Abstract:Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) mediate bacteria bestow resistance to multiple antibiotics and some complex new traits through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). They encoded a wide variety of genetic information, including resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals and the capacity to degrade aromatic compounds which are affected by bacterial type IV secretion system (T4SS), 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 this review, the structure and conjugation process of ICEs and the interactions with the components of T4SS are discussed.
