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Verbeelen T, Fernandez CA, Nguyen TH, Gupta S, Aarts R, Tabury K, Leroy B, Wattiez R, Vlaeminck SE, Leys N, Ganigué R, Mastroleo F. Whole transcriptome analysis highlights nutrient limitation of nitrogen cycle bacteria in simulated microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:3. [PMID: 38200027 PMCID: PMC10781756 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00345-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Regenerative life support systems (RLSS) will play a vital role in achieving self-sufficiency during long-distance space travel. Urine conversion into a liquid nitrate-based fertilizer is a key process in most RLSS. This study describes the effects of simulated microgravity (SMG) on Comamonas testosteroni, Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrobacter winogradskyi and a tripartite culture of the three, in the context of nitrogen recovery for the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA). Rotary cell culture systems (RCCS) and random positioning machines (RPM) were used as SMG analogues. The transcriptional responses of the cultures were elucidated. For CO2-producing C. testosteroni and the tripartite culture, a PermaLifeTM PL-70 cell culture bag mounted on an in-house 3D-printed holder was applied to eliminate air bubble formation during SMG cultivation. Gene expression changes indicated that the fluid dynamics in SMG caused nutrient and O2 limitation. Genes involved in urea hydrolysis and nitrification were minimally affected, while denitrification-related gene expression was increased. The findings highlight potential challenges for nitrogen recovery in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Verbeelen
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Celia Alvarez Fernandez
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thanh Huy Nguyen
- Department of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Av. Du Champs de Mars 6, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Surya Gupta
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Raf Aarts
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Leroy
- Department of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Av. Du Champs de Mars 6, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Department of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Av. Du Champs de Mars 6, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban REsource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban REsource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium.
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Verbeelen T, Van Houdt R, Leys N, Ganigué R, Mastroleo F. RNA extraction protocol from low-biomass bacterial Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrobacter winogradskyi cultures for whole transcriptome studies. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102358. [PMID: 37347668 PMCID: PMC10331297 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-sequencing for whole transcriptome analysis requires high-quality RNA in adequate amounts, which can be difficult to generate with low-biomass-producing bacteria where sample volume is limited. We present an RNA extraction protocol for low-biomass-producing autotrophic bacteria Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrobacter winogradskyi cultures. We describe steps for sample collection, lysozyme-based enzymatic lysis, and a commercial silica-column-based RNA extraction. We then detail evaluation of RNA yield and quality for downstream applications such as RNA-Seq. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Verbeelen et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Verbeelen
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban REsource Recovery (CAPTURE), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium.
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Jun JS, Jeong HE, Moon SY, Shin SH, Hong KW. Time-Course Transcriptome Analysis of Bacillus subtilis DB104 during Growth. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1928. [PMID: 37630488 PMCID: PMC10458515 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis DB104, an extracellular protease-deficient derivative of B. subtilis 168, is widely used for recombinant protein expression. An understanding of the changes in gene expression during growth is essential for the commercial use of bacterial strains. Transcriptome and proteome analyses are ideal methods to study the genomic response of microorganisms. In this study, transcriptome analysis was performed to monitor changes in the gene expression level of B. subtilis DB104 while growing on a complete medium. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, K-mean cluster analysis, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, and the function of sigma factors were used to divide 2122 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) into 10 clusters and identified gene functions according to expression patterns. The results of KEGG pathway analysis indicated that ABC transporter is down-regulated during exponential growth and metabolic changes occur at the transition point where sporulation starts. At this point, several stress response genes were also turned on. The genes involved in the lipid catabolic process were up-regulated briefly at 15 h as an outcome of the programmed cell death that postpones sporulation. The results suggest that changes in the gene expression of B. subtilis DB104 were dependent on the initiation of sporulation. However, the expression timing of the spore coat gene was only affected by the relevant sigma factor. This study can help to understand gene expression and regulatory mechanisms in B. subtilis species by providing an overall view of transcriptional changes during the growth of B. subtilis DB104.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kwang-Won Hong
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Goyang-si 10326, Republic of Korea; (J.-S.J.); (H.-E.J.); (S.-Y.M.); (S.-H.S.)
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