Nucleotide sequence and distribution of gene tetO encoding tetracycline resistance in Campylobacter coli

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Abstract
The nucleotide sequence of the tetracycline resistance gene encoded by the self-transferable plasmid pIP1433 in Campylobacter coli BM2509 has been determined. The resistance gene, tetO, was located in an open reading frame of 1917 bp corresponding to a protein with a calculated Mr of 72 290. The transcriptional and translational signals have been identified. The tetO gene exhibits 76% sequence identity with tetM from Streptococcus and the deduced amino acid sequences are 77% homologous. The substitutions are scattered throughout indicating that the two genes have diverged from a common ancestor. We suggest that tetracycline resistance in Campylobacter is due to acquisition of a gene originating in a Gram-positive bacterium. The distribution of tetO in hundred strains of C. jejuni and C. coli resistant to tetracycline (MIC ≥ 32 μg/ml) and to minocycline (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml) was studied by dot blot hybridization under high stringency conditions using a 1.4-kb intragenic probe. Homology with tetO was detected in 98 strains isolated from humans and animals in various geographical areas. None of the strains hybridized with tetM under the same conditions. These data indicate that tetO is widespread among Campylobacter spp. probably due to conjugative plasmids.

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