1
|
Wang JH, Huang PT, Huang YT, Mao YC, Lai CH, Yeh TK, Tseng CH, Kao CC. Characterization of CRISPR-Cas Systems in Shewanella algae and Shewanella haliotis: Insights into the Adaptation and Survival of Marine Pathogens. Pathogens 2024; 13:439. [PMID: 38921737 PMCID: PMC11207072 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems are adaptive immune mechanisms present in most prokaryotes that play an important role in the adaptation of bacteria and archaea to new environments. Shewanella algae is a marine zoonotic pathogen with worldwide distribution, which accounts for the majority of clinical cases of Shewanella infections. However, the characterization of Shewanella algae CRISPR-Cas systems has not been well investigated yet. Through whole genome sequence analysis, we characterized the CRISPR-Cas systems in S. algae. Our results indicate that CRISPR-Cas systems are prevalent in S. algae, with the majority of strains containing the Type I-F system. This study provides new insights into the diversity and function of CRISPR-Cas systems in S. algae and highlights their potential role in the adaptation and survival of these marine pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Hsing Wang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung 427213, Taiwan;
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Po-Tsang Huang
- Division of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 802301, Taiwan;
| | - Yao-Ting Huang
- Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621301, Taiwan;
| | - Yan-Chiao Mao
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan;
| | - Chung-Hsu Lai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 824005, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 840301, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Kuang Yeh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan;
- Genomic Center for Infectious Diseases, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hao Tseng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan;
- Genomic Center for Infectious Diseases, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chuan Kao
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung 435403, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kogay R, Wolf YI, Koonin EV. Defense systems and horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.09.579689. [PMID: 38410456 PMCID: PMC10896350 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.09.579689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a fundamental process in the evolution of prokaryotes, making major contributions to diversification and adaptation. Typically, HGT is facilitated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as conjugative plasmids and phages that generally impose fitness costs on their hosts. However, a substantial fraction of bacterial genes is involved in defense mechanisms that limit the propagation of MGEs, raising the possibility that they can actively restrict HGT. Here we examine whether defense systems curb HGT by exploring the connections between HGT rate and the presence of 73 defense systems in 12 bacterial species. We found that only 6 defense systems, 3 of which are different CRISPR-Cas subtypes, are associated with the reduced gene gain rate on the scale of species evolution. The hosts of such defense systems tend to have a smaller pangenome size and harbor fewer phage-related genes compared to genomes lacking these systems, suggesting that these defense mechanisms inhibit HGT by limiting the integration of prophages. We hypothesize that restriction of HGT by defense systems is species-specific and depends on various ecological and genetic factors, including the burden of MGEs and fitness effect of HGT in bacterial populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Kogay
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I. Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dion MB, Shah SA, Deng L, Thorsen J, Stokholm J, Krogfelt KA, Schjørring S, Horvath P, Allard A, Nielsen DS, Petit MA, Moineau S. Escherichia coli CRISPR arrays from early life fecal samples preferentially target prophages. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae005. [PMID: 38366192 PMCID: PMC10910852 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems are defense mechanisms against phages and other nucleic acids that invade bacteria and archaea. In Escherichia coli, it is generally accepted that CRISPR-Cas systems are inactive in laboratory conditions due to a transcriptional repressor. In natural isolates, it has been shown that CRISPR arrays remain stable over the years and that most spacer targets (protospacers) remain unknown. Here, we re-examine CRISPR arrays in natural E. coli isolates and investigate viral and bacterial genomes for spacer targets using a bioinformatics approach coupled to a unique biological dataset. We first sequenced the CRISPR1 array of 1769 E. coli isolates from the fecal samples of 639 children obtained during their first year of life. We built a network with edges between isolates that reflect the number of shared spacers. The isolates grouped into 34 modules. A search for matching spacers in bacterial genomes showed that E. coli spacers almost exclusively target prophages. While we found instances of self-targeting spacers, those involving a prophage and a spacer within the same bacterial genome were rare. The extensive search for matching spacers also expanded the library of known E. coli protospacers to 60%. Altogether, these results favor the concept that E. coli's CRISPR-Cas is an antiprophage system and highlight the importance of reconsidering the criteria use to deem CRISPR-Cas systems active.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moïra B Dion
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Shiraz A Shah
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 34, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Ling Deng
- Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Thorsen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 34, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Stokholm
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 34, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
- Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Karen A Krogfelt
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300S Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Susanne Schjørring
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300S Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Horvath
- IFF Danisco, Health & Biosciences, Dangé-Saint-Romain 86220, France
| | - Antoine Allard
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d’optique, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire en modélisation mathématique, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Dennis S Nielsen
- Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Marie-Agnès Petit
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas 78350, France
| | - Sylvain Moineau
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Félix d’Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vill AC, Rice EJ, De Vlaminck I, Danko CG, Brito IL. Precision run-on sequencing (PRO-seq) for microbiome transcriptomics. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:241-250. [PMID: 38172625 PMCID: PMC11059318 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01558-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria respond to environmental stimuli through precise regulation of transcription initiation and elongation. Bulk RNA sequencing primarily characterizes mature transcripts, so to identify actively transcribed loci we need to capture RNA polymerase (RNAP) complexed with nascent RNA. However, such capture methods have only previously been applied to culturable, genetically tractable organisms such as E. coli and B. subtilis. Here we apply precision run-on sequencing (PRO-seq) to profile nascent transcription in cultured E. coli and diverse uncultured bacteria. We demonstrate that PRO-seq can characterize the transcription of small, structured, or post-transcriptionally modified RNAs, which are often absent from bulk RNA-seq libraries. Applying PRO-seq to the human microbiome highlights taxon-specific RNAP pause motifs and pause-site distributions across non-coding RNA loci that reflect structure-coincident pausing. We also uncover concurrent transcription and cleavage of CRISPR guide RNAs and transfer RNAs. We demonstrate the utility of PRO-seq for exploring transcriptional dynamics in diverse microbial communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert C Vill
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Edward J Rice
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Iwijn De Vlaminck
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Charles G Danko
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ilana L Brito
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hegde S, Rauch HE, Hughes GL, Shariat N. Identification and characterization of two CRISPR/Cas systems associated with the mosquito microbiome. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:acmi000599.v4. [PMID: 37691844 PMCID: PMC10484321 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000599.v4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiome profoundly influences many traits in medically relevant vectors such as mosquitoes, and a greater functional understanding of host-microbe interactions may be exploited for novel microbial-based approaches to control mosquito-borne disease. Here, we characterized two novel clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas systems in Serratia sp. Ag1, which was isolated from the gut of an Anopheles gambiae mosquito. Two distinct CRISPR/Cas systems were identified in Serratia Ag1, CRISPR1 and CRISPR2. Based on cas gene composition, CRISPR1 is classified as a type I-E CRISPR/Cas system and has a single array, CRISPR1. CRISPR2 is a type I-F system with two arrays, CRISPR2.1 and CRISPR2.2. RT-PCR analyses show that all cas genes from both systems are expressed during logarithmic growth in culture media. The direct repeat sequences of CRISPRs 2.1 and 2.2 are identical and found in the arrays of other Serratia spp., including S. marcescens and S. fonticola , whereas CRISPR1 is not. We searched for potential spacer targets and revealed an interesting difference between the two systems: only 9 % of CRISPR1 (type I-E) targets are in phage sequences and 91 % are in plasmid sequences. Conversely, ~66 % of CRISPR2 (type I-F) targets are found within phage genomes. Our results highlight the presence of CRISPR loci in gut-associated bacteria of mosquitoes and indicate interplay between symbionts and invasive mobile genetic elements over evolutionary time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shivanand Hegde
- Department of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool, UK
- Present address: School of Life Sciences, University of Keele, Newcastle, UK
| | - Hallie E. Rauch
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, USA
| | - Grant L. Hughes
- Department of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nikki Shariat
- Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Deng X, Yuan J, Chen L, Chen H, Wei C, Nielsen PH, Wuertz S, Qiu G. CRISPR-Cas phage defense systems and prophages in Candidatus Accumulibacter. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 235:119906. [PMID: 37004306 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Candidatus Accumulibacter plays a major role in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewater. Although bacteriophages have been shown to represent fatal threats to Ca. Accumulibacter organisms and thus interfere with the stability of the EBPR process, little is known about the ability of different Ca. Accumulibacter strains to resist phage infections. We conducted a systematic analysis of the occurrence and characteristics of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) systems and prophages in Ca. Accumulibacter lineage members (43 in total, including 10 newly recovered genomes). Results indicate that 28 Ca. Accumulibacter genomes encode CRISPR-Cas systems. They were likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer, conveying a distinct adaptivity to phage predation to different Ca. Accumulibacter members. Major differences in the number of spacers show the unique phage resistance of these members. A comparison of the spacers in closely related Ca. Accumulibacter members from distinct geographical locations indicates that habitat isolation may have resulted in the acquisition of resistance to different phages by different Ca. Accumulibacter. Long-term operation of three laboratory-scale EBPR bioreactors revealed high relative abundances of Ca. Accumulibacter with CRISPSR-Cas systems. Their specific resistance to phages in these reactors was indicated by spacer analysis. Metatranscriptomic analyses showed the activation of the CRISPR-Cas system under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Additionally, 133 prophage regions were identified in 43 Ca. Accumulibacter genomes. Twenty-seven of them (in 19 genomes) were potentially active. Major differences in the occurrence of CRISPR-Cas systems and prophages in Ca. Accumulibacter will lead to distinct responses to phage predation. This study represents the first systematic analysis of CRISPR-Cas systems and prophages in the Ca. Accumulibacter lineage, providing new perspectives on the potential impacts of phages on Ca. Accumulibacter and EBPR systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuhan Deng
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liping Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hang Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chaohai Wei
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Per H Nielsen
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Centre for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg DK-9220, Denmark
| | - Stefan Wuertz
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
