Differences between predicted outer membrane proteins of genotype 1 and 2 Mannheimia haemolytica.

BACKGROUND: Mannheimia haemolytica strains isolated from North American cattle have been classified into two genotypes (1 and 2). Although members of both genotypes have been isolated from the upper and lower respiratory tracts of cattle with or without bovine respiratory disease (BRD), genotype 2 strains are much more frequently isolated from diseased lungs than genotype 1 strains. The mechanisms behind the increased association of genotype 2 M. haemolytica with BRD are not fully understood. To address that, and to search for interventions against genotype 2 M. haemolytica, complete, closed chromosome assemblies for 35 genotype 1 and 34 genotype 2 strains were generated and compared. Searches were conducted for the pan genome, core genes shared between the genotypes, and for genes specific to either genotype. Additionally, genes encoding outer membrane proteins (OMPs) specific to genotype 2 M. haemolytica were identified, and the diversity of their protein isoforms was characterized with predominantly unassembled, short-read genomic sequences for up to 1075 additional strains. RESULTS: The pan genome of the 69 sequenced M. haemolytica strains consisted of 3111 genes, of which 1880 comprised a shared core between the genotypes. A core of 112 and 179 genes or gene variants were specific to genotype 1 and 2, respectively. Seven genes encoding predicted OMPs; a peptidase S6, a ligand-gated channel, an autotransporter outer membrane beta-barrel domain-containing protein (AOMB-BD-CP), a porin, and three different trimeric autotransporter adhesins were specific to genotype 2 as their genotype 1 homologs were either pseudogenes, or not detected. The AOMB-BD-CP gene, however, appeared to be truncated across all examined genotype 2 strains and to likely encode dysfunctional protein. Homologous gene sequences from additional M. haemolytica strains confirmed the specificity of the remaining six genotype 2 OMP genes and revealed they encoded low isoform diversity at the population level. CONCLUSION: Genotype 2 M. haemolytica possess genes encoding conserved OMPs not found intact in more commensally prone genotype 1 strains. Some of the genotype 2 specific genes identified in this study are likely to have important biological roles in the pathogenicity of genotype 2 M. haemolytica, which is the primary bacterial cause of BRD.

Genomic signatures of Mannheimia haemolytica that associate with the lungs of cattle with respiratory disease, an integrative conjugative element, and antibiotic resistance genes.

BACKGROUND: Mannheimia haemolytica typically resides in cattle as a commensal member of the upper respiratory tract microbiome. However, some strains can invade their lungs and cause respiratory disease and death, including those with multi-drug resistance. A nucleotide polymorphism typing system was developed for M. haemolytica from the genome sequences of 1133 North American isolates, and used to identify genetic differences between isolates from the lungs and upper respiratory tract of cattle with and without clinical signs of respiratory disease. RESULTS: A total of 26,081 nucleotide polymorphisms were characterized after quality control filtering of 48,403 putative polymorphisms. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide polymorphism genotypes split M. haemolytica into two major genotypes (1 and 2) that each were further divided into multiple subtypes. Multiple polymorphisms were identified with alleles that tagged genotypes 1 or 2, and their respective subtypes. Only genotype 2 M. haemolytica associated with the lungs of diseased cattle and the sequence of a particular integrative and conjugative element (ICE). Additionally, isolates belonging to one subtype of genotype 2 (2b), had the majority of antibiotic resistance genes detected in this study, which were assorted into seven combinations that ranged from 1 to 12 resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: Typing of diverse M. haemolytica by nucleotide polymorphism genotypes successfully identified associations with diseased cattle lungs, ICE sequence, and antibiotic resistance genes. Management of cattle by their carriage of M. haemolytica could be an effective intervention strategy to reduce the prevalence of respiratory disease and supplemental needs for antibiotic treatments in North American herds.

Characterization of Mannheimia haemolytica in beef calves via nasopharyngeal culture and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Mannheimia haemolytica is a major bacterial component of bovine respiratory disease (BRD); unfortunately, very little is known about M. haemolytica transmission dynamics among cattle. Identifying potential variation in M. haemolytica populations over time and induction of nasopharyngeal colonization and subsequent shedding are 2 areas where knowledge is lacking. In our study, 2 separate loads of 20 mixed-origin, male calves were purchased through an order buyer on different dates. Deep nasopharyngeal cultures (NPC) were performed on all calves on arrival and, if M. haemolytica-negative, a second screening culture was obtained. Calves that were negative on 2 initial NPCs (NEG; n = 4) were subsequently challenged with a previously isolated field strain of M. haemolytica in both the upper and lower respiratory tract, individually housed, and then monitored for M. haemolytica shedding via NPCs at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days postchallenge. Naturally M. haemolytica-positive calves (2 per load) were kept for additional daily cultures (POS; n = 4). Individual calf M. haemolytica status for both the POS and NEG groups was inconsistent between study days. Additionally, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis performed on isolates from the positive cultures showed that the NEG calves did not shed the M. haemolytica challenge strain, but rather 2 distinct clusters of M. haemolytica were shared among POS and NEG calves regardless of their initial status. Although sample sizes were small, these findings illustrate how variable the results of a single nasopharyngeal swab can be and the challenges of using an individual culture to truly represent animal M. haemolytica status.

Analysis and comparative genomics of ICEMh1, a novel integrative and conjugative element (ICE) of Mannheimia haemolytica.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the first integrative and conjugative element (ICE) from Mannheimia haemolytica, the major bacterial component of the bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex. METHODS: The novel ICEMh1 was discovered in the whole-genome sequence of M. haemolytica 42548 by sequence analysis and comparative genomics. Transfer of ICEMh1 was confirmed by conjugation into Pasteurella multocida recipient cells. RESULTS: ICEMh1 has a size of 92,345 bp and harbours 107 genes. It integrates into a chromosomal tRNA(Leu) copy. Within two resistance gene regions of ∼ 7.4 and 3.3 kb, ICEMh1 harbours five genes, which confer resistance to streptomycin (strA and strB), kanamycin/neomycin (aphA1), tetracycline [tetR-tet(H)] and sulphonamides (sul2). ICEMh1 is related to the recently described ICEPmu1 and both ICEs seem to have evolved from a common ancestor. A region of ICEMh1 that is absent in ICEPmu1 was found in putative ICE regions of other M. haemolytica genomes, suggesting a recombination event between two ICEs. ICEMh1 transfers to P. multocida by conjugation, in which it also uses a tRNA(Leu) as the integration site. PCR assays and susceptibility testing confirmed the presence and activity of the ICEMh1-associated resistance genes in the P. multocida recipient. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that ICEs, with structurally variable resistance gene regions, are present in BRD-associated Pasteurellaceae, can easily spread across genus borders and enable the acquisition of multidrug resistance via a single horizontal gene transfer event. This poses a threat to efficient antimicrobial chemotherapy of BRD-associated bacterial pathogens.

Pathogen variation across time and space: sequencing to characterize Mannheimia haemolytica diversity.

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a major animal health and economic issue that affects cattle industries worldwide. Within the USA, the beef cattle industry loses up to an estimated 1 billion dollars a year due to BRDC. There are many contributors to BRDC, including environmental stressors and viral and/or bacterial infections. One species of bacteria in particular, Mannheimia haemolytica, is recognized as the major cause of severe fibrinonecrotic pneumonia in cattle. M. haemolytica is an opportunistic pathogen that normally populates the upper respiratory tract of cattle, and invades the lower respiratory tract in stressed and/or virally infected cattle by mechanisms that are not completely understood. However, not all M. haemolytica appear to be equally pathogenic to cattle. Thus, a test could be developed to distinguish M. haemolytica genetic subtypes by their propensity to cause respiratory disease, allowing isolation and/or treatment of cattle harboring strains with an increased propensity to cause disease. To that end, the genomes of over 300 M. haemolytica strains are being sequenced.

Complete Closed Genome Sequences of Four Mannheimia varigena Isolates from Cattle with Shipping Fever.

Mannheimia varigena is an occasional respiratory pathogen of cattle and pigs. We present the first four complete closed genome sequences of this species.

Complete Genome Sequence of Mannheimia haemolytica Strain 42548 from a Case of Bovine Respiratory Disease.

Mannheimia haemolytica is the major bacterial component in the bovine respiratory disease complex, which accounts for considerable economic losses to the cattle industry worldwide. The complete genome sequence of M. haemolytica strain 42548 was determined. It has a size of 2.73 Mb and contains 2,888 genes, including several antibiotic resistance genes.

ICEPmu1, an integrative conjugative element (ICE) of Pasteurella multocida: structure and transfer.

BACKGROUND: Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) have not been detected in Pasteurella multocida. In this study the multiresistance ICEPmu1 from bovine P. multocida was analysed for its core genes and its ability to conjugatively transfer into strains of the same and different genera. METHODS: ICEPmu1 was identified during whole genome sequencing. Coding sequences were predicted by bioinformatic tools and manually curated using the annotation software ERGO. Conjugation into P. multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica and Escherichia coli recipients was performed by mating assays. The presence of ICEPmu1 and its circular intermediate in the recipient strains was confirmed by PCR and sequence analysis. Integration sites were sequenced. Susceptibility testing of the ICEPmu1-carrying recipients was conducted by broth microdilution. RESULTS: The 82 214 bp ICEPmu1 harbours 88 genes. The core genes of ICEPmu1, which are involved in excision/integration and conjugative transfer, resemble those found in a 66 641 bp ICE from Histophilus somni. ICEPmu1 integrates into a tRNA(Leu) and is flanked by 13 bp direct repeats. It is able to conjugatively transfer to P. multocida, M. haemolytica and E. coli, where it also uses a tRNA(Leu) for integration and produces closely related 13 bp direct repeats. PCR assays and susceptibility testing confirmed the presence and the functional activity of the ICEPmu1-associated resistance genes in the recipient strains. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that the multiresistance ICEPmu1 is present in a bovine P. multocida and can easily spread across strain and genus boundaries underlines the risk of a rapid dissemination of multiple resistance genes, which will distinctly decrease the therapeutic options.

ICEPmu1, an integrative conjugative element (ICE) of Pasteurella multocida: analysis of the regions that comprise 12 antimicrobial resistance genes.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, multiresistant Pasteurella multocida isolates from bovine respiratory tract infections have been identified. These isolates have exhibited resistance to most classes of antimicrobial agents commonly used in veterinary medicine, the genetic basis of which, however, is largely unknown. METHODS: Genomic DNA of a representative P. multocida isolate was subjected to whole genome sequencing. Genes have been predicted by the YACOP program, compared with the SWISSProt/EMBL databases and manually curated using the annotation software ERGO. Susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution according to CLSI recommendations. RESULTS: The analysis of one representative P. multocida isolate identified an 82 kb integrative and conjugative element (ICE) integrated into the chromosomal DNA. This ICE, designated ICEPmu1, harboured 11 resistance genes, which confer resistance to streptomycin/spectinomycin (aadA25), streptomycin (strA and strB), gentamicin (aadB), kanamycin/neomycin (aphA1), tetracycline [tetR-tet(H)], chloramphenicol/florfenicol (floR), sulphonamides (sul2), tilmicosin/clindamycin [erm(42)] or tilmicosin/tulathromycin [msr(E)-mph(E)]. In addition, a complete bla(OXA-2) gene was detected, which, however, appeared to be functionally inactive in P. multocida. These resistance genes were organized in two regions of approximately 15.7 and 9.8 kb. Based on the sequences obtained, it is likely that plasmids, gene cassettes and insertion sequences have played a role in the development of the two resistance gene regions within this ICE. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that 12 resistance genes, organized in two resistance gene regions, represent part of an ICE in P. multocida underlines the risk of simultaneous acquisition of multiple resistance genes via a single horizontal gene transfer event.

Co-crystallization of Staphylococcus aureus peptide deformylase (PDF) with potent inhibitors.

In bacteria the biosynthesis of all nascent polypeptides begins with N-formylmethionine. The post-translational removal of the N-formyl group is carried out by peptide deformylase (PDF). Processing of the N-formyl group from critical bacterial proteins is required for cell survival. This formylation/deformylation cycle is unique to eubacteria and is not utilized in eucaryotic cytosolic protein biosynthesis. Thus, inhibition of PDF would halt bacterial growth, spare host cell-function, and would be a novel mechanism for a new class of antibiotic. Diffraction-quality Se-met crystals of S. aureus PDF were prepared that belong to space group C222(1) with unit cell parameters of a = 94.1 b = 121.9 c = 47.6 A. Multiple anomalous dispersion data were collected at the Advanced Photon Source 17-ID beamline and used to solve the PDF structure to 1.9 A resolution. Crystals were also prepared with three PDF inhibitors: thiorphan, actinonin and PNU-172550. The thiorphan and actinonin co-crystals belong to space group C222(1) with similar unit-cell dimensions. Repeated attempts to generate a complex structure of PDF with PNU-172550 from the orthorhombic space group were unsuccessful. Crystallization screening identified an alternate C2 crystal form with unit-cell dimensions of a = 93.4 b = 42.5 c = 104.1 A, beta = 93 degrees.

Crystal structure of type II peptide deformylase from Staphylococcus aureus.

The first crystal structure of Class II peptide deformylase has been determined. The enzyme from Staphylococcus aureus has been overexpressed and purified in Escherichia coli and the structure determined by x-ray crystallography to 1.9 A resolution. The purified iron-enriched form of S. aureus peptide deformylase enzyme retained high activity over many months. In contrast, the iron-enriched form of the E. coli enzyme is very labile. Comparison of the two structures details many differences; however, there is no structural explanation for the dramatic activity differences we observed. The protein structure of the S. aureus enzyme reveals a fold similar, but not identical to, the well characterized E. coli enzyme. The most striking deviation of the S. aureus from the E. coli structure is the unique conformation of the C-terminal amino acids. The distinctive C-terminal helix of the latter is replaced by a strand in S. aureus which wraps around the enzyme, terminating near the active site. Although there are no differences at the amino acid level near the active site metal ion, significant changes are noted in the peptide binding cleft which may play a role in the design of general peptide deformylase inhibitors.

Synthesis of Nitrones Using the Methyltrioxorhenium/Hydrogen Peroxide System.

Secondary amines are oxidized by the methyltrioxorhenium/hydrogen peroxide system to the corresponding nitrones in excellent yield. The results provide a further example of the parallel between the chemistry of this metal system and that of the dioxiranes.

Diastereoselectivity in the Epoxidation of Substituted Cyclohexenes by Dimethyldioxirane(1)(,)(2).

Three series of compounds based on the cyclohexene framework have been epoxidized by dimethyldioxirane. A pronounced dependence of epoxide diastereoselectivity on substituent has been observed. In addition there is a solvent influence on this stereoselectivity. The results have been explained by invoking steric, H-bonding, and dipole-dipole influences on the epoxide stereochemistry.