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Huang D, Xia R, Chen C, Liao J, Chen L, Wang D, Alvarez PJJ, Yu P. Adaptive strategies and ecological roles of phages in habitats under physicochemical stress. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:902-916. [PMID: 38433027 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) play a vital role in ecosystem functions by influencing the composition, genetic exchange, metabolism, and environmental adaptation of microbial communities. With recent advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, our understanding of the ecology and evolution of phages in stressful environments has substantially expanded. Here, we review the impact of physicochemical environmental stress on the physiological state and community dynamics of phages, the adaptive strategies that phages employ to cope with environmental stress, and the ecological effects of phage-host interactions in stressful environments. Specifically, we highlight the contributions of phages to the adaptive evolution and functioning of microbiomes and suggest that phages and their hosts can maintain a mutualistic relationship in response to environmental stress. In addition, we discuss the ecological consequences caused by phages in stressful environments, encompassing biogeochemical cycling. Overall, this review advances an understanding of phage ecology in stressful environments, which could inform phage-based strategies to improve microbiome performance and ecosystem resilience and resistance in natural and engineering systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Huang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Rong Xia
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chengyi Chen
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jingqiu Liao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Linxing Chen
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Pingfeng Yu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, 314100, China.
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Owaid HA, Al-Ouqaili MT. Molecular and bacteriological investigations for the co-existence CRISPR/Cas system and β-lactamases of types extended-spectrum and carbapenemases in Multidrug, extensive drug and Pandrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Saudi J Biol Sci 2024; 31:104022. [PMID: 38817398 PMCID: PMC11137337 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.104022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent approach towards combating the antimicrobial resistance has led to the use of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and associated sequence to overcome the challenges of antimicrobial resistance. Thus, this study aimed to detect the underlying resistance mechanisms such as ESBLs and carbapenemases and whether there is a correlation between multidrug, extensive drug and pan drug resistance and the occurrence of CRISPR loci. A total of one hundred study isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the AST card of the Vitek technique to detect resistance patterns involving ESBLs and carbapenemase (CRE). An investigation of the genes encoding CRISPR/Cas systems using PCR was achieved. Out of 81 (81.0%) resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, 71 (71%) and 21 (21.0%) produced ESBLs and carbapenemases, respectively. Also, 53 (53.0%), 19 (19.0%) and 9 (9.0%) were MDR, XDR, and PDR respectively. It was noted that Cas1, Cas3, CRISPR1, CRISPR2 and CRISPR3 were positive in 38 (38.0%) of the isolates, while CRISPR1 for incomplete CRISPR1-Cas systems alone was detected in 78 (78.0%). Further, the number of intact CRISPR1, intact CRISPR2 and intact CRISPR3 types were 7 (27.0%), 34 (34%) and 18 (18.0%) respectively. It is concluded that antibiotic resistance levels were inversely correlated with the existence of CRISPR/Cas systems. The absence of the CRISPR/Cas system increases the prevalence of MDR, XDR and PDR in ESBL and carbapenem-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. With the increase in the degree of antibiotic resistance (MDR, XDR to PDR), the occurrence ratio of the (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated sequence decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hekmat A. Owaid
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq
| | - Mushtak T.S. Al-Ouqaili
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Al-Anbar Governorate, Ramadi, Iraq
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Mancilla-Rojano J, Flores V, Cevallos MA, Ochoa SA, Parra-Flores J, Arellano-Galindo J, Xicohtencatl-Cortes J, Cruz-Córdova A. A bioinformatic approach to identify confirmed and probable CRISPR-Cas systems in the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus- Acinetobacter baumannii complex genomes. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1335997. [PMID: 38655087 PMCID: PMC11035748 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1335997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex, or Acb complex, consists of six species: Acinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Acinetobacter nosocomialis, Acinetobacter pittii, Acinetobacter seifertii, and Acinetobacter lactucae. A. baumannii is the most clinically significant of these species and is frequently related to healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) arrays and associated genes (cas) constitute bacterial adaptive immune systems and function as variable genetic elements. This study aimed to conduct a genomic analysis of Acb complex genomes available in databases to describe and characterize CRISPR systems and cas genes. Methods Acb complex genomes available in the NCBI and BV-BRC databases, the identification and characterization of CRISPR-Cas systems were performed using CRISPRCasFinder, CRISPRminer, and CRISPRDetect. Sequence types (STs) were determined using the Oxford scheme and ribosomal multilocus sequence typing (rMLST). Prophages were identified using PHASTER and Prophage Hunter. Results A total of 293 genomes representing six Acb species exhibited CRISPR-related sequences. These genomes originate from various sources, including clinical specimens, animals, medical devices, and environmental samples. Sequence typing identified 145 ribosomal multilocus sequence types (rSTs). CRISPR-Cas systems were confirmed in 26.3% of the genomes, classified as subtypes I-Fa, I-Fb and I-Fv. Probable CRISPR arrays and cas genes associated with CRISPR-Cas subtypes III-A, I-B, and III-B were also detected. Some of the CRISPR-Cas systems are associated with genomic regions related to Cap4 proteins, and toxin-antitoxin systems. Moreover, prophage sequences were prevalent in 68.9% of the genomes. Analysis revealed a connection between these prophages and CRISPR-Cas systems, indicating an ongoing arms race between the bacteria and their bacteriophages. Furthermore, proteins associated with anti-CRISPR systems, such as AcrF11 and AcrF7, were identified in the A. baumannii and A. pittii genomes. Discussion This study elucidates CRISPR-Cas systems and defense mechanisms within the Acb complex, highlighting their diverse distribution and interactions with prophages and other genetic elements. This study also provides valuable insights into the evolution and adaptation of these microorganisms in various environments and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jetsi Mancilla-Rojano
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Intestinal, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Víctor Flores
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A. Cevallos
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Sara A. Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Intestinal, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Julio Parra-Flores
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
| | - José Arellano-Galindo
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gomez, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Juan Xicohtencatl-Cortes
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Intestinal, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Ariadnna Cruz-Córdova
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Intestinal, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico, Mexico
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Gulati P, Singh CV. The Crucial Role of Molecular Biology in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e52246. [PMID: 38352075 PMCID: PMC10863367 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Molecular biology shines a light of hope amid the complex terrain of cancer, bringing revolutionary approaches to cancer treatment. Instead of providing a synopsis, this review presents an engaging story that sheds light on the genetic nuances controlling the course of cancer. This review goes beyond just listing genetic alterations to examine the complex interactions that lead to oncogene activation, exploring particular triggers such as viral infections or proto-oncogene mutations. A comprehensive grasp of the significant influence of oncogenes is possible through the classification and clarification of their function in various types of cancer. Furthermore, the role of tumor suppressor genes in controlling cell division and preventing tumor growth is fully explained, providing concrete examples and case studies to ground the conversation and create a stronger story. This study highlights the practical applications of molecular biology and provides a comprehensive overview of various detection and treatment modalities. It emphasizes the effectiveness of RNA analysis, immunohistochemistry, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) in cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction. Examples include the individualized classification of breast cancers through RNA profiling, the use of NGS to identify actionable mutations such as epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase in lung cancer, and the use of immunohistochemical staining for proteins such as Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene to guide treatment decisions in colorectal cancer. This paper carefully examines how molecular biology is essential to creating new strategies to fight this difficult and widespread illness. It highlights the exciting array of available therapeutic approaches, offering concrete instances of how clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9), targeted pharmaceuticals, immunotherapy, and treatments that induce apoptosis are driving a paradigm shift in cancer care. The revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 system takes center stage, showcasing how precise gene editing could transform cancer therapy. This study concludes by fervently highlighting the critical role that molecular biology plays in reducing the complexity of cancer and changing the treatment landscape. It lists accomplishments but also thoughtfully examines cases and findings that progress our search for more precisely customized and effective cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisha Gulati
- Medicine and Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Chandra Veer Singh
- Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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Ahmed NA, Khattab RA, Ragab YM, Hassan M. Safety assessment of Enterococcus lactis strains complemented with comparative genomics analysis reveals probiotic and safety characteristics of the entire species. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:667. [PMID: 37932698 PMCID: PMC10626658 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09749-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota is considered a rich source for potential novel probiotics. Enterococcus genus is a normal component of a healthy gut microbiota, suggesting its vital role. Nosocomial infections caused mainly by E. facalis and E. faecium have been attributed to the plasticity of the Enterococcus genomes. In this study, we assessed the probiotic and safety characteristics of two E. lactis strains isolated from the human gut microbiota using in-vitro and in silico approaches. Additionally, the safety of the E. lactis species was evaluated using comparative genomics analysis. RESULTS The two E. lactis strains 10NA and 50NA showed resistance to bile salts and acid tolerance with antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Clostridioides difficile. For safety assays, the two strains did not display any type of hemolysis on blood agar, and the survival of Caco-2 cells was not significantly different (P-value > 0.05) compared to the control using cell free supernatants at 100% (v/v), 50% (v/v), 10% (v/v), and 5% (v/v) concentrations. Regarding antibiotic susceptibility, both strains were sensitive to vancomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol. Comprehensive whole-genome analysis revealed no concerning associations between virulence or antibiotic resistance genes and any of the identified mobile genetic elements. Comparative genome analysis with closely related E. faecium species genomes revealed the distinctive genomic safety of the E. lactis species. CONCLUSIONS Our two E. lactis strains showed promising probiotic properties in-vitro. Their genomes were devoid of any transferable antibiotic resistance genes. In silico comparative analysis confirmed the safety of the E. lactis species. These results suggest that E. lactis species could be a potential source for safer Enterococcus probiotic supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha A Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Rania Abdelmonem Khattab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Yasser M Ragab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Mariam Hassan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, New Galala City, Suez, 43511, Egypt.
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Choudhary N, Tandi D, Verma RK, Yadav VK, Dhingra N, Ghosh T, Choudhary M, Gaur RK, Abdellatif MH, Gacem A, Eltayeb LB, Alqahtani MS, Yadav KK, Jeon BH. A comprehensive appraisal of mechanism of anti-CRISPR proteins: an advanced genome editor to amend the CRISPR gene editing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1164461. [PMID: 37426982 PMCID: PMC10328345 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1164461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of precise and controlled CRISPR-Cas tools has been made possible by the discovery of protein inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems, called anti-CRISPRs (Acrs). The Acr protein has the ability to control off-targeted mutations and impede Cas protein-editing operations. Acr can help with selective breeding, which could help plants and animals improve their valuable features. In this review, the Acr protein-based inhibitory mechanisms that have been adopted by several Acrs, such as (a) the interruption of CRISPR-Cas complex assembly, (b) interference with target DNA binding, (c) blocking of target DNA/RNA cleavage, and (d) enzymatic modification or degradation of signalling molecules, were discussed. In addition, this review emphasizes the applications of Acr proteins in the plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Dipty Tandi
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Verma
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Virendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Naveen Dhingra
- Department of Agriculture, Medi-Caps University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Tathagata Ghosh
- Department of Arts, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mahima Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rajarshi K. Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (D.D.U.) Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Magda H. Abdellatif
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amel Gacem
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University 20 Août 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Lienda Bashier Eltayeb
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin AbdulAziz University-Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S. Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Sciences (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna Kumar Yadav
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Madhyanchal Professional University, Ratibad, India
- Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
| | - Byong-Hun Jeon
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Jwair NA, Al-Ouqaili MTS, Al-Marzooq F. Inverse Association between the Existence of CRISPR/Cas Systems with Antibiotic Resistance, Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase and Carbapenemase Production in Multidrug, Extensive Drug and Pandrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:980. [PMID: 37370299 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12060980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance, with the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases, is common in the opportunistic pathogen, Klebsiella pneumoniae. This organism has a genome that can contain clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), which operate as a defense mechanism against external invaders such as plasmids and viruses. This study aims to determine the association of the CRISPR/Cas systems with antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae isolates from Iraqi patients. A total of 100 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected and characterized according to their susceptibility to different antimicrobial agents. The CRISPR/Cas systems were detected via PCR. The phenotypic detection of ESBLs and carbapenemases was performed. The production of ESBL was detected in 71% of the isolates. Carbapenem-resistance was detected in 15% of the isolates, while only 14% were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the bacteria were classified into multidrug (77%), extensively drug-resistant (11.0%) and pandrug-resistant (4.0%). There was an inverse association between the presence of the CRISPR/Cas systems and antibiotic resistance, as resistance was higher in the absence of the CRISPR/Cas system. Multidrug resistance in ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae occurred more frequently in strains negative for the CRISPR/Cas system. Thus, we conclude that genes for exogenous antibiotic resistance can be acquired in the absence of the CRISPR/Cas modules that can protect the bacteria against acquiring foreign DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor A Jwair
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Ramadi P.O. Box 55431, Iraq
| | - Mushtak T S Al-Ouqaili
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Ramadi P.O. Box 55431, Iraq
| | - Farah Al-Marzooq
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
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McBride TM, Cameron SC, Fineran PC, Fagerlund RD. The biology and type I/III hybrid nature of type I-D CRISPR-Cas systems. Biochem J 2023; 480:471-488. [PMID: 37052300 PMCID: PMC10212523 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Prokaryotes have adaptive defence mechanisms that protect them from mobile genetic elements and viral infection. One defence mechanism is called CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins). There are six different types of CRISPR-Cas systems and multiple subtypes that vary in composition and mode of action. Type I and III CRISPR-Cas systems utilise multi-protein complexes, which differ in structure, nucleic acid binding and cleaving preference. The type I-D system is a chimera of type I and III systems. Recently, there has been a burst of research on the type I-D CRISPR-Cas system. Here, we review the mechanism, evolution and biotechnological applications of the type I-D CRISPR-Cas system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess M. McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Shaharn C. Cameron
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter C. Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Robert D. Fagerlund
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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Kesavan G. Innovations in CRISPR-Based Therapies. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:138-145. [PMID: 34586618 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Gene and cell therapies have shown tremendous advancement in the last 5 years. Prominent examples include the successful use of CRISPR-edited stem cells for treating blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, and ongoing clinical trials for treating blindness. This mini-review assesses the status of CRISPR-based therapies, both in vivo and ex vivo, and the challenges associated with clinical translation. In vivo CRISPR therapies have been used to treat eye and liver diseases due to the practicality of delivering editing components to the target tissue. In contrast, even though ex vivo CRISPR therapy involves cell isolation, expansion, and infusion, its advantages include characterizing the gene edits before infusion and restricting off-target effects in other tissues. Further, the safety, affordability, and feasibility of CRISPR therapies, especially for treating large number of patients, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokul Kesavan
- Vowels Lifesciences Private Limited, 271, 5th Main Rd, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560011, India. .,Vowels Advanced School of Learning and Research, 271, 5th Main Rd, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560011, India.
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10
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Brossard Stoos KA, Ren J, Shields-Cutler RR, Sams KL, Caldwell S, Ho MB, Rivara G, Whistler CA, Jones SH, Wiedmann M, DeMent J, Getchell RG, Marquis H. Coastal water bacteriophages infect various sets of Vibrio parahaemolyticus sequence types. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1041942. [PMID: 36601403 PMCID: PMC9807174 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1041942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gastrointestinal illnesses associated with the consumption of shellfish contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus have a negative impact on the shellfish industry due to recalls and loss of consumer confidence in products. This bacterial pathogen is very diverse and specific sequence types (STs), ST631 and ST36, have emerged as prevalent causes of Vibrio foodborne disease outbreaks in the US, though other STs have been implicated in sporadic cases. We investigated whether bacteriophages could be used as a proxy to monitor for the presence of distinct V. parahaemolyticus STs in coastal waters. Methods For this purpose, bacteriophages infecting V. parahaemolyticus were isolated from water samples collected on the Northeast Atlantic coast. The isolated phages were tested against a collection of 29 V. parahaemolyticus isolates representing 18 STs, including six clonal complexes (CC). Four distinct phages were identified based on their ability to infect different sets of V. parahaemolyticus isolates. Results and Discussion Overall, the 29 bacterial isolates segregated into one of eight patterns of susceptibility, ranging from resistance to all four phages to susceptibility to any number of phages. STs represented by more than one bacterial isolate segregated within the same pattern of susceptibility except for one V. parahaemolyticus ST. Other patterns of susceptibility included exclusively clinical isolates represented by distinct STs. Overall, this study suggests that phages populating coastal waters could be exploited to monitor for the presence of V. parahaemolyticus STs known to cause foodborne outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari A. Brossard Stoos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States,Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Kari A. Brossard Stoos,
| | - Jennifer Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | | | - Kelly L. Sams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Shannon Caldwell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Marvin B. Ho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Gregg Rivara
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, Southold, NY, United States
| | - Cheryl A. Whistler
- Northeast Center for Vibrio Disease and Ecology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Stephen H. Jones
- Northeast Center for Vibrio Disease and Ecology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States,Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Martin Wiedmann
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Jamie DeMent
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Rodman G. Getchell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Hélène Marquis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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11
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de Oliveira HL, Dias GM, Neves BC. Genome sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1-Petro—A role model of environmental adaptation and a potential biotechnological tool. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11566. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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12
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Zaayman M, Wheatley RM. Fitness costs of CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35849532 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems provide bacteria with both specificity and adaptability in defence against invading genetic elements. From a theoretical perspective, CRISPR-Cas systems confer many benefits. However, they are observed at an unexpectedly low prevalence across the bacterial domain. While these defence systems can be gained horizontally, fitness costs may lead to selection against their carriage. Understanding the source of CRISPR-related fitness costs will help us to understand the evolutionary dynamics of CRISPR-Cas systems and their role in shaping bacterial genome evolution. Here, we review our current understanding of the potential fitness costs associated with CRISPR-Cas systems. In addition to potentially restricting the acquisition of genetic material that could confer fitness benefits, we explore five alternative biological factors that from a theoretical perspective may influence the fitness costs associated with CRISPR-Cas system carriage: (1) the repertoire of defence mechanisms a bacterium has available to it, (2) the potential for a metabolic burden, (3) larger-scale population and environmental factors, (4) the phenomenon of self-targeting spacers, and (5) alternative non-defence roles for CRISPR-Cas.
