Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
09:10
Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics
Published on: August 25, 2022
3.8K
Reconstituting the History of Cronobacter Evolution Driven by Differentiated CRISPR Activity
Haiyan Zeng1, Jumei Zhang1, Qingping Wu2
1Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbiology Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangzhou, China.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|March 11, 2018
Summary
The CRISPR-Cas system is crucial for Cronobacter evolution, maintaining genome stability. Differentiated CRISPR activity drives Cronobacter divergence and speciation, impacting adaptation and pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Cronobacter are foodborne pathogens, with CRISPR-Cas systems playing a role in their evolution.
- The specific impact of CRISPR-Cas on Cronobacter evolution is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the influence of the CRISPR-Cas system on Cronobacter evolution.
- Determine the role of CRISPR-Cas in genome homeostasis, adaptation, and speciation.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of 137 new Cronobacter strains.
- Analysis of CRISPR-Cas system presence and activity in 240 Cronobacter strains.
- Comparative genomic analysis of CRISPR-Cas subtypes and spacer content.
Main Results:
- 90.6% of prevalent Cronobacter species possess intact CRISPR-Cas systems.
- Rare species show lower frequencies of intact CRISPR-Cas systems.
- Subtype I-E was retained, while I-F degenerated or was lost.
- Higher CRISPR activity observed in plant-associated C. dublinensis compared to virulence-related species.
- Limited spacer similarity suggests high rates of CRISPR array turnover.
Conclusions:
- A single CRISPR-Cas system is vital for Cronobacter genome homeostasis.
- Dual CRISPR-Cas systems may hinder beneficial DNA acquisition for adaptation and pathogenicity.
- Differentiated CRISPR activity contributes to Cronobacter genetic diversity, divergence, and speciation.
- CRISPR-Cas systems influence bacterial evolution beyond adaptive immunity, linking to adaptation and speciation.
Related Concept Videos
02:35What is Evolutionary History?
43.7K
Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.
43.7K
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
48.4K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
48.4K
01:59CRISPR
58.0K
Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced...
58.0K
01:54Convergent Evolution
33.1K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
33.1K
02:53CRISPR and crRNAs
19.2K
Bacteria and archaea are susceptible to viral infections just like eukaryotes; therefore, they have developed a unique adaptive immune system to protect themselves. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) are present in more than 45% of known bacteria and 90% of known archaea.
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
19.2K
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
16.9K
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
16.9K