1
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De Oliveira DMP, Forde BM, Kidd TJ, Harris PNA, Schembri MA, Beatson SA, Paterson DL, Walker MJ. Antimicrobial Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens. Clin Microbiol Rev 2020; 23:788-99. [PMID: 32404435 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant ESKAPE ( Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens represent a global threat to human health. The acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes by ESKAPE pathogens has reduced the treatment options for serious infections, increased the burden of disease, and increased death rates due to treatment failure and requires a coordinated global response for antimicrobial resistance surveillance. This looming health threat has restimulated interest in the development of new antimicrobial therapies, has demanded the need for better patient care, and has facilitated heightened governance over stewardship practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M P De Oliveira
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Brian M Forde
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy J Kidd
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Patrick N A Harris
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott A Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - David L Paterson
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark J Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
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2
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De Oliveira DMP, Forde BM, Kidd TJ, Harris PNA, Schembri MA, Beatson SA, Paterson DL, Walker MJ. Antimicrobial Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens. Clin Microbiol Rev 2020; 33:e00181-19. [PMID: 32404435 PMCID: PMC7227449 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00181-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 817] [Impact Index Per Article: 204.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant ESKAPE ( Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens represent a global threat to human health. The acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes by ESKAPE pathogens has reduced the treatment options for serious infections, increased the burden of disease, and increased death rates due to treatment failure and requires a coordinated global response for antimicrobial resistance surveillance. This looming health threat has restimulated interest in the development of new antimicrobial therapies, has demanded the need for better patient care, and has facilitated heightened governance over stewardship practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M P De Oliveira
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Brian M Forde
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy J Kidd
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Patrick N A Harris
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott A Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - David L Paterson
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark J Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
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3
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LaBreck PT, Rice GK, Paskey AC, Elassal EM, Cer RZ, Law NN, Schlett CD, Bennett JW, Millar EV, Ellis MW, Hamilton T, Bishop-Lilly KA, Merrell DS. Corrigendum: Conjugative Transfer of a Novel Staphylococcal Plasmid Encoding the Biocide Resistance Gene, qacA. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:877. [PMID: 32477301 PMCID: PMC7241116 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T LaBreck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gregory K Rice
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States.,Leidos, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Adrian C Paskey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - Emad M Elassal
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Regina Z Cer
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States.,Leidos, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Natasha N Law
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GA, United States
| | - Carey D Schlett
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jason W Bennett
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eugene V Millar
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael W Ellis
- University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Theron Hamilton
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - Kimberly A Bishop-Lilly
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - D Scott Merrell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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4
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An Acid Up-Regulated Surface Protein of Lactobacillus paracasei Strain GCRL 46 is Phylogenetically Related to the Secreted Glucan- (GpbB) and Immunoglobulin-Binding (SibA) Protein of Pathogenic Streptococci. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071610. [PMID: 30935131 PMCID: PMC6479570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cell wall hydrolases, including amidases and peptidases, play a critical role in peptidoglycan turnover during growth, impacting daughter cell separation, and cell death, through autolysis. When exploring the regulation of protein expression across the growth cycle of an acid-resistant strain of Lactobacillus paracasei, GCRL 46, we observed temporal up-regulation of proteins in the 40⁻45 kDa molecular weight range for whole-cell extracts when culturing in fermenters at a controlled pH of 4.0 versus optimum growth pH of 6.3. Up-regulation of proteins in this size range was not detected in SDS-PAGE gels of the cytosolic fraction, but was routinely detected following growth at low pH in whole cells and cell debris obtained after bead beating and centrifugation, indicating a cell surface location. N-terminal sequencing and in silico analyses showed sequence similarity with proteins in the L. casei group (L. casei, L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus) which were variously annotated as uncharacterized proteins, surface antigens, possible TrsG proteins, CHAP (cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolases/peptidases)-domain proteins or putative peptidoglycan d,l-endopeptidase due to the presence of a CwlO domain. This protein is a homologue of the p40 (Msp2) secreted protein of L. rhamnosus LGG, which is linked to probiotic functionality in this species, and is phylogenetically related to structurally-similar proteins found in Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Bifidobacterium species, including the glucan-binding (GbpB), surface antigen (SagA) proteins detected in pathogenic group A streptococci species as secreted, immunoglobulin-binding (SibA) proteins (also named PcsB). Three-dimensional (3D) modelling predicted structural similarities in the CHAP proteins from the L. casei group and streptococcal species, indicating retention of overall architecture despite sequence divergence, and an implied retention of function during evolution. A phylogenetically-related hydrolase also contained the CwlO domain with a NLPC_P60 domain, and showed similar overall but distinct architecture to the CHAP proteins. We concluded that the surface-located, CHAP protein in L. casei is up-regulated during long-term exposure to acidic conditions during growth but not during acid shock.
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5
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LaBreck PT, Li Z, Gibbons KP, Merrell DS. Conjugative and replicative biology of the Staphylococcus aureus antimicrobial resistance plasmid, pC02. Plasmid 2019; 102:71-82. [PMID: 30844419 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetic transfer among bacteria propels rapid resistance to antibiotics and decreased susceptibility to antiseptics. Staphylococcus aureus is a common culprit of hospital and community acquired infections, and S. aureus plasmids have been shown to carry a multitude of antimicrobial resistance genes. We previously identified a novel conjugative, multidrug resistance plasmid, pC02, from the clinical S. aureus isolate C02. This plasmid contained the chlorhexidine resistance gene qacA, and we were able to demonstrate that conjugative transfer of pC02 imparted decreased chlorhexidine susceptibility to recipient strains. In silico sequence analysis of pC02 suggested that the plasmid is part of the pWBG749-family of conjugative plasmids and that it contains three predicted origins of transfer (oriT), two of which we showed were functional and could mediate plasmid transfer. Furthermore, depending on which oriT was utilized, partial transfer of pC02 was consistently observed. To define the ability of the pC02 plasmid to utilize different oriT sequences, we examined the mobilization ability of nonconjugative plasmid variants that were engineered to contain a variety of oriT family inserts. The oriT-OTUNa family was transferred at the highest frequency; additional oriT families were also transferred but at lower frequencies. Plasmid stability was examined, and the copy number of pC02 was defined using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). pC02 was stably maintained at approximately 4 copies per cell. Given the conjugative plasticity of pC02, we speculate that this plasmid could contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance across Staphylococcal strains and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T LaBreck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Zhaozhang Li
- Biomedical Instrumentation Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Kevin P Gibbons
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - D Scott Merrell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
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6
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Abstract
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and to a lesser extent other staphylococcal species, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. An important factor in the notoriety of these organisms stems from their frequent resistance to many antimicrobial agents used for chemotherapy. This review catalogues the variety of mobile genetic elements that have been identified in staphylococci, with a primary focus on those associated with the recruitment and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. These include plasmids, transposable elements such as insertion sequences and transposons, and integrative elements including ICE and SCC elements. In concert, these diverse entities facilitate the intra- and inter-cellular gene mobility that enables horizontal genetic exchange, and have also been found to play additional roles in modulating gene expression and genome rearrangement.
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7
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LaBreck PT, Rice GK, Paskey AC, Elassal EM, Cer RZ, Law NN, Schlett CD, Bennett JW, Millar EV, Ellis MW, Hamilton T, Bishop-Lilly KA, Merrell DS. Conjugative Transfer of a Novel Staphylococcal Plasmid Encoding the Biocide Resistance Gene, qacA. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2664. [PMID: 30510541 PMCID: PMC6252503 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Some S. aureus strains harbor plasmids that carry genes that affect resistance to biocides. Among these genes, qacA encodes the QacA Multidrug Efflux Pump that imparts decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine, a biocide used ubiquitously in healthcare facilities. Furthermore, chlorhexidine has been considered as a S. aureus decolonization strategy in community settings. We previously conducted a chlorhexidine-based SSTI prevention trial among Ft. Benning Army trainees. Analysis of a clinical isolate (C02) from that trial identified a novel qacA-positive plasmid, pC02. Prior characterization of qacA-containing plasmids is limited and conjugative transfer of those plasmids has not been demonstrated. Given the implications of increased biocide resistance, herein we characterized pC02. In silico analysis identified genes typically associated with conjugative plasmids. Moreover, pC02 was efficiently transferred to numerous S. aureus strains and to Staphylococcus epidermidis. We screened additional qacA-positive S. aureus clinical isolates and pC02 was present in 27% of those strains; other unique qacA-harboring plasmids were also identified. Ten strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Sequence analysis combined with plasmid screening studies suggest that qacA-containing strains are transmitted among military personnel at Ft. Benning and that strains carrying qacA are associated with SSTIs within this population. The identification of a novel mechanism of qacA conjugative transfer among Staphylococcal strains suggests a possible future increase in the prevalence of antiseptic tolerant bacterial strains, and an increase in the rate of infections in settings where these agents are commonly used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T LaBreck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gregory K Rice
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States.,Leidos, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Adrian C Paskey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - Emad M Elassal
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Regina Z Cer
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States.,Leidos, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Natasha N Law
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GA, United States
| | - Carey D Schlett
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jason W Bennett
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eugene V Millar
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States.,Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael W Ellis
- University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Theron Hamilton
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - Kimberly A Bishop-Lilly
- Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - D Scott Merrell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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8
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Partridge SR, Kwong SM, Firth N, Jensen SO. Mobile Genetic Elements Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance. Clin Microbiol Rev 2018; 31:e00088-17. [PMID: 30068738 PMCID: PMC6148190 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00088-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1148] [Impact Index Per Article: 191.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, particularly those that are multiresistant, are an increasing major health care problem around the world. It is now abundantly clear that both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria are able to meet the evolutionary challenge of combating antimicrobial chemotherapy, often by acquiring preexisting resistance determinants from the bacterial gene pool. This is achieved through the concerted activities of mobile genetic elements able to move within or between DNA molecules, which include insertion sequences, transposons, and gene cassettes/integrons, and those that are able to transfer between bacterial cells, such as plasmids and integrative conjugative elements. Together these elements play a central role in facilitating horizontal genetic exchange and therefore promote the acquisition and spread of resistance genes. This review aims to outline the characteristics of the major types of mobile genetic elements involved in acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, focusing on the so-called ESKAPEE group of organisms (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp., and Escherichia coli), which have become the most problematic hospital pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally R Partridge
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen M Kwong
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Neville Firth
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Slade O Jensen
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Antibiotic Resistance & Mobile Elements Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Conjugative Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1373:83-7. [PMID: 26194708 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2015_276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition of plasmids has led to a significant increase in antimicrobial resistance within the staphylococci. In order to study these plasmids effectively, one must be able move the plasmid DNA into genetically clean backgrounds. While the smaller staphylococcal class I (1-5 kb) and class II (10-30 kb) plasmids are readily transferred using bacteriophage transduction or electroporation, these methods are inefficient at moving the larger class III (30-60 kb) plasmids. This review describes methods to transfer class III plasmids via conjugative mobilization.
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10
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Lehri B, Seddon AM, Karlyshev AV. Lactobacillus fermentum 3872 genome sequencing reveals plasmid and chromosomal genes potentially involved in a probiotic activity. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2015; 362:fnv068. [PMID: 25908870 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnv068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this report we describe a Lactobacillus fermentum 3872 plasmid (pLF3872) not previously found in any other strain of this species. The analysis of the complete sequence of this plasmid revealed the presence of a gene encoding a large collagen-binding protein (CBP), as well as the genes responsible for plasmid maintenance and conjugation. Potential roles of CBP and a chromosomally encoded fibronectin-binding protein (FbpA) in probiotic activity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lehri
- School of Life Sciences, SEC Faculty, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - A M Seddon
- School of Life Sciences, SEC Faculty, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - A V Karlyshev
- School of Life Sciences, SEC Faculty, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
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11
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Guglielmini J, Néron B, Abby SS, Garcillán-Barcia MP, de la Cruz F, Rocha EPC. Key components of the eight classes of type IV secretion systems involved in bacterial conjugation or protein secretion. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:5715-27. [PMID: 24623814 PMCID: PMC4027160 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Conjugation of DNA through a type IV secretion system (T4SS) drives horizontal gene transfer. Yet little is known on the diversity of these nanomachines. We previously found that T4SS can be divided in eight classes based on the phylogeny of the only ubiquitous protein of T4SS (VirB4). Here, we use an ab initio approach to identify protein families systematically and specifically associated with VirB4 in each class. We built profiles for these proteins and used them to scan 2262 genomes for the presence of T4SS. Our analysis led to the identification of thousands of occurrences of 116 protein families for a total of 1623 T4SS. Importantly, we could identify almost always in our profiles the essential genes of well-studied T4SS. This allowed us to build a database with the largest number of T4SS described to date. Using profile–profile alignments, we reveal many new cases of homology between components of distant classes of T4SS. We mapped these similarities on the T4SS phylogenetic tree and thus obtained the patterns of acquisition and loss of these protein families in the history of T4SS. The identification of the key VirB4-associated proteins paves the way toward experimental analysis of poorly characterized T4SS classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Guglielmini
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France UMR3525, CNRS, Paris 75015, France
| | - Bertrand Néron
- Centre d'Informatique pour les Biologistes, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Sophie S Abby
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France UMR3525, CNRS, Paris 75015, France
| | - María Pilar Garcillán-Barcia
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria (CSIC-Sodercan-University of Cantabria), Santander 39011, Spain
| | - Fernando de la Cruz
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria (CSIC-Sodercan-University of Cantabria), Santander 39011, Spain
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France UMR3525, CNRS, Paris 75015, France
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12
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Liu MA, Kwong SM, Jensen SO, Brzoska AJ, Firth N. Biology of the staphylococcal conjugative multiresistance plasmid pSK41. Plasmid 2013; 70:42-51. [PMID: 23415796 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmid pSK41 is a large, low-copy-number, conjugative plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus that is representative of a family of staphylococcal plasmids that confer multiple resistances to a wide range of antimicrobial agents. The plasmid consists of a conserved plasmid backbone containing the genes for plasmid housekeeping functions, which is punctuated by copies of IS257 that flank a Tn4001-hybrid structure and cointegrated plasmids that harbour resistance genes. This review summarises the current understanding of the biology of pSK41, focussing on the systems responsible for its replication, maintenance and transmission, and their regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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13
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Deane SM, Rawlings DE. Two large, related, cryptic plasmids from geographically distinct isolates of Sulfobacillus thermotolerans. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:8175-80. [PMID: 21926204 PMCID: PMC3208972 DOI: 10.1128/aem.06118-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Two large cryptic plasmids (59.2 and 65.9 kb) from isolates of Sulfobacillus thermotolerans from Yellowstone National Park (United States) and the Caribbean island of Montserrat were isolated and sequenced. This analysis revealed a common "backbone" region coding for a potential plasmid stability system plus a nonpheromone conjugation system containing homologues of both type IV and type II (tight adherence, or Tad-like) secretion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Deane
- Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
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14
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Zhang X, Vrijenhoek JEP, Bonten MJM, Willems RJL, van Schaik W. A genetic element present on megaplasmids allows Enterococcus faecium to use raffinose as carbon source. Environ Microbiol 2010; 13:518-28. [PMID: 20946531 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2010.02355.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium is a commensal of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Since the 1990s, it has also emerged as a nosocomial pathogen. Little is known about carbon metabolism of E. faecium even though the ability to utilize different sugars could be an important factor in adapting to different ecological niches. In this study we identify an E. faecium gene cluster that is responsible for the metabolism of the α-galactoside sugar raffinose. Phenotypic testing of seven E. faecium isolates of which the genomes were previously sequenced showed that one isolate (strain E980) could grow on raffinose. Genome analysis identified a gene cluster containing two genes encoding α-galactosidases (termed agaA and agaB) that was uniquely present in E980. The agaA and agaB genes were significantly more frequently found in strains that are phylogenetically related to E980 and were more prevalent in surveillance isolates from hospital and community sources than in isolates from clinical infections. Disruption of the α-galactosidase gene agaB, but not of agaA, disabled growth on raffinose in strain E980. In all strains agaA and agaB are carried on megaplasmids that are between 150 and 300 kb in size. Filter-mating experiments showed that the megaplasmid of E980 can be transferred to a plasmidless recipient which then gains the ability to grow on raffinose. The observation that raffinose utilization by E. faecium is a trait carried by megaplasmids indicates that these megaplasmids can have important roles in shaping the competitive fitness of E. faecium in the environment, for example by expanding the metabolic repertoire of this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglin Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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15
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Gargis AS, Heath LS, Heath HE, LeBlanc PA, Sloan GL. Characterization of pACK4, a mobilizable plasmid from Staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus. Plasmid 2009; 62:201-5. [PMID: 19715721 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2009.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2009] [Revised: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus, the lysostaphin-producing organism, contains five plasmids designated pACK1-pACK5. pACK4 was found to be relaxable and to share sequence similarity with a number of well-characterized mobilizable plasmids from other staphylococci. All mobilizable staphylococcal plasmids characterized to date mediate resistance to various antibiotics, but pACK4 is unique because it contains no recognizable antibiotic resistance genes. pACK4 was found to contain an origin of transfer (oriT) region that shares inverted repeat regions and the same nic site as several other mobilizable staphylococcal plasmids. The presence of this conserved oriT region suggested that pACK4 might be mobilized in the presence of a conjugative plasmid. Filter mating studies revealed that pACK4 was mobilized by the conjugative plasmid pGO1. In addition, pACK4 was found to be virtually identical to the recently described plasmid pVGA from Staphylococcus aureus, except that pVGA contains an additional region (vgaA) that confers resistance to pleuromutilin, streptogramin A, and lincosamide. The high sequence similarity among pACK4, pVGA, and several previously described mobilizable staphylococcal plasmids suggests a common origin for these plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Gargis
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0334, USA
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16
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Ni L, Jensen SO, Ky Tonthat N, Berg T, Kwong SM, Guan FHX, Brown MH, Skurray RA, Firth N, Schumacher MA. The Staphylococcus aureus pSK41 plasmid-encoded ArtA protein is a master regulator of plasmid transmission genes and contains a RHH motif used in alternate DNA-binding modes. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:6970-83. [PMID: 19759211 PMCID: PMC2777438 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids harbored by Staphylococcus aureus are a major contributor to the spread of bacterial multi-drug resistance. Plasmid conjugation and partition are critical to the dissemination and inheritance of such plasmids. Here, we demonstrate that the ArtA protein encoded by the S. aureus multi-resistance plasmid pSK41 is a global transcriptional regulator of pSK41 genes, including those involved in conjugation and segregation. ArtA shows no sequence homology to any structurally characterized DNA-binding protein. To elucidate the mechanism by which it specifically recognizes its DNA site, we obtained the structure of ArtA bound to its cognate operator, ACATGACATG. The structure reveals that ArtA is representative of a new family of ribbon–helix–helix (RHH) DNA-binding proteins that contain extended, N-terminal basic motifs. Strikingly, unlike most well-studied RHH proteins ArtA binds its cognate operators as a dimer. However, we demonstrate that it is also able to recognize an atypical operator site by binding as a dimer-of-dimers and the extended N-terminal regions of ArtA were shown to be essential for this dimer-of-dimer binding mode. Thus, these data indicate that ArtA is a master regulator of genes critical for both horizontal and vertical transmission of pSK41 and that it can recognize DNA utilizing alternate binding modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisheng Ni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1000, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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17
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Jensen SO, Lyon BR. Genetics of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Future Microbiol 2009; 4:565-82. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb.09.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to multiple antimicrobial compounds, including most available classes of antibiotics and some antiseptics, are a major threat to patient care owing to their stubborn intransigence to chemotherapy and disinfection. This reality has stimulated extensive efforts to understand the genetic nature of the determinants encoding antimicrobial resistance, together with the mechanisms by which these determinants evolve over time and are spread within bacterial populations. Such studies have benefited from the application of molecular genetics and in recent years, the sequencing of over a dozen complete staphylococcal genomes. It is now evident that the evolution of multiresistance is driven by the acquisition of discrete preformed antimicrobial resistance genes that are exchanged between organisms via horizontal gene transfer. Nonetheless, chromosomal mutation is the catalyst of novel resistance determinants and is likely to have an enhanced influence with the ongoing introduction of synthetic antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slade O Jensen
- School of Biological Sciences, Macleay Building A12, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Bruce R Lyon
- School of Biological Sciences, Macleay Building A12, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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18
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Caryl JA, O'Neill AJ. Complete nucleotide sequence of pGO1, the prototype conjugative plasmid from the Staphylococci. Plasmid 2009; 62:35-8. [PMID: 19298835 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2009.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2008] [Revised: 03/06/2009] [Accepted: 03/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In view of its historical significance as the prototype class III plasmid from the staphylococci, and its ongoing importance as a laboratory tool, we have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of pGO1. At exactly 54kb, pGO1 is 2-4kb larger than previously reported, and shares extensive ( approximately 31-46kb) regions of near identical DNA sequence with other class III plasmids. In particular, we confirm that pGO1 is almost identical to plasmid pSK41 along the entire length of the latter, but additionally contains a co-integrated copy of plasmid pSK639, which accounts for the difference in size ( approximately 8kb), and the fact that pGO1, but not pSK41, confers resistance to trimethoprim. The pSK639 co-integrant appeared to have undergone mutational inactivation of its mobilization functions, a finding which was confirmed experimentally. Although originally identified through an association with aminoglycoside resistance, the pGO1/pSK41 backbone replicon continues to play a key role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants in the staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Caryl
- Antimicrobial Research Centre and Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Garstang Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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19
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LeBard RJ, Jensen SO, Arnaiz IA, Skurray RA, Firth N. A multimer resolution system contributes to segregational stability of the prototypical staphylococcal conjugative multiresistance plasmid pSK41. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2008; 284:58-67. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2008.01190.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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20
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Identification andin silico characterisation of putative conjugative transfer genes onGeobacillus stearothermophilus plasmids. ANN MICROBIOL 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03175081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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21
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Chao L, Qiyu B, Fuping S, Ming S, Dafang H, Guiming L, Ziniu Y. Complete nucleotide sequence of pBMB67, a 67-kb plasmid from Bacillus thuringiensis strain YBT-1520. Plasmid 2006; 57:44-54. [PMID: 16901541 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2006.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2006] [Revised: 05/22/2006] [Accepted: 06/01/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The complete nucleotide sequence of a large (67kb) cryptic plasmid pBMB67 from Bacillus thuringiensis strain YBT-1520 was determined. Of the 74 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), 25 (34%) were assigned putative functions, 18 (24%) encoded conserved hypothetical proteins, and 31 (42%) had no homology to any genes present in the current open databases. The ORFs with similar functions were organized in a modular structure; thus, the DNA sequence of pBMB67 could be functionally divided into three modules, including a 39kb transfer region encoding homologs of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB/D4 system components VirB1, VirB4, VirB11, and VirD4, as well as homologs of Gram-positive conjugation proteins. We also found a potential operon that was analogous to the Rap-Phr cassettes from Bacillus subtilis, which are involved in cell-cell communication and transcriptional regulation. Thus, we suggest that pBMB67 is likely to be implicated in cell-cell signaling and plays a role in the regulation of several cellular processes, with the production of exoprotease being one of the candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Chao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and National Engineering Research Center of Microbe Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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22
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Bannam TL, Teng WL, Bulach D, Lyras D, Rood JI. Functional identification of conjugation and replication regions of the tetracycline resistance plasmid pCW3 from Clostridium perfringens. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:4942-51. [PMID: 16788202 PMCID: PMC1483020 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00298-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens causes fatal human infections, such as gas gangrene, as well as gastrointestinal diseases in both humans and animals. Detailed molecular analysis of the tetracycline resistance plasmid pCW3 from C. perfringens has shown that it represents the prototype of a unique family of conjugative antibiotic resistance and virulence plasmids. We have identified the pCW3 replication region by deletion and transposon mutagenesis and showed that the essential rep gene encoded a basic protein with no similarity to any known plasmid replication proteins. An 11-gene conjugation locus containing 5 genes that encoded putative proteins with similarity to proteins from the conjugative transposon Tn916 was identified, although the genes' genetic arrangements were different. Functional genetic studies demonstrated that two of the genes in this transfer clostridial plasmid (tcp) locus, tcpF and tcpH, were essential for the conjugative transfer of pCW3, and comparative analysis confirmed that the tcp locus was not confined to pCW3. The conjugation region was present on all known conjugative plasmids from C. perfringens, including an enterotoxin plasmid and other toxin plasmids. These results have significant implications for plasmid evolution, as they provide evidence that a nonreplicating Tn916-like element can evolve to become the conjugation locus of replicating plasmids that carry major virulence genes or antibiotic resistance determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trudi L Bannam
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial genomics and Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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23
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Van der Auwera GA, Andrup L, Mahillon J. Conjugative plasmid pAW63 brings new insights into the genesis of the Bacillus anthracis virulence plasmid pXO2 and of the Bacillus thuringiensis plasmid pBT9727. BMC Genomics 2005; 6:103. [PMID: 16042811 PMCID: PMC1196294 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-6-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2005] [Accepted: 07/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus cereus, Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus thuringiensis belong to the genetically close-knit Bacillus cereus sensu lato group, a family of rod-shaped Gram-positive bacteria. pAW63 is the first conjugative plasmid from the B. cereus group to be completely sequenced. RESULTS The 71,777 bp nucleotide sequence of pAW63 reveals a modular structure, including a 42 kb tra region encoding homologs of the Type IV secretion systems components VirB11, VirB4 and VirD4, as well as homologs of Gram-positive conjugation genes from Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Listeria, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. It also firmly establishes the existence of a common backbone between pAW63, pXO2 from Bacillus anthracis and pBT9727 from the pathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis serovar konkukian strain 97-27. The alignment of these three plasmids highlights the presence of well conserved segments, in contrast to distinct regions of high sequence plasticity. The study of their specific differences has provided a three-point reference framework that can be exploited to formulate solid hypotheses concerning the functionalities and the molecular evolution of these three closely related plasmids. This has provided insight into the chronology of their divergence, and led to the discovery of two Type II introns on pAW63, matching copies of the mobile element IS231L in different loci of pXO2 and pBT9727, and the identification on pXO2 of a 37 kb pathogenicity island (PAI) containing the anthrax capsule genes. CONCLUSION The complete sequence determination of pAW63 has led to a functional map of the plasmid yielding insights into its conjugative apparatus, which includes T4SS-like components, as well as its resemblance to other large plasmids of Gram-positive bacteria. Of particular interest is the extensive homology shared between pAW63 and pXO2, the second virulence plasmid of B. anthracis, as well as pBT9727 from the pathogenic strain B. thuringiensis serovar konkukian strain 97-27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine A Van der Auwera
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/12, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Lars Andrup
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacques Mahillon
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/12, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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24
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Smith MCA, Thomas CD. An accessory protein is required for relaxosome formation by small staphylococcal plasmids. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:3363-73. [PMID: 15150221 PMCID: PMC415746 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.11.3363-3373.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mobilization of the staphylococcal plasmid pC221 requires at least one plasmid-encoded protein, MobA, in order to form a relaxosome. pC221 and closely related plasmids also possess an overlapping reading frame encoding a protein of 15 kDa, termed MobC. By completing the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pC223, we have found a further example of this small protein, and gene knockouts have shown that MobC is essential for relaxosome formation and plasmid mobilization in both pC221 and pC223. Primer extension analysis has been used to identify the nic site in both of these plasmids, located upstream of the mobC gene in the sense strand. Although the sequence surrounding the nic site is highly conserved between pC221 and pC223, exchange of the oriT sequence between plasmids significantly reduces the extent of relaxation complex formation, suggesting that the Mob proteins are selective for their cognate plasmids in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C A Smith
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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25
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Melville CM, Brunel R, Flint HJ, Scott KP. The Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens tet(W) gene is carried on the novel conjugative transposon TnB1230, which contains duplicated nitroreductase coding sequences. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:3656-9. [PMID: 15150255 PMCID: PMC415762 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.11.3656-3659.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens tet(W) gene is located on the conjugative transposon TnB1230. TnB1230 encodes transfer proteins with 48 to 67% identity to some of those encoded by Tn1549. tet(W) is flanked by directly repeated sequences with significant homology to oxygen-insensitive nitroreductases. The 340 nucleotides upstream of tet(W) are strongly conserved and are required for tetracycline resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Melville
- Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, United Kingdom
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26
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Bröker D, Arenskötter M, Legatzki A, Nies DH, Steinbüchel A. Characterization of the 101-kilobase-pair megaplasmid pKB1, isolated from the rubber-degrading bacterium Gordonia westfalica Kb1. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:212-25. [PMID: 14679241 PMCID: PMC303448 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.1.212-225.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The complete sequence of the circular 101,016-bp megaplasmid pKB1 from the cis-1,4-polyisoprene-degrading bacterium Gordonia westfalica Kb1, which represents the first described extrachromosomal DNA of a member of this genus, was determined. Plasmid pKB1 harbors 105 open reading frames. The predicted products of 46 of these are significantly related to proteins of known function. Plasmid pKB1 is organized into three functional regions that are flanked by insertion sequence (IS) elements: (i) a replication and putative partitioning region, (ii) a putative metabolic region, and (iii) a large putative conjugative transfer region, which is interrupted by an additional IS element. Southern hybridization experiments revealed the presence of another copy of this conjugational transfer region on the bacterial chromosome. The origin of replication (oriV) of pKB1 was identified and used for construction of Escherichia coli-Gordonia shuttle vectors, which was also suitable for several other Gordonia species and related genera. The metabolic region included the heavy-metal resistance gene cadA, encoding a P-type ATPase. Expression of cadA in E. coli mediated resistance to cadmium, but not to zinc, and decreased the cellular content of cadmium in this host. When G. westfalica strain Kb1 was cured of plasmid pKB1, the resulting derivative strains exhibited slightly decreased cadmium resistance. Furthermore, they had lost the ability to use isoprene rubber as a sole source of carbon and energy, suggesting that genes essential for rubber degradation are encoded by pKB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bröker
- Institut für Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
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27
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Weigel LM, Clewell DB, Gill SR, Clark NC, McDougal LK, Flannagan SE, Kolonay JF, Shetty J, Killgore GE, Tenover FC. Genetic Analysis of a High-Level Vancomycin-Resistant Isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. Science 2003; 302:1569-71. [PMID: 14645850 DOI: 10.1126/science.1090956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 593] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Vancomycin is usually reserved for treatment of serious infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A clinical isolate of S. aureus with high-level resistance to vancomycin (minimal inhibitory concentration = 1024 microg/ml) was isolated in June 2002. This isolate harbored a 57.9-kilobase multiresistance conjugative plasmid within which Tn1546 (vanA) was integrated. Additional elements on the plasmid encoded resistance to trimethoprim (dfrA), beta-lactams (blaZ), aminoglycosides (aacA-aphD), and disinfectants (qacC). Genetic analyses suggest that the long-anticipated transfer of vancomycin resistance to a methicillin-resistant S. aureus occurred in vivo by interspecies transfer of Tn1546 from a co-isolate of Enterococcus faecalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Weigel
- Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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28
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Kurenbach B, Bohn C, Prabhu J, Abudukerim M, Szewzyk U, Grohmann E. Intergeneric transfer of the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pIP501 to Escherichia coli and Streptomyces lividans and sequence analysis of its tra region. Plasmid 2003; 50:86-93. [PMID: 12826062 DOI: 10.1016/s0147-619x(03)00044-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The nucleotide sequence of the transfer (tra) region of the multiresistance broad-host-range Inc18 plasmid pIP501 was completed. The 8629-bp DNA sequence encodes 10 open reading frames (orf), 9 of them are possibly involved in pIP501 conjugative transfer. The putative pIP501 tra gene products show highest similarity to the respective ORFs of the conjugative Enterococcus faecalis plasmids pRE25 and pAMbeta1, and the Streptococcus pyogenes plasmid pSM19035, respectively. ORF7 and ORF10 encode putative homologues of type IV secretion systems involved in transport of effector molecules from pathogens to host cells and in conjugative plasmid transfer in Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. pIP501 mobilized non-selftransmissible plasmids such as pMV158 between different E. faecalis strains and from E. faecalis to Bacillus subtilis. Evidence for the very broad-host-range of pIP501 was obtained by intergeneric conjugative transfer of pIP501 to a multicellular Gram-positive (G+) bacterium, Streptomyces lividans, and to G- Escherichia coli. We proved for the first time pIP501 replication, expression of its antibiotic resistance genes as well as functionality of the pIP501 tra genes in S. lividans and E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Kurenbach
- Department for Microbial Ecology, University of Technology Berlin, D-10587 Berlin, Germany
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29
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Grohmann E, Muth G, Espinosa M. Conjugative plasmid transfer in gram-positive bacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2003; 67:277-301, table of contents. [PMID: 12794193 PMCID: PMC156469 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.67.2.277-301.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 383] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Conjugative transfer of bacterial plasmids is the most efficient way of horizontal gene spread, and it is therefore considered one of the major reasons for the increase in the number of bacteria exhibiting multiple-antibiotic resistance. Thus, conjugation and spread of antibiotic resistance represents a severe problem in antibiotic treatment, especially of immunosuppressed patients and in intensive care units. While conjugation in gram-negative bacteria has been studied in great detail over the last decades, the transfer mechanisms of antibiotic resistance plasmids in gram-positive bacteria remained obscure. In the last few years, the entire nucleotide sequences of several large conjugative plasmids from gram-positive bacteria have been determined. Sequence analyses and data bank comparisons of their putative transfer (tra) regions have revealed significant similarities to tra regions of plasmids from gram-negative bacteria with regard to the respective DNA relaxases and their targets, the origins of transfer (oriT), and putative nucleoside triphosphatases NTP-ases with homologies to type IV secretion systems. In contrast, a single gene encoding a septal DNA translocator protein is involved in plasmid transfer between micelle-forming streptomycetes. Based on these clues, we propose the existence of two fundamentally different plasmid-mediated conjugative mechanisms in gram-positive microorganisms, namely, the mechanism taking place in unicellular gram-positive bacteria, which is functionally similar to that in gram-negative bacteria, and a second type that occurs in multicellular gram-positive bacteria, which seems to be characterized by double-stranded DNA transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Grohmann
- Microbial Ecology Group, University of Technology Berlin, D-10587 Berlin, Germany.
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30
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Huard C, Miranda G, Wessner F, Bolotin A, Hansen J, Foster SJ, Chapot-Chartier MP. Characterization of AcmB, an N-acetylglucosaminidase autolysin from Lactococcus lactis. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2003; 149:695-705. [PMID: 12634338 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.25875-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A gene encoding a putative peptidoglycan hydrolase, named acmB, which is a paralogue of the major autolysin acmA gene, was identified in the Lactococcus lactis genome sequence. The acmB gene is transcribed in L. lactis MG1363 and its expression is modulated during cellular growth. The encoded AcmB protein has a modular structure with three domains: an N-terminal domain, especially rich in Ser, Thr, Pro and Asn residues, resembling a cell-wall-associated domain; a central domain homologous to the Enterococcus hirae muramidase catalytic domain; and a C-terminal domain of unknown function. A recombinant AcmB derivative, devoid of its N-terminal domain, was expressed in Escherichia coli. It exhibited hydrolysing activity on the peptidoglycan of several Gram-positive bacteria, including L. lactis. Though showing sequence similarity with enterococcal muramidase, AcmB has N-acetylglucosaminidase specificity. The acmB gene was inactivated in order to evaluate the role of the enzyme. AcmB does not appear to be involved in cell separation but contributes to cellular autolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Huard
- Unité de Biochimie et Structure des Protéines, INRA, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
| | - Guy Miranda
- Unité de Biochimie et Structure des Protéines, INRA, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
| | - Françoise Wessner
- Unité de Biochimie et Structure des Protéines, INRA, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
| | - Alexander Bolotin
- Unité de Biochimie et Unité de Génétique Microbienne, INRA, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
| | - Jonathan Hansen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Simon J Foster
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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Calcutt MJ, Lewis MS, Wise KS. Molecular genetic analysis of ICEF, an integrative conjugal element that is present as a repetitive sequence in the chromosome of Mycoplasma fermentans PG18. J Bacteriol 2002; 184:6929-41. [PMID: 12446643 PMCID: PMC135467 DOI: 10.1128/jb.184.24.6929-6941.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genomes contain compact gene sets that approach the minimal complement necessary for life and reflect multiple evolutionary instances of genomic reduction. Lateral gene transfer may play a critical role in shaping the mobile gene pool in these organisms, yet complex mobile elements have not been reported within this genus. We describe here a large ( approximately 23-kb) genetic element with unique features that is present in four copies in the Mycoplasma fermentans PG18 chromosome, accounting for approximately 8% of the genome. These novel elements, designated ICEF (integrative conjugal elements of M. fermentans), resemble conjugative, self-transmissible integrating elements (constins) in that circular, nonreplicative extrachromosomal forms occur in which the left and right termini of the integrated element are juxtaposed and separated by a coupling sequence derived from direct repeats flanking chromosomal copies of ICEF as a result of target site duplication. ICEF contain multiple similarly oriented open reading frames (ORFs), of which some have homology to products of known conjugation genes but others have no known counterparts. Surprisingly, unlike other constins, ICEF lack homologs of known integrases, transposases, or recombinases, suggesting that a novel enzyme may be employed for integration-excision. Skewed distribution and varied sites of chromosomal integration among M. fermentans isolates suggest a role for ICEF in promoting genomic and phenotypic variation in this species. Identification of homologs of terminal ICEF ORFs in two additional mycoplasma species indicates that ICEF is the prototype member of a family of ICE-related elements that may be widespread among pathogenic mycoplasmas infecting diverse vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Calcutt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65212, USA
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32
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Gomis-Rüth FX, Moncalían G, de la Cruz F, Coll M. Conjugative plasmid protein TrwB, an integral membrane type IV secretion system coupling protein. Detailed structural features and mapping of the active site cleft. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:7556-66. [PMID: 11748238 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110462200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation is an example of macromolecular trafficking between cells and responsible for the spreading of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. It involves translocation of single-stranded DNA across membranes through a type IV secretion system. A coupling protein links the DNA-processing nucleoprotein complex, the relaxosome, with the transport apparatus during cell mating. In Escherichia coli plasmid R388 such a protein is TrwB, a basic integral inner-membrane nucleoside-triphosphate-binding protein. TrwB is the structural prototype for the type IV secretion system coupling proteins, a family of proteins essential for macromolecular transport between cells and export. The structure of a soluble TrwB variant unveils an elongated molecule with six equivalent protein units featuring a spherical quaternary structure, leaving a central channel. The structures of the non-liganded protein and four different complexes with substrate analogues and products allow the precise description of the active site architecture. The active sites are located at the interface between protomers, each of them shaped mainly by residues of one monomer, but including two crucial arginine residues belonging to the adjacent molecule. Upon substrate binding and putative hydrolysis, conformational changes are transferred from the external surface to the interior central channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Xavier Gomis-Rüth
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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33
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Schwarz FV, Perreten V, Teuber M. Sequence of the 50-kb conjugative multiresistance plasmid pRE25 from Enterococcus faecalis RE25. Plasmid 2001; 46:170-87. [PMID: 11735367 DOI: 10.1006/plas.2001.1544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The complete 50,237-bp DNA sequence of the conjugative and mobilizing multiresistance plasmid pRE25 from Enterococcus faecalis RE25 was determined. The plasmid had 58 putative open reading frames, 5 of which encode resistance to 12 antimicrobials. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and the 23S RNA methylase are identical to gene products of the broad-host-range plasmid pIP501 from Streptococcus agalactiae. In addition, a 30.5-kb segment is almost identical to pIP501. Genes encoding an aminoglycoside 6-adenylyltransferase, a streptothricin acetyltransferase, and an aminoglycoside phosphotransferase are arranged in tandem on a 7.4-kb fragment as previously reported in Tn5405 from Staphylococcus aureus and in pJH1 from E. faecalis. One interrupted and five complete IS elements as well as three replication genes were also identified. pRE25 was transferred by conjugation to E. faecalis, Listeria innocua, and Lactococcus lactis by means of a transfer region that appears similar to that of pIP501. It is concluded that pRE25 may contribute to the further spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms via food into the human community.
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Affiliation(s)
- F V Schwarz
- Laboratory for Food Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland
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Hickey RM, Twomey DP, Ross RP, Hill C. Exploitation of plasmid pMRC01 to direct transfer of mobilizable plasmids into commercial lactococcal starter strains. Appl Environ Microbiol 2001; 67:2853-8. [PMID: 11375207 PMCID: PMC92951 DOI: 10.1128/aem.67.6.2853-2858.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic analysis of the 60.2-kb lactococcal plasmid pMRC01 revealed a 19.6-kb region which includes putative genes for conjugal transfer of the plasmid and a sequence resembling an origin of transfer (oriT). This oriT-like sequence was amplified and cloned on a 312-bp segment into pCI372, allowing the resultant plasmid, pRH001, to be mobilized at a frequency of 3.4 x 10(-4) transconjugants/donor cell from an MG1363 (recA mutant) host containing pMRC01. All of the resultant chloramphenicol-resistant transconjugants contained both pRH001 and genetic determinants responsible for bacteriocin production and immunity of pMRC01. This result is expected, given that transconjugants lacking the lacticin 3147 immunity determinants (on pMRC01) would be killed by bacteriocin produced by the donor cells. Indeed, incorporation of proteinase K in the mating mixture resulted in the isolation of transformants, of which 47% were bacteriocin deficient. Using such an approach, the oriT-containing fragment was exploited to mobilize pRH001 alone to a number of lactococcal hosts. These results demonstrate that oriT of pMRC01 has the potential to be used in the development of mobilizable food-grade vectors for the genetic enhancement of lactococcal starter strains, some of which may be difficult to transform.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Hickey
- Dairy Products Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork
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35
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Bonheyo G, Graham D, Shoemaker NB, Salyers AA. Transfer region of a bacteroides conjugative transposon, CTnDOT. Plasmid 2001; 45:41-51. [PMID: 11319931 DOI: 10.1006/plas.2000.1495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacteroides species harbor large self-transmissible integrated elements called conjugative transposons (CTns). In this paper, we report the first complete sequence analysis of the transfer region of a Bacteroides CTn. The transfer region contained 17 genes (designated orfA-orfQ). Only 2 of the genes shared sequence similarity with genes in the databases and only 1 of these genes was associated with self-transmissible elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bonheyo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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36
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Takai S, Hines SA, Sekizaki T, Nicholson VM, Alperin DA, Osaki M, Takamatsu D, Nakamura M, Suzuki K, Ogino N, Kakuda T, Dan H, Prescott JF. DNA sequence and comparison of virulence plasmids from Rhodococcus equi ATCC 33701 and 103. Infect Immun 2000; 68:6840-7. [PMID: 11083803 PMCID: PMC97788 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.12.6840-6847.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The virulence plasmids of the equine virulent strains Rhodococcus equi ATCC 33701 and 103 were sequenced, and their genetic structure was analyzed. p33701 was 80,610 bp in length, and p103 was 1 bp shorter; their sequences were virtually identical. The plasmids contained 64 open reading frames (ORFs), 22 of which were homologous with genes of known function and 3 of which were homologous with putative genes of unknown function in other species. Putative functions were assigned to five ORFs based on protein family characteristics. The most striking feature of the virulence plasmids was the presence of a 27,536-bp pathogenicity island containing seven virulence-associated protein (vap) genes, including vapA. These vap genes have extensive homology to vapA, which encodes a thermoregulated and surface-expressed protein. The pathogenicity island contained a LysR family transcriptional regulator and a two-component response regulator upstream of six of the vap genes. The vap genes were present as a cluster of three (vapA, vapC, and vapD), as a pair (vapE and vapF), or individually (vapG; vapH). A region of extensive direct repeats of unknown function, possibly associated with thermoregulation, was present immediately upstream of the clustered and the paired genes but not the individual vap genes. There was extensive homology among the C-terminal halves of all vap genes but not generally among the N-terminal halves. The remainder of the plasmid consisted of a large region which appears to be associated with conjugation functions and a large region which appears to be associated with replication and partitioning functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Takai
- Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
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37
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von David W, Rogolsky M. Structural analysis of a defective transfer-like region in a staphylococcal aminoglycoside resistance plasmid. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2000; 38:69-77. [PMID: 11035236 DOI: 10.1016/s0732-8893(00)00170-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolate MH6502 contained the 51. 9-kb nonconjugal plasmid pMH6502, which has homology to a major part of the transfer gene region of a known conjugal plasmid. Plasmid pMH6502 mediates aminoglycoside and ethidium bromide resistance. During restriction digest analysis of pMH6502, a double logarithmic regression of marker data gave a better linear relationship than a semi-logarithmic one. The analysis indicated several differences in the transfer-like region of pMH6502 compared to the analogous region of the S. aureus conjugal plasmid pG01. The transfer-like region was in the opposite orientation compared to pG01. An EcoRI site that is within the transfer-like region of pMH6502, has no analogue in pG01. A HindIII site, located outside a 6.3-kb EcoRI fragment in the transfer gene region of pG01, is inside the analogous fragment of pMH6502. A model is proposed to describe how a conjugal ancestral plasmid of pMH6502 could alter to its present form.
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Affiliation(s)
- W von David
- Dept. of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64108-2792, USA
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38
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Rice LB. Bacterial monopolists: the bundling and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes in gram-positive bacteria. Clin Infect Dis 2000; 31:762-9. [PMID: 11017827 DOI: 10.1086/314005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2000] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is the unavoidable result of our placing selective pressure on the microbial community. Advances in molecular biology techniques in the past 2 decades have allowed us to greatly improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which resistance emerges and disseminates among human pathogenic bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria employ a diverse array of elements, including plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences, and bacteriophages, to disseminate resistance. An understanding of these mechanisms and their prevalence can improve our ability to treat clinical infections in hospitalized patients, as well as to predict and control the spread of resistant bacteria in the nosocomial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B Rice
- Medical Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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39
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Szpirer CY, Faelen M, Couturier M. Interaction between the RP4 coupling protein TraG and the pBHR1 mobilization protein Mob. Mol Microbiol 2000; 37:1283-92. [PMID: 10998162 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.02077.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
It is currently believed that interaction between the relaxosome of a mobilizable plasmid and the transfer machinery of the helper conjugative plasmid is mediated by a TraG family coupling protein. The coupling proteins appear as an essential determinant of mobilization specificity and efficiency. Using a two-hybrid system, we demonstrated for the first time the direct in vivo interaction between the coupling protein of a conjugative plasmid (the TraG protein of RP4) and the relaxase of a mobilizable plasmid (the Mob protein of pBHR1, a derivative of the broad host range plasmid pBBR1). This interaction was confirmed in vitro by an overlay assay and was shown to occur even in the absence of the transfer origin of pBHR1. We showed that, among 11 conjugative plasmids tested, pBHR1 is efficiently mobilized only by plasmids encoding an IncP-type transfer system. We also showed that the RP4 TraG coupling protein is essential for mobilization of a pBBR1 derivative and is the element that allows its mobilization by R388 plasmid (IncW) at a detectable frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Szpirer
- Laboratoire de Génétique des Procaryotes, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12, Rue Prof. Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium.
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40
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Garnier F, Taourit S, Glaser P, Courvalin P, Galimand M. Characterization of transposon Tn1549, conferring VanB-type resistance in Enterococcus spp. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2000; 146 ( Pt 6):1481-1489. [PMID: 10846226 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-146-6-1481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Transfer of VanB-type resistance to glycopeptides among enterococci has been reported to be associated with the movement of large chromosomal genetic elements or of plasmids. The authors report the characterization of the 34 kb transposon Tn1549 borne by a plasmid related to pAD1 and conferring vancomycin resistance in clinical isolates of Enterococcus spp. Tn1549 contained 30 ORFs and appeared to be organized like the Tn916 family of conjugative transposons into three functional regions: (i) the right end, implicated in the excision-integration process; (ii) the central part, in which the vanB2 operon replaces the tet(M) gene; and (iii) the left extremity, in which eight of the 18 ORFs could be implicated in the conjugative transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Garnier
- Unité des Agents Antibactériens1 and Laboratoire de Génomique des Micro-organismes Pathogènes2, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Sead Taourit
- Unité des Agents Antibactériens1 and Laboratoire de Génomique des Micro-organismes Pathogènes2, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Philippe Glaser
- Unité des Agents Antibactériens1 and Laboratoire de Génomique des Micro-organismes Pathogènes2, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Patrice Courvalin
- Unité des Agents Antibactériens1 and Laboratoire de Génomique des Micro-organismes Pathogènes2, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Marc Galimand
- Unité des Agents Antibactériens1 and Laboratoire de Génomique des Micro-organismes Pathogènes2, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
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41
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Dickinson TM, Archer GL. Phenotypic expression of oxacillin resistance in Staphylococcus epidermidis: roles of mecA transcriptional regulation and resistant-subpopulation selection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2000; 44:1616-23. [PMID: 10817718 PMCID: PMC89922 DOI: 10.1128/aac.44.6.1616-1623.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The MICs for many oxacillin-resistant (OR) Staphylococcus epidermidis (ORSE) strains are below the Staphylococcus aureus methicillin or oxacillin resistance breakpoint. The difficulty detecting the OR phenotype in S. epidermidis may be due to extreme heterotypy in resistance expression and/or transcriptional repression of mecA, the OR gene, by MecI. To determine the role of these factors in the phenotypic expression of ORSE, 17 geographically diverse mecI(+) ORSE isolates representing 14 distinct pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pulse types (>3 band differences) were investigated. Thirteen of the 14 types contained mecI and mecA promoter-operator sequences known to be associated with maximal mecA repression, and in all isolates, mecA transcription was repressed. All 17 were heterotypic in their resistance expression. Oxacillin MICs ranged from 1 to 128 microg/ml and increased for 16 of 17 isolates after beta-lactam induction. Allelic replacement inactivation of mecI in three isolates similarly resulted in a four- to sevenfold increase in MIC. In the two of these three isolates producing beta-lactamase, mecA transcription was regulated by both mecI and beta-lactamase regulatory sequences. Heterotypic expression of resistance in these three isolates was unaffected by either beta-lactam induction or mecI inactivation. However, prolonged incubation in concentrations of oxacillin just sufficient to produce a lag in growth (0.5 to 1.0 microg/ml) converted the population resistance expression from heterotypic to homotypic. Homotypic conversion could also be demonstrated in microtiter wells during MIC determinations in one isolate for which the MIC was high. We conclude that the phenotypic expression of S. epidermidis OR in broth can be affected both by mecA transcriptional regulation and by subpopulation resistance expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Dickinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0049, USA
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42
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Li Z, Mondragón A, Hiasa H, Marians KJ, DiGate RJ. Identification of a unique domain essential for Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase III-catalysed decatenation of replication intermediates. Mol Microbiol 2000; 35:888-95. [PMID: 10692165 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01763.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A 17-amino-acid residue domain has been identified in Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase III (Topo III) that is essential for Topo III-mediated resolution of DNA replication intermediates in vitro. Deletion of this domain reduced Topo III-catalysed resolution of DNA replication intermediates and decatenation of multiply linked plasmid DNA dimers by four orders of magnitude, whereas reducing Topo III-catalysed relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA substrates only 20-fold. The presence of this domain has been detected in multiple plasmid-encoded topoisomerases, raising the possibility that these enzymes may also be decatenases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Pharmacy, 20 North Pine Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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43
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Franco AA, Cheng RK, Chung GT, Wu S, Oh HB, Sears CL. Molecular evolution of the pathogenicity island of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains. J Bacteriol 1999; 181:6623-33. [PMID: 10542162 PMCID: PMC94125 DOI: 10.1128/jb.181.21.6623-6633.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) strains, which produce a 20-kDa zinc metalloprotease toxin (BFT), have been associated with diarrheal disease in animals and young children. Studying a collection of ETBF and nontoxigenic B. fragilis (NTBF) strains, we found that bft and a second metalloprotease gene (mpII) are contained in an approximately 6-kb pathogenicity island (termed B. fragilis pathogenicity island or BfPAI) which is present exclusively in all 113 ETBF strains tested (pattern I). Of 191 NTBF strains, 100 (52%) lack both the BfPAI and at least a 12-kb region flanking BfPAI (pattern II), and 82 of 191 NTBF strains (43%) lack the BfPAI but contain the flanking region (pattern III). The nucleotide sequence flanking the left end of the BfPAI revealed a region with the same organization as the mobilization region of the 5-nitroimidazole resistance plasmid pIP417 and the clindamycin resistance plasmid pBFTM10, that is, two mobilization genes (bfmA and bfmB) organized in one operon and a putative origin of transfer (oriT) located in a small, compact region. The region flanking the right end of the BfPAI contains a gene (bfmC) whose predicted protein shares significant identity to the TraD mobilization proteins encoded by plasmids F and R100 from Escherichia coli. Nucleotide sequence analysis of one NTBF pattern III strain (strain I-1345) revealed that bfmB and bfmC are adjacent to each other and separated by a 16-bp GC-rich sequence. Comparison of this sequence with the appropriate sequence of ETBF strain 86-5443-2-2 showed that in this ETBF strain the 16-bp sequence is replaced by the BfPAI. This result defined the BfPAI as being 6,036 bp in length and its precise integration site as being between the bfmB and bfmC stop codons. The G+C content of the BfPAI (35%) and the flanking DNA (47 to 50%) differ greatly from that reported for the B. fragilis chromosome (42%), suggesting that the BfPAI and its flanking region are two distinct genetic elements originating from very different organisms. ETBF strains may have evolved by horizontal transfer of these two genetic elements into a pattern II NTBF strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Franco
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2195, USA
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44
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Kuboyama T, Huang CC, Lu X, Sawayanagi T, Kanazawa T, Kagami T, Matsuda I, Tsuchizaki T, Namba S. A plasmid isolated from phytopathogenic onion yellows phytoplasma and its heterogeneity in the pathogenic phytoplasma mutant. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 1998; 11:1031-1037. [PMID: 9805390 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi.1998.11.11.1031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A 3.6-kbp DNA fragment was cloned from the extrachromosomal DNA of a pathogenic plant mollicute, onion yellows phytoplasma (OY-W). Sequence analysis of the fragment revealed an open reading frame (ORF) encoding the replication (Rep) protein of rolling-circle replication (RCR)-type plasmids. This result suggests the existence of a plasmid (pOYW1) in OY-W that uses the RCR mechanism. This assumption was confirmed by detecting the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of a replication intermediate that is specifically produced by the RCR mechanism. This is the first report on the identification of the replication system of this plasmid and the genes encoded in it. With a DNA fragment including the Rep gene region of pOYW1 used as a probe, Southern and Northern (RNA) blot hybridizations were employed to examine the heterogeneity between the plasmids found in OY-W and a pathogenic mutant (OY-M) isolated from OY-W. Multiple bands were detected in the DNA and RNA extracted from both OY-W and OY-M infected plants, although the banding patterns were different. Moreover, the copy number of plasmids from OY-W was about 4.2 times greater than that from OY-M. These results indicate constructive heterogeneity between OY-W and OY-M plasmids, and the possibility of a relationship between the plasmid-encoded genes and the pathogenicity of the phytoplasma was suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kuboyama
