Genomic analysis reveals the role of integrative and conjugative elements in plant pathogenic bacteria

• Published in: Mobile DNA Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 1 - 19
• Main Authors: de Assis, Jéssica Catarine Silva, Gonçalves, Osiel Silva, Fernandes, Alexia Suellen, de Queiroz, Marisa Vieira, Bazzolli, Denise Mara Soares, Santana, Mateus Ferreira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 12-08-2022; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Chromosomes; Drug resistance; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic research; Genome evolution; Genomes; Genomics; Health aspects; Horizontal gene transfer; Mobile genetic elements (MGE); Phytopathology; Proteins; Roles; Transfer RNA; Transposons; Virulence; Virulence (Microbiology)
• ISSN: 1759-8753; 1759-8753
• DOI: 10.1186/s13100-022-00275-1

Abstract
Background
ICEs are mobile genetic elements found integrated into bacterial chromosomes that can excise and be transferred to a new cell. They play an important role in horizontal gene transmission and carry accessory genes that may provide interesting phenotypes for the bacteria. Here, we seek to research the presence and the role of ICEs in 300 genomes of phytopathogenic bacteria with the greatest scientific and economic impact.
Results
Seventy-eight ICEs (45 distinct elements) were identified and characterized in chromosomes of
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
,
Dickeya dadantii,
and
D. solani
,
Pectobacterium carotovorum
and
P. atrosepticum
,
Pseudomonas syringae
,
Ralstonia solanacearum
Species Complex, and
Xanthomonas campestris
. Intriguingly, the co-occurrence of four ICEs was observed in some
P. syringae
strains. Moreover, we identified 31 novel elements, carrying 396 accessory genes with potential influence on virulence and fitness, such as genes coding for functions related to T3SS, cell wall degradation and resistance to heavy metals. We also present the analysis of previously reported data on the expression of cargo genes related to the virulence of
P. atrosepticum
ICEs, which evidences the role of these genes in the infection process of tobacco plants.
Conclusions
Altogether, this paper has highlighted the potential of ICEs to affect the pathogenicity and lifestyle of these phytopathogens and direct the spread of significant putative virulence genes in phytopathogenic bacteria.