Figure 6: Genetic organization of Suriname USA300 plasmids.

(A) Gene content of small plasmids (2–4 kb). Only the following selected genes are annotated: the determinant encoding replication initiation protein (rep); the determinant encoding macrolide resistance (ermC); the determinant encoding streptomycin resistance (str); the determinant encoding quaternary ammonium compound resistance efflux pump (qacC). (B) Comparison of the two different types of ermC regulatory regions. Plasmids pUSA05-1-SUR4 (representative of cluster F) and pUSA05-1-SUR15 (representative of cluster (A) represent the inducible and the constitutive type of ermC gene expression, respectively. The positions of the ermC promoter (−35 and −10) are indicated by underlining, as are the start of transcription of the leader peptide and ermC methylase gene and ribosome-binding sites SD1 and SD2. Amino acid sequences deduced from the nucleotide sequences are given in the single letter code. Asterisk indicates translational stop codon. Inverted repeated sequences are marked by arrows. (C) Gene content of large plasmids (≥26 kb). The genes common to all pUSA04 plasmids are shown in green. The genes common to plasmids pUSA04-1 and −3 are shown in blue. The genes common to plasmids pUSA04-1 and −2 are shown in red. The genes unique for a plasmid are shown in black. Only the following selected genes are annotated: the determinant encoding replication initiation protein (rep); the determinant encoding macrolide resistance (ermC); the determinant encoding streptomycin resistance (str); the determinant encoding cadmium resistance (cadD); the determinant encoding positive regulator of cadmium resistance (cadX); the determinant encoding beta-lactamase, penicillin resistance (blaZ); the determinant encoding positive regulator of penicillin resistance (blaR1); the determinant encoding negative regulator of penicillin resistance (blaI); the determinant encoding 3′5′-amino-glycoside phosphotransferase, neo-/kanamycin resistance (aphA3); the determinant encoding membrane-bound permease, bacitracin resistance (bcrB); the determinant encoding ATP-binding protein, bacitracin resistance (bcrA); the determinant encoding erythromycin exporter, macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B resistance (msr(A)); the determinant encoding phosphotransferase, macrolide resistance (mph(C)); the determinant encoding acetyltransferase, streptothricin resistance (sat); the determinant encoding dihydrofolate reductase, trimethoprim resistance (dfrG); the determinants encoding conjugal transfer elements (traADH).