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Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Locations for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
Published on: September 11, 2017
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A mobile genetic element increases bacterial host fitness by manipulating development
Joshua M Jones1, Ilana Grinberg2, Avigdor Eldar2
1Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.
Elife
|March 3, 2021
Summary
Mobile genetic elements like ICEBs1 benefit bacteria by delaying development, offering a selective advantage. This strategy enhances host fitness and promotes the element's spread within bacterial populations.
Area of Science:
- Bacterial evolution
- Microbial genetics
- Horizontal gene transfer
Background:
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a key driver of bacterial evolution.
- Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) mediate much of HGT and carry beneficial genes.
- Understanding MGE strategies that benefit hosts is vital for their stability and spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the benefits conferred by ICEBs1, an integrative and conjugative element (ICE), to its host cells, Bacillus subtilis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which ICEBs1 enhances host fitness and promotes its own propagation.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the impact of ICEBs1 activation on host cell development (biofilm formation and sporulation).
- Analyzed gene expression related to biofilm formation.
- Identified the specific gene within ICEBs1 responsible for developmental inhibition.
Main Results:
- ICEBs1 activation provided a frequency-dependent selective advantage to Bacillus subtilis during biofilm formation and sporulation.
- ICEBs1 inhibited biofilm-associated gene expression and delayed sporulation, allowing ICEBs1-containing cells to outcompete neighbors.
- The devI gene within ICEBs1 was identified as necessary and sufficient for this developmental inhibition.
Conclusions:
- ICEBs1 manipulates host developmental programs to increase host fitness.
- This manipulation enhances the propagation and stability of ICEBs1 within bacterial populations.
- The study highlights a novel strategy used by MGEs to ensure their survival and spread through host exploitation.
Keywords:
B. subtilisbiofilmshorizontal gene transferinfectious diseaseintegrative and conjugative elements (ICE)microbial developmentmicrobiologymobile genetic elementssporulationMore Related Videos
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