SXT/R391 Integrative and Conjugative Elements (ICEs) Encode a Novel 'Trap-Door' Strategy for Mobile Element Escape.
Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are a class of bacterial mobile elements that have the ability to mediate their own integration, excision, and transfer from one host genome to another by a mechanism of site-specific recombination, self-circularisation, and conjugative transfer. Members of the SXT/R391 ICE family of enterobacterial mobile genetic elements display an unusual UV-inducible sensitization function which results in stress induced killing of bacterial cells harboring the ICE. This sensitization has been shown to be associated with a stress induced overexpression of a mobile element encoded conjugative transfer gene, orf43, a traV homolog. This results in cell lysis and release of a circular form of the ICE. Induction of this novel system may allow transfer of an ICE, enhancing its survival potential under conditions not conducive to conjugative transfer.
Molecular and Structural Biochemistry Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick Limerick, Ireland.
Michael P
MP
Ryan
Molecular and Structural Biochemistry Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick Limerick, Ireland.
Patricia
P
Armshaw
Molecular and Structural Biochemistry Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick Limerick, Ireland.
J Tony
JT
Pembroke
UV sensitization; integrative conjugative elements (ICEs); ‘Trap-Door’ escape