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Related Concept Videos

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
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Mutations are heritable changes in an organism’s genome involving alterations in the base sequence of DNA or RNA. These changes can influence cellular processes and phenotypic traits, potentially transforming the unaltered wild type into a mutant form. Such changes, termed forward mutations, are pivotal in shaping the genetic diversity of organisms.RNA viruses exhibit the highest mutation rates due to the absence of robust proofreading mechanisms during genome replication. In contrast,...
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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
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Evolution in fast forward: a potential role for mutators in accelerating Staphylococcus aureus pathoadaptation.

Gregory S Canfield1, Johanna M Schwingel, Matthew H Foley

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.

Journal of Bacteriology
|December 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mutator strains of Staphylococcus aureus, with defects in DNA repair systems, accelerate the evolution of virulence. These "mutators" enhance pathogen survival and persistence during chronic infections without increased sensitivity to reactive oxygen species.

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Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli
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Published on: March 16, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Pathogen evolution and phenotypic changes are crucial for survival during chronic infections.
  • Staphylococcus aureus utilizes DNA repair systems to maintain genome stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of DNA repair system mutations (mutators) in Staphylococcus aureus pathoadaptation.
  • To determine if defects in mismatch repair (MMR) and oxidized guanine (GO) systems impact mutation rates and virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic and phenotypic characterization of S. aureus strains with induced MMR and GO mutations.
  • Analysis of spontaneous mutation frequencies, types, and hot spots.
  • Assessment of hydrogen peroxide sensitivity.
  • Measurement of virulence factor (α-hemolysin, staphyloxanthin) inactivation rates during serial passage.

Main Results:

  • Mutator strains exhibited increased and altered spontaneous mutation frequencies, consistent with MMR or GO loss.
  • No increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide was observed in these DNA repair mutants.
  • GO and MMR mutants showed accelerated inactivation rates of α-hemolysin and staphyloxanthin, indicating modified virulence phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Defects in DNA repair systems (mutators) in S. aureus can accelerate the evolution of virulence phenotypes.
  • Mutators may drive pathogen adaptation and contribute to persistent infections by rapidly altering traits like α-hemolysin and staphyloxanthin production.
  • The absence of increased oxidative stress sensitivity suggests mutators can evolve within the host environment.