DNA Phosphorothioate Modifications Are Widely Distributed in the Human Microbiome.

ABSTRACT: The DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification existing in many prokaryotes, including bacterial pathogens and commensals, confers multiple characteristics, including restricting gene transfer, influencing the global transcriptional response, and reducing fitness during exposure to chemical mediators of inflammation. While PT-containing bacteria have been investigated in a variety of environments, they have not been studied in the human microbiome. Here, we investigated the distribution of PT-harboring strains and verified their existence in the human microbiome. We found over 2000 PT gene-containing strains distributed in different body sites, especially in the gastrointestinal tract. PT-modifying genes are preferentially distributed within several genera, including Pseudomonas, Clo

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7464106 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature