Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance

Abstract Plasmid copy number (PCN), the average number of plasmids per bacterial cell, links gene dosage to key traits such as host fitness, virulence, antibiotic resistance and evolutionary potential. Although often viewed as static, PCN is a dynamic, regulated trait responsive to environmental cue...

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Main Authors: Helen Wang, Enrique Joffré
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:npj Antimicrobials and Resistance
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00145-9
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author Helen Wang
Enrique Joffré
author_facet Helen Wang
Enrique Joffré
author_sort Helen Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Plasmid copy number (PCN), the average number of plasmids per bacterial cell, links gene dosage to key traits such as host fitness, virulence, antibiotic resistance and evolutionary potential. Although often viewed as static, PCN is a dynamic, regulated trait responsive to environmental cues and selection pressures. This review examines the regulatory mechanisms controlling PCN and its impact on the trade-offs between bacterial fitness, virulence cost, and antibiotic resistance.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-08-01
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series npj Antimicrobials and Resistance
spelling doaj-art-5d89547a742c466183c9ea1d3dfbfccd2025-08-20T03:43:45ZengNature Portfolionpj Antimicrobials and Resistance2731-87452025-08-01311810.1038/s44259-025-00145-9Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistanceHelen Wang0Enrique Joffré1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Plasmid copy number (PCN), the average number of plasmids per bacterial cell, links gene dosage to key traits such as host fitness, virulence, antibiotic resistance and evolutionary potential. Although often viewed as static, PCN is a dynamic, regulated trait responsive to environmental cues and selection pressures. This review examines the regulatory mechanisms controlling PCN and its impact on the trade-offs between bacterial fitness, virulence cost, and antibiotic resistance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00145-9
spellingShingle Helen Wang
Enrique Joffré
Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
npj Antimicrobials and Resistance
title Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
title_full Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
title_fullStr Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
title_full_unstemmed Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
title_short Plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
title_sort plasmid copy number as a modulator in bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00145-9
work_keys_str_mv AT helenwang plasmidcopynumberasamodulatorinbacterialpathogenesisandantibioticresistance
AT enriquejoffre plasmidcopynumberasamodulatorinbacterialpathogenesisandantibioticresistance