report a structural and functional characterization of Ost3p which corresponds to the 34-kD gamma-subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferase. Unlike Ost1p, Wbp1p, and Swp1p, expression of Ost3p is not essential for viability of yeast. Instead, ost3 null mutant yeast grow at wild-type rates on solid or in liquid media irrespective of culture temperature. Nonetheless, detergent extracts prepared from ost3 null mutant membranes are twofold less active than extracts prepared from wild-type membranes in an in vitro oligosaccharyltransferase assay. Furthermore, loss of Ost3p is accompanied by significant underglycosylation of soluble and membrane-bound glycoproteins in vivo. Compared to the previously characterized ost1-1 mutant in the oligosaccharyltransferase, and the alg5 mutant in the oligosaccharide assembly pathway, ost3 null mutant yeast appear to be selectively impaired in the glycosylation of several membrane glycoproteins. The latter observation suggests that Ost3p may enhance oligosaccharide transfer in vivo to a subset of acceptor substrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Functional characterization of a chicken major histocompatibility complex class II B gene promoter.

A 0.7 kilobase (kb) DNA fragment from the 5' flanking region of a chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II B gene was cloned into chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter vectors and was transfected into a chicken macrophage cell line that expresses a low level of MHC class II antigens. Positive orientation-dependent promoter activity of the chicken DNA was evident in a reporter construct containing an SV40 enhancer. Deletion analysis of this 0.7 kb DNA fragment revealed a short fragment in the 3' end that was crucial for the promoter function and negative regulatory elements (NRE) located further upstream. The conserved MHC class II X and Y boxes did not have a significant effect on promoter activity. Sequence analysis of the 0.7 kb class II B gene upstream region suggests possible involvement of interferon (IFN), E twenty-six specific (ETS)-related proteins, and other factors in regulating this promoter. A chicken T-cell line culture supernatant increased surface expression of MHC class II antigens, as well as class II promoter activity, in this macrophage cell line. This first functional characterization of a chicken MHC class II B gene promoter will aid in understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of these genes.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Functional characterization of a distinct ryanodine receptor mutation in human malignant hyperthermia-susceptible muscle.

Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited autosomal disorder of skeletal muscle in which certain volatile anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants trigger an abnormally high release of Ca2+ from the intracellular Ca2+ store, the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In about 50% of cases, malignant hyperthermia susceptibility is linked to the gene encoding the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor/Ca2+ release channel (RYR1). To date, eight point mutations have been identified in human RYR1. Although these mutations are thought to lead to an increased caffeine and halothane sensitivity in the contractile response of skeletal muscle, their functional consequences have not been investigated on the molecular level. In the present study, we provide the first functional characterization of a point mutation located in the central part of RYR1, Gly2434 --> Arg. Using high affinity [3H]ryanodine binding as the experimental approach, we show that this mutation enhances the sensitivity of RYR1 to activating concentrations of Ca2+ and to the exogenous and diagnostically used ligands caffeine and 4-chloro-m-cresol. In parallel, the sensitivity to inhibiting concentrations of Ca2+ and calmodulin was reduced, transferring the mutant Ca2+ release channel into a hyperexcitable state.

Calcium↗

PubMed1998

Molecular cloning, functional characterization and mRNA expression analysis of the murine chemokine receptor CCR6 and its specific ligand MIP-3alpha.

We have cloned the murine CCR6 receptor and its ligand, the beta-chemokine mMIP-3alpha. Calcium mobilization assays performed with mCCR6 transfectants showed significant responses upon addition of mMIP-3alpha. Murine MIP-3alpha RNA is expressed in thymus, small intestine and colon, whereas mCCR6 RNA is expressed in spleen and lymph nodes. RT-PCR analysis of FACS-sorted lymphoid and antigen presenting cell subsets showed mCCR6 expression mainly in B cells, CD8- splenic dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. The cloning and functional characterization of the mCCR6 and mMIP-3alpha will allow the study of the role of these proteins in mouse models of inflammation and immunity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Isolation and functional characterization of two distinct sexual-stage-specific promoters of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Transmission of malaria depends on the successful development of the sexual stages of the parasite within the midgut of the mosquito vector. The differentiation process leading to the production of the sexual stages is delineated by several developmental switches. Arresting the progression through this sexual differentiation pathway would effectively block the spread of the disease. The successful development of such transmission-blocking agents is hampered by the lack of a detailed understanding of the program of gene expression that governs sexual differentiation of the parasite. Here we describe the isolation and functional characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum pfs16 and pfs25 promoters, whose activation marks the developmental switches executed during the sexual differentiation process. We have studied the differential activation of the pfs16 and pfs25 promoters during intraerythrocytic development by transfection of P. falciparum and during gametogenesis and early sporogonic development by transfection of the related malarial parasite P. gallinaceum. Our data indicate that the promoter of the pfs16 gene is activated at the onset of gametocytogenesis, while the activity of the pfs25 promoter is induced following the transition to the mosquito vector. Both promoters have unusual DNA compositions and are extremely A/T rich. We have identified the regions in the pfs16 and pfs25 promoters that are essential for high transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we have identified a DNA-binding protein, termed PAF-1, which activates pfs25 transcription in the mosquito midgut. The data presented here shed the first light on the details of processes of gene regulation in the important human pathogen P. falciparum.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Components of a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase cascade. Molecular cloning, functional characterization and cellular localization of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase beta.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases I and IV (CaMKI and CaMKIV, respectively) require phosphorylation on an equivalent single Thr in the activation loop of subdomain VIII for maximal activity. Two distinct CaMKI/IV kinases, CaMKKalpha and CaMKKbeta, were purified from rat brain and partially sequenced (Edelman, A. M., Mitchelhill, K., Selbert, M. A., Anderson, K. A., Hook, S. S., Stapleton, D., Goldstein, E. G., Means, A. R., and Kemp, B. E. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 10806-10810). We report here the cloning and sequencing of cDNAs for human and rat CaMKKbeta, tissue and regional brain localization of CaMKKbeta protein, and mRNA and functional characterization of recombinant CaMKKbeta in vitro and in Jurkat T cells. The sequences of human and rat CaMKKbeta demonstrate 65% identity and 80% similarity with CaMKKalpha and 30-40% identity with CaMKI and CaMKIV themselves. CaMKKbeta is broadly distributed among rat tissues with highest levels in CaMKIV-expressing tissues such as brain, thymus, spleen, and testis. In brain, CaMKKbeta tracks more closely with CaMKIV than does CaMKKalpha. Bacterially expressed CaMKKbeta undergoes intramolecular autophosphorylation, is regulated by Ca2+/CaM, and phosphorylates CaMKI and CaMKIV on Thr177 and Thr200, respectively. CaMKKbeta activates both CaMKI and CaMKIV when coexpressed in Jurkat T cells as judged by phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein-dependent reporter gene expression. CaMKKbeta activity is enhanced by elevation of intracellular Ca2+, although substantial activity is observed at the resting Ca2+ concentration. The strict Ca2+ requirement of CaMKIV-dependent phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein, is therefore controlled at the level of CaMKIV rather than CaMKK.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Cloning and functional characterization of a system ASC-like Na+-dependent neutral amino acid transporter.

A cDNA was isolated from mouse testis which encodes a Na+-dependent neutral amino acid transporter. The encoded protein, designated ASCT2, showed amino acid sequence similarity to the mammalian glutamate transporters (40-44% identity), Na+-dependent neutral amino acid transporter ASCT1 (57% identity; Arriza, J. L., Kavanaugh, M. P., Fairman, W. A., Wu, Y.-N., Murdoch, G. H., North, R. A., and Amara, S. G.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 15329-15332; Shafqat, S., Tamarappoo, B. K., Kilberg, M. S., Puranam, R. S., McNamara, J. O., Guadano-Ferraz, A., and Fremeau, T., Jr. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 15351-15355) and a mouse adipocyte differentiation-associated gene product AAAT (94% identity; Liao, K., and Lane, D.(1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 208, 1008-1015). When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, ASCT2 exhibited Na+-dependent uptakes of neutral amino acids such as L-alanine, L-serine, L-threonine, L-cysteine, and L-glutamine at high affinity with Km values around 20 microM. L-Methionine, L-leucine, L-glycine, and L-valine were also transported by ASCT2 but with lower affinity. The substrate selectivity of ASCT2 was typical of amino acid transport system ASC, which prefers neutral amino acids without bulky or branched side chains. ASCT2 also transported L-glutamate at low affinity (Km = 1.6 mM). L-Glutamate transport was enhanced by lowering extracellular pH, suggesting that L-glutamate was transported as protonated form. In contrast to electrogenic transport of glutamate transporters and the other ASC isoform ASCT1, ASCT2-mediated amino acid transport was electroneutral. Na+ dependence of L-alanine uptake fits to the Michaelis-Menten equation, suggesting a single Na+ cotransported with one amino acid, which was distinct from glutamate transporters coupled to two Na+. Northern blot hybridization revealed that ASCT2 was mainly expressed in kidney, large intestine, lung, skeletal muscle, testis, and adipose tissue. Functional characterization of ASCT2 provided fruitful information on the properties of substrate binding sites and the mechanisms of transport of Na+-dependent neutral and acidic amino acid transporter family, which would facilitate the structure-function analyses based on the comparison of the primary structures of ASCT2 and the other members of the family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1977

Estrogen binding proteins of calf uterus. Molecular and functional characterization of the receptor transforming factor: A Ca2+-activated protease.

It was previously shown that calf uterus cytosol contains a Ca2+-activated receptor transforming factor (RTF) which irreversibly converts the larger molecular states of estrogen receptor (5.3 to 8.6 S, depending on ionic strength) into a smaller, salt-stable form (4.5 S, independent of ionic strength). We now describe a method for rapid and reliable separation of precursor and RTF-transformed receptor forms, which takes advantage of a difference in isoelectric point between the two: the more acidic precursor (isoelectric point, 6.2) is still retained by DEAE-cellulose under conditions (0.12 M KCl, pH 8.3) which produce release from cellulose of the less acidic transformed form (isoelectric point, 6.6 to 6.8). Based on this method of separation, RTF activity can be assayed easily and we could thus progress in the purification and physical and functional characterization of this factor, RTF has been purified about 100-fold. Molecular properties, as assayed by methods suited to partially purified preparations, are as follows: sedimentation coefficient, 6.4 S; Stokes radius, 45 A; molecular weight, 115,000; isoelectric point, 4.9. The Michaelis constant, expressed as moles/liter of estradiol binding sites, is 1.25 X 10(8), at pH 7.5 and 4 degrees, pH 8.5 is optimum for activity. RTF attacks native casein (Km, 1.25 X 10(-5) mol/liter at pH 7.5 and 22 degrees) but not hemoglobin, ovalbumin, or albumin. N-Benzoylarginine methyl ester is a competitive inhibitor of RTF-induced receptor transformation, while L-leucylglycylglycine and N-benzoyltyrosinamide are not. RTF activity is protected by -SH compounds. RTF activity is Ca2+-dependent. Ca2+ starts an activation-inactivation cycle of RTF, with permanent loss of transforming activity which proceeds at a particularly fast rate in the absence of substrate. Mg2+ is inactive, while Sr2+ and Mn2+ may in part substitute for Ca2+. RTF is present in both endometrium and myometrium. RTF is not a lysosomal hydrolase, as shown by its alkaline pH optimum (8.5) and exclusive location in cytosol, nor is it trypsin or a protease of the trypsin group. Also, it is distinct from known proteases of human uterus. The functional significance of this Ca2+-activated protease of cytosol with alkaline pH optimum and high affinity for the larger native form of receptor is still unknown.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Granulocyte-activating mediators (GRAM): III. Further functional characterization of monocyte-derived GRAM.

As shown previously monocytes upon stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) release granulocyte-activating mediator(s) (M-GRAM) which induced a long-lasting chemiluminescence (CL) response in human granulocytes. M-GRAM could be separated from interleukin-1 alpha and beta, interleukin-2, interferon alpha and gamma, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), since these cytokines are shown to be unable to induce a significant CL response. In contrast, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are important triggers of the oxidative burst and they are capable of inducing a CL response. TNF activity but not lymphotoxin (LT) activity could be demonstrated in M-GRAM samples. A polyclonal rabbit IgG as well as a monoclonal antibody to recombinant human TNF which neutralized the TNF activity in M-GRAM preparations did not substantially block the CL signal. Furthermore, M-GRAM-induced CL response was not significantly inhibited by a polyclonal calf antiserum to human recombinant GM-CSF. For further functional characterization of M-GRAM-induced granulocyte activation different assays were performed in order to compare GM-CSF and TNF: (a) SOD-inhibitable cytochrome C-reduction (.O2-); (b) horseradish peroxidase-mediated oxidation of phenol red (H2O2); (c) the release of peroxidase; (d) ultrastructural detection of hydrogen peroxide production; and (e) scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Significant release of .O2- was induced by M-GRAM, TNF, and GM-CSF, whereas H2O2 production was significantly stimulated only by M-GRAM and TNF, as shown by functional and ultrastructural assays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biological Factors↗

PubMed2026

Genomic and functional characterization of ST11-KL64 hypervirulence-associated carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae co-harboring bla KPC-2 and bla NDM-13.

BACKGROUND: Hypervirulence-associated carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (hv-CRKP) is a major clinical and public health threat. However, ST11-KL64 hv-CRKP co-harboring bla KPC-2 and bla NDM-13 remains poorly characterized, particularly regarding genomic relatedness, plasmid dynamics, and attenuated virulence-associated phenotypes. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated clinical K. pneumoniae isolates collected at a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, China, between January and December 2024. Hypervirulence-associated markers were screened by PCR, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and carbapenemase inhibitor enhancement assay to identify genotype-defined hv-CRKP. All isolates were subjected to molecular typing. ST11-KL64 isolates co-harboring bla KPC-2 and bla NDM-13 were subjected to Illumina sequencing, with the representative isolate K3 undergoing hybrid whole-genome sequencing and functional characterization. RESULTS: Among the 46 hvKP isolates recovered from 43 patients, 35 were identified as hv-CRKP, predominantly ST11-KL64. Three ST11-KL64 hv-CRKP isolates co-harbored bla KPC-2/bla NDM-13, and Illumina sequencing coupled with core-genome SNP (cgSNP) typing revealed minimal genetic variation. The expanded cgSNP analysis supported close relatedness between K3 and Beijing isolate K56649. K3 carried a pLVPK-like virulence plasmid, a bla KPC-2-bearing IncFII/IncR plasmid, and a bla NDM-13-bearing IncI1 plasmid. Relative to pK2044, K3 exhibited an rmpA-proximal ISKpn26-associated insertion and a complex alteration of the 5'-terminal coding region of rmpA. The bla NDM-13 plasmid was conjugatively transferred to Escherichia coli C600 with a mean conjugation frequency of 5.213 × 10-3 transconjugants per recipient cell and bla NDM-13 maintained high stability following approximately 100 generations of antibiotic-free passage, whereas bla KPC-2 was not detected under the tested conditions. Phenotypically, K3 showed a negative string test, low mucoviscosity, and attenuated virulence-associated phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal that the three isolates formed a closely related local genomic cluster, among which K3 was closely related to the K56649 clone. In addition, K3 exhibited conjugative transfer capacity of the bla NDM-13-bearing IncI1 plasmid, and alterations at the rmpA locus accompanied by reduced rmpA transcript abundance were associated with low mucoviscosity.

IncI1 plasmid↗