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The new SCCmec type methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carried CRISPR-cas system isolated from a pig in

Qianhong Liu1, Ruyun Zhuo1, Wuxia He1

  • 1College of Animal Science, Xichang University, Xichang, China.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|August 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A novel CRISPR-Cas system within a livestock-associated MRSA strain offers partial protection against phages. This discovery reveals how MRSA adapts to maintain defense mechanisms alongside horizontal gene transfer.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global health concern, found in various settings.
  • Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) poses unique challenges due to its circulation in animal populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type found in LA-MRSA from swine.
  • To investigate the function of a CRISPR-Cas system integrated within this novel SCCmec element.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic sequencing and structural analysis of MRSA isolates.
  • Functional assays to assess CRISPR-Cas system activity against phage and plasmid challenges.
  • Quantitative analysis of cas10 gene expression.

Main Results:

  • A novel SCCmec type XIII (9A) was identified in a Chinese LA-MRSA strain (LS45).
  • This SCCmec type contained a functional CRISPR-Cas system (cas10-csm2-csm3-csm4-csm5-csm6).
  • The CRISPR-Cas system provided partial immunity against phage infection at low multiplicities of infection but not against plasmids.

Conclusions:

  • The co-location of a novel SCCmec element and a functional CRISPR-Cas system in LA-MRSA highlights bacterial adaptation strategies.
  • This finding offers new insights into the genomic plasticity of MRSA and its ability to acquire defense systems while undergoing horizontal gene transfer.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial resistanceCRISPR-CasLA-MRSASCCmecST9

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