Conjugation in Gram-positive bacteria

Conjugation in Gram-positive bacteria team
Descripción del grupo

Most bacteria contain one or more autonomously replicating units called plasmids, which have a modular structure. Besides an essential DNA replication module, many plasmids contain a conjugation module containing all the genes required for transfer of the plasmid from a donor to a recipient cell via a connecting pore. These plasmids, named conjugative plasmids, often contain toxin, virulence and/or antibiotic resistance genes. Conjugation is the main horizontal gene transfer route responsible for the spread of these genes. Particularly antibiotic resistance is an increasing global problem affecting the health of humans and animals and causing large economic losses. Understanding different aspects of the conjugation process is essential for designing strategies or drugs to combat conjugation-mediated spread of antibiotic resistance. Little is known about conjugation in Gram-positive (G+) bacteria, which is why started to study this topic several years ago. Our studies were initially focused on plasmid pLS20 from Bacillus subtilis, but recently we found that pLS20 is the prototype of a family of related plasmids that allowed broadening our studies. Conjugation can be divided into four steps: (i) recognition/attachment of the donor to the recipient cell, (ii) producing the channel through which the DNA is transferred, (iii) generating the ssDNA that is transferred, and (iv) establishment in the new host. We address all these steps in our studies using a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with other laboratories. One of our recent discoveries is that most conjugation operons possess a novel two-component antitermination system essential for proper expression of the conjugation genes. This discovery changes our view on conjugation-related spread of antibiotic resistance.

Investigador principal
Wilfried J.J. Meijer
Miembros
-4
Centro/Departamento
Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC-Universidad Autónoma Madrid; Program: Microbes in health and welfare
Organismo
CSIC
Principales líneas de investigación
Transcriptional regulation of the conjugation genes
recipient cell selection and attachment
Analysis of the novel two-component processive antitermination conAn
Processing of DNA to generate ssDNA that is transferred
Establishment of the conjugative element in the novel host
Palabras clave
Gram-positive bacteria
Bacillus
pLS20
pLS20 family of plasmids
transcriptional regulation
Vinculación con las líneas estratégicas del PRAN
Investigación
Vinculación con las líneas de investigación del PRAN
Transmisión de la resistencia
Resultados del Grupo de Investigación
Adjunto Size
Publications_up to 2023.pdf 377.48 KB