Interactions between the Bacteroides conjugative transposons and the plasmids and insertion elements (NBUs) they mobilize

Bacteroides spp. are Gram-negative obligative anaerobes that are the predominant components of the normal microflora in the human colon. Bacteroides spp. are clinically important because they are opportunistic pathogens. At present, most clinical isolates of Bacteroides are resistant to tetracycline and many have acquired resistance to other antibiotics, such as erythromycin and cefoxitin. A family of chromosomally located conjugative transposons is responsible for the spread of tetracycline resistance in the Bacteroides group and is also contributing to the spread of resistance to other antibiotics. Bacteroides conjugative transposons not only transfer themselves but also mobilize co-resident plasmids. In addition, they mediate a novel activity: excision and circularization of unlinked chromosomal insertion elements (NBUs: nonreplicative Bacteroides units). One NBU (Tn4555) carries a cefoxitin resistance determinant (cfxA). Others are cryptic at present but could acquire resistance genes later. Bacteroides conjugative transposons are thus capable of spreading antibiotic resistance genes in three different ways.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology, Molecular

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Li, Lhing-Yew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Salyers, Abigail A.

• Biology, Molecular
• Biology, Microbiology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Li, Lhing-Yew

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9522138
(UMI)AAI9522138

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23425