Plasmid Capture from Metagenomes

Abstract

DefinitionsMetagenome: The collective genomes of all members of a bacterial community.Mobile metagenome: The total pool of mobile genetic elements associated with a bacterial community.Mobile genetic element (MGE): A discrete genetic unit capable of mediating its own transfer between distinct DNA molecules and/or between distinct host cells of the same or different species. Plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences, conjugative transposons, integrons, and bacteriophage are all examples of MGE.Plasmid: Closed circular DNA molecule that replicates within host cells as an autonomous extrachromosomal element.Plasmidome: Plasmid fraction of the mobile metagenome. May be defined as the total pool of plasmids associated with a microbial community and a component of the mobile metagenome as a whole.Horizontal gene transfer: Transfer and acquisition of genetic material between distinct cells or species, outside of and in addition to the normal process of inheritance (vertical gene transfer). ...