Identification and genetic characterization of megabase-scale plasmids of Enterobacteriaceae
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Humans and animals are ubiquitously colonized by Enterobacteriaceae , including both commensals and clinically significant pathogens. Here, we report 21 complete Enterobacteriaceae megaplasmid genomes of up to 1.58 Mbp in length spanning two major clades that are highly divergent from previously described plasmids. Of these, three were reconstructed from isolates of Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri ; others were potentially hosted by species of Citrobacter and Enterobacter . Related megabase-scale plasmids were detected in at least 400 infant and adult gut, and other microbiomes. Diverse Enterobacteriaceae hosts, conjugation machinery, and DNA modification patterns suggest that these elements are self-transmissible, with a broad host range. The plasmids encode multi-drug efflux systems and potential secreted effectors. Up to 208 tRNAs are encoded and include sequence variants that may counter tRNA-centric defense mechanisms. Overall, the vast plasmid coding capacity may broaden host range, increase competitiveness, control invasion by other elements, and counter programmed cell death.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, University of Pittsburgh, University of Bern, New York University, Norwich Research Park, Quadram Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Infectious Diseases Labs, Children's Hospital 1, University of East Anglia, University of Helsinki, University of Oslo, University of Cambridge, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Helsinki University Hospital, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Monash University
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funders: UK Research and Innovation, Innovative Genomics Institute, Emerson Collective, Valhalla Foundation, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, National Institutes of Health, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Awards: G1630100832, Occupational risks for animal farmers to be colonised with animal-associated resistant bacteria in Thailand, impact on the faecal microbiota., Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership, G3813641685, Population Genomic Analysis of Gut Microbial Colonization in Premature Infants, Fagottini and Tenoroons. Small-Sized Bassoons from the 18th and 19th Centuries, G7835025966, G9000127557, G926259237
OpenAlex ID: W7222995156