1
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Nagy KK, Takács K, Németh I, Varga B, Grolmusz V, Molnár M, Vértessy BG. Novel enzymes for biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons identified by metagenomics and functional analysis in short-term soil microcosm experiments. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11608. [PMID: 38773163 PMCID: PMC11109138 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61566-6] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly toxic, carcinogenic substances. On soils contaminated with PAHs, crop cultivation, animal husbandry and even the survival of microflora in the soil are greatly perturbed, depending on the degree of contamination. Most microorganisms cannot tolerate PAH-contaminated soils, however, some microbial strains can adapt to these harsh conditions and survive on contaminated soils. Analysis of the metagenomes of contaminated environmental samples may lead to discovery of PAH-degrading enzymes suitable for green biotechnology methodologies ranging from biocatalysis to pollution control. In the present study, our goal was to apply a metagenomic data search to identify efficient novel enzymes in remediation of PAH-contaminated soils. The metagenomic hits were further analyzed using a set of bioinformatics tools to select protein sequences predicted to encode well-folded soluble enzymes. Three novel enzymes (two dioxygenases and one peroxidase) were cloned and used in soil remediation microcosms experiments. The experimental design of the present study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the novel enzymes on short-term PAH degradation in the soil microcosmos model. The novel enzymes were found to be efficient for degradation of naphthalene and phenanthrene. Adding the inorganic oxidant CaO2 further increased the degrading potential of the novel enzymes for anthracene and pyrene. We conclude that metagenome mining paired with bioinformatic predictions, structural modelling and functional assays constitutes a powerful approach towards novel enzymes for soil remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga K Nagy
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem Rkp. 3., 1111, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2., 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Takács
- PIT Bioinformatics Group, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Imre Németh
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem Rkp. 3., 1111, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bálint Varga
- PIT Bioinformatics Group, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vince Grolmusz
- PIT Bioinformatics Group, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
- Uratim Ltd., 1118, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mónika Molnár
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem Rkp. 3., 1111, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem Rkp. 3., 1111, Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2., 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
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2
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Singh N, Singh V, Singh MP. Microbial degradation of lignocellulosic biomass for bioenergy production: A metagenomic-based approach. BIOCATAL BIOTRANSFOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10242422.2022.2056451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Singh
- Centre of Bioinformatics, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi, India
| | - Veer Singh
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India
| | - Mohan P. Singh
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India
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3
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Wakamatsu T, Mizobuchi S, Mori F, Futagami T, Terada T, Morono Y. Construction of Aerobic/Anaerobic-Substrate-Induced Gene Expression Procedure for Exploration of Metagenomes From Subseafloor Sediments. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:726024. [PMID: 35095779 PMCID: PMC8793675 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.726024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Substrate-induced gene expression (SIGEX) is a high-throughput promoter-trap method. It is a function-based metagenomic screening tool that relies on transcriptional activation of a reporter gene green fluorescence protein (gfp) by a metagenomic DNA library upon induction with a substrate. However, its use is limited because of the relatively small size of metagenomic DNA libraries and incompatibility with screening metagenomes from anaerobic environments. In this study, these limitations of SIGEX were addressed by fine-tuning metagenome DNA library construction protocol and by using Evoglow, a green fluorescent protein that forms a chromophore even under anaerobic conditions. Two metagenomic libraries were constructed for subseafloor sediments offshore Shimokita Peninsula (Pacific Ocean) and offshore Joetsu (Japan Sea). The library construction protocol was improved by (a) eliminating short DNA fragments, (b) applying topoisomerase-based high-efficiency ligation, (c) optimizing insert DNA concentration, and (d) column-based DNA enrichment. This led to a successful construction of metagenome DNA libraries of approximately 6 Gbp for both samples. SIGEX screening using five aromatic compounds (benzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-hydroxybenzoate, phenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions revealed significant differences in the inducible clone ratios under these conditions. 3-Chlorobenzoate and 2,4-dichlorophenol led to a higher induction ratio than that for the other non-chlorinated aromatic compounds under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. After the further screening of induced clones, a clone induced by 3-chlorobenzoate only under anaerobic conditions was isolated and characterized. The clone harbors a DNA insert that encodes putative open reading frames of unknown function. Previous aerobic SIGEX attempts succeeded in the isolation of gene fragments from anaerobes. This study demonstrated that some gene fragments require a strict in vivo reducing environment to function and may be potentially missed when screened by aerobic induction. The newly developed anaerobic SIGEX scheme will facilitate functional exploration of metagenomes from the anaerobic biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Wakamatsu
- Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Saki Mizobuchi
- Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Mori
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Smaple Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Taiki Futagami
- Education and Research Center for Fermentation Studies, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Morono
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Smaple Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Kōchi, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yuki Morono,
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4
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Kumar N, Hitch TCA, Haller D, Lagkouvardos I, Clavel T. MiMiC: a bioinformatic approach for generation of synthetic communities from metagenomes. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1757-1770. [PMID: 34081399 PMCID: PMC8313253 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental and host-associated microbial communities are complex ecosystems, of which many members are still unknown. Hence, it is challenging to study community dynamics and important to create model systems of reduced complexity that mimic major community functions. Therefore, we developed MiMiC, a computational approach for data-driven design of simplified communities from shotgun metagenomes. We first built a comprehensive database of species-level bacterial and archaeal genomes (n = 22 627) consisting of binary (presence/absence) vectors of protein families (Pfam = 17 929). MiMiC predicts the composition of minimal consortia using an iterative scoring system based on maximal match-to-mismatch ratios between this database and the Pfam binary vector of any input metagenome. Pfam vectorization retained enough resolution to distinguish metagenomic profiles between six environmental and host-derived microbial communities (n = 937). The calculated number of species per minimal community ranged between 5 and 11, with MiMiC selected communities better recapitulating the functional repertoire of the original samples than randomly selected species. The inferred minimal communities retained habitat-specific features and were substantially different from communities consisting of most abundant members. The use of a mixture of known microbes revealed the ability to select 23 of 25 target species from the entire genome database. MiMiC is open source and available at https://github.com/ClavelLab/MiMiC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Kumar
- Functional Microbiome Research GroupInstitute of Medical MicrobiologyUniversity Hospital of RWTHAachenGermany
- ZIEL‐ Institute for Food and HealthTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Thomas C. A. Hitch
- Functional Microbiome Research GroupInstitute of Medical MicrobiologyUniversity Hospital of RWTHAachenGermany
| | - Dirk Haller
- ZIEL‐ Institute for Food and HealthTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
- Chair of Nutrition and ImmunologyTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Ilias Lagkouvardos
- ZIEL‐ Institute for Food and HealthTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and AquacultureHellenic Center of Marine ResearchHeraklionGreece
| | - Thomas Clavel
- Functional Microbiome Research GroupInstitute of Medical MicrobiologyUniversity Hospital of RWTHAachenGermany
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5
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Strategies for Natural Products Discovery from Uncultured Microorganisms. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26102977. [PMID: 34067778 PMCID: PMC8156983 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are highly regarded as a prominent source of natural products that have significant importance in many fields such as medicine, farming, environmental safety, and material production. Due to this, only tiny amounts of microorganisms can be cultivated under standard laboratory conditions, and the bulk of microorganisms in the ecosystems are still unidentified, which restricts our knowledge of uncultured microbial metabolism. However, they could hypothetically provide a large collection of innovative natural products. Culture-independent metagenomics study has the ability to address core questions in the potential of NP production by cloning and analysis of microbial DNA derived directly from environmental samples. Latest advancements in next generation sequencing and genetic engineering tools for genome assembly have broadened the scope of metagenomics to offer perspectives into the life of uncultured microorganisms. In this review, we cover the methods of metagenomic library construction, and heterologous expression for the exploration and development of the environmental metabolome and focus on the function-based metagenomics, sequencing-based metagenomics, and single-cell metagenomics of uncultured microorganisms.
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6
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Tansirichaiya S, Reynolds LJ, Roberts AP. Functional Metagenomic Screening for Antimicrobial Resistance in the Oral Microbiome. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2327:31-50. [PMID: 34410638 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1518-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A large proportion of bacteria, from a multitude of environments, are not yet able to be grown in the laboratory, and therefore microbiological and molecular biological investigations of these bacteria are challenging. A way to circumvent this challenge is to analyze the metagenome, the entire collection of DNA molecules that can be isolated from a particular environment or sample. This collection of DNA molecules can be sequenced and assembled to determine what is present and infer functional potential, or used as a PCR template to detect known target DNA and potentially unknown regions of DNA nearby those targets; however assigning functions to new or conserved hypothetical, functionally cryptic, genes is difficult. Functional metagenomics allows researchers to determine which genes are responsible for selectable phenotypes, such as resistance to antimicrobials and metabolic capabilities, without the prerequisite needs to grow the bacteria containing those genes or to already know which genes are of interest. It is estimated that a third of the resident species of the human oral cavity is not yet cultivable and, together with the ease of sample acquisition, makes this metagenome particularly suited to functional metagenomic studies. Here we describe the methodology related to the collection of saliva samples, extraction of metagenomic DNA, construction of metagenomic libraries, as well as the description of functional assays that have previously led to the identification of new genes conferring antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supathep Tansirichaiya
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Liam J Reynolds
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Adam P Roberts
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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7
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Purohit J, Chattopadhyay A, Teli B. Metagenomic Exploration of Plastic Degrading Microbes for Biotechnological Application. Curr Genomics 2020; 21:253-270. [PMID: 33071619 PMCID: PMC7521044 DOI: 10.2174/1389202921999200525155711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the last few decades, the promiscuous and uncontrolled use of plastics led to the accumulation of millions of tons of plastic waste in the terrestrial and marine environment. It elevated the risk of environmental pollution and climate change. The concern arises more due to the reckless and unscientific disposal of plastics containing high molecular weight polymers, viz., polystyrene, polyamide, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene, etc. which are very difficult to degrade. Thus, the focus is now paid to search for efficient, eco-friendly, low-cost waste management technology. Of them, degradation of non-degradable synthetic polymer using diverse microbial agents, viz., bacteria, fungi, and other extremophiles become an emerging option. So far, very few microbial agents and their secreted enzymes have been identified and characterized for plastic degradation, but with low efficiency. It might be due to the predominance of uncultured microbial species, which consequently remain unexplored from the respective plastic degrading milieu. To overcome this problem, metagenomic analysis of microbial population engaged in the plastic biodegradation is advisable to decipher the microbial community structure and to predict their biodegradation potential in situ. Advancements in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analysis allow the rapid metagenome screening that helps in the identification of total microbial community and also opens up the scope for mining genes or enzymes (hydrolases, laccase, etc.) engaged in polymer degradation. Further, the extraction of the core microbial population and their adaptation, fitness, and survivability can also be deciphered through comparative metagenomic study. It will help to engineer the microbial community and their metabolic activity to speed up the degradation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotika Purohit
- 1Department of Plant Pathology, C.P. College of Agriculture, S.D. Agricultural University, SK Nagar, (Guj.), India; 2Division of Plant Pathology, IARI, New Delhi, India; 3Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, (U.P.), India
| | - Anirudha Chattopadhyay
- 1Department of Plant Pathology, C.P. College of Agriculture, S.D. Agricultural University, SK Nagar, (Guj.), India; 2Division of Plant Pathology, IARI, New Delhi, India; 3Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, (U.P.), India
| | - Basavaraj Teli
- 1Department of Plant Pathology, C.P. College of Agriculture, S.D. Agricultural University, SK Nagar, (Guj.), India; 2Division of Plant Pathology, IARI, New Delhi, India; 3Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, (U.P.), India
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8
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Muccee F, Ejaz S. Whole genome shotgun sequencing of POPs degrading bacterial community dwelling tannery effluents and petrol contaminated soil. Microbiol Res 2020; 238:126504. [PMID: 32534383 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2020.126504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study involved identification of genes which are present in the genome of native bacteria to make them effective tools for bioremediation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). During this study, forty-one POPs (naphthalene, toluene and petrol) metabolizing bacteria were isolated from tannery effluents and petrol contaminated soil samples by successive enrichment culturing. The taxonomic diversity and gene repertoire conferring POPs degradation ability to the isolated bacterial community were studied through whole genome shotgun sequencing of DNA consortium. The DNA consortium contained equimolar concentration of DNA extracted from each bacterial isolate using organic method. To add a double layer of confirmation the established DNA consortium was subjected to 16S rRNA metagenome sequencing and whole genome shotgun sequencing analysis. Biodiversity analysis revealed that the consortium was composed of phyla Firmicutes (80 %), Proteobacteria (12 %) and Actinobacteria (5%). Genera found included Bacillus (45 %), Burkholderia (25 %), Brevibacillus (9%) and Geobacillus (4%). Functional profiling of consortium helped us to identify genes associated with degradation pathways of a variety of organic compounds including toluene, naphthalene, caprolactam, benzoate, aminobenzoate, xylene, 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, biphenyl, anthracene, aminobenzoate, chlorocyclohexane, chlorobenzene, n-phenylalkanoic acid, phenylpropanoid, salicylate, gentisate, central meta cleavage of aromatic compounds, cinnamic acid, catechol and procatechuate branch of β-ketoadipate pathway, phenyl-acetyl CoA and homogentisate catabolic pathway. The information thus generated has ensured not only biodegradation potential but also revealed many possible future applications of the isolated bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Muccee
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Samina Ejaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
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9
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Terashima M, Kamagata Y, Kato S. Rapid Enrichment and Isolation of Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms Through 4'6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) Staining With Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Front Microbiol 2020; 11:793. [PMID: 32425914 PMCID: PMC7203516 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Screening for bacteria with abilities to accumulate valuable intracellular compounds from an environmental community is difficult and requires strategic methods. Combining the experimental procedure for phenotyping living cells in a microbial community with the cell recovery necessary for further cultivation will allow for an efficient initial screening process. In this study, we developed a strategy for the isolation of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) by combining (i) nontoxic fluorescence staining of polyphosphate granules in viable microbial cells and (ii) fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for the rapid detection and collection of target cells. To implement this screening approach, cells from wastewater sludge samples were stained with 4’6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) to target cells with high polyphosphate (polyP) accumulation. We found a staining procedure (10 μg/ml of DAPI for 30 min) that can visualize polyP granules while maintaining viability for the majority of the cells (>60%). The polyP positive cells were recovered by FACS, purified by colony isolation and phylogenetically identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Follow-up analysis confirmed that these isolates accumulate polyP, indicating that DAPI can be implemented in staining living cells and FACS can effectively and rapidly screen and isolate individual cells from a complex microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Terashima
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kamagata
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Souichiro Kato
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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10
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Markel U, Essani KD, Besirlioglu V, Schiffels J, Streit WR, Schwaneberg U. Advances in ultrahigh-throughput screening for directed enzyme evolution. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:233-262. [PMID: 31815263 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00981c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes are versatile catalysts and their synthetic potential has been recognized for a long time. In order to exploit their full potential, enzymes often need to be re-engineered or optimized for a given application. (Semi-) rational design has emerged as a powerful means to engineer proteins, but requires detailed knowledge about structure function relationships. In turn, directed evolution methodologies, which consist of iterative rounds of diversity generation and screening, can improve an enzyme's properties with virtually no structural knowledge. Current diversity generation methods grant us access to a vast sequence space (libraries of >1012 enzyme variants) that may hide yet unexplored catalytic activities and selectivity. However, the time investment for conventional agar plate or microtiter plate-based screening assays represents a major bottleneck in directed evolution and limits the improvements that are obtainable in reasonable time. Ultrahigh-throughput screening (uHTS) methods dramatically increase the number of screening events per time, which is crucial to speed up biocatalyst design, and to widen our knowledge about sequence function relationships. In this review, we summarize recent advances in uHTS for directed enzyme evolution. We shed light on the importance of compartmentalization to preserve the essential link between genotype and phenotype and discuss how cells and biomimetic compartments can be applied to serve this function. Finally, we discuss how uHTS can inspire novel functional metagenomics approaches to identify natural biocatalysts for novel chemical transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Markel
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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11
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Mtimka S, Pillay P, Rashamuse K, Gildenhuys S, Tsekoa TL. Functional screening of a soil metagenome for DNA endonucleases by acquired resistance to bacteriophage infection. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 47:353-361. [PMID: 31643043 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05137-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Endonucleases play a crucial role as reagents in laboratory research and diagnostics. Here, metagenomics was used to functionally screen a fosmid library for endonucleases. A fosmid library was constructed using metagenomic DNA isolated from soil sampled from the unique environment of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape of South Africa. The principle of acquired immunity against phage infection was used to develop a plate-based screening technique for the isolation of restriction endonucleases from the library. Using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools, sequence data were generated and analysed, revealing 113 novel open reading frames (ORFs) encoding putative endonuclease genes and ORFs of unknown identity and function. One endonuclease designated Endo52 was selected from the putative endonuclease ORFs and was recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli Rosetta™ (DE3) pLysS. Endo52 was purified by immobilised metal affinity chromatography and yielded 0.437 g per litre of cultivation volume. Its enzyme activity was monitored by cleaving lambda DNA and pUC19 plasmid as substrates, and it demonstrated non-specific endonuclease activity. In addition to endonuclease-like genes, the screen identified several unknown genes. These could present new phage resistance mechanisms and are an opportunity for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibongile Mtimka
- Biomanufacturing Technologies, CSIR Future Production: Chemicals, P O Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.,Department of Life & Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus (The Science Hub), Florida, P O Box 392, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Priyen Pillay
- Biomanufacturing Technologies, CSIR Future Production: Chemicals, P O Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Konanani Rashamuse
- Biomanufacturing Technologies, CSIR Future Production: Chemicals, P O Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Samantha Gildenhuys
- Department of Life & Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus (The Science Hub), Florida, P O Box 392, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tsepo L Tsekoa
- Biomanufacturing Technologies, CSIR Future Production: Chemicals, P O Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
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12
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Alvarez-Gonzalez G, Dixon N. Genetically encoded biosensors for lignocellulose valorization. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:246. [PMID: 31636705 PMCID: PMC6792243 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1585-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Modern society is hugely dependent on finite oil reserves for the supply of fuels and chemicals. Moving our dependence away from these unsustainable oil-based feedstocks to renewable ones is, therefore, a critical factor towards the development of a low carbon bioeconomy. Lignin derived from biomass feedstocks offers great potential as a renewable source of aromatic compounds if methods for its effective valorization can be developed. Synthetic biology and metabolic engineering offer the potential to synergistically enable the development of cell factories with novel biosynthetic routes to valuable chemicals from these sustainable sources. Pathway design and optimization is, however, a major bottleneck due to the lack of high-throughput methods capable of screening large libraries of genetic variants and the metabolic burden associated with bioproduction. Genetically encoded biosensors can provide a solution by transducing the target metabolite concentration into detectable signals to provide high-throughput phenotypic read-outs and allow dynamic pathway regulation. The development and application of biosensors in the discovery and engineering of efficient biocatalytic processes for the degradation, conversion, and valorization of lignin are paving the way towards a sustainable and economically viable biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil Dixon
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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13
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Malafatti-Picca L, de Barros Chaves MR, de Castro AM, Valoni É, de Oliveira VM, Marsaioli AJ, de Franceschi de Angelis D, Attili-Angelis D. Hydrocarbon-associated substrates reveal promising fungi for poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) depolymerization. Braz J Microbiol 2019; 50:633-648. [PMID: 31175657 PMCID: PMC6863199 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-019-00093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recalcitrant characteristics and insolubility in water make the disposal of synthetic polymers a great environmental problem to be faced by modern society. Strategies towards the recycling of post-consumer polymers, like poly (ethylene terephthalate, PET) degradation/depolymerization have been studied but still need improvement. To contribute with this purpose, 100 fungal strains from hydrocarbon-associated environments were screened for lipase and esterase activities by plate assays and high-throughput screening (HTS), using short- and long-chain fluorogenic probes. Nine isolates were selected for their outstanding hydrolytic activity, comprising the genera Microsphaeropsis, Mucor, Trichoderma, Westerdykella, and Pycnidiophora. Two strains of Microsphaeropsis arundinis were able to convert 2-3% of PET nanoparticle into terephthalic acid, and when cultured with two kinds of commercial PET bottle fragments, they also promoted weight loss, surface and chemical changes, increased lipase and esterase activities, and led to PET depolymerization with release of terephthalic acid at concentrations above 20.0 ppm and other oligomers over 0.6 ppm. The results corroborate that hydrocarbon-associated areas are important source of microorganisms for application in environmental technologies, and the sources investigated revealed important strains with potential for PET depolymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lusiane Malafatti-Picca
- Environmental Studies Center, UNESP, São Paulo State University, 24-A Av., 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Aline Machado de Castro
- Biotechnology Department, R&D Center, PETROBRAS, Av. Horácio Macedo, 950, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-915, Brazil
| | - Érika Valoni
- Biotechnology Department, R&D Center, PETROBRAS, Av. Horácio Macedo, 950, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-915, Brazil
| | - Valéria Maia de Oliveira
- Division of Microbial Resources, CPQBA - State University of Campinas, Alexandre Cazellato Str., 999, Paulínia, SP, 13148-218, Brazil
| | - Anita Jocelyne Marsaioli
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, Campinas, SP, 13084-971, Brazil
| | - Dejanira de Franceschi de Angelis
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP, São Paulo State University, 24-A Av., 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Derlene Attili-Angelis
- Environmental Studies Center, UNESP, São Paulo State University, 24-A Av., 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
- Division of Microbial Resources, CPQBA - State University of Campinas, Alexandre Cazellato Str., 999, Paulínia, SP, 13148-218, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP, São Paulo State University, 24-A Av., 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
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14
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Maksimova YG, Maksimov AY, Demakov VA. Biotechnological Approaches to the Bioremediation of an Environment Polluted with Trinitrotoluene. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683818080045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Baldrian P. The known and the unknown in soil microbial ecology. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 95:5281230. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Petr Baldrian
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, Vídeňská 1083, 14220 Praha 4, Czech Republic
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16
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Ngara TR, Zhang H. Recent Advances in Function-based Metagenomic Screening. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2018; 16:405-415. [PMID: 30597257 PMCID: PMC6411959 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Metagenomes from uncultured microorganisms are rich resources for novel enzyme genes. The methods used to screen the metagenomic libraries fall into two categories, which are based on sequence or function of the enzymes. The sequence-based approaches rely on the known sequences of the target gene families. In contrast, the function-based approaches do not involve the incorporation of metagenomic sequencing data and, therefore, may lead to the discovery of novel gene sequences with desired functions. In this review, we discuss the function-based screening strategies that have been used in the identification of enzymes from metagenomes. Because of its simplicity, agar plate screening is most commonly used in the identification of novel enzymes with diverse functions. Other screening methods with higher sensitivity are also employed, such as microtiter plate screening. Furthermore, several ultra-high-throughput methods were developed to deal with large metagenomic libraries. Among these are the FACS-based screening, droplet-based screening, and the in vivo reporter-based screening methods. The application of these novel screening strategies has increased the chance for the discovery of novel enzyme genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanyaradzwa Rodgers Ngara
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Houjin Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Wuhan 430074, China.
