1
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Broto A, Piñero-Lambea C, Segura-Morales C, Tio-Gillen AP, Unger WWJ, Burgos R, Mazzolini R, Miravet-Verde S, Jacobs BC, Casas J, Huizinga R, Lluch-Senar M, Serrano L. Engineering Mycoplasma pneumoniae to bypass the association with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Microbes Infect 2024:105342. [PMID: 38679229 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
A non-pathogenic Mycoplasma pneumoniae-based chassis is leading the development of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) for respiratory diseases. However, reports connecting Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases to prior M. pneumoniae infections represent a concern for exploiting such a chassis. Galactolipids, especially galactocerebroside (GalCer), are considered the most likely M. pneumoniae antigens triggering autoimmune responses associated with GBS development. In this work, we generated different strains lacking genes involved in galactolipids biosynthesis. Glycolipid profiling of the strains demonstrated that some mutants show a complete lack of galactolipids. Cross-reactivity assays with sera from GBS patients with prior M. pneumoniae infection showed that certain engineered strains exhibit reduced antibody recognition. However, correlation analyses of these results with the glycolipid profile of the engineered strains suggest that other factors different from GalCer contribute to sera recognition, including total ceramide levels, dihexosylceramide (DHCer), and diglycosyldiacylglycerol (DGDAG). Finally, we discuss the best candidate strains as potential GBS-free Mycoplasma chassis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Broto
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Piñero-Lambea
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Pulmobiotics Ltd, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine "Vicent Villar Palasi" (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Segura-Morales
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anne P Tio-Gillen
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wendy W J Unger
- Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raul Burgos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocco Mazzolini
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Pulmobiotics Ltd, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Samuel Miravet-Verde
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bart C Jacobs
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ruth Huizinga
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Pulmobiotics Ltd, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine "Vicent Villar Palasi" (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, 08002, Spain; ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Spain.
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2
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Matteau D, Duval A, Baby V, Rodrigue S. Mesoplasma florum: a near-minimal model organism for systems and synthetic biology. Front Genet 2024; 15:1346707. [PMID: 38404664 PMCID: PMC10884336 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1346707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesoplasma florum is an emerging model organism for systems and synthetic biology due to its small genome (∼800 kb) and fast growth rate. While M. florum was isolated and first described almost 40 years ago, many important aspects of its biology have long remained uncharacterized due to technological limitations, the absence of dedicated molecular tools, and since this bacterial species has not been associated with any disease. However, the publication of the first M. florum genome in 2004 paved the way for a new era of research fueled by the rise of systems and synthetic biology. Some of the most important studies included the characterization and heterologous use of M. florum regulatory elements, the development of the first replicable plasmids, comparative genomics and transposon mutagenesis, whole-genome cloning in yeast, genome transplantation, in-depth characterization of the M. florum cell, as well as the development of a high-quality genome-scale metabolic model. The acquired data, knowledge, and tools will greatly facilitate future genome engineering efforts in M. florum, which could next be exploited to rationally design and create synthetic cells to advance fundamental knowledge or for specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominick Matteau
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Anthony Duval
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Baby
- Centre de diagnostic vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Rodrigue
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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3
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Gourgues G, Manso-Silván L, Chamberland C, Sirand-Pugnet P, Thiaucourt F, Blanchard A, Baby V, Lartigue C. A toolbox for manipulating the genome of the major goat pathogen, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001423. [PMID: 38193814 PMCID: PMC10866025 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) is the causative agent of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), a devastating disease listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as a notifiable disease and threatening goat production in Africa and Asia. Although a few commercial inactivated vaccines are available, they do not comply with WOAH standards and there are serious doubts regarding their efficacy. One of the limiting factors to comprehend the molecular pathogenesis of CCPP and develop improved vaccines has been the lack of tools for Mccp genome engineering. In this work, key synthetic biology techniques recently developed for closely related mycoplasmas were adapted to Mccp. CReasPy-Cloning was used to simultaneously clone and engineer the Mccp genome in yeast, prior to whole-genome transplantation into M. capricolum subsp. capricolum recipient cells. This approach was used to knock out an S41 serine protease gene recently identified as a potential virulence factor, leading to the generation of the first site-specific Mccp mutants. The Cre-lox recombination system was then applied to remove all DNA sequences added during genome engineering. Finally, the resulting unmarked S41 serine protease mutants were validated by whole-genome sequencing and their non-caseinolytic phenotype was confirmed by casein digestion assay on milk agar. The synthetic biology tools that have been successfully implemented in Mccp allow the addition and removal of genes and other genetic features for the construction of seamless targeted mutants at ease, which will pave the way for both the identification of key pathogenicity determinants of Mccp and the rational design of novel, improved vaccines for the control of CCPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Gourgues
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, BFP, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Lucía Manso-Silván
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Chamberland
- Université de Sherbrooke, Département de biologie, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | | | - François Thiaucourt
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - Alain Blanchard
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, BFP, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Vincent Baby
- Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Carole Lartigue
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, BFP, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
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4
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Mazzolini R, Rodríguez-Arce I, Fernández-Barat L, Piñero-Lambea C, Garrido V, Rebollada-Merino A, Motos A, Torres A, Grilló MJ, Serrano L, Lluch-Senar M. Engineered live bacteria suppress Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mouse lung and dissolve endotracheal-tube biofilms. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:1089-1098. [PMID: 36658340 PMCID: PMC10421741 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01584-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Engineered live bacteria could provide a new modality for treating lung infections, a major cause of mortality worldwide. In the present study, we engineered a genome-reduced human lung bacterium, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, to treat ventilator-associated pneumonia, a disease with high hospital mortality when associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. After validating the biosafety of an attenuated M. pneumoniae chassis in mice, we introduced four transgenes into the chromosome by transposition to implement bactericidal and biofilm degradation activities. We show that this engineered strain has high efficacy against an acute P. aeruginosa lung infection in a mouse model. In addition, we demonstrated that the engineered strain could dissolve biofilms formed in endotracheal tubes of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia and be combined with antibiotics targeting the peptidoglycan layer to increase efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We expect our M. pneumoniae-engineered strain to be able to treat biofilm-associated infections in the respiratory tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Mazzolini
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Rodríguez-Arce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology, CSIC-Navarra Government, Navarra, Spain
| | - Laia Fernández-Barat
- Cellex Laboratory, CibeRes, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pneumology, Thorax Institute, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, SpainICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Piñero-Lambea
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Garrido
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology, CSIC-Navarra Government, Navarra, Spain
| | - Agustín Rebollada-Merino
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Motos
- Cellex Laboratory, CibeRes, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pneumology, Thorax Institute, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, SpainICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Torres
- Cellex Laboratory, CibeRes, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pneumology, Thorax Institute, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, SpainICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain.
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
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5
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Zhao G, Lu D, Li M, Wang Y. Gene editing tools for mycoplasmas: references and future directions for efficient genome manipulation. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1191812. [PMID: 37275127 PMCID: PMC10232828 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1191812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are successful pathogens that cause debilitating diseases in humans and various animal hosts. Despite the exceptionally streamlined genomes, mycoplasmas have evolved specific mechanisms to access essential nutrients from host cells. The paucity of genetic tools to manipulate mycoplasma genomes has impeded studies of the virulence factors of pathogenic species and mechanisms to access nutrients. This review summarizes several strategies for editing of mycoplasma genomes, including homologous recombination, transposons, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system, and synthetic biology. In addition, the mechanisms and features of different tools are discussed to provide references and future directions for efficient manipulation of mycoplasma genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, Yinchuan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Doukun Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, Yinchuan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yujiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, Yinchuan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
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6
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Montero‐Blay A, Blanco JD, Rodriguez‐Arce I, Lastrucci C, Piñero‐Lambea C, Lluch‐Senar M, Serrano L. Bacterial expression of a designed single-chain IL-10 prevents severe lung inflammation. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e11037. [PMID: 36598022 PMCID: PMC9834763 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202211037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is active as a swapped domain dimer and is used in bacterial therapy of gut inflammation. IL-10 can be used as treatment of a wide range of pulmonary diseases. Here we have developed a non-pathogenic chassis (CV8) of the human lung bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MPN) to treat lung diseases. We find that IL-10 expression by MPN has a limited impact on the lung inflammatory response in mice. To solve these issues, we rationally designed a single-chain IL-10 (SC-IL10) with or without surface mutations, using our protein design software (ModelX and FoldX). As compared to the IL-10 WT, the designed SC-IL10 molecules increase the effective expression in MPN four-fold, and the activity in mouse and human cell lines between 10 and 60 times, depending on the cell line. The SC-IL10 molecules expressed in the mouse lung by CV8 in vivo have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. This rational design strategy could be used to other molecules with immunomodulatory properties used in bacterial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Montero‐Blay
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Javier Delgado Blanco
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Irene Rodriguez‐Arce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Claire Lastrucci
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Carlos Piñero‐Lambea
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Maria Lluch‐Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)BarcelonaSpain
- ICREABarcelonaSpain
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7
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Abstract
The technology of recombineering, in vivo genetic engineering, was initially developed in Escherichia coli and uses bacteriophage-encoded homologous recombination proteins to efficiently recombine DNA at short homologies (35 to 50 nt). Because the technology is homology driven, genomic DNA can be modified precisely and independently of restriction site location. Recombineering uses linear DNA substrates that are introduced into the cell by electroporation; these can be PCR products, synthetic double-strand DNA (dsDNA), or single-strand DNA (ssDNA). Here we describe the applications, challenges, and factors affecting ssDNA and dsDNA recombineering in a variety of non-model bacteria, both Gram-negative and -positive, and recent breakthroughs in the field. We list different microbes in which the widely used phage λ Red and Rac RecET recombination systems have been used for in vivo genetic engineering. New homologous ssDNA and dsDNA recombineering systems isolated from non-model bacteria are also described. The Basic Protocol outlines a method for ssDNA recombineering in the non-model species of Shewanella. The Alternate Protocol describes the use of CRISPR/Cas as a counter-selection system in conjunction with recombineering to enhance recovery of recombinants. We provide additional background information, pertinent considerations for experimental design, and parameters critical for success. The design of ssDNA oligonucleotides (oligos) and various internet-based tools for oligo selection from genome sequences are also described, as is the use of oligo-mediated recombination. This simple form of genome editing uses only ssDNA oligo(s) and does not require an exogenous recombination system. The information presented here should help researchers identify a recombineering system suitable for their microbe(s) of interest. If no system has been characterized for a specific microbe, researchers can find guidance in developing a recombineering system from scratch. We provide a flowchart of decision-making paths for strategically applying annealase-dependent or oligo-mediated recombination in non-model and undomesticated bacteria. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. Basic Protocol: ssDNA recombineering in Shewanella species Alternate Protocol: ssDNA recombineering coupled to CRISPR/Cas9 in Shewanella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Corts
- Cultivarium, 490 Arsenal Way, Ste 110, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
| | - Lynn C. Thomason
- Molecular Control and Genetics Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Nina Costantino
- Molecular Control and Genetics Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Donald L. Court
- Emeritus, Molecular Control and Genetics Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
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8
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Piñero-Lambea C, Garcia-Ramallo E, Miravet-Verde S, Burgos R, Scarpa M, Serrano L, Lluch-Senar M. SURE editing: combining oligo-recombineering and programmable insertion/deletion of selection markers to efficiently edit the Mycoplasma pneumoniae genome. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e127. [PMID: 36215032 PMCID: PMC9825166 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of advanced genetic tools is boosting microbial engineering which can potentially tackle wide-ranging challenges currently faced by our society. Here we present SURE editing, a multi-recombinase engineering rationale combining oligonucleotide recombineering with the selective capacity of antibiotic resistance via transient insertion of selector plasmids. We test this method in Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium with a very inefficient native recombination machinery. Using SURE editing, we can seamlessly generate, in a single step, a wide variety of genome modifications at high efficiencies, including the largest possible deletion of this genome (30 Kb) and the targeted complementation of essential genes in the deletion of a region of interest. Additional steps can be taken to remove the selector plasmid from the edited area, to obtain markerless or even scarless edits. Of note, SURE editing is compatible with different site-specific recombinases for mediating transient plasmid integration. This battery of selector plasmids can be used to select different edits, regardless of the target sequence, which significantly reduces the cloning load associated to genome engineering projects. Given the proven functionality in several microorganisms of the machinery behind the SURE editing logic, this method is likely to represent a valuable advance for the synthetic biology field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samuel Miravet-Verde
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Raul Burgos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | | | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08002, Spain,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Maria Lluch-Senar. Tel: +34 661963680;
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9
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Genome Editing of Veterinary Relevant Mycoplasmas Using a CRISPR-Cas Base Editor System. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0099622. [PMID: 36000854 PMCID: PMC9469718 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00996-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are minimal bacteria that infect humans, wildlife, and most economically relevant livestock species. Mycoplasma infections cause a large range of chronic inflammatory diseases, eventually leading to death in some animals. Due to the lack of efficient recombination and genome engineering tools for most species, the production of mutant strains for the identification of virulence factors and the development of improved vaccine strains is limited. Here, we demonstrate the adaptation of an efficient Cas9-Base Editor system to introduce targeted mutations into three major pathogenic species that span the phylogenetic diversity of these bacteria: the avian pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum and the two most important bovine mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. As a proof of concept, we successfully used an inducible SpdCas9-pmcDA1 cytosine deaminase system to disrupt several major virulence factors in these pathogens. Various induction times and inducer concentrations were evaluated to optimize editing efficiency. The optimized system was powerful enough to disrupt 54 of 55 insertion sequence transposases in a single experiment. Whole-genome sequencing of the edited strains showed that off-target mutations were limited, suggesting that most variations detected in the edited genomes are Cas9-independent. This effective, rapid, and easy-to-use genetic tool opens a new avenue for the study of these important animal pathogens and likely the entire class Mollicutes. IMPORTANCE Mycoplasmas are minimal pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, livestock, and wild animals. Major pathogenic species cause acute to chronic infections involving still poorly characterized virulence factors. The lack of precise genome editing tools has hampered functional studies of many species, leaving multiple questions about the molecular basis of their pathogenicity unanswered. Here, we demonstrate the adaptation of a CRISPR-derived base editor for three major pathogenic species: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma bovis, and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. Several virulence factors were successfully targeted, and we were able to edit up to 54 target sites in a single step. The availability of this efficient and easy-to-use genetic tool will greatly facilitate functional studies of these economically important bacteria.
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10
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Talenton V, Baby V, Gourgues G, Mouden C, Claverol S, Vashee S, Blanchard A, Labroussaa F, Jores J, Arfi Y, Sirand-Pugnet P, Lartigue C. Genome Engineering of the Fast-Growing Mycoplasma feriruminatoris toward a Live Vaccine Chassis. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1919-1930. [PMID: 35511588 PMCID: PMC9128628 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Development of a new generation of vaccines is a key challenge for the control of infectious diseases affecting both humans and animals. Synthetic biology methods offer new ways to engineer bacterial chassis that can be used as vectors to present heterologous antigens and train the immune system against pathogens. Here, we describe the construction of a bacterial chassis based on the fast-growing Mycoplasma feriruminatoris, and the first steps toward its application as a live vaccine against contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). To do so, the M. feriruminatoris genome was cloned in yeast, modified by iterative cycles of Cas9-mediated deletion of loci encoding virulence factors, and transplanted back in Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum recipient cells to produce the designed M. feriruminatoris chassis. Deleted genes encoded the glycerol transport and metabolism systems GtsABCD and GlpOKF and the Mycoplasma Ig binding protein-Mycoplasma Ig protease (MIB-MIP) immunoglobulin cleavage system. Phenotypic assays of the M. feriruminatoris chassis confirmed the corresponding loss of H2O2 production and IgG cleavage activities, while growth remained unaltered. The resulting mycoplasma chassis was further evaluated as a platform for the expression of heterologous surface proteins. A genome locus encoding an inactivated MIB-MIP system from the CCPP-causative agent Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae was grafted in replacement of its homolog at the original locus in the chassis genome. Both heterologous proteins were detected in the resulting strain using proteomics, confirming their expression. This study demonstrates that advanced genome engineering methods are henceforth available for the fast-growing M. feriruminatoris, facilitating the development of novel vaccines, in particular against major mycoplasma diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Talenton
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Vincent Baby
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1 Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Geraldine Gourgues
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | | | - Stephane Claverol
- Plateforme Proteome, University of Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sanjay Vashee
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Alain Blanchard
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Fabien Labroussaa
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern CH-3001, Switzerland
| | - Joerg Jores
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern CH-3001, Switzerland
| | - Yonathan Arfi
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | | | - Carole Lartigue
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
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11
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A genetic toolkit and gene switches to limit Mycoplasma growth for biosafety applications. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1910. [PMID: 35393441 PMCID: PMC8991246 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas have exceptionally streamlined genomes and are strongly adapted to their many hosts, which provide them with essential nutrients. Owing to their relative genomic simplicity, Mycoplasmas have been used to develop chassis for biotechnological applications. However, the dearth of robust and precise toolkits for genomic manipulation and tight regulation has hindered any substantial advance. Herein we describe the construction of a robust genetic toolkit for M. pneumoniae, and its successful deployment to engineer synthetic gene switches that control and limit Mycoplasma growth, for biosafety containment applications. We found these synthetic gene circuits to be stable and robust in the long-term, in the context of a minimal cell. With this work, we lay a foundation to develop viable and robust biosafety systems to exploit a synthetic Mycoplasma chassis for live attenuated vectors for therapeutic applications. Mycoplasmas are minimal cell model organisms but lack genetic tools. Here the authors provide a robust genetic toolkit for Mycoplasma demonstrating gene circuit engineering applications.
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12
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Ipoutcha T, Gourgues G, Lartigue C, Blanchard A, Sirand-Pugnet P. Genome Engineering in Mycoplasma gallisepticum Using Exogenous Recombination Systems. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1060-1067. [PMID: 35167277 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mgal) is a common pathogen of poultry worldwide that has recently spread to North American house finches after a single host shift in 1994. The molecular determinants of Mgal virulence and host specificity are still largely unknown, mostly due to the absence of efficient methods for functional genomics. After evaluating two exogenous recombination systems derived from phages found in the phylogenetically related Spiroplasma phoeniceum and the more distant Bacillus subtilis, the RecET-like system from B. subtilis was successfully used for gene inactivation and targeted replacement in Mgal. In a second step, the Cre-lox recombination system was used for the removal of the antibiotic resistance marker in recombinant mutants. This study therefore describes the first genetic tool for targeted genome engineering of Mgal and demonstrates the efficiency of heterologous recombination systems in minimal bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ipoutcha
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Géraldine Gourgues
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Carole Lartigue
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Alain Blanchard
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Pascal Sirand-Pugnet
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
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13
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Jiang Z, Zhou R, Leung PHM, Deng Z, Li S. An attenuated multiple genetic mutant of Mycoplasma pneumoniae imparts good immuno-protection against M. pneumoniae pneumonia in BALB/c mice. Microb Pathog 2022; 165:105463. [PMID: 35240287 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is the causative agent of both upper and lower respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia, extrapulmonary complications and devastating sequela. With the increasing rate of macrolide-resistant strains, the severe clinical consequence of refractory mycoplasma pneumonia in children health calls for the need of vaccine research for this pathogen. In this report, the immunomodulatory effectiveness of a live attenuated M. pneumoniae vaccine was evaluated. The vaccine strain was a mutant strain of M. pneumoniae, MUT129, obtained after multiple passages of M129 strain in PPLO broth. The SNP/InDel detection results showed that mutations were present in genes encoding the adhesion organelle-associated proteins and lipoproteins of M. pneumoniae MUT129. Upon intranasal challenge of BALB/c mice with 1 × 107 CFU of MUT129, there were very small amount of Mycoplasma antigens and almost no M. pneumoniae present in the lung tissues of BALB/c mice. Besides, there was almost no inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissue. Results of the M. pneumoniae challenge study showed that mice immunized with MUT129 presented with less inflammation, lower detectable number of M. pneumoniae in the lungs when compared with the unimmunized mice. These results indicated that the live attenuated vaccine can efficiently prevent the proliferation of M. pneumonia in the lungs, reduce but not completely prevent the pulmonary inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhulin Jiang
- Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Runjie Zhou
- Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Polly H M Leung
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhongliang Deng
- Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
| | - Shuihong Li
- Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
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14
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Danchin A. In vivo, in vitro and in silico: an open space for the development of microbe-based applications of synthetic biology. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:42-64. [PMID: 34570957 PMCID: PMC8719824 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Living systems are studied using three complementary approaches: living cells, cell-free systems and computer-mediated modelling. Progresses in understanding, allowing researchers to create novel chassis and industrial processes rest on a cycle that combines in vivo, in vitro and in silico studies. This design-build-test-learn iteration loop cycle between experiments and analyses combines together physiology, genetics, biochemistry and bioinformatics in a way that keeps going forward. Because computer-aided approaches are not directly constrained by the material nature of the entities of interest, we illustrate here how this virtuous cycle allows researchers to explore chemistry which is foreign to that present in extant life, from whole chassis to novel metabolic cycles. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Danchin
- Kodikos LabsInstitut Cochin24 rue du Faubourg Saint‐JacquesParis75014France
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15
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Garrido V, Piñero-Lambea C, Rodriguez-Arce I, Paetzold B, Ferrar T, Weber M, Garcia-Ramallo E, Gallo C, Collantes M, Peñuelas I, Serrano L, Grilló MJ, Lluch-Senar M. Engineering a genome-reduced bacterium to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vivo. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10145. [PMID: 34612607 PMCID: PMC8493563 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202010145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria present a promising delivery system for treating human diseases. Here, we engineered the genome‐reduced human lung pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a live biotherapeutic to treat biofilm‐associated bacterial infections. This strain has a unique genetic code, which hinders gene transfer to most other bacterial genera, and it lacks a cell wall, which allows it to express proteins that target peptidoglycans of pathogenic bacteria. We first determined that removal of the pathogenic factors fully attenuated the chassis strain in vivo. We then designed synthetic promoters and identified an endogenous peptide signal sequence that, when fused to heterologous proteins, promotes efficient secretion. Based on this, we equipped the chassis strain with a genetic platform designed to secrete antibiofilm and bactericidal enzymes, resulting in a strain capable of dissolving Staphylococcus aureus biofilms preformed on catheters in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first engineered genome‐reduced bacterium that can fight against clinically relevant biofilm‐associated bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Garrido
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Mutilva, Spain
| | - Carlos Piñero-Lambea
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Rodriguez-Arce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Mutilva, Spain
| | - Bernhard Paetzold
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,S-Biomedic N.V., Beerse, Belgium
| | - Tony Ferrar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Weber
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Garcia-Ramallo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Gallo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Collantes
- RADIOMIN Research Group, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iván Peñuelas
- RADIOMIN Research Group, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Grilló
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Mutilva, Spain
| | - María Lluch-Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain.,Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
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16
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Matteau D, Rodrigue S. An engineered Mycoplasma pneumoniae to fight Staphylococcus aureus. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10574. [PMID: 34612591 PMCID: PMC8493562 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections are commonly treated with antimicrobials, but the rise of multi-drug resistance and the presence of biofilms can compromise treatment efficacy. Recently, new approaches using live bacteria or engineered microorganisms have gained attention in the fight against several diseases. In their recent work, Lluch-Senar and colleagues (Garrido et al, 2021) genetically modified the lung pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae to attenuate its virulence and secrete antibiofilm and bactericidal enzymes. Their strategy successfully altered a Staphylococcus aureus biofilm on catheters implanted in mice, providing an additional demonstration of the potential of genetically engineered microorganisms as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominick Matteau
- Département de BiologieUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQCCanada
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17
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Burgos R, Weber M, Gallo C, Lluch-Senar M, Serrano L. Widespread ribosome stalling in a genome-reduced bacterium and the need for translational quality control. iScience 2021; 24:102985. [PMID: 34485867 PMCID: PMC8403727 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trans-translation is a ubiquitous bacterial mechanism of ribosome rescue mediated by a transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA) that adds a degradation tag to the truncated nascent polypeptide. Here, we characterize this quality control system in a genome-reduced bacterium, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MPN), and perform a comparative analysis of protein quality control components in slow and fast-growing prokaryotes. We show in vivo that in MPN the sole quality control cytoplasmic protease (Lon) degrades efficiently tmRNA-tagged proteins. Analysis of tmRNA-mutants encoding a tag resistant to proteolysis reveals extensive tagging activity under normal growth. Unlike knockout strains, these mutants are viable demonstrating the requirement of tmRNA-mediated ribosome recycling. Chaperone and Lon steady-state levels maintain proteostasis in these mutants suggesting a model in which co-evolution of Lon and their substrates offer simple mechanisms of regulation without specialized degradation machineries. Finally, comparative analysis shows relative increase in Lon/Chaperone levels in slow-growing bacteria suggesting physiological adaptation to growth demand. Lon degrades efficiently tmRNA-tagged proteins in a genome-reduced bacterium tmRNA-tag mutants are viable and reveal extensive tagging activity in M. pneumoniae Co-evolution of Lon and their substrates offer simple mechanisms of regulation Chaperone and Lon relative levels correlate with bacterial growth rates
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Burgos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Corresponding author
| | - Marc Weber
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Carolina Gallo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
- Corresponding author
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18
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Wang W, Zhang Y, Zhao G, Wang H. Ferritin with Atypical Ferroxidase Centers Takes B-Channels as the Pathway for Fe 2+ Uptake from Mycoplasma. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:7207-7216. [PMID: 33852289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Here, we present a 1.9 Å resolution crystal structure of Mycoplasma Penetrans ferritin, which reveals that its ferroxidase center is located on the inner surface of ferritin but not buried within the four-helix of each subunit. Such a ferroxidase center exhibits a lower iron oxidation activity as compared to the reported ferritin. More importantly, we found that Fe2+ enters into the center via the rarely reported B-channels rather than the normal 3- or 4-fold channels. All these findings may provide the structural bases to explore the new iron oxidation mechanism adopted by this special ferritin, which is beneficial for understanding the relationship between the structure and function of ferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Wang
- Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.,Shanxi Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Guanghua Zhao
- College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongfei Wang
- Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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19
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Wannier TM, Ciaccia PN, Ellington AD, Filsinger GT, Isaacs FJ, Javanmardi K, Jones MA, Kunjapur AM, Nyerges A, Pal C, Schubert MG, Church GM. Recombineering and MAGE. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2021; 1:7. [PMID: 35540496 PMCID: PMC9083505 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-020-00006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recombination-mediated genetic engineering, also known as recombineering, is the genomic incorporation of homologous single-stranded or double-stranded DNA into bacterial genomes. Recombineering and its derivative methods have radically improved genome engineering capabilities, perhaps none more so than multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE). MAGE is representative of a set of highly multiplexed single-stranded DNA-mediated technologies. First described in Escherichia coli, both MAGE and recombineering are being rapidly translated into diverse prokaryotes and even into eukaryotic cells. Together, this modern set of tools offers the promise of radically improving the scope and throughput of experimental biology by providing powerful new methods to ease the genetic manipulation of model and non-model organisms. In this Primer, we describe recombineering and MAGE, their optimal use, their diverse applications and methods for pairing them with other genetic editing tools. We then look forward to the future of genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M. Wannier
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter N. Ciaccia
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrew D. Ellington
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel T. Filsinger
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Farren J. Isaacs
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kamyab Javanmardi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Michaela A. Jones
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Aditya M. Kunjapur
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Akos Nyerges
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Csaba Pal
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Max G. Schubert
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George M. Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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20
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Burgos R, Weber M, Martinez S, Lluch‐Senar M, Serrano L. Protein quality control and regulated proteolysis in the genome-reduced organism Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9530. [PMID: 33320415 PMCID: PMC7737663 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein degradation is a crucial cellular process in all-living systems. Here, using Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a model organism, we defined the minimal protein degradation machinery required to maintain proteome homeostasis. Then, we conditionally depleted the two essential ATP-dependent proteases. Whereas depletion of Lon results in increased protein aggregation and decreased heat tolerance, FtsH depletion induces cell membrane damage, suggesting a role in quality control of membrane proteins. An integrative comparative study combining shotgun proteomics and RNA-seq revealed 62 and 34 candidate substrates, respectively. Cellular localization of substrates and epistasis studies supports separate functions for Lon and FtsH. Protein half-life measurements also suggest a role for Lon-modulated protein decay. Lon plays a key role in protein quality control, degrading misfolded proteins and those not assembled into functional complexes. We propose that regulating complex assembly and degradation of isolated proteins is a mechanism that coordinates important cellular processes like cell division. Finally, by considering the entire set of proteases and chaperones, we provide a fully integrated view of how a minimal cell regulates protein folding and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Burgos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Marc Weber
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sira Martinez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Maria Lluch‐Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)BarcelonaSpain
- ICREABarcelonaSpain
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21
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Garcia-Morales L, Ruiz E, Gourgues G, Rideau F, Piñero-Lambea C, Lluch-Senar M, Blanchard A, Lartigue C. A RAGE Based Strategy for the Genome Engineering of the Human Respiratory Pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2737-2748. [PMID: 33017534 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Genome engineering of microorganisms has become a standard in microbial biotechnologies. Several efficient tools are available for the genetic manipulation of model bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, or the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Difficulties arise when transferring these tools to nonmodel organisms. Synthetic biology strategies relying on genome transplantation (GT) aim at using yeast cells for engineering bacterial genomes cloned as artificial chromosomes. However, these strategies remain unsuccessful for many bacteria, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MPN), a human pathogen infecting the respiratory tract that has been extensively studied as a model for systems biology of simple unicellular organisms. Here, we have designed a novel strategy for genome engineering based on the recombinase-assisted genomic engineering (RAGE) technology for editing the MPN genome. Using this strategy, we have introduced a 15 kbp fragment at a specific locus of the MPN genome and replaced 38 kbp from its genome by engineered versions modified either in yeast or in E. coli. A strain harboring a synthetic version of this fragment cleared of 13 nonessential genes could also be built and propagated in vitro. These strains were depleted of known virulence factors aiming at creating an avirulent chassis for SynBio applications. Such a chassis and technology are a step forward to build vaccines or deliver therapeutic compounds in the lungs to prevent or cure respiratory diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Garcia-Morales
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Estelle Ruiz
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Géraldine Gourgues
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Fabien Rideau
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Carlos Piñero-Lambea
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Alain Blanchard
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Carole Lartigue
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
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22
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O'Reilly FJ, Xue L, Graziadei A, Sinn L, Lenz S, Tegunov D, Blötz C, Singh N, Hagen WJH, Cramer P, Stülke J, Mahamid J, Rappsilber J. In-cell architecture of an actively transcribing-translating expressome. Science 2020; 369:554-557. [PMID: 32732422 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb3758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Structural biology studies performed inside cells can capture molecular machines in action within their native context. In this work, we developed an integrative in-cell structural approach using the genome-reduced human pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae We combined whole-cell cross-linking mass spectrometry, cellular cryo-electron tomography, and integrative modeling to determine an in-cell architecture of a transcribing and translating expressome at subnanometer resolution. The expressome comprises RNA polymerase (RNAP), the ribosome, and the transcription elongation factors NusG and NusA. We pinpointed NusA at the interface between a NusG-bound elongating RNAP and the ribosome and propose that it can mediate transcription-translation coupling. Translation inhibition dissociated the expressome, whereas transcription inhibition stalled and rearranged it. Thus, the active expressome architecture requires both translation and transcription elongation within the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J O'Reilly
- Bioanalytics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Liang Xue
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.,Collaboration for joint PhD degree between EMBL and Heidelberg University, Faculty of Biosciences, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Graziadei
- Bioanalytics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ludwig Sinn
- Bioanalytics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Swantje Lenz
- Bioanalytics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dimitry Tegunov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cedric Blötz
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Neil Singh
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wim J H Hagen
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Stülke
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Mahamid
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Bioanalytics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany. .,Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
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