Aeromonas proteolytica--a halophilic aeromonad?

Aeromonas proteolytica, a halophilic bacterium originally isolated from the intestine of a marine isopod, was compared with 93 strains of Aeromonas hydrophila and representative strains of five similar genera in a computer and serological analysis. Aeromonas proteolytica was peritrichate and non-reactive with six A. hydrohila antisera, and possessed a percentage guanine + cytosine ratio (49.5) outside the range for other aeromonads (55-62%). Moreover, in the computer analysis it shared a lower level of similarity with other aeromonads than with both strains of Vibrio anguillarum tested.     

Studies on the Production of Extracellular Proteinases by a Non-pigmented Strain of Chromobacterium lividum Isolated from Abattoir Effluent

A highly proteolytic bacterium isolated from abattoir effluent was identified as a non-pigmented strain of Chromobacterium lividum. Ferrous or ferric ions at concentrations between 1·8 × 10^-5 and 9 × 10^-4 g ions/1, which is 2–3 orders of magnitude greater than that required for growth, were essential for extracellular proteinase production in aerated but not in static culture. Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺ ions could not replace iron. Four proteinases (I-IV) were produced in static culture, but only proteinase I was formed in significant quantities in aerated culture. With both forms of culture amino nitrogen was essential for proteinase production; glucose inhibited formation in aerated, but not static, cultures. Growth occurred over the range 1–33 °C, whereas proteinase production ceased at 27 °C, with maximum activity at 13 °C. Proteinase production appeared to be controlled by an interaction between iron, oxygen tension and glucose.     

The effect of nitrogen and carbon sources on proteinase production by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Some factors influencing the production of an extracellular proteinase by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCDO 2085 were studied. Proteinase production was optimal at 20C and pH 69 in static culture when calcium was included in the medium. Proteinase was not detectable in basal medium but could be induced by organic nitrogen compounds. The proteinase was produced in the exponential phase of growth on protein substrates but not until early stationary phase during growth on amino acids. The organism did not utilize lactose, the most abundant carbohydrate in milk. Citrate was readily utilized as an energy source but had a strong repressive effect on proteinase production. A medium containing sodium caseinate and pyruvate supported good growth and enzyme production. All the amino acids utilized as a sole carbon source, with the exception of serine, could induce proteinase production. Asparagine was the most effective amino acid inducer. Particular combinations of amino acids could induce or repress proteinase production. The regulation of proteinase production by Ps. fluorescens NCDO 2085 appears to be based on a balance between induction by low concentrations of low molecular weight degradation products and sensitivity to end product catabolite repression. The results suggest that the function of the proteinase is to ensure a supply of carbon rather than amino acids for protein synthesis.     

The effect of nitrogen and carbon sources on proteinase production by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Some factors influencing the production of an extracellular proteinase by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCDO 2085 were studied. Proteinase production was optimal at 20 degrees C and pH 6.9 in static culture when calcium was included in the medium. Proteinase was not detectable in basal medium but could be induced by organic nitrogen compounds. The proteinase was produced in the exponential phase of growth on protein substrates but not until early stationary phase during growth on amino acids. The organism did not utilize lactose, the most abundant carbohydrate in milk. Citrate was readily utilized as an energy source but had a strong repressive effect on proteinase production. A medium containing sodium caseinate and pyruvate supported good growth and enzyme production. All the amino acids utilized as a sole carbon source, with the exception of serine, could induce proteinase production. Asparagine was the most effective amino acid inducer. Particular combinations of amino acids could induce or repress proteinase production. The regulation of proteinase production by Ps. fluorescens NCDO 2085 appears to be based on a balance between induction by low concentrations of low molecular weight degradation products and sensitivity to end product catabolite repression. The results suggest that the function of the proteinase is to ensure a supply of carbon rather than amino acids for protein synthesis.     

Simultaneous Loss of Proteinase- and Lactose-Utilizing Enzyme Activities in Streptococcus lactis and Reversal of Loss by Transduction

During studies on spontaneous loss of lactose metabolism in Streptococcus lactis C2, it was found that the lactose-negative (lac(-)) mutants were also proteinase negative (prt(-)). This pleiotropic effect was observed in S. diacetilactis 18-16, but not in S. cremoris B1. The lac(-)prt(-) mutants from S. lactis C2 were able to grow in milk, but no pH change or measurable protein breakdown occurred. When the milk was supplemented with glucose, a slow decline in pH occurred. Addition of a protein hydrolysate to milk did not stimulate acid production. When both supplements were added to milk, normal growth and pH change were obtained. When the lac(-)prt(-) mutant of S. lactis C2 was transduced with the temperate phage from the lac(+)prt(+) parent culture, approximately equal numbers of lac(+)prt(-) and lac(+)prt(+) transductants were obtained. When the spontaneous lac(+)prt(-) strain of S. lactis C2 was converted to a lac(-)prt(-) derivative and transduced, similar results were obtained. The co-transduction of the lactose and proteinase markers suggest they are closely associated. The findings indicate that the transducing phage from S. lactis C2 can be used to examine the causes of instability in both the lactose and proteinase enzyme systems of this organism.     

The effect of dilution rate and pH on biomass and proteinase production by Micrococcus sedentarius grown in continuous culture

K.T. HOLLAND, J. MARSHALL AND D. TAYLOR. 1992. Micrococcus sedentarius , an organism associated with pitted keratolysis, produced two proteinases in culture supernatant fluids, as shown by non-denaturing PAGE with overlaying with a casein substrate. A mixture had optimal activity at pH 10 with azocasein substrate. At pH 7.1 and 8.1 in continuous culture with varying dilution rates high proteinase production occurred at relative specific growth rates (μ_rels) 0.39 and 0.77 and biomass concentrations decreased with increasing dilution rate. One proteinase was constitutive and varied little in production with different growth rates. The other proteinase was under control with high production at low growth rates and no production at high growth rates. With varying pH at μ_rels, 0.39 and 0.77 maximum biomass concentration and proteinase production occurred between pH 8.0 and 9.0 as did the highest specific growth rate. These results support the hypothesis that Mic. sedentarus produces pitting in the stratum corneum when the skin is hydrated and the pH rises above neutrality.     

Mobilization of a recombinant nonconjugative plasmid at the interface between wastewater and the marine coastal environment

Abstract The ability of aquatic bacteria isolated from habitats around the outlet of treated wastewater in a coastal marine ecosystem to mobilize the nonconjugative recombinant plasmid pCE328 was studied. A total of 208 strains were screened for their large plasmid content; 51 strains carried at least one large plasmid. Of these, 6 strains from wastewater and 8 from the marine environment were able to mobilize pCE328. Mobilizing strains were isolated from all habitats, and the majority belonged to the genus Aeromonas . The frequencies of mobilization in plate mating experiments ranged from 2 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.4 × 10⁻⁵ per donor at 15°C and 20°C. Mobilization occurred at lower frequencies in microcosm experiments. The results suggest that recombinant DNA released at such interfaces may be transferred rapidly to the autochtonous populations through several bacterial species.     

Effects of Temperature and Nutrients on Proteinase Production by Pseudomonas fluorescens and Ps. aeruginosa in Broth and Milk

Temperature and the composition of the medium influenced the production of proteinase by Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from raw milk. Many isolates of Ps. fluorescens digested litmus milk at 10° but not at 5° or 2°. With Ps. fluorescens proteinase production per unit of growth in a Peptone–Yeast Extract broth declined progressively as the incubation temperature was reduced from 20° to 5°. At 30° there was heavy growth in the same medium but only slight proteinase production whereas enzyme production by Ps. aeruginosa was maximal at this temperature. Proteinase production by both species in semi-defined media was essentially a function of the organic nitrogen content of the medium; there was evidence of catabolite repression by glucose and, to a lesser extent, lactate. In milks seeded with these pseudomonads, the extent of proteolysis was either increased markedly or slightly decreased when glucose was included.     

Synthesis of Extracellular Proteinase by Pseudomonas fluorescens Under Conditions of Limiting Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphate

The influence of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate concentrations on growth and proteinase production by Pseudomonas fluorescens 32A was examined. In mineral salts medium containing dialyzed skim milk supernatant as an inducer, maximum growth was obtained at 1.0 and 2.5 mM orthophosphate at 20 and 5°C, respectively. At both temperatures, 5 mM orthophosphate was required for maximum proteinase production, whereas significant inhibition was found at 10 mM. Orthophosphate was the only phosphate compound able to support growth. With sodium pyruvate as the carbon source, maximum enzyme synthesis was at 100 mM carbon at both temperatures. At both 20 and 5°C maximum growth and enzyme production was found with 10 mM NH₄Cl. A bioassay for available phosphate based on the growth of P. fluorescens 32A in phosphate-limited mineral salts medium showed that skim milk and skim milk supernatant contained 50 and 10 mM orthophosphate, respectively. Proteinase production in skim milk was 2.6- and 12-fold greater than that in optimal mineral salts medium at 20 and 5°C, respectively. These results suggest that proteinase production in milk does not occur as a result of nutrient limitation and may be regulated in part by milk phosphates.     

Growth condition optimization for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production by Moritella marina MP-1

The marine organism Moritella marina MP-1 produces the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). While the basic metabolic pathway for DHA production in this organism has been identified, the impact of growth conditions on DHA production is largely unknown. This study examines the effect of supplemental carbon, nitrogen and salts, growth temperature and media composition and pH on DHA and biomass production and the fatty acid profile. The addition of supplemental nitrogen significantly increased the overall DHA titer via an increase in biomass production. Supplemental glucose or glycerol increased biomass production, but decreased the amount of DHA per biomass, resulting in no net change in the DHA titer. Acidification of the baseline media pH to 6.0 increased DHA per biomass. Changes in growth temperature or provision of supplemental sodium or magnesium chloride did not increase DHA titer. This organism was also shown to grow on defined minimal media. For both media types, glycerol enabled more DHA production per biomass than glucose. Combination of these growth findings into marine broth supplemented with glycerol, yeast extract, and tryptone at pH?6.0 resulted in a final titer of 82?±?5 mg/L, a nearly eightfold increase relative to the titer of 11?±?1 mg/L seen in the unsupplemented marine broth. The relative distribution of other fatty acids was relatively robust to growth condition, but the presence of glycerol resulted in a significant increase in myristic acid (C14:0) and decrease in palmitic acid (C16:0). In summary, DHA production by M. marina MP-1 can be increased more than fivefold by changing the growth media. Metabolic engineering of this organism to increase the amount of DHA produced per biomass could result in additional increases in titer.     

Evidence for the subcellular localization and specificity of chlordane inhibition in the marine bacterium Aeromonas proteolytica.

Sublethal levels (10 to 100 micrograms/ml) of the chlorinated insecticide chlordane (1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindan) were introduced into the growth medium of the marine bacterium, Aeromonas proteolytica. Chlordane inhibited the synthesis of an extracellular endopeptidase by almost 40% but exhibited no such inhibition of the extracellular aminopeptidase also produced during the growth cycle. Studied with 14C-labeled chlordane demonstrated that the insecticide was not biologically degraded under the test conditions used and that up to 75% of the recoverable chlordane was cell associated within 48 h. Studied with uniformly labeled L[14C]valine and [2-14C]uracil established that neither the transport nor the incorporation of these protein and ribonucleic acid precursors was inhibited by chlordane. Separation of the membrane fractions using isopycnic centrifugation localized 14C-labeled chlordane in the cytoplasmic membrane. Also, chlordane inhibited the membrane-bound adenosine 5'-triphosphatase while the soluble (released) form of this enzyme remained unaffected. These data indicate that chlordane resides in the cytoplasmic membrane and may cause specific alterations in membrane-associated activities.     

Phosphorus scavenging in the unicellular marine diazotroph Crocosphaera watsonii

Through the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and photosynthesis, marine diazotrophs play a critical role in the global cycling of nitrogen and carbon. Crocosphaera watsonii is a recently described unicellular diazotroph that may significantly contribute to marine nitrogen fixation in tropical environments. One of the many factors that can constrain the growth and nitrogen fixation rates of marine diazotrophs is phosphorus bioavailability. Using genomic and physiological approaches, we examined phosphorus scavenging mechanisms in strains of C. watsonii from both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Observations from the C. watsonii WH8501 genome suggest that this organism has the capacity for high-affinity phosphate transport (e.g., homologs of pstSCAB) in low-phosphate, oligotrophic systems. The pstS gene (high-affinity phosphate binding) is present in strains isolated from both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and its expression was regulated by the exogenous phosphate supply in strain WH8501. Genomic observation also indicated a broad capacity for phosphomonoester hydrolysis (e.g., a putative alkaline phosphatase). In contrast, no clear homologs of genes for phosphonate transport and hydrolysis could be identified. Consistent with these genomic observations, C. watsonii WH8501 is able to grow on phosphomonoesters as a sole source of added phosphorus but not on the phosphonates tested to date. Taken together these data suggest that C. watsonii has a robust capacity for scavenging phosphorus in oligotrophic systems, although this capacity differs from that of other marine cyanobacterial genera, such as Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and Trichodesmium.     

Evidence for the subcellular localization and specificity of chlordane inhibition in the marine bacterium Aeromonas proteolytica.

Sublethal levels (10 to 100 micrograms/ml) of the chlorinated insecticide chlordane (1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindan) were introduced into the growth medium of the marine bacterium, Aeromonas proteolytica. Chlordane inhibited the synthesis of an extracellular endopeptidase by almost 40% but exhibited no such inhibition of the extracellular aminopeptidase also produced during the growth cycle. Studied with 14C-labeled chlordane demonstrated that the insecticide was not biologically degraded under the test conditions used and that up to 75% of the recoverable chlordane was cell associated within 48 h. Studied with uniformly labeled L[14C]valine and [2-14C]uracil established that neither the transport nor the incorporation of these protein and ribonucleic acid precursors was inhibited by chlordane. Separation of the membrane fractions using isopycnic centrifugation localized 14C-labeled chlordane in the cytoplasmic membrane. Also, chlordane inhibited the membrane-bound adenosine 5'-triphosphatase while the soluble (released) form of this enzyme remained unaffected. These data indicate that chlordane resides in the cytoplasmic membrane and may cause specific alterations in membrane-associated activities.     

Degradation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by marine microorganisms

Abstract By degrading the settlement inducer gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), bacteria may affect the larval settlement of sedentary marine invertebrates. Nearly one third of bacterial isolates from surfaces suitable for abalone ( Haliotis ) settlement were able to grow on GABA as sole carbon source. Compared with similar compounds, GABA was a good source of carbon, nitrogen and energy, and it was utilized concomitantly with glucose. GABA-metabolizing enzymes were constitutive in Pseudomonas fluorescens and inducible in Aeromonas hydrophila . High-affinity ( K _m: 20–50 μ M) and low-affinity ( K _m: 7–9 mM) uptake systems were produced in response to low and high GABA concentrations, respectively, in the growth medium. Within the ecologically significant temperature range (12–24°C), specific GABA degradation rates varied 2.5-fold in young cells of P. fluorescens . This organism los its ability to degrade GABA during the stationary phase. The results suggest that marine bacteria have the potential to affect invertebrate larval settlement by removing GABA from the settlement habitat.     

Slime production and proteinase activity of Candida species isolated from blood samples and the comparison of these activities with minimum inhibitory concentration values of antifungal agents

Slime and proteinase activity of 54 strains consisting of 19 Candida parapsilosis and 35 C. albicans strains isolated from blood samples were investigated in this study. Ketoconazole, amphothericin B, and fluconazole susceptibility of Candida species were compared with slime production and proteinase activity of these species. For both Candida species, no correlation was detected between the slime activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the three antifungal agents. For both Candida species no correlation was detected between the proteinase activity and the MIC values of amphothericin B, and fluconazole however, statistically significant difference, was determined between the proteinase activity and MIC values of ketoconazole (p = 0.007). Slime production was determined by using modified Christensen macrotube method and proteinase activity was measured by the method of Staib. Antifungal susceptibility was determined through the guidelines of National Committee for Laboratory Standards (NCCLS M27-A).     

Halobacterium vallismortis sp. nov. An amylolytic and carbohydrate-metabolizing, extremely halophilic bacterium

The extremely halophilic bacterium (formerly designated as strain J.F. 54) isolated from salt pools of the Death Valley, California, is a motile, Gram-negative, extremely pleomorphic organism, aerobe, and facultative anaerobe. A variety of carbohydrates are assimilated with or without acid production; soluble starch is hydrolyzed. The organism is not proteolytic; catalase, oxidase, and DNase reactions are positive; Tween 20 is slightly hydrolyzed, but Tweens 40, 60, and 80 are not. Nitrates are reduced to nitrites with gas production; nitrites are not reduced. Optimum growth temperature is 40 degrees C. Growth is inhibited by bacitracin and by novobiocin. The type strain J.F. 54 differs from described species of the genus Halobacterium and is assigned to a new species, Halobacterium vallismortis sp. nov.     

The effect of dilution rate and pH on biomass and proteinase production by Micrococcus sedentarius grown in continuous culture.

Micrococcus sedentarius, an organism associated with pitted keratolysis, produced two proteinases in culture supernatant fluids, as shown by non-denaturing PAGE with overlaying with a casein substrate. A mixture had optimal activity at pH 10 with azocasein substrate. At pH 7.1 and 8.1 in continuous culture with varying dilution rates high proteinase production occurred at relative specific growth rates (mu rels) 0.39 and 0.77 and biomass concentrations decreased with increasing dilution rate. One proteinase was constitutive and varied little in production with different growth rates. The other proteinase was under control with high production at low growth rates and no production at high growth rates. With varying pH at mu rels 0.39 and 0.77 maximum biomass concentration and proteinase production occurred between pH 8.0 and 9.0 as did the highest specific growth rate. These results support the hypothesis that Mic. sedentarius produces pitting in the stratum corneum when the skin is hydrated and the pH rises above neutrality.     

A marine,psychrophilic bacterium of the bacteroidaceae type

A characterization is presented of three strains of bacteria of the bacteroidaceae type, isolated at different times from different samples of fish (capelin) caught in far northern waters, and subsequently stored anaerobically at chill temperatures. The three strains have so many properties in common that they should be considered of the same taxon at the species level. The special feature of the organism that makes it different from all bacteroidaceae, described until now, is first of all its psychrophilic character. The optimum growth temperature is near 15°C, whereas the common bacteriodaceae are listed to have an optimum temperature near 37°C. The new organism is rapidly killed at the latter temperature; at killing temperatures a rupture of the cell envelope takes place. A specific requirement for NaCl supports the notion that the organism is indigenous to the marine environment, and is credibly an inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract of marine fishes. It needs an almost strict anaerobic environment for growth, but seems able to survive for some time in the presence of air. The latter quality may help the organism to spread and colonize new anaerobic niches.Abbreviations CFU colony forming units - GC content mol% G+C - PY peptone-yeast extract - PYG PY-glucose - PYT PY-threonine - PYL PY-lactate - ESC extract of spoiling capelin Dedicated to Professor Dr. H.-G. Schlegel on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Enrichment and isolation of a ruminal bacterium with a very high specific activity of ammonia production

When mixed ruminal bacteria were inoculated into semicontinuous cultures (25% transfer every other day) containing lactate, dulcitol, pectin, or xylose and Trypticase (1 g/liter) as the sole nitrogen source, the specific activity of ammonia production increased. The greatest enrichment was observed with lactate and xylose, and in these cases the specific rate of ammonia production was eightfold higher than that of the ruminal fluid control (approximately 35 nmol of ammonia per mg of protein per min). Isolates with different morphologies were obtained from each of the enrichments, but in no case did the specific activity of any isolate exceed that of the mixed ruminal bacteria. If Trypticase (15 g/liter) was used as the only energy and nitrogen source, there was an even greater increase in ammonia production, and two monensin-sensitive bacteria, a Peptostreptococcus species and a Clostridium species, were obtained. The Peptostreptococcus species was unable to grow on any of 25 carbohydrate or carbohydrate derivatives tested; but the Clostridium species was able to use glucose, maltose, fructose, cellobiose, trehalose, sorbitol, and salicin as energy sources. Neither organism was able to grow in the absence of an amino acid source, but growth rates on Trypticase were greater than 0.35/h. The specific activities of ammonia production were 346 and 427 nmol/mg of protein per min for strains of Peptostreptococcus and Clostridium, respectively. Megasphaera elsdenii and Bacteroides ruminicola, previously isolated ruminal ammonia producers, had specific activities of only 11 and 19 nmol of ammonia per mg of protein per min, respectively. The most probable number of Clostridium species in ruminal fluid was less than 10(3)/ml, but the Peptostreptococcus species was present at 10(8)/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Enrichment and isolation of a ruminal bacterium with a very high specific activity of ammonia production.

When mixed ruminal bacteria were inoculated into semicontinuous cultures (25% transfer every other day) containing lactate, dulcitol, pectin, or xylose and Trypticase (1 g/liter) as the sole nitrogen source, the specific activity of ammonia production increased. The greatest enrichment was observed with lactate and xylose, and in these cases the specific rate of ammonia production was eightfold higher than that of the ruminal fluid control (approximately 35 nmol of ammonia per mg of protein per min). Isolates with different morphologies were obtained from each of the enrichments, but in no case did the specific activity of any isolate exceed that of the mixed ruminal bacteria. If Trypticase (15 g/liter) was used as the only energy and nitrogen source, there was an even greater increase in ammonia production, and two monensin-sensitive bacteria, a Peptostreptococcus species and a Clostridium species, were obtained. The Peptostreptococcus species was unable to grow on any of 25 carbohydrate or carbohydrate derivatives tested; but the Clostridium species was able to use glucose, maltose, fructose, cellobiose, trehalose, sorbitol, and salicin as energy sources. Neither organism was able to grow in the absence of an amino acid source, but growth rates on Trypticase were greater than 0.35/h. The specific activities of ammonia production were 346 and 427 nmol/mg of protein per min for strains of Peptostreptococcus and Clostridium, respectively. Megasphaera elsdenii and Bacteroides ruminicola, previously isolated ruminal ammonia producers, had specific activities of only 11 and 19 nmol of ammonia per mg of protein per min, respectively. The most probable number of Clostridium species in ruminal fluid was less than 10(3)/ml, but the Peptostreptococcus species was present at 10(8)/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)