Conservation of genomic localization and sequence content of Sau3AI-like restriction-modification gene cassettes among Listeria monocytogenes epidemic clone I and selected strains of serotype 1/2a.

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen with a clonal population structure and apparently limited gene flow between strains of different lineages. Strains of epidemic clone I (ECI) have been responsible for numerous outbreaks and invariably have DNA that is resistant to digestion by Sau3AI, suggesting methylation of cytosine at GATC sites. A putative restriction-modification (RM) gene cassette has been identified in the genome of the ECI strain F2365 and all other tested ECI strains but is absent from other strains of the same serotype (4b). Homologous RM cassettes have not been reported among L. monocytogenes isolates of other serotypes. Furthermore, conclusive evidence for the involvement of this RM cassette in the Sau3AI resistance phenotype of ECI strains has been lacking. In t

SUBMITTER: Yildirim S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2918945 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature