scholarly journals Histone-like Nucleoid-Structuring Protein (H-NS) Paralogue StpA Activates the Type I-E CRISPR-Cas System against Natural Transformation in Escherichia coli

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongchang Sun ◽  
Xudan Mao ◽  
Mingyue Fei ◽  
Ziyan Chen ◽  
Tingheng Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Inducible Promoter ◽  
Regulation Mechanism ◽  
Type I ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Dna Binding Site

ABSTRACT Working mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas systems have been intensively studied. However, far less is known about how they are regulated. The histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein H-NS binds the promoter of cas genes (Pcas) and suppresses the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system in Escherichia coli. Although the H-NS paralogue StpA also binds Pcas, its role in regulating the CRISPR-Cas system remains unidentified. Our previous work established that E. coli is able to take up double-stranded DNA during natural transformation. Here, we investigated the function of StpA in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system against natural transformation of E. coli. We first documented that although the activated type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, due to hns deletion, interfered with CRISPR-Cas-targeted plasmid transfer, stpA inactivation restored the level of natural transformation. Second, we showed that inactivating stpA reduced the transcriptional activity of Pcas. Third, by comparing transcriptional activities of the intact Pcas and the Pcas with a disrupted H-NS binding site in the hns and hns stpA null deletion mutants, we demonstrated that StpA activated transcription of cas genes by binding to the same site as H-NS in Pcas. Fourth, by expressing StpA with an arabinose-inducible promoter, we confirmed that StpA expressed at a low level stimulated the activity of Pcas. Finally, by quantifying the level of mature CRISPR RNA (crRNA), we demonstrated that StpA was able to promote the amount of crRNA. Taken together, our work establishes that StpA serves as a transcriptional activator in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system against natural transformation of E. coli. IMPORTANCE StpA is normally considered a molecular backup of the nucleoid-structuring protein H-NS, which was reported as a transcriptional repressor of the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system in Escherichia coli. However, the role of StpA in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system remains elusive. Our previous work uncovered a new route for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) entry during natural transformation of E. coli. In this study, we show that StpA plays a role opposite to that of its paralogue H-NS in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system against natural transformation of E. coli. Our work not only expands our knowledge on CRISPR-Cas-mediated adaptive immunity against extracellular nucleic acids but also sheds new light on understanding the complex regulation mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas system. Moreover, the finding that paralogues StpA and H-NS share a DNA binding site but play opposite roles in transcriptional regulation indicates that higher-order compaction of bacterial chromatin by histone-like proteins could switch prokaryotic transcriptional modes.

scholarly journals YjjQ Represses Transcription offlhDCand Additional Loci in Escherichia coli

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (16) ◽  
pp. 2713-2720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Wiebe ◽  
Doreen Gürlebeck ◽  
Jana Groß ◽  
Katrin Dreck ◽  
Derk Pannen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Sequence Motif ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Dna Binding Site ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACTThe presumptive transcriptional regulator YjjQ has been identified as being virulence associated in avian pathogenicEscherichia coli(APEC). In this work, we characterize YjjQ as transcriptional repressor of theflhDCoperon, encoding the master regulator of flagellar synthesis, and of additional loci. The latter includegfc(capsule 4 synthesis),ompC(outer membrane porin C),yfiRNB(regulated c-di-GMP synthesis), and loci of poorly defined function (ybhLandymiA-yciX). We identify the YjjQ DNA-binding sites at theflhDCandgfcpromoters and characterize a DNA-binding sequence motif present at all promoters found to be repressed by YjjQ. At theflhDCpromoter, the YjjQ DNA-binding site overlaps the RcsA-RcsB DNA-binding site. RcsA-RcsB likewise represses theflhDCpromoter, but the repression by YjjQ and that by RcsA-RcsB are independent of each other. These data suggest that YjjQ is an additional regulator involved in the complex control offlhDCat the level of transcription initiation. Furthermore, we show that YjjQ represses motility of theE. coliK-12 laboratory strain and of uropathogenicE. coli(UPEC) strains CFT073 and 536. Regulation offlhDC,yfiRNB, and additional loci by YjjQ may be features relevant for pathogenicity.IMPORTANCEEscherichia coliis a commensal and pathogenic bacterium causing intra- and extraintestinal infections in humans and farm animals. The pathogenicity ofE. colistrains is determined by their particular genome content, which includes essential and associated virulence factors that control the cellular physiology in the host environment. However, the gene pools of commensal and pathogenicE. coliare not clearly differentiated, and the function of virulence-associated loci needs to be characterized. In this study, we characterize the function ofyjjQ, encoding a transcription regulator that was identified as being virulence associated in avian pathogenicE. coli(APEC). We characterize YjjQ as transcriptional repressor of flagellar motility and of additional loci related to pathogenicity.

scholarly journals Biochemical and structural characterization of the novel sialic acid-binding site of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin LT-IIb

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (21) ◽  
pp. 3923-3936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dani Zalem ◽  
João P. Ribeiro ◽  
Annabelle Varrot ◽  
Michael Lebens ◽  
Anne Imberty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
E Coli ◽  
B Subunit ◽  
Heat Labile ◽  
B Subunits

The structurally related AB5-type heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae are classified into two major types. The type I group includes cholera toxin (CT) and E. coli LT-I, whereas the type II subfamily comprises LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc. The carbohydrate-binding specificities of LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc are distinctive from those of cholera toxin and E. coli LT-I. Whereas CT and LT-I bind primarily to the GM1 ganglioside, LT-IIa binds to gangliosides GD1a, GD1b and GM1, LT-IIb binds to the GD1a and GT1b gangliosides, and LT-IIc binds to GM1, GM2, GM3 and GD1a. These previous studies of the binding properties of type II B-subunits have been focused on ganglio core chain gangliosides. To further define the carbohydrate binding specificity of LT-IIb B-subunits, we have investigated its binding to a collection of gangliosides and non-acid glycosphingolipids with different core chains. A high-affinity binding of LT-IIb B-subunits to gangliosides with a neolacto core chain, such as Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide, and Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactooctaosylceramide was detected. An LT-IIb-binding ganglioside was isolated from human small intestine and characterized as Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide. The crystal structure of the B-subunit of LT-IIb with the pentasaccharide moiety of Neu5Acα3-neolactotetraosylceramide (Neu5Ac-nLT: Neu5Acα3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4Glc) was determined providing the first information for a sialic-binding site in this subfamily, with clear differences from that of CT and LT-I.

scholarly journals Genome Sequence of a T4-like Phage, Escherichia Phage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw, Infecting Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strains

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Te Liao ◽  
Yujie Zhang ◽  
Alexandra Salvador ◽  
Vivian C. H. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Genome Size ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Reading Frames

Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw, a new member of the T4-like phages, was isolated from surface water in a produce-growing area. The phage, containing double-stranded DNA with a genome size of 167,353 bp and 282 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), is able to infect generic Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O45 and O157 strains.

scholarly journals Novel Translation Initiation Regulation Mechanism in Escherichia coli ptrB Mediated by a 5′-Terminal AUG

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather J. Beck ◽  
Gary R. Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Translational Regulation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Upstream Open Reading Frame ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Regulation Mechanism ◽  
Rna Regulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Alternative translation initiation mechanisms, distinct from the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence-dependent mechanism, are more prevalent in bacteria than once anticipated. Translation of Escherichia coli ptrB instead requires an AUG triplet at the 5′ terminus of its mRNA. The 5′-terminal AUG (5′-uAUG) acts as a ribosomal recognition signal to attract ribosomes to the ptrB mRNA rather than functioning as an initiation codon to support translation of an upstream open reading frame. ptrB expression exhibits a stronger dependence on the 5′-uAUG than the predicted SD sequence; however, strengthening the predicted ptrB SD sequence relieves the necessity for the 5′-uAUG. Additional sequences within the ptrB 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) work cumulatively with the 5′-uAUG to control expression of the downstream ptrB coding sequence (CDS), thereby compensating for the weak SD sequence. Replacement of 5′-UTRs from other mRNAs with the ptrB 5′-UTR sequence showed a similar dependence on the 5′-uAUG for CDS expression, suggesting that the regulatory features contained within the ptrB 5′-UTR are sufficient to control the expression of other E. coli CDSs. Demonstration that the 5′-uAUG present on the ptrB leader mRNA is involved in ribosome binding and expression of the downstream ptrB CDS revealed a novel form of translational regulation. Due to the abundance of AUG triplets at the 5′ termini of E. coli mRNAs and the ability of ptrB 5′-UTR regulation to function independently of gene context, the regulatory effects of 5′-uAUGs on downstream CDSs may be widespread throughout the E. coli genome. IMPORTANCE As the field of synthetic biology continues to grow, a complete understanding of basic biological principles will be necessary. The increasing complexity of the synthetic systems highlights the gaps in our current knowledge of RNA regulation. This study demonstrates that there are novel ways to regulate canonical Shine-Dalgarno-led mRNAs in Escherichia coli, illustrating that our understanding of the fundamental processes of translation and RNA regulation is still incomplete. Even for E. coli, one of the most-studied model organisms, genes with translation initiation mechanisms that do not fit the canonical Shine-Dalgarno sequence paradigm are being revealed. Uncovering diverse mechanisms that control translational expression will allow synthetic biologists to finely tune protein production of desired gene products.

scholarly journals Lineage-Specific Methyltransferases Define the Methylome of the Globally Disseminated Escherichia coli ST131 Clone

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Forde ◽  
Minh-Duy Phan ◽  
Jayde A. Gawthorne ◽  
Melinda M. Ashcroft ◽  
Mitchell Stanton-Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Mobile Genetic Elements ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Type I ◽  
Smrt Sequencing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTEscherichia colisequence type 131 (ST131) is a clone of uropathogenicE. colithat has emerged rapidly and disseminated globally in both clinical and community settings. Members of the ST131 lineage from across the globe have been comprehensively characterized in terms of antibiotic resistance, virulence potential, and pathogenicity, but to date nothing is known about the methylome of these important human pathogens. Here we used single-molecule real-time (SMRT) PacBio sequencing to determine the methylome ofE. coliEC958, the most-well-characterized completely sequenced ST131 strain. Our analysis of 52,081 methylated adenines in the genome of EC958 discovered threem6A methylation motifs that have not been described previously. Subsequent SMRT sequencing of isogenic knockout mutants identified the two type I methyltransferases (MTases) and one type IIG MTase responsible form6A methylation of novel recognition sites. Although both type I sites were rare, the type IIG sites accounted for more than 12% of all methylated adenines in EC958. Analysis of the distribution of MTase genes across 95 ST131 genomes revealed their prevalence is highly conserved within the ST131 lineage, with most variation due to the presence or absence of mobile genetic elements on which individual MTase genes are located.IMPORTANCEDNA modification plays a crucial role in bacterial regulation. Despite several examples demonstrating the role of methyltransferase (MTase) enzymes in bacterial virulence, investigation of this phenomenon on a whole-genome scale has remained elusive until now. Here we used single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to determine the first complete methylome of a strain from the multidrug-resistantE. colisequence type 131 (ST131) lineage. By interrogating the methylome computationally and with further SMRT sequencing of isogenic mutants representing previously uncharacterized MTase genes, we defined the target sequences of three novel ST131-specific MTases and determined the genomic distribution of all MTase target sequences. Using a large collection of 95 previously sequenced ST131 genomes, we identified mobile genetic elements as a major factor driving diversity in DNA methylation patterns. Overall, our analysis highlights the potential for DNA methylation to dramatically influence gene regulation at the transcriptional level within a well-definedE. coliclone.

scholarly journals Characterization of a Novel Microcin That Kills Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and O26

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (18) ◽  
pp. 6592-6599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren J. Eberhart ◽  
James R. Deringer ◽  
Kelly A. Brayton ◽  
Ashish A. Sawant ◽  
Thomas E. Besser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Logarithmic Phase ◽  
Type I ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Secretion Pathway ◽  
Dependent Inhibition

ABSTRACTA novel phenotype was recently identified in which specific strains ofEscherichia coliinhibit competingE. colistrains via a mechanism that was designated “proximity-dependent inhibition” (PDI). PDI-expressing (PDI+)E. coliis known to inhibit susceptible (PDI−)E. colistrains, including several enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and enterotoxigenic (ETEC)E. colistrains. In this study, every strain from a genetically diverse panel ofE. coliO157:H7 (n= 25) and additional strains ofE. coliserovar O26 were susceptible to the PDI phenotype. LIVE/DEAD staining was consistent with inhibition by killing of susceptible cells. Comparative genome analysis identified the genetic component of PDI, which is composed of a plasmid-borne (Incl1) operon encoding a putative microcin and associated genes for transport, immunity, and microcin activation. Transfer of the plasmid to a PDI−strain resulted in transfer of the phenotype, and deletion of the genes within the operon resulted in loss of the inhibition phenotype. Deletion of chromosomally encodedtolCalso resulted in loss of the inhibitory phenotype, and this confirmed that the putative microcin is most likely secreted via a type I secretion pathway. Deletion of an unrelated plasmid gene did not affect the PDI phenotype. Quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR demonstrated that microcin expression is correlated with logarithmic-phase growth. The ability to inhibit a diversity ofE. colistrains indicates that this microcin may influence gut community composition and could be useful for control of important enteric pathogens.

scholarly journals Positive Effect of Carbon Sources on Natural Transformation in Escherichia coli: Role of Low-Level Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP Receptor Protein in the Derepression ofrpoS

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (20) ◽  
pp. 3317-3328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyue Guo ◽  
Huanyu Wang ◽  
Nengbin Xie ◽  
Zhixiong Xie
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Transformation Frequency ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Camp Receptor Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Camp Receptor

ABSTRACTNatural plasmid transformation ofEscherichia coliis a complex process that occurs strictly on agar plates and requires the global stress response factor σS. Here, we showed that additional carbon sources could significantly enhance the transformability ofE. coli. Inactivation of phosphotransferase system genes (ptsH,ptsG, andcrr) caused an increase in the transformation frequency, and the addition of cyclic AMP (cAMP) neutralized the promotional effect of carbon sources. This implies a negative role of cAMP in natural transformation. Further study showed thatcrpandcyaAmutations conferred a higher transformation frequency, suggesting that the cAMP-cAMP receptor protein (CRP) complex has an inhibitory effect on transformation. Moreover, we observed thatrpoSis negatively regulated by cAMP-CRP in early log phase and that bothcrpandcyaAmutants show no transformation superiority whenrpoSis knocked out. Therefore, it can be concluded that both thecrpandcyaAmutations derepressrpoSexpression in early log phase, whereby they aid in the promotion of natural transformation ability. We also showed that the accumulation of RpoS during early log phase can account for the enhanced transformation aroused by additional carbon sources. Our results thus demonstrated that the presence of additional carbon sources promotes competence development and natural transformation by reducing cAMP-CRP and, thus, derepressingrpoSexpression during log phase. This finding could contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between nutrition state and competence, as well as the mechanism of natural plasmid transformation inE. coli.IMPORTANCEEscherichia coli, which is not usually considered to be naturally transformable, was found to spontaneously take up plasmid DNA on agar plates. Researching the mechanism of natural transformation is important for understanding the role of transformation in evolution, as well as in the transfer of pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance genes. In this work, we found that carbon sources significantly improve transformation by decreasing cAMP. Then, the low level of cAMP-CRP derepresses the general stress response regulator RpoS via a biphasic regulatory pattern, thereby contributing to transformation. Thus, we demonstrate the mechanism by which carbon sources affect natural transformation, which is important for revealing information about the interplay between nutrition state and competence development inE. coli.

scholarly journals The Escherichia colirhaSR-PrhaBADInducible Promoter System Allows Tightly Controlled Gene Expression over a Wide Range in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (22) ◽  
pp. 6715-6727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Meisner ◽  
Joanna B. Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Catabolite Repression ◽  
Inducible Promoter ◽  
Translational Initiation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Promoter System

ABSTRACTThearaC-ParaBADinducible promoter system is tightly controlled and allows gene expression to be modulated over a wide range inEscherichia coli, which has led to its widespread use in other bacteria. Although anecdotal evidence suggests thataraC-ParaBADis leaky inPseudomonas aeruginosa, neither a thorough analysis of this inducible promoter system inP. aeruginosanor a concerted effort to identify alternatives with improved functionality has been reported. Here, we evaluated the functionality of thearaC-ParaBADsystem inP. aeruginosa. Using transcriptional fusions to alacZreporter gene, we determined that the noninduced expression fromaraC-ParaBADis high and cannot be reduced by carbon catabolite repression as it can inE. coli. Modulating translational initiation by altering ribosome-binding site strength reduced the noninduced activity but also decreased the maximal induced activity and narrowed the induction range. Integrating the inducible promoter system into the posttranscriptional regulatory network that controls catabolite repression inP. aeruginosasignificantly decreased the noninduced activity and increased the induction range. In addition to these improvements in the functionality of thearaC-ParaBADsystem, we found that thelacIq-PtacandrhaSR-PrhaBADinducible promoter systems had significantly lower noninduced expression and were inducible over a broader range thanaraC-ParaBAD. We demonstrated that noninduced expression from thearaC-ParaBADsystem supported the function of genes involved in antibiotic resistance and tryptophan biosynthesis inP. aeruginosa, problems that were avoided withrhaSR-PrhaBAD. rhaSR-PrhaBADis tightly controlled, allows gene expression over a wide range, and represents a significant improvement overaraC-ParaBADinP. aeruginosa.IMPORTANCEWe report the shortcomings of the commonly usedEscherichia coli araC-ParaBADinducible promoter system inPseudomonas aeruginosa, successfully reengineered it to improve its functionality, and show that theE. colirhaSR-PrhaBADsystem is tightly controlled and allows inducible gene expression over a wide range inP. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Determining the Specificity of Cascade Binding, Interference, and Primed Adaptation In Vivo in the Escherichia coli Type I-E CRISPR-Cas System

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e02100-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Cooper ◽  
Anne M. Stringer ◽  
Joseph T. Wade
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Dna Interaction ◽  
Type I ◽  
Base Pairing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Target Sites

ABSTRACT In clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) immunity systems, short CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) are bound by Cas proteins, and these complexes target invading nucleic acid molecules for degradation in a process known as interference. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, the Cas protein complex that binds DNA is known as Cascade. Association of Cascade with target DNA can also lead to acquisition of new immunity elements in a process known as primed adaptation. Here, we assess the specificity determinants for Cascade-DNA interaction, interference, and primed adaptation in vivo, for the type I-E system of Escherichia coli. Remarkably, as few as 5 bp of crRNA-DNA are sufficient for association of Cascade with a DNA target. Consequently, a single crRNA promotes Cascade association with numerous off-target sites, and the endogenous E. coli crRNAs direct Cascade binding to >100 chromosomal sites. In contrast to the low specificity of Cascade-DNA interactions, >18 bp are required for both interference and primed adaptation. Hence, Cascade binding to suboptimal, off-target sites is inert. Our data support a model in which the initial Cascade association with DNA targets requires only limited sequence complementarity at the crRNA 5′ end whereas recruitment and/or activation of the Cas3 nuclease, a prerequisite for interference and primed adaptation, requires extensive base pairing. IMPORTANCE Many bacterial and archaeal species encode CRISPR-Cas immunity systems that protect against invasion by foreign DNA. In the Escherichia coli CRISPR-Cas system, a protein complex, Cascade, binds 61-nucleotide (nt) CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). The Cascade complex is directed to invading DNA molecules through base pairing between the crRNA and target DNA. This leads to recruitment of the Cas3 nuclease, which destroys the invading DNA molecule and promotes acquisition of new immunity elements. We made the first in vivo measurements of Cascade binding to DNA targets. Thus, we show that Cascade binding to DNA is highly promiscuous; endogenous E. coli crRNAs can direct Cascade binding to >100 chromosomal locations. In contrast, we show that targeted degradation and acquisition of new immunity elements require highly specific association of Cascade with DNA, limiting CRISPR-Cas function to the appropriate targets.

scholarly journals Characterization of a Large Antibiotic Resistance Plasmid Found in Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strain B171 and Its Relatedness to Plasmids of Diverse E. coli and Shigella Strains

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy H. Hazen ◽  
Jane Michalski ◽  
Sushma Nagaraj ◽  
Iruka N. Okeke ◽  
David A. Rasko
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Virulence Plasmid ◽  
Type I ◽  
Epec Strain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Resistance Plasmid ◽  
Resistance Plasmids

ABSTRACT Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a leading cause of severe infantile diarrhea in developing countries. Previous research has focused on the diversity of the EPEC virulence plasmid, whereas less is known regarding the genetic content and distribution of antibiotic resistance plasmids carried by EPEC. A previous study demonstrated that in addition to the virulence plasmid, reference EPEC strain B171 harbors a second, larger plasmid that confers antibiotic resistance. To further understand the genetic diversity and dissemination of antibiotic resistance plasmids among EPEC strains, we describe the complete sequence of an antibiotic resistance plasmid from EPEC strain B171. The resistance plasmid, pB171_90, has a completed sequence length of 90,229 bp, a GC content of 54.55%, and carries protein-encoding genes involved in conjugative transfer, resistance to tetracycline (tetA), sulfonamides (sulI), and mercury, as well as several virulence-associated genes, including the transcriptional regulator hha and the putative calcium sequestration inhibitor (csi). In silico detection of the pB171_90 genes among 4,798 publicly available E. coli genome assemblies indicates that the unique genes of pB171_90 (csi and traI) are primarily restricted to genomes identified as EPEC or enterotoxigenic E. coli. However, conserved regions of the pB171_90 plasmid containing genes involved in replication, stability, and antibiotic resistance were identified among diverse E. coli pathotypes. Interestingly, pB171_90 also exhibited significant similarity with a sequenced plasmid from Shigella dysenteriae type I. Our findings demonstrate the mosaic nature of EPEC antibiotic resistance plasmids and highlight the need for additional sequence-based characterization of antibiotic resistance plasmids harbored by pathogenic E. coli.

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