Microbial evolution through horizontal gene transfer by mobile genetic elements
Maho Tokuda,
Masaki Shintani
Abstract:Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are crucial for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria and facilitate their rapid evolution and adaptation. MGEs include plasmids, integrative and conjugative elements, transposons, insertion sequences and bacteriophages. Notably, the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which poses a serious threat to public health, is primarily attributable to HGT through MGEs. This mini‐review aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms by which MGEs mediate HGT in microbes. … Show more
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