Introducing the Tiny Thieves Using Stolen Genes to Combat Infections

Bdelloid rotifers, a type of small freshwater animal, have been found to utilize stolen bacterial genes to create antibiotics, shedding light on the development of safer antimicrobial drugs and addressing the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. These microscopic creatures, despite being smaller than a hair’s breadth, possess the essential components of an animal, including a head, mouth, gut, muscles, and nerves.

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Stirling, and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) at Woods Hole discovered that when bdelloid rotifers are faced with a fungal infection, they activate hundreds of genes that they acquired from bacteria and other microbes. Some of these genes are responsible for producing resistance weapons, such as antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, within the rotifers.

Lead study author Chris Wilson of the University of Oxford expressed surprise at the discovery, stating, „The main genes were instructions for chemicals that we didn’t think animals could make — they looked like recipes for antibiotics.“ This finding suggests that rotifers have been acquiring DNA from their surroundings for millions of years and are now utilizing these genes to combat diseases. This unique genetic defense mechanism sets rotifers apart from other animals, as they are the only known species to „steal“ genes from microbes on such a large scale.

David Mark Welch, a study co-author from the Marine Biological Laboratory, highlighted the potential of rotifers in producing novel antimicrobials that could be less toxic to animals, including humans, compared to traditional antibiotics derived from bacteria and fungi. The study also suggests that rotifers may offer valuable insights into the development of new antibiotics to combat infections caused by bacteria and fungi, especially in light of the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

The researchers observed that rotifers were using genes acquired from bacteria to produce antibiotics that were effective in suppressing fungal infections. This discovery opens up possibilities for the development of new drugs that are safer and more effective in treating microbial infections. By studying the unique genes and enzymes present in rotifers, scientists hope to identify potential targets for novel antibiotic production.

One of the challenges in developing new antibiotics lies in the toxicity and side effects of chemicals produced by bacteria and fungi. By studying rotifers and their natural antibiotic production, researchers aim to identify safer alternatives for treating infections in animals, including humans. The genes acquired by rotifers encode enzymes that assemble amino acids into non-ribosomal peptides, offering a promising avenue for the development of new antimicrobial drugs.

The study also raises questions about why rotifers are the only animals known to borrow genes from microbes at such high rates. The absence of sexual reproduction in rotifers may play a role in their genetic borrowing, as the lack of genetic recombination can lead to a lack of variation and increased susceptibility to infections. Understanding the mechanisms behind gene acquisition in rotifers could provide valuable insights into the evolution of antibiotic resistance and the development of new drugs.

In conclusion, the study of bdelloid rotifers and their use of stolen bacterial genes to produce antibiotics offers a fascinating glimpse into the potential of these tiny creatures in combating infections and inspiring the development of new antimicrobial drugs. By unraveling the genetic mechanisms behind rotifer gene acquisition and antibiotic production, researchers hope to pave the way for safer and more effective treatments for microbial infections in animals and humans alike.