Transduction in Bacteria

Because of its transferability, transduction, as implied by the term, is one of the most regularly used procedures in scientific research to better understand genetic transfers and gene editing, and it is one of the most widely used techniques in scientific research. Transformation and conjugation are two other examples of such procedures. It is vital to note that viruses are required in order for bacteria to be infected, and the viruses that infect bacteria are referred to as bacteriophages (bacteria-eating viruses).

Transduction by Bacteriophages

The process of transduction is carried out by bacteriophages through two different types of life-cycles.

The bacteriophage’s life cycle lays the groundwork for the definition of transduction to become a reality in the future. The lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle are the two types of life-cycles that exist. Despite the fact that the creation of viral particles is accomplished by the use of bacterial machinery, there is a substantial distinction between the two. The following are the two processes that are described:

Lytic cycle

This cycle occurs when the bacteriophage (virus) infects the bacteria and takes advantage of the bacterial machinery for replication, transcription, and translation. Replication entails making more copies of viral genetic material, transcription entails converting DNA into RNA from the viral genetic material, and translation entails producing viral proteins from the viral genetic material. In this cycle, the virus exists as a distinct entity within the bacterial cytoplasm and makes use of the necessary machinery for its own objectives, independent of the processes that the bacterial genetic material is subjected to during the bacterial life cycle. Viruses that go through this type of life-cycle are referred to be virulent phages.

Lysogenic cycle: 

Viral genetic material fused with bacterial genetic material (i.e., viral DNA integrated into bacterial DNA) is the most distinguishing feature of this cycle as opposed to that of the lytic cycle. Viral genetic material fuses with bacterial genetic material is the most distinguishing feature of this cycle as opposed to the lytic cycle. A prophage is a virus that has successfully integrated its viral genome into the bacterial genome. The viral genome has been integrated into the bacterial chromosome, which means it is impervious to harm by DNAse, an enzyme that breaks the foreign genetic substance in order to protect the bacteria. Another benefit of this is that the viral set of genes remains intact and dormant throughout the bacteria’s different generations of existence. Prophages are severed from their host bacteria’s genome only when they are triggered to activate by external causes, most commonly ultraviolet light. Once triggered, the prophage begins to replicate by initiating a lytic cycle of viral replication.

Ultimately, the cells are lysed by the rupturing of the membrane, and new virus particles are released at the conclusion of both cycles. These cycles, which are often referred to as reproductive cycles, result in various types of transduction. These newly formed virions are transmitted to another bacterial cell, where they may be incorporated into the new host bacterial genome or may stay as an extrachromosomal body in the new host bacterium after the transduction process. Despite the fact that the outcome is unexpected, it highlights one technique that contributes to the failure of antibiotic drugs: the transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes between different bacteria.

Different Types of Transduction

There are two types of transduction that are well-known in the scientific community, both of which entail the transfer of a foreign genome into another bacterial cell. They are listed in the next section.

• In the first instance, generalised transduction occurs, in which the phage transports any random segment of bacterial DNA.

• A specific portion of the bacterial DNA is carried by the phage in the second type of transduction.

The following are the explanations for the two types of transduction.

Generalised Transduction 

is a term that refers to the process of converting one form of energy into another.

The bacterial genetic material is packed with the viral genetic material in this sort of transduction, and a random segment of the bacterial genetic material is included. This bacterial DNA can be packed into the virus capsule in two ways: either as a portion of the viral genome or as a component of the capsule’s head structure. When a virus replicates utilising head packing, the bacterial genome is inserted into the head of the virus capsule, which results in the virus capsule replicating. Alternatively, if there is a spare capacity, the bacterial genome is absorbed into the new virion during its formation. Later on, the newly created virion, which is formed by either the lytic cycle or the lysogenic cycle, is utilised to infect another bacterial cell, resulting in gene transfer, which is defined as transduction in the definition of transduction.

Transduction with a Specific Purpose

Transduction in this sort of transduction occurs when a specific section of the bacterial genetic material is packaged with the viral genome. Normally, only the lysogenic life-cycle is responsible for this type of transduction. The prophage can be utilised to integrate into the bacterial chromosome in a targeted manner, which is advantageous. When this prophage is excised, it brings with it the extended bacterial genomic area, which is then incorporated into the new virion. The fact that the prophage was connected to a specific section of the bacterial genome means that it can be used to transduce information from a specific part of the bacterial genome. After all is said and done, the gene transfer is accomplished by introducing the newly created virion into another bacterial cell.

Conclusion

Transduction is used in a variety of situations.

When it comes to genetic engineering, transduction is one of the most significant technologies available.Animal and plant cells can be transduced in order to modify their genetic contents and obtain the desired features. Transduction is used to insert desired genes into animal and plant cells.It has the potential to be employed in gene therapy. It has enormous potential in the treatment of hereditary illnesses.It is a critical tool in genetics and molecular biology research, as well as other fields.