1
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Won C, Yim SS. Emerging methylation-based approaches in microbiome engineering. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:96. [PMID: 38987811 PMCID: PMC11238421 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial epigenetics, particularly through DNA methylation, exerts significant influence over various biological processes such as DNA replication, uptake, and gene regulation in bacteria. In this review, we explore recent advances in characterizing bacterial epigenomes, accompanied by emerging strategies that harness bacterial epigenetics to elucidate and engineer diverse bacterial species with precision and effectiveness. Furthermore, we delve into the potential of epigenetic modifications to steer microbial functions and influence community dynamics, offering promising opportunities for understanding and modulating microbiomes. Additionally, we investigate the extensive diversity of DNA methyltransferases and emphasize their potential utility in the context of the human microbiome. In summary, this review highlights the potential of DNA methylation as a powerful toolkit for engineering microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhee Won
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Sun Yim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- KAIST Institute for BioCentury, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Wang Y, Ge F, Liu J, Hu W, Liu G, Deng Z, He X. The binding affinity-dependent inhibition of cell growth and viability by DNA sulfur-binding domains. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:971-983. [PMID: 38480679 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification serves several purposes in the bacterial host, and some restriction enzymes specifically target PT-DNA. PT-dependent restriction enzymes (PDREs) bind PT-DNA through their DNA sulfur binding domain (SBD) with dissociation constants (KD) of 5 nM~1 μM. Here, we report that SprMcrA, a PDRE, failed to dissociate from PT-DNA after cleavage due to high binding affinity, resulting in low DNA cleavage efficiency. Expression of SBDs in Escherichia coli cells with PT modification induced a drastic loss of cell viability at 25°C when both DNA strands of a PT site were bound, with one SBD on each DNA strand. However, at this temperature, SBD binding to only one PT DNA strand elicited a severe growth lag rather than lethality. This cell growth inhibition phenotype was alleviated by raising the growth temperature. An in vitro assay mimicking DNA replication and RNA transcription demonstrated that the bound SBD hindered the synthesis of new DNA and RNA when using PT-DNA as the template. Our findings suggest that DNA modification-targeting proteins might regulate cellular processes involved in DNA metabolism in addition to being components of restriction-modification systems and epigenetic readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fulin Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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3
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Kogay R, Wolf YI, Koonin EV. Defence systems and horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16630. [PMID: 38643972 PMCID: PMC11034907 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16630] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a fundamental process in prokaryotic evolution, contributing significantly to diversification and adaptation. HGT is typically facilitated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as conjugative plasmids and phages, which often impose fitness costs on their hosts. However, a considerable number of bacterial genes are involved in defence mechanisms that limit the propagation of MGEs, suggesting they may actively restrict HGT. In our study, we investigated whether defence systems limit HGT by examining the relationship between the HGT rate and the presence of 73 defence systems across 12 bacterial species. We discovered that only six defence systems, three of which were different CRISPR-Cas subtypes, were associated with a reduced gene gain rate at the species evolution scale. Hosts of these defence systems tend to have a smaller pangenome size and fewer phage-related genes compared to genomes without these systems. This suggests that these defence mechanisms inhibit HGT by limiting prophage integration. We hypothesize that the restriction of HGT by defence systems is species-specific and depends on various ecological and genetic factors, including the burden of MGEs and the fitness effect of HGT in bacterial populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Kogay
- 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
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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4
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Kogay R, Wolf YI, Koonin EV. Defense systems and horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.09.579689. [PMID: 38410456 PMCID: PMC10896350 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.09.579689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a fundamental process in the evolution of prokaryotes, making major contributions to diversification and adaptation. Typically, HGT is facilitated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as conjugative plasmids and phages that generally impose fitness costs on their hosts. However, a substantial fraction of bacterial genes is involved in defense mechanisms that limit the propagation of MGEs, raising the possibility that they can actively restrict HGT. Here we examine whether defense systems curb HGT by exploring the connections between HGT rate and the presence of 73 defense systems in 12 bacterial species. We found that only 6 defense systems, 3 of which are different CRISPR-Cas subtypes, are associated with the reduced gene gain rate on the scale of species evolution. The hosts of such defense systems tend to have a smaller pangenome size and harbor fewer phage-related genes compared to genomes lacking these systems, suggesting that these defense mechanisms inhibit HGT by limiting the integration of prophages. We hypothesize that restriction of HGT by defense systems is species-specific and depends on various ecological and genetic factors, including the burden of MGEs and fitness effect of HGT in bacterial populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Kogay
- 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
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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5
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Kottenhahn P, Philipps G, Bunk B, Spröer C, Jennewein S. The Restriction-Modification Systems of Clostridium carboxidivorans P7. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2962. [PMID: 38138106 PMCID: PMC10745947 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122962] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium carboxidivorans P7 (DSM 15243) is a bacterium that converts syngas (a mixture of CO, H2, and CO2) into hexanol. An optimized and scaled-up industrial process could therefore provide a renewable source of fuels and chemicals while consuming industry waste gases. However, the genetic engineering of this bacterium is hindered by its multiple restriction-modification (RM) systems: the genome of C. carboxidivorans encodes at least ten restriction enzymes and eight methyltransferases (MTases). To gain insight into the complex RM systems of C. carboxidivorans, we analyzed genomic methylation patterns using single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and bisulfite sequencing. We identified six methylated sequence motifs. To match the methylation sites to the predicted MTases of C. carboxidivorans, we expressed them individually in Escherichia coli for functional characterization. Recognition motifs were identified for all three Type I MTases (CAYNNNNNCTGC/GCAGNNNNNRTG, CCANNNNNNNNTCG/CGANNNNNNNNTGG and GCANNNNNNNTNNCG/CGNNANNNNNNNTGC), two Type II MTases (GATAAT and CRAAAAR), and a single Type III MTase (GAAAT). However, no methylated recognition motif was found for one of the three Type II enzymes. One recognition motif that was methylated in C. carboxidivorans but not in E. coli (AGAAGC) was matched to the remaining Type III MTase through a process of elimination. Understanding these enzymes and the corresponding recognition sites will facilitate the development of genetic tools for C. carboxidivorans that can accelerate the industrial exploitation of this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Kottenhahn
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Philipps
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Boyke Bunk
- Department Bioinformatics and Databases, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Cathrin Spröer
- Department Bioinformatics and Databases, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Culture Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Jennewein
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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6
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Esser SP, Rahlff J, Zhao W, Predl M, Plewka J, Sures K, Wimmer F, Lee J, Adam PS, McGonigle J, Turzynski V, Banas I, Schwank K, Krupovic M, Bornemann TLV, Figueroa-Gonzalez PA, Jarett J, Rattei T, Amano Y, Blaby IK, Cheng JF, Brazelton WJ, Beisel CL, Woyke T, Zhang Y, Probst AJ. A predicted CRISPR-mediated symbiosis between uncultivated archaea. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:1619-1633. [PMID: 37500801 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01439-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems defend prokaryotic cells from invasive DNA of viruses, plasmids and other mobile genetic elements. Here, we show using metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and single-cell genomics that CRISPR systems of widespread, uncultivated archaea can also target chromosomal DNA of archaeal episymbionts of the DPANN superphylum. Using meta-omics datasets from Crystal Geyser and Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, we find that CRISPR spacers of the hosts Candidatus Altiarchaeum crystalense and Ca. A. horonobense, respectively, match putative essential genes in their episymbionts' genomes of the genus Ca. Huberiarchaeum and that some of these spacers are expressed in situ. Metabolic interaction modelling also reveals complementation between host-episymbiont systems, on the basis of which we propose that episymbionts are either parasitic or mutualistic depending on the genotype of the host. By expanding our analysis to 7,012 archaeal genomes, we suggest that CRISPR-Cas targeting of genomes associated with symbiotic archaea evolved independently in various archaeal lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah P Esser
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Janina Rahlff
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Weishu Zhao
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, International Center for Deep Life Investigation (IC-DLI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael Predl
- Computational Systems Biology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Doctoral School in Microbiology and Environmental Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Plewka
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Sures
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Franziska Wimmer
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Janey Lee
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Panagiotis S Adam
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julia McGonigle
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Victoria Turzynski
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Indra Banas
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katrin Schwank
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- University of Regensburg, Biochemistry III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Archaeal Virology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Till L V Bornemann
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Perla Abigail Figueroa-Gonzalez
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jessica Jarett
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Rattei
- Computational Systems Biology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Doctoral School in Microbiology and Environmental Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuki Amano
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Japan
| | - Ian K Blaby
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jan-Fang Cheng
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Chase L Beisel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
- Medical faculty, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Woyke
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Alexander J Probst
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Group for Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Centre of Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Centre of Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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7
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Zheng H, Liu B, Xu Y, Zhang Z, Man H, Liu J, Chen F. An Inducible Microbacterium Prophage vB_MoxS-R1 Represents a Novel Lineage of Siphovirus. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040731. [PMID: 35458461 PMCID: PMC9030533 DOI: 10.3390/v14040731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic and lysogenic infections are the main strategies used by viruses to interact with microbial hosts. The genetic information of prophages provides insights into the nature of phages and their potential influences on hosts. Here, the siphovirus vB_MoxS-R1 was induced from a Microbacterium strain isolated from an estuarine Synechococcus culture. vB_MoxS-R1 has a high replication capability, with an estimated burst size of 2000 virions per cell. vB_MoxS-R1 represents a novel phage genus-based genomic analysis. Six transcriptional regulator (TR) genes were predicted in the vB_MoxS-R1 genome. Four of these TR genes are involved in stress responses, virulence and amino acid transportation in bacteria, suggesting that they may play roles in regulating the host cell metabolism in response to external environmental changes. A glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase gene related to phosphorus acquisition was also identified in the vB_MoxS-R1 genome. The presence of six TR genes and the phosphorus-acquisition gene suggests that prophage vB_MoxS-R1 has the potential to influence survival and adaptation of its host during lysogeny. Possession of four endonuclease genes in the prophage genome suggests that vB_MoxS-R1 is likely involved in DNA recombination or gene conversion and further influences host evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Zheng
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China; (H.Z.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.M.)
| | - Binbin Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China; (H.Z.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.M.)
| | - Yongle Xu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China; (H.Z.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.M.)
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
- Correspondence: (Y.X.); (J.L.)
| | - Zefeng Zhang
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China; (H.Z.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.M.)
| | - Hongcong Man
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China; (H.Z.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.M.)
| | - Jihua Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China; (H.Z.); (B.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.M.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China
- Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Shandong University and Xiamen University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Correspondence: (Y.X.); (J.L.)
| | - Feng Chen
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA;
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8
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Huang M, Liu M, Huang L, Wang M, Jia R, Zhu D, Chen S, Zhao X, Zhang S, Gao Q, Zhang L, Cheng A. The activation and limitation of the bacterial natural transformation system: The function in genome evolution and stability. Microbiol Res 2021; 252:126856. [PMID: 34454311 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126856] [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: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria can take up exogenous naked DNA and integrate it into their genomes, which has been regarded as a main contributor to bacterial evolution. The competent status of bacteria is influenced by environmental cues and by the immune systems of bacteria. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the working mechanisms underlying activation of the natural transformation system and limitations thereof. Environmental stresses including the presence of antimicrobials can activate the natural transformation system. However, bacterial enzymes (nucleases), non-coding RNAs, specific DNA sequences, the restriction-modification (R-M) systems, CRISPR-Cas systems and prokaryotic Argonaute proteins (Agos) are have been found to be involved in the limitation of the natural transformation system. Together, this review represents an opportunity to gain insight into bacterial genome stability and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Huang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Li Huang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Shun Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Qun Gao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China.
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9
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Wu X, Zhu J, Tao P, Rao VB. Bacteriophage T4 Escapes CRISPR Attack by Minihomology Recombination and Repair. mBio 2021; 12:e0136121. [PMID: 34154416 PMCID: PMC8262927 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01361-21] [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: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria and bacteriophages (phages) have evolved potent defense and counterdefense mechanisms that allowed their survival and greatest abundance on Earth. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) is a bacterial defense system that inactivates the invading phage genome by introducing double-strand breaks at targeted sequences. While the mechanisms of CRISPR defense have been extensively investigated, the counterdefense mechanisms employed by phages are poorly understood. Here, we report a novel counterdefense mechanism by which phage T4 restores the genomes broken by CRISPR cleavages. Catalyzed by the phage-encoded recombinase UvsX, this mechanism pairs very short stretches of sequence identity (minihomology sites), as few as 3 or 4 nucleotides in the flanking regions of the cleaved site, allowing replication, repair, and stitching of genomic fragments. Consequently, a series of deletions are created at the targeted site, making the progeny genomes completely resistant to CRISPR attack. Our results demonstrate that this is a general mechanism operating against both type II (Cas9) and type V (Cas12a) CRISPR-Cas systems. These studies uncovered a new type of counterdefense mechanism evolved by T4 phage where subtle functional tuning of preexisting DNA metabolism leads to profound impact on phage survival. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and use them as replication factories to assemble progeny phages. Bacteria have evolved powerful defense mechanisms to destroy the invading phages by severing their genomes soon after entry into cells. We discovered a counterdefense mechanism evolved by phage T4 to stitch back the broken genomes and restore viral infection. In this process, a small amount of genetic material is deleted or another mutation is introduced, making the phage resistant to future bacterial attack. The mutant virus might also gain survival advantages against other restriction conditions or DNA damaging events. Thus, bacterial attack not only triggers counterdefenses but also provides opportunities to generate more fit phages. Such defense and counterdefense mechanisms over the millennia led to the extraordinary diversity and the greatest abundance of bacteriophages on Earth. Understanding these mechanisms will open new avenues for engineering recombinant phages for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Wu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pan Tao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
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Mankai H, Wende W, Slama N, Ayed A, Roberts RJ, Limam F. Biochemical and molecular characterization of a restriction endonuclease Tvu2HI from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris 2H and study of its R-M system. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:3105-3113. [PMID: 32835801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A bacterial strain 2H isolated from soil and identified as Thermoactinomyces vulgaris produce a potent Type II restriction endonuclease activity that has been extracted by a PEG/dextran aqueous two-phase system. Optimal temperature for the restriction endonuclease activity was 55-65°C. Specific DNA cleavage was obtained at pH range 7-10 and 10-20mM MgCl2. Restriction cleavage analysis followed by sequencing confirms GG^CC as the recognition sequence. This enzyme, named Tvu2HI, is a thermostable isoschizomer of the mesophilic prototype restriction endonuclease HaeIII. Sequencing of the complete Thermoactinomyces vulgaris 2H genome revealed the presence of two adjacent ORFs coding for the restriction endonuclease Tvu2HI and the corresponding methyltransferase; an ORF coding for a putative Vsr nicking enzyme was found close to those coding for the Tvu2HI restriction-modification system. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequence alignment suggests a common origin of Tvu2HI R-M system with HaeIII-like R-M systems. This is the first investigation dealing with a Type II restriction endonuclease identified in a natural isolate of the genus Thermoactinomyces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Mankai
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP-901, Hammam-lif 2050, Tunisia; University of Tunis-El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, BP-94 Rommana, 1068 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wolfgang Wende
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Nedra Slama
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP-901, Hammam-lif 2050, Tunisia
| | - Ameni Ayed
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP-901, Hammam-lif 2050, Tunisia
| | | | - Ferid Limam
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP-901, Hammam-lif 2050, Tunisia.
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11
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Lim Y, Bak SY, Lee SH, Kim SK. Comparative Single-Molecule Kinetic Study for the Effect of Base Methylation on a Model DNA-Protein Interaction. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:8048-8052. [PMID: 32885977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c01929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We studied how the interaction between HindIII endonuclease and dsDNA is affected by the single-base modification of the latter by a single-molecule kinetic assay. For a comparative study of chemical modifications, we measured the binding and unbinding rates of the HindIII-DNA complex for normal dsDNA, methylated DNA, and hydroxymethylated DNA. We found that methylation of DNA at the recognition site results in a large increase in the unbinding rate due to the steric effect, which is consistent with the standard free energy change in the transition state. On the contrary, methylation minimally affects the binding rate, as simultaneous increases in the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor compensate for each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngbin Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - So Young Bak
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sang Hak Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Korea
| | - Seong Keun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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12
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Estibariz I, Overmann A, Ailloud F, Krebes J, Josenhans C, Suerbaum S. The core genome m5C methyltransferase JHP1050 (M.Hpy99III) plays an important role in orchestrating gene expression in Helicobacter pylori. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2336-2348. [PMID: 30624738 PMCID: PMC6412003 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori encodes a large number of restriction-modification (R-M) systems despite its small genome. R-M systems have been described as 'primitive immune systems' in bacteria, but the role of methylation in bacterial gene regulation and other processes is increasingly accepted. Every H. pylori strain harbours a unique set of R-M systems resulting in a highly diverse methylome. We identified a highly conserved GCGC-specific m5C MTase (JHP1050) that was predicted to be active in all of 459 H. pylori genome sequences analyzed. Transcriptome analysis of two H. pylori strains and their respective MTase mutants showed that inactivation of the MTase led to changes in the expression of 225 genes in strain J99, and 29 genes in strain BCM-300. Ten genes were differentially expressed in both mutated strains. Combining bioinformatic analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrated that motifs overlapping the promoter influence the expression of genes directly, while methylation of other motifs might cause secondary effects. Thus, m5C methylation modifies the transcription of multiple genes, affecting important phenotypic traits that include adherence to host cells, natural competence for DNA uptake, bacterial cell shape, and susceptibility to copper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iratxe Estibariz
- Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, München, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Annemarie Overmann
- Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, München, Germany
| | - Florent Ailloud
- Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, München, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Juliane Krebes
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Josenhans
- Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, München, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Suerbaum
- Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, München, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Munich, Germany
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13
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14
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Zatopek KM, Gardner AF, Kelman Z. Archaeal DNA replication and repair: new genetic, biophysical and molecular tools for discovering and characterizing enzymes, pathways and mechanisms. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 42:477-488. [PMID: 29912309 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuy017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA replication and repair are essential biological processes needed for the survival of all organisms. Although these processes are fundamentally conserved in the three domains, archaea, bacteria and eukarya, the proteins and complexes involved differ. The genetic and biophysical tools developed for archaea in the last several years have accelerated the study of DNA replication and repair in this domain. In this review, the current knowledge of DNA replication and repair processes in archaea will be summarized, with emphasis on the contribution of genetics and other recently developed biophysical and molecular tools, including capillary gel electrophoresis, next-generation sequencing and single-molecule approaches. How these new tools will continue to drive archaeal DNA replication and repair research will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zvi Kelman
- Biomolecular Labeling Laboratory, Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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15
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Shen M, Chen Z, Mao X, Wang L, Liang J, Huo Q, Yin X, Qiu J, Sun D. Two different restriction-modification systems for degrading exogenous DNA in Paenibacillus polymyxa. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 504:927-932. [PMID: 30224061 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Accompanied by benefits from horizontally transferred genes, bacteria have to face the risk of the invasion of dangerous genes. Bacteria often use the restriction-modification (R-M) system, which is consisted of methyl transferase (MEase) and restrictase (REase), to protect self-DNA and defend against foreign DNA. Paenibacillus polymyxa, widely used as growth promoting rhizobacteria in agriculture, can also produce compounds of medical and industrial interests. It is unclear whether R-M systems exist in P. polymyxa. In this study, we used a shuttle plasmid with epigenetic modification from different bacteria to explore R-M systems in P. polymyxa. We found that DNA which is methylated by DNA adenine methyltransferase (Dam) in E. coli was strongly restricted, indicating the presence of a Dam-methylation-dependent R-M system in P. polymyxa. Whereas, DNA from a dam-E. coli strain was also moderately restricted, indicating the presence of a Dam-methylation-independent R-M system. Degradation of plasmid DNA with Dam methylation by cell-free protein extract of P. polymyxa provides additional evidence for the presence of Dam-methylation-dependent R-M system. Taken together, our work showed that there are two different types of R-M system in P. polymyxa, providing a foundation for the study of innate immunity in P. polymyxa and for the development of genetic engineering tools in P. polymyxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjia Shen
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Ziyan Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Xudan Mao
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Lin Wang
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Jingyi Liang
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Qingyuan Huo
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yin
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Juanping Qiu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Dongchang Sun
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
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16
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Yuan Y, Hutinet G, Valera JG, Hu J, Hillebrand R, Gustafson A, Iwata-Reuyl D, Dedon PC, de Crécy-Lagard V. Identification of the minimal bacterial 2'-deoxy-7-amido-7-deazaguanine synthesis machinery. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:469-483. [PMID: 30159947 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The 7-deazapurine derivatives, 2'-deoxy-7-cyano-7-deazaguanosine (dPreQ0 ) and 2'-deoxy-7-amido-7-deazaguanosine (dADG) are recently discovered DNA modifications encoded by the dpd cluster found in a diverse set of bacteria. Here we identify the genes required for the formation of dPreQ0 and dADG in DNA and propose a biosynthetic pathway. The preQ0 base is a precursor that in Salmonella Montevideo, is synthesized as an intermediate in the pathway of the tRNA modification queuosine. Of the 11 genes (dpdA - dpdK) found in the S. Montevideo dpd cluster, dpdA and dpdB are necessary and sufficient to synthesize dPreQ0 , while dpdC is additionally required for dADG synthesis. Among the rest of the dpd genes, dpdE, dpdG, dpdI, dpdK, dpdD and possibly dpdJ appear to be involved in a restriction-like phenotype. Indirect competition for preQ0 base led to a model for dADG synthesis in which DpdA inserts preQ0 into DNA with the help of DpdB, and then DpdC hydrolyzes dPreQ0 to dADG. The role of DpdB is not entirely clear as it is dispensable in other dpd clusters. Our discovery of a minimal gene set for introducing 7-deazapurine derivatives in DNA provides new tools for biotechnology applications and demonstrates the interplay between the DNA and RNA modification machineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Geoffrey Hutinet
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Jacqueline Gamboa Valera
- Department of Biological Engineering and Chemistry, and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jennifer Hu
- Department of Biological Engineering and Chemistry, and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Roman Hillebrand
- Department of Biological Engineering and Chemistry, and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Andrew Gustafson
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Dirk Iwata-Reuyl
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering and Chemistry, and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Infectious Disease Interdisciplinary Research Group, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise, Singapore, 138602, Singapore
| | - Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA
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17
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Mokrishcheva ML, Kertesz-Farkas A, Nikitin DV. New bifunctional restriction-modification enzyme AloI isoschizomer (PcoI): Bioinformatics analysis, purification and activity confirmation. Gene 2018; 660:8-12. [PMID: 29574188 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.069] [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: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Type II restriction endonucleases and modification DNA-methyltransferases are key instruments of genetic engineering. Recently the number of proteins assigned to this group exceeds 8500. Subtype IIC organizes bifunctional endonuclease-methyltransferase enzymes and currently consists of 16 described members. Here we present phylogenetic tree of 22 new potential bifunctional endonucleases. The majority of them are thought to be fusions of a restriction nuclease with a DNA-methyltransferase and a target recognition subunit of type I restriction-modification systems (R-M-S structure). A RM.AloI isoschizomer from Prevotella copri DSM-18205, PcoI, has been cloned, purified and its REase activity demonstrated. It cuts DNA in magnesium-dependent manner and demonstrates high affinity to DNA, which probably reflects its mechanism of action. This work provides additional proves that gene fusion might play an important role in evolution of restriction-modification systems and other DNA-modifying proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L Mokrishcheva
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki, 5, Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia
| | - Attila Kertesz-Farkas
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Kochnovskiy Proezd 3, Moscow 125319, Russia
| | - Dmitri V Nikitin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki, 5, Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia; M.V. Lomonosov's Moscow State University, Biology Faculty, Leninskie Gory, 1, b. 12, Moscow 119234, Russia.
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18
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Biochemical characterization of ParI, an orphan C5-DNA methyltransferase from Psychrobacter arcticus 273-4. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 150:100-108. [PMID: 29807140 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cytosine-specific DNA methyltransferases are important enzymes in most living organisms. In prokaryotes, most DNA methyltransferases are members of the type II restriction-modification system where they methylate host DNA, thereby protecting it from digestion by the accompanying restriction endonucleases. DNA methyltransferases can also act as solitary enzymes having important roles in controlling gene expression, DNA replication, cell cycle and DNA post-replicative mismatch repair. They have potential applications in biotechnology, such as in labeling of biopolymers, DNA mapping or epigenetic analysis, as well as for general DNA-protein interaction studies. The parI gene from the psychrophilic bacterium Psychrobacter arcticus 273-4 encodes a cytosine-specific DNA methyltransferase. In this work, recombinant ParI was expressed and purified in fusion to either an N-terminal hexahistidine affinity tag, or a maltose binding protein following the hexahistidine affinity tag, for solubility improvement. After removal of the fusion partners, recombinant ParI was found to be monomeric by size exclusion chromatography, with its molecular mass estimated to be 54 kDa. The apparent melting temperature of the protein was 53 °C with no detectable secondary structures above 65 °C. Both recombinant and native ParI showed methyltransferase activity in vivo. In addition, MBP- and His-tagged ParI also demonstrated in vitro activity. Although the overall structure of ParI exhibits high thermal stability, the loss of in vitro activity upon removal of solubility tags or purification from the cellular milieu indicates that the catalytically active form is more labile. Horizontal gene transfer may explain the acquisition of a protein-encoding gene that does not display common cold-adapted features.
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Zheng Z, Bao M, Wu F, Van Horn C, Chen J, Deng X. A Type 3 Prophage of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' Carrying a Restriction-Modification System. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2018; 108:454-461. [PMID: 29192841 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-17-0282-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Prophages, the lysogenic form of bacterial phages, are important genetic entities of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), a nonculturable α-proteobacterium associated with citrus Huanglongbing. Two CLas prophages have been described, SC1 (NC_019549.1, Type 1) and SC2 (NC_019550.1, Type 2), which involve the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle, respectively. To explore the prophage repertoire, 523 CLas DNA samples extracted from leaf petioles of CLas-infected citrus were collected from southern China and surveyed for Type 1 and Type 2 prophages by specific PCR. Eighteen samples were found lacking both prophages. One sample, JXGC, sequenced using Illumina HiSeq, generated >100 million short sequence reads (150 bp per read). Read mapping to known prophage sequences showed a sequence coverage of 46% to SC1 and 50% to SC2. BLAST search using SC1 and SC2 as queries identified three contigs from the JXGC de novo assembly that form a circular P-JXGC-3 (31,449 bp), designated as a new Type 3 prophage. Chromosomal integration of P-JXGC-3 was detected to occur within a helicase gene, resulting in a duplication of this gene. P-JXGC-3 had 36 open reading frames (ORFs), 10 of which were not found in Type 1 or Type 2 prophages, including four genes that encoded a restriction-modification (R-M) system (hsdR, hsdS, hsdM1, and hsdM2). Typed by prophage-specific PCR, the CLas strains in southern China contained all combinations of the three prophage types with the exception of a Type 2-Type 3 combination, suggesting active ongoing prophage-phage interactions. Based on gene annotation, P-JXGC-3 is not capable of reproduction via the lytic cycle. The R-M system was speculated to play a role against Type 1 prophage-phage invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zheng
- First, second, third, and sixth author: Department of Plant Pathology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; and first, fourth, and fifth authors: San Joaquín Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA
| | - Minli Bao
- First, second, third, and sixth author: Department of Plant Pathology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; and first, fourth, and fifth authors: San Joaquín Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA
| | - Fengnian Wu
- First, second, third, and sixth author: Department of Plant Pathology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; and first, fourth, and fifth authors: San Joaquín Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA
| | - Christopher Van Horn
- First, second, third, and sixth author: Department of Plant Pathology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; and first, fourth, and fifth authors: San Joaquín Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA
| | - Jianchi Chen
- First, second, third, and sixth author: Department of Plant Pathology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; and first, fourth, and fifth authors: San Joaquín Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA
| | - Xiaoling Deng
- First, second, third, and sixth author: Department of Plant Pathology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; and first, fourth, and fifth authors: San Joaquín Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA
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Furmaniak MA, Misztak AE, Franczuk MD, Wilmotte A, Waleron M, Waleron KF. Edible Cyanobacterial Genus Arthrospira: Actual State of the Art in Cultivation Methods, Genetics, and Application in Medicine. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2541. [PMID: 29326676 PMCID: PMC5741684 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyanobacterial genus Arthrospira appears very conserved and has been divided into five main genetic clusters on the basis of molecular taxonomy markers. Genetic studies of seven Arthrospira strains, including genome sequencing, have enabled a better understanding of those photosynthetic prokaryotes. Even though genetic manipulations have not yet been performed with success, many genomic and proteomic features such as stress adaptation, nitrogen fixation, or biofuel production have been characterized. Many of above-mentioned studies aimed to optimize the cultivation conditions. Factors like the light intensity and quality, the nitrogen source, or different modes of growth (auto-, hetero-, or mixotrophic) have been studied in detail. The scaling-up of the biomass production using photobioreactors, either closed or open, was also investigated to increase the production of useful compounds. The richness of nutrients contained in the genus Arthrospira can be used for promising applications in the biomedical domain. Ingredients such as the calcium spirulan, immulina, C-phycocyanin, and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) show a strong biological activity. Recently, its use in the fight against cancer cells was documented in many publications. The health-promoting action of "Spirulina" has been demonstrated in the case of cardiovascular diseases and age-related conditions. Some compounds also have potent immunomodulatory properties, promoting the growth of beneficial gut microflora, acting as antimicrobial and antiviral. Products derived from Arthrospira were shown to successfully replace biomaterial scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Supplementation with the cyanobacterium also improves the health of livestock and quality of the products of animal origin. They were also used in cosmetic preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda A Furmaniak
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka E Misztak
- Department of Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna D Franczuk
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBios-Centre for Protein Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Małgorzata Waleron
- Department of Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof F Waleron
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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21
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Korona R, Levin BR. PHAGE-MEDIATED SELECTION AND THE EVOLUTION AND MAINTENANCE OF RESTRICTION-MODIFICATION. Evolution 2017; 47:556-575. [PMID: 28568719 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1993.tb02113.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/1992] [Accepted: 08/08/1992] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Restriction-modification (R-M) was discovered because it provides bacteria with immunity to phage infection. But, is phage-mediated selection the sole mechanism responsible for the evolution and maintenance of these ubiquitous and multiply evolved systems? In an effort to answer this question, we have performed experiments with laboratory populations of E. coli and phage and computer simulations. We consider two ecological situations whereby phage-mediated selection could favor R-M immunity; i) when bacteria with a novel R-M system invade communities of phage-sensitive bacteria in which there are one or more species of phage, and ii) when bacteria colonize bacterial-free habitats in which phage are present. The results of our experiments indicate that in established communities of bacteria and phage, the advantage R-M provides an invading population of bacteria is ephemeral. Within short order, mutants resistant (refractory) to the phage evolve in the dominant population and subsequently in the invading population. The outcome of competition then depends on the relative fitness of the resistant states of these bacterial clones, rather than R-M. As a consequence of sequential selection for independent mutants, this rapid evolution of resistance occurs even when two and three species of phage are present. While in our experiments resistance also evolved when bacteria colonized new habitats in which phage were present, a novel R-M system greatly augmented the likelihood of their becoming established. We interpret the results of this study as support for the hypothesis that the latter, colonization selection, may play an important role in the evolution and maintenance of restriction-modification. However, we also see these results and other observations we discuss as questioning whether protection against phage is the unique biological role of restriction-modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Korona
- Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Bruce R Levin
- Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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22
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Singh S, Guruprasad L. N6-Adenosine DNA Methyltransferase from H. pylori 98-10 Strain in Complex with DNA and AdoMet: Structural Insights from in Silico Studies. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:365-378. [PMID: 28054779 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b08433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is a primitive Gram-negative bacterium that resides in the acidic environment of the human gastrointestinal tract, and some strains of this bacterium cause gastric ulcers and cancer. DNA methyltransferases (MTases) are promising drug targets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases that are also caused by epigenetic alternations of the genome. The N6-adenine-specific DNA MTase from H. pylori (M. Hpy N6mA) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from the cofactor S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) to the flipped adenine of the substrate DNA. In this work, we report the sequence analyses, three-dimensional structure modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations of M. Hpy N6mA, when complexed with AdoMet as well as DNA. We analyzed the protein-DNA interactions prominently established by the flipped cytosine and the interactions between protein cofactors in the active site. The comparable orientation of AdoMet in both systems confirms that AdoMet is in a catalytically competent orientation in the bimolecular system that is retained upon DNA binding in the termolecular system of M. Hpy N6mA. In both systems, AdoMet is stabilized in the binding pocket by hydrogen bonding (Thr84, Glu99, Asp122, and Phe123) as well as van der Waals (Ile100, Phe160, Arg104, and Cys76) interactions. We propose that the contacts made by flipped adenine DA6 with Asn138 (N6 and N1 atom of DA6) and Pro139 (N6) and π-stacking interactions with Phe141 and Phe219 play an important role in the methylation mechanism at the N6 position in our N6mA model. Specific recognition of DNA is mediated by residues 143-155, 183-189, 212-220, 280-293, and 308-325. These findings are further supported by alanine scanning mutagenesis studies. The conserved residues in distantly related sequences of the small domain are important in DNA binding. Results reported here elucidate the sequence, structure, and binding features necessary for the recognition between cofactor AdoMet and substrate DNA by the vital epigenetic enzyme, M. Hpy N6mA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Singh
- School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad 500046, India
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23
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Ahmad S, Hur S. Helicases in Antiviral Immunity: Dual Properties as Sensors and Effectors. Trends Biochem Sci 2016; 40:576-585. [PMID: 26410598 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Many helicases have a unique ability to couple cognate RNA binding to ATP hydrolysis, which can induce a large conformational change that affects its interaction with RNA, position along RNA, or oligomeric state. A growing number of these helicases contribute to the innate immune system, either as sensors that detect foreign nucleic acids and/or as effectors that directly participate in the clearance of such foreign species. In this review, we discuss a few examples, including retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), and Dicer, focusing on their dual functions as both sensors and effectors. We will also discuss the closely related, but less understood, helicases, laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2) and Dicer-related helicase-1 and -3 (DRH-1 and -3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadeem Ahmad
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sun Hur
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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24
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Morozova N, Sabantsev A, Bogdanova E, Fedorova Y, Maikova A, Vedyaykin A, Rodic A, Djordjevic M, Khodorkovskii M, Severinov K. Temporal dynamics of methyltransferase and restriction endonuclease accumulation in individual cells after introducing a restriction-modification system. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:790-800. [PMID: 26687717 PMCID: PMC4737168 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II restriction-modification (R-M) systems encode a restriction endonuclease that cleaves DNA at specific sites, and a methyltransferase that modifies same sites protecting them from restriction endonuclease cleavage. Type II R-M systems benefit bacteria by protecting them from bacteriophages. Many type II R-M systems are plasmid-based and thus capable of horizontal transfer. Upon the entry of such plasmids into a naïve host with unmodified genomic recognition sites, methyltransferase should be synthesized first and given sufficient time to methylate recognition sites in the bacterial genome before the toxic restriction endonuclease activity appears. Here, we directly demonstrate a delay in restriction endonuclease synthesis after transformation of Escherichia coli cells with a plasmid carrying the Esp1396I type II R-M system, using single-cell microscopy. We further demonstrate that before the appearance of the Esp1396I restriction endonuclease the intracellular concentration of Esp1396I methyltransferase undergoes a sharp peak, which should allow rapid methylation of host genome recognition sites. A mathematical model that satisfactorily describes the observed dynamics of both Esp1396I enzymes is presented. The results reported here were obtained using a functional Esp1396I type II R-M system encoding both enzymes fused to fluorescent proteins. Similar approaches should be applicable to the studies of other R-M systems at single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Morozova
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| | - Anton Sabantsev
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Bogdanova
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Yana Fedorova
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, 143026, Russia
| | - Anna Maikova
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, 143026, Russia
| | - Alexey Vedyaykin
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| | - Andjela Rodic
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Djordjevic
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mikhail Khodorkovskii
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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25
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Villani G. Effect of Methylation on the Properties of the H-Bridges in DNA. A Systematic Theoretical Study on the Couples of Base Pairs. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:7931-43. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b02901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Villani
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti
OrganoMetallici, UOS Pisa Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi,
1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
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26
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Shanak S, Helms V. Hydration properties of natural and synthetic DNA sequences with methylated adenine or cytosine bases in the R.DpnI target and BDNF promoter studied by molecular dynamics simulations. J Chem Phys 2014; 141:22D512. [PMID: 25494783 DOI: 10.1063/1.4897525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenine and cytosine methylation are two important epigenetic modifications of DNA sequences at the levels of the genome and transcriptome. To characterize the differential roles of methylating adenine or cytosine with respect to their hydration properties, we performed conventional MD simulations and free energy perturbation calculations for two particular DNA sequences, namely the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoter and the R.DpnI-bound DNA that are known to undergo methylation of C5-methyl cytosine and N6-methyl adenine, respectively. We found that a single methylated cytosine has a clearly favorable hydration free energy over cytosine since the attached methyl group has a slightly polar character. In contrast, capping the strongly polar N6 of adenine with a methyl group gives a slightly unfavorable contribution to its free energy of solvation. Performing the same demethylation in the context of a DNA double-strand gave quite similar results for the more solvent-accessible cytosine but much more unfavorable results for the rather buried adenine. Interestingly, the same demethylation reactions are far more unfavorable when performed in the context of the opposite (BDNF or R.DpnI target) sequence. This suggests a natural preference for methylation in a specific sequence context. In addition, free energy calculations for demethylating adenine or cytosine in the context of B-DNA vs. Z-DNA suggest that the conformational B-Z transition of DNA transition is rather a property of cytosine methylated sequences but is not preferable for the adenine-methylated sequences investigated here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siba Shanak
- Zentrum für Bioinformatik, Universität des Saarlandes, P.O. Box 15 11 50, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Zentrum für Bioinformatik, Universität des Saarlandes, P.O. Box 15 11 50, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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27
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Restriction endonucleases from invasive Neisseria gonorrhoeae cause double-strand breaks and distort mitosis in epithelial cells during infection. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114208. [PMID: 25460012 PMCID: PMC4252111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The host epithelium is both a barrier against, and the target for microbial infections. Maintaining regulated cell growth ensures an intact protective layer towards microbial-induced cellular damage. Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections disrupt host cell cycle regulation machinery and the infection causes DNA double strand breaks that delay progression through the G2/M phase. We show that intracellular gonococci upregulate and release restriction endonucleases that enter the nucleus and damage human chromosomal DNA. Bacterial lysates containing restriction endonucleases were able to fragment genomic DNA as detected by PFGE. Lysates were also microinjected into the cytoplasm of cells in interphase and after 20 h, DNA double strand breaks were identified by 53BP1 staining. In addition, by using live-cell microscopy and NHS-ester stained live gonococci we visualized the subcellular location of the bacteria upon mitosis. Infected cells show dysregulation of the spindle assembly checkpoint proteins MAD1 and MAD2, impaired and prolonged M-phase, nuclear swelling, micronuclei formation and chromosomal instability. These data highlight basic molecular functions of how gonococcal infections affect host cell cycle regulation, cause DNA double strand breaks and predispose cellular malignancies.
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28
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Enhancing DNA electro-transformation efficiency on a clinical Staphylococcus capitis isolate. J Microbiol Methods 2014; 109:25-30. [PMID: 25477024 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clinical staphylococcus isolates possess a stronger restriction-modification (RM) barrier than laboratory strains. Clinical isolates are therefore more resistant to acceptance of foreign genetic material than laboratory strains, as their restriction systems more readily recognize and destroy foreign DNA. This stronger barrier consequently restricts genetic studies to a small number of domestic strains that are capable of accepting foreign DNA. In this study, an isolate of Staphylococcus capitis, obtained from the blood of a very low birth-weight baby, was transformed with a shuttle vector, pBT2. Optimal conditions for electro-transformation were as follows: cells were harvested at mid-log phase, electro-competent cells were prepared; cells were pre-treated at 55°C for 1min; 3μg of plasmid DNA was mixed with 70-80μL of competent cells (3-4×10(10)cells/mL) at 20°C in 0.5M sucrose, 10% glycerol; and electroporation was conducted using 2.1kV/cm field strength with a 0.1cm gap. Compared to the conventional method, which involves DNA electroporation of Staphylococcus aureus RN4220 as an intermediate strain to overcome the restriction barrier, our proposed approach exhibits a higher level (3 log10 units) of transformation efficiency. Heat treatment was used to temporarily inactivate the recipient RM barrier. Other important parameters contributing to improved electro-transformation efficiency were growth stage for cell harvesting, the quantity of DNA, the transformation temperature and field strength. The approach described here may facilitate genetic manipulations of this opportunistic pathogen.
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29
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Cinelli T, Moscetti I, Marchi G. PsasM2I, a type II restriction-modification system in Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi: differential distribution of carrier strains in the environment and the evolutionary history of homologous RM systems in the Pseudomonas syringae complex. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2014; 68:842-858. [PMID: 25008981 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-014-0451-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A type II restriction-modification system was found in a native plasmid of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi MLLI2. Functional analysis of the methyltransferase showed that the enzyme acts by protecting the DNA sequence CTGCAG from cleavage. Restriction endonuclease expression in recombinant Escherichia coli cells resulted in mutations in the REase sequence or transposition of insertion sequence 1A in the coding sequence, preventing lethal gene expression. Population screening detected homologous RM systems in other P. savastanoi strains and in the Pseudomonas syringae complex. An epidemiological survey carried out by sampling olive and oleander knots in two Italian regions showed an uneven diffusion of carrier strains, whose presence could be related to a selective advantage in maintaining the RM system in particular environments or subpopulations. Moreover, carrier strains can coexist in the same orchards, plants, and knot tissues with non-carriers, revealing unexpected genetic variability on a very small spatial scale. Phylogenetic analysis of the RM system and housekeeping gene sequences in the P. syringae complex demonstrated the ancient acquisition of the RM systems. However, the evolutionary history of the gene complex also showed the involvement of horizontal gene transfer between related strains and recombination events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Cinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agroalimentari e dell'Ambiente (DISPAA), Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144, Firenze, Italy,
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30
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Mierzejewska K, Siwek W, Czapinska H, Kaus-Drobek M, Radlinska M, Skowronek K, Bujnicki JM, Dadlez M, Bochtler M. Structural basis of the methylation specificity of R.DpnI. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:8745-54. [PMID: 24966351 PMCID: PMC4117772 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
R.DpnI consists of N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal winged helix domains that are separately specific for the Gm6ATC sequences in Dam-methylated DNA. Here we present a crystal structure of R.DpnI with oligoduplexes bound to the catalytic and winged helix domains and identify the catalytic domain residues that are involved in interactions with the substrate methyl groups. We show that these methyl groups in the Gm6ATC target sequence are positioned very close to each other. We further show that the presence of the two methyl groups requires a deviation from B-DNA conformation to avoid steric conflict. The methylation compatible DNA conformation is complementary with binding sites of both R.DpnI domains. This indirect readout of methylation adds to the specificity mediated by direct favorable interactions with the methyl groups and solvation/desolvation effects. We also present hydrogen/deuterium exchange data that support ‘crosstalk’ between the two domains in the identification of methylated DNA, which should further enhance R.DpnI methylation specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Mierzejewska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Siwek
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Honorata Czapinska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Monika Radlinska
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skowronek
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz M Bujnicki
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Michal Dadlez
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Matthias Bochtler
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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31
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Chen P, Jeannotte R, Weimer BC. Exploring bacterial epigenomics in the next-generation sequencing era: a new approach for an emerging frontier. Trends Microbiol 2014; 22:292-300. [PMID: 24725482 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics has an important role for the success of foodborne pathogen persistence in diverse host niches. Substantial challenges exist in determining DNA methylation to situation-specific phenotypic traits. DNA modification, mediated by restriction-modification systems, functions as an immune response against antagonistic external DNA, and bacteriophage-acquired methyltransferases (MTase) and orphan MTases - those lacking the cognate restriction endonuclease - facilitate evolution of new phenotypes via gene expression modulation via DNA and RNA modifications, including methylation and phosphorothioation. Recent establishment of large-scale genome sequencing projects will result in a significant increase in genome availability that will lead to new demands for data analysis including new predictive bioinformatics approaches that can be verified with traditional scientific rigor. Sequencing technologies that detect modification coupled with mass spectrometry to discover new adducts is a powerful tactic to study bacterial epigenetics, which is poised to make novel and far-reaching discoveries that link biological significance and the bacterial epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poyin Chen
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Universidad de Tarapacá, Avenida General Velásquez N°1775, Arica, Chile
| | - Richard Jeannotte
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Universidad de Tarapacá, Avenida General Velásquez N°1775, Arica, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - Bart C Weimer
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Universidad de Tarapacá, Avenida General Velásquez N°1775, Arica, Chile.
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Matsuoka Y, Takumi S, Nasuda S. Genetic mechanisms of allopolyploid speciation through hybrid genome doubling: novel insights from wheat (Triticum and Aegilops) studies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 309:199-258. [PMID: 24529724 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800255-1.00004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Polyploidy, which arises through complex genetic and ecological processes, is an important mode of plant speciation. This review provides an overview of recent advances in understanding why plant polyploid species are so ubiquitous and diverse. We consider how the modern framework for understanding genetic mechanisms of speciation could be used to study allopolyploid speciation that occurs through hybrid genome doubling, that is, whole genome doubling of interspecific F1 hybrids by the union of male and female unreduced gametes. We outline genetic and ecological mechanisms that may have positive or negative impacts on the process of allopolyploid speciation through hybrid genome doubling. We also discuss the current status of studies on the underlying genetic mechanisms focusing on the wheat (Triticum and Aegilops) hybrid-specific reproductive phenomena that are well known but deserve renewed attention from an evolutionary viewpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Matsuoka
- Department of Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, Matsuoka, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui, Japan.
| | - Shigeo Takumi
- Laboratory of Plant Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Nada-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nasuda
- Laboratory of Plant Genetics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawaoiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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Krebes J, Morgan RD, Bunk B, Spröer C, Luong K, Parusel R, Anton BP, König C, Josenhans C, Overmann J, Roberts RJ, Korlach J, Suerbaum S. The complex methylome of the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:2415-32. [PMID: 24302578 PMCID: PMC3936762 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of Helicobacter pylori is remarkable for its large number of restriction-modification (R-M) systems, and strain-specific diversity in R-M systems has been suggested to limit natural transformation, the major driving force of genetic diversification in H. pylori. We have determined the comprehensive methylomes of two H. pylori strains at single base resolution, using Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT®) sequencing. For strains 26695 and J99-R3, 17 and 22 methylated sequence motifs were identified, respectively. For most motifs, almost all sites occurring in the genome were detected as methylated. Twelve novel methylation patterns corresponding to nine recognition sequences were detected (26695, 3; J99-R3, 6). Functional inactivation, correction of frameshifts as well as cloning and expression of candidate methyltransferases (MTases) permitted not only the functional characterization of multiple, yet undescribed, MTases, but also revealed novel features of both Type I and Type II R-M systems, including frameshift-mediated changes of sequence specificity and the interaction of one MTase with two alternative specificity subunits resulting in different methylation patterns. The methylomes of these well-characterized H. pylori strains will provide a valuable resource for future studies investigating the role of H. pylori R-M systems in limiting transformation as well as in gene regulation and host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Krebes
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany, New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany and Pacific Biosciences, 1380 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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34
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Bacteriophage orphan DNA methyltransferases: insights from their bacterial origin, function, and occurrence. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:7547-55. [PMID: 24123737 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02229-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Type II DNA methyltransferases (MTases) are enzymes found ubiquitously in the prokaryotic world, where they play important roles in several cellular processes, such as host protection and epigenetic regulation. Three classes of type II MTases have been identified thus far in bacteria which function in transferring a methyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to a target nucleotide base, forming N-6-methyladenine (class I), N-4-methylcytosine (class II), or C-5-methylcytosine (class III). Often, these MTases are associated with a cognate restriction endonuclease (REase) to form a restriction-modification (R-M) system protecting bacterial cells from invasion by foreign DNA. When MTases exist alone, which are then termed orphan MTases, they are believed to be mainly involved in regulatory activities in the bacterial cell. Genomes of various lytic and lysogenic phages have been shown to encode multi- and mono-specific orphan MTases that have the ability to confer protection from restriction endonucleases of their bacterial host(s). The ability of a phage to overcome R-M and other phage-targeting resistance systems can be detrimental to particular biotechnological processes such as dairy fermentations. Conversely, as phages may also be beneficial in certain areas such as phage therapy, phages with additional resistance to host defenses may prolong the effectiveness of the therapy. This minireview will focus on bacteriophage-encoded MTases, their prevalence and diversity, as well as their potential origin and function.
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35
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Nallar SC, Kalvakolanu DV. Regulation of snoRNAs in cancer: close encounters with interferon. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2013; 33:189-98. [PMID: 23570385 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2012.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interferon (IFN) family of cytokines regulates many cellular processes, such as transcription, translation, post-translational modifications, and protein degradation. IFNs induce growth inhibition and/or cell death, depending on the cell type, by employing different proteins. This review describes a novel growth-suppressive pathway employed by IFNs that affects rRNA levels. Maturation of rRNA involves numerous noncoding small regulatory RNA-guided processes. These regulatory RNAs, called small nucleolar RNA (snoRNAs), function as a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) in the nucleolus. The biogenesis of snoRNPs is dependent on core protein and assembly factors. Our laboratory recently isolated a growth-suppressive protein gene associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality (GRIM)-1 using a genetic screen. IFN-inducible GRIM-1 (SHQ1) is an assembly factor that controls one arm of the snoRNP machinery. GRIM-1 inhibits sno/scaRNP formation to induce growth suppression via reduction in mature rRNA levels. Loss of GRIM-1 observed in certain cancers implicates it to be a novel tumor suppressor. Certain snoRNAs have been reported to act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in vitro. Recent studies have shown that certain sno/scaRNAs are further processed into micro RNA-like molecules to control translation of protein-coding RNAs. We present a model as to how these small regulatory RNAs influence cell growth and a potential role for GRIM-1 in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreeram C Nallar
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Williams K, Savageau MA, Blumenthal RM. A bistable hysteretic switch in an activator-repressor regulated restriction-modification system. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:6045-57. [PMID: 23630319 PMCID: PMC3695507 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Restriction–modification (RM) systems are extremely widespread among bacteria and archaea, and are often specified by mobile genetic elements. In type II RM systems, where the restriction endonuclease (REase) and protective DNA methyltransferase (MTase) are separate proteins, a major regulatory challenge is delaying expression of the REase relative to the MTase after RM genes enter a new host cell. Basic understanding of this regulation is available for few RM systems, and detailed understanding for none. The PvuII RM system is one of a large subset in which the central regulatory role is played by an activator–repressor protein (called C, for controller). REase expression depends upon activation by C, whereas expression of the MTase does not. Thus delay of REase expression depends on the rate of C-protein accumulation. This is a nonlinear process, as C also activates transcription of its own gene. Mathematical modeling of the PvuII system led to the unexpected predictions of responsiveness to a factor not previously studied in RM system control—gene copy number—and of a hysteretic response. In this study, those predictions have been confirmed experimentally. The results may apply to many other C-regulated RM systems, and help explain their ability to spread so widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Williams
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
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Makarova KS, Wolf YI, Koonin EV. Comparative genomics of defense systems in archaea and bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:4360-77. [PMID: 23470997 PMCID: PMC3632139 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge of prokaryotic defense systems has vastly expanded as the result of comparative genomic analysis, followed by experimental validation. This expansion is both quantitative, including the discovery of diverse new examples of known types of defense systems, such as restriction-modification or toxin-antitoxin systems, and qualitative, including the discovery of fundamentally new defense mechanisms, such as the CRISPR-Cas immunity system. Large-scale statistical analysis reveals that the distribution of different defense systems in bacterial and archaeal taxa is non-uniform, with four groups of organisms distinguishable with respect to the overall abundance and the balance between specific types of defense systems. The genes encoding defense system components in bacterial and archaea typically cluster in defense islands. In addition to genes encoding known defense systems, these islands contain numerous uncharacterized genes, which are candidates for new types of defense systems. The tight association of the genes encoding immunity systems and dormancy- or cell death-inducing defense systems in prokaryotic genomes suggests that these two major types of defense are functionally coupled, providing for effective protection at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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38
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Strong bias in the bacterial CRISPR elements that confer immunity to phage. Nat Commun 2013; 4:1430. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Taylor JE, Swiderska A, Geoff Kneale G. A rapid purification procedure for the HsdM protein of EcoR124I and biophysical characterization of the purified protein. Protein Expr Purif 2013; 87:136-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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40
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Balado M, Lemos ML, Osorio CR. Integrating conjugative elements of the SXT/R391 family from fish-isolatedVibriosencode restriction-modification systems that confer resistance to bacteriophages. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2012; 83:457-67. [DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Balado
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía; Instituto de Acuicultura; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela; Galicia; Spain
| | - Manuel L. Lemos
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía; Instituto de Acuicultura; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela; Galicia; Spain
| | - Carlos R. Osorio
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía; Instituto de Acuicultura; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela; Galicia; Spain
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41
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Ershova AS, Karyagina AS, Vasiliev MO, Lyashchuk AM, Lunin VG, Spirin SA, Alexeevski AV. Solitary restriction endonucleases in prokaryotic genomes. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:10107-15. [PMID: 22965118 PMCID: PMC3488263 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotic restriction-modification (R-M) systems defend the host cell from the invasion of a foreign DNA. They comprise two enzymatic activities: specific DNA cleavage activity and DNA methylation activity preventing cleavage. Typically, these activities are provided by two separate enzymes: a DNA methyltransferase (MTase) and a restriction endonuclease (RE). In the absence of a corresponding MTase, an RE of Type II R-M system is highly toxic for the cell. Genes of the R-M system are linked in the genome in the vast majority of annotated cases. There are only a few reported cases in which the genes of MTase and RE from one R-M system are not linked. Nevertheless, a few hundreds solitary RE genes are present in the Restriction Enzyme Database (http://rebase.neb.com) annotations. Using the comparative genomic approach, we analysed 272 solitary RE genes. For 57 solitary RE genes we predicted corresponding MTase genes located distantly in a genome. Of the 272 solitary RE genes, 99 are likely to be fragments of RE genes. Various explanations for the existence of the remaining 116 solitary RE genes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Ershova
- Department of Mathematical Methods in Biology, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992, Moscow, Russia.
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Ukanis M, Sapranauskas R, Lubys A. Screening for catalytically active Type II restriction endonucleases using segregation-induced methylation deficiency. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:e149. [PMID: 22753027 PMCID: PMC3479162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II restriction endonucleases (REases) are one of the basic tools of recombinant DNA technology. They also serve as models for elucidation of mechanisms for both site-specific DNA recognition and cleavage by proteins. However, isolation of catalytically active mutants from their libraries is challenging due to the toxicity of REases in the absence of protecting methylation, and techniques explored so far had limited success. Here, we present an improved SOS induction-based approach for in vivo screening of active REases, which we used to isolate a set of active variants of the catalytic mutant, Cfr10I(E204Q). Detailed characterization of plasmids from 64 colonies screened from the library of ∼200,000 transformants revealed 29 variants of cfr10IR gene at the level of nucleotide sequence and 15 variants at the level of amino acid sequence, all of which were able to induce SOS response. Specific activity measurements of affinity-purified mutants revealed >200-fold variance among them, ranging from 100% (wild-type isolates) to 0.5% (S188C mutant), suggesting that the technique is equally suited for screening of mutants possessing high or low activity and confirming that it may be applied for identification of residues playing a role in catalysis.
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Aranda J, Roca M, Tuñón I. Substrate promiscuity in DNA methyltransferase M.PvuII. A mechanistic insight. Org Biomol Chem 2012; 10:5395-400. [PMID: 22699309 DOI: 10.1039/c2ob07021a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
M.PvuII is a DNA methyltransferase from the bacterium Proteus vulgaris that catalyzes methylation of cytosine at the N4 position. This enzyme also displays promiscuous activity catalyzing methylation of adenine at the N6 position. In this work we use QM/MM methods to investigate the reaction mechanism of this promiscuous activity. We found that N6 methylation in M.PvuII takes place by means of a stepwise mechanism in which deprotonation of the exocyclic amino group is followed by the methyl transfer. Deprotonation involves two residues of the active site, Ser53 and Asp96, while methylation takes place directly from the AdoMet cofactor to the target nitrogen atom. The same reaction mechanism was described for cytosine methylation in the same enzyme, while the reversal timing, that is methylation followed by deprotonation, has been described in M.TaqI, an enzyme that catalyzes the N6-adenine DNA methylation from Thermus aquaticus. These mechanistic findings can be useful to understand the evolutionary paths followed by N-methyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Aranda
- Departament de Química Física, Universitat de València, València, Spain
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Taylor JE, Swiderska A, Artero JB, Callow P, Kneale G. Structural and functional analysis of the symmetrical Type I restriction endonuclease R.EcoR124I NT. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35263. [PMID: 22493743 PMCID: PMC3320862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I restriction-modification (RM) systems are comprised of two multi-subunit enzymes, the methyltransferase (∼160 kDa), responsible for methylation of DNA, and the restriction endonuclease (∼400 kDa), responsible for DNA cleavage. Both enzymes share a number of subunits. An engineered RM system, EcoR124I(NT), based on the N-terminal domain of the specificity subunit of EcoR124I was constructed that recognises the symmetrical sequence GAAN(7)TTC and is active as a methyltransferase. Here, we investigate the restriction endonuclease activity of R. EcoR124I(NT)in vitro and the subunit assembly of the multi-subunit enzyme. Finally, using small-angle neutron scattering and selective deuteration, we present a low-resolution structural model of the endonuclease and locate the motor subunits within the multi-subunit enzyme. We show that the covalent linkage between the two target recognition domains of the specificity subunit is not required for subunit assembly or enzyme activity, and discuss the implications for the evolution of Type I enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. Taylor
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Swiderska
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Baptiste Artero
- Partnership for Structural Biology, Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France
- Macromolecular Structure Research Group, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Callow
- Partnership for Structural Biology, Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France
| | - Geoff Kneale
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
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45
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Nikitin DV, Mokrishcheva ML, Solonin AS. Binding of DNA methyltransferase M.Ecl18kI [corrected] to operator-promoter region decreases its methylating activity. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2012; 77:307-311. [PMID: 22803949 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297912030108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The type II bifunctional DNA methyltransferase (MTase) Ecl18 that is able to control transcription of its own gene was studied kinetically. Based on initial velocity dependences from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) and target DNA and substrate preincubation assays, it is proposed that the enzyme apparently works by a rapid equilibrium ordered bi-bi mechanism with DNA binding first. By measuring the enzyme activity depending on DNA and AdoMet at different fixed concentrations of the operator sequence oligonucleotide, it was found that its binding has noncompetitive inhibitory effect on Ecl18 MTase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D V Nikitin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia.
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DNA microarray-based characterisation of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Italy. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2011; 30:1399-408. [PMID: 21499956 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-011-1234-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) isolates are widespread in many countries, with varying distribution and epidemiology. The aim of this study was to collect and characterise the CA-MRSA isolates circulating in Italy, since only some case reports have been published. Eighteen Panton-Valentine-positive CA-MRSA isolates were collected from different Italian hospitals during the period 2005-2009 from severe infections (skin and soft tissue infections, n = 10; necrotising pneumonia, n = 7; and sepsis, n = 1). Accessory gene regulator (agr) typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec typing, spa typing, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and DNA microarray were applied to categorise isolates into clones and to compare the relevant genetic features of each clone. Six different clones were identified, the most common (7 out of 18 isolates, 38.8%) being agrI/ST8/SCCmecIV, corresponding to the USA300 clone. Six out of the seven USA300 isolates did not harbour the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME). Four strains (22.2%) were agrIII/ST80/SCCmecIV, corresponding to the European clone. Two of the other clones, namely, agrIII/ST88/SCCmecV and agrIII/ST772/SCCmecV, corresponded to CA-MRSA clones rarely found in other countries and probably originating from Africa or the Indian subcontinent. The results of microarray hybridisations showed that the distribution of resistance genes and other virulence factors was specific to each clone. Some characteristics could be exploited as specific markers for a clone or a group of isolates, e.g. the mer operon, recovered only in ACME-negative USA300 strains. DNA microarray contributed to a more complete description of the variety of different CA-MRSA clones circulating in Italy.
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Al-Attar S, Westra ER, van der Oost J, Brouns SJ. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs): the hallmark of an ingenious antiviral defense mechanism in prokaryotes. Biol Chem 2011; 392:277-89. [DOI: 10.1515/bc.2011.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMany prokaryotes contain the recently discovered defense system against mobile genetic elements. This defense system contains a unique type of repetitive DNA stretches, termed Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs). CRISPRs consist of identical repeated DNA sequences (repeats), interspaced by highly variable sequences referred to as spacers. The spacers originate from either phages or plasmids and comprise the prokaryotes' ‘immunological memory’. CRISPR-associated (cas) genes encode conserved proteins that together with CRISPRs make-up the CRISPR/Cas system, responsible for defending the prokaryotic cell against invaders. CRISPR-mediated resistance has been proposed to involve three stages: (i) CRISPR-Adaptation, the invader DNA is encountered by the CRISPR/Cas machinery and an invader-derived short DNA fragment is incorporated in the CRISPR array. (ii) CRISPR-Expression, the CRISPR array is transcribed and the transcript is processed by Cas proteins. (iii) CRISPR-Interference, the invaders' nucleic acid is recognized by complementarity to the crRNA and neutralized. An application of the CRISPR/Cas system is the immunization of industry-relevant prokaryotes (or eukaryotes) against mobile-genetic invasion. In addition, the high variability of the CRISPR spacer content can be exploited for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies. Despite impressive progress during the last couple of years, the elucidation of several fundamental details will be a major challenge in future research.
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Farina M, Berenguer J, Pons S, da Rocha JBT, Aschner M. Introducing cloned genes into cultured neurons providing novel in vitro models for neuropathology and neurotoxicity studies. NEUROMETHODS 2011; 56:185-222. [PMID: 32132768 PMCID: PMC7055714 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-077-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Farina
- Departamento de Bioquímica, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Jordi Berenguer
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastián Pons
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - João Batista Teixeira da Rocha
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria - RS, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, and the Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Banerjee A, Rao DN. Functional analysis of an acid adaptive DNA adenine methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori 26695. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16810. [PMID: 21347417 PMCID: PMC3036652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
HP0593 DNA-(N(6)-adenine)-methyltransferase (HP0593 MTase) is a member of a Type III restriction-modification system in Helicobacter pylori strain 26695. HP0593 MTase has been cloned, overexpressed and purified heterologously in Escherichia coli. The recognition sequence of the purified MTase was determined as 5'-GCAG-3'and the site of methylation was found to be adenine. The activity of HP0593 MTase was found to be optimal at pH 5.5. This is a unique property in context of natural adaptation of H. pylori in its acidic niche. Dot-blot assay using antibodies that react specifically with DNA containing m6A modification confirmed that HP0593 MTase is an adenine-specific MTase. HP0593 MTase occurred as both monomer and dimer in solution as determined by gel-filtration chromatography and chemical-crosslinking studies. The nonlinear dependence of methylation activity on enzyme concentration indicated that more than one molecule of enzyme was required for its activity. Analysis of initial velocity with AdoMet as a substrate showed that two molecules of AdoMet bind to HP0593 MTase, which is the first example in case of Type III MTases. Interestingly, metal ion cofactors such as Co(2+), Mn(2+), and also Mg(2+) stimulated the HP0593 MTase activity. Preincubation and isotope partitioning analyses clearly indicated that HP0593 MTase-DNA complex is catalytically competent, and suggested that DNA binds to the MTase first followed by AdoMet. HP0593 MTase shows a distributive mechanism of methylation on DNA having more than one recognition site. Considering the occurrence of GCAG sequence in the potential promoter regions of physiologically important genes in H. pylori, our results provide impetus for exploring the role of this DNA MTase in the cellular processes of H. pylori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Banerjee
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Desirazu N. Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Mokrishcheva ML, Solonin AS, Nikitin DV. Fused eco29kIR- and M genes coding for a fully functional hybrid polypeptide as a model of molecular evolution of restriction-modification systems. BMC Evol Biol 2011; 11:35. [PMID: 21291520 PMCID: PMC3039593 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discovery of restriction endonucleases and modification DNA methyltransferases, key instruments of genetic engineering, opened a new era of molecular biology through development of the recombinant DNA technology. Today, the number of potential proteins assigned to type II restriction enzymes alone is beyond 6000, which probably reflects the high diversity of evolutionary pathways. Here we present experimental evidence that a new type IIC restriction and modification enzymes carrying both activities in a single polypeptide could result from fusion of the appropriate genes from preexisting bipartite restriction-modification systems. RESULTS Fusion of eco29kIR and M ORFs gave a novel gene encoding for a fully functional hybrid polypeptide that carried both restriction endonuclease and DNA methyltransferase activities. It has been placed into a subclass of type II restriction and modification enzymes--type IIC. Its MTase activity, 80% that of the M.Eco29kI enzyme, remained almost unchanged, while its REase activity decreased by three times, concurrently with changed reaction optima, which presumably can be caused by increased steric hindrance in interaction with the substrate. In vitro the enzyme preferentially cuts DNA, with only a low level of DNA modification detected. In vivo new RMS can provide a 102-fold less protection of host cells against phage invasion. CONCLUSIONS We propose a molecular mechanism of appearing of type IIC restriction-modification and M.SsoII-related enzymes, as well as other multifunctional proteins. As shown, gene fusion could play an important role in evolution of restriction-modification systems and be responsible for the enzyme subclass interconversion. Based on the proposed approach, hundreds of new type IIC enzymes can be generated using head-to-tail oriented type I, II, and III restriction and modification genes. These bifunctional polypeptides can serve a basis for enzymes with altered recognition specificities. Lastly, this study demonstrates that protein fusion may change biochemical properties of the involved enzymes, thus giving a starting point for their further evolutionary divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L Mokrishcheva
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki, 5, Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia
- Pushchino State University, Prospekt Nauki, 3, Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia
| | - Alexander S Solonin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki, 5, Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia
| | - Dmitri V Nikitin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki, 5, Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia
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