1
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Sun M, Gao J, Tang H, Wu T, Ma Q, Zhang S, Zuo Y, Li Q. Increasing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing efficiency in T7 phage by reducing the escape rate based on insight into the survival mechanism. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:937-944. [PMID: 38761011 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024030] [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: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages have been used across various fields, and the utilization of CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing technology can accelerate the research and applications of bacteriophages. However, some bacteriophages can escape from the cleavage of Cas protein, such as Cas9, and decrease the efficiency of genome editing. This study focuses on the bacteriophage T7, which is widely utilized but whose mechanism of evading the cleavage of CRISPR/Cas9 has not been elucidated. First, we test the escape rates of T7 phage at different cleavage sites, ranging from 10 -2 to 10 -5. The sequencing results show that DNA point mutations and microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) at the target sites are the main causes. Next, we indicate the existence of the hotspot DNA region of MMEJ and successfully reduce MMEJ events by designing targeted sites that bypass the hotspot DNA region. Moreover, we also knock out the ATP-dependent DNA ligase 1. 3 gene, which may be involved in the MMEJ event, and the frequency of MMEJ at 4. 3 is reduced from 83% to 18%. Finally, the genome editing efficiency in T7 Δ 1. 3 increases from 20% to 100%. This study reveals the mechanism of T7 phage evasion from the cleavage of CRISPR/Cas9 and demonstrates that the special design of editing sites or the deletion of key gene 1. 3 can reduce MMEJ events and enhance gene editing efficiency. These findings will contribute to advancing CRISPR/Cas-based tools for efficient genome editing in phages and provide a theoretical foundation for the broader application of phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Jie Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Hongjie Tang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Ting Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Qinqin Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Suyi Zhang
- Luzhou Laojiao Co, Ltd, Luzhou 646000, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Solid-State Brewing, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yong Zuo
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
| | - Qi Li
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
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2
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Yang H, Patel DJ. Structures, mechanisms and applications of RNA-centric CRISPR-Cas13. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:673-688. [PMID: 38702571 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01593-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Prokaryotes are equipped with a variety of resistance strategies to survive frequent viral attacks or invading mobile genetic elements. Among these, CRISPR-Cas surveillance systems are abundant and have been studied extensively. This Review focuses on CRISPR-Cas type VI Cas13 systems that use single-subunit RNA-guided Cas endonucleases for targeting and subsequent degradation of foreign RNA, thereby providing adaptive immunity. Notably, distinct from single-subunit DNA-cleaving Cas9 and Cas12 systems, Cas13 exhibits target RNA-activated substrate RNase activity. This Review outlines structural, biochemical and cell biological studies toward elucidation of the unique structural and mechanistic principles underlying surveillance effector complex formation, precursor CRISPR RNA (pre-crRNA) processing, self-discrimination and RNA degradation in Cas13 systems as well as insights into suppression by bacteriophage-encoded anti-CRISPR proteins and regulation by endogenous accessory proteins. Owing to its programmable ability for RNA recognition and cleavage, Cas13 provides powerful RNA targeting, editing, detection and imaging platforms with emerging biotechnological and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Innovation, Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Dinshaw J Patel
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Bi M, Su W, Li J, Mo X. Insights into the inhibition of protospacer integration via direct interaction between Cas2 and AcrVA5. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3256. [PMID: 38627399 PMCID: PMC11021501 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47713-7] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Spacer acquisition step in CRISPR-Cas system involves the recognition and subsequent integration of protospacer by the Cas1-Cas2 complex in CRISPR-Cas systems. Here we report an anti-CRISPR protein, AcrVA5, and reveal the mechanisms by which it strongly inhibits protospacer integration. Our biochemical data shows that the integration by Cas1-Cas2 was abrogated in the presence of AcrVA5. AcrVA5 exhibits low binding affinity towards Cas2 and acetylates Cas2 at Lys55 on the binding interface of the Cas2 and AcrVA5 N-terminal peptide complex to inhibit the Cas2-mediated endonuclease activity. Moreover, a detailed structural comparison between our crystal structure and homolog structure shows that binding of AcrVA5 to Cas2 causes steric hindrance to the neighboring protospacer resulting in the partial disassembly of the Cas1-Cas2 and protospacer complex, as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Our study focuses on this mechanism of spacer acquisition inhibition and provides insights into the biology of CRISPR-Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfang Bi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wenjing Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiafu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaobing Mo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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4
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Tokuda M, Shintani M. Microbial evolution through horizontal gene transfer by mobile genetic elements. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14408. [PMID: 38226780 PMCID: PMC10832538 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are crucial for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria and facilitate their rapid evolution and adaptation. MGEs include plasmids, integrative and conjugative elements, transposons, insertion sequences and bacteriophages. Notably, the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which poses a serious threat to public health, is primarily attributable to HGT through MGEs. This mini-review aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms by which MGEs mediate HGT in microbes. Specifically, the behaviour of conjugative plasmids in different environments and conditions was discussed, and recent methodologies for tracing the dynamics of MGEs were summarised. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying HGT and the role of MGEs in bacterial evolution and adaptation is important to develop strategies to combat the spread of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maho Tokuda
- Department of Environment and Energy Systems, Graduate School of Science and TechnologyShizuoka UniversityHamamatsuJapan
| | - Masaki Shintani
- Department of Environment and Energy Systems, Graduate School of Science and TechnologyShizuoka UniversityHamamatsuJapan
- Research Institute of Green Science and TechnologyShizuoka UniversityHamamatsuJapan
- Japan Collection of MicroorganismsRIKEN BioResource Research CenterIbarakiJapan
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and TechnologyShizuoka UniversityHamamatsuJapan
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5
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Trasanidou D, Potocnik A, Barendse P, Mohanraju P, Bouzetos E, Karpouzis E, Desmet A, van Kranenburg R, van der Oost J, Staals RHJ, Mougiakos I. Characterization of the AcrIIC1 anti‒CRISPR protein for Cas9‒based genome engineering in E. coli. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1042. [PMID: 37833505 PMCID: PMC10576004 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05418-5] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) block the activity of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, either by inhibiting DNA interference or by preventing crRNA loading and complex formation. Although the main use of Acrs in genome engineering applications is to lower the cleavage activity of Cas proteins, they can also be instrumental for various other CRISPR-based applications. Here, we explore the genome editing potential of the thermoactive type II-C Cas9 variants from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans T12 (ThermoCas9) and Geobacillus stearothermophilus (GeoCas9) in Escherichia coli. We then demonstrate that the AcrIIC1 protein from Neisseria meningitidis robustly inhibits their DNA cleavage activity, but not their DNA binding capacity. Finally, we exploit these AcrIIC1:Cas9 complexes for gene silencing and base-editing, developing Acr base-editing tools. With these tools we pave the way for future engineering applications in mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria combining the activities of Acr and CRISPR-Cas proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Trasanidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Potocnik
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Barendse
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Prarthana Mohanraju
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Evgenios Bouzetos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Efthymios Karpouzis
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Amber Desmet
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard van Kranenburg
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Corbion, Gorinchem, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Ioannis Mougiakos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- SNIPR Biome, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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6
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Trasanidou D, Barendse P, Bouzetos E, de Haan L, Bouwmeester H, Staals RHJ, Mougiakos I, van der Oost J. Efficient Genome and Base Editing in Human Cells Using ThermoCas9. CRISPR J 2023; 6:278-288. [PMID: 37134217 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Most genetic engineering applications reported thus far rely on the type II-A CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpyCas9), limiting the genome-targeting scope. In this study, we demonstrate that a small, naturally accurate, and thermostable type II-C Cas9 ortholog from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans (ThermoCas9) with alternative target site preference is active in human cells, and it can be used as an efficient genome editing tool, especially for gene disruption. In addition, we develop a ThermoCas9-mediated base editor, called ThermoBE4, for programmable nicking and subsequent C-to-T conversions in human genomes. ThermoBE4 exhibits a three times larger window of activity compared with the corresponding SpyCas9 base editor (BE4), which may be an advantage for gene mutagenesis applications. Hence, ThermoCas9 provides an alternative platform that expands the targeting scope of both genome and base editing in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Trasanidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Barendse
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Evgenios Bouzetos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura de Haan
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Bouwmeester
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Mougiakos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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7
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Shelenkov A, Mikhaylova Y, Voskanyan S, Egorova A, Akimkin V. Whole-Genome Sequencing Revealed the Fusion Plasmids Capable of Transmission and Acquisition of Both Antimicrobial Resistance and Hypervirulence Determinants in Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1314. [PMID: 37317293 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051314] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, has become a dangerous pathogen accountable for a large fraction of the various infectious diseases in both clinical and community settings. In general, the K. pneumoniae population has been divided into the so-called classical (cKp) and hypervirulent (hvKp) lineages. The former, usually developing in hospitals, can rapidly acquire resistance to a wide spectrum of antimicrobial drugs, while the latter is associated with more aggressive but less resistant infections, mostly in healthy humans. However, a growing number of reports in the last decade have confirmed the convergence of these two distinct lineages into superpathogen clones possessing the properties of both, and thus imposing a significant threat to public health worldwide. This process is associated with horizontal gene transfer, in which plasmid conjugation plays a very important role. Therefore, the investigation of plasmid structures and the ways plasmids spread within and between bacterial species will provide benefits in developing prevention measures against these powerful pathogens. In this work, we investigated clinical multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates using long- and short-read whole-genome sequencing, which allowed us to reveal fusion IncHI1B/IncFIB plasmids in ST512 isolates capable of simultaneously carrying hypervirulence (iucABCD, iutA, prmpA, peg-344) and resistance determinants (armA, blaNDM-1 and others), and to obtain insights into their formation and transmission mechanisms. Comprehensive phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analysis of the isolates, as well as of their plasmid repertoire, was performed. The data obtained will facilitate epidemiological surveillance of high-risk K. pneumoniae clones and the development of prevention strategies against them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Shelenkov
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Mikhaylova
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Shushanik Voskanyan
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Egorova
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasiliy Akimkin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Makky S, Abdelrahman F, Rezk N, Easwaran M, El-Shibiny A. Phages for treatment Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 201:1-19. [PMID: 37770166 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is denoted as one of the highly threatening bacteria to the public health. It has acquired many virulent factors and resistant genes that make it difficult to control with conventional antibiotics. Thus, bacteriophage therapy (phage therapy) is a proposed alternative to antibiotics to fight against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Many phages have been isolated that exhibit a broad spectrum of activity against P. aeruginosa. In this chapter, the common virulent factors and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistance genes in P. aeruginosa were reported. In addition, recent efforts in the field of phage therapy against P. aeruginosa were highlighted, including wild-type phages, genetically modified phages, phage cocktails, and phage in combination with antibiotics against P. aeruginosa in the planktonic and biofilm forms. Recent regulations on phage therapy were also covered in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salsabil Makky
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt
| | - Fatma Abdelrahman
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nouran Rezk
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt
| | - Maheswaran Easwaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sethu Institute of Technology, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt; Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, Egypt.
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9
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Bleriot I, Blasco L, Pacios O, Fernández-García L, López M, Ortiz-Cartagena C, Barrio-Pujante A, Fernández-Cuenca F, Pascual Á, Martínez-Martínez L, Oteo-Iglesias J, Tomás M. Proteomic Study of the Interactions between Phages and the Bacterial Host Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0397422. [PMID: 36877024 PMCID: PMC10100988 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03974-22] [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: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phages and bacteria have acquired resistance mechanisms for protection. In this context, the aims of the present study were to analyze the proteins isolated from 21 novel lytic phages of Klebsiella pneumoniae in search of defense mechanisms against bacteria and also to determine the infective capacity of the phages. A proteomic study was also conducted to investigate the defense mechanisms of two clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae infected by phages. For this purpose, the 21 lytic phages were sequenced and de novo assembled. The host range was determined in a collection of 47 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae, revealing the variable infective capacity of the phages. Genome sequencing showed that all of the phages were lytic phages belonging to the order Caudovirales. Phage sequence analysis revealed that the proteins were organized in functional modules within the genome. Although most of the proteins have unknown functions, multiple proteins were associated with defense mechanisms against bacteria, including the restriction-modification system, the toxin-antitoxin system, evasion of DNA degradation, blocking of host restriction and modification, the orphan CRISPR-Cas system, and the anti-CRISPR system. Proteomic study of the phage-host interactions (i.e., between isolates K3574 and K3320, which have intact CRISPR-Cas systems, and phages vB_KpnS-VAC35 and vB_KpnM-VAC36, respectively) revealed the presence of several defense mechanisms against phage infection (prophage, defense/virulence/resistance, oxidative stress and plasmid proteins) in the bacteria, and of the Acr candidate (anti-CRISPR protein) in the phages. IMPORTANCE Researchers, including microbiologists and infectious disease specialists, require more knowledge about the interactions between phages and their bacterial hosts and about their defense mechanisms. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of viral and bacterial defense in phages infecting clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. Viral defense mechanisms included restriction-modification system evasion, the toxin-antitoxin (TA) system, DNA degradation evasion, blocking of host restriction and modification, and resistance to the abortive infection system, anti-CRISPR and CRISPR-Cas systems. Regarding bacterial defense mechanisms, proteomic analysis revealed expression of proteins involved in the prophage (FtsH protease modulator), plasmid (cupin phosphomannose isomerase protein), defense/virulence/resistance (porins, efflux pumps, lipopolysaccharide, pilus elements, quorum network proteins, TA systems, and methyltransferases), oxidative stress mechanisms, and Acr candidates (anti-CRISPR protein). The findings reveal some important molecular mechanisms involved in the phage-host bacterial interactions; however, further study in this field is required to improve the efficacy of phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Bleriot
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Lucia Blasco
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Olga Pacios
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Laura Fernández-García
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - María López
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Concha Ortiz-Cartagena
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Antonio Barrio-Pujante
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Felipe Fernández-Cuenca
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (University Hospital Virgen Macarena/CSIC/University of Seville), Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Pascual
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (University Hospital Virgen Macarena/CSIC/University of Seville), Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Martínez-Martínez
- Clinical Unit of Microbiology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Edaphology and Microbiology, University of Cordoba, Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Oteo-Iglesias
- Reference and Research Laboratory for Antibiotic Resistance and Health Care Infections, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Tomás
- Microbiology Translational and Multidisciplinary (MicroTM)-Research Institute Biomedical A Coruña (INIBIC) and Microbiology Department of Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
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10
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Dao FY, Liu ML, Su W, Lv H, Zhang ZY, Lin H, Liu L. AcrPred: A hybrid optimization with enumerated machine learning algorithm to predict Anti-CRISPR proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 228:706-714. [PMID: 36584777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas, as a tool for gene editing, has received extensive attention in recent years. Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins can inactivate the CRISPR-Cas defense system during interference phase, and can be used as a potential tool for the regulation of gene editing. In-depth study of Anti-CRISPR proteins is of great significance for the implementation of gene editing. In this study, we developed a high-accuracy prediction model based on two-step model fusion strategy, called AcrPred, which could produce an AUC of 0.952 with independent dataset validation. To further validate the proposed model, we compared with published tools and correctly identified 9 of 10 new Acr proteins, indicating the strong generalization ability of our model. Finally, for the convenience of related wet-experimental researchers, a user-friendly web-server AcrPred (Anti-CRISPR proteins Prediction) was established at http://lin-group.cn/server/AcrPred, by which users can easily identify potential Anti-CRISPR proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ying Dao
- Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Meng-Lu Liu
- Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Wei Su
- Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Hao Lv
- Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zhao-Yue Zhang
- Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Hao Lin
- Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
| | - Li Liu
- Yangtze Delta Region Institute (Quzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Quzhou 324003, China.
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11
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Belato HB, Lisi GP. The Many (Inter)faces of Anti-CRISPRs: Modulation of CRISPR-Cas Structure and Dynamics by Mechanistically Diverse Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020264. [PMID: 36830633 PMCID: PMC9953297 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of protein inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems, called anti-CRISPRs (Acrs), has enabled the development of highly controllable and precise CRISPR-Cas tools. Anti-CRISPRs share very little structural or sequential resemblance to each other or to other proteins, which raises intriguing questions regarding their modes of action. Many structure-function studies have shed light on the mechanism(s) of Acrs, which can act as orthosteric or allosteric inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas machinery, as well as enzymes that irreversibly modify CRISPR-Cas components. Only recently has the breadth of diversity of Acr structures and functions come to light, and this remains a rapidly evolving field. Here, we draw attention to a plethora of Acr mechanisms, with particular focus on how their action toward Cas proteins modulates conformation, dynamic (allosteric) signaling, nucleic acid binding, and cleavage ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen B. Belato
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- Graduate Program in Therapeutic Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - George P. Lisi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- Correspondence:
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12
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Antibiotics that affect translation can antagonize phage infectivity by interfering with the deployment of counter-defenses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216084120. [PMID: 36669116 PMCID: PMC9942909 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216084120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly clear that antibiotics can both positively and negatively impact the infectivity of bacteriophages (phage), but the underlying mechanisms often remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that antibiotics that target the protein translation machinery can fundamentally alter the outcome of bacteria-phage interactions by interfering with the production of phage-encoded counter-defense proteins. Specifically, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 and phage DMS3vir as a model, we show that bacteria with Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat, CRISPR associated (CRISPR-Cas) immune systems have elevated levels of immunity against phage that encode anti-CRISPR (acr) genes when translation inhibitors are present in the environment. CRISPR-Cas are highly prevalent defense systems that enable bacteria to detect and destroy phage genomes in a sequence-specific manner. In response, many phages encode acr genes that are expressed immediately following the infection to inhibit key steps of the CRISPR-Cas immune response. Our data show that while phage-carrying acr genes can amplify efficiently on bacteria with CRISPR-Cas immune systems in the absence of antibiotics, the presence of antibiotics that act on protein translation prevents phage amplification, while protecting bacteria from lysis.
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13
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Ecology and evolution of phages encoding anti-CRISPR proteins. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167974. [PMID: 36690071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.167974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas are prokaryotic defence systems that provide protection against invasion by mobile genetic elements (MGE), including bacteriophages. MGE can overcome CRISPR-Cas defences by encoding anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins. These proteins are produced in the early stages of the infection and inhibit the CRISPR-Cas machinery to allow phage replication. While research on Acr has mainly focused on their discovery, structure and mode of action, and their applications in biotechnology, the impact of Acr on the ecology of MGE as well as on the coevolution with their bacterial hosts only begins to be unravelled. In this review, we summarise our current understanding on the distribution of anti-CRISPR genes in MGE, the ecology of phages encoding Acr, and their coevolution with bacterial defence mechanisms. We highlight the need to use more diverse and complex experimental models to better understand the impact of anti-CRISPR in MGE-host interactions.
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Ilyina TS. Adaptive Immunity Systems of Bacteria: Association with Self-Synthesizing Transposons, Polyfunctionality. MOLECULAR GENETICS, MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3103/s0891416822030065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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Aylward FO, Moniruzzaman M. Viral Complexity. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081061. [PMID: 36008955 PMCID: PMC9405923 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although traditionally viewed as streamlined and simple, discoveries over the last century have revealed that viruses can exhibit surprisingly complex physical structures, genomic organization, ecological interactions, and evolutionary histories. Viruses can have physical dimensions and genome lengths that exceed many cellular lineages, and their infection strategies can involve a remarkable level of physiological remodeling of their host cells. Virus–virus communication and widespread forms of hyperparasitism have been shown to be common in the virosphere, demonstrating that dynamic ecological interactions often shape their success. And the evolutionary histories of viruses are often fraught with complexities, with chimeric genomes including genes derived from numerous distinct sources or evolved de novo. Here we will discuss many aspects of this viral complexity, with particular emphasis on large DNA viruses, and provide an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank O. Aylward
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Mohammad Moniruzzaman
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33149, USA;
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16
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Swartjes T, Shang P, van den Berg DTM, Künne T, Geijsen N, Brouns SJJ, van der Oost J, Staals RHJ, Notebaart RA. Modulating CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing Using Guide-Complementary DNA Oligonucleotides. CRISPR J 2022; 5:571-585. [PMID: 35856642 PMCID: PMC9419950 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0011] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) has revolutionized genome editing and has great potential for many applications, such as correcting human genetic disorders. To increase the safety of genome editing applications, CRISPR-Cas may benefit from strict control over Cas enzyme activity. Previously, anti-CRISPR proteins and designed oligonucleotides have been proposed to modulate CRISPR-Cas activity. In this study, we report on the potential of guide-complementary DNA oligonucleotides as controlled inhibitors of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes. First, we show that DNA oligonucleotides inhibit Cas9 activity in human cells, reducing both on- and off-target cleavage. We then used in vitro assays to better understand how inhibition is achieved and under which conditions. Two factors were found to be important for robust inhibition: the length of the complementary region and the presence of a protospacer adjacent motif-loop on the inhibitor. We conclude that DNA oligonucleotides can be used to effectively inhibit Cas9 activity both ex vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Swartjes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peng Shang
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tim Künne
- Food Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niels Geijsen
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard A Notebaart
- Food Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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17
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Uranga M, Daròs JA. Tools and targets: The dual role of plant viruses in CRISPR-Cas genome editing. THE PLANT GENOME 2022:e20220. [PMID: 35698891 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The recent emergence of tools based on the clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins have revolutionized targeted genome editing, thus holding great promise to both basic plant science and precision crop breeding. Conventional approaches for the delivery of editing components rely on transformation technologies or transient delivery to protoplasts, both of which are time-consuming, laborious, and can raise legal concerns. Alternatively, plant RNA viruses can be used as transient delivery vectors of CRISPR-Cas reaction components, following the so-called virus-induced genome editing (VIGE). During the last years, researchers have been able to engineer viral vectors for the delivery of CRISPR guide RNAs and Cas nucleases. Considering that each viral vector is limited to its molecular biology properties and a specific host range, here we review recent advances for improving the VIGE toolbox with a special focus on strategies to achieve tissue-culture-free editing in plants. We also explore the utility of CRISPR-Cas technology to enhance biotic resistance with a special focus on plant virus diseases. This can be achieved by either targeting the viral genome or modifying essential host susceptibility genes that mediate in the infection process. Finally, we discuss the challenges and potential that VIGE holds in future breeding technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Uranga
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - University. Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - José-Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - University. Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
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18
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Rawashdeh O, Rawashdeh RY, Kebede T, Kapp D, Ralescu A. Bio-informatic analysis of CRISPR protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs) in T4 genome. BMC Genom Data 2022; 23:40. [PMID: 35655130 PMCID: PMC9161530 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-022-01056-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The existence of protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs) sequences in bacteriophage genome is critical for the recognition and function of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas (CRISPR-Cas) machinery system. We further elucidate the significance of PAMs and their function, particularly as a part of transcriptional regulatory regions in T4 bacteriophages. METHODS A scripting language was used to analyze a sequence of T4 phage genome, and a list of few selected PAMs. Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon (MWW) test was used to compare the sequence hits for the PAMs versus the hits of all the possible sequences of equal lengths. RESULTS The results of MWW test show that certain PAMs such as: 'NGG' and 'TATA' are preferably located at the core of phage promoters: around -10 position, whereas the position around -35 appears to have no detectable count variation of any of the tested PAMs. Among all tested PAMs, the following three sequences: 5'-GCTV-3', 5'-TTGAAT-3' and 5'-TTGGGT-3' have higher prevalence in essential genes. By analyzing all the possible ways of reading PAM sequences as codons for the corresponding amino acids, it was found that deduced amino acids of some PAMs have a significant tendency to prefer the surface of proteins. CONCLUSION These results provide novel insights into the location and the subsequent identification of the role of PAMs as transcriptional regulatory elements. Also, CRISPR targeting certain PAM sequences is somehow likely to be connected to the hydrophilicity (water solubility) of amino acids translated from PAM's triplets. Therefore, these amino acids are found at the interacting unit at protein-protein interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Rawashdeh
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221 USA
| | - Rabeah Y. Rawashdeh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Yarmouk University, Shafiq Irshidat Street, Irbid, 21163 Jordan
| | | | | | - Anca Ralescu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221 USA
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19
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Wandera KG, Alkhnbashi OS, Bassett HVI, Mitrofanov A, Hauns S, Migur A, Backofen R, Beisel CL. Anti-CRISPR prediction using deep learning reveals an inhibitor of Cas13b nucleases. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2714-2726.e4. [PMID: 35649413 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
As part of the ongoing bacterial-phage arms race, CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria clear invading phages whereas anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) in phages inhibit CRISPR defenses. Known Acrs have proven extremely diverse, complicating their identification. Here, we report a deep learning algorithm for Acr identification that revealed an Acr against type VI-B CRISPR-Cas systems. The algorithm predicted numerous putative Acrs spanning almost all CRISPR-Cas types and subtypes, including over 7,000 putative type IV and VI Acrs not predicted by other algorithms. By performing a cell-free screen for Acr hits against type VI-B systems, we identified a potent inhibitor of Cas13b nucleases we named AcrVIB1. AcrVIB1 blocks Cas13b-mediated defense against a targeted plasmid and lytic phage, and its inhibitory function principally occurs upstream of ribonucleoprotein complex formation. Overall, our work helps expand the known Acr universe, aiding our understanding of the bacteria-phage arms race and the use of Acrs to control CRISPR technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina G Wandera
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Omer S Alkhnbashi
- Information and Computer Science Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Harris V I Bassett
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Sven Hauns
- Universität Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anzhela Migur
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Backofen
- Universität Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Chase L Beisel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
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20
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Review of CRISPR-Cas Systems in Listeria Species: Current Knowledge and Perspectives. Int J Microbiol 2022; 2022:9829770. [PMID: 35502187 PMCID: PMC9056214 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9829770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria spp. are pathogens widely distributed in the environment and Listeria monocytogenes is associated with food-borne illness in humans. Food facilities represent an adverse environment for this bacterium, mainly due to the disinfection and cleaning processes included in good hygiene practices, and its virulence is related to stress responses. One of the recently described stress-response systems is CRISPR-Cas. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (cas) genes have been found in several bacteria. CRISPR-Cas has revolutionized biotechnology since it acts as an adaptive immune system of bacteria, which also helps in the evasion of the host immune response. There are three CRISPR systems described on Listeria species. Type II is present in many pathogenic bacteria and characterized by the presence of cas9 that becomes the main target of some anti-CRISPR proteins, such as AcrIIA1, encoded on Listeria phages. The presence of Cas9, either alone or in combination with anti-CRISPR proteins, suggests having a main role on the virulence of bacteria. In this review, we describe the most recent information on CRISPR-Cas systems in Listeria spp., particularly in L. monocytogenes, and their relationship with the virulence and pathogenicity of those bacteria. Besides, some applications of CRISPR systems and future challenges in the food processing industry, bacterial vaccination, antimicrobial resistance, pathogens biocontrol by phage therapy, and regulation of gene expression have been explored.
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21
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Lan XR, Liu ZL, Niu DK. Precipitous Increase of Bacterial CRISPR-Cas Abundance at Around 45°C. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:773114. [PMID: 35300480 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.773114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although performing adaptive immunity, CRISPR-Cas systems are present in only 40% of bacterial genomes. We observed an abrupt increase of bacterial CRISPR-Cas abundance at around 45°C. Phylogenetic comparative analyses confirmed that the abundance correlates with growth temperature only at the temperature range around 45°C. From the literature, we noticed that the diversities of cellular predators (like protozoa, nematodes, and myxobacteria) have a steep decline at this temperature range. The grazing risk faced by bacteria reduces substantially at around 45°C and almost disappears above 60°C. We propose that viral lysis would become the dominating factor of bacterial mortality, and antivirus immunity has a higher priority at higher temperatures. In temperature ranges where the abundance of cellular predators does not change with temperature, the growth temperatures of bacteria would not significantly affect their CRISPR-Cas contents. The hypothesis predicts that bacteria should also be rich in CRISPR-Cas systems if they live in other extreme conditions inaccessible to grazing predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Ran Lan
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering and Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering and Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Deng-Ke Niu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering and Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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22
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Calvache C, Vazquez‐Vilar M, Selma S, Uranga M, Fernández‐del‐Carmen A, Daròs J, Orzáez D. Strong and tunable anti-CRISPR/Cas activities in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:399-408. [PMID: 34632687 PMCID: PMC8753356 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome engineering in plants. However, the use of anti-CRISPR proteins as tools to prevent CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing and gene activation in plants has not been explored yet. This study describes the characterization of two anti-CRISPR proteins, AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1, in Nicotiana benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that AcrIIA4 prevents site-directed mutagenesis in leaves when transiently co-expressed with CRISPR/Cas9. In a similar way, AcrVA1 is able to prevent CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated gene editing. Moreover, using a N. benthamiana line constitutively expressing Cas9, we show that the viral delivery of AcrIIA4 using Tobacco etch virus is able to completely abolish the high editing levels obtained when the guide RNA is delivered with a virus, in this case Potato virus X. We also show that AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1 repress CRISPR/dCas-based transcriptional activation of reporter genes. In the case of AcrIIA4, this repression occurs in a highly efficient, dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the fusion of an auxin degron to AcrIIA4 results in auxin-regulated activation of a downstream reporter gene. The strong anti-Cas activity of AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1 reported here opens new possibilities for customized control of gene editing and gene expression in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Calvache
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Marta Vazquez‐Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Sara Selma
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Mireia Uranga
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Asun Fernández‐del‐Carmen
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - José‐Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
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Vyas P, Harish. Anti-CRISPR proteins as a therapeutic agent against drug-resistant bacteria. Microbiol Res 2022; 257:126963. [PMID: 35033831 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.126963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The continuous deployment of various antibiotics to treat multiple serious bacterial infections leads to multidrug resistance among the bacterial population. It has failed the standard treatment strategies through different antibacterial agents and serves as a significant threat to public health worldwide at devastating levels. The discovery of anti-CRISPR proteins catches the interest of researchers around the world as a promising therapeutic agent against drug-resistant bacteria. Anti-CRISPR proteins are known to inhibit bacterial CRISPR-Cas defense systems in multiple possible ways. The CRISPR-Cas nucleoprotein assembly provides adaptive immunity in bacteria against diverse categories of phage infections. Parallelly, phages also try to break the CRISPR-Cas barrier by producing anti-CRISPR proteins, leading to growth inhibition and bacterial lysis. This review begins with a brief description of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas system, followed by a detailed portrayal of anti-CRISPR proteins, including their discovery and evolution, mechanism of action, regulation of expression, and potential applications in the healthcare sector as an alternative therapeutic strategy to combat severe bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Vyas
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313 001, Rajasthan, India
| | - Harish
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313 001, Rajasthan, India.
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24
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Alternative functions of CRISPR-Cas systems in the evolutionary arms race. Nat Rev Microbiol 2022; 20:351-364. [PMID: 34992260 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00663-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems of bacteria and archaea comprise chromosomal loci with typical repetitive clusters and associated genes encoding a range of Cas proteins. Adaptation of CRISPR arrays occurs when virus-derived and plasmid-derived sequences are integrated as new CRISPR spacers. Cas proteins use CRISPR-derived RNA guides to specifically recognize and cleave nucleic acids of invading mobile genetic elements. Apart from this role as an adaptive immune system, some CRISPR-associated nucleases are hijacked by mobile genetic elements: viruses use them to attack their prokaryotic hosts, and transposons have adopted CRISPR systems for guided transposition. In addition, some CRISPR-Cas systems control the expression of genes involved in bacterial physiology and virulence. Moreover, pathogenic bacteria may use their Cas nuclease activity indirectly to evade the human immune system or directly to invade the nucleus and damage the chromosomal DNA of infected human cells. Thus, the evolutionary arms race has led to the expansion of exciting variations in CRISPR mechanisms and functionalities. In this Review, we explore the latest insights into the diverse functions of CRISPR-Cas systems beyond adaptive immunity and discuss the implications for the development of CRISPR-based applications.
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25
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Targeting Cancer with CRISPR/Cas9-Based Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23010573. [PMID: 35008996 PMCID: PMC8745084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a devastating condition characterised by the uncontrolled division of cells with many forms remaining resistant to current treatment. A hallmark of cancer is the gradual accumulation of somatic mutations which drive tumorigenesis in cancerous cells, creating a mutation landscape distinctive to a cancer type, an individual patient or even a single tumour lesion. Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9-based tools now enables the precise and permanent targeting of mutations and offers an opportunity to harness this technology to target oncogenic mutations. However, the development of safe and effective gene editing therapies for cancer relies on careful design to spare normal cells and avoid introducing other mutations. This article aims to describe recent advancements in cancer-selective treatments based on the CRISPR/Cas9 system, especially focusing on strategies for targeted delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 machinery to affected cells, controlling Cas9 expression in tissues of interest and disrupting cancer-specific genes to result in selective death of malignant cells.
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26
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Li X, Wang C, Peng T, Chai Z, Ni D, Liu Y, Zhang J, Chen T, Lu S. Atomic-scale insights into allosteric inhibition and evolutional rescue mechanism of Streptococcus thermophilus Cas9 by the anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIA6. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:6108-6124. [PMID: 34900128 PMCID: PMC8632846 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems are prokaryotic adaptive immunity against invading phages and plasmids. Phages have evolved diverse protein inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems, called anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins, to neutralize this CRISPR machinery. In response, bacteria have co-evolved Cas variants to escape phage's anti-CRISPR strategies, called anti-anti-CRISPR systems. Here we explore the anti-CRISPR allosteric inhibition and anti-anti-CRISPR rescue mechanisms between Streptococcus thermophilus Cas9 (St1Cas9) and the anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIA6 at the atomic level, by generating mutants of key residues in St1Cas9. Extensive unbiased molecular dynamics simulations show that the functional motions of St1Cas9 in the presence of AcrIIA6 differ substantially from those of St1Cas9 alone. AcrIIA6 binding triggers a shift of St1Cas9 conformational ensemble towards a less catalytically competent state; this state significantly compromises protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) recognition and nuclease activity by altering interdependently conformational dynamics and allosteric signals among nuclease domains, PAM-interacting (PI) regions, and AcrIIA6 binding motifs. Via in vitro DNA cleavage assays, we further elucidate the rescue mechanism of efficiently escaping AcrIIA6 inhibition harboring St1Cas9 triple mutations (G993K/K1008M/K1010E) in the PI domain and identify the evolutionary landscape of such mutational escape within species. Our results provide mechanistic insights into Acr proteins as natural brakes for the CRISPR-Cas systems and a promising potential for the design of allosteric Acr peptidomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chengxiang Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ting Peng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zongtao Chai
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Duan Ni
- The Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Yaqin Liu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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27
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Owen SV, Wenner N, Dulberger CL, Rodwell EV, Bowers-Barnard A, Quinones-Olvera N, Rigden DJ, Rubin EJ, Garner EC, Baym M, Hinton JCD. Prophages encode phage-defense systems with cognate self-immunity. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1620-1633.e8. [PMID: 34597593 PMCID: PMC8585504 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Temperate phages are pervasive in bacterial genomes, existing as vertically inherited islands termed prophages. Prophages are vulnerable to predation of their host bacterium by exogenous phages. Here, we identify BstA, a family of prophage-encoded phage-defense proteins in diverse Gram-negative bacteria. BstA localizes to sites of exogenous phage DNA replication and mediates abortive infection, suppressing the competing phage epidemic. During lytic replication, the BstA-encoding prophage is not itself inhibited by BstA due to self-immunity conferred by the anti-BstA (aba) element, a short stretch of DNA within the bstA locus. Inhibition of phage replication by distinct BstA proteins from Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Escherichia prophages is generally interchangeable, but each possesses a cognate aba element. The specificity of the aba element ensures that immunity is exclusive to the replicating prophage, preventing exploitation by variant BstA-encoding phages. The BstA protein allows prophages to defend host cells against exogenous phage attack without sacrificing the ability to replicate lytically. BstA is an abortive infection protein found in prophages of Gram-negative bacteria aba, a short DNA sequence within the bstA locus, acts as a self-immunity element aba gives BstA-encoding prophages immunity to BstA-driven abortive infection Variant BstA proteins have distinct and cognate aba elements
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Affiliation(s)
- Siân V Owen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nicolas Wenner
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charles L Dulberger
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ella V Rodwell
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Arthur Bowers-Barnard
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Natalia Quinones-Olvera
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Rigden
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eric J Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ethan C Garner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Baym
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jay C D Hinton
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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28
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Tyumentseva M, Mikhaylova Y, Prelovskaya A, Karbyshev K, Tyumentsev A, Petrova L, Mironova A, Zamyatin M, Shelenkov A, Akimkin V. CRISPR Element Patterns vs. Pathoadaptability of Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from a Medical Center in Moscow, Russia. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10111301. [PMID: 34827239 PMCID: PMC8615150 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a member of the ESKAPE opportunistic pathogen group, which includes six species of the most dangerous microbes. This pathogen is characterized by the rapid acquisition of antimicrobial resistance, thus causing major healthcare concerns. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of clinical P. aeruginosa isolates based on whole-genome sequencing data. The isolate collection studied was characterized by a variety of clonal lineages with a domination of high-risk epidemic clones and different CRISPR/Cas element patterns. This is the first report on the coexistence of two and even three different types of CRISPR/Cas systems simultaneously in Russian clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. The data include molecular typing and genotypic antibiotic resistance determination, as well as the phylogenetic analysis of the full-length cas gene and anti-CRISPR genes sequences, predicted prophage sequences, and conducted a detailed CRISPR array analysis. The differences between the isolates carrying different types and quantities of CRISPR/Cas systems were investigated. The pattern of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa isolates lacking putative CRISPR/Cas systems significantly differed from that of samples with single or multiple putative CRISPR/Cas systems. We found significant correlations between the numbers of prophage sequences, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence genes in P. aeruginosa isolates with different patterns of CRISPR/Cas-elements. We believe that the data presented will contribute to further investigations in the field of bacterial pathoadaptability, including antimicrobial resistance and the role of CRISPR/Cas systems in the plasticity of the P. aeruginosa genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Tyumentseva
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Yulia Mikhaylova
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Anna Prelovskaya
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Konstantin Karbyshev
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Aleksandr Tyumentsev
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Lyudmila Petrova
- National Medical and Surgical Center Named after N.I. Pirogov, Nizhnyaya Pervomayskaya Str., 70, 105203 Moscow, Russia; (L.P.); (A.M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Anna Mironova
- National Medical and Surgical Center Named after N.I. Pirogov, Nizhnyaya Pervomayskaya Str., 70, 105203 Moscow, Russia; (L.P.); (A.M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mikhail Zamyatin
- National Medical and Surgical Center Named after N.I. Pirogov, Nizhnyaya Pervomayskaya Str., 70, 105203 Moscow, Russia; (L.P.); (A.M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Andrey Shelenkov
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Vasiliy Akimkin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (M.T.); (Y.M.); (A.P.); (K.K.); (A.T.); (V.A.)
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29
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Forsberg KJ, Schmidtke DT, Werther R, Uribe RV, Hausman D, Sommer MOA, Stoddard BL, Kaiser BK, Malik HS. The novel anti-CRISPR AcrIIA22 relieves DNA torsion in target plasmids and impairs SpyCas9 activity. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001428. [PMID: 34644300 PMCID: PMC8545432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To overcome CRISPR-Cas defense systems, many phages and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) encode CRISPR-Cas inhibitors called anti-CRISPRs (Acrs). Nearly all characterized Acrs directly bind Cas proteins to inactivate CRISPR immunity. Here, using functional metagenomic selection, we describe AcrIIA22, an unconventional Acr found in hypervariable genomic regions of clostridial bacteria and their prophages from human gut microbiomes. AcrIIA22 does not bind strongly to SpyCas9 but nonetheless potently inhibits its activity against plasmids. To gain insight into its mechanism, we obtained an X-ray crystal structure of AcrIIA22, which revealed homology to PC4-like nucleic acid-binding proteins. Based on mutational analyses and functional assays, we deduced that acrIIA22 encodes a DNA nickase that relieves torsional stress in supercoiled plasmids. This may render them less susceptible to SpyCas9, which uses free energy from negative supercoils to form stable R-loops. Modifying DNA topology may provide an additional route to CRISPR-Cas resistance in phages and MGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Forsberg
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Danica T. Schmidtke
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rachel Werther
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ruben V. Uribe
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Deanna Hausman
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Morten O. A. Sommer
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Barry L. Stoddard
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Brett K. Kaiser
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Harmit S. Malik
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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30
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Jia N, Patel DJ. Structure-based functional mechanisms and biotechnology applications of anti-CRISPR proteins. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:563-579. [PMID: 34089013 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00371-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR loci and Cas proteins provide adaptive immunity in prokaryotes against invading bacteriophages and plasmids. In response, bacteriophages have evolved a broad spectrum of anti-CRISPR proteins (anti-CRISPRs) to counteract and overcome this immunity pathway. Numerous anti-CRISPRs have been identified to date, which suppress single-subunit Cas effectors (in CRISPR class 2, type II, V and VI systems) and multisubunit Cascade effectors (in CRISPR class 1, type I and III systems). Crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy structural studies of anti-CRISPRs bound to effector complexes, complemented by functional experiments in vitro and in vivo, have identified four major CRISPR-Cas suppression mechanisms: inhibition of CRISPR-Cas complex assembly, blocking of target binding, prevention of target cleavage, and degradation of cyclic oligonucleotide signalling molecules. In this Review, we discuss novel mechanistic insights into anti-CRISPR function that have emerged from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy studies, and how these structures in combination with function studies provide valuable tools for the ever-growing CRISPR-Cas biotechnology toolbox, to be used for precise and robust genome editing and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jia
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Dinshaw J Patel
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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31
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Butiuc-Keul A, Farkas A, Carpa R, Iordache D. CRISPR-Cas System: The Powerful Modulator of Accessory Genomes in Prokaryotes. Microb Physiol 2021; 32:2-17. [PMID: 34192695 DOI: 10.1159/000516643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Being frequently exposed to foreign nucleic acids, bacteria and archaea have developed an ingenious adaptive defense system, called CRISPR-Cas. The system is composed of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) array, together with CRISPR (cas)-associated genes. This system consists of a complex machinery that integrates fragments of foreign nucleic acids from viruses and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), into CRISPR arrays. The inserted segments (spacers) are transcribed and then used by cas proteins as guide RNAs for recognition and inactivation of the targets. Different types and families of CRISPR-Cas systems consist of distinct adaptation and effector modules with evolutionary trajectories, partially independent. The origin of the effector modules and the mechanism of spacer integration/deletion is far less clear. A review of the most recent data regarding the structure, ecology, and evolution of CRISPR-Cas systems and their role in the modulation of accessory genomes in prokaryotes is proposed in this article. The CRISPR-Cas system's impact on the physiology and ecology of prokaryotes, modulation of horizontal gene transfer events, is also discussed here. This system gained popularity after it was proposed as a tool for plant and animal embryo editing, in cancer therapy, as antimicrobial against pathogenic bacteria, and even for combating the novel coronavirus - SARS-CoV-2; thus, the newest and promising applications are reviewed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Butiuc-Keul
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Farkas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rahela Carpa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dumitrana Iordache
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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32
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Wheatley RM, MacLean RC. CRISPR-Cas systems restrict horizontal gene transfer in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:1420-1433. [PMID: 33349652 PMCID: PMC8105352 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with an adaptive immune system that targets foreign DNA. However, the xenogenic nature of immunity provided by CRISPR-Cas raises the possibility that these systems may constrain horizontal gene transfer. Here we test this hypothesis in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has emerged as an important model system for understanding CRISPR-Cas function. Across the diversity of P. aeruginosa, active CRISPR-Cas systems are associated with smaller genomes and higher GC content, suggesting that CRISPR-Cas inhibits the acquisition of foreign DNA. Although phage is the major target of CRISPR-Cas spacers, more than 80% of isolates with an active CRISPR-Cas system have spacers that target integrative conjugative elements (ICE) or the conserved conjugative transfer machinery used by plasmids and ICE. Consistent with these results, genomes containing active CRISPR-Cas systems harbour a lower abundance of both prophage and ICE. Crucially, spacers in genomes with active CRISPR-Cas systems map to ICE and phage that are integrated into the chromosomes of closely related genomes lacking CRISPR-Cas immunity. We propose that CRISPR-Cas acts as an important constraint to horizontal gene transfer, and the evolutionary mechanisms that ensure its maintenance or drive its loss are key to the ability of this pathogen to adapt to new niches and stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Craig MacLean
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
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33
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Raza S, Matuła K, Karoń S, Paczesny J. Resistance and Adaptation of Bacteria to Non-Antibiotic Antibacterial Agents: Physical Stressors, Nanoparticles, and Bacteriophages. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:435. [PMID: 33924618 PMCID: PMC8070485 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10040435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a significant threat to human health worldwide, forcing scientists to explore non-traditional antibacterial agents to support rapid interventions and combat the emergence and spread of drug resistant bacteria. Many new antibiotic-free approaches are being developed while the old ones are being revised, resulting in creating unique solutions that arise at the interface of physics, nanotechnology, and microbiology. Specifically, physical factors (e.g., pressure, temperature, UV light) are increasingly used for industrial sterilization. Nanoparticles (unmodified or in combination with toxic compounds) are also applied to circumvent in vivo drug resistance mechanisms in bacteria. Recently, bacteriophage-based treatments are also gaining momentum due to their high bactericidal activity and specificity. Although the number of novel approaches for tackling the antimicrobial resistance crisis is snowballing, it is still unclear if any proposed solutions would provide a long-term remedy. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of how bacteria acquire resistance against these non-antibiotic factors. We also discuss innate bacterial defense systems and how bacteriophages have evolved to tackle them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jan Paczesny
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland; (S.R.); (K.M.); (S.K.)
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34
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Use of Bacteriophage Amended with CRISPR-Cas Systems to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in the Bacterial Foodborne Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030308. [PMID: 33802904 PMCID: PMC8002625 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial foodborne pathogen and the causative agent of the disease listeriosis, which though uncommon can result in severe symptoms such as meningitis, septicemia, stillbirths, and abortions and has a high case fatality rate. This pathogen can infect humans and other animals, resulting in massive health and economic impacts in the United States and globally. Listeriosis is treated with antimicrobials, typically a combination of a beta-lactam and an aminoglycoside, and L. monocytogenes has remained largely susceptible to the drugs of choice. However, there are several reports of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species. Given the dire health outcomes associated with listeriosis, the prospect of antimicrobial-resistant L. monocytogenes is highly problematic for human and animal health. Developing effective tools for the control and elimination of L. monocytogenes, including strains with antimicrobial resistance, is of the utmost importance to prevent further dissemination of AMR in this pathogen. One tool that has shown great promise in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens is the use of bacteriophages (phages), which are natural bacterial predators and horizontal gene transfer agents. Although native phages can be effective at killing antibiotic-resistant pathogens, limited host ranges and evolved resistance to phages can compromise their use in the efforts to mitigate the global AMR challenge. However, recent advances can allow the use of CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated proteins) to selectively target pathogens and their AMR determinants. Employment of CRISPR-Cas systems for phage amendment can overcome previous limitations in using phages as biocontrol and allow for the effective control of L. monocytogenes and its AMR determinants.
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35
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Romero DA, Magill D, Millen A, Horvath P, Fremaux C. Dairy lactococcal and streptococcal phage-host interactions: an industrial perspective in an evolving phage landscape. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 44:909-932. [PMID: 33016324 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost a century has elapsed since the discovery of bacteriophages (phages), and 85 years have passed since the emergence of evidence that phages can infect starter cultures, thereby impacting dairy fermentations. Soon afterward, research efforts were undertaken to investigate phage interactions regarding starter strains. Investigations into phage biology and morphology and phage-host relationships have been aimed at mitigating the negative impact phages have on the fermented dairy industry. From the viewpoint of a supplier of dairy starter cultures, this review examines the composition of an industrial phage collection, providing insight into the development of starter strains and cultures and the evolution of phages in the industry. Research advances in the diversity of phages and structural bases for phage-host recognition and an overview of the perpetual arms race between phage virulence and host defense are presented, with a perspective toward the development of improved phage-resistant starter culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A Romero
- DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences, 3329 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI 53716, USA
| | - Damian Magill
- DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences, CS 10010, Dangé-Saint-Romain 86220, France
| | - Anne Millen
- DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences, 3329 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI 53716, USA
| | - Philippe Horvath
- DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences, CS 10010, Dangé-Saint-Romain 86220, France
| | - Christophe Fremaux
- DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences, CS 10010, Dangé-Saint-Romain 86220, France
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36
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Diversity of molecular mechanisms used by anti-CRISPR proteins: the tip of an iceberg? Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:507-516. [PMID: 32196554 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) and their preys are engaged in an evolutionary arms race driving the co-adaptation of their attack and defense mechanisms. In this context, phages have evolved diverse anti-CRISPR proteins to evade the bacterial CRISPR-Cas immune system, and propagate. Anti-CRISPR proteins do not share much resemblance with each other and with proteins of known function, which raises intriguing questions particularly relating to their modes of action. In recent years, there have been many structure-function studies shedding light on different CRISPR-Cas inhibition strategies. As the anti-CRISPR field of research is rapidly growing, it is opportune to review the current knowledge on these proteins, with particular emphasis on the molecular strategies deployed to inactivate distinct steps of CRISPR-Cas immunity. Anti-CRISPR proteins can be orthosteric or allosteric inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas machineries, as well as enzymes that irreversibly modify CRISPR-Cas components. This repertoire of CRISPR-Cas inhibition mechanisms will likely expand in the future, providing fundamental knowledge on phage-bacteria interactions and offering great perspectives for the development of biotechnological tools to fine-tune CRISPR-Cas-based gene edition.
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37
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Resistance to Bacteriophages and Its Prevention by Strategic Therapeutic Cocktail Formulation. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020145. [PMID: 33540528 PMCID: PMC7912912 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to modern healthcare as it limits treatment options for bacterial infections, particularly impacting those with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Viscous mucus accumulation in the lungs of individuals genetically predisposed to CF leads to recurrent bacterial infections, necessitating prolonged antimicrobial chemotherapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are the predominant driver of CF lung disease, and airway isolates are frequently resistant to multiple antimicrobials. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and are a promising alternative to antimicrobials for CF P. aeruginosa infections. However, the narrow host range of P. aeruginosa-targeting phages and the rapid evolution of phage resistance could limit the clinical efficacy of phage therapy. A promising approach to overcome these issues is the strategic development of mixtures of phages (cocktails). The aim is to combine phages with broad host ranges and target multiple distinct bacterial receptors to prevent the evolution of phage resistance. However, further research is required to identify and characterize phage resistance mechanisms in CF-derived P. aeruginosa, which differ from their non-CF counterparts. In this review, we consider the mechanisms of P. aeruginosa phage resistance and how these could be overcome by an effective future phage therapy formulation.
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Wang J, Dai W, Li J, Li Q, Xie R, Zhang Y, Stubenrauch C, Lithgow T. AcrHub: an integrative hub for investigating, predicting and mapping anti-CRISPR proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:D630-D638. [PMID: 33137193 PMCID: PMC7779044 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins naturally inhibit CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems across bacterial and archaeal domains of life. This emerging field has caused a paradigm shift in the way we think about the CRISPR-Cas system, and promises a number of useful applications from gene editing to phage therapy. As the number of verified and predicted Acrs rapidly expands, few online resources have been developed to deal with this wealth of information. To overcome this shortcoming, we developed AcrHub, an integrative database to provide an all-in-one solution for investigating, predicting and mapping Acr proteins. AcrHub catalogs 339 non-redundant experimentally validated Acrs and over 70 000 predicted Acrs extracted from genome sequence data from a diverse range of prokaryotic organisms and their viruses. It integrates state-of-the-art predictors to predict potential Acrs, and incorporates three analytical modules: similarity analysis, phylogenetic analysis and homology network analysis, to analyze their relationships with known Acrs. By interconnecting all modules as a platform, AcrHub presents enriched and in-depth analysis of known and potential Acrs and therefore provides new and exciting insights into the future of Acr discovery and validation. AcrHub is freely available at http://pacrispr.erc.monash.edu/AcrHub/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Wang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Wei Dai
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia.,School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Qi Li
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Ruopeng Xie
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yanju Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Christopher Stubenrauch
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
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Nobrega FL, Walinga H, Dutilh BE, Brouns SJJ. Prophages are associated with extensive CRISPR-Cas auto-immunity. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:12074-12084. [PMID: 33219687 PMCID: PMC7708048 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems require discriminating self from non-self DNA during adaptation and interference. Yet, multiple cases have been reported of bacteria containing self-targeting spacers (STS), i.e. CRISPR spacers targeting protospacers on the same genome. STS has been suggested to reflect potential auto-immunity as an unwanted side effect of CRISPR-Cas defense, or a regulatory mechanism for gene expression. Here we investigated the incidence, distribution, and evasion of STS in over 100 000 bacterial genomes. We found STS in all CRISPR-Cas types and in one fifth of all CRISPR-carrying bacteria. Notably, up to 40% of I-B and I-F CRISPR-Cas systems contained STS. We observed that STS-containing genomes almost always carry a prophage and that STS map to prophage regions in more than half of the cases. Despite carrying STS, genetic deterioration of CRISPR-Cas systems appears to be rare, suggesting a level of escape from the potentially deleterious effects of STS by other mechanisms such as anti-CRISPR proteins and CRISPR target mutations. We propose a scenario where it is common to acquire an STS against a prophage, and this may trigger more extensive STS buildup by primed spacer acquisition in type I systems, without detrimental autoimmunity effects as mechanisms of auto-immunity evasion create tolerance to STS-targeted prophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin L Nobrega
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Hielke Walinga
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Bas E Dutilh
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Science4Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands
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40
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Wang J, Dai W, Li J, Xie R, Dunstan RA, Stubenrauch C, Zhang Y, Lithgow T. PaCRISPR: a server for predicting and visualizing anti-CRISPR proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:W348-W357. [PMID: 32459325 PMCID: PMC7319593 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPRs are widespread amongst bacteriophage and promote bacteriophage infection by inactivating the bacterial host's CRISPR–Cas defence system. Identifying and characterizing anti-CRISPR proteins opens an avenue to explore and control CRISPR–Cas machineries for the development of new CRISPR–Cas based biotechnological and therapeutic tools. Past studies have identified anti-CRISPRs in several model phage genomes, but a challenge exists to comprehensively screen for anti-CRISPRs accurately and efficiently from genome and metagenome sequence data. Here, we have developed an ensemble learning based predictor, PaCRISPR, to accurately identify anti-CRISPRs from protein datasets derived from genome and metagenome sequencing projects. PaCRISPR employs different types of feature recognition united within an ensemble framework. Extensive cross-validation and independent tests show that PaCRISPR achieves a significantly more accurate performance compared with homology-based baseline predictors and an existing toolkit. The performance of PaCRISPR was further validated in discovering anti-CRISPRs that were not part of the training for PaCRISPR, but which were recently demonstrated to function as anti-CRISPRs for phage infections. Data visualization on anti-CRISPR relationships, highlighting sequence similarity and phylogenetic considerations, is part of the output from the PaCRISPR toolkit, which is freely available at http://pacrispr.erc.monash.edu/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Wang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Wei Dai
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Ruopeng Xie
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Rhys A Dunstan
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Christopher Stubenrauch
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Yanju Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Trevor Lithgow
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +61 3 9902 9217; Fax: +61 3 9905 3726;
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Paczesny J, Bielec K. Application of Bacteriophages in Nanotechnology. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1944. [PMID: 33003494 PMCID: PMC7601235 DOI: 10.3390/nano10101944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages for short) are viruses, which have bacteria as hosts. The single phage body virion, is a colloidal particle, often possessing a dipole moment. As such, phages were used as perfectly monodisperse systems to study various physicochemical phenomena (e.g., transport or sedimentation in complex fluids), or in the material science (e.g., as scaffolds). Nevertheless, phages also execute the life cycle to multiply and produce progeny virions. Upon completion of the life cycle of phages, the host cells are usually destroyed. Natural abilities to bind to and kill bacteria were a starting point for utilizing phages in phage therapies (i.e., medical treatments that use phages to fight bacterial infections) and for bacteria detection. Numerous applications of phages became possible thanks to phage display-a method connecting the phenotype and genotype, which allows for selecting specific peptides or proteins with affinity to a given target. Here, we review the application of bacteriophages in nanoscience, emphasizing bio-related applications, material science, soft matter research, and physical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Paczesny
- Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland;
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42
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Recent Progress in the Detection of Bacteria Using Bacteriophages: A Review. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080845. [PMID: 32756438 PMCID: PMC7472331 DOI: 10.3390/v12080845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria will likely become our most significant enemies of the 21st century, as we are approaching a post-antibiotic era. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, allow us to fight infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria and create specific, cheap, and stable sensors for bacteria detection. Here, we summarize the recent developments in the field of phage-based methods for bacteria detection. We focus on works published after mid-2017. We underline the need for further advancements, especially related to lowering the detection (below 1 CFU/mL; CFU stands for colony forming units) and shortening the time of analysis (below one hour). From the application point of view, portable, cheap, and fast devices are needed, even at the expense of sensitivity.
