1
|
Ng TL, Olson EJ, Yoo TY, Weiss HS, Koide Y, Koch PD, Rollins NJ, Mach P, Meisinger T, Bricken T, Chang TZ, Molloy C, Zürcher J, Chang RL, Mitchison TJ, Glass JI, Marks DS, Way JC, Silver PA. High-Content Screening and Computational Prediction Reveal Viral Genes That Suppress the Innate Immune Response. mSystems 2022; 7:e0146621. [PMID: 35319251 PMCID: PMC9040872 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01466-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppression of the host innate immune response is a critical aspect of viral replication. Upon infection, viruses may introduce one or more proteins that inhibit key immune pathways, such as the type I interferon pathway. However, the ability to predict and evaluate viral protein bioactivity on targeted pathways remains challenging and is typically done on a single-virus or -gene basis. Here, we present a medium-throughput high-content cell-based assay to reveal the immunosuppressive effects of viral proteins. To test the predictive power of our approach, we developed a library of 800 genes encoding known, predicted, and uncharacterized human virus genes. We found that previously known immune suppressors from numerous viral families such as Picornaviridae and Flaviviridae recorded positive responses. These include a number of viral proteases for which we further confirmed that innate immune suppression depends on protease activity. A class of predicted inhibitors encoded by Rhabdoviridae viruses was demonstrated to block nuclear transport, and several previously uncharacterized proteins from uncultivated viruses were shown to inhibit nuclear transport of the transcription factors NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). We propose that this pathway-based assay, together with early sequencing, gene synthesis, and viral infection studies, could partly serve as the basis for rapid in vitro characterization of novel viral proteins. IMPORTANCE Infectious diseases caused by viral pathogens exacerbate health care and economic burdens. Numerous viral biomolecules suppress the human innate immune system, enabling viruses to evade an immune response from the host. Despite our current understanding of viral replications and immune evasion, new viral proteins, including those encoded by uncultivated viruses or emerging viruses, are being unearthed at a rapid pace from large-scale sequencing and surveillance projects. The use of medium- and high-throughput functional assays to characterize immunosuppressive functions of viral proteins can advance our understanding of viral replication and possibly treatment of infections. In this study, we assembled a large viral-gene library from diverse viral families and developed a high-content assay to test for inhibition of innate immunity pathways. Our work expands the tools that can rapidly link sequence and protein function, representing a practical step toward early-stage evaluation of emerging and understudied viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tai L. Ng
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erika J. Olson
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tae Yeon Yoo
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - H. Sloane Weiss
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yukiye Koide
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter D. Koch
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathan J. Rollins
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pia Mach
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tobias Meisinger
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trenton Bricken
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy Z. Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Colin Molloy
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jérôme Zürcher
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger L. Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy J. Mitchison
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John I. Glass
- J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Debora S. Marks
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Way
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pamela A. Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Böhnke S, Perner M. Approaches to Unmask Functioning of the Uncultured Microbial Majority From Extreme Habitats on the Seafloor. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:845562. [PMID: 35422772 PMCID: PMC9002263 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.845562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers have recognized the potential of enzymes and metabolic pathways hidden among the unseen majority of Earth’s microorganisms for decades now. Most of the microbes expected to colonize the seafloor and its subsurface are currently uncultured. Thus, their ability and contribution to element cycling remain enigmatic. Given that the seafloor covers ∼70% of our planet, this amounts to an uncalled potential of unrecognized metabolic properties and interconnections catalyzed by this microbial dark matter. Consequently, a tremendous black box awaits discovery of novel enzymes, catalytic abilities, and metabolic properties in one of the largest habitats on Earth. This mini review summarizes the current knowledge of cultivation-dependent and -independent techniques applied to seafloor habitats to unravel the role of the microbial dark matter. It highlights the great potential that combining microbiological and biogeochemical data from in situ experiments with molecular tools has for providing a holistic understanding of bio-geo-coupling in seafloor habitats and uses hydrothermal vent systems as a case example.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Böhnke
- Geomicrobiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Mirjam Perner
- Geomicrobiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wakamatsu T, Mizobuchi S, Mori F, Futagami T, Terada T, Morono Y. Construction of Aerobic/Anaerobic-Substrate-Induced Gene Expression Procedure for Exploration of Metagenomes From Subseafloor Sediments. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:726024. [PMID: 35095779 PMCID: PMC8793675 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.726024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Substrate-induced gene expression (SIGEX) is a high-throughput promoter-trap method. It is a function-based metagenomic screening tool that relies on transcriptional activation of a reporter gene green fluorescence protein (gfp) by a metagenomic DNA library upon induction with a substrate. However, its use is limited because of the relatively small size of metagenomic DNA libraries and incompatibility with screening metagenomes from anaerobic environments. In this study, these limitations of SIGEX were addressed by fine-tuning metagenome DNA library construction protocol and by using Evoglow, a green fluorescent protein that forms a chromophore even under anaerobic conditions. Two metagenomic libraries were constructed for subseafloor sediments offshore Shimokita Peninsula (Pacific Ocean) and offshore Joetsu (Japan Sea). The library construction protocol was improved by (a) eliminating short DNA fragments, (b) applying topoisomerase-based high-efficiency ligation, (c) optimizing insert DNA concentration, and (d) column-based DNA enrichment. This led to a successful construction of metagenome DNA libraries of approximately 6 Gbp for both samples. SIGEX screening using five aromatic compounds (benzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-hydroxybenzoate, phenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions revealed significant differences in the inducible clone ratios under these conditions. 3-Chlorobenzoate and 2,4-dichlorophenol led to a higher induction ratio than that for the other non-chlorinated aromatic compounds under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. After the further screening of induced clones, a clone induced by 3-chlorobenzoate only under anaerobic conditions was isolated and characterized. The clone harbors a DNA insert that encodes putative open reading frames of unknown function. Previous aerobic SIGEX attempts succeeded in the isolation of gene fragments from anaerobes. This study demonstrated that some gene fragments require a strict in vivo reducing environment to function and may be potentially missed when screened by aerobic induction. The newly developed anaerobic SIGEX scheme will facilitate functional exploration of metagenomes from the anaerobic biosphere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Wakamatsu
- Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Saki Mizobuchi
- Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Mori
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Smaple Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Taiki Futagami
- Education and Research Center for Fermentation Studies, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Morono
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Smaple Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Kōchi, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yuki Morono,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kimbrel JA, Jeffrey BM, Ward CS. Prokaryotic Genome Annotation. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2349:193-214. [PMID: 34718997 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1585-0_10] [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] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the high-throughput and relatively low cost of short-read sequencing technologies have revolutionized prokaryotic genomics. This has led to an exponential increase in the number of bacterial and archaeal genome sequences available, as well as corresponding increase of genome assembly and annotation tools developed. Together, these hardware and software technologies have given scientists unprecedented options to study their chosen microbial systems without the need for large teams of bioinformaticists or supercomputing facilities. While these analysis tools largely fall into only a few categories, each may have different requirements, caveats and file formats, and some may be rarely updated or even abandoned. And so, despite the apparent ease in sequencing and analyzing a prokaryotic genome, it is no wonder that the budding genomicist may quickly find oneself overwhelmed. Here, we aim to provide the reader with an overview of genome annotation and its most important considerations, as well as an easy-to-follow protocol to get started with annotating a prokaryotic genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Kimbrel
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
| | - Brendan M Jeffrey
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MA, USA
| | - Christopher S Ward
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Manual Annotation Studio (MAS): a collaborative platform for manual functional annotation of viral and microbial genomes. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:733. [PMID: 34627149 PMCID: PMC8501643 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08029-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Functional genome annotation is the process of labelling functional genomic regions with descriptive information. Manual curation can produce higher quality genome annotations than fully automated methods. Manual annotation efforts are time-consuming and complex; however, software can help reduce these drawbacks. Results We created Manual Annotation Studio (MAS) to improve the efficiency of the process of manual functional annotation prokaryotic and viral genomes. MAS allows users to upload unannotated genomes, provides an interface to edit and upload annotations, tracks annotation history and progress, and saves data to a relational database. MAS provides users with pertinent information through a simple point and click interface to execute and visualize results for multiple homology search tools (blastp, rpsblast, and HHsearch) against multiple databases (Swiss-Prot, nr, CDD, PDB, and an internally generated database). MAS was designed to accept connections over the local area network (LAN) of a lab or organization so multiple users can access it simultaneously. MAS can take advantage of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters by interfacing with SGE or SLURM and data can be exported from MAS in a variety of formats (FASTA, GenBank, GFF, and excel). Conclusions MAS streamlines and provides structure to manual functional annotation projects. MAS enhances the ability of users to generate, interpret, and compare results from multiple tools. The structure that MAS provides can improve project organization and reduce annotation errors. MAS is ideal for team-based annotation projects because it facilitates collaboration. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08029-8.
Collapse
|
6
|
Avican K, Aldahdooh J, Togninalli M, Mahmud AKMF, Tang J, Borgwardt KM, Rhen M, Fällman M. RNA atlas of human bacterial pathogens uncovers stress dynamics linked to infection. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3282. [PMID: 34078900 PMCID: PMC8172932 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23588-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial processes necessary for adaption to stressful host environments are potential targets for new antimicrobials. Here, we report large-scale transcriptomic analyses of 32 human bacterial pathogens grown under 11 stress conditions mimicking human host environments. The potential relevance of the in vitro stress conditions and responses is supported by comparisons with available in vivo transcriptomes of clinically important pathogens. Calculation of a probability score enables comparative cross-microbial analyses of the stress responses, revealing common and unique regulatory responses to different stresses, as well as overlapping processes participating in different stress responses. We identify conserved and species-specific 'universal stress responders', that is, genes showing altered expression in multiple stress conditions. Non-coding RNAs are involved in a substantial proportion of the responses. The data are collected in a freely available, interactive online resource (PATHOgenex).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kemal Avican
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jehad Aldahdooh
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matteo Togninalli
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - A K M Firoj Mahmud
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jing Tang
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karsten M Borgwardt
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mikael Rhen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Fällman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Judd JA, Canestrari J, Clark R, Joseph A, Lapierre P, Lasek-Nesselquist E, Mir M, Palumbo M, Smith C, Stone M, Upadhyay A, Wirth SE, Dedrick RM, Meier CG, Russell DA, Dills A, Dove E, Kester J, Wolf ID, Zhu J, Rubin ER, Fortune S, Hatfull GF, Gray TA, Wade JT, Derbyshire KM. A Mycobacterial Systems Resource for the Research Community. mBio 2021; 12:e02401-20. [PMID: 33653882 PMCID: PMC8092266 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02401-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional characterization of bacterial proteins lags far behind the identification of new protein families. This is especially true for bacterial species that are more difficult to grow and genetically manipulate than model systems such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis To facilitate functional characterization of mycobacterial proteins, we have established a Mycobacterial Systems Resource (MSR) using the model organism Mycobacterium smegmatis This resource focuses specifically on 1,153 highly conserved core genes that are common to many mycobacterial species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in order to provide the most relevant information and resources for the mycobacterial research community. The MSR includes both biological and bioinformatic resources. The biological resource includes (i) an expression plasmid library of 1,116 genes fused to a fluorescent protein for determining protein localization; (ii) a library of 569 precise deletions of nonessential genes; and (iii) a set of 843 CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) plasmids specifically targeted to silence expression of essential core genes and genes for which a precise deletion was not obtained. The bioinformatic resource includes information about individual genes and a detailed assessment of protein localization. We anticipate that integration of these initial functional analyses and the availability of the biological resource will facilitate studies of these core proteins in many Mycobacterium species, including the less experimentally tractable pathogens M. abscessus, M. avium, M. kansasii, M. leprae, M. marinum, M. tuberculosis, and M. ulceransIMPORTANCE Diseases caused by mycobacterial species result in millions of deaths per year globally, and present a substantial health and economic burden, especially in immunocompromised patients. Difficulties inherent in working with mycobacterial pathogens have hampered the development and application of high-throughput genetics that can inform genome annotations and subsequent functional assays. To facilitate mycobacterial research, we have created a biological and bioinformatic resource (https://msrdb.org/) using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model organism. The resource focuses specifically on 1,153 proteins that are highly conserved across the mycobacterial genus and, therefore, likely perform conserved mycobacterial core functions. Thus, functional insights from the MSR will apply to all mycobacterial species. We believe that the availability of this mycobacterial systems resource will accelerate research throughout the mycobacterial research community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Judd
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - J Canestrari
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - R Clark
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - A Joseph
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - P Lapierre
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - E Lasek-Nesselquist
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - M Mir
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - M Palumbo
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - C Smith
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - M Stone
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - A Upadhyay
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - S E Wirth
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - R M Dedrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - C G Meier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - D A Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - A Dills
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - E Dove
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J Kester
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - I D Wolf
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J Zhu
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - E R Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - S Fortune
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - G F Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - T A Gray
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - J T Wade
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - K M Derbyshire
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alzhanova D, Corcoran K, Bailey AG, Long K, Taft-Benz S, Graham RL, Broussard GS, Heise M, Neumann G, Halfmann P, Kawaoka Y, Baric RS, Damania B, Dittmer DP. Novel modulators of p53-signaling encoded by unknown genes of emerging viruses. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009033. [PMID: 33411764 PMCID: PMC7790267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p53 transcription factor plays a key role both in cancer and in the cell-intrinsic response to infections. The ORFEOME project hypothesized that novel p53-virus interactions reside in hitherto uncharacterized, unknown, or hypothetical open reading frames (orfs) of human viruses. Hence, 172 orfs of unknown function from the emerging viruses SARS-Coronavirus, MERS-Coronavirus, influenza, Ebola, Zika (ZIKV), Chikungunya and Kaposi Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) were de novo synthesized, validated and tested in a functional screen of p53 signaling. This screen revealed novel mechanisms of p53 virus interactions and two viral proteins KSHV orf10 and ZIKV NS2A binding to p53. Originally identified as the target of small DNA tumor viruses, these experiments reinforce the notion that all viruses, including RNA viruses, interfere with p53 functions. These results validate this resource for analogous systems biology approaches to identify functional properties of uncharacterized viral proteins, long non-coding RNAs and micro RNAs. New viruses are constantly emerging. The ORFEOME project was based on the hypothesis that every virus, regardless of its molecular makeup and biology should encode functions that intersect the p53 signaling network, since p53 guards the cell from genomic insults, of which depositing a foreign, viral nucleic acid is one. The result of the ORFEOME screen of proteins without any known function, of predicted open reading frames and of suspected non-coding RNAs is the identification of two viral proteins that interact with p53. The first one, orf10, is encoded by Kaposi Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and the second one, NS2A, is encoded by the Zika virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dina Alzhanova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Corcoran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Aubrey G. Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kristin Long
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sharon Taft-Benz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rachel L. Graham
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Grant S. Broussard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mark Heise
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gabriele Neumann
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Peter Halfmann
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Blossom Damania
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dirk P. Dittmer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Berg G, Rybakova D, Fischer D, Cernava T, Vergès MCC, Charles T, Chen X, Cocolin L, Eversole K, Corral GH, Kazou M, Kinkel L, Lange L, Lima N, Loy A, Macklin JA, Maguin E, Mauchline T, McClure R, Mitter B, Ryan M, Sarand I, Smidt H, Schelkle B, Roume H, Kiran GS, Selvin J, Souza RSCD, van Overbeek L, Singh BK, Wagner M, Walsh A, Sessitsch A, Schloter M. Microbiome definition re-visited: old concepts and new challenges. MICROBIOME 2020; 8:103. [PMID: 32605663 PMCID: PMC7329523 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00875-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 689] [Impact Index Per Article: 172.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The field of microbiome research has evolved rapidly over the past few decades and has become a topic of great scientific and public interest. As a result of this rapid growth in interest covering different fields, we are lacking a clear commonly agreed definition of the term "microbiome." Moreover, a consensus on best practices in microbiome research is missing. Recently, a panel of international experts discussed the current gaps in the frame of the European-funded MicrobiomeSupport project. The meeting brought together about 40 leaders from diverse microbiome areas, while more than a hundred experts from all over the world took part in an online survey accompanying the workshop. This article excerpts the outcomes of the workshop and the corresponding online survey embedded in a short historical introduction and future outlook. We propose a definition of microbiome based on the compact, clear, and comprehensive description of the term provided by Whipps et al. in 1988, amended with a set of novel recommendations considering the latest technological developments and research findings. We clearly separate the terms microbiome and microbiota and provide a comprehensive discussion considering the composition of microbiota, the heterogeneity and dynamics of microbiomes in time and space, the stability and resilience of microbial networks, the definition of core microbiomes, and functionally relevant keystone species as well as co-evolutionary principles of microbe-host and inter-species interactions within the microbiome. These broad definitions together with the suggested unifying concepts will help to improve standardization of microbiome studies in the future, and could be the starting point for an integrated assessment of data resulting in a more rapid transfer of knowledge from basic science into practice. Furthermore, microbiome standards are important for solving new challenges associated with anthropogenic-driven changes in the field of planetary health, for which the understanding of microbiomes might play a key role. Video Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Berg
- Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
| | - Daria Rybakova
- Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Tomislav Cernava
- Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Trevor Charles
- Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Metagenom Bio, 550 Parkside Drive, Unit A9, Waterloo, ON, N2L 5 V4, Canada
| | - Xiaoyulong Chen
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Luca Cocolin
- European Food Information Council, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kellye Eversole
- International Alliance for Phytobiomes Research, Summit, Lee, MO, 's, USA
| | | | - Maria Kazou
- Laboratory of Dairy Research, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Linda Kinkel
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Lene Lange
- BioEconomy, Research, & Advisory, Valby, Denmark
| | - Nelson Lima
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Alexander Loy
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Emmanuelle Maguin
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Tim Mauchline
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Ryan McClure
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Birgit Mitter
- Bioresources Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Tulln, Austria
| | | | - Inga Sarand
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - G Seghal Kiran
- Dept of Food Science and Technology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Joseph Selvin
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Rafael Soares Correa de Souza
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Leo van Overbeek
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Brajesh K Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Wagner
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aaron Walsh
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Angela Sessitsch
- Bioresources Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Tulln, Austria
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wakamatsu T, Morono Y, Futagami T, Terada T, Nishikawa S, Morisawa T, Ohshita K, Inagaki F, Ashiuchi M. Metal-ion-induced expression of gene fragments from subseafloor micro-organisms in the Kumano forearc basin, Nankai Trough. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 125:1396-1407. [PMID: 30080957 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Using substrate-induced gene-expression (SIGEX) screening on subseafloor sediment samples from the Nankai Trough, Japan, we identified gene fragments showing an induction response to metal ions. METHODS AND RESULTS Environmental DNA libraries in Escherichia coli host cells were tested by the addition of metal ions (Ni2+ , Co2+ , Ga3+ or Mo6+ ), followed by cell sorting of clones exhibiting green fluorescence upon co-expression of green fluorescence protein downstream of the inserted gene fragments. One clone displayed Ni2+ -specific induction, three clones displayed Ga3+ -specific induction and three clones displayed an induction response to multiple metal ions. DNA sequence analysis showed that a variety of genes showed induction responses in the screened clones. CONCLUSIONS Using the SIGEX approach, we retrieved gene fragments with no previously identified response to metal ions that exhibited metal-ion-induced expression. This method has the potential to promote exploration of gene function through gene-induction response. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY We successfully linked gene-induction response with sequence information for gene fragments of previously unknown function. The SIGEX-based approach exhibited the potential to identify genetic function in unknown gene pools from the deep subseafloor biosphere, as well as novel genetic components for future biotechnological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Wakamatsu
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Y Morono
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kochi, Japan.,Geobiotechnology Group, Research and Development Center for Submarine Resources, JAMSTEC, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - T Futagami
- Education and Research Center for Fermentation Studies, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - T Terada
- Marine Works Japan Ltd, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - S Nishikawa
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - T Morisawa
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - K Ohshita
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - F Inagaki
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kochi, Japan.,Geobiotechnology Group, Research and Development Center for Submarine Resources, JAMSTEC, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research and Development Center for Ocean Drilling Science, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - M Ashiuchi
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Herrou J, Czyż DM, Fiebig A, Willett JW, Kim Y, Wu R, Babnigg G, Crosson S. Molecular control of gene expression by Brucella BaaR, an IclR-type transcriptional repressor. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:7437-7456. [PMID: 29567835 PMCID: PMC5949995 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The general stress response sigma factor σE1 directly and indirectly regulates the transcription of dozens of genes that influence stress survival and host infection in the zoonotic pathogen Brucella abortus Characterizing the functions of σE1-regulated genes therefore would contribute to our understanding of B. abortus physiology and infection biology. σE1 indirectly activates transcription of the IclR family regulator Bab2_0215, but the function of this regulator remains undefined. Here, we present a structural and functional characterization of Bab2_0215, which we have named B rucella adipic acid-activated regulator (BaaR). We found that BaaR adopts a classic IclR-family fold and directly represses the transcription of two operons with predicted roles in carboxylic acid oxidation. BaaR binds two sites on chromosome II between baaR and a divergently transcribed hydratase/dehydrogenase (acaD2), and it represses transcription of both genes. We identified three carboxylic acids (adipic acid, tetradecanedioic acid, and ϵ-aminocaproic acid) and a lactone (ϵ-caprolactone) that enhance transcription from the baaR and acaD2 promoters. However, neither the activating acids nor caprolactone enhanced transcription by binding directly to BaaR. Induction of baaR transcription by adipic acid required the gene bab2_0213, which encodes a major facilitator superfamily transporter, suggesting that Bab2_0213 transports adipic acid across the inner membrane. We conclude that a suite of structurally related organic molecules activate transcription of genes repressed by BaaR. Our study provides molecular-level understanding of a gene expression program in B. abortus that is downstream of σE1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Herrou
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago, Illinois 60637; Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, University of Chicago, Argonne, Illinois 60439
| | - Daniel M Czyż
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago, Illinois 60637; Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, University of Chicago, Argonne, Illinois 60439
| | - Aretha Fiebig
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, University of Chicago, Argonne, Illinois 60439
| | - Jonathan W Willett
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago, Illinois 60637; Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, University of Chicago, Argonne, Illinois 60439
| | | | - Ruiying Wu
- Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439
| | | | - Sean Crosson
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago, Illinois 60637; Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, University of Chicago, Argonne, Illinois 60439; Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Le Breton Y, Belew AT, Freiberg JA, Sundar GS, Islam E, Lieberman J, Shirtliff ME, Tettelin H, El-Sayed NM, McIver KS. Genome-wide discovery of novel M1T1 group A streptococcal determinants important for fitness and virulence during soft-tissue infection. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006584. [PMID: 28832676 PMCID: PMC5584981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Group A Streptococcus remains a significant human pathogen causing a wide array of disease ranging from self-limiting to life-threatening invasive infections. Epithelium (skin or throat) colonization with progression to the subepithelial tissues is the common step in all GAS infections. Here, we used transposon-sequencing (Tn-seq) to define the GAS 5448 genetic requirements for in vivo fitness in subepithelial tissue. A near-saturation transposon library of the M1T1 GAS 5448 strain was injected subcutaneously into mice, producing suppurative inflammation at 24 h that progressed to prominent abscesses with tissue necrosis at 48 h. The library composition was monitored en masse by Tn-seq and ratios of mutant abundance comparing the output (12, 24 and 48 h) versus input (T0) mutant pools were calculated for each gene. We identified a total of 273 subcutaneous fitness (scf) genes with 147 genes (55 of unknown function) critical for the M1T1 GAS 5448 fitness in vivo; and 126 genes (53 of unknown function) potentially linked to in vivo fitness advantage. Selected scf genes were validated in competitive subcutaneous infection with parental 5448. Two uncharacterized genes, scfA and scfB, encoding putative membrane-associated proteins and conserved among Gram-positive pathogens, were further characterized. Defined scfAB mutants in GAS were outcompeted by wild type 5448 in vivo, attenuated for lesion formation in the soft tissue infection model and dissemination to the bloodstream. We hypothesize that scfAB play an integral role in enhancing adaptation and fitness of GAS during localized skin infection, and potentially in propagation to other deeper host environments. The WHO ranks the Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in the top 10 leading causes of morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases worldwide. GAS is a strict human pathogen causing both benign superficial infections as well as life-threatening invasive diseases. All GAS infections begin by colonization of an epithelium (throat or skin) followed by propagation into subepithelial tissues. The genetic requirements for M1T1 GAS 5448 within this niche were interrogated by in vivo transposon sequencing (Tn-seq), identifying 273 subcutaneous fitness (scf) genes with 108 of those previously of “unknown function”. Two yet uncharacterized genes, scfA and scfB, were shown to be critical during GAS 5448 soft tissue infection and dissemination into the bloodstream. Thus, this study improves the functional annotation of the GAS genome, providing new insights into GAS pathophysiology and enhancing the development of novel GAS therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoann Le Breton
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YLB); (KSM)
| | - Ashton T. Belew
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Freiberg
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ganesh S. Sundar
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Emrul Islam
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joshua Lieberman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mark E. Shirtliff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Najib M. El-Sayed
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin S. McIver
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YLB); (KSM)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
While dispensable for viral replication, coronavirus (CoV) accessory open reading frame (ORF) proteins often play critical roles during infection and pathogenesis. Utilizing a previously generated mutant, we demonstrate that the absence of all four Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) accessory ORFs (deletion of ORF3, -4a, -4b, and -5 [dORF3-5]) has major implications for viral replication and pathogenesis. Importantly, attenuation of the dORF3-5 mutant is primarily driven by dysregulated host responses, including disrupted cell processes, augmented interferon (IFN) pathway activation, and robust inflammation. In vitro replication attenuation also extends to in vivo models, allowing use of dORF3-5 as a live attenuated vaccine platform. Finally, examination of ORF5 implicates a partial role in modulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Together, the results demonstrate the importance of MERS-CoV accessory ORFs for pathogenesis and highlight them as potential targets for surveillance and therapeutic treatments moving forward. The initial emergence and periodic outbreaks of MERS-CoV highlight a continuing threat posed by zoonotic pathogens to global public health. In these studies, mutant virus generation demonstrates the necessity of accessory ORFs in regard to MERS-CoV infection and pathogenesis. With this in mind, accessory ORF functions can be targeted for both therapeutic and vaccine treatments in response to MERS-CoV and related group 2C coronaviruses. In addition, disruption of accessory ORFs in parallel may offer a rapid response platform to attenuation of future emergent strains based on both SARS- and MERS-CoV accessory ORF mutants.
Collapse
|