scholarly journals Horizontal gene transfer in Histophilus somni and its role in the evolution of pathogenic strain 2336, as determined by comparative genomic analyses

BMC Genomics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivakumara Siddaramappa ◽  
Jean F Challacombe ◽  
Alison J Duncan ◽  
Allison F Gillaspy ◽  
Matthew Carson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Pathogenic Strain ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Histophilus Somni ◽  
Genomic Analyses

scholarly journals An Evolutionary Link between Natural Transformation and CRISPR Adaptive Immunity

mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Jorth ◽  
Marvin Whiteley
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Bacterial Diversity ◽  
Natural Transformation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immune Systems ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Adaptive Immune Systems

ABSTRACTNatural transformation by competent bacteria is a primary means of horizontal gene transfer; however, evidence that competence drives bacterial diversity and evolution has remained elusive. To test this theory, we used a retrospective comparative genomic approach to analyze the evolutionary history ofAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a bacterial species with both competent and noncompetent sister strains. Through comparative genomic analyses, we reveal that competence is evolutionarily linked to genomic diversity and speciation. Competence loss occurs frequently during evolution and is followed by the loss of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), bacterial adaptive immune systems that protect against parasitic DNA. Relative to noncompetent strains, competent bacteria have larger genomes containing multiple rearrangements. In contrast, noncompetent bacterial genomes are extremely stable but paradoxically susceptible to infective DNA elements, which contribute to noncompetent strain genetic diversity. Moreover, incomplete noncompetent strain CRISPR immune systems are enriched for self-targeting elements, which suggests that the CRISPRs have been co-opted for bacterial gene regulation, similar to eukaryotic microRNAs derived from the antiviral RNA interference pathway.IMPORTANCEThe human microbiome is rich with thousands of diverse bacterial species. One mechanism driving this diversity is horizontal gene transfer by natural transformation, whereby naturally competent bacteria take up environmental DNA and incorporate new genes into their genomes. Competence is theorized to accelerate evolution; however, attempts to test this theory have proved difficult. Through genetic analyses of the human periodontal pathogenAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, we have discovered an evolutionary connection between competence systems promoting gene acquisition and CRISPRs (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), adaptive immune systems that protect bacteria against genetic parasites. We show that competentA. actinomycetemcomitansstrains have numerous redundant CRISPR immune systems, while noncompetent bacteria have lost their CRISPR immune systems because of inactivating mutations. Together, the evolutionary data linking the evolution of competence and CRISPRs reveals unique mechanisms promoting genetic heterogeneity and the rise of new bacterial species, providing insight into complex mechanisms underlying bacterial diversity in the human body.

scholarly journals Horizontal Gene Transfer Clarifies Taxonomic Confusion and Promotes the Genetic Diversity and Pathogenicity of Plesiomonas shigelloides

mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiu Yin ◽  
Si Zhang ◽  
Yi Wei ◽  
Meng Wang ◽  
Shuangshuang Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pan Genome ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Taxonomic Confusion

The taxonomic position of P. shigelloides has been the subject of debate for a long time, and until now, the evolutionary dynamics and pathogenesis of P. shigelloides were unclear. In this study, pan-genome analysis indicated extensive genetic diversity and the presence of large and variable gene repertoires. Our results revealed that horizontal gene transfer was the focal driving force for the genetic diversity of the P. shigelloides pan-genome and might have contributed to the emergence of novel properties. Vibrionaceae and Aeromonadaceae were found to be the predominant donor taxa for horizontal genes, which might have caused the taxonomic confusion historically. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the potential of P. shigelloides to cause intestinal and invasive diseases. Our results could advance the understanding of the evolution and pathogenesis of P. shigelloides, particularly in elucidating the role of horizontal gene transfer and investigating virulence-related elements.

scholarly journals Comparative Genomic Analysis of Closely Related Acetobacter pasteurianus Strains Provides Evidence of Horizontal Gene Transfer and Reveals Factors Necessary for Thermotolerance

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minenosuke Matsutani ◽  
Nami Matsumoto ◽  
Hideki Hirakawa ◽  
Yuh Shiwa ◽  
Hirofumi Yoshikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Comparative Genomic Analysis ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Gene Repertoire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acetobacter Pasteurianus ◽  
Respiratory Chains

ABSTRACT Acetobacter pasteurianus is an industrial strain used for the vinegar production. Many A. pasteurianus strains with different phenotypic characteristics have been isolated so far. To understand the genetic background underpinning these phenotypes, a comparative genomic analysis of A. pasteurianus strains was conducted. Based on bioinformatics and experimental results, we report the following. (i) The gene repertoire related to the respiratory chains showed that several horizontal gene transfer events occurred after the divergence of these strains, indicating that the respiratory chain in A. pasteurianus has the diversity to adapt to its environment. (ii) There is a clear difference in thermotolerance even between 12 closely related strains. NBRC 3279, NBRC 3284, and NBRC 3283, in particular, which have only 55 mutations in total, showed differences in thermotolerance. The Na+/H+ antiporter gene nhaK2 was mutated in the thermosensitive NBRC 3279 and NBRC 3284 strains and not in the thermotolerant NBRC 3283 strain. The Na+/H+ antiporter activity of the three strains and expression of nhaK2 gene from NBRC 3283 in the two thermosensitive strains showed that these mutations are critical for thermotolerance. These results suggested that horizontal gene transfer events and several mutations have affected the phenotypes of these closely related strains. IMPORTANCE Acetobacter pasteurianus, an industrial vinegar-producing strain, exhibits diverse phenotypic differences such as respiratory activity related to acetic acid production, acetic acid resistance, or thermotolerance. In this study, we investigated the correlations between genome sequences and phenotypes among closely related A. pasteurianus strains. The gene repertoire related to the respiratory chains showed that the respiratory components of A. pasteurianus has a diversity caused by several horizontal gene transfers and mutations. In three closely related strains with clear differences in their thermotolerances, we found that the insertion or deletion that occurred in the Na+/H+ antiporter gene nhaK2 is directly related to their thermotolerance. Our study suggests that a relatively quick mutation has occurred in the closely related A. pasteurianus due to its genetic instability and that this has largely affected its phenotype.

scholarly journals Evidence of Horizontal Gene Transfer of 50S Ribosomal Genes rplB, rplD, and rplY in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheeba Santhini Manoharan-Basil ◽  
Jolein Gyonne Elise Laumen ◽  
Christophe Van Dijck ◽  
Tessa De Block ◽  
Irith De Baetselier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Multidrug Efflux ◽  
Multidrug Efflux Pump

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the penA and multidrug efflux pump genes has been shown to play a key role in the genesis of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this study, we evaluated if there was evidence of HGT in the genes coding for the ribosomal proteins in the Neisseria genus. We did this in a collection of 11,659 isolates of Neisseria, including N. gonorrhoeae and commensal Neisseria species (N. cinerea, N. elongata, N. flavescens, N. mucosa, N. polysaccharea, and N. subflava). Comparative genomic analyses identified HGT events in three genes: rplB, rplD, and rplY coding for ribosomal proteins L2, L4 and L25, respectively. Recombination events were predicted in N. gonorrhoeae and N. cinerea, N. subflava, and N. lactamica were identified as likely progenitors. In total, 2,337, 2,355, and 1,127 isolates possessed L2, L4, and L25 HGT events. Strong associations were found between HGT in L2/L4 and the C2597T 23S rRNA mutation that confers reduced susceptibility to macrolides. Whilst previous studies have found evidence of HGT of entire genes coding for ribosomal proteins in other bacterial species, this is the first study to find evidence of HGT-mediated chimerization of ribosomal proteins.

scholarly journals Plasmids facilitate pathogenicity, not cooperation, in bacteria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Dewar ◽  
Joshua Thomas ◽  
Thomas Scott ◽  
Geoff Wild ◽  
Ashleigh Griffin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Extracellular Proteins ◽  
Gene Location ◽  
Theoretical Modelling ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Diverse Species ◽  
Genomic Analyses ◽  
Term Maintenance

Abstract Horizontal gene transfer via plasmids could favour cooperation in bacteria, because transfer of a cooperative gene turns non-cooperative cheats into cooperators. This hypothesis has received support from both theoretical and genomic analyses. In contrast, with a comparative analysis across 51 diverse species, we found that genes for extracellular proteins, which are likely to act as cooperative ‘public goods’, were not more likely to be carried on either: (i) plasmids compared to chromosomes; or (ii) plasmids that transfer at higher rates. Our results were supported by theoretical modelling which showed that while horizontal gene transfer can help cooperative genes initially invade a population, it does not favour the longer-term maintenance of cooperation. Instead, we found that genes for extracellular proteins were more likely to be on plasmids when they coded for pathogenic virulence traits, in pathogenic bacteria with a broad host-range. Taken together, these results support an alternate hypothesis, that plasmid gene location confers benefits other than horizontal gene transfer.

scholarly journals Nascent Genomic Evolution and Allopatric Speciation ofMyroides profundiD25 in Its Transition from Land to Ocean

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Zhong Zhang ◽  
Yi Li ◽  
Bin-Bin Xie ◽  
Xiu-Lan Chen ◽  
Qiong-Qiong Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Genomic Sequence ◽  
Bacterial Genome ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Unique Genes

ABSTRACTA large amount of bacterial biomass is transferred from land to ocean annually. Most transferred bacteria should not survive, but undoubtedly some do. It is unclear what mechanisms these bacteria use in order to survive and even thrive in a new marine environment.Myroides profundiD25T, a member of theBacteroidetesphylum, was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the southern Okinawa Trough near the China mainland and had high genomic sequence identity to and synteny with the human opportunistic pathogenMyroides odoratimimus. Phylogenetic and physiological analyses suggested thatM. profundirecently transitioned from land to the ocean. This provided an opportunity to explore how a bacterial genome evolved to survive in a novel environment. Changes in the transcriptome were evaluated when both species were cultured under low-salinity conditions and then transferred to high-salinity conditions. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses showed thatM. profundialtered transcription regulation in the early stages of survival. In these stages, vertically inherited genes played a key role in the survival ofM. profundi. The contribution ofM. profundiunique genes, some possibly acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), appeared relatively small, and expression levels of unique genes were diminished under the high-salinity conditions. We postulate that HGT genes might play an important role in longer-term adaptation. These results suggested that some human pathogens might have the ability to survive in and adapt to the marine environment, which may have important implications for public health control in coastal regions.IMPORTANCEHorizontal gene transfer (HGT) is considered to be important for bacteria to adapt to a different microhabitat. However, our results showed that vertically inherited genes might play more important roles than HGT genes in the nascent adaptation to the marine environment in the bacteriumMyroides profundi, which has recently been transferred from land to ocean.M. profundiunique genes had low expression levels and were less regulated under high-salinity conditions, indicating that the contribution of HGT genes to survival of this bacterium under marine high-salinity conditions was limited. In the early adaptation stages,M. profundiapparently survived and adapted mainly by regulating the expression of inherited core genes. These results may explain in part why human pathogens can easily be detected in marine environments.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic analyses suggest centipede venom arsenals were repeatedly stocked by horizontal gene transfer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind A. B. Undheim ◽  
Ronald A. Jenner
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
Bacterial Gene ◽  
Multiple Gene ◽  
Genomic Analyses ◽  
Endogenous Proteins ◽  
Animal Venoms

AbstractVenoms have evolved over a hundred times in animals. Venom toxins are thought to evolve mostly by recruitment of endogenous proteins with physiological functions. Here we report phylogenetic analyses of venom proteome-annotated venom gland transcriptome data, assisted by genomic analyses, to show that centipede venoms have recruited at least five gene families from bacterial and fungal donors, involving at least eight horizontal gene transfer events. These results establish centipedes as currently the only known animals with venoms used in predation and defence that contain multiple gene families derived from horizontal gene transfer. The results also provide the first evidence for the implication of horizontal gene transfer in the evolutionary origin of venom in an animal lineage. Three of the bacterial gene families encode virulence factors, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer can provide a fast track channel for the evolution of novelty by the exaptation of bacterial weapons into animal venoms.

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