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13
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Konstantakos V, Nentidis A, Krithara A, Paliouras G. CRISPR-Cas9 gRNA efficiency prediction: an overview of predictive tools and the role of deep learning. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3616-3637. [PMID: 35349718 PMCID: PMC9023298 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has become a successful and promising technology for gene-editing. To facilitate its effective application, various computational tools have been developed. These tools can assist researchers in the guide RNA (gRNA) design process by predicting cleavage efficiency and specificity and excluding undesirable targets. However, while many tools are available, assessment of their application scenarios and performance benchmarks are limited. Moreover, new deep learning tools have been explored lately for gRNA efficiency prediction, but have not been systematically evaluated. Here, we discuss the approaches that pertain to the on-target activity problem, focusing mainly on the features and computational methods they utilize. Furthermore, we evaluate these tools on independent datasets and give some suggestions for their usage. We conclude with some challenges and perspectives about future directions for CRISPR-Cas9 guide design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Konstantakos
- Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos, Patr. Gregoriou E & 27 Neapoleos Str, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios Nentidis
- Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos, Patr. Gregoriou E & 27 Neapoleos Str, 15341 Athens, Greece
- School of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Krithara
- Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos, Patr. Gregoriou E & 27 Neapoleos Str, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Paliouras
- Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos, Patr. Gregoriou E & 27 Neapoleos Str, 15341 Athens, Greece
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14
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Rocha EPC, Bikard D. Microbial defenses against mobile genetic elements and viruses: Who defends whom from what? PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001514. [PMID: 35025885 PMCID: PMC8791490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotes have numerous mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that mediate horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between cells. These elements can be costly, even deadly, and cells use numerous defense systems to filter, control, or inactivate them. Recent studies have shown that prophages, conjugative elements, their parasites (phage satellites and mobilizable elements), and other poorly described MGEs encode defense systems homologous to those of bacteria. These constitute a significant fraction of the repertoire of cellular defense genes. As components of MGEs, these defense systems have presumably evolved to provide them, not the cell, adaptive functions. While the interests of the host and MGEs are aligned when they face a common threat such as an infection by a virulent phage, defensive functions carried by MGEs might also play more selfish roles to fend off other antagonistic MGEs or to ensure their maintenance in the cell. MGEs are eventually lost from the surviving host genomes by mutational processes and their defense systems can be co-opted when they provide an advantage to the cell. The abundance of defense systems in MGEs thus sheds new light on the role, effect, and fate of the so-called "cellular defense systems," whereby they are not only merely microbial defensive weapons in a 2-partner arms race, but also tools of intragenomic conflict between multiple genetic elements with divergent interests that shape cell fate and gene flow at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo P. C. Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, France
| | - David Bikard
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Synthetic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Paris, France
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15
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Devi V, Harjai K, Chhibber S. Self-targeting spacers in CRISPR-array: Accidental occurrence or evolutionarily conserved phenomenon. J Basic Microbiol 2021; 62:4-12. [PMID: 34904260 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, a tremendous amount of inquisitiveness among scientists in the clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) has led to many studies to delineate their exact role in prokaryotes. CRISPR-Cas is an adaptive immune system that protects prokaryotes from phages and mobile genetic elements. It incorporates small DNA fragment of the invader in the CRISPR-array and protects the host from future invasion by them. In a few instances, the CRISPR-array also incorporates self-targeting spacers, most likely by accident or leaky incorporation. A significant number of spacers are found to match with the host genes across the species; however, self-targeting spacers have not been investigated in detail in most of the organisms. The presence of self-targeting spacers in the CRISPR-array led to speculation that the CRISPR-Cas system has a lot more to offer than just being the conventional adaptive immune system. It has been implicated in gene regulation and autoimmunity more or less equally. In this review, an attempt has been made to understand self-targeting spacers in the context of gene regulation, autoimmunity, and its avoidance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veena Devi
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kusum Harjai
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanjay Chhibber
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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16
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Javaid N, Choi S. CRISPR/Cas System and Factors Affecting Its Precision and Efficiency. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:761709. [PMID: 34901007 PMCID: PMC8652214 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.761709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The diverse applications of genetically modified cells and organisms require more precise and efficient genome-editing tool such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas). The CRISPR/Cas system was originally discovered in bacteria as a part of adaptive-immune system with multiple types. Its engineered versions involve multiple host DNA-repair pathways in order to perform genome editing in host cells. However, it is still challenging to get maximum genome-editing efficiency with fewer or no off-targets. Here, we focused on factors affecting the genome-editing efficiency and precision of CRISPR/Cas system along with its defense-mechanism, orthologues, and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasir Javaid
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Sangdun Choi
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
- S&K Therapeutics, Ajou University Campus Plaza, Suwon, South Korea
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17
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Flores Ramos S, Brugger SD, Escapa IF, Skeete CA, Cotton SL, Eslami SM, Gao W, Bomar L, Tran TH, Jones DS, Minot S, Roberts RJ, Johnston CD, Lemon KP. Genomic Stability and Genetic Defense Systems in Dolosigranulum pigrum, a Candidate Beneficial Bacterium from the Human Microbiome. mSystems 2021; 6:e0042521. [PMID: 34546072 PMCID: PMC8547433 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00425-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dolosigranulum pigrum is positively associated with indicators of health in multiple epidemiological studies of human nasal microbiota. Knowledge of the basic biology of D. pigrum is a prerequisite for evaluating its potential for future therapeutic use; however, such data are very limited. To gain insight into D. pigrum's chromosomal structure, pangenome, and genomic stability, we compared the genomes of 28 D. pigrum strains that were collected across 20 years. Phylogenomic analysis showed closely related strains circulating over this period and closure of 19 genomes revealed highly conserved chromosomal synteny. Gene clusters involved in the mobilome and in defense against mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were enriched in the accessory genome versus the core genome. A systematic analysis for MGEs identified the first candidate D. pigrum prophage and insertion sequence. A systematic analysis for genetic elements that limit the spread of MGEs, including restriction modification (RM), CRISPR-Cas, and deity-named defense systems, revealed strain-level diversity in host defense systems that localized to specific genomic sites, including one RM system hot spot. Analysis of CRISPR spacers pointed to a wealth of MGEs against which D. pigrum defends itself. These results reveal a role for horizontal gene transfer and mobile genetic elements in strain diversification while highlighting that in D. pigrum this occurs within the context of a highly stable chromosomal organization protected by a variety of defense mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Dolosigranulum pigrum is a candidate beneficial bacterium with potential for future therapeutic use. This is based on its positive associations with characteristics of health in multiple studies of human nasal microbiota across the span of human life. For example, high levels of D. pigrum nasal colonization in adults predicts the absence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization. Also, D. pigrum nasal colonization in young children is associated with healthy control groups in studies of middle ear infections. Our analysis of 28 genomes revealed a remarkable stability of D. pigrum strains colonizing people in the United States across a 20-year span. We subsequently identified factors that can influence this stability, including genomic stability, phage predators, the role of MGEs in strain-level variation, and defenses against MGEs. Finally, these D. pigrum strains also lacked predicted virulence factors. Overall, these findings add additional support to the potential for D. pigrum as a therapeutic bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvio D. Brugger
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isabel Fernandez Escapa
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sean L. Cotton
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara M. Eslami
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lindsey Bomar
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tommy H. Tran
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dakota S. Jones
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Samuel Minot
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Christopher D. Johnston
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Katherine P. Lemon
- The Forsyth Institute (Microbiology), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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18
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Huang Z, Zhou X, Stanton C, Ross RP, Zhao J, Zhang H, Yang B, Chen W. Comparative Genomics and Specific Functional Characteristics Analysis of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091992. [PMID: 34576887 PMCID: PMC8464880 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a common kind of lactic acid bacteria usually found in the human gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, vagina, and various fermented foods. At present, many studies have focused on the probiotic function and industrial application of L. acidophilus. Additionally, dozens of L. acidophilus strains have been genome sequenced, but there has been no research to compare them at the genomic level. In this study, 46 strains of L. acidophilus were performed comparative analyses to explore their genetic diversity. The results showed that all the L. acidophilus strains were divided into two clusters based on ANI values, phylogenetic analysis and whole genome comparison, due to the difference of their predicted gene composition of bacteriocin operon, CRISPR-Cas systems and prophages mainly. Additionally, L. acidophilus was a pan-genome open species with a difference in carbohydrates utilization, antibiotic resistance, EPS operon, surface layer protein operon and other functional gene composition. This work provides a better understanding of L. acidophilus from a genetic perspective, and offers a frame for the biotechnological potentiality of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Z.H.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (W.C.)
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xingya Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Z.H.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (W.C.)
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Catherine Stanton
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Pharmabiotics & Antibiotic Resistance, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (C.S.); (R.P.R.)
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 Cork, Ireland
| | - Reynolds Paul Ross
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Pharmabiotics & Antibiotic Resistance, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (C.S.); (R.P.R.)
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Z.H.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (W.C.)
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Z.H.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (W.C.)
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Wuxi Translational Medicine Research Center and Jiangsu Translational Medicine Research Institute Wuxi Branch, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Bo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Z.H.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (W.C.)
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Pharmabiotics & Antibiotic Resistance, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (C.S.); (R.P.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-510-8591-2155
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Z.H.); (X.Z.); (J.Z.); (H.Z.); (W.C.)
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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19
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Lu WT, Trost CN, Müller-Esparza H, Randau L, Davidson AR. Anti-CRISPR AcrIF9 functions by inducing the CRISPR-Cas complex to bind DNA non-specifically. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:3381-3393. [PMID: 33660777 PMCID: PMC8034650 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phages and other mobile genetic elements express anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) to protect their genomes from destruction by CRISPR–Cas systems. Acrs usually block the ability of CRISPR–Cas systems to bind or cleave their nucleic acid substrates. Here, we investigate an unusual Acr, AcrIF9, that induces a gain-of-function to a type I-F CRISPR–Cas (Csy) complex, causing it to bind strongly to DNA that lacks both a PAM sequence and sequence complementarity. We show that specific and non-specific dsDNA compete for the same site on the Csy:AcrIF9 complex with rapid exchange, but specific ssDNA appears to still bind through complementarity to the CRISPR RNA. Induction of non-specific DNA-binding is a shared property of diverse AcrIF9 homologues. Substitution of a conserved positively charged surface on AcrIF9 abrogated non-specific dsDNA-binding of the Csy:AcrIF9 complex, but specific dsDNA binding was maintained. AcrIF9 mutants with impaired non-specific dsDNA binding activity in vitro displayed a reduced ability to inhibit CRISPR–Cas activity in vivo. We conclude that misdirecting the CRISPR–Cas complex to bind non-specific DNA is a key component of the inhibitory mechanism of AcrIF9. This inhibitory mechanism is distinct from a previously characterized anti-CRISPR, AcrIF1, that sterically blocks DNA-binding, even though AcrIF1and AcrIF9 bind to the same site on the Csy complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Ting Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Chantel N Trost
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Hanna Müller-Esparza
- Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lennart Randau
- Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany.,Loewe Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
| | - Alan R Davidson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
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20
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Cohan FM, Zandi M, Turner PE. Broadscale phage therapy is unlikely to select for widespread evolution of bacterial resistance to virus infection. Virus Evol 2020; 6:veaa060. [PMID: 33365149 PMCID: PMC7744382 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens are alarmingly on the rise, signaling that the golden age of antibiotics may be over. Phage therapy is a classic approach that often employs strictly lytic bacteriophages (bacteria-specific viruses that kill cells) to combat infections. Recent success in using phages in patient treatment stimulates greater interest in phage therapy among Western physicians. But there is concern that widespread use of phage therapy would eventually lead to global spread of phage-resistant bacteria and widespread failure of the approach. Here, we argue that various mechanisms of horizontal genetic transfer (HGT) have largely contributed to broad acquisition of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations and species, whereas similar evolution of broad resistance to therapeutic phages is unlikely. The tendency for phages to infect only particular bacterial genotypes limits their broad use in therapy, in turn reducing the likelihood that bacteria could acquire beneficial resistance genes from distant relatives via HGT. We additionally consider whether HGT of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) immunity would thwart generalized use of phages in therapy, and argue that phage-specific CRISPR spacer regions from one taxon are unlikely to provide adaptive value if horizontally-transferred to other taxa. For these reasons, we conclude that broadscale phage therapy efforts are unlikely to produce widespread selection for evolution of bacterial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick M Cohan
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Matthew Zandi
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Paul E Turner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Program in Microbiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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21
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Wang C, Nie T, Lin F, Connerton IF, Lu Z, Zhou S, Hang H. Resistance mechanisms adopted by a Salmonella Typhimurium mutant against bacteriophage. Virus Res 2019; 273:197759. [PMID: 31539557 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages have key roles in regulating bacterial populations in most habitats. A Salmonella Typhimurium mutant (N18) with impaired sensitivity to phage fmb-p1 was obtained and examined, the adsorption efficiency of fmb-p1 to N18 was reduced to 6%, compared to more than 97% for wild type S. Typhimurium CMCC50115. Reduced adsorption was accompanied by a reduction of 90% in the LPS content compared to wild type. Electron microscopy showed phage scattered around N18 with minimal engagement, while the phage were efficiently adsorbed to the wild type with tails oriented towards the bacterial surface. Evidence suggests fmb-p1 can slightly infect N18 and this does not give rise to an increase of phage titer. RT-qPCR data show that several Salmonella genes involved in lipopolysaccharide synthesis and five virulence related genes were down-regulated upon exposure of N18 to phage fmb-p1. In contrast, phage resistance related genes such as the SOS response, restriction-modification (RM), and Cas1 gene were up-regulated in N18. These data suggest that although inefficient adsorption and entry is the primary mechanism of resistance, transcriptional responses to phage exposure indicate that alternative resistance mechanisms against phage infection are also brought to bear, including digestion of phage nucleic acids and activation of the SOS. These findings may help develop strategies for biocontrol of Salmonella where multi-resistant bacteria are encountered or emerge in applications for food production, bioremediation or wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changbao Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, PR China
| | - Ting Nie
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Fuxing Lin
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Ian F Connerton
- Division of Food Sciences, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Zhaoxin Lu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
| | - Shoubiao Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, PR China
| | - Hua Hang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, PR China
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22
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Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Mechanisms, epidemiology and evolution. Drug Resist Updat 2019; 44:100640. [PMID: 31492517 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotics are powerful drugs used in the treatment of bacterial infections. The inappropriate use of these medicines has driven the dissemination of antibiotic resistance (AR) in most bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen commonly involved in environmental- and difficult-to-treat hospital-acquired infections. This species is frequently resistant to several antibiotics, being in the "critical" category of the WHO's priority pathogens list for research and development of new antibiotics. In addition to a remarkable intrinsic resistance to several antibiotics, P. aeruginosa can acquire resistance through chromosomal mutations and acquisition of AR genes. P. aeruginosa has one of the largest bacterial genomes and possesses a significant assortment of genes acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which are frequently localized within integrons and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as transposons, insertion sequences, genomic islands, phages, plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). This genomic diversity results in a non-clonal population structure, punctuated by specific clones that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, the so-called high-risk clones. Acquisition of MGEs produces a fitness cost in the host, that can be eased over time by compensatory mutations during MGE-host coevolution. Even though plasmids and ICEs are important drivers of AR, the underlying evolutionary traits that promote this dissemination are poorly understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the main strategies involved in AR in P. aeruginosa and the leading drivers of HGT in this species. The most recently developed genomic tools that allowed a better understanding of the features contributing for the success of P. aeruginosa are discussed.
