Recent studies suggest that Clostridium scindens is protective against C. difficile infection in vivo. Antibiotic- induced dysbiosis results in altered bile acid profile which is thought to allow C. difficile to grow and cause infection. Prior studies have shown that host bile acids such as taurocholic acid induce C. difficile spore germination in the GI tract; whereas conversion of host bile acids to secondary bile acids such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) by C. scindens prevents C. difficile spore germination and vegetative cell growth. However, a genetic system is currently lacking in C. scindens, representing a barrier to demonstrating causation with respect to DCA formation and inhibition of C. difficile growth and virulence. We have a collection of over a dozen strains of C. scindens strains whose genome sequences are not known.
In Aim 1, we propose to sequence the complete genomes of these strains. We have already completed the genome/methylome of C. scindens ATCC 35704T. Determining the ?pan-genome? of C. scindens will allow determination of strain variation, and may allow identification of strains more susceptible to genetic manipulation. We will also perform transcriptomic analysis with two C. scindens strains in a newly developed defined medium and identify genes differentially expressed in the presence of bile acids.
In Aim 2 we test the hypothesis that the barrier to genetic manipulation of C. scindens is restriction modification (FM) systems. Methylome data has identified extensive m6A modification among conserved sequences in the genome. We will utilize a plasmid artificial modification (PAM) approach to developing a pyrE counter-selectable marker. These studies will provide substantial progress in the understanding of Clostridium scindens biology, bile acid metabolism, and significant progress towards genetic manipulation of C. scindens. This will allow future proposals aimed at testing the hypothesis that DCA formation by C. scindens protects against C. difficile infection in vivo.

Public Health Relevance

The bile acid metabolizing gut bacterium, Clostridium scindens, appears to be protective against Clostridium difficile infection through formation of the growth-inhibitory bile acid, deoxycholic acid. However, the lack of a genetic system for C. scindens represents a barrier to determining causation, and strain variation in C. scindens has not been properly accounted for in previous studies. We will determine the core and pan-genome of C. scindens and develop genetics that will be utilized in determining the role of C. scindens in GI cancers, as well as C. difficile infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03AI147127-02
Application #
10113519
Study Section
Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (PCMB)
Program Officer
Ranallo, Ryan
Project Start
2020-02-24
Project End
2022-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
041544081
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820