Dataset Information

Comparative analysis of mobilizable genomic islands.

ABSTRACT: Mobilizable genomic islands (MGIs) are small genomic islands of less than 35 kbp containing an integrase gene and a sequence that resembles the origin of transfer (oriT) of an integrating conjugative element (ICE). MGIs have been shown to site-specifically integrate and excise from the chromosome of bacterial hosts and hijack the conjugative machinery of a coresident ICE to disseminate. To date, MGIs have been described in three strains belonging to three different Vibrio species. In this study, we report the discovery of 11 additional putative MGIs found in various species of Vibrio, Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, and Methylophaga. We designed an MGI capture system that allowed us to relocate chromosomal MGIs onto a low-copy-number plasmid and facilitate their isolation and sequencing. Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analyses of these mobile genetic elements revealed their mosaic structure and their evolution through recombination and acquisition of exogenous DNA. MGIs were found to belong to a larger family of genomic islands (GIs) sharing a similar integrase gene and often integrated into the same integration site yet exhibiting a different mechanism of regulation of excision and mobilization. We found that MGIs can excise only when an ICE of the SXT/R391 family is coresident in the same cell, while GIs still excise regardless.

SUBMITTER: Daccord A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3554006 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Comparative analysis of mobilizable genomic islands.

Daccord Aurélie A Ceccarelli Daniela D Rodrigue Sébastien S Burrus Vincent V

Journal of bacteriology 20121130 3

Mobilizable genomic islands (MGIs) are small genomic islands of less than 35 kbp containing an integrase gene and a sequence that resembles the origin of transfer (oriT) of an integrating conjugative element (ICE). MGIs have been shown to site-specifically integrate and excise from the chromosome of bacterial hosts and hijack the conjugative machinery of a coresident ICE to disseminate. To date, MGIs have been described in three strains belonging to three different Vibrio species. In this study, ...[more]

PMID: 23204461

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Project description:Salmonella Genomic Island 1 (SGI1) and its variants are significant contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance among Gammaproteobacteria. All known SGI1 variants integrate at the 3' end of trmE, a gene coding for a tRNA modification enzyme. SGI1 variants are mobilized specifically by conjugative plasmids of the incompatibility groups A and C (IncA and IncC). Using a comparative genomics approach based on genes conserved among members of the SGI1 group, we identified diverse integrative elements distantly related to SGI1 in several species of Vibrio, Aeromonas, Salmonella, Pokkaliibacter, and Escherichia. Unlike SGI1, these elements target two alternative chromosomal loci, the 5' end of dusA and the 3' end of yicC. Although they share many features with SGI1, they lack antibiotic resistance genes and carry alternative integration/excision modules. Functional characterization of IMEVchUSA3, a dusA-specific integrative element, revealed promoters that respond to AcaCD, the master activator of IncC plasmid transfer genes. Quantitative PCR and mating assays confirmed that IMEVchUSA3 excises from the chromosome and is mobilized by an IncC helper plasmid from Vibrio cholerae to Escherichia coli. IMEVchUSA3 encodes the AcaC homolog SgaC that associates with AcaD to form a hybrid activator complex AcaD/SgaC essential for its excision and mobilization. We identified the dusA-specific recombination directionality factor RdfN required for the integrase-mediated excision of dusA-specific elements from the chromosome. Like xis in SGI1, rdfN is under the control of an AcaCD-responsive promoter. Although the integration of IMEVchUSA3 disrupts dusA, it provides a new promoter sequence and restores the reading frame of dusA for proper expression of the tRNA-dihydrouridine synthase A. Phylogenetic analysis of the conserved proteins encoded by SGI1-like elements targeting dusA, yicC, and trmE gives a fresh perspective on the possible origin of SGI1 and its variants.

Project description:AbaR-type genomic islands (AbaRs) are prevalent and associated with multiple antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii AbaRs feature varied structural configurations involving different but closely related backbones with acquisition of diverse mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and antimicrobial resistance genes. This study aimed to understand the structural modulation patterns of AbaRs. A total of 442 intact AbaRs, including nonresistance but closely related islands, were mapped to backbones Tn6019, Tn6022, Tn6172/Tn6173, and AbGRI1-0 followed by alien sequence characterization. Genetic configurations were then examined and compared. The AbaRs fall into 53 genetic configurations, among which 26 were novel, including one Tn6019-type, nine Tn6022-type, three Tn6172/Tn6173-type, nine AbGRI1-type, and four new transposons that could not be mapped to the known backbones. The newly identified genetic configurations involved insertions of novel MGEs like ISAcsp2, ISAba42, ISAba17, and ISAba10, novel structural modulations driven by known MGEs such as ISCR2, Tn2006, and even another AbaR, and different backbone deletions. Recombination events in AbGRI1-type elements were also examined by identifying hybrid sequences from different backbones. Moreover, we found that the content and context features of AbaRs including the profiles of the MGEs driving the plasticity of these elements and the consequently acquired antimicrobial resistance genes, insertion sites, and clonal distribution displayed backbone-specific patterns. This study provides a comprehensive view of the genetic features of AbaRs.IMPORTANCE AbaR-type genomic islands (AbaRs) are well-known elements that can cause antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii These elements contain diverse and complex genetic configurations involving different but related backbones with acquisition of diverse mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance genes. Understanding their structural diversity is far from complete. In this study, we performed a large-scale comparative analysis of AbaRs, including nonresistance but closely related islands. Our findings offered a comprehensive and interesting view of their genetic features, which allowed us to correlate the structural modulation signatures, antimicrobial resistance patterns, insertion loci, as well as host clonal distribution of these elements to backbone types. This study provides insights into the evolution of these elements, explains the association between their antimicrobial resistance gene profiles and clonal distribution, and could facilitate establishment of a more proper nomenclature than the term "AbaR" that has been variously used.

Dataset Information

Comparative analysis of mobilizable genomic islands.

Publications

Comparative analysis of mobilizable genomic islands.

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