Definition
An important vehicle for lateral (or horizontal) gene transfer in bacteria is the integron: it enables the capture and expression of genes as small mobile elements, or gene cassettes. These mobile gene cassettes encompass a vast pool of genetic novelty, ostensibly for purposes of adaptation. In most cases, their functional annotation is obscured by their characteristically high sequence novelty. Our isolation and solving of protein structures encoded by the cassette metagenome reveals a relatively high proportion of completely novel folds. These newly defined crystal structures are found to encompass diverse topologies and fold families and delineate new protein domains.
Introduction
Bacteria dominate the planet; they are omnipresent, inhabiting a wide range of environments, including those appearing too extreme or inhospitable for life (Rothschild and Mancinelli 2001). Lateral gene transfer...
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Mabbutt, B., Deshpande, C., Sureshan, V., Harrop, S.J. (2013). Integrons as Repositories of Genetic Novelty. In: Nelson, K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Metagenomics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6418-1_146-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6418-1_146-2
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