Lunde, TM., et al., 2025. Evolutionary dynamics of Tn916 in Streptococcus oralis: Fitness cost and persistent metabolic shifts post-acquisition

abstract

The acquisition and transfer of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are major drivers of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations. Despite the fitness cost associated with the acquisition of MGEs, the mechanisms underlying their persistence remain poorly understood. This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of the integrative conjugative element (ICE) Tn916 in a naïve Streptococcus oralis host, focusing on growth rates and metabolic activity.

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