Project description:The enterococci comprise a genus of 49 low-GC content Gram-positive commensal species within the Firmicutes phylum that are known to occupy diverse habitats, notably the gastrointestinal core microbiota of nearly every phylum, including human. Of particular clinical relevance are two rogue species of enterococci, Enterococcus faecalis and the distantly related Enterococcus faecium, standing among the nefarious multi-drug resistant and hospital-acquired pathogens. Despite increasing evidence for RNA-based regulation in the enterococci, including regulation of virulence factors, their transcriptome structure and arsenal of regulatory small sRNAs (sRNAs) are not thoroughly understood. Using dRNA-seq, we have mapped at single-nucleotide resolution the primary transcriptomes of E. faecalis V583 and E. faecium AUS0004. We identified 2517 and 2771 transcription start sites (TSS) in E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Based on the identified TSS, we created a global map of s70 promoter motifs. We also revealed features of 5’ and 3’UTRs across the genomes. The transcriptome maps also predicted 150 and 128 sRNA candidates in E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively, some of which have been identified in previous studies and many of which are new. Finally, we validated several of the predicted sRNAs by Northern Blot in biologically relevant conditions. Comprehensive TSS mapping of two representative strains will provide a valuable resource for the continued development of RNA biology in the Enterococci.
2020-11-25 | GSE115009 | GEO
Project description:A national study of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Project description:Preliminary analysis on extracts (pellets and supernatant) of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains cultured in BHI media. Untargeted LC-MS/MS acquisition performed in positive ion mode.
Project description:In our study, we employed activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), a technique that uses specialized inhibitors to identify active serine hydrolases in different strains of E. faecium (clade A1 and A2) and E. lactis under various growth conditions. Serine hydrolases, a large and diverse family of enzymes that include established drug targets like penicillin-binding proteins, have other less-studied subfamilies. In addition to fluorescent, gel-based profiling, we used a biotin-tagged fluorophosphonate probe for the enrichment and identification of serine hydrolase enzymes via streptavidin enrichment and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. This led to the discovery of 11 largely unexplored potential targets (including α,β-hydrolases, SGNH-hydrolases, phospholipases, amidases, and peptidases) that could be exploited for drug developmentagainst the vancomycin-resistant E. faecium strain E745.
Project description:Enterococcus faecium has emerged as a major opportunistic pathogen for two decades, with the spread of hospital-adapted multidrug-resistant clones. Members of the intestinal microbiota, they are subjected to numerous bacterial stresses, including antibiotics at subinhibitory concentrations (SICs). Since fluoroquinolones are extensively prescribed, SICs are very likely to occur in vivo with potential effects on bacterial metabolism with subsequent modulation of opportunistic traits. The aim of the study was to evaluate globally the impact of subinhibitory concentrations (SICs) of ciprofloxacin on antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of E. faecium. Transcriptomic analysis was performed by RNA-seq (HiSeq 2500, Illumina) using the vanB-positive reference strain E. faecium Aus0004 in the absence or presence of ciprofloxacin SIC (0.38 mg/L, i.e. MIC 1/8). Several genetic and phenotypic tests were used for validation. In the presence of ciprofloxacin SIC, 196 genes were significantly induced whereas 286 were significantly repressed, meaning that 16.8% of the E. faecium genome was altered. Amongst upregulated genes, EFAU004_02294 (fold change of 14.3) encoded a protein (EfmQnr) homologue of Qnr proteins involved in quinolone resistance in Gram-negative bacilli. Its implication in intrinsic and adaptive FQ resistance in E. faecium was experimentally ascertained. Moreover, EFAU004_02292 coding for the collagen adhesin Acm was also induced by SIC of ciprofloxacin (fold change of 8.2), and higher adhesion capabilities were demonstrated phenotypically. Both Efmqnr and Acm determinants may play an important role in the transition from a commensal to a pathogenic state of E. faecium that resides in the gut of patients receiving a fluoroquinolone therapy.