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Ghaly TM, Gillings MR, Rajabal V, Paulsen IT, Tetu SG. Horizontal gene transfer in plant microbiomes: integrons as hotspots for cross-species gene exchange. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1338026. [PMID: 38741746 PMCID: PMC11089894 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1338026] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant microbiomes play important roles in plant health and fitness. Bacterial horizontal gene transfer (HGT) can influence plant health outcomes, driving the spread of both plant growth-promoting and phytopathogenic traits. However, community dynamics, including the range of genetic elements and bacteria involved in this process are still poorly understood. Integrons are genetic elements recently shown to be abundant in plant microbiomes, and are associated with HGT across broad phylogenetic boundaries. They facilitate the spread of gene cassettes, small mobile elements that collectively confer a diverse suite of adaptive functions. Here, we analysed 5,565 plant-associated bacterial genomes to investigate the prevalence and functional diversity of integrons in this niche. We found that integrons are particularly abundant in the genomes of Pseudomonadales, Burkholderiales, and Xanthomonadales. In total, we detected nearly 9,000 gene cassettes, and found that many could be involved in plant growth promotion or phytopathogenicity, suggesting that integrons might play a role in bacterial mutualistic or pathogenic lifestyles. The rhizosphere was enriched in cassettes involved in the transport and metabolism of diverse substrates, suggesting that they may aid in adaptation to this environment, which is rich in root exudates. We also found that integrons facilitate cross-species HGT, which is particularly enhanced in the phyllosphere. This finding may provide an ideal opportunity to promote plant growth by fostering the spread of genes cassettes relevant to leaf health. Together, our findings suggest that integrons are important elements in plant microbiomes that drive HGT, and have the potential to facilitate plant host adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M. Ghaly
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Vaheesan Rajabal
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian T. Paulsen
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sasha G. Tetu
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Borowska-Beszta M, Smoktunowicz M, Horoszkiewicz D, Jonca J, Waleron MM, Gawor J, Mika A, Sledzinski T, Waleron K, Waleron M. Comparative genomics, pangenomics, and phenomic studies of Pectobacterium betavasculorum strains isolated from sugar beet, potato, sunflower, and artichoke: insights into pathogenicity, virulence determinants, and adaptation to the host plant. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1352318. [PMID: 38576793 PMCID: PMC10991766 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1352318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Bacteria of genus Pectobacterium, encompassing economically significant pathogens affecting various plants, includes the species P. betavasculorum, initially associated with beetroot infection. However, its host range is much broader. It causes diseases of sunflower, potato, tomato, carrots, sweet potato, radish, squash, cucumber, and chrysanthemum. To explain this phenomenon, a comprehensive pathogenomic and phenomic characterisation of P. betavasculorum species was performed. Methods Genomes of P. betavasculorum strains isolated from potato, sunflower, and artichoke were sequenced and compared with those from sugar beet isolates. Metabolic profiling and pathogenomic analyses were conducted to assess virulence determinants and adaptation potential. Pathogenicity assays were performed on potato tubers and chicory leaves to confirm in silico predictions of disease symptoms. Phenotypic assays were also conducted to assess the strains ability to synthesise homoserine lactones and siderophores. Results The genome size ranged from 4.675 to 4.931 kbp, and GC % was between 51.0% and 51.2%. The pangenome of P. betavasculorum is open and comprises, on average, 4,220 gene families. Of these, 83% of genes are the core genome, and 2% of the entire pangenome are unique genes. Strains isolated from sugar beet have a smaller pangenome size and a higher number of unique genes than those from other plants. Interestingly, genomes of strains from artichoke and sunflower share 391 common CDS that are not present in the genomes of other strains from sugar beet or potato. Those strains have only one unique gene. All strains could use numerous sugars as building materials and energy sources and possessed a high repertoire of virulence determinants in the genomes. P. betavasculorum strains were able to cause disease symptoms on potato tubers and chicory leaves. They were also able to synthesise homoserine lactones and siderophores. Discussion The findings underscore the adaptability of P. betavasculorum to diverse hosts and environments. Strains adapted to plants with high sugar content in tissues have a different composition of fatty acids in membranes and a different mechanism of replenishing nitrogen in case of deficiency of this compound than strains derived from other plant species. Extensive phenomics and genomic analyses performed in this study have shown that P. betavasculorum species is an agronomically relevant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Borowska-Beszta
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Smoktunowicz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Daria Horoszkiewicz
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joanna Jonca
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Michal Mateusz Waleron
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jan Gawor
- DNA Sequencing & Synthesis Facility, Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adriana Mika
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tomasz Sledzinski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Waleron
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Waleron
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Boyer C, Lefeuvre P, Richard D, Lobin KK, Pruvost O. Complete Genome Sequence of a Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas campestris pv . campestris Strain Isolated from Broccoli in Mauritius Suggests Adaptive Gene Gain Through Horizontal Gene Transfer. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:328-333. [PMID: 37584505 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-05-23-0177-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial adaptation is facilitated by the presence of mobile genetic elements and horizontal gene transfer of genes, such as those coding for virulence factors or resistance to antimicrobial compounds. A hybrid assembly of Nanopore MinIon long-read and Illumina short-read data was produced from a copper-resistant Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strain isolated from symptomatic broccoli leaves in Mauritius. We obtained a 5.2-Mb high-quality chromosome and no plasmid. We found four genomic islands, three of which were characterized as integrative conjugative elements or integrative mobilizable elements. These genomic islands carried type III effectors and the copper resistance copLABMGF system involved in pathogenicity and environmental adaptation, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudine Boyer
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | | | - Damien Richard
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
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Benigno V, Carraro N, Sarton-Lohéac G, Romano-Bertrand S, Blanc DS, van der Meer JR. Diversity and evolution of an abundant ICE clc family of integrative and conjugative elements in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSphere 2023; 8:e0051723. [PMID: 37902330 PMCID: PMC10732049 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00517-23] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Microbial populations swiftly adapt to changing environments through horizontal gene transfer. While the mechanisms of gene transfer are well known, the impact of environmental conditions on the selection of transferred gene functions remains less clear. We investigated ICEs, specifically the ICEclc-type, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Our findings revealed co-evolution between ICEs and their hosts, with ICE transfers occurring within strains. Gene functions carried by ICEs are positively selected, including potential virulence factors and heavy metal resistance. Comparison to publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes unveiled widespread antibiotic-resistance determinants within ICEclc clades. Thus, the ubiquitous ICEclc family significantly contributes to P. aeruginosa's adaptation and fitness in diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Benigno
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Carraro
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Garance Sarton-Lohéac
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Romano-Bertrand
- Hydrosciences Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Hospital Hygiene and Infection Control Team, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Dominique S. Blanc
- Prevention and Infection Control Unit, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Fu J, Liu Y, Wang F, Zong G, Wang Z, Zhong C, Cao G. Glabridin inhibited the spread of polymyxin-resistant Enterobacterium carrying ICE MmoMP63. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1188900. [PMID: 37283918 PMCID: PMC10239875 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The role of integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) in antibiotic resistance in Morganella morganii is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether an ICE identified in the M. morganii genome contributed to the polymyxin resistance. Methods Whole-genome sequencing was performed followed by bioinformatics analyses to identify ICEs and antibiotic resistance genes. Conjugation assays were performed to analyze the transferability of a discovered ICE. A drug transporter encoded on the ICE was heterogeneously expressed in Escherichia coli, minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics were determined, and a traditional Chinese medicine library was screened for potential efflux pump inhibitors. Results An antibiotic resistance-conferring ICE, named ICEMmoMP63, was identified. ICEMmoMP63 was verified to be horizontally transferred among Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. G3577_03020 in ICEMmoMP63 was found to mediate multiple antibiotic resistances, especially polymyxin resistance. However, natural compound glabridin was demonstrated to inhibit polymyxin resistance. Discussion Our findings support the need for monitoring dissemination of ICEMmoMP63 in Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. Combined glabridin and polymyxin may have therapeutic potential for treating infections from multi-drug resistant bacteria carrying ICEMmoMP63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafang Fu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs. Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yayu Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs. Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | | | - Gongli Zong
- First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs. Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanqing Zhong
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, China
| | - Guangxiang Cao
- First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs. Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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Gonçalves OS, de Assis JCS, Santana MF. Breaking the ICE: an easy workflow for identifying and analyzing integrative and conjugative elements in bacterial genomes. Funct Integr Genomics 2022; 22:1139-1145. [PMID: 36149586 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-022-00903-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Osiel Silva Gonçalves
- Grupo de Genômica Evolutiva Microbiana, Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jessica Catarine Silva de Assis
- Grupo de Genômica Evolutiva Microbiana, Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mateus Ferreira Santana
- Grupo de Genômica Evolutiva Microbiana, Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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