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Differences in Integron Cassette Excision Dynamics Shape a Trade-Off between Evolvability and Genetic Capacitance.

Céline Loot^1,2, Aleksandra Nivina^1,2,3, Jean Cury^2,4

¹Unité de Plasticité du Génome Bactérien, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

|March 30, 2017

Summary

Mobile integrons (MIs) facilitate rapid bacterial adaptation and antibiotic resistance gene spread. Cassette excision dynamics differ between MIs and sedentary chromosomal integrons (SCIs), with MIs favoring higher rates for quicker adaptation.

Keywords:

attC sites cassette dynamics integron replication site-specific recombination

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Area of Science:

Bacterial genetics and adaptation
Microbial evolution
Antibiotic resistance mechanisms

Background:

Integrons drive bacterial adaptation by capturing and reordering gene cassettes via site-specific recombination.
Mobile integrons (MIs) and sedentary chromosomal integrons (SCIs) differ in location and mobility, with MIs implicated in spreading antibiotic resistance.
Understanding integron dynamics is crucial for combating the global rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamics of gene cassette excision in both mobile integrons (MIs) and sedentary chromosomal integrons (SCIs).
To elucidate the regulatory roles of replication orientation and attC site stability in cassette excision.
To compare cassette excision dynamics between MIs and SCIs and their implications for bacterial adaptation and antibiotic resistance dissemination.

Main Methods:

In silico computational analyses of integron structures and recombination sites.
In vivo experimental studies to observe cassette excision dynamics.
Comparative analysis of integron cassette excision rates in different integron types and bacterial genera (e.g., Vibrio).

Main Results:

Cassette excision is regulated by the orientation of cassette arrays relative to DNA replication and the intrinsic properties of attC sites.
Mobile integrons (MIs) exhibit higher cassette excision rates compared to sedentary chromosomal integrons (SCIs).
SCIs, particularly in Vibrio, maintain large cassette arrays, serving as reservoirs for adaptive functions through vertical transmission.

Conclusions:

Integron recombination dynamics are intricately regulated, balancing bacterial evolvability and genetic capacitance.
Differences in cassette excision dynamics between MIs and SCIs contribute to the rapid dissemination of adaptive genes, including antibiotic resistance.
Sedentary chromosomal integrons act as crucial reservoirs of genetic diversity for long-term bacterial adaptation.