Involvement of aph(3')-IIa in the formation of mosaic aminoglycoside resistance genes in natural environments.

ABSTRACT: Intragenic recombination leading to mosaic gene formation is known to alter resistance profiles for particular genes and bacterial species. Few studies have examined to what extent aminoglycoside resistance genes undergo intragenic recombination. We screened the GenBank database for mosaic gene formation in homologs of the aph(3')-IIa (nptII) gene. APH(3')-IIa inactivates important aminoglycoside antibiotics. The gene is widely used as a selectable marker in biotechnology and enters the environment via laboratory discharges and the release of transgenic organisms. Such releases may provide opportunities for recombination in competent environmental bacteria. The retrieved GenBank sequences were grouped in three datasets comprising river water samples, duck pathogens and full-length variants

SUBMITTER: Woegerbauer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4437187 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature