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Prevalence and distribution of the insertion element ISMag1 in Mycoplasma agalactiae
Paola Pilo1, Bénédicte Fleury, Marc Marenda
1Institute for Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Berne, Laenggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
In characterising Mycoplasma agalactiae strains from various European countries and from Africa, a new insertion sequence (IS), ISMag1, which is related to IS of the family of IS30 insertion elements, has been identified by DNA sequence analysis and Southern blot hybridisation. ISMag1 has a size of 1515bp, and contains inverted repeats of 3bp and a gene encoding the putative transposase on a single open reading frame. ISMag1 is present only in the rarely isolated serotypes E, F, G and H of M. agalactiae, where it is found in 1 to approximately 30 copies. The different patterns obtained by hybridisation of a labelled probe of ISMag1 to genomic DNA cut with various restriction enzymes correlate to some extent to the different serotypes and to variations of the nucleotide sequences of the uvrC genes of the different strains. Based on uvrC sequences, the strains of M. agalactiae carrying ISMag1 form a cluster, separate from the other strains. IS patterns obtained with ISMag1 allow a fine subtyping of the serotypes E, F, G and H of M. agalactiae for epidemiological studies. The potential role of ISMag1 and of its copy numbers on virulence and persistence of the respective strains requests further studies.
Insights
A novel insertion sequence, ISMag1, was identified in Mycoplasma agalactiae strains. ISMag1 aids in subtyping rare serotypes for epidemiological studies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mycoplasma agalactiae causes significant economic losses in livestock.
- Characterization of M. agalactiae strains is crucial for understanding disease transmission and developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel genetic elements in Mycoplasma agalactiae strains.
- To investigate the distribution and potential epidemiological significance of a newly discovered insertion sequence (ISMag1).
Main Methods:
- DNA sequence analysis was employed to identify ISMag1.
- Southern blot hybridization was used to determine the presence and copy number of ISMag1 in different M. agalactiae strains.
- Nucleotide sequences of the uvrC gene were analyzed for phylogenetic comparisons.
Main Results:
- A new insertion sequence, ISMag1 (1515bp), related to IS30 elements, was identified.
- ISMag1 is present in 1-30 copies in rare M. agalactiae serotypes E, F, G, and H.
- ISMag1 patterns and uvrC gene sequences correlate with M. agalactiae serotypes, enabling fine subtyping for epidemiology.
Conclusions:
- ISMag1 serves as a valuable genetic marker for subtyping rare M. agalactiae serotypes.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of ISMag1 copy numbers in M. agalactiae virulence and persistence.