Small extracellular particles with big potential for horizontal gene transfer: membrane vesicles and gene transfer agents

Abstract

Bacteria are known to release different types of particles that serve various purposes such as processing of metabolites, communication, and transfer of genetic material. One of the most interesting aspects of the production of such particles is the biogenesis and trafficking of complex particles that can carry DNA, RNA, proteins or toxins into the surrounding environment to aid in bacterial survival or lead to gene transfer. Two important bacterial extracellular complexes are membrane vesicles (MVs) and gene transfer agents (GTAs). In this review, we will discuss the production, contents, and functions of these two types of particles as related to their abilities to facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT).