A marine plasmid hitchhiking vast phylogenetic and geographic distances

Petersen, Jörn, Vollmers, John, Ringel, Victoria, Brinkmann, Henner, Ellebrandt-Sperling, Claire, Spröer, Cathrin, Howat, Alexandra M, Murrell, J Colin and Kaster, Anne-Kristin (2019) A marine plasmid hitchhiking vast phylogenetic and geographic distances. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116 (41). pp. 20568-20573. ISSN 1091-6490

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Abstract

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays an important role in bacterial evolution and serves as a driving force for bacterial diversity and versatility. HGT events often involve mobile genetic elements like plasmids, which can promote their own dissemination by associating with adaptive traits in the gene pool of the so-called mobilome. Novel traits that evolve through HGT can therefore lead to the exploitation of new ecological niches, prompting an adaptive radiation of bacterial species. In this study, we present phylogenetic, biogeographic, and functional analyses of a previously unrecognized RepL-type plasmid found in diverse members of the marine Roseobacter group across the globe. Noteworthy, 100% identical plasmids were detected in phylogenetically and geographically distant bacteria, revealing a so-far overlooked, but environmentally highly relevant vector for HGT. The genomic and functional characterization of this plasmid showed a completely conserved backbone dedicated to replication, stability, and mobilization as well as an interchangeable gene cassette with highly diverse, but recurring motifs. The majority of the latter appear to be involved in mechanisms coping with toxins and/or pollutants in the marine environment. Furthermore, we provide experimental evidence that the plasmid has the potential to be transmitted across bacterial orders, thereby increasing our understanding of evolution and microbial niche adaptation in the environment.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2019 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/life_below_water
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Biology
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	01 Oct 2019 15:30
Last Modified:	20 Mar 2023 14:46
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/72435
DOI:	10.1073/pnas.1905878116

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