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Metagenome to phenome approach enables isolation and genomics characterization of Kalamiella piersonii gen. nov., sp. nov. from the International Space Station. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:4483-4497. [PMID: 31011775 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09813-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Several evolutionarily distinct, near full-length draft metagenome-resolved genomes (MRG), were assembled from sequences recovered from the International Space Station (ISS) environments. The retrieval of MRGs facilitated the exploration of a large collection of archived strains (~ 500 isolates) and assisted in isolating seven related strains. The whole genome sequences (WGS) of seven ISS strains exhibited 100% identity to the 4.85 × 106 bp of four MRGs. The "metagenome to phenome" approach led to the description of a novel bacterial genus from the ISS samples. The phylogenomics and traditional taxonomic approaches suggested that these seven ISS strains and four MRGs were not phylogenetically affiliated to any validly described genera of the family Erwiniaceae, but belong to a novel genus with the proposed name Kalamiella. Comparative genomic analyses of Kalamiella piersonii strains and MRGs showed genes associated with carbohydrate (348 genes), amino acid (384), RNA (59), and protein (214) metabolisms; membrane transport systems (108), pathways for biosynthesis of cofactors, vitamins, prosthetic groups, and pigments (179); as well as mechanisms for virulence, disease, and defense (50). Even though Kalamiella genome annotation and disc diffusion tests revealed multidrug resistance, the PathogenFinder algorithm predicted that K. piersonii strains are not human pathogens. This approach to isolating microbes allows for the characterization of functional pathways and their potential virulence properties that can directly affect human health. The isolation of novel strains from the ISS has broad applications in microbiology, not only because of concern for astronaut health but it might have a great potential for biotechnological relevance. The metagenome to phenome approach will help to improve our understanding of complex metabolic networks that control fundamental life processes under microgravity and in deep space.
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Checinska Sielaff A, Urbaniak C, Mohan GBM, Stepanov VG, Tran Q, Wood JM, Minich J, McDonald D, Mayer T, Knight R, Karouia F, Fox GE, Venkateswaran K. Characterization of the total and viable bacterial and fungal communities associated with the International Space Station surfaces. MICROBIOME 2019; 7:50. [PMID: 30955503 PMCID: PMC6452512 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0666-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The International Space Station (ISS) is a closed system inhabited by microorganisms originating from life support systems, cargo, and crew that are exposed to unique selective pressures such as microgravity. To date, mandatory microbial monitoring and observational studies of spacecraft and space stations have been conducted by traditional culture methods, although it is known that many microbes cannot be cultured with standard techniques. To fully appreciate the true number and diversity of microbes that survive in the ISS, molecular and culture-based methods were used to assess microbial communities on ISS surfaces. Samples were taken at eight pre-defined locations during three flight missions spanning 14 months and analyzed upon return to Earth. RESULTS The cultivable bacterial and fungal population ranged from 104 to 109 CFU/m2 depending on location and consisted of various bacterial (Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria) and fungal (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) phyla. Amplicon sequencing detected more bacterial phyla when compared to the culture-based analyses, but both methods identified similar numbers of fungal phyla. Changes in bacterial and fungal load (by culture and qPCR) were observed over time but not across locations. Bacterial community composition changed over time, but not across locations, while fungal community remained the same between samplings and locations. There were no significant differences in community composition and richness after propidium monoazide sample treatment, suggesting that the analyzed DNA was extracted from intact/viable organisms. Moreover, approximately 46% of intact/viable bacteria and 40% of intact/viable fungi could be cultured. CONCLUSIONS The results reveal a diverse population of bacteria and fungi on ISS environmental surfaces that changed over time but remained similar between locations. The dominant organisms are associated with the human microbiome and may include opportunistic pathogens. This study provides the first comprehensive catalog of both total and intact/viable bacteria and fungi found on surfaces in closed space systems and can be used to help develop safety measures that meet NASA requirements for deep space human habitation. The results of this study can have significant impact on our understanding of other confined built environments on the Earth such as clean rooms used in the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Checinska Sielaff
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group,, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Washington State University Extension - Youth and Families Program Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group,, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group,, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Victor G Stepanov
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Quyen Tran
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason M Wood
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group,, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jeremiah Minich
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel McDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Teresa Mayer
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group,, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fathi Karouia
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Bioscience Division, Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Research Center, Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - George E Fox
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group,, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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