Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals plasmid constrains bacterial population heterogeneity and identifies a non-conjugating subpopulation.
Nat Commun
; 15(1): 5853, 2024 Jul 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38997267
ABSTRACT
Transcriptional heterogeneity in isogenic bacterial populations can play various roles in bacterial evolution, but its detection remains technically challenging. Here, we use microbial split-pool ligation transcriptomics to study the relationship between bacterial subpopulation formation and plasmid-host interactions at the single-cell level. We find that single-cell transcript abundances are influenced by bacterial growth state and plasmid carriage. Moreover, plasmid carriage constrains the formation of bacterial subpopulations. Plasmid genes, including those with core functions such as replication and maintenance, exhibit transcriptional heterogeneity associated with cell activity. Notably, we identify a cell subpopulation that does not transcribe conjugal plasmid transfer genes, which may help reduce plasmid burden on a subset of cells. Our study advances the understanding of plasmid-mediated subpopulation dynamics and provides insights into the plasmid-bacteria interplay.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Plasmídeos
/
Análise de Célula Única
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article