Complete genome sequence of NBRC 3288, a unique cellulose-nonproducing strain of Gluconacetobacter xylinus isolated from vinegar

Gluconacetobacter xylinus is involved in the industrial production of cellulose. We have determined the genome sequence of G. xylinus NBRC 3288, a cellulose-nonproducing strain. Comparative analysis of genomes of G. xylinus NBRC 3288 with those of the cellulose-producing strains clarified the genes important for cellulose production in Gluconacetobacter.     

Genome-wide phylogenetic analysis of Gluconobacter, Acetobacter, and Gluconacetobacter

Phylogenetic relationships among three genera, Gluconobacter, Acetobacter, and Gluconacetobacter, of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are still unclear, although phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence has shown that Gluconacetobacter diverged first from the ancestor of these three genera. Therefore, the relationships among these three genera were investigated by genome-wide phylogenetic analysis of AAB. Contrary to the results of 16S rRNA gene analysis, phylogenetic analysis of 293 enzymes involved in metabolism clearly showed that Gluconobacter separated first from its common ancestor with Acetobacter and Gluconacetobacter. In addition, we defined 753 unique orthologous proteins among five known complete genomes of AAB, and phylogenetic analysis was carried out using concatenated gene sequences of these 753 proteins. The result also showed that Gluconobacter separated first from its common ancestor with Acetobacter and Gluconacetobacter. Our results strongly suggest that Gluconobacter was the first to diverge from the common ancestor of Gluconobacter, Acetobacter, and Gluconacetobacter, a relationship that is in good agreement with the physiologies and habitats of these genera.     

Antagonism among Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus strains in culture media and in endophytic association

In this study the antagonistic activity among 55 Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus strains, belonging to 13 electrophoretic types (ETs), in culture media was analyzed. Antagonistic effects were seen only in strains belonging to two ETs named ET-1 and ET-3. Two out of 29 ET-1 strains, and 3 out of 7 ET-3 strains of G. diazotrophicus showed antagonistic effects against many other strains belonging to all the ETs of this species analyzed, and against closely related strains of Gluconacetobacter species, including Gluconacetobacter johannae, Gluconacetobacter azotocaptans and Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens but not against other phylogenetically distant bacterial species. Results showed that the substance responsible of such antagonistic activity is a low molecular mass molecule (approximately 3400 Da), stable from pH 3.5 to 8.5, and very stable at 4 degrees C for 10 months. This substance was sensitive to proteases, and the antagonistic activity was lost after 2 h at 95 degrees C. All of these features show that the substance is related to bacteriocin-like molecules. The antagonistic substance should be chromosomally encoded because ET-3 strains of G. diazotrophicus do not harbor any plasmids. The antagonistic ability of ET-3 strains of G. diazotrophicus could be an advantage for the natural colonization of the sugarcane environment, as was observed in experiments with micropropagated sterile sugarcane plantlets co-inoculated with a bacteriocin-producer strain and a bacteriocin-sensitive strain of G. diazotrophicus. In these experiments, both in the rhizosphere as well as inside the roots, the bacteriocin-sensitive population decreased drastically. In addition, this study shows that inside the plants there may exist antagonistic interactions among endophytic bacteria like to those described among the rhizospheric community.     

Isolation and identification of Gluconacetobacter azotocaptans from corn rhizosphere

Six acetic acid producing, diazotrophic bacteria were isolated from soil adhering to corn roots. These isolates were shown to be Gluconacetobacter azotocaptans and they shared some features with G. johannae and G. diazotrophicus but differed on the basis of colony morphology on different media, use of carbon sources and use of l-amino acids as a nitrogen source. The species identity was confirmed using 16S rDNA sequence analysis, PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene with species-specific primers and amplified rDNA restriction analysis. This is the first report of the presence of this bacteria on corn plants. Scope of the paper: This is the first report of the occurrence and association of Gluconacetobacter azotocaptans with corn.     

Genome sequence of Gluconacetobacter sp. strain SXCC-1, isolated from Chinese vinegar fermentation starter

Gluconacetobacter strains are prominent bacteria during traditional vinegar fermentation. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of Gluconacetobacter sp. strain SXCC-1. This strain was isolated from a fermentation starter (Daqu) used for commercial production of Shanxi vinegar, the best-known vinegar of China.     

葡糖酸醋杆菌内源复制片段的克隆

采用改进的碱裂解法提取Gluconacetobacter hansenii ATCC23769自发不产膜突变体的内源隐蔽质粒。用不同的限制性内切酶对混合质粒直接进行酶切,酶切后的片段混合物与pUC18载体连接构建重组载体。重组载体回转入G.hansenii ATCC23769获得隐蔽质粒上具有复制能力的片段,序列结果分析表明:该片段上没有某些其他质粒所具有的Rep蛋白。利用该片段,构建了能同时在大肠杆菌和葡糖酸醋杆菌中复制的质粒载体,体内的抗生素抗性实验证明该载体具有良好的稳定性。     

表达淀粉酶、糖化酶葡糖酸醋杆菌工程菌的构建

采用基因融合技术,将葡糖酸醋杆菌Gluconacetobacter hansenii ATCC23769分泌蛋白CMCax的信号肽序列分别与来源于枯草芽胞杆菌的淀粉酶基因、黑曲霉的糖化酶基因融合构建融合蛋白,连入能在G.hansenii ATCC23769自主复制的载体pbs-H1S中,电击转入G.hansenii ATCC23769,构建能内源表达淀粉酶、糖化酶,以及淀粉酶-糖化酶的葡糖酸醋杆菌。淀粉平板透明圈检测结果和DNS测酶活结果显示,构建的3种工程菌能成功表达并分泌淀粉酶和糖化酶。     

Differentiation of Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens and Gluconacetobacter xylinus on the basis of DNA base composition,DNA relatedness,and oxidation products from glucose

Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens and Gluconacetobacter xylinus share very similar phenotypic characteristics. They are differentiated by the production of a reddish-brown water-soluble pigment of the former and cellulose production of the latter. However, the loss of the two distinguishing features questions the separate standings of the two species. The DNA base composition and the DNA relatedness of strains of the two species, including other established species of acetic acid bacteria, were determined. G. liquefaciens strains had the higher guanine-plus-cytosine content (G+C content) in DNA, ranging from 63.5 to 66.9 mol%, and G. xylinus had the lower range, from 59.4 to 63.2 mol%. DNA hybridization revealed a low level of DNA similarity between the two species. G. liquefaciens strains produced 2,5-diketogluconic acid and pyrones from glucose, and G. xylinus strains produced 5-ketogluconic acid. From these results, it is unequivocal that G. liquefaciens is a distinct species from G. xylinus.     

Natural association of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and diazotrophic Acetobacter peroxydans with wetland rice

The family Acetobacteraceae currently includes three known nitrogen-fixing species, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, G. johannae and G. azotocaptans. In the present study, acetic acid-producing nitrogen-fixing bacteria were isolated from four different wetland rice varieties cultivated in the state of Tamilnadu, India. Most of these isolates were identified as G. diazotrophicus on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics and PCR assays using specific primers for that species. Based on 16S rDNA partial sequence analysis and DNA: DNA reassociation experiments the remaining isolates were identified as Acetobacter peroxydans, another species of the Acetobacteraceae family, thus far never reported as diazotrophic. The presence of nifH genes in A. peroxydans was confirmed by PCR amplification with nifH specific primers. Scope for the findings: This is the first report of the occurrence and association of N2-fixing Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Acetobacter peroxydans with wetland rice varieties. This is the first report of diazotrophic nature of A. peroxydans.     

Contribution of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus to phosphorus nutrition in strawberry plants

Plant and Soil - Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (family Acetobacteraceae), is a N2-fixing bacterium with capability of mineral solubilization through organic acid production. The aim of this work...     

Development of real-time PCR methods for the rapid detection of low concentrations of Gluconobacter and Gluconacetobacter species in an electrolyte replacement drink

AIMS: To develop a rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect Gluconobacter and Gluconacetobacter species in electrolyte replacement drinks. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples of electrolyte replacement drinks were artificially contaminated with Gluconobacter species and then filtered to collect cells. DNA was extracted from the filters and analysed by real-time PCR on the ABI Prism 7000 system, using commercial detection kits for lactic and acetic acid bacteria. In addition, specific primers and Taqman probe were designed and used for the detection of seven Gluconobacter and Gluconacetobacter species. All the assays tested demonstrated a linear range of quantification over four orders of magnitude, suggesting detection levels down to 1 CFU ml(-1) in the original drink. CONCLUSIONS: A real-time PCR method was developed to detect low concentrations of Gluconobacter and Gluconacetobacter sp. in an electrolyte replacement drink. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Real-time PCR methods allow a rapid, high throughput and automated procedure for the detection of food spoilage organisms. The real-time PCR assay described is as sensitive as the conventional method that involves pre-enrichment, enumeration on a selective agar (typically malt extract agar) and identification with a differential medium (typically Wallerstein nutrient agar). The real-time PCR assay also provides a more rapid rate of detection, with results in less than 24 h following enrichment for Gluconobacter and Gluconacetobacter species.     

Evidence for conformational protection of nitrogenase against oxygen in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus by a putative FeSII protein

The mechanisms protecting nitrogenase in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus from damage by oxygen were studied. Evidence is provided suggesting that in G. diazotrophicus these mechanisms include respiratory protection as well as conformational protection in which a putative FeSII Shethna protein is involved.     

Energy generation by extracellular aldose oxidation in N(2)-fixing Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PAL3 was grown in a chemostat with N(2) and mixtures of xylose and gluconate. Xylose was oxidized to xylonate, which was accumulated in the culture supernatants. Biomass yields and carbon from gluconate incorporated into biomass increased with the rate of xylose oxidation. By using metabolic balances it is demonstrated that extracellular xylose oxidation led N(2)-fixing G. diazotrophicus cultures to increase the efficiency of energy generation.     

Cellulose production by Gluconacetobacter hansenii in a medium containing ethanol

The addition of 1% (v/v) ethanol to the basal medium inhibited growth of Gluconacetobacter hansenii but decreased the numbers of non-cellulose producing cells. Cellulose production increased 1.7 times to approx. 2.5 g l(-1) and showed a pattern of mixed growth-associated production. Microbial cells produced rigid pellicle-type bacterial cellulose as the shell of a large lump of bacterial cellulose like a static culture. The inoculum cultivated for 3 d maintained cellulose production by the fifth batch.     

Enhanced bacterial cellulose production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus via expression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin and oxygen tension regulation

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Oxygen plays a key role during bacterial cellulose (BC) biosynthesis by Gluconacetobacter xylinus. In this study, the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb)-encoding...     

Molecular detection of Gluconacetobacter sacchari associated with the pink sugarcane mealybug Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) and the sugarcane leaf sheath microenvironment by FISH and PCR

Molecular tools for the detection of the newly described acetic acid bacterium Gluconacetobacter sacchari from the pink sugarcane mealybug, Saccharicoccus sacchari Cockerell (Homiptera: Pseudococcidae), and in the sugarcane leaf sheath microenvironment were developed. G. sacchari specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide primers were designed and used in PCR amplification of G. sacchari DNA directly from mealybugs, and in a nested PCR to detect low numbers of the bacteria from sugarcane leaf sheath fluid and cane internode scrapings. A sensitivity level of detection of 40-400 cells/reaction was obtained using PCR from exponentially grown bacterial cultures and of 1-10 cells in cane internode scrapings and leaf sheath fluid samples using nested PCR. The specificity of the primer set was demonstrated by the lack of amplification product formation in PCR by closely related acetic acid bacteria, including Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens, and Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. A Cy3 labeled probe for G. sacchari was designed and shown to be specific for the species. Investigation of the mealybug microenvironment by whole cell fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed that G. sacchari appears to represent only a minor proportion of the population of the microbiota in the mealybugs tested. This study has shown the usefulness of 16S rRNA-based molecular tools in the identification and detection of G. sacchari from environmental samples and will allow these tools to be used in further ecological research.     

一株高产苯乳酸的古墓土壤葡糖醋杆菌FBFS97的全基因组测序与分析

【背景】苯乳酸(phenyllactic acid,PLA)是一种应用潜力巨大的天然广谱抑菌物质。本课题组前期分离得到一株高产PLA的醋酸菌(acetic acid bacteria,AAB)——葡糖醋杆菌(Gluconacetobacter sp.)FBFS97,但尚未鉴定到种,而且其产PLA的分子机理尚不清楚。【目的】确定FBFS97的种属关系,解析FBFS97的遗传信息,特别是与PLA产生相关的基因。【方法】采用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对FBFS97的菌体形态进行表征,通过16S rRNA基因序列分析对FBFS97进行分类鉴定,并以高效液相色谱分析苯丙氨酸对其产PLA的影响。在此基础上,对FBFS97进行全基因组测序、拼接和基因预测,并进行GO/COG聚类、KEGG代谢通路和VFDB毒力等分析,以及PLA生物合成途径的预测。【结果】根据16S rRNA基因序列的比对结果,结合形态学分析,该菌被鉴定为古墓土壤葡糖醋杆菌(Gluconacetobacter tumulisoli)。将1 000 mg/L苯丙氨酸添加到FBFS97液体培养基中,发酵液中PLA最高浓度可达400 mg/L,为对照组的8倍。该菌的基因组大小为3 988 308 bp,(G+C)mol%含量为66.62%,编码基因3 500个;KEGG代谢通路分析表明,该菌基因组中存在经莽草酸途径合成PLA的所有基因;VFDB毒力预测结果显示,该菌基因组中不存在产生毒素的相关基因。【结论】首次报道了一株高产PLA的AAB——古墓土壤葡糖醋杆菌FBFS97的全基因组序列信息,并发现该菌株的基因组中含有合成PLA的所有相关基因,为后续进一步研究FBFS97产生PLA的生物合成途径提供了理论依据。     

An Efficient Method Using Gluconacetobacter europaeus To Reduce an Unfavorable Flavor Compound,Acetoin, in Rice Vinegar Production

Gluconacetobacter europaeus, one of the microorganisms most commonly used for vinegar production, produces the unfavorable flavor compound acetoin. Since acetoin reduction is important for rice vinegar production, a genetic approach was attempted to reduce acetoin produced by G. europaeus KGMA0119 using specific gene knockout without introducing exogenous antibiotic resistance genes. A uracil-auxotrophic mutant with deletion of the orotate phosphoribosyltransferase gene (pyrE) was first isolated by positive selection using 5-fluoroorotic acid. The pyrE disruptant designated KGMA0704 (ΔpyrE) showed 5-fluoroorotic acid resistance. KGMA0704 and the pyrE gene were used for further gene disruption experiments as a host cell and a selectable marker, respectively. Targeted disruption of aldC or als, which encodes α-acetolactate decarboxylase or α-acetolactate synthase, was attempted in KGMA0704. The disruption of these genes was expected to result in a decrease in acetoin levels. A disruption vector harboring the pyrE marker within the targeted gene was constructed for double-crossover recombination. The cells of KGMA0704 were transformed with the exogenous DNA using electroporation, and genotypic analyses of the transformants revealed the unique occurrence of targeted aldC or als gene disruption. The aldC disruptant KGMA4004 and the als disruptant KGMA5315 were cultivated, and the amount of acetoin was monitored. The acetoin level in KGMA4004 culture was significantly reduced to 0.009% (wt/vol) compared with KGMA0119 (0.042% [wt/vol]), whereas that of KGMA5315 was not affected (0.037% [wt/vol]). This indicates that aldC disruption is critical for acetoin reduction. G. europaeus KGMA4004 has clear application potential in the production of rice vinegar with less unfavorable flavor.     

Effect of some abiotic factors on the biological activity of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus

AIMS: The effect of some abiotic factors, dryness, heat and salinity on the growth and biological activity of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, and the influence of a salt stress on some enzymes involved in carbon metabolism of these bacteria is studied under laboratory conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strain PAL-5 of G. diazotrophicus was incubated under different conditions of drying, heat and salinity. Cells showed tolerance to heat treatments and salt concentrations, and sensitivity to drying conditions. Higher NaCl dosage of 150 and 200 mmol l -1 limited its growth and drastically affected the nitrogenase activity and the enzymes glucose dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, fumarase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS: Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, despite its endophytic nature, tolerated heat treatments and salinity stress, but its nitrogenase activity and carbon metabolism enzymes were affected by high NaCl dosage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The investigation of the biological activity of G. diazotrophicus in response to different abiotic factors led to more knowledge of this endophyte and may help to clarify pathways involved in its transmission into the host plant.     

Zinc metal solubilization by Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and induction of pleomorphic cells

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus strain PAl5 exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 11 mM in an LGI medium amended with ZnCl2. When an LGI medium was amended with Zn metal, solubilization halos were observed in a plate assay, and further solubilization was confirmed in a broth assay. The maximum solubilization was recorded after 120 h with a 0.1% Zn metal amendment. During solubilization, the culture growth and pH of the broth were indirectly correlated. Using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis, one of the agents solubilizing the Zn metal was identified as gluconic acid. When the Zn-amended broth was observed under a bright field microscope, long involution cells were observed, and further analysis with Atomic Force Microscopy revealed highly deformed, pleomorphic, aggregate-like cells.