Detection and location of OP-degrading activity: A model to integrate education and research

Whole genome analysis of six organophosphate-degrading rhizobacteria reveals putative agrochemical degradation enzymes with broad substrate specificity

Six organophosphate-degrading bacterial strains collected from farm and ranch soil rhizospheres across the Houston-metropolitan area were identified as strains of Pseudomonas putida (CBF10-2), Pseudomonas stutzeri (ODKF13), Ochrobactrum anthropi (FRAF13), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (CBF10-1), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (ADAF13), and Rhizobium radiobacter (GHKF11). Whole genome sequencing data was assessed for relevant genes, proteins, and pathways involved in the breakdown of agrochemicals. For comparative purposes, this analysis was expanded to also include data from deposited strains in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI) database. This study revealed Zn-dependent metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-fold proteins similar to OPHC2 first identified in P. pseudoalcaligenes as the likely agents of organophosphate (OP) hydrolysis in A. xylosoxidans ADAF13, S. maltophilia CBF10-1, O. anthropi FRAF13, and R. radiobacter GHKF11. A search of similar proteins within NCBI identified over 200 hits for bacterial genera and species with a similar OPHC2 domain. Taken together, we conclude from this data that intrinsic low-level OP hydrolytic activity is likely prevalent across the rhizosphere stemming from widespread OPHC2-like metalloenzymes. In addition, P. stutzeri ODKF13, P. putida CBF10-2, O. anthropi FRAF13, and R. radiobacter GHKF11 were found to harbor glycine oxidase (GO) enzymes that putatively possess low-level activity against the herbicide glyphosate. These bacterial GOs are reported to catalyze the degradation of glyphosate to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and suggest a possible link to AMPA that can be found in glyphosate-contaminated agricultural soil. The presence of aromatic degradation proteins were also detected in five of six study strains, but are attributed primarily to components of the widely distributed β-ketoadipate pathway found in many soil bacteria.

Whole genome of Klebsiella aerogenes PX01 isolated from San Jacinto River sediment west of Baytown, Texas reveals the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance determinants and mobile genetic elements

Klebsiella aerogenes is a Gram-negative bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae which is widely distributed in water, air and soil. It also forms part of the normal microbiota found in human and animal gastrointestinal tracts. Here we report the draft genome sequence (chromosome and 1 plasmid) of K. aerogenes strain PX01 compiled at the scaffold level from 97 contigs totaling 5,262,952 bp. K. aerogenes PX01 was isolated from sediment along the northern face of Burnet Bay west of Baytown, Texas. The nucleotide sequence of this genome was deposited into NCBI GenBank under the accession NJBB00000000.

Influence of dairy by-product waste milk on the microbiomes of different gastrointestinal tract components in pre-weaned dairy calves

The community structure of colonised bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of pre-weaned calves is affected by extrinsic factors, such as the genetics and diet of the calves; however, the dietary impact is not fully understood and warrants further research. Our study revealed that a total of 6, 5, 2 and 10 bacterial genera showed biologically significant differences in the GITs of pre-weaned calves fed four waste-milk diets: acidified waste milk, pasteurised waste milk, untreated bulk milk, and untreated waste milk, respectively. Specifically, generic biomarkers were observed in the rumen (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides, Fibrobacter, Clostridium, etc.), caecum (e.g., Faecalibacterium, Oxalobacter, Odoribacter, etc.) and colon (e.g., Megamonas, Comamonas, Stenotrophomonas, etc.) but not in the faeces. In addition, the predicted metabolic pathways showed that the expression of genes related to metabolic diseases was increased in the calves fed untreated waste milk, which indicated that untreated waste milk is not a suitable liquid diet for pre-weaned calves. This is the first study to demonstrate how different types of waste milk fed to pre-weaned calves affect the community structure of colonised bacteria, and the results may provide insights for the intentional adjustment of diets and gastrointestinal bacterial communities.

Draft Genome Sequence of Rhizobium sp. GHKF11, Isolated from Farmland Soil in Pecan Grove, Texas

Rhizobium sp. GHKF11 is an organophosphate-degrading bacterial strain that was isolated from farmland soil in Pecan Grove, Texas, USA. In addition to a capacity for pesticide degradation, GHKF11 shares conserved traits with other Rhizobium spp., including heavy metal resistance and transport genes that may have significant agricultural biotechnology applications.

Draft Genome Sequence of Exiguobacterium sp. KKBO11, Isolated Downstream of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Houston, Texas

Exiguobacterium sp. KKBO11, isolated near a wastewater treatment plant in Houston, Texas, USA, possesses a large number of genes involved in stress response and transport critical to survival in adverse environmental conditions. An unusually high copy number of RNA genes also possibly contributes to this microorganism’s versatility by promoting nutrient uptake.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas putida CBF10-2, a Soil Isolate with Bioremediation Potential in Agricultural and Industrial Environmental Settings

Pseudomonas putida CBF10-2 is a microorganism isolated from farmland soil in Fairchild, TX, found to degrade high-impact xenobiotics, including organophosphate insecticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, and both monocyclic and polycyclic aromatics. The versatility of CBF10-2 makes it useful for multipurpose bioremediation of contaminated sites in agricultural and industrial environments.

Draft Genome Sequence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia CBF10-1, an Organophosphate-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Ranch Soil in Fairchilds, Texas

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia CBF10-1 was isolated from a ranch in Fairchilds, Texas, USA. Its genome reveals a highly adaptable microorganism with a large complement of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes, efflux pumps, multidrug transporters, and xenobiotic degradation pathways.

Draft Genome Sequence of Alkane-Degrading Acinetobacter venetianus JKSF02, Isolated from Contaminated Sediment of the San Jacinto River in Houston, Texas

Acinetobacter venetianus JKSF02 was isolated from contaminated sediment in eastern Houston, Texas along the San Jacinto River. This microorganism specializes in n-alkane degradation and is well suited for bioremediation of the petroleum hydrocarbon deposited throughout the region by shipping and industrial activity from the Houston Ship Channel.

Draft Genome Sequence of Organophosphate-Degrading Ochrobactrum anthropi FRAF13

Ochrobactrum anthropi FRAF13 was isolated from farmland soil in Jersey Village, Texas. FRAF13 is a bacterial microorganism with broad antibiotic resistance that possesses a number of metal-dependent β-lactam enzymes with secondary phosphotriesterase activity that can initiate the breakdown of organophosphate compounds.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Broad-Spectrum Xenobiotic Degrader Achromobacter xylosoxidans ADAF13

Achromobacter xylosoxidans ADAF13, isolated from farmland soil, possesses a large number of putative degradation genes and pathways that break down a wide variety of aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and other high-impact xenobiotics. These properties make this strain an excellent candidate for further development as a broad-spectrum bioremediation agent.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas stutzeri ODKF13, Isolated from Farmland Soil in Alvin, Texas

Pseudomonas stutzeriODKF13 is a bacterial microorganism isolated from farmland soil in Alvin, Texas. This strain is notable for its naphthalene degradation and nitrogen fixation pathways and for its characterization as an organophosphate degrader of phosphotriester and phosphorothioate insecticides.