The surprising discovery of a bacterium in a Great Barrier Reef sea sponge with a striking similarity to Mycobacterium tuberculosisthe pathogen responsible for tuberculosis (TB) could unlock and inform future TB research and treatment strategies.
TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, but its cause remains elusive M. tuberculosis are still not fully understood.
From a new study published in PLOS pathogensresearch led by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) describes the newly identified bacterium, Mycobacterium spongiaefound in a marine sponge collected near Cooktown, Queensland.
Sea sponges, often referred to as ‘chemical factories’, are a valuable source of bioactive compounds with potent anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. While studying a sponge specimen for its chemical-producing bacteria, researchers from the University of Queensland found a bacterium that confused them.
The sample was sent to the Doherty Institute, where the team carried out extensive analyzes of its genes, proteins and lipids M. spongiae. They discovered that he shares 80 percent of his genetic material M. tuberculosisincluding some key genes linked to the bacteria’s ability to cause disease. However, the researchers found this was different M. tuberculosis, M. spongiae does not cause disease in mice, making it non-virulent.
Dr. Sacha Pidot from the University of Melbourne, laboratory head at the Doherty Institute and co-lead author of the paper, said it was an exciting and important find.
“We were surprised to discover that this bacterium is a very close relative of M. tuberculosis”, said Doctor Pidot.
“This finding provides new insights into the evolution of M. tuberculosisThis suggests that these pathogens may originate from marine mycobacteria.”
Professor Tim Stinear from the University of Melbourne, laboratory head of the Doherty Institute and co-lead author of the paper, said this new knowledge is an important building block for future research.
“Although more work needs to be done in this area, this discovery is a valuable piece in the puzzle of understanding how tuberculosis became such a serious disease,” said Professor Stinear.
‘Our findings can help find weak links M. tuberculosis to inform the development of new strategies such as vaccines to prevent and control tuberculosis.”
Authors were from the Bio21 Institute, University of Queensland, Institut Pasteur, UK Health Security Agency, University of Otago and WEHI.
