Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
08:21
Site-specific Bacterial Chromosome Engineering: ΦC31 Integrase Mediated Cassette Exchange (IMCE)
Published on: March 16, 2012
Insertion sequence elements in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34: distribution and role in adaptation
Kristel Mijnendonckx1, Ann Provoost, Pieter Monsieurs
1Unit of Microbiology, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), B-2400 Mol, Belgium.
Plasmid
|December 28, 2010
Summary
Transposable elements, known as insertion sequence (IS) elements, were extensively studied in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. These mobile genetic elements are crucial for bacterial adaptation and evolution, particularly under heavy metal stress.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Bacterial Genetics
Background:
- Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 is a bacterium adapted to heavy metal pollution.
- It possesses megaplasmids and numerous mobile genetic elements, including insertion sequence (IS) elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the IS elements in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34.
- To investigate the role of IS elements in the bacterium's adaptation and genomic plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 genome.
- Comparative genomics across bacterial strains.
- Analysis of IS element distribution, conservation, and association with genomic features.
- Differential gene expression analysis under heavy metal stress.
Main Results:
- Identified 21 distinct IS elements from 10 families, with 57 intact copies in CH34.
- Found related IS elements predominantly in the Burkholderiaceae family.
- Observed recent horizontal transfer of three IS elements.
- Linked IS elements to genomic islands, gene inactivation, and rearrangements affecting autotrophic growth.
- Detected differential expression of IS elements under heavy metal stress, providing evidence for a mutator phenotype.
Conclusions:
- IS elements are abundant and active in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34.
- These elements contribute to genomic rearrangements, metabolic adaptation, and evolution under environmental selective pressures.
- IS elements play a significant role in the lifestyle and adaptability of C. metallidurans CH34.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Transduction
Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome are...
02:02Cis-regulatory Sequences
Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
01:28Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...