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

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.

SUBMITTER: Madsen JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6092375 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature