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Genomic Islands in Mycoplasmas.
Christine Citti1, Eric Baranowski1, Emilie Dordet-Frisoni1
1Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31300 Toulouse, France.
Genes
|July 26, 2020
Summary
Genomic islands (GIs) drive the evolution of Mycoplasma bacteria, despite their minimal genomes. These mobile genetic elements, including pathogenicity islands, influence the adaptation and diversity of these host-associated microbes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Mycoplasma bacteria possess unique traits like cell-wall absence and simplified genomes.
- Over 200 Mycoplasma species interact with diverse hosts, including humans and animals.
- These bacteria can synthesize essential molecules and often grow in lab conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on genomic islands (GIs) in Mycoplasma.
- To focus on pathogenicity islands, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), and prophages.
- To discuss the role of GIs in Mycoplasma genome dynamics and evolution.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genome analyses of multiple Mycoplasma species and strains.
- Review of existing literature on Mycoplasma genomic islands.
Main Results:
- Genomic islands are significant contributors to Mycoplasma genome plasticity.
- Pathogenicity islands, ICEs, and prophages are key mobile genetic elements.
- These elements facilitate adaptation and diversification within the Mycoplasma genus.
Conclusions:
- Genomic islands play a crucial role in the evolutionary trajectory of Mycoplasma.
- Understanding GIs is key to comprehending the adaptation of these minimal organisms.
- Further research into GIs will illuminate Mycoplasma's parasitic lifestyle and host interactions.
Keywords:
Mollicutesevolutiongenomegenomic islandhorizontal gene transfermobile elementsmycoplasmasphagesMore Related Videos
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