Structure and function of conjugative transposons from the ICE SXT/R391 family

CECILIA QUIROGA

Workshop; 1st Franco-Latinoamerican Workshop in Omics and Bioinformatics: Transposable Elements. TELearning (virtual).; 2021

Short talkBacteria can encode in their genome large islands capable of self-transferring, known as integrative and conjugative elements (ICE). ICE from the SXT/R391 are known for actively contributing in the spread of antimicrobial resistance among gamma-proteobacteria. Moreover, these mobile elements can carry other beneficial genes that will provide an adaptive advantage, such as defense systems (TA, RM, BREX), secondary messengers genes, metal resistance or uptake, etc. Members of the SXT/R391 family are often found in clinical isolates, however little is known about their occurrence in environmental niches. In addition, questions regarding their evolution and the acquisition of new accessory traits as well as the interplay between host and ICE upon transferring are still open.