What question did this study set out to answer?

Characterize the structural organization, functional constraints, and evolutionary mechanisms driving the diversification of the SXT/R391 family of integrating and conjugative elements (ICEs).

December 23, 2009SHILAP Revista de lepidopterologíaOpen Access

Comparative ICE Genomics: Insights into the Evolution of the SXT/R391 Family of ICEs

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RWRachel A. F. WozniakUniversity of Rochester Medical Center DFDerrick E. FoutsJ. Craig Venter Institute MSMatteo SpagnolettiUniversity College London

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Comparative genomic analysis reveals a conserved 52-gene scaffold driving antibiotic resistance gene transfer across gram-negative bacteria, highlighting recombination-driven mobile element evolution.

Key Points

Characterize the structural organization, functional constraints, and evolutionary mechanisms driving the diversification of the SXT/R391 family of integrating and conjugative elements (ICEs).
Engineered a plasmid-based capture system to isolate and sequence genomes of 13 SXT/R391 ICEs obtained from diverse bacterial hosts and geographic locations.
Performed comparative genomic sequence alignments alongside systematic deletion mutant assays to identify essential mobility genes and variable DNA insertion sites.
Identified 52 syntenic, highly conserved core genes that form a structural scaffold across all 13 isolates, with variable gene insertions strictly confined to intergenic regions.
Demonstrated that fewer than half of the conserved core genes are functionally essential for ICE conjugation and chromosomal integration.
Uncovered evidence of extensive inter-element homologous recombination driving the reassortment of variable phenotypic cargo, including antibiotic resistance determinants.

Cite This Study

Wozniak et al. (2009) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69de96f17ed287395e559f13 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1000786

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Comparative ICE Genomics: Insights into the Evolution of the SXT/R391 Family of ICEs

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Comparative ICE Genomics: Insights into the Evolution of the SXT/R391 Family of ICEs

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider