Genome differences that distinguish Bacillus anthracis from Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis

Real-time PCR assay for a unique chromosomal sequence of Bacillus anthracis

Real-time PCR has become an important method for the rapid identification of Bacillus anthracis since the 2001 anthrax mailings. Most real-time PCR assays for B. anthracis have been developed to detect virulence genes located on the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids. In contrast, only two published chromosomal targets exist, the rpoB gene and the gyrA gene. In the present study, subtraction-hybridization with a plasmid-cured B. anthracis tester strain and a Bacillus cereus driver was used to find a unique chromosomal sequence. By targeting this region, a real-time assay was developed with the Ruggedized Advanced Pathogen Identification Device. Further testing has revealed that the assay has 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with a limit of detection of 50 fg of DNA. The results of a search for sequences with homology with the BLAST program demonstrated significant alignment to the recently published B. anthracis Ames strain, while an inquiry for protein sequence similarities indicated homology with an abhydrolase from B. anthracis strain A2012. The importance of this chromosomal assay will be to verify the presence of B. anthracis independently of plasmid occurrence.

Microarray-based resequencing of multiple Bacillus anthracis isolates

Custom-designed resequencing arrays were used to generate 3.1 Mb of genomic sequence from a panel of 56 Bacillus anthracis strains. Sequence quality was shown to be very high by replication and by comparison to independently generated shotgun sequence

We used custom-designed resequencing arrays to generate 3.1 Mb of genomic sequence from a panel of 56 Bacillus anthracis strains. Sequence quality was shown to be very high by replication (discrepancy rate of 7.4 × 10^-7) and by comparison to independently generated shotgun sequence (discrepancy rate < 2.5 × 10^-6). Population genomics studies of microbial pathogens using rapid resequencing technologies such as resequencing arrays are critical for recognizing newly emerging or genetically engineered strains.

Population structure and evolution of the Bacillus cereus group

Representative strains of the Bacillus cereus group of bacteria, including Bacillus anthracis (11 isolates), B. cereus (38 isolates), Bacillus mycoides (1 isolate), Bacillus thuringiensis (53 isolates from 17 serovars), and Bacillus weihenstephanensis (2 isolates) were assigned to 59 sequence types (STs) derived from the nucleotide sequences of seven alleles, glpF, gmk, ilvD, pta, pur, pycA, and tpi. Comparisons of the maximum likelihood (ML) tree of the concatenated sequences with individual gene trees showed more congruence than expected by chance, indicating a generally clonal structure to the population. The STs followed two major lines of descent. Clade 1 comprised B. anthracis strains, numerous B. cereus strains, and rare B. thuringiensis strains, while clade 2 included the majority of the B. thuringiensis strains together with some B. cereus strains. Other species were allocated to a third, heterogeneous clade. The ML trees and split decomposition analysis were used to assign STs to eight lineages within clades 1 and 2. These lineages were defined by bootstrap analysis and by a preponderance of fixed differences over shared polymorphisms among the STs. Lineages were named with reference to existing designations: Anthracis, Cereus I, Cereus II, Cereus III, Kurstaki, Sotto, Thuringiensis, and Tolworthi. Strains from some B. thuringiensis serovars were wholly or largely assigned to a single ST, for example, serovar aizawai isolates were assigned to ST-15, serovar kenyae isolates were assigned to ST-13, and serovar tolworthi isolates were assigned to ST-23, while other serovars, such as serovar canadensis, were genetically heterogeneous. We suggest a revision of the nomenclature in which the lineage and clone are recognized through name and ST designations in accordance with the clonal structure of the population.

Identification, distribution pattern of IS231elements inBacillus thuringiensisand their phylogenetic analysis

In order to better understand the fundamental biology of Bacillus thuringiensis, a single oligonucleotide primer (5'-CATSSCCATCAASYTAAVR-3') was used to investigate the distribution pattern of IS231 elements in B. thuringiensis by PCR. The results indicated that IS231 elements appeared in 20 standard strains and 107 of 111 China isolates. Three novel IS231, IS231J, IS231O and IS231Q, five variants and a mobile insertion cassette MICBth4 were cloned from eight standard strains of B. thuringiensis, respectively. Interestingly, BLAST analysis revealed that the 5' end of novel IS231J shared 99% identity in 495-bp with a DNA segment adjacent to the 3' end of B. thuringiensis vip1Ac gene (GenBank Accession No. ). Two phylogenetic trees of IS231 elements were constructed and analyzed by neighbor-joining and UPGMA methods from PHYLIP 3.6b program, respectively.

Population structure and evolution of the Bacillus cereus group

Representative strains of the Bacillus cereus group of bacteria, including Bacillus anthracis (11 isolates), B. cereus (38 isolates), Bacillus mycoides (1 isolate), Bacillus thuringiensis (53 isolates from 17 serovars), and Bacillus weihenstephanensis (2 isolates) were assigned to 59 sequence types (STs) derived from the nucleotide sequences of seven alleles, glpF, gmk, ilvD, pta, pur, pycA, and tpi. Comparisons of the maximum likelihood (ML) tree of the concatenated sequences with individual gene trees showed more congruence than expected by chance, indicating a generally clonal structure to the population. The STs followed two major lines of descent. Clade 1 comprised B. anthracis strains, numerous B. cereus strains, and rare B. thuringiensis strains, while clade 2 included the majority of the B. thuringiensis strains together with some B. cereus strains. Other species were allocated to a third, heterogeneous clade. The ML trees and split decomposition analysis were used to assign STs to eight lineages within clades 1 and 2. These lineages were defined by bootstrap analysis and by a preponderance of fixed differences over shared polymorphisms among the STs. Lineages were named with reference to existing designations: Anthracis, Cereus I, Cereus II, Cereus III, Kurstaki, Sotto, Thuringiensis, and Tolworthi. Strains from some B. thuringiensis serovars were wholly or largely assigned to a single ST, for example, serovar aizawai isolates were assigned to ST-15, serovar kenyae isolates were assigned to ST-13, and serovar tolworthi isolates were assigned to ST-23, while other serovars, such as serovar canadensis, were genetically heterogeneous. We suggest a revision of the nomenclature in which the lineage and clone are recognized through name and ST designations in accordance with the clonal structure of the population.

Oligonucleotide microarray for identification ofBacillus anthracisbased on intergenic transcribed spacers in ribosomal DNA

We developed a DNA microarray for identification of Bacillus anthracis and other phylogenetic groupings within the "Bacillus cereus group". Nucleotide sequences of 16S-23S ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers containing genes for tRNA(Ile) from 52 B. anthracis strains were found to be identical to sequences from seven strains published previously and different from all other bacteria. When 42 oligonucleotide probes targeting polymorphic sites were immobilized on glass slides and hybridized to fluorescently labeled PCR amplification products, one or more mismatches could be discriminated in all but one cases. Hence, hybridization events were highly specific and identification of B. anthracis was straightforward.

Genomic and phenotypic comparison of Bacillus fumarioli isolates from geothermal Antarctic soil and gelatine

Bacillus fumarioli was originally isolated from geothermal soils in continental and maritime Antarctica, and recently, it has been shown to be a frequent contaminant of gelatine extracts obtained from European and American production plants. These habitats are geographically widely separated, share similar temperature and pH conditions, but have substantially different organic loads. Because of the prevalence in gelatine extracts and the dissimilarity of this habitat to geothermal soil, a comparative study was performed to assess the diversity among B. fumarioli strains and reveal possible intraspecies differences that might correspond to their niches of origin. Genomic (rep-PCR, 16S rDNA sequencing, DNA-DNA hybridisations) and phenotypic techniques (analysis of fatty acid content, total cellular proteins, metabolic and morphological traits) illustrate the very close relationship between isolates from the two niches. An abundant protein band was demonstrated for gelatine isolates only. This band was shown to result from a protein with high similarity to a stress response protein. Furthermore, subtractive hybridisation revealed genomic differences between Antarctic and gelatine isolates that may indicate adaptive evolution to a specific environment.

Ecology of Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. in Agricultural Systems

ABSTRACT Diverse populations of aerobic endospore-forming bacteria occur in agricultural fields and may directly and indirectly contribute to crop productivity. This paper describes recent advances in our understanding of the ecology of Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. and how different subpopulations of these two genera can promote crop health. The abundance, diversity, and distribution of native populations and inoculant strains in agricultural fields have been characterized using a variety of methods. While native populations of these two genera occur abundantly in most agricultural soils, plant tissues are differentially colonized by distinct subpopulations. Multiple Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. can promote crop health in a variety of ways. Some populations suppress plant pathogens and pests by producing antibiotic metabolites, while others may directly stimulate plant host defenses prior to infection. Some strains can also stimulate nutrient uptake by plants, either by promoting rhizobial and mycorrhizal symbioses or by fixing atmospheric nitrogen directly. Despite a wealth of new information on the genetics and physiology of Bacillus and related species, a better understanding of the microbial ecology of these two genera must be developed. To this end, several important, but unanswered, questions related to the ecological significance and potential for managing the beneficial activities of these bacteria are discussed.

Intriguing diversity ofBacillus anthracisin eastern Poland – the molecular echoes of the past outbreaks

The multiple locus VNTRs analysis (MLVA) revealed the presence of five genotypes in a group of 10 Bacillus anthracis isolates from epidemiologically unrelated cases of bovine-anthrax in eastern Poland. Eight tested isolates possessed the pagA and capB genes indicating the presence of both virulence plasmids, while two isolates revealed only pagA and lacked pXO2. The MLVA and DNA sequence analysis indicated that seven tested isolates represent four novel genotypes. Five tested strains revealed a unique 144 bp vrrB2 variant as well as 220 bp variant of vrrB1, implying the relatedness to the lineage B2. Consequently, we propose establishing of novel B2 strains sub-lineage. Multiple anthrax outbreaks, which took place in Poland several decades ago were proposed as a cause of intriguing diversity of B. anthracis observed in this study.

Diagnostic probes for Bacillus anthracis spores selected from a landscape phage library

BACKGROUND

Recent use of Bacillus anthracis spores as a bioweapon has highlighted the need for a continuous monitoring system. Current monitoring systems rely on antibody-derived probes, which are not hardy enough to withstand long-term use under extreme conditions. We describe new, phage-derived probes that can be used as robust substitutes for antibodies.

METHODS

From a landscape phage library with random octapeptides displayed on all copies of the major phage coat protein of the phage fd-tet, we selected clones that bound to spores of B. anthracis (Sterne strain). ELISA, micropanning, and coprecipitation assays were used to evaluate the specificity and selectivity with which these phage bound to B. anthracis spores.

RESULTS

Peptides on the selected clones directed binding of the phage to B. anthracis spores. Most clones exhibited little or no binding to spores of distantly related Bacillus species, but some binding was observed with spores of closely related species. Our most specific spore-binding phage displayed a peptide EPRLSPHS (several thousand peptides per phage) and bound 3.5- to 70-fold better to spores of B. anthracis Sterne than to spores of other Bacillus species.

CONCLUSIONS

The selected phage probes bound preferentially to B. anthracis Sterne spores compared with other Bacillus species. These phage could possibly be further developed into highly specific and robust probes suitable for long-term use in continuous monitoring devices and biosorbents.

Identification of Bacillus anthracis by multiprobe microarray hybridization

We have developed a rapid assay based on microarray analysis of amplified genetic markers for reliable identification of Bacillus anthracis and its discrimination from other closely related bacterial species of the Bacillus cereus group. By combining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of six B. anthracis-specific genes (plasmid-associated genes encoding virulence factors (cyaA, pagA, lef, and capA, capB, capC) and one chromosomal marker BA-5449) with analysis of amplicons by microarray hybridization, we were able to unambiguously identify and discriminate B. anthracis among other closely related species. Bacillus identification relied on hybridization with multiple individual microarray oligonucleotide probes (oligoprobes) specific to each target B. anthracis gene. Evaluation of the assay was conducted using several B. anthracis strains (with or without pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids) as well as over 50 other species phylogenetically related to B. anthracis, including B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. mycoides, and B. subtilis. The developed microarray analysis of amplified genetic markers protocol provides an efficient method for (i) unambiguous identification and discrimination of B. anthracis from other Bacillus species and (ii) distinguishing between plasmid-containing and plasmid-free Bacillus anthracis strains.

Isolation and biodiversity of hitherto undescribed soil bacteria related to Bacillus niacini

The hitherto largely not described phylogenetic neighborhood of Bacillus niacini has been explored by a comprehensive cultivation experiment and genomic variety studies. Previous culture-independent studies demonstrated that approximately 15% of all Bacillus 16S rDNA directly extracted from soils worldwide was affiliated to B. niacini. Seven different media were inoculated with soil suspensions in serial dilutions and incubated at different temperatures. Then, bacterial colonies were picked and analyzed by sequencing. A mineral medium with acetate as carbon source yielded a B. niacini rate of >3% of all picked colonies. Other media were less efficient but also successful. Applying this culturing approach, we succeeded in obtaining 64 isolates from different Dutch soils. The isolates turned out to be diverse, although closely related to B. niacini as revealed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Close matches with environmental clones were also found, thus demonstrating much more diversity beyond previously known 16S rDNA sequences. The rep-PCR fingerprinting method revealed a high genomic variety, redundancy could not be observed among our isolates. Hence, the hitherto neglected B. niacini lineage, apparently among the most abundant soil Bacillus, was accessible to our cultivation approach.

Multilocus sequence typing scheme for bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group

In this study we developed a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group. This group, which includes the species B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. weihenstephanensis, and B. anthracis, is known to be genetically very diverse. It is also very important because it comprises pathogenic organisms as well as bacteria with industrial applications. The MLST system was established by using 77 strains having various origins, including humans, animals, food, and soil. A total of 67 of these strains had been analyzed previously by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, and they were selected to represent the genetic diversity of this group of bacteria. Primers were designed for conserved regions of housekeeping genes, and 330- to 504-bp internal fragments of seven such genes, adk, ccpA, ftsA, glpT, pyrE, recF, and sucC, were sequenced for all strains. The number of alleles at individual loci ranged from 25 to 40, and a total of 53 allelic profiles or sequence types (STs) were distinguished. Analysis of the sequence data showed that the population structure of the B. cereus group is weakly clonal. In particular, all five B. anthracis isolates analyzed had the same ST. The MLST scheme which we developed has a high level of resolution and should be an excellent tool for studying the population structure and epidemiology of the B. cereus group.

Identification of Bacillus anthracis specific chromosomal sequences by suppressive subtractive hybridization

Background

Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus are closely related members of the B. cereus-group of bacilli. Suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify specific chromosomal sequences unique to B. anthracis.

Results

Two SSH libraries were generated. Genomic DNA from plasmid-cured B. anthracis was used as the tester DNA in both libraries, while genomic DNA from either B. cereus or B. thuringiensis served as the driver DNA. Progressive screening of the libraries by colony filter and Southern blot analyses identified 29 different clones that were specific for the B. anthracis chromosome relative not only to the respective driver DNAs, but also to seven other different strains of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis included in the process. The nucleotide sequences of the clones were compared with those found in genomic databases, revealing that over half of the clones were located into 2 regions on the B. anthracis chromosome.

Conclusions

Genes encoding potential cell wall synthesis proteins dominated one region, while bacteriophage-related sequences dominated the other region. The latter supports the hypothesis that acquisition of these bacteriophage sequences occurred during or after speciation of B. anthracis relative to B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. This study provides insight into the chromosomal differences between B. anthracis and its closest phylogenetic relatives.

The genome sequence of Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987 reveals metabolic adaptations and a large plasmid related to Bacillus anthracis pXO1

We sequenced the complete genome of Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987, a non-lethal dairy isolate in the same genetic subgroup as Bacillus anthracis. Comparison of the chromosomes demonstrated that B.cereus ATCC 10987 was more similar to B.anthracis Ames than B.cereus ATCC 14579, while containing a number of unique metabolic capabilities such as urease and xylose utilization and lacking the ability to utilize nitrate and nitrite. Additionally, genetic mechanisms for variation of capsule carbohydrate and flagella surface structures were identified. Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987 contains a single large plasmid (pBc10987), of approximately 208 kb, that is similar in gene content and organization to B.anthracis pXO1 but is lacking the pathogenicity-associated island containing the anthrax lethal and edema toxin complex genes. The chromosomal similarity of B.cereus ATCC 10987 to B.anthracis Ames, as well as the fact that it contains a large pXO1-like plasmid, may make it a possible model for studying B.anthracis plasmid biology and regulatory cross-talk.

The alternative sigma factor sigmaB of Bacillus cereus: response to stress and role in heat adaptation

A gene cluster encoding the alternative sigma factor sigma(B), three predicted regulators of sigma(B) (RsbV, RsbW, and RsbY), and one protein whose function is not known (Orf4) was identified in the genome sequence of the food pathogen Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579. Western blotting with polyclonal antibodies raised against sigma(B) revealed that there was 20.1-fold activation of sigma(B) after a heat shock from 30 to 42 degrees C. Osmotic upshock and ethanol exposure also upregulated sigma(B), albeit less than a heat shock. When the intracellular ATP concentration was decreased by exposure to carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), only limited increases in sigma(B) levels were observed, revealing that stress due to ATP depletion is not an important factor in sigma(B) activation in B. cereus. Analysis of transcription of the sigB operon by Northern blotting and primer extension revealed the presence of a sigma(B)-dependent promoter upstream of the first open reading frame (rsbV) of the sigB operon, indicating that transcription of sigB is autoregulated. A second sigma(B)-dependent promoter was identified upstream of the last open reading frame (orf4) of the sigB operon. Production of virulence factors and the nonhemolytic enterotoxin Nhe in a sigB null mutant was the same as in the parent strain. However, sigma(B) was found to play a role in the protective heat shock response of B. cereus. The sigB null mutant was less protected against the lethal temperature of 50 degrees C by a preadaptation to 42 degrees C than the parent strain was, resulting in a more-than-100-fold-reduced survival of the mutant after 40 min at 50 degrees C.

Species-specific peptide ligands for the detection of Bacillus anthracis spores

Currently available detectors for spores of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, are inadequate for frontline use and general monitoring. There is a critical need for simple, rugged, and inexpensive detectors capable of accurate and direct identification of B. anthracis spores. Necessary components in such detectors are stable ligands that bind tightly and specifically to target spores. By screening a phage display peptide library, we identified a family of peptides, with the consensus sequence TYPXPXR, that bind selectively to B. anthracis spores. We extended this work by identifying a peptide variant, ATYPLPIR, with enhanced ability to bind to B. anthracis spores and an additional peptide, SLLPGLP, that preferentially binds to spores of species phylogenetically similar to, but distinct from, B. anthracis. These two peptides were used in tandem in simple assays to rapidly and unambiguously identify B. anthracis spores. We envision that these peptides can be used as sensors in economical and portable B. anthracis spore detectors that are essentially free of false-positive signals due to other environmental Bacillus spores.