Mobile DNA in obligate intracellular bacteria

Seth Bordenstein

Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution

The Marine Biological Laboratory

7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543

United States of American

HYPERLINK "mailto:youremailaccount@xxx.xxx.xx" sbordenstein@mbl.edu

The smallest bacterial genomes (less than 2Mb) are typically devoid of mobile DNA owing to their intracellular lifestyle and elevated rates of nucleotide deletion. Such streamlined genomes represent the few cases in which mobile DNA is absent from Life. The recent genome sequencing efforts of the most widespread invertebrate symbiont on the planet (Wolbachia) has revealed a surprising mobile DNA content of over 10%. Here I review the mobile DNA composition of intracellular bacteria and discuss our recent investigations into the molecular evolution and effects of bacteriophage in the evolutionary important Wolbachia. Among other findings, I describe the first evidence for recent lateral phage transfer among a consortium of obligate intracellular bacteria.