1
|
La Cono V, La Spada G, Smedile F, Crisafi F, Marturano L, Modica A, Nhu Khanh HH, Thinh PD, Thuy Hang CT, Selivanova EA, Bản NK, Yakimov MM. Unique Features of Extremely Halophilic Microbiota Inhabiting Solar Saltworks Fields of Vietnam. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1975. [PMID: 39458284 PMCID: PMC11509607 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12101975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2024] [Revised: 09/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The artificial solar saltworks fields of Hon Khoi are important industrial and biodiversity resources in southern Vietnam. Most hypersaline environments in this area are characterized by saturated salinity, nearly neutral pH, intense ultraviolet radiation, elevated temperatures and fast desiccation processes. However, the extremely halophilic prokaryotic communities associated with these stressful environments remain uninvestigated. To fill this gap, a metabarcoding approach was conducted to characterize these communities by comparing them with solar salterns in northern Vietnam as well as with the Italian salterns of Motya and Trapani. Sequencing analyses revealed that the multiple reuses of crystallization ponds apparently create significant perturbations and structural instability in prokaryotic consortia. However, some interesting features were noticed when we examined the diversity of ultra-small prokaryotes belonging to Patescibacteria and DPANN Archaea. Surprisingly, we found at least five deeply branched clades, two from Patescibacteria and three from DPANN Archaea, which seem to be quite specific to the Hon Khoi saltworks field ecosystem and can be considered as a part of biogeographical connotation. Further studies are needed to characterize these uncultivated taxa, to isolate and cultivate them, which will allow us to elucidate their ecological role in these hypersaline habitats and to explore their biotechnological and biomedical potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violetta La Cono
- Institute of Polar Research, Institute of Polar Sciences, National Council of Research ISP-CNR, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; (V.L.C.); (G.L.S.); (F.S.); (F.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Gina La Spada
- Institute of Polar Research, Institute of Polar Sciences, National Council of Research ISP-CNR, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; (V.L.C.); (G.L.S.); (F.S.); (F.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Francesco Smedile
- Institute of Polar Research, Institute of Polar Sciences, National Council of Research ISP-CNR, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; (V.L.C.); (G.L.S.); (F.S.); (F.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Francesca Crisafi
- Institute of Polar Research, Institute of Polar Sciences, National Council of Research ISP-CNR, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; (V.L.C.); (G.L.S.); (F.S.); (F.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Laura Marturano
- Institute of Polar Research, Institute of Polar Sciences, National Council of Research ISP-CNR, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; (V.L.C.); (G.L.S.); (F.S.); (F.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Alfonso Modica
- Eni Rewind Environmental Engineering and Market Development/Servizi Laboratorio, EE&MD/SELAB, Contrada Cava Sorciaro 1, 96010 Priolo Gargallo, Italy;
| | - Huynh Hoang Nhu Khanh
- Nha Trang Institute of Technology Research and Application, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, NITRA-VAST, Hung Vuong 2, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam; (H.H.N.K.); (P.D.T.); (C.T.T.H.)
| | - Pham Duc Thinh
- Nha Trang Institute of Technology Research and Application, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, NITRA-VAST, Hung Vuong 2, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam; (H.H.N.K.); (P.D.T.); (C.T.T.H.)
| | - Cao Thi Thuy Hang
- Nha Trang Institute of Technology Research and Application, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, NITRA-VAST, Hung Vuong 2, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam; (H.H.N.K.); (P.D.T.); (C.T.T.H.)
