Immune-deficient bacteria serve as gateways to genetic exchange and microbial evolution
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer plays a key role in bacterial evolution, yet its efficiency under natural conditions, especially between genetically distinct strains, remains unclear. Using Staphylococcus aureus as a model, we found that gene transfer via various mechanisms is
significantly restricted between strains from different clonal complexes (CCs), with the notable exception of lateral transduction, which occurs at high frequency. Interestingly, some strains exhibited a promiscuous ability to accept diverse mobile genetic elements. These strains were
defective in the key immune defences, specifically the Type I restriction-modification systems that normally protect against foreign DNA. A broader analysis revealed that such immune deficient mutants are widespread within S. aureus populations. Our study uncovered a trade
off that may account for their persistence in nature: although these mutants are more susceptible to phage attack, they gain an evolutionary advantage by acquiring new genes - such as those conferring antibiotic resistance - which would enhance survival under selective
pressure. These immune-deficient cells act as gateways for foreign DNA, which, once integrated and advantageous, can spread within the same CC. Our findings highlight the role for immune-deficient bacteria in facilitating the emergence of novel virulence factors and antibiotic resistance, emphasising their importance in shaping bacterial evolution.
significantly restricted between strains from different clonal complexes (CCs), with the notable exception of lateral transduction, which occurs at high frequency. Interestingly, some strains exhibited a promiscuous ability to accept diverse mobile genetic elements. These strains were
defective in the key immune defences, specifically the Type I restriction-modification systems that normally protect against foreign DNA. A broader analysis revealed that such immune deficient mutants are widespread within S. aureus populations. Our study uncovered a trade
off that may account for their persistence in nature: although these mutants are more susceptible to phage attack, they gain an evolutionary advantage by acquiring new genes - such as those conferring antibiotic resistance - which would enhance survival under selective
pressure. These immune-deficient cells act as gateways for foreign DNA, which, once integrated and advantageous, can spread within the same CC. Our findings highlight the role for immune-deficient bacteria in facilitating the emergence of novel virulence factors and antibiotic resistance, emphasising their importance in shaping bacterial evolution.
Date Issued
2026-04-01
Date Acceptance
2026-03-16
Citation
Nature Communications, 2026, 17 (1)
ISSN
2041-1723
Publisher
Nature Portfolio
Journal / Book Title
Nature Communications
Volume
17
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view acopyofthislicence, visit http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/.
License URL
Identifier
10.1038/s41467-026-71467-z
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
4737
Date Publish Online
2026-04-01