1
|
Goetting-Minesky MP, Kim J, White DT, Hayashi M, Rickard AH, Fenno JC. Development of a small shuttle plasmid for use in oral Veillonella and initial appraisal of potential for fluorescence-based applications. Lett Appl Microbiol 2024; 77:ovae069. [PMID: 39020263 PMCID: PMC11299066 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovae069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Oral Veillonella species are among the early colonizers of the human oral cavity. We constructed a small, single-selectable-marker shuttle plasmid, examined its ability to be transformed into diverse oral Veillonella strains, and assessed its potential use for expressing a gene encoding an oxygen-independent fluorescent protein, thus generating a fluorescent Veillonella parvula strain. Because tetracycline resistance is common in Veillonella, we replaced genes encoding ampicillin- and tetracycline-resistance in a previously described shuttle plasmid (pBSJL2) with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. The resulting plasmid pCF1135 was successfully introduced into four strains representing V. parvula and V. atypica by either natural transformation or electroporation. We then modified this plasmid to express a gene encoding an oxygen-independent fluorescent protein in V. parvula SKV38. The resulting strain yielded a fluorescence signal intensity ∼16 times higher than the wild type in microplate-based fluorimetry experiments. While fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that planktonic cells, colonies, and biofilms of fluorescent V. parvula could also be imaged, photobleaching was a significant issue. In conclusion, we anticipate this genetic system and information provided here will facilitate expanded studies of oral Veillonella species' properties and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Paula Goetting-Minesky
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Jordan Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Duane T White
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Michael Hayashi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Alexander H Rickard
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - J Christopher Fenno
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Merritt J, Kreth J. Illuminating the oral microbiome and its host interactions: tools and approaches for molecular microbiology studies. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuac050. [PMID: 36549660 PMCID: PMC10719069 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in DNA sequencing technologies within the last decade have stimulated an unprecedented interest in the human microbiome, largely due the broad diversity of human diseases found to correlate with microbiome dysbiosis. As a direct consequence of these studies, a vast number of understudied and uncharacterized microbes have been identified as potential drivers of mucosal health and disease. The looming challenge in the field is to transition these observations into defined molecular mechanistic studies of symbiosis and dysbiosis. In order to meet this challenge, many of these newly identified microbes will need to be adapted for use in experimental models. Consequently, this review presents a comprehensive overview of the molecular microbiology tools and techniques that have played crucial roles in genetic studies of the bacteria found within the human oral microbiota. Here, we will use specific examples from the oral microbiome literature to illustrate the biology supporting these techniques, why they are needed in the field, and how such technologies have been implemented. It is hoped that this information can serve as a useful reference guide to help catalyze molecular microbiology studies of the many new understudied and uncharacterized species identified at different mucosal sites in the body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Merritt
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Jens Kreth
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun J, Chen W, Yuan Z. Characterization of Intestinal Microbiota in Lambs with Different Susceptibility to Escherichia coli F17. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9120670. [PMID: 36548832 PMCID: PMC9782581 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Diarrhea is one of the most commonly reported diseases in young farm animals. Escherichia coli (E. coli) F17 is one of the major pathogenic bacteria responsible for diarrhea. However, the pathogenicity of diarrhea in lambs involving E. coli F17 strains and how E. coli F17 infection modifies lambs' intestinal microbiota are largely unknown. To evaluate diarrhea in newborn lambs with an infection of E. coli F17, 50 lambs were selected for challenge experiments and divided into four groups, namely, a high-dose challenge group, low-dose challenge group, positive control group, and negative control group. The E. coli F17 challenge experiments caused diarrhea and increased mortality in the experimental lamb population, with a higher prevalence (90%), mortality (35%), and rapid onset time (4-12 h) being observed in the high-dose challenge group than the results observed in the low-dose challenge group (75%, 10%, 6-24 h, respectively). After the challenge experiment, healthy lambs in the high-dose challenge group and severely diarrheic lamb in the low-dose challenge group were identified as lambs sensitive/resistant to E. coli F17 (E. coli F17 -resistant/-sensitive candidate, AN/SE) according to the histopathological detection. Results of intestinal contents bacteria plate counting revealed that the number of bacteria in the intestinal contents of SE lambs was 102~3-fold greater than that of the AN lambs, especially in the jejunum. Then, 16S rRNA sequencing was conducted to profile the intestinal microbiota using the jejunal contents, and the results showed that SE lambs had higher Lactococcus and a lower Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio and intestinal microbiota diversity in the jejunum than AN lambs. Notably, high abundance of Megasphaera elsdenii was revealed in AN lambs, which indicated that Megasphaera elsdenii may serve as a potential probiotic for E. coli F17 infection. Our study provides an alternative challenge model for the identification of E. coli F17-sensitive/-resistant lambs and contributes to the basic understandings of intestinal microbiota in lambs with different susceptibilities to E. coli F17.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Weihao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zehu Yuan
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory in Universities of Jiangsu Province of China for Domestic Animal Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou P, Manoil D, Belibasakis GN, Kotsakis GA. Veillonellae: Beyond Bridging Species in Oral Biofilm Ecology. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 2:774115. [PMID: 35048073 PMCID: PMC8757872 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.774115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Veillonella comprises 16 characterized species, among which eight are commonly found in the human oral cavity. The high abundance of Veillonella species in the microbiome of both supra- and sub-gingival biofilms, and their interdependent relationship with a multitude of other bacterial species, suggest veillonellae to play an important role in oral biofilm ecology. Development of oral biofilms relies on an incremental coaggregation process between early, bridging and later bacterial colonizers, ultimately forming multispecies communities. As early colonizer and bridging species, veillonellae are critical in guiding the development of multispecies communities in the human oral microenvironment. Their ability to establish mutualistic relationships with other members of the oral microbiome has emerged as a crucial factor that may contribute to health equilibrium. Here, we review the general characteristics, taxonomy, physiology, genomic and genetics of veillonellae, as well as their bridging role in the development of oral biofilms. We further discuss the role of Veillonella spp. as potential “accessory pathogens” in the human oral cavity, capable of supporting colonization by other, more pathogenic species. The relationship between Veillonella spp. and dental caries, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis is also recapitulated in this review. We finally highlight areas of future research required to better understand the intergeneric signaling employed by veillonellae during their bridging activities and interspecies mutualism. With the recent discoveries of large species and strain-specific variation within the genus in biological and virulence characteristics, the study of Veillonella as an example of highly adaptive microorganisms that indirectly participates in dysbiosis holds great promise for broadening our understanding of polymicrobial disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhou
- Translational Periodontal Research Lab, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Daniel Manoil
- Division of Oral Diseases, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Georgios N Belibasakis
- Division of Oral Diseases, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Georgios A Kotsakis
- Translational Periodontal Research Lab, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Megrian D, Taib N, Witwinowski J, Beloin C, Gribaldo S. One or two membranes? Diderm Firmicutes challenge the Gram-positive/Gram-negative divide. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:659-671. [PMID: 31975449 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
How, when and why the transition between cell envelopes with one membrane (Gram-positives or monoderms) and two (Gram-negative or diderms) occurred in Bacteria is a key unanswered question in evolutionary biology. Different hypotheses have been put forward, suggesting that either the monoderm or the diderm phenotype is ancestral. The existence of diderm members in the classically monoderm Firmicutes challenges the Gram-positive/Gram-negative divide and provides a great opportunity to tackle the issue. In this review, we present current knowledge on the diversity of bacterial cell envelopes, including these atypical Firmicutes. We discuss how phylogenomic analysis supports the hypothesis that the diderm cell envelope architecture is an ancestral character in the Firmicutes, and that the monoderm phenotype in this phylum arose multiple times independently by loss of the outer membrane. Given the overwhelming distribution of diderm phenotypes with respect to monoderm ones, this scenario likely extends to the ancestor of all bacteria. Finally, we discuss the recent development of genetic tools for Veillonella parvula, a diderm Firmicute member of the human microbiome, which indicates it as an emerging new experimental model to investigate fundamental aspects of the diderm/monoderm transition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Megrian
- Department of Microbiology, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Ecole Doctorale Complexité du vivant, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Najwa Taib
- Department of Microbiology, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Hub Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Department of Computational Biology, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jerzy Witwinowski
- Department of Microbiology, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Beloin
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics of Biofilm Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Department of Microbiology, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Luo YX, Sun ML, Shi PL, Liu P, Chen YY, Peng X. [Research progress in the relationship between Veillonella and oral diseases]. HUA XI KOU QIANG YI XUE ZA ZHI = HUAXI KOUQIANG YIXUE ZAZHI = WEST CHINA JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY 2020; 38:576-582. [PMID: 33085245 DOI: 10.7518/hxkq.2020.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Veillonella species, known as the early colonizer of oral biofilm, are prevalent in oral microbiota. Seven Veillonella species have been isolated from oral cavity. Their distribution varies not only with different people but also with different sites in the oral cavity. Oral Veillonella are associated with oral diseases. They contribute to the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans and consume the lactate generated by streptococci. Veillonella species play an important role in the occurrence and development of periodontal diseases by providing adhesion sites for Porphyromonas gingivalis and boosting immune responses. The production of lipopolysaccharide and H2S is related to other oral diseases, such as pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, and halitosis. Several studies have been conducted on the relationship between Veillonella and oral diseases and the interaction between Veillonella and other pathological microorganisms, but limited knowledge is available at the molecular level. This article reviews the research progress in the relationship between Veillonella and oral infectious diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xue Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Dental Basic Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Man-Lin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Dental Basic Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Pei-Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Dental Basic Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Pan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Dental Basic Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yi-Yin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Dental Basic Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xian Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Dental Basic Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wen ZT, Liao S, Bitoun JP, De A, Jorgensen A, Feng S, Xu X, Chain PSG, Caufield PW, Koo H, Li Y. Streptococcus mutans Displays Altered Stress Responses While Enhancing Biofilm Formation by Lactobacillus casei in Mixed-Species Consortium. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:524. [PMID: 29326887 PMCID: PMC5742344 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Like Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli are commonly isolated from carious sites, although their exact role in caries development remains unclear. This study used mixed-species models to analyze biofilm formation by major groups of oral lactobacilli, including L. casei, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius ssp. salivarius, and L. gasseri. The results showed that lactobacilli did not form good biofilms when grown alone, although differences existed between different species. When grown together with S. mutans, biofilm formation by L. gasseri and L. rhamnosus was increased by 2-log (P < 0.001), while biofilms by L. fermentum reduced by >1-log (P < 0.001). L. casei enhanced biofilm formation by ~2-log when grown with S. mutans wild-type, but no such effects were observed with S. mutans deficient of glucosyltransferase GtfB and adhesin P1. Both S. mutans and L. casei in dual-species enhanced resistance to acid killing with increases of survival rate by >1-log (P < 0.001), but drastically reduced the survival rates following exposure to hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.001), as compared to the respective mono-species cultures. When analyzed by RNA-seq, more than 134 genes were identified in S. mutans in dual-species with L. casei as either up- or down-regulated when compared to those grown alone. The up-regulated genes include those for superoxide dismutase, NADH oxidase, and members of the mutanobactin biosynthesis cluster. Among the down-regulated genes were those for GtfB and alternative sigma factor SigX. These results further suggest that interactions between S. mutans and oral lactobacilli are species-specific and may have significant impact on cariogenic potential of the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zezhang T Wen
- Center of Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Biomaterials, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Sumei Liao
- Center of Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jacob P Bitoun
- Center of Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Arpan De
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Biomaterials, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Ashton Jorgensen
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Biomaterials, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Shihai Feng
- Genome Science Group, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Xiaoming Xu
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Biomaterials, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Patrick S G Chain
- Genome Science Group, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Page W Caufield
- Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hyun Koo
- Biofilm Research Labs, Levy Center for Oral Health, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yihong Li
- Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Veillonella Catalase Protects the Growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Microaerophilic and Streptococcus gordonii-Resident Environments. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01079-17. [PMID: 28778894 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01079-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The oral biofilm is a multispecies community in which antagonism and mutualism coexist among friends and foes to keep an ecological balance of community members. The pioneer colonizers, such as Streptococcus gordonii, produce H2O2 to inhibit the growth of competitors, like the mutans streptococci, as well as strict anaerobic middle and later colonizers of the dental biofilm. Interestingly, Veillonella species, as early colonizers, physically interact (coaggregate) with S. gordonii A putative catalase gene (catA) is found in most sequenced Veillonella species; however, the function of this gene is unknown. In this study, we characterized the ecological function of catA from Veillonella parvula PK1910 by integrating it into the only transformable strain, Veillonella atypica OK5, which is catA negative. The strain (OK5-catA) became more resistant to H2O2 Further studies demonstrated that the catA gene expression is induced by the addition of H2O2 or coculture with S. gordonii Mixed-culture experiments further revealed that the transgenic OK5-catA strain not only enhanced the growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a strict anaerobic periodontopathogen, under microaerophilic conditions, but it also rescued F. nucleatum from killing by S. gordonii A potential role of catalase in veillonellae in biofilm ecology and pathogenesis is discussed here.IMPORTANCEVeillonella species, as early colonizers, can coaggregate with many bacteria, including the initial colonizer Streptococcus gordonii and periodontal pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum, during various stages of oral biofilm formation. In addition to providing binding sites for many microbes, our previous study also showed that Veillonella produces nutrients for the survival and growth of periodontal pathogens. These findings indicate that Veillonella plays an important "bridging" role in the development of oral biofilms and the ecology of the human oral cavity. In this study, we demonstrated that the reducing activity of Veillonella can rescue the growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum not only under microaerophilic conditions, but also in an environment in which Streptococcus gordonii is present. Thus, this study will provide a new insight for future studies on the mechanisms of human oral biofilm formation and the control of periodontal diseases.
Collapse
|
9
|
Complete Genome Sequence of Veillonella atypica OK5, the First Transformable Strain in the Species. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2017; 5:5/22/e00391-17. [PMID: 28572307 PMCID: PMC5454190 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00391-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Veillonella atypica strain OK5 was isolated from a human saliva sample and was the first strain shown to be genetically transformable in the Veillonella genus. Genetic studies using this strain have helped us gain much insight into the ecology of human oral biofilms. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of V. atypica OK5.
Collapse
|
10
|
Knapp S, Brodal C, Peterson J, Qi F, Kreth J, Merritt J. Natural Competence Is Common among Clinical Isolates of Veillonella parvula and Is Useful for Genetic Manipulation of This Key Member of the Oral Microbiome. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:139. [PMID: 28473967 PMCID: PMC5397411 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The six Veillonella species found in the human oral cavity are among the most abundant members of the oral flora, occurring in both supra- and subgingival dental plaque as well as on the oral mucosa. Epidemiological data have also implicated these species in the development of the most common oral diseases. Despite their ubiquity, abundance, and ecological significance, surprisingly little is known about Veillonella biology, largely due to the difficulties associated with their genetic manipulation. In an effort to improve genetic analyses of Veillonella species, we isolated a collection of veillonellae from clinical plaque samples and screened for natural competence using a newly developed transformation protocol. Numerous strains of V. parvula were found to exhibit a natural competence ability that was highly influenced by growth medium composition. By exploiting this ability, we were able to utilize cloning-independent allelic exchange mutagenesis to identify the likely source of DNA uptake machinery within a locus homologous to type II secretion systems (T2SS). Interestingly, V. parvula natural competence was found to exhibit a clear hierarchy of preference for different sources of DNA (plasmid < PCR product < genomic DNA), which is unlike most naturally competent species. Genomic comparisons with other members of the Veillonellaceae family suggest that natural competence is likely to be widely distributed within this group. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first demonstration of natural competence and targeted allelic exchange mutagenesis within the entire Veillonellaceae family and demonstrates a simple and rapid method to study Veillonella genetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Knapp
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA
| | - Clint Brodal
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA
| | - John Peterson
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA
| | - Fengxia Qi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Science CenterOklahoma, OK, USA
| | - Jens Kreth
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA
| | - Justin Merritt
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Establishment of a tractable genetic transformation system in Veillonella spp. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:3488-91. [PMID: 22344660 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00196-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We have constructed the first Escherichia coli-Veillonella shuttle vector based on an endogenous plasmid (pVJL1) isolated from a clinical Veillonella strain. A highly transformable Veillonella strain was also identified. Both the shuttle vector and the transformable strain should be valuable tools for future Veillonella genetic studies.
Collapse
|