| | - Elena A. Selivanova
- Institute for Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pionerskaya Ul. 11, 460000 Orenburg, Russia;
| | - Ninh Khắc Bản
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, IMBC-VAST, Hoang Quoc Viet 18, Nghia Do, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Michail M. Yakimov
- Institute of Polar Research, Institute of Polar Sciences, National Council of Research ISP-CNR, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; (V.L.C.); (G.L.S.); (F.S.); (F.C.); (L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nadal-Molero F, Campos-Lopez A, Tur-Moya J, Martin-Cuadrado AB. Microbial community on industrial salty bovine hides: From the slaughterhouse to the salting. Syst Appl Microbiol 2023; 46:126421. [PMID: 37229965 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2023.126421] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The leather-making industry is an age-old industry and desiccation with salt has been one of the most used methodologies for obtaining valuable skins. However, halophiles may proliferate and affect the integrity of the hide-collagen structure, as well as leading to undesirable red colorations or less-frequent purple stains. To understand the basis of these industrial hide contaminations, the microbial community from raw hide samples, salt-cured samples and four different industrial salts, was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding together with standard cultivation methods. Comparison of raw hides and correctly cured hides revealed a core microbiome that was absent from contaminated hides. In addition, archaea were missing from well-cured hides, whereas Psychrobacter and Acinetobacter were highly represented (23 % and 17.4 %, respectively). In damaged hides, only a few operational taxonomic units (OTUs), from among the hundreds detected, were able to proliferate and, remarkably, a single Halomonas OTU represented 57.66 % of the reads. Halobacteria, mainly Halovenus, Halorubrum and Halovivax, increased by up to 36.24-39.5 % in the red- and purple-affected hides. The major contaminants were isolated and hide infections, together with collagenase activity, were evaluated. The results showed that hides enriched with the non-pigmented isolate Halomonas utahensis COIN160 damaged the collagen fibers similarly to Halorubrum, and together they were considered to be one of the major causes. Putative degrading inhibitors were also identified from among the Alkalibacillus isolates. It was concluded that hide contaminations were driven by clonal outbreaks of a few specific microbes, which may have been non-pigmented collagen degraders. Acinetobacter and Alkalibacillus, members of the core microbiome of raw and well-cured salted hides, are suggested as hide contaminant inhibitors that need further analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan Tur-Moya
- Hide Consultant, Dpt. Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lach J, Królikowska K, Baranowska M, Krupińska M, Strapagiel D, Matera-Witkiewicz A, Stączek P. A first insight into the Polish Bochnia Salt Mine metagenome. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:49551-49566. [PMID: 36780083 PMCID: PMC10104926 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25770-7] [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: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
The Bochnia Salt Mine is one of the oldest mines in Europe. It was established in the thirteenth century, and actively operated until 1990. The mine has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Previous research describing Polish salt mines has been focused on bioaerosol characteristics and the identification of microorganisms potentially important for human health. The use of Polish salt mines as inhalation chambers for patients of health resorts has also been investigated. Nevertheless, the biodiversity of salt mines associated with biotechnological potential has not been well characterized. The present study paper examines the biodiversity of microorganisms in the Bochnia Salt Mine based on 16S rRNA gene and shotgun sequencing. Biodiversity studies revealed a significantly higher relative abundance of Chlamydiae at the first level of the mine (3.5%) compared to the other levels (< 0.1%). Patescibacteria microorganisms constituted a high percentage (21.6%) in the sample from site RA6. Shotgun sequencing identified 16 unique metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Although one was identified as Halobacterium bonnevillei, the others have not yet been assigned to any species; it is possible that these species may be undescribed. Preliminary analyses of the biotechnological and pharmaceutical potential of microorganisms inhabiting the mine were also performed, and the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) profiles and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) coding genes in individual samples were characterized. Hundreds of BGCs and dozens of AMP coding genes were identified in metagenomes. Our findings indicate that Polish salt mines are promising sites for further research aimed at identifying microorganisms that are producers of potentially important substances with biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Lach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Klaudyna Królikowska
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Monika Baranowska
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Krupińska
- Screening of Biological Activity Assays and Collection of Biological Material Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University Biobank, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dominik Strapagiel
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz
- Screening of Biological Activity Assays and Collection of Biological Material Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University Biobank, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Stączek
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thompson TP, Megaw J, Kelly SA, Hopps J, Gilmore BF. Microbial communities of halite deposits and other hypersaline environments. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2022; 120:1-32. [PMID: 36243451 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Large regions of Earth's surface are underlain by salt deposits that evaporated from ancient oceans and are populated by extreme halophilic microbes. While the microbiology of ancient evaporites has been well studied, the ecology of halite deposits and more recently formed NaCl "salticle" stalactite structures (speleothems) in a Triassic halite mine are less well characterized. The microbiome of Kilroot Salt Mine was profiled using conventional and enhanced culturing techniques. From this, 89 halophilic archaeal isolates from six known genera, and 55 halophilic or halotolerant bacterial isolates from 18 genera were obtained. Culture-independent metagenomic approaches also revealed that culturing techniques were inadvertently biased toward specific taxa, and the need for optimized isolation procedures are required to enhance cultivation diversity. Speleothems formed from saturated brines are unique structures that have the potential to entomb haloarchaea cells for thousands of years within fluid inclusions. The presence of such fluid inclusions, alongside the high abundance of genes related to glycerol metabolism, biofilm formation, and persister cell formation is highly suggestive of an environmental niche that could promote longevity and survivability. Finally, previous studies reporting the discovery of novel biocatalysts from the Kilroot mine microbiome, suggests that this environment may be an untapped source of chemical diversity with high biodiscovery potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Thompson
- Biofilm Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, United Kingdom.
| | - Julianne Megaw
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A Kelly
- Biofilm Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Hopps
- Irish Salt Mining & Exploration Company Ltd., Carrickfergus, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan F Gilmore
- Biofilm Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gregson BH, Bani A, Steinfield L, Holt D, Whitby C. Anaerobes and methanogens dominate the microbial communities in water harvesting ponds used by Kenyan rural smallholder farmers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:153040. [PMID: 35026246 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Many rural smallholder farmers in Kenya use water-harvesting ponds, to collect rainwater, as sustainable sources of water for domestic and agricultural purposes. There is currently limited information regarding the microbial ecology in these ponds. Here, we used High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) to characterize the microorganisms present (including potential pathogens and indicator species) alongside ion chromatography to measure water chemistry (anion and cation concentration). Fluoride and magnesium concentration were the strongest predictor variables of the microbial community. Obligately or facultatively anaerobic bacterial genera (e.g. Spirochaeta and Opitutus) were abundant within the bacterial community, whilst Woesearchaeota and methanogens dominated the archaeal community. This suggests the water in the ponds is hypoxic or anoxic, and if used for irrigation, may potentially impact crop yield and viability. In addition, the opportunistic pathogen non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Mycobacterium fortuitum was found, comprising >1% of the bacterial community, suggesting a potential human health risk. Here we suggest low-cost changes to pond management, to improve or ameliorate pond anoxia and remove pathogens to benefit the livelihoods and welfare of these farms. This study also shows the applicability of HTS to broadly screen the microbial communities, assess water quality, and identify potentially pathogenic groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Gregson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Alessia Bani
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | | | - Diane Holt
- Center for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Leeds University Business School, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Corinne Whitby
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Favreau C, Tribondeau A, Marugan M, Guyot F, Alpha-Bazin B, Marie A, Puppo R, Dufour T, Huguet A, Zirah S, Kish A. Molecular acclimation of Halobacterium salinarum to halite brine inclusions. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1075274. [PMID: 36875534 PMCID: PMC9976938 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1075274] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Halophilic microorganisms have long been known to survive within the brine inclusions of salt crystals, as evidenced by the change in color for salt crystals containing pigmented halophiles. However, the molecular mechanisms allowing this survival has remained an open question for decades. While protocols for the surface sterilization of halite (NaCl) have enabled isolation of cells and DNA from within halite brine inclusions, "-omics" based approaches have faced two main technical challenges: (1) removal of all contaminating organic biomolecules (including proteins) from halite surfaces, and (2) performing selective biomolecule extractions directly from cells contained within halite brine inclusions with sufficient speed to avoid modifications in gene expression during extraction. In this study, we tested different methods to resolve these two technical challenges. Following this method development, we then applied the optimized methods to perform the first examination of the early acclimation of a model haloarchaeon (Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1) to halite brine inclusions. Examinations of the proteome of Halobacterium cells two months post-evaporation revealed a high degree of similarity with stationary phase liquid cultures, but with a sharp down-regulation of ribosomal proteins. While proteins for central metabolism were part of the shared proteome between liquid cultures and halite brine inclusions, proteins involved in cell mobility (archaellum, gas vesicles) were either absent or less abundant in halite samples. Proteins unique to cells within brine inclusions included transporters, suggesting modified interactions between cells and the surrounding brine inclusion microenvironment. The methods and hypotheses presented here enable future studies of the survival of halophiles in both culture model and natural halite systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charly Favreau
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Alicia Tribondeau
- Unité Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation (PhyMA), MNHN, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Marie Marugan
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Paris, France
| | - François Guyot
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), MNHN, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, Paris, France
| | - Beatrice Alpha-Bazin
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SPI, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | - Arul Marie
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Remy Puppo
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Dufour
- Laboratoire de Physique des Plasma (LPP), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, École Polytechnique, Université Paris-Sud, Observatoire de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Huguet
- Unité Milieux Environnementaux Transferts et Interactions dans les hydrosystèmes et les Sols (METIS), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, EPHE, PSL, Paris, France
| | - Séverine Zirah
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Adrienne Kish
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Water is the cellular milieu, drives all biochemistry within Earth's biosphere and facilitates microbe-mediated decay processes. Instead of reviewing these topics, the current article focuses on the activities of water as a preservative-its capacity to maintain the long-term integrity and viability of microbial cells-and identifies the mechanisms by which this occurs. Water provides for, and maintains, cellular structures; buffers against thermodynamic extremes, at various scales; can mitigate events that are traumatic to the cell membrane, such as desiccation-rehydration, freeze-thawing and thermal shock; prevents microbial dehydration that can otherwise exacerbate oxidative damage; mitigates against biocidal factors (in some circumstances reducing ultraviolet radiation and diluting solute stressors or toxic substances); and is effective at electrostatic screening so prevents damage to the cell by the intense electrostatic fields of some ions. In addition, the water retained in desiccated cells (historically referred to as 'bound' water) plays key roles in biomacromolecular structures and their interactions even for fully hydrated cells. Assuming that the components of the cell membrane are chemically stable or at least repairable, and the environment is fairly constant, water molecules can apparently maintain membrane geometries over very long periods provided these configurations represent thermodynamically stable states. The spores and vegetative cells of many microbes survive longer in the presence of vapour-phase water (at moderate-to-high relative humidities) than under more-arid conditions. There are several mechanisms by which large bodies of water, when cooled during subzero weather conditions remain in a liquid state thus preventing potentially dangerous (freeze-thaw) transitions for their microbiome. Microbial life can be preserved in pure water, freshwater systems, seawater, brines, ice/permafrost, sugar-rich aqueous milieux and vapour-phase water according to laboratory-based studies carried out over periods of years to decades and some natural environments that have yielded cells that are apparently thousands, or even (for hypersaline fluid inclusions of mineralized NaCl) hundreds of millions, of years old. The term preservative has often been restricted to those substances used to extend the shelf life of foods (e.g. sodium benzoate, nitrites and sulphites) or those used to conserve dead organisms, such as ethanol or formaldehyde. For living microorganisms however, the ultimate preservative may actually be water. Implications of this role are discussed with reference to the ecology of halophiles, human pathogens and other microbes; food science; biotechnology; biosignatures for life and other aspects of astrobiology; and the large-scale release/reactivation of preserved microbes caused by global climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food SecuritySchool of Biological SciencesQueen’s University Belfast19 Chlorine GardensBelfastBT9 5DLUK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cesur RM, Ansari IM, Chen F, Clark BC, Schneegurt MA. Bacterial Growth in Brines Formed by the Deliquescence of Salts Relevant to Cold Arid Worlds. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:104-115. [PMID: 34748403 PMCID: PMC8785760 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hygroscopic salts at Mars' near-surface (MgSO4, (per)chlorates, NaCl) may form brines by absorbing moisture from the atmosphere at certain times through the process of deliquescence. We have previously shown strong bacterial growth in saturated MgSO4 (∼67% w/v as epsomite) at room temperature, and growth was observed at the MgSO4 eutectic point (43% w/v at -4°C). Here, we have investigated the growth of salinotolerant microbes (Halomonas, Marinococcus, Planococcus) from Hot Lake, Washington; Basque Lake, British Columbia; and Great Salt Plains, Oklahoma under deliquescing conditions. Bacterial cultures were grown to mid-log phase in SP medium supplemented with 50% MgSO4 (as epsomite), 20% NaClO3, or 10% NaCl (w/v), and small aliquots in cups were dried by vacuum desiccation. When the dried culture was rehydrated by the manual addition of water, the culture resumed growth in the reconstituted brine. When desiccated cultures were maintained in a sealed container with a brine reservoir of the matching growth medium controlling the humidity of the headspace, the desiccated microbial culture evaporites formed brine by deliquescence using humidity alone. Bacterial cultures resumed growth in all three salts once rehydrated by deliquescence. Cultures of Halomonas sp. str. HL12 showed robust survival and growth when subjected to several cycles of desiccation and deliquescent or manual rehydration. Our laboratory demonstrations of microbial growth in deliquescent brines are relevant to the surface and near-subsurface of cold arid worlds like Mars. When conditions become wetter, hygroscopic evaporite minerals can deliquesce to produce the earliest habitable brines. Survival after desiccation and growth in deliquescent brines increases the likelihood that microbes from Earth, carried on spacecraft, pose a contamination risk to Mars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin M. Cesur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA
| | - Irfan M. Ansari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | - Mark A. Schneegurt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kumar V, Singh B, van Belkum MJ, Diep DB, Chikindas ML, Ermakov AM, Tiwari SK. Halocins, natural antimicrobials of Archaea: Exotic or special or both? Biotechnol Adv 2021; 53:107834. [PMID: 34509601 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Haloarchaea are adapted to survive under extreme saline conditions by accumulating osmolytes and salts to counteract the high osmotic pressure in their habitats. As a consequence, their proteins have evolved to remain active, or even most active, at very high ionic strength. Halocins are proteinaceous antimicrobial substances that are ribosomally-synthesized by haloarchaea and they provide the producers an advantage in the competition for nutrients and ecological niches. These antimicrobials are stable at high temperature, elevated salt concentrations, and alkaline pH conditions. These properties have endowed them with great potential in diverse biotechnological applications, which involve extreme processing conditions (such as high salt concentrations, high pressure, or high temperatures). They kill target cells by inhibition of Na+/H+ antiporter in the membrane or modification/disruption of the cell membrane leading to cell lysis. In general, the taxonomy of haloarchaea and their typical phenotypic and genotypic characteristics are well studied; however, information regarding their halocins, especially aspects related to genetics, biosynthetic pathways, mechanism of action, and structure-function relationship is very limited. A few studies have demonstrated the potential applications of halocins in the preservation of salted food products and brine-cured hides in leather industries, protecting the myocardium from ischemia and reperfusion injury, as well as from life-threatening diseases such as cardiac arrest and cancers. In recent years, genome mining has been an essential tool to decipher the genetic basis of halocin biosynthesis. Nevertheless, this is likely the tip of the iceberg as genome analyses have revealed many putative halocins in databases waiting for further investigation. Identification and characterization of this source of halocins may lead to antimicrobials for future therapeutics and/or food preservation. Hence, the present review analyzes different aspects of halocins such as biosynthesis, mechanism of action against target cells, and potential biotechnological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India; Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Bijender Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Haryana, Jant-Pali 123031, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India; Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Marco J van Belkum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Dzung B Diep
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås 1430, Norway
| | - Michael L Chikindas
- Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA; Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don 344002, Russia; I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Alexey M Ermakov
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Santosh Kumar Tiwari
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Najjari A, Stathopoulou P, Elmnasri K, Hasnaoui F, Zidi I, Sghaier H, Ouzari HI, Cherif A, Tsiamis G. Assessment of 16S rRNA Gene-Based Phylogenetic Diversity of Archaeal Communities in Halite-Crystal Salts Processed from Natural Saharan Saline Systems of Southern Tunisia. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050397. [PMID: 34064384 PMCID: PMC8147861 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A thorough assessment of the phylogenetic diversity and community structure of halophilic archaea from three halite-crystal salts, processed from two separated saline systems of Southern Tunisia has been performed using culture dependent and independent methods targeting different regions of 16S rRNA gene sequences including DGGE, 16S rRNA clone libraries and Illumina Miseq sequencing. Two samples, CDR (red halite-crystal salts) and CDW (white halite-crystal salts), were collected from Chott-Eljerid and one sample CDZ (white halite-crystal salts) from Chott Douz. Fourteen isolates were identified as Halorubrum, Haloferax, Haloarcula, and Halogeometricum genera members. Culture-independent approach revealed a high diversity of archaeal members present in all samples, represented by the Euryarchaeal phylum and the dominance of the Halobacteria class. Nanohaloarchaea were also identified only in white halite samples based on metagenomic analysis. In fact, a total of 61 genera were identified with members of the Halorhabdus, Halonotius, Halorubrum, Haloarcula, and unclassified. Halobacteriaceae were shared among all samples. Unexpected diversity profiles between samples was observed where the red halite crust sample was considered as the most diverse one. The highest diversity was observed with Miseq approach, nevertheless, some genera were detected only with 16S rRNA clone libraries and cultured approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afef Najjari
- Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Biomolécules Actives, Université Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; (F.H.); (I.Z.); (H.I.O.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Panagiota Stathopoulou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, University of Patras, 2 Seferi Str., 30100 Agrinio, Greece; (P.S.); (G.T.)
| | - Khaled Elmnasri
- Higher Institute for Biotechnology, University Manouba, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020 Ariana, Tunisia; (K.E.); (H.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Faten Hasnaoui
- Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Biomolécules Actives, Université Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; (F.H.); (I.Z.); (H.I.O.)
| | - Ines Zidi
- Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Biomolécules Actives, Université Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; (F.H.); (I.Z.); (H.I.O.)
| | - Haitham Sghaier
- Higher Institute for Biotechnology, University Manouba, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020 Ariana, Tunisia; (K.E.); (H.S.); (A.C.)
- Laboratory “Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences” (LR16CNSTN02), National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology (CNSTN), 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Hadda Imene Ouzari
- Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Biomolécules Actives, Université Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; (F.H.); (I.Z.); (H.I.O.)
| | - Ameur Cherif
- Higher Institute for Biotechnology, University Manouba, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020 Ariana, Tunisia; (K.E.); (H.S.); (A.C.)
| | - George Tsiamis
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, University of Patras, 2 Seferi Str., 30100 Agrinio, Greece; (P.S.); (G.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Thomas GE, Cameron TC, Campo P, Clark DR, Coulon F, Gregson BH, Hepburn LJ, McGenity TJ, Miliou A, Whitby C, McKew BA. Bacterial Community Legacy Effects Following the Agia Zoni II Oil-Spill, Greece. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1706. [PMID: 32765479 PMCID: PMC7379155 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In September 2017 the Agia Zoni II sank in the Saronic Gulf, Greece, releasing approximately 500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, contaminating the Salamina and Athens coastlines. Effects of the spill, and remediation efforts, on sediment microbial communities were quantified over the following 7 months. Five days post-spill, the concentration of measured hydrocarbons within surface sediments of contaminated beaches was 1,093-3,773 μg g-1 dry sediment (91% alkanes and 9% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), but measured hydrocarbons decreased rapidly after extensive clean-up operations. Bacterial genera known to contain oil-degrading species increased in abundance, including Alcanivorax, Cycloclasticus, Oleibacter, Oleiphilus, and Thalassolituus, and the species Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus from approximately 0.02 to >32% (collectively) of the total bacterial community. Abundance of genera with known hydrocarbon-degraders then decreased 1 month after clean-up. However, a legacy effect was observed within the bacterial community, whereby Alcanivorax and Cycloclasticus persisted for several months after the oil spill in formerly contaminated sites. This study is the first to evaluate the effect of the Agia Zoni II oil-spill on microbial communities in an oligotrophic sea, where in situ oil-spill studies are rare. The results aid the advancement of post-spill monitoring models, which can predict the capability of environments to naturally attenuate oil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gareth E. Thomas
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tom C. Cameron
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo Campo
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | - Dave R. Clark
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
- Institute for Analytics and Data Science, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Essex, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Leanne J. Hepburn
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Terry J. McGenity
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Corinne Whitby
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Boyd A. McKew
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|