The biology of Frankia sp. strains in the post-genome era

Ms1 RNA Interacts With the RNA Polymerase Core in Streptomyces coelicolor and Was Identified in Majority of Actinobacteria Using a Linguistic Gene Synteny Search

Bacteria employ small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) to regulate gene expression. Ms1 is an sRNA that binds to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) core and affects the intracellular level of this essential enzyme. Ms1 is structurally related to 6S RNA that binds to a different form of RNAP, the holoenzyme bearing the primary sigma factor. 6S RNAs are widespread in the bacterial kingdom except for the industrially and medicinally important Actinobacteria. While Ms1 RNA was identified in Mycobacterium, it is not clear whether Ms1 RNA is present also in other Actinobacteria species. Here, using a computational search based on secondary structure similarities combined with a linguistic gene synteny approach, we identified Ms1 RNA in Streptomyces. In S. coelicolor, Ms1 RNA overlaps with the previously annotated scr3559 sRNA with an unknown function. We experimentally confirmed that Ms1 RNA/scr3559 associates with the RNAP core without the primary sigma factor HrdB in vivo. Subsequently, we applied the computational approach to other Actinobacteria and identified Ms1 RNA candidates in 824 Actinobacteria species, revealing Ms1 RNA as a widespread class of RNAP binding sRNAs, and demonstrating the ability of our multifactorial computational approach to identify weakly conserved sRNAs in evolutionarily distant genomes.

Effect of actinorhizal root exudates on the proteomes of Frankia soli NRRL B-16219, a strain colonizing the root tissues of its actinorhizal host via intercellular pathway

Frankia and actinorhizal plants exchange signals in the rhizosphere leading to specific mutual recognition of partners and nitrogen-fixing nodule organogenesis. Frankia soli strain NRRL B-16219, from the Elaeagnus specificity group, colonizes the root tissues of its actinorhizal host through direct intercellular penetration of root epidermis cells and cortex. Here, we studied the early proteogenomic response of strain NRRL B-16219 to treatment with root exudates from compatible Elaeagnus angustifolia, and incompatible Ceanothus thyrsiflorus and Coriaria myrtifolia, host plants grown in nitrogen depleted hydroponic medium. Next-generation proteomics was used to identify the main Frankia proteins differentially expressed in response to the root exudates. No products of the nod genes present in B-16219 were detected. Proteins specifically upregulated in presence of E. angustifolia root exudates include those connected to nitrogen fixation and assimilation (glutamate synthetase, hydrogenase and squalene synthesis), respiration (oxidative phosphorylation and citric acid cycle pathways), oxidative stress (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase), proteolysis (proteasome, protease, and peptidase) and plant cell wall degrading proteins involved in the depolymerization of celluloses (endoglucanase, glycosyltransferase, beta-mannanases, glycoside hydrolase and glycosyl hydrolase). Proteomic data obtained in this study will help link signaling molecules/factors to their biosynthetic pathways once those factors have been fully characterized.

Plant-Microbe Symbiosis: What Has Proteomics Taught Us?

Beneficial microbes have a positive impact on the productivity and fitness of the host plant. A better understanding of the biological impacts and underlying mechanisms by which the host derives these benefits will help to address concerns around global food production and security. The recent development of omics-based technologies has broadened our understanding of the molecular aspects of beneficial plant-microbe symbiosis. Specifically, proteomics has led to the identification and characterization of several novel symbiosis-specific and symbiosis-related proteins and post-translational modifications that play a critical role in mediating symbiotic plant-microbe interactions and have helped assess the underlying molecular aspects of the symbiotic relationship. Integration of proteomic data with other "omics" data can provide valuable information to assess hypotheses regarding the underlying mechanism of symbiosis and help define the factors affecting the outcome of symbiosis. Herein, an update is provided on the current and potential applications of symbiosis-based "omic" approaches to dissect different aspects of symbiotic plant interactions. The application of proteomics, metaproteomics, and secretomics as enabling approaches for the functional analysis of plant-associated microbial communities is also discussed.

Stable Transformation of the Actinobacteria Frankia spp

A stable and efficient plasmid transfer system was developed for nitrogen-fixing symbiotic actinobacteria of the genus Frankia, a key first step in developing a genetic system. Four derivatives of the broad-host-range cloning vector pBBR1MCS were successfully introduced into different Frankia strains by a filter mating with Escherichia coli strain BW29427. Initially, plasmid pHKT1 that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) was introduced into Frankia casuarinae strain CcI3 at a frequency of 4.0 × 10^-3, resulting in transformants that were tetracycline resistant and exhibited GFP fluorescence. The presence of the plasmid was confirmed by molecular approaches, including visualization on agarose gel and PCR. Several other pBBR1MCS plasmids were also introduced into F. casuarinae strain CcI3 and other Frankia strains at frequencies ranging from 10^-2 to 10^-4, and the presence of the plasmids was confirmed by PCR. The plasmids were stably maintained for over 2 years and through passage in a plant host. As a proof of concept, a salt tolerance candidate gene from the highly salt-tolerant Frankia sp. strain CcI6 was cloned into pBBR1MCS-3. The resulting construct was introduced into the salt-sensitive F. casuarinae strain CcI3. Endpoint reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) showed that the gene was expressed in F. casuarinae strain CcI3. The expression provided an increased level of salt tolerance for the transformant. These results represent stable plasmid transfer and exogenous gene expression in Frankia spp., overcoming a major hurdle in the field. This step in the development of genetic tools in Frankia spp. will open up new avenues for research on actinorhizal symbiosis.IMPORTANCE The absence of genetic tools for Frankia research has been a major hindrance to the associated field of actinorhizal symbiosis and the use of the nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria. This study reports on the introduction of plasmids into Frankia spp. and their functional expression of green fluorescent protein and a cloned gene. As the first step in developing genetic tools, this technique opens up the field to a wide array of approaches in an organism with great importance to and potential in the environment.

Analysis and preliminary characterisation of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases from Frankia sp. EuI1c (Frankia inefficax sp.)

Frankia bacteria are nitrogen fixing species from the Actinobacterium phylum which live on the root nodules of plants. They have been hypothesised to have significant potential for natural product biosynthesis. The cytochrome P450 monooxygenase complement of Frankia sp. EuI1c (Frankia inefficax sp.), which comprises 68 members, was analysed. Several members belonged to previously uncharacterised bacterial P450 families. There was an unusually high number of CYP189 family members (21) suggesting that this family has undergone gene duplication events which are classified as "blooms". The likely electron transfer partners for the P450 enzymes were also identified and analysed. These consisted of predominantly [3Fe-4S] cluster containing ferredoxins (eight), a single [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin and a couple of ferredoxin reductases. Three of these CYP family members were produced and purified, using Escherichia coli as a host, and their substrate range was characterised. CYP1027H1 and CYP150A20 bound a broad range of norisoprenoids and terpenoids. CYP1074A2 was highly specific for certain steroids including testosterone, progesterone, stanolone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione. It is likely that steroids are the physiological substrates of CYP1074A2. These results also give an indication that terpenoids are the likely substrates of CYP1027H1 and CYP150A2. The large number of P450s belonging to distinct families as well as the associated electron transfer partners found in different Frankia strains highlights the importance of this family of enzymes has in the secondary metabolism of these bacteria.

Actinorhizal Signaling Molecules: Frankia Root Hair Deforming Factor Shares Properties With NIN Inducing Factor

Actinorhizal plants are able to establish a symbiotic relationship with Frankia bacteria leading to the formation of root nodules. The symbiotic interaction starts with the exchange of symbiotic signals in the soil between the plant and the bacteria. This molecular dialog involves signaling molecules that are responsible for the specific recognition of the plant host and its endosymbiont. Here we studied two factors potentially involved in signaling between Frankia casuarinae and its actinorhizal host Casuarina glauca: (1) the Root Hair Deforming Factor (CgRHDF) detected using a test based on the characteristic deformation of C. glauca root hairs inoculated with F. casuarinae and (2) a NIN activating factor (CgNINA) which is able to activate the expression of CgNIN, a symbiotic gene expressed during preinfection stages of root hair development. We showed that CgRHDF and CgNINA corresponded to small thermoresistant molecules. Both factors were also hydrophilic and resistant to a chitinase digestion indicating structural differences from rhizobial Nod factors (NFs) or mycorrhizal Myc-LCOs. We also investigated the presence of CgNINA and CgRHDF in 16 Frankia strains representative of Frankia diversity. High levels of root hair deformation (RHD) and activation of ProCgNIN were detected for Casuarina-infective strains from clade Ic and closely related strains from clade Ia unable to nodulate C. glauca. Lower levels were present for distantly related strains belonging to clade III. No CgRHDF or CgNINA could be detected for Frankia coriariae (Clade II) or for uninfective strains from clade IV.

An update on the taxonomy of the genus Frankia Brunchorst, 1886, 174AL

Since the recognition of the name Frankia in the Approved Lists of bacterial names (1980), few amendments have been given to the genus description. Successive editions of Bergey's Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria have broadly conflicting suprageneric treatments of the genus without any advances for subgeneric classification. This review focuses on recent results from taxongenomics and phenoarray approaches to the positioning and the structuring of the genus Frankia. Based on phylogenomic analyses, Frankia should be considered the single member of the family Frankiaceae within the monophyletic order, Frankiales. A polyphasic strategy incorporating genome to genome data and omniLog^® phenoarrays, together with classical approaches, has allowed the designation and an amended description of a type strain of the type species Frankia alni, and the recognition of at least 10 novel species covering symbiotic and non symbiotic taxa within the genus. Genome to phenome data will be shortly incorporated in the scheme for proposing novel species including those recalcitrant to isolation in axenic culture.

The plant-growth-promoting actinobacteria of the genus Nocardia induces root nodule formation in Casuarina glauca

Actinorhizal plants form a symbiotic association with the nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria Frankia. These plants have important economic and ecological benefits including land reclamation, soil stabilization, and reforestation. Recently, many non-Frankia actinobacteria have been isolated from actinorhizal root nodules suggesting that they might contribute to nodulation. Two Nocardia strains, BMG51109 and BMG111209, were isolated from Casuarina glauca nodules, and they induced root nodule-like structures in original host plant promoting seedling growth. The formed root nodule-like structures lacked a nodular root at the apex, were not capable of reducing nitrogen and had their cortical cells occupied with rod-shaped Nocardiae cells. Both Nocardia strains induced root hair deformation on the host plant. BMG111209 strain induced the expression of the ProCgNin:Gus gene, a plant gene involved in the early steps of the infection process and nodulation development. Nocardia strain BMG51109 produced three types of auxins (Indole-3-acetic acid [IAA], Indole-3-Byturic Acid [IBA] and Phenyl Acetic Acid [PAA]), while Nocardia BMG111209 only produced IAA. Analysis of the Nocardia genomes identified several important predicted biosynthetic gene clusters for plant phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and novel natural products. Co-infection studies showed that Nocardia strain BMG51109 plays a role as a "helper bacteria" promoting an earlier onset of nodulation. This study raises many questions on the ecological significance and functionality of Nocardia bacteria in actinorhizal symbioses.

Host Plant Compatibility Shapes the Proteogenome of Frankia coriariae

Molecular signaling networks in the actinorhizal rhizosphere select host-compatible Frankia strains, trigger the infection process and eventually the genesis of nitrogen-fixing nodules. The molecular triggers involved remain difficult to ascertain. Root exudates (RE) are highly dynamic substrates that play key roles in establishing the rhizosphere microbiome. RE are known to induce the secretion by rhizobia of Nod factors, polysaccharides, and other proteins in the case of legume symbiosis. Next-generation proteomic approach was here used to decipher the key bacterial signals matching the first-step recognition of host plant stimuli upon treatment of Frankia coriariae strain BMG5.1 with RE derived from compatible (Coriaria myrtifolia), incompatible (Alnus glutinosa), and non-actinorhizal (Cucumis melo) host plants. The Frankia proteome dynamics were mainly driven by host compatibility. Both metabolism and signal transduction were the dominant activities for BMG5.1 under the different RE conditions tested. A second set of proteins that were solely induced by C. myrtifolia RE and were mainly linked to cell wall remodeling, signal transduction and host signal processing activities. These proteins may footprint early steps in receptive recognition of host stimuli before subsequent events of symbiotic recruitment.

Proposal of a type strain for Frankia alni (Woronin 1866) Von Tubeuf 1895, emended description of Frankia alni, and recognition of Frankia casuarinae sp. nov. and Frankia elaeagni sp. nov

Before the establishment of pure cultures, the species Frankia alni, 'Frankia casuarinae' and 'Frankia elaeagni' were proposed to encompass all causal agents of the nitrogen-fixing root nodules of dicotyledonous plants from the genera Alnus, Casuarina or Elaeagnus. The sole Frankia species with a validly published name, the type species F. alni, was described by Woronin (1866) as present in the root of alder. Until now no type strain has been designated for F. alni, even though the absence of a type strain has seriously inhibited the application of modern taxonomic methods to the genus Frankia. Thus, we propose that strain ACN14aT, isolated in pure culture from Alnus viridis ssp. crispa with morphological properties matching the original description of F. alni, be recognized as the type strain of this species according to Rule 18f of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria. We compared ACN14aT to two strains, CcI3T and BMG5.12T, isolated from Casuarina cunninghamiana and Elaeagnus angustifolia, respectively, based on chemotaxonomy, phenotype microarray data and molecular data retrieved from genome sequences. All three tested strains grew as branched hyphae, produced vesicles and multilocular sporangia containing non-motile spores and metabolized short fatty acids, TCA-cycle intermediates and carbohydrates. Chemotaxonomically, the three strains were indistinguishable with respect to phospholipids (phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, glycophospholipids and phosphatidylglycerol) and cell-sugar composition (glucose, mannose, ribose, rhamnose, galactose and xylose, with the latter two being diagnostic for the genus). The major fatty acids identified in all three strains were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c, C15 : 0, C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. ACN14aT and BMG5.12T also shared C15 : 1ω6c, while C18 : 1ω9c was found to be unique to BMG5.12T. The major menaquinones identified in all three novel type strains were MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4). MK-9(H2) was shared by ACN14aT and BMG5.12T, while MK-10(H4) and MK-8(H4) were only found in BMG5.12T. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 98.1-98.9 % identity between strains ACN14aT, CcI3T and BMG5.12T. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the three type strains were well below 70 %. These results confirm the separation of the strains into three distinct species, Frankia alni, Frankia casuarinae sp. nov. and Frankia elaeagni sp. nov. Thus, we propose ACN14aT (=DSM 45986T=CECT 9034T), CcI3T (=DSM 45818T=CECT 9043T) and BMG5.12T (=DSM 46783T=CECT 9031T) as the respective type strains.

Alnus peptides modify membrane porosity and induce the release of nitrogen-rich metabolites from nitrogen-fixing Frankia

Actinorhizal plant growth in pioneer ecosystems depends on the symbiosis with the nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium Frankia cells that are housed in special root organs called nodules. Nitrogen fixation occurs in differentiated Frankia cells known as vesicles. Vesicles lack a pathway for assimilating ammonia beyond the glutamine stage and are supposed to transfer reduced nitrogen to the plant host cells. However, a mechanism for the transfer of nitrogen-fixation products to the plant cells remains elusive. Here, new elements for this metabolic exchange are described. We show that Alnus glutinosa nodules express defensin-like peptides, and one of these, Ag5, was found to target Frankia vesicles. In vitro and in vivo analyses showed that Ag5 induces drastic physiological changes in Frankia, including an increased permeability of vesicle membranes. A significant release of nitrogen-containing metabolites, mainly glutamine and glutamate, was found in N2-fixing cultures treated with Ag5. This work demonstrates that the Ag5 peptide is central for Frankia physiology in nodules and uncovers a novel cellular function for this large and widespread defensin peptide family.

Expanding our understanding of sequence-function relationships of type II polyketide biosynthetic gene clusters: bioinformatics-guided identification of Frankiamicin A from Frankia sp. EAN1pec

A large and rapidly increasing number of unstudied “orphan” natural product biosynthetic gene clusters are being uncovered in sequenced microbial genomes. An important goal of modern natural products research is to be able to accurately predict natural product structures and biosynthetic pathways from these gene cluster sequences. This requires both development of bioinformatic methods for global analysis of these gene clusters and experimental characterization of select products produced by gene clusters with divergent sequence characteristics. Here, we conduct global bioinformatic analysis of all available type II polyketide gene cluster sequences and identify a conserved set of gene clusters with unique ketosynthase α/β sequence characteristics in the genomes of Frankia species, a group of Actinobacteria with underexploited natural product biosynthetic potential. Through LC-MS profiling of extracts from several Frankia species grown under various conditions, we identified Frankia sp. EAN1pec as producing a compound with spectral characteristics consistent with the type II polyketide produced by this gene cluster. We isolated the compound, a pentangular polyketide which we named frankiamicin A, and elucidated its structure by NMR and labeled precursor feeding. We also propose biosynthetic and regulatory pathways for frankiamicin A based on comparative genomic analysis and literature precedent, and conduct bioactivity assays of the compound. Our findings provide new information linking this set of Frankia gene clusters with the compound they produce, and our approach has implications for accurate functional prediction of the many other type II polyketide clusters present in bacterial genomes.

Ecological consequences of the expansion of N₂-fixing plants in cold biomes

Research in warm-climate biomes has shown that invasion by symbiotic dinitrogen (N2)-fixing plants can transform ecosystems in ways analogous to the transformations observed as a consequence of anthropogenic, atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition: declines in biodiversity, soil acidification, and alterations to carbon and nutrient cycling, including increased N losses through nitrate leaching and emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Here, we used literature review and case study approaches to assess the evidence for similar transformations in cold-climate ecosystems of the boreal, subarctic and upper montane-temperate life zones. Our assessment focuses on the plant genera Lupinus and Alnus, which have become invasive largely as a consequence of deliberate introductions and/or reduced land management. These cold biomes are commonly located in remote areas with low anthropogenic N inputs, and the environmental impacts of N2-fixer invasion appear to be as severe as those from anthropogenic N deposition in highly N polluted areas. Hence, inputs of N from N2 fixation can affect ecosystems as dramatically or even more strongly than N inputs from atmospheric deposition, and biomes in cold climates represent no exception with regard to the risk of being invaded by N2-fixing species. In particular, the cold biomes studied here show both a strong potential to be transformed by N2-fixing plants and a rapid subsequent saturation in the ecosystem's capacity to retain N. Therefore, analogous to increases in N deposition, N2-fixing plant invasions must be deemed significant threats to biodiversity and to environmental quality.

Casuarina in Africa: distribution, role and importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal fungi and Frankia on plant development

Exotic trees were introduced in Africa to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems. Introduced species included several Australian species belonging to the Casuarinaceae family. Casuarinas trees grow very fast and are resistant to drought and high salinity. They are particularly well adapted to poor and disturbed soils thanks to their capacity to establish symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi -both arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal- and with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Frankia. These trees are now widely distributed in more than 20 African countries. Casuarina are mainly used in forestation programs to rehabilitate degraded or polluted sites, to stabilise sand dunes and to provide fuelwood and charcoal and thus contribute considerably to improving livelihoods and local economies. In this paper, we describe the geographical distribution of Casuarina in Africa, their economic and ecological value and the role of the symbiotic interactions between Casuarina, mycorrhizal fungi and Frankia.

Biological nitrogen fixation in non-legume plants

BACKGROUND

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient in plant growth. The ability of a plant to supply all or part of its requirements from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) thanks to interactions with endosymbiotic, associative and endophytic symbionts, confers a great competitive advantage over non-nitrogen-fixing plants.

SCOPE

Because BNF in legumes is well documented, this review focuses on BNF in non-legume plants. Despite the phylogenic and ecological diversity among diazotrophic bacteria and their hosts, tightly regulated communication is always necessary between the microorganisms and the host plant to achieve a successful interaction. Ongoing research efforts to improve knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying these original relationships and some common strategies leading to a successful relationship between the nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and their hosts are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the molecular mechanism of BNF outside the legume-rhizobium symbiosis could have important agronomic implications and enable the use of N-fertilizers to be reduced or even avoided. Indeed, in the short term, improved understanding could lead to more sustainable exploitation of the biodiversity of nitrogen-fixing organisms and, in the longer term, to the transfer of endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixation capacities to major non-legume crops.