Genetic variability of the frameshift region in IS911 transposable elements from Escherichia coli clinical isolates

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2003 Jan 28;218(2):231-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2003.tb11522.x.

Abstract

The IS911 bacterial transposable element has been analyzed for its mechanism of transposition and for the way it controls the expression of its genes by programmed -1 translational frameshifting. In the present study the prevalence of IS911 has been determined in the Enterobacteriaceae family and in other Gram-negative bacilli. Three variants, found in Escherichia coli clinical isolates and having mutations in the region implicated in frameshifting, were functionally characterized. All three were altered in their frameshifting and transposition abilities, suggesting that the frameshift region of IS911 may constitute a target for mutations reducing the transposition frequency of this mobile element in natural populations of E. coli.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Frameshift Mutation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Bacterial