Chromosomal islands of Streptococcus pyogenes and related streptococci: molecular switches for survival and virulence

Expanding the genetic toolbox for the obligate human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes

Genetic tools form the basis for the study of molecular mechanisms. Despite many recent advances in the field of genetic engineering in bacteria, genetic toolsets remain scarce for non-model organisms, such as the obligatory human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. To overcome this limitation and enable the straightforward investigation of gene functions in S. pyogenes, we have developed a comprehensive genetic toolset. By adapting and combining different tools previously applied in other Gram-positive bacteria, we have created new replicative and integrative plasmids for gene expression and genetic manipulation, constitutive and inducible promoters as well as fluorescence reporters for S. pyogenes. The new replicative plasmids feature low- and high-copy replicons combined with different resistance cassettes and a standardized multiple cloning site for rapid cloning procedures. We designed site-specific integrative plasmids and verified their integration by nanopore sequencing. To minimize the effect of plasmid integration on bacterial physiology, we screened publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets for transcriptionally silent sites. We validated this approach by designing the integrative plasmid pSpy0K6 targeting the transcriptionally silent gene SPy_1078. Analysis of the activity of different constitutive promoters indicated a wide variety of strengths, with the lactococcal promoter P 23 showing the strongest activity and the synthetic promoter P xylS2 showing the weakest activity. Further, we assessed the functionality of three inducible regulatory elements including a zinc- and an IPTG-inducible promoter as well as an erythromycin-inducible riboswitch that showed low-to-no background expression and high inducibility. Additionally, we demonstrated the applicability of two codon-optimized fluorescent proteins, mNeongreen and mKate2, as reporters in S. pyogenes. We therefore adapted the chemically defined medium called RPMI4Spy that showed reduced autofluorescence and enabled efficient signal detection in plate reader assays and fluorescence microscopy. Finally, we developed a plasmid-based system for genome engineering in S. pyogenes featuring the counterselection marker pheS*, which enabled the scarless deletion of the sagB gene. This new toolbox simplifies previously laborious genetic manipulation procedures and lays the foundation for new methodologies to study gene functions in S. pyogenes, leading to a better understanding of its virulence mechanisms and physiology.

The mef(A)/msr(D)-carrying streptococcal prophage Φ1207.3 encodes an SOS-like system, induced by UV-C light, responsible for increased survival and increased mutation rate

Bacterial SOS response is an inducible system of DNA repair and mutagenesis. Streptococci lack a canonical SOS response, but an SOS-like response was reported in some species. The mef(A)-msr(D)-carrying prophage Ф1207.3 of Streptococcus pyogenes contains a region, spanning orf6 to orf11, showing homology to characterized streptococcal SOS-like cassettes. Genome-wide homology search showed the presence of the whole Φ1207.3 SOS-like cassette in three S. pyogenes prophages, while parts of it were found in other bacterial species. To investigate whether this cassette confers an SOS-mutagenesis phenotype, we constructed Streptococcus pneumoniae R6 isogenic derivative strains: (i) FR172, streptomycin resistant, (ii) FR173, carrying Φ1207.3, and (iii) FR174, carrying a recombinant Φ1207.3, where the SOS-like cassette was deleted. These strains were used in survival and mutation rate assays using a UV-C LED instrument, for which we designed and 3D-printed a customized equipment, constituted of an instrument support and swappable-autoclavable mini-plates and lids. Upon exposure to UV fluences ranging from 0 to 6,400 J/m2 at four different wavelengths, 255, 265, 275, and 285 nm, we found that the presence of Φ1207.3 SOS-like cassette increases bacterial survival up to 34-fold. Mutation rate was determined by measuring rifampicin resistance acquisition upon exposure to UV fluence of 50 J/m2 at the four wavelengths by fluctuation test. The presence of Φ1207.3 SOS-like cassette resulted in a significant increase in the mutation rate (up to 18-fold) at every wavelength. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Φ1207.3 carries a functional SOS-like cassette responsible for an increased survival and increased mutation rate in S. pneumoniae. IMPORTANCE Bacterial mutation rate is generally low, but stress conditions and DNA damage can induce stress response systems, which allow for improved survival and continuous replication. The SOS response is a DNA repair mechanism activated by some bacteria in response to stressful conditions, which leads to a temporary hypermutable phenotype and is usually absent in streptococcal genomes. Here, using a reproducible and controlled UV irradiation system, we demonstrated that the SOS-like gene cassette of prophage Φ1207.3 is functional, responsible for a temporary hypermutable phenotype, and enhances bacterial survival to UV irradiation. Prophage Φ1207.3 also carries erythromycin resistance genes and can lysogenize different pathogenic bacteria, constituting an example of a mobile genetic element which can confer multiple phenotypes to its host.

In silico characterization of cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins from neglected unicellular microeukaryotes

BACKGROUND

The emergence of multi-resistant pathogens have increased dramatically in recent years, becoming a major public-health concern. Among other promising antimicrobial molecules with potential to assist in this worldwide struggle, cysteine-stabilized αβ (CS-αβ) defensins are attracting attention due their efficacy, stability, and broad spectrum against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists, including many known human pathogens.

RESULTS

Here, 23 genomes of ciliated protists were screened and two CS-αβ defensins with a likely antifungal activity were identified and characterized, using bioinformatics, from a culturable freshwater species, Laurentiella sp. (LsAMP-1 and LsAMP-2). Although any potential cellular ligand could be predicted for LsAMP-2; evidences from structural, molecular dynamics, and docking analyses suggest that LsAMP-1 may form stably associations with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates (PIP2), a phospholipid found on many eukaryotic cells, which could, in turn, represent an anchorage mechanism within plasma membrane of targeted cells.

CONCLUSION

These data stress that more biotechnology-oriented studies should be conducted on neglected protists, such ciliates, which could become valuable sources of novel bioactive molecules for therapeutic uses.

The Life Cycle Transitions of Temperate Phages: Regulating Factors and Potential Ecological Implications

Phages are viruses that infect bacteria. They affect various microbe-mediated processes that drive biogeochemical cycling on a global scale. Their influence depends on whether the infection is lysogenic or lytic. Temperate phages have the potential to execute both infection types and thus frequently switch their infection modes in nature, potentially causing substantial impacts on the host-phage community and relevant biogeochemical cycling. Understanding the regulating factors and outcomes of temperate phage life cycle transition is thus fundamental for evaluating their ecological impacts. This review thus systematically summarizes the effects of various factors affecting temperate phage life cycle decisions in both culturable phage-host systems and natural environments. The review further elucidates the ecological implications of the life cycle transition of temperate phages with an emphasis on phage/host fitness, host-phage dynamics, microbe diversity and evolution, and biogeochemical cycles.

Bacillus cytotoxicus Genomics: Chromosomal Diversity and Plasmidome Versatility

Bacillus cytotoxicus is the thermotolerant representative of the Bacillus cereus group. This group, also known as B. cereus sensu lato, comprises both beneficial and pathogenic members and includes psychrotolerant and thermotolerant species. Bacillus cytotoxicus was originally recovered from a fatal outbreak in France in 1998. This species forms a remote cluster from the B. cereus group members and reliably contains the cytk-1 gene, coding for a cytotoxic variant of cytotoxin K. Although this species was originally thought to be homogenous, intra-species diversity has been recently described with four clades, six random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns, and 11 plasmids profiles. This study aimed to get new insights into the genomic diversity of B. cytotoxicus and to decipher the underlying chromosomal and plasmidial variations among six representative isolates through whole genome sequencing (WGS). Among the six sequenced strains, four fitted the previously described genomic clades A and D, while the remaining two constituted new distinct branches. As for the plasmid content of these strains, three large plasmids were putatively conjugative and three small ones potentially mobilizable, harboring coding genes for putative leaderless bacteriocins. Mobile genetic elements, such as prophages, Insertion Sequences (IS), and Bacillus cereus repeats (bcr) greatly contributed to the B. cytotoxicus diversity. As for IS elements and bcr, IS3 and bcr1 were the most abundant elements and, along with the group II intron B.c.I8, were found in all analyzed B. cytotoxicus strains. When compared to other B. cytotoxicus strains, the type-strain NVH 391-98 displayed a relatively low number of IS. Our results shed new light on the contribution of mobile genetic elements to the genome plasticity of B. cytotoxicus and their potential role in horizontal gene transfer.

Phage satellites and their emerging applications in biotechnology

The arms race between (bacterio)phages and their hosts is a recognised hot spot for genome evolution. Indeed, phages and their components have historically paved the way for many molecular biology techniques and biotech applications. Further exploration into their complex lifestyles has revealed that phages are often parasitised by distinct types of hyperparasitic mobile genetic elements. These so-called phage satellites exploit phages to ensure their own propagation and horizontal transfer into new bacterial hosts, and their prevalence and peculiar lifestyle has caught the attention of many researchers. Here, we review the parasite-host dynamics of the known phage satellites, their genomic organisation and their hijacking mechanisms. Finally, we discuss how these elements can be repurposed for diverse biotech applications, kindling a new catalogue of exciting tools for microbiology and synthetic biology.

Cryptic prophages within a Streptococcus pyogenes genotype emm4 lineage

The major human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes shares an intimate evolutionary history with mobile genetic elements, which in many cases carry genes encoding bacterial virulence factors. During recent whole-genome sequencing of a longitudinal sample of S. pyogenes isolates in England, we identified a lineage within emm4 that clustered with the reference genome MEW427. Like MEW427, this lineage was characterized by substantial gene loss within all three prophage regions, compared to MGAS10750 and isolates outside of the MEW427-like lineage. Gene loss primarily affected lysogeny, replicative and regulatory modules, and to a lesser and more variable extent, structural genes. Importantly, prophage-encoded superantigen and DNase genes were retained in all isolates. In isolates where the prophage elements were complete, like MGAS10750, they could be induced experimentally, but not in MEW427-like isolates with degraded prophages. We also found gene loss within the chromosomal island SpyCIM4 of MEW427-like isolates, although surprisingly, the SpyCIM4 element could not be experimentally induced in either MGAS10750-like or MEW427-like isolates. This did not, however, appear to abolish expression of the mismatch repair operon, within which this element resides. The inclusion of further emm4 genomes in our analyses ratified our observations and revealed an international emm4 lineage characterized by prophage degradation. Intriguingly, the USA population of emm4 S. pyogenes appeared to constitute predominantly MEW427-like isolates, whereas the UK population comprised both MEW427-like and MGAS10750-like isolates. The degraded and cryptic nature of these elements may have important phenotypic and fitness ramifications for emm4 S. pyogenes, and the geographical distribution of this lineage raises interesting questions on the population dynamics of the genotype.

Characterization of Clinical and Carrier Streptococcus agalactiae and Prophage Contribution to the Strain Variability

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) represents a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in newborns and is also responsible for diseases in older and immunocompromised adults. Prophages represent an important factor contributing to the genome plasticity and evolution of new strains. In the present study, prophage content was analyzed in human GBS isolates. Thirty-seven prophages were identified in genomes of 20 representative sequenced strains. On the basis of the sequence comparison, we divided the prophages into eight groups named A–H. This division also corresponded to the clustering of phage integrase, even though several different integration sites were observed in some relative prophages. Next, PCR method was used for detection of the prophages in 123 GBS strains from adult hospitalized patients and from pregnancy screening. At least one prophage was present in 105 isolates (85%). The highest prevalence was observed for prophage group A (71%) and satellite prophage group B (62%). Other groups were detected infrequently (1–6%). Prophage distribution did not differ between clinical and screening strains, but it was unevenly distributed in MLST (multi locus sequence typing) sequence types. High content of full-length and satellite prophages detected in present study implies that prophages could be beneficial for the host bacterium and could contribute to evolution of more adapted strains.

Global genomic epidemiology of Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the Top 10 human infectious disease killers worldwide causing a range of clinical manifestations in humans. Colonizing a range of ecological niches within its sole host, the human, is key to the ability of this opportunistic pathogen to cause direct and post-infectious manifestations. The expansion of genome sequencing capabilities and data availability over the last decade has led to an improved understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of this pathogen within a global framework where epidemiological relationships and evolutionary mechanisms may not be universal. This review uses the recent publication by Davies et al., 2019 as an updated global framework to address S. pyogenes population genomics, highlighting how genomics is being used to gain new insights into evolutionary processes, transmission pathways, and vaccine design.

Development and Application of a Prophage Integrase Typing Scheme for Group B Streptococcus

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a gram-positive pathogen mainly affecting humans, cattle, and fishes. Mobile genetic elements play an important role in the evolution of GBS, its adaptation to host species and niches, and its pathogenicity. In particular, lysogenic prophages have been associated with a high virulence of certain strains and with their ability to cause invasive infections in humans. It is therefore important to be able to accurately detect and classify prophages in GBS genomes. Several bioinformatic tools for the identification of prophages in bacterial genomes are available on-line. However, genome searches for most of these programs are affected by the composition of their reference database. Lack of databases specific to GBS results in failure to recognize all prophages in the species. Additionally, performance of these programs is affected by genome fragmentation in the case of draft genomes, leading to underestimation of the number of phages. They also prove impractical when dealing with large genome datasets and they do not offer a quick way of classifying bacteriophages. We developed a GBS-specific method to screen genome assemblies for the presence of prophages and to classify them based on a reproducible typing scheme. This was achieved through an extensive search of a vast number of high-quality GBS sequences (n = 572) originating from different host species and countries in order to build a database of phage integrase types, on which the scheme is based. The proposed typing scheme comprises 12 integration sites and sixteen prophage integrase types, including multiple subtypes per integration site and integrase genes that were not site-specific. Two putative phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICI) and their insertion sites were also identified during the course of these analyses. Phages were common and diverse in all major clonal complexes associated with human disease and detected in isolates from every animal species and continent included in the study. This database will facilitate further work on the prevalence and role of prophages in GBS evolution, and identifies the roles of PICIs in GBS and of prophage in hypervirulent ST283 as areas for further research.

Survival of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is Enhanced Under Desiccated Culture Conditions

Streptococcus pyogenes or Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are the leading cause of bacterial tonsillopharyngitis. The bacterium can survive and persist within the human host for a long time as it is observed in up to 40% of the population who are considered as carriers. Recurrent tonsillopharyngitis is a particular problem in children which is caused either by relapses due to failed bacterial clearance or by reinfection. A prolonged survival in tonsillar crypts or on inanimate surfaces might be sources for reinfection. We therefore examined 64 clinical GAS isolates from children with tonsillopharyngitis for their long-term survival under either liquid or desiccated culture conditions. After 6 weeks, the overall GAS survival rate was 400-fold increased under desiccated culture conditions compared to liquid culture conditions, but varied depending on the emm-type between 20-fold (emm4) and 14000-fold (emm3). The survival rates of isolates from emm75 were significantly lower which is probably due to their production of hydrogen peroxide up to fatal doses. No hydrogen peroxide production could be detected for other emm-types. Furthermore, 11 isolates from patients with recurrent tonsillopharyngitis were compared to isolates of the same emm-type from patients with single episodes of tonsillopharyngitis. A significant elevated pH value and an increased survival rate for isolates from patients with recurrent infections were observed. In conclusion, significant differences in long-term survival of different GAS isolates as well as survival under desiccated culture conditions might contribute to both failed bacterial clearance and reinfection in patients with recurrent tonsillopharyngitis.

The Bacteriophages of Streptococcus pyogenes

The bacteriophages of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) play a key role in population shaping, genetic transfer, and virulence of this bacterial pathogen. Lytic phages like A25 can alter population distributions through elimination of susceptible serotypes but also serve as key mediators for genetic transfer of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance via generalized transduction. The sequencing of multiple S. pyogenes genomes has uncovered a large and diverse population of endogenous prophages that are vectors for toxins and other virulence factors and occupy multiple attachment sites in the bacterial genomes. Some of these sites for integration appear to have the potential to alter the bacterial phenotype through gene disruption. Remarkably, the phage-like chromosomal islands (SpyCI), which share many characteristics with endogenous prophages, have evolved to mediate a growth-dependent mutator phenotype while acting as global transcriptional regulators. The diverse population of prophages appears to share a large pool of genetic modules that promotes novel combinations that may help disseminate virulence factors to different subpopulations of S. pyogenes. The study of the bacteriophages of this pathogen, both lytic and lysogenic, will continue to be an important endeavor for our understanding of how S. pyogenes continues to be a significant cause of human disease.

Heterogeneity of Streptococcus anginosus ß-hemolysis in relation to CRISPR/Cas

Streptococcus anginosus is a commensal of the oral mucosa that can cause severe invasive infections. A considerable proportion of Streptococcus anginosus strains are ß-hemolytic due to the presence of an SLS-like gene cluster. However, the majority of strains do not display ß-hemolysis. To investigate ß-hemolysin heterogeneity in S. anginosus, we determined the presence of sag genes and correlated it with the presence of CRISPR/Cas genes in a collection of ß-hemolytic and non-ß-hemolytic strains. All of the ß-hemolytic strains carried the sag gene cluster. In contrast to other streptococci, clinical S. anginosus strains that do not display ß-hemolysis do not harbor sag genes. Phylogenetic analysis of the ß-hemolytic strains revealed that they belong to two previously defined clusters within S. anginosus. Correlation with CRISPR/Cas genes showed a significant difference for the presence of CRISPR/Cas in ß-hemolytic versus non-ß-hemolytic isolates. The presence of the CRISPR/Cas type IIA or type IIC locus is associated with the absence of sag genes; in 65% of the non-ß-hemolytic strains a CRISPR/Cas locus was found, while only 24% of ß-hemolytic strains carry CRISPR/Cas genes. Further analysis of the spacer content of the CRISPR systems revealed the presence of multiple self-targeting sequences directed against S. anginosus genes. These results support the hypothesis that horizontal gene transfer is involved in the acquisition of ß-hemolysin genes and that CRISPR/Cas may limit DNA uptake in S. anginosus.

Phylogenetic relationship of prophages is affected by CRISPR selection in Group A Streptococcus

BACKGROUND

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a major human pathogen, which is associated with a wide spectrum of invasive diseases, such as pharyngitis, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). It is hypothesized that differences in GAS pathogenicity are related to the acquisition of diverse bacteriophages (phages). Nevertheless, the GAS genome also harbors clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (cas) genes, which play an important role in eliminating foreign DNA, including those of phages. However, the structure of prophages in GAS strains is mosaic, and the phylogenetic relationship between prophages and CRISPR is not clear. In this study, we analyzed CRISPR and prophage structure using 118 complete genome sequences of GAS strains to elucidate the relationship between two genomic elements. Additionally, phylogenetic and M-type analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 118 GAS strains, 80 harbored type I-C and/or II-A CRISPR/cas loci. A total of 553 spacer sequences were identified from CRISPR/cas loci and sorted into 229 patterns. We identified and classified 373 prophages into 14 groups. Some prophage groups shared a common integration site, and were related to M-type. We further investigated the correlation between spacer sequences and prophages. Of the 229 spacer sequence patterns, 203 were similar to that of other GAS prophages. No spacer showed similarity with that of a specific prophage group with mutL integration site. Moreover, the average number of prophages in strains with type II-A CRISPR was significantly less than that in type I-C CRISPR and non-CRISPR strains. However, there was no statistical difference between the average number of prophages in type I-C strains and that in non-CRISPR strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that type II-A CRISPR may play an important role in eliminating phages and that the prophage integration site may be an important criterion for the acceptance of foreign DNA by GAS. M type, spacer sequence, and prophage group data were correlated with the phylogenetic relationships of GAS. Therefore, we hypothesize that genetic characteristics and/or phylogenetic relationships of GAS may be estimated by analyzing its spacer sequences.

Staphylococcal pathogenicity islands-movers and shakers in the genomic firmament

The staphylococcal pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are highly mobile 15kb genomic islands that carry superantigen genes and other virulence factors and are mobilized by helper phages. Helper phages counteract the SaPI repressor to induce the SaPI replication cycle, resulting in encapsidation in phage like particles, enabling high frequency transfer. The SaPIs split from a protophage lineage in the distant past, have evolved a variety of novel and salient features, and have become an invaluable component of the staphylococcal genome. This review focuses on recent studies describing three different mechanisms of SaPI interference with helper phage reproduction and other studies demonstrating that helper phage mutations to resistance against this interference impact phage evolution. Also described are recent results showing that SaPIs contribute in a major way to lateral transfer of host genes as well as enabling their own transfer. SaPI-like elements, readily identifiable in the bacterial genome, are widespread throughout the Gram-positive cocci, though functionality has thus far been demonstrated for only a single one of these.

Comparative Genome Analysis of the Daptomycin-Resistant Streptococcus anginosus Strain J4206 Associated with Breakthrough Bacteremia

Streptococcus anginosus is a member of the normal oral flora that can become a pathogen causing pyogenic infections in humans. The genome of daptomycin-resistant strain J4206, originally isolated from a patient suffering from breakthrough bacteremia and septic shock at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, was determined. The circular genome is 2,001,352 bp long with a GC content of 38.62% and contains multiple mobile genetic elements, including the phage-like chromosomal island SanCI that mediates a mutator phenotype, transposons, and integrative conjugative elements. Daptomycin resistance involves multiple alterations in the cell membrane and cell wall, and unique features were identified in J4206 that may contribute to resistance. A cluster of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) genes for choline metabolism and transport are present that may help neutralize cell surface charges, destabilizing daptomycin binding. Further, unique J4206 genes encoding sortases and LPXTG-target proteins that are involved in cell wall modification were present. The J4206 genome is phylogenetically closely related to the recently reported vancomycin-resistant SA1 strain; however, these genomes differ with SNPs in cardiolipin synthetase, histidine kinase yycG, teichoic acid modification genes, and other genes involved in cell surface modification. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the cell walls of both strains J4206 and SA1 were significantly thicker and more electron dense than daptomycin- and vancomycin-sensitive strain J4211. This comparative genomic study has identified unique genes as well as allelic variants in the J4206 genome that are involved in cell surface modification and thus might contribute to the acquisition of daptomycin resistance.

Phage-inducible islands in the Gram-positive cocci

The SaPIs are a cohesive subfamily of extremely common phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs) that reside quiescently at specific att sites in the staphylococcal chromosome and are induced by helper phages to excise and replicate. They are usually packaged in small capsids composed of phage virion proteins, giving rise to very high transfer frequencies, which they enhance by interfering with helper phage reproduction. As the SaPIs represent a highly successful biological strategy, with many natural Staphylococcus aureus strains containing two or more, we assumed that similar elements would be widespread in the Gram-positive cocci. On the basis of resemblance to the paradigmatic SaPI genome, we have readily identified large cohesive families of similar elements in the lactococci and pneumococci/streptococci plus a few such elements in Enterococcus faecalis. Based on extensive ortholog analyses, we found that the PICI elements in the four different genera all represent distinct but parallel lineages, suggesting that they represent convergent evolution towards a highly successful lifestyle. We have characterized in depth the enterococcal element, EfCIV583, and have shown that it very closely resembles the SaPIs in functionality as well as in genome organization, setting the stage for expansion of the study of elements of this type. In summary, our findings greatly broaden the PICI family to include elements from at least three genera of cocci.

The Phage-Inducible Chromosomal Islands: A Family of Highly Evolved Molecular Parasites

The phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs) are a family of highly mobile genetic elements that contribute substantively to horizontal gene transfer, host adaptation, and virulence. Initially identified in Staphylococcus aureus, these elements are now thought to occur widely in gram-positive bacteria. They are molecular parasites that exploit certain temperate phages as helpers, using a variety of elegant strategies to manipulate the phage life cycle and promote their own spread, both intra- and intergenerically. At the same time, these PICI-encoded mechanisms severely interfere with helper phage reproduction, thereby enhancing survival of the bacterial population. In this review we discuss the genetics and the life cycle of these elements, with special emphasis on how they interact and interfere with the helper phage machinery for their own benefit. We also analyze the role that these elements play in driving bacterial and viral evolution.

Genomic Characterization of a Pattern D Streptococcus pyogenes emm53 Isolate Reveals a Genetic Rationale for Invasive Skin Tropicity

The genome of an invasive skin-tropic strain (AP53) of serotype M53 group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is composed of a circular chromosome of 1,860,554 bp and carries genetic markers for infection at skin locales, viz, emm gene family pattern D and FCT type 3. Through genome-scale comparisons of AP53 with other GAS genomes, we identified 596 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that reveal a potential genetic basis for skin tropism. The genome of AP53 differed by ∼30 point mutations from a noninvasive pattern D serotype M53 strain (Alab49), 4 of which are located in virulence genes. One pseudogene, yielding an inactive sensor kinase (CovS(-)) of the two-component transcriptional regulator CovRS, a major determinant for invasiveness, severely attenuated the expression of the secreted cysteine protease SpeB and enhanced the expression of the hyaluronic acid capsule compared to the isogenic noninvasive AP53/CovS(+) strain. The collagen-binding protein transcript sclB differed in the number of 5'-pentanucleotide repeats in the signal peptides of AP53 and Alab49 (9 versus 15), translating into different lengths of their signal peptides, which nonetheless maintained a full-length translatable coding frame. Furthermore, GAS strain AP53 acquired two phages that are absent in Alab49. One such phage (ΦAP53.2) contains the known virulence factor superantigen exotoxin gene tandem speK-slaA Overall, we conclude that this bacterium has evolved in multiple ways, including mutational variations of regulatory genes, short-tandem-repeat polymorphisms, large-scale genomic alterations, and acquisition of phages, all of which may be involved in shaping the adaptation of GAS in specific infectious environments and contribute to its enhanced virulence.

IMPORTANCE

Infectious strains of S. pyogenes (GAS) are classified by their serotypes, relating to the surface M protein, the emm-like subfamily pattern, and their tropicity toward the nasopharynx and/or skin. It is generally agreed that M proteins from pattern D strains, which also directly bind human host plasminogen, are skin tropic. We have sequenced and characterized the genome of an invasive pattern D GAS strain (AP53) in comparison to a very similar strain (Alab49) that is noninvasive and developed a genomic rationale as to possible reasons for the skin tropicity of these two strains and the greater invasiveness of AP53.

A new perspective on lysogeny: prophages as active regulatory switches of bacteria

Unlike lytic phages, temperate phages that enter lysogeny maintain a long-term association with their bacterial host. In this context, mutually beneficial interactions can evolve that support efficient reproduction of both phages and bacteria. Temperate phages are integrated into the bacterial chromosome as large DNA insertions that can disrupt gene expression, and they may pose a fitness burden on the cell. However, they have also been shown to benefit their bacterial hosts by providing new functions in a bacterium-phage symbiotic interaction termed lysogenic conversion. In this Opinion article, we discuss another type of bacterium-phage interaction, active lysogeny, in which phages or phage-like elements are integrated into the bacterial chromosome within critical genes or operons and serve as switches that regulate bacterial genes via genome excision.

Targeted Curing of All Lysogenic Bacteriophage from Streptococcus pyogenes Using a Novel Counter-selection Technique

Streptococcus pyogenes is a human commensal and a bacterial pathogen responsible for a wide variety of human diseases differing in symptoms, severity, and tissue tropism. The completed genome sequences of >37 strains of S. pyogenes, representing diverse disease-causing serotypes, have been published. The greatest genetic variation among these strains is attributed to numerous integrated prophage and prophage-like elements, encoding several virulence factors. A comparison of isogenic strains, differing in prophage content, would reveal the effects of these elements on streptococcal pathogenesis. However, curing strains of prophage is often difficult and sometimes unattainable. We have applied a novel counter-selection approach to identify rare S. pyogenes mutants spontaneously cured of select prophage. To accomplish this, we first inserted a two-gene cassette containing a gene for kanamycin resistance (Kan^R) and the rpsL wild-type gene, responsible for dominant streptomycin sensitivity (Sm^S), into a targeted prophage on the chromosome of a streptomycin resistant (Sm^R) mutant of S. pyogenes strain SF370. We then applied antibiotic counter-selection for the re-establishment of the Kan^S/Sm^R phenotype to select for isolates cured of targeted prophage. This methodology allowed for the precise selection of spontaneous phage loss and restoration of the natural phage attB attachment sites for all four prophage-like elements in this S. pyogenes chromosome. Overall, 15 mutants were constructed that encompassed every permutation of phage knockout as well as a mutant strain, named CEM1ΔΦ, completely cured of all bacteriophage elements (a ~10% loss of the genome); the only reported S. pyogenes strain free of prophage-like elements. We compared CEM1ΔΦ to the WT strain by analyzing differences in secreted DNase activity, as well as lytic and lysogenic potential. These mutant strains should allow for the direct examination of bacteriophage relationships within S. pyogenes and further elucidate how the presence of prophage may affect overall streptococcal survival, pathogenicity, and evolution.

New Insights into the Classification and Integration Specificity of Streptococcus Integrative Conjugative Elements through Extensive Genome Exploration

Recent genome analyses suggest that integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are widespread in bacterial genomes and therefore play an essential role in horizontal transfer. However, only a few of these elements are precisely characterized and correctly delineated within sequenced bacterial genomes. Even though previous analysis showed the presence of ICEs in some species of Streptococci, the global prevalence and diversity of ICEs was not analyzed in this genus. In this study, we searched for ICEs in the completely sequenced genomes of 124 strains belonging to 27 streptococcal species. These exhaustive analyses revealed 105 putative ICEs and 26 slightly decayed elements whose limits were assessed and whose insertion site was identified. These ICEs were grouped in seven distinct unrelated or distantly related families, according to their conjugation modules. Integration of these streptococcal ICEs is catalyzed either by a site-specific tyrosine integrase, a low-specificity tyrosine integrase, a site-specific single serine integrase, a triplet of site-specific serine integrases or a DDE transposase. Analysis of their integration site led to the detection of 18 target-genes for streptococcal ICE insertion including eight that had not been identified previously (ftsK, guaA, lysS, mutT, rpmG, rpsI, traG, and ebfC). It also suggests that all specificities have evolved to minimize the impact of the insertion on the host. This overall analysis of streptococcal ICEs emphasizes their prevalence and diversity and demonstrates that exchanges or acquisitions of conjugation and recombination modules are frequent.

Elimination of Chromosomal Island SpyCIM1 from Streptococcus pyogenes Strain SF370 Reverses the Mutator Phenotype and Alters Global Transcription

Streptococcus pyogenes chromosomal island M1 (SpyCIM1) integrates by site-specific recombination into the 5’ end of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutL in strain SF370SmR, blocking transcription of it and the downstream operon genes. During exponential growth, SpyCIM1 excises from the chromosome and replicates as an episome, restoring mutL transcription. This process is reversed in stationary phase with SpyCIM1 re-integrating into mutL, returning the cells to a mutator phenotype. Here we show that elimination of SpyCIM1 relieves this mutator phenotype. The downstream MMR operon genes, multidrug efflux pump lmrP, Holliday junction resolution helicase ruvA, and DNA base excision repair glycosylase tag, are also restored to constitutive expression by elimination of SpyCIM1. The presence of SpyCIM1 alters global transcription patterns in SF370SmR. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) demonstrated that loss of SpyCIM1 in the SpyCIM1 deletion mutant, CEM1Δ4, impacted the expression of over 100 genes involved in virulence and metabolism both in early exponential phase, when the SpyCIM1 is episomal, as well as at the onset of stationary phase, when SpyCIM1 has reintegrated into mutL. Among these changes, the up-regulation of the genes for the antiphagocytic M protein (emm1), streptolysin O (slo), capsule operon (hasABC), and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (speB), are particularly notable. The expression pattern of the MMR operon confirmed our earlier observations that these genes are transcribed in early exponential phase but silenced as stationary phase is approached. Thus, the direct role of SpyCIM1 in causing the mutator phenotype is confirmed, and further, its influence upon the biology of S. pyogenes was found to impact multiple genes in addition to the MMR operon, which is a novel function for a mobile genetic element. We suggest that such chromosomal islands are a remarkable evolutionary adaptation to promote the survival of its S. pyogenes host cell in changing environments.

Molecular epidemiology and genomics of group A Streptococcus

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is a strict human pathogen with a very high prevalence worldwide. This review highlights the genetic organization of the species and the important ecological considerations that impact its evolution. Recent advances are presented on the topics of molecular epidemiology, population biology, molecular basis for genetic change, genome structure and genetic flux, phylogenomics and closely related streptococcal species, and the long- and short-term evolution of GAS. The application of whole genome sequence data to addressing key biological questions is discussed.