Transposons take over chromosome ends in bacteria
The Barabas group participated in a study lead by the group of Prof. Joseph E. Peters at Cornell University, revealing that transposons – DNA segments that can move in genomes – invade chromosome ends in bacteria. These so-called telomeric transposons target and replace native sequences at chromosome ends and take control of maintaining the new end that they bring along. This way, the host cell becomes ‘addicted’ to these genomic parasites, as loss of the transposon would lead to chromosome degradation and cell death. The study highlights the fascinating diversity of mobile genetic elements, their intricate competition with cellular defence pathways, and their roles in genetic exchange, evolution and antibiotic resistance development.
Link to full study:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp1973
Summary article in the Cornell Chronicle: