Evidence for phylogenetic congruence among sulfur-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacterial endosymbionts and their bivalve hosts

Sulfur-oxidizing chemoautotrophic (thioautotrophic) bacteria are now known to occur as endosymbionts in phylogenetically diverse bivalve hosts found in a wide variety of marine environments. The evolutionary origins of these symbioses, however, have remained obscure. Comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis was used to investigate whether thioautotrophic endosymbionts are monophyletic or polyphyletic in origin and to assess whether phylogenetic relationships inferred among these symbionts reflect those inferred among their hosts. 16S rRNA gene sequences determined for endosymbionts from nine newly examined bivalve species from three families (Vesicomyidae, Lucinidae, and Solemyidae) were compared with previously published 16S rRNA sequences of thioautotrophic symbionts and free-living bacteria. Distance and parsimony methods were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among these bacteria. All newly examined symbionts fall within the gamma subdivision of the Proteobacteria, in clusters containing previously examined symbiotic thioautotrophs. The closest free-living relatives of these symbionts are bacteria of the genus Thiomicrospira. Symbionts of the bivalve superfamily Lucinacea and the family Vesicomyidae each form distinct monophyletic lineages which are strongly supported by bootstrap analysis, demonstrating that host phylogenies inferred from morphological and fossil evidence are congruent with phylogenies inferred for their respective symbionts by molecular sequence analysis. The observed congruence between host and symbiont phylogenies indicates shared evolutionary history of hosts and symbiont lineages and suggests an ancient origin for these symbioses. Correspondence to: D.L. Distel     

Enhanced thermotolerance by hydrostatic pressure in the deep-sea hyperthermophile Pyrococcus strain ES4

Abstract: The combined effect of hydrostatic pressure and heat shock on thermotolerance was examined in the deep-sea hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus strain ES4. Pressure equivalent to the depth of isolation (22 MPa) enhanced ES4's survival at super-optimal temperatures (101–108°C) relative to low pressure (3 MPa). Pressure also raised the temperature at which a putative heat-shock protein (98 kDa) accumulated. ES4 grown at 95°C and 3 MPa displayed immediate enhanced thermotolerance to 105°C after being shifted to 22 MPa. Cultures grown at 95°C and 22 MPa and then heat shocked at 105°C and 3 MPa retained enhanced thermotolerance after decompression. These results suggest that this deep-sea hyperthermophile has developed pressure-induced responses that include increased survival to hyperthermal conditions.     

Bioresistance of poplar wood compressed by combined hydro-thermo-mechanical wood modification (CHTM): Soft rot and brown-rot

This work studied fungal bioresistance of combined hydro-thermo-mechanically modified (CHTM) poplar wood. The CHTM technique, introduced by Mohebby et al. (2009), is a combination of two wood modification techniques-hydrothermal wood modification and densification of wood. Blocks of poplar wood were initially treated hydrothermally at temperatures of 120, 150, and 180 °C for holding times of 0, 30, and 90 min. Afterwards, the treated blocks were compressed by a hot press (160 and 180 °C) for 20 min with a compression set of 60%. After the CHTM-treated blocks were dried, small specimens were cut for soft-rot and brown-rot decay tests according to ENV 807 and EN 113. Mass losses as well as metabolic moisture contents were determined in the decayed samples. Results revealed that the combination of wood modification techniques showed fungal suppression. It was also found that the hydrothermal treatment step could significantly reduce fungal attack in comparison with densification. Reduction of the mass losses was associated with the hydrothermal treatment temperature. Also, the level of metabolic moisture content was correlated with the mass losses for both fungi. Any reduction of the mass loss decreased the moisture content in the wood.     

Thermococcus siculi sp. nov., a novel hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Mid-Okinawa Trough

A novel coccoid-shaped, hyperthermophilic, anaerobic archaeon, strain RG-20, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent fluid sample taken at 1394-m depth at the Mid-Okinawa Trough (27°32.7′N, 126°58.5′E). Cells of this isolate occur singly or in pairs and are about 0.8 to 2 μm in diameter. Growth was observed at temperatures between 50° and 93°C, with an optimum at 85°C. The pH range for growth is 5.0–9.0, with an optimum around 7.0. Strain RG-20 requires 1%–4% of NaCl for growth, and cell lysis occurs at concentrations below 1%. The newly isolated strain grows preferentially in the presence of elemental sulfur on proteinaceous substrates such as yeast extract, peptone, or tryptone, and no growth was observed on carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, alcohols, or lipids. This microorganism is resistant to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and kanamycin at concentrations up to 150 μg/ml, but is susceptible to rifampicin. Analysis of the hydrolyzed core lipids by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of archaeol and caldarchaeol. The mol% G+C content of the DNA is 55.8. Partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA indicates that strain RG-20 belongs to the genus Thermococcus. Considering these data and on the basis of the results from DNA-DNA hybridization studies, we propose that this strain should be classified as a new species named Thermococcus siculi (si′cu.li. L. gen. n. siculi, of the deep-sea [siculum, deep-sea in literature of Ovid], referring to the location of the sample site, a deep-sea hydrothermal vent). The type strain is isolate RG-20 (DSM No. 12349). Received: May 11, 1998 / Accepted: July 24, 1998     

High incidence of halotolerant bacteria in Pacific hydrothermal-vent and pelagic environments

The abundance of halotolerant microorganisms in hydrothermal-vent and pelagic waters in the North and South Pacific was estimated by the most probable number (MPN) technique using a heterotrophic 16% NaCl medium incubated at 20-24 degrees C. Based on these MPNs and direct counts with epifluorescence microscopy to enumerate the total microbial population, salt-tolerant microbes comprised from <0.01 to >28% of the total microbial community. Fourteen isolates from these MPN enrichments were identified by sequencing a portion of the 16S rRNA gene, and all were found to belong to the genera Halomonas and Marinobacter. The response to salt of mesophilic hydrothermal-vent microbial isolates obtained without selecting for salt tolerance was also examined. Forty-one of 65 strains cultured from hydrothermal plume waters, low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, sulfide rock and an animal specimen at approximately 2000-2200 m depth from the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge were subjected to increasing concentrations of NaCl, and over half grew at a NaCl concentration that is lethal to many commonly isolated marine bacteria. At least 36 of the 65 isolates (>/=55%) grew in the enrichment medium supplemented with 10% NaCl; at least 30 of 65 (>/=46%) grew with 16% NaCl; at least 20 of 65 (>/=31%) tolerated 22% NaCl. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene in nine of these 65 isolates, four belonged to the genus Halomonas. These Halomonas strains tolerated 22-27% NaCl. It is possible that a majority of the other 16 isolates which grew with 22% NaCl are also Halomonas based on their degree of halotolerance, morphology, and apparent abundance as revealed by MPN enrichments. The four Halomonas strains obtained without selecting for halotolerance were further characterized physiologically and metabolically. Overall, they grew between -1 degrees C and 40 degrees C, were facultative aerobes, oxidized between 49 and 70 organic compounds according to Biolog plate substrate utilization matrices, grew with oligotrophic quantities of carbon (0.002% yeast extract) in liquid media, reduced nitrate to nitrite, and tolerated up to 0.05-3 mM Cd(2+). Halomonas is one of the most abundant culturable organisms in the ocean, and its success may be attributed to its metabolic and physiological versatility.     

New photoluminescence coordination polymers constructed from different ligands, which are generated from maleic acid at hydrothermal conditions

A new coordination polymer, [Zn₂(mal)(1,10-phen)Cl]_n (1), (mal = malate, 1,10-phenanthroline), has been synthesized with malic acid and fumaric acid which are generated from maleic acid under hydrothermal reactions. At about the same condition, we get [Cd(fma)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]_n (2) (fma = fumarate, 2,2′-bpy=2, 2′-bipyridine). The diverse products illustrate that the carbon-carbon doublebond of the maleic acid has two kinds of reaction trends under different conditions. Complex 1, which displays a two-dimensional (4, 8) lattice-type network, is formed from Zn and maleic through the addition reaction with water molecule. If the Zn is changed by Cd, at the same reaction condition with 1, a two-dimensional supramolecular network complex 2 is formed through the conformation transform reaction. To our knowledge, a lot of coordination polymers have been constructed from malic acid and fumaric acid directly; however, these kinds of complexes have seldom been synthesized from maleic acid under hydrothermal reaction. As is known, the rigid carbon-carbon double bond makes maleic acid lead to some unique structural features which the saturated aliphatic acid does not possess. To illustrate this clearly, a simple one dimensional complex 3, [Cd(glut)(1,10-phen)(H₂O)]_n (glut = glutarate), is synthesized. Furthermore, complex 1 and complex 3 exhibit intense photoluminescent property at room temperature.     

Structural characterization of several cadmium halides with N-donor ligands

Five cadmium halides with N-donor ligands were synthesized under the hydrothermal conditions and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The isostructural [CdX₂(2,2′-bpy)] (X = I 1, Br 2, bpy = bipyridine) (1) possess 3-D supramolecular network structures based on 1-D zigzag-type CdX₂ chains extended by bpy molecules via non-covalent C-H?X hydrogen-bonded interactions. The 3-D porous [CdBr₂(pip)] (pip = piperazine) (3) is formed through a linkage of 1-D zigzag-type CdBr₂ chains by pip bridges. The heteronuclear dimetal-iodo cluster [Cu(phen)₂CdI₄] (phen = phenanthroline) (4) consists of a trigonal bipyramidal Cu(II) center and a tetrahedral Cd(II) center linked by a μ₂-I bridge. The ionic [Co(dien)₂][CdI₄] (dien = diethylenetriamine) (5) comprises an octahedral cation and a tetrahedral anion.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a new 1-D polymeric lanthanum ethylenediaminetetraacetate with less metal-aqua coordination: {[La(EDTA)(H2O)]2}n

A new lanthanum ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) coordination polymer, {[La(EDTA)(H₂O)]₂}_n (EDTA³⁻ = [(CH₂N)₂(CH₂COOH)(CH₂COO⁻)₃]), was hydrothermally prepared from LaCl₃ solution and ethylenediaminetetracetic acid at 448 K. The compound was characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, TG-DTA, and X-ray crystallography. The structure consists of ladder-like chains of [La(EDTA)(H₂O)]₂ dimers bridged by O-C-O groups. Hydrothermal method successfully reduced the high number of La-aqua coordinations in known lanthanum EDTA to one giving rise to relatively compact structure. It has high thermal stability up to 550 K. Every EDTA ligand with COOH group is involved in eight La-O(N) bonds to three nine-coordinated La centers.     

Magnetic investigation of two helical frameworks derived from mixed ligands

Although the 2,2′-biphenyldicarboxylate ligand (2,2′-dpa) has been widely used to construct metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with helical sub-structure, the effect of the helical arrangement of spin carriers on the magnetic properties remains rarely scarce. In this article, two unique magnetic metal-organic supramolecular frameworks with different structural features, [Cu₂(dpa)₂(H₂O)₂(4,4′-dpdo)_0.5]_n (1) and [Ni(H₂O)₄(dpa)] · (4,4′-dpdo)(H₂O) (2) (dpdo = 4,4′-dipyridine-N,N′-dioxide), have been isolated from the direct reaction of H₂dpa with their corresponding salts in the presence of dpdo. In complex 1, the Cu-dpa double-helical chains, which are bridged by long flexible μ₂-dpdo ligands to give rise to a regular 6³ covalent layer, exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling interactions. Whereas the 1D [Ni(dpa)]_n helical chains in complex 2 exhibit weak antiferromagnetic coupling interactions. Rich hydrogen bonds between perpendicular 1D [Ni(dpa)]_n helical chains and quasi-1D (dpdo)_n chains result in an intricate 3D supramolecular network.