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Mutation rate plasticity in rifampicin resistance depends on Escherichia coli cell–cell interactions
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Krašovec, Rok, Belavkin, Roman V., Aston, John A. D., Channon, Alastair, Aston, Elizabeth, Rash, Bharat M., Kadirvel, Manikandan, Forbes, Sarah and Knight, C. G. (Christopher G.) (2014) Mutation rate plasticity in rifampicin resistance depends on Escherichia coli cell–cell interactions. Nature Communications, Volume 5 . Article number 3742. doi:10.1038/ncomms4742 ISSN 2041-1723.
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4742
Abstract
Variation of mutation rate at a particular site in a particular genotype, in other words mutation rate plasticity (MRP), can be caused by stress or ageing. However, mutation rate control by other factors is less well characterized. Here we show that in wild-type Escherichia coli (K-12 and B strains), the mutation rate to rifampicin resistance is plastic and inversely related to population density: lowering density can increase mutation rates at least threefold. This MRP is genetically switchable, dependent on the quorum-sensing gene luxS—specifically its role in the activated methyl cycle—and is socially mediated via cell–cell interactions. Although we identify an inverse association of mutation rate with fitness under some circumstances, we find no functional link with stress-induced mutagenesis. Our experimental manipulation of mutation rates via the social environment raises the possibility that such manipulation occurs in nature and could be exploited medically.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QR Microbiology | ||||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Statistics | ||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Mutation (Biology), Escherichia coli, Rifampin, Drug resistance in microorganisms | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Nature Communications | ||||||||
Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group | ||||||||
ISSN: | 2041-1723 | ||||||||
Official Date: | 29 April 2014 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | Volume 5 | ||||||||
Number of Pages: | 8 | ||||||||
Article Number: | Article number 3742 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1038/ncomms4742 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 27 December 2015 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 27 December 2015 | ||||||||
Funder: | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Great Britain) (BBSRC), Wellcome Trust (London, England) | ||||||||
Grant number: | EP/H031936/1 (EPSRC), BB/L009579/1 (BBSRC), 082453/Z/07/Z (WT) |
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