Getting out of a mammalian egg: the egg tooth and caruncle of the echidna.

In the echidna, after development in utero, the egg is laid in the pouch and incubated for 10 days. During this time, the fetuses develop an egg tooth and caruncle to help them hatch. Using rare and unprecedented access to limited echidna pre- and post-hatching tissues, development of the egg tooth and caruncle were assessed by micro-CT, histology and immunofluorescence. Unlike therian tooth germs that develop by placode invagination, the echidna egg tooth developed by evagination, similar to the first teeth in some reptiles and fish. The egg tooth ankylosed to the premaxilla, rather than forming a tooth root with ligamentous attachment found in other mammals, with loss of the egg tooth associated with high levels of activity odontoclasts and apoptosis. The caruncle formed as a separate mineralisation from the adjacent nasal capsule, and as observed in birds and turtles, the nasal region epithelium on top of the nose expressed markers of cornification. Together, this highlights that the monotreme egg tooth shares many similarities with typical reptilian teeth, suggesting that this tooth has been conserved from a common ancestor of mammals and reptiles.

Repeat testing of mpox specimens with late CTs improves detection of potential false positive cases.

The mpox pandemic necessitated the rapid development of clinical assays for monkeypox virus detection. While the majority of mpox specimens have high viral loads with corresponding early cycle threshold (CT) values, reports have indicated some specimens with late CT values can represent false positive results. To mitigate this risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an advisory recommending repeat testing of all specimens with CT values ≥34. However, limited experimental data were available to support this specific cutoff. In this study, we examine whether a more conservative approach in which all specimens with CT values ≥29 are repeated would improve the detection of potential false positive results. Compared to the CDC algorithm, our approach identified an additional 20% (5/25) of potential false positive results. To assess the impact of this cutoff on laboratory workload, we modeled the expected increase in test volume and turnaround time (TAT) relative to the CDC method. Using a lower repeat threshold, test volume increased by 0.7% while mean TAT increased by less than 15 minutes. Overall, a lower threshold than recommended by the CDC for repeating late CT mpox specimens may reduce the number of false positives reported while minimally impacting testing volume and TAT.

Koala retrovirus load and non-A subtypes are associated with secondary disease among wild northern koalas.

Koala Retrovirus (KoRV) has been associated with neoplasia in the vulnerable koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). However, there are conflicting findings regarding its association with secondary disease. We undertook a large-scale assessment of how the different KoRV subtypes and viral load are associated with Chlamydia pecorum infection and a range of disease pathologies in 151 wild koalas admitted for care to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Australia. Viral load (KoRV pol copies per ml of plasma) was the best predictor of more disease pathologies than any other KoRV variable. The predicted probability of a koala having disease symptoms increased from 25% to over 85% across the observed range of KoRV load, while the predicted probability of C. pecorum infection increased from 40% to over 80%. We found a negative correlation between the proportion of env deep sequencing reads that were endogenous KoRV-A and total KoRV load. This is consistent with suppression of endogenous KoRV-A, while the exogenous KoRV subtypes obtain high infection levels. Additionally, we reveal evidence that the exogenous subtypes are directly associated with secondary disease, with the proportion of reads that were the endogenous KoRV-A sequence a negative predictor of overall disease probability after the effect of KoRV load was accounted for. Further, koalas that were positive for KoRV-D or KoRV-D/F were more likely to have urogenital C. pecorum infection or low body condition score, respectively, irrespective of KoRV load. By contrast, our findings do not support previous findings that KoRV-B in particular is associated with Chlamydial disease. Based on these findings we suggest that koala research and conservation programs should target understanding what drives individual differences in KoRV load and limiting exogenous subtype diversity within populations, rather than seeking to eliminate any particular subtype.

An evaluation of DNA sample source and molecular markers to determine gender in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

The short-beaked echidna is sexually monomorphic such that gender identification without veterinary intervention is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the most optimal noninvasive genetic source by extracting echidna genomic DNA (gDNA) from fecal scats, plucked hair, and quills to perform genetic sex testing using a range of molecular markers. Sex determination of 14 captive short-beaked echidnas was determined by amplifying isolated DNA from noninvasive samples, targeting two Y chromosome (male-specific) genes (mediator complex subunit 26 Y-gametologue [CRSPY] and anti-Müllerian hormone Y-gametologue [AMHY]), in addition to four confirmed sex-specific RADseq markers. Results of noninvasive samples were compared with blood samples and clinical records. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of sex determination of markers for each sample type. The gender of the echidnas was successfully identified on 75% of occasions using fecal samples, 90.6% occasions using hair, and 84.6% occasions with quills. Overall, the male-specific RADseq markers accurately identified the sex of echidnas with all sample types for 90% of animals; compared with 81.5% using CRSPY, and 82.0% using AMHY to identify sex. Collection of hair, quills, and feces provides a useful alternative to invasively collected samples, however, the accuracy of results depends on sample type and genetic marker selected. We found gender determination in the short-beaked echidna was most accurate using four male-specific RADseq markers on gDNA isolated from blood and hair. The noninvasive genetic sexing techniques documented here will inform and facilitate husbandry and genetic management of captive echidna populations.

Development and validation of a next-generation sequencing assay with open-access analysis software for detecting resistance-associated mutations in CMV.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) resistance testing by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple genes. We developed and validated an amplicon-based Ion Torrent NGS assay to detect CMV resistance mutations in UL27, UL54, UL56, and UL97 and compared the results to standard Sanger sequencing. NGS primers were designed to generate 83 overlapping amplicons of four CMV genes (~10 kb encompassing 138 mutation sites). An open-access software plugin was developed to perform read alignment, call variants, and interpret drug resistance. Plasmids were tested to determine NGS error rate and minor variant limit of detection. NGS limit of detection was determined using the CMV WHO International Standard and quantified clinical specimens. Reproducibility was also assessed. After establishing quality control metrics, 185 patient specimens previously tested using Sanger were reanalyzed by NGS. The NGS assay had a low error rate (<0.05%) and high accuracy (95%) for detecting CMV-associated resistance mutations present at ≥5% in contrived mixed populations. Mutation sites were reproducibly sequenced with 40× coverage when plasma viral loads were ≥2.6 log IU/mL. NGS detected the same resistance-associated mutations identified by Sanger in 68/69 (98.6%) specimens. In 16 specimens, NGS detected 18 resistance mutations that Sanger failed to detect; 14 were low-frequency variants (<20%), and six would have changed the drug resistance interpretation. The NGS assay showed excellent agreement with Sanger and generated high-quality sequence from low viral load specimens. Additionally, the higher resolution and analytic sensitivity of NGS potentially enables earlier detection of antiviral resistance.

Pathway elucidation and microbial synthesis of proaporphine and bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has been utilized as a food, medicine, and spiritual symbol for nearly 3000 years. The medicinal properties of lotus are largely attributed to its unique profile of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), which includes potential anti-cancer, anti-malarial and anti-arrhythmic compounds. BIA biosynthesis in sacred lotus differs markedly from that of opium poppy and other members of the Ranunculales, most notably in an abundance of BIAs possessing the (R)-stereochemical configuration and the absence of reticuline, a major branchpoint intermediate in most BIA producers. Owing to these unique metabolic features and the pharmacological potential of lotus, we set out to elucidate the BIA biosynthesis network in N. nucifera. Here we show that lotus CYP80G (NnCYP80G) and a superior ortholog from Peruvian nutmeg (Laurelia sempervirens; LsCYP80G) stereospecifically convert (R)-N-methylcoclaurine to the proaporphine alkaloid glaziovine, which is subsequently methylated to pronuciferine, the presumed precursor to nuciferine. While sacred lotus employs a dedicated (R)-route to aporphine alkaloids from (R)-norcoclaurine, we implemented an artificial stereochemical inversion approach to flip the stereochemistry of the core BIA pathway. Exploiting the unique substrate specificity of dehydroreticuline synthase from common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and pairing it with dehydroreticuline reductase enabled de novo synthesis of (R)-N-methylcoclaurine from (S)-norcoclaurine and its subsequent conversion to pronuciferine. We leveraged our stereochemical inversion approach to also elucidate the role of NnCYP80A in sacred lotus metabolism, which we show catalyzes the stereospecific formation of the bis-BIA nelumboferine. Screening our collection of 66 plant O-methyltransferases enabled conversion of nelumboferine to liensinine, a potential anti-cancer bis-BIA from sacred lotus. Our work highlights the unique benzylisoquinoline metabolism of N. nucifera and enables the targeted overproduction of potential lotus pharmaceuticals using engineered microbial systems.

Investigating the utility of using fecal hormone metabolites as a reproductive management tool for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

This study demonstrates the utility of the analysis of fecal hormone metabolites as a reproductive management tool for captive short-beaked echidnas. Over three breeding seasons daily fecal samples were collected from female echidnas (n = 8) that were monitored continuously by video surveillance to confirm key reproductive events. Fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations were elevated above baseline values (448.0 ± 156.3 ng/g) during pregnancy and the luteal phase. However, compared to plasma progesterone the rise in fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations after copulation was delayed (3.3 ± 0.4 versus 8.3 ± 0.6 days, respectively), such that pregnancy was more reliably detected in its latter half when using fecal samples. Mating and oviposition were observed for 14 of the 19 pregnancies resulting in an estimated gestation of 16.7 ± 0.2 days (range 16.0-18.1 d). The estrogen enzyme-immunoassays tested (n = 3) in this study were not suitable for the fecal samples of the echidna. Fecal progesterone metabolites are an effective tool for confirming the timing and occurrence of estrous cycles in captive echidna colonies and can assist zookeepers in identifying possible causes of sub-optimal reproductive success without the unnecessary stress of repeated capture and anaesthesia for blood collection.

HIV-1 Drug Resistance Assay Using Ion Torrent Next Generation Sequencing and On-Instrument End-to-End Analysis Software.

HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy management requires sequencing the protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase portions of the HIV-1 pol gene. Most resistance testing is performed with Sanger sequencing, which has limited ability to detect minor variants. Next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms enable variant detection at frequencies as low as 1% allowing for earlier detection of resistance and modification of therapy. Implementation of NGS assays in the clinical laboratory is hindered by complicated assay design, cumbersome wet bench procedures, and the complexity of data analysis and bioinformatics. We developed a complete NGS protocol and companion analysis and reporting pipeline using AmpliSeq multiplex PCR, Ion Torrent S5 XL sequencing, and Stanford's HIVdb resistance algorithm. Implemented as a Torrent Suite software plugin, the pipeline runs automatically after sequencing. An optimum variant frequency threshold of 10% was determined by comparing Sanger sequences of archived samples from ViroSeq testing, resulting in a sensitivity of 98.2% and specificity of 99.0%. The majority (91%) of drug resistance mutations were detected by both Sanger and NGS, with 1.7% only by Sanger and 7.3% only by NGS. Variant calls were highly reproducible and there was no cross-reactivity to VZV, HBV, CMV, EBV, and HCV. The limit of detection was 500 copies/mL. The NGS assay performance was comparable to ViroSeq Sanger sequencing and has several advantages, including a publicly available end-to-end analysis and reporting plugin. The assay provides a straightforward path for implementation of NGS for HIV drug resistance testing in the laboratory setting without additional investment in bioinformatics infrastructure and resources.

Proteomic analysis of koala (phascolarctos cinereus) spermatozoa and prostatic bodies.

The aims of this study were to investigate the proteome of koala spermatozoa and that of the prostatic bodies with which they interact during ejaculation. For this purpose, spermatozoa and prostatic bodies were fractionated from the semen of four male koalas and analysed by HPLC MS/MS. This strategy identified 744 sperm and 1297 prostatic body proteins, which were subsequently attributed to 482 and 776 unique gene products, respectively. Gene ontology curation of the sperm proteome revealed an abundance of proteins mapping to the canonical sirtuin and 14-3-3 signalling pathways. By contrast, protein ubiquitination and unfolded protein response pathways dominated the equivalent analysis of proteins uniquely identified in prostatic bodies. Koala sperm proteins featured an enrichment of those mapping to the functional categories of cellular compromise/inflammatory response, whilst those of the prostatic body revealed an over-representation of molecular chaperone and stress-related proteins. Cross-species comparisons demonstrated that the koala sperm proteome displays greater conservation with that of eutherians (human; 93%) as opposed to reptile (crocodile; 39%) and avian (rooster; 27%) spermatozoa. Together, this work contributes to our overall understanding of the core sperm proteome and has identified biomarkers that may contribute to the exceptional longevity of koala spermatozoa during ex vivo storage.

Plasma progesterone secretion during gestation of the captive short-beaked echidna.

This study describes the progesterone profile during pregnancy in sexually mature female captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus aculeatus). Echidnas were monitored daily by video surveillance to confirm key reproductive behaviour. Plasma samples were collected and pouch morphology was assessed three times a week. The pouch of the female echidna only develops during gestation and it was possible to create a four-stage grading system using the most distinguishable characteristics of pouch development. Maximum pouch development was associated with declining progesterone concentrations, with the pouch closing in a drawstring-like manner at oviposition. Control of pouch development in pregnant echidnas is not yet clear but later pouch development is associated with a decrease in progesterone and pouch closure and may be under mechanical influences of the egg or young in the pouch. The length of pregnancy was 16.7 ± 0.2 days with a 15.1 ± 1.0 days luteal phase followed by an incubation period in the pouch. Eggs could be detected in utero at least 4 days before oviposition. Plasma progesterone peaked at 10.5 ± 0.9 ng/mL within 12 days of mating but then declined to basal levels within 1 day of oviposition and remained basal throughout egg incubation, confirming that progesterone is elevated throughout pregnancy and that gestation does not extend beyond the luteal phase. After the loss of an egg or pouch young, most females entered a second oestrous cycle and ovulated, suggesting echidnas are seasonally polyoestrous. The duration of the luteal phase in the echidna corresponds with that observed in other mammals.

Using the Endogenous CRISPR-Cas System of Heliobacterium modesticaldum To Delete the Photochemical Reaction Center Core Subunit Gene.

In Heliobacterium modesticaldum, as in many Firmicutes, deleting genes by homologous recombination using standard techniques has been extremely difficult. The cells tend to integrate the introduced plasmid into the chromosome by a single recombination event rather than perform the double recombination required to replace the targeted locus. Transformation with a vector containing only a homologous recombination template for replacement of the photochemical reaction center gene pshA produced colonies with multiple genotypes, rather than a clean gene replacement. To address this issue, we required an additional means of selection to force a clean gene replacement. In this study, we report the genetic structure of the type I-A and I-E CRISPR-Cas systems from H. modesticaldum, as well as methods to leverage the type I-A system for genome editing. In silico analysis of the CRISPR spacers revealed a potential consensus protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) required for Cas3 recognition, which was then tested using an in vivo interference assay. Introduction of a homologous recombination plasmid that carried a miniature CRISPR array targeting sequences in pshA (downstream of a naturally occurring PAM sequence) produced nonphototrophic transformants with clean replacements of the pshA gene with ∼80% efficiency. Mutants were confirmed by PCR, sequencing, optical spectroscopy, and growth characteristics. This methodology should be applicable to any genetic locus in the H. modesticaldum genome.IMPORTANCE The heliobacteria are the only phototrophic members of the largely Gram-positive phylum Firmicutes, which contains medically and industrially important members, such as Clostridium difficile and Clostridium acetobutylicum Heliobacteria are of interest in the study of photosynthesis because their photosynthetic system is unique and the simplest known. Since their discovery in the early 1980s, work on the heliobacteria has been hindered by the lack of a genetic transformation system. The problem of introducing foreign DNA into these bacteria has been recently rectified by our group; however, issues still remained for efficient genome editing. The significance of this work is that we have characterized the endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas system in the heliobacteria and leveraged it to assist in genome editing. Using the CRISPR-Cas system allowed us to isolate transformants with precise replacement of the pshA gene encoding the main subunit of the photochemical reaction center.

Clinical Performance of SurePath™ Preservative Compared to PreservCyt® with Cobas® and Hybrid Capture® 2 HPV Tests in a Colposcopy Population.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, no HPV test had been US FDA-approved for SurePath preservative. Clinical performance remains incompletely understood. The clinical performances of the Cobas HPV Test (Cobas) and Hybrid Capture 2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test (HC2) with PreservCyt and SurePath preservatives were compared. METHODS: Cervical cytology samples were collected in both preservatives in random order from women age 21+ (n = 244) referred for colposcopy. Before cytology processing and pelleting, SurePath samples were tested by the Cobas test with and without buffered SDS heat pretreatment. SurePath pellets were tested by the HC2 test and by the Cobas test (with pretreatment). Performance characteristics were calculated in relation to cases of cervical in-traepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+) as the clinical target outcome. All HPV-positive samples were also genotyped with the Linear Array test. RESULTS: CIN2+ was detected in 42 patients (17.2%). For both HPV tests, there was a trend towards higher positivity and sensitivity for SurePath compared to PreservCyt preservative. The Cobas test had higher sensitivity than HC2 and the HC2 test had higher specificity than Cobas. Pretreated SurePath samples produced results similar to untreated ones, despite a two-fold dilution during pretreatment [sensitivity %: 95.1 (82.2 - 99.2) vs. 94.3 (79.5 - 99.0); specificity %: 33.0 (26.6 - 40.1) vs. 33.0 (26.4 - 40.3)]. CONCLUSIONS: There was good agreement between the preservatives and HPV tests in detecting HPV and between the Cobas and Linear Array tests for genotyping HR-HPV. These trends were not statistically significant due to the limited number of CIN2+ cases. However, these data may help in evaluations of preservative selection for colposcopy samples. Pre-treatment for Cobas testing eliminated invalid results due to clots. The Cobas test has been FDA-approved for use with heat pretreated SurePath samples.

An Engineered Aro1 Protein Degradation Approach for Increased cis,cis-Muconic Acid Biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Muconic acid (MA) is a chemical building block and precursor to adipic and terephthalic acids used in the production of nylon and polyethylene terephthalate polymer families. Global demand for these important materials, coupled to their dependence on petrochemical resources, provides substantial motivation for the microbial synthesis of MA and its derivatives. In this context, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast shikimate pathway can be sourced as a precursor for the formation of MA. Here we report a novel strategy to balance MA pathway performance with aromatic amino acid prototrophy by destabilizing Aro1 through C-terminal degron tagging. Coupling of a composite MA production pathway to degron-tagged Aro1 in an aro3Δ aro4Δ mutant background led to the accumulation of 5.6 g/liter protocatechuic acid (PCA). However, metabolites downstream of PCA were not detected, despite the inclusion of genes mediating their biosynthesis. Because CEN.PK family strains of S. cerevisiae lack the activity of Pad1, a key enzyme supporting PCA decarboxylase activity, chromosomal expression of intact PAD1 alleviated this bottleneck, resulting in nearly stoichiometric conversion (95%) of PCA to downstream products. In a fed-batch bioreactor, the resulting strain produced 1.2 g/liter MA under prototrophic conditions and 5.1 g/liter MA when supplemented with amino acids, corresponding to a yield of 58 mg/g sugar.IMPORTANCE Previous efforts to engineer a heterologous MA pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been hindered by a bottleneck at the PCA decarboxylation step and the creation of aromatic amino acid auxotrophy through deleterious manipulation of the pentafunctional Aro1 protein. In light of these studies, this work was undertaken with the central objective of preserving amino acid prototrophy, which we achieved by employing an Aro1 degradation strategy. Moreover, resolution of the key PCA decarboxylase bottleneck, as detailed herein, advances our understanding of yeast MA biosynthesis and will guide future strain engineering efforts. These strategies resulted in the highest titer reported to date for muconic acid produced in yeast. Overall, our study showcases the effectiveness of careful tuning of yeast Aro1 activity and the importance of host-pathway dynamics.

Extending CRISPR-Cas9 Technology from Genome Editing to Transcriptional Engineering in the Genus Clostridium.

The discovery and exploitation of the prokaryotic adaptive immunity system based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins have revolutionized genetic engineering. CRISPR-Cas tools have enabled extensive genome editing as well as efficient modulation of the transcriptional program in a multitude of organisms. Progress in the development of genetic engineering tools for the genus Clostridium has lagged behind that of many other prokaryotes, presenting the CRISPR-Cas technology an opportunity to resolve a long-existing issue. Here, we applied the Streptococcus pyogenes type II CRISPR-Cas9 (SpCRISPR-Cas9) system for genome editing in Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM792. We further explored the utility of the SpCRISPR-Cas9 machinery for gene-specific transcriptional repression. For proof-of-concept demonstration, a plasmid-encoded fluorescent protein gene was used for transcriptional repression in C. acetobutylicum Subsequently, we targeted the carbon catabolite repression (CCR) system of C. acetobutylicum through transcriptional repression of the hprK gene encoding HPr kinase/phosphorylase, leading to the coutilization of glucose and xylose, which are two abundant carbon sources from lignocellulosic feedstocks. Similar approaches based on SpCRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing and transcriptional repression were also demonstrated in Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC 6013. As such, this work lays a foundation for the derivation of clostridial strains for industrial purposes. IMPORTANCE: After recognizing the industrial potential of Clostridium for decades, methods for the genetic manipulation of these anaerobic bacteria are still underdeveloped. This study reports the implementation of CRISPR-Cas technology for genome editing and transcriptional regulation in Clostridium acetobutylicum, which is arguably the most common industrial clostridial strain. The developed genetic tools enable simpler, more reliable, and more extensive derivation of C. acetobutylicum mutant strains for industrial purposes. Similar approaches were also demonstrated in Clostridium pasteurianum, another clostridial strain that is capable of utilizing glycerol as the carbon source for butanol fermentation, and therefore can be arguably applied in other clostridial strains.

Disruption of the Reductive 1,3-Propanediol Pathway Triggers Production of 1,2-Propanediol for Sustained Glycerol Fermentation by Clostridium pasteurianum.

UNLABELLED: Crude glycerol, the major by-product of biodiesel production, is an attractive bioprocessing feedstock owing to its abundance, low cost, and high degree of reduction. In line with the advent of the biodiesel industry, Clostridium pasteurianum has gained prominence as a result of its unique capacity to convert waste glycerol into n-butanol, a high-energy biofuel. However, no efforts have been directed at abolishing the production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), the chief competing product of C. pasteurianum glycerol fermentation. Here, we report rational metabolic engineering of C. pasteurianum for enhanced n-butanol production through inactivation of the gene encoding 1,3-PDO dehydrogenase (dhaT). In spite of current models of anaerobic glycerol dissimilation, culture growth and glycerol utilization were unaffected in the dhaT disruption mutant (dhaT::Ll.LtrB). Metabolite characterization of the dhaT::Ll.LtrB mutant revealed an 83% decrease in 1,3-PDO production, encompassing the lowest C. pasteurianum 1,3-PDO titer reported to date (0.58 g liter(-1)). With 1,3-PDO formation nearly abolished, glycerol was converted almost exclusively to n-butanol (8.6 g liter(-1)), yielding a high n-butanol selectivity of 0.83 g n-butanol g(-1) of solvents compared to 0.51 g n-butanol g(-1) of solvents for the wild-type strain. Unexpectedly, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of dhaT::Ll.LtrB mutant culture supernatants identified a metabolite peak consistent with 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO), which was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Based on these findings, we propose a new model for glycerol dissimilation by C. pasteurianum, whereby the production of 1,3-PDO by the wild-type strain and low levels of both 1,3-PDO and 1,2-PDO by the engineered mutant balance the reducing equivalents generated during cell mass synthesis from glycerol. IMPORTANCE: Organisms from the genus Clostridium are perhaps the most notable native cellular factories, owing to their vast substrate utilization range and equally diverse variety of metabolites produced. The ability of C. pasteurianum to sustain redox balance and glycerol fermentation despite inactivation of the 1,3-PDO pathway is a testament to the exceptional metabolic flexibility exhibited by clostridia. Moreover, identification of a previously unknown 1,2-PDO-formation pathway, as detailed herein, provides a deeper understanding of fermentative glycerol utilization in clostridia and will inform future metabolic engineering endeavors involving C. pasteurianum To our knowledge, the C. pasteurianum dhaT disruption mutant derived in this study is the only organism that produces both 1,2- and 1,3-PDOs. Most importantly, the engineered strain provides an excellent platform for highly selective production of n-butanol from waste glycerol.

Coupling the CRISPR/Cas9 System with Lambda Red Recombineering Enables Simplified Chromosomal Gene Replacement in Escherichia coli.

To date, most genetic engineering approaches coupling the type II Streptococcus pyogenes clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system to lambda Red recombineering have involved minor single nucleotide mutations. Here we show that procedures for carrying out more complex chromosomal gene replacements in Escherichia coli can be substantially enhanced through implementation of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We developed a three-plasmid approach that allows not only highly efficient recombination of short single-stranded oligonucleotides but also replacement of multigene chromosomal stretches of DNA with large PCR products. By systematically challenging the proposed system with respect to the magnitude of chromosomal deletion and size of DNA insertion, we demonstrated DNA deletions of up to 19.4 kb, encompassing 19 nonessential chromosomal genes, and insertion of up to 3 kb of heterologous DNA with recombination efficiencies permitting mutant detection by colony PCR screening. Since CRISPR/Cas9-coupled recombineering does not rely on the use of chromosome-encoded antibiotic resistance, or flippase recombination for antibiotic marker recycling, our approach is simpler, less labor-intensive, and allows efficient production of gene replacement mutants that are both markerless and "scar"-less.

Testing and genotyping of high-risk human papillomavirus by the cobas HPV Test and the Hybrid Capture 2 high-risk HPV DNA test using cervical and vaginal samples.

The accurate detection and typing of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) are critical for cervical cancer screening. The Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2) and cobas HPV tests showed high agreement for cervical samples (94.4%, κ=0.72, n=693) and moderate agreement for vaginal samples (κ=0.62, n=108). The HPV16 and HPV18 results were highly consistent between the cobas and Linear Array tests (κ≥0.96, n=197). Three hc2-negative vaginal samples were repeatedly invalid by the cobas test due to ß-globin control failures, highlighting amplification control benefits. No cross-contamination was detected in a challenge experiment.

Biochemical, genetic, and metabolic engineering strategies to enhance coproduction of 1-propanol and ethanol in engineered Escherichia coli.

We recently reported the heterologous production of 1-propanol in Escherichia coli via extended dissimilation of succinate under anaerobic conditions through expression of the endogenous sleeping beauty mutase (Sbm) operon. In the present work, we demonstrate high-level coproduction of 1-propanol and ethanol by developing novel engineered E. coli strains with effective cultivation strategies. Various biochemical, genetic, metabolic, and physiological factors affecting relative levels of acidogenesis and solventogenesis during anaerobic fermentation were investigated. In particular, CPC-PrOH3, a plasmid-free propanogenic E. coli strain derived by activating the Sbm operon on the genome, showed high levels of solventogenesis accounting for up to 85 % of dissimilated carbon. Anaerobic fed-batch cultivation of CPC-PrOH3 with glycerol as the major carbon source produced high titers of nearly 7 g/L 1-propanol and 31 g/L ethanol, implying its potential industrial applicability. The activated Sbm pathway served as an ancillary channel for consuming reducing equivalents upon anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol, resulting in an enhanced glycerol dissimilation and a major metabolic shift from acidogenesis to solventogenesis.

Body fat and circulating leptin levels in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

It is possible that the reproductive strategy of the short-beaked echidna is related to seasonal changes in fat deposition and energy availability, regulated by seasonal changes in endocrine function. We predicted that circulating leptin levels would be directly proportional to adiposity during most of the year, but that a change in this relationship would occur during the pre-breeding season to allow increased fat deposition. To test this hypothesis, we made use of a captive colony of echidnas to describe and quantify changes in fat distribution and the adipostatic hormone leptin. First we assessed seasonal changes in circulating leptin levels, body mass and adiposity for three male and three female adult echidnas maintained on a standard diet. Second, we explored the relationship between circulating leptin levels and increased caloric intake for an additional five adult female echidnas that were provided with supplemented nutrition. Third we visualised fat distribution in male and female adult echidnas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the breeding season, to determine where fat is deposited in this species. For echidnas maintained on the standard diet, there were no seasonal changes in body mass, body fat or plasma leptin levels. However, female echidnas provided with supplemented nutrition had significantly elevated plasma leptin levels during the breeding season, compared to the pre-and post- breeding periods. MRI showed substantial subcutaneous fat depots extending dorso-laterally from the base of the skull to the base of the tail, in both sexes. Pre-breeding season, both sexes had considerable fat deposition in the pelvic/rump region, whilst the female echidna accumulated most fat in the abdominal region. This study shows that male and female echidnas accumulate body fat in the pelvic/rump and the abdominal regions, respectively and that circulating leptin may promote fattening in female echidnas during the breeding season by means of leptin resistance. However, further research is required to evaluate the precise relationship between seasonal changes in leptin and adiposity.