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815700.9692Autologous DNA mobilization and multiplication expedite natural products discovery from bacteria. The transmission of antibiotic-resistance genes, comprising mobilization and relocation events, orchestrates the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Inspired by this evolutionarily successful paradigm, we developed ACTIMOT, a CRISPR-Cas9-based approach to unlock the vast chemical diversity concealed within bacterial genomes. ACTIMOT enables the efficient mobilization and relocation of large DNA fragments from the chromosome to replicative plasmids within the same bacterial cell. ACTIMOT circumvents the limitations of traditional molecular cloning methods involving handling and replicating large pieces of genomic DNA. Using ACTIMOT, we mobilized and activated four cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters from Streptomyces, leading to the discovery of 39 compounds across four distinct classes. This work highlights the potential of ACTIMOT for accelerating the exploration of biosynthetic pathways and the discovery of natural products.202439666857
299710.9670Genomic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli BH100 Sub-strains. The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a global health problem. Mobile genetic elements like conjugative plasmids, transposons, and integrons are the major players in spreading resistance genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) pathotype. The E. coli BH100 strain was isolated from the urinary tract of a Brazilian woman in 1974. This strain presents two plasmids carrying MDR cassettes, pBH100, and pAp, with conjugative and mobilization properties, respectively. However, its transposable elements have not been characterized. In this study, we attempted to unravel the factors involved in the mobilization of virulence and drug-resistance genes by assessing genomic rearrangements in four BH100 sub-strains (BH100 MG2014, BH100 MG2017, BH100L MG2017, and BH100N MG2017). Therefore, the complete genomes of the BH100 sub-strains were achieved through Next Generation Sequencing and submitted to comparative genomic analyses. Our data shows recombination events between the two plasmids in the sub-strain BH100 MG2017 and between pBH100 and the chromosome in BH100L MG2017. In both cases, IS3 and IS21 elements were detected upstream of Tn21 family transposons associated with MDR genes at the recombined region. These results integrated with Genomic island analysis suggest pBH100 might be involved in the spreading of drug resistance through the formation of resistance islands. Regarding pathogenicity, our results reveal that BH100 strain is closely related to UPEC strains and contains many IS3 and IS21-transposase-enriched genomic islands associated with virulence. This study concludes that those IS elements are vital for the evolution and adaptation of BH100 strain.202033584554
39320.9663Antibiotic marker modifications of lambda Red and FLP helper plasmids, pKD46 and pCP20, for inactivation of chromosomal genes using PCR products in multidrug-resistant strains. The Red recombinase system of bacteriophage Lambda has been used to inactivate chromosomal genes in bacteria using PCR products. In this study, we describe the replacement of the ampicillin resistance marker of helper plasmids pKD46 and pCP20 by a gentamicin resistance gene to disrupt chromosomal genes and then to eliminate FRT flanked resistance gene in multiple antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica strains.200818619499
35330.9656Genome modifications and cloning using a conjugally transferable recombineering system. The genetic modification of primary bacterial disease isolates is challenging due to the lack of highly efficient genetic tools. Herein we describe the development of a modified PCR-based, λ Red-mediated recombineering system for efficient deletion of genes in Gram-negative bacteria. A series of conjugally transferrable plasmids were constructed by cloning an oriT sequence and different antibiotic resistance genes into recombinogenic plasmid pKD46. Using this system we deleted ten different genes from the genomes of Edwardsiella ictaluri and Aeromonas hydrophila. A temperature sensitive and conjugally transferable flp recombinase plasmid was developed to generate markerless gene deletion mutants. We also developed an efficient cloning system to capture larger bacterial genetic elements and clone them into a conjugally transferrable plasmid for facile transferring to Gram-negative bacteria. This system should be applicable in diverse Gram-negative bacteria to modify and complement genomic elements in bacteria that cannot be manipulated using available genetic tools.201528352570
299940.9655Integrative and conjugative elements in streptococci can act as vectors for plasmids and translocatable units integrated via IS1216E. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), plasmids and translocatable units (TUs), are important drivers for the spread of antibiotic resistance. Although ICEs have been reported to support the spread of plasmids among different bacteria, their role in mobilizing resistance plasmids and TUs has not yet been fully explored. In this study, a novel TU bearing optrA, a novel non-conjugative plasmid p5303-cfrD carrying cfr(D) and a new member of the ICESa2603 family, ICESg5301 were identified in streptococci. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays revealed that three different types of cointegrates can be formed by IS1216E-mediated cointegration between the three different MGEs, including ICESg5301::p5303-cfrD::TU, ICESg5301::p5303-cfrD, and ICESg5301::TU. Conjugation assays showed that ICEs carrying p5303-cfrD and/or TU successfully transferred into recipient strains, thereby confirming that ICEs can serve as vectors for other non-conjugative MGEs, such as TUs and p5303-cfrD. As neither the TU nor plasmid p5303-cfrD can spread on their own between different bacteria, their integration into an ICE via IS1216E-mediated cointegrate formation not only increases the plasticity of ICEs, but also furthers the dissemination of plasmids and TUs carrying oxazolidinone resistance genes.202336933870
53750.9655Omegon-Km: a transposable element designed for in vivo insertional mutagenesis and cloning of genes in gram-negative bacteria. To combine the features of the omega interposons with the advantages of in vivo transposition mutagenesis, we have constructed an artificial transposon, called Omegon-Km. The Omegon-Km transposon is carried on the plasmid pJFF350 which can be conjugally mobilized into a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria. Omegon-Km is flanked, in inverted orientation, by synthetic 28-bp repeats derived from the ends of IS1. In addition, each end of Omegon-Km has the very efficient transcription and translation terminators of the omega interposon. Internally, Omegon-Km carries the selectable kanamycin (Km)-neomycin resistance gene (alph A) which is expressed well in many Gram-negative bacteria. The IS1 transposition functions are located on the donor plasmid but external to Omegon-Km. Thus, insertions of Omegon-Km are very stable because they lack the capacity for further transposition. Omegon-Km mutagenesis is performed by conjugal transfer of pJFF350 from Escherichia coli into any Gram-negative recipient strain in which this plasmid is unable to replicate. Those cells which have had a transposition event are selected by their resistance to Km. Very high frequencies of Omegon-Km transposition were observed in Pseudomonas putida. Preliminary experiments with other Gram-negative soil and water bacteria (Rhizobium leguminosarum, Paracoccus denitrificans) yielded mutants at reasonable levels. The presence of an E. coli-specific origin of replication (ori) within Omegon-Km allows the rapid and easy cloning, in E. coli, of the nucleotide sequences flanking the site of the transposition event.19892546859
35560.9654Evolution of multiple-antibiotic-resistance plasmids mediated by transposable plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequences. Two plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequences mediating multiple antibiotic resistance transposed in vivo between coexisting plasmids in clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens. This event resulted in the evolution of a transferable multiresistance plasmid. Both sequences, designated in Tn1699 and Tn1700, were flanked by inverted deoxyribonucleic acid repetitions and could transpose between replicons independently of the Excherichia coli recA gene function. Tn1699 and Tn1700 mediated ampicillin, carbenicillin, kanamycin, and gentamicin resistance but differed in the type of gentamicin-acetyltransferase enzymes that they encoded. The structural genes for these enzymes share a great deal of polynucleotide sequence similarity despite their phenotypic differences. The transposition of Tn1699 and Tn1700 to coresident transferable plasmids has contributed to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance among other gram-negative bacteria. These organisms have recently caused nosocomial infections in epidemic proportions.1979387747
981970.9651Site-specific recombination and shuffling of resistance genes in transposon Tn21. Many multidrug-resistant transposons found in natural isolates of Gram-negative bacteria are close relatives of Tn21. Thus, the Tn21 subgroup of the Tn3 family of transposable elements is the most successful homogeneous group in acquiring resistance to newly introduced antibiotics. This paper summarizes the mode of acquisition of resistance genes by these elements.19911660178
34980.9650Mini-Tn5 transposon derivatives for insertion mutagenesis, promoter probing, and chromosomal insertion of cloned DNA in gram-negative eubacteria. A collection of Tn5-derived minitransposons has been constructed that simplifies substantially the generation of insertion mutants, in vivo fusions with reporter genes, and the introduction of foreign DNA fragments into the chromosome of a variety of gram-negative bacteria, including the enteric bacteria and typical soil bacteria like Pseudomonas species. The minitransposons consist of genes specifying resistance to kanamycin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin-spectinomycin, and tetracycline as selection markers and a unique NotI cloning site flanked by 19-base-pair terminal repeat sequences of Tn5. Further derivatives also contain lacZ, phoA, luxAB, or xylE genes devoid of their native promoters located next to the terminal repeats in an orientation that affords the generation of gene-operon fusions. The transposons are located on a R6K-based suicide delivery plasmid that provides the IS50R transposase tnp gene in cis but external to the mobile element and whose conjugal transfer to recipients is mediated by RP4 mobilization functions in the donor.19902172217
53590.9650Improved broad-host-range plasmids for DNA cloning in gram-negative bacteria. Improved broad-host-range plasmid vectors were constructed based on existing plasmids RSF1010 and RK404. The new plasmids pDSK509, pDSK519, and pRK415, have several additional cloning sites and improved antibiotic-resistance genes which facilitate subcloning and mobilization into various Gram-negative bacteria. Several new polylinker sites were added to the Escherichia coli plasmids pUC118 and pUC119, resulting in the new plasmids, pUC128 and pUC129. These plasmids facilitate the transfer of cloned DNA fragments to the broad-host-range vectors. Finally, the broad-host-range cosmid cloning vector pLAFR3 was improved by the addition of a double cos casette to generate the new plasmid, pLAFR5. This latter cosmid simplifies vector preparation and has permitted the rapid cloning of genomic DNA fragments generated with Sau3A. The resulting clones may be introduced into other Gram-negative bacteria by conjugation.19882853689
348100.9646Conjugative DNA transfer in Streptomyces by TraB: is one protein enough? Antibiotic-producing soil bacteria of the genus Streptomyces form a huge natural reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes for the dissemination within the soil community. Streptomyces plasmids encode a unique conjugative DNA transfer system clearly distinguished from classical conjugation involving a single-stranded DNA molecule and a type IV protein secretion system. Only a single plasmid-encoded protein, TraB, is sufficient to translocate a double-stranded DNA molecule into the recipient in Streptomyces matings. TraB is a hexameric pore-forming ATPase that resembles the chromosome segregator protein FtsK and translocates DNA by recognizing specific 8-bp repeats present in the plasmid clt locus. Mobilization of chromosomal genes does not require integration of the plasmid, because TraB also recognizes clt-like sequences distributed all over the chromosome.201223082971
9843110.9646Conjugative transposons: an unusual and diverse set of integrated gene transfer elements. Conjugative transposons are integrated DNA elements that excise themselves to form a covalently closed circular intermediate. This circular intermediate can either reintegrate in the same cell (intracellular transposition) or transfer by conjugation to a recipient and integrate into the recipient's genome (intercellular transposition). Conjugative transposons were first found in gram-positive cocci but are now known to be present in a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria also. Conjugative transposons have a surprisingly broad host range, and they probably contribute as much as plasmids to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in some genera of disease-causing bacteria. Resistance genes need not be carried on the conjugative transposon to be transferred. Many conjugative transposons can mobilize coresident plasmids, and the Bacteroides conjugative transposons can even excise and mobilize unlinked integrated elements. The Bacteroides conjugative transposons are also unusual in that their transfer activities are regulated by tetracycline via a complex regulatory network.19958531886
391120.9645New derivatives of transposon Tn5 suitable for mobilization of replicons, generation of operon fusions and induction of genes in gram-negative bacteria. Three types of new variants of the broad-host-range transposon Tn5 are described. (i) Tn5-mob derivatives with the new selective resistance (R) markers GmR, SpR and TcR facilitate the efficient mobilization of replicons within a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria. (ii) Promoter probe transposons carry the promoterless reporter genes lacZ, nptII, or luc, and NmR, GmR or TcR as selective markers. These transposons can be used to generate transcriptional fusions upon insertion, thus facilitating accurate determinations of gene expression. (iii) Tn5-P-out derivatives carry the npt- or tac-promoter reading out from the transposon, and TcR, NmR or GmR genes. These variants allow the constitutive expression of downstream genes. The new Tn5 variants are available on mobilizable Escherichia coli vectors suitable as suicidal carriers for transposon mutagenesis of non-E. coli recipients and some on a phage lambda mutant to be used for transposon mutagenesis in E. coli.19892551782
8156130.9645Innovative Delivery System Combining CRISPR-Cas12f for Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global challenge, demanding innovative approaches, such as the CRISPR-Cas-mediated resistance plasmid or gene-curing system, to effectively combat this urgent crisis. To enable successful curing of antimicrobial genes or plasmids through CRISPR-Cas technology, the development of an efficient broad-host-range delivery system is paramount. In this study, we have successfully designed and constructed a novel functional gene delivery plasmid, pQ-mini, utilizing the backbone of a broad-host-range Inc.Q plasmid. Moreover, we have integrated the CRISPR-Cas12f system into the pQ-mini plasmid to enable gene-curing in broad-host of bacteria. Our findings demonstrate that pQ-mini facilitates the highly efficient transfer of genetic elements to diverse bacteria, particularly in various species in the order of Enterobacterales, exhibiting a broader host range and superior conjugation efficiency compared to the commonly used pMB1-like plasmid. Notably, pQ-mini effectively delivers the CRISPR-Cas12f system to antimicrobial-resistant strains, resulting in remarkable curing efficiencies for plasmid-borne mcr-1 or bla(KPC) genes that are comparable to those achieved by the previously reported pCasCure system. In conclusion, our study successfully establishes and optimizes pQ-mini as a broad-host-range functional gene delivery vector. Furthermore, in combination with the CRISPR-Cas system, pQ-mini demonstrates its potential for broad-host delivery, highlighting its promising role as a novel antimicrobial tool against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.202438863339
3060140.9644Integron mobilization unit as a source of mobility of antibiotic resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance genes are spread mostly through plasmids, integrons (as a form of gene cassettes), and transposons in gram-negative bacteria. We describe here a novel genetic structure, named the integron mobilization unit (IMU), that has characteristics similar to those of miniature inverted transposable elements (MITEs). Two IMUs (288 bp each) were identified from a carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolate that formed a composite structure encompassing a defective class 1 integron containing the carbapenem resistance gene bla(GES-5). This beta-lactamase gene was located on a 7-kb IncQ-type plasmid named pCHE-A, which was sequenced completely. The plasmid pCHE-A was not self conjugative but was mobilizable, and it was successfully transferred from E. cloacae to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in silico analysis of the extremities of the IMU elements identified similarities with those of insertion sequence ISSod9 from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The mobilization of the IMU composite structure was accomplished by using the transposase activity of ISSod9 that was provided in trans. This is the first identification of MITE-type structures as a source of gene mobilization, implicating here a clinically relevant antibiotic resistance gene.200919332679
429150.9643An integrative vector exploiting the transposition properties of Tn1545 for insertional mutagenesis and cloning of genes from gram-positive bacteria. We have constructed and used an integrative vector, pAT112, that takes advantage of the transposition properties (integration and excision) of transposon Tn1545. This 4.9-kb plasmid is composed of: (i) the replication origin of pACYC184; (ii) the attachment site (att) of Tn1545; (iii) erythromycin-and kanamycin-resistance-encoding genes for selection in Gram- and Gram+ bacteria; and (iv) the transfer origin of IncP plasmid RK2, which allows mobilization of the vector from Escherichia coli to various Gram+ recipients. Integration of pAT112 requires the presence of the transposon-encoded integrase, Int-Tn, in the new host. This vector retains the insertion specificity of the parental element Tn1545 and utilises it to carry out insertional mutagenesis, as evaluated in Enterococcus faecalis. Since pAT112 contains the pACYC184 replicon and lacks most of the restriction sites that are commonly used for molecular cloning, a gene from a Gram+ bacterium disrupted with this vector can be recovered in E. coli by cleavage of genomic DNA, intramolecular ligation and transformation. Regeneration of the gene, by excision of pAT112, can be obtained in an E. coli strain expressing the excisionase and integrase of Tn1545. The functionality of this system was illustrated by characterization of an IS30-like structure in the chromosome of En. faecalis. Derivatives pAT113 and pAT114 contain ten unique cloning sites that allow screening of recombinants having DNA inserts by alpha-complementation in E. coli carrying the delta M15 deletion of lacZ alpha. These vectors are useful to clone and introduce foreign genes into the genomes of Gram+ bacteria.19911657722
370160.9643A new series of yeast shuttle vectors for the recovery and identification of multiple plasmids from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The availability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains with multiple auxotrophic markers allows the stable introduction and selection of more than one yeast shuttle vector containing marker genes that complement the auxotrophic markers. In certain experimental situations there is a need to recover more than one shuttle vector from yeast. To facilitate the recovery and identification of multiple plasmids from S. cerevisiae, we have constructed a series of plasmids based on the pRS series of yeast shuttle vectors. Bacterial antibiotic resistance genes to chloramphenicol, kanamycin and zeocin have been combined with the yeast centromere sequence (CEN6), the autonomously replicating sequence (ARSH4) and one of the four yeast selectable marker genes (HIS3, TRP1, LEU2 or URA3) from the pRS series of vectors. The 12 plasmids produced differ in antibiotic resistance and yeast marker gene within the backbone of the multipurpose plasmid pBluescript II. The newly constructed vectors show similar mitotic stability to the original pRS vectors. In combination with the ampicillin-resistant pRS series of yeast shuttle vectors, these plasmids now allow the recovery and identification in bacteria of up to four different vectors from S. cerevisiae.200717597491
417170.9643Site-specific integration of genes into hot spots for recombination flanking aadA in Tn21 transposons. Tn21-related transposons are widespread among bacteria and carry various resistance determinants at preferential sites, hs1 and hs2. In an in vivo integrative recombination assay it was demonstrated that these hot spots direct the integration of aminoglycoside resistance genes like aadB from Klebsiella pneumoniae and aacAI from Serratia marcescens, in a recA- background. The maximum required recognition sequence which must be present in both the donor and recipient plasmids is 5' CTAAAACAAAGTTA 3' (hs2). The double-site-specific recombination occurred with a frequency of 10(-5)-10(-6). The resulting structures include not only replicon fusion products but also more complex structures carrying two copies of the donor plasmid or simply the donor gene flanked by hs elements. hs1 and hs2 are thought to act as recognition sites for a transacting site-specific recombinase. By the use of Tn21 deletion derivatives, it has been shown that the recombinase is not encoded by Tn21. This new integrative recombination system is involved in the acquisition of new genes by Tn21-related transposons and their spread among bacterial populations.19911654505
352180.9643Transposon vectors containing non-antibiotic resistance selection markers for cloning and stable chromosomal insertion of foreign genes in gram-negative bacteria. A simple procedure for cloning and stable insertion of foreign genes into the chromosomes of gram-negative eubacteria was developed by combining in two sets of plasmids (i) the transposition features of Tn10 and Tn5; (ii) the resistances to the herbicide bialaphos, to mercuric salts and organomercurial compounds, and to arsenite, and (iii) the suicide delivery properties of the R6K-based plasmid pGP704. The resulting constructions contained unique NotI or SfiI sites internal to either the Tn10 or the Tn5 inverted repeats. These sites were readily used for cloning DNA fragments with the help of two additional specialized cloning plasmids, pUC18Not and pUC18Sfi. The newly derived constructions could be maintained only in donor host strains that produce the R6K-specified pi protein, which is an essential replication protein for R6K and plasmids derived therefrom. Donor plasmids containing hybrid transposons were transformed into a specialized lambda pir lysogenic Escherichia coli strain with a chromosomally integrated RP4 that provided broad-host-range conjugal transfer functions. Delivery of the donor plasmids into selected host bacteria was accomplished through mating with the target strain. Transposition of the hybrid transposon from the delivered suicide plasmid to a replicon in the target cell was mediated by the cognate transposase encoded on the plasmid at a site external to the transposon. Since the transposase function was not maintained in target cells, such cells were not immune to further transposition rounds. Multiple insertions in the same strain are therefore only limited by the availability of distinct selection markers. The utility of the system was demonstrated with a kanamycin resistance gene as a model foreign insert into Pseudomonas putida and a melanin gene from Streptomyces antibioticus into Klebsiella pneumoniae. Because of the modular nature of the functional parts of the cloning vectors, they can be easily modified and further selection markers can be incorporated. The cloning system described here will be particularly useful for the construction of hybrid bacteria that stably maintain inserted genes, perhaps in competitive situations (e.g., in open systems and natural environments), and that do not carry antibiotic resistance markers characteristic of most available cloning vectors (as is currently required of live bacterial vaccines).19902172216
359190.9643Construction of shuttle cloning vectors for Bacteroides fragilis and use in assaying foreign tetracycline resistance gene expression. Shuttle vectors capable of replication in both Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis have been developed. Conjugal transfer of these plasmids from E. coli to B. fragilis is facilitated by inclusion of the origin of transfer of the IncP plasmid RK2. The vectors pDK1 and pDK2 provide unique sites for cloning selectable markers in Bacteroides. pOA10 is a cosmid vector containing the replication region of pCP1 necessary for maintenance in Bacteroides. pDK3, pDK4.1, and pDK4.2 contain the Bacteroides clindamycin resistance gene allowing selection and maintenance in B. fragilis of plasmids containing inserted DNA fragments. pDK3 was used to test the expression in B. fragilis of five foreign tetracycline resistance (TcR) genes. The tetA, -B, and -C markers from facultative gram-negative bacteria, as well as a TcR determinant from Clostridium perfringens, did not express TcR in B. fragilis. The tetM gene, originally described in streptococci, encoded a small but reproducible increase of TcR in Bacteroides. These studies demonstrate the utility of shuttle vectors for introducing cloned genes into Bacteroides and underscore the differences in gene expression in these anaerobes.19883071818