Horizontal gene transfer of a genetic island encoding a type III secretion system distributed in Vibrio cholerae

Microbiol Immunol. 2013 May;57(5):334-9. doi: 10.1111/1348-0421.12039.

Abstract

Twelve Vibrio cholerae isolates with genes for a type III secretion system (T3SS) were detected among 110 environmental and 14 clinical isolates. T3SS-related genes were distributed among the various serogroups and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of NotI-digested genomes showed genetic diversity in these strains. However, the restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles of the T3SS-related genes had similar patterns. Additionally, naturally competent T3SS-negative V. cholerae incorporated the ca. 47 kb gene cluster of T3SS, which had been integrated into a site on the chromosome by recombination. Therefore, it is suggested that horizontal gene transfer of T3SS-related genes occurs among V. cholerae in natural ecosystems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cholera / microbiology
  • Chromosomes, Bacterial
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genomic Islands*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Typing
  • Multigene Family
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Vibrio cholerae / classification
  • Vibrio cholerae / genetics*
  • Vibrio cholerae / isolation & purification
  • Vibrio cholerae / pathogenicity
  • Virulence Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Virulence Factors