Sequence analysis and characterization of sulfonamide resistance plasmid pRF-1 from Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis

The nucleotide sequence of a small plasmid, designated pRF-1, isolated from Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis, was determined. We identified seven open reading frames (ORFs) encoded by 6066 nucleotides with a total G + C content of 53.6%. Analysis of the complete nucleotide sequence revealed a replicon of pRF-1 to have high similarity to the p15A origin of replication, with a possible cer-like region. ORF1, which is composed of 816 nucleotides, shows a high degree of similarity to dihydropteroate synthetase encoded by the sulII gene from plasmids in several enteropathogenic bacteria, which functions as the sulfonamide resistance determinant. In fact, Salmonella and Escherichia coli strains carrying pRF-1 were found to show strong resistance to sulfathiazole, suggesting that orf1 is a functional gene. Four of seven ORFs were found to encode putative proteins of unknown function.     

Isolation and characterization of the aadA aminoglycoside-resistance gene from Salmonella choleraesuis

The streptomycin- and spectinomycin-resistance gene of Salmonella choleraesuis was cloned and its nucleotide sequence determined. The gene is 789 bases long, encoding a protein of a predicted size of 29,353 Da. The gene product inactivated streptomycin and spectinomycin by an adenylation modification. It is homologous (c. 40% total identity) to streptomycin adenylyltransferase, a 3'(9)-O-nucleotidyltransferase (AAD(3')(9)), which is encoded by the aadA gene in Escherichia coli, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Serratia marcescens. The AadA protein of S. choleraesuis differs significantly from the other AadA proteins, indicating that it may have diverged from the other members of this family earlier in evolution. Southern hybridization analysis revealed that homologous aadA sequences were also present in other streptomycin-resistant Salmonella species.     

Salmonella paratyphi C: Genetic Divergence from Salmonella choleraesuis and Pathogenic Convergence with Salmonella typhi

Background

Although over 1400 Salmonella serovars cause usually self-limited gastroenteritis in humans, a few, e.g., Salmonella typhi and S. paratyphi C, cause typhoid, a potentially fatal systemic infection. It is not known whether the typhoid agents have evolved from a common ancestor (by divergent processes) or acquired similar pathogenic traits independently (by convergent processes). Comparison of different typhoid agents with non-typhoidal Salmonella lineages will provide excellent models for studies on how similar pathogens might have evolved.

Methodologies/Principal Findings

We sequenced a strain of S. paratyphi C, RKS4594, and compared it with previously sequenced Salmonella strains. RKS4594 contains a chromosome of 4,833,080 bp and a plasmid of 55,414 bp. We predicted 4,640 intact coding sequences (4,578 in the chromosome and 62 in the plasmid) and 152 pseudogenes (149 in the chromosome and 3 in the plasmid). RKS4594 shares as many as 4346 of the 4,640 genes with a strain of S. choleraesuis, which is primarily a swine pathogen, but only 4008 genes with another human-adapted typhoid agent, S. typhi. Comparison of 3691 genes shared by all six sequenced Salmonella strains placed S. paratyphi C and S. choleraesuis together at one end, and S. typhi at the opposite end, of the phylogenetic tree, demonstrating separate ancestries of the human-adapted typhoid agents. S. paratyphi C seemed to have suffered enormous selection pressures during its adaptation to man as suggested by the differential nucleotide substitutions and different sets of pseudogenes, between S. paratyphi C and S. choleraesuis.

Conclusions

S. paratyphi C does not share a common ancestor with other human-adapted typhoid agents, supporting the convergent evolution model of the typhoid agents. S. paratyphi C has diverged from a common ancestor with S. choleraesuis by accumulating genomic novelty during adaptation to man.     

猪霍乱沙门氏菌递送的双启动子表达载体的构建

猪霍乱沙门氏菌C500株不仅可以作为预防猪沙门氏菌病的活疫苗,还可作为运送其他DNA疫苗的优良载体,并通过粘膜免疫诱导产生针对特定抗原的各种免疫应答。为增强其携带的DNA疫苗的免疫效力,本研究以真核表达载体pEGFP-C1为基础,将其真核启动子CMVie与原核启动子Ptrc串联,并在其多克隆位点MCS下游引入rrnbT1T2转录终止序列,构建了真、原核双启动子表达载体pEGFPPtrcR。用1×TSS法将其转化C500,得到工程菌C500/pEGFPPtrcR,通过SDS-PAGE和Westernblotting鉴定了报告基因EGFP的原核表达,该菌在荧光显微镜下能发出强烈绿色荧光,被证明在体外至少能稳定遗传20代;采用脂质体介导法将pEGFPPtrcR转染Vero细胞,EGFP在胞核和胞浆内表达,24h后观察可到明显绿色荧光。结果表明,双启动子表达载体pEGFPPtrcR构建成功,预示其携带的外源基因既可在C500中表达,又可在体细胞中表达,为研制以C500为载体的新型DNA疫苗的发展开辟了一个新的途径。     

Regulation of spvR gene expression of Salmonella virulence plasmid pKDSC50 in Salmonella choleraesuis serovar Choleraesuis

The expression regulation of spvR, a regulatory gene on the virulence plasmid (pKDSC50) of Salmonella choleraesuis serovar Choleraesuis, was investigated by spvR–lacZ translational fusion. The spvR gene was found to be positively regulated by its own product, the SpvR protein, and this unusual positive auto-regulation was repressed by the products of spvA and spvB, virulence-associated genes present downstream from the spvR gene. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the amino-terminal region of SpvB had homology with the CatM repressor protein of Acineto-bacter calcoaceticus, which belongs to the MetR/LysR protein family. On the other hand, the sigma factor RpoS was required for expression of the spvR gene in the stationary phase of bacterial growth. The SpvR protein was also necessary for self-activation, suggesting that an RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing RpoS requires SpvR protein in order to recognize the spvR promoter.     

Genotypic characterization of human and environmental isolates of Salmonella choleraesuis subspecies choleraesuis serovar infantis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

To determine the extent of genetic diversity of Salmonella choleraesuis subspecies choleraesuis serovar Infantis and whether environmental isolates were similar or identical to human isolates, a total of 110 isolates from humans, broiler samples, egg production facilities, riverwater, sewage, and chicken meat were analyzed epidemiologically by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. While the isolates showed 35 distinct pulsed-field profiles, none had the genotype of the human isolates. One pulsed-field profile was shared by 43 (39%) of the 110 isolates. These results indicate that relatively fewer clonal lines of S. serovar Infantis had spread widely while multiple clonal lines, including the strain involved in the outbreak, exist in Western Japan.     

Sequence analysis of plasmid pTS1 isolated from oral spirochetes

The naturally occurring plasmid pTS1, identified previously in several species of oral spirochetes, has now been completely sequenced. Analysis of the four open reading frames identified on the plasmid suggests the presence of genes involved in replication and mobilization.     

Sequence analysis of a 1296-nucleotide plasmid from Xylella fastidiosa

A cryptic plasmid from Xylella fastidiosa strain ATCC 35868 was cloned, sequenced, and the sequence entered into GenBank (U71220). The plasmid is 1296 nucleotides in length with 55% GC content and three open reading frames. A plasmid with sequence homology was found in only one other strain of X. fastidiosa , ATCC 35878. Searches of the GenBank reveal nucleotide sequence homology with plasmid pNKH43 from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia , and amino acid sequence homology with phage Pf3 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa , plasmid pAP12875 from Acetobacter pasteurianus , and plasmid pVT736-1 from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans .     

一个植物乳杆菌新质粒的序列分析与归类

[目的]分离鉴定植物乳杆菌PC518的质粒并分析滚环复制p C194家族复制起点特征。[方法]从植物乳杆菌PC518中提取质粒,HindⅢ单酶切后克隆测序,然后用反向PCR方法验证质粒序列的完整性。使用DNAMAN V6. 0软件和MEGA X软件对43个p C194家族质粒的复制起点序列和复制蛋白进行比对分析。[结果]分离得到一个3 325 bp的新质粒p LP325。43个p C194家族质粒复制起点中:24个在nick上、下游均有反向重复序列,12个只在nick上游有反向重复序列,4个只在下游有反向重复序列。复制蛋白的聚类与复制起点中反向重复序列的位置是对应的。[结论]p LP325的复制方式推定为滚环复制,属于p C194家族。p C194家族复制起点的bind以反向重复序列为特征,位于nick上游或下游。     

Sequence analysis and characterization of plasmids from Streptococcus thermophilus

The nucleotide sequences of eight plasmids isolated from seven Streptococcus thermophilus strains have been determined. Plasmids pSt04, pER1-1, and pJ34 are related and replicate via a rolling circle mechanism. Plasmid pJ34 encodes for a replication initiation protein (RepA) and a small polypeptide with unknown function. Plasmids pSt04 and pER1-1 carry in addition to repA genes coding for small heat shock proteins (sHsp). Expression of these proteins is induced at elevated temperatures or low pH and increases the thermo- and acid resistance. Plasmids pER1-2 and pSt22-2 show identical sequences with five putative open reading frames (ORFs). The gene products of ORF1 and ORF4 reveal some similarities to transposon encoded proteins of Bacillus subtilis and Tn916. ORF1 of plasmid pSt106 encodes a protein similar to resolvases of different Gram-positive bacteria. Integrity of ORF2 and 3, encoding a putative DNA primase and a replication protein, is essential for replication. ORF1 to 3 of plasmid pSt08, which are organized in a tricistronic operon, encode a RepA protein, an adenosine-specific methyltransferase, and a type II restriction endonuclease. Another type II restriction-modification (R/M) system is encoded on plasmid pSt0 which is highly similar to those encoded on lactococcal plasmid pHW393 and B. subtilis plasmid pXH13. Plasmid-free derivatives of strains St0 and St08 show increased phage sensitivity, indicating that in the wild-type strains the R/M systems are functionally expressed. Recombinant plasmids based on the replicons of plasmids pSt04, pJ34, pSt106, pSt08, and pSt0, are able to replicate in Lactococcus lactis and B. subtilis, respectively, whereas constructs carrying pER1-2 only replicate in S. thermophilus.     

Sequence analysis of the chromosomal and plasmid genes encoding phosphoribulokinase from Alcaligenes eutrophus

Two DNA fragments encoding the chromosomal and plasmid copies of the gene (cfxP) encoding phosphoribulokinase (PRK) from the chemoautotrophic bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus, were sequenced and found to be highly homologous. The gene (cfxF) of another Calvin cycle enzyme, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), was identified as terminating immediately upstream of cfxP, but was not completely contained on both fragments. A hypothetical, also incompletely contained, open reading frame starts closely downstream from cfxP. Genes cfxF, cfxP, and the third hypothetical gene seem to belong to the same operon. The cfxP genes encode highly homologous PRK isoenzyme subunits consisting of 292 aa residues with calculated Mrs of 33 319 (chromosomal PRKc) and 33 164 (plasmid-encoded PRKp). There is little overall sequence similarity between the bacterial and plant (spinach) PRK, apart from some structural motifs.     

Salmonella choleraesuis proteins and their relation to proteins from bacteria of heterologous sero-groups.

A diversity of proteins was identified in the material isolated from S. choleraesuis with the help of sera prepared in rabbits with this material. The sera displayed, in agar-gel diffusions, numerous superimposed precipitation lines against proteins from: Salmonellae, Shigellae and E. coli. In contrast to proteins from S. paratyphi C, sharing identical identical 'O' 'factors, the serological activity of the S. choleraesuis proteins was impaired by heating. The immunochemical analysis of the sera before and after exhaustive absorptions with heterologous proteins exhibited a stronger relation of S. choleraesuis with S. thyphimiurium and S. Newport than with S. paratyphi C. The antibodies induced against free proteins with S. paratyphi C specificity, present in the mosaic of proteins isolated from S. choleraesuis, were removed by the respective absorption without substantial modifications of the homologous precipitation. In contrast, the absorption of the serum with proteins from either S. newport or S. typhimurium removed almost all the homologous induced antibodies. The strong relations found among species belonging to different serogroups underline the non-conformity of the empirical established serofactors.     

Natural transmission of Salmonella choleraesuis in swine.

This experiment was designed to study the natural transmission of Salmonella choleraesuis in swine. Forty pigs were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 12) was challenged with 10(8) CFU of S. choleraesuis per ml by intranasal inoculation. One day postinoculation (p.i.), group 2 (n = 24) was commingled with group 1. Group 3 (n = 4) served as uninoculated controls. Serum samples were collected weekly. Blastogenesis assays and necropsies were performed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 weeks p.i., and 16 tissue samples per pig were collected and cultured. Environmental (pooled feces from the pen floor) levels of S. choleraesuis were 2.61 log10 CFU/g of feces at 24 h p.i. (immediately prior to commingling). Severe clinical signs were observed in groups 1 and 2. The results indicated that at least 16% of group 2 pigs were shedding S. choleraesuis within 24 h of commingling. At 1 week p.i., 32 of 32 group 1 and 39 of 62 group 2 tissue samples were positive for S. choleraesuis. Only 3 of 12 group 2 pigs were positive at 6, 9, and 12 weeks (1 pig for each week), indicating that only a small proportion of infected swine become long-term carriers. At 12 weeks p.i., only the colon and colonic lymph node samples of one pig from group 2 were positive. Humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses were similar between groups 1 and 2. These data demonstrate that a few pigs shedding low levels of Salmonella organisms before slaughter can result in rapid transmission and subsequent shedding by many swine.     

表达T~+Pm保护性抗原的重组猪霍乱沙门氏菌C500株的构建及其生物学特性

【目的】本研究利用Asd+平衡致死系统构建表达巴氏杆菌毒素(Pasteurella multocida toxin,PMT)的重组猪霍乱沙门氏菌株,并对重组菌株的生物学特性进行比较研究。【方法和结果】通过基因克隆的方法构建表达PMT的重组质粒pYA-PmtC,再将其电转化减毒猪霍乱沙门氏菌C500的asd基因缺失株C501,构建口服活疫苗菌株C501(pYA-PmtC)。研究结果表明重组菌株C501(pYA-PmtC)的生化特性、血清型和生长速度与亲本菌株C500一致;在没有选择压力的条件下,C501(pYA-PmtC)能够稳定遗传重组质粒及其外源基因片段,并能稳定、高效、分泌性表达30.5kDa的外源保护性抗原rPmtC。C501(pYA-PmtC)腹腔感染BALB/c小鼠的LD50为8.5×106CFU,毒力稍低于C500(LD50为4.4×106CFU);口服接种C501(pYA-PmtC)和C500的所有仔猪未见任何发病症状,两者没有显著差别。【结论】本研究利用Asd+平衡致死系统的原理构建表达T+Pm保护性抗原重组猪霍乱沙门氏菌弱毒菌株C501(pYA-PmtC),为进一步开发猪萎缩性鼻炎-副伤寒的双价基因工程疫苗奠定基础。     

Sequence analysis of the plasmid pColG from the Escherichia coli strain CA46

The complete 4715 nucleotide sequence of the plasmid pColG from the Escherichia coli strain CA46, which was originally assumed to code for colicin G activity, has been determined. Based on the nucleotide sequence homology of the 1828bp replication region, with an average G+C content of 48%, pColG was classified as a ColE1-like plasmid. Computer assisted analysis of the remaining 2887bp nucleotide sequence with an average G+C content of 34% revealed three putative OFRs. To find out whether one or all of the three ORFs code for a possible bacteriocin, a DNA fragment encompassing these ORFs has been cloned and the recombinant colonies tested for bacteriocin production. None of the colonies had an inhibitory activity against E. coli strains DH5, HB101 and MC4100. The assumption that the plasmid pColG from the E. coli strain CA46 codes for a bacteriocin thus could not be confirmed.     

Sequence analysis of the vir-region from Agrobacterium tumefaciens octopine Ti plasmid pTi15955

The nucleotide sequence of 42 775 bp of the vir-region from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens octopine Ti plasmid pTi15955 is reported here. Although the nucleotide sequences of several parts of this region from this or closely related plasmids have been published previously, the present work establishes for the first time the complete arrangement of all the essential virulence genes and their intergenic regions of an octopine Ti plasmid. The disruption of some of the intergenic areas by insertion (IS) elements is typical for the octopine Ti plasmids. Several new ORFs were identified, including ORFs immediately downstream of virD4 and virE2, which probably represent new genes involved in virulence.