Propionate formation by Opitutus terrae in pure culture and in mixed culture with a hydrogenotrophic methanogen and implications for carbon fluxes in anoxic rice paddy soil

Propionate-forming bacteria seem to be abundant in anoxic rice paddy soil, but biogeochemical investigations show that propionate is not a correspondingly important intermediate in carbon flux in this system. Mixed cultures of Opitutus terrae strain PB90-1, a representative propionate-producing bacterium from rice paddy soil, and the hydrogenotrophic Methanospirillum hungatei strain SK maintained hydrogen partial pressures similar to those in the soil. The associated shift away from propionate formation observed in these cultures helps to reconcile the disparity between microbiological and biogeochemical studies.     

Genome sequence of Paenibacillus terrae HPL-003, a xylanase-producing bacterium isolated from soil found in forest residue

This article reports on the full genome sequence of Paenibacillus terrae HPL-003, which is a gram-positive, endospore-forming, xylanase-producing bacterium isolated from soil found in forest residue on Gara Mountain. The strain HPL-003 contains 6,083,395 bp with a G+C content of 46.77 mol%, 2,633 protein-coding genes, and 117 structural RNAs.     

Genome sequence of an ammonia-oxidizing soil archaeon, "Candidatus Nitrosoarchaeum koreensis" MY1

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea are ubiquitous microorganisms which play important roles in global nitrogen and carbon cycle on earth. Here we present the high-quality draft genome sequence of an ammonia-oxidizing archaeon, "Candidatus Nitrosopumilus koreensis" MY1, that dominated an enrichment culture of a soil sample from the rhizosphere. Its genome contains genes for survival in the rhizosphere environment as well as those for carbon fixation and ammonium oxidation to nitrite.     

Characterization and identification of numerically abundant culturable bacteria from the anoxic bulk soil of rice paddy microcosms.

Most-probable-number (liquid serial dilution culture) counts were obtained for polysaccharolytic and saccharolytic fermenting bacteria in the anoxic bulk soil of flooded microcosms containing rice plants. The highest viable counts (up to 2.5 x 10(8) cells per g [dry weight] of soil) were obtained by using xylan, pectin, or a mixture of seven mono- and disaccharides as the growth substrate. The total cell count for the soil, as determined by using 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, was 4.8 x 10(8) cells per g (dry weight) of soil. The nine strains isolated from the terminal positive tubes in counting experiments which yielded culturable populations that were equivalent to about 5% or more of the total microscopic count population belonged to the division Verrucomicrobia, the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides division, clostridial cluster XIVa, clostridial cluster IX, Bacillus spp., and the class Actinobacteria. Isolates originating from the terminal positive tubes of liquid dilution series can be expected to be representatives of species whose populations in the soil are large. None of the isolates had 16S rRNA gene sequences identical to 16S rRNA gene sequences of previously described species for which data are available. Eight of the nine strains isolated fermented sugars to acetate and propionate (and some also fermented sugars to succinate). The closest relatives of these strains (except for the two strains of actinobacteria) were as-yet-uncultivated bacteria detected in the same soil sample by cloning PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes (U. Hengstmann, K.-J. Chin, P. H. Janssen, and W. Liesack, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:5050-5058, 1999). Twelve other isolates, which originated from most-probable-number counting series indicating that the culturable populations were smaller, were less closely related to cloned 16S rRNA genes.     

Genome sequence of Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra JG1, a marine antagonistic bacterium with abundant antimicrobial metabolites

The marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra JG1 can synthesize various antibacterial metabolites, including protein and small molecules. The draft genome of JG1 is about 5.36 Mb and harbors approximate 4,913 genes, which will provide further insight into the synthesis of antimicrobial agents and antagonistic mechanisms of P. flavipulchra against pathogens.     

Genome sequence of the anaerobic bacterium Bacillus sp. strain ZYK,a selenite and nitrate reducer from paddy soil

Bacillus sp. strain ZYK, a member of the phylum Firmicutes, is of interest for its ability to reduce nitrate and selenite and for its resistance to arsenic under anaerobic conditions. Here we describe some key features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 3,575,797 bp long chromosome with its 3,454 protein-coding and 70 RNA genes, and the information gained from its sequence will be relevant to the elucidation of microbially-mediated transformations of nitrogen, selenium and arsenic in paddy soil.     

Genome sequence of Chthoniobacter flavus Ellin428, an aerobic heterotrophic soil bacterium

Chthoniobacter flavus Ellin428 is the first isolate from the class Spartobacteria of the bacterial phylum Verrucomicrobia. C. flavus Ellin428 can metabolize many of the saccharide components of plant biomass but is incapable of growth on amino acids or organic acids other than pyruvate.     

The phylogeny of fluorescent pseudomonads in an unflooded rice paddy soil

The purpose of this research was to determine the diversity and distribution of fluorescent pseudomonads in an unflooded rice paddy soil. A region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene from isolates was amplified using PCR and subsequently analysed by sequence analysis for bacterial identification and phylogenetic classification. A total of 117 fluorescent pseudomonads, representing between 10 and 21 species, were isolated from two sampling sites within the same paddy (designated as soils C and S). The isolates were found to be ≥96% homologous with known sequences, and were most closely related to the followingPseudomonas species:P. antarctica, P. costantini, P. extremorientalis, P. frederiksbergensis, P. kilonensis, P. koreensis, P. lini, P. mandelii, P. poae, P. rhodesiae, andP. veronii. Of these matches, the bulk of the isolates (49%) were affiliated withP. mandelii. In soils C and S, phylogenetic analysis revealed that 35 and 82 isolates co-clustered with 39 and 59% of 66 fluorescent pseudomonad type strains, respectively.     

Comparative phylogenetic assignment of environmental sequences of genes encoding 16S rRNA and numerically abundant culturable bacteria from an anoxic rice paddy soil.

We used both cultivation and direct recovery of bacterial 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences to investigate the structure of the bacterial community in anoxic rice paddy soil. Isolation and phenotypic characterization of 19 saccharolytic and cellulolytic strains are described in the accompanying paper (K.-J. Chin, D. Hahn, U. Hengstmann, W. Liesack, and P. H. Janssen, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:5042-5049, 1999). Here we describe the phylogenetic positions of these strains in relation to 57 environmental 16S rDNA clone sequences. Close matches between the two data sets were obtained for isolates from the culturable populations determined by the most-probable-number counting method to be large (3 x 10(7) to 2.5 x 10(8) cells per g [dry weight] of soil). This included matches with 16S rDNA similarity values greater than 98% within distinct lineages of the division Verrucomicrobia (strain PB90-1) and the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group (strains XB45 and PB90-2), as well as matches with similarity values greater than 95% within distinct lines of descent of clostridial cluster XIVa (strain XB90) and the family Bacillaceae (strain SB45). In addition, close matches with similarity values greater than 95% were obtained for cloned 16S rDNA sequences and bacteria (strains DR1/8 and RPec1) isolated from the same type of rice paddy soil during previous investigations. The correspondence between culture methods and direct recovery of environmental 16S rDNA suggests that the isolates obtained are representative geno- and phenotypes of predominant bacterial groups which account for 5 to 52% of the total cells in the anoxic rice paddy soil. Furthermore, our findings clearly indicate that a dual approach results in a more objective view of the structural and functional composition of a soil bacterial community than either cultivation or direct recovery of 16S rDNA sequences alone.     

Genome sequence of Vibrio splendidus: an abundant planctonic marine species with a large genotypic diversity

Vibrio splendidus is a dominant Vibrio species in seawater presenting a remarkable genetic diversity; several strains have been linked to invertebrate's mortality. We report the complete genome sequence of V. splendidus LGP32, an oyster pathogen, and its comparison with partial genome sequences from related strains. As is typical for the genus, V. splendidus LGP32 contains two chromosomes (3.29 and 1.67 Mb) and most essential cellular processes are encoded by chromosome 1. Comparison with two other V. splendidus partial genome sequences (strains 12B01 and Med222) confirms the previously suggested high genotypic diversity within this species and led to the identification of numerous strain-specific regions that could frequently not be assigned to a specific mechanisms of recombination. Surprisingly, the chromosomal integron, the most variable genetic element in all other Vibrio species analysed to date, is absent from 12B01 and inactivated by a mobile element in Med222, while in LGP32 it only contains a limited number of cassettes. Finally, we found that the LGP32 integron contains a new dfrA cassette, related to those found in resistance integrons of Gram-negative clinical isolates. Those results suggest that marine Vibrio can be a source of antibiotic resistance genes.     

Genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia RR-10, isolated as an endophyte from rice root

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an endophyte which plays important roles in agricultural production as a plant growth-promoting bacterium. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of strain RR-10, which was isolated from a rice root in a rice field of China.     

Genome sequence of Peptoniphilus rhinitidis 1-13T, an anaerobic coccus strain isolated from clinical specimens

A new Peptoniphilus species has been isolated from samples from a patient who was scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. The isolate, Peptoniphilus rhinitidis 1-13(T) (KCTC 5985(T)), can use peptone as a sole carbon source and produce butyrate as a metabolic end product. This is the first report of the draft genome sequence of a novel species in the genus Peptoniphilus within the group of Gram-positive anaerobic cocci.     

Genome sequence of Streptomyces griseus strain XylebKG-1, an ambrosia beetle-associated actinomycete

Streptomyces griseus strain XylebKG-1 is an insect-associated strain of the well-studied actinobacterial species S. griseus. Here, we present the genome of XylebKG-1 and discuss its similarity to the genome of S. griseus subsp. griseus NBRC13350. XylebKG-1 was isolated from the fungus-cultivating Xyleborinus saxesenii system. Given its similarity to free-living S. griseus subsp. griseus NBRC13350, comparative genomics will elucidate critical components of bacterial interactions with insects.     

Genome sequence of Sphingobium yanoikuyae XLDN2-5, an efficient carbazole-degrading strain

Sphingobium yanoikuyae XLDN2-5 is an efficient carbazole-degrading strain. Carbazole-degrading genes are accompanied on both sides by two copies of IS6100 elements. Here, we describe the draft genome sequence of strain XLDN2-5, which may provide important clues as to how it recruited exogenous genes to establish pathways to degrade the xenobiotics.     

Genome sequence of the biocontrol agent Pantoea vagans strain C9-1

Pantoea vagans is a Gram-negative enterobacterial plant epiphyte of a broad range of plants. Here we report the 4.89-Mb genome sequence of P. vagans strain C9-1 (formerly Pantoea agglomerans), which is commercially registered for biological control of fire blight, a disease of pear and apple trees caused by Erwinia amylovora.     

Genome sequence of Pantoea sp. strain Sc 1, an opportunistic cotton pathogen

Pantoea is comprised of a broad spectrum of species, including plant pathogens. Here, we provide an annotated genome sequence of Pantoea sp. strain Sc 1, which was isolated from a diseased cotton boll. This research provides the first genome sequence of a bona fide Pantoea sp. insect-vectored cotton pathogen.     

Effect of rice plants on CH4 production,transport, oxidation and emission in rice paddy soil

To understand the integrated effects of rice plants (variety Wuyugeng 2) on CH₄ emission during the typical rice growth stage, the production, oxidation and emission of methane related to rice plants were investigated simultaneously through laboratory and greenhouse experiments. CH₄ emission was significantly higher from the rice planted treatment than from the unplanted treatment. In the rice planted treatment, CH₄ emission was higher at tillering stage than at panicle initiation stage. An average of 36.3% and 54.7% of CH₄ produced was oxidized in the rhizosphere at rice tillering stage and panicle initiation stage, respectively, measured by using methyl fluoride (MF) technique. In the meantime, CH₄ production in the planted treatments incubated under O₂-free N₂ condition was reduced by 44.9 and 22.3%, respectively, compared to unplanted treatment. On the contrary, the presence of rice plants strongly stimulated CH₄ production by approximately 72.3% at rice ripening stage. CH₄ emission through rice plants averaged 95% at the tillering stage and 89% at the panicle initiation stage. Based on these results, conclusions are drawn that higher CH₄ emission from the planted treatment than from unplanted treatment could be attributed to the function of rice plants for transporting CH₄ from belowground to the atmosphere at tillering and panicle initiation stage, and that a higher CH₄ emission at tillering stage than at panicle initiation stage is due to the lower rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation and more effective transport mediated by rice plants.     

Genome sequence of "Pedosphaera parvula" Ellin514, an aerobic Verrucomicrobial isolate from pasture soil

"Pedosphaera parvula" Ellin514 is an aerobically grown verrucomicrobial isolate from pasture soil. It is one of the few cultured representatives of subdivision 3 of the phylum Verrucomicrobia. Members of this group are widespread in terrestrial environments.     

Genome sequence of Bacillus pumilus S-1, an efficient isoeugenol-utilizing producer for natural vanillin

Bacillus pumilus S-1 is an efficient isoeugenol-utilizing producer of natural vanillin. The genome of B. pumilus S-1 contains the epoxide hydrolase and six candidate monooxygenases that make it possible to explore the mechanism involved in conversion of isoenguenol to vanillin in the B. pumilus strain.