Mobile Genetic Elements: the Agents of Open Source Evolution

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2005 Sep 3

PMID 16138100

Citations 661

Authors

Laura S Frost

Raphael Leplae

Anne O Summers

Ariane Toussaint

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Horizontal genomics is a new field in prokaryotic biology that is focused on the analysis of DNA sequences in prokaryotic chromosomes that seem to have originated from other prokaryotes or eukaryotes. However, it is equally important to understand the agents that effect DNA movement: plasmids, bacteriophages and transposons. Although these agents occur in all prokaryotes, comprehensive genomics of the prokaryotic mobile gene pool or 'mobilome' lags behind other genomics initiatives owing to challenges that are distinct from cellular chromosomal analysis. Recent work shows promise of improved mobile genetic element (MGE) genomics and consequent opportunities to take advantage - and avoid the dangers - of these 'natural genetic engineers'. This review describes MGEs, their properties that are important in horizontal gene transfer, and current opportunities to advance MGE genomics.

Citing Articles

The multi-kingdom microbiome catalog of the chicken gastrointestinal tract.

Wang Y, Qu M, Bi Y, Liu W, Ma S, Wan B Biosaf Health. 2025; 6(2):101-115.

PMID: 40078943 PMC: 11894977. DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2024.02.006.

Low leucine levels in the blood enhance the pathogenicity of neonatal meningitis-causing Escherichia coli.

Sun H, Li X, Yang X, Qin J, Liu Y, Zheng Y Nat Commun. 2025; 16(1):2466.

PMID: 40075077 PMC: 11904087. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57850-2.

Mobile genetic elements encoding antibiotic resistance genes and virulence genes in : important pathways for the acquisition of virulence and resistance.

Han B, Feng C, Jiang Y, Ye C, Wei Y, Liu J Front Microbiol. 2025; 16:1529157.

PMID: 40066273 PMC: 11891212. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1529157.

Exploring molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in bacteria and progressions in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome expurgation solutions.

Vivekanandan K, Kumar P, Jaysree R, Rajeshwari T Glob Med Genet. 2025; 12(2):100042.

PMID: 40051841 PMC: 11883354. DOI: 10.1016/j.gmg.2025.100042.

A bayesian approach for parameterizing and predicting plasmid conjugation dynamics.

Kumsuwan S, Jaichuen C, Jatura C, Subsoontorn P Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):7396.

PMID: 40032848 PMC: 11876642. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-82799-5.