Working group: "Computational Biology"
2011, the 18th of January
David Bikard
Title: Integron recombination mechanism and dynamics.
Abstract:
Integron are recombination systems that play a major role in the spread of
antibiotic resistances. They are DNA platforms able to capture new gene
cassettes and shuffle an�existing�cassette array. When the bacteria is
stressed, the integron recombinase (or integrase) is expressed and generates
new combinations of genetic elements, potentially leading
to�adaptive�solutions in�stressful�environments.�These recombination
reactions use an unconventional mechanism involving a folded
single-stranded�attC�site. Modeling of attC site folding together with
experimental�measurements�of recombination frequencies, allowed to uncover
the pathways allowing attC sites to fold into the structure recognized by
the integrase. We are now also using the wealth of data provided by DNA
sequencing to study the dynamics of integron recombination in the light of
these new mechanistic insights.