Resolution effects in reconstructing ancestral genomes

Background

The reconstruction of ancestral genomes must deal with the problem of resolution, necessarily involving a trade-off between trying to identify genomic details and being overwhelmed by noise at higher resolutions.

Results

We use the median reconstruction at the synteny block level, of the ancestral genome of the order Gentianales, based on coffee, Rhazya stricta and grape, to exemplify the effects of resolution (granularity) on comparative genomic analyses.

Conclusions

We show how decreased resolution blurs the differences between evolving genomes, with respect to rate, mutational process and other characteristics.

     

The role of laterally transferred genes in adaptive evolution

Background

Bacterial genomes develop new mechanisms to tide them over the imposing conditions they encounter during the course of their evolution. Acquisition of new genes by lateral gene transfer may be one of the dominant ways of adaptation in bacterial genome evolution. Lateral gene transfer provides the bacterial genome with a new set of genes that help it to explore and adapt to new ecological niches.

Methods

A maximum likelihood analysis was done on the five sequenced corynebacterial genomes to model the rates of gene insertions/deletions at various depths of the phylogeny.

Results

The study shows that most of the laterally acquired genes are transient and the inferred rates of gene movement are higher on the external branches of the phylogeny and decrease as the phylogenetic depth increases. The newly acquired genes are under relaxed selection and evolve faster than their older counterparts. Analysis of some of the functionally characterised LGTs in each species has indicated that they may have a possible adaptive role.

Conclusion

The five Corynebacterial genomes sequenced to date have evolved by acquiring between 8 – 14% of their genomes by LGT and some of these genes may have a role in adaptation.

     

Genetic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> in gut microbiota of patients with Crohn’s disease discovered using metagenomic and genomic analyses

Background

Crohn’s disease is associated with gut dysbiosis. Independent studies have shown an increase in the abundance of certain bacterial species, particularly Escherichia coli with the adherent-invasive pathotype, in the gut. The role of these species in this disease needs to be elucidated.

Methods

We performed a metagenomic study investigating the gut microbiota of patients with Crohn’s disease. A metagenomic reconstruction of the consensus genome content of the species was used to assess the genetic variability.

Results

The abnormal shifts in the microbial community structures in Crohn’s disease were heterogeneous among the patients. The metagenomic data suggested the existence of multiple E. coli strains within individual patients. We discovered that the genetic diversity of the species was high and that only a few samples manifested similarity to the adherent-invasive varieties. The other species demonstrated genetic diversity comparable to that observed in the healthy subjects. Our results were supported by a comparison of the sequenced genomes of isolates from the same microbiota samples and a meta-analysis of published gut metagenomes.

Conclusions

The genomic diversity of Crohn’s disease-associated E. coli within and among the patients paves the way towards an understanding of the microbial mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of the Crohn’s disease and the development of new strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

     

Intra-epidemic genome variation in highly pathogenic African swine fever virus (ASFV) from the country of Georgia

Background

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes an acute hemorrhagic infection in suids with a mortality rate of up to 100%. No vaccine is available and the potential for catastrophic disease in Europe remains elevated due to the ongoing ASF epidemic in Russia and Baltic countries. To date, intra-epidemic whole-genome variation for ASFV has not been reported. To provide a more comprehensive baseline for genetic variation early in the ASF outbreak, we sequenced two Georgian ASFV samples, G-2008/1 and G-2008/2, derived from domestic porcine blood collected in 2008.

Methods

Genomic DNA was extracted directly from low-volume ASFV PCR-positive porcine blood samples and subjected to next generation sequencing on the Illumina Miseq platform. De novo and mapped sequence assemblies were performed using CLCBio software. Genomic illustrations, sequence alignments and assembly figures were generated using Geneious v10.2.4. Sequence repeat architecture was analyzed using DNASTAR GeneQuest 14.1.0.

Results

The G-2008/1 and G-2008/2 genomes were distinguished from each other by coding changes in seven genes, including MGF 110-1?L, X69R, MGF 505-10R, EP364R, H233R, E199L, and MGF 360-21R in addition to eight homopolymer tract variations. The 2008/2 genome possessed a novel allele state at a previously undescribed intergenic repeat locus between genes C315R and C147L. The C315R/C147L locus represents the earliest observed variable repeat sequence polymorphism reported among isolates from this epidemic. No sequence variation was observed in conventional ASFV subtyping markers. The two genomes exhibited complete collinearity and identical gene content with the Georgia 2007/1 reference genome. Approximately 56 unique homopolymer A/T-tract variations were identified that were unique to the Georgia 2007/1 genome. In both 2008 genomes, within-sample sequence read heterogeneity was evident at six homopolymeric G/C-tracts confined to the known hypervariable ~?7?kb region in the left terminal region of the genome.

Conclusions

This is the first intra-epidemic comparative genomic analysis reported for ASFV and provides insight into the intra-epidemic microevolution of ASFV. The genomes reported here, in addition to the G-2007/1 genome, provide an early baseline for future genome-level comparisons and epidemiological tracing efforts.

     

Rapid divergence of codon usage patterns within the rice genome

Background

Synonymous codon usage varies widely between genomes, and also between genes within genomes. Although there is now a large body of data on variations in codon usage, it is still not clear if the observed patterns reflect the effects of positive Darwinian selection acting at the level of translational efficiency or whether these patterns are due simply to the effects of mutational bias. In this study, we have included both intra-genomic and inter-genomic comparisons of codon usage. This allows us to distinguish more efficiently between the effects of nucleotide bias and translational selection.

Results

We show that there is an extreme degree of heterogeneity in codon usage patterns within the rice genome, and that this heterogeneity is highly correlated with differences in nucleotide content (particularly GC content) between the genes. In contrast to the situation observed within the rice genome, Arabidopsis genes show relatively little variation in both codon usage and nucleotide content. By exploiting a combination of intra-genomic and inter-genomic comparisons, we provide evidence that the differences in codon usage among the rice genes reflect a relatively rapid evolutionary increase in the GC content of some rice genes. We also noted that the degree of codon bias was negatively correlated with gene length.

Conclusion

Our results show that mutational bias can cause a dramatic evolutionary divergence in codon usage patterns within a period of approximately two hundred million years.The heterogeneity of codon usage patterns within the rice genome can be explained by a balance between genome-wide mutational biases and negative selection against these biased mutations. The strength of the negative selection is proportional to the length of the coding sequences. Our results indicate that the large variations in synonymous codon usage are not related to selection acting on the translational efficiency of synonymous codons.

     

Evidences showing wide presence of small genomic aberrations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Background

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in the western population. Although genetic factors are considered to contribute to CLL etiology, at present genomic aberrations identified in CLL are limited compared with those identified in other types of leukemia, which raises the question of the degree of genetic influence on CLL. We performed a high-resolution genome scanning study to address this issue.

Findings

Using the restriction paired-end-based Ditag Genome Scanning technique, we analyzed three primary CLL samples at a kilobase resolution, and further validated the results in eight primary CLL samples including the two used for ditag collection. From 51,632 paired-end tags commonly detected in the three CLL samples representing 5% of the HindIII restriction fragments in the genomes, we identified 230 paired-end tags that were present in all three CLL genomes but not in multiple normal human genome reference sequences. Mapping the full-length sequences of the fragments detected by these unmapped tags in seven additional CLL samples confirmed that these are the genomic aberrations caused by small insertions and deletions, and base changes spreading across coding and non-coding regions.

Conclusions

Our study identified hundreds of loci with insertion, deletion, base change, and restriction site polymorphism present in both coding and non-coding regions in CLL genomes, indicating the wide presence of small genomic aberrations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Our study supports the use of a whole genome sequencing approach for comprehensively decoding the CLL genome for better understanding of the genetic defects in CLL.

     

MicroRNA-190b confers radio-sensitivity through negative regulation of Bcl-2 in gastric cancer cells

Objectives

To determine the role of miR-190b in radio-sensitivity of gastric cancer (GC).

Results

In radio-resistant GC cells, down-regulation of miR-190b and up-regulation of Bcl-2 were observed. The protein expression of Bcl-2 was negatively regulated by miR-190b. Overexpression of miR-190b significantly decreased cell viability and enhanced radio-sensitivity of GC cells. Of note, these effects of miR-190b on GC cells radio-sensitivity were abolished by Bcl-2.

Conclusion

miR-190b confers radio-sensitivity of GC cells, possibly via negative regulation of Bcl-2.

     

Harnessing Whole Genome Sequencing in Medical Mycology

Purpose of Review

Comparative genome sequencing studies of human fungal pathogens enable identification of genes and variants associated with virulence and drug resistance. This review describes current approaches, resources, and advances in applying whole genome sequencing to study clinically important fungal pathogens.

Recent Findings

Genomes for some important fungal pathogens were only recently assembled, revealing gene family expansions in many species and extreme gene loss in one obligate species. The scale and scope of species sequenced is rapidly expanding, leveraging technological advances to assemble and annotate genomes with higher precision. By using iteratively improved reference assemblies or those generated de novo for new species, recent studies have compared the sequence of isolates representing populations or clinical cohorts. Whole genome approaches provide the resolution necessary for comparison of closely related isolates, for example, in the analysis of outbreaks or sampled across time within a single host.

Summary

Genomic analysis of fungal pathogens has enabled both basic research and diagnostic studies. The increased scale of sequencing can be applied across populations, and new metagenomic methods allow direct analysis of complex samples.

     

Optimization of fecal sample preparation for untargeted LC-HRMS based metabolomics

Introduction

Collecting feces is easy. It offers direct outcome to endogenous and microbial metabolites.

Objectives

In a context of lack of consensus about fecal sample preparation, especially in animal species, we developed a robust protocol allowing untargeted LC-HRMS fingerprinting.

Methods

The conditions of extraction (quantity, preparation, solvents, dilutions) were investigated in bovine feces.

Results

A rapid and simple protocol involving feces extraction with methanol (1/3, M/V) followed by centrifugation and a step filtration (10 kDa) was developed.

Conclusion

The workflow generated repeatable and informative fingerprints for robust metabolome characterization.

     

Plant growth-promoting bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> FR1 secrets a novel type of extracellular polyhydroxybutyrate polymerase involved in abiotic stress response in plants

Objectives

Identification of novel microbial factors contributing to plant protection against abiotic stress.

Results

The genome of plant growth-promoting bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens FR1 contains a short mobile element encoding a novel type of extracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymerase (PhbC) associated with a type I secretion system. Genetic analysis using a phbC mutant strain and plants showed that this novel extracellular enzyme is related to the PHB production in planta and suggests that PHB could be a beneficial microbial compound synthesized during plant adaptation to cold stress.

Conclusion

Extracellular PhbC can be used as a new tool for improve crop production under abiotic stress.

     

Pseudo current density maps of electrophysiological heart,nerve or brain function and their physical basis

Background

In recent years the visualization of biomagnetic measurement data by so-called pseudo current density maps or Hosaka-Cohen (HC) transformations became popular.

Methods

The physical basis of these intuitive maps is clarified by means of analytically solvable problems.

Results

Examples in magnetocardiography, magnetoencephalography and magnetoneurography demonstrate the usefulness of this method.

Conclusion

Hardware realizations of the HC-transformation and some similar transformations are discussed which could advantageously support cross-platform comparability of biomagnetic measurements.

     

Analysis of two large functionally uncharacterized regions in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Methanopyrus kandleri</Emphasis> AV19 genome

Background

For most sequenced prokaryotic genomes, about a third of the protein coding genes annotated are "orphan proteins", that is, they lack homology to known proteins. These hypothetical genes are typically short and randomly scattered throughout the genome. This trend is seen for most of the bacterial and archaeal genomes published to date.

Results

In contrast we have found that a large fraction of the genes coding for such orphan proteins in the Methanopyrus kandleri AV19 genome occur within two large regions. These genes have no known homologs except from other M. kandleri genes. However, analysis of their lengths, codon usage, and Ribosomal Binding Site (RBS) sequences shows that they are most likely true protein coding genes and not random open reading frames.

Conclusions

Although these regions can be considered as candidates for massive lateral gene transfer, our bioinformatics analysis suggests that this is not the case. We predict many of the organism specific proteins to be transmembrane and belong to protein families that are non-randomly distributed between the regions. Consistent with this, we suggest that the two regions are most likely unrelated, and that they may be integrated plasmids.

     

CLAME: a new alignment-based binning algorithm allows the genomic description of a novel Xanthomonadaceae from the Colombian Andes

Background

Hot spring bacteria have unique biological adaptations to survive the extreme conditions of these environments; these bacteria produce thermostable enzymes that can be used in biotechnological and industrial applications. However, sequencing these bacteria is complex, since it is not possible to culture them. As an alternative, genome shotgun sequencing of whole microbial communities can be used. The problem is that the classification of sequences within a metagenomic dataset is very challenging particularly when they include unknown microorganisms since they lack genomic reference. We failed to recover a bacterium genome from a hot spring metagenome using the available software tools, so we develop a new tool that allowed us to recover most of this genome.

Results

We present a proteobacteria draft genome reconstructed from a Colombian’s Andes hot spring metagenome. The genome seems to be from a new lineage within the family Rhodanobacteraceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria, closely related to the genus Dokdonella. We were able to generate this genome thanks to CLAME. CLAME, from Spanish “CLAsificador MEtagenomico”, is a tool to group reads in bins. We show that most reads from each bin belong to a single chromosome. CLAME is very effective recovering most of the reads belonging to the predominant species within a metagenome.

Conclusions

We developed a tool that can be used to extract genomes (or parts of them) from a complex metagenome.

     

Pysim-sv: a package for simulating structural variation data with GC-biases

Background

Structural variations (SVs) are wide-spread in human genomes and may have important implications in disease-related and evolutionary studies. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has become a major platform for SV detection and simulation serves as a powerful and cost-effective approach for benchmarking SV detection algorithms. Accurate performance assessment by simulation requires the simulator capable of generating simulation data with all important features of real data, such GC biases in HTS data and various complexities in tumor data. However, no available package has systematically addressed all issues in data simulation for SV benchmarking.

Results

Pysim-sv is a package for simulating HTS data to evaluate performance of SV detection algorithms. Pysim-sv can introduce a wide spectrum of germline and somatic genomic variations. The package contains functionalities to simulate tumor data with aneuploidy and heterogeneous subclones, which is very useful in assessing algorithm performance in tumor studies. Furthermore, Pysim-sv can introduce GC-bias, the most important and prevalent bias in HTS data, in the simulated HTS data.

Conclusions

Pysim-sv provides an unbiased toolkit for evaluating HTS-based SV detection algorithms.

     

Mechanisms of genome instability in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria

Background

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a devastating premature aging disorder. It arises from a single point mutation in the LMNA gene. This mutation stimulates an aberrant splicing event and produces progerin, an isoform of the lamin A protein. Accumulation of progerin disrupts numerous physiological pathways and induces defects in nuclear architecture, gene expression, histone modification, cell cycle regulation, mitochondrial functionality, genome integrity and much more.

Objective

Among these phenotypes, genomic instability is tightly associated with physiological aging and considered a main contributor to the premature aging phenotypes. However, our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of progerin-caused genome instability is far from clear.

Results and Conclusion

In this review, we summarize some of the recent findings and discuss potential mechanisms through which, progerin affects DNA damage repair and leads to genome integrity.

     

Analysis of chicken anemia virus genome: evidence of intersubtype recombination

Background

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is the causative agent of chicken infectious anemia. CAV putative intergenotypic recombinants have been reported previously. This fact is based on the previous classification of CAV sequences into three genotypes. However, it is unknown whether intersubtype recombination occurs between the recently reported four CAV genotypes and five subtypes of genome sequences.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis, together with a variety of computational recombination detection algorithms, was used to investigate CAV approximately full genomes. Statistically significant evidence of intersubtype recombination was detected in the parent-like and two putative CAV recombinant sequences. This event was shown to occur between CAV subgroup A1 and A2 sequences in the phylogenetic trees.

Conclusions

We revealed that intersubtype recombination in CAV genome sequences played a role in generating genetic diversity within the natural population of CAV.

     

KniMet: a pipeline for the processing of chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolomics data

Introduction

Data processing is one of the biggest problems in metabolomics, given the high number of samples analyzed and the need of multiple software packages for each step of the processing workflow.

Objectives

Merge in the same platform the steps required for metabolomics data processing.

Methods

KniMet is a workflow for the processing of mass spectrometry-metabolomics data based on the KNIME Analytics platform.

Results

The approach includes key steps to follow in metabolomics data processing: feature filtering, missing value imputation, normalization, batch correction and annotation.

Conclusion

KniMet provides the user with a local, modular and customizable workflow for the processing of both GC–MS and LC–MS open profiling data.