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Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach
Published on: December 14, 2019
Exploring the evolutionary dynamics of plasmids: the Acinetobacter pan-plasmidome
Marco Fondi1, Giovanni Bacci, Matteo Brilli
1Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Dept, of Evolutionary Biology, Via Romana 17-19, University of Florence, I-50125 Florence, Italy.
BMC Evolutionary Biology
|February 26, 2010
Summary
Plasmids significantly impact bacterial traits and genome evolution, facilitating gene transfer. Our study reveals transposases and mercury resistance shaped plasmid evolution in Acinetobacter, despite limited shared genes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Prokaryotic plasmids influence host cell metabolism and genome evolution.
- Plasmids contribute to genomic rearrangements and horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
- Growing interest in plasmid sequencing due to their role in adaptive traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze plasmid and chromosome sequence data for bacteria in the genus Acinetobacter.
- To understand the evolutionary history of plasmids in Acinetobacter.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Blast2Network bioinformatic tool for comparative analysis.
- Analyzed plasmid and chromosome sequence data of Acinetobacter species.
- Employed network analysis based on plasmid and chromosome similarity.
Main Results:
- Most Acinetobacter plasmids lack mobilization and transfer functions.
- Evidence suggests extensive rearrangements between plasmids and chromosomes.
- Traces of inter-species gene transfer were identified.
Conclusions:
- Network analysis of sequence similarity can describe the evolution of mobile genetic elements.
- Transposases and mercury resistance are key factors in Acinetobacter plasmid evolution.
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