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Muñoz-Bucio A, Arellano-Reynoso B, Sangari FJ, Sieira R, Thébault P, Espitia C, García Lobo JM, Seoane A, Suárez-Güemes F. Increased Brucella abortus asRNA_0067 expression under intraphagocytic stressors is associated with enhanced virB2 transcription. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:285. [PMID: 38816572 PMCID: PMC11139718 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03984-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens like Brucella face challenges during the intraphagocytic adaptation phase, where the modulation of gene expression plays an essential role in taking advantage of stressors to persist inside the host cell. This study aims to explore the expression of antisense virB2 RNA strand and related genes under intracellular simulation media. Sense and antisense virB2 RNA strands increased expression when nutrient deprivation and acidification were higher, being starvation more determinative. Meanwhile, bspB, one of the T4SS effector genes, exhibited the highest expression during the exposition to pH 4.5 and nutrient abundance. Based on RNA-seq analysis and RACE data, we constructed a regional map depicting the 5' and 3' ends of virB2 and the cis-encoded asRNA_0067. Without affecting the CDS or a possible autonomous RBS, we generate the deletion mutant ΔasRNA_0067, significantly reducing virB2 mRNA expression and survival rate. These results suggest that the antisense asRNA_0067 expression is promoted under exposure to the intraphagocytic adaptation phase stressors, and its deletion is associated with a lower transcription of the virB2 gene. Our findings illuminate the significance of these RNA strands in modulating the survival strategy of Brucella within the host and emphasize the role of nutrient deprivation in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Muñoz-Bucio
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología. Circuito Exterior S/N, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico
| | - Beatriz Arellano-Reynoso
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología. Circuito Exterior S/N, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico
| | - Félix J Sangari
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC-SODERCAN, C. Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Sieira
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-IIBBA CONICET, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435CABA, CP. 1405, Buenos Aires Argentina, Argentina
| | - Patricia Thébault
- Laboratoire Bordelais de Recherche en Informatique (LaBRI), UMR 5800, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, Université de Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Clara Espitia
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México MX, CDMX, Circuito Escolar 33, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico
| | - Juan M García Lobo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC-SODERCAN, C. Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Asunción Seoane
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC-SODERCAN, C. Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Francisco Suárez-Güemes
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología. Circuito Exterior S/N, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico.
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Sun Y, Chen H, Xu M, He L, Mao H, Yang S, Qiao X, Yang D. Exopolysaccharides metabolism and cariogenesis of Streptococcus mutans biofilm regulated by antisense vicK RNA. J Oral Microbiol 2023; 15:2204250. [PMID: 37138664 PMCID: PMC10150615 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2023.2204250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a pivotal cariogenic pathogen contributing to its multiple virulence factors, one of which is synthesizing exopolysaccharides (EPS). VicK, a sensor histidine kinase, plays a major role in regulating genes associated with EPS synthesis and adhesion. Here we first identified an antisense vicK RNA (ASvicK) bound with vicK into double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Objective This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of ASvicK in the EPS metabolism and cariogenesis of S. mutans. Methods The phenotypes of biofilm were detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gas chromatography-mass spectrometery (GC-MS) , gel permeation chromatography (GPC) , transcriptome analysis and Western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-ip) assay and enzyme activity experiment were adopted to investigate the mechanism of ASvicK regulation. Caries animal models were developed to study the relationship between ASvicK and cariogenicity of S. mutans. Results Overexpression of ASvicK can inhibit the growth of biofilm, reduce the production of EPS and alter genes and protein related to EPS metabolism. ASvicK can adsorb RNase III to regulate vicK and affect the cariogenicity of S. mutans. Conclusions ASvicK regulates vicK at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, effectively inhibits EPS synthesis and biofilm formation and reduces its cariogenicity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Sun
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengmeng Xu
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Liwen He
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongchen Mao
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Shiyao Yang
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Qiao
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Deqin Yang
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
- CONTACT Deqin Yang Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing4404100, China
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Sarshar M, Scribano D, Palamara AT, Ambrosi C, Masotti A. The Acinetobacter baumannii model can explain the role of small non-coding RNAs as potential mediators of host-pathogen interactions. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1088783. [PMID: 36619166 PMCID: PMC9810633 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1088783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) research has accelerated over the past decade, boosted by advances in RNA-seq technologies and methodologies for capturing both protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interactions. The emerging picture is that these regulatory sRNAs play important roles in controlling complex physiological processes and are required to survive the antimicrobial challenge. In recent years, the RNA content of OMVs/EVs has also gained increasing attention, particularly in the context of infection. Secreted RNAs from several bacterial pathogens have been characterized but the exact mechanisms promoting pathogenicity remain elusive. In this review, we briefly discuss how secreted sRNAs interact with targets in infected cells, thus representing a novel perspective of host cell manipulation during bacterial infection. During the last decade, Acinetobacter baumannii became clinically relevant emerging pathogens responsible for nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Therefore, we also summarize recent findings of regulation by sRNAs in A. baumannii and discuss how this emerging bacterium utilizes many of these sRNAs to adapt to its niche and become successful human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Sarshar
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Meysam Sarshar, ; Andrea Masotti,
| | - Daniela Scribano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ambrosi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy,IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Meysam Sarshar, ; Andrea Masotti,
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Achromobacter spp. Adaptation in Cystic Fibrosis Infection and Candidate Biomarkers of Antimicrobial Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169265. [PMID: 36012535 PMCID: PMC9409262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter spp. can establish occasional or chronic lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Chronic colonization has been associated with worse prognosis highlighting the need to identify markers of bacterial persistence. To this purpose, we analyzed phenotypic features of 95 Achromobacter spp. isolates from 38 patients presenting chronic or occasional infection. Virulence was tested in Galleria mellonella larvae, cytotoxicity was tested in human bronchial epithelial cells, biofilm production in static conditions was measured by crystal violet staining and susceptibility to selected antibiotics was tested by the disk diffusion method. The presence of genetic loci associated to the analyzed phenotypic features was evaluated by a genome-wide association study. Isolates from occasional infection induced significantly higher mortality of G. mellonella larvae and showed a trend for lower cytotoxicity than chronic infection isolates. No significant difference was observed in biofilm production among the two groups. Additionally, antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that isolates from chronically-infected patients were significantly more resistant to sulfonamides and meropenem than occasional isolates. Candidate genetic biomarkers associated with antibiotic resistance or sensitivity were identified. Achromobacter spp. strains isolated from people with chronic and occasional lung infection exhibit different virulence and antibiotic susceptibility features, which could be linked to persistence in CF lungs. This underlines the possibility of identifying predictive biomarkers of persistence that could be useful for clinical purposes.
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Van LT, Hagiu I, Popovici A, Marinescu F, Gheorghe I, Curutiu C, Ditu LM, Holban AM, Sesan TE, Lazar V. Antimicrobial Efficiency of Some Essential Oils in Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11152003. [PMID: 35956481 PMCID: PMC9370326 DOI: 10.3390/plants11152003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a non-fermentative Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, frequently encountered in difficult-to-treat hospital-acquired infections and also wastewaters. The natural resistance of this pathogen, together with the frequent occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains, make current antibiotic therapy inefficient in treating P. aeruginosa infections. Antibiotic therapy creates a huge pressure to select resistant strains in clinical settings but also in the environment, since high amounts of antibiotics are released in waters and soil. Essential oils (EOs) and plant-derived compounds are efficient, ecologic, and sustainable alternatives in the management of various diseases, including infections. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial effects of four commercial essential oils, namely, tea tree, thyme, sage, and eucalyptus, on 36 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from hospital infections and wastewaters. Bacterial strains were characterized in terms of virulence and antimicrobial resistance. The results show that most strains expressed soluble pore toxin virulence factors such as lecithinase (89–100%) and lipase (72–86%). All P. aeruginosa strains were positive for alginate encoding gene and 94.44% for protease IV; most of the strains were exotoxin producers (i.e., 80.56% for the ExoS gene, 77.78% for the ExoT gene, while the ExoU gene was present in 38.98% of the strains). Phospholipase-encoding genes (plc) were identified in 91.67/86.11% of the cases (plcH/plcN genes). A high antibiotic resistance level was identified, most of the strains being resistant to cabapenems and cephalosporins. Cabapenem resistance was higher in hospital and hospital wastewater strains (55.56–100%) as compared to those in urban wastewater. The most frequently encountered encoding genes were for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), namely, blaCTX-M (83.33% of the strains), blaSHV (80.56%), blaGES (52.78%), and blaVEB (13.89%), followed by carbapenemase-encoding genes (blaVIM, 8.33%). Statistical comparison of the EOs’ antimicrobial results showed that thyme gave the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBEC) in P. aeruginosa-resistant isolates, making this EO a competitive candidate for the development of efficient and ecologic antimicrobial alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Tran Van
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ilinca Hagiu
- The Overlake Private School, 108th St., Redmond, WA 98053, USA;
| | - Adelina Popovici
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
| | - Florica Marinescu
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Gheorghe
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Curutiu
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Lia Mara Ditu
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina-Maria Holban
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Tatiana Eugenia Sesan
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
| | - Veronica Lazar
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 77206 Bucharest, Romania; (L.T.V.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (I.G.); (L.M.D.); (A.-M.H.); (T.E.S.); (V.L.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
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Sousa SA, Feliciano JR, Pita T, Soeiro CF, Mendes BL, Alves LG, Leitão JH. Bacterial Nosocomial Infections: Multidrug Resistance as a Trigger for the Development of Novel Antimicrobials. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10080942. [PMID: 34438992 PMCID: PMC8389044 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10080942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial bacterial infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality, posing a huge burden to healthcare systems worldwide. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the raised hospitalization of patients and the increased use of antimicrobial agents, boosted the emergence of difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospital settings. Therefore, current available antibiotic treatments often have limited or no efficacy against nosocomial bacterial infections, and novel therapeutic approaches need to be considered. In this review, we analyze current antibacterial alternatives under investigation, focusing on metal-based complexes, antimicrobial peptides, and antisense antimicrobial therapeutics. The association of new compounds with older, commercially available antibiotics and the repurposing of existing drugs are also revised in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia A. Sousa
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (S.A.S.); (J.H.L.); Tel.: +351-218417688 (J.H.L.)
| | - Joana R. Feliciano
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Pita
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina F. Soeiro
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Beatriz L. Mendes
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luis G. Alves
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, 1049-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.R.F.); (T.P.); (C.F.S.); (B.L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (S.A.S.); (J.H.L.); Tel.: +351-218417688 (J.H.L.)
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Thairu MW, Meduri VRS, Degnan PH, Hansen AK. Natural selection shapes maintenance of orthologous sRNAs in divergent host-restricted bacterial genomes. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:4778-4791. [PMID: 34213555 PMCID: PMC8557413 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically it has been difficult to study the evolution of bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) across distantly related species. For example, identifying homologs of sRNAs is often difficult in genomes that have undergone multiple structural rearrangements. Also, some types of regulatory sRNAs evolve at rapid rates. The high degree of genomic synteny among divergent host-restricted bacterial lineages, including intracellular symbionts, is conducive to sRNA maintenance and homolog identification. In turn, symbiont genomes can provide us with novel insights into sRNA evolution. Here, we examine the sRNA expression profile of the obligate symbiont of psyllids, Carsonella ruddii, which has one of the smallest cellular genomes described. Using RNA-seq, we identified 36 and 32 antisense sRNAs (asRNAs) expressed by Carsonella from the psyllids Bactericera cockerelli (Carsonella-BC) and Diaphorina citri (Carsonella-DC), respectively. The majority of these asRNAs were associated with genes that are involved in essential amino acid biosynthetic pathways. Eleven of the asRNAs were conserved in both Carsonella lineages and the majority were maintained by selection. Notably, five of the corresponding coding sequences are also the targets of conserved asRNAs in a distantly related insect symbiont, Buchnera. We detected differential expression of two asRNAs for genes involved in arginine and leucine biosynthesis occurring between two distinct Carsonella-BC life stages. Using asRNAs identified in Carsonella, Buchnera, and Profftella which are all endosymbionts, and Escherichia coli, we determined that regions upstream of these asRNAs encode unique conserved patterns of AT/GC richness, GC skew, and sequence motifs which may be involved in asRNA regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret W Thairu
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
| | | | - Patrick H Degnan
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Allison K Hansen
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA
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