Microbial evolution through horizontal gene transfer by mobile genetic elements

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are crucial for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria and facilitate their rapid evolution and adaptation. MGEs include plasmids, integrative and conjugative elements, transposons, insertion sequences and bacteriophages. Notably, the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which poses a serious threat to public health, is primarily attributable to HGT through MGEs. This mini-review aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms by which MGEs mediate HGT in microbes. Specifically, the behaviour of conjugative plasmids in different environments and conditions was discussed, and recent methodologies for tracing the dynamics of MGEs were summarised. A comprehensive…

• IF
  Institute for Fermentation, Osaka

  Award: L‐2023‐1‐002
• JA
  Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development

  Awards: JP21wm0325022, JP19H05686, JP21wm0225008
• MO
  Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• SU
  Shizuoka University
• OF
  Ohsumi Frontier Science Foundation
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Awards: JP23H02124, JP19H02869, 23104, JP19H05686