Diversity and antimicrobial activity of Pseudovibrio spp. from Irish marine sponges

Aims: To evaluate the diversity and antimicrobial activity present among Pseudovibrio spp. isolated from marine sponges. Methods and Results: Seventy‐three bacterial isolates from the marine sponges Polymastia boletiformis, Axinella dissimilis and Haliclona simulans were identified as Pseudovibrio spp. using phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. Genetic diversity among these isolates was estimated using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and 33 RAPD types were identified among the 73 Pseudovibrio isolates. These Pseudovibrio spp. were assayed for the production of compounds with antimicrobial activity against various clinically relevant pathogens. Sixty‐two (85%) of the isolates showed activity against at least one of the pathogens tested, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridium difficile. PCR screens of the Pseudovibrio isolates also revealed the presence of potential antibiotic‐producing polyketide synthase genes. Conclusions: Marine sponges harbour a diverse population of Pseudovibrio spp., the majority of which demonstrate antimicrobial activity. The identification of several different antimicrobial activity spectra suggests that the Pseudovibrio isolates may produce a suite of antimicrobial compounds. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study in which an extended population of Pseudovibrio isolates from marine sponges has been analysed and establishes the little‐studied Pseudovibrio as a potentially important genus in the search for antimicrobial compounds of clinical relevance.     

南海东海岛沉积物分离细菌的鉴定及其抑菌活性

[背景] 海洋微生物在活性物质开发方面具有巨大的应用前景,而目前有关南海东海岛微生物的研究鲜少。[方法] 对从东海岛沉积物中分离纯化的海洋细菌,采用形态学观察、生理生化以及16S rRNA基因序列的系统发育分析方法进行鉴定;以大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）、枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）和金黄色葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus aureus）作为指示菌,测定其抑菌活性;对具有抑菌活性的菌株扩增聚酮合酶（Polyketide synthase I,PKSI）基因,并与已知的PKSI氨基酸序列比对;选择具有PKSI基因的代表菌株,检测菌株及其发酵抑菌物的稳定性。[结果] 分离纯化到25株海洋细菌,分属于不动杆菌属（Acinetobacter）、交替单胞菌属（Alteromonas）、芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）、嗜冷杆菌属（Psychrobacter）、假交替单胞菌属（Pseudo-alteromonas）、海洋单胞菌属（Oceanimonas）、葡萄球菌属（Staphylococcus）、微球菌属（Micrococcus）和海杆菌属（Marinobacter）。12株菌株通过基因筛选检测到PKSI编码基因,其中6株菌株具有抑菌活性和PKSI编码基因,并分属于芽孢杆菌属和交替单胞菌属;PKSI氨基酸序列同源性分析推测菌株DHD-15和DHD-a可能产生新的I型聚酮合酶结构。菌株DHD-15和DHD-L生长温度范围为15-40℃,可耐受10% NaCl高盐以及pH 3和pH 11的酸碱条件,但不耐高温;菌株DHD-15产生的抑菌物质可耐受100℃和pH 11的高温碱性条件,在50℃、pH 9条件下制备和室温保藏条件下抑菌活性较高,其稳定性较好。[结论] 南海东海岛沉积物筛选的细菌种具有抑菌活性,具有产聚酮类活性物质的潜力。     

中国南海部分深海沉积物真菌多样性及其抗菌活性

【目的】从南海4个站位的深海沉积物中分离真菌,揭示其多样性并测定抗菌活性。【方法】使用4种培养方法和8种培养基,从12个深海沉积物样本中分离培养真菌,通过菌落形态观察和ITS序列系统发育分析进行鉴定。采用滤纸片扩散法和生长速率法分别测试真菌小量发酵液粗浸膏的抗细菌和抗真菌活性。【结果】共分离到125株纯培养真菌,基于形态和ITS序列分析,排重后得到18个种类型,这些真菌可以划分到12个属,大多数属于子囊菌门(Ascomycota),只有2株属于担子菌门(Basidiomycota)。4个站位可培养真菌多样性具有差异性。抑菌活性筛选显示,大多数真菌具有较好的抑菌活性;链格孢属(Alternaria)、青霉属(Penicillium)、匐柄霉属(Stemphylium)这几个属的真菌表现出对多种指示细菌有抑制作用,尤其是Alternaria tenuissima DN09、Alternaria alternata DN14和Penicillium chrysogenum DN16对G~+和G~–细菌均表现出抑制作用。【结论】本研究揭示了南海深海沉积物可培养真菌多样性和抑菌活性,为进一步利用深海沉积物来源真菌奠定了基础。     

胶州湾沉积物可培养细菌的多样性及其抑菌活性

【目的】海洋微生物在活性物质开发方面具有巨大的应用前景。为了研究胶州湾微生物的多样性和抑菌活性,选取胶州湾9个观测站点的沉积物进行了细菌多样性及抑菌活性分析。【方法】采用YPD和Z2216E培养基分离细菌,通过16S r RNA基因测序对分离菌株进行分类鉴定,继而采用牛津杯法考察分离菌株对7株指示菌的抑菌活性,最后用PCR方法筛选16株代表菌的PKSI、NRPS、CYP、Phz E和d TGD基因。【结果】从胶州湾沉积物中共分离出76株细菌,通过对16S r RNA序列分析,将其归为8个科11个属:节杆菌属、考克氏菌属、微球菌属、微杆菌属、假交替单胞菌属、Oceanisphaera、海单胞菌属、葡萄球菌属、芽孢杆菌属、硫胺素芽孢杆菌属和短芽孢杆菌属,其中分离细菌中有34株至少对1种指示菌有抑菌活性。所选取的16株菌均能检测到一种功能基因,且其中5株菌能同时检测到3种以上的功能基因。【结论】以上研究表明胶州湾海域有丰富的微生物资源,在生物活性次级代谢产物合成上有较大潜力。     

草菇聚酮合酶编码基因vv-alb的克隆及其表达的初步分析

聚酮化合物（polyketides）是一类庞大的次级代谢家族,聚酮合酶（polyketide synthase,PKS）是介导聚酮化合物生物合成的关键酶。通过巢氏简并PCR与染色体步行的方法,获得了草菇中的编码PKS的基因vv-alb的全长序列,并通过荧光实时定量RT-PCR方法对vv-alb基因在草菇不同生长阶段与不同部位的表达情况进行了初步分析,为进一步研究PKS在草菇和其他食用真菌生物代谢过程中的作用奠定了一定的基础。     

Antimicrobial activity of marine bacteria associated with sponges from the waters off the coast of South East India

Seventy-five marine bacterial strains associated with four species of sponges (Echinodictyum sp., Spongia sp., Sigmadocia fibulatus and Mycale mannarensis) were isolated from the Tuticorin coast, Gulf of Mannar region. The agar-overlay method was used to screen for antibiotic production by these strains against four bacteria, viz., Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio harveyi and one fungal pathogen, viz., Candida albicans. Twenty-one per cent of the bacterial strains were found to be antibiotic producers and their activities ranged from broad spectral to species specific. A strain coded SC3 was found to be highly potent and was mass cultured. The ethyl acetate extract of the culture broth was further fractionated by reverse phase HPLC and the active fraction identified. In addition, SC3 was subjected to morphological and physiological characterization. The results of the tests showed SC3 to be a Gram-positive rod, sporulating, motile, catalase and oxidase positive. Phylogenetic analysis based on comparative analysis of sequenced 16s rRNA of the active strains indicated a preponderance of bacteria belonging to Vibrio and Bacillus genera with 95-99% sequence similarities. To our knowledge this is the first report on phylogenetic identification of antibiotic producing bacteria associated with sponges from Indian waters.     

南海南沙海域沉积物中可培养微生物及其多样性分析

【目的】为了从南沙海域中分离获得微生物菌种资源,【方法】本文通过沉积物采样、可培养菌分离及16S rRNA鉴定,【结果】从22个站点的沉积物样品中获得349株细菌,分属于87个种。发现产芽孢细菌分布最广,并在10个站点的分离株中占多数;它们是Bacillus,Halobacillus,Brevibacillus,Paenibacillus,Pontibacillus和Thalassobacillus。其中芽孢杆菌（Bacillus）无论在数量上还是种类上都最多,分别属于34种,其中有8个可能的新种。此外,g-Proteobacteria是分离率较高的另一亚群;其中,假单胞菌（Pseudomonas）,海杆菌（Marinobacter）,食烷菌（Alcanivorax）属的细菌最多。统计还发现,在深度750~2000 m之间,低GC含量的细菌最丰富,而深度2000 m以下,分离株则全部为g-Proteobacteria。【结论】南沙沉积物可培养微生物中产芽孢细菌及 g-Proteobacteria比较丰富;其中,产芽孢细菌的多样性最高,具有进一步研究开发价值。     

Cloning and characterization of a type III polyketide synthase from Aspergillus niger

Type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) are the condensing enzymes that catalyze the formation of a myriad of aromatic polyketides in plant, bacteria, and fungi. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a putative type III PKS from Aspergillusniger, AnPKS. This enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of alkyl pyrones from C2 to C18 starter CoA thioesters with malonyl-CoA as an extender CoA through decaboxylative condensation and cyclization. It displays broad substrate specificity toward fatty acyl-CoA starters to yield triketide and tetraketide pyrones, with benzoyl-CoA as the most preferred starter. The optimal temperature and pH of AnPKS are 50°C and 8, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the enzyme shows the highest catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of 7.4×10(5)s(-1)M(-1) toward benzoyl-CoA. Homology modeling and site-directed mutagenesis were used to probe the molecular basis of its substrate specificity. This study should open doors for further engineering of AnPKS as a biocatalyst for synthesis of value-added polyketides.     

Diversity of type I polyketide synthase genes in the wood-decay fungus Xylaria sp. BCC 1067

Fungal type I polyketide (PK) compounds are highly valuable for medical treatment and extremely diverse in structure, partly because of the enzymatic activities of reducing domains in polyketide synthases (PKSs). We have cloned several PKS genes from the fungus Xylaria sp. BCC 1067, which produces two polyketides: depudecin (reduced PK) and 19,20-epoxycytochalasin Q (PK-nonribosomal peptide (NRP) hybrid). Two new degenerate primer sets, KA-series and XKS, were designed to amplify reducing PKS and PKS-NRP synthetase hybrid genes, respectively. Five putative PKS genes were amplified in Xylaria using KA-series primers and two more with the XKS primers. All seven are predicted to encode proteins homologous to highly reduced (HR)-type PKSs. Previously designed primers in LC-, KS-, and MT-series identified four additional PKS gene fragments. Selected PKS fragments were used as probes to identify PKS genes from the genomic library of this fungus. Full-length sequences for five PKS genes were obtained: pks12, pks3, pksKA1, pksMT, and pksX1. They are structurally diverse with 1-9 putative introns and products ranging from 2162 to 3654 amino acids in length. The finding of 11 distinct PKS genes solely by means of PCR cloning supports that PKS genes are highly diverse in fungi. It also indicates that our KA-series primers can serve as powerful tools to reveal the genetic potential of fungi in production of multiple types of HR PKs, which the conventional compound screening could underestimate.     

Diversity and antibacterial activity of bacteria isolated from the coastal marine sponges Amphilectus fucorum and Eurypon major

Aims: To assess the diversity and antimicrobial activity of culturable bacteria associated with two temperate‐water marine sponges, Amphilectus fucorum and Eurypon major. Methods and Results: Sponge samples were collected in August 2008 and bacteria were cultured on several different media. The 16S rRNA gene of representative strains was sequenced to allow classification. It was found that Proteobacteria were the dominant group of bacteria cultured from both sponges, but overall, the bacterial composition was diverse and distinct between the sponges. The most notable features were the significantly higher proportion of firmicutes in E. major and the low frequency of actinobacteria in both sponges. Four bacterial isolates were identified as potentially novel species and will be characterised in future studies. Approximately 400 cultured bacteria were screened for antimicrobial activity against a collection of indicator strains, with only eight strains, all Pseudovibrio spp., displaying any such activity. These strains were active against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis but not Staphylococcus aureus or a selection of fungal strains. Conclusions: Diverse and distinct populations of culturable bacteria are present in the coastal sponges A. fucorum and E. major. Only a minority of isolates produce antibacterial metabolites in culture, but this activity is common in Pseudovibrio spp. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study illustrates the diversity of sponge‐associated bacteria and the need to increase our knowledge about the function of these symbiotic bacteria. The data suggest that production of antibacterial metabolites is restricted to a subset of species, with the majority involved in other functions. The importance of Pseudovibrio as a reservoir of antibacterial metabolites is also highlighted.     

青海湖裸鲤肠道乳酸菌多样性与抑菌活性

【目的】通过生理生化特性,结合16S r RNA基因序列分析研究青海湖裸鲤肠道乳酸菌分离株的多样性,并对这些代表株的抑菌活性进行初步探讨,以期筛选具有高效抑菌活性的鱼源益生菌。【方法】对分离的47株乳酸菌代表株进行p H、温度生长范围、耐盐性等生理生化特征检测,结合16S r RNA基因序列对已分离到的乳酸菌进行基因分型和菌种鉴定,采用牛津杯双层平板法检测乳酸菌代表株的抑菌活性。【结果】鉴定结果显示:23株为Lactobacillus fuchuensis(48.94%),12株为Lactobacillus curvatus(25.53%),3株为Leuconostoc fallax(6.38%),2株为Lactobacillus sakei(4.26%),2株为Weissella ceti(4.26%);2株为Lactococcus cremoris(4.26%),1株为Leuconostoc lactis(2.13%),1株为Weissella minor(2.13%),1株为Enterococcus devriesei(2.13%)。qz1217、qz1196、qz1220所在的A、B、C三组乳酸菌在5-50°C的温度范围内生长良好,qz1196、qz1220所在的B、C组在pH 3.0-10.0的范围内生长良好,几乎所有乳酸菌都具有耐6.5%盐浓度特性。13株乳酸菌菌株对6种病原菌都具有抑制作用。通过排除酸、过氧化氢实验,发现上清液仍然具有抑菌活性。对qz1251发酵液进行蛋白酶处理,抑菌活性消失,确定其抑菌物质属于蛋白类物质,是一种细菌素。【结论】青海湖裸鲤肠道附着乳酸菌的多样性为益生性乳酸菌的筛选提供优质资源及数据参考。     

Phylogenetic diversity and antimicrobial activities of bryozoan-associated bacteria isolated from Mediterranean and Baltic Sea habitats

To date, only a small number of investigations covering microbe–bryozoa associations have been carried out. Most of them have focused on a few bryozoan species and none have covered the antibacterial activities of associated bacteria. In the current study, the proportion and phylogenetic classification of Bryozoan-associated bacteria with antimicrobial properties were investigated. Twenty-one specimens of 14 different bryozoan species were collected from several sites in the Baltic and the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 340 associated bacteria were isolated, and 101 displayed antibiotic activities. While antibiosis was predominantly directed against Gram-positive test strains, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed affiliation of the isolates to Gram-negative classes (Flavobacteria, Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria). One isolate was related to the Gram-positive Actinobacteria. The sequences were grouped into 27 phylotypes on the basis of similarity values ≥99.5%. A host-specific affiliation was not revealed as members of the same phylotype were derived from different bryozoan species. Site-specific patterns, however, were demonstrated. Strains of the genera Sphingomonas and Alteromonas were exclusively isolated from Mediterranean sites, whereas Shewanella, Marinomonas and Vibrio-related isolates were only from Baltic sites. Although Pseudoalteromonas affiliated strains were found in both habitats, they were separated into respective phylotypes. Isolates with 16S rDNA similarity values <98%, which could possibly represent new species, belonged to the genera Shewanella, Pseudoalteromonas and Tenacibaculum.     

Unusual intron in the second exon of a Type III polyketide synthase gene of Alpinia calcarata Rosc

Plant phenolic compounds form a valuable resource of secondary metabolites having a broad spectrum of biological activities. Type III polyketide synthases play a key role in the formation of basic structural skeleton of the phenolic compounds. As a group of medicinal plants, PKSs with novel features are expected in the genome of Zingiberaceae. The genomic exploration of PKS in Alpinia calcarata conducted in this study identified the presence of an unusual intron at the region forming the second exon of typical PKSs, forming a gateway information of distribution of novel PKSs in Zingiberaceae.     

Cross-species induction of antibacterial activity produced by epibiotic bacteria isolated from Indian marine sponge Pseudoceratina purpurea

Four antibiotic producing bacteria were isolated from the surface of the marine sponge Pseudoceratina purpurea and exposed to living cells of two human pathogenic bacteria as well as some marine fouling bacteria to induce the production of antimicrobial activity. Experimental results showed that these four marine epibiotic bacteria enhanced their antibacterial production, when exposed to these test strains. The highest induction was exhibited by the sponge isolate PS79 against fouling bacterium FB-9 (from 3 mm to 7 mm inhibition zone). All the four strains were induced and showed increased activity specifically against the challenged pathogenic or fouling bacteria tested. Specific induction by these species suggests that the induction might be attributed to the response to the chemical signals received from potential challenger strains.     

宁夏枸杞内生细菌的多样性及其抑菌活性研究

【目的】对宁夏枸杞各药用部位内生细菌的分布特征、遗传多样性和抑菌活性进行分析。【方法】采用菌落计数和16S rRNA基因序列分析法研究枸杞内生细菌的分布特征、遗传多样性,采用琼脂扩散法测定其抑菌活性。【结果】从各药用组织器官中分离出内生细菌34株,隶属于7科11属,内生细菌的数量和群落组成存在明显的组织特异性,其数量表现为根皮>叶>花>果实,而多样性则表现为花>根皮>叶>果实。芽孢杆菌属为枸杞优势内生菌群,分布于所有组织中;抑菌实验结果表明有76.5%的内生菌对一种或多种病原菌的生长有抑制作用,芽孢杆菌属菌株R2、R7、L3和短波单胞菌属的R3拮抗番茄炭疽杆菌和玉米大斑病菌的能力较强,而多数菌株对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制能力较弱。【结论】枸杞可培养内生细菌遗传多样性丰富,对植物病原菌有较强的抑制活性。     

Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of bacteria with antimicrobial activities from the Mediterranean sponges Aplysina aerophoba and Aplysina cavernicola

The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria with antimicrobial activities from the marine sponges Aplysina aerophoba and Aplysina cavernicola. The obtained 27 isolates could be subdivided into eight phylogenetically different clusters based on comparative sequence analysis of their 16S rDNA genes. The sponge isolates were affiliated with the low (Bacillus) and high G+C Gram-positive bacteria (Arthobacter, Micrococcus), as well as the alpha-Proteobacteria (unknown isolate) and gamma-Proteobacteria (Vibrio, Pseudoalteromonas). One novel Bacillus species was identified and two species were closely related to previously uncharacterized strains. Isolates with antimicrobial activity were numerically most abundant in the genera Pseudoalteromonas and the alpha-Proteobacteria. The sponge isolates show antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative reference strains but not against the fungus Candida albicans. A general pattern was observed in that Gram-positive bacteria inhibited Gram-positive strains while Gram-negative bacteria inhibited Gram-negative isolates. Antimicrobial activities were also found against clinical isolates, i.e. multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from hospital patients. The high recovery of strains with antimicrobial activity suggests that marine sponges represent an ecological niche which harbors a hitherto largely uncharacterized microbial diversity and, concomitantly, a yet untapped metabolic potential.