Jumbo phage-mediated transduction of genomic islands.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria acquire new genes by horizontal gene transfer, typically mediated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs). While plasmids, bacteriophages, and certain integrative and conjugative elements are well characterized, the broader diversity of MGEs remains poorly understood. Here, we cultured the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 with sterile filtrate obtained from garden compost communities. Genome sequencing of derived colonies revealed acquisition of three different mobile elements, each integrated immediately downstream of tmRNA, each flanked by direct repeats, and each encoding a tyrosine integrase (intY) plus putative phage defense systems. Absent are genes with recognized roles in autonomous transfer. Interrogation of DNA sequence databases showed that

SUBMITTER: Zhao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12595487 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature