| 1. |
- Behra, Phani Rama Krishna, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative genomics of Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium neoaurum clade members emphasizing tRNA and non-coding RNA
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMC Evolutionary Biology. - : BMC. - 1471-2148. ; 19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Mycobacteria occupy various ecological niches and can be isolated from soil, tap water and ground water. Several cause diseases in humans and animals. To get deeper insight into our understanding of mycobacterial evolution focusing on tRNA and non-coding (nc)RNA, we conducted a comparative genome analysis of Mycobacterium mucogenicum (Mmuc) and Mycobacterium neoaurum (Mneo) clade members.Results: Genome sizes for Mmuc- and Mneo-clade members vary between 5.4 and 6.5 Mbps with the complete Mmuc(T) (type strain) genome encompassing 6.1 Mbp. The number of tRNA genes range between 46 and 79 (including one pseudo tRNA gene) with 39 tRNA genes common among the members of these clades, while additional tRNA genes were probably acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Selected tRNAs and ncRNAs (RNase P RNA, tmRNA, 4.5S RNA, Ms1 RNA and 6C RNA) are expressed, and the levels for several of these are higher in stationary phase compared to exponentially growing cells. The rare tRNA(Ile)TAT isoacceptor and two for mycobacteria novel ncRNAs: the Lactobacillales-derived GOLLD RNA and a homolog to the antisense Salmonella typhimurium phage Sar RNA, were shown to be present and expressed in certain Mmuc-clade members.Conclusions: Phages, IS elements, horizontally transferred tRNA gene clusters, and phage-derived ncRNAs appears to have influenced the evolution of the Mmuc- and Mneo-clades. While the number of predicted coding sequences correlates with genome size, the number of tRNA coding genes does not. The majority of the tRNA genes in mycobacteria are transcribed mainly from single genes and the levels of certain ncRNAs, including RNase P RNA (essential for the processing of tRNAs), are higher at stationary phase compared to exponentially growing cells. We provide supporting evidence that Ms1 RNA represents a mycobacterial 6S RNA variant. The evolutionary routes for the ncRNAs RNase P RNA, tmRNA and Ms1 RNA are different from that of the core genes.
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| 2. |
- Behra, Phani Rama Krishna, et al.
(författare)
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Insight into the biology of Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium neoaurum Glade members
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria, NTM, are of growing concern and among these members of the Mycobacterium mucogenicum (Mmuc) and Mycobacterium neoaurum (Mneo) clades can cause infections in humans and they are resistant to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. They can be isolated from different ecological niches such as soil, tap water and ground water. Mycobacteria, such as Mmuc and Mneo, are classified as rapid growing mycobacteria, RGM, while the most familiar, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, belongs to the slow growing mycobacteria, SGM. Modern "omics" approaches have provided new insights into our understanding of the biology and evolution of this group of bacteria. Here we present comparative genomics data for seventeen NTM of which sixteen belong to the Mmuc- and Mneo-clades. Focusing on virulence genes, including genes encoding sigma/anti-sigma factors, serine threonine protein kinases (STPK), type VII (ESX genes) secretion systems and mammalian cell entry (Mce) factors we provide insight into their presence as well as phylogenetic relationship in the case of the sigma/anti-sigma factors and STPKs. Our data further suggest that these NTM lack ESX-5 and Mce2 genes, which are known to affect virulence. In this context, Mmuc- and Mneo-clade members lack several of the genes in the glycopeptidolipid (GLP) locus, which have roles in colony morphotype appearance and virulence. For the M. mucogenicum type strain, Mmuc(T), we provide RNASeq data focusing on mRNA levels for sigma factors, STPK, ESX proteins and Mce proteins. These data are discussed and compared to in particular the SGM and fish pathogen Mycobacterium marinum. Finally, we provide insight into as to why members of the Mmuc- and Mneo-clades show resistance to rifampin and isoniazid, and why Mmuc(T) forms a rough colony morphotype.
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| 3. |
- Block, Keith I., et al.
(författare)
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Designing a broad-spectrum integrative approach for cancer prevention and treatment
- 2015
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Ingår i: Seminars in Cancer Biology. - : Academic Press. - 1044-579X .- 1096-3650. ; 35, s. S276-S304
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Targeted therapies and the consequent adoption of "personalized" oncology have achieved notable successes in some cancers; however, significant problems remain with this approach. Many targeted therapies are highly toxic, costs are extremely high, and most patients experience relapse after a few disease-free months. Relapses arise from genetic heterogeneity in tumors, which harbor therapy-resistant immortalized cells that have adopted alternate and compensatory pathways (i.e., pathways that are not reliant upon the same mechanisms as those which have been targeted). To address these limitations, an international task force of 180 scientists was assembled to explore the concept of a low-toxicity "broadspectrum" therapeutic approach that could simultaneously target many key pathways and mechanisms. Using cancer hallmark phenotypes and the tumor microenvironment to account for the various aspects of relevant cancer biology, interdisciplinary teams reviewed each hallmark area and nominated a wide range of high-priority targets (74 in total) that could be modified to improve patient outcomes. For these targets, corresponding low-toxicity therapeutic approaches were then suggested, many of which were phytochemicals. Proposed actions on each target and all of the approaches were further reviewed for known effects on other hallmark areas and the tumor microenvironment Potential contrary or procarcinogenic effects were found for 3.9% of the relationships between targets and hallmarks, and mixed evidence of complementary and contrary relationships was found for 7.1%. Approximately 67% of the relationships revealed potentially complementary effects, and the remainder had no known relationship. Among the approaches, 1.1% had contrary, 2.8% had mixed and 62.1% had complementary relationships. These results suggest that a broad-spectrum approach should be feasible from a safety standpoint. This novel approach has potential to be relatively inexpensive, it should help us address stages and types of cancer that lack conventional treatment, and it may reduce relapse risks. A proposed agenda for future research is offered. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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| 4. |
- Das, Sarbashis, et al.
(författare)
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The Mycobacterium phlei Genome : Expectations and Surprises
- 2016
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Ingår i: Genome Biology and Evolution. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1759-6653 .- 1759-6653. ; 8:4, s. 975-985
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mycobacterium phlei, a nontuberculosis mycobacterial species, was first described in 1898-1899. We present the complete genome sequence for the IV, phlei CCUG21000(T) type strain and the draft genomes for four additional strains. The genome size for all five is 5.3 Mb with 69.4% Guanine-Cytosine content. This is approximate to 0.35 Mbp smaller than the previously reported M. phlei RIVM draft genome. The size difference is attributed partly to large bacteriophage sequence fragments in the M. phlei RIVM genome. Comparative analysis revealed the following: 1) A CRISPR system similar to Type 1E (cas3) in M. phiei RIVM; 2) genes involved in polyamine metabolism and transport (potAD, potT) that are absent in other mycobacteria, and 3) strain specific variations in the number of sigma-factor genes. Moreover, M. phlei has as many as 82 mce (mammalian cell entry) homologs and many of the horizontally acquired genes in M. phlei are present in other environmental bacteria including mycobacteria that share similar habitat. Phylogenetic analysis based on 693 Mycobacterium core genes present in all complete mycobacterial genomes suggested that its closest neighbor is Mycobacterium smegmatis JS623 and Mycobacterium rhodesiae NBB3, while it is more distant to M. smegmatis mc2 155.
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| 5. |
- Ramesh, Malavika, et al.
(författare)
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Age-dependent pleomorphism in Mycobacterium monacense cultures
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Changes in cell shape and pleomorphism have been shown to be an integral part of the mycobacterial life cycle, however, systematic investigations into its patterns of pleomorphic behaviour in connection with stages or conditions of growth is scarce. We have studied the complete growth-cycle of Mycobacterium monacense cultures, a Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM), in solid as well as liquid media. We provide data showing changes in cell shape from rod to coccoid and occurrence of refractive cells ranging from Phase Grey to phase Bright (PGB) in appearance upon ageing. Data further showed that changes in cell shape observed under the microscope could be correlated to the biphasic nature of the growth curves for M. monacense (as well as the NTM Mycobacterium boenickei) as measured by the absorbance of liquid cultures. Using the complete M. monacense genome we identified genes involved in cell morphology, and transcriptome analyses at different stages of growth revealed changes in their mRNA levels. One gene of interest, dnaK_3, that showed strong upregulation during stationary phase, was identified as an MreB-like homolog based on the protein domain architecture. Exogenous overexpression of M. monacense dnaK_3 in Mycobacterium marinum resulted in morphological changes with an impact on the frequency of occurrence of PGB cells. However, the introduction of an anti-sense "gene" targeting M. marinum dnaK_3 did not show such effects. Using dnaK_3-lacZ reporter constructs we provide data that these differences could be attributed to differences in the regulation of dnaK_3 in the two species. Together, this suggests that although its regulation may vary between mycobacterial species, dnaK_3 might be involved in the mechanism influencing mycobacterial cell shape.
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| 6. |
- Ramesh, Malavika, et al.
(författare)
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Age-dependent pleomorphism in Mycobacterium monacense cultures
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Changes in cell shape and pleomorphism have been shown to be an integral part of the mycobacterial life cycle, however, systematic investigations into its patterns of pleomorphic behaviour in connection with stages or conditions of growth is scarce. We have studied the complete growth-cycle of Mycobacterium monacense cultures, a Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM), in solid as well as liquid media. We provide data showing changes in cell shape from rod to coccoid and occurrence of refractive cells ranging from Phase Grey to phase Bright (PGB) in appearance upon ageing. Data further showed that changes in cell shape observed under the microscope could be correlated to the biphasic nature of the growth curves for M. monacense (as well as the NTM Mycobacterium boenickei) as measured by the absorbance of liquid cultures. Using the complete M. monacense genome we identified genes involved in cell morphology, and transcriptome analyses at different stages of growth revealed changes in their mRNA levels. One gene of interest, dnaK_3, that showed strong upregulation during stationary phase, was identified as an MreB-like homolog based on the protein domain architecture. Exogenous overexpression of M. monacense dnaK_3 in Mycobacterium marinum resulted in morphological changes with an impact on the frequency of occurrence of PGB cells. However, the introduction of an anti-sense "gene" targeting M. marinum dnaK_3 did not show such effects. Using dnaK_3-lacZ reporter constructs we provide data that these differences could be attributed to differences in the regulation of dnaK_3 in the two species. Together, this suggests that although its regulation may vary between mycobacterial species, dnaK_3 might be involved in the mechanism influencing mycobacterial cell shape.
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| 7. |
- Ramesh, Malavika, et al.
(författare)
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Branching morphology in non-tuberculous mycobacteria Mycobacterium senegalense and Mycobacterium malmoense
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Understanding mycobacterial growth cycle has been a challenging topic ever since the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as the causal agent of Tuberculosis. Diverse metabolic pathways, changes in cell shape and/or size under various growth and environmental conditions, dormancy and virulence are some of the major factors that have made mycobacterial studies complex and challenging. Over the years, many mycobacterial species classified as Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) have been isolated from humans, animals and identified as pathogens. In this study, we have observed and described the cell morphology of two NTMs that showed branching/filamentous growth. Mycobacterium senegalense (Msen), causative agent of bovine farcy showed extensive branching with spore-like phase grey and phase bright (PGB) structures similar to the ones observed in a slow-growing NTM Mycobacterium malmoense (Mmal), known to cause TB-like lung infections in humans. Global transcriptome analyses of various genes is suggestive of pathways and regulations that may be responsible for the pleiomorphsim in general and specifically for branching in Msen and Mmal. One such gene that was analysed was the wag31, which has been shown to localise preferably at branch points.
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| 8. |
- Ramesh, Malavika, et al.
(författare)
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Branching morphology in the non-tuberculous mycobacteria Mycobacterium senegalense and Mycobacterium malmoense
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Understanding mycobacterial growth cycle has been a challenging topic ever since the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as the causal agent of Tuberculosis. Diverse metabolism, changes in cell shape and/or size under various growth and environmental conditions, dormancy and virulence are some of the major factors that has posed mycobacterial studies as very challenging. Over the years, many mycobacterial species classified as Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) have been isolated from humans, animals and identified as pathogens. In this study, we have observed and described the cell morphology of two NTMs that showed branching/filamentous growth. Mycobacterium senegalense (Msen), causative agent of bovine farcy showed extensive branching with spore-like phase grey and phase bright (PGB) structures similar to the ones observed in a slow-growing NTM Mycobacterium malmoense (Mmal), known to cause TB-like lung infections in humans. Global transcriptome analyses of various genes is suggestive of pathways and regulations that may be responsible for the pleiomorphsim in general and specifically for branching in Msen and Mmal. One such gene that was analysed was the wag31, which has been shown to localise preferably at branch points.
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| 9. |
- Ramesh, Malavika, et al.
(författare)
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Intracellular localization of the mycobacterial stressosome complex
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microorganisms survive stresses by alternating the expression of genes suitable for surviving the immediate and present danger and eventually adapt to new conditions. Many bacteria have evolved a multiprotein "molecular machinery" designated the "Stressosome" that integrates different stress signals and activates alternative sigma factors for appropriate downstream responses. We and others have identified orthologs of some of the Bacillus subtilis stressosome components, RsbR, RsbS, RsbT and RsbUVW in several mycobacteria and we have previously reported mutual interactions among the stressosome components RsbR, RsbS, RsbT and RsbUVW from Mycobacterium marinum. Here we provide evidence that "STAS" domains of both RsbR and RsbS are important for establishing the interaction and thus critical for stressosome assembly. Fluorescence microscopy further suggested co-localization of RsbR and RsbS in multiprotein complexes visible as co-localized fluorescent foci distributed at scattered locations in the M. marinum cytoplasm; the number, intensity and distribution of such foci changed in cells under stressed conditions. Finally, we provide bioinformatics data that 17 (of 244) mycobacteria, which lack the RsbRST genes, carry homologs of Bacillus cereus genes rsbK and rsbM indicating the existence of alternative σF activation pathways among mycobacteria.
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| 10. |
- Sharma, Atul, et al.
(författare)
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Intracellular Locations of Replication Proteins and the Origin of Replication during Chromosome Duplication in the Slowly Growing Human Pathogen Helicobacter pylori
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Bacteriology. - 0021-9193 .- 1098-5530. ; 196:5, s. 999-1011
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We followed the position of the replication complex in the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori using antibodies raised against the single-stranded DNA binding protein (HpSSB) and the replicative helicase (HpDnaB). The position of the replication origin, oriC, was also localized in growing cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with fluorescence-labeled DNA sequences adjacent to the origin. The replisome assembled at oriC near one of the cell poles, and the two forks moved together toward the cell center as replication progressed in the growing cell. Termination and resolution of the forks occurred near midcell, on one side of the septal membrane. The duplicated copies of oriC did not separate until late in elongation, when the daughter chromosomes segregated into bilobed nucleoids, suggesting sister chromatid cohesion at or near the oriC region. Components of the replication machinery, viz., HpDnaB and HpDnaG (DNA primase), were found associated with the cell membrane. A model for the assembly and location of the H. pylori replication machinery during chromosomal duplication is presented.
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