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Abril AG, Quintela-Baluja M, Villa TG, Calo-Mata P, Barros-Velázquez J, Carrera M. Proteomic Characterization of Virulence Factors and Related Proteins in Enterococcus Strains from Dairy and Fermented Food Products. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810971. [PMID: 36142880 PMCID: PMC9503237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus species are Gram-positive bacteria that are normal gastrointestinal tract inhabitants that play a beneficial role in the dairy and meat industry. However, Enterococcus species are also the causative agents of health care-associated infections that can be found in dairy and fermented food products. Enterococcal infections are led by strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, which are often resistant to antibiotics and biofilm formation. Enterococci virulence factors attach to host cells and are also involved in immune evasion. LC-MS/MS-based methods offer several advantages compared with other approaches because one can directly identify microbial peptides without the necessity of inferring conclusions based on other approaches such as genomics tools. The present study describes the use of liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC−ESI−MS/MS) to perform a global shotgun proteomics characterization for opportunistic pathogenic Enterococcus from different dairy and fermented food products. This method allowed the identification of a total of 1403 nonredundant peptides, representing 1327 proteins. Furthermore, 310 of those peptides corresponded to proteins playing a direct role as virulence factors for Enterococcus pathogenicity. Virulence factors, antibiotic sensitivity, and proper identification of the enterococcal strain are required to propose an effective therapy. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD036435. Label-free quantification (LFQ) demonstrated that the majority of the high-abundance proteins corresponded to E. faecalis species. Therefore, the global proteomic repository obtained here can be the basis for further research into pathogenic Enterococcus species, thus facilitating the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G. Abril
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15898 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Marine Research Institute (IIM), 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Marcos Quintela-Baluja
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Technology Division, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Tomás G. Villa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15898 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pilar Calo-Mata
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Technology Division, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Jorge Barros-Velázquez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Technology Division, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Mónica Carrera
- Department of Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Marine Research Institute (IIM), 36208 Vigo, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Abril AG, Carrera M, Böhme K, Barros-Velázquez J, Calo-Mata P, Sánchez-Pérez A, Villa TG. Proteomic Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance in Listeria and Production of Antimicrobial and Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8141. [PMID: 34360905 PMCID: PMC8348566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Some Listeria species are important human and animal pathogens that can be found in contaminated food and produce a variety of virulence factors involved in their pathogenicity. Listeria strains exhibiting multidrug resistance are known to be progressively increasing and that is why continuous monitoring is needed. Effective therapy against pathogenic Listeria requires identification of the bacterial strain involved, as well as determining its virulence factors, such as antibiotic resistance and sensitivity. The present study describes the use of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) to do a global shotgun proteomics characterization for pathogenic Listeria species. This method allowed the identification of a total of 2990 non-redundant peptides, representing 2727 proteins. Furthermore, 395 of the peptides correspond to proteins that play a direct role in Listeria pathogenicity; they were identified as virulence factors, toxins and anti-toxins, or associated with either antibiotics (involved in antibiotic-related compounds production or resistance) or resistance to toxic substances. The proteomic repository obtained here can be the base for further research into pathogenic Listeria species and facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G. Abril
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus Sur 15782, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Mónica Carrera
- Marine Research Institute (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Karola Böhme
- Agroalimentary Technological Center of Lugo, Montirón 154, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Jorge Barros-Velázquez
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Área de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Lugo, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.B.-V.); (P.C.-M.)
| | - Pilar Calo-Mata
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Área de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Lugo, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.B.-V.); (P.C.-M.)
| | - Angeles Sánchez-Pérez
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Tomás G. Villa
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus Sur 15782, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
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Moreno A, Froehlig JR, Bachas S, Gunio D, Alexander T, Vanya A, Wade H. Solution Binding and Structural Analyses Reveal Potential Multidrug Resistance Functions for SAV2435 and CTR107 and Other GyrI-like Proteins. Biochemistry 2016; 55:4850-63. [PMID: 27505298 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) refers to the acquired ability of cells to tolerate a broad range of toxic compounds. One mechanism cells employ is to increase the level of expression of efflux pumps for the expulsion of xenobiotics. A key feature uniting efflux-related mechanisms is multidrug (MD) recognition, either by efflux pumps themselves or by their transcriptional regulators. However, models describing MD binding by MDR effectors are incomplete, underscoring the importance of studies focused on the recognition elements and key motifs that dictate polyspecific binding. One such motif is the GyrI-like domain, which is found in several MDR proteins and is postulated to have been adapted for small-molecule binding and signaling. Here we report the solution binding properties and crystal structures of two proteins containing GyrI-like domains, SAV2435 and CTR107, bound to various ligands. Furthermore, we provide a comparison with deposited crystal structures of GyrI-like proteins, revealing key features of GyrI-like domains that not only support polyspecific binding but also are conserved among GyrI-like domains. Together, our studies suggest that GyrI-like domains perform evolutionarily conserved functions connected to multidrug binding and highlight the utility of these types of studies for elucidating mechanisms of MDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Moreno
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - John R Froehlig
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Sharrol Bachas
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Drew Gunio
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Teressa Alexander
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Aaron Vanya
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Herschel Wade
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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Spellmon N, Holcomb J, Trescott L, Sirinupong N, Yang Z. Structure and function of SET and MYND domain-containing proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:1406-28. [PMID: 25580534 PMCID: PMC4307310 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16011406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SET (Suppressor of variegation, Enhancer of Zeste, Trithorax) and MYND (Myeloid-Nervy-DEAF1) domain-containing proteins (SMYD) have been found to methylate a variety of histone and non-histone targets which contribute to their various roles in cell regulation including chromatin remodeling, transcription, signal transduction, and cell cycle control. During early development, SMYD proteins are believed to act as an epigenetic regulator for myogenesis and cardiomyocyte differentiation as they are abundantly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle. SMYD proteins are also of therapeutic interest due to the growing list of carcinomas and cardiovascular diseases linked to SMYD overexpression or dysfunction making them a putative target for drug intervention. This review will examine the biological relevance and gather all of the current structural data of SMYD proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Spellmon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Joshua Holcomb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Laura Trescott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Nualpun Sirinupong
- Nutraceuticals and Functional Food Research and Development Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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Labbate M, Boucher Y, Luu I, Chowdhury PR, Stokes HW. Integron associated mobile genes: Just a collection of plug in apps or essential components of cell network hardware? Mob Genet Elements 2014; 2:13-18. [PMID: 22754748 PMCID: PMC3383445 DOI: 10.4161/mge.19510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral gene transfer (LGT) impacts on the evolution of prokaryotes in both the short and long-term. The short-term impacts of mobilized genes are a concern to humans since LGT explains the global rise of multi drug resistant pathogens seen in the past 70 years. However, LGT has been a feature of prokaryotes from the earliest days of their existence and the concept of a bifurcating tree of life is not entirely applicable to prokaryotes since most genes in extant prokaryotic genomes have probably been acquired from other lineages. Successful transfer and maintenance of a gene in a new host is understandable if it acts independently of cell networks and confers an advantage. Antibiotic resistance provides an example of this whereby a gene can be advantageous in virtually any cell across broad species backgrounds. In a longer evolutionary context however laterally transferred genes can be assimilated into even essential cell networks. How this happens is not well understood and we discuss recent work that identifies a mobile gene, unique to a cell lineage, which is detrimental to the cell when lost. We also present some additional data and believe our emerging model will be helpful in understanding how mobile genes integrate into cell networks.
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Jiang Y, Trescott L, Holcomb J, Zhang X, Brunzelle J, Sirinupong N, Shi X, Yang Z. Structural insights into estrogen receptor α methylation by histone methyltransferase SMYD2, a cellular event implicated in estrogen signaling regulation. J Mol Biol 2014; 426:3413-25. [PMID: 24594358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling plays a pivotal role in many developmental processes and has been implicated in numerous diseases including cancers. We recently showed that direct ERα methylation by the multi-specificity histone lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 regulates estrogen signaling through repressing ERα-dependent transactivation. However, the mechanism controlling the specificity of the SMYD2-ERα interaction and the structural basis of SMYD2 substrate binding diversity are unknown. Here we present the crystal structure of SMYD2 in complex with a target lysine (Lys266)-containing ERα peptide. The structure reveals that ERα binds SMYD2 in a U-shaped conformation with the binding specificity determined mainly by residues C-terminal to the target lysine. The structure also reveals numerous intrapeptide contacts that ensure shape complementarity between the substrate and the active site of the enzyme, thereby likely serving as an additional structural determinant of substrate specificity. In addition, comparison of the SMYD2-ERα and SMYD2-p53 structures provides the first structural insight into the diverse nature of SMYD2 substrate recognition and suggests that the broad specificity of SMYD2 is achieved by multiple molecular mechanisms such as distinct peptide binding modes and the intrinsic dynamics of peptide ligands. Strikingly, a novel potentially SMYD2-specific polyethylene glycol binding site is identified in the CTD domain, implicating possible functions in extended substrate binding or protein-protein interactions. Our study thus provides the structural basis for the SMYD2-mediated ERα methylation, and the resulting knowledge of SMYD2 substrate specificity and target binding diversity could have important implications in selective drug design against a wide range of ERα-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Laura Trescott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Joshua Holcomb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph Brunzelle
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Nualpun Sirinupong
- Nutraceuticals and Functional Food Research and Development Center, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Xiaobing Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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Rapa RA, Labbate M. The function of integron-associated gene cassettes in Vibrio species: the tip of the iceberg. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:385. [PMID: 24367362 PMCID: PMC3856429 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The integron is a genetic element that incorporates mobile genes termed gene cassettes into a reserved genetic site via site-specific recombination. It is best known for its role in antibiotic resistance with one type of integron, the class 1 integron, a major player in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes across Gram negative pathogens and commensals. However, integrons are ancient structures with over 100 classes (including class 1) present in bacteria from the broader environment. While, the class 1 integron is only one example of an integron being mobilized into the clinical environment, it is by far the most successful. Unlike clinical class 1 integrons which are largely found on plasmids, other integron classes are found on the chromosomes of bacteria and carry diverse gene cassettes indicating a non-antibiotic resistance role(s). However, there is very limited knowledge on what these alternative roles are. This is particularly relevant to Vibrio species where gene cassettes make up approximately 1-3% of their entire genome. In this review, we discuss how emphasis on class 1 integron research has resulted in a limited understanding by the wider research community on the role of integrons in the broader environment. This has the capacity to be counterproductive in solving or improving the antibiotic resistance problem into the future. Furthermore, there is still a significant lack of knowledge on how gene cassettes in Vibrio species drive adaptation and evolution. From research in Vibrio rotiferianus DAT722, new insight into how gene cassettes affect cellular physiology offers new alternative roles for the gene cassette resource. At least a subset of gene cassettes are involved in host surface polysaccharide modification suggesting that gene cassettes may be important in processes such as bacteriophage resistance, adhesion/biofilm formation, protection from grazers and bacterial aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita A Rapa
- ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia ; Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maurizio Labbate
- ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia ; Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Rapa RA, Shimmon R, Djordjevic SP, Stokes HW, Labbate M. Deletion of integron-associated gene cassettes impact on the surface properties of Vibrio rotiferianus DAT722. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58430. [PMID: 23484028 PMCID: PMC3590141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The integron is a genetic recombination system that catalyses the acquisition of genes on mobilisable elements called gene cassettes. In Vibrio species, multiple acquired gene cassettes form a cassette array that can comprise 1–3% of the bacterial genome. Since 75% of these gene cassettes contain genes encoding proteins of uncharacterised function, how the integron has driven adaptation and evolution in Vibrio species remains largely unknown. A feature of cassette arrays is the presence of large indels. Using Vibrio rotiferianus DAT722 as a model organism, the aim of this study was to determine how large cassette deletions affect vibrio physiology with a view to improving understanding into how cassette arrays influence bacterial host adaptation and evolution. Methodology/Principal Findings Biological assays and proteomic techniques were utilised to determine how artificially engineered deletions in the cassette array of V. rotiferianus DAT722 affected cell physiology. Multiple phenotypes were identified including changes to growth and expression of outer membrane porins/proteins and metabolic proteins. Furthermore, the deletions altered cell surface polysaccharide with Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance on whole cell polysaccharide identifying changes in the carbohydrate ring proton region indicating that gene cassette products may decorate host cell polysaccharide via the addition or removal of functional groups. Conclusions/Significance From this study, it was concluded that deletion of gene cassettes had a subtle effect on bacterial metabolism but altered host surface polysaccharide. Deletion (and most likely rearrangement and acquisition) of gene cassettes may provide the bacterium with a mechanism to alter its surface properties, thus impacting on phenotypes such as biofilm formation. Biofilm formation was shown to be altered in one of the deletion mutants used in this study. Reworking surface properties may provide an advantage to the bacterium’s interactions with organisms such as bacteriophage, protozoan grazers or crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita A. Rapa
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ronald Shimmon
- Chemical Technology and Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - H. W. Stokes
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Maurizio Labbate
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Sureshan V, Deshpande CN, Boucher Y, Koenig JE, Stokes HW, Harrop SJ, Curmi PMG, Mabbutt BC. Integron gene cassettes: a repository of novel protein folds with distinct interaction sites. PLoS One 2013; 8:e52934. [PMID: 23349695 PMCID: PMC3548836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mobile gene cassettes captured within integron arrays encompass a vast and diverse pool of genetic novelty. In most cases, functional annotation of gene cassettes directly recovered by cassette-PCR is obscured by their characteristically high sequence novelty. This inhibits identification of those specific functions or biological features that might constitute preferential factors for lateral gene transfer via the integron system. A structural genomics approach incorporating x-ray crystallography has been utilised on a selection of cassettes to investigate evolutionary relationships hidden at the sequence level. Gene cassettes were accessed from marine sediments (pristine and contaminated sites), as well as a range of Vibrio spp. We present six crystal structures, a remarkably high proportion of our survey of soluble proteins, which were found to possess novel folds. These entirely new structures are diverse, encompassing all-α, α+β and α/β fold classes, and many contain clear binding pocket features for small molecule substrates. The new structures emphasise the large repertoire of protein families encoded within the integron cassette metagenome and which remain to be characterised. Oligomeric association is a notable recurring property common to these new integron-derived proteins. In some cases, the protein–protein contact sites utilised in homomeric assembly could instead form suitable contact points for heterogeneous regulator/activator proteins or domains. Such functional features are ideal for a flexible molecular componentry needed to ensure responsive and adaptive bacterial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Visaahini Sureshan
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chandrika N. Deshpande
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yan Boucher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeremy E. Koenig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - H. W. Stokes
- ithree institute, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Harrop
- School of Physics, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul M. G. Curmi
- School of Physics, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bridget C. Mabbutt
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Promponas VJ, Ouzounis CA, Iliopoulos I. Experimental evidence validating the computational inference of functional associations from gene fusion events: a critical survey. Brief Bioinform 2012; 15:443-54. [PMID: 23220349 PMCID: PMC4017328 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbs072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
More than a decade ago, a number of methods were proposed for the inference of protein interactions, using whole-genome information from gene clusters, gene fusions and phylogenetic profiles. This structural and evolutionary view of entire genomes has provided a valuable approach for the functional characterization of proteins, especially those without sequence similarity to proteins of known function. Furthermore, this view has raised the real possibility to detect functional associations of genes and their corresponding proteins for any entire genome sequence. Yet, despite these exciting developments, there have been relatively few cases of real use of these methods outside the computational biology field, as reflected from citation analysis. These methods have the potential to be used in high-throughput experimental settings in functional genomics and proteomics to validate results with very high accuracy and good coverage. In this critical survey, we provide a comprehensive overview of 30 most prominent examples of single pairwise protein interaction cases in small-scale studies, where protein interactions have either been detected by gene fusion or yielded additional, corroborating evidence from biochemical observations. Our conclusion is that with the derivation of a validated gold-standard corpus and better data integration with big experiments, gene fusion detection can truly become a valuable tool for large-scale experimental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis J Promponas
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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11
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Labbate M, Boucher Y, Chowdhury PR, Stokes HW. Integration of a laterally acquired gene into a cell network important for growth in a strain of Vibrio rotiferianus. BMC Microbiol 2011; 11:253. [PMID: 22093957 PMCID: PMC3262767 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-11-253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lateral Gene Transfer (LGT) is a major contributor to bacterial evolution and up to 25% of a bacterium's genome may have been acquired by this process over evolutionary periods of time. Successful LGT requires both the physical transfer of DNA and its successful incorporation into the host cell. One system that contributes to this latter step by site-specific recombination is the integron. Integrons are found in many diverse bacterial Genera and is a genetic system ubiquitous in vibrios that captures mobile DNA at a dedicated site. The presence of integron-associated genes, contained within units of mobile DNA called gene cassettes makes up a substantial component of the vibrio genome (1-3%). Little is known about the role of this system since the vast majority of genes in vibrio arrays are highly novel and functions cannot be ascribed. It is generally regarded that strain-specific mobile genes cannot be readily integrated into the cellular machinery since any perturbation of core metabolism is likely to result in a loss of fitness. RESULTS In this study, at least one mobile gene contained within the Vibrio rotiferianus strain DAT722, but lacking close relatives elsewhere, is shown to greatly reduce host fitness when deleted and tested in growth assays. The precise role of the mobile gene product is unknown but impacts on the regulation of outermembrane porins. This demonstrates that strain specific laterally acquired mobile DNA can be integrated rapidly into bacterial networks such that it becomes advantageous for survival and adaptation in changing environments. CONCLUSIONS Mobile genes that are highly strain specific are generally believed to act in isolation. This is because perturbation of existing cell machinery by the acquisition of a new gene by LGT is highly likely to lower fitness. In contrast, we show here that at least one mobile gene, apparently unique to a strain, encodes a product that has integrated into central cellular metabolic processes such that it greatly lowers fitness when lost under those conditions likely to be commonly encountered for the free living cell. This has ramifications for our understanding of the role mobile gene encoded products play in the cell from a systems biology perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Labbate
- The ithree institute, University of Technology, Sydney. Harris Street and Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yan Boucher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta. 110 St NW Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Piklu Roy Chowdhury
- The ithree institute, University of Technology, Sydney. Harris Street and Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Hatch W Stokes
- The ithree institute, University of Technology, Sydney. Harris Street and Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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