GSE108732
RNASeq libraries of quorum-sensing induced and wild-type M. ciceri bv. biserrulae WSM1271
M. ciceri WSM1271 carries a novel integrative and conjugative element (ICE) termed a tripartite ICE (ICE3) that exists as thee separated DNA regions in the chromosome. Three site-specific recombinases acting on three distinct pairs of attachment sites catalyse recombination between the three ICE3 DNA regions leading to their excision from the chromosome to form a single plasmid-like entity for horizontal conjugative transfer. RNASeq was used to probe for differentially expressed ICE3-encoded genes in WSM1271 wild-type cells, and engineered WSM1271 cells carrying cloned copies of two quorum-sensing loci that induce ICE3 excision and transfer. Overall, 187 significantly differentially expressed genes (adjusted P-value < 0.05) were identified and although ICEMcSym1271 comprised only ~7.6% of the chromosome, 15.5% (29) of the differentially expressed genes were located on ICEMcSym1271. Genes likely involved in activation of excision and conjugation including rdfS, rlxS, msi172-msi171 and the type-IV conjugative pilus gene cluster msi031-trbBCDEJLFGI-msi021 were all significantly induced. The RNA-Seq libraries generated in this study have strongly aided the development of our model detailing the regulation of excision and transfer of ICE3s. Overall design: rRNA depleted total RNA profiles of WSM1271 wild-type cells or those overexpressing two quorum-sensing loci traI1 (Mesci_2552) and traR1 (Mesci_2553) were generated using Ion Proton sequencing.