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Genetic analysis of mobile tetQ elements in oral Prevotella species

Gena D Tribble1, John J Garza, Victor L Yeung

  • 1Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA. gena.d.tribble@uth.tmc.edu

Anaerobe
|September 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance in Prevotella species is often due to the tetQ gene. This study found that oral Prevotella utilize a distinct mobile element, an IS21-family transposon, for tetQ gene acquisition and spread.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Prevotella species are common oral bacteria and opportunistic pathogens.
  • Tetracycline antibiotic resistance is prevalent in Prevotella, mediated by the tetQ gene.
  • The tetQ gene is also found in intestinal Bacteroides species, raising questions about its transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To genetically analyze mobile tetQ elements in oral Prevotella species.
  • To investigate the origin and mechanism of tetQ gene spread in Prevotella.
  • To compare tetQ mobile elements in Prevotella with those in Bacteroides.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis of mobile elements carrying the tetQ gene.
  • Comparative analysis of tetQ elements in oral Prevotella and intestinal Bacteroides.
  • Investigating the presence of specific transposon families.

Main Results:

  • Mobile elements encoding tetQ in oral Prevotella are distinct from those in Bacteroides.
  • Prevotella has incorporated the tetQ gene into an IS21-family transposon.
  • This transposon is conserved across Prevotella species from different geographical locations.

Conclusions:

  • The IS21-family transposon represents a conserved mechanism for tetQ gene spread within oral Prevotella.
  • Intestinal bacteria may serve as a reservoir for the tetQ gene, but Prevotella employs a unique mobile element for its dissemination.

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