Horizontal Transfer of Virulence Factors by Pathogenic Enterobacteria to Marine Saprotrophic Bacteria during Co-Cultivation in Biofilm

Abstract

Environmental problems associated with marine pollution and climate warming create favorable conditions for the penetration and survival of pathogenic bacteria in marine ecosystems. These microorganisms have interspecific competitive interactions with marine bacteria. Co-culture, as an important research strategy that mimics the natural environment of bacteria, can activate silent genes or clusters through interspecies interactions. The authors used modern biotechnology of co-cultivation to dynamically study intercellular interactions between different taxa of bacteria—pathogenic enterobacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Listeria monocytogenes and saprotrophic marine bacteria Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas japonica isolated in summer from the coastal waters of the recreational areas of the Sea of Japan. The results of the experiments showed that during the formation of polycultural biofilms, horizontal transfer of genes encoding some pathogenicity factors from Y. pseudotuberculosis and L. monocytogenes to marine saprotrophic bacteria with different secretion systems is possible. It was previously thought that this was largely prevented by the type VI secretion system (T6SS) found in marine saprotrophic bacteria. The authors showed for the first time the ability of marine bacteria Bacillus sp. and P. japonica to biofilm formation with pathogenic enterobacteria Y. pseudotuberculosis and L. monocytogenes, saprophytic bacteria with type III secretion system (T3SS). For the first time, a marine saprotrophic strain of Bacillus sp. Revealed manifestations of hyaluronidase, proteolytic and hemolytic activity after cultivation in a polycultural biofilm with listeria. Saprotrophic marine bacteria that have acquired virulence factors from pathogenic enterobacteria, including antibiotic resistance genes, could potentially play a role in altering the biological properties of other members of the marine microbial community. In addition, given the possible interdomain nature of intercellular gene translocation, acquired virulence factors can be transferred to marine unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. The results obtained contribute to the paradigm of the epidemiological significance and potential danger of anthropogenic pollution of marine ecosystems, which creates serious problems for public health and the development of marine culture as an important area of economic activity in coastal regions.

Genome characterisation and comparative analysis of Schaalia dentiphila sp. nov. and its subspecies, S. dentiphila subsp. denticola subsp. nov., from the human oral cavity

“…The expansion and contraction of gene families in strains NCTC 9931 and C24 hint at the evolutionary pressures they've faced, such as gene duplication, loss, or horizontal gene transfer. These shifts can influence their survival strategies and interactions in their environments [ 71 ].…”

Bacteriocin-Producing Escherichia coli Q5 and C41 with Potential Probiotic Properties: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Studies

“…To account for the adhesive properties of bacteria, human red blood cells O (I) of the Rh (+) blood group were used (“Biomed”, a branch of FSUE “Microgen”, Perm, Russia). Erythrocytes contain glycophorin on their surface, which is identical to the glycocalyx of epithelial cells [ 56 ]. Erythrocytes were washed in saline phosphate buffer (PBS), then diluted to 10 8 cells/mL.…”

Decamethoxin and chlorhexidine bigluconate effect on the adhesive and biofilm-forming properties of Streptococcus mitis

“…Adhesion of clinical isolates under the action of decamethoxin and chlorhexidine bigluconate was determined by the method of V.I. Brillis using blood group I (0) Rh + erythrocytes (27).…”