Role of a novel genomic modification found in a specific clone of Helicobacter cinedi.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07074
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47030:Pharmaceutical hygiene and biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Rimbara Emiko 国立感染症研究所, 細菌第二部, 室長 (20349822)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Helicobacter cinaedi / Phosphorothioate DNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The contribution of Phosphorothioate (PT) modification to pathogenicity and environmental responsiveness in bacteria is unclear.
We analyzed the PT modification of the dnd gene knockout Helicobacter cinaedi MRY08-1234 strain, and found that 8.9% of all target motifs were PT-modified. Expression of genes encoding DccSR and PtmG was significantly decreased by the dnd gene knockout. In addition, infection experiments with Caco-2 cells showed that knockout of the dnd gene increased cytotoxicity. These results indicate that PT modifications may contribute to environmental adaptation and virulence of H. cinaedi.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

PT化修飾は近年明らかになったばかりの細菌特有のDNA修飾であり、本研究ではPT化修飾が環境応答や病原性に寄与している可能性を示した。Helicobacter cinaediは菌血症や蜂窩織炎の原因となる細菌であり、時に院内感染を引き起こす。今後H. cinaediの菌株間の環境適応能や病原性の違いにおけるPT化修飾の新たな役割が解明されることが期待される。