Genomic islands: tools of bacterial horizontal gene transfer and evolution.
Details
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State: Public
Version: Final published version
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_E141F168AF54
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Review (review): journal as complete as possible of one specific subject, written based on exhaustive analyses from published work.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Genomic islands: tools of bacterial horizontal gene transfer and evolution.
Journal
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
ISSN
1574-6976
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
33
Number
2
Pages
376-393
Language
english
Abstract
Abstract Bacterial genomes evolve through mutations, rearrangements or horizontal gene transfer. Besides the core genes encoding essential metabolic functions, bacterial genomes also harbour a number of accessory genes acquired by horizontal gene transfer that might be beneficial under certain environmental conditions. The horizontal gene transfer contributes to the diversification and adaptation of microorganisms, thus having an impact on the genome plasticity. A significant part of the horizontal gene transfer is or has been facilitated by genomic islands (GEIs). GEIs are discrete DNA segments, some of which are mobile and others which are not, or are no longer mobile, which differ among closely related strains. A number of GEIs are capable of integration into the chromosome of the host, excision, and transfer to a new host by transformation, conjugation or transduction. GEIs play a crucial role in the evolution of a broad spectrum of bacteria as they are involved in the dissemination of variable genes, including antibiotic resistance and virulence genes leading to generation of hospital 'superbugs', as well as catabolic genes leading to formation of new metabolic pathways. Depending on the composition of gene modules, the same type of GEIs can promote survival of pathogenic as well as environmental bacteria.
Keywords
horizontal gene transfer, genomic island, evolution, pathogenicity, biodegradation
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
17/02/2009 17:42
Last modification date
20/08/2019 17:05