scholarly journals The IntXO-PSL Recombination System Is a Key Component of the Second Maintenance System for Bacillus anthracis Plasmid pXO1

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (14) ◽  
pp. 1939-1951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei P. Pomerantsev ◽  
Catherine Rappole ◽  
Zanetta Chang ◽  
Margaret Chahoud ◽  
Stephen H. Leppla
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Plasmid Stability ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maintenance System ◽  
Tyrosine Recombinases ◽  
Recombination System ◽  
Recombinase Gene

ABSTRACTWe previously identified three noncontiguous regions onBacillus anthracisplasmid pXO1 that comprise a system for accurate plasmid partitioning and maintenance. However, deletion of these regions did not decrease retention of certain shortened pXO1 plasmids during vegetative growth. Using two genetic tools developed for DNA manipulation inB. anthracis(the Cre-loxPand Flp-FRT systems), we found two other noncontiguous pXO1 regions that together are sufficient for plasmid stability. This second pXO1 maintenance system includes thetubZandtubRgenes, characteristic of a type III partitioning system, and the IntXO recombinase gene (GBAA_RS29165), encoding a tyrosine recombinase, along with its adjacent 37-bp perfect stem-loop (PSL) target. Insertion of either thetubZandtubRgenes or the IntXO-PSL system into an unstable mini-pXO1 plasmid did not restore plasmid stability. The need for the two components of the second pXO1 maintenance system follows from the sequential roles of IntXO-PSL in generating monomeric circular daughter pXO1 molecules (thereby presumably preventing dimer catastrophe) and of TubZ/TubR in partitioning the monomers during cell division. We show that the IntXO recombinase deletes DNA regions located between two PSL sites in a manner similar to the actions of the Cre-loxPand Flp-FRT systems.IMPORTANCETyrosine recombinases catalyze cutting and joining reactions between short specific DNA sequences. Three types of reactions occur: integration and excision of DNA segments, inversion of DNA segments, and separation of monomeric forms from replicating circular DNA molecules. Here we show that the newly discovered site-specific IntXO-PSL recombinase system that contributes to the maintenance of theB. anthracisplasmid pXO1 can be used for genome engineering in a manner similar to that of the Cre-loxPor Flp-FRT system.

scholarly journals Identification of Site-Specific Recombination Genesint and xis of the Rhizobium Temperate Phage 16-3

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (14) ◽  
pp. 4185-4192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szabolcs Semsey ◽  
IstvAn Papp ◽  
Zsuzsanna Buzas ◽  
Andras Patthy ◽  
Laszlo Orosz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Rhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Temperate Phage ◽  
Host Chromosome ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Site Specific Recombination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tyrosine Recombinases ◽  
Recombination System

ABSTRACT Phage 16-3 is a temperate phage of Rhizobium meliloti 41 which integrates its genome with high efficiency into the host chromosome by site-specific recombination through DNA sequences of attB and attP. Here we report the identification of two phage-encoded genes required for recombinations at these sites: int (phage integration) and xis(prophage excision). We concluded that Int protein of phage16-3 belongs to the integrase family of tyrosine recombinases. Despite similarities to the cognate systems of the lambdoid phages, the 16-3 int xis att system is not active in Escherichia coli, probably due to requirements for host factors that differ in Rhizobium meliloti and E. coli. The application of the 16-3 site-specific recombination system in biotechnology is discussed.

scholarly journals Biological Impact of a Large-Scale Genomic Inversion That Grossly Disrupts the Relative Positions of the Origin and Terminus Loci of theStreptococcus pyogenesChromosome

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragutin J. Savic ◽  
Scott V. Nguyen ◽  
Kimberly McCullor ◽  
W. Michael McShan
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Rich Medium ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTA large-scale genomic inversion encompassing 0.79 Mb of the 1.816-Mb-longStreptococcus pyogenesserotype M49 strain NZ131 chromosome spontaneously occurs in a minor subpopulation of cells, and in this report genetic selection was used to obtain a stable lineage with this chromosomal rearrangement. This inversion, which drastically displaces theorisite relative to the terminus, changes the relative length of the replication arms so that one replichore is approximately 0.41 Mb while the other is about 1.40 Mb in length. Genomic reversion to the original chromosome constellation is not observed in PCR-monitored analyses after 180 generations of growth in rich medium. Compared to the parental strain, the inversion surprisingly demonstrates a nearly identical growth pattern in the first phase of the exponential phase, but differences do occur when resources in the medium become limited. When cultured separately in rich medium during prolonged stationary phase or in an experimental acute infection animal model (Galleria mellonella), the parental strain and the invertant have equivalent survival rates. However, when they are coincubated together, bothin vitroandin vivo, the survival of the invertant declines relative to the level for the parental strain. The accompanying aspect of the study suggests that inversions taking place nearoriCalways happen to secure the linkage oforiCto DNA sequences responsible for chromosome partition. The biological relevance of large-scale inversions is also discussed.IMPORTANCEBased on our previous work, we created to our knowledge the largest asymmetric inversion, covering 43.5% of theS. pyogenesgenome. In spite of a drastic replacement of origin of replication and the unbalanced size of replichores (1.4 Mb versus 0.41 Mb), the invertant, when not challenged with its progenitor, showed impressive vitality for growthin vitroand in pathogenesis assays. The mutant supports the existing idea that slightly deleterious mutations can provide the setting for secondary adaptive changes. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the mutant with previously published data strongly indicates that even large genomic rearrangements survive provided that the integrity of theoriCand the chromosome partition cluster is preserved.

scholarly journals Role of a Stem-Loop Structure inHelicobacter pylori cagATranscript Stability

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Loh ◽  
Aung Soe Lin ◽  
Amber C. Beckett ◽  
Mark S. McClain ◽  
Timothy L. Cover
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Loop Structure ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transcript Stability ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Caga Protein ◽  
Stem Loop Structure ◽  
Steady State Levels

ABSTRACTHelicobacter pyloriCagA is a secreted effector protein that contributes to gastric carcinogenesis. Previous studies showed that there is variation amongH. pyloristrains in the steady-state levels of CagA and that a strain-specific motif downstream of thecagAtranscriptional start site (the +59 motif) is associated with both high levels of CagA and premalignant gastric histology. ThecagA5′ untranslated region contains a predicted stem-loop-forming structure adjacent to the +59 motif. In the current study, we investigated the effect of the +59 motif and the adjacent stem-loop oncagAtranscript levels andcagAmRNA stability. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that mutations predicted to disrupt the stem-loop structure resulted in decreased steady-state levels of both thecagAtranscript and the CagA protein. Additionally, these mutations resulted in a decreasedcagAmRNA half-life. Mutagenesis of the +59 motif without altering the stem-loop structure resulted in reduced steady-statecagAtranscript and CagA protein levels but did not affectcagAtranscript stability.cagAtranscript stability was not affected by increased sodium chloride concentrations, an environmental factor known to augmentcagAtranscript levels and CagA protein levels. These results indicate that both a predicted stem-loop structure and a strain-specific +59 motif in thecagA5′ untranslated region influence the levels ofcagAexpression.

scholarly journals The Fluorocycline TP-271 Is Efficacious in Models of Aerosolized Bacillus anthracis Infection in BALB/c Mice and Cynomolgus Macaques

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trudy H. Grossman ◽  
Michael S. Anderson ◽  
Lindsay Drabek ◽  
Melanie Gooldy ◽  
Henry S. Heine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Protective Antigen ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cynomolgus Macaques ◽  
Observation Period

ABSTRACT The fluorocycline TP-271 was evaluated in mouse and nonhuman primate (NHP) models of inhalational anthrax. BALB/c mice were exposed by nose-only aerosol to Bacillus anthracis Ames spores at a level of 18 to 88 lethal doses sufficient to kill 50% of exposed individuals (LD50). When 21 days of once-daily dosing was initiated at 24 h postchallenge (the postexposure prophylaxis [PEP] study), the rates of survival for the groups treated with TP-271 at 3, 6, 12, and 18 mg/kg of body weight were 90%, 95%, 95%, and 84%, respectively. When 21 days of dosing was initiated at 48 h postchallenge (the treatment [Tx] study), the rates of survival for the groups treated with TP-271 at 6, 12, and 18 mg/kg TP-271 were 100%, 91%, and 81%, respectively. No deaths of TP-271-treated mice occurred during the 39-day posttreatment observation period. In the NHP model, cynomolgus macaques received an average dose of 197 LD50 of B. anthracis Ames spore equivalents using a head-only inhalation exposure chamber, and once-daily treatment of 1 mg/kg TP-271 lasting for 14 or 21 days was initiated within 3 h of detection of protective antigen (PA) in the blood. No (0/8) animals in the vehicle control-treated group survived, whereas all 8 infected macaques treated for 21 days and 4 of 6 macaques in the 14-day treatment group survived to the end of the study (56 days postchallenge). All survivors developed toxin-neutralizing and anti-PA IgG antibodies, indicating an immunologic response. On the basis of the results obtained with the mouse and NHP models, TP-271 shows promise as a countermeasure for the treatment of inhalational anthrax.

scholarly journals A Double-Strand Break Does Not PromoteNeisseria gonorrhoeaePilin Antigenic Variation

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren L. Prister ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
H Steven Seifert
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Dna Structure ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Double Strand Break ◽  
Content Type ◽  
G4 Dna ◽  
Recombination System ◽  
Guanine Quadruplex ◽  
Pilin Gene

ABSTRACTThe major subunit of the type IV pilus (T4p) ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaeundergoes antigenic variation (AV) dependent on a guanine quadruplex (G4) DNA structure located upstream of the pilin gene. Since the presence of G4 DNA induces genome instability in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic chromosomes, we tested whether a double-strand break (DSB) at the site of thepilEG4 sequence could substitute for G4-directed pilin AV. The G4 motif was replaced by an I-SceI cut site, and the cut site was also introduced to locations near the origin of replication and the terminus. Expression of the I-SceI endonuclease from an irrelevant chromosomal site confirmed that the endonuclease functions to induce double-strand breaks at all three locations. No antigenic variants were detected when the G4 was replaced with the I-SceI cut site, but there was a growth defect from having a DSB in the chromosome, and suppressor mutations that were mainly deletions of the cut site and/or the entirepilEgene accumulated. Thus, thepilEG4 does not act to promote pilin AV by generating a DSB but requires either a different type of break, a nick, or more complex interactions with other factors to stimulate this programmed recombination system.IMPORTANCENeisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea, possesses a DNA recombination system to change one of its surface-exposed antigens. This recombination system, known as antigenic variation, uses an alternate DNA structure to initiate variation. The guanine quadruplex DNA structure is known to cause nicks or breaks in DNA; however, much remains unknown about how this structure functions in cells. We show that inducing a break by different means does not allow antigenic variation, indicating that the DNA structure may have a more complicated role.

scholarly journals Glutamate Racemase Mutants of Bacillus anthracis

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (11) ◽  
pp. 1854-1861 ◽  
Author(s):  
So-Young Oh ◽  
Stefan G. Richter ◽  
Dominique M. Missiakas ◽  
Olaf Schneewind
Keyword(s):  
Glutamic Acid ◽  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antibiotic Development ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Glutamate Racemase ◽  
Cell Shapes

ABSTRACTd-Glutamate is an essential component of bacterial peptidoglycan and a building block of the poly-γ-d-glutamic acid (PDGA) capsule ofBacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Earlier work suggested that two glutamate racemases, encoded byracE1andracE2, are each essential for growth ofB. anthracis, supplyingd-glutamic acid for the synthesis of peptidoglycan and PDGA capsule. Earlier work could not explain, however, why two enzymes that catalyze the same reaction may be needed for bacterial growth. Here, we report that deletion ofracE1orracE2did not prevent growth ofB. anthracisSterne (pXO1+pXO2−), the noncapsulating vaccine strain, or ofB. anthracisAmes (pXO1+pXO2+), a fully virulent, capsulating isolate. While mutants with deletions inracE1andracE2were not viable,racE2deletion delayed vegetative growth ofB. anthracisfollowing spore germination and caused aberrant cell shapes, phenotypes that were partially restored by exogenousd-glutamate. Deletion ofracE1orracE2fromB. anthracisAmes did not affect the production or stereochemical composition of the PDGA capsule. A model is presented wherebyB. anthracis, similar toBacillus subtilis, utilizes two functionally redundant racemase enzymes to synthesized-glutamic acid for peptidoglycan synthesis.IMPORTANCEGlutamate racemases, enzymes that convertl-glutamate tod-glutamate, are targeted for antibiotic development. Glutamate racemase inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections such as anthrax, where the causative agent,B. anthracis, requiresd-glutamate for the synthesis of peptidoglycan and poly-γ-d-glutamic acid (PDGA) capsule. Here we show thatB. anthracispossesses two glutamate racemase genes that can be deleted without abolishing either bacterial growth or PDGA synthesis. These data indicate that drug candidates must inhibit both glutamate racemases, RacE1 and RacE2, in order to blockB. anthracisgrowth and achieve therapeutic efficacy.

scholarly journals Development of oriC-Based Plasmids for Mesoplasma florum

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominick Matteau ◽  
Marie-Eve Pepin ◽  
Vincent Baby ◽  
Samuel Gauthier ◽  
Mélissa Arango Giraldo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systems Biology ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Viable Cell ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Strong Basis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Basic Biology

ABSTRACT The near-minimal bacterium Mesoplasma florum constitutes an attractive model for systems biology and for the development of a simplified cell chassis in synthetic biology. However, the lack of genetic engineering tools for this microorganism has limited our capacity to understand its basic biology and modify its genome. To address this issue, we have evaluated the susceptibility of M. florum to common antibiotics and developed the first generation of artificial plasmids able to replicate in this bacterium. Selected regions of the predicted M. florum chromosomal origin of replication (oriC) were used to create different plasmid versions that were tested for their transformation frequency and stability. Using polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation, we observed that plasmids harboring both rpmH-dnaA and dnaA-dnaN intergenic regions, interspaced or not with a copy of the dnaA gene, resulted in a frequency of ∼4.1 × 10−6 transformants per viable cell and were stably maintained throughout multiple generations. In contrast, plasmids containing only one M. florum oriC intergenic region or the heterologous oriC region of Mycoplasma capricolum, Mycoplasma mycoides, or Spiroplasma citri failed to produce any detectable transformants. We also developed alternative transformation procedures based on electroporation and conjugation from Escherichia coli, reaching frequencies up to 7.87 × 10−6 and 8.44 × 10−7 transformants per viable cell, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated the functionality of antibiotic resistance genes active against tetracycline, puromycin, and spectinomycin/streptomycin in M. florum. Taken together, these valuable genetic tools will facilitate efforts toward building an M. florum-based near-minimal cellular chassis for synthetic biology. IMPORTANCE Mesoplasma florum constitutes an attractive model for systems biology and for the development of a simplified cell chassis in synthetic biology. M. florum is closely related to the mycoides cluster of mycoplasmas, which has become a model for whole-genome cloning, genome transplantation, and genome minimization. However, M. florum shows higher growth rates than other Mollicutes, has no known pathogenic potential, and possesses a significantly smaller genome that positions this species among some of the simplest free-living organisms. So far, the lack of genetic engineering tools has limited our capacity to understand the basic biology of M. florum in order to modify its genome. To address this issue, we have evaluated the susceptibility of M. florum to common antibiotics and developed the first artificial plasmids and transformation methods for this bacterium. This represents a strong basis for ongoing genome engineering efforts using this near-minimal microorganism.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of SMBL-WEM22, a Halotolerant Strain of Kosakonia cowanii Isolated from Hong Kong Seawater

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (41) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. Moore ◽  
G. K. K. Lai ◽  
S. D. J. Griffin ◽  
F. C. C. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Gc Content ◽  
Hybrid Assembly ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Facultative Anaerobic ◽  
Long Read

Kosakonia cowanii is a Gram-negative, motile, facultative anaerobic enterobacterium that is found in soil, water, and sewage. K. cowanii SMBL-WEM22 is a halotolerant strain that was isolated from seawater in Hong Kong. The complete genome of SMBL-WEM22 (5,037,617 bp, with a GC content of 55.02%) was determined by hybrid assembly of short- and long-read DNA sequences.

scholarly journals TALEN and CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing Systems: Tools of Discovery

Acta Naturae ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Nemudryi ◽  
K. R. Valetdinova ◽  
S. P. Medvedev ◽  
S. M. Zakian
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Hereditary Disease ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Standards ◽  
Phenotype Formation

Precise studies of plant, animal and human genomes enable remarkable opportunities of obtained data application in biotechnology and medicine. However, knowing nucleotide sequences isnt enough for understanding of particular genomic elements functional relationship and their role in phenotype formation and disease pathogenesis. In post-genomic era methods allowing genomic DNA sequences manipulation, visualization and regulation of gene expression are rapidly evolving. Though, there are few methods, that meet high standards of efficiency, safety and accessibility for a wide range of researchers. In 2011 and 2013 novel methods of genome editing appeared - this are TALEN (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases) and CRISPR (Clustered Regulatory Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)/Cas9 systems. Although TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 appeared recently, these systems have proved to be effective and reliable tools for genome engineering. Here we generally review application of these systems for genome editing in conventional model objects of current biology, functional genome screening, cell-based human hereditary disease modeling, epigenome studies and visualization of cellular processes. Additionally, we review general strategies for designing TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 and analyzing their activity. We also discuss some obstacles researcher can face using these genome editing tools.

scholarly journals Bioterrorism: Lessons Learned Since the Anthrax Mailings

mBio ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Imperiale ◽  
Arturo Casadevall
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
September 11 ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
September 11 Attacks

ABSTRACT In the fall of 2001, Bacillus anthracis spores were spread through letters mailed in the United States. Twenty-two people are known to have been infected, and five of these individuals died. Together with the  September 11 attacks, this resulted in a reevaluation of the risks and benefits of life science research with the potential for misuse. In this editorial, we review some of the results of these discussions and their implications for the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document