1
|
Zou Z, Robinson JI, Steinberg LK, Henderson JP. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli wield enterobactin-derived catabolites as siderophores. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105554. [PMID: 38072063 PMCID: PMC10788543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105554] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) secrete multiple siderophore types to scavenge extracellular iron(III) ions during clinical urinary tract infections, despite the metabolic costs of biosynthesis. Here, we find the siderophore enterobactin (Ent) and its related products to be prominent components of the iron-responsive extracellular metabolome of a model UPEC strain. Using defined Ent biosynthesis and import mutants, we identify lower molecular weight dimeric exometabolites as products of incomplete siderophore catabolism, rather than prematurely released biosynthetic intermediates. In E. coli, iron acquisition from iron(III)-Ent complexes requires intracellular esterases that hydrolyze the siderophore. Although UPEC are equipped to consume the products of completely hydrolyzed Ent, we find that Ent and its derivatives may be incompletely hydrolyzed to yield products with retained siderophore activity. These results are consistent with catabolic inefficiency as means to obtain more than one iron ion per siderophore molecule. This is compatible with an evolved UPEC strategy to maximize the nutritional returns from metabolic investments in siderophore biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zongsen Zou
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John I Robinson
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lindsey K Steinberg
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Henderson
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hogins J, Xuan Z, Zimmern PE, Reitzer L. The distinct transcriptome of virulence-associated phylogenetic group B2 Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0208523. [PMID: 37724859 PMCID: PMC10580932 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02085-23] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli strains of phylogenetic group B2 are often associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and several other diseases. Recent genomic and transcriptomic analyses have not suggested or identified specific genes required for virulence, but have instead suggested multiple virulence strategies and complex host-pathogen interactions. Previous analyses have not compared core gene expression between phylogenetic groups or between pathogens and nonpathogens within phylogenetic groups. We compared the core gene expression of 35 strains from three phylogenetic groups that included both pathogens and nonpathogens after growth in a medium that allowed comparable growth of both types of strains. K-means clustering suggested a B2 cluster with 17 group B2 strains and two group A strains; an AD cluster with six group A strains, five group D strains and one B2 strain; and four outliers which included the highly studied model uropathogenic E. coli strains UTI89 and CFT073. Half of the core genes were differentially expressed between B2 and AD cluster strains, including transcripts of genes for all aspects of macromolecular synthesis-replication, transcription, translation, and peptidoglycan synthesis-energy metabolism, and environmental-sensing transcriptional regulators. Notably, core gene expression between nonpathogenic and uropathogenic transcriptomes within phylogenetic groups did not differ. If differences between pathogens and nonpathogens exist, then the differences do not require transcriptional reprogramming. In summary, B2 cluster strains have a distinct transcription pattern that involves hundreds of genes. We propose that this transcription pattern is one factor that contributes to virulence. IMPORTANCE Escherichia coli is a diverse species and an opportunistic pathogen that is associated with various diseases, such as urinary tract infections. When examined, phylogenetic group B2 strains are more often associated with these diseases, but the specific properties that contribute to their virulence are not known. From a comparative transcriptomic analysis, we found that group B2 strains grown in a nutrient-rich medium had a distinct transcription pattern, which is the first evidence that core gene expression differs between phylogenetic groups. Understanding the consequences of group B2 transcription pattern will provide important information on basic E. coli biology, the basis for E. coli virulence, and possibly for developing therapies for a majority of urinary tract infections and other group B2-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Hogins
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| | - Zhenyu Xuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| | - Philippe E. Zimmern
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Larry Reitzer
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ballash GA, Diaz-Campos D, van Balen JC, Mollenkopf DF, Wittum TE. Previous Antibiotic Exposure Reshapes the Population Structure of Infecting Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains by Selecting for Antibiotic Resistance over Urovirulence. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0524222. [PMID: 37338386 PMCID: PMC10433818 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05242-22] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic therapy is the standard of care for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). However, previous antibiotic therapy may impart a selective pressure that influences the population structure and pathogenic potential of infecting UPEC strains. Here, we conducted a 3-year study using whole-genome-sequencing analysis and retrospective medical record review to characterize how antibiotic exposure influenced the phenotypic antibiotic resistance, acquired resistome, virulome, and population structure of 88 UTI-causing E. coli strains from dogs. A majority of UTI-associated E. coli strains were from phylogroup B2 and clustered within sequence type 372. Previous antibiotic exposure was associated with a population shift toward UPEC from phylogroups other than the typical urovirulent phylogroup B2. The specific virulence profiles within the accessory virulome that were associated with antibiotic use were elicited by the effect of antibiotics on UPEC phylogenetic structure. Among phylogroup B2, antibiotic exposure increased the quantity of genes within the resistome and the odds of developing reduced susceptibility to at least one antibiotic. Non-B2 UPEC strains harbored a more diverse and greater resistome that conferred reduced susceptibility to multiple antibiotic classes following antibiotic exposure. Collectively, these data suggest that previous antibiotic exposure establishes an environment that provides a selective edge to non-B2 UPEC strains through their diverse and abundant antibiotic resistance genes, despite their lack of urovirulence genes. Our findings highlight the necessity for judicious use of antibiotics as we uncover another mechanism by which antibiotic exposure and resistance can influence the dynamics of bacterial infectious disease. IMPORTANCE Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections of dogs and humans. While antibiotic therapy is the standard of care for UTIs and other infections, antibiotic exposure may influence the pathogenic profile of subsequent infections. We used whole-genome sequencing and retrospective medical record review to characterize the effect of systemic antibiotic therapy on the resistance, virulence, and population structure of 88 UTI-causing UPEC strains isolated from dogs. Our results indicate that antibiotic exposure alters the population structure of infecting UPEC strains, providing a selective edge for non-B2 phylogroups that harbor diverse and abundant resistance gene catalogues but fewer urovirulence genes. These findings highlight how antibiotic resistance can influence pathogen infection dynamics and have clinical implications for the judicious use of antibiotics for bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A. Ballash
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Dubraska Diaz-Campos
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joany C. van Balen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Dixie F. Mollenkopf
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas E. Wittum
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zou Z, Robinson JI, Steinberg LK, Henderson JP. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli wield enterobactin-derived catabolites as siderophores. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.25.550588. [PMID: 37546885 PMCID: PMC10402112 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.25.550588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) secrete multiple siderophore types to scavenge extracellular iron(III) ions during clinical urinary tract infections, despite the metabolic costs of biosynthesis. Here we find the siderophore enterobactin and its related products to be prominent components of the iron-responsive extracellular metabolome of a model UPEC strain. Using defined enterobactin biosynthesis and import mutants, we identify lower molecular weight, dimeric exometabolites as products of incomplete siderophore catabolism, rather than prematurely released biosynthetic intermediates. In E. coli, iron acquisition from iron(III)-enterobactin complexes requires intracellular esterases that hydrolyze the siderophore. Although UPEC are equipped to consume the products of completely hydrolyzed enterobactin, we find that enterobactin and its derivatives may be incompletely hydrolyzed to yield products with retained siderophore activity. These results are consistent with catabolic inefficiency as means to obtain more than one iron ion per siderophore molecule. This is compatible with an evolved UPEC strategy to maximize the nutritional returns from metabolic investments in siderophore biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zongsen Zou
- Center for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John I. Robinson
- Center for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lindsey K. Steinberg
- Center for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jeffrey P. Henderson
- Center for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li D, Elankumaran P, Kudinha T, Kidsley AK, Trott DJ, Jarocki VM, Djordjevic SP. Dominance of Escherichia coli sequence types ST73, ST95, ST127 and ST131 in Australian urine isolates: a genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistance and virulence linked to F plasmids. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001068. [PMID: 37471138 PMCID: PMC10438821 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001068] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are the most frequent cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) globally. Most studies of clinical E. coli isolates are selected based on their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes; however, this selection bias may not provide an accurate portrayal of which sequence types (STs) cause the most disease. Here, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 320 E. coli isolates from urine samples sourced from a regional hospital in Australia in 2006. Most isolates (91%) were sourced from patients with UTIs and were not selected based on any AMR phenotypes. No significant differences were observed in AMR and virulence genes profiles across age sex, and uro-clinical syndromes. While 88 STs were identified, ST73, ST95, ST127 and ST131 dominated. F virulence plasmids carrying senB-cjrABC (126/231; 55%) virulence genes were a feature of this collection. These senB-cjrABC+ plasmids were split into two categories: pUTI89-like (F29:A-:B10 and/or >95 % identity to pUTI89) (n=73) and non-pUTI89-like (n=53). Compared to all other plasmid replicons, isolates with pUTI89-like plasmids carried fewer antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), whilst isolates with senB-cjrABC+/non-pUTI89 plasmids had a significantly higher load of ARGs and class 1 integrons. F plasmids were not detected in 89 genomes, predominantly ST73. Our phylogenomic analyses identified closely related isolates from the same patient associated with different pathologies and evidence of strain-sharing events involving isolates sourced from companion and wild animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy Li
- Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paarthiphan Elankumaran
- Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy Kudinha
- Central West Pathology Laboratory, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda K. Kidsley
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Darren J. Trott
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Veronica Maria Jarocki
- Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven Philip Djordjevic
- Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Haidar-Ahmad N, Manigat FO, Silué N, Pontier SM, Campbell-Valois FX. A Tale about Shigella: Evolution, Plasmid, and Virulence. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1709. [PMID: 37512882 PMCID: PMC10383432 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigella spp. cause hundreds of millions of intestinal infections each year. They target the mucosa of the human colon and are an important model of intracellular bacterial pathogenesis. Shigella is a pathovar of Escherichia coli that is characterized by the presence of a large invasion plasmid, pINV, which encodes the characteristic type III secretion system and icsA used for cytosol invasion and cell-to-cell spread, respectively. First, we review recent advances in the genetic aspects of Shigella, shedding light on its evolutionary history within the E. coli lineage and its relationship to the acquisition of pINV. We then discuss recent insights into the processes that allow for the maintenance of pINV. Finally, we describe the role of the transcription activators VirF, VirB, and MxiE in the major virulence gene regulatory cascades that control the expression of the type III secretion system and icsA. This provides an opportunity to examine the interplay between these pINV-encoded transcriptional activators and numerous chromosome-encoded factors that modulate their activity. Finally, we discuss novel chromosomal genes icaR, icaT, and yccE that are regulated by MxiE. This review emphasizes the notion that Shigella and E. coli have walked the fine line between commensalism and pathogenesis for much of their history.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaline Haidar-Ahmad
- Host-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - France Ourida Manigat
- Host-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Navoun Silué
- Host-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Stéphanie M Pontier
- Centre de Recherche Santé Environnementale et Biodiversité de l'Outaouais (SEBO), CEGEP de l'Outaouais, Gatineau, QC J8Y 6M4, Canada
| | - François-Xavier Campbell-Valois
- Host-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Geurtsen J, de Been M, Weerdenburg E, Zomer A, McNally A, Poolman J. Genomics and pathotypes of the many faces of Escherichia coli. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6617594. [PMID: 35749579 PMCID: PMC9629502 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is the most researched microbial organism in the world. Its varied impact on human health, consisting of commensalism, gastrointestinal disease, or extraintestinal pathologies, has generated a separation of the species into at least eleven pathotypes (also known as pathovars). These are broadly split into two groups, intestinal pathogenic E. coli (InPEC) and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). However, components of E. coli's infinite open accessory genome are horizontally transferred with substantial frequency, creating pathogenic hybrid strains that defy a clear pathotype designation. Here, we take a birds-eye view of the E. coli species, characterizing it from historical, clinical, and genetic perspectives. We examine the wide spectrum of human disease caused by E. coli, the genome content of the bacterium, and its propensity to acquire, exchange, and maintain antibiotic resistance genes and virulence traits. Our portrayal of the species also discusses elements that have shaped its overall population structure and summarizes the current state of vaccine development targeted at the most frequent E. coli pathovars. In our conclusions, we advocate streamlining efforts for clinical reporting of ExPEC, and emphasize the pathogenic potential that exists throughout the entire species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Geurtsen
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., 2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark de Been
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., 2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Aldert Zomer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alan McNally
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Poolman
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., 2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
icaR
and
icaT
Are Ancient Chromosome Genes Encoding Substrates of the Type III Secretion Apparatus in Shigella flexneri. mSphere 2022; 7:e0011522. [PMID: 35582904 PMCID: PMC9241512 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00115-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shigella is an Escherichia coli pathovar that colonizes the cytosol of mucosal cells in the human large intestine. To do this, Shigella uses a Type III Secretion Apparatus (T3SA) to translocate several proteins into host cells. The T3SA and its substrates are encoded by genes of the virulence plasmid pINV or by chromosomal genes derived thereof. We recently discovered two chromosomal genes, which seem unrelated to pINV, although they are activated by MxiE and IpgC similarly to some of the canonical substrates of the T3SA. Here, we showed that the production of the corresponding proteins depended on the conservation of a MxiE box in their cognate promoters. Furthermore, both proteins were secreted by the T3SA in a chaperone-independent manner through the recognition of their respective amino-terminal secretion signal. Based on these observations, we named these new genes icaR and icaT, which stand for invasion chromosome antigen with homology for a transcriptional regulator and a transposase, respectively. icaR and icaT have orthologs in commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains belonging mainly to phylogroups A, B1, D and E. Finally, we demonstrated that icaR and icaT orthologs could be activated by the coproduction of IpgC and MxiE in strains MG1655 K-12 (phylogroup A) and O157:H7 ATCC 43888 (phylogroup E). In contrast, the coproduction of EivF and YgeG, which are homologs of MxiE and IpgC in the E. coli T3SS 2 (ETT2), failed to activate icaR and icaT. IMPORTANCEicaR and icaT are the latest members of the MxiE regulon discovered in the chromosome. The proteins IcaR and IcaT, albeit produced in small amounts, are nonetheless secreted by the T3SA comparably to canonical substrates. The high occurrence of icaR and icaT in phylogroups A, B1, D, and E coupled with their widespread absence in their B2 counterparts agree with the consensus E. coli phylogeny. The widespread conservation of the MxiE box among icaR and icaT orthologs supports the notion that both genes had already undergone coevolution with transcriptional activators ipgC and mxiE- harbored in pINV or a relative- in the last common ancestor of Shigella and of E. coli from phylogroups A, B1, D, and E. The possibility that icaR and icaT may contribute to Shigella pathogenesis cannot be excluded, although some of their characteristics suggest they are fossil genes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Koh XP, Shen Z, Woo CF, Yu Y, Lun HI, Cheung SW, Kwan JKC, Lau SCK. Genetic and Ecological Diversity of Escherichia coli and Cryptic Escherichia Clades in Subtropical Aquatic Environments. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:811755. [PMID: 35250929 PMCID: PMC8891540 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.811755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli not only inhabit the large intestines of human and warm-blooded animals but could also persist in the external environment. However, current knowledge was largely based on host-associated strains. Moreover, cryptic Escherichia clades that were often misidentified as E. coli by conventional diagnostic methods were discovered. Failure to distinguish them from E. coli sensu stricto could lead to inaccurate conclusions about the population genetics of E. coli. Based on seven housekeeping genes, we determine the genetic and ecological diversity of E. coli and cryptic clades as they occupy aquatic habitats with different characteristics and human impact levels in subtropical Hong Kong. Contrary to previous reports, clade II was the most abundant cryptic lineage co-isolated with E. coli, being especially abundant in relatively pristine subtropical aquatic environments. The phylogenetically distinct cryptic clades and E. coli showed limited recombination and significant genetic divergence. Analyses indicated that these clade II strains were ecologically differentiated from typical E. coli; some may even represent novel environmental Escherichia clades that were closely related to the original clade II strains of fecal origins. E. coli of diverse origins exhibited clonality amidst divergent genotypes STs, echoing other studies in that recombination in housekeeping genes was insufficient to disrupt phylogenetic signals of the largely clonal E. coli. Notably, environmental E. coli were less diverse than fecal isolates despite contributing many new alleles and STs. Finally, we demonstrated that human activities influenced the distribution of E. coli and clade II in a small aquatic continuum. Moving from relatively pristine sites toward areas with higher human disturbance, the abundance of clade II isolates and new E. coli genotypes reduces, while E. coli bearing class I integrons and belonging to CCs of public health concern accumulates. Altogether, this work revealed the new genetic diversity of E. coli and cryptic clades embedded in selected subtropical aquatic habitats, especially relatively pristine sites, which will aid a more thorough understanding of the extent of their genetic and functional variations in relation to diverse habitats with varied conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Pei Koh
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Fai Woo
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yanping Yu
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hau In Lun
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sze Wan Cheung
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joseph Kai Cho Kwan
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stanley Chun Kwan Lau
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Stanley Chun Kwan Lau,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Baquero F, Martínez JL, F. Lanza V, Rodríguez-Beltrán J, Galán JC, San Millán A, Cantón R, Coque TM. Evolutionary Pathways and Trajectories in Antibiotic Resistance. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0005019. [PMID: 34190572 PMCID: PMC8404696 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00050-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution is the hallmark of life. Descriptions of the evolution of microorganisms have provided a wealth of information, but knowledge regarding "what happened" has precluded a deeper understanding of "how" evolution has proceeded, as in the case of antimicrobial resistance. The difficulty in answering the "how" question lies in the multihierarchical dimensions of evolutionary processes, nested in complex networks, encompassing all units of selection, from genes to communities and ecosystems. At the simplest ontological level (as resistance genes), evolution proceeds by random (mutation and drift) and directional (natural selection) processes; however, sequential pathways of adaptive variation can occasionally be observed, and under fixed circumstances (particular fitness landscapes), evolution is predictable. At the highest level (such as that of plasmids, clones, species, microbiotas), the systems' degrees of freedom increase dramatically, related to the variable dispersal, fragmentation, relatedness, or coalescence of bacterial populations, depending on heterogeneous and changing niches and selective gradients in complex environments. Evolutionary trajectories of antibiotic resistance find their way in these changing landscapes subjected to random variations, becoming highly entropic and therefore unpredictable. However, experimental, phylogenetic, and ecogenetic analyses reveal preferential frequented paths (highways) where antibiotic resistance flows and propagates, allowing some understanding of evolutionary dynamics, modeling and designing interventions. Studies on antibiotic resistance have an applied aspect in improving individual health, One Health, and Global Health, as well as an academic value for understanding evolution. Most importantly, they have a heuristic significance as a model to reduce the negative influence of anthropogenic effects on the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F. Baquero
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. L. Martínez
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - V. F. Lanza
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Central Bioinformatics Unit, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Rodríguez-Beltrán
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. C. Galán
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - A. San Millán
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - R. Cantón
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - T. M. Coque
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Frolova M, Yudin S, Makarov V, Glazunova O, Alikina O, Markelova N, Kolzhetsov N, Dzhelyadin T, Shcherbakova V, Trubitsyn V, Panyukov V, Zaitsev A, Kiselev S, Shavkunov K, Ozoline O. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei: Occurrence in the Human Gut Microbiota and K-Mer-Based Assessment of Intraspecies Diversity. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111246. [PMID: 34833122 PMCID: PMC8620312 DOI: 10.3390/life11111246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alignment-free approaches employing short k-mers as barcodes for individual genomes have created a new strategy for taxonomic analysis and paved a way for high-resolution phylogeny. Here, we introduce this strategy for the Lacticaseibacillus paracasei species as a taxon requiring barcoding support for precise systematics. Using this approach for phylotyping of L. paracasei VKM B-1144 at the genus level, we identified four L. paracasei phylogroups and found that L. casei 12A belongs to one of them, rather than to the L. casei clade. Therefore, we propose to change the specification of this strain. At the genus level we found only one relative of L. paracasei VKM B-1144 among 221 genomes, complete or available in contigs, and showed that the coding potential of the genome of this "rare" strain allows its consideration as a potential probiotic component. Four sets of published metagenomes were used to assess the dependence of L. paracasei presence in the human gut microbiome on chronic diseases, dietary changes and antibiotic treatment. Only antibiotics significantly affected their presence, and strain-specific barcoding allowed the identification of the main scenarios of the adaptive response. Thus, suggesting bacteria of this species for compensatory therapy, we also propose strain-specific barcoding for selecting optimal strains for target microbiomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Frolova
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Sergey Yudin
- Centre for Strategic Planning of Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (S.Y.); (V.M.)
| | - Valentin Makarov
- Centre for Strategic Planning of Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (S.Y.); (V.M.)
| | - Olga Glazunova
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Olga Alikina
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Natalia Markelova
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Nikolay Kolzhetsov
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Timur Dzhelyadin
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Viktoria Shcherbakova
- Laboratory of Anaerobic Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (V.S.); (V.T.)
| | - Vladimir Trubitsyn
- Laboratory of Anaerobic Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (V.S.); (V.T.)
| | - Valery Panyukov
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology RAS—The Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Alexandr Zaitsev
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology RAS—The Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Sergey Kiselev
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Konstantin Shavkunov
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (O.O.)
| | - Olga Ozoline
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Cellular Stress, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (M.F.); (O.G.); (O.A.); (N.M.); (N.K.); (T.D.); (V.P.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (O.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
First Report of Multi-resistant Escherichia fergusonii Isolated from Children Under Two Months of Age in Intensive Care Unit. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2021. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.116000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gram-negative bacilli are primarily responsible for the most common pediatric infections. Frequently, Escherichia fergusonii is identified as E. coli because of its close genetic proximity. Objectives: We aimed at the isolation and identification of multi-resistant strains of E. fergusonii, affecting children under two months of age. Methods: Strains were isolated from infectious processes and were identified phenotypically and molecularly. The microdilution method (MicroScan, autoSCAN-4) and the disk diffusion method (modified Kirby Bauer) were used to analyze antibiotic susceptibility. Results: Strains isolated were multi-resistant. Molecular identification provided the correct taxonomic assignment. Escherichia fergusonii strains were wrongly identified as E. coli with the phenotypic identification method. In addition, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were identified. The best sensitivity results were obtained with Ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam. Conclusions: We provided the first report of isolation and identification of multi-resistant E. fergusonii strains affecting children under two months of age in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Collapse
|
13
|
Mehat JW, van Vliet AHM, La Ragione RM. The Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) pathotype is comprised of multiple distinct, independent genotypes. Avian Pathol 2021; 50:402-416. [PMID: 34047644 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2021.1915960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the causative agent of avian colibacillosis, resulting in economic losses to the poultry industry through morbidity, mortality and carcass condemnation, and impacts the welfare of poultry. Colibacillosis remains a complex disease to manage, hampered by diagnostic and classification strategies for E. coli that are inadequate for defining APEC. However, increased accessibility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology has enabled phylogenetic approaches to be applied to the classification of E. coli and genomic characterization of the most common APEC serotypes associated with colibacillosis O1, O2 and O78. These approaches have demonstrated that the O78 serotype is representative of two distinct APEC lineages, ST-23 in phylogroup C and ST-117 in phylogroup G. The O1 and O2 serotypes belong to a third lineage comprised of three sub-populations in phylogroup B2; ST-95, ST-140 and ST-428/ST-429. The frequency with which these genotypes are associated with colibacillosis implicates them as the predominant APEC populations and distinct from those causing incidental or opportunistic infections. The fact that these are disparate clusters from multiple phylogroups suggests that these lineages may have become adapted to the poultry niche independently. WGS studies have highlighted the limitations of traditional APEC classification and can now provide a path towards a robust and more meaningful definition of the APEC pathotype. Future studies should focus on characterizing individual APEC populations in detail and using this information to develop improved diagnostics and interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jai W Mehat
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Arnoud H M van Vliet
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Roberto M La Ragione
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Baquero F, Coque TM, Galán JC, Martinez JL. The Origin of Niches and Species in the Bacterial World. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:657986. [PMID: 33815348 PMCID: PMC8010147 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.657986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Niches are spaces for the biological units of selection, from cells to complex communities. In a broad sense, "species" are biological units of individuation. Niches do not exist without individual organisms, and every organism has a niche. We use "niche" in the Hutchinsonian sense as an abstraction of a multidimensional environmental space characterized by a variety of conditions, both biotic and abiotic, whose quantitative ranges determine the positive or negative growth rates of the microbial individual, typically a species, but also parts of the communities of species contained in this space. Microbial organisms ("species") constantly diversify, and such diversification (radiation) depends on the possibility of opening up unexploited or insufficiently exploited niches. Niche exploitation frequently implies "niche construction," as the colonized niche evolves with time, giving rise to new potential subniches, thereby influencing the selection of a series of new variants in the progeny. The evolution of niches and organisms is the result of reciprocal interacting processes that form a single unified process. Centrifugal microbial diversification expands the limits of the species' niches while a centripetal or cohesive process occurs simultaneously, mediated by horizontal gene transfers and recombinatorial events, condensing all of the information recovered during the diversifying specialization into "novel organisms" (possible future species), thereby creating a more complex niche, where the selfishness of the new organism(s) establishes a "homeostatic power" limiting the niche's variation. Once the niche's full carrying capacity has been reached, reproductive isolation occurs, as no foreign organisms can outcompete the established population/community, thereby facilitating speciation. In the case of individualization-speciation of the microbiota, its contribution to the animal' gut structure is a type of "niche construction," the result of crosstalk between the niche (host) and microorganism(s). Lastly, there is a parallelism between the hierarchy of niches and that of microbial individuals. The increasing anthropogenic effects on the biosphere (such as globalization) might reduce the diversity of niches and bacterial individuals, with the potential emergence of highly transmissible multispecialists (which are eventually deleterious) resulting from the homogenization of the microbiosphere, a possibility that should be explored and prevented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Baquero
- Division of Biology and Evolution of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa M Coque
- Division of Biology and Evolution of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Galán
- Division of Biology and Evolution of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abram K, Udaondo Z, Bleker C, Wanchai V, Wassenaar TM, Robeson MS, Ussery DW. Mash-based analyses of Escherichia coli genomes reveal 14 distinct phylogroups. Commun Biol 2021; 4:117. [PMID: 33500552 PMCID: PMC7838162 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01626-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, more than one hundred thousand Escherichia coli and Shigella genomes were examined and classified. This is, to our knowledge, the largest E. coli genome dataset analyzed to date. A Mash-based analysis of a cleaned set of 10,667 E. coli genomes from GenBank revealed 14 distinct phylogroups. A representative genome or medoid identified for each phylogroup was used as a proxy to classify 95,525 unassembled genomes from the Sequence Read Archive (SRA). We find that most of the sequenced E. coli genomes belong to four phylogroups (A, C, B1 and E2(O157)). Authenticity of the 14 phylogroups is supported by several different lines of evidence: phylogroup-specific core genes, a phylogenetic tree constructed with 2613 single copy core genes, and differences in the rates of gene gain/loss/duplication. The methodology used in this work is able to reproduce known phylogroups, as well as to identify previously uncharacterized phylogroups in E. coli species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaleb Abram
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA
| | - Zulema Udaondo
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA
| | - Carissa Bleker
- The Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37996, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37996, USA
| | - Visanu Wanchai
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA
| | - Trudy M Wassenaar
- Molecular Microbiology and Genomics Consultants, 55576, Zotzenheim, Germany
| | - Michael S Robeson
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA
| | - David W Ussery
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gutiérrez S, Díaz L, Reyes-Jara A, Yang X, Meng J, González-Escalona N, Toro M. Whole-Genome Phylogenetic Analysis Reveals a Wide Diversity of Non-O157 STEC Isolated From Ground Beef and Cattle Feces. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:622663. [PMID: 33584592 PMCID: PMC7874142 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.622663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes foodborne outbreaks that can lead to complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome. Their main reservoir is cattle, and ground beef has been frequently associated with disease and outbreaks. In this study, we attempted to understand the genetic relationship among STEC isolated in Chile from different sources, their relationship to STEC from the rest of the world, and to identify molecular markers of Chilean STEC. We sequenced 62 STEC isolated in Chile using MiSeq Illumina. In silico typing was determined using tools of the Center Genomic Epidemiology, Denmark University (CGE/DTU). Genomes of our local STEC collection were compared with 113 STEC isolated worldwide through a core genome MLST (cgMLST) approach, and we also searched for distinct genes to be used as molecular markers of Chilean isolates. Genomes in our local collection were grouped based on serogroup and sequence type, and clusters were formed within local STEC. In the worldwide STEC analysis, Chilean STEC did not cluster with genomes of the rest of the world suggesting that they are not phylogenetically related to previously described STEC. The pangenome of our STEC collection was 11,650 genes, but we did not identify distinct molecular markers of local STEC. Our results showed that there may be local emerging STEC with unique features, nevertheless, no molecular markers were detected. Therefore, there might be elements such as a syntenic organization that might explain differential clustering detected between local and worldwide STEC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonela Díaz
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Angélica Reyes-Jara
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Xun Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Jianghong Meng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States.,Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Narjol González-Escalona
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Magaly Toro
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Genetic Variation and Preliminary Indications of Divergent Niche Adaptation in Cryptic Clade II of Escherichia. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111713. [PMID: 33142902 PMCID: PMC7716201 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution, habitat, and lifestyle of the cryptic clade II of Escherichia, which were first recovered at low frequency from non-human hosts and later from external environments, were poorly understood. Here, the genomes of selected strains were analyzed for preliminary indications of ecological differentiation within their population. We adopted the delta bitscore metrics to detect functional divergence of their orthologous genes and trained a random forest classifier to differentiate the genomes according to habitats (gastrointestinal vs external environment). Model was built with inclusion of other Escherichia genomes previously demonstrated to have exhibited genomic traits of adaptation to one of the habitats. Overall, gene degradation was more prominent in the gastrointestinal strains. The trained model correctly classified the genomes, identifying a set of predictor genes that were informative of habitat association. Functional divergence in many of these genes were reflective of ecological divergence. Accuracy of the trained model was confirmed by its correct prediction of the habitats of an independent set of strains with known habitat association. In summary, the cryptic clade II of Escherichia displayed genomic signatures that are consistent with divergent adaptation to gastrointestinal and external environments.
Collapse
|
18
|
Flament-Simon SC, de Toro M, Chuprikova L, Blanco M, Moreno-González J, Salas M, Blanco J, Redrejo-Rodríguez M. High diversity and variability of pipolins among a wide range of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12452. [PMID: 32719405 PMCID: PMC7385651 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-synthesizing transposons are integrative mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that encode their own B-family DNA polymerase (PolB). Discovered a few years ago, they are proposed as key players in the evolution of several groups of DNA viruses and virus–host interaction machinery. Pipolins are the most recent addition to the group, are integrated in the genomes of bacteria from diverse phyla and also present as circular plasmids in mitochondria. Remarkably, pipolins-encoded PolBs are proficient DNA polymerases endowed with DNA priming capacity, hence the name, primer-independent PolB (piPolB). We have now surveyed the presence of pipolins in a collection of 2,238 human and animal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains and found that, although detected in only 25 positive isolates (1.1%), they are present in E. coli strains from a wide variety of pathotypes, serotypes, phylogenetic groups and sequence types. Overall, the pangenome of strains carrying pipolins is highly diverse, despite the fact that a considerable number of strains belong to only three clonal complexes (CC10, CC23 and CC32). Comparative analysis with a set of 67 additional pipolin-harboring genomes from GenBank database spanning strains from diverse origin, further confirmed these results. The genetic structure of pipolins shows great flexibility and variability, with the piPolB gene and the attachment sites being the only common features. Most pipolins contain one or more recombinases that would be involved in excision/integration of the element in the same conserved tRNA gene. This mobilization mechanism might explain the apparent incompatibility of pipolins with other integrative MGEs such as integrons. In addition, analysis of cophylogeny between pipolins and pipolin-harboring strains showed a lack of congruence between several pipolins and their host strains, in agreement with horizontal transfer between hosts. Overall, these results indicate that pipolins can serve as a vehicle for genetic transfer among circulating E. coli and possibly also among other pathogenic bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saskia-Camille Flament-Simon
- Laboratorio de Referencia de E. Coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - María de Toro
- Plataforma de Genómica y Bioinformática, CIBIR (Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja), La Rioja, 26006, Logroño, Spain
| | - Liubov Chuprikova
- Departamento de Bioquímica & Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" CSIC-UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Blanco
- Laboratorio de Referencia de E. Coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Juan Moreno-González
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Salas
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Blanco
- Laboratorio de Referencia de E. Coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Modesto Redrejo-Rodríguez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain. .,Departamento de Bioquímica & Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" CSIC-UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Touchon M, Perrin A, de Sousa JAM, Vangchhia B, Burn S, O’Brien CL, Denamur E, Gordon D, Rocha EPC. Phylogenetic background and habitat drive the genetic diversification of Escherichia coli. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008866. [PMID: 32530914 PMCID: PMC7314097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is mostly a commensal of birds and mammals, including humans, where it can act as an opportunistic pathogen. It is also found in water and sediments. We investigated the phylogeny, genetic diversification, and habitat-association of 1,294 isolates representative of the phylogenetic diversity of more than 5,000 isolates from the Australian continent. Since many previous studies focused on clinical isolates, we investigated mostly other isolates originating from humans, poultry, wild animals and water. These strains represent the species genetic diversity and reveal widespread associations between phylogroups and isolation sources. The analysis of strains from the same sequence types revealed very rapid change of gene repertoires in the very early stages of divergence, driven by the acquisition of many different types of mobile genetic elements. These elements also lead to rapid variations in genome size, even if few of their genes rise to high frequency in the species. Variations in genome size are associated with phylogroup and isolation sources, but the latter determine the number of MGEs, a marker of recent transfer, suggesting that gene flow reinforces the association of certain genetic backgrounds with specific habitats. After a while, the divergence of gene repertoires becomes linear with phylogenetic distance, presumably reflecting the continuous turnover of mobile element and the occasional acquisition of adaptive genes. Surprisingly, the phylogroups with smallest genomes have the highest rates of gene repertoire diversification and fewer but more diverse mobile genetic elements. This suggests that smaller genomes are associated with higher, not lower, turnover of genetic information. Many of these genomes are from freshwater isolates and have peculiar traits, including a specific capsule, suggesting adaptation to this environment. Altogether, these data contribute to explain why epidemiological clones tend to emerge from specific phylogenetic groups in the presence of pervasive horizontal gene transfer across the species. Previous large scale studies on the evolution of E. coli focused on clinical isolates emphasizing virulence and antibiotic resistance in medically important lineages. Yet, most E. coli strains are either human commensals or not associated with humans at all. Here, we analyzed a large collection of non-clinical isolates of the species to assess the mechanisms of gene repertoire diversification in the light of isolation sources and phylogeny. We show that gene repertoires evolve so rapidly by the high turnover of mobile genetic elements that epidemiologically indistinguishable strains can be phenotypically extremely heterogeneous, illustrating the velocity of bacterial adaptation and the importance of accounting for the information on the whole genome at the epidemiological scale. Phylogeny and habitat shape the genetic diversification of E. coli to similar extents. Surprisingly, freshwater strains seem specifically adapted to this environment, breaking the paradigm that E. coli environmental isolates are systematically fecal contaminations. As a consequence, the evolution of this species is also shaped by environmental habitats, and it may diversify by acquiring genes and mobile elements from environmental bacteria (and not just from gut bacteria). This may facilitate the acquisition of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance in the strains that become pathogenic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Touchon
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr Roux, Paris, 75015, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Amandine Perrin
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr Roux, Paris, 75015, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Jorge André Moura de Sousa
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr Roux, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Belinda Vangchhia
- Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Samantha Burn
- Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Claire L. O’Brien
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave Wollongong, Australia
| | - Erick Denamur
- Université de Paris, IAME, UMR 1137, INSERM, Paris, 75018, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpital Bichat, 75018, Paris, France
| | - David Gordon
- Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Eduardo PC Rocha
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR3525, 25-28 rue Dr Roux, Paris, 75015, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
A Role for Gut Microbiome Fermentative Pathways in Fatty Liver Disease Progression. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051369. [PMID: 32392712 PMCID: PMC7291163 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease in which environmental and genetic factors are involved. Although the molecular mechanisms involved in NAFLD onset and progression are not completely understood, the gut microbiome (GM) is thought to play a key role in the process, influencing multiple physiological functions. GM alterations in diversity and composition directly impact disease states with an inflammatory course, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, how the GM influences liver disease susceptibility is largely unknown. Similarly, the impact of strategies targeting the GM for the treatment of NASH remains to be evaluated. This review provides a broad insight into the role of gut microbiota in NASH pathogenesis, as a diagnostic tool, and as a therapeutic target in this liver disease. We highlight the idea that the balance in metabolic fermentations can be key in maintaining liver homeostasis. We propose that an overabundance of alcohol-fermentation pathways in the GM may outcompete healthier, acid-producing members of the microbiota. In this way, GM ecology may precipitate a self-sustaining vicious cycle, boosting liver disease progression.
Collapse
|
21
|
Lerminiaux NA, MacKenzie KD, Cameron ADS. Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI-1): The Evolution and Stabilization of a Core Genomic Type Three Secretion System. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8040576. [PMID: 32316180 PMCID: PMC7232297 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8040576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI-1) encodes a type three secretion system (T3SS), effector proteins, and associated transcription factors that together enable invasion of epithelial cells in animal intestines. The horizontal acquisition of SPI-1 by the common ancestor of all Salmonella is considered a prime example of how gene islands potentiate the emergence of new pathogens with expanded niche ranges. However, the evolutionary history of SPI-1 has attracted little attention. Here, we apply phylogenetic comparisons across the family Enterobacteriaceae to examine the history of SPI-1, improving the resolution of its boundaries and unique architecture by identifying its composite gene modules. SPI-1 is located between the core genes fhlA and mutS, a hotspot for the gain and loss of horizontally acquired genes. Despite the plasticity of this locus, SPI-1 demonstrates stable residency of many tens of millions of years in a host genome, unlike short-lived homologous T3SS and effector islands including Escherichia ETT2, Yersinia YSA, Pantoea PSI-2, Sodalis SSR2, and Chromobacterium CPI-1. SPI-1 employs a unique series of regulatory switches, starting with the dedicated transcription factors HilC and HilD, and flowing through the central SPI-1 regulator HilA. HilA is shared with other T3SS, but HilC and HilD may have their evolutionary origins in Salmonella. The hilA, hilC, and hilD gene promoters are the most AT-rich DNA in SPI-1, placing them under tight control by the transcriptional repressor H-NS. In all Salmonella lineages, these three promoters resist amelioration towards the genomic average, ensuring strong repression by H-NS. Hence, early development of a robust and well-integrated regulatory network may explain the evolutionary stability of SPI-1 compared to T3SS gene islands in other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Lerminiaux
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada; (N.A.L.); (K.D.M.)
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Keith D. MacKenzie
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada; (N.A.L.); (K.D.M.)
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Andrew D. S. Cameron
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada; (N.A.L.); (K.D.M.)
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|