Summary
The protein sequences of 18 class A β-lactamases and 2 class C β-lactamases were analyzed to produce a rooted phylogenetic tree using the DD peptidase of Streptomyces R61 as an outgroup. This tree supports the penicillin-binding proteins as the most likely candidate for the ancestoral origin of the class A and class C β-lactamases, these proteins diverging from a common evolutionary origin close to the DD peptidase. The actinomycetes are clearly shown as the origin of the class A β-lactamases found in other non-actinomycete species. The tree also divides the β-lactamases from the Streptomyces into two subgroups. One subgroup is closer to the DD peptidase root. The other Streptomyces subgroup shares a common branch point with the rest of the class A β-lactamases, showing this subgroup as the origin of the non-actinomycete class A β-lactamases. The non-actinomycete class A β-lactamase phylogenetic tree suggests a spread of these β-lactamases by horizontal transfer from the Streptomyces into the non-actinomycete gram-positive bacteria and thence into the gram-negative bacteria. The phylogenetic tree of the Streptomyces class A β-lactamases supports the possibility that horizontal transfer of class A β-lactamases occurred within the Streptomyces.
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Kirby, R. Evolutionary origin of the class A and class C β-lactamases. J Mol Evol 34, 345–350 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160242
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160242