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Investigation

Measles, rubella, mumps, parvovirus B19 and rabies

Research Lines

Content with Investigacion Genética Bacteriana .

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.

Research projects

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.
 

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Optimization of a Lambda-RED Recombination Method for Rapid Gene Deletion in Human Cytomegalovirus

Optimization of a Lambda-RED Recombination Method for Rapid Gene Deletion in Human Cytomegalovirus. García-Ríos E, Gata-de-Benito J, López-Siles M, McConnell MJ, Pérez-Romero, P. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 29;22(19):10558. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910558. PMID: 34638896.

PUBMED

Circulatory follicular helper T lymphocytes associate with lower incidence of CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients

Circulatory follicular helper T lymphocytes associate with lower incidence of CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients. Suàrez-Fernández P, Utrero-Rico A, Sandonis V, García-Ríos E, Arroyo-Sánchez D, Fernández-Ruiz M, Andrés A, Polanco N, González-Cuadrado C, Almendro-Vázquez P, Pérez-Romero P, Aguado JM, Paz-Artal E, Laguna-Goya R. Am J Transplant. 2021 Dec;21(12):3946-3957. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16725. PMID: 34153157.

PUBMED

Is It Feasible to Use CMV-Specific T-Cell Adoptive Transfer as Treatment Against Infection in SOT Recipients?

Is It Feasible to Use CMV-Specific T-Cell Adoptive Transfer as Treatment Against Infection in SOT Recipients? García-Ríos E, Nuévalos M, Mancebo FJ, Pérez-Romero P. Front Immunol. 2021 Apr 23;12:657144. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.657144. PMID: 33968058.

PUBMED

Cytotoxic cell populations developed during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect autologous CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infection

Cytotoxic cell populations developed during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect autologous CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infection. Vigón L, Rodríguez-Mora S, Luna A, Sandonís V, Mateos E, Bautista G, Steegmann JL, Climent N, Plana M, Pérez-Romero P, de Ory F, Alcamí J, García-Gutierrez V, Planelles V, López-Huertas MR, Coiras M. Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Aug 20;182:114203. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114203. PMID: 32828803

PUBMED

Content with Investigacion Genética Bacteriana .

List of staff

Additional Information

This group, together with the CNM Serology Laboratory (LS), houses the National Reference Laboratories for Rabies (RD 1940/2004) and Measles and Rubella (National Elimination Plan) that are integrated into the corresponding European networks. It has 10 self-developed techniques in its service portfolio (2 accredited by ENAC and 3 by the WHO). In addition, it attends to three CNM microbiological surveillance programs (measles and rubella, mumps and rabies). It is integrated into a CIBERESP group of which Juan E. Echevarría is head and in which other CNM researchers participate. 

Research on MMR vaccine diseases is currently financed through an AESI project (PI15CIII/00023) of which Aurora Fernández García is co-PI and in which the LS, the CNE, the CAM (LRSP and the Epidemiology Service) and a network of primary care pediatricians participate. of the CAM. 

Research on lisaviruses and other viruses associated with bats is currently funded through the VIROBAT-4 project (MINECO, SAF 2017-89355-P) of which Juan E. Echevarría is PI and in which the CNM Respiratory Viruses Laboratory, the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) and the University of Alcalá de Henares participate.

This group, together with the CNM Serology Laboratory (LS), houses the National Reference Laboratories for Rabies (RD 1940/2004) and Measles and Rubella (National Elimination Plan) that are integrated into the corresponding European networks. It has 10 self-developed techniques in its service portfolio (2 accredited by ENAC and 3 by the WHO). In addition, it attends to three CNM microbiological surveillance programs (measles and rubella, mumps and rabies). It is integrated into a CIBERESP group of which Juan E. Echevarría is head and in which other CNM researchers participate. 

Research on MMR vaccine diseases is currently financed through an AESI project (PI15CIII/00023) of which Aurora Fernández García is co-PI and in which the LS, the CNE, the CAM (LRSP and the Epidemiology Service) and a network of primary care pediatricians participate. of the CAM. 

Research on lisaviruses and other viruses associated with bats is currently funded through the VIROBAT-4 project (MINECO, SAF 2017-89355-P) of which Juan E. Echevarría is PI and in which the CNM Respiratory Viruses Laboratory, the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) and the University of Alcalá de Henares participate.

Content with Investigacion Genética Bacteriana .