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Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
06:56

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

Conjugative plasmid transfer and adhesion dynamics in an Escherichia coli biofilm

Cheryl-Lynn Y Ong1, Scott A Beatson, Alastair G McEwan

  • 1School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|September 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A novel plasmid, pMAS2027, from Escherichia coli enhances biofilm formation via type 3 fimbriae. Conjugation, mediated by a type IV secretion system, spreads these biofilm determinants, crucial for device-related infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are significant nosocomial infections.
  • Escherichia coli is a common causative agent of CAUTIs.
  • Plasmids play a crucial role in the dissemination of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To sequence and annotate a conjugative plasmid from a CAUTI-associated E. coli strain.
  • To investigate the role of plasmid-encoded genes in virulence and biofilm formation.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of plasmid transfer and its impact on bacterial adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing and plasmid annotation of Escherichia coli MS2027.
  • Biofilm assays to assess the contribution of specific genes to biofilm formation.
  • Conjugation experiments to evaluate plasmid transfer and its effect on recipient strains.

Main Results:

  • The 42,644-bp plasmid pMAS2027, belonging to incompatibility group X1 (IncX1), was identified.
  • pMAS2027 encodes type 3 fimbriae, essential for biofilm formation in E. coli MS2027.
  • The plasmid's type IV secretion (T4S) system mediates conjugation, enabling non-biofilm-forming strains to form mixed biofilms.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmid pMAS2027 contributes to E. coli virulence through type 3 fimbriae-mediated biofilm formation.
  • Conjugation is a key mechanism for spreading biofilm determinants, facilitating adaptation in new hosts.
  • Understanding plasmid-mediated gene transfer is critical for combating device-related infections in healthcare settings.

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