Dynamics Of Horizontal Gene Transfer Research Articles

Robust analysis of prokaryotic pangenome gene gain and loss rates with Panstripe.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a critical role in the evolution and diversification of many microbial species. The resulting dynamics of gene gain and loss can have important implications for the development of antibiotic resistance and the design of vaccine and drug interventions. Methods for the analysis of gene presence/absence patterns typically do not account for errors introduced in the automated annotation and clustering of gene sequences. In particular, methods adapted from ecological studies, including the pangenome gene accumulation curve, can be misleading as they may reflect the underlying diversity in the temporal sampling of genomes rather than a difference in the dynamics of HGT. Here, we introduce Panstripe, a method based on generalized linear regression that is robust to population structure, sampling bias, and errors in the predicted presence/absence of genes. We show using simulations that Panstripe can effectively identify differences in the rate and number of genes involved in HGT events, and illustrate its capability by analyzing several diverse bacterial genome data sets representing major human pathogens.

Non-Darwinian Selection of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance

Resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is an inevitable consequence of long-term exposure to sub lethal drug concentrations, and the problem has been greatly exacerbated by inappropriate use. Resistance can be conferred by chromosomal mutations that are passed on in normal cell division (vertical gene transfer) or by horizontal gene transfer processes such as conjugation. Darwinian natural selection implies that individual organisms possessing a survival advantage over their peers will represent an increasing proportion of the total population in subsequent generations. Using the techniques of evolutionary dynamics, we have modelled the selection of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria resulting from either vertical or horizontal gene transfer, and the consequences of these events for drug sensitivity. Our model suggests that the dynamics of horizontal gene transfer are such that plasmid-bearing bacteria may dominate a population despite having a growth disadvantage compared to the same bacteria that do not carry the plasmid. Horizontal gene transfer than by vertical transfer propagates antibiotic resistance more rapidly. These findings have implications for the design of combination drug regimens for treatment of bacterial infections.

Experimental Evolution of Bacillus subtilis Reveals the Evolutionary Dynamics of Horizontal Gene Transfer and Suggests Adaptive and Neutral Effects.

Tracing evolutionary processes that lead to fixation of genomic variation in wild bacterial populations is a prime challenge in molecular evolution. In particular, the relative contribution of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) vs.de novo mutations during adaptation to a new environment is poorly understood. To gain a better understanding of the dynamics of HGT and its effect on adaptation, we subjected several populations of competent Bacillus subtilis to a serial dilution evolution on a high-salt-containing medium, either with or without foreign DNA from diverse pre-adapted or naturally salt tolerant species. Following 504 generations of evolution, all populations improved growth yield on the medium. Sequencing of evolved populations revealed extensive acquisition of foreign DNA from close Bacillus donors but not from more remote donors. HGT occurred in bursts, whereby a single bacterial cell appears to have acquired dozens of fragments at once. In the largest burst, close to 2% of the genome has been replaced by HGT. Acquired segments tend to be clustered in integration hotspots. Other than HGT, genomes also acquired spontaneous mutations. Many of these mutations occurred within, and seem to alter, the sequence of flagellar proteins. Finally, we show that, while some HGT fragments could be neutral, others are adaptive and accelerate evolution.

626. Mobile Genetic Element Dynamics of Co-Circulating Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Types Carrying blaKPC in Houston, Texas

BackgroundCarbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kpn) are a significant cause of hospital-associated infections. Class A β-lactamases, e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs), are major contributors to carbapenem resistance. Sequence type 258 (ST258) is the most common genetic lineage of CR-Kpn associated with blaKPC carriage. Recently, a newly emergent lineage ST307 has been identified within the Houston metropolitan region. The transmission of blaKPC and other antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes is driven largely by exchange of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). We sought to describe the dynamics of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in particular between co-circulating strains of ST307 and ST258.MethodsLong-read sequencing technologies allow us to resolve plasmid sequences and their associated AMR genes as well as characterize a comprehensive range of MGEs enabling transmission of these clinically important resistance mechanisms. CR-Kpn isolates were collected as part of a study to describe CRE burden within a Houston metropolitan hospital system. The Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) GridION X5 was used for long-read sequencing with Illumina short-read data used to refine and generate high-quality, consensus assemblies. A custom bioinformatic pipeline was used to resolve plasmid structures and identify the genomic context of plasmids carrying blaKPC variants.Results95 Kpn isolates were collected from May to December 2017. Phylogenetic and in silico MLST analysis revealed 38/95 (40%) and 35/95 (37%) were ST258 and ST307, respectively. 86% of Kpn isolates carried one or more IncF-type conjugative plasmids, which were the prime vectors for blaKPC intercellular transmission. Interestingly, we found similar AMR-harboring plasmids within ST258 and ST307 composed of mosaic, modular IS26 and Tn3-like transposase mediated elements that carried multiple AMR determinants including blaKPC variants (Figure 1).ConclusionWe were able to characterize mechanisms by which ST307 and ST258 lineages may transfer AMR determinants. There are clinically relevant implications to these HGT events that occur between these lineages as they may provide insights into how resistance differentially develops. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Mathematical modelling to study the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria: current state of the field and recommendations.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest public health challenges we are currently facing. To develop effective interventions against this, it is essential to understand the processes behind the spread of AMR. These are partly dependent on the dynamics of horizontal transfer of resistance genes between bacteria, which can occur by conjugation (direct contact), transformation (uptake from the environment) or transduction (mediated by bacteriophages). Mathematical modelling is a powerful tool to investigate the dynamics of AMR; however, the extent of its use to study the horizontal transfer of AMR genes is currently unclear. In this systematic review, we searched for mathematical modelling studies that focused on horizontal transfer of AMR genes. We compared their aims and methods using a list of predetermined criteria and used our results to assess the current state of this research field. Of the 43 studies we identified, most focused on the transfer of single genes by conjugation in Escherichia coli in culture and its impact on the bacterial evolutionary dynamics. Our findings highlight the existence of an important research gap in the dynamics of transformation and transduction and the overall public health implications of horizontal transfer of AMR genes. To further develop this field and improve our ability to control AMR, it is essential that we clarify the structural complexity required to study the dynamics of horizontal gene transfer, which will require cooperation between microbiologists and modellers.

Distinct evolutionary dynamics of horizontal gene transfer in drug resistant and virulent clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as an important cause of two distinct public health threats: multi-drug resistant (MDR) healthcare-associated infections and drug susceptible community-acquired invasive infections. These pathotypes are generally associated with two distinct subsets of K. pneumoniae lineages or ‘clones’ that are distinguished by the presence of acquired resistance genes and several key virulence loci. Genomic evolutionary analyses of the most notorious MDR and invasive community-associated (‘hypervirulent’) clones indicate differences in terms of chromosomal recombination dynamics and capsule polysaccharide diversity, but it remains unclear if these differences represent generalised trends. Here we leverage a collection of >2200 K. pneumoniae genomes to identify 28 common clones (n ≥ 10 genomes each), and perform the first genomic evolutionary comparison. Eight MDR and 6 hypervirulent clones were identified on the basis of acquired resistance and virulence gene prevalence. Chromosomal recombination, surface polysaccharide locus diversity, pan-genome, plasmid and phage dynamics were characterised and compared. The data showed that MDR clones were highly diverse, with frequent chromosomal recombination generating extensive surface polysaccharide locus diversity. Additional pan-genome diversity was driven by frequent acquisition/loss of both plasmids and phage. In contrast, chromosomal recombination was rare in the hypervirulent clones, which also showed a significant reduction in pan-genome diversity, largely driven by a reduction in plasmid diversity. Hence the data indicate that hypervirulent clones may be subject to some sort of constraint for horizontal gene transfer that does not apply to the MDR clones. Our findings are relevant for understanding the risk of emergence of individual K. pneumoniae strains carrying both virulence and acquired resistance genes, which have been increasingly reported and cause highly virulent infections that are extremely difficult to treat. Specifically, our data indicate that MDR clones pose the greatest risk, because they are more likely to acquire virulence genes than hypervirulent clones are to acquire resistance genes.

Unexpected aspects in the dynamics of horizontal gene transfer of prokaryotes: the impact of outer membrane vesicles.

SummaryHorizontal gene transfer (HGT) was observed by incubation of an amino acid-deficient strain of Escherichia coli (AB1157) with particles gained from an oligotrophic environment, when all deficiencies were restored with frequencies up to 1.94 × 10−5 and no preference for a single marker. Hence, the DNA transfer to the revertant cells was carried out by generalized transduction. Those particles display structural features of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) but contain high amounts of DNA. Due to a process called serial transduction, the revertant’s particles were likewise transferring genetic information to deficient E. coli AB1157 cells. These results indicate a new way of HGT, in which mobilized DNA is transferred in particles from the donor to the recipient. Extracted OMV-associated DNA of known alpha-, and gamma-proteobacterials, Ahrensia kielensis and Pseudoalteromonas marina, respectively, was larger than 30 kbp with all sequences in single copy and identified as prokaryotic sequences. Inserted viral sequences were not found.

Pherotypes are driving genetic differentiation within Streptococcus pneumoniae

BackgroundThe boundaries of bacterial species and the mechanisms underlying bacterial speciation are matters of intense debate. Theoretical studies have shown that recombination acts as a strong cohesive force preventing divergence in bacterial populations. Streptococcus pneumoniae populations have the telltale signs of high recombination with competence implicated as the major driving force behind gene exchange. Competence in S. pneumoniae is triggered by a quorum-sensing mechanism controlled by the competence-stimulating peptide pheromone.ResultsWe studied the distribution of the two major pherotypes in the pneumococcal population and their association with serotype, antimicrobial resistance and genetic lineage. Using multilocus sequence data we evaluated pherotype influence on the dynamics of horizontal gene transfer. We show that pherotype is a clonal property of pneumococci. Standard population genetic analysis and multilocus infinite allele model simulations support the hypothesis that two genetically differentiated populations are defined by the major pherotypes.ConclusionSevere limitations to gene flow can therefore occur in bacterial species in the absence of geographical barriers and within highly recombinogenic populations. This departure from panmixia can have important consequences for our understanding of the response of pneumococci to human imposed selective pressures such as vaccination and antibiotic use.

Dynamics of Horizontal Gene Transfer and the Ecological Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Organisms

The extensive published discussion of potential ecological impacts of introduced genetic sequences and genetically engineered organisms has lacked a quantified delineation of the critical questions for the estimation of risk. Ultimately, the ecological risk assessment of introduced gene sequences is the application of evolution, population genetics, and ecology to risk estimation and decision making. This paper provides a framework for the estimation of risk due to introduced sequences in bacteria, and the principles should also hold for many diploid species. Horizontal genetic exchange poses new challenges for ecological risk assessment. Plasmid transfer can occur without any impacts, although the sequence can become ubiquitous in the population. Conversely, the introduction of a plasmid can change the dynamics of the host population, potentially altering the population minimum and maximum characteristics of its dynamics. Because of genetic exchange, new genetic information is unlikely to be constrained among one type of prokaryote. An example of the use of the model is given using genetic exchange data from a series of published soil microcosm experiments. The model demonstrates the increase in plasmid frequency when using experimentally derived conjugation frequencies. Application of these results to ongoing discussion of the risks of genetically engineered organisms is presented. Particular attention is paid to the transfer of genetic material and the resultant changes in host population dynamics.