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The staphylococcal insertion sequence IS257 is active

C Needham1, W C Noble, K G Dyke

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Plasmid
|November 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

The IS257 element in Staphylococcus aureus is highly active, facilitating recombination and co-integration of plasmids. This mobile genetic element plays a role in antibiotic resistance gene transfer within hospital settings.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Hospital-acquired infections often involve antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of nosocomial infections.
  • Plasmids and insertion sequences (IS) are key mobile genetic elements involved in antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the IS257 insertion sequence in plasmid dynamics.
  • To characterize the genetic mechanisms of antibiotic resistance transfer in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • To understand the mobility of IS257 in a clinical isolate.

Main Methods:

  • Plasmid isolation and characterization from a clinical Staphylococcus aureus strain.
  • Analysis of insertion sequence (IS) element distribution and activity.
  • Investigation of plasmid recombination and co-integration events.

Main Results:

  • The plasmid pJ3356, conferring mupirocin resistance, contains two copies of IS257.
  • IS257 mediated the recombination of an erythromycin resistance plasmid (pOX7-IS) into pJ3356.
  • Co-integration of pJ3356 and pOX7 involved IS257 duplication and adjacent pOX7 sequence.
  • IS257 demonstrated active mobility and involvement in complex genetic rearrangements.

Conclusions:

  • IS257 is an active mobile genetic element in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • IS257 facilitates the transfer and integration of antibiotic resistance genes via plasmids.
  • Understanding IS257 activity is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.

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