A helicase-containing module defines a family of pCD630-like plasmids in Clostridium difficile

作者：Smits Wiep Klaas^*; Weese J Scott; Roberts Adam P; Harmanus Celine; Hornung Bastian

来源：Anaerobe, 2018, 49: 78-84.

DOI：10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.12.005

• Plasmid
• Replicon
• Helicase
• Replication

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive and sporulating enteropathogen that is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections. Even though a large number of genomes of this species have been sequenced, only a few plasmids have been described in the literature. Here, we use a combination of in silico analyses and laboratory experiments to show that plasmids are common in C. difficile. We focus on a group of plasmids that share similarity with the plasmid pCD630, from the reference strain 630. The family of pCD630-like plasmids is defined by the presence of a conserved putative helicase that is likely part of the plasmid replicon. This replicon is compatible with at least some other C. difficile replicons, as strains can carry pCD630-like plasmids in addition to other plasmids. We find two distinct sub-groups of pCD630-like plasmids that differ in size and accessory modules. This study is the first to describe a family of plasmids in C. difficile.

• 出版日期2018-2