Novel Nickel Resistance Genes from the Rhizosphere Metagenome of Plants Adapted to Acid Mine Drainage

Metal resistance determinants have traditionally been found in cultivated bacteria. To search for genes involved in nickel resistance, we analyzed the bacterial community of the rhizosphere of Erica andevalensis, an endemic heather which grows at the banks of the Tinto River, a naturally metal-enriched and extremely acidic environment in southwestern Spain. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of rhizosphere DNA revealed the presence of members of five phylogenetic groups of Bacteria and the two main groups of Archaea mostly associated with sites impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD). The diversity observed and the presence of heavy metals in the rhizosphere led us to construct and screen five different metagenomic libraries hosted in Escherichia coli for searching novel nickel resistance determinants. A total of 13 positive clones were detected and analyzed. Insights about their possible mechanisms of resistance were obtained from cellular nickel content and sequence similarities. Two clones encoded putative ABC transporter components, and a novel mechanism of metal efflux is suggested. In addition, a nickel hyperaccumulation mechanism is proposed for a clone encoding a serine O-acetyltransferase. Five clones encoded proteins similar to well-characterized proteins but not previously reported to be related to nickel resistance, and the remaining six clones encoded hypothetical or conserved hypothetical proteins of uncertain functions. This is the first report documenting nickel resistance genes recovered from the metagenome of an AMD environment.     

Generation of 919 expressed sequence tags from immature flower buds and gene expression analysis using expressed sequence tags in the model plant Lotus japonicus

Lotus japonicus has received increased attention as a potential model legume plant. In order to study gene expression in reproductive organs and to identify genes that play a crucial function in sexual reproduction, we constructed a cDNA library from immature flower buds containing anthers at the stage of developing tapetum cells in L. japonicus, and characterized 919 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) randomly selected from a cDNA library of the immature flower buds. The 919 ESTs analyzed were clustered into 821 non-redundant EST groups. As a result of a database search, 436 groups (53%) out of the 821 groups showed sequence similarity to genes registered in the public database. Out of these 436 groups, 109 groups showed similarity to genes encoding hypothetical proteins whose function had not yet been estimated. Three hundred eighty five groups (47%) showed no significant homology to known sequences and were classified as novel sequences. A comparison of 821 non-redundant EST sequences and EST sequences derived from the whole plant L. japonicus revealed that 474 EST sequences derived from immature flower buds were not found in the EST sequences of the whole plant. In order to confirm the expression pattern of potential reproductive-organ specific EST clones, nine clones, which were not matched to ESTs derived from the whole plant, were selected, and RT-PCR analysis was performed on these clones. As a result of RT-PCR, we found two novel anther specific clones. One clone was homologous to a gene encoding human cleft lip and palate associated transmembrane protein (CLPTM1) like protein, and the other clone did not show a significant similarity to any genes deposited in the public database. These results indicate that ESTs analyzed here represent a valuable resource for finding reproductive-organ specific genes in Lotus japonicus.     

Characterization of AbiR, a novel multicomponent abortive infection mechanism encoded by plasmid pKR223 of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis KR2

The native lactococcal plasmid pKR223 encodes two distinct phage resistance mechanisms, a restriction and modification (R/M) system designated LlaKR2I and an abortive infection mechanism (Abi) which affects prolate-headed-phage proliferation. The nucleotide sequence of a 16,174-bp segment of pKR223 encompassing both the R/M and Abi determinants has been determined, and sequence analysis has validated the novelty of the Abi system, which has now been designated AbiR. Analysis of deletion and insertion clones demonstrated that AbiR was encoded by two genetic loci, separated by the LlaKR2I R/M genes. Mechanistic studies on the AbiR phenotype indicated that it was heat sensitive and that it impeded phage DNA replication. These data indicated that AbiR is a novel multicomponent, heat-sensitive, "early"-functioning Abi system and is the first lactococcal Abi system described which is encoded by two separated genetic loci.     

Exploring the diversity of arsenic resistance genes from acid mine drainage microorganisms

The microbial communities from the Tinto River, a natural acid mine drainage environment, were explored to search for novel genes involved in arsenic resistance using a functional metagenomic approach. Seven pentavalent arsenate resistance clones were selected and analysed to find the genes responsible for this phenotype. Insights about their possible mechanisms of resistance were obtained from sequence similarities and cellular arsenic concentration. A total of 19 individual open reading frames were analysed, and each one was individually cloned and assayed for its ability to confer arsenic resistance in Escherichia coli cells. A total of 13 functionally active genes involved in arsenic resistance were identified, and they could be classified into different global processes: transport, stress response, DNA damage repair, phospholipids biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis and RNA‐modifying enzymes. Most genes (11) encode proteins not previously related to heavy metal resistance or hypothetical or unknown proteins. On the other hand, two genes were previously related to heavy metal resistance in microorganisms. In addition, the ClpB chaperone and the RNA‐modifying enzymes retrieved in this work were shown to increase the cell survival under different stress conditions (heat shock, acid pH and UV radiation). Thus, these results reveal novel insights about unidentified mechanisms of arsenic resistance.     

Structure analysis of bacterial community and their heavy-metal resistance determinants in the heavy-metal-contaminated soil sample

In this study we performed the phylogenetic analysis of non-cultivable bacteria from anthropogenically disturbed soil using partial sequences of the 16S rRNA (16S rDNA) and the heavy-metal resistance genes. This soil sample contained high concentrations of nickel (2,109 mg/kg), cobalt (355 mg/kg) and zinc (177 mg/kg), smaller concentrations of iron (35.75 mg/kg) and copper (32.2 mg/kg), and also a trace amount of cadmium (<0.25 mg/kg). The 16S rDNA sequences from a total of 74 bacterial clones were distributed into four broad taxonomic groups, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes, and some of them were unidentified. Comparing our clone sequences with those from the GenBank database, only 9 clones displayed high similarity to known bacteria belongig to actinomycetes; others were identified as uncultured ones. Among clones evidently Actinobacteria predominated. Sixteen clones from soil sample carried only the nccA-like heavy-metal-resistance genes and all sequences showed too low similarity to known proteins encoded by these genes. However, our results suggested that the heavy-metal-contaminated soil is able to present very important reservoir of the new and until now unknown partly bacteria, partly heavy-metal-resistance determinants and their products. Bacteria and nccA-like genes identified in this study could represent the objects of interest as bioremediation agents because they can be potentially used in different transformation and immobilization processes.     

Characterization of AbiR, a Novel Multicomponent Abortive Infection Mechanism Encoded by Plasmid pKR223 of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis KR2

The native lactococcal plasmid pKR223 encodes two distinct phage resistance mechanisms, a restriction and modification (R/M) system designated LlaKR2I and an abortive infection mechanism (Abi) which affects prolate-headed-phage proliferation. The nucleotide sequence of a 16,174-bp segment of pKR223 encompassing both the R/M and Abi determinants has been determined, and sequence analysis has validated the novelty of the Abi system, which has now been designated AbiR. Analysis of deletion and insertion clones demonstrated that AbiR was encoded by two genetic loci, separated by the LlaKR2I R/M genes. Mechanistic studies on the AbiR phenotype indicated that it was heat sensitive and that it impeded phage DNA replication. These data indicated that AbiR is a novel multicomponent, heat-sensitive, “early”-functioning Abi system and is the first lactococcal Abi system described which is encoded by two separated genetic loci.     

Combined nickel-cobalt-cadmium resistance encoded by the ncc locus of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans 31A.

The nickel-cobalt-cadmium resistance genes carried by plasmid pTOM9 of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans 31A are located on a 14.5-kb BamHI fragment. By random Tn5 insertion mutagenesis, the fragment was shown to contain two distinct nickel resistance loci, ncc and nre. The ncc locus causes a high-level combined nickel, cobalt, and cadmium resistance in strain AE104, which is a cured derivative of the metal-resistant bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34. ncc is not expressed in Escherichia coli. The nre locus causes low-level nickel resistance in both Alcaligenes and E. coli strains. The nucleotide sequence of the ncc locus revealed seven open reading frames designated nccYXHCBAN. The corresponding predicted proteins share strong similarities with proteins encoded by the metal resistance loci cnr (cnrYXHCBA) and czc (czcRCBAD) of A. eutrophus CH34. When different DNA fragments carrying ncc genes were heterologously expressed under the control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter, five protein bands representing NccA (116 kDa), NccB (40 kDa), NccC (46 kDa), NccN (23.5 kDa), and NccX (16.5 kDa) were detected.     

