Genetic manipulation of a puzzling, miniscule bacteria that has lived in human mouths at least since the Middle Stone Age is elucidating the genes needed for its unusual lifestyle. These Patescibacteria in the human oral microbiome reside on the surface of another, larger host microbe. Found in many water and land environments, Patescibacteria in general lack the genes required to make many molecules necessary for life, such as the amino acids that make up proteins, the fatty acids that form membranes, and the nucleotides in DNA. This has led researchers to speculate that many of them rely on other bacteria to grow. In a new study, researchers present the first glimpse into the molecular mechanisms behind their relationship with their host cells. They also share details gleaned from fluorescent, time-lapse microsopic imaging of these bacteria as they bud and send out swarms of tiny progeny, only a fraction of which are able to establish a host relationship.
Patescibacteria are a group of puzzling, tiny microbes whose manner of staying alive has been difficult to fathom. Scientists can cultivate only a few types, yet these bacteria are a diverse group found in many environments.
"The ability to genetically perturb Patescibacteria opens up the possibility of applying a powerful systems analysis lens to rapidly characterize the unique biology of obligate epibionts," he added, in reference to organisms that must live on another organism to survive. The group of Patescibacteria analyzed in this latest research belongs to the Saccharibacteria. These live in a variety of land and water environments but are best known for inhabiting the human mouth. They have been part of the human oral microbiome at least since the Middle Stone Age and have been linked to human oral health.
Possible host-interaction factors uncovered in the study include cell surface structures that may help Saccharibacteria attach to host cells, and a specialized secretion system that might be used for transporting nutrients. The researchers think that additional genetic manipulation studies will open the door to wider understanding of the roles of what they described as"the rich reserves of microbial dark matter these organisms contain" and potentially uncover yet unimagined biological mechanisms.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
The Middle Kingdom meets the Middle EastThe U.S. seems aware, if belatedly, that it is losing ground in the Middle East to Beijing.
Les mer »
Study illuminates mechanism that annotates genetic information passed from fathers to offspringScientists have identified a key part of a mechanism that annotates genetic information before it is passed from fathers to their offspring. The findings shed new light on genomic imprinting, a fundamental, biological process in which a gene from one parent is switched off while the copy from the other parent remains active. Errors in imprinting are linked to a host of diseases, such as the rare disease Silver-Russell syndrome along with certain cancers and diabetes.
Les mer »
Parents terrified their babies will inherit unknown genetic conditions: pollOver eight in 10 parents surveyed are concerned about the risk of unknown hereditary conditions because they don’t know more about their family’s health history.
Les mer »
Genetic tools probe microbial dark matterPatescibacteria are a group of puzzling, tiny microbes whose manner of staying alive has been difficult to fathom. Scientists can cultivate only a few types, yet these bacteria are a diverse group found in many environments.
Les mer »
Researchers identify new gene mutation that alters Alzheimer's disease riskA groundbreaking study has shed new light on the genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer's disease.
Les mer »
AUSD Notes: Alameda’s Wood Middle School renovation to start next JulyThe campus will be temporarily housed in portable buildings on the former Lum Elementary site next-door.
Les mer »