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Gussow AB, Park AE, Borges AL, Shmakov SA, Makarova KS, Wolf YI, Bondy-Denomy J, Koonin EV. Machine-learning approach expands the repertoire of anti-CRISPR protein families. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3784. [PMID: 32728052 PMCID: PMC7391736 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas are adaptive bacterial and archaeal immunity systems that have been harnessed for the development of powerful genome editing and engineering tools. In the incessant host-parasite arms race, viruses evolved multiple anti-defense mechanisms including diverse anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) that specifically inhibit CRISPR-Cas and therefore have enormous potential for application as modulators of genome editing tools. Most Acrs are small and highly variable proteins which makes their bioinformatic prediction a formidable task. We present a machine-learning approach for comprehensive Acr prediction. The model shows high predictive power when tested against an unseen test set and was employed to predict 2,500 candidate Acr families. Experimental validation of top candidates revealed two unknown Acrs (AcrIC9, IC10) and three other top candidates were coincidentally identified and found to possess anti-CRISPR activity. These results substantially expand the repertoire of predicted Acrs and provide a resource for experimental Acr discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayal B Gussow
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Allyson E Park
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adair L Borges
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sergey A Shmakov
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Joseph Bondy-Denomy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA.
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Osuna BA, Karambelkar S, Mahendra C, Christie KA, Garcia B, Davidson AR, Kleinstiver BP, Kilcher S, Bondy-Denomy J. Listeria Phages Induce Cas9 Degradation to Protect Lysogenic Genomes. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 28:31-40.e9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Osuna BA, Karambelkar S, Mahendra C, Sarbach A, Johnson MC, Kilcher S, Bondy-Denomy J. Critical Anti-CRISPR Locus Repression by a Bi-functional Cas9 Inhibitor. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 28:23-30.e5. [PMID: 32325051 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages must rapidly deploy anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) to inactivate the RNA-guided nucleases that enforce CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity in their bacterial hosts. Listeria monocytogenes temperate phages encode up to three anti-Cas9 proteins, with acrIIA1 always present. AcrIIA1 binds and inhibits Cas9 with its C-terminal domain; however, the function of its highly conserved N-terminal domain (NTD) is unknown. Here, we report that the AcrIIA1NTD is a critical transcriptional repressor of the strong anti-CRISPR promoter. A rapid burst of anti-CRISPR transcription occurs during phage infection and the subsequent negative feedback by AcrIIA1NTD is required for optimal phage replication, even in the absence of CRISPR-Cas immunity. In the presence of CRISPR-Cas immunity, full-length AcrIIA1 uses its two-domain architecture to act as a "Cas9 sensor," tuning acr expression according to Cas9 levels. Finally, we identify AcrIIA1NTD homologs in other Firmicutes and demonstrate that they have been co-opted by hosts as "anti-anti-CRISPRs," repressing phage anti-CRISPR deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz A Osuna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shweta Karambelkar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Caroline Mahendra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Anne Sarbach
- Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich CH 8092, Switzerland
| | - Matthew C Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Samuel Kilcher
- Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich CH 8092, Switzerland.
| | - Joseph Bondy-Denomy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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46
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Mahendra C, Christie KA, Osuna BA, Pinilla-Redondo R, Kleinstiver BP, Bondy-Denomy J. Broad-spectrum anti-CRISPR proteins facilitate horizontal gene transfer. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:620-629. [PMID: 32218510 PMCID: PMC7194981 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-0692-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems protect bacteria and archaea against their invading genetic parasites, including bacteriophages/viruses and plasmids. In response to this immunity, many phages have anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that inhibit CRISPR-Cas targeting. To date, anti-CRISPR genes have primarily been discovered in phage or prophage genomes. Here, we uncovered acr loci on plasmids and other conjugative elements present in Firmicutes using the Listeria acrIIA1 gene as a marker. The four identified genes, found in Listeria, Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus genomes, can inhibit type II-A SpyCas9 or SauCas9, and are thus named acrIIA16-19. In Enterococcus faecalis, conjugation of a Cas9-targeted plasmid was enhanced by anti-CRISPRs derived from Enterococcus conjugative elements, highlighting a role for Acrs in the dissemination of plasmids. Reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation showed that each Acr protein interacts with Cas9, and Cas9-Acr complexes were unable to cleave DNA. Northern blotting suggests that these anti-CRISPRs manipulate single guide RNA length, loading or stability. Mirroring their activity in bacteria, AcrIIA16 and AcrIIA17 provide robust and highly potent broad-spectrum inhibition of distinct Cas9 proteins in human cells (for example, SpyCas9, SauCas9, SthCas9, NmeCas9 and CjeCas9). This work presents a focused analysis of non-phage Acr proteins, demonstrating a role in horizontal gene transfer bolstered by broad-spectrum CRISPR-Cas9 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mahendra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen A Christie
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Beatriz A Osuna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rafael Pinilla-Redondo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Section of Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Technological Educations, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benjamin P Kleinstiver
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Bondy-Denomy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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47
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Marino ND, Pinilla-Redondo R, Csörgő B, Bondy-Denomy J. Anti-CRISPR protein applications: natural brakes for CRISPR-Cas technologies. Nat Methods 2020; 17:471-479. [DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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48
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Rollie C, Chevallereau A, Watson BNJ, Chyou TY, Fradet O, McLeod I, Fineran PC, Brown CM, Gandon S, Westra ER. Targeting of temperate phages drives loss of type I CRISPR-Cas systems. Nature 2020; 578:149-153. [PMID: 31969710 PMCID: PMC7007301 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-1936-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
On infection of their host, temperate viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages; hereafter referred to as phages) enter either a lytic or a lysogenic cycle. The former results in lysis of bacterial cells and phage release (resulting in horizontal transmission), whereas lysogeny is characterized by the integration of the phage into the host genome, and dormancy (resulting in vertical transmission)1. Previous co-culture experiments using bacteria and mutants of temperate phages that are locked in the lytic cycle have shown that CRISPR-Cas systems can efficiently eliminate the invading phages2,3. Here we show that, when challenged with wild-type temperate phages (which can become lysogenic), type I CRISPR-Cas immune systems cannot eliminate the phages from the bacterial population. Furthermore, our data suggest that, in this context, CRISPR-Cas immune systems are maladaptive to the host, owing to the severe immunopathological effects that are brought about by imperfect matching of spacers to the integrated phage sequences (prophages). These fitness costs drive the loss of CRISPR-Cas from bacterial populations, unless the phage carries anti-CRISPR (acr) genes that suppress the immune system of the host. Using bioinformatics, we show that this imperfect targeting is likely to occur frequently in nature. These findings help to explain the patchy distribution of CRISPR-Cas immune systems within and between bacterial species, and highlight the strong selective benefits of phage-encoded acr genes for both the phage and the host under these circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Rollie
- ESI, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK.
| | | | | | - Te-Yuan Chyou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Peter C Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Chris M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sylvain Gandon
- CEFE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
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Liu Q, Zhang H, Huang X. Anti-CRISPR proteins targeting the CRISPR-Cas system enrich the toolkit for genetic engineering. FEBS J 2020; 287:626-644. [PMID: 31730297 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas adaptive immune defense systems, which are widely distributed in bacteria and Archaea, can provide sequence-specific protection against foreign DNA or RNA in some cases. However, the evolution of defense systems in bacterial hosts did not lead to the elimination of phages, and some phages carry anti-CRISPR genes that encode products that bind to the components mediating the defense mechanism and thus antagonize CRISPR-Cas immune systems of bacteria. Given the extensive application of CRISPR-Cas9 technologies in gene editing, in this review, we focus on the anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) that inhibit CRISPR-Cas systems for gene editing. We describe the discovery of Acrs in immune systems involving type I, II, and V CRISPR-Cas immunity, discuss the potential function of Acrs in inactivating type II and V CRISPR-Cas systems for gene editing and gene modulation, and provide an outlook on the development of important biotechnology tools for genetic engineering using Acrs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, China
| | - Xiaotian Huang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogenesis and Molecular Pathology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, China
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50
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The arms race between bacteria and their phage foes. Nature 2020; 577:327-336. [PMID: 31942051 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 403] [Impact Index Per Article: 100.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria are under immense evolutionary pressure from their viral invaders-bacteriophages. Bacteria have evolved numerous immune mechanisms, both innate and adaptive, to cope with this pressure. The discovery and exploitation of CRISPR-Cas systems have stimulated a resurgence in the identification and characterization of anti-phage mechanisms. Bacteriophages use an extensive battery of counter-defence strategies to co-exist in the presence of these diverse phage defence mechanisms. Understanding the dynamics of the interactions between these microorganisms has implications for phage-based therapies, microbial ecology and evolution, and the development of new biotechnological tools. Here we review the spectrum of anti-phage systems and highlight their evasion by bacteriophages.
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