Efficient plasmid transfer via natural competence in a microbial co-culture.
Mol Syst Biol
; 19(3): e11406, 2023 03 09.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36714980
ABSTRACT
The molecular and ecological factors shaping horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via natural transformation in microbial communities are largely unknown, which is critical for understanding the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. We investigate key factors shaping HGT in a microbial co-culture by quantifying extracellular DNA release, species growth, and HGT efficiency over time. In the co-culture, plasmid release and HGT efficiency are significantly enhanced than in the respective monocultures. The donor is a key determinant of HGT efficiency as plasmids induce the SOS response, enter a multimerized state, and are released in high concentrations, enabling efficient HGT. However, HGT is reduced in response to high donor lysis rates. HGT is independent of the donor viability state as both live and dead cells transfer the plasmid with high efficiency. In sum, plasmid HGT via natural transformation depends on the interplay of plasmid properties, donor stress responses and lysis rates, and interspecies interactions.
Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
DNA
/
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Language:
En
Journal:
Mol Syst Biol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
BIOTECNOLOGIA
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States