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17
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Wakamatsu T, Morono Y, Futagami T, Terada T, Nishikawa S, Morisawa T, Ohshita K, Inagaki F, Ashiuchi M. Metal-ion-induced expression of gene fragments from subseafloor micro-organisms in the Kumano forearc basin, Nankai Trough. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 125:1396-1407. [PMID: 30080957 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Using substrate-induced gene-expression (SIGEX) screening on subseafloor sediment samples from the Nankai Trough, Japan, we identified gene fragments showing an induction response to metal ions. METHODS AND RESULTS Environmental DNA libraries in Escherichia coli host cells were tested by the addition of metal ions (Ni2+ , Co2+ , Ga3+ or Mo6+ ), followed by cell sorting of clones exhibiting green fluorescence upon co-expression of green fluorescence protein downstream of the inserted gene fragments. One clone displayed Ni2+ -specific induction, three clones displayed Ga3+ -specific induction and three clones displayed an induction response to multiple metal ions. DNA sequence analysis showed that a variety of genes showed induction responses in the screened clones. CONCLUSIONS Using the SIGEX approach, we retrieved gene fragments with no previously identified response to metal ions that exhibited metal-ion-induced expression. This method has the potential to promote exploration of gene function through gene-induction response. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY We successfully linked gene-induction response with sequence information for gene fragments of previously unknown function. The SIGEX-based approach exhibited the potential to identify genetic function in unknown gene pools from the deep subseafloor biosphere, as well as novel genetic components for future biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Wakamatsu
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Y Morono
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kochi, Japan.,Geobiotechnology Group, Research and Development Center for Submarine Resources, JAMSTEC, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - T Futagami
- Education and Research Center for Fermentation Studies, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - T Terada
- Marine Works Japan Ltd, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - S Nishikawa
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - T Morisawa
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - K Ohshita
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - F Inagaki
- Geomicrobiology Group, Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kochi, Japan.,Geobiotechnology Group, Research and Development Center for Submarine Resources, JAMSTEC, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research and Development Center for Ocean Drilling Science, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - M Ashiuchi
- Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
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18
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The evolving interface between synthetic biology and functional metagenomics. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:752-759. [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0100-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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19
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Hussain I, Aleti G, Naidu R, Puschenreiter M, Mahmood Q, Rahman MM, Wang F, Shaheen S, Syed JH, Reichenauer TG. Microbe and plant assisted-remediation of organic xenobiotics and its enhancement by genetically modified organisms and recombinant technology: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 628-629:1582-1599. [PMID: 30045575 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental problems such as the deterioration of groundwater quality, soil degradation and various threats to human, animal and ecosystem health are closely related to the presence of high concentrations of organic xenobiotics in the environment. Employing appropriate technologies to remediate contaminated soils is crucial due to the site-specificity of most remediation methods. The limitations of conventional remediation technologies include poor environmental compatibility, high cost of implementation and poor public acceptability. This raises the call to employ biological methods for remediation. Bioremediation and microbe-assisted bioremediation (phytoremediation) offer many ecological and cost-associated benefits. The overall efficiency and performance of bio- and phytoremediation approaches can be enhanced by genetically modified microbes and plants. Moreover, phytoremediation can also be stimulated by suitable plant-microbe partnerships, i.e. plant-endophytic or plant-rhizospheric associations. Synergistic interactions between recombinant bacteria and genetically modified plants can further enhance the restoration of environments impacted by organic pollutants. Nevertheless, releasing genetically modified microbes and plants into the environment does pose potential risks. These can be minimized by adopting environmental biotechnological techniques and guidelines provided by environmental protection agencies and other regulatory frameworks. The current contribution provides a comprehensive overview on enhanced bioremediation and phytoremediation approaches using transgenic plants and microbes. It also sheds light on the mitigation of associated environmental risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Hussain
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Centre for Energy, Environmental Resources and Technologies, Tulln, Austria; Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Gajender Aleti
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Centre for Energy, Environmental Resources and Technologies, Tulln, Austria
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Markus Puschenreiter
- Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Qaisar Mahmood
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Shahida Shaheen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Jabir Hussain Syed
- Department of Meteorology, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Park Road Tarlai Kalan 45550, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
| | - Thomas G Reichenauer
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Centre for Energy, Environmental Resources and Technologies, Tulln, Austria.
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20
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Metagenome Analysis: a Powerful Tool for Enzyme Bioprospecting. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2017; 183:636-651. [PMID: 28815469 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-017-2568-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