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Related Concept Videos

Conjugation01:19

Conjugation

Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer that primarily occurs in bacteria and some archaea, promoting genetic diversity and adaptation. Bacteria can acquire resistance genes through conjugative plasmids, allowing them to survive antibiotic treatments that would otherwise be lethal. This process involves direct contact between cells through specialized structures such as the sex pilus and is mediated by conjugative plasmids, including the F (fertility) factor.Conjugation requires...
Transposons01:24

Transposons

Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...
Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
Mechanism of Conjugation01:19

Mechanism of Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...
Horizontal Gene Transfer01:27

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
Evolutionary Processes in Microbes01:26

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes

Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...

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High-Resolution Comparison of Bacterial Conjugation Frequencies
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Published on: January 10, 2019

Integrative and conjugative elements: mosaic mobile genetic elements enabling dynamic lateral gene flow.

Rachel A F Wozniak1, Matthew K Waldor

  • 1Program in Genetics, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|July 6, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements in bacteria. This review compares their core functions, highlighting common features across diverse ICEs and their role in genome evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Genetics
  • Mobile Genetic Elements

Background:

  • Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are widespread mobile genetic elements in bacteria.
  • ICEs integrate into the host chromosome but can excise and transfer via conjugation.
  • They play significant roles in bacterial adaptation and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare and contrast the core functions of well-studied ICEs.
  • To identify common features unifying diverse ICEs.
  • To discuss ICEs within the broader context of mobile-element and genome evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of published data on various ICEs.
  • Review of mechanisms for integration, excision, transfer, and regulation.
  • Synthesis of information to identify commonalities and differences.

Main Results:

  • ICEs share fundamental mechanisms for integration, excision, transfer, and regulation despite their diversity.
  • Common features facilitate their mobility and integration into host genomes.
  • Specific examples of well-studied ICEs illustrate these conserved functions.

Conclusions:

  • ICEs represent a unified group of mobile genetic elements with conserved core functions.
  • Understanding these functions provides insights into bacterial genome evolution.
  • ICEs are key drivers of horizontal gene transfer and bacterial adaptation.