A plasmid-encoded mobile genetic element from Pseudomonas aeruginosa that confers heavy metal resistance and virulence

Publication date: Available online 29 July 2018Source: PlasmidAuthor(s): Karen C. Hernández-Ramírez, Rosa I. Reyes-Gallegos, Víctor M. Chávez-Jacobo, A. Díaz-Magaña, Víctor Meza-Carmen, Martha I. Ramírez-DíazAbstractMobile plasmid-encoded elements are DNA segments that are transferred for horizontal gene transfer and that confer adaptive proprieties, as well as virulence and antibiotic and heavy metal resistance to bacteria. The conjugative plasmid pUM505, isolated from a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, possesses a putative 31.292 kb mobile element (denominated Mpe: Mobile plasmid- encoded element) that, in addition to possessing chr genes that confer chromate resistance to Pseudomonas, contains two putative mer operons that could confer mercury resistance. Moreover, the Mpe contains genes related previously with the virulence of both P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli strains. In this work, we determined that Mpe from pUM505 was able to independently move to another DNA molecule, conferring chromate and mercury resistance to P. aeruginosa PAO1 and mercury resistance to E. coli JM101, suggesting that its transference might be beneficial to bacteria under certain environmental conditions. Additionally, the transference of Mpe increased the virulence of P. aeruginosa PAO1 against the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting its contribution to the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa. In this work, we describe a new mobile plasmid-encoded element that possess...
Source: Plasmid - Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research