Development and relations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium culmorum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> in soil

The development of Fusarium culmorum and Pseudomonas fluorescens in soil, and the relations between them, were studied using membrane filters containing the fungus, the bacterium, or both microorganisms; the filters were incubated in soil. F. culmorum was identified by indirect immunofluorescence; the GUS-labeled strain was used to visualize P. fluorescens. It was found that F. culmorum introduced in soil can develop as a saprotroph, with the formation of mycelium, macroconidia, and a small amount of chlamydospores. Introduction of glucose and cellulose resulted in increased density of the F. culmorum mycelium and macroconidia. P. fluorescens suppressed the development of the F. culmorum mycelium in soil, but stimulated chlamydospore formation. Decreased mycelial density in the presence of P. fluorescens was more pronounced in soil without additions and less pronounced in the case of introduction of glucose or cellulose. F. culmorum had no effect on P. fluorescens growth in soil.     

Isolation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> species highly resistant to pentachlorobenzene

Polychlorinated aromatic compounds, including pentachlorobenzenes and hexachlorobenzenes, are recalcitrant industrial pollutants that cause adverse effects on living cells. In this paper, the isolation of Pseudomonas fluorescens species with high resistance to pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) is reported. It was found that, in contrast to its slightly negative effect on P. fluorescens growth, PeCB readily inhibited the cell growth of Serratia spp. and Escherichia coli strains, thus indicating that inhibition of bacterial growth by PeCB is species-dependent. Analysis of a P. fluorescens isolate revealed that the exposure to PeCB induced production of reactive oxygen species and led to an increase in the level of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase C (AhpC), an important enzyme enhancing the cell tolerance to organic hydroperoxides usually accumulated under oxidative stress. The putative mechanism conferring PeCB resistance to P. fluorescens and the potential use of P. fluorescens in bioremediation are discussed.     

Single-Cell Raman Spectral Profiles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> SBW25 Reflects <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in planta</Emphasis> Metabolic History

Single-cell Raman microspectroscopy has the potential to report on the whole-cell chemical composition of bacteria, reflecting metabolic status as well as growth history. This potential has been demonstrated through the discriminant functional analysis of Raman spectral profiles (RSP) obtained from the soil and plant-associated bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25, grown in vitro using defined media, and in planta using 3-month-old sugar beets (Beta vulgaris var. Roberta). SBW25 in vitro RSP data showed significant variation between those cells grown on different amino acids, sugars, TCA cycle intermediates, rich King's B, and culture media derived from the sugar beet phytosphere. Raman analysis was also able to follow the transition of SBW25 starved of carbon over a period of days, and SBW25 in planta RSP data also showed variation with significant differences between bacteria recovered from soil and the rhizosphere. SBW25 whole-cell chemical composition, and therefore growth and metabolic history, could be interpreted by coanalyzing in vitro and in planta RSP data. SBW25 recovered from the phytosphere was found to be more similar to SBW25 grown in vitro on Fru or Asp, rather than on Glc or Arg, and quite dissimilar to that resulting from carbon starvation. This suggests that SBW25 growth in the phytosphere is generally neither carbon-catabolite-repressed nor carbon-limited. These findings demonstrate that the analysis of single-cell RSP can differentiate between isogenic populations of bacteria with different metabolic histories or after recovery from different parts of their natural environment. In addition, Raman analysis is also capable of providing biologically relevant biochemical inferences, which might then be tested to uncover the mechanistic basis (biochemical–metabolic–genetic) differentiating bacteria growing in complex environments and exposed to different conditions.     

A novel metabolic network leads to enhanced citrate biogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">fluorescens</Emphasis> exposed to aluminum toxicity

Aluminum (Al), an environmental toxin, is known to have a negative impact on various biological systems. However, some microbes have devised intricate mechanisms to combat the toxic influence of this trivalent metal. In this study, Pseudomonas fluorescens grown in malate invoked a unique metabolic shift to promote the synthesis of citrate, a metabolite involved in the sequestration of Al. Electrophoretic and spectrophotometric assays revealed several malate-metabolizing enzymes including malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and malic enzyme (ME) displayed increases in activity and expression in the Al-treated cells. Whereas pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) also showed increased activity and expression in the Al-stressed cultures, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) displayed a marked diminution in the Al-treated cells. The upregulation of citrate synthase (CS) coupled with the diminished activities of aconitase (ACN) and NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase (NAD-ICDH) appeared to be instrumental in the accumulation of citrate. HPLC experiments revealed high levels of citrate in the Al-stressed cultures. Thus, an Al-enriched environment provoked a metabolic shift in P. fluorescens dedicated to the conversion of malate to citrate.     

Adhesion to the hydrocarbon phase increases phenanthrene degradation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> LP6a

Microbial adhesion is an important factor that can influence biodegradation of poorly water soluble hydrocarbons such as phenanthrene. This study examined how adhesion to an oil–water interface, as mediated by 1-dodecanol, enhanced phenanthrene biodegradation by Pseudomonas fluorescens LP6a. Phenanthrene was dissolved in heptamethylnonane and added to the aerobic aqueous growth medium to form a two phase mixture. 1-Dodecanol was non-toxic and furthermore could be biodegraded slowly by this strain. The alcohol promoted adhesion of the bacterial cells to the oil–water interface without significantly changing the interfacial or surface tension. Introducing 1-dodecanol at concentrations from 217 to 4,100 mg l⁻¹ increased phenanthrene biodegradation by about 30% after 120 h incubation. After 100 h incubation, cultures initially containing 120 or 160 mg l⁻¹ 1-dodecanol had mineralized >10% of the phenanthrene whereas those incubated without 1-dodecanol had mineralized only 4.5%. The production and accumulation of putative phenanthrene metabolites in the aqueous phase of cultures likewise increased in response to the addition of 1-dodecanol. The results suggest that enhanced adhesion of bacterial cells to the oil–water interface was the main factor responsible for enhanced biodegradation of phenanthrene to presumed polar metabolites and to CO₂.     

Structural Characteristics and Biological Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> Lipopolysaccharides

The structure and biological properties of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from strains IMB 4125 (=ATCC 13525) and IMB 7769 of the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens (biovar I) were studied in vitro. LPSs were similar in the composition of lipid A and the core lipid but differed in the structure of O-specific polysaccharide chains, which was corroborated by the absence of serological relationships between them. The toxicity (LD₅₀) of LPSs of P. fluorescens with respect to D-glucosamine-sensitized mice was 40–50 times lower than the toxicity of the classic endotoxins, LPSs of E. coli. The LPSs studied stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO) by mouse peritoneal macrophages. The rates of TNF and NO synthesis induced by the LPSs of interest were eight to nine and three to five times lower, respectively, than the corresponding parameters of the control LPSs of E. coli 055:B5 and 026:B6._Additionally, LPS preparations of the P. fluorescens strains induced TNF synthesis by monocytes of human whole-blood preparations. Certain differences in biological properties of these strains have been revealed, which could be due to the characteristic features of LPS structure and composition in different cultures.__________Translated from Prikladnaya Biokhimiya i Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2005, pp. 414–421.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Veremeichenko, Vodyanik, Zdorovenko.     

Genetic characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">psp</Emphasis> encoding the DING protein in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> SBW25

Background  

DING proteins constitute a conserved and broadly distributed set of proteins found in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals (including humans). Characterization of DING proteins from animal and plant tissues indicated ligand-binding ability suggesting a role for DING proteins in cell signaling and biomineralization. Surprisingly, the genes encoding DING proteins in eukaryotes have not been identified in the eukaryotic genome or EST databases. Recent discovery of a DING homologue (named Psp here) in the genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 provided a unique opportunity to investigate the physiological roles of DING proteins. P. fluorescens SBW25 is a model bacterium that can efficiently colonize plant surfaces and enhance plant health. In this report we genetically characterize Psp with a focus on conditions under which psp is expressed and the protein exported.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>1<Emphasis Type="Italic">/copia</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">/gypsy</Emphasis>-like DNA sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus </Emphasis>species

Two repeated DNA sequences isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Helianthus annuus, p HaS13 and p HaS211, were shown to represent portions of the int gene of a Ty3 /gypsy retroelement and of the RNase-Hgene of a Ty1 /copia retroelement, respectively. Southern blotting patterns obtained by hybridizing the two probes to BglII- or DraI-digested genomic DNA from different Helianthus species showed p HaS13 and p HaS211 were parts of dispersed repeats at least 8 and 7 kb in length, respectively, that were conserved in all species studied. Comparable hybridization patterns were obtained in all species with p HaS13. By contrast, the patterns obtained by hybridizing p HaS211 clearly differentiated annual species from perennials. The frequencies of p HaS13- and p HaS211-related sequences in different species were 4.3x10(4)-1.3x10(5) copies and 9.9x10(2)-8.1x10(3) copies per picogram of DNA, respectively. The frequency of p HaS13-related sequences varied widely within annual species, while no significant difference was observed among perennial species. Conversely, the frequency variation of p HaS211-related sequences was as large within annual species as within perennials. Sequences of both families were found to be dispersed along the length of all chromosomes in all species studied. However, Ty3 /gypsy-like sequences were localized preferentially at the centromeric regions, whereas Ty1/ copia-like sequences were less represented or absent around the centromeres and plentiful at the chromosome ends. These findings suggest that the two sequence families played a role in Helianthusgenome evolution and species divergence, evolved independently in the same genomic backgrounds and in annual or perennial species, and acquired different possible functions in the host genomes.     

Kinetics of BTEX biodegradation by a coculture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> under hypoxic conditions

Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens present as a coculture were studied for their abilities to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (collectively known as BTEX) under various growth conditions. The coculture effectively degraded various concentrations of BTEX as sole carbon sources. However, all BTEX compounds showed substrate inhibition to the bacteria, in terms of specific growth, degradation rate, and cell net yield. Cell growth was completely inhibited at 500mgl^–1 of benzene, 600mgl^–1 of o-xylene, and 1000mgl^–1 of toluene. Without aeration, aerobic biodegradation of BTEX required additional oxygen provided as hydrogen peroxide in the medium. Under hypoxic conditions, however, nitrate could be used as an alternative electron acceptor for BTEX biodegradation when oxygen was limited and denitrification took place in the culture. The carbon mass balance study confirmed that benzene and toluene were completely mineralized to CO₂ and H₂O without producing any identifiable intermediate metabolites.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellonella</Emphasis> are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">murina</Emphasis> Infection

Studying Pneumocystis has proven to be a challenge from the perspective of propagating a significant amount of the pathogen in a facile manner. The study of several fungal pathogens has been aided by the use of invertebrate model hosts. Our efforts to infect the invertebrate larvae Galleria mellonella with Pneumocystis proved futile since P. murina neither caused disease nor was able to proliferate within G. mellonella. It did, however, show that the pathogen could be rapidly cleared from the host.     

N-acetylcysteine inhibit biofilms produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>

Background  

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen in chronic respiratory tract infections. It typically makes a biofilm, which makes treatment of these infections difficult. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on biofilms produced by P. aeruginosa.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

Dual-species biofilm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Listeria monocytogenes</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> on stainless steel surface

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly associated with foodborne diseases. Due its ability to survive under adverse environmental conditions and to form biofilm, this bacterium is a major concern for the food industry, since it can compromise sanitation procedures and increase the risk of post-processing contamination. Little is known about the interaction between L. monocytogenes and Gram-negative bacteria on biofilm formation. Thus, in order to evaluate this interaction, Escherichia coli and L. monocytogenes were tested for their ability to form biofilms together or in monoculture. We also aimed to evaluate the ability of L. monocytogenes 1/2a and its isogenic mutant strain (ΔprfA ΔsigB) to form biofilm in the presence of E. coli. We assessed the importance of the virulence regulators, PrfA and σ^B, in this process since they are involved in many aspects of L. monocytogenes pathogenicity. Biofilm formation was assessed using stainless steel AISI 304 #4 slides immersed into brain heart infusion broth, reconstituted powder milk and E. coli preconditioned medium at 25 °C. Our results indicated that a higher amount of biofilm was formed by the wild type strain of L. monocytogenes than by its isogenic mutant, indicating that prfA and sigB are important for biofilm development, especially maturation under our experimental conditions. The presence of E. coli or its metabolites in preconditioned medium did not influence biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes. Our results confirm the possibility of concomitant biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes and E. coli, two bacteria of major significance in the food industry.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of callus cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aronia</Emphasis>

A genetic transformation system has been developed for callus cells of Crataegus aronia using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Callus culture was established from internodal stem segments incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mg l⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). In order to optimize the callus culture system with respect to callus growth and coloration, different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were tested. Results indicated that the best average fresh weight of red colored callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) (callus maintenance medium). Callus cells were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harboring the binary plasmid pCAMBIA1302 carrying the mgfp5 and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) genes conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) activity and hygromycin resistance, respectively. Putative transgenic calli were obtained 4 weeks after incubation of the co-cultivated explants onto maintenance medium supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Molecular analysis confirmed the integration of the transgenes in transformed callus. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Crataegus aronia.     

New combinations and typifications in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bistorta</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Persicaria</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum,</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex</Emphasis> (Polygonaceae)

New combinations are proposed in anticipation of the Polygonaceae treatment in the forthcoming volume of Intermountain Flora: Polygonum kelloggii var. esotericum, P. kelloggii var. watsonii , Rumex densiflorus var. pycnanthus , R. salicifolius var. utahensis, and R. occidentalis var. tomentellus. Typifications are proposed to facilitate ongoing studies in Polygonaceae and to maintain current usage.     

The tyrosine <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-prenyltransferase SirD catalyzes <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-prenylations

Recently, the prenyltransferase SirD was found to be responsible for the O-prenylation of tyrosine in the biosynthesis of sirodesmin PL in Leptosphaeria maculans. In this study, the behavior of SirD towards phenylalanine/tyrosine and tryptophan derivatives was investigated. Product formation has been observed with 12 of 19 phenylalanine/tyrosine derivatives. It was shown that the alanine structure attached to the benzene ring and an electron donor, e.g., OH or NH₂, at its para-position are essential for the enzyme activity. Modifications were possible both at the side chain and the benzene ring. Enzyme products from seven phenylalanine/tyrosine derivatives were isolated and characterized by MS and NMR analyses including HSQC and HMBC and proven to be O- or N-prenylated derivatives at position C4 of the benzene rings. K _M values of six selected derivatives were found in the range of 0.10–0.68 mM. Catalytic efficiencies (K _cat/K _M ) were determined in the range of 430–1,110 s⁻¹·M⁻¹ with l-tyrosine as the best substrate. In addition, 7 of 14 tested tryptophan analogs were also accepted by SirD and converted to C7-prenylated derivatives, which was confirmed by comparison with products obtained from enzyme assays using a 7-dimethylallyltryptophan synthase 7-DMATS from Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Wave-like Distribution Patterns of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gfp</Emphasis>-marked <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> Along Roots of Wheat Plants Grown in Two Soils

Culturable rhizosphere bacterial communities had been shown to exhibit wave-like distribution patterns along wheat roots. In the current work we show, for the first time, significant wave-like oscillations of an individual bacterial strain, the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas fluorescens 32 marked with gfp, along 3-week-old wheat roots in a conventionally managed and an organically managed soil. Significant wave-like fluctuations were observed for colony forming units (CFUs) on selective media and direct fluorescent counts under the microscope. Densities of fluorescent cells and of CFUs fluctuated in a similar manner along wheat roots in the conventional soil. The frequencies of the first, second, and third harmonics were similar for direct cell counts and CFUs. Survival of P. fluorescens 32-gfp introduced into organically managed soil was lower than that of the same strain added to conventionally managed soil. Thus, when root tips reached a depth of 10–35 cm below soil level, the majority of the introduced cells may have died, so that no cells or CFU”s were detected in this region at the time of sampling. As a result, significant waves in CFUs or direct counts along roots were not found in organically managed soil, except when a sufficiently long series with detectable CFUs were obtained. In this last case the wave-like fluctuation in CFUs was damped toward the root tip. In conclusion, when cells of a single bacterial strain randomly mixed in soil survived until a root tip passed, growth and death cycles after passage of the root tip resulted in oscillating patterns of population densities of this strain along 3-week-old wheat roots.     

Design of a secondary alcohol degradation pathway from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> DSM 50106 in an engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

The genes encoding an alcohol dehydrogenase, Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase and an esterase from P. fluorescens DSM 50106, which seemed to be metabolically connected based on the sequence of the corresponding open reading frames, were cloned into one vector (pABE) and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli. Overall expression levels were quite low, however, using whole cells of E. coli JM109 pABE expressing the three recombinant enzymes, conversion of secondary alcohols (C_n) to the corresponding primary alcohols (C_n−2) and acetic acid via ketone and ester was possible. In this way, 2-decanol was almost completely converted within 20 h at 30°C. Thus, it could be shown that the three enzymes are metabolically connected and that they are most probably involved in alkane degradation via sub-terminal oxidation of the acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caenorhabditis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">briggsae</Emphasis> genome contains active <Emphasis Type="Italic">CbmaT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tcb1</Emphasis> transposons

The maT clade of transposons is a group of transposable elements intermediate in sequence and predicted protein structure to mariner and Tc transposons, with a distribution thus far limited to a few invertebrate species. We present evidence, based on searches of publicly available databases, that the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae has several maT-like transposons, which we have designated as CbmaT elements, dispersed throughout its genome. We also describe two additional transposon sequences that probably share their evolutionary history with the CbmaT transposons. One resembles a fold back variant of a CbmaT element, with long (380-bp) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that show a high degree (71%) of identity to CbmaT1. The other, which shares only the 26-bp ITR sequences with one of the CbmaT variants, is present in eight nearly identical copies, but does not have a transposase gene and may therefore be cross mobilised by a CbmaT transposase. Using PCR-based mobility assays, we show that CbmaT1 transposons are capable of excising from the C. briggsae genome. CbmaT1 excised approximately 500 times less frequently than Tcb1 in the reference strain AF16, but both CbmaT1 and Tcb1 excised at extremely high frequencies in the HK105 strain. The HK105 strain also exhibited a high frequency of spontaneous induction of unc-22 mutants, suggesting that it may be a mutator strain of C. briggsae.     

Enzymes of naphthalene metabolism by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> 26K Strain

The ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens 26K strain to utilize naphthalene at concentrations up to 600 mg/liter as the sole source of carbon and energy in mineral liquid media was shown. Using HPLC, TLC, and mass-spectrometry, the intermediates of naphthalene transformation by this strain were identified as naphthalene cis-1,2-dihydrodiol, salicylaldehyde, salicylate, catechol, 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde, and 1-naphthol. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (a homotetramer with native molecular mass 125 kDa) and NAD⁺-dependent homohexameric naphthalene cis-1,2-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase with native molecular mass 160 kDa were purified from crude extract of the strain and characterized. NAD⁺-dependent homodimeric salicylaldehyde dehydrogenase with molecular mass 110 kDa was purified and characterized for the first time. Based on the data, a pathway of naphthalene degradation by P. fluorescens 26K is suggested.