Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Removal of Exogenous Materials from the Outer Portion of Frozen Cores to Investigate the Ancient Biological Communities Harbored Inside
09:06

Removal of Exogenous Materials from the Outer Portion of Frozen Cores to Investigate the Ancient Biological Communities Harbored Inside

Published on: July 3, 2016

7.9K

Genetic structure and biological properties of the first ancient multiresistance plasmid pKLH80 isolated from a

Mayya Petrova1, Anton Kurakov1, Natalya Shcherbatova1

  • 1Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq. 2, Moscow 123182, Russia.

Microbiology (Reading, England)
|July 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The novel multidrug-resistance plasmid pKLH80 from ancient permafrost harbors unique genetic features. Its analysis reveals a novel beta-lactamase gene variant, suggesting a progenitor role in clinical antibiotic resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The multidrug-resistance plasmid pKLH80 was previously isolated from Psychrobacter maritimus MR29-12 found in ancient permafrost.
  • Previous studies focused on specific resistance genes and insertion sequences within pKLH80.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the complete sequence and genetic structure analysis of the pKLH80 plasmid.
  • To identify and analyze novel features in the plasmid's accessory region, including a new beta-lactamase gene variant.

Main Methods:

  • Complete sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the pKLH80 plasmid.
  • Comparative sequence analysis of resistance genes and insertion elements.
  • Replication studies in different bacterial genera (Acinetobacter and Psychrobacter).

Main Results:

  • pKLH80 is a circular 14,835 bp molecule with 20 putative ORFs and a G+C content of 40.3 mol%.
  • The plasmid contains distinct replication and mobilization modules with genes sharing identities with other Psychrobacter species.
  • A novel beta-lactamase gene variant, blaRTG-6, was identified, with flanking sequences nearly identical to those in clinical bacteria, suggesting a progenitor role.

Conclusions:

  • The pKLH80 plasmid possesses a unique genetic architecture, including a novel beta-lactamase gene.
  • The findings suggest that the blaRTG-6 gene from this environmental plasmid may be a progenitor of clinically relevant beta-lactamase genes.
  • Insertion sequence elements play a significant role in the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach12:32

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

15.3K
Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution07:20

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Published on: December 30, 2021

3.5K

Related Concept Videos

Plasmids01:28

Plasmids

Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
4.2K
Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
42.4K
Diversity of Archaea IV01:29

Diversity of Archaea IV

Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist...
635
Diversity of Archaea III01:27

Diversity of Archaea III

Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
501
Bacterial Transformation01:33

Bacterial Transformation

In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
52.1K
Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
48.8K