Khaberni - Researchers from leading scientific centers have published results that offer a deeper understanding of how Mycobacterium tuberculosis adapts and resists treatment.
Nature Communications published a study in which researchers used long-read sequencing techniques to reveal previously hidden genetic variations and structural arrangements that help Mycobacterium tuberculosis survive even under antibiotic pressure.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis excels in surviving under unfavorable conditions, whether inside the human body or in environments with low humidity, extreme temperatures, and long periods of dormancy. Archaeological discoveries, including ancient Egyptian mummies, showed signs of tuberculosis thousands of years after death through structural deformities and biological traces in bones and tissues.
These characteristics underscore the importance of studying the bacteria’s genome, as the diverse structural arrangements and genetic variations help resist antibiotics and endure harsh conditions.
Traditional sequencing using short DNA sections only revealed small changes, without covering repeated regions, mobile elements, and large-scale rearrangements. In contrast, long-read sequencing with data analysis allowed for the creation of a pan-genome, a map of all the genetic variations of the bacteria, not just individual strains. This is very important, as one strain may cause a mild disease, while another with increased virulence or mutations may lead to a severe form of the disease or drug resistance.
Long-read sequencing showed repeats, deletions, insertions, and inversions, many associated with the mobile element IS6110, which alters adjacent genes. These changes affect the gene copy number or regulatory regions, determining drug metabolism or evasion, and provide the bacteria alternative pathways to survive, elucidating the behavior of the strains and evolution of their resistance.
Scientists say that uncovering the hidden biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis paves the way for developing more accurate diagnostic methods, effective treatments for drug-resistant forms, and potentially combating other pathogens.
