1
|
Lee JW, Collins JE, Hulverson MA, Aguila LKT, Kim CM, Wendt KL, Chakrabarti D, Ojo KK, Wood GE, Van Voorhis WC, Cichewicz RH. Appraisal of Fungus-Derived Xanthoquinodins as Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infectives Targeting Phylogenetically Diverse Human Pathogens. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1596-1605. [PMID: 37276438 PMCID: PMC10797637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Xanthoquinodins make up a distinctive class of xanthone-anthraquinone heterodimers reported as secondary metabolites from several fungal species. Through a collaborative multi-institutional screening program, a fungal extract prepared from a Trichocladium sp. was identified that exhibited strong inhibitory effects against several human pathogens (Mycoplasma genitalium, Plasmodium falciparum, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Trichomonas vaginalis). This report focuses on one of the unique samples that exhibited a desirable combination of biological effects: namely, it inhibited all four test pathogens and demonstrated low levels of toxicity toward HepG2 (human liver) cells. Fractionation and purification of the bioactive components and their congeners led to the identification of six new compounds [xanthoquinodins NPDG A1-A5 (1-5) and B1 (6)] as well as several previously reported natural products (7-14). The chemical structures of 1-14 were determined based on interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Biological testing of the purified metabolites revealed that they possessed widely varying levels of inhibitory activity against a panel of human pathogens. Xanthoquinodins A1 (7) and A2 (8) exhibited the most promising broad-spectrum inhibitory effects against M. genitalium (EC50 values: 0.13 and 0.12 μM, respectively), C. parvum (EC50 values: 5.2 and 3.5 μM, respectively), T. vaginalis (EC50 values: 3.9 and 6.8 μM, respectively), and P. falciparum (EC50 values: 0.29 and 0.50 μM, respectively) with no cytotoxicity detected at the highest concentration tested (HepG2 EC50 > 25 μM).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Woo Lee
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Jennifer E Collins
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 358061, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Laarni Kendra T Aguila
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104, United States
| | - Caroline M Kim
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104, United States
| | - Karen L Wendt
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 358061, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Gwendolyn E Wood
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104, United States
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 358061, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Robert H Cichewicz
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao G, Lu D, Li M, Wang Y. Gene editing tools for mycoplasmas: references and future directions for efficient genome manipulation. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1191812. [PMID: 37275127 PMCID: PMC10232828 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1191812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are successful pathogens that cause debilitating diseases in humans and various animal hosts. Despite the exceptionally streamlined genomes, mycoplasmas have evolved specific mechanisms to access essential nutrients from host cells. The paucity of genetic tools to manipulate mycoplasma genomes has impeded studies of the virulence factors of pathogenic species and mechanisms to access nutrients. This review summarizes several strategies for editing of mycoplasma genomes, including homologous recombination, transposons, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system, and synthetic biology. In addition, the mechanisms and features of different tools are discussed to provide references and future directions for efficient manipulation of mycoplasma genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, Yinchuan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Doukun Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, Yinchuan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yujiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, Yinchuan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yueyue W, Feichen X, Yixuan X, Lu L, Yiwen C, Xiaoxing Y. Pathogenicity and virulence of Mycoplasma genitalium: Unraveling Ariadne's Thread. Virulence 2022; 13:1161-1183. [PMID: 35791283 PMCID: PMC9262362 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2095741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium, a pathogen from class Mollicutes, has been linked to sexually transmitted diseases and sparked widespread concern. To adapt to its environment, M. genitalium has evolved specific adhesins and motility mechanisms that allow it to adhere to and invade various eukaryotic cells, thereby causing severe damage to the cells. Even though traditional exotoxins have not been identified, secreted nucleases or membrane lipoproteins have been shown to cause cell death and inflammatory injury in M. genitalium infection. However, as both innate and adaptive immune responses are important for controlling infection, the immune responses that develop upon infection do not necessarily eliminate the organism completely. Antigenic variation, detoxifying enzymes, immunoglobulins, neutrophil extracellular trap-degrading enzymes, cell invasion, and biofilm formation are important factors that help the pathogen overcome the host defence and cause chronic infections in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, M. genitalium can increase the susceptibility to several sexually transmitted pathogens, which significantly complicates the persistence and chronicity of M. genitalium infection. This review aimed to discuss the virulence factors of M. genitalium to shed light on its complex pathogenicity and pathogenesis of the infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wu Yueyue
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiu Feichen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xi Yixuan
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Liu Lu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Chen Yiwen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - You Xiaoxing
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen Z, Jiang W, Zhang M, Yu B, Li W, Liu J, Ai F. Mycobacterium tuberculosis sRNA MTS2823 regulates the growth of the multidrug-resistant strain in macrophages. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2022; 369:6825451. [PMID: 36370448 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnac106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is a serious contagious disease. MTB-encoded small regulatory RNA (sRNA) MTS2823 was reported to be upregulated in the plasma of TB patients. Nevertheless, whether MTS2823 is implicated in MTB drug resistance is unclear. Human macrophage cell line THP-1 was infected with the drug-susceptible strain H37Rv or the multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain 8462. Colony-forming unit assay was implemented for evaluating intracellular growth of the MTB strains. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for measurement of inflammatory cytokines. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was utilized to assess MTS2823 and recombinase A (recA) expression in strains 8462 and H37Rv. Nitric oxide (NO) production in the MDR strain-infected THP-1 cells was measured. In this study, MTS2823 was found to display a low level in the MDR strain. Overexpressing MTS2823 promoted intracellular growth of the MDR strain and inhibited inflammatory cytokine and NO production in infected THP-1 cells. RecA might be a target of MTS2823 in the MDR strain. Overall, MTB-encoded sRNA MTS2823 displays a low level and regulates the growth of the MDR strain in THP-1 cells by modulating recA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Chen
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Mengli Zhang
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Jijun Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Fen Ai
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Clampitt JM, Madsen ML, Minion FC. Construction of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae P97 Null Mutants. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:518791. [PMID: 33967967 PMCID: PMC8101707 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.518791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the causative agent of enzootic pneumonia, a world-wide problem in the pig industry. This disease is characterized by a dry, non-productive cough, labored breathing, and pneumonia. Despite years of research, vaccines are marginally effective, and none fully protect pigs in a production environment. A better understanding of the host-pathogen interactions of the M. hyopneumoniae-pig disease, which are complex and involve both host and pathogen components, is required. Among the surface proteins involved in virulence are members of two gene families called P97 and P102. These proteins are the adhesins directing attachment of the organism to the swine respiratory epithelium. P97 is the major ciliary binding adhesin and has been studied extensively. Monoclonal antibodies that block its binding to swine cilia have contributed extensively to its characterization. In this study we use recombination to construct null mutants of P97 in M. hyopneumoniae and characterize the resulting mutants in terms of loss of protein by immunoblot using monoclonal antibodies, ability to bind purified swine cilia, and adherence to PK15 cells. Various approaches to recombination with this fastidious mycoplasma were tested including intact plasmid DNA, single-stranded DNA, and linear DNA with and without a heterologous RecA protein. Our results indicate that recombination can be used to generate site-specific mutants in M. hyopneumoniae. P97 mutants are deficient in cilia binding and PK15 cell adherence, and lack the characteristic banding pattern seen in immunoblots developed with the anti-P97 monoclonal antibody.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeannett M Clampitt
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Melissa L Madsen
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - F Chris Minion
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Burgos R, Weber M, Martinez S, Lluch‐Senar M, Serrano L. Protein quality control and regulated proteolysis in the genome-reduced organism Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9530. [PMID: 33320415 PMCID: PMC7737663 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein degradation is a crucial cellular process in all-living systems. Here, using Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a model organism, we defined the minimal protein degradation machinery required to maintain proteome homeostasis. Then, we conditionally depleted the two essential ATP-dependent proteases. Whereas depletion of Lon results in increased protein aggregation and decreased heat tolerance, FtsH depletion induces cell membrane damage, suggesting a role in quality control of membrane proteins. An integrative comparative study combining shotgun proteomics and RNA-seq revealed 62 and 34 candidate substrates, respectively. Cellular localization of substrates and epistasis studies supports separate functions for Lon and FtsH. Protein half-life measurements also suggest a role for Lon-modulated protein decay. Lon plays a key role in protein quality control, degrading misfolded proteins and those not assembled into functional complexes. We propose that regulating complex assembly and degradation of isolated proteins is a mechanism that coordinates important cellular processes like cell division. Finally, by considering the entire set of proteases and chaperones, we provide a fully integrated view of how a minimal cell regulates protein folding and degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raul Burgos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Marc Weber
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sira Martinez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Maria Lluch‐Senar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)BarcelonaSpain
- ICREABarcelonaSpain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mahdizadeh S, Sansom FM, Lee SW, Browning GF, Marenda MS. Targeted mutagenesis of Mycoplasma gallisepticum using its endogenous CRISPR/Cas system. Vet Microbiol 2020; 250:108868. [PMID: 33039728 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
New, more efficient methods are needed to facilitate studies of gene function in the mycoplasmas. CRISPR/Cas systems, which provide bacteria with acquired immunity against invading nucleic acids, have been developed as tools for genomic editing in a wide range of organisms. We explored the potential for using the endogenous Mycoplasma gallisepticum CRISPR/Cas system to introduce targeted mutations into the chromosome of this important animal pathogen. Three constructs carrying different CRISPR arrays targeting regions in the ksgA gene (pK1-CRISPR, pK-CRISPR-1 and pK-CRISPR-2) were assembled and introduced into M. gallisepticum on an oriC plasmid. The loss of KsgA prevents ribosomal methylation, which in turn confers resistance to the aminoglycoside antimicrobial kasugamycin, enabling selection for ksgA mutants. Analyses of the complete sequence of the ksgA gene in 78 resistant transformants revealed various modifications of the target region, presumably caused by the directed CRISPR/Cas activity of M. gallisepticum. The analyses suggested that M. gallisepticum may utilize a non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair system, which can result in deletion or duplication of a short DNA segment in the presence of double-stranded breaks. This study has generated an improved understanding of the M. gallisepticum CRISPR/Cas system, and may also facilitate further development of tools to genetically modify this important pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mahdizadeh
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC, Australia
| | - Fiona M Sansom
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC, Australia
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC, Australia; College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Glenn F Browning
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC, Australia.
| | - Marc S Marenda
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hakim MS, Annisa L, Jariah ROA, Vink C. The mechanisms underlying antigenic variation and maintenance of genomic integrity in Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium. Arch Microbiol 2020; 203:413-429. [PMID: 32970220 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-02041-4] [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: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium are important causative agents of infections in humans. Like all other mycoplasmas, these species possess genomes that are significantly smaller than that of other prokaryotes. Moreover, both organisms possess an exceptionally compact set of DNA recombination and repair-associated genes. These genes, however, are sufficient to generate antigenic variation by means of homologous recombination between specific repetitive genomic elements. At the same time, these mycoplasmas have likely evolved strategies to maintain the stability and integrity of their 'minimal' genomes. Previous studies have indicated that there are considerable differences between mycoplasmas and other bacteria in the composition of their DNA recombination and repair machinery. However, the complete repertoire of activities executed by the putative recombination and repair enzymes encoded by Mycoplasma species is not yet fully understood. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on the proteins that likely form part of the DNA repair and recombination pathways of two of the most clinically relevant Mycoplasma species, M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium. The characterization of these proteins will help to define the minimal enzymatic requirements for creating bacterial genetic diversity (antigenic variation) on the one hand, while maintaining genomic integrity on the other.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad S Hakim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 55281, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. .,Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Luthvia Annisa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 55281, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rizka O A Jariah
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Cornelis Vink
- Department of Life Sciences, Erasmus University College, Erasmus University, 3011 HP, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Qin L, Chen Y, You X. Subversion of the Immune Response by Human Pathogenic Mycoplasmas. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1934. [PMID: 31497004 PMCID: PMC6712165 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasmas are a large group of prokaryotes which is believed to be originated from Gram-positive bacteria via degenerative evolution, and mainly capable of causing a wide range of human and animal infections. Although innate immunity and adaptive immunity play crucial roles in preventing mycoplasma infection, immune response that develops after infection fails to completely eliminate this bacterium under certain circumstances. Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that mycoplasmas employ some mechanisms to deal with coercion of host defense system. In this review, we will highlight and provide a comprehensive overview of immune evasion strategies that have emerged in mycoplasma infection, which can be divided into four aspects: (i) Molecular mimicry and antigenic variation on the surface of the bacteria to evade the immune surveillance; (ii) Overcoming the immune effector molecules assaults: Induction of detoxified enzymes to degradation of reactive oxygen species; Expression of nucleases to degrade the neutrophil extracellular traps to avoid killing by Neutrophil; Capture and cleavage of immunoglobulins to evade humoral immune response; (iii) Persistent survival: Invading into the host cell to escape the immune damage; Formation of a biofilm to establish a persistent infection; (iv) Modulation of the immune system to down-regulate the intensity of immune response. All of these features increase the probability of mycoplasma survival in the host and lead to a persistent, chronic infections. A profound understanding on the mycoplasma to subvert the immune system will help us to better understand why mycoplasma is so difficult to eradicate and ultimately provide new insights on the development of therapeutic regimens against this bacterium in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianmei Qin
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yiwen Chen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaoxing You
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Roachford O, Nelson KE, Mohapatra BR. Virulence and molecular adaptation of human urogenital mycoplasmas: a review. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2019.1607556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orville Roachford
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | | | - Bidyut Ranjan Mohapatra
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Torres-Puig S, Martínez-Torró C, Granero-Moya I, Querol E, Piñol J, Pich OQ. Activation of σ20-dependent recombination and horizontal gene transfer in Mycoplasma genitalium. DNA Res 2018; 25:383-393. [PMID: 29659762 PMCID: PMC6105099 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium, homologous recombination is under the control of σ20, an alternative sigma factor that boosts the generation of genetic and antigenic diversity in the population. Under laboratory growth conditions, σ20 activation is rare and the factors governing its intermittent activity are unknown. Two σ20-regulated genes, rrlA and rrlB, showed to be important for recombination of homologous DNA sequences in this bacterium. Herein, we demonstrate that rrlA and rrlB code for two small proteins that participate in a feed-forward loop essential for σ20 function. In addition, we identify novel genes regulated by σ20 and show that several non-coding regions, which function as a reservoir for the generation of antigenic diversity, are also activated by this alternative sigma factor. Finally, we reveal that M. genitalium cells can transfer DNA horizontally by a novel mechanism that requires RecA and is facilitated by σ20 over-expression. This DNA transfer system is arguably fundamental for persistence of M. genitalium within the host since it could facilitate a rapid dissemination of successful antigenic variants within the population. Overall, these findings impose a novel conception of genome evolution, genetic variation and survival of M. genitalium within the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Torres-Puig
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Torró
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ignasi Granero-Moya
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Enrique Querol
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Jaume Piñol
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Oscar Q Pich
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mycoplasma genitalium Nonadherent Phase Variants Arise by Multiple Mechanisms and Escape Antibody-Dependent Growth Inhibition. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00866-17. [PMID: 29358335 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00866-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigenic variation of the immunodominant MgpB and MgpC proteins has been suggested to be a mechanism of immune evasion of the human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium, a cause of several reproductive tract disease syndromes. Phase variation resulting in the loss of adherence has also been documented, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process and its role in pathogenesis are still poorly understood. In this study, we isolated and characterized 40 spontaneous, nonadherent phase variants from in vitro-passaged M. genitalium cultures. In all cases, nonadherence was associated with the loss of MgpBC protein expression, attributable to sequence changes in the mgpBC expression site. Phase variants were grouped into seven classes on the basis of the nature of the mutation. Consistent with the established role of RecA in phase variation, 31 (79.5%) variants arose via recombination with MgPa repeat regions that contain mgpBC variable sequences. The remaining mutants arose via nonsense or frameshift mutations. As expected, revertants were obtained for phase variants that were predicted to be reversible but not for those that arose via an irreversible mechanism. Furthermore, phase variants were enriched in M. genitalium cultures exposed to antibodies reacting to the extracellular, conserved C terminus of MgpB but not in cultures exposed to antibodies reacting to an intracellular domain of MgpB or the cytoplasmic HU protein. Genetic characterization of the antibody-selected phase variants confirmed that they arose via reversible and irreversible recombination and point mutations within mgpBC These phase variants resisted antibody-mediated growth inhibition, suggesting that phase variation promotes immune evasion.
Collapse
|
13
|
Xer1-independent mechanisms of Vpma phase variation in Mycoplasma agalactiae are triggered by Vpma-specific antibodies. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 307:443-451. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
14
|
Roachford OSE, Nelson KE, Mohapatra BR. Comparative genomics of four Mycoplasma species of the human urogenital tract: Analysis of their core genomes and virulence genes. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 307:508-520. [PMID: 28927691 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The variation in Mycoplasma lipoproteins attributed to genome rearrangements and genetic insertions leads to phenotypic plasticity that allows for the evasion of the host's defence system and pathogenesis. This paper compared for the first time the genomes of four human urogenital Mycoplasma species (M. penetrans HF-2, M. fermentans JER, M. genitalium G37 and M. hominis PG21) to categorise the metabolic functions of the core genes and to assess the effects of tandem repeats, phage-like genetic elements and prophages on the virulence genes. The results of this comparative in silico genomic analysis revealed that the genes constituting their core genomes can be separated into three distinct categories: nuclear metabolism, protein metabolism and energy generation each making up 52%, 31% and 23%, respectively. The genomes have repeat sequences ranging from 3.7% in M. hominis PG21 to 9.5% in M. fermentans JER. Tandem repeats (mostly minisatellites) and phage-like proteins (including DNA gyrases/topoisomerases) were randomly distributed in the Mycoplasma genomes. Here, we identified a coiled-coil structure containing protein in M. penetrans HF-2 which is significantly similar to the Mem protein of M. fermentans ɸMFV1. Therefore, a Mycoplasma prophage seems to be embedded within M. penetrans HF-2 unannotated genome. To the best of our knowledge, no Mycoplasma phages or prophages have been detected in M. penetrans. This study is important not only in understanding the complex genetic factors involved in phenotypic plasticity and virulence in the relatively understudied Mycoplasma species but also in elucidating the effective arrangement of their redundant minimal genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orville St E Roachford
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown BB 11000, Barbados.
| | - Karen E Nelson
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 9714 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Bidyut R Mohapatra
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown BB 11000, Barbados
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
McGowin CL, Totten PA. The Unique Microbiology and Molecular Pathogenesis of Mycoplasma genitalium. J Infect Dis 2017; 216:S382-S388. [PMID: 28838077 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is increasingly appreciated as a common cause of sexually transmitted disease syndromes, including urethritis in men and cervicitis, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and possibly preterm birth, tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy in women. Despite these disease associations, which parallel those of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the mechanisms by which this pathogen elicits inflammation, causes cellular damage, and persists in its only natural host (humans) are unique and are not fully understood. The purpose of this review is to briefly provide a historical background on the discovery, microbiology, and recognition of M. genitalium as a pathogen, and then summarize the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular biology and pathogenesis of this unique urogenital organism. Collectively, the basic scientific discussions herein should provide a framework for understanding the clinical and epidemiological outcomes described in the accompanying articles in this supplemental issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris L McGowin
- Departments of 1 Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology.,Internal Medicine (Section of Infectious Diseases), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
| | - Patricia A Totten
- Departments of 3 Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases).,Global Health (Pathobiology Interdisciplinary Program), University of Washington, Seattle
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
CORDOVA CAIOM, HOELTGEBAUM DANIELAL, MACHADO LAÍSD, SANTOS LARISSADOS. Molecular biology of mycoplasmas: from the minimum cell concept to the artificial cell. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 88 Suppl 1:599-607. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201620150164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Mycoplasmas are a large group of bacteria, sorted into different genera in the Mollicutes class, whose main characteristic in common, besides the small genome, is the absence of cell wall. They are considered cellular and molecular biology study models. We present an updated review of the molecular biology of these model microorganisms and the development of replicative vectors for the transformation of mycoplasmas. Synthetic biology studies inspired by these pioneering works became possible and won the attention of the mainstream media. For the first time, an artificial genome was synthesized (a minimal genome produced from consensus sequences obtained from mycoplasmas). For the first time, a functional artificial cell has been constructed by introducing a genome completely synthesized within a cell envelope of a mycoplasma obtained by transformation techniques. Therefore, this article offers an updated insight to the state of the art of these peculiar organisms' molecular biology.
Collapse
|
17
|
DNA Recombination Strategies During Antigenic Variation in the African Trypanosome. Microbiol Spectr 2016; 3:MDNA3-0016-2014. [PMID: 26104717 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.mdna3-0016-2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival of the African trypanosome in its mammalian hosts has led to the evolution of antigenic variation, a process for evasion of adaptive immunity that has independently evolved in many other viral, bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens. The essential features of trypanosome antigenic variation have been understood for many years and comprise a dense, protective Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) coat, which can be changed by recombination-based and transcription-based processes that focus on telomeric VSG gene transcription sites. However, it is only recently that the scale of this process has been truly appreciated. Genome sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei has revealed a massive archive of >1000 VSG genes, the huge majority of which are functionally impaired but are used to generate far greater numbers of VSG coats through segmental gene conversion. This chapter will discuss the implications of such VSG diversity for immune evasion by antigenic variation, and will consider how this expressed diversity can arise, drawing on a growing body of work that has begun to examine the proteins and sequences through which VSG switching is catalyzed. Most studies of trypanosome antigenic variation have focused on T. brucei, the causative agent of human sleeping sickness. Other work has begun to look at antigenic variation in animal-infective trypanosomes, and we will compare the findings that are emerging, as well as consider how antigenic variation relates to the dynamics of host-trypanosome interaction.
Collapse
|
18
|
Iverson-Cabral SL, Wood GE, Totten PA. Analysis of the Mycoplasma genitalium MgpB Adhesin to Predict Membrane Topology, Investigate Antibody Accessibility, Characterize Amino Acid Diversity, and Identify Functional and Immunogenic Epitopes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138244. [PMID: 26381903 PMCID: PMC4575044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted pathogen and is associated with reproductive tract disease that can be chronic in nature despite the induction of a strong antibody response. Persistent infection exacerbates the likelihood of transmission, increases the risk of ascension to the upper tract, and suggests that M. genitalium may possess immune evasion mechanism(s). Antibodies from infected patients predominantly target the MgpB adhesin, which is encoded by a gene that recombines with homologous donor sequences, thereby generating sequence variation within and among strains. We have previously characterized mgpB heterogeneity over the course of persistent infection and have correlated the induction of variant-specific antibodies with the loss of that particular variant from the infected host. In the current study, we examined the membrane topology, antibody accessibility, distribution of amino acid diversity, and the location of functional and antigenic epitopes within the MgpB adhesin. Our results indicate that MgpB contains a single transmembrane domain, that the majority of the protein is surface exposed and antibody accessible, and that the attachment domain is located within the extracellular C-terminus. Not unexpectedly, amino acid diversity was concentrated within and around the three previously defined variable regions (B, EF, and G) of MgpB; while nonsynonymous mutations were twice as frequent as synonymous mutations in regions B and G, region EF had equal numbers of nonsynonymous and synonymous mutations. Interestingly, antibodies produced during persistent infection reacted predominantly with the conserved C-terminus and variable region B. In contrast, infection-induced antibodies reacted poorly with the N-terminus, variable regions EF and G, and intervening conserved regions despite the presence of predicted B cell epitopes. Overall, this study provides an important foundation to define how different segments of the MgpB adhesin contribute to functionality, variability, and immunogenicity during persistent M. genitalium infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie L. Iverson-Cabral
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Gwendolyn E. Wood
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Totten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, Pathobiology Interdisciplinary Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Burgos R, Totten PA. MG428 is a novel positive regulator of recombination that triggers mgpB and mgpC gene variation in Mycoplasma genitalium. Mol Microbiol 2014; 94:290-306. [PMID: 25138908 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium employs homologous recombination to generate antigenic diversity in the immunodominant MgpB and MgpC proteins. Only recently, some of the molecular factors involved in this process have been characterized, but nothing is known about its regulation. Here, we show that M. genitalium expresses N-terminally truncated RecA isoforms via alternative translation initiation, but only the full-length protein is essential for gene variation. We also demonstrate that overexpression of MG428 positively regulates the expression of recombination genes, including recA, ruvA, ruvB and ORF2, a gene of unknown function co-transcribed with ruvAB. The co-ordinated induction of these genes correlated with an increase of mgpBC gene variation. In contrast, cells lacking MG428 were unable to generate variants despite expressing normal levels of RecA. Similarly, deletion analyses of the recA upstream region defined sequences required for gene variation without abolishing RecA expression. The requirement of these sequences is consistent with the presence of promoter elements associated with MG428-dependent recA induction. Sequences upstream of recA also influence the relative abundance of RecA isoforms, possibly through translational regulation. Overall, these results suggest that MG428 is a positive regulator of recombination and that precise control of recA expression is required to initiate mgpBC variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raul Burgos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Characterization of the operon encoding the Holliday junction helicase RuvAB from Mycoplasma genitalium and its role in mgpB and mgpC gene variation. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:1608-18. [PMID: 24532771 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01385-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen associated with reproductive tract disease in men and women, and it can persist for months to years despite the development of a robust antibody response. Mechanisms that may contribute to persistence in vivo include phase and antigenic variation of the MgpB and MgpC adhesins. These processes occur by segmental recombination between discrete variable regions within mgpB and mgpC and multiple archived donor sequences termed MgPa repeats (MgPars). The molecular factors governing mgpB and mgpC variation are poorly understood and obscured by the paucity of recombination genes conserved in the M. genitalium genome. Recently, we demonstrated the requirement for RecA using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay developed to measure recombination between the mgpB and mgpC genes and MgPars. Here, we expand these studies by examining the roles of M. genitalium ruvA and ruvB homologs. Deletion of ruvA and ruvB impaired the ability to generate mgpB and mgpC phase and sequence variants, and these deficiencies could be complemented with wild-type copies, including the ruvA gene from Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In contrast, ruvA and ruvB deletions did not affect the sensitivity to UV irradiation, reinforcing our previous findings that the recombinational repair pathway plays a minor role in M. genitalium. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and primer extension analyses also revealed a complex transcriptional organization of the RuvAB system of M. genitalium, which is cotranscribed with two novel open reading frames (ORFs) (termed ORF1 and ORF2 herein) conserved only in M. pneumoniae. These findings suggest that these novel ORFs may play a role in recombination in these two closely related bacteria.
Collapse
|
21
|
Ermolaeva S, Rakovskaya I, Miller G, Sysolyatina E, Mukhachev A, Vasiliev M, Adgamov R, Levina G, Petrov O, Morfill G, Grigoriev A, Fortov V, Gintsburg A. Nonthermal plasma affects viability and morphology of Mycoplasma hominis
and Acholeplasma laidlawii. J Appl Microbiol 2014; 116:1129-36. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.12445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S.A. Ermolaeva
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - I.V. Rakovskaya
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - G.G. Miller
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - E.V. Sysolyatina
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - A.Y. Mukhachev
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - M.M. Vasiliev
- Joint Institute of High Temperatures RAS; Moscow Russia
| | - R.R. Adgamov
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - G.A. Levina
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| | - O.F. Petrov
- Joint Institute of High Temperatures RAS; Moscow Russia
| | - G.E. Morfill
- Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics; Munich Germany
| | | | - V.E. Fortov
- Joint Institute of High Temperatures RAS; Moscow Russia
| | - A.L. Gintsburg
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Moscow Russia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Estevão S, van der Heul HU, Sluijter M, Hoogenboezem T, Hartwig NG, van Rossum AMC, Vink C. Functional analysis of the superfamily 1 DNA helicases encoded by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70870. [PMID: 23894687 PMCID: PMC3720892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA recombination and repair machinery of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is composed of a limited set of approximately 11 proteins. Two of these proteins were predicted to be encoded by neighboring open reading frames (ORFs) MPN340 and MPN341. Both ORFs were found to have sequence similarity with genes that encode proteins belonging to the DNA helicase superfamily 1 (SF1). Interestingly, while a homolog of the MPN341 ORF is present in the genome of Mycoplasma genitalium (ORF MG244), MPN340 is an M. pneumoniae-specific ORF that is not found in other mycoplasmas. Moreover, the length of MPN340 (1590 base pairs [bp]) is considerably shorter than that of MPN341 (2148 bp). Examination of the MPN340-encoded amino acid sequence indicated that it may lack a so-called 2B subdomain, which is found in most SF1 DNA helicases. Also, the MPN340-encoded amino acid sequence was found to differ between subtype 1 strain M129 and subtype 2 strain FH at three amino acid positions. Both protein variants, which were termed PcrAsM129 and PcrAsFH, respectively, as well as the MPN341- and MG244-encoded proteins (PcrAMpn and PcrAMge, respectively), were purified, and tested for their ability to interact with DNA. While PcrAMpn and PcrAMge were found to bind preferentially to single-stranded DNA, both PcrAsM129 and PcrAsFH did not demonstrate significant DNA binding. However, all four proteins were found to have divalent cation- and ATP-dependent DNA helicase activity. The proteins displayed highest activity on partially double-stranded DNA substrates carrying 3′ single-stranded extensions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Estevão
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helga U. van der Heul
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Sluijter
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Theo Hoogenboezem
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nico G. Hartwig
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie M. C. van Rossum
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Vink
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Persistence, immune response, and antigenic variation of Mycoplasma genitalium in an experimentally infected pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina). Infect Immun 2013; 81:2938-51. [PMID: 23732170 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01322-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted pathogen associated with several acute and chronic reproductive tract disease syndromes in men and women. To evaluate the suitability of a pig-tailed macaque model of M. genitalium infection, we inoculated a pilot animal with M. genitalium strain G37 in the uterine cervix and in salpingeal pockets generated by transplanting autologous Fallopian tube tissue subcutaneously. Viable organisms were recovered throughout the 8-week experiment in cervicovaginal specimens and up to 2 weeks postinfection in salpingeal pockets. Humoral and cervicovaginal antibodies reacting to MgpB were induced postinoculation and persisted throughout the infection. The immunodominance of the MgpB adhesin and the accumulation of mgpB sequence diversity previously observed in persistent human infections prompted us to evaluate sequence variation in this animal model. We found that after 8 weeks of infection, sequences within mgpB variable region B were replaced by novel sequences generated by reciprocal recombination with an archived variant sequence located elsewhere on the chromosome. In contrast, mgpB region B of the same inoculum propagated for 8 weeks in vitro remained unchanged. Notably, serum IgG reacted strongly with a recombinant protein spanning MgpB region B of the inoculum, while reactivity to a recombinant protein representing the week 8 variant was reduced, suggesting that antibodies were involved in the clearance of bacteria expressing the original infecting sequence. Together these results suggest that the pig-tailed macaque is a suitable model to study M. genitalium pathogenesis, antibody-mediated selection of antigenic variants in vivo, and immune escape.
Collapse
|
24
|
Siqueira FM, Thompson CE, Virginio VG, Gonchoroski T, Reolon L, Almeida LG, da Fonsêca MM, de Souza R, Prosdocimi F, Schrank IS, Ferreira HB, de Vasconcelos ATR, Zaha A. New insights on the biology of swine respiratory tract mycoplasmas from a comparative genome analysis. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:175. [PMID: 23497205 PMCID: PMC3610235 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma flocculare and Mycoplasma hyorhinis live in swine respiratory tracts. M. flocculare, a commensal bacterium, is genetically closely related to M. hyopneumoniae, the causative agent of enzootic porcine pneumonia. M. hyorhinis is also pathogenic, causing polyserositis and arthritis. In this work, we present the genome sequences of M. flocculare and M. hyopneumoniae strain 7422, and we compare these genomes with the genomes of other M. hyoponeumoniae strain and to the a M. hyorhinis genome. These analyses were performed to identify possible characteristics that may help to explain the different behaviors of these species in swine respiratory tracts. RESULTS The overall genome organization of three species was analyzed, revealing that the ORF clusters (OCs) differ considerably and that inversions and rearrangements are common. Although M. flocculare and M. hyopneumoniae display a high degree of similarity with respect to the gene content, only some genomic regions display considerable synteny. Genes encoding proteins that may be involved in host-cell adhesion in M. hyopneumoniae and M. flocculare display differences in genomic structure and organization. Some genes encoding adhesins of the P97 family are absent in M. flocculare and some contain sequence differences or lack of domains that are considered to be important for adhesion to host cells. The phylogenetic relationship of the three species was confirmed by a phylogenomic approach. The set of genes involved in metabolism, especially in the uptake of precursors for nucleic acids synthesis and nucleotide metabolism, display some differences in copy number and the presence/absence in the three species. CONCLUSIONS The comparative analyses of three mycoplasma species that inhabit the swine respiratory tract facilitated the identification of some characteristics that may be related to their different behaviors. M. hyopneumoniae and M. flocculare display many differences that may help to explain why one species is pathogenic and the other is considered to be commensal. However, it was not possible to identify specific virulence determinant factors that could explain the differences in the pathogenicity of the analyzed species. The M. hyorhinis genome contains differences in some components involved in metabolism and evasion of the host's immune system that may contribute to its growth aggressiveness. Several horizontal gene transfer events were identified. The phylogenomic analysis places M. hyopneumoniae, M. flocculare and M. hyorhinis in the hyopneumoniae clade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franciele Maboni Siqueira
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Bioquímica. UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Claudia Elizabeth Thompson
- Laboratório de Bioinformática. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica. Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Veridiana Gomes Virginio
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Centro de Biotecnologia UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Taylor Gonchoroski
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luciano Reolon
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Centro de Biotecnologia UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gonzaga Almeida
- Laboratório de Bioinformática. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica. Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marbella Maria da Fonsêca
- Laboratório de Bioinformática. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica. Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rangel de Souza
- Laboratório de Bioinformática. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica. Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francisco Prosdocimi
- Departamento de Bioquímica Médica. Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Irene Silveira Schrank
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Centro de Biotecnologia UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências. UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Henrique Bunselmeyer Ferreira
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Centro de Biotecnologia UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências. UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Arnaldo Zaha
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Centro de Biotecnologia UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Bioquímica. UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências. UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|