Review
Nature Reviews Microbiology 2, 414-424 (May 2004) | doi:10.1038/nrmicro884
Genomic islands in pathogenic and environmental microorganisms
Ulrich Dobrindt1, Bianca Hochhut1, Ute Hentschel2 & Jörg Hacker1,2 About the authors
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer is an important mechanism for the evolution of microbial genomes. Pathogenicity islands — mobile genetic elements that contribute to rapid changes in virulence potential — are known to have contributed to genome evolution by horizontal gene transfer in many bacterial pathogens. Increasing evidence indicates that equivalent elements in non-pathogenic species — genomic islands — are important in the evolution of these bacteria, influencing traits such as antibiotic resistance, symbiosis and fitness, and adaptation in general. This review discusses the recent lessons that have been learned from pathogenicity islands in pathogenic microorganisms and how they apply to the role of genomic islands in commensal, symbiotic and environmental bacteria.
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Author affiliations
- Institut für Molekulare Infektionsbiologie, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
- Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
Correspondence to: Jörg Hacker1,2 Email: j.hacker@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
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