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Zhang H, Song J, Zheng Z, Li T, Shi N, Han Y, Zhang L, Yu Y, Fang H. Fungicide exposure accelerated horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes via plasmid-mediated conjugation. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119789. [PMID: 36863279 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Co-pollution of soil with pesticide residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasing due to the substantial usage of pesticides and organic fertilizers in greenhouse-based agricultural production. Non-antibiotic stresses, including those from agricultural fungicides, are potential co-selectors for the horizontal transfer of ARGs, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Intragenus and intergenus conjugative transfer systems of the antibiotic resistant plasmid RP4 were established to examine conjugative transfer frequency under stress from four widely used fungicides: triadimefon, chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, and carbendazim. The mechanisms were elucidated at the cellular and molecular levels using transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and RNA-seq techniques. The conjugative transfer frequency of plasmid RP4 between Escherichia coli strains increased with the rising exposure concentrations of chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, and carbendazim, but was suppressed between E. coli and Pseudomonas putida by a high fungicide concentration (10 µg/mL). Triadimefon did not significantly affect conjugative transfer frequency. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms revealed that: (i) chlorothalonil exposure mainly promoted generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, stimulated the SOS response, and increased cell membrane permeability, while (ii) azoxystrobin and carbendazim primarily enhanced expression of conjugation-related genes on the plasmid. These findings reveal the fungicide-triggered mechanisms associated with plasmid conjugation and highlight the potential role of non-bactericidal pesticides on the dissemination of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houpu Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, Hefei 230036, PR. China
| | - Jiajin Song
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China
| | - Zhiruo Zheng
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China
| | - Tongxin Li
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China
| | - Nan Shi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine CA 92697, United States
| | - Yuling Han
- Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Luqing Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR. China
| | - Yunlong Yu
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR. China
| | - Hua Fang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR. China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR. China.
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Kwon MS, Adidjaja JJ, Kim HU. Predicting the effects of cultivation condition on gene regulation in Escherichia coli by using deep learning. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:2613-2620. [PMID: 38213890 PMCID: PMC10781998 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell's physiology is affected by cultivation conditions at varying degrees, including carbon sources and inorganic nutrients in growth medium, and the presence or absence of aeration. When examining the effects of cultivation conditions on the cell, the cell's transcriptional response is often examined first among other phenotypes (e.g., proteome and metabolome). In this regard, we developed DeepMGR, a deep learning model that predicts the effects of culture media on gene regulation in Escherichia coli. DeepMGR specifically classifies the direction of gene regulation (i.e., upregulation, no regulation, or downregulation) for an input gene in comparison with M9 minimal medium with glucose as a control condition. For this classification task, DeepMGR uses a feedforward neural network to process: i) DNA sequence of a target gene, ii) presence or absence of aeration and trace elements, and iii) concentration and structural information (SMILES) of up to ten nutrients. The complete DeepMGR showed accuracy of 0.867 and F1 score of 0.703 for a test set from the gold standard dataset. DeepMGR was further subjected to simulation studies for validation where regulation directions for groups of homologous genes were predicted, and the DeepMGR results were compared with the literature with focus on carbon sources that upregulate specific genes. DeepMGR will be useful for designing experiments to understand gene regulations, especially in the context of metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mun Su Kwon
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Joshua Julio Adidjaja
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Uk Kim
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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Global Transcriptional Response of Escherichia coli Exposed In Situ to Different Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Sources. mSystems 2023; 8:e0071822. [PMID: 36779725 PMCID: PMC10134817 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00718-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterization of biological and chemical responses to ionizing radiation by various organisms is essential for potential applications in bioremediation, alternative modes of detecting nuclear material, and national security. Escherichia coli DH10β is an optimal system to study the microbial response to low-dose ionizing radiation at the transcriptional level because it is a well-characterized model bacterium and its responses to other environmental stressors, including those to higher radiation doses, have been elucidated in prior studies. In this study, RNA sequencing with downstream transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) was employed to characterize the global transcriptional response of stationary-phase E. coli subjected to 239Pu, 3H (tritium), and 55Fe, at an approximate absorbed dose rate of 10 mGy day-1 for 1 day and 15 days. Differential expression analysis identified significant changes in gene expression of E. coli for both short- and long-term exposures. Radionuclide source exposure induced differential expression in E. coli of genes involved in biosynthesis pathways of nuclear envelope components, amino acids, and siderophores, transport systems such as ABC transporters and type II secretion proteins, and initiation of stress response and regulatory systems of temperature stress, the RpoS regulon, and oxidative stress. These findings provide a basic understanding of the relationship between low-dose exposure and biological effect of a model bacterium that is critical for applications in alternative nuclear material detection and bioremediation. IMPORTANCE Escherichia coli strain DH10β, a well-characterized model bacterium, was subjected to short-term (1-day) and long-term (15-day) exposures to three different in situ radiation sources comprised of radionuclides relevant to nuclear activities to induce a measurable and identifiable genetic response. We found E. coli had both common and unique responses to the three exposures studied, suggesting both dose rate- and radionuclide-specific effects. This study is the first to provide insights into the transcriptional response of a microorganism in short- and long-term exposure to continuous low-dose ionizing radiation with multiple in situ radionuclide sources and the first to examine microbial transcriptional response in stationary phase. Moreover, this work provides a basis for the development of biosensors and informing more robust dose-response relationships to support ecological risk assessment.
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García-Franco A, Godoy P, Duque E, Ramos JL. Insights into the susceptibility of Pseudomonas putida to industrially relevant aromatic hydrocarbons that it can synthesize from sugars. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:22. [PMID: 36732770 PMCID: PMC9893694 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02028-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E is a highly solvent tolerant strain for which many genetic tools have been developed. The strain represents a promising candidate host for the synthesis of aromatic compounds-opening a path towards a green alternative to petrol-derived chemicals. We have engineered this strain to produce phenylalanine, which can then be used as a raw material for the synthesis of styrene via trans-cinnamic acid. To understand the response of this strain to the bioproducts of interest, we have analyzed the in-depth physiological and genetic response of the strain to these compounds. We found that in response to the exposure to the toxic compounds that the strain can produce, the cell launches a multifactorial response to enhance membrane impermeabilization. This process occurs via the activation of a cis to trans isomerase that converts cis unsaturated fatty acids to their corresponding trans isomers. In addition, the bacterial cells initiate a stress response program that involves the synthesis of a number of chaperones and ROS removing enzymes, such as peroxidases and superoxide dismutases. The strain also responds by enhancing the metabolism of glucose through the specific induction of the glucose phosphorylative pathway, Entner-Doudoroff enzymes, Krebs cycle enzymes and Nuo. In step with these changes, the cells induce two efflux pumps to extrude the toxic chemicals. Through analyzing a wide collection of efflux pump mutants, we found that the most relevant pump is TtgGHI, which is controlled by the TtgV regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana García-Franco
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/Profesor Albareda nº 1, 18008, Granada, Spain
| | - Patricia Godoy
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/Profesor Albareda nº 1, 18008, Granada, Spain
| | - Estrella Duque
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/Profesor Albareda nº 1, 18008, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Ramos
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/Profesor Albareda nº 1, 18008, Granada, Spain.
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Webb JP, Paiva AC, Rossoni L, Alstrom-Moore A, Springthorpe V, Vaud S, Yeh V, Minde DP, Langer S, Walker H, Hounslow A, Nielsen DR, Larson T, Lilley K, Stephens G, Thomas GH, Bonev BB, Kelly DJ, Conradie A, Green J. Multi-omic based production strain improvement (MOBpsi) for bio-manufacturing of toxic chemicals. Metab Eng 2022; 72:133-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Masoura M, Milner MT, Overton TW, Gkatzionis K, Lund PA. Use of Transposon Directed Insertion-Site Sequencing to Probe the Antibacterial Mechanism of a Model Honey on E. coli K-12. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:803307. [PMID: 35111142 PMCID: PMC8803141 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.803307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is an ever-growing health concern worldwide that has created renewed interest in the use of traditional anti-microbial treatments, including honey. However, understanding the underlying mechanism of the anti-microbial action of honey has been hampered due to the complexity of its composition. High throughput genetic tools could assist in understanding this mechanism. In this study, the anti-bacterial mechanism of a model honey, made of sugars, hydrogen peroxide, and gluconic acid, was investigated using genome-wide transposon mutagenesis combined with high-throughput sequencing (TraDIS), with the strain Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 as the target organism. We identified a number of genes which when mutated caused a severe loss of fitness when cells were exposed to the model honey. These genes encode membrane proteins including those involved in uptake of essential molecules, and components of the electron transport chain. They are enriched for pathways involved in intracellular homeostasis and redox activity. Genes involved in assembly and activity of formate dehydrogenase O (FDH-O) were of particular note. The phenotypes of mutants in a subset of the genes identified were confirmed by phenotypic screening of deletion strains. We also found some genes which when mutated led to enhanced resistance to treatment with the model honey. This study identifies potential synergies between the main honey stressors and provides insights into the global antibacterial mechanism of this natural product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Masoura
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew T. Milner
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tim W. Overton
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Gkatzionis
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, Lemnos, Greece
| | - Peter A. Lund
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Peter A. Lund,
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