Impact of synonymous mutations in the <i>bla</i>_TEM-3 gene on gene expression and <i>Escherichia coli</i> fitness.

ABSTRACT: Synonymous mutations (SMs) have a significant effect on the expression of the β-lactamase TEM-3 and the resistance phenotype conferred. Cell-free transcription did not reproduce this effect. The amount of mRNA obtained was identical for bla_TEM-3 transcripts with or without SMs, and the transcripts were indistinguishable in terms of secondary structure and thermal de- and renaturation, as shown by circular dichroism experiments. In asymmetric competition assays, cells expressing the gene with SMs replaced cells expressing the gene without SMs after five days of passaging in a low concentration of ceftazidime. However, without antibiotic present, cells expressing the gene without SMs replaced cells expressing the gene with SMs. These experiments indicate that either post-tr

SUBMITTER: Dhungana R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12772226 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature