Molecular biology of mycoplasmas: from the minimum cell concept to the artificial cell

Abstract

Mycoplasmas are a large group of bacteria, sorted into different genera in the Mollicutes class, whose main characteristic in common, besides the small genome, is the absence of cell wall. They are considered cellular and molecular biology study models. We present an updated review of the molecular biology of these model microorganisms and the development of replicative vectors for the transformation of mycoplasmas. Synthetic biology studies inspired by these pioneering works became possible and won the attention of the mainstream media. For the fi rst time, an artifi cial genome was synthesized (a minimal genome produced from consensus sequences obtained from mycoplasmas). For the fi rst time, a functional artifi cial cell has been constructed by introducing a genome completely synthesized within a cell envelope of a mycoplasma obtained by transformation techniques. Therefore, this article offers an updated insight to the state of the art of these peculiar organisms' molecular biology.

Mollicute Anti‐Adhesive and Growth Inhibition Properties of the Methanolic Extract of Propolis from the Brazilian Native Bee Melipona quadrifasciata

“…In animals, some of the most important infectious species are M. mycoides subsp. capri , M. capricolum , M. agalactiae , and M. bovis [20] . During their evolution, these microorganisms have maintained only the genes essential to life, so they harbor the smallest number of genes and biochemical machinery known in bacteria.…”

“…They have a fifth of the number genes estimated to be present in Escherichia coli , are responsible for several diseases in animals and humans, and have a large economic and environmental impact when they infect plants and insects. In addition to not having a cell wall, another distinguishing feature of the Mollicutes class is that its members possess the smallest biochemical machinery necessary for life, making them excellent model organisms for cellular and molecular biology [20] . The promising fractions and subfractions were also evaluated against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, as well as for their anti‐adhesive ability against Mycoplasma pneumoniae .…”

“…In addition to not having a cell wall, another distinguishing feature of the Mollicutes class is that its members possess the smallest biochemical machinery necessary for life, making them excellent model organisms for cellular and molecular biology. [20] The promising fractions and subfractions were also evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as for their anti-adhesive ability against Mycoplasma pneumoniae.…”

Niche overlap analysis of a lizard assemblage from the Atlantic Rainforest, evaluation of arsenic toxicity in cladocerans, and molecular biology of mycoplasmas

“…Lastly I would like to call your attention to the paper of Cordova et al (2016). These authors have presented a review of molecular biology of mycoplasmas, which comprise a large group of bacteria that lacks a cell wall (Dybvig and Voelker 1996).…”

“…These authors have presented a review of molecular biology of mycoplasmas, which comprise a large group of bacteria that lacks a cell wall (Dybvig and Voelker 1996). Several aspects of these interesting group were focused in this review, including the advances in the study of artifi cial cells, that passes through the minimum cell concept (Cordova et al 2016). …”