Biology subjects

Tseng, C.-H.

Publications and source records attributed to Tseng, C.-H..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Identification of combinatorial colistin resistance mutations in Shewanella algae

BackgroundColistin is one of the last-line antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Currently, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying colistin resistance in Shewanella algae, partly due to complex epistatic interactions among multiple genes. Methodology/Principal FindingsThis study sequenced, assembled, and compared the genomes of 23 mcr-negative colistin-resistant Shewanella algae from marine, clam, oyster, and human. Comparative genomics and computational approach were applied to find combinatorial mutations. A combination of three mutations (PmrB451, PmrE168, PmrH292) was found to be strongly associated with colistin resistance in Shewanella algae. Conclusions/SignificanceThis study demonstrates a computational approach for identifying epistatic-interacted mutations. Author summaryShewanella algae is an emerging pathogen related to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), including cobra-bite wound infections, marine injuries or ingestion of contaminated seafood. Shewanella algae is intrinsic resistant to various classes of {beta}-lactams. Additionally, growing resistance to colistin in mcr-negative Shewanella algae further limits therapeutic options, especially in resource-limited regions. Currently, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying colistin resistance in Shewanella algae, partly due to complex epistatic interactions among multiple genes. We conduct comparative genomics to identify combinatorial colistin resistance mutations in mcr-negative colistin-resistant Shewanella algae and a combination of three mutations (PmrB451, PmrE168, PmrH292) is strongly associated with colistin-resistance.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

The soil microbiome may offer solutions to ginger cultivation

The Taitung region is one of Taiwans main places for ginger agriculture. Due to issues with disease and nutrient, farmers cannot use continuous cropping techniques on ginger, meaning that the ginger industry is constantly searching for new lands. Continuous cropping increases the risk of infection by Pythium myriotylum and Ralstonia solanacearum, which cause soft rot disease and bacterial wilt, respectively. In addition, fertilizer additives cannot recover the soil when using continuous cropping on ginger, even when there is no decrease in trace elements observed in the soil. Although there may be other reasons for the reduction in production, such as soil microbes, we know little about the soil microbiome associated with ginger cultivation. Hence, in this study, we used the bacterial 16S V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA region to investigate microbe compositions in ginger soil to identify the difference between ginger soil with and without disease. Later, to investigate the influence of the well-known biocontrol agent-B. velezensis and fungicide Etridiazole on soil microbes and ginger productivity, we designed an experiment that collected the soil samples according to the different ginger cultivation periods to examine the microbial community dynamics in the rhizome and bulk soil. We demonstrated that B. velezensis is beneficial to ginger reproduction and suggest that it may influence the plant by adjusting its soil microbial composition. Etridiazole, on the other hand, may have some side effects on the ginger or beneficial bacteria in the soils, inhibiting ginger reproduction.

microbiology↗