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- Title
The F-pilus biomechanical adaptability accelerates conjugative dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation.
- Authors
Patkowski, Jonasz B.; Dahlberg, Tobias; Amin, Himani; Gahlot, Dharmender K.; Vijayrajratnam, Sukhithasri; Vogel, Joseph P.; Francis, Matthew S.; Baker, Joseph L.; Andersson, Magnus; Costa, Tiago R. D.
- 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. Enteropathogenic bacteria use extracellular appendages, known as F-pili, to share plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes. Here, the authors show that F-pili are highly flexible but robust at the same time, and this is important for plasmid transfer and formation of biofilms that protect against the action of antibiotics.
- Subjects
MOLECULAR dynamics; DRUG resistance in microorganisms; STRUCTURAL stability; DRUG resistance in bacteria; BIOFILMS; ANTIBIOTICS
- Publication
Nature Communications, 2023, Vol 14, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2041-1723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41467-023-37600-y