The Role and Mechanism of MiR-451 in Multidrug Resistance of Leukemia Cell Line K562/A02 / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the differential expressions of miR-451, ABCB1 and ABCC2 in drug-sensitive leukemia cell line K562 and drug-resistant cell line K562/A02, and explore the regulatory relationship between miR-451 and the expressions of ABCB1 and ABCC2 , and the mechanism of miR-451 involved in drug resistance in leukemia.@*METHODS@#CCK-8 assay was used to detect the drug resistance of K562/A02 and K562 cells. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the differential expressions of miR-451 in K562 and K562/A02 cells. MiR-451 mimic and negative control (miR-NC), miR-451 inhibitor and negative control (miR-inNC) were transfected into K562 and K562/A02 cells respectively, then qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of mRNA and protein of ABCB1 and ABCC2 in K562 and K562/A02 cells and the transfected groups.@*RESULTS@#The drug resistance of K562/A02 cells to adriamycin was 177 times higher than that of its parent cell line K562. Compared with K562 cells, the expression of miR-451 in K562/A02 cells was significantly higher (P <0.001), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of ABCB1 and ABCC2 in K562/A02 cells were significantly higher than those in K562 cells (P <0.001). After transfected with miR-451 inhibitor, the expression of miR-451 was significantly down-regulated in K562/A02 cells (P <0.001), the sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs was significantly enhanced (P <0.05), and the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCB1 and ABCC2 were significantly decreased (P <0.01). After transfected with miR-451 mimic, the expression of miR-451 was significantly upregulated in K562 cells (P <0.001), and the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCB1 and ABCC2 were significantly increased (P <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#There are significant differences in the expressions of miR-451, ABCB1 and ABCC2 between the drug-sensitive leukemia cell line K562 and drug-resistant cell line K562/A02, which suggests that miR-451 may affect the drug resistance of leukemia cells by regulating the expression of ABCB1 and ABCC2.

Human malaria in C57BL/6J mice: An in vivo model for chemotherapy studies.

The present work deals with the development of Plasmodium falciparum stages in mouse model and its potential for the study of efficacy of antimalarial drugs. C57BL/6J mice were infected with multidrug resistant P. falciparum strain then treated with arteether and artesunate. A response was observed to antimalarial drugs in terms of decrease in parasitemia. Mice infected with P. falciparum strain were successfully cured after treatment with either arteether or artesunate. The speed of parasite clearance time and burden of parasitemia differed for each drug and matched the previously reported observations, hence stressing the relevance of the model. These findings thus suggest that P. falciparum. infected human RBC (iRBC) – C57BL/6J mice can provide a valuable in vivo system and should be included in the short list of animals that can be used for the evaluation of P. falciparum responses to drugs.

Prognostic value of [BCLI/IGH] genes juxtaposition and MDRI gene expression in treatment resistant B-NHL

The translocation t[11;14] [q13; q32,] has been known neoplasia for many years found in a variety of B cell malignancies. Through this rearrangement, CCND1/PRAD-1/BCL1 on chromosome 11 becomes juxtaposition to the active immunoglobulin heavy chain [IgH] enhancer on chromosome. MDR1 gene expression lead to overproduction P-gp which leads to chemotherapy resistance caused poor prognosis and short survival [OS and DFS] in B-NHL. To evaluate BCL1/ IgH juxtaposition by FISH and mdr-1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in B-NHL. To clarify if these genes have some relevance to developing treatment resistance of B-NHL and their correlation with clinical outcome. This is a retrospective study of fifty three bone marrow biopsy samples [fixed and paraffin embedded bone marrow biopsy] for patients with BNHL. In this study t[11;14] detected by FISH was positive in [64.2%] and it was [66. 7%], [64.3%] and [60%] in Mantle cell lymphoma [MCL], Small cell lymphoma [SCL], and Large cell lymphoma [LCL] respectively. The detection frequency of MDR1/ P- glycoprotein [P-gp] by immnunohistochemistry in MCL, SCL and LCL, is [80%], [82%] and [80%] respectively. In this study the frequency of t[11;14] detection by FISH and MDR1/P-gp expression by immnunohistochemistry in our study was consistent with other studies and considered as a marker of diagnostic and poor prognostic for chemotherapy resistance in B-NHL. Presence of both expressions in a patients means very bad prognosis and resistant to chemotherapy. Determining MDR-1/P-gp and t[11;14] in B-NHL is important prior to treatment to allow the design of novel drug regimens containing agent that reverse MDR function

Typhoid fever & vaccine development: a partially answered question.

Typhoid fever is a systemic disease caused by the human specific Gram-negative pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi). The extra-intestinal infections caused by Salmonella are very fatal. The incidence of typhoid fever remains very high in impoverished areas and the emergence of multidrug resistance has made the situation worse. To combat and to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by typhoid fever, many preventive measures and strategies have been employed, the most important being vaccination. In recent years, many Salmonella vaccines have been developed including live attenuated as well as DNA vaccines and their clinical trials have shown encouraging results. But with the increasing antibiotic resistance, the development of potent vaccine candidate for typhoid fever is a need of the hour. This review discusses the latest trends in the typhoid vaccine development and the clinical trials which are underway.

Resistencia a drogas antituberculosas en Caracas, Venezuela; 2001-2006 / Antituberculosis drug resistance in Caracas, Venezuela; 2001-2006

Para establecer la sensibilidad de las cepas de Mycobac-terium tuberculosis aisladas en Caracas, entre 2001 y 2006, fueron probadas utilizando el método colorimétrico para determinar las Concentraciones Inhibitorias Mínimas (CIM). De las 324 cepas, 46 (14,2%) mostraron resistencia a una o más drogas. Encontramos resistencia de alto nivel (CIM 8 µg/ml) y bajo nivel (CIM 1-4 µg/ml) a Estreptomicina en 6 (1,8%) y 25 (7,7%) de las cepas, respectivamente. Se encontró resistencia a Isoniacida de bajo nivel (MIC 0,125 - 0,5 µg/ml) en 8 (2,5%) y de alto nivel (MIC 1,0 µg/ml) en 15 (4,6%) de las cepas estudiadas. Hallamos 13 (4,0%) cepas resistentes a Rifampicina (RIF) (5 µg/ml) y 11 (3,4%) a Etambutol (10 µg/ml). De los 17 (5,2%) aislamientos resistentes a dos o más drogas, 12 (3,7%) fueron resistentes a INH y RIF (definido como multirresistencia, MDR). De las 12 cepas MDR, 11 fueron aisladas a partir de esputo y una de líquido pleural. Este estudio muestra un incremento en la prevalencia de la resistencia a las drogas antituberculosas en Caracas, especialmente las cepas MDR. Este aumento apunta hacia la necesidad de una encuesta na-cional, para evaluar el panorama real de la resistencia.

To asses drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from 2001 to 2006 in Caracas. Available strains were tested using colorimetric method to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC). Of 324 strains, 46 (14,2%) showed resistance to one or more drugs. High-resistance (8 µg/ml) and low-resistance (1-4 µg/ml) to Strep omycint was found in 6 (1,8%) and 25 (7,7%) strains, respectively. Isoniazid (INH) low-resistance (MIC 0.125 - 0.5 µg/ml) were found in 8 (2,5%) and high-resistant (MIC at 1.0 µg/ml) in 15 (4,6%), Rifampicin resistance (RMP) (5 µg/ml) in 13 (4%), and Ethambutol resistance (10 µg/ml) in 11 (3,4%) of the strains. Of the 17 (5,2%) isolates resistant to two or more drugs, 12 (3,7%) were resistant to INH and RMP (defined as multidrug resistance, MDR). Of these 12 MDR strains, 11 were isolated from sputum and one from pleu ral fluid. This study shows an increased prevalence of resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs in Caracas, especially the prevalence of MDR strains, raises an urgent need of a proper nationwide survey to evaluate the true picture of resistance.

Antibacterial & antiplasmid activities of Helicteres isora L.

Background & objectives: The multiple drug resistance (MDR) is a serious health problem and major challenge to the global drug discovery programmes. Most of the genetic determinants that confer resistance to antibiotics are located on R-plasmids in bacteria. The present investigation was undertaken to investigate the ability of organic extract of the fruits of Helicteres isora to cure R-plasmids from certain clinical isolates. Methods: Active fractions demonstrating antibacterial and antiplasmid activities were isolated from the acetone extracts of shade dried fruits of H. isora by bioassay guided fractionation. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics and organic extracts was determined by agar dilution method. Plasmid curing activity of organic fractions was determined by evaluating the ability of bacterial colonies (pre treated with organic fraction for 18 h) to grow in the presence of antibiotics. The physical loss of plasmid DNA in the cured derivatives was further confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The active fraction did not inhibit the growth of either the clinical isolates or the strains harbouring reference plasmids even at a concentration of 400 μg/ml. However, the same fraction could cure plasmids from Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and E. coli (RP4) at curing efficiencies of 14, 26, 22 and 2 per cent respectively. The active fraction mediated plasmid curing resulted in the subsequent loss of antibiotic resistance encoded in the plasmids as revealed by antibiotic resistance profile of cured strains. The physical loss of plasmid was also confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Interpretation & conclusions: The active fraction of acetone extract of H. isora fruits cured R-plasmids from Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates as well as reference strains. Such plasmid loss reversed the multiple antibiotic resistance in cured derivatives making them sensitive to low concentrations of antibiotics. Acetone fractions of H. isora may be a source to develop antiplasmid agents of natural origin to contain the development and spread of plasmid borne multiple antibiotic resistance.

Frequency of the mdr-1 C>T gene polymorphism in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The multi-drug resistant-1 (MDR-1) gene is located on human chromosome 7 and encodes a glycosylated membrane protein that is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporters superfamily. The aim of the study was to reveal the role of the C3435T MDR-1 gene polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHOD: DNA samples from 41 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 50 healthy control participants were used to compare MDR-1 gene profiles. Genotyping assays were performed using the StripAssay technique that is based on reverse-hybridization. RESULTS: The T allele polymorphism in the MDR-1 gene located at position 3435 in exon 26 was shown to correlate with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the T allele polymorphism of the MDR-1 gene is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A Case of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Treated with a Bench to Bedside Approach

We report a relapsed case of a 25 year-old man with multi-drug resistant Salmonella serovar Typhi (MDRST) bacteremia who had recently returned from travel in India. Due to unresponsiveness to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, we examined the strain's resistance to quinolones and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The strain had a single gyrA mutation at codon 83 (Ser83Phe), which explains its decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolone and resistance to nalidixic acid. In the screening tests of ESBLs, TEM-1 was positive, which is beta-lactamase but not ESBL. The patient was finally successfully treated with meropenem and aztreonam. In the presence of clinical unresponsiveness despite favorable sensitivity tests, further laboratory evaluations are needed, which should include studies of genes related to antibiotic resistance and ESBLs. In addition, further prospective trials should be done about the possible inclusion of antibiotics not yet mentioned in the current guidelines. With MDRST on the rise worldwide, the most optimal and effective line of antibiotic defense needs to be devised.

Expression of MRP1 gene in acute leukemia / Expressão do gene MRP1 em leucemias agudas

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Overexpression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) gene has been linked with resistance to chemotherapy in vitro, but little is known about its clinical impact on acute leukemia patients. Our aim was to investigate the possible association between MRP1 gene expression level and clinical outcomes among Iranian leukemia patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an analytical cross-sectional study on patients referred to the Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Research Center, Sharyatee Public Hospital, whose diagnosis was acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). All molecular work was performed at NIGEB (public institution). METHODS: To correlate with prognostic markers and the clinical outcome of acute leukemia, MRP1 gene expression was assessed in 35 AML cases and 17 ALL cases, using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and comparing this to the chemotherapy response type. RESULTS: Mean expression in AML patients in complete remission (0.032 ± 0.031) was significantly lower than in relapsed cases (0.422 ± 0.297). In contrast, no significant difference in MRP1 mRNA level was observed between complete remission and relapsed ALL patients. There was a difference in MRP1 expression between patients with unfavorable and favorable cytogenetic prognosis (0.670 ± 0.074 and 0.028 ± 0.013, respectively). MRP1 expression in M5 was significantly higher (p-value = 0.001) than in other subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that high MRP1 expression was associated with poor clinical outcome and was correlated with the M5 subtype and poor cytogenetic subgroups among AML patients but not among ALL patients.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A superexpressão do gene de resistência a múltiplas drogas associado à proteína 1 (MRP1) tem sido ligada à resistência à quimioterapia in vitro, porém pouco é conhecido sobre seu impacto clínico nos pacientes com leucemia aguda. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a possível associação entre a expressão do gene MRP1 e os desfechos clínicos em pacientes iranianos com leucemia. DESENHO E LOCAL: Este foi um estudo analítico transversal em pacientes encaminhados ao Centro de Pesquisa em Hematologia, Oncologia e Células Tronco do Hospital Público de Sharyatee, com diagnóstico de leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA) ou leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA). Todo trabalho molecular foi realizado no NIGEB (instituição pública). MÉTODOS: Para correlação de marcadores prognósticos e desfechos clínicos da leucemia aguda, a expressão do MRP1 foi avaliada em 35 casos de LMA e 17 de LLA, usando a reação da cadeia de polimerase quantitativa em tempo real, e comparando este dado ao tipo de resposta à quimioterapia. RESULTADOS: A média da expressão em pacientes com LMA em remissão completa (0,032 ± 0,031) foi significativamente menor que aquela dos casos recidivantes (0,422 ± 0,297). Por outro lado, não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos níveis de mRNA para MRP1 entre os casos de LLA com remissão completa e os casos recidivantes. Houve uma diferença na expressão de MRP1 entre pacientes com prognóstico citogenético não-favorável e favorável (0,670 ± 0,074 e 0,028 ± 0,013, respectivamente). A expressão de MRP1 em M5 foi significativamente maior (valor de p = 0,001) do que em outros subtipos. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados sugerem que a alta expressão de MRP1 se associou com o pior desfecho clínico, estando correlacionada com o subtipo M5 e os subgrupos citogenéticos menos favoráveis para os pacientes com LMA, mas não para pacientes com LLA.

