Chapter 3 - A Corynebacterium Plasmid Composed of Elements from Throughout the Eubacteria Kingdom

Abstract

This chapter discusses a corynebacterium plasmid composed of elements from throughout the eubacteria kingdom. The complete DNA sequence of the 51-kb multiresistance plasmid pTP10 from the Gram-positive human pathogen Corynebacterium striatum M82B provides genetic information about acquired resistance mechanisms to antimicrobial agents in this species. Analysis of the genetic organization of pTP10 suggests that the plasmid is composed of a mosaic structure comprising eight DNA segments, the boundaries of which are represented by horizontal mobile elements. The DNA segments of pTP10 turned out to be virtually identical to a plasmid-encoded macrolide and lincosamide resistance region from the human pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a chromosomal DNA region from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a mobile chloramphenicol resistance region from the soil bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum, several transposable elements from Gram-negative phytopathogenic Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, and Erwinia species, and to a transposable aminoglycoside resistance region from the Gram-negative animal pathogen Pasteurella piscicida.