Horizontal Gene Transfer of the 89K Pathogenicity Island in Streptococcus suis
Author Information
Author(s): Li Ming, Shen Xiaodong, Yan Jinghua, Han Huiming, Zheng Beiwen, Liu Di, Cheng Hao, Zhao Yan, Rao Xiancai, Wang Changjun, Tang Jiaqi, Hu Fuquan, Gao George F
Primary Institution: CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hypothesis
What is the mechanism of horizontal transfer of the 89K pathogenicity island in Streptococcus suis serotype 2?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that the 89K pathogenicity island can be transferred between Streptococcus suis strains via a type IV secretion system.
Supporting Evidence
- 89K can spontaneously excise to form an extrachromosomal circular product.
- The conjugal transfer of 89K occurred via a GI type IV secretion system at a frequency of 10−6 transconjugants per donor.
- This is the first demonstration of horizontal transfer of a Gram-positive pathogenicity island mediated by a GI-type T4SS.
Takeaway
Bacteria can share important genes with each other, and this study shows how a specific gene cluster in Streptococcus suis can move from one bacterium to another, which might help it cause disease.
Methodology
The study involved conjugative mating experiments to evaluate the transfer of the 89K pathogenicity island between different strains of Streptococcus suis.
Limitations
The transfer of 89K was not successful with other serotypes of Streptococcus suis and other streptococcal species, indicating potential species-specific transfer.
Statistical Information
P-Value
5.4 × 10−6
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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