B-family DNA polymerases (PolBs) represent the most common replicases. PolB enzymes
that require RNA (or DNA) primed templates for DNA synthesis are found in all domains of life …

Type II toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are generally composed of two genes organized in an
operon, encoding a labile antitoxin and a stable toxin. They were first discovered on plasmids …

Streptococcus pyogenes ranks among the main causes of mortality from bacterial infections
worldwide. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent diseases such as rheumatic heart …

Bacteria with two cell membranes (diderms) have evolved complex systems for protein
secretion. These systems were extensively studied in some model bacteria, but the …

Horizontal gene transfer shapes the genomes of prokaryotes by allowing rapid acquisition
of novel adaptive functions. Conjugation allows the broadest range and the highest gene …

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) M protein is an important virulence factor and potential vaccine
antigen, and constitutes the basis for strain typing (emm-typing). Although >200 emm-types …

Genetic exchange by conjugation is responsible for the spread of resistance, virulence, and
social traits among prokaryotes. Recent works unraveled the functioning of the underlying …

Conjugation of DNA through a type IV secretion system (T4SS) drives horizontal gene transfer.
Yet little is known on the diversity of these nanomachines. We previously found that T4SS …

Leptospira is a highly heterogeneous bacterial genus that can be divided into three evolutionary
lineages and >300 serovars. The causative agents of leptospirosis are responsible of …

Giant and large eukaryotic double-stranded DNA viruses from the Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large
DNA Virus (NCLDV) assemblage represent a remarkably diverse and potentially ancient …