Comparative genomic analysis shows that Streptococcus suis meningitis isolate SC070731 contains a unique 105K genomic island

• Published in: Gene Vol. 535; no. 2; pp. 156 - 164
• Main Authors: Wu, Zongfu, Wang, Weixue, Tang, Min, Shao, Jing, Dai, Chen, Zhang, Wei, Fan, Hongjie, Yao, Huochun, Zong, Jie, Chen, Dai, Wang, Junning, Lu, Chengping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 10.02.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Chromosomes, Bacterial; Comparative Genomic Hybridization; Danio rerio; Gene Order; Genome, Bacterial; Genomic island; Genomic Islands; Genomics; Humans; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Molecular Sequence Data; Nisin; Phage; Phenotype; Prophages - genetics; Streptococcus suis; Streptococcus suis - genetics; Streptococcus suis - growth & development; Streptococcus suis - pathogenicity; Swine; Virulence; Virulence - genetics; Nisin; GI; HTP; STSS; Virulence; LC–MS; IS; TA; SS2; CDS; Genomic island; CSF; PI; Phage; pathogenicity island; Streptococcus suis serotype 2; coding sequences; toxin–antitoxin; streptococcal toxic shock syndrome; insertion sequences; cerebrospinal fluid; Histidine triad proteins; liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 0378-1119; 1879-0038
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.11.044

Streptococcus suis (SS) is an important swine pathogen worldwide that occasionally causes serious infections in humans. SS infection may result in meningitis in pigs and humans. The pathogenic mechanisms of SS are poorly understood. Here, we provide the complete genome sequence of S. suis serotype 2 (SS2) strain SC070731 isolated from a pig with meningitis. The chromosome is 2,138,568bp in length. There are 1933 predicted protein coding sequences and 96.7% (57/59) of the known virulence-associated genes are present in the genome. Strain SC070731 showed similar virulence with SS2 virulent strains HA9801 and ZY05719, but was more virulent than SS2 virulent strain P1/7 in the zebrafish infection model. Comparative genomic analysis revealed a unique 105K genomic island in strain SC070731 that is absent in seven other sequenced SS2 strains. Further analysis of the 105K genomic island indicated that it contained a complete nisin locus similar to the nisin U locus in S. uberis strain 42, a prophage similar to S. oralis phage PH10 and several antibiotic resistance genes. Several proteins in the 105K genomic island, including nisin and RelBE toxin–antitoxin system, contribute to the bacterial fitness and virulence in other pathogenic bacteria. Further investigation of newly identified gene products, including four putative new virulence-associated surface proteins, will improve our understanding of SS pathogenesis. •The sequence of Streptococcus suis (SS2) meningitis isolate SC070731 was determined.•SC070731 was more virulent than SS2 strain P1/7 in zebrafish infection model.•A 105K genomic island was found in SC070731, but was absent in 7 other SS2 strains.•The genomic island has a nisin locus, similar to the nisin U locus in S. uberis.•A prophage, similar to S. oralis phage PH10, is also present in the genomic island.