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Meaney JS, Panchal AK, Wilcox AJ, diCenzo GC, Karas BJ. Identifying functional multi-host shuttle plasmids to advance synthetic biology applications in Mesorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium. Can J Microbiol 2024; 70:336-347. [PMID: 38564797 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2023-0232] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia availability has a crucial role in agriculture as it ensures healthy plant growth and increased crop yields. Since diazotrophs are the only organisms capable of reducing dinitrogen to ammonia, they have great ecological importance and potential to mitigate the environmental and economic costs of synthetic fertilizer use. Rhizobia are especially valuable being that they can engage in nitrogen-fixing symbiotic relationships with legumes, and they demonstrate great diversity and plasticity in genomic and phenotypic traits. However, few rhizobial species have sufficient genetic tractability for synthetic biology applications. This study established a basic genetic toolbox with antibiotic resistance markers, multi-host shuttle plasmids and a streamlined protocol for biparental conjugation with Mesorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium species. We identified two repABC origins of replication from Sinorhizobium meliloti (pSymB) and Rhizobium etli (p42d) that were stable across all three strains of interest. Furthermore, the NZP2235 genome was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis determined its reclassification to Mesorhizobium huakuii. These tools will enable the use of plasmid-based strategies for more advanced genetic engineering projects and ultimately contribute towards the development of more sustainable agriculture practices by means of novel nitrogen-fixing organelles, elite bioinoculants, or symbiotic association with nonlegumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordyn S Meaney
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Aakanx K Panchal
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Aiden J Wilcox
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - George C diCenzo
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
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Körner D, Schäfer NM, Lagares Jr. A, Birmes L, Oehlmann NN, Addison H, Pöhl S, Thanbichler M, Rebelein JG, Petersen J, Becker A. Modular Low-Copy-Number Plasmid Vectors for Rhodobacterales with Extended Host Range in Alphaproteobacteria. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1537-1548. [PMID: 38718218 PMCID: PMC11107812 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Members of the alphaproteobacterial order Rhodobacterales are metabolically diverse and highly abundant in the ocean. They are becoming increasingly interesting for marine biotechnology, due to their ecological adaptability, wealth of versatile low-copy-number plasmids, and their ability to produce secondary metabolites. However, molecular tools for engineering strains of this bacterial lineage are limited. Here, we expand the genetic toolbox by establishing standardized, modular repABC-based plasmid vectors of four well-characterized compatibility groups from the Roseobacter group applicable in the Rhodobacterales, and likely in further alphaproteobacterial orders (Hyphomicrobiales, Rhodospirillales, Caulobacterales). We confirmed replication of these newly constructed pABC vectors in two members of Rhodobacterales, namely, Dinoroseobacter shibae DFL 12 and Rhodobacter capsulatus B10S, as well as in two members of the alphaproteobacterial order Hyphomicrobiales (synonym: Rhizobiales; Ensifer meliloti 2011 and "Agrobacterium fabrum" C58). Maintenance of the pABC vectors in the biotechnologically valuable orders Rhodobacterales and Hyphomicrobiales facilitates the shuttling of genetic constructs between alphaproteobacterial genera and orders. Additionally, plasmid replication was verified in one member of Rhodospirillales (Rhodospirillum rubrum S1) as well as in one member of Caulobacterales (Caulobacter vibrioides CB15N). The modular construction of pABC vectors and the usage of four compatible replication systems, which allows their coexistence in a host cell, are advantageous features for future implementations of newly designed synthetic pathways. The vector applicability was demonstrated by functional complementation of a nitrogenase mutant phenotype by two complementary pABC-based plasmids in R. capsulatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée Körner
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Niklas M. Schäfer
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Antonio Lagares Jr.
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Lukas Birmes
- Leibniz-Institut
DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Niels N. Oehlmann
- Max
Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Holly Addison
- Max
Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Sebastian Pöhl
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Martin Thanbichler
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
- Max
Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Johannes G. Rebelein
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
- Max
Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Jörn Petersen
- Leibniz-Institut
DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Anke Becker
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
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3
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Meier D, Rauch C, Wagner M, Klemm P, Blumenkamp P, Müller R, Ellenberger E, Karia KM, Vecchione S, Serrania J, Lechner M, Fritz G, Goesmann A, Becker A. A MoClo-Compatible Toolbox of ECF Sigma Factor-Based Regulatory Switches for Proteobacterial Chassis. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2024; 6:0025. [PMID: 38384496 PMCID: PMC10880074 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The construction of complex synthetic gene circuits with predetermined and reliable output depends on orthogonal regulatory parts that do not inadvertently interfere with the host machinery or with other circuit components. Previously, extracytoplasmic function sigma factors (ECFs), a diverse group of alternative sigma factors with distinct promoter specificities, were shown to have great potential as context-independent regulators, but so far, they have only been used in a few model species. Here, we show that the alphaproteobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, which has been proposed as a plant-associated bacterial chassis for synthetic biology, has a similar phylogenetic ECF acceptance range as the gammaproteobacterium Escherichia coli. A common set of orthogonal ECF-based regulators that can be used in both bacterial hosts was identified and used to create 2-step delay circuits. The genetic circuits were implemented in single copy in E. coli by chromosomal integration using an established method that utilizes bacteriophage integrases. In S. meliloti, we demonstrated the usability of single-copy pABC plasmids as equivalent carriers of the synthetic circuits. The circuits were either implemented on a single pABC or modularly distributed on 3 such plasmids. In addition, we provide a toolbox containing pABC plasmids compatible with the Golden Gate (MoClo) cloning standard and a library of basic parts that enable the construction of ECF-based circuits in S. meliloti and in E. coli. This work contributes to building a context-independent and species-overarching ECF-based toolbox for synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Meier
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Rauch
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcel Wagner
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paul Klemm
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Blumenkamp
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raphael Müller
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Eric Ellenberger
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kinnari M. Karia
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefano Vecchione
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Javier Serrania
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Lechner
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Georg Fritz
- The University of Western Australia, School of Molecular Sciences, Perth, Australia
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anke Becker
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Biology,
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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García-Tomsig NI, Lagares A, Becker A, Valverde C, Jiménez-Zurdo JI. An Integrated Affinity Chromatography-Based Approach to Unravel the sRNA Interactome in Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobia. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2741:363-380. [PMID: 38217663 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3565-0_19] [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] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The activity mechanism and function of bacterial base-pairing small non-coding RNA regulators (sRNAs) are largely shaped by their main interacting cellular partners, i.e., proteins and mRNAs. We describe here an MS2 affinity chromatography-based procedure adapted to unravel the sRNA interactome in nitrogen-fixing legume endosymbiotic bacteria. The method consists of tagging of the bait sRNA at its 5'-end with the MS2 aptamer followed by pulse overexpression and immobilization of the chimeric transcript from cell lysates by an MS2-MBP fusion protein conjugated to an amylose resin. The sRNA-binding proteins and target mRNAs are further profiled by mass spectrometry and RNAseq, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Isabel García-Tomsig
- Structure, Dynamics and Function of Rhizobacterial Genomes (RhizoRNA Lab), Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Lagares
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Genética de Bacterias Beneficiosas para Plantas (LFGBBP), Centro de Bioquímica y Microbiología del Suelo, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes - CONICET, Bernal, Argentina
| | - Anke Becker
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Claudio Valverde
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Genética de Bacterias Beneficiosas para Plantas (LFGBBP), Centro de Bioquímica y Microbiología del Suelo (CBMS), Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes - CONICET, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Ignacio Jiménez-Zurdo
- Structure, Dynamics and Function of Rhizobacterial Genomes (RhizoRNA Lab), Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain.
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5
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García-Tomsig NI, Guedes-García SK, Jiménez-Zurdo JI. A Workflow for the Functional Characterization of Noncoding RNAs in Legume Symbiotic Bacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2751:179-203. [PMID: 38265717 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3617-6_12] [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] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Computational comparative genomics and, later, high-throughput transcriptome profiling (RNAseq) have uncovered a plethora of small noncoding RNA species (sRNAs) with potential regulatory roles in bacteria. A large fraction of sRNAs are differentially regulated in response to different biotic and abiotic stimuli and have the ability to fine-tune posttranscriptional reprogramming of gene expression through protein-assisted antisense interactions with trans-encoded target mRNAs. However, this level of gene regulation is still understudied in most non-model bacteria. Here, we compile experimental methods to detect expression, determine 5'/3'-ends, assess transcriptional regulation, generate mutants, and validate candidate target mRNAs of trans-acting sRNAs (trans-sRNAs) identified in the nitrogen-fixing α-rhizobium Sinorhizobium meliloti. The workflow, molecular tools, and methods are suited to investigate the function of newly identified base-pairing trans-sRNAs in phylogenetically related α-rhizobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I García-Tomsig
- Structure, Dynamics and Function of Rhizobacterial Genomes (RhizoRNA Lab), Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Sabina K Guedes-García
- Structure, Dynamics and Function of Rhizobacterial Genomes (RhizoRNA Lab), Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - José I Jiménez-Zurdo
- Structure, Dynamics and Function of Rhizobacterial Genomes (RhizoRNA Lab), Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain.
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6
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Beyond the ABCs—Discovery of Three New Plasmid Types in Rhodobacterales (RepQ, RepY, RepW). Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040738. [PMID: 35456790 PMCID: PMC9025767 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Copiotrophic marine bacteria of the Roseobacter group (Rhodobacterales, Alphaproteobacteria) are characterized by a multipartite genome organization. We sequenced the genomes of Sulfitobacter indolifex DSM 14862T and four related plasmid-rich isolates in order to investigate the composition, distribution, and evolution of their extrachromosomal replicons (ECRs). A combination of long-read PacBio and short-read Illumina sequencing was required to establish complete closed genomes that comprised up to twelve ECRs. The ECRs were differentiated in stably evolving chromids and genuine plasmids. Among the chromids, a diagnostic RepABC-8 replicon was detected in four Sulfitobacter species that likely reflects an evolutionary innovation that originated in their common ancestor. Classification of the ECRs showed that the most abundant plasmid system is RepABC, followed by RepA, DnaA-like, and RepB. However, the strains also contained three novel plasmid types that were designated RepQ, RepY, and RepW. We confirmed the functionality of their replicases, investigated the genetic inventory of the mostly cryptic plasmids, and retraced their evolutionary origin. Remarkably, the RepY plasmid of S. pontiacus DSM 110277 is the first high copy-number plasmid discovered in Rhodobacterales.
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Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Genomics in Yeast to Understand Life and Boost Biotechnology. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:bioengineering7040137. [PMID: 33138080 PMCID: PMC7711850 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7040137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of genetic engineering was born in 1973 with the “construction of biologically functional bacterial plasmids in vitro”. Since then, a vast number of technologies have been developed allowing large-scale reading and writing of DNA, as well as tools for complex modifications and alterations of the genetic code. Natural genomes can be seen as software version 1.0; synthetic genomics aims to rewrite this software with “build to understand” and “build to apply” philosophies. One of the predominant model organisms is the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its importance ranges from ancient biotechnologies such as baking and brewing, to high-end valuable compound synthesis on industrial scales. This tiny sugar fungus contributed greatly to enabling humankind to reach its current development status. This review discusses recent developments in the field of genetic engineering for budding yeast S. cerevisiae, and its application in biotechnology. The article highlights advances from Sc1.0 to the developments in synthetic genomics paving the way towards Sc2.0. With the synthetic genome of Sc2.0 nearing completion, the article also aims to propose perspectives for potential Sc3.0 and subsequent versions as well as its implications for basic and applied research.
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8
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Tol-Pal System and Rgs Proteins Interact to Promote Unipolar Growth and Cell Division in Sinorhizobium meliloti. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.00306-20. [PMID: 32605980 PMCID: PMC7327166 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00306-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cell proliferation involves cell growth and septum formation followed by cell division. For cell growth, bacteria have evolved different complex mechanisms. The most prevalent growth mode of rod-shaped bacteria is cell elongation by incorporating new peptidoglycans in a dispersed manner along the sidewall. A small share of rod-shaped bacteria, including the alphaproteobacterial Rhizobiales, grow unipolarly. Here, we identified and initially characterized a set of Rgs (rhizobial growth and septation) proteins, which are involved in cell division and unipolar growth of Sinorhizobium meliloti and highly conserved in Rhizobiales. Our data expand the knowledge of components of the polarly localized machinery driving cell wall growth and suggest a complex of Rgs proteins with components of the divisome, differing in composition between the polar cell elongation zone and the septum. Sinorhizobium meliloti is an alphaproteobacterium belonging to the Rhizobiales. Bacteria from this order elongate their cell wall at the new cell pole, generated by cell division. Screening for protein interaction partners of the previously characterized polar growth factors RgsP and RgsM, we identified the inner membrane components of the Tol-Pal system (TolQ and TolR) and novel Rgs (rhizobial growth and septation) proteins with unknown functions. TolQ, Pal, and all Rgs proteins, except for RgsE, were indispensable for S. meliloti cell growth. Six of the Rgs proteins, TolQ, and Pal localized to the growing cell pole in the cell elongation phase and to the septum in predivisional cells, and three Rgs proteins localized to the growing cell pole only. The putative FtsN-like protein RgsS contains a conserved SPOR domain and is indispensable at the early stages of cell division. The components of the Tol-Pal system were required at the late stages of cell division. RgsE, a homolog of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens growth pole ring protein GPR, has an important role in maintaining the normal growth rate and rod cell shape. RgsD is a periplasmic protein with the ability to bind peptidoglycan. Analysis of the phylogenetic distribution of the Rgs proteins showed that they are conserved in Rhizobiales and mostly absent from other alphaproteobacterial orders, suggesting a conserved role of these proteins in polar growth.
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Mukai T, Yoneji T, Yamada K, Fujita H, Nara S, Su'etsugu M. Overcoming the Challenges of Megabase-Sized Plasmid Construction in Escherichia coli. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1315-1327. [PMID: 32459960 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although Escherichia coli has been a popular tool for plasmid construction, this bacterium was believed to be "unsuitable" for constructing a large plasmid whose size exceeds 500 kilobases. We assumed that traditional plasmid vectors may lack some regulatory DNA elements required for the stable replication and segregation of such a large plasmid. In addition, the use of a few site-specific recombination systems may facilitate cloning of large DNA segments. Here we show two strategies for constructing 1-megabase (1-Mb) secondary chromosomes by using new bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors. First, the 3-Mb genome of a genome-reduced E. coli strain was split into two chromosomes (2-Mb and 1-Mb), of which the smaller one has the origin of replication and the partitioning locus of the Vibrio tubiashii secondary chromosome. This chromosome fission method (Flp-POP cloning) works via flippase-mediated excision, which coincides with the reassembly of a split chloramphenicol resistance gene, allowing chloramphenicol selection. Next, we developed a new cloning method (oriT-POP cloning) and a fully equipped BAC vector (pMegaBAC1H) for developing a 1-Mb plasmid. Two 0.5-Mb genomic regions were sequentially transferred from two donor strains to a recipient strain via conjugation and captured by pMegaBAC1H in the recipient strain to produce a 1-Mb plasmid. This 1-Mb plasmid was transmissible to another E. coli strain via conjugation. Furthermore, these 1-Mb secondary chromosomes were amplifiable in vitro by using the reconstituted E. coli chromosome replication cycle reaction (RCR). These strategies and technologies would make popular E. coli cells a productive factory for designer chromosome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Mukai
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yoneji
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Kayoko Yamada
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Hironobu Fujita
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Seia Nara
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Masayuki Su'etsugu
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
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Martínez-García E, Goñi-Moreno A, Bartley B, McLaughlin J, Sánchez-Sampedro L, Pascual del Pozo H, Prieto Hernández C, Marletta AS, De Lucrezia D, Sánchez-Fernández G, Fraile S, de Lorenzo V. SEVA 3.0: an update of the Standard European Vector Architecture for enabling portability of genetic constructs among diverse bacterial hosts. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:D1164-D1170. [PMID: 31740968 PMCID: PMC7018797 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Standard European Vector Architecture 3.0 database (SEVA-DB 3.0, http://seva.cnb.csic.es) is the update of the platform launched in 2013 both as a web-based resource and as a material repository of formatted genetic tools (mostly plasmids) for analysis, construction and deployment of complex bacterial phenotypes. The period between the first version of SEVA-DB and the present time has witnessed several technical, computational and conceptual advances in genetic/genomic engineering of prokaryotes that have enabled upgrading of the utilities of the updated database. Novelties include not only a more user-friendly web interface and many more plasmid vectors, but also new links of the plasmids to advanced bioinformatic tools. These provide an intuitive visualization of the constructs at stake and a range of virtual manipulations of DNA segments that were not possible before. Finally, the list of canonical SEVA plasmids is available in machine-readable SBOL (Synthetic Biology Open Language) format. This ensures interoperability with other platforms and affords simulations of their behaviour under different in vivo conditions. We argue that the SEVA-DB will remain a useful resource for extending Synthetic Biology approaches towards non-standard bacterial species as well as genetically programming new prokaryotic chassis for a suite of fundamental and biotechnological endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Martínez-García
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sofía Fraile
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Spain
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Spain
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11
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Vecchione S, Fritz G. CRIMoClo plasmids for modular assembly and orthogonal chromosomal integration of synthetic circuits in Escherichia coli. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:92. [PMID: 31798686 PMCID: PMC6883643 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-019-0218-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Synthetic biology heavily depends on rapid and simple techniques for DNA engineering, such as Ligase Cycling Reaction (LCR), Gibson assembly and Golden Gate assembly, all of which allow for fast, multi-fragment DNA assembly. A major enhancement of Golden Gate assembly is represented by the Modular Cloning (MoClo) system that allows for simple library propagation and combinatorial construction of genetic circuits from reusable parts. Yet, one limitation of the MoClo system is that all circuits are assembled in low- and medium copy plasmids, while a rapid route to chromosomal integration is lacking. To overcome this bottleneck, here we took advantage of the conditional-replication, integration, and modular (CRIM) plasmids, which can be integrated in single copies into the chromosome of Escherichia coli and related bacteria by site-specific recombination at different phage attachment (att) sites. Results By combining the modularity of the MoClo system with the CRIM plasmids features we created a set of 32 novel CRIMoClo plasmids and benchmarked their suitability for synthetic biology applications. Using CRIMoClo plasmids we assembled and integrated a given genetic circuit into four selected phage attachment sites. Analyzing the behavior of these circuits we found essentially identical expression levels, indicating orthogonality of the loci. Using CRIMoClo plasmids and four different reporter systems, we illustrated a framework that allows for a fast and reliable sequential integration at the four selected att sites. Taking advantage of four resistance cassettes the procedure did not require recombination events between each round of integration. Finally, we assembled and genomically integrated synthetic ECF σ factor/anti-σ switches with high efficiency, showing that the growth defects observed for circuits encoded on medium-copy plasmids were alleviated. Conclusions The CRIMoClo system enables the generation of genetic circuits from reusable, MoClo-compatible parts and their integration into 4 orthogonal att sites into the genome of E. coli. Utilizing four different resistance modules the CRIMoClo system allows for easy, fast, and reliable multiple integrations. Moreover, utilizing CRIMoClo plasmids and MoClo reusable parts, we efficiently integrated and alleviated the toxicity of plasmid-borne circuits. Finally, since CRIMoClo framework allows for high flexibility, it is possible to utilize plasmid-borne and chromosomally integrated circuits simultaneously. This increases our ability to permute multiple genetic modules and allows for an easier design of complex synthetic metabolic pathways in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Vecchione
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein Str. 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Georg Fritz
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein Str. 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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12
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Carrillo M, Wagner M, Petit F, Dransfeld A, Becker A, Erb TJ. Design and Control of Extrachromosomal Elements in Methylorubrum extorquens AM1. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:2451-2456. [PMID: 31584803 PMCID: PMC6862569 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
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Genetic
tools are a prerequisite to engineer cellular factories
for synthetic biology and biotechnology. Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 is an important platform organism of a future C1-bioeconomy.
However, its application is currently limited by the availability
of genetic tools. Here we systematically tested repABC regions to maintain extrachromosomal DNA in M. extorquens. We used three elements to construct mini-chromosomes that are stably
inherited at single copy number and can be shuttled between Escherichia coli and M. extorquens. These mini-chromosomes are compatible among each other and with
high-copy number plasmids of M. extorquens.
We also developed a set of inducible promoters of wide expression
range, reaching levels exceeding those currently available, notably
the PmxaF-promoter. In
summary, we provide a set of tools to control the dynamic expression
and copy number of genetic elements in M. extorquens, which opens new ways to unleash the metabolic and biotechnological
potential of this organism for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Carrillo
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcel Wagner
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Florian Petit
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Amelie Dransfeld
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Anke Becker
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias J. Erb
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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13
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Brumwell SL, MacLeod MR, Huang T, Cochrane RR, Meaney RS, Zamani M, Matysiakiewicz O, Dan KN, Janakirama P, Edgell DR, Charles TC, Finan TM, Karas BJ. Designer Sinorhizobium meliloti strains and multi-functional vectors enable direct inter-kingdom DNA transfer. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0206781. [PMID: 31206509 PMCID: PMC6576745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Storage, manipulation and delivery of DNA fragments is crucial for synthetic biology applications, subsequently allowing organisms of interest to be engineered with genes or pathways to produce desirable phenotypes such as disease or drought resistance in plants, or for synthesis of a specific chemical product. However, DNA with high G+C content can be unstable in many host organisms including Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we report the development of Sinorhizobium meliloti, a nitrogen-fixing plant symbioticα-Proteobacterium, as a novel host that can store DNA, and mobilize DNA to E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and the eukaryotic microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum. To achieve this, we deleted the hsdR restriction-system in multiple reduced genome strains of S. meliloti that enable DNA transformation with up to 1.4 x 105 and 2.1 x 103 CFU μg-1 of DNA efficiency using electroporation and a newly developed polyethylene glycol transformation method, respectively. Multi-host and multi-functional shuttle vectors (MHS) were constructed and stably propagated in S. meliloti, E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and P. tricornutum. We also developed protocols and demonstrated direct transfer of these MHS vectors via conjugation from S. meliloti to E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and P. tricornutum. The development of S. meliloti as a new host for inter-kingdom DNA transfer will be invaluable for synthetic biology research and applications, including the installation and study of genes and biosynthetic pathways into organisms of interest in industry and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Brumwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tony Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan R Cochrane
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Maryam Zamani
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Kaitlyn N Dan
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor C Charles
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Turlough M Finan
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Designer Microbes Inc., London, ON, Canada
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14
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Yano H, Shintani M, Tomita M, Suzuki H, Oshima T. Reconsidering plasmid maintenance factors for computational plasmid design. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2018; 17:70-81. [PMID: 30619542 PMCID: PMC6312765 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are genetic parasites of microorganisms. The genomes of naturally occurring plasmids are expected to be polished via natural selection to achieve long-term persistence in the microbial cell population. However, plasmid genomes are extremely diverse, and the rules governing plasmid genomes are not fully understood. Therefore, computationally designing plasmid genomes optimized for model and nonmodel organisms remains challenging. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the plasmid genome organization and the factors that can affect plasmid persistence, with the aim of constructing synthetic plasmids for use in gram-negative bacteria. Then, we introduce publicly available resources, plasmid data, and bioinformatics tools that are useful for computational plasmid design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Yano
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Masaki Shintani
- Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1, Hamamatsu 432-8561, Japan
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1, Hamamatsu 432-8561, Japan
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 14-1, Baba-cho, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0035, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, 5322, Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Haruo Suzuki
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 14-1, Baba-cho, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0035, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, 5322, Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Taku Oshima
- Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180, Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
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15
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Checcucci A, diCenzo GC, Ghini V, Bazzicalupo M, Becker A, Decorosi F, Döhlemann J, Fagorzi C, Finan TM, Fondi M, Luchinat C, Turano P, Vignolini T, Viti C, Mengoni A. Creation and Characterization of a Genomically Hybrid Strain in the Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiotic Bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:2365-2378. [PMID: 30223644 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many bacteria, often associated with eukaryotic hosts and of relevance for biotechnological applications, harbor a multipartite genome composed of more than one replicon. Biotechnologically relevant phenotypes are often encoded by genes residing on the secondary replicons. A synthetic biology approach to developing enhanced strains for biotechnological purposes could therefore involve merging pieces or entire replicons from multiple strains into a single genome. Here we report the creation of a genomic hybrid strain in a model multipartite genome species, the plant-symbiotic bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. We term this strain as cis-hybrid, since it is produced by genomic material coming from the same species' pangenome. In particular, we moved the secondary replicon pSymA (accounting for nearly 20% of total genome content) from a donor S. meliloti strain to an acceptor strain. The cis-hybrid strain was screened for a panel of complex phenotypes (carbon/nitrogen utilization phenotypes, intra- and extracellular metabolomes, symbiosis, and various microbiological tests). Additionally, metabolic network reconstruction and constraint-based modeling were employed for in silico prediction of metabolic flux reorganization. Phenotypes of the cis-hybrid strain were in good agreement with those of both parental strains. Interestingly, the symbiotic phenotype showed a marked cultivar-specific improvement with the cis-hybrid strains compared to both parental strains. These results provide a proof-of-principle for the feasibility of genome-wide replicon-based remodelling of bacterial strains for improved biotechnological applications in precision agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Checcucci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - George C. diCenzo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Veronica Ghini
- CERM & CIRMMP, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marco Bazzicalupo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Anke Becker
- LOEWE − Center for Synthetic Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Francesca Decorosi
- Department of Agri-food Production and Environmental Science, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Camilla Fagorzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Turlough M. Finan
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Marco Fondi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchinat
- CERM & CIRMMP, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- CERM and Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Paola Turano
- CERM & CIRMMP, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- CERM and Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Tiziano Vignolini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Carlo Viti
- Department of Agri-food Production and Environmental Science, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Mengoni
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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16
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Bettenworth V, McIntosh M, Becker A, Eckhardt B. Front-propagation in bacterial inter-colony communication. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2018; 28:106316. [PMID: 30384658 DOI: 10.1063/1.5040068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many bacterial species exchange signaling molecules to coordinate population-wide responses. For this process, known as quorum sensing, the concentration of the respective molecules is crucial. Here, we consider the interaction between spatially distributed bacterial colonies so that the spreading of the signaling molecules in space becomes important. The exponential growth of the signal-producing populations and the corresponding increase in signaling molecule production result in an exponential concentration profile that spreads with uniform speed. The theoretical predictions are supported by experiments with different strains of the soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti that display fluorescence when either producing or responding to the signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Bettenworth
- LOEWE-Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Matthew McIntosh
- LOEWE-Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Anke Becker
- LOEWE-Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Bruno Eckhardt
- LOEWE-Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg
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17
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Schäper S, Yau HCL, Krol E, Skotnicka D, Heimerl T, Gray J, Kaever V, Søgaard-Andersen L, Vollmer W, Becker A. Seven-transmembrane receptor protein RgsP and cell wall-binding protein RgsM promote unipolar growth in Rhizobiales. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007594. [PMID: 30102748 PMCID: PMC6107284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Rhizobiales (class of α-proteobacteria) display zonal peptidoglycan cell wall growth at one cell pole, contrasting with the dispersed mode of cell wall growth along the sidewalls of many other rod-shaped bacteria. Here we show that the seven-transmembrane receptor (7TMR) protein RgsP (SMc00074), together with the putative membrane-anchored peptidoglycan metallopeptidase RgsM (SMc02432), have key roles in unipolar peptidoglycan formation during growth and at mid-cell during cell division in Sinorhizobium meliloti. RgsP is composed of a periplasmic globular 7TMR-DISMED2 domain, a membrane-spanning region, and cytoplasmic PAS, GGDEF and EAL domains. The EAL domain confers phosphodiesterase activity towards the second messenger cyclic di-GMP, a key regulatory player in the transition between bacterial lifestyles. RgsP and RgsM localize to sites of zonal cell wall synthesis at the new cell pole and cell divison site, suggesting a role in cell wall biogenesis. The two proteins are essential for cell wall biogenesis and cell growth. Cells depleted of RgsP or RgsM had an altered muropeptide composition and RgsM binds to peptidoglycan. RgsP and RgsM orthologs are functional when interchanged between α-rhizobial species pointing to a conserved mechanism for cell wall biogenesis/remodeling within the Rhizobiales. Overall, our findings suggest that RgsP and RgsM contribute to the regulation of unipolar cell wall biogenesis in α-rhizobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schäper
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hamish C. L. Yau
- Center for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Elizaveta Krol
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dorota Skotnicka
- Department of Ecophysiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Heimerl
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Joe Gray
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Volkhard Kaever
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lotte Søgaard-Andersen
- Department of Ecophysiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Center for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Becker
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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18
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Horizontal operon transfer, plasmids, and the evolution of photosynthesis in Rhodobacteraceae. ISME JOURNAL 2018; 12:1994-2010. [PMID: 29795276 PMCID: PMC6052148 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0150-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The capacity for anoxygenic photosynthesis is scattered throughout the phylogeny of the Proteobacteria. Their photosynthesis genes are typically located in a so-called photosynthesis gene cluster (PGC). It is unclear (i) whether phototrophy is an ancestral trait that was frequently lost or (ii) whether it was acquired later by horizontal gene transfer. We investigated the evolution of phototrophy in 105 genome-sequenced Rhodobacteraceae and provide the first unequivocal evidence for the horizontal transfer of the PGC. The 33 concatenated core genes of the PGC formed a robust phylogenetic tree and the comparison with single-gene trees demonstrated the dominance of joint evolution. The PGC tree is, however, largely incongruent with the species tree and at least seven transfers of the PGC are required to reconcile both phylogenies. The origin of a derived branch containing the PGC of the model organism Rhodobacter capsulatus correlates with a diagnostic gene replacement of pufC by pufX. The PGC is located on plasmids in six of the analyzed genomes and its DnaA-like replication module was discovered at a conserved central position of the PGC. A scenario of plasmid-borne horizontal transfer of the PGC and its reintegration into the chromosome could explain the current distribution of phototrophy in Rhodobacteraceae.
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19
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diCenzo GC, Finan TM. The Divided Bacterial Genome: Structure, Function, and Evolution. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2017; 81:e00019-17. [PMID: 28794225 PMCID: PMC5584315 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00019-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 10% of bacterial genomes are split between two or more large DNA fragments, a genome architecture referred to as a multipartite genome. This multipartite organization is found in many important organisms, including plant symbionts, such as the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, and plant, animal, and human pathogens, including the genera Brucella, Vibrio, and Burkholderia. The availability of many complete bacterial genome sequences means that we can now examine on a broad scale the characteristics of the different types of DNA molecules in a genome. Recent work has begun to shed light on the unique properties of each class of replicon, the unique functional role of chromosomal and nonchromosomal DNA molecules, and how the exploitation of novel niches may have driven the evolution of the multipartite genome. The aims of this review are to (i) outline the literature regarding bacterial genomes that are divided into multiple fragments, (ii) provide a meta-analysis of completed bacterial genomes from 1,708 species as a way of reviewing the abundant information present in these genome sequences, and (iii) provide an encompassing model to explain the evolution and function of the multipartite genome structure. This review covers, among other topics, salient genome terminology; mechanisms of multipartite genome formation; the phylogenetic distribution of multipartite genomes; how each part of a genome differs with respect to genomic signatures, genetic variability, and gene functional annotation; how each DNA molecule may interact; as well as the costs and benefits of this genome structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C diCenzo
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Turlough M Finan
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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