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Poletto B, Silva GG, Souza Ramos de Carvalho AC, Vincenzi RA, de Almeida EY, Galante D, Bendia AG, Rodrigues F. Ultraviolet Resistance of Microorganisms Isolated from Uranium-Rich Minerals from Perus, Brazil. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:783-794. [PMID: 38853686 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The district of Perus, located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, is renowned for its weathered granitic-pegmatitic masses, which harbor a significant number of uraniferous minerals that contribute to ionizing radiation levels up to 20 times higher than the background levels. In this study, aseptically collected mineral samples from the area were utilized to isolate 15 microorganisms, which were subjected to pre-screening tests involving UV-C and UV-B radiation. The microorganisms that exhibited the highest resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation were selected for the construction of survival curves for UV-C, broad-band UV-B, and solar simulation resistance testing. Subsequently, the four strains that demonstrated superior survival capabilities under UV radiation exposure were chosen for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Among these, Nocardioides sp. O4R and Nocardioides sp. MA2R demonstrated the most promising outcomes in the UV radiation resistance assessments, showcasing comparable performance to the well-established radioresistant model organism Deinococcus radiodurans. These findings underscore the potential of naturally occurring high-radiation environments as valuable resources for the investigation of UV-resistant microorganisms. Astrobiology 24, 783-794.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Poletto
- Chemistry Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Interunities Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Carolina Souza Ramos de Carvalho
- Chemistry Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Interunities Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Eiji Yamassaki de Almeida
- Chemistry Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Interunities Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Douglas Galante
- Interunities Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Fabio Rodrigues
- Chemistry Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Guesmi S, Ghedira K, Pujic P, Najjari A, Miotello G, Cherif A, Narumi I, Armengaud J, Normand P, Sghaier H. Effect of gamma irradiation on the proteogenome of cold-acclimated Kocuria rhizophila PT10. Res Microbiol 2024:104230. [PMID: 39089347 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2024.104230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
The effects of ionizing radiation (IR) on the protein dynamics of cold-stressed cells of a radioresistant actinobacterium, Kocuria rhizophila PT10, isolated from the rhizosphere of the desert plant Panicum turgidum were investigated using a shotgun methodology based on nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Overall, 1487 proteins were certified, and their abundances were compared between the irradiated condition and control. IR of cold-acclimated PT10 triggered the over-abundance of proteins involved in (1) a strong transcriptional regulation, (2) amidation of peptidoglycan and preservation of cell envelope integrity, (3) detoxification of reactive electrophiles and regulation of the redox status of proteins, (4) base excision repair and prevention of mutagenesis and (5) the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and production of fatty acids. Also, one of the more significant findings to emerge from this study is the SOS response of stressed PT10. Moreover, a comparison of top hits radio-modulated proteins of cold-acclimated PT10 with proteomics data from gamma-irradiated Deinococcus deserti showed that stressed PT10 has a specific response characterised by a high over-abundance of NemA, GatD, and UdgB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihem Guesmi
- National Agronomy Institute (INAT), Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, Tunis, Mahrajène, Tunisia; Laboratory "Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences" (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology (CNSTN), Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Tunisia.
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics - LR16IPT09, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur, Tunis, 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Petar Pujic
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France; CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, 69622 Villeurbanne, Cedex, INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Afef Najjari
- Université de Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Microorganismes et Biomolécules Actives, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Guylaine Miotello
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, F-30200, Bagnols sur Cèze, France.
| | - Ameur Cherif
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia.
| | - Issay Narumi
- Radiation Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 48-1 Oka, Asaka, Saitama, 351-8510, Japan.
| | - Jean Armengaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, F-30200, Bagnols sur Cèze, France.
| | - Philippe Normand
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France; CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, 69622 Villeurbanne, Cedex, INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Haïtham Sghaier
- Laboratory "Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences" (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology (CNSTN), Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Tunisia; Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia.
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Caro-Astorga J, Meyerowitz JT, Stork DA, Nattermann U, Piszkiewicz S, Vimercati L, Schwendner P, Hocher A, Cockell C, DeBenedictis E. Polyextremophile engineering: a review of organisms that push the limits of life. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1341701. [PMID: 38903795 PMCID: PMC11188471 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1341701] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Nature exhibits an enormous diversity of organisms that thrive in extreme environments. From snow algae that reproduce at sub-zero temperatures to radiotrophic fungi that thrive in nuclear radiation at Chernobyl, extreme organisms raise many questions about the limits of life. Is there any environment where life could not "find a way"? Although many individual extremophilic organisms have been identified and studied, there remain outstanding questions about the limits of life and the extent to which extreme properties can be enhanced, combined or transferred to new organisms. In this review, we compile the current knowledge on the bioengineering of extremophile microbes. We summarize what is known about the basic mechanisms of extreme adaptations, compile synthetic biology's efforts to engineer extremophile organisms beyond what is found in nature, and highlight which adaptations can be combined. The basic science of extremophiles can be applied to engineered organisms tailored to specific biomanufacturing needs, such as growth in high temperatures or in the presence of unusual solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Devon A. Stork
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Una Nattermann
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Lara Vimercati
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | | | - Antoine Hocher
- London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Erika DeBenedictis
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Gregory SP, Mackie JRM, Barnett MJ. Radioactive waste microbiology: predicting microbial survival and activity in changing extreme environments. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae001. [PMID: 38216518 PMCID: PMC10853057 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae001] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The potential for microbial activity to occur within the engineered barrier system (EBS) of a geological disposal facility (GDF) for radioactive waste is acknowledged by waste management organizations as it could affect many aspects of the safety functions of a GDF. Microorganisms within an EBS will be exposed to changing temperature, pH, radiation, salinity, saturation, and availability of nutrient and energy sources, which can limit microbial survival and activity. Some of the limiting conditions are incorporated into GDF designs for safety reasons, including the high pH of cementitious repositories, the limited pore space of bentonite-based repositories, or the high salinity of GDFs in evaporitic geologies. Other environmental conditions such as elevated radiation, temperature, and desiccation, arise as a result of the presence of high heat generating waste (HHGW). Here, we present a comprehensive review of how environmental conditions in the EBS may limit microbial activity, covering HHGW and lower heat generating waste (LHGW) in a range of geological environments. We present data from the literature on the currently recognized limits to life for each of the environmental conditions described above, and nutrient availability to establish the potential for life in these environments. Using examples where each variable has been modelled for a particular GDF, we outline the times and locations when that variable can be expected to limit microbial activity. Finally, we show how this information for multiple variables can be used to improve our understanding of the potential for microbial activity to occur within the EBS of a GDF and, more broadly, to understand microbial life in changing environments exposed to multiple extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Gregory
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica R M Mackie
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Megan J Barnett
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
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Ujaoney AK, Anaganti N, Padwal MK, Basu B. Tracing the serendipitous genesis of radiation resistance. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:142-151. [PMID: 38082498 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Free-living organisms frequently encounter unfavorable abiotic environmental factors. Those who adapt and cope with sudden changes in the external environment survive. Desiccation is one of the most common and frequently encountered stresses in nature. On the contrary, ionizing radiations are limited to high local concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials and related anthropogenic activities. Yet, resistance to high doses of ionizing radiation is evident across the tree of life. The evolution of desiccation resistance has been linked to the evolution of ionizing radiation resistance, although, evidence to support the idea that the evolution of desiccation tolerance is a necessary precursor to ionizing radiation resistance is lacking. Moreover, the presence of radioresistance in hyperthermophiles suggests multiple paths lead to radiation resistance. In this minireview, we focus on the molecular aspects of damage dynamics and damage response pathways comprising protective and restorative functions with a definitive survival advantage, to explore the serendipitous genesis of ionizing radiation resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Kumar Ujaoney
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Narasimha Anaganti
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Mahesh Kumar Padwal
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Bhakti Basu
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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Coleine C, Delgado-Baquerizo M. Unearthing terrestrial extreme microbiomes for searching terrestrial-like life in the Solar System. Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:1101-1115. [PMID: 35568658 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of life elsewhere in the universe has fascinated humankind for ages. To the best of our knowledge, life, as we know it, is limited to planet Earth; yet current investigation suggests that life might be more common than previously thought. In this review, we explore extreme terrestrial analogue environments in the search for some notable examples of extreme organisms, including overlooked microbial groups such as viruses, fungi, and protists, associated with limits of life on Earth. This knowledge is integral to provide the foundational principles needed to predict what sort of Earth-like organisms we might find in the Solar System and beyond, and to understand the future and origins of life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, E-41012, Sevilla, Spain; Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun). Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
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Weingarten EA, Zee PC, Jackson CR. Microbial Communities in Saltpan Sediments Show Tolerance to Mars Analog Conditions, but Susceptibility to Chloride and Perchlorate Toxicity. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:838-850. [PMID: 35731161 PMCID: PMC9464085 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Brines at or near the surface of present-day Mars are a potential explanation for seasonally recurring dark streaks on the walls of craters, termed recurring slope lineae (RSL). Deliquescence and freezing point depression are possible drivers of brine stability, attributable to the high salinity observed in martian regolith including chlorides and perchlorates. Investigation of life, which may inhabit RSL, and the cellular mechanisms necessary for survival, must consider the tolerance of highly variable hydration, freeze-thaw cycles, and high osmolarity in addition to the anaerobic, oligotrophic, and irradiated environment. We propose the saltpan, an ephemeral, hypersaline wetland as an analogue for putative RSL hydrology. Saltpan sediment archaeal and bacterial communities showed tolerance of the Mars-analogous atmosphere, hydration, minerology, salinity, and temperature. Although active growth and a shift to well-adapted taxa were observed, susceptibility to low-concentration chloride and perchlorate addition suggested that such a composition was insufficient for beneficial water retention relative to added salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A. Weingarten
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Peter C. Zee
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
| | - Colin R. Jackson
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
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High Proportions of Radiation-Resistant Strains in Culturable Bacteria from the Taklimakan Desert. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040501. [PMID: 35453702 PMCID: PMC9030528 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Radiation-resistant extremophiles have frequently been found in the Taklimakan Desert, which is known for its harsh conditions. However, there is no systemic study investigating the diversity and proportion of radiation-resistant strains among culturable bacteria. The results of this study revealed the distribution of culturable bacteria in the Taklimakan Desert and indicated high proportions of radiation-resistant strains in the culturable bacteria. The study helps to better understand the ecological origin of radio-resistance and to quantitatively describe the desert as a common habitat for radiation-resistant extremophiles. Abstract The Taklimakan Desert located in China is the second-largest shifting sand desert in the world and is known for its harsh conditions. Types of γ-rays or UV radiation-resistant bacterial strains have been isolated from this desert. However, there is no information regarding the proportions of the radiation-resistant strains in the total culturable microbes. We isolated 352 bacterial strains from nine sites across the Taklimakan Desert from north to south. They belong to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The phylum Actinobacteria was the most predominant in abundance and Firmicutes had the highest species richness. Bacteroidetes had the lowest abundance and was found in four sites only, while the other three phyla were found in every site but with different distribution profiles. After irradiating with 1000 J/m2 and 6000 J/m2 UV-C, the strains with survival rates higher than 10% occupied 72.3% and 36.9% of all culturable bacteria, respectively. The members from Proteobacteria had the highest proportions, with survival rates higher than 10%. After radiation with 10 kGy γ-rays, Kocuria sp. TKL1057 and Planococcus sp. TKL1152 showed higher radiation-resistant capabilities than Deinococcus radiodurans R1. Besides obtaining several radiation-resistant extremophiles, this study measured the proportions of the radiation-resistant strains in the total culturable microbes for the first time. This study may help to better understand the origin of radioresistance, especially by quantitatively comparing proportions of radiation-resistant extremophiles from different environments in the future.
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Roots of the xerophyte Panicum turgidum host a cohort of ionizing-radiation-resistant biotechnologically-valuable bacteria. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:1260-1268. [PMID: 35197792 PMCID: PMC8847929 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial communities associated with roots of Panicum turgidum, exposed to arid conditions, were investigated with a combination of cultural and metataxonomic approaches. Traditional culture-based techniques were used and 32 isolates from the irradiated roots were identified as belonging to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla. Four actinobacterial strains were shown to be ionizing-radiation (IR)-resistant: Microbacterium sp. PT8 (4.8 kGy (kGy)), Micrococcus sp. PT11 (4.4 kGy), Kocuria rhizophila PT10 (2.9 kGy) and Promicromonospora panici PT9T (2.6 kGy), based on the D10 dose necessary for a 90% reduction in colony forming units (CFU). Concerning the investigation of microbial communities in situ, metataxonomic analyses of the diversity of IR-resistant microorganisms associated with irradiated roots revealed a marked dominance of Actinobacteria (46.6%) and Proteobacteria (31.5%) compared to Bacteroidetes (4.6%) and Firmicutes (3.2%). Gamma irradiation not only changed the structure of bacterial communities, but also affected their functional properties. Comparative analyses of metabolic profiles indicated the induction of several pathways related to adaptation to oxidative stress in irradiated roots, such as DNA repair, secondary metabolites synthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mitigating enzymes, etc. P. turgidum is emblematic of desert-adapted plants. Until now, there is no other work that has focused on the microbial profile of irradiated roots of this xerophyte.
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Lantin S, Mendell S, Akkad G, Cohen AN, Apicella X, McCoy E, Beltran-Pardo E, Waltemathe M, Srinivasan P, Joshi PM, Rothman JH, Lubin P. Interstellar space biology via Project Starlight. ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 2022; 190:261-272. [PMID: 36710946 PMCID: PMC9881496 DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward to send small, relativistic spacecraft far outside our solar system via standoff directed-energy propulsion. These miniaturized spacecraft are capable of robotic exploration but can also transport seeds and organisms, marking a profound change in our ability to both characterize and expand the reach of known life. Here we explore the biological and technological challenges of interstellar space biology, focusing on radiation-tolerant microorganisms capable of cryptobiosis. Additionally, we discuss planetary protection concerns and other ethical considerations of sending life to the stars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lantin
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, FL, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Sophie Mendell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
- College of Creative Studies, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Ghassan Akkad
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Alexander N. Cohen
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Xander Apicella
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Emma McCoy
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Prasanna Srinivasan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Pradeep M. Joshi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Joel H. Rothman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Philip Lubin
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
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11
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Moura JB, Delforno TP, do Prado PF, Duarte IC. Extremophilic taxa predominate in a microbial community of photovoltaic panels in a tropical region. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 368:6350555. [PMID: 34387344 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnab105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Photovoltaic panels can be colonized by a highly diverse microbial diversity, despite life-threatening conditions. Although they are distributed worldwide, the microorganisms living on their surfaces have never been profiled in tropical regions using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and PICRUst metagenome prediction of functional content. In this work, we investigated photovoltaic panels from two cities in southeast Brazil, Sorocaba and Itatiba, using these bioinformatics approach. Results showed that, despite significant differences in microbial diversity (p < 0.001), the taxonomic profile was very similar for both photovoltaic panels, dominated mainly by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and lower amounts of Cyanobacteria phyla. A predominance of Hymenobacter and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum was observed at the genus level. We identified a microbial common core composed of Hymenobacter, Deinococcus, Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum, Craurococcus-Caldovatus, Massilia, Noviherbaspirillum and 1174-901-12 sharing genera. Predicted metabolisms focused on specific genes associated to radiation and desiccation resistance and pigments, were detected in members of the common core and among the most abundant genera. Our results suggested that taxonomic and functional profiles investigated were consistent with the harsh environment that photovoltaic panels represent. Moreover, the presence of stress genes in the predicted functional content was a preliminary evidence that microbes living there are a possibly source of metabolites with biotechnological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane B Moura
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia João Leme dos Santos km 110, Itinga 18052-780, Sorocaba-SP, Brazil
| | - Tiago P Delforno
- SENAI Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Rua Anhaia, 1321, Bom Retiro, São Paulo 01130-000, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Pierre F do Prado
- Earth Physics and Thermodynamics Department, University of Valencia, C/Dr Moliner n 50, 46010 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Iolanda C Duarte
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia João Leme dos Santos km 110, Itinga 18052-780, Sorocaba-SP, Brazil
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12
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Cortesão M, Siems K, Koch S, Beblo-Vranesevic K, Rabbow E, Berger T, Lane M, James L, Johnson P, Waters SM, Verma SD, Smith DJ, Moeller R. MARSBOx: Fungal and Bacterial Endurance From a Balloon-Flown Analog Mission in the Stratosphere. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:601713. [PMID: 33692763 PMCID: PMC7937622 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.601713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether terrestrial life can withstand the martian environment is of paramount interest for planetary protection measures and space exploration. To understand microbial survival potential in Mars-like conditions, several fungal and bacterial samples were launched in September 2019 on a large NASA scientific balloon flight to the middle stratosphere (∼38 km altitude) where radiation levels resembled values at the equatorial Mars surface. Fungal spores of Aspergillus niger and bacterial cells of Salinisphaera shabanensis, Staphylococcus capitis subsp. capitis, and Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 were launched inside the MARSBOx (Microbes in Atmosphere for Radiation, Survival, and Biological Outcomes Experiment) payload filled with an artificial martian atmosphere and pressure throughout the mission profile. The dried microorganisms were either exposed to full UV-VIS radiation (UV dose = 1148 kJ m-2) or were shielded from radiation. After the 5-h stratospheric exposure, samples were assayed for survival and metabolic changes. Spores from the fungus A. niger and cells from the Gram-(-) bacterium S. shabanensis were the most resistant with a 2- and 4-log reduction, respectively. Exposed Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 was completely inactivated (both with and without UV exposure) and S. capitis subsp. capitis only survived the UV shielded experimental condition (3-log reduction). Our results underscore a wide variation in survival phenotypes of spacecraft associated microorganisms and support the hypothesis that pigmented fungi may be resistant to the martian surface if inadvertently delivered by spacecraft missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cortesão
- Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katharina Siems
- Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stella Koch
- Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Astrobiology Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Elke Rabbow
- Astrobiology Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Berger
- Biophysics Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Lane
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, Engineering Directorate, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Leandro James
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, Engineering Directorate, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Prital Johnson
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, Engineering Directorate, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Samantha M. Waters
- Universities Space Research Association, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Research Branch, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Sonali D. Verma
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Research Branch, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - David J. Smith
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Research Branch, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
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13
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Guesmi S, Pujic P, Nouioui I, Dubost A, Najjari A, Ghedira K, Igual JM, Miotello G, Cherif A, Armengaud J, Klenk HP, Normand P, Sghaier H. Ionizing-radiation-resistant Kocuria rhizophila PT10 isolated from the Tunisian Sahara xerophyte Panicum turgidum: Polyphasic characterization and proteogenomic arsenal. Genomics 2020; 113:317-330. [PMID: 33279651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A new strain belonging to the genus Kocuria, designed PT10, was isolated from irradiated roots of the xerophyte Panicum turgidum. Isolate PT10 is a Gram-positive, coccoid, aerobic and ionizing-radiation (IR)-resistant actinobacterium. PT10 has shown an ability to survive under extreme conditions, such as gamma irradiation, desiccation and high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and comparative genome analyses support the assignment of strain PT10 (LMG 31102 = DSM 108617) as Kocuria rhizophila. The complete genome sequence of PT10 consists of one chromosome (2,656,287 bps), with a 70.7% G + C content and comprises 2481 protein-coding sequences. A total of 1487 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS profiling. In silico analyses revealed that the proteome of the oxidation-tolerant PT10 possesses several features explaining its IR-resistant phenotype and many adaptive pathways implicated in response to environmental pressures - desiccation, cold, reactive oxygen species and other stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihem Guesmi
- National Agronomy Institute of Tunisia, 43, Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis, Mahrajène, Tunisia; Laboratory ″Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences″ (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Tunisia.
| | - Petar Pujic
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France; CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, 69622 Villeurbanne, Cedex, INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Imen Nouioui
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Ridley Building 2, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Afef Najjari
- Université de Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Microorganismes et Biomolécules Actives, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics - LR16IPT09, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - José M Igual
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IRNASA-CSIC), c/Cordel de Merinas 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Guylaine Miotello
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, 30200 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | - Ameur Cherif
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Jean Armengaud
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, 30200 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | - Hans-Peter Klenk
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Ridley Building 2, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | - Haïtham Sghaier
- Laboratory ″Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences″ (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Tunisia; Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia.
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14
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Guesmi S, Nouioui I, Pujic P, Dubost A, Najjari A, Ghedira K, Igual JM, Cherif A, Klenk HP, Sghaier H, Normand P. Draft genome sequence of Promicromonospora panici sp. nov., a novel ionizing-radiation-resistant actinobacterium isolated from roots of the desert plant Panicum turgidum. Extremophiles 2020; 25:25-38. [PMID: 33104875 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-020-01207-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A novel strain of the genus Promicromonospora, designated PT9T, was recovered from irradiated roots of the xerophyte Panicum turgidum collected from the Ksar Ghilane oasis in southern Tunisia. Strain PT9T is aerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram- positive actinomycete that produces branched hyphae and forms white to yellowish-white colonies. Chemotaxonomic features, including fatty acids, whole cell sugars and polar lipid profiles, support the assignment of PT9T to the genus Promicromonospora. The genomic relatedness indexes based on DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values revealed a significant genomic divergence between strain PT9T and all sequenced type strains of the taxon. Phylogenomic analysis showed that isolate PT9T was most closely related to Promicromonospora soli CGMCC 4.7398T. Phenotypic and phylogenomic analyses suggest that isolate PT9T represents a novel species of the genus Promicromonospora, for which the name Promicromonospora panici sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PT9T (LMG 31103T = DSM 108613T).The isolate PT9T is an ionizing-radiation-resistant actinobacterium (D10 value = 2.6 kGy), with resistance to desiccation and hydrogen peroxide. The complete genome sequence of PT9T consists of 6,582,650 bps with 71.2% G+C content and 6291 protein-coding sequences. This genome will help to decipher the microbial genetic bases for ionizing-radiation resistance mechanisms including the response to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihem Guesmi
- National Agronomy Institute of Tunisia, Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, Tunis, Mahrajène, Tunisia
- Laboratory "Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences" (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Imen Nouioui
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Ridley Building 2, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Petar Pujic
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Écologie Microbienne, UMR1418, INRA, 69622 Cedex, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Audrey Dubost
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Écologie Microbienne, UMR1418, INRA, 69622 Cedex, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Afef Najjari
- Université de Tunis el Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Microorganismes et Biomolécules Actives, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics-LR16IPT09, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 1002, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - José M Igual
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IRNASA-CSIC), c/Cordel de Merinas 40-52, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ameur Cherif
- University Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31,, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Hans-Peter Klenk
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Ridley Building 2, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Haïtham Sghaier
- Laboratory "Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences" (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
- University Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31,, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Philippe Normand
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Écologie Microbienne, UMR1418, INRA, 69622 Cedex, Villeurbanne, France.
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15
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Henz S, Nitzsche R, KIEßLING M, Aganovic K, Heinz V, Hertel C. Surrogate for Electron Beam Inactivation of Salmonella on Pumpkin Seeds and Flax Seeds. J Food Prot 2020; 83:1775-1781. [PMID: 32463870 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-20-088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify a suitable nonpathogenic surrogate for industrial validation of irradiation process by high-energy electron beam (5 MeV) of dried seeds. Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca) and golden flax seeds (Linum usitatissimum) were contaminated with a five-strain Salmonella cocktail comprising five serovars or a two-strain Escherichia coli cocktail comprising pathogenic strains, including E. coli O157:H7. Comparison of log survival fractions of the E. coli and Salmonella cocktails revealed that on both types of seeds, the Salmonella cocktail exhibited higher tolerance against high-energy electron beam at doses of 4 kGy than the E. coli cocktail, with a log survival fraction of -4.1 ± 0.7 compared with -6.0 ± 0.2 on pumpkin seeds and -4.7 ± 0.7 compared with reduction from 1.8 × 108 CFU/g to below the limit of detection (1 × 102 CFU/g) on flax seeds. For surrogate selection, the Salmonella cocktail and the strains E. coli DSM 18039 (strain MG1655) and Enterococcus faecium NCCB 86023 (strain NRRL B-2354) were subjected to electron beam processing at doses of 2 to 6 kGy. The calculated D10-values of the Salmonella cocktail were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of E. coli DSM 18039, i.e., 1.07 ± 0.10 kGy compared with 1.20 ± 0.07 kGy on pumpkin seeds and 0.88 ± 0.04 kGy compared with 1.07 ± 0.03 kGy on flax seeds. E. faecium NCCB 86023 exhibited significantly higher tolerance on pumpkin seeds (3.07 ± 0.18 kGy) and on flax seeds (2.22 ± 0.29 kGy), ∼3 log and 2 log higher than the Salmonella cocktail, respectively. Hence, the nonpathogenic E. coli DSM 18039 is suggested to serve as a surrogate for Salmonella in industrial validation trials. Because on both types of seeds E. faecium NCCB 86023 showed significantly higher tolerance against electron beam than the Salmonella cocktail, this nonpathogenic strain could serve as a process control indicator for the decontamination of dried seeds by electron beam. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Henz
- Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Professor-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 Quakenbrück, Germany
| | - Ramona Nitzsche
- Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Professor-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 Quakenbrück, Germany.,(ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0084-2377 [R.N.])
| | - Martina KIEßLING
- Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Professor-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 Quakenbrück, Germany
| | - Kemal Aganovic
- Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Professor-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 Quakenbrück, Germany
| | - Volker Heinz
- Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Professor-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 Quakenbrück, Germany
| | - Christian Hertel
- Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Professor-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 Quakenbrück, Germany
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16
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Wang Z, Zhu Y, Jing R, Wu X, Li N, Liu H, Zhang X, Wang W, Liu Y. High-throughput sequencing-based analysis of the composition and diversity of endophytic bacterial community in seeds of upland rice. Arch Microbiol 2020; 203:609-620. [PMID: 32995980 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-02058-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Upland rice is an ecotype crop resulting from the long-term domestication and evolution of rice in dry land without a water layer. Generally, the stems and leaves are thick and luxuriant, while the leaves also typically broad and light. The root system is developed with abundant root hair, and the osmotic pressure of the root and cell juice concentration in the leaves is high, while this plant is drought-resistant, heat-resistant, and water absorbent. This study aims to reveal the "core flora" of the endophytes in upland rice seeds by examining their diversity and community structures. It further intends to reveal the impact of the soil environment on the formation of endophyte community structures in upland rice seeds by comparing the environmental soil microorganisms in upland rice habitats. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology based on the Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform was used to investigate the structure and diversity of endophytic bacterial communities using upland rice varieties collected from different locations and soil samples from unified planting sites as materials. Here, 42 endophytic OTUs were found to coexist in the 14 samples. At the phylum level, the first dominant phyla in all the samples were Proteobacteria (93.81-99.99%). At the genus level, Pantoea (8.77-87.77%), Pseudomonas (1.15-61.58%), Methylobacterium (0.40-4.64%), Sphingomonas (0.26-3.85%), Microbacterium (0.01-4.67%) and Aurantimonas (0.04-4.34%), which represent the core microflora in upland rice seeds, served as the dominant genera that coexisted in all the upland rice seeds tested. This study significant for the isolation, screening, functional evaluation, and re-action of various functional microorganisms in upland rice to improve its agronomic traits. It also provides a specific reference for the interaction between microorganisms and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhishan Wang
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yongqiang Zhu
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center At Shanghai, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ruixue Jing
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xianyu Wu
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ni Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice (Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center), Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Hai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice (Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center), Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Collection and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Weiping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice (Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center), Changsha, 410125, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
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17
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Arnaise S, Shykoff JA, Møller AP, Mousseau TA, Giraud T. Anther-smut fungi from more contaminated sites in Chernobyl show lower infection ability and lower viability following experimental irradiation. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6409-6420. [PMID: 32724522 PMCID: PMC7381591 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term contamination that followed the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl provides a case study for the effects of chronic ionizing radiation on living organisms and on their ability to tolerate or evolve resistance to such radiation. Previously, we studied the fertility and viability of early developmental stages of a castrating plant pathogen, the anther-smut fungus Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae, isolated from field sites varying over 700-fold in degree of radioactive contamination. Neither the budding rate of haploid spores following meiosis nor the karyotype structure varied with increasing radiation levels at sampling sites. Here, we assessed the ability of the same M. lychnidis-dioicae strains to perform their whole life cycle, up to the production of symptoms in the plants, that is, the development of anthers full of fungal spores; we also assessed their viability under experimental radiation. Fungal strains from more contaminated sites had no lower spore numbers in anthers or viability, but infected host plants less well, indicating lower overall fitness due to radioactivity exposure. These findings improve our understanding of the previous field data, in which the anther-smut disease prevalence on Silene latifolia plants caused by M. lychnidis-dioicae was lower at more contaminated sites. Although the fungus showed relatively high resistance to experimental radiation, we found no evidence that increased resistance to radiation has evolved in populations from contaminated sites. Fungal strains from more contaminated sites even tolerated or repaired damage from a brief acute exposure to γ radiation less well than those from non- or less contaminated sites. Our results more generally concur with previous studies in showing that the fitness of living organisms is affected by radiation after nuclear disasters, but that they do not rapidly evolve higher tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Arnaise
- Ecologie Systematique EvolutionCNRSUniversité Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
| | - Jacqui A. Shykoff
- Ecologie Systematique EvolutionCNRSUniversité Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
| | - Anders P. Møller
- Ecologie Systematique EvolutionCNRSUniversité Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
| | | | - Tatiana Giraud
- Ecologie Systematique EvolutionCNRSUniversité Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
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18
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Ogwu MC, Srinivasan S, Dong K, Ramasamy D, Waldman B, Adams JM. Community Ecology of Deinococcus in Irradiated Soil. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 78:855-872. [PMID: 30980101 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-019-01343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Deinococcus is a genus of soil bacteria known for radiation resistance. However, the effects of radiation exposure on its community structure are unknown. We exposed soil to three levels of gamma radiation, 0.1 kGy/h (low), 1 kGy/h (medium), and 3 kGy/h (high), once a week for 6 weeks and then extracted soil DNA for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We found the following: (1) Increasing radiation dose produced a major increase in relative abundance of Deinococcus, reaching ~ 80% of reads at the highest doses. Differing abundances of the various Deinococcus species in relation to exposure levels indicate distinct "radiation niches." At 3 kGy/h, a single OTU identified as D. ficus overwhelmingly dominated the mesocosms. (2) Corresponding published genome data show that the dominant species at 3 kGy/h, D. ficus, has a larger and more complex genome than other Deinococcus species with a greater proportion of genes related to DNA and nucleotide metabolism, cell wall, membrane, and envelope biogenesis as well as more cell cycle control, cell division, and chromosome partitioning-related genes. Deinococcus ficus also has a higher guanine-cytosine ratio than most other Deinococcus. These features may be linked to genome stability and may explain its greater abundance in this apparently competitive system, under high-radiation exposures. (3) Genomic analysis suggests that Deinococcus, including D. ficus, are capable of utilizing diverse carbon sources derived from both microbial cells killed by the radiation (including C5-C12-containing compounds, like arabinose, lactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) and plant-derived organic matter in the soil (e.g., cellulose and hemicellulose). (4) Overall, based on its metagenome, even the most highly irradiated (3 kGy/h) soil possesses a wide range of the activities necessary for a functional soil system. Future studies may consider the resilience and sustainability of such soils in a high-radiation environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Chidozie Ogwu
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Sathiyaraj Srinivasan
- Department of Bio and Environmental Technology, Division of Environmental and Life Science, College of Natural Science, Seoul Women's University, 623 Hwarangno, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-774, Republic of Korea
| | - Ke Dong
- Department of Life Sciences, Kyonggi University, Suwon, 443-760, Republic of Korea
| | - Dhamodharan Ramasamy
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Bruce Waldman
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - Jonathan M Adams
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, Qixia District, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Microbial Markers Profile in Anaerobic Mars Analogue Environments Using the LDChip (Life Detector Chip) Antibody Microarray Core of the SOLID (Signs of Life Detector) Platform. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7090365. [PMID: 31540500 PMCID: PMC6780502 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7090365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main objectives for astrobiology is to unravel and explore the habitability of environments beyond Earth, paying special attention to Mars. If the combined environmental stress factors on Mars are compatible with life or if they were less harsh in the past, to investigate the traces of past or present life is critical to understand its potential habitability. Essential for this research is the characterization of Mars analogue environments on Earth through the development of techniques for biomarker detection in them. Biosensing techniques based on fluorescence sandwich microarray immunoassays (FSMI) have shown to be a powerful tool to detect biosignatures and depict the microbial profiles of different environments. In this study, we described the microbial biomarker profile of five anoxic Mars analogues sites using the Life Detector Chip (LDChip), an antibody microarray for multiple microbial marker detection. Furthermore, we contributed to new targets by developing a new 26-polyclonal antibodies microarray using crude extracts from anaerobic sampling sites, halophilic microorganisms, and anaerobic isolates obtained in the framework of the European Mars Analogues for Space Exploration (MASE) project. The new subset of antibodies was characterized and implemented into a microarray platform (MASE-Chip) for microbial marker searching in salty and anaerobic environments.
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20
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Jönsson KI. Radiation Tolerance in Tardigrades: Current Knowledge and Potential Applications in Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1333. [PMID: 31505739 PMCID: PMC6770827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades represent a phylum of very small aquatic animals in which many species have evolved adaptations to survive under extreme environmental conditions, such as desiccation and freezing. Studies on several species have documented that tardigrades also belong to the most radiation-tolerant animals on Earth. This paper gives an overview of our current knowledge on radiation tolerance of tardigrades, with respect to dose-responses, developmental stages, and different radiation sources. The molecular mechanisms behind radiation tolerance in tardigrades are still largely unknown, but omics studies suggest that both mechanisms related to the avoidance of DNA damage and mechanisms of DNA repair are involved. The potential of tardigrades to provide knowledge of importance for medical sciences has long been recognized, but it is not until recently that more apparent evidence of such potential has appeared. Recent studies show that stress-related tardigrade genes may be transfected to human cells and provide increased tolerance to osmotic stress and ionizing radiation. With the recent sequencing of the tardigrade genome, more studies applying tardigrade omics to relevant aspects of human medicine are expected. In particular, the cancer research field has potential to learn from studies on tardigrades about molecular mechanisms evolved to maintain genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ingemar Jönsson
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, 291 88 Kristianstad, Sweden.
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21
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Rieckmann T, Gatzemeier F, Christiansen S, Rothkamm K, Münscher A. The inflammation-reducing compatible solute ectoine does not impair the cytotoxic effect of ionizing radiation on head and neck cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6594. [PMID: 31036876 PMCID: PMC6488604 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43040-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectoine is a natural protectant expressed by halophile bacteria to resist challenges of their natural environments, such as drought, heat or high salt concentrations. As a compatible solute, ectoine does not interfere with the cell's metabolism even at high molar concentrations. External application of ectoine results in surface hydration and membrane stabilization. It can reduce inflammation processes and was recently tested in a pilot study for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Oral mucositis is especially frequent and severe in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), who receive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. It is extremely painful, can limit nutritional intake and may necessitate treatment interruptions, which can critically compromise outcome. As it was recently reported that in vitro ectoine has the ability to protect DNA against ionizing irradiation, it was the aim of this study to test whether ectoine may protect HNSCC cells from radiotherapy. Using HNSCC cell lines and primary human fibroblasts, we can show that in living cells ectoine does not impair DNA damage induction and cytotoxicity through ionizing radiation. We therefore conclude that testing the ectopic application of ectoine for its ability to alleviate early radiotherapy/chemoradiation-induced side effects is safe and feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Rieckmann
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Fruzsina Gatzemeier
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Christiansen
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Münscher
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Shuryak I. Review of microbial resistance to chronic ionizing radiation exposure under environmental conditions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 196:50-63. [PMID: 30388428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) produces multiple types of damage to nucleic acids, proteins and other crucial cellular components. Nevertheless, various microorganisms from phylogenetically distant taxa (bacteria, archaea, fungi) can resist IR levels many orders of magnitude above natural background. This intriguing phenomenon of radioresistance probably arose independently many times throughout evolution as a byproduct of selective pressures from other stresses (e.g. desiccation, UV radiation, chemical oxidants). Most of the literature on microbial radioresistance is based on acute γ-irradiation experiments performed in the laboratory, typically involving pure cultures grown under near-optimal conditions. There is much less information about the upper limits of radioresistance in the field, such as in radioactively-contaminated areas, where several radiation types (e.g. α and β, as well as γ) and other stressors (e.g. non-optimal temperature and nutrient levels, toxic chemicals, interspecific competition) act over multiple generations. Here we discuss several examples of radioresistant microbes isolated from extremely radioactive locations (e.g. Chernobyl and Mayak nuclear plant sites) and estimate the radiation dose rates they were able to tolerate. Some of these organisms (e.g. the fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides, the cyanobacterium Geitlerinema amphibium) are widely-distributed and colonize a variety of habitats. These examples suggest that resistance to chronic IR and chemical contamination is not limited to rare specialized strains from extreme environments, but can occur among common microbial taxa, perhaps due to overlap between mechanisms of resistance to IR and other stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, 630 West 168(th) street, VC-11-234/5, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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