Class 1 integrons potentially predating the association with tn402-like transposition genes are present in a sediment microbial community.

ABSTRACT: Integrons are genetic elements that contribute to lateral gene transfer in bacteria as a consequence of possessing a site-specific recombination system. This system facilitates the spread of genes when they are part of mobile cassettes. Most integrons are contained within chromosomes and are confined to specific bacterial lineages. However, this is not the case for class 1 integrons, which were the first to be identified and are one of the single biggest contributors to multidrug-resistant nosocomial infections, carrying resistance to many antibiotics in diverse pathogens on a global scale. The rapid spread of class 1 integrons in the last 60 years is partly a result of their association with a specific suite of transposition functions, which has facilitated their recruitment by plasmids a

SUBMITTER: Stokes HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1540074 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature