Prophage-like gene transfer agents-novel mechanisms of gene exchange for Methanococcus, Desulfovibrio, Brachyspira, and Rhodobacter species.

摘要: Abstract Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are novel mechanisms for bacterial gene transfer. They resemble small, tailed bacteriophages in ultrastructure and act like generalized transducing prophages. In contrast to functional prophages, GTAs package random fragments of genomes incomplete copies their own genomes. The packaged DNA content is characteristic the GTA ranges size from 4.4 13.6 kb. have been reported species Brachyspira, Methanococcus, Desulfovibrio, Rhodobacter. best studied VSH-1 anaerobic, pathogenic spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae RcGTA nonsulfur, purple, photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. likely contributed ecology evolution these bacteria. existence phylogenetically diverse bacteria suggests may be more common nature than now appreciated.