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Bharathi Achudhan A, Saleena LM. Genomic reconstruction of unclassified microorganisms: Analysis of CRISPR arrays and genes involved in defense mechanisms. Gene 2024; 928:148808. [PMID: 39089531 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The constant battle between bacteria and viruses has led to the development of sophisticated antiviral defense strategies by bacteria to defend themselves against phages. This study analyzed a marshland metagenome to identify and characterize bacterial antiviral defense systems and phage interactions. We assembled 210 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from environmental DNA extracted from Pallikaranai marshland soil and 37 unclassified MAGs were filtered. MIMAG standards were followed, 2 high-quality and 15 medium-quality unclassified MAGs were picked. MINCED was used to identify 137 CRISPR arrays in the quality MAGs, and ViroBLAST was used to identify the phages that interact with the bacteria. About 242 spacer sequences were extracted from the CRISPR arrays, of which 54 had significant matches in the ViroBLAST database. 7 unverified bacteriophage species were also detected in the MAGs. The viral group of Caudoviricetes phage elements were identified as a frequent genome terminal repeat. The PADLOC identified 11 genes involved as a defense system in the MAGs. The PD-T4-6 defense system was found to be prevalent in 15 different unclassified MAGs. This study presents valuable insights intothe adaptations of unclassified bacteria to bacteriophages, as well as the genes used by these bacteria as a defense mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunmozhi Bharathi Achudhan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lilly M Saleena
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India.
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2
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Aviram N, Shilton AK, Lyn NG, Reis BS, Brivanlou A, Marraffini LA. The Cas10 nuclease activity relieves host dormancy to facilitate spacer acquisition and retention during type III-A CRISPR immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.11.579731. [PMID: 38405743 PMCID: PMC10888962 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.11.579731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
A hallmark of CRISPR immunity is the acquisition of short viral DNA sequences, known as spacers, that are transcribed into guide RNAs to recognize complementary sequences. The staphylococcal type III-A CRISPR-Cas system uses guide RNAs to locate viral transcripts and start a response that displays two mechanisms of immunity. When immunity is triggered by an early-expressed phage RNA, degradation of viral ssDNA can cure the host from infection. In contrast, when the RNA guide targets a late-expressed transcript, defense requires the activity of Csm6, a non-specific RNase. Here we show that Csm6 triggers a growth arrest of the host that provides immunity at the population level which hinders viral propagation to allow the replication of non-infected cells. We demonstrate that this mechanism leads to defense against not only the target phage but also other viruses present in the population that fail to replicate in the arrested cells. On the other hand, dormancy limits the acquisition and retention of spacers that trigger it. We found that the ssDNase activity of type III-A systems is required for the re-growth of a subset of the arrested cells, presumably through the degradation of the phage DNA, ending target transcription and inactivating the immune response. Altogether, our work reveals a built-in mechanism within type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems that allows the exit from dormancy needed for the subsistence of spacers that provide broad-spectrum immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naama Aviram
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Amanda K Shilton
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nia G Lyn
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bernardo S Reis
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Amir Brivanlou
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Luciano A Marraffini
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
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3
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Tamakoshi M, Hijikata A, Yura K, Oshima K, Toh H, Mitsuoka K, Oshima T, Bessho Y. Isolation and genomic analysis of a type IV pili-independent Thermus thermophilus phage, φMN1 from a Japanese hot spring. J GEN APPL MICROBIOL 2023; 69:117-124. [PMID: 37423744 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2023.06.008] [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] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
A Thermus thermophilus lytic phage was isolated from a Japanese hot spring using a type IV pili-deficient strain as an indicator host, and designated as φMN1. Electron microscopic (EM) examination revealed that φMN1 had an icosahedral head and a contractile tail, suggesting that φMN1 belonged to Myoviridae. An EM analysis focused on φMN1 adsorption to the Thermus host cell showed that the receptor molecules for the phage were uniformly distributed on the outer surface of the cells. The circular double-stranded DNA of φMN1 was 76,659 base pairs in length, and the guanine and cytosine content was 61.8%. It was predicted to contain 99 open reading frames, and its putative distal tail fiber protein, which is essential for non-piliated host cell surface receptor recognition, was dissimilar in terms of sequence and length with its counterpart in the type IV pili-dependent φYS40. A phage proteomic tree revealed that φMN1 and φYS40 are in the same cluster, but many genes had low sequence similarities and some seemed to be derived from both mesophilic and thermophilic organisms. The gene organization suggested that φMN1 evolved from a non-Thermus phage through large-scale recombination events of the genes determining the host specificity, followed by gradual evolution by recombination of both the thermophilic and mesophilic DNAs assimilated by the host Thermus cells. This newly isolated phage will provide evolutionary insights into thermophilic phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatada Tamakoshi
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
| | - Atsushi Hijikata
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
| | - Kei Yura
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University
- Center for Interdisciplinary AI and Data Science, Ochanomizu University
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University
| | | | - Hidehiro Toh
- Advanced Genomics Center, National Institute of Genetics
| | - Kaoru Mitsuoka
- Research Center for Ultra-High Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University
| | - Tairo Oshima
- Institute of Environmental Microbiology, Kyowa Kako Co., Ltd
| | - Yoshitaka Bessho
- Center for Interdisciplinary AI and Data Science, Ochanomizu University
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Harima Institute
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4
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Doss RK, Palmer M, Mead DA, Hedlund BP. Functional biology and biotechnology of thermophilic viruses. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:671-684. [PMID: 37222046 PMCID: PMC10423840 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Viruses have developed sophisticated biochemical and genetic mechanisms to manipulate and exploit their hosts. Enzymes derived from viruses have been essential research tools since the first days of molecular biology. However, most viral enzymes that have been commercialized are derived from a small number of cultivated viruses, which is remarkable considering the extraordinary diversity and abundance of viruses revealed by metagenomic analysis. Given the explosion of new enzymatic reagents derived from thermophilic prokaryotes over the past 40 years, those obtained from thermophilic viruses should be equally potent tools. This review discusses the still-limited state of the art regarding the functional biology and biotechnology of thermophilic viruses with a focus on DNA polymerases, ligases, endolysins, and coat proteins. Functional analysis of DNA polymerases and primase-polymerases from phages infecting Thermus, Aquificaceae, and Nitratiruptor has revealed new clades of enzymes with strong proofreading and reverse transcriptase capabilities. Thermophilic RNA ligase 1 homologs have been characterized from Rhodothermus and Thermus phages, with both commercialized for circularization of single-stranded templates. Endolysins from phages infecting Thermus, Meiothermus, and Geobacillus have shown high stability and unusually broad lytic activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, making them targets for commercialization as antimicrobials. Coat proteins from thermophilic viruses infecting Sulfolobales and Thermus strains have been characterized, with diverse potential applications as molecular shuttles. To gauge the scale of untapped resources for these proteins, we also document over 20,000 genes encoded by uncultivated viral genomes from high-temperature environments that encode DNA polymerase, ligase, endolysin, or coat protein domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K Doss
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A
| | - Marike Palmer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A
| | | | - Brian P Hedlund
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A
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5
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Wang J, Wei J, Li H, Li Y. High-efficiency genome editing of an extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus using endogenous type I and type III CRISPR-Cas systems. MLIFE 2022; 1:412-427. [PMID: 38818488 PMCID: PMC10989782 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Thermus thermophilus is an attractive species in the bioindustry due to its valuable natural products, abundant thermophilic enzymes, and promising fermentation capacities. However, efficient and versatile genome editing tools are not available for this species. In this study, we developed an efficient genome editing tool for T. thermophilus HB27 based on its endogenous type I-B, I-C, and III-A/B CRISPR-Cas systems. First, we systematically characterized the DNA interference capabilities of the different types of the native CRISPR-Cas systems in T. thermophilus HB27. We found that genomic manipulations such as gene deletion, mutation, and in situ tagging could be easily implemented by a series of genome-editing plasmids carrying an artificial self-targeting mini-CRISPR and a donor DNA responsible for the recombinant recovery. We also compared the genome editing efficiency of different CRISPR-Cas systems and the editing plasmids with donor DNAs of different lengths. Additionally, we developed a reporter gene system for T. thermophilus based on a heat-stable β-galactosidase gene TTP0042, and constructed an engineered strain with a high production capacity of superoxide dismutases by genome modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Junwei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Haijuan Li
- College of Biological and Environmental EngineeringXi'an UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
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6
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Ahlqvist J, Linares-Pastén JA, Jasilionis A, Welin M, Håkansson M, Svensson LA, Wang L, Watzlawick H, Ævarsson A, Friðjónsson ÓH, Hreggviðsson GÓ, Ketelsen Striberny B, Glomsaker E, Lanes O, Al-Karadaghi S, Nordberg Karlsson E. Crystal structure of DNA polymerase I from Thermus phage G20c. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2022; 78:1384-1398. [DOI: 10.1107/s2059798322009895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study describes the structure of DNA polymerase I from Thermus phage G20c, termed PolI_G20c. This is the first structure of a DNA polymerase originating from a group of related thermophilic bacteriophages infecting Thermus thermophilus, including phages G20c, TSP4, P74-26, P23-45 and phiFA and the novel phage Tth15-6. Sequence and structural analysis of PolI_G20c revealed a 3′–5′ exonuclease domain and a DNA polymerase domain, and activity screening confirmed that both domains were functional. No functional 5′–3′ exonuclease domain was present. Structural analysis also revealed a novel specific structure motif, here termed SβαR, that was not previously identified in any polymerase belonging to the DNA polymerases I (or the DNA polymerase A family). The SβαR motif did not show any homology to the sequences or structures of known DNA polymerases. The exception was the sequence conservation of the residues in this motif in putative DNA polymerases encoded in the genomes of a group of thermophilic phages related to Thermus phage G20c. The structure of PolI_G20c was determined with the aid of another structure that was determined in parallel and was used as a model for molecular replacement. This other structure was of a 3′–5′ exonuclease termed ExnV1. The cloned and expressed gene encoding ExnV1 was isolated from a thermophilic virus metagenome that was collected from several hot springs in Iceland. The structure of ExnV1, which contains the novel SβαR motif, was first determined to 2.19 Å resolution. With these data at hand, the structure of PolI_G20c was determined to 2.97 Å resolution. The structures of PolI_G20c and ExnV1 are most similar to those of the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I (PDB entry 2kzz) from Escherichia coli, DNA polymerase I from Geobacillus stearothermophilus (PDB entry 1knc) and Taq polymerase (PDB entry 1bgx) from Thermus aquaticus.
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7
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Yutin N, Rayko M, Antipov D, Mutz P, Wolf YI, Krupovic M, Koonin EV. Varidnaviruses in the Human Gut: A Major Expansion of the Order Vinavirales. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091842. [PMID: 36146653 PMCID: PMC9502842 DOI: 10.3390/v14091842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages play key roles in the dynamics of the human microbiome. By far the most abundant components of the human gut virome are tailed bacteriophages of the realm Duplodnaviria, in particular, crAss-like phages. However, apart from duplodnaviruses, the gut virome has not been dissected in detail. Here we report a comprehensive census of a minor component of the gut virome, the tailless bacteriophages of the realm Varidnaviria. Tailless phages are primarily represented in the gut by prophages, that are mostly integrated in genomes of Alphaproteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia and belong to the order Vinavirales, which currently consists of the families Corticoviridae and Autolykiviridae. Phylogenetic analysis of the major capsid proteins (MCP) suggests that at least three new families should be established within Vinavirales to accommodate the diversity of prophages from the human gut virome. Previously, only the MCP and packaging ATPase genes were reported as conserved core genes of Vinavirales. Here we report an extended core set of 12 proteins, including MCP, packaging ATPase, and previously undetected lysis enzymes, that are shared by most of these viruses. We further demonstrate that replication system components are frequently replaced in the genomes of Vinavirales, suggestive of selective pressure for escape from yet unknown host defenses or avoidance of incompatibility with coinfecting related viruses. The results of this analysis show that, in a sharp contrast to marine viromes, varidnaviruses are a minor component of the human gut virome. Moreover, they are primarily represented by prophages, as indicated by the analysis of the flanking genes, suggesting that there are few, if any, lytic varidnavirus infections in the gut at any given time. These findings complement the existing knowledge of the human gut virome by exploring a group of viruses that has been virtually overlooked in previous work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya Yutin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Mike Rayko
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, Institute for Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199004 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitry Antipov
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, Institute for Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199004 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Pascal Mutz
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I. Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
- Correspondence:
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8
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Kahraman-Ilıkkan Ö. Comparison of Propionibacterium genomes: CRISPR-Cas systems, phage/plasmid diversity, and insertion sequences. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:434. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03062-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Kahraman Ilıkkan Ö. Analysis of Probiotic Bacteria Genomes: Comparison of CRISPR/Cas Systems and Spacer Acquisition Diversity. Indian J Microbiol 2022; 62:40-46. [PMID: 35068602 PMCID: PMC8758818 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-021-00971-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) genes constitute an adaptive (acquired) defense system of bacteria and archaea. Here 72 probiotic bacteria genomes were investigated in terms of the presence of CRISPR/Cas systems and phage/plasmid invaders through spacer analysis. 49 CRISPR/Cas systems were detected within probiotic strains, namely,17 type II-A, 10 type I-C, 8 type I-E, 5 Type I-U (I-G), 4 type III-A, 2 type I-B, 1 type I-A, 1 type IV-B, and 1 type II-C. The predicted target of spacers was determined in 25 strains and consequently, three different spacer and target patterns were revealed. The diversity of CRISPR spacers provides insight and understanding to determine strain-specific invaders of probiotic bacteria as well as their relationships between strains. CRISPR systems were clarified in many studies for genomic characterization. However, recently, endogenous genome editing with CRISPR has provided an approach for various genome editing projects. Thus, in the future, producing strain-specific phage-resistant starter cultures or probiotics by endogenous genome editing methods according to phage/plasmid survey can be utilized for industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Therefore, this study intended a comprehensive investigation of CRISPR systems of probiotic bacteria. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-021-00971-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Kahraman Ilıkkan
- Kahramankazan Vocational School, Başkent University, Food Quality Control and Analysis Program, Ankara, Turkey
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10
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Rykachevsky A, Stepakov A, Muzyukina P, Medvedeva S, Dobrovolski M, Burnaev E, Severinov K, Savitskaya E. SCRAMBLER: A Tool for De Novo CRISPR Array Reconstruction and Its Application for Analysis of the Structure of Prokaryotic Populations. CRISPR J 2021; 4:673-685. [PMID: 34661428 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR arrays are prokaryotic genomic loci consisting of repeat sequences alternating with unique spacers acquired from foreign nucleic acids. As one of the fastest-evolving parts of the genome, CRISPR arrays can be used to differentiate closely related prokaryotic lineages and track individual strains in prokaryotic communities. However, the assembly of full-length CRISPR arrays sequences remains a problem. Here, we developed SCRAMBLER, a tool that includes several pipelines for assembling CRISPR arrays from high-throughput short-read sequencing data. We assessed its performance with model data sets (Escherichia coli strains containing different CRISPR arrays and imitating prokaryotic communities of different complexities) and intestinal microbiomes of extant and extinct pachyderms. Evaluation of SCRAMBLER's performance using model data sets demonstrated its ability to assemble CRISPR arrays correctly from reads containing pairs of spacers, yielding a precision rate of >80% and a recall rate of 60-85% when checked against ground-truth data. Likewise, SCRAMBLER successfully assembled CRISPR arrays from the environmental samples, as attested by their matching with database entries. SCRAMBLER, an open-source software (github.com/biolab-tools/SCRAMBLER), can facilitate analysis of the composition and dynamics of CRISPR arrays in complex communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Rykachevsky
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering and Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Alexander Stepakov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Polina Muzyukina
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Sofia Medvedeva
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Mark Dobrovolski
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Evgeny Burnaev
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering and Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA.,Laboratory of Genetic Regulation of Prokaryotic Mobile Genetic Elements, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute," Moscow, Russia; and Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA.,Waksman Institute, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
| | - Ekaterina Savitskaya
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, USA
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11
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Evolutionary stasis of a deep subsurface microbial lineage. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:2830-2842. [PMID: 33824425 PMCID: PMC8443664 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-00965-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator (CDA) were originally discovered in deep fracture fluids accessed via South African gold mines and have since been found in geographically widespread deep subsurface locations. In order to constrain models for subsurface microbial evolution, we compared CDA genomes from Africa, North America and Eurasia using single cell genomics. Unexpectedly, 126 partial single amplified genomes from the three continents, a complete genome from of an isolate from Eurasia, and metagenome-assembled genomes from Africa and Eurasia shared >99.2% average nucleotide identity, low frequency of SNP's, and near-perfectly conserved prophages and CRISPRs. Our analyses reject sample cross-contamination, recent natural dispersal, and unusually strong purifying selection as likely explanations for these unexpected results. We therefore conclude that the analyzed CDA populations underwent only minimal evolution since their physical separation, potentially as far back as the breakup of Pangea between 165 and 55 Ma ago. High-fidelity DNA replication and repair mechanisms are the most plausible explanation for the highly conserved genome of CDA. CDA presents a stark contrast to the current model organisms in microbial evolutionary studies, which often develop adaptive traits over far shorter periods of time.
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12
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Vink JNA, Baijens JHL, Brouns SJJ. PAM-repeat associations and spacer selection preferences in single and co-occurring CRISPR-Cas systems. Genome Biol 2021; 22:281. [PMID: 34593010 PMCID: PMC8482600 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02495-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adaptive CRISPR-Cas immune system stores sequences from past invaders as spacers in CRISPR arrays and thereby provides direct evidence that links invaders to hosts. Mapping CRISPR spacers has revealed many aspects of CRISPR-Cas biology, including target requirements such as the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). However, studies have so far been limited by a low number of mapped spacers in the database. RESULTS By using vast metagenomic sequence databases, we map approximately one-third of more than 200,000 unique CRISPR spacers from a variety of microbes and derive a catalog of more than two hundred unique PAM sequences associated with specific CRISPR-Cas subtypes. These PAMs are further used to correctly assign the orientation of CRISPR arrays, revealing conserved patterns between the last nucleotides of the CRISPR repeat and PAM. We could also deduce CRISPR-Cas subtype-specific preferences for targeting either template or coding strand of open reading frames. While some DNA-targeting systems (type I-E and type II systems) prefer the template strand and avoid mRNA, other DNA- and RNA-targeting systems (types I-A and I-B and type III systems) prefer the coding strand and mRNA. In addition, we find large-scale evidence that both CRISPR-Cas adaptation machinery and CRISPR arrays are shared between different CRISPR-Cas systems. This could lead to simultaneous DNA and RNA targeting of invaders, which may be effective at combating mobile genetic invaders. CONCLUSIONS This study has broad implications for our understanding of how CRISPR-Cas systems work in a wide range of organisms for which only the genome sequence is known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem N A Vink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H L Baijens
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands.
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13
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Baliga P, Shekar M, Tg P, Sk G. Investigation into the prevalent CRISPR-Cas systems among the Aeromonas genus. J Basic Microbiol 2021; 61:874-882. [PMID: 34486151 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is a prokaryotic adaptive immune system that checks invasion by mobile genetic elements through nuclease targeting. In this study, we investigated the occurrence, diversity, and features of the CRISPR system in the genus Aeromonas using bioinformatics tools. Only 13 out of 122 complete genomes (10.66%) of the genus Aeromonas from the NCBI GenBank database harbored the CRISPR system. The Type I-F system was the most prevalent CRISPR system among the Aeromonads, followed by the Type I-E system. Only one strain harbored a Type I-C CRISPR system. Among the Aeromonads, Aeromonas caviae (22.7%) and Aeromonas veronii (20%) had a higher prevalence rate of the complete CRISPR system. The analysis of direct repeat (DR) sequences showed that all could form stable RNA secondary structures. A phylogenetic tree generated for the Cas1 protein classified CRISPR subtypes into three distinct clusters. Among the 748 spacers investigated, 41.98% and 17.25% showed perfect homology to phage and plasmid sequences, respectively. Some arrays had duplicated spacers. The CRISPR loci are closely linked to antibiotic resistance genes in most strains. Collectively, our results would contribute to research on antibiotic resistance in the Aeromonas group, and provide new insights into the diversity and evolution of the CRISPR-Cas system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Baliga
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Malathi Shekar
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Puneeth Tg
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Girisha Sk
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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14
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Characterization of CRISPR Spacer and Protospacer Sequences in Paenibacillus larvae and Its Bacteriophages. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030459. [PMID: 33799666 PMCID: PMC7998209 DOI: 10.3390/v13030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood, the most devastating bacterial disease of honeybees. Because P. larvae is antibiotic resistant, phages that infect it are currently used as alternative treatments. However, the acquisition by P. larvae of CRISPR spacer sequences from the phages could be an obstacle to treatment efforts. We searched nine complete genomes of P. larvae strains and identified 714 CRISPR spacer sequences, of which 384 are unique. Of the four epidemiologically important P. larvae strains, three of these have fewer than 20 spacers, while one strain has over 150 spacers. Of the 384 unique spacers, 18 are found as protospacers in the genomes of 49 currently sequenced P. larvae phages. One P. larvae strain does not have any protospacers found in phages, while another has eight. Protospacer distribution in the phages is uneven, with two phages having up to four protospacers, while a third of phages have none. Some phages lack protospacers found in closely related phages due to point mutations, indicating a possible escape mechanism. This study serve a point of reference for future studies on the CRISPR-Cas system in P. larvae as well as for comparative studies of other phage–host systems.
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15
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Artamonova D, Karneyeva K, Medvedeva S, Klimuk E, Kolesnik M, Yasinskaya A, Samolygo A, Severinov K. Spacer acquisition by Type III CRISPR-Cas system during bacteriophage infection of Thermus thermophilus. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9787-9803. [PMID: 32821943 PMCID: PMC7515739 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Type III CRISPR–Cas systems provide immunity to foreign DNA by targeting its transcripts. Target recognition activates RNases and DNases that may either destroy foreign DNA directly or elicit collateral damage inducing death of infected cells. While some Type III systems encode a reverse transcriptase to acquire spacers from foreign transcripts, most contain conventional spacer acquisition machinery found in DNA-targeting systems. We studied Type III spacer acquisition in phage-infected Thermus thermophilus, a bacterium that lacks either a standalone reverse transcriptase or its fusion to spacer integrase Cas1. Cells with spacers targeting a subset of phage transcripts survived the infection, indicating that Type III immunity does not operate through altruistic suicide. In the absence of selection spacers were acquired from both strands of phage DNA, indicating that no mechanism ensuring acquisition of RNA-targeting spacers exists. Spacers that protect the host from the phage demonstrate a very strong strand bias due to positive selection during infection. Phages that escaped Type III interference accumulated deletions of integral number of codons in an essential gene and much longer deletions in a non-essential gene. This and the fact that Type III immunity can be provided by plasmid-borne mini-arrays open ways for genomic manipulation of Thermus phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Artamonova
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Karyna Karneyeva
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Sofia Medvedeva
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Evgeny Klimuk
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia.,Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Matvey Kolesnik
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Anna Yasinskaya
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Aleksei Samolygo
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Center of Life Science, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia.,Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 123182, Russia.,Waksman Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ 08854 USA
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16
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Jolly SM, Gainetdinov I, Jouravleva K, Zhang H, Strittmatter L, Bailey SM, Hendricks GM, Dhabaria A, Ueberheide B, Zamore PD. Thermus thermophilus Argonaute Functions in the Completion of DNA Replication. Cell 2020; 182:1545-1559.e18. [PMID: 32846159 PMCID: PMC7502556 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In many eukaryotes, Argonaute proteins, guided by short RNA sequences, defend cells against transposons and viruses. In the eubacterium Thermus thermophilus, the DNA-guided Argonaute TtAgo defends against transformation by DNA plasmids. Here, we report that TtAgo also participates in DNA replication. In vivo, TtAgo binds 15- to 18-nt DNA guides derived from the chromosomal region where replication terminates and associates with proteins known to act in DNA replication. When gyrase, the sole T. thermophilus type II topoisomerase, is inhibited, TtAgo allows the bacterium to finish replicating its circular genome. In contrast, loss of gyrase and TtAgo activity slows growth and produces long sausage-like filaments in which the individual bacteria are linked by DNA. Finally, wild-type T. thermophilus outcompetes an otherwise isogenic strain lacking TtAgo. We propose that the primary role of TtAgo is to help T. thermophilus disentangle the catenated circular chromosomes generated by DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson M Jolly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ildar Gainetdinov
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Karina Jouravleva
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Han Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Lara Strittmatter
- Department of Radiology, Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Shannon M Bailey
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gregory M Hendricks
- Department of Radiology, Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Avantika Dhabaria
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Phillip D Zamore
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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17
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Westra ER, van Houte S, Gandon S, Whitaker R. The ecology and evolution of microbial CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 374:20190101. [PMID: 30905294 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edze R Westra
- 1 ESI and CEC, Biosciences, University of Exeter , Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ , UK
| | - Stineke van Houte
- 1 ESI and CEC, Biosciences, University of Exeter , Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ , UK
| | - Sylvain Gandon
- 2 CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS Université de Montpellier Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier EPHE , 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5 , France
| | - Rachel Whitaker
- 3 Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 , USA
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