TetQ

TetQ is a gene that encodes a tetracycline resistance determinant by producing a ribosomal protection protein. It is a member of the Tet(M) family of proteins and is homologous to other ribosomal protection factors that counteract tetracycline inhibition. The TetQ protein interacts with the bacterial ribosome and promotes the release of tetracycline from the ribosomal A site, allowing protein synthesis to continue in the presence of the drug.

TetQ is most commonly associated with anaerobic, Gram-negative bacteria, particularly within the Bacteroidota phylum such as Bacteroides species, though related versions have been found in other taxa. The gene is frequently carried on mobile genetic elements, including plasmids, transposons, and integrative conjugative elements, which facilitates horizontal transfer between bacteria and contributes to the spread of tetracycline resistance across diverse environments.

Detection of tetQ in bacterial isolates is typically achieved through sequence-based methods, such as PCR assays targeting the gene or whole-genome sequencing, with confirmation by sequencing. Clinically, the presence of tetQ correlates with reduced susceptibility to tetracycline-class antibiotics, including tetracycline and doxycycline, and can complicate treatment options for infections caused by tetQ-harboring organisms. Ongoing surveillance and molecular studies help track the distribution and mobility of tetQ as part of broader efforts to understand and mitigate antibiotic resistance.