Predictive analysis of integrative and conjugative elements （ICEs）in completely sequenced Vibrio genomes

Integrative and conjugative elements（ICEs）are selftransmissible mobile genetic elements that mediate horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. ICEs and related elements can constitute a large proportion of bacterial chromosomes，and bestow a wide range of phenotypes upon their host with carried gene cassettes. To study the role of SXT/R391 ICEs in the growth of Vibrio， SXT/R391 ICEs were identified in the 26 completely sequenced Vibrio genome using PrfC and their characteristic modules. The results showed that only SXT/R391 ICEs were found from 3 V. cholerae，and we comparatively analyzed the resistance genes and hotspots among 3 SXT/R391 ICEs. The region in resistance genes and hotspots had similar structure in 3 SXT/R391 ICEs，it could indicate the precedence relation in 3 SXT/R391 ICEs based on the genes which lost or gained