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23
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Xu X, Wan T, Xin H, Li D, Pan H, Wu J, Ping Y. Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 for therapeutic genome editing. J Gene Med 2019; 21:e3107. [PMID: 31237055 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered, regularly-interspaced, short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) is emerging as a promising genome-editing tool for treating diseases in a precise way, and has been applied to a wide range of research in the areas of biology, genetics, and medicine. Delivery of therapeutic genome-editing agents provides a promising platform for the treatment of genetic disorders. Although viral vectors are widely used to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 elements with high efficiency, they suffer from several drawbacks, such as mutagenesis, immunogenicity, and off-target effects. Recently, non-viral vectors have emerged as another class of delivery carriers in terms of their safety, simplicity, and flexibility. In this review, we discuss the modes of CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, the barriers to the delivery process and the application of CRISPR/Cas9 system for the treatment of genetic disorders. We also highlight several representative types of non-viral vectors, including polymers, liposomes, cell-penetrating peptides, and other synthetic vectors, for the therapeutic delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 system. The applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in treating genetic disorders mediated by the non-viral vectors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tao Wan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Huhu Xin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Da Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Hongming Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jun Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuan Ping
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Botelho J, Grosso F, Peixe L. WITHDRAWN: Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa – mechanisms, epidemiology and evolution. Drug Resist Updat 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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25
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Luz ACDO, da Silva JMA, Rezende AM, de Barros MPS, Leal-Balbino TC. Analysis of direct repeats and spacers of CRISPR/Cas systems type I-F in Brazilian clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 294:1095-1105. [PMID: 31098740 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas is an adaptive immune system found in prokaryotes, with the main function of protecting these cells from invasion and possible death by mobile genetic elements. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered a model for type I-F CRISPR/Cas system studies. However, its CRISPR loci characteristics have not yet been thoroughly described, and its function has not yet been fully unraveled. The aims of this study were to find the frequency of the system in Brazilian clinical isolates; to identify the loci sequence, its spacer diversity and its origins; as well as to propose a unified spacer library to aid in future structural studies of the CRISPR loci of P. aeruginosa. We investigated types I-F and I-E gene markers to establish CRISPR/Cas typing, and observed two strains harboring both systems simultaneously, a very rare feature. Through amplification and sequencing of CRISPR loci related to type I-F system, we describe polymorphisms in DRs and 350 spacers, of which 97 are new. The spacers that were identified had their possible organisms or proteins of origin identified. Spacer arrays were grouped in five different CRISPR patterns and the plasticity was inferred by rearrangements in spacer arrays. Here, we perform the first detailed and focused description of CRISPR/Cas elements in Brazilian clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. Our findings reflect active and highly diverse CRISPR loci, and we suggest that CRISPR/Cas may also pose as a transcriptional regulatory mechanism. The structural and diversity features described here can provide insights into the function of CRISPR/Cas in this pathogen and help guide the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina de Oliveira Luz
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.,Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Antonio Mauro Rezende
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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26
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Gangopadhyay SA, Cox KJ, Manna D, Lim D, Maji B, Zhou Q, Choudhary A. Precision Control of CRISPR-Cas9 Using Small Molecules and Light. Biochemistry 2019; 58:234-244. [PMID: 30640437 PMCID: PMC6586488 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas system is an adaptive immune system of bacteria that has furnished several RNA-guided DNA endonucleases (e.g., Cas9) that are revolutionizing the field of genome engineering. Cas9 is being used to effect genomic alterations as well as in gene drives, where a particular trait may be propagated through a targeted species population over several generations. The ease of targeting catalytically impaired Cas9 to any genomic loci has led to development of technologies for base editing, chromatin imaging and modeling, epigenetic editing, and gene regulation. Unsurprisingly, Cas9 is being developed for numerous applications in biotechnology and biomedical research and as a gene therapy agent for multiple pathologies. There is a need for precise control of Cas9 activity over several dimensions, including those of dose, time, and space in these applications. Such precision controls, which are required of therapeutic agents, are particularly important for Cas9 as off-target effects, chromosomal translocations, immunogenic response, genotoxicity, and embryonic mosaicism are observed at elevated levels and with prolonged activity of Cas9. Here, we provide a perspective on advances in the precision control of Cas9 over aforementioned dimensions using external stimuli (e.g., small molecules or light) for controlled activation, inhibition, or degradation of Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyashree A. Gangopadhyay
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kurt J. Cox
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Debasish Manna
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Donghyun Lim
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Basudeb Maji
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Qingxuan Zhou
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Amit Choudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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27
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Koonin EV. CRISPR: a new principle of genome engineering linked to conceptual shifts in evolutionary biology. BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY 2019; 34:9. [PMID: 30930513 PMCID: PMC6404382 DOI: 10.1007/s10539-018-9658-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas systems of bacterial and archaeal adaptive immunity have become a household name among biologists and even the general public thanks to the unprecedented success of the new generation of genome editing tools utilizing Cas proteins. However, the fundamental biological features of CRISPR-Cas are of no lesser interest and have major impacts on our understanding of the evolution of antivirus defense, host-parasite coevolution, self versus non-self discrimination and mechanisms of adaptation. CRISPR-Cas systems present the best known case in point for Lamarckian evolution, i.e. generation of heritable, adaptive genomic changes in response to encounters with external factors, in this case, foreign nucleic acids. CRISPR-Cas systems employ multiple mechanisms of self versus non-self discrimination but, as is the case with immune systems in general, are nevertheless costly because autoimmunity cannot be eliminated completely. In addition to the autoimmunity, the fitness cost of CRISPR-Cas systems appears to be determined by their inhibitory effect on horizontal gene transfer, curtailing evolutionary innovation. Hence the dynamic evolution of CRISPR-Cas loci that are frequently lost and (re)acquired by archaea and bacteria. Another fundamental biological feature of CRISPR-Cas is its intimate connection with programmed cell death and dormancy induction in microbes. In this and, possibly, other immune systems, active immune response appears to be coupled to a different form of defense, namely, "altruistic" shutdown of cellular functions resulting in protection of neighboring cells. Finally, analysis of the evolutionary connections of Cas proteins reveals multiple contributions of mobile genetic elements (MGE) to the origin of various components of CRISPR-Cas systems, furthermore, different biological systems that function by genome manipulation appear to have evolved convergently from unrelated MGE. The shared features of adaptive defense systems and MGE, namely the ability to recognize and cleave unique sites in genomes, make them ideal candidates for genome editing and engineering tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894 USA
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28
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García-Zea JA, de la Herrán R, Robles Rodríguez F, Navajas-Pérez R, Ruiz Rejón C. Detection and variability analyses of CRISPR-like loci in the H. pylori genome. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6221. [PMID: 30648020 PMCID: PMC6330956 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogenic bacterium with a high genomic plasticity. Although the functional CRISPR-Cas system has not been found in its genome, CRISPR-like loci have been recently identified. In this work, 53 genomes from different geographical areas are analyzed for the search and analysis of variability of this type of structure. We confirm the presence of a locus that was previously described in the VlpC gene in al lgenomes, and we characterize new CRISPR-like loci in other genomic locations. By studying the variability and gene location of these loci, the evolution and the possible roles of these sequences are discussed. Additionally, the usefulness of this type of sequences as a phylogenetic marker has been demonstrated, associating the different strains by geographical area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto de la Herrán
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Navajas-Pérez
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Carmelo Ruiz Rejón
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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29
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Botelho J, Roberts AP, León-Sampedro R, Grosso F, Peixe L. Carbapenemases on the move: it's good to be on ICEs. Mob DNA 2018; 9:37. [PMID: 30574213 PMCID: PMC6299553 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-018-0141-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance is often mediated by mobile genetic elements. Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are the most abundant conjugative elements among prokaryotes. However, the contribution of ICEs to horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance has been largely unexplored. Results Here we report that ICEs belonging to mating-pair formation (MPF) classes G and T are highly prevalent among the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, contributing to the spread of carbapenemase-encoding genes (CEGs). Most CEGs of the MPFG class were encoded within class I integrons, which co-harbour genes conferring resistance to other antibiotics. The majority of the integrons were located within Tn3-like and composite transposons. Conserved attachment site could be predicted for the MPFG class ICEs. MPFT class ICEs carried the CEGs within composite transposons which were not associated with integrons. Conclusions The data presented here provides a global snapshot of the different CEG-harbouring ICEs and sheds light on the underappreciated contribution of these elements to the evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance on P. aeruginosa. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13100-018-0141-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Botelho
- 1UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Adam P Roberts
- 2Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.,3Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ricardo León-Sampedro
- 4Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER-ESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Filipa Grosso
- 1UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa Peixe
- 1UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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30
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Minet C, Thévenon S, Chantal I, Solano P, Berthier D. Mini-review on CRISPR-Cas9 and its potential applications to help controlling neglected tropical diseases caused by Trypanosomatidae. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 63:326-331. [PMID: 29486366 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system, which was originally identified as a prokaryotic defense mechanism, is increasingly being used for the functional study of genes. This technology, which is simple, inexpensive and efficient, has aroused a lot of enthusiasm in the scientific community since its discovery, and every month many publications emanate from very different communities reporting on the use of CRISPR-Cas9. Currently, there are no vaccines to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by Trypanosomatidae, particularly Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Animal African Trypanosomoses (AAT), and treatments are cumbersome and sometimes not effective enough. CRISPR-Cas9 has the potential to functionally analyze new target molecules that could be used for therapeutic and vaccine purposes. In this review, after briefly describing CRIPSR-Cas9 history and how it works, different applications on diseases, especially on parasitic diseases, are reviewed. We then focus the review on the use of CRISPR-Cas9 editing on Trypanosomatidae parasites, the causative agents of NTDs, which are still a terrible burden for human populations in tropical regions, and their vectors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anopheles/genetics
- Anopheles/parasitology
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/genetics
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Cattle
- Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drosophila/genetics
- Drosophila/parasitology
- Gene Editing/methods
- Genome, Protozoan
- Leishmania/genetics
- Leishmania/pathogenicity
- Leishmaniasis/parasitology
- Leishmaniasis/prevention & control
- Leishmaniasis/transmission
- Neglected Diseases/parasitology
- Neglected Diseases/prevention & control
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/metabolism
- Trypanosoma/genetics
- Trypanosoma/pathogenicity
- Trypanosomiasis, African/parasitology
- Trypanosomiasis, African/prevention & control
- Trypanosomiasis, African/transmission
- Trypanosomiasis, Bovine/parasitology
- Trypanosomiasis, Bovine/prevention & control
- Trypanosomiasis, Bovine/transmission
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Minet
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Sophie Thévenon
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Isabelle Chantal
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Philippe Solano
- IRD, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, F-34398 Montpellier, France.
| | - David Berthier
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
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31
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Abstract
Advances in Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR associated system (CRISPR/Cas9) has dramatically reshaped our ability to edit genomes. The scientific community is using CRISPR/Cas9 for various biotechnological and medical purposes. One of its most important uses is developing potential therapeutic strategies against diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 based approaches have been increasingly applied to the treatment of human diseases like cancer, genetic, immunological and neurological disorders and viral diseases. These strategies using CRISPR/Cas9 are not only therapy oriented but can also be used for disease modeling as well, which in turn can lead to the improved understanding of mechanisms of various infectious and genetic diseases. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9 system can also be used as programmable antibiotics to kill the bacteria sequence specifically and therefore can bypass multidrug resistance. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9 based gene drive may also hold the potential to limit the spread of vector borne diseases. This bacterial and archaeal adaptive immune system might be a therapeutic answer to previous incurable diseases, of course rigorous testing is required to corroborate these claims. In this review, we provide an insight about the recent developments using CRISPR/Cas9 against various diseases with respect to disease modeling and treatment, and what future perspectives should be noted while using this technology.
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32
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Zhu Y, Zhang F, Huang Z. Structural insights into the inactivation of CRISPR-Cas systems by diverse anti-CRISPR proteins. BMC Biol 2018; 16:32. [PMID: 29554913 PMCID: PMC5859409 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0504-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A molecular arms race is progressively being unveiled between prokaryotes and viruses. Prokaryotes utilize CRISPR-mediated adaptive immune systems to kill the invading phages and mobile genetic elements, and in turn, the viruses evolve diverse anti-CRISPR proteins to fight back. The structures of several anti-CRISPR proteins have now been reported, and here we discuss their structural features, with a particular emphasis on topology, to discover their similarities and differences. We summarize the CRISPR-Cas inhibition mechanisms of these anti-CRISPR proteins in their structural context. Considering anti-CRISPRs in this way will provide important clues for studying their origin and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Zhu
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
| | - Fan Zhang
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
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33
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Hong S, Ka D, Yoon SJ, Suh N, Jeong M, Suh JY, Bae E. CRISPR RNA and anti-CRISPR protein binding to the Xanthomonas albilineans Csy1-Csy2 heterodimer in the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:2744-2754. [PMID: 29348170 PMCID: PMC5827448 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins provide microbial adaptive immunity against bacteriophages. In type I-F CRISPR-Cas systems, multiple Cas proteins (Csy1-4) compose a surveillance complex (Csy complex) with CRISPR RNA (crRNA) for target recognition. Here, we report the biochemical characterization of the Csy1-Csy2 subcomplex from Xanthomonas albilineans, including the analysis of its interaction with crRNA and AcrF2, an anti-CRISPR (Acr) protein from a phage that infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa The X. albilineans Csy1 and Csy2 proteins (XaCsy1 and XaCsy2, respectively) formed a stable heterodimeric complex that specifically bound the 8-nucleotide (nt) 5'-handle of the crRNA. In contrast, the XaCsy1-XaCsy2 heterodimer exhibited reduced affinity for the 28-nt X. albilineans CRISPR repeat RNA containing the 5'-handle sequence. Chromatographic and calorimetric analyses revealed tight binding between the Acr protein from the P. aeruginosa phage and the heterodimeric subunit of the X. albilineans Csy complex, suggesting that AcrF2 recognizes conserved features of Csy1-Csy2 heterodimers. We found that neither XaCsy1 nor XaCsy2 alone forms a stable complex with AcrF2 and the 5'-handle RNA, indicating that XaCsy1-XaCsy2 heterodimerization is required for binding them. We also solved the crystal structure of AcrF2 to a resolution of 1.34 Å, enabling a more detailed structural analysis of the residues involved in the interactions with the Csy1-Csy2 heterodimer. Our results provide information about the order of events during the formation of the multisubunit crRNA-guided surveillance complex and suggest that the Acr protein inactivating type I-F CRISPR-Cas systems has broad specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suji Hong
- From the Departments of Agricultural Biotechnology and
| | - Donghyun Ka
- From the Departments of Agricultural Biotechnology and
| | | | - Nayoung Suh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Soon Chun Hyang University, Asan 31538, Korea, and
| | | | - Jeong-Yong Suh
- From the Departments of Agricultural Biotechnology and ,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea, ,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Euiyoung Bae
- From the Departments of Agricultural Biotechnology and ,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea, , To whom correspondence should be addressed:
Dept. of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. Tel.:
82-2-880-4648; Fax:
82-2-873-3112; E-mail:
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34
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Martynov A, Severinov K, Ispolatov I. Optimal number of spacers in CRISPR arrays. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005891. [PMID: 29253874 PMCID: PMC5749868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotic organisms survive under constant pressure of viruses. CRISPR-Cas system provides its prokaryotic host with an adaptive immune defense against viruses that have been previously encountered. It consists of two components: Cas-proteins that cleave the foreign DNA and CRISPR array that suits as a virus recognition key. CRISPR array consists of a series of spacers, short pieces of DNA that originate from and match the corresponding parts of viral DNA called protospacers. Here we estimate the number of spacers in a CRISPR array of a prokaryotic cell which maximizes its protection against a viral attack. The optimality follows from a competition between two trends: too few distinct spacers make host vulnerable to an attack by a virus with mutated corresponding protospacers, while an excessive variety of spacers dilutes the number of the CRISPR complexes armed with the most recent and thus most useful spacers. We first evaluate the optimal number of spacers in a simple scenario of an infection by a single viral species and later consider a more general case of multiple viral species. We find that depending on such parameters as the concentration of CRISPR-Cas interference complexes and its preference to arm with more recently acquired spacers, the rate of viral mutation, and the number of viral species, the predicted optimal number of spacers lies within a range that agrees with experimentally-observed values. CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity defense in bacteria and archaea against viruses. They function by accumulating in prokaryotic genome an array of spacers, or fragments of virus DNA from previous attacks. By matching spacers to corresponding parts of viral DNA called protospacers, a CRISPR-Cas system identifies and destroys intruder DNA. Here we theoretically estimate the number of spacers that maximizes prokaryotic host cell survival. This optimum emerges from a competition between two trends: More spacers allow a prokaryotic cell to hedge against mutations in viral protospacers. However, the older spacers loose efficiency as corresponding protospacers mutate. For a limited pool of CRISPR-Cas molecular machines, keeping too many spacers leaves fewer of such machines armed with more efficient young (most recently acquired) spacers. We have shown that a higher efficiency of CRISPR-Cas system allows a prokaryotic cell to utilize more spacers, increasing the optimal number of spacers. On contrary, a higher viral mutation rate makes older spacers useless and favors shorter arrays. A higher diversity in viral species reduces the efficiency of CRISPR-Cas but does not necessary lead to longer arrays. Our study provides a new viewpoint at a variety of the observed array spacer number and could be used as a base for evolutionary models of host-phage coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Martynov
- Center for Data-Intensive Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- * E-mail: (II); (AM)
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Center for Data-Intensive Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Iaroslav Ispolatov
- Department of Physics, University of Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (II); (AM)
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35
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Bernheim A, Calvo-Villamañán A, Basier C, Cui L, Rocha EPC, Touchon M, Bikard D. Inhibition of NHEJ repair by type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2094. [PMID: 29234047 PMCID: PMC5727150 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02350-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II CRISPR-Cas systems introduce double-strand breaks into DNA of invading genetic material and use DNA fragments to acquire novel spacers during adaptation. These breaks can be the substrate of several DNA repair pathways, paving the way for interactions. We report that non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems only co-occur once among 5563 fully sequenced prokaryotic genomes. We investigated experimentally the possible molecular interactions using the NHEJ pathway from Bacillus subtilis and the type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems from Streptococcus thermophilus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Our results suggest that the NHEJ system has no effect on CRISPR immunity. On the other hand, we provide evidence for the inhibition of NHEJ repair by the Csn2 protein. Our findings give insights on the complex interactions between CRISPR-Cas systems and repair mechanisms in bacteria, contributing to explain the scattered distribution of CRISPR-Cas systems in bacterial genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Bernheim
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.,Synthetic Biology Group, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.,AgroParisTech, 75005, Paris, France
| | | | - Clovis Basier
- Synthetic Biology Group, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Lun Cui
- Synthetic Biology Group, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Marie Touchon
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - David Bikard
- Synthetic Biology Group, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.
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36
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Imran A, Qamar HY, Ali Q, Naeem H, Riaz M, Amin S, Kanwal N, Ali F, Sabar MF, Nasir IA. Role of Molecular Biology in Cancer Treatment: A Review Article. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 46:1475-1485. [PMID: 29167765 PMCID: PMC5696686 DOI: pmid/29167765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Cancer is a genetic disease and mainly arises due to a number of reasons include activation of onco-genes, malfunction of tumor suppressor genes or mutagenesis due to external factors. Methods: This article was written from the data collected from PubMed, Nature, Science Direct, Springer and Elsevier groups of journals. Results: Oncogenes are deregulated form of normal proto-oncogenes required for cell division, differentiation and regulation. The conversion of proto-oncogene to oncogene is caused due to translocation, rearrangement of chromosomes or mutation in gene due to addition, deletion, duplication or viral infection. These oncogenes are targeted by drugs or RNAi system to prevent proliferation of cancerous cells. There have been developed different techniques of molecular biology used to diagnose and treat cancer, including retroviral therapy, silencing of oncogenes and mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Conclusion: Among all the techniques used, RNAi, zinc finger nucleases and CRISPR hold a brighter future towards creating a Cancer Free World.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Imran
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hafiza Yasara Qamar
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Qurban Ali
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hafsa Naeem
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mariam Riaz
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saima Amin
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Naila Kanwal
- Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Fawad Ali
- Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.,Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia
| | | | - Idrees Ahmad Nasir
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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37
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Investigating CRISPR-Cas systems in Clostridium botulinum via bioinformatics tools. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 54:355-373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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38
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Abstract
Bacteria and archaea use CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems to defend themselves from infection by bacteriophages (phages). These RNA-guided nucleases are powerful weapons in the fight against foreign DNA, such as phages and plasmids, as well as a revolutionary gene editing tool. Phages are not passive bystanders in their interactions with CRISPR-Cas systems, however; recent discoveries have described phage genes that inhibit CRISPR-Cas function. More than 20 protein families, previously of unknown function, have been ascribed anti-CRISPR function. Here, we discuss how these CRISPR-Cas inhibitors were discovered and their modes of action were elucidated. We also consider the potential impact of anti-CRISPRs on bacterial and phage evolution. Finally, we speculate about the future of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adair L Borges
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158;
| | - Alan R Davidson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Joseph Bondy-Denomy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158;
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39
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Petitjean M, Martak D, Silvant A, Bertrand X, Valot B, Hocquet D. Genomic characterization of a local epidemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals specific features of the widespread clone ST395. Microb Genom 2017; 3:e000129. [PMID: 29177088 PMCID: PMC5695207 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen with several clones being frequently associated with outbreaks in hospital settings. ST395 is among these so-called ‘international’ clones. We aimed here to define the biological features that could have helped the implantation and spread of the clone ST395 in hospital settings. The complete genome of a multidrug resistant index isolate (DHS01) of a large hospital outbreak was analysed. We identified DHS01-specific genetic elements, among which were identified those shared with a panel of six independent ST395 isolates responsible for outbreaks in other hospitals. DHS01 has the fifth largest chromosome of the species (7.1 Mbp), with most of its 1555 accessory genes borne by either genomic islands (GIs, n=48) or integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs, n=5). DHS01 is multidrug resistant mostly due to chromosomal mutations. It displayed signatures of adaptation to chronic infection in part due to the loss of a 131 kbp chromosomal fragment. Four GIs were specific to the clone ST395 and contained genes involved in metabolism (GI-4), in virulence (GI-6) and in resistance to copper (GI-7). GI-7 harboured an array of six copper transporters and was shared with non-pathogenic Pseudomonas sp. retrieved from copper-contaminated environments. Copper resistance was confirmed phenotypically in all other ST395 isolates and possibly accounted for the spreading capability of the clone in hospital outbreaks, where water networks have been incriminated. This suggests that genes transferred from copper-polluted environments may have favoured the implantation and spread of the international clone P. aeruginosa ST395 in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Petitjean
- 1Hygiène Hospitalière, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France.,2UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Daniel Martak
- 1Hygiène Hospitalière, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France.,2UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Alicia Silvant
- 1Hygiène Hospitalière, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Xavier Bertrand
- 1Hygiène Hospitalière, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France.,2UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Benoit Valot
- 2UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Didier Hocquet
- 2UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,3Centre de Ressources Biologiques - Filière Microbiologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, 3 Boulevard Fleming, Besançon, France.,1Hygiène Hospitalière, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France
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40
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Moradali MF, Ghods S, Rehm BHA. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lifestyle: A Paradigm for Adaptation, Survival, and Persistence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:39. [PMID: 28261568 PMCID: PMC5310132 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 821] [Impact Index Per Article: 117.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen affecting immunocompromised patients. It is known as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and as one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Due to a range of mechanisms for adaptation, survival and resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, infections by P. aeruginosa strains can be life-threatening and it is emerging worldwide as public health threat. This review highlights the diversity of mechanisms by which P. aeruginosa promotes its survival and persistence in various environments and particularly at different stages of pathogenesis. We will review the importance and complexity of regulatory networks and genotypic-phenotypic variations known as adaptive radiation by which P. aeruginosa adjusts physiological processes for adaptation and survival in response to environmental cues and stresses. Accordingly, we will review the central regulatory role of quorum sensing and signaling systems by nucleotide-based second messengers resulting in different lifestyles of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, various regulatory proteins will be discussed which form a plethora of controlling systems acting at transcriptional level for timely expression of genes enabling rapid responses to external stimuli and unfavorable conditions. Antibiotic resistance is a natural trait for P. aeruginosa and multiple mechanisms underlying different forms of antibiotic resistance will be discussed here. The importance of each mechanism in conferring resistance to various antipseudomonal antibiotics and their prevalence in clinical strains will be described. The underlying principles for acquiring resistance leading pan-drug resistant strains will be summarized. A future outlook emphasizes the need for collaborative international multidisciplinary efforts to translate current knowledge into strategies to prevent and treat P. aeruginosa infections while reducing the rate of antibiotic resistance and avoiding the spreading of resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernd H. A. Rehm
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North, New Zealand
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41
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Shmakov S, Smargon A, Scott D, Cox D, Pyzocha N, Yan W, Abudayyeh OO, Gootenberg JS, Makarova KS, Wolf YI, Severinov K, Zhang F, Koonin EV. Diversity and evolution of class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems. Nat Rev Microbiol 2017; 15:169-182. [PMID: 28111461 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 657] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems are characterized by effector modules that consist of a single multidomain protein, such as Cas9 or Cpf1. We designed a computational pipeline for the discovery of novel class 2 variants and used it to identify six new CRISPR-Cas subtypes. The diverse properties of these new systems provide potential for the development of versatile tools for genome editing and regulation. In this Analysis article, we present a comprehensive census of class 2 types and class 2 subtypes in complete and draft bacterial and archaeal genomes, outline evolutionary scenarios for the independent origin of different class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems from mobile genetic elements, and propose an amended classification and nomenclature of CRISPR-Cas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Shmakov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Skolkovo 143025, Russia.,National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA
| | - Aaron Smargon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - David Scott
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - David Cox
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Neena Pyzocha
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Winston Yan
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Omar O Abudayyeh
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan S Gootenberg
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Skolkovo 143025, Russia.,Waksman Institute for Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.,Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge (MIT), Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA
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42
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Chen KY, Knoepfler PS. To CRISPR and beyond: the evolution of genome editing in stem cells. Regen Med 2016; 11:801-816. [PMID: 27905217 PMCID: PMC5221123 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2016-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of editing the genomes of stem cells to generate model organisms and cell lines for genetic and biological studies has been pursued for decades. There is also exciting potential for future clinical impact in humans. While recent, rapid advances in targeted nuclease technologies have led to unprecedented accessibility and ease of gene editing, biology has benefited from past directed gene modification via homologous recombination, gene traps and other transgenic methodologies. Here we review the history of genome editing in stem cells (including via zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases and CRISPR-Cas9), discuss recent developments leading to the implementation of stem cell gene therapies in clinical trials and consider the prospects for future advances in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yui Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
- Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital For Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Paul S Knoepfler
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
- Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital For Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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43
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Sváb D, Bálint B, Maróti G, Tóth I. Cytolethal distending toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H43 strain T22 represents a novel evolutionary lineage within the O157 serogroup. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 46:110-117. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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44
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Krappmann S. CRISPR-Cas9, the new kid on the block of fungal molecular biology. Med Mycol 2016; 55:16-23. [PMID: 27811178 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myw097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on fungal pathogens with the aim to identify virulence determinants strictly relies on the generation of defined, recombinant strains, a task that is executed by means of a sophisticated molecular biology toolbox. Recent developments in fungal genome engineering have opened a new frontier by implementing the CRISPR-Cas9 technology, based on expression of the Cas9 endonuclease that is loaded by a single guiding RNA (sgRNA) molecule to target a defined site in the recipient genome. This novel approach has been adapted successfully to engineer fungal genomes, among them the one of the human-pathogenic mould Aspergillus fumigatus Implementation of the required components was achieved by various means that differ with respect to expression of the Cas9 enzyme and sgRNA delivery. Validation of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutagenesis could be executed by targeting selected candidate genes of A. fumigatus to provide a promising perspective for screening and multiplexing approaches to scrutinize the virulome of this opportunistic fungal pathogen in a comprehensive manner, such as by analyzing genetic polymorphisms or the function of gene families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Krappmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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45
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Cao L, Gao CH, Zhu J, Zhao L, Wu Q, Li M, Sun B. Identification and functional study of type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Med Microbiol 2016; 306:686-696. [PMID: 27600408 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats [CRISPR]-CRISPR associated proteins [Cas]) system can provide prokaryote with immunity against invading mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as phages and plasmids, which are the main sources of staphylococcal accessory genes. To date, only a few Staphylococcus aureus strains containing CRISPR-Cas systems have been identified, but no functional study in these strains has been reported. In this study, 6 clinical isolates of S. aureus with type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems were identified, and whole-genome sequencing and functional study were conducted subsequently. Genome sequence analysis revealed a close linkage between the CRISPR-Cas system and the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element in five strains. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the type III-A repeats are conserved within staphylococci, despite of the decreased conservation in trailer-end repeats. Highly homologous sequences of some spacers were identified in staphylococcal MGEs, and partially complementary sequences of spacers were mostly found in the coding strand of lytic regions in staphylococcal phages. Transformation experiments showed that S. aureus type III-A CRISPR-Cas system can specifically prevent plasmid transfer in a transcription-dependent manner. Base paring between crRNA and target sequence, the endoribonuclease, and the Csm complex were proved to be necessary for type III-A CRISPR-Cas immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Chun-Hui Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jiade Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Liping Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Qingfa Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Baolin Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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46
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Abstract
The Cas9 protein (CRISPR-associated protein 9), derived from type II CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) bacterial immune systems, is emerging as a powerful tool for engineering the genome in diverse organisms. As an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease, Cas9 can be easily programmed to target new sites by altering its guide RNA sequence, and its development as a tool has made sequence-specific gene editing several magnitudes easier. The nuclease-deactivated form of Cas9 further provides a versatile RNA-guided DNA-targeting platform for regulating and imaging the genome, as well as for rewriting the epigenetic status, all in a sequence-specific manner. With all of these advances, we have just begun to explore the possible applications of Cas9 in biomedical research and therapeutics. In this review, we describe the current models of Cas9 function and the structural and biochemical studies that support it. We focus on the applications of Cas9 for genome editing, regulation, and imaging, discuss other possible applications and some technical considerations, and highlight the many advantages that CRISPR/Cas9 technology offers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305; , ,
| | - Marie La Russa
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305; , ,
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305; , ,
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
- Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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47
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Wright AV, Nuñez JK, Doudna JA. Biology and Applications of CRISPR Systems: Harnessing Nature's Toolbox for Genome Engineering. Cell 2016; 164:29-44. [PMID: 26771484 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 691] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria and archaea possess a range of defense mechanisms to combat plasmids and viral infections. Unique among these are the CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated) systems, which provide adaptive immunity against foreign nucleic acids. CRISPR systems function by acquiring genetic records of invaders to facilitate robust interference upon reinfection. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the diverse mechanisms by which Cas proteins respond to foreign nucleic acids and how these systems have been harnessed for precision genome manipulation in a wide array of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addison V Wright
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - James K Nuñez
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute HHMI, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Center for RNA Systems Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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48
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Biswas A, Staals RHJ, Morales SE, Fineran PC, Brown CM. CRISPRDetect: A flexible algorithm to define CRISPR arrays. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:356. [PMID: 27184979 PMCID: PMC4869251 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2627-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) RNAs provide the specificity for noncoding RNA-guided adaptive immune defence systems in prokaryotes. CRISPR arrays consist of repeat sequences separated by specific spacer sequences. CRISPR arrays have previously been identified in a large proportion of prokaryotic genomes. However, currently available detection algorithms do not utilise recently discovered features regarding CRISPR loci. RESULTS We have developed a new approach to automatically detect, predict and interactively refine CRISPR arrays. It is available as a web program and command line from bioanalysis.otago.ac.nz/CRISPRDetect. CRISPRDetect discovers putative arrays, extends the array by detecting additional variant repeats, corrects the direction of arrays, refines the repeat/spacer boundaries, and annotates different types of sequence variations (e.g. insertion/deletion) in near identical repeats. Due to these features, CRISPRDetect has significant advantages when compared to existing identification tools. As well as further support for small medium and large repeats, CRISPRDetect identified a class of arrays with 'extra-large' repeats in bacteria (repeats 44-50 nt). The CRISPRDetect output is integrated with other analysis tools. Notably, the predicted spacers can be directly utilised by CRISPRTarget to predict targets. CONCLUSION CRISPRDetect enables more accurate detection of arrays and spacers and its gff output is suitable for inclusion in genome annotation pipelines and visualisation. It has been used to analyse all complete bacterial and archaeal reference genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambarish Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Sergio E Morales
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter C Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Chris M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
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Qazi S, Miettinen HM, Wilkinson RA, McCoy K, Douglas T, Wiedenheft B. Programmed Self-Assembly of an Active P22-Cas9 Nanocarrier System. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:1191-6. [PMID: 26894836 PMCID: PMC7734702 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) RNA-guided endonucleases are powerful new tools for targeted genome engineering. These nucleases provide an efficient and precise method for manipulating eukaryotic genomes; however, delivery of these reagents to specific cell-types remains challenging. Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from bacteriophage P22, are robust supramolecular protein cage structures with demonstrated utility for cell type-specific delivery of encapsulated cargos. Here, we genetically fuse Cas9 to a truncated form of the P22 scaffold protein, which acts as a template for capsid assembly as well as a specific encapsulation signal for Cas9. Our results indicate that Cas9 and a single-guide RNA are packaged inside the P22 VLP, and activity assays indicate that this RNA-guided endonuclease is functional for sequence-specific cleavage of dsDNA targets. This work demonstrates the potential for developing P22 as a delivery vehicle for cell specific targeting of Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefah Qazi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 East Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Heini M. Miettinen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Royce A. Wilkinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Kimberly McCoy
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 East Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Trevor Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 East Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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Qiu Y, Wang S, Chen Z, Guo Y, Song Y. An Active Type I-E CRISPR-Cas System Identified in Streptomyces avermitilis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149533. [PMID: 26901661 PMCID: PMC4762764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems, the small RNA-dependent immune systems, are widely distributed in prokaryotes. However, only a small proportion of CRISPR-Cas systems have been identified to be active in bacteria. In this work, a naturally active type I-E CRISPR-Cas system was found in Streptomyces avermitilis. The system shares many common genetic features with the type I-E system of Escherichia coli, and meanwhile shows unique characteristics. It not only degrades plasmid DNA with target protospacers, but also acquires new spacers from the target plasmid DNA. The naive features of spacer acquisition in the type I-E system of S. avermitilis were investigated and a completely conserved PAM 5'-AAG-3' was identified. Spacer acquisition displayed differential strand bias upstream and downstream of the priming spacer, and irregular integrations of new spacers were observed. In addition, introduction of this system into host conferred phage resistance to some extent. This study will give new insights into adaptation mechanism of the type I-E systems in vivo, and meanwhile provide theoretical foundation for applying this system on the genetic modification of S. avermitilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shiwei Wang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yajie Guo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuan Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
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