Figure 1
The distribution of rep genes and resistance genes in S. aureus plasmids. Sequenced plasmids may carry a single rep gene or a combination of rep genes. Each unique rep gene combination forms a plasmid group of S. aureus (pGSA). The number (n) and average length (nucleotides) of plasmids in each plasmid group is shown. Plasmid conjugation transfer (tra) genes are present in single-rep plasmid groups that possess rep15 and rep21 genes. The number (nR) of resistance gene profiles carried by members of each plasmid group is shown. Core resistance genes are found in all plasmids of a plasmid group, variable resistance genes are found in only some plasmids of the group.