Conjugation, transformation, and transduction constitute the three classical mechanisms involved in horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among prokaryotes. In addition, alternative HGT mechanisms exist in groups of organisms. Among them, the use of DNA-containing membrane vesicles as shuttle elements for HGT has been described for a number of microorganisms, including both thermophiles and mesophiles. Here we describe the methods followed to detect, purify, and analyze these vesicles.
Keywords: DNase-resistant; Extracellular vesicles; Horizontal gene transfer; Thermus.