Social genes are selection hotspots in kin groups of a soil microbe

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6433) ◽  
pp. 1342-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Wielgoss ◽  
Rebekka Wolfensberger ◽  
Lei Sun ◽  
Francesca Fiegna ◽  
Gregory J. Velicer
Keyword(s):  
Fruiting Body ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Genomic Evolution ◽  
Future Evolution ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Social Phenotype ◽  
Natural Isolates ◽  
Microbial Groups ◽  
Animal Societies

The composition of cooperative systems, including animal societies, organismal bodies, and microbial groups, reflects their past and shapes their future evolution. However, genomic diversity within many multiunit systems remains uncharacterized, limiting our ability to understand and compare their evolutionary character. We have analyzed genomic and social-phenotype variation among 120 natural isolates of the cooperative bacterium Myxococcus xanthus derived from six multicellular fruiting bodies. Each fruiting body was composed of multiple lineages radiating from a unique recent ancestor. Genomic evolution was concentrated in selection hotspots associated with evolutionary change in social phenotypes. Synonymous mutations indicated that kin lineages within the same fruiting body often first diverged from a common ancestor more than 100 generations ago. Thus, selection appears to promote endemic diversification of kin lineages that remain together over long histories of local interaction, thereby potentiating social coevolution.

scholarly journals Genomic surveillance of COVID-19 cases in Beijing

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Du ◽  
Nan Ding ◽  
Jiarui Li ◽  
Fujie Zhang ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genomic Evolution ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
Single Nucleotide Variations ◽  
Local Transmission

Abstract The spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Beijing before May, 2020 resulted from transmission following both domestic and global importation of cases. Here we present genomic surveillance data on 102 imported cases, which account for 17.2% of the total cases in Beijing. Our data suggest that all of the cases in Beijing can be broadly classified into one of three groups: Wuhan exposure, local transmission and overseas imports. We classify all sequenced genomes into seven clusters based on representative high-frequency single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genomic comparisons reveal higher genomic diversity in the imported group compared to both the Wuhan exposure and local transmission groups, indicating continuous genomic evolution during global transmission. The imported group show region-specific SNPs, while the intra-host single nucleotide variations present as random features, and show no significant differences among groups. Epidemiological data suggest that detection of cases at immigration with mandatory quarantine may be an effective way to prevent recurring outbreaks triggered by imported cases. Notably, we also identify a set of novel indels. Our data imply that SARS-CoV-2 genomes may have high mutational tolerance.

scholarly journals The global population structure and evolutionary history of the acquisition of major virulence factor-encoding genetic elements in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121:H19

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruriko Nishida ◽  
Keiji Nakamura ◽  
Itsuki Taniguchi ◽  
Kazunori Murase ◽  
Tadasuke Ooka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Genomic Features ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complete Genomes ◽  
The Common

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are foodborne pathogens causing serious diseases, such as haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Although O157:H7 STEC strains have been the most prevalent, incidences of STEC infections by several other serotypes have recently increased. O121:H19 STEC is one of these major non-O157 STECs, but systematic whole genome sequence (WGS) analyses have not yet been conducted on this STEC. Here, we performed a global WGS analysis of 638 O121:H19 strains, including 143 sequenced in this study, and a detailed comparison of 11 complete genomes, including four obtained in this study. By serotype-wide WGS analysis, we found that O121:H19 strains were divided into four lineages, including major and second major lineages (named L1 and L3, respectively), and that the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) encoding a type III secretion system (T3SS) was acquired by the common ancestor of O121:H19. Analyses of 11 complete genomes belonging to L1 or L3 revealed remarkable interlineage differences in the prophage pool and prophage-encoded T3SS effector repertoire, independent acquisition of virulence plasmids by the two lineages, and high conservation in the prophage repertoire, including that for Stx2a phages in lineage L1. Further sequence determination of complete Stx2a phage genomes of 49 strains confirmed that Stx2a phages in lineage L1 are highly conserved short-tailed phages, while those in lineage L3 are long-tailed lambda-like phages with notable genomic diversity, suggesting that an Stx2a phage was acquired by the common ancestor of L1 and has been stably maintained. Consistent with these genomic features of Stx2a phages, most lineage L1 strains produced much higher levels of Stx2a than lineage L3 strains. Altogether, this study provides a global phylogenetic overview of O121:H19 STEC and shows the interlineage genomic differences and the highly conserved genomic features of the major lineage within this serotype of STEC.

scholarly journals Cereulide synthetase acquisition and loss events within the evolutionary history of Group III Bacillus cereus sensu lato facilitate the transition between emetic and diarrheal foodborne pathogen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Carroll ◽  
Martin Wiedmann
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Reference Genome ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
History Of ◽  
Bacillus Cereus Sensu Lato

AbstractCereulide-producing members of Bacillus cereus sensu lato (B. cereus s.l.) Group III, also known as “emetic B. cereus”, possess cereulide synthetase, a plasmid-encoded, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase encoded by the ces gene cluster. Despite the documented risks that cereulide-producing strains pose to public health, the level of genomic diversity encompassed by “emetic B. cereus” has never been evaluated at a whole-genome scale. Here, we employ a phylogenomic approach to characterize Group III B. cereus s.l. genomes which possess ces (ces-positive) alongside their closely related ces-negative counterparts to (i) assess the genomic diversity encompassed by “emetic B. cereus”, and (ii) identify potential ces loss and/or gain events within the evolutionary history of the high-risk and medically relevant sequence type (ST) 26 lineage often associated with emetic foodborne illness. Using all publicly available ces-positive Group III B. cereus s.l. genomes and the ces-negative genomes interspersed among them (n = 150), we show that “emetic B. cereus” is not clonal; rather, multiple lineages within Group III harbor cereulide-producing strains, all of which share a common ancestor incapable of producing cereulide (posterior probability [PP] 0.86-0.89). The ST 26 common ancestor was predicted to have emerged as ces-negative (PP 0.60-0.93) circa 1904 (95% highest posterior density [HPD] interval 1837.1-1957.8) and first acquired the ability to produce cereulide before 1931 (95% HPD 1893.2-1959.0). Three subsequent ces loss events within ST 26 were observed, including among isolates responsible for B. cereus s.l. toxicoinfection (i.e., “diarrheal” illness).Importance“B. cereus” is responsible for thousands of cases of foodborne disease each year worldwide, causing two distinct forms of illness: (i) intoxication via cereulide (i.e., “emetic” syndrome) or (ii) toxicoinfection via multiple enterotoxins (i.e., “diarrheal” syndrome). Here, we show that “emetic B. cereus” is not a clonal, homogenous unit that resulted from a single cereulide synthetase gain event followed by subsequent proliferation; rather, cereulide synthetase acquisition and loss is a dynamic, ongoing process that occurs across lineages, allowing some Group III B. cereus s.l. populations to oscillate between diarrheal and emetic foodborne pathogen over the course of their evolutionary histories. We also highlight the care that must be taken when selecting a reference genome for whole-genome sequencing-based investigation of emetic B. cereus s.l. outbreaks, as some reference genome selections can lead to a confounding loss of resolution and potentially hinder epidemiological investigations.

scholarly journals Colistin resistance in Gram-negative bacteria analysed by five phenotypic assays and inference of the underlying genomic mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Albertos Torres ◽  
Helena M. B. Seth-Smith ◽  
Nicole Joosse ◽  
Claudia Lang ◽  
Olivier Dubuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Test Strip ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Chromosomal Mutation ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Vitek 2

Abstract Background Colistin is used against multi-drug resistant pathogens, yet resistance emerges through dissemination of plasmid-mediated genes (mcr) or chromosomal mutation of genes involved in lipopolysaccharide synthesis (i.e. mgrB, phoPQ, pmrCAB). Phenotypic susceptibility testing is challenging due to poor diffusion of colistin in agar media, leading to an underestimation of resistance. Performance of five phenotypic approaches was compared in the context of different molecular mechanisms of resistance. We evaluated Vitek 2® (bioMérieux, AST N242), Colistin MIC Test Strip (Liofilchem Diagnostici), UMIC (Biocentric), and Rapid Polymyxin™ NP test (ELITechGroup) against the standard broth microdilution (BMD) method. We used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to infer molecular resistance mechanisms. We analysed 97 Enterobacterales and non-fermenting bacterial isolates, largely clinical isolates collected up to 2018. Data was analysed by comparing susceptibility categories (susceptible or resistant) and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Susceptibility category concordance is the percentage of test results sharing the same category to BMD. MIC concordance was calculated similarly but considering ±1 MIC titre error range. We determined genomic diversity by core genome multi locus sequencing typing (cgMLST) and identified putative antimicrobial resistance genes using NCBI and CARD databases, and manual annotation. Results Of 97 isolates, 54 (56%) were resistant with standard BMD. Highest susceptibility category concordance was achieved by Rapid Polymyxin™ NP (98.8%) followed by UMIC (97.9%), Colistin E-test MIC strip (96.9%) and Vitek 2® (95.6%). Highest MIC concordance was achieved by UMIC (80.4%), followed by Vitek 2® (72.5%) and Colistin E-test MIC strip (62.9%). Among resistant isolates, 23/54 (43%) were intrinsically resistant to colistin, whereas 31/54 (57%) isolates had acquired colistin resistance. Of these, mcr-1 was detected in four isolates and mcr-2 in one isolate. Non-synonymous mutations in mgrB, phoQ, pmrA, pmrB, and pmrC genes were encountered in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter bereziniae resistant isolates. Mutations found in mgrB and pmrB were only identified in isolates exhibiting MICs of ≥16 mg/L. Conclusions The Rapid Polymyxin™ NP test showed highest categorical concordance and the UMIC test provided MIC values with high concordance to BMD. We found colistin resistance in diverse species occurred predominantly through spontaneous chromosomal mutation rather than plasmid-mediated resistance.

scholarly journals Social complementation and growth advantages promote socially defective bacterial isolates

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1781) ◽  
pp. 20140036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne A. Kraemer ◽  
Gregory J. Velicer
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Fruiting Body ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Developmental Defects ◽  
Multicellular Development ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Natural Isolates ◽  
Multiple Cycles ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Mixed Groups

Social interactions among diverse individuals that encounter one another in nature have often been studied among animals but rarely among microbes. For example, the evolutionary forces that determine natural frequencies of bacteria that express cooperative behaviours at low levels remain poorly understood. Natural isolates of the soil bacterium Myxococcus xanthus sampled from the same fruiting body often vary in social phenotypes, such as group swarming and multicellular development. Here, we tested whether genotypes highly proficient at swarming or development might promote the persistence of less socially proficient genotypes from the same fruiting body. Fast-swarming strains complemented slower isolates, allowing the latter to keep pace with faster strains in mixed groups. During development, one low-sporulating strain was antagonized by high sporulators, whereas others with severe developmental defects had those defects partially complemented by high-sporulating strains. Despite declining in frequency overall during competition experiments spanning multiple cycles of development, developmentally defective strains exhibited advantages during the growth phases of competitions. These results suggest that microbes with low-sociality phenotypes often benefit from interacting with more socially proficient strains. Such complementation may combine with advantages at other traits to increase equilibrium frequencies of low-sociality genotypes in natural populations.

Assessment of genomic diversity among wheat genotypes as determined by simple sequence repeats

Genome ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 646-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Simple Sequence Repeats ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Wheat Genotypes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Simple Sequence

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have been used to examine the genomic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm. Thirteen wheat genotypes of diverse origin were analyzed with 43 selected SSRs to provide uniform and maximum genome coverage. A total of 156 allelic variants were detected at 43 SSR loci, ranging from two to eight per locus with an average of 3.6. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values of the loci ranged from 0.10 (Xgwm264) to 0.89 (Xgwm471 and Xgwm577). Genetic similarities calculated from SSR data ranged from 30.1 ('Era' and 'Klasic') to 90.1 ('Neepawa' and 'Thatcher') between genotypes. UPGMA analysis based on genetic distance estimates produced three loose groupings that were generally consistent with available pedigree information. Cultivars 'Neepawa' and 'Thatcher' are closely related. Their genetic relationship was confirmed by the facts that they share a common ancestor and are clustered together. There were two different 'Era' genotypes, one used in the 'Otane' pedigree and one used in this study. None of the other genotypes had a close common ancestor indicating any close genetic relationships. Principal coordinate analysis also confirmed this pattern of genetic diversity. A wide range of genomic diversity was observed among all the genotypes, proving them to be prime candidates for selective breeding for specific traits and broadening the genetic base.Key words: simple sequence repeats, genetic diversity, Triticum aestivum, genetic similarity estimates, cluster analysis.

scholarly journals Comprehensive analysis of genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in different geographic regions of India: An endeavour to classify Indian SARS-CoV-2 strains on the basis of co-existing mutations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Sarkar ◽  
Suvrotoa Mitra ◽  
Pritam Chandra ◽  
Priyanka Saha ◽  
Anindita Banerjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
North India ◽  
Divergent Evolution ◽  
Western India ◽  
Heterogeneous Distribution ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Geographical Regions

AbstractAccumulation of mutations within the genome is the primary driving force for viral evolution within an endemic setting. This inherent feature often leads to altered virulence, infectivity and transmissibility as well as antigenic shift to escape host immunity, which might compromise the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral drugs. Therefore, we aimed at genome-wide analyses of circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses for the emergence of novel co-existing mutations and trace their spatial distribution within India. Comprehensive analysis of whole genome sequences of 441 Indian SARS-CoV-2 strains revealed the occurrence of 33 different mutations, 21 being distinctive to India. Emergence of novel mutations were observed in S glycoprotein (7/33), NSP3 (6/33), RdRp/NSP12 (4/33), NSP2 (2/33) and N (2/33). Non-synonymous mutations were found to be 3.4 times more prevalent than synonymous mutations. We classified the Indian isolates into 22 groups based on the co-existing mutations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that representative strain of each group divided themselves into various sub-clades within their respective clades, based on the presence of unique co-existing mutations. India was dominated by A2a clade (55.60%) followed by A3 (37.38%) and B (7%), but exhibited heterogeneous distribution among various geographical regions. The A2a clade mostly predominated in East India, Western India and Central India, whereas A3 clade prevailed in South and North India. In conclusion, this study highlights the divergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 strains and co-circulation of multiple clades in India. Monitoring of the emerging mutations would pave ways for vaccine formulation and designing of antiviral drugs.

Nuclear genome of a pedinophyte pinpoints genomic innovation and streamlining in the green algae

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja I. Repetti ◽  
Cintia Iha ◽  
Kavitha Uthanumallian ◽  
Christopher J. Jackson ◽  
Yibi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Algae ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Nuclear Genome ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Core ◽  
Homologous Genes ◽  
Intermediate Size ◽  
Selection For

The genomic diversity underpinning high ecological and species diversity in the green algae (Chlorophyta) remains little known. Here, we aimed to track genome evolution in the Chlorophyta, focusing on loss and gain of homologous genes, and lineage-specific innovations of the Core Chlorophyta. We generated a high-quality nuclear genome for pedinophyte YPF701, a sister lineage to others in the Core Chlorophyta, and incorporated this genome in a comparative analysis with 25 other genomes from diverse Viridiplantae taxa. The nuclear genome of pedinophyte YPF701 has an intermediate size and gene number between those of most early-diverging prasinophytes and the remainder of the Core Chlorophyta. Our results suggest positive selection for genome streamlining in Pedinophyceae, independent from genome minimisation observed among prasinophyte lineages. Genome expansion was predicted along the branch leading to the UTC clade (classes Ulvophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae and Chlorophyceae) after divergence from their common ancestor with pedinophytes, with genomic novelty implicated in a range of basic biological functions. These results emphasise multiple independent signals of genome minimisation within the Chlorophyta, as well as the genomic novelty arising prior to diversification in the UTC clade, which may underpin the success of this species-rich clade in a diversity of habitats.

scholarly journals Genomic diversity and meiotic recombination among isolates of the biotech yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris)

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Braun-Galleani ◽  
Julie A. Dias ◽  
Aisling Y. Coughlan ◽  
Adam P. Ryan ◽  
Kevin P. Byrne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pichia Pastoris ◽  
Meiotic Recombination ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Yeast Culture ◽  
Culture Collections ◽  
Komagataella Phaffii ◽  
Rich Media ◽  
Natural Isolates ◽  
Trait Locus ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background Komagataella phaffii is a yeast widely used in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and is one of the two species that were previously called Pichia pastoris. However, almost all laboratory work on K. phaffii has utilized strains derived from a single natural isolate, CBS7435. There is little information about the sequence diversity of K. phaffii or the genetic properties of this species. Results We sequenced the genomes of all the known isolates of K. phaffii. We made a genetic cross between derivatives of two isolates that differ at 44,000 single nucleotide polymorphism sites, and used this cross to analyze the rate and landscape of meiotic recombination. We conducted tetrad analysis by making use of the property that K. phaffii haploids do not mate in rich media, which enabled us to isolate and sequence the four types of haploid cell that are present in the colony that forms when a tetra-type ascus germinates. Conclusions We found that only four distinct natural isolates of K. phaffii exist in public yeast culture collections. The meiotic recombination rate in K. phaffii is approximately 3.5 times lower than in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with an average of 25 crossovers per meiosis. Recombination is suppressed, and genetic diversity among natural isolates is low, in a region around centromeres that is much larger than the centromeres themselves. Our work lays a foundation for future quantitative trait locus analysis in K. phaffii.

scholarly journals Genomic Diversity and Hotspot Mutations in 30,983 SARS-CoV-2 Genomes: Moving Toward a Universal Vaccine for the “Confined Virus”?

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Alouane ◽  
Meriem Laamarti ◽  
Abdelomunim Essabbar ◽  
Mohammed Hakmi ◽  
El Mehdi Bouricha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Universal Vaccine ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Recurrent Mutations ◽  
Genomic Divergence ◽  
Hotspot Mutations ◽  
Low Prevalence

The COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing since its onset in late November 2019 in Wuhan, China. Understanding and monitoring the genetic evolution of the virus, its geographical characteristics, and its stability are particularly important for controlling the spread of the disease and especially for the development of a universal vaccine covering all circulating strains. From this perspective, we analyzed 30,983 complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 79 countries located in the six continents and collected from 24 December 2019, to 13 May 2020, according to the GISAID database. Our analysis revealed the presence of 3206 variant sites, with a uniform distribution of mutation types in different geographic areas. Remarkably, a low frequency of recurrent mutations has been observed; only 169 mutations (5.27%) had a prevalence greater than 1% of genomes. Nevertheless, fourteen non-synonymous hotspot mutations (>10%) have been identified at different locations along the viral genome; eight in ORF1ab polyprotein (in nsp2, nsp3, transmembrane domain, RdRp, helicase, exonuclease, and endoribonuclease), three in nucleocapsid protein, and one in each of three proteins: Spike, ORF3a, and ORF8. Moreover, 36 non-synonymous mutations were identified in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein with a low prevalence (<1%) across all genomes, of which only four could potentially enhance the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the human ACE2 receptor. These results along with intra-genomic divergence of SARS-CoV-2 could indicate that unlike the influenza virus or HIV viruses, SARS-CoV-2 has a low mutation rate which makes the development of an effective global vaccine very likely.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document