[CONJUGATIVE INTEGRATIVE ELEMENTS (ICEs) OF MICROORGANISMS]

Abstract

Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are an extensive group of mobile genetic elements found in the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These genetic elements are replicated being incorporated into host chromosome, but retain the ability for excision and conjugative transfer. Given a set of the genes of the conjugative transfer, control of removal and integration, ICEs are directly involved in the processes of horizontal transfer of genetic determinants, which increase the adaptive potential of the bacterial species, as well as act as a mobilizing factor for other genetic elements.