VirBR counter-silences HppX3 to promote conjugation of blaNDM-IncX3 plasmids.

ABSTRACT: New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDM), encoded by the blaNDM gene, mediate carbapenem resistance, posing serious threats to public health due to their global presence across diverse hosts and environments. The blaNDM is prominently carried by the IncX3 plasmid, which encodes a Type IV secretion system (T4SS) responsible for plasmid conjugation. This T4SS has been shown to be phenotypically silenced by a plasmid-borne H-NS family protein; however, the underlying mechanisms of both silencing and silencing relief remain unclear. Herein, we identified HppX3, an H-NS family protein encoded by the IncX3 plasmid, as a transcription repressor. HppX3 binds to the T4SS promoter (PactX), downregulates T4SS expression, thereby inhibits plasmid conjugation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that T4SS genes are

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11915502 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature