An operon of three transcriptional regulators controls horizontal gene transfer of the integrative and conjugative element ICEclc in Pseudomonas knackmussii B13.

ABSTRACT: The integrative and conjugative element ICEclc is a mobile genetic element in Pseudomonas knackmussii B13, and an experimental model for a widely distributed group of elements in Proteobacteria. ICEclc is transferred from specialized transfer competent cells, which arise at a frequency of 3-5% in a population at stationary phase. Very little is known about the different factors that control the transfer frequency of this ICE family. Here we report the discovery of a three-gene operon encoded by ICEclc, which exerts global control on transfer initiation. The operon consists of three consecutive regulatory genes, encoding a TetR-type repressor MfsR, a MarR-type regulator and a LysR-type activator TciR. We show that MfsR autoregulates expression of the operon, whereas TciR is a global activat

SUBMITTER: Pradervand N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4063739 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature