- Title
- Mobilization of pdif modules in Acinetobacter: A novel mechanism for antibiotic resistance gene shuffling?
- Creator
- Balalovski, Phillip; Grainge, Ian
- Relation
- Molecular Microbiology Vol. 114, Issue 5, p. 699-709
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mmi.14563
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2020
- Description
- XerCD-dif site-specific recombination is a well characterized system, found in most bacteria and archaea. Its role is resolution of chromosomal dimers that arise from homologous recombination. Xer-mediated recombination is also used by several plasmids for multimer resolution to enhance stability and by some phage for integration into the chromosome. In the past decade, it has been hypothesized that an alternate and novel function exists for this system in the dissemination of genetic elements, notably antibiotic resistance genes, in Acinetobacter species. Currently the mechanism underlying this apparent genetic mobility is unknown. Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is an increasingly problematic pathogen that can cause recurring infections. Sequencing of numerous plasmids from clinical isolates of A. baumannii revealed the presence of possible mobile modules: genes were found flanked by pairs of Xer recombination sites, called plasmid-dif (pdif) sites. These modules have been identified in multiple otherwise unrelated plasmids and in different genetic contexts suggesting they are mobile elements. In most cases, the pairs of sites flanking a gene (or genes) are in inverted repeat, but there can be multiple modules per plasmid providing pairs of recombination sites that can be used for inversion or fusion/deletion reactions; as many as 16 pdif sites have been seen in a single plasmid. Similar modules including genes for surviving environmental toxins have also been found in strains of Acinetobacter Iwoffi isolated from permafrost cores; this suggests that these mobile modules are an ancient adaptation and not a novel response to antibiotic pressure. These modules bear all the hallmarks of mobile genetic elements, yet, their movement has never been directly observed to date. This review gives an overview of the current state of this novel research field.
- Subject
- modules; pdif; site-specific recombination; tyrosine recombinases; XerC; XerD
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1475741
- Identifier
- uon:49640
- Identifier
- ISSN:0950-382X
- Rights
- Hu, Cheng; Tu, Shuchen; Tian, Na; Ma, Tianyi; Zhang, Yihe; Huang, Hongwei. “Photocatalysis Enhanced by External Fields”. Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 60, Issue 30, p. 16309-16328 (2021), which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mmi.14563. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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