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pBMSa1, a plasmid from a dairy cow isolate of Staphylococcus aureus, encodes a lincomycin resistance determinant and

Pedro D Loeza-Lara1, Morelia Soto-Huipe, Victor M Baizabal-Aguirre

  • 1Centro Multidisciplinario de Estudios en Biotecnología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Apdo. Postal 53, Administración Chapultepec, C.P. 58262 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.

Plasmid
|June 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A novel plasmid, pBMSa1, conferring lincomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus was identified in dairy cows with mastitis. This plasmid replicates via a rolling-circle mechanism and carries a gene homologous to known lincosamide nucleotidyltransferases.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Mastitis in dairy cows is often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria poses a significant threat to animal and human health.
  • Understanding plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms is crucial for combating infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel plasmid associated with lincomycin resistance in a bovine mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus isolate.
  • To elucidate the genetic elements and replication mechanism of the identified plasmid.

Main Methods:

  • Subcloning and sequencing of the cryptic plasmid pBMSa1.
  • Identification and localization of open reading frames (ORFs) and regulatory sequences.
  • Analysis of protein homology and DNA replication intermediates.

Main Results:

  • The 2750 bp plasmid pBMSa1 was sequenced, revealing two ORFs.
  • ORF1 encodes a putative Rep protein involved in rolling-circle replication.
  • ORF2 encodes a protein homologous to LinA (lincosamide O-nucleotidyltransferase), conferring lincomycin resistance.
  • Evidence of rolling-circle replication and identification of putative origins of replication were found.

Conclusions:

  • The novel plasmid pBMSa1 carries a lincomycin resistance gene (linA homolog) in Staphylococcus aureus from dairy cows.
  • The plasmid utilizes a rolling-circle replication mechanism, similar to other Staphylococcus aureus plasmids.
  • This finding contributes to understanding antimicrobial resistance dissemination in bovine pathogens.

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