Project description:Recent advances in the study of archaeal DNA replication have uncovered defined replication origins (oriC) and demonstrated specific binding of the Cdc6/Orc1 protein and Mcm helicase to oriC in vivo and/or in vitro. The oriC of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi is characterized by 13 bp repeats, AT-rich regions and an inverted repeat whose precise roles remain unclear. We report here that the 13 bp repeats are widespread in the three Pyrococcus genomes. Nevertheless, by means of chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with hybridization on a whole genome microarray (ChIP-chip), we found that binding of P. abyssi Cdc6/Orc1 to oriC in vivo was highly specific both in exponential and stationary phases, allowing oriC to be distinguished in the 1.8 M bp genome. ChIP-chip analysis also indicated that a single 13 bp repeat is not sufficient for stable binding of Cdc6/Orc1. Purified Cdc6/Orc1 binds a DNA fragment containing the inverted repeat of oriC with a relatively low affinity, suggesting that multiple clusters of the 13 bp repeat discovered in this study contribute to the stable binding of Cdc6/Orc1 to oriC. Our ChIP-chip analysis revealed that Mcm also binds oriC only in proliferating cells, consistent with its role as a licensing factor. Finally, we found that both Cdc6/Orc1 and Mcm have one additional target site. Notably, Mcm binds constitutively to a GC-rich region containing two rRNA genes and a tRNA gene, suggesting a role of archaeal Mcm in DNA replication and/or transcription of this peculiar region. Keywords: ChIP-chip
Project description:The non-coding transcriptome of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi is investigated using the RNA-seq technology. A dedicated computational pipeline analyzes RNA-seq reads and prior genome annotation to identify small RNAs, untranslated regions of mRNAs, and cis-encoded antisense transcripts. Unlike other archaea, such as Sulfolobus and Halobacteriales, P. abyssi produces few leaderless mRNA transcripts. Antisense transcription is widespread (215 transcripts) and targets protein-coding genes that are less conserved than average genes. We identify at least three novel H/ACA-like guide RNAs among the newly characterized non-coding RNAs. Long 5' UTRs in mRNAs of ribosomal proteins and amino-acid biosynthesis genes strongly suggest the presence of cis-regulatory leaders in these mRNAs. We selected a high-interest subset of non-coding RNAs based on their strong promoters, high GC-content, phylogenetic conservation, or abundance. Some of the novel small RNAs and long 5' UTRs display high GC contents, suggesting unknown structural RNA functions. However, we were surprised to observe that most of the high-interest RNAs are AU-rich, which suggests an absence of stable secondary structure in the high-temperature environment of P. abyssi. Yet, these transcripts display other hallmarks of functionality, such as high expression or high conservation, which leads us to consider possible RNA functions that do not require extensive secondary structure.
Project description:The non-coding transcriptome of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi is investigated using the RNA-seq technology. A dedicated computational pipeline analyzes RNA-seq reads and prior genome annotation to identify small RNAs, untranslated regions of mRNAs, and cis-encoded antisense transcripts. Unlike other archaea, such as Sulfolobus and Halobacteriales, P. abyssi produces few leaderless mRNA transcripts. Antisense transcription is widespread (215 transcripts) and targets protein-coding genes that are less conserved than average genes. We identify at least three novel H/ACA-like guide RNAs among the newly characterized non-coding RNAs. Long 5' UTRs in mRNAs of ribosomal proteins and amino-acid biosynthesis genes strongly suggest the presence of cis-regulatory leaders in these mRNAs. We selected a high-interest subset of non-coding RNAs based on their strong promoters, high GC-content, phylogenetic conservation, or abundance. Some of the novel small RNAs and long 5' UTRs display high GC contents, suggesting unknown structural RNA functions. However, we were surprised to observe that most of the high-interest RNAs are AU-rich, which suggests an absence of stable secondary structure in the high-temperature environment of P. abyssi. Yet, these transcripts display other hallmarks of functionality, such as high expression or high conservation, which leads us to consider possible RNA functions that do not require extensive secondary structure. directional RNA-seq, Illumina GA-IIx
Project description:Recombinant aRNase J from P. abyssi, with C-terminal (His)6-tag (aRNase J-His), was produced, purified and used as baits for AP-MS experiments. In order to discriminate specific protein interaction from column background, we performed mock AP-MS analyses with P. abyssi cell extracts in absence of protein bait. In addition, to determine if some interactions are mediated through RNA or DNA, we implemented a nuclease treatment after incubating the cell extract with the bait. The co-purified partners were identified by bottom-up proteomic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry.
Project description:Semiconductor sequencing of alkaline degraded total RNA from Pyrococcus furiosus annotated for ”The 23S ribosomal RNA from Pyrococcus furiosus is circularly permuted” published in Frontiers in Microbiology”
Project description:Small RNA Sequencing from Pyrococcus furiosus Keywords: Small RNA Analysis Analysis of Small RNA from one sample of Pyrococcus furiosus
Project description:The transcriptional regulator TrmBL1 from the hyperthermophilic euryarchaeon Pyrococcus furiosus functions as repressor as well as activator of genes encoding enzymes mainly involved in sugar uptake, glykolysis and gluconeogenesis. The aim of this study was to explore the genome-wide binding sites of TrmBL1 in Pyrococus furiosus by ChIP-seq in vivo. Two different growth conditions were tested. Pyrococcus furiosus was cultured on pyruvate to induce gluconeogenic growth and on starch to induce glycolytic growth.