Reversion of mutations in a live mycoplasma vaccine alters its metabolism

Unveiling genome plasticity and a novel phage in Mycoplasma felis: Genomic investigations of four feline isolates

“…Likewise, variations were seen in the counts of genes coding for nutrient transport systems, including ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and the PEP-dependent phosphotransferase transport system (PTS), as well as numerous other metabolic enzymes. A number of these nutrient transport systems, and many cell surface enzymes, are multifunctional in mycoplasmas, playing critical roles in pathogenesis and survival in the host [13, 69–74]. The differences observed in the PTS and ABC transporters of the Australian felid M. felis isolates, in contrast to the equid M. felis isolate, may also be indicative of rapid metabolic gene gains and losses in response to the varying nutrient availabilities within felid and equid ecological niches.…”

“…Some mycoplasmas have been found to exhibit significant genetic plasticity and to evolve rapidly, mainly driven by intra-species spontaneous mutation and recombination or horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between and within species, facilitating swift adaptation to environmental changes, enhancing survival and/or virulence [ 6 9 ]. Studies examining the genomic stability of Mycoplasma synoviae have revealed that mutations occur frequently during infection in birds [ 10 ], and that rapid thermoadaptive evolution can occur in vitro and in vivo [ 11 ], presumably to regain fitness and pathogenicity [ 12 13 ]. HGT appears to occur more frequently between species that share an ecological niche, irrespective of their phylogenetic divergence.…”

Unveiling genome plasticity and a novel phage inMycoplasma felis: genomic investigations of four feline isolates

“…Likewise, variations in the gene counts coding for nutrient transport systems were observed, including ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and the PEP-dependent phosphotransferase transport system (PTS), as well as numerous other metabolic enzymes amongst the Australian and equid isolates. A number of these nutrient transport systems, and many cell surface enzymes are multifunctional in mycoplasmas playing critical roles in pathogenesis and survival in the host [13, 68–73]. The differences observed in the PTS and ABC transporters of the Australian felid isolates, in contrast to the equid isolate, may also be indicative of rapid metabolic gene gains and losses occurring in response to the varying nutrient availabilities within their felid and equid ecological niche.…”

“…Mycoplasmas are known for their rapid evolution and genetic plasticity, mainly driven by intra-species spontaneous mutation or horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between and within species, facilitating swift adaptation to environmental changes and enhancing survival and/or virulence [6–9]. Studies examining the genomic stability of Mycoplasma synoviae revealed that it not only undergoes frequent mutations in birds [10], but also manifests rapid thermoadaptive evolution in vitro and in vivo [11], presumably to regain fitness and pathogenicity [12, 13]. HGT is observed to occur more frequently between species that share an ecological niche irrespective of their phylogenetic divergence, such as transfer of surface VlhA lipoprotein involved in phase variation from Mycoplasma gallisepticum to M. synoviae infecting poultry [14], and transfer of several surface lipoproteins involved in host colonisation from Mycoplasma capricolum subsp.…”