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Chimileski S, Borisy GG, Dewhirst FE, Mark Welch JL. Tip extension and simultaneous multiple fission in a filamentous bacterium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2408654121. [PMID: 39226354 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408654121] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Organisms display an immense variety of shapes, sizes, and reproductive strategies. At microscopic scales, bacterial cell morphology and growth dynamics are adaptive traits that influence the spatial organization of microbial communities. In one such community-the human dental plaque biofilm-a network of filamentous Corynebacterium matruchotii cells forms the core of bacterial consortia known as hedgehogs, but the processes that generate these structures are unclear. Here, using live-cell time-lapse microscopy and fluorescent D-amino acids to track peptidoglycan biosynthesis, we report an extraordinary example of simultaneous multiple division within the domain Bacteria. We show that C. matruchotii cells elongate at one pole through tip extension, similar to the growth strategy of soil-dwelling Streptomyces bacteria. Filaments elongate rapidly, at rates more than five times greater than other closely related bacterial species. Following elongation, many septa form simultaneously, and each cell divides into 3 to 14 daughter cells, depending on the length of the mother filament. The daughter cells then nucleate outgrowth of new thinner vegetative filaments, generating the classic "whip handle" morphology of this taxon. Our results expand the known diversity of bacterial cell cycles and help explain how this filamentous bacterium can compete for space, access nutrients, and form important interspecies interactions within dental plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Chimileski
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
| | - Gary G Borisy
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
- Department of Microbiology, American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Floyd E Dewhirst
- Department of Microbiology, American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jessica L Mark Welch
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
- Department of Microbiology, American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
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Haufschild T, Kallscheuer N, Hammer J, Kohn T, Kabuu M, Jogler M, Wohlfarth N, Rohde M, van Teeseling MCF, Jogler C. An untargeted cultivation approach revealed Pseudogemmatithrix spongiicola gen. nov., sp. nov., and sheds light on the gemmatimonadotal mode of cell division: binary fission. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16764. [PMID: 39034380 PMCID: PMC11271474 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67408-9] [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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Members of the phylum Gemmatimonadota can account for up to 10% of the phylogenetic diversity in bacterial communities. However, a detailed investigation of their cell biology and ecological roles is restricted by currently only six characterized species. By combining low-nutrient media, empirically determined inoculation volumes and long incubation times in a 96-well plate cultivation platform, we isolated two strains from a limnic sponge that belong to this under-studied phylum. The characterization suggests that the two closely related strains constitute a novel species of a novel genus, for which we introduce the name Pseudogemmatithrix spongiicola. The here demonstrated isolation of novel members from an under-studied bacterial phylum substantiates that the cultivation platform can provide access to axenic bacterial cultures from various environmental samples. Similar to previously described members of the phylum, the novel isolates form spherical appendages at the cell poles that were believed to be daughter cells resulting from asymmetric cell division by budding. However, time-lapse microscopy experiments and quantitative image analysis showed that the spherical appendages never grew or divided. Although the role of these spherical cells remains enigmatic, our data suggests that cells of the phylum Gemmatimonadota divide via FtsZ-based binary fission with different division plane localization patterns than in other bacterial phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Haufschild
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Nicolai Kallscheuer
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Jonathan Hammer
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Timo Kohn
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Moses Kabuu
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Mareike Jogler
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Nicole Wohlfarth
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Muriel C F van Teeseling
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Jogler
- Department of Microbial Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
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3
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Cockx BJR, Foster T, Clegg RJ, Alden K, Arya S, Stekel DJ, Smets BF, Kreft JU. Is it selfish to be filamentous in biofilms? Individual-based modeling links microbial growth strategies with morphology using the new and modular iDynoMiCS 2.0. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011303. [PMID: 38422165 PMCID: PMC10947719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities are found in all habitable environments and often occur in assemblages with self-organized spatial structures developing over time. This complexity can only be understood, predicted, and managed by combining experiments with mathematical modeling. Individual-based models are particularly suited if individual heterogeneity, local interactions, and adaptive behavior are of interest. Here we present the completely overhauled software platform, the individual-based Dynamics of Microbial Communities Simulator, iDynoMiCS 2.0, which enables researchers to specify a range of different models without having to program. Key new features and improvements are: (1) Substantially enhanced ease of use (graphical user interface, editor for model specification, unit conversions, data analysis and visualization and more). (2) Increased performance and scalability enabling simulations of up to 10 million agents in 3D biofilms. (3) Kinetics can be specified with any arithmetic function. (4) Agent properties can be assembled from orthogonal modules for pick and mix flexibility. (5) Force-based mechanical interaction framework enabling attractive forces and non-spherical agent morphologies as an alternative to the shoving algorithm. The new iDynoMiCS 2.0 has undergone intensive testing, from unit tests to a suite of increasingly complex numerical tests and the standard Benchmark 3 based on nitrifying biofilms. A second test case was based on the "biofilms promote altruism" study previously implemented in BacSim because competition outcomes are highly sensitive to the developing spatial structures due to positive feedback between cooperative individuals. We extended this case study by adding morphology to find that (i) filamentous bacteria outcompete spherical bacteria regardless of growth strategy and (ii) non-cooperating filaments outcompete cooperating filaments because filaments can escape the stronger competition between themselves. In conclusion, the new substantially improved iDynoMiCS 2.0 joins a growing number of platforms for individual-based modeling of microbial communities with specific advantages and disadvantages that we discuss, giving users a wider choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan J. R. Cockx
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Demark, DTU Lyngby campus, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tim Foster
- Centre for Computational Biology & Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J. Clegg
- Centre for Computational Biology & Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran Alden
- Centre for Computational Biology & Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sankalp Arya
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Dov J. Stekel
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Barth F. Smets
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Demark, DTU Lyngby campus, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jan-Ulrich Kreft
- Centre for Computational Biology & Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Kaljević J, Tesseur C, Le TBK, Laloux G. Cell cycle-dependent organization of a bacterial centromere through multi-layered regulation of the ParABS system. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010951. [PMID: 37733798 PMCID: PMC10547168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate distribution of genetic material is crucial for all organisms. In most bacteria, chromosome segregation is achieved by the ParABS system, in which the ParB-bound parS sequence is actively partitioned by ParA. While this system is highly conserved, its adaptation in organisms with unique lifestyles and its regulation between developmental stages remain largely unexplored. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory bacterium proliferating through polyploid replication and non-binary division inside other bacteria. Our study reveals the subcellular dynamics and multi-layered regulation of the ParABS system, coupled to the cell cycle of B. bacteriovorus. We found that ParA:ParB ratios fluctuate between predation stages, their balance being critical for cell cycle progression. Moreover, the parS chromosomal context in non-replicative cells, combined with ParB depletion at cell division, critically contribute to the unique cell cycle-dependent organization of the centromere in this bacterium, highlighting new levels of complexity in chromosome segregation and cell cycle control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tung B. K. Le
- John Innes Centre, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Santin YG, Lamot T, van Raaphorst R, Kaljević J, Laloux G. Modulation of prey size reveals adaptability and robustness in the cell cycle of an intracellular predator. Curr Biol 2023:S0960-9822(23)00541-9. [PMID: 37207648 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite a remarkable diversity of lifestyles, bacterial replication has only been investigated in a few model species. In bacteria that do not rely on canonical binary division for proliferation, the coordination of major cellular processes is still largely mysterious. Moreover, the dynamics of bacterial growth and division remain unexplored within spatially confined niches where nutrients are limited. This includes the life cycle of the model endobiotic predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, which grows by filamentation within its prey and produces a variable number of daughter cells. Here, we examined the impact of the micro-compartment in which predators replicate (i.e., the prey bacterium) on their cell-cycle progression at the single-cell level. Using Escherichia coli with genetically encoded size differences, we show that the duration of the predator cell cycle scales with prey size. Consequently, prey size determines predator offspring numbers. We found that individual predators elongate exponentially, with a growth rate determined by the nutritional quality of the prey, irrespective of prey size. However, the size of newborn predator cells is remarkably stable across prey nutritional content and size variations. Tuning the predatory cell cycle by modulating prey dimensions also allowed us to reveal invariable temporal connections between key cellular processes. Altogether, our data imply adaptability and robustness shaping the enclosed cell-cycle progression of B. bacteriovorus, which might contribute to optimal exploitation of the finite resources and space in their prey. This study extends the characterization of cell cycle control strategies and growth patterns beyond canonical models and lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoann G Santin
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Lamot
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Jovana Kaljević
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Géraldine Laloux
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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Pląskowska K, Makowski Ł, Strzałka A, Zakrzewska-Czerwińska J. Binary or Nonbinary Fission? Reproductive Mode of a Predatory Bacterium Depends on Prey Size. mBio 2023:e0077223. [PMID: 37162334 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00772-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria, including model organisms such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Caulobacter crescentus, reproduce by binary fission. However, some bacteria belonging to various lineages, including antibiotic-producing Streptomyces and predatory Bdellovibrio, proliferate by nonbinary fission, wherein three or more chromosome copies are synthesized and the resulting multinucleoid filamentous cell subdivides into progeny cells. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus reproduces through both binary and nonbinary fission inside different prey bacteria. Switching between the two modes correlates with the prey size. In relatively small prey cells, B. bacteriovorus undergoes binary fission; the FtsZ ring assembles in the midcell, and the mother cell splits into two daughter cells. In larger prey cells, B. bacteriovorus switches to nonbinary fission and creates multiple asynchronously assembled FtsZ rings to produce three or more daughter cells. Completion of bacterial cell cycle critically depends on precise spatiotemporal coordination of chromosome replication with other cell cycle events, including cell division. We show that B. bacteriovorus always initiates chromosome replication at the invasive pole of the cell, but the spatiotemporal choreography of subsequent steps depends on the fission mode and/or the number of progeny cells. In nonbinary dividing filaments producing five or more progeny cells, the last round(s) of replication may also be initiated at the noninvasive pole. Altogether, we find that B. bacteriovorus reproduces through bimodal fission and that extracellular factors, such as the prey size, can shape replication choreography, providing new insights about bacterial life cycles. IMPORTANCE Most eukaryotic and bacterial cells divide by binary fission, where one mother cell produces two progeny cells, or, rarely, by nonbinary fission. All bacteria studied to date use only one of these two reproduction modes. We demonstrate for the first time that a predatory bacterium, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, exhibits bimodal fission and the mode of division depends on the size of the prey bacterium inside which B. bacteriovorus grows. This work provides key insights into the mode and dynamics of B. bacteriovorus proliferation in different pathogens that pose a major threat to human health due to their emerging antibiotic resistance (Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella flexneri). The use of predatory bacteria such as B. bacteriovorus is currently regarded as a promising strategy to kill antibiotic-resistant pathogens. We find that B. bacteriovorus employs different chromosome replication choreographies and division modes when preying on those pathogens. Our findings may facilitate the design of efficient pathogen elimination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pląskowska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Makowski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Strzałka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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Du RL, Chow HY, Chen YW, Chan PH, Daniel RA, Wong KY. Gossypol acetate: A natural polyphenol derivative with antimicrobial activities against the essential cell division protein FtsZ. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1080308. [PMID: 36713210 PMCID: PMC9878342 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1080308] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has attracted worldwide attention and remains an urgent issue to resolve. Discovery of novel compounds is regarded as one way to circumvent the development of resistance and increase the available treatment options. Gossypol is a natural polyphenolic aldehyde, and it has attracted increasing attention as a possible antibacterial drug. In this paper, we studied the antimicrobial properties (minimum inhibitory concentrations) of gossypol acetate against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains and dig up targets of gossypol acetate using in vitro assays, including studying its effects on functions (GTPase activity and polymerization) of Filamenting temperature sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ) and its interactions with FtsZ using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and in vivo assays, including visualization of cell morphologies and proteins localizations using a microscope. Lastly, Bacterial membrane permeability changes were studied, and the cytotoxicity of gossypol acetate was determined. We also estimated the interactions of gossypol acetate with the promising target. We found that gossypol acetate can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria such as the model organism Bacillus subtilis and the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus [both methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA)]. In addition, gossypol acetate can also inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria when the outer membrane is permeabilized by Polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN). Using a cell biological approach, we show that gossypol acetate affects cell division in bacteria by interfering with the assembly of the cell division FtsZ ring. Biochemical analysis shows that the GTPase activity of FtsZ was inhibited and polymerization of FtsZ was enhanced in vitro, consistent with the block to cell division in the bacteria tested. The binding mode of gossypol acetate in FtsZ was modeled using molecular docking and provides an understanding of the compound mode of action. The results point to gossypol (S2303) as a promising antimicrobial compound that inhibits cell division by affecting FtsZ polymerization and has potential to be developed into an effective antimicrobial drug by chemical modification to minimize its cytotoxic effects in eukaryotic cells that were identified in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Lan Du
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho-Yin Chow
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Wei Chen
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pak-Ho Chan
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard A. Daniel
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,Richard A. Daniel,
| | - Kwok-Yin Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China,*Correspondence: Kwok-Yin Wong,
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Allard P, Papazotos F, Potvin-Trottier L. Microfluidics for long-term single-cell time-lapse microscopy: Advances and applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:968342. [PMID: 36312536 PMCID: PMC9597311 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.968342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells are inherently dynamic, whether they are responding to environmental conditions or simply at equilibrium, with biomolecules constantly being made and destroyed. Due to their small volumes, the chemical reactions inside cells are stochastic, such that genetically identical cells display heterogeneous behaviors and gene expression profiles. Studying these dynamic processes is challenging, but the development of microfluidic methods enabling the tracking of individual prokaryotic cells with microscopy over long time periods under controlled growth conditions has led to many discoveries. This review focuses on the recent developments of one such microfluidic device nicknamed the mother machine. We overview the original device design, experimental setup, and challenges associated with this platform. We then describe recent methods for analyzing experiments using automated image segmentation and tracking. We further discuss modifications to the experimental setup that allow for time-varying environmental control, replicating batch culture conditions, cell screening based on their dynamic behaviors, and to accommodate a variety of microbial species. Finally, this review highlights the discoveries enabled by this technology in diverse fields, such as cell-size control, genetic mutations, cellular aging, and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Allard
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Fotini Papazotos
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Laurent Potvin-Trottier
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Physics, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Laurent Potvin-Trottier,
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Baumgartner RJ, Hu S, Van Kranendonk MJ, Verrall M. Taphonomy of microorganisms and microbial microtextures at sulfidic hydrothermal vents: A case study from the Roman Ruins black smokers, Eastern Manus Basin. GEOBIOLOGY 2022; 20:479-497. [PMID: 35315208 PMCID: PMC9310909 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biological activity at deep-sea hydrothermal chimneys is driven by chemotrophic microorganisms that metabolize chemicals from the venting high-temperature fluids. Understanding taphonomy and microbial microtextures in such environments is a necessity for micropaleontological and palaeoecological research. This study examines fossilized microorganisms and related microtextures in a recent black smoker from the Roman Ruins hydrothermal vent site, Eastern Manus Basin offshore of Papua New Guinea. Whereas the center of the examined sulfide chimney is dominated by high-temperature mineralogy (chalcopyrite and dendritic sphalerite), filamentous and coccoidal biomorphs occur in an outer, warm zone of mixing between hydrothermal fluids and seawater, which is indicated by their occurrence within colloform and botryoidal pyrite of barite-pyrite coprecipitates. Both morphotypes can be interpreted as thermophilic microorganisms based on their occurrence in a high-temperature habitat. Their separate (non-commensal) occurrence hints at sensitivities to microenvironmental conditions, which is expectable for strong temperature, pH, and redox gradients at the walls of deep-sea hydrothermal chimneys. Whereas both morphotypes experienced mild thermal overprint, taphonomic differences exist: (i) spaces left by cells in filamentous fossils are predominately filled by silica, whereas inter/extracellular features (crosswalls/septae and outer sheaths) are pyritized; (ii) coccoidal fossils show both silica- and pyrite-infilled interiors, and generally better preservation of cell walls. These different manifestations presumably relate to an interplay between microenvironmental and biological factors, potentially contrasting metabolisms, and differences in cell wall chemistries of distinct bacteria and/or archaea. A further hypothesis is that the coccoidal features represent biofilm-forming organisms, whose organic matter derivates contributed to the formation of intimately associated wavy and wrinkly carbonaceous laminations that are at least locally distinguishable from the texture of the surrounding pyrite. Hence, the presented data provide evidence that microtextures of microbiota from hydrothermal systems can have a similar significance for palaeobiological research as those from sedimentary environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael J. Baumgartner
- CSIRO Mineral ResourcesAustralian Resources Research CentreKensingtonWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Siyu Hu
- CSIRO Mineral ResourcesAustralian Resources Research CentreKensingtonWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Martin J. Van Kranendonk
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Verrall
- CSIRO Mineral ResourcesAustralian Resources Research CentreKensingtonWestern AustraliaAustralia
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10
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Kumari P, Atta A. Droplet breakup in a parallel microchannel with asymmetrical geometric constraints. Chem Eng Res Des 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2022.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Attaibi M, den Blaauwen T. An Updated Model of the Divisome: Regulation of the Septal Peptidoglycan Synthesis Machinery by the Divisome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3537. [PMID: 35408901 PMCID: PMC8998562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of a peptidoglycan septum is a fundamental part of bacterial fission and is driven by a multiprotein dynamic complex called the divisome. FtsW and FtsI are essential proteins that synthesize the peptidoglycan septum and are controlled by the regulatory FtsBLQ subcomplex and the activator FtsN. However, their mode of regulation has not yet been uncovered in detail. Understanding this process in detail may enable the development of new compounds to combat the rise in antibiotic resistance. In this review, recent data on the regulation of septal peptidoglycan synthesis is summarized and discussed. Based on structural models and the collected data, multiple putative interactions within FtsWI and with regulators are uncovered. This elaborates on and supports an earlier proposed model that describes active and inactive conformations of the septal peptidoglycan synthesis complex that are stabilized by these interactions. Furthermore, a new model on the spatial organization of the newly synthesized peptidoglycan and the synthesis complex is presented. Overall, the updated model proposes a balance between several allosteric interactions that determine the state of septal peptidoglycan synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Science, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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12
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The possible modes of microbial reproduction are fundamentally restricted by distribution of mass between parent and offspring. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122197119. [PMID: 35294281 PMCID: PMC8944278 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122197119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and simple cell colonies reproduce by fragmenting their bodies into pieces. Produced newborns need to grow before they can reproduce again. How big a cell or a cell colony should grow? How many offspring should be produced? Should they be of equal size or diverse? We show that the simple fact that the immediate mass of offspring cannot exceed the mass of parents restricts possible answers to these questions. For example, our theory states that, when mass is conserved in the course of fragmentation, the evolutionarily optimal reproduction mode is fragmentation into exactly two, typically equal, parts. Our theory also shows conditions which promote evolution of asymmetric division or fragmentation into multiple pieces. Multiple modes of asexual reproduction are observed among microbial organisms in natural populations. These modes are not only subject to evolution, but may drive evolutionary competition directly through their impact on population growth rates. The most prominent transition between two such modes is the one from unicellularity to multicellularity. We present a model of the evolution of reproduction modes, where a parent organism fragments into smaller parts. While the size of an organism at fragmentation, the number of offspring, and their sizes may vary a lot, the combined mass of fragments is limited by the mass of the parent organism. We found that mass conservation can fundamentally limit the number of possible reproduction modes. This has important direct implications for microbial life: For unicellular species, the interplay between cell shape and kinetics of the cell growth implies that the largest and the smallest possible cells should be rod shaped rather than spherical. For primitive multicellular species, these considerations can explain why rosette cell colonies evolved a mechanistically complex binary split reproduction. Finally, we show that the loss of organism mass during sporulation can explain the macroscopic sizes of the formally unicellular microorganism Myxomycetes plasmodium. Our findings demonstrate that a number of seemingly unconnected phenomena observed in unrelated species may be different manifestations of the same underlying process.
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Gao Y, Pichugin Y, Gokhale CS, Traulsen A. Evolution of reproductive strategies in incipient multicellularity. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210716. [PMID: 35232276 PMCID: PMC8889184 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular organisms potentially show a large degree of diversity in reproductive strategies, producing offspring with varying sizes and compositions compared to their unicellular ancestors. In reality, only a few of these reproductive strategies are prevalent. To understand why this could be the case, we develop a stage-structured population model to probe the evolutionary growth advantages of reproductive strategies in incipient multicellular organisms. The performance of reproductive strategies is evaluated by the growth rates of the corresponding populations. We identify the optimal reproductive strategy, leading to the largest growth rate for a population. Considering the effects of organism size and cellular interaction, we found that distinct reproductive strategies could perform uniquely or equally well under different conditions. If a single reproductive strategy is optimal, it is binary splitting, dividing into two parts. Our results show that organism size and cellular interaction can play crucial roles in shaping reproductive strategies in nascent multicellularity. Our model sheds light on understanding the mechanism driving the evolution of reproductive strategies in incipient multicellularity. Beyond multicellularity, our results imply that a crucial factor in the evolution of unicellular species’ reproductive strategies is organism size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxiao Gao
- Department of Evolutionary Theory, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Yuriy Pichugin
- Department of Evolutionary Theory, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Chaitanya S Gokhale
- Research Group for Theoretical Models of Eco-evolutionary Dynamics, Department of Evolutionary Theory, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Arne Traulsen
- Department of Evolutionary Theory, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
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14
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A Dual pH/O 2 Sensing Film Based on Functionalized Electrospun Nanofibers for Real-Time Monitoring of Cellular Metabolism. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27051586. [PMID: 35268687 PMCID: PMC8911770 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Real-time monitoring of dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH is of great significance for understanding cellular metabolism. Herein, a dual optical pH/O2 sensing membrane was prepared by the electrospinning method. Cellulose acetate (CA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber membrane blended with platinum (II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin (PtTFPP) was used as the DO sensing matrix, upon which electrospun nanofiber membrane of chitosan (CS) coupled with fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate (FITC) was used as the pH sensing matrix. The electrospun sensing film prepared from biocompatible biomaterials presented good response to a wide range of DO concentrations and physiological pH. We used it to monitor the exracellular acidification and oxygen consumption levels of cells and bacteria. This sensing film can provide a luminescence signal change as the DO and pH change in the growth microenvironment. Due to its advantages of good biocompatibility and high stability, we believe that the dual functional film has a high value in the field of biotechnology research.
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15
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Day TC, Höhn SS, Zamani-Dahaj SA, Yanni D, Burnetti A, Pentz J, Honerkamp-Smith AR, Wioland H, Sleath HR, Ratcliff WC, Goldstein RE, Yunker PJ. Cellular organization in lab-evolved and extant multicellular species obeys a maximum entropy law. eLife 2022; 11:e72707. [PMID: 35188101 PMCID: PMC8860445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of multicellular organisms is due in part to their ability to form complex structures. How cells pack in these structures is a fundamental biophysical issue, underlying their functional properties. However, much remains unknown about how cell packing geometries arise, and how they are affected by random noise during growth - especially absent developmental programs. Here, we quantify the statistics of cellular neighborhoods of two different multicellular eukaryotes: lab-evolved 'snowflake' yeast and the green alga Volvox carteri. We find that despite large differences in cellular organization, the free space associated with individual cells in both organisms closely fits a modified gamma distribution, consistent with maximum entropy predictions originally developed for granular materials. This 'entropic' cellular packing ensures a degree of predictability despite noise, facilitating parent-offspring fidelity even in the absence of developmental regulation. Together with simulations of diverse growth morphologies, these results suggest that gamma-distributed cell neighborhood sizes are a general feature of multicellularity, arising from conserved statistics of cellular packing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Day
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
| | - Stephanie S Höhn
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Seyed A Zamani-Dahaj
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
- Quantitative Biosciences Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
| | - David Yanni
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
| | - Anthony Burnetti
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
| | - Jennifer Pentz
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Aurelia R Honerkamp-Smith
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Hugo Wioland
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Hannah R Sleath
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - William C Ratcliff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
| | - Raymond E Goldstein
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter J Yunker
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
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16
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Huddling together to survive: Population density as a survival strategy of non-spore forming bacteria under nutrient starvation and desiccation at solid-air interfaces. Microbiol Res 2022; 258:126997. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.126997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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17
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Khan N, Gupta A, shivhare V, Ahuja R, Varshney M, Basu A, DuttKonar A. A Heterochiral Diphenylalanine Auxin Derivative empowers Remarkable Mechanical Integrity with promising Antiinflammatory and Antimicrobial Performances. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj03240f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistant microbes in conjunction with antiinflammatory responses are one of the universal challenges in health care avenues. Although scientists have dedicated enormous efforts to discover potential constructs,...
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18
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Oemcke LA, Anderson RC, Altermann E, Roy NC, McNabb WC. The Role of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria in Immune Barrier Maturation of the Small Intestine at Weaning. Front Nutr 2021; 8:759137. [PMID: 34869529 PMCID: PMC8637878 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.759137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbiological, physical, chemical, and immunological barriers of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) begin developing in utero and finish maturing postnatally. Maturation of these barriers is essential for the proper functioning of the GIT. Maturation, particularly of the immunological barrier, involves stimulation by bacteria. Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) which are anaerobic, spore-forming commensals have been linked to immune activation. The presence and changes in SFB abundance have been positively correlated to immune markers (cytokines and immunoglobulins) in the rat ileum and stool samples, pre- and post-weaning. The abundance of SFB in infant stool increases from 6 months, peaks around 12 months and plateaus 25 months post-weaning. Changes in SFB abundance at these times correlate positively and negatively with the production of interleukin 17 (IL 17) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), respectively, indicating involvement in immune function and maturation. Additionally, the peak in SFB abundance when a human milk diet was complemented by solid foods hints at a diet effect. SFB genome analysis revealed enzymes involved in metabolic pathways for survival, growth and development, host mucosal attachment and substrate acquisition. This narrative review discusses the current knowledge of SFB and their suggested effects on the small intestine immune system. Referencing the published genomes of rat and mouse SFB, the use of food substrates to modulate SFB abundance is proposed while considering their effects on other microbes. Changes in the immune response caused by the interaction of food substrate with SFB may provide insight into their role in infant immunological barrier maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Oemcke
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Smart Foods Innovation Centre of Excellence, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Rachel C Anderson
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Smart Foods Innovation Centre of Excellence, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Eric Altermann
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Consumer Interface Innovation Centre of Excellence, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicole C Roy
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Warren C McNabb
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand
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19
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Dreher Y, Jahnke K, Schröter M, Göpfrich K. Light-Triggered Cargo Loading and Division of DNA-Containing Giant Unilamellar Lipid Vesicles. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:5952-5957. [PMID: 34251204 PMCID: PMC8323123 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A minimal synthetic cell should contain a substrate for information storage and have the capability to divide. Notable efforts were made to assemble functional synthetic cells from the bottom up, however often lacking the capability to reproduce. Here, we develop a mechanism to fully control reversible cargo loading and division of DNA-containing giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with light. We make use of the photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) which self-assembles into lipid bilayers and leads to local lipid peroxidation upon illumination. On the time scale of minutes, illumination induces the formation of transient pores, which we exploit for cargo encapsulation or controlled release. In combination with osmosis, complete division of two daughter GUVs can be triggered within seconds of illumination due to a spontaneous curvature increase. We ultimately demonstrate the division of a selected DNA-containing GUV with full spatiotemporal control-proving the relevance of the division mechanism for bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannik Dreher
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schröter
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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20
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Kaljević J, Saaki TNV, Govers SK, Remy O, van Raaphorst R, Lamot T, Laloux G. Chromosome choreography during the non-binary cell cycle of a predatory bacterium. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3707-3720.e5. [PMID: 34256020 PMCID: PMC8445325 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria, the dynamics of chromosome replication and segregation are tightly coordinated with cell-cycle progression and largely rely on specific spatiotemporal arrangement of the chromosome. Whereas these key processes are mostly investigated in species that divide by binary fission, they remain mysterious in bacteria producing larger number of descendants. Here, we establish the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus as a model to investigate the non-binary processing of a circular chromosome. We found that its single chromosome is highly compacted in a polarized nucleoid that excludes freely diffusing proteins during the non-proliferative stage of the cell cycle. A binary-like cycle of DNA replication and asymmetric segregation is followed by multiple asynchronous rounds of replication and progressive ParABS-dependent partitioning, uncoupled from cell division. Finally, we provide the first evidence for an on-off behavior of the ParB protein, which localizes at the centromere in a cell-cycle-regulated manner. Altogether, our findings support a model of complex chromosome choreography leading to the generation of variable, odd, or even numbers of offspring and highlight the adaptation of conserved mechanisms to achieve non-binary reproduction. The Bdellovibrio chromosome is polarized, with ori located near the invasive pole The highly compacted nucleoid excludes cytosolic proteins in non-replicative cells Replication and segregation of chromosomes are uncoupled from cell division The centromeric protein ParB localizes at parS in a cell-cycle-dependent manner
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Kaljević
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Terrens N V Saaki
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sander K Govers
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ophélie Remy
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Thomas Lamot
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Géraldine Laloux
- de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, 75 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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21
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Novick A, Doolittle WF. 'Species' without species. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2021; 87:72-80. [PMID: 34111824 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biological science uses multiple species concepts. Order can be brought to this diversity if we recognize two key features. First, any given species concept is likely to have a patchwork structure, generated by repeated application of the concept to new domains. We illustrate this by showing how two species concepts (biological and ecological) have been modified from their initial eukaryotic applications to apply to prokaryotes. Second, both within and between patches, distinct species concepts may interact and hybridize. We thus defend a semantic picture of the species concept as a collection of interacting patchwork structures. Thus, although not all uses of the term pick out the same kind of unit in nature, the diversity of uses reflects something more than mere polysemy. We suggest that the emphasis on the use of species to pick out natural units is itself problematic, because that is not the term's sole function. In particular, species concepts are used to manage inquiry into processes of speciation, even when these processes do not produce clearly delimited species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Novick
- Department of Philosophy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - W Ford Doolittle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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22
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Kuhl M, Rückert C, Gläser L, Beganovic S, Luzhetskyy A, Kalinowski J, Wittmann C. Microparticles enhance the formation of seven major classes of natural products in native and metabolically engineered actinobacteria through accelerated morphological development. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:3076-3093. [PMID: 33974270 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Actinobacteria provide a rich spectrum of bioactive natural products and therefore display an invaluable source towards commercially valuable pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Here, we studied the use of inorganic talc microparticles (hydrous magnesium silicate, 3MgO·4SiO2 ·H2 O, 10 µm) as a general supplement to enhance natural product formation in this important class of bacteria. Added to cultures of recombinant Streptomyces lividans, talc enhanced production of the macrocyclic peptide antibiotic bottromycin A2 and its methylated derivative Met-bottromycin A2 up to 109 mg L-1 , the highest titer reported so far. Hereby, the microparticles fundamentally affected metabolism. With 10 g L-1 talc, S. lividans grew to 40% smaller pellets and, using RNA sequencing, revealed accelerated morphogenesis and aging, indicated by early upregulation of developmental regulator genes such as ssgA, ssgB, wblA, sigN, and bldN. Furthermore, the microparticles re-balanced the expression of individual bottromycin cluster genes, resulting in a higher macrocyclization efficiency at the level of BotAH and correspondingly lower levels of non-cyclized shunt by-products, driving the production of mature bottromycin. Testing a variety of Streptomyces species, talc addition resulted in up to 13-fold higher titers for the RiPPs bottromycin and cinnamycin, the alkaloid undecylprodigiosin, the polyketide pamamycin, the tetracycline-type oxytetracycline, and the anthramycin-analogs usabamycins. Moreover, talc addition boosted production in other actinobacteria, outside of the genus of Streptomyces: vancomycin (Amycolatopsis japonicum DSM 44213), teicoplanin (Actinoplanes teichomyceticus ATCC 31121), and the angucyclinone-type antibiotic simocyclinone (Kitasatospora sp.). For teicoplanin, the microparticles were even crucial to activate production. Taken together, the use of talc was beneficial in 75% of all tested cases and optimized natural and heterologous hosts forming the substance of interest with clusters under native and synthetic control. Given its simplicity and broad benefits, microparticle-supplementation appears as an enabling technology in natural product research of these most important microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kuhl
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Lars Gläser
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Selma Beganovic
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christoph Wittmann
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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23
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Angert ER. Challenges Faced by Highly Polyploid Bacteria with Limits on DNA Inheritance. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6156627. [PMID: 33677487 PMCID: PMC8245194 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Most studies of bacterial reproduction have centered on organisms that undergo binary fission. In these models, complete chromosome copies are segregated with great fidelity into two equivalent offspring cells. All genetic material is passed on to offspring, including new mutations and horizontally acquired sequences. However, some bacterial lineages employ diverse reproductive patterns that require management and segregation of more than two chromosome copies. Epulopiscium spp., and their close relatives within the Firmicutes phylum, are intestinal symbionts of surgeonfish (family Acanthuridae). Each of these giant (up to 0.6 mm long), cigar-shaped bacteria contains tens of thousands of chromosome copies. Epulopiscium spp. do not use binary fission but instead produce multiple intracellular offspring. Only ∼1% of the genetic material in an Epulopiscium sp. type B mother cell is directly inherited by its offspring cells. And yet, even in late stages of offspring development, mother-cell chromosome copies continue to replicate. Consequently, chromosomes take on a somatic or germline role. Epulopiscium sp. type B is a strict anaerobe and while it is an obligate symbiont, its host has a facultative association with this intestinal microorganism. Therefore, Epulopiscium sp. type B populations face several bottlenecks that could endanger their diversity and resilience. Multilocus sequence analyses revealed that recombination is important to diversification in populations of Epulopiscium sp. type B. By employing mechanisms common to others in the Firmicutes, the coordinated timing of mother-cell lysis, offspring development and congression may facilitate the substantial recombination observed in Epulopiscium sp. type B populations.
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24
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Berzunza G, Sturm A, Winter A. Trait-dependent branching particle systems with competition and multiple offspring. ELECTRON J PROBAB 2021. [DOI: 10.1214/21-ejp707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anja Sturm
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
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25
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Aguilar EJ, Barbosa VC, Donangelo R, Souza SR. Interspecies evolutionary dynamics mediated by public goods in bacterial quorum sensing. Phys Rev E 2021; 103:012403. [PMID: 33601496 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.103.012403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial quorum sensing is the communication that takes place between bacteria as they secrete certain molecules into the intercellular medium that later get absorbed by the secreting cells themselves and by others. Depending on cell density, this uptake has the potential to alter gene expression and thereby affect global properties of the community. We consider the case of multiple bacterial species coexisting, referring to each one of them as a genotype and adopting the usual denomination of the molecules they collectively secrete as public goods. A crucial problem in this setting is characterizing the coevolution of genotypes as some of them secrete public goods (and pay the associated metabolic costs) while others do not but may nevertheless benefit from the available public goods. We introduce a network model to describe genotype interaction and evolution when genotype fitness depends on the production and uptake of public goods. The model comprises a random graph to summarize the possible evolutionary pathways the genotypes may take as they interact genetically with one another, and a system of coupled differential equations to characterize the behavior of genotype abundance in time. We study some simple variations of the model analytically and more complex variations computationally. Our results point to a simple trade-off affecting the long-term survival of those genotypes that do produce public goods. This trade-off involves, on the producer side, the impact of producing and that of absorbing the public good. On the nonproducer side, it involves the impact of absorbing the public good as well, now compounded by the molecular compatibility between the producer and the nonproducer. Depending on how these factors turn out, producers may or may not survive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo J Aguilar
- Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rodovia José Aurélio Vilela, 11999, 37715-400 Poços de Caldas, Minais Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valmir C Barbosa
- Programa de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computação, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Sala H-319, 21941-914 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raul Donangelo
- Instituto de Física, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Julio Herrera y Reissig 565, 11300 Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sergio R Souza
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Física, ICEx, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minais Gerais, Brazil
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26
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Garcia-Mazcorro JF, Kawas JR, Licona Cassani C, Mertens-Talcott S, Noratto G. Different analysis strategies of 16S rRNA gene data from rodent studies generate contrasting views of gut bacterial communities associated with diet, health and obesity. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10372. [PMID: 33240672 PMCID: PMC7678494 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of the main functions of diet is to nurture the gut microbiota and this relationship affects the health of the host. However, different analysis strategies can generate different views on the relative abundance of each microbial taxon, which can affect our conclusions about the significance of diet to gut health in lean and obese subjects. Here we explored the impact of using different analysis strategies to study the gut microbiota in a context of diet, health and obesity. Methods Over 15 million 16S rRNA gene sequences from published studies involving dietary interventions in obese laboratory rodents were analyzed. Three strategies were used to assign the 16S sequences to Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) based on the GreenGenes reference OTU sequence files clustered at 97% and 99% similarity. Results Different strategies to select OTUs influenced the relative abundance of all bacterial taxa, but the magnitude of this phenomenon showed a strong study effect. Different taxa showed up to 20% difference in relative abundance within the same study, depending on the analysis strategy. Very few OTUs were shared among the samples. ANOSIM test on unweighted UniFrac distances showed that study, sequencing technique, animal model, and dietary treatment (in that order) were the most important factors explaining the differences in bacterial communities. Except for obesity status, the contribution of diet and other factors to explain the variability in bacterial communities was lower when using weighted UniFrac distances. Predicted functional profile and high-level phenotypes of the microbiota showed that each study was associated with unique features and patterns. Conclusions The results confirm previous findings showing a strong study effect on gut microbial composition and raise concerns about the impact of analysis strategies on the membership and composition of the gut microbiota. This study may be helpful to guide future research aiming to investigate the relationship between diet, health, and the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge R Kawas
- Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, General Escobedo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | | | - Susanne Mertens-Talcott
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Giuliana Noratto
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
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27
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Pichugin Y, Traulsen A. Evolution of multicellular life cycles under costly fragmentation. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008406. [PMID: 33211685 PMCID: PMC7714367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A fascinating wealth of life cycles is observed in biology, from unicellularity to the concerted fragmentation of multicellular units. However, the understanding of factors driving their evolution is still limited. We show that costs of fragmentation have a major impact on the evolution of life cycles due to their influence on the growth rates of the associated populations. We model a group structured population of undifferentiated cells, where cell clusters reproduce by fragmentation. Fragmentation events are associated with a cost expressed by either a fragmentation delay, an additional risk, or a cell loss. The introduction of such fragmentation costs vastly increases the set of possible life cycles. Based on these findings, we suggest that the evolution of life cycles involving splitting into multiple offspring can be directly associated with the fragmentation cost. Moreover, the impact of this cost alone is strong enough to drive the emergence of multicellular units that eventually split into many single cells, even under scenarios that strongly disfavour collectives compared to solitary individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Pichugin
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Arne Traulsen
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
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28
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Dissipative Structures, Organisms and Evolution. ENTROPY 2020; 22:e22111305. [PMID: 33287069 PMCID: PMC7712552 DOI: 10.3390/e22111305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Self-organization in nonequilibrium systems has been known for over 50 years. Under nonequilibrium conditions, the state of a system can become unstable and a transition to an organized structure can occur. Such structures include oscillating chemical reactions and spatiotemporal patterns in chemical and other systems. Because entropy and free-energy dissipating irreversible processes generate and maintain these structures, these have been called dissipative structures. Our recent research revealed that some of these structures exhibit organism-like behavior, reinforcing the earlier expectation that the study of dissipative structures will provide insights into the nature of organisms and their origin. In this article, we summarize our study of organism-like behavior in electrically and chemically driven systems. The highly complex behavior of these systems shows the time evolution to states of higher entropy production. Using these systems as an example, we present some concepts that give us an understanding of biological organisms and their evolution.
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Kuhl M, Gläser L, Rebets Y, Rückert C, Sarkar N, Hartsch T, Kalinowski J, Luzhetskyy A, Wittmann C. Microparticles globally reprogram Streptomyces albus toward accelerated morphogenesis, streamlined carbon core metabolism, and enhanced production of the antituberculosis polyketide pamamycin. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:3858-3875. [PMID: 32808679 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Streptomyces spp. are a rich source for natural products with recognized industrial value, explaining the high interest to improve and streamline the performance of in these microbes. Here, we studied the production of pamamycins, macrodiolide homologs with a high activity against multiresistant pathogenic microbes, using recombinant Streptomyces albus J1074/R2. Talc particles (hydrous magnesium silicate, 3MgO·4SiO2 ·H2 O) of micrometer size, added to submerged cultures of the recombinant strain, tripled pamamycin production up to 50 mg/L. Furthermore, they strongly affected morphology, reduced the size of cell pellets formed by the filamentous microbe during the process up to sixfold, and shifted the pamamycin spectrum to larger derivatives. Integrated analysis of transcriptome and precursor (CoA thioester) supply of particle-enhanced and control cultures provided detailed insights into the underlying molecular changes. The microparticles affected the expression of 3,341 genes (56% of all genes), revealing a global and fundamental impact on metabolism. Morphology-associated genes, encoding major regulators such as SsgA, RelA, EshA, Factor C, as well as chaplins and rodlins, were found massively upregulated, indicating that the particles caused a substantially accelerated morphogenesis. In line, the pamamycin cluster was strongly upregulated (up to 1,024-fold). Furthermore, the microparticles perturbed genes encoding for CoA-ester metabolism, which were mainly activated. The altered expression resulted in changes in the availability of intracellular CoA-esters, the building blocks of pamamycin. Notably, the ratio between methylmalonyl CoA and malonyl-CoA was increased fourfold. Both metabolites compete for incorporation into pamamycin so that the altered availability explained the pronounced preference for larger derivatives in the microparticle-enhanced process. The novel insights into the behavior of S. albus in response to talc appears of general relevance to further explore and upgrade the concept of microparticle enhanced cultivation, widely used for filamentous microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kuhl
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Lars Gläser
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Yuriy Rebets
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christoph Wittmann
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Abstract
Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that has significantly reduced its genome size in adapting to its intracellular niche. Among the genes that Chlamydia has eliminated is ftsZ, encoding the central organizer of cell division that directs cell wall synthesis in the division septum. These Gram-negative pathogens have cell envelopes that lack peptidoglycan (PG), yet they use PG for cell division purposes. Recent research into chlamydial PG synthesis, components of the chlamydial divisome, and the mechanism of chlamydial division have significantly advanced our understanding of these processes in a unique and important pathogen. For example, it has been definitively confirmed that chlamydiae synthesize a canonical PG structure during cell division. Various studies have suggested and provided evidence that Chlamydia uses MreB to substitute for FtsZ in organizing and coordinating the divisome during division, components of which have been identified and characterized. Finally, as opposed to using an FtsZ-dependent binary fission process, Chlamydia employs an MreB-dependent polarized budding process to divide. A brief historical context for these key advances is presented along with a discussion of the current state of knowledge of chlamydial cell division.
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31
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Hartmann R, Teeseling MCF, Thanbichler M, Drescher K. BacStalk: A comprehensive and interactive image analysis software tool for bacterial cell biology. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:140-150. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raimo Hartmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology Marburg Germany
| | | | - Martin Thanbichler
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology Marburg Germany
- Department of Biology Philipps‐Universität Marburg Germany
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology Marburg Germany
| | - Knut Drescher
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology Marburg Germany
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology Marburg Germany
- Department of Physics Philipps‐Universität Marburg Germany
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32
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Rivas-Marin E, Peeters SH, Claret Fernández L, Jogler C, van Niftrik L, Wiegand S, Devos DP. Non-essentiality of canonical cell division genes in the planctomycete Planctopirus limnophila. Sci Rep 2020; 10:66. [PMID: 31919386 PMCID: PMC6952346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56978-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria divide by binary fission using an FtsZ-based mechanism that relies on a multi-protein complex, the divisome. In the majority of non-spherical bacteria another multi-protein complex, the elongasome, is also required for the maintenance of cell shape. Components of these multi-protein assemblies are conserved and essential in most bacteria. Here, we provide evidence that at least three proteins of these two complexes are not essential in the FtsZ-less ovoid planctomycete bacterium Planctopirus limnophila which divides by budding. We attempted to construct P. limnophila knock-out mutants of the genes coding for the divisome proteins FtsI, FtsK, FtsW and the elongasome protein MreB. Surprisingly, ftsI, ftsW and mreB could be deleted without affecting the growth rate. On the other hand, the conserved ftsK appeared to be essential in this bacterium. In conclusion, the canonical bacterial cell division machinery is not essential in P. limnophila and this bacterium divides via budding using an unknown mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rivas-Marin
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD)-CSIC, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
| | - Stijn H Peeters
- Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Claret Fernández
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD)-CSIC, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Jogler
- Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Institute of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Interactions, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Laura van Niftrik
- Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Wiegand
- Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Damien P Devos
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD)-CSIC, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.
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Seligmann H. Syntenies Between Cohosted Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Phycodnavirus Genomes: Functional Mimicry and/or Common Ancestry? DNA Cell Biol 2019; 38:1257-1268. [DOI: 10.1089/dna.2019.4858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Seligmann
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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34
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Abstract
Reproduction in the bacterial kingdom predominantly occurs through binary fission-a process in which one parental cell is divided into two similarly sized daughter cells. How cell division, in conjunction with cell elongation and chromosome segregation, is orchestrated by a multitude of proteins has been an active area of research spanning the past few decades. Together, the monumental endeavors of multiple laboratories have identified several cell division and cell shape regulators as well as their underlying regulatory mechanisms in rod-shaped Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, which serve as model organisms for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Yet our understanding of bacterial cell division and morphology regulation is far from complete, especially in noncanonical and non-rod-shaped organisms. In this review, we focus on two proteins that are highly conserved in Gram-positive organisms, DivIVA and its homolog GpsB, and attempt to summarize the recent advances in this area of research and discuss their various roles in cell division, cell growth, and chromosome segregation in addition to their interactome and posttranslational regulation.
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Abstract
Longevity reflects the ability to maintain homeostatic conditions necessary for life as an organism ages. A long-lived organism must contend not only with environmental hazards but also with internal entropy and macromolecular damage that result in the loss of fitness during ageing, a phenomenon known as senescence. Although central to many of the core concepts in biology, ageing and longevity have primarily been investigated in sexually reproducing, multicellular organisms. However, growing evidence suggests that microorganisms undergo senescence, and can also exhibit extreme longevity. In this Review, we integrate theoretical and empirical insights to establish a unified perspective on senescence and longevity. We discuss the evolutionary origins, genetic mechanisms and functional consequences of microbial ageing. In addition to having biomedical implications, insights into microbial ageing shed light on the role of ageing in the origin of life and the upper limits to longevity.
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36
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Cortés-Albayay C, Dorador C, Schumann P, Andrews B, Asenjo J, Nouioui I. Streptomyces huasconensis sp. nov., an haloalkalitolerant actinobacterium isolated from a high altitude saline wetland at the Chilean Altiplano. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:2315-2322. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cortés-Albayay
- 1School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Devonshire Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- 2Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Dorador
- 3Laboratory of Microbial Complexity and Functional Ecology, Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mary Recursos Biológicos and Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Peter Schumann
- 4Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Germany
| | - Barbara Andrews
- 2Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Asenjo
- 2Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile
| | - Imen Nouioui
- 1School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Devonshire Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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37
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Biofouling of FeNP-Coated SWRO Membranes with Bacteria Isolated after Pre-Treatment in the Sea of Cortez. COATINGS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings9070462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Commercial seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes were coated with iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) and biofouled with a bacterium strain isolated from the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. This strain was selected and characterized, as it was the only cultivable strain in pretreated seawater. Molecular identification of the strain showed that it belongs to Bacillus halotolerans MCC1. This strain was Gram positive with spore production, and was susceptible to Fe+2 toxicity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.8 g L−1. Its biofouling potential on both uncoated and FeNP coated reverse osmosis (RO) membranes was measured via biofilm layer thickness, total cell count, optical density and organic matter. The FeNP-coated RO membrane presented a significant reduction in biofilm cake layer thickness (>90%), total cells (>67%), optical density (>42%) and organic matter (>92%) with respect to an uncoated commercial membrane. Thus, Bacillus halotolerans MCC1 shows great potential to biofoul RO membranes as it can pass through ultrafiltration membranes due to its spore producing ability; nonetheless, FeNP-coated membranes represent a potential alternative to mitigate RO membrane biofouling.
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38
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Cortés-Albayay C, Dorador C, Schumann P, Schniete JK, Herron P, Andrews B, Asenjo J, Nouioui I. Streptomyces altiplanensis sp. nov., an alkalitolerant species isolated from Chilean Altiplano soil, and emended description of Streptomyces chryseus (Krasil'nikov et al. 1965) Pridham 1970. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:2498-2505. [PMID: 31204968 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A polyphasic approach was used for evaluating the taxonomic status of strain HST21T isolated from Salar de Huasco in the Atacama Desert. The results of 16S rRNA gene and multilocus sequence phylogenetic analyses assigned strain HST21T to the genus Streptomyceswith Streptomyces albidochromogenes DSM 41800Tand Streptomyces flavidovirens DSM 40150T as its nearest neighbours. Digital DNA-DNA hydridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between the genome sequences of strain HST21T and S. albidochromogenes DSM 41800T (35.6 and 88.2 %) and S. flavidovirens DSM 40105T (47.2 and 88.8 %) were below the thresholds of 70 and 95-96 % for prokaryotic conspecific assignation. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic results distinguished strain HST21T from its closest neighbours. Strain HST21T is characterized by the presence of ll-diaminopimelic acid in its peptidoglycan layer; glucose and ribose as whole cell sugars; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycophospholipids, unknown lipids and phospholipids as polar lipids; and anteiso-C15 : 0 (21.6 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (20.5 %) as major fatty acids (>15 %). Based on these results, strain HST21T merits recognition as a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces altiplanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HST21T=DSM 107267T=CECT 9647T. While analysing the phylogenies of strain HST21T, Streptomyces chryseus DSM 40420T and Streptomyces helvaticus DSM 40431T were found to have 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with digital DNA-DNA hydridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 95.3 and 99.4 %, respectively. Therefore, S. helvaticus is considered as a later heterotypic synonym of S. chryseus and, consequently, we emend the description of S. chryseus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cortés-Albayay
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Devonshire Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Dorador
- Laboratory of Microbial Complexity and Functional Ecology, Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos & Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Peter Schumann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Germany
| | - Jana K Schniete
- Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, 107 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NG, UK
| | - Paul Herron
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Barbara Andrews
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Asenjo
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile
| | - Imen Nouioui
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Devonshire Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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Arroyo FA, Pawlowska TE, Choat JH, Clements KD, Angert ER. Recombination contributes to population diversification in the polyploid intestinal symbiont Epulopiscium sp. type B. THE ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:1084-1097. [PMID: 30643198 PMCID: PMC6461767 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0339-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epulopiscium sp. type B (Lachnospiraceae) is an exceptionally large, highly polyploid, intestinal symbiont of the coral reef dwelling surgeonfish Naso tonganus. These obligate anaerobes do not form mature endospores and reproduce solely through the production of multiple intracellular offspring. This likely makes them dependent on immediate transfer to a receptive host for dispersal. During reproduction, only a small proportion of Epulopiscium mother-cell DNA is inherited. To explore the impact of this unusual viviparous lifestyle on symbiont population dynamics, we investigated Epulopiscium sp. type B and their fish hosts collected over the course of two decades, at island and reef habitats near Lizard Island, Australia. Using multi-locus sequence analysis, we found that recombination plays an important role in maintaining diversity of these symbionts and yet populations exhibit linkage disequilibrium (LD). Symbiont populations showed spatial but not temporal partitioning. Surgeonfish are long-lived and capable of traveling long distances, yet the population structures of Epulopiscium suggest that adult fish tend to not roam beyond a limited locale. Codiversification analyses and traits of this partnership suggest that while symbionts are obligately dependent on their host, the host has a facultative association with Epulopiscium. We suggest that congression of unlinked markers contributes to LD estimates in this and other recombinant populations of bacteria. The findings here inform our understanding of evolutionary processes within intestinal Lachnospiraceae populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa E Pawlowska
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - J Howard Choat
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Kendall D Clements
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Esther R Angert
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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40
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Seligmann H. Giant viruses: spore‐like missing links betweenRickettsiaand mitochondria? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1447:69-79. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Seligmann
- The National Natural History Collectionsthe Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem Israel
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41
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Luo XW, Zhang DY, Zhu TH, Zhou XG, Peng J, Zhang SB, Liu Y. Adaptation mechanism and tolerance of Rhodopseudomonas palustris PSB-S under pyrazosulfuron-ethyl stress. BMC Microbiol 2018; 18:207. [PMID: 30526497 PMCID: PMC6286529 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-018-1361-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl is a long lasting herbicide in the agro-ecosystem and its residue is toxic to crops and other non-target organisms. A better understanding of molecular basis in pyrazosulfuron-ethyl tolerant organisms will shed light on the adaptive mechanisms to this herbicide. RESULTS Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl inhibited biomass production in Rhodopseudomonas palustris PSB-S, altered cell morphology, suppressed flagella formation, and reduced pigment biosynthesis through significant suppression of carotenoids biosynthesis. A total of 1127 protein spots were detected in the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Among them, 72 spots representing 56 different proteins were found to be differently expressed using MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS, including 26 up- and 30 down-regulated proteins in the pyrazosulfuron-ethyl-treated PSB-S cells. The up-regulated proteins were involved predominantly in oxidative stress or energy generation pathways, while most of the down-regulated proteins were involved in the biomass biosynthesis pathway. The protein expression profiles suggested that the elongation factor G, cell division protein FtsZ, and proteins associated with the ABC transporters were crucial for R. palustris PSB-S tolerance against pyrazosulfuron-ethyl. CONCLUSION Up-regulated proteins, including elongation factor G, cell division FtsZ, ATP synthase, and superoxide dismutase, and down-regulated proteins, including ALS III and ABC transporters, as well as some unknown proteins might play roles in R. palustris PSB-S adaptation to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl induced stresses. Functional validations of these candidate proteins should help to develope transgenic crops resistant to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Wen Luo
- Key laboratory of pest management of horticultural crop of Hunan province, Hunan Plant Protection Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, No 726 Second Yuanda Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410125, Hunan province, People's Republic of China.,Plant Protection College, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - De-Yang Zhang
- Key laboratory of pest management of horticultural crop of Hunan province, Hunan Plant Protection Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, No 726 Second Yuanda Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410125, Hunan province, People's Republic of China.,Plant Protection College, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Teng-Hui Zhu
- Plant Protection College, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Xu-Guo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Jing Peng
- Key laboratory of pest management of horticultural crop of Hunan province, Hunan Plant Protection Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, No 726 Second Yuanda Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410125, Hunan province, People's Republic of China.,Plant Protection College, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Song-Bai Zhang
- Key laboratory of pest management of horticultural crop of Hunan province, Hunan Plant Protection Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, No 726 Second Yuanda Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410125, Hunan province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Key laboratory of pest management of horticultural crop of Hunan province, Hunan Plant Protection Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, No 726 Second Yuanda Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410125, Hunan province, People's Republic of China. .,Plant Protection College, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
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Abstract
Symbiotic bacteria of the genus Thiosymbion attach to the surface of their nematode hosts using their poles and divide by longitudinal binary fission. A new study now sheds light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie this peculiar mode of proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Thanbichler
- Faculty of Biology & LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität Marburg and Max Planck Fellow Group "Prokaryotic Cell Biology", Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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43
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Deshpande S, Spoelstra WK, van Doorn M, Kerssemakers J, Dekker C. Mechanical Division of Cell-Sized Liposomes. ACS NANO 2018; 12:2560-2568. [PMID: 29455527 PMCID: PMC5876618 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b08411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Liposomes, self-assembled vesicles with a lipid-bilayer boundary similar to cell membranes, are extensively used in both fundamental and applied sciences. Manipulation of their physical properties, such as growth and division, may significantly expand their use as model systems in cellular and synthetic biology. Several approaches have been explored to controllably divide liposomes, such as shape transformation through temperature cycling, incorporation of additional lipids, and the encapsulation of protein division machinery. However, so far, these methods lacked control, exhibited low efficiency, and yielded asymmetric division in terms of volume or lipid composition. Here, we present a microfluidics-based strategy to realize mechanical division of cell-sized (∼6 μm) liposomes. We use octanol-assisted liposome assembly (OLA) to produce liposomes on chip, which are subsequently flowed against the sharp edge of a wedge-shaped splitter. Upon encountering such a Y-shaped bifurcation, the liposomes are deformed and, remarkably, are able to divide into two stable daughter liposomes in just a few milliseconds. The probability of successful division is found to critically depend on the surface area-to-volume ratio of the mother liposome, which can be tuned through osmotic pressure, and to strongly correlate to the mother liposome size for given microchannel dimensions. The division process is highly symmetric (∼3% size variation between the daughter liposomes) and is accompanied by a low leakage. This mechanical division of liposomes may constitute a valuable step to establish a growth-division cycle of synthetic cells.
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Hu B, Owh C, Chee PL, Leow WR, Liu X, Wu YL, Guo P, Loh XJ, Chen X. Supramolecular hydrogels for antimicrobial therapy. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:6917-6929. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00128f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The programmable nature of supramolecular interactions enables various supramolecular hydrogels to perform antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benhui Hu
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX)
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
| | - Cally Owh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
- Singapore
| | - Pei Lin Chee
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
- Singapore
| | - Wan Ru Leow
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX)
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
| | - Xuan Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research
- School of Pharmaceutical Science
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
| | - Yun-Long Wu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research
- School of Pharmaceutical Science
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
| | - Peizhi Guo
- Institute of Materials for Energy and Environment
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Qingdao University
- Qingdao
- China
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
- Singapore
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX)
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
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45
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Sánchez-España J, Wang K, Falagán C, Yusta I, Burgos WD. Microbially mediated aluminosilicate formation in acidic anaerobic environments: A cell-scale chemical perspective. GEOBIOLOGY 2018; 16:88-103. [PMID: 29322690 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Through the use of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combined with other complementary techniques (SEM, cryo-TEM, HRTEM, and EELS), we have studied the interaction of microorganisms inhabiting deep anoxic waters of acidic pit lakes with dissolved aluminum, silica, sulfate, and ferrous iron. These elements were close to saturation (Al, SiO2 ) or present at very high concentrations (0.12 m Fe(II), 0.12-0.22 m SO42- ) in the studied systems. The anaerobic conditions of these environments allowed investigation of geomicrobial interactions that are difficult to see in oxidized, Fe(III)-rich environments. Detailed chemical maps and through-cell line scans suggest both extra- and intracellular accumulation of Al, Si, S, and Fe(II) in rod-like cells and other structures (e.g., spherical particles and bacteriomorphs) of probable microbial origin. The bacterial rods showed external nanometric coatings of adsorbed Fe(II) and Al on the cell surface and cell interiors with significant presence of Al, Si, and S. These microbial cells coexist with spherical particles showing similar configuration (Fe(II) external coatings and [Al, Si, S]-rich cores). The Al:Si and Al:S ratios and the good Al-Si correlation in the cell interiors suggest the concurrent formation of two amorphous phases, namely a proto-aluminosilicate with imogolite-like composition and proto-hydrobasaluminite. In both cases, the mineralization appears to comprise two stages: a first stage of aluminosilicate and Al-hydroxysulfate precipitation within the cell or around cellular exudates, and a second stage of SO42- and Fe(II) adsorption on surface sites existing on the mineral phases in the case of (SO42- ) or on presumed organic molecules [in the case of Fe(II)]. These microbially related solids could have been formed by permineralization and mineral replacement of senescent microbial cells. However, these features could also denote biomineralization by active bacterial cells as a detoxification mechanism, a possibility which should be further explored. We discuss the significance of the observed Al/microbe and Si/microbe interactions and the implications for clay mineral formation at low pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sánchez-España
- Environmental Hydrogeochemistry, Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Geological Resources, Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Madrid, Spain
| | - K Wang
- Materials Characterization Laboratory (MCL), The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - C Falagán
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - I Yusta
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Faculty of Science and Technology, The Basque Country University (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - W D Burgos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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46
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Hutchison E, Yager NA, Taw MN, Taylor M, Arroyo F, Sannino DR, Angert ER. Developmental stage influences chromosome segregation patterns and arrangement in the extremely polyploid, giant bacterium Epulopiscium sp. type B. Mol Microbiol 2017; 107:68-80. [PMID: 29024073 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have described chromosomal dynamics in bacterial cells with more than two complete chromosome copies or described changes with respect to development in polyploid cells. We examined the arrangement of chromosomal loci in the very large, highly polyploid, uncultivated intestinal symbiont Epulopiscium sp. type B using fluorescent in situ hybridization. We found that in new offspring, chromosome replication origins (oriCs) are arranged in a three-dimensional array throughout the cytoplasm. As development progresses, most oriCs become peripherally located. Siblings within a mother cell have similar numbers of oriCs. When chromosome orientation was assessed in situ by labeling two chromosomal regions, no specific pattern was detected. The Epulopiscium genome codes for many of the conserved positional guide proteins used for chromosome segregation in bacteria. Based on this study, we present a model that conserved chromosomal maintenance proteins, combined with entropic demixing, provide the forces necessary for distributing oriCs. Without the positional regulation afforded by radial confinement, chromosomes are more randomly oriented in Epulopiscium than in most small rod-shaped cells. Furthermore, we suggest that the random orientation of individual chromosomes in large polyploid cells would not hamper reproductive success as it would in smaller cells with more limited genomic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Hutchison
- Department of Biology, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - May N Taw
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Francine Arroyo
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - David R Sannino
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Esther R Angert
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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47
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Fragmentation modes and the evolution of life cycles. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005860. [PMID: 29166656 PMCID: PMC5718564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005860] [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] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is a defining feature of living systems. To reproduce, aggregates of biological units (e.g., multicellular organisms or colonial bacteria) must fragment into smaller parts. Fragmentation modes in nature range from binary fission in bacteria to collective-level fragmentation and the production of unicellular propagules in multicellular organisms. Despite this apparent ubiquity, the adaptive significance of fragmentation modes has received little attention. Here, we develop a model in which groups arise from the division of single cells that do not separate but stay together until the moment of group fragmentation. We allow for all possible fragmentation patterns and calculate the population growth rate of each associated life cycle. Fragmentation modes that maximise growth rate comprise a restrictive set of patterns that include production of unicellular propagules and division into two similar size groups. Life cycles marked by single-cell bottlenecks maximise population growth rate under a wide range of conditions. This surprising result offers a new evolutionary explanation for the widespread occurrence of this mode of reproduction. All in all, our model provides a framework for exploring the adaptive significance of fragmentation modes and their associated life cycles. Mode of reproduction is a defining trait of all organisms, including colonial bacteria and multicellular organisms. To produce offspring, aggregates must fragment by splitting into two or more groups. The particular way that a given group fragments defines the life cycle of the organism. For instance, insect colonies can reproduce by splitting or by producing individuals that found new colonies. Similarly, some colonial bacteria propagate by fission or by releasing single cells, while others split in highly sophisticated ways; in multicellular organisms reproduction typically proceeds via a single-cell bottleneck phase. The space of possibilities for fragmentation is so vast that an exhaustive analysis seems daunting. Focusing on fragmentation modes of a simple kind we parametrise all possible modes of group fragmentation and identify those modes leading to the fastest population growth rate. Two kinds of life cycle dominate: one involving division into two equal size groups, and the other involving production of a unicellular propagule. The prevalence of these life cycles in nature is consistent with our null model and suggests that benefits accruing from population growth rate alone may have shaped the evolution of fragmentation mode.
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48
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Yap LW, Endres RG. A model of cell-wall dynamics during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:8089-8095. [PMID: 29057401 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00818j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To survive starvation, Bacillus subtilis forms durable spores. After asymmetric cell division, the septum grows around the forespore in a process called engulfment, but the mechanism of force generation is unknown. Here, we derived a novel biophysical model for the dynamics of cell-wall remodeling during engulfment based on a balancing of dissipative, active, and mechanical forces. By plotting phase diagrams, we predict that sporulation is promoted by a line tension from the attachment of the septum to the outer cell wall, as well as by an imbalance in turgor pressures in the mother-cell and forespore compartments. We also predict that significant mother-cell growth hinders engulfment. Hence, relatively simple physical principles may guide this complex biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Wei Yap
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.
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49
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Ser HL, Tan LTH, Law JWF, Chan KG, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, Pusparajah P, Ab Mutalib NS, Khan TM, Goh BH, Lee LH. Focused Review: Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Potentials of Mangrove-Derived Streptomyces. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2065. [PMID: 29163380 PMCID: PMC5672783 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human life expectancy is rapidly increasing with an associated increasing burden of chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. However, there is limited progress in finding effective treatment for these conditions. For this reason, members of the genus Streptomyces have been explored extensively over the past decades as these filamentous bacteria are highly efficient in producing bioactive compounds with human health benefits. Being ubiquitous in nature, streptomycetes can be found in both terrestrial and marine environments. Previously, two Streptomyces strains (MUSC 137T and MUM 256) isolated from mangrove sediments in Peninsular Malaysia demonstrated potent antioxidant and cytotoxic activities against several human cancer cell lines on bioactivity screening. These results illustrate the importance of streptomycetes from underexplored regions aside from the terrestrial ecosystem. Here we provide the insights and significance of Streptomyces species in the search of anticancer and/or chemopreventive agents and highlight the impact of next generation sequencing on drug discovery from the Streptomyces arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooi-Leng Ser
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Loh Teng-Hern Tan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Jodi Woan-Fei Law
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Vice Chancellor Office, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Acharaporn Duangjai
- Division of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Surasak Saokaew
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Priyia Pusparajah
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tahir Mehmood Khan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacy, Absyn University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
- Asian Centre for Evidence Synthesis in Population, Implementation and Clinical Outcomes, Health and Well-Being Cluster, Global Asia in the 21st Century Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Bey-Hing Goh
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Asian Centre for Evidence Synthesis in Population, Implementation and Clinical Outcomes, Health and Well-Being Cluster, Global Asia in the 21st Century Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Asian Centre for Evidence Synthesis in Population, Implementation and Clinical Outcomes, Health and Well-Being Cluster, Global Asia in the 21st Century Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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50
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On the origin of biological construction, with a focus on multicellularity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:11018-11026. [PMID: 28973893 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704631114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biology is marked by a hierarchical organization: all life consists of cells; in some cases, these cells assemble into groups, such as endosymbionts or multicellular organisms; in turn, multicellular organisms sometimes assemble into yet other groups, such as primate societies or ant colonies. The construction of new organizational layers results from hierarchical evolutionary transitions, in which biological units (e.g., cells) form groups that evolve into new units of biological organization (e.g., multicellular organisms). Despite considerable advances, there is no bottom-up, dynamical account of how, starting from the solitary ancestor, the first groups originate and subsequently evolve the organizing principles that qualify them as new units. Guided by six central questions, we propose an integrative bottom-up approach for studying the dynamics underlying hierarchical evolutionary transitions, which builds on and synthesizes existing knowledge. This approach highlights the crucial role of the ecology and development of the solitary ancestor in the emergence and subsequent evolution of groups, and it stresses the paramount importance of the life cycle: only by evaluating groups in the context of their life cycle can we unravel the evolutionary trajectory of hierarchical transitions. These insights also provide a starting point for understanding the types of subsequent organizational complexity. The central research questions outlined here naturally link existing research programs on biological construction (e.g., on cooperation, multilevel selection, self-organization, and development) and thereby help integrate knowledge stemming from diverse fields of biology.
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