Part:BBa_K3394009

ICE (Integrative and Conjugative Element)

ICEs are mobile genetic elements which contain genes that allow them to integrate into a host genome. They are passively distributed during cell differentiation. The usage of those mobile elements has a huge potential transforming DNA parts to different DNA receptor cells.

Figure 1: integration of ICE with the cellulolytic system into a host genome

ICE elements contain 3 main sections:

1. Pore genes- that encode for protein channels, through which the DNA may be imported.

2.Genes that encode to proteins that recognize the ori-T, and cause the transfer of the single stranded DNA from the donor to the receptor cell.

3. Genes that encode to the integrase\recombinase proteins, which are responsible for the integration of the DNA to the host’s chromosome.

Even though ICE system was mainly a theoretical plan for our project due to COVID-19 lockdowns that prevented us from being physically in the lab for long periods of time, ICE has a huge potential assisting our project in the future. With the help of ICE elements, we would be able to insert the cellulolytic system (containing Endo5A, CBD and AIDA-I, for more information see BBa_K3394007 and BBa_K3394008) to the bacterial community in sewer systems, and enable major distribution of those genes and qualities among it, which will hopefully help preventing the creation of fatbergs.

We relied on information found in ICEberg website, and focused on "mini" conjugative transposon called Tn916 - GenBank: U09422.1