Impact of the ampD Gene and Its Product on -Lactamase Production in Enterobscter cloacae

In an investigation of the influence of the ampD gene on beta-lactamase production and induction in Enterobacter cloacae, the ampR-ampC gene region cloned into a plasmid and the ampD gene cloned into another vector were transferred to a strain of Escherichia coli. The genetically manipulated E. coli strains served as a model for study of the inducibility of beta-lactamases in E. cloacae. In addition, beta-lactamase induction in E. cloacae bearing the previously mentioned plasmids was studied. After induction of the beta-lactamase with cefoxitin, the specific hydrolytic activity, the viable cell count, and the degradation of cefoxitin were determined. beta-Lactamase expression decreased with an increasing amount of the ampD gene product. The cefoxitin concentration decreased in proportion to the amount of enzyme, but the induction of beta-lactamase seemed not to be an important factor influencing the viable cell count of E. cloacae as long as cefoxitin concentrations exceeded the MIC. Despite different beta-lactamase concentrations, the decrease in the viable cell count was nearly identical in all experiments.