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Arrowsmith TJ, Xu X, Xu S, Usher B, Stokes P, Guest M, Bronowska AK, Genevaux P, Blower TR. Inducible auto-phosphorylation regulates a widespread family of nucleotidyltransferase toxins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7719. [PMID: 39231966 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51934-1] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Nucleotidyltransferases (NTases) control diverse physiological processes, including RNA modification, DNA replication and repair, and antibiotic resistance. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis NTase toxin family, MenT, modifies tRNAs to block translation. MenT toxin activity can be stringently regulated by diverse MenA antitoxins. There has been no unifying mechanism linking antitoxicity across MenT homologues. Here we demonstrate through structural, biochemical, biophysical and computational studies that despite lacking kinase motifs, antitoxin MenA1 induces auto-phosphorylation of MenT1 by repositioning the MenT1 phosphoacceptor T39 active site residue towards bound nucleotide. Finally, we expand this predictive model to explain how unrelated antitoxin MenA3 is similarly able to induce auto-phosphorylation of cognate toxin MenT3. Our study reveals a conserved mechanism for the control of tuberculosis toxins, and demonstrates how active site auto-phosphorylation can regulate the activity of widespread NTases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xibing Xu
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Shangze Xu
- Chemistry - School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ben Usher
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Peter Stokes
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Megan Guest
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Agnieszka K Bronowska
- Chemistry - School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Pierre Genevaux
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France.
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.
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2
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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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3
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Zhao M, Li H, Gan D, Wang M, Deng H, Yang QE. Antibacterial effect of phage cocktails and phage-antibiotic synergy against pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae. mSystems 2024:e0060724. [PMID: 39166877 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00607-24] [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: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The global rise of antibiotic resistance has renewed interest in phage therapy, as an alternative to antibiotics to eliminate multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. However, optimizing the broad-spectrum efficacy of phage therapy remains a challenge. In this study, we addressed this issue by employing strategies to improve antimicrobial efficacy of phage therapy against MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, which are notorious for their resistance to conventional antibiotics. This includes the selection of broad host range phages, optimization of phage formulation, and combinations with last-resort antibiotics. Our findings unveil that having a broad host range was a dominant trait of isolated phages, and increasing phage numbers in combination with antibiotics significantly enhanced the suppression of bacterial growth. The decreased incidence of bacterial infection was explained by a reduction in pathogen density and emergence of bacterial resistance. Furthermore, phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) demonstrated considerable broad-spectrum antibacterial potential against different clades of clinical MDR K. pneumoniae pathogens. The improved treatment outcomes of optimized PAS were also evident in a murine model, where mice receiving optimized PAS therapy demonstrated a reduced bacterial burden in mouse tissues. Taken together, these findings offer an important development in optimizing PAS therapy and its efficacy in the elimination of MDR K. pneumoniae pathogens. IMPORTANCE The worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a great challenge to global public health. Phage therapy has become a promising alternative against difficult-to-treat pathogens. One important goal of this study was to optimize the therapeutic efficiency of phage-antibiotic combinations, known as phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS). Through comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of a large number of CRKp-specific phages, we developed a systematic model for phage cocktail combinations. Crucially, our finding demonstrated that PAS treatments not only enhance the bactericidal effects of colistin and tigecycline against multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae strains in in vitro and in vivo context but also provide a robust response when antibiotics fail. Overall, the optimized PAS therapy demonstrates considerable potential in combating diverse K. pneumoniae pathogens, highlighting its relevance as a strategy to mitigate antibiotic resistance threats effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Zhao
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongru Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengli Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou University affiliated Provincial Hospital,, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dehao Gan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Mengzhu Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiu E Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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4
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Bullen NP, Johnson CN, Andersen SE, Arya G, Marotta SR, Lee YJ, Weigele PR, Whitney JC, Duerkop BA. An enterococcal phage protein inhibits type IV restriction enzymes involved in antiphage defense. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6955. [PMID: 39138193 PMCID: PMC11322646 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51346-1] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections continues to rise as the development of antibiotics needed to combat these infections remains stagnant. MDR enterococci are a major contributor to this crisis. A potential therapeutic approach for combating MDR enterococci is bacteriophage (phage) therapy, which uses lytic viruses to infect and kill pathogenic bacteria. While phages that lyse some strains of MDR enterococci have been identified, other strains display high levels of resistance and the mechanisms underlying this resistance are poorly defined. Here, we use a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screen to identify a genetic locus found on a mobilizable plasmid from Enterococcus faecalis involved in phage resistance. This locus encodes a putative serine recombinase followed by a Type IV restriction enzyme (TIV-RE) that we show restricts the replication of phage phi47 in vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis. We further find that phi47 evolves to overcome restriction by acquiring a missense mutation in a TIV-RE inhibitor protein. We show that this inhibitor, termed type IV restriction inhibiting factor A (tifA), binds and inactivates diverse TIV-REs. Overall, our findings advance our understanding of phage defense in drug-resistant E. faecalis and provide mechanistic insight into how phages evolve to overcome antiphage defense systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Bullen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Cydney N Johnson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School-Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Shelby E Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School-Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Garima Arya
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School-Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sonia R Marotta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Yan-Jiun Lee
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Peter R Weigele
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - John C Whitney
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada.
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Breck A Duerkop
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School-Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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5
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Bullen NP, Johnson CN, Andersen SE, Arya G, Marotta SR, Lee YJ, Weigele PR, Whitney JC, Duerkop BA. An enterococcal phage protein broadly inhibits type IV restriction enzymes involved in antiphage defense. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.16.567456. [PMID: 38014348 PMCID: PMC10680825 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.16.567456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections continues to rise as the development of antibiotics needed to combat these infections remains stagnant. MDR enterococci are a major contributor to this crisis. A potential therapeutic approach for combating MDR enterococci is bacteriophage (phage) therapy, which uses lytic viruses to infect and kill pathogenic bacteria. While phages that lyse some strains of MDR enterococci have been identified, other strains display high levels of resistance and the mechanisms underlying this resistance are poorly defined. Here, we use a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screen to identify a genetic locus found on a mobilizable plasmid from Enterococcus faecalis involved in phage resistance. This locus encodes a putative serine recombinase followed by a Type IV restriction enzyme (TIV-RE) that we show restricts the replication of phage phi47 in E. faecalis. We further find that phi47 evolves to overcome restriction by acquiring a missense mutation in a TIV-RE inhibitor protein. We show that this inhibitor, termed type IV restriction inhibiting factor A (tifA), binds and inactivates diverse TIV-REs. Overall, our findings advance our understanding of phage defense in drug-resistant E. faecalis and provide mechanistic insight into how phages evolve to overcome antiphage defense systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P. Bullen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Cydney N. Johnson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School – Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, 80045
| | - Shelby E. Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School – Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, 80045
| | - Garima Arya
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School – Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, 80045
| | - Sonia R. Marotta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Yan-Jiun Lee
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, USA, 01938
| | - Peter R. Weigele
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, USA, 01938
| | - John C. Whitney
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Breck A. Duerkop
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School – Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, 80045
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6
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Jara-Servin A, Mejia G, Romero MF, Peimbert M, Alcaraz LD. Unravelling the genomic and environmental diversity of the ubiquitous Solirubrobacter. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16685. [PMID: 39147372 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16685] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Solirubrobacter, though widespread in soils and rhizospheres, has been relatively unexplored despite its ubiquity. Previously acknowledged as a common soil bacterium, our research explores its phylogenomics, pangenomics, environmental diversity, and interactions within bacterial communities. By analysing seven genomic sequences, we have identified a pangenome consisting of 19,645 protein families, of which 2644 are shared across all studied genomes, forming the core genome. Interestingly, despite the non-motility of reported isolates, we discovered genes for flagellin and a partial flagellum assembly pathway. Examining the 16S ribosomal RNA genes of Solirubrobacter revealed substantial diversity, with 3166 operational taxonomic units identified in Mexican soils. Co-occurrence network analysis further demonstrated its significant integration within bacterial communities. Through phylogenomic scrutiny, we conclusively excluded the NCBI's GCA_009993245.1 genome from being classified as a Solirubrobacter. Our research into the metagenomic diversity of Solirubrobacter across various environments confirmed its presence in rhizospheres and certain soils, underscoring its adaptability. The geographical ubiquity of Solirubrobacter in rhizospheres raises intriguing questions regarding its potential interactions with plant hosts and the biotic and abiotic factors influencing its presence in soil. Given its ecological significance and genetic diversity, Solirubrobacter warrants further investigation as a potentially crucial yet underappreciated keystone species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Jara-Servin
- Laboratorio de Genómica Ambiental, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Mejia
- Laboratorio de Genómica Ambiental, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel F Romero
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Mariana Peimbert
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Unidad Cuajimalpa, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis David Alcaraz
- Laboratorio de Genómica Ambiental, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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7
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Brauer A, Rosendahl S, Kängsep A, Lewańczyk AC, Rikberg R, Hõrak R, Tamman H. Isolation and characterization of a phage collection against Pseudomonas putida. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16671. [PMID: 38863081 PMCID: PMC7616413 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16671] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The environmental bacterium, Pseudomonas putida, possesses a broad spectrum of metabolic pathways. This makes it highly promising for use in biotechnological production as a cell factory, as well as in bioremediation strategies to degrade various aromatic pollutants. For P. putida to flourish in its environment, it must withstand the continuous threats posed by bacteriophages. Interestingly, until now, only a handful of phages have been isolated for the commonly used laboratory strain, P. putida KT2440, and no phage defence mechanisms have been characterized. In this study, we present a new Collection of Environmental P. putida Phages from Estonia, or CEPEST. This collection comprises 67 double-stranded DNA phages, which belong to 22 phage species and 9 phage genera. Our findings reveal that most phages in the CEPEST collection are more infectious at lower temperatures, have a narrow host range, and require an intact lipopolysaccharide for P. putida infection. Furthermore, we show that cryptic prophages present in the P. putida chromosome provide strong protection against the infection of many phages. However, the chromosomal toxin-antitoxin systems do not play a role in the phage defence of P. putida. This research provides valuable insights into the interactions between P. putida and bacteriophages, which could have significant implications for biotechnological and environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Age Brauer
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sirli Rosendahl
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Kängsep
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alicja Cecylia Lewańczyk
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Roger Rikberg
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rita Hõrak
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hedvig Tamman
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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8
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Stege PB, Beekman JM, Hendrickx APA, van Eijk L, Rogers MRC, Suen SWF, Vonk AM, Willems RJL, Paganelli FL. Colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in human-derived colonic epithelium: unraveling the transcriptional dynamics of host-enterococcal interactions. FEMS MICROBES 2024; 5:xtae014. [PMID: 38813098 PMCID: PMC11134301 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtae014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium is an opportunistic pathogen able to colonize the intestines of hospitalized patients. This initial colonization is an important step in the downstream pathogenesis, which includes outgrowth of the intestinal microbiota and potential infection of the host. The impact of intestinal overgrowth on host-enterococcal interactions is not well understood. We therefore applied a RNAseq approach in order to unravel the transcriptional dynamics of E. faecium upon co-culturing with human derived colonic epithelium. Co-cultures of colonic epithelium with a hospital-associated vancomycin resistant (vanA-type) E. faecium (VRE) showed that VRE resided on top of the colonic epithelium when analyzed by microscopy. RNAseq revealed that exposure to the colonic epithelium resulted in upregulation of 238 VRE genes compared to the control condition, including genes implicated in pili expression, conjugation (plasmid_2), genes related to sugar uptake, and biofilm formation (chromosome). In total, 260 were downregulated, including the vanA operon located on plasmid_3. Pathway analysis revealed an overall switch in metabolism to amino acid scavenging and reduction. In summary, our study demonstrates that co-culturing of VRE with human colonic epithelium promotes an elaborate gene response in VRE, enhancing our insight in host-E. faecium interactions, which might facilitate the design of novel anti-infectivity strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Stege
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey M Beekman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Antoni P A Hendrickx
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3721MA, The Netherlands
| | - Laura van Eijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Malbert R C Rogers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia W F Suen
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Annelotte M Vonk
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Rob J L Willems
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | - Fernanda L Paganelli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
- Winclove Probiotics, Amsterdam, 1033JS, The Netherlands
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9
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Antoine C, Laforêt F, Fall A, Blasdel B, Delcenserie V, Thiry D. K1 capsule-dependent phage-driven evolution in Escherichia coli leading to phage resistance and biofilm production. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae109. [PMID: 38688866 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae109] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Understanding bacterial phage resistance mechanisms has implications for developing phage-based therapies. This study aimed to explore the development of phage resistance in Escherichia coli K1 isolates' to K1-ULINTec4, a K1-dependent bacteriophage. METHODS AND RESULTS Resistant colonies were isolated from two different strains (APEC 45 and C5), both previously exposed to K1-ULINTec4. Genome analysis and several parameters were assessed, including growth capacity, phage adsorption, phenotypic impact at capsular level, biofilm production, and virulence in the in vivo Galleria mellonella larvae model. One out of the six resistant isolates exhibited a significantly slower growth rate, suggesting the presence of a resistance mechanism altering its fitness. Comparative genomic analysis revealed insertion sequences in the region 2 of the kps gene cluster involved in the capsule biosynthesis. In addition, an immunoassay targeting the K1 capsule showed a very low positive reaction compared to the control. Nevertheless, microscopic images of resistant strains revealed the presence of capsules with a clustered organization of bacterial cells and biofilm assessment showed an increased biofilm production compared to the sensitive strains. In the G. mellonella model, larvae infected with phage-resistant isolates showed better survival rates than larvae infected with phage-sensitive strains. CONCLUSIONS A phage resistance mechanism was identified at the genomic level and had a negative impact on the K1 capsule production. The resistant isolates showed an increased biofilm production and a decreased virulence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Antoine
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary bacteriology, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Food Science Department, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Fanny Laforêt
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary bacteriology, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Food Science Department, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Bob Blasdel
- Vésale Bioscience, Vésale Pharmaceutica, 5310 Noville-sur-Mehaigne, Belgium
| | - Véronique Delcenserie
- Food Science Department, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Damien Thiry
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary bacteriology, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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10
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Yang QE, Ma X, Li M, Zhao M, Zeng L, He M, Deng H, Liao H, Rensing C, Friman VP, Zhou S, Walsh TR. Evolution of triclosan resistance modulates bacterial permissiveness to multidrug resistance plasmids and phages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3654. [PMID: 38688912 PMCID: PMC11061290 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48006-9] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The horizontal transfer of plasmids has been recognized as one of the key drivers for the worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across bacterial pathogens. However, knowledge remain limited about the contribution made by environmental stress on the evolution of bacterial AMR by modulating horizontal acquisition of AMR plasmids and other mobile genetic elements. Here we combined experimental evolution, whole genome sequencing, reverse genetic engineering, and transcriptomics to examine if the evolution of chromosomal AMR to triclosan (TCS) disinfectant has correlated effects on modulating bacterial pathogen (Klebsiella pneumoniae) permissiveness to AMR plasmids and phage susceptibility. Herein, we show that TCS exposure increases the evolvability of K. pneumoniae to evolve TCS-resistant mutants (TRMs) by acquiring mutations and altered expression of several genes previously associated with TCS and antibiotic resistance. Notably, nsrR deletion increases conjugation permissiveness of K. pneumoniae to four AMR plasmids, and enhances susceptibility to various Klebsiella-specific phages through the downregulation of several bacterial defense systems and changes in membrane potential with altered reactive oxygen species response. Our findings suggest that unrestricted use of TCS disinfectant imposes a dual impact on bacterial antibiotic resistance by augmenting both chromosomally and horizontally acquired AMR mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu E Yang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xiaodan Ma
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minchun Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Mengshi Zhao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Lingshuang Zeng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minzhen He
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hanpeng Liao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Christopher Rensing
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Ville-Petri Friman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shungui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
| | - Timothy R Walsh
- Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
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11
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Wu X, Segall AM, Giglione C, Meinnel T. The complete genome of Vibrio sp. 16 unveils two circular chromosomes and a distinctive 46-kb plasmid. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0122223. [PMID: 38415641 PMCID: PMC11008167 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01222-23] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The entire 4.6-Mb genome of Vibrio sp. 16, encoding 4,270 genes, best matches with Vibrio rotiferianus. A 46-kb plasmid (pVDT1), alongside two circular chromosomes, showcases parAB/repB partition genes and three toxin/antitoxin systems potentially linked to phage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofen Wu
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Anca M. Segall
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Carmela Giglione
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif sur Yvette, France
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Thierry Meinnel
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif sur Yvette, France
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12
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Gu Q, Zhu X, Yu Y, Jiang T, Pan Z, Ma J, Yao H. Type II and IV toxin-antitoxin systems coordinately stabilize the integrative and conjugative element of the ICESa2603 family conferring multiple drug resistance in Streptococcus suis. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012169. [PMID: 38640137 PMCID: PMC11062541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012169] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) play a vital role in bacterial evolution by carrying essential genes that confer adaptive functions to the host. Despite their importance, the mechanism underlying the stable inheritance of ICEs, which is necessary for the acquisition of new traits in bacteria, remains poorly understood. Here, we identified SezAT, a type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system, and AbiE, a type IV TA system encoded within the ICESsuHN105, coordinately promote ICE stabilization and mediate multidrug resistance in Streptococcus suis. Deletion of SezAT or AbiE did not affect the strain's antibiotic susceptibility, but their duple deletion increased susceptibility, mainly mediated by the antitoxins SezA and AbiEi. Further studies have revealed that SezA and AbiEi affect the genetic stability of ICESsuHN105 by moderating the excision and extrachromosomal copy number, consequently affecting the antibiotic resistance conferred by ICE. The DNA-binding proteins AbiEi and SezA, which bind palindromic sequences in the promoter, coordinately modulate ICE excision and extracellular copy number by binding to sequences in the origin-of-transfer (oriT) and the attL sites, respectively. Furthermore, AbiEi negatively regulates the transcription of SezAT by binding directly to its promoter, optimizing the coordinate network of SezAT and AbiE in maintaining ICESsuHN105 stability. Importantly, SezAT and AbiE are widespread and conserved in ICEs harbouring diverse drug-resistance genes, and their coordinated effects in promoting ICE stability and mediating drug resistance may be broadly applicable to other ICEs. Altogether, our study uncovers the TA system's role in maintaining the genetic stability of ICE and offers potential targets for overcoming the dissemination and evolution of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qibing Gu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiayu Zhu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Yu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Stomatology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Pan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiale Ma
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Huochun Yao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
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13
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Biderre-Petit C, Courtine D, Hennequin C, Galand PE, Bertilsson S, Debroas D, Monjot A, Lepère C, Divne AM, Hochart C. A pan-genomic approach reveals novel Sulfurimonas clade in the ferruginous meromictic Lake Pavin. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13923. [PMID: 38189173 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13923] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The permanently anoxic waters in meromictic lakes create suitable niches for the growth of bacteria using sulphur metabolisms like sulphur oxidation. In Lake Pavin, the anoxic water mass hosts an active cryptic sulphur cycle that interacts narrowly with iron cycling, however the metabolisms of the microorganisms involved are poorly known. Here we combined metagenomics, single-cell genomics, and pan-genomics to further expand our understanding of the bacteria and the corresponding metabolisms involved in sulphur oxidation in this ferruginous sulphide- and sulphate-poor meromictic lake. We highlighted two new species within the genus Sulfurimonas that belong to a novel clade of chemotrophic sulphur oxidisers exclusive to freshwaters. We moreover conclude that this genus holds a key-role not only in limiting sulphide accumulation in the upper part of the anoxic layer but also constraining carbon, phosphate and iron cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Biderre-Petit
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Damien Courtine
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Claire Hennequin
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pierre E Galand
- Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques (LECOB), Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Stefan Bertilsson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Didier Debroas
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Arthur Monjot
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Cécile Lepère
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Anna-Maria Divne
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, SciLifeLab, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Corentin Hochart
- Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques (LECOB), Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, Banyuls sur Mer, France
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14
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Ricci F, Leggat W, Pasella MM, Bridge T, Horowitz J, Girguis PR, Ainsworth T. Deep sea treasures - Insights from museum archives shed light on coral microbial diversity within deepest ocean ecosystems. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27513. [PMID: 38468949 PMCID: PMC10926130 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Deep sea benthic habitats are low productivity ecosystems that host an abundance of organisms within the Cnidaria phylum. The technical limitations and the high cost of deep sea surveys have made exploring deep sea environments and the biology of the organisms that inhabit them challenging. In spite of the widespread recognition of Cnidaria's environmental importance in these ecosystems, the microbial assemblage and its role in coral functioning have only been studied for a few deep water corals. Here, we explored the microbial diversity of deep sea corals by recovering nucleic acids from museum archive specimens. Firstly, we amplified and sequenced the V1-V3 regions of the 16S rRNA gene of these specimens, then we utilized the generated sequences to shed light on the microbial diversity associated with seven families of corals collected from depth in the Coral Sea (depth range 1309 to 2959 m) and Southern Ocean (depth range 1401 to 2071 m) benthic habitats. Surprisingly, Cyanobacteria sequences were consistently associated with six out of seven coral families from both sampling locations, suggesting that these bacteria are potentially ubiquitous members of the microbiome within these cold and deep sea water corals. Additionally, we show that Cnidaria might benefit from symbiotic associations with a range of chemosynthetic bacteria including nitrite, carbon monoxide and sulfur oxidizers. Consistent with previous studies, we show that sequences associated with the bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes and Acidobacteriota dominated the microbial community of corals in the deep sea. We also explored genomes of the bacterial genus Mycoplasma, which we identified as associated with specimens of three deep sea coral families, finding evidence that these bacteria may aid the host immune system. Importantly our results show that museum specimens retain components of host microbiome that can provide new insights into the diversity of deep sea coral microbiomes (and potentially other organisms), as well as the diversity of microbes writ large in deep sea ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ricci
- University of New South Wales, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- University of Melbourne, School of Biosciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - William Leggat
- University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Marisa M. Pasella
- University of Melbourne, School of Biosciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tom Bridge
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland Museum, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jeremy Horowitz
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Peter R. Girguis
- University of Harvard, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tracy Ainsworth
- University of New South Wales, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kensington, NSW, Australia
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15
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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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16
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Ma J, Sun H, Li B, Wu B, Zhang X, Ye L. Horizontal transfer potential of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants unraveled by microfluidic-based mini-metagenomics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133493. [PMID: 38228000 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133493] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are known to harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can potentially spread to the environment and human populations. However, the extent and mechanisms of ARG transfer in WWTPs are not well understood due to the high microbial diversity and limitations of molecular techniques. In this study, we used a microfluidic-based mini-metagenomics approach to investigate the transfer potential and mechanisms of ARGs in activated sludge from WWTPs. Our results show that while diverse ARGs are present in activated sludge, only a few highly similar ARGs are observed across different taxa, indicating limited transfer potential. We identified two ARGs, ermF and tla-1, which occur in a variety of bacterial taxa and may have high transfer potential facilitated by mobile genetic elements. Interestingly, genes that are highly similar to the sequences of these two ARGs, as identified in this study, display varying patterns of abundance across geographic regions. Genes similar to ermF found are widely found in Asia and the Americas, while genes resembling tla-1 are primarily detected in Asia. Genes similar to both genes are barely detected in European WWTPs. These findings shed light on the limited horizontal transfer potential of ARGs in WWTPs and highlight the importance of monitoring specific ARGs in different regions to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haohao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Bing Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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17
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Girardin Y, Galle M, Vanden Abeele Y, De Greve H, Loris R. Evaluation of different strategies to produce Vibrio cholerae ParE2 toxin. Protein Expr Purif 2024; 215:106403. [PMID: 37977515 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106403] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are small operons that are omnipresent in bacteria and archaea with suggested roles in stabilization of mobile genetic elements, bacteriophage protection, stress response and possibly persister formation. A major bottleneck in the study of TA toxins is the production of sufficient amounts of well-folded, functional protein. Here we examine alternative approaches for obtaining the VcParE2 toxin from Vibrio cholerae. VcParE2 can be successfully produced via bacterial expression in presence of its cognate antitoxin VcParD2, followed by on-column unfolding and refolding. Alternatively, the toxin can be expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells. The latter requires disruption of the VcparE2 gene via introduction of an insect cell intron. Both methods provide protein with similar structural and functional characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Girardin
- Molecular Recognition Unit, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Margot Galle
- Molecular Recognition Unit, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yaël Vanden Abeele
- Molecular Recognition Unit, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Henri De Greve
- Molecular Recognition Unit, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Remy Loris
- Molecular Recognition Unit, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
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18
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Makarova KS, Zhang C, Wolf YI, Karamycheva S, Whitaker RJ, Koonin EV. Computational analysis of genes with lethal knockout phenotype and prediction of essential genes in archaea. mBio 2024; 15:e0309223. [PMID: 38189270 PMCID: PMC10865827 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03092-23] [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] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of microbial genes essential for survival as those with lethal knockout phenotype (LKP) is a common strategy for functional interrogation of genomes. However, interpretation of the LKP is complicated because a substantial fraction of the genes with this phenotype remains poorly functionally characterized. Furthermore, many genes can exhibit LKP not because their products perform essential cellular functions but because their knockout activates the toxicity of other genes (conditionally essential genes). We analyzed the sets of LKP genes for two archaea, Methanococcus maripaludis and Sulfolobus islandicus, using a variety of computational approaches aiming to differentiate between essential and conditionally essential genes and to predict at least a general function for as many of the proteins encoded by these genes as possible. This analysis allowed us to predict the functions of several LKP genes including previously uncharacterized subunit of the GINS protein complex with an essential function in genome replication and of the KEOPS complex that is responsible for an essential tRNA modification as well as GRP protease implicated in protein quality control. Additionally, several novel antitoxins (conditionally essential genes) were predicted, and this prediction was experimentally validated by showing that the deletion of these genes together with the adjacent genes apparently encoding the cognate toxins caused no growth defect. We applied principal component analysis based on sequence and comparative genomic features showing that this approach can separate essential genes from conditionally essential ones and used it to predict essential genes in other archaeal genomes.IMPORTANCEOnly a relatively small fraction of the genes in any bacterium or archaeon is essential for survival as demonstrated by the lethal effect of their disruption. The identification of essential genes and their functions is crucial for understanding fundamental cell biology. However, many of the genes with a lethal knockout phenotype remain poorly functionally characterized, and furthermore, many genes can exhibit this phenotype not because their products perform essential cellular functions but because their knockout activates the toxicity of other genes. We applied state-of-the-art computational methods to predict the functions of a number of uncharacterized genes with the lethal knockout phenotype in two archaeal species and developed a computational approach to predict genes involved in essential functions. These findings advance the current understanding of key functionalities of archaeal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S. Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Changyi Zhang
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Yuri I. Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Svetlana Karamycheva
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rachel J. Whitaker
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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19
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Guegler CK, Teodoro GIC, Srikant S, Chetlapalli K, Doering CR, Ghose DA, Laub MT. A phage-encoded RNA-binding protein inhibits the antiviral activity of a toxin-antitoxin system. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1298-1312. [PMID: 38117986 PMCID: PMC10853763 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria harbor diverse mechanisms to defend themselves against their viral predators, bacteriophages. In response, phages can evolve counter-defense systems, most of which are poorly understood. In T4-like phages, the gene tifA prevents bacterial defense by the type III toxin-antitoxin (TA) system toxIN, but the mechanism by which TifA inhibits ToxIN remains unclear. Here, we show that TifA directly binds both the endoribonuclease ToxN and RNA, leading to the formation of a high molecular weight ribonucleoprotein complex in which ToxN is inhibited. The RNA binding activity of TifA is necessary for its interaction with and inhibition of ToxN. Thus, we propose that TifA inhibits ToxN during phage infection by trapping ToxN on cellular RNA, particularly the abundant 16S rRNA, thereby preventing cleavage of phage transcripts. Taken together, our results reveal a novel mechanism underlying inhibition of a phage-defensive RNase toxin by a small, phage-encoded protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal K Guegler
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gabriella I C Teodoro
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sriram Srikant
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Keerthana Chetlapalli
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Christopher R Doering
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dia A Ghose
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael T Laub
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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20
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Yu J, Zhang H, Ju Z, Huang J, Lin C, Wu J, Wu Y, Sun S, Wang H, Hao G, Zhang A. Increased mutations in lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic genes cause time-dependent development of phage resistance in Salmonella. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0059423. [PMID: 38193669 PMCID: PMC10848759 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00594-23] [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] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding how bacteria evolve resistance to phages has implications for phage-based therapies and microbial evolution. In this study, the susceptibility of 335 Salmonella isolates to the wide host range Salmonella phage BPSELC-1 was tested. Potentially significant gene sets that could confer resistance were identified using bioinformatics approaches based on phage susceptibility phenotypes; more than 90 potential antiphage defense gene sets, including those involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis, DNA replication, secretion systems, and respiratory chain, were found. The evolutionary dynamics of Salmonella resistance to phage were assessed through laboratory evolution experiments, which showed that phage-resistant mutants rapidly developed and exhibited genetic heterogeneity. Most representative Salmonella hosts (58.1% of 62) rapidly developed phage resistance within 24 h. All phage-resistant mutant clones exhibited genetic heterogeneity and observed mutations in LPS-related genes (rfaJ and rfaK) as well as other genes such as cellular respiration, transport, and cell replication-related genes. The study also identified potential trade-offs, indicating that bacteria tend to escape fitness trade-offs through multi-site mutations, all tested mutants increased sensitivity to polymyxin B, but this does not always affect their relative fitness or biofilm-forming capacity. Furthermore, complementing the rfaJ mutant gene could partially restore the phage sensitivity of phage-resistant mutants. These results provide insight into the phage resistance mechanisms of Salmonella and the complexity of bacterial evolution resulting from phage predation, which can inform future strategies for phage-based therapies and microbial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haoyu Zhang
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zijing Ju
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Cong Lin
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yingting Wu
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuhong Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Hongning Wang
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guijuan Hao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Anyun Zhang
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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21
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Bonabal S, Darfeuille F. Preventing toxicity in toxin-antitoxin systems: An overview of regulatory mechanisms. Biochimie 2024; 217:95-105. [PMID: 37473832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.013] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin systems (TAs) are generally two-component genetic modules present in almost every prokaryotic genome. The production of the free and active toxin is able to disrupt key cellular processes leading to the growth inhibition or death of its host organism in absence of its cognate antitoxin. The functions attributed to TAs rely on this lethal phenotype ranging from mobile genetic elements stabilization to phage defense. Their abundance in prokaryotic genomes as well as their lethal potential make them attractive targets for new antibacterial strategies. The hijacking of TAs requires a deep understanding of their regulation to be able to design such approach. In this review, we summarize the accumulated knowledge on how bacteria cope with these toxic genes in their genome. The characterized TAs can be grouped based on the way they prevent toxicity. Some systems rely on a tight control of the expression to prevent the production of the toxin while others control the activity of the toxin at the post-translational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Bonabal
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, ARNA Laboratory, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Fabien Darfeuille
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, ARNA Laboratory, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
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22
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Kaur J, Kaur J. Comparative genomics of seven genomes of genus Idiomarina reveals important halo adaptations and genes for stress response. 3 Biotech 2024; 14:40. [PMID: 38261836 PMCID: PMC10794682 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03887-3] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Idiomarina consists of halophilic and/or haloalkaliphilic organisms. We compared the complete genomes of seven strains of the genus Idiomarina to investigate its adaptation to saline environment. A total of 1,313 core genes related to salinity tolerance, stress response, antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and drug targets were found. Comparative genomics revealed various genes involved in halo adaptations of these organisms, including transporters and influx or efflux systems for elements such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd. In agreement with their isolation sources (such as hydrothermal vents and marine sediments) and environments abundant in heavy metals, various resistance proteins and transporters associated with metal tolerance were also identified. These included copper resistance proteins, zinc uptake transcriptional repressor Zur, MerC domain-containing protein, Cd(II)/Pb(II)-responsive transcriptional regulator, Co/Zn/Cd efflux system protein, and mercuric transporter. Interestingly, we observed that the carbohydrate metabolism pathways were incomplete in all the strains and transporters used for absorption of small sugars were also not found in them. Also, the presence of higher proportion of genes involved in protein metabolism than carbohydrate metabolism indicates that proteinaceous substrates act as the major food substrates for these bacterial strains than carbohydrates. Genomic islands were detected in some species, highlighting the role of horizontal gene transfer for acquisition in novel genes. Genomic rearrangements in terms of partially palindromic regions were detected in all strains. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive comparative genomics study among the genus Idiomarina revealing unique genomic features within bacterial species inhabiting different ecological niches. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03887-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaspreet Kaur
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 021 India
| | - Jasvinder Kaur
- Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi, 110 049 India
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23
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Siedentop B, Rüegg D, Bonhoeffer S, Chabas H. My host's enemy is my enemy: plasmids carrying CRISPR-Cas as a defence against phages. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232449. [PMID: 38262608 PMCID: PMC10805597 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2449] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are infected by mobile genetic elements like plasmids and virulent phages, and those infections significantly impact bacterial ecology and evolution. Recent discoveries reveal that some plasmids carry anti-phage immune systems like CRISPR-Cas, suggesting that plasmids may participate in the coevolutionary arms race between virulent phages and bacteria. Intuitively, this seems reasonable as virulent phages kill the plasmid's obligate host. However, the efficiency of CRISPR-Cas systems carried by plasmids can be expected to be lower than those carried by the chromosome due to continuous segregation loss, creating susceptible cells for phage amplification. To evaluate the anti-phage protection efficiency of CRISPR-Cas on plasmids, we develop a stochastic model describing the dynamics of a virulent phage infection against which a conjugative plasmid defends using CRISPR-Cas. We show that CRISPR-Cas on plasmids provides robust protection, except in limited parameter sets. In these cases, high segregation loss favours phage outbreaks by generating a population of defenceless cells on which the phage can evolve and escape CRISPR-Cas immunity. We show that the phage's ability to exploit segregation loss depends strongly on the evolvability of both CRISPR-Cas and the phage itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Siedentop
- Institute for Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Rüegg
- Institute for Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Hélène Chabas
- Institute for Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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24
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Zhang Q, Shen J, Meng G, Wang H, Liu C, Zhu C, Zhao G, Tong L. Selection of yeast strains in naturally fermented cured meat as promising starter cultures for fermented cured beef, a traditional fermented meat product of northern China. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2024; 104:883-891. [PMID: 37698856 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fermented meat products are meat products with a unique flavor, color, and texture as well as an extended shelf life under natural or artificially controlled conditions. Microorganisms or enzymes are used to ferment the raw meat so that it undergoes a series of biochemical and physical changes. Common fermentation strains are lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, staphylococci, molds, and so forth. Studies on the inhibitory effect of yeast fermentation strain on N-nitrosamines in fermented meat products have not been reported. Two excellent yeast starters were identified to solve the problem of nitrosamines in fermented meat products. RESULTS Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Debaryomyces hansenii led to weak acid production, strong resistance to NaCl and NaNO2 , and high tolerance to low acidic conditions. The inoculated fermented beef exhibited decreased lightness, moisture content, water activity, pH, protein content, nitrite content, and N-nitrosamine content in comparison with the control group fermented bacon. M. guilliermondii had a better effect, reducing pH from 5.69 to 5.41, protein content from 254.24 to 221.92 g·kg-1 , nitrite content from 28.61 to 25.33 mg·kg-1 and N-nitrosamine by 18.97%, and giving the fermented beef the desired meat color, mouthfeel, odor, taste, and tissue quality. CONCLUSION In this study, two strains of yeast fermenters that can degrade N-nitrosamine precursors were identified, which to some extent solves the problem of the high risk of generating nitrosamines such as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) by processing fermented meat products with nitrites as precursors. These two strains are likely to be used as starter cultures for fermented meat products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhui Zhang
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jialong Shen
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaoge Meng
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Wang
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Liu
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaozhi Zhu
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaiming Zhao
- Henan Key Lab of Meat Processing and Quality Safety Control, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Tong
- Tongliao Comprehensive Test Station, Tongliao, People's Republic of China
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25
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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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26
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Garcia-Rodriguez G, Girardin Y, Kumar Singh R, Volkov AN, Van Dyck J, Muruganandam G, Sobott F, Charlier D, Loris R. Toxin:antitoxin ratio sensing autoregulation of the Vibrio cholerae parDE2 module. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj2403. [PMID: 38181072 PMCID: PMC10776004 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The parDE family of toxin-antitoxin (TA) operons is ubiquitous in bacterial genomes and, in Vibrio cholerae, is an essential component to maintain the presence of chromosome II. Here, we show that transcription of the V. cholerae parDE2 (VcparDE) operon is regulated in a toxin:antitoxin ratio-dependent manner using a molecular mechanism distinct from other type II TA systems. The repressor of the operon is identified as an assembly with a 6:2 stoichiometry with three interacting ParD2 dimers bridged by two ParE2 monomers. This assembly docks to a three-site operator containing 5'- GGTA-3' motifs. Saturation of this TA complex with ParE2 toxin results in disruption of the interface between ParD2 dimers and the formation of a TA complex of 2:2 stoichiometry. The latter is operator binding-incompetent as it is incompatible with the required spacing of the ParD2 dimers on the operator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Garcia-Rodriguez
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Yana Girardin
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Ranjan Kumar Singh
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Alexander N. Volkov
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Jean Jeener NMR Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Van Dyck
- Department of Chemistry, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, Antwerpen 2020, Belgium
| | - Gopinath Muruganandam
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Frank Sobott
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Daniel Charlier
- Research Group of Microbiology, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Remy Loris
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
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27
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Guler P, Bendori SO, Borenstein T, Aframian N, Kessel A, Eldar A. Arbitrium communication controls phage lysogeny through non-lethal modulation of a host toxin-antitoxin defence system. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:150-160. [PMID: 38177304 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01551-3] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Temperate Bacillus phages often utilize arbitrium communication to control lysis/lysogeny decisions, but the mechanisms by which this control is exerted remains largely unknown. Here we find that the arbitrium system of Bacillus subtilis phage ϕ3T modulates the host-encoded MazEF toxin-antitoxin system to this aim. Upon infection, the MazF ribonuclease is activated by three phage genes. At low arbitrium signal concentrations, MazF is inactivated by two phage-encoded MazE homologues: the arbitrium-controlled AimX and the later-expressed YosL proteins. At high signal, MazF remains active, promoting lysogeny without harming the bacterial host. MazF cleavage sites are enriched on transcripts of phage lytic genes but absent from the phage repressor in ϕ3T and other Spβ-like phages. Combined with low activation levels of MazF during infections, this pattern explains the phage-specific effect. Our results show how a bacterial toxin-antitoxin system has been co-opted by a phage to control lysis/lysogeny decisions without compromising host viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Guler
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shira Omer Bendori
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Tom Borenstein
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nitzan Aframian
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Amit Kessel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Avigdor Eldar
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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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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Zhou K, Wong TY, Long L, Anantharaman K, Zhang W, Wong WC, Zhang R, Qian PY. Genomic and transcriptomic insights into complex virus-prokaryote interactions in marine biofilms. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:2303-2312. [PMID: 37875603 PMCID: PMC10689801 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01546-2] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Marine biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that play a crucial ecological role in oceans. Although prokaryotes are the dominant members of these biofilms, little is known about their interactions with viruses. By analysing publicly available and newly sequenced metagenomic data, we identified 2446 virus-prokaryote connections in 84 marine biofilms. Most of these connections were between the bacteriophages in the Uroviricota phylum and the bacteria of Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidota. The network of virus-host pairs is complex; a single virus can infect multiple prokaryotic populations or a single prokaryote is susceptible to several viral populations. Analysis of genomes of paired prokaryotes and viruses revealed the presence of 425 putative auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), 239 viral genes related to restriction-modification (RM) systems and 38,538 prokaryotic anti-viral defence-related genes involved in 15 defence systems. Transcriptomic evidence from newly established biofilms revealed the expression of viral genes, including AMGs and RM, and prokaryotic defence systems, indicating the active interplay between viruses and prokaryotes. A comparison between biofilms and seawater showed that biofilm prokaryotes have more abundant defence genes than seawater prokaryotes, and the defence gene composition differs between biofilms and the surrounding seawater. Overall, our study unveiled active viruses in natural biofilms and their complex interplay with prokaryotes, which may result in the blooming of defence strategists in biofilms. The detachment of bloomed defence strategists may reduce the infectivity of viruses in seawater and result in the emergence of a novel role of marine biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhou
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Tin Yan Wong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lexin Long
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Weipeng Zhang
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Chuen Wong
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China.
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Zhang T, Zhou K, Wang Y, Xu J, Zheng Q, Luo T, Jiao N. Genomic insights into the adaptation of Synechococcus to the coastal environment on Xiamen. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1292150. [PMID: 38059125 PMCID: PMC10696648 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1292150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synechococcus are widely distributed in the global ocean, from the pelagic zone to coastal waters. However, little is known about Synechococcus in coastal seawater due to limitations in isolation and culture conditions. In this study, a combination of metagenomic sequencing technology, flow cytometry sorting, and multiple displacement amplification was used to investigate Synechococcus in the coastal seawater of Xiamen Island. The results revealed 18 clades of Synechococcus and diverse metabolic genes that appear to contribute to their adaptation to the coastal environment. Intriguingly, some metabolic genes related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, energy, nucleotides, and amino acids were found in 89 prophage regions that were detected in 16,258 Synechococcus sequences. The detected metabolic genes can enable prophages to contribute to the adaptation of Synechococcus hosts to the coastal marine environment. The detection of prophages also suggests that the cyanophages have infected Synechococcus. On the other hand, the identification of 773 genes associated with antiviral defense systems indicates that Synechococcus in Xiamen have evolved genetic traits in response to cyanophage infection. Studying the community diversity and functional genes of Synechococcus provides insights into their role in environmental adaptation and marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Yanhui Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinxin Xu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Tingwei Luo
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Nianzhi Jiao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Xue M, Gao Q, Yan R, Liu L, Wang L, Wen B, Wen C. Comparative Genomic Analysis of Shrimp-Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus LC and Intraspecific Strains with Emphasis on Virulent Factors of Mobile Genetic Elements. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2752. [PMID: 38004763 PMCID: PMC10672994 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus exhibits severe pathogenicity in humans and animals worldwide. In this study, genome sequencing and comparative analyses were conducted for in-depth characterization of the virulence factor (VF) repertoire of V. parahaemolyticus strain LC, which presented significant virulence to shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Strain LC, harboring two circular chromosomes and three linear plasmids, demonstrated ≥98.14% average nucleotide identities with 31 publicly available V. parahaemolyticus genomes, including 13, 11, and 7 shrimp-, human-, and non-pathogenic strains, respectively. Phylogeny analysis based on dispensable genes of pan-genome clustered 11 out of 14 shrimp-pathogenic strains and 7 out of 11 clinical strains into two distinct clades, indicating the close association between host-specific pathogenicity and accessory genes. The VFDB database revealed that 150 VFs of LC were mainly associated with the secretion system, adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis, motility, and iron uptake, whereas no homologs of the typical pathogenic genes pirA, pirB, tdh, and trh were detected. Four genes, mshB, wbfT, wbfU, and wbtI, were identified in both types of pathogenic strains but were absent in non-pathogens. Notably, a unique cluster similar to Yen-Tc, which encodes an insecticidal toxin complex, and diverse toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, were identified on the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of LC. Conclusively, in addition to the common VFs, various unique MGE-borne VFs, including the Yen-Tc cluster, TA components, and multiple chromosome-encoded chitinase genes, may contribute to the full spectrum of LC virulence. Moreover, V. parahaemolyticus demonstrates host-specific virulence, which potentially drives the origin and spread of pathogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chongqing Wen
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; (M.X.)
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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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López-Pérez J, Otero J, Sánchez-Osuna M, Erill I, Cortés P, Llagostera M. Impact of mutagenesis and lateral gene transfer processes in bacterial susceptibility to phage in food biocontrol and phage therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1266685. [PMID: 37842006 PMCID: PMC10569123 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1266685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergence of resistance and interference mechanisms to phage infection can hinder the success of bacteriophage-based applications, but the significance of these mechanisms in phage therapy has not been determined. This work studies the emergence of Salmonella isolates with reduced susceptibility to a cocktail of three phages under three scenarios: i) Salmonella cultures (LAB), ii) biocontrol of cooked ham slices as a model of food safety (FOOD), and iii) oral phage therapy in broilers (PT). Methods S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 RifR variants with reduced phage susceptibility were isolated from the three scenarios and conventional and molecular microbiology techniques were applied to study them. Results and discussion In LAB, 92% of Salmonella isolates lost susceptibility to all three phages 24 h after phage infection. This percentage was lower in FOOD, with 4.3% of isolates not susceptible to at least two of the three phages after seven days at 4°C following phage treatment. In PT, 9.7% and 3.3 % of isolates from untreated and treated broilers, respectively, displayed some mechanism of interference with the life cycle of some of the phages. In LAB and FOOD scenarios, resistant variants carrying mutations in rfc and rfaJ genes involved in lipopolysaccharide synthesis (phage receptor) were identified. However, in PT, the significant decrease of EOP, ECOI, and burst size observed in isolates was prompted by lateral gene transfer of large IncI1 plasmids, which may encode phage defense mechanisms. These data indicate that the acquisition of specific conjugative plasmids has a stronger impact than mutagenesis on the emergence of reduced phage-susceptibility bacteria in certain environments. In spite of this, neither mechanism seems to significantly impair the success of Salmonella biocontrol and oral phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia López-Pérez
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Jennifer Otero
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- SK8 Biotech, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Sánchez-Osuna
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ivan Erill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Departament Enginyeria de la Informació i de les Comunicacions, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Pilar Cortés
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Montserrat Llagostera
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Li X, Long X, Chen L, Guo X, Lu L, Hu L, He ZG. Mycobacterial phage TM4 requires a eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr protein kinase to silence and escape anti-phage immunity. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1469-1480.e4. [PMID: 37567169 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.07.005] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, serine/threonine protein kinases (StpKs) play important roles in limiting viral infections. StpKs are commonly activated upon infections, inhibiting the expression of genes central for viral replication. Here, we report that a eukaryotic-like StpK7 encoded by MSMEG_1200 in M. smegmatis is required for mycobacteriophage TM4 to escape bacterial defense. stpK7 is located within a gene island, MSMEG_1191-MSMEG_1200, containing multiple anti-phage genes resembling the BREX (bacteriophage exclusion) phage-resistance system. StpK7 negatively regulates the expression of this gene island. Following phage TM4 infection, StpK7 is induced, directly phosphorylating the transcriptional regulator MSMEG_1198 and inhibiting its positive regulatory activity, thus reducing the expression of multiple downstream genes in the BREX-like gene island. Further analysis showed that genes within this anti-phage island critically regulate mycobacterial lipid hemostasis and phage adsorption. Collectively, this work characterizes a regulatory network driven by StpK7, which is utilized by phage TM4 to escape from the host defense against mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiating Long
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Liu Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lining Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lihua Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zheng-Guo He
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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Hsueh BY, Ferrell MJ, Sanath-Kumar R, Bedore AM, Waters CM. Replication cycle timing determines phage sensitivity to a cytidine deaminase toxin/antitoxin bacterial defense system. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011195. [PMID: 37683045 PMCID: PMC10511110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011195] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are ubiquitous two-gene loci that bacteria use to regulate cellular processes such as phage defense. Here, we demonstrate the mechanism by which a novel type III TA system, avcID, is activated and confers resistance to phage infection. The toxin of the system (AvcD) is a deoxycytidylate deaminase that converts deoxycytidines (dC) to dexoyuridines (dU), while the RNA antitoxin (AvcI) inhibits AvcD activity. We have shown that AvcD deaminated dC nucleotides upon phage infection, but the molecular mechanism that activated AvcD was unknown. Here we show that the activation of AvcD arises from phage-induced inhibition of host transcription, leading to degradation of the labile AvcI. AvcD activation and nucleotide depletion not only decreases phage replication but also increases the formation of defective phage virions. Surprisingly, infection of phages such as T7 that are not inhibited by AvcID also lead to AvcI RNA antitoxin degradation and AvcD activation, suggesting that depletion of AvcI is not sufficient to confer protection against some phage. Rather, our results support that phage with a longer replication cycle like T5 are sensitive to AvcID-mediated protection while those with a shorter replication cycle like T7 are resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Y. Hsueh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Micah J. Ferrell
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ram Sanath-Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Amber M. Bedore
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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Shen X, Yang Z, Li Z, Xiong D, Liao J, He W, Shen D, Shao X, Niu B, He Y, Gao Y, Qian G. Identification of atypical T4SS effector proteins mediating bacterial defense. MLIFE 2023; 2:295-307. [PMID: 38817810 PMCID: PMC10989847 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
To remain competitive, proteobacteria use various contact-dependent weapon systems to defend against microbial competitors. The bacterial-killing type IV secretion system (T4SS) is one such powerful weapon. It commonly controls the killing/competition between species by secreting the lethal T4SS effector (T4E) proteins carrying conserved XVIPCD domains into competing cells. In this study, we sought knowledge to understand whether the bacterial-killing T4SS-producing bacteria encode T4E-like proteins and further explore their biological functions. To achieve this, we designed a T4E-guided approach to discover T4E-like proteins that are designated as atypical T4Es. Initially, this approach required scientists to perform simple BlastP search to identify T4E homologs that lack the XVIPCD domain in the genomes of T4SS-producing bacteria. These homologous genes were then screened in Escherichia coli to identify antibacterial candidates (atypical T4Es) and their neighboring detoxification proteins, followed by testing their gene cotranscription and validating their physical interactions. Using this approach, we did discover two atypical T4E proteins from the plant-beneficial Lysobacter enzymogenes and the phytopathogen Xanthomonas citri. We also provided substantial evidence to show that the atypical T4E protein Le1637-mediated bacterial defense in interspecies interactions between L. enzymogenes and its competitors. Therefore, the newly designed T4E-guided approach holds promise for detecting functional atypical T4E proteins in bacterial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zixiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zihan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Dan Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jinxing Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Weimei He
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Danyu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaolong Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ben Niu
- College of Life ScienceNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Yongxing He
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress AdaptationsLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Yong‐Gui Gao
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Guoliang Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Biological Interactions and Crop Health, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
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Xu X, Usher B, Gutierrez C, Barriot R, Arrowsmith TJ, Han X, Redder P, Neyrolles O, Blower TR, Genevaux P. MenT nucleotidyltransferase toxins extend tRNA acceptor stems and can be inhibited by asymmetrical antitoxin binding. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4644. [PMID: 37591829 PMCID: PMC10435456 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40264-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for human tuberculosis, has a genome encoding a remarkably high number of toxin-antitoxin systems of largely unknown function. We have recently shown that the M. tuberculosis genome encodes four of a widespread, MenAT family of nucleotidyltransferase toxin-antitoxin systems. In this study we characterize MenAT1, using tRNA sequencing to demonstrate MenT1 tRNA modification activity. MenT1 activity is blocked by MenA1, a short protein antitoxin unrelated to the MenA3 kinase. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows blockage of the conserved MenT fold by asymmetric binding of MenA1 across two MenT1 protomers, forming a heterotrimeric toxin-antitoxin complex. Finally, we also demonstrate tRNA modification by toxin MenT4, indicating conserved activity across the MenT family. Our study highlights variation in tRNA target preferences by MenT toxins, selective use of nucleotide substrates, and diverse modes of MenA antitoxin activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xibing Xu
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Ben Usher
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Claude Gutierrez
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Roland Barriot
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Tom J Arrowsmith
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Xue Han
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Peter Redder
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Neyrolles
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
| | - Pierre Genevaux
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires (LMGM), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France.
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Qureshi A, Connolly JB. Bioinformatic and literature assessment of toxicity and allergenicity of a CRISPR-Cas9 engineered gene drive to control Anopheles gambiae the mosquito vector of human malaria. Malar J 2023; 22:234. [PMID: 37580703 PMCID: PMC10426224 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04665-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population suppression gene drive is currently being evaluated, including via environmental risk assessment (ERA), for malaria vector control. One such gene drive involves the dsxFCRISPRh transgene encoding (i) hCas9 endonuclease, (ii) T1 guide RNA (gRNA) targeting the doublesex locus, and (iii) DsRed fluorescent marker protein, in genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs). Problem formulation, the first stage of ERA, for environmental releases of dsxFCRISPRh previously identified nine potential harms to the environment or health that could occur, should expressed products of the transgene cause allergenicity or toxicity. METHODS Amino acid sequences of hCas9 and DsRed were interrogated against those of toxins or allergens from NCBI, UniProt, COMPARE and AllergenOnline bioinformatic databases and the gRNA was compared with microRNAs from the miRBase database for potential impacts on gene expression associated with toxicity or allergenicity. PubMed was also searched for any evidence of toxicity or allergenicity of Cas9 or DsRed, or of the donor organisms from which these products were originally derived. RESULTS While Cas9 nuclease activity can be toxic to some cell types in vitro and hCas9 was found to share homology with the prokaryotic toxin VapC, there was no evidence from previous studies of a risk of toxicity to humans and other animals from hCas9. Although hCas9 did contain an 8-mer epitope found in the latex allergen Hev b 9, the full amino acid sequence of hCas9 was not homologous to any known allergens. Combined with a lack of evidence in the literature of Cas9 allergenicity, this indicated negligible risk to humans of allergenicity from hCas9. No matches were found between the gRNA and microRNAs from either Anopheles or humans. Moreover, potential exposure to dsxFCRISPRh transgenic proteins from environmental releases was assessed as negligible. CONCLUSIONS Bioinformatic and literature assessments found no convincing evidence to suggest that transgenic products expressed from dsxFCRISPRh were allergens or toxins, indicating that environmental releases of this population suppression gene drive for malaria vector control should not result in any increased allergenicity or toxicity in humans or animals. These results should also inform evaluations of other GMMs being developed for vector control and in vivo clinical applications of CRISPR-Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alima Qureshi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, UK
| | - John B Connolly
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, UK.
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Amundson KK, Roux S, Shelton JL, Wilkins MJ. Long-term CRISPR locus dynamics and stable host-virus co-existence in subsurface fractured shales. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3125-3135.e4. [PMID: 37402375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.033] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Viruses are the most ubiquitous biological entities on Earth. Even so, elucidating the impact of viruses on microbial communities and associated ecosystem processes often requires identification of unambiguous host-virus linkages-an undeniable challenge in many ecosystems. Subsurface fractured shales present a unique opportunity to first make these strong linkages via spacers in CRISPR-Cas arrays and subsequently reveal complex long-term host-virus dynamics. Here, we sampled two replicated sets of fractured shale wells for nearly 800 days, resulting in 78 metagenomes from temporal sampling of six wells in the Denver-Julesburg Basin (Colorado, USA). At the community level, there was strong evidence for CRISPR-Cas defense systems being used through time and likely in response to viral interactions. Within our host genomes, represented by 202 unique MAGs, we also saw that CRISPR-Cas systems were widely encoded. Together, spacers from host CRISPR loci facilitated 2,110 CRISPR-based viral linkages across 90 host MAGs spanning 25 phyla. We observed less redundancy in host-viral linkages and fewer spacers associated with hosts from the older, more established wells, possibly reflecting enrichment of more beneficial spacers through time. Leveraging temporal patterns of host-virus linkages across differing well ages, we report how host-virus co-existence dynamics develop and converge through time, possibly reflecting selection for viruses that can evade host CRISPR-Cas systems. Together, our findings shed light on the complexities of host-virus interactions as well as long-term dynamics of CRISPR-Cas defense among diverse microbial populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela K Amundson
- Colorado State University, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, 301 University Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Simon Roux
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jenna L Shelton
- United States Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA 20192, USA
| | - Michael J Wilkins
- Colorado State University, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, 301 University Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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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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Ling KM, Stick SM, Kicic A. Pulmonary bacteriophage and cystic fibrosis airway mucus: friends or foes? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1088494. [PMID: 37265479 PMCID: PMC10230084 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1088494] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
For those born with cystic fibrosis (CF), hyper-concentrated mucus with a dysfunctional structure significantly impacts CF airways, providing a perfect environment for bacterial colonization and subsequent chronic infection. Early treatment with antibiotics limits the prevalence of bacterial pathogens but permanently alters the CF airway microenvironment, resulting in antibiotic resistance and other long-term consequences. With little investment into new traditional antibiotics, safe and effective alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed. One gathering significant traction is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, little is known about which phages are effective for respiratory infections, the dynamics involved between phage(s) and the host airway, and associated by-products, including mucus. Work utilizing gut cell models suggest that phages adhere to mucus components, reducing microbial colonization and providing non-host-derived immune protection. Thus, phages retained in the CF mucus layer result from the positive selection that enables them to remain in the mucus layer. Phages bind weakly to mucus components, slowing down the diffusion motion and increasing their chance of encountering bacterial species for subsequent infection. Adherence of phage to mucus could also facilitate phage enrichment and persistence within the microenvironment, resulting in a potent phage phenotype or vice versa. However, how the CF microenvironment responds to phage and impacts phage functionality remains unknown. This review discusses CF associated lung diseases, the impact of CF mucus, and chronic bacterial infection. It then discusses the therapeutic potential of phages, their dynamic relationship with mucus and whether this may enhance or hinder airway bacterial infections in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kak-Ming Ling
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Occupation, Environment and Safety, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Stephen Michael Stick
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Occupation, Environment and Safety, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
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42
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Molina-Quiroz RC, Silva-Valenzuela CA. Interactions of Vibrio phages and their hosts in aquatic environments. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 74:102308. [PMID: 37062175 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. These viruses were discovered a century ago and have been used as a model system in microbial genetics and molecular biology. In order to survive, bacteria have to quickly adapt to phage challenges in their natural settings. In turn, phages continuously develop/evolve mechanisms for battling host defenses. A deeper understanding of the arms race between bacteria and phages is essential for the rational design of phage-based prophylaxis and therapies to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Vibrio species and their phages (vibriophages) are a suitable model to study these interactions. Phages are highly ubiquitous in aquatic environments and Vibrio are waterborne bacteria that must survive the constant attack by phages for successful transmission to their hosts. Here, we review relevant literature from the past two years to delve into the molecular interactions of Vibrio species and their phages in aquatic niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto C Molina-Quiroz
- Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (Levy CIMAR), Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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43
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Hochhauser D, Millman A, Sorek R. The defense island repertoire of the Escherichia coli pan-genome. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010694. [PMID: 37023146 PMCID: PMC10121019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It has become clear in recent years that anti-phage defense systems cluster non-randomly within bacterial genomes in so-called "defense islands". Despite serving as a valuable tool for the discovery of novel defense systems, the nature and distribution of defense islands themselves remain poorly understood. In this study, we comprehensively mapped the defense system repertoire of >1,300 strains of Escherichia coli, the most widely studied organism for phage-bacteria interactions. We found that defense systems are usually carried on mobile genetic elements including prophages, integrative conjugative elements and transposons, which preferentially integrate at several dozens of dedicated hotspots in the E. coli genome. Each mobile genetic element type has a preferred integration position but can carry a diverse variety of defensive cargo. On average, an E. coli genome has 4.7 hotspots occupied by defense system-containing mobile elements, with some strains possessing up to eight defensively occupied hotspots. Defense systems frequently co-localize with other systems on the same mobile genetic element, in agreement with the observed defense island phenomenon. Our data show that the overwhelming majority of the E. coli pan-immune system is carried on mobile genetic elements, explaining why the immune repertoire varies substantially between different strains of the same species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Hochhauser
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adi Millman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Sorek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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44
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Wiegand T, Wilkinson R, Santiago-Frangos A, Lynes M, Hatzenpichler R, Wiedenheft B. Functional and Phylogenetic Diversity of Cas10 Proteins. CRISPR J 2023; 6:152-162. [PMID: 36912817 PMCID: PMC10123807 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cas10 proteins are large subunits of type III CRISPR RNA (crRNA)-guided surveillance complexes, many of which have nuclease and cyclase activities. Here, we use computational and phylogenetic methods to identify and analyze 2014 Cas10 sequences from genomic and metagenomic databases. Cas10 proteins cluster into five distinct clades that mirror previously established CRISPR-Cas subtypes. Most Cas10 proteins (85.0%) have conserved polymerase active-site motifs, while HD-nuclease domains are less well conserved (36.0%). We identify Cas10 variants that are split over multiple genes or genetically fused to nucleases activated by cyclic nucleotides (i.e., NucC) or components of toxin-antitoxin systems (i.e., AbiEii). To clarify the functional diversification of Cas10 proteins, we cloned, expressed, and purified five representatives from three phylogenetically distinct clades. None of the Cas10s are functional cyclases in isolation, and activity assays performed with polymerase domain active site mutants indicate that previously reported Cas10 DNA-polymerase activity may be a result of contamination. Collectively, this work helps clarify the phylogenetic and functional diversity of Cas10 proteins in type III CRISPR systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner Wiegand
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Royce Wilkinson
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Andrew Santiago-Frangos
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Mackenzie Lynes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
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45
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Kelly A, Arrowsmith TJ, Went SC, Blower TR. Toxin-antitoxin systems as mediators of phage defence and the implications for abortive infection. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 73:102293. [PMID: 36958122 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a broad range of defence mechanisms to protect against infection by their viral parasites, bacteriophages (phages). Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are small loci found throughout bacteria and archaea that in some cases provide phage defence. The recent explosion in phage defence system discovery has identified multiple novel TA systems with antiphage activity. Due to inherent toxicity, TA systems are thought to mediate abortive infection (Abi), wherein the host cell dies in response to phage infection, removing the phage, and protecting clonal siblings. Recent studies, however, have uncovered molecular mechanisms by which TA systems are activated by phages, how they mediate toxicity, and how phages escape the defences. These new models reveal dazzling complexity in phage-host interactions and provide further evidence that TA systems do not in all cases inherently perform classic Abi, suggesting an evolved conceptual definition is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Kelly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Tom J Arrowsmith
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Sam C Went
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
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Tu Q, Pu M, Li Y, Wang Y, Li M, Song L, Li M, An X, Fan H, Tong Y. Acinetobacter Baumannii Phages: Past, Present and Future. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030673. [PMID: 36992382 PMCID: PMC10057898 DOI: 10.3390/v15030673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is one of the most common clinical pathogens and a typical multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterium. With the increase of drug-resistant A. baumannii infections, it is urgent to find some new treatment strategies, such as phage therapy. In this paper, we described the different drug resistances of A. baumannii and some basic properties of A. baumannii phages, analyzed the interaction between phages and their hosts, and focused on A. baumannii phage therapies. Finally, we discussed the chance and challenge of phage therapy. This paper aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of A. baumannii phages and theoretical support for the clinical application of A. baumannii phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihang Tu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mingfang Pu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yahao Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering (BAIC-SM), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yuer Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Maochen Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lihua Song
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mengzhe Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoping An
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Correspondence: (H.F.); (Y.T.)
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering (BAIC-SM), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Correspondence: (H.F.); (Y.T.)
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47
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Unveil the Secret of the Bacteria and Phage Arms Race. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054363. [PMID: 36901793 PMCID: PMC10002423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have developed different mechanisms to defend against phages, such as preventing phages from being adsorbed on the surface of host bacteria; through the superinfection exclusion (Sie) block of phage's nucleic acid injection; by restricting modification (R-M) systems, CRISPR-Cas, aborting infection (Abi) and other defense systems to interfere with the replication of phage genes in the host; through the quorum sensing (QS) enhancement of phage's resistant effect. At the same time, phages have also evolved a variety of counter-defense strategies, such as degrading extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that mask receptors or recognize new receptors, thereby regaining the ability to adsorb host cells; modifying its own genes to prevent the R-M systems from recognizing phage genes or evolving proteins that can inhibit the R-M complex; through the gene mutation itself, building nucleus-like compartments or evolving anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins to resist CRISPR-Cas systems; and by producing antirepressors or blocking the combination of autoinducers (AIs) and its receptors to suppress the QS. The arms race between bacteria and phages is conducive to the coevolution between bacteria and phages. This review details bacterial anti-phage strategies and anti-defense strategies of phages and will provide basic theoretical support for phage therapy while deeply understanding the interaction mechanism between bacteria and phages.
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48
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Hsueh BY, Sanath-Kumar R, Bedore AM, Waters CM. Time to lysis determines phage sensitivity to a cytidine deaminase toxin/antitoxin bacterial defense system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.09.527960. [PMID: 36798279 PMCID: PMC9934689 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are ubiquitous two-gene loci that bacteria use to regulate cellular processes such as phage defense. Here, we demonstrate the mechanism by which a novel type III TA system, avcID , is activated and confers resistance to phage infection. The toxin of the system (AvcD) is a deoxycytidylate deaminase that converts deoxycytidines (dC) to dexoyuridines (dU), while the RNA antitoxin (AvcI) inhibits AvcD activity. We have shown that AvcD deaminated dC nucleotides upon phage infection, but the molecular mechanism that activated AvcD was unknown. Here we show that the activation of AvcD arises from phage-induced shutoff of host transcription, leading to degradation of the labile AvcI. AvcD activation and nucleotide depletion not only decreases phage replication but also increases the formation of defective phage virions. Surprisingly, infection of phages such as T7 that are not inhibited by AvcID also lead to AvcI RNA antitoxin degradation and AvcD activation, suggesting that depletion of AvcI is not sufficient to confer protection against some phage. Rather, our results support that phage with a longer lysis time like T5 are sensitive to AvcID-mediated protection while those with a shorter lysis time like T7 are resistant. AUTHOR’S SUMMARY Numerous diverse antiphage defense systems have been discovered in the past several years, but the mechanisms of how these systems are activated upon phage infection and why these systems protect against some phage but not others are poorly understood. The AvcID toxin-antitoxin phage defense system depletes nucleotides of the dC pool inside the host upon phage infection. We show that phage inhibition of host cell transcription activates this system by depleting the AvcI inhibitory sRNA, which inhibits production of phage and leads to the formation of defective virions. Additionally, we determined that phage lysis time is a key factor that influences sensitivity to AvcID with faster replicating phage exhibiting resistance to its effects. This study has implications for understanding the factors that influence bacterial host/phage dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Y. Hsueh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 48824
| | - Ram Sanath-Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 48824
| | - Amber M. Bedore
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 48824
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 48824
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The DarT/DarG Toxin-Antitoxin ADP-Ribosylation System as a Novel Target for a Rational Design of Innovative Antimicrobial Strategies. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020240. [PMID: 36839512 PMCID: PMC9967889 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemical modification of cellular macromolecules by the transfer of ADP-ribose unit(s), known as ADP-ribosylation, is an ancient homeostatic and stress response control system. Highly conserved across the evolution, ADP-ribosyltransferases and ADP-ribosylhydrolases control ADP-ribosylation signalling and cellular responses. In addition to proteins, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transferases can covalently link ADP-ribosylation to different conformations of nucleic acids, thus highlighting the evolutionary conservation of archaic stress response mechanisms. Here, we report several structural and functional aspects of DNA ADP-ribosylation modification controlled by the prototype DarT and DarG pair, which show ADP-ribosyltransferase and hydrolase activity, respectively. DarT/DarG is a toxin-antitoxin system conserved in many bacterial pathogens, for example in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which regulates two clinically important processes for human health, namely, growth control and the anti-phage response. The chemical modulation of the DarT/DarG system by selective inhibitors may thus represent an exciting strategy to tackle resistance to current antimicrobial therapies.
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Complete genome sequence of marine Roseobacter lineage member Ruegeria sp. YS9 with five plasmids isolated from red algae. Mar Genomics 2023; 67:100997. [PMID: 36682852 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Ruegeria sp. YS9, an aerobic and chemoheterotrophic bacterium belonging to marine Roseobacter lineage, was a putative new species isolated from red algae Eucheuma okamurai in the South China Sea (Beihai, Guangxi province). The complete genome sequence in strain YS9 comprised one circular chromosome with 3,244,635 bp and five circular plasmids ranging from 38,085 to 748,160 bp, with a total length of 4.30 Mb and average GC content of 58.39%. In total, 4129 CDSs, 52 tRNA genes and 9 rRNA genes were obtained. Genomic analysis of strain YS9 revealed that 85 CAZymes were organized in 147 PUL-associated CAZymes involved in polysaccharides metabolism, which were the highest among its two closely related Ruegeria strains. Numerous PULs related to degradation on the cell wall of algae, especially agar, indicated its major player role in the remineralization of algal-derived carbon. Further, the existence of multiple plasmids provided strain YS9 with distinct advantages to facilitate its rapid environmental adaptation, including polysaccharide metabolism, denitrification, resistance to heavy metal stresses such as copper and cobalt, type IV secretion systems and type IV toxin-antitoxin systems, which were obviously different from the two Ruegeria strains. This study provides evidence for polysaccharide metabolic capacity and functions of five plasmids in strain YS9, broadening our understanding of the ecological roles of bacteria in the environment around red algae and the function patterns of plasmids in marine Roseobacter lineage members for environmental adaptation.
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