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Bharathi Achudhan A, Saleena LM. Genomic reconstruction of unclassified microorganisms: Analysis of CRISPR arrays and genes involved in defense mechanisms. Gene 2024; 928:148808. [PMID: 39089531 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The constant battle between bacteria and viruses has led to the development of sophisticated antiviral defense strategies by bacteria to defend themselves against phages. This study analyzed a marshland metagenome to identify and characterize bacterial antiviral defense systems and phage interactions. We assembled 210 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from environmental DNA extracted from Pallikaranai marshland soil and 37 unclassified MAGs were filtered. MIMAG standards were followed, 2 high-quality and 15 medium-quality unclassified MAGs were picked. MINCED was used to identify 137 CRISPR arrays in the quality MAGs, and ViroBLAST was used to identify the phages that interact with the bacteria. About 242 spacer sequences were extracted from the CRISPR arrays, of which 54 had significant matches in the ViroBLAST database. 7 unverified bacteriophage species were also detected in the MAGs. The viral group of Caudoviricetes phage elements were identified as a frequent genome terminal repeat. The PADLOC identified 11 genes involved as a defense system in the MAGs. The PD-T4-6 defense system was found to be prevalent in 15 different unclassified MAGs. This study presents valuable insights intothe adaptations of unclassified bacteria to bacteriophages, as well as the genes used by these bacteria as a defense mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunmozhi Bharathi Achudhan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lilly M Saleena
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India.
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2
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Di Cesare A, Cornacchia A, Sbaffi T, Sabatino R, Corno G, Cammà C, Calistri P, Pomilio F. Treated wastewater: A hotspot for multidrug- and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124598. [PMID: 39053799 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants are hotspots for the release of antimicrobial resistant pathogenic bacteria into aquatic ecosystems, significantly contributing to the cycle of antimicrobial resistance. Special attention should be paid to antimicrobial resistant ESKAPE bacteria, which have been identified as high-priority targets for control measures. Among them, Klebsiella pneumoniae is particularly noteworthy. In this study, we collected wastewater samples from the inlet, sedimentation tank, and effluent water of a wastewater treatment plant in June, July, October, and November of 2018. We detected and characterized 42 K. pneumoniae strains using whole genome sequencing (15 from the inlet, 8 from the sedimentation tank, and 19 from the effluent). Additionally, the strains were tested for their antimicrobial resistance phenotype. Using whole genome sequencing no distinct patterns were observed in terms of their genetic profiles. All strains were resistant to tetracycline, meanwhile 60%, 47%, and 37.5% of strains isolated from the inlet, sedimentation tank, and effluent, respectively, were multidrug resistant. Some of the multidrug resistant isolates were also resistant to colistin, and nearly all tested positive for the eptB and arnT genes, which are associated with polymyxin resistance. Various antimicrobial resistance genes were linked to mobile genetic elements, and they did not correlate with detected virulence groups or defense systems. Overall, our results, although not quantitative, highlight that multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae strains, including those resistant to colistin and genetically unrelated, being discharged into aquatic ecosystems from wastewater treatment plants. This suggests the necessity of monitoring aimed at genetically characterizing these pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Cesare
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Cornacchia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Tomasa Sbaffi
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaella Sabatino
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Corno
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Paolo Calistri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Pomilio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
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3
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Rotman E, McClure S, Glazier J, Fuerte-Stone J, Foldi J, Erani A, McGann R, Arnold J, Lin H, Valaitis S, Mimee M. Rapid design of bacteriophage cocktails to suppress the burden and virulence of gut-resident carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cell Host Microbe 2024:S1931-3128(24)00348-2. [PMID: 39368473 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.09.004] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic use can lead to the expansion of multi-drug-resistant pathobionts within the gut microbiome that can cause life-threatening infections. Selective alternatives to conventional antibiotics are in dire need. Here, we describe a Klebsiella PhageBank for the tailored design of bacteriophage cocktails to treat multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Using a transposon library in carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, we identify host factors required for phage infection in major Klebsiella phage families. Leveraging the diversity of the PhageBank, we formulate phage combinations that eliminate K. pneumoniae with minimal phage resistance. Optimized cocktails selectively suppress the burden of K. pneumoniae in the mouse gut and drive the loss of key virulence factors that act as phage receptors. Phage-mediated diversification of bacterial populations in the gut leads to co-evolution of phage variants with higher virulence and broader host range. Altogether, the Klebsiella PhageBank charts a roadmap for phage therapy against a critical multidrug-resistant human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Rotman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sandra McClure
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Joshua Glazier
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jay Fuerte-Stone
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Committee on Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jonathan Foldi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ali Erani
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rory McGann
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jack Arnold
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Huaiying Lin
- Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sandra Valaitis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Urogynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Mark Mimee
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Duchoissois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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4
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Rackow B, Rolland C, Mohnen I, Wittmann J, Müsken M, Overmann J, Frunzke J. Isolation and characterization of the new Streptomyces phages Kamino, Geonosis, Abafar, and Scarif infecting a broad range of host species. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0066324. [PMID: 39320111 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00663-24] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces, a multifaceted genus of soil-dwelling bacteria belonging to the phylum Actinomycetota, features intricate phage-host interactions shaped by its complex life cycle and the synthesis of a diverse array of specialized metabolites. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of four novel Streptomyces phages infecting a variety of different host species. While phage Kamino, isolated on Streptomyces kasugaensis, is predicted to be temperate and encodes a serine integrase in its genome, phages Geonosis (isolated on Streptomyces griseus) and Abafar and Scarif, isolated on Streptomyces albidoflavus, are virulent phages. Phages Kamino and Geonosis were shown to amplify well in liquid culture leading to a pronounced culture collapse already at low titers. Determination of the host range by testing >40 different Streptomyces species identified phages Kamino, Abafar, and Scarif as broad host-range phages. Overall, the phages described in this study expand the publicly available portfolio of phages infecting Streptomyces and will be instrumental in advancing the mechanistic understanding of the intricate antiviral strategies employed by these multicellular bacteria.IMPORTANCEThe actinobacterial genus Streptomyces is characterized by multicellular, filamentous growth and the synthesis of a diverse range of bioactive molecules. These characteristics also play a role in shaping their interactions with the most abundant predator in the environment, bacteriophages-viruses infecting bacteria. In this study, we characterize four new phages infecting Streptomyces. Out of those, three phages feature a broad host range infecting up to 15 different species. The isolated phages were characterized with respect to plaque and virion morphology, host range, and amplification in liquid culture. In summary, the phages reported in this study contribute to the broader collection of publicly available phages infecting Streptomyces, playing a crucial role in advancing our mechanistic understanding of phage-host interactions of these multicellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente Rackow
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Clara Rolland
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Isabelle Mohnen
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Johannes Wittmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mathias Müsken
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Julia Frunzke
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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5
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Kelleher P, Ortiz Charneco G, Kampff Z, Diaz-Garrido N, Bottacini F, McDonnell B, Lugli GA, Ventura M, Fomenkov A, Quénée P, Kulakauskas S, de Waal P, van Peij NNME, Cambillau C, Roberts RJ, van Sinderen D, Mahony J. Phage defence loci of Streptococcus thermophilus-tip of the anti-phage iceberg? Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae814. [PMID: 39315705 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria possess (bacterio)phage defence systems to ensure their survival. The thermophilic lactic acid bacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus, which is used in dairy fermentations, harbours multiple CRISPR-Cas and restriction and modification (R/M) systems to protect itself against phage attack, with limited reports on other types of phage-resistance. Here, we describe the systematic identification and functional analysis of the phage resistome of S. thermophilus using a collection of 27 strains as representatives of the species. In addition to CRISPR-Cas and R/M systems, we uncover nine distinct phage-resistance systems including homologues of Kiwa, Gabija, Dodola, defence-associated sirtuins and classical lactococcal/streptococcal abortive infection systems. The genes encoding several of these newly identified S. thermophilus antiphage systems are located in proximity to the genetic determinants of CRISPR-Cas systems thus constituting apparent Phage Defence Islands. Other phage-resistance systems whose encoding genes are not co-located with genes specifying CRISPR-Cas systems may represent anchors to identify additional Defence Islands harbouring, as yet, uncharacterised phage defence systems. We estimate that up to 2.5% of the genetic material of the analysed strains is dedicated to phage defence, highlighting that phage-host antagonism plays an important role in driving the evolution and shaping the composition of dairy streptococcal genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Guillermo Ortiz Charneco
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Zoe Kampff
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Natalia Diaz-Garrido
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Brian McDonnell
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Gabriele A Lugli
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, and Interdepartmental Research Centre Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, and Interdepartmental Research Centre Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Pascal Quénée
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Saulius Kulakauskas
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Paul de Waal
- DSM-Firmenich, Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Noël N M E van Peij
- DSM-Firmenich, Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Cambillau
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS, UMR 7255, Marseille, France
| | | | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
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6
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Kolenda C, Bonhomme M, Medina M, Pouilly M, Rousseau C, Troesch E, Martins-Simoes P, Stegger M, Verhoeven PO, Laumay F, Laurent F. Potential of training of anti- Staphylococcus aureus therapeutic phages against Staphylococcus epidermidis multidrug-resistant isolates is restricted by inter- and intra-sequence type specificity. mSystems 2024:e0085024. [PMID: 39248470 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00850-24] [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: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy appears to be a promising approach to tackle multidrug-resistant bacteria, including staphylococci. However, most anti-staphylococcal phages have been characterized in Staphylococcus aureus, while a limited number of studies investigated phage activity against S. epidermidis. We studied the potential of phage training to extend the host range of two types of anti-S. aureus phages against S. epidermidis isolates. The Appelmans protocol was applied to a mixture of Kayvirus and a mixture of Silviavirus phages repeatedly exposed to seven S. epidermidis strains representative of nosocomial-associated sequence types (ST), including the world-wide disseminated ST2. We observed increased activity only for the Kayvirus mixture against two of these strains (ST2 or ST35). Phage subpopulations isolated from the training mixture using these two strains (five/strain) exhibited different evolved phenotypes, active only against their isolation strain or strains of the same ST. Of note, 16/47 ST2 strains were susceptible to one of the groups of trained phages. A comparative genomic analysis of ancestral and trained phage genomes, conducted to identify potential bacterial determinants of such specific activity, found numerous recombination events between two of the three ancestors. However, a small number of trained phage genes had nucleotide sequence modifications impacting the corresponding protein compared to ancestral phages, two to four of them per phage genome being specific of each group of phage subpopulations exhibiting different host range. The results suggest that anti-S. aureus phages can be adapted to S. epidermidis isolates but with inter- and intra-ST specificity.ImportanceS. epidermidis is increasingly recognized as a threat for public health. Its clinical importance is notably related to multidrug resistance. Phage therapy is one of the most promising alternative therapeutic strategies to antibiotics. Nonetheless, only very few phages active against this bacterial species have been described. In the present study, we showed that phage training can be used to extend the host range of polyvalent Kayvirus phages within the Staphylococcus genera to include S. epidermidis species. In the context of rapid development of phage therapy, in vitro forced adaptation of previously characterized phages could be an appealing alternative to fastidious repeated isolation of new phages to improve the therapeutic potential of a phage collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Kolenda
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Equipe StaPath, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Mélanie Bonhomme
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Equipe StaPath, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Mathieu Medina
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Equipe StaPath, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Mateo Pouilly
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Clara Rousseau
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Emma Troesch
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Patricia Martins-Simoes
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Equipe StaPath, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Marc Stegger
- Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Paul O Verhoeven
- GIMAP Team, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Jean Monnet St-Etienne, St-Etienne, France
- Department of Infectious Agents and Hygiene, University Hospital of St-Etienne, St-Etienne, France
| | - Floriane Laumay
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Equipe StaPath, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Laurent
- Service de bactériologie, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Equipe StaPath, CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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7
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Kolesnik M, Pavlov C, Demkina A, Samolygo A, Karneyeva K, Trofimova A, Sokolova OS, Moiseenko AV, Kirsanova M, Severinov K. New Viruses Infecting Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Thermus thermophilus. Viruses 2024; 16:1410. [PMID: 39339886 PMCID: PMC11437467 DOI: 10.3390/v16091410] [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: 08/09/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Highly diverse phages infecting thermophilic bacteria of the Thermus genus have been isolated over the years from hot springs around the world. Many of these phages are unique, rely on highly unusual developmental strategies, and encode novel enzymes. The variety of Thermus phages is clearly undersampled, as evidenced, for example, by a paucity of phage-matching spacers in Thermus CRISPR arrays. Using water samples collected from hot springs in the Kunashir Island from the Kuril archipelago and from the Tsaishi and Nokalakevi districts in the Republic of Georgia, we isolated several distinct phages infecting laboratory strains of Thermus thermophilus. Genomic sequence analysis of 11 phages revealed both close relatives of previously described Thermus phages isolated from geographically distant sites, as well as phages with very limited similarity to earlier isolates. Comparative analysis allowed us to predict several accessory phage genes whose products may be involved in host defense/interviral warfare, including a putative Type V CRISPR-cas system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matvey Kolesnik
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Constantine Pavlov
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina Demkina
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei Samolygo
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Karyna Karneyeva
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Trofimova
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga S Sokolova
- Faculty of Biology, MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei V Moiseenko
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Kirsanova
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Waksman Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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8
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Asgharzadeh Kangachar S, Logel DY, Trofimova E, Zhu HX, Zaugg J, Schembri MA, Weynberg KD, Jaschke PR. Discovery and characterisation of new phage targeting uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Virology 2024; 597:110148. [PMID: 38941748 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating threat with few new therapeutic options in the pipeline. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections globally and are prone to becoming recurrent and antibiotic resistant. We discovered and characterized six novel Autographiviridae and Guernseyvirinae bacterial viruses (phage) against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), a leading cause of UTIs. The phage genomes were between 39,471 bp - 45,233 bp, with 45.0%-51.0% GC%, and 57-84 predicted coding sequences per genome. We show that tail fiber domain structure, predicted host capsule type, and host antiphage repertoire correlate with phage host range. In vitro characterisation of phage cocktails showed synergistic improvement against a mixed UPEC strain population and when sequentially dosed. Together, these phage are a new set extending available treatments for UTI from UPEC, and phage vM_EcoM_SHAK9454 represents a promising candidate for further improvement through engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahla Asgharzadeh Kangachar
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dominic Y Logel
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ellina Trofimova
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hannah X Zhu
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julian Zaugg
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karen D Weynberg
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul R Jaschke
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
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9
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He L, Miguel-Romero L, Patkowski JB, Alqurainy N, Rocha EPC, Costa TRD, Fillol-Salom A, Penadés JR. Tail assembly interference is a common strategy in bacterial antiviral defenses. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7539. [PMID: 39215040 PMCID: PMC11364771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51915-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial immune systems recognize phage structural components to activate antiviral responses, without inhibiting the function of the phage component. These systems can be encoded in specific chromosomal loci, known as defense islands, and in mobile genetic elements such as prophages and phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs). Here, we identify a family of bacterial immune systems, named Tai (for 'tail assembly inhibition'), that is prevalent in PICIs, prophages and P4-like phage satellites. Tai systems protect their bacterial host population from other phages by blocking the tail assembly step, leading to the release of tailless phages incapable of infecting new hosts. To prevent autoimmunity, some Tai-positive phages have an associated counter-defense mechanism that is expressed during the phage lytic cycle and allows for tail formation. Interestingly, the Tai defense and counter-defense genes are organized in a non-contiguous operon, enabling their coordinated expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingchen He
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Laura Miguel-Romero
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jonasz B Patkowski
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nasser Alqurainy
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Basic Science, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences & King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Paris, France
| | - Tiago R D Costa
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alfred Fillol-Salom
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - José R Penadés
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain.
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10
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Pyle JD, Lund SR, O'Toole KH, Saleh L. Virus-encoded glycosyltransferases hypermodify DNA with diverse glycans. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114631. [PMID: 39154342 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic modification of DNA nucleobases can coordinate gene expression, nuclease protection, or mutagenesis. We recently discovered a clade of phage-specific cytosine methyltransferase (MT) and 5-methylpyrimidine dioxygenase (5mYOX) enzymes that produce 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) as a precursor for enzymatic hypermodifications on viral genomes. Here, we identify phage MT- and 5mYOX-associated glycosyltransferases (GTs) that catalyze linkage of diverse sugars to 5hmC nucleobase substrates. Metavirome mining revealed thousands of biosynthetic gene clusters containing enzymes with predicted roles in cytosine sugar hypermodification. We developed a platform for high-throughput screening of GT-containing pathways, relying on the Escherichia coli metabolome as a substrate pool. We successfully reconstituted several pathways and isolated diverse sugar modifications appended to cytosine, including mono-, di-, or tri-saccharides comprised of hexoses, N-acetylhexosamines, or heptose. These findings expand our knowledge of hypermodifications on nucleic acids and the origins of corresponding sugar-installing enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Pyle
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Sean R Lund
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Katherine H O'Toole
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Lana Saleh
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA.
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11
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Went SC, Picton DM, Morgan RD, Nelson A, Brady A, Mariano G, Dryden DTF, Smith DL, Wenner N, Hinton JCD, Blower TR. Structure and rational engineering of the PglX methyltransferase and specificity factor for BREX phage defence. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7236. [PMID: 39174540 PMCID: PMC11341690 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51629-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a broad range of systems that provide defence against their viral predators, bacteriophages. Bacteriophage Exclusion (BREX) systems recognise and methylate 6 bp non-palindromic motifs within the host genome, and prevent replication of non-methylated phage DNA that encodes these same motifs. How BREX recognises cognate motifs has not been fully understood. In this study we characterise BREX from pathogenic Salmonella and present X-ray crystallographic structures of the conserved BREX protein, PglX. The PglX N-terminal domain encodes the methyltransferase, whereas the C-terminal domain is for motif recognition. We also present the structure of PglX bound to the phage-derived DNA mimic, Ocr, an inhibitor of BREX activity. Our analyses propose modes for DNA-binding by PglX and indicate that both methyltransferase activity and defence require larger BREX complexes. Through rational engineering of PglX we broaden both the range of phages targeted, and the host motif sequences that are methylated by BREX. Our data demonstrate that PglX is used to recognise specific DNA sequences for BREX activity, contributing to motif recognition for both phage defence and host methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam C Went
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK
| | - David M Picton
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK
| | | | - Andrew Nelson
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Aisling Brady
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Giuseppina Mariano
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - David T F Dryden
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK
| | - Darren L Smith
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nicolas Wenner
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jay C D Hinton
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK.
