Abstract
DNA transfer between bacteria has a long and storied history. Starting shortly after the discovery by Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty that DNA was the genetic material, the exchange of DNA between bacteria confirmed that DNA transfer could stably change the phenotypic behavior of organisms. Continued effort along these lines led to the discovery of conjugation systems, bacteriophage transduction, bacterial genome mapping, and to some represents the birth of molecular biology. Recent findings by Dubey and Ben-Yehuda (2011) expand on these early results by suggesting that exchange between bacteria may occur continuously under certain growth conditions via nanotubes. These nanotubes have a structure similar to cell membranes and are sensitive to mild detergent treatment. Transfer of protein and plasmid DNA was demonstrated directly between neighboring and distant bacteria of the same and different genera. Transfer of RNA cannot be ruled out and the transfer of chromosomal DNA was not addressed. This work may reveal an important mechanism behind the spread of antibiotic resistance, however, much work remains to be done in order to confirm or refute the role of this mechanism in the dangerous spread of antibiotic resistance within the prokaryotic biosphere. The work of early molecular biology pioneers can be used as inspiration, if not as a direct template to guide future experimental confirmation.
Highlights
Recent studies by Dubey and Ben-Yehuda (2011) reported in the journal Cell indicate that intracellular molecules including metabolites, protein, mRNA, and plasmid DNA may be readily transferred between adjacent bacteria via nanotubes (Dubey and Ben-Yehuda, 2011)
Did the results indicate the exchange of DNA, “mating” between bacteria, the frequency of appearance confirmed the basis for the failure of previous attempts using single mutations, i.e., the rate of reversion was nearly identical to the spontaneous rate of appearance of prototrophs
The cells were washed extensively following incubation in calcein, there was no control provided that would account for potential carry over of calcein that may explain the appearance of fluorescence in the recipient bacteria. Additional controls for these experiments may include steps to demonstrate the absence of retention of active calcein on the outer cell surface and determine whether nanotubes are only associated with metabolically active bacteria
Summary
Recent studies by Dubey and Ben-Yehuda (2011) reported in the journal Cell indicate that intracellular molecules including metabolites, protein, mRNA, and plasmid DNA may be readily transferred between adjacent bacteria via nanotubes (Dubey and Ben-Yehuda, 2011). Ficht , Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, TAMUs 4467, College Station, TX 77843, USA. INTRODUCTION Recent studies by Dubey and Ben-Yehuda (2011) reported in the journal Cell indicate that intracellular molecules including metabolites, protein, mRNA, and plasmid DNA may be readily transferred between adjacent bacteria via nanotubes (Dubey and Ben-Yehuda, 2011).
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