Project description:An important, but rarely performed, test of Koch’s molecular postulates involves evaluating the capacity of candidate virulence genes to confer pathogenicity in otherwise non-virulent species. Unbiased genomic surveys of avirulent natural isolates might reveal rare variants possessing specific virulence features, which might prove useful in testing their functional sufficiency. Using a custom pan-genome array, we analyzed a panel of avirulent Burkholderia thailandensis (Bt) isolates related to Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), the causative agent of the often fatal human and animal disease melioidosis. We report the discovery of variant Bt isolates exhibiting isolated acquisition of a capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster (BpCPS), long regarded as an critical species-specific virulence factor essential for Bp mammalian virulence. BpCPS-expressing Bt strains exhibited certain pathogen-related phenotypes including resistance to human complement binding, but did not exhibit enhanced virulence when assessed in two different in vivo animal infection models. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the BpCPS-expressing Bt strains likely reside within an evolutionary subgroup distinct from the majority of previously-described Bt strains. Our findings suggest that BpCPS acquisition alone is unlikely to fully explain the ability of Bp to colonize humans and animals, highlighting the importance of other collaborating factors in the pathogenesis of mammalian melioidosis.
Project description:[1] Transcription profiling of one Burkholderia cenocepacia clinical isolate, J2315, versus a soil isolate, HI2424, in conditions mimicking CF sputum [2] Transcription profiling of Burkholderia cenocepacia isolates J2315 and HI2424 in media mimicking CF sputum or the soil environment
Project description:Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are both potential biological threats agents. Melioidosis caused by B. pseudomallei is endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, while glanders caused by B. mallei infections are rare. Here we studied the proteomes of different B. mallei and B. pseudomallei isolates to determine species specific characteristics. Analyzing the expressed proteomes of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei revealed differences between B. mallei and B. pseudomallei but also between isolates from the same species. Expression of multiple virulence factors and proteins of several PKS/NRPS clusters was demonstrated. Proteome analysis can be used not only to identify bacteria but also to characterize the expression of important factors that putatively contribute to pathogenesis of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei.
Project description:An important, but rarely performed, test of Koch’s molecular postulates involves evaluating the capacity of candidate virulence genes to confer pathogenicity in otherwise non-virulent species. Unbiased genomic surveys of avirulent natural isolates might reveal rare variants possessing specific virulence features, which might prove useful in testing their functional sufficiency. Using a custom pan-genome array, we analyzed a panel of avirulent Burkholderia thailandensis (Bt) isolates related to Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), the causative agent of the often fatal human and animal disease melioidosis. We report the discovery of variant Bt isolates exhibiting isolated acquisition of a capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster (BpCPS), long regarded as an critical species-specific virulence factor essential for Bp mammalian virulence. BpCPS-expressing Bt strains exhibited certain pathogen-related phenotypes including resistance to human complement binding, but did not exhibit enhanced virulence when assessed in two different in vivo animal infection models. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the BpCPS-expressing Bt strains likely reside within an evolutionary subgroup distinct from the majority of previously-described Bt strains. Our findings suggest that BpCPS acquisition alone is unlikely to fully explain the ability of Bp to colonize humans and animals, highlighting the importance of other collaborating factors in the pathogenesis of mammalian melioidosis. Genomic DNA of several Bt strains were hybridized against a common reference strain (Bt E264), to see gain/loss
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE28306: Expression data from Burkholderia multivorans cystic fibrosis clinical isolates GSE30402: Hybridization of Burkholderia multivorans D2095 and D2214 genomic DNA Refer to individual Series
Project description:Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises opportunistic bacteria infecting hosts such as cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Bcc long-term infection of CF patient airways has been associated with emergence of phenotypic variation. Here we studied two Burkholderia multivorans clonal isolates (D2095 and D2214) displaying different morphotypes from a chronically infected CF patient in order to evaluate traits development during lung infection.
Project description:Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises opportunistic bacteria infecting hosts such as cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Bcc long-term infection of CF patient airways has been associated with emergence of phenotypic variation. Here we studied two Burkholderia multivorans clonal isolates (D2095 and D2214) displaying different morphotypes from a chronically infected CF patient in order to evaluate traits development during lung infection. Since the custom array described in platform GPL13356 was based on Burkholderia multivorans ATCC 17616 genome, here we performed a DNA-DNA hybridization to determine which probes of the array hybridize with our test genomes
Project description:Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises opportunistic bacteria infecting hosts such as cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Bcc long-term infection of CF patient airways has been associated with emergence of phenotypic variation. Here we studied two Burkholderia multivorans clonal isolates (D2095 and D2214) displaying different morphotypes from a chronically infected CF patient in order to evaluate traits development during lung infection. Since the custom array described in platform GPL13356 was based on Burkholderia multivorans ATCC 17616 genome, here we performed a DNA-DNA hybridization to determine which probes of the array hybridize with our test genomes Total DNA was extracted from overnight cultures of the mucoid D2095 and the nonmucoid D2214 isolates grown in LB medium.