Multidrug-resistant urinary tract isolates of escherichia coli from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Multiple resistances to antimicrobial drugs arising in Escherichia coli isolates may complicate therapeutic management of urinary tract infection (UTI) by this organism. In order to assess the multidrug resistance (MDR) among urinary E. coli isolates, we have tested 11 antimicrobial drugs against 67 isolates from outpatients attended in a tertiary-care teaching hospital and of 78 isolates from a municipal health unit, respectively in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Seventy-six percent and 22 percent of the isolates from the tertiary-care hospital and the municipal unit, respectively, were resistant to three or more different classes of agents, and were considered to present MDR. Among the isolates from the hospital patients, 73.0 percent, 65.0 percent, 58.0 percent, 58.0 percent and 31.0 percent were resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, cephalothin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and norfloxacin, respectively; resistance from the municipal unit patients were 31.0 percent, 37.0 percent, 8.0 percent, 29.0 percent and 12.0 percent respectively, to the same drugs. The predominant phenotype among the MDR isolates presented is ampicillin, TMP/SMX and tetracycline resistance. The high prevalence of drug resistance among UTI patients calls for continuous surveillance to assure effective control of this infection.

Treatment Outcome of Multidrug Resistance Related mRNA Expression and c-Jun-N-Terminal Kinase Activity in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: The multidrug resistance (mdr1), multidrug resistance associated protein (mrp1), and glutathione-s-transferase (gst) pi genes have been associated with treatment failure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity is increased in response to chemotherapeutic agent. METHODS: To investigate the significance of multidrug resistance (mdr) parameters and JNK activity, bone marrow or peripheral blood cells from 52 patients with AML were analyzed. RT-PCR was performed for mdr1, mrp1, and gst pi gene expression. JNK expression and activity were measured using an immunoe- nzymatic kinase assay and a western blot method. RESULTS: High level expression of mdr1, mrp1, and gst pi mRNA was observed in 38.5%, 48.1% and 54.3% of AML cases, respectively. The remission rate was significantly low in cases with an older age (>55 yr), a high WBC count, poor chromosomal abnormalities, a high level expression of mdr1 and mrp1. The WBC count and mdr1 mRNA expression were independent predictors for the outcome to induction chemotherapy. There was a shorter duration of overall survival in the patients with an older age, a high WBC count, chromosome aberrations, high level expressions of mdr1 and mrp1 mRNA, and JNK activation. The patient's age, WBC count and chromosomal abnormalities were independent predictors for overall survivals. The majority (28/30) of AML cases did not show any levels of JNK activation except for two cases, which were associated with an extremely high WBC count, chromosomal aberration, high level expressions of mdr1, mrp1 and gst pi mRNA, and treatment resistance. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate the influences of mdr1 and mrp1 mRNA expression on the clinical outcome of AML to induction chemotherapy. But it will be necessary to investigate further whether blast cells of AML resistant to chemotherapy retain the capacity to activate JNK, and relate to MDR parameters.

