Complete nucleotide sequence of pSK41: evolution of staphylococcal conjugative multiresistance plasmids.
The 46.4-kb nucleotide sequence of pSK41, a prototypical multiresistance plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus, has been determined, representing the first completely sequenced conjugative plasmid from a gram-positive organism. Analysis of the sequence has enabled the identification of the probable replication, maintenance, and transfer functions of the plasmid and has provided insights into the evolution of a clinically significant group of plasmids. The basis of deletions commonly associated with pSK41 family plasmids has been investigated, as has the observed insertion site specificity of Tn552-like beta-lactamase transposons within them. Several of the resistance determinants carried by pSK41-like plasmids were found to be located on up to four smaller cointegrated plasmids. pSK41 and related plasmids appear to represent a consolidation of antimicrobial resistance functions, collected by a preexisting conjugative plasmid via transposon insertion and IS257-mediated cointegrative capture of other plasmids.
Berg
T
T
School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
Firth
N
N
Apisiridej
S
S
Hettiaratchi
A
A
Leelaporn
A
A
Skurray
R A
RA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010802:Phylogeny; D011815:R Factors; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000235:genetics*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial