Mobile Genetic Elements on Yersinia

Dear Colleagues,

Yersinia is a very heterogenous genus of bacteria comprising the causative agent of plaque (Y. pestis), two enteropathogenic species (Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis) as well an increasing number of species that are generally considered to be non-pathogenic. Moreover, even the single species Y. enterocolitica is composed of various bio/serotypes that clearly differ in terms of their pathogenic potential. The virulence of pathogenic Yersinia strains largely depends on the presence of mobile genetic elements (e.g. plasmids, pathogenicity islands), which might be transmitted to other strains, and thereby modulate the virulence or other properties (e.g. metabolism, antibiotic resistance) of the bacteria. In addition, temperate phages may be involved in the generation of new pathotypes. On the other hand, virulent phages can be helpful to combat or detect pathogenic Yersinia strains. Thus, mobile genetic elements in Yersinia are obviously important for both the evolutionary development of this interesting group of bacteria, and to harness them for applications. Though, the number of reports describing new mobile genetic elements in Yersinia is rather limited. For that reason in this special issue contributions on all aspects of mobile genetic elements in Yersinia are invited.

Dr. Stefan Hertwig
Dr. Claudia Jäckel
Guest Editors

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• Yersinia
• mobile genetic elements
• plasmid
• phage
• pathogenicity island
• virulence
• horizontal gene transfer