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Pal U, Bachmann D, Pelzer C, Christiansen J, Blank LM, Tiso T. A genetic toolbox to empower Paracoccus pantotrophus DSM 2944 as a metabolically versatile SynBio chassis. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:53. [PMID: 38360576 PMCID: PMC10870620 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02325-0] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To contribute to the discovery of new microbial strains with metabolic and physiological robustness and develop them into successful chasses, Paracoccus pantotrophus DSM 2944, a Gram-negative bacterium from the phylum Alphaproteobacteria and the family Rhodobacteraceae, was chosen. The strain possesses an innate ability to tolerate high salt concentrations. It utilizes diverse substrates, including cheap and renewable feedstocks, such as C1 and C2 compounds. Also, it can consume short-chain alkanes, predominately found in hydrocarbon-rich environments, making it a potential bioremediation agent. The demonstrated metabolic versatility, coupled with the synthesis of the biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoate, positions this microbial strain as a noteworthy candidate for advancing the principles of a circular bioeconomy. RESULTS The study aims to follow the chassis roadmap, as depicted by Calero and Nikel, and de Lorenzo, to transform wild-type P. pantotrophus DSM 2944 into a proficient SynBio (Synthetic Biology) chassis. The initial findings highlight the antibiotic resistance profile of this prospective SynBio chassis. Subsequently, the best origin of replication (ori) was identified as RK2. In contrast, the non-replicative ori R6K was selected for the development of a suicide plasmid necessary for genome integration or gene deletion. Moreover, when assessing the most effective method for gene transfer, it was observed that conjugation had superior efficiency compared to electroporation, while transformation by heat shock was ineffective. Robust host fitness was demonstrated by stable plasmid maintenance, while standardized gene expression using an array of synthetic promoters could be shown. pEMG-based scarless gene deletion was successfully adapted, allowing gene deletion and integration. The successful integration of a gene cassette for terephthalic acid degradation is showcased. The resulting strain can grow on both monomers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with an increased growth rate achieved through adaptive laboratory evolution. CONCLUSION The chassis roadmap for the development of P. pantotrophus DSM 2944 into a proficient SynBio chassis was implemented. The presented genetic toolkit allows genome editing and therewith the possibility to exploit Paracoccus for a myriad of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Pal
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Denise Bachmann
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Chiara Pelzer
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Christiansen
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Chair of Microbiology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Till Tiso
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Yan K, Wei M, Li F, Wu C, Yi S, Tian J, Liu Y, Lu H. Diffusion and enrichment of high-risk antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via the transmission chain (mulberry leave, guts and feces of silkworm, and soil) in an ecological restoration area of manganese mining, China: Role of heavy metals. Environ Res 2023; 225:115616. [PMID: 36871940 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the diffusion and enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens via the transmission chain (mulberry leaves - silkworm guts - silkworm feces - soil) near a manganese mine restoration area (RA) and control area (CA, away from RA). Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs was testified by an IncP a-type broad host range plasmid RP4 harboring ARGs (tetA) and conjugative genes (e.g., korB, trbA, and trbB) as an indicator. Compared to leaves, the abundances of ARGs and pathogens in feces after silkworms ingested leaves from RA increased by 10.8% and 52.3%, respectively, whereas their abundance in feces from CA dropped by 17.1% and 97.7%, respectively. The predominant ARG types in feces involved the resistances to β-lactam, quinolone, multidrug, peptide, and rifamycin. Therein, several high-risk ARGs (e.g., qnrB, oqxA, and rpoB) carried by pathogens were more enriched in feces. However, HGT mediated by plasmid RP4 in this transmission chain was not a main factor to promote the enrichment of ARGs due to the harsh survival environment of silkworm guts for the plasmid RP4 host E. coli. Notably, Zn, Mn, and As in feces and guts promoted the enrichment of qnrB and oqxA. Worriedly, the abundance of qnrB and oqxA in soil increased by over 4-fold after feces from RA were added into soil for 30 days regardless of feces with or without E. coli RP4. Overall, ARGs and pathogens could diffuse and enrich in environment via the sericulture transmission chain developed at RA, especially some high-risk ARGs carried by pathogens. Thus, greater attentions should be paid to dispel such high-risk ARGs to support benign development of sericulture industry in the safe utilization of some RAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanxuan Yan
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Ming Wei
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Feng Li
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China.
| | - Chen Wu
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Shengwei Yi
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Jiang Tian
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Yun Liu
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Hainan Lu
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environment Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
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Martínez-García E, Fraile S, Algar E, Aparicio T, Velázquez E, Calles B, Tas H, Blázquez B, Martín B, Prieto C, Sánchez-Sampedro L, Nørholm MH, Volke D, Wirth N, Dvořák P, Alejaldre L, Grozinger L, Crowther M, Goñi-Moreno A, Nikel P, Nogales J, de Lorenzo V. SEVA 4.0: an update of the Standard European Vector Architecture database for advanced analysis and programming of bacterial phenotypes. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:D1558-D1567. [PMID: 36420904 PMCID: PMC9825617 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The SEVA platform (https://seva-plasmids.com) was launched one decade ago, both as a database (DB) and as a physical repository of plasmid vectors for genetic analysis and engineering of Gram-negative bacteria with a structure and nomenclature that follows a strict, fixed architecture of functional DNA segments. While the current update keeps the basic features of earlier versions, the platform has been upgraded not only with many more ready-to-use plasmids but also with features that expand the range of target species, harmonize DNA assembly methods and enable new applications. In particular, SEVA 4.0 includes (i) a sub-collection of plasmids for easing the composition of multiple DNA segments with MoClo/Golden Gate technology, (ii) vectors for Gram-positive bacteria and yeast and [iii] off-the-shelf constructs with built-in functionalities. A growing collection of plasmids that capture part of the standard-but not its entirety-has been compiled also into the DB and repository as a separate corpus (SEVAsib) because of its value as a resource for constructing and deploying phenotypes of interest. Maintenance and curation of the DB were accompanied by dedicated diffusion and communication channels that make the SEVA platform a popular resource for genetic analyses, genome editing and bioengineering of a large number of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Martínez-García
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofía Fraile
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Algar
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Aparicio
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Velázquez
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Calles
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Huseyin Tas
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Blas Blázquez
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Morten H H Nørholm
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Daniel C Volke
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nicolas T Wirth
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pavel Dvořák
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 62500 Czech Republic
| | - Lorea Alejaldre
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
| | - Lewis Grozinger
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, NE4 5TG, UK
| | - Matthew Crowther
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, NE4 5TG, UK
| | - Angel Goñi-Moreno
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Juan Nogales
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
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Aparicio T, Silbert J, Cepeda S, de Lorenzo V. Propagation of Recombinant Genes through Complex Microbiomes with Synthetic Mini-RP4 Plasmid Vectors. Biodes Res 2022; 2022:9850305. [PMID: 37850127 PMCID: PMC10521647 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9850305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The promiscuous conjugation machinery of the Gram-negative plasmid RP4 has been reassembled in a minimized, highly transmissible vector for propagating genetically encoded traits through diverse types of naturally occurring microbial communities. To this end, the whole of the RP4-encoded transfer determinants (tra, mob genes, and origin of transfer oriT) was excised from their natural context, minimized, and recreated in the form of a streamlined DNA segment borne by an autoselective replicon. The resulting constructs (the pMATING series) could be self-transferred through a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic recipients employing such a rationally designed conjugal delivery device. Insertion of GFP reporter into pMATING exposed the value of this genetic tool for delivering heterologous genes to both specific mating partners and complex consortia (e.g., plant/soil rhizosphere). The results accredited the effective and functional transfer of the recombinant plasmids to a diversity of hosts. Yet the inspection of factors that limit interspecies DNA transfer in such scenarios uncovered type VI secretion systems as one of the factual barriers that check otherwise high conjugal frequencies of tested RP4 derivatives. We argue that the hereby presented programming of hyperpromiscuous gene transfer can become a phenomenal asset for the propagation of beneficial traits through various scales of the environmental microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Aparicio
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
| | - Jillian Silbert
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
| | - Sherezade Cepeda
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
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Seco EM, Fernández LÁ. Efficient markerless integration of genes in the chromosome of probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 by bacterial conjugation. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 15:1374-1391. [PMID: 34755474 PMCID: PMC9049610 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is a common bacterial chassis in synthetic biology developments for therapeutic applications given its long track record of safe administration in humans. Chromosomal integration of the genes of interest (GOIs) in the engineered bacterium offers significant advantages in genetic stability and to control gene dose, but common methodologies relying on the transformation of EcN are inefficient. In this work, we implement in EcN the use of bacterial conjugation in combination with markerless genome engineering to efficiently insert multiple GOIs at different loci of EcN chromosome, leaving no antibiotic resistance genes, vector sequences or scars in the modified bacterium. The resolution of cointegrants that leads to markerless insertion of the GOIs requires expression of I-SceI endonuclease and its efficiency is enhanced by λ Red proteins. We show the potential of this strategy by integrating different genes encoding fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters (i.e. GFP, mKate2, luxCDABE) both individually and sequentially. We also demonstrate its application for gene deletions in EcN (ΔflhDC) and to replace the endogenous regulation of chromosomal locus (i.e. flhDC) by heterologous regulatory elements (e.g. tetR-Ptet) in order to have an ectopic control of gene expression in EcN with an external inducer to alter bacterial behaviour (e.g. flagellar motility). Whole-genome sequencing confirmed the introduction of the designed modifications without off-target alterations in the genome. This straightforward approach accelerates the generation of multiple modifications in EcN chromosome for the generation of living bacterial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M Seco
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, Campus UAM Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Luis Ángel Fernández
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, Campus UAM Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
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