Multidrug resistant Salmonella typhi in asymptomatic typhoid carriers among food handlers in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu.

PURPOSE: to screen Salmonella typhi in asymptomatic typhoid carriers and to find out drug resistance and ability of the strains to transmit drug resistance to other bacteria. METHODS: Cultural characters, biochemical tests, antibiotic sensitivity test (disc diffusion), agarose gel electrophoresis, and conjugation protocols were done. Thirty five stool samples were collected from the suspected food handlers for the study. RESULTS: Among 35 samples, (17.14%) yielded a positive result. Out of these 4 (20.0%) were women and 2 (13.33%) were men. The isolates were tested with a number of conventional antibiotics viz, amikacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, co-trimaxazole, rifampicin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, ofloxacin and tetracycline. Five isolates were having the multidrug resistant character. Four (66.66%) multidrug resistant isolates were found to have plasmids, while one (16.66%) multidrug resistant isolate had no plasmid and the chromosome encoded the resistance. Only one strain (16.66%) showed single antibiotic resistance in the study and had no plasmid DNA. The molecular weights of the plasmids were determined and found to be 120 kb.The mechanism of spreading of drug resistance through conjugation process was analyzed. In the conjugation studies, the isolates having R+ factor showed the transfer of drug resistance through conjugation, which was determined by the development of antibiotic resistance in the recipients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that drug resistant strains are able to transfer genes encoding drug resistance.

Multiple drug resistance protein (MDR-1), multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP) and lung resistance protein (LRP) gene expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

CONTEXTO: Apesar dos avanços nos índices de cura da leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) aproximadamente 25% das crianças sofrem recaídas da doença. A expressão dos genes de resistência múltipla a drogas (MDR-1), genes relacionados à proteína de resistência múltipla a drogas (MRP) e genes da proteína de resistência pulmonar (LRP) podem conferir o fenótipo de resistência ao tratamento das neoplasias. OBJETIVO: Analisar a expressão dos genes de resistência MDR-1, MRP e LRP em crianças diagnosticadas com LLA por meio da técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase da transcriptase reversa (RT-PCR) semiquantitativa, associando estas expressões à sobrevida livre de eventos (SLE) e a variáveis clínico-laboratoriais. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo clínico retrospectivo. LOCAL: Laboratório de Oncologia Pediátrica do Departamento de Puericultura e Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Amostras de medula óssea de 30 crianças com o diagnóstico de leucemia linfoblástica aguda foram avaliadas quanto à expressão do RNA-mensageiro para os genes MDR-1, MRP e LRP, pela reação em cadeia da RT-PCR semiquantitativa. RESULTADOS: Dos três genes estudados, somente a expressão aumentada de LRP esteve relacionada a uma pior SLE (p = 0.005). A presença do antígeno para leucemia linfoblástica aguda comum (CALLA) se correlacionou à expressão aumentada de LRP (p = 0.009) e a risco aumentado de ocorrência de recaída ou óbito (p = 0.05). O risco relativo de ocorrência de recaída ou óbito é seis vezes maior em crianças com alta expressão de LRP ao diagnóstico (p = 0.05), o que se confirma na análise multivariada dos três genes estudados (p = 0.035). DISCUSSAO: A resistência celular a drogas é um determinante de resposta ao tratamento oncológico e sua avaliação por RT-PCR pode ser de importância. CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação da expressão dos genes de resistência a drogas antineoplásicas na leucemia linfoblástica aguda da criança ao diagnóstico, particularmente do gene LRP, pode ser de relevância clínica e deve ser objeto de estudos prospectivos.

Multidrug resistance in tumour cells: characterization of the multidrug resistant cell line K562-Lucena 1

Multidrug resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle in the treatment of cancer patients. The best characterised mechanism responsible for multidrug resistance involves the expression of the MDR-1 gene product, P-glycoprotein. However, the resistance process is multifactorial. Studies of multidrug resistance mechanisms have relied on the analysis of cancer cell lines that have been selected and present cross-reactivity to a broad range of anticancer agents. This work characterises a multidrug resistant cell line, originally selected for resistance to the Vinca alkaloid vincristine and derived from the human erythroleukaemia cell K562. This cell line, named Lucena 1, overexpresses P-glycoprotein and have its resistance reversed by the chemosensitisers verapamil, trifluoperazine and cyclosporins A, D and G. Furthermore, we demonstrated that methylene blue was capable of partially reversing the resistance in this cell line. On the contrary, the use of 5-fluorouracil increased the resistance of Lucena 1. In addition to chemotherapics, Lucena 1 cells were resistant to ultraviolet A radiation and hydrogen peroxide and failed to mobilise intracellular calcium when thapsigargin was used. Changes in the cytoskeleton of this cell line were also observed

Episome profiles and mobilizable beta-lactamase plasmid in Haemophilus ducreyi.

