scholarly journals Chromosomal Targeting by the Type III-A CRISPR-Cas System Can Reshape Genomes in Staphylococcus aureus

mSphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Guan ◽  
Wanying Wang ◽  
Baolin Sun

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that can cause a wide range of infections in humans. Studies have suggested that CRISPR-Cas systems can drive the loss of integrated mobile genetic elements (MGEs) by chromosomal targeting. Here we demonstrate that CRISPR-mediated cleavage contributes to the partial deletion of integrated SCCmec in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which provides a strategy for the treatment of MRSA infections. The spacer within artificial CRISPR arrays should contain more than 25 nucleotides for immunity, and consecutive trinucleotide pairings between a selected target and the 5′ tag of crRNA can block targeting. These findings add to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the type III-A CRISPR-Cas system and provide a novel strategy for the exploitation of engineered CRISPR immunity against integrated MGEs in bacteria for clinical and industrial applications. CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat [CRISPR]-CRISPR-associated protein [Cas]) systems can provide protection against invading genetic elements by using CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) as a guide to locate and degrade the target DNA. CRISPR-Cas systems have been classified into two classes and five types according to the content of cas genes. Previous studies have indicated that CRISPR-Cas systems can avoid viral infection and block plasmid transfer. Here we show that chromosomal targeting by the Staphylococcus aureus type III-A CRISPR-Cas system can drive large-scale genome deletion and alteration within integrated staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). The targeting activity of the CRISPR-Cas system is associated with the complementarity between crRNAs and protospacers, and 10- to 13-nucleotide truncations of spacers partially block CRISPR attack and more than 13-nucleotide truncation can fully abolish targeting, suggesting that a minimal length is required to license cleavage. Avoiding base pairings in the upstream region of protospacers is also necessary for CRISPR targeting. Successive trinucleotide complementarity between the 5′ tag of crRNAs and protospacers can disrupt targeting. Our findings reveal that type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems can modulate bacterial genome stability and may serve as a high-efficiency tool for deleting resistance or virulence genes in bacteria. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that can cause a wide range of infections in humans. Studies have suggested that CRISPR-Cas systems can drive the loss of integrated mobile genetic elements (MGEs) by chromosomal targeting. Here we demonstrate that CRISPR-mediated cleavage contributes to the partial deletion of integrated SCCmec in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which provides a strategy for the treatment of MRSA infections. The spacer within artificial CRISPR arrays should contain more than 25 nucleotides for immunity, and consecutive trinucleotide pairings between a selected target and the 5′ tag of crRNA can block targeting. These findings add to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the type III-A CRISPR-Cas system and provide a novel strategy for the exploitation of engineered CRISPR immunity against integrated MGEs in bacteria for clinical and industrial applications.

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Hau ◽  
Darrell O. Bayles ◽  
David P. Alt ◽  
Tracy L. Nicholson

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is part of the human epithelial microbiota; however, it is also a pathogen. The acquisition of mobile genetic elements plays a role in the virulence of S. aureus isolates and contributes to treatment failures. This report details the draft genome sequences of 14 clinical S. aureus isolates.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Hau ◽  
Darrell O. Bayles ◽  
David P. Alt ◽  
Tracy L. Nicholson

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus causes a variety of human diseases ranging in severity. The pathogenicity of S. aureus can be partially attributed to the acquisition of mobile genetic elements. In this report, we provide two complete genome sequences from human clinical S. aureus isolates.


mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Hegstad ◽  
Haima Mylvaganam ◽  
Jessin Janice ◽  
Ellen Josefsen ◽  
Audun Sivertsen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Haemophilus influenzae colonizes the respiratory tract in humans and causes both invasive and noninvasive infections. Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in H. influenzae is rare in Europe. In this study, we defined acquired resistance gene loci and ftsI mutations in multidrug-resistant (MDR) and/or PBP3-mediated beta-lactam-resistant (rPBP3) H. influenzae strains, intending to understand the mode of spread of antibiotic resistance determinants in this species. Horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements and transformation with resistance-conferring ftsI alleles were contributory. We found one small plasmid and three novel integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) which carry different combinations of resistance genes. Demonstration of transfer and/or ICE circular forms showed that the ICEs are functional. Two extensively MDR genetically unrelated H. influenzae strains (F and G) from the same geographical region shared an identical novel MDR ICE (Tn6686) harboring blaTEM-1, catA2-like, and tet(B). The first Nordic case of MDR H. influenzae septicemia, strain 0, originating from the same geographical area as these strains, had a similar resistance pattern but contained another ICE [Tn6687 with blaTEM-1, catP and tet(B)] with an overall structure quite similar to that of Tn6686. Comparison of the complete ftsI genes among rPBP3 strains revealed that the entire gene or certain regions of it are identical in genetically unrelated strains, indicating horizontal gene transfer. Our findings illustrate that H. influenzae is capable of acquiring resistance against a wide range of commonly used antibiotics through horizontal gene transfer, in terms of conjugative transfer of ICEs and transformation of chromosomal genes. IMPORTANCE Haemophilus influenzae colonizes the respiratory tract in humans and causes both invasive and noninvasive infections. As a threat to treatment, resistance against critically important antibiotics is on the rise in H. influenzae. Identifying mechanisms for horizontal acquisition of resistance genes is important to understand how multidrug resistance develops. The present study explores the antimicrobial resistance genes and their context in beta-lactam-resistant H. influenzae with coresistance to up to four non-beta-lactam groups. The results reveal that this organism is capable of acquiring resistance to a wide range of commonly used antibiotics through conjugative transfer of mobile genetic elements and transformation of chromosomal genes, resulting in mosaic genes with a broader resistance spectrum. Strains with chromosomally mediated resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, co-trimoxazole, and quinolones combined with mobile genetic elements carrying genes mediating resistance to ampicillin, tetracyclines, and chloramphenicol have been reported, and further dissemination of such strains represents a particular concern.


mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Catrin Uhlemann ◽  
Stephen F. Porcella ◽  
Sheetal Trivedi ◽  
Sean B. Sullivan ◽  
Cory Hafer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone known as ST398 has emerged as a major cause of acute infections in individuals who have close contact with livestock. More recently, the emergence of an animal-independent ST398 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) clone has been documented in several countries. However, the limited surveillance of MSSA has precluded an accurate assessment of the global spread of ST398 and its clinical relevance. Here we provide evidence that ST398 is a frequent source of MSSA infections in northern Manhattan and is readily transmitted between individuals in households. This contrasts with the limited transmissibility of livestock-associated ST398 (LA-ST398) MRSA strains between humans. Our whole-genome sequence analysis revealed that the chromosome of the human-associated ST398 MSSA clone is smaller than that of the LA-ST398 MRSA reference strain S0385, due mainly to fewer mobile genetic elements (MGEs). In contrast, human ST398 MSSA isolates harbored the prophage φ3 and the human-specific immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes chp and scn. While most of the core genome was conserved between the human ST398 MSSA clone and S0385, these strains differed substantially in their repertoire and composition of intact adhesion genes. These genetic changes were associated with significantly enhanced adhesion of human ST398 MSSA isolates to human skin keratinocytes and keratin. We propose that the human ST398 MSSA clone can spread independent of animal contact using an optimized repertoire of MGEs and adhesion molecules adapted to transmission among humans. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus strains have generally been considered to be species specific. However, cross-species transfers of S. aureus clones, such as ST398 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), from swine to humans have been reported. Recently, we observed the emergence of ST398 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) as a colonizing strain of humans in northern Manhattan. Here we report that ST398 is a frequent cause of MSSA infections in this urban setting. The ST398 MSSA clone was readily transmitted within households, independent of animal contact. We discovered that human ST398 MSSA genomes were smaller than that of the LA-ST398 strain S0385 due to fewer mobile genetic elements. Human and LA-ST398 strains also differed in their composition of adhesion genes and their ability to bind to human skin keratinocytes, providing a potential mechanism of S. aureus host adaptation. Our findings illustrate the importance of implementing molecular surveillance of MSSA given the evidence for the rapid and clinically undetected spread of ST398 MSSA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon van der Els ◽  
Jennelle K. James ◽  
Michiel Kleerebezem ◽  
Peter A. Bron

ABSTRACTCRISPR-Cas9 technology has been exploited for the removal or replacement of genetic elements in a wide range of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Here, we describe the extension of the Cas9 application toolbox to the industrially important dairy speciesLactococcus lactis. The Cas9 expression vector pLABTarget, encoding theStreptocccus pyogenesCas9 under the control of a constitutive promoter, was constructed, allowing plug and play introduction of short guide RNA (sgRNA) sequences to target specific genetic loci. Introduction of apepN-targeting derivative of pLABTarget intoL. lactisstrain MG1363 led to a strong reduction in the number of transformants obtained, which did not occur in apepNdeletion derivative of the same strain, demonstrating the specificity and lethality of the Cas9-mediated double-strand breaks in the lactococcal chromosome. Moreover, the same pLABTarget derivative allowed the selection of apepNdeletion subpopulation from its corresponding single-crossover plasmid integrant precursor, accelerating the construction and selection of gene-specific deletion derivatives inL. lactis. Finally, pLABTarget, which contained sgRNAs designed to target mobile genetic elements, allowed the effective curing of plasmids, prophages, and integrative conjugative elements (ICEs). These results establish that pLABTarget enables the effective exploitation of Cas9 targeting inL. lactis, while the broad-host-range vector used suggests that this toolbox could readily be expanded to other Gram-positive bacteria.IMPORTANCEMobile genetic elements inLactococcus lactisand other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play an important role in dairy fermentation, having both positive and detrimental effects during the production of fermented dairy products. The pLABTarget vector offers an efficient cloning platform for Cas9 application in lactic acid bacteria. Targeting Cas9 toward mobile genetic elements enabled their effective curing, which is of particular interest in the context of potentially problematic prophages present in a strain. Moreover, Cas9 targeting of other mobile genetic elements enables the deciphering of their contribution to dairy fermentation processes and further establishment of their importance for product characteristics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Yui Eto ◽  
Neville Firth ◽  
Amy M. Davis ◽  
Stephen M. Kwong ◽  
Marcelina Krysiak ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Horizontal transfer of plasmids encoding antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants has been instrumental in Staphylococcus aureus evolution, including the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA). In the early 1990s, the first CA-MRSA strain isolated in Western Australia (WA), WA-5, encoded cadmium, tetracycline, and penicillin resistance genes on plasmid pWBG753 (∼30 kb). WA-5 and pWBG753 appeared only briefly in WA; however, fusidic acid resistance plasmids related to pWBG753 were also present in the first European CA-MRSA isolates at the time. Here, we characterize a 72-kb conjugative plasmid, pWBG731, present in multiresistant WA-5-like clones from the same period. pWBG731 was a cointegrant formed from pWBG753 and a pWBG749 family conjugative plasmid. pWBG731 carried mupirocin, trimethoprim, cadmium, and penicillin resistance genes. The stepwise evolution of pWBG731 likely occurred through the combined actions of IS257, IS257-dependent miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs), and the BinL resolution system of the β-lactamase transposon Tn552. An evolutionarily intermediate ∼42-kb nonconjugative plasmid, pWBG715, possessed the same resistance genes as pWBG731 but retained an integrated copy of the small tetracycline resistance plasmid pT181. IS257 likely facilitated the replacement of pT181 with conjugation genes on pWBG731, thus enabling autonomous transfer. Like conjugative plasmid pWBG749, pWBG731 also mobilized nonconjugative plasmids carrying oriT mimics. It seems likely that pWBG731 represents the product of multiple recombination events between the WA-5 pWBG753 plasmid and other mobile genetic elements present in indigenous community-associated methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (CA-MSSA) isolates. The molecular evolution of pWBG731 saliently illustrates how diverse mobile genetic elements can together facilitate rapid accrual and horizontal dissemination of multiresistance in S. aureus CA-MRSA.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 3066-3074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arryn Craney ◽  
Floyd E. Romesberg

ABSTRACTAntibiotic-resistant bacteria are a significant public health concern and motivate efforts to develop new classes of antibiotics. One such class of antibiotics is the arylomycins, which target type I signal peptidase (SPase), the enzyme responsible for the release of secreted proteins from their N-terminal leader sequences. Despite the essentiality, conservation, and relative accessibility of SPase, the activity of the arylomycins is limited against some bacteria, including the important human pathogenStaphylococcus aureus. To understand the origins of the limited activity againstS. aureus, we characterized the susceptibility of a panel of strains to two arylomycin derivatives, arylomycin A-C16and its more potent analog arylomycin M131. We observed a wide range of susceptibilities to the two arylomycins and found that resistant strains were sensitized by cotreatment with tunicamycin, which inhibits the first step of wall teichoic acid synthesis. To further understand howS. aureusresponds to the arylomycins, we profiled the transcriptional response ofS. aureusNCTC 8325 to growth-inhibitory concentrations of arylomycin M131 and found that it upregulates the cell wall stress stimulon (CWSS) and an operon consisting of a putative transcriptional regulator and three hypothetical proteins. Interestingly, we found that mutations in the putative transcriptional regulator are correlated with resistance, and selection for resistanceex vivodemonstrated that mutations in this gene are sufficient for resistance. The results begin to elucidate howS. aureuscopes with secretion stress and how it evolves resistance to the inhibition of SPase.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 5260-5266 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zamorano ◽  
E. Miró ◽  
C. Juan ◽  
L. Gómez ◽  
G. Bou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe examined the genetic context of 74 acquiredampCgenes and 17 carbapenemase genes from 85 of 640Enterobacteriaceaeisolates collected in 2009. Using S1 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization, 37 of 74blaAmpCgenes were located on large plasmids of different sizes belonging to six incompatibility groups. We used sequencing and PCR mapping to investigate the regions flanking the acquiredampCgenes. TheblaCMY-2-like genes were associated with ISEcp1; the surroundingblaDHAgenes were similar toKlebsiella pneumoniaeplasmid pTN60013 associated with IS26and thepspandsapoperons; and theblaACC-1genes were associated with IS26elements inserted into ISEcp1. All of the carbapenemase genes (blaVIM-1,blaIMP-22, andblaIMP-28) were located in class 1 integrons. Therefore, although plasmids are the main cause of the rapid dissemination ofampCgenes amongEnterobacteriaceae, we need to be aware that other mobile genetic elements, such as insertion sequences, transposons, or integrons, can be involved in the mobilization of these genes of chromosomal origin. Additionally, three new integrons (In846 to In848) are described in this study.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Chou-Zheng ◽  
Asma Hatoum-Aslan

AbstractCRISPR-Cas systems provide sequence-specific immunity against phages and mobile genetic elements using CRISPR-associated nucleases guided by short CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). Type III systems exhibit a robust immune response that can lead to the extinction of a phage population, a feat coordinated by a multi-subunit effector complex that destroys invading DNA and RNA. Here, we demonstrate that a model Type III system in Staphylococcus epidermidis relies upon the activities of two degradosome-associated nucleases, PNPase and RNase J2, to mount a successful defense. Genetic, molecular, and biochemical analyses reveal that PNPase promotes crRNA maturation, and both nucleases are required for efficient clearance of phage-derived nucleic acids. Furthermore, functional assays show that RNase J2 is essential for immunity against diverse mobile genetic elements originating from plasmid and phage. Altogether, our observations reveal the evolution of a critical collaboration between two nucleic acid degrading machines which ensures cell survival when faced with phage attack.


mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e01234-20
Author(s):  
Kaichao Chen ◽  
Chen Yang ◽  
Ning Dong ◽  
Miaomiao Xie ◽  
Lianwei Ye ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella has increased dramatically in the past decade. To track the evolutionary trend of ciprofloxacin resistance-encoding genetic elements during this period, we surveyed the prevalence of Salmonella in food products in Shenzhen, China, during the period of 2012 to 2017 and performed whole-genome sequencing and genetic analysis of 566 ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical Salmonella strains collected during this survey. We observed that target gene mutations have become much less common, with single gyrA mutation currently detectable in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium only. Multiple plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes located in the chromosome and plasmids are now frequently detectable in ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella strains of various serotypes. Among them, the qnrS1 gene was often harbored by multiple plasmids, with p10k-like plasmids being the most dominant. Importantly, p10k-like plasmids initially were not conjugative but became transmissible with the help of a helper plasmid. Ciprofloxacin resistance due to combined effect of carriage of the qnrS1 gene and other resistance mechanisms is common. In S. Typhimurium, carriage of qnrS1 is often associated with a single gyrA mutation; in other serotypes, combination of qnrS1 and other PMQR genes located in the chromosomal fragment or plasmid is observed. Another major mechanism of ciprofloxacin resistance, mainly observable in S. Derby, involves a chromosomal fragment harboring the qnrS2–aac(6′)lb-cr–oqxAB elements. Intriguingly, this chromosomal fragment, flanked by IS26, could form a circular intermediate and became transferrable. To conclude, the increase in the incidence of various PMQR mobile genetic elements and their interactions with other resistance mechanism contribute to a sharp increase in the prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical Salmonella strains in recent years.IMPORTANCE Resistance of nontyphoidal Salmonella to fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin is known to be mediated by target mutations. This study surveyed the prevalence of Salmonella strains recovered from 2,989 food products in Shenzhen, China, during the period 2012 to 2017 and characterized the genetic features of several PMQR gene-bearing plasmids and ciprofloxacin resistance-encoding DNA fragments. The emergence of such genetic elements has caused a shift in the genetic location of ciprofloxacin resistance determinants from the chromosomal mutations to various mobile genetic elements. The distribution of these PMQR plasmids showed that they exhibited high serotype specificity, except for the p10k-like plasmids, which can be widely detected and efficiently transmitted among Salmonella strains of various serotypes by fusing to a new conjugative helper plasmid. The sharp increase in the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in recent years may cause a predisposition to the emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains and pose huge challenges to public health and infection control efforts.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document