Comparative pangenome analysis of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus lactis provides new insights into the adaptive evolution by horizontal gene acquisitions.
BMC Genomics
; 25(1): 28, 2024 Jan 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38172677
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Enterococcus faecium and E. lactis are phylogenetically closely related lactic acid bacteria that are ubiquitous in nature and are known to be beneficial or pathogenic. Despite their considerable industrial and clinical importance, comprehensive studies on their evolutionary relationships and genomic, metabolic, and pathogenic traits are still lacking. Therefore, we conducted comparative pangenome analyses using all available dereplicated genomes of these species.RESULTS:
E. faecium was divided into two subclades subclade I, comprising strains derived from humans, animals, and food, and the more recent phylogenetic subclade II, consisting exclusively of human-derived strains. In contrast, E. lactis strains, isolated from diverse sources including foods, humans, animals, and the environment, did not display distinct clustering based on their isolation sources. Despite having similar metabolic features, noticeable genomic differences were observed between E. faecium subclades I and II, as well as E. lactis. Notably, E. faecium subclade II strains exhibited significantly larger genome sizes and higher gene counts compared to both E. faecium subclade I and E. lactis strains. Furthermore, they carried a higher abundance of antibiotic resistance, virulence, bacteriocin, and mobile element genes. Phylogenetic analysis of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes suggests that E. faecium subclade II strains likely acquired these genes through horizontal gene transfer, facilitating their effective adaptation in response to antibiotic use in humans.CONCLUSIONS:
Our study offers valuable insights into the adaptive evolution of E. faecium strains, enabling their survival as pathogens in the human environment through horizontal gene acquisitions.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Enterococcus faecium
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Genomics
Assunto da revista:
GENETICA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article