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Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
Published on: March 24, 2023
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Efficient plasmid transfer via natural competence in a microbial co-culture
Yu-Yu Cheng1, Zhichao Zhou2, James M Papadopoulos3
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
Molecular Systems Biology
|January 30, 2023
Summary
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of plasmids in microbial communities is enhanced in co-cultures. Donor cell properties and interactions significantly influence HGT efficiency, impacting antibiotic resistance spread.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Ecology
Background:
- Understanding horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is crucial for tracking antibiotic resistance emergence.
- Factors influencing HGT via natural transformation in microbial communities remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate molecular and ecological factors shaping HGT in microbial co-cultures.
- Quantify extracellular DNA release, species growth, and HGT efficiency over time.
Main Methods:
- Microbial co-culture experiments.
- Quantification of extracellular DNA (eDNA).
- Measurement of species growth rates and HGT efficiency.
Main Results:
- HGT efficiency and plasmid release were significantly enhanced in co-cultures compared to monocultures.
- Donor cell characteristics, including SOS response and plasmid multimerization, are key determinants of HGT efficiency.
- High donor lysis rates reduced HGT, while HGT occurred efficiently from both live and dead donor cells.
Conclusions:
- Plasmid HGT via natural transformation is influenced by a complex interplay of plasmid attributes, donor stress responses, lysis rates, and interspecies interactions.
- Interspecies interactions in co-cultures can significantly promote HGT.
- HGT is independent of donor cell viability, highlighting potential pathways for resistance gene dissemination.
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