Open AccessNative Plasmid-Encoded Mercury Resistance Genes Are Functional and Demonstrate Natural Transformation in Environmental Bacterial Isolates
Author(s) -
Ankita Kothari,
Drishti Soneja,
Albert Tang,
Hans K. Carlson,
Adam M. Deutschbauer,
Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
msystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2379-5077
DOI - 10.1128/msystems.00588-19
Subject(s) - plasmid , horizontal gene transfer , biology , operon , bacteria , genetics , transformation (genetics) , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , bacterial genetics , mobile genetic elements , population , genome , demography , sociology
Horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements via natural transformation has been poorly understood in environmental microbes. Here, we confirm the functionality of a native plasmid-encoded mercury resistance operon in a model microbe and then query for the dissemination of this resistance trait via natural transformation into environmental bacterial isolates. We identified 17 strains including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to be naturally competent. These strains were able to successfully take up the plasmid DNA and obtain a clear growth advantage in the presence of mercury. Our study provides important insights into gene dissemination via natural transformation enabling rapid adaptation to dynamic stresses in groundwater environments.