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Liu Z, Good BH. Dynamics of bacterial recombination in the human gut microbiome. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002472. [PMID: 38329938 PMCID: PMC10852326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a ubiquitous force in microbial evolution. Previous work has shown that the human gut is a hotspot for gene transfer between species, but the more subtle exchange of variation within species-also known as recombination-remains poorly characterized in this ecosystem. Here, we show that the genetic structure of the human gut microbiome provides an opportunity to measure recent recombination events from sequenced fecal samples, enabling quantitative comparisons across diverse commensal species that inhabit a common environment. By analyzing recent recombination events in the core genomes of 29 human gut bacteria, we observed widespread heterogeneities in the rates and lengths of transferred fragments, which are difficult to explain by existing models of ecological isolation or homology-dependent recombination rates. We also show that natural selection helps facilitate the spread of genetic variants across strain backgrounds, both within individual hosts and across the broader population. These results shed light on the dynamics of in situ recombination, which can strongly constrain the adaptability of gut microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiru Liu
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Benjamin H. Good
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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2
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Laklaeng SN, Phu DH, Songsri J, Wisessombat S, Mala W, Senghoi W, Phothaworn P, Nuinoon M, Wongtawan T, Klangbud WK. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence and relationships among Burkholderia pseudomallei sequence types isolated from humans, animals, and the environment. Vet World 2024; 17:26-36. [PMID: 38406370 PMCID: PMC10884566 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.26-36] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Burkholderia pseudomallei, a highly pathogenic bacterium responsible for melioidosis, exhibits ecological ubiquity and thrives within soil and water reservoirs, posing significant infection risks to humans and animals through direct contact. The aim of this study was to elucidate the genetic diversity and prevalence patterns of B. pseudomallei sequence types (STs) across a global spectrum and to understand the relationships between strains isolated from different sources. Materials and Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in this study. Extensive research was carried out across three comprehensive databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect with data collected from 1924 to 2023. Results A total of 40 carefully selected articles contributed 2737 B. pseudomallei isolates attributed to 729 distinct STs and were incorporated into the systematic review. Among these, ST46 emerged as the most prominent, featuring in 35% of the articles and demonstrating a dominant prevalence, particularly within Southeast Asia. Moreover, ST51 consistently appeared across human, animal, and environmental studies. Subsequently, we performed a meta-analysis, focusing on nine specific STs: ST46, ST51, ST54, ST70, ST84, ST109, ST289, ST325, and ST376. Surprisingly, no statistically significant differences in their pooled prevalence proportions were observed across these compartments for ST46, ST70, ST289, ST325, and ST376 (all p > 0.69). Conversely, the remaining STs, including ST51, ST54, ST84, and ST109, displayed notable variations in their prevalence among the three domains (all p < 0.04). Notably, the pooled prevalence of ST51 in animals and environmental samples surpassed that found in human isolates (p < 0.01). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the intricate relationships between STs and their sources and contributes significantly to our understanding of B. pseudomallei diversity within the One Health framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa-ngob Laklaeng
- College of Graduate Studies, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Doan Hoang Phu
- College of Graduate Studies, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Jirarat Songsri
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Sueptrakool Wisessombat
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Wanida Mala
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Wilaiwan Senghoi
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Preeda Phothaworn
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Manit Nuinoon
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Tuempong Wongtawan
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Wiyada Kwanhian Klangbud
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
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Wagner GE, Stanjek TFP, Albrecht D, Lipp M, Dunachie SJ, Föderl-Höbenreich E, Riedel K, Kohler A, Steinmetz I, Kohler C. Deciphering the human antibody response against Burkholderia pseudomallei during melioidosis using a comprehensive immunoproteome approach. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1294113. [PMID: 38146371 PMCID: PMC10749318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294113] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The environmental bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei causes the often fatal and massively underreported infectious disease melioidosis. Antigens inducing protective immunity in experimental models have recently been identified and serodiagnostic tools have been improved. However, further elucidation of the antigenic repertoire of B. pseudomallei during human infection for diagnostic and vaccine purposes is required. The adaptation of B. pseudomallei to very different habitats is reflected by a huge genome and a selective transcriptional response to a variety of conditions. We, therefore, hypothesized that exposure of B. pseudomallei to culture conditions mimicking habitats encountered in the human host might unravel novel antigens that are recognized by melioidosis patients. Methods and results In this study, B. pseudomallei was exposed to various stress and growth conditions, including anaerobiosis, acid stress, oxidative stress, iron starvation and osmotic stress. Immunogenic proteins were identified by probing two-dimensional Western blots of B. pseudomallei intracellular and extracellular protein extracts with sera from melioidosis patients and controls and subsequent MALDI-TOF MS. Among B. pseudomallei specific immunogenic signals, 90 % (55/61) of extracellular immunogenic proteins were identified by acid, osmotic or oxidative stress. A total of 84 % (44/52) of intracellular antigens originated from the stationary growth phase, acidic, oxidative and anaerobic conditions. The majority of the extracellular and intracellular protein antigens were identified in only one of the various stress conditions. Sixty-three immunoreactive proteins and an additional 38 candidates from a literature screening were heterologously expressed and subjected to dot blot analysis using melioidosis sera and controls. Our experiments confirmed melioidosis-specific signals in 58 of our immunoproteome candidates. These include 15 antigens with average signal ratios (melioidosis:controls) greater than 10 and another 26 with average ratios greater than 5, including new promising serodiagnostic candidates with a very high signal-to-noise ratio. Conclusion Our study shows that a comprehensive B. pseudomallei immunoproteomics approach, using conditions which are likely to be encountered during infection, can identify novel antibody targets previously unrecognized in human melioidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel E. Wagner
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Dirk Albrecht
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michaela Lipp
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Susanna J. Dunachie
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM) Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Centre, Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Esther Föderl-Höbenreich
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Diagnostic & Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katharina Riedel
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Kohler
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ivo Steinmetz
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Kohler
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
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Seng R, Chomkatekaew C, Tandhavanant S, Saiprom N, Phunpang R, Thaipadungpanit J, Batty EM, Day NPJ, Chantratita W, West TE, Thomson NR, Parkhill J, Chewapreecha C, Chantratita N. Genetic diversity, determinants, and dissemination of Burkholderia pseudomallei lineages implicated in melioidosis in northeast Thailand. bioRxiv 2023:2023.06.02.543359. [PMID: 38106061 PMCID: PMC10723255 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.02.543359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Melioidosis is an often-fatal neglected tropical disease caused by an environmental bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. However, our understanding of the disease-causing bacterial lineages, their dissemination, and adaptive mechanisms remains limited. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis of 1,391 B. pseudomallei isolates collected from nine hospitals in northeast Thailand between 2015 and 2018, and contemporaneous isolates from neighbouring countries, representing the most densely sampled collection to date. Our study identified three dominant lineages with unique gene sets enhancing bacterial fitness, indicating lineage-specific adaptation strategies. Crucially, recombination was found to drive lineage-specific gene flow. Transcriptome analyses of representative clinical isolates from each dominant lineage revealed heightened expression of lineage-specific genes in environmental versus infection conditions, notably under nutrient depletion, highlighting environmental persistence as a key factor in the success of dominant lineages. The study also revealed the role of environmental factors - slope of terrain, altitude, direction of rivers, and the northeast monsoons - in shaping B. pseudomallei geographical dispersal. Collectively, our findings highlight persistence in the environment as a pivotal element facilitating B. pseudomallei spread, and as a prelude to exposure and infection, thereby providing useful insights for informing melioidosis prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rathanin Seng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chalita Chomkatekaew
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarunporn Tandhavanant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Natnaree Saiprom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rungnapa Phunpang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Janjira Thaipadungpanit
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Elizabeth M Batty
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas PJ Day
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Wasun Chantratita
- Center for Medical Genomics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - T. Eoin West
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Julian Parkhill
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Claire Chewapreecha
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Previous Affiliations: Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresource and Technology, King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narisara Chantratita
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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5
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Romanowski SB, Lee S, Kunakom S, Paulo BS, Recchia MJJ, Liu DY, Cavanagh H, Linington RG, Eustáquio AS. Identification of the lipodepsipeptide selethramide encoded in a giant nonribosomal peptide synthetase from a Burkholderia bacterium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304668120. [PMID: 37812712 PMCID: PMC10589681 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304668120] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial natural products have found many important industrial applications. Yet traditional discovery pipelines often prioritize individual natural product families despite the presence of multiple natural product biosynthetic gene clusters in each bacterial genome. Systematic characterization of talented strains is a means to expand the known natural product space. Here, we report genomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics studies of Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421, a soil isolate and known producer of antitumor spliceostatins. Its genome is composed of two chromosomes and two plasmids encoding at least 29 natural product families. Metabolomics studies showed that FERM BP-3421 also produces antifungal aminopyrrolnitrin and approved anticancer romidepsin. From the orphan metabolome features, we connected a lipopeptide of 1,928 Da to an 18-module nonribosomal peptide synthetase encoded as a single gene in chromosome 1. Isolation and structure elucidation led to the identification of selethramide which contains a repeating pattern of serine and leucine and is cyclized at the side chain oxygen of the one threonine residue at position 13. A (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid moiety decorates the N-terminal serine. Initial attempts to obtain deletion mutants to probe the role of selethramide failed. After acquiring epigenome (methylome) data for FERM BP-3421, we employed a mimicry by methylation strategy that improved DNA transfer efficiency. Mutants defective in selethramide biosynthesis showed reduced surfactant activity and impaired swarming motility that could be chemically complemented with selethramide. This work unveils a lipopeptide that promotes surface motility, establishes improved DNA transfer efficiency, and sets the stage for continued natural product identification from a prolific strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean B. Romanowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BCV5H 1S6, Canada
| | - Sylvia Kunakom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607
| | - Bruno S. Paulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607
| | | | - Dennis Y. Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BCV5H 1S6, Canada
| | - Hannah Cavanagh
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BCV5H 1S6, Canada
| | - Roger G. Linington
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BCV5H 1S6, Canada
| | - Alessandra S. Eustáquio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607
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Abstract
The soil saprophyte, Burkholderia pseudomallei, is the causative agent of melioidosis, a disease endemic in South East Asia and northern Australia. Exposure to B. pseudomallei by either inhalation or inoculation can lead to severe disease. B. pseudomallei rapidly shifts from an environmental organism to an aggressive intracellular pathogen capable of rapidly spreading around the body. The expression of multiple virulence factors at every stage of intracellular infection allows for rapid progression of infection. Following invasion or phagocytosis, B. pseudomallei resists host-cell killing mechanisms in the phagosome, followed by escape using the type III secretion system. Several secreted virulence factors manipulate the host cell, while bacterial cells undergo a shift in energy metabolism allowing for overwhelming intracellular replication. Polymerisation of host cell actin into “actin tails” propels B. pseudomallei to the membranes of host cells where the type VI secretion system fuses host cells into multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) to facilitate cell-to-cell dissemination. This review describes the various mechanisms used by B. pseudomallei to survive within cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Bzdyl
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Clare L Moran
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Justine Bendo
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Mitali Sarkar-Tyson
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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Wongpalee SP, Thananchai H, Chewapreecha C, Roslund HB, Chomkatekaew C, Tananupak W, Boonklang P, Pakdeerat S, Seng R, Chantratita N, Takarn P, Khamnoi P. Highly specific and sensitive detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei genomic DNA by CRISPR-Cas12a. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010659. [PMID: 36037185 PMCID: PMC9423629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei, a causative bacterium for melioidosis, remains a challenging undertaking due to long assay time, laboratory requirements, and the lack of specificity and sensitivity of many current assays. In this study, we are presenting a novel method that circumvents those issues by utilizing CRISPR-Cas12a coupled with isothermal amplification to identify B. pseudomallei DNA from clinical isolates. Through in silico search for conserved CRISPR-Cas12a target sites, we engineered the CRISPR-Cas12a to contain a highly specific spacer to B. pseudomallei, named crBP34. The crBP34-based detection assay can detect as few as 40 copies of B. pseudomallei genomic DNA while discriminating against other tested common pathogens. When coupled with a lateral flow dipstick, the assay readout can be simply performed without the loss of sensitivity and does not require expensive equipment. This crBP34-based detection assay provides high sensitivity, specificity and simple detection method for B. pseudomallei DNA. Direct use of this assay on clinical samples may require further optimization as these samples are complexed with high level of human DNA. Melioidosis is a fatal infectious disease caused by a Gram-negative bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei. The bacteria can be found in many parts of the world, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. Infection displays a variety of symptoms such as pneumonia, organ abscess and septicemia. The latter can lead to death within 24–48 hours if not properly diagnosed and treated. Rapid and accurate diagnosis, consequently, are essential for saving patients’ lives. Currently, culturing B. pseudomallei is a gold standard diagnostic method, but the assay turnaround time is 2–4 days, and the result could be of low sensitivity. Other detection methods such as real-time PCR and serological assays are limited by availability of equipment and by low specificity in endemic areas, respectively. For these reasons, in this study we developed a specific, sensitive and rapid detection assay for B. pseudomallei DNA, that is based on CRISPR-Cas12a system. The CRISPR-Cas12a is a protein-RNA complex that recognizes DNA. The RNA can be reprogramed to guide the detection of any DNA of interest, which in our case B. pseudomallei genomic DNA. Our data showed that this assay exhibited a 100% specificity to B. pseudomallei while discriminating against 10 other pathogens and human. The assay can detect B. pseudomallei DNA in less than one hour and does not require sophisticated equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somsakul Pop Wongpalee
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- * E-mail:
| | - Hathairat Thananchai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Claire Chewapreecha
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik B. Roslund
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chalita Chomkatekaew
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warunya Tananupak
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Phumrapee Boonklang
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sukritpong Pakdeerat
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rathanin Seng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narisara Chantratita
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piyawan Takarn
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Phadungkiat Khamnoi
- Microbiology Unit, Diagnostic Laboratory, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Chua J, Nguyenkhoa E, Mou S, Tobery SA, Friedlander AM, DeShazer D. Burkholderia pseudomallei JW270 Is Lethal in the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Infection Model and Can Be Utilized at Biosafety Level 2 to Identify Putative Virulence Factors. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0015922. [PMID: 35862734 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00159-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is classified by the CDC as a tier 1 select agent, and work involving it must be performed in a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory. Three BSL-2 surrogate strains derived from B. pseudomallei 1026b, a virulent clinical isolate, have been removed from the CDC select agent list. These strains, Bp82, B0011, and JW270, are highly attenuated in rodent models of melioidosis and cannot be utilized to identify virulence determinants because of their high 50% lethal dose (LD50). We previously demonstrated that the Madagascar hissing cockroach (MHC) is a tractable surrogate host to study the innate immune response against Burkholderia. In this study, we found that JW270 maintains its virulence in MHCs. This surprising result indicates that it may be possible to identify potential virulence genes in JW270 by using MHCs at BSL-2. We tested this hypothesis by constructing JW270 mutations in genes that are required (hcp1) or dispensable (hcp2) for B. pseudomallei virulence in rodents. JW270 Δhcp1 was avirulent in MHCs and JW270 Δhcp2 was virulent, suggesting that MHCs can be used at BSL-2 for the discovery of important virulence factors. JW270 ΔBPSS2185, a strain harboring a mutation in a type IV pilin locus (TFP8) required for full virulence in BALB/c mice, was also found to be attenuated in MHCs. Finally, we demonstrate that the hmqA-G locus, which encodes the production of a family of secondary metabolites called 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines, is important for JW270 virulence in MHCs and may represent a novel virulence determinant.
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9
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Okaro U, Mou S, Lenkoue G, Williams JA, Bonagofski A, Larson P, Kumar R, DeShazer D. A type IVB pilin influences twitching motility and in vitro adhesion to epithelial cells in Burkholderia pseudomallei. Microbiology (Reading) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35293855 PMCID: PMC9558350 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Type IV pili are involved in adhesion, twitching motility, aggregation, biofilm formation and virulence in a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis and a Tier 1 biological select agent, is a Gram-negative bacterium with eight type IV pili-associated loci (TFP1 to TFP8). Most have not been fully characterized. In this study, we investigated BPSS2185, an uncharacterized TFP8 gene that encodes a type IVB pilus protein subunit. Using genetic deletion and complementation analysis in B. pseudomallei JW270, we demonstrate that BPSS2185 plays an important role in twitching motility and adhesion to A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. Compared to JW270, the JW270 ΔBPSS2185 mutant failed to display twitching motility and did not adhere to the epithelial cells. These phenotypes were partially reversed by the complementation of BPSS2185 in the mutant strain. The study also shows that BPSS2185 is expressed only during the onset of mature biofilm formation and at the dispersal of a biofilm, suggesting that the motility characteristic is required to form a biofilm. Our study is the first to suggest that the BPSS2185 gene in TFP8 contributes to twitching motility, adhesion and biofilm formation, indicating that the gene may contribute to B. pseudomallei virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udoka Okaro
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Sherry Mou
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Geraldin Lenkoue
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Janice A Williams
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ari Bonagofski
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter Larson
- Molecular Biology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Raina Kumar
- Molecular Biology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - David DeShazer
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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10
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Chewapreecha C, Pensar J, Chattagul S, Pesonen M, Sangphukieo A, Boonklang P, Potisap C, Koosakulnirand S, Feil EJ, Dunachie S, Chantratita N, Limmathurotsakul D, Peacock SJ, Day NPJ, Parkhill J, Thomson NR, Sermswan RW, Corander J. Co-evolutionary Signals Identify Burkholderia pseudomallei Survival Strategies in a Hostile Environment. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6400259. [PMID: 34662416 PMCID: PMC8760936 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis and a significant cause of human morbidity and mortality in many tropical and subtropical countries. The species notoriously survives harsh environmental conditions but the genetic architecture for these adaptations remains unclear. Here we employed a powerful combination of genome-wide epistasis and co-selection studies (2,011 genomes), condition-wide transcriptome analyses (82 diverse conditions), and a gene knockout assay to uncover signals of "co-selection"-that is a combination of genetic markers that have been repeatedly selected together through B. pseudomallei evolution. These enabled us to identify 13,061 mutation pairs under co-selection in distinct genes and noncoding RNA. Genes under co-selection displayed marked expression correlation when B. pseudomallei was subjected to physical stress conditions, highlighting the conditions as one of the major evolutionary driving forces for this bacterium. We identified a putative adhesin (BPSL1661) as a hub of co-selection signals, experimentally confirmed a BPSL1661 role under nutrient deprivation, and explored the functional basis of co-selection gene network surrounding BPSL1661 in facilitating the bacterial survival under nutrient depletion. Our findings suggest that nutrient-limited conditions have been the common selection pressure acting on this species, and allelic variation of BPSL1661 may have promoted B. pseudomallei survival during harsh environmental conditions by facilitating bacterial adherence to different surfaces, cells, or living hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Chewapreecha
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Insitute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Program, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
- Corresponding authors: E-mails: ; ;
| | - Johan Pensar
- Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Supaksorn Chattagul
- Melioidosis Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Maiju Pesonen
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Apiwat Sangphukieo
- Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Program, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phumrapee Boonklang
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chotima Potisap
- Melioidosis Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sirikamon Koosakulnirand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Edward J Feil
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Susanna Dunachie
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Narisara Chantratita
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Direk Limmathurotsakul
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon J Peacock
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nick P J Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Parkhill
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Insitute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Rasana W Sermswan
- Melioidosis Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Corresponding authors: E-mails: ; ;
| | - Jukka Corander
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Insitute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Corresponding authors: E-mails: ; ;
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11
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Abstract
Epigenetic DNA methylation plays an important role in bacteria by influencing gene expression and allowing discrimination between self-DNA and intruders such as phages and plasmids. Restriction–modification (RM) systems use a methyltransferase (MTase) to modify a specific sequence motif, thus protecting host DNA from cleavage by a cognate restriction endonuclease (REase) while leaving invading DNA vulnerable. Other REases occur solitarily and cleave methylated DNA. REases and RM systems are frequently mobile, influencing horizontal gene transfer by altering the compatibility of the host for foreign DNA uptake. However, whether mobile defence systems affect pre-existing host defences remains obscure. Here, we reveal an epigenetic conflict between an RM system (PcaRCI) and a methylation-dependent REase (PcaRCII) in the plant pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum RC5297. The PcaRCI RM system provides potent protection against unmethylated plasmids and phages, but its methylation motif is targeted by the methylation-dependent PcaRCII. This potentially lethal co-existence is enabled through epigenetic silencing of the PcaRCII-encoding gene via promoter methylation by the PcaRCI MTase. Comparative genome analyses suggest that the PcaRCII-encoding gene was already present and was silenced upon establishment of the PcaRCI system. These findings provide a striking example for selfishness of RM systems and intracellular competition between different defences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Birkholz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Simon A Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Robert D Fagerlund
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter C Fineran
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Tel: +64 3 479 7735;
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12
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Mourkas E, Yahara K, Bayliss SC, Calland JK, Johansson H, Mageiros L, Muñoz-Ramirez ZY, Futcher G, Méric G, Hitchings MD, Sandoval-Motta S, Torres J, Jolley KA, Maiden MCJ, Ellström P, Waldenström J, Pascoe B, Sheppard SK. Host ecology regulates interspecies recombination in bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. eLife 2022; 11:73552. [PMID: 35191377 PMCID: PMC8912921 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) can allow traits that have evolved in one bacterial species to transfer to another. This has potential to rapidly promote new adaptive trajectories such as zoonotic transfer or antimicrobial resistance. However, for this to occur requires gaps to align in barriers to recombination within a given time frame. Chief among these barriers is the physical separation of species with distinct ecologies in separate niches. Within the genus Campylobacter, there are species with divergent ecologies, from rarely isolated single-host specialists to multihost generalist species that are among the most common global causes of human bacterial gastroenteritis. Here, by characterizing these contrasting ecologies, we can quantify HGT among sympatric and allopatric species in natural populations. Analyzing recipient and donor population ancestry among genomes from 30 Campylobacter species, we show that cohabitation in the same host can lead to a six-fold increase in HGT between species. This accounts for up to 30% of all SNPs within a given species and identifies highly recombinogenic genes with functions including host adaptation and antimicrobial resistance. As described in some animal and plant species, ecological factors are a major evolutionary force for speciation in bacteria and changes to the host landscape can promote partial convergence of distinct species through HGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Mourkas
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Koji Yahara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious DiseasesTokyoJapan
| | - Sion C Bayliss
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Jessica K Calland
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Håkan Johansson
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus UniversityKalmarSweden
| | - Leonardos Mageiros
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Zilia Y Muñoz-Ramirez
- Unidad de Investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas, UMAE Pediatria, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro SocialMexico CityMexico
| | - Grant Futcher
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Guillaume Méric
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Santiago Sandoval-Motta
- Unidad de Investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas, UMAE Pediatria, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro SocialMexico CityMexico
| | - Javier Torres
- Unidad de Investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas, UMAE Pediatria, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro SocialMexico CityMexico
| | - Keith A Jolley
- Department of Zoology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Patrik Ellström
- Department of Medical Sciences, Zoonosis Science Centre, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus UniversityKalmarSweden
| | - Ben Pascoe
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
| | - Samuel K Sheppard
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom,Department of Zoology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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13
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Suresh A, Shaik S, Baddam R, Ranjan A, Qumar S, Jadhav S, Semmler T, Ghazi IA, Wieler LH, Ahmed N. Evolutionary Dynamics Based on Comparative Genomics of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Lineages Harboring Polyketide Synthase ( pks) Island. mBio 2021; 12:e03634-20. [PMID: 33653937 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.03634-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The genotoxin colibactin is a secondary metabolite produced by the polyketide synthase (pks) island harbored by extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and other members of the Enterobacteriaceae that has been increasingly reported to have critical implications in human health. The present study entails a high-throughput whole-genome comparison and phylogenetic analysis of such pathogenic E. coli isolates to gain insights into the patterns of distribution, horizontal transmission, and evolution of the island. For the current study, 23 pks-positive ExPEC genomes were newly sequenced, and their virulome and resistome profiles indicated a preponderance of virulence encoding genes and a reduced number of genes for antimicrobial resistance. In addition, 4,090 E. coli genomes from the public domain were also analyzed for large-scale screening for pks-positive genomes, out of which a total of 530 pks-positive genomes were studied to understand the subtype-based distribution pattern(s). The pks island showed a significant association with the B2 phylogroup (82.2%) and a high prevalence in sequence type 73 (ST73; n = 179) and ST95 (n = 110) and the O6:H1 (n = 110) serotype. Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogeny of the core genome and intergenic regions (IGRs) of the ST95 model data set, which was selected because it had both pks-positive and pks-negative genomes, displayed clustering in relation to their carriage of the pks island. Prevalence patterns of genes encoding RM systems in the pks-positive and pks-negative genomes were also analyzed to determine their potential role in pks island acquisition and the maintenance capability of the genomes. Further, the maximum-likelihood phylogeny based on the core genome and pks island sequences from 247 genomes with an intact pks island demonstrated horizontal gene transfer of the island across sequence types and serotypes, with few exceptions. This study vitally contributes to understanding of the lineages and subtypes that have a higher propensity to harbor the pks island-encoded genotoxin with possible clinical implications.
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14
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García-Ulloa MI, Escalante AE, Moreno-Letelier A, Eguiarte LE, Souza V. Evolutionary Rescue of an Environmental Pseudomonas otitidis in Response to Anthropogenic Perturbation. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:563885. [PMID: 33552002 PMCID: PMC7856823 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.563885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic perturbations introduce novel selective pressures to natural environments, impacting the genomic variability of organisms and thus altering the evolutionary trajectory of populations. Water overexploitation for agricultural purposes and defective policies in Cuatro Cienegas, Coahuila, Mexico, have strongly impacted its water reservoir, pushing entire hydrological systems to the brink of extinction along with their native populations. Here, we studied the effects of continuous water overexploitation on an environmental aquatic lineage of Pseudomonas otitidis over a 13-year period which encompasses three desiccation events. By comparing the genomes of a population sample from 2003 (original state) and 2015 (perturbed state), we analyzed the demographic history and evolutionary response to perturbation of this lineage. Through coalescent simulations, we obtained a demographic model of contraction-expansion-contraction which points to the occurrence of an evolutionary rescue event. Loss of genomic and nucleotide variation alongside an increment in mean and variance of Tajima’s D, characteristic of sudden population expansions, support this observation. In addition, a significant increase in recombination rate (R/θ) was observed, pointing to horizontal gene transfer playing a role in population recovery. Furthermore, the gain of phosphorylation, DNA recombination, small-molecule metabolism and transport and loss of biosynthetic and regulatory genes suggest a functional shift in response to the environmental perturbation. Despite subsequent sampling events in the studied site, no pseudomonad was found until the lagoon completely dried in 2017. We speculate about the causes of P. otitidis final decline or possible extinction. Overall our results are evidence of adaptive responses at the genomic level of bacterial populations in a heavily exploited aquifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Ii García-Ulloa
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana Elena Escalante
- Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Moreno-Letelier
- Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis E Eguiarte
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Valeria Souza
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico
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15
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Gee JE, Gulvik CA, Castelo-Branco DSCM, Sidrim JJC, Rocha MFG, Cordeiro RA, Brilhante RSN, Bandeira TJPG, Patrício I, Alencar LP, da Costa Ribeiro AK, Sheth M, Deka MA, Hoffmaster AR, Rolim D. Genomic Diversity of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Ceara, Brazil. mSphere 2021; 6:e01259-20. [PMID: 33536328 DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.01259-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
B. pseudomallei causes significant morbidity and mortality, but its geographic prevalence and genetic diversity are not well characterized, especially in the Western Hemisphere. A better understanding of the genetic relationships among clinical and environmental isolates will improve knowledge of the population structure of this bacterium as well as the ability to conduct epidemiological investigations of cases of melioidosis. Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes the sapronotic disease melioidosis. An outbreak in 2003 in the state of Ceara, Brazil, resulted in subsequent surveillance and environmental sampling which led to the recognition of B. pseudomallei as an endemic pathogen in that area. From 2003 to 2015, 24 clinical and 12 environmental isolates were collected across Ceara along with one from the state of Alagoas. Using next-generation sequencing, multilocus sequence typing, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis, we characterized the genomic diversity of this collection to better understand the population structure of B. pseudomallei associated with Ceara. We found that the isolates in this collection form a distinct subclade compared to other examples from the Western Hemisphere. Substantial genetic diversity among the clinical and environmental isolates was observed, with 14 sequence types (STs) identified among the 37 isolates. Of the 31,594 core single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified, a high proportion (59%) were due to recombination. Because recombination events do not follow a molecular clock, the observation of high occurrence underscores the importance of identifying and removing recombination SNPs prior to evolutionary reconstructions and inferences in public health responses to B. pseudomallei outbreaks. Our results suggest long-term B. pseudomallei prevalence in this recently recognized region of melioidosis endemicity. IMPORTANCEB. pseudomallei causes significant morbidity and mortality, but its geographic prevalence and genetic diversity are not well characterized, especially in the Western Hemisphere. A better understanding of the genetic relationships among clinical and environmental isolates will improve knowledge of the population structure of this bacterium as well as the ability to conduct epidemiological investigations of cases of melioidosis.
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16
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Chomkatekaew C, Boonklang P, Sangphukieo A, Chewapreecha C. An Evolutionary Arms Race Between Burkholderia pseudomallei and Host Immune System: What Do We Know? Front Microbiol 2021; 11:612568. [PMID: 33552023 PMCID: PMC7858667 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.612568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of co-evolution between pathogens and hosts holds promise for better prevention and control strategies. This review will explore the interactions between Burkholderia pseudomallei, an environmental and opportunistic pathogen, and the human host immune system. B. pseudomallei causes "Melioidosis," a rapidly fatal tropical infectious disease predicted to affect 165,000 cases annually worldwide, of which 89,000 are fatal. Genetic heterogeneities were reported in both B. pseudomallei and human host population, some of which may, at least in part, contribute to inter-individual differences in disease susceptibility. Here, we review (i) a multi-host-pathogen characteristic of the interaction; (ii) selection pressures acting on B. pseudomallei and human genomes with the former being driven by bacterial adaptation across ranges of ecological niches while the latter are driven by human encounter of broad ranges of pathogens; (iii) the mechanisms that generate genetic diversity in bacterial and host population particularly in sequences encoding proteins functioning in host-pathogen interaction; (iv) reported genetic and structural variations of proteins or molecules observed in B. pseudomallei-human host interactions and their implications in infection outcomes. Together, these predict bacterial and host evolutionary trajectory which continues to generate genetic diversity in bacterium and operates host immune selection at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Apiwat Sangphukieo
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Bangkok, Thailand
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresource and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Claire Chewapreecha
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Bangkok, Thailand
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresource and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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17
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Gaultney RA, Vincent AT, Lorioux C, Coppée JY, Sismeiro O, Varet H, Legendre R, Cockram CA, Veyrier FJ, Picardeau M. 4-Methylcytosine DNA modification is critical for global epigenetic regulation and virulence in the human pathogen Leptospira interrogans. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:12102-12115. [PMID: 33301041 PMCID: PMC7708080 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In bacteria, DNA methylation can be facilitated by ‘orphan’ DNA methyltransferases lacking cognate restriction endonucleases, but whether and how these enzymes control key cellular processes are poorly understood. The effects of a specific modification, 4-methylcytosine (4mC), are even less clear, as this epigenetic marker is unique to bacteria and archaea, whereas the bulk of epigenetic research is currently performed on eukaryotes. Here, we characterize a 4mC methyltransferase from the understudied pathogen Leptospira spp. Inactivating this enzyme resulted in complete abrogation of CTAG motif methylation, leading to genome-wide dysregulation of gene expression. Mutants exhibited growth defects, decreased adhesion to host cells, higher susceptibility to LPS-targeting antibiotics, and, importantly, were no longer virulent in an acute infection model. Further investigation resulted in the discovery of at least one gene, that of an ECF sigma factor, whose transcription was altered in the methylase mutant and, subsequently, by mutation of the CTAG motifs in the promoter of the gene. The genes that comprise the regulon of this sigma factor were, accordingly, dysregulated in the methylase mutant and in a strain overexpressing the sigma factor. Our results highlight the importance of 4mC in Leptospira physiology, and suggest the same of other understudied species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antony T Vincent
- Bacterial Symbionts Evolution, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Céline Lorioux
- Unité Biologie des Spirochètes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Coppée
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Odile Sismeiro
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, USR 3756 CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform, Biomics, Center for Technological Resources and Research (C2RT), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, USR 3756 CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Frédéric J Veyrier
- Bacterial Symbionts Evolution, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada
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18
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Testamenti VA, Surya M, Saepuloh U, Iskandriati D, Tandang MV, Kristina L, Wahyudi AT, Sajuthi D, Santi VD, Patispathika FH, Wahyu M, Nurcahyo A, Pamungkas J. Characterization of Burkholderia pseudomallei from spontaneous melioidosis in a Bornean orangutan. Vet World 2020; 13:2459-2468. [PMID: 33363342 PMCID: PMC7750211 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2459-2468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease affecting humans and a wide range of animal species; it is often underdiagnosed and underreported in veterinary medicine in Indonesia. This study aimed to characterize morphological and molecular features of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis which caused the death of a Bornean orangutan. Materials and Methods: Pulmonary abscess samples were cultured on several types of media, including Ashdown agar, Ashdown broth, and MacConkey agar. Type three secretion system orf 2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and latex agglutination tests were performed to identify the bacteria. Morphological characteristics were compared to all previously published morphotypes. Subsequently, the bacteria were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Yersinia-like flagellum/Burkholderia thailandensis-like flagellum and chemotaxis PCR. The results of the genotyping were afterward compared to all genotypes from Southeast Asia. Results: Multiple morphotypes of B. pseudomallei were perceived during the growth on Ashdown agar. Furthermore, it was identified by MLST that the Type I and Type II morphotypes observed in this study were clones of a single ST, ST54, which is predominantly found in humans and the environment in Malaysia and Thailand, although a very limited number of reports was published in association with animals. Moreover, the E-BURST analysis showed that the ST is grouped together with isolates from Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Cambodia. ST54 was predicted to be the founding genotype of several STs from those regions. Conclusion: B. pseudomallei ST54 that caused the death of a Bornean orangutan has a distant genetic relationship with other STs which were previously reported in Indonesia, implying a vast genetic diversity in Indonesia that has not been discovered yet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryati Surya
- Primate Research Center, IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | - Uus Saepuloh
- Primate Research Center, IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | - Diah Iskandriati
- Primatology Graduate Study Program, Graduate School of IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia.,Primate Research Center, IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | | | - Lia Kristina
- Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | - Aris Tri Wahyudi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Dondin Sajuthi
- Primatology Graduate Study Program, Graduate School of IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia.,Primate Research Center, IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia.,Department of Clinics, Reproduction, and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Vivi Dwi Santi
- Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | | | - Muhtadin Wahyu
- Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | - Anton Nurcahyo
- Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Bogor 16128, Indonesia
| | - Joko Pamungkas
- Primatology Graduate Study Program, Graduate School of IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia.,Primate Research Center, IPB University, Bogor 16128, Indonesia.,Department of Animal Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
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19
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Vandenbussche I, Sass A, Pinto-Carbó M, Mannweiler O, Eberl L, Coenye T. DNA Methylation Epigenetically Regulates Gene Expression in Burkholderia cenocepacia and Controls Biofilm Formation, Cell Aggregation, and Motility. mSphere 2020; 5:e00455-20. [PMID: 32669472 DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00455-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CF patients diagnosed with Burkholderia cenocepacia infections often experience rapid deterioration of lung function, known as cepacia syndrome. B. cenocepacia has a large multireplicon genome, and much remains to be learned about regulation of gene expression in this organism. From studies in other (model) organisms, it is known that epigenetic changes through DNA methylation play an important role in this regulation. The identification of B. cenocepacia genes of which the expression is regulated by DNA methylation and identification of the regulatory systems involved in this methylation are likely to advance the biological understanding of B. cenocepacia cell adaptation via epigenetic regulation. In time, this might lead to novel approaches to tackle B. cenocepacia infections in CF patients. Respiratory tract infections by the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia often lead to severe lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. New insights in how to tackle these infections might emerge from the field of epigenetics, as DNA methylation is an important regulator of gene expression. The present study focused on two DNA methyltransferases (MTases) in B. cenocepacia strains J2315 and K56-2 and their role in regulating gene expression. In silico predicted DNA MTase genes BCAL3494 and BCAM0992 were deleted in both strains, and the phenotypes of the resulting deletion mutants were studied: deletion mutant ΔBCAL3494 showed changes in biofilm structure and cell aggregation, while ΔBCAM0992 was less motile. B. cenocepacia wild-type cultures treated with sinefungin, a known DNA MTase inhibitor, exhibited the same phenotype as DNA MTase deletion mutants. Single-molecule real-time sequencing was used to characterize the methylome of B. cenocepacia, including methylation at the origin of replication, and motifs CACAG and GTWWAC were identified as targets of BCAL3494 and BCAM0992, respectively. All genes with methylated motifs in their putative promoter region were identified, and qPCR experiments showed an upregulation of several genes, including biofilm- and motility-related genes, in MTase deletion mutants with unmethylated motifs, explaining the observed phenotypes in these mutants. In summary, our data confirm that DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating the expression of B. cenocepacia genes involved in biofilm formation, cell aggregation, and motility. IMPORTANCE CF patients diagnosed with Burkholderia cenocepacia infections often experience rapid deterioration of lung function, known as cepacia syndrome. B. cenocepacia has a large multireplicon genome, and much remains to be learned about regulation of gene expression in this organism. From studies in other (model) organisms, it is known that epigenetic changes through DNA methylation play an important role in this regulation. The identification of B. cenocepacia genes of which the expression is regulated by DNA methylation and identification of the regulatory systems involved in this methylation are likely to advance the biological understanding of B. cenocepacia cell adaptation via epigenetic regulation. In time, this might lead to novel approaches to tackle B. cenocepacia infections in CF patients.
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Oliveira PH, Fang G. Conserved DNA Methyltransferases: A Window into Fundamental Mechanisms of Epigenetic Regulation in Bacteria. Trends Microbiol 2020; 29:28-40. [PMID: 32417228 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have reported that bacterial DNA methylation has important functions beyond the roles in restriction-modification systems, including the ability of affecting clinically relevant phenotypes such as virulence, host colonization, sporulation, biofilm formation, among others. Although insightful, such studies have a largely ad hoc nature and would benefit from a systematic strategy enabling a joint functional characterization of bacterial methylomes by the microbiology community. In this opinion article, we propose that highly conserved DNA methyltransferases (MTases) represent a unique opportunity for bacterial epigenomic studies. These MTases are rather common in bacteria, span various taxonomic scales, and are present in multiple human pathogens. Apart from well-characterized core DNA MTases, like those from Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella enterica, Clostridioides difficile, or Streptococcus pyogenes, multiple highly conserved DNA MTases are also found in numerous human pathogens, including those belonging to the genera Burkholderia and Acinetobacter. We discuss why and how these MTases can be prioritized to enable a community-wide, integrative approach for functional epigenomic studies. Ultimately, we discuss how some highly conserved DNA MTases may emerge as promising targets for the development of novel epigenetic inhibitors for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H Oliveira
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Gang Fang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Abstract
The causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, a tier 1 select agent, is endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, with increased incidence associated with high levels of rainfall. Increasing reports of this condition have occurred worldwide, with estimates of up to 165,000 cases and 89,000 deaths per year. The ecological niche of the organism has yet to be clearly defined, although the organism is associated with soil and water. The culture of appropriate clinical material remains the mainstay of laboratory diagnosis. Identification is best done by phenotypic methods, although mass spectrometric methods have been described. Serology has a limited diagnostic role. Direct molecular and antigen detection methods have limited availability and sensitivity. Clinical presentations of melioidosis range from acute bacteremic pneumonia to disseminated visceral abscesses and localized infections. Transmission is by direct inoculation, inhalation, or ingestion. Risk factors for melioidosis include male sex, diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse, and immunosuppression. The organism is well adapted to intracellular survival, with numerous virulence mechanisms. Immunity likely requires innate and adaptive responses. The principles of management of this condition are drainage and debridement of infected material and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Global mortality rates vary between 9% and 70%. Research into vaccine development is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gassiep
- Pathology Queensland, Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Armstrong
- Pathology Queensland, Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - R Norton
- Pathology Queensland, Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Stenmark B, Harrison OB, Eriksson L, Anton BP, Fomenkov A, Roberts RJ, Tooming-Klunderud A, Bratcher HB, Bray JE, Thulin-Hedberg S, Maiden MCJ, Mölling P. Complete genome and methylome analysis of Neisseria meningitidis associated with increased serogroup Y disease. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3644. [PMID: 32108139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59509-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to serogroup Y Neisseria meningitidis emerged in Europe during the 2000s. Draft genomes of serogroup Y isolates in Sweden revealed that although the population structure of these isolates was similar to other serogroup Y isolates internationally, a distinct strain (YI) and more specifically a sublineage (1) of this strain was responsible for the increase of serogroup Y IMD in Sweden. We performed single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing on eight serogroup Y isolates from different sublineages to unravel the genetic and epigenetic factors delineating them, in order to understand the serogroup Y emergence. Extensive comparisons between the serogroup Y sublineages of all coding sequences, complex genomic regions, intergenic regions, and methylation motifs revealed small point mutations in genes mainly encoding hypothetical and metabolic proteins, and non-synonymous variants in genes involved in adhesion, iron acquisition, and endotoxin production. The methylation motif CACNNNNNTAC was only found in isolates of sublineage 2. Only seven genes were putatively differentially expressed, and another two genes encoding hypothetical proteins were only present in sublineage 2. These data suggest that the serogroup Y IMD increase in Sweden was most probably due to small changes in genes important for colonization and transmission.
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French CT, Bulterys PL, Woodward CL, Tatters AO, Ng KR, Miller JF. Virulence from the rhizosphere: ecology and evolution of Burkholderia pseudomallei-complex species. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 54:18-32. [PMID: 32028234 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T French
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, 570 Westwood Plaza Bldg. 114, 4538 West, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, 609 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Northern Arizona University, Department of Biological Sciences, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute 1395 S Knoles Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States.
| | - Philip L Bulterys
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Lane Building, L235, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States
| | - Cora L Woodward
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, 570 Westwood Plaza Bldg. 114, 4538 West, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Avery O Tatters
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, 570 Westwood Plaza Bldg. 114, 4538 West, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Ken R Ng
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, 570 Westwood Plaza Bldg. 114, 4538 West, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Jeff F Miller
- California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, 570 Westwood Plaza Bldg. 114, 4538 West, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, 611 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, 609 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
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Chewapreecha C, Mather AE, Harris SR, Hunt M, Holden MTG, Chaichana C, Wuthiekanun V, Dougan G, Day NPJ, Limmathurotsakul D, Parkhill J, Peacock SJ. Genetic variation associated with infection and the environment in the accidental pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei. Commun Biol 2019; 2:428. [PMID: 31799430 PMCID: PMC6874650 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The environmental bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis, an important endemic human disease in tropical and sub-tropical countries. This bacterium occupies broad ecological niches including soil, contaminated water, single-cell microbes, plants and infection in a range of animal species. Here, we performed genome-wide association studies for genetic determinants of environmental and human adaptation using a combined dataset of 1,010 whole genome sequences of B. pseudomallei from Northeast Thailand and Australia, representing two major disease hotspots. With these data, we identified 47 genes from 26 distinct loci associated with clinical or environmental isolates from Thailand and replicated 12 genes in an independent Australian cohort. We next outlined the selective pressures on the genetic loci (dN/dS) and the frequency at which they had been gained or lost throughout their evolutionary history, reflecting the bacterial adaptability to a wide range of ecological niches. Finally, we highlighted loci likely implicated in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Chewapreecha
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresource and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 10150 Thailand
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Alison E. Mather
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, NR4 7UQ UK
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK
| | | | - Martin Hunt
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA UK
| | | | - Chutima Chaichana
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 10140 Thailand
| | - Vanaporn Wuthiekanun
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Gordon Dougan
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Nicholas P. J. Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
| | - Direk Limmathurotsakul
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
| | - Julian Parkhill
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES UK
| | - Sharon J. Peacock
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
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Abstract
In all domains of life, genomes contain epigenetic information superimposed over the nucleotide sequence. Epigenetic signals control DNA-protein interactions and can cause phenotypic change in the absence of mutation. A nearly universal mechanism of epigenetic signalling is DNA methylation. In bacteria, DNA methylation has roles in genome defence, chromosome replication and segregation, nucleoid organization, cell cycle control, DNA repair and regulation of transcription. In many bacterial species, DNA methylation controls reversible switching (phase variation) of gene expression, a phenomenon that generates phenotypic cell variants. The formation of epigenetic lineages enables the adaptation of bacterial populations to harsh or changing environments and modulates the interaction of pathogens with their eukaryotic hosts.
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Abstract
In the decade and a half since the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS), the technical feasibility, cost, and overall utility of sequencing have changed dramatically, including applications for infectious disease epidemiology. Massively parallel sequencing technologies have decreased the cost of sequencing by more than 6 orders or magnitude over this time, with a corresponding increase in data generation and complexity. This review provides an overview of the basic principles, chemistry, and operational mechanics of current sequencing technologies, including both conventional Sanger and NGS approaches. As the generation of large amounts of sequence data becomes increasingly routine, the role of bioinformatics in data analysis and reporting becomes all the more critical, and the successful deployment of NGS in public health settings requires careful consideration of changing information technology, bioinformatics, workforce, and regulatory requirements. While there remain important challenges to the sustainable implementation of NGS in public health, in terms of both laboratory and bioinformatics capacity, the impact of these technologies on infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigations has been nothing short of revolutionary. Understanding the important role that NGS plays in modern public health laboratory practice is critical, as is the need to ensure appropriate workforce, infrastructure, facilities, and funding consideration for routine NGS applications, future innovation, and rapidly scaling NGS-based infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response activities. *This article is part of a curated collection.
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Abstract
Microbial populations exchange genetic material through a process called homologous recombination. Although this process has been studied in particular organisms, we lack an understanding of its differential impact over the genome and across microbes with different life-styles. We used a common analytical framework to assess this process in a representative set of microorganisms. Our results uncovered important trends. First, microbes with different lifestyles are differentially impacted, with endosymbionts and obligate pathogens being those less prone to undergo this process. Second, certain genetic elements such as restriction-modification systems seem to be associated with higher rates of recombination. Most importantly, recombined genomes show the footprints of natural selection in which recombined regions preferentially contain genes that can be related to specific ecological adaptations. Taken together, our results clarify the relative contributions of factors modulating homologous recombination and show evidence for a clear a role of this process in shaping microbial genomes and driving ecological adaptations. Homologous recombination (HR) enables the exchange of genetic material between and within species. Recent studies suggest that this process plays a major role in the microevolution of microbial genomes, contributing to core genome homogenization and to the maintenance of cohesive population structures. However, we still have a very poor understanding of the possible adaptive roles of intraspecific HR and of the factors that determine its differential impact across clades and lifestyles. Here we used a unified methodological framework to assess HR in 338 complete genomes from 54 phylogenetically diverse and representative prokaryotic species, encompassing different lifestyles and a broad phylogenetic distribution. Our results indicate that lifestyle and presence of restriction-modification (RM) machineries are among the main factors shaping HR patterns, with symbionts and intracellular pathogens having the lowest HR levels. Similarly, the size of exchanged genomic fragments correlated with the presence of RM and competence machineries. Finally, genes exchanged by HR showed functional enrichments which could be related to adaptations to different environments and ecological strategies. Taken together, our results clarify the factors underlying HR impact and suggest important adaptive roles of genes exchanged through this mechanism. Our results also revealed that the extent of genetic exchange correlated with lifestyle and some genomic features. Moreover, the genes in exchanged regions were enriched for functions that reflected specific adaptations, supporting identification of HR as one of the main evolutionary mechanisms shaping prokaryotic core genomes.
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Huo W, Adams HM, Trejo C, Badia R, Palmer KL. A Type I Restriction-Modification System Associated with Enterococcus faecium Subspecies Separation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:e02174-18. [PMID: 30389763 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02174-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal colonizer Enterococcus faecium is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. faecium isolates are particularly concerning for infection treatment. Previous comparative genomic studies revealed that subspecies referred to as clade A and clade B exist within E. faecium MDR E. faecium isolates belong to clade A, while clade B consists of drug-susceptible fecal commensal E. faecium isolates. Isolates from clade A are further grouped into two subclades, clades A1 and A2. In general, clade A1 isolates are hospital-epidemic isolates, whereas clade A2 isolates are isolates from animals and sporadic human infections. Such phylogenetic separation indicates that reduced gene exchange occurs between the clades. We hypothesize that endogenous barriers to gene exchange exist between E. faecium clades. Restriction-modification (R-M) systems are such barriers in other microbes. We utilized a bioinformatics analysis coupled with second-generation and third-generation deep-sequencing platforms to characterize the methylomes of two representative E. faecium strains, one from clade A1 and one from clade B. We identified a type I R-M system that is clade A1 specific, is active for DNA methylation, and significantly reduces the transformability of clade A1 E. faecium Based on our results, we conclude that R-M systems act as barriers to horizontal gene exchange in E. faecium and propose that R-M systems contribute to E. faecium subspecies separation.IMPORTANCE Enterococcus faecium is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections around the world. Rising antibiotic resistance in certain E. faecium lineages leaves fewer treatment options. The overarching aim of this work was to determine whether restriction-modification (R-M) systems contribute to the structure of the E. faecium species, wherein hospital-epidemic and non-hospital-epidemic isolates have distinct evolutionary histories and highly resolved clade structures. R-M provides bacteria with a type of innate immunity to horizontal gene transfer (HGT). We identified a type I R-M system that is enriched in the hospital-epidemic clade and determined that it is active for DNA modification activity and significantly impacts HGT. Overall, this work is important because it provides a mechanism for the observed clade structure of E. faecium as well as a mechanism for facilitated gene exchange among hospital-epidemic E. faecium isolates.
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Bochkareva OO, Moroz EV, Davydov II, Gelfand MS. Genome rearrangements and selection in multi-chromosome bacteria Burkholderia spp. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:965. [PMID: 30587126 PMCID: PMC6307245 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5245-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genus Burkholderia consists of species that occupy remarkably diverse ecological niches. Its best known members are important pathogens, B. mallei and B. pseudomallei, which cause glanders and melioidosis, respectively. Burkholderia genomes are unusual due to their multichromosomal organization, generally comprised of 2-3 chromosomes. RESULTS We performed integrated genomic analysis of 127 Burkholderia strains. The pan-genome is open with the saturation to be reached between 86,000 and 88,000 genes. The reconstructed rearrangements indicate a strong avoidance of intra-replichore inversions that is likely caused by selection against the transfer of large groups of genes between the leading and the lagging strands. Translocated genes also tend to retain their position in the leading or the lagging strand, and this selection is stronger for large syntenies. Integrated reconstruction of chromosome rearrangements in the context of strains phylogeny reveals parallel rearrangements that may indicate inversion-based phase variation and integration of new genomic islands. In particular, we detected parallel inversions in the second chromosomes of B. pseudomallei with breakpoints formed by genes encoding membrane components of multidrug resistance complex, that may be linked to a phase variation mechanism. Two genomic islands, spreading horizontally between chromosomes, were detected in the B. cepacia group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the power of integrated analysis of pan-genomes, chromosome rearrangements, and selection regimes. Non-random inversion patterns indicate selective pressure, inversions are particularly frequent in a recent pathogen B. mallei, and, together with periods of positive selection at other branches, may indicate adaptation to new niches. One such adaptation could be a possible phase variation mechanism in B. pseudomallei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga O. Bochkareva
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
- Center of Life Sciences Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena V. Moroz
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Iakov I. Davydov
- Department of Ecology and Evolution & Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mikhail S. Gelfand
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
- Center of Life Sciences Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Computer Science, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
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30
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Blakeway LV, Tan A, Lappan R, Ariff A, Pickering JL, Peacock CS, Blyth CC, Kahler CM, Chang BJ, Lehmann D, Kirkham LAS, Murphy TF, Jennings MP, Bakaletz LO, Atack JM, Peak IR, Seib KL. Moraxella catarrhalis Restriction-Modification Systems Are Associated with Phylogenetic Lineage and Disease. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:2932-2946. [PMID: 30335144 PMCID: PMC6241649 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Moraxella catarrhalis is a human-adapted pathogen, and a major cause of otitis media (OM) and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The species is comprised of two main phylogenetic lineages, RB1 and RB2/3. Restriction–modification (R-M) systems are among the few lineage-associated genes identified in other bacterial genera and have multiple functions including defense against foreign invading DNA, maintenance of speciation, and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Here, we define the repertoire of R-M systems in 51 publicly available M. catarrhalis genomes and report their distribution among M. catarrhalis phylogenetic lineages. An association with phylogenetic lineage (RB1 or RB2/3) was observed for six R-M systems, which may contribute to the evolution of the lineages by restricting DNA transformation. In addition, we observed a relationship between a mutually exclusive Type I R-M system and a Type III R-M system at a single locus conserved throughout a geographically and clinically diverse set of M. catarrhalis isolates. The Type III R-M system at this locus contains the phase-variable Type III DNA methyltransferase, modM, which controls a phasevarion (phase-variable regulon). We observed an association between modM presence and OM-associated middle ear isolates, indicating a potential role for ModM-mediated epigenetic regulation in OM pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke V Blakeway
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aimee Tan
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rachael Lappan
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amir Ariff
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Janessa L Pickering
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher S Peacock
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher C Blyth
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Chilren's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlene M Kahler
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Barbara J Chang
- The Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Deborah Lehmann
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lea-Ann S Kirkham
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Timothy F Murphy
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Michael P Jennings
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lauren O Bakaletz
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - John M Atack
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian R Peak
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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31
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Heacock-Kang Y, McMillan IA, Zarzycki-Siek J, Sun Z, Bluhm AP, Cabanas D, Hoang TT. The heritable natural competency trait of Burkholderia pseudomallei in other Burkholderia species through comE and crp. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12422. [PMID: 30127446 PMCID: PMC6102250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural competency requires uptake of exogenous DNA from the environment and the integration of that DNA into recipient bacteria can be used for DNA-repair or genetic diversification. The Burkholderia genus is unique in that only some of the species and strains are naturally competent. We identified and characterized two genes, comE and crp, from naturally competent B. pseudomallei 1026b that play a role in DNA uptake and catabolism. Single-copies of rhamnose-inducible comE and crp genes were integrated into a Tn7 attachment-site in non-naturally competent Burkholderia including pathogens B. pseudomallei K96243, B. cenocepacia K56-2, and B. mallei ATCC23344. Strains expressing comE or crp were assayed for their ability to uptake and catabolize DNA. ComE and Crp allowed non-naturally competent Burkholderia species to catabolize DNA, uptake exogenous gfp DNA and express GFP. Furthermore, we used synthetic comE and crp to expand the utility of the λ-red recombineering system for genetic manipulation of non-competent Burkholderia species. A newly constructed vector, pKaKa4, was used to mutate the aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) gene in four B. mallei strains, leading to the complete attenuation of these tier-1 select-agents. These strains have been excluded from select-agent regulations and will be of great interest to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Heacock-Kang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Ian A McMillan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Jan Zarzycki-Siek
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Zhenxin Sun
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Andrew P Bluhm
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Darlene Cabanas
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Tung T Hoang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
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Sim SH, Ong CEL, Gan YH, Wang D, Koh VWH, Tan YK, Wong MSY, Chew JSW, Ling SF, Tan BZY, Ye AZ, Bay PCK, Wong WK, Fernandez CJ, Xie S, Jayarajah P, Tahar T, Oh PY, Luz S, Chien JMF, Tan TT, Chai LYA, Fisher D, Liu Y, Loh JJP, Tan GGY. Melioidosis in Singapore: Clinical, Veterinary, and Environmental Perspectives. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3010031. [PMID: 30274428 PMCID: PMC6136607 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis is a notifiable infectious disease registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), Singapore. From a clinical perspective, increased awareness of the disease has led to early detection and treatment initiation, thus resulting in decreasing mortality rates in recent years. However, the disease still poses a threat to local pet, zoo and farm animals, where early diagnosis is a challenge. The lack of routine environmental surveillance studies also makes prevention of the disease in animals difficult. To date, there have been no reports that provide a complete picture of how the disease impacts the local human and animal populations in Singapore. Information on the distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment is also lacking. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of both published and unpublished clinical, veterinary and environmental studies on melioidosis in Singapore to achieve better awareness and management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew Hoon Sim
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Catherine Ee Ling Ong
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Yunn Hwen Gan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
| | - Dongling Wang
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Victor Wee Hong Koh
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Yian Kim Tan
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Michelle Su Yen Wong
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Janet Seok Wei Chew
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Sian Foong Ling
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Brian Zi Yan Tan
- Laboratories Group, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Singapore 718827, Singapore.
| | - Agnes Zhengyu Ye
- Laboratories Group, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Singapore 718827, Singapore.
| | - Patrick Chuan Kiat Bay
- Food Establishment Regulation Group, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Singapore 608550, Singapore.
| | - Wai Kwan Wong
- Laboratories Group, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Singapore 718827, Singapore.
| | | | - Shangzhe Xie
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore 729826, Singapore.
| | - Praveena Jayarajah
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore 729826, Singapore.
| | - Tasha Tahar
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore 729826, Singapore.
| | - Pei Yee Oh
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore 729826, Singapore.
| | - Sonja Luz
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore 729826, Singapore.
| | - Jaime Mei Fong Chien
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore.
| | - Thuan Tong Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore.
| | - Louis Yi Ann Chai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
- National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
| | - Dale Fisher
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
| | - Yichun Liu
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Jimmy Jin Phang Loh
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
| | - Gladys Gek Yen Tan
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore.
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Fomenkov A, Sun Z, Dila DK, Anton BP, Roberts RJ, Raleigh EA. EcoBLMcrX, a classical modification-dependent restriction enzyme in Escherichia coli B: Characterization in vivo and in vitro with a new approach to cleavage site determination. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179853. [PMID: 28654677 PMCID: PMC5487053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we characterize the modification-dependent restriction enzyme (MDE) EcoBLMcrX in vivo, in vitro and in its genomic environment. MDE cleavage of modified DNAs protects prokaryote populations from lethal infection by bacteriophage with highly modified DNA, and also stabilizes lineages by reducing gene import when sparse modification occurs in the wrong context. The function and distribution of MDE families are thus important. Here we describe the properties of EcoBLMcrX, an enzyme of the E. coli B lineage, in vivo and in vitro. Restriction in vivo and the genome location of its gene, ecoBLmcrX, were determined during construction and sequencing of a B/K-12 hybrid, ER2566. In classical restriction literature, this B system was named r6 or rglAB. Like many genome defense functions, ecoBLmcrX is found within a genomic island, where gene content is variable among natural E. coli isolates. In vitro, EcoBLMcrX was compared with two related enzymes, BceYI and NhoI. All three degrade fully cytosine-modified phage DNA, as expected for EcoBLMcrX from classical T4 genetic data. A new method of characterizing MDE specificity was developed to better understand action on fully-modified targets such as the phage that provide major evolutionary pressure for MDE maintenance. These enzymes also cleave plasmids with m5C in particular motifs, consistent with a role in lineage-stabilization. The recognition sites were characterized using a site-ranking approach that allows visualization of preferred cleavage sites when fully-modified substrates are digested. A technical constraint on the method is that ligation of one-nucleotide 5' extensions favors G:C over A:T approximately five-fold. Taking this bias into account, we conclude that EcoBLMcrX can cleave 3' to the modified base in the motif Rm5C|. This is compatible with, but less specific than, the site reported by others. Highly-modified site contexts, such as those found in base-substituted virulent phages, are strongly preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Fomenkov
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, United States of America
| | - Zhiyi Sun
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, United States of America
| | - Deborah K. Dila
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, United States of America
| | - Brian P. Anton
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Roberts
- Research Department, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, United States of America
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Erill I, Puigvert M, Legrand L, Guarischi-Sousa R, Vandecasteele C, Setubal JC, Genin S, Guidot A, Valls M. Comparative Analysis of Ralstonia solanacearum Methylomes. Front Plant Sci 2017; 8:504. [PMID: 28450872 PMCID: PMC5390034 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Ralstonia solanacearum is an important soil-borne plant pathogen with broad geographical distribution and the ability to cause wilt disease in many agriculturally important crops. Genome sequencing of multiple R. solanacearum strains has identified both unique and shared genetic traits influencing their evolution and ability to colonize plant hosts. Previous research has shown that DNA methylation can drive speciation and modulate virulence in bacteria, but the impact of epigenetic modifications on the diversification and pathogenesis of R. solanacearum is unknown. Sequencing of R. solanacearum strains GMI1000 and UY031 using Single Molecule Real-Time technology allowed us to perform a comparative analysis of R. solanacearum methylomes. Our analysis identified a novel methylation motif associated with a DNA methylase that is conserved in all complete Ralstonia spp. genomes and across the Burkholderiaceae, as well as a methylation motif associated to a phage-borne methylase unique to R. solanacearum UY031. Comparative analysis of the conserved methylation motif revealed that it is most prevalent in gene promoter regions, where it displays a high degree of conservation detectable through phylogenetic footprinting. Analysis of hyper- and hypo-methylated loci identified several genes involved in global and virulence regulatory functions whose expression may be modulated by DNA methylation. Analysis of genome-wide modification patterns identified a significant correlation between DNA modification and transposase genes in R. solanacearum UY031, driven by the presence of a high copy number of ISrso3 insertion sequences in this genome and pointing to a novel mechanism for regulation of transposition. These results set a firm foundation for experimental investigations into the role of DNA methylation in R. solanacearum evolution and its adaptation to different plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Erill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics, CSIC- IRTA- UAB -UBBarcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Puigvert
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics, CSIC- IRTA- UAB -UBBarcelona, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Ludovic Legrand
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Micro-organismes, INRA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de ToulouseCastanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Rodrigo Guarischi-Sousa
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João C. Setubal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephane Genin
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Micro-organismes, INRA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de ToulouseCastanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Alice Guidot
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Micro-organismes, INRA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de ToulouseCastanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Marc Valls
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics, CSIC- IRTA- UAB -UBBarcelona, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
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Patil PP, Mali S, Midha S, Gautam V, Dash L, Kumar S, Shastri J, Singhal L, Patil PB. Genomics Reveals a Unique Clone of Burkholderia cenocepacia Harboring an Actively Excising Novel Genomic Island. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:590. [PMID: 28428775 PMCID: PMC5382208 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cenocepacia is a clinically dominant form among the other virulent species of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). In the present study, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of seven nosocomial Bcc isolates, five of which were isolated from the bloodstream infections and two isolates were recovered from the hospital setting during the surveillance. Genome-based species identification of the Bcc isolates using a type strain explicitly identified the species as B. cenocepacia. Moreover, single nucleotide polymorphism analysis revealed that the six isolates were clonal and phylogenetically distinct from the other B. cenocepacia. Comparative genomics distinctly revealed the larger genome size of six clonal isolates as well as the presence of a novel 107 kb genomic island named as BcenGI15, which encodes putative pathogenicity-associated genes. We have shown that the BcenGI15 has an ability to actively excise from the genome and forming an extrachromosomal circular form suggesting its mobile nature. Surprisingly, a homolog of BcenGI15 was also present in the genome of a clinical isolate named Burkholderia pseudomallei strain EY1. This novel genetic element is present only in the variants of B. cenocepacia and B. pseudomallei isolates suggesting its interspecies existence in the main pathogenic species of the genus Burkholderia. In conclusion, the whole genome analysis of the genomically distinct B. cenocepacia clinical isolates has advanced our understanding of the epidemiology and evolution of this important nosocomial pathogen as well as its relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant P Patil
- Bacterial Genomics and Evolution Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial TechnologyChandigarh, India
| | - Swapna Mali
- Department of Microbiology, Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable HospitalMumbai, India
| | - Samriti Midha
- Bacterial Genomics and Evolution Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial TechnologyChandigarh, India
| | - Vikas Gautam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and ResearchChandigarh, India
| | - Lona Dash
- Department of Microbiology, Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable HospitalMumbai, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and ResearchChandigarh, India
| | - Jayanthi Shastri
- Department of Microbiology, Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable HospitalMumbai, India
| | - Lipika Singhal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and ResearchChandigarh, India
| | - Prabhu B Patil
- Bacterial Genomics and Evolution Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial TechnologyChandigarh, India
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37
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Okura M, Nozawa T, Watanabe T, Murase K, Nakagawa I, Takamatsu D, Osaki M, Sekizaki T, Gottschalk M, Hamada S, Maruyama F. A Locus Encoding Variable Defense Systems against Invading DNA Identified in Streptococcus suis. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 9:1000-1012. [PMID: 28379509 PMCID: PMC5398294 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis, an important zoonotic pathogen, is known to have an open pan-genome and to develop a competent state. In S. suis, limited genetic lineages are suggested to be associated with zoonosis. However, little is known about the evolution of diversified lineages and their respective phenotypic or ecological characteristics. In this study, we performed comparative genome analyses of S. suis, with a focus on the competence genes, mobile genetic elements, and genetic elements related to various defense systems against exogenous DNAs (defense elements) that are associated with gene gain/loss/exchange mediated by horizontal DNA movements and their restrictions. Our genome analyses revealed a conserved competence-inducing peptide type (pherotype) of the competence system and large-scale genome rearrangements in certain clusters based on the genome phylogeny of 58 S. suis strains. Moreover, the profiles of the defense elements were similar or identical to each other among the strains belonging to the same genomic clusters. Our findings suggest that these genetic characteristics of each cluster might exert specific effects on the phenotypic or ecological differences between the clusters. We also found certain loci that shift several types of defense elements in S. suis. Of note, one of these loci is a previously unrecognized variable region in bacteria, at which strains of distinct clusters code for different and various defense elements. This locus might represent a novel defense mechanism that has evolved through an arms race between bacteria and invading DNAs, mediated by mobile genetic elements and genetic competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Okura
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takashi Nozawa
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takayasu Watanabe
- Research Center for Food Safety, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Murase
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakagawa
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takamatsu
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Japan
| | - Makoto Osaki
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Sekizaki
- Research Center for Food Safety, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marcelo Gottschalk
- Groupe de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses du Porc, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shigeyuki Hamada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Thailand-Japan Collaboration Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infections, Osaka University, Suita-Osaka, Japan
| | - Fumito Maruyama
- Department of Microbiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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Chewapreecha C, Holden MTG, Vehkala M, Välimäki N, Yang Z, Harris SR, Mather AE, Tuanyok A, De Smet B, Le Hello S, Bizet C, Mayo M, Wuthiekanun V, Limmathurotsakul D, Phetsouvanh R, Spratt BG, Corander J, Keim P, Dougan G, Dance DAB, Currie BJ, Parkhill J, Peacock SJ. Global and regional dissemination and evolution of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Nat Microbiol 2017; 2:16263. [PMID: 28112723 DOI: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The environmental bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei causes an estimated 165,000 cases of human melioidosis per year worldwide and is also classified as a biothreat agent. We used whole genome sequences of 469 B. pseudomallei isolates from 30 countries collected over 79 years to explore its geographic transmission. Our data point to Australia as an early reservoir, with transmission to Southeast Asia followed by onward transmission to South Asia and East Asia. Repeated reintroductions were observed within the Malay Peninsula and between countries bordered by the Mekong River. Our data support an African origin of the Central and South American isolates with introduction of B. pseudomallei into the Americas between 1650 and 1850, providing a temporal link with the slave trade. We also identified geographically distinct genes/variants in Australasian or Southeast Asian isolates alone, with virulence-associated genes being among those over-represented. This provides a potential explanation for clinical manifestations of melioidosis that are geographically restricted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Chewapreecha
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 10140 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Matthew T G Holden
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,School of Medicine, University of St Andrew, KY16 9AJ, UK
| | - Minna Vehkala
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki 00100, Finland
| | - Niko Välimäki
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Genome-Scale Biology Research Program, University of Helsinki 00100, Finland
| | - Zhirong Yang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki 00100, Finland
| | | | - Alison E Mather
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Apichai Tuanyok
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Birgit De Smet
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Belgium
| | - Simon Le Hello
- Department of Infection and Epidemiology, Enteric bacteria pathogen Unit, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Chantal Bizet
- Department of Microbiology, Collection of Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Mark Mayo
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University and Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | - Vanaporn Wuthiekanun
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Direk Limmathurotsakul
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine &Global Health, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Rattanaphone Phetsouvanh
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Brian G Spratt
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jukka Corander
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki 00100, Finland.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, 0313 Oslo, Norway
| | - Paul Keim
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Arizona 86011-4073, USA
| | - Gordon Dougan
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - David A B Dance
- Centre for Tropical Medicine &Global Health, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.,Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Bart J Currie
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University and Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | | | - Sharon J Peacock
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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39
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Sahl JW, Vazquez AJ, Hall CM, Busch JD, Tuanyok A, Mayo M, Schupp JM, Lummis M, Pearson T, Shippy K, Colman RE, Allender CJ, Theobald V, Sarovich DS, Price EP, Hutcheson A, Korlach J, LiPuma JJ, Ladner J, Lovett S, Koroleva G, Palacios G, Limmathurotsakul D, Wuthiekanun V, Wongsuwan G, Currie BJ, Keim P, Wagner DM. The Effects of Signal Erosion and Core Genome Reduction on the Identification of Diagnostic Markers. mBio 2016; 7:e00846-16. [PMID: 27651357 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00846-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data are commonly used to design diagnostic targets for the identification of bacterial pathogens. To do this effectively, genomics databases must be comprehensive to identify the strict core genome that is specific to the target pathogen. As additional genomes are analyzed, the core genome size is reduced and there is erosion of the target-specific regions due to commonality with related species, potentially resulting in the identification of false positives and/or false negatives. A comparative analysis of 1,130 Burkholderia genomes identified unique markers for many named species, including the human pathogens B. pseudomallei and B. mallei. Due to core genome reduction and signature erosion, only 38 targets specific to B. pseudomallei/mallei were identified. By using only public genomes, a larger number of markers were identified, due to undersampling, and this larger number represents the potential for false positives. This analysis has implications for the design of diagnostics for other species where the genomic space of the target and/or closely related species is not well defined.
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40
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Ershova AS, Rusinov IS, Spirin SA, Karyagina AS, Alexeevski AV. Role of Restriction-Modification Systems in Prokaryotic Evolution and Ecology. Biochemistry (Mosc) 2016; 80:1373-86. [PMID: 26567582 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297915100193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Restriction-modification (R-M) systems are able to methylate or cleave DNA depending on methylation status of their recognition site. It allows them to protect bacterial cells from invasion by foreign DNA. Comparative analysis of a large number of available bacterial genomes and methylomes clearly demonstrates that the role of R-M systems in bacteria is wider than only defense. R-M systems maintain heterogeneity of a bacterial population and are involved in adaptation of bacteria to change in their environmental conditions. R-M systems can be essential for host colonization by pathogenic bacteria. Phase variation and intragenomic recombinations are sources of the fast evolution of the specificity of R-M systems. This review focuses on the influence of R-M systems on evolution and ecology of prokaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Ershova
- Belozerksy Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Oliveira PH, Touchon M, Rocha EP. Regulation of genetic flux between bacteria by restriction-modification systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:5658-63. [PMID: 27140615 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1603257113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Restriction-modification (R-M) systems are often regarded as bacteria's innate immune systems, protecting cells from infection by mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Their diversification has been recently associated with the emergence of particularly virulent lineages. However, we have previously found more R-M systems in genomes carrying more MGEs. Furthermore, it has been suggested that R-M systems might favor genetic transfer by producing recombinogenic double-stranded DNA ends. To test whether R-M systems favor or disfavor genetic exchanges, we analyzed their frequency with respect to the inferred events of homologous recombination and horizontal gene transfer within 79 bacterial species. Genetic exchanges were more frequent in bacteria with larger genomes and in those encoding more R-M systems. We created a recognition target motif predictor for Type II R-M systems that identifies genomes encoding systems with similar restriction sites. We found more genetic exchanges between these genomes, independently of their evolutionary distance. Our results reconcile previous studies by showing that R-M systems are more abundant in promiscuous species, wherein they establish preferential paths of genetic exchange within and between lineages with cognate R-M systems. Because the repertoire and/or specificity of R-M systems in bacterial lineages vary quickly, the preferential fluxes of genetic transfer within species are expected to constantly change, producing time-dependent networks of gene transfer.
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Rusinov I, Ershova A, Karyagina A, Spirin S, Alexeevski A. Lifespan of restriction-modification systems critically affects avoidance of their recognition sites in host genomes. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1084. [PMID: 26689194 PMCID: PMC4687349 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2288-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Avoidance of palindromic recognition sites of Type II restriction-modification (R-M) systems was shown for many R-M systems in dozens of prokaryotic genomes. However the phenomenon has not been investigated systematically for all presently available genomes and annotated R-M systems. We have studied all known recognition sites in thousands of prokaryotic genomes and found factors that influence their avoidance. Results Only Type II R-M systems consisting of independently acting endonuclease and methyltransferase (called ‘orthodox’ here) cause avoidance of their sites, both palindromic and asymmetric, in corresponding prokaryotic genomes; the avoidance takes place for ~ 50 % of 1774 studied cases. It is known that prokaryotes can acquire and lose R-M systems. Thus it is possible to talk about the lifespan of an R-M system in a genome. We have shown that the recognition site avoidance correlates with the lifespan of R-M systems. The sites of orthodox R-M systems that are encoded in host genomes for a long time are avoided more often (up to 100 % in certain cohorts) than the sites of recently acquired ones. We also found cases of site avoidance in absence of the corresponding R-M systems in the genome. An analysis of closely related bacteria shows that such avoidance can be a trace of lost R-M systems. Sites of Type I, IIС/G, IIM, III, and IV R-M systems are not avoided in vast majority of cases. Conclusions The avoidance of orthodox Type II R-M system recognition sites in prokaryotic genomes is a widespread phenomenon. Presence of an R-M system without an underrepresentation of its site may indicate that the R-M system was acquired recently. At the same time, a significant underrepresentation of a site may be a sign of presence of the corresponding R-M system in this organism or in its ancestors for a long time. The drastic difference between site avoidance for orthodox Type II R-M systems and R-M systems of other types can be explained by a higher rate of specificity changes or a less self-toxicity of the latter. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2288-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Rusinov
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia.
| | - Anna Ershova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. .,Gamaleya Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, 123098, Russia. .,Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127550, Russia.
| | - Anna Karyagina
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. .,Gamaleya Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, 123098, Russia. .,Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127550, Russia.
| | - Sergey Spirin
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. .,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. .,Scientific Research Institute for System Studies, the Russian Academy of Science (NIISI RAS), Moscow, 117281, Russia.
| | - Andrei Alexeevski
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. .,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. .,Scientific Research Institute for System Studies, the Russian Academy of Science (NIISI RAS), Moscow, 117281, Russia.
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Price EP, Sarovich DS, Smith EJ, MacHunter B, Harrington G, Theobald V, Hall CM, Hornstra HM, McRobb E, Podin Y, Mayo M, Sahl JW, Wagner DM, Keim P, Kaestli M, Currie BJ. Unprecedented Melioidosis Cases in Northern Australia Caused by an Asian Burkholderia pseudomallei Strain Identified by Using Large-Scale Comparative Genomics. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:954-63. [PMID: 26607593 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.03013-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis is a disease of humans and animals that is caused by the saprophytic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Once thought to be confined to certain locations, the known presence of B. pseudomallei is expanding as more regions of endemicity are uncovered. There is no vaccine for melioidosis, and even with antibiotic administration, the mortality rate is as high as 40% in some regions that are endemic for the infection. Despite high levels of recombination, phylogenetic reconstruction of B. pseudomallei populations using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has revealed surprisingly robust biogeographic separation between isolates from Australia and Asia. To date, there have been no confirmed autochthonous melioidosis cases in Australia caused by an Asian isolate; likewise, no autochthonous cases in Asia have been identified as Australian in origin. Here, we used comparative genomic analysis of 455 B. pseudomallei genomes to confirm the unprecedented presence of an Asian clone, sequence type 562 (ST-562), in Darwin, northern Australia. First observed in Darwin in 2005, the incidence of melioidosis cases attributable to ST-562 infection has steadily risen, and it is now a common strain in Darwin. Intriguingly, the Australian ST-562 appears to be geographically restricted to a single locale and is genetically less diverse than other common STs from this region, indicating a recent introduction of this clone into northern Australia. Detailed genomic and epidemiological investigations of new clinical and environmental B. pseudomallei isolates in the Darwin region and ST-562 isolates from Asia will be critical for understanding the origin, distribution, and dissemination of this emerging clone in northern Australia.
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Ahmad L, Hung TL, Mat Akhir NA, Mohamed R, Nathan S, Firdaus-Raih M. Characterization of Burkholderia pseudomallei protein BPSL1375 validates the Putative hemolytic activity of the COG3176 N-Acyltransferase family. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:270. [PMID: 26597807 PMCID: PMC4657338 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0604-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are still numerous protein subfamilies within families and superfamilies that do not yet have conclusive empirical experimental evidence providing a specific function. These proteins persist in databases with the annotation of a specific 'putative' function made by association with discernible features in the protein sequence. RESULTS Here, we report the characterization of one such protein produced by the pathogenic soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, BPSL1375, which provided evidence for putative hemolysins in the COG3176 family to have experimentally validated hemolytic activity. BPSL1375 can be classified into the N-acyltransferase superfamily, specifically to members of the COG3176 family. Sequence alignments identified seven highly conserved residues (Arg54, Phe58, Asp75, Asp78, Arg99, Glu132 and Arg135), of which several have been implicated with N-acyltransferase activity in previously characterized examples. Using the 3D model of an N-acyltransferase example as a reference, an acyl homoserine lactone synthase, we generated 3D structure models for mutants of six of the seven N-acyltransferase conserved residues (R54, D75, D78, R99, E132 and R135). Both the R99 and R135 mutants resulted in a loss of hemolytic activity while mutations at the other five positions resulted in either reduction or increment in hemolytic activity. CONCLUSIONS The implication of residues previously characterized to be important for N-acyltransferase activity to hemolytic activity for the COG3176 family members of the N-acyltransferase provides validation of the correct placement of the hemolytic capability annotation within the N-acyltransferase superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laziana Ahmad
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Teng Loong Hung
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Nor Azurah Mat Akhir
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Malaysia Genome Institute, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Rahmah Mohamed
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- INTI International University, Bandar Baru Nilai, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, 71800, Malaysia.
| | - Sheila Nathan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Firdaus-Raih
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Forde BM, Phan MD, Gawthorne JA, Ashcroft MM, Stanton-Cook M, Sarkar S, Peters KM, Chan KG, Chong TM, Yin WF, Upton M, Schembri MA, Beatson SA. Lineage-Specific Methyltransferases Define the Methylome of the Globally Disseminated Escherichia coli ST131 Clone. mBio 2015; 6:e01602-15. [PMID: 26578678 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.01602-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) is a clone of uropathogenic E. coli that has emerged rapidly and disseminated globally in both clinical and community settings. Members of the ST131 lineage from across the globe have been comprehensively characterized in terms of antibiotic resistance, virulence potential, and pathogenicity, but to date nothing is known about the methylome of these important human pathogens. Here we used single-molecule real-time (SMRT) PacBio sequencing to determine the methylome of E. coli EC958, the most-well-characterized completely sequenced ST131 strain. Our analysis of 52,081 methylated adenines in the genome of EC958 discovered three (m6)A methylation motifs that have not been described previously. Subsequent SMRT sequencing of isogenic knockout mutants identified the two type I methyltransferases (MTases) and one type IIG MTase responsible for (m6)A methylation of novel recognition sites. Although both type I sites were rare, the type IIG sites accounted for more than 12% of all methylated adenines in EC958. Analysis of the distribution of MTase genes across 95 ST131 genomes revealed their prevalence is highly conserved within the ST131 lineage, with most variation due to the presence or absence of mobile genetic elements on which individual MTase genes are located. IMPORTANCE DNA modification plays a crucial role in bacterial regulation. Despite several examples demonstrating the role of methyltransferase (MTase) enzymes in bacterial virulence, investigation of this phenomenon on a whole-genome scale has remained elusive until now. Here we used single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to determine the first complete methylome of a strain from the multidrug-resistant E. coli sequence type 131 (ST131) lineage. By interrogating the methylome computationally and with further SMRT sequencing of isogenic mutants representing previously uncharacterized MTase genes, we defined the target sequences of three novel ST131-specific MTases and determined the genomic distribution of all MTase target sequences. Using a large collection of 95 previously sequenced ST131 genomes, we identified mobile genetic elements as a major factor driving diversity in DNA methylation patterns. Overall, our analysis highlights the potential for DNA methylation to dramatically influence gene regulation at the transcriptional level within a well-defined E. coli clone.
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Abstract
Bacteria reproduce asexually and pass on a single genome copied from the parent, a reproductive mode that assures the clonal descent of progeny; however, a truly clonal bacterial species is extremely rare. The signal of clonality can be interrupted by gene uptake and exchange, initiating homologous recombination that results in the unique sequence of one clone being incorporated into another. Because recombination occurs sporadically and on local scales, these events are often difficult to recognize, even when considering large samples of completely sequenced genomes. Moreover, several processes can produce the appearance of clonality in populations that undergo frequent recombination. The rates and consequences of recombination have been studied in Escherichia coli for over 40 y, and, during this time, there have been several shifting views of its clonal status, population structure, and rates of gene exchange. We reexamine the studies and retrace the evolution of the methods that have assessed the extent of DNA flux, largely focusing on its impact on the E. coli genome.
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Luo C, Knight R, Siljander H, Knip M, Xavier RJ, Gevers D. ConStrains identifies microbial strains in metagenomic datasets. Nat Biotechnol 2015; 33:1045-52. [PMID: 26344404 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
An important fraction of microbial diversity is harbored in strain individuality, so identification of conspecific bacterial strains is imperative for improved understanding of microbial community functions. Limitations in bioinformatics and sequencing technologies have to date precluded strain identification owing to difficulties in phasing short reads to faithfully recover the original strain-level genotypes, which have highly similar sequences. We present ConStrains, an open-source algorithm that identifies conspecific strains from metagenomic sequence data and reconstructs the phylogeny of these strains in microbial communities. The algorithm uses single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) patterns in a set of universal genes to infer within-species structures that represent strains. Applying ConStrains to simulated and host-derived datasets provides insights into microbial community dynamics.
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Martínez-García PM, Ramos C, Rodríguez-Palenzuela P. T346Hunter: a novel web-based tool for the prediction of type III, type IV and type VI secretion systems in bacterial genomes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119317. [PMID: 25867189 PMCID: PMC4395097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T346Hunter (Type Three, Four and Six secretion system Hunter) is a web-based tool for the identification and localisation of type III, type IV and type VI secretion systems (T3SS, T4SS and T6SS, respectively) clusters in bacterial genomes. Non-flagellar T3SS (NF-T3SS) and T6SS are complex molecular machines that deliver effector proteins from bacterial cells into the environment or into other eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells, with significant implications for pathogenesis of the strains encoding them. Meanwhile, T4SS is a more functionally diverse system, which is involved in not only effector translocation but also conjugation and DNA uptake/release. Development of control strategies against bacterial-mediated diseases requires genomic identification of the virulence arsenal of pathogenic bacteria, with T3SS, T4SS and T6SS being major determinants in this regard. Therefore, computational methods for systematic identification of these specialised machines are of particular interest. With the aim of facilitating this task, T346Hunter provides a user-friendly web-based tool for the prediction of T3SS, T4SS and T6SS clusters in newly sequenced bacterial genomes. After inspection of the available scientific literature, we constructed a database of hidden Markov model (HMM) protein profiles and sequences representing the various components of T3SS, T4SS and T6SS. T346Hunter performs searches of such a database against user-supplied bacterial sequences and localises enriched regions in any of these three types of secretion systems. Moreover, through the T346Hunter server, users can visualise the predicted clusters obtained for approximately 1700 bacterial chromosomes and plasmids. T346Hunter offers great help to researchers in advancing their understanding of the biological mechanisms in which these sophisticated molecular machines are involved. T346Hunter is freely available at http://bacterial-virulence-factors.cbgp.upm.es/T346Hunter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Manuel Martínez-García
- Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea 'La Mayora', Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), Málaga, E-29071, Spain
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, 28223, Spain
| | - Cayo Ramos
- Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea 'La Mayora', Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), Málaga, E-29071, Spain
| | - Pablo Rodríguez-Palenzuela
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, 28223, Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Complutense 3, Madrid, 28040, Spain
- * E-mail:
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