Cloning and sequence analysis of ermQ, the predominant macrolide- lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance gene in Clostridium perfringens

D. I. Berryman, M. Lyristis, J. I. Rood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The erythromycin resistance determinant from Clostridium perfringens JIR100 has been cloned, sequenced, and shown to be expressed in Escherichia coli. An open reading frame with sequence similarity to erm genes from other bacteria was identified and designated the ermQ gene. On the basis of comparative sequence analysis, it was concluded that the ermQ gene represented a new Erm hybridization class, designated ErmQ. Genes belonging to the ErmQ class were found to be widespread in C. perfringens, since 30 of 38 macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B-resistant C. perfringens strains, from diverse sources, hybridized to an ermQ-specific gene probe. The ermQ gene therefore represents the most common erythromycin resistance determinant in C. perfringens.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1041-1046
Number of pages6
JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Volume38
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1994

Cite this