Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.

The exchange of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes between aquaculture and terrestrial microbial populations has emerged as a serious public health concern. However, the nature of the mobile genetic elements in marine bacteria is poorly documented. To gain insight into the genetic mechanisms under...

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Main Authors: Lisa Nonaka, Michiaki Masuda, Hirokazu Yano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271627
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author Lisa Nonaka
Michiaki Masuda
Hirokazu Yano
author_facet Lisa Nonaka
Michiaki Masuda
Hirokazu Yano
author_sort Lisa Nonaka
collection DOAJ
description The exchange of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes between aquaculture and terrestrial microbial populations has emerged as a serious public health concern. However, the nature of the mobile genetic elements in marine bacteria is poorly documented. To gain insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying AMR gene transfer from marine bacteria, we mated a multidrug-resistant Vibrio alfacsensis strain with an Escherichia coli strain, and then determined the complete genome sequences of the donor and the transconjugant strains. Sequence analysis revealed a conjugative multidrug resistance plasmid in the donor strain, which was integrated into the chromosome of the recipient. The plasmid backbone in the transconjugant chromosome was flanked by two copies of a 7.1 kb unclassifiable integrative element harboring a β-lactamase gene. The 7.1 kb element and the previously reported element Tn6283 share four coding sequences, two of which encode the catalytic R-H-R-Y motif of tyrosine recombinases. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing experiments revealed that these elements generate a circular copy of one specific strand without leaving an empty site on the donor molecule, in contrast to the movement of integron gene cassettes or ICE/IMEs discovered to date. These elements are termed SEs (strand-biased circularizing integrative elements): SE-6945 (the 7.1 kb element) and SE-6283 (Tn6283). The copy number and location of SE-6945 in the chromosome affected the antibiotic resistance levels of the transconjugants. SEs were identified in the genomes of other Vibrio species. Overall, these results suggest that SEs are involved in the spread of AMR genes among marine bacteria.
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spelling doaj.art-09acc62c7d2d4184920530c8deaf8d292022-12-22T04:03:16ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01178e027162710.1371/journal.pone.0271627Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.Lisa NonakaMichiaki MasudaHirokazu YanoThe exchange of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes between aquaculture and terrestrial microbial populations has emerged as a serious public health concern. However, the nature of the mobile genetic elements in marine bacteria is poorly documented. To gain insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying AMR gene transfer from marine bacteria, we mated a multidrug-resistant Vibrio alfacsensis strain with an Escherichia coli strain, and then determined the complete genome sequences of the donor and the transconjugant strains. Sequence analysis revealed a conjugative multidrug resistance plasmid in the donor strain, which was integrated into the chromosome of the recipient. The plasmid backbone in the transconjugant chromosome was flanked by two copies of a 7.1 kb unclassifiable integrative element harboring a β-lactamase gene. The 7.1 kb element and the previously reported element Tn6283 share four coding sequences, two of which encode the catalytic R-H-R-Y motif of tyrosine recombinases. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing experiments revealed that these elements generate a circular copy of one specific strand without leaving an empty site on the donor molecule, in contrast to the movement of integron gene cassettes or ICE/IMEs discovered to date. These elements are termed SEs (strand-biased circularizing integrative elements): SE-6945 (the 7.1 kb element) and SE-6283 (Tn6283). The copy number and location of SE-6945 in the chromosome affected the antibiotic resistance levels of the transconjugants. SEs were identified in the genomes of other Vibrio species. Overall, these results suggest that SEs are involved in the spread of AMR genes among marine bacteria.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271627
spellingShingle Lisa Nonaka
Michiaki Masuda
Hirokazu Yano
Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.
PLoS ONE
title Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.
title_full Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.
title_fullStr Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.
title_full_unstemmed Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.
title_short Atypical integrative element with strand-biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis.
title_sort atypical integrative element with strand biased circularization activity assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from vibrio alfacsensis
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271627
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AT michiakimasuda atypicalintegrativeelementwithstrandbiasedcircularizationactivityassistsinterspeciesantimicrobialresistancegenetransferfromvibrioalfacsensis
AT hirokazuyano atypicalintegrativeelementwithstrandbiasedcircularizationactivityassistsinterspeciesantimicrobialresistancegenetransferfromvibrioalfacsensis