Horizontal gene transfer occurs via a range of mechanisms, including transformation, conjugation and bacteriophage transduction. Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are an alternative, less-studied route for interbacterial DNA exchange. Encoded within bacterial or archaeal genomes, GTAs assemble into phage-like particles that selflessly package and transmit host DNA to recipient bacteria. Several unique features distinguish GTAs from canonical phages such as an inability to self-replicate, thus producing non-infectious particles. GTAs are also deeply integrated into the physiology of the host cell and are maintained under tight host-regulatory control. Recent advances in understanding the structure and regulation of GTAs have provided further insights into a DNA transfer mechanism that is proving increasingly widespread across the bacterial tree of life.

中文翻译：

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选择细菌病毒进行 DNA 交换：基因转移剂的结构和调控

水平基因转移通过一系列机制发生，包括转化、接合和噬菌体转导。基因转移剂 (GTA) 是细菌间 DNA 交换的另一种研究较少的途径。GTA 在细菌或古细菌基因组中编码，组装成噬菌体样颗粒，无私地包装宿主 DNA 并将其传输给受体细菌。GTA 与典型噬菌体有几个独特的特征，例如无法自我复制，从而产生非感染性颗粒。GTA 也深深地融入宿主细胞的生理学中，并在严格的宿主调节控制下维持。在了解 GTA 结构和调控方面的最新进展，为了解 DNA 转移机制提供了进一步的见解，这种机制已被证明在细菌生命树中越来越普遍。