Gene Transfer Potential of Outer Membrane Vesicles of Gram-Negative Bacteria

Gene Transfer Potential of Outer Membrane Vesicles of Gram-Negative Bacteria

The increasing spread of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria is one of the major threats to public health worldwide. Bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance and virulence genes through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). A novel horizontal gene transfer mechanism mediated by outer membrane vesicl...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Federica Dell’Annunziata, Veronica Folliero, Rosa Giugliano, Anna De Filippis, Cristina Santarcangelo, Viviana Izzo, Maria Daglia, Massimiliano Galdiero, Carla Renata Arciola, Gianluigi Franci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
outer membrane vesicles
horizontal gene transfer
gram-negative bacteria
DNA
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/11/5985
Description
Summary:The increasing spread of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria is one of the major threats to public health worldwide. Bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance and virulence genes through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). A novel horizontal gene transfer mechanism mediated by outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) has been recently identified. OMVs are rounded nanostructures released during their growth by Gram-negative bacteria. Biologically active toxins and virulence factors are often entrapped within these vesicles that behave as molecular carriers. Recently, OMVs have been reported to contain DNA molecules, but little is known about the vesicle packaging, release, and transfer mechanisms. The present review highlights the role of OMVs in HGT processes in Gram-negative bacteria.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067

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