Increased copy number couples the evolution of plasmid horizontal transmission and plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance.

ABSTRACT: Conjugative plasmids are mobile elements that spread horizontally between bacterial hosts and often confer adaptive phenotypes, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Theory suggests that opportunities for horizontal transmission favor plasmids with higher transfer rates, whereas selection for plasmid carriage favors less-mobile plasmids. However, little is known about the mechanisms leading to variation in transmission rates in natural plasmids or the resultant effects on their bacterial host. We investigated the evolution of AMR plasmids confronted with different immigration rates of susceptible hosts. Plasmid RP4 did not evolve in response to the manipulations, but plasmid R1 rapidly evolved up to 1,000-fold increased transfer rates in the presence of susceptible hosts. Most evolved

SUBMITTER: Dimitriu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8346908 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature