PNNL

Abstract

Plasmids play significant roles in microbial adaptation to ecosystems, yet their dynamics remain poorly understood due to identification challenges. We present the Global Soil Plasmidome Resource (GSPR), a comprehensive dataset of 98,728 plasmid sequences amassed from 6,860 terrestrial microbial communities and isolates. We explored this resource to characterize the diversity, distribution, and functions of plasmids and understand their contribution to the genetic and functional diversity in soil. Our analysis reveals new insights from plasmid-encoded functions that may enable their persistence in the community and microbial adaptation to soil environments, such as effector modules, quorum sensing and stress resistance. By contrasting plasmids from cultivated and uncultivated organisms, we identified important functions that expand our knowledge of their roles in these habitats. This study represents a significant step forward in elucidating plasmid diversity and function within soil microbiomes and establishes a foundational framework for exploring their roles in natural environments.