Characterization of an exclusion mechanism in an integrative and conjugative element in Bacillus subtilis

Horizontal gene transfer is the acquisition of new genetic material that can confer novel phenotypes to bacteria and contribute to their evolution. Conjugation is an important mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that involves the direct transfer of DNA between two cells and is mediated by mobile genetic elements encoding type IV secretion systems. Conjugative elements prevent redundant transfer by a mechanism known as exclusion that inhibits their cognate secretion systems. Exclusion is prevalent among conjugative elements, suggesting it is advantageous and potentially essential. Yet very few exclusion mechanisms are characterized, and the advantages they provide are not well understood. My work characterizes the exclusion mechanism of an integrative and conjugative element found in a Gram-positive bacterium. In combination with several other studies, my results point to a potentially conserved mechanism and novel benefits of this phenomenon, furthering our understanding of how mobile genetic elements regulate their transfer, impact their bacterial hosts, and mediate horizontal gene transfer.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Avello, Monika M. M. (Monika Maria Masumi)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alan D Grossman.

• Biology.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/119980

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/119980