Prevalence of SOS-mediated control of integron integrase expression as an adaptive trait of chromosomal and mobile integrons.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Integrons are found in hundreds of environmental bacterial species, but are mainly known as the agents responsible for the capture and spread of antibiotic-resistance determinants between Gram-negative pathogens. The SOS response is a regulatory network under control of the repressor protein LexA targeted at addressing DNA damage, thus promoting genetic variation in times of stress. We recently reported a direct link between the SOS response and the expression of integron integrases in Vibrio cholerae and a plasmid-borne class 1 mobile integron. SOS regulation enhances cassette swapping and capture in stressful conditions, while freezing the integron in steady environments. We conducted a systematic study of available integron integrase promoter sequences to analyze the

SUBMITTER: Cambray G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3108266 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature