Crystal structure of an aminoglycoside 6'-N-acetyltransferase: defining the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily fold

BACKGROUND: The predominant mechanism of antibiotic resistance employed by pathogenic bacteria against the clinically used aminoglycosides is chemical modification of the drug. The detoxification reactions are catalyzed by enzymes that promote either the phosphorylation, adenylation or acetylation of aminoglycosides. Structural studies of these aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes may assist in the development of therapeutic agents that could …