Selfless Viruses: The biology and regulation of Gene Transfer Agents

Activity: Talk or presentationInvited talk

Description

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are genetic elements that have the potential to carry out high frequency horizontal gene transfer. GTAs are similar to small bacteriophages in many ways but, instead of prioritizing the spread of their own genes, they package and disseminate the entire genome of their bacterial host. Indiscriminate transfer of bacterial genes could clearly have a major impact on bacterial evolution, fitness and antimicrobial resistance. Over the past decade, numerous pleiotropic systems have been shown to influence GTA production (e.g. nutrient stress, quorum sensing, SOS response etc.) but all act indirectly and so the mechanism of activation has remained elusive. We recently identified the regulator protein, GafA, that integrates the various regulatory circuits and then co-ordinates expression of the various GTA loci. Here I will present our latest results defining the mechanism of action for GafA including its interaction with the RNA polymerase holoenzyme and an enigmatic extracellular repressor. I will also provide exciting insights into how GTAs package random DNA and what role they play in the environment.
Period4 Apr 2022
Event titleMicrobiology Society Annual Conference 2022
Event typeConference
LocationBelfast, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational