Abstract

Analysis of ISCR8 (ISPps1) revealed that this group of insertion elements has to be subdivided into three subgroups: ISCR8, ISCR22, and ISCR23. The distinction of three subgroups is supported by phylogenetic analysis of the transposase open reading frames (ORFs). Comparison of over 20 complete and partial ISCR8/22/23 elements identified oriIS candidate sequences for all groups and a terIS candidate sequence for ISCR8. The oriIS sequences, their distance to the transposase ORFs, and the sequence of this intervening region are group specific, further supporting the definition of two new ISCR elements. ISCR8/22/23 have a very broad host range, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, among which are several (opportunistic) pathogens. The IS often resides on plasmids or in the vicinity of other mobile elements and is mostly associated with genes for the degradation of halo- or nitro-aromatics. However, in one case ISCR8 was found in the neighborhood of an antibiotic resistance determinant in Klebsiella pneumoniae. ISCR8 resembles other IS91 family elements in mediating genetic rearrangements by homologous recombination between two copies. In Delftia acidovorans this led to the loss of the genes encoding dichlorprop cleavage. In conclusion, this study shows that ISCR8 could be a fully functional and active member of the IS91 family of insertion elements.