Life history analysis of integrative and conjugative element activation in growing microcolonies of Pseudomonas.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_31B26B4E0819
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Life history analysis of integrative and conjugative element activation in growing microcolonies of Pseudomonas.
Journal
Journal of Bacteriology
Author(s)
Reinhard F., van der Meer J.R.
ISSN
1098-5530 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0021-9193
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2014
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
196
Number
7
Pages
1425-1434
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support
Abstract
Integrative and conjugative elements (ICE) are in some ways parasitic mobile DNA that propagate vertically through replication with the bacterial host chromosome but at low frequencies can excise and invade new recipient cells through conjugation and reintegration (horizontal propagation). The factors that contribute to successful horizontal propagation are not very well understood. Here, we study the influence of host cell life history on the initiation of transfer of a model ICE named ICEclc in bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas. We use time-lapse microscopy of growing and stationary-phase microcolonies of ICEclc bearing cells in combination with physiological staining and gene reporter analysis in stationary-phase suspended cells. We provide evidence that cell age and cell lineage are unlikely to play a role in the decision to initiate the ICEclc transfer program. In contrast, cells activating ICEclc show more often increased levels of reactive oxygen species and membrane damage than nonactivating cells, suggesting that some form of biochemical damage may make cells more prone to ICEclc induction. Finally, we find that ICEclc active cells appear spatially at random in a microcolony, which may have been a selective advantage for maximizing ICEclc horizontal transmission to new recipient species.
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
21/04/2014 15:40
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:17
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