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Updated: May 25, 2026

Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri
11:36

Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri

Published on: September 23, 2017

An Enterobacter plasmid as a new genetic background for the transposon Tn1331

Mohammad R Alavi1, Vlado Antonic, Adrien Ravizee

  • 1Division of Wound Biology and Translational Research, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and American Registry of Pathology, Washington DC.

Infection and Drug Resistance
|January 20, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antibiotic resistance genes in Enterobacter species pose clinical challenges. This study identified resistance genes on plasmid pR23, revealing horizontal transfer of the Tn1331 transposon between Enterobacter and Klebsiella genera.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Genus Enterobacter comprises opportunistic nosocomial pathogens causing complex wound infections.
  • Antibiotic resistance in these bacteria presents a significant clinical treatment challenge.
  • An Enterobacter species isolated from complex wounds harbored antibiotic-resistant plasmids transferable to Escherichia coli.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the specific antibiotic resistance genes carried by a plasmid isolated from an Enterobacter species.
  • To characterize the genetic elements and structure of the identified plasmid.

Main Methods:

  • Plasmid pR23 from the Enterobacter isolate was propagated in E. coli.
  • Plasmid pR23 was sequenced using the Sanger method.
  • Sequence data was annotated by searching the GenBank database.

Main Results:

  • Plasmid pR23 consists of the transposon Tn1331 and a backbone plasmid identical to Enterobacter agglomerans plasmid pPIGDM1.
  • The multidrug-resistance transposon Tn1331 confers resistance to aminoglycoside and beta-lactam antibiotics.
  • Tn1331, previously found only in Klebsiella, was found integrated into the Enterobacter plasmid pPIGDM1 via the pentanucleotide TATTA recognition sequence.

Conclusions:

  • Transposition of Tn1331 into the Enterobacter plasmid pPIGDM1 facilitates its propagation within Enterobacter.
  • The findings suggest horizontal transfer of the Tn1331 transposon between the bacterial genera Enterobacter and Klebsiella.
  • This horizontal transfer mechanism contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.
Keywords:
Enterobactertransposon Tn1331wound infection

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