mobile genetic element

Edge evidence

• mobile genetic element enables horizontal gene transfer RO:0002327

  MGEs serve as the vehicles of horizontal gene transfer.

  • DOI:10.1038/nrmicro1235 Frost et al. frame MGEs as the agents of horizontal gene transfer.
• horizontal gene transfer contributes to genome plasticity RO:0002326

  HGT mediated by MGEs drives gene gain/loss and rearrangement.

  • DOI:10.1111/1574-6976.12067 Siguier et al. review insertion-sequence-driven genome plasticity.
• relaxase nicks/unwinds at origin of transfer (oriT)

  Relaxase nicks and unwinds DNA at oriT, covalently attaching to the 5-prime end to initiate transfer.

  • DOI:10.1128/AEM.01360-24 nicking/unwinding by a relaxase at oriT, covalent attachment of relaxase to the 5-prime end.
• type IV coupling protein recruits substrate to type IV secretion system

  The cognate coupling protein recruits the relaxase-DNA substrate to the secretion apparatus.

  • DOI:10.1093/nar/gkac1079 the secretion apparatus by the cognate coupling protein TraD; type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs).
• type IV secretion system mediates conjugative DNA transfer

  VirB4/VirD4-containing T4SS mediates conjugative DNA transfer between donor and recipient.

  • DOI:10.1093/nar/gkad024 VirB4 and VirD4 ATPases of the Type IV secretion system (T4SS) mediate conjugative transfer.
• conjugative DNA transfer enables horizontal gene transfer RO:0002327

  Conjugative DNA transfer is a major route of MGE-mediated horizontal gene transfer.

  • DOI:10.1111/1751-7915.14408 transfer of a single-stranded DNA molecule, followed by integration into the recipient chromosome.
• integrase and excisionase enables ICE excision and circularization RO:0002327

  Integrase and excisionase mediate ICE excision and circular dsDNA intermediate formation.

  • DOI:10.1128/AEM.01360-24 excision mediated by an integrase (recombinase) and an excisionase, formation of a circular dsDNA intermediate.
• ICE excision and circularization enables conjugative DNA transfer RO:0002327

  Excision and circularization produce the transferable form required for conjugative transfer.

  • DOI:10.1128/AEM.01360-24 Circular dsDNA intermediate is the transferable form prior to conjugation.
• integron integrase (IntI) catalyzes attI/attC cassette recombination biolink:catalyzes

  Integron integrase catalyzes site-specific recombination at attI/attC to capture or excise cassettes.

  • DOI:10.1111/1751-7915.14408 IntI recognises attI/attC and catalyses site-specific recombination inserting cassettes.
• mobile genetic element enables transposition RO:0002327

  Insertion sequences and transposons excise and move within or between regions of the genome.

  • DOI:10.1146/annurev-micro-032521-022006 transposons and insertion sequences excise and move or transpose between regions of the genome.
• transposition contributes to genome plasticity RO:0002326

  Transposition drives genome rearrangement and gene gain/loss.

  • DOI:10.1146/annurev-micro-032521-022006 IS/transposon mobility reshapes replicons, contributing to genome plasticity.
• transduction of host DNA contributes to horizontal gene transfer RO:0002326

  Prophage induction and lytic infection package and transduce host DNA, a route of HGT.

  • DOI:10.1093/nar/gkae489 host DNA packaged and transduced during both prophage induction and lytic infection.
• antibiotic selective pressure enriches antimicrobial resistance gene cargo

  Antibiotic selective pressure enriches AMR genes on self-transmissible ICEs and genomic islands.

  • DOI:10.1093/nar/gkad644 antibiotic selective pressure tied to the accumulation and spread of resistance on self-transmissible ICEs.