Project description:To allow the characterization of the populations of small RNAs in the testes of mutant animal, small-RNA fraction of total testis RNA was isolated and sequenced.
Project description:Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus: GAS) is a major human pathogen that causes streptococcal pharyngitis, skin and soft-tissue infections, and life-threatening conditions such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). A large number of virulence-related genes are encoded on GAS genomes, which are involved in host-pathogen interaction, colonization, immune invasion, and long-term survival within hosts, causing the diverse symptoms. Here, we investigated the interaction between GAS-derived extracellular vesicles and host cells in order to reveal pathogenicity mechanisms induced by GAS infection.
Project description:Virophages are small dsDNA viruses dependent on a nucleocytoplasmic large-DNA virus infection of a cellular host for replication. Putative virophages infecting algal hosts are classified together with Polinton-like viruses, transposable elements widely found in algal genomes, yet the lack of isolated strains raises questions about their existence as independent entities. We isolated and characterized a virophage (PgVV-14T) co-infecting Phaeocystis globosa with the Phaeocystis globosa virus-14T (PgV-14T).
Project description:Soft corals are unique amongst animals in their prolific production of bioactive terpenoid natural products that rival the chemical diversity of plants and microbes. We recently established that octocorals uniformly express terpene cyclases and that their encoding genes often reside within putative biosynthetic gene clusters, a feature uncommon in animal genomes. In this work, we report the discovery and characterization of a widespread gene cluster family for the biosynthesis of briarane diterpenoids that number over 600 molecules distinct to corals. We sequenced five genomes from evolutionarily discrete families of briarane-producing octocorals, including the chromosomally resolved precious coral Corallium rubrum, and identified a common five-gene cluster composed of a terpene cyclase, three cytochrome P450s, and a short-chain dehydrogenase. Using Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as hosts and homologous briarane biosynthesis genes from seven corals, we reconstituted the biosynthesis of cembrene B g-lactone, which contains the g-lactone structural feature distinctive of briarane diterpenoids. The discovery of the genomic basis of briarane biosynthesis not only allows for its biological examination across coral species but establishes that animals, like microbes and plants, also employ gene cluster families to produce specialized metabolites.
Project description:Plasmodium sporozoites are injected, in addition to saliva, into animal hosts when a female Anopheles mosquito takes a blood meal. The molecular components of saliva that interact with Plasmodium during this process are poorly characterized. Here we collected Plasmodium sporozoites directly from salivating Anopheles mosquitoes and looked for the presence of vector proteins that could be interacting with the parasites during transmission for further characterization.
Project description:GacS/GacA is a widely distributed two-component system playing an essential role as a key global regulator, although its characterization in phytopathogenic bacteria has been deeply biased, being intensively studied in pathogens of herbaceous plants but barely investigated in pathogens of woody hosts. P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psv) is characterized by inducing tumours in the stem and branches of olive trees. In this work, the model strain Psv NCPPB 3335 and a mutant derivative with a complete deletion of gene gacA were subjected to RNA-Seq analyses in a minimum medium and a medium mimicking in planta conditions, accompanied by RT-qPCR analyses of selected genes and phenotypic assays. These experiments indicated that GacA participates in the regulation of at least 2152 genes in strain NCPPB 3335, representing 37.9 % of the annotated CDSs. GacA also controls the expression of diverse rsm genes, and modulates diverse phenotypes, including motility and resistance to oxidative stresses. As occurs with other P. syringae pathovars of herbaceous plants, GacA regulates the expression of the type III secretion system and cognate effectors. In addition, GacA also regulates the expression of WHOP genes, specifically encoded in P. syringe strains isolated from woody hosts, and genes for the biosynthesis of phytohormones. A gacA mutant of NCPPB 3335 showed increased virulence, producing large immature tumours with high bacterial populations, but showed a significantly reduced competitiveness in planta. Our results further extend the role of the global regulator GacA in the virulence and fitness of a P. syringae pathogen of woody hosts.
Project description:Translation is an important step in gene expression. Initiation of translation is rate-limiting, and it is 13 phylogenetically more diverse than elongation or termination. Bacteria contain only three initiation 14 factors. In stark contrast, eukaryotes contain more than 10 (subunits of) initiation factors (eIFs). The 15 genomes of archaea contain many genes that are annotated to encode archaeal homologs of 16 eukaryotic initiation factors (aIFs). However, experimental characterization of aIFs is scarce and 17 mostly restricted to very few species. To broaden the view, the protein-protein interaction network of 18 aIFs in the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii has been characterized. To this end, tagged 19 versions of 14 aIFs were overproduced, affinity isolated, and the co-isolated binding partners were 20 identified by peptide mass fingerprinting.