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12
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Santos AJDC, Dias RS, da Silva CHM, Vidigal PMP, de Sousa MP, da Silva CC, de Paula SO. Genomic analysis of Oceanotoga teriensis strain UFV_LIMV02, a multidrug-resistant thermophilic bacterium isolated from an offshore oil reservoir. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000801.v3. [PMID: 39148687 PMCID: PMC11326445 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000801.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the species Oceanotoga teriensis belong to the family Petrotogaceae, are Gram-negative bacilli, are moderately thermophilic and are included in the group of thiosulfate-reducing bacteria, being capable of significantly accelerating corrosion in metallic structures. However, no in-depth study on the genome, antibiotic resistance and mobile elements has been carried out so far. In this work, the isolation, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the multi-resistant O. teriensis UFV_LIMV02 strain was carried out, from water samples from an offshore oil extraction platform in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). We determined that the isolate has a genome of 2 812 778 bp in size, with 26 % GC content, organized into 34 contigs. Genomic annotation using Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology revealed the presence of genes related to resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. By evaluating the antimicrobial resistance of the isolate using the disc diffusion technique, resistance was verified for the classes of antibiotics, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, lincosamides and rifamycins, a total of 14 antibiotics. The search for genomic islands, prophages and defence systems against phage infection revealed the presence of five genomic islands in its genome, containing genes related to resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics, most of which are efflux pumps and several transposases. No prophage was found in its genome; however, nine different defence systems against phage infection were detected. When analysing the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) systems, four CRISPR arrays, classified as types I-B and III-B, with 272 spacers, can provide the strain with immunity to different mobile genetic elements and bacteriophage infection. The results found in this study show that the isolate UFV_LIVM02 is an environmental bacterium, resistant to different classes of antibiotics, and that the proteins encoded by the predicted genomic islands may be associated with the development of greater resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. They provide evidence that environmental bacteria found in offshore oil exploration residues may pose a risk for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. More comprehensive studies on the microbial community present in oil waste are needed to assess the risks of horizontal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriele Jéssica do Carmo Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Roberto Sousa Dias
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Martins da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Pedro Marcus Pereira Vidigal
- Center for Biomolecules Analysis (NuBIOMOL), Federal University of Viçosa, Vila Gianetti, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maíra Paula de Sousa
- Leopoldo Américo Miguez de Mello Research and Development Center, Petrobras, Av. Horácio Macedo, 950, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-915, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Canedo da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Oliveira de Paula
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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13
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Maestri A, Pons BJ, Pursey E, Chong CE, Gandon S, Custodio R, Olina A, Agapov A, Chisnall MAW, Grasso A, Paterson S, Szczelkun MD, Baker KS, van Houte S, Chevallereau A, Westra ER. The bacterial defense system MADS interacts with CRISPR-Cas to limit phage infection and escape. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:1412-1426.e11. [PMID: 39094583 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The constant arms race between bacteria and their parasites has resulted in a large diversity of bacterial defenses, with many bacteria carrying multiple systems. Here, we report the discovery of a phylogenetically widespread defense system, coined methylation-associated defense system (MADS), which is distributed across gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. MADS interacts with a CRISPR-Cas system in its native host to provide robust and durable resistance against phages. While phages can acquire epigenetic-mediated resistance against MADS, co-existence of MADS and a CRISPR-Cas system limits escape emergence. MADS comprises eight genes with predicted nuclease, ATPase, kinase, and methyltransferase domains, most of which are essential for either self/non-self discrimination, DNA restriction, or both. The complex genetic architecture of MADS and MADS-like systems, relative to other prokaryotic defenses, points toward highly elaborate mechanisms of sensing infections, defense activation, and/or interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Maestri
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Benoit J Pons
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Elizabeth Pursey
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Charlotte E Chong
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Sylvain Gandon
- CEFE, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Rafael Custodio
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Anna Olina
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Aleksei Agapov
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Matthew A W Chisnall
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Anita Grasso
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Steve Paterson
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Mark D Szczelkun
- DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kate S Baker
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Stineke van Houte
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Anne Chevallereau
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Cochin, Paris 75014, France.
| | - Edze R Westra
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK.
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14
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Chambers LR, Ye Q, Cai J, Gong M, Ledvina HE, Zhou H, Whiteley AT, Suhandynata RT, Corbett KD. A eukaryotic-like ubiquitination system in bacterial antiviral defence. Nature 2024; 631:843-849. [PMID: 39020180 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07730-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Ubiquitination pathways have crucial roles in protein homeostasis, signalling and innate immunity1-3. In these pathways, an enzymatic cascade of E1, E2 and E3 proteins conjugates ubiquitin or a ubiquitin-like protein (Ubl) to target-protein lysine residues4. Bacteria encode ancient relatives of E1 and Ubl proteins involved in sulfur metabolism5,6, but these proteins do not mediate Ubl-target conjugation, leaving open the question of whether bacteria can perform ubiquitination-like protein conjugation. Here we demonstrate that a bacterial operon associated with phage defence islands encodes a complete ubiquitination pathway. Two structures of a bacterial E1-E2-Ubl complex reveal striking architectural parallels with canonical eukaryotic ubiquitination machinery. The bacterial E1 possesses an amino-terminal inactive adenylation domain and a carboxy-terminal active adenylation domain with a mobile α-helical insertion containing the catalytic cysteine (CYS domain). One structure reveals a pre-reaction state with the bacterial Ubl C terminus positioned for adenylation, and a second structure mimics an E1-to-E2 transthioesterification state with the E1 CYS domain adjacent to the bound E2. We show that a deubiquitinase in the same pathway preprocesses the bacterial Ubl, exposing its C-terminal glycine for adenylation. Finally, we show that the bacterial E1 and E2 collaborate to conjugate Ubl to target-protein lysine residues. Together, these data reveal that bacteria possess bona fide ubiquitination systems with strong mechanistic and architectural parallels to canonical eukaryotic ubiquitination pathways, suggesting that these pathways arose first in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia R Chambers
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jiaxi Cai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Minheng Gong
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hannah E Ledvina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Huilin Zhou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aaron T Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Raymond T Suhandynata
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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15
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Ridgway R, Lu H, Blower TR, Evans NJ, Ainsworth S. Genomic and taxonomic evaluation of 38 Treponema prophage sequences. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:549. [PMID: 38824509 PMCID: PMC11144348 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite Spirochetales being a ubiquitous and medically important order of bacteria infecting both humans and animals, there is extremely limited information regarding their bacteriophages. Of the genus Treponema, there is just a single reported characterised prophage. RESULTS We applied a bioinformatic approach on 24 previously published Treponema genomes to identify and characterise putative treponemal prophages. Thirteen of the genomes did not contain any detectable prophage regions. The remaining eleven contained 38 prophage sequences, with between one and eight putative prophages in each bacterial genome. The prophage regions ranged from 12.4 to 75.1 kb, with between 27 and 171 protein coding sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 24 of the prophages formed three distinct sequence clusters, identifying putative myoviral and siphoviral morphology. ViPTree analysis demonstrated that the identified sequences were novel when compared to known double stranded DNA bacteriophage genomes. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we have started to address the knowledge gap on treponeme bacteriophages by characterising 38 prophage sequences in 24 treponeme genomes. Using bioinformatic approaches, we have been able to identify and compare the prophage-like elements with respect to other bacteriophages, their gene content, and their potential to be a functional and inducible bacteriophage, which in turn can help focus our attention on specific prophages to investigate further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Ridgway
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Hanshuo Lu
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Nicholas James Evans
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
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16
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Otero-Olarra JE, Díaz-Cárdenas G, Aguilera-Arreola MG, Curiel-Quesada E, Pérez-Valdespino A. Aeromonas trota Is Highly Refractory to Acquire Exogenous Genetic Material. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1091. [PMID: 38930473 PMCID: PMC11206119 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061091] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aeromonas trota is sensitive to most antibiotics and the sole species of this genus susceptible to ampicillin. This susceptibility profile could be related to its inability to acquire exogenous DNA. In this study, A. trota isolates were analyzed to establish their capacity to incorporate foreign DNA. Fourteen strains were identified as A. trota by multilocus phylogenetic analysis (MLPA). Minimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics (MIC) were assessed, confirming the susceptibility to most antibiotics tested. To explore their capacity to be transformed, A. trota strains were used as recipients in different horizontal transfer assays. Results showed that around fifty percent of A. trota strains were able to incorporate pBAMD1-2 and pBBR1MCS-3 plasmids after conjugal transfer. In all instances, conjugation frequencies were very low. Interestingly, several isoforms of plasmid pBBR1MCS-3 were observed in transconjugants. Strains could not receive pAr-32, a native plasmid from A. salmonicida. A. trota strains were unable to receive DNA by means of electroporation, natural transformation or vesiduction. These results confirm that A. trota species are extremely refractory to horizontal gene transfer, which could be associated to plasmid instability resulting from oligomerization or to the presence of defense systems against exogenous genetic material in their genomes. To explain the poor results of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), selected genomes were sequenced and analyzed, revealing the presence of defense systems, which could prevent the stable incorporation of exogenous DNA in A. trota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Erick Otero-Olarra
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
| | - Gilda Díaz-Cárdenas
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
| | - Ma Guadalupe Aguilera-Arreola
- Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Everardo Curiel-Quesada
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
| | - Abigail Pérez-Valdespino
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
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17
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Ha EJ, Hong SM, Kim TE, Cho SH, Ko DS, Kim JH, Choi KS, Kwon HJ. Strategic combination of bacteriophages with highly susceptible cells for enhanced intestinal settlement and resistant cell killing. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 709:149823. [PMID: 38569245 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes enormous economic losses and is a primary contributor to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR)-related problems in the poultry industry. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has been successful in controlling MDR, but phage-resistant variants have rapidly emerged through the horizontal transmission of diverse phage defense systems carried on mobile genetic elements. Consequently, while multiple phage cocktails are recommended for phage therapy, there is a growing need to explore simpler and more cost-effective phage treatment alternatives. In this study, we characterized two novel O78-specific APEC phages, φWAO78-1 and φHAO78-1, in terms of their morphology, genome, physicochemical stability and growth kinetics. Additionally, we assessed the susceptibility of thirty-two O78 APEC strains to these phages. We analyzed the roles of highly susceptible cells in intestinal settlement and fecal shedding (susceptible cell-assisted intestinal settlement and shedding, SAIS) of phages in chickens via coinoculation with phages. Furthermore, we evaluated a new strategy, susceptible cell-assisted resistant cell killing (SARK), by comparing phage susceptibility between resistant cells alone and a mixture of resistant and highly susceptible cells in vitro. As expected, high proportions of O78 APEC strains had already acquired multiple phage defense systems, exhibiting considerable resistance to φWAO78-1 and φHAO78-1. Coinoculation of highly susceptible cells with phages prolonged phage shedding in feces, and the coexistence of susceptible cells markedly increased the phage susceptibility of resistant cells. Therefore, the SAIS and SARK strategies were demonstrated to be promising both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jin Ha
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 PLUS for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 088026, South Korea; Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Seung-Min Hong
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 PLUS for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 088026, South Korea; Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Tae-Eun Kim
- BioPOA Co. Hwaseong-si 18469, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Cho
- BioPOA Co. Hwaseong-si 18469, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Dae-Sung Ko
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 PLUS for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 088026, South Korea; Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 PLUS for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 088026, South Korea; Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Kang-Seuk Choi
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 PLUS for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 088026, South Korea; Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul 08826, South Korea.
| | - Hyuk-Joon Kwon
- BioPOA Co. Hwaseong-si 18469, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea; Laboratory of Poultry Medicine, Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 PLUS for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 088026, South Korea; Farm Animal Clinical Training and Research Center (FACTRC), GBST, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, South Korea; GeNiner Inc., Seoul 08826, South Korea.
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18
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Hossain AA, Pigli YZ, Baca CF, Heissel S, Thomas A, Libis VK, Burian J, Chappie JS, Brady SF, Rice PA, Marraffini LA. DNA glycosylases provide antiviral defence in prokaryotes. Nature 2024; 629:410-416. [PMID: 38632404 PMCID: PMC11078745 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07329-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria have adapted to phage predation by evolving a vast assortment of defence systems1. Although anti-phage immunity genes can be identified using bioinformatic tools, the discovery of novel systems is restricted to the available prokaryotic sequence data2. Here, to overcome this limitation, we infected Escherichia coli carrying a soil metagenomic DNA library3 with the lytic coliphage T4 to isolate clones carrying protective genes. Following this approach, we identified Brig1, a DNA glycosylase that excises α-glucosyl-hydroxymethylcytosine nucleobases from the bacteriophage T4 genome to generate abasic sites and inhibit viral replication. Brig1 homologues that provide immunity against T-even phages are present in multiple phage defence loci across distinct clades of bacteria. Our study highlights the benefits of screening unsequenced DNA and reveals prokaryotic DNA glycosylases as important players in the bacteria-phage arms race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer A Hossain
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ying Z Pigli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christian F Baca
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Søren Heissel
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexis Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Vincent K Libis
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ján Burian
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua S Chappie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sean F Brady
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phoebe A Rice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Luciano A Marraffini
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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19
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Li J, Cheng R, Wang Z, Yuan W, Xiao J, Zhao X, Du X, Xia S, Wang L, Zhu B, Wang L. Structures and activation mechanism of the Gabija anti-phage system. Nature 2024; 629:467-473. [PMID: 38471529 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Prokaryotes have evolved intricate innate immune systems against phage infection1-7. Gabija is a highly widespread prokaryotic defence system that consists of two components, GajA and GajB8. GajA functions as a DNA endonuclease that is inactive in the presence of ATP9. Here, to explore how the Gabija system is activated for anti-phage defence, we report its cryo-electron microscopy structures in five states, including apo GajA, GajA in complex with DNA, GajA bound by ATP, apo GajA-GajB, and GajA-GajB in complex with ATP and Mg2+. GajA is a rhombus-shaped tetramer with its ATPase domain clustered at the centre and the topoisomerase-primase (Toprim) domain located peripherally. ATP binding at the ATPase domain stabilizes the insertion region within the ATPase domain, keeping the Toprim domain in a closed state. Upon ATP depletion by phages, the Toprim domain opens to bind and cleave the DNA substrate. GajB, which docks on GajA, is activated by the cleaved DNA, ultimately leading to prokaryotic cell death. Our study presents a mechanistic landscape of Gabija activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Ministry of Education and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiming Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Ministry of Education and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wuliu Yuan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Ministry of Education and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Ministry of Education and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinran Du
- School of Electronic Information, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyu Xia
- Divison of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Ministry of Education and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Longfei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Ministry of Education and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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20
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Agapov A, Baker KS, Bedekar P, Bhatia RP, Blower TR, Brockhurst MA, Brown C, Chong CE, Fothergill JL, Graham S, Hall JP, Maestri A, McQuarrie S, Olina A, Pagliara S, Recker M, Richmond A, Shaw SJ, Szczelkun MD, Taylor TB, van Houte S, Went SC, Westra ER, White MF, Wright R. Multi-layered genome defences in bacteria. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102436. [PMID: 38368839 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a variety of defence mechanisms to protect against mobile genetic elements, including restriction-modification systems and CRISPR-Cas. In recent years, dozens of previously unknown defence systems (DSs) have been discovered. Notably, diverse DSs often coexist within the same genome, and some co-occur at frequencies significantly higher than would be expected by chance, implying potential synergistic interactions. Recent studies have provided evidence of defence mechanisms that enhance or complement one another. Here, we review the interactions between DSs at the mechanistic, regulatory, ecological and evolutionary levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Agapov
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Kate S Baker
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Paritosh Bedekar
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Rama P Bhatia
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Michael A Brockhurst
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Dover Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Cooper Brown
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | | | - Joanne L Fothergill
- Dept of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Shirley Graham
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - James Pj Hall
- Dept of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Alice Maestri
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Stuart McQuarrie
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Anna Olina
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | | | - Mario Recker
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Anna Richmond
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Steven J Shaw
- DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS6 7YB, UK
| | - Mark D Szczelkun
- DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS6 7YB, UK
| | - Tiffany B Taylor
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | - Sam C Went
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Edze R Westra
- ESI, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK.
| | - Malcolm F White
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Rosanna Wright
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Dover Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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21
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Beck C, Krusche J, Elsherbini AMA, Du X, Peschel A. Phage susceptibility determinants of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102434. [PMID: 38364502 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common member of the human skin and nose microbiomes and a frequent cause of invasive infections. Transducing phages accomplish the horizontal transfer of resistance and virulence genes by mispackaging of mobile-genetic elements, contributing to severe, therapy-refractory S. epidermidis infections. Lytic phages on the other hand can be interesting candidates for new anti-S. epidermidis phage therapies. Despite the importance of phages, we are only beginning to unravel S. epidermidis phage interactions. Recent studies shed new light on S. epidermidis phage diversity, host range, and receptor specificities. Modulation of cell wall teichoic acids, the major phage receptor structures, along with other phage defense mechanisms, are crucial determinants for S. epidermidis susceptibility to different phage groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ahmed M A Elsherbini
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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22
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Beavogui A, Lacroix A, Wiart N, Poulain J, Delmont TO, Paoli L, Wincker P, Oliveira PH. The defensome of complex bacterial communities. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2146. [PMID: 38459056 PMCID: PMC10924106 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have developed various defense mechanisms to avoid infection and killing in response to the fast evolution and turnover of viruses and other genetic parasites. Such pan-immune system (defensome) encompasses a growing number of defense lines that include well-studied innate and adaptive systems such as restriction-modification, CRISPR-Cas and abortive infection, but also newly found ones whose mechanisms are still poorly understood. While the abundance and distribution of defense systems is well-known in complete and culturable genomes, there is a void in our understanding of their diversity and richness in complex microbial communities. Here we performed a large-scale in-depth analysis of the defensomes of 7759 high-quality bacterial population genomes reconstructed from soil, marine, and human gut environments. We observed a wide variation in the frequency and nature of the defensome among large phyla, which correlated with lifestyle, genome size, habitat, and geographic background. The defensome's genetic mobility, its clustering in defense islands, and genetic variability was found to be system-specific and shaped by the bacterial environment. Hence, our results provide a detailed picture of the multiple immune barriers present in environmentally distinct bacterial communities and set the stage for subsequent identification of novel and ingenious strategies of diversification among uncultivated microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Beavogui
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Auriane Lacroix
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Nicolas Wiart
- Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Julie Poulain
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022 / Tara GOsee, Paris, France
| | - Tom O Delmont
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022 / Tara GOsee, Paris, France
| | - Lucas Paoli
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1284, Molecular Diversity of Microbes lab, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Wincker
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022 / Tara GOsee, Paris, France
| | - Pedro H Oliveira
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France.
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23
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Mahony J. Biological and bioinformatic tools for the discovery of unknown phage-host combinations. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 77:102426. [PMID: 38246125 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The field of microbial ecology has been transformed by metagenomics in recent decades and has culminated in vast datasets that facilitate the bioinformatic dissection of complex microbial communities. Recently, attention has turned from defining the microbiota composition to the interactions and relationships that occur between members of the microbiota. Within complex microbiota, the identification of bacteriophage-host combinations has been a major challenge. Recent developments in artificial intelligence tools to predict protein structure and function as well as the relationships between bacteria and their infecting bacteriophages allow a strategic approach to identifying and validating phage-host relationships. However, biological validation of these predictions remains essential and will serve to improve the existing predictive tools. In this review, I provide an overview of the most recent developments in both bioinformatic and experimental approaches to predicting and experimentally validating unknown phage-host combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, T12 YT20 Cork, Ireland.
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24
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Burke KA, Urick CD, Mzhavia N, Nikolich MP, Filippov AA. Correlation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage Resistance with the Numbers and Types of Antiphage Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1424. [PMID: 38338703 PMCID: PMC10855318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031424] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapeutics offer a potentially powerful approach for combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, to be effective, phage therapy must overcome existing and developing phage resistance. While phage cocktails can reduce this risk by targeting multiple receptors in a single therapeutic, bacteria have mechanisms of resistance beyond receptor modification. A rapidly growing body of knowledge describes a broad and varied arsenal of antiphage systems encoded by bacteria to counter phage infection. We sought to understand the types and frequencies of antiphage systems present in a highly diverse panel of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates utilized to characterize novel antibacterials. Using the web-server tool PADLOC (prokaryotic antiviral defense locator), putative antiphage systems were identified in these P. aeruginosa clinical isolates based on sequence homology to a validated and curated catalog of known defense systems. Coupling this host bacterium sequence analysis with host range data for 70 phages, we observed a correlation between existing phage resistance and the presence of higher numbers of antiphage systems in bacterial genomes. We were also able to identify antiphage systems that were more prevalent in highly phage-resistant P. aeruginosa strains, suggesting their importance in conferring resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Andrey A. Filippov
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (K.A.B.); (C.D.U.); (N.M.); (M.P.N.)
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25
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Antine SP, Johnson AG, Mooney SE, Leavitt A, Mayer ML, Yirmiya E, Amitai G, Sorek R, Kranzusch PJ. Structural basis of Gabija anti-phage defence and viral immune evasion. Nature 2024; 625:360-365. [PMID: 37992757 PMCID: PMC10781630 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06855-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria encode hundreds of diverse defence systems that protect them from viral infection and inhibit phage propagation1-5. Gabija is one of the most prevalent anti-phage defence systems, occurring in more than 15% of all sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes1,6,7, but the molecular basis of how Gabija defends cells from viral infection remains poorly understood. Here we use X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to define how Gabija proteins assemble into a supramolecular complex of around 500 kDa that degrades phage DNA. Gabija protein A (GajA) is a DNA endonuclease that tetramerizes to form the core of the anti-phage defence complex. Two sets of Gabija protein B (GajB) dimers dock at opposite sides of the complex and create a 4:4 GajA-GajB assembly (hereafter, GajAB) that is essential for phage resistance in vivo. We show that a phage-encoded protein, Gabija anti-defence 1 (Gad1), directly binds to the Gabija GajAB complex and inactivates defence. A cryo-EM structure of the virally inhibited state shows that Gad1 forms an octameric web that encases the GajAB complex and inhibits DNA recognition and cleavage. Our results reveal the structural basis of assembly of the Gabija anti-phage defence complex and define a unique mechanism of viral immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadie P Antine
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alex G Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Mooney
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Azita Leavitt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Megan L Mayer
- Harvard Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erez Yirmiya
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gil Amitai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Sorek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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26
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Parent KN. The phage fought the cells, and the phage won: a satellite symposium at the ASV 2023 annual meeting. J Virol 2023; 97:e0142023. [PMID: 37991366 PMCID: PMC10734453 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01420-23] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This satellite symposium was focused on the molecular arms race between bacteria and their predators, the bacteriophages: who's the friend and who's the foe? This Gem recounts highlights of the talks and presents food for thought and additional reflections on the current state of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin N. Parent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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27
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Lücking D, Alarcón-Schumacher T, Erdmann S. Distribution and Implications of Haloarchaeal Plasmids Disseminated in Self-Encoded Plasmid Vesicles. Microorganisms 2023; 12:5. [PMID: 38276173 PMCID: PMC10818511 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010005] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Even though viruses and plasmids are both drivers of horizontal gene transfer, they differ fundamentally in their mode of transfer. Virus genomes are enclosed in virus capsids and are not dependent on cell-to-cell contacts for their dissemination. In contrast, the transfer of plasmids most often requires physical contact between cells. However, plasmid pR1SE of Halorubrum lacusprofundi is disseminated between cells, independent of cell-cell contacts, in specialized membrane vesicles that contain plasmid proteins. In this study, we searched for pR1SE-like elements in public databases and a metagenomics dataset from Australian salt lakes and identified 40 additional pR1SE-like elements in hypersaline environments worldwide. Herein, these elements are named apHPVs (archaeal plasmids of haloarchaea potentially transferred in plasmid vesicles). They share two sets of closely related proteins with conserved synteny, strongly indicating an organization into different functional clusters. We find that apHPVs, besides transferring themselves, have the potential to transfer large fragments of DNA between host cells, including virus defense systems. Most interestingly, apHPVs likely play an important role in the evolution of viruses and plasmids in haloarchaea, as they appear to recombine with both of them. This further supports the idea that plasmids and viruses are not distinct but closely related mobile genetic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susanne Erdmann
- Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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28
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Gladysh NS, Bogdanova AS, Kovalev MA, Krasnov GS, Volodin VV, Shuvalova AI, Ivanov NV, Popchenko MI, Samoilova AD, Polyakova AN, Dmitriev AA, Melnikova NV, Karpov DS, Bolsheva NL, Fedorova MS, Kudryavtseva AV. Culturable Bacterial Endophytes of Wild White Poplar ( Populus alba L.) Roots: A First Insight into Their Plant Growth-Stimulating and Bioaugmentation Potential. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1519. [PMID: 38132345 PMCID: PMC10740426 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The white poplar (Populus alba L.) has good potential for a green economy and phytoremediation. Bioaugmentation using endophytic bacteria can be considered as a safe strategy to increase poplar productivity and its resistance to toxic urban conditions. The aim of our work was to find the most promising strains of bacterial endophytes to enhance the growth of white poplar in unfavorable environmental conditions. To this end, for the first time, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 14 bacterial strains isolated from the tissues of the roots of white poplar in different geographical locations. We then performed a bioinformatics search to identify genes that may be useful for poplar growth and resistance to environmental pollutants and pathogens. Almost all endophytic bacteria obtained from white poplar roots are new strains of known species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Kocuria, Micrococcus, Peribacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. The genomes of the strains contain genes involved in the enhanced metabolism of nitrogen, phosphorus, and metals, the synthesis of valuable secondary metabolites, and the detoxification of heavy metals and organic pollutants. All the strains are able to grow on media without nitrogen sources, which indicates their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. It is concluded that the strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and bacteria of the species Kocuria rosea have the best poplar growth-stimulating and bioaugmentation potential, and the roots of white poplar are a valuable source for isolation of endophytic bacteria for possible application in ecobiotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya S. Gladysh
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Alina S. Bogdanova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 127434 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim A. Kovalev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
| | - George S. Krasnov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vsevolod V. Volodin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia I. Shuvalova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Nikita V. Ivanov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 127434 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail I. Popchenko
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetny Pereulok, 29/4, 119017 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksandra D. Samoilova
- Faculty of Soil Science, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.D.S.); (A.N.P.)
| | - Aleksandra N. Polyakova
- Faculty of Soil Science, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.D.S.); (A.N.P.)
| | - Alexey A. Dmitriev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nataliya V. Melnikova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry S. Karpov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadezhda L. Bolsheva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Maria S. Fedorova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Anna V. Kudryavtseva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.G.); (A.S.B.); (M.A.K.); (G.S.K.); (V.V.V.); (A.I.S.); (N.V.I.); (M.I.P.); (A.A.D.); (N.V.M.); (D.S.K.); (N.L.B.); (M.S.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Mohammed HT, Mageeney C, Korenberg J, Graham L, Ware VC. Characterization of novel recombinant mycobacteriophages derived from homologous recombination between two temperate phages. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad210. [PMID: 37713616 PMCID: PMC10700106 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analyses of mycobacteriophage genomes reveals extensive genetic diversity in genome organization and gene content, contributing to widespread mosaicism. We previously reported that the prophage of mycobacteriophage Butters (cluster N) provides defense against infection by Island3 (subcluster I1). To explore the anti-Island3 defense mechanism, we attempted to isolate Island3 defense escape mutants on a Butters lysogen, but only uncovered phages with recombinant genomes comprised of regions of Butters and Island3 arranged from left arm to right arm as Butters-Island3-Butters (BIBs). Recombination occurs within two distinct homologous regions that encompass lysin A, lysin B, and holin genes in one segment, and RecE and RecT genes in the other. Structural genes of mosaic BIB genomes are contributed by Butters while the immunity cassette is derived from Island3. Consequently, BIBs are morphologically identical to Butters (as shown by transmission electron microscopy) but are homoimmune with Island3. Recombinant phages overcome antiphage defense and silencing of the lytic cycle. We leverage this observation to propose a stratagem to generate novel phages for potential therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidu T Mohammed
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- Memsel, Inc., 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Catherine Mageeney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Jamie Korenberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, 101 Northern Blvd., Glen Head, NY 11545, USA
| | - Lee Graham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Vassie C Ware
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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30
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Medvedeva S, Borrel G, Krupovic M, Gribaldo S. A compendium of viruses from methanogenic archaea reveals their diversity and adaptations to the gut environment. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2170-2182. [PMID: 37749252 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01485-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are major producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and biofuel, and are widespread in diverse environments, including the animal gut. The ecophysiology of methanogens is likely impacted by viruses, which remain, however, largely uncharacterized. Here we carried out a global investigation of viruses associated with all current diversity of methanogens by assembling an extensive CRISPR database consisting of 156,000 spacers. We report 282 high-quality (pro)viral and 205 virus-like/plasmid sequences assigned to hosts belonging to ten main orders of methanogenic archaea. Viruses of methanogens can be classified into 87 families, underscoring a still largely undiscovered genetic diversity. Viruses infecting gut-associated archaea provide evidence of convergence in adaptation with viruses infecting gut-associated bacteria. These viruses contain a large repertoire of lysin proteins that cleave archaeal pseudomurein and are enriched in glycan-binding domains (Ig-like/Flg_new) and diversity-generating retroelements. The characterization of this vast repertoire of viruses paves the way towards a better understanding of their role in regulating methanogen communities globally, as well as the development of much-needed genetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Medvedeva
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Borrel
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Archaeal Virology, Paris, France.
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
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31
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Peng Y, Lu Z, Pan D, Shi LD, Zhao Z, Liu Q, Zhang C, Jia K, Li J, Hubert CRJ, Dong X. Viruses in deep-sea cold seep sediments harbor diverse survival mechanisms and remain genetically conserved within species. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1774-1784. [PMID: 37573455 PMCID: PMC10504277 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Deep sea cold seep sediments have been discovered to harbor novel, abundant, and diverse bacterial and archaeal viruses. However, little is known about viral genetic features and evolutionary patterns in these environments. Here, we examined the evolutionary ecology of viruses across active and extinct seep stages in the area of Haima cold seeps in the South China Sea. A total of 338 viral operational taxonomic units are identified and linked to 36 bacterial and archaeal phyla. The dynamics of host-virus interactions are informed by diverse antiviral defense systems across 43 families found in 487 microbial genomes. Cold seep viruses are predicted to harbor diverse adaptive strategies to persist in this environment, including counter-defense systems, auxiliary metabolic genes, reverse transcriptases, and alternative genetic code assignments. Extremely low nucleotide diversity is observed in cold seep viral populations, being influenced by factors including microbial host, sediment depth, and cold seep stage. Most cold seep viral genes are under strong purifying selection with trajectories that differ depending on whether cold seeps are active or extinct. This work sheds light on the understanding of environmental adaptation mechanisms and evolutionary patterns of viruses in the sub-seafloor biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyi Peng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Zijian Lu
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Donald Pan
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ling-Dong Shi
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhao Zhao
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Qing Liu
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Chuwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Kuntong Jia
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Jiwei Li
- Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Casey R J Hubert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Xiyang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China.
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Akritidou K, Thurtle-Schmidt BH. OLD family nuclease function across diverse anti-phage defense systems. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1268820. [PMID: 37840731 PMCID: PMC10568477 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1268820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages constitute a ubiquitous threat to bacteria, and bacteria have evolved numerous anti-phage defense systems to protect themselves. These systems include well-studied phenomena such as restriction endonucleases and CRISPR, while emerging studies have identified many new anti-phage defense systems whose mechanisms are unknown or poorly understood. Some of these systems involve overcoming lysogenization defect (OLD) nucleases, a family of proteins comprising an ABC ATPase domain linked to a Toprim nuclease domain. Despite being discovered over 50 years ago, OLD nuclease function remained mysterious until recent biochemical, structural, and bioinformatic studies revealed that OLD nucleases protect bacteria by functioning in diverse anti-phage defense systems including the Gabija system and retrons. In this review we will highlight recent discoveries in OLD protein function and their involvement in multiple discrete anti-phage defense systems.
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Chambers LR, Ye Q, Cai J, Gong M, Ledvina HE, Zhou H, Whiteley AT, Suhandynata RT, Corbett KD. Bacterial antiviral defense pathways encode eukaryotic-like ubiquitination systems. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.26.559546. [PMID: 37808811 PMCID: PMC10557695 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.26.559546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitination and related pathways play crucial roles in protein homeostasis, signaling, and innate immunity1-3. In these pathways, an enzymatic cascade of E1, E2, and E3 proteins conjugates ubiquitin or a ubiquitin-like protein (Ubl) to target-protein lysine residues4. Bacteria encode ancient relatives of E1 and Ubl proteins involved in sulfur metabolism5,6 but these proteins do not mediate Ubl-target conjugation, leaving open the question of whether bacteria can perform ubiquitination-like protein conjugation. Here, we demonstrate that a bacterial antiviral immune system encodes a complete ubiquitination pathway. Two structures of a bacterial E1:E2:Ubl complex reveal striking architectural parallels with canonical eukaryotic ubiquitination machinery. The bacterial E1 encodes an N-terminal inactive adenylation domain (IAD) and a C-terminal active adenylation domain (AAD) with a mobile α-helical insertion containing the catalytic cysteine (CYS domain). One structure reveals a pre-reaction state with the bacterial Ubl C-terminus positioned for adenylation, and the E1 CYS domain poised nearby for thioester formation. A second structure mimics an E1-to-E2 transthioesterification state, with the E1 CYS domain rotated outward and its catalytic cysteine adjacent to the bound E2. We show that a deubiquitinase (DUB) in the same pathway pre-processes the bacterial Ubl, exposing its C-terminal glycine for adenylation. Finally, we show that the bacterial E1 and E2 collaborate to conjugate Ubl to target-protein lysine residues. Together, these data reveal that bacteria possess bona fide ubiquitination systems with strong mechanistic and architectural parallels to canonical eukaryotic ubiquitination pathways, suggesting that these pathways arose first in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia R. Chambers
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Jiaxi Cai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Minheng Gong
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Hannah E. Ledvina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, USA
| | - Huilin Zhou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Aaron T. Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, USA
| | - Raymond T. Suhandynata
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Kevin D. Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
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Mercier C, Thies D, Zhong L, Raftery MJ, Erdmann S. Characterization of an archaeal virus-host system reveals massive genomic rearrangements in a laboratory strain. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1274068. [PMID: 37789858 PMCID: PMC10544981 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1274068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) are known to exhibit multiple chromosomes, with one main chromosome and one or several smaller secondary chromosomes or megaplasmids. Halorubrum lacusprofundi, a model organism for studying cold adaptation, exhibits one secondary chromosome and one megaplasmid that include a large arsenal of virus defense mechanisms. We isolated a virus (Halorubrum tailed virus DL1, HRTV-DL1) infecting Hrr. lacusprofundi, and present an in-depth characterization of the virus and its interactions with Hrr. lacusprofundi. While studying virus-host interactions between Hrr. lacusprofundi and HRTV-DL1, we uncover that the strain in use (ACAM34_UNSW) lost the entire megaplasmid and about 38% of the secondary chromosome. The loss included the majority of virus defense mechanisms, making the strain sensitive to HRTV-DL1 infection, while the type strain (ACAM34_DSMZ) appears to prevent virus replication. Comparing infection of the type strain ACAM34_DSMZ with infection of the laboratory derived strain ACAM34_UNSW allowed us to identify host responses to virus infection that were only activated in ACAM34_UNSW upon the loss of virus defense mechanisms. We identify one of two S-layer proteins as primary receptor for HRTV-DL1 and conclude that the presence of two different S-layer proteins in one strain provides a strong advantage in the arms race with viruses. Additionally, we identify archaeal homologs to eukaryotic proteins potentially being involved in the defense against virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coraline Mercier
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Archaeal Virology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Daniela Thies
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Archaeal Virology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ling Zhong
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark J. Raftery
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Susanne Erdmann
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Archaeal Virology, Bremen, Germany
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Rios Galicia B, Sáenz JS, Yergaliyev T, Camarinha-Silva A, Seifert J. Host specific adaptations of Ligilactobacillus aviarius to poultry. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2023; 5:100199. [PMID: 37727231 PMCID: PMC10505982 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Ligilactobacillus encompasses species adapted to vertebrate hosts and fermented food. Their genomes encode adaptations to the host lifestyle. Reports of gut microbiota from chicken and turkey gastrointestinal tract have shown a high persistence of Ligilactobacillus aviarius along the digestive system compared to other species found in the same host. However, its adaptations to poultry as a host has not yet been described. In this work, the pan-genome of Ligilactobacillus aviarius was explored to describe the functional adaptability to the gastrointestinal environment. The core genome is composed of 1179 gene clusters that are present at least in one copy that codifies to structural, ribosomal and biogenesis proteins. The rest of the identified regions were classified into three different functional clusters of orthologous groups (clusters) that codify carbohydrate metabolism, envelope biogenesis, viral defence mechanisms, and mobilome inclusions. The pan-genome of Ligilactobacillus aviarius is a closed pan-genome, frequently found in poultry and highly prevalent across chicken faecal samples. The genome of L. aviarius codifies different clusters of glycoside hydrolases and glycosyltransferases that mediate interactions with the host cells. Accessory features, such as antiviral mechanisms and prophage inclusions, variate amongst strains from different GIT sections. This information provides hints about the interaction of this species with viral particles and other bacterial species. This work highlights functional adaptability traits present in L. aviarius that make it a dominant key member of the poultry gut microbiota and enlightens the convergent ecological relation of this species to the poultry gut environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibiana Rios Galicia
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 6-10, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen Weg 3, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Johan Sebastian Sáenz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 6-10, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen Weg 3, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Timur Yergaliyev
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 6-10, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen Weg 3, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Amélia Camarinha-Silva
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 6-10, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen Weg 3, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Jana Seifert
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 6-10, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen Weg 3, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
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Mikkelsen K, Bowring JZ, Ng YK, Svanberg Frisinger F, Maglegaard JK, Li Q, Sieber RN, Petersen A, Andersen PS, Rostøl JT, Høyland-Kroghsbo NM, Ingmer H. An Endogenous Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR-Cas System Limits Phage Proliferation and Is Efficiently Excised from the Genome as Part of the SCC mec Cassette. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0127723. [PMID: 37404143 PMCID: PMC10434264 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01277-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas is an adaptive immune system that allows bacteria to inactivate mobile genetic elements. Approximately 50% of bacteria harbor CRISPR-Cas; however, in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, CRISPR-Cas loci are less common and often studied in heterologous systems. We analyzed the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas in genomes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated in Denmark. Only 2.9% of the strains carried CRISPR-Cas systems, but for strains of sequence type ST630, over half were positive. All CRISPR-Cas loci were type III-A and located within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type V(5C2&5), conferring β-lactam resistance. Curiously, only 23 different CRISPR spacers were identified in 69 CRISPR-Cas positive strains, and almost identical SCCmec cassettes, CRISPR arrays, and cas genes are present in staphylococcal species other than S. aureus, suggesting that these were transferred horizontally. For the ST630 strain 110900, we demonstrate that the SCCmec cassette containing CRISPR-Cas is excised from the chromosome at high frequency. However, the cassette was not transferable under the conditions investigated. One of the CRISPR spacers targets a late gene in the lytic bacteriophage phiIPLA-RODI, and we show that the system protects against phage infection by reducing phage burst size. However, CRISPR-Cas can be overloaded or circumvented by CRISPR escape mutants. Our results imply that the endogenous type III-A CRISPR-Cas system in S. aureus is active against targeted phages, albeit with low efficacy. This suggests that native S. aureus CRISPR-Cas offers only partial immunity and in nature may work in tandem with other defense systems. IMPORTANCE CRISPR-Cas is an adaptive immune system protecting bacteria and archaea against mobile genetic elements such as phages. In strains of Staphylococcus aureus, CRISPR-Cas is rare, but when present, it is located within the SCCmec element, which encodes resistance to methicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics. We show that the element is excisable, suggesting that the CRISPR-Cas locus is transferable. In support of this, we found almost identical CRISPR-Cas-carrying SCCmec elements in different species of non-S. aureus staphylococci, indicating that the system is mobile but only rarely acquires new spacers in S. aureus. Additionally, we show that in its endogenous form, the S. aureus CRISPR-Cas is active but inefficient against lytic phages that can overload the system or form escape mutants. Thus, we propose that CRISPR-Cas in S. aureus offers only partial immunity in native systems and so may work with other defense systems to prevent phage-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Mikkelsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janine Zara Bowring
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yong Kai Ng
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Qiuchun Li
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Zoonosis/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Raphael N. Sieber
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Petersen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paal Skytt Andersen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob T. Rostøl
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Molin Høyland-Kroghsbo
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gu Y, Li H, Deep A, Enustun E, Zhang D, Corbett KD. Bacterial Shedu immune nucleases share a common enzymatic core regulated by diverse sensor domains. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552793. [PMID: 37609250 PMCID: PMC10441436 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Prokaryotes encode diverse anti-bacteriophage immune systems, including the single-protein Shedu nuclease. Here we reveal the structural basis for activation of Bacillus cereus Shedu. In the inactive homotetramer, a key catalytic residue in Shedu's nuclease domain is sequestered away from the catalytic site. Activation involves a conformational change that completes the active site and promotes assembly of a homo-octamer for coordinated double-strand DNA cleavage. Removal of Shedu's N-terminal domain ectopically activates the enzyme, suggesting that this domain allosterically inhibits Shedu in the absence of infection. Bioinformatic analysis of nearly 8,000 Shedu homologs reveals remarkable diversity in their N-terminal regulatory domains: we identify 79 domain families falling into eight functional classes, including diverse nucleic acid binding, enzymatic, and other domains. Together, these data reveal Shedu as a broad family of immune nucleases with a common nuclease core regulated by diverse N-terminal domains that likely respond to a range of infection-related signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Gu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63103
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093
| | - Eray Enustun
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63103
| | - Kevin D. Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093
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Cheng R, Huang F, Lu X, Yan Y, Yu B, Wang X, Zhu B. Prokaryotic Gabija complex senses and executes nucleotide depletion and DNA cleavage for antiviral defense. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1331-1344.e5. [PMID: 37480847 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The Gabija complex is a prokaryotic antiviral system consisting of the GajA and GajB proteins. GajA was identified as a DNA nicking endonuclease but the functions of GajB and the complex remain unknown. Here, we show that synergy between GajA-mediated DNA cleavage and nucleotide hydrolysis by GajB initiates efficient abortive infection defense against virulent bacteriophages. The antiviral activity of GajA requires GajB, which senses DNA termini produced by GajA to hydrolyze (d)A/(d)GTP, depleting essential nucleotides. This ATPase activity of Gabija complex is only activated upon DNA binding. GajA binds to GajB to form stable complexes in vivo and in vitro. However, a functional Gabija complex requires a molecular ratio between GajB and GajA below 1:1, indicating stoichiometric regulation of the DNA/nucleotide processing complex. Thus, the Gabija system exhibits distinct and efficient antiviral defense through sequential sensing and activation of nucleotide depletion and DNA cleavage, causing a cascade suicide effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
| | - Fengtao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen 518063, China
| | - Xueling Lu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Bingbing Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Xionglue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen 518063, China.
