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Kaur J, Kaur J, Nigam A. Extremophiles in Space Exploration. Indian J Microbiol 2024; 64:418-428. [PMID: 39010991 PMCID: PMC11246395 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01297-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In the era of deep space exploration, extremophile research represents a key area of research w.r.t space survival. This review thus delves into the intriguing realm of 'Space and Astro Microbiology', providing insights into microbial survival, resilience, and behavioral adaptations in space-like environments. This discussion encompasses the modified behavior of extremophilic microorganisms, influencing virulence, stress resistance, and gene expression. It then shifts to recent studies on the International Space Station and simulated microgravity, revealing microbial responses that impact drug susceptibility, antibiotic resistance, and its commercial implications. The review then transitions into Astro microbiology, exploring the possibilities of interplanetary transit, lithopanspermia, and terraforming. Debates on life's origin and recent Martian meteorite discoveries are noted. We also discuss Proactive Inoculation Protocols for selecting adaptable microorganisms as terraforming pioneers. The discussion concludes with a note on microbes' role as bioengineers in bioregenerative life support systems, in recycling organic waste for sustainable space travel; and in promoting optimal plant growth to prepare Martian and lunar basalt. This piece emphasizes the transformative impact of microbes on the future of space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasvinder Kaur
- Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi, 110 049 India
| | - Jaspreet Kaur
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 021 India
| | - Aeshna Nigam
- Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 027 India
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2
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Wang J, Wang T, Zeng X, Wang S, Yu Z, Wei Y, Cai M, Chu XY, Chen YZ, Zhao Y. Database of space life investigations and bioinformatics of microbiology in extreme environments. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1017773. [PMID: 36406421 PMCID: PMC9668873 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1017773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological experiments performed in space crafts like space stations, space shuttles, and recoverable satellites has enabled extensive spaceflight life investigations (SLIs). In particular, SLIs have revealed distinguished space effects on microbial growth, survival, metabolite production, biofilm formation, virulence development and drug resistant mutations. These provide unique perspectives to ground-based microbiology and new opportunities for industrial pharmaceutical and metabolite productions. SLIs are with specialized experimental setups, analysis methods and research outcomes, which can be accessed by established databases National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Life Science Data Archive, Erasmus Experiment Archive, and NASA GeneLab. The increasing research across diverse fields may be better facilitated by databases of convenient search facilities and categorized presentation of comprehensive contents. We therefore developed the Space Life Investigation Database (SpaceLID) http://bidd.group/spacelid/, which collected SLIs from published academic papers. Currently, this database provides detailed menu search facilities and categorized contents about the studied phenomena, materials, experimental procedures, analysis methods, and research outcomes of 448 SLIs of 90 species (microbial, plant, animal, human), 81 foods and 106 pharmaceuticals, including 232 SLIs not covered by the established databases. The potential applications of SpaceLID are illustrated by the examples of published experimental design and bioinformatic analysis of spaceflight microbial phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyong Wang
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xian Zeng
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zijie Yu
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yiqi Wei
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Mengna Cai
- Institute of Civil Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Yi Chu
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yu Zong Chen
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yufen Zhao
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- The Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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3
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Sharma G, Curtis PD. The Impacts of Microgravity on Bacterial Metabolism. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:774. [PMID: 35743807 PMCID: PMC9225508 DOI: 10.3390/life12060774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The inside of a space-faring vehicle provides a set of conditions unlike anything experienced by bacteria on Earth. The low-shear, diffusion-limited microenvironment with accompanying high levels of ionizing radiation create high stress in bacterial cells, and results in many physiological adaptations. This review gives an overview of the effect spaceflight in general, and real or simulated microgravity in particular, has on primary and secondary metabolism. Some broad trends in primary metabolic responses can be identified. These include increases in carbohydrate metabolism, changes in carbon substrate utilization range, and changes in amino acid metabolism that reflect increased oxidative stress. However, another important trend is that there is no universal bacterial response to microgravity, as different bacteria often have contradictory responses to the same stress. This is exemplified in many of the observed secondary metabolite responses where secondary metabolites may have increased, decreased, or unchanged production in microgravity. Different secondary metabolites in the same organism can even show drastically different production responses. Microgravity can also impact the production profile and localization of secondary metabolites. The inconsistency of bacterial responses to real or simulated microgravity underscores the importance of further research in this area to better understand how microbes can impact the people and systems aboard spacecraft.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick D. Curtis
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA;
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Liu X, Ma J, Yang C, Wang L, Tang J. The toxicity effects of nano/microplastics on an antibiotic producing strain - Streptomyces coelicolor M145. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142804. [PMID: 33131862 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effects of nano/microplastics on microorganisms are still unclear. In this study, Streptomyces coelicolor (S. coelicolor) M145 was selected to study the toxicity and mechanism of nano/microplastics (20 nm, 100 nm, 1 μm and 1 mm) at concentration of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L on microorganisms. Results showed that the cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, permeability, and antibiotic production of M145 cells changed significantly after the addition of nano/microplastics, and the trends were size and concentration dependent. After M145 was exposed to 10 mg/L of 20 nm nanoplastics, its fatality rate was 64.8%, which was the highest among the particle size of 20 nm to 1 mm at a concentration of 0.1-10 mg/L. And the ROS level and cell permeability also reached their highest values, which was about 2.7 folds and 2.2 folds of control, respectively. After this treatment, the maximum yields of actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin were 6.7 and 5.3 mg/L, respectively. Transcriptome analysis indicated that nanoplastics could inhibit the transport capacity, primary metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation of M145, and that the inhibition extend was negatively related to the particle size. Moreover, the toxicity of microplastics to M145 was significantly less than that of nanoplastics. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the toxicity of nano/microplastics on microorganisms in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingkang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chengliang Yang
- BCIG Environmental Remediation Co., Ltd, Tianjin 300042, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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5
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Simões MF, Antunes A. Microbial Pathogenicity in Space. Pathogens 2021; 10:450. [PMID: 33918768 PMCID: PMC8069885 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
After a less dynamic period, space exploration is now booming. There has been a sharp increase in the number of current missions and also of those being planned for the near future. Microorganisms will be an inevitable component of these missions, mostly because they hitchhike, either attached to space technology, like spaceships or spacesuits, to organic matter and even to us (human microbiome), or to other life forms we carry on our missions. Basically, we never travel alone. Therefore, we need to have a clear understanding of how dangerous our "travel buddies" can be; given that, during space missions, our access to medical assistance and medical drugs will be very limited. Do we explore space together with pathogenic microorganisms? Do our hitchhikers adapt to the space conditions, as well as we do? Do they become pathogenic during that adaptation process? The current review intends to better clarify these questions in order to facilitate future activities in space. More technological advances are needed to guarantee the success of all missions and assure the reduction of any possible health and environmental risks for the astronauts and for the locations being explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Filipa Simões
- State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences (SKLPlanets), Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China;
- China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macau Center for Space Exploration and Science, Macau, China
| | - André Antunes
- State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences (SKLPlanets), Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China;
- China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macau Center for Space Exploration and Science, Macau, China
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6
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Growth and Antifungal Resistance of the Pathogenic Yeast, Candida Albicans, in the Microgravity Environment of the International Space Station: An Aggregate of Multiple Flight Experiences. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040283. [PMID: 33801697 PMCID: PMC8067245 DOI: 10.3390/life11040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This report was designed to compare spaceflight-induced cellular and physiological adaptations of Candida albicans cultured in microgravity on the International Space Station across several payloads. C. albicans is a common opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for a variety of superficial infections as well as systemic and more severe infections in humans. Cumulatively, the propensity of this organism to be widespread through the population, the ability to produce disease in immunocompromised individuals, and the tendency to respond to environmental stress with characteristics associated with increased virulence, require a better understanding of the yeast response to microgravity for spaceflight crew safety. As such, the responses of this yeast cultivated during several missions using two in-flight culture bioreactors were analyzed and compared herein. In general, C. albicans had a slightly shorter generation time and higher growth propensity in microgravity as compared to terrestrial controls. Rates of cell filamentation differed between bioreactors, but were low and not significantly different between flight and terrestrial controls. Viable cells were retrieved and cultured, resulting in a colony morphology that was similar between cells cultivated in flight and in terrestrial control conditions, and in contrast to that previously observed in a ground-based microgravity analog system. Of importance, yeast demonstrated an increased resistance when challenged during spaceflight with the antifungal agent, amphotericin B. Similar levels of resistance were not observed when challenged with the functionally disparate antifungal drug caspofungin. In aggregate, yeast cells cultivated in microgravity demonstrated a subset of characteristics associated with virulence. In addition, and beyond the value of the specific responses of C. albicans to microgravity, this report includes an analysis of biological reproducibility across flight opportunities, compares two spaceflight hardware systems, and includes a summary of general flight and payload timelines.
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7
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Exploration of space to achieve scientific breakthroughs. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 43:107572. [PMID: 32540473 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms adapt to changing environments using their amazing flexibility to remodel themselves by a process called evolution. Environmental stress causes selective pressure and is associated with genetic and phenotypic shifts for better modifications, maintenance, and functioning of organismal systems. The natural evolution process can be used in complement to rational strain engineering for the development of desired traits or phenotypes as well as for the production of novel biomaterials through the imposition of one or more selective pressures. Space provides a unique environment of stressors (e.g., weightlessness and high radiation) that organisms have never experienced on Earth. Cells in the outer space reorganize and develop or activate a range of molecular responses that lead to changes in cellular properties. Exposure of cells to the outer space will lead to the development of novel variants more efficiently than on Earth. For instance, natural crop varieties can be generated with higher nutrition value, yield, and improved features, such as resistance against high and low temperatures, salt stress, and microbial and pest attacks. The review summarizes the literature on the parameters of outer space that affect the growth and behavior of cells and organisms as well as complex colloidal systems. We illustrate an understanding of gravity-related basic biological mechanisms and enlighten the possibility to explore the outer space environment for application-oriented aspects. This will stimulate biological research in the pursuit of innovative approaches for the future of agriculture and health on Earth.
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8
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Liu X, Tang J, Wang L, Liu R. Synergistic toxic effects of ball-milled biochar and copper oxide nanoparticles on Streptomyces coelicolor M145. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 720:137582. [PMID: 32146398 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effects of multi-nanomaterial systems are receiving increasing attention owing to their inevitable release of various nanomaterials. Knowledge of the bioavailability of the new carbon material ball-milled biochar (BMB) and its synergistic toxicity with metal oxide nanoparticles in bacteria is currently limited. In this study, the interactions of BMB with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) and their synergistic toxicity towards Streptomyces coelicolor M145 were analyzed. Results showed that the cytotoxicity, ROS level and permeability of cells changed greatly with the pyrolysis temperatures of biochar and the concentrations of CuO NPs. The greatest cytotoxicity (up to 63.1%) was achieved by adding 20 mg/L CuO NPs to BMB700. The ROS level and cell permeability of this treatment was also the highest, about 4.2 folds and 2.9 folds greater than that of control, respectively. The combination of 10 mg/L BMB700 with 10 mg/L CuO NPs can maximize production of antibiotics, with the yield of undecylprodigiosin (RED) and actinorhodin (ACT) 3.0 times and 4.2 times higher than that in the control, respectively, and the change trend of related genes was consistent with that of antibiotics production. Mechanism analysis showed that the different adsorption capacity of BMB of different pyrolysis temperatures on copper ions played a vital role in the synergistic toxicity, and the increase in cell membrane permeability caused by cell collisions with particles was also an important reason for cytotoxicity. Overall, the synergistic toxicity of BMB with other NPs varies the pyrolysis temperatures, when considering the synergistic toxicity of these materials, the preparation conditions need to be taken into account so as to assess their environmental risks more accurately. On the other hand, this research may provide a new approach for the antibiotic industry to increase its output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Rutao Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
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9
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Milojevic T, Weckwerth W. Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Survivability in Outer Space: A Systems Biology Approach. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:923. [PMID: 32499769 PMCID: PMC7242639 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the dawn of space exploration, the survivability of terrestrial life in outer space conditions has attracted enormous attention. Space technology has enabled the development of advanced space exposure facilities to investigate in situ responses of microbial life to the stress conditions of space during interplanetary transfer. Significant progress has been made toward the understanding of the effects of space environmental factors, e.g., microgravity, vacuum and radiation, on microorganisms exposed to real and simulated space conditions. Of extreme importance is not only knowledge of survival potential of space-exposed microorganisms, but also the determination of mechanisms of survival and adaptation of predominant species to the extreme space environment, i.e., revealing the molecular machinery, which elicit microbial survivability and adaptation. Advanced technologies in -omics research have permitted genome-scale studies of molecular alterations of space-exposed microorganisms. A variety of reports show that microorganisms grown in the space environment exhibited global alterations in metabolic functions and gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. Proteomic, metabolomic and especially metabolic modeling approaches as essential instruments of space microbiology, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are rather underrepresented. Here we summarized the molecular space-induced alterations of exposed microorganisms in terms of understanding the molecular mechanisms of microbial survival and adaptation to drastic outer space environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetyana Milojevic
- Extremophiles/Space Biochemistry Group, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfram Weckwerth
- Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Metabolomics Center, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Strube F, Infanger M, Dietz C, Romswinkel A, Kraus A. Short-term effects of simulated microgravity on morphology and gene expression in human breast cancer cells. Physiol Int 2020. [DOI: 10.1556/2060.106.2019.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
Microgravity has been shown to impose various effects on breast cancer cells. We exposed human breast cancer cells to simulated microgravity and studied morphology and alterations in gene expression.
Materials and methods
Human breast cancer cells were exposed to simulated microgravity in a random positioning machine (RPM) for 24 h. Morphology was observed under light microscopy, and gene alteration was studied by qPCR.
Results
After 24 h, formation of three-dimensional structures (spheroids) occurred. BRCA1 expression was significantly increased (1.9×, p < 0.05) in the adherent cells under simulated microgravity compared to the control. Expression of KRAS was significantly decreased (0.6×, p < 0.05) in the adherent cells compared to the control. VCAM1 was significantly upregulated (6.6×, 2.0×, p < 0.05 each) in the adherent cells under simulated microgravity and in the spheroids. VIM expression was significantly downregulated (0.45×, 0.44×, p < 0.05 each) in the adherent cells under simulated microgravity and in the spheroids. There was no significant alteration in the expression of MAPK1, MMP13, PTEN, and TP53.
Conclusions
Simulated microgravity induces spheroid formation in human breast cancer cells within 24 h and alters gene expression toward modified adhesion properties, enhanced cell repair, and phenotype preservation. Further insights into the underlying mechanisms could open up the way toward new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Strube
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - M Infanger
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - C Dietz
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A Romswinkel
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A Kraus
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
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11
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Molecular response of Deinococcus radiodurans to simulated microgravity explored by proteometabolomic approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18462. [PMID: 31804539 PMCID: PMC6895123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Regarding future space exploration missions and long-term exposure experiments, a detailed investigation of all factors present in the outer space environment and their effects on organisms of all life kingdoms is advantageous. Influenced by the multiple factors of outer space, the extremophilic bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans has been long-termly exposed outside the International Space Station in frames of the Tanpopo orbital mission. The study presented here aims to elucidate molecular key components in D. radiodurans, which are responsible for recognition and adaptation to simulated microgravity. D. radiodurans cultures were grown for two days on plates in a fast-rotating 2-D clinostat to minimize sedimentation, thus simulating reduced gravity conditions. Subsequently, metabolites and proteins were extracted and measured with mass spectrometry-based techniques. Our results emphasize the importance of certain signal transducer proteins, which showed higher abundances in cells grown under reduced gravity. These proteins activate a cellular signal cascade, which leads to differences in gene expressions. Proteins involved in stress response, repair mechanisms and proteins connected to the extracellular milieu and the cell envelope showed an increased abundance under simulated microgravity. Focusing on the expression of these proteins might present a strategy of cells to adapt to microgravity conditions.
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12
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Clinostat Rotation Affects Metabolite Transportation and Increases Organic Acid Production by Aspergillus carbonarius, as Revealed by Differential Metabolomic Analysis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01023-19. [PMID: 31300399 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01023-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Contamination by fungi may pose a threat to the long-term operation of the International Space Station because fungi produce organic acids that corrode equipment and mycotoxins that harm human health. Microgravity is an unavoidable and special condition in the space station. However, the influence of microgravity on fungal metabolism has not been well studied. Clinostat rotation is widely used to simulate the microgravity condition in studies carried out on Earth. Here, we used metabolomics differential analysis to study the influence of clinostat rotation on the accumulation of organic acids and related biosynthetic pathways in ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing Aspergillus carbonarius As a result, clinostat rotation did not affect fungal cell growth or colony appearance but significantly increased the accumulation of organic acids, particularly isocitric acid, citric acid, and oxalic acid, and OTA both inside cells and in the medium, as well as resulted in a much higher level of accumulation of some products inside than outside cells, indicating that the transport of these metabolites from the cell to the medium was inhibited. This finding corresponded to the change in the fatty acid composition of cell membranes and the reduced thickness of the cell walls and cell membranes. Amino acid and energy metabolic pathways, particularly the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were influenced the most during clinostat rotation compared to the effects of normal gravity on these pathways.IMPORTANCE Fungi are ubiquitous in nature and have the ability to corrode various materials by producing metabolites. Research on how the space station environment, especially microgravity, affects fungal metabolism is helpful to understand the role of fungi in the space station. This work provides insights into the mechanisms involved in the metabolism of the corrosive fungus Aspergillus carbonarius under simulated microgravity conditions. Our findings have significance not only for preventing material corrosion but also for ensuring food safety, especially in the space environment.
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13
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Mechanism of CuO nano-particles on stimulating production of actinorhodin in Streptomyces coelicolor by transcriptional analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11253. [PMID: 31375702 PMCID: PMC6677739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46833-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this research, antibiotic-producing bacteria, Streptomyces coelicolor (S. coelicolor) M145, was exposed to copper oxide (CuO) particles to investigate the effects of nano-particles (NPs) on antibiotic production. Results showed that a higher yield of antibiotics was obtained with smaller particle sizes of CuO NPs. When exposed to 10 mg/L of 40 nm CuO NPs, the maximum amount of actinorhodin (ACT) obtained was 2.6 mg/L after 144 h, which was 2.0-fold greater than that of control. However, the process was inhibited when the concentration of CuO NPs was increased to higher than 20 mg/L. Transcriptome analysis showed that all the genes involved in the ACT cluster were significantly up-regulated after exposure to 10 mg/L NPs, which could be the direct cause of the increase of ACT production. Additionally, some genes related to the generation of acetyl-coA were up-regulated. In this way, CuO NPs led to an increase of secondary metabolites. The mechanism related to these changes indicated that nano-particle‒induced ROS and Cu2+ played synergetic roles in promoting ACT biosynthesis. This is a first report suggesting that CuO NPs had a significant effect on antibiotic production, which will be helpful in understanding the mechanism of antibiotic production in nature.
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14
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Liu X, Tang J, Wang L, Liu Q, Liu R. A comparative analysis of ball-milled biochar, graphene oxide, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes with respect to toxicity induction in Streptomyces. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 243:308-317. [PMID: 31102898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ball-milled biochar has recently attracted a lot of attention due to the simplicity of its preparation and low cost. However, it is unknown if the biochar is environmentally safe. Here, the toxic effect of ball-milled biochar on Streptomyces was compared to that of pristine biochar and two other carbon nanomaterials of different shapes-graphene oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The effect of these different materials on antibiotic production was characterized. The results showed that even at concentrations of up to 10 mg/L, pristine biochar had a negligible effect on toxicity and antibiotic production in Streptomyces. However, after ball milling, the physical and chemical properties of biochar changed dramatically. Cells were severely damaged, and there was a significant increase in antibiotic production after the addition of ball-milled biochar. Exposure to 10 mg/L of ball-milled biochar caused massive cell disruption; the survival rate of Streptomyces coelicolor M145 cells was only 68.2% as compared to 90% after treatment with 10 mg/L graphene oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The secretion of the antibiotics- the red intracellular pigment undecylprodigiosin (RED) and blue diffusible pigment actinorhodin (ACT) was enhanced with the highest level in treatment with ball milled biochar, as compared to that with the other two carbon nanomaterials. This effect can be attributed to increased expression of pathway-specific regulatory genes redD, redZ and actⅡ-ORF4. Ball-milled biochar can be developed as an effective additive to increase antibiotic yield. However, we should restrict the large-scale use of ball-milled biochar before fully understanding its impact on the environment and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Qinglong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Rutao Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, PR China
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Liu X, Tang J, Wang L, Giesy JP. Al 2O 3 nanoparticles promote secretion of antibiotics in Streptomyces coelicolor by regulating gene expression through the nano effect. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 226:687-695. [PMID: 30959453 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Toxic effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on microorganisms have attracted substantial attention; however, there are few reports on whether NPs can affect the secondary metabolism of microbes. To investigate the toxic effects of Al2O3 NPs on cell growth and antibiotic secretion, Streptomyces coelicolor M145 was exposed to Al2O3 NPs with diameters of 30 and 80 nm and bulk Al2O3 at concentrations up to 1000 mg/L. The results indicated that differences in the toxicity of Al2O3 NPs were related to the particle size. In treatment with Al2O3 NPs, the maximum yields of undecylprodigiosin (RED) and actinorhodin (ACT) were 3.7- and 4.6-fold greater than that of the control, respectively, and the initial time of antibiotic production was much shorter. ROS quenching experiment by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) confirmed that ROS were responsible for the increased RED production. From 0 to 72 h, ROS had a significant impact on ACT production; however, after 72 h, the ROS content began to decrease until it disappeared. During ongoing exposure (0-144 h), ACT production continued to increase, indicating that in addition to ROS, nano effect of Al2O3 NPs also played roles in this process. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated that Al2O3 NPs could increase the expression levels of antibiotic biosynthetic genes and two-component systems (TCSs) and inhibit the expression levels of primary metabolic pathways. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic production in nature and reveals important implications for exploring other uses of NPs in biomedical applications or regulation of antibiotics in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Morrison MD, Fajardo-Cavazos P, Nicholson WL. Comparison of Bacillus subtilis transcriptome profiles from two separate missions to the International Space Station. NPJ Microgravity 2019; 5:1. [PMID: 30623021 PMCID: PMC6323116 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-018-0061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human spaceflight environment is notable for the unique factor of microgravity, which exerts numerous physiologic effects on macroscopic organisms, but how this environment may affect single-celled microbes is less clear. In an effort to understand how the microbial transcriptome responds to the unique environment of spaceflight, the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis was flown on two separate missions to the International Space Station in experiments dubbed BRIC-21 and BRIC-23. Cells were grown to late-exponential/early stationary phase, frozen, then returned to Earth for RNA-seq analysis in parallel with matched ground control samples. A total of 91 genes were significantly differentially expressed in both experiments; 55 exhibiting higher transcript levels in flight samples and 36 showing higher transcript levels in ground control samples. Genes upregulated in flight samples notably included those involved in biofilm formation, biotin and arginine biosynthesis, siderophores, manganese transport, toxin production and resistance, and sporulation inhibition. Genes preferentially upregulated in ground control samples notably included those responding to oxygen limitation, e.g., fermentation, anaerobic respiration, subtilosin biosynthesis, and anaerobic regulatory genes. The results indicated differences in oxygen availability between flight and ground control samples, likely due to differences in cell sedimentation and the toroidal shape assumed by the liquid cultures in microgravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Morrison
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL USA
| | | | - Wayne L. Nicholson
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL USA
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Liu X, Tang J, Wang L, Giesy JP. Mechanisms of oxidative stress caused by CuO nanoparticles to membranes of the bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor M145. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 158:123-130. [PMID: 29677594 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Toxic effects of widely used CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on the genus Streptomyces has been seldom studied. This work investigated toxicities of several sizes of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) to Streptomyces coelicolor M145 (S. coelicolor M145). Compared with NPs, toxicity of micrometer-sized CuO on M145 was trivial. In 0.9% NaCl, when the concentration of CuO NPs was 100 mg/L, survival of bacteria increased from 18.3% in 20 nm particles to 31.1% in 100 nm particles. With increasing concentrations of CuO, the level of ROS gradually increased and there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in ROS exposed to 20, 40 and 100 nm (80 nm) CuO NPs. In TSBY medium, toxicity of CuO NPs was less and mainly attributed to release of Cu2+, analysis by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) showed that size of the mycelium did not change although some individual bacteria died. This was likely due to Cu2+ released from NPs entering cells through the membrane, while in 0.9% NaCl, lesions on membranes was caused by NPs outside the bacteria. This research indicated that toxicity of CuO NPs to S. coelicolor, is related to both size of NPs and is dependent on characteristics of the medium. CAPSULE This is the first time to measure the toxicity of nano materials to Streptomyces, and toxic CuO NPs to Streptomyces have been shown to differ depending on medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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18
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Huang B, Li DG, Huang Y, Liu CT. Effects of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on microbial growth and secondary metabolism. Mil Med Res 2018; 5:18. [PMID: 29807538 PMCID: PMC5971428 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-018-0162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight and ground-based microgravity analog experiments have suggested that microgravity can affect microbial growth and metabolism. Although the effects of microgravity and its analogs on microorganisms have been studied for more than 50 years, plausible conflicting and diverse results have frequently been reported in different experiments, especially regarding microbial growth and secondary metabolism. Until now, only the responses of a few typical microbes to microgravity have been investigated; systematic studies of the genetic and phenotypic responses of these microorganisms to microgravity in space are still insufficient due to technological and logistical hurdles. The use of different test strains and secondary metabolites in these studies appears to have caused diverse and conflicting results. Moreover, subtle changes in the extracellular microenvironments around microbial cells play a key role in the diverse responses of microbial growth and secondary metabolisms. Therefore, "indirect" effects represent a reasonable pathway to explain the occurrence of these phenomena in microorganisms. This review summarizes current knowledge on the changes in microbial growth and secondary metabolism in response to spaceflight and its analogs and discusses the diverse and conflicting results. In addition, recommendations are given for future studies on the effects of microgravity in space on microbial growth and secondary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Huang
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Dian-Geng Li
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Chang-Ting Liu
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Dong M, Yang Z, Cheng G, Peng L, Xu Q, Xu J. Diversity of the Bacterial Microbiome in the Roots of Four Saccharum Species: S. spontaneum, S. robustum, S. barberi, and S. officinarum. Front Microbiol 2018. [PMID: 29515548 PMCID: PMC5826347 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Endophytic bacteria are nearly ubiquitously present in the internal tissues of plants, and some endophytes can promote plant growth. In this study, we sampled the roots of four ancestral species of sugarcane (two genotypes per species) and two sugarcane cultivars, and used 16S rRNA and nifH gene sequencing to characterize the root endophytic bacterial communities and diazotroph diversity. A total of 7,198 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected for the endophytic bacteria community. The endophytic bacterial communities exhibited significantly different α- and β-diversities. From the 202 detected families in the sugarcane roots, a core microbiome containing 13 families was identified. The nifH gene was successfully detected in 9 of 30 samples from the four sugarcane species assayed, and 1,734 OTUs were merged for endophytic diazotrophs. In the tested samples, 43 families of endophytic diazotrophs were detected, and six families showed differences across samples. Among the 20 most abundant detected genera, 10 have been reported to be involved in nitrogen fixation in sugarcane. These findings demonstrate the diversity of the microbial communities in different sugarcane germplasms and shed light on the mechanism of biological nitrogen fixation in sugarcane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zongtao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guangyuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lei Peng
- Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jingsheng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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20
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The adaptation of Escherichia coli cells grown in simulated microgravity for an extended period is both phenotypic and genomic. NPJ Microgravity 2017. [PMID: 28649637 PMCID: PMC5460176 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-017-0020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms impact spaceflight in a variety of ways. They play a positive role in biological systems, such as waste water treatment but can be problematic through buildups of biofilms that can affect advanced life support. Of special concern is the possibility that during extended missions, the microgravity environment will provide positive selection for undesirable genomic changes. Such changes could affect microbial antibiotic sensitivity and possibly pathogenicity. To evaluate this possibility, Escherichia coli (lac plus) cells were grown for over 1000 generations on Luria Broth medium under low-shear modeled microgravity conditions in a high aspect rotating vessel. This is the first study of its kind to grow bacteria for multiple generations over an extended period under low-shear modeled microgravity. Comparisons were made to a non-adaptive control strain using growth competitions. After 1000 generations, the final low-shear modeled microgravity-adapted strain readily outcompeted the unadapted lac minus strain. A portion of this advantage was maintained when the low-shear modeled microgravity strain was first grown in a shake flask environment for 10, 20, or 30 generations of growth. Genomic sequencing of the 1000 generation strain revealed 16 mutations. Of the five changes affecting codons, none were neutral. It is not clear how significant these mutations are as individual changes or as a group. It is concluded that part of the long-term adaptation to low-shear modeled microgravity is likely genomic. The strain was monitored for acquisition of antibiotic resistance by VITEK analysis throughout the adaptation period. Despite the evidence of genomic adaptation, resistance to a variety of antibiotics was never observed.
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21
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Liu C. The theory and application of space microbiology: China's experiences in space experiments and beyond. Environ Microbiol 2016; 19:426-433. [PMID: 27459305 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms exhibit high adaptability to extreme environments of outer space via phenotypic and genetic changes. These changes may affect astronauts in the space environment as well as on Earth because mutant microbes will inevitably return with the spacecraft. However, the role and significance of these phenotypic changes and the underlying mechanisms are important unresolved questions in the field of space biology. By reviewing, especially the Chinese studies, we propose a space microbial molecular effect theory, that is, the space environment affects the nature of genes and the molecular structure of microorganisms to produce phenotypic changes. In this review, we discussed three basic theories for the research of space microbiology, including (1) space microbial pathogenicity and virulence mutations and the human mutualism theory; (2) space microbial drug-resistance mutations and metabolism associated with space pharmaceuticals theory; (3) space corrosion, microbial decontamination, and new materials technology theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changting Liu
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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22
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Restaino OF, Marseglia M, Diana P, Borzacchiello MG, Finamore R, Vitiello M, D’Agostino A, De Rosa M, Schiraldi C. Advances in the 16α-hydroxy transformation of hydrocortisone by Streptomyces roseochromogenes. Process Biochem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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