The Class A Carbapenemases BKC-1 and GPC-1 Both Originate from the Bacterial Genus Shinella

Abstract

Comparative genomics identified the environmental bacterial genus Shinella as the most likely origin of the class A carbapenemases BKC-1 and GPC-1. Available sequences and PCR analyses of additional Shinella species revealed homologous β-lactamases showing up to 85.4% and 93.3% amino acid identity to both enzymes, respectively. The genes conferred resistance to β-lactams once expressed in Escherichia coli. blaBKC-1 likely evolved from a putative ancestral Shinella gene with higher homology through duplication of a gene fragment.