Identification of a Novel Class of Membrane-Bound [NiFe]-Hydrogenases in Thermococcus onnurineus NA1 by In Silico Analysis

In silico analysis of group 4 [NiFe]-hydrogenases from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus onnurineus NA1, revealed a novel tripartite gene cluster consisting of dehydrogenase-hydrogenase-cation/proton antiporter subunits, which may be classified as the new subgroup 4b of [NiFe]-hydrogenases-based on sequence motifs.Hydrogenases are the key enzymes involved in the metabolism of H₂, catalyzing the following chemical reaction: 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ ↔ H₂. Hydrogenases can be classified into [NiFe]-hydrogenases, [FeFe]-hydrogenases, and [Fe]-hydrogenases, based on their distinctive functional core containing the catalytic metal center (11, 17).The genomic analysis of Thermococcus onnurineus NA1, a hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent area, revealed the presence of several distinct gene clusters encoding seven [NiFe]-hydrogenases and one homolog similar to Mbx (membrane-bound oxidoreductase) from Pyrococcus furiosus (1, 6, 8, 12). According to the classification system of hydrogenases by Vignais et al. (17), three hydrogenases (one F₄₂₀-reducing and two NADP-reducing hydrogenases) belong to group 3 [NiFe]-hydrogenases, and four hydrogenases belong to group 4 [NiFe]-hydrogenases. The group 4 hydrogenases are widely distributed among bacteria and archaea (17), with Hyc and Hyf (hydrogenase 3 and 4, respectively) from Escherichia coli (19), Coo (CO-induced hydrogenase) from Rhodospirillum rubrum (4), Ech (energy-converting hydrogenase) from Methanosarcina barkeri (7), and Mbh (membrane-bound hydrogenase) from P. furiosus (6, 10, 12) being relatively well-characterized hydrogenases in this group. One of the four group 4 hydrogenases from T. onnurineus NA1 was found to be similar in sequence to that of P. furiosus Mbh (10).     

Darwins geschlechtliche Zuchtwahl und ihre arterhaltende Bedeutung

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Analysis of the complete genome of Fervidococcus fontis confirms the distinct phylogenetic position of the order Fervidicoccales and suggests its environmental function

The complete genome of the obligately anaerobic crenarchaeote Fervidicoccus fontis Kam940^T, a terrestrial hot spring inhabitant with a growth optimum of 65–70 °C, has been sequenced and analyzed. The small 1.3-Mb genome encodes several extracellular proteases and no other extracellular hydrolases. No complete pathways of carbohydrate catabolism were found. Genes coding for enzymes necessary for amino acid transamination and further oxidative decarboxylation are present. The genome encodes no mechanisms of acyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA oxidation. Two [NiFe]-hydrogenases are encoded: a membrane-bound energy-converting hydrogenase and a cytoplasmic one. The ATP-synthase is H⁺-dependent as inferred from the amino acid sequence of the membrane rotor subunit. On the whole, genome analysis shows F. fontis to be a peptidolytic heterotroph with a restricted biosynthetic potential, which is in accordance with its phenotypic properties. The analysis of phylogenetic markers and of the distribution of best blastp hits of F. fontis proteins in the available genomes of Crenarchaeota supports distinct phylogenetic position of the order Fervidicoccales as a separate lineage adjoining the heterogeneous order Desulfurococcales. In addition, certain F. fontis genomic features correlate with its adaptation to temperatures of 60–80 °C, which are lower than temperatures preferred by Desulfurococcales.     

A new anaerobic bacterium,forming up to five endospores per cell —Anaerobacter polyendosporus gen. et spec. nov.

An obligately anaerobic sporeforming bacterium assigned to a new genus and species Anaerobacter polyendosporus gen. et spec. nov. is described. Characteristic features distinguishing the bacterium from known anaerobic sporeformers were variable cell shape, including spherical, the ability to form up to five endospores per cell, diffusive distribution of reserve polysaccharide throughout the cytoplasm, independence from growth factors. The eubacterial nature of the organism was revealed by its sensitivity to 1 mg/l of streptomycin, rifampicin, penicillin and to lysozyme. It belonged to Firmicutes by the type of cell wall structure. The cell wall consisted of one layer; the outer membrane was absent. The cells were not motile. The spores were spherical or oval, heat-resistant, contained dipicolinic acid and had typical endospore structure. Cortex, coats, spore coare, and in most cases exosporium could be distinguished. The bacterium fermented carbohydrates, but not amino acids. The products of fermentation included ethanol, acetate, lactate, butyrate, butanol, H₂ and CO₂. Sulfate or nitrate could not be used as electron acceptors, but nitrite was reduced to NH ₄ ⁺ in a dissimilatory process. The bacterium was capable of fixing N₂. The G + C content of the DNA was 29 mol %. The bacterium was isolated from meadow-gley soil.     

Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy in Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus Pallas, 1771)

Russian Journal of Genetics - The population features of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of P. ridibundus Pallas, 1771 and related species of green frogs from Nizhny Novgorod and Sverdlovsk...     

Radioisotopic, culture-based, and oligonucleotide microchip analyses of thermophilic microbial communities in a continental high-temperature petroleum reservoir

Activity measurements by radioisotopic methods and cultural and molecular approaches were used in parallel to investigate the microbial biodiversity and its physiological potential in formation waters of the Samotlor high-temperature oil reservoir (Western Siberia, Russia). Sulfate reduction with rates not exceeding 20 nmol of H(2)S liter(-1) day(-1) occurred at 60 and 80 degrees C. In upper horizons (AB, A, and B), methanogenesis (lithotrophic and/or acetoclastic) was detected only in wells in which sulfate reduction did not occur. In some of the wells from deeper (J) horizons, high-temperature sulfate reduction and methanogenesis occurred simultaneously, the rate of lithotrophic methanogenesis exceeding 80 nmol of CH(4) liter(-1) day(-1). Enrichment cultures indicated the presence of diverse physiological groups representing aerobic and anaerobic thermophiles and hyperthermophiles; fermentative organotrophs were predominant. Phylogenetic analyses of 15 isolates identified representatives of the genera Thermotoga, Thermoanaerobacter, Geobacillus, Petrotoga, Thermosipho, and Thermococcus, the latter four being represented by new species. Except for Thermosipho, the isolates were members of genera recovered earlier from similar habitats. DNA obtained from three samples was hybridized with a set of oligonucleotide probes targeting selected microbial groups encompassing key genera of thermophilic bacteria and archaea. Oligonucleotide microchip analyses confirmed the cultural data but also revealed the presence of several groups of microorganisms that escaped cultivation, among them representatives of the Aquificales/Desulfurobacterium-Thermovibrio cluster and of the genera Desulfurococcus and Thermus, up to now unknown in this habitat. The unexpected presence of these organisms suggests that their distribution may be much wider than suspected.     

Oligonucleotide Probes for the Detection of Representatives of the Genus Thermoanaerobacter

Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences, oligonucleotide probes were designed for the detection of representatives of the genus Thermoanaerobacter. To increase the specificity of detection, the genus Thermoanaerobacter was divided into three groups. The probe Tab 827 (5"-GCTTCCGCDYCCCACACCTA-3") detected all known representatives of the genus Thermoanaerobacter; the probe Tab_1 844 (5"-TTAACTACGGCACGRAATGCTTC-3") was specific for the first group of species of the genus (T. wiegelii, T. siderophilus, T. sulfurophilus, T. brockii, T. kivui, T. ethanolicus, T. acetoethylicus, and T. thermohydrosulfuricus); the probe Tab_2 424 (5"-CACTAMYGGGGTTTACAACC-3") targeted the second group (T. thermocopriae, T. mathranii, and T. italicus); and the probe Tab_3 184 (5"-TCCTCCATCAGGATGCCCTA-3") was specific for the third group (T. tengcongensis, T. yonseiensis, T. subterraneus, and Carboxydibrachium pacificum, an organism related to the genus Thermoanaerobacter according to its 16S rRNA sequence). The oligonucleotide probes were labeled with Dig-11-dUTP. Hybridization with the probes showed the affiliation with Thermoanaerobacter of several pure cultures that were morphologically similar to representatives of this genus but possessed metabolic features unusual for it (capacity for agarose hydrolysis, anaerobic oxidation of CO, growth at low pH values) or were isolated from habitats previously unknown for Thermoanaerobacter (deep-sea hydrothermal vents).     

PCR-based identification of hyperthermophilic archaea of the family Thermococcaceae

A method for rapid detection and identification of hyperthermophilic archaea of the family Thermococcaceae based on PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments with primers TcPc 173F (5'-TCCCCCATAGGYCTGRGGTACTGGAAGGTC-3') and TcPc 589R (5'-GCCGTGRGATTTCGCCAGGGACTTACGGGC-3') was developed and used for identification of new isolates.