Mycoplasma DnaK increases DNA copy number variants in vivo.

Abstract

The human microbiota affects critical cellular functions, although the responsible mechanism(s) is still poorly understood. In this regard, we previously showed that <i>Mycoplasma fermentans</i> DnaK, an HSP70 chaperone protein, hampers the activity of important cellular proteins responsible for DNA integrity. Here, we describe a novel DnaK knock-in mouse model generated in our laboratory to study the effect of <i>M. fermentans</i> DnaK expression in vivo. By using an array-based comparative genomic hybridization assay, we demonstrate that exposure to DnaK was associated with a higher number of DNA copy number variants (CNVs) indicative of unbalanced chromosomal alterations, together with reduced fertility and a high rate of fetal abnormalities. Consistent with their implication in genetic disorders, one of these CNVs caused a homozygous <i>Grid2</i> deletion, resulting in an aberrant ataxic phenotype that recapitulates the extensive biallelic deletion in the <i>Grid2</i> gene classified in humans as autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 18. Our data highlight a connection between components of the human urogenital tract microbiota, namely <i>Mycoplasmas</i>, and genetic abnormalities in the form of DNA CNVs, with obvious relevant medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications.