Project description:Bacteria protect themselves from infection by bacteriophages (phages) using different defence systems, such as CRISPR-Cas. Although CRISPR-Cas provides phage resistance, fitness costs are incurred, such as through autoimmunity. CRISPR-Cas regulation can optimise defence and minimise these costs. We recently developed a genome-wide functional genomics approach (SorTn-seq) for high-throughput discovery of regulators of bacterial gene expression. Here, we applied SorTn-seq to identify loci influencing expression of the two type III-A Serratia CRISPR arrays. Multiple genes affected CRISPR expression, including those involved in outer membrane and lipopolysaccharide synthesis. By comparing loci affecting type III CRISPR arrays and cas operon expression, we identified PigU (LrhA) as a repressor that co-ordinately controls both arrays and cas genes. By repressing type III-A CRISPR-Cas expression, PigU shuts off CRISPR-Cas interference against plasmids and phages. PigU also represses interference and CRISPR adaptation by the type I-F system, which is also present in Serratia. RNA sequencing demonstrated that PigU is a global regulator that controls secondary metabolite production and motility, in addition to CRISPR-Cas immunity. Increased PigU also resulted in elevated expression of three Serratia prophages, indicating their likely induction upon sensing PigU-induced cellular changes. In summary, PigU is a major regulator of CRISPR-Cas immunity in Serratia.
Project description:Previous studies suggest that type I and type II CRISPR-Cas systems were employed to evade host immunity by targeting interference of bacteria’s own genes. Although Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) possess integrated type III-A CRISPR-Cas system, its role in mycobacteria remains obscure. Here, we observed that seven cas genes (csm2~6, cas10, cas6) were significantly upregulated under oxidative stress treatment. To explore the function of type III-A CRSIRP-Cas system, Total CRISPR system (TCR) mutant strain was generated in M. bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Deletion of TCR results in increased sensitivity in response to H2O2 and reduced cell envelope integrity. By using RNA-Seq, 590 differential expression genes were found in mutant for TCR, of which 220 genes were upregulated and 370 genes were downregulated, indicating an important role of TCR in controlling gene expression in mycobacteria. Consistently, disrupting TCR results in poor intracellular survival in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we showed for the first time that TCR contributed to the regulation of regulatory T cell population, supporting a role of TCR in modulating host immunity. These observations demonstrate that type III-A CRISPR-Cas system as an important factor for intracellular survival and host immunoregulation in mycobacteria, may be a potential target for therapy.
Project description:CRISPR-Cas immune systems function to defend prokaryotes against potentially harmful mobile genetic elements including viruses and plasmids. The multiple CRISPR-Cas systems (Types I, II, III) each recognize and target destruction of foreign invader nucleic acids via structurally and functionally diverse effector complexes (crRNPs). CRISPR-Cas effector complexes are comprised of CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that contain sequences homologous to the invading nucleic acids and Cas proteins specific to each immune system type. We have previously characterized a crRNP in Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) that contains Cmr proteins (Type III-B) associated with one of two primary size forms of crRNAs and functions through homology-dependent cleavage of target RNAs. In the current study, we have isolated and characterized two additional native Pfu CRISPR-Cas complexes containing either Csa (Type I-A) or Cst (Type I-G) proteins and distinct profiles of associated crRNAs. For each complex, the Cas proteins were identified by tandem mass spectrometry and immunoblotting and the crRNAs by RNA deep sequencing and Northern blot analysis. The crRNAs associated with both the Csa and Cst complexes originate from each of seven total CRISPR loci and contain identical 5’ ends (8-nt CRISPR RNA repeat-derived 5’ tag sequences) but heterogeneous 3’ ends (containing variable amounts of downstream repeat sequences). These crRNA forms are distinct from Cmr-associated crRNAs, indicating different 3’ end processing pathways following primary cleavage of common pre-crRNAs. We predict that the newly identified Pfu Type I-A (Csa) and Type I-G (Cst)-containing crRNPs, like other previously characterized Type I CRISPR-Cas effector complexes, each function by carrying out crRNA-guided DNA targeting of invading mobile genetic elements. Taken together, our in-depth characterization of the three isolated native complexes provides clear evidence for three compositionally distinct crRNPs containing either Cmr, Csa, or Cst Cas proteins that together make up an impressive arsenal of CRISPR-Cas defense for a single organism. 4 Samples: Protein-associated small RNAs
Project description:In bacteria and archaea, CRISPR loci confer adaptive, sequence-based immunity against viruses and plasmids. CRISPR interference is specified by CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that are transcribed and processed from CRISPR spacers and repeats. Pre-crRNA processing is essential for CRISPR interference in all systems studied thus far. Here we examine crRNA biogenesis and CRISPR interference in naturally competent Neisseria spp., including the human pathogen N. meningitidis. Our studies reveal a unique crRNA maturation pathway in which crRNA transcription is driven by promoters that are embedded within each repeat, yielding crRNA 5’ ends are not formed by processing. Although crRNA 3’ end formation occurs through RNase III cleavage of a pre-crRNA/tracrRNA duplex, as in other Type II CRISPR systems, this processing event is dispensable for interference. The meningococcal pathway is the most streamlined CRISPR/cas system characterized to date. Endogenous CRISPR spacers frequently target genomic sequences of other Neisseria strains and so limit natural transformation, which is the primary source of genetic variation that contributes to immune evasion, antibiotic resistance, and virulence in N. meningitidis. dRNA-seq approach for RNA samples from cultures of N. lactamica 020-06, harvested at mid-log. Two cDNA libraries from total RNA were prepared to distinguish between transcripts with either primary orprocessed 5’ ends: one library is generated from untreated RNA, whereas the other is treated with terminator exonuclease (TEX),
Project description:CRISPR-Cas immune systems function to defend prokaryotes against potentially harmful mobile genetic elements including viruses and plasmids. The multiple CRISPR-Cas systems (Types I, II, III) each recognize and target destruction of foreign invader nucleic acids via structurally and functionally diverse effector complexes (crRNPs). CRISPR-Cas effector complexes are comprised of CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that contain sequences homologous to the invading nucleic acids and Cas proteins specific to each immune system type. We have previously characterized a crRNP in Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) that contains Cmr proteins (Type III-B) associated with one of two primary size forms of crRNAs and functions through homology-dependent cleavage of target RNAs. In the current study, we have isolated and characterized two additional native Pfu CRISPR-Cas complexes containing either Csa (Type I-A) or Cst (Type I-G) proteins and distinct profiles of associated crRNAs. For each complex, the Cas proteins were identified by tandem mass spectrometry and immunoblotting and the crRNAs by RNA deep sequencing and Northern blot analysis. The crRNAs associated with both the Csa and Cst complexes originate from each of seven total CRISPR loci and contain identical 5’ ends (8-nt CRISPR RNA repeat-derived 5’ tag sequences) but heterogeneous 3’ ends (containing variable amounts of downstream repeat sequences). These crRNA forms are distinct from Cmr-associated crRNAs, indicating different 3’ end processing pathways following primary cleavage of common pre-crRNAs. We predict that the newly identified Pfu Type I-A (Csa) and Type I-G (Cst)-containing crRNPs, like other previously characterized Type I CRISPR-Cas effector complexes, each function by carrying out crRNA-guided DNA targeting of invading mobile genetic elements. Taken together, our in-depth characterization of the three isolated native complexes provides clear evidence for three compositionally distinct crRNPs containing either Cmr, Csa, or Cst Cas proteins that together make up an impressive arsenal of CRISPR-Cas defense for a single organism.
Project description:During infection, phages manipulate bacteria to redirect metabolism towards viral proliferation. To counteract phages, some bacteria employ CRISPR-Cas systems that provide adaptive immunity. While CRISPR-Cas mechanisms have been studied extensively, their effects on both the phage and the host during phage infection remains poorly understood. Here, we analysed the infection of Serratia by a siphovirus (JS26) and the transcriptomic response with, or without type I-E or I-F CRISPR-Cas immunity. In non-immune Serratia, phage infection altered bacterial metabolism by upregulating anaerobic respiration and amino acid biosynthesis genes, while flagella production was suppressed. Furthermore, phage proliferation required a late-expressed viral Cas4, which did not influence CRISPR adaptation. While type I-E and I-F immunity provided robust defence against phage infection, phage development still impacted the bacterial host. Moreover, DNA repair and SOS response pathways were upregulated during type I immunity. We also discovered that the type I-F system is controlled by a positive autoregulatory feedback loop that is activated upon phage targeting during type I-F immunity, leading to a controlled anti-phage response. Overall, our results provide new insight into phage-host dynamics and the impact of CRISPR immunity within the infected cell.
Project description:In bacteria and archaea, CRISPR loci confer adaptive, sequence-based immunity against viruses and plasmids. CRISPR interference is specified by CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that are transcribed and processed from CRISPR spacers and repeats. Pre-crRNA processing is essential for CRISPR interference in all systems studied thus far. Here we examine crRNA biogenesis and CRISPR interference in naturally competent Neisseria spp., including the human pathogen N. meningitidis. Our studies reveal a unique crRNA maturation pathway in which crRNA transcription is driven by promoters that are embedded within each repeat, yielding crRNA 5’ ends are not formed by processing. Although crRNA 3’ end formation occurs through RNase III cleavage of a pre-crRNA/tracrRNA duplex, as in other Type II CRISPR systems, this processing event is dispensable for interference. The meningococcal pathway is the most streamlined CRISPR/cas system characterized to date. Endogenous CRISPR spacers frequently target genomic sequences of other Neisseria strains and so limit natural transformation, which is the primary source of genetic variation that contributes to immune evasion, antibiotic resistance, and virulence in N. meningitidis.
Project description:The present study was aimed at analyzing (i) the biological cost of RNA polymerase (rpoB) mutations conferring rifampin resistance on H.pylori, (ii) the relationship between the cost of rpoB mutations and the chromosomal mutaion, (iii) the relationship between the cost of rpoB mutations and the transcription profile of sensitive and resistantrif strains of H.pylori (iv) and rpoB mutations in view of the possible fitness burden associated with resistance to another antibiotics. H.pylori reference strain 26695 was routinely maintained on Columbia agar plates and H. pylori-selective antibiotic mix Dent. Liquid culture was grown in BHI broth. Both plates and broth cultures were incubated at 37C under atmosphere enriched with 5% CO2 for 2-3 days . Mutant strains were selected by culturing H. pylori 26695 on selective plates containing rifampicin. In 5 days resistant colonies were picked up and passed under rifampicin pressure. RNA isolated was reverse transcribed and used to probe H. pylori home-made arrays
Project description:Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is an autosomal dominant disease mainly caused by mutations in the Nipped-B-like protein (NIPBL) gene resulting in the alteration of the cohesin pathway. Here, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from a CdLS patient carrying a mutation in the NIPBL gene, c.5483G>A, and tested CRISPR-Cas based approaches to repair the genetic defect. We applied an efficient and precise method of gene correction through CRISPR-Cas induced homology directed repair (HDR), which allowed the generation of hiPSC clones with regular karyotype and preserved stemness. The efficient and precise gene replacement strategy developed in this study can be extended to the modification of other genomic loci in hiPSCs. Isogenic wild-type and mutated hiPSCs produced with the CRISPR-Cas technology are fundamental CdLS cellular models to study the disease molecular determinants and identifying therapeutic targets.
Project description:A whole transcriptome study was performed on Sulfolobus islandicus REY15A actively undergoing CRISPR spacer acquisition from the crenarchaeal monocaudavirus STSV2 in rich (TYS) and basal (SCV) media over a 6 day period. Spacer acquisition preceded strong host growth retardation, and changes in viral transcript abundance and virus copy numbers showed significant differences between the two media. Results showed that rich medium favoured CRISPR-Cas immunity generation.