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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

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Bacterial viruses enable their host to acquire antibiotic resistance genes from neighbouring cells

Jakob Haaber1, Jørgen J Leisner1, Marianne T Cohn1

  • 1Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigboejlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.

Nature Communications
|November 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) aid Staphylococcus aureus in acquiring antibiotic resistance genes from competitors. This "auto-transduction" process helps bacteria survive antibiotic pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Prophages, viral DNA integrated into bacterial genomes, are common in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • These prophages are suspected to facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of prophage release in Staphylococcus aureus's acquisition of beneficial genes.
  • To understand the mechanism of antibiotic resistance gene transfer in S. aureus.

Main Methods:

  • Studied gene transfer in Staphylococcus aureus populations under varying conditions.
  • Utilized in vitro and in vivo (wax moth larvae) models.
  • Analyzed phage-mediated DNA transfer and its impact on antibiotic resistance.

Main Results:

  • Prophage release from a bacterial subpopulation enables gene acquisition by the remaining population.
  • Phages transfer DNA fragments from killed competitor cells, including antibiotic resistance genes.
  • This 'auto-transduction' mechanism enhances S. aureus's ability to gain antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Prophage activity facilitates the acquisition of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Auto-transduction is a significant mechanism for bacterial adaptation and survival under antibiotic pressure.
  • This process may explain the rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus.

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