Comparative sequence analysis of the symbiosis island of Mesorhizobium loti strain R7A

The Mesorhizobium loti strain R7A symbiosis island is a 502-kb chromosomally integrated element which transfers to nonsymbiotic mesorhizobia in the environment, converting them to Lotus symbionts. It integrates into a phenylalanine tRNA gene in a process mediated by a P4-type integrase encoded at the left end of the element. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the island and compared its deduced genetic complement with that reported for the 611-kb putative symbiosis island of M. loti strain MAFF303099. The two islands share 248 kb of DNA, with multiple deletions and insertions of up to 168 kb interrupting highly conserved colinear DNA regions in the two strains. The shared DNA regions contain all the genes likely to be required for Nod factor synthesis, nitrogen fixation, and island transfer. Transfer genes include a trb operon and a cluster of potential tra genes which are also present on the strain MAFF303099 plasmid pMLb. The island lacks plasmid replication genes, suggesting that it is a site-specific conjugative transposon. The R7A island encodes a type IV secretion system with strong similarity to the vir pilus from Agrobacterium tumefaciens that is deleted from MAFF303099, which in turn encodes a type III secretion system not found on the R7A island. The 414 genes on the R7A island also include putative regulatory genes, transport genes, and an array of metabolic genes. Most of the unique hypothetical genes on the R7A island are strain-specific and clustered, suggesting that they may represent other acquired genetic elements rather than symbiotically relevant DNA.     

Complete genomic sequence of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of a symbiotic bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 was determined. The genome of B. japonicum was a single circular chromosome 9,105,828 bp in length with an average GC content of 64.1%. No plasmid was detected. The chromosome comprises 8317 potential protein-coding genes, one set of rRNA genes and 50 tRNA genes. Fifty-two percent of the potential protein genes showed sequence similarity to genes of known function and 30% to hypothetical genes. The remaining 18% had no apparent similarity to reported genes. Thirty-four percent of the B. japonicum genes showed significant sequence similarity to those of both Mesorhizobium loti and Sinorhizobium meliloti, while 23% were unique to this species. A presumptive symbiosis island 681 kb in length, which includes a 410-kb symbiotic region previously reported by G?ttfert et al., was identified. Six hundred fifty-five putative protein-coding genes were assigned in this region, and the functions of 301 genes, including those related to symbiotic nitrogen fixation and DNA transmission, were deduced. A total of 167 genes for transposases/104 copies of insertion sequences were identified in the genome. It was remarkable that 100 out of 167 transposase genes are located in the presumptive symbiotic island. DNA segments of 4 to 97 kb inserted into tRNA genes were found at 14 locations in the genome, which generates partial duplication of the target tRNA genes. These observations suggest plasticity of the B. japonicum genome, which is probably due to complex genome rearrangements such as horizontal transfer and insertion of various DNA elements, and to homologous recombination.     

Burkholderia species are ancient symbionts of legumes

Burkholderia has only recently been recognized as a potential nitrogen-fixing symbiont of legumes, but we find that the origins of symbiosis in Burkholderia are much deeper than previously suspected. We sampled 143 symbionts from 47 native species of Mimosa across 1800 km in central Brazil and found that 98% were Burkholderia . Gene sequences defined seven distinct and divergent species complexes within the genus Burkholderia . The symbiosis-related genes formed deep Burkholderia -specific clades, each specific to a species complex, implying that these genes diverged over a long period within Burkholderia without substantial horizontal gene transfer between species complexes.     

Comparison of the evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic and housekeeping loci: a case for the genetic coherence of rhizobial lineages

In prokaryotes, lateral gene transfer across chromosomal lineages may be mediated by plasmids, phages, transposable elements, and other accessory DNA elements. However, the importance of such transfer and the evolutionary forces that may restrict gene exchange remain largely unexplored in native settings. In this study, tests of phylogenetic congruence are employed to explore the range of horizontal transfer of symbiotic (sym) loci among distinct chromosomal lineages of native rhizobia, the nitrogen-fixing symbiont of legumes. Rhizobial strains isolated from nodules of several host plant genera were sequenced at three loci: symbiotic nodulation genes (nodB and nodC), the chromosomal housekeeping locus glutamine synthetase II (GSII), and a portion of the 16S rRNA gene. Molecular phylogenetic analysis shows that each locus generally subdivides strains into the same major groups, which correspond to the genera Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, and Mesorhizobium. This broad phylogenetic congruence indicates a lack of lateral transfer across major chromosomal subdivisions, and it contrasts with previous studies of agricultural populations showing broad transfer of sym loci across divergent chromosomal lineages. A general correspondence of the three rhizobial genera with major legume groups suggests that host plant associations may be important in the differentiation of rhizobial nod and chromosomal loci and may restrict lateral transfer among strains. The second major result is a significant incongruence of nod and GSII phylogenies within rhizobial subdivisions, which strongly suggests horizontal transfer of nod genes among congenerics. This combined evidence for lateral gene transfer within, but not between, genetic subdivisions supports the view that rhizobial genera are "reproductively isolated" and diverge independently. Differences across rhizobial genera in the specificity of host associations imply that the evolutionary dynamics of the symbiosis vary considerably across lineages in native settings.      

Diverse roles of the GlcP glucose permease in free-living and symbiotic cyanobacteria

Certain cyanobacteria can form symbiotic associations with plants, where the symbiont supplies the plant partner with nitrogen and in return obtains sugars. We recently showed that in the symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme, a glucose specific permease, GlcP, is necessary for the symbiosis to be formed. Results presented here from growth yield measurements of mutant strains with inactivated or overexpressing sugar transporters suggest that GlcP could be induced by a symbiosis specific substance. We also discuss that the transporter may have a role other than nutritional once the symbiosis is established, i.e., during infection, and more specifically in the chemotaxis of the symbiont. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the distribution of GlcP among cyanobacteria is likely influenced by horizontal gene transfer, but also that it is not correlated with symbiotic competence. Instead, regulatory patterns of the transporter in Nostoc punctiforme likely constitute symbiosis specific adaptations.     

Targeting modular polyketide synthases with iteratively acting acyltransferases from metagenomes of uncultured bacterial consortia

Bacterial type I polyketide synthases (PKSs) produce a wide range of biomedically important secondary metabolites. These enzymes possess a modular structure that can be genetically re-engineered to yield novel drug candidates not found in nature. Recently, we have reported the putative pederin PKS from an uncultured bacterial symbiont of Paederus fuscipes beetles. It belongs to an architecturally unusual PKS group, the members of which contain iteratively acting acyltransferases that are not integrated into the PKS modules but are encoded by isolated genes. As these systems are rare, often contain additional unusual features and are of smaller size than regular PKSs, the development of a method for the targeted isolation of new group members would be of great interest. Here, we present a phylogenetic approach to identify these systems rapidly in highly complex metagenomic DNA samples. To demonstrate its practical value, we located two pederin-type PKS systems putatively involved in the biosynthesis of antitumour polyketides in the metagenomic DNA of beetles, sponges and their uncultivated bacterial symbionts.     

Excision and transfer of the Mesorhizobium loti R7A symbiosis island requires an integrase IntS, a novel recombination directionality factor RdfS, and a putative relaxase RlxS

The Mesorhizobium loti strain R7A symbiosis island is an Integrative Conjugative Element (ICE), herein termed ICEMlSymR7A, which integrates into a phetRNA gene. Integration reconstructs the phetRNA gene at one junction with the core chromosome, and a direct repeat of the 3-prime 17 bp of the gene is formed at the other junction. We show that the ICEMlSymR7AintS gene, which encodes an integrase of the phage P4 family, is required for integration and excision of the island. Excision also depended on a novel recombination directionality factor encoded by msi109 (rdfS). Constitutive expression of rdfS resulted in curing of ICEMlSymR7A. The rdfS gene is part of an operon with genes required for conjugative transfer, allowing co-ordinate regulation of ICEMlSymR7A excision and transfer. The excised form of ICEMlSymR7A was detectable during exponential growth but occurred at higher frequency during stationary phase. ICEMlSymR7A encodes homologues of the traR and traI genes of Agrobacterium tumefaciens that regulate Ti plasmid transfer via quorum sensing. The presence of a plasmid with cloned island traR traI2 genes resulted in excision of ICEMlSymR7A in all cells regardless of culture density, indicating that excision may be similarly regulated. Maintenance of ICEMlSymR7A in these cells depended on msi106 (rlxS) that encodes a putative relaxase. Transfer of the island to non-symbiotic mesorhizobia required intS, rlxS and rdfS. The rdfS and rlxS genes are conserved across a diverse range of alpha-, beta- and gamma-proteobacteria and identify a large family of genomic islands with a common transfer mechanism.     

Identification and analysis of four candidate symbiosis genes from 'Chlorochromatium aggregatum', a highly developed bacterial symbiosis

The consortium 'Chlorochromatium aggregatum' currently represents the most highly developed interspecific association between prokaryotes. It consists of green sulfur bacteria, so-called epibionts, which surround a central, motile, chemotrophic bacterium. Four putative symbiosis genes of the epibiont were recovered by suppression subtractive hybridization and bioinformatics approaches. These genes are transcribed constitutively and do not occur in the free-living relatives of the epibiont. The haemagglutinin-like putative gene products of open reading frames (ORFs) Cag0614 and Cag0616 are unusually large and contain repetitive regions and RGD tripeptides. Cag0616 harbours two betagamma-crystalline Greek key motifs. Cag1920 codes for a putative haemolysin whereas the gene product of Cag1919 is a putative RTX-like protein. Based on detailed analyses of Cag1919, the C-terminal amino acid sequence comprises six repetitions of the motif GGXGXD predicted to form a Ca(2+)-binding beta roll. Intact 'C. aggregatum' consortia disaggregated upon the addition of EGTA or pyrophosphate, but stayed intact in the presence of various lectine-binding sugars or proteolytic enzymes. Unlike other RTX toxins, a gene product of Cag1919 could not be detected by (45)Ca(2+) autoradiography, indicating a low abundance of the corresponding protein in the cells. The RTX-type C-terminus coded by Cag1919 exhibited a significant similarity to RTX modules of various proteobacterial proteins, suggesting that this putative symbiosis gene has been acquired via horizontal gene transfer from a proteobacterium.     

Characterization of a highly conserved island in the otherwise divergent Bordetella holmesii and Bordetella pertussis genomes

The recently discovered pathogen Bordetella holmesii has been isolated from the airways and blood of diseased humans. Genetic events contributing to the emergence of B. holmesii are not understood, and its phylogenetic position among the bordetellae remains unclear. To address these questions, B. holmesii strains were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to a Bordetella pertussis microarray and by multilocus sequence typing. Both methods indicated substantial sequence divergence between B. pertussis and B. holmesii. However, CGH identified a putative pathogenicity island of 66 kb that is highly conserved between these species and contains several IS481 elements that may have been laterally transferred from B. pertussis to B. holmesii. This island contains, among other genes, a functional, iron-regulated locus encoding the biosynthesis, export, and uptake of the siderophore alcaligin. The acquisition of this genomic island by B. holmesii may have significantly contributed to its emergence as a human pathogen. Horizontal gene transfer between B. pertussis and B. holmesii may also explain the unusually high sequence identity of their 16S rRNA genes.     

Complex evolutionary history of the Aeromonas veronii group revealed by host interaction and DNA sequence data

Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria, Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii, and Aeromonas allosaccharophila are a closely related group of organisms, the Aeromonas veronii Group, that inhabit a wide range of host animals as a symbiont or pathogen. In this study, the ability of various strains to colonize the medicinal leech as a model for beneficial symbiosis and to kill wax worm larvae as a model for virulence was determined. Isolates cultured from the leech out-competed other strains in the leech model, while most strains were virulent in the wax worms. Three housekeeping genes, recA, dnaJ and gyrB, the gene encoding chitinase, chiA, and four loci associated with the type three secretion system, ascV, ascFG, aexT, and aexU were sequenced. The phylogenetic reconstruction failed to produce one consensus tree that was compatible with most of the individual genes. The Approximately Unbiased test and the Genetic Algorithm for Recombination Detection both provided further support for differing evolutionary histories among this group of genes. Two contrasting tests detected recombination within aexU, ascFG, ascV, dnaJ, and gyrB but not in aexT or chiA. Quartet decomposition analysis indicated a complex recent evolutionary history for these strains with a high frequency of horizontal gene transfer between several but not among all strains. In this study we demonstrate that at least for some strains, horizontal gene transfer occurs at a sufficient frequency to blur the signal from vertically inherited genes, despite strains being adapted to distinct niches. Simply increasing the number of genes included in the analysis is unlikely to overcome this challenge in organisms that occupy multiple niches and can exchange DNA between strains specialized to different niches. Instead, the detection of genes critical in the adaptation to specific niches may help to reveal the physiological specialization of these strains.     

