Identification of the GTPase superfamily in Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Abstract

Mycoplasmas are the smallest known prokaryotes with self-replication ability. They are obligate parasites, taking up many molecules of their hosts and acting as pathogens in men, animals, birds and plants. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the infective agent of swine mycoplasmosis and Mycoplasma synoviae is responsible for subclinical upper respiratory infections that may result in airsacculitis and synovitis in chickens and turkeys. These highly infectious organisms present a worldwide distribution and are responsible for major economic problems. Proteins of the GTPase superfamily occur in all domains of life, regulating functions such as protein synthesis, cell cycle and differentiation. Despite their functional diversity, all GTPases are believed to have evolved from a single common ancestor. In this work we have identified mycoplasma GTPases by searching the complete genome databases of Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, J (non-pathogenic) and 7448 (pathogenic) strains. Fifteen ORFs encoding predicted GTPases were found in M. synoviae and in the two strains of M. hyopneumoniae. Searches for conserved G domains in GTPases were performed and the sequences were classified into families. The GTPase phylogenetic analysis showed that the subfamilies were well resolved into clades. The presence of GTPases in the three strains suggests the importance of GTPases in `minimalist' genomes.

Repetitive Elements in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Transcriptional Regulation

“…hyopneumoniae strain 7448 in MHP7448_0087, glyA and sipS genes (Table 3), suggesting that some DNA repeats analysed may be involved in mycoplasma pathogenicity. GTP-binding protein, glycine hydroxymethyltransferase enzyme and signal peptidase I coding genes are important to cell viability and in some cases have already been related to mycoplasma pathogenicity process [55–57]. Promoter sequences associated with tandem repeats were present in all regulatory sequences of experimentally tested genes (S2 Table), reinforcing the hypothesis that repetitive elements may be interfering in the promoter region and consequently the transcription of related genes [20, 54].…”

A Review of Ureaplasma diversum: A Representative of the Mollicute Class Associated With Reproductive and Respiratory Disorders in Cattle

“…The non-essential genes were lost through genomic reduction. These microorganisms have evolved from Gram-positive bacteria by degenerative evolution to lose their peptidoglycan cell wall and some metabolic genes ( 33 ). Therefore, Mollicutes require additional supplements for laboratory growth.…”