Carbapenemases on the move: it's good to be on ICEs

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Botelho, J (Author) Other; Roberts, AP (Author) Other; Leon Sampedro, R (Author) Other; Grosso, F (Author) Other; Luisa Peixe (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Mobile DNA

Vol. 9

ISSN: 1759-8753

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 20 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-17B

DOI: 10.1186/s13100-018-0141-4

Abstract (EN): BackgroundThe evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance is often mediated by mobile genetic elements. Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are the most abundant conjugative elements among prokaryotes. However, the contribution of ICEs to horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance has been largely unexplored.ResultsHere we report that ICEs belonging to mating-pair formation (MPF) classes G and T are highly prevalent among the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, contributing to the spread of carbapenemase-encoding genes (CEGs). Most CEGs of the MPFG class were encoded within class I integrons, which co-harbour genes conferring resistance to other antibiotics. The majority of the integrons were located within Tn3-like and composite transposons. Conserved attachment site could be predicted for the MPFG class ICEs. MPFT class ICEs carried the CEGs within composite transposons which were not associated with integrons.ConclusionsThe data presented here provides a global snapshot of the different CEG-harbouring ICEs and sheds light on the underappreciated contribution of these elements to the evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance on P. aeruginosa.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11