Comprehensive analysis of beta-lactamase genes in clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae: molecular characterization, and in Silico predictions

Abstract

The emergence of beta-lactamase producing multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria presents a significant challenge to effective treatment of infections. This study focuses on the isolation, amplification, and molecular characterization of β-lactamase genes from clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Seven new partial gene sequences, including novel variants of blaOXA and blaNDM, were identified after screening 108 clinical samples and submitted to NCBI GenBank. In silico analysis revealed considerable diversity and distribution of these resistance genes among different strains of bacteria. Gene structure predictions using GENSCAN showed that blaOXA genes typically contain single exons with moderate GC content, whereas blaNDM genes feature longer exons with higher GC content. Multiple sequence alignment showed that NDM and OXA β-lactamases were highly similar, with only slight differences in a few amino acids. The study also analyzed the physico-chemical properties, functional domains, and phosphorylation patterns of the β-lactamase proteins. Secondary structure prediction indicated a dominance of beta sheets, contributing to protein stability, while tertiary modeling provided insights into their 3D structure. Overall, these findings provide critical insights into the genetic diversity and potential mechanisms of β-lactamase-mediated resistance, offering valuable information for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and surveillance programs.