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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
Published on: September 11, 2017
[Insertion sequence common region element: a novel gene-capturing system in bacteria--a review]
Yuting Deng1, Zhenling Zeng, Jianhua Liu
1College of Veterinary Medicine, National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. fourdeng@163.com
Insertion sequence common region (ISCR) elements are mobile genetic elements that facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria. These elements lack terminal inverted repeats and utilize rolling-circle transposition for gene mobilization.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
Context:
- Insertion sequence common region (ISCR) elements are a class of mobile genetic elements.
- They share similarities with the IS91 family but lack terminal inverted repeats (IRs).
- ISCR elements are implicated in the mobilization of adjacent DNA sequences.
Purpose:
- To review the structure, classification, mobilization mechanism, and evolutionary origins of ISCR elements.
- To highlight the role of ISCR elements in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
Summary:
- ISCR elements are insertion sequences that mobilize adjacent DNA, including antibiotic resistance genes, via rolling-circle transposition.
- Nineteen ISCR family members have been identified in Gram-negative pathogens.
- Their association with antimicrobial resistance genes suggests a role in the rapid transmission of multi-drug resistance.
Impact:
- Understanding ISCR elements is crucial for combating the spread of bacterial multi-drug resistance.
- This review provides insights into novel gene-capturing systems and their evolutionary significance.
- The findings contribute to the fields of microbial genetics and infectious disease research.
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