Word-based GWAS harnesses the rich potential of genomic data for E. coli quinolone resistance

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Quinolone resistance presents a growing global health threat. We employed word-based GWAS to explore genomic data, aiming to enhance our understanding of this phenomenon. Unlike traditional variant-based GWAS analyses, this approach simultaneously captures multiple genomic factors, including single and interacting resistance mutations and genes. Analyzing a dataset of 92 genomic E. coli samples from a wastewater treatment plant in Dresden, we identified 54 DNA unitigs significantly associated with quinolone resistance. Remarkably, our analysis not only validated known mutations in gyrA and parC genes and the results of our variant-based GWAS but also revealed new (mutated) genes such as mdfA, the AcrEF-TolC multidrug efflux system, ptrB, and hisI, implicated in antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, our study identified joint mutations in 14 genes including the known gyrA gene, providing insights into potential synergistic effects contributing to quinolone resistance. These findings showcase the exceptional capabilities of word-based GWAS in unraveling the intricate genomic foundations of quinolone resistance.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1276332
Pages (from-to)1276332
JournalFrontiers in microbiology
Volume14
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC10751334
Scopus 85180875833
ORCID /0000-0003-2848-6949/work/150880724

Keywords