scholarly journals Determining the specificity of Cascade binding, interference, and primed adaptation in vivo in the Escherichia coli type I-E CRISPR-Cas system

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Cooper ◽  
Anne M. Stringer ◽  
Joseph T. Wade
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Dna Interaction ◽  
Type I ◽  
Base Pairing ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Target Sites ◽  
Sequence Complementarity

ABSTRACTIn CRISPR-Cas immunity systems, short CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) are bound by CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, and these complexes target invading nucleic acid molecules for degradation in a process known as interference. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, the Cas protein complex that binds DNA is known as Cascade. Association of Cascade with target DNA can also lead to acquisition of new immunity elements in a process known as primed adaptation. Here, we assess the specificity determinants for Cascade-DNA interaction, interference, and primed adaptation in vivo, for the type I-E system of Escherichia coli. Remarkably, as few as 5 bp of crRNA-DNA are sufficient for association of Cascade with a DNA target. Consequently, a single crRNA promotes Cascade association with numerous off-target sites, and the endogenous E. coli crRNAs direct Cascade binding to >100 chromosomal sites. In contrast to the low specificity of Cascade-DNA interactions, >18 bp are required for both interference and primed adaptation. Hence, Cascade binding to sub-optimal, off-target sites is inert. Our data support a model in which initial Cascade association with DNA targets requires only limited sequence complementarity at the crRNA 5□ end, whereas recruitment and/or activation of the Cas3 nuclease, a prerequisite for interference and primed adaptation, requires extensive base-pairing.IMPORTANCEMany bacterial and archaeal species encode CRISPR-Cas immunity systems that protect against invasion by foreign DNA. In the Escherichia coli CRISPR-Cas system, a protein complex, Cascade, binds 61 nt CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). The Cascade complex is directed to invading DNA molecules through base-pairing between the crRNA and target DNA. This leads to recruitment of the Cas3 nuclease that destroys the invading DNA molecule and promotes acquisition of new immunity elements. We make the first in vivo measurements of Cascade binding to DNA targets. Thus, we show that Cascade binding to DNA is highly promiscuous; endogenous E. coli crRNAs can direct Cascade binding to >100 chromosomal locations. By contrast, we show that target degradation and acquisition of new immunity elements requires highly specific association of Cascade with DNA, limiting CRISPR-Cas function to the appropriate targets.

scholarly journals Determining the Specificity of Cascade Binding, Interference, and Primed Adaptation In Vivo in the Escherichia coli Type I-E CRISPR-Cas System

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e02100-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Cooper ◽  
Anne M. Stringer ◽  
Joseph T. Wade
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Dna Interaction ◽  
Type I ◽  
Base Pairing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Target Sites

ABSTRACT In clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) immunity systems, short CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) are bound by Cas proteins, and these complexes target invading nucleic acid molecules for degradation in a process known as interference. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, the Cas protein complex that binds DNA is known as Cascade. Association of Cascade with target DNA can also lead to acquisition of new immunity elements in a process known as primed adaptation. Here, we assess the specificity determinants for Cascade-DNA interaction, interference, and primed adaptation in vivo, for the type I-E system of Escherichia coli. Remarkably, as few as 5 bp of crRNA-DNA are sufficient for association of Cascade with a DNA target. Consequently, a single crRNA promotes Cascade association with numerous off-target sites, and the endogenous E. coli crRNAs direct Cascade binding to >100 chromosomal sites. In contrast to the low specificity of Cascade-DNA interactions, >18 bp are required for both interference and primed adaptation. Hence, Cascade binding to suboptimal, off-target sites is inert. Our data support a model in which the initial Cascade association with DNA targets requires only limited sequence complementarity at the crRNA 5′ end whereas recruitment and/or activation of the Cas3 nuclease, a prerequisite for interference and primed adaptation, requires extensive base pairing. IMPORTANCE Many bacterial and archaeal species encode CRISPR-Cas immunity systems that protect against invasion by foreign DNA. In the Escherichia coli CRISPR-Cas system, a protein complex, Cascade, binds 61-nucleotide (nt) CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). The Cascade complex is directed to invading DNA molecules through base pairing between the crRNA and target DNA. This leads to recruitment of the Cas3 nuclease, which destroys the invading DNA molecule and promotes acquisition of new immunity elements. We made the first in vivo measurements of Cascade binding to DNA targets. Thus, we show that Cascade binding to DNA is highly promiscuous; endogenous E. coli crRNAs can direct Cascade binding to >100 chromosomal locations. In contrast, we show that targeted degradation and acquisition of new immunity elements require highly specific association of Cascade with DNA, limiting CRISPR-Cas function to the appropriate targets.

scholarly journals Contributions of Escherichia coli and its motility to the formation of dual-species biofilms with Vibrio cholerae

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Wang ◽  
Feiyu Li ◽  
Li Xu ◽  
Hyuntae Byun ◽  
JinMing Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Type I ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Aggregation Formation

Biofilm formation is important in both the environmental and intestinal phases of the Vibrio cholerae life cycle. Nevertheless, most studies of V. cholerae biofilm formation focus on mono-species cultures, whereas nearly all biofilm communities found in nature consist of a variety of microorganisms. Multi-species biofilms formed between V. cholerae and other bacteria in the environment and the interactions that exist between these species are still poorly understood. In this study, the influence of Escherichia coli on the biofilm formation of V. cholerae was studied in the context of both in vitro coculture and in vivo coinfection. To understand the underlying synergistic mechanisms between these two species and to investigate the role of E. coli in V. cholerae biofilm formation, different pathotypes of E. coli and corresponding deletion mutants lacking genes that influence flagella motility, curli fibers, or type I pili were cocultured with V. cholerae . Our findings demonstrate that the presence of commensal E. coli increases biofilm formation at the air-liquid interface in vitro and the generation of biofilm-like multicellular clumps in the mice feces. Examination of laboratory E. coli flagellar-motility mutants Δ fliC and Δ motA in the dual-species biofilm formation suggests that flagellar motility plays an important role in the synergistic interaction and co-aggregation formation between V. cholerae and E. coli . This study facilitates a better understanding of how V. cholerae resides in harsh environments and colonizes the intestine. IMPORTANCE Biofilms play an important role in the V. cholerae life cycle. Until now, mono-species biofilm formation of V. cholerae has been well studied. However, in nature, bacteria live in complex microbial communities, where biofilm is mostly composed of multiple microbial species that interact to cooperate with or compete against each other. Uncovering how V. cholerae forms multi-species biofilm is critical for furthering our understanding of how V. cholerae survives in the environment and transitions to infecting the human host. In this work, the dual-species biofilm between V. cholerae and E. coli was investigated. We demonstrate that the presence of commensal E. coli increased overall biofilm formation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the motility of E. coli flagella is important for V. cholerae and E. coli to form co-aggregation clumps in dual-species biofilm. These results shed light on a new mechanism for understanding the survival and pathogenesis of V. cholerae .

scholarly journals Characterization and in Vivo Cloning of prlC, a Suppressor of Signal Sequence Mutations in Escherichia coli K12

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-521
Author(s):  
Nancy J Trun ◽  
Thomas J Silhavy
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genetic Mapping ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Illegitimate Recombination ◽  
Mutant Phenotype ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Physical Location ◽  
Sequence Deletion ◽  
New Alleles

ABSTRACT The prlC gene of E. coli was originally identified as an allele, prlC1, which suppresses certain signal sequence mutations in the genes for several exported proteins. We have isolated six new alleles of prlC that also confer this phenotype. These mutations can be placed into three classes based on the degree to which they suppress the lamBsignal sequence deletion, lamBs78. Genetic mapping reveals that the physical location of the mutations in prlC correlates with the strength of the suppression, suggesting that different regions of the gene can be altered to yield a suppressor phenotype. We also describe an in vivo cloning procedure using λplacMu9H. The procedure relies on transposition and illegitimate recombination to generate a specialized transducing phage that carries prlC1. This method should be applicable to any gene for which there is a mutant phenotype.

scholarly journals Mechanistic insights into synergy between nalidixic acid and tetracycline against clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Gaurav ◽  
Varsha Gupta ◽  
Sandeep K. Shrivastava ◽  
Ranjana Pathania
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Nalidixic Acid ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
E Coli

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has become a global health problem. Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen due to its capacity to persist in the hospital environment. It has a high mortality rate and few treatment options. Antibiotic combinations can help to fight multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, but they are rarely used in the clinics and mostly unexplored. The interaction between bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics are mostly reported as antagonism based on the results obtained in the susceptible model laboratory strain Escherichia coli. However, in the present study, we report a synergistic interaction between nalidixic acid and tetracycline against clinical multi-drug resistant A. baumannii and E. coli. Here we provide mechanistic insight into this dichotomy. The synergistic combination was studied by checkerboard assay and time-kill curve analysis. We also elucidate the mechanism behind this synergy using several techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, morphometric analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nalidixic acid and tetracycline combination displayed synergy against most of the MDR clinical isolates of A. baumannii and E. coli but not against susceptible isolates. Finally, we demonstrate that this combination is also effective in vivo in an A. baumannii/Caenorhabditis elegans infection model (p < 0.001)

scholarly journals Lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K12. Chromatographic heterogeneity and the lysU-gene product

1987 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Charlier ◽  
R Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Activity Ratio ◽  
Deae Cellulose ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases

In contrast with most aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the lysyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli is coded for by two genes, the normal lysS gene and the inducible lysU gene. During its purification from E. coli K12, lysyl-tRNA synthetase was monitored by its aminoacylation and adenosine(5′)tetraphospho(5′)adenosine (Ap4A) synthesis activities. Ap4A synthesis was measured by a new assay using DEAE-cellulose filters. The heterogeneity of lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) was revealed on hydroxyapatite; we focused on the first peak, LysRS1, because of its higher Ap4A/lysyl-tRNA activity ratio at that stage. Additional differences between LysRS1 and LysRS2 (major peak on hydroxyapatite) were collected. LysRS1 was eluted from phosphocellulose in the presence of the substrates, whereas LysRS2 was not. Phosphocellulose chromatography was used to show the increase of LysRS1 in cells submitted to heat shock. Also, the Mg2+ optimum in the Ap4A-synthesis reaction is much higher for LysRS1. LysRS1 showed a higher thermostability, which was specifically enhanced by Zn2+. These results in vivo and in vitro strongly suggest that LysRS1 is the heat-inducible lysU-gene product.

scholarly journals degS Is Necessary for Virulence and Is among Extraintestinal Escherichia coli Genes Induced in Murine Peritonitis

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 3088-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Redford ◽  
Paula L. Roesch ◽  
Rodney A. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract Infection ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Broth Culture ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Virulence Attenuation

ABSTRACT Extraintestinal Escherichia coli strains cause meningitis, sepsis, urinary tract infection, and other infections outside the bowel. We examined here extraintestinal E. coli strain CFT073 by differential fluorescence induction. Pools of CFT073 clones carrying a CFT073 genomic fragment library in a promoterless gfp vector were inoculated intraperitoneally into mice; bacteria were recovered by lavage 6 h later and then subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Eleven promoters were found to be active in the mouse but not in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth culture. Three are linked to genes for enterobactin, aerobactin, and yersiniabactin. Three others are linked to the metabolic genes metA, gltB, and sucA, and another was linked to iha, a possible adhesin. Three lie before open reading frames of unknown function. One promoter is associated with degS, an inner membrane protease. Mutants of the in vivo-induced loci were tested in competition with the wild type in mouse peritonitis. Of the mutants tested, only CFT073 degS was found to be attenuated in peritoneal and in urinary tract infection, with virulence restored by complementation. CFT073 degS shows growth similar to that of the wild type at 37°C but is impaired at 43°C or in 3% ethanol LB broth at 37°C. Compared to the wild type, the mutant shows similar serum survival, motility, hemolysis, erythrocyte agglutination, and tolerance to oxidative stress. It also has the same lipopolysaccharide appearance on a silver-stained gel. The basis for the virulence attenuation is unclear, but because DegS is needed for σE activity, our findings implicate σE and its regulon in E. coli extraintestinal pathogenesis.

Comparison of colony and stool blots for detection of enteropathogens by DNA probes

1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 407-410
Author(s):  
Mônica A. M. Vieira ◽  
Beatriz E. C. Guth ◽  
Tânia A. T. Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Dna Probes ◽  
Type I ◽  
Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Key Words Dna ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Heat Stable

DNA probes that identify genes coding for heat-labile type I (LT-I) and heat-stable type 1 (ST-I) enterotoxins, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli adherence factor (EAF), and Shigella-like, invasiveness (INV) are used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of stool blots in comparison with the sensitivity and specificity of colony blots in detecting enteropathoghens. The sensitivities of the probes in stool blots are 91.7% for the LT-I probe, 76.9% for the ST-I probes, 78.9% for the EAF probe, and 45.5% for the INV probe. The specificity of all probes is higher than 95%. In general, the stool blot method identifies as many if not more LT-I-, ST-I-, and EAF-producing E. coli infections than the colony blots. Key words: DNA probes, stool blots, enteropathogens, diagnosis.

scholarly journals Biochemical and structural characterization of the novel sialic acid-binding site of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin LT-IIb

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (21) ◽  
pp. 3923-3936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dani Zalem ◽  
João P. Ribeiro ◽  
Annabelle Varrot ◽  
Michael Lebens ◽  
Anne Imberty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
E Coli ◽  
B Subunit ◽  
Heat Labile ◽  
B Subunits

The structurally related AB5-type heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae are classified into two major types. The type I group includes cholera toxin (CT) and E. coli LT-I, whereas the type II subfamily comprises LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc. The carbohydrate-binding specificities of LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc are distinctive from those of cholera toxin and E. coli LT-I. Whereas CT and LT-I bind primarily to the GM1 ganglioside, LT-IIa binds to gangliosides GD1a, GD1b and GM1, LT-IIb binds to the GD1a and GT1b gangliosides, and LT-IIc binds to GM1, GM2, GM3 and GD1a. These previous studies of the binding properties of type II B-subunits have been focused on ganglio core chain gangliosides. To further define the carbohydrate binding specificity of LT-IIb B-subunits, we have investigated its binding to a collection of gangliosides and non-acid glycosphingolipids with different core chains. A high-affinity binding of LT-IIb B-subunits to gangliosides with a neolacto core chain, such as Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide, and Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactooctaosylceramide was detected. An LT-IIb-binding ganglioside was isolated from human small intestine and characterized as Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide. The crystal structure of the B-subunit of LT-IIb with the pentasaccharide moiety of Neu5Acα3-neolactotetraosylceramide (Neu5Ac-nLT: Neu5Acα3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4Glc) was determined providing the first information for a sialic-binding site in this subfamily, with clear differences from that of CT and LT-I.

scholarly journals Biological Cost of Single and Multiple Norfloxacin Resistance Mutations in Escherichia coli Implicated in Urinary Tract Infections

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 2343-2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Komp Lindgren ◽  
Linda L. Marcusson ◽  
Dorthe Sandvang ◽  
Niels Frimodt-Møller ◽  
Diarmaid Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Topoisomerase Iv ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Subsequent Selection

ABSTRACT Resistance to fluoroquinolones in urinary tract infection (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli is associated with multiple mutations, typically those that alter DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV and those that regulate AcrAB-TolC-mediated efflux. We asked whether a fitness cost is associated with the accumulation of these multiple mutations. Mutants of the susceptible E. coli UTI isolate Nu14 were selected through three to five successive steps with norfloxacin. Each selection was performed with the MIC of the selected strain. After each selection the MIC was measured; and the regions of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE, previously associated with resistance mutations, and all of marOR and acrR were sequenced. The first selection step yielded mutations in gyrA, gyrB, and marOR. Subsequent selection steps yielded mutations in gyrA, parE, and marOR but not in gyrB, parC, or acrR. Resistance-associated mutations were identified in almost all isolates after selection steps 1 and 2 but in less than 50% of isolates after subsequent selection steps. Selected strains were competed in vitro, in urine, and in a mouse UTI infection model against the starting strain, Nu14. First-step mutations were not associated with significant fitness costs. However, the accumulation of three or more resistance-associated mutations was usually associated with a large reduction in biological fitness, both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, in some lineages a partial restoration of fitness was associated with the accumulation of additional mutations in late selection steps. We suggest that the relative biological costs of multiple mutations may influence the evolution of E. coli strains that develop resistance to fluoroquinolones.

scholarly journals Zebrafish nephrosin helps host defence against Escherichia coli infection

Open Biology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 170040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Di ◽  
Qing Lin ◽  
Zhibin Huang ◽  
Yali Chi ◽  
Xiaohui Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Host Defence ◽  
Bacterial Burden ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Lower Survival Rate ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Escherichia Coli Infection ◽  
Effective Models

Neutrophils play important roles in innate immunity and are mainly dependent on various enzyme-containing granules to kill engulfed microorganisms. Zebrafish nephrosin ( npsn ) is specifically expressed in neutrophils; however, its function is largely unknown. Here, we generated an npsn mutant ( npsn smu5 ) via CRISPR/Cas9 to investigate the in vivo function of Npsn. The overall development and number of neutrophils remained unchanged in npsn -deficient mutants, whereas neutrophil antibacterial function was defective. Upon infection with Escherichia coli , the npsn smu5 mutants exhibited a lower survival rate and more severe bacterial burden, as well as augmented inflammatory response to challenge with infection when compared with wild-type embryos, whereas npsn -overexpressing zebrafish exhibited enhanced host defence against E. coli infection. These findings demonstrated that zebrafish Npsn promotes host defence against bacterial infection. Furthermore, our findings suggested that npsn -deficient and -overexpressing zebrafish might serve as effective models of in vivo innate immunity.

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