Genetic diversity and evolutionary characterization of Chinese porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses based on NSP2 and ORF5.

To more fully understand the extent of genetic diversity of PRRSV in China, we analyzed the Nsp2 and ORF5 gene sequences of 35 representative PRRSV isolates from 2008 to 2012. Sequence analysis revealed that the Nsp2 and ORF5 genes have undergone genetic variation. Furthermore, the isolate FJLYDX04 contains five insertions at positions 599 to 603 and is the first isolate from China reported to have an insertion in Nsp2. Our results suggest that the highly pathogenic PRRSV has become the dominant strain in China and that Chinese PRRSV has undergone rapid evolution and can circumvent immune responses induced by currently used vaccines.

Insight into the evolution of the histidine triad protein (HTP) family in Streptococcus.

The Histidine Triad Proteins (HTPs), also known as Pht proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae, constitute a family of surface-exposed proteins that exist in many pathogenic streptococcal species. Although many studies have revealed the importance of HTPs in streptococcal physiology and pathogenicity, little is known about their origin and evolution. In this study, after identifying all htp homologs from 105 streptococcal genomes representing 38 different species/subspecies, we analyzed their domain structures, positions in genome, and most importantly, their evolutionary histories. By further projecting this information onto the streptococcal phylogeny, we made several major findings. First, htp genes originated earlier than the Streptococcus genus and gene-loss events have occurred among three streptococcal groups, resulting in the absence of the htp gene in the Bovis, Mutans and Salivarius groups. Second, the copy number of htp genes in other groups of Streptococcus is variable, ranging from one to four functional copies. Third, both phylogenetic evidence and domain structure analyses support the division of two htp subfamilies, designated as htp I and htp II. Although present mainly in the pyogenic group and in Streptococcus suis, htp II members are distinct from htp I due to the presence of an additional leucine-rich-repeat domain at the C-terminus. Finally, htp genes exhibit a faster nucleotide substitution rate than do housekeeping genes. Specifically, the regions outside the HTP domains are under strong positive selection. This distinct evolutionary pattern likely helped Streptococcus to easily escape from recognition by host immunity.

[Role of Luxs gene on regulation of virulence factors in Salmonella typhimurium].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Luxs gene on the regulation of virulence factors in Salmonella typhimurium. METHODS: Luxs gene knock-out strain of Salmonella typhimurium of the line 14028S was constructed. Media with Luxs gene knock-out 14028S or wild type 14028S bacteria were added into the media of cultured human intestinal epithelial cells of the line Caco. The numbers of colony formation unit (cfu) were calculated so as to compare the invasion ability. Northern blotting was performed to examine the Luxs gene expression. RESULTS: When the 14028S cells were in the early logarithmic phase the cfu number was 590, and in the middle and late logarithmic, and stationary phases, the cfu numbers were 246, 57, and 13 respectively. The Luxs gene expression levels increased gradually along with the bacterial growth into different phases. The cfu number A600 nm = 0.25 of the Luxs gene knock-out strain was 597, significantly higher than that of the wild type (315, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Luxs gene may be a negative regulator on the invasion ability of Salmonella typhimurium.

[Construction of RevS gene knock-out mutant of Streptococcus suis serotype 2].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a gene knock-out mutant of response regulator named RevS in Streptococcus suis serotype 2 virulent strain 05ZYH33, and to investigate the effects of its deletion on the biological characters of this pathogen and the pathogenesis to mice and piglets. METHODS: Recombinant gene knock-out vector consisting of Spc(r) cassette was constructed and flanking was constructed consisting of Spc(r) cassette with flanking homology regions to the RevS genes while the isogenic RevS-deficient mutant was screened by allelic replacement. The effects of RevS deletion on the basic biological characters of 05ZYH33 including growth stability, colonial morphology, haemolysis, Gram staining, growth curve and protein expression were examined in vitro. The mice and piglets were infected with 10(8) CFU wild virulent and mutant isolates. RESULTS: PCR analysis confirmed that the coding genes of RevS were replaced completely by Spc(r) cassette and the basic biological characters of 05ZYH33 did not undergo any apparent change. Balb/c mice infection assay indicated that RevS play a role in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis infections, while no remarkable difference was observed in the piglets' pathogenesis infection rates between mutant isolates deltaA05ZYH33 and wild-type isolates 05ZYH33. CONCLUSION: The mutant of Streptococcus suis 05ZYH33 response regulator was successfully constructed, while the mutation did not obviously affect the bacterial biological characters, while the knock-out mutant of RevS was shown to be attenuated in pathogenesis to mice and piglets.

