The clc element of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 and other mobile degradative elements employing phage-like integrases.
Genes for metabolic pathways in bacteria that degrade aromatic or aliphatic pollutants have mostly been confined to either plasmid DNAs or to the chromosome. For a few pathways, including classical pathways for chlorocatechol and biphenyl degradation, recent evidence has been obtained for location of the pathway genes on mobile DNA elements which employ phage-like integrases. This enables the DNA elements to integrate into specific sites on the chromosome and yet to excise and transfer to other host bacteria. This mini-review gives an overview of those elements and their relationship to an increasing number of phage-like elements associated with bacterial virulence.
van der Meer
J R
JR
Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), Ueberlandstrasse 133, Postfach 611, CH 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland. vdmeer@eawag.ch
Ravatn
R
R
Sentchilo
V
V
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D002396:Catechols / Q000378:metabolism*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019426:Integrases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010957:Plasmids; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017105:Pseudomonas Phages / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002396:Catechols; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019426:Integrases