Project description:Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia and a major factor in the porcine respiratory disease complex. A clear understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis does not exist although it is clear that M. hyopneumoniae adheres to porcine ciliated epithelium by action of a protein called P97. Previous studies have shown variation in the gene encoding the P97cilium adhesin within different strains of M. hyopneumoniae, but the extent of genetic variation among field strains across the genome is not known. Since M. hyopneumoniae is a worldwide problem, it is reasonable to expect that a wide range of genetic variability may exist given all of the different breed and housing conditions. This variation may impact the overall virulence of a single strain. Using microarray technology, this study examined potential variation of fourteen field strains in comparison to strain 232 on which the array was based. Genomic DNA was obtained, amplified with TempliPhi™, and labeled indirectly with Alexa dyes. Post genomic hybridization, the arrays were scanned and data analyzed using a linear statistical model. Results indicate that genetic variation could be detected in all fourteen field strains but across different loci, suggesting that variation occurs throughout the genome. Fifty-nine percent of the variable loci were hypothetical genes. Twenty-two percent of the lipoprotein genes showed variation in at least one field strain. A permutation test identified a location in M. hyopneumoniae genome where spatial clustering of variability between the field strains and strain 232 exists. Keywords: CGH, Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae
Project description:Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis) is a critical pathogen of bovines resulting in pneumonia, mastitis, arthritis, etc. To reveal its virulence related factors, a virulent M. bovis HB0801 and its derived vaccine strain P150 were infected calve and the transcriptome profiles of PBMCs were compared by using of the microarray at 7 days after infection. The data postulated the pathogenic mechanism of wild strain and immune mechanism of the attenuated strain to provide clues for the further research of the interaction between M. bovis and its host.
Project description:We used a combination of genetic and proteomic approaches to characterize tmRNA (ssrA) activity in the genome-reduced bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. For this, we generated tmRNA mutants encoding a tag resistant to proteolysis. Endogenous protein tagging by the mutant tmRNA gene (ssrAmk) was then examined by immunoprecipitation (IP) enrichment followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Additionally, RNA-seq differential expression analysis of the mutants compared to the wild-type strain was assessed.
Project description:The immune response associated with mastitis caused by Mycoplasma bovis is a very complicated biological process in several type of cells, including immune cells, mammary epithelial cells and, endothelial cells. Thus, revealing of the microRNAs in the Mycoplasma bovis infected mammary gland tissues is particularly important for the immune response mechanism to Mycoplasma bovis. Firstly, mammary gland tissue samples were collected from Holstein cows and screened for Mycoplasma bovis. Then, total RNA was isolated from mycoplasma bovis infected tissues and RNA sequencing was performed. After bioinformatics analysis, GO and KEGG analysis of target genes of identified microRNAs were conducted. Our results revaled that 24 of the known microRNAs were expressed differently and 13 of the novel microRNAs were expressed differently in Mycoplasma bovis positive tissues. The target genes of these microRNAs were found to be associated with especially inflammation pathways. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that identified miRNAs may be involved in the signaling pathways during mastitis case caused by Mycoplasma bovis.
Project description:To develop a method for improved assessment of the genetic stability of bacterial vaccine strains, we applied next-generation sequencing to a Clostridium tetani model strain (including inter- and intra-lab replicates) and other strains. Data were processed to determine (gain or loss of) gene copy numbers. Strains could easily be distiguished based on gain/loss of prophage-like and CRISPR/Cas genes. We found that the model strain has multiple copies of the plasmid carrying the gene coding for tetanus toxin as well as several other genes. Data were reproducible within and between laboratories. The limit of detection of our method is an order of magnitude better than that of the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) currently used during manufacturing. This approach may part of an approach to reduce animal testing during vaccine manufacturing.