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The F-pilus biomechanical adaptability accelerates conjugative dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation

Author

Listed:
  • Jonasz B. Patkowski

    (Imperial College)

  • Tobias Dahlberg

    (Umeå University)

  • Himani Amin

    (Imperial College)

  • Dharmender K. Gahlot

    (Umeå University)

  • Sukhithasri Vijayrajratnam

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Joseph P. Vogel

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Matthew S. Francis

    (Umeå University)

  • Joseph L. Baker

    (The College of New Jersey)

  • Magnus Andersson

    (Umeå University)

  • Tiago R. D. Costa

    (Imperial College)

Abstract

Conjugation is used by bacteria to propagate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Central to this process are widespread conjugative F-pili that establish the connection between donor and recipient cells, thereby facilitating the spread of IncF plasmids among enteropathogenic bacteria. Here, we show that the F-pilus is highly flexible but robust at the same time, properties that increase its resistance to thermochemical and mechanical stresses. By a combination of biophysical and molecular dynamics methods, we establish that the presence of phosphatidylglycerol molecules in the F-pilus contributes to the structural stability of the polymer. Moreover, this structural stability is important for successful delivery of DNA during conjugation and facilitates rapid formation of biofilms in harsh environmental conditions. Thus, our work highlights the importance of F-pilus structural adaptations for the efficient spread of AMR genes in a bacterial population and for the formation of biofilms that protect against the action of antibiotics.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonasz B. Patkowski & Tobias Dahlberg & Himani Amin & Dharmender K. Gahlot & Sukhithasri Vijayrajratnam & Joseph P. Vogel & Matthew S. Francis & Joseph L. Baker & Magnus Andersson & Tiago R. D. Costa, 2023. "The F-pilus biomechanical adaptability accelerates conjugative dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37600-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37600-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xiangan Liu & Pratick Khara & Matthew L. Baker & Peter J. Christie & Bo Hu, 2022. "Structure of a type IV secretion system core complex encoded by multi-drug resistance F plasmids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Leticia C. Beltran & Virginija Cvirkaite-Krupovic & Jessalyn Miller & Fengbin Wang & Mark A. B. Kreutzberger & Jonasz B. Patkowski & Tiago R. D. Costa & Stefan Schouten & Ilya Levental & Vincent P. Co, 2023. "Archaeal DNA-import apparatus is homologous to bacterial conjugation machinery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Alexey J. Merz & Magdalene So & Michael P. Sheetz, 2000. "Pilus retraction powers bacterial twitching motility," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6800), pages 98-102, September.
    4. Himani Amin & Aravindan Ilangovan & Tiago R. D. Costa, 2021. "Architecture of the outer-membrane core complex from a conjugative type IV secretion system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Jean-Marc Ghigo, 2001. "Natural conjugative plasmids induce bacterial biofilm development," Nature, Nature, vol. 412(6845), pages 442-445, July.
    6. Xiangan Liu & Pratick Khara & Matthew L. Baker & Peter J. Christie & Bo Hu, 2022. "Author Correction: Structure of a type IV secretion system core complex encoded by multi-drug resistance F plasmids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-1, December.
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