linG, a new integron-associated gene cassette encoding a lincosamide nucleotidyltransferase

Lincosamide antibiotics include lincomycin, a compound produced by several actinomycetes, and its semisynthetic chlorinated derivative clindamycin. These antibiotics block the peptidyltransferase activity of the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, inhibiting protein synthesis, and are active against most gram-positive cocci and anaerobes. However, they are not generally effective against gram-negative bacilli due to intrinsic resistance.