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Lopes JC, Veiga VP, Seminiuk B, Santos LOF, Luiz AMC, Fernandes CA, Kinasz CT, Pellizari VH, Duarte RTD. Freezing and thawing in Antarctica: characterization of antifreeze protein (AFP) producing microorganisms isolated from King George Island, Antarctica. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1451-1463. [PMID: 38656427 PMCID: PMC11153389 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01345-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Antarctic temperature variations and long periods of freezing shaped the evolution of microorganisms with unique survival mechanisms. These resilient organisms exhibit several adaptations for life in extreme cold. In such ecosystems, microorganisms endure the absence of liquid water and exhibit resistance to freezing by producing water-binding molecules such as antifreeze proteins (AFP). AFPs modify the ice structure, lower the freezing point, and inhibit recrystallization. The objective of this study was to select and identify microorganisms isolated from different Antarctic ecosystems based on their resistance to temperatures below 0 °C. Furthermore, the study sought to characterize these microorganisms regarding their potential antifreeze adaptive mechanisms. Samples of soil, moss, permafrost, and marine sediment were collected on King George Island, located in the South Shetland archipelago, Antarctica. Bacteria and yeasts were isolated and subjected to freezing-resistance and ice recrystallization inhibition (IR) tests. A total of 215 microorganisms were isolated, out of which 118 were molecularly identified through molecular analysis using the 16S rRNA and ITS regions. Furthermore, our study identified 24 freezing-resistant isolates, including two yeasts and 22 bacteria. A total of 131 protein extracts were subjected to the IR test, revealing 14 isolates positive for AFP production. Finally, four isolates showed both freeze-resistance and IR activity (Arthrobacter sp. BGS04, Pseudomonas sp. BGS05, Cryobacterium sp. P64, and Acinetobacter sp. M1_25C). This study emphasizes the diversity of Antarctic microorganisms with the ability to tolerate freezing conditions. These microorganisms warrant further investigation to conduct a comprehensive analysis of their antifreeze capabilities, with the goal of exploring their potential for future biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Lopes
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - V P Veiga
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - B Seminiuk
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - L O F Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - A M C Luiz
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - C A Fernandes
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - C T Kinasz
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - V H Pellizari
- Oceanographic Institute, Department of Biological Oceanography, University of São Paulo, 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - R T D Duarte
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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Thøgersen MS, Zervas A, Stougaard P, Ellegaard-Jensen L. Investigating eukaryotic and prokaryotic diversity and functional potential in the cold and alkaline ikaite columns in Greenland. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1358787. [PMID: 38655082 PMCID: PMC11035741 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1358787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The ikaite columns in the Ikka Fjord, SW Greenland, represent a permanently cold and alkaline environment known to contain a rich bacterial diversity. 16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic sequencing was used to investigate the microbial diversity in the columns and for the first time, the eukaryotic and archaeal diversity in ikaite columns were analyzed. The results showed a rich prokaryotic diversity that varied across columns as well as within each column. Seven different archaeal phyla were documented in multiple locations inside the columns. The columns also contained a rich eukaryotic diversity with 27 phyla representing microalgae, protists, fungi, and small animals. Based on metagenomic sequencing, 25 high-quality MAGs were assembled and analyzed for the presence of genes involved in cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous as well as genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), showing a potentially very bioactive microbial community.
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Silva LJ, Crevelin EJ, Souza DT, Lacerda-Júnior GV, de Oliveira VM, Ruiz ALTG, Rosa LH, Moraes LAB, Melo IS. Actinobacteria from Antarctica as a source for anticancer discovery. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13870. [PMID: 32807803 PMCID: PMC7431910 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69786-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many advances have been achieved to treat aggressive tumours, cancer remains a leading cause of death and a public health problem worldwide. Among the main approaches for the discovery of new bioactive agents, the prospect of microbial secondary metabolites represents an effective source for the development of drug leads. In this study, we investigated the actinobacterial diversity associated with an endemic Antarctic species, Deschampsia antarctica, by integrated culture-dependent and culture-independent methods and acknowledged this niche as a reservoir of bioactive strains for the production of antitumour compounds. The 16S rRNA-based analysis showed the predominance of the Actinomycetales order, a well-known group of bioactive metabolite producers belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum. Cultivation techniques were applied, and 72 psychrotolerant Actinobacteria strains belonging to the genera Actinoplanes, Arthrobacter, Kribbella, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Pilimelia, Pseudarthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptacidiphilus, Streptomyces and Tsukamurella were identified. The secondary metabolites were screened, and 17 isolates were identified as promising antitumour compound producers. However, the bio-guided assay showed a pronounced antiproliferative activity for the crude extracts of Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1527 and Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1653. The TGI and LC50 values revealed the potential of these natural products to control the proliferation of breast (MCF-7), glioblastoma (U251), lung/non-small (NCI-H460) and kidney (786-0) human cancer cell lines. Cinerubin B and actinomycin V were the predominant compounds identified in Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1527 and Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1653, respectively. Our results suggest that the rhizosphere of D. antarctica represents a prominent reservoir of bioactive actinobacteria strains and reveals it as an important environment for potential antitumour agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Jose Silva
- College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo José Crevelin
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Applied To Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Danilo Tosta Souza
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Applied To Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gileno Vieira Lacerda-Júnior
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) - Embrapa Environment, Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil
| | - Valeria Maia de Oliveira
- Microbial Resourses Division, Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture (CPQBA), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Henrique Rosa
- Department of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Institute - Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiz Alberto Beraldo Moraes
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Applied To Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Itamar Soares Melo
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) - Embrapa Environment, Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil.
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Thomas FA, Sinha RK, Krishnan KP. Bacterial community structure of a glacio-marine system in the Arctic (Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:135264. [PMID: 31848061 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial community composition of a valley glacier in Svalbard, its pro-glacial channels, and the associated downstream fjord ecosystem was investigated so as to figure out the degree to which downslope transport of microbes from the glacier systems along a hydrological continuum impose an effect on the patterns of diversity in the fjord system. A combination of culture based and high-throughput amplicon sequencing approach was followed which resulted in significant variation (R = 0.873, p = 0.001) in the bacterial community structure between these ecosystems. Dominance of sequences belonging to class β-Proteobacteria was seen in the glacier snow, ice and melt waters (MW) while a relatively higher abundance of OTUs belonging to α-Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobiae demarcated the fjord waters. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis of the Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) showed that OTU 1,105,280 (9.15%) and OTU 331 (6.5%) belonging to Burkholderiaceae (β-proteobacteria) and OTU 101,660 (5.76%) and OTU 520 (5.07%) belonging to Rhodobacteraceae (α-proteobacteria) contributed maximum to the overall dissimilarity between the sampling sites. The bacterial community from the MWs were found to be true signatures of the glacier ecosystem while the Kongsfjorden bacterial fraction mostly represented heterotrophic marine taxa influenced by warm Atlantic waters and presence of organic matter. Significant presence of unknown taxa in the MWs suggests the need to study such unexplored, transient niches for a better understanding of the associated microbial processes. Among the various environmental parameters measured, nutrients (NO3- and SiO42-) were found to exhibit strong association with the MW bacterial community while temperature, trace metals, Cl- and SO42- ions were found to influence the fjord bacterial community. The significant differences in the bacterial community composition between the glacier and the fjord ecosystem suggest the unique nature of these systems which in turn is influenced by the associated environmental parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femi Anna Thomas
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Vasco da Gama, Goa 403804, India; School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau Goa 403206, India
| | - Rupesh Kumar Sinha
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Vasco da Gama, Goa 403804, India
| | - K P Krishnan
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Vasco da Gama, Goa 403804, India.
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Lambrechts S, Willems A, Tahon G. Uncovering the Uncultivated Majority in Antarctic Soils: Toward a Synergistic Approach. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:242. [PMID: 30828325 PMCID: PMC6385771 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Antarctica was once believed to be a sterile environment, it is now clear that the microbial communities inhabiting the Antarctic continent are surprisingly diverse. Until the beginning of the new millennium, little was known about the most abundant inhabitants of the continent: prokaryotes. From then on, however, the rising use of deep sequencing techniques has led to a better understanding of the Antarctic prokaryote diversity and provided insights in the composition of prokaryotic communities in different Antarctic environments. Although these cultivation-independent approaches can produce millions of sequences, linking these data to organisms is hindered by several problems. The largest difficulty is the lack of biological information on large parts of the microbial tree of life, arising from the fact that most microbial diversity on Earth has never been characterized in laboratory cultures. These unknown prokaryotes, also known as microbial dark matter, have been dominantly detected in all major environments on our planet. Laboratory cultures provide access to the complete genome and the means to experimentally verify genomic predictions and metabolic functions and to provide evidence of horizontal gene transfer. Without such well-documented reference data, microbial dark matter will remain a major blind spot in deep sequencing studies. Here, we review our current understanding of prokaryotic communities in Antarctic ice-free soils based on cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent approaches. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of both approaches and how these strategies may be combined synergistically to strengthen each other and allow a more profound understanding of prokaryotic life on the frozen continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Guillaume Tahon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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6
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Predicting the biotechnological potential of bacteria isolated from Antarctic soils, including the rhizosphere of vascular plants. Polar Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-016-2065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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7
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Bioprospecting for extracellular enzymes from culturable Actinobacteria from the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Polar Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-016-1977-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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8
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Pearce DA, Magiopoulos I, Mowlem M, Tranter M, Holt G, Woodward J, Siegert MJ. Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2016; 374:rsta.2014.0291. [PMID: 26667906 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2014.0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
During the attempt to directly access, measure and sample Subglacial Lake Ellsworth in 2012-2013, we conducted microbiological analyses of the drilling equipment, scientific instrumentation, field camp and natural surroundings. From these studies, a number of lessons can be learned about the cleanliness of deep Antarctic subglacial lake access leading to, in particular, knowledge of the limitations of some of the most basic relevant microbiological principles. Here, we focus on five of the core challenges faced and describe how cleanliness and sterilization were implemented in the field. In the light of our field experiences, we consider how effective these actions were, and what can be learnt for future subglacial exploration missions. The five areas covered are: (i) field camp environment and activities, (ii) the engineering processes surrounding the hot water drilling, (iii) sample handling, including recovery, stability and preservation, (iv) clean access methodologies and removal of sample material, and (v) the biodiversity and distribution of bacteria around the Antarctic. Comparisons are made between the microbiology of the Lake Ellsworth field site and other Antarctic systems, including the lakes on Signy Island, and on the Antarctic Peninsula at Lake Hodgson. Ongoing research to better define and characterize the behaviour of natural and introduced microbial populations in response to deep-ice drilling is also discussed. We recommend that future access programmes: (i) assess each specific local environment in enhanced detail due to the potential for local contamination, (ii) consider the sterility of the access in more detail, specifically focusing on single cell colonization and the introduction of new species through contamination of pre-existing microbial communities, (iii) consider experimental bias in methodological approaches, (iv) undertake in situ biodiversity detection to mitigate risk of non-sample return and post-sample contamination, and (v) address the critical question of how important these microbes are in the functioning of Antarctic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Pearce
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Northumbria, Ellison Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK Department of Arctic Biology, University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen 9171, Norway
| | - I Magiopoulos
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - M Mowlem
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - M Tranter
- Centre for Glaciology, University of Bristol, 12 Berkeley Square, University Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK
| | - G Holt
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Northumbria, Ellison Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - J Woodward
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Northumbria, Ellison Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - M J Siegert
- Grantham Institute and Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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Cameron KA, Stibal M, Zarsky JD, Gözdereliler E, Schostag M, Jacobsen CS. Supraglacial bacterial community structures vary across the Greenland ice sheet. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 92:fiv164. [PMID: 26691594 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition and spatial variability of microbial communities that reside within the extensive (>200 000 km(2)) biologically active area encompassing the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) is hypothesized to be variable. We examined bacterial communities from cryoconite debris and surface ice across the GrIS, using sequence analysis and quantitative PCR of 16S rRNA genes from co-extracted DNA and RNA. Communities were found to differ across the ice sheet, with 82.8% of the total calculated variation attributed to spatial distribution on a scale of tens of kilometers separation. Amplicons related to Sphingobacteriaceae, Pseudanabaenaceae and WPS-2 accounted for the greatest portion of calculated dissimilarities. The bacterial communities of ice and cryoconite were moderately similar (global R = 0.360, P = 0.002) and the sampled surface type (ice versus cryoconite) did not contribute heavily towards community dissimilarities (2.3% of total variability calculated). The majority of dissimilarities found between cryoconite 16S rRNA gene amplicons from DNA and RNA was calculated to be the result of changes in three taxa, Pseudanabaenaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae and WPS-2, which together contributed towards 80.8 ± 12.6% of dissimilarities between samples. Bacterial communities across the GrIS are spatially variable active communities that are likely influenced by localized biological inputs and physicochemical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Cameron
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marek Stibal
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Ecology, Charles University in Prague, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub D Zarsky
- Department of Ecology, Charles University in Prague, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Erkin Gözdereliler
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Schostag
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten S Jacobsen
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Cappa F, Suciu N, Trevisan M, Ferrari S, Puglisi E, Cocconcelli PS. Bacterial diversity in a contaminated Alpine glacier as determined by culture-based and molecular approaches. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 497-498:50-59. [PMID: 25117971 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Glaciers are important ecosystems, hosting bacterial communities that are adapted to cold conditions and scarcity of available nutrients. Several works focused on the composition of bacterial communities in glaciers and on the long-range atmospheric deposition of pollutants in glaciers, but it is not clear yet if ski resorts can represent a source of point pollution in near-by glaciers, and if these pollutants can influence the residing bacterial communities. To test these hypotheses, 12 samples were analyzed in Madaccio Glacier, in a 3200 ma.s.l. from two areas, one undisturbed and one close to a summer ski resort that is active since the 1930s. Chemical analyses found concentrations up to 43 ng L(-1) for PCBs and up to 168 μg L(-1) for PAHs in the contaminated area: these values are significantly higher than the ones found in undisturbed glaciers because of long-range atmospheric deposition events, and can be explained as being related to the near-by ski resort activities. Isolation of strains on rich medium plates and PCR-DGGE analyses followed by sequencing of bands allowed the identification of a bacterial community with phylogenetic patterns close to other glacier environments, with Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria the mostly abundant phyla, with Acidobacteria, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria also represented in the culture-independent analyses. A number of isolates were identified by molecular and biochemical methods as phylogenetic related to known xenobiotic-degrading strains: glaciers subjected to chemical contamination can be important reservoirs of bacterial strains with potential applications in bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Cappa
- Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Nicoleta Suciu
- Istituto di Chimica Agraria ed Ambientale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Marco Trevisan
- Istituto di Chimica Agraria ed Ambientale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Susanna Ferrari
- Centro Ricerche Biotecnologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Milano 24, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Edoardo Puglisi
- Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Pier Sandro Cocconcelli
- Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
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Phylogenentic and enzymatic characterization of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant marine bacteria belong to γ-Proteobacteria group isolated from the sub-Antarctic Beagle Channel, Argentina. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2014; 60:183-98. [DOI: 10.1007/s12223-014-0351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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12
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Fabisch M, Beulig F, Akob DM, Küsel K. Surprising abundance of Gallionella-related iron oxidizers in creek sediments at pH 4.4 or at high heavy metal concentrations. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:390. [PMID: 24385973 PMCID: PMC3866512 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified and quantified abundant iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) at three iron-rich, metal-contaminated creek sites with increasing sediment pH from extremely acidic (R1, pH 2.7), to moderately acidic (R2, pH 4.4), to slightly acidic (R3, pH 6.3) in a former uranium-mining district. The geochemical parameters showed little variations over the 1.5 year study period. The highest metal concentrations found in creek sediments always coincided with the lowest metal concentrations in creek water at the slightly acidic site R3. Sequential extractions of R3 sediment revealed large portions of heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, U) bound to the iron oxide fraction. Light microscopy of glass slides exposed in creeks detected twisted stalks characteristic of microaerobic FeOB of the family Gallionellaceae at R3 but also at the acidic site R2. Sequences related to FeOB such as Gallionella ferruginea, Sideroxydans sp. CL21, Ferritrophicum radicicola, and Acidovorax sp. BrG1 were identified in the sediments. The highest fraction of clone sequences similar to the acidophilic "Ferrovum myxofaciens" was detected in R1. Quantitative PCR using primer sets specific for Gallionella spp., Sideroxydans spp., and "Ferrovum myxofaciens" revealed that ~72% (R2 sediment) and 37% (R3 sediment) of total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies could be assigned to groups of FeOB with dominance of microaerobic Gallionella spp. at both sites. Gallionella spp. had similar and very high absolute and relative gene copy numbers in both sediment communities. Thus, Gallionella-like organisms appear to exhibit a greater acid and metal tolerance than shown before. Microaerobic FeOB from R3 creek sediment enriched in newly developed metal gradient tubes tolerated metal concentrations of 35 mM Co, 24 mM Ni, and 1.3 mM Cd, higher than those in sediments. Our results will extend the limited knowledge of FeOB at contaminated, moderately to slightly acidic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fabisch
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University JenaJena, Germany
| | - Felix Beulig
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University JenaJena, Germany
| | - Denise M. Akob
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University JenaJena, Germany
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Research ProgramReston, VA, USA
| | - Kirsten Küsel
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University JenaJena, Germany
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13
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Canion A, Prakash O, Green SJ, Jahnke L, Kuypers MMM, Kostka JE. Isolation and physiological characterization of psychrophilic denitrifying bacteria from permanently cold Arctic fjord sediments (Svalbard, Norway). Environ Microbiol 2013; 15:1606-18. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andy Canion
- Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Science Department; Florida State University; Tallahassee; FL; USA
| | - Om Prakash
- Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Science Department; Florida State University; Tallahassee; FL; USA
| | | | - Linda Jahnke
- NASA Astrobiology Institute; Ames Research Center; Moffett Field; CA; USA
| | | | - Joel E. Kostka
- School of Biology; Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta; GA; USA
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