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Characterization of a novel type of MLSB resistance plasmid from Staphylococcus saprophyticus carrying a

Tomasz Hauschild1, Petra Lüthje, Stefan Schwarz

  • 1University of Bialystok, Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology, 15-950 Bialystok, Swierkowa 20 B, Poland.

Veterinary Microbiology
|February 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A novel Staphylococcus plasmid, pSES22, carrying the erm(C) gene was identified. Its unique structure and a novel duplication in the erm(C) gene explain constitutive expression and distinctness from other resistance plasmids.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern.
  • Plasmids are key vehicles for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Staphylococcus species are significant human pathogens, often carrying resistance plasmids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel erm(C)-carrying plasmid, pSES22, identified in Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
  • To elucidate the genetic basis for constitutive erm(C) gene expression from pSES22.
  • To compare the structure of pSES22 with other known erm(C) resistance plasmids.

Main Methods:

  • Complete sequencing of the pSES22 plasmid.
  • Comparative analysis of the erm(C) gene and its regulatory elements.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of plasmid backbone genes (repU, pre/mob).
  • Phylogenetic analysis of deduced Erm(C) amino acid sequences.

Main Results:

  • pSES22 possesses an unusual size and restriction map compared to other erm(C) plasmids.
  • A novel 22-bp tandem duplication in the erm(C) translational attenuator confers constitutive expression.
  • Erm(C) from pSES22 forms a distinct branch in the homology tree of Erm(C) methylases.
  • pSES22 shares a plasmid backbone with other small plasmids but differs in its resistance gene.

Conclusions:

  • pSES22 represents a unique erm(C)-carrying plasmid with a novel mechanism for constitutive gene expression.
  • The findings highlight the diversity of erm(C) plasmids and their potential for dissemination.
  • Understanding plasmid evolution and structure is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance.

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