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Bacterial Genetics

Líneas de investigación

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Bacterial Genetics

Our group has been studying for more than 30 years the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). Our objectives are to understand the molecular basis of antimicrobial action, to search for new targets of action and new compounds. Seconeolitsine (SCN) is one of these new compounds targeting topoisomerase I (Topo I). As for the search for new targets, our research has focused in recent years on the factors that organize the topology of the chromosome, allowing optimal compaction (about 1000-fold) to harmonize its replication, chromosome segregation and gene expression. This compaction is mediated both by the level of DNA supercoiling (Sc) and by association with nucleoid-binding proteins (NAPs). The level of Sc depends mainly on the enzymatic activities of their DNA topoisomerases, reaching a homeostatic equilibrium by the opposite activities of the topoisomerases that relax DNA (Topo I and Topo IV), and of gyrase, which introduces negative Sc. Our group has characterized the three Spn topoisomerases and two NAPs: HU and SatR. In addition, the availability of antimicrobials that inhibit each of the Spn topoisomerases has allowed us to analyze their transcriptome under conditions of local or global change of the Sc level and to define gene domains of coordinated transcription and similar functions. Fluoroquinolones, which inhibit Topo IV and gyrase, produce local changes in Sc that induce alterations in 6% of the transcriptome, altering metabolic pathways that originate an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contribute to lethality, in accordance with the general mechanism of bactericidal antibiotics. On the other hand, the induction of global changes in Sc by novobiocin (NOV, gyrase inhibitor), or by SCN (Topo I inhibitor), has allowed us to define topological domains. Global changes in Sc include the regulation of topoisomerase genes: its decrease activates the transcription of gyrase genes (gyrA, gyrB) and inhibits those of Topo IV (parEC) and Topo I (topA); the increase in Sc regulates the expression of topA. Decreased Sc affects 37% of the genome, with >68% of genes clustered in 15 domains. Increased Sc affects 10% of the genome, with 25% of the genes clustered in 12 domains. The AT content in the genome correlates with the domains, being higher in UP domains than in DOWN domains. The genes in the different domains have common functional characteristics, indicating that they have been subjected to topological selective pressure to determine the location of genes involved in metabolism, virulence and competition. 

The current objectives of the group are:
1.    Identification of factors that stabilize chromosome topology: NAPs, ncRNAs, intra-chromosomal interactions.
2.    Regulation of transcription in response to topological stress: in vivo localization of DNA topoisomerases, RNA polymerase and NAPs.
3.    Topo I as a new antimicrobial target and action of SCN. 
4.    Design of antisense RNAs and use of the CRISPR system as new antibacterial agents.

Proyectos de investigación

Content with Investigacion Genética Bacteriana .

1) Project Title: Interaction Between DNA Supercoiling and Transcription in the Human Pathogen  Streptococcus pneumoniae

Principal Investigator:   Adela González de la Campa  
Funding Entity:   Ministry of Science and Innovation, State Research Agency (Call for "R&D&I Projects" 2020 – "Research Challenges" and "Knowledge Generation" Modalities).  
Reference:   PID2021-124738OB-100.  
Duration:   2022-2025.  
Funding Amount:   €108,900.
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2) Project Title:   Study of the Factors Organizing the Chromosome of  Streptococcus pneumoniae: New Antibiotic Targets and Resistance Mechanisms.

Principal Investigator:   Adela González de la Campa  
Funding Entity:   Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness. State Research Agency.  
Reference:   BIO2017-82951-R.  
Duration:   2018-2020.  
Funding Amount:   €169,400.  

3) Project Title:   Role of DNA Topoisomerases and Nucleoid-Associated Proteins in the Chromosome Organization of  Streptococcus pneumoniae: Response to Antibiotics and Virulence.  

Principal Investigator:   Adela González de la Campa  
Funding Entity:   Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Secretariat of State for Research, Development, and Innovation.  
Reference:   BIO2014-55462.  
Duration:   2015-2017.  
Funding Amount:   €193,600.  

4) Project Title:   The Control of Supercoiling Level in  Streptococcus pneumoniae  as an Antimicrobial Target.  

Principal Investigator:   Adela González de la Campa  
Funding Entity:   Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Secretariat of State for Research, Development, and Innovation.  
Reference:   BIO2011-25343.  
Duration:   2012-2015.  
Funding Amount:   €209,000.  

5) Project Title:   Role of Small Non-Coding RNAs in the Pathogenicity of  Streptococcus pneumoniae.   

Principal Investigator:   Mónica Amblar Esteban  
Funding Entity:   Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Strategic Health Action (AES).  
Reference:   PI11/00656.  
Duration:   2012-2015.  
Funding Amount:   €198,714.
 

Publicaciones destacadas

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Combination of Antibodies and Antibiotics as a Promising Strategy Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens of the Respiratory Tract

Domenech M, Sempere J, de Miguel S, Yuste J. Combination of Antibodies and Antibiotics as a Promising Strategy Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens of the Respiratory Tract. Front Immunol. 2018 Nov 20;9:2700. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02700. PMID: 30515172; PMCID: PMC6256034.

DOI

Chemotherapy with Phage Lysins Reduces Pneumococcal Colonization of the Respiratory Tract

Corsini B, Díez-Martínez R, Aguinagalde L, González-Camacho F, García-Fernández E, Letrado P, García P, Yuste J. Chemotherapy with Phage Lysins Reduces Pneumococcal Colonization of the Respiratory Tract. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 May 25;62(6):e02212-17. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02212-17. PMID: 29581113; PMCID: PMC5971604.

DOI

Impact of Biological Therapies on the Immune Response after Pneumococcal Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases

Richi P, Yuste J, Navío T, González-Hombrado L, Salido M, Thuissard-Vasallo I, Jiménez-Díaz A, Llorente J, Cebrián L, Lojo L, Steiner M, Cobo T, Martín MD, García-Castro M, Castro P, Muñoz-Fernández S. Impact of Biological Therapies on the Immune Response after Pneumococcal Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases. Vaccines. 2021 Feb 28;9(3):203. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9030203. PMID: 33671007; PMCID: PMC7997274.

DOI

Pleiotropic Effects of Cell Wall Amidase LytA on Streptococcus pneumoniae Sensitivity to the Host Immune Response

Ramos-Sevillano E, Urzainqui A, Campuzano S, Moscoso M, González-Camacho F, Domenech M, Rodríguez de Córdoba S, Sánchez-Madrid F, Brown JS, García E, Yuste J. Pleiotropic effects of cell wall amidase LytA on Streptococcus pneumoniae sensitivity to the host immune response. Infect Immun. 2015 Feb;83(2):591-603. doi: 10.1128/IAI.02811-14. PMID: 25404032; PMCID: PMC4294232.

DOI

PSGL-1 on Leukocytes is a Critical Component of the Host Immune Response against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease

Ramos-Sevillano E, Urzainqui A, de Andrés B, González-Tajuelo R, Domenech M, González-Camacho F, Sánchez-Madrid F, Brown JS, García E, Yuste J. PSGL-1 on Leukocytes is a Critical Component of the Host Immune Response against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease. PLoS Pathog. 2016 Mar 14;12(3):e1005500. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005500. PMID: 26975045; PMCID: PMC4790886.

DOI

Comparison of methods and characterization of small RNAs from plasma extracellular vesicles of HIV/HCV coinfected patients

Martínez-González E; Brochado-Kith O; Gómez-Sanz A; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (9/9). 2020. Small RNA sequencing from plasma extracellular vesicles of HIV/HCV coinfected patients: a protocol comparison SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 9. ISSN 2045-2322.

DOI

Relative telomere length impact on mortality of COVID-19: Sex differences

Virseda-Berdices A; Concostrina-Martinez L; Martínez-González O;et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (14/14). 2022. Relative telomere length impact on mortality of COVID-19: Sex differences.Journal of medical virology. 95, pp.e28368. ISSN 0146-6615.

DOI

Predicted strain coverage of a meningococcal multicomponent vaccine (4CMenB) in Europe: a qualitative and quantitative assessmen

U. Voguel, M.K. Taha, J.A. Vázquez, J. Findlow, H. Claus, P. Stefanelli, D.A. Caugant, P. Kriz, R. Abad, S. Bambini, A. Carannante, A.E. Deghmane, C. Fazio, M. Frosch, G. Frosi, S. Gilchrist, M.M. Giulani, E. Hong, M. Ledroit, P.G. Lovaglio, J. Lucidarme, M. Musilek, A. Muzzi, J. Oksne, F. Rigat, L. Orlandi, M. Stella, D. Thompson, M. Pizza, R. Rappuoli, D. Serruto, M. Comanducci, G. Boccadifuoco, J.J. Donnely, D. Medini, R. Borrow. “Predicted strain coverage of a meningococcal multicomponent vaccine (4CMenB) in Europe: a qualitative and quantitative assessment”. Lancet Infect Dis. 2013 May; 13(5): 416-25.

PUBMED DOI

Hepatitis C Virus Influences HIV-1 Viral Splicing in Coinfected Patients

Martínez-Román P; López-Huertas MR; Crespo-Bermejo C; et al; Briz V (AC). (16/15). 2020. Hepatitis C virus influences HIV-1 viral splicing in coinfected patients JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. MDPI. ISSN 2077-0383.

DOI

Public health surveillance of multidrug-resistant clones of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Europe: a genomic survey

Harris SR, Cole MJ, Spiteri G, Sánchez-Busó L, Golparian D, Jacobsson S, Goater R, Abudahab K, Yeats CA, Bercot B, Borrego MJ, Crowley B, Stefanelli P, Tripodo F, Abad R, Aanensen DM, Unemo M, Euro-GASP study group. “Public health surveillance of multidrug-resistant clones of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Europe”. Lancet Infect Dis. 2018 Jul; 18(7):758-768.

PUBMED DOI

HCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

Brochado-Kith; Martínez I; Berenguer J; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC); Resino S. (11/12). 2021. HCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Journal of Biomedical Sciences. Springer Nature. 28-1.

DOI

Dynamics of HIV Reservoir and HIV-1 Viral Splicing in HCV-Exposed Individuals after Elimination with DAAs or Spontaneous Clearance

Martínez-Román P; Crespo-Bermejo C; Valle-Millares D; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC); On Behalf Of The Covihep Network. (12/15). 2022. Dynamics of HIV Reservoir and HIV-1 Viral Splicing in HCV-Exposed Individuals after Elimination with DAAs or Spontaneous Clearance. Journal of clinical medicine. 11. ISSN 2077-0383. WOS (52)

DOI

OLFM4 polymorphisms predict septic shock survival after major surgery. Eur J Clin Invest.

Pérez-García F; Resino S; Gómez-Sánchez E; et al; Jiménez-Sousa MÁ (10/10). OLFM4 polymorphisms predict septic shock survival after major surgery. Eur J Clin Invest. 2021. 51(4):e13416. doi: 10.1111/eci.13416.

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Garcia-Effron G, Buitrago MJ, Lopez JF, Grimalt JO, Cuenca-Estrella JM, Rodriguez-Tudela JL. Aspergillus fumigatus C-5 sterol desaturases Erg3A and Erg3B: role in sterol biosynthesis and antifungal drug susceptibility. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Feb

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Garcia-Effron G, Buitrago MJ, Lopez JF, Grimalt JO, Cuenca-Estrella JM, Rodriguez-Tudela JL. Aspergillus fumigatus C-5 sterol desaturases Erg3A and Erg3B: role in sterol biosynthesis and antifungal drug susceptibility. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Feb;50(2):453-60. doi: 10.1128/AAC.50.2.453-460.2006. PMID: 16436696; PMCID: PMC1366924.

PUBMED

14. Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Cuenca-Estrella M, Rodriguez-Tudela JL. Aspergillus section Fumigati: antifungal susceptibility patterns and sequence-based identification. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Apr

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Cuenca-Estrella M, Rodriguez-Tudela JL. Aspergillus section Fumigati: antifungal susceptibility patterns and sequence-based identification. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Apr;52(4):1244-51. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00942-07. Epub 2008 Jan 22. PMID: 18212093; PMCID: PMC2292508.

PUBMED DOI

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Cuenca-Estrella M, Rodriguez-Tudela JL. Species identification and antifungal susceptibility patterns of species belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 Oct

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Cuenca-Estrella M, Rodriguez-Tudela JL. Species identification and antifungal susceptibility patterns of species belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 Oct;53(10):4514-7. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00585-09. Epub 2009 Jul 27. PMID: 19635955; PMCID: PMC2764190.

PUBMED DOI

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Cuenca-Estrella M, Sanglard D. Probing the role of point mutations in the cyp51A gene from Aspergillus fumigatus in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Med Mycol. 2011 Apr

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E, Cuenca-Estrella M, Sanglard D. Probing the role of point mutations in the cyp51A gene from Aspergillus fumigatus in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Med Mycol. 2011 Apr;49(3):276-84. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2010.512926. Epub 2010 Sep 10. PMID: 20831364.

PUBMED DOI

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Cuesta I, Rodriguez-Tudela JL, Cuenca-Estrella M, Sanglard D, Mellado E. Three-dimensional models of 14α-sterol demethylase (Cyp51A) from Aspergillus lentulus and Aspergillus fumigatus: an insight into differences in voriconazole interaction. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2011 Nov

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Cuesta I, Rodriguez-Tudela JL, Cuenca-Estrella M, Sanglard D, Mellado E. Three-dimensional models of 14α-sterol demethylase (Cyp51A) from Aspergillus lentulus and Aspergillus fumigatus: an insight into differences in voriconazole interaction. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2011 Nov;38(5):426-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.06.005. Epub 2011 Aug 25. PMID: 21871783.

PUBMED DOI

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E. Ergosterol biosynthesis in Aspergillus fumigatus: its relevance as an antifungal target and role in antifungal drug resistance.

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Mellado E. Ergosterol biosynthesis in Aspergillus fumigatus: its relevance as an antifungal target and role in antifungal drug resistance. Front Microbiol. 2013 Jan 10;3:439. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00439. PMID: 23335918; PMCID: PMC3541703.

PUBMED DOI

Bernal-Martínez L, Alcazar Fuoli L, Miguel-Revilla B, Carvalho A, Cuétara Garcia MS, Garcia-Rodriguez J, Cunha C, Gómez-García de la Pedrosa E, Gomez-Lopez A. High-Resolution Melting Assay for Genotyping Variants of the CYP2C19 Enzyme and Predicting Voriconazole Effectiveness. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019 May 24

Bernal-Martínez L, Alcazar Fuoli L, Miguel-Revilla B, Carvalho A, Cuétara Garcia MS, Garcia-Rodriguez J, Cunha C, Gómez-García de la Pedrosa E, Gomez-Lopez A. High-Resolution Melting Assay for Genotyping Variants of the CYP2C19 Enzyme and Predicting Voriconazole Effectiveness. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019 May 24;63(6):e02399-18. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02399-18. PMID: 30910893; PMCID:PMC6535561.

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Genética Bacteriana .

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Información adicional

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen that, despite the development of vaccines, continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity. We investigate the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this bacterium. On the one hand by identifying new therapeutic targets and on the other hand by investigating the molecular basis of the action of antibiotics already used in clinical practice (the fluoroquinolones levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) or not yet used (seconeolitsine). For this purpose, we used a multidisciplinary analysis involving genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to understand the organization of the S. pneumoniae chromosome and the identification of the factors that stabilize this organization, including ncRNAs. Changes in the level of global supercoiling, either by inhibition of gyrase (decrease) or by inhibition of topoisomerase I (increase) alter the transcriptome. The modulated genes are located in domains, whose genes show specific functional characteristics. The aim is to identify new factors essential for S. pneumoniae physiology and to characterize transcriptional regulation in response to topological stress. In addition, RNA interference technology and CRISPR systems will be used as novel antibacterials. These studies will establish the bases for translational research aimed at the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen that, despite the development of vaccines, continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity. We investigate the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this bacterium. On the one hand by identifying new therapeutic targets and on the other hand by investigating the molecular basis of the action of antibiotics already used in clinical practice (the fluoroquinolones levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) or not yet used (seconeolitsine). For this purpose, we used a multidisciplinary analysis involving genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to understand the organization of the S. pneumoniae chromosome and the identification of the factors that stabilize this organization, including ncRNAs. Changes in the level of global supercoiling, either by inhibition of gyrase (decrease) or by inhibition of topoisomerase I (increase) alter the transcriptome. The modulated genes are located in domains, whose genes show specific functional characteristics. The aim is to identify new factors essential for S. pneumoniae physiology and to characterize transcriptional regulation in response to topological stress. In addition, RNA interference technology and CRISPR systems will be used as novel antibacterials. These studies will establish the bases for translational research aimed at the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.

Content with Investigacion Genética Bacteriana .