Chancroid caused by Haemophilus ducreyi has been described as a significantly predisposing factor of HIV heterosexual transmission in an endemic region of both diseases. The fastidious, H. ducreyi has been reported world wide with various antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. A high tendency of drug resistances has generally been found among isolates derived in Thailand. In this study, the plasmids of H. ducreyi were isolated and analysed from 63 clinically derived organisms. Twenty-nine out of 63 isolates (46%) revealed the same plasmid profiles. Plasmid DNA was further cloned into Escherichia coli and transformants were selected. A 3.6 kb plasmid (pCb) carrying ampicillin resistance was subsequently identified. The pCb conferred resistance to various beta-lactam antibiotics including penicillin G, carbenicillin, piperacillin, cefazolin, cefoperazone, ampicillin-sulbactam, and amoxicillin-clavulanate but not to cefoxitin. Co-resistance to streptomycin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline was not detected. Beta-lactamase gene was located on the major pCb fragment of EcoRI and AatII cutting.

Resistencia multidroga (MDR) o pleiotropica / Multidrug or pleiotropic resistance

La resistencia que se genera a los agentes citotóxicos, es uno de los mayores obstáculos que se presenta en el tratamiento del cáncer, existiendo diversar causas para los fracasos terapúuticos, sidneo la principal una resistencia intrínseca de la célula tumoral. Así se ha determinado la presencia de una glicoproteina, en la membrana de las células tumorales, la P-glicoproteina de 170 Kd, que las conduce a ser resistentes a las drogas citotóxicas; tal hallazgo ha permitido describir un fenótipo de células multiresistentes (multidroga resistente o MDR) también llamada resistencia pleiotrópica. La P-glicoproteina, codificada por el gen mdr1 en el humano, actúa activamente expulsando las drogas citotóxicas fuera de las células, por lo cual su responsabilidad en la resistencia clínica puede pensarse en razón de su expresión frecuentemente elevada en cánceres resistentes intrínsecos o inducidos por la quimioterapia. En esta revisián se analizan los hallazgos más recientes en esta área, sugieriendose que tanto la actividad de la "bomba" P-glicoproteina como su regulación genética, podrían, potencialmente suminsitrar nuevos enfoques y medios para la terapéutica antineoplásica.

Maintenance of a Pseudomonas fluorescens plasmid in heterologous hosts: metabolic burden as a more reliable variable to predict plasmid instability.

The stability of a large, multiresistance plasmid, pSCL of P. fluorescens CAS102 was studied in Pseudomonas putida and E. coli under various non-stress conditions. Both the strains lost the plasmid within 25 days when repeatedly subcultured in LB broth without any antibiotic. The transformants survived in sterile soil and water without any marked reduction in the viability. In sterile soil, P. putida lost 93% and E. coli, 98% of their plasmid containing population in 30 days, while in sterile water the plasmid loss was 92.5% and 97% respectively. The two variables, viz. the efficiency of plasmid-partitioning during cell division and measurement of relative specific growth rates of plasmid-plus and plasmid-minus cells which are used to predict plasmid instability cannot be used to predict plasmid loss during starvation. The utility of a third variable, viz. the metabolic burden due to plasmid maintenance in predicting plasmid instability in different hosts is discussed. The rate of plasmid loss was found to be comparatively faster in E. coli than in P. putida. The biosynthetic burden due to plasmid maintenance was also more in E. coli than in P. putida when compared to the plasmid-plus and plasmid-minus cells of the two strains which was evident from the increased nutrient uptake rates (glucose, O2, and amino acid) and increased protein content of the plasmid-plus cells of E. coli. From the results, a correlation could be found between the degree of metabolic burden and the rate of plasmid loss. The reliability of metabolic burden, to predict plasmid instability versus the relative specific growth rates is discussed.