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Lariviere PJ, Ashraf AHMZ, Navarro-Escalante L, Leonard SP, Miller LG, Moran NA, Barrick JE. One-step genome engineering in bee gut bacterial symbionts. mBio 2024:e0139224. [PMID: 39105596 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01392-24] [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: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic understanding of interactions in many host-microbe systems, including the honey bee microbiome, is limited by a lack of easy-to-use genome engineering approaches. To this end, we demonstrate a one-step genome engineering approach for making gene deletions and insertions in the chromosomes of honey bee gut bacterial symbionts. Electroporation of linear or non-replicating plasmid DNA containing an antibiotic resistance cassette flanked by regions with homology to a symbiont genome reliably results in chromosomal integration. This lightweight approach does not require expressing any exogenous recombination machinery. The high concentrations of large DNAs with long homology regions needed to make the process efficient can be readily produced using modern DNA synthesis and assembly methods. We use this approach to knock out genes, including genes involved in biofilm formation, and insert fluorescent protein genes into the chromosome of the betaproteobacterial bee gut symbiont Snodgrassella alvi. We are also able to engineer the genomes of multiple strains of S. alvi and another species, Snodgrassella communis, which is found in the bumble bee gut microbiome. Finally, we use the same method to engineer the chromosome of another bee symbiont, Bartonella apis, which is an alphaproteobacterium. As expected, gene knockout in S. alvi using this approach is recA-dependent, suggesting that this straightforward procedure can be applied to other microbes that lack convenient genome engineering methods. IMPORTANCE Honey bees are ecologically and economically important crop pollinators with bacterial gut symbionts that influence their health. Microbiome-based strategies for studying or improving bee health have utilized wild-type or plasmid-engineered bacteria. We demonstrate that a straightforward, single-step method can be used to insert cassettes and replace genes in the chromosomes of multiple bee gut bacteria. This method can be used for investigating the mechanisms of host-microbe interactions in the bee gut community and stably engineering symbionts that benefit pollinator health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Lariviere
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - A H M Zuberi Ashraf
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sean P Leonard
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Laurel G Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Barrick
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Lautenschläger N, Schmidt K, Schiffer C, Wulff TF, Hahnke K, Finstermeier K, Mansour M, Elsholz AKW, Charpentier E. Expanding the genetic toolbox for the obligate human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1395659. [PMID: 38911550 PMCID: PMC11190166 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1395659] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic tools form the basis for the study of molecular mechanisms. Despite many recent advances in the field of genetic engineering in bacteria, genetic toolsets remain scarce for non-model organisms, such as the obligatory human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. To overcome this limitation and enable the straightforward investigation of gene functions in S. pyogenes, we have developed a comprehensive genetic toolset. By adapting and combining different tools previously applied in other Gram-positive bacteria, we have created new replicative and integrative plasmids for gene expression and genetic manipulation, constitutive and inducible promoters as well as fluorescence reporters for S. pyogenes. The new replicative plasmids feature low- and high-copy replicons combined with different resistance cassettes and a standardized multiple cloning site for rapid cloning procedures. We designed site-specific integrative plasmids and verified their integration by nanopore sequencing. To minimize the effect of plasmid integration on bacterial physiology, we screened publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets for transcriptionally silent sites. We validated this approach by designing the integrative plasmid pSpy0K6 targeting the transcriptionally silent gene SPy_1078. Analysis of the activity of different constitutive promoters indicated a wide variety of strengths, with the lactococcal promoter P 23 showing the strongest activity and the synthetic promoter P xylS2 showing the weakest activity. Further, we assessed the functionality of three inducible regulatory elements including a zinc- and an IPTG-inducible promoter as well as an erythromycin-inducible riboswitch that showed low-to-no background expression and high inducibility. Additionally, we demonstrated the applicability of two codon-optimized fluorescent proteins, mNeongreen and mKate2, as reporters in S. pyogenes. We therefore adapted the chemically defined medium called RPMI4Spy that showed reduced autofluorescence and enabled efficient signal detection in plate reader assays and fluorescence microscopy. Finally, we developed a plasmid-based system for genome engineering in S. pyogenes featuring the counterselection marker pheS*, which enabled the scarless deletion of the sagB gene. This new toolbox simplifies previously laborious genetic manipulation procedures and lays the foundation for new methodologies to study gene functions in S. pyogenes, leading to a better understanding of its virulence mechanisms and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katja Schmidt
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Thomas F. Wulff
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Hahnke
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Moïse Mansour
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Fulurija A, Cunningham MW, Korotkova N, Masterson MY, Bansal GP, Baker MG, Cannon JW, Carapetis JR, Steer AC. Research opportunities for the primordial prevention of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease-streptococcal vaccine development: a national heart, lung and blood institute workshop report. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013534. [PMID: 38164699 PMCID: PMC10729269 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013534] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus (StrepA), is a bacterium that causes a range of human diseases, including pharyngitis, impetigo, invasive infections, and post-infection immune sequelae such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. StrepA infections cause some of the highest burden of disease and death in mostly young populations in low-resource settings. Despite decades of effort, there is still no licensed StrepA vaccine, which if developed, could be a cost-effective way to reduce the incidence of disease. Several challenges, including technical and regulatory hurdles, safety concerns and a lack of investment have hindered StrepA vaccine development. Barriers to developing a StrepA vaccine must be overcome in the future by prioritising key areas of research including greater understanding of StrepA immunobiology and autoimmunity risk, better animal models that mimic human disease, expanding the StrepA vaccine pipeline and supporting vaccine clinical trials. The development of a StrepA vaccine is a complex and challenging process that requires significant resources and investment. Given the global burden of StrepA infections and the potential for a vaccine to save lives and livelihoods, StrepA vaccine development is an area of research that deserves considerable support. This report summarises the findings of the Primordial Prevention Working Group-VAX, which was convened in November 2021 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The focus of this report is to identify research gaps within the current StrepA vaccine landscape and find opportunities and develop priorities to promote the rapid and successful advancement of StrepA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Fulurija
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Madeleine W Cunningham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Natalia Korotkova
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Mary Y Masterson
- Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science (CTRIS), National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Geetha P Bansal
- John E Fogarty International Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael G Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jeffrey W Cannon
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard University T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan R Carapetis
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Infection, Immunity and Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Donders G, Greenhouse P, Donders F, Engel U, Paavonen J, Mendling W. Genital Tract GAS Infection ISIDOG Guidelines. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10092043. [PMID: 34068785 PMCID: PMC8126195 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10092043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been an increasing worldwide incidence of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease in pregnancy and in the puerperal period over the past 30 years. Postpartum Group A streptococci infection, and in particular streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and necrotizing fasciitis, can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Despite antibiotics and supportive therapy, and in some cases advanced extensive surgery, mortality associated with invasive group A streptococcal postpartum endometritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome remains high, up to 40% of postpartum septic deaths. It now accounts for more than 75,000 deaths worldwide every year. Postpartum women have a 20-fold increased incidence of GAS disease compared to non-pregnant women. Despite the high incidence, many invasive GAS infections are not diagnosed in a timely manner, resulting in potentially preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. In this paper the specific characteristics of GAS infection in the field of Ob/Gyn are brought to our attention, resulting in guidelines to improve our awareness, early recognition and timely treatment of the disease. New European prevalence data of vaginal GAS colonization are presented, alongside two original case histories. Additionally, aerobic vaginitis is proposed as a supplementary risk factor for invasive GAS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Donders
- Femicare, Clinical Research for Women, 3300 Tienen, Belgium;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Regional Hospital H Hart, 3300 Tienen, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-38-214413
| | | | | | - Ulrike Engel
- Department of Ob/Gyn Maternité, Centre Hospitalier, 1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Jorma Paavonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, 00260 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Werner Mendling
- German Centre for Infections in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, St. Anna Hospital, 42109 Wuppertal, Germany;
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Lannes-Costa PS, de Oliveira JSS, da Silva Santos G, Nagao PE. A current review of pathogenicity determinants of Streptococcus sp. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:1600-1620. [PMID: 33772968 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The genus Streptococcus comprises important pathogens, many of them are part of the human or animal microbiota. Advances in molecular genetics, taxonomic approaches and phylogenomic studies have led to the establishment of at least 100 species that have a severe impact on human health and are responsible for substantial economic losses to agriculture. The infectivity of the pathogens is linked to cell-surface components and/or secreted virulence factors. Bacteria have evolved sophisticated and multifaceted adaptation strategies to the host environment, including biofilm formation, survival within professional phagocytes, escape the host immune response, amongst others. This review focuses on virulence mechanism and zoonotic potential of Streptococcus species from pyogenic (S. agalactiae, S. pyogenes) and mitis groups (S. pneumoniae).
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Lannes-Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - J S S de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G da Silva Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P E Nagao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Antibody Modified Gold Electrode as an Impedimetric Biosensor for the Detection of Streptococcus pyogenes. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20185324. [PMID: 32957594 PMCID: PMC7570824 DOI: 10.3390/s20185324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a known cause of a wide spectrum of diseases, from mild and acute to severe invasive infections. This paper concerns the development of a novel impedimetric biosensor for the detection of the mentioned human pathogen. The proposed biosensor is a gold disk electrode modified with commercially available antibodies attached to the surface of the electrode by carbodiimide chemistry. The conducted tests confirmed the specificity of the antibodies used, which was also demonstrated by the results obtained during the detection of S. pyogenes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The developed sensor successfully detected the presence of S. pyogenes in the sample and the detection limit was calculated as 9.3 cfu/mL. The results obtained show a wide linear range for verified concentrations of this pathogen in a sample from 4.2 × 102 to 4.2 × 106 cfu/mL. Furthermore, the optimal experimentally determined time required to perform pathogen detection in the sample was estimated as 3 min, and the test did not lead to the degradation of the sample.
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