Physiological impact of transposable elements encoding DDE transposases in the environmental adaptation of Streptococcus agalactiae.
We have referenced and described Streptococcus agalactiae transposable elements encoding DDE transposases. These elements belonged to nine families of insertion sequences (ISs) and to a family of conjugative transposons (TnGBSs). An overview of the physiological impact of the insertion of all these elements is provided. DDE-transposable elements affect S. agalactiae in a number of aspects of its capability to adapt to various environments and modulate the expression of several virulence genes, the scpB-lmB genomic region and the genes involved in capsule expression and haemolysin transport being the targets of several different mobile elements. The referenced mobile elements modify S. agalactiae behaviour by transferring new gene(s) to its genome, by modifying the expression of neighbouring genes at the integration site or by promoting genomic rearrangements. Transposition of some of these elements occurs in vivo, suggesting that by dynamically regulating some adaptation and/or virulence genes, they improve the ability of S. agalactiae to reach different niches within its host and ensure the 'success' of the infectious process.
Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire Bactérienne, Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Maud
M
Fléchard
INRA, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.|Université de Tours, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Bactéries et Risque Materno-Foetal, F-37032 Tours, France.
Philippe
P
Gilot
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019895:Transposases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D037521:Virulence Factors; D019895:Transposases