Plasmid transfer in biofilms: a perspective on limitations and opportunities.
Plasmid transfer in biofilms: a perspective on limitations and opportunities.
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DOI：
10.1038/npjbiofilms.2016.22
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发表时间：
2016
影响因子：
9.2
通讯作者：
Top E
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Stalder T;Top E
生物膜主宰着微生物的生命，它们对人类健康和环境的重要性再也不能被忽视。然而，许多控制这种形式的微生物生长的过程仍然知之甚少。这包括遗传信息的横向交流，这是细菌进化和快速适应的主要驱动力，质粒介导的病原体之间令人震惊的多重耐药性蔓延就是例证。生物膜通常被认为是水平基因转移的热点，但一些研究表明，质粒转移仅限于外层。几十年的研究结果的基础上，我们分析了这一矛盾，并讨论了生物膜生长的机制，可以促进一些质粒的初始转移，但也限制了进一步的质粒入侵到人口或社区。如果我们想充分促进或打击生物膜中的水平基因传播，我们需要更好地了解控制这一过程的物理化学和生物学机制。
Biofilms dominate microbial life, and their importance for human health and the environment can no longer be dismissed. Nevertheless many of the processes governing this form of microbial growth are still poorly understood. This includes the horizontal exchange of genetic information, which is a major driver in bacterial evolution and rapid adaptation, exemplified by the alarming spread of multi-drug resistance among pathogens mediated by plasmids. Biofilms are often considered hot spot for horizontal gene transfer, yet several studies have shown that plasmid transfer is limited to the outer layers. On the basis of results from decades of research we analyse this paradox and discuss the mechanisms by which biofilm growth can promote the initial transfer of some plasmids, but also limit further plasmid invasion into the population or community. If we want to adequately promote or combat horizontal gene spread in biofilms, we need to gain better insight into the physicochemical and biological mechanisms that control this process.