Lecture 4/5 - Microbial Genetics Flashcards

1
Q

What is an immunogen?

A

Any antigen that can elicit an immune response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is an epitope?

A

Part of the antigen that binds to the antigen receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where do mutation occur in surface Ag’s of a pathogen?

A

Within the nucleic acids – DNA/RNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the results of the a mutation within the surface antigens of a pathogen?

A

Change in the structural proteins
– or –
Enzymes responsible for it’s assembly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the direct impact of genetic mutations in a pathogen?

A

Host immune response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Where is the H antigen found?

A

Flagella

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where is the O antigen found?

A

LPS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are three methods to which antigenic mutations occur?

A

Drift + Shift + Switching

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the two subtypes of antigenic switching?

A

Phase variation
– and –
Gene conversion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What can undergo antigenic shift?

A

Bacteria + Viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What can undergo antigenic shift?

A

Viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What can undergo antigenic switching?

A

Bacteria + Protozoa + Fungi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the process of antigenic drift?

A

Overtime population accumulates point mutations.

Leads to proteins products being altered causing distinct new strains of the bacteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where does antigenic drift tend to occur on a flu virus?

A

H antigen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the two components of the flu virus envelope spikes?

A

Hemaglutttinin
– and –
Neuraminidase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is hemagluttinin?

A

Glycoprotein spike which attaches to the host receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is neuraminidase?

A

Enzyme on the glycoprotein spike that releases from virus from the host cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the structure of the flu viruses genome?

A

8 segments of ssRNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the example of antigenic shift seen in the flu virus, that is given in lecture?

A

Two different strains (ie. human + birds), populate the same cell and undergo reassortment. this creates a whole new subtype of flu virus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is so dangerous about antigenic shift in the flu virus?

A

Can easily cause a pandemic because no species has been exposed to it. therefore no one has built immunity, leading to quicker spread of the virus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which genomic mutation is responsible for why we need yearly flu vaccines?

A

Antigenic drift

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What genomic mutation is responsible for why there are flu pandemics in the world?

A

Antigenic shift

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are two important things that a successful pathogen must do?

A

Multiply in host
– and –
Evade the immune system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the mechanism of phase variation, a type of antigenic switching?

A

The gene is always apart of the cell genes but not always apart of the phenotype, but it is turned on and off depending on the current environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What does phase variation lead to?

A

Phenotypic variation and therefore surface antigen variation. Go from having no flagella to having one

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

How is phase variation regulated?

A

Inversion of DNA sequence via recombinase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the two important components of a bacterial gene?

A

Promoter + Coding sequence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is another name for gene conversion, a method of antigenic switching?

A

Gene shuffling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the mechanism of gene conversion?

A

Recombination within a specific group of genes. The phenotype is always there but the bacteria can switch through types, like changing a shirt. Biological function remains the same

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What pathogen causes relapsing fever?

A

Borrelia recurrenntis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Why does relapsing fever occur?

A

Gene conversion; switches through serotypes causing the immune system to stop being able to recognize it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is responsible for malaria?

A

Plasmodium falciparum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What method is used by malaria to evade the immune system?

A

Variable surface glycoproteins aka VSG; does this by avoiding splenic destruction by attaching to endothelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are mobile genetic elements?

A

Segments of DNA that encode for enzymes/proteins that mediate movement of DNA within the genome or between cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the two groups of MGE?

A

Replicons
– and –
No replicons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is the basic method of the replicon?

A

Replicate DNA/RNA independently of host cell chromosome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the basic method of cells that are not replicons?

A

Replicate DNA/RNA as part of cell chromosome or plasmid DNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is different about a bacteriophage compared to a plasmid genetically?

A

RNA + DNA (plasmids are DNA only)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What do plasmids tend to carry?

A

Non-essential genetic information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What do plasmids allow for in a bacteria?

A

Selective advantage, especially when an AB is present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What are R plasmids?

A

Resistance plasmids, carry 1+ genes for AB resistance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is special about R plasmids?

A

They are not genera specific and can be shared amongst any bacteria for the most part

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What are bacteriophages?

A

Bacteria viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What do bacteriophages do?

A

Inject DNA into bacteria and use the host machinery to copy it’s DNA. Then use the lytic or lysogenic cycle to break out of the bacteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Can bacteriophages move amongst genera?

A

No, they are genera specific.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What are the three mechanisms that bacteria user to exchange DNA among bacteria?

A

Transformation - Conjugation - Transduction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

In general, what is transformation in regards to genetic exchange?

A

Incorporation of exogenous (aka naked DNA) into cytoplasm (via plasmid) or chromosome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

In general, what is conjugation?

A

Mating leading to exchange of genetic information from one bacterium to another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

In general, what is transduction?

A

Transfer of bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another via bacteriophage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

How is naked DNA, from transformation, incoporated into the genome of the receiving bacteria?

A

Homologous recombination + Nonhomologous recombination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

When does invitro competence normally develop in bacteria?

A

During the log phase of cell culture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What does naturally competent mean?

A

Process of natural transformation, meaning the cells have the ability to undergo this process. Which is not common

53
Q

When does recombination of DNA occur in a bacteria?

A

When cell takes up new DNA and it does not have a bacterial origin

54
Q

What happens if the DNA is rejected in transformation?

A

Restriction enzymes cut it up

55
Q

What does homologous recombination require?

A

Sequence similarity between donor and recipient

56
Q

What does homologous recombination use to be successful?

A

Recombination gene products (aka Rec proteins)

57
Q

What are the two mechanisms by which nonhomologous recombination can occur?

A

Random or Site Directed

58
Q

What occurs with random nonhomologous recombination?

A

Gene is randomly inserted, recombined with host DNA. Can lead to distruption of the genetic makeup of that bacteria. Especially if it is placed within a promoter or coding sequence of a gene

59
Q

What is it call when there is a failed attempt at non-homologous recombination with random insertion?

A

Null mutaiton

60
Q

How is the site-directed nonhomologous recombination done?

A

Has a specific sequence - “CATGCAC”

No REC proteins are needed

61
Q

What is the end result of nonhomologous recombination?

A

Addition NOT replacement of chromosomal DNA

62
Q

What is the most common method of genetic exchange?

A

Conjugation

63
Q

What is the pro of conjugation?

A

Can occur between bacteria of the same species or different ones; depends on the plasma type involved

64
Q

What occurs with conjugation?

A

One way transfer between donor and recipient bacteria

65
Q

What directs Conjugation?

A

Genes on the plasmid DNA

66
Q

What type of plasmid carry information for plasmid mobilization?

A

Conjugative plasmids

67
Q

What can also be carried on conjugative plasmids?

A

Bacteriocins + AB resistance

68
Q

What genes are important for the conjugative process?

A

Transfer of plasmid (making the recipient a donor)
Ability to make sex pilus
Initiate plasmid DNA synthesis

69
Q

What system is needed to carry out the DNA transfer in conjugation?

A

T4SS - Type IV secretory system

70
Q

What bacteria has T4SS been ID’ed in?

A

Gram-negative, but similar system found in Gram-positive.

71
Q

What designates whether a bacteria is the donor or the recipient?

A
F+ = donor = male
F- = recipient = female
72
Q

What is a conjugant cell?

A

When F+ and F- are attached

73
Q

What determines what mating type a cell is?

A

Presence of F plasmid

74
Q

What is the result of plasmid transfer?

A

Plasmid moved as linear ssDNA
– and –
Rolling circle replication

75
Q

What is rolling circle replication?

A

Produces dsDNA plasmid in recipient AND DONOR cell

76
Q

Where does mobilization being in rolling circle replication of a plasmid?

A

Plasmid-encoded protein causing single-stranded, site-specific cleavage at oriT

77
Q

What initiates rolling circle replication?

A

Nick

78
Q

What is responsible for directing the linear strand of plasmid?

A

T4SS - In Gram-negative bacteria

79
Q

What is the steps in rolling circle replication?

A

Transfer of ssDNA + Recircularize/Replication = dsDNA

80
Q

What is an antigen?

A

Any molecule that can be bound by antibody, T cell receptor, or MHC

81
Q

How does gram-positive conjugation occur?

A

Adhesion molecules on surface of the donor cells

NO SEX pilus

82
Q

What occurs with high frequency recombination?

A

Before conjugation begins - F plasmid intergrats into IS/Tn within host chromosome

83
Q

How does the F plasmid during Hfr intergrate itself within the host chormosome?

A

Via nonhomologous recombination

84
Q

What is the definition of a Hfr cell?

A

Host cell with integrated F plasmid

85
Q

What is an episome?

A

A replicon that can exist either seperate from the host cell chromosome or as part of the chromosome

86
Q

What does Tn stand for?

A

Transposon

87
Q

What is IS stand for?

A

Insertion sequence

88
Q

What is an integrated plasmid?

A

Plasmid that has been integrated into the host cell chromosome

89
Q

What is the order of chromosome transfer when a Hfr cell is involved?

A

First 1/2 of the F plasmid + Chromosome + Second 1/2 of F plasmid

90
Q

Why is there a chance that conjugation with a Hfr cell might be incomplete?

A

Cellular connection is fragile and the DNA is long, may break before finished.

91
Q

What is the highest probable ending to conjugation involving a Hfr cell?

A

Transfer of the first 1/2 of the F plasmid and a portion of the adhacent chromosome. Meaning the F- cell does not become an Hfr cell

92
Q

What occurs with full transfer of the Hfr genome?

A

Conversion of the F- cell to the Hfr cell

93
Q

What mediates the process of transduction?

A

Bacterial viruses aka bacteriophages

94
Q

What is the basic process of genetic transfer in regards to transduction?

A

Phage picks up fragments of bDNA and packages them into virions (phage particles). bDNA is then delivered to infected cell

95
Q

What happens to the bDNA once a bacteriophage introduces it to the infected cell?

A

Incorporated into bacterial genome via homologous recombination

96
Q

What are the three structural components of a bacteriophage?

A

Capsid + Tail + Nucleic acid core

97
Q

What are the two mechanisms for escape from the host cell that virulent phages use?

A

Lytic or/and Lysogenic

98
Q

What are the basic steps that occur in the lytic cycle?

A
Attaches/Absorption 
Injection/Penetration 
Replication 
Assembly 
Lysis (once enough are made)
99
Q

What is the key to generalized transduction?

A

The Lytic Cycle

100
Q

What is still present during the phage assembly of the lytic cycle?

A

bDNA

101
Q

What happens when a viral capsid is packed with bDNA?

A

becomes a Defective phage and can only attach to a new host cell and inject bDNA, where recombination with host chromosome is carried out

102
Q

Why does a viral capsid sometimes get bDNA?

A

Doesn’t know the difference between bDNA or vDNA

103
Q

What is important about the lytic cycle, in regards to what it involves?

A

Virulent phages, but if accidentally pick up bacteria this changes

104
Q

What is lysogeny?

A

Integration of vDNA into bDNA/chromosome

105
Q

How is lysogeny carried out?

A

via nonhomologous recombination

106
Q

What is formed because of lysogeny?

A

Latent prophage

107
Q

What is the result of lysogenic conversion?

A

Bacterial cell becomes lysogen

108
Q

What becomes of a latent prophage?

A

Replication of this viral DNA with the bacterial host DNA so all the daughter cells carry it

109
Q

What can happen to the latent prophage?

A

If stress occurs (ie. UV light, temp, nutrients etc.) lytic cycle can be activated. If the prophage has a virulent gene this will then make the bacteria a pathogen.

110
Q

What were three examples of pathogenic lysogens in the lecture?

A

Hemorrhagic diarrhea
Botulism
Diphtheria

111
Q

What is specialized transduction?

A

Very rare but during stress-induced lytic cycle prophage is incorrectly excised from bDNA and now has segments of bDNA + vDNA.

112
Q

What is a defective phage?

A

Machinery packs capsids with vDNA + bDNA

Lytic cycle releases these and they are spread via nonhomologous recombination

113
Q

What are not replicons?

A

IS + Tn + PAI

114
Q

What does PAI stand for?

A

Pathogenicity Island

115
Q

What is the simplest form of MGE?

A

Insertion sequence

116
Q

What does an IS contain?

A

Inverted repeats on ends

Transposase gene for integration into replicon w/ no additional coding

117
Q

How is an IS inserted?

A

Via nonhomologous method into a specific sequence - creates direct repeats upon insertion

118
Q

Where does a Tn transfer?

A

transfers DNA within a cell from one position to another
chromosome to plasmid
plasmid to plasmid

119
Q

What is the structure of a Tn?

A

2 insertion sequences + central region

120
Q

What is contained on the central region of a Tn?

A

AB resistance + toxin genes

121
Q

What can be the results of the nonhomologous recombination with a Tn?

A

Can insert into an inactive gene on chromosome or plasmid and aid bacteria in being more virulent or resistant

or can insert into a essential protein and cause cell death

122
Q

What is a PAI?

A

unusual clusters of genes, that insert tRNA or tRNA-like genes into bacterial chormosome

123
Q

What do PAI encode for?

A

Virulence factors such as toxins + AB resistance

124
Q

How is a PAI inserted into the genome?

A

Nonhomologous recombination

125
Q

Why are PAI’s unstable?

A

Different %G+C that parent DNA - implies foreign source to DNA
Overtime breaks down, lost from genome
Not seen in nonpathogenic forms of species

126
Q

What is clinically important to remember about PAI’s?

A

Can cause different pathogens even if the bacteria are from the same species

127
Q

What is structure is adding to the spread of AB resistance?

A

Integron

128
Q

What is an integron?

A

Genetic element that allows for efficient capture and expression of exogenous genes