Abstract
A cluster of genes involved in antibiotic and heavy metal resistance has been characterized from a clinical isolate of the gram-negative bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. These genes include a macrolide phosphotransferase (mphBM) and a cadmium efflux determinant (cadA), together with the gene cadC coding for its transcriptional regulator. The cadC cadA region is flanked by a truncated IS257 sequence and a region coding for a bin3 invertase. Despite their presence in a gram-negative bacterium, these genetic elements share a common gram-positive origin. The possible origin of these determinants as a remnant composite transposon as well as the role of gene transfer between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria for the acquisition of antibiotic resistance determinants in chronic, mixed infections is discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Carrier Proteins / genetics
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Cloning, Molecular
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Co-Repressor Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Drug Resistance, Microbial / genetics*
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Erythromycin / pharmacology*
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Gene Transfer Techniques
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Genes, Bacterial
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics*
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Humans
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Insect Proteins / genetics
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Metals, Heavy / pharmacology*
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Multigene Family*
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / drug effects
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Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / genetics*
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Transcription Factors*
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Bacterial Proteins
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CadC protein, Bacteria
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Carrier Proteins
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Co-Repressor Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Insect Proteins
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Metals, Heavy
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MphBM protein, Staphylococcus aureus
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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SAP18 protein, human
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Transcription Factors
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Erythromycin