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Mayo-Muñoz D, Pinilla-Redondo R, Birkholz N, Fineran PC. A host of armor: Prokaryotic immune strategies against mobile genetic elements. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112672. [PMID: 37347666 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotic adaptation is strongly influenced by the horizontal acquisition of beneficial traits via mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as viruses/bacteriophages and plasmids. However, MGEs can also impose a fitness cost due to their often parasitic nature and differing evolutionary trajectories. In response, prokaryotes have evolved diverse immune mechanisms against MGEs. Recently, our understanding of the abundance and diversity of prokaryotic immune systems has greatly expanded. These defense systems can degrade the invading genetic material, inhibit genome replication, or trigger abortive infection, leading to population protection. In this review, we highlight these strategies, focusing on the most recent discoveries. The study of prokaryotic defenses not only sheds light on microbial evolution but also uncovers novel enzymatic activities with promising biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mayo-Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Rafael Pinilla-Redondo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Section of Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nils Birkholz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter C Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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Jia HJ, Jia PP, Yin S, Bu LK, Yang G, Pei DS. Engineering bacteriophages for enhanced host range and efficacy: insights from bacteriophage-bacteria interactions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1172635. [PMID: 37323893 PMCID: PMC10264812 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1172635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, the most abundant organisms on earth, have the potential to address the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria resulting from the overuse of antibiotics. However, their high specificity and limited host range can hinder their effectiveness. Phage engineering, through the use of gene editing techniques, offers a means to enhance the host range of bacteria, improve phage efficacy, and facilitate efficient cell-free production of phage drugs. To engineer phages effectively, it is necessary to understand the interaction between phages and host bacteria. Understanding the interaction between the receptor recognition protein of bacteriophages and host receptors can serve as a valuable guide for modifying or replacing these proteins, thereby altering the receptor range of the bacteriophage. Research and development focused on the CRISPR-Cas bacterial immune system against bacteriophage nucleic acids can provide the necessary tools to promote recombination and counter-selection in engineered bacteriophage programs. Additionally, studying the transcription and assembly functions of bacteriophages in host bacteria can facilitate the engineered assembly of bacteriophage genomes in non-host environments. This review highlights a comprehensive summary of phage engineering methods, including in-host and out-of-host engineering, and the use of high-throughput methods to understand their role. The main aim of these techniques is to harness the intricate interactions between bacteriophages and hosts to inform and guide the engineering of bacteriophages, particularly in the context of studying and manipulating the host range of bacteriophages. By employing advanced high-throughput methods to identify specific bacteriophage receptor recognition genes, and subsequently introducing modifications or performing gene swapping through in-host recombination or out-of-host synthesis, it becomes possible to strategically alter the host range of bacteriophages. This capability holds immense significance for leveraging bacteriophages as a promising therapeutic approach against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang-Jie Jia
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan-Pan Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Supei Yin
- Urinary Nephropathy Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling-Kang Bu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Guan Yang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Štrancar V, Marušić M, Tušar J, Praček N, Kolenc M, Šuster K, Horvat S, Janež N, Peterka M. Isolation and in vitro characterization of novel S. epidermidis phages for therapeutic applications. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1169135. [PMID: 37293203 PMCID: PMC10244729 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1169135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
S. epidermidis is an important opportunistic pathogen causing chronic prosthetic joint infections associated with biofilm growth. Increased tolerance to antibiotic therapy often requires prolonged treatment or revision surgery. Phage therapy is currently used as compassionate use therapy and continues to be evaluated for its viability as adjunctive therapy to antibiotic treatment or as an alternative treatment for infections caused by S. epidermidis to prevent relapses. In the present study, we report the isolation and in vitro characterization of three novel lytic S. epidermidis phages. Their genome content analysis indicated the absence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. Detailed investigation of the phage preparation indicated the absence of any prophage-related contamination and demonstrated the importance of selecting appropriate hosts for phage development from the outset. The isolated phages infect a high proportion of clinically relevant S. epidermidis strains and several other coagulase-negative species growing both in planktonic culture and as a biofilm. Clinical strains differing in their biofilm phenotype and antibiotic resistance profile were selected to further identify possible mechanisms behind increased tolerance to isolated phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Štrancar
- Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Monika Marušić
- Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Jasmina Tušar
- Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Neža Praček
- Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Marko Kolenc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Šuster
- Valdoltra Orthopaedic Hospital, Ankaran, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Nika Janež
- Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Peterka
- Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
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A Glimpse at the Anti-Phage Defenses Landscape in the Foodborne Pathogen Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020333. [PMID: 36851545 PMCID: PMC9958689 DOI: 10.3390/v15020333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, which specifically infect and kill bacteria, are currently used as additives to control pathogens such as Salmonella in human food (PhageGuard S®) or animal feed (SalmoFREE®, Bafasal®). Indeed, salmonellosis is among the most important zoonotic foodborne illnesses. The presence of anti-phage defenses protecting bacteria against phage infection could impair phage applications aiming at reducing the burden of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) to the food industry. In this study, the landscape of S. Typhimurium anti-phage defenses was bioinformatically investigated in publicly available genomes using the webserver PADLOC. The primary anti-phage systems identified in S. Typhimurium use nucleic acid degradation and abortive infection mechanisms. Reference systems were identified on an integrative and conjugative element, a transposon, a putative integrative and mobilizable element, and prophages. Additionally, the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) containing a subset of anti-phage systems were found in the Salmonella enterica species. Lastly, the MGEs alone were also identified in the Enterobacteriaceae family. The presented diversity assessment of the anti-phage defenses and investigation of their dissemination through MGEs in S. Typhimurium constitute a first step towards the design of preventive measures against the spread of phage resistance that may hinder phage applications.
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Romero-Calle DX, Pedrosa-Silva F, Tomé LMR, Sousa TJ, de Oliveira Santos LTS, de Carvalho Azevedo VA, Brenig B, Benevides RG, Venancio TM, Billington C, Góes-Neto A. Hybrid Genomic Analysis of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis SE3 Isolated from Polluted Soil in Brazil. Microorganisms 2022; 11:111. [PMID: 36677403 PMCID: PMC9861973 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In Brazil, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a significant health threat. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis SE3 was isolated from soil at the Subaé River in Santo Amaro, Brazil, a region contaminated with heavy metals and organic waste. Illumina HiSeq and Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencing were used for de novo hybrid assembly of the Salmonella SE3 genome. This approach yielded 10 contigs with 99.98% identity with S. enterica serovar Enteritidis OLF-SE2-98984-6. Twelve Salmonella pathogenic islands, multiple virulence genes, multiple antimicrobial gene resistance genes, seven phage defense systems, seven prophages and a heavy metal resistance gene were encoded in the genome. Pangenome analysis of the S. enterica clade, including Salmonella SE3, revealed an open pangenome, with a core genome of 2137 genes. Our study showed the effectiveness of a hybrid sequence assembly approach for environmental Salmonella genome analysis using HiSeq and MinION data. This approach enabled the identification of key resistance and virulence genes, and these data are important to inform the control of Salmonella and heavy metal pollution in the Santo Amaro region of Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danitza Xiomara Romero-Calle
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), Av. Transnordestina S/N, Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
- Molecular and Computational Biology of Fungi Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Feira de Santana State University (UEFS), Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
| | - Francisnei Pedrosa-Silva
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Function of Proteins and Peptides, Center for Biosciences and Biotechnology, Darcy Ribeiro North Fluminense State University (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luiz Marcelo Ribeiro Tomé
- Molecular and Computational Biology of Fungi Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago J. Sousa
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Burckhardtweg, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Raquel Guimarães Benevides
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), Av. Transnordestina S/N, Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Feira de Santana State University (UEFS), Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
| | - Thiago M. Venancio
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Function of Proteins and Peptides, Center for Biosciences and Biotechnology, Darcy Ribeiro North Fluminense State University (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil
| | - Craig Billington
- Health & Environment Group, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Research, P.O. Box 29-181, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), Av. Transnordestina S/N, Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
- Molecular and Computational Biology of Fungi Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Feira de Santana State University (UEFS), Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
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Type III CRISPR-Cas provides resistance against nucleus-forming jumbo phages via abortive infection. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4471-4486.e9. [PMID: 36395770 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria have diverse defenses against phages. In response, jumbo phages evade multiple DNA-targeting defenses by protecting their DNA inside a nucleus-like structure. We previously demonstrated that RNA-targeting type III CRISPR-Cas systems provide jumbo phage immunity by recognizing viral mRNA exported from the nucleus for translation. Here, we demonstrate that recognition of phage mRNA by the type III system activates a cyclic triadenylate-dependent accessory nuclease, NucC. Although unable to access phage DNA in the nucleus, NucC degrades the bacterial chromosome, triggers cell death, and disrupts phage replication and maturation. Hence, type-III-mediated jumbo phage immunity occurs via abortive infection, with suppression of the viral epidemic protecting the population. We further show that type III systems targeting jumbo phages have diverse accessory nucleases, including RNases that provide immunity. Our study demonstrates how type III CRISPR-Cas systems overcome the inaccessibility of jumbo phage DNA to provide robust immunity.
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Osei EK, Mahony J, Kenny JG. From Farm to Fork: Streptococcus suis as a Model for the Development of Novel Phage-Based Biocontrol Agents. Viruses 2022; 14:1996. [PMID: 36146802 PMCID: PMC9501460 DOI: 10.3390/v14091996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections of livestock threaten the sustainability of agriculture and public health through production losses and contamination of food products. While prophylactic and therapeutic application of antibiotics has been successful in managing such infections, the evolution and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains along the food chain and in the environment necessitates the development of alternative or adjunct preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. Additionally, the growing consumer preference for "greener" antibiotic-free food products has reinforced the need for novel and safer approaches to controlling bacterial infections. The use of bacteriophages (phages), which can target and kill bacteria, are increasingly considered as a suitable measure to reduce bacterial infections and contamination in the food industry. This review primarily elaborates on the recent veterinary applications of phages and discusses their merits and limitations. Furthermore, using Streptococcus suis as a model, we describe the prevalence of prophages and the anti-viral defence arsenal in the genome of the pathogen as a means to define the genetic building blocks that are available for the (synthetic) development of phage-based treatments. The data and approach described herein may provide a framework for the development of therapeutics against an array of bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Kuffour Osei
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- Food Bioscience, Teagasc Food Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 Cork, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - John G. Kenny
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- Food Bioscience, Teagasc Food Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 Cork, Ireland
- VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, Fermoy, P61 C996 Cork, Ireland
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