Efficient plasmid transfer via natural competence in a microbial co‐culture
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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.15252/msb.202211406
Entities
People
- Briana M Burton
- James M Papadopoulos
- Jason D Zuke
- Karthik Anantharaman
- Ophelia S Venturelli
- Tanya G. Falbel
- Yu‐Yu Cheng
- Zhichao Zhou
Organizations
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- University of Wisconsin–Madison