细菌中整合性接合元件的研究进展

Progresses of study on integrative and conjugative elements of bacteria

摘要:

整合性接合元件是近年来在细菌中发现的一种可移动的基因元件，它位于染色体上，可通过接合转移的方式介导细菌间基因的水平转移。这种基因的水平转移有助于细菌适应特定的环境条件，但许多整合性接合元件包含耐药基因，这些遗传元件的水平转移极大地加速了耐药基因在同种及不同种属之间的传播，造成细菌的耐药以至多重耐药问题日益严重，耐药机制日趋复杂；同时整合性接合元件与基因岛有着密切的联系，因此对其特征及转移机制进行研究很有必要。

关键词:整合性接合元件，基因的水平转移，抗生素耐药性，基因岛

Abstract:

Integrative and conjugative element (ICE) is a kind of novel mobile genetic elements found in bacteria, which is a chromosomal mobile element and can transfer between bacteria through conjugation. The horizontal gene transfer contributes to the adaptation of microorganisms under special environmental conditions. Because of many ICEs associated with antibiotic resistant genes, the transfer of these genetic elements would speed up the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes within and between microbial genera. It results in the growing problems of drug resistance, even multi-drug resistance and makes the mechanism of resistance become exceedingly complex. In addition, ICEs are closely related with genomic islands, and intensive research leading to deeper understanding is imperative.

Key words:Integrative and conjugative elements, Horizontal gene transfer, Antibiotic resistance, Genomic islands