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F-like plasmid sequences in enteric bacteria of diverse origin, with implication of horizontal transfer and plasmid
Janez Mulec1, Marjanca Starcic, Darja Zgur-Bertok
1Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Vecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Seventy-eight bacterial isolates from human, animal, and plant hosts, representing eight species of the family Enterobacteriaceae, were screened for F-like plasmid sequences. Of the examined human Escherichia coli strains, 28% harbored one or two of the three F-like, RepFI replication regions, while 35% of the examined animal and all phytopathogenic strains harbored RepFIA-specific sequences. Comparative analysis of Salmonella, Shigella, Erwinia, and E. coli plasmid RepFI sequences showed 100% or very high homology, indicating frequent and recent interspecies gene transfer. The high incidence of RepFIA sequences in enteric bacterial species, including Klebsiella and Erwinia, showed that F-like plasmids are successful in avoiding natural barriers to establishment of horizontally transferred DNA and that in the natural environment conjugal transfer is efficient in diverse ecological niches.
Insights
F-like plasmid sequences, common in Enterobacteriaceae, show frequent interspecies gene transfer. These plasmids efficiently spread between human, animal, and plant bacteria in diverse environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- F-like plasmids are conjugative plasmids found in Enterobacteriaceae.
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a crucial role in bacterial evolution and adaptation.
- Understanding plasmid distribution across hosts is key to tracking bacterial interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of F-like plasmid replication regions in various Enterobacteriaceae species.
- To determine the extent of interspecies gene transfer mediated by these plasmids.
- To assess the efficiency of F-like plasmid establishment in different ecological niches.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 78 bacterial isolates from human, animal, and plant hosts.
- Identification of F-like plasmid sequences, specifically RepFI and RepFIA replication regions.
- Comparative sequence analysis of plasmid DNA.
Main Results:
- 28% of human Escherichia coli strains carried RepFI replication regions.
- 35% of animal and all phytopathogenic strains harbored RepFIA-specific sequences.
- High homology of RepFI sequences across Salmonella, Shigella, Erwinia, and E. coli indicates recent interspecies transfer.
Conclusions:
- F-like plasmids are widespread in Enterobacteriaceae, facilitating efficient interspecies gene transfer.
- RepFIA sequences are prevalent in enteric bacteria, demonstrating successful HGT across diverse hosts.
- Conjugal transfer of F-like plasmids is efficient in various ecological niches, overcoming natural barriers.