Transposon-like Correia elements: structure, distribution and genetic exchange between pathogenic Neisseria sp.

Journal article

Correia elements are a prominent feature of all four Neisseria genome sequences. We report an in silico analysis of the structure and genomic distribution of these elements and some preliminary biochemical data. Correia elements fall into four major families, distinguished by a 50 bp internal deletion and five point mutations. The elements resemble a transposon with 25 bp inverted repeats and a TA duplication at the target site. Within the element there is a functional integration host factor binding site. The genomic distribution of Correia elements is essentially random except for some small Correia-less regions apparently acquired by horizontal transfer. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that their presence predates the divergence of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Authors: Buisine, N; Tang, C; Chalmers, R

• Journal: FEBS letters
• Volume: 522
• Issue: 1-3
• Pages: 52-58
• Publication date: 2002-07-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02882-x
• EISSN: 1873-3468
• ISSN: 0014-5793
• Language: English
• Keywords: Molecular Sequence Data; Neisseria meningitidis; Terminal Repeat Sequences; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; DNA Transposable Elements; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Binding Sites; Genome, Bacterial; DNA, Bacterial; Promoter Regions, Genetic; DNA-Binding Proteins; Base Sequence; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Integration Host Factors; Bacterial Proteins