Streptococcal group B integrative and mobilizable element IMESag-rpsI encodes a functional relaxase involved in its transfer.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) are opportunistic bacteria that can cause lethal sepsis in children and immuno-compromised patients. Their genome is a reservoir of mobile genetic elements that can be horizontally transferred. Among them, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and the smaller integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs) primarily reside in the bacterial chromosome, yet have the ability to be transferred between cells by conjugation. ICEs and IMEs are therefore a source of genetic variability that participates in the spread of antibiotic resistance. Although IMEs seem to be the most prevalent class of elements transferable by conjugation, they are poorly known. Here, we have studied a GBS-IME, termed IMESag-rpsI, which is widely distributed in GBS

SUBMITTER: Lorenzo-Diaz F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5090054 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature