1
|
Roachford OSE, Alleyne AT, Nelson KE. Insights into the vaginal microbiome in a diverse group of women of African, Asian and European ancestries. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14449. [PMID: 36518275 PMCID: PMC9744153 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intra-continentally, vaginal microbiome signatures are reported to be significantly different between Black and Caucasian women, with women of African ancestry having the less well defined heterogenous bacterial community state type (CST) deficient of Lactobacillus species (CST IV). The objective of this study was to characterize the vaginal microbiomes across a more diverse intercontinental group of women (N = 151) of different ethnicities (African American, African Kenyan, Afro-Caribbean, Asian Indonesian and Caucasian German) using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to determine their structures and offer a comprehensive description of the non-Lactobacillus dominant CSTs and subtypes. Results In this study, the bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiomes differed significantly among the ethnic groups. Lactobacillus spp. (L. crispatus and L. iners) dominated the vaginal microbiomes in African American women (91.8%) compared to European (German, 42.4%), Asian (Indonesian, 45.0%), African (Kenyan, 34.4%) and Afro-Caribbean (26.1%) women. Expanding on CST classification, three subtypes of CST IV (CST IV-A, IV-B and IV-C) (N = 56, 37.1%) and four additional CSTs were described: CST VI Gardnerella vaginalis-dominant (N = 6, 21.8%); CST VII (Prevotella-dominant, N = 1, 0.66%); CST VIII (N = 9, 5.96%), resembling aerobic vaginitis, was differentiated by a high proportion of taxa such as Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus (relative abundance [RA] > 50%) and CST IX (N = 7, 4.64%) dominated by genera other than Lactobacillus, Gardnerella or Prevotella (e.g., Bifidobacterium breve and Anaerococcus vaginalis). Within the vaginal microbiomes, 32 "taxa with high pathogenic potential" (THPP) were identified. Collectively, THPP (mean RA ~5.24%) negatively correlated (rs = -0.68, p < 2.2e-16) with Lactobacillus species but not significantly with Gardnerella/Prevotella spp. combined (r = -0.13, p = 0.1). However, at the individual level, Mycoplasma hominis exhibited moderate positive correlations with Gardnerella (r = 0.46, p = 2.6e-09) and Prevotella spp. (r = 0.47, p = 1.4e-09). Conclusions These findings while supporting the idea that vaginal microbiomes vary with ethnicity, also suggest that CSTs are more wide-ranging and not exclusive to any particular ethnic group. This study offers additional insight into the structure of the vaginal microbiome and contributes to the description and subcategorization of non-Lactobacillus-dominated CSTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orville St. E. Roachford
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | - Angela T. Alleyne
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | - Karen E. Nelson
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD, United States of America
- J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Genomic Islands in Mycoplasmas. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11080836. [PMID: 32707922 PMCID: PMC7466169 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus are characterized by the lack of a cell-wall, the use of UGA as tryptophan codon instead of a universal stop, and their simplified metabolic pathways. Most of these features are due to the small-size and limited-content of their genomes (580–1840 Kbp; 482–2050 CDS). Yet, the Mycoplasma genus encompasses over 200 species living in close contact with a wide range of animal hosts and man. These include pathogens, pathobionts, or commensals that have retained the full capacity to synthesize DNA, RNA, and all proteins required to sustain a parasitic life-style, with most being able to grow under laboratory conditions without host cells. Over the last 10 years, comparative genome analyses of multiple species and strains unveiled some of the dynamics of mycoplasma genomes. This review summarizes our current knowledge of genomic islands (GIs) found in mycoplasmas, with a focus on pathogenicity islands, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), and prophages. Here, we discuss how GIs contribute to the dynamics of mycoplasma genomes and how they participate in the evolution of these minimal organisms.
Collapse
|
3
|
An X, Cheng Y, Miao L, Chen X, Zang H, Li C. Characterization and genome functional analysis of an efficient nitrile-degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodochrous BX2, to lay the foundation for potential bioaugmentation for remediation of nitrile-contaminated environments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 389:121906. [PMID: 31874764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitriles are a class of extremely toxic chemicals with extensive applications, and these compounds pose potential risks to humans and ecosystems. The activated sludge isolate Rhodococcus rhodochrous BX2 efficiently metabolizes aliphatic nitriles. However, the molecular underpinnings of the degradation mechanism of aliphatic nitriles by BX2 remain unknown, and the metabolic fate of aliphatic nitriles also has not been elucidated. Here, strain BX2 was capable of completely mineralizing three aliphatic nitriles. Bioinformatic analysis yielded a deeper insight into the genetic basis of BX2 for efficient degradation of aliphatic nitriles and adaptation to harsh environments. Transcriptional, enzyme activity and metabolite analyses confirmed that the intracellular inducible nitrile hydratase/amidase pathway is the preferred metabolic pathway. Our findings provide an in-depth understanding of the environmental fate of aliphatic nitriles and, most importantly, offer a new perspective on the potential applications of the genus Rhodococcus in bioremediation and the development of degradation enzyme resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao An
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Yi Cheng
- College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Lei Miao
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Xi Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Hailian Zang
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Chunyan Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rideau F, Le Roy C, Sagné E, Renaudin H, Pereyre S, Henrich B, Dordet-Frisoni E, Citti C, Lartigue C, Bébéar C. Random transposon insertion in the Mycoplasma hominis minimal genome. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13554. [PMID: 31537861 PMCID: PMC6753208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49919-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma hominis is an opportunistic human pathogen associated with genital and neonatal infections. Until this study, the lack of a reliable transformation method for the genetic manipulation of M. hominis hindered the investigation of the pathogenicity and the peculiar arginine-based metabolism of this bacterium. A genomic analysis of 20 different M. hominis strains revealed a number of putative restriction-modification systems in this species. Despite the presence of these systems, a reproducible polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation protocol was successfully developed in this study for three different strains: two clinical isolates and the M132 reference strain. Transformants were generated by transposon mutagenesis with an efficiency of approximately 10-9 transformants/cell/µg plasmid and were shown to carry single or multiple mini-transposons randomly inserted within their genomes. One M132-mutant was observed to carry a single-copy transposon inserted within the gene encoding P75, a protein potentially involved in adhesion. However, no difference in adhesion was observed in cell-assays between this mutant and the M132 parent strain. Whole genome sequencing of mutants carrying multiple copies of the transposon further revealed the occurrence of genomic rearrangements. Overall, this is the first time that genetically modified strains of M. hominis have been obtained by random mutagenesis using a mini-transposon conferring resistance to tetracycline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Rideau
- University of Bordeaux, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France.,INRA, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France
| | - Chloé Le Roy
- University of Bordeaux, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France.,INRA, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France
| | - Eveline Sagné
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | - Hélène Renaudin
- University of Bordeaux, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France.,INRA, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sabine Pereyre
- University of Bordeaux, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France.,INRA, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France
| | - Birgit Henrich
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Carole Lartigue
- INRA, UMR 1332 de Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, Gironde, France. .,University of Bordeaux, UMR 1332 de Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, Gironde, France.
| | - Cécile Bébéar
- University of Bordeaux, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France. .,INRA, USC-EA3671 Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial Infections in Humans, Bordeaux, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jang WD, Kim TY, Kim HU, Shim WY, Ryu JY, Park JH, Lee SY. Genomic and metabolic analysis of Komagataeibacter xylinus DSM 2325 producing bacterial cellulose nanofiber. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:3372-3381. [PMID: 31433066 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a polymer with a wide range of potential industrial applications. Several Komagataeibacter species, including Komagataeibacter xylinus as a model organism, produce CNF. However, the industrial application of CNF has been hampered by inefficient CNF production, necessitating metabolic engineering for the enhanced CNF production. Here, we present complete genome sequence and a genome-scale metabolic model KxyMBEL1810 of K. xylinus DSM 2325 for metabolic engineering applications. Genome analysis of this bacterium revealed that a set of genes associated with CNF biosynthesis and regulation were present in this bacterium, which were also conserved in another six representative Komagataeibacter species having complete genome information. To better understand the metabolic characteristics of K. xylinus DSM 2325, KxyMBEL1810 was reconstructed using genome annotation data, relevant computational resources and experimental growth data generated in this study. Random sampling and correlation analysis of the KxyMBEL1810 predicted pgi and gnd genes as novel overexpression targets for the enhanced CNF production. Among engineered K. xylinus strains individually overexpressing heterologous pgi and gnd genes, either from Escherichia coli or Corynebacterium glutamicum, batch fermentation of a strain overexpressing the E. coli pgi gene produced 3.15 g/L of CNF in a complex medium containing glucose, which was the best CNF concentration achieved in this study, and 115.8% higher than that (1.46 g/L) obtained from the control strain. Genome sequence data and KxyMBEL1810 generated in this study should be useful resources for metabolic engineering of K. xylinus for the enhanced CNF production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woo Dae Jang
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 plus program), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Yong Kim
- Biomaterials Lab, Material Research Center, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Uk Kim
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 plus program), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Yong Shim
- Biomaterials Lab, Material Research Center, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yong Ryu
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 plus program), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hwan Park
- Biomaterials Lab, Material Research Center, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 plus program), Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abdool Karim SS, Baxter C, Passmore JS, McKinnon LR, Williams BL. The genital tract and rectal microbiomes: their role in HIV susceptibility and prevention in women. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25300. [PMID: 31144462 PMCID: PMC6541743 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young women in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected by HIV, accounting for 25% of all new infections in 2017. Several behavioural and biological factors are known to impact a young woman's vulnerability for acquiring HIV. One key, but lesser understood, biological factor impacting vulnerability is the vaginal microbiome. This review describes the vaginal microbiome and examines its alterations, its influence on HIV acquisition as well as the efficacy of HIV prevention technologies, the role of the rectal microbiome in HIV acquisition, advances in technologies to study the microbiome and some future research directions. DISCUSSION Although the composition of each woman's vaginal microbiome is unique, a microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus species is generally associated with a "healthy" vagina. Disturbances in the vaginal microbiota, characterized by a shift from a low-diversity, Lactobacillus-dominant state to a high-diversity non-Lactobacillus-dominant state, have been shown to be associated with a range of adverse reproductive health outcomes, including increasing the risk of genital inflammation and HIV acquisition. Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia have been shown to contribute to both HIV risk and genital inflammation. In addition to impacting HIV risk, the composition of the vaginal microbiome affects the vaginal concentrations of some antiretroviral drugs, particularly those administered intravaginally, and thereby their efficacy as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. Although the role of rectal microbiota in HIV acquisition in women is less well understood, the composition of this compartment's microbiome, particularly the presence of species of bacteria from the Prevotellaceae family likely contribute to HIV acquisition. Advances in technologies have facilitated the study of the genital microbiome's structure and function. While next-generation sequencing advanced knowledge of the diversity and complexity of the vaginal microbiome, the emerging field of metaproteomics, which provides important information on vaginal bacterial community structure, diversity and function, is further shedding light on functionality of the vaginal microbiome and its relationship with bacterial vaginosis (BV), as well as antiretroviral PrEP efficacy. CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of the composition, structure and function of the microbiome is needed to identify opportunities to alter the vaginal microbiome and prevent BV and reduce the risk of HIV acquisition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salim S Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Department of EpidemiologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Cheryl Baxter
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Jo‐Ann S Passmore
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- National Health Laboratory ServiceCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Lyle R McKinnon
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyUniversity of NairobiNairobiKenya
| | - Brent L Williams
- Department of EpidemiologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Pathology and Cell BiologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen W, Plewig G. Lipschütz genital ulcer revisited: is juvenile gangrenous vasculitis of the scrotum the male counterpart? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33:1660-1666. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- W. Chen
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Technische Universität München Munich Germany
- IZZ Immunologie‐Zentrum Zürich Zurich Switzerland
| | - G. Plewig
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Ludwig‐Maximilian‐University of Munich Munich Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Roachford O, Nelson KE, Mohapatra BR. Virulence and molecular adaptation of human urogenital mycoplasmas: a review. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2019.1607556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orville Roachford
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | | | - Bidyut Ranjan Mohapatra
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Roachford OSE, Nelson KE, Mohapatra BR. A novel approach for the identification and phylogenetic delineation of human Mycoplasma species and strains using genomic segment sequence analysis. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 68:68-76. [PMID: 30529087 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human Mycoplasma are opportunistic, facultative pathogens that are site-specific in their colonization of mucosal surfaces. They are responsible for significant annual morbidity in humans by causing acute illnesses and chronic auto-inflammatory diseases via modulation of the host's immune system. Accurate and reliable identification of Mycoplasma species and their strains are thus of upmost importance. This study, analysed for the first time, the effectiveness of a short (50 kb) genome fragment (termed as R-segment), which includes the complete rRNA operon and the flanking region up to 50 kb, as a single phylogenetic marker for assessing the molecular taxonomy and determining the identity of human Mycoplasma species and their strains. The R-segments of human mycoplasmas were shown to have inherent genetic properties [average nucleotide identity (ANI), codon bias index (CBI), genome-to-genome distances (GGD) and % G + C] similar to their whole genome counterparts. Based on the results of our R segment analysis, a species of human Mycoplasma can simply be defined as a group of strains that share R-segments with ANIs ≥97%. Additionally, R-segments offered superiority to 16S rRNA gene sequences and multilocus sequences for the delineation of the human Mycoplasma species and their strains. The overall comparative genomic results suggest that R-segment analysis can be considered as a promising cost-effective tool for the epidemiological surveillance and differentiation of the closely related species and/or strains of human mycoplasmas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orville St E Roachford
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, BB 11000, Barbados.
| | - Karen E Nelson
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 9714 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Bidyut R Mohapatra
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, BB 11000, Barbados
| |
Collapse
|