Dihydroartemisinin inhibits plasmid transfer in drug-resistant Escherichia coli via limiting energy supply

Conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs)by plasmids is an important route for ARG dissemination.An increasing number of antibiotic and nonantibiotic compounds have been reported to aid the spread of ARGs,highlighting potential challenges for controlling this type of horizontal transfer.Development of conjugation inhibitors that block or delay the transfer of ARG-bearing plasmids is a promising strategy to control the propagation of antibiotic resistance.Although such inhibitors are rare,they typically exhibit relatively high toxicity and low efficacy in vivo and their mechanisms of action are inadequately understood.Here,we studied the effects of dihydroartemisinin(DHA),an artemisinin derivative used to treat malaria,on conjugation.DHA inhibited the conjugation of the IncI2 and IncX4 plasmids carrying the mobile colistin resistance gene(mcr-1)by more than 160-fold in vitro in Escherichia coli,and more than two-fold(IncI2 plasmid)in vivo in a mouse model.It also suppressed the transfer of the IncX3 plasmid carrying the carbapenem resistance gene bla_(NDM-5)by more than twofold in vitro.Detection of intracellular adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and proton motive force(PMF),in combination with transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses,revealed that DHA impaired the function of the electron transport chain(ETC)by inhibiting the tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle pathway,thereby disrupting PMF and limiting the availability of intracellular ATP for plasmid conjugative transfer.Furthermore,expression levels of genes related to conjugation and pilus generation were significantly down-regulated during DHA exposure,indicating that the transfer apparatus for conjugation may be inhibited.Our findings provide new insights into the control of antibiotic resistance and the potential use of DHA.

Characterization of a bla_(CTX-M-3),bla_(KPC-2)and bla_(TEM-1B)co-producing IncN plasmid in Escherichia coli of chicken origin

An extensively drug-resistant(XDR)Escherichia coli strain 258E was isolated from an anal swab sample of a chicken farm of Anhui province in China.Genomic analyses indicated that the strain 258E harbors an incompatibility group N(IncN)plasmid pEC258-3,which co-produces bla_(CTX-M-3),bla_(KPC-2),bla_(TEM-1B),qnrS1,aac(6')-Ib-cr,dfrA14,arr-3,and aac(6')-Ib3.Multiple genome arrangement analyses indicated that pEC258-3 is highly homologous with pCRKP-1-KPC discovered in Klebsiella pneumoniae from a patient.Furthermore,conjugation experiments proved that plasmid pEC258-3 can be transferred horizontally and may pose a significant potential threat in animals,community and hospital settings.

Plasmid DNA Analysis of Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Musk Deer

[Objective] The pathogenic Escherichia coli in musk deer was classified at molecular level to provide basic materials for molecular epidemiology of pathogenic Escherichia coli in musk deer. [Method] Plasmids from 24 pathogenic Escherichia coli in musk deer were extracted by the Lysis Triton method, and then identified by single enzyme digestion with three endonucleases of Hind Ⅲ, EcoR Ⅰ and BamH Ⅰ. [Result] The yield rate of plasmids was 91.6%, and 24 pathogenic Escherichia coli in musk deer had the identical or similar plasmid profiles. [Conclusion] Plasmid DNA analysis offers scientific basis for molecular epidemiology of pathogenic Escherichia coli in musk deer in Sichuan Institute of Musk Deer Breeding.

Researches of Agrobacterium rhizogenes Ri Plasmid rol Genes

Expression of rol genes from Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes not only leads to the excessive formation of adventitious roots, but also exhibits various genetically modified characteristics that have broad prospects for the application of plant genetic improvement. Since the 1980s of the last century, much progress has been made in the studies of A. rhizogenes, in particular the agropine type Ri plasmid rol genes and their applications for plant genetic improvement, which involves the structure and function of Ri plasmid, the characters of rol genes, the influence of rol genes expression on plants growth and development, and the applications of rol genes for genetic improvement of forest tree. In this paper, the advances in this field are reviewed and the existing problems about the application of rol genes for genetic improvement of forest tree are also discussed.

Curing of the Bacillus subtilis Plasmid Using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Curing of Bacillus subtilis plasmid using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)was studied in order to obtain a host strain. An overnight culture of Bacillus subtilis 24/pMX45 was used to inoculate fresh LB containing SDS (0-0.008%). No growth of 24/pMX45 was observed when LB contained an SDS concentration of 0.006% or greater, and the sublethal concentration (w/v) of SDS was 0.005% with a killing rate of 99%. Samples were diluted and plated on LB agar, individual colonies were randomly picked to a selective agar medium by tooth to screen for loss of plasmid-encoded erythomycin resistance. CsCl-EtBr gradient centrifugation and plasmid DNA profile demonstrated that plasmid-cured derivative A7 has completely lost its plasmid. A7 had a shorter lag, and its cell concentration was consistently higher than that of the 24/pMX45. Elimination of the plasmid was first observed after 24/pMX45 had been treated with SDS for 8 h. The percent elimination then continued to increase until about 22 h, after which the fraction of cured cell in the population remained constant. Plasmid cured cell numbers were measured in a separate control culture of 24/pMX45 untreated by SDS. No spontaneous loss of pMX45 was observed after 24/pMX45 were incubated for 24 h and 48 h with shaking at 37 ℃.These results suggested that SDS can be used as curing agent to eliminate the plasmid of Bacillus subtilis.

Construction of the Plasmid Reference Molecule for Detection of Transgenic Soybean MON89788

[Objective] The aim was to construct a plasmid reference molecule (PRM) for detection of transgenic soybean MON89788. [Method] the lectin gene sequence,3'-junction and 5'-junction sequence between host plant DNA integrated DNA of MON89788 soybean were amplified independently,and the three fragments were cloned into the cloning vector pMD18-T in order through molecular manipulation method to construct pMD-LM3M5,the applicability of the constructed novel PRM was tested. [Result] Sequencing confirmation result showed that the PRM was 3 700 bp in length,containing 1 029 bp of recombined DNA fragment. The limits of qualitative detection of the PRM were 10 copies. [Conclusion] The PRM constructed in this study was suitable for the identification of MON89788 event.

Construction and Application of Plasmid pUC19-CM-D

[Objective] The aims were to construct a new suicide plasmid of Lactobacillus and gene deletion engineering bacteria of Lactobacillus with pUC19 vector. [Methods] pUC19-CM was constructed by inserting a chloramphenicol resistant gene into the multi-cloning site of pUC19,and then two homologous fragments were cloned into each side of the pUC19-CM to construct suicide plasmid pUC19-CM-D. [Results] A replacement mutant strain,whose target gene was replaced by resistant gene,could be obtained by transforming the suicide plasmid pUC19-CM-D into Lactobacillus for resistance screening. [Conclusion] The construction and application of pUC19-CM-D provided a fast and efficient means of construction of gene deletion engineering bacteria of Lactobacillus,and laid a foundation for study of gene function of Lactobacillus.

Transfection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells using green fluorescence protein labeled hVEGF165 recombinant plasmid mediated by liposome

Objective:To study the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)in construction of vascularized engineered tissue.Methods:hVEGF165 was amplified via RT-PCR before recombinant with pShuttle-green fluorescence protein;green fluorescent protein(GFP)-CMV.Then the recombinant shuttle plasmid was transfected into BMSCs with Lipofectamine^(TM)2000 for packaging and amplifying.hVTGF165 mRNA expression in BMSCs cells was tested.Results:The sequence of hVEGFI65 in pShutlle-GFP-hVFGF165 plasmid was confirimed by double-enzyme cleavage method and sequencing.hVECF165 was highly expressed in BMSCs.Conclusions:The GFP/hVECF165 recombinant plasmid vector was constructed successfully and expressed effectively in host cells,which may be helpful for discussing the possibility of the application of VEGF165-BMSCs in tissue engineering and ischemic disease cure.

Elimination of Multidrug Resistant Plasmid pEIB202 in Fish Pathogenic Edwardsiella tarda

[Objective] The aim of the research was to investigate the function of large plasmid pEIB202 in the pathogenesis of Edwardsiella tarda EIB202 and to eliminate the plasmid pEIB202,so as to lay the foundation for developing safe and live attenu- ated vaccine against E, tarda. [Method] sacB was used as reverse screening marker to eliminate the plasmid by using homologous recombination technique. [Result] The plasmid pEIB202 was sequenced and it was found that the plasmid encoded multiple resistant genes and some components in type IV secretion system（T4SS）,which sug- gested that the plasmid might be related with the multiple drug-resistance and pathogenicity of E. tarda. The plasmid-eliminated strain EIB202Ap lost the resistance to chloramphenicol and tetracycline,but its growth,virulence and secretion of extra- cellular proteins had no significant difference with wild-type plants. [Conclusion] pEIB202 plasmid is the main reason that caused the multi-drug resistance of EIB202 and might have indirect effects in the pathogenesis of EIB202.

Construction of human eukaryotic expression plasmid vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and its expression in transfected vascular smooth muscles

BACKGROUND: The highly specific vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF) induces the growth of vascular en-dothelial cell. This study was to construct the eukaryoticexpression plasmid of vascular endothelial growth factorl65(VEGF165) and observe its expression in vascular smoothmuscles (VSMCs).METHODS: The primers were designed and synthesizedaccording to the gene sequences of human VEGF165. TheVEGF165 gene was obtained from umbilic artery tissue bythe method of RT-PCR, then it was cloned to eukaryoticexpression plasmid pBudCE4.1 by recombination strategy.The eukaryotic expression plasmid named pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 was identified by restriction enzyme digestion,and was sequenced. The pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 was trans-fected into VSMCs by using lipofection. The VEGF165 ex-pression of mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCRand Western blot respectively.RESULTS: VEGF165 was shown about 576bp by RT-PCR.Sequencing revealed the amplified VEGF165 gene was iden-tical with that in the GeneBank. Restrictive enzyme (HindBam HI) digestion analysis showed that recombinantexpression plasmid pBudCE4. l/tVEGF165 had been con-structed successfully. The expression of VEGF165 at mRNAand protein levels in the transformed VSMCs had beendemonstrated by RT-PCR and Western blot.CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant eukaryotic expressionplasmid pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 has been successfully con-structed and expressed in transformed VSMCs. The presentstudy has laid a foundation for VEGF165 gene therapy ofvascular stenosis in the transplant organ.

Catalytic hydrolysis of phosphate diester (BNPP) and plasmid DNA by mononuclear macrocyclic polyamine metal complexes

The activities of the catalytic hydrolysis of phosphate diester （BNPP） [bis（p-nitrophenyl）phosphate diester] and plasmid DNA （pUC 18） by mononuclear macrocyclic polyamine metal complexes have been investigated in this paper. The results showed that the highest activity in hydrolysis of BNPP was obtained with le--Zn（II） complex （composed of lipophilic group） as catalyst. The hydrolysis rate enhancement is up to 3.64 × 10^4 fold. These metal complexes could effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA （pUC18） at physiological conditions.

CABYR RNAi plasmid construction and NF-κB signal transduction pathway

AIM:To construct the CABYR RNAi plasmid and study its relation with the nuclear factor(NF)-κB signal transduction pathway.METHODS:Human CABYR mRNA sequence was obtained from GenBank.The structure of cDNA sequence for the short hairpin RNA was BbsⅠ+sense+loop+ antisense+transcription terminator+KpnⅠ+Bam HⅠ.A CABYR silencing plasmid was constructed and transfected into the human embryo cell line 293T.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze CABYR and NF-κB gene expression.RESULTS:The CABYR and NF-κB expressions were detected in 293T cells.The oligonucleotide(5'-GCT-CAGATGTTAGGTAAAG-3')efficiently silenced the expression of CABYR.The expression of NF-κB was not significantly affected by silencing CABYR(P=0.743).CONCLUSION:CABYR can be found in the human embryo cell line 293T.Cabyrmid 2 can efficiently silence its target,CABYR,indicating that CABYR is not related with the NF-κB signal transduction pathway.

ISOLATION OF PLASMID FROM THE BLUE-GREEN ALGA SPIRULINA PLATENSIS

CCC plasmid was isolated from an economically important blue-green alga- Spirulina platensis (1.7×106 dalton from the S6 strain and 1.2×106 dalton from the F, strain) using a rapid method based on ultrasonic disruption of algal cells and alkaline removal of chromosomal DNA. The difference in the molecular weight of the OOC DNAs from the two strains differing in form suggests that plasmid may be related with the differentiation of algal form. This modified method, which does not use any lysozyme, is a quick and effective method of plasmid isolation, especially for filamentous blue-green algae.

Towards a better understanding of antimicrobial resistance dissemination:what can be learnt from studying model conjugative plasmids?

Bacteria can evolve rapidly by acquiring new traits such as virulence,metabolic properties,and most importantly,antimicrobial resistance,through horizontal gene transfer(HGT).Multidrug resistance in bacteria,especially in Gram-negative organisms,has become a global public health threat often through the spread of mobile genetic elements.Conjugation represents a major form of HGT and involves the transfer of DNA from a donor bacterium to a recipient by direct contact.Conjugative plasmids,a major vehicle for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance,are selfish elements capable of mediating their own transmission through conjugation.To spread to and survive in a new bacterial host,conjugative plasmids have evolved mechanisms to circumvent both host defense systems and compete with co-resident plasmids.Such mechanisms have mostly been studied in model plasmids such as the F plasmid,rather than in conjugative plasmids that confer antimicrobial resistance(AMR)in important human pathogens.A better understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for predicting the flow of antimicrobial resistance-conferring conjugative plasmids among bacterial populations and guiding the rational design of strategies to halt the spread of antimicrobial resistance.Here,we review mechanisms employed by conjugative plasmids that promote their transmission and establishment in Gram-negative bacteria,by following the life cycle of conjugative plasmids.

Construction of human VEGF165 gene eukaryotic expression plasmid and its effect on proliferation of vascular endothelial cells

After organ transplantation, rapid repair of injured vascular endothelial cell (VEC) is a key to prevent graft chronic dysfunction besides control of immunological rejection. Many studies have confirmed that vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) could accelerate the repair of VEC injury, decrease thrombosis and thrombotic occlusion, and inhibit hyperplasia of the intima. This study was designed to construct eukaryotic expression plasmid pBudCE4.1/VEGF165, and observe its effect on the prolife ration of VEC. METHODS:The VEGF165 gene cloned from human heart tissue by RT-PCR was cloned into eukaryotic expression plasmid pBudCE4.1. The recombinant expression plasmid pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 was identified by restriction enzyme (Hind III and BamH I) digestion analysis, and was sequenced. The pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 was introduced into VEC through lipofection transfection. The VEGF165 mRNA expression by Northern blot and VEGF165 protein expression was detected by immunocytochemical staining. The effect of expression protein on VEC proliferation was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS:The RT-PCR product of the VEGF165 gene was about 576bp. Sequencing analysis revealed that the sequence of the amplified VEGF165 gene was identical with that in GenBank. Restrictive enzyme digestion analysis showed that recombinant expression plasmid pBudCE4.1/ tVEGF165 had been constructed successfully. The expression of VEGF165 at mRNA and protein levels in the transformed VSMCs had been demonstrated by Northern blot and immunocytochemical staining respectively. The expressed product of VEGF165 could notably accelerate the proliferation of VECs. CONCLUSIONS:pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 is successfully cons- tructed and is expressed in VECs. Expressed VEGF165 can accelerate the VEC proliferation. The present study has laid a foundation for potential use of VEGF165 gene transfection to prevent and treat vascular stenosis in the transplanted organ.

Construction of Shuttle Expression Plasmid and Stable Expression of Foreign Gene in Mycobacteria and E．Coli

By employing the pUC19 as a backbone,the regulatory and signal sequences which encode kanamycin resistance, and mycobacterial plasmid origin of replication (oriM) were cloned into the pUC19. The recombinant E. Coli-mycobacteria shuttle expression plasmid PBCG-8000 was constructed. The PBCG-8000 was able to replicate in both E. Coli and mycobacteria (including BCG) systems, and to confer stable kanamycin resistance upon transformants. The study should facilitate the development of BCG and other mycobacteria into multivalent vaccine vectors.

Characterization of NDM-5-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates from retail grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella) and evidence of blaNDM-5-bearing IncHI2 plasmid transfer between ducks and fish

We aimed to characterize NDM-5-producing Enterobacteriaceae from aquatic products in Guangzhou,China.A total of 196 intestinal samples of grass carp collected in 2019 were screened for carbapenemase genes.Characterization of bla_(NDM-5) positive isolates and plasmids was determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing,conjugation experiments,Illumina HiSeq,and Nanopore sequencing.One Citrobacter freundii and six Escherichia coli strains recovered from seven intestinal samples were verified as bla_(NDM-5) carriers(3.57%,7/196).The bla_(NDM-5) genes were located on the lncX3(n=5),lncHI2(n=1),or lncHI2-lncF(n=1)plasmids.All bla_(NDM-5)-bearing plasmids were transferred by conjugation at frequencies of~10^(-4)-10^(-6).Based on sequence analysis,the lncHI2 plasmid pHNBYF33-1 was similar to other bla_(NDM-5)-carrying lncHI2 plasmids deposited in GenBank from Guangdong ducks.In all lncHI2 plasmids,bla_(NDM-5)was embedded in a novel transposon,Tn7057(IS3000-△ISAba125-IS5-△ISAba125-bla_(NDM-5)-bleMBL-trpF-tat-△dct-IS26-△umuD-△ISKox3-IS3000),which was identical to the genetic structure surrounding bla_(NDM-5)found in some IncX3 plasmids.The lncHI2-lncF hybrid plasmid pHNTH9F11-1 was formed by homologous recombination of the bla_(NDM-5)-carrying lncHI2 plasmid and a heavy-metal-resistant IncF plasmid through△Tn1721 To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report on the characterization of bla_(NDM-5)-bearing plasmids in fish in China.The lncHI2 plasmid pHNBYF33-1 may be transmitted from ducks,considering the common duck-fish freshwater aquaculture system in Guangdong.Tn7051 is likely responsible for the transfer of bla_(NDM-5) from lncX3 to lncHI2 plasmids in Enterobacteriaceae,resulting in the expansion of transmission vectors of bla_(NDM-5).

Effects of medium composition on the production of plasmid DNA vector potentially for human gene therapy

Plasmid vector is increasingly applied to gene therapy or gene vaccine. The production of plasmid pCMV-AP3 for cancer gene therapy was conducted in a modified MBL medium using a recombinant E. coli BL21 system. The effects of different MMBL components on plasmid yield, cell mass and specific plasmid DNA productivity were evaluated on shake-flask scale. The results showed that glucose was the optimal carbon source. High plasmid yield (58.3 mg/L) was obtained when 5.0 g/L glucose was added to MMBL. Glycerol could be chosen as a complementary carbon source because of the highest specific plasmid pro- ductivity (37.9 mg DNA/g DCW). After tests of different levels of nitrogen source and inorganic phosphate, a modified MMBL medium was formulated for optimal plasmid production. Further study showed that the initial acetate addition (less than 4.0 g/L) in MMBL improved plasmid production significantly, although it inhibited cell growth. The results will be useful for large-scale plasmid production using recombinant E. coli system.

Construction of recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing murine CD40 ligand gene and its expression in H22 cells

AIM: To construct a recombinant murine CD40 ligand (mCD40L) eukaryotic expression vector for gene therapy and target therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: mCD40L cDNA was synthesized by RT-PCR with the specific primers and directly cloned into T vector to generate middle recombinant. After digestion with restriction endonuclease, the target fragment was subcloned into the multi-clone sites of the eukaryotic vector. The constructed vector was verified by enzyme digestion and sequencing,and the product expressed was detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence methods.RESULTS: The full-length mCD40L-cDNA was successfully cloned into the eukaryotic vector through electrophoresis,and mCD40L gene was integrated into the genome of infected H22 cells by RT-PCR. Murine CD40L antigen molecule was observed in the plasma of mCD40L-H22 by indirect immuno-fluorescence staining.CONCLUSION: The recombined mCD40L eukaryotic expression vector can be expressed in H22 cell line. It providesexperimental data for gene therapy and target therapy ofhepatocellular carcinoma.