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Related Experiment Videos

Deciphering conjugative plasmid permissiveness in wastewater microbiomes.

Samuel Jacquiod1, Asker Brejnrod1, Stefan M Morberg1

  • 1Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Molecular Ecology
|April 9, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Wastewater treatment plants facilitate the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRGs) via bacterial conjugation. This study reveals diverse bacterial recipients and transmission routes, highlighting key species involved in gene transfer within and between treatment stages.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are critical for managing microbial communities and preventing environmental pollution.
  • These environments are known hotspots for horizontal gene transfer (HGT), particularly the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRGs) via conjugative plasmids.
  • Understanding plasmid transfer dynamics within complex WWTP microbiomes is crucial but remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro conjugation capacities of WWTP microbiomes using a broad-host range plasmid.
  • To characterize bacterial communities and identify potential recipients and donors of conjugative plasmids.
  • To elucidate plasmid transmission routes and identify key bacterial players in HGT within WWTPs.

Main Methods:

Keywords:
16S rRNAcDNAconjugative plasmidmetagenomewastewater

Related Experiment Videos

  • Utilized metagenomic and 16S rRNA DNA/cDNA amplicon sequencing to characterize microbiomes.
  • Employed an in vitro conjugation assay with the IncP-1 plasmid pKJK5.
  • Applied ecological concepts of functional response groups for microbiome analysis.

Main Results:

  • Identified a broad diversity of bacterial phyla acting as plasmid recipients, particularly in treated water outlets.
  • Detected permissive bacteria capable of conjugation both before and after wastewater treatment.
  • Found that bacterial activity and lifestyle (copiotrophs) influence conjugation extent, with specific keystone members like Arcobacter potentially mediating cross-phyla gene exchange.

Conclusions:

  • WWTP microbiomes exhibit significant conjugation potential, with diverse recipients and identified transmission pathways.
  • Bacterial lifestyle and activity are key factors influencing the spread of conjugative plasmids.
  • This research identifies critical bacterial players and routes for AMRGs dissemination, informing strategies for mitigating their environmental spread.