- Laboratory of Bioresource Technology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan
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45
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Berg T, Firth N, Apisiridej S, Hettiaratchi A, Leelaporn A, Skurray RA. Complete nucleotide sequence of pSK41: evolution of staphylococcal conjugative multiresistance plasmids. J Bacteriol 1998; 180:4350-9. [PMID: 9721269 PMCID: PMC107441 DOI: 10.1128/jb.180.17.4350-4359.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/1998] [Accepted: 06/16/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The 46.4-kb nucleotide sequence of pSK41, a prototypical multiresistance plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus, has been determined, representing the first completely sequenced conjugative plasmid from a gram-positive organism. Analysis of the sequence has enabled the identification of the probable replication, maintenance, and transfer functions of the plasmid and has provided insights into the evolution of a clinically significant group of plasmids. The basis of deletions commonly associated with pSK41 family plasmids has been investigated, as has the observed insertion site specificity of Tn552-like beta-lactamase transposons within them. Several of the resistance determinants carried by pSK41-like plasmids were found to be located on up to four smaller cointegrated plasmids. pSK41 and related plasmids appear to represent a consolidation of antimicrobial resistance functions, collected by a preexisting conjugative plasmid via transposon insertion and IS257-mediated cointegrative capture of other plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Berg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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46
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Dougherty BA, Hill C, Weidman JF, Richardson DR, Venter JC, Ross RP. Sequence and analysis of the 60 kb conjugative, bacteriocin-producing plasmid pMRC01 from Lactococcus lactis DPC3147. Mol Microbiol 1998; 29:1029-38. [PMID: 9767571 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1998.00988.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The complete sequence of pMRC01, a large conjugative plasmid from Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis DPC3147, has been determined. Using a shotgun sequencing approach, the 60,232 bp plasmid sequence was obtained by the assembly of 1056 underlying sequences (sevenfold average redundancy). Sixty-four open reading frames (ORFs) were identified. Analysis of the gene organization of pMRC01 suggests that the plasmid can be divided into three functional domains, with each approximately 20 kb region separated by insertion sequence (IS) elements. The three regions are (i) the conjugative transfer region, including a 16-gene Tra (transfer) operon; (ii) the bacteriocin production region, including an operon responsible for the synthesis of the novel bacteriocin lacticin 3147; and (iii) the phage resistance and plasmid replication region of the plasmid. The complete sequence of pMRC01 provides important information about these industrially relevant phenotypes and gives insight into the structure, function and evolution of large gram-positive conjugative plasmids in general. The completely sequenced pMRC01 plasmid should also provide a useful framework for the design of novel plasmids to be incorporated into starter strain improvement programmes for the dairy industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Dougherty
- The Institute for Genomic Research, Rockville, MD, USA
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47
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Boulevard, Greenville, North Carolina, 27858, USA.
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Młynarczyk A, Młynarczyk G, Jeljaszewicz J. The genome of Staphylococcus aureus: a review. ZENTRALBLATT FUR BAKTERIOLOGIE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 1998; 287:277-314. [PMID: 9638861 DOI: 10.1016/s0934-8840(98)80165-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The genome of Staphylococcus aureus consists of a single circular chromosome (2.7-2.8 mbp) plus an assortment of extrachromosomal accessory genetic elements: conjugative and nonconjugative plasmids, mobile elements (IS, Tn, Hi), prophages and other variable elements. Plasmids (1-60 kbp) are classified into 4 classes and there are 15 known incompatibility groups. Mobile elements of the genome (0.8-18 kbp) appear in the chromosome or in plasmids of classes II and III. Prophages (45-60 kbp) are integrated in the bacterial chromosome, and they are UV- or mitomycin-inducible. Temperate bacteriophages of S. aureus are members of the Siphoviridae and the serological groups A, B and F occur most frequently. In the paper presented, the characteristics of chromosome, plasmids, transposons and other genetic elements of S. aureus genome are given and an alphabetical list of known genes of this species is included.
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Sharma VK, Hackbarth CJ, Dickinson TM, Archer GL. Interaction of native and mutant MecI repressors with sequences that regulate mecA, the gene encoding penicillin binding protein 2a in methicillin-resistant staphylococci. J Bacteriol 1998; 180:2160-6. [PMID: 9555900 PMCID: PMC107144 DOI: 10.1128/jb.180.8.2160-2166.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/1997] [Accepted: 01/30/1998] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin resistance in staphylococci is mediated by PBP2a, a penicillin binding protein with low affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics. The gene encoding PBP2a, mecA, is transcriptionally regulated in some clinical isolates by mecR1 and mecI, genes divergently transcribed from mecA that encode a signal transducer and repressor, respectively. The biochemical basis of MecI-mediated mecA transcriptional repression was investigated by using purified MecI. In DNase I protection studies, MecI protected a 30-bp palindrome encompassing the predicted mecA -10 and the mecR1 -35 promoter sequences. The larger palindrome contained 15 bp of dyad symmetry within which was a smaller 6-bp palindrome. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays established a requirement for the entire 15-bp half-site for initial repressor binding. Fragments containing the 30-bp palindrome and the entire mecA-mecR1 intergenic region were retarded in gels as multiple discrete bands varying in molecular size, characteristic of cooperative DNA binding. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking confirmed oligomerization of repressor in solution. A naturally occurring MecI mutant (MecI*; D39G) repressed mecA transcription sixfold less well than the wild type in vivo. Although MecI* protected the same target sequences and exhibited similar gel shift patterns to MecI, 5- to 10-fold more protein was required. MecI* exhibited defective oligomerization in solution, suggesting that the MecI amino terminus is important in protein-protein interactions and that protein oligomerization is necessary for optimum repression.
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Affiliation(s)
- V K Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0049, USA
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Fey PD, Climo MW, Archer GL. Determination of the chromosomal relationship between mecA and gyrA in methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1998; 42:306-12. [PMID: 9527777 PMCID: PMC105405 DOI: 10.1128/aac.42.2.306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/1997] [Accepted: 11/20/1997] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
mecA, the gene that mediates methicillin resistance, and its accompanying mec locus DNA, insert near the gyrA gene in Staphylococcus aureus. To investigate whether there is a similar relationship between mecA and gyrA in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), mecA- and gyrA-specific DNA fragments were used to probe methicillin-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) (n = 11) and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MRSH) (n = 11). The gyrA probe hybridized to the same SmaI DNA fragment as the mecA probe in all strains tested. However, since the size of the SmaI fragments containing mecA and gyrA varied from 73 to 600 kb, the distance between the two genes was determined more precisely. Cloned mecA or gyrA fragments plus vector sequences each containing a SmaI site were introduced into the chromosome of three isolates each of MRSE and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and the sizes of the generated SmaI fragments were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The distance between gyrA and mecA was found to be between 38 and 42 kb in both MRSE and MRSA, and the two genes were in the same relative orientation in all strains. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns around the gyrA gene in CNS were identical, but species specific, for all 10 MRSE and 10 MRSH isolates examined. In contrast, 8 of 11 methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis isolates and 7 of 7 methicillin-susceptible S. haemolyticus isolates had different gyrA RFLP patterns. These data show that mecA is site and orientation specific, relative to gyrA, in both MRSE and MRSA. In addition, the local environment around gyrA in methicillin-resistant CNS, in contrast to methicillin-susceptible isolates, is similar, suggesting clonality or the requirement for specific DNA sequences with which the mec complex must interact for chromosomal integration to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Fey
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0049, USA
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