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He J, Yang Z, Wang M, Jia R, Chen S, Liu M, Zhao X, Yang Q, Wu Y, Zhang S, Huang J, Ou X, Sun D, Tian B, He Y, Wu Z, Cheng A, Zhu D. Integrative and conjugative elements of Pasteurella multocida: Prevalence and signatures in population evolution. Virulence 2024; 15:2359467. [PMID: 38808732 PMCID: PMC11141479 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2359467] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a bacterial pathogen responsible for a range of infections in humans and various animal hosts, causing significant economic losses in farming. Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are important horizontal gene transfer elements, potentially enabling host bacteria to enhance adaptability by acquiring multiple functional genes. However, the understanding of ICEs in P. multocida and their impact on the transmission of this pathogen remains limited. In this study, 42 poultry-sourced P. multocida genomes obtained by high-throughput sequencing together with 393 publicly available P. multocida genomes were used to analyse the horizontal transfer of ICEs. Eighty-two ICEs were identified in P. multocida, including SXT/R391 and Tn916 subtypes, as well as three subtypes of ICEHin1056 family, with the latter being widely prevalent in P. multocida and carrying multiple resistance genes. The correlations between insertion sequences and resistant genes in ICEs were also identified, and some ICEs introduced the carbapenem gene blaOXA-2 and the bleomycin gene bleO to P. multocida. Phylogenetic and collinearity analyses of these bioinformatics found that ICEs in P. multocida were transmitted vertically and horizontally and have evolved with host specialization. These findings provide insight into the transmission and evolution mode of ICEs in P. multocida and highlight the importance of understanding these elements for controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao He
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhishuang Yang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xumin Ou
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Di Sun
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Tian
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu He
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sicence and Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- International Joint Research Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Liu S, Yang X, Li R, Wang S, Han Z, Yang M, Zhang Y. IS6 family insertion sequences promote optrA dissemination between plasmids varying in transfer abilities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:132. [PMID: 38229329 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Plasmids are the primary vectors for intercellular transfer of the oxazolidinone and phenicol cross-resistance gene optrA, while insertion sequences (ISs) are mobile genetic elements that can mobilize plasmid-borne optrA intracellularly. However, little is known about how the IS-mediated intracellular mobility facilitates the dissemination of the optrA gene between plasmid categories that vary in transfer abilities, including non-mobilizable, mobilizable, and conjugative plasmids. Here, we performed a holistic genomic study of 52 optrA-carrying plasmids obtained from searches guided by the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database. Among the 132 ISs identified within 10 kbp from the optrA gene in the plasmids, IS6 family genes were the most prevalent (86/132). Homologous gene arrays containing IS6 family genes were shared between different plasmids, especially between mobilizable and conjugative plasmids. All these indicated the central role of IS6 family genes in disseminating plasmid-borne optrA. Thirty-three of the 52 plasmids were harbored by Enterococcus faecalis found mainly in humans and animals. By Nanopore sequencing and inverse PCR, the potential of the enterococcal optrA to be transmitted from a mobilizable plasmid to a conjugative plasmid mediated by IS6 family genes was further confirmed in Enterococcus faecalis strains recovered from the effluents of anaerobic digestion systems for treating chicken manure. Our findings highlight the increased intercellular transfer abilities and dissemination risk of plasmid-borne optrA gene caused by IS-mediated intracellular mobility, and underscore the importance of routinely monitoring the dynamic genetic contexts of clinically important antibiotic resistance genes to effectively control this critical public health threat. KEY POINTS: • IS6 was prevalent in optrA-plasmids varying in intercellular transfer abilities. • Enterococcal optrA-plasmids were widespread among human, animal, and the environment. • IS6 elevated the dissemination risk of enterococcal optrA-plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ruichao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaolin Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ziming Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Min Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Jung JM, Rahman A, Schiffer AM, Weisberg AJ. Beav: a bacterial genome and mobile element annotation pipeline. mSphere 2024; 9:e0020924. [PMID: 39037262 PMCID: PMC11351099 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00209-24] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive and accurate genome annotation is crucial for inferring the predicted functions of an organism. Numerous tools exist to annotate genes, gene clusters, mobile genetic elements, and other diverse features. However, these tools and pipelines can be difficult to install and run, be specialized for a particular element or feature, or lack annotations for larger elements that provide important genomic context. Integrating results across analyses is also important for understanding gene function. To address these challenges, we present the Beav annotation pipeline. Beav is a command-line tool that automates the annotation of bacterial genome sequences, mobile genetic elements, molecular systems and gene clusters, key regulatory features, and other elements. Beav uses existing tools in addition to custom models, scripts, and databases to annotate diverse elements, systems, and sequence features. Custom databases for plant-associated microbes are incorporated to improve annotation of key virulence and symbiosis genes in agriculturally important pathogens and mutualists. Beav includes an optional Agrobacterium-specific pipeline that identifies and classifies oncogenic plasmids and annotates plasmid-specific features. Following the completion of all analyses, annotations are consolidated to produce a single comprehensive output. Finally, Beav generates publication-quality genome and plasmid maps. Beav is on Bioconda and is available for download at https://github.com/weisberglab/beav. IMPORTANCE Annotation of genome features, such as the presence of genes and their predicted function, or larger loci encoding secretion systems or biosynthetic gene clusters, is necessary for understanding the functions encoded by an organism. Genomes can also host diverse mobile genetic elements, such as integrative and conjugative elements and/or phages, that are often not annotated by existing pipelines. These elements can horizontally mobilize genes encoding for virulence, antimicrobial resistance, or other adaptive functions and alter the phenotype of an organism. We developed a software pipeline, called Beav, that combines new and existing tools for the comprehensive annotation of these and other major features. Existing pipelines often misannotate loci important for virulence or mutualism in plant-associated bacteria. Beav includes custom databases and optional workflows for the improved annotation of plant-associated bacteria. Beav is designed to be easy to install and run, making comprehensive genome annotation broadly available to the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jewell M. Jung
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Arafat Rahman
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Andrea M. Schiffer
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Alexandra J. Weisberg
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Kukreti A, Kotasthane AS, Tandon AL, Nekkanti A, Prasannakumar MK, Devanna P, Aravindaram K, Sreedevi K, Sushil SN, Manjunatha C. Hybrid de novo whole genome assembly of lipopeptide producing novel Bacillus thuringiensis strain NBAIR BtAr exhibiting antagonistic activity against Sclerotium rolfsii. Microb Pathog 2024:106867. [PMID: 39168357 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106867] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner is recognized as a predominant bioinsecticide but its antifungal potential has been relatively underexplored. A novel B. thuringiensis strain NBAIR BtAr was isolated and morphologically characterized using light and scanning electron microscopy, revealing presence of bipyramidal, cuboidal, and spherical parasporal crystals. The crude form of lipopeptides was extracted from NBAIR BtAr and assessed for its antagonistic activity in vitro, and demonstrated 100% inhibition of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 50 μL of the crude lipopeptide extract per mL of potato dextrose agar. To identify the antagonistic genes responsible, we performed whole genome sequencing of NBAIR BtAr, revealing the presence of circular chromosome of 5,379,913 bp and 175,362 bp plasmid with 36.06% guanine-cytosine content and 5814 protein-coding sequences. Average nucleotide identity and whole genome phylogenetic analysis delineated the NBAIR BtAr strain as konkukian serovar. Gene ontology analysis revealed associations of 1474, 1323, and 1833 genes with biological processes, molecular function, and cellular components, respectively. Antibiotics & secondary metabolite analysis shell analysis of the whole genome yielded secondary metabolites biosynthetic gene clusters with 100%, 85%, 40%, and 35% similarity for petrobactin, bacillibactin, fengycin, and paenilamicin, respectively. Also, novel biosynthetic gene clusters, along with antimicrobial genes, including zwittermicin A, chitinase, and phenazines, were identified. Moreover, the presence of eight bacteriophage sequences, 18 genomic islands, insertion sequences, and one CRISPR region indicated prior occurrences of genetic exchange and thus improved competitive fitness of the strain. Overall, the whole genome sequence of NBAIR BtAr is presented, with its taxonomic classification and critical genetic attributes that contribute to its strong antagonistic activity against S. rolfsii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Kukreti
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 492 012; ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560 024
| | - Anil Sudhakar Kotasthane
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 492 012
| | - Ashwarya Lalit Tandon
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 492 012
| | - Aarthi Nekkanti
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 492 012; ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560 024
| | | | - Pramesh Devanna
- Agricultural Research Station, Gangavathi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur- 583 227
| | - Kandan Aravindaram
- ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560 024
| | - Kolla Sreedevi
- ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560 024
| | - Satya Nand Sushil
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 492 012
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Wu X, Alibayov B, Xiang X, Lattar SM, Sakai F, Medders AA, Antezana BS, Keller LE, Vidal AGJ, Tzeng YL, Robinson DA, Stephens DS, Yu Y, Vidal JE. Ultrastructural, metabolic and genetic characteristics of determinants facilitating the acquisition of macrolide resistance by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 77:101138. [PMID: 39167981 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2024.101138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the molecular events associated with acquiring macrolide resistance genes [mefE/mel (Mega) or ermB] in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) during nasopharyngeal colonization. METHODS AND RESULTS Genomic analysis of 128 macrolide-resistant Spn isolates revealed recombination events in genes of the conjugation apparatus, or the competence system, in strains carrying Tn916-related elements. Studies using confocal and electron microscopy demonstrated that during the transfer of Tn916-related elements in nasopharyngeal cell biofilms, pneumococcal strains formed clusters facilitating their acquisition of resistance determinants at a high recombination frequency (rF). Remarkably, these aggregates comprise both encapsulated and nonencapsulated pneumococci that span extracellular and intracellular compartments. rF assessments showed similar rates regardless Mega was associated with large integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) (>23 kb) or not (∼5.4 kb). The rF for Mega Class IV(c) insertion region (∼53 kb) was three orders of magnitude higher than the transformation of the capsule locus. Metabolomics studies of the microenvironment created by colonization of human nasopharyngeal cells revealed a link between the acquisition of ICEs and the pathways involving nicotinic acid and sucrose. CONCLUSIONS Pneumococcal clusters, both extracellular and intracellular, facilitate macrolide resistance acquisition, and ICEs were acquired at a higher frequency than the capsule locus. Metabolic changes could serve as intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China; Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Babek Alibayov
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - Xi Xiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China
| | - Santiago M Lattar
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Fuminori Sakai
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Austin A Medders
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - Brenda S Antezana
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Graduate Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Lance E Keller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States; Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - Ana G J Vidal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - Yih-Ling Tzeng
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Graduate Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - D Ashley Robinson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States; Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - David S Stephens
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Graduate Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China; Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310052, China.
| | - Jorge E Vidal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States; Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States.
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van der Els S, Boekhorst J, Bron PA, Kleerebezem M. The lactococcal ICE-ome encodes a repertoire of exchangeable traits with potential industrial relevance. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:734. [PMID: 39080539 PMCID: PMC11288074 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10646-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Dairy industries apply selected lactococcal strains and mixed cultures to produce diverse fermented products with distinctive flavor and texture properties. Innovation of the starter culture functionality in cheese applications embraces natural biodiversity of the Lactococcus species to identify novel strains with alternative flavor or texture forming capacities and/or increased processing robustness and phage resistance. Mobile genetic elements (MGE), like integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) play an important role in shaping the biodiversity of bacteria. Besides the genes involved in the conjugation of ICEs from donor to recipient strains, these elements also harbor cargo genes that encode a wide range of functions. The definition of such cargo genes can only be achieved by accurate identification of the ICE boundaries (delimiting). Here, we delimited 25 ICEs in lactococcal genome sequences with low contig numbers using insertion-sites flanking single-copy core-genome genes as markers for each of the distinct ICE-integrases we identified previously within the conserved ICE-core genes. For ICEs in strains for which genome information with large numbers of contigs is available, we exemplify that CRISPR-Cas9 driven ICE-curing, followed by resequencing, allows accurate delimitation and cargo definition of ICEs. Finally, we compare and contrast the cargo gene repertoire of the 26 delimited lactococcal ICEs, identifying high plasticity among the cargo of lactococccal ICEs and a range of encoded functions that is of apparent industrial interest, including restriction modification, abortive infection, and stress adaptation genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon van der Els
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, Wageningen, 6708 WD, The Netherlands
- NIZO B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, Ede, 6718 ZB, The Netherlands
- BE-Basic Foundation, Mijnbouwstraat 120, Delft, 2628 RX, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Boekhorst
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, Wageningen, 6708 WD, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Bron
- NIZO B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, Ede, 6718 ZB, The Netherlands
- BE-Basic Foundation, Mijnbouwstraat 120, Delft, 2628 RX, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel Kleerebezem
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, Wageningen, 6708 WD, The Netherlands.
- BE-Basic Foundation, Mijnbouwstraat 120, Delft, 2628 RX, The Netherlands.
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7
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Deschner D, Voordouw MJ, Fernando C, Campbell J, Waldner CL, Hill JE. Identification of genetic markers of resistance to macrolide class antibiotics in Mannheimia haemolytica isolates from a Saskatchewan feedlot. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0050224. [PMID: 38864630 PMCID: PMC11267883 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00502-24] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mannheimia haemolytica is a major contributor to bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which causes substantial economic losses to the beef industry, and there is an urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tests to provide evidence for treatment decisions and support antimicrobial stewardship. Diagnostic sequencing can provide information about antimicrobial resistance genes in M. haemolytica more rapidly than conventional diagnostics. Realizing the full potential of diagnostic sequencing requires a comprehensive understanding of the genetic markers of antimicrobial resistance. We identified genetic markers of resistance in M. haemolytica to macrolide class antibiotics commonly used for control of BRD. Genome sequences were determined for 99 M. haemolytica isolates with six different susceptibility phenotypes collected over 2 years from a feedlot in Saskatchewan, Canada. Known macrolide resistance genes estT, msr(E), and mph(E) were identified in most resistant isolates within predicted integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). ICE sequences lacking antibiotic resistance genes were detected in 10 of 47 susceptible isolates. No resistance-associated polymorphisms were detected in ribosomal RNA genes, although previously unreported mutations in the L22 and L23 ribosomal proteins were identified in 12 and 27 resistant isolates, respectively. Pangenome analysis led to the identification of 79 genes associated with resistance to gamithromycin, of which 95% (75 of 79) had no functional annotation. Most of the observed phenotypic resistance was explained by previously identified antibiotic resistance genes, although resistance to the macrolides gamithromycin and tulathromycin was not explained in 39 of 47 isolates, demonstrating the need for continued surveillance for novel determinants of macrolide resistance.IMPORTANCEBovine respiratory disease is the costliest disease of beef cattle in North America and the most common reason for injectable antibiotic use in beef cattle. Metagenomic sequencing offers the potential to make economically significant reductions in turnaround time for diagnostic information for evidence-based selection of antibiotics for use in the feedlot. The success of diagnostic sequencing depends on a comprehensive catalog of antimicrobial resistance genes and other genome features associated with reduced susceptibility. We analyzed the genome sequences of isolates of Mannheimia haemolytica, a major bovine respiratory disease pathogen, and identified both previously known and novel genes associated with reduced susceptibility to macrolide class antimicrobials. These findings reinforce the need for ongoing surveillance for markers of antimicrobial resistance to support improved diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darien Deschner
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Maarten J. Voordouw
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Champika Fernando
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - John Campbell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Cheryl L. Waldner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Janet E. Hill
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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8
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Tatarenkov A, Muñoz-Gutiérrez I, Vargas I, Behnsen J, Mota-Bravo L. Pangenome Analysis Reveals Novel Contact-Dependent Growth Inhibition System and Phenazine Biosynthesis Operons in Proteus mirabilis BL95 That Are Located in An Integrative and Conjugative Element. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1321. [PMID: 39065090 PMCID: PMC11278526 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071321] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a leading cause of urinary tract infections and a common commensal of the gastrointestinal tract. Our recent study (JB) showed that P. mirabilis strain BL95 employs a novel contact-dependent killing system against enteric bacteria in the mouse gut and in vitro. To uncover the genetic determinants of this system, we performed whole-genome sequencing of BL95 and compared it with 98 complete genomes of P. mirabilis. BL95 carries 56 coding sequences (CDSs) not found in other P. mirabilis. Over half of these unique genes are located on a novel integrative conjugative element (ICE) named ICEPm2, inserted in tRNA-Phe and exclusive to BL95. ICEPm2 has integration, conjugation, and DNA replication modules nearly identical to ICEPm1 (common in P. mirabilis), but ICEPm2 of BL95 carries two unique operons for P. mirabilis-a phenazine biosynthesis and a contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) system. ICEPm2 is absent in the P. mirabilis (AR_0156) closest to BL95 and it is present in the genomes of several Escherichia coli from mouse intestines, indicating its recent horizontal mobilization. BL95 shares over 100 genes of five different secretion systems with other P. mirabilis, mostly poorly studied, making a large pool of candidate genes for the contact-dependent growth inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Tatarenkov
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (A.T.); (I.M.-G.); (I.V.)
| | - Iván Muñoz-Gutiérrez
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (A.T.); (I.M.-G.); (I.V.)
| | - Isabel Vargas
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (A.T.); (I.M.-G.); (I.V.)
| | - Judith Behnsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Luis Mota-Bravo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (A.T.); (I.M.-G.); (I.V.)
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9
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Hussain H, Nubgan A, Rodríguez C, Imwattana K, Knight DR, Parthala V, Mullany P, Goh S. Removal of mobile genetic elements from the genome of Clostridioides difficile and the implications for the organism's biology. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1416665. [PMID: 38966395 PMCID: PMC11222575 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1416665] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is an emerging pathogen of One Health significance. Its highly variable genome contains mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as transposons and prophages that influence its biology. Systematic deletion of each genetic element is required to determine their precise role in C. difficile biology and contribution to the wider mobilome. Here, Tn5397 (21 kb) and ϕ027 (56 kb) were deleted from C. difficile 630 and R20291, respectively, using allele replacement facilitated by CRISPR-Cas9. The 630 Tn5397 deletant transferred PaLoc at the same frequency (1 × 10-7) as 630 harboring Tn5397, indicating that Tn5397 alone did not mediate conjugative transfer of PaLoc. The R20291 ϕ027 deletant was sensitive to ϕ027 infection, and contained two unexpected features, a 2.7 kb remnant of the mutagenesis plasmid, and a putative catalase gene adjacent to the deleted prophage was also deleted. Growth kinetics of R20291 ϕ027 deletant was similar to wild type (WT) in rich medium but marginally reduced compared with WT in minimal medium. This work indicates the commonly used pMTL8000 plasmid series works well for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene deletion, resulting in the largest deleted locus (56.8 kb) described in C. difficile. Removal of MGEs was achieved by targeting conjugative/integrative regions to promote excision and permanent loss. The deletants created will be useful strains for investigating Tn5397 or ϕ027 prophage contribution to host virulence, fitness, and physiology, and a platform for other mutagenesis studies aimed at functional gene analysis without native transposon or phage interference in C. difficile 630 and R20291.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitham Hussain
- Department of Microbial Diseases, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amer Nubgan
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - César Rodríguez
- Facultad de Microbiología and Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Korakrit Imwattana
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
| | - Daniel R. Knight
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Valerija Parthala
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Mullany
- Department of Microbial Diseases, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shan Goh
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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10
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Wang Q, Dong K, Liu X, Li W, Bian Q. Genetic characteristics of chromosomally integrated carbapenemase gene (bla NDM-1) in isolates of Proteus mirabilis. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:216. [PMID: 38890647 PMCID: PMC11186132 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03365-7] [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: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to conduct an in-depth genomic analysis of a carbapenem-resistant Proteus mirabilis strain to uncover the distribution and mechanisms of its resistance genes. METHODS The research primarily utilized whole-genome sequencing to analyze the genome of the Proteus mirabilis strain. Additionally, antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted to evaluate the strain's sensitivity to various antibiotics, and related case information was collected to analyze the clinical distribution characteristics of the resistant strain. RESULTS Study on bacterial strain WF3430 from a tetanus and pneumonia patient reveals resistance to multiple antibiotics due to extensive use. Whole-genome sequencing exposes a 4,045,480 bp chromosome carrying 29 antibiotic resistance genes. Two multidrug-resistant (MDR) gene regions, resembling Tn6577 and Tn6589, were identified (MDR Region 1: 64.83 Kb, MDR Region 2: 85.64 Kbp). These regions, consist of integrative and conjugative elements (ICE) structures, highlight the intricate multidrug resistance in clinical settings. CONCLUSION This study found that a CR-PMI strain exhibits a unique mechanism for acquiring antimicrobial resistance genes, such as blaNDM-1, located on the chromosome instead of plasmids. According to the results, there is increasing complexity in the mechanisms of horizontal transmission of resistance, necessitating a comprehensive understanding and implementation of targeted control measures in both hospital and community settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Kai Dong
- Department of Emergency, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Xudong Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Wanxiang Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Qianyu Bian
- Department of Hematology, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China.
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11
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Beamud B, Benz F, Bikard D. Going viral: The role of mobile genetic elements in bacterial immunity. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:804-819. [PMID: 38870898 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages and other mobile genetic elements (MGEs) pose a significant threat to bacteria, subjecting them to constant attacks. In response, bacteria have evolved a sophisticated immune system that employs diverse defensive strategies and mechanisms. Remarkably, a growing body of evidence suggests that most of these defenses are encoded by MGEs themselves. This realization challenges our traditional understanding of bacterial immunity and raises intriguing questions about the evolutionary forces at play. Our review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest findings on the main families of MGEs and the defense systems they encode. We also highlight how a vast diversity of defense systems remains to be discovered and their mechanism of mobility understood. Altogether, the composition and distribution of defense systems in bacterial genomes only makes sense in the light of the ecological and evolutionary interactions of a complex network of MGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Beamud
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Synthetic Biology, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Fabienne Benz
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Synthetic Biology, 75015 Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, 75015 Paris, France
| | - David Bikard
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Synthetic Biology, 75015 Paris, France.
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12
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Gluck-Thaler E, Vogan A. Systematic identification of cargo-mobilizing genetic elements reveals new dimensions of eukaryotic diversity. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5496-5513. [PMID: 38686785 PMCID: PMC11162782 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae327] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cargo-mobilizing mobile elements (CMEs) are genetic entities that faithfully transpose diverse protein coding sequences. Although common in bacteria, we know little about eukaryotic CMEs because no appropriate tools exist for their annotation. For example, Starships are giant fungal CMEs whose functions are largely unknown because they require time-intensive manual curation. To address this knowledge gap, we developed starfish, a computational workflow for high-throughput eukaryotic CME annotation. We applied starfish to 2 899 genomes of 1 649 fungal species and found that starfish recovers known Starships with 95% combined precision and recall while expanding the number of annotated elements ten-fold. Extant Starship diversity is partitioned into 11 families that differ in their enrichment patterns across fungal classes. Starship cargo changes rapidly such that elements from the same family differ substantially in their functional repertoires, which are predicted to contribute to diverse biological processes such as metabolism. Many elements have convergently evolved to insert into 5S rDNA and AT-rich sequence while others integrate into random locations, revealing both specialist and generalist strategies for persistence. Our work establishes a framework for advancing mobile element biology and provides the means to investigate an emerging dimension of eukaryotic genetic diversity, that of genomes within genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile Gluck-Thaler
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Aaron A Vogan
- Systematic Biology, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 752 36, Sweden
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13
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Elsen S, Simon V, Attrée I. Cross-regulation and cross-talk of conserved and accessory two-component regulatory systems orchestrate Pseudomonas copper resistance. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011325. [PMID: 38861577 PMCID: PMC11195947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011325] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use diverse strategies and molecular machinery to maintain copper homeostasis and to cope with its toxic effects. Some genetic elements providing copper resistance are acquired by horizontal gene transfer; however, little is known about how they are controlled and integrated into the central regulatory network. Here, we studied two copper-responsive systems in a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas paraeruginosa and deciphered the regulatory and cross-regulation mechanisms. To do so, we combined mutagenesis, transcriptional fusion analyses and copper sensitivity phenotypes. Our results showed that the accessory CusRS two-component system (TCS) responds to copper and activates both its own expression and that of the adjacent nine-gene operon (the pcoA2 operon) to provide resistance to elevated levels of extracellular copper. The same locus was also found to be regulated by two core-genome-encoded TCSs-the copper-responsive CopRS and the zinc-responsive CzcRS. Although the target palindromic sequence-ATTCATnnATGTAAT-is the same for the three response regulators, transcriptional outcomes differ. Thus, depending on the operon/regulator pair, binding can result in different activation levels (from none to high), with the systems demonstrating considerable plasticity. Unexpectedly, although the classical CusRS and the noncanonical CopRS TCSs rely on distinct signaling mechanisms (kinase-based vs. phosphatase-based), we discovered cross-talk in the absence of the cognate sensory kinases. This cross-talk occurred between the proteins of these two otherwise independent systems. The cusRS-pcoA2 locus is part of an Integrative and Conjugative Element and was found in other Pseudomonas strains where its expression could provide copper resistance under appropriate conditions. The results presented here illustrate how acquired genetic elements can become part of endogenous regulatory networks, providing a physiological advantage. They also highlight the potential for broader effects of accessory regulatory proteins through interference with core regulatory proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Elsen
- University Grenoble Alpes, Institute of Structural Biology, UMR5075, Team Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, Grenoble, France
| | - Victor Simon
- University Grenoble Alpes, Institute of Structural Biology, UMR5075, Team Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, Grenoble, France
| | - Ina Attrée
- University Grenoble Alpes, Institute of Structural Biology, UMR5075, Team Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, Grenoble, France
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14
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He J, Lu X, Yuan C, Zheng Y, Chen F, Luo J, Ma K, Yang F, Wang P, Zhou D, Wang L, Yin Z. Genetic Characteristics of Novel Inc pSE5381-aadB Plasmids, Integrative and Mobilizable Elements, and Integrative and Conjugative Elements in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:2053-2068. [PMID: 38813527 PMCID: PMC11135338 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s462670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common causative bacteria in nosocomial infections. This study aims to describe the structure and evolutionary characteristics of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from P. aeruginosa and to conduct bioinformatics and comparative genomic analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the genetic characteristics and diversity of MGEs in P. aeruginosa. Methods Fifteen clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from China were collected and sequenced in this study, and 15 novel MGEs were identified. Together with four MGEs from GenBank, a total of 19 MGEs were used to perform detailed modular structure dissection and sequence comparison. Then, the biological experiments were carried out to verify the biological characteristics of these isolates and MEGs. Results The novel MGEs identified in this study displayed diversification in modular structures, which showed complex mosaic natures. The seven types of 19 MGEs included in this study were divided into three groups: i) novel MGEs (firstly identified in this study): four IncpSE5381-aadB plasmids and three Tn7495-related integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs); ii) newly defined MGEs (firstly designated in this study, but with previously determined sequences): four Tn7665-related IMEs; iii) novel transposons with reference prototypes identified in this study: two Tn6417-related integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), two IS-based transposition units, two Tn501-related unit transposons, two Tn1403-related unit transposons. At least 36 ARGs involved in resistance to 11 different classes of antimicrobials and heavy metals were identified. Additionally, three novel blaOXA variants were identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that these variants were resistant to some β-lactamase antibiotics and blaOXA-1204 was additionally resistant to cephalosporins. Conclusion The continuous evolution of ARG-carrying MGEs during transmission, leading to the emergence of novel MGEs or ARGs, which facilitates the spread of antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa and enhances the diversity of transmission modes of bacterial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenchen Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yali Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fangzhou Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kejiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, 475000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhe Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, People’s Republic of China
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15
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Lamichhane J, Choi BI, Stegman N, Fontes Noronha M, Wolfe AJ. Macrolide Resistance in the Aerococcus urinae Complex: Implications for Integrative and Conjugative Elements. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:433. [PMID: 38786161 PMCID: PMC11117264 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050433] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The recognition of the Aerococcus urinae complex (AUC) as an emerging uropathogen has led to growing concerns due to a limited understanding of its disease spectrum and antibiotic resistance profiles. Here, we investigated the prevalence of macrolide resistance within urinary AUC isolates, shedding light on potential genetic mechanisms. Phenotypic testing revealed a high rate of macrolide resistance: 45%, among a total of 189 urinary AUC isolates. Genomic analysis identified integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) as carriers of the macrolide resistance gene ermA, suggesting horizontal gene transfer as a mechanism of resistance. Furthermore, comparison with publicly available genomes of related pathogens revealed high ICE sequence homogeneity, highlighting the potential for cross-species dissemination of resistance determinants. Understanding mechanisms of resistance is crucial for developing effective surveillance strategies and improving antibiotic use. Furthermore, the findings underscore the importance of considering the broader ecological context of resistance dissemination, emphasizing the need for community-level surveillance to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance within the urinary microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Lamichhane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA (M.F.N.)
| | - Brian I. Choi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA (M.F.N.)
| | - Natalie Stegman
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA;
| | - Melline Fontes Noronha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA (M.F.N.)
| | - Alan J. Wolfe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA (M.F.N.)
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16
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Urbanowicz P, Izdebski R, Biedrzycka M, Gniadkowski M. VIM-type metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-encoding genomic islands in Pseudomonas spp. in Poland: predominance of clc-like integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:1030-1037. [PMID: 38488311 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae068] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize VIM-type metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-encoding genomic islands (GIs) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and P. putida group isolates from Polish hospitals from 2001-2015/16. METHODS Twelve P. aeruginosa and 20 P. putida group isolates producing VIM-like MBLs were selected from a large collection of these based on epidemiological and typing data. The organisms represented all major epidemic genotypes of these species spread in Poland with chromosomally located blaVIM gene-carrying integrons. The previously determined short-read sequences were complemented by long-read sequencing in this study. The comparative structural analysis of the GIs used a variety of bioinformatic tools. RESULTS Thirty different GIs with blaVIM integrons were identified in the 32 isolates, of which 24 GIs from 26 isolates were integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) of the clc family. These in turn were dominated by 21 variants of the GI2/ICE6441 subfamily with a total of 19 VIM integrons, each inserted in the same position within the ICE's Tn21-like transposon Tn4380. The three other ICEs formed a novel ICE6705 subfamily, lacking Tn4380 and having different VIM integrons located in another site of the elements. The remaining six non-ICE GIs represented miscellaneous structures. The presence of various integrons in the same ICE sublineage, and of the same integron in different GIs, indicated circulation and recombination of the integron-carrying genetic platforms across Pseudomonas species/genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Despite the general diversity of the blaVIM-carrying GIs in Pseudomonas spp. in Poland, a clear predominance of broadly spread and rapidly evolving clc-type ICEs was documented, confirming their significant role in antimicrobial resistance epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Urbanowicz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, Warsaw 00-725, Poland
| | - R Izdebski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, Warsaw 00-725, Poland
| | - M Biedrzycka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, Warsaw 00-725, Poland
| | - M Gniadkowski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, Warsaw 00-725, Poland
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Dec M, Zomer A, Webster J, Nowak T, Stępień-Pyśniak D, Urban-Chmiel R. Integrative and Conjugative Elements and Prophage DNA as Carriers of Resistance Genes in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Strains from Domestic Geese in Poland. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4638. [PMID: 38731857 PMCID: PMC11083093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094638] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Goose erysipelas is a serious problem in waterfowl breeding in Poland. However, knowledge of the characteristics of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains causing this disease is limited. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility and serotypes of four E. rhusiopathiae strains from domestic geese were determined, and their whole-genome sequences (WGSs) were analyzed to detect resistance genes, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), and prophage DNA. Sequence type and the presence of resistance genes and transposons were compared with 363 publicly available E. rhusiopathiae strains, as well as 13 strains of other Erysipelothrix species. Four strains tested represented serotypes 2 and 5 and the MLST groups ST 4, 32, 242, and 243. Their assembled circular genomes ranged from 1.8 to 1.9 kb with a GC content of 36-37%; a small plasmid was detected in strain 1023. Strains 1023 and 267 were multidrug-resistant. The resistance genes detected in the genome of strain 1023 were erm47, tetM, and lsaE-lnuB-ant(6)-Ia-spw cluster, while strain 267 contained the tetM and ermB genes. Mutations in the gyrA gene were detected in both strains. The tetM gene was embedded in a Tn916-like transposon, which in strain 1023, together with the other resistance genes, was located on a large integrative and conjugative-like element of 130 kb designated as ICEEr1023. A minor integrative element of 74 kb was identified in strain 1012 (ICEEr1012). This work contributes to knowledge about the characteristics of E. rhusiopathiae bacteria and, for the first time, reveals the occurrence of erm47 and ermB resistance genes in strains of this species. Phage infection appears to be responsible for the introduction of the ermB gene into the genome of strain 267, while ICEs most likely play a key role in the spread of the other resistance genes identified in E. rhusiopathiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Dec
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (D.S.-P.); (R.U.-C.)
| | - Aldert Zomer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinaty Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- WOAH Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health Perspective, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - John Webster
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, PMB 4008, Narellan, NSW 2570, Australia;
| | - Tomasz Nowak
- Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory “Vet-Lab Brudzew Dr. Piotr Kwieciński”, 62-720 Brudzew, Poland;
| | - Dagmara Stępień-Pyśniak
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (D.S.-P.); (R.U.-C.)
| | - Renata Urban-Chmiel
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (D.S.-P.); (R.U.-C.)
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18
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Sabat AJ, Durfee T, Baldwin S, Akkerboom V, Voss A, Friedrich AW, Bathoorn E. The complete genome sequence of unculturable Mycoplasma faucium obtained through clinical metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1368923. [PMID: 38694516 PMCID: PMC11062135 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1368923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Diagnosing Mycoplasma faucium poses challenges, and it's unclear if its rare isolation is due to infrequent occurrence or its fastidious nutritional requirements. Methods This study analyzes the complete genome sequence of M. faucium, obtained directly from the pus of a sternum infection in a lung transplant patient using metagenomic sequencing. Results Genome analysis revealed limited therapeutic options for the M. faucium infection, primarily susceptibility to tetracyclines. Three classes of mobile genetic elements were identified: two new insertion sequences, a new prophage (phiUMCG-1), and a species-specific variant of a mycoplasma integrative and conjugative element (MICE). Additionally, a Type I Restriction-Modification system was identified, featuring 5'-terminally truncated hsdS pseudogenes with overlapping repeats, indicating the potential for forming alternative hsdS variants through recombination. Conclusion This study represents the first-ever acquisition of a complete circularized bacterial genome directly from a patient sample obtained from invasive infection of a primary sterile site using culture-independent, PCR-free clinical metagenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur J. Sabat
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Tim Durfee
- DNASTAR, Inc., Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Viktoria Akkerboom
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Andreas Voss
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Erik Bathoorn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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19
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van der Els S, Sheombarsing R, van Kempen T, Wels M, Boekhorst J, Bron PA, Kleerebezem M. Detection and classification of the integrative conjugative elements of Lactococcus lactis. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:324. [PMID: 38561675 PMCID: PMC10983677 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10255-9] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis is widely applied by the dairy industry for the fermentation of milk into products such as cheese. Adaptation of L. lactis to the dairy environment often depends on functions encoded by mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as plasmids. Other L. lactis MGEs that contribute to industrially relevant traits like antimicrobial production and carbohydrate utilization capacities belong to the integrative conjugative elements (ICE). Here we investigate the prevalence of ICEs in L. lactis using an automated search engine that detects colocalized, ICE-associated core-functions (involved in conjugation or mobilization) in lactococcal genomes. This approach enabled the detection of 36 candidate-ICEs in 69 L. lactis genomes. By phylogenetic analysis of conserved protein functions encoded in all lactococcal ICEs, these 36 ICEs could be classified in three main ICE-families that encompass 7 distinguishable ICE-integrases and are characterized by apparent modular-exchangeability and plasticity. Finally, we demonstrate that phylogenetic analysis of the conjugation-associated VirB4 ATPase function differentiates ICE- and plasmid-derived conjugation systems, indicating that conjugal transfer of lactococcal ICEs and plasmids involves genetically distinct machineries. Our genomic analysis and sequence-based classification of lactococcal ICEs creates a comprehensive overview of the conserved functional repertoires encoded by this family of MGEs in L. lactis, which can facilitate the future exploitation of the functional traits they encode by ICE mobilization to appropriate starter culture strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon van der Els
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- NIZO B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, The Netherlands
- BE-Basic Foundation, Mijnbouwstraat 120, 2628 RX, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Reshtrie Sheombarsing
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- NIZO B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, The Netherlands
| | | | - Michiel Wels
- NIZO B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Boekhorst
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Bron
- NIZO B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, The Netherlands
- BE-Basic Foundation, Mijnbouwstraat 120, 2628 RX, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel Kleerebezem
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- BE-Basic Foundation, Mijnbouwstraat 120, 2628 RX, Delft, The Netherlands.
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20
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Gu Q, Zhu X, Yu Y, Jiang T, Pan Z, Ma J, Yao H. Type II and IV toxin-antitoxin systems coordinately stabilize the integrative and conjugative element of the ICESa2603 family conferring multiple drug resistance in Streptococcus suis. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012169. [PMID: 38640137 PMCID: PMC11062541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012169] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) play a vital role in bacterial evolution by carrying essential genes that confer adaptive functions to the host. Despite their importance, the mechanism underlying the stable inheritance of ICEs, which is necessary for the acquisition of new traits in bacteria, remains poorly understood. Here, we identified SezAT, a type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system, and AbiE, a type IV TA system encoded within the ICESsuHN105, coordinately promote ICE stabilization and mediate multidrug resistance in Streptococcus suis. Deletion of SezAT or AbiE did not affect the strain's antibiotic susceptibility, but their duple deletion increased susceptibility, mainly mediated by the antitoxins SezA and AbiEi. Further studies have revealed that SezA and AbiEi affect the genetic stability of ICESsuHN105 by moderating the excision and extrachromosomal copy number, consequently affecting the antibiotic resistance conferred by ICE. The DNA-binding proteins AbiEi and SezA, which bind palindromic sequences in the promoter, coordinately modulate ICE excision and extracellular copy number by binding to sequences in the origin-of-transfer (oriT) and the attL sites, respectively. Furthermore, AbiEi negatively regulates the transcription of SezAT by binding directly to its promoter, optimizing the coordinate network of SezAT and AbiE in maintaining ICESsuHN105 stability. Importantly, SezAT and AbiE are widespread and conserved in ICEs harbouring diverse drug-resistance genes, and their coordinated effects in promoting ICE stability and mediating drug resistance may be broadly applicable to other ICEs. Altogether, our study uncovers the TA system's role in maintaining the genetic stability of ICE and offers potential targets for overcoming the dissemination and evolution of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qibing Gu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiayu Zhu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Yu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Stomatology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Pan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiale Ma
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
| | - Huochun Yao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Key Lab of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China
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21
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Monger XC, Saucier L, Guay F, Turcotte A, Lemieux J, Pouliot E, Fournaise S, Vincent AT. Effect of a probiotic and an antibiotic on the mobilome of the porcine microbiota. Front Genet 2024; 15:1355134. [PMID: 38606356 PMCID: PMC11006968 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1355134] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: To consider the growing health issues caused by antibiotic resistance from a "one health" perspective, the contribution of meat production needs to be addressed. While antibiotic resistance is naturally present in microbial communities, the treatment of farm animals with antibiotics causes an increase in antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in the gut microbiome. Pigs are among the most prevalent animals in agriculture; therefore, reducing the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the pig gut microbiome could reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are often studied as a way to modulate the microbiome and are, therefore, an interesting way to potentially decrease antibiotic resistance. Methods: To assess the efficacy of a probiotic to reduce the prevalence of ARGs in the pig microbiome, six pigs received either treatment with antibiotics (tylvalosin), probiotics (Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M; Biopower® PA), or a combination of both. Their faeces and ileal digesta were collected and DNA was extracted for whole genome shotgun sequencing. The reads were compared with taxonomy and ARG databases to identify the taxa and resistance genes in the samples. Results: The results showed that the ARG profiles in the faeces of the antibiotic and combination treatments were similar, and both were different from the profiles of the probiotic treatment (p < 0.05). The effects of the treatments were different in the digesta and faeces. Many macrolide resistance genes were detected in a higher proportion in the microbiome of the pigs treated with antibiotics or the combination of probiotics and antibiotics. Resistance-carrying conjugative plasmids and horizontal transfer genes were also amplified in faeces samples for the antibiotic and combined treatments. There was no effect of treatment on the short chain fatty acid content in the digesta or the faeces. Conclusion: There is no positive effect of adding probiotics to an antibiotic treatment when these treatments are administered simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier C. Monger
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut sur La Nutrition et Les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Linda Saucier
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut sur La Nutrition et Les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Guay
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Annie Turcotte
- Département de Biologie, Microbiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Joanie Lemieux
- Département de Biochimie, Microbiologie et Bio-informatique, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Antony T. Vincent
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut sur La Nutrition et Les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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22
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Ortañez J, Degnan PH. Tracking and characterization of a novel conjugative transposon identified by shotgun transposon mutagenesis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1241582. [PMID: 38601936 PMCID: PMC11005914 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1241582] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) is an essential process determining the functional and genomic diversity of bacterial populations. MGEs facilitate the exchange of fitness determinant genes like antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Various computational methods exist to identify potential MGEs, but confirming their ability to transfer requires additional experimental approaches. Here, we apply a transposon (Tn) mutagenesis technique for confirming mobilization without the need for targeted mutations. Using this method, we identified two MGEs, including a previously known conjugative transposon (CTn) called BoCTn found in Bacteroides ovatus and a novel CTn, PvCTn, identified in Phocaeicola vulgatus. In addition, Tn mutagenesis and subsequent genetic deletion enabled our characterization of a helix-turn-helix motif gene, BVU3433 which negatively regulates the conjugation efficiency of PvCTn in vitro. Furthermore, our transcriptomics data revealed that BVU3433 plays a crucial role in the repression of PvCTn genes, including genes involved in forming complete conjugation machinery [Type IV Secretion System (T4SS)]. Finally, analysis of individual strain genomes and community metagenomes identified the widespread prevalence of PvCTn-like elements with putative BVU3433 homologs among human gut-associated bacteria. In summary, this Tn mutagenesis mobilization method (TMMM) enables observation of transfer events in vitro and can ultimately be applied in vivo to identify a broader diversity of functional MGEs that may underly the transfer of important fitness determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick H. Degnan
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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23
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Colombi E, Bertels F, Doulcier G, McConnell E, Pichugina T, Sohn KH, Straub C, McCann HC, Rainey PB. Rapid dissemination of host metabolism-manipulating genes via integrative and conjugative elements. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309263121. [PMID: 38457521 PMCID: PMC10945833 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309263121] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are self-transmissible mobile elements that transfer functional genetic units across broad phylogenetic distances. Accessory genes shuttled by ICEs can make significant contributions to bacterial fitness. Most ICEs characterized to date encode readily observable phenotypes contributing to symbiosis, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance, yet the majority of ICEs carry genes of unknown function. Recent observations of rapid acquisition of ICEs in a pandemic lineage of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidae led to investigation of the structural and functional diversity of these elements. Fifty-three unique ICE types were identified across the P. syringae species complex. Together they form a distinct family of ICEs (PsICEs) that share a distant relationship to ICEs found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PsICEs are defined by conserved backbone genes punctuated by an array of accessory cargo genes, are highly recombinogenic, and display distinct evolutionary histories compared to their bacterial hosts. The most common cargo is a recently disseminated 16-kb mobile genetic element designated Tn6212. Deletion of Tn6212 did not alter pathogen growth in planta, but mutants displayed fitness defects when grown on tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. RNA-seq analysis of a set of nested deletion mutants showed that a Tn6212-encoded LysR regulator has global effects on chromosomal gene expression. We show that Tn6212 responds to preferred carbon sources and manipulates bacterial metabolism to maximize growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Colombi
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Frederic Bertels
- Department of Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön 24306, Germany
| | - Guilhem Doulcier
- Laboratoire Biophysique et Évolution, Institut Chemie Biologie Innovation, École Supérieure de Physique et de Chemie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris, Université Paris Science et Lettres, Centre National de al Reserche Scientifique, Paris 75005, France
| | - Ellen McConnell
- Department of Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön 24306, Germany
| | - Tatyana Pichugina
- Department of Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön 24306, Germany
| | - Kee Hoon Sohn
- Plant Immunity Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Christina Straub
- Health and Environment, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Auckland 1025, New Zealand
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Honour C McCann
- Plant Pathogen Evolution Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Paul B Rainey
- Department of Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön 24306, Germany
- Laboratoire Biophysique et Évolution, Institut Chemie Biologie Innovation, École Supérieure de Physique et de Chemie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris, Université Paris Science et Lettres, Centre National de al Reserche Scientifique, Paris 75005, France
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24
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Kostova V, Hanke D, Kaspar H, Fiedler S, Schwarz S, Krüger-Haker H. Macrolide resistance in Mannheimia haemolytica isolates associated with bovine respiratory disease from the German national resistance monitoring program GE RM-Vet 2009 to 2020. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1356208. [PMID: 38495516 PMCID: PMC10940430 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1356208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Data collected from the German national resistance monitoring program GERM-Vet showed slowly increasing prevalence of macrolide resistance among bovine respiratory disease (BRD)-associated Pasteurellacae from cattle over the last decade. The focus of this study was to analyze the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the prevalence of multidrug-resistance (MDR)-mediating integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) in 13 German BRD-associated Mannheimia haemolytica isolates collected between 2009 and 2020 via whole-genome sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed via broth microdilution according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute for the macrolides erythromycin, tilmicosin, tulathromycin, gamithromycin, tildipirosin, and tylosin as well as 25 other antimicrobial agents. All isolates either had elevated MICs or were resistant to at least one of the macrolides tested. Analysis of whole-genome sequences obtained by hybrid assembly of Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore MinION reads revealed the presence of seven novel Tn7406-like ICEs, designated Tn7694, and Tn7724- Tn7729. These ICEs harbored the antimicrobial resistance genes erm(T), mef (C), mph(G), floR, catA3, aad(3")(9), aph(3')-Ia, aac(3)-IIa, strA, strB, tet(Y), and sul2 in different combinations. In addition, mutational changes conferring resistance to macrolides, nalidixic acid or streptomycin, respectively, were detected among the M. haemolytica isolates. In addition, four isolates carried a 4,613-bp plasmid with the β-lactamase gene blaROB - 1. The detection of the macrolide resistance genes erm(T), mef (C), and mph(G) together with other resistance genes on MDR-mediating ICEs in bovine M. haemolytica may explain the occurrence of therapeutic failure when treating BRD with regularly used antimicrobial agents, such as phenicols, penicillins, tetracyclines, or macrolides. Finally, pathogen identification and subsequent AST is essential to ensure the efficacy of the antimicrobial agents applied to control BRD in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Kostova
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dennis Hanke
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heike Kaspar
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Fiedler
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Schwarz
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrike Krüger-Haker
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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25
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Zhu X, Wang X, Wang F, Tian X, Pang J. The integrative and conjugative element ICECiPOL15 mediates horizontal transfer of β-lactam resistance gene in Chryseobacterium indoltheticum POL15. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2024; 36:223-229. [PMID: 38185239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.12.028] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from the environment, including agricultural sources, is of increasing concern. In this study, we examined the antibiotic resistance profile and genomic sequence of a strain of Chryseobacterium indoltheticum obtained from an agricultural location. METHODS The multidrug-resistant bacterial strain POL15 was isolated from the wastewater of a livestock farm in China. Whole-genome sequencing was performed followed by bioinformatics analyses to identify integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and ARGs. Mating assays were performed to analyse ICE transferability. RESULTS Whole-genome sequencing and annotation showed that the genome of POL15 encodes ARGs. Additionally, an ICE named ICECiPOL15, which carries a class C β-lactamase-encoding gene blaAQU, was identified in the POL15 genome. Genes encoding an integrase, an excisionase, a relaxase, a type IV coupling protein and conjugative transposon proteins involved in a type IV secretion system were also identified in ICECiPOL15. Sequence alignment revealed that ICECiPOL15 might have evolved from other Chryseobacterium species. The horizontal transferability of ICECiPOL15 was demonstrated by mating experiments between C. indoltheticum POL15 and Escherichia coli DL21. CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first characterization of a mobilizable antibiotic resistance ICE in a species of C. indoltheticum and provides evidence that C. indoltheticum strains could be important reservoirs and vehicles for ARGs on livestock farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhu
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ji'nan, 250014, China
| | - Xiangpeng Wang
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, 250117, China
| | - Fengtian Wang
- Jinan Municipal Minzu Hospital, Ji'nan, 250001, China
| | - Xinyi Tian
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, 250117, China
| | - Jingxiang Pang
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, 250117, China.
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Pfeifer E, Rocha EPC. Phage-plasmids promote recombination and emergence of phages and plasmids. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1545. [PMID: 38378896 PMCID: PMC10879196 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45757-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Phages and plasmids are regarded as distinct types of mobile genetic elements that drive bacterial evolution by horizontal gene transfer. However, the distinction between both types is blurred by the existence of elements known as prophage-plasmids or phage-plasmids, which transfer horizontally between cells as viruses and vertically within cellular lineages as plasmids. Here, we study gene flow between the three types of elements. We show that the gene repertoire of phage-plasmids overlaps with those of phages and plasmids. By tracking recent recombination events, we find that phage-plasmids exchange genes more frequently with plasmids than with phages, and that direct gene exchange between plasmids and phages is less frequent in comparison. The results suggest that phage-plasmids can mediate gene flow between plasmids and phages, including exchange of mobile element core functions, defense systems, and antibiotic resistance. Moreover, a combination of gene transfer and gene inactivation may result in the conversion of elements. For example, gene loss turns P1-like phage-plasmids into integrative prophages or into plasmids (that are no longer phages). Remarkably, some of the latter have acquired conjugation-related functions to became mobilisable by conjugation. Thus, our work indicates that phage-plasmids can play a key role in the transfer of genes across mobile elements within their hosts, and can act as intermediates in the conversion of one type of element into another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugen Pfeifer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Eduardo P C Rocha
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3525, Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, 75015, Paris, France.
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Johnson CN, Wilde S, Tuomanen E, Rosch JW. Convergent impact of vaccination and antibiotic pressures on pneumococcal populations. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:195-206. [PMID: 38052216 PMCID: PMC10938186 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.003] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a remarkably adaptable and successful human pathogen, playing dual roles of both asymptomatic carriage in the nasopharynx and invasive disease including pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. Efficacious vaccines and effective antibiotic therapies are critical to mitigating morbidity and mortality. However, clinical interventions can be rapidly circumvented by the pneumococcus by its inherent proclivity for genetic exchange. This leads to an underappreciated interplay between vaccine and antibiotic pressures on pneumococcal populations. Circulating populations have undergone dramatic shifts due to the introduction of capsule-based vaccines of increasing valency imparting strong selective pressures. These alterations in population structure have concurrent consequences on the frequency of antibiotic resistance profiles in the population. This review will discuss the interactions of these two selective forces. Understanding and forecasting the drivers of antibiotic resistance and capsule switching are of critical importance for public health, particularly for such a genetically promiscuous pathogen as S. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cydney N Johnson
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shyra Wilde
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Elaine Tuomanen
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| | - Jason W Rosch
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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28
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Rodrigues SH, Nunes GD, Soares GG, Ferreira RL, Damas MSF, Laprega PM, Shilling RE, Campos LC, da Costa AS, Malavazi I, da Cunha AF, Pranchevicius MCDS. First report of coexistence of blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1 in carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates of Klebsiella aerogenes in Brazil. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1352851. [PMID: 38426065 PMCID: PMC10903355 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1352851] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella aerogenes is an important opportunistic pathogen with the potential to develop resistance against last-line antibiotics, such as carbapenems, limiting the treatment options. Here, we investigated the antibiotic resistance profiles of 10 K. aerogenes strains isolated from patient samples in the intensive-care unit of a Brazilian tertiary hospital using conventional PCR and a comprehensive genomic characterization of a specific K. aerogenes strain (CRK317) carrying both the blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1 genes simultaneously. All isolates were completely resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, including ertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem with differencing levels of resistance to aminoglycosides, quinolones, and tigecycline also observed. Half of the strains studied were classified as multidrug-resistant. The carbapenemase-producing isolates carried many genes of interest including: β-lactams (blaNDM-1, blaKPC-2, blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-1 group, blaOXA-1 group and blaSHVvariants in 20-80% of the strains), aminoglycoside resistance genes [aac(6')-Ib and aph(3')-VI, 70 and 80%], a fluoroquinolone resistance gene (qnrS, 80%), a sulfonamide resistance gene (sul-2, 80%) and a multidrug efflux system transporter (mdtK, 70%) while all strains carried the efflux pumps Acr (subunit A) and tolC. Moreover, we performed a comprehensive genomic characterization of a specific K. aerogenes strain (CRK317) carrying both the blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1 genes simultaneously. The draft genome assembly of the CRK317 had a total length of 5,462,831 bp and a GC content of 54.8%. The chromosome was found to contain many essential genes. In silico analysis identified many genes associated with resistance phenotypes, including β-lactamases (blaOXA-9, blaTEM-1, blaNDM-1, blaCTX-M-15, blaAmpC-1, blaAmpC-2), the bleomycin resistance gene (bleMBL), an erythromycin resistance methylase (ermC), aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes [aac(6')-Ib, aadA/ant(3")-Ia, aph(3')-VI], a sulfonamide resistance enzyme (sul-2), a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (catA-like), a plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance protein (qnrS1), a glutathione transferase (fosA), PEtN transferases (eptA, eptB) and a glycosyltransferase (arnT). We also detected 22 genomic islands, eight families of insertion sequences, two putative integrative and conjugative elements with a type IV secretion system, and eight prophage regions. This suggests the significant involvement of these genetic structures in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. The results of our study show that the emergence of carbapenemase-producing K. aerogenes, co-harboring blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1, is a worrying phenomenon which highlights the importance of developing strategies to detect, prevent, and control the spread of these microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo Henrique Rodrigues
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Dantas Nunes
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Guerrera Soares
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roumayne Lopes Ferreira
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Mendes Laprega
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Andrea Soares da Costa
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ryan MP, Carraro N, Slattery S, Pembroke JT. Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) of the SXT/R391 family drive adaptation and evolution in γ-Proteobacteria. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:105-126. [PMID: 36634159 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2161870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) are mosaics containing functional modules allowing maintenance by site-specific integration and excision into and from the host genome and conjugative transfer to a specific host range. Many ICEs encode a range of adaptive functions that aid bacterial survival and evolution in a range of niches. ICEs from the SXT/R391 family are found in γ-Proteobacteria. Over 100 members have undergone epidemiological and molecular characterization allowing insight into their diversity and function. Comparative analysis of SXT/R391 elements from a wide geographic distribution has revealed conservation of key functions, and the accumulation and evolution of adaptive genes. This evolution is associated with gene acquisition in conserved hotspots and variable regions within the SXT/R391 ICEs catalysed via element-encoded recombinases. The elements can carry IS elements and transposons, and a mutagenic DNA polymerase, PolV, which are associated with their evolution. SXT/R391 ICEs isolated from different niches appear to have retained adaptive functions related to that specific niche; phage resistance determinants in ICEs carried by wastewater bacteria, antibiotic resistance determinants in clinical isolates and metal resistance determinants in bacteria recovered from polluted environments/ocean sediments. Many genes found in the element hotspots are undetermined and have few homologs in the nucleotide databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Ryan
- Department of Applied Sciences, Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Nicolas Carraro
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Shannon Slattery
- Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - J Tony Pembroke
- Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
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30
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Boyer C, Lefeuvre P, Richard D, Lobin KK, Pruvost O. Complete Genome Sequence of a Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas campestris pv . campestris Strain Isolated from Broccoli in Mauritius Suggests Adaptive Gene Gain Through Horizontal Gene Transfer. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:328-333. [PMID: 37584505 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-05-23-0177-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial adaptation is facilitated by the presence of mobile genetic elements and horizontal gene transfer of genes, such as those coding for virulence factors or resistance to antimicrobial compounds. A hybrid assembly of Nanopore MinIon long-read and Illumina short-read data was produced from a copper-resistant Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strain isolated from symptomatic broccoli leaves in Mauritius. We obtained a 5.2-Mb high-quality chromosome and no plasmid. We found four genomic islands, three of which were characterized as integrative conjugative elements or integrative mobilizable elements. These genomic islands carried type III effectors and the copper resistance copLABMGF system involved in pathogenicity and environmental adaptation, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudine Boyer
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | | | - Damien Richard
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
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31
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Xi W, Zhang X, Zhu X, Wang J, Xue H, Pan H. Distribution patterns and influential factors of pathogenic bacteria in freshwater aquaculture sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:16028-16047. [PMID: 38308166 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31897-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria, the major causative agents of aquaculture diseases, are a serious impediment to the aquaculture industry. However, the bioinformatics of pathogenic bacteria and virulence factors (VFs) in sediments, an important component of freshwater aquaculture ecosystems, are not well characterized. In this study, 20 sediment samples were collected from fish pond sediments (FPS), shrimp field sediments (SFS), fish pond sediment control (FPSC), and shrimp field sediment control (SFSC). Molecular biological information was obtained on a total of 173 pathogenic bacteria, 1093 virulence factors (VFs), and 8475 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) from these samples. The results indicated that (1) aquaculture patterns and sediment characteristics can affect the distribution of pathogenic bacteria. According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis H test, except for Mycobacterium gilvum, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the four sediment types in the average abundance of major pathogenic bacteria (top 30 in abundance), and the average abundance of major pathogenic bacteria in the four sediment types followed the following pattern: FPS > SFS > FPSC > SFSC. (2) Pathogenic bacteria are able to implement a variety of complex pathogenic mechanisms such as adhesion, invasion, immune evasion, and metabolic regulation in the host because they carry a variety of VFs such as type IV pili, HSI-I, Alginate, Colibactin, and Capsule. According to the primary classification of the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB), the abundance of VFs in all four types of sediments showed the following pattern: offensive VFs > non-specific VFs > defensive VFs > regulation of virulence-related genes. (3) Total organic carbon (TOC), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), nitrite, and nitrate were mostly only weakly positively correlated with the major pathogenic bacteria and could promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria to some extent, whereas ammonia was significantly positively correlated with most of the major pathogenic bacteria and could play an important role in promoting the growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. (4) Meanwhile, there was also a significant positive correlation between CAZyme genes and major pathogenic bacteria (0.62 ≤ R ≤ 0.89, P < 0.05). This suggests that these pathogenic bacteria could be the main carriers of CAZyme genes and, to some extent, gained a higher level of metabolic activity by degrading organic matter in the sediments to maintain their competitive advantage. (5) Worryingly, the results of correlation analyses indicated that MGEs in aquaculture sediments could play an important role in the spread of VFs (R = 0.82, P < 0.01), and in particular, plasmids (R = 0.75, P < 0.01) and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs, R = 0.65, P < 0.05) could be these major vectors of VFs. The results of this study contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the health of freshwater aquaculture sediments and provide a scientific basis for aquaculture management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiang Xi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- China Coal Mine Construction Group Co., LTD, Hefei, 230071, Anhui, China
| | - Xianbin Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
| | - Jiaming Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
| | - Han Xue
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China
| | - Hongzhong Pan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China.
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China.
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32
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Bradshaw AJ, Ramírez-Cruz V, Awan AR, Furci G, Guzmán-Dávalos L, Dentinger BTM. Phylogenomics of the psychoactive mushroom genus Psilocybe and evolution of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2311245121. [PMID: 38194448 PMCID: PMC10801892 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311245121] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychoactive mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe have immense cultural value and have been used for centuries in Mesoamerica. Despite the recent surge of interest in these mushrooms due to the psychotherapeutic potential of their natural alkaloid psilocybin, their phylogeny and taxonomy remain substantially incomplete. Moreover, the recent elucidation of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster is known for only five of ~165 species of Psilocybe, four of which belong to only one of two major clades. We set out to improve the phylogeny of Psilocybe using shotgun sequencing of fungarium specimens, from which we obtained 71 metagenomes including from 23 types, and conducting phylogenomic analysis of 2,983 single-copy gene families to generate a fully supported phylogeny. Molecular clock analysis suggests the stem lineage of Psilocybe arose ~67 mya and diversified ~56 mya. We also show that psilocybin biosynthesis first arose in Psilocybe, with 4 to 5 possible horizontal transfers to other mushrooms between 40 and 9 mya. Moreover, predicted orthologs of the psilocybin biosynthetic genes revealed two distinct gene orders within the biosynthetic gene cluster that corresponds to a deep split within the genus, possibly a signature of two independent acquisitions of the cluster within Psilocybe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Bradshaw
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84112
- Natural History Museum of Utah, Collections and Research, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84108
| | - Virginia Ramírez-Cruz
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT), Departamento de Botánica y Zoología, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan45147, Mexico
| | - Ali R. Awan
- Genomics Innovation Unit, Guy’s and St.Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, St Thomas’ Hospital, LondonSE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Laura Guzmán-Dávalos
- Departamento de Botánica y Zoología, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan45147, Mexico
| | - Bryn T. M. Dentinger
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84112
- Natural History Museum of Utah, Collections and Research, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84108
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Wang M, Liu G, Liu M, Tai C, Deng Z, Song J, Ou HY. ICEberg 3.0: functional categorization and analysis of the integrative and conjugative elements in bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D732-D737. [PMID: 37870467 PMCID: PMC10767825 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad935] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
ICEberg 3.0 (https://tool2-mml.sjtu.edu.cn/ICEberg3/) is an upgraded database that provides comprehensive insights into bacterial integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). In comparison to the previous version, three key enhancements were introduced: First, through text mining and manual curation, it now encompasses details of 2065 ICEs, 607 IMEs and 275 CIMEs, including 430 with experimental support. Secondly, ICEberg 3.0 systematically categorizes cargo gene functions of ICEs into six groups based on literature curation and predictive analysis, providing a profound understanding of ICEs'diverse biological traits. The cargo gene prediction pipeline is integrated into the online tool ICEfinder 2.0. Finally, ICEberg 3.0 aids the analysis and exploration of ICEs from the human microbiome. Extracted and manually curated from 2405 distinct human microbiome samples, the database comprises 1386 putative ICEs, offering insights into the complex dynamics of Bacteria-ICE-Cargo networks within the human microbiome. With the recent updates, ICEberg 3.0 enhances its capability to unravel the intricacies of ICE biology, particularly in the characterization and understanding of cargo gene functions and ICE interactions within the microbiome. This enhancement may facilitate the investigation of the dynamic landscape of ICE biology and its implications for microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Laboratory on Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Guitian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Laboratory on Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Meng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Laboratory on Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Cui Tai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Laboratory on Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Laboratory on Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jiangning Song
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Data Futures Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Hong-Yu Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Laboratory on Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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Goff JL, Lui LM, Nielsen TN, Poole FL, Smith HJ, Walker KF, Hazen TC, Fields MW, Arkin AP, Adams MWW. Mixed waste contamination selects for a mobile genetic element population enriched in multiple heavy metal resistance genes. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae064. [PMID: 38800128 PMCID: PMC11128244 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) like plasmids, viruses, and transposable elements can provide fitness benefits to their hosts for survival in the presence of environmental stressors. Heavy metal resistance genes (HMRGs) are frequently observed on MGEs, suggesting that MGEs may be an important driver of adaptive evolution in environments contaminated with heavy metals. Here, we report the meta-mobilome of the heavy metal-contaminated regions of the Oak Ridge Reservation subsurface. This meta-mobilome was compared with one derived from samples collected from unimpacted regions of the Oak Ridge Reservation subsurface. We assembled 1615 unique circularized DNA elements that we propose to be MGEs. The circular elements from the highly contaminated subsurface were enriched in HMRG clusters relative to those from the nearby unimpacted regions. Additionally, we found that these HMRGs were associated with Gamma and Betaproteobacteria hosts in the contaminated subsurface and potentially facilitate the persistence and dominance of these taxa in this region. Finally, the HMRGs were associated with conjugative elements, suggesting their potential for future lateral transfer. We demonstrate how our understanding of MGE ecology, evolution, and function can be enhanced through the genomic context provided by completed MGE assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Goff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Lauren M Lui
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Torben N Nielsen
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Farris L Poole
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Heidi J Smith
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
| | - Kathleen F Walker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916, United States
| | - Terry C Hazen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916, United States
- Genome Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
| | - Matthew W Fields
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Michael W W Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
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Cheema HS, Maurya A, Kumar S, Pandey VK, Singh RM. Antibiotic Potentiation Through Phytochemical-Based Efflux Pump Inhibitors to Combat Multidrug Resistance Bacteria. Med Chem 2024; 20:557-575. [PMID: 37907487 DOI: 10.2174/0115734064263586231022135644] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance development poses a significant danger to the efficacy of antibiotics, which were once believed to be the most efficient method for treating infections caused by bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance typically involves various mechanisms, such as drug inactivation or modification, drug target modification, drug uptake restriction, and drug efflux, resulting in decreased antibiotic concentrations within the cell. Antimicrobial resistance has been associated with efflux Pumps, known for their capacity to expel different antibiotics from the cell non-specifically. This makes EPs fascinating targets for creating drugs to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The varied structures of secondary metabolites (phytomolecules) found in plants have positioned them as a promising reservoir of efflux pump inhibitors. These inhibitors act as modifiers of bacterial resistance and facilitate the reintroduction of antibiotics that have lost clinical effectiveness. Additionally, they may play a role in preventing the emergence of multidrug resistant strains. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review article is to discuss the latest studies on plant-based efflux pump inhibitors such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and tetralones. It highlighted their potential in enhancing the effectiveness of antibiotics and combating the development of multidrug resistance. RESULTS Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) derived from botanical sources, including compounds like lysergol, chanaoclavine, niazrin, 4-hydroxy-α-tetralone, ursolic acid, phytol, etc., as well as their partially synthesized forms, have shown significant potential as practical therapeutic approaches in addressing antimicrobial resistance caused by efflux pumps. Further, several phyto-molecules and their analogs demonstrated superior potential for reversing drug resistance, surpassing established agents like reserpine, niaziridin, etc. Conclusion: This review found that while the phyto-molecules and their derivatives did not possess notable antimicrobial activity, their combination with established antibiotics significantly reduced their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Specific molecules, such as chanaoclavine and niaziridin, exhibited noteworthy potential in reversing the effectiveness of drugs, resulting in a reduction of the MIC of tetracycline by up to 16 times against the tested strain of bacteria. These molecules inhibited the efflux pumps responsible for drug resistance and displayed a stronger affinity for membrane proteins. By employing powerful EPIs, these molecules can selectively target and obstruct drug efflux pumps. This targeted approach can significantly augment the strength and efficacy of older antibiotics against various drug resistant bacteria, given that active drug efflux poses a susceptibility for nearly all antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anupam Maurya
- Chemistry Section, Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine, and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush, Ghaziabad, 201002, (U.P.), India
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Botany, Meerut College, Meerut, 250003 (U.P.), India
| | - Vineet Kumar Pandey
- Chemistry Section, Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine, and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush, Ghaziabad, 201002, (U.P.), India
| | - Raman Mohan Singh
- Chemistry Section, Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine, and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush, Ghaziabad, 201002, (U.P.), India
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Wu X, Alibayov B, Xiang X, Lattar SM, Sakai F, Medders AA, Antezana B, Keller L, Vidal AGJ, Tzeng YL, Robinson DA, Stephens D, Yu Y, Vidal JE. Ultrastructural, metabolic and genetic determinants of the acquisition of macrolide resistance by Streptococcus pneumoniae. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.27.573471. [PMID: 38234816 PMCID: PMC10793443 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.27.573471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Aim Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) acquires genes for macrolide resistance, MEGA or ermB, in the human host. These genes are carried either in the chromosome, or on integrative conjugative elements (ICEs). Here, we investigated molecular determinants of the acquisition of macrolide resistance. Methods and Results Whole genome analysis was conducted for 128 macrolide-resistant pneumococcal isolates to identify the presence of MEGA (44.5%, 57/128) or ermB (100%), and recombination events in Tn916-related elements or in the locus comCDE encoding competence genes. Confocal and electron microscopy studies demonstrated that, during the acquisition of macrolide resistance, pneumococcal strains formed clusters of varying size, with the largest aggregates having a median size of ~1600 μm2. Remarkably, these pneumococcal aggregates comprise both encapsulated and nonencapsulated pneumococci, exhibited physical interaction, and spanned extracellular and intracellular compartments. We assessed the recombination frequency (rF) for the acquisition of macrolide resistance by a recipient D39 strain, from pneumococcal strains carrying MEGA (~5.4 kb) in the chromone, or in large ICEs (>23 kb). Notably, the rF for the acquisition of MEGA, whether in the chromosome or carried on an ICE was similar. However, the rF adjusted to the acquisition of the full-length ICE (~52 kb), compared to that of the capsule locus (~23 kb) that is acquired by transformation, was three orders of magnitude higher. Finally, metabolomics studies revealed a link between the acquisition of ICE and the metabolic pathways involving nicotinic acid and sucrose. Conclusions Extracellular and intracellular pneumococcal clusters facilitate the acquisition of full-length ICE at a rF higher than that of typical transformation events, involving distinct metabolic changes that present potential targets for interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Babek Alibayov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS 39056, United States
| | - Xi Xiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China
| | - Santiago M. Lattar
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, United States
| | - Fuminori Sakai
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, United States
| | - Austin A. Medders
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS 39056, United States
| | - Brenda Antezana
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, United States
| | - Lance Keller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS 39056, United States
| | - Ana G. J. Vidal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS 39056, United States
| | - Yih-Ling Tzeng
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, United States
| | - D. Ashley Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS 39056, United States
| | - David Stephens
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, United States
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Jorge E. Vidal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS 39056, United States
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Zheng Q, Li L, Yin X, Che Y, Zhang T. Is ICE hot? A genomic comparative study reveals integrative and conjugative elements as "hot" vectors for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. mSystems 2023; 8:e0017823. [PMID: 38032189 PMCID: PMC10734551 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00178-23] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Different from other extensively studied mobile genetic elements (MGEs) whose discoveries were initiated decades ago (1950s-1980s), integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), a diverse array of more recently identified elements that were formally termed in 2002, have aroused increasing concern for their crucial contribution to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the comprehensive understanding on ICEs' ARG profile across the bacterial tree of life is still blurred. Through a genomic study by comparison with two key MGEs, we, for the first time, systematically investigated the ARG profile as well as the host range of ICEs and also explored the MGE-specific potential to facilitate ARG propagation across phylogenetic barriers. These findings could serve as a theoretical foundation for risk assessment of ARGs mediated by distinct MGEs and further to optimize therapeutic strategies aimed at restraining antibiotic resistance crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zheng
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research,The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liguan Li
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research,The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaole Yin
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research,The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - You Che
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research,The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research,The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Giengkam S, Kullapanich C, Wongsantichon J, Adcox HE, Gillespie JJ, Salje J. Orientia tsutsugamushi: comprehensive analysis of the mobilome of a highly fragmented and repetitive genome reveals the capacity for ongoing lateral gene transfer in an obligate intracellular bacterium. mSphere 2023; 8:e0026823. [PMID: 37850800 PMCID: PMC10732058 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00268-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Obligate intracellular bacteria, or those only capable of growth inside other living cells, have limited opportunities for horizontal gene transfer with other microbes due to their isolated replicative niche. The human pathogen Ot, an obligate intracellular bacterium causing scrub typhus, encodes an unusually high copy number of a ~40 gene mobile genetic element that typically facilitates genetic transfer across microbes. This proliferated element is heavily degraded in Ot and previously assumed to be inactive. Here, we conducted a detailed analysis of this element in eight Ot strains and discovered two strains with at least one intact copy. This implies that the element is still capable of moving across Ot populations and suggests that the genome of this bacterium may be even more dynamic than previously appreciated. Our work raises questions about intracellular microbial evolution and sounds an alarm for gene-based efforts focused on diagnosing and combatting scrub typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suparat Giengkam
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chitrasak Kullapanich
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jantana Wongsantichon
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Haley E. Adcox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Joseph J. Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeanne Salje
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Benigno V, Carraro N, Sarton-Lohéac G, Romano-Bertrand S, Blanc DS, van der Meer JR. Diversity and evolution of an abundant ICE clc family of integrative and conjugative elements in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSphere 2023; 8:e0051723. [PMID: 37902330 PMCID: PMC10732049 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00517-23] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Microbial populations swiftly adapt to changing environments through horizontal gene transfer. While the mechanisms of gene transfer are well known, the impact of environmental conditions on the selection of transferred gene functions remains less clear. We investigated ICEs, specifically the ICEclc-type, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Our findings revealed co-evolution between ICEs and their hosts, with ICE transfers occurring within strains. Gene functions carried by ICEs are positively selected, including potential virulence factors and heavy metal resistance. Comparison to publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes unveiled widespread antibiotic-resistance determinants within ICEclc clades. Thus, the ubiquitous ICEclc family significantly contributes to P. aeruginosa's adaptation and fitness in diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Benigno
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Carraro
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Garance Sarton-Lohéac
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Romano-Bertrand
- Hydrosciences Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Hospital Hygiene and Infection Control Team, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Dominique S. Blanc
- Prevention and Infection Control Unit, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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40
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Ivanovski I, Zylstra GJ. Genetic and Functional Characterization of a Salicylate 1-monooxygenase Located on an Integrative and Conjugative Element (ICE) in Pseudomonas stutzeri AJR13. J Microbiol 2023; 61:1025-1032. [PMID: 38100000 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-023-00093-x] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas stutzeri strain AJR13 was isolated for growth on the related compounds biphenyl (BPH) and diphenylmethane (DPM). The BPH and DPM degradative pathway genes are present on an integrative and conjugative element (ICE) in the chromosome. Examination of the genome sequence of AJR13 revealed a gene encoding a salicylate 1-monooxygenase (salA) associated with the ICE even though AJR13 did not grow on salicylate. Transfer of the ICE to the well-studied Pseudomonas putida KT2440 resulted in a KT2440 strain that could grow on salicylate. Knockout mutagenesis of the salA gene on the ICE in KT2440 eliminated the ability to grow on salicylate. Complementation of the knockout with the cloned salA gene restored growth on salicylate. Transfer of the cloned salA gene under control of the lac promoter to KT2440 resulted in a strain that could grow on salicylate. Heterologous expression of the salA gene in E. coli BL21 DE3 resulted in the production of catechol from salicylate, confirming that it is indeed a salicylate 1-monooxygenase. Interestingly, transfer of the cloned salA gene under control of the lac promoter to AJR13 resulted in a strain that could now grow on salicylate, suggesting that gene expression for the downstream catechol pathway is intact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Ivanovski
- Department of Biology, St. Joseph's University, Patchogue, NY, 11772, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
| | - Gerben J Zylstra
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
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41
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Hoppe-Elsholz G, Piña-Iturbe A, Vallejos OP, Suazo ID, Sepúlveda-Alfaro J, Pereira-Sánchez P, Martínez-Balboa Y, Catalán EA, Reyes P, Scaff V, Bassi F, Campos-Gajardo S, Avilés A, Santiviago CA, Kalergis AM, Bueno SM. SEN1990 is a predicted winged helix-turn-helix protein involved in the pathogenicity of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and the expression of the gene oafB in the SPI-17. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1236458. [PMID: 38029095 PMCID: PMC10655114 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1236458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Excisable genomic islands (EGIs) are horizontally acquired genetic elements that harbor an array of genes with diverse functions. ROD21 is an EGI found integrated in the chromosome of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella ser. Enteritidis). While this island is known to be involved in the capacity of Salmonella ser. Enteritidis to cross the epithelial barrier and colonize sterile organs, the role of most ROD21 genes remains unknown, and thus, the identification of their function is fundamental to understanding the impact of this EGI on bacterium pathogenicity. Therefore, in this study, we used a bioinformatical approach to evaluate the function of ROD21-encoded genes and delve into the characterization of SEN1990, a gene encoding a putative DNA-binding protein. We characterized the predicted structure of SEN1990, finding that this protein contains a three-stranded winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) DNA-binding domain. Additionally, we identified homologs of SEN1990 among other members of the EARL EGIs. Furthermore, we deleted SEN1990 in Salmonella ser. Enteritidis, finding no differences in the replication or maintenance of the excised ROD21, contrary to what the previous Refseq annotation of the protein suggests. High-throughput RNA sequencing was carried out to evaluate the effect of the absence of SEN1990 on the bacterium's global transcription. We found a downregulated expression of oafB, an SPI-17-encoded acetyltransferase involved in O-antigen modification, which was restored when the deletion mutant was complemented ectopically. Additionally, we found that strains lacking SEN1990 had a reduced capacity to colonize sterile organs in mice. Our findings suggest that SEN1990 encodes a wHTH domain-containing protein that modulates the transcription of oafB from the SPI-17, implying a crosstalk between these pathogenicity islands and a possible new role of ROD21 in the pathogenesis of Salmonella ser. Enteritidis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Hoppe-Elsholz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Piña-Iturbe
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Omar P. Vallejos
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Isidora D. Suazo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javiera Sepúlveda-Alfaro
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricia Pereira-Sánchez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yohana Martínez-Balboa
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo A. Catalán
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Reyes
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valentina Scaff
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Franco Bassi
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sofia Campos-Gajardo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Avilés
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos A. Santiviago
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Weisberg AJ, Pearce E, Kramer CG, Chang JH, Clarke CR. Diverse mobile genetic elements shaped the evolution of Streptomyces virulence. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37930748 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001127] [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: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobile genetic elements can innovate bacteria with new traits. In plant pathogenic Streptomyces, frequent and recent acquisition of integrative and conjugative or mobilizable genetic elements is predicted to lead to the emergence of new lineages that gained the capacity to synthesize Thaxtomin, a phytotoxin neccesary for induction of common scab disease on tuber and root crops. Here, we identified components of the Streptomyces-potato pathosystem implicated in virulence and investigated them as a nested and interacting system to reevaluate evolutionary models. We sequenced and analysed genomes of 166 strains isolated from over six decades of sampling primarily from field-grown potatoes. Virulence genes were associated to multiple subtypes of genetic elements differing in mechanisms of transmission and evolutionary histories. Evidence is consistent with few ancient acquisition events followed by recurrent loss or swaps of elements carrying Thaxtomin A-associated genes. Subtypes of another genetic element implicated in virulence are more distributed across Streptomyces. However, neither the subtype classification of genetic elements containing virulence genes nor taxonomic identity was predictive of pathogenicity on potato. Last, findings suggested that phytopathogenic strains are generally endemic to potato fields and some lineages were established by historical spread and further dispersed by few recent transmission events. Results from a hierarchical and system-wide characterization refine our understanding by revealing multiple mechanisms that gene and bacterial dispersion have had on shaping the evolution of a Gram-positive pathogen in agricultural settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Weisberg
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Emma Pearce
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Charles G Kramer
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Genetic Improvement for Fruits and Vegetables Lab, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jeff H Chang
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Christopher R Clarke
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Genetic Improvement for Fruits and Vegetables Lab, Beltsville, MD, USA
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Chen Z, Jin W, Hoover A, Chao Y, Ma Y. Decoding the microbiome: advances in genetic manipulation for gut bacteria. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:1143-1161. [PMID: 37394299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the gut microbiota have revealed associations between specific bacterial species or community compositions with health and disease, yet the causal mechanisms underlying microbiota gene-host interactions remain poorly understood. This is partly due to limited genetic manipulation (GM) tools for gut bacteria. Here, we review current advances and challenges in the development of GM approaches, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas and transposase-based systems in either model or non-model gut bacteria. By overcoming barriers to 'taming' the gut microbiome, GM tools allow molecular understanding of host-microbiome associations and accelerate microbiome engineering for clinical treatment of cancer and metabolic disorders. Finally, we provide perspectives on the future development of GM for gut microbiome species, where more effort should be placed on assembling a generalized GM pipeline to accelerate the application of groundbreaking GM tools in non-model gut bacteria towards both basic understanding and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200031, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; The Center for Microbes, Development and Health (CMDH), CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenbing Jin
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA; Friedman Center for Nutrition and Inflammation, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Alex Hoover
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yanjie Chao
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health (CMDH), CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Yanlei Ma
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200031, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Peng K, Li Y, Wang Q, Yang P, Wang Z, Li R. Integrative conjugative elements mediate the high prevalence of tmexCD3-toprJ1b in Proteus spp. of animal source. mSystems 2023; 8:e0042923. [PMID: 37707055 PMCID: PMC10654056 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00429-23] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The emergence and spread of tmexCD-toprJ have greatly weakened the function of tigecycline. Although studies have demonstrated the significance of Proteus as carriers for tmexCD-toprJ, the epidemic mechanism and characteristics of tmexCD-toprJ in Proteus remain unclear. Herein, we deciphered that the umuC gene in VRIII of SXT/R391 ICEs was a hotspot for the integration of tmexCD3-toprJ1b-bearing mobile genetic elements by genomic analysis. The mobilization and dissemination of tmexCD3-toprJ1b in Proteus were mediated by highly prevalent ICEs. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of tmexCD3-toprJ1b-bearing ICEs with other chromosomally encoded multidrug resistance gene islands warned that the chromosomes of Proteus are significant reservoirs of ARGs. Overall, our results provide significant insights for the prevention and control of tmexCD3-toprJ1b in Proteus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Peng
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yangfan Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiaojun Wang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengbin Yang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruichao Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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45
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Weisberg AJ, Chang JH. Mobile Genetic Element Flexibility as an Underlying Principle to Bacterial Evolution. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:603-624. [PMID: 37437216 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032521-022006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Mobile genetic elements are key to the evolution of bacteria and traits that affect host and ecosystem health. Here, we use a framework of a hierarchical and modular system that scales from genes to populations to synthesize recent findings on mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of bacteria. Doing so highlights the role that emergent properties of flexibility, robustness, and genetic capacitance of MGEs have on the evolution of bacteria. Some of their traits can be stored, shared, and diversified across different MGEs, taxa of bacteria, and time. Collectively, these properties contribute to maintaining functionality against perturbations while allowing changes to accumulate in order to diversify and give rise to new traits. These properties of MGEs have long challenged our abilities to study them. Implementation of new technologies and strategies allows for MGEs to be analyzed in new and powerful ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Weisberg
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA;
| | - Jeff H Chang
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA;
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46
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Audrey B, Cellier N, White F, Jacques PÉ, Burrus V. A systematic approach to classify and characterize genomic islands driven by conjugative mobility using protein signatures. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8402-8412. [PMID: 37526274 PMCID: PMC10484663 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad644] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic islands (GIs) play a crucial role in the spread of antibiotic resistance, virulence factors and antiviral defense systems in a broad range of bacterial species. However, the characterization and classification of GIs are challenging due to their relatively small size and considerable genetic diversity. Predicting their intercellular mobility is of utmost importance in the context of the emerging crisis of multidrug resistance. Here, we propose a large-scale classification method to categorize GIs according to their mobility profile and, subsequently, analyze their gene cargo. We based our classification decision scheme on a collection of mobility protein motif definitions available in publicly accessible databases. Our results show that the size distribution of GI classes correlates with their respective structure and complexity. Self-transmissible GIs are usually the largest, except in Bacillota and Actinomycetota, accumulate antibiotic and phage resistance genes, and favour the use of a tyrosine recombinase to insert into a host's replicon. Non-mobilizable GIs tend to use a DDE transposase instead. Finally, although tRNA genes are more frequently targeted as insertion sites by GIs encoding a tyrosine recombinase, most GIs insert in a protein-encoding gene. This study is a stepping stone toward a better characterization of mobile GIs in bacterial genomes and their mechanism of mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bioteau Audrey
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Frédérique White
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Vincent Burrus
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
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47
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Bareia T, Pollak S, Guler P, Puyesky S, Eldar A. Major distinctions between the two oligopeptide permease systems of Bacillus subtilis with respect to signaling, development and evolutionary divergence. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001382. [PMID: 37755230 PMCID: PMC10569065 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Oligopeptide-permeases (Opps) are used by bacteria to import short peptides. In addition to their metabolic benefit, imported short peptides are used in many Gram-positive bacteria as signalling molecules of the RRNPP super-family of quorum-sensing systems, making Opps an integral part of cell–cell communication. In some Gram-positive bacteria there exist multiple Opps and the relative importance of those to RRNPP quorum sensing are not fully clear. Specifically, in Bacillus subtilis , the Gram-positive model species, there exist two homologous oligopeptide permeases named Opp and App. Previous work showed that the App system is mutated in lab strain 168 and its recovery partially complements an Opp mutation for several developmental processes. Yet, the nature of the impact of App on signalling and development in wild-type strains, where both permeases are active was not studied. Here we re-examine the impact of the two permease systems. We find that App has a minor contribution to biofilm formation, surfactin production and phage infection compared to the effect of Opp. This reduced effect is also reflected in its lower ability to import the signals of four different Rap-Phr RRNPP systems. Further analysis of the App system revealed that, unlike Opp, some App genes have undergone horizontal transfer, resulting in two distinct divergent alleles of this system in B. subtilis strains. We found that both alleles were substantially better adapted than the Opp system to import an exogenous RRNPP signal of the Bacillus cereus group PlcR-PapR system. In summary, we find that the App system has only a minor role in signalling but may still be crucial for the import of other peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasneem Bareia
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Present address: Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shaul Pollak
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Present address: Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Science, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Polina Guler
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Shani Puyesky
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Avigdor Eldar
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
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48
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Yadalam PK, Arumuganainar D, Anegundi RV, Shrivastava D, Alftaikhah SAA, Almutairi HA, Alobaida MA, Alkaberi AA, Srivastava KC. CRISPR-Cas-Based Adaptive Immunity Mediates Phage Resistance in Periodontal Red Complex Pathogens. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2060. [PMID: 37630620 PMCID: PMC10459013 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082060] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Periodontal diseases are polymicrobial immune-inflammatory diseases that can severely destroy tooth-supporting structures. The critical bacteria responsible for this destruction include red complex bacteria such as Porphoromonas gingivalis, Tanerella forsythia and Treponema denticola. These organisms have developed adaptive immune mechanisms against bacteriophages/viruses, plasmids and transposons through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and their associated proteins (Cas). The CRISPR-Cas system contributes to adaptive immunity, and this acquired genetic immune system of bacteria may contribute to moderating the microbiome of chronic periodontitis. The current research examined the role of the CRISPR-Cas system of red complex bacteria in the dysbiosis of oral bacteriophages in periodontitis. Whole-genome sequences of red complex bacteria were obtained and investigated for CRISPR using the CRISPR identification tool. Repeated spacer sequences were analyzed for homologous sequences in the bacteriophage genome and viromes using BLAST algorithms. The results of the BLAST spacer analysis for T. denticola spacers had a 100% score (e value with a bacillus phage), and the results for T. forsthyia and P. gingivalis had a 56% score with a pectophage and cellulophage (e value: 0.21), respectively. The machine learning model of the identified red complex CRISPR sequences predicts with area an under the curve (AUC) accuracy of 100 percent, indicating phage inhibition. These results infer that red complex bacteria could significantly inhibit viruses and phages with CRISPR immune sequences. Therefore, the role of viruses and bacteriophages in modulating sub-gingival bacterial growth in periodontitis is limited or questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar Yadalam
- Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India;
| | - Deepavalli Arumuganainar
- Department of Periodontics, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, 2/102, East Coast Road, Uthandi, Chennai 600119, India;
| | - Raghavendra Vamsi Anegundi
- Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India;
| | - Deepti Shrivastava
- Periodontics Division, Preventive Dentistry Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Haifa Ali Almutairi
- College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.A.A.); (H.A.A.)
| | - Muhanad Ali Alobaida
- General Dentist, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 12613, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (A.A.A.)
| | | | - Kumar Chandan Srivastava
- Oral Medicine & Maxillofacial Radiology Division, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 602105, India
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49
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Wiehlmann L, Klockgether J, Hammerbacher AS, Salunkhe P, Horatzek S, Munder A, Peilert JF, Gulbins E, Eberl L, Tümmler B. A VirB4 ATPase of the mobile accessory genome orchestrates core genome-encoded features of physiology, metabolism, and virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa TBCF10839. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1234420. [PMID: 37577372 PMCID: PMC10413270 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1234420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa TBCF10839 is a highly virulent strain that can persist and replicate in human neutrophils. Screening of a signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) TBCF10839 transposon library in phagocytosis tests identified a mutant that carried the transposon in the VirB4 homolog 5PG21 of an integrative and conjugative element (ICE)-associated type IV secretion system of the pKLC102 subtype. 5P21 TBCF10839 insertion mutants were deficient in metabolic versatility, secretion, quorum sensing, and virulence. The mutants were efficiently killed in phagocytosis tests in vitro and were avirulent in an acute murine airway infection model in vivo. The inactivation of 5PG21 silenced the rhl, las, and pqs operons and the gene expression for the synthesis of hydrogen cyanide, the antimetabolite l-2-amino-4-methoxy-trans-3-butenoic acid, and the H2- and H3-type VI secretion systems and their associated effectors. The mutants were impaired in the utilization of carbon sources and stored compounds that are not funneled into intermediary metabolism. This showcase demonstrates that a single gene of the mobile accessory genome can become an essential element to operate the core genome-encoded features of metabolism and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Wiehlmann
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Research Core Unit Genomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens Klockgether
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna-Silke Hammerbacher
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Prabhakar Salunkhe
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja Horatzek
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antje Munder
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease, German Center for Lung Research, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Tümmler
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease, German Center for Lung Research, Hannover, Germany
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50
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Jowsey W, Morris CP, Hall D, Sullivan J, Fagerlund R, Eto K, Solomon P, Mackay J, Bond C, Ramsay J, Ronson C. DUF2285 is a novel helix-turn-helix domain variant that orchestrates both activation and antiactivation of conjugative element transfer in proteobacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6841-6856. [PMID: 37246713 PMCID: PMC10359603 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad457] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer is tightly regulated in bacteria. Often only a fraction of cells become donors even when regulation of horizontal transfer is coordinated at the cell population level by quorum sensing. Here, we reveal the widespread 'domain of unknown function' DUF2285 represents an 'extended-turn' variant of the helix-turn-helix domain that participates in both transcriptional activation and antiactivation to initiate or inhibit horizontal gene transfer. Transfer of the integrative and conjugative element ICEMlSymR7A is controlled by the DUF2285-containing transcriptional activator FseA. One side of the DUF2285 domain of FseA has a positively charged surface which is required for DNA binding, while the opposite side makes critical interdomain contacts with the N-terminal FseA DUF6499 domain. The QseM protein is an antiactivator of FseA and is composed of a DUF2285 domain with a negative surface charge. While QseM lacks the DUF6499 domain, it can bind the FseA DUF6499 domain and prevent transcriptional activation by FseA. DUF2285-domain proteins are encoded on mobile elements throughout the proteobacteria, suggesting regulation of gene transfer by DUF2285 domains is a widespread phenomenon. These findings provide a striking example of how antagonistic domain paralogues have evolved to provide robust molecular control over the initiation of horizontal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Jowsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Calum R P Morris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Drew A Hall
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Curtin Medical School and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - John T Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Robert D Fagerlund
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Karina Y Eto
- Curtin Medical School and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Paul D Solomon
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Joel P Mackay
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Joshua P Ramsay
- Curtin Medical School and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Clive W Ronson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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