Towards an integrated model of bacterial conjugation

• Published in: FEMS microbiology reviews Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 81 - 95
• Main Authors: Cabezón, Elena, Ripoll-Rozada, Jorge, Peña, Alejandro, de la Cruz, Fernando, Arechaga, Ignacio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-01-2015
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - metabolism; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Bacterial Secretion Systems - physiology; Conjugation; Conjugation, Genetic - genetics; Conjugation, Genetic - physiology; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; Drug resistance; Gene transfer; Horizontal transfer; Macromolecules; Models, Biological; Molecular modelling; Protein Transport; Substrates; Virulence; Virulence factors; bacterial conjugation; secretion systems; antibiotic resistance; horizontal gene transfer; macromolecular assemblies; pilus biogenesis
• ISSN: 0168-6445; 1574-6976
• DOI: 10.1111/1574-6976.12085

Bacterial conjugation is one of the main mechanisms for horizontal gene transfer. It constitutes a key element in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes to human pathogenic bacteria. DNA transfer is mediated by a membrane-associated macromolecular machinery called Type IV secretion system (T4SS). T4SSs are involved not only in bacterial conjugation but also in the transport of virulence factors by pathogenic bacteria. Thus, the search for specific inhibitors of different T4SS components opens a novel approach to restrict plasmid dissemination. This review highlights recent biochemical and structural findings that shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of DNA and protein transport by T4SS. Based on these data, a model for pilus biogenesis and substrate transfer in conjugative systems is proposed. This model provides a renewed view of the mechanism that might help to envisage new strategies to curb the threating expansion of antibiotic resistance.
Bacterial conjugation is one of the main mechanisms for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Here, we suggest a model that integrates the mechanism of conjugation with Type IV secretions systems biogenesis and substrate transport across the secretion channel and we propose alternative approaches to use this knowledge in the fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance.