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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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Plasmids01:28

Plasmids

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Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
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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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Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
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Mechanism of Conjugation01:19

Mechanism of Conjugation

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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...
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Conjugation01:19

Conjugation

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 13, 2026

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
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Extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements in Clostridium difficile.

Jacob Amy1, Priscilla Johanesen1, Dena Lyras1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.

Plasmid
|May 2, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Clostridium difficile genetic elements influence host cells and spread antibiotic resistance. This review covers 30 years of research on these mobile genetic elements, crucial for understanding infections.

Keywords:
Clostridium difficileConjugationMobilisationPhagePlasmidTransposon

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Site-specific Bacterial Chromosome Engineering: ΦC31 Integrase Mediated Cassette Exchange (IMCE)
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A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in patients using antibiotics.
  • The bacterium possesses diverse genetic elements, both integrated and extrachromosomal, influencing its pathogenicity.
  • Understanding these genetic elements is key to controlling C. difficile infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review 30 years of research on Clostridium difficile genetic elements.
  • To discuss the functional impact of these elements on host cell phenotypes.
  • To analyze the evolution, dissemination, and antibiotic resistance associated with these elements.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies published over the last 30 years.
  • Analysis of genomic sequencing data to understand genetic element variability and distribution.
  • Synthesis of research on the functional roles and clinical significance of mobile genetic elements.

Main Results:

  • Genetic elements contribute to C. difficile virulence and host cell interactions.
  • Genomic studies reveal significant variability and distribution patterns of these elements.
  • Mobile genetic elements are frequently associated with antibiotic resistance determinants.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic elements play a critical role in Clostridium difficile pathogenesis and adaptation.
  • The evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance in C. difficile are closely linked to mobile genetic elements.
  • Further research into these elements is vital for developing effective therapeutic and preventative strategies against C. difficile.