scholarly journals Two DNA Methyltransferases for Site-Specific 6mA and 5mC DNA Modification in Xanthomonas euvesicatoria

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Jee Park ◽  
Hoon Je Seong ◽  
Jongchan Lee ◽  
Lynn Heo ◽  
Woo Jun Sul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Phytopathogenic Bacterium ◽  
Bacterial Spot Disease ◽  
Xanthomonas Euvesicatoria

Xanthomonas euvesicatoria (Xe) is a gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium that causes bacterial spot disease in tomato/pepper leading to economic losses in plantations. DNA methyltransferases (MTases) are critical for the survival of prokaryotes; however, their functions in phytopathogenic bacteria remain unclear. In this study, we characterized the functions of two putative DNA MTases, XvDMT1 and XvDMT2, in Xe by generating XvDMT1- and XvDMT2-overexpressing strains, Xe(XvDMT1) and Xe(XvDMT2), respectively. Virulence of Xe(XvDMT2), but not Xe(XvDMT1), on tomato was dramatically reduced. To postulate the biological processes involving XvDMTs, we performed a label-free shotgun comparative proteomic analysis, and results suggest that XvDMT1 and XvDMT2 have distinct roles in Xe. We further characterized the functions of XvDMTs using diverse phenotypic assays. Notably, both Xe(XvDMT1) and Xe(XvDMT2) showed growth retardation in the presence of sucrose and fructose as the sole carbon source, with Xe(XvDMT2) being the most severely affected. In addition, biofilm formation and production of exopolysaccharides were declined in Xe(XvDMT2), but not Xe(XvDMT1). Xe(XvDMT2) was more tolerant to EtOH than Xe(XvDMT1), which had enhanced tolerance to sorbitol but decreased tolerance to polymyxin B. Using single-molecule real-time sequencing and methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, we successfully predicted putative motifs methylated by XvDMT1 and XvDMT2, which are previously uncharacterized 6mA and 5mC DNA MTases, respectively. This study provided new insights into the biological functions of DNA MTases in prokaryotic organisms.

Label-free, mass-sensitive single-molecule imaging using interferometric scattering microscopy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas Hundt
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Single Molecule Imaging ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Measurement Sensitivity ◽  
Mass Distributions ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Contrast Mechanism ◽  
Cellular Components ◽  
Scattering Signal

Abstract Single-molecule imaging has mostly been restricted to the use of fluorescence labelling as a contrast mechanism due to its superior ability to visualise molecules of interest on top of an overwhelming background of other molecules. Recently, interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy has demonstrated the detection and imaging of single biomolecules based on light scattering without the need for fluorescent labels. Significant improvements in measurement sensitivity combined with a dependence of scattering signal on object size have led to the development of mass photometry, a technique that measures the mass of individual molecules and thereby determines mass distributions of biomolecule samples in solution. The experimental simplicity of mass photometry makes it a powerful tool to analyse biomolecular equilibria quantitatively with low sample consumption within minutes. When used for label-free imaging of reconstituted or cellular systems, the strict size-dependence of the iSCAT signal enables quantitative measurements of processes at size scales reaching from single-molecule observations during complex assembly up to mesoscopic dynamics of cellular components and extracellular protrusions. In this review, I would like to introduce the principles of this emerging imaging technology and discuss examples that show how mass-sensitive iSCAT can be used as a strong complement to other routine techniques in biochemistry.

scholarly journals Biological Nanopores: Engineering on Demand

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Ana Crnković ◽  
Marija Srnko ◽  
Gregor Anderluh
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Enzymatic Reactions ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Label Free Detection ◽  
Long Read ◽  
Inorganic Molecules ◽  
Standard Molecular Biology

Nanopore-based sensing is a powerful technique for the detection of diverse organic and inorganic molecules, long-read sequencing of nucleic acids, and single-molecule analyses of enzymatic reactions. Selected from natural sources, protein-based nanopores enable rapid, label-free detection of analytes. Furthermore, these proteins are easy to produce, form pores with defined sizes, and can be easily manipulated with standard molecular biology techniques. The range of possible analytes can be extended by using externally added adapter molecules. Here, we provide an overview of current nanopore applications with a focus on engineering strategies and solutions.

scholarly journals Streptococcus suis Induces Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Porcine Lung Tissue

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 366
Author(s):  
Muriel Dresen ◽  
Josephine Schenk ◽  
Yenehiwot Berhanu Weldearegay ◽  
Désirée Vötsch ◽  
Wolfgang Baumgärtner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Streptococcus Suis ◽  
Cyclooxygenase 2 ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Alveolar Tissue ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Ciliated Epithelial Cells ◽  
Immunohistological Analysis

Streptococcus suis is a common pathogen colonising the respiratory tract of pigs. It can cause meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia leading to economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its metabolites play an important regulatory role in different biological processes like inflammation modulation and immune activation. In this report we analysed the induction of COX-2 and the production of its metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a porcine precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) model. Using Western blot analysis, we found a time-dependent induction of COX-2 in the infected tissue resulting in increased PGE2 levels. Immunohistological analysis revealed a strong COX-2 expression in the proximity of the bronchioles between the ciliated epithelial cells and the adjacent alveolar tissue. The morphology, location and vimentin staining suggested that these cells are subepithelial bronchial fibroblasts. Furthermore, we showed that COX-2 expression as well as PGE2 production was detected following infection with two prevalent S. suis serotypes and that the pore-forming toxin suilysin played an important role in this process. Therefore, this study provides new insights in the response of porcine lung cells to S. suis infections and serves as a basis for further studies to define the role of COX-2 and its metabolites in the inflammatory response in porcine lung tissue during infections with S. suis.

scholarly journals Label-free single-molecule all-optical sensor

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Armani ◽  
Scott E. Fraser ◽  
Richard C. Flagan
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Optical Sensor ◽  
Label Free ◽  
All Optical

Single-molecule nucleic acid interactions monitored on a label-free microcavity biosensor platform

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 933-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin D. Baaske ◽  
Matthew R. Foreman ◽  
Frank Vollmer
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Nucleic Acid Interactions

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Identification of 5-Methylcytosine Sites in Bacterial Genomes By High-Throughput Sequencing of MspJI Restriction Fragments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian P. Anton ◽  
Alexey Fomenkov ◽  
Victoria Wu ◽  
Richard J. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Simple Column ◽  
Sequencing Platforms

ABSTRACTSingle-molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing can easily identify sites of N6-methyladenine and N4-methylcytosine within DNA sequences, but similar identification of 5-methylcytosine sites is not as straightforward. In prokaryotic DNA, methylation typically occurs within specific sequence contexts, or motifs, that are a property of the methyltransferases that “write” these epigenetic marks. We present here a straightforward, cost-effective alternative to both SMRT and bisulfite sequencing for the determination of prokaryotic 5-methylcytosine methylation motifs. The method, called MFRE-Seq, relies on excision and isolation of fully methylated fragments of predictable size using MspJI-Family Restriction Enzymes (MFREs), which depend on the presence of 5-methylcytosine for cleavage. We demonstrate that MFRE-Seq is compatible with both Illumina and Ion Torrent sequencing platforms and requires only a digestion step and simple column purification of size-selected digest fragments prior to standard library preparation procedures. We applied MFRE-Seq to numerous bacterial and archaeal genomic DNA preparations and successfully confirmed known motifs and identified novel ones. This method should be a useful complement to existing methodologies for studying prokaryotic methylomes and characterizing the contributing methyltransferases.

scholarly journals Biochemistry: one molecule at a time

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Dominika T. Gruszka
Keyword(s):  
Complex Networks ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Molecular Heterogeneity ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Biological Macromolecule ◽  
Exciting Field ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Mechanistic Basis

Abstract Biological processes are orchestrated by complex networks of molecules. Conventional approaches for studying the action of biomolecules operate on a population level, averaging out any inhomogeneities within the ensemble. Investigating one biological macromolecule at a time allows researchers to directly probe individual behaviours, and thus characterise the intrinsic molecular heterogeneity of the system. Single-molecule methods have unravelled unexpected modes of action for many seemingly well-characterised biomolecules and often proved instrumental in understanding the intricate mechanistic basis of biological processes. This collection of reviews aims to showcase how single-molecule techniques can be used to address important biological questions and to inspire biochemists to ‘zoom in’ to the population and probe individual molecular behaviours, beyond the ensemble average. Furthermore, this issue of Essays in Biochemistry is the very first written and edited entirely by early career researchers, and so it also highlights the strength, diversity and excellence of the younger generation single-molecule scientists who drive this exciting field of research forward.

scholarly journals Label-free DNA biosensing by topological light confinement

Nanophotonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluigi Zito ◽  
Gennaro Sanità ◽  
Bryan Guilcapi Alulema ◽  
Sofía N. Lara Yépez ◽  
Vittorino Lanzio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Bound States ◽  
Production Control ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Light Confinement ◽  
Binding Event ◽  
The Continuum

Abstract Large-area and transparent all-dielectric metasurfaces sustaining photonic bound states in the continuum (BICs) provide a set of fundamental advantages for ultrasensitive biosensing. BICs bridge the gap of large effective mode volume with large experimental quality factor. Relying on the transduction mechanism of reactive sensing principle, herein, we first numerically study the potential of subwavelength confinement driven by topological decoupling from free space radiation for BIC-based biosensing. Then, we experimentally combine this capability with minimal and low-cost optical setup, applying the devised quasi-BIC resonator for PNA/DNA selective biosensing with real-time monitoring of the binding event. A sensitivity of 20 molecules per micron squared is achieved, i.e. ≃0.01 pg. Further enhancement can easily be envisaged, pointing out the possibility of single-molecule regime. This work aims at a precise and ultrasensitive approach for developing low-cost point-of-care tools suitable for routine disease prescreening analyses in laboratory, also adaptable to industrial production control.

scholarly journals Genome-wide identification of 5-methylcytosine sites in bacterial genomes by high-throughput sequencing of MspJI restriction fragments

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0247541
Author(s):  
Brian P. Anton ◽  
Alexey Fomenkov ◽  
Victoria Wu ◽  
Richard J. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Simple Column ◽  
Sequencing Platforms

Single-molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing can easily identify sites of N6-methyladenine and N4-methylcytosine within DNA sequences, but similar identification of 5-methylcytosine sites is not as straightforward. In prokaryotic DNA, methylation typically occurs within specific sequence contexts, or motifs, that are a property of the methyltransferases that “write” these epigenetic marks. We present here a straightforward, cost-effective alternative to both SMRT and bisulfite sequencing for the determination of prokaryotic 5-methylcytosine methylation motifs. The method, called MFRE-Seq, relies on excision and isolation of fully methylated fragments of predictable size using MspJI-Family Restriction Enzymes (MFREs), which depend on the presence of 5-methylcytosine for cleavage. We demonstrate that MFRE-Seq is compatible with both Illumina and Ion Torrent sequencing platforms and requires only a digestion step and simple column purification of size-selected digest fragments prior to standard library preparation procedures. We applied MFRE-Seq to numerous bacterial and archaeal genomic DNA preparations and successfully confirmed known motifs and identified novel ones. This method should be a useful complement to existing methodologies for studying prokaryotic methylomes and characterizing the contributing methyltransferases.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel, Pseudorabies Virus Strain Isolated in Southeast Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Zsolt Csabai ◽  
Dóra Tombácz ◽  
Zoltán Deim ◽  
Michael Snyder ◽  
Zsolt Boldogkői
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Base Composition ◽  
Pseudorabies Virus ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Southeast Europe ◽  
Long Read ◽  
National Programs

Background. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is the causative agent of Aujeszky’s disease giving rise to significant economic losses worldwide. Many countries have implemented national programs for the eradication of this virus. In this study, long-read sequencing was used to determine the nucleotide sequence of the genome of a novel PRV strain (PRV-MdBio) isolated in Serbia.Results. In this study, a novel PRV strain was isolated and characterized. PRV-MdBio was found to exhibit similar growth properties to those of another wild-type PRV, the strain Kaplan. Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing has revealed that the new strain differs significantly in base composition even from strain Kaplan, to which it otherwise exhibits the highest similarity. We compared the genetic composition of PRV-MdBio to strain Kaplan and the China reference strain Ea and obtained that radical base replacements were the most common point mutations preceding conservative and silent mutations. We also found that the adaptation of PRV to cell culture does not lead to any tendentious genetic alteration in the viral genome.Conclusion. PRV-MdBio is a wild-type virus, which differs in base composition from other PRV strains to a relatively large extent.

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