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July 7, 2019  |  

Phylogeography of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates, Western Hemisphere.

The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis, which is mainly associated with tropical areas. We analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among genome sequences from isolates of B. pseudomallei that originated in the Western Hemisphere by comparing them with genome sequences of isolates that originated in the Eastern Hemisphere. Analysis indicated that isolates from the Western Hemisphere form a distinct clade, which supports the hypothesis that these isolates were derived from a constricted seeding event from Africa. Subclades have been resolved that are associated with specific regions within the Western Hemisphere and suggest that isolates might be correlated geographically with cases of melioidosis. One isolate associated with a former World War II prisoner of war was believed to represent illness 62 years after exposure in Southeast Asia. However, analysis suggested the isolate originated in Central or South America.


July 7, 2019  |  

Complete genome sequence of a commensal bacterium, Hafnia alvei CBA7124, isolated from human feces.

Members of the genus Hafnia have been isolated from the feces of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, as well as from soil, water, sewage, and foods. Hafnia alvei is an opportunistic pathogen that has been implicated in intestinal and extraintestinal infections in humans. However, its pathogenicity is still unclear. In this study, we isolated H. alvei from human feces and performed sequencing as well as comparative genomic analysis to better understand its pathogenicity.The genome of H. alvei CBA7124 comprised a single circular chromosome with 4,585,298 bp and a GC content of 48.8%. The genome contained 25 rRNA genes (9 5S rRNA genes, 8 16S rRNA genes, and 8 23S rRNA genes), 88 tRNA genes, and 4043 protein-coding genes. Using comparative genomic analysis, the genome of this strain was found to have 72 strain-specific singletons. The genome also contained genes for antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance, as well as toxin-antitoxin systems.We revealed the complete genome sequence of the opportunistic gut pathogen, H. alvei CBA7124. We also performed comparative genomic analysis of the sequences in the genome of H. alvei CBA7124, and found that it contained strain-specific singletons, antibiotic resistance genes, and toxin-antitoxin systems. These results could improve our understanding of the pathogenicity and the mechanism behind the antibiotic resistance of H. alvei strains.


July 7, 2019  |  

Archetype JC polyomavirus prevails in a rare case of JC polyomavirus nephropathy and in stable renal transplant recipients with JC polyomavirus viruria.

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) is reactivated in approximately 20% of renal transplant recipients and it may rarely cause JCPyV-associated nephropathy (JCPyVAN). Whereas progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy of the brain is caused by rearranged neurotropic JCPyV, little is known about viral sequence variation in JCPyVAN due to the rarity of this condition.Using single-molecule real-time sequencing, characterization of full-length JCPyV genomes from urine and plasma of one JCPyVAN patient and twenty stable renal transplant recipients with JCPyV viruria was attempted. Sequence analysis of JCPyV strains was performed with the emphasis on the NCCR region, the major capsid protein gene VP1 and the large T antigen (LTag) gene.Exclusively archetype strains were identified in urine of the JCPyVAN patient. Full-length JCPyV sequences were not retrieved from plasma. Archetype strains were found in urine of nineteen stable renal transplant recipients, with JCPyV quasispecies detected in five samples. In a patient with minor graft dysfunction, a strain with archetype-like NCCR region was discovered. Individual point mutations were detected in both VP1 and LTag genes.Archetype JCPyV was dominant in the JCPyVAN patient and in stable renal transplant recipients. Archetype rather than rearranged JCPyV seems to drive the pathogenesis of JCPyVAN.


July 7, 2019  |  

Determination of the genome and primary transcriptome of syngas fermenting Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486.

Autotrophic conversion of CO2 to value-added biochemicals has received considerable attention as a sustainable route to replace fossil fuels. Particularly, anaerobic acetogenic bacteria are naturally capable of reducing CO2 or CO to various metabolites. To fully utilize their biosynthetic potential, an understanding of acetogenesis-related genes and their regulatory elements is required. Here, we completed the genome sequence of the syngas fermenting Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486 and determined its transcription start sites (TSS). We constructed a 4.4?Mb long circular genome with a GC content of 47.2% and 4,090 protein encoding genes. To understand the transcriptional and translational regulation, the primary transcriptome was augmented, identifying 1,458 TSSs containing a high pyrimidine (T/C) and purine nucleotide (A/G) content at the -1 and +1 position, respectively, along with 1,253 5′-untranslated regions, and principal promoter elements such as -10 (TATAAT) and -35 (TTGACA), and Shine-Dalgarno motifs (GGAGR). Further analysis revealed 93 non-coding RNAs, including one for potential transcriptional regulation of the hydrogenase complex via interaction with molybdenum or tungsten cofactors, which in turn controls formate dehydrogenase activity of the initial step of Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Our results provide comprehensive genomic information for strain engineering to enhance the syngas fermenting capacity of acetogenic bacteria.


July 7, 2019  |  

Rapid and affordable size-selected PacBio single-molecule real-time sequencing template library construction using the bead-beating DNA extraction method

This study demonstrated that bead-beating method facilitates a simple and rapid protocol for genomic DNA isolation for Pacific BioSciences (PacBio) sequencing with library construction of sufficient length. The protocol may also be beneficial for inactivating pathogens by simultaneous and instant DNA fragmentation, with no special equipment required to obtain large DNA fragments. This protocol was comparable in terms of quality to the standard protocol suggested by PacBioand represents an alternative, rapid shortcut for performing accurate PacBio sequencing.


July 7, 2019  |  

Complete genome analysis of Lactobacillus fermentum SK152 from kimchi reveals genes associated with its antimicrobial activity.

Research findings on probiotics highlight their importance in repressing harmful bacteria, leading to more extensive research on their potential applications. We analysed the genome of Lactobacillus fermentum SK152, which was isolated from the Korean traditional fermented vegetable dish kimchi, to determine the genetic makeup and genetic factors responsible for the antimicrobial activity of L. fermentum SK152 and performed a comparative genome analysis with other L. fermentum strains. The genome of L. fermentum SK152 was found to comprise a complete circular chromosome of 2092 273 bp, with an estimated GC content of 51.9% and 2184 open reading frames. It consisted of 2038 protein-coding genes and 73 RNA-coding genes. Moreover, a gene encoding a putative endolysin was found. A comparative genome analysis with other L. fermentum strains showed that SK152 is closely related to L. fermentum 3872 and F-6. An evolutionary analysis identified five positively selected genes that encode proteins associated with transport, survival and stress resistance. These positively selected genes may be essential for L. fermentum to colonise and survive in the stringent environment of the human gut and exert its beneficial effects. Our findings highlight the potential benefits of SK152.© FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.


July 7, 2019  |  

The unusual S locus of Leavenworthia is composed of two sets of paralogous loci.

The Leavenworthia self-incompatibility locus (S locus) consists of paralogs (Lal2, SCRL) of the canonical Brassicaceae S locus genes (SRK, SCR), and is situated in a genomic position that differs from the ancestral one in the Brassicaceae. Unexpectedly, in a small number of Leavenworthia alabamica plants examined, sequences closely resembling exon 1 of SRK have been found, but the function of these has remained unclear. BAC cloning and expression analyses were employed to characterize these SRK-like sequences. An SRK-positive Bacterial Artificial Chromosome clone was found to contain complete SRK and SCR sequences located close by one another in the derived genomic position of the Leavenworthia S locus, and in place of the more typical Lal2 and SCRL sequences. These sequences are expressed in stigmas and anthers, respectively, and crossing data show that the SRK/SCR haplotype is functional in self-incompatibility. Population surveys indicate that < 5% of Leavenworthia S loci possess such alleles. An ancestral translocation or recombination event involving SRK/SCR and Lal2/SCRL likely occurred, together with neofunctionalization of Lal2/SCRL, and both haplotype groups now function as Leavenworthia S locus alleles. These findings suggest that S locus alleles can have distinctly different evolutionary origins.© 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust.


July 7, 2019  |  

Large-scale suppression of recombination predates genomic rearrangements in Neurospora tetrasperma.

A common feature of eukaryote genomes is large chromosomal regions where recombination is absent or strongly reduced, but the factors that cause this reduction are not well understood. Genomic rearrangements have often been implicated, but they may also be a consequence of recombination suppression rather than a cause. In this study, we generate eight high-quality genomic data sets of the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora tetrasperma, a fungus that lacks recombination over most of its largest chromosome. The genomes surprisingly reveal collinearity of the non-recombining regions and although large inversions are enriched in these regions, we conclude these inversions to be derived and not the cause of the suppression. To our knowledge, this is the first time that non-recombining, genic regions as large as 86% of a full chromosome (or 8?Mbp), are shown to be collinear. These findings are of significant interest for our understanding of the evolution of sex chromosomes and other supergene complexes.


July 7, 2019  |  

Complete genome sequence of Acetobacter pomorum Oregon-R-modENCODE strain BDGP5, an acetic acid bacterium found in the Drosophila melanogaster gut.

Acetobacter pomorum Oregon-R-modENCODE strain BDGP5 was isolated from Drosophila melanogaster for functional host-microbe interaction studies. The complete genome is composed of a single chromosomal circle of 2,848,089 bp, with a G+C content of 53% and three plasmids of 131,455 bp, 19,216 bp, and 9,160 bp. Copyright © 2017 Wan et al.


July 7, 2019  |  

Evaluation of the impact of ul54 gene-deletion on the global transcription and DNA replication of pseudorabies virus.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an animal alphaherpesvirus with a wide host range. PRV has 67 protein-coding genes and several non-coding RNA molecules, which can be classified into three temporal groups, immediate early, early and late classes. The ul54 gene of PRV and its homolog icp27 of herpes simplex virus have a multitude of functions, including the regulation of viral DNA synthesis and the control of the gene expression. Therefore, abrogation of PRV ul54 function was expected to exert a significant effect on the global transcriptome and on DNA replication. Real-time PCR and real-time RT-PCR platforms were used to investigate these presumed effects. Our analyses revealed a drastic impact of the ul54 mutation on the genome-wide expression of PRV genes, especially on the transcription of the true late genes. A more than two hour delay was observed in the onset of DNA replication, and the amount of synthesized DNA molecules was significantly decreased in comparison to the wild-type virus. Furthermore, in this work, we were able to successfully demonstrate the utility of long-read SMRT sequencing for genotyping of mutant viruses.


July 7, 2019  |  

Complete genome of Pseudomonas sp. strain L10.10, a psychrotolerant biofertilizer that could promote plant growth.

Pseudomonas sp. strain L10.10 (=DSM 101070) is a psychrotolerant bacterium which was isolated from Lagoon Island, Antarctica. Analysis of its complete genome sequence indicates its possible role as a plant-growth promoting bacterium, including nitrogen-fixing ability and indole acetic acid (IAA)-producing trait, with additional suggestion of plant disease prevention attributes via hydrogen cyanide production. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


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