Development and application of CRISPR-based genetic tools in Bacillus species and Bacillus phages

Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system has been developed into a precise and efficient genome editing tool. Since its discovery as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes, it has been applied in many different research fields including biotechnology and medical sciences. The high demand for rapid, highly efficient and versatile genetic tools to thrive in bacteria-based cell factories accelerates this process. This review mainly focuses on significant advancements of the CRISPR system in Bacillus subtilis, including the achievements in gene editing, and on problems still remaining. Next, we comprehensively summarize this genetic tool's up-to-date development and utilization in other Bacillus species, including B. licheniformis, B. methanolicus, B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. smithii and B. thuringiensis. Furthermore, we describe the current application of CRISPR tools in phages to increase Bacillus hosts' resistance to virulent phages and phage genetic modification. Finally, we suggest potential strategies to further improve this advanced technique and provide insights into future directions of CRISPR technologies for rendering Bacillus species cell factories more effective and more powerful.     

Highly Efficient Genome Modifications Mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 in Drosophila

We report that Cas9/gRNA mediates efficient genetic modifications in Drosophila. Through targeting seven loci, we achieved a germline efficiency of up to 100%. Genes in both heterochromatin and euchromatin can be modified efficiently. Thus the Cas9/gRNA system is an attractive tool for rapid disruption of essentially any gene in Drosophila.     

A barley stripe mosaic virus-based guide RNA delivery system for targeted mutagenesis in wheat and maize

Plant RNA virus-based guide RNA (gRNA) delivery has substantial advantages compared to that of the conventional constitutive promoter-driven expression due to the rapid and robust amplification of gRNAs during virus replication and movement. To date, virus-induced genome editing tools have not been developed for wheat and maize. In this study, we engineered a barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-based gRNA delivery system for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis in wheat and maize. BSMV-based delivery of single gRNAs for targeted mutagenesis was first validated in Nicotiana benthamiana. To extend this work, we transformed wheat and maize with the Cas9 nuclease gene and selected the wheat TaGASR7 and maize ZmTMS5 genes as targets to assess the feasibility and efficiency of BSMV-mediated mutagenesis. Positive targeted mutagenesis of the TaGASR7 and ZmTMS5 genes was achieved for wheat and maize with efficiencies of up to 78% and 48%. Our results provide a useful tool for fast and efficient delivery of gRNAs into economically important crops.     

GFP tagging based method to analyze the genome editing efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-gRNAs through transient expression in N. benthamiana

The CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR—associated proteins 9) is simple and highly efficient technology applied to functional studies of genes and genetic crop improvement. In this study, we have demonstrated the utility of green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker to detect the targeting efficiency of gRNAs. As a proof of concept, Glycine max De-Etiolated 1 (GmDET1) gene was chosen and tagged with GFP to rapidly analyze genome editing efficiency of gRNAs. Results showed weaker GFP fluorescence signal in the N. benthamiana leaves co-infiltrated with GmDET1-GFP overexpression (OE)?+?DET1 gRNA1 constructs as compared to the stronger GFP florescence signal in the leaves co-infiltrated with DET1 gRNA2 and gRNA3 constructs, thus indicating the highest of DET1 gRNA1. These results were further confirmed by the detection of the mutation frequencies through T7 endonuclease (T7E1) assay and sequencing; the highest mutation rate of 38.46% in GmDET1 targeted by DET1 gRNA1 to that of DET1 gRNA2 (7.69%) and gRNA3 (15.38%) was observed. Thus our studies showed “GFP tagging” as the most reliable and rapid method-one can apply to minimize the generation of non-edited transgenic plants resulting from inefficient gRNAs.

     

Pervasive prophage recombination occurs during evolution of spore-forming Bacilli

Phages are the main source of within-species bacterial diversity and drivers of horizontal gene transfer, but we know little about the mechanisms that drive genetic diversity of these mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Recently, we showed that a sporulation selection regime promotes evolutionary changes within SPβ prophage of Bacillus subtilis, leading to direct antagonistic interactions within the population. Herein, we reveal that under a sporulation selection regime, SPβ recombines with low copy number phi3Ts phage DNA present within the B. subtilis population. Recombination results in a new prophage occupying a different integration site, as well as the spontaneous release of virulent phage hybrids. Analysis of Bacillus sp. strains suggests that SPβ and phi3T belong to a distinct cluster of unusually large phages inserted into sporulation-related genes that are equipped with a spore-related genetic arsenal. Comparison of Bacillus sp. genomes indicates that similar diversification of SPβ-like phages takes place in nature. Our work is a stepping stone toward empirical studies on phage evolution, and understanding the eco-evolutionary relationships between bacteria and their phages. By capturing the first steps of new phage evolution, we reveal striking relationship between survival strategy of bacteria and evolution of their phages.Subject terms: Bacterial genetics, Evolution     

Genomic comparison of 93 Bacillus phages reveals 12 clusters, 14 singletons and remarkable diversity

Background

The Bacillus genus of Firmicutes bacteria is ubiquitous in nature and includes one of the best characterized model organisms, B. subtilis, as well as medically significant human pathogens, the most notorious being B. anthracis and B. cereus. As the most abundant living entities on the planet, bacteriophages are known to heavily influence the ecology and evolution of their hosts, including providing virulence factors. Thus, the identification and analysis of Bacillus phages is critical to understanding the evolution of Bacillus species, including pathogenic strains.

Results

Whole genome nucleotide and proteome comparison of the 93 extant Bacillus phages revealed 12 distinct clusters, 28 subclusters and 14 singleton phages. Host analysis of these clusters supports host boundaries at the subcluster level and suggests phages as vectors for genetic transfer within the Bacillus cereus group, with B. anthracis as a distant member of the group. Analysis of the proteins conserved among these phages reveals enormous diversity and the uncharacterized nature of these phages, with a total of 4,922 protein families (phams) of which only 951 (19%) had a predicted function. In addition, 3,058 (62%) of phams were orphams (phams containing a gene product from a single phage). The most populated phams were those encoding proteins involved in DNA metabolism, virion structure and assembly, cell lysis, or host function. These included several genes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of Bacillus strains.

Conclusions

This analysis provides a basis for understanding and characterizing Bacillus phages and other related phages as well as their contributions to the evolution and pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus group bacteria. The presence of sparsely populated clusters, the high ratio of singletons to clusters, and the large number of uncharacterized, conserved proteins confirms the need for more Bacillus phage isolation in order to understand the full extent of their diversity as well as their impact on host evolution.     

毕赤酵母胞嘧啶碱基编辑器的设计与功能评价

【目的】在巴斯德毕赤酵母（Pichia pastoris）中建立一套分子靶向突变系统，为毕赤酵母的基因工程改造提供高效的编辑工具。【方法】基于规律成簇的间隔短回文重复序列/Cas9核酸酶（clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 nuclease，CRISPR/Cas9）技术，设计并构建nCas9与胞苷脱氨酶融合表达的胞嘧啶碱基编辑器（cytosine base editor，CBE），并选择酵母基因组中富含碱基C的一段序列作为靶标以评价CBE的碱基编辑功能。电转化酵母后，利用高通量测序技术分析CBE的编辑效率及编辑模式，并进一步探究连接肽长度、融合蛋白相对位置和gRNA靶向序列（即spacer）长度等因素对CBE功能的影响。【结果】nCas9与PmCDA1融合组成的CBE能够实现毕赤酵母基因组碱基C的高效编辑。当连接肽长度为（GGGGS）₁₀时，CBE的编辑效率最高，编辑窗口位于前间隔序列邻近基序（protospacer adjacent motif，PAM）远端的C20–C14之间，其中C18的编辑效率可达85.1%。nCas9与PmCDA1相对位置的改变对CBE的编辑效率和编辑模式的影响不大。而gRNA靶向序列长度影响着CBE的编辑效率，且gRNA靶向序列长度不能低于17 nt，但19–23 nt之间均可引导CBE对基因组的高效编辑。【结论】本研究在巴斯德毕赤酵母中构建了一套具有高效碱基编辑活性的胞嘧啶碱基编辑器，为基于毕赤酵母的基础和应用研究提供了工具支持。     

Erratum to: genomic comparison of 93 Bacillus phages reveals 12 clusters, 14 singletons and remarkable diversity

Background

The Bacillus genus of Firmicutes bacteria is ubiquitous in nature and includes one of the best characterized model organisms, B. subtilis, as well as medically significant human pathogens, the most notorious being B. anthracis and B. cereus. As the most abundant living entities on the planet, bacteriophages are known to heavily influence the ecology and evolution of their hosts, including providing virulence factors. Thus, the identification and analysis of Bacillus phages is critical to understanding the evolution of Bacillus species, including pathogenic strains.

Results

Whole genome nucleotide and proteome comparison of the 83 extant, fully sequenced Bacillus phages revealed 10 distinct clusters, 24 subclusters and 15 singleton phages. Host analysis of these clusters supports host boundaries at the subcluster level and suggests phages as vectors for genetic transfer within the Bacillus cereus group, with B. anthracis as a distant member. Analysis of the proteins conserved among these phages reveals enormous diversity and the uncharacterized nature of these phages, with a total of 4,442 protein families (phams) of which only 894 (20%) had a predicted function. In addition, 2,583 (58%) of phams were orphams (phams containing a single member). The most populated phams were those encoding proteins involved in DNA metabolism, virion structure and assembly, cell lysis, or host function. These included several genes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of Bacillus strains.

Conclusions

This analysis provides a basis for understanding and characterizing Bacillus and other related phages as well as their contributions to the evolution and pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus group bacteria. The presence of sparsely populated clusters, the high ratio of singletons to clusters, and the large number of uncharacterized, conserved proteins confirms the need for more Bacillus phage isolation in order to understand the full extent of their diversity as well as their impact on host evolution.     

一株枯草芽孢杆菌原噬菌体Bsu-yong1的基因组分析

【目的】枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）是在自然界中广泛存在的革兰氏阳性菌，其抗逆性极强，能抑制大多数有害菌的繁殖，是常用的产酶菌，用其生产的蛋白酶、淀粉酶占全球工业酶产量的50%。原噬菌体（prophage）整合在宿主基因组中，可为宿主提供基因和生物学功能，非常具有研究价值。以往，有关B. subtilis原噬菌体的报道主要集中于缺陷型原噬菌体（defective prophage），本研究对一株非缺陷型活性原噬菌体（active prophage）的基因组进行解析，以扩充对非缺陷型原噬菌体的认知。【方法】使用丝裂霉素C从枯草芽孢杆菌中诱导一株噬菌体，命名为Bacillus phage Bsu-yong1（简称Bsu-yong1）。对Bsu-yong1进行负染、透射电镜（transmission electron microscopy，TEM）观察，用Illumina MiSeq测定其基因组序列、综合运用生物信息学工具对其进行基因功能注释和系统进化分析。【结果】Bsu-yong1与PBSX类缺陷型原噬菌体在形态上相似，但Bsu-yong1具有完整的噬菌体基因组，这与缺陷型原噬菌体不同，后者在包装过程中不能正确包裹自身的基因组，而是随机包裹一段宿主染色体。Bsu-yong1基因组全长为43 590 bp，G+C含量为41%，含有62个开放阅读框（open reading frame，ORF），呈模块化分布。Bsu-yong1拥有基因编码T7SS效应器LXG多态性毒素（T7SS effector LXG polymorphic toxin）、ImmA/IrrE蛋白和SMI1/KNR4蛋白。前二者为细菌毒素（toxin），后者为抗毒素（antitoxin），toxin-antitoxin是细菌免疫系统重要成员，参与菌间竞争与环境适应。此前，尚未有编码LXG polymorphic toxin的基因在噬菌体中被发现和报道。在基于全基因组比对构建的蛋白谱进化树（proteomic tree）中，Bsu-yong1与噬菌体sv105、rho14、vB_BteM-A9Y聚集形成一个独立的进化支（clade），基因组比对显示它们基因组的复制与调控模块具有高度保守性，它们共享29个核心基因（core gene），均具有PBSX样形态特征。Bsu-yong1与其他噬菌体的进化距离较远。将Bsu-yong1与所有噬菌体进行比对，得到的成对序列比较（pairwise sequence comparison，PASC）最大值为46.72%，小于属边界值（70%）。【结论】vB_Bsu-yong1在有尾纲中代表一个新的未知的属；建议构建一个新的科（family），该科由Bsu-yong1与噬菌体sv105、rho14、vB_BteM-A9Y组成。vB_Bsu-yong携带免疫相关基因，它可能有利于宿主在菌间竞争中获胜和适应环境。本研究丰富了噬菌体基因数据库，拓展了对芽孢杆菌活性原噬菌体的认知。     

The occurrence and taxonomic value of PBS X-like defective phages in the genus Bacillus

72 strains of 24 Bacillus species were induced with mitomycin C. The lysates were examined for the presence of defective phages resembling PBS X in morphology. All strains tested of B. amyloliquefaciens. B, licheniformis, B. pumilus and B. subtilis contained such phages. Five morphological types of defective, PBS X-like phage could be distinguished, differing in their tail lengths and in the number of cross-striations on the tail. The quaternary structure of the tail, the molecular weight of the main tail protein and the antigenic properties of the phages were identical. The killing ranges of the defective phages have been determined and their possible use in taxonomy discussed.     

CRISPR/Cas9‐induced disruption of gene expression in mouse embryonic brain and single neural stem cells in vivo

We have applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system in vivo to disrupt gene expression in neural stem cells in the developing mammalian brain. Two days after in utero electroporation of a single plasmid encoding Cas9 and an appropriate guide RNA (gRNA) into the embryonic neocortex of Tis21::GFP knock‐in mice, expression of GFP, which occurs specifically in neural stem cells committed to neurogenesis, was found to be nearly completely (≈90%) abolished in the progeny of the targeted cells. Importantly, upon in utero electroporation directly of recombinant Cas9/gRNA complex, near‐maximal efficiency of disruption of GFP expression was achieved already after 24 h. Furthermore, by using microinjection of the Cas9 protein/gRNA complex into neural stem cells in organotypic slice culture, we obtained disruption of GFP expression within a single cell cycle. Finally, we used either Cas9 plasmid in utero electroporation or Cas9 protein complex microinjection to disrupt the expression of Eomes/Tbr2, a gene fundamental for neocortical neurogenesis. This resulted in a reduction in basal progenitors and an increase in neuronal differentiation. Thus, the present in vivo application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in neural stem cells provides a rapid, efficient and enduring disruption of expression of specific genes to dissect their role in mammalian brain development.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> phage-K2 isolated from chungkookjang,a fermented soybean foodstuff

An investigation of a virulent Bacillus phage-K2 (named Bp-K2) isolated from chungkookjang (a fermented soybean foodstuff) was made. Bp-K2 differed in infectivity against a number of Bacillus subtilis strains including starter strains of chungkookjang and natto, being more infectious to Bacillus strains isolated from the chungkookjang, but much less active against a natto strain. Bp-K2 is a small DNA phage whose genome size is about 21 kb. Bp-K2 is a tailed bacteriophage with an isometric icosahedral head (50 nm long on the lateral side, 80 nm wide), a long contractile sheath (85–90 nm × 28 nm), a thin tail fiber (80–85 nm long, 10 nm wide), and a basal plate (29 nm long, 47 nm wide) with a number of spikes, but no collar. The details of the structures of Bp-K2 differ from natto phage ϕBN100 as well as other known Bacillus phages such as SPO1-like or ϕ 29-like viruses. These data suggest that Bp-K2 would be a new member of the Myoviridae family of Bacillus bacteriophages.     

Bacillus polymyxa bacteriophages from Brazilian soils

Ten phages of Bacillus polymyxa were isolated from four different Brazilian soils. All were dsDNA-containing phages belonging to Bradley types A and B. Data obtained from electron microscopy and tests of resistance against physical and chemical agents showed that the isolates could be distributed among six different groups. Host range data were in agreement with this classification. When tested against 88 strains of 18 Bacillus species, these phages only infected B. polymyxa strains, thus revealing specificity for this species. Three phage groups lysed all 42 available B. polymyxa strains and are suggested for use in rapid identification of this species.This work was sponsored by the National Research Council of Brasil (CNPq) and CAPES.     

Genome-informed approach to identify genetic determinants of Flavobacterium psychrophilum phage susceptibility

The fish pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum infects farmed salmonids worldwide, and application of bacteriophages has been suggested for controlling disease outbreaks in aquaculture. Successful application of phages requires detailed knowledge about the variability in phage susceptibility of the host communities. In this study, we analysed the genetic diversity of F. psychrophilum hosts and phages from the Baltic Sea area to identify genetic determinants of phage-host interaction patterns. A host range analysis of 103 phages tested against 177 F. psychrophilum strains (18 231 phage–host interactions) identified nine phage clusters, infecting from 10% to 91% of the strain collection. The core genome-based comparison of 35 F. psychrophilum isolates revealed an extremely low overall genomic diversity (>99.5% similarity). However, a small subset of 16 ORFs, including genes involved in the type IX secretion system (T9SS), gliding motility and hypothetical cell-surface related proteins, exhibited a highly elevated genetic diversity. These specific genetic variations were linked to variability in phage infection patterns obtained from experimental studies, indicating that these genes are key determinants of phage susceptibility. These findings provide novel insights on the molecular mechanisms determining phage susceptibility in F. psychrophilum and emphasizes the importance of phages as drivers of core genomic diversity in this pathogen.     

Genome editing with RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease in Zebrafish embryos

Recent advances with the type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system promise an improved approach to genome editing. However, the applicability and efficiency of this system in model organisms, such as zebrafish, are little studied. Here, we report that RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease efficiently facilitates genome editing in both mammalian cells and zebrafish embryos in a simple and robust manner. Over 35% of site-specific somatic mutations were found when specific Cas/gRNA was used to target either etsrp, gata4 or gata5 in zebrafish embryos in vivo. The Cas9/gRNA efficiently induced biallelic conversion of etsrp or gata5 in the resulting somatic cells, recapitulating their respective vessel phenotypes in etsrp^y11 mutant embryos or cardia bifida phenotypes in fau^tm236a mutant embryos. Finally, we successfully achieved site-specific insertion of mloxP sequence induced by Cas9/gRNA system in zebrafish embryos. These results demonstrate that the Cas9/gRNA system has the potential of becoming a simple, robust and efficient reverse genetic tool for zebrafish and other model organisms. Together with other genome-engineering technologies, the Cas9 system is promising for applications in biology, agriculture, environmental studies and medicine.     

牛源无乳链球菌长尾噬菌体的特性

【目的】分离鉴定噬菌体,对其生物学特性进行研究,并筛选候选毒株为防控牛源无乳链球菌的感染提供依据。【方法】分别采用从牛奶或环境中分离、溶原菌诱导两种方法分离鉴定无乳链球菌噬菌体,利用双层琼脂平板法纯化。将新分离鉴定毒株与前期已分离鉴定的源自乳腺炎牛奶的无乳链球菌噬菌体JX01进行分析和比较,包括噬菌体透射电镜形态观察、对55株无乳链球菌和其他细菌的宿主谱鉴定、噬菌体基因Eco R I、Sal I、Xba I或Pst I的酶切图谱、最适MOI、吸附曲线和一步生长曲线、不同保存条件下的稳定性等。【结果】分离鉴定的3株噬菌体LYGO9、HZ04和p A11(诱导自牛源菌株HAJL2011070601)与JX01比对分析,结果显示,4株噬菌体均为长尾噬菌体;Eco R I、Sal I、Xba I、Pst I的酶切图谱分获4、3、3或2种带型,显示4株噬菌体为不同毒株;均特异性裂解牛源无乳链球菌,对42株牛源无乳链球菌的裂解率如下:LYGO9为28.6%(12/42)、p A11为31%(13/42)、HZ04为47.6%(20/42)、JX01为54.8%(23/42);同时,LYGO9与p A11、HZ04和JX01分别有共同宿主11、12和11株;HZ04与JX01有共同宿主18株,提示它们具有同源性。LYGO9感染宿主的潜伏期短,仅5 min,平均裂解量为30。分离株在SM液中4°C至少可保存1个月。【结论】分离鉴定的3株牛源无乳链球菌噬菌体均为长尾噬菌体,其中LYGO9潜伏期短、裂解量较大。     

Development of a CRISPR/Cas9 system for high efficiency multiplexed gene deletion in Rhodosporidium toruloides

The oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides is considered a promising candidate for production of chemicals and biofuels thanks to its ability to grow on lignocellulosic biomass, and its high production of lipids and carotenoids. However, efforts to engineer this organism are hindered by a lack of suitable genetic tools. Here we report the development of a CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome editing in R. toruloides based on a fusion 5S rRNA–tRNA promoter for guide RNA (gRNA) expression, capable of greater than 95% gene knockout for various genetic targets. Additionally, multiplexed double-gene knockout mutants were obtained using this method with an efficiency of 78%. This tool can be used to accelerate future metabolic engineering work in this yeast.     

Enzymes from thermophiles

The most frequently used sources of more stable enzymes are thermophilic bacteria, e.g. Bacillus, Closrridium, and Therrnus strains, occurring in natural as well as man-made habitats. They grow from 55 to 88°C with a specific growth rate of up to 2.6 h^? and a yield coefficient of up to 0.4 gram of dry cell weight per gram of carbohydrate consumed. Several thermophilic strains, e.g. Bacillus sp. TP32, rapidly and effectively produce enzymes having a higher thermal stability and resistance to chemical denaturants in comparison to their mesophilic counterparts. Therefore, thermostable enzymes are of importance for bioorganic syntheses. For the further optimization of enzyme production, genetic engineering is applied.     

Two Novel Bacteriophages of Thermophilic Bacteria Isolated from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Fields

Bacteriophages of thermophiles are of great interest due to their important roles in many biogeochemical and ecological processes. However, no virion has been isolated from deep-sea thermophilic bacteria to date. In this investigation, two lytic bacteriophages (termed Bacillus virus W1 and Geobacillus virus E1) of thermophilic bacteria were purified from deep-sea hydrothermal fields in the Pacific for the first time. Bacillus virus W1 (BVW1) obtained from Bacillus sp. w13, had a long tail (300nm in length and 15 nm in width) and a hexagonal head (70 nm in diameter). Another virus, Geobacillus virus E1 (GVE1) from Geobacillus sp. E26323, was a typical Siphoviridae phage with a hexagonal head (130 nm in diameter) and a tail (180 nm in length and 30 nm in width). The two phages contained double-stranded genomic DNAs. The genomic DNA sizes of BVW1 and GVE1 were estimated to be about 18 and 41 kb, respectively. Based on SDS-PAGE of purified virions, six major proteins were revealed for each of the two phages. The findings in our study will be very helpful to realize the effect of virus on thermophiles as well as the communities in deep-sea hydrothermal fields.