Comparative Genomics of Cell Envelope Components in Mycobacteria

Mycobacterial cell envelope components have been a major focus of research due to their unique features that confer intrinsic resistance to antibiotics and chemicals apart from serving as a low-permeability barrier. The complex lipids secreted by Mycobacteria are known to evoke/repress host-immune response and thus contribute to its pathogenicity. This study focuses on the comparative genomics of the biosynthetic machinery of cell wall components across 21-mycobacterial genomes available in GenBank release 179.0. An insight into survival in varied environments could be attributed to its variation in the biosynthetic machinery. Gene-specific motifs like ‘DLLAQPTPAW’ of ufaA1 gene, novel functional linkages such as involvement of Rv0227c in mycolate biosynthesis; Rv2613c in LAM biosynthesis and Rv1209 in arabinogalactan peptidoglycan biosynthesis were detected in this study. These predictions correlate well with the available mutant and coexpression data from TBDB. It also helped to arrive at a minimal functional gene set for these biosynthetic pathways that complements findings using TraSH

Microbiome and diseases: colorectal cancer

Cancers of the large intestine are among the most frequent malignomas worldwide and also rank among the most frequent causes for cancer-related mortality in developed countries, with an even increasing incidence in an aging population. Patient survival and treatment options in the metastatic form of this disease are still relatively poor. The cell-autonomous genetic and epigenetic changes associated with carcinogenesis, and the stepwise and consecutive progression along the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in the colorectum, have been studied intensively over the last decades. However, there is a growing interest in the impact of gut microbial communities on the initiation and progression of this cancer entity. Overwhelming evidence meanwhile suggests that the microbiota is an important and potentially causative factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). A disturbance in the microbial community may lead to impairment of epithelial barrier function, imbalance in epithelial self-renewal, DNA damage, and altered immune responses, thereby fostering tumor initiation and progression

Microbiome and Diseases: Colorectal Cancer

Cancers of the large intestine are among the most frequent malignomas worldwide and also rank among the most frequent causes for cancer-related mortality in developed countries, with an even increasing incidence in an aging population. Patient survival and treatment options in the metastatic form of this disease are still relatively poor. The cell-autonomous genetic and epigenetic changes associated with carcinogenesis, and the stepwise and consecutive progression along the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in the colorectum, have been studied intensively over the last decades. However, there is a growing interest in the impact of gut microbial communities on the initiation and progression of this cancer entity. Overwhelming evidence meanwhile suggests that the microbiota is an important and potentially causative factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). A disturbance in the microbial community may lead to impairment of epithelial barrier function, imbalance in epithelial self-renewal, DNA damage, and altered immune responses, thereby fostering tumor initiation and progression