Variability in DNA sequence of closely related nosocomial gentamicin-resistant plasmids.
Endemic gentamicin-resistant plasmids derived from 12 species of gram-negative bacilli were analyzed by restriction-endonuclease digestion. These digests showed wide variations in digest patterns, but one or more common fragments were seen in all plasmids studied. Southern blot analysis using one plasmid as a probe revealed that most but not all of these plasmids shared extensive regions of homology. The variance observed in restriction-digest patterns could be accounted for either by introduction of unrelated DNA or by intramolecular events. We conclude that variation in restriction-digest patterns of endemic gentamicin-resistant plasmids is insufficient to establish that the plasmids are not closely related. Variation in molecular structure of closely related, endemic gentamicin-resistant plasmids may be more common than has previously been suspected.
D001483:Base Sequence; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015247:Deoxyribonuclease HindIII; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007709:Klebsiella / Q000235:genetics; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011511:Proteus / Q000235:genetics; D011532:Providencia / Q000235:genetics; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000235:genetics*; D011815:R Factors
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005839:Gentamicins; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015247:Deoxyribonuclease HindIII; C024388:CTGCAG-specific type II deoxyribonucleases; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific