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Collingro A, Köstlbacher S, Siegl A, Toenshoff ER, Schulz F, Mitchell SO, Weinmaier T, Rattei T, Colquhoun DJ, Horn M. The Fish Pathogen "Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola"-A Missing Link in the Evolution of Chlamydial Pathogens of Humans. Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:evad147. [PMID: 37615694 PMCID: PMC10448858 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad147] [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] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae like Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci are well-known human and animal pathogens. Yet, the chlamydiae are a much larger group of evolutionary ancient obligate intracellular bacteria that includes predominantly symbionts of protists and diverse animals. This makes them ideal model organisms to study evolutionary transitions from symbionts in microbial eukaryotes to pathogens of humans. To this end, comparative genome analysis has served as an important tool. Genome sequence data for many chlamydial lineages are, however, still lacking, hampering our understanding of their evolutionary history. Here, we determined the first high-quality draft genome sequence of the fish pathogen "Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola", representing a separate genus within the human and animal pathogenic Chlamydiaceae. The "Ca. Clavichlamydia salmonicola" genome harbors genes that so far have been exclusively found in Chlamydia species suggesting that basic mechanisms important for the interaction with chordate hosts have evolved stepwise in the history of chlamydiae. Thus, the genome sequence of "Ca. Clavichlamydia salmonicola" allows to constrain candidate genes to further understand the evolution of chlamydial virulence mechanisms required to infect mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Collingro
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Köstlbacher
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Doctoral School in Microbiology and Environmental Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Siegl
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elena R Toenshoff
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frederik Schulz
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Thomas Weinmaier
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rattei
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Matthias Horn
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Genomic diversity and biosynthetic capabilities of sponge-associated chlamydiae. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:2725-2740. [PMID: 36042324 PMCID: PMC9666466 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01305-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sponge microbiomes contribute to host health, nutrition, and defense through the production of secondary metabolites. Chlamydiae, a phylum of obligate intracellular bacteria ranging from animal pathogens to endosymbionts of microbial eukaryotes, are frequently found associated with sponges. However, sponge-associated chlamydial diversity has not yet been investigated at the genomic level and host interactions thus far remain unexplored. Here, we sequenced the microbiomes of three sponge species and found high, though variable, Chlamydiae relative abundances of up to 18.7% of bacteria. Using genome-resolved metagenomics 18 high-quality sponge-associated chlamydial genomes were reconstructed, covering four chlamydial families. Among these, Candidatus Sororchlamydiaceae shares a common ancestor with Chlamydiaceae animal pathogens, suggesting long-term co-evolution with animals. Based on gene content, sponge-associated chlamydiae resemble members from the same family more than sponge-associated chlamydiae of other families, and have greater metabolic versatility than known chlamydial animal pathogens. Sponge-associated chlamydiae are also enriched in genes for degrading diverse compounds found in sponges. Unexpectedly, we identified widespread genetic potential for secondary metabolite biosynthesis across Chlamydiae, which may represent an unexplored source of novel natural products. This finding suggests that Chlamydiae members may partake in defensive symbioses and that secondary metabolites play a wider role in mediating intracellular interactions. Furthermore, sponge-associated chlamydiae relatives were found in other marine invertebrates, pointing towards wider impacts of the Chlamydiae phylum on marine ecosystems.
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Köstlbacher S, Collingro A, Halter T, Schulz F, Jungbluth SP, Horn M. Pangenomics reveals alternative environmental lifestyles among chlamydiae. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4021. [PMID: 34188040 PMCID: PMC8242063 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24294-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are highly successful strictly intracellular bacteria associated with diverse eukaryotic hosts. Here we analyzed metagenome-assembled genomes of the "Genomes from Earth's Microbiomes" initiative from diverse environmental samples, which almost double the known phylogenetic diversity of the phylum and facilitate a highly resolved view at the chlamydial pangenome. Chlamydiae are defined by a relatively large core genome indicative of an intracellular lifestyle, and a highly dynamic accessory genome of environmental lineages. We observe chlamydial lineages that encode enzymes of the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and for light-driven ATP synthesis. We show a widespread potential for anaerobic energy generation through pyruvate fermentation or the arginine deiminase pathway, and we add lineages capable of molecular hydrogen production. Genome-informed analysis of environmental distribution revealed lineage-specific niches and a high abundance of chlamydiae in some habitats. Together, our data provide an extended perspective of the variability of chlamydial biology and the ecology of this phylum of intracellular microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Köstlbacher
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid Collingro
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tamara Halter
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Matthias Horn
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Collingro A, Köstlbacher S, Horn M. Chlamydiae in the Environment. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:877-888. [PMID: 32591108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydiae have been known for more than a century as major pathogens of humans. Yet they are also found ubiquitously in the environment where they thrive within protists and in an unmatched wide range of animals. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding chlamydial diversity and distribution in nature. Studying these environmental chlamydiae provides a novel perspective on basic chlamydial biology and evolution. A picture is beginning to emerge with chlamydiae representing one of the evolutionarily most ancient and successful groups of obligate intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Collingro
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Köstlbacher
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Horn
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Dharamshi JE, Tamarit D, Eme L, Stairs CW, Martijn J, Homa F, Jørgensen SL, Spang A, Ettema TJG. Marine Sediments Illuminate Chlamydiae Diversity and Evolution. Curr Biol 2020; 30:1032-1048.e7. [PMID: 32142706 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial phylum Chlamydiae is so far composed of obligate symbionts of eukaryotic hosts. Well known for Chlamydiaceae, pathogens of humans and other animals, Chlamydiae also include so-called environmental lineages that primarily infect microbial eukaryotes. Environmental surveys indicate that Chlamydiae are found in a wider range of environments than anticipated previously. However, the vast majority of this chlamydial diversity has been underexplored, biasing our current understanding of their biology, ecological importance, and evolution. Here, we report that previously undetected and active chlamydial lineages dominate microbial communities in deep anoxic marine sediments taken from the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge. Reaching relative abundances of up to 43% of the bacterial community, and a maximum diversity of 163 different species-level taxonomic units, these Chlamydiae represent important community members. Using genome-resolved metagenomics, we reconstructed 24 draft chlamydial genomes, expanding by over a third the known genomic diversity in this phylum. Phylogenomic analyses revealed several novel clades across the phylum, including a previously unknown sister lineage of the Chlamydiaceae, providing new insights into the origin of pathogenicity in this family. We were unable to identify putative eukaryotic hosts for these marine sediment chlamydiae, despite identifying genomic features that may be indicative of host-association. The high abundance and genomic diversity of Chlamydiae in these anoxic marine sediments indicate that some members could play an important, and thus far overlooked, ecological role in such environments and may indicate alternate lifestyle strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennah E Dharamshi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden
| | - Daniel Tamarit
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden; Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands
| | - Laura Eme
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden; Unité d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Courtney W Stairs
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden
| | - Joran Martijn
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Felix Homa
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden; Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands
| | - Steffen L Jørgensen
- Department of Earth Science, Centre for Deep Sea Research, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Anja Spang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden; Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, Den Burg 1790 AB, the Netherlands
| | - Thijs J G Ettema
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75123, Sweden; Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands.
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