Sequence analysis of the 181-kb accessory plasmid pSmeSM11b, isolated from a dominantSinorhizobium melilotistrain identified during a long-term field release experiment

Insights into the transcriptomic response of the plant engineering bacterium Ensifer adhaerens OV14 during transformation

The ability to engineer plant genomes has been primarily driven by the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens but recently the potential of alternative rhizobia such as Rhizobium etli and Ensifer adhaerens OV14, the latter of which supports Ensifer Mediated Transformation (EMT) has been reported. Surprisingly, a knowledge deficit exists in regards to understanding the whole genome processes underway in plant transforming bacteria, irrespective of the species. To begin to address the issue, we undertook a temporal RNAseq-based profiling study of E. adhaerens OV14 in the presence/absence of Arabidopsis thaliana tissues. Following co-cultivation with root tissues, 2333 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were noted. Meta-analysis of the RNAseq data sets identified a clear shift from plasmid-derived gene expression to chromosomal-based transcription within the early stages of bacterium-plant co-cultivation. During this time, the number of differentially expressed prokaryotic genes increased steadily out to 7 days co-cultivation, a time at which optimum rates of transformation were observed. Gene ontology evaluations indicated a role for both chromosomal and plasmid-based gene families linked specifically with quorum sensing, flagellin production and biofilm formation in the process of EMT. Transcriptional evaluation of vir genes, housed on the pCAMBIA 5105 plasmid in E. adhaerens OV14 confirmed the ability of E. adhaerens OV14 to perceive and activate its transcriptome in response to the presence of 200 µM of acetosyringone. Significantly, this is the first study to characterise the whole transcriptomic response of a plant engineering bacterium in the presence of plant tissues and provides a novel insight into prokaryotic genetic processes that support T-DNA transfer.

The complete replicons of 16 Ensifer meliloti strains offer insights into intra- and inter-replicon gene transfer, transposon-associated loci, and repeat elements

Ensifer meliloti (formerly Rhizobium meliloti and Sinorhizobium meliloti) is a model bacterium for understanding legume–rhizobial symbioses. The tripartite genome of E. meliloti consists of a chromosome, pSymA and pSymB, and in some instances strain-specific accessory plasmids. The majority of previous sequencing studies have relied on the use of assemblies generated from short read sequencing, which leads to gaps and assembly errors. Here we used PacBio-based, long-read assemblies and were able to assemble, de novo, complete circular replicons. In this study, we sequenced, de novo-assembled and analysed 10 E. meliloti strains. Sequence comparisons were also done with data from six previously published genomes. We identified genome differences between the replicons, including mol% G+C and gene content, nucleotide repeats, and transposon-associated loci. Additionally, genomic rearrangements both within and between replicons were identified, providing insight into evolutionary processes at the structural level. There were few cases of inter-replicon gene transfer of core genes between the main replicons. Accessory plasmids were more similar to pSymA than to either pSymB or the chromosome, with respect to gene content, transposon content and G+C content. In our population, the accessory plasmids appeared to share an open genome with pSymA, which contains many nodulation- and nitrogen fixation-related genes. This may explain previous observations that horizontal gene transfer has a greater effect on the content of pSymA than pSymB, or the chromosome, and why some rhizobia show unstable nodulation phenotypes on legume hosts.

Expanding the regulatory network that controls nitrogen fixation in Sinorhizobium meliloti: elucidating the role of the two-component system hFixL-FxkR

In Sinorhizobium meliloti, nitrogen fixation is regulated in response to oxygen concentration through the FixL-FixJ two-component system (TCS). Besides this conserved TCS, the field isolate SM11 also encodes the hFixL-FxkR TCS, which is responsible for the microoxic response in Rhizobium etli. Through genetic and physiological assays, we evaluated the role of the hFixL-FxkR TCS in S. meliloti SM11. Our results revealed that this regulatory system activates the expression of a fixKf orthologue (fixKa), in response to low oxygen concentration. Null mutations in either hFixL or FxkR promote upregulation of fixK1, a direct target of FixJ. Furthermore, the absence of this TCS translates into higher nitrogen fixation values as well as higher expression of fixN1 in nodules. Individual mutations in each of the fixK-like regulators encoded in the S. meliloti SM11 genome do not completely restrict fixN1 or fixN2 expression, pointing towards redundancy among these regulators. Both copies of fixN are necessary to achieve optimal levels of nitrogen fixation. This work provides evidence that the hFixL-FxkR TCS is activated in response to low oxygen concentration in S. meliloti SM11 and that it negatively regulates the expression of fixK1, fixN1 and nitrogen fixation.

Characterization of a gamma-butyrolactone synthetase gene homologue (stcA) involved in bafilomycin production and aerial mycelium formation in Streptomyces sp. SBI034

Streptomyces SBI034 produces several bafilomycin derivatives. Its afsA homologue (stcA) and putative γ-butyrolactone receptor gene (stcB) were cloned. Construction of a stcA disruptant (stcA gene knockout) resulted in complete abolishment of all bafilomycin production. Electron microscopic analysis showed a defect of aerial mycelium formation and sporulation in the stcA disruptant. Restoration of all phenotypic defects and bafilomycin production was observed in a stcA complemented strain. Addition of exogenous γ-butyrolactone (GBL) extracted from the culture broth of the wild-type strain could stimulate the aerial mycelium and spore formation of the stcA disruptant. These results suggest that stcA plays a role in GBL-mediated regulation of bafilomycin biosynthesis and morphological development in Streptomyces strain SBI034.

Rhizobial plasmid pLPU83a is able to switch between different transfer machineries depending on its genomic background

Plasmids have played a major role in bacterial evolution, mainly by their capacity to perform horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Their conjugative transfer (CT) properties are usually described in terms of the plasmid itself. In this work, we analyzed structural and functional aspects of the CT of pLPU83a, an accessory replicon from Rhizobium sp. LPU83, able to transfer from its parental strain, from Ensifer meliloti, or from Rhizobium etli. pLPU83a contains a complete set of transfer genes, featuring a particular organization, shared with only two other rhizobial plasmids. These plasmids contain a TraR quorum-sensing (QS) transcriptional regulator, but lack an acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) synthase gene. We also determined that the ability of pLPU83a to transfer from R. etli CFN42 genomic background was mainly achieved through mobilization, employing the machinery of the endogenous plasmid pRetCFN42a, falling under control of the QS regulators from pRetCFN42a. In contrast, from its native or from the E. meliloti background, pLPU83a utilized its own machinery for conjugation, requiring the plasmid-encoded traR. Activation of TraR seemed to be AHL independent. The results obtained indicate that the CT phenotype of a plasmid is dictated not only by the genes it carries, but by their interaction with its genomic context.

Draft genome sequence of Sinorhizobium meliloti RU11/001, a model organism for flagellum structure, motility and chemotaxis

Sinorhizobium meliloti of the order Rhizobiales is a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium nodulating plants of the genera Medicago, Trigonella and Melilotus and hence is of great agricultural importance. In its free-living state it is motile and capable of modulating its movement patterns in response to chemical attractants. Here, the draft genome consisting of a circular chromosome, the megaplasmids pSymA and pSymB and three accessory plasmids of Sinorhizobium meliloti RU11/001, a model organism for flagellum structure, motility and chemotaxis, is reported.

rptA, a novel gene from Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) meliloti involved in conjugal transfer

We approached the identification of Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) meliloti conjugal functions by random Tn5-B13 mutagenesis of the pSmeLPU88a plasmid of E. meliloti strain LPU88 and the subsequent selection of those mutants that had lost the ability to mobilize the small plasmid pSmeLPU88b. The Tn5-B13-insertion site of one of the mutants was cloned as an EcoRI-restricted DNA fragment that after subsequent isolation and sequencing demonstrated that a small open reading frame of 522 bp (designated rptA, for rhizobium plasmid transfer A) had been disrupted. The predicted gene product encoded by the rptA sequence shows a significant similarity to two hypothetical proteins of the plasmid pSmed03 of Ensifer medicae WSM419 and other rhizobia plasmids. No significant similarity was found to any protein sequence of known function registered in the databases. Although the rptA gene was required for pSmeLPU88b-plasmid mobilization in the strain 2011 background, it was not required in the original strain LPU88 background.

Structural and functional genomics of plasmid pSinA of Sinorhizobium sp. M14 encoding genes for the arsenite oxidation and arsenic resistance

Plasmid pSinA of Sinorhizobium sp. M14 (Alphaproteobacteria) is the first described, natural, self-transferable plasmid harboring a complete set of genes for oxidation of arsenite. Removal of this plasmid from cells of the host strain caused the loss of resistance to arsenic and heavy metals (Cd, Co, Zn and Hg) and abolished the ability to grow on minimal salt medium supplemented with sodium arsenite as the sole energy source. Plasmid pSinA was introduced into other representatives of Alphaproteobacteria which resulted in acquisition of new abilities concerning arsenic resistance and oxidation, as well as heavy metals resistance. Microcosm experiments revealed that plasmid pSinA can also be transferred via conjugation into other indigenous bacteria from microbial community of As-contaminated soils, including representatives of Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria. Analysis of "natural" transconjugants showed that pSinA is functional (expresses arsenite oxidase) and is stably maintained in their cells after approximately 60 generations of growth under nonselective conditions. This work clearly demonstrates that pSinA is a self-transferable, broad-host-range plasmid, which plays an important role in horizontal transfer of arsenic metabolism genes.

Population genomics of the facultatively mutualistic bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti and S. medicae

The symbiosis between rhizobial bacteria and legume plants has served as a model for investigating the genetics of nitrogen fixation and the evolution of facultative mutualism. We used deep sequence coverage (>100×) to characterize genomic diversity at the nucleotide level among 12 Sinorhizobium medicae and 32 S. meliloti strains. Although these species are closely related and share host plants, based on the ratio of shared polymorphisms to fixed differences we found that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between these species was confined almost exclusively to plasmid genes. Three multi-genic regions that show the strongest evidence of HGT harbor genes directly involved in establishing or maintaining the mutualism with host plants. In both species, nucleotide diversity is 1.5–2.5 times greater on the plasmids than chromosomes. Interestingly, nucleotide diversity in S. meliloti but not S. medicae is highly structured along the chromosome – with mean diversity (θ_π) on one half of the chromosome five times greater than mean diversity on the other half. Based on the ratio of plasmid to chromosome diversity, this appears to be due to severely reduced diversity on the chromosome half with less diversity, which is consistent with extensive hitchhiking along with a selective sweep. Frequency-spectrum based tests identified 82 genes with a signature of adaptive evolution in one species or another but none of the genes were identified in both species. Based upon available functional information, several genes identified as targets of selection are likely to alter the symbiosis with the host plant, making them attractive targets for further functional characterization.

Facultative mutualisms are relationships between two species that can live independently, but derive benefits when living together with their mutualistic partners. The facultative mutualism between rhizobial bacteria and legume plants contributes approximately half of all biologically fixed nitrogen, an essential plant nutrient, and is an important source of nitrogen to both natural and agricultural ecosystems. We resequenced the genomes of 44 strains of two closely related species of the genus Sinorhizobium that form facultative mutualisms with the model legme Medicago truncatula. These data provide one of the most complete examinations of genomic diversity segregating within microbial species that are not causative agents of human illness. Our analyses reveal that horizontal gene transfer, a common source of new genes in microbial species, disproportionately affects genes with direct roles in the rhizobia-plant symbiosis. Analyses of nucleotide diversity segregating within each species suggests that strong selection, along with genetic hitchhiking has sharply reduced diversity along an entire chromosome half in S. meliloti. Despite the two species' ecological similarity, we did not find evidence for selection acting on the same genetic targets. In addition to providing insight into the evolutionary history of rhizobial, this study shows the feasibility and potential power of applying population genomic analyses to microbial species.

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

Progress in understanding symbiotic determinants involved in the N(2)-fixing actinorhizal plant symbioses has been slow but steady. Problems persist with studying the bacterial contributions to the symbiosis using traditional microbiological techniques. However, recent years have seen the emergence of several genomes from Frankia sp. strains and the development of techniques for manipulating plant gene expression. Approaches to understanding the bacterial side of the symbiosis have employed a range of techniques that reveal the proteomes and transcriptomes from both cultured and symbiotic frankiae. The picture beginning to emerge provides some perspective on the heterogeneity of frankial populations in both conditions. In general, frankial populations in root nodules seem to maintain a rather robust metabolism that includes nitrogen fixation and substantial biosynthesis and energy-generating pathways, along with a modified ammonium assimilation program. To date, particular bacterial genes have not been implicated in root nodule formation but some hypotheses are emerging with regard to how the plant and microorganism manage to coexist. In particular, frankiae seem to present a nonpathogenic presence to the plant that may have the effect of minimizing some plant defense responses. Future studies using high-throughput approaches will likely clarify the range of bacterial responses to symbiosis that will need to be understood in light of the more rapidly advancing work on the plant host.

Symbiotic properties and first analyses of the genomic sequence of the fast growing model strain Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 nodulating soybean

Glycine max (soybean) plants can be nodulated by fast-growing rhizobial strains of the genus Sinorhizobium as well as by slow-growing strains clustered in the genus Bradyrhizobium. Fast-growing rhizobia strains with different soybean cultivar specificities have been isolated from Chinese soils and from other geographical regions. Most of these strains have been clustered into the species Sinorhizobium fredii. The S. fredii strain HH103 was isolated from soils of Hubei province, Central China and was first described in 1985. This strain is capable to nodulate American and Asiatic soybean cultivars and many other different legumes and is so far the best studied fast-growing soybean-nodulating strain. Additionally to the chromosome S. fredii HH103 carries five indigenous plasmids. The largest plasmid (pSfrHH103e) harbours genes for the production of diverse surface polysaccharides, such as exopolysaccharides (EPS), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and capsular polysaccharides (KPS). The second largest plasmid (pSfrHH103d) is a typical symbiotic plasmid (pSym), carrying nodulation and nitrogen fixation genes. The present mini review focuses on symbiotic properties of S. fredii HH103, in particular on nodulation and surface polysaccharides aspects. The model strain S. fredii HH103 was chosen for genomic sequencing, which is currently in progress. First analyses of the draft genome sequence revealed an extensive synteny between the chromosomes of S. fredii HH103 and Rhizobium sp. NGR234.

Population genomics of Sinorhizobium medicae based on low-coverage sequencing of sympatric isolates

We investigated the genomic diversity of a local population of the symbiotic bacterium Sinorhizobium medicae, isolated from the roots of wild Medicago lupulina plants, in order to assess genomic diversity, to identify genomic regions influenced by duplication, deletion or strong selection, and to explore the composition of the pan-genome. Partial genome sequences of 12 isolates were obtained by Roche 454 shotgun sequencing (average 5.3 Mb per isolate) and compared with the published sequence of S. medicae WSM 419. Homologous recombination appears to have less impact on the polymorphism patterns of the chromosome than on the chromid pSMED01 and megaplasmid pSMED02. Moreover, pSMED02 is a hot spot of insertions and deletions. The whole chromosome is characterized by low sequence polymorphism, consistent with the high density of housekeeping genes. Similarly, the level of polymorphism of symbiosis genes (low) and of genes involved in polysaccharide synthesis (high) may reflect different selection. Finally, some isolates carry genes that may confer adaptations that S. medicae WSM 419 lacks, including homologues of genes encoding rhizobitoxine synthesis, iron uptake, response to autoinducer-2, and synthesis of distinct polysaccharides. The presence or absence of these genes was confirmed by PCR in each of these 12 isolates and a further 27 isolates from the same population. All isolates had rhizobitoxine genes, while the other genes were co-distributed, suggesting that they may be on the same mobile element. These results are discussed in relation to the ecology of Medicago symbionts and in the perspective of population genomics studies.

Plasmid transfer systems in the rhizobia

Rhizobia are agriculturally important bacteria that can form nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots of leguminous plants. Agricultural application of rhizobial inoculants can play an important role in increasing leguminous crop yields. In temperate rhizobia, genes involved in nodulation and nitrogen fixation are usually located on one or more large plasmids (pSyms) or on symbiotic islands. In addition, other large plasmids of rhizobia carry genes that are beneficial for survival and competition of rhizobia in the rhizosphere. Conjugative transfer of these large plasmids thus plays an important role in the evolution of rhizobia. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of conjugative transfer of large rhizobial plasmids provides foundations for maintaining, monitoring, and predicting the behaviour of these plasmids during field release events. In this minireview, we summarize two types of known rhizobial conjugative plasmids, including quorum sensing regulated plasmids and RctA-repressed plasmids. We provide evidence for the existence of a third type of conjugative plasmid, including pRleVF39c in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain VF39SM, and we provide a comparison of the different types of conjugation genes found in members of the rhizobia that have had their genomes sequenced so far.

Comparative genomic hybridisation and ultrafast pyrosequencing revealed remarkable differences between the Sinorhizobium meliloti genomes of the model strain Rm1021 and the field isolate SM11

Genomic variation between the Sinorhizobium meliloti model strain Rm1021 and the field isolate SM11 was assessed by using the genome-wide S. meliloti Rm1021 Sm6k-oligonucleotide microarray in a comparative genomic hybridisation experiment. Several gene clusters present in the Rm1021 genome are missing in the SM11 genome. In detail, three missing gene clusters were identified for the chromosome, five for megaplasmid pSymA and two for megaplasmid pSymB. To confirm these hybridisation results, the draft genome sequence of the S. meliloti field isolate SM11 was established by 454-pyrosequencing. Three sequencing runs on the ultrafast Genome Sequencer 20 System yielded 112.5 million bases. These could be assembled into 905 larger contigs resulting in a nearly 15-fold coverage of the 7.1Mb SM11 genome. The missing gene regions identified by comparative genomic hybridisation could be confirmed by the results of the 454-sequencing project. An in-depth analysis of these gene regions resulted in the following findings: (i) a complete type I restriction/modification system encoded by a composite transposon is absent in the chromosome of strain SM11. (ii) Most of the Rm1021 denitrification genes and the complete siderophore biosynthesis operon were found to be missing on SM11 megaplasmid pSymA. (iii) S. meliloti SM11 megaplasmid pSymB lacks a complete cell surface carbohydrate synthesis gene cluster. (iv) Several genes that are absent in the SM11 genome could be assigned to insertion sequences and transposons.

The repABC plasmid family

repABC plasmids are widely distributed among alpha-proteobacteria. They are especially common in Rhizobiales. Some strains of this bacterial order can contain multiple repABC replicons indicating that this plasmid family includes several incompatibility groups. The replication and stable maintenance of these replicons depend on the presence of a repABC operon. The repABC operons sequenced to date share some general characteristics. All of them contain at least three protein-encoding genes: repA, repB and repC. The first two genes encode proteins involved in plasmid segregation, whereas repC encodes a protein crucial for replication. The origin of replication maps within the repC gene. In contrast, the centromere-like sequence (parS) can be located at various positions in the operon. In this review we will summarize current knowledge about this plasmid family, with special emphasis on their structural diversity and their complex genetic regulation. Finally, we will examine some ideas about their evolutionary origin and trends.