Twenty years hunting for sulfur in DNA

Low Energy Photoionization of Phosphorothioate DNA-Oligomers and Ensuing Hole Transfer

Phosphorothioate (PS) modified oligonucleotides (S-DNA) naturally exist in bacteria and archaea genome and are widely used as an antisense strategy in gene therapy. However, the introduction of PS as a redox active site may trigger distinct UV photoreactions. Herein, by time-resolved spectroscopy, we observe that 266 nm excitation of S-DNA d(A_ps)₂₀ and d(A_psA)₁₀ leads to direct photoionization on the PS moiety to form hemi-bonded -P-S∴S-P- radicals, in addition to A base ionization to produce A^+•/A(-H)^•. Fluorescence spectroscopy and global analysis indicate that an unusual charge transfer state (CT) between the A and PS moiety might populate in competition with the common CT state among bases as key intermediate states responsible for S-DNA photoionization. Significantly, the photoionization bifurcating to PS and A moieties of S-DNA is discovered, suggesting that the PS moiety could capture the oxidized site and protect the remaining base against ionization lesion, shedding light on the understanding of its existence in living organisms.

The origin and impeded dissemination of the DNA phosphorothioation system in prokaryotes

Phosphorothioate (PT) modification by the dnd gene cluster is the first identified DNA backbone modification and constitute an epigenetic system with multiple functions, including antioxidant ability, restriction modification, and virus resistance. Despite these advantages for hosting dnd systems, they are surprisingly distributed sporadically among contemporary prokaryotic genomes. To address this ecological paradox, we systematically investigate the occurrence and phylogeny of dnd systems, and they are suggested to have originated in ancient Cyanobacteria after the Great Oxygenation Event. Interestingly, the occurrence of dnd systems and prophages is significantly negatively correlated. Further, we experimentally confirm that PT modification activates the filamentous phage SW1 by altering the binding affinity of repressor and the transcription level of its encoding gene. Competition assays, concurrent epigenomic and transcriptomic sequencing subsequently show that PT modification affects the expression of a variety of metabolic genes, which reduces the competitive fitness of the marine bacterium Shewanella piezotolerans WP3. Our findings strongly suggest that a series of negative effects on microorganisms caused by dnd systems limit horizontal gene transfer, thus leading to their sporadic distribution. Overall, our study reveals putative evolutionary scenario of the dnd system and provides novel insights into the physiological and ecological influences of PT modification.

Comprehensive classification of ABC ATPases and their functional radiation in nucleoprotein dynamics and biological conflict systems

ABC ATPases form one of the largest clades of P-loop NTPase fold enzymes that catalyze ATP-hydrolysis and utilize its free energy for a staggering range of functions from transport to nucleoprotein dynamics. Using sensitive sequence and structure analysis with comparative genomics, for the first time we provide a comprehensive classification of the ABC ATPase superfamily. ABC ATPases developed structural hallmarks that unambiguously distinguish them from other P-loop NTPases such as an alternative to arginine-finger-based catalysis. At least five and up to eight distinct clades of ABC ATPases are reconstructed as being present in the last universal common ancestor. They underwent distinct phases of structural innovation with the emergence of inserts constituting conserved binding interfaces for proteins or nucleic acids and the adoption of a unique dimeric toroidal configuration for DNA-threading. Specifically, several clades have also extensively radiated in counter-invader conflict systems where they serve as nodal nucleotide-dependent sensory and energetic components regulating a diversity of effectors (including some previously unrecognized) acting independently or together with restriction-modification systems. We present a unified mechanism for ABC ATPase function across disparate systems like RNA editing, translation, metabolism, DNA repair, and biological conflicts, and some unexpected recruitments, such as MutS ATPases in secondary metabolism.

Advances in CRISPR-Cas systems for RNA targeting, tracking and editing

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems, especially type II (Cas9) systems, have been widely used in gene/genome targeting. Modifications of Cas9 enable these systems to become platforms for precise DNA manipulations. However, the utilization of CRISPR-Cas systems in RNA targeting remains preliminary. The discovery of type VI CRISPR-Cas systems (Cas13) shed light on RNA-guided RNA targeting. Cas13d, the smallest Cas13 protein, with a length of only ~930 amino acids, is a promising platform for RNA targeting compatible with viral delivery systems. Much effort has also been made to develop Cas9, Cas13a and Cas13b applications for RNA-guided RNA targeting. The discovery of new RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems as well as the development of RNA-targeting platforms with Cas9 and Cas13 will promote RNA-targeting technology substantially. Here, we review new advances in RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems as well as advances in applications of these systems in RNA targeting, tracking and editing. We also compare these Cas protein-based technologies with traditional technologies for RNA targeting, tracking and editing. Finally, we discuss remaining questions and prospects for the future.

Tight control of genomic phosphorothioate modification by the ATP-modulated autoregulation and reusability of DndB

DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification was recently identified to occur naturally in diverse bacteria and to be governed by DndABCDE proteins. The nuclease resistance as well as the redox and nucleophilic properties of PT sulfur make PT modification a versatile player in restriction-modification (R-M) defense, epigenetic regulation, environmental fitness and the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis. In this study, we discovered that tight control of PT levels is mediated by the ATPase activity of DndB. The ATP-binding activity of DndB stimulates the dissociation of the DndB-DNA complex, allowing transcriptional initiation, whereas its ATP hydrolysis activity promotes the conversion of DndB-ATP to free DndB that is capable of rebinding to promoter DNA for transcriptional inhibition. Since sulfur incorporation is an ATP-consuming process, these activities provide an economical way to fine-tune PT modification in an ATP-sensing manner. To our knowledge, this ATP-mediated regulation is a rare example among DNA epigenetic modification systems; the features of autoregulation and the repeated usage of DndB allow the dedicated regulation of PT levels in response to cellular ATP concentrations, providing insight into PT function and its role in physiology.

Kinetic Basis of the Bifunctionality of SsoII DNA Methyltransferase

Type II restriction–modification (RM) systems are the most widespread bacterial antiviral defence mechanisms. DNA methyltransferase SsoII (M.SsoII) from a Type II RM system SsoII regulates transcription in its own RM system in addition to the methylation function. DNA with a so-called regulatory site inhibits the M.SsoII methylation activity. Using circular permutation assay, we show that M.SsoII monomer induces DNA bending of 31° at the methylation site and 46° at the regulatory site. In the M.SsoII dimer bound to the regulatory site, both protein subunits make equal contributions to the DNA bending, and both angles are in the same plane. Fluorescence of TAMRA, 2-aminopurine, and Trp was used to monitor conformational dynamics of DNA and M.SsoII under pre-steady-state conditions by stopped-flow technique. Kinetic data indicate that M.SsoII prefers the regulatory site to the methylation site at the step of initial protein–DNA complex formation. Nevertheless, in the presence of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, the induced fit is accelerated in the M.SsoII complex with the methylation site, ensuring efficient formation of the catalytically competent complex. The presence of S-adenosyl-l-methionine and large amount of the methylation sites promote efficient DNA methylation by M.SsoII despite the inhibitory effect of the regulatory site.

Effects of phosphodiester and phosphorothioate ODN2216 on leukotriene synthesis in human neutrophils and neutrophil apoptosis

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs, neutrophils) play a major role in the initiation and resolution of the inflammatory response, and neutrophil apoptosis is a critical step in resolving inflammation. We examined the effects of oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) species with different numbers of phosphodiester and phosphorothioate bonds on leukotriene synthesis in PMNLs and on neutrophil apoptosis. Our modifications were based on the well-known ODN2216 molecule (Krug et al., 2001). Treatment of cultured human neutrophils with ODN2216 accelerated apoptosis except in the case of a species with only phosphodiester bonds. The ODNs with poly(g) (phosphorothioate) sequences at both ends and a phosphodiester inner core had maximal effects on leukotriene synthesis in neutrophils and inhibited formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. Addition of phosphodiester and phosphorothioate ODNs to PMNLs produced distinct effects on superoxide and nitric oxide formation: phosphorothioate-containing ODNs concomitantly stimulated production of nitric oxide and superoxide, which may rapidly combine to generate peroxynitrite. Altogether, our results describe strong activation of neutrophil's cellular responses by phosphorothioate ODN2216. We propose that phosphorothioate modification of ODNs represents a potential mechanism of PMNL activation.

Adenine methylation in eukaryotes: Apprehending the complex evolutionary history and functional potential of an epigenetic modification

While N⁶‐methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a well‐known epigenetic modification in bacterial DNA, it remained largely unstudied in eukaryotes. Recent studies have brought to fore its potential epigenetic role across diverse eukaryotes with biological consequences, which are distinct and possibly even opposite to the well‐studied 5‐methylcytosine mark. Adenine methyltransferases appear to have been independently acquired by eukaryotes on at least 13 occasions from prokaryotic restriction‐modification and counter‐restriction systems. On at least four to five instances, these methyltransferases were recruited as RNA methylases. Thus, m⁶A marks in eukaryotic DNA and RNA might be more widespread and diversified than previously believed. Several m⁶A‐binding protein domains from prokaryotes were also acquired by eukaryotes, facilitating prediction of potential readers for these marks. Further, multiple lineages of the AlkB family of dioxygenases have been recruited as m⁶A demethylases. Although members of the TET/JBP family of dioxygenases have also been suggested to be m⁶A demethylases, this proposal needs more careful evaluation.

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The influence of phosphorothioate on charge migration in single and double stranded DNA: a theoretical approach

In this study the influence of the phosphorothioate internucleotide bond on the electronic properties of single and double-stranded short nucleotides has been investigated at the M06-2X/6-31+G** level of theory in the gaseous phase. Due to the chirality of the phosphorus atom in a phosphorothioate (PT) internucleotide diester bond, the adiabatic/vertical mode of electron affinity/ionization potential, spin density and molecular orbital distribution, as well as structural analysis were taken under consideration for the single stranded (ss) R(P) and S(P) diastereomers of d[G(PS)G] and for double stranded (ds) d[G(PS)G]*d[C(PO)C], in comparison with the corresponding parent phosphate compounds. Moreover, the excitation states, HOMO and LUMO energies were calculated using a TD-DFT methodology at the M06-2X/6-31+G**//M06-2X/6-31++G** level of theory in the aqueous phase. The obtained results show that the PT plays a significant role in the case of ss-oligonucleotides, and to a much smaller extent in ds-oligomers.

Recent progress towards understanding genetic variation in the Mycobacterium abscessus complex

Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging cause of respiratory disease and soft tissue infections. Whole genome sequencing and other molecular approaches are enhancing our understanding of outbreaks, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and virulence properties, and of the phylogeny of the M. abscessus complex. Infection models are providing further insights into factors such as colony phenotype that impact host-pathogen interactions. This paper reviews recent developments in our understanding of genetic variation in M. abscessus and the potential relevance for disease and treatment.

DNA phosphorothioate modifications influence the global transcriptional response and protect DNA from double-stranded breaks

The modification of DNA by phosphorothioate (PT) occurs when the non-bridging oxygen in the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA is replaced with sulfur. This DNA backbone modification was recently discovered and is governed by the dndABCDE genes in a diverse group of bacteria and archaea. However, the biological function of DNA PT modifications is poorly understood. In this study, we employed the RNA-seq analysis to characterize the global transcriptional changes in response to PT modifications. Our results show that DNA without PT protection is susceptible to DNA damage caused by the dndFGHI gene products. The DNA double-stranded breaks then trigger the SOS response, cell filamentation and prophage induction. Heterologous expression of dndBCDE conferring DNA PT modifications at G_PSA and G_PST prevented the damage in Salmonella enterica. Our data provide insights into the physiological role of the DNA PT system.

In vivo mutational characterization of DndE involved in DNA phosphorothioate modification

DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification is a recently identified epigenetic modification that occurs in the sugar-phosphate backbone of prokaryotic DNA. Previous studies have demonstrated that DNA PT modification is governed by the five DndABCDE proteins in a sequence-selective and R_P stereo-specific manner. Bacteria may have acquired this physiological modification along with dndFGH as a restriction-modification system. However, little is known about the biological function of Dnd proteins, especially the smallest protein, DndE, in the PT modification pathway. DndE was reported to be a DNA-binding protein with a preference for nicked dsDNA in vitro; the binding of DndE to DNA occurs via six positively charged lysine residues on its surface. The substitution of these key lysine residues significantly decreased the DNA binding affinities of DndE proteins to undetectable levels. In this study, we conducted site-directed mutagenesis of dndE on a plasmid and measured DNA PT modifications under physiological conditions by mass spectrometry. We observed distinctive differences from the in vitro binding assays. Several mutants with lysine residues mutated to alanine decreased the total frequency of PT modifications, but none of the mutants completely eliminated PT modification. Our results suggest that the nicked dsDNA-binding capacity of DndE may not be crucial for PT modification and/or that DndE may have other biological functions in addition to binding to dsDNA.

Exploring bacterial epigenomics in the next-generation sequencing era: a new approach for an emerging frontier

Epigenetics has an important role for the success of foodborne pathogen persistence in diverse host niches. Substantial challenges exist in determining DNA methylation to situation-specific phenotypic traits. DNA modification, mediated by restriction-modification systems, functions as an immune response against antagonistic external DNA, and bacteriophage-acquired methyltransferases (MTase) and orphan MTases - those lacking the cognate restriction endonuclease - facilitate evolution of new phenotypes via gene expression modulation via DNA and RNA modifications, including methylation and phosphorothioation. Recent establishment of large-scale genome sequencing projects will result in a significant increase in genome availability that will lead to new demands for data analysis including new predictive bioinformatics approaches that can be verified with traditional scientific rigor. Sequencing technologies that detect modification coupled with mass spectrometry to discover new adducts is a powerful tactic to study bacterial epigenetics, which is poised to make novel and far-reaching discoveries that link biological significance and the bacterial epigenome.

Insertion site and distribution of a genomic island conferring DNA phosphorothioation in the Mycobacterium abscessus complex

Nearly half of US clinical isolates of the emerging pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus were reported to exhibit smeared DNA during PFGE. This DNA degradation (Dnd) phenotype results from DNA phosphorothioation, a sulfur modification found in other bacteria and conferred by dnd genes located on mobile elements. Putative dnd genes are located on a 19.6 kbp genomic island (GI) in the M. abscessus type strain ATCC 19977. We confirmed that ATCC 19977(T) is Dnd-positive by PFGE and we developed a PCR assay to predict Dnd phenotype. Dnd-positive strains generated an amplicon from dndC whereas Dnd-negative strains generated a bridge amplicon that spanned the GI insertion site, indicating they lacked the entire 'Dnd-GI'. Comparative analyses of sequences from the bridge amplicon with ATCC 19977(T) revealed the Dnd-GI is flanked by 22 bp repeats in M. abscessus sensu stricto and inserted downstream of a tRNA-Ala gene and between inverted repeats. Regions flanking the Dnd-GI were highly conserved within the M. abscessus complex. Bioinformatics studies suggest the Dnd-GI inserted independently into a strain of Mycobacterium massiliense and that other species of mycobacteria also have dnd genes, supporting reports that the Dnd phenotype is common among actinomycetes. Within the M. abscessus complex, Dnd-positive clinical isolates were primarily M. abscessus sensu stricto, and tandem repeat typing indicated these isolates were highly related, confirming previous PFGE studies and revealing a widespread family of strains with significance in human disease.

Computational identification of novel biochemical systems involved in oxidation, glycosylation and other complex modifications of bases in DNA

Discovery of the TET/JBP family of dioxygenases that modify bases in DNA has sparked considerable interest in novel DNA base modifications and their biological roles. Using sensitive sequence and structure analyses combined with contextual information from comparative genomics, we computationally characterize over 12 novel biochemical systems for DNA modifications. We predict previously unidentified enzymes, such as the kinetoplastid J-base generating glycosyltransferase (and its homolog GREB1), the catalytic specificity of bacteriophage TET/JBP proteins and their role in complex DNA base modifications. We also predict the enzymes involved in synthesis of hypermodified bases such as alpha-glutamylthymine and alpha-putrescinylthymine that have remained enigmatic for several decades. Moreover, the current analysis suggests that bacteriophages and certain nucleo-cytoplasmic large DNA viruses contain an unexpectedly diverse range of DNA modification systems, in addition to those using previously characterized enzymes such as Dam, Dcm, TET/JBP, pyrimidine hydroxymethylases, Mom and glycosyltransferases. These include enzymes generating modified bases such as deazaguanines related to queuine and archaeosine, pyrimidines comparable with lysidine, those derived using modified S-adenosyl methionine derivatives and those using TET/JBP-generated hydroxymethyl pyrimidines as biosynthetic starting points. We present evidence that some of these modification systems are also widely dispersed across prokaryotes and certain eukaryotes such as basidiomycetes, chlorophyte and stramenopile alga, where they could serve as novel epigenetic marks for regulation or discrimination of self from non-self DNA. Our study extends the role of the PUA-like fold domains in recognition of modified nucleic acids and predicts versions of the ASCH and EVE domains to be novel ‘readers’ of modified bases in DNA. These results open opportunities for the investigation of the biology of these systems and their use in biotechnology.

Novel molecular fossils of bacteria: insights into hydrothermal origin of life

Hydrothermal vents, in particular, alkaline submarine vents, are potential systems for the origin of life. Early hydrothermal vents may have imprinted on biochemical processes and housekeeping proteins of life and have hallmarked key molecules. This essay introduces new information to this discussion by focusing on newly identified sulfur-modified DNA and a heretofore ignored anhydro bond of the cell wall peptidoglycan in bacteria. It is suggested that they are novel molecular fossils that are relevant to the settings of alkaline submarine vents and harbor clues of early life. As DNA and the cell wall are bound up with genetic information and the integrity of cell, respectively, these two molecular fossils may provide insights into hydrothermal origin of life from a new angle.

Polymorphic toxin systems: Comprehensive characterization of trafficking modes, processing, mechanisms of action, immunity and ecology using comparative genomics

BACKGROUND

Proteinaceous toxins are observed across all levels of inter-organismal and intra-genomic conflicts. These include recently discovered prokaryotic polymorphic toxin systems implicated in intra-specific conflicts. They are characterized by a remarkable diversity of C-terminal toxin domains generated by recombination with standalone toxin-coding cassettes. Prior analysis revealed a striking diversity of nuclease and deaminase domains among the toxin modules. We systematically investigated polymorphic toxin systems using comparative genomics, sequence and structure analysis.

RESULTS

Polymorphic toxin systems are distributed across all major bacterial lineages and are delivered by at least eight distinct secretory systems. In addition to type-II, these include type-V, VI, VII (ESX), and the poorly characterized "Photorhabdus virulence cassettes (PVC)", PrsW-dependent and MuF phage-capsid-like systems. We present evidence that trafficking of these toxins is often accompanied by autoproteolytic processing catalyzed by HINT, ZU5, PrsW, caspase-like, papain-like, and a novel metallopeptidase associated with the PVC system. We identified over 150 distinct toxin domains in these systems. These span an extraordinary catalytic spectrum to include 23 distinct clades of peptidases, numerous previously unrecognized versions of nucleases and deaminases, ADP-ribosyltransferases, ADP ribosyl cyclases, RelA/SpoT-like nucleotidyltransferases, glycosyltranferases and other enzymes predicted to modify lipids and carbohydrates, and a pore-forming toxin domain. Several of these toxin domains are shared with host-directed effectors of pathogenic bacteria. Over 90 families of immunity proteins might neutralize anywhere between a single to at least 27 distinct types of toxin domains. In some organisms multiple tandem immunity genes or immunity protein domains are organized into polyimmunity loci or polyimmunity proteins. Gene-neighborhood-analysis of polymorphic toxin systems predicts the presence of novel trafficking-related components, and also the organizational logic that allows toxin diversification through recombination. Domain architecture and protein-length analysis revealed that these toxins might be deployed as secreted factors, through directed injection, or via inter-cellular contact facilitated by filamentous structures formed by RHS/YD, filamentous hemagglutinin and other repeats. Phyletic pattern and life-style analysis indicate that polymorphic toxins and polyimmunity loci participate in cooperative behavior and facultative 'cheating' in several ecosystems such as the human oral cavity and soil. Multiple domains from these systems have also been repeatedly transferred to eukaryotes and their viruses, such as the nucleo-cytoplasmic large DNA viruses.

CONCLUSIONS

Along with a comprehensive inventory of toxins and immunity proteins, we present several testable predictions regarding active sites and catalytic mechanisms of toxins, their processing and trafficking and their role in intra-specific and inter-specific interactions between bacteria. These systems provide insights regarding the emergence of key systems at different points in eukaryotic evolution, such as ADP ribosylation, interaction of myosin VI with cargo proteins, mediation of apoptosis, hyphal heteroincompatibility, hedgehog signaling, arthropod toxins, cell-cell interaction molecules like teneurins and different signaling messengers.