A recent study from Perkins et al. has provided exciting new information about the genome of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This bacterium is infamous for causing respiratory infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is pretty simple—their genome consists of roughly 816,000 DNA letters. This genetic blueprint is osmotic, nearly a million times smaller than the genome of humans! Our UMN researchers have invested years carefully unraveling the story of this microbe. Their aim is to figure out the essential molecular parts that make it thrive.
This rigorous, large-scale investigation yielded the most complete inventory of required and nonrequired genes in Mycoplasma pneumoniae thus far. This understanding can better inform our interpretation of this bacterium’s epidemiology. It unlocks a wealth of new possibilities in the field of synthetic biology, particularly in developing what are known as “living medicines” that originate wholly from the microbe.
Research Background and Methodology
The study’s authors spent years researching Mycoplasma pneumoniae at a molecular level. To do this, they used a technique known as transposon sequencing. This approach allowed them to knock out 450,000 DNA letters across the organism’s genome. This approach allowed the scientists to systematically pinpoint which genes were truly essential to the bacterium’s survival.
Of the 707 protein-coding genes studied, the study found that 220 were considered essential to the survival of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This literature suggests that only a small percentage of the microbial genome is critical for the eventual fate and transport of its most fundamental operations. From this research, the scientists discovered 86 genes that were classified as near essential. It identified 84 nonessential genes that made a positive contribution.
To do that, the researchers looked at 1,050 regulatory elements across the entire genome. What they found was that only 25 of these elements were actually essential for the organism’s survival. This targeted approach allowed them to produce a very granular map of essentiality. It did a great job at bringing out the essential and the expendable pieces of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Implications for Synthetic Biology
The policy implications of this research reach far beyond concerned academic curiosity. The new, more detailed essentiality map provides researchers with an unprecedented wealth of information about how genes function. Armed with this new molecular toolbox, scientists have unprecedented latitude to play with the organism’s genome. They have the power to delete toxic provisions and perhaps even add positive ones.
As far as cutting-edge engineers at MIT are concerned, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is now considered one of the most engineer-friendly microbes to cross into the synthetic biology world. This new technical advance makes it possible to find and hone in on only the most essential genes, paving the way for more sophisticated living medicines. These precision microbes can serve as treatments platforms for precision therapies. Their capacity extends to bio-manufacturing pathways and use as delivery vehicles for drugs.
Genes previously considered indispensable have demonstrated a surprising plasticity. Researchers found that some of these so-called “essential” genes could actually be split in half without completely killing the cell’s ability to survive. This flexibility shows that Mycoplasma pneumoniae has an impressive arsenal of tricks up its sleeve. This resilience only increases its promise for a number of exciting biotechnological applications.
Future Directions and Research Potential
As researchers work to better understand Mycoplasma pneumoniae, they look forward to new discoveries that will better shape the future of synthetic biology practices. That increasing pool of information is telling us where the genes are critical and where they’re malleable. This invaluable knowledge has created extraordinary potential for advancement in medicine, healthcare, and agriculture.
The study’s results highlight Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a proxy model organism with great potential for revealing the mode of action for further studies. Its compact genome features facilitate straightforward experimentation, providing powerful insights into intricate biological mechanisms. Now, researchers are laying the groundwork to expand this knowledge base. They could pave the way for innovative approaches to fight respiratory infections, even lead us to new therapeutic modalities.