scholarly journals Genetic Modification of Sodalis Species by DNA Transduction

mSphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
Christopher G. Kendra ◽  
Roberto E. Bruna ◽  
David Craft ◽  
Mauricio H. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Genetic Study ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Insect Host ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sodalis Glossinidius ◽  
Genetically Manipulated

ABSTRACT Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous in nature. These viruses play a number of central roles in microbial ecology and evolution by, for instance, promoting horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among bacterial species. The ability of phages to mediate HGT through transduction has been widely exploited as an experimental tool for the genetic study of bacteria. As such, bacteriophage P1 represents a prototypical generalized transducing phage with a broad host range that has been extensively employed in the genetic manipulation of Escherichia coli and a number of other model bacterial species. Here we demonstrate that P1 is capable of infecting, lysogenizing, and promoting transduction in members of the bacterial genus Sodalis, including the maternally inherited insect endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius. While establishing new tools for the genetic study of these bacterial species, our results suggest that P1 may be used to deliver DNA to many Gram-negative endosymbionts in their insect host, thereby circumventing a culturing requirement to genetically manipulate these organisms. IMPORTANCE A large number of economically important insects maintain intimate associations with maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria. Due to the inherent nature of these associations, insect endosymbionts cannot be usually isolated in pure culture or genetically manipulated. Here we use a broad-host-range bacteriophage to deliver exogenous DNA to an insect endosymbiont and a closely related free-living species. Our results suggest that broad-host-range bacteriophages can be used to genetically alter insect endosymbionts in their insect host and, as a result, bypass a culturing requirement to genetically alter these bacteria.

scholarly journals DNA transduction in Sodalis species: implications for the genetic modification of uncultured endosymbionts of insects

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
Christopher G. Kendra ◽  
Roberto E. Bruna ◽  
David Craft ◽  
Mauricio H. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Genetic Study ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Insect Host ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Bacteriophage P1 ◽  
Sodalis Glossinidius ◽  
Genetically Manipulated

AbstractBacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous in nature. These viruses play a number of central roles in microbial ecology and evolution by, for instance, promoting horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among bacterial species. The ability of phages to mediate HGT through transduction has been widely exploited as an experimental tool for the genetic study of bacteria. As such, bacteriophage P1 represents a prototypical generalized transducing phage with a broad host range that has been extensively employed in the genetic manipulation of Escherichia coli and a number of other model bacterial species. Here we demonstrate that P1 is capable of infecting, lysogenizing and promoting transduction in members of the bacterial genus Sodalis, including the maternally inherited insect endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius. While establishing new tools for the genetic study of these bacterial species, our results suggest that P1 may be used to deliver DNA to many Gram negative endosymbionts in their insect host, thereby circumventing a culturing requirement to genetically manipulate these organisms.SummaryA large number of economically important insects maintain intimate associations with maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria. Due to the inherit nature of these associations, insect endosymbionts cannot be usually isolated in pure culture nor genetically manipulated. Here we use a broad-host range bacteriophage to deliver exogenous DNA to an insect endosymbiont and a closely related free-living species. Our results suggest that broad host range bacteriophages can be used to genetically alter insect endosymbionts in their insect host and, as a result, bypass a culturing requirement to genetically alter these bacteria.

scholarly journals A Multispecies Cluster of VIM-1 Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Linked by a Novel, Highly Conjugative, and Broad-Host-Range IncA Plasmid Forebodes the Reemergence of VIM-1

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Arcari ◽  
Federica Maria Di Lella ◽  
Giulia Bibbolino ◽  
Fabio Mengoni ◽  
Marzia Beccaccioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽  
Gene Cassette ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Class 1 Integron ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Class 1

ABSTRACT In this study, we investigated VIM-1-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, and Enterobacter cloacae strains, isolated in 2019 during a period of active surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in a large university hospital in Italy. VIM-1-producing strains colonized the gut of patients, with up to three different VIM-1-positive bacterial species isolated from a single rectal swab, but also caused bloodstream infection in one colonized patient. In the multispecies cluster, blaVIM-1 was identified in a 5-gene cassette class 1 integron, associated with several genetic determinants, including the blaSHV-12, qnrS1, and mph(A) genes, located on a highly conjugative and broad-host-range IncA plasmid. The characteristics and origin of this IncA plasmid were studied.

scholarly journals A Broad-Host-Range Tailocin from Burkholderia cenocepacia

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guichun W. Yao ◽  
Iris Duarte ◽  
Tram T. Le ◽  
Lisa Carmody ◽  
John J. LiPuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Chromosome 1 ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Core Oligosaccharide ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis

ABSTRACT The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) consists of 20 closely related Gram-negative bacterial species that are significant pathogens for persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). Some Bcc strains are highly transmissible and resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infection difficult to treat. A tailocin (phage tail-like bacteriocin), designated BceTMilo, with a broad host range against members of the Bcc, was identified in B. cenocepacia strain BC0425. Sixty-eight percent of Bcc representing 10 species and 90% of non-Bcc Burkholderia strains tested were sensitive to BceTMilo. BceTMilo also showed killing activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and derivatives. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the major BceTMilo proteins was used to identify a 23-kb tailocin locus in a draft BC0425 genome. The BceTMilo locus was syntenic and highly similar to a 24.6-kb region on chromosome 1 of B. cenocepacia J2315 (BCAL0081 to BCAL0107). A close relationship and synteny were observed between BceTMilo and Burkholderia phage KL3 and, by extension, with paradigm temperate myophage P2. Deletion mutants in the gene cluster encoding enzymes for biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the indicator strain B. cenocepacia K56-2 conferred resistance to BceTMilo. Analysis of the defined mutants in LPS biosynthetic genes indicated that an α-d-glucose residue in the core oligosaccharide is the receptor for BceTMilo. IMPORTANCE BceTMilo, presented in this study, is a broad-host-range tailocin active against Burkholderia spp. As such, BceTMilo and related or modified tailocins have potential as bactericidal therapeutic agents against plant- and human-pathogenic Burkholderia.

scholarly journals Conjugal DNA Transfer in Sodalis glossinidius, a Maternally Inherited Symbiont of Tsetse Flies

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Kendra ◽  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
Roberto E. Bruna ◽  
Mauricio H. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Zoonotic Disease ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Dna Transfer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sodalis Glossinidius

ABSTRACT Stable associations between insects and bacterial species are widespread in nature. This is the case for many economically important insects, such as tsetse flies. Tsetse flies are the vectors of Trypanosoma brucei, the etiological agent of African trypanosomiasis—a zoonotic disease that incurs a high socioeconomic cost in regions of endemicity. Populations of tsetse flies are often infected with the bacterium Sodalis glossinidius. Following infection, S. glossinidius establishes a chronic, stable association characterized by vertical (maternal) and horizontal (paternal) modes of transmission. Due to the stable nature of this association, S. glossinidius has been long sought as a means for the implementation of anti-Trypanosoma paratransgenesis in tsetse flies. However, the lack of tools for the genetic modification of S. glossinidius has hindered progress in this area. Here, we establish that S. glossinidius is amenable to DNA uptake by conjugation. We show that conjugation can be used as a DNA delivery method to conduct forward and reverse genetic experiments in this bacterium. This study serves as an important step in the development of genetic tools for S. glossinidius. The methods highlighted here should guide the implementation of genetics for the study of the tsetse-Sodalis association and the evaluation of S. glossinidius-based tsetse fly paratransgenesis strategies. IMPORTANCE Tsetse flies are the insect vectors of T. brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness—a zoonotic disease that inflicts a substantial economic cost on a broad region of sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, tsetse flies can be infected with the bacterium S. glossinidius to establish an asymptomatic chronic infection. This infection can be inherited by future generations of tsetse flies, allowing S. glossinidius to spread and persist within populations. To this effect, S. glossinidius has been considered a potential expression platform to create flies which reduce T. brucei stasis and lower overall parasite transmission to humans and animals. However, the efficient genetic manipulation of S. glossinidius has remained a technical challenge due to its complex growth requirements and uncharacterized physiology. Here, we exploit a natural mechanism of DNA transfer among bacteria and develop an efficient technique to genetically manipulate S. glossinidius for future studies in reducing trypanosome transmission.

scholarly journals Evolution of IncA/CblaCMY-2-Carrying Plasmids by Acquisition of theblaNDM-1Carbapenemase Gene

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 783-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Carattoli ◽  
Laura Villa ◽  
Laurent Poirel ◽  
Rémy A. Bonnin ◽  
Patrice Nordmann
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Yersinia Ruckeri ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Photobacterium Damselae ◽  
Environmental Bacteria ◽  
Broad Host Range Plasmids

ABSTRACTTheblaNDM-1gene has been reported to be often located on broad-host-range plasmids of the IncA/C type in clinical but also environmental bacteria recovered from the New Delhi, India, area. IncA/C-type plasmids are the main vehicles for the spread of the cephalosporinase geneblaCMY-2, frequently identified in the United States, Canada, and Europe. In this study, we completed the sequence of IncA/C plasmid pNDM-KN carrying theblaNDM-1gene, recovered from aKlebsiella pneumoniaeisolate from Kenya. This sequence was compared with those of three IncA/C-type reference plasmids fromEscherichia coli,Yersinia ruckeri, andPhotobacterium damselae. Comparative analysis showed that theblaNDM-1gene was located on a widely diffused plasmid scaffold known to be responsible for the spread ofblaCMY-2-like genes and consequently for resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins. Considering that IncA/C plasmids possess a broad host range, this scaffold might support a large-scale diffusion of theblaNDM-1gene among Gram-negative rods.

scholarly journals Construction of a Broad-Host-Range Tn7-Based Vector for Single-Copy PBAD-Controlled Gene Expression in Gram-Negative Bacteria

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 718-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Heath Damron ◽  
Elizabeth S. McKenney ◽  
Herbert P. Schweizer ◽  
Joanna B. Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Delivery Vector ◽  
Inducible Gene

ABSTRACTWe describe a mini-Tn7-based broad-host-range expression cassette for arabinose-inducible gene expression from the PBADpromoter. This delivery vector, pTJ1, can integrate a single copy of a gene into the chromosome of Gram-negative bacteria for diverse genetic applications, of which several are discussed, usingPseudomonas aeruginosaas the model host.

scholarly journals The Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) fredii HH103 Nodulation Outer Protein NopI Is a Determinant for Efficient Nodulation of Soybean and Cowpea Plants

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Jiménez-Guerrero ◽  
Francisco Pérez-Montaño ◽  
Carlos Medina ◽  
Francisco Javier Ollero ◽  
Francisco Javier López-Baena
Keyword(s):  
Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Defense Responses ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Sinorhizobium Fredii ◽  
Symbiotic Efficiency ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a specialized secretion apparatus that is commonly used by many plant and animal pathogenic bacteria to deliver proteins, termed effectors, to the interior of the host cells. These effectors suppress host defenses and interfere with signal transduction pathways to promote infection. Some rhizobial strains possess a functional T3SS, which is involved in the suppression of host defense responses, host range determination, and symbiotic efficiency. The analysis of the genome of the broad-host-range rhizobial strain Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 identified eight genes that code for putative T3SS effectors. Three of these effectors, NopL, NopP, and NopI, are Rhizobium specific. In this work, we demonstrate that NopI, whose amino acid sequence shows a certain similarity with NopP, is secreted through the S. fredii HH103 T3SS in response to flavonoids. We also determined that NopL can be considered an effector since it is directly secreted to the interior of the host cell as demonstrated by adenylate cyclase assays. Finally, the symbiotic phenotype of single, double, and triple nopI, nopL, and nopP mutants in soybean and cowpea was assayed, showing that NopI plays an important role in determining the number of nodules formed in both legumes and that the absence of both NopL and NopP is highly detrimental for symbiosis. IMPORTANCE The paper is focused on three Rhizobium-specific T3SS effectors of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103, NopL, NopP, and NopI. We demonstrate that S. fredii HH103 is able to secrete through the T3SS in response to flavonoids the nodulation outer protein NopI. Additionally, we determined that NopL can be considered an effector since it is secreted to the interior of the host cell as demonstrated by adenylate cyclase assays. Finally, nodulation assays of soybean and cowpea indicated that NopI is important for the determination of the number of nodules formed and that the absence of both NopL and NopP negatively affected nodulation.

scholarly journals Unleashing Natural Competence in Lactococcus lactis by Induction of the Competence Regulator ComX

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Mulder ◽  
Michiel Wels ◽  
Oscar P. Kuipers ◽  
Michiel Kleerebezem ◽  
Peter A. Bron
Keyword(s):  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Streptococcus Thermophilus ◽  
Starter Cultures ◽  
Natural Competence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competence Gene ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Novel Traits

ABSTRACT In biotechnological workhorses like Streptococcus thermophilus and Bacillus subtilis, natural competence can be induced, which facilitates genetic manipulation of these microbes. However, in strains of the important dairy starter Lactococcus lactis, natural competence has not been established to date. However, in silico analysis of the complete genome sequences of 43 L. lactis strains revealed complete late competence gene sets in 2 L. lactis subsp. cremoris strains (KW2 and KW10) and at least 10 L. lactis subsp. lactis strains, including the model strain IL1403 and the plant-derived strain KF147. The remainder of the strains, including all dairy isolates, displayed genomic decay in one or more of the late competence genes. Nisin-controlled expression of the competence regulator comX in L. lactis subsp. lactis KF147 resulted in the induction of expression of the canonical competence regulon and elicited a state of natural competence in this strain. In contrast, comX expression in L. lactis NZ9000, which was predicted to encode an incomplete competence gene set, failed to induce natural competence. Moreover, mutagenesis of the comEA-EC operon in strain KF147 abolished the comX-driven natural competence, underlining the involvement of the competence machinery. Finally, introduction of nisin-inducible comX expression into nisRK-harboring derivatives of strains IL1403 and KW2 allowed the induction of natural competence in these strains also, expanding this phenotype to other L. lactis strains of both subspecies. IMPORTANCE Specific bacterial species are able to enter a state of natural competence in which DNA is taken up from the environment, allowing the introduction of novel traits. Strains of the species Lactococcus lactis are very important starter cultures for the fermentation of milk in the cheese production process, where these bacteria contribute to the flavor and texture of the end product. The activation of natural competence in this industrially relevant organism can accelerate research aiming to understand industrially relevant traits of these bacteria and can facilitate engineering strategies to harness the natural biodiversity of the species in optimized starter strains.

scholarly journals Genome Variation and Molecular Epidemiology ofSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium Pathovariants

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Branchu ◽  
Matt Bawn ◽  
Robert A. Kingsley
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Genome Variation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium is one of approximately 2,500 distinct serovars of the genusSalmonellabut is exceptional in its wide distribution in the environment, livestock, and wild animals.S. Typhimurium causes a large proportion of nontyphoidalSalmonella(NTS) infections, accounting for a quarter of infections, second only toS. entericaserovar Enteritidis in incidence.S. Typhimurium was once considered the archetypal broad-host-rangeSalmonellaserovar due to its wide distribution in livestock and wild animals, and much of what we know of the interaction ofSalmonellawith the host comes from research using a small number of laboratory strains of the serovar (LT2, SL1344, and ATCC 14028). But it has become clear that these strains do not reflect the genotypic or phenotypic diversity ofS. Typhimurium. Here, we review the epidemiological record ofS. Typhimurium and studies of the host-pathogen interactions of diverse strains ofS. Typhimurium. We present the concept of distinct pathovariants ofS. Typhimurium that exhibit diversity of host range, distribution in the environment, pathogenicity, and risk to food safety. We review recent evidence from whole-genome sequencing that has revealed the extent of genomic diversity ofS. Typhimurium pathovariants, the genomic basis of differences in the level of risk to human and animal health, and the molecular epidemiology of prominent strains. An improved understanding of the impact of genome variation of bacterial pathogens on pathogen-host and pathogen-environment interactions has the potential to improve quantitative risk assessment and reveal how new pathogens evolve.

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