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Related Concept Videos

Plasmids01:28

Plasmids

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Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
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Biofilms01:29

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Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
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The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
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In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
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The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects...
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Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach
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Evolving Populations in Biofilms Contain More Persistent Plasmids.

Thibault Stalder1,2,3, Brandon Cornwell1, Jared Lacroix1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|February 7, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial plasmid evolution differs between biofilms and liquid cultures. Biofilms promote plasmid persistence and genetic diversity, unlike liquid cultures which favor plasmid loss.

Keywords:
antibiotic resistancebiofilmexperimental evolutionhorizontal gene transferplasmidspatial structure

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacterial plasmids drive antibiotic resistance spread, exacerbated by coevolution with hosts.
  • Current research on plasmid-host coevolution is limited to liquid cultures, neglecting biofilms, the primary bacterial habitat and infection site.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how different growth environments (biofilms vs. chemostats) impact plasmid-host coevolution and plasmid persistence.
  • To understand the evolutionary trajectories of plasmids within bacterial populations in spatially structured environments.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental evolution of *Shewanella oneidensis* MR-1 with plasmid pBP136Gm in both biofilm and chemostat cultures.
  • Genomic sequencing of bacterial clones and populations to identify mutations and evolutionary changes.

Main Results:

  • Biofilm populations exhibited higher mutation diversity and more persistent plasmids compared to chemostat populations.
  • Distinct evolutionary trajectories in biofilms included acquisition of toxin-antitoxin systems and chromosomal mutations, reducing plasmid cost or transferability.
  • Chemostat cultures showed a higher prevalence of variants with decreased plasmid persistence, a trend absent in biofilms.

Conclusions:

  • Biofilm environments foster greater genetic diversity and promote the evolution of more stable plasmid-host associations.
  • The mode of bacterial growth significantly influences the evolutionary dynamics of plasmids and the spread of antibiotic resistance.
  • Spatially structured environments like biofilms may harbor unique selection pressures driving plasmid evolution.