Horizontal gene transfer of molecular weapons can reshape bacterial competition.

IF 9.8 1区 生物学 Q1 Agricultural and Biological Sciences
PLoS Biology Pub Date : 2025-05-21 eCollection Date: 2025-05-01 DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.3003095
Elisa T Granato, Jacob D Palmer, Christian Kirk, Connor Sharp, George Shillcock, Kevin R Foster
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Abstract

Bacteria commonly use molecular weaponry to kill or inhibit competitors. Genes encoding many weapons and their associated immunity mechanisms can be transmitted horizontally. These transfer events are striking because they appear to undermine bacterial weapons when given to competing strains. Here, we develop an ecological model of bacterial warfare to understand the impacts of horizontal gene transfer. Our model predicts that weapon gene transfer from an attacker to a target strain is possible, but will typically occur at a low rate such that transfer has a negligible impact on competition outcomes. We tested the model empirically using a transmissible plasmid encoding colicin E2, a potent antibacterial toxin produced by Escherichia coli. As predicted by the model, we find that toxin plasmid transfer is feasible during warfare, but the resulting transconjugants remain rare. However, exploring the model further reveals realistic conditions where transfer is predicted to have major impacts. Specifically, the model predicts that whenever competing strains have access to unique nutrients, transconjugants can proliferate and reach high abundances. In support of these predictions, short- and long-term experiments show that transconjugants can thrive when nutrient competition is relaxed. Our work shows how horizontal gene transfer can reshape bacterial warfare in a way that benefits a weapon gene and strains that receive it. Interestingly, we also find that there is little cost to a strain that transfers a weapon gene, which is expected to further enable the horizontal gene transfer of molecular weapons.

分子武器的水平基因转移可以重塑细菌竞争。
细菌通常使用分子武器杀死或抑制竞争对手。编码许多武器及其相关免疫机制的基因可以水平传播。这些转移事件是惊人的,因为当它们被给予竞争菌株时,它们似乎破坏了细菌武器。在这里,我们开发了细菌战的生态模型,以了解水平基因转移的影响。我们的模型预测,武器基因从攻击者转移到目标菌株是可能的,但通常发生的速率很低,因此转移对竞争结果的影响可以忽略不计。我们使用一种可传播的质粒编码大肠杆菌素E2(大肠杆菌产生的一种强效抗菌毒素)对该模型进行了经验测试。正如模型所预测的那样,我们发现毒素质粒转移在战争中是可行的,但由此产生的跨共轭子仍然很少。然而,对该模型的进一步探索揭示了预测转移产生重大影响的现实条件。具体来说,该模型预测,每当竞争菌株获得独特的营养物质时,转接合物就可以增殖并达到高丰度。为了支持这些预测,短期和长期实验表明,当营养竞争放松时,跨接合物可以茁壮成长。我们的工作显示了水平基因转移如何以一种有利于武器基因和接受它的菌株的方式重塑细菌战。有趣的是,我们还发现,转移武器基因的菌株几乎没有成本,这有望进一步实现分子武器的水平基因转移。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
PLoS Biology
PLoS Biology BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY-BIOLOGY
CiteScore
15.40
自引率
2.00%
发文量
359
审稿时长
3-8 weeks
期刊介绍: PLOS Biology is the flagship journal of the Public Library of Science (PLOS) and focuses on publishing groundbreaking and relevant research in all areas of biological science. The journal features works at various scales, ranging from molecules to ecosystems, and also encourages interdisciplinary studies. PLOS Biology publishes articles that demonstrate exceptional significance, originality, and relevance, with a high standard of scientific rigor in methodology, reporting, and conclusions. The journal aims to advance science and serve the research community by transforming research communication to align with the research process. It offers evolving article types and policies that empower authors to share the complete story behind their scientific findings with a diverse global audience of researchers, educators, policymakers, patient advocacy groups, and the general public. PLOS Biology, along with other PLOS journals, is widely indexed by major services such as Crossref, Dimensions, DOAJ, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Web of Science. Additionally, PLOS Biology is indexed by various other services including AGRICOLA, Biological Abstracts, BIOSYS Previews, CABI CAB Abstracts, CABI Global Health, CAPES, CAS, CNKI, Embase, Journal Guide, MEDLINE, and Zoological Record, ensuring that the research content is easily accessible and discoverable by a wide range of audiences.
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