Emergence of novel non-aggregative variants under negative frequency-dependent selection in Klebsiella variicola.

ABSTRACT: Klebsiella variicola is an emergent human pathogen causing diverse infections, some of which in the urinary tract. However, little is known about the evolution and maintenance of genetic diversity in this species, the molecular mechanisms and their population dynamics. Here, we characterized the emergence of a novel rdar-like (rough and dry) morphotype which is contingent both on the genetic background and the environment. We show that mutations in either the nitrogen assimilation control gene (nac) or the type III fimbriae regulator, mrkH, suffice to generate rdar-like colonies. These morphotypes are primarily selected for the reduced inter-cellular aggregation as a result of MrkH loss-of-function which reduces type 3 fimbriae expression. Additionally, t

SUBMITTER: Nucci A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10540941 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature