Abstract
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.
Highlights
Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are a class of diverse bacterial mobile elements that are characterized by their ability to mediate and encode all determinants for their own integration, excision, and transfer from one host genome to another by a mechanism of site-specific recombination, self-circularisation, and conjugative transfer (Taviani et al, 2009; Michael et al, 2012)
The putative transcriptional activator complex encoded by setCD/orf90-91 binds a regulatory region upstream of orf 43, upregulating the expression of TraVR391 in a manner that is cytotoxic to the host cell (Armshaw and Pembroke, 2013b, 2015; Poulin-Laprade et al, 2015)
The putative transcriptional activator complex encoded by setCD/orf90-91 binds a regulatory region upstream of orf 4 which encodes the Jef protein, a protein that mediates the excision of the integrated SXT/R391 ICE from the bacterial chromosome (O’Halloran et al, 2007; Poulin-Laprade et al, 2015)
Summary
Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are a class of diverse bacterial mobile elements that are characterized by their ability to mediate and encode all determinants for their own integration, excision, and transfer from one host genome to another by a mechanism of site-specific recombination, self-circularisation, and conjugative transfer (Taviani et al, 2009; Michael et al, 2012).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
