scholarly journals Diversity of Integrative and Conjugative Elements of Streptococcus salivarius and Their Intra- and Interspecies Transfer

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narimane Dahmane ◽  
Virginie Libante ◽  
Florence Charron-Bourgoin ◽  
Eric Guédon ◽  
Gérard Guédon ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are widespread chromosomal mobile genetic elements which can transfer autonomously by conjugation in bacteria. Thirteen ICEs with a conjugation module closely related to that of ICESt3 of Streptococcus thermophilus were characterized in Streptococcus salivarius by whole-genome sequencing. Sequence comparison highlighted ICE evolution by shuffling of 3 different integration/excision modules (for integration in the 3′ end of the fda, rpsI, or rpmG gene) with the conjugation module of the ICESt3 subfamily. Sequence analyses also pointed out a recombination occurring at oriT (likely mediated by the relaxase) as a mechanism of ICE evolution. Despite a similar organization in two operons including three conserved genes, the regulation modules show a high diversity (about 50% amino acid sequence divergence for the encoded regulators and presence of unrelated additional genes) with a probable impact on the regulation of ICE activity. Concerning the accessory genes, ICEs of the ICESt3 subfamily appear particularly rich in restriction-modification systems and orphan methyltransferase genes. Other cargo genes that could confer a selective advantage to the cell hosting the ICE were identified, in particular, genes for bacteriocin synthesis and cadmium resistance. The functionality of 2 ICEs of S. salivarius was investigated. Autonomous conjugative transfer to other S. salivarius strains, to S. thermophilus, and to Enterococcus faecalis was observed. The analysis of the ICE-fda border sequence in these transconjugants allowed the localization of the DNA cutting site of the ICE integrase. IMPORTANCE The ICESt3 subfamily of ICEs appears to be widespread in streptococci and targets diverse chromosomal integration sites. These ICEs carry diverse cargo genes that can confer a selective advantage to the host strain. The maintenance of these mobile genetic elements likely relies in part on self-encoded restriction-modification systems. In this study, intra- and interspecies transfer was demonstrated for 2 ICEs of S. salivarius. Closely related ICEs were also detected in silico in other Streptococcus species (S. pneumoniae and S. parasanguinis), thus indicating that diffusion of ICESt3-related elements probably plays a significant role in horizontal gene transfer (HGT) occurring in the oral cavity but also in the digestive tract, where S. salivarius is present.

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichizo Kobayashi ◽  
Ayaka Nobusato ◽  
Noriko Kobayashi-Takahashi ◽  
Ikuo Uchiyama

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 5260-5266 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zamorano ◽  
E. Miró ◽  
C. Juan ◽  
L. Gómez ◽  
G. Bou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe examined the genetic context of 74 acquiredampCgenes and 17 carbapenemase genes from 85 of 640Enterobacteriaceaeisolates collected in 2009. Using S1 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization, 37 of 74blaAmpCgenes were located on large plasmids of different sizes belonging to six incompatibility groups. We used sequencing and PCR mapping to investigate the regions flanking the acquiredampCgenes. TheblaCMY-2-like genes were associated with ISEcp1; the surroundingblaDHAgenes were similar toKlebsiella pneumoniaeplasmid pTN60013 associated with IS26and thepspandsapoperons; and theblaACC-1genes were associated with IS26elements inserted into ISEcp1. All of the carbapenemase genes (blaVIM-1,blaIMP-22, andblaIMP-28) were located in class 1 integrons. Therefore, although plasmids are the main cause of the rapid dissemination ofampCgenes amongEnterobacteriaceae, we need to be aware that other mobile genetic elements, such as insertion sequences, transposons, or integrons, can be involved in the mobilization of these genes of chromosomal origin. Additionally, three new integrons (In846 to In848) are described in this study.


mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e01234-20
Author(s):  
Kaichao Chen ◽  
Chen Yang ◽  
Ning Dong ◽  
Miaomiao Xie ◽  
Lianwei Ye ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella has increased dramatically in the past decade. To track the evolutionary trend of ciprofloxacin resistance-encoding genetic elements during this period, we surveyed the prevalence of Salmonella in food products in Shenzhen, China, during the period of 2012 to 2017 and performed whole-genome sequencing and genetic analysis of 566 ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical Salmonella strains collected during this survey. We observed that target gene mutations have become much less common, with single gyrA mutation currently detectable in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium only. Multiple plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes located in the chromosome and plasmids are now frequently detectable in ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella strains of various serotypes. Among them, the qnrS1 gene was often harbored by multiple plasmids, with p10k-like plasmids being the most dominant. Importantly, p10k-like plasmids initially were not conjugative but became transmissible with the help of a helper plasmid. Ciprofloxacin resistance due to combined effect of carriage of the qnrS1 gene and other resistance mechanisms is common. In S. Typhimurium, carriage of qnrS1 is often associated with a single gyrA mutation; in other serotypes, combination of qnrS1 and other PMQR genes located in the chromosomal fragment or plasmid is observed. Another major mechanism of ciprofloxacin resistance, mainly observable in S. Derby, involves a chromosomal fragment harboring the qnrS2–aac(6′)lb-cr–oqxAB elements. Intriguingly, this chromosomal fragment, flanked by IS26, could form a circular intermediate and became transferrable. To conclude, the increase in the incidence of various PMQR mobile genetic elements and their interactions with other resistance mechanism contribute to a sharp increase in the prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical Salmonella strains in recent years.IMPORTANCE Resistance of nontyphoidal Salmonella to fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin is known to be mediated by target mutations. This study surveyed the prevalence of Salmonella strains recovered from 2,989 food products in Shenzhen, China, during the period 2012 to 2017 and characterized the genetic features of several PMQR gene-bearing plasmids and ciprofloxacin resistance-encoding DNA fragments. The emergence of such genetic elements has caused a shift in the genetic location of ciprofloxacin resistance determinants from the chromosomal mutations to various mobile genetic elements. The distribution of these PMQR plasmids showed that they exhibited high serotype specificity, except for the p10k-like plasmids, which can be widely detected and efficiently transmitted among Salmonella strains of various serotypes by fusing to a new conjugative helper plasmid. The sharp increase in the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in recent years may cause a predisposition to the emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains and pose huge challenges to public health and infection control efforts.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M Jones ◽  
Ilana Grinberg ◽  
Avigdor Eldar ◽  
Alan D Grossman

Horizontal gene transfer is a major force in bacterial evolution. Mobile genetic elements are responsible for much of horizontal gene transfer and also carry beneficial cargo genes. Uncovering strategies used by mobile genetic elements to benefit host cells is crucial for understanding their stability and spread in populations. We describe a benefit that ICEBs1, an integrative and conjugative element of Bacillus subtilis, provides to its host cells. Activation of ICEBs1 conferred a frequency-dependent selective advantage to host cells during two different developmental processes: biofilm formation and sporulation. These benefits were due to inhibition of biofilm-associated gene expression and delayed sporulation by ICEBs1-containing cells, enabling them to exploit their neighbors and grow more prior to development. A single ICEBs1 gene, devI (formerly ydcO), was both necessary and sufficient for inhibition of development. Manipulation of host developmental programs allows ICEBs1 to increase host fitness, thereby increasing propagation of the element.


mSystems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Wu ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Wen-Ge Li ◽  
Jun-Li Xu ◽  
Wen-Zhu Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTHorizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) accounts for the mosaic genome ofClostridium difficile, leading to acquisition of new phenotypes, including drug resistance and reconstruction of the genomes. MGEs were analyzed according to the whole-genome sequences of 37C. difficileisolates with a variety of sequence types (STs) within clade 4 from China. Great diversity was found in each transposon even within isolates with the same ST. Two novel transposons were identified in isolates ZR9 and ZR18, of which approximately one third to half of the genes showed heterogenous origins compared with the usual intestinal bacterial genes. Most importantly,catD, known to be harbored by Tn4453a/b, was replaced byaac(6′) aph(2′′)in isolates 2, 7, and 28. This phenomenon illustrated the frequent occurrence of gene exchanges betweenC. difficileand other enterobacteria with individual heterogeneity. Numerous prophages and CRISPR arrays were identified inC. difficileisolates of clade 4. Approximately 20% of spacers were located in prophage-carried CRISPR arrays, providing a new method for typing and tracing the origins of closely related isolates, as well as in-depth studies of the mechanism underlying genome remodeling. The rates of drug resistance were obviously higher than those reported previously around the world, although all isolates retained high sensitivity to vancomycin and metronidazole. The increasing number ofC. difficileisolates resistant to all antibiotics tested here suggests the ease with which resistance is acquiredin vivo. This study gives insights into the genetic mechanism of microevolution within clade 4.IMPORTANCEMobile genetic elements play a key role in the continuing evolution ofClostridium difficile, resulting in the emergence of new phenotypes for individual isolates. On the basis of whole-genome sequencing analysis, we comprehensively explored transposons, CRISPR, prophage, and genetic sites for drug resistance within clade 4C. difficileisolates with different sequence types. Great diversity in MGEs and a high rate of multidrug resistance were found within this clade, including new transposons, Tn4453a/bwithaac(6′) aph(2′′)instead ofcatD, and a relatively high rate of prophage-carried CRISPR arrays. These findings provide important new insights into the mechanism of genome remodeling within clade 4 and offer a new method for typing and tracing the origins of closely related isolates.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Borowiak ◽  
Jens A. Hammerl ◽  
Carlus Deneke ◽  
Jennie Fischer ◽  
Istvan Szabo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We characterized eight mcr-5-positive Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium sequence type 34 (ST34) isolates obtained from pigs and meat in Germany. Five plasmid types were identified harboring mcr-5 on Tn6452 or putative mobile insertion cassettes. The mobility of mcr-5 was confirmed by integration of Tn6452 into the bacterial chromosomes of two strains and the detection of conjugative mcr-5 plasmids. The association with mobile genetic elements might further enhance mcr-5 distribution.


2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian R. Garneau ◽  
Ognjen Sekulovic ◽  
Bruno Dupuy ◽  
Olga Soutourina ◽  
Marc Monot ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTClostridioides difficile(formerlyClostridium difficile) is a pathogenic bacterium displaying great genetic diversity. A significant proportion of this diversity is due to the presence of integrated prophages. Here, we provide an in-depth analysis of phiCD211, also known as phiCDIF1296T, the largest phage identified inC. difficileso far, with a genome of 131 kbp. It shares morphological and genomic similarity with other large siphophages, like phage 949, infectingLactococcus lactis, and phage c-st, infectingClostridium botulinum. A PhageTerm analysis indicated the presence of 378-bp direct terminal repeats at the phiCD211 genome termini. Among striking features of phiCD211, the presence of several transposase and integrase genes suggests past recombination events with other mobile genetic elements. Several gene products potentially influence the bacterial lifestyle and fitness, including a putative AcrB/AcrD/AcrF multidrug resistance protein, an EzrA septation ring formation regulator, and a spore protease. We also identified a CRISPR locus and acas3gene. We screened 2,584C. difficilegenomes available and detected 149 prophages sharing ≥80% nucleotide identity with phiCD211 (5% prevalence). Overall, phiCD211-like phages were detected inC. difficilestrains corresponding to 21 different multilocus sequence type groups, showing their high prevalence. Comparative genomic analyses revealed the existence of several clusters of highly similar phiCD211-like phages. Of note, large chromosome inversions were observed in some members, as well as multiple gene insertions and module exchanges. This highlights the great plasticity and gene coding potential of the phiCD211/phiCDIF1296T genome. Our analyses also suggest active evolution involving recombination with other mobile genetic elements.IMPORTANCEClostridioides difficileis a clinically important pathogen representing a serious threat to human health. Our hypothesis is that genetic differences between strains caused by the presence of integrated prophages could explain the apparent differences observed in the virulence of differentC. difficilestrains. In this study, we provide a full characterization of phiCD211, also known as phiCDIF1296T, the largest phage known to infectC. difficileso far. Screening 2,584C. difficilegenomes revealed the presence of highly similar phiCD211-like phages in 5% of the strains analyzed, showing their high prevalence. Multiple-genome comparisons suggest that evolution of the phiCD211-like phage community is dynamic, and some members have acquired genes that could influence bacterial biology and fitness. Our study further supports the relevance of studying phages inC. difficileto better understand the epidemiology of this clinically important human pathogen.


2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 1521-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Zhao ◽  
Gang Liu ◽  
Jiang Wu ◽  
Bin Cao ◽  
Xiaoxia Tao ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTMacrolide resistance rates ofMycoplasma pneumoniaein the Beijing population were as high as 68.9%, 90.0%, 98.4%, 95.4%, and 97.0% in the years 2008 to 2012, respectively. Common macrolide-resistant mobile genetic elements were not detected with any isolate. These macrolide-resistant isolates came from multiple clones rather than the same clone. No massive aggregation of a particular clone was found in a specific period.


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