Horizontal gene transfer amongst probiotic lactic acid bacteria and other intestinal microbiota: what are the possibilities? A review

Probiotics are live cultures, usually lactic acid bacteria, which are ingested to promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract. These organisms require certain traits to survive and compete in this niche, but these traits may be transferred to other microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Simila...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of microbiology 2011-03, Vol.193 (3), p.157-168
Main Authors: van Reenen, Carol A, Dicks, Leon M. T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Adaptation
Bacteria
Biochemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Colon
DNA, Bacterial - genetics
Ecology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gastrointestinal tract
gene transfer
Gene Transfer, Horizontal
Genes
Genetic engineering
Genomes
Intestinal microbiota
Intestines - microbiology
Lactobacillaceae - genetics
Lactobacillaceae - pathogenicity
Life Sciences
Metagenome
Microbial Ecology
Microbiology
Microbiota
Microorganisms
Mini-Review
Pathogens
Probiotics
Small intestine
Virulence
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Summary:Probiotics are live cultures, usually lactic acid bacteria, which are ingested to promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract. These organisms require certain traits to survive and compete in this niche, but these traits may be transferred to other microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Similarly, virulence factors from pathogens may be acquired by probiotic strains. Bacteria have developed a plethora of methods to transfer genetic material between strains, species and genera. In this review, the possible factors that may be exchanged and the methods of exchange are discussed.
ISSN:0302-8933
1432-072X
DOI:10.1007/s00203-010-0668-3