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Van Haecke H, Roels D, Nerinckx F, Schaballie H, Schelstraete P, Vandekerckhove L, Van Cleemput J, Van den Broeck W, Couck L, Hamerlinck H, Vandendriessche S, Boelens J, Joniau I. Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe congenital keratouveitis, cataract and glaucoma. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:217. [PMID: 38773506 PMCID: PMC11106900 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only seven cases of ocular Spiroplasma infection have been reported to date, all presenting as congenital cataracts with concomitant intraocular inflammation. We describe the first case of Spiroplasma infection initially presenting as a corneal infiltrate. CASE PRESENTATION A 1-month-old girl was referred for a corneal infiltrate in the left eye. She presented in our hospital with unilateral keratouveitis. Examination showed a stromal corneal infiltrate and dense white keratic precipitates in the left eye. Herpetic keratouveitis was suspected and intravenous acyclovir therapy was initiated. Two weeks later, the inflammation in the left eye persisted and was also noticed in the right eye. Acute angle-closure glaucoma and a cataract with dilated iris vessels extending onto the anterior lens capsule developed in the left eye. The inflammation resolved after treatment with azithromycin. Iridectomy, synechiolysis and lensectomy were performed. Bacterial metagenomic sequencing (16 S rRNA) and transmission electron microscopy revealed Spiroplasma ixodetis species in lens aspirates and biopsy. Consequently, a diagnosis of bilateral Spiroplasma uveitis was made. CONCLUSIONS In cases of congenital cataract with concomitant intraocular inflammation, Spiroplasma infection should be considered. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of congenital Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe keratouveitis, cataract and angle-closure glaucoma in newborns. Performing molecular testing on lens aspirates is essential to confirm diagnosis. Systemic macrolides are suggested as the mainstay of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Van Haecke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Roels
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Fanny Nerinckx
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Heidi Schaballie
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Petra Schelstraete
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Linos Vandekerckhove
- HIV Cure Research Center, Dpt of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van Cleemput
- HIV Cure Research Center, Dpt of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Van den Broeck
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Couck
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jerina Boelens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Joniau
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
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2
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Chakraborty J, Poddar S, Dutta S, Bahulekar V, Harne S, Srinivasan R, Gayathri P. Dynamics of interdomain rotation facilitates FtsZ filament assembly. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107336. [PMID: 38718863 PMCID: PMC11157280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
FtsZ, the tubulin homolog essential for bacterial cell division, assembles as the Z-ring at the division site, and directs peptidoglycan synthesis by treadmilling. It is unclear how FtsZ achieves kinetic polarity that drives treadmilling. To obtain insights into fundamental features of FtsZ assembly dynamics independent of peptidoglycan synthesis, we carried out structural and biochemical characterization of FtsZ from the cell wall-less bacteria, Spiroplasma melliferum (SmFtsZ). Interestingly the structures of SmFtsZ, bound to GDP and GMPPNP respectively, were captured as domain swapped dimers. SmFtsZ was found to be a slower GTPase with a higher critical concentration (CC) compared to Escherichia coli FtsZ (EcFtsZ). In FtsZs, a conformational switch from R-state (close) to T-state (open) favors polymerization. We identified that Phe224, located at the interdomain cleft of SmFtsZ, is crucial for R- to T-state transition. SmFtsZF224M exhibited higher GTPase activity and lower CC, whereas the corresponding EcFtsZM225F resulted in cell division defects in E. coli. Our results demonstrate that relative rotation of the domains is a rate-limiting step of polymerization. Our structural analysis suggests that the rotation is plausibly triggered upon addition of a GTP-bound monomer to the filament through interaction of the preformed N-terminal domain (NTD). Hence, addition of monomers to the NTD-exposed end of filament is slower in comparison to the C-terminal domain (CTD) end, thus explaining kinetic polarity. In summary, the study highlights the importance of interdomain interactions and conformational changes in regulating FtsZ assembly dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyeeta Chakraborty
- Biology Division, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Sakshi Poddar
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India; Homi Bhabha National Institutes (HBNI), Training School Complex, Mumbai, India
| | - Soumyajit Dutta
- Biology Division, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Vaishnavi Bahulekar
- Biology Division, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Shrikant Harne
- Biology Division, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Ramanujam Srinivasan
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India; Homi Bhabha National Institutes (HBNI), Training School Complex, Mumbai, India
| | - Pananghat Gayathri
- Biology Division, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India.
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3
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Dera KSM, Dieng MM, Moyaba P, Ouedraogo GMS, Pagabeleguem S, Njokou F, Ngambia Freitas FS, de Beer CJ, Mach RL, Vreysen MJB, Abd-Alla AMM. Prevalence of Spiroplasma and interaction with wild Glossina tachinoides microbiota. Parasite 2023; 30:62. [PMID: 38117272 PMCID: PMC10732139 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are vectors of the tropical neglected diseases sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in animals. The elimination of these diseases is linked to control of the vector. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environment-friendly method that has been shown to be effective when applied in an area-wide integrated pest management approach. However, as irradiated males conserve their vectorial competence, there is the potential risk of trypanosome transmission with their release in the field. Analyzing the interaction between the tsetse fly and its microbiota, and between different microbiota and the trypanosome, might provide important information to enhance the fly's resistance to trypanosome infection. This study on the prevalence of Spiroplasma in wild populations of seven tsetse species from East, West, Central and Southern Africa showed that Spiroplasma is present only in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and Glossina tachinoides. In G. tachinoides, a significant deviation from independence in co-infection with Spiroplasma and Trypanosoma spp. was observed. Moreover, Spiroplasma infections seem to significantly reduce the density of the trypanosomes, suggesting that Spiroplasma might enhance tsetse fly's refractoriness to the trypanosome infections. This finding might be useful to reduce risks associated with the release of sterile males during SIT implementation in trypanosome endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiswend-Sida M Dera
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1400 Vienna Austria
- Insectarium de Bobo Dioulasso – Campagne d’Eradication de la mouche tsetse et de la Trypanosomose (IBD-CETT) 01 BP 1087 Bobo Dioulasso 01 Burkina Faso
| | - Mouhamadou M Dieng
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1400 Vienna Austria
- Université Gaston Berger Saint Louis Senegal
| | - Percy Moyaba
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1400 Vienna Austria
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR) Pretoria South Africa
| | - Gisele MS Ouedraogo
- Insectarium de Bobo Dioulasso – Campagne d’Eradication de la mouche tsetse et de la Trypanosomose (IBD-CETT) 01 BP 1087 Bobo Dioulasso 01 Burkina Faso
| | - Soumaïla Pagabeleguem
- Insectarium de Bobo Dioulasso – Campagne d’Eradication de la mouche tsetse et de la Trypanosomose (IBD-CETT) 01 BP 1087 Bobo Dioulasso 01 Burkina Faso
- University of Dedougou B.P. 176 Dédougou 01 Burkina Faso
| | - Flobert Njokou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I Po. Box 812 Yaoundé Cameroon
| | | | - Chantel J de Beer
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1400 Vienna Austria
| | - Robert L Mach
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental, and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Technology, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a 1060 Vienna Austria
| | - Marc JB Vreysen
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1400 Vienna Austria
| | - Adly MM Abd-Alla
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1400 Vienna Austria
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4
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Ryan PM, Shaevitz JW, Wolgemuth CW. Bend or Twist? What Plectonemes Reveal about the Mysterious Motility of Spiroplasma. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:178401. [PMID: 37955476 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.178401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Spiroplasma is a unique, helical bacterium that lacks a cell wall and swims using propagating helix hand inversions. These deformations are likely driven by a set of cytoskeletal filaments, but how remains perplexing. Here, we probe the underlying mechanism using a model where either twist or bend drive spiroplasma's chirality inversions. We show that Spiroplasma should wrap into plectonemes at different values of the length and external viscosity, depending on the mechanism. Then, by experimentally measuring the bending modulus of Spiroplasma and if and when plectonemes form, we show that Spiroplasma's helix hand inversions are likely driven by bending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Ryan
- Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Joshua W Shaevitz
- Joseph Henry Laboratories of Physics and Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Charles W Wolgemuth
- Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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5
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Ding Z. Current Disease Threats for Cultivated Crab Eriocheir sinensis in China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/3305963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is a commercially important crustacean in China due to its great commercial value and compatibility in a variety of aquaculture systems. However, increases in its production have been accompanied by the emergence of various diseases affecting yield, profit, and trading potential. In this study, we review the pathogenic agents associated with E. sinensis since the start of its commercial culture. The history of crab cultivation implies that increased pathogen transfer can occur as E. sinensis aquaculture grows because polyculture of E. sinensis with other aquaculture species is a prevalent practice. With this in mind, a special focus of this review is placed on pathogens that were initially discovered in other crustacean species but have since been demonstrated to infect and cause disease in E. sinensis. We expect that this review will not only offer recommendations for disease management in the E. sinensis aquaculture sector but will also advance other crustacean cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengfeng Ding
- Institute of Aquatic Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biofunctional Molecules, College of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jiangsu Second Normal University, 77 West Beijing Road, Nanjing 210013, China
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6
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Takahashi D, Miyata M. Sequence analyses of a lipoprotein conserved with bacterial actins responsible for swimming motility of wall-less helical Spiroplasma. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000713. [PMID: 37033705 PMCID: PMC10074174 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Spiroplasma is a genus of pathogenic or commensal cell-wall-deficient helical bacterium. Spiroplasma -specific protein fibril and five classes of bacterial actins, MreB1-5, are involved in a helical ribbon structure responsible for helical-cell morphology and swimming motility. A gene for a hypothetical protein-SPE_1229, 7th protein-has been found in the locus coding mreB s. In this study, we characterized the 7th protein using in silico methods and found that it could be a lipoprotein whose gene is encoded downstream of mreB3 and conserved in a clade of Spiroplasma .
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Takahashi
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyata
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
- The OMU Advanced Research Center for Natural Science and Technology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
- Correspondence to: Makoto Miyata (
)
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7
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Kiyama H, Kakizawa S, Sasajima Y, Tahara YO, Miyata M. Reconstitution of a minimal motility system based on Spiroplasma swimming by two bacterial actins in a synthetic minimal bacterium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo7490. [PMID: 36449609 PMCID: PMC9710875 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo7490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Motility is one of the most important features of life, but its evolutionary origin remains unknown. In this study, we focused on Spiroplasma, commensal, or parasitic bacteria. They swim by switching the helicity of a ribbon-like cytoskeleton that comprises six proteins, each of which evolved from a nucleosidase and bacterial actin called MreB. We expressed these proteins in a synthetic, nonmotile minimal bacterium, JCVI-syn3B, whose reduced genome was computer-designed and chemically synthesized. The synthetic bacterium exhibited swimming motility with features characteristic of Spiroplasma swimming. Moreover, combinations of Spiroplasma MreB4-MreB5 and MreB1-MreB5 produced a helical cell shape and swimming. These results suggest that the swimming originated from the differentiation and coupling of bacterial actins, and we obtained a minimal system for motility of the synthetic bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Kiyama
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Kakizawa
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuya Sasajima
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Yuhei O. Tahara
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyata
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
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8
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Cytoskeletal components can turn wall-less spherical bacteria into kinking helices. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6930. [PMID: 36376306 PMCID: PMC9663586 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34478-0] [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] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cell shape is generally determined through an interplay between the peptidoglycan cell wall and cytoplasmic filaments made of polymerized MreB. Indeed, some bacteria (e.g., Mycoplasma) that lack both a cell wall and mreB genes consist of non-motile cells that are spherical or pleomorphic. However, other members of the same class Mollicutes (e.g., Spiroplasma, also lacking a cell wall) display a helical cell shape and kink-based motility, which is thought to rely on the presence of five MreB isoforms and a specific fibril protein. Here, we show that heterologous expression of Spiroplasma fibril and MreB proteins confers helical shape and kinking ability to Mycoplasma capricolum cells. Isoform MreB5 is sufficient to confer helicity and kink propagation to mycoplasma cells. Cryoelectron microscopy confirms the association of cytoplasmic MreB filaments with the plasma membrane, suggesting a direct effect on membrane curvature. However, in our experiments, the heterologous expression of MreBs and fibril did not result in efficient motility in culture broth, indicating that additional, unknown Spiroplasma components are required for swimming.
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9
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Harne S, Gayathri P. Characterization of heterologously expressed Fibril, a shape and motility determining cytoskeletal protein of the helical bacterium Spiroplasma. iScience 2022; 25:105055. [PMID: 36157586 PMCID: PMC9489929 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105055] [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] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibril is a constitutive filament-forming cytoskeletal protein of unidentified fold, exclusive to members of genus Spiroplasma. It is hypothesized to undergo conformational changes necessary to bring about Spiroplasma motility through changes in cell helicity. However, the mechanism driving conformational changes in Fibril remains unknown. We expressed Fibril from S. citri in E. coli for its purification and characterization. Sodium dodecyl sulfate solubilized Fibril filaments and facilitated purification by affinity chromatography. An alternative protocol for obtaining enriched insoluble Fibril filaments was standardized using density gradient centrifugation. Electron microscopy of Fibril purified by these protocols revealed filament bundles. Probable domain boundaries of Fibril protein were identified based on mass spectrometric analysis of proteolytic fragments. Presence of α-helical and β-sheet signatures in FT-IR measurements suggests that Fibril filaments consist of an assembly of folded globular domains, and not a β-strand-based aggregation like amyloid fibrils. Codon-optimized Spiroplasma citri Fibril was expressed in E. coli SDS treatment does not denature Fibril filaments Fibril possesses α helices and β sheet and is not an amyloid-like protein Domain boundaries were predicted using mass spectrometry of proteolytic fragments
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrikant Harne
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411008, India
| | - Pananghat Gayathri
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411008, India
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10
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Sasajima Y, Kato T, Miyata T, Kawamoto A, Namba K, Miyata M. Isolation and structure of the fibril protein, a major component of the internal ribbon for Spiroplasma swimming. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1004601. [PMID: 36274716 PMCID: PMC9582952 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1004601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Spiroplasma, which are known pathogens and commensals of arthropods and plants, are helical-shaped bacteria that lack a peptidoglycan layer. Spiroplasma swim by alternating between left- and right-handed helicity. Of note, this system is not related to flagellar motility, which is widespread in bacteria. A helical ribbon running along the inner side of the helical cell should be responsible for cell helicity and comprises the bacterial actin homolog, MreB, and a protein specific to Spiroplasma, fibril. Here, we isolated the ribbon and its major component, fibril filament, for electron microscopy (EM) analysis. Single-particle analysis of the fibril filaments using the negative-staining EM revealed a three-dimensional chain structure composed of rings with a size of 11 nm wide and 6 nm long, connected by a backbone cylinder with an 8.7 nm interval with a twist along the filament axis. This structure was verified through EM tomography of quick-freeze deep-etch replica sample, with a focus on its handedness. The handedness and pitch of the helix for the isolated ribbon and fibril filament agreed with those of the cell in the resting state. Structures corresponding to the alternative state were not identified. These results suggest that the helical cell structure is supported by fibril filaments; however, the helical switch is caused by the force generated by the MreB proteins. The isolation and structural outline of the fibril filaments provide crucial information for an in-depth clarification of the unique swimming mechanism of Spiroplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Sasajima
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kato
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Miyata
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kawamoto
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiichi Namba
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research and Spring-8 Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan,JEOL YOKOGUSHI Research Alliance Laboratories, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyata
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan,The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science and Technology (OCARINA), Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan,*Correspondence: Makoto Miyata,
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11
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Eimer J, Fernström L, Rohlén L, Grankvist A, Loo K, Nyman E, Henningsson AJ, Haglund M, Hultqvist V, Sjöwall J, Wennerås C, Schön T. Spiroplasma ixodetis Infections in Immunocompetent and Immunosuppressed Patients after Tick Exposure, Sweden. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1681-1685. [PMID: 35876734 PMCID: PMC9328919 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.212524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report 2 cases of Spiroplasma ixodetis infection in an immunocompetent patient and an immunocompromised patient who had frequent tick exposure. Fever, thrombocytopenia, and increased liver aminotransferase levels raised the suspicion of anaplasmosis, but 16S rRNA PCR and Sanger sequencing yielded a diagnosis of spiroplasmosis. Both patients recovered after doxycycline treatment.
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12
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Sasajima Y, Miyata M. Prospects for the Mechanism of Spiroplasma Swimming. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:706426. [PMID: 34512583 PMCID: PMC8432965 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.706426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spiroplasma are helical bacteria that lack a peptidoglycan layer. They are widespread globally as parasites of arthropods and plants. Their infectious processes and survival are most likely supported by their unique swimming system, which is unrelated to well-known bacterial motility systems such as flagella and pili. Spiroplasma swims by switching the left- and right-handed helical cell body alternately from the cell front. The kinks generated by the helicity shift travel down along the cell axis and rotate the cell body posterior to the kink position like a screw, pushing the water backward and propelling the cell body forward. An internal structure called the "ribbon" has been focused to elucidate the mechanisms for the cell helicity formation and swimming. The ribbon is composed of Spiroplasma-specific fibril protein and a bacterial actin, MreB. Here, we propose a model for helicity-switching swimming focusing on the ribbon, in which MreBs generate a force like a bimetallic strip based on ATP energy and switch the handedness of helical fibril filaments. Cooperative changes of these filaments cause helicity to shift down the cell axis. Interestingly, unlike other motility systems, the fibril protein and Spiroplasma MreBs can be traced back to their ancestors. The fibril protein has evolved from methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine (MTA/SAH) nucleosidase, which is essential for growth, and MreBs, which function as a scaffold for peptidoglycan synthesis in walled bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Sasajima
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyata
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
- The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science and Technology (OCARINA), Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
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