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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: March 10, 2017
Horizontal Gene Transfer in Thermus spp.
Alba Blesa1, Beate Averhoff, José Berenguer
1Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Calle Nicolás Cabrera no 1, 28049-Madrid, Spain Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Max- von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Calle Nicolás Cabrera no 1, 28049-Madrid, Spain.
Thermus bacteria adapt rapidly using horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via DNA transport apparatus (DTA) and transjugation. These mechanisms overcome environmental changes and cellular defenses, ensuring survival and spread of adaptive genes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Thermophiles have limited genetic content, restricting environmental adaptability.
- Thermus spp. exhibit robust horizontal gene transfer (HGT) for rapid adaptation.
- Constitutive expression of a DNA transport apparatus (DTA) is central to HGT in Thermus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of HGT in Thermus spp.
- To understand how Thermus spp. adapt to environmental changes.
- To elucidate the roles of DTA, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and transjugation in HGT.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DNA transport apparatus (DTA) function.
- Investigation of extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated DNA transfer.
- Characterization of transjugation, a novel conjugation mechanism.
- Study of the ICETh1 element's role in transjugation.
Main Results:
- DTA facilitates HGT, enhanced by EVs preserving extracellular DNA (eDNA).
- Transjugation, dependent on ICETh1, bypasses cellular defenses like CRISPR-Cas systems.
- Transjugation preferentially transfers adaptive genes located on megaplasmid replicons.
Conclusions:
- Thermus spp. utilize multiple HGT strategies (transformation, EVs, transjugation) for enhanced adaptability.
- ICETh1-mediated transjugation is a key mechanism for spreading adaptive genes in Thermus.
- Efficient HGT mechanisms are crucial for thermophile survival and evolution.
Related Concept Videos
Horizontal Gene Transfer
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
Introduction to Horizontal Curves
Horizontal Curve: Problem Solving
Shear on the Horizontal Face of a Beam Element
Gene Conversion

