# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3009 | 0 | 0.9954 | Identification of a novel conjugative plasmid carrying the multiresistance gene cfr in Proteus vulgaris isolated from swine origin in China. The multiresistance gene cfr has a broad host range encompassing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and can be located on the chromosomes or on plasmids. In this study, a novel conjugative plasmid carrying cfr, designated as pPvSC3, was characterized in a Proteus vulgaris strain isolated from swine in China. Plasmid pPvSC3 is 284,528 bp in size and harbors 10 other antimicrobial resistance genes, making it a novel plasmid that differs from all known plasmids due to its unique backbone and repA gene. BLAST analysis of the plasmid sequence shows no significant homology to any known plasmid backbone, but shows high level homology to Providencia rettgeri strain CCBH11880 Contig_9, a strain isolated from surgical wound in Brazil, 2014. There are two resistance-determining regions in pPvSC3, a cfr-containing region and a multidrug-resistant (MDR) region. The cfr-containing region is flanked by IS26, which could be looped out via IS26-mediated recombination. The MDR region harbors 10 antimicrobial resistance genes carried by various DNA segments that originated from various sources. Plasmid pPvSC3 could be successfully transferred to Escherichia coli by conjugation. In summary, we have characterized a novel conjugative plasmid pPvSC3 carrying the multiresistance gene cfr and 10 other antimicrobial resistance genes, and consider that this novel type of plasmid deserves attention. | 2019 | 31499097 |
| 3018 | 1 | 0.9953 | The large Bacillus plasmid pTB19 contains two integrated rolling-circle plasmids carrying mobilization functions. Plasmid pTB19 is a 27-kb plasmid originating from a thermophilic Bacillus species. It was shown previously that pTB19 contains an integrated copy of the rolling-circle type plasmid pTB913. Here we describe the analysis of a 4324-bp region of pTB19 conferring resistance to tetracycline. The nucleotide sequence of this region revealed all the characteristics of a second plasmid replicating via the rolling-circle mechanism. This sequence contained (i) the tetracycline resistance marker of pTB19, which is highly similar to other tetL-genes of gram-positive bacteria; (ii) a hybrid mob gene, which bears relatedness to both the mob-genes of pUB110 and pTB913; (iii) a palU type minus origin identical to those of pUB110 and pTB913; and (iv) a plus origin of replication similar to that of pTB913. A repB-type replication initiation gene sequence identical to that of pTB913 was present, which lacked the middle part (492 bp), thus preventing autonomous replication of this region. The hybrid mob gene was functional in conjugative mobilization of plasmids between strains of Bacillus subtilis. | 1991 | 1946749 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0.9953 | IncHI1 plasmids mediated the tet(X4) gene spread in Enterobacteriaceae in porcine. The tigecycline resistance gene tet(X4) was widespread in various bacteria. However, limited information about the plasmid harboring the tet(X4) gene spread among the different species is available. Here, we investigated the transmission mechanisms of the tet(X4) gene spread among bacteria in a pig farm. The tet(X4) positive Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter hormaeche were identified in the same farm. The whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that the K. pneumoniae belonged to ST727 (n = 11) and ST3830 (n = 1), E. cloacae and E. hormaeche belonged to ST524 (n = 1) and ST1862 (n = 1). All tet(X4) genes were located on the IncHI1 plasmids that could be conjugatively transferred into the recipient E. coli C600 at 30°C. Moreover, a fusion plasmid was identified that the IncHI1 plasmid recombined with the IncN plasmid mediated by ISCR2 during the conjugation from strains B12L to C600 (pB12L-EC-1). The fusion plasmid also has been discovered in a K. pneumoniae (K1L) that could provide more opportunities to spread antimicrobial resistance genes. The tet(X4) plasmids in these bacteria are derived from the same plasmid with a similar structure. Moreover, all the IncHI1 plasmids harboring the tet(X4) gene in GenBank belonged to the pST17, the newly defined pMLST. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution method showing the transconjugants acquired the most antimicrobial resistance from the donor strains. Taken together, this report provides evidence that IncHI1/pST17 is an important carrier for the tet(X4) spread in Enterobacteriaceae species, and these transmission mechanisms may perform in the environment. | 2023 | 37065147 |
| 3060 | 3 | 0.9951 | Integron mobilization unit as a source of mobility of antibiotic resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance genes are spread mostly through plasmids, integrons (as a form of gene cassettes), and transposons in gram-negative bacteria. We describe here a novel genetic structure, named the integron mobilization unit (IMU), that has characteristics similar to those of miniature inverted transposable elements (MITEs). Two IMUs (288 bp each) were identified from a carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolate that formed a composite structure encompassing a defective class 1 integron containing the carbapenem resistance gene bla(GES-5). This beta-lactamase gene was located on a 7-kb IncQ-type plasmid named pCHE-A, which was sequenced completely. The plasmid pCHE-A was not self conjugative but was mobilizable, and it was successfully transferred from E. cloacae to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in silico analysis of the extremities of the IMU elements identified similarities with those of insertion sequence ISSod9 from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The mobilization of the IMU composite structure was accomplished by using the transposase activity of ISSod9 that was provided in trans. This is the first identification of MITE-type structures as a source of gene mobilization, implicating here a clinically relevant antibiotic resistance gene. | 2009 | 19332679 |
| 3041 | 4 | 0.9951 | pCERC1, a small, globally disseminated plasmid carrying the dfrA14 cassette in the strA gene of the sul2-strA-strB gene cluster. Commensal Escherichia coli from healthy adult humans were screened for antibiotic resistance genes. Two unrelated strains contained the sul2 sulphonamide resistance gene and strAB streptomyicn resistance genes with the dfrA14 trimethoprim resistance gene cassette in the strA gene and conferred resistance to trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. A 6.8 kb plasmid, pCERC1, that contains these resistance genes was recovered and sequenced. Deletions were constructed, and the pCERC1 replication region was confined to a 1 kb segment carrying genes for RNAs that are closely related to the ColE1 replication initiation RNAs. Polymerase chain reaction assays, developed to detect the sul2-strA-strB gene cluster in this context, identified a streptomycin and sulphonamide resistance plasmid, pCERC2, identical to pCERC1 without the dfrA14 cassette in two further E. coli isolates. Bioinformatic analysis revealed plasmids similar to pCERC1 and two more members of this family. One, the probable progenitor, carries only the sul2 gene adjacent to the small mobile element CR2. The other has a variant resistance gene cluster that has evolved from pCERC2 via acquisition of the tet(A) tetracycline resistance determinant. pCERC1 and pCERC2 have been detected in many countries, indicating a global distribution and appear to have been circulating in Gram-negative bacteria for more than 25 years. | 2012 | 22416992 |
| 9872 | 5 | 0.9950 | pCTX-M3-Structure, Function, and Evolution of a Multi-Resistance Conjugative Plasmid of a Broad Recipient Range. pCTX-M3 is the archetypic member of the IncM incompatibility group of conjugative plasmids (recently referred to as IncM2). It is responsible for the worldwide dissemination of numerous antibiotic resistance genes, including those coding for extended-spectrum β-lactamases and conferring resistance to aminoglycosides. The IncM plasmids acquired during evolution diverse mobile genetic elements found in one or two multiple resistance regions, MRR(s), grouping antibiotic resistance genes as well as mobile genetic elements or their remnants. The IncM plasmids can be found in bacteria inhabiting various environments. The information on the structure and biology of pCTX-M3 is integrated in this review. It focuses on the functional modules of pCTX-M3 responsible for its replication, stable maintenance, and conjugative transfer, indicating that the host range of the pCTX-M3 replicon is limited to representatives of the family Enterobacteriaceae (Enterobacterales ord. nov.), while the range of recipients of its conjugation system is wide, comprising Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria, and also Firmicutes. | 2021 | 33925677 |
| 2004 | 6 | 0.9948 | Deciphering the Structural Diversity and Classification of the Mobile Tigecycline Resistance Gene tet(X)-Bearing Plasmidome among Bacteria. The emergence of novel plasmid-mediated resistance genes constitutes a great public concern. Recently, mobile tet(X) variants were reported in diverse pathogens from different sources. However, the diversity of tet(X)-bearing plasmids remains largely unknown. In this study, the phenotypes and genotypes of all the tet(X)-positive tigecycline-resistant strains isolated from a slaughterhouse in China were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with S1 nuclease (S1-PFGE), and PCR. The diversity and polymorphism of tet(X)-harboring strains and plasmidomes were investigated by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and single-plasmid-molecule analysis. Seventy-four tet(X4)-harboring Escherichia coli strains and one tet(X6)-bearing Providencia rettgeri strain were identified. The tet(X4)-bearing elements in 27 strains could be transferred to the recipient strain via plasmids. All tet(X4)-bearing plasmids isolated in this study and 15 tet(X4)-bearing plasmids reported online were analyzed. tet(X4)-bearing plasmids ranged from 9 to 294 kb and were categorized as ColE2-like, IncQ, IncX1, IncA/C2, IncFII, IncFIB, and hybrid plasmids with different replicons. The core tet(X4)-bearing genetic contexts were divided into four major groups: ISCR2-tet(X4)-abh, △ISCR2-abh-tet(X4)-ISCR2, ISCR2-abh-tet(X4)-ISCR2-virD2-floR, and abh-tet(X4)-ISCR2-yheS-cat-zitR-ISCR2-virD2-floR Tandem repeats of tet(X4) were universally mediated by ISCR2 Different tet(X)-bearing strains existed in the same microbiota. Reorganization of tet(X4)-bearing multidrug resistance plasmids was found to be mediated by IS26 and other homologous regions. Finally, single-plasmid-molecule analysis captured the heterogenous state of tet(X4)-bearing plasmids. These findings significantly expand our knowledge of the tet(X)-bearing plasmidome among microbiotas, which establishes a baseline for investigating the structure and diversity of human, animal, and environmental tigecycline resistomes. Characterization of tet(X) genes among different microbiotas should be performed systematically to understand the evolution and ecology.IMPORTANCE Tigecycline is an expanded-spectrum tetracycline used as a last-resort antimicrobial for treating infections caused by superbugs such as carbapenemase-producing or colistin-resistant pathogens. Emergence of the plasmid-mediated mobile tigecycline resistance gene tet(X4) created a great public health concern. However, the diversity of tet(X4)-bearing plasmids and bacteria remains largely uninvestigated. To cover this knowledge gap, we comprehensively identified and characterized the tet(X)-bearing plasmidome in different sources using advanced sequencing technologies for the first time. The huge diversity of tet(X4)-bearing mobile elements demonstrates the high level of transmissibility of the tet(X4) gene among bacteria. It is crucial to enhance stringent surveillance of tet(X) genes in animal and human pathogens globally. | 2020 | 32345737 |
| 9961 | 7 | 0.9948 | Evolution and comparative genomics of pAQU-like conjugative plasmids in Vibrio species. OBJECTIVES: To investigate a set of MDR conjugative plasmids found in Vibrio species and characterize the underlying evolution process. METHODS: pAQU-type plasmids from Vibrio species were sequenced using both Illumina and PacBio platforms. Bioinformatics tools were utilized to analyse the typical MDR regions and core genes in the plasmids. RESULTS: The nine pAQU-type plasmids ranged from ∼160 to 206 kb in size and were found to harbour as many as 111 core genes encoding conjugative, replication and maintenance functions. Eight plasmids were found to carry a typical MDR region, which contained various accessory and resistance genes, including ISCR1-blaPER-1-bearing complex class 1 integrons, ISCR2-floR, ISCR2-tet(D)-tetR-ISCR2, qnrVC6, a Tn10-like structure and others associated with mobile elements. Comparison between a plasmid without resistance genes and different MDR plasmids showed that integration of different mobile elements, such as IS26, ISCR1, ISCR2, IS10 and IS6100, into the plasmid backbone was the key mechanism by which foreign resistance genes were acquired during the evolution process. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified pAQU-type plasmids as emerging MDR conjugative plasmids among important pathogens from different origins in Asia. These findings suggest that aquatic bacteria constitute a major reservoir of resistance genes, which may be transmissible to other human pathogens during food production and processing. | 2017 | 28637205 |
| 3036 | 8 | 0.9948 | Complete nucleotide sequences of 84.5- and 3.2-kb plasmids in the multi-antibiotic resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium U302 strain G8430. The multi-antibiotic resistant (MR) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium phage type U302 strain G8430 exhibits the penta-resistant ACSSuT-phenotype (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides and tetracycline), and is also resistant to carbenicillin, erythromycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin. Two plasmids, 3.2- and 84.5-kb in size, carrying antibiotic resistance genes were isolated from this strain, and the nucleotide sequences were determined and analyzed. The 3.2-kb plasmid, pU302S, belongs to the ColE1 family and carries the aph(3')-I gene (Kan(R)). The 84.5-kb plasmid, pU302L, is an F-like plasmid and contains 14 complete IS elements and multiple resistance genes including aac3, aph(3')-I, sulII, tetA/R, strA/B, bla(TEM-1), mph, and the mer operon. Sequence analyses of pU302L revealed extensive homology to various plasmids or transposons, including F, R100, pHCM1, pO157, and pCTX-M3 plasmids and TnSF1 transposon, in regions involved in plasmid replication/maintenance functions and/or in antibiotic resistance gene clusters. Though similar to the conjugative plasmids F and R100 in the plasmid replication regions, pU302L does not contain oriT and the tra genes necessary for conjugal transfer. This mosaic pattern of sequence similarities suggests that pU302L acquired the resistance genes from a variety of enteric bacteria and underscores the importance of a further understanding of horizontal gene transfer among the enteric bacteria. | 2007 | 16828159 |
| 3012 | 9 | 0.9948 | Characterization of the IncA/C plasmid pSCEC2 from Escherichia coli of swine origin that harbours the multiresistance gene cfr. OBJECTIVES: To determine the complete nucleotide sequence of the multidrug resistance plasmid pSCEC2, isolated from a porcine Escherichia coli strain, and to analyse it with particular reference to the cfr gene region. METHODS: Plasmid pSCEC2 was purified from its E. coli J53 transconjugant and then sequenced using the 454 GS-FLX System. After draft assembly, predicted gaps were closed by PCR with subsequent sequencing of the amplicons. RESULTS: Plasmid pSCEC2 is 135 615 bp in size and contains 200 open reading frames for proteins of ≥100 amino acids. Analysis of the sequence of pSCEC2 revealed two resistance gene segments. The 4.4 kb cfr-containing segment is flanked by two IS256 elements in the same orientation, which are believed to be involved in the dissemination of the rRNA methylase gene cfr. The other segment harbours the resistance genes floR, tet(A)-tetR, strA/strB and sul2, which have previously been found on other IncA/C plasmids. Except for these two resistance gene regions, the pSCEC2 backbone displayed >99% nucleotide sequence identity to that of other IncA/C family plasmids isolated in France, Chile and the USA. CONCLUSIONS: The cfr gene was identified on an IncA/C plasmid, which is well known for its broad host range and transfer and maintenance properties. The location on such a plasmid will further accelerate the dissemination of cfr and co-located resistance genes among different Gram-negative bacteria. The genetic context of cfr on plasmid pSCEC2 underlines the complexity of cfr transfer events and confirms the role that insertion sequences play in the spread of cfr. | 2014 | 24013193 |
| 3000 | 10 | 0.9948 | A large conjugative Acinetobacter baumannii plasmid carrying the sul2 sulphonamide and strAB streptomycin resistance genes. Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen that often complicates treatment because of its high level of resistance to antibiotics. Though plasmids can potentially introduce various genes into bacterial strains, compared to other Gram-negative bacteria, information about the unique A. baumannii plasmid repertoire is limited. Here, whole genome sequence data was used to determine the plasmid content of strain A297 (RUH875), the reference strain for the globally disseminated multiply resistant A. baumannii clone, global clone 1(GC1). A297 contains three plasmids. Two known plasmids were present; one, pA297-1 (pRAY*), carries the aadB gentamicin, kanamycin and tobramycin resistance gene and another is an 8.7kb cryptic plasmid often found in GC1 isolates. The third plasmid, pA297-3, is 200kb and carries the sul2 sulphonamide resistance gene and strAB streptomycin resistance gene within Tn6172 and a mer mercuric ion resistance module elsewhere. pA297-3 transferred sulphonamide, streptomycin and mercuric ion resistance at high frequency to a susceptible A. baumannii recipient, and contains several genes potentially involved in conjugative transfer. However, a relaxase gene was not found. It also includes several genes encoding proteins involved in DNA metabolism such as partitioning. However, a gene encoding a replication initiation protein could not be found. pA297-3 includes two copies of a Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Element (MITE), named MITE-297, bracketing a 77.5kb fragment, which contains several IS and the mer module. Several plasmids related to but smaller than pA297-3 were found in the GenBank nucleotide database. They were found in different A. baumannii clones and are wide spread. They all contain either Tn6172 or a variant in the same position in the backbone as Tn6172 in pA297-3. Some related plasmids have lost the segment between the MITE-297 copies and retain only one MITE-297. Others have segments of various lengths between two MITE-297 copies, and these can be derived from the region in pA297-3 via a deletion adjacent to IS related to IS26 such as IS1007 or IS1007-like. pA297-3 and its relatives represent a third type of conjugative Acinetobacter plasmid that contributes to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in this species. | 2016 | 27601280 |
| 2003 | 11 | 0.9948 | Characterization of an Escherichia coli Isolate Coharboring the Virulence Gene astA and Tigecycline Resistance Gene tet(X4) from a Dead Piglet. tet(X4) is the critical resistance gene for tigecycline degradation that has been continually reported in recent years. In particular, pathogenic bacteria carrying tet(X4) are a severe threat to human health. However, information describing Escherichia coli coharboring tet(X4) with virulence genes is limited. Here, we isolated an E. coli strain coharboring tet(X4) and the heat-stable toxin gene astA from a dead piglet. The strain named 812A1-131 belongs to ST10. The genome was sequenced using the Nanopore and Illumina platforms. The virulence genes astA and tet(X4) are located on the chromosome and in the IncHI1-type plasmid p812A1-tetX4-193K, respectively. The plasmid could be conjugatively transferred to recipient E. coli J53 with high frequency. In vivo experiments showed that strain 812A1-131 is pathogenic to Galleria mellonella and could colonize the intestines of mice. In summary, pathogenic E. coli could receive a plasmid harboring the tet(X4) gene, which can increase the difficulty of treatment. The prevalence and transmission mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria coharboring the tet(X4) gene need more attention. | 2023 | 37513750 |
| 1768 | 12 | 0.9947 | Complete nucleotide sequence of the pCTX-M3 plasmid and its involvement in spread of the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-3. Here we report the nucleotide sequence of pCTX-M3, a highly conjugative plasmid that is responsible for the extensive spread of the gene coding for the CTX-M-3 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase in clinical populations of the family Enterobacteriaceae in Poland. The plasmid belongs to the IncL/M incompatibility group, is 89,468 bp in size, and carries 103 putative genes. Besides bla(CTX-M-3), it also bears the bla(TEM-1), aacC2, and armA genes, as well as integronic aadA2, dfrA12, and sul1, which altogether confer resistance to the majority of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides and to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The conjugal transfer genes are organized in two blocks, tra and trb, separated by a spacer sequence where almost all antibiotic resistance genes and multiple mobile genetic elements are located. Only bla(CTX-M-3), accompanied by an ISEcp1 element, is placed separately, in a DNA fragment previously identified as a fragment of the Kluyvera ascorbata chromosome. On the basis of sequence analysis, we speculate that pCTX-M3 might have arisen from plasmid pEL60 from plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora by acquiring mobile elements with resistance genes. This suggests that plasmids of environmental bacterial strains could be the source of those plasmids now observed in bacteria pathogenic for humans. | 2007 | 17698626 |
| 1523 | 13 | 0.9947 | The characterization of an IncN-IncR fusion plasmid co-harboring bla(TEM-40), bla(KPC-2), and bla(IMP-4) derived from ST1393 Klebsiella pneumoniae. Plasmids, as important genetic elements apart from chromosomes, often carry multiple resistance genes and various mobile genetic elements, enabling them to acquire more exogenous genes and confer additional resistance phenotypes to bacteria. Various carbapenem resistance genes are often located on IncN plasmids, and several reports have linked fusion plasmids to IncN plasmids. Therefore, this study aims to explore the emergence, molecular structure characteristics, and resistance features mediated by IncN fusion plasmids carrying multiple carbapenem resistance genes. In this study, species identification was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the presence of carbapenem resistance genes in the strains. PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) was used to identify IncN plasmids. Plasmids were analyzed through S1-nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE), Southern blotting, conjugation experiments, and stability tests. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) were conducted to characterize the target strains. Four strains containing IncN plasmids were identified: two Klebsiella pneumoniae, one Escherichia coli, and one Enterobacter cloacae, all harboring carbapenem resistance genes. Among them, two IncN plasmids (pFAHZZU7605-KPC-IMP and pFAHZZU7865-IMP) contained blaIMP-4 and exhibited similar molecular structure characteristics. Notably, the pFAHZZU7605-KPC-IMP plasmid harbored both IncN and IncR replicons. We hypothesize that the pFAHZZU7605-KPC-IMP fusion plasmid resulted from the recombination of a pFAHZZU7865-IMP-like plasmid and an IncR-like plasmid. Further analysis of the plasmid's genetic elements revealed that insertion sequences ISKpn19 and ISKpn27 played crucial roles in the plasmid recombination and fusion process. In clinical settings, plasmids carrying different resistance genes can undergo fusion, mediated by genetic elements, thereby expanding the resistance spectrum of host bacteria. Hence, it is essential to enhance the monitoring and research of transposable elements to control the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. | 2024 | 39496788 |
| 1509 | 14 | 0.9947 | Characterization of plasmids harbouring qnrS1, qnrB2 and qnrB19 genes in Salmonella. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify and characterize plasmids carrying qnrS1, qnrB2 and qnrB19 genes identified in Salmonella strains from The Netherlands. The identification of plasmids may help to follow the dissemination of these resistance genes in different countries and environments. METHODS: Plasmids from 33 qnr-positive Salmonella strains were transferred to Escherichia coli and analysed by restriction, Southern blot hybridization, PCR and sequencing of resistance determinants. They were also assigned to incompatibility groups by PCR-based replicon typing, including three additional PCR assays for the IncU, IncR and ColE groups. The collection included isolates from humans and one from chicken meat. RESULTS: Five IncN plasmids carrying qnrS1, qnrB2 and qnrB19 genes were identified in Salmonella enterica Bredeney, Typhimurium PT507, Kentucky and Saintpaul. qnrS1 genes were also located on three further plasmid types, belonging to the ColE (in Salmonella Corvallis and Anatum), IncR (in Salmonella Montevideo) and IncHI2 (in Salmonella Stanley) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple events of mobilization, transposition and replicon fusion generate the complexity observed in qnr-positive isolates that are emerging worldwide. Despite the fact that the occurrence of qnr genes in bacteria from animals is scarcely reported, these genes are associated with genetic elements and located on plasmids that are recurrent in animal isolates. | 2009 | 19001452 |
| 3017 | 15 | 0.9947 | The ancient small mobilizable plasmid pALWED1.8 harboring a new variant of the non-cassette streptomycin/spectinomycin resistance gene aadA27. The small mobilizable plasmid pALWED1.8 containing a novel variant of the streptomycin/spectinomycin resistance gene aadA27 was isolated from the permafrost strains of Acinetobacter lwoffii. The 4135bp plasmid carries mobА and mobC genes that mediate its mobilization by conjugative plasmids. The nucleotide sequences of mobА and mobC are similar to those of mobilization genes of the modern plasmid pRAY* and its variants, which contain aadB gene, and are widespread among the pathogenic strains of Acinetobacter baumannii. Almost identical pALWED1.8 variants were detected in modern environmental Аcinetobacter strains. A highly similar plasmid was revealed in a strain of Acinetobacter parvus isolated from mouse intestine. Furthermore, we discovered six previously unidentified variants of plasmids related to pALWED1.8 and pRAY* in public databases. In contrast to most known variants of aadA which are cassette genes associated with integrons, the aadA27 variant harbored by pALWED1.8 is a non-cassette, autonomously transcribed gene. Non-cassette aadA genes with 96% sequence identity to aadA27 were detected in the chromosomes of Acinetobacter gyllenbergii and several uncharacterized strains of Аcinetobacter sp. Moreover, we revealed that the autonomous aadA-like genes are present in the chromosomes of many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of all identified AadA proteins showed the following: (i) cassette aadA genes form a separate monophyletic group and mainly reside on plasmids and (ii) chromosomal non-cassette aadA genes are extremely diverse and can be inherited both vertical and via horizontal gene transfer. | 2016 | 26896789 |
| 2085 | 16 | 0.9947 | Quinolone Resistance Genes qnr, aac(6')-Ib-cr, oqxAB, and qepA in Environmental Escherichia coli: Insights into Their Genetic Contexts from Comparative Genomics. Previous studies have reported the occurrence of transferable quinolone resistance determinants in environmental Escherichia coli. However, little is known about their vectors and genetic contexts. To gain insights into these genetic characteristics, we analyzed the complete genomes of 53 environmental E. coli isolates containing one or more transferable quinolone resistance determinants, including 20 sequenced in this study and 33 sourced from RefSeq. The studied genomes carried the following transferable quinolone resistance determinants alone or in combination: aac(6')-Ib-cr, oqxAB, qepA1, qnrA1, qnrB4, qnrB7, qnrB19, qnrD1, qnrS1, and qnrS2, with qnrS1 being predominant. These resistance genes were detected on plasmids of diverse replicon types; however, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS1, and qnrS2 were also detected on the chromosome. The genetic contexts surrounding these genes included not only those found in clinical isolates but also novel contexts, such as qnrD1 embedded within a composite transposon-like structure bounded by Tn3-derived inverted-repeat miniature elements (TIMEs). This study provides deep insights into mobile genetic elements associated with transferable quinolone resistance determinants, highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the environment. | 2025 | 39960660 |
| 1794 | 17 | 0.9946 | Insights into the evolution of gene organization and multidrug resistance from Klebsiella pneumoniae plasmid pKF3-140. Plasmid-mediated transfer of drug-resistance genes among various bacterial species is considered one of the most important mechanisms for the spread of multidrug resistance. To gain insights into the evolution of gene organization and antimicrobial resistance in clinical bacterial samples, a complete plasmid genome of Klebsiella pneumoniae pKF3-140 is determined, which has a circular chromosome of 147,416bp in length. Among the 203 predicted genes, 142 have function assignment and about 50 appear to be involved in plasmid replication, maintenance, conjugative transfer, iron acquisition and transport, and drug resistance. Extensive comparative genomic analyses revealed that pKF3-140 exhibits a rather low sequence similarity and structural conservation with other reported K. pneumoniae plasmids. In contrast, the overall organization of pKF3-140 is highly similar to Escherichia coli plasmids p1ESCUM and pUTI89, which indicates the possibility that K. pneumoniae pKF3-140 may have a potential origin in E. coli. Meanwhile, interestingly, several drug resistant genes show high similarity to the plasmid pU302L in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium U302 strain G8430 and the plasmid pK245 in K. pneumoniae. This mosaic pattern of sequence similarities suggests that pKF3-140 might have arisen from E. coli and acquired the resistance genes from a variety of enteric bacteria and underscores the importance of a further understanding of horizontal gene transfer among enteric bacteria. | 2013 | 23402892 |
| 346 | 18 | 0.9946 | Horizontal transfer of CS1 pilin genes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. CS1 is one of a limited number of serologically distinct pili found in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains associated with disease in people. The genes for the CS1 pilus are on a large plasmid, pCoo. We show that pCoo is not self-transmissible, although our sequence determination for part of pCoo shows regions almost identical to those in the conjugative drug resistance plasmid R64. When we introduced R64 into a strain containing pCoo, we found that pCoo was transferred to a recipient strain in mating. Most of the transconjugant pCoo plasmids result from recombination with R64, leading to acquisition of functional copies of all of the R64 transfer genes. Temporary coresidence of the drug resistance plasmid R64 with pCoo leads to a permanent change in pCoo so that it is now self-transmissible. We conclude that when R64-like plasmids are transmitted to an ETEC strain containing pCoo, their recombination may allow for spread of the pCoo plasmid to other enteric bacteria. | 2004 | 15126486 |
| 415 | 19 | 0.9946 | Mobilization of plasmid-borne drug resistance determinants for transfer from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Escherichia coli. RSU2, a plasmid transmissible between strains of P. aeruginosa but not to Escherichia coli can be mobilized by R751. Conjugatants receive a single plasmid composed of DNA from both R751 and RSU2 which has the compatibility properties of a member of group P (like R751). Study of this fusion plasmid suggests that the failure of RSU2 to transfer into enterobacteria is due to an inability to replicate in these bacteria. The fusion plasmid replicates using the genes of R751. | 1975 | 127114 |