Generation of Markerless Deletions in the Nosocomial Pathogen Clostridium difficile by Induction of DNA Double-Strand Breaks.

Clostridium difficile is an important nosocomial pathogen associated with potentially fatal disease induced by the use of antibiotics. Genetic characterization of such clinically important bacteria is often hampered by lack of availability of suitable tools. Here, we describe the use of I-SceI to induce DNA double-strand breaks, which increase the frequency of allelic exchange and enable the generation of markerless deletions in C. difficile The usefulness of the system is illustrated by the deletion of genes encoding putative AddAB homologues. The ΔaddAB mutants are sensitive to ultraviolet light and the antibiotic metronidazole, indicating a role in homologous recombination and the repair of DNA breaks. Despite the impairment in recombination, the mutants are still proficient for induction of the SOS response. In addition, deletion of the fliC gene, and subsequent complementation, reveals the importance of potential regulatory elements required for expression of a downstream gene encoding the flagellin glycosyltransferase.IMPORTANCE Most sequenced bacterial genomes contain genes encoding proteins of unknown or hypothetical function. To identify a phenotype for mutations in such genes, deletion is the preferred method for mutagenesis because it reduces the likelihood of polar effects, although it does not eliminate the possibility. Allelic exchange to produce deletions is dependent on the length of homologous regions used to generate merodiploids. Shorter regions of homology resolve at lower frequencies. The work presented here demonstrates the utility of inducing DNA double-strand breaks to increase the frequency of merodiploid resolution in Clostridium difficile Using this approach, we reveal the roles of two genes, encoding homologues of AddAB, in survival following DNA damage. The method is readily applicable to the production of deletions in C. difficile and expands the toolbox available for genetic analysis of this important anaerobic pathogen.

ArdA proteins from different mobile genetic elements can bind to the EcoKI Type I DNA methyltransferase of E. coli K12.

Anti-restriction and anti-modification (anti-RM) is the ability to prevent cleavage by DNA restriction-modification (RM) systems of foreign DNA entering a new bacterial host. The evolutionary consequence of anti-RM is the enhanced dissemination of mobile genetic elements. Homologues of ArdA anti-RM proteins are encoded by genes present in many mobile genetic elements such as conjugative plasmids and transposons within bacterial genomes. The ArdA proteins cause anti-RM by mimicking the DNA structure bound by Type I RM enzymes. We have investigated ArdA proteins from the genomes of Enterococcus faecalis V583, Staphylococcus aureus Mu50 and Bacteroides fragilis NCTC 9343, and compared them to the ArdA protein expressed by the conjugative transposon Tn916. We find that despite having very different structural stability and secondary structure content, they can all bind to the EcoKI methyltransferase, a core component of the EcoKI Type I RM system. This finding indicates that the less structured ArdA proteins become fully folded upon binding. The ability of ArdA from diverse mobile elements to inhibit Type I RM systems from other bacteria suggests that they are an advantage for transfer not only between closely-related bacteria but also between more distantly related bacterial species.

Mutations of the domain forming the dimeric interface of the ArdA protein affect dimerization and antimodification activity but not antirestriction activity.

ArdA antirestriction proteins are encoded by genes present in many conjugative plasmids and transposons within bacterial genomes. Antirestriction is the ability to prevent cleavage of foreign incoming DNA by restriction-modification (RM) systems. Antimodification, the ability to inhibit modification by the RM system, can also be observed with some antirestriction proteins. As these mobile genetic elements can transfer antibiotic resistance genes, the ArdA proteins assist their spread. The consequence of antirestriction is therefore the enhanced dissemination of mobile genetic elements. ArdA proteins cause antirestriction by mimicking the DNA structure bound by Type I RM enzymes. The crystal structure of ArdA showed it to be a dimeric protein with a highly elongated curved cylindrical shape [McMahon SA et al. (2009) Nucleic Acids Res 37, 4887-4897]. Each monomer has three domains covered with negatively charged side chains and a very small interface with the other monomer. We investigated the role of the domain forming the dimer interface for ArdA activity via site-directed mutagenesis. The antirestriction activity of ArdA was maintained when up to seven mutations per monomer were made or the interface was disrupted such that the protein could only exist as a monomer. The antimodification activity of ArdA was lost upon mutation of this domain. The ability of the monomeric form of ArdA to function in antirestriction suggests, first, that it can bind independently to the restriction subunit or the modification subunits of the RM enzyme, and second, that the many ArdA homologues with long amino acid extensions, present in sequence databases, may be active in antirestriction.

