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Related Concept Videos

Transposons01:24

Transposons

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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...
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Evolution of Microbial Genome01:08

Evolution of Microbial Genome

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Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
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Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

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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...
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Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

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Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
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Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

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The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
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Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

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Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
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Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291

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Mobile genetic elements in Clostridium difficile and their role in genome function.

Peter Mullany1, Elaine Allan1, Adam P Roberts1

  • 1Department of Microbial Diseases, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK.

Research in Microbiology
|January 11, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Mobile genetic elements comprise 11% of the Clostridium difficile genome, influencing antibiotic resistance and toxin production. Researchers utilize these elements to study Clostridium difficile biology.

Keywords:
BacteriophageConjugative transposonHorizontal gene transferPaLocTn5397Tn916

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) constitute a significant portion of the Clostridium difficile genome.
  • MGEs play a crucial role in the organism's adaptation and pathogenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of MGEs on Clostridium difficile biology.
  • To highlight the use of MGEs as tools for investigating Clostridium difficile.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies involving Clostridium difficile MGEs.
  • Analysis of MGE functions including gene transfer and expression modulation.

Main Results:

  • MGEs facilitate the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes.
  • MGEs influence the expression and transfer of toxin genes, converting non-toxigenic strains to toxigenic ones.
  • MGEs have been successfully adapted as research tools.

Conclusions:

  • Mobile genetic elements are key drivers of Clostridium difficile evolution and virulence.
  • Understanding MGEs provides insights into Clostridium difficile pathogenesis and offers potential therapeutic targets.