scholarly journals Genomic comparison of archaeal conjugative plasmids fromSulfolobus

Archaea ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Greve ◽  
Susanne Jensen ◽  
Kim Brügger ◽  
Wolfram Zillig ◽  
Roger A. Garrett
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Comparative Sequence Analysis ◽  
Genomic Comparison ◽  
Variable Regions ◽  
Integrase Gene ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Putative Origin ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Intercellular Exchange

All of the known self-transmissable plasmids of the Archaea have been found in the genusSulfolobus. To gain more insight into archaeal conjugative processes, four newly isolated self-transmissable plasmids, pKEF9, pHVE14, pARN3 and pARN4, were sequenced and subjected to a comparative sequence analysis with two earlier sequenced plasmids, pNOB8 and pING1. The analyses revealed three conserved and functionally distinct sections in the genomes. Section A is considered to encode the main components of the conjugative apparatus, where two genes show low but significant sequence similarity to sections of genes encoding bacterial conjugative proteins. A putative origin of replication is located in section B, which is highly conserved in sequence and contains several perfect and imperfect direct and inverted repeats. Further downstream, in section C, an operon encoding six to nine smaller proteins is implicated in the initiation and regulation of replication. Each plasmid carries an integrase gene of the type that does not partition on integration, and there is strong evidence for their integration into host chromosomes, where they may facilitate intercellular exchange of chromosomal genes. Two plasmids contain hexameric short regularly spaced repeats (SRSR), which have been implicated in plasmid maintenance, and each plasmid carries multiple recombination motifs, concentrated in the variable regions, which likely provide sites for genomic rearrangements.

scholarly journals Multiple Nonidentical Reductive-Dehalogenase-Homologous Genes Are Common in Dehalococcoides

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 5290-5297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Hölscher ◽  
Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown ◽  
Kirsti M. Ritalahti ◽  
Friedrich von Wintzingerode ◽  
Helmut Görisch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Restriction Analysis ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Comparative Sequence Analysis ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Degenerate Primers ◽  
Reductive Dehalogenase ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Reductive Dehalogenase Genes

ABSTRACT Degenerate primers were used to amplify large fragments of reductive-dehalogenase-homologous (RDH) genes from genomic DNA of two Dehalococcoides populations, the chlorobenzene- and dioxin-dechlorinating strain CBDB1 and the trichloroethene-dechlorinating strain FL2. The amplicons (1,350 to 1,495 bp) corresponded to nearly complete open reading frames of known reductive dehalogenase genes and short fragments (approximately 90 bp) of genes encoding putative membrane-anchoring proteins. Cloning and restriction analysis revealed the presence of at least 14 different RDH genes in each strain. All amplified RDH genes showed sequence similarity with known reductive dehalogenase genes over the whole length of the sequence and shared all characteristics described for reductive dehalogenases. Deduced amino acid sequences of seven RDH genes from strain CBDB1 were 98.5 to 100% identical to seven different RDH genes from strain FL2, suggesting that both strains have an overlapping substrate range. All RDH genes identified in strains CBDB1 and FL2 were related to the RDH genes present in the genomes of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195 and Dehalococcoides sp. strain BAV1; however, sequence identity did not exceed 94.4 and 93.1%, respectively. The presence of RDH genes in strains CBDB1, FL2, and BAV1 that have no orthologs in strain 195 suggests that these strains possess dechlorination activities not present in strain 195. Comparative sequence analysis identified consensus sequences for cobalamin binding in deduced amino acid sequences of seven RDH genes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the presence of multiple nonidentical RDH genes is characteristic of Dehalococcoides strains.

scholarly journals Actinoporin-like Proteins Are Widely Distributed in the Phylum Porifera

Marine Drugs ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Kenneth Sandoval ◽  
Grace P. McCormack
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Sea Anemones ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Animal Phyla ◽  
Membrane Attachment

Actinoporins are proteinaceous toxins known for their ability to bind to and create pores in cellular membranes. This quality has generated interest in their potential use as new tools, such as therapeutic immunotoxins. Isolated historically from sea anemones, genes encoding for similar actinoporin-like proteins have since been found in a small number of other animal phyla. Sequencing and de novo assembly of Irish Haliclona transcriptomes indicated that sponges also possess similar genes. An exhaustive analysis of publicly available sequencing data from other sponges showed that this is a potentially widespread feature of the Porifera. While many sponge proteins possess a sequence similarity of 27.70–59.06% to actinoporins, they show consistency in predicted structure. One gene copy from H. indistincta has significant sequence similarity to sea anemone actinoporins and possesses conserved residues associated with the fundamental roles of sphingomyelin recognition, membrane attachment, oligomerization, and pore formation, indicating that it may be an actinoporin. Phylogenetic analyses indicate frequent gene duplication, no distinct clade for sponge-derived proteins, and a stronger signal towards actinoporins than similar proteins from other phyla. Overall, this study provides evidence that a diverse array of Porifera represents a novel source of actinoporin-like proteins which may have biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.

scholarly journals Persistence and Epidemic Propagation of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sequence Type 235 Clone Harboring an IS26Composite Transposon Carrying theblaIMP-1Integron in Hiroshima, Japan, 2005 to 2012

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 2678-2687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wataru Shimizu ◽  
Shizuo Kayama ◽  
Shuntaro Kouda ◽  
Yoshitoshi Ogura ◽  
Kanao Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Insertion Sequence ◽  
Gene Cassette ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Genomic Comparison ◽  
Variable Regions ◽  
Integrase Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lactamase Gene

ABSTRACTA 9-year surveillance for multidrug-resistant (MDR)Pseudomonas aeruginosain the Hiroshima region showed that the number of isolates harboring the metallo-β-lactamase geneblaIMP-1abruptly increased after 2004, recorded the highest peak in 2006, and showed a tendency to decline afterwards, indicating a history of an epidemic. PCR mapping of the variable regions of the integrons showed that this epidemic was caused by the clonal persistence and propagation of an MDRP. aeruginosastrain harboring theblaIMP-1gene and an aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferase gene,aac(6′)-Iaein a class I integron (In113), whose integrase geneintl1was disrupted by an IS26insertion. Sequence analysis of the representative strain PA058447 resistance element containing the In113-derived gene cassette array showed that the element forms an IS26transposon embedded in the chromosome. It has a Tn21backbone and is composed of two segments sandwiched by three IS26s. In Japan, clonal nationwide expansion of an MDRP. aeruginosaNCGM2.S1 harboring chromosomally encoded In113 with intactintl1is reported. Multilocus sequence typing and genomic comparison strongly suggest that PA058447 and NCGM2.S1 belong to the same clonal lineage. Moreover, the structures of the resistance element in the two strains are very similar, but the sites of insertion into the chromosome are different. Based on tagging information of the IS26present in both resistance elements, we suggest that the MDRP. aeruginosaclone causing the epidemic in Hiroshima for the past 9 years originated from a common ancestor genome of PA058447 and NCGM2.S1 through an IS26insertion intointl1of In113 and through IS26-mediated genomic rearrangements.

scholarly journals Independent pseudogenizations and losses of sox15 during amniote diversification following asymmetric ohnolog evolution

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusaku Ogita ◽  
Kei Tamura ◽  
Shuuji Mawaribuchi ◽  
Nobuhiko Takamatsu ◽  
Michihiko Ito
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Vertebrate Evolution ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Regeneration ◽  
Cns Development ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Relaxed Selection ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
Anuran Amphibians ◽  
Divergent Gene

Abstract Background Four ohnologous genes (sox1, sox2, sox3, and sox15) were generated by two rounds of whole-genome duplication in a vertebrate ancestor. In eutherian mammals, Sox1, Sox2, and Sox3 participate in central nervous system (CNS) development. Sox15 has a function in skeletal muscle regeneration and has little functional overlap with the other three ohnologs. In contrast, the frog Xenopus laevis and zebrafish orthologs of sox15 as well as sox1-3 function in CNS development. We previously reported that Sox15 is involved in mouse placental development as neofunctionalization, but is pseudogenized in the marsupial opossum. These findings suggest that sox15 might have evolved with divergent gene fates during vertebrate evolution. However, knowledge concerning sox15 in other vertebrate lineages than therian mammals, anuran amphibians, and teleost fish is scarce. Our purpose in this study was to clarify the fate and molecular evolution of sox15 during vertebrate evolution. Results We searched for sox15 orthologs in all vertebrate classes from agnathans to mammals by significant sequence similarity and synteny analyses using vertebrate genome databases. Interestingly, sox15 was independently pseudogenized at least twice during diversification of the marsupial mammals. Moreover, we observed independent gene loss of sox15 at least twice during reptile evolution in squamates and crocodile-bird diversification. Codon-based phylogenetic tree and selective analyses revealed an increased dN/dS ratio for sox15 compared to the other three ohnologs during jawed vertebrate evolution. Conclusions The findings revealed an asymmetric evolution of sox15 among the four ohnologs during vertebrate evolution, which was supported by the increased dN/dS values in cartilaginous fishes, anuran amphibians, and amniotes. The increased dN/dS value of sox15 may have been caused mainly by relaxed selection. Notably, independent pseudogenizations and losses of sox15 were observed during marsupial and reptile evolution, respectively. Both might have been caused by strong relaxed selection. The drastic gene fates of sox15, including neofunctionalization and pseudogenizations/losses during amniote diversification, might be caused by a release from evolutionary constraints.

scholarly journals Discriminating between JCPyV and BKPyV in Urinary Virome Data Sets

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1041
Author(s):  
Rita Mormando ◽  
Alan J. Wolfe ◽  
Catherine Putonti
Keyword(s):  
Jc Virus ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Bk Virus ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
Sequence Identity ◽  
Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Urinary Microbiome ◽  
Six Genes

Polyomaviruses are abundant in the human body. The polyomaviruses JC virus (JCPyV) and BK virus (BKPyV) are common viruses in the human urinary tract. Prior studies have estimated that JCPyV infects between 20 and 80% of adults and that BKPyV infects between 65 and 90% of individuals by age 10. However, these two viruses encode for the same six genes and share 75% nucleotide sequence identity across their genomes. While prior urinary virome studies have repeatedly reported the presence of JCPyV, we were interested in seeing how JCPyV prevalence compares to BKPyV. We retrieved all publicly available shotgun metagenomic sequencing reads from urinary microbiome and virome studies (n = 165). While one third of the data sets produced hits to JCPyV, upon further investigation were we able to determine that the majority of these were in fact BKPyV. This distinction was made by specifically mining for JCPyV and BKPyV and considering uniform coverage across the genome. This approach provides confidence in taxon calls, even between closely related viruses with significant sequence similarity.

scholarly journals Genetic Investigation of the Catabolic Pathway for Degradation of Abietane Diterpenoids by Pseudomonas abietaniphilaBKME-9

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (13) ◽  
pp. 3784-3793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. J. Martin ◽  
William W. Mohn
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Ring Cleavage ◽  
Catabolic Pathway ◽  
Transcriptional Fusion ◽  
Abietane Diterpenoids ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Dna Fragment ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT We have cloned and sequenced the dit gene cluster encoding enzymes of the catabolic pathway for abietane diterpenoid degradation by Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9. Thedit gene cluster is located on a 16.7-kb DNA fragment containing 13 complete open reading frames (ORFs) and 1 partial ORF. The genes ditA1A2A3 encode the α and β subunits and the ferredoxin of the dioxygenase which hydroxylates 7-oxodehydroabietic acid to 7-oxo-11,12-dihydroxy-8,13-abietadien acid. The dioxygenase mutant strain BKME-941 (ditA1::Tn5) did not grow on nonaromatic abietanes, and transformed palustric and abietic acids to 7-oxodehydroabietic acid in cell suspension assays. Thus, nonaromatic abietanes are aromatized prior to further degradation. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity of xylEtranscriptional fusion strains showed induction of ditA1and ditA3 by abietic, dehydroabietic, and 7-oxodehydroabietic acids, which support the growth of strain BKME-9, as well as by isopimaric and 12,14-dichlorodehydroabietic acids, which are diterpenoids that do not support the growth of strain BKME-9. In addition to the aromatic-ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase genes, thedit cluster includes ditC, encoding an extradiol ring cleavage dioxygenase, and ditR, encoding an IclR-type transcriptional regulator. Although ditR is not strictly required for the growth of strain BKME-9 on abietanes, aditR::Kmr mutation in aditA3::xylE reporter strain demonstrated that it encodes an inducer-dependent transcriptional activator of ditA3. An ORF with sequence similarity to genes encoding permeases (ditE) is linked with genes involved in abietane degradation.

scholarly journals Replication of Staphylococcal Multiresistance Plasmids

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (8) ◽  
pp. 2170-2178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neville Firth ◽  
Sumalee Apisiridej ◽  
Tracey Berg ◽  
Brendon A. O'Rourke ◽  
Steve Curnock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Heavy Metal Resistance ◽  
Metal Resistance ◽  
Replication Initiation ◽  
Conjugative Plasmid ◽  
Rolling Circle ◽  
Segregational Stability ◽  
Structural And Functional Properties ◽  
Resistance Plasmids ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT Based on structural and functional properties, three groups of large staphylococcal multiresistance plasmids have been recognized, viz., the pSK1 family, pSK41-like conjugative plasmids, and β-lactamase–heavy-metal resistance plasmids. Here we describe an analysis of the replication functions of a representative of each of these plasmid groups. The replication initiation genes from theStaphylococcus aureus plasmids pSK1, pSK41, and pI9789::Tn552 were found to be related to each other and to the Staphylococcus xylosus plasmid pSX267 and are also related to rep genes of several plasmids from other gram-positive genera. Nucleotide sequence similarity between pSK1 and pI9789::Tn552 extended beyond theirrep genes, encompassing upstream divergently transcribed genes, orf245 and orf256, respectively. Our analyses revealed that genes encoding proteins related to the deducedorf245 product are variously represented, in several types of organization, on plasmids possessing six seemingly evolutionarily distinct types of replication initiation genes and including both theta-mode and rolling-circle replicons. Construction of minireplicons and subsequent functional analysis demonstrated that orf245is required for the segregational stability of the pSK1 replicon. In contrast, no gene equivalent to orf245 is evident on the conjugative plasmid pSK41, and a minireplicon encoding only the pSK41 rep gene was found to exhibit a segregational stability approaching that of the parent plasmid. Significantly, the results described establish that many of the large multiresistance plasmids that have been identified in clinical staphylococci, which were formerly presumed to be unrelated, actually utilize an evolutionarily related theta-mode replication system.

An intergenic G-rich region in Leishmania tarentolae kinetoplast maxicircle DNA is a pan-edited cryptogene encoding ribosomal protein S12

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
D A Maslov ◽  
N R Sturm ◽  
B M Niner ◽  
E S Gruszynski ◽  
M Peris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Rich Region ◽  
Leishmania Tarentolae ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
The Family ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Ribosomal Protein S12

Six short G-rich intergenic regions in the maxicircle of Leishmania tarentolae are conserved in location and polarity in two other kinetoplastid species. We show here that G-rich region 6 (G6) represents a pan-edited cryptogene which contains at least two domains edited independently in a 3'-to-5' manner connected by short unedited regions. In the completely edited RNA, 117 uridines are added at 49 sites and 32 uridines are deleted at 13 sites, creating a translated 85-amino-acid polypeptide. Similar polypeptides are probably encoded by pan-edited G6 transcripts in two other species. The G6 polypeptide has significant sequence similarity to the family of S12 ribosomal proteins. A minicircle-encoded gRNA overlaps 12 editing sites in G6 mRNA, and chimeric gRNA/mRNA molecules were shown to exist, in agreement with the transesterification model for editing.

Insertion sequence IST3091 of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 503-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leena Chakravarty ◽  
Joseph D. Kittle Jr. ◽  
Olli H. Tuovinen
Keyword(s):  
Insertion Sequence ◽  
Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans ◽  
Insertion Element ◽  
Transposase Gene ◽  
Integrase Gene ◽  
Spiroplasma Citri ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Putative Origin ◽  
Replication Region ◽  
Polymerase Chain

An insertion sequence, designated as IST3091, was located adjacent to the putative origin of replication region of plasmid pTFI91 of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans TFI-91. The DNA sequence of the transposase gene of IST3091 revealed similarity with that of IS30, IS1086, IS4351, and the integrase gene of SpV1-R8A2 B (a bacteriophage of Spiroplasma citri). The sequence of IST3091 is 1063 bp long with partially matched 30-bp terminal inverted repeats. Several restriction fragments of plasmid pTFI91 of T. ferrooxidans containing the IST3091 element were cloned into the vector pHSG398. The hybrid plasmids (pBTL) were transformed into Escherichia coli NK7379 containing a miniF plasmid, which was devoid of transposable elements. The transposition function of the IST3091 element was confirmed by mobilizing hybrid plasmids via conjugation from transformed E. coli NK7379 (donor) to E. coli M8820 (recipient). The presence of the transposed element in transconjugants was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification.Key words: insertion element, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, transformation, transposase.

scholarly journals Legionella pneumophila CRISPR-Cas suggests recurrent encounters with one or more phages in the family Microviridae .

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayna R. Deecker ◽  
Malene L. Urbanus ◽  
Beth Nicholson ◽  
Alexander W. Ensminger
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Mobile Element ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
Remediation Strategies ◽  
The Family ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Outstanding Question

Legionella pneumophila is a ubiquitous freshwater pathogen and the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease. L. pneumophila growth within protists provides a refuge from desiccation, disinfection, and other remediation strategies. One outstanding question has been whether this protection extends to phages. L. pneumophila isolates are remarkably devoid of prophages and to date no Legionella phages have been identified. Nevertheless, many L. pneumophila isolates maintain active CRISPR-Cas defenses. So far, the only known target of these systems is an episomal element that we previously named Legionella Mobile Element-1 (LME-1). The continued expansion of publicly available genomic data promises to further our understanding of the role of these systems. We now describe over 150 CRISPR-Cas systems across 600 isolates to establish the clearest picture yet of L. pneumophila ’s adaptive defenses. By searching for targets of 1,500 unique CRISPR-Cas spacers, LME-1 remains the only identified CRISPR-Cas targeted integrative element. We identified 3 additional LME-1 variants - all targeted by previously and newly identified CRISPR-Cas spacers - but no other similar elements. Notably, we also identified several spacers with significant sequence similarity to microviruses, specifically those within the subfamily Gokushovirinae . These spacers are found across several different CRISPR-Cas arrays isolated from geographically diverse isolates, indicating recurrent encounters with these phages. Our analysis of the extended Legionella CRISPR-Cas spacer catalog leads to two main conclusions: current data argue against CRISPR-Cas targeted integrative elements beyond LME-1, and the heretofore unknown L. pneumophila phages are most likely lytic gokushoviruses. IMPORTANCE Legionnaires’ disease is an often-fatal pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila , which normally grows inside amoebae and other freshwater protists. L. pneumophila trades diminished access to nutrients for the protection and isolation provided by the host. One outstanding question is whether L. pneumophila is susceptible to phages, given the protection provided by its intracellular lifestyle. In this work, we use Legionella CRISPR spacer sequences as a record of phage infection to predict that the “missing” L. pneumophila phages belong to the microvirus subfamily Gokushovirinae . Gokushoviruses are known to infect another intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia . How do gokushoviruses access L. pneumophila (and Chlamydia ) inside their “cozy niches”? Does exposure to phages happen during a transient extracellular period (during cell-to-cell spread) or is it indicative of a more complicated environmental lifestyle? One thing is clear, 100 years after their discovery, phages continue to hold important secrets about the bacteria upon which they prey.

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