Microarray-based analysis of IncA/C plasmid-associated genes from multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica

In the family Enterobacteriaceae, plasmids have been classified according to 27 incompatibility (Inc) or replicon types that are based on the inability of different plasmids with the same replication mechanism to coexist in the same cell. Certain replicon types such as IncA/C are associated with multidrug resistance (MDR). We developed a microarray that contains 286 unique 70-mer oligonucleotide probes based on sequences from five IncA/C plasmids: pYR1 (Yersinia ruckeri), pPIP1202 (Yersinia pestis), pP99-018 (Photobacterium damselae), pSN254 (Salmonella enterica serovar Newport), and pP91278 (Photobacterium damselae). DNA from 59 Salmonella enterica isolates was hybridized to the microarray and analyzed for the presence or absence of genes. These isolates represented 17 serovars from 14 different animal hosts and from different geographical regions in the United States. Qualitative cluster analysis was performed using CLUSTER 3.0 to group microarray hybridization results. We found that IncA/C plasmids occurred in two lineages distinguished by a major insertion-deletion (indel) region that contains genes encoding mostly hypothetical proteins. The most variable genes were represented by transposon-associated genes as well as four antimicrobial resistance genes (aphA, merP, merA, and aadA). Sixteen mercury resistance genes were identified and highly conserved, suggesting that mercury ion-related exposure is a stronger pressure than anticipated. We used these data to construct a core IncA/C genome and an accessory genome. The results of our studies suggest that the transfer of antimicrobial resistance determinants by transfer of IncA/C plasmids is somewhat less common than exchange within the plasmids orchestrated by transposable elements, such as transposons, integrating and conjugative elements (ICEs), and insertion sequence common regions (ISCRs), and thus pose less opportunity for exchange of antimicrobial resistance.     

酵母双杂交筛选锥虫早老素蛋白相互作用蛋白

目的筛选寻找锥虫早老素蛋白相互作用蛋白,以了解锥虫早老素蛋白功能。方法体外表达锥虫早老素蛋白片段,装入pGBKT7诱饵质粒,与随机肽库系统共转化酵母,筛选阳性克隆并测序,通过与基因库锥虫功能序列比较,推导可能的相互作用蛋白。结果获得108个阳性克隆,对其中50个进行了序列测定和比较,获得最有可能的4个候选基因,分别为：丝/苏氨酸性磷酸酶2b催化亚基A2;钙激活蛋白,含锚蛋白重复序列蛋白以及一个具有与APP跨膜区结合位点特征序列的功能未知蛋白。结论成功利用随机肽库酵母双杂交系统筛选锥虫早老素蛋白相互作用基因,其相互作用仍有待进一步确认。     

Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding pathogenesis-related proteins from tobacco mosaic virus infected tobacco plants.

Infection of the tobacco cultivar Samsun NN by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) results in a hypersensitive response. During this defense reaction several host encoded proteins, known as pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-proteins), are induced. Poly(A)+ RNA from TMV infected tobacco plants was used to construct a cDNA library. Thirty two cDNA clones were isolated and after digestion with different restriction endonucleases, twenty clones were found to code for PR-1a, six clones for PR-1b, and four clones for PR-1c. Two independent cDNA clones of each class were further characterized by DNA sequence analysis. All clones analyzed contained the 138 amino acid coding regions of their respective mature proteins, but only partial sequences of the signal peptides. Minor differences between the nucleotide sequences for clones belonging to the same class were detected. Comparison of the amino acid sequence for PR-1a deduced from its nucleotide sequence with published data obtained by Edman degradation of the protein showed four differences. Analysis of the 3' ends of the cDNA clones indicates that various alternate poly(dA) addition sites are used. Southern blot analysis using these cDNAs as probes suggests the presence of multiple PR-protein genes in the genomes of tobacco and tomato plants.     

Macrophage replication screen identifies a novel Francisella hydroperoxide resistance protein involved in virulence

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. Recently, genome-wide screens have identified Francisella genes required for virulence in mice. However, the mechanisms by which most of the corresponding proteins contribute to pathogenesis are still largely unknown. To further elucidate the roles of these virulence determinants in Francisella pathogenesis, we tested whether each gene was required for replication of the model pathogen F. novicida within macrophages, an important virulence trait. Fifty-three of the 224 genes tested were involved in intracellular replication, including many of those within the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), validating our results. Interestingly, over one third of the genes identified are annotated as hypothetical, indicating that F. novicida likely utilizes novel virulence factors for intracellular replication. To further characterize these virulence determinants, we selected two hypothetical genes to study in more detail. As predicted by our screen, deletion mutants of FTN_0096 and FTN_1133 were attenuated for replication in macrophages. The mutants displayed differing levels of attenuation in vivo, with the FTN_1133 mutant being the most attenuated. FTN_1133 has sequence similarity to the organic hydroperoxide resistance protein Ohr, an enzyme involved in the bacterial response to oxidative stress. We show that FTN_1133 is required for F. novicida resistance to, and degradation of, organic hydroperoxides as well as resistance to the action of the NADPH oxidase both in macrophages and mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate that F. holarctica LVS, a strain derived from a highly virulent human pathogenic species of Francisella, also requires this protein for organic hydroperoxide resistance as well as replication in macrophages and mice. This study expands our knowledge of Francisella's largely uncharacterized intracellular lifecycle and demonstrates that FTN_1133 is an important novel mediator of oxidative stress resistance.     

Determination and comparison of the baseline proteomes of the versatile microbe Rhodopseudomonas palustris under its major metabolic states

Rhodopseudomonas palustris is a purple nonsulfur anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium that is ubiquitous in soil and water. R. palustris is metabolically versatile with respect to energy generation and carbon and nitrogen metabolism. We have characterized and compared the baseline proteome of a R. palustris wild-type strain grown under six metabolic conditions. The methodology for proteome analysis involved protein fractionation by centrifugation, subsequent digestion with trypsin, and analysis of peptides by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Using these methods, we identified 1664 proteins out of 4836 predicted proteins with conservative filtering constraints. A total of 107 novel hypothetical proteins and 218 conserved hypothetical proteins were detected. Qualitative analyses revealed over 311 proteins exhibiting marked differences between conditions, many of these being hypothetical or conserved hypothetical proteins showing strong correlations with different metabolic modes. For example, five proteins encoded by genes from a novel operon appeared only after anaerobic growth with no evidence of these proteins in extracts of aerobically grown cells. Proteins known to be associated with specialized growth states such as nitrogen fixation, photoautotrophic, or growth on benzoate, were observed to be up-regulated under those states.     

糙皮侧耳原基期差异表达基因分析

为解析糙皮侧耳原基期与菌丝期差异表达的基因,本研究以原基期cDNA为检测子（tester）、双核菌丝期cDNA为驱赶子（driver）,采用抑制性消减杂交法（suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH）构建了糙皮侧耳SSH cDNA文库。菌液PCR验证SSH cDNA文库插入cDNA片段后,挑取了2 055个差异转化子,差异转化子经3次反向Northern杂交筛选,得423个信号差异显著的克隆;阳性克隆测序后,经NCBI数据库Blastn和Blastx比对,共得206条差异表达序列（expressed sequence tag,EST）,重复序列去除后,有46个基因参与了细胞急救和防御、能量代谢、转录和蛋白调控、膜蛋白和信号转导,18个基因编码未知功能的推定蛋白,5个无任何同源性的新基因。挑取10个差异表达基因进行半定量RT-PCR,发现这些序列在原基期的表达水平显著高于菌丝期。结果表明,本研究成功构建了糙皮侧耳原基期与菌丝期SSH cDNA文库,为进一步分离糙皮侧耳生长发育相关基因并研究糙皮侧耳的发育机制奠定了基础。