Work

Seaweed exposure modulates Escherichia coli plasmid conjugation rate

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Seaweeds are a common and diverse component of coastal ecosystems and are known to be associated with Escherichia coli due to faecal pollution. As a biotic substrate, beach-cast seaweed may affect bacterial physiology and thereby horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Here, we test how the presence of three distinct senescing seaweed species affects E. coli plasmid conjugation. We allow the IncP plasmid pKJK5 to conjugate while supplying a substrate of Palmaria palmata (dulse), Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) or Fucus serratus (serrated wrack). The three seaweed species induce distinct conjugative behaviours in E. coli: U. lactuca has no significant impact relative to a plastic control, the presence of F. serratus results in undetectable levels of conjugation and P. palmata promotes conjugation in a density-independent manner. This study highlights how biotic interactions can influence survival, HGT and antibiotic resistance in a human pathogen.

Source: Microbiology

DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001622

Authors: David Sünderhauf, Macaulay Winter, Jasmine Ramshaw, Emily M. Stevenson, Michiel Vos

Institutions: University of Exeter, Clemson University, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: University of Exeter, Natural Environment Research Council