Plasmids can be transferred between cells by conjugation, thereby driving bacterial
evolution by horizontal gene transfer. Yet, we ignore the molecular mechanisms of transfer …

Highlights•Non-conjugative mobile genetic elements are often mobilized by conjugative
elements.•Element carriage of a relaxase gene is not a strict requirement for mobilization.•A …

Conjugation drives the horizontal transfer of adaptive traits across prokaryotes. One-fourth of
the plasmids encode the functions necessary to conjugate autonomously, the others being …

Plasmid fitness is directed by two orthogonal processes—vertical transfer through cell
division and horizontal transfer through conjugation. When considered individually …

Plasmids are key vectors of horizontal gene transfer and essential genetic engineering tools.
They code for genes involved in many aspects of microbial biology, including detoxication …

Bacterial conjugation mediates contact-dependent transfer of DNA from donor to recipient
bacteria, thus facilitating the spread of virulence and resistance plasmids. Here we describe …

Plasmids have a key role in bacterial ecology and evolution because they mobilize
accessory genes by horizontal gene transfer. However, recent studies have revealed that …

Conjugation is one mechanism for intra-and inter-species horizontal gene transfer among
bacteria. Conjugative elements have been instrumental in many bacterial species to face the …

Conjugative plasmids can mediate gene transfer between bacterial taxa in diverse
environments. The ability to donate the F-type conjugative plasmid R1 greatly varies among …

Bacterial conjugation was first described by Lederberg and Tatum in the 1940s following the
discovery of the F plasmid. During conjugation a plasmid is transferred unidirectionally from …