Heterogeneous hydrolytic features for OXA-48-like β-lactamases

Objectives Carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases of the OXA-48 type are increasingly reported from Enterobacteriaceae. β-Lactamase OXA-48 hydrolyses penicillins very efficiently, but carbapenems only weakly and spares broad-spectrum cephalosporins. Recently, diverse OXA-48-like β-lactamases have been identified worldwide (OXA-162, OXA-181, OXA-163, OXA-204 and OXA-232). They differ by few amino acid substitutions or by amino acid deletions. Methods blaOXA-48, blaOXA-162, blaOXA-163, blaOXA-181, blaOXA-204 and blaOXA-232 were cloned into the same expression vector and expressed in the same Escherichia coli background. Kinetic studies were performed with enzymes purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Determination of hydrolytic activities was performed by UV spectrophotometry. MICs were determined for all recombinant strains, using as background either the WT E. coli TOP10 strain or a porin-deficient E. coli strain. Results Kinetic studies showed that OXA-162 and OXA-204 shared the same hydrolytic properties as OXA-48. On the other hand, OXA-181 possessed a higher ability to hydrolyse carbapenems, while OXA-232 hydrolysed those substrates less efficiently. In contrast to the other OXA-48-like β-lactamases, OXA-163 hydrolysed broad-spectrum cephalosporins very efficiently, but did not possess significant carbapenemase activity. Although several of these OXA-48-like enzymes possess low activity against carbapenems, MICs of carbapenems were significantly elevated when determined for strains possessing permeability defects. Conclusions A detailed comparative analysis of the kinetic properties of the OXA-48-like β-lactamases is provided here. It clarifies the respective features of each OXA-48-like variant and their respective impacts in terms of carbapenem resistanc

Heterogeneous hydrolytic features for OXA-48-like β-lactamases

Objectives: Carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases of the OXA-48 type are increasingly reported from Enterobacteriaceae. β-Lactamase OXA-48 hydrolyses penicillins very efficiently, but carbapenems only weakly and spares broad-spectrum cephalosporins. Recently, diverse OXA-48-like β-lactamases have been identified worldwide (OXA-162, OXA-181, OXA-163, OXA-204 and OXA-232). They differ by few amino acid substitutions or by amino acid deletions.Methods: blaOXA-48, blaOXA-162, blaOXA-163, blaOXA-181, blaOXA-204 and blaOXA-232 were cloned into the same expression vector and expressed in the same Escherichia coli background. Kinetic studies were performed with enzymes purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Determination of hydrolytic activities was performed by UV spectrophotometry. MICs were determined for all recombinant strains, using as background either the WT E. coli TOP10 strain or a porin-deficient E. coli strain.Results: Kinetic studies showed that OXA-162 and OXA-204 shared the same hydrolytic properties as OXA-48. On the other hand, OXA-181 possessed a higher ability to hydrolyse carbapenems, while OXA-232 hydrolysed those substrates less efficiently. In contrast to the other OXA-48-like β-lactamases, OXA-163 hydrolysed broad-spectrum cephalosporins very efficiently, but did not possess significant carbapenemase activity. Although several of these OXA-48-like enzymes possess low activity against carbapenems, MICs of carbapenems were significantly elevated when determined for strains possessing permeability defects.Conclusions: A detailed comparative analysis of the kinetic properties of the OXA-48-like β-lactamases is provided here. It clarifies the respective features of each OXA-48-like variant and their respective impacts in terms of carbapenem resistance

Genetic and biochemical characterization of FRI-1, a carbapenem-hydrolyzing class A β-Lactamase from Enterobacter cloacae

An Enterobacter cloacae isolate was recovered from a rectal swab from a patient hospitalized in France with previous travel to Switzerland. It was resistant to penicillins, narrow- and broad-spectrum cephalosporins, aztreonam, and carbapenems but remained susceptible to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. Whereas PCR-based identification of the most common carbapenemase genes failed, the biochemical Carba NP test II identified an Ambler class A carbapenemase. Cloning experiments followed by sequencing identified a gene encoding a totally novel class A carbapenemase, FRI- 1, sharing 51 to 55% amino acid sequence identity with the closest carbapenemase sequences. However, it shared conserved residues as a source of carbapenemase activity. Purified β-lactamase FRI-1 hydrolyzed penicillins, aztreonam, and carbapenems but spared expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) of clavulanic acid and tazobactam were 10-fold higher than those found for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), IMI, and SME, leading to lower sensitivity of FRI-1 activity to β-lactamase inhibitors. The bla FRI-1 gene was located on a ca. 110-kb untypeable, transferable, and non-self-conjugative plasmid. A putative LysR family regulator-encoding gene at the 5′ end of the β-lactamase gene was identified, leading to inducible expression of the blaFRI-1 gene

Genetic and biochemical characterization of OXA-405, an OXA-48-Type extended-spectrum β-lactamase without significant carbapenemase activity

The epidemiology of carbapenemases worldwide is showing that OXA-48 variants are becoming the predominant carbapenemase type in Enterobacteriaceae in many countries. However, not all OXA-48 variants possess significant activity toward carbapenems (e.g., OXA-163). Two Serratia marcescens isolates with resistance either to carbapenems or to extended-spectrum cephalosporins were successively recovered from the same patient. A genomic comparison using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and automated Rep-PCR typing identified a 97.8% similarity between the two isolates. Both strains were resistant to penicillins and first-generation cephalosporins. The first isolate was susceptible to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, was resistant to carbapenems, and had a significant carbapenemase activity (positive Carba NP test) related to the expression of OXA-48. The second isolate was resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, was susceptible to carbapenems, and did not express a significant imipenemase activity, (negative for the Carba NP test) despite possessing a blaOXA-48-type gene. Sequencing identified a novel OXA-48-type β-lactamase, OXA-405, with a four-amino-acid deletion compared to OXA-48. The blaOXA-405 gene was located on a ca. 46-kb plasmid identical to the prototype IncL/M blaOXA-48-carrying plasmid except for a ca. 16.4-kb deletion in the tra operon, leading to the suppression of self-conjugation properties. Biochemical analysis showed that OXA-405 has clavulanic acid-inhibited activity toward expanded-spectrum activity without significant imipenemase activity. This is the first identification of a successive switch of catalytic activity in OXA-48-like β-lactamases, suggesting their plasticity. Therefore, this report suggests that the first-line screening of carbapenemase producers in Enterobacteriaceae may be based on the biochemical detection of carbapenemase activity in clinical settings

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of OXA-405, an OXA-48 Variant with Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Activity

International audienceOXA-48-producing Enterobacterales have now widely disseminated globally. A sign of their extensive spread is the identification of an increasing number of OXA-48 variants. Among them, three are particularly interesting, OXA-163, OXA-247 and OXA-405, since they have lost carbapenem activities and gained expanded-spectrum cephalosporin hydrolytic activity subsequent to a four amino-acid (AA) deletion in the β5-β6 loop. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for substrate specificity of OXA-405. Kinetic parameters confirmed that OXA-405 has a hydrolytic profile compatible with an ESBL (hydrolysis of expanded spectrum cephalosporins and susceptibility to class A inhibitors). Molecular modeling techniques and 3D structure determination show that the overall dimeric structure of OXA-405 is very similar to that of OXA-48, except for the β5-β6 loop, which is shorter for OXA-405, suggesting that the length of the β5-β6 loop is critical for substrate specificity. Covalent docking with selected substrates and molecular dynamics simulations evidenced the structural changes induced by substrate binding, as well as the distribution of water molecules in the active site and their role in substrate hydrolysis. All this data may represent the structural basis for the design of new and efficient class D inhibitors

Genomic characterization of an NDM-9-producing Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate and role of Glu152Lys substitution in the enhanced cefiderocol hydrolysis of NDM-9

Here, we characterized the first French NDM-9-producing Acinetobacter baumannii isolate. A. baumannii 13A297, which belonged to the STPas25 (international clone IC7), was highly resistant to β-lactams including cefiderocol (MIC >32 mg/L). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) using both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies revealed a 166-kb non-conjugative plasmid harboring a blaNDM-9 gene embedded in a Tn125 composite transposon. Complementation of E. coli DH5α and A. baumannii CIP70.10 strains with the pABEC plasmid carrying the blaNDM-1 or blaNDM-9 gene, respectively, resulted in a significant increase in cefiderocol MIC values (16 to >256-fold), particularly in the NDM-9 transformants. Interestingly, steady-state kinetic parameters, measured using purified NDM-1 and NDM-9 (Glu152Lys) enzymes, revealed that the affinity for cefiderocol was 3-fold higher for NDM-9 (Km = 53 μM) than for NDM-1 (Km = 161 μM), leading to a 2-fold increase in catalytic efficiency for NDM-9 (0.13 and 0.069 μM−1.s−1, for NDM-9 and NDM-1, respectively). Finally, we showed by molecular docking experiments that the residue 152 of NDM-like enzymes plays a key role in cefiderocol binding and resistance, by allowing a strong ionic interaction between the Lys152 residue of NDM-9 with both the Asp223 residue of NDM-9 and the carboxylate group of the R1 substituent of cefiderocol

Caractérisation moléculaire et biochimique des carbapénèmases les plus répandues chez les Entérobactéries associées à des infections sévères en vue de développer de nouveaux inhibiteurs

Antibiotics, and particularly ß- lactams, have long been considered the ultimate weapon for the treatment of bacterial infections, because of their effectiveness, good tolerance and low cost. However, bacteria have developed mechanisms of resistance, including against β- lactams with the broadest spectrum of activity, carbapenems. The latter are considered as last resort antibiotics for the treatment of severe infections due to Gram negative bacilli in hospital. This emerging resistance to carbapenems in Enterobacteriaceae is mainly due to the expression of enzymes called carbapenemases capable of inactivating carbapenems. The worldwide exponential spread of these carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (CPE) represents a major public health issue. Currently, the most common carbapenemases in the world are KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase) and OXA-48 (Oxacillinase). The first KPC was identified in 1996 in the United States, NDM-1 in 2009 in Sweden in a patient from India and OXA-48 in 2003 in Turkey. In France, OXA-48- type are the most abundant carbapenemases with nearly 70% of the EPCs. Thus, the repercussion of their dissemination and the development of new inhibitors capable of inactivating carbapenemases is becoming more and more urgent.The aims of this thesis were to better understand the mode of action of the 3 main carbapenemases from a molecular and biochemical point of view, in order to identify the structural elements necessary for their functioning, but also to lay the basis for the development of "pan-inhibitors" and noveldiagnostic tools. For this purpose, the biochemical characterization of carbapenemases of the KPC, NDM and OXA-48 type, their natural variants and mutants generated in vitro has been undertaken.We could highlight the involvement of specific residues and structural elements necessary for the hydrolysis of carbapenems. The crystallographic and NMR study as well as the in silico (modeling) studies of these enzymes and their respective mutants, allowed us to better understand the enzyme-substrate interaction mode. We could thus understand the basis of the impressive capacity of these carbapenemases to adapt and therefore to evolve according to the selection pressures exerted.In collaboration with several chemists we participated in the development of different series of "pan-inhibitors" that were able to inhibit the 3 classes of carbapenemases. Thus we could show the inhibitory properties of some compounds of the family of flavonoids including myricetin, the most active molecule. We have also been able to identify a series of compounds, imidazolines, possessing a pan- inhibitory effect with sub-micromolar IC50 values and therefore compatible with in vivo use. Finally, we participated in the development (in collaboration with the CEA) of a rapid diagnostic tool based on theimmunochromatographic, allowing the detection of EPCs in less than 15 minutes.Les antibiotiques, et plus particulièrement les β-lactamines, furent pendant longtemps considérés comme l’arme absolue pour le traitement des infections bactériennes, du fait de leur efficacité, leur bonne tolérance et de leur faible coût. Cependant, les bactéries ont développé des mécanismes de résistance, y compris vis-à-vis des β-lactamines possédant le spectre d’activité le plus large, les carbapénèmes. Ces derniers sont considérés comme les antibiotiques de derniers recours pour le traitement des infections sévères à bacilles à Gram négatif en milieu hospitalier. Chez les entérobactéries, cette résistance émergente aux carbapénèmes est principalement due à l’expression d’enzymes appelées les carbapénèmases capables d’inactiver les carbapénèmes. L’émergence exponentielle à l’échelle mondiale de ces entérobactéries productrices de carbapénèmases (EPC) constitue un problème majeur de santé publique. Actuellement, les carbapénémases les plus répandues dans le monde sont les KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo- β- lactamase) et OXA-48 (Oxacillinase). La première KPC a été identifiée en 1996 aux Etats- Unis, NDM-1 en 2009 en Suède chez une patiente en provenance d’Inde et OXA-48 en 2003 en Turquie. En France, les carbapénèmases de type OXA-48 sont largement majoritaires et représentent près de 70% des EPC. Ainsi, le retentissement de leur dissémination et le besoin de développer de nouveaux inhibiteurs capables d’inactiver les carbapénèmases se fait de plus en plus pressante.Cette thèse a pour objectif de mieux comprendre le mode d’ action de ces 3 carbapénèmases d’un point de vue moléculaire et biochimique, afin d’ identifier les éléments structuraux nécessaires à leur fonctionnement, mais aussi de poser les bases du développement de « pan-inhibiteurs » et de nouveaux outils de diagnostics. Pour cela, la caractérisation biochimique des carbapénèmases de type KPC, NDM et OXA-48, de leurs variants naturels et de mutants générés in vitro a été entreprise. Il a pu être mis en exergue l’implication de résidus spécifiques et d’éléments structuraux nécessaires à l’ hydrolyse des carbapénèmes. L ’ étude cristallographique et RMN ainsi que l’étude in silico (modélisation) de ces enzymes et de leurs mutants respectifs, nous a permis de mieux comprendre le mode d’ interaction enzyme- substrat. Nous avons ainsi pu comprendre les bases de la capacité impressionnante de ces carbapénèmases à s’adapter et à évoluer en fonction des pressions de sélections exercées.En collaborations avec différentes équipes de chimistes nous avons développés différentes séries de molécules « pan-inhibiteurs » capables d’inhiber les 3 classes de carbapénèmases. Ainsi nous avons montré un effet inhibiteur de certains composés de la famille des flavonoïdes dont la myrécétine, molécule la plus active. Nous avons également identifié une série de composés, les imidazolines, possédant un effet pan-inhibiteur avec des valeurs de CI50 sub-micromolaires et donc compatible avec une utilisation in vivo.Enfin, nous avons participé au développement (en collaboration avec le CEA) d’ un outil de diagnostic rapide basé sur l’immunochromatographie, permettant détection des EPC en moins de 15 minutes

MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MOST POPULAR CARBAPENEMASES IN ENTEROBACTERIES ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE INFECTIONS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP NEW INHIBITORS

Les antibiotiques, et plus particulièrement les β-lactamines, furent pendant longtemps considérés comme l’arme absolue pour le traitement des infections bactériennes, du fait de leur efficacité, leur bonne tolérance et de leur faible coût. Cependant, les bactéries ont développé des mécanismes de résistance, y compris vis-à-vis des β-lactamines possédant le spectre d’activité le plus large, les carbapénèmes. Ces derniers sont considérés comme les antibiotiques de derniers recours pour le traitement des infections sévères à bacilles à Gram négatif en milieu hospitalier. Chez les entérobactéries, cette résistance émergente aux carbapénèmes est principalement due à l’expression d’enzymes appelées les carbapénèmases capables d’inactiver les carbapénèmes. L’émergence exponentielle à l’échelle mondiale de ces entérobactéries productrices de carbapénèmases (EPC) constitue un problème majeur de santé publique. Actuellement, les carbapénémases les plus répandues dans le monde sont les KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo- β- lactamase) et OXA-48 (Oxacillinase). La première KPC a été identifiée en 1996 aux Etats- Unis, NDM-1 en 2009 en Suède chez une patiente en provenance d’Inde et OXA-48 en 2003 en Turquie. En France, les carbapénèmases de type OXA-48 sont largement majoritaires et représentent près de 70% des EPC. Ainsi, le retentissement de leur dissémination et le besoin de développer de nouveaux inhibiteurs capables d’inactiver les carbapénèmases se fait de plus en plus pressante.Cette thèse a pour objectif de mieux comprendre le mode d’ action de ces 3 carbapénèmases d’un point de vue moléculaire et biochimique, afin d’ identifier les éléments structuraux nécessaires à leur fonctionnement, mais aussi de poser les bases du développement de « pan-inhibiteurs » et de nouveaux outils de diagnostics. Pour cela, la caractérisation biochimique des carbapénèmases de type KPC, NDM et OXA-48, de leurs variants naturels et de mutants générés in vitro a été entreprise. Il a pu être mis en exergue l’implication de résidus spécifiques et d’éléments structuraux nécessaires à l’ hydrolyse des carbapénèmes. L ’ étude cristallographique et RMN ainsi que l’étude in silico (modélisation) de ces enzymes et de leurs mutants respectifs, nous a permis de mieux comprendre le mode d’ interaction enzyme- substrat. Nous avons ainsi pu comprendre les bases de la capacité impressionnante de ces carbapénèmases à s’adapter et à évoluer en fonction des pressions de sélections exercées.En collaborations avec différentes équipes de chimistes nous avons développés différentes séries de molécules « pan-inhibiteurs » capables d’inhiber les 3 classes de carbapénèmases. Ainsi nous avons montré un effet inhibiteur de certains composés de la famille des flavonoïdes dont la myrécétine, molécule la plus active. Nous avons également identifié une série de composés, les imidazolines, possédant un effet pan-inhibiteur avec des valeurs de CI50 sub-micromolaires et donc compatible avec une utilisation in vivo.Enfin, nous avons participé au développement (en collaboration avec le CEA) d’ un outil de diagnostic rapide basé sur l’immunochromatographie, permettant détection des EPC en moins de 15 minutes.Antibiotics, and particularly ß- lactams, have long been considered the ultimate weapon for the treatment of bacterial infections, because of their effectiveness, good tolerance and low cost. However, bacteria have developed mechanisms of resistance, including against β- lactams with the broadest spectrum of activity, carbapenems. The latter are considered as last resort antibiotics for the treatment of severe infections due to Gram negative bacilli in hospital. This emerging resistance to carbapenems in Enterobacteriaceae is mainly due to the expression of enzymes called carbapenemases capable of inactivating carbapenems. The worldwide exponential spread of these carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (CPE) represents a major public health issue. Currently, the most common carbapenemases in the world are KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase) and OXA-48 (Oxacillinase). The first KPC was identified in 1996 in the United States, NDM-1 in 2009 in Sweden in a patient from India and OXA-48 in 2003 in Turkey. In France, OXA-48- type are the most abundant carbapenemases with nearly 70% of the EPCs. Thus, the repercussion of their dissemination and the development of new inhibitors capable of inactivating carbapenemases is becoming more and more urgent.The aims of this thesis were to better understand the mode of action of the 3 main carbapenemases from a molecular and biochemical point of view, in order to identify the structural elements necessary for their functioning, but also to lay the basis for the development of "pan-inhibitors" and noveldiagnostic tools. For this purpose, the biochemical characterization of carbapenemases of the KPC, NDM and OXA-48 type, their natural variants and mutants generated in vitro has been undertaken.We could highlight the involvement of specific residues and structural elements necessary for the hydrolysis of carbapenems. The crystallographic and NMR study as well as the in silico (modeling) studies of these enzymes and their respective mutants, allowed us to better understand the enzyme-substrate interaction mode. We could thus understand the basis of the impressive capacity of these carbapenemases to adapt and therefore to evolve according to the selection pressures exerted.In collaboration with several chemists we participated in the development of different series of "pan-inhibitors" that were able to inhibit the 3 classes of carbapenemases. Thus we could show the inhibitory properties of some compounds of the family of flavonoids including myricetin, the most active molecule. We have also been able to identify a series of compounds, imidazolines, possessing a pan- inhibitory effect with sub-micromolar IC50 values and therefore compatible with in vivo use. Finally, we participated in the development (in collaboration with the CEA) of a rapid diagnostic tool based on theimmunochromatographic, allowing the detection of EPCs in less than 15 minutes

In silico prediction of β-lactamase hydrolysis efficiency: Finding the right balance between kinetic and thermodynamic terms

International audienceDuring recent decades, an alarming worldwide spread and diversification of β-lactamases has been obsd. in Gram-neg. species, conferring resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. In this context, the prediction of future β-lactamase mutants becomes an essential issue and we have developed a protocol that allows the evaluation of the energetic cost (thermodn.) assocd. with a mutation in the active site of a β-lactamase, in the presence of the β-lactam substrate. The catalytic efficiency for the β-lactamase-mediated hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics is represented by the ratio of a kinetic term (kcat) and a thermodn. term (Km). Here we present an approach based on quantum calcns. and mol. dynamics simulations allowing to est. the kcat term by evaluating β-lactamases from different classes, in the presence of several β-lactam substrates. Therefore, we are now able to predict in silico the overall catalytic efficiency for a large panel of β-lactamases. The precision of this prediction, which depends in turn on the precision for predicting the individual terms kcat and Km, will be discussed and compared with the precision of exptl. values. These results will ultimately provide essential information for the fight against resistance to β-lactam antibiotics

A greater than expected variability among OXA-48-like carbapenemases

International audienceBackground: OXA-48-like carbapenemases represent a major health concern given their difficult detection, their epidemic behavior and their propensity to modify their spectrum of hydrolysis through point mutations. Objective: To get an extensive view on the current variability among OXA-48-like enzymes, we haveretrieved all the sequences available from NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information).Method: We carried out several BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) searches in the NCBI’s “nr” and “nr_env” databases (downloaded on December 20th, 2016) using known members of OXA-48-likesubfamily as query.Results: While 23 variants have assigned OXA-numbers, 62 novel alleles have been identified. Theycorrespond to novel enzymes with mutations located in some cases within the conserved active site motives. The important number of novel variants identified by this study is of great interest, since it provides a more realistic assessment of OXA-48-like variants.Conclusion: A large variety of OXA-48-like enzymes has been unraveled through our bioinformatic search for variants. The finding of OXA-48-like enzymes in environmental isolates may reflect the contamination by Enterobactericeae producing OXA-48-like enzymes and/or the presence of Shewanella spp. isolates.Introducere: Carbapenemazele OXA-48-like reprezintă o problemă majoră pentru sănătate, având învedere detectarea lor dificilă, comportamentul epidemic și tendința lor de a-și modifica spectrul de hidrolizăprin mutații punctiforme.Obiectiv: Pentru a obține o imagine amplă asupra variabilității actuale a enzimelor OXA-48-like, amrecuperat toate secvențele disponibile de la NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information).Metodă: Am efectuat mai multe căutări BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) în bazele de date„nr” și „nr_env” ale NCBI (descărcate pe 20 decembrie 2016), utilizând ca interogare membrii cunoscuți aisub-familiei OXA-48.Rezultate: În timp ce unui număr de 23 de variante li s-au atribuit numere OXA, au fost identificate 62 dealele noi. Acestea corespund noilor enzime cu mutații localizate în unele cazuri în cadrul motivelor conservateale site-ului activ. Numărul important de variante noi identificate în acest studiu este de mare interes, deoareceoferă o evaluare mai realistă a variantelor de tip OXA-48-like.Concluzie: O mare varietate de enzime OXA-48-like a fost descoperită în urma căutării bioinformaticea variantelor. Detectarea enzimelor OXA-48-like în izolate din mediu poate reflecta contaminarea cuEnterobactericeae producătoare de enzime OXA-48-like și/sau prezența de izolate Shewanella spp.Cuvinte-cheie: OXA-48, variabilitate, variante