Copy number variation is associated with gene expression change in archaea

Increased privatization of a public resource leads to spread of cooperation in a microbial population

The phenomenon of cooperation is prevalent at all levels of life. In one such manifestation of cooperation in microbial communities, some cells produce costly extracellular resources that are freely available to others. These resources are referred to as public goods. Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretes invertase (public good) in the periplasm to hydrolyze sucrose into glucose and fructose, which are then imported by the cells. After hydrolysis of sucrose, a cooperator retains only 1% of the monosaccharides, while 99% of the monosaccharides diffuse into the environment and can be utilized by any cell. The non-producers of invertase (cheaters) exploit the invertase-producing cells (cooperators) by utilizing the monosaccharides and not paying the metabolic cost of producing the invertase. In this work, we investigate the evolutionary dynamics of this cheater-cooperator system. In a co-culture, if cheaters are selected for their higher fitness, the population will collapse. On the other hand, for cooperators to survive in the population, a strategy to increase fitness would likely be required. To understand the adaptation of cooperators in sucrose, we performed a coevolution experiment in sucrose. Our results show that cooperators increase in fitness as the experiment progresses. This phenomenon was not observed in environments which involved a non-public good system. Genome sequencing reveals duplication of several HXT transporters in the evolved cooperators. Based on these results, we hypothesize that increased privatization of the monosaccharides is the most likely explanation of spread of cooperators in the population.IMPORTANCEHow is cooperation, as a trait, maintained in a population? In order to answer this question, we perform a coevolution experiment between two strains of yeast-one which produces a public good to release glucose and fructose in the media, thus generating a public resource, and the other which does not produce public resource and merely benefits from the presence of the cooperator strain. What is the outcome of this coevolution experiment? We demonstrate that after ~200 generations of coevolution, cooperators increase in frequency in the co-culture. Remarkably, in all parallel lines of our experiment, this is obtained via duplication of regions which likely allow greater privatization of glucose and fructose. Thus, increased privatization, which is intuitively thought to be a strategy against cooperation, enables spread of cooperation.

Comparative Analysis of rRNA Removal Methods for RNA-Seq Differential Expression in Halophilic Archaea

Despite intense recent research interest in archaea, the scientific community has experienced a bottleneck in the study of genome-scale gene expression experiments by RNA-seq due to the lack of commercial and specifically designed rRNA depletion kits. The high rRNA:mRNA ratio (80–90%: ~10%) in prokaryotes hampers global transcriptomic analysis. Insufficient ribodepletion results in low sequence coverage of mRNA, and therefore, requires a substantially higher number of replicate samples and/or sequencing reads to achieve statistically reliable conclusions regarding the significance of differential gene expression between case and control samples. Here, we show that after the discontinuation of the previous version of RiboZero (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) that was useful in partially or completely depleting rRNA from archaea, archaeal transcriptomics studies have experienced a slowdown. To overcome this limitation, here, we analyze the efficiency for four different hybridization-based kits from three different commercial suppliers, each with two sets of sequence-specific probes to remove rRNA from four different species of halophilic archaea. We conclude that the key for transcriptomic success with the currently available tools is the probe-specificity for the rRNA sequence hybridization. With this paper, we provide insights into the archaeal community for selecting certain reagents and strategies over others depending on the archaeal species of interest. These methods yield improved RNA-seq sensitivity and enhanced detection of low abundance transcripts.

Neural networks enable efficient and accurate simulation-based inference of evolutionary parameters from adaptation dynamics

The rate of adaptive evolution depends on the rate at which beneficial mutations are introduced into a population and the fitness effects of those mutations. The rate of beneficial mutations and their expected fitness effects is often difficult to empirically quantify. As these 2 parameters determine the pace of evolutionary change in a population, the dynamics of adaptive evolution may enable inference of their values. Copy number variants (CNVs) are a pervasive source of heritable variation that can facilitate rapid adaptive evolution. Previously, we developed a locus-specific fluorescent CNV reporter to quantify CNV dynamics in evolving populations maintained in nutrient-limiting conditions using chemostats. Here, we use CNV adaptation dynamics to estimate the rate at which beneficial CNVs are introduced through de novo mutation and their fitness effects using simulation-based likelihood-free inference approaches. We tested the suitability of 2 evolutionary models: a standard Wright-Fisher model and a chemostat model. We evaluated 2 likelihood-free inference algorithms: the well-established Approximate Bayesian Computation with Sequential Monte Carlo (ABC-SMC) algorithm, and the recently developed Neural Posterior Estimation (NPE) algorithm, which applies an artificial neural network to directly estimate the posterior distribution. By systematically evaluating the suitability of different inference methods and models, we show that NPE has several advantages over ABC-SMC and that a Wright-Fisher evolutionary model suffices in most cases. Using our validated inference framework, we estimate the CNV formation rate at the GAP1 locus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be 10-4.7 to 10-4 CNVs per cell division and a fitness coefficient of 0.04 to 0.1 per generation for GAP1 CNVs in glutamine-limited chemostats. We experimentally validated our inference-based estimates using 2 distinct experimental methods-barcode lineage tracking and pairwise fitness assays-which provide independent confirmation of the accuracy of our approach. Our results are consistent with a beneficial CNV supply rate that is 10-fold greater than the estimated rates of beneficial single-nucleotide mutations, explaining the outsized importance of CNVs in rapid adaptive evolution. More generally, our study demonstrates the utility of novel neural network-based likelihood-free inference methods for inferring the rates and effects of evolutionary processes from empirical data with possible applications ranging from tumor to viral evolution.

A Large-Scale Genome-Based Survey of Acidophilic Bacteria Suggests That Genome Streamlining Is an Adaption for Life at Low pH

The genome streamlining theory suggests that reduction of microbial genome size optimizes energy utilization in stressful environments. Although this hypothesis has been explored in several cases of low-nutrient (oligotrophic) and high-temperature environments, little work has been carried out on microorganisms from low-pH environments, and what has been reported is inconclusive. In this study, we performed a large-scale comparative genomics investigation of more than 260 bacterial high-quality genome sequences of acidophiles, together with genomes of their closest phylogenetic relatives that live at circum-neutral pH. A statistically supported correlation is reported between reduction of genome size and decreasing pH that we demonstrate is due to gene loss and reduced gene sizes. This trend is independent from other genome size constraints such as temperature and G + C content. Genome streamlining in the evolution of acidophilic bacteria is thus supported by our results. The analyses of predicted Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COG) categories and subcellular location predictions indicate that acidophiles have a lower representation of genes encoding extracellular proteins, signal transduction mechanisms, and proteins with unknown function but are enriched in inner membrane proteins, chaperones, basic metabolism, and core cellular functions. Contrary to other reports for genome streamlining, there was no significant change in paralog frequencies across pH. However, a detailed analysis of COG categories revealed a higher proportion of genes in acidophiles in the following categories: "replication and repair," "amino acid transport," and "intracellular trafficking". This study brings increasing clarity regarding the genomic adaptations of acidophiles to life at low pH while putting elements, such as the reduction of average gene size, under the spotlight of streamlining theory.

Insights into gene expression changes under conditions that facilitate horizontal gene transfer (mating) of a model archaeon

Horizontal gene transfer is a means by which bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes are able to trade DNA within and between species. While there are a variety of mechanisms through which this genetic exchange can take place, one means prevalent in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii involves the transient formation of cytoplasmic bridges between cells and is referred to as mating. This process can result in the exchange of very large fragments of DNA between the participating cells. Genes governing the process of mating, including triggers to initiate mating, mechanisms of cell fusion, and DNA exchange, have yet to be characterized. We used a transcriptomic approach to gain a more detailed knowledge of how mating might transpire. By examining the differential expression of genes expressed in cells harvested from mating conditions on a filter over time and comparing them to those expressed in a shaking culture, we were able to identify genes and pathways potentially associated with mating. These analyses provide new insights into both the mechanisms and barriers of mating in Hfx. volcanii.

Archaeal DNA Repair Mechanisms

Archaea often thrive in environmental extremes, enduring levels of heat, pressure, salinity, pH, and radiation that prove intolerable to most life. Many environmental extremes raise the propensity for DNA damaging events and thus, impact DNA stability, placing greater reliance on molecular mechanisms that recognize DNA damage and initiate accurate repair. Archaea can presumably prosper in harsh and DNA-damaging environments in part due to robust DNA repair pathways but surprisingly, no DNA repair pathways unique to Archaea have been described. Here, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of archaeal DNA repair. We summarize DNA damage types and their consequences, their recognition by host enzymes, and how the collective activities of many DNA repair pathways maintain archaeal genomic integrity.

The Ribbon-Helix-Helix Domain Protein CdrS Regulates the Tubulin Homolog ftsZ2 To Control Cell Division in Archaea

Precise control of the cell cycle is central to the physiology of all cells. In prior work we demonstrated that archaeal cells maintain a constant size; however, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the cell cycle remain unexplored in this domain of life. Here, we use genetics, functional genomics, and quantitative imaging to identify and characterize the novel CdrSL gene regulatory network in a model species of archaea. We demonstrate the central role of these ribbon-helix-helix family transcription factors in the regulation of cell division through specific transcriptional control of the gene encoding FtsZ2, a putative tubulin homolog. Using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy in live cells cultivated in microfluidics devices, we further demonstrate that FtsZ2 is required for cell division but not elongation. The cdrS-ftsZ2 locus is highly conserved throughout the archaeal domain, and the central function of CdrS in regulating cell division is conserved across hypersaline adapted archaea. We propose that the CdrSL-FtsZ2 transcriptional network coordinates cell division timing with cell growth in archaea.IMPORTANCE Healthy cell growth and division are critical for individual organism survival and species long-term viability. However, it remains unknown how cells of the domain Archaea maintain a healthy cell cycle. Understanding the archaeal cell cycle is of paramount evolutionary importance given that an archaeal cell was the host of the endosymbiotic event that gave rise to eukaryotes. Here, we identify and characterize novel molecular players needed for regulating cell division in archaea. These molecules dictate the timing of cell septation but are dispensable for growth between divisions. Timing is accomplished through transcriptional control of the cell division ring. Our results shed light on mechanisms underlying the archaeal cell cycle, which has thus far remained elusive.

Expandable and reversible copy number amplification drives rapid adaptation to antifungal drugs

Previously, we identified long repeat sequences that are frequently associated with genome rearrangements, including copy number variation (CNV), in many diverse isolates of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans (Todd et al., 2019). Here, we describe the rapid acquisition of novel, high copy number CNVs during adaptation to azole antifungal drugs. Single-cell karyotype analysis indicates that these CNVs appear to arise via a dicentric chromosome intermediate and breakage-fusion-bridge cycles that are repaired using multiple distinct long inverted repeat sequences. Subsequent removal of the antifungal drug can lead to a dramatic loss of the CNV and reversion to the progenitor genotype and drug susceptibility phenotype. These findings support a novel mechanism for the rapid acquisition of antifungal drug resistance and provide genomic evidence for the heterogeneity frequently observed in clinical settings.

Gene Expression of Haloferax volcanii on Intermediate and Abundant Sources of Fixed Nitrogen

Haloferax volcanii, a well-developed model archaeon for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses, can grow on a defined medium of abundant and intermediate levels of fixed nitrogen. Here we report a global profiling of gene expression of H. volcanii grown on ammonium as an abundant source of fixed nitrogen compared to l-alanine, the latter of which exemplifies an intermediate source of nitrogen that can be obtained from dead cells in natural habitats. By comparing the two growth conditions, 30 genes were found to be differentially expressed, including 16 genes associated with amino acid metabolism and transport. The gene expression profiles contributed to mapping ammonium and l-alanine usage with respect to transporters and metabolic pathways. In addition, conserved DNA motifs were identified in the putative promoter regions and transcription factors were found to be in synteny with the differentially expressed genes, leading us to propose regulons of transcriptionally co-regulated operons. This study provides insight to how H. volcanii responds to and utilizes intermediate vs. abundant sources of fixed nitrogen for growth, with implications for conserved functions in related halophilic archaea.

Polyploidy in halophilic archaea: regulation, evolutionary advantages, and gene conversion

All analyzed haloarachea are polyploid. In addition, haloarchaea contain more than one type of chromosome, and thus the gene dosage can be regulated independently on different replicons. Haloarchaea and several additional archaea have more than one replication origin on their major chromosome, in stark contrast with bacteria, which have a single replication origin. Two of these replication origins of Haloferax volcanii have been studied in detail and turned out to have very different properties. The chromosome copy number appears to be regulated in response to growth phases and environmental factors. Archaea typically contain about two Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) proteins, which are homologous to eukaryotic ORC proteins. However, haloarchaea are the only archaeal group that contains a multitude of ORC proteins. All 16 ORC protein paralogs from H. volcanii are involved in chromosome copy number regulation. Polyploidy has many evolutionary advantages for haloarchaea, e.g. a high resistance to desiccation, survival over geological times, and the relaxation of cell cycle-specific replication control. A further advantage is the ability to grow in the absence of external phosphate while using the many genome copies as internal phosphate storage polymers. Very efficient gene conversion operates in haloarchaea and results in the unification of genome copies. Taken together, haloarchaea are excellent models to study many aspects of genome biology in prokaryotes, exhibiting properties that have not been found in bacteria.

An evolving view of copy number variants

Copy number variants (CNVs) are regions of the genome that vary in integer copy number. CNVs, which comprise both amplifications and deletions of DNA sequence, have been identified across all domains of life, from bacteria and archaea to plants and animals. CNVs are an important source of genetic diversity, and can drive rapid adaptive evolution and progression of heritable and somatic human diseases, such as cancer. However, despite their evolutionary importance and clinical relevance, CNVs remain understudied compared to single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). This is a consequence of the inherent difficulties in detecting CNVs at low-to-intermediate frequencies in heterogeneous populations of cells. Here, we discuss molecular methods used to detect CNVs, the limitations associated with using these techniques, and the application of new and emerging technologies that present solutions to these challenges. The goal of this short review and perspective is to highlight aspects of CNV biology that are understudied and define avenues for further research that address specific gaps in our knowledge of these complex alleles. We describe our recently developed method for CNV detection in which a fluorescent gene functions as a single-cell CNV reporter and present key findings from our evolution experiments in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using a CNV reporter, we found that CNVs are generated at a high rate and undergo selection with predictable dynamics across independently evolving replicate populations. Many CNVs appear to be generated through DNA replication-based processes that are mediated by the presence of short, interrupted, inverted-repeat sequences. Our results have important implications for the role of CNVs in evolutionary processes and the molecular mechanisms that underlie CNV formation. We discuss the possible extension of our method to other applications, including tracking the dynamics of CNVs in models of human tumors.