Structure et localisation du complexe ESX-3 dans les mycobactéries

Le système de sécrétion type VII (T7SS) présent chez les mycobactéries comporte cinq loci, nommés ESX-1 à ESX-5, chacun possédant leurs propres fonctions. Le système ESX-3, le plus conservé entre les espèces de mycobactéries, participe au transport du fer et à la sécrétion de protéines dont la protéine EsxH. EsxH interagit avec le système ESCRT dans le macrophage et contribue à la persistance de M. tuberculosis (Mtb) dans l’hôte. Afin de mieux comprendre le mécanisme du T7SS, nous avons surexprimé le locus ESX-3 de Mtb dans les organismes recombinants M. smegmatis et M. marinum. Nous avons purifié un coeur protéique partiel du complexe ESX-3 par chromatographie liquide de protéine rapide (FPLC) et déterminé différentes structures in vitro qui pourraient représenter son dynamisme par une analyse des particules individuelles. Nous avons localisé le complexe ESX-3 aux pôles chez M. marinum par microscopie de fluorescence (fLM) et microscopie super-résolution d’illumination de structure (SR-SIM). Finalement, nous avons reconstruit un modèle in vivo 3D de ce complexe en jumelant une technique de corrélation entre la microscopie par localisation photoactivée (PALM) et la tomographie électronique en conditions cryogéniques (cryo-ET). En jumelant nos structures in vitro et notre modèle in vivo, nous discutons d’un mécanisme possible du complexe ESX-3. Ces analyses pourront aussi supporter le criblage d’inhibiteurs potentiels pour traiter les infection mycobactériennes.A novel, type VII secretion system (T7SS) was recently discovered in Mycobacteria. Five subsystems, called ESX-1 to ESX-5, have been identified, with the ESX-3 being the most conserved. The ESX-3 system is essential for growth and pathogenesis, and has been implicated in iron transport and secretion of effector proteins into the host. The secreted proteins are shown to prevent phagosome maturation by interacting with the ESCRT machinery of the macrophage. To characterize the structure and mechanism of secretion employed by the T7SS, we use the ESX-3 system from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and recombinantly express it in M. smegmatis and M. marinum cells. By combining Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) and Single Particle electron microscopy analysis, we have reconstructed several in vitro models that contain at least three of the ESX-3 cluster proteins and may represent the dynamic nature of the core complex. Using fluorescent light microscopy (fLM) and super-resolution structure illumination microscopy (SR-SIM), we localized the ESX-3 complex to the lateral pole in M. marinum cells. We also used super-resolution photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) in correlation with cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) of whole M. marinum cells to localize and reconstruct an in vivo 3D model of the ESX-3 secretion system. By combining the single particle reconstructions and the cryotomography data, we discuss a possible mechanism of ESX-3 secretion. Such analysis may support future inhibitor screens to prevent mycobacterial infections

The Mycobacterial Cell Envelope: A Relict From the Past or the Result of Recent Evolution?

Mycobacteria are well known for their taxonomic diversity, their impact on global health, and for their atypical cell wall and envelope. In addition to a cytoplasmic membrane and a peptidoglycan layer, the cell envelope of members of the order Corynebacteriales, which include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also have an arabinogalactan layer connecting the peptidoglycan to an outer membrane, the so-called “mycomembrane.” This unusual cell envelope composition of mycobacteria is of prime importance for several physiological processes such as protection from external stresses and for virulence. Although there have been recent breakthroughs in the elucidation of the composition and organization of this cell envelope, its evolutionary origin remains a mystery. In this perspectives article, the characteristics of the cell envelope of mycobacteria with respect to other actinobacteria will be dissected through a molecular evolution framework in order to provide a panoramic view of the evolutionary pathways that appear to be at the origin of this unique cell envelope. In combination with a robust molecular phylogeny, we have assembled a gene matrix based on the presence or absence of key determinants of cell envelope biogenesis in the Actinobacteria phylum. We present several evolutionary scenarios regarding the origin of the mycomembrane. In light of the data presented here, we also propose a novel alternative hypothesis whereby the stepwise acquisition of core enzymatic functions may have allowed the sequential remodeling of the external cell membrane during the evolution of Actinobacteria and has led to the unique mycomembrane of slow-growing mycobacteria as we know it today

A multi-informant and multi-polygenic approach to understanding predictors of peer victimisation in childhood and adolescence

Introduction Peer victimisation is a prevalent occurrence in childhood and adolescence and can often have long-lasting consequences. Previous research using polygenic scores (PGSs) have revealed various genetic vulnerabilities as predictive of victimisation in childhood. However, findings were based on self-report and may therefore be influenced by varying self-perceptions. Previous investigations also focused on average victimisation across childhood, and thus do not capture variability in polygenic predictability over time. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate associations between PGSs and victimisation using separate and combined reports from teachers and peers in childhood, as well as self-reports in later adolescence to explore trajectories of victimisation. Methods Data were derived from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study. Participants were assessed for victimisation using self-reports from 7 to 17 years and using teacher ratings and peer nominations between 7 and 10 years (n = 536). Ten PGSs related to mental health, cognitive abilities and physical traits were examined as possible predictors of victimisation using linear regressions and growth curve models. Results Findings revealed that PGSs associated with victimisation are consistent across informants, but to varying extent according to estimated effect sizes. Self-reported victimisation was predicted by PGSs related to mental health, while PGSs related to cognitive and physical traits had larger effect estimates when predicting teacher- and peer-reported victimisation. The PGS for educational attainment was consistently negatively associated with victimisation across informants, producing the largest effect estimates (β = −.104, 95% CI = −.169 to −.039) when predicting a multi-informant measure of victimisation. No PGS predicted changes in victimisation over time. Conclusion While the PGS for educational attainment is a robust predictor of victimisation, many PGSs are differentially associated with victimisation depending on the informant. Such findings highlight the need to pay close attention to the phenotypic assessment of victimisation, and show that using multiple informants can both strengthen and provide unique insight into how associations may occur

The Mycobacterial Cell Envelope: A Relict From the Past or the Result of Recent Evolution?

International audienceMycobacteria are well known for their taxonomic diversity, their impact on global health, and for their atypical cell wall and envelope. In addition to a cytoplasmic membrane and a peptidoglycan layer, the cell envelope of members of the order Corynebacteriales, which include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also have an arabinogalactan layer connecting the peptidoglycan to an outer membrane, the so-called "mycomembrane." This unusual cell envelope composition of mycobacteria is of prime importance for several physiological processes such as protection from external stresses and for virulence. Although there have been recent breakthroughs in the elucidation of the composition and organization of this cell envelope, its evolutionary origin remains a mystery. In this perspectives article, the characteristics of the cell envelope of mycobacteria with respect to other actinobacteria will be dissected through a molecular evolution framework in order to provide a panoramic view of the evolutionary pathways that appear to be at the origin of this unique cell envelope. In combination with a robust molecular phylogeny, we have assembled a gene matrix based on the presence or absence of key determinants of cell envelope biogenesis in the Actinobacteria phylum. We present several evolutionary scenarios regarding the origin of the mycomembrane. In light of the data presented here, we also propose a novel alternative hypothesis whereby the stepwise acquisition of core enzymatic functions may have allowed the sequential remodeling of the external cell membrane during the evolution of Actinobacteria and has led to the unique mycomembrane of slow-growing mycobacteria as we know it today

Polygenic scores differently predict developmental trajectories of subtypes of social withdrawal in middle childhood

Background. Children who consistently withdraw from social situations face increased risk for later socioemotional difficulties. Twin studies indicate that genetic factors account for a substantial share in the persistence of social withdrawal over time. However, the molecular genetic etiology of chronic courses of social wariness and preference for solitude, two dimensions of social withdrawal, remain unexplored. The objectives were 1) to identify high-risk trajectories for social wariness and preference for solitude in the childhood years, and 2) to examine whether the assignment to these high-risk trajectories can be predicted by polygenic scores for mostly adult mental health traits and disorders and by a general polygenic predisposition to these traits. Methods. Teachers evaluated 1133 genotyped children at five occasions (age 6 to 12 years) from two prospective longitudinal studies, the Quebec Newborn Twin Study and the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Developmental trajectories for social wariness and preference for solitude were identified. We tested whether polygenic scores for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, depression, loneliness and subjective well-being, as well as a general mental health genetic risk score derived across these traits were associated with the developmental trajectories. Results. Polygenic scores differently predicted social wariness and preference for solitude. Only the loneliness polygenic score significantly predicted the elevated trajectory for social wariness. By contrast, the general mental health genetic risk score factor was associated with the trajectory depicting high and chronic preference for solitude. Conclusion. Distinct associations were uncovered between the polygenic scores, social wariness, and preference for solitude. These results point to multiple genetic processes underlying the development of social withdrawal, as well as the potential value of preference for solitude as an endophenotype for the later onset and persistence of mental health difficulties in adulthood

Genome-wide evolutionary response of European oaks since the Little Ice Age

ABSTRACT The pace of tree microevolution during Anthropocene warming is largely unknown. We used a retrospective approach to monitor genomic changes in oak trees since the Little Ice Age (LIA). Allelic frequency changes were assessed from whole-genome pooled sequences for four age-structured cohorts of sessile oak ( Quercus petraea ) dating back to 1680, in each of three different oak forests in France. The genetic covariances of allelic frequency changes increased between successive time periods, highlighting genome-wide effects of linked selection. We found imprints of convergent linked selection in the three forests during the late LIA, and a shift of selection during more recent time periods. The changes in allelic covariances within and between forests mirrored the documented changes in the occurrence of extreme events (droughts and frosts) over the last three hundred years. The genomic regions with the highest covariances were enriched in genes involved in plant responses to pathogens and abiotic stresses (temperature and drought). These responses are consistent with the reported sequence of frost (or drought) and disease damage ultimately leading to the oak dieback after extreme events. Our results therefore provide evidence of selection operating on long-lived species during recent climatic changes

Genome‐wide evolutionary response of European oaks during the Anthropocene

International audienceThe pace of tree microevolution during Anthropocene warming is largely unknown. We used a retrospective approach to monitor genomic changes in oak trees since the Little Ice Age (LIA). Allelic frequency changes were assessed from whole-genome pooled sequences for four age-structured cohorts of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) dating back to 1680, in each of three different oak forests in France. The genetic covariances of allelic frequency changes increased between successive time periods, highlighting genome-wide effects of linked selection. We found imprints of parallel linked selection in the three forests during the late LIA, and a shift of selection during more recent time periods of the Anthropocene. The changes in allelic covariances within and between forests mirrored the documented changes in the occurrence of extreme events (droughts and frosts) over the last 300 years. The genomic regions with the highest covariances were enriched in genes involved in plant responses to pathogens and abiotic stresses (temperature and drought). These responses are consistent with the reported sequence of frost (or drought) and disease damage ultimately leading to the oak dieback after extreme events. They provide support for adaptive evolution of long-lived species during recent climatic changes. Although we acknowledge that other sources (e.g., gene flow, generation overlap) may have contributed to temporal covariances of allelic frequency changes, the consistent and correlated response across the three forests lends support to the existence of a systematic driving force such as natural selection