A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Black Queen Evolution and Trophic Interactions Determine Plasmid Survival after the Disruption of the Conjugation Network




AuthorsJohannes Cairns, Katariina Koskinen, Reetta Penttinen, Tommi Patinen, Anna Hartikainen, Roosa Jokela, Liisa Ruusulehto, Sirja Viitamäki, Sari Mattila, Teppo Hiltunen, Matti Jalasvuori

PublisherAmerican Society for Microbiology

Publication year2018

JournalMSystems

Journal name in sourcemSystems

Volume3

Issue5

Number of pages14

ISSN2379-5077

eISSN2379-5077

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1128/mSystems.00104-18

Web address https://msystems.asm.org/content/3/5/e00104-18

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/36699132


Abstract

Mobile genetic elements such as conjugative plasmids are responsible for antibiotic resistance phenotypes in many bacterial pathogens. The ability to conjugate, the presence of antibiotics, and ecological interactions all have a notable role in the persistence of plasmids in bacterial populations. Here, we set out to investigate the contribution of these factors when the conjugation network was disturbed by a plasmid-dependent bacteriophage. Phage alone effectively caused the population to lose plasmids, thus rendering them susceptible to antibiotics. Leakiness of the antibiotic resistance mechanism allowing Black Queen evolution (i.e. a “race to the bottom”) was a more significant factor than the antibiotic concentration (lethal vs sublethal) in determining plasmid prevalence. Interestingly, plasmid loss was also prevented by protozoan predation. These results show that outcomes of attempts to resensitize bacterial communities by disrupting the conjugation network are highly dependent on ecological factors and resistance mechanisms.


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