Structure and function of novel prokaryotic DNA transposases

National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases

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Abstract

We have recently initiated an investigation of Insertion Sequence movements in multi drug resistant bacteria with a focus on carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriacaea (CPE). Transposable elements are often associated with antibiotic resistance determinants, suggesting a role in the emergence of resistance. One insertion sequence, IS26, has been reported to be frequently associated with resistance determinants, but its role remained unclear. We have analyzed the genomic contexts of 70 IS26 copies in several clinical and surveillance CPE isolates from the NIH Clinical Center. We used target site duplications (TSDs) and their distribution patterns as guides and discovered that a large fraction of plasmid reorganizations result from IS26 intramolecular replicative transpositions, including replicon fusions, DNA inversions, and deletions. We have now extended these studies to other types of mobile elements. We are also interested in following the ongoing reorganization of plasmids carrying multidrug-resistant determinants from the perspective of their active mobile elements. Curcio, M.J. and Derbyshire, K.M. (2003) Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol. 4, 865-877. Debets-Ossenkopp, Y.J., et al. (1999) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43, 2657-2662. Sebaihia, M. et al. (2006) Nature Genet. 38, 779-786.