Easing the global burden of diarrhoeal disease: can synthetic biology help?

The Millennium Declaration committed the 193 member states of the United Nations to end poverty by 2015. Despite the efforts of the UN and World Health Organisation, and the G8 commitment to spend a fixed proportion of gross national income on overseas aid, more than 2.6 billion people still lack access to proper sanitation. The absence of effective public health strategies in developing countries results in significant health burdens following gastrointestinal infections. Diarrhoea associated with infections resulting from oral-faecal contamination is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age, primarily in Africa and South Asia. Currently there are no appropriate vaccines that could be easily administered on a global scale to prevent these infections. Synthetic biology has the potential to contribute to development of such vaccines. Our work is directed at developing a range of multivalent oral vaccines against the most common diarrhoea-causing bacteria, e.g., Escherichia coli, Shigella and Salmonella. If synthetic biology is to avoid the suspicion and possible revulsion of the public, scientists need to demonstrate that this new field has something real to offer.

Crossing the eukaryote-prokaryote divide: A ubiquitin homolog in the human commensal bacterium Bacteroides fragilis.

The resident microbiota of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is comprised of ~2000 bacterial species, the majority of which are anaerobes. Colonization of the GI tract is important for normal development of the immune system and provides a reservoir of catabolic enzymes that degrade ingested plant polysaccharides. Bacteroides fragilis is an important member of the microbiota because it contributes to T helper cell development, but is also the most frequently isolated Gram-negative anaerobe from clinical infections. During the annotation of the B. fragilis genome sequence, we identified a gene predicted to encode a homolog of the eukaryotic protein modifier, ubiquitin. Previously, ubiquitin had only been found in eukaryotes, indicating the bacterial acquisition as a potential inter-kingdom horizontal gene transfer event. Here we discuss the possible roles of B. fragilis ubiquitin and the implications for health and disease.

Removal of a frameshift between the hsdM and hsdS genes of the EcoKI Type IA DNA restriction and modification system produces a new type of system and links the different families of Type I systems.

The EcoKI DNA methyltransferase is a trimeric protein comprised of two modification subunits (M) and one sequence specificity subunit (S). This enzyme forms the core of the EcoKI restriction/modification (RM) enzyme. The 3' end of the gene encoding the M subunit overlaps by 1 nt the start of the gene for the S subunit. Translation from the two different open reading frames is translationally coupled. Mutagenesis to remove the frameshift and fuse the two subunits together produces a functional RM enzyme in vivo with the same properties as the natural EcoKI system. The fusion protein can be purified and forms an active restriction enzyme upon addition of restriction subunits and of additional M subunit. The Type I RM systems are grouped into families, IA to IE, defined by complementation, hybridization and sequence similarity. The fusion protein forms an evolutionary intermediate form lying between the Type IA family of RM enzymes and the Type IB family of RM enzymes which have the frameshift located at a different part of the gene sequence.

Exploring the DNA mimicry of the Ocr protein of phage T7.

DNA mimic proteins have evolved to control DNA-binding proteins by competing with the target DNA for binding to the protein. The Ocr protein of bacteriophage T7 is the most studied DNA mimic and functions to block the DNA-binding groove of Type I DNA restriction/modification enzymes. This binding prevents the enzyme from cleaving invading phage DNA. Each 116 amino acid monomer of the Ocr dimer has an unusual amino acid composition with 34 negatively charged side chains but only 6 positively charged side chains. Extensive mutagenesis of the charges of Ocr revealed a regression of Ocr activity from wild-type activity to partial activity then to variants inactive in antirestriction but deleterious for cell viability and lastly to totally inactive variants with no deleterious effect on cell viability. Throughout the mutagenesis the Ocr mutant proteins retained their folding. Our results show that the extreme bias in charged amino acids is not necessary for antirestriction activity but that less charged variants can affect cell viability by leading to restriction proficient but modification deficient cell phenotypes.

A unique homologue of the eukaryotic protein-modifier ubiquitin present in the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, a predominant resident of the human gastrointestinal tract.

In the complete genome sequences of Bacteroides fragilis NCTC9343 and 638R, we have discovered a gene, ubb, the product of which has 63 % identity to human ubiquitin and cross-reacts with antibodies raised against bovine ubiquitin. The sequence of ubb is closest in identity (76 %) to the ubiquitin gene from a migratory grasshopper entomopoxvirus, suggesting acquisition by inter-kingdom horizontal gene transfer. We have screened clinical isolates of B. fragilis from diverse geographical regions and found that ubb is present in some, but not all, strains. The gene is transcribed and the mRNA is translated in B. fragilis, but deletion of ubb did not have a detrimental effect on growth. BfUbb has a predicted signal sequence; both full-length and processed forms were detected in whole-cell extracts, while the processed form was found in concentrated culture supernatants. Purified recombinant BfUbb inhibited in vitro ubiquitination and was able to covalently bind the human E1 activating enzyme, suggesting it could act as a suicide substrate in vivo. B. fragilis is one of the predominant members of the normal human gastrointestinal microbiota with estimates of up to >10¹¹ cells per g faeces by culture. These data indicate that the gastro-intestinal tract of some individuals could contain a significant amount of aberrant ubiquitin with the potential to inappropriately activate the host immune system and/or interfere with eukaryotic ubiquitin activity. This discovery could have profound implications in relation to our understanding of human diseases such as inflammatory bowel and autoimmune diseases.

Twenty-eight divergent polysaccharide loci specifying within- and amongst-strain capsule diversity in three strains of Bacteroides fragilis.

Comparison of the complete genome sequence of Bacteroides fragilis 638R, originally isolated in the USA, was made with two previously sequenced strains isolated in the UK (NCTC 9343) and Japan (YCH46). The presence of 10 loci containing genes associated with polysaccharide (PS) biosynthesis, each including a putative Wzx flippase and Wzy polymerase, was confirmed in all three strains, despite a lack of cross-reactivity between NCTC 9343 and 638R surface PS-specific antibodies by immunolabelling and microscopy. Genomic comparisons revealed an exceptional level of PS biosynthesis locus diversity. Of the 10 divergent PS-associated loci apparent in each strain, none is similar between NCTC 9343 and 638R. YCH46 shares one locus with NCTC 9343, confirmed by mAb labelling, and a second different locus with 638R, making a total of 28 divergent PS biosynthesis loci amongst the three strains. The lack of expression of the phase-variable large capsule (LC) in strain 638R, observed in NCTC 9343, is likely to be due to a point mutation that generates a stop codon within a putative initiating glycosyltransferase, necessary for the expression of the LC in NCTC 9343. Other major sequence differences were observed to arise from different numbers and variety of inserted extra-chromosomal elements, in particular prophages. Extensive horizontal gene transfer has occurred within these strains, despite the presence of a significant number of divergent DNA restriction and modification systems that act to prevent acquisition of foreign DNA. The level of amongst-strain diversity in PS biosynthesis loci is unprecedented.

Binding and degradation of fibrinogen by Bacteroides fragilis and characterization of a 54 kDa fibrinogen-binding protein.

Bacteroides fragilis is a bacterium that resides in the normal human gastro-intestinal tract; however, it is also the most commonly isolated Gram-negative obligate anaerobe from human clinical infections, such as intra-abdominal abscesses, and the most common cause of anaerobic bacteraemia. Abscess formation is important in bacterial containment, limiting dissemination of infection and bacteraemia. In this study, we investigated B. fragilis binding and degradation of human fibrinogen, the major structural component involved in fibrin abscess formation. We have shown that B. fragilis NCTC9343 binds human fibrinogen. A putative Bacteroides fragilis fibrinogen-binding protein, designated BF-FBP, identified in the genome sequence of NCTC9343, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant BF-FBP bound primarily to the human fibrinogen Bbeta-chain. In addition, we have identified fibrinogenolytic activity in B. fragilis exponential phase culture supernatants, associated with fibrinogenolytic metalloproteases in NCTC9343 and 638R, and cysteine protease activity in YCH46. All nine clinical isolates of B. fragilis examined degraded human fibrinogen; with eight isolates, initial Aalpha-chain degradation was observed, with varying Bbeta-chain and gamma-chain degradation. With one blood culture isolate, Bbeta-chain and gamma-chain degradation occurred first, followed by subsequent Aalpha-chain degradation. Our data raise the possibility that the fibrinogen-binding protein of B. fragilis, along with a variety of fibrinogenolytic proteases, may be an important virulence factor that facilitates dissemination of infection via reduction or inhibition of abscess formation.

Single-molecule imaging of Bacteroides fragilis AddAB reveals the highly processive translocation of a single motor helicase.

The AddAB helicase and nuclease complex is used for repairing double-strand DNA breaks in the many bacteria that do not possess RecBCD. Here, we show that AddAB, from the Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Bacteroides fragilis, can rescue the ultraviolet sensitivity of an Escherichia coli recBCD mutant and that addAB is required for survival of B. fragilis following DNA damage. Using single-molecule observations we demonstrate that AddAB can translocate along DNA at up to 250 bp per second and can unwind an average of 14,000 bp, with some complexes capable of unwinding 40,000 bp. These results demonstrate the importance of processivity for facilitating encounters with recognition sequences that modify enzyme function during homologous recombination.

The structure of the KlcA and ArdB proteins reveals a novel fold and antirestriction activity against Type I DNA restriction systems in vivo but not in vitro.

Plasmids, conjugative transposons and phage frequently encode anti-restriction proteins to enhance their chances of entering a new bacterial host that is highly likely to contain a Type I DNA restriction and modification (RM) system. The RM system usually destroys the invading DNA. Some of the anti-restriction proteins are DNA mimics and bind to the RM enzyme to prevent it binding to DNA. In this article, we characterize ArdB anti-restriction proteins and their close homologues, the KlcA proteins from a range of mobile genetic elements; including an ArdB encoded on a pathogenicity island from uropathogenic Escherichia coli and a KlcA from an IncP-1b plasmid, pBP136 isolated from Bordetella pertussis. We show that all the ArdB and KlcA act as anti-restriction proteins and inhibit the four main families of Type I RM systems in vivo, but fail to block the restriction endonuclease activity of the archetypal Type I RM enzyme, EcoKI, in vitro indicating that the action of ArdB is indirect and very different from that of the DNA mimics. We also present the structure determined by NMR spectroscopy of the pBP136 KlcA protein. The structure shows a novel protein fold and it is clearly not a DNA structural mimic.

Extensive DNA mimicry by the ArdA anti-restriction protein and its role in the spread of antibiotic resistance.

The ardA gene, found in many prokaryotes including important pathogenic species, allows associated mobile genetic elements to evade the ubiquitous Type I DNA restriction systems and thereby assist the spread of resistance genes in bacterial populations. As such, ardA contributes to a major healthcare problem. We have solved the structure of the ArdA protein from the conjugative transposon Tn916 and find that it has a novel extremely elongated curved cylindrical structure with defined helical grooves. The high density of aspartate and glutamate residues on the surface follow a helical pattern and the whole protein mimics a 42-base pair stretch of B-form DNA making ArdA by far the largest DNA mimic known. Each monomer of this dimeric structure comprises three alpha-beta domains, each with a different fold. These domains have the same fold as previously determined proteins possessing entirely different functions. This DNA mimicry explains how ArdA can bind and inhibit the Type I restriction enzymes and we demonstrate that 6 different ardA from pathogenic bacteria can function in Escherichia coli hosting a range of different Type I restriction systems.

Mutational analysis of genes implicated in LPS and capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis in the opportunistic pathogen Bacteroides fragilis.

The obligate anaerobe Bacteroides fragilis is a normal resident of the human gastrointestinal tract. The clinically derived B. fragilis strain NCTC 9343 produces an extensive array of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), including antigenically distinct large, small and micro- capsules. The genome of NCTC 9343 encodes multiple gene clusters potentially involved in the biosynthesis of EPS, eight of which are implicated in production of the antigenically variable micro-capsule. We have developed a rapid and robust method for generating marked and markerless deletions, together with efficient electroporation using unmodified plasmid DNA to enable complementation of mutations. We show that deletion of a putative wzz homologue prevents production of high-molecular-mass polysaccharides (HMMPS), which form the micro-capsule. This observation suggests that micro-capsule HMMPS constitute the distal component of LPS in B. fragilis. The long chain length of this polysaccharide is strikingly different from classical enteric O-antigen, which consists of short-chain polysaccharides. We also demonstrate that deletion of a putative wbaP homologue prevents expression of the phase-variable large capsule and that expression can be restored by complementation. This suggests that synthesis of the large capsule is mechanistically equivalent to production of Escherichia coli group 1 and 4 capsules.

The Orf18 gene product from conjugative transposon Tn916 is an ArdA antirestriction protein that inhibits type I DNA restriction-modification systems.

Gene orf18, which is situated within the intercellular transposition region of the conjugative transposon Tn916 from the bacterial pathogen Enterococcus faecalis, encodes a putative ArdA (alleviation of restriction of DNA A) protein. Conjugative transposons are generally resistant to DNA restriction upon transfer to a new host. ArdA from Tn916 may be responsible for the apparent immunity of the transposon to DNA restriction and modification (R/M) systems and for ensuring that the transposon has a broad host range. The orf18 gene was engineered for overexpression in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant ArdA protein was purified to homogeneity. The protein appears to exist as a dimer at nanomolar concentrations but can form larger assemblies at micromolar concentrations. R/M assays revealed that ArdA can efficiently inhibit R/M by all four major classes of Type I R/M enzymes both in vivo and in vitro. These R/M systems are present in over 50% of sequenced prokaryotic genomes. Our results suggest that ArdA can overcome the restriction barrier following conjugation and so helps increase the spread of antibiotic resistance genes by horizontal gene transfer.

Control of the endonuclease activity of type I restriction-modification systems is required to maintain chromosome integrity following homologous recombination.

A type I restriction-modification enzyme will bind to an unmethylated target sequence in DNA and, while still bound to the target, translocate DNA through the protein complex in both directions. DNA breakage occurs when two translocating complexes collide. However, if type I restriction-modification systems bind to unmodified target sequences within the resident bacterial chromosome, as opposed to incoming 'foreign' DNA, their activity is curtailed; a process known as restriction alleviation (RA). We have identified two genes in Escherichia coli, rnhA and recG, mutations in which lead to the alleviation of restriction. Induction of RA in response to these mutations is consistent with the production of unmodified target sequences following DNA synthesis associated with both homologous recombination and R-loop formation. This implies that a normal function of RA is to protect the bacterial chromosome when recombination generates unmodified products. For EcoKI, our experiments demonstrate the contribution of two pathways that serve to protect unmodified DNA in the bacterial chromosome: the primary pathway in which ClpXP degrades the restriction endonuclease and a mechanism dependent on the lar gene within Rac, a resident, defective prophage of E. coli K-12. Previously, the potential of the second pathway has only been demonstrated when expression of lar has been elevated. Our data identify the effect of lar from the repressed prophage.

Smarter than the average phage.

The seventh cholera pandemic emerged in the poorer nations of the world towards the end of the 20th century and continues to kill thousands of people per year. The causative agent of cholera, the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholera, is only pathogenic when it contains a lysogenic bacteriophage, CTXphi, that encodes the toxin responsible for inducing massive fluid loss from the human host. Site-specific integration of CTXphi into chromosome I of V. cholera occurs at a site, dif, that is normally required for resolution of chromosome dimers generated by homologous recombination. An article in this issue of Molecular Microbiology reports the analysis of interactions between two host encoded recombinases, XerC and XerD, and the recombination sites involved in lysogeny. Surprisingly, recombination between the CTXphi attP site and the chromosomal dif site requires additional recombinase binding sites, downstream from the positions of strand exchange, which might play an architectural role. The positions of strand cleavage also differ significantly between the two sites, suggesting a novel recombination mechanism that implicates additional host factors in resolution of the Holliday junction intermediate.

Is modification sufficient to protect a bacterial chromosome from a resident restriction endonuclease?

It has been generally accepted that DNA modification protects the chromosome of a bacterium encoding a restriction and modification system. But, when target sequences within the chromosome of one such bacterium (Escherichia coli K-12) are unmodified, the cell does not destroy its own DNA; instead, ClpXP inactivates the nuclease, and restriction is said to be alleviated. Thus, the resident chromosome is recognized as 'self' rather than 'foreign' even in the absence of modification. We now provide evidence that restriction alleviation may be a characteristic of Type I restriction-modification systems, and that it can be achieved by different mechanisms. Our experiments support disassembly of active endonuclease complexes as a potential mechanism. We identify amino acid substitutions in a restriction endonuclease, which impair restriction alleviation in response to treatment with a mutagen, and demonstrate that restriction alleviation serves to protect the chromosome even in the absence of mutagenic treatment. In the absence of efficient restriction alleviation, a Type I restriction enzyme cleaves host DNA and, under these conditions, homologous recombination maintains the integrity of the bacterial chromosome.

Coupling the initiation of chromosome replication to cell size in Escherichia coli.

Bacterial cells change size dramatically with change in growth rate, but the ratio between cell volume and the number of copies of the origin of chromosome replication (oriC) is roughly constant at the time of initiation of DNA replication at almost all growth rates. Recent research on the inactivation of initiator protein (DnaA) and depletion of DnaA pools by the high-affinity DnaA-binding locus datA allows us to propose a simple model to explain the long-standing question of how Escherichia coli couples DNA replication to cell size.