A vanG-type locus in Clostridium argentinense

Results: The vanGCar locus contained four genes encoding a carboxypeptidase, a D-alanine:D-serine ligase, a serine transporter and a serine racemase, and was present in the seven C. argentinense studied. An AraC-type transcriptional regulator was found upstream from the genes. C. argentinense NCIB 10714 was susceptible to vancomycin and to teicoplanin. qRT –P CR experiments revealed that vanGCar was not expressed without or with induction by a subinhibitory concentration of vancomycin. Conclusions: The new vanGCar locus was cryptic in C. argentinense and intrinsic to this species. Emergence of vancomycin resistance in C. argentinense due to decryptification of the vanGCar gene cluster could occur.