Methylophilus quaylei sp. nov., a new aerobic obligately methylotrophic bacterium

Methylocystis dominates methane oxidation in glacier foreland soil at elevated temperature

Methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) play an important role in mitigating methane emissions in various ecological environments, including cold regions. However, the response of methanotrophs in these cold environments to extreme temperatures above the in-situ temperature has not been thoroughly explored. Therefore, this study collected soil samples from Longxiazailongba (LXZ) and Qiangyong (QY) glacier forelands and incubated them with 13CH4 at 35°C under different soil water conditions. The active methanotroph populations were identified using DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) and high throughput sequencing techniques. The results showed that the methane oxidation potential in LXZ and QY glacier foreland soils was significantly enhanced at an unusually high temperature of 35°C during microcosm incubations, where abundant substrate (methane and oxygen) was provided. Moreover, the influence of soil water conditions on this potential was observed. Interestingly, Methylocystis, a type II and mesophilic methanotroph, was detected in the unincubated in-situ soil samples and became the active and dominant methanotroph in methane oxidation at 35°C. This suggests that Methylocystis can survive at low temperatures for a prolonged period and thrive under suitable growth conditions. Furthermore, the presence of mesophilic methanotrophs in cold habitats could have potential implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in warming glacial environments.

Methyloradius palustris gen. nov., sp. nov., a methanol-oxidizing bacterium isolated from snow

A novel methylotrophic bacterium, strain Zm11^T, was isolated from reddish brown snow collected in a moor in Japan. Cells of the isolate were Gram-stain-negative, motile, and rod-shaped (0.6-0.7 × 1.2-2.7 μm). Growth was observed at 5-32 °C with an optimum growth temperature of 25-28 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.4-7.8 with an optimum pH of 6.8. The strain utilized only methanol as carbon and energy sources for aerobic growth. The major cellular fatty acids (> 40% of total) were summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c) and C_16: 0. The predominant quinone was Q-8, and major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The complete genome of strain Zm11^T is composed of a circular chromosome (2,800,413 bp), with G + C content of 46.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and conserved proteins encoded in the genome. The results of analyses indicate that strain Zm11^T is a member of the family Methylophilaceae but does not belong to any existing genus. On the basis of its genomic and phenotypic properties, strain Zm11^T (= DSM111909^T = NBRC114766^T) is proposed as the type strain of a new species in a new genus, Methyloradius palustris gen. nov., sp. nov.

Usitatibacter rugosus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Usitatibacter palustris sp. nov., novel members of Usitatibacteraceae fam. nov. within the order Nitrosomonadales isolated from soil

Members of the metabolically diverse order Nitrosomonadales inhabit a wide range of environments. Two strains affiliated with this order were isolated from soils in Germany and characterized by a polyphasic approach. Cells of strains 0125_3^T and Swamp67^T are Gram-negative rods, non-motile, non-spore-forming, non-capsulated and divide by binary fission. They tested catalase-negative, but positive for cytochrome c-oxidase. Both strains form small white colonies on agar plates and grow aerobically and chemoorganotrophically on SSE/HD 1 : 10 medium, preferably utilizing organic acids and proteinaceous substrates. Strains 0125_3^T and Swamp67^T are mesophilic and grow optimally without NaCl addition at slightly alkaline conditions. Major fatty acids are C_16 : 1  ω7c, C_16 : 0 and C_14 : 0. The major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidyglycerol. The predominant respiratory quinone is Q-8. The G+C content for 0125_3^T and Swamp67^T was 67 and 66.1 %, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that the closest relatives (<91 % sequence similarity) of strain 0125_3^T were Nitrosospira multiformis ATCC 25196^T, Methyloversatilis universalis FAM5^T and Denitratisoma oestradiolicum AcBE2-1^T, while Nitrosospira multiformis ATCC 25196^T, Nitrosospira tenuis Nv1^T and Nitrosospira lacus APG3^T were closest to strain Swamp67^T. The two novel strains shared 97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with one another and show low average nucleotide identity of their genomes (83.8 %). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genomic and phylogenetic analysis, we propose the two novel species Usitatibacter rugosus sp. nov (type strain 0125_3^T=DSM 104443^T=LMG 29998^T=CECT 9241^T) and Usitatibacter palustris sp. nov. (type strain Swamp67^T=DSM 104440^T=LMG 29997^T=CECT 9242^T) of the novel genus Usitatibacter gen. nov., within the novel family Usitatibacteraceae fam. nov.

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation and endophytic bacterial community structure in Bt-transgenic chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) of transgenic grain legumes might be influenced either by the site of transgene integration into the host genome or due to constitutive expression of transgenes and antibiotic-resistant marker genes. The present investigation confirmed proper nodulation of five tested Bt-chickpea events (IPCa2, IPCa4, IPCT3, IPCT10, and IPCT13) by native Mesorhizobium under field environment. Quantitative variations for nodulation traits among Bt-chickpea were determined and IPCT3 was found superior for nodule number and nodule biomass. Diversity, as well as richness indices, confirmed the changes in bacterial community structure of root and root-nodules from Bt-chickpea events IPCa2 and IPCT10. Especially, Gram-positive bacteria belonging to Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were selectively eliminated from root colonization of IPCa2. Richness indices (CHAO1 and ACE) of the root-associated bacterial community of IPCa2 was 13-14 times lesser than that of parent cv DCP92-3. Root nodule associated bacterial community of IPCT10 was unique with high diversity and richness, similar to the roots of non-Bt and Bt-chickpea. It indicated that the root nodules of IPCT10 might have lost their peculiar characteristics and recorded poor colonization of Mesorhizobium with a low relative abundance of 0.27. The impact of Bt-transgene on bacterial community structure and nodulation traits should be analyzed across the years and locations to understand and stabilize symbiotic efficiency for ecosystem sustainability.

Comparison of the Wild-Type Obligate Methylotrophic Bacterium Methylophilus quaylei and its Isogenic Streptomycin-Resistant Mutant via Metal Nanoparticle Generation

Metal nanoparticles synthesized by green methods with the use of microorganisms are currently one of the most closely studied types of nanomaterials. It has accurately been shown that the characteristics of metal nanoparticles generated in the presence of different bacteria vary. For the two isogenic strains of obligate methylotrophic bacteria of the wild type (M. quaylei MT^T) and its streptomycin-resistant mutant (M. quaylei SM^R), the pleiotropic character of streptomycin resistance mutation in the SM^R cells has been revealed. It has been shown that both cultures can generate silver nanoparticles. There is a dramatic difference in the formation of palladium nanoparticles, which are formed only in the presence of cells of the streptomycin-resistant mutant M. quaylei SM^R. This study shows that closely related isogenic strains of obligate methylotrophic bacteria can be distinguished by the spectra of biogenic nanoparticles of two noble metals. While palladium nanoparticles are only generated by the cells of the streptomycin-resistant mutant M. quaylei SM^R, biogenic silver nanoparticles can be generated from both cultures. Thus, the assessment of the ability of microorganisms to form biogenic nanoparticles of different metals allows the revelation of subtle metabolic differences of even close cultures.

Sodium Oleate Increases Ampicillin Sensitivity in Methylophilus quaylei Biofilms on Teflon and Polypropylene

Background:

Drug combination is a new therapy to improve antibiotic deficiency treatment towards biofilm resistance.

Objective:

This study was conducted to determine the potential effect of sodium oleate to inhibit established biofilms of two strains, methylotrophic bacteria Methylophilus quaylei in combination with ampicillin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin was determined and added in combination with sodium oleate and examined on planktonic and established biofilms of two strains M. quaylei were characterized by different properties of cell surface hydrophobicity.

Methods:

The effect on biofilms was evaluated by the number of colony forming units (CFUs), crystal violet assay, light and scanning electron microscopy.

Results:

The study demonstrates that sodium oleate has a promoting activity against planktonic growth of M. quaylei strains and has a slight inhibitory effect on biofilm. Addition of sodium oleate enhances the bactericidal effect of ampicillin against biofilm cells. Combination of ampicillin 0.1 mg/ml (MIC) and sodium oleate 0.03 mg/ml showed a remarkable destruction effect on established biofilms.

Discussion:

Combination of ampicillin 0.1 mg/ml (MIC) and sodium oleate 0.03 mg/ml showed a remarkable destruction effect on established biofilms. Overall, results indicated that sodium oleate in combination with ampicillin enhances the inhibition of M. quaylei biofilms and this combination can be utilized for combating bacterial biofilm resistance.

Conclusion:

Overall, results indicated that sodium oleate in combination with ampicillin enhances the inhibition of M. quaylei biofilms and this combination can be utilized for combating bacterial biofilm resistance.

Differences in Ureolytic Bacterial Composition between the Rumen Digesta and Rumen Wall Based on ureC Gene Classification

Ureolytic bacteria are key organisms in the rumen producing urease enzymes to catalyze the breakdown of urea to ammonia for the synthesis of microbial protein. However, little is known about the diversity and distribution of rumen ureolytic microorganisms. The urease gene (ureC) has been the target gene of choice for analysis of the urea-degrading microorganisms in various environments. In this study, we investigated the predominant ureC genes of the ureolytic bacteria in the rumen of dairy cows using high-throughput sequencing. Six dairy cows with rumen fistulas were assigned to a two-period cross-over trial. A control group (n = 3) were fed a total mixed ration without urea and the treatment group (n = 3) were fed rations plus 180 g urea per cow per day at three separate times. Rumen bacterial samples from liquid and solid digesta and rumen wall fractions were collected for ureC gene amplification and sequencing using Miseq. The wall-adherent bacteria (WAB) had a distinct ureolytic bacterial profile compared to the solid-adherent bacteria (SAB) and liquid-associated bacteria (LAB) but more than 55% of the ureC sequences did not affiliate with any known taxonomically assigned urease genes. Diversity analysis of the ureC genes showed that the Shannon and Chao1 indices for the rumen WAB was lower than those observed for the SAB and LAB (P < 0.01). The most abundant ureC genes were affiliated with Methylococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, Paenibacillaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Methylophilaceae families. Compared with the rumen LAB and SAB, relative abundance of the OTUs affiliated with Methylophilus and Marinobacter genera were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the WAB. Supplementation with urea did not alter the composition of the detected ureolytic bacteria. This study has identified significant populations of ureolytic WAB representing genera that have not been recognized or studied previously in the rumen. The taxonomic classification of rumen ureC genes in the dairy cow indicates that the majority of ureolytic bacteria are yet to be identified. This survey has expanded our knowledge of ureC gene information relating to the rumen ureolytic microbial community, and provides a basis for obtaining regulatory targets of ureolytic bacteria to moderate urea hydrolysis in the rumen.

Evolution of the microbial community of the biofilm in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor reducing multiple electron acceptors

Previous work documented complete perchlorate reduction in a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) using methane as the sole electron donor and carbon source. This work explores how the biofilm's microbial community evolved as the biofilm stage-wise reduced different combinations of perchlorate, nitrate, and nitrite. The initial inoculum, carrying out anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification (ANMO-D), was dominated by uncultured Anaerolineaceae and Ferruginibacter sp. The microbial community significantly changed after it was inoculated into the CH4-based MBfR and fed with a medium containing perchlorate and nitrite. Archaea were lost within the first 40 days, and the uncultured Anaerolineaceae and Ferruginibacter sp. also had significant losses. Replacing them were anoxic methanotrophs, especially Methylocystis, which accounted for more than 25 % of total bacteria. Once the methanotrophs became important, methanol-oxidizing denitrifying bacteria, namely, Methloversatilis and Methylophilus, became important in the biofilm, probably by utilizing organic matter generated by the metabolism of methanotrophs. When methane consumption was equal to the maximum-possible electron-donor supply, Methylomonas, also an anoxic methanotroph, accounted for >10 % of total bacteria and remained a major part of the community until the end of the experiments. We propose that aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification and perchlorate reduction (AMO-D and AMO-PR) directly oxidized methane and reduced NO3 (-) to NO2 (-) or N2O under anoxic condition, producing organic matter for methanol-assimilating denitrification and perchlorate reduction (MA-D and MA-PR) to reduce NO3 (-). Simultaneously, bacteria capable of anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification and perchlorate reduction (ANMO-D and ANMO-PR) used methane as the electron donor to respire NO3 (-) or ClO4 (-) directly. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Draft Genome Sequence of Methanol-Utilizing Methylophilus sp. Strain OH31, Isolated from Pond Sediment in Hokkaido, Japan

Methylophilus sp. strain OH31 was isolated from the sediment of the Ohno pond at Hokkaido University. Strain OH31 utilizes methanol as its energy source. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Methylophilus sp. strain OH31.

Removal of dimethyl sulfide by the combination of non-thermal plasma and biological process

A bench scale system integrated with a non-thermal plasma (NTP) and a biotricking filtration (BTF) unit for the treatment of gases containing dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was investigated. DMS removal efficiency in the integrated system was up to 96%. Bacterial communities in the BTF were assessed by PCR-DGGE, which play the dominant role in the biological processes of metabolism, sulfur oxidation, sulfate-reducing and carbon oxidation. The addition of ozone from NTP made microbial community in BTF more complicated and active for DMS removal. The NTP oxidize DMS to simple compounds such as methanol and carbonyl sulfide; the intermediate organic products and DMS are further oxidized to sulfate, carbon dioxide, water vapors by biological degradation. These results show that NTP-BTF is achievable and open new possibilities for applying the integrated with NTP and BTF to odour gas treatment.

Diversity of bacteria and mycobacteria in biofilms of two urban drinking water distribution systems

In this study, to give insight into the bacterial diversity of biofilms from full-scale drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), the bacterial community compositions of biofilms from two urban DWDSs (Guangzhou and Beijing, China) were determined using a 16S rRNA gene library technique. Meanwhile, the occurrence and diversity of mycobacteria were also analyzed by a Mycobacterium -specific hsp gene assay. The biofilms from the full-scale DWDSs have complex bacterial populations. Proteobacteria was the common and predominant group in all biofilm samples, in agreement with previous reports. The community structures of bacteria at the three sites in Guangzhou DWDS were significantly different, despite the similar physicochemical properties of portable water. Some abundant and peculiar bacterial phylotypes were noteworthy, including Methylophilus , Massilia , and Planomicrobium , members of which are rarely found in DWDSs and their roles in DWDS biofilms are still unclear. The diversity of Mycobacterium species in biofilm samples was rather low. Mycobacterium arupense and Mycobacterium gordonae were the primary Mycobacterium species in Guangzhou and Beijing biofilms, respectively, indicating that M. arupense may be more resistant to chloride than M. gordonae.

Methylophilus glucosoxydans sp. nov., a restricted facultative methylotroph from rice rhizosphere

Two restricted facultatively methylotrophic strains, designed BT and P, were isolated from rice roots. The isolates were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, asporogenous, mesophilic, neutrophilic, motile rods that multiplied by binary fission and were able to synthesize indole-3-acetate. The cellular fatty acid profiles of the two strains were dominated by C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 2-OH. The major ubiquinone was Q-8. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Cardiolipin (diphosphatidylglycerol) was absent. The two strains assimilated methanol carbon at the level of formaldehyde via the ribulose monophosphate cycle (2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate variant). They lacked α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase. They assimilated ammonium via the glutamate cycle enzymes glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase. The DNA G+C contents of strains BT and P were 52.5 and 51.5 mol% (T m), respectively. The level of DNA–DNA reassociation between these strains was 78 %, indicating that they belong to one species. Phylogenetic analysis of strain BT based on 16S rRNA and methanol dehydrogenase (mxaF) gene sequences showed a high level of similarity to members of the genus Methylophilus. As the two isolates were clearly distinct from all recognized members of the genus Methylophilus based on phenotypic data and levels of DNA–DNA relatedness (30–46 %), they are considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Methylophilus glucosoxydans sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is BT ( = VKM B-1607T = CCUG 59685T = DSM 5898T).

Methylophilus flavus sp. nov. and Methylophilus luteus sp. nov., aerobic, methylotrophic bacteria associated with plants

Novel yellow, obligately methylotrophic and restricted facultatively methylotrophic bacteria, respectively designated strains Ship(T) and Mim(T), with the ribulose monophosphate pathway of C(1) assimilation are described. Cells were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, asporogenous, non-motile rods that multiply by binary fission, were mesophilic and neutrophilic and synthesized indole-3-acetic acid and exopolysaccharide. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 1). The major ubiquinone was Q-8. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol; diphosphatidylglycerol was absent. The two strains lacked α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase. They assimilated ammonium via the glutamate cycle enzymes glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase. The DNA G+C contents of strains Ship(T) and Mim(T) were 50.7 and 54.5 mol% (T(m)), respectively. The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between these strains was very high (99.8 %) but they shared a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (44 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with the type strains of recognized species of the genus Methylophilus (31-36 %), strains Ship(T) and Mim(T) are considered to represent novel species of the genus Methylophilus, for which the names Methylophilus flavus sp. nov. (type strain Ship(T) =DSM 23073(T) =VKM B-2547(T) =CCUG 58411(T)) and Methylophilus luteus sp. nov. (type strain Mim(T) =DSM 22949(T) =VKM B-2548(T) =CCUG 58412(T)) are proposed.

Methylotenera mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov., an obligately methylamine-utilizing bacterium within the family Methylophilaceae

A novel obligate methylamine utilizer (strain JLW8(T)), isolated from Lake Washington sediment, was characterized taxonomically. The isolate was an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium. Cells were rod-shaped and motile by means of a single flagellum. Reproduction was by binary fission and no resting bodies were formed. Growth was observed within a pH range of 5-8.5, with optimum growth at pH 7.5. It utilized methylamine as a single source of energy, carbon and nitrogen. Methylamine was oxidized via methylamine dehydrogenase and formaldehyde was assimilated via the ribulose monophosphate cycle. The cellular fatty acid profile was dominated by C(16 : 0)omega7c and C(16 : 0) and the major phospholipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 54 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the new isolate was closely related (97-98 % similarity) to a broad group of sequences from uncultured or uncharacterized Betaproteobacteria, but only distantly related (93-96 % similarity) to known methylotrophs of the family Methylophilaceae. Strain JLW8(T) (=ATCC BAA-1282(T)=DSM 17540(T)) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species in a new genus within the family Methylophilaceae, Methylotenera mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov.