J regions (previously “junkyard regions”)
- Besides the mec and ccr gene complexes, the SCCmec element also contains three so-called J regions, which constitute non-essential components of the cassette.
- J regions may carry additional antimicrobial resistance determinants.
- J1 is the region between the right chromosomal junction and the ccr complex.
- J2 is between the ccr gene complex and the mec gene complex.
- J3 is between the mec complex and the left chromosomal junction.
- Variations in the J regions within the same mec-ccr complex are used for defining SCCmec subtypes.