Molecular and functional analysis indicates a mosaic structure of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2

Two large virulence loci encoding type III secretion systems are present on the chromosome of Salmonella typhimurium. Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) is important for the survival of S. typhimurium in host organs and forms an insertion of about 40 kb at the tRNA(Val) gene. However, several indications suggested that SPI2 was not the result of a single event of horizontal gene transfer. We characterized the portion of SPI2 towards the 30 cs boundary and performed mutational analysis to investigate the contribution of this region to S. enterica virulence. This analysis indicates that SPI2 may be composed of at least two different genetic elements. About 15 kb of the 40 kb of SPI2 contain genes without a significant contribution to systemic infections in the model of murine salmonellosis. Our study allowed us to define genes in SPI2 important for virulence further and indicated that this locus has a complex mosaic structure.     

Molecular mechanisms of Nod factor diversity

The rhizobia–legume symbiosis is highly specific. Major host specificity determinants are the bacterial Nod factor signals that trigger the nodulation programme in a compatible host. Nod factors are lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) varying in the oligosaccharide chain length, the nature of the fatty acids and substitutions on the oligosaccharide. The nod genotype of rhizobia, which forms the genetic basis for this structural variety, includes a set of nodulation genes encoding the enzymes that synthesize LCOs. Allelic and non-allelic variation in these genes ensures the synthesis of different LCO structures by the different rhizobia. The nod genotypes co-evolved with host plant divergence in contrast to the rhizobia, which followed a different evolution. Horizontal gene transfer probably played an important role during evolution of symbiosis. The nod genotypes are particularly well equipped for horizontal gene transfer because of their location on transmissible plasmids and/or on 'symbiosis islands', which are symbiotic regions associated with movable elements.     

真菌与植物共生机制研究进展

真菌与植物共生是一种非常普遍、复杂和重要的生物学现象。真菌与植物共生部位、共生类型和共生结构的多样性,以及参入共生的真菌和植物多样性奠定真菌与植物共生的生物学基础。真菌与植物首先通过分子"对话"的生化机制相互识别构建共生体,进而由真菌和植物双方生理机制调控共生体发育及其生理功能,以构建稳定有效的共生体。真菌与植物的空间、营养和功能生态位很多是相近的,双方均面临相同的生态选择压力,需要共同抵抗不良生境,以适应更多环境。因此,真菌和植物通过两者共生的生态学机制增强植物抗逆性,减轻有害生物危害,提高其竞争力和生境的适应能力。真菌和植物长期的协同演化过程中,种群间的基因交流及其差异导致不同的基因组合,奠定了共生体多样化的基础与资源。此遗传学机制形成的多种遗传组合的共生体不仅使真菌和植物在各环境压力下共存,还可以不断进化发展。真菌和植物共生研究方面已形成较为完善的体系,加强真菌与植物共生理论的研究,特别是该类共生体遗传背景、基因与环境互作效应及其机制的阐明,将有助于诠释真菌与植物共生的生物学机制。     

Sources of variation in dietary requirements in an obligate nutritional symbiosis

The nutritional symbiosis between aphids and their obligate symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, is often characterized as a highly functional partnership in which the symbiont provides the host with essential nutrients. Despite this, some aphid lineages exhibit dietary requirements for nutrients typically synthesized by Buchnera, suggesting that some aspect of the symbiosis is disrupted. To examine this phenomenon in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, populations were assayed using defined artificial diet to determine dietary requirements for essential amino acids (EAAs). Six clones exhibiting dependence on EAAs in their diet were investigated further. In one aphid clone, a mutation in a Buchnera amino acid biosynthesis gene could account for the clone''s requirement for dietary arginine. Analysis of aphid F₁ hybrids allowed separation of effects of the host and symbiont genomes, and revealed that both affect the requirement for dietary EAAs in the clones tested. Amino acid requirements were minimally affected by secondary symbiont infection. Our results indicate that variation among pea aphids in dependence on dietary amino acids can result from Buchnera mutation as well as variation in the host genotype.     

Comparative analysis of methylthioalkylmalate synthase (MAM) gene family and flanking DNA sequences in Brassica oleracea and Arabidopsis thaliana

Gene BoGSL-PRO is associated with presence of 3-carbon side-chain glucosinolates (GSL). This gene is a member of the methylthioalkylmalate synthase (MAM) gene family. A BAC clone of Brassica oleracea, B21F5, containing this gene, was sequenced, annotated and compared to its corresponding region in Arabidopsis thaliana. Twelve protein-coding genes and 10 transposable elements were found in this clone. The corresponding region in A. thaliana chromosome I has 14 genes and no transposable elements. Analysis of MAM gene family in both species, which also include genes controlling 4-carbon side-chain GSL, separated the genes in two groups based on exon numbers and function. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences encoded by these genes suggest that these two groups were produced by a duplication that must have occurred before the divergence of the Rosid and Asterid lineages of angiosperms. Comparison with putative orthologs from several prokaryotes further suggest that the members of the gene family with 10 exons, which encode proteins involved in 4-carbon side-chain GSL biosynthesis, were derived via truncation of the 3′ end from ancestral genes more similar in length to those with 12 exons, which encode proteins involved in 3-carbon side-chain GSL biosynthesis. Lower gene density in B. oleracea compared to A. thaliana is due in part to presence of transposable elements (TE) mostly in inter-genic regions.     

Rapid in situ evolution of nodulating strains for Biserrula pelecinus L. through lateral transfer of a symbiosis island from the original mesorhizobial inoculant

Diverse rhizobia able to nodulate Biserrula pelecinus evolved following in situ transfer of nodA and nifH from an inoculant to soil bacteria. Transfer of these chromosomal genes and the presence of an identical integrase gene adjacent to a Phe tRNA gene in both the inoculant and recipients indicate that there was lateral transfer of a symbiosis island.     

Relationships of Bradyrhizobium strains nodulating three Algerian Genista species

The Mediterranean world is the cradle for the diversification of a large number of plant species, including legumes belonging to the Tribe Genisteae. Nodule bacteria from three species of Genista legumes indigenous to northwestern Africa (G. ferox, G. numidica, G. tricuspidata) were sampled across a 150 km region of Algeria in order to investigate symbiotic relationships. Partial 23S rRNA sequences from 107 isolates indicated that Bradyrhizobium was the predominant symbiont genus (96% of isolates), with the remainder belonging to Rhizobium or Mesorhizobium. A multilocus sequence analysis on 46 Bradyrhizobium strains using seven housekeeping (HK) genes showed that strains were differentiated into multiple clades with affinities to seven species: B. canariense (17 isolates), B. japonicum (2), B. ottawaense (2), B. cytisi/B. rifense (9), ‘B. valentinum’ (5), and B. algeriense (11). Extensive discordance between the HK gene phylogeny and a tree for four loci in the symbiosis island (SI) region implied that horizontal transfer of SI loci has been common. Cases of close symbiont relationship across pairs of legumes hosts were evident, with 33% of isolates having as their closest relative a strain sampled from a different Genista species. Nevertheless, tree permutation tests also showed that there was substantial host-related phylogenetic clustering. Thus, each of the three Genista hosts utilized a measurably different array of bacterial lineages.     

致病菌基因组岛的研究进展

细菌基因组岛是细菌基因组上的特定区域,和水平基因转移相关,具有一定的结构特点,常携带致病、耐药及与适应性等功能相关的基因。通过基因组岛在细菌间的移动,可以造成相关基因在细菌间的传播,在细菌生存和致病等过程中具有重要作用。目前已经可通过生物信息和分子生物学实验等方法对基因组岛进行预测和验证。通过对致病菌基因组岛的研究,可以阐释细菌致病性和耐药等重要功能的获得,对疾病进行溯源,在传染病预防控制中具有重要意义。