Biochemical Characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 101/1477 Metallo-β-Lactamase IMP-1 Produced by Escherichia coli

The bla(IMP) gene coding for the IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamase produced by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate (isolate 101/1477) was overexpressed via a T7 expression system in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and its product was purified to homogeneity with a final yield of 35 mg/liter of culture. The structural and functional properties of the enzyme purified from E. coli were identical to those of the enzyme produced by P. aeruginosa. The IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamase exhibits a broad-spectrum activity profile that includes activity against penicillins, cephalosporins, cephamycins, oxacephamycins, and carbapenems. Only monobactams escape its action. The enzyme activity was inhibited by metal chelators, of which 1,10-o-phenanthroline and dipicolinic acid were the most efficient. Two zinc-binding sites were found. The zinc content of the P. aeruginosa 101/1477 metallo-β-lactamase was not pH dependent.