An intriguing relationship between the cyclic diguanylate signaling system and horizontal gene transfer

ISME J. 2018 Sep;12(9):2330-2334. doi: 10.1038/s41396-018-0183-0. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

Abstract

The second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is ubiquitously used by bacteria to modulate and shift between different phenotypes including motility, biofilm formation and virulence. Here we show that c-di-GMP-associated genes are widespread on plasmids and that enzymes that synthesize or degrade c-di-GMP are preferentially encoded on transmissible plasmids. Additionally, expression of enzymes that synthesize c-di-GMP was found to increase both biofilm formation and, interestingly, conjugative plasmid transfer rates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacteria / genetics*
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virulence

Substances

  • bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid
  • Cyclic GMP