Frost Laura S, Leplae Raphael, Summers Anne O, Toussaint Ariane
Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Centre, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada.
Nat Rev Microbiol. 2005 Sep;3(9):722-32. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro1235.
Horizontal genomics is a new field in prokaryotic biology that is focused on the analysis of DNA sequences in prokaryotic chromosomes that seem to have originated from other prokaryotes or eukaryotes. However, it is equally important to understand the agents that effect DNA movement: plasmids, bacteriophages and transposons. Although these agents occur in all prokaryotes, comprehensive genomics of the prokaryotic mobile gene pool or 'mobilome' lags behind other genomics initiatives owing to challenges that are distinct from cellular chromosomal analysis. Recent work shows promise of improved mobile genetic element (MGE) genomics and consequent opportunities to take advantage - and avoid the dangers - of these 'natural genetic engineers'. This review describes MGEs, their properties that are important in horizontal gene transfer, and current opportunities to advance MGE genomics.
水平基因组学是原核生物学中的一个新领域，专注于分析原核生物染色体中似乎起源于其他原核生物或真核生物的DNA序列。然而，了解影响DNA移动的因子同样重要：质粒、噬菌体和转座子。尽管这些因子存在于所有原核生物中，但由于与细胞染色体分析不同的挑战，原核生物移动基因库或“移动组”的全面基因组学落后于其他基因组计划。最近的研究显示了改进移动遗传元件（MGE）基因组学的前景，以及利用这些“天然基因工程师”并避免其危险的相应机会。本综述描述了MGEs、它们在水平基因转移中重要的特性，以及推进MGE基因组学的当前机会。
