Cloning of a rhodococcal promoter using a transposon for dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization

The expression of biodesulfurization genes (dsz) in Rhodococcus erythropolis strain KA2-5-1 is repressed by sulfate which is the product of biodesulfurization. The application of a sulfate non-repressible promoter could be effective in enhancing biodesulfurization. A promoter-probe transposon was constructed using the promoterless, red-shifted green fluorescence protein gene (rsgfp). A 340 bp putative promoter element, designated kap1, was isolated from a strain KA2-5-1 recombinant that had shown high fluorescence intensity. The activity of kap1 was not affected by 1 mM sulfate. It gave about a 2-fold greater activity than the 16S ribosomal RNA promoter in R. erythropolis strain KA2-5-1 and is therefore useful for expressing desulfurization genes in rhodococcal strains.     

Biochemical analysis of Lpt3, a protein responsible for phosphoethanolamine addition to lipooligosaccharide of pathogenic Neisseria

The inner core of neisserial lipooligosaccharide (LOS) contains heptose residues that can be decorated by phosphoethanolamine (PEA). PEA modification of heptose II (HepII) can occur at the 3, 6, or 7 position(s). We used a genomic DNA sequence of lpt3, derived from Neisseria meningitidis MC58, to search the genomic sequence of N. gonorrhoeae FA1090 and identified a homolog of lpt3 in N. gonorrhoeae. A PCR amplicon containing lpt3 was amplified from F62DeltaLgtA, cloned, mutagenized, and inserted into the chromosome of N. gonorrhoeae strain F62DeltaLgtA, producing strain F62DeltaLgtAlpt3::Tn5. LOS isolated from this strain lost the ability to bind monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2-1-L8. Complementation of this mutation by genetic removal of the transposon insertion restored MAb 2-1-L8 binding. Mass spectrometry analysis of LOS isolated from the F62DeltaLgtA indicated that this strain contained two PEA modifications on its LOS. F62DeltaLgtAlpt3::Tn5 lacked a PEA modification on its LOS, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that lpt3 encodes a protein mediating PEA addition onto gonococcal LOS. The DNA encoding lpt3 was cloned into an expression vector and Lpt3 was purified. Purified Lpt3 was able to mediate the addition of PEA to LOS isolated from F62DeltaLgtAlpt3::Tn5.     

Biochemical characterization of a fructokinase mutant of Rhizobium meliloti.

A double mutant strain (UR3) of Rhizobium meliloti L5-30 was isolated from a phosphoglucose isomerase mutant (UR1) on the basis of its resistance to fructose inhibition when grown on fructose-rich medium. UR3 lacked both phosphoglucose isomerase and fructokinase activity. A mutant strain (UR4) lacking only the fructokinase activity was derived from UR3; it grew on the same carbon sources as the parent strain, but not on fructose, mannitol, or sorbitol. A spontaneous revertant (UR5) of normal growth phenotype contained fructokinase activity. A fructose transport system was found in L5-30, UR4, and UR5 grown in arabinose-fructose minimal medium. No fructose uptake activity was detected when L5-30 and UR5 were grown on arabinose minimal medium, but this activity was present in strain UR4. Free fructose was concentrated intracellularly by UR4 > 200-fold above the external level. A partial transformation of fructose into mannitol and sorbitol was detected by enzymatic analysis of the uptake products. Polyol dehydrogenase activity was detected in UR4 grown in arabinose-fructose minimal medium. The induction pattern of polyol dehydrogenase activities in this strain might be due to slight intracellular fructose accumulation.     

Chemical and biological characterisation of sapinopyridione, a phytotoxic 3,3,6-trisubstituted-2,4-pyridione produced by Sphaeropsis sapinea, a toxigenic pathogen of native and exotic conifers, and its derivatives

A phytotoxic trisubstituted 2,4-pyridione, named sapinopyridione, was isolated from the culture filtrates of Sphaeropsis sapinea, a fungal pathogen of conifers occurring world-wide. Three strains were isolated from two cypress species. Strain D-55 isolated from Cupressus sempervirens resulted high producer of sapinopyridione (12.3 mg l(-1)), whereas strain D-54 isolated from the same cypress species was low producer (1.1 mg l(-1)); strain D-50 isolated from C. macrocarpa was intermediate producer (5.4 mg l(-1)). Sapinopyridione was characterised by spectroscopic and chemical methods, as the 6-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1-oxobutyl)-1-oxa-5-azaspiro[2.5]oct-6-ene-4,8-dione. The structure was supported by the preparation of three key derivatives, whose phytotoxic and antimycotic activities were also tested on host plants and on three Seiridium species, virulent fungal agents of cypress canker disease. Some structure-activity relationships were identified for both phytoxicity and antifungal activities. These activities appear related to the presence of both pyridione and oxiran rings. Also the carbonyl group of the side chain seems to play a role into impart activity.     

一株1,3-丙二醇生产菌的分离鉴定及其发酵特性

从活性污泥中分离筛选得到一株能代谢甘油生产1,3-丙二醇(1,3-PD)的菌株2-1,通过形态学鉴定、生理生化试验、16S rRNA序列分析对菌株分类学地位进行鉴定,用MEGA 4.1软件构建的系统发育树显示菌株2-1与Klebsiella pneumoniae(CP001891)的亲缘关系最近。16S rDNA序列同源性比较发现,菌株2-1与模式菌株同源率为95.4%,疑似为新种。对菌株2-1在5 L发酵罐中进行发酵特性研究,分批补料发酵时得到较高的1,3-PD终浓度,达到63.5 g/L,此时生产强度为2.19 g/(L.h),底物转化率0.64 mol/mol。     

First isolation and characterization of a bacterial strain that biotransforms the herbicide mesotrione

AIM: The aim of this study was to find and characterize a fungal or bacterial strain capable of metabolizing mesotrione, a new selective herbicide for control of broad-leaved weeds in maize. METHODS AND RESULTS: This strain was isolated from cloud water and showed close phylogenetic relationship with strains belonging to the Bacillus genus, based on 16S rRNA gene alignment. Kinetics of mesotrione degradation were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography and in situ(1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at different concentrations. Mesotrione was completely biotransformed even at 5 mmol l(-1) concentration. 2-Amino-4-methylsulfonyl benzoic acid (AMBA) was identified as one of the metabolites, but was not the major one. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the first rapid mesotrione biotransformation by a pure bacterial strain and the formation of several metabolites including AMBA. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This bacterium isolated from cloud water is the first pure strain capable of rapidly degrading mesotrione.     

Cloning of a rhodococcal promoter using a transposon for dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization

The expression of biodesulfurization genes (dsz) in Rhodococcus erythropolis strain KA2-5-1 is repressed by sulfate which is the product of biodesulfurization. The application of a sulfate non-repressible promoter could be effective in enhancing biodesulfurization. A promoter-probe transposon was constructed using the promoterless, red-shifted green fluorescence protein gene (rsgfp). A 340 bp putative promoter element, designated kap1, was isolated from a strain KA2-5-1 recombinant that had shown high fluorescence intensity. The activity of kap1 was not affected by 1 mM sulfate. It gave about a 2-fold greater activity than the 16S ribosomal RNA promoter in R. erythropolis strain KA2-5-1 and is therefore useful for expressing desulfurization genes in rhodococcal strains.     

Isolation and characterization of the positive regulatory gene ADR1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The DNA segments containing the ADR1 gene and a mutant allele, ADR1-5c, have been isolated by complementation of function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ADR1 gene is required for synthesis of the glucose-repressible alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHII) when S. cerevisiae cells are grown on a nonfermentable carbon source, whereas the ADR1-5c allele allows ADHII synthesis even during glucose repression. A plasmid pool consisting of yeast DNA fragments isolated from a strain carrying the ADR1-5c allele was used to transform a strain containing the adr1-1 allele, which prevents ADHII depression. Transformants were isolated which expressed ADHII during glucose repression. A plasmid isolated from one of these transformants was shown to carry the ADR1-5c allele by its ability to integrate at the chromosomal adr1-1 locus. The wild-type ADR1 gene was isolated by colony hybridization, using the cloned ADR1-5c gene as a probe. The ADR1-5c and ADR1 DNA segments were indistinguishable by restriction site mapping. A partial ADR1 phenotype could be conferred by a 1.9-kilobase region, but DNA outside of this region appeared to be necessary for normal activation of ADHII by the ADR1 gene.     

Production of 20-carboxy-pregna-1,4-dien-3-one from sterols by mutants of Rhodococcus sp

By selection of microorganisms which preferentially attack the side-chain of either cholesterol or β-sitosterol (campesterol) we isolated five mutants of Rhodococcus sp. strain k-3 was obtained from the wild-type strain MIL 1037 and μ-9, μ-11, and μ-12 from MIL 1038, by mutagenic treatment and produced preferentially 20-carboxy-pregna-1,4-dien-e-one from β-sitosterol (campesterol) or cholesterol in good yield. The other mutant, μ-7, isolated from the wild-type strain MIL 1038 produced a new compound identified as 7aβ-methyl-1β-[1′,5′-dimethyl-6′-hydroxy-hexyl]-5-oxo-3aα-hexahydro-4-indanpropionic acid from cholesterol. A temporary accumulation of this compound was observed during the transformation of cholesterol. This compound could be used as an intermediate for the chemical synthesis of steroids with unnatural configurations.     

Melanin production by a yeast strain XJ5-1 of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aureobasidium melanogenum</Emphasis> isolated from the Taklimakan desert and its role in the yeast survival in stress environments

The yeast strain XJ5-1 isolated from the Taklimakan desert soil was identified to be a strain of Aureobasdium melanogenum and could produce a large amount of melanin when it was grown in the PDA medium, but its melanin biosynthesis and expression of the PKS gene responsible for the melanin biosynthesis was significantly repressed in the presence of (NH₄)₂SO₄. However, A. melanogenum P5 strain isolated from a mangrove ecosystem grown in both the presence and the absence of (NH₄)₂SO₄ did not produce any melanin. The cell size of A. melanogenum XJ5-1 strain was much higher than that of A. melanogenum P5 strain. The melanized cells of the yeast strain XJ5-1 had higher tolerance to UV radiation, oxidation (200.0 mM H₂O₂), heat treatment (40 °C), salt shock (200.0 g/L NaCl), desiccation and strong acid hydrolysis (6.0 M HCl) at high temperature (80 °C) than the non-melanized cells of the same yeast strain XJ5-1. At the same time, the melanized cells of the yeast strain XJ5-1 also had higher tolerance to UV radiation, oxidation (200.0 mM H₂O₂), desiccation and strong acid hydrolysis (6.0 M HCl) at high temperature (80 °C) than A. melanogenum P5 strain, but had similar resistance to heat treatment (40 °C) and salt shock (200.0 g/L NaCl) compared to those of A. melanogenum P5 strain. All the results revealed that many characteristics of A. melanogenum XJ5-1 isolated from the Taklimakan desert soil was different from those of A. melanogenum P5 strain isolated from the mangrove ecosystem.     

Degradation of chloronitrobenzenes by a coculture of Pseudomonas putida and a Rhodococcus sp

A single microorganism able to mineralize chloronitrobenzenes (CNBs) has not been reported, and degradation of CNBs by coculture of two microbial strains was attempted. Pseudomonas putida HS12 was first isolated by analogue enrichment culture using nitrobenzene (NB) as the substrate, and this strain was observed to possess a partial reductive pathway for the degradation of NB. From high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analyses, NB-grown cells of P. putida HS12 were found to convert 3- and 4-CNBs to the corresponding 5- and 4-chloro-2-hydroxyacetanilides, respectively, by partial reduction and subsequent acetylation. For the degradation of CNBs, Rhodococcus sp. strain HS51, which degrades 4- and 5-chloro-2-hydroxyacetanilides, was isolated and combined with P. putida HS12 to give a coculture. This coculture was confirmed to mineralize 3- and 4-CNBs in the presence of an additional carbon source. A degradation pathway for 3- and 4-CNBs by the two isolated strains was also proposed.     

Biodesulfurization of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene by a newly isolated Rhodococcus strain

Rhodococcus sp. KT462, which can grow on either benzothiophene (BT) or dibenzothiophene (DBT) as the sole source of sulfur, was newly isolated and characterized. GC and GC-MS analyses revealed that strain KT462 has the same BT desulfurization pathway as that reported for Paenibacillus sp. A11-2 and Sinorhizobium sp. KT55. The desulfurized product of DBT produced by this strain, as well as other DBT-desulfurizing bacteria such as R. erythropolis KA2-5-1 and R. erythropolis IGTS8, was 2-hydroxybiphenyl. A resting cells study indicated that this strain was also able to degrade various alkyl derivatives of BT and DBT.     

Ochrobactrum tritici strain 5bvl1 - characterization of a Cr(VI)-resistant and Cr(VI)-reducing strain

Bacterial strain 5bvl1, isolated from a chromium-contaminated wastewater treatment plant and identified as Ochrobactrum tritici, was resistant to a broad range of antibiotics, to Cr(VI), Ni(II), Co(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II), and was able to grow in the presence of 5% NaCl and within the pH range 4-10. Characterization showed that strain 5bvl1 could be considered a halotolerant and alkalitolerant microorganism resistant to high concentrations of Cr(VI). This strain was able to grow aerobically in up to 10 mmolxL(-1) Cr(VI). Cr(VI) resistance was independent of sulphate concentration. Under aerobic conditions strain 5bvl1 was also able to reduce high Cr(VI) concentrations (up to 1.7 mmolxL(-1)). Increasing concentrations of Cr(VI) in the medium lowered the growth rate of strain 5bv11 but the reduction in growth rate could not be directly correlated with the amount of Cr(VI) reduced. Unlike the type strain, which was only able to reduce Cr(VI), strain 5bvl1 was resistant to Cr(VI) and able to reduce it. Moreover, in strain 5bvl1, the rate and extent of Cr(VI)-reduction were higher than in the other strains of the genus Ochrobactrum. Ochrobactrum strain 5bvl1 resists high Cr(VI) concentrations and has a high Cr(VI)-reducing ability, making it a valuable tool in bioremediation.     

一株产T-2毒素镰孢菌的分离、鉴定及其产毒条件的研究

【目的】从青海大骨节病区小麦麦穗中分离的内生真菌中筛选产T-2毒素的菌株,并研究影响其合成该毒素的条件。【方法】采用种子胚芽抑制试验和抑菌试验从分离所得的菌株中筛选产毒菌株;利用薄层层析和高效液相检测待测菌株产物,复筛出产T-2毒素的菌株。通过显微形态学观察及ITS序列分析对筛选出的菌株5-5m-1进行鉴定。应用单因素筛选方案研究固体培养时间、温度以及液体培养转速、初始p H等对其产T-2毒素的影响,并采用正交试验进一步优化。【结果】菌株5-5m-1的显微形态与梨孢镰孢菌(Fusarium poae)相似;ITS序列分析显示,该菌株与F.poae的相似度也较高。其产T-2毒素的最佳条件为:玉米固体培养基、日温25°C/夜温15°C、光暗交替。【结论】5-5m-1菌株为梨孢镰孢菌,培养条件对其产T-2毒素能力有很大影响。实验结果将为进一步研究T-2毒素产生的机制和防止真菌毒素污染提供参考。     

斑马鱼肠道中一株酵母菌菌株的鉴定与系统发育分析

从斑马鱼肠道中分离到一株酵母菌,编号为ZF-5,进行了形态学观察、生理特征测定和26S rDNA D1/D2序列分析,并构建系统发育树。结果表明ZF-5菌株细胞呈卵圆形或杆状,为芽殖,有假菌丝;除乳糖外,能够发酵葡萄糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖等多种碳源;26S rDNA D1/D2区序列分析表明与季也蒙毕赤酵母Pichia guilliermondii的序列相似性最高,构建的系统发育进化树显示菌株ZF-5与Pichia guilliermondii模式菌株CBS 2030（= NRRL Y-2075）亲缘关系最近,     

斑点叉尾鮰一株致病菌的分离鉴定及系统发育分析

从发生急性流行性传染病的斑点叉尾肝、肾分离到一高致病性的菌株(CCF00024),经人工感染实验证实其为该病的病原菌。对该菌的形态、生理生化及16S rDNA序列分析结果表明,其为非发酵型,严格需氧,革兰氏阴性杆菌,极生多鞭毛,对除麦芽糖和甘露糖以外的多种糖类不能利用产酸,氧化酶阴性,DNA酶、蛋白酶、脲酶、赖氨酸脱羧酶阳性,MR阴性。在以该菌16S rDNA序列(GenBank登录号AY970826)和GenBank及RDP数据库内同源性较高的细菌16S rDNA序列构建的系统发育树中,分离菌CCF00024与嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia)聚在一簇,特别是与S.maltophiliaM5-1的同源性最高,其序列相似性达99.6%,结合形态和生理生化特点将其鉴定为嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)。     

Evidence that a plasmid from a hyperthermophilic archaebacterium is relaxed at physiological temperatures.

A plasmid of 3.45 kb (pGT5) was recently discovered in a strain of hyperthermophilic archaebacterium which was isolated from samples collected in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. This strain (GE5) grows within a temperature range of 68 to 101.5 degrees C, and we show here that it contains a strong ATP-dependent reverse gyrase activity (positive DNA supercoiling). By comparison with eubacterial plasmids of known superhelical densities, we estimated the superhelical density of the archaebacterial plasmid pGT5 to be -0.026 at 25 degrees C. The equation which relates the change of the rotation angle of the DNA double helix with temperature was validated at 95 degrees C, the optimal growth temperature of the GE5 strain. Considering these new data, the superhelical density of plasmid pGT5 was calculated to be -0.006 at the physiological temperature of 95 degrees C, which is close to the relaxed state. This finding shows that the DNA topology of a plasmid isolated from a hyperthermophilic archaebacterium containing reverse gyrase activity is strikingly different from that of typical eubacterial plasmids.     

Desulfobacter psychrotolerans sp. nov., a new psychrotolerant sulfate-reducing bacterium and descriptions of its physiological response to temperature changes

A psychrotrolerant acetate-oxidizing sulfate-reducing bacterium (strain akvb(T)) was isolated from sediment from the northern part of The North Sea with annual temperature fluctuations between 8 and 14 degrees C. Of the various substrates tested, strain akvb(T) grew exclusively by the oxidation of acetate coupled to the reduction of sulfate. The cells were motile, thick rods with round ends and grew in dense aggregates. Strain akvb(T) grew at temperatures ranging from -3.6 to 26.3 degrees C. Optimal growth was observed at 20 degrees C. The highest cell specific sulfate reduction rate of 6.2 fmol cell(-1) d(-1) determined by the (35)SO(2-)(40) method was measured at 26 degrees C. The temperature range of short-term sulfate reduction rates exceeded the temperature range of growth by 5 degrees C. The Arrhenius relationship for the temperature dependence of growth and sulfate reduction was linear, with two distinct slopes below the optimum temperatures of both processes. The critical temperature was 6.4 degrees C. The highest growth yield (4.3-4.5 g dry weight mol(-1) acetate) was determined at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees C. The cellular fatty acid composition was determined with cultures grown at 4 and 20 degrees C, respectively. The relative proportion of cellular unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. 16:1omega7c) was higher in cells grown at 4 degrees C than in cells grown at 20 degrees C. The physiological responses to temperature changes showed that strain akvb(T) was well adapted to the temperature regime of the environment from which it was isolated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain akvb(T) is closest related to Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus, with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.6%. DNA-DNA-hybridization showed a similarity of 32% between D. hydrogenophilus and strain akvb(T). Based on phenotypic and DNA-based characteristics we propose that strain akvb(T) is a member of a new species, Desulfobacter psychrotolerans sp. nov.     

Micromonosporin A, a novel 24-membered polyene lactam macrolide from Micromonospora sp. isolated from peat swamp forest

A novel 24-membered polyene lactam macrolide, micromonosporin A (=(3E,5E,7Z,15E,17E,19E,21E)-9,11,13-trihydroxy-14,19,24-trimethyl-1-azacyclotetracosa-3,5,7,15,17,19,21-heptaen-2-one; 1) was isolated from the actinomycete, Micromonospora sp. strain TT1-11, which was isolated from a very acidic peat swamp forest.     

Structure of a new ribitol teichoic acid-like O-polysaccharide of a serologically separate Proteus vulgaris strain, TG 276-1, classified into a new Proteus serogroup O53

An unusual ribitol teichoic acid-like O-polysaccharide was isolated by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide from a previously non-classified Proteus vulgaris strain TG 276-1. Structural studies using chemical analyses and 2D (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy showed that the polysaccharide is a zwitterionic polymer with a repeating unit containing 2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-D-galactose (D-FucNAc4N) and two D-ribitol phosphate (D-Rib-ol-5-P) residues and having the following structure:[formula: see text] where the non-glycosylated ribitol residue is randomly mono-O-acetylated. Based on the unique O-polysaccharide structure and the finding that the strain studied is serologically separate among Proteus bacteria, we propose to classify P. vulgaris strain TG 276-1 into a new Proteus serogroup, O53.