Bacterial chromosomal mobility via lateral transduction exceeds that of classical mobile genetic elements

Humphrey, S. , Fillol-Salom, A. , Quiles-Puchalt, N., Ibarra-Chávez, R., Haag, A. F. , Chen, J. and Penadés, J. R. (2021) Bacterial chromosomal mobility via lateral transduction exceeds that of classical mobile genetic elements. Nature Communications, 12, 6509. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-26004-5) (PMID:34750368) (PMCID:PMC8575950)

Abstract

It is commonly assumed that the horizontal transfer of most bacterial chromosomal genes is limited, in contrast to the frequent transfer observed for typical mobile genetic elements. However, this view has been recently challenged by the discovery of lateral transduction in Staphylococcus aureus, where temperate phages can drive the transfer of large chromosomal regions at extremely high frequencies. Here, we analyse previously published as well as new datasets to compare horizontal gene transfer rates mediated by different mechanisms in S. aureus and Salmonella enterica. We find that the horizontal transfer of core chromosomal genes via lateral transduction can be more efficient than the transfer of classical mobile genetic elements via conjugation or generalized transduction. These results raise questions about our definition of mobile genetic elements, and the potential roles played by lateral transduction in bacterial evolution.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ibarra Chavez, Mr Rodrigo and Penades, Prof Jose R and Haag, Dr Andreas and Fillol Salom, Mr Alfred and Quiles Puchalt, Miss Nuria and Humphrey, Dr Suzie
• Authors: Humphrey, S., Fillol-Salom, A., Quiles-Puchalt, N., Ibarra-Chávez, R., Haag, A. F., Chen, J., and Penadés, J. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Nature Communications
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• ISSN (Online): 2041-1723
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Nature Communications 12: 6509
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
170721		Molecular biology of the PICIs, a novel and widespread family of mobile genetic elements involved in bacterial virulence	Jose R Penades	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MR/M003876/1	III - Bacteriology - Dr J Penades
304055		Deciphering Gram-negative phage-inducible chromosomal island strategies for spreading in nature	Jose R Penades	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MRS00940X/1	III - Bacteriology
172242		Understanding a novel mechanim involving pathogenity islands in the transfer of unlinked chromosomal virulence genes	Jose R Penades	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	BB/N002873/1	Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation
302971		Helper and satellite pathogenicity islands: the discovery of two novel subcellular elements with a huge impact on bacterial pathogenesis and evolution	Jose R Penades	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	BB/S003835/1	III - Bacteriology
172321		DUT-Signal	Jose R Penades	European Research Council (ERC)	670932	Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation
173671		Prof. R. Fitzgerald. Wellcome Trust Award 201531/Z/16/Z - Understanding bacterial host adaptation to combat infectious diseases	Jose R Penades	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	R44516 - WT 201531/Z/16/Z	Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation