FIG. 3.

Synoptic view of the dynamics of genome architecture in Rhizobium. Interactions between replicons lead to cointegrations and excisions events (as indicated by arrows). This generates siblings with different genome structures. (a) Wild-type NGR234 with three replicons: chromosome (thin black segment); pNGR234b (white-and-black segment); and pNGR234a (thick black segment). (b) Derivative containing chromosome-pNGR234a cointegrate (CFNX401 type). (c) Derivative harboring chromosome-pNGR234b cointegrate (CFNX407 type). (d) Derivative bearing the cointegration of the three replicons: chromosome-pNGR234b-pNGR234a (CFNX408 type). (e) Derivative with a plasmid cointegration, pNGR234a-pNGR234b (CFNX416 type).