Anmerkung: Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- About the Editors -- About the Editors -- Contents -- Editors -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Transposon Tn7 -- Introduction -- Tn7 Transposition Functions -- Target Selection in the TnsABC+D Transposition Pathway -- Target Selection in the TnsABC+E Transposition Pathway -- Recognition of a Positive Target Signal by TnsC -- Target Immunity -- Expansion of the Tn7 Family by Virtue of Vertical and Horizontal Transposition -- Internal Networking of the Core Machinery -- Assembly of the Transpososome for TnsABC+D Transposition -- Tn7 as a Genetic Tool -- Conclusion -- 2. Mercury Resistance Transposons -- Introduction -- Mercury Resistance Transposons of Gram-Negative Bacteria -- Tn21 Subgroup of Tn3 Family Transposons -- Mercury Resistance Transposons Belonging to Tn3 Family -- Tn5053 Family Transposons -- Tn5042-Like Transposons -- Mercury Resistance Transposons of Gram-Positive Bacteria -- Recombinant Transposons and Their Formation Mechanisms -- Distribution of mer Transposons and Their Horizontal Transfer -- Conclusion -- 3. Integrons: Antibiotic Resistance Evolution and Beyond -- Introduction -- Integrons: Emergence of a New Discrete Genetic Element -- The Integron Site-Specific Recombination System -- The Mobilisation of Integrons and the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance -- The IntI Subfamily of Recombinases -- Gene Cassette Structure -- The Recombination Sites and Reaction-attI and attC -- Chromosomal Integrons -- Adaptive Role of Integrons and Cassettes -- Gene Cassette Diversity-Metagenomic Studies -- Gene Cassette Diversity-Functional Gene Content Studies -- Use of Chromosomal Integron-Cassette Arrays in Phylogenetics -- Conclusion -- 4. Inteins and Introns -- Introduction -- Group II Introns -- Mobility Mechanisms for Group II Introns -- Evolution of Group II Introns. , Applications of Group II Introns -- Group I Introns -- Inteins -- Applications of Inteins -- Insertion Sites of Introns and Inteins -- Homing Endonucleases -- The Homing Cycle -- Acquisition of New Functions -- Conclusion/Outlook -- 5. Restriction-Modification Systems as Mobile Epigenetic Elements -- Introduction: Restriction-Modification Systems in Epigenetic Conflicts -- Abundance of RM Systems -- Types of Restriction Systems -- Gene Organization -- Mobility of RM Systems Revealed from Molecular Evolutionary Analyses -- RM Systems on Mobile Genetic Elements -- RM Systems as Mobile Genetic Elements -- Attack on the Host Bacterial Genome: Type II RM Systems -- Attack on the Host Bacterial Genome: Type IV Restriction Systems -- Attack on the Host Bacterial Genome: Type I RM Systems -- Anti-Restriction Systems -- RM Systems and Genome Rearrangements -- Impact on Genome Evolution -- Domain Sequence Movement in the Specificity Subunit -- Gene Regulation -- Conclusion and Perspective -- 6. Mobile Genetic Elements in the Genus Bacteroides, and Their Mechanism(s) of Dissemination -- Introduction -- Mobile Genetic Elements in the Bacteroides -- How are Mobile Elements Transferred within and from Bacteroides Spp? -- Combating Antibiotic Resistance by Targeting Bacterial Conjugation -- Conclusion -- 7. Mobilisable Genetic Elements from the Clostridia -- Introduction -- Mobile Elements in the Clostridia -- The Tn4451/3 Family of Mobilisable Transposons -- The Lincomycin Resistance Element tISCpe8 -- The Erythromycin Resistance Element Tn5398 -- Conclusion -- 8. pSAM2, a Paradigm for a Family of Actinomycete Integrative and Conjugative Elements -- Introduction -- Overview of pSAM2 Functions -- Site-Specific Excision/Integration -- Replication -- Transfer -- Regulation -- Other Genes -- Host Range -- pSAM2-Like Elements -- Genetic Tools Derived from pSAM2. , Conclusion -- 9. The Tn916/Tn1545 Family of Conjugative Transposons -- Introduction -- The Functions of the Transposon Encoded Proteins by Module -- Variations on the Tn916 Theme -- Conclusion -- 10. Tn1549 and Closely Related Elements -- Introduction -- Structure of Tn1549 -- The Resistance Module: The vanB Operon -- The Transposition Module -- The Conjugation Module -- Fitness Cost ot VanB-Type Resistance in Enterococcil -- Conclusion -- 11. The Tn4371 ICE Family of Bacterial Mobile Genetic Elements -- Introduction -- Taxonomy of Tn4371-Like ICEs and Their Hosts -- Integration and Excision (IntMod) -- Stability and Maintenance Genes (StaMod) -- The Accessory Genes (AccMod) -- Transfer Genes and TraMod -- Conclusion -- 12. The Integrative and Conjugative Element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis -- Introduction to ICEBs1 -- Regulation of Induction of ICEBs1 -- DNA Processing Events Prior to Transfer -- DNA Transfer through the ICEBs1 Mating Machinery -- Cell Biology of Mating of ICEBs1 -- Integration of ICEBs1 on the Chromosome -- Immunity -- Conclusion and Future Directions -- 13. Integrating Conjugative Elements of the SXT/R391 Family -- Introduction -- SXT/R391 ICEs Share a Common Backbone -- Variable Regions and Diversity of Encoded Functions -- Entry Exclusion: Two Distinct Groups Coexist in SXI/R391 ICES -- Plasticity and Evolution of SXT/R391 ICEs -- Mobilization of Plasmids, Mobilizable Genomic Islands and Chromosomal DNA -- Conclusion -- 14. Excision and Transfer of Bacteroides Conjugative Integrated Elements -- Introduction -- Excision of CTnDOT -- Regulation of CTnDOT Excision -- Transfer of CTnDOT -- Excision of Other Bacteroides Integrated Mobile Elements -- Conclusion -- 15. Integrative and Conjugative Elements Encoding DDE Transposases -- Introduction -- Organization and Diversity of TnGBS1 and Related Transposons. , Organization and Diversity of TnGBS2 and Related Elements -- Organization of ICE6013 -- The Transposition Module -- Conclusion -- 16. The clc Element and Related Genomic Islands in Proteobacteria -- Introduction -- Genetic Structure of ICEclc -- GEI/ICE Related to ICEclc -- Integrase Mediates the Integration/Excision Reaction -- Transfer System of ICEclc -- Regulation of ICEclc Transfer -- Effects of ICEclc on the Host Cell -- Conclusion -- 17. Pathogenicity Island Evolution: A Distinct New Class of Integrative Element or a Mosaic of Other Elements? -- Original Definition of a Pathogenicity Island (PAI) -- The Discovery and Elucidation of the First PAIs -- Pathogenicity Island Encoded Virulence Factors -- The PAI Concept is Broadened -- An Alternative Hypothesis of Pathogenicity Island Evolution -- Pathogenicity Island Excision from the Host Chromosome -- Conclusion -- 18. Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome (SCC): A Unique Gene Transfer System in Staphylococci -- Introduction -- SCCmec is a SCC Specialized for the Transfer of Methicillin Resistance -- Identification of mecA Gene and Its Homoloes -- Structure of SCCmec: The mec Gene Complexes -- Origin of mec Gene Complex -- ccrs are Responsible for the Mobility of SCCmecs -- SCCmec as a Vehicle for Multi-Drug Resistance -- Horizontal Transfer and Molecular Evolution of SCCmec -- Shaping a New SCCmec: Recombination and Fusion of SCC Elements -- Conclusion -- Index.