Bob Yirka is a research scientist at Phys.org.
Evidence shows that some Archaea have integrons. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes how they used a recently developed technique called metagenome-assembled genomes to study the genomes of Archaea samples.
The life on Earth is divided into three different areas. The third domain is called Archaea. Like Bacteria, Archaea are single-celled, but they rely on lipids in their cells.
In this new effort, the researchers were looking into the ways in whichbacteria swap genes and wondered if it was possible that they have integrons. To find out, they used a technique that allows for searching for single genes and genes that are related.
They used the technique to find lots of matches. 75 matches of an integron were found in the 6,700 genomes scanned. The structure of the integrons inbacteria suggested the use of cassettes.
The researchers believed that this showed that the Archaea should be able to swap genes with other organisms. They exposed AttC to an E. coli specimen in order to prove their idea was correct. The cassettes had been created to allow the swap of genes.
New avenues of research will be opened up when integrons are found. One way to look into the possibility is to swap genes from Archaea tobacteria in order to make them resistant to drugs. A complete genome of Archaea would be helpful.
There is more information about the Discovery of integrons in Archaea: Platforms for cross-domain Gene Transfer. There is a book titled "Sci Adv.abq6376."
Journal information: Science Advances
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