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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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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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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The persistence potential of transferable plasmids.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Systems Biology
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Conjugative plasmids facilitate trait dissemination in microbial communities.
  • Plasmid persistence is crucial for their function but poorly understood in complex communities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a computational framework for analyzing gene flow in complex microbial communities.
  • To derive a general metric predicting plasmid persistence and abundance.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a plasmid-centric computational framework.
  • Derived a heuristic metric termed 'persistence potential'.
  • Validated the metric using engineered microbial consortia and literature data.

Main Results:

  • The 'persistence potential' metric accurately predicts plasmid persistence and abundance.
  • The framework enables computationally feasible analysis of gene flow.
  • Successful validation in engineered systems and existing data.

Conclusions:

  • The developed framework and 'persistence potential' metric offer a quantitative approach to understanding microbial communities.
  • Facilitates the engineering of microbial consortia with predictable plasmid dynamics.