Role of Mobile DNA in the Evolution of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1080613
• Publication Date: 2003-03-27T21:25:53Z
• Authors: I. T. Paulsen; L. Banerjei; G. S. A. Myers; K. E. Nelson; R. Seshadri; T. D. Read; D. E. Fouts; J. A. Eisen; S. R. Gill; J. F. Heidelberg; H. Tettelin; R. J. Dodson; L. Umayam; L. Brinkac; M. Beanan; S. Daugherty; R. T. DeBoy; S. Durkin; J. Kolonay; R. Madupu; W. Nelson; J. Vamathevan; B. Tran; J. Upton; T. Hansen; J. Shetty; H. Khouri; T. Utterback; D. Radune; K. A. Ketchum; B. A. Dougherty; C. M. Fraser
• Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis

The complete genome sequence of Enterococcus faecalis V583, a vancomycin-resistant clinical isolate, revealed that more than quarter the consists probable mobile or foreign DNA. One predicted elements is previously unknown vanB vancomycin-resistance conjugative transposon. Three plasmids were identified, including two pheromone-sensing plasmids, one encoding undescribed pheromone inhibitor. apparent propensity for incorporation probably contributed to rapid acquisition and dissemination drug resistance in enterococci.