The polyadenylase PAPI is required for virulence plasmid maintenance in pathogenic bacteria
Katherine Schubert1, Micah Braly2, Jessica Zhang3
1Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, United States.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|October 17, 2024
Summary
The polyadenylase PAP I, encoded by the bacterial gene pcnB, is crucial for maintaining virulence and antibiotic resistance plasmids in pathogens. This enzyme stabilizes plasmids, ensuring robust expression of critical genes and enhancing bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pathogenic bacteria utilize plasmid-encoded virulence factors for infection.
- Regulation of plasmid replication and copy number is critical for virulence gene expression.
- The Yersinia type III secretion system (T3SS) is essential for virulence and encoded on the pYV plasmid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the chromosomal gene pcnB, encoding polyadenylase PAP I, in regulating plasmid copy number (PCN) and virulence in Yersinia.
- To determine if pcnB/PAP I influences the stability and expression of virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) plasmids in bacterial pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the function of pcnB/PAP I in Yersinia and Shigella strains.
- Assessed the impact of pcnB/PAP I on pYV plasmid copy number and T3SS activity.
- Evaluated the role of pcnB/PAP I in bacterial virulence using a mouse infection model.
- Examined the effect of pcnB/PAP I on the PCN and expression of sRNA-regulated antimicrobial resistance plasmids.
Main Results:
- The chromosomal gene pcnB, encoding PAP I, is essential for regulating pYV plasmid copy number, maintaining pYV stability, robust T3SS activity, and Yersinia virulence.
- pcnB/PAP I is also required for T3SS expression in Shigella flexneri.
- pcnB/PAP I maintains normal PCN of model antimicrobial resistance plasmids, increasing antibiotic resistance tenfold.
- pcnB/PAP I is widespread in bacteria but understudied.
Conclusions:
- pcnB/PAP I plays a critical role in the spread and stabilization of virulence and antimicrobial resistance plasmids in bacterial pathogens.
- This enzyme is essential for maintaining the gene dosage required for plasmid-encoded traits, impacting bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance.
- The findings highlight the potential importance of pcnB/PAP I in combating antibiotic resistance and underscore its role in reinforcing plasmid stability and virulence in pathogenic bacteria.
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