Distribution, diversity, and dynamics of the antiphage immune systems in prokaryotic genomes and metagenomes.

• Grant number: 21/04062-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Aline Maria da Silva
• Grantee: Guillermo Uceda Campos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bacteria and Archaea are in a constant battle with their viruses (phages) in a phenomenon known as "arms race" which led to the evolution of a variety of antiphage defense mechanisms that operate throughout the phage infection cycle. Those mechanisms collectively are named as prokaryotic "immune systems". The systems most studied are restriction-modification, CRISPR-Cas, and abortive infection. Recently, the discovery of new antiphage defense systems has expanded the repertoire of prokaryotic immune systems. The present project aims to analyze the distribution and diversity of all antiphage immune systems reported to date in public prokaryotic genomes, and explore the dynamics of those systems in public temporal-scale metagenomics datasets. To achieve our objective, sequences of defense systems will be retrieved mainly from PADS (Prokaryotic Antiviral Defense System) Arsenal and analyzed by comparative genomics methods. The results of this project will allow us to expand our understanding of the distribution, diversity, and evolution of the prokaryotic immune systems. Moreover, allows us to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics of immune systems in the natural environment and their influence on microbial communities.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

UCEDA-CAMPOS, GUILLERMO; FEITOSA-JUNIOR, OSEIAS R.; SANTIAGO, CAIO R. N.; PIERRY, PAULO M.; ZAINI, PAULO A.; DE SANTANA, WESLEY O.; MARTINS, JOAQUIM; BARBOSA, DEIBS; DIGIAMPIETRI, LUCIANO A.; SETUBAL, JOAO C.; et al. Comparative Genomics of Xylella fastidiosa Explores Candidate Host-Specificity Determinants and Expands the Known Repertoire of Mobile Genetic Elements and Immunity Systems. MICROORGANISMS, v. 10, n. 5, p. 20-pg., 2022-05-01. (11/09409-3, 08/11703-4, 21/04062-7, 09/13527-1, 11/01217-8)