1
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Medvedeva S, Borrel G, Krupovic M, Gribaldo S. A compendium of viruses from methanogenic archaea reveals their diversity and adaptations to the gut environment. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2170-2182. [PMID: 37749252 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01485-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are major producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and biofuel, and are widespread in diverse environments, including the animal gut. The ecophysiology of methanogens is likely impacted by viruses, which remain, however, largely uncharacterized. Here we carried out a global investigation of viruses associated with all current diversity of methanogens by assembling an extensive CRISPR database consisting of 156,000 spacers. We report 282 high-quality (pro)viral and 205 virus-like/plasmid sequences assigned to hosts belonging to ten main orders of methanogenic archaea. Viruses of methanogens can be classified into 87 families, underscoring a still largely undiscovered genetic diversity. Viruses infecting gut-associated archaea provide evidence of convergence in adaptation with viruses infecting gut-associated bacteria. These viruses contain a large repertoire of lysin proteins that cleave archaeal pseudomurein and are enriched in glycan-binding domains (Ig-like/Flg_new) and diversity-generating retroelements. The characterization of this vast repertoire of viruses paves the way towards a better understanding of their role in regulating methanogen communities globally, as well as the development of much-needed genetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Medvedeva
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Borrel
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Archaeal Virology, Paris, France.
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
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2
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Aulitto M, Martinez-Alvarez L, Fusco S, She Q, Bartolucci S, Peng X, Contursi P. Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Proteomics of SSV1 and Related Fusellovirus: A Minireview. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102082. [PMID: 36298638 PMCID: PMC9608457 DOI: 10.3390/v14102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Saccharolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1) was one of the first viruses identified in the archaeal kingdom. Originally isolated from a Japanese species of Saccharolobus back in 1984, it has been extensively used as a model system for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies, as well as to unveil the molecular mechanisms governing the host–virus interaction. The purpose of this mini review is to supply a compendium of four decades of research on the SSV1 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Aulitto
- Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Laura Martinez-Alvarez
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Biochemistry and Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Qunxin She
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 250100, China
| | | | - Xu Peng
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (X.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (X.P.); (P.C.)
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3
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Structural insights into a spindle-shaped archaeal virus with a sevenfold symmetrical tail. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119439119. [PMID: 35895681 PMCID: PMC9351363 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119439119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeal viruses with a spindle-shaped virion are abundant and widespread in extremely diverse environments. However, efforts to obtain the high-resolution structure of a spindle-shaped virus have been unsuccessful. Here, we present the structure of SSV19, a spindle-shaped virus infecting the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus sp. E11-6. Our near-atomic structure reveals an unusual sevenfold symmetrical virus tail consisting of the tailspike, nozzle, and adaptor proteins. The spindle-shaped capsid shell is formed by seven left-handed helical strands, constructed of the hydrophobic major capsid protein, emanating from the highly glycosylated tail assembly. Sliding between adjacent strands is responsible for the variation of a virion in size. Ultrathin sections of the SSV19-infected cells show that SSV19 virions adsorb to the host cell membrane through the tail after penetrating the S-layer. The tailspike harbors a putative endo-mannanase domain, which shares structural similarity to a Bacteroides thetaiotaomicro endo-mannanase. Molecules of glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether lipid were observed in hydrophobic clefts between the tail and the capsid shell. The nozzle protein resembles the stem and clip domains of the portals of herpesviruses and bacteriophages, implying an evolutionary relationship among the archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic viruses.
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4
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Medvedeva S, Brandt D, Cvirkaite-Krupovic V, Liu Y, Severinov K, Ishino S, Ishino Y, Prangishvili D, Kalinowski J, Krupovic M. New insights into the diversity and evolution of the archaeal mobilome from three complete genomes of Saccharolobus shibatae. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4612-4630. [PMID: 34190379 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Saccharolobus (formerly Sulfolobus) shibatae B12, isolated from a hot spring in Beppu, Japan in 1982, is one of the first hyperthermophilic and acidophilic archaeal species to be discovered. It serves as a natural host to the extensively studied spindle-shaped virus SSV1, a prototype of the Fuselloviridae family. Two additional Sa. shibatae strains, BEU9 and S38A, sensitive to viruses of the families Lipothrixviridae and Portogloboviridae, respectively, have been isolated more recently. However, none of the strains has been fully sequenced, limiting their utility for studies on archaeal biology and virus-host interactions. Here, we present the complete genome sequences of all three Sa. shibatae strains and explore the rich diversity of their integrated mobile genetic elements (MGE), including transposable insertion sequences, integrative and conjugative elements, plasmids, and viruses, some of which were also detected in the extrachromosomal form. Analysis of related MGEs in other Sulfolobales species and patterns of CRISPR spacer targeting revealed a complex network of MGE distributions, involving horizontal spread and relatively frequent host switching by MGEs over large phylogenetic distances, involving species of the genera Saccharolobus, Sulfurisphaera and Acidianus. Furthermore, we characterize a remarkable case of a virus-to-plasmid transition, whereby a fusellovirus has lost the genes encoding for the capsid proteins, while retaining the replication module, effectively becoming a plasmid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Medvedeva
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France.,Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 121205, Russia
| | - David Brandt
- Center for Biotechnology, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | | | - Ying Liu
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 121205, Russia.,Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.,Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Sonoko Ishino
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yoshizumi Ishino
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - David Prangishvili
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France.,Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
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5
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Baquero DP, Liu Y, Wang F, Egelman EH, Prangishvili D, Krupovic M. Structure and assembly of archaeal viruses. Adv Virus Res 2020; 108:127-164. [PMID: 33837715 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Viruses of archaea represent one of the most enigmatic parts of the virosphere. Most of the characterized archaeal viruses infect extremophilic hosts and display remarkable diversity of virion morphotypes, many of which have never been observed among bacteriophages or viruses of eukaryotes. However, recent environmental studies have shown that archaeal viruses are widespread also in moderate ecosystems, where they play an important ecological role by influencing the turnover of microbial communities, with a global impact on the carbon and nitrogen cycles. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular details of virion organization and assembly of archaeal viruses. We start by briefly introducing the 20 officially recognized families of archaeal viruses and then outline the similarities and differences of archaeal virus assembly with the morphogenesis pathways used by bacterial and eukaryotic viruses, and discuss the evolutionary implications of these observations. Generally, the assembly of the icosahedral archaeal viruses closely follows the mechanisms employed by evolutionarily related bacterial and eukaryotic viruses with the HK97 fold and double jelly-roll major capsid proteins, emphasizing the overall conservation of these pathways over billions of years of evolution. By contrast, archaea-specific viruses employ unique virion assembly mechanisms. We also highlight some of the molecular adaptations underlying the stability of archaeal viruses in extreme environments. Despite considerable progress during the past few years, the archaeal virosphere continues to represent one of the least studied parts of the global virome, with many molecular features awaiting to be discovered and characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana P Baquero
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Paris, France
| | - Ying Liu
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Fengbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Edward H Egelman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - David Prangishvili
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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6
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New virus isolates from Italian hydrothermal environments underscore the biogeographic pattern in archaeal virus communities. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:1821-1833. [PMID: 32322010 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0653-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Viruses of hyperthermophilic archaea represent one of the least understood parts of the virosphere, showing little genomic and morphological similarity to viruses of bacteria or eukaryotes. Here, we investigated virus diversity in the active sulfurous fields of the Campi Flegrei volcano in Pozzuoli, Italy. Virus-like particles displaying eight different morphotypes, including lemon-shaped, droplet-shaped and bottle-shaped virions, were observed and five new archaeal viruses proposed to belong to families Rudiviridae, Globuloviridae and Tristromaviridae were isolated and characterized. Two of these viruses infect neutrophilic hyperthermophiles of the genus Pyrobaculum, whereas the remaining three have rod-shaped virions typical of the family Rudiviridae and infect acidophilic hyperthermophiles belonging to three different genera of the order Sulfolobales, namely, Saccharolobus, Acidianus, and Metallosphaera. Notably, Metallosphaera rod-shaped virus 1 is the first rudivirus isolated on Metallosphaera species. Phylogenomic analysis of the newly isolated and previously sequenced rudiviruses revealed a clear biogeographic pattern, with all Italian rudiviruses forming a monophyletic clade, suggesting geographical structuring of virus communities in extreme geothermal environments. Analysis of the CRISPR spacers suggests that isolated rudiviruses have experienced recent host switching across the genus boundary, potentially to escape the targeting by CRISPR-Cas immunity systems. Finally, we propose a revised classification of the Rudiviridae family, with the establishment of six new genera. Collectively, our results further show that high-temperature continental hydrothermal systems harbor a highly diverse virome and shed light on the evolution of archaeal viruses.
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7
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Barth ZK, Silvas TV, Angermeyer A, Seed KD. Genome replication dynamics of a bacteriophage and its satellite reveal strategies for parasitism and viral restriction. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:249-263. [PMID: 31667508 PMCID: PMC7145576 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage-inducible chromosomal island-like elements (PLEs) are bacteriophage satellites found in Vibrio cholerae. PLEs parasitize the lytic phage ICP1, excising from the bacterial chromosome, replicating, and mobilizing to new host cells following cell lysis. PLEs protect their host cell populations by completely restricting the production of ICP1 progeny. Previously, it was found that ICP1 replication was reduced during PLE(+) infection. Despite robust replication of the PLE genome, relatively few transducing units are produced. We investigated if PLE DNA replication itself is antagonistic to ICP1 replication. Here we identify key constituents of PLE replication and assess their role in interference of ICP1. PLE encodes a RepA_N initiation factor that is sufficient to drive replication from the PLE origin of replication during ICP1 infection. In contrast to previously characterized bacteriophage satellites, expression of the PLE initiation factor was not sufficient for PLE replication in the absence of phage. Replication of PLE was necessary for interference of ICP1 DNA replication, but replication of a minimalized PLE replicon was not sufficient for ICP1 DNA replication interference. Despite restoration of ICP1 DNA replication, non-replicating PLE remained broadly inhibitory against ICP1. These results suggest that PLE DNA replication is one of multiple mechanisms contributing to ICP1 restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary K Barth
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Tania V Silvas
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Angus Angermeyer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kimberley D Seed
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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8
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Fusco S, Aulitto M, Iacobucci I, Crocamo G, Pucci P, Bartolucci S, Monti M, Contursi P. The interaction between the F55 virus-encoded transcription regulator and the RadA host recombinase reveals a common strategy in Archaea and Bacteria to sense the UV-induced damage to the host DNA. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194493. [PMID: 32014611 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 is the only UV-inducible member of the virus family Fuselloviridae. Originally isolated from Saccharolobus shibatae B12, it can also infect Saccharolobus solfataricus. Like the CI repressor of the bacteriophage λ, the SSV1-encoded F55 transcription repressor acts as a key regulator for the maintenance of the SSV1 carrier state. In particular, F55 binds to tandem repeat sequences located within the promoters of the early and UV-inducible transcripts. Upon exposure to UV light, a temporally coordinated pattern of gene expression is triggered. In the case of the better characterized bacteriophage λ, the switch from lysogenic to lytic development is regulated by a crosstalk between the virus encoded CI repressor and the host RecA, which regulates also the SOS response. For SSV1, instead, the regulatory mechanisms governing the switch from the carrier to the induced state have not been completely unravelled. In this study we have applied an integrated biochemical approach based on a variant of the EMSA assay coupled to mass spectrometry analyses to identify the proteins associated with F55 when bound to its specific DNA promoter sequences. Among the putative F55 interactors, we identified RadA and showed that the archaeal molecular components F55 and RadA are functional homologs of bacteriophage λ (factor CI) and Escherichia coli (RecA) system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Aulitto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Crocamo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Pucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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9
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Gallo G, Antonucci I, Pirone L, Amoresano A, Contursi P, Limauro D, Pedone E, Bartolucci S, Fiorentino G. A physicochemical investigation on the metal binding properties of TtSmtB, a thermophilic member of the ArsR/SmtB transcription factor family. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 138:1056-1063. [PMID: 31356933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.07.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factors of the ArsR/SmtB family are widespread within the bacterial and archaeal kingdoms. They are transcriptional repressors able to sense a variety of metals and undergo allosteric conformational changes upon metal binding, resulting in derepression of genes involved in detoxification. So far, the molecular determinants of specificity, selectivity, and metal binding mechanism have been scarcely investigated in thermophilic microorganisms. TtSmtB, the only ArsR/SmtB member present in the genome of Thermus thermophilus HB27, was chosen as a model to shed light into such molecular mechanisms at high temperature. In the present study, using a multidisciplinary approach, a structural and functional characterization of the protein was performed focusing on its metal interaction and chemical-physical stability. Our data demonstrate that TtSmtB has two distinct metal binding sites per monomer and interacts with di-tri-penta-valent ions with different affinity. Detailed knowledge at molecular level of protein-metal interaction is remarkable to design metal binding domains as scaffolds in metal-based therapies as well as in metal biorecovery or biosensing in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Gallo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Danila Limauro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Napoli, Italy
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10
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Aulitto M, Fusco S, Limauro D, Fiorentino G, Bartolucci S, Contursi P. Galactomannan degradation by thermophilic enzymes: a hot topic for biotechnological applications. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:32. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2591-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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11
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Roscetto E, Contursi P, Vollaro A, Fusco S, Notomista E, Catania MR. Antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of the first cryptic antimicrobial peptide from an archaeal protein against Candida spp. clinical isolates. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17570. [PMID: 30514888 PMCID: PMC6279838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35530-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species cause cutaneous and systemic infections with a high mortality rate, especially in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of resistance to the most common antifungal drugs, also due to biofilm formation, requires the development of alternative antifungal agents. The antimicrobial peptide VLL-28, isolated from an archaeal transcription factor, shows comparable antifungal activity against 10 clinical isolates of Candida spp. Using a fluoresceinated derivative of this peptide, we found that VLL-28 binds to the surface of planktonic cells. This observation suggested that it could exert its antifungal activity by damaging the cell wall. In addition, analyses performed on biofilms via confocal microscopy revealed that VLL-28 is differentially active on all the strains tested, with C. albicans and C. parapsilosis being the most sensitive ones. Notably, VLL-28 is the first example of an archaeal antimicrobial peptide that is active towards Candida spp. Thus, this points to archaeal microorganisms as a possible reservoir of novel antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Roscetto
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Campus of Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Vollaro
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Campus of Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Campus of Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Catania
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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12
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Guo T, Han W, She Q. Tolerance of Sulfolobus SMV1 virus to the immunity of I-A and III-B CRISPR-Cas systems in Sulfolobus islandicus. RNA Biol 2018; 16:549-556. [PMID: 29629622 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1460993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfolobus islandicus Rey15A encodes one Type I-A and two Type III-B systems, all of which are active in mediating nucleic acids interference. However, the effectiveness of each CRISPR system against virus infection was not tested in this archaeon. Here we constructed S. islandicus strains that constitutively express the antiviral immunity from either I-A, or III-B, or I-A plus III-B systems against SMV1 and tested the response of each host to SMV1 infection. We found that, although both CRISPR immunities showed a strong inhibition to viral DNA replication at an early stage of incubation, the host I-A CRISPR immunity gradually lost the control on virus proliferation, allowing accumulation of cellular viral DNA and release of a large number of viral particles. In contrast, the III-B CRISPR immunity showed a tight control on both viral DNA replication and virus particle formation. Furthermore, the SMV1 tolerance to the I-A CRISPR immunity did not result from the occurrence of escape mutations, suggesting the virus probably encodes an anti-CRISPR protein (Acr) to compromise the host I-A CRISPR immunity. Together, this suggests that the interplay between viral Acrs and CRISPR-Cas systems in thermophilic archaea could have shaped the stable virus-host relationship that is observed for many archaeal viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Guo
- a Archaea Center, Department of Biology , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocenter , Copenhagen N , Denmark
| | - Wenyuan Han
- a Archaea Center, Department of Biology , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocenter , Copenhagen N , Denmark
| | - Qunxin She
- a Archaea Center, Department of Biology , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocenter , Copenhagen N , Denmark.,b State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , China
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13
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Han W, Li Y, Deng L, Feng M, Peng W, Hallstrøm S, Zhang J, Peng N, Liang YX, White MF, She Q. A type III-B CRISPR-Cas effector complex mediating massive target DNA destruction. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:1983-1993. [PMID: 27986854 PMCID: PMC5389615 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system protects archaea and bacteria by eliminating nucleic acid invaders in a crRNA-guided manner. The Sulfolobus islandicus type III-B Cmr–α system targets invading nucleic acid at both RNA and DNA levels and DNA targeting relies on the directional transcription of the protospacer in vivo. To gain further insight into the involved mechanism, we purified a native effector complex of III-B Cmr–α from S. islandicus and characterized it in vitro. Cmr–α cleaved RNAs complementary to crRNA present in the complex and its ssDNA destruction activity was activated by target RNA. The ssDNA cleavage required mismatches between the 5΄-tag of crRNA and the 3΄-flanking region of target RNA. An invader plasmid assay showed that mutation either in the histidine-aspartate acid (HD) domain (a quadruple mutation) or in the GGDD motif of the Cmr–2α protein resulted in attenuation of the DNA interference in vivo. However, double mutation of the HD motif only abolished the DNase activity in vitro. Furthermore, the activated Cmr–α binary complex functioned as a highly active DNase to destroy a large excess DNA substrate, which could provide a powerful means to rapidly degrade replicating viral DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyuan Han
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen Biocenter, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Yingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Deng
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen Biocenter, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Mingxia Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Wenfang Peng
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen Biocenter, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Søren Hallstrøm
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen Biocenter, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jing Zhang
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Nan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Xiang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Malcolm F White
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Qunxin She
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen Biocenter, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
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14
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Gaglione R, Pirone L, Farina B, Fusco S, Smaldone G, Aulitto M, Dell'Olmo E, Roscetto E, Del Gatto A, Fattorusso R, Notomista E, Zaccaro L, Arciello A, Pedone E, Contursi P. Insights into the anticancer properties of the first antimicrobial peptide from Archaea. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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15
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A Novel Type of Polyhedral Viruses Infecting Hyperthermophilic Archaea. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00589-17. [PMID: 28424284 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00589-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Encapsidation of genetic material into polyhedral particles is one of the most common structural solutions employed by viruses infecting hosts in all three domains of life. Here, we describe a new virus of hyperthermophilic archaea, Sulfolobus polyhedral virus 1 (SPV1), which condenses its circular double-stranded DNA genome in a manner not previously observed for other known viruses. The genome complexed with virion proteins is wound up sinusoidally into a spherical coil which is surrounded by an envelope and further encased by an outer polyhedral capsid apparently composed of the 20-kDa virion protein. Lipids selectively acquired from the pool of host lipids are integral constituents of the virion. None of the major virion proteins of SPV1 show similarity to structural proteins of known viruses. However, minor structural proteins, which are predicted to mediate host recognition, are shared with other hyperthermophilic archaeal viruses infecting members of the order Sulfolobales The SPV1 genome consists of 20,222 bp and contains 45 open reading frames, only one-fifth of which could be functionally annotated.IMPORTANCE Viruses infecting hyperthermophilic archaea display a remarkable morphological diversity, often presenting architectural solutions not employed by known viruses of bacteria and eukaryotes. Here we present the isolation and characterization of Sulfolobus polyhedral virus 1, which condenses its genome into a unique spherical coil. Due to the original genomic and architectural features of SPV1, the virus should be considered a representative of a new viral family, "Portogloboviridae."
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16
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Genetic technologies for extremely thermophilic microorganisms of Sulfolobus, the only genetically tractable genus of crenarchaea. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2017; 60:370-385. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0355-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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17
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Thermus thermophilus as source of thermozymes for biotechnological applications: homologous expression and biochemical characterization of an α-galactosidase. Microb Cell Fact 2017; 16:28. [PMID: 28193276 PMCID: PMC5307791 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0638-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The genus Thermus, which has been considered for a long time as a fruitful source of biotechnological relevant enzymes, has emerged more recently as suitable host to overproduce thermozymes. Among these, α-galactosidases are widely used in several industrial bioprocesses that require high working temperatures and for which thermostable variants offer considerable advantages over their thermolabile counterparts. Results Thermus thermophilus HB27 strain was used for the homologous expression of the TTP0072 gene encoding for an α-galactosidase (TtGalA). Interestingly, a soluble and active histidine-tagged enzyme was produced in larger amounts (5 mg/L) in this thermophilic host than in Escherichia coli (0.5 mg/L). The purified recombinant enzyme showed an optimal activity at 90 °C and retained more than 40% of activity over a broad range of pH (from 5 to 8). Conclusions TtGalA is among the most thermoactive and thermostable α-galactosidases discovered so far, thus pointing to T. thermophilus as cell factory for the recombinant production of biocatalysts active at temperature values over 90 °C. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-017-0638-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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18
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Bipartite Network Analysis of the Archaeal Virosphere: Evolutionary Connections between Viruses and Capsidless Mobile Elements. J Virol 2016; 90:11043-11055. [PMID: 27681128 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01622-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Archaea and particularly hyperthermophilic crenarchaea are hosts to many unusual viruses with diverse virion shapes and distinct gene compositions. As is typical of viruses in general, there are no universal genes in the archaeal virosphere. Therefore, to obtain a comprehensive picture of the evolutionary relationships between viruses, network analysis methods are more productive than traditional phylogenetic approaches. Here we present a comprehensive comparative analysis of genomes and proteomes from all currently known taxonomically classified and unclassified, cultivated and uncultivated archaeal viruses. We constructed a bipartite network of archaeal viruses that includes two classes of nodes, the genomes and gene families that connect them. Dissection of this network using formal community detection methods reveals strong modularity, with 10 distinct modules and 3 putative supermodules. However, compared to similar previously analyzed networks of eukaryotic and bacterial viruses, the archaeal virus network is sparsely connected. With the exception of the tailed viruses related to bacteriophages of the order Caudovirales and the families Turriviridae and Sphaerolipoviridae that are linked to a distinct supermodule of eukaryotic and bacterial viruses, there are few connector genes shared by different archaeal virus modules. In contrast, most of these modules include, in addition to viruses, capsidless mobile elements, emphasizing tight evolutionary connections between the two types of entities in archaea. The relative contributions of distinct evolutionary origins, in particular from nonviral elements, and insufficient sampling to the sparsity of the archaeal virus network remain to be determined by further exploration of the archaeal virosphere. IMPORTANCE Viruses infecting archaea are among the most mysterious denizens of the virosphere. Many of these viruses display no genetic or even morphological relationship to viruses of bacteria and eukaryotes, raising questions regarding their origins and position in the global virosphere. Analysis of 5,740 protein sequences from 116 genomes allowed dissection of the archaeal virus network and showed that most groups of archaeal viruses are evolutionarily connected to capsidless mobile genetic elements, including various plasmids and transposons. This finding could reflect actual independent origins of the distinct groups of archaeal viruses from different nonviral elements, providing important insights into the emergence and evolution of the archaeal virome.
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19
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Fusco S, Liguori R, Limauro D, Bartolucci S, She Q, Contursi P. Transcriptome analysis of Sulfolobus solfataricus infected with two related fuselloviruses reveals novel insights into the regulation of CRISPR-Cas system. Biochimie 2015; 118:322-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Abstract
SUMMARY Research on archaeal extrachromosomal genetic elements (ECEs) has progressed rapidly in the past decade. To date, over 60 archaeal viruses and 60 plasmids have been isolated. These archaeal viruses exhibit an exceptional diversity in morphology, with a wide array of shapes, such as spindles, rods, filaments, spheres, head-tails, bottles, and droplets, and some of these new viruses have been classified into one order, 10 families, and 16 genera. Investigation of model archaeal viruses has yielded important insights into mechanisms underlining various steps in the viral life cycle, including infection, DNA replication and transcription, and virion egression. Many of these mechanisms are unprecedented for any known bacterial or eukaryal viruses. Studies of plasmids isolated from different archaeal hosts have also revealed a striking diversity in gene content and innovation in replication strategies. Highly divergent replication proteins are identified in both viral and plasmid genomes. Genomic studies of archaeal ECEs have revealed a modular sequence structure in which modules of DNA sequence are exchangeable within, as well as among, plasmid families and probably also between viruses and plasmids. In particular, it has been suggested that ECE-host interactions have shaped the coevolution of ECEs and their archaeal hosts. Furthermore, archaeal hosts have developed defense systems, including the innate restriction-modification (R-M) system and the adaptive CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system, to restrict invasive plasmids and viruses. Together, these interactions permit a delicate balance between ECEs and their hosts, which is vitally important for maintaining an innovative gene reservoir carried by ECEs. In conclusion, while research on archaeal ECEs has just started to unravel the molecular biology of these genetic entities and their interactions with archaeal hosts, it is expected to accelerate in the next decade.
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21
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Unravelling the Role of the F55 Regulator in the Transition from Lysogeny to UV Induction of Sulfolobus Spindle-Shaped Virus 1. J Virol 2015; 89:6453-61. [PMID: 25878101 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00363-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 represents a model for studying virus-host interaction in harsh environments, and it is so far the only member of the family Fuselloviridae that shows a UV-inducible life cycle. Although the virus has been extensively studied, mechanisms underpinning the maintenance of lysogeny as well as those regulating the UV induction have received little attention. Recently, a novel SSV1 transcription factor, F55, was identified. This factor was able to bind in vitro to several sequences derived from the early and UV-inducible promoters of the SSV1 genome. The location of these binding sites together with the differential affinity of F55 for these sequences led to the hypothesis that this protein might be involved in the maintenance of the SSV1 lysogeny. Here, we report an in vivo survey of the molecular events occurring at the UV-inducible region of the SSV1 genome, with a focus on the binding profile of F55 before and after the UV irradiation. The binding of F55 to the target promoters correlates with transcription repression, whereas its dissociation is paralleled by transcription activation. Therefore, we propose that F55 acts as a molecular switch for the transcriptional regulation of the early viral genes. IMPORTANCE Functional genomic studies of SSV1 proteins have been hindered by the lack of similarity with other characterized proteins. As a result, few insights into their in vivo roles have been gained throughout the last 3 decades. Here, we report the first in vivo investigation of an SSV1 transcription regulator, F55, that plays a key role in the transition from the lysogenic to the induced state of SSV1. We show that F55 regulates the expression of the UV-inducible as well as the early genes. Moreover, the differential affinity of this transcription factor for these targets allows a fine-tuned and temporal coordinated regulation of transcription of viral genes.
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22
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A standardized protocol for the UV induction of Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1. Extremophiles 2014; 19:539-46. [PMID: 25479832 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-014-0717-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The Fuselloviridae prototype member Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 is a model of UV-inducible viruses infecting Crenarchaeota. Previous works on SSV1 UV induction were bases on empirically determined parameters that have not yet been standardized. Thus, in many peer reviewed literature, it is not clear how the fluence and irradiance have been determined. Here, we describe a protocol for the UV induction of SSV1 replication, which is based on the combination of the following instrumentally monitored parameters: (1) the fluence; (2) the irradiance; (3) the exposure time, and (4) the exposure distance. With the aim of finding a good balance between the viral replication induction and the host cells viability, UV-irradiated cultures were monitored for their ability to recover in the aftermath of the UV exposure. This UV irradiation procedure has been set up using the well-characterized Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 strain as model system to study host-virus interaction.
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Stedman KM, DeYoung M, Saha M, Sherman MB, Morais MC. Structural insights into the architecture of the hyperthermophilic Fusellovirus SSV1. Virology 2014; 474:105-9. [PMID: 25463608 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The structure and assembly of many icosahedral and helical viruses are well-characterized. However, the molecular basis for the unique spindle-shaped morphology of many viruses that infect Archaea remains unknown. To understand the architecture and assembly of these viruses, the spindle-shaped virus SSV1 was examined using cryo-EM, providing the first 3D-structure of a spindle-shaped virus as well as insight into SSV1 biology, assembly and evolution. Furthermore, a geometric framework underlying the distinct spindle-shaped structure is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M Stedman
- Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Biology Department, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Melissa DeYoung
- Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Biology Department, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Mitul Saha
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Michael B Sherman
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Marc C Morais
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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Makarova KS, Wolf YI, Forterre P, Prangishvili D, Krupovic M, Koonin EV. Dark matter in archaeal genomes: a rich source of novel mobile elements, defense systems and secretory complexes. Extremophiles 2014; 18:877-93. [PMID: 25113822 PMCID: PMC4158269 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-014-0672-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Microbial genomes encompass a sizable fraction of poorly characterized, narrowly spread fast-evolving genes. Using sensitive methods for sequences comparison and protein structure prediction, we performed a detailed comparative analysis of clusters of such genes, which we denote "dark matter islands", in archaeal genomes. The dark matter islands comprise up to 20% of archaeal genomes and show remarkable heterogeneity and diversity. Nevertheless, three classes of entities are common in these genomic loci: (a) integrated viral genomes and other mobile elements; (b) defense systems, and (c) secretory and other membrane-associated systems. The dark matter islands in the genome of thermophiles and mesophiles show similar general trends of gene content, but thermophiles are substantially enriched in predicted membrane proteins whereas mesophiles have a greater proportion of recognizable mobile elements. Based on this analysis, we predict the existence of several novel groups of viruses and mobile elements, previously unnoticed variants of CRISPR-Cas immune systems, and new secretory systems that might be involved in stress response, intermicrobial conflicts and biogenesis of novel, uncharacterized membrane structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
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