Mobilization of plasmids and chromosomal DNA mediated by the SXT element, a constin found in Vibrio cholerae O139.
The Vibrio cholerae SXT element encodes resistance to multiple antibiotics and is a conjugative, self-transmissible, and chromosomally integrating element (a constin). Excision and self-transfer of the SXT element require an element-encoded integrase. We now report that the SXT element can also mobilize the plasmids RSF1010 and CloDF13 in trans as well as chromosomal DNA in an Hfr-like manner. SXT element-mediated mobilization of plasmids and chromosomal DNA, unlike its self-transfer, is not dependent upon excision of the element from the chromosome. These results raise the possibility that the SXT element and other constins play a general role in horizontal gene transfer among gram-negative bacteria.
Hochhut
B
B
Division of Geographic Medicine/Infectious Diseases, New England Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Marrero
J
J
Waldor
M K
MK
D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005819:Genetic Markers; D019426:Integrases