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Pan Y, Zhao Y, Zeng HR, Wu JQ, Song YY, Rao YH, Li GQ, Jin L. Reference Genes for Expression Analyses by qRT-PCR in Enterobacter cancerogenus. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1024. [PMID: 38792853 PMCID: PMC11123693 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The Enterobacter cancerogenus strain EcHa1 was isolated from the dead larvae of Helicoverpa armigera, and has the potential for biocontrol of some Lepidoptera insects. In order to screen insecticidal-related genes by qRT-PCR, stable endogenous reference genes used for normalizing qRT-PCR data were selected and evaluated from 13 housekeeping genes (HKGs). The expression levels of the HKGs were determined using qRT-PCR under different experimental conditions, including two culture temperatures and three bacterial OD values. Five stability analysis methods (Ct, BestKeeper, NormFinder, geNorm, and RefFinder) were used to comprehensively rank the candidate genes. The results showed that the optimal reference genes varied under different experimental conditions. The combination of gyrA and gyrB was recommended as the best reference gene combination at 28 °C, while gyrA and rpoB was the best combination at 37 °C. When the OD values were 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0, the recommended reference gene combinations were ftsZ and gyrA, rpoB and gyrB, and gyrA and pyk, respectively. The most suitable reference genes were gyrA and gyrB under all experimental conditions. Using gyrA and gyrB as the reference genes for qRT-PCR, EcHa1 was found to invade all tissues of the H. armigera larvae, and expressed a candidate pathogenic factor Hcp at high levels in gut, Malpighian tubules, and epidermis tissues. This study not only establishes an accurate and reliable normalization for qRT-PCR in entomopathogenic bacteria but also lays a solid foundation for further study of functional genes in E. cancerogenus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lin Jin
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Y.P.); (Y.Z.); (H.-R.Z.); (J.-Q.W.); (Y.-Y.S.); (Y.-H.R.); (G.-Q.L.)
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2
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Lee CW, Kim SM, Sa S, Hong M, Nam SM, Han HW. Relationship between drug targets and drug-signature networks: a network-based genome-wide landscape. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:17. [PMID: 36717817 PMCID: PMC9885570 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01444-8] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Drugs produce pharmaceutical and adverse effects that arise from the complex relationship between drug targets and signatures; by considering such relationships, we can begin to understand the cellular mechanisms of drugs. In this study, we selected 463 genes from the DSigDB database corresponding to targets and signatures for 382 FDA-approved drugs with both protein binding information for a drug-target score (KDTN, i.e., the degree to which the protein encoded by the gene binds to a number of drugs) and microarray signature information for a drug-sensitive score (KDSN, i.e., the degree to which gene expression is stimulated by the drug). Accordingly, we constructed two drug-gene bipartite network models, a drug-target network and drug-signature network, which were merged into a multidimensional model. Analysis revealed that the KDTN and KDSN were in mutually exclusive and reciprocal relationships in terms of their biological network structure and gene function. A symmetric balance between the KDTN and KDSN of genes facilitates the possibility of therapeutic drug effects in whole genome. These results provide new insights into the relationship between drugs and genes, specifically drug targets and drug signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chae Won Lee
- grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Department of Biomedical Informatics, CHA University School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea ,grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea
| | - Sung Min Kim
- grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Department of Biomedical Informatics, CHA University School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea ,grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea
| | - Soonok Sa
- grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Department of Biomedical Informatics, CHA University School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea ,grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea
| | - Myunghee Hong
- grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Department of Biomedical Informatics, CHA University School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea ,grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea
| | - Sang-Min Nam
- grid.452398.10000 0004 0570 1076Department of Ophthalmology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Hyun Wook Han
- grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Department of Biomedical Informatics, CHA University School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea ,grid.410886.30000 0004 0647 3511Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, 13488 South Korea
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3
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Moon TS. SynMADE: synthetic microbiota across diverse ecosystems. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:1405-1414. [PMID: 36117027 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The past two decades have witnessed rapid advances in engineering individual microbial strains to produce biochemicals and biomaterials. However, engineering microbial consortia has been relatively slow. Using systems and synthetic biology approaches, researchers have been developing tools for engineering complex microbiota. In this opinion article, I discuss future directions and visions regarding developing microbiota as a biomanufacturing host. Specifically, I propose that we can develop the soil microbial community itself as a huge bioreactor. Ultimately, researchers will provide a generalizable system that enables us to understand a microbial consortium's interaction and metabolism on diverse temporal and spatial scales to address global problems, including the climate crisis, food inequality, the issue of waste, and sustainable bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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4
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Hosni ND, Anauate AC, Boim MA. Reference genes for mesangial cell and podocyte qPCR gene expression studies under high-glucose and renin-angiotensin-system blocker conditions. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246227. [PMID: 34242222 PMCID: PMC8270477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Real-time PCR remains currently the gold standard method for gene expression studies. Identification of the best reference gene is a key point in performing high-quality qPCR, providing strong support for results, and performing as a source of bias when inappropriately chosen. Mesangial cells and podocytes, as essential cell lines to study diabetic kidney disease (DKD) physiopathology, demand accurate analysis of the reference genes used thus far to enhance the validity of gene expression studies, especially regarding high glucose (HG) and DKD treatments, with angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g., losartan) being the most commonly used. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability and define the most stable reference gene for mesangial cell and podocyte studies of an in vitro DKD model of disease and its treatment. METHODS Five software packages (RefFinder, NormFinder, GeNorm, Bestkeeper, and DataAssist) and the comparative ΔCt method were selected to analyze six different candidate genes: HPRT, ACTB, PGAM-1, GAPDH, PPIA, and B2M. RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized from immortalized mouse mesangial cells and podocytes cultured in 4 groups: control (n = 5; 5 mM glucose), mannitol (n = 5; 30 mM, as osmotic control), HG (n = 5; 30 mM glucose), and HG + losartan (n = 5; 30 mM glucose and 10-4 mM losartan). Real-time PCR was performed according to MIQE guidelines. RESULTS We identified that the use of 2 genes was the best combination for qPCR normalization for both mesangial cells and podocytes. For mesangial cells, the combination of HPRT and ACTB presented higher stability values. For podocytes, HPRT and GAPDH showed the best results. CONCLUSION This analysis provides support for the use of HPRT and ACTB as reference genes in mouse mesangial cell studies of gene expression via real-time PCR, while for podocytes, HPRT and GAPDH should be chosen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Dittrich Hosni
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Anauate
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mirian Aparecida Boim
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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5
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DeLorenzo DM, Diao J, Carr R, Hu Y, Moon TS. An Improved CRISPR Interference Tool to Engineer Rhodococcus opacus. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:786-798. [PMID: 33787248 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus opacus is a nonmodel bacterium that is well suited for valorizing lignin. Despite recent advances in our systems-level understanding of its versatile metabolism, studies of its gene functions at a single gene level are still lagging. Elucidating gene functions in nonmodel organisms is challenging due to limited genetic engineering tools that are convenient to use. To address this issue, we developed a simple gene repression system based on CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). This gene repression system uses a T7 RNA polymerase system to express a small guide RNA, demonstrating improved repression compared to the previously demonstrated CRISPRi system (i.e., the maximum repression efficiency improved from 58% to 85%). Additionally, our cloning strategy allows for building multiple CRISPRi plasmids in parallel without any PCR step, facilitating the engineering of this GC-rich organism. Using the improved CRISPRi system, we confirmed the annotated roles of four metabolic pathway genes, which had been identified by our previous transcriptomic analysis to be related to the consumption of benzoate, vanillate, catechol, and acetate. Furthermore, we showed our tool's utility by demonstrating the inducible accumulation of muconate that is a precursor of adipic acid, an important monomer for nylon production. While the maximum muconate yield obtained using our tool was 30% of the yield obtained using gene knockout, our tool showed its inducibility and partial repressibility. Our CRISPRi tool will be useful to facilitate functional studies of this nonmodel organism and engineer this promising microbial chassis for lignin valorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew M. DeLorenzo
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Jinjin Diao
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Rhiannon Carr
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Yifeng Hu
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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6
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Jureckova K, Raschmanova H, Kolek J, Vasylkivska M, Branska B, Patakova P, Provaznik I, Sedlar K. Identification and Validation of Reference Genes in Clostridium beijerinckii NRRL B-598 for RT-qPCR Using RNA-Seq Data. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:640054. [PMID: 33815328 PMCID: PMC8012504 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.640054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression analysis through reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) depends on correct data normalization by reference genes with stable expression. Although Clostridium beijerinckii NRRL B-598 is a promising Gram-positive bacterium for the industrial production of biobutanol, validated reference genes have not yet been reported. In this study, we selected 160 genes with stable expression based on an RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data analysis, and among them, seven genes (zmp, rpoB1, rsmB, greA, rpoB2, topB2, and rimO) were selected for experimental validation by RT-qPCR and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. According to statistical analyses, zmp and greA were the most stable and suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization. Furthermore, our methodology can be useful for selection of the reference genes in other strains of C. beijerinckii and it also suggests that the RNA-Seq data can be used for the initial selection of novel reference genes, however, their validation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Jureckova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Hana Raschmanova
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jan Kolek
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Maryna Vasylkivska
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barbora Branska
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petra Patakova
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ivo Provaznik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Karel Sedlar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
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7
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Han H, Liu L, Chen M, Liu Y, Wang H, Chen L. The optimal compound reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis in the developing rat long bones under physiological conditions and prenatal dexamethasone exposure model. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 98:242-251. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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8
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Validation of stable reference genes in Staphylococcus aureus to study gene expression under photodynamic treatment: a case study of SEB virulence factor analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16354. [PMID: 33004977 PMCID: PMC7530716 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73409-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), encoded by the seb gene, is a virulence factor produced by Staphylococcus aureus that is involved mainly in food poisoning and is known to act as an aggravating factor in patients with atopic dermatitis. Research results in animal infection models support the concept that superantigens, including SEB contribute to sepsis and skin and soft tissue infections. In contrast to antibiotics, antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) is a promising method to combat both bacterial cells and virulence factors. The main aims of this research were to (1) select the most stable reference genes under sublethal aPDI treatments and (2) evaluate the impact of aPDI on seb. Two aPDI combinations were applied under sublethal conditions: rose bengal (RB) and green light (λmax = 515 nm) and new methylene blue (NMB) and red light (λmax = 632 nm). The stability of ten candidate reference genes (16S rRNA, fabD, ftsZ, gmk, gyrB, proC, pyk, rho, rpoB and tpiA) was evaluated upon aPDI using four software packages—BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinder. Statistical analyses ranked ftsZ and gmk (RB + green light) and ftsZ, proC, and fabD (NMB + red light) as the most stable reference genes upon photodynamic treatment. Our studies showed downregulation of seb under both aPDI conditions, suggesting that aPDI could decrease the level of virulence factors.
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9
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Xiong ZQ, Fan YZ, Song X, Xia YJ, Zhang H, Ai LZ. Short communication: Genome-wide identification of new reference genes for reverse-transcription quantitative PCR in Streptococcus thermophilus based on RNA-sequencing analysis. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:10001-10005. [PMID: 32896392 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus thermophilus, one of the most important industrial lactic acid bacteria, is widely used for the production of fermented dairy products such as yogurt and cheese. The accuracy of gene expression-based analyses (e.g., reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR) relies heavily on the selection of reliable reference genes (RG), which provides the basis for correctly interpreting expression data. However, many traditional RG are not stably expressed in different systems. Here we used RNA-sequencing to systematically investigate gene expression variation at the genome scale and identify more stable RG in S. thermophilus. In total, 21 putative candidate RG were identified with variation coefficient values <10.0 based on the expression of all 1,911 genes under 4 different experimental conditions. We selected and validated 12 RG chosen from transcriptomes by using reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR, and ranked their expression stability by statistical algorithms geNorm and NormFinder. Compared with traditional RG 16S rRNA, genes encoding glycine-tRNA ligase subunit β GlyS and fatty acid-binding protein DegV were more stable under all 4 treatments, which have never been used as RG in S. thermophilus. Our finding provides the foundation for more precise analysis of gene expression in S. thermophilus and other lactic acid bacteria species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Xiong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Fan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Xin Song
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Yong-Jun Xia
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Lian-Zhong Ai
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Food Microbiology, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
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10
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Chatterjee A, DeLorenzo DM, Carr R, Moon TS. Bioconversion of renewable feedstocks by Rhodococcus opacus. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 64:10-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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11
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Vereecke D, Zhang Y, Francis IM, Lambert PQ, Venneman J, Stamler RA, Kilcrease J, Randall JJ. Functional Genomics Insights Into the Pathogenicity, Habitat Fitness, and Mechanisms Modifying Plant Development of Rhodococcus sp. PBTS1 and PBTS2. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:14. [PMID: 32082278 PMCID: PMC7002392 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00014] [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] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome (PBTS) is a recently emerged disease that has strongly impacted the pistachio industry in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The disease is caused by two bacteria, designated PBTS1 that is related to Rhodococcus corynebacterioides and PBTS2 that belongs to the species R. fascians. Here, we assessed the pathogenic character of the causative agents and examined their chromosomal sequences to predict the presence of particular functions that might contribute to the observed co-occurrence and their effect on plant hosts. In diverse assays, we confirmed the pathogenicity of the strains on "UCB-1" pistachio rootstock and showed that they can also impact the development of tobacco species, but concurrently inconsistencies in the ability to induce symptoms were revealed. We additionally evidence that fas genes are present only in a subpopulation of pure PBTS1 and PBTS2 cultures after growth on synthetic media, that these genes are easily lost upon cultivation in rich media, and that they are enriched for in an in planta environment. Analysis of the chromosomal sequences indicated that PBTS1 and PBTS2 might have complementary activities that would support niche partitioning. Growth experiments showed that the nutrient utilization pattern of both PBTS bacteria was not identical, thus avoiding co-inhabitant competition. PBTS2 appeared to have the potential to positively affect the habitat fitness of PBTS1 by improving its resistance against increased concentrations of copper and penicillins. Finally, mining the chromosomes of PBTS1 and PBTS2 suggested that the bacteria could produce cytokinins, auxins, and plant growth-stimulating volatiles and that PBTS2 might interfere with ethylene levels, in support of their impact on plant development. Subsequent experimentation supported these in silico predictions. Altogether, our data provide an explanation for the observed pathogenic behavior and unveil part of the strategies used by PBTS1 and PBTS2 to interact with plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Vereecke
- Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Yucheng Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Isolde M Francis
- Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield, CA, United States
| | - Paul Q Lambert
- Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Jolien Venneman
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rio A Stamler
- Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - James Kilcrease
- Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Jennifer J Randall
- Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
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12
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Reference gene analysis and its use for kinase expression profiling in Fasciola hepatica. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15867. [PMID: 31676853 PMCID: PMC6825121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica causes fasciolosis, a foodborne zoonosis affecting humans and livestock worldwide. A reliable quantification of gene expression in all parasite life stages relevant for targeting by anthelmintics in the mammalian host is fundamental. The aim of this study was to define a set of stably expressed reference genes for qRT-PCR in Fasciola studies. We determined the expression stabilities of eight candidate reference genes by the algorithms NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and comparative ΔCT method. The most stably expressed reference genes for the comparison of intra-mammalian life stages were glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (Fheprs) and tubulin-specific chaperone D (Fhtbcd). The two best reference genes for analysis of in vitro-cultured juveniles were Fhtbcd and proteasome subunit beta type-7 (Fhpsmb7). These genes should replace the housekeeping gene gapdh which is used in most Fasciola studies to date, but in fact was differentially expressed in our analysis. Based on the new reference genes, we quantified expression of five kinases (Abl1, Abl2, PKC, Akt1, Plk1) discussed as targets in other parasitic flatworms. Distinct expression patterns throughout development were revealed and point to interesting biological functions. We like to motivate using this set of validated reference genes for future F. hepatica research, such as studies on drug targets or parasite development.
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Selection of reference genes for measuring the expression of aiiO in Ochrobactrum quorumnocens A44 using RT-qPCR. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13129. [PMID: 31511547 PMCID: PMC6739375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49474-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), a method of choice for quantification of gene expression changes, requires stably expressed reference genes for normalization of data. So far, no reference genes were established for the Alphaproteobacteria of the genus Ochrobactrum. Here, we determined reference genes for gene expression studies in O. quorumnocens A44. Strain A44 was cultured under 10 different conditions and the stability of expression of 11 candidate genes was evaluated using geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. Most stably expressed genes were found to be rho, gyrB and rpoD. Our results can facilitate the choice of reference genes in the related Ochrobactrum strains. O. quorumnocens A44 is able to inactivate a broad spectrum of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) - the quorum sensing molecules of many Gram-negative bacteria. This activity is attributed to AiiO hydrolase, yet it remains unclear whether AHLs are the primary substrate of this enzyme. Using the established RT-qPCR setup, we found that the expression of the aiiO gene upon exposure to two AHLs, C6-HLS and 3OC12-HSL, does not change above the 1-fold significance threshold. The implications of this finding are discussed in the light of the role of quorum sensing-interfering enzymes in the host strains.
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14
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DeLorenzo DM, Moon TS. Construction of Genetic Logic Gates Based on the T7 RNA Polymerase Expression System in Rhodococcus opacus PD630. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1921-1930. [PMID: 31362487 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Rhodococcus opacus PD630 (R. opacus) is a nonmodel, Gram-positive bacterium that holds promise as a biological catalyst for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to value-added products. In particular, it demonstrates both a high tolerance for and an ability to consume inhibitory lignin-derived aromatics, generates large quantities of lipids, exhibits a relatively rapid growth rate, and has a growing genetic toolbox for engineering. However, the availability of genetic parts for tunable, high-activity gene expression is still limited in R. opacus. Furthermore, genetic logic circuits for sophisticated gene regulation have never been demonstrated in Rhodococcus spp. To address these shortcomings, two inducible T7 RNA polymerase-based expression systems were implemented for the first time in R. opacus and applied to the construction of AND and NAND genetic logic gates. Additionally, three isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible promoters were created by inserting LacI binding sites into newly characterized constitutive promoters. Furthermore, four novel aromatic sensors for 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, sodium benzoate, and guaiacol were developed, expanding the gene expression toolbox. Finally, the T7 RNA polymerase platform was combined with a synthetic IPTG-inducible promoter to create an IMPLY logic gate. Overall, this work represents the first demonstration of a heterologous RNA polymerase system and synthetic genetic logic in R. opacus, enabling complex and tunable gene regulation in this promising nonmodel host for bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew M. DeLorenzo
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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Firrincieli A, Presentato A, Favoino G, Marabottini R, Allevato E, Stazi SR, Scarascia Mugnozza G, Harfouche A, Petruccioli M, Turner RJ, Zannoni D, Cappelletti M. Identification of Resistance Genes and Response to Arsenic in Rhodococcus aetherivorans BCP1. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:888. [PMID: 31133997 PMCID: PMC6514093 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic (As) ranks among the priority metal(loid)s that are of public health concern. In the environment, arsenic is present in different forms, organic or inorganic, featured by various toxicity levels. Bacteria have developed different strategies to deal with this toxicity involving different resistance genetic determinants. Bacterial strains of Rhodococcus genus, and more in general Actinobacteria phylum, have the ability to cope with high concentrations of toxic metalloids, although little is known on the molecular and genetic bases of these metabolic features. Here we show that Rhodococcus aetherivorans BCP1, an extremophilic actinobacterial strain able to tolerate high concentrations of organic solvents and toxic metalloids, can grow in the presence of high concentrations of As(V) (up to 240 mM) under aerobic growth conditions using glucose as sole carbon and energy source. Notably, BCP1 cells improved their growth performance as well as their capacity of reducing As(V) into As(III) when the concentration of As(V) is within 30–100 mM As(V). Genomic analysis of BCP1 compared to other actinobacterial strains revealed the presence of three gene clusters responsible for organic and inorganic arsenic resistance. In particular, two adjacent and divergently oriented ars gene clusters include three arsenate reductase genes (arsC1/2/3) involved in resistance mechanisms against As(V). A sequence similarity network (SSN) and phylogenetic analysis of these arsenate reductase genes indicated that two of them (ArsC2/3) are functionally related to thioredoxin (Trx)/thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)-dependent class and one of them (ArsC1) to the mycothiol (MSH)/mycoredoxin (Mrx)-dependent class. A targeted transcriptomic analysis performed by RT-qPCR indicated that the arsenate reductase genes as well as other genes included in the ars gene cluster (possible regulator gene, arsR, and arsenite extrusion genes, arsA, acr3, and arsD) are transcriptionally induced when BCP1 cells were exposed to As(V) supplied at two different sub-lethal concentrations. This work provides for the first time insights into the arsenic resistance mechanisms of a Rhodococcus strain, revealing some of the unique metabolic requirements for the environmental persistence of this bacterial genus and its possible use in bioremediation procedures of toxic metal contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Firrincieli
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Presentato
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Giusi Favoino
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rosita Marabottini
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enrica Allevato
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Rita Stazi
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Antoine Harfouche
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Petruccioli
- Department for the Innovation in Biological Systems, Agro-Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Raymond J Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Davide Zannoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Cappelletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Anthony WE, Carr RR, DeLorenzo DM, Campbell TP, Shang Z, Foston M, Moon TS, Dantas G. Development of Rhodococcus opacus as a chassis for lignin valorization and bioproduction of high-value compounds. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:192. [PMID: 31404385 PMCID: PMC6683499 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1535-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The current extraction and use of fossil fuels has been linked to extensive negative health and environmental outcomes. Lignocellulosic biomass-derived biofuels and bioproducts are being actively considered as renewable alternatives to the fuels, chemicals, and materials produced from fossil fuels. A major challenge limiting large-scale, economic deployment of second-generation biorefineries is the insufficient product yield, diversity, and value that current conversion technologies can extract from lignocellulose, in particular from the underutilized lignin fraction. Rhodococcus opacus PD630 is an oleaginous gram-positive bacterium with innate catabolic pathways and tolerance mechanisms for the inhibitory aromatic compounds found in depolymerized lignin, as well as native or engineered pathways for hexose and pentose sugars found in the carbohydrate fractions of biomass. As a result, R. opacus holds potential as a biological chassis for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biodiesel precursors and other value-added products. This review begins by examining the important role that lignin utilization will play in the future of biorefineries and by providing a concise survey of the current lignin conversion technologies. The genetic machinery and capabilities of R. opacus that allow the bacterium to tolerate and metabolize aromatic compounds and depolymerized lignin are also discussed, along with a synopsis of the genetic toolbox and synthetic biology methods now available for engineering this organism. Finally, we summarize the different feedstocks that R. opacus has been demonstrated to consume, and the high-value products that it has been shown to produce. Engineered R. opacus will enable lignin valorization over the coming years, leading to cost-effective conversion of lignocellulose into fuels, chemicals, and materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston E. Anthony
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Rhiannon R. Carr
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Drew M. DeLorenzo
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Tayte P. Campbell
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Zeyu Shang
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Marcus Foston
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Gautam Dantas
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108 USA
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Henson WR, Hsu FF, Dantas G, Moon TS, Foston M. Lipid metabolism of phenol-tolerant Rhodococcus opacus strains for lignin bioconversion. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2018; 11:339. [PMID: 30607174 PMCID: PMC6309088 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1337-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lignin is a recalcitrant aromatic polymer that is a potential feedstock for renewable fuel and chemical production. Rhodococcus opacus PD630 is a promising strain for the biological upgrading of lignin due to its ability to tolerate and utilize lignin-derived aromatic compounds. To enhance its aromatic tolerance, we recently applied adaptive evolution using phenol as a sole carbon source and characterized a phenol-adapted R. opacus strain (evol40) and the wild-type (WT) strain by whole genome and RNA sequencing. While this effort increased our understanding of the aromatic tolerance, the tolerance mechanisms were not completely elucidated. RESULTS We hypothesize that the composition of lipids plays an important role in phenol tolerance. To test this hypothesis, we applied high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis to lipid samples obtained from the WT and evol40 strains grown in 1 g/L glucose (glucose), 0.75 g/L phenol (low phenol), or 1.5 g/L phenol (high phenol, evol40 only) as a sole carbon source. This analysis identified > 100 lipid species of mycolic acids, phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), phosphatidylinositols (PIs), and triacylglycerols. In both strains, mycolic acids had fewer double bond numbers in phenol conditions than the glucose condition, and evol40 had significantly shorter mycolic acid chain lengths than the WT strain in phenol conditions. These results indicate that phenol adaptation affected mycolic acid membrane composition. In addition, the percentage of unsaturated phospholipids decreased for both strains in phenol conditions compared to the glucose condition. Moreover, the PI content increased for both strains in the low phenol condition compared to the glucose condition, and the PI content increased further for evol40 in the high phenol condition relative to the low phenol condition. CONCLUSIONS This work represents the first comprehensive lipidomic study on the membrane of R. opacus grown using phenol as a sole carbon source. Our results suggest that the alteration of the mycolic acid and phospholipid membrane composition may be a strategy of R. opacus for phenol tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R. Henson
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Gautam Dantas
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108 USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108 USA
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
| | - Marcus Foston
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
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