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Thanki AM, Osei EK, Whenham N, Salter MG, Bedford MR, Masey O'Neill HV, Clokie MRJ. Broad host range phages target global Clostridium perfringens bacterial strains and clear infection in five-strain model systems. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0378423. [PMID: 38511948 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03784-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a prevalent bacterial pathogen in poultry, and due to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, alternative treatments are needed to prevent and treat infection. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that kill bacteria, offer a viable option and can be used therapeutically to treat C. perfringens infections. The aim of this study was to isolate phages against C. perfringens strains currently circulating on farms across the world and establish their virulence and development potential using host range screening, virulence assays, and larva infection studies. We isolated 32 phages of which 19 lysed 80%-92% of our global C. perfringens poultry strain collection (n = 97). The virulence of these individual phages and 32 different phage combinations was quantified in liquid culture at multiple doses. We then developed a multi-strain C. perfringens larva infection model, to mimic an effective poultry model used by the industry. We tested the efficacy of 16/32 phage cocktails in the larva model. From this, we identified that our phage cocktail consisting of phages CPLM2, CPLM15, and CPLS41 was the most effective at reducing C. perfringens colonization in infected larvae when administered before bacterial challenge. These data suggest that phages do have significant potential to prevent and treat C. perfringens infection in poultry. IMPORTANCE Clostridium perfringens causes foodborne illness worldwide, and 95% of human infections are linked to the consumption of contaminated meat, including chicken products. In poultry, C. perfringens infection causes necrotic enteritis, and associated mortality rates can be up to 50%. However, treating infections is difficult as the bacterium is becoming antibiotic-resistant. Furthermore, the poultry industry is striving toward reduced antibiotic usage. Bacteriophages (phages) offer a promising alternative, and to progress this approach, robust suitable phages and laboratory models that mimic C. perfringens infections in poultry are required. In our study, we isolated phages targeting C. perfringens and found that many lyse C. perfringens strains isolated from chickens worldwide. Consistent with other published studies, in the model systems we assayed here, when some phages were combined as cocktails, the infection was cleared most effectively compared to individual phage use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha M Thanki
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Centre for Phage Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel K Osei
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College, Cork, Ireland
| | - Natasha Whenham
- AB Agri, Innovation Way, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough, United Kingdom
| | - Michael G Salter
- AB Agri, Innovation Way, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough, United Kingdom
| | - Mike R Bedford
- AB Vista, Woodstock Court, Marlborough Business Park, Marlborough, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha R J Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Centre for Phage Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Simwela NV, Guiguemde WA, Straimer J, Regnault C, Stokes BH, Tavernelli LE, Yokokawa F, Taft B, Diagana TT, Barrett MP, Waters AP. A conserved metabolic signature associated with response to fast-acting anti-malarial agents. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0397622. [PMID: 37800971 PMCID: PMC10714989 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03976-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In malaria drug discovery, understanding the mode of action of lead compounds is important as it helps in predicting the potential emergence of drug resistance in the field when these drugs are eventually deployed. In this study, we have employed metabolomics technologies to characterize the potential targets of anti-malarial drug candidates in the developmental pipeline at NITD. We show that NITD fast-acting leads belonging to spiroindolone and imidazothiadiazole class induce a common biochemical theme in drug-exposed malaria parasites which is similar to another fast-acting, clinically available drug, DHA. These biochemical features which are absent in a slower acting NITD lead (GNF17) point to hemoglobin digestion and inhibition of the pyrimidine pathway as potential action points for these drugs. These biochemical themes can be used to identify and inform on the mode of action of fast drug candidates of similar profiles in future drug discovery programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson V. Simwela
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Judith Straimer
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Clement Regnault
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara H. Stokes
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Luis E. Tavernelli
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fumiaki Yokokawa
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Benjamin Taft
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, USA
| | | | - Michael P. Barrett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Gautom T, Dheeman D, Levy C, Butterfield T, Alvarez Gonzalez G, Le Roy P, Caiger L, Fisher K, Johannissen L, Dixon N. Structural basis of terephthalate recognition by solute binding protein TphC. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6244. [PMID: 34716322 PMCID: PMC8556258 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26508-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological degradation of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic and assimilation of the corresponding monomers ethylene glycol and terephthalate (TPA) into central metabolism offers an attractive route for bio-based molecular recycling and bioremediation applications. A key step is the cellular uptake of the non-permeable TPA into bacterial cells which has been shown to be dependent upon the presence of the key tphC gene. However, little is known from a biochemical and structural perspective about the encoded solute binding protein, TphC. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characterisation of TphC in both open and TPA-bound closed conformations. This analysis demonstrates the narrow ligand specificity of TphC towards aromatic para-substituted dicarboxylates, such as TPA and closely related analogues. Further phylogenetic and genomic context analysis of the tph genes reveals homologous operons as a genetic resource for future biotechnological and metabolic engineering efforts towards circular plastic bio-economy solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trishnamoni Gautom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Royal School of Bio-Sciences, Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Dharmendra Dheeman
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Colin Levy
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Butterfield
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Guadalupe Alvarez Gonzalez
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Philip Le Roy
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lewis Caiger
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Karl Fisher
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Linus Johannissen
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Neil Dixon
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Abstract
Vegetation phenology is driven by environmental factors such as photoperiod, precipitation, temperature, insolation, and nutrient availability. However, across Africa, there's ambiguity about these drivers, which can lead to uncertainty in the predictions of global warming impacts on terrestrial ecosystems and their representation in dynamic vegetation models. Using satellite data, we undertook a systematic analysis of the relationship between phenological parameters and these drivers. The analysis across different regions consistently revealed photoperiod as the dominant factor controlling the onset and end of vegetation growing season. Moreover, the results suggest that not one, but a combination of drivers control phenological events. Consequently, to enhance our predictions of climate change impacts, the role of photoperiod should be incorporated into vegetation-climate and ecosystem modelling. Furthermore, it is necessary to define clearly the responses of vegetation to interactions between a consistent photoperiod cue and inter-annual variation in other drivers, especially under a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Adole
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Jadunandan Dash
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Victor Rodriguez-Galiano
- Physical Geography and Regional Geographic Analysis, University of Seville, Seville, 41004 Spain
| | - Peter M. Atkinson
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YR UK
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN Northern Ireland, UK
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