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Christi K, Hudson J, Egan S. Current approaches to genetic modification of marine bacteria and considerations for improved transformation efficiency. Microbiol Res 2024; 284:127729. [PMID: 38663232 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127729] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Marine bacteria play vital roles in symbiosis, biogeochemical cycles and produce novel bioactive compounds and enzymes of interest for the pharmaceutical, biofuel and biotechnology industries. At present, investigations into marine bacterial functions and their products are primarily based on phenotypic observations, -omic type approaches and heterologous gene expression. To advance our understanding of marine bacteria and harness their full potential for industry application, it is critical that we have the appropriate tools and resources to genetically manipulate them in situ. However, current genetic tools that are largely designed for model organisms such as E. coli, produce low transformation efficiencies or have no transfer ability in marine bacteria. To improve genetic manipulation applications for marine bacteria, we need to improve transformation methods such as conjugation and electroporation in addition to identifying more marine broad host range plasmids. In this review, we aim to outline the reported methods of transformation for marine bacteria and discuss the considerations for each approach in the context of improving efficiency. In addition, we further discuss marine plasmids and future research areas including CRISPR tools and their potential applications for marine bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Christi
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Hudson
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Suhelen Egan
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Zhang J, Yang A, Cui W, Zhang J, Niu A, Hu X, Li Q. Tracing toxic path of antimony: From bioaccumulation to DNA hypomethylation in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 277:116351. [PMID: 38653027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The increasing concentration of Antimony (Sb) in ecological environments has raised serious concerns about its potential biotoxicological impact. This study investigated the toxicokinetics, Global DNA Methylation (GDM), biomarker expression, and Integrated Biological Response (IBR) of Sb at different concentrations in zebrafish. The toxic mechanism of Sb exposure was simulated using molecular dynamics (MD). The results showed that significant differences effect existed (BCFk: liver > ovary > gut > brain) and uptake saturation phenomenon of Sb among zebrafish tissues. Over a 54-day exposure period, the liver emerged as the main target site for Sb-induced GDM, and the restoration was slower than in other tissues during the 54-day recovery period. Moreover, the concentration of Sb had a significant impact on the normally expression of biomarkers, with GSTM1 inhibited and MTF2, MT1, TET3, and p53 showing varying degrees of activation at different Sb concentrations. This could be attributed to Sb3+ potentially occupying the active site or tightly binding to the deep cavity of these genes. The IBR and MD results highlighted DNMT1 as the most sensitive biomarker among those assessed. This heightened sensitivity can be attributed to the stable binding of Sb3+ to DNMT1, resulting in alterations in the conformation of DNMT1's catalytic domain and inhibition of its activity. Consequently, this disruption leads to damage to the integrity of GDM. The study suggests that DNA methylation could serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing the ecotoxicological impact of Sb exposure. It contributes to a better understanding of the toxicity mechanisms in aquatic environments caused potential pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Zhang
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Aijiang Yang
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Institute of Environmental Engineering Planning and Designing, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China.
| | - Wen Cui
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Apin Niu
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Institute of Environmental Engineering Planning and Designing, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Xia Hu
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Institute of Environmental Engineering Planning and Designing, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Qing Li
- The College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Institute of Environmental Engineering Planning and Designing, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
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3
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Reva ON, La Cono V, Crisafi F, Smedile F, Mudaliyar M, Ghosal D, Giuliano L, Krupovic M, Yakimov MM. Interplay of intracellular and trans-cellular DNA methylation in natural archaeal consortia. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13258. [PMID: 38589217 PMCID: PMC11001535 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation serves a variety of functions across all life domains. In this study, we investigated archaeal methylomics within a tripartite xylanolytic halophilic consortium. This consortium includes Haloferax lucertense SVX82, Halorhabdus sp. SVX81, and an ectosymbiotic Candidatus Nanohalococcus occultus SVXNc, a nano-sized archaeon from the DPANN superphylum. We utilized PacBio SMRT and Illumina cDNA sequencing to analyse samples from consortia of different compositions for methylomics and transcriptomics. Endogenous cTAG methylation, typical of Haloferax, was accompanied in this strain by methylation at four other motifs, including GDGcHC methylation, which is specific to the ectosymbiont. Our analysis of the distribution of methylated and unmethylated motifs suggests that autochthonous cTAG methylation may influence gene regulation. The frequency of GRAGAaG methylation increased in highly expressed genes, while CcTTG and GTCGaGG methylation could be linked to restriction-modification (RM) activity. Generally, the RM activity might have been reduced during the evolution of this archaeon to balance the protection of cells from intruders, the reduction of DNA damage due to self-restriction in stressful environments, and the benefits of DNA exchange under extreme conditions. Our methylomics, transcriptomics and complementary electron cryotomography (cryo-ET) data suggest that the nanohaloarchaeon exports its methyltransferase to methylate the Haloferax genome, unveiling a new aspect of the interaction between the symbiont and its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg N. Reva
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational BiologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Violetta La Cono
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology GroupInstitute of Polar Sciences, ISP‐CNRMessinaItaly
| | - Francesca Crisafi
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology GroupInstitute of Polar Sciences, ISP‐CNRMessinaItaly
| | - Francesco Smedile
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology GroupInstitute of Polar Sciences, ISP‐CNRMessinaItaly
| | - Manasi Mudaliyar
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology InstituteThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- ARC Centre for Cryo‐electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology InstituteUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Debnath Ghosal
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology InstituteThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- ARC Centre for Cryo‐electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology InstituteUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Mart Krupovic
- Istitut Pasteur, Archaeal Virology UnitUniversité Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Michail M. Yakimov
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology GroupInstitute of Polar Sciences, ISP‐CNRMessinaItaly
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Ding Y, Zhao L, Wang G, Shi Y, Guo G, Liu C, Chen Z, Coker OO, She J, Yu J. PacBio sequencing of human fecal samples uncovers the DNA methylation landscape of 22 673 gut phages. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12140-12149. [PMID: 37904586 PMCID: PMC10711547 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad977] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut phages have an important impact on human health. Methylation plays key roles in DNA recognition, gene expression regulation and replication for phages. However, the DNA methylation landscape of gut phages is largely unknown. Here, with PacBio sequencing (2120×, 4785 Gb), we detected gut phage methylation landscape based on 22 673 gut phage genomes, and presented diverse methylation motifs and methylation differences in genomic elements. Moreover, the methylation rate of phages was associated with taxonomy and host, and N6-methyladenine methylation rate was higher in temperate phages than in virulent phages, suggesting an important role for methylation in phage-host interaction. In particular, 3543 (15.63%) phage genomes contained restriction-modification system, which could aid in evading clearance by the host. This study revealed the DNA methylation landscape of gut phage and its potential roles, which will advance the understanding of gut phage survival and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiang Ding
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liuyang Zhao
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gang Guo
- Center for Gut Microbiome Research, Department of Surgery, Med-X Institute, Department of High Talent, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Changan Liu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zigui Chen
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Olabisi Oluwabukola Coker
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Junjun She
- Center for Gut Microbiome Research, Department of Surgery, Med-X Institute, Department of High Talent, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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5
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Kling JD, Lee MD, Walworth NG, Webb EA, Coelho JT, Wilburn P, Anderson SI, Zhou Q, Wang C, Phan MD, Fu F, Kremer CT, Litchman E, Rynearson TA, Hutchins DA. Dual thermal ecotypes coexist within a nearly genetically identical population of the unicellular marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2315701120. [PMID: 37972069 PMCID: PMC10665897 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315701120] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The extent and ecological significance of intraspecific functional diversity within marine microbial populations is still poorly understood, and it remains unclear if such strain-level microdiversity will affect fitness and persistence in a rapidly changing ocean environment. In this study, we cultured 11 sympatric strains of the ubiquitous marine picocyanobacterium Synechococcus isolated from a Narragansett Bay (RI) phytoplankton community thermal selection experiment. Thermal performance curves revealed selection at cool and warm temperatures had subdivided the initial population into thermotypes with pronounced differences in maximum growth temperatures. Curiously, the genomes of all 11 isolates were almost identical (average nucleotide identities of >99.99%, with >99% of the genome aligning) and no differences in gene content or single nucleotide variants were associated with either cool or warm temperature phenotypes. Despite a very high level of genomic similarity, sequenced epigenomes for two strains showed differences in methylation on genes associated with photosynthesis. These corresponded to measured differences in photophysiology, suggesting a potential pathway for future mechanistic research into thermal microdiversity. Our study demonstrates that present-day marine microbial populations can harbor cryptic but environmentally relevant thermotypes which may increase their resilience to future rising temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Kling
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
| | - Michael D. Lee
- ZOLL Medical Corporation, Chelmsford, MA01824
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA98154
| | - Nathan G. Walworth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
| | - Eric A. Webb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
| | - Jordan T. Coelho
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
| | - Paul Wilburn
- ZOLL Medical Corporation, Chelmsford, MA01824
- Kellogg Biological Station, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI49060
| | - Stephanie I. Anderson
- Graduate School of Oceanography, The University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI02882
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Qianqian Zhou
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, Fujian361005, China
| | - Chunguang Wang
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, Fujian361005, China
| | - Megan D. Phan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
| | - Feixue Fu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
| | - Colin T. Kremer
- Kellogg Biological Station, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI49060
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT06269
| | - Elena Litchman
- Kellogg Biological Station, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI49060
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA94305
| | - Tatiana A. Rynearson
- Graduate School of Oceanography, The University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI02882
| | - David A. Hutchins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90007
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Peng Y, Lu Z, Pan D, Shi LD, Zhao Z, Liu Q, Zhang C, Jia K, Li J, Hubert CRJ, Dong X. Viruses in deep-sea cold seep sediments harbor diverse survival mechanisms and remain genetically conserved within species. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1774-1784. [PMID: 37573455 PMCID: PMC10504277 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Deep sea cold seep sediments have been discovered to harbor novel, abundant, and diverse bacterial and archaeal viruses. However, little is known about viral genetic features and evolutionary patterns in these environments. Here, we examined the evolutionary ecology of viruses across active and extinct seep stages in the area of Haima cold seeps in the South China Sea. A total of 338 viral operational taxonomic units are identified and linked to 36 bacterial and archaeal phyla. The dynamics of host-virus interactions are informed by diverse antiviral defense systems across 43 families found in 487 microbial genomes. Cold seep viruses are predicted to harbor diverse adaptive strategies to persist in this environment, including counter-defense systems, auxiliary metabolic genes, reverse transcriptases, and alternative genetic code assignments. Extremely low nucleotide diversity is observed in cold seep viral populations, being influenced by factors including microbial host, sediment depth, and cold seep stage. Most cold seep viral genes are under strong purifying selection with trajectories that differ depending on whether cold seeps are active or extinct. This work sheds light on the understanding of environmental adaptation mechanisms and evolutionary patterns of viruses in the sub-seafloor biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyi Peng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Zijian Lu
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Donald Pan
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ling-Dong Shi
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhao Zhao
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Qing Liu
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Chuwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Kuntong Jia
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Jiwei Li
- Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Casey R J Hubert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Xiyang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China.
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Seong HJ, Kim JJ, Sul WJ. ACR: metagenome-assembled prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome refinement tool. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad381. [PMID: 37889119 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad381] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial genome recovery from metagenomes can further explain microbial ecosystem structures, functions and dynamics. Thus, this study developed the Additional Clustering Refiner (ACR) to enhance high-purity prokaryotic and eukaryotic metagenome-assembled genome (MAGs) recovery. ACR refines low-quality MAGs by subjecting them to iterative k-means clustering predicated on contig abundance and increasing bin purity through validated universal marker genes. Synthetic and real-world metagenomic datasets, including short- and long-read sequences, evaluated ACR's effectiveness. The results demonstrated improved MAG purity and a significant increase in high- and medium-quality MAG recovery rates. In addition, ACR seamlessly integrates with various binning algorithms, augmenting their strengths without modifying core features. Furthermore, its multiple sequencing technology compatibilities expand its applicability. By efficiently recovering high-quality prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, ACR is a promising tool for deepening our understanding of microbial communities through genome-centric metagenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoon Je Seong
- Korean Medicine Data Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Ju Kim
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jun Sul
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea
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Sun C, Chen J, Jin M, Zhao X, Li Y, Dong Y, Gao N, Liu Z, Bork P, Zhao X, Chen W. Long-Read Sequencing Reveals Extensive DNA Methylations in Human Gut Phagenome Contributed by Prevalently Phage-Encoded Methyltransferases. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302159. [PMID: 37382405 PMCID: PMC10477858 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a crucial role in the survival of bacteriophages (phages), yet the understanding of their genome methylation remains limited. In this study, DNA methylation patterns are analyzed in 8848 metagenome-assembled high-quality phages from 104 fecal samples using single-molecule real-time sequencing. The results demonstrate that 97.60% of gut phages exhibit methylation, with certain factors correlating with methylation densities. Phages with higher methylation densities appear to have potential viability advantages. Strikingly, more than one-third of the phages possess their own DNA methyltransferases (MTases). Increased MTase copies are associated with higher genome methylation densities, specific methylation motifs, and elevated prevalence of certain phage groups. Notably, the majority of these MTases share close homology with those encoded by gut bacteria, suggesting their exchange during phage-bacterium interactions. Furthermore, these MTases can be employed to accurately predict phage-host relationships. Overall, the findings indicate the widespread utilization of DNA methylation by gut DNA phages as an evasion mechanism against host defense systems, with a substantial contribution from phage-encoded MTases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging, Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Jingchao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging, Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Menglu Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging, Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Xueyang Zhao
- College of Life ScienceHenan Normal UniversityXinxiangHenan453007P. R. China
| | - Yun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging, Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Yanqi Dong
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain‐Inspired IntelligenceFudan UniversityShanghai200433P. R. China
| | - Na Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging, Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan UniversityWuhan430071P. R. China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430074P. R. China
| | - Peer Bork
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryStructural and Computational Biology Unit69117HeidelbergGermany
- Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine13125BerlinGermany
- Yonsei Frontier Lab (YFL)Yonsei UniversitySeoul03722South Korea
- Department of Bioinformatics, BiocenterUniversity of Würzburg97070WürzburgGermany
| | - Xing‐Ming Zhao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain‐Inspired IntelligenceFudan UniversityShanghai200433P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain‐Inspired Intelligence and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghai200433P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghai200433P. R. China
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
- International Human Phenome Institutes (Shanghai)Shanghai200433P. R. China
| | - Wei‐Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging, Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
- College of Life ScienceHenan Normal UniversityXinxiangHenan453007P. R. China
- Institution of Medical Artificial IntelligenceBinzhou Medical UniversityYantai264003P. R. China
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9
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Lu J, Shu Y, Zhang H, Zhang S, Zhu C, Ding W, Zhang W. The Landscape of Global Ocean Microbiome: From Bacterioplankton to Biofilms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076491. [PMID: 37047466 PMCID: PMC10095273 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076491] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of metagenomics has opened up a new era in the study of marine microbiota, which play important roles in biogeochemical cycles. In recent years, the global ocean sampling expeditions have spurred this research field toward a deeper understanding of the microbial diversities and functions spanning various lifestyles, planktonic (free-living) or sessile (biofilm-associated). In this review, we deliver a comprehensive summary of marine microbiome datasets generated in global ocean expeditions conducted over the last 20 years, including the Sorcerer II GOS Expedition, the Tara Oceans project, the bioGEOTRACES project, the Micro B3 project, the Bio-GO-SHIP project, and the Marine Biofilms. These datasets have revealed unprecedented insights into the microscopic life in our oceans and led to the publication of world-leading research. We also note the progress of metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics, which are confined to local marine microbiota. Furthermore, approaches to transforming the global ocean microbiome datasets are highlighted, and the state-of-the-art techniques that can be combined with data analyses, which can present fresh perspectives on marine molecular ecology and microbiology, are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lu
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yi Shu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Shangxian Zhang
- Haide College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Chengrui Zhu
- Haide College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Wei Ding
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Haide College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Correspondence: (W.D.); (W.Z.)
| | - Weipeng Zhang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Haide College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Correspondence: (W.D.); (W.Z.)
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