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Al Mamun AAM, Kissoon K, Li YG, Hancock E, Christie PJ. The F plasmid conjutome: the repertoire of E. coli proteins translocated through an F-encoded type IV secretion system. mSphere 2024:e0035424. [PMID: 38940509 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00354-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation systems pose a major threat to human health through their widespread dissemination of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying cargoes of antibiotic resistance genes. Using the Cre Recombinase Assay for Translocation (CRAfT), we recently reported that the IncFV pED208 conjugation system also translocates at least 16 plasmid-encoded proteins to recipient bacteria. Here, we deployed a high-throughput CRAfT screen to identify the repertoire of chromosomally encoded protein substrates of the pED208 system. We identified 32 substrates encoded by the Escherichia coli W3110 genome with functions associated with (i) DNA/nucleotide metabolism, (ii) stress tolerance/physiology, (iii) transcriptional regulation, or (iv) toxin inhibition. The respective gene deletions did not impact pED208 transfer proficiencies, nor did Group 1 (DNA/nucleotide metabolism) mutations detectably alter the SOS response elicited in new transconjugants upon acquisition of pED208. However, MC4100(pED208) donor cells intrinsically exhibit significantly higher SOS activation than plasmid-free MC4100 cells, and this plasmid carriage-induced stress response is further elevated in donor cells deleted of several Group 1 genes. Among 10 characterized substrates, we gained evidence of C-terminal or internal translocation signals that could function independently or synergistically for optimal protein transfer. Remarkably, nearly all tested proteins were also translocated through the IncN pKM101 and IncP RP4 conjugation systems. This repertoire of E. coli protein substrates, here termed the F plasmid "conjutome," is thus characterized by functions of potential benefit to new transconjugants, diverse TSs, and the capacity for promiscuous transfer through heterologous conjugation systems. IMPORTANCE Conjugation systems comprise a major subfamily of the type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) and are the progenitors of a second large T4SS subfamily dedicated to translocation of protein effectors. This study examined the capacity of conjugation machines to function as protein translocators. Using a high-throughput reporter screen, we determined that 32 chromosomally encoded proteins are delivered through an F plasmid conjugation system. The translocated proteins potentially enhance the establishment of the co-transferred F plasmid or mitigate mating-induced stresses. Translocation signals located C-terminally or internally conferred substrate recognition by the F system and, remarkably, many substrates also were translocated through heterologous conjugation systems. Our findings highlight the plasticity of conjugation systems in their capacities to co-translocate DNA and many protein substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Amar M Al Mamun
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kimberley Kissoon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Grace Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Erin Hancock
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Peter J Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
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2
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Gordils-Valentin L, Ouyang H, Qian L, Hong J, Zhu X. Conjugative type IV secretion systems enable bacterial antagonism that operates independently of plasmid transfer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:499. [PMID: 38664513 PMCID: PMC11045733 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06192-8] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cooperation and antagonism mediated by secretion systems are among the ways in which bacteria interact with one another. Here we report the discovery of an antagonistic property of a type IV secretion system (T4SS) sourced from a conjugative plasmid, RP4, using engineering approaches. We scrutinized the genetic determinants and suggested that this antagonistic activity is independent of molecular cargos, while we also elucidated the resistance genes. We further showed that a range of Gram-negative bacteria and a mixed bacterial population can be eliminated by this T4SS-dependent antagonism. Finally, we showed that such an antagonistic property is not limited to T4SS sourced from RP4, rather it can also be observed in a T4SS originated from another conjugative plasmid, namely R388. Our results are the first demonstration of conjugative T4SS-dependent antagonism between Gram-negative bacteria on the genetic level and provide the foundation for future mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois Gordils-Valentin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US
| | - Huanrong Ouyang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US
| | - Liangyu Qian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US
| | - Joshua Hong
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US
| | - Xuejun Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US.
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, US.
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3
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Fraikin N, Couturier A, Lesterlin C. The winding journey of conjugative plasmids toward a novel host cell. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102449. [PMID: 38432159 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal transfer of plasmids by conjugation is a fundamental mechanism driving the widespread dissemination of drug resistance among bacterial populations. The successful colonization of a new host cell necessitates the plasmid to navigate through a series of sequential steps, each dependent on specific plasmid or host factors. This review explores recent advancements in comprehending the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern plasmid transmission, establishment, and long-term maintenance. Adopting a plasmid-centric perspective, we describe the critical steps and bottlenecks in the plasmid's journey toward a new host cell, encompassing exploration and contact initiation, invasion, establishment and control, and assimilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Fraikin
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Agathe Couturier
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Christian Lesterlin
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France.
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4
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Haudiquet M, Le Bris J, Nucci A, Bonnin RA, Domingo-Calap P, Rocha EPC, Rendueles O. Capsules and their traits shape phage susceptibility and plasmid conjugation efficiency. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2032. [PMID: 38448399 PMCID: PMC10918111 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46147-5] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial evolution is affected by mobile genetic elements like phages and conjugative plasmids, offering new adaptive traits while incurring fitness costs. Their infection is affected by the bacterial capsule. Yet, its importance has been difficult to quantify because of the high diversity of confounding mechanisms in bacterial genomes such as anti-viral systems and surface receptor modifications. Swapping capsule loci between Klebsiella pneumoniae strains allowed us to quantify their impact on plasmid and phage infection independently of genetic background. Capsule swaps systematically invert phage susceptibility, revealing serotypes as key determinants of phage infection. Capsule types also influence conjugation efficiency in both donor and recipient cells, a mechanism shaped by capsule volume and conjugative pilus structure. Comparative genomics confirmed that more permissive serotypes in the lab correspond to the strains acquiring more conjugative plasmids in nature. The least capsule-sensitive pili (F-like) are the most frequent in the species' plasmids, and are the only ones associated with both antibiotic resistance and virulence factors, driving the convergence between virulence and antibiotics resistance in the population. These results show how traits of cellular envelopes define slow and fast lanes of infection by mobile genetic elements, with implications for population dynamics and horizontal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Haudiquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France.
- Ecole Doctoral FIRE-Programme Bettencourt, CRI, Paris, France.
| | - Julie Le Bris
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Ecole Doctorale Complexité du Vivant, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Amandine Nucci
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Rémy A Bonnin
- Team Resist UMR1184 Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Inserm, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France
- Service de bactériologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, Université Paris Saclay, AP-HP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France
- Centre National de Référence Associé de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980, Paterna, Spain
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France.
| | - Olaya Rendueles
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France.
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5
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Costa TRD, Patkowski JB, Macé K, Christie PJ, Waksman G. Structural and functional diversity of type IV secretion systems. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:170-185. [PMID: 37814112 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the structural and molecular biology of type IV secretion systems in Gram-negative bacteria. The latest advances have substantially improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the recruitment and delivery of DNA and protein substrates to the extracellular environment or target cells. In this Review, we aim to summarize these exciting structural and molecular biology findings and to discuss their functional implications for substrate recognition, recruitment and translocation, as well as the biogenesis of extracellular pili. We also describe adaptations necessary for deploying a breadth of processes, such as bacterial survival, host-pathogen interactions and biotic and abiotic adhesion. We highlight the functional and structural diversity that allows this extremely versatile secretion superfamily to function under different environmental conditions and in different bacterial species. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of further understanding the mechanism of type IV secretion, which will support us in combating antimicrobial resistance and treating type IV secretion system-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago R D Costa
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.
| | - Jonasz B Patkowski
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Kévin Macé
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, London, UK
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes and CNRS, Rennes, France
| | - Peter J Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Gabriel Waksman
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, London, UK.
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6
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Du J, Kong Y, Wen Y, Shen E, Xing H. HUH Endonuclease: A Sequence-specific Fusion Protein Tag for Precise DNA-Protein Conjugation. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107118. [PMID: 38330720 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic DNA-protein conjugates have found widespread applications in diagnostics and therapeutics, prompting a growing interest in developing chemical biology methodologies for the precise and site-specific preparation of covalent DNA-protein conjugates. In this review article, we concentrate on techniques to achieve precise control over the structural and site-specific aspects of DNA-protein conjugates. We summarize conventional methods involving unnatural amino acids and self-labeling proteins, accompanied by a discussion of their potential limitations. Our primary focus is on introducing HUH endonuclease as a novel generation of fusion protein tags for DNA-protein conjugate preparation. The detailed conjugation mechanisms and structures of representative endonucleases are surveyed, showcasing their advantages as fusion protein tag in sequence selectivity, biological orthogonality, and no requirement for DNA modification. Additionally, we present the burgeoning applications of HUH-tag-based DNA-protein conjugates in protein assembly, biosensing, and gene editing. Furthermore, we delve into the future research directions of the HUH-tag, highlighting its significant potential for applications in the biomedical and DNA nanotechnology fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Du
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China
| | - Yuhan Kong
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China
| | - Yujian Wen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China
| | - Enxi Shen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China
| | - Hang Xing
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China.
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7
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Kishida K, Li YG, Ogawa-Kishida N, Khara P, Al Mamun AAM, Bosserman RE, Christie PJ. Chimeric systems composed of swapped Tra subunits between distantly-related F plasmids reveal striking plasticity among type IV secretion machines. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011088. [PMID: 38437248 PMCID: PMC10939261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011088] [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: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are a versatile family of macromolecular translocators, collectively able to recruit diverse DNA and protein substrates and deliver them to a wide range of cell types. Presently, there is little understanding of how T4SSs recognize substrate repertoires and form productive contacts with specific target cells. Although T4SSs are composed of a number of conserved subunits and adopt certain conserved structural features, they also display considerable compositional and structural diversity. Here, we explored the structural bases underlying the functional versatility of T4SSs through systematic deletion and subunit swapping between two conjugation systems encoded by the distantly-related IncF plasmids, pED208 and F. We identified several regions of intrinsic flexibility among the encoded T4SSs, as evidenced by partial or complete functionality of chimeric machines. Swapping of VirD4-like TraD type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) yielded functional chimeras, indicative of relaxed specificity at the substrate-TraD and TraD-T4SS interfaces. Through mutational analyses, we further delineated domains of the TraD T4CPs contributing to recruitment of cognate vs heterologous DNA substrates. Remarkably, swaps of components comprising the outer membrane core complexes, a few F-specific subunits, or the TraA pilins supported DNA transfer in the absence of detectable pilus production. Among sequenced enterobacterial species in the NCBI database, we identified many strains that harbor two or more F-like plasmids and many F plasmids lacking one or more T4SS components required for self-transfer. We confirmed that host cells carrying co-resident, non-selftransmissible variants of pED208 and F elaborate chimeric T4SSs, as evidenced by transmission of both plasmids. We propose that T4SS plasticity enables the facile assembly of functional chimeras, and this intrinsic flexibility at the structural level can account for functional diversification of this superfamily over evolutionary time and, on a more immediate time-scale, to proliferation of transfer-defective MGEs in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouhei Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yang Grace Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Natsumi Ogawa-Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pratick Khara
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Abu Amar M. Al Mamun
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rachel E. Bosserman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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8
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Manjitha KGL, Sewwandi BGN. Cyanotoxins availability and detection methods in wastewater treatment plants: A review. J Microbiol Methods 2024; 217-218:106886. [PMID: 38159650 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Research interest in ecological significance, toxicity, and potential applications of cyanobacterial metabolites has grown as a result of the current extensive cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies. Under favourable conditions, specific cyanobacterial species release cyanotoxins, hepatotoxins, dermatoxins, neurotoxins, and cytotoxins, creating a heightened threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) offer one of the best culture media for cyanobacterial development and synthesis of cyanotoxins by providing optimum environmental conditions, including temperature, light intensity, lengthy water residence time, and nutrient-rich habitat. To discover the intricate relationships between cyanobacterial populations and other living organisms, it is important to comprehend the cyanobacterial communities in the ecology of WWTPs. Monitoring strategies of these cyanotoxins typically involved combined assessments of biological, biochemical, and physicochemical methodologies. Microscopic observations and physicochemical factors analysis cannot be carried out for toxicity potential analysis of blooms. Due to their high sensitivity, molecular-based approaches allow for the early detection of toxic cyanobacteria, while biological analysis is carried out by using water bloom material and cell extracts to screen cyanotoxins build up in organisms. As each approach has benefits and drawbacks, the development of an integrated multi-method laboratory system is essential to obtain trustworthy results and accurate detection of cyanotoxin levels in WWTPs allowing us to take necessary proactive and preventative approaches for effective wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K G L Manjitha
- Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11600, Sri Lanka
| | - B G N Sewwandi
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11600, Sri Lanka.
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9
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Murata T, Gotoh Y, Hayashi T. A comprehensive list of genes required for the efficient conjugation of plasmid Rts1 was determined by systematic deletion analysis. DNA Res 2024; 31:dsae002. [PMID: 38300630 PMCID: PMC10838148 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
While conjugation-related genes have been identified in many plasmids by genome sequencing, functional analyses have not yet been performed in most cases, and a full set of conjugation genes has been identified for only a few plasmids. Rts1, a prototype IncT plasmid, is a conjugative plasmid that was originally isolated from Proteus vulgaris. Here, we conducted a systematic deletion analysis of Rts1 to fully understand its conjugation system. Through this analysis along with complementation assays, we identified 32 genes that are required for the efficient conjugation of Rts1 from Escherichia coli to E. coli. In addition, the functions of the 28 genes were determined or predicted; 21 were involved in mating-pair formation, three were involved in DNA transfer and replication, including a relaxase gene belonging to the MOBH12 family, one was involved in coupling, and three were involved in transcriptional regulation. Among the functionally well-analysed conjugation systems, most of the 28 genes showed the highest similarity to those of the SXT element, which is an integrative conjugative element of Vibrio cholerae. The Rts1 conjugation gene set included all 23 genes required for the SXT system. Two groups of plasmids with conjugation systems nearly identical or very similar to that of Rts1 were also identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Murata
- Department of Pediatrics, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Mizonokuchi Hospital, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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10
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Sun L, Chen Y, Qu T, Shi K, Han X, Wu W, Jiang Y, Yu Y. Characterisation of a Novel Hybrid IncFII pHN7A8:IncR:IncN Plasmid Co-Harboring blaNDM-5 and blaKPC-2 from a Clinical ST11 Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:7621-7628. [PMID: 38107435 PMCID: PMC10725640 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s435195] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We aimed to characterize a novel blaNDM-5 and blaKPC-2 co-carrying hybrid plasmid from a clinical carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strain. Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the broth microdilution method. Plasmid size and localization were estimated using S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE) and Southern blotting. Plasmid transfer ability was evaluated by conjugation experiments. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using Illumina NovaSeq6000 and Oxford Nanopore MinION platforms. Genomic characteristics were analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Results Strain ZY27320 was a multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical ST11 K. pneumoniae strain that confers high-level resistance to carbapenems (meropenem, MIC 128 mg/L; imipenem, MIC 64 mg/L) and ceftazidime/avibactam (MIC >128/4 mg/L). Both S1-PFGE-Southern blotting and whole genome sequencing revealed that the carbapenemase genes blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-5 were carried by the same IncFIIpHN7A8:IncR:IncN hybrid plasmid (pKPC2_NDM5). Conjugation experiments indicated that pKPC2_NDM5 was a non-conjugative plasmid. Conclusion This is the first report of a hybrid plasmid carrying both carbapenemase genes blaNDM-5 and blaKPC-2 in a clinical K. pneumoniae ST11 isolate that confers resistance to both ceftazidime/avibactam and carbapenems, thereby presenting a serious threat to treatment in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical in Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tingting Qu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Infection Control Department, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Keren Shi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinhong Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Infection Control Department, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Kishida K, Li YG, Ogawa-Kishida N, Khara P, Al Mamun AAM, Bosserman RE, Christie PJ. Chimeric systems composed of swapped Tra subunits between distantly-related F plasmids reveal striking plasticity among type IV secretion machines. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.05.570194. [PMID: 38106057 PMCID: PMC10723329 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are a versatile family of macromolecular translocators, collectively able to recruit diverse DNA and protein substrates and deliver them to a wide range of cell types. Presently, there is little understanding of how T4SSs recognize substrate repertoires and form productive contacts with specific target cells. Although T4SSs are composed of a number of conserved subunits and adopt certain conserved structural features, they also display considerable compositional and structural diversity. Here, we explored the structural bases underlying the functional versatility of T4SSs through systematic deletion and subunit swapping between two conjugation systems encoded by the distantly-related IncF plasmids, pED208 and F. We identified several regions of intrinsic flexibility among the encoded T4SSs, as evidenced by partial or complete functionality of chimeric machines. Swapping of VirD4-like TraD type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) yielded functional chimeras, indicative of relaxed specificity at the substrate - TraD and TraD - T4SS interfaces. Through mutational analyses, we further delineated domains of the TraD T4CPs contributing to recruitment of cognate vs heterologous DNA substrates. Remarkably, swaps of components comprising the outer membrane core complexes, a few F-specific subunits, or the TraA pilins supported DNA transfer in the absence of detectable pilus production. Among sequenced enterobacterial species in the NCBI database, we identified many strains that harbor two or more F-like plasmids and many F plasmids lacking one or more T4SS components required for self-transfer. We confirmed that host cells carrying co-resident, non-selftransmissible variants of pED208 and F elaborate chimeric T4SSs, as evidenced by transmission of both plasmids. We propose that T4SS plasticity enables the facile assembly of functional chimeras, and this intrinsic flexibility at the structural level can account for functional diversification of this superfamily over evolutionary time and, on a more immediate time-scale, to proliferation of transfer-defective MGEs in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouhei Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Yang Grace Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Natsumi Ogawa-Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Pratick Khara
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Abu Amar M Al Mamun
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Rachel E. Bosserman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030, United States of America
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12
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Cabezón E, Valenzuela-Gómez F, Arechaga I. Primary architecture and energy requirements of Type III and Type IV secretion systems. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1255852. [PMID: 38089815 PMCID: PMC10711112 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1255852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens use Type III and Type IV protein secretion systems to secrete virulence factors from the bacterial cytosol into host cells. These systems operate through a one-step mechanism. The secreted substrates (protein or nucleo-protein complexes in the case of Type IV conjugative systems) are guided to the base of the secretion channel, where they are directly delivered into the host cell in an ATP-dependent unfolded state. Despite the numerous disparities between these secretion systems, here we have focused on the structural and functional similarities between both systems. In particular, on the structural similarity shared by one of the main ATPases (EscN and VirD4 in Type III and Type IV secretion systems, respectively). Interestingly, these ATPases also exhibit a structural resemblance to F1-ATPases, which suggests a common mechanism for substrate secretion. The correlation between structure and function of essential components in both systems can provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms involved. This approach is of great interest in the pursuit of identifying inhibitors that can effectively target these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cabezón
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria- CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Arechaga
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria- CSIC, Santander, Spain
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13
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Frankel G, David S, Low WW, Seddon C, Wong JC, Beis K. Plasmids pick a bacterial partner before committing to conjugation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8925-8933. [PMID: 37592747 PMCID: PMC10516633 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation was first described by Lederberg and Tatum in the 1940s following the discovery of the F plasmid. During conjugation a plasmid is transferred unidirectionally from one bacterium (the donor) to another (the recipient), in a contact-dependent manner. Conjugation has been regarded as a promiscuous mechanism of DNA transfer, with host range determined by the recipient downstream of plasmid transfer. However, recent data have shown that F-like plasmids, akin to tailed Caudovirales bacteriophages, can pick their host bacteria prior to transfer by expressing one of at least four structurally distinct isoforms of the outer membrane protein TraN, which has evolved to function as a highly sensitive sensor on the donor cell surface. The TraN sensor appears to pick bacterial hosts by binding compatible outer membrane proteins in the recipient. The TraN variants can be divided into specialist and generalist sensors, conferring narrow and broad plasmid host range, respectively. In this review we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the function of the TraN sensor at the donor-recipient interface, used by F-like plasmids to select bacterial hosts within polymicrobial communities prior to DNA transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gad Frankel
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Sophia David
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Wen Wen Low
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Chloe Seddon
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, UK
| | | | - Konstantinos Beis
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, UK
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14
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Dorado-Morales P, Lambérioux M, Mazel D. Unlocking the potential of microbiome editing: A review of conjugation-based delivery. Mol Microbiol 2023. [PMID: 37658686 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens, posing a challenge to modern antibiotic-based medicine. This has highlighted the need for novel treatments that can specifically affect the target microorganism without disturbing other co-inhabiting species, thus preventing the development of dysbiosis in treated patients. Moreover, there is a pressing demand for tools to effectively manipulate complex microbial populations. One of the approaches suggested to address both issues was to use conjugation as a tool to modify the microbiome by either editing the genome of specific bacterial species and/or the removal of certain taxonomic groups. Conjugation involves the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another, which opens up the possibility of introducing, modifying or deleting specific genes in the recipient. In response to this proposal, there has been a significant increase in the number of studies using this method for gene delivery in bacterial populations. This MicroReview aims to provide a detailed overview on the use of conjugation for microbiome engineering, and at the same time, to initiate a discussion on the potential, limitations and possible future directions of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Dorado-Morales
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Unité Plasticité du Génome Bactérien, et CNRS, UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - Morgan Lambérioux
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Unité Plasticité du Génome Bactérien, et CNRS, UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - Didier Mazel
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Unité Plasticité du Génome Bactérien, et CNRS, UMR3525, Paris, France
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15
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Meir A, Macé K, Vegunta Y, Williams SM, Waksman G. Substrate recruitment mechanism by gram-negative type III, IV, and VI bacterial injectisomes. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:916-932. [PMID: 37085348 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria use a wide arsenal of macromolecular substrates (DNA and proteins) to interact with or infect prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. To do so, they utilize substrate-injecting secretion systems or injectisomes. However, prior to secretion, substrates must be recruited to specialized recruitment platforms and then handed over to the secretion apparatus for secretion. In this review, we provide an update on recent advances in substrate recruitment and delivery by gram-negative bacterial recruitment platforms associated with Type III, IV, and VI secretion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Meir
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK; Current address: MRC Centre for Virus Research, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Kévin Macé
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Yogesh Vegunta
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Sunanda M Williams
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Gabriel Waksman
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck and UCL, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK; Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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16
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Ryan ME, Damke PP, Shaffer CL. DNA Transport through the Dynamic Type IV Secretion System. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0043622. [PMID: 37338415 PMCID: PMC10353360 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00436-22] [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] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The versatile type IV secretion system (T4SS) nanomachine plays a pivotal role in bacterial pathogenesis and the propagation of antibiotic resistance determinants throughout microbial populations. In addition to paradigmatic DNA conjugation machineries, diverse T4SSs enable the delivery of multifarious effector proteins to target prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, mediate DNA export and uptake from the extracellular milieu, and in rare examples, facilitate transkingdom DNA translocation. Recent advances have identified new mechanisms underlying unilateral nucleic acid transport through the T4SS apparatus, highlighting both functional plasticity and evolutionary adaptations that enable novel capabilities. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms underscoring DNA translocation through diverse T4SS machineries, emphasizing the architectural features that implement DNA exchange across the bacterial membrane and license transverse DNA release across kingdom boundaries. We further detail how recent studies have addressed outstanding questions surrounding the mechanisms by which nanomachine architectures and substrate recruitment strategies contribute to T4SS functional diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie E. Ryan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Prashant P. Damke
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Carrie L. Shaffer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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17
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Catchpole RJ, Barbe V, Magdelenat G, Marguet E, Terns M, Oberto J, Forterre P, Da Cunha V. A self-transmissible plasmid from a hyperthermophile that facilitates genetic modification of diverse Archaea. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:1339-1347. [PMID: 37277532 PMCID: PMC10788138 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01387-x] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Conjugative plasmids are self-transmissible mobile genetic elements that transfer DNA between host cells via type IV secretion systems (T4SS). While T4SS-mediated conjugation has been well-studied in bacteria, information is sparse in Archaea and known representatives exist only in the Sulfolobales order of Crenarchaeota. Here we present the first self-transmissible plasmid identified in a Euryarchaeon, Thermococcus sp. 33-3. The 103 kbp plasmid, pT33-3, is seen in CRISPR spacers throughout the Thermococcales order. We demonstrate that pT33-3 is a bona fide conjugative plasmid that requires cell-to-cell contact and is dependent on canonical, plasmid-encoded T4SS-like genes. Under laboratory conditions, pT33-3 transfers to various Thermococcales and transconjugants propagate at 100 °C. Using pT33-3, we developed a genetic toolkit that allows modification of phylogenetically diverse Archaeal genomes. We demonstrate pT33-3-mediated plasmid mobilization and subsequent targeted genome modification in previously untransformable Thermococcales species, and extend this process to interphylum transfer to a Crenarchaeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Catchpole
- Unité de Biologie Moléculaire du Gène chez les Extrêmophiles (BMGE), Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, Cedex, France.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Valérie Barbe
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Ghislaine Magdelenat
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Evelyne Marguet
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, Cedex, France
| | - Michael Terns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jacques Oberto
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, Cedex, France
| | - Patrick Forterre
- Unité de Biologie Moléculaire du Gène chez les Extrêmophiles (BMGE), Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, Cedex, France
| | - Violette Da Cunha
- Unité de Biologie Moléculaire du Gène chez les Extrêmophiles (BMGE), Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, Cedex, France.
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France.
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18
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Guidotti-Takeuchi M, Melo RTD, Ribeiro LNDM, Dumont CF, Ribeiro RAC, Brum BDA, de Amorim Junior TLIF, Rossi DA. Interference with Bacterial Conjugation and Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bridging a Gap. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1127. [PMID: 37508224 PMCID: PMC10376302 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071127] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in food matrices has been investigated under conditions that favor gene exchange. However, the major challenge lies in determining the specific conditions pertaining to the adapted microbial pairs associated with the food matrix. HGT is primarily responsible for enhancing the microbial repertoire for the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance and is a major target for controlling pathogens of public health concern in food ecosystems. In this study, we investigated Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) and Escherichia coli (EC) regarding gene exchange under conditions mimicking the industrial environment, with the coproducts whey (SL) and chicken juice (CJ). The S. Heidelberg strain was characterized by antibiotic susceptibility standards and PCR to detect the blaTEM gene. A concentration of 0.39 mg/mL was determined to evaluate the anti-conjugation activity of nanostructured lipid nanocarriers (NLCs) of essential oils to mitigate β-lactam resistance gene transfer. The results showed that the addition of these coproducts promoted an increase of more than 3.5 (whey) and 2.5 (chicken juice) orders of magnitude in the conjugation process (p < 0.01), and NLCs of sage essential oil significantly reduced the conjugation frequency (CF) by 74.90, 90.6, and 124.4 times when compared to the transfers in the absence of coproducts and the presence of SL and CJ, respectively. For NLCs from olibanum essential oil, the decrease was 4.46-fold for conjugations without inhibitors and 3.12- and 11.3-fold in the presence of SL and CJ. NLCs associated with sage and olibanum essential oils effectively control the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes and are a promising alternative for use at industrial levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Guidotti-Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | - Roberta Torres de Melo
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Carolyne Ferreira Dumont
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Bárbara de Araújo Brum
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Daise Aparecida Rossi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
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19
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Xiao Y, Zhang Y, Xie F, Olsen RH, Shi L, Li L. Inhibition of Plasmid Conjugation in Escherichia coli by Targeting rbsB Gene Using CRISPRi System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10585. [PMID: 37445761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310585] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation constitutes a major horizontal gene transfer mechanism for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) among human pathogens. The spread of ARGs can be halted or diminished by interfering with the conjugation process. In this study, we explored the possibility of using an rbsB gene as a single target to inhibit plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer in Escherichia coli by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system. Three single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed to target the rbsB gene. The transcriptional levels of the rbsB gene, the conjugation-related genes, and the conjugation efficiency in the CRISPRi strain were tested. We further explored the effect of the repressed expression of the rbsB gene on the quorum sensing (QS) system and biofilm formation. The results showed that the constructed CRISPRi system was effective in repressing the transcriptional level of the rbsB gene at a rate of 66.4%. The repressed expression of the rbsB gene resulted in the reduced conjugation rate of RP4 plasmid by 88.7%, which significantly inhibited the expression of the conjugation-related genes (trbBp, trfAp, traF and traJ) and increased the global regulator genes (korA, korB and trbA). The repressed rbsB gene expression reduced the depletion of autoinducer 2 signals (AI-2) by 12.8% and biofilm formation by a rate of 68.2%. The results of this study indicated the rbsB gene could be used as a universal target for the inhibition of conjugation. The constructed conjugative CRISPRi system has the potential to be used in ARG high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Xiao
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Fengjun Xie
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Rikke Heidemann Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Lei Shi
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lili Li
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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20
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Piscon B, Pia Esposito E, Fichtman B, Samburski G, Efremushkin L, Amselem S, Harel A, Rahav G, Zarrilli R, Gal-Mor O. The Effect of Outer Space and Other Environmental Cues on Bacterial Conjugation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0368822. [PMID: 36995224 PMCID: PMC10269834 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03688-22] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation is one of the most abundant horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mechanisms, playing a fundamental role in prokaryote evolution. A better understanding of bacterial conjugation and its cross talk with the environment is needed for a more complete understanding of HGT mechanisms and to fight the dissemination of malicious genes between bacteria. Here, we studied the effect of outer space, microgravity, and additional key environmental cues on transfer (tra) gene expression and conjugation efficiency, using the under studied broad-host range plasmid pN3, as a model. High resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the pN3 conjugative pili and mating pair formation during conjugation. Using a nanosatellite carrying a miniaturized lab, we studied pN3 conjugation in outer space, and used qRT-PCR, Western blotting and mating assays to determine the effect of ground physicochemical parameters on tra gene expression and conjugation. We showed for the first time that bacterial conjugation can occur in outer space and on the ground, under microgravity-simulated conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microgravity, liquid media, elevated temperature, nutrient depletion, high osmolarity and low oxygen significantly reduce pN3 conjugation. Interestingly, under some of these conditions we observed an inverse correlation between tra gene transcription and conjugation frequency and found that induction of at least traK and traL can negatively affect pN3 conjugation frequency in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, these results uncover pN3 regulation by various environmental cues and highlight the diversity of conjugation systems and the different ways in which they may be regulated in response to abiotic signals. IMPORTANCE Bacterial conjugation is a highly ubiquitous and promiscuous process, by which a donor bacterium transfers a large portion of genetic material to a recipient cell. This mechanism of horizontal gene transfer plays an important role in bacterial evolution and in the ability of bacteria to acquire resistance to antimicrobial drugs and disinfectants. Bacterial conjugation is a complex and energy-consuming process, that is tightly regulated and largely affected by various environmental signals sensed by the bacterial cell. Comprehensive knowledge about bacterial conjugation and the ways it is affected by environmental cues is required to better understand bacterial ecology and evolution and to find new effective ways to counteract the threating dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes between bacterial populations. Moreover, characterizing this process under stress or suboptimal growth conditions such as elevated temperatures, high salinity or in the outer space, may provide insights relevant to future habitat environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bar Piscon
- The Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eliana Pia Esposito
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Boris Fichtman
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Guy Samburski
- SpacePharma R&D Israel LTD., Herzliya Pituach, Israel & SpacePharma SA, Courgenay, Switzerland
| | - Lihi Efremushkin
- SpacePharma R&D Israel LTD., Herzliya Pituach, Israel & SpacePharma SA, Courgenay, Switzerland
| | - Shimon Amselem
- SpacePharma R&D Israel LTD., Herzliya Pituach, Israel & SpacePharma SA, Courgenay, Switzerland
| | - Amnon Harel
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Galia Rahav
- The Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raffaele Zarrilli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ohad Gal-Mor
- The Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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21
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Yang X, Niu Y, Yang Y, Zhou H, Li J, Fu X, Shen Z, Wang J, Qiu Z. Pheromone effect of estradiol regulates the conjugative transfer of pCF10 carrying antibiotic resistance genes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 451:131087. [PMID: 36889077 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mediated by conjugative plasmids greatly contributes to bacteria evolution and the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In addition to the selective pressure imposed by extensive antibiotic use, environmental chemical pollutants facilitate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, consequently posing a serious threat to the ecological environment. Presently, the majority of studies focus on the effects of environmental compounds on R plasmid-mediated conjugation transfer, and pheromone-inducible conjugation has largely been neglected. In this study, we explored the pheromone effect and potential molecular mechanisms of estradiol in promoting the conjugative transfer of pCF10 plasmid in Enterococcus faecalis. Environmentally relevant concentrations of estradiol significantly increased the conjugative transfer of pCF10 with a maximum frequency of 3.2 × 10-2, up to 3.5-fold change compared to that of control. Exposure to estradiol induced the activation of pheromone signaling cascade by increasing the expression of ccfA. Furthermore, estradiol might directly bind to the pheromone receptor PrgZ and promote pCF10 induction and finally enhance the conjugative transfer of pCF10. These findings cast valuable insights on the roles of estradiol and its homolog in increasing antibiotic resistance and the potential ecological risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Yuanyuan Niu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yutong Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Hongrui Zhou
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jing Li
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Xinyue Fu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
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22
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Han K, Li Y, Zhang Z, Sun L, Wang ET, Li Y. Comparative genome analysis of Sesbania cannabina-nodulating Rhizobium spp. revealing the symbiotic and transferrable characteristics of symbiosis plasmids. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37133904 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation between legumes and rhizobia makes a great contribution to the terrestrial ecosystem. The successful symbiosis between the partners mainly depends on the nod and nif genes in rhizobia, while the specific symbiosis is mainly determined by the structure of Nod factors and the corresponding secretion systems (type III secretion system; T3SS), etc. These symbiosis genes are usually located on symbiotic plasmids or a chromosomal symbiotic island, both could be transferred interspecies. In our previous studies, Sesbania cannabina-nodulating rhizobia across the world were classified into 16 species of four genera and all the strains, especially those of Rhizobium spp., harboured extraordinarily highly conserved symbiosis genes, suggesting that horizontal transfer of symbiosis genes might have happened among them. In order to learn the genomic basis of diversification of rhizobia under the selection of host specificity, we performed this study to compare the complete genome sequences of four Rhizobium strains associated with S. cannabina, YTUBH007, YTUZZ027, YTUHZ044 and YTUHZ045. Their complete genomes were sequenced and assembled at the replicon level. Each strain represents a different species according to the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values calculated using the whole-genome sequences; furthermore, except for YTUBH007, which was classified as Rhizobium binae, the remaining three strains were identified as new candidate species. A single symbiotic plasmid sized 345-402 kb containing complete nod, nif, fix, T3SS and conjugal transfer genes was detected in each strain. The high ANI and amino acid identity (AAI) values, as well as the close phylogenetic relationships among the entire symbiotic plasmid sequences, indicate that they have the same origin and the entire plasmid has been transferred among different Rhizobium species. These results indicate that S. cannabina stringently selects a certain symbiosis gene background of the rhizobia for nodulation, which might have forced the symbiosis genes to transfer from some introduced rhizobia to the related native or local-condition-adapted bacteria. The existence of almost complete conjugal transfer related elements, but not the gene virD, indicated that the self-transfer of the symbiotic plasmid in these rhizobial strains may be realized via a virD-independent pathway or through another unidentified gene. This study provides insight for the better understanding of high-frequency symbiotic plasmid transfer, host-specific nodulation and the host shift for rhizobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunming Han
- Yantai Key Laboratory of Characteristic Agricultural Bioresource Conservation & Germplasm Innovative Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Yantai Key Laboratory of Characteristic Agricultural Bioresource Conservation & Germplasm Innovative Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, PR China
| | - Zhenpeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Bioresource Utilization, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, PR China
| | - Liqin Sun
- Yantai Key Laboratory of Characteristic Agricultural Bioresource Conservation & Germplasm Innovative Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, PR China
| | - En Tao Wang
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Yan Li
- Yantai Key Laboratory of Characteristic Agricultural Bioresource Conservation & Germplasm Innovative Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, PR China
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23
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Li X, Bao N, Yan Z, Yuan XZ, Wang SG, Xia PF. Degradation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes by VADER with CRISPR-Cas Immunity. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0005323. [PMID: 36975789 PMCID: PMC10132114 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00053-23] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prompting severe health and environmental issues. While environmental processes, e.g., biological wastewater treatment, are key barriers to prevent the spread of ARGs, they are often sources of ARGs at the same time, requiring upgraded biotechnology. Here, we present VADER, a synthetic biology system for the degradation of ARGs based on CRISPR-Cas immunity, an archaeal and bacterial immune system for eliminating invading foreign DNAs, to be implemented for wastewater treatment processes. Navigated by programmable guide RNAs, VADER targets and degrades ARGs depending on their DNA sequences, and by employing an artificial conjugation machinery, IncP, it can be delivered via conjugation. The system was evaluated by degrading plasmid-borne ARGs in Escherichia coli and further demonstrated via the elimination of ARGs on the environmentally relevant RP4 plasmid in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Next, a prototype conjugation reactor at a 10-mL scale was devised, and 100% of the target ARG was eliminated in the transconjugants receiving VADER, giving a proof of principle for the implementation of VADER in bioprocesses. By generating a nexus of synthetic biology and environmental biotechnology, we believe that our work is not only an enterprise for tackling ARG problems but also a potential solution for managing undesired genetic materials in general in the future. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance has been causing severe health problems and has led to millions of deaths in recent years. Environmental processes, especially those of the wastewater treatment sector, are an important barrier to the spread of antibiotic resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, or civil sewage. However, they have been identified as a nonnegligible source of antibiotic resistance at the same time, as antibiotic resistance with its main cause, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), may accumulate in biological treatment units. Here, we transplanted the CRISPR-Cas system, an immune system via programmable DNA cleavage, to tackle the antibiotic resistance problem raised in wastewater treatment processes, and we propose a new sector specialized in ARG removal with a conjugation reactor to implement the CRISPR-Cas system. Our study provides a new angle for resolving public health issues via the implementation of synthetic biology in environmental contexts at the process level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Nan Bao
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xian-Zheng Yuan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- Sino-French Research Institute for Ecology and Environment, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shu-Guang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- Sino-French Research Institute for Ecology and Environment, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xia
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
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24
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Low WW, Seddon C, Beis K, Frankel G. The Interaction of the F-Like Plasmid-Encoded TraN Isoforms with Their Cognate Outer Membrane Receptors. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0006123. [PMID: 36988519 PMCID: PMC10127662 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00061-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer via conjugation plays a major role in bacterial evolution. In F-like plasmids, efficient DNA transfer is mediated by close association between donor and recipient bacteria. This process, known as mating pair stabilization (MPS), is mediated by interactions between the plasmid-encoded outer membrane (OM) protein TraN in the donor and chromosomally-encoded OM proteins in the recipient. We have recently reported the existence of 7 TraN sequence types, which are grouped into 4 structural types, that we named TraNα, TraNβ, TraNγ, and TraNδ. Moreover, we have shown specific pairing between TraNα and OmpW, TraNβ and OmpK36 of Klebsiella pneumoniae, TraNγ and OmpA, and TraNδ and OmpF. In this study, we found that, although structurally similar, TraNα encoded by the Salmonella enterica pSLT plasmid (TraNα2) binds OmpW in both Escherichia coli and Citrobacter rodentium, while TraNα encoded by the R100-1 plasmid (TraNα1) only binds OmpW in E. coli. AlphaFold2 predictions suggested that this specificity is mediated by a single amino acid difference in loop 3 of OmpW, which we confirmed experimentally. Moreover, we show that single amino acids insertions into loop 3 of OmpK36 affect TraNβ-mediated conjugation efficiency of the K. pneumoniae resistance plasmid pKpQIL. Lastly, we report that TraNβ can also mediate MPS by binding OmpK35, making it the first TraN variant that can bind more than one OM protein in the recipient. Together, these data show that subtle sequence differences in the OM receptors can impact TraN-mediated conjugation efficiency. IMPORTANCE Conjugation plays a central role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes among bacterial pathogens. Efficient conjugation is mediated by formation of mating pairs via a pilus, followed by mating pair stabilization (MPS), mediated by tight interactions between the plasmid-encoded outer membrane protein (OMP) TraN in the donor (of which there are 7 sequence types grouped into the 4 structural isoforms α, β, γ, and δ), and an OMP receptor in the recipient (OmpW, OmpK36, OmpA, and OmpF, respectively). In this study, we found that subtle differences in OmpW and OmpK36 have significant consequences on conjugation efficiency and specificity, highlighting the existence of selective pressure affecting plasmid-host compatibility and the flow of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wen Low
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chloe Seddon
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Beis
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Gad Frankel
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Breidenstein A, Ter Beek J, Berntsson RPA. Structural and functional characterization of TraI from pKM101 reveals basis for DNA processing. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201775. [PMID: 36669792 PMCID: PMC9868005 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 4 secretion systems are large and versatile protein machineries that facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance and other virulence factors via horizontal gene transfer. Conjugative type 4 secretion systems depend on relaxases to process the DNA in preparation for transport. TraI from the well-studied conjugative plasmid pKM101 is one such relaxase. Here, we report the crystal structure of the trans-esterase domain of TraI in complex with its substrate oriT DNA, highlighting the conserved DNA-binding mechanism of conjugative relaxases. In addition, we present an apo structure of the trans-esterase domain of TraI that includes most of the flexible thumb region. This allows us for the first time to visualize the large conformational change of the thumb subdomain upon DNA binding. We also characterize the DNA binding, nicking, and religation activity of the trans-esterase domain, helicase domain, and full-length TraI. Unlike previous indications in the literature, our results reveal that the TraI trans-esterase domain from pKM101 behaves in a conserved manner with its homologs from the R388 and F plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Breidenstein
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Josy Ter Beek
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ronnie P-A Berntsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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26
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Ortiz Charneco G, Kelleher P, Buivydas A, Dashko S, de Waal PP, van Peij NNME, Roberts RJ, Mahony J, van Sinderen D. Delineation of a lactococcal conjugation system reveals a restriction-modification evasion system. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1250-1263. [PMID: 36942662 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmid pUC11B is a 49.3-kb plasmid harboured by the fermented meat isolate Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis UC11. Among other features, pUC11B encodes a pMRC01-like conjugation system and tetracycline-resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that this plasmid can be conjugated at high frequencies to recipient strains. Mutational analysis of the 22 genes encompassing the presumed pUC11B conjugation cluster revealed the presence of several genes with essential conjugation functions, as well as a gene, trsR, encoding a putative transcriptional repressor of this conjugation cluster. Furthermore, plasmid pUC11B encodes an anti-restriction protein, TrsAR, which facilitates higher conjugation frequencies when pUC11B is transferred into recipient strains containing Type II or Type III RM systems. These findings demonstrate how RM mechanisms can be circumvented when they act as a biological barrier for conjugation events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrius Buivydas
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sofia Dashko
- DSM Food and Beverage, Center for Food Innovation, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Paul P de Waal
- DSM Food and Beverage, Center for Food Innovation, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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27
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Couturier A, Virolle C, Goldlust K, Berne-Dedieu A, Reuter A, Nolivos S, Yamaichi Y, Bigot S, Lesterlin C. Real-time visualisation of the intracellular dynamics of conjugative plasmid transfer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:294. [PMID: 36653393 PMCID: PMC9849209 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35978-3] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Conjugation is a contact-dependent mechanism for the transfer of plasmid DNA between bacterial cells, which contributes to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Here, we use live-cell microscopy to visualise the intracellular dynamics of conjugative transfer of F-plasmid in E. coli, in real time. We show that the transfer of plasmid in single-stranded form (ssDNA) and its subsequent conversion into double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) are fast and efficient processes that occur with specific timing and subcellular localisation. Notably, the ssDNA-to-dsDNA conversion determines the timing of plasmid-encoded protein production. The leading region that first enters the recipient cell carries single-stranded promoters that allow the early and transient synthesis of leading proteins immediately upon entry of the ssDNA plasmid. The subsequent conversion into dsDNA turns off leading gene expression, and activates the expression of other plasmid genes under the control of conventional double-stranded promoters. This molecular strategy allows for the timely production of factors sequentially involved in establishing, maintaining and disseminating the plasmid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Couturier
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Chloé Virolle
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Kelly Goldlust
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Annick Berne-Dedieu
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Audrey Reuter
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Sophie Nolivos
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Yoshiharu Yamaichi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sarah Bigot
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France.
| | - Christian Lesterlin
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007, Lyon, France.
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28
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Bethke JH, Ma HR, Tsoi R, Cheng L, Xiao M, You L. Vertical and horizontal gene transfer tradeoffs direct plasmid fitness. Mol Syst Biol 2022; 19:e11300. [PMID: 36573357 PMCID: PMC9912019 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202211300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmid fitness is directed by two orthogonal processes-vertical transfer through cell division and horizontal transfer through conjugation. When considered individually, improvements in either mode of transfer can promote how well a plasmid spreads and persists. Together, however, the metabolic cost of conjugation could create a tradeoff that constrains plasmid evolution. Here, we present evidence for the presence, consequences, and molecular basis of a conjugation-growth tradeoff across 40 plasmids derived from clinical Escherichia coli pathogens. We discover that most plasmids operate below a conjugation efficiency threshold for major growth effects, indicating strong natural selection for vertical transfer. Below this threshold, E. coli demonstrates a remarkable growth tolerance to over four orders of magnitude change in conjugation efficiency. This tolerance fades as nutrients become scarce and horizontal transfer attracts a greater share of host resources. Our results provide insight into evolutionary constraints directing plasmid fitness and strategies to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Bethke
- Department of Molecular Genetics and MicrobiologyDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA
| | - Helena R Ma
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA,Center for Quantitative BiodesignDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA
| | - Ryan Tsoi
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA
| | - Li Cheng
- BGI‐ShenzhenShenzhenChina,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Unknown Pathogen Identification, BGI‐ShenzhenShenzhenChina,School of Biology and Biological EngineeringSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Minfeng Xiao
- BGI‐ShenzhenShenzhenChina,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Unknown Pathogen Identification, BGI‐ShenzhenShenzhenChina
| | - Lingchong You
- Department of Molecular Genetics and MicrobiologyDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA,Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA,Center for Quantitative BiodesignDuke UniversityNCDurhamUSA,School of Biology and Biological EngineeringSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
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29
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Tang B, Wang C, Sun D, Lin H, Ma J, Guo H, Yang H, Li X. In Silico Characterization of blaNDM-Harboring Conjugative Plasmids in Acinetobacter Species. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0210222. [PMID: 36301090 PMCID: PMC9769834 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02102-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing clinical strains in Acinetobacter spp. have been recently reported in many countries and have received considerable attention. The vast majority of blaNDM cases occur on conjugative plasmids, which play a vital role in disseminating blaNDM. To characterize the conjugative plasmids bearing blaNDM genes in Acinetobacter spp., we analyzed the variants of blaNDM, conjugative transfer regions, genetic contexts of blaNDM, and the phylogenetic pattern of the 62 predicted blaNDM-positive plasmids, which were selected from 1,191 plasmids of Acinetobacter species from GenBank. We identified 30 conjugative plasmids from the 62 blaNDM-harboring plasmids in Acinetobacter species, with the oriT sites similar to plasmid pNDM-YR7 in our study, genes coding for relaxases of the MOBQ family, genes encoding type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) of the TrwB/TraD subfamily, and VirB-like type IV secretion system (T4SS) gene clusters. The genome sizes of all 30 pNDM-YR7-like plasmids ranged from 39.36 kb to 49.65 kb, with a median size of 44.56 kb. The most common species of Acinetobacter containing the blaNDM-positive conjugative plasmids was A. baumannii, followed by Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter indicus. Notably, pNDM-YR7 is the first report on a blaNDM-positive conjugative plasmid in Acinetobacter junii. Moreover, all 30 blaNDM-positive conjugative plasmids in Acinetobacter species were found to contain genetic contexts with the structure ISAba14-aph(3')-VI-ISAba125-blaNDM-ble. Our findings provide important insights into the phylogeny and evolution of blaNDM-positive plasmids of Acinetobacter species and further address their role in acquiring and spreading blaNDM genes in Acinetobacter species. IMPORTANCE Conjugative plasmids harboring the blaNDM gene play a vital role in disseminating carbapenem resistance. In this study, we first report a conjugative plasmid, pNDM-YR7, in Acinetobacter junii. Based on the genomic characteristics of the blaNDM-positive pNDM-YR7, we performed in silico typing and comparative analysis of blaNDM-positive plasmids using the 1,191 plasmids of Acinetobacter species available in the NCBI RefSeq database. We analyzed the characteristics of blaNDM-positive plasmids, including the variants of blaNDM, genetic features associated with blaNDM, conjugative transfer regions, and the phylogenetic pattern of the blaNDM-positive plasmids. All 30 blaNDM-positive conjugative plasmids were found to contain an ISAba14-aph(3')-VI-ISAba125-blaNDM-ble region. This study provides novel insights into the phylogeny and evolution of blaNDM-harboring conjugative plasmids and contributes to the repertoire of knowledge surrounding blaNDM-positive plasmids in the genus Acinetobacter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products & Institute of Agro-product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenyu Wang
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dongchang Sun
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products & Institute of Agro-product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangang Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products & Institute of Agro-product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hengzhao Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products & Institute of Agro-product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
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30
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Li W, Guo H, Gao Y, Yang X, Li R, Li S, Sun C, Du W, Chen S, Xu P, Huang W, Shi J, Yi X, Li X. Comparative genomic analysis of plasmids harboring bla OXA-48-like genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1082813. [PMID: 36605127 PMCID: PMC9807924 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1082813] [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: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a serious medical problem worldwide. Acquired OXA-48-like carbapenemases encoded by plasmids are important causes of carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae. To explore the links between plasmids and bla OXA-48-like genes in K. pneumoniae, we systematically analyzed the variants of bla OXA-48-like plasmid replicon types, phylogenetic patterns, geographic distribution, conjugative transfer regions, and the genetic environments surrounding bla OXA-48-like of 191 bla OXA-48-like-harboring plasmids, which were identified from 4451 plasmids of K. pneumoniae downloaded from GenBank. Our results showed that seven different variants of bla OXA-48-like genes were identified from the 191 bla OXA-48-like-harboring plasmids in K. pneumoniae, with bla OXA-48, bla OXA-232, and bla OXA-181 being highly prevalent. In K. pneumoniae, bla OXA-48 was mainly carried by the composite transposon Tn1999.2 located on IncL/M-type conjugative plasmids, which were mainly geographically distributed in Switzerland, Germany, and China. In K. pneumoniae, the blaOXA-232 gene was mainly carried by 6.1-kb ColKP3-type mobilizable plasmids, which were mainly isolated in India. In K. pneumoniae, bla OXA-181 was mainly carried by a group of 50-kb ColKP3-IncX3 hybrid conjugative plasmids and a group of small ColKP3-type mobilizable plasmids with lengths of 5.9-9.3 kb, the former was sporadically discovered in China, South Korea, India, and Czech Republic, while the latter was almost all isolated in India. In addition, five bla OXA-245-harboring 65.9-kb IncL plasmids of K. pneumoniae isolated in Spain were found to have the genetic context of bla OXA-245 more complicated than that of bla OXA-48-harboring IncL/M-type plasmids, with two copies of IS1R inserted both upstream and downstream of bla OXA-245-lysR. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic diversity of bla OXA-48-like-harboring plasmids in K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China,Binzhou Key Laboratory of Chemical Drug R&D and Quality Control (preparation), Binzhou, China
| | - Hengzhao Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Yi Gao
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China
| | - Ruirui Li
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China
| | - Shuangyu Li
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China
| | - Chunlong Sun
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China,Binzhou Key Laboratory of Chemical Drug R&D and Quality Control (preparation), Binzhou, China
| | - Wen Du
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China,Binzhou Key Laboratory of Chemical Drug R&D and Quality Control (preparation), Binzhou, China
| | - Shaopeng Chen
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China,Binzhou Key Laboratory of Chemical Drug R&D and Quality Control (preparation), Binzhou, China
| | - Pengpeng Xu
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China,Binzhou Key Laboratory of Chemical Drug R&D and Quality Control (preparation), Binzhou, China
| | - Wenwen Huang
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Wild Plant Resources Development and Application of Yellow River Delta, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, China,Binzhou Key Laboratory of Chemical Drug R&D and Quality Control (preparation), Binzhou, China
| | - Jia Shi
- Department of Stomatology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaobin Li, ; Xinfeng Yi, ; Jia Shi,
| | - Xinfeng Yi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaobin Li, ; Xinfeng Yi, ; Jia Shi,
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaobin Li, ; Xinfeng Yi, ; Jia Shi,
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31
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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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32
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Ares-Arroyo M, Coluzzi C, P.C. Rocha E. Origins of transfer establish networks of functional dependencies for plasmid transfer by conjugation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:3001-3016. [PMID: 36442505 PMCID: PMC10123127 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Plasmids can be transferred between cells by conjugation, thereby driving bacterial evolution by horizontal gene transfer. Yet, we ignore the molecular mechanisms of transfer for many plasmids because they lack all protein-coding genes required for conjugation. We solved this conundrum by identifying hundreds of plasmids and chromosomes with conjugative origins of transfer in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These plasmids (pOriT) hijack the relaxases of conjugative or mobilizable elements, but not both. The functional dependencies between pOriT and other plasmids explain their co-occurrence: pOriT are abundant in cells with many plasmids, whereas conjugative plasmids are the most common in the others. We systematically characterized plasmid mobility in relation to conjugation and alternative mechanisms of transfer and can now propose a putative mechanism of transfer for ∼90% of them. In most cases, plasmid mobility seems to involve conjugation. Interestingly, the mechanisms of mobility are important determinants of plasmid-encoded accessory traits, since pOriTs have the highest densities of antimicrobial resistance genes, whereas plasmids lacking putative mechanisms of transfer have the lowest. We illuminate the evolutionary relationships between plasmids and suggest that many pOriT may have arisen by gene deletions in other types of plasmids. These results suggest that most plasmids can be transferred by conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Ares-Arroyo
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité , CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris , France
| | - Charles Coluzzi
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité , CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris , France
| | - Eduardo P.C. Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité , CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris , France
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33
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Mise K, Iwasaki W. Unexpected absence of ribosomal protein genes from metagenome-assembled genomes. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:118. [PMID: 37938339 PMCID: PMC9723686 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-022-00204-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) have revealed the hidden diversity and functions of uncultivated microbes, but their reconstruction from metagenomes remains a computationally difficult task. Repetitive or exogenous sequences, such as ribosomal RNA and horizontally transferred genes, are frequently absent from MAGs because of misassembly and binning errors. Here, we report that ribosomal protein genes are also often absent from MAGs, although they are neither repetitive nor exogenous. Comprehensive analyses of more than 190,000 MAGs revealed that these genes could be missing in more than 20-40% of near-complete (i.e., with completeness of 90% or higher) MAGs. While some uncultivated environmental microbes intrinsically lack some ribosomal protein genes, we found that this unexpected absence is largely due to special evolutionary patterns of codon usage bias in ribosomal protein genes and algorithmic characteristics of metagenomic binning, which is dependent on tetranucleotide frequencies of contigs. This problem reflects the microbial life-history strategy. Fast-growing microbes tend to have this difficulty, likely because of strong evolutionary pressures on ribosomal protein genes toward the efficient assembly of ribosomes. Our observations caution those who study genomics and phylogeny of uncultivated microbes, the diversity and evolution of microbial genes in the central dogma, and bioinformatics in metagenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumori Mise
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo. Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan.
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 062-8517, Japan.
| | - Wataru Iwasaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo. Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan.
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan.
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan.
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Zeng Z, Lei L, Li L, Hua S, Li W, Zhang L, Lin Q, Zheng Z, Yang J, Dou X, Li L, Li X. In silico characterization of bla NDM-harboring plasmids in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1008905. [PMID: 36504778 PMCID: PMC9727287 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1008905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a primary culprit of antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections worldwide, and infections caused by NDM-producing strains are a major threat due to limited therapeutic options. The majority of bla NDM cases occur on plasmids; therefore, we explored the relationships between plasmids and bla NDM genes in K. pneumoniae by analyzing the variants of bla NDM, replicon types, conjugative transfer regions of 171 bla NDM-harboring plasmids from 4,451 K. pneumoniae plasmids. Of the nine identified bla NDM variants, bla NDM-1 (73.68%) and bla NDM-5 (16.37%) were the most dominant. Over half of the bla NDM-harboring plasmids of K. pneumoniae were classified into IncF plasmids. IncX3 single-replicon plasmids (46-57 kb) carried genes encoding relaxases of the MOBP family, T4CP genes of the VirD4/TraG subfamily, and VirB-like T4SS gene clusters, which were mainly geographically distributed in China. We found 10 bla NDM-harboring IncN plasmids (38.38-63.05 kb) carrying the NW-type origin of transfer (oriT) regions, genes coding for relaxases of MOBF family, genes encoding T4CPs of the TrwB/TraD subfamily, and Trw-like T4SS gene clusters, which were also mainly geographically distributed in China. Moreover, we identified 21 IncC plasmids carrying bla NDM-1 (140.1-329.2 kb), containing the A/C-type oriTs, genes encoding relaxases of MOBH family, genes encoding T4CPs belonging to TrwB/TraD subfamily, and Tra_F-like T4SS gene clusters. The bla NDM-harboring IncC plasmids were widely geographically distributed all over the world, mainly in the United States, China and Viet Nam. These findings enhance our understanding of the diversity of bla NDM-harboring plasmids in K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Cadre Health Care, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Linman Li
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengni Hua
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenting Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Limei Zhang
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Qiuping Lin
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhixiong Zheng
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaohui Dou
- Health Management Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Luan Li, ; Xiaobin Li, ; Xiaohui Dou,
| | - Luan Li
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Luan Li, ; Xiaobin Li, ; Xiaohui Dou,
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Luan Li, ; Xiaobin Li, ; Xiaohui Dou,
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35
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Zhang F, Ye X, Yin Z, Hu M, Wang B, Liu W, Li B, Ren H, Jin Y, Yue J. Comparative genomics reveals new insights into the evolution of the IncA and IncC family of plasmids. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1045314. [PMID: 36466664 PMCID: PMC9709138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1045314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Incompatibility groups IncA and IncC plasmids are of great concern due to their ability to disseminate antibiotic resistance in bacteria via conjugative transfer. A deep understanding of their genomic structures and evolutionary characteristics is of great significance for improving our knowledge about its multidrug-resistance evolution and dissemination. However, current knowledge of their backbone structure, features of core functional modules and the characteristics of variable regions is based on a few plasmids, which highlights the need for a comprehensive systematic study. The present study thoroughly compared and analysed 678 IncA and IncC plasmid genomes. We found that their core functional genes were occasionally deficient and sometimes existed as multiple functional copies/multiple families, which resulted in much diversity. The phylogeny of 13 core functional genes corresponded well to the plasmid subtypes. The conjugative transfer system gained diverse complexity and exhibited many previously unnoticed types with multiple combinations. The insertion of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in plasmids varied between types and was present in 4 insertion spots in different types of plasmids with certain types of transposons, integrons and insertion sequences. The impact of gene duplication, deletion, the insertion of MGEs, genome rearrangement and recombination resulted in the complex dynamic variable backbone of IncA and IncC plasmids. And IncA and IncC plasmids were more complex than their closest relative SXT/R391 integrative conjugative elements (ICEs), which included nearly all of the diversity of SXT/R391 in key systems. Our work demonstrated a global and systematic view of the IncA and IncC plasmids and provides many new insights into their genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengwei Zhang
- Medical College of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xianwei Ye
- Medical College of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhiqiu Yin
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Mingda Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Boqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Wenting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Beiping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Hongguang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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36
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Hinnekens P, Fayad N, Gillis A, Mahillon J. Conjugation across Bacillus cereus and kin: A review. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1034440. [PMID: 36406448 PMCID: PMC9673590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1034440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driving force in shaping bacterial communities. Key elements responsible for HGT are conjugation-like events and transmissible plasmids. Conjugative plasmids can promote their own transfer as well as that of co-resident plasmids. Bacillus cereus and relatives harbor a plethora of plasmids, including conjugative plasmids, which are at the heart of the group species differentiation and specification. Since the first report of a conjugation-like event between strains of B. cereus sensu lato (s.l.) 40 years ago, many have studied the potential of plasmid transfer across the group, especially for plasmids encoding major toxins. Over the years, more than 20 plasmids from B. cereus isolates have been reported as conjugative. However, with the increasing number of genomic data available, in silico analyses indicate that more plasmids from B. cereus s.l. genomes present self-transfer potential. B. cereus s.l. bacteria occupy diverse environmental niches, which were mimicked in laboratory conditions to study conjugation-related mechanisms. Laboratory mating conditions remain nonetheless simplistic compared to the complex interactions occurring in natural environments. Given the health, economic and ecological importance of strains of B. cereus s.l., it is of prime importance to consider the impact of conjugation within this bacterial group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Hinnekens
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Nancy Fayad
- Multi-Omics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Annika Gillis
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jacques Mahillon
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Jacques Mahillon,
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Wang D, Wang L, Bi D, Song J, Wang G, Gao Y, Tang KFJ, Meng F, Xie J, Zhang F, Huang J, Li J, Dong X. Conjugative Transfer of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease-Causing pVA1-Type Plasmid Is Mediated by a Novel Self-Encoded Type IV Secretion System. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0170222. [PMID: 36121241 PMCID: PMC9602635 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01702-22] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic pVA1-type plasmids that carry pirAB toxin genes are the genetic basis for Vibrio to cause acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), a lethal shrimp disease posing an urgent threat to shrimp aquaculture. Emerging evidence also demonstrate the rapid spread of pVA1-type plasmids across Vibrio species. The pVA1-type plasmids have been predicted to encode a self-encoded type IV secretion system (T4SS). Here, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the T4SS is a novel member of Trb-type. We further confirmed that the T4SS was able to mediate the conjugation of pVA1-type plasmids. A trbE gene encoding an ATPase and a traG gene annotated as a type IV coupling protein (T4CP) were characterized as key components of the T4SS. Deleting either of these 2 genes abolished the conjugative transfer of a pVA1-type plasmid from AHPND-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus to Vibrio campbellii, which was restored by complementation of the corresponding gene. Moreover, we found that bacterial density, temperature, and nutrient levels are factors that can regulate conjugation efficiency. In conclusion, we proved that the conjugation of pVA1-type plasmids across Vibrio spp. is mediated by a novel T4SS and regulated by environmental factors. IMPORTANCE AHPND is a global shrimp bacteriosis and was listed as a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in 2016, causing losses of more than USD 7 billion each year. Several Vibrio species such as V. parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi, V. campbellii, and V. owensii harboring the virulence plasmid (designated as the pVA1-type plasmid) can cause AHPND. The increasing number of Vibrio species makes prevention and control more difficult, threatening the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. In this study, we found that the horizontal transfer of pVA1-type plasmid is mediated by a novel type IV secretion system (T4SS). Our study explained the formation mechanism of pathogen diversity in AHPND. Moreover, bacterial density, temperature, and nutrient levels can regulate horizontal efficiency. We explore new ideas for controlling the spread of virulence plasmid and form the basis of management strategies leading to the prevention and control of AHPND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehao Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Agricultural University, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tai’an, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
- Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dexi Bi
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jipeng Song
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
| | - Guohao Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
| | - Ye Gao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
| | - Kathy F. J. Tang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
| | - Fanzeng Meng
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
- Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmei Xie
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
- Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
- Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jianliang Li
- Shandong Agricultural University, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tai’an, China
| | - Xuan Dong
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Key Laboratory of Maricultural Organism Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Mariculture Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Qingdao, China
- Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
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38
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Haudiquet M, de Sousa JM, Touchon M, Rocha EPC. Selfish, promiscuous and sometimes useful: how mobile genetic elements drive horizontal gene transfer in microbial populations. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210234. [PMID: 35989606 PMCID: PMC9393566 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) drives microbial adaptation but is often under the control of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) whose interests are not necessarily aligned with those of their hosts. In general, transfer is costly to the donor cell while potentially beneficial to the recipients. The diversity and plasticity of cell–MGEs interactions, and those among MGEs, result in complex evolutionary processes where the source, or even the existence of selection for maintaining a function in the genome, is often unclear. For example, MGE-driven HGT depends on cell envelope structures and defense systems, but many of these are transferred by MGEs themselves. MGEs can spur periods of intense gene transfer by increasing their own rates of horizontal transmission upon communicating, eavesdropping, or sensing the environment and the host physiology. This may result in high-frequency transfer of host genes unrelated to the MGE. Here, we review how MGEs drive HGT and how their transfer mechanisms, selective pressures and genomic traits affect gene flow, and therefore adaptation, in microbial populations. The encoding of many adaptive niche-defining microbial traits in MGEs means that intragenomic conflicts and alliances between cells and their MGEs are key to microbial functional diversification. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Genomic population structures of microbial pathogens’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Haudiquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris 75015, France
| | - Jorge Moura de Sousa
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris 75015, France
| | - Marie Touchon
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris 75015, France
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris 75015, France
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Yu Z, Zhang Z, Shi L, Hua S, Luan T, Lin Q, Zheng Z, Feng X, Liu M, Li X. In silico characterization of IncX3 plasmids carrying blaOXA-181 in Enterobacterales. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:988236. [PMID: 36159637 PMCID: PMC9492964 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.988236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales poses a global urgent antibiotic resistance threat because of its ability to transfer carbapenemase genes to other bacteria via horizontal gene transfer mediated by mobile genetic elements such as plasmids. Oxacillinase-181 (OXA-181) is one of the most common OXA-48-like carbapenemases, and OXA-181-producing Enterobacterales has been reported in many countries worldwide. However, systematic research concerning the overall picture of plasmids harboring blaOXA-181 in Enterobacterales is currently scarce. In this study, we aimed to determine the phylogeny and evolution of blaOXA-181-positive (gene encoding OXA-181) plasmids. To characterize the plasmids harboring blaOXA-181 in Enterobacterales, we identified 81 blaOXA-181-positive plasmids from 35,150 bacterial plasmids downloaded from the NCBI RefSeq database. Our results indicated that diverse plasmid types harbored blaOXA-181 but was predominantly carried by IncX3-type plasmids. We systematically compared the host strains, plasmid types, conjugative transfer regions, and genetic contexts of blaOXA-181 among the 66 blaOXA-181-positive IncX3 plasmids. We found that IncX3 plasmids harboring blaOXA-181 were mostly ColKP3-IncX3 hybrid plasmids with a length of 51 kb each and were mainly distributed in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Most of the IncX3 plasmids harboring blaOXA-181 were human origin. Almost all the blaOXA-181-positive IncX3 plasmids were found to carry genes coding for relaxases of the MOBP family and VirB-like type IV secretion system (T4SS) gene clusters, and all the 66 IncX3 plasmids were found to carry the genes encoding type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) of the VirD4/TraG subfamily. Most IncX3 plasmids harbored both blaOXA-181 and qnrS1 in their genomes, and the two antibiotic resistance genes were found to a composite transposon bracketed by two copies of insertion sequence IS26 in the same orientation. Our findings provide important insights into the phylogeny and evolution of blaOXA-181-positive IncX3 plasmids and further address their role in acquiring and spreading blaOXA-181 genes in Enterobacterales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhengrong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lile Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shengni Hua
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ting Luan
- Community Health Service Center of Xinkou Town, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiuping Lin
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhixiong Zheng
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaosan Feng
- Department of Neonatology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaobin Li, ; Mubiao Liu, ; Xiaosan Feng,
| | - Mubiao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaobin Li, ; Mubiao Liu, ; Xiaosan Feng,
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaobin Li, ; Mubiao Liu, ; Xiaosan Feng,
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Al Mamun AAM, Kissoon K, Kishida K, Shropshire WC, Hanson B, Christie PJ. IncFV plasmid pED208: Sequence analysis and evidence for translocation of maintenance/leading region proteins through diverse type IV secretion systems. Plasmid 2022; 123-124:102652. [PMID: 36228885 PMCID: PMC10018792 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2022.102652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Two phylogenetically distantly-related IncF plasmids, F and pED208, serve as important models for mechanistic and structural studies of F-like type IV secretion systems (T4SSFs) and F pili. Here, we present the pED208 sequence and compare it to F and pUMNF18, the closest match to pED208 in the NCBI database. As expected, gene content of the three cargo regions varies extensively, although the maintenance/leading regions (MLRs) and transfer (Tra) regions also carry novel genes or motifs with predicted modulatory effects on plasmid stability, dissemination and host range. By use of a Cre recombinase assay for translocation (CRAfT), we recently reported that pED208-carrying donors translocate several products of the MLR (ParA, ParB1, ParB2, SSB, PsiB, PsiA) intercellularly through the T4SSF. Here, we extend these findings by reporting that pED208-carrying donors translocate 10 additional MLR proteins during conjugation. In contrast, two F plasmid-encoded toxin components of toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules, CcdB and SrnB, were not translocated at detectable levels through the T4SSF. Remarkably, most or all of the pED208-encoded MLR proteins and CcdB and SrnB were translocated through heterologous T4SSs encoded by IncN and IncP plasmids pKM101 and RP4, respectively. Together, our sequence analyses underscore the genomic diversity of the F plasmid superfamily, and our experimental data demonstrate the promiscuous nature of conjugation machines for protein translocation. Our findings raise intriguing questions about the nature of T4SS translocation signals and of the biological and evolutionary consequences of conjugative protein transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Amar M Al Mamun
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America.
| | - Kimberly Kissoon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Kouhei Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - William C Shropshire
- Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genomics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Blake Hanson
- Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genomics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter J Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America.
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de Lorenzo V. Environmental Galenics: large-scale fortification of extant microbiomes with engineered bioremediation agents. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210395. [PMID: 35757882 PMCID: PMC9234819 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Contemporary synthetic biology-based biotechnologies are generating tools and strategies for reprogramming genomes for specific purposes, including improvement and/or creation of microbial processes for tackling climate change. While such activities typically work well at a laboratory or bioreactor scale, the challenge of their extensive delivery to multiple spatio-temporal dimensions has hardly been tackled thus far. This state of affairs creates a research niche for what could be called Environmental Galenics (EG), i.e. the science and technology of releasing designed biological agents into deteriorated ecosystems for the sake of their safe and effective recovery. Such endeavour asks not just for an optimal performance of the biological activity at stake, but also the material form and formulation of the agents, their propagation and their interplay with the physico-chemical scenario where they are expected to perform. EG also encompasses adopting available physical carriers of microorganisms and channels of horizontal gene transfer as potential paths for spreading beneficial activities through environmental microbiomes. While some of these propositions may sound unsettling to anti-genetically modified organisms sensitivities, they may also fall under the tag of TINA (there is no alternative) technologies in the cases where a mere reduction of emissions will not help the revitalization of irreversibly lost ecosystems. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ecological complexity and the biosphere: the next 30 years’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
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Laroussi H, Aoudache Y, Robert E, Libante V, Thiriet L, Mias-Lucquin D, Douzi B, Roussel Y, Chauvot de Beauchêne I, Soler N, Leblond-Bourget N. Exploration of DNA processing features unravels novel properties of ICE conjugation in Gram-positive bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8127-8142. [PMID: 35849337 PMCID: PMC9371924 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are important drivers of horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes. They are responsible for antimicrobial resistance spread, a major current health concern. ICEs are initially processed by relaxases that recognize the binding site of oriT sequence and nick at a conserved nic site. The ICESt3/Tn916/ICEBs1 superfamily, which is widespread among Firmicutes, encodes uncanonical relaxases belonging to a recently identified family called MOBT. This family is related to the rolling circle replication initiators of the Rep_trans family. The nic site of these MOBT relaxases is conserved but their DNA binding site is still unknown. Here, we identified the bind site of RelSt3, the MOBT relaxase from ICESt3. Unexpectedly, we found this bind site distantly located from the nic site. We revealed that the binding of the RelSt3 N-terminal HTH domain is required for efficient nicking activity. We also deciphered the role of RelSt3 in the initial and final stages of DNA processing during conjugation. Especially, we demonstrated a strand transfer activity, and the formation of covalent DNA-relaxase intermediate for a MOBT relaxase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifa Laroussi
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, DynAMic, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Yanis Aoudache
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, DynAMic, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Emilie Robert
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, DynAMic, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Louise Thiriet
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, DynAMic, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | | | - Yvonne Roussel
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, DynAMic, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Nicolas Soler
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, DynAMic, F-54000, Nancy, France
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Coluzzi C, Garcillán-Barcia MP, de la Cruz F, Rocha EPC. Evolution of plasmid mobility: origin and fate of conjugative and non-conjugative plasmids. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6593704. [PMID: 35639760 PMCID: PMC9185392 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conjugation drives the horizontal transfer of adaptive traits across prokaryotes. One-fourth of the plasmids encode the functions necessary to conjugate autonomously, the others being eventually mobilizable by conjugation. To understand the evolution of plasmid mobility, we studied plasmid size, gene repertoires, and conjugation-related genes. Plasmid gene repertoires were found to vary rapidly in relation to the evolutionary rate of relaxases, for example, most pairs of plasmids with 95% identical relaxases have fewer than 50% of homologs. Among 249 recent transitions of mobility type, we observed a clear excess of plasmids losing the capacity to conjugate. These transitions are associated with even greater changes in gene repertoires, possibly mediated by transposable elements, including pseudogenization of the conjugation locus, exchange of replicases reducing the problem of incompatibility, and extensive loss of other genes. At the microevolutionary scale of plasmid taxonomy, transitions of mobility type sometimes result in the creation of novel taxonomic units. Interestingly, most transitions from conjugative to mobilizable plasmids seem to be lost in the long term. This suggests a source-sink dynamic, where conjugative plasmids generate nonconjugative plasmids that tend to be poorly adapted and are frequently lost. Still, in some cases, these relaxases seem to have evolved to become efficient at plasmid mobilization in trans, possibly by hijacking multiple conjugative systems. This resulted in specialized relaxases of mobilizable plasmids. In conclusion, the evolution of plasmid mobility is frequent, shapes the patterns of gene flow in bacteria, the dynamics of gene repertoires, and the ecology of plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Coluzzi
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France
| | - M Pilar Garcillán-Barcia
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, C/Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Fernando de la Cruz
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, C/Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, 75015, France
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Unbridled Integrons: A Matter of Host Factors. Cells 2022; 11:cells11060925. [PMID: 35326376 PMCID: PMC8946536 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrons are powerful recombination systems found in bacteria, which act as platforms capable of capturing, stockpiling, excising and reordering mobile elements called cassettes. These dynamic genetic machineries confer a very high potential of adaptation to their host and have quickly found themselves at the forefront of antibiotic resistance, allowing for the quick emergence of multi-resistant phenotypes in a wide range of bacterial species. Part of the success of the integron is explained by its ability to integrate various environmental and biological signals in order to allow the host to respond to these optimally. In this review, we highlight the substantial interconnectivity that exists between integrons and their hosts and its importance to face changing environments. We list the factors influencing the expression of the cassettes, the expression of the integrase, and the various recombination reactions catalyzed by the integrase. The combination of all these host factors allows for a very tight regulation of the system at the cost of a limited ability to spread by horizontal gene transfer and function in remotely related hosts. Hence, we underline the important consequences these factors have on the evolution of integrons. Indeed, we propose that sedentary chromosomal integrons that were less connected or connected via more universal factors are those that have been more successful upon mobilization in mobile genetic structures, in contrast to those that were connected to species-specific host factors. Thus, the level of specificity of the involved host factors network may have been decisive for the transition from chromosomal integrons to the mobile integrons, which are now widespread. As such, integrons represent a perfect example of the conflicting relationship between the ability to control a biological system and its potential for transferability.
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45
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Chen K, Xie M, Chan EWC, Chen S. Delineation of ISEcp1 and IS26-Mediated Plasmid Fusion Processes by MinION Single-Molecule Long-Read Sequencing. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:796715. [PMID: 35197941 PMCID: PMC8859459 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.796715] [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: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported the recovery of a novel IncI1 type conjugative helper plasmid which could target mobile genetic elements (MGE) located in non-conjugative plasmid and form a fusion conjugative plasmid to mediate the horizontal transfer of the non-conjugative plasmid. In this study, interactions between the helper plasmid pSa42-91k and two common MGEs, ISEcp1 and IS15DI, which were cloned into a pBackZero-T vector, were monitored during the conjugation process to depict the molecular mechanisms underlying the plasmid fusion process mediated by insertion sequence (IS) elements. The MinION single-molecule long-read sequencing technology can dynamically reveal the plasmid recombination events and produce valuable information on genetic polymorphism and plasmid heterogeneity in different multidrug resistance (MDR) encoding bacteria. Such data would facilitate the development of new strategies to control evolution and dissemination of MDR plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaichao Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Miaomiao Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Edward Wai-Chi Chan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Sheng Chen,
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Liu X, Khara P, Baker ML, Christie PJ, Hu B. Structure of a type IV secretion system core complex encoded by multi-drug resistance F plasmids. Nat Commun 2022; 13:379. [PMID: 35046412 PMCID: PMC8770708 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are largely responsible for the proliferation of multi-drug resistance. We solved the structure of the outer-membrane core complex (OMCCF) of a T4SS encoded by a conjugative F plasmid at <3.0 Å resolution by cryoelectron microscopy. The OMCCF consists of a 13-fold symmetrical outer ring complex (ORC) built from 26 copies of TraK and TraV C-terminal domains, and a 17-fold symmetrical central cone (CC) composed of 17 copies of TraB β-barrels. Domains of TraV and TraB also bind the CC and ORC substructures, establishing that these proteins undergo an intraprotein symmetry alteration to accommodate the C13:C17 symmetry mismatch. We present evidence that other pED208-encoded factors stabilize the C13:C17 architecture and define the importance of TraK, TraV and TraB domains to T4SSF function. This work identifies OMCCF structural motifs of proposed importance for structural transitions associated with F plasmid dissemination and F pilus biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pratick Khara
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Matthew L Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Peter J Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Goldlust K, Couturier A, Terradot L, Lesterlin C. Live-Cell Visualization of DNA Transfer and Pilus Dynamics During Bacterial Conjugation. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2476:63-74. [PMID: 35635697 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2221-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial genomes are highly plastic and evolve rapidly by acquiring new genetic information through horizontal gene transfer mechanisms. Capturing DNA transfer by conjugation between bacterial cells in real time is relevant to address bacterial genomes' dynamic architecture comprehensively. Here, we describe a method allowing the direct visualization of bacterial conjugation in live cells, including the fluorescent labeling of the conjugative pilus and the monitoring of plasmid DNA transfer from donor to recipient cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Goldlust
- Microbiologie Moléculaire et Biochimie Structurale (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Agathe Couturier
- Microbiologie Moléculaire et Biochimie Structurale (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Laurent Terradot
- Microbiologie Moléculaire et Biochimie Structurale (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Christian Lesterlin
- Microbiologie Moléculaire et Biochimie Structurale (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, Lyon Cedex 07, France.
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Crespo I, Bernardo N, Cuppari A, Malfois M, Boer DR. Structural and biochemical characterization of the relaxosome auxiliary proteins encoded on the Bacillus subtilis plasmid pLS20. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:757-765. [PMID: 35198129 PMCID: PMC8829557 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation is an important route for horizontal gene transfer. The initial step in this process involves a macromolecular protein-DNA complex called the relaxosome, which in plasmids consists of the origin of transfer (oriT) and several proteins that prepare the transfer. The relaxosome protein named relaxase introduces a nick in one of the strands of the oriT to initiate the process. Additional relaxosome proteins can exist. Recently, several relaxosome proteins encoded on the Bacillus subtilis plasmid pLS20 were identified, including the relaxase, named RelpLS20, and two auxiliary DNA-binding factors, named Aux1pLS20 and Aux2pLS20. Here, we extend this characterization in order to define their function. We present the low-resolution SAXS envelope of the Aux1pLS20 and the atomic X-ray structure of the C-terminal domain of Aux2pLS20. We also study the interactions between the auxiliary proteins and the full-length RelpLS20, as well as its separate domains. The results show that the quaternary structure of the auxiliary protein Aux1pLS20 involves a tetramer, as previously determined. The crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of Aux2pLS20 shows that it forms a tetramer and suggests that it is an analog of TraMpF of plasmid F. This is the first evidence of the existence of a TraMpF analog in gram positive conjugative systems, although, unlike other TraMpF analogs, Aux2pLS20 does not interact with the relaxase. Aux1pLS20 interacts with the C-terminal domain, but not the N-terminal domain, of the relaxase RelpLS20. Thus, the pLS20 relaxosome exhibits some unique features despite the apparent similarity to some well-studied G- conjugation systems.
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49
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Zhang Z, Guo H, Li X, Li W, Yang G, Ni W, Zhan M, Lu L, Zhang Z, Li X, Zhou Z. Genetic Diversity and Characteristics of bla NDM-Positive Plasmids in Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:729952. [PMID: 34867846 PMCID: PMC8636099 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.729952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDMs), including at least 28 variants, are a rapidly emerging family of β-lactamases worldwide, with a variety of infections caused by NDM-positive strains usually associated with very poor prognosis and high mortality. NDMs are the most prevalent carbapenemases in Escherichia coli (E. coli) worldwide, especially in China. The vast majority of blaNDM cases occur on plasmids, which play a vital role in the dissemination of blaNDM. To systematically explore the relationships between plasmids and blaNDM genes in E. coli and obtain an overall picture of the conjugative and mobilizable blaNDM-positive plasmids, we analyzed the variants of blaNDM, replicon types, phylogenetic patterns, conjugative transfer modules, host STs, and geographical distributions of 114 blaNDM-positive plasmids, which were selected from 3786 plasmids from 1346 complete whole genomes of E. coli from the GenBank database. We also established links among the characteristics of blaNDM-positive plasmids in E. coli. Eight variants of blaNDM were found among the 114 blaNDM-positive plasmids, with blaNDM–5 (74 blaNDM–5 genes in 73 plasmids), and blaNDM–1 (31 blaNDM–1 genes in 28 plasmids) being the most dominant. The variant blaNDM–5 was mainly carried by the IncX3 plasmids and IncF plasmids in E. coli, the former were mainly geographically distributed in East Asia (especially in China) and the United States, and the latter were widely distributed worldwide. IncC plasmids were observed to be the predominant carriers of blaNDM–1 genes in E. coli, which were mainly geographically distributed in the United States and China. Other blaNDM–1-carrying plasmids also included IncM2, IncN2, and IncHI1. Moreover, the overall picture of the conjugative and mobilizable blaNDM-positive plasmids in E. coli was described in our study. Our findings enhance our understanding of the genetic diversity and characteristics of blaNDM-positive plasmids in in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiren Zhang
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Hengzhao Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Spine and Osteology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenting Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenjun Ni
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.,Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.,Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhenlin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhiling Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
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A New ICE clc Subfamily Integrative and Conjugative Element Responsible for Horizontal Transfer of Biphenyl and Salicylic Acid Catabolic Pathway in the PCB-Degrading Strain Pseudomonas stutzeri KF716. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122462. [PMID: 34946064 PMCID: PMC8704644 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122462] [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: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are chromosomally integrated self-transmissible mobile genetic elements. Although some ICEs are known to carry genes for the degradation of aromatic compounds, information on their genetic features is limited. We identified a new member of the ICEclc family carrying biphenyl catabolic bph genes and salicylic acid catabolic sal genes from the PCB-degrading strain Pseudomonas stutzeri KF716. The 117-kb ICEbph-salKF716 contains common core regions exhibiting homology with those of degradative ICEclc from P. knackmussii B13 and ICEXTD from Azoarcus sp. CIB. A comparison of the gene loci collected from the public database revealed that several putative ICEs from P. putida B6-2, P, alcaliphila JAB1, P. stutzeri AN10, and P. stutzeri 2A20 had highly conserved core regions with those of ICEbph-salKF716, along with the variable region that encodes the catabolic genes for biphenyl, naphthalene, toluene, or phenol. These data indicate that this type of ICE subfamily is ubiquitously distributed within aromatic compound-degrading bacteria. ICEbph-salKF716 was transferred from P. stutzeri KF716 to P. aeruginosa PAO1 via a circular extrachromosomal intermediate form. In this study, we describe the structure and genetic features of ICEbph-salKF716 compared to other catabolic ICEs.
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