Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
09:37
Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes
Published on: June 19, 2015
[Integrons: gene collectors]
1Laboratorio de Resistencia Microbiana, Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, UBA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. jdiconza@ffyb.uba.ar
Revista Argentina De Microbiologia
|May 13, 2010
Summary
Integrons are genetic elements that recruit and express resistance genes. This review focuses on mobile integrons, particularly class 1 and 2, and their distribution in Argentina.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Integrons play a crucial role in the acquisition and expression of antibiotic resistance genes.
- Understanding integron structure and function is key to combating antimicrobial resistance.
- Mobile integrons are frequently found in clinical settings and contribute to the spread of resistance.
Purpose:
- To review the current understanding of integron structure, classification, and function.
- To highlight the significance of mobile integrons in bacterial resistance.
- To describe mobile integrons identified in Argentina.
Summary:
- Integrons possess a basic structure comprising an integrase gene (intI) and a recognition site (attI) for incorporating gene cassettes.
- Gene cassettes contain resistance genes and are flanked by attC sites, enabling site-specific recombination and expression via a promoter (Pc).
- Integrons are classified by location into mobile and super integrons; mobile class 1 and 2 integrons are prevalent in clinical isolates and associated with mobile genetic elements facilitating horizontal gene transfer.
Impact:
- This review provides insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance gene dissemination.
- It emphasizes the importance of studying mobile integrons for developing strategies against antimicrobial resistance.
- The review specifically addresses the prevalence of mobile integrons in Argentina, contributing to regional surveillance efforts.
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