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Prevalence and distribution of nucleotide sequences typical for pMEA-like accessory genetic elements in the genus

Evelien M te Poele1, Marrit N Habets, Geok Yuan Annie Tan

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands.

FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|May 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

pMEA-like elements, crucial for replication and transfer, were found in some Amycolatopsis strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct European and Asian/Australian populations, suggesting co-evolution with host bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The genus Amycolatopsis harbors diverse genetic elements, including plasmids.
  • Understanding the distribution and evolution of mobile genetic elements like pMEA-like sequences is crucial for bacterial genomics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and geographical distribution of pMEA-like elements in Amycolatopsis strains.
  • To analyze the evolutionary relationships of pMEA-like elements and their host bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 111 Amycolatopsis strains (95 recently isolated, 16 type strains) for pMEA-like sequences (repAM and traJ).
  • Phylogenetic analysis of deduced RepAM and TraJ protein sequences.
  • Comparison with known pMEA300 and pMEA100 sequences.
  • Analysis of the linkage between pMEA-like element distribution and the 16S rRNA gene.

Main Results:

  • Homologues of repAM and traJ were detected in 10% and 26% of strains, respectively, indicating the presence of pMEA-like elements in Amycolatopsis.
  • Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering with pMEA300 or pMEA100 sequences.
  • Two distinct geographical populations of pMEA-like elements were identified: European and Australian/Asian.
  • A correlation between the distribution of repAM and traJ and the 16S rRNA gene suggests co-evolution.

Conclusions:

  • pMEA-like sequences are present, though not abundant, in several Amycolatopsis strains.
  • These elements exhibit distinct geographical distributions.
  • The data strongly suggest that pMEA-like elements co-evolved with Amycolatopsis, likely in an integrated form, rather than through horizontal gene transfer of free-replicating elements.

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