Molecular Biology


Publications (263)

Metagenomic Discovery of “ <i>Candidatus</i> Parvarchaeales”-Related Lineages Sheds Light on Adaptation and Diversification from Neutral-Thermal to Acidic-Mesothermal Environments

Citation
Rao et al. (2023). mSystems
Names
“Parvarchaeales”
Subjects
Biochemistry Computer Science Applications Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics Genetics Microbiology Modeling and Simulation Molecular Biology Physiology
Abstract
“ Candidatus Parvarchaeales” microbes may represent a lineage uniquely distributed in extreme environments such as AMD and hot springs. However, little is known about the strategies and processes of how they adapted to these extreme environments.

Draft Genome Sequences of Three “ <i>Candidatus</i> Symbiopectobacterium” Isolates Collected from Potato Tubers Grown in New Zealand

Citation
Nunes Leite et al. (2023). Microbiology Resource Announcements 12 (3)
Names
Ca. Symbiopectobacterium
Subjects
Genetics Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous) Molecular Biology
Abstract
The draft genome sequences of three “ Candidatus Symbiopectobacterium” isolates that were collected from New Zealand-grown potato tubers represent the first report of this proposed taxon in the Southern Hemisphere. Their symbiosis with insects and nematodes and their presence on plants may lead to new strategies for pest control and crop management.

‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’ and Probable Exclusion of Rickettsia parkeri in Ticks from Dogs in a Natural Area of the Pampa Biome in Brazil

Citation
Krawczak et al. (2023). Pathogens 12 (3)
Names
Ca. Rickettsia andeanae
Subjects
General Immunology and Microbiology Immunology and Allergy Infectious Diseases Microbiology (medical) Molecular Biology
Abstract
Spotted fever illness caused by the tick-borne pathogen Rickettsia parkeri has emerged in the Pampa biome in southern Brazil, where the tick Amblyomma tigrinum is implicated as the main vector. Because domestic dogs are commonly parasitized by A. tigrinum, this canid is also a suitable sentinel for R. parkeri-associated spotted fever. Herein, we investigate rickettsial infection in ticks, domestic dogs and small mammals in a natural reserve of the Pampa biome in southern Brazil. The ticks A. tigrinum, Amblyomma aureolatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were collected from dogs. Molecular analyses of ticks did not detect R. parkeri; however, at least 34% (21/61) of the A. tigrinum ticks were infected by the non-pathogenic agent ‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’. Serological analyses revealed that only 14% and 3% of 36 dogs and 34 small mammals, respectively, were exposed to rickettsial antigens. These results indicate that the study area is not endemic for R. parkeri rickettsiosis. We tabulated 10 studies that reported rickettsial infection in A. tigrinum populations from South America. There was a strong negative correlation between the infection rates by R. parkeri and ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’ in A. tigrinum populations. We propose that high infection rates by ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’ might promote the exclusion of R. parkeri from A. tigrinum populations. The mechanisms for such exclusion are yet to be elucidated.

Identification of the Actin-Binding Region and Binding to Host Plant Apple Actin of Immunodominant Transmembrane Protein of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’

Citation
Boonrod et al. (2023). International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 (2)
Names
Ca. Phytoplasma mali
Subjects
Catalysis Computer Science Applications General Medicine Inorganic Chemistry Molecular Biology Organic Chemistry Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Spectroscopy
Abstract
‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ (‘Ca. P. mali’) has only one major membrane protein, the immunodominant membrane protein (Imp), which is regarded as being close to the ancestor of all phytoplasma immunodominant membrane proteins. Imp binds to actin and possibly facilitates its movement in the plant or insect host cells. However, protein sequences of Imp are quite diverse among phytoplasma species, thus resulting in difficulties in identifying conserved domains across species. In this work, we compare Imp protein sequences of ‘Ca. P. mali’ strain PM19 (Imp-PM19) with Imp of different strains of ‘Ca. P. mali’ and identify its actin-binding domain. Moreover, we show that Imp binds to the actin of apple (Malus x domestica), which is the host plant of ‘Ca. P. mali’. Using molecular and scanning force spectroscopy analysis, we find that the actin-binding domain of Imp-PM19 contains a highly positively charged amino acid cluster. Our result could allow investigating a possible correlation between Imp variants and the infectivity of the corresponding ‘Ca. P. mali’ isolates.

Comparative Genomic Insights into the Evolution of <i>Halobacteria</i> -Associated “ <i>Candidatus</i> Nanohaloarchaeota”

Citation
Zhao et al. (2022). mSystems 7 (6)
Names
Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota
Subjects
Biochemistry Computer Science Applications Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics Genetics Microbiology Modeling and Simulation Molecular Biology Physiology
Abstract
The DPANN superphylum is a group of archaea widely distributed in various habitats. They generally have small cells and have a symbiotic lifestyle with other archaea.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Washington Isolate of “ <i>Candidatus</i> Phytoplasma pruni”

Citation
Wright, Harper (2022). Microbiology Resource Announcements 11 (12)
Names
Ca. Phytoplasma pruni
Subjects
Genetics Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous) Molecular Biology
Abstract
Illumina sequencing of a Prunus avium tree with X-disease symptoms was performed to obtain a draft genome of “ Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni.” The genome consists of 14 contigs covering 588,767 bp. This is the first metagenome to be sequenced from the current X-disease epidemic in stone fruit in the Pacific Northwest.

Metagenome-Assembled Genomes for “ <i>Candidatus</i> Phormidium sp. Strain AB48” and Co-occurring Microorganisms from an Industrial Photobioreactor Environment

Citation
Noonan et al. (2022). Microbiology Resource Announcements 11 (12)
Names
Ca. Phormidium
Subjects
Genetics Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous) Molecular Biology
Abstract
Here, we report metagenome-assembled genomes for “ Candidatus Phormidium sp. strain AB48” and three cooccurring microorganisms from a biofilm-forming industrial photobioreactor environment, using the PacBio sequencing platform. Several mobile genetic elements, including a double-stranded DNA phage and plasmids, were also recovered, with the potential to mediate gene transfer within the biofilm community.