| | - Guanglei Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kushwaha SK, Kumar AA, Gupta H, Marathe SA. The Phylogenetic Study of the CRISPR-Cas System in Enterobacteriaceae. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:196. [PMID: 37118221 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03298-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) system is a bacterial and archaeal adaptive immune system undergoing rapid multifaceted evolution. This evolution plausibly occurs due to the genetic exchanges of complete loci or individual entities. Here, we systematically investigate the evolutionary framework of the CRISPR-Cas system in six Enterobacteriaceae species and its evolutionary association with housekeeping genes as determined by the gyrB phenogram. The strains show high variability in the cas3 gene and the CRISPR1 locus among the closely related Enterobacteriaceae species, hinting at a series of genetic exchanges. The CRISPR leader is conserved, especially toward the distal end, and could be a core region of the leader. The spacers are conserved within the strains of most species, while some strains show unique sets of spacers. However, inter-species spacer conservation was rarely observed. For a considerable proportion of these spacers, protospacer sources were not detected. These results advance our understanding of the dynamics of the CRISPR-Cas system; however, the biological functions are yet to be characterised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simran Krishnakant Kushwaha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty Division-III, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, 3277-B, Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Aryahi A Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty Division-III, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, 3277-B, Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Hardik Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty Division-III, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, 3277-B, Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Sandhya Amol Marathe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty Division-III, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, 3277-B, Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Scrascia M, Roberto R, D'Addabbo P, Ahmed Y, Porcelli F, Oliva M, Calia C, Marzella A, Pazzani C. Bioinformatic survey of CRISPR loci across 15 Serratia species. Microbiologyopen 2023; 12:e1339. [PMID: 37186230 PMCID: PMC9981886 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) system of prokaryotes is an adaptative immune defense mechanism to protect themselves from invading genetic elements (e.g., phages and plasmids). Studies that describe the genetic organization of these prokaryotic systems have mainly reported on the Enterobacteriaceae family (now reorganized within the order of Enterobacterales). For some genera, data on CRISPR-Cas systems remain poor, as in the case of Serratia (now part of the Yersiniaceae family) where data are limited to a few genomes of the species marcescens. This study describes the detection, in silico, of CRISPR loci in 146 Serratia complete genomes and 336 high-quality assemblies available for the species ficaria, fonticola, grimesii, inhibens, liquefaciens, marcescens, nematodiphila, odorifera, oryzae, plymuthica, proteomaculans, quinivorans, rubidaea, symbiotica, and ureilytica. Apart from subtypes I-E and I-F1 which had previously been identified in marcescens, we report that of I-C and the I-E unique locus 1, I-E*, and I-F1 unique locus 1. Analysis of the genomic contexts for CRISPR loci revealed mdtN-phnP as the region mostly shared (grimesii, inhibens, marcescens, nematodiphila, plymuthica, rubidaea, and Serratia sp.). Three new contexts detected in genomes of rubidaea and fonticola (puu genes-mnmA) and rubidaea (osmE-soxG and ampC-yebZ) were also found. The plasmid and/or phage origin of spacers was also established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Scrascia
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| | - Roberta Roberto
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli AlimentiUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| | | | - Yosra Ahmed
- Plant Quarantine Pathogens Laboratory, Mycology Research & Disease SurveyPlant Pathology Research Institute, ARCGizaEgypt
| | - Francesco Porcelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli AlimentiUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| | - Marta Oliva
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| | - Carla Calia
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| | | | - Carlo Pazzani
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
CRISPR-Cas adaptation in Escherichia coli. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232582. [PMID: 36809461 PMCID: PMC10011333 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotes use the adaptive immunity mediated via the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR associated (CRISPR-Cas) system for protection against invading elements such as phages and plasmids. The immunity is achieved by capturing small DNA fragments or spacers from foreign nucleic acids (protospacers) and integrating them into the host CRISPR locus. This step of CRISPR-Cas immunity called 'naïve CRISPR adaptation' requires the conserved Cas1-Cas2 complex and is often supported by variable host proteins that assist in spacer processing and integration. Bacteria that have acquired new spacers become immune to the same invading elements when reinfected. CRISPR-Cas immunity can also be updated by integrating new spacers from the same invading elements, a process called 'primed adaptation'. Only properly selected and integrated spacers are functional in the next steps of CRISPR immunity when their processed transcripts are used for RNA-guided target recognition and interference (target degradation). Capturing, trimming, and integrating new spacers in the correct orientation are universal steps of adaptation to all CRISPR-Cas systems, but some details are CRISPR-Cas type-specific and species-specific. In this review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas class 1 type I-E adaptation in Escherichia coli as a general model for adaptation processes (DNA capture and integration) that have been studied in detail. We focus on the role of host non-Cas proteins involved in adaptation, particularly on the role of homologous recombination.
Collapse
|
10
|
Sen D, Mukhopadhyay P. Application of CRISPR Cas systems in DNA recorders and writers. Biosystems 2023; 225:104870. [PMID: 36842456 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.104870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The necessity to record and store biological data is increasing in due course of time. However, it is quite difficult to understand biological mechanisms and keep a track of these events in some storage mediums. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the best candidate for the storage of cellular events in the biological system. It is energy efficient as well as stable at the same time. DNA-based writers and memory devices are continually evolving and finding new avenues in terms of their wide range of applications. Among all the DNA-based storage devices that employ enzymes like recombinases, nucleases, integrases, and polymerases, one of the most popular tools used for these devices is the emerging and versatile CRISPR Cas technology. CRISPR Cas is a prokaryotic immune system that keeps a memory of viral attacks and protects prokaryotes from potential future infections. The main aim of this short review is to study such molecular recorders and writers that employ CRISPR Cas technologies and obtain an in-depth overview of the mechanisms involved and the applications of these molecular devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debmitra Sen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India.
| | - Poulami Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Microbiology, Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700120, India.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kang HJ, Lim SK, Lee YJ. Genetic characterization of third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin-resistant avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from broilers. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1055320. [PMID: 36504870 PMCID: PMC9732669 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1055320] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins (3GC or 4 GC) are classified as "critically important antimicrobials for human medicine" by WHO, but resistance to these drugs is increasing rapidly in avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). This study investigated the distribution and genetic characteristics of 3GC- or 4 GC-resistant APEC isolates from five major integrated broiler operations in Korea. The prevalence of 3GC- or 4GC-resistant APEC isolates in 1-week-old broilers was the highest in farms of operation C (53.3%); however, the highest prevalence of these isolates in 4-week-old broilers was the highest on the farms of operation A (60.0%), followed by operations E (50.0%) and C (35.7%). All 49 3GC- or 4GC-resistant APEC isolates had at least one β-lactamase-encoding gene. The most common β-lactamase-encoding genes was extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene, bla CTX-M-15, detected in 24 isolates (49.0%), followed by bla TEM-1 (32.7%). Sixteen isolates (32.7%) harbored class 1 integrons, and four isolates (8.2%) showed different gene cassette-arrangements. However, only 1 of 26 isolates harboring class 2 integrons carried a gene cassette. Furthermore, both CRISPR 1 and 2 arrays were detected in most isolates (36 isolates; 73.5%), followed by CRISPR 2 (18.4%) and CRISPR 1 (4.1%). Interestingly, CRISPR 2 was significantly more prevalent in multidrug resistant (MDR)-APEC isolates than in non-MDR APEC isolates, whereas CRISPR 3 and 4 were significantly more prevalent in non-MDR APEC isolates (each 11.1%; p < 0.05). None of the protospacers of CRISPR arrays were directly associated with antimicrobial resistance. Our findings indicate that the distribution and characteristics of 3GC or 4GC-resistant APEC isolates differed among the integrated broiler operations; moreover, improved management protocols are needed to control the horizontal transmission of 3GC or 4GC-resistant APEC isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jung Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Suk-Kyung Lim
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea
| | - Young Ju Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abriouel H, Manetsberger J, Caballero Gómez N, Benomar N. In silico genomic analysis of the potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus pentosus CF2-10N reveals promising beneficial effects with health promoting properties. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:989824. [PMID: 36406402 PMCID: PMC9670130 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.989824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactiplantibacillus pentosus CF2-10 N, isolated from brines of naturally fermented Aloreña green table olives, exhibited high probiotic potential. High throughput sequencing and annotation of genome sequences underline the potential of L. pentosus CF2-10 N as excellent probiotic candidate of vegetable origin. In a previous study we could show the probiotic potential of CF2-10 N in vitro, while in this study in silico analysis of its genome revealed new insights into its safety and functionality. Our findings highlight the microorganism's ecological flexibility and adaptability to a broad range of environmental niches, food matrices and the gastrointestinal tract. These features are shared by both phylogenetically very close L. pentosus strains (CF2-10 N and MP-10) isolated from the same ecological niche with respect to their genome size (≅ 3.6 Mbp), the presence of plasmids (4-5) and several other properties. Nonetheless, additional and unique features are reported in the present study for L. pentosus CF2-10 N. Notably, the safety of L. pentosus CF2-10 N was shown by the absence of virulence determinants and the determination of acquired antibiotic resistance genes, i.e., resistome, which is mostly represented by efflux-pump resistance genes responsible for the intrinsic resistance. On the other hand, defense mechanisms of L. pentosus CF2-10 N include eight prophage regions and a CRISPR/cas system (CRISPR-I and CRISPR-II) as acquired immune system against mobile elements. Finally, the probiotic potential of this strain was further demonstrated by the presence of genes coding for proteins involved in adhesion, exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, tolerance to low pH and bile salts, immunomodulation, and vitamin and enzyme production. Taken together these results, we propose the use of L. pentosus CF2-10 N as a potential and promising probiotic candidate able to colonize several niches and adapt to different lifestyles. The strain can provide attractive functional and probiotic features necessary for its application as starter culture and probiotic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hikmate Abriouel
- Área de Microbiología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kushwaha SK, Narasimhan LP, Chithananthan C, Marathe SA. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas system: diversity and regulation in Enterobacteriaceae. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:1249-1267. [PMID: 36006039 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Insights into the arms race between bacteria and invading mobile genetic elements have revealed the intricacies of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system and the counter-defenses of bacteriophages. Incredible spacer diversity but significant spacer conservation among species/subspecies dictates the specificity of the CRISPR-Cas system. Researchers have exploited this feature to type/subtype the bacterial strains, devise targeted antimicrobials and regulate gene expression. This review focuses on the nuances of the CRISPR-Cas systems in Enterobacteriaceae that predominantly harbor type I-E and I-F CRISPR systems. We discuss the systems' regulation by the global regulators, H-NS, LeuO, LRP, cAMP receptor protein and other regulators in response to environmental stress. We further discuss the regulation of noncanonical functions like DNA repair pathways, biofilm formation, quorum sensing and virulence by the CRISPR-Cas system. The review comprehends multiple facets of the CRISPR-Cas system in Enterobacteriaceae including its diverse attributes, association with genetic features, regulation and gene regulatory mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simran K Kushwaha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Lakshmi P Narasimhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Chandrananthi Chithananthan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Sandhya A Marathe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Patra AK, Kwon YM, Yang Y. Complete gammaproteobacterial endosymbiont genome assembly from a seep tubeworm Lamellibrachia satsuma. J Microbiol 2022; 60:916-927. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-022-2057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
15
|
McKenzie RE, Keizer EM, Vink JNA, van Lopik J, Büke F, Kalkman V, Fleck C, Tans SJ, Brouns SJJ. Single cell variability of CRISPR-Cas interference and adaptation. Mol Syst Biol 2022; 18:e10680. [PMID: 35467080 PMCID: PMC10561596 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
While CRISPR-Cas defence mechanisms have been studied on a population level, their temporal dynamics and variability in individual cells have remained unknown. Using a microfluidic device, time-lapse microscopy and mathematical modelling, we studied invader clearance in Escherichia coli across multiple generations. We observed that CRISPR interference is fast with a narrow distribution of clearance times. In contrast, for invaders with escaping PAM mutations we found large cell-to-cell variability, which originates from primed CRISPR adaptation. Faster growth and cell division and higher levels of Cascade increase the chance of clearance by interference, while slower growth is associated with increased chances of clearance by priming. Our findings suggest that Cascade binding to the mutated invader DNA, rather than spacer integration, is the main source of priming heterogeneity. The highly stochastic nature of primed CRISPR adaptation implies that only subpopulations of bacteria are able to respond quickly to invading threats. We conjecture that CRISPR-Cas dynamics and heterogeneity at the cellular level are crucial to understanding the strategy of bacteria in their competition with other species and phages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E McKenzie
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
- AMOLFAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Emma M Keizer
- Biometris, Department of Mathematical and Statistical MethodsWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Jochem N A Vink
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Jasper van Lopik
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Ferhat Büke
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
- AMOLFAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Vera Kalkman
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Christian Fleck
- Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modeling (FDM)Spatial Systems Biology GroupUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Sander J Tans
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
- AMOLFAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Department of BionanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Kavli Institute of NanoscienceDelftThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kang HJ, Lee YJ. Distribution of CRISPR in Escherichia coli Isolated from Bulk Tank Milk and Its Potential Relationship with Virulence. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:503. [PMID: 35203211 PMCID: PMC8868466 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is one of the most common causes of mastitis on dairy farms around the world, but its clinical severity is determined by a combination of virulence factors. Recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) arrays have been reported as a novel typing method because of their usefulness in discriminating pathogenic bacterial isolates. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the virulence potential of E. coli isolated from bulk tank milk, not from mastitis, and to analyze its pathogenic characterization using the CRISPR typing method. In total, 164 (89.6%) out of 183 E. coli isolated from the bulk tank milk of 290 farms carried one or more of eighteen virulence genes. The most prevalent virulence gene was fimH (80.9%), followed by iss (38.3%), traT (26.8%), ompT (25.7%), afa/draBC (24.0%), and univcnf (21.9%). Moreover, the phylogenetic group with the highest prevalence was B1 (64.0%), followed by A (20.1%), D (8.5%), and C (7.3%) (p < 0.05). Among the four CRISPR loci, only two, CRISPR 1 and CRISPR 2, were found. Interestingly, the distribution of CRISPR 1 was significantly higher in groups A and B1 compared to that of CRISPR 2 (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in groups C and D. The prevalence of CRISPR 1 by virulence gene ranged from 91.8% to 100%, whereas that of CRISPR 2 ranged from 57.5% to 93.9%. The distribution of CRISPR 1 was significantly higher in fimH, ompT, afa/draBC, and univcnf genes than that of CRISPR 2 (p < 0.05). The most prevalent E. coli sequence types (EST) among 26 ESTs was EST 22 (45.1%), followed by EST 4 (23.2%), EST 16 (20.1%), EST 25 (19.5%), and EST 24 (18.3%). Interestingly, four genes, fimH, ompT, afa/draBC, and univcnf, had a significantly higher prevalence in both EST 4 and EST 22 (p < 0.05). Among the seven protospacers derived from CRISPR 1, protospacer 163 had the highest prevalence (20.4%), and it only existed in EST 4 and EST 22. This study suggests that the CRISPR sequence-typing approach can help to clarify and trace virulence potential, although the E. coli isolates were from normal bulk tank milk and not from mastitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Young-Ju Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Backes N, Phillips GJ. Repurposing CRISPR-Cas Systems as Genetic Tools for the Enterobacteriales. EcoSal Plus 2021; 9:eESP00062020. [PMID: 34125584 PMCID: PMC11163844 DOI: 10.1128/ecosalplus.esp-0006-2020] [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: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, the study of CRISPR-Cas systems has progressed from a newly discovered bacterial defense mechanism to a diverse suite of genetic tools that have been applied across all domains of life. While the initial applications of CRISPR-Cas technology fulfilled a need to more precisely edit eukaryotic genomes, creative "repurposing" of this adaptive immune system has led to new approaches for genetic analysis of microorganisms, including improved gene editing, conditional gene regulation, plasmid curing and manipulation, and other novel uses. The main objective of this review is to describe the development and current state-of-the-art use of CRISPR-Cas techniques specifically as it is applied to members of the Enterobacteriales. While many of the applications covered have been initially developed in Escherichia coli, we also highlight the potential, along with the limitations, of this technology for expanding the availability of genetic tools in less-well-characterized non-model species, including bacterial pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Backes
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Gregory J. Phillips
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Son B, Patterson-West J, Arroyo-Mendoza M, Ramachandran R, Iben J, Zhu J, Rao V, Dimitriadis E, Hinton D. A phage-encoded nucleoid associated protein compacts both host and phage DNA and derepresses H-NS silencing. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9229-9245. [PMID: 34365505 PMCID: PMC8450097 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoid Associated Proteins (NAPs) organize the bacterial chromosome within the nucleoid. The interaction of the NAP H-NS with DNA also represses specific host and xenogeneic genes. Previously, we showed that the bacteriophage T4 early protein MotB binds to DNA, co-purifies with H-NS/DNA, and improves phage fitness. Here we demonstrate using atomic force microscopy that MotB compacts the DNA with multiple MotB proteins at the center of the complex. These complexes differ from those observed with H-NS and other NAPs, but resemble those formed by the NAP-like proteins CbpA/Dps and yeast condensin. Fluorescent microscopy indicates that expression of motB in vivo, at levels like that during T4 infection, yields a significantly compacted nucleoid containing MotB and H-NS. motB overexpression dysregulates hundreds of host genes; ∼70% are within the hns regulon. In infected cells overexpressing motB, 33 T4 late genes are expressed early, and the T4 early gene repEB, involved in replication initiation, is up ∼5-fold. We postulate that MotB represents a phage-encoded NAP that aids infection in a previously unrecognized way. We speculate that MotB-induced compaction may generate more room for T4 replication/assembly and/or leads to beneficial global changes in host gene expression, including derepression of much of the hns regulon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bokyung Son
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Patterson-West
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Melissa Arroyo-Mendoza
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Revathy Ramachandran
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James R Iben
- Molecular Genomics Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Venigalla Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Emilios K Dimitriadis
- Trans-NIH Shared Resource on Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Deborah M Hinton
- Gene Expression and Regulation Section, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mendes RJ, Luz JP, Santos C, Tavares F. CRISPR genotyping as complementary tool for epidemiological surveillance of Erwinia amylovora outbreaks. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250280. [PMID: 33861806 PMCID: PMC8051791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fire blight is a destructive plant disease caused by Erwinia amylovora affecting pome fruit trees, and responsible for large yield declines, long phytosanitary confinements, and high economic losses. In Portugal, the first major fire blight outbreaks occurred in 2010 and 2011, and although later considered eradicated, the emergence of other outbreaks in recent years stressed the need to characterize the E. amylovora populations associated with these outbreaks. In this regard, CRISPR genotyping, assessment of three virulence markers, and semi-quantitative virulence bioassays, were carried out to determine the genotype, and assess the virulence of thirty-six E. amylovora isolates associated with outbreaks occurring between 2010 and 2017 and affecting apple and pear orchards located in the country central-west, known as the main producing region of pome fruits in Portugal. The data gathered reveal that 35 E. amylovora isolates belong to one of the widely-distributed CRISPR genotypes (5-24-38 / D-a-α) regardless the host species, year and region. Ea 680 was the single isolate revealing a new CRISPR genotype due to a novel CR2 spacer located closer to the leader sequence and therefore thought to be recently acquired. Regarding pathogenicity, although dot-blot hybridization assays showed the presence of key virulence factors, namely hrpL (T3SS), hrpN (T3E) and amsG from the amylovoran biosynthesis operon in all E. amylovora isolates studied, pathogenicity bioassays on immature pear slices allowed to distinguish four virulence levels, with most of the isolates revealing an intermediate to severe virulence phenotype. Regardless the clonal population structure of the E. amylovora associated to the outbreaks occurring in Portugal between 2010 and 2017, the different virulence phenotypes, suggests that E. amylovora may have been introduced at different instances into the country. This is the first study regarding E. amylovora in Portugal, and it discloses a novel CRISPR genotype for this bacterium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael J. Mendes
- Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CITAB—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- CIBIO–Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Associated Laboratory, University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - João Pedro Luz
- QRural, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, School of Agriculture, Castelo Branco, Portugal
| | - Conceição Santos
- Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Tavares
- Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIBIO–Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Associated Laboratory, University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Qin Z, Yang Y, Yu S, Liu L, Chen Y, Chen J, Zhou J. Repurposing the Endogenous Type I-E CRISPR/Cas System for Gene Repression in Gluconobacter oxydans WSH-003. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:84-93. [PMID: 33399467 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gluconobacter oxydans is well-known for its incomplete oxidizing capacity and has been widely applied in industrial production. However, genetic tools in G. oxydans are still scarce compared with model microorganisms, limiting its metabolic engineering. This study aimed to develop a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi) system based on the typical type I-E endogenous CRISPR/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) system in G. oxydans WSH-003. The nuclease Cas3 in this system was inactivated naturally and hence did not need to be knocked out. Subsequently, the CRISPRi effect was verified by repressing the expression of fluorescent proteins, revealing effective multiplex gene repression. Finally, the endogenous CRISPRi system was used to study the role of the central carbon metabolism pathway, including the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and Entner-Doudoroff pathway (EDP), in G. oxydans WSH-003. This was done to demonstrate a metabolic engineering application. The PPP was found to be important for cell growth and the substrate conversion rate. The development of the CRISPRi system enriched the gene regulation tools in G. oxydans and promoted the metabolic engineering modification of G. oxydans to improve its performance. In addition, it might have implications for metabolic engineering modification of other genetically recalcitrant strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Qin
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yutong Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Shiqin Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Li Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yue Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jian Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Histone-like Nucleoid-Structuring Protein (H-NS) Paralogue StpA Activates the Type I-E CRISPR-Cas System against Natural Transformation in Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00731-20. [PMID: 32385085 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00731-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Working mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas systems have been intensively studied. However, far less is known about how they are regulated. The histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein H-NS binds the promoter of cas genes (P cas ) and suppresses the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system in Escherichia coli Although the H-NS paralogue StpA also binds P cas , its role in regulating the CRISPR-Cas system remains unidentified. Our previous work established that E. coli is able to take up double-stranded DNA during natural transformation. Here, we investigated the function of StpA in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system against natural transformation of E. coli We first documented that although the activated type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, due to hns deletion, interfered with CRISPR-Cas-targeted plasmid transfer, stpA inactivation restored the level of natural transformation. Second, we showed that inactivating stpA reduced the transcriptional activity of P cas Third, by comparing transcriptional activities of the intact P cas and the P cas with a disrupted H-NS binding site in the hns and hns stpA null deletion mutants, we demonstrated that StpA activated transcription of cas genes by binding to the same site as H-NS in P cas Fourth, by expressing StpA with an arabinose-inducible promoter, we confirmed that StpA expressed at a low level stimulated the activity of P cas Finally, by quantifying the level of mature CRISPR RNA (crRNA), we demonstrated that StpA was able to promote the amount of crRNA. Taken together, our work establishes that StpA serves as a transcriptional activator in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system against natural transformation of E. coli IMPORTANCE StpA is normally considered a molecular backup of the nucleoid-structuring protein H-NS, which was reported as a transcriptional repressor of the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system in Escherichia coli However, the role of StpA in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system remains elusive. Our previous work uncovered a new route for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) entry during natural transformation of E. coli In this study, we show that StpA plays a role opposite to that of its paralogue H-NS in regulating the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system against natural transformation of E. coli Our work not only expands our knowledge on CRISPR-Cas-mediated adaptive immunity against extracellular nucleic acids but also sheds new light on understanding the complex regulation mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas system. Moreover, the finding that paralogues StpA and H-NS share a DNA binding site but play opposite roles in transcriptional regulation indicates that higher-order compaction of bacterial chromatin by histone-like proteins could switch prokaryotic transcriptional modes.
Collapse
|
22
|
Radovčić M, Čulo A, Ivančić-Baće I. Cas3-stimulated runaway replication of modified ColE1 plasmids in Escherichia coli is temperature dependent. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 366:5490330. [PMID: 31095294 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system constitutes an adaptive immunity system of prokaryotes against mobile genetic elements using a CRISPR RNA (crRNA)-mediated interference mechanism. In Type I CRISPR-Cas systems, crRNA guided by a Cascade complex recognises the matching target DNA and promotes an R-loop formation, RNA-DNA hybrid. The helicase-nuclease Cas3 protein is then recruited to the Cascade/R-loop complex where it nicks and degrades DNA. The Cas3 activity in CRISPR-Cas immunity is reduced in Δhns cells at 37°C for unknown reasons. Cas3 can also influence regulation of plasmid replication and promote uncontrolled ('runaway') replication of ColE1 plasmids independently of other CRISPR-Cas components, requiring only its helicase activity. In this work we wanted to test whether Cas3-stimulated uncontrolled plasmid replication is affected by the temperature in Δhns and/or ΔhtpG mutants. We found that Cas3-stimulated uncontrolled plasmid replication occurs only at 37°C, irrespective of the genotype of the analysed mutants, and dependent on Cas3 helicase function. We also found that plasmid replication was strongly reduced by the hns mutation at 30°C and that Cas3 could interfere with T4 phage replication at both incubation temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marin Radovčić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Čulo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Ivančić-Baće
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Müller-Esparza H, Osorio-Valeriano M, Steube N, Thanbichler M, Randau L. Bio-Layer Interferometry Analysis of the Target Binding Activity of CRISPR-Cas Effector Complexes. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:98. [PMID: 32528975 PMCID: PMC7266957 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems employ ribonucleoprotein complexes to identify nucleic acid targets with complementarity to bound CRISPR RNAs. Analyses of the high diversification of these effector complexes suggest that they can exhibit a wide spectrum of target requirements and binding affinities. Therefore, streamlined analysis techniques to study the interactions between nucleic acids and proteins are necessary to facilitate the characterization and comparison of CRISPR-Cas effector activities. Bio-layer Interferometry (BLI) is a technique that measures the interference pattern of white light that is reflected from a layer of biomolecules immobilized on the surface of a sensor tip (bio-layers) in real time and in solution. As streptavidin-coated sensors and biotinylated oligonucleotides are commercially available, this method enables straightforward measurements of the interaction of CRISPR-Cas complexes with different targets in a qualitative and quantitative fashion. Here, we present a general method to carry out binding assays with the Type I-Fv complex from Shewanella putrefaciens and the Type I-F complex from Shewanella baltica as model effectors. We report target specificities, dissociation constants and interactions with the Anti-CRISPR protein AcrF7 to highlight possible applications of this technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Osorio-Valeriano
- Department of Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Max Planck Fellow Group "Bacterial Cell Biology", Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Steube
- Department of Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin Thanbichler
- Department of Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Max Planck Fellow Group "Bacterial Cell Biology", Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
| | - Lennart Randau
- Department of Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mitić D, Radovčić M, Markulin D, Ivančić-Baće I. StpA represses CRISPR-Cas immunity in H-NS deficient Escherichia coli. Biochimie 2020; 174:136-143. [PMID: 32353388 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Functional CRISPR-Cas systems provide many bacteria and most archaea with adaptive immunity against invading DNA elements. CRISPR arrays store DNA fragments of previous infections while products of cas genes provide immunity by integrating new DNA fragments and using this information to recognize and destroy invading DNA. Escherichia coli contains the CRISPR-Cas type I-E system in which foreign DNA targets are recognized by Cascade, a crRNA-guided complex comprising five proteins (CasA, CasB, CasC, CasD, CasE), and degraded by Cas3. In E. coli the CRISPR-Cas type I-E system is repressed by the histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein H-NS. H-NS repression can be relieved either by inactivation of the hns gene or by elevated levels of the H-NS antagonist LeuO, which induces higher transcript levels of cas genes than was observed for Δhns cells. This suggests that derepression in Δhns cells is incomplete and that an additional repressor could be involved in the silencing. One such candidate is the H-NS paralog protein StpA, which has DNA binding preferences similar to those of H-NS. Here we show that overexpression of StpA in Δhns cells containing anti-lambda spacers abolishes resistance to λvir infection and reduces transcription of the casA gene. In cells lacking hns and stpA genes, the transcript levels of the casA gene are higher than Δhns and similar to wt cells overexpressing LeuO. Taken together, these results suggest that Cascade genes in E. coli are repressed by the StpA protein when H-NS is absent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damjan Mitić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marin Radovčić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Dora Markulin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ivana Ivančić-Baće
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Blankenship HM, Mosci RE, Phan Q, Fontana J, Rudrik JT, Manning SD. Genetic Diversity of Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Recovered From Patients in Michigan and Connecticut. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:529. [PMID: 32300338 PMCID: PMC7145412 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are important foodborne pathogens and non-O157 serotypes have been gradually increasing in frequency. The non-O157 STEC population is diverse and is often characterized using serotyping and/or multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Although spacers within clustered regularly interspaced repeat (CRISPR) regions were shown to comprise horizontally acquired DNA elements, this region does not actively acquire spacers in STEC. Hence, it is useful for further characterizing non-O157 STEC and examining relationships between strains. Our study goal was to evaluate the genetic relatedness of 41 clinical non-O157 isolates identified in Michigan between 2001 and 2005 while comparing to 114 isolates from Connecticut during an overlapping time period. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed, and sequences were extracted for serotyping, MLST and CRISPR analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of MLST and CRISPR data was performed using the Neighbor joining and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) algorithms, respectively. In all, 29 serogroups were identified; eight were unique to Michigan and 13 to Connecticut. “Big-six” serogroup frequencies were similar by state (Michigan: 73.2%, Connecticut: 81.6%), though STEC O121 was not found in Michigan. The distribution of sequence types (STs) and CRISPR profiles was also similar across states. Interestingly, big-six serogroups such as O103 and O26, grouped into different STs located on distinct branches of the phylogeny, further confirming that serotyping alone is not adequate for evaluating strain relatedness. Comparatively, the CRISPR analysis identified 361 unique spacers that grouped into 80 different CRISPR profiles. CRISPR spacers 231 and 317 were isolated from 79.2% (n = 118) and 59.1% (n = 88) of strains, respectively, regardless of serogroup and ST. Spacer profiles clustered according to the MLST analysis, though some discrepancies were noted. Indeed, use of both MLST and CRISPR typing enhanced the discriminatory power when compared to the use of each tool separately. These data highlight the genetic diversity of clinical STEC from different locations and show that CRISPR profiling can be used alongside MLST to discriminate related strains. Use of targeted sequencing approaches are particularly helpful for sites without WGS capabilities and can help define which strains require additional characterization using more discriminatory methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Blankenship
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Rebekah E Mosci
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Quyen Phan
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, United States
| | - John Fontana
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, United States
| | - James T Rudrik
- Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Shannon D Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Klompe SE, Vo PLH, Halpin-Healy TS, Sternberg SH. Transposon-encoded CRISPR-Cas systems direct RNA-guided DNA integration. Nature 2019; 571:219-225. [PMID: 31189177 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Conventional CRISPR-Cas systems maintain genomic integrity by leveraging guide RNAs for the nuclease-dependent degradation of mobile genetic elements, including plasmids and viruses. Here we describe a notable inversion of this paradigm, in which bacterial Tn7-like transposons have co-opted nuclease-deficient CRISPR-Cas systems to catalyse RNA-guided integration of mobile genetic elements into the genome. Programmable transposition of Vibrio cholerae Tn6677 in Escherichia coli requires CRISPR- and transposon-associated molecular machineries, including a co-complex between the DNA-targeting complex Cascade and the transposition protein TniQ. Integration of donor DNA occurs in one of two possible orientations at a fixed distance downstream of target DNA sequences, and can accommodate variable length genetic payloads. Deep-sequencing experiments reveal highly specific, genome-wide DNA insertion across dozens of unique target sites. This discovery of a fully programmable, RNA-guided integrase lays the foundation for genomic manipulations that obviate the requirements for double-strand breaks and homology-directed repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanne E Klompe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phuc L H Vo
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tyler S Halpin-Healy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuel H Sternberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|