Origin and evolution of DNA associated with resistance to methicillin in staphylococci.
The gene mediating resistance to methicillin in staphylococci (mecA) and its flanking sequences (mec DNA) make up a chromosomal DNA locus that is unique to methicillin-resistant bacteria; no equivalent locus exists in methicillin-susceptible cells. The origin of mec DNA is not known, but evidence supports horizontal transfer of mec DNA between different staphylococcal species and of the mecA gene between different Gram-positive genera.
Dept of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298-0049.
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Archer
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Niemeyer
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000235:genetics*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial