The winding journey of conjugative plasmids toward a novel host cell.

Curr Opin Microbiol

Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB), Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, UMR5086, 69007 Lyon, France. Electronic address:

Published: April 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Bacteria can share small pieces of DNA called plasmids, which can make them resistant to medicines.
  • This sharing happens through a process called conjugation, where plasmids need to go through several steps to enter a new bacteria.
  • The review talks about new discoveries that explain how plasmids move, settle in, and stay in new bacteria over time.

Article Abstract

Horizontal transfer of plasmids by conjugation is a fundamental mechanism driving the widespread dissemination of drug resistance among bacterial populations. The successful colonization of a new host cell necessitates the plasmid to navigate through a series of sequential steps, each dependent on specific plasmid or host factors. This review explores recent advancements in comprehending the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern plasmid transmission, establishment, and long-term maintenance. Adopting a plasmid-centric perspective, we describe the critical steps and bottlenecks in the plasmid's journey toward a new host cell, encompassing exploration and contact initiation, invasion, establishment and control, and assimilation.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102449DOI Listing

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