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Matteau D, Duval A, Baby V, Rodrigue S. Mesoplasma florum: a near-minimal model organism for systems and synthetic biology. Front Genet 2024; 15:1346707. [PMID: 38404664 PMCID: PMC10884336 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1346707] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesoplasma florum is an emerging model organism for systems and synthetic biology due to its small genome (∼800 kb) and fast growth rate. While M. florum was isolated and first described almost 40 years ago, many important aspects of its biology have long remained uncharacterized due to technological limitations, the absence of dedicated molecular tools, and since this bacterial species has not been associated with any disease. However, the publication of the first M. florum genome in 2004 paved the way for a new era of research fueled by the rise of systems and synthetic biology. Some of the most important studies included the characterization and heterologous use of M. florum regulatory elements, the development of the first replicable plasmids, comparative genomics and transposon mutagenesis, whole-genome cloning in yeast, genome transplantation, in-depth characterization of the M. florum cell, as well as the development of a high-quality genome-scale metabolic model. The acquired data, knowledge, and tools will greatly facilitate future genome engineering efforts in M. florum, which could next be exploited to rationally design and create synthetic cells to advance fundamental knowledge or for specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominick Matteau
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Anthony Duval
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Baby
- Centre de diagnostic vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Rodrigue
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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2
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Piñero-Lambea C, Garcia-Ramallo E, Miravet-Verde S, Burgos R, Scarpa M, Serrano L, Lluch-Senar M. SURE editing: combining oligo-recombineering and programmable insertion/deletion of selection markers to efficiently edit the Mycoplasma pneumoniae genome. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e127. [PMID: 36215032 PMCID: PMC9825166 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of advanced genetic tools is boosting microbial engineering which can potentially tackle wide-ranging challenges currently faced by our society. Here we present SURE editing, a multi-recombinase engineering rationale combining oligonucleotide recombineering with the selective capacity of antibiotic resistance via transient insertion of selector plasmids. We test this method in Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium with a very inefficient native recombination machinery. Using SURE editing, we can seamlessly generate, in a single step, a wide variety of genome modifications at high efficiencies, including the largest possible deletion of this genome (30 Kb) and the targeted complementation of essential genes in the deletion of a region of interest. Additional steps can be taken to remove the selector plasmid from the edited area, to obtain markerless or even scarless edits. Of note, SURE editing is compatible with different site-specific recombinases for mediating transient plasmid integration. This battery of selector plasmids can be used to select different edits, regardless of the target sequence, which significantly reduces the cloning load associated to genome engineering projects. Given the proven functionality in several microorganisms of the machinery behind the SURE editing logic, this method is likely to represent a valuable advance for the synthetic biology field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samuel Miravet-Verde
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Raul Burgos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | | | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08002, Spain,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Maria Lluch-Senar. Tel: +34 661963680;
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Imaging Minimal Bacteria at the Nanoscale: a Reliable and Versatile Process to Perform Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy in Mycoplasmas. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0064522. [PMID: 35638916 PMCID: PMC9241803 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00645-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organisms. These bacteria are important models for both fundamental and synthetic biology, owing to their highly reduced genomes. They are also relevant in the medical and veterinary fields, as they are pathogenic to both humans and most livestock species. Mycoplasma cells have minute sizes, often in the 300- to 800-nm range. As these dimensions are close to the diffraction limit of visible light, fluorescence imaging in mycoplasmas is often poorly informative. Recently developed superresolution imaging techniques can break this diffraction limit, improving the imaging resolution by an order of magnitude and offering a new nanoscale vision of the organization of these bacteria. These techniques have, however, not been applied to mycoplasmas before. Here, we describe an efficient and reliable protocol to perform single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) imaging in mycoplasmas. We provide a polyvalent transposon-based system to express the photoconvertible fluorescent protein mEos3.2, enabling photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) in most Mycoplasma species. We also describe the application of direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). We showcase the potential of these techniques by studying the subcellular localization of two proteins of interest. Our work highlights the benefits of state-of-the-art microscopy techniques for mycoplasmology and provides an incentive to further the development of SMLM strategies to study these organisms in the future. IMPORTANCE Mycoplasmas are important models in biology, as well as highly problematic pathogens in the medical and veterinary fields. The very small sizes of these bacteria, well below a micron, limits the usefulness of traditional fluorescence imaging methods, as their resolution limit is similar to the dimensions of the cells. Here, to bypass this issue, we established a set of state-of-the-art superresolution microscopy techniques in a wide range of Mycoplasma species. We describe two strategies: PALM, based on the expression of a specific photoconvertible fluorescent protein, and dSTORM, based on fluorophore-coupled antibody labeling. With these methods, we successfully performed single-molecule imaging of proteins of interest at the surface of the cells and in the cytoplasm, at lateral resolutions well below 50 nm. Our work paves the way toward a better understanding of mycoplasma biology through imaging of subcellular structures at the nanometer scale.
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A genetic toolkit and gene switches to limit Mycoplasma growth for biosafety applications. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1910. [PMID: 35393441 PMCID: PMC8991246 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas have exceptionally streamlined genomes and are strongly adapted to their many hosts, which provide them with essential nutrients. Owing to their relative genomic simplicity, Mycoplasmas have been used to develop chassis for biotechnological applications. However, the dearth of robust and precise toolkits for genomic manipulation and tight regulation has hindered any substantial advance. Herein we describe the construction of a robust genetic toolkit for M. pneumoniae, and its successful deployment to engineer synthetic gene switches that control and limit Mycoplasma growth, for biosafety containment applications. We found these synthetic gene circuits to be stable and robust in the long-term, in the context of a minimal cell. With this work, we lay a foundation to develop viable and robust biosafety systems to exploit a synthetic Mycoplasma chassis for live attenuated vectors for therapeutic applications. Mycoplasmas are minimal cell model organisms but lack genetic tools. Here the authors provide a robust genetic toolkit for Mycoplasma demonstrating gene circuit engineering applications.
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5
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Bertram R, Neumann B, Schuster CF. Status quo of tet regulation in bacteria. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 15:1101-1119. [PMID: 34713957 PMCID: PMC8966031 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The tetracycline repressor (TetR) belongs to the most popular, versatile and efficient transcriptional regulators used in bacterial genetics. In the tetracycline (Tc) resistance determinant tet(B) of transposon Tn10, tetR regulates the expression of a divergently oriented tetA gene that encodes a Tc antiporter. These components of Tn10 and of other natural or synthetic origins have been used for tetracycline‐dependent gene regulation (tet regulation) in at least 40 bacterial genera. Tet regulation serves several purposes such as conditional complementation, depletion of essential genes, modulation of artificial genetic networks, protein overexpression or the control of gene expression within cell culture or animal infection models. Adaptations of the promoters employed have increased tet regulation efficiency and have made this system accessible to taxonomically distant bacteria. Variations of TetR, different effector molecules and mutated DNA binding sites have enabled new modes of gene expression control. This article provides a current overview of tet regulation in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Bertram
- Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Straße 1, Nuremberg, 90419, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumann
- Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Straße 1, Nuremberg, 90419, Germany
| | - Christopher F Schuster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Nosocomial Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistances, Robert Koch Institute, Burgstraße 37, Wernigerode, 38855, Germany
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6
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Hill V, Akarsu H, Barbarroja RS, Cippà VL, Kuhnert P, Heller M, Falquet L, Heller M, Stoffel MH, Labroussaa F, Jores J. Minimalistic mycoplasmas harbor different functional toxin-antitoxin systems. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009365. [PMID: 34673769 PMCID: PMC8562856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are minute bacteria controlled by very small genomes ranging from 0.6 to 1.4 Mbp. They encompass several important medical and veterinary pathogens that are often associated with a wide range of chronic diseases. The long persistence of mycoplasma cells in their hosts can exacerbate the spread of antimicrobial resistance observed for many species. However, the nature of the virulence factors driving this phenomenon in mycoplasmas is still unclear. Toxin-antitoxin systems (TA systems) are genetic elements widespread in many bacteria that were historically associated with bacterial persistence. Their presence on mycoplasma genomes has never been carefully assessed, especially for pathogenic species. Here we investigated three candidate TA systems in M. mycoides subsp. capri encoding a (i) novel AAA-ATPase/subtilisin-like serine protease module, (ii) a putative AbiEii/AbiEi pair and (iii) a putative Fic/RelB pair. We sequence analyzed fourteen genomes of M. mycoides subsp. capri and confirmed the presence of at least one TA module in each of them. Interestingly, horizontal gene transfer signatures were also found in several genomic loci containing TA systems for several mycoplasma species. Transcriptomic and proteomic data confirmed differential expression profiles of these TA systems during mycoplasma growth in vitro. While the use of heterologous expression systems based on E. coli and B. subtilis showed clear limitations, the functionality and neutralization capacities of all three candidate TA systems were successfully confirmed using M. capricolum subsp. capricolum as a host. Additionally, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum was used to confirm the presence of functional TA system homologs in mycoplasmas of the Hominis and Pneumoniae phylogenetic groups. Finally, we showed that several of these M. mycoides subsp. capri toxins tested in this study, and particularly the subtilisin-like serine protease, could be used to establish a kill switch in mycoplasmas for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Hill
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Biomedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hatice Akarsu
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Valentina L. Cippà
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Kuhnert
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Heller
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute—Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Jena, Germany
| | - Laurent Falquet
- Biochemistry Unit, University of Fribourg and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Manfred Heller
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael H. Stoffel
- Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Labroussaa
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joerg Jores
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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7
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Garrido V, Piñero-Lambea C, Rodriguez-Arce I, Paetzold B, Ferrar T, Weber M, Garcia-Ramallo E, Gallo C, Collantes M, Peñuelas I, Serrano L, Grilló MJ, Lluch-Senar M. Engineering a genome-reduced bacterium to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vivo. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10145. [PMID: 34612607 PMCID: PMC8493563 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202010145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria present a promising delivery system for treating human diseases. Here, we engineered the genome‐reduced human lung pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a live biotherapeutic to treat biofilm‐associated bacterial infections. This strain has a unique genetic code, which hinders gene transfer to most other bacterial genera, and it lacks a cell wall, which allows it to express proteins that target peptidoglycans of pathogenic bacteria. We first determined that removal of the pathogenic factors fully attenuated the chassis strain in vivo. We then designed synthetic promoters and identified an endogenous peptide signal sequence that, when fused to heterologous proteins, promotes efficient secretion. Based on this, we equipped the chassis strain with a genetic platform designed to secrete antibiofilm and bactericidal enzymes, resulting in a strain capable of dissolving Staphylococcus aureus biofilms preformed on catheters in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first engineered genome‐reduced bacterium that can fight against clinically relevant biofilm‐associated bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Garrido
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Mutilva, Spain
| | - Carlos Piñero-Lambea
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Rodriguez-Arce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Mutilva, Spain
| | - Bernhard Paetzold
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,S-Biomedic N.V., Beerse, Belgium
| | - Tony Ferrar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Weber
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Garcia-Ramallo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Gallo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Collantes
- RADIOMIN Research Group, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iván Peñuelas
- RADIOMIN Research Group, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Grilló
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Mutilva, Spain
| | - María Lluch-Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Pulmobiotics Ltd, Barcelona, Spain.,Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
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8
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Cui M, Sun T, Li S, Pan H, Liu J, Zhang X, Li L, Li S, Wei C, Yu C, Yang C, Ma N, Ma B, Lu S, Chang J, Zhang W, Wang H. NIR light-responsive bacteria with live bio-glue coatings for precise colonization in the gut. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109690. [PMID: 34525358 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant bacterial colonization plays an indispensable role in disease prevention, alleviation, and treatment. Successful application mainly depends on whether bacteria can efficiently spatiotemporally colonize the host gut. However, a primary limitation of existing methods is the lack of precise spatiotemporal regulation, resulting in uncontrolled methods that are less effective. Herein, we design upconversion microgels (UCMs) to convert near-infrared light (NIR) into blue light to activate recombinant light-responsive bacteria (Lresb) in vivo, where autocrine "functional cellular glues" made of adhesive proteins assist Lresb inefficiently colonizing the gut. The programmable engineering platform is further developed for the controlled and effective colonization of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in the gut. The colonizing bacteria effectively alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice. We anticipate that this approach could facilitate the clinical application of engineered microbial therapeutics to accurately and effectively regulate host health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui Cui
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shubin Li
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Huizhuo Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Lianyue Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chunyang Wei
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chengzhuang Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chun Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ning Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Binglin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shenjunjie Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jin Chang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Weiwen Zhang
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hanjie Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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9
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Bekő K, Kreizinger Z, Kovács ÁB, Sulyok KM, Marton S, Bányai K, Catania S, Feberwee A, Wiegel J, Dijkman R, Ter Veen C, Lysnyansky I, Gyuranecz M. Mutations potentially associated with decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, macrolides and lincomycin in Mycoplasma synoviae. Vet Microbiol 2020; 248:108818. [PMID: 32891024 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma synoviae is one of the economically most significant avian Mycoplasma species. It can cause great financial losses to the poultry industry by inducing respiratory diseases, infectious synovitis, or eggshell apex abnormalities. There are different approaches to control M. synoviae infection. Although antimicrobial therapy cannot replace long-term solutions, like eradication and vaccination, this strategy can be effective in the short term, as adequate antibiotic treatment can relieve economic losses through the attenuation of clinical signs and reduction of transmission. Using broth microdilution method, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to fourteen antibiotics related to eight antimicrobial groups were determined in 96 M. synoviae strains. Whole genome sequencing and sequence analysis revealed mutations potentially associated with decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, macrolides and lincomycin. Molecular markers responsible for the high MICs to fluoroquinolones were found in the gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes. Besides, single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in genes encoding the 23S rRNA were found to be responsible for high MICs to the 50S inhibitor macrolides and lincomycin, while amino acid change in the 50S ribosomal protein L22 could be associated with decreased susceptibility to macrolides. The revealed mutations can contribute to the extension of knowledge about the genetic background of antibiotic resistance in M. synoviae. Moreover, the explored potentially resistance-related mutations may serve as targets for molecular biological assays providing data of antibiotic susceptibility prior to the laborious and time-consuming isolation of M. synoviae strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katinka Bekő
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsa Kreizinger
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
| | - Áron B Kovács
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
| | - Kinga M Sulyok
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
| | - Szilvia Marton
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
| | - Krisztián Bányai
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
| | - Salvatore Catania
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via San Giacomo 5, Verona 37000, Italy.
| | - Anneke Feberwee
- GD Animal Health Service, Arnsbergstraat 7, Deventer 7418 EZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeanine Wiegel
- GD Animal Health Service, Arnsbergstraat 7, Deventer 7418 EZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Remco Dijkman
- GD Animal Health Service, Arnsbergstraat 7, Deventer 7418 EZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Christiaan Ter Veen
- GD Animal Health Service, Arnsbergstraat 7, Deventer 7418 EZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Inna Lysnyansky
- Department of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, POB 12, Beit Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungária körút 21, Budapest 1143, Hungary; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hungária körút 23-25, Budapest 1143, Hungary.
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10
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Transformation of the Drosophila Sex-Manipulative Endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii and Persisting Hurdles for Functional Genetic Studies. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00835-20. [PMID: 32444468 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00835-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects are frequently infected by bacterial symbionts that greatly affect their physiology and ecology. Most of these endosymbionts are, however, barely tractable outside their native host, rendering functional genetics studies difficult or impossible. Spiroplasma poulsonii is a facultative bacterial endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster that manipulates the reproduction of its host by killing its male progeny at the embryonic stage. S. poulsonii, although a very fastidious bacterium, is closely related to pathogenic Spiroplasma species that are cultivable and genetically modifiable. In this work, we present the transformation of S. poulsonii with a plasmid bearing a fluorescence cassette, leveraging techniques adapted from those used to modify the pathogenic species Spiroplasma citri We demonstrate the feasibility of S. poulsonii transformation and discuss approaches for mutant selection and fly colonization, which are persisting hurdles that must be overcome to allow functional bacterial genetics studies of this endosymbiont in vivo IMPORTANCE Dozens of bacterial endosymbiont species have been described and estimated to infect about half of all insect species. However, only a few them are tractable in vitro, which hampers our understanding of the bacterial determinants of the host-symbiont interaction. Developing a transformation method for S. poulsonii is a major step toward genomic engineering of this symbiont, which will foster basic research on endosymbiosis. This could also open the way to practical uses of endosymbiont engineering through paratransgenesis of vector or pest insects.
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11
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Mariscal AM, Kakizawa S, Hsu JY, Tanaka K, González-González L, Broto A, Querol E, Lluch-Senar M, Piñero-Lambea C, Sun L, Weyman PD, Wise KS, Merryman C, Tse G, Moore AJ, Hutchison CA, Smith HO, Tomita M, Venter JC, Glass JI, Piñol J, Suzuki Y. Tuning Gene Activity by Inducible and Targeted Regulation of Gene Expression in Minimal Bacterial Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1538-1552. [PMID: 29786424 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Functional genomics studies in minimal mycoplasma cells enable unobstructed access to some of the most fundamental processes in biology. Conventional transposon bombardment and gene knockout approaches often fail to reveal functions of genes that are essential for viability, where lethality precludes phenotypic characterization. Conditional inactivation of genes is effective for characterizing functions central to cell growth and division, but tools are limited for this purpose in mycoplasmas. Here we demonstrate systems for inducible repression of gene expression based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-mediated interference (CRISPRi) in Mycoplasma pneumoniae and synthetic Mycoplasma mycoides, two organisms with reduced genomes actively used in systems biology studies. In the synthetic cell, we also demonstrate inducible gene expression for the first time. Time-course data suggest rapid kinetics and reversible engagement of CRISPRi. Targeting of six selected endogenous genes with this system results in lowered transcript levels or reduced growth rates that agree with lack or shortage of data in previous transposon bombardment studies, and now produces actual cells to analyze. The ksgA gene encodes a methylase that modifies 16S rRNA, rendering it vulnerable to inhibition by the antibiotic kasugamycin. Targeting the ksgA gene with CRISPRi removes the lethal effect of kasugamycin and enables cell growth, thereby establishing specific and effective gene modulation with our system. The facile methods for conditional gene activation and inactivation in mycoplasmas open the door to systematic dissection of genetic programs at the core of cellular life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Mariscal
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193 , Spain
| | - Shigeyuki Kakizawa
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8560 , Japan
| | - Jonathan Y Hsu
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
- Department of Bioengineering , University of California, San Diego , La Jolla , California 92093 , United States
| | - Kazuki Tanaka
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences , Keio University , Tsuruoka , Yamagata 997-0035 , Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies , Keio University , Fujisawa , Kanagawa 252-0882 , Japan
| | - Luis González-González
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193 , Spain
| | - Alicia Broto
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Barcelona 08036 , Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) , Barcelona 08002 , Spain
| | - Enrique Querol
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193 , Spain
| | - Maria Lluch-Senar
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Barcelona 08036 , Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) , Barcelona 08002 , Spain
| | - Carlos Piñero-Lambea
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Barcelona 08036 , Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) , Barcelona 08002 , Spain
| | - Lijie Sun
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Philip D Weyman
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Kim S Wise
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Chuck Merryman
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Gavin Tse
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
- Department of Bioengineering , University of California, San Diego , La Jolla , California 92093 , United States
| | - Adam J Moore
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
- Department of Bioengineering , University of California, San Diego , La Jolla , California 92093 , United States
| | - Clyde A Hutchison
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Hamilton O Smith
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences , Keio University , Tsuruoka , Yamagata 997-0035 , Japan
| | - J Craig Venter
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - John I Glass
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Jaume Piñol
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193 , Spain
| | - Yo Suzuki
- Synthetic Biology Group , J. Craig Venter Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
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Mariscal AM, González-González L, Querol E, Piñol J. All-in-one construct for genome engineering using Cre-lox technology. DNA Res 2016; 23:263-70. [PMID: 27084897 PMCID: PMC4909314 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsw015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is an appealing model of a minimal cell and synthetic biology study, and it was one of the first organisms whose genome was fully sequenced and chemically synthesized. Despite its usefulness as a model organism, many genetic tools well established for other microorganisms are not currently available in mycoplasmas. We have developed several vectors to adapt the Cre-lox technology for genome engineering in M. genitalium, providing an all-in-one construct that could be also useful to obtain unmarked genetic modifications in many other slow growing microorganisms. This construct contains a modified promoter sequence based in TetR system that exhibits an enhanced control on Cre recombinase expression, virtually abolishing the presence of this recombinase in the absence of inducer. This allows to introduce the Cre recombinase gene and the desired genetic modification in a single transformation step. In addition, this inducible promoter may be a very promising tool for a wide range of molecular applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Mariscal
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 0819, Spain
| | - Luis González-González
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 0819, Spain
| | - Enrique Querol
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 0819, Spain
| | - Jaume Piñol
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 0819, Spain
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Ju H, Zhang J, Bai L, Mu Y, Du Y, Yang W, Li Y, Sheng A, Li K. The transgenic cloned pig population with integrated and controllable GH expression that has higher feed efficiency and meat production. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10152. [PMID: 25959098 PMCID: PMC5386205 DOI: 10.1038/srep10152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained expression of the GH gene has been shown to have detrimental effects on the health of animals. In the current study, transgenic founder pigs, with controllable pig growth hormone (pGH) expression, were cloned via the handmade cloning method (HMC), and pGH expression levels were examined at the cellular and organismal levels. The serum pGH levels in 3 founder male pigs were found to be significantly higher after induction with intramuscular injection of doxycycline (DOX) compared to baseline. A daily dose of DOX was administered via feed to these animals for a period of 65 to 155 days. The growth rate, feed efficiency and pGH serum concentration increased in the DOX-induced transgenic group compared with the other groups. 8 numbers of animals were euthanized and the dressing percentage, loin muscle and lean meat percentage were significantly higher in the DOX-induced F1 transgenic group compared with the other groups. In this study a large population of transgenic pigs, with integrated controllable expression of a transgene, was obtained. The transgenic pigs were healthy and normal in terms of reproductive capability. At the same time, feed efficiency was improved, production processes were accelerated and meat yield was increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Ju
- 1] Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China [2] College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 25009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqing Zhang
- 1] Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China [2] Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P. R. China
| | - Lijing Bai
- Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yulian Mu
- Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yutao Du
- BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Road, Yantian, Shenzhen, 518083, P. R. China
| | - Wenxian Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Road, Yantian, Shenzhen, 518083, P. R. China
| | - Yong Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Road, Yantian, Shenzhen, 518083, P. R. China
| | - Anzhi Sheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 25009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Kui Li
- Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
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Purcell O, Jain B, Karr JR, Covert MW, Lu TK. Towards a whole-cell modeling approach for synthetic biology. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2013; 23:025112. [PMID: 23822510 PMCID: PMC3695969 DOI: 10.1063/1.4811182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite rapid advances over the last decade, synthetic biology lacks the predictive tools needed to enable rational design. Unlike established engineering disciplines, the engineering of synthetic gene circuits still relies heavily on experimental trial-and-error, a time-consuming and inefficient process that slows down the biological design cycle. This reliance on experimental tuning is because current modeling approaches are unable to make reliable predictions about the in vivo behavior of synthetic circuits. A major reason for this lack of predictability is that current models view circuits in isolation, ignoring the vast number of complex cellular processes that impinge on the dynamics of the synthetic circuit and vice versa. To address this problem, we present a modeling approach for the design of synthetic circuits in the context of cellular networks. Using the recently published whole-cell model of Mycoplasma genitalium, we examined the effect of adding genes into the host genome. We also investigated how codon usage correlates with gene expression and find agreement with existing experimental results. Finally, we successfully implemented a synthetic Goodwin oscillator in the whole-cell model. We provide an updated software framework for the whole-cell model that lays the foundation for the integration of whole-cell models with synthetic gene circuit models. This software framework is made freely available to the community to enable future extensions. We envision that this approach will be critical to transforming the field of synthetic biology into a rational and predictive engineering discipline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Purcell
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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15
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Breton M, Duret S, Béven L, Dubrana MP, Renaudin J. I-SceI-mediated plasmid deletion and intra-molecular recombination in Spiroplasma citri. J Microbiol Methods 2010; 84:216-22. [PMID: 21129414 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
S. citri wild-type strain GII3 carries six plasmids (pSci1 to -6) that are thought to encode determinants involved in the transmission of the spiroplasma by its leafhopper vector. In this study we report the use of meganuclease I-SceI for plasmid deletion in S. citri. Plasmids pSci1NT-I and pSci6PT-I, pSci1 and pSci6 derivatives that contain the tetM selection marker and a unique I-SceI recognition site were first introduced into S. citri strains 44 (having no plasmid) and GII3 (carrying pSci1-6), respectively. Due to incompatibility of homologous replication regions, propagation of the S. citri GII3 transformant in selective medium resulted in the replacement of the natural pSci6 by pSci6PT-I. The spiroplasmal transformants were further transformed by an oriC plasmid carrying the I-SceI gene under the control of the spiralin gene promoter. In the S. citri 44 transformant, expression of I-SceI resulted in rapid loss of pSciNT-I showing that expression of I-SceI can be used as a counter-selection tool in spiroplasmas. In the case of the S. citri GII3 transformant carrying pSci6PT-I, expression of I-SceI resulted in the deletion of plasmid fragments comprising the I-SceI site and the tetM marker. Delineating the I-SceI generated deletions proved they had occurred though recombination between homologous sequences. To our knowledge this is the first report of I-SceI mediated intra-molecular recombination in mollicutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Breton
- INRA, Génomique Diversité et Pouvoir Pathogéne, Villenave d'Ornon, France
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Nouvel LX, Sirand-Pugnet P, Marenda MS, Sagné E, Barbe V, Mangenot S, Schenowitz C, Jacob D, Barré A, Claverol S, Blanchard A, Citti C. Comparative genomic and proteomic analyses of two Mycoplasma agalactiae strains: clues to the macro- and micro-events that are shaping mycoplasma diversity. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:86. [PMID: 20122262 PMCID: PMC2824730 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the genomic era is accumulating a tremendous amount of data, the question of how genomics can describe a bacterial species remains to be fully addressed. The recent sequencing of the genome of the Mycoplasma agalactiae type strain has challenged our general view on mycoplasmas by suggesting that these simple bacteria are able to exchange significant amount of genetic material via horizontal gene transfer. Yet, events that are shaping mycoplasma genomes and that are underlining diversity within this species have to be fully evaluated. For this purpose, we compared two strains that are representative of the genetic spectrum encountered in this species: the type strain PG2 which genome is already available and a field strain, 5632, which was fully sequenced and annotated in this study. RESULTS The two genomes differ by ca. 130 kbp with that of 5632 being the largest (1006 kbp). The make up of this additional genetic material mainly corresponds (i) to mobile genetic elements and (ii) to expanded repertoire of gene families that encode putative surface proteins and display features of highly-variable systems. More specifically, three entire copies of a previously described integrative conjugative element are found in 5632 that accounts for ca. 80 kbp. Other mobile genetic elements, found in 5632 but not in PG2, are the more classical insertion sequences which are related to those found in two other ruminant pathogens, M. bovis and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC. In 5632, repertoires of gene families encoding surface proteins are larger due to gene duplication. Comparative proteomic analyses of the two strains indicate that the additional coding capacity of 5632 affects the overall architecture of the surface and suggests the occurrence of new phase variable systems based on single nucleotide polymorphisms. CONCLUSION Overall, comparative analyses of two M. agalactiae strains revealed a very dynamic genome which structure has been shaped by gene flow among ruminant mycoplasmas and expansion-reduction of gene repertoires encoding surface proteins, the expression of which is driven by localized genetic micro-events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent X Nouvel
- Université de Toulouse, ENVT, UMR 1225 Interactions Hôtes - Agents Pathogènes, 31076 Toulouse, France
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