Occurrence of and Related Genes beyond the Phylum.

Clinically relevant glycopeptide antibiotics remain among the most successful classes of natural antibacterials. This success, however, is endangered by the spread of glycopeptide resistance genes, also known as genes. Thus, it is important to trace and comprehend possible routes of gene dissemination. In the current work, we present a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis aimed at mapping the occurrence of genes beyond the phylum-the most likely natural reservoir of genes. We show that two additional classes of Gram-positive bacteria, and , as well as one class of Gram-negative bacteria, , carry genes. Additionally, we demonstrate that various new genera belonging to the classes and also carry genes. The majority of discovered loci are co-localized with MGE-related genes of various types. Finally, we propose a phylogeny-based scenario for the spread of genes, unraveling a network of consequential horizontal gene transfer events linking the phylum with the five other bacterial classes carrying genes.