Biology subjects

Godoy, V. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Godoy, V. G..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

A new component of the DNA damage response biofilm axis is a TetR-like DNA damage response regulator in Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that employs two main strategies to evade antibiotic treatment: developing antibiotic resistant through the DNA damage response (DDR), and forming biofilms, which are protective bacterial multicellular communities. Previously, we demonstrated that RecA, a key regulator of the DDR, connects the DDR and biofilm formation, with RecA levels inversely correlated with biofilm formation. In this study, we identify another DDR regulator, EppR-- a recently characterized TetR-family transcriptional repressor-- as also playing a role in biofilm formation. We show that an eppR-deficient strain is unable to form biofilms due to reduced expression of genes encoding adhesive pili. This occurs because EppR influences intracellular RecA levels. Our findings provide further insight into RecA regulation and the link between the DDR and biofilms.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

AspFlex: molecular tools to study gene expression and regulation in Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram negative nosocomial opportunistic pathogen frequently found in hospital settings, causing high incidence of in-hospital infections. It belongs to the ESKAPE group of pathogens (the "A" stands for A. baumannii) that is known to easily develop antibiotic resistances. It is crucial to create a molecular toolkit to investigate its basic biology, such as gene regulation. Despite A. baumannii being a threat for almost two decades, an efficient and high-throughput plasmid system that can replicate in A. baumannii has not yet been developed. This study adapts an existing toolkit for Escherichia coli to meet A. baumanniis unique requirements and expands it by constructing a mobile CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system that can produce gene knockdowns in A. baumannii.

synthetic biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Insights into the diversity and survival strategies of soil bacterial isolates from the Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert, the driest and oldest desert in the world, is a hostile environment for life. Despite the inhospitable conditions, bacterial sequences detected in this location suggest rich bacterial life. This study tested the idea that certain bacteria would thrive in this location and that some of them could be cultivated permitting further characterization. Environmental surface soil samples from 1-5 cm deep were collected from 18 diverse locations within the Atacama Desert. To assess the bacterial taxa, diversity, and abundance, Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed directly on soil samples. Bacteria were also cultured from the samples. We have a collection of 74 unique bacterial isolates after cultivation and confirmation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pigmentation, biofilm formation, antibiotic production against Escherichia coli MG1655 and Staphylococcus aureus HG003, and antibiotic resistance were assessed on these isolates. We found that approximately a third of the colonies produced pigments, 80% of isolates formed biofilms, many isolates had antibiotic activity against E. coli and/or S. aureus, and many were resistant to commercial antibiotics. The functional characterization of these isolates gives us insight into the adaptive bacterial strategies in harsh environments and enables us to learn about their possible use in agriculture, healthcare, or biotechnology. Originality-Significant StatementThis study provides the first microbial diversity analysis from Atacama Desert soil, presents the cultivation and isolation of 74 unique bacterial isolates, many of which may be novel genera and species, and explores pigment production, antibiotic production and resistance, and unique biofilm development as bacterial survival strategies for living within extreme environments.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

RecA influences biofilm development in the opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii

Infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, are difficult to eradicate due to the bacteriums propensity to quickly gain antibiotic resistances and form biofilms, a protective bacterial multicellular community. The A. baumannii DNA damage response (DDR) mediates the antibiotic resistance acquisition and regulates RecA in an atypical fashion; both RecALow and RecAHigh cell types are formed in response to DNA damage. The findings of this study demonstrate that the levels of RecA can influence the development, formation and dispersal, of biofilms through the global biofilm regulator bfmR. RecA loss results in surface attachment and prominent biofilms, while elevated RecA leads to diminished attachment and dispersal. These findings suggest that the challenge to treat A. baumannii infections may be explained by the induction of the DDR, common during infection, as well as the delicate balance between maintaining biofilms in low RecA cells, and promoting mutagenesis and dispersal in high RecA cells. This study underscores the importance of understanding the fundamental biology of bacteria to develop more effective treatments for infections.

microbiology↗