In silico comparison of pKLC102-like genomic islands of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The genomic island pKLC102 first detected in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone C strains can cross species barriers and exhibits the highest mobilization rate of a genomic island known to date. Homologous genomic islands of 81–108 kb in size were identified in the completely sequenced P. aeruginosa strains PA7, PA14, 2192, C3719 and PACS2, but not in strains PAO1 and LES. All pKLC102-like genomic islands are integrated in chromosomal tRNA^Lys genes and share a syntenic set of more than 70 homologous ORFs, part of which are related to DNA replication or mobility genes. The conserved backbone has predilection sites for the uptake of island-specific gene cassettes. A major difference between the islands is the organization of the origin of replication oriV.