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PCTX-M3-Structure, Function, and Evolution of a Multi-Resistance Conjugative Plasmid of a Broad Recipient Range.

ABSTRACT: pCTX-M3 is the archetypic member of the IncM incompatibility group of conjugative plasmids (recently referred to as IncM2). It is responsible for the worldwide dissemination of numerous antibiotic resistance genes, including those coding for extended-spectrum β-lactamases and conferring resistance to aminoglycosides. The IncM plasmids acquired during evolution diverse mobile genetic elements found in one or two multiple resistance regions, MRR(s), grouping antibiotic resistance genes as well as mobile genetic elements or their remnants. The IncM plasmids can be found in bacteria inhabiting various environments. The information on the structure and biology of pCTX-M3 is integrated in this review. It focuses on the functional modules of pCTX-M3 responsible for its replication, stable maintenance, and conjugative transfer, indicating that the host range of the pCTX-M3 replicon is limited to representatives of the family Enterobacteriaceae (Enterobacterales ord. nov.), while the range of recipients of its conjugation system is wide, comprising Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria, and also Firmicutes.

SUBMITTER: Kern-Zdanowicz I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8125031 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Conjugative plasmids are the main players in horizontal gene transfer in Gram-negative bacteria. DNA transfer tools constructed on the basis of such plasmids enable gene manipulation even in strains of clinical or environmental origin, which are often difficult to work with. The conjugation system of the IncM plasmid pCTX-M3 isolated from a clinical strain of Citrobacter freundii has been shown to enable efficient mobilization of oriT pCTX-M3-bearing plasmids into a broad range of hosts comprising Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria We constructed a helper plasmid, pMOBS, mediating such mobilization with an efficiency up to 1,000-fold higher than that achieved with native pCTX-M3. We also constructed Escherichia coli donor strains with chromosome-integrated conjugative transfer genes: S14 and S15, devoid of one putative regulator (orf35) of the pCTX-M3 tra genes, and S25 and S26, devoid of two putative regulators (orf35 and orf36) of the pCTX-M3 tra genes. Strains S14 and S15 and strains S25 and S26 are, respectively, up to 100 and 1,000 times more efficient in mobilization than pCTX-M3. Moreover, they also enable plasmid mobilization into the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis Additionally, the constructed E. coli strains carried no antibiotic resistance genes that are present in pCTX-M3 to facilitate manipulations with antibiotic-resistant recipient strains, such as those of clinical origin. To demonstrate possible application of the constructed tool, an antibacterial conjugation-based system was designed. Strain S26 was used for introduction of a mobilizable plasmid coding for a toxin, resulting in the elimination of over 90% of recipient E. coli cells.IMPORTANCE The conjugation of donor and recipient bacterial cells resulting in conjugative transfer of mobilizable plasmids is the preferred method enabling the introduction of DNA into strains for which other transfer methods are difficult to establish (e.g., clinical strains). We have constructed E. coli strains carrying the conjugation system of the IncM plasmid pCTX-M3 integrated into the chromosome. To increase the mobilization efficiency up to 1,000-fold, two putative regulators of this system, orf35 and orf36, were disabled. The constructed strains broaden the repertoire of tools for the introduction of DNA into the Gram-negative Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria, as well as into Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis The antibacterial procedure based on conjugation with the use of the orf35- and orf36-deficient strain lowered the recipient cell number by over 90% owing to the mobilizable plasmid-encoded toxin.

Project description:Plasmid conjugative transfer systems comprise type IV secretion systems (T4SS) coupled to DNA processing and replication. The T4SSs are divided into two phylogenetic subfamilies, namely, IVA and IVB, or on the basis of the phylogeny of the VirB4 ATPase, into eight groups. The conjugation system of the IncM group plasmid pCTX-M3, from Citrobacter freundii, is classified in the IVB subfamily and in the MPFI group, as are the conjugation systems of IncI1 group plasmids. Although the majority of the conjugative genes of the IncM and IncI1 plasmids display conserved synteny, there are several differences. Here, we present a deletion analysis of 27 genes in the conjugative transfer regions of pCTX-M3. Notably, the deletion of either of two genes dispensable for conjugative transfer, namely, orf35 and orf36, resulted in an increased plasmid mobilization efficiency. Transcriptional analysis of the orf35 and orf36 deletion mutants suggested an involvement of these genes in regulating the expression of conjugative transfer genes. We also revised the host range of the pCTX-M3 replicon by finding that this replicon is unable to support replication in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Ralstonia eutropha, and Pseudomonas putida, though its conjugation system is capable of introducing plasmids bearing oriTpCTX-M3 into these bacteria, which are representatives of Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria, respectively. Thus, the conjugative transfer system of pCTX-M3 has a much broader host range than its replicon.IMPORTANCE Horizontal gene transfer is responsible for rapid changes in bacterial genomes, and the conjugative transfer of plasmids has a great impact on the plasticity of bacteria. Here, we present a deletion analysis of the conjugative transfer system genes of the pCTX-M3 plasmid of the IncM group, which is responsible for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae We found that the deletion of either of the orf35 and orf36 genes, which are dispensable for conjugative transfer, increased the plasmid mobilization efficiency. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis suggested the involvement of orf35 and orf36 in regulating the expression of transfer genes. We also revised the host range of pCTX-M3 by showing that its conjugative transfer system has a much broader host range than its replicon.

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PCTX-M3-Structure, Function, and Evolution of a Multi-Resistance Conjugative Plasmid of a Broad Recipient Range.

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