Gene Transfer Between Distantly Related Bacteria

Mazodier, Philippe; Davies, Julian

doi:10.1146/annurev.ge.25.120191.001051

Cited by 236 publications

(143 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Cleavage assay by minMobA was performed in reaction mixtures containing 40 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 50 mM MgCl 2 , and 0.5 mM EDTA. The reactions were terminated by addition of EDTA to 40 mM after 0, 1,2,4,6,9,11,15,20,25,28,36,45,55, and 60 minutes. Reaction products were separated by 12% SDS-PAGE and imaged on a Molecular Imager FX system (BioRad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, CA).…”

Section: Cleavage Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Structure of the Minimal Relaxase Domain of MobA at 2.1 Å Resolution

Monzingo

Ozburn

Xia

et al. 2007

Journal of Molecular Biology

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SUMMARYThe plasmid R1162 encodes proteins that enable its conjugative mobilization between bacterial cells. It can transfer between many different species and is one of the most promiscuous of the mobilizable plasmids. The plasmid-encoded protein MobA, which has both nicking and priming activities on single-stranded DNA, is essential for mobilization. The nicking, or relaxase, activity has been localized to the 186 residue N-terminal domain, called minMobA. We present here the 2.1 Å X-ray structure of minMobA. The fold is similar to that seen for two other relaxases, TraI and TrwC. The similarity in fold, and action, suggests these enzymes are evolutionary homologs, despite the lack of any significant amino acid similarity. MinMobA has a well-defined target DNA called oriT. The active site metal is observed near Tyr 25, which is known to form a phosphotyrosine adduct with the substrate. A model of the oriT substrate complexed with minMobA has been made, based on observed substrate binding to TrwC and TraI. The model is consistent with observations of substrate base specificity, and provides a rationalization for elements of the likely enzyme mechanism. KeywordsMobA; X-ray structure; DNA binding; drug resistance; relaxases Resistance to antibiotics by bacterial pathogens is a major health concern throughout the world. Bacteria acquire resistance to antibiotics most commonly by the conjugative transfer of plasmids and transposable elements. There are two classes of plasmids involved in conjugative transfer. One of these consists of large (greater than 30 Kb) self-transmissible elements 1 and the other smaller (~5-10 Kb) mobilizable plasmids 2 3 . Both groups encode the proteins required to process the DNA for transfer, but only the self-transmissible plasmids encode as well the complex, type IV secretion system (T4SS) required to transport the DNA into a new cell. The mobilizable plasmids use a T4SS that is generally provided by a co-resident, selftransmissible plasmid 4 , but can also take advantage of type IV systems involved in the transport of effector proteins active in pathogenesis 5 . An important characteristic of T4SS is that it can transport both protein and DNA across species barriers 6, 7 and even into cells of different kingdoms 8; 9 . In addition, some groups of plasmids are maintained in a large numberCorrespondence to: Jon D. Robertus. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript of different bacterial species 10 . These two characteristics have together resulted ...

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Section: Cleavage Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Structure of the Minimal Relaxase Domain of MobA at 2.1 Å Resolution

Monzingo

Ozburn

Xia

et al. 2007

Journal of Molecular Biology

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“…Plasmids play an important role in the evolution and rapid adaptation of bacteria and archaea by spreading multidrug resistance and many other traits among distantly related hosts (Mazodier and Davies, 1991;Drö ge et al, 1999;van Elsas and Bailey, 2002;Smets and Barkay, 2005;Sørensen et al, 2005;Thomas and Nielsen, 2005). In spite of their importance in bacterial adaptation, we currently have a poor understanding of the population dynamics of plasmids in the absence of selection for the traits they encode.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial structure and nutrients promote invasion of IncP-1 plasmids in bacterial populations

et al. 2008

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In spite of the importance of plasmids in bacterial adaptation, we have a poor understanding of their dynamics. It is not known if or how plasmids persist in and spread through (invade) a bacterial population when there is no selection for plasmid-encoded traits. Moreover, the differences in dynamics between spatially structured and mixed populations are poorly understood. Through a joint experimental/theoretical approach, we tested the hypothesis that self-transmissible IncP-1 plasmids can invade a bacterial population in the absence of selection when initially very rare, but only in spatially structured habitats and when nutrients are regularly replenished. Using protocols that differed in the degree of spatial structure and nutrient levels, the invasiveness of plasmid pB10 in Escherichia coli was monitored during at least 15 days, with an initial fraction of plasmid-bearing (p þ ) cells as low as 10 À7 . To further explore the mechanisms underlying plasmid dynamics, we developed a spatially explicit mathematical model. When cells were grown on filters and transferred to fresh medium daily, the p þ fraction increased to 13%, whereas almost complete invasion occurred when the population structure was disturbed daily. The plasmid was unable to invade in liquid. When carbon source levels were lower or not replenished, plasmid invasion was hampered.Simulations of the mathematical model closely matched the experimental results and produced estimates of the effects of alternative experimental parameters. This allowed us to isolate the likely mechanisms most responsible for the observations. In conclusion, spatial structure and nutrient availability can be key determinants in the invasiveness of plasmids.

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“…Plasmids, extrachromosomal DNA molecules that replicate autonomously, contribute to this plasticity by mediating lateral gene transfer among bacterial species and genera (15,17,21,40,57,59,65) and even between kingdoms (19,24). In addition to their role in lateral gene transfer, plasmids also function in gene amplification and overexpression (46,47).…”

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confidence: 99%

Vertical Transmission of Biosynthetic Plasmids in Aphid Endosymbionts ( Buchnera )

Wernegreen

Moran

2001

J Bacteriol

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This study tested for horizontal transfer of plasmids among Buchnera aphidicola strains associated with ecologically and phylogenetically related aphid hosts (Uroleucon species). Phylogenetic congruence of Buchnera plasmid (trpEG and leuABC) and chromosomal (dnaN and trpB) genes supports strictly vertical long-term transmission of plasmids, which persist due to their contributions to host nutrition rather than capacity for infectious transfer. Synonymous divergences indicate elevated mutation on plasmids relative to chromosomal genes.

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Gene Transfer Between Distantly Related Bacteria

Cited by 236 publications

References 36 publications

The Structure of the Minimal Relaxase Domain of MobA at 2.1 Å Resolution

The Structure of the Minimal Relaxase Domain of MobA at 2.1 Å Resolution

Spatial structure and nutrients promote invasion of IncP-1 plasmids in bacterial populations

Vertical Transmission of Biosynthetic Plasmids in Aphid Endosymbionts ( Buchnera )

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