Spiroplasma found in the eyes of scrapie affected sheep

Bastian, Frank O.; Boudreaux, Charles M.; Hagius, Sue D.; Bulgin, Marie S.; Sorensen-Melson, Sharon; Enright, Frederick M.; Elzer, Philip H.

doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00833.x

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…This might explain the relatively large size of Spiroplasmas, their spatial organization and complexity compared to the Mycoplasmas. Spiroplasmas are of particular interest because they include agricultural pathogens of major economic importance such as S. citri affecting citrus plants [49] and S. kunkelii affecting corn [50], [51] , as well as members that have been claimed to be involved in neurodegenerative diseases [52]–[54]. However, we have a different motivation for studying Spiroplasma , namely our interest in establishing Spiroplasma as a model for analytically studying spatio-temporal, biomechanical and motility aspects of a minimal cell system [55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Structural Framework for a Near-Minimal Form of Life: Mass and Compositional Analysis of the Helical Mollicute Spiroplasma melliferum BC3

Trachtenberg¹,

Schuck

Phillips

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

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Spiroplasma melliferum is a wall-less bacterium with dynamic helical geometry. This organism is geometrically well defined and internally well ordered, and has an exceedingly small genome. Individual cells are chemotactic, polar, and swim actively. Their dynamic helicity can be traced at the molecular level to a highly ordered linear motor (composed essentially of the proteins fib and MreB) that is positioned on a defined helical line along the internal face of the cell’s membrane. Using an array of complementary, informationally overlapping approaches, we have taken advantage of this uniquely simple, near-minimal life-form and its helical geometry to analyze the copy numbers of Spiroplasma’s essential parts, as well as to elucidate how these components are spatially organized to subserve the whole living cell. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) was used to measure the mass-per-length and mass-per-area of whole cells, membrane fractions, intact cytoskeletons and cytoskeletal components. These local data were fit into whole-cell geometric parameters determined by a variety of light microscopy modalities. Hydrodynamic data obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation allowed computation of the hydration state of whole living cells, for which the relative amounts of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, DNA, and RNA were also estimated analytically. Finally, ribosome and RNA content, genome size and gene expression were also estimated (using stereology, spectroscopy and 2D-gel analysis, respectively). Taken together, the results provide a general framework for a minimal inventory and arrangement of the major cellular components needed to support life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Structural Framework for a Near-Minimal Form of Life: Mass and Compositional Analysis of the Helical Mollicute Spiroplasma melliferum BC3

Trachtenberg¹,

Schuck

Phillips

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

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“…The animals become sick then suddenly progress to wasting, ataxia, and the development of bulbar signs, a clinical spectrum remarkably similar to naturally occurring scrapie in sheep (18) or CWD in deer (19). It is noteworthy that SMCA-inoculated sheep show marked ocular retinopathy (20) that is remarkably similar to the retinopathy characteristic of natural scrapie in sheep (10,21) and experimental scrapie in mice (22). Spiroplasma are recognizable in the obex by immunocytochemistry and TEM (10).…”

Section: Experimental Spiroplasmosis In Ruminantsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Neuropathologic studies show spongiform encephalopathy primarily involving the gray matter of the cortex, cerebellum, and obex. 4) (20). The SMCA strain inoculated into sheep does not produce recognizable clinical signs at 16 months, but neuropathologic studies show spongiform encephalopathy of the sheep brains proportional to the dose of spiroplasma inoculum administered (10).…”

Section: Experimental Spiroplasmosis In Ruminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Case for Involvement of Spiroplasma in the Pathogenesis of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Bastian

2014

Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology

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Spiroplasma biofilm formation explains the role of these wall-less bacteria in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Spiroplasma embedded in the biofilm polysaccharide matrix are markedly resistant to physical and chemical treatment, simulating the biologic properties of the TSE agent. Microcolonies of spiroplasma embedded in biofilm bound to clay are the likely mechanism of lateral transmission of scrapie in sheep and chronic wasting disease in deer via soil ingestion. Spiroplasma in biofilm bound to the stainless steel of surgical instruments may also cause iatrogenic transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Sessile spiroplasma in biofilm attach to the surface by curli-like fibrils, a functional amyloid that is important for spiroplasma entering cells. Curli fibers have been shown to interact with host proteins and initiate formation of a potentially toxic amyloid that multiplies by self-assembly. In TSE, this mechanism may explain how spiroplasma trigger the formation of prion amyloid. This possibility is supported by experiments that show spiroplasma produce α-synuclein in mammalian tissue cultures. The data linking spiroplasma to neurodegenerative diseases provide a rationale for developing diagnostic tests for TSE based on the presence of spiroplasma-specific proteins or nucleic acid. Research efforts should focus on this bacterium for development of therapeutic regimens for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

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“…Moreover, Bastian et al have shown that there is an association between Spiroplasma spp. and scrapie by using an experimental model of sheep suffering from scrapie [101]. Alexeeva et al in an experimental study on hamster have ruled that either S. mirum or other bacteria cannot be considered as causative agents of TSE [102].…”

Section: Spiroplasma and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (Tse)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiroplasma spp.: A Plant, Arthropod, Animal and Human Pathogen

Cacciola¹,

Bertaccini²,

Pane³

et al. 2017

Citrus Pathology

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Mollicutes is a class of smallest and free-living bacteria. They have no cell wall and their plasma membrane contains cholesterol; nevertheless, cellular organization does not differ from that of other prokaryotes. They are used as simple model systems for studying general biological problems, such as those concerning membrane structure and functions, symbiosis between arthropods and microrganisms, animal and plant pathogens. Mollicutes includes the family of Spiroplamataceae, which contains Spiroplasma genus, a group of species associated, in different manner, with arthropods (insects, mites, crustaceans). Spiroplasma species can be commensals or parasites and even be involved in more close symbiosis, such as synergism or mutualism. Out of 38 described Spiroplasma species, only three have been associated with plant diseases and three with arthropod diseases. Moreover, some species have been related to animal diseases, such as transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), and their role in human disease has been assessed.The chapter describes the taxonomic situation of the genus and reports the most important diseases due to the presence of Spiroplasma in different living organisms with special emphasis on citrus in which it causes one of the most economically damaging infectious diseases in a number of citrus growing areas worldwide.

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Spiroplasma found in the eyes of scrapie affected sheep

Abstract: These data showed a clear association of spiroplasma with scrapie suggesting that these bacteria have a role in the pathogenesis of TSE and that the eye should be a research focus for future studies of TSE.

Cited by 12 publications

References 30 publications

A Structural Framework for a Near-Minimal Form of Life: Mass and Compositional Analysis of the Helical Mollicute Spiroplasma melliferum BC3

A Structural Framework for a Near-Minimal Form of Life: Mass and Compositional Analysis of the Helical Mollicute Spiroplasma melliferum BC3

The Case for Involvement of Spiroplasma in the Pathogenesis of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Spiroplasma spp.: A Plant, Arthropod, Animal and Human Pathogen

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