Analysis of the prototypical Staphylococcus aureus multiresistance plasmid pSK1

Slade O. Jensen, Sumalee Apisiridej, Stephen M. Kwong, Yee Hwa Yang, Ronald A. Skurray, Neville Firth

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    The Staphylococcus aureus multiresistance plasmid pSK1 is the prototype of a family of structurally related plasmids that were first identified in epidemic S. aureus strains isolated in Australia during the 1980s and subsequently in Europe. Here we present the complete 28.15 kb nucleotide sequence of pSK1 and discuss the genetic content and evolution of the 14 kb region that is conserved throughout the pSK1 plasmid family. In addition to the previously characterized plasmid maintenance functions, this backbone region encodes 12 putative gene products, including a lipoprotein, teichoic acid translocation permease, cell wall anchored surface protein and an Fst-like toxin as part of a Type I toxin–antitoxin system. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling has revealed that plasmid carriage most likely has a minimal impact on the host, a factor that may contribute to the ability of pSK1 family plasmids to carry multiple resistance determinants.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)135-142
    Number of pages8
    JournalPlasmid
    Volume64
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

    Keywords

    • Staphylococcus aureus
    • plasmids

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