[Study on molecular epidemiology of major pathogenic Streptococcus suis serotypes in middle part of Jiangsu province].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Streptococcus suis and major pathogenic serotypes in middle part of Jiangsu province. METHODS: Tonsillar specimens from 303 slaughtered pigs aged 6 to 8 months were investigated for the presence of Streptococcus suis and major pathogenic serotypes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Bacteriological examination compared with molecular genetics identification for three Streptococcus suis isolates were also done. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of Streptococcus suis was up to 88.0%, with the percentages of serotype 1(14), 2(1/2), 7 and 9 were 9.6%, 8.5%, 11.3% and 29.5% respectively in 2005. While in 2006, the prevalence of Streptococcus suis was 82.5%, with capsular types 1 (14), 2 (1/2), 7 and 9 were accounted for 17.6%, 2.4%, 25.8% and 20.0% of all the specimens. All the three isolates belonged to Streptococcus suis serotype 2,named 2a, 2f and 14e, which exhibiting the virulent phenotype cps2+/gdh+/mrp-/lepf-/sly-/fbps+/orf2+/89k-, cps2+/lgdh+/mrp-/epf-/sly-/fbps-/orf2-/89k- and cps2+/gdh+/mrp-/epf-/sly-/fbps/orf2-/ respectively. These isolates were all susceptible to amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin and resistant to amikacin and tetraycline. Clinical signs were not noted in BALB/c mice and rabbit. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of the Streptococcus suis among the healthy herds in the areas was very high, with various capsule types of Streptococcus suis involved in the same herds, and the virulent phenotype of these 3 isolates were very different from those prevalent Streptococcus suis serotype 2 virulent isolates frequently discovered from the epidemic areas.

[Homologous analysis of Streptococcus suis srt gene and prokaryotic expression of srtA].

AIM: To elucidate the distribution of srt gene in the genome of S.suis 05ZYH33, prokaryotically express Sortase A and analyze its antigenicity. METHODS: Homologous genes encoding sortase family members were analyzed, and then the srtA gene of S.suis was cloned and sequenced. The recombinant protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The mice were immunized with recombinant protein and the antibody titer was determined by indirect ELISA. RESULTS: All the putative srt genes in the genome of 05ZYH33 were analyzed. Six genes were found to be homologous to srt of S.suis isolated in Japan. The predicted srtA and sortase-like proteins were members of Class A of sortase family while srtBCD and srtE belonged to Class B. Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein was reactive to with the serum from the rabbits infected with a virulent strain of S.suis Type 2. The antibody titer in blood serum reached 1:6 400 after immunization with recombinant protein four times. CONCLUSION: Compared with the isolated strain from Japan a new putative srt gene was found in 05ZYH33. The srtA gene was successfully expressed in prokaryotic system and the recombinant protein showed specific antigenicity, which is important for future research of the function of Sortase.

[Cloning and prokaryotic expression of truncated muramidase-released protein gene of human Streptococcus suis type 2].

AIM: To clone and express the truncated Habb mrp gene of human Streptococcus suis type 2 (S.suis 2) and detect its activity. METHODS: A pair of primers based on S.suis 2 mrp gene were schemed out. The turncated mrp (tmrp)gene of S.suis 2 strain Habb isolated from diseased person in Haian, Jiangsu province was cloned and analyzed. The prokaryotic expression plasmid pGEX4T-2-tmrp was constructed.The expression of recombinant protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) was induced in E.coli TG1. The fusion protein (tMRP-GST) was purified by affinity chromatography, and the GST was cut from tMRP-GST with thrombin protease to gain the truncated MRP (tMRP) antigen. The activity of recombinant protein was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: Sequence analysis showed that the length of the truncated mrp was 957 bp. The prokaryotic expressed production was a fusion protein, whose molecular weight was about 61 kD, and the molecular weight of the purified tMRP protein was about 35 kD. Western blot analysis showed that tMRP-GST and tMRP were detected specifically by MRP antiserum on nitrocellulose membrane. CONCLUSION: The truncated mrp gene of human S.suis 2 strain Habb is successfully cloned, and the high expression of the functional recombinant protein is achieved in the prokaryotic system, which facilitates the further studies on the bio-function and immunology.

[Detection of virulence-associated factors of Streptococcus suis by multiplex PCR assay].

OBJECTIVE: To rapidly and sensitively detect the four virulence-associated factors of Streptococcus suis, a multiplex PCR was developed. METHODS: In the process of this reaction, four distinct DNA targets were amplified. One target was based on the serotype 2 (and 1/2) specific cps gene and the others were based on Streptococcus suis mrp, epf (epf*) and sly gene, encoding the MRP, EF(EF*) and Sly proteins of Streptococcus suis. 72 isolates, which including 48 strains of Streptococcus suis and 24 strains of negative control, and 49 clinical specimens were detected by the multiplex PCR assay. RESULTS: All PCR products were detected by electrophoresis on 1.2% agarose gels. With the 48 Streptococcus suis strains, the positive detection rates of cps2+, mrp+, epf+, epf*+ and sly+ were 16/48, 14/48, 12/48, 3/48 and 26/48,respectively. The results were confirmed by bacteriological examination. There were no specific amplification products including 49 clinical specimens and 24 negative control strains. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that multiplex PCR was a highly specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of virulence-associated factors of streptococcus suis.