Composite structure of Streptococcus pneumoniae containing the erythromycin efflux resistance gene mefI and the chloramphenicol resistance gene catQ.

ABSTRACT: In recent years mef genes, encoding efflux pumps responsible for M-type macrolide resistance, have been investigated extensively for streptococci. mef(I) is a recently described mef variant detected in particular isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae instead of the more common mef(E) and mef(A). This study shows that mef(I) is located in a new composite genetic element, whose sequence was completely analyzed and the left and right junctions determined, demonstrating a unique genetic organization. The new composite structure (30,505 bp), designated the 5216IQ complex, consists of two halves: a left one (15,316 bp) formed by parts of the known transposons Tn5252 and Tn916, and a right one (15,115 bp) formed by a new fragment, designated the IQ element. While the defective Tn916 contained a si

SUBMITTER: Mingoia M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2151433 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature