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Ferreira VA, Saraiva MMS, Campos IC, Silva MPSD, Benevides VP, Almeida AM, Codognoto TA, Nascimento CDF, Lima TSD, Rodrigues Alves LB, Berchieri Junior A. In vitro conjugation of IncB/O-plasmid: Minimum inhibitory concentration of β-lactams increases 16-fold in Salmonella enterica compared with Escherichia coli. Microb Pathog 2024; 193:106788. [PMID: 38986823 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The use of antimicrobials in poultry leaves residues in the litter, favoring the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and making it a source of contamination. An in vitro 4 × 4 factorial trial was performed to investigate the influence of four treatments, consisting of antimicrobial sub-concentrations, on the transference of IncB/O-plasmid through conjugation in four groups. Each group was composed of one plasmid donor bacterium (Escherichia coli H2332) and a recipient bacterium (Escherichia coli J62 or Salmonella enterica serovars, Enteritidis, Typhimurium, or Heidelberg). Our results showed a little decrease in the conjugation frequency in almost all treatments between the two bacterial species, which varied according to each strain. The MIC test revealed an increase of up to 4096-fold in resistance to beta-lactams in Salmonella serovars after plasmid acquisition. This finding suggests that some genetic apparatus may be involved in increased antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella serovars after the acquisition of primary resistance determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Amorim Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Mauro M S Saraiva
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil; Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, 1165, Denmark.
| | - Isabella C Campos
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Pavão Saraiva da Silva
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Valdinete P Benevides
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil; Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, 1165, Denmark.
| | - Adriana M Almeida
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Thais Alves Codognoto
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Camila de Fátima Nascimento
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Túlio Spina de Lima
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Lucas B Rodrigues Alves
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil; Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, 1165, Denmark.
| | - Angelo Berchieri Junior
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
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Elg CA, Mack E, Rolfsmeier M, McLean TC, Kosterlitz O, Soderling E, Narum S, Rowley PA, Thomas CM, Top EM. Evolution of a Plasmid Regulatory Circuit Ameliorates Plasmid Fitness Cost. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.05.579024. [PMID: 38370613 PMCID: PMC10871194 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.579024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Plasmids play a major role in rapid adaptation of bacteria by facilitating horizontal transfer of diverse genes, most notably those conferring antibiotic resistance. While most plasmids that replicate in a broad range of bacteria also persist well in diverse hosts, there are exceptions that are poorly understood. We investigated why a broad-host range plasmid, pBP136, originally found in clinical Bordetella pertussis isolates, quickly became extinct in laboratory Escherichia coli populations. Through experimental evolution we found that inactivation of a previously uncharacterized plasmid gene, upf31, drastically improved plasmid maintenance in E. coli. This gene inactivation resulted in decreased transcription of the global plasmid regulators (korA, korB, and korC) and numerous genes in their regulons. It also caused transcriptional changes in many chromosomal genes primarily related to metabolism. In silico analyses suggested that the change in plasmid transcriptome may be initiated by Upf31 interacting with the plasmid regulator KorB. Expression of upf31 in trans negatively affected persistence of pBP136Δupf31 as well as the closely related archetypal IncP-1β plasmid R751, which is stable in E. coli and natively encodes a truncated upf31 allele. Our results demonstrate that while the upf31 allele in pBP136 might advantageously modulate gene expression in its original host, B. pertussis, it has harmful effects in E. coli. Thus, evolution of a single plasmid gene can change the range of hosts in which that plasmid persists, due to effects on the regulation of plasmid gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton A. Elg
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Erin Mack
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Michael Rolfsmeier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Thomas C. McLean
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Olivia Kosterlitz
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Solana Narum
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Paul A. Rowley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | | | - Eva M. Top
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
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3
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Wang JM, Cao YJ, Men X, Zhang HB. Construction of a grpE-based plasmid addiction system in Escherichia coli and its application in phloroglucinol biosynthesis. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae116. [PMID: 38724452 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
AIM Biotechnical processes in Escherichia coli often operate with artificial plasmids. However, these bioprocesses frequently encounter plasmid loss. To ensure stable expression of heterologous genes in E. coli BL21(DE3), a novel plasmid addiction system (PAS) was developed. METHODS AND RESULTS This PAS employed an essential gene grpE encoding a cochaperone in the DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE chaperone system as the selection marker, which represented a chromosomal ΔgrpE mutant harboring episomal expression plasmids that carry supplementary grpE alleles to restore the deficiency. To demonstrate the feasibility of this system, it was implemented in phloroglucinol (PG) biosynthesis, manifesting improved host tolerance to PG and increased PG production. Specifically, PG titer significantly improved from 0.78 ± 0.02 to 1.34 ± 0.04 g l-1, representing a 71.8% increase in shake-flask fermentation. In fed-batch fermentation, the titer increased from 3.71 ± 0.11 to 4.54 ± 0.10 g l-1, showing a 22.4% increase. RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis revealed that the improvements were attributed to grpE overexpression and upregulation of various protective chaperones and the biotin acetyl-CoA carboxylase ligase coding gene birA. CONCLUSION This novel PAS could be regarded as a typical example of nonanabolite- and nonmetabolite-related PAS. It effectively promoted plasmid maintenance in the host, improved tolerance to PG, and increased the titer of this compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Ming Wang
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 26601, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
- School of Health Management, Hengxing University, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yu-Jin Cao
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 26601, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Xiao Men
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 26601, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Hai-Bo Zhang
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 26601, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
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Ponciano JM, Gómez JP, Ravel J, Forney LJ. Inferring stability and persistence in the vaginal microbiome: A stochastic model of ecological dynamics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.02.581600. [PMID: 38464272 PMCID: PMC10925280 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.02.581600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The interplay of stochastic and ecological processes that govern the establishment and persistence of host-associated microbial communities is not well understood. Here we illustrate the conceptual and practical advantages of fitting stochastic population dynamics models to multi-species bacterial time series data. We show how the stability properties, fluctuation regimes and persistence probabilities of human vaginal microbial communities can be better understood by explicitly accommodating three sources of variability in ecological stochastic models of multi-species abundances: 1) stochastic biotic and abiotic forces, 2) ecological feedback and 3) sampling error. Rooting our modeling tool in stochastic population dynamics modeling theory was key to apply standardized measures of a community's reaction to environmental variation that ultimately depends on the nature and intensity of the intra-specific and inter-specific interaction strengths. Using estimates of model parameters, we developed a Risk Prediction Monitoring (RPM) tool that estimates temporal changes in persistence probabilities for any bacterial group of interest. This method mirrors approaches that are often used in conservation biology in which a measure of extinction risks is periodically updated with any change in a population or community. Additionally, we show how to use estimates of interaction strengths and persistence probabilities to formulate hypotheses regarding the molecular mechanisms and genetic composition that underpin different types of interactions. Instead of seeking a definition of "dysbiosis" we propose to translate concepts of theoretical ecology and conservation biology methods into practical approaches for the management of human-associated bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan P. Gómez
- Departamento de Química y Biología, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Larry J. Forney
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
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5
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Castañeda-Barba S, Top EM, Stalder T. Plasmids, a molecular cornerstone of antimicrobial resistance in the One Health era. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:18-32. [PMID: 37430173 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a substantial threat to human health. The widespread prevalence of AMR is, in part, due to the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), typically mediated by plasmids. Many of the plasmid-mediated resistance genes in pathogens originate from environmental, animal or human habitats. Despite evidence that plasmids mobilize ARGs between these habitats, we have a limited understanding of the ecological and evolutionary trajectories that facilitate the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids in clinical pathogens. One Health, a holistic framework, enables exploration of these knowledge gaps. In this Review, we provide an overview of how plasmids drive local and global AMR spread and link different habitats. We explore some of the emerging studies integrating an eco-evolutionary perspective, opening up a discussion about the factors that affect the ecology and evolution of plasmids in complex microbial communities. Specifically, we discuss how the emergence and persistence of MDR plasmids can be affected by varying selective conditions, spatial structure, environmental heterogeneity, temporal variation and coexistence with other members of the microbiome. These factors, along with others yet to be investigated, collectively determine the emergence and transfer of plasmid-mediated AMR within and between habitats at the local and global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Castañeda-Barba
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Eva M Top
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Modelling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Thibault Stalder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
- Institute for Modelling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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Kosterlitz O, Grassi N, Werner B, McGee RS, Top EM, Kerr B. Evolutionary "Crowdsourcing": Alignment of Fitness Landscapes Allows for Cross-species Adaptation of a Horizontally Transferred Gene. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad237. [PMID: 37931146 PMCID: PMC10657783 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes that undergo horizontal gene transfer (HGT) evolve in different genomic backgrounds. Despite the ubiquity of cross-species HGT, the effects of switching hosts on gene evolution remains understudied. Here, we present a framework to examine the evolutionary consequences of host-switching and apply this framework to an antibiotic resistance gene commonly found on conjugative plasmids. Specifically, we determined the adaptive landscape of this gene for a small set of mutationally connected genotypes in 3 enteric species. We uncovered that the landscape topographies were largely aligned with minimal host-dependent mutational effects. By simulating gene evolution over the experimentally gauged landscapes, we found that the adaptive evolution of the mobile gene in one species translated to adaptation in another. By simulating gene evolution over artificial landscapes, we found that sufficient alignment between landscapes ensures such "adaptive equivalency" across species. Thus, given adequate landscape alignment within a bacterial community, vehicles of HGT such as plasmids may enable a distributed form of genetic evolution across community members, where species can "crowdsource" adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Kosterlitz
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Nathan Grassi
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Bailey Werner
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ryan Seamus McGee
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St.Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Eva M Top
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Benjamin Kerr
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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7
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Maslova O, Beletsky A, Mindlin S, Petrova N, Mardanov A, Petrova M. Conjugative Plasmid pPPUT-Tik1-1 from a Permafrost Pseudomonas putida Strain and Its Present-Day Counterparts Inhabiting Environments and Clinics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13518. [PMID: 37686323 PMCID: PMC10488154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel group of conjugative plasmids of Pseudomonas is characterized. The prototype plasmid pPPUT-Tik1-1 (153,663 bp), isolated from a permafrost strain of P. putida Tik1, carries a defective mercury transposon, Tn501, and a streptomycin resistance transposon, Tn5393. Ten plasmids and 34 contigs with backbone regions closely related to pPPUT-Tik1-1 have been found in GenBank. Two of these plasmids from clinical strains of P. putida and P. fulva are almost identical to the ancient plasmid. A characteristic feature of this group of plasmids is the presence of two genes encoding the initiators of replication (repA1 and repA2). None of these genes have high similarity with plasmid replication genes belonging to known incompatibility groups. It has been demonstrated that while pPPUT-Tik1-1-like plasmids have homologous backbone regions, they significantly differ by the molecular structure and the predicted functions of their accessory regions. Some of the pPPUT-Tik1-1-related plasmids carry determinants of antibiotic resistance and/or heavy metal salts. Some plasmids are characterized by the ability to degrade xenobiotics. Plasmids related to pPPUT-Tik1-1 are characterized by a narrow host range and are found in various species of the Pseudomonas genus. Interestingly, we also found shorter plasmid variants containing the same replication module, but lacking conjugation genes and containing other structural changes that strongly distinguish them from plasmids related to pPPUT-Tik1-1, indicating that the structure of the replication module cannot be used as the sole criterion for classifying plasmids. Overall, the results suggest that the plasmids of the novel group can be spread using conjugation in environmental and clinical strains of Pseudomonas and may play diverse adaptive functions due to the presence of various accessory regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Maslova
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Alexey Beletsky
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117312 Moscow, Russia; (A.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Sofia Mindlin
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Nika Petrova
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Andrey Mardanov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117312 Moscow, Russia; (A.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Mayya Petrova
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
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8
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Furlan JPR, da Silva Rosa R, Ramos MS, Dos Santos LDR, Lopes R, Savazzi EA, Stehling EG. Genetic plurality of bla KPC-2-harboring plasmids in high-risk clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae of environmental origin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163322. [PMID: 37068681 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
International high-risk clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae are important human pathogens that are spreading to the environment. In the COVID-19 pandemic scenario, the frequency of carbapenemase-producing strains increased, which can contribute to the contamination of the environment, impacting the surrounding and associated ecosystems. In this regard, KPC-producing strains were recovered from aquatic ecosystems located in commercial, industrial, or agricultural areas and were submitted to whole-genome characterization. K. pneumoniae and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae strains were assigned to high-risk clones (ST11, ST340, ST307) and the new ST6325. Virulome analysis showed genes related to putative hypervirulence. Strains were resistant to almost all antimicrobials tested, being classified as extensively drug-resistant or multidrug-resistant. In this context, a broad resistome (clinically important antimicrobials and hazardous metal) was detected. Single replicon (IncX5, IncN-pST15, IncU) and multireplicon [IncFII(K1)/IncFIB(pQil), IncFIA(HI1)/IncR] plasmids were identified carrying the blaKPC-2 gene with Tn4401 and non-Tn4401 elements. An unusual association of blaKPC-2 and qnrVC1 and the coexistence of blaKPC-2 and mer operon (mercury tolerance) was found. Comparative analysis revealed that blaKPC-2-bearing plasmids were most similar to plasmids from Enterobacterales of Brazil, China, and the United States, evidencing the long persistence of plasmids at the human-animal-environmental interface. Furthermore, the presence of uncommon plasmids, displaying the interspecies, intraspecies, and clonal transmission, was highlighted. These findings alert for the spread of high-risk clones producing blaKPC-2 in the environmental sector and call attention to rapid dispersion in a post-pandemic world.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro Rueda Furlan
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael da Silva Rosa
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Micaela Santana Ramos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas David Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ralf Lopes
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Eliana Guedes Stehling
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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9
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Sánchez-Salazar AM, Taparia T, Olesen AK, Acuña JJ, Sørensen SJ, Jorquera MA. An overview of plasmid transfer in the plant microbiome. Plasmid 2023; 127:102695. [PMID: 37295540 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2023.102695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant microbiomes are pivotal for healthy plant physiological development. Microbes live in complex co-association with plant hosts, and interactions within these microbial communities vary with plant genotype, plant compartment, phenological stage, and soil properties, among others. Plant microbiomes also harbor a substantial and diverse pool of mobile genes encoded on plasmids. Several plasmid functions attributed to plant-associated bacteria are relatively poorly understood. Additionally, the role of plasmids in disseminating genetic traits within plant compartments is not well known. Here, we present the current knowledge on the occurrence, diversity, function, and transfer of plasmids in plant microbiomes, emphasizing the factors that could modulate gene transfer in-planta. We also describe the role of the plant microbiome as a plasmid reservoir and the dissemination of its genetic material. We include a brief discussion on the current methodological limitations in studying plasmid transfer within plant microbiomes. This information could be useful to elucidate the dynamics of the bacterial gene pools, the adaptations different organisms have made, and variations in bacterial populations that might have never been described before, particularly in complex microbial communities associated with plants in natural and anthropogenic impacted environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Sánchez-Salazar
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencia, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar, 01145 Temuco, Chile; Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar, 01145 Temuco, Chile
| | - Tanvi Taparia
- Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15 Bldg 1, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Asmus K Olesen
- Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15 Bldg 1, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacquelinne J Acuña
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar, 01145 Temuco, Chile; The Network for Extreme Environment Research (NEXER), Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar, 01145 Temuco, Chile
| | - Søren J Sørensen
- Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15 Bldg 1, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Milko A Jorquera
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar, 01145 Temuco, Chile; The Network for Extreme Environment Research (NEXER), Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar, 01145 Temuco, Chile.
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10
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Moradigaravand D, Li L, Dechesne A, Nesme J, de la Cruz R, Ahmad H, Banzhaf M, Sørensen SJ, Smets BF, Kreft JU. Plasmid permissiveness of wastewater microbiomes can be predicted from 16S rRNA sequences by machine learning. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad400. [PMID: 37348862 PMCID: PMC10318386 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) harbor a dense and diverse microbial community. They constantly receive antimicrobial residues and resistant strains, and therefore provide conditions for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants. This facilitates the transmission of clinically important genes between, e.g. enteric and environmental bacteria, and vice versa. Despite the clinical importance, tools for predicting HGT remain underdeveloped. RESULTS In this study, we examined to which extent water cycle microbial community composition, as inferred by partial 16S rRNA gene sequences, can predict plasmid permissiveness, i.e. the ability of cells to receive a plasmid through conjugation, based on data from standardized filter mating assays using fluorescent bio-reporter plasmids. We leveraged a range of machine learning models for predicting the permissiveness for each taxon in the community, representing the range of hosts a plasmid is able to transfer to, for three broad host-range resistance IncP plasmids (pKJK5, pB10, and RP4). Our results indicate that the predicted permissiveness from the best performing model (random forest) showed a moderate-to-strong average correlation of 0.49 for pB10 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-0.55], 0.43 for pKJK5 (0.95% CI: 0.41-0.49), and 0.53 for RP4 (0.95% CI: 0.48-0.57) with the experimental permissiveness in the unseen test dataset. Predictive phylogenetic signals occurred despite the broad host-range nature of these plasmids. Our results provide a framework that contributes to the assessment of the risk of AMR pollution in wastewater systems. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The predictive tool is available as an application at https://github.com/DaneshMoradigaravand/PlasmidPerm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danesh Moradigaravand
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, KAUST Smart-Health Initiative and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Liguan Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Arnaud Dechesne
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Joseph Nesme
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roberto de la Cruz
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Huda Ahmad
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, KAUST Smart-Health Initiative and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Banzhaf
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Søren J Sørensen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jan-Ulrich Kreft
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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11
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Ma Y, Ramoneda J, Johnson DR. Timing of antibiotic administration determines the spread of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance during microbial range expansion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3530. [PMID: 37316482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39354-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are the main vector by which antibiotic resistance is transferred between bacterial cells within surface-associated communities. In this study, we ask whether there is an optimal time to administer antibiotics to minimize plasmid spread in new bacterial genotypes during community expansion across surfaces. We address this question using consortia of Pseudomonas stutzeri strains, where one is an antibiotic resistance-encoding plasmid donor and the other a potential recipient. We allowed the strains to co-expand across a surface and administered antibiotics at different times. We find that plasmid transfer and transconjugant proliferation have unimodal relationships with the timing of antibiotic administration, where they reach maxima at intermediate times. These unimodal relationships result from the interplay between the probabilities of plasmid transfer and loss. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the transfer and proliferation of antibiotic resistance-encoding plasmids within microbial communities and identifies the timing of antibiotic administration as an important determinant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinyin Ma
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Josep Ramoneda
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - David R Johnson
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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12
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Brockhurst M, Cavet J, Diggle SP, Grainger D, Mangenelli R, Sychrova H, Martin-Verstraete I, Welch M, Palmer T, Thomas GH. Shaping microbiology for 75 years: highlights of research published in Microbiology. Part 2 - Communities and evolution. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169. [PMID: 37379228 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Brockhurst
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Dover Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jennifer Cavet
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Stephen P Diggle
- Center for Microbial Dynamics & Infection, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Grainger
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Hana Sychrova
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Membrane Transport, 14200 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | | | - Martin Welch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Gavin H Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, UK
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13
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Hu X, Chen Y, Xu H, Qiao J, Ge H, Liu R, Zheng B. Genomic epidemiology and transmission characteristics of mcr1-positive colistin-resistant Escherichia coli strains circulating at natural environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163600. [PMID: 37086987 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
MCR-positive Escherichia coli (MCRPEC) have been reported in humans worldwide. The high prevalence of mcr-1 poses clinical and environmental risks due to its diverse genetic mechanisms. Given the vital role of animals and the environment in the spread of antibiotic resistance, a "One Health" perspective should be taken when addressing antimicrobial resistance issues. This study conducted a prospective study in six farms (located in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang province, China) in 2019. MCRPEC strains were screened from samples of different sources. The molecular epidemiological surveys and transmission potential were investigated by whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. MCRPEC were detected in different farms with various sources. Sequence type complex 10 was dominant and distributed widely in multiple sources. Core-genome multilocus sequence type (cgMLST) analysis indicated that clonal transmission could occur within and between farms. In addition, mcr-1 genes with different locations showed different transmission tendencies. The study indicated that interspecies and cross-regional transmission of MCRPEC could occur between different sectors in farms. Further surveillance and research of non-clinical MCRPEC strains are necessary to reduce the threat of MCRPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjun Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, China
| | - Yingying Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Haoyu Ge
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Ruishan Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Beiwen Zheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
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14
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Hashimoto Y, Suzuki M, Kobayashi S, Hirahara Y, Kurushima J, Hirakawa H, Nomura T, Tanimoto K, Tomita H. Enterococcal Linear Plasmids Adapt to Enterococcus faecium and Spread within Multidrug-Resistant Clades. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0161922. [PMID: 36975786 PMCID: PMC10112129 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01619-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial pathogens, including enterococci, is a global concern, and plasmids are crucial for spreading and maintaining AMR genes. Plasmids with linear topology were identified recently in clinical multidrug-resistant enterococci. The enterococcal linear-form plasmids, such as pELF1, confer resistance to clinically important antimicrobials, including vancomycin; however, little information exists about their epidemiological and physiological effects. In this study, we identified several lineages of enterococcal linear plasmids that are structurally conserved and occur globally. pELF1-like linear plasmids show plasticity in acquiring and maintaining AMR genes, often via transposition with the mobile genetic element IS1216E. This linear plasmid family has several characteristics enabling long-term persistence in the bacterial population, including high horizontal self-transmissibility, low-level transcription of plasmid-carried genes, and a moderate effect on the Enterococcus faecium genome alleviating fitness cost and promoting vertical inheritance. Combining all of these factors, the linear plasmid is an important factor in the spread and maintenance of AMR genes among enterococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Hashimoto
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Masato Suzuki
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sae Kobayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yuki Hirahara
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Jun Kurushima
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hidetada Hirakawa
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nomura
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Koichi Tanimoto
- Laboratory of Bacterial Drug Resistance, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Haruyoshi Tomita
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
- Laboratory of Bacterial Drug Resistance, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
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15
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The Mobilizable Plasmid P3 of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium SL1344 Depends on the P2 Plasmid for Conjugative Transfer into a Broad Range of Bacteria In Vitro and In Vivo. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0034722. [PMID: 36383016 PMCID: PMC9765291 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00347-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The global rise of drug-resistant bacteria is of great concern. Conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance plasmids contributes to the emerging resistance crisis. Despite substantial progress in understanding the molecular basis of conjugation in vitro, the in vivo dynamics of intra- and interspecies conjugative plasmid transfer are much less understood. In this study, we focused on the streptomycin resistance-encoding mobilizable plasmid pRSF1010SL1344 (P3) of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain SL1344. We show that P3 is mobilized by interacting with the conjugation machinery of the conjugative plasmid pCol1B9SL1344 (P2) of SL1344. Thereby, P3 can be transferred into a broad range of relevant environmental and clinical bacterial isolates in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that S. Typhimurium persisters in host tissues can serve as P3 reservoirs and foster transfer of both P2 and P3 once they reseed the gut lumen. This adds to our understanding of resistance plasmid transfer in ecologically relevant niches, including the mammalian gut. IMPORTANCE S. Typhimurium is a globally abundant bacterial species that rapidly occupies new niches and survives unstable environmental conditions. As an enteric pathogen, S. Typhimurium interacts with a broad range of bacterial species residing in the mammalian gut. High abundance of bacteria in the gut lumen facilitates conjugation and spread of plasmid-carried antibiotic resistance genes. By studying the transfer dynamics of the P3 plasmid in vitro and in vivo, we illustrate the impact of S. Typhimurium-mediated antibiotic resistance spread via conjugation to relevant environmental and clinical bacterial isolates. Plasmids are among the most critical vehicles driving antibiotic resistance spread. Further understanding of the dynamics and drivers of antibiotic resistance transfer is needed to develop effective solutions for slowing down the emerging threat of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens.
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16
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Añorga M, Urriza M, Ramos C, Murillo J. Multiple relaxases contribute to the horizontal transfer of the virulence plasmids from the tumorigenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi NCPPB 3335. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1076710. [PMID: 36578579 PMCID: PMC9791958 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1076710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi NCPPB 3335 is the causal agent of olive knot disease and contains three virulence plasmids: pPsv48A (pA), 80 kb; pPsv48B (pB), 45 kb, and pPsv48C (pC), 42 kb. Here we show that pB contains a complete MPFT (previously type IVA secretion system) and a functional origin of conjugational transfer adjacent to a relaxase of the MOBP family; pC also contains a functional oriT-MOBP array, whereas pA contains an incomplete MPFI (previously type IVB secretion system), but not a recognizable oriT. Plasmid transfer occurred on solid and in liquid media, and on leaf surfaces of a non-host plant (Phaseolus vulgaris) with high (pB) or moderate frequency (pC); pA was transferred only occasionally after cointegration with pB. We found three plasmid-borne and three chromosomal relaxase genes, although the chromosomal relaxases did not contribute to plasmid dissemination. The MOBP relaxase genes of pB and pC were functionally interchangeable, although with differing efficiencies. We also identified a functional MOBQ mobilization region in pC, which could only mobilize this plasmid. Plasmid pB could be efficiently transferred to strains of six phylogroups of P. syringae sensu lato, whereas pC could only be mobilized to two strains of phylogroup 3 (genomospecies 2). In two of the recipient strains, pB was stably maintained after 21 subcultures in liquid medium. The carriage of several relaxases by the native plasmids of P. syringae impacts their transfer frequency and, by providing functional diversity and redundancy, adds robustness to the conjugation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Añorga
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio de Agrobiotecnología, Mutilva Baja, Spain
| | - Miriam Urriza
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio de Agrobiotecnología, Mutilva Baja, Spain
| | - Cayo Ramos
- Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain,Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea “La Mayora”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), Málaga, Spain
| | - Jesús Murillo
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio de Agrobiotecnología, Mutilva Baja, Spain,*Correspondence: Jesús Murillo
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17
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Biofilms preserve the transmissibility of a multi-drug resistance plasmid. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:95. [PMID: 36481746 PMCID: PMC9732292 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-transmissible multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids are a major health concern because they can spread antibiotic resistance to pathogens. Even though most pathogens form biofilms, little is known about how MDR plasmids persist and evolve in biofilms. We hypothesize that (i) biofilms act as refugia of MDR plasmids by retaining them in the absence of antibiotics longer than well-mixed planktonic populations and that (ii) the evolutionary trajectories that account for the improvement of plasmid persistence over time differ between biofilms and planktonic populations. In this study, we evolved Acinetobacter baumannii with an MDR plasmid in biofilm and planktonic populations with and without antibiotic selection. In the absence of selection, biofilm populations were better able to maintain the MDR plasmid than planktonic populations. In planktonic populations, plasmid persistence improved rapidly but was accompanied by a loss of genes required for the horizontal transfer of plasmids. In contrast, in biofilms, most plasmids retained their transfer genes, but on average, plasmid, persistence improved less over time. Our results showed that biofilms can act as refugia of MDR plasmids and favor the horizontal mode of plasmid transfer, which has important implications for the spread of MDR.
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18
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Li P, Luo W, Xiang TX, Jiang Y, Liu P, Wei DD, Fan L, Huang S, Liao W, Liu Y, Zhang W. Horizontal gene transfer via OMVs co-carrying virulence and antimicrobial-resistant genes is a novel way for the dissemination of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:945972. [PMID: 36532464 PMCID: PMC9751880 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.945972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The rapidly increased isolation rate of CR-HvKP worldwide has brought great difficulties in controlling clinical infection. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the transmission of drug-resistant genes among bacteria can be mediated by outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), which is a new way of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The transmission of virulence genes among bacteria has also been well studied; however, it remains unclear whether virulence and drug-resistant genes can be co-transmitted simultaneously. Co-transmission of virulence and drug-resistant genes is essential for the formation and prevalence of CR-HvKP. METHODS First, we isolated OMVs from CR-HvKP by cushioned-density gradient ultracentrifugation (C-DGUC). TEM and DLS were used to examine the morphology and size of bacterial OMVs. OMV-mediated gene transfer in liquid cultures and the acquisition of the carbapenem gene and virulence gene was confirmed using colony-PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, mCIM and eCIM were conducted for the resistance of transformant. Serum killing assay, assessment of the anti-biofilm effect and galleria mellonella infection model, mucoviscosity assay, extraction and quantification of capsules were verified the virulence of transformant. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), S1 nuclease-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE), Southern blotting hybridization confirmed the plasmid of transformant. RESULTS Firstly, OMVs were isolated from CR-HvKP NUHL30457 (K2, ST86). TEM and DLS analyses revealed the spherical morphology of the vesicles. Secondly, our study demonstrated that CR-HvKP delivered genetic material, incorporated DNA within the OMVs, and protected it from degradation by extracellular exonucleases. Thirdly, the vesicular lumen DNA was delivered to the recipient cells after determining the presence of virulence and carbapenem-resistant genes in the CR-HvKP OMVs. Importantly, S1-PFGE and Southern hybridization analysis of the 700603 transformant strain showed that the transformant contained both drug-resistant and virulence plasmids. DISCUSSION In the present study, we aimed to clarify the role of CRHvKP-OMVs in transmitting CR-HvKP among K. pneumoniae. Collectively, our findings provided valuable insights into the evolution of CR-HvKP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Yichun People's Hospital, Yichun, China
| | - Wanying Luo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tian-Xin Xiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuhuan Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Dan-Dan Wei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Linping Fan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenjian Liao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- National Regional Center for Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Jiangxi Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Lo HY, Martínez-Lavanchy PM, Goris T, Heider J, Boll M, Kaster AK, Müller JA. IncP-type plasmids carrying genes for antibiotic resistance or for aromatic compound degradation are prevalent in sequenced Aromatoleum and Thauera strains. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:6411-6425. [PMID: 36306376 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Self-transferable plasmids of the incompatibility group P-1 (IncP-1) are considered important carriers of genes for antibiotic resistance and other adaptive functions. In the laboratory, these plasmids have a broad host range; however, little is known about their in situ host profile. In this study, we discovered that Thauera aromatica K172T , a facultative denitrifying microorganism capable of degrading various aromatic compounds, contains a plasmid highly similar to the IncP-1 ε archetype pKJK5. The plasmid harbours multiple antibiotic resistance genes and is maintained in strain K172T for at least 1000 generations without selection pressure from antibiotics. In a subsequent search, we found additional nine IncP-type plasmids in a total of 40 sequenced genomes of the closely related genera Aromatoleum and Thauera. Six of these plasmids form a novel IncP-1 subgroup designated θ, four of which carry genes for anaerobic or aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. Pentanucleotide sequence analyses (k-mer profiling) indicated that Aromatoleum spp. and Thauera spp. are among the most suitable hosts for the θ plasmids. Our results highlight the importance of IncP-1 plasmids for the genetic adaptation of these common facultative denitrifying bacteria and provide novel insights into the in situ host profile of these plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Lo
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG-5), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Paula M Martínez-Lavanchy
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Goris
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Intestinal Microbiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Germany
| | - Johann Heider
- Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Boll
- Institute of Biology II, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anne-Kristin Kaster
- Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG-5), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Jochen A Müller
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG-5), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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20
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Downing T, Rahm A. Bacterial plasmid-associated and chromosomal proteins have fundamentally different properties in protein interaction networks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19203. [PMID: 36357451 PMCID: PMC9649638 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20809-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids facilitate horizontal gene transfer, which enables the diversification of pathogens into new anatomical and environmental niches, implying that plasmid-encoded genes can cooperate well with chromosomal genes. We hypothesise that such mobile genes are functionally different to chromosomal ones due to this ability to encode proteins performing non-essential functions like antimicrobial resistance and traverse distinct host cells. The effect of plasmid-driven gene gain on protein-protein interaction network topology is an important question in this area. Moreover, the extent to which these chromosomally- and plasmid-encoded proteins interact with proteins from their own groups compared to the levels with the other group remains unclear. Here, we examined the incidence and protein-protein interactions of all known plasmid-encoded proteins across representative specimens from most bacteria using all available plasmids. We found that plasmid-encoded genes constitute ~ 0.65% of the total number of genes per bacterial sample, and that plasmid genes are preferentially associated with different species but had limited taxonomical power beyond this. Surprisingly, plasmid-encoded proteins had both more protein-protein interactions compared to chromosomal proteins, countering the hypothesis that genes with higher mobility rates should have fewer protein-level interactions. Nonetheless, topological analysis and investigation of the protein-protein interaction networks' connectivity and change in the number of independent components demonstrated that the plasmid-encoded proteins had limited overall impact in > 96% of samples. This paper assembled extensive data on plasmid-encoded proteins, their interactions and associations with diverse bacterial specimens that is available for the community to investigate in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Downing
- grid.15596.3e0000000102380260School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland ,grid.63622.330000 0004 0388 7540Present Address: The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, UK
| | - Alexander Rahm
- grid.449688.f0000 0004 0647 1487GAATI Lab, University of French Polynesia, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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Generation of bright autobioluminescent bacteria by chromosomal integration of the improved lux operon ilux2. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19039. [PMID: 36351939 PMCID: PMC9646698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22068-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial bioluminescence system enables the generation of light by living cells without the requirement of an external luciferin. Due to the relatively low light emission, many applications of bioluminescence imaging would benefit from an increase in brightness of this system. In this report, a new approach of mutagenesis and screening of the involved proteins is described that is based on the identification of mutants with improved properties under rate-limiting reaction conditions. Multiple rounds of screening in Escherichia coli resulted in the operon ilux2 that contains 26 new mutations in the fatty acid reductase complex which provides the aldehyde substrate for the bioluminescence reaction. Chromosomal integration of ilux2 yielded an autonomously bioluminescent E. coli strain with sixfold increased brightness compared to the previously described ilux operon. The ilux2 strain produces sufficient signal for the robust detection of individual cells and enables highly sensitive long-term imaging of bacterial propagation without a selection marker.
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22
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Neethu CS, Saravanakumar C, Purvaja R, Robin RS, Ramesh R. Arsenic resistance and horizontal gene transfer are associated with carbon and nitrogen enrichment in bacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119937. [PMID: 35977641 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coastal waters are confluences receiving large amounts of point and non-point sources of pollution. An attempt was made to explore microbial community interactions in response to carbon, nitrogen and metal pollution. Additionally, experiments were designed to analyze the influence of these factors on horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Shift in bacterial diversity dynamics by arsenic stress and nutrient addition in coastal waters was explored by metagenomics of microcosm setups. Phylogenetic analysis revealed equal distribution of Gammaproteobacteria (29%) and Betaproteobacteria (28%) in control microcosm. This proportional diversity from control switched to unique distribution of Gammaproteobacteria (44.5%)> Flavobacteria (17.7%)> Bacteriodia (11.92%)> Betaproteobacteria (11.52%) in microcosm supplemented with carbon, nitrogen and metal (C + N + M). Among metal-stressed systems, alpha diversity analysis indicated highest diversity of genera in C + N + M followed by N + M > C+M> metal alone. Arsenic and ampicillin sensitive E. coli XL1 blue and environmental strains (Vibrio tubiashii W85 and E. coli W101) were tested for efficiency of uptake of plasmid (P) pUCminusMCS (arsBRampR) under varying stress conditions. Transformation experiments revealed that combined effect of carbon, nitrogen and metal on horizontal gene transfer (HGT) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than individual factors. The effect of carbon on HGT was proved to be superior to nitrogen under metal stressed conditions. Presence of arsenic in experimental setups (P + M, P + N + M and P + C + M) enhanced the HGT compared to non-metal counterparts supplemented with carbon or nitrogen. Arsenic resistant bacterial isolates (n = 200) were tested for the ability to utilize various carbon and nitrogen substrates and distinct positive correlation (p < 0.001) was found between arsenic resistance and utilization of urea and nitrate. However, evident positive correlation was not found between carbon sources and arsenic resistance. Our findings suggest that carbon and nitrogen pollution in aquatic habitats under arsenic stress determine the microbial community dynamics and critically influence uptake of genetic material from the surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Neethu
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Chennai 600025, India
| | - C Saravanakumar
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Chennai 600025, India
| | - R Purvaja
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Chennai 600025, India
| | - R S Robin
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Chennai 600025, India
| | - R Ramesh
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Chennai 600025, India.
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Chen CY, Fuqua C, Jackson CR, Kadlec K, Top EM. Editorial: Plasmid transfer-mechanisms, ecology, evolution and applications. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:993628. [PMID: 36051753 PMCID: PMC9425063 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.993628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Yi Chen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Wyndmoor, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Chin-Yi Chen
| | - Clay Fuqua
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Charlene R. Jackson
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kristina Kadlec
- Dairy Herd Consulting and Research Company (MBFG), Wunstorf, Germany
| | - Eva M. Top
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
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24
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Bottery MJ. Ecological dynamics of plasmid transfer and persistence in microbial communities. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 68:102152. [PMID: 35504055 PMCID: PMC9586876 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Plasmids are a major driver of horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes, allowing the sharing of ecologically important accessory traits between distantly related bacterial taxa. Within microbial communities, interspecies transfer of conjugative plasmids can rapidly drive the generation genomic innovation and diversification. Recent studies are starting to shed light on how the microbial community context, that is, the bacterial diversity together with interspecies interactions that occur within a community, can alter the dynamics of conjugative plasmid transfer and persistence. Here, I summarise the latest research exploring how community ecology can both facilitate and impose barriers to the spread of conjugative plasmids within complex microbial communities. Ultimately, the fate of plasmids within communities is unlikely to be determined by any one individual host, rather it will depend on the interacting factors imposed by the community in which it is embedded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Bottery
- Division of Evolution Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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25
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Yong M, Chen Y, Oo G, Chang KC, Chu WHW, Teo J, Venkatachalam I, Thevasagayam NM, Sridatta PSR, Koh V, Marcoleta AE, Chen H, Nagarajan N, Kalisvar M, Ng OT, Gan YH. Dominant Carbapenemase-Encoding Plasmids in Clinical Enterobacterales Isolates and Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1578-1588. [PMID: 35876475 PMCID: PMC9328930 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.212542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissemination of carbapenemase-encoding plasmids by horizontal gene transfer in multidrug-resistant bacteria is the major driver of rising carbapenem-resistance, but the conjugative mechanics and evolution of clinically relevant plasmids are not yet clear. We performed whole-genome sequencing on 1,215 clinical Enterobacterales isolates collected in Singapore during 2010–2015. We identified 1,126 carbapenemase-encoding plasmids and discovered pKPC2 is becoming the dominant plasmid in Singapore, overtaking an earlier dominant plasmid, pNDM1. pKPC2 frequently conjugates with many Enterobacterales species, including hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, and maintains stability in vitro without selection pressure and minimal adaptive sequence changes. Furthermore, capsule and decreasing taxonomic relatedness between donor and recipient pairs are greater conjugation barriers for pNDM1 than pKPC2. The low fitness costs pKPC2 exerts in Enterobacterales species indicate previously undetected carriage selection in other ecological settings. The ease of conjugation and stability of pKPC2 in hypervirulent K. pneumoniae could fuel spread into the community.
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26
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Mellor KC, Blackwell GA, Cawthraw SA, Mensah NE, Reid SWJ, Thomson NR, Petrovska L, Mather AE. Contrasting long-term dynamics of antimicrobial resistance and virulence plasmids in Salmonella Typhimurium from animals. Microb Genom 2022; 8. [PMID: 35997596 PMCID: PMC9484752 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are mobile elements that can carry genes encoding traits of clinical concern, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence. Population-level studies of Enterobacterales, including Escherichia coli, Shigella and Klebsiella, indicate that plasmids are important drivers of lineage expansions and dissemination of AMR genes. Salmonella Typhimurium is the second most common cause of salmonellosis in humans and livestock in the UK and Europe. The long-term dynamics of plasmids between S. Typhimurium were investigated using isolates collected through national surveillance of animals in England and Wales over a 25-year period. The population structure of S. Typhimurium and its virulence plasmid (where present) were inferred through phylogenetic analyses using whole-genome sequence data for 496 isolates. Antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid markers were detected in silico. Phenotypic plasmid characterization, using the Kado and Liu method, was used to confirm the number and size of plasmids. The differences in AMR and plasmids between clades were striking, with livestock clades more likely to carry one or more AMR plasmid and be multi-drug-resistant compared to clades associated with wildlife and companion animals. Multiple small non-AMR plasmids were distributed across clades. However, all hybrid AMR–virulence plasmids and most AMR plasmids were highly clade-associated and persisted over decades, with minimal evidence of horizontal transfer between clades. This contrasts with the role of plasmids in the short-term dissemination of AMR between diverse strains in other Enterobacterales in high-antimicrobial-use settings, with implications for predicting plasmid dissemination amongst S. Typhimurium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate C Mellor
- Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Grace A Blackwell
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | | | | | - Nicholas R Thomson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Alison E Mather
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, UK.,University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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27
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Hinnekens P, Mahillon J. Conjugation-mediated transfer of pXO16, a large plasmid from Bacillus thuringiensis sv. israelensis, across the Bacillus cereus group and its impact on host phenotype. Plasmid 2022; 122:102639. [PMID: 35842001 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2022.102639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
pXO16, the 350 kb-conjugative plasmid from Bacillus thuringiensis sv. israelensis promotes its own transfer at high efficiency, triggers the transfer of mobilizable and non-mobilizable plasmids, as well as the transfer of host chromosomal loci. Naturally found in B. thuringiensis sv. israelensis, pXO16 transfers to various strains of Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) at a wide range of frequencies. Despite this host diversity, a paradox remains between the relatively large host spectrum and the natural occurrence of pXO16, so far restricted to B. thuringiensis sv. israelensis. Proposing first insights exploring this paradox, we investigated the behaviour of pXO16 amongst different members of the B. cereus group. We first looked at the transfer of pXO16 to two new host clusters of B. cereus s.l., Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus anthracis clusters. This examination brought to light the impairment of the characteristic rhizoidal phenotype of B. mycoides in presence of pXO16. We also explored the stability of pXO16 at different temperatures as some B. cereus group members are well-known for their psychro- or thermo-tolerance. This shed light on the thermo-sensitivity of the plasmid. The influence of pXO16 on its host cell growth and on swimming capacity also revealed no or limited impact on its natural host B. thuringiensis sv. israelensis. On the contrary, pXO16 affected more strongly both the growth and swimming capacity of other B. cereus s.l. hosts. This reinforced the running hypothesis of a co-evolution between pXO16 and B. thuringiensis sv. israelensis, enabling the plasmid maintenance without impairing the host strain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Hinnekens
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jacques Mahillon
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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28
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Cao Z, Cui L, Liu Q, Liu F, Zhao Y, Guo K, Hu T, Zhang F, Sheng X, Wang X, Peng Z, Dai M. Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter hormaechei Carrying qnrS Gene Isolated from Chicken Feed in China. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0251821. [PMID: 35467399 PMCID: PMC9241693 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02518-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) in Enterobacteriaceae including resistance to quinolones is rising worldwide. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) gene qnrS is prevalent in Enterobacteriaceae. However, the qnrS gene is rarely found in Enterobacter hormaechei (E. hormaechei). Here, we reported one multidrug resistant E. hormaechei strain M1 carrying the qnrS1 and blaTEM-1 genes. This study was to analyze the characteristics of MDR E. hormaechei strain M1. The E. hormaechei strain M1 was identified as Enterobacter cloacae complex by biochemical assay and 16S rRNA sequencing. The whole genome was sequenced by the Oxford Nanopore method. Taxonomy of the E. hormaechei was based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The qnrS with the other antibiotic resistance genes were coexisted on IncF plasmid (pM1). Besides, the virulence factors associated with pathogenicity were also located on pM1. The qnrS1 gene was located between insertion element IS2A (upstream) and transposition element ISKra4 (downstream). The comparison result of IncF plasmids revealed that they had a common plasmid backbone. Susceptibility experiment revealed that the E. hormaechei M1 showed extensive resistance to the clinical antimicrobials. The conjugation transfer was performed by filter membrane incubation method. The competition and plasmid stability assays suggested the host bacteria carrying qnrS had an energy burden. As far as we know, this is the first report that E. hormaechei carrying qnrS was isolated from chicken feed. The chicken feed and poultry products could serve as a vehicle for these MDR bacteria, which could transfer between animals and humans through the food chain. We need to pay close attention to the epidemiology of E. hormaechei and prevent their further dissemination. IMPORTANCE Enterobacter hormaechei is an opportunistic pathogen. It can cause infections in humans and animals. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) gene qnrS can be transferred intergenus, which is leading to increase the quinolone resistance levels in Enterobacteriaceae. Chicken feed could serve as a vehicle for the MDR E. hormaechei. Therefore, antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) might be transferred to the intestinal flora after entering the gastrointestinal tract with the feed. Furthermore, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) were also excreted into environment with feces, posing a huge threat to public health. This requires us to monitor the ARB and antibiotic-resistant plasmids in the feed. Here, we demonstrated the characteristics of one MDR E. hormaechei isolate from chicken feed. The plasmid carrying the qnrS gene is a conjugative plasmid with transferability. The presence of plasmid carrying antibiotic-resistance genes requires the maintenance of antibiotic pressure. In addition, the E. hormaechei M1 belonged to new sequence type (ST). These data show the MDR E. hormaechei M1 is a novel strain that requires our further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzheng Cao
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Luqing Cui
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Quan Liu
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangjia Liu
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaixuan Guo
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianyu Hu
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xijing Sheng
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangru Wang
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhong Peng
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Menghong Dai
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Food Safety Evaluation/National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residue (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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29
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Batstone RT. Genomes within genomes: nested symbiosis and its implications for plant evolution. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 234:28-34. [PMID: 34761378 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many important plant traits are products of nested symbiosis: mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are nested within microbes, which in turn, are nested within plants. Plant trait variation is therefore not only determined by the plant's genome, but also by loci within microbes and MGEs. Yet it remains unclear how interactions and coevolution within nested symbiosis impacts the evolution of plant traits. Despite the complexities of nested symbiosis, including nonadditive interactions, understanding the evolution of plant traits is facilitated by combining quantitative genetic and functional genomic approaches that explicitly consider sources of nested genetic variation (from loci in MGEs to microbiomes). Additionally, understanding coevolution within nested symbiosis enables us to design or select for MGEs that promote plant health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca T Batstone
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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30
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Hammer-Dedet F, Aujoulat F, Jumas-Bilak E, Licznar-Fajardo P. Persistence and Dissemination Capacities of a BlaNDM-5-Harboring IncX-3 Plasmid in Escherichia coli Isolated from an Urban River in Montpellier, France. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020196. [PMID: 35203799 PMCID: PMC8868147 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the capacities of persistence and dissemination of blaNDM-5 within Escherichia coli and in aquatic environment, we characterized E. coli (sequence type 636) strains B26 and B28 isolated one month apart from the same urban river in Montpellier, France. The two isolates carried a pTsB26 plasmid, which sized 45,495 Kb, harbored blaNDM-5 gene and belonged to IncX-3 incompatibility group. pTsB26 was conjugative in vitro at high frequency, it was highly stable after 400 generations and it exerted no fitness cost on its host. blaNDM-5harboring plasmids are widely dispersed in E. coli all around the world, with no lineage specialization. The genomic comparison between B26 and B28 stated that the two isolates probably originated from the same clone, suggesting the persistence of pTsB26 in an E. coli host in aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Hammer-Dedet
- HSM, University Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34090 Montpellier, France; (F.H.-D.); (F.A.)
| | - Fabien Aujoulat
- HSM, University Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34090 Montpellier, France; (F.H.-D.); (F.A.)
| | - Estelle Jumas-Bilak
- HSM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Patricia Licznar-Fajardo
- HSM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
- Correspondence:
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31
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Baquero F, Martínez JL, F. Lanza V, Rodríguez-Beltrán J, Galán JC, San Millán A, Cantón R, Coque TM. Evolutionary Pathways and Trajectories in Antibiotic Resistance. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0005019. [PMID: 34190572 PMCID: PMC8404696 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00050-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution is the hallmark of life. Descriptions of the evolution of microorganisms have provided a wealth of information, but knowledge regarding "what happened" has precluded a deeper understanding of "how" evolution has proceeded, as in the case of antimicrobial resistance. The difficulty in answering the "how" question lies in the multihierarchical dimensions of evolutionary processes, nested in complex networks, encompassing all units of selection, from genes to communities and ecosystems. At the simplest ontological level (as resistance genes), evolution proceeds by random (mutation and drift) and directional (natural selection) processes; however, sequential pathways of adaptive variation can occasionally be observed, and under fixed circumstances (particular fitness landscapes), evolution is predictable. At the highest level (such as that of plasmids, clones, species, microbiotas), the systems' degrees of freedom increase dramatically, related to the variable dispersal, fragmentation, relatedness, or coalescence of bacterial populations, depending on heterogeneous and changing niches and selective gradients in complex environments. Evolutionary trajectories of antibiotic resistance find their way in these changing landscapes subjected to random variations, becoming highly entropic and therefore unpredictable. However, experimental, phylogenetic, and ecogenetic analyses reveal preferential frequented paths (highways) where antibiotic resistance flows and propagates, allowing some understanding of evolutionary dynamics, modeling and designing interventions. Studies on antibiotic resistance have an applied aspect in improving individual health, One Health, and Global Health, as well as an academic value for understanding evolution. Most importantly, they have a heuristic significance as a model to reduce the negative influence of anthropogenic effects on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Baquero
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. L. Martínez
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - V. F. Lanza
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Central Bioinformatics Unit, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Rodríguez-Beltrán
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. C. Galán
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - A. San Millán
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - R. Cantón
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - T. M. Coque
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Brockhurst MA, Harrison E. Ecological and evolutionary solutions to the plasmid paradox. Trends Microbiol 2021; 30:534-543. [PMID: 34848115 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The 'plasmid paradox' arises because, although plasmids are common features of bacterial genomes, theoretically they should not exist: rates of conjugation were believed insufficient to allow plasmids to persist by infectious transmission, whereas the costs of plasmid maintenance meant that plasmids should be purged by negative selection regardless of whether they encoded beneficial accessory traits because these traits should eventually be captured by the chromosome, enabling the loss of the redundant plasmid. In the decade since the plasmid paradox was described, new data and theory show that a range of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms operate in bacterial populations and communities to explain the widespread distribution and stable maintenance of plasmids. We conclude, therefore, that multiple solutions to the plasmid paradox are now well understood. The current challenge for the field, however, is to better understand how these solutions operate in natural bacterial communities to explain and predict the distribution of plasmids and the dynamics of the horizontal gene transfer that they mediate in bacterial (pan)genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Brockhurst
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Ellie Harrison
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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Structural Diversity, Fitness Cost, and Stability of a BlaNDM-1-Bearing Cointegrate Plasmid in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122435. [PMID: 34946035 PMCID: PMC8708245 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cointegrate/hybrid plasmids combine the genetic elements of two or more plasmids and generally carry abundant antimicrobial resistance determinants. Hence, the spread of cointegrate plasmids will accelerate the transmission of AMR genes. To evaluate the transmission risk caused by cointegrate plasmids, we investigated the structural diversity, fitness cost, and stability of a cointegrate plasmid in Klebsiella pneumoniae YZ6 and Escherichia coli EC600. The cointegrate plasmid pSL131_IncA/C_IncX3 was from a clinical Salmonella Lomita strain. After transferring the plasmid into E. coli EC600 by conjugation, we observed plasmids with different structures, including a full-length original plasmid and two truncated versions. By contrast, DNA fragment deletion and blaCTX-M-14 gene insertion in the plasmid were detected in a transconjugant derived from K. pneumoniae YZ6. These results suggest that the structure of the plasmid was unstable during conjugation. Furthermore, both the full-length plasmid in EC600 and the structurally reorganized plasmid in YZ6 imposed a fitness cost on the bacterial host and enhanced biofilm formation ability. Serial passaging in antibiotic-free medium resulted in a rapid decline of the plasmid in YZ6. However, the stability of the structurally reorganized plasmid in YZ6 was improved via serial passaging in antibiotic-containing medium. SNP calling revealed that mutations of the outer membrane porin may play an essential role in this process. These findings indicate that structural versatility could contribute to the dissemination of cointegrate plasmids. Although the plasmid incurred a fitness cost in other Enterobacteriaceae species, positive selection could alleviate the adverse effects.
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Takashima A, Kawano H, Ueda T, Suzuki-Minakuchi C, Okada K, Nojiri H. A toxin-antitoxin system confers stability to the IncP-7 plasmid pCAR1. Gene 2021; 812:146068. [PMID: 34838639 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems were initially discovered as plasmid addiction systems. Previously, our studies implied that the high stability of the IncP-7 plasmid pCAR1 in different Pseudomonas spp. hosts was due to the presence of a TA system on the plasmid. Bioinformatics approaches suggested that ORF174 and ORF175 could constitute a type II TA system, a member of the RES-Xre family, and that these two open reading frames (ORFs) constitute a single operon. As expected, the ORF175 product is a toxin, which decreases the viability of the host, P. resinovorans, while the ORF174 product functions as an antitoxin that counteracts the effect of ORF175 on cell growth. Based on these findings, we renamed ORF174 and ORF175 as prcA (antitoxin gene) and prcT (toxin gene), respectively. The prcA and prcT genes were cloned into the unstable plasmid vector pSEVA644. The recombinant vector was stably maintained in P. resinovorans and Escherichia coli cells under nonselective conditions following 6 days of daily subculturing. The empty vector (without the prcA and prcT genes) could not be maintained, which suggested that the PrcA/T system can be used as a tool to improve the stability of otherwise unstable plasmids in P. resinovorans and E. coli strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Takashima
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hibiki Kawano
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Tomomi Ueda
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Chiho Suzuki-Minakuchi
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan; Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazunori Okada
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nojiri
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan; Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
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Boy C, Lesage J, Alfenore S, Guillouet SE, Gorret N. Investigation of the robustness of Cupriavidus necator engineered strains during fed-batch cultures. AMB Express 2021; 11:151. [PMID: 34783891 PMCID: PMC8595445 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-021-01307-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
It is of major interest to ensure stable and performant microbial bioprocesses, therefore maintaining high strain robustness is one of the major future challenges in industrial microbiology. Strain robustness can be defined as the persistence of genotypic and/or phenotypic traits in a system. In this work, robustness of an engineered strain is defined as plasmid expression stability, cultivability, membrane integrity and macroscopic cell behavior and was assessed in response to implementations of sugar feeding strategies (pulses and continuous) and two plasmid stabilization systems (kanamycin resistance and Post-Segregational Killing hok/sok). Fed-batch bioreactor cultures, relevant mode to reach high cell densities and higher cell generation number, were implemented to investigate the robustness of C. necator engineered strains. Host cells bore a recombinant plasmid encoding for a plasmid expression level monitoring system, based on eGFP fluorescence quantified by flow cytometry. We first showed that well-controlled continuous feeding in comparison to a pulse-based feeding allowed a better carbon use for protein synthesis (avoiding organic acid excretion), a lower heterogeneity of the plasmid expression and a lower cell permeabilization. Moreover, the plasmid stabilization system Post-Segregational Killing hok/sok, an autonomous system independent on external addition of compounds, showed the best ability to maintain plasmid expression level stability insuring a greater population homogeneity in the culture. Therefore, in the case of engineered C. necator, the PSK system hok/sok appears to be a relevant and an efficient alternative to antibiotic resistance system for selection pressure, especially, in the case of bioprocess development for economic and environmental reasons.
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Hernández-Beltrán JCR, San Millán A, Fuentes-Hernández A, Peña-Miller R. Mathematical Models of Plasmid Population Dynamics. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:606396. [PMID: 34803935 PMCID: PMC8600371 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.606396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance thriving and threatening to become a serious public health problem, it is paramount to increase our understanding of the forces that enable the spread and maintenance of drug resistance genes encoded in mobile genetic elements. The relevance of plasmids as vehicles for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes, in addition to the extensive use of plasmid-derived vectors for biotechnological and industrial purposes, has promoted the in-depth study of the molecular mechanisms controlling multiple aspects of a plasmids' life cycle. This body of experimental work has been paralleled by the development of a wealth of mathematical models aimed at understanding the interplay between transmission, replication, and segregation, as well as their consequences in the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plasmid-bearing bacterial populations. In this review, we discuss theoretical models of plasmid dynamics that span from the molecular mechanisms of plasmid partition and copy-number control occurring at a cellular level, to their consequences in the population dynamics of complex microbial communities. We conclude by discussing future directions for this exciting research topic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rafael Peña-Miller
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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37
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Kottara A, Carrilero L, Harrison E, Hall JPJ, Brockhurst MA. The dilution effect limits plasmid horizontal transmission in multispecies bacterial communities. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2021; 167. [PMID: 34494951 PMCID: PMC8549239 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
By transferring ecologically important traits between species, plasmids drive genomic divergence and evolutionary innovation in their bacterial hosts. Bacterial communities are often diverse and contain multiple coexisting plasmids, but the dynamics of plasmids in multi-species communities are poorly understood. Here, we show, using experimental multi-species communities containing two plasmids, that bacterial diversity limits the horizontal transmission of plasmids due to the ‘dilution effect’; this is an epidemiological phenomenon whereby living alongside less proficient host species reduces the expected infection risk for a focal host species. In addition, plasmid horizontal transmission was also affected by plasmid diversity, such that the rate of plasmid conjugation was reduced from co-infected host cells carrying both plasmids. In diverse microbial communities, plasmid spread may be limited by the dilution effect and plasmid–plasmid interactions, reducing the rate of horizontal transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Kottara
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Laura Carrilero
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ellie Harrison
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - James P J Hall
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Michael A Brockhurst
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
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38
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Nuismer SL, C. Layman N, Redwood AJ, Chan B, Bull JJ. Methods for measuring the evolutionary stability of engineered genomes to improve their longevity. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2021; 6:ysab018. [PMID: 34712842 PMCID: PMC8546616 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse applications rely on engineering microbes to carry and express foreign transgenes. This engineered baggage rarely benefits the microbe and is thus prone to rapid evolutionary loss when the microbe is propagated. For applications where a transgene must be maintained for extended periods of growth, slowing the rate of transgene evolution is critical and can be achieved by reducing either the rate of mutation or the strength of selection. Because the benefits realized by changing these quantities will not usually be equal, it is important to know which will yield the greatest improvement to the evolutionary half-life of the engineering. Here, we provide a method for jointly estimating the mutation rate of transgene loss and the strength of selection favoring these transgene-free, revertant individuals. The method requires data from serial transfer experiments in which the frequency of engineered genomes is monitored periodically. Simple mathematical models are developed that use these estimates to predict the half-life of the engineered transgene and provide quantitative predictions for how alterations to mutation and selection will influence longevity. The estimation method and predictive tools have been implemented as an interactive web application, MuSe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Nuismer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA
- Department of Mathematics, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA
| | - Nathan C. Layman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA
| | - Alec J Redwood
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- The Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Baca Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- The Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James J Bull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA
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Engineering of Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius 2444 for Sustainable Production of Tobramycin. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144343. [PMID: 34299618 PMCID: PMC8304502 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tobramycin is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic agent. The compound is obtained from the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of carbamoyltobramycin (CTB), which is naturally produced by the actinomycete Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius. However, the strain uses the same precursors to synthesize several structurally related aminoglycosides. Consequently, the production yields of tobramycin are low, and the compound’s purification is very challenging, costly, and time-consuming. In this study, the production of the main undesired product, apramycin, in the industrial isolate Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius 2444 was decreased by applying the fermentation media M10 and M11, which contained high concentrations of starch and dextrin. Furthermore, the strain was genetically engineered by the inactivation of the aprK gene (∆aprK), resulting in the abolishment of apramycin biosynthesis. In the next step of strain development, an additional copy of the tobramycin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) was introduced into the ∆aprK mutant. Fermentation by the engineered strain (∆aprK_1-17L) in M11 medium resulted in a 3- to 4-fold higher production than fermentation by the precursor strain (∆aprK). The phenotypic stability of the mutant without selection pressure was validated. The use of the engineered S. tenebrarius 2444 facilitates a step-saving, efficient, and, thus, more sustainable production of the valuable compound tobramycin on an industrial scale.
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Abstract
Bacteria acquire novel DNA through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), a process that enables an organism to rapidly adapt to changing environmental conditions, provides a competitive edge and potentially alters its relationship with its host. Although the HGT process is routinely exploited in laboratories, there is a surprising disconnect between what we know from laboratory experiments and what we know from natural environments, such as the human gut microbiome. Owing to a suite of newly available computational algorithms and experimental approaches, we have a broader understanding of the genes that are being transferred and are starting to understand the ecology of HGT in natural microbial communities. This Review focuses on these new technologies, the questions they can address and their limitations. As these methods are applied more broadly, we are beginning to recognize the full extent of HGT possible within a microbiome and the punctuated dynamics of HGT, specifically in response to external stimuli. Furthermore, we are better characterizing the complex selective pressures on mobile genetic elements and the mechanisms by which they interact with the bacterial host genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana Lauren Brito
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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41
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Coipan CE, Westrell T, van Hoek AHAM, Alm E, Kotila S, Berbers B, de Keersmaecker SCJ, Ceyssens PJ, Borg ML, Chattaway M, McCormick J, Dallman TJ, Franz E. Genomic epidemiology of emerging ESBL-producing Salmonella Kentucky bla CTX-M-14b in Europe. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 9:2124-2135. [PMID: 32896234 PMCID: PMC7580578 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1821582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Global dissemination of ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Kentucky has been observed over the past decades. In recent years, there have been reports of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing S. Kentucky. Routine surveillance at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) detected cases with a ciprofloxacin-resistant S. Kentucky with the ESBL-gene blaCTX-M-14b. Ensuing research identified 78 cases in 2013–2018 in eight European countries. Compared to other S. Kentucky and non-typhoidal Salmonella infections, reported to the European Surveillance System, these cases were more likely to be elderly and to present urinary-tract infections. Bayesian time-scaled phylogeny on whole genome sequences of isolates from these cases and supplementary isolates from public sequence databases was used to infer the origin and spread of this clone. We dated the origin of the blaCTX-M-14b clone to approximately 2005 in Northern Africa, most likely in Egypt. The geographic origin predicted by the phylogenetic analysis is consistent with the patients’ travel history. Next to multiple introductions of the clone to Europe from Egypt, our analysis suggests that in some parts of Europe the clone might have formed a stable population, from which further spread has occurred. Comparative genomics indicated that the blaCTX-M-14b gene is present on the bacterial chromosome, within the type VI secretion system region. The blaCTX-M-14b gene is integrated downstream of the hcp1 gene, on a 2854 bp plasmid fragment containing also ISEcp1. This is the first report of a chromosomally integrated CTX-M gene in Salmonella spp. in Europe, previous studies having identified similar genes only on plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia E Coipan
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Erik Alm
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Sweden
| | - Saara Kotila
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eelco Franz
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
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42
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Properties affecting transfer and expression of degradative plasmids for the purpose of bioremediation. Biodegradation 2021; 32:361-375. [PMID: 34046775 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-021-09950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Plasmids, circular DNA that exist and replicate outside of the host chromosome, have been important in the spread of non-essential genes as well as the rapid evolution of prokaryotes. Recent advances in environmental engineering have aimed to utilize the mobility of plasmids carrying degradative genes to disseminate them into the environment for cost-effective and environmentally friendly remediation of harmful contaminants. Here, we review the knowledge surrounding plasmid transfer and the conditions needed for successful transfer and expression of degradative plasmids. Both abiotic and biotic factors have a great impact on the success of degradative plasmid transfer and expression of the degradative genes of interest. Properties such as ecological growth strategies of bacteria may also contribute to plasmid transfer and may be an important consideration for bioremediation applications. Finally, the methods for detection of conjugation events have greatly improved and the application of these tools can help improve our understanding of conjugation in complex communities. However, it remains clear that more methods for in situ detection of plasmid transfer are needed to help detangle the complexities of conjugation in natural environments to better promote a framework for precision bioremediation.
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Alonso-Del Valle A, León-Sampedro R, Rodríguez-Beltrán J, DelaFuente J, Hernández-García M, Ruiz-Garbajosa P, Cantón R, Peña-Miller R, San Millán A. Variability of plasmid fitness effects contributes to plasmid persistence in bacterial communities. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2653. [PMID: 33976161 PMCID: PMC8113577 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22849-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmid persistence in bacterial populations is strongly influenced by the fitness effects associated with plasmid carriage. However, plasmid fitness effects in wild-type bacterial hosts remain largely unexplored. In this study, we determined the fitness effects of the major antibiotic resistance plasmid pOXA-48_K8 in wild-type, ecologically compatible enterobacterial isolates from the human gut microbiota. Our results show that although pOXA-48_K8 produced an overall reduction in bacterial fitness, it produced small effects in most bacterial hosts, and even beneficial effects in several isolates. Moreover, genomic results showed a link between pOXA-48_K8 fitness effects and bacterial phylogeny, helping to explain plasmid epidemiology. Incorporating our fitness results into a simple population dynamics model revealed a new set of conditions for plasmid stability in bacterial communities, with plasmid persistence increasing with bacterial diversity and becoming less dependent on conjugation. These results help to explain the high prevalence of plasmids in the greatly diverse natural microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Alonso-Del Valle
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo León-Sampedro
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biológica en Red. Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Rodríguez-Beltrán
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biológica en Red. Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier DelaFuente
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández-García
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
- Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Ruiz-Garbajosa
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
- Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Cantón
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
- Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Peña-Miller
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Alvaro San Millán
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biológica en Red. Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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Law A, Solano O, Brown CJ, Hunter SS, Fagnan M, Top EM, Stalder T. Biosolids as a Source of Antibiotic Resistance Plasmids for Commensal and Pathogenic Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:606409. [PMID: 33967971 PMCID: PMC8098119 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.606409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a threat to modern medicine, and plasmids are driving the global spread of AR by horizontal gene transfer across microbiomes and environments. Determining the mobile resistome responsible for this spread of AR among environments is essential in our efforts to attenuate the current crisis. Biosolids are a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) byproduct used globally as fertilizer in agriculture. Here, we investigated the mobile resistome of biosolids that are used as fertilizer. This was done by capturing resistance plasmids that can transfer to human pathogens and commensal bacteria. We used a higher-throughput version of the exogenous plasmid isolation approach by mixing several ESKAPE pathogens and a commensal Escherichia coli with biosolids and screening for newly acquired resistance to about 10 antibiotics in these strains. Six unique resistance plasmids transferred to Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogenes, and E. coli. All the plasmids were self-transferable and carried 3-6 antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) conferring resistance to 2-4 antibiotic classes. These plasmids-borne resistance genes were further embedded in genetic elements promoting intracellular recombination (i.e., transposons or class 1 integrons). The plasmids belonged to the broad-host-range plasmid (BHR) groups IncP-1 or PromA. Several of them were persistent in their new hosts when grown in the absence of antibiotics, suggesting that the newly acquired drug resistance traits would be sustained over time. This study highlights the role of BHRs in the spread of ARG between environmental bacteria and human pathogens and commensals, where they may persist. The work further emphasizes biosolids as potential vehicles of highly mobile plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Law
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Olubunmi Solano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Celeste J. Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Samuel S. Hunter
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- UC-Davis Genome Center, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Matt Fagnan
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Eva M. Top
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Thibault Stalder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
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45
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Kottara A, Hall JPJ, Brockhurst MA. The proficiency of the original host species determines community-level plasmid dynamics. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6134752. [PMID: 33580956 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are common in natural bacterial communities, facilitating bacterial evolution via horizontal gene transfer. Bacterial species vary in their proficiency to host plasmids: whereas plasmids are stably maintained in some species regardless of selection for plasmid-encoded genes, in other species, even beneficial plasmids are rapidly lost. It is, however, unclear how this variation in host proficiency affects plasmid persistence in communities. Here, we test this using multispecies bacterial soil communities comprising species varying in their proficiency to host a large conjugative mercury resistance plasmid, pQBR103. The plasmid reached higher community-level abundance where beneficial and when introduced to the community in a more proficient host species. Proficient plasmid host species were also better able to disseminate the plasmid to a wider diversity of host species. These findings suggest that the dynamics of plasmids in natural bacterial communities depend not only upon the plasmid's attributes and the selective environment but also upon the proficiency of their host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Kottara
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - James P J Hall
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Michael A Brockhurst
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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Contagious Antibiotic Resistance: Plasmid Transfer among Bacterial Residents of the Zebrafish Gut. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02735-20. [PMID: 33637574 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02735-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
By characterizing the trajectories of antibiotic resistance gene transfer in bacterial communities such as the gut microbiome, we will better understand the factors that influence this spread of resistance. Our aim was to investigate the host network of a multidrug resistance broad-host-range plasmid in the culturable gut microbiome of zebrafish. This was done through in vitro and in vivo conjugation experiments with Escherichia coli as the donor of the plasmid pB10::gfp When this donor was mixed with the extracted gut microbiome, only transconjugants of Aeromonas veronii were detected. In separate matings between the same donor and four prominent isolates from the gut microbiome, the plasmid transferred to two of these four isolates, A. veronii and Plesiomonas shigelloides, but not to Shewanella putrefaciens and Vibrio mimicus When these A. veronii and P. shigelloides transconjugants were the donors in matings with the same four isolates, the plasmid now also transferred from A. veronii to S. putrefaciens P. shigelloides was unable to donate the plasmid, and V. mimicus was unable to acquire it. Finally, when the E. coli donor was added in vivo to zebrafish through their food, plasmid transfer was observed in the gut, but only to Achromobacter, a rare member of the gut microbiome. This work shows that the success of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance spread in a gut microbiome depends on the donor-recipient species combinations and therefore their spatial arrangement. It also suggests that rare gut microbiome members should not be ignored as potential reservoirs of multidrug resistance plasmids from food.IMPORTANCE To understand how antibiotic resistance plasmids end up in human pathogens, it is crucial to learn how, where, and when they are transferred and maintained in members of bacterial communities such as the gut microbiome. To gain insight into the network of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance sharing in the gut microbiome, we investigated the transferability and maintenance of a multidrug resistance plasmid among the culturable bacteria of the zebrafish gut. We show that the success of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance spread in a gut microbiome can depend on which species are involved, as some are important nodes in the plasmid-host network and others are dead ends. Our findings also suggest that rare gut microbiome members should not be ignored as potential reservoirs of multidrug resistance plasmids from food.
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Stalder T, Cornwell B, Lacroix J, Kohler B, Dixon S, Yano H, Kerr B, Forney LJ, Top EM. Evolving Populations in Biofilms Contain More Persistent Plasmids. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:1563-1576. [PMID: 32027370 PMCID: PMC7253198 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial plasmids substantially contribute to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance, which is a crisis in healthcare today. Coevolution of plasmids and their hosts promotes this spread of resistance by ameliorating the cost of plasmid carriage. However, our knowledge of plasmid–bacteria coevolution is solely based on studies done in well-mixed liquid cultures, even though biofilms represent the main way of bacterial life on Earth and are responsible for most infections. The spatial structure and the heterogeneity provided by biofilms are known to lead to increased genetic diversity as compared with well-mixed liquids. Therefore, we expect that growth in this complex environment could affect the evolutionary trajectories of plasmid–host dyads. We experimentally evolved Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 with plasmid pBP136Gm in biofilms and chemostats and sequenced the genomes of clones and populations. Biofilm populations not only maintained a higher diversity of mutations than chemostat populations but contained a few clones with markedly more persistent plasmids that evolved via multiple distinct trajectories. These included the acquisition of a putative toxin–antitoxin transposon by the plasmid and chromosomal mutations. Some of these genetic changes resulted in loss of plasmid transferability or decrease in plasmid cost. Growth in chemostats led to a higher proportion of variants with decreased plasmid persistence, a phenomenon not detected in biofilms. We suggest that the presence of more stable plasmid–host dyads in biofilms reflects higher genetic diversity and possibly unknown selection pressures. Overall, this study underscores the importance of the mode of growth in the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Stalder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.,BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action
| | - Brandon Cornwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Jared Lacroix
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Bethel Kohler
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Seth Dixon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Hirokazu Yano
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ben Kerr
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action.,Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Larry J Forney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Eva M Top
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.,BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action.,Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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48
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Schuller A, Cserjan-Puschmann M, Köppl C, Grabherr R, Wagenknecht M, Schiavinato M, Dohm JC, Himmelbauer H, Striedner G. Adaptive Evolution in Producing Microtiter Cultivations Generates Genetically Stable Escherichia coli Production Hosts for Continuous Bioprocessing. Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000376. [PMID: 33084246 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The production of recombinant proteins usually reduces cell fitness and the growth rate of producing cells. The growth disadvantage favors faster-growing non-producer mutants. Therefore, continuous bioprocessing is hardly feasible in Escherichia coli due to the high escape rate. The stability of E. coli expression systems under long-term production conditions and how metabolic load triggered by recombinant gene expression influences the characteristics of mutations are investigated. Iterated fed-batch-like microbioreactor cultivations are conducted under production conditions. The easy-to-produce green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a challenging antigen-binding fragment (Fab) are used as model proteins, and BL21(DE3) and BL21Q strains as expression hosts. In comparative whole-genome sequencing analyses, mutations that allowed cells to grow unhindered despite recombinant protein production are identified. A T7 RNA polymerase expression system is only conditionally suitable for long-term cultivation under production conditions. Mutations leading to non-producers occur in either the T7 RNA polymerase gene or the T7 promoter. The host RNA polymerase-based BL21Q expression system remains stable in the production of GFP in long-term cultivations. For the production of Fab, mutations in lacI of the BL21Q derivatives have positive effects on long-term stability. The results indicate that adaptive evolution carried out with genome-integrated E. coli expression systems in microtiter cultivations under industrial-relevant production conditions is an efficient strain development tool for production hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Schuller
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Production of Next-Level Biopharmaceuticals in E. coli, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Monika Cserjan-Puschmann
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Production of Next-Level Biopharmaceuticals in E. coli, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Christoph Köppl
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Production of Next-Level Biopharmaceuticals in E. coli, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Reingard Grabherr
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Production of Next-Level Biopharmaceuticals in E. coli, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Martin Wagenknecht
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Dr.-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, Vienna, A-1120, Austria
| | - Matteo Schiavinato
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Juliane C Dohm
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Heinz Himmelbauer
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
| | - Gerald Striedner
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Production of Next-Level Biopharmaceuticals in E. coli, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, A-1190, Austria
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Wein T, Wang Y, Hülter NF, Hammerschmidt K, Dagan T. Antibiotics Interfere with the Evolution of Plasmid Stability. Curr Biol 2020; 30:3841-3847.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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50
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Strong Environment-Genotype Interactions Determine the Fitness Costs of Antibiotic Resistance In Vitro and in an Insect Model of Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01033-20. [PMID: 32661001 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01033-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of antibiotic resistance commonly imposes fitness costs, a reduction in the fitness of bacteria in the absence of drugs. These costs have been quantified primarily using in vitro experiments and a small number of in vivo studies in mice, and it is commonly assumed that these diverse methods are consistent. Here, we used an insect model of infection to compare the fitness costs of antibiotic resistance in vivo to those in vitro Experiments explored diverse mechanisms of resistance in a Gram-positive pathogen, Bacillus thuringiensis, and a Gram-negative intestinal symbiont, Enterobacter cloacae Rifampin resistance in B. thuringiensis showed fitness costs that were typically elevated in vivo, although these were modulated by genotype-environment interactions. In contrast, resistance to cefotaxime via derepression of AmpC β-lactamase in E. cloacae resulted in no detectable costs in vivo or in vitro, while spontaneous resistance to nalidixic acid, and carriage of the IncP plasmid RP4, imposed costs that increased in vivo Overall, fitness costs in vitro were a poor predictor of fitness costs in vivo because of strong genotype-environment interactions throughout this study. Insect infections provide a cheap and accessible means of assessing the fitness consequences of resistance mutations, data that are important for understanding the evolution and spread of resistance. This study emphasizes that the fitness costs imposed by particular mutations or different modes of resistance are extremely variable and that only a subset of these mutations is likely to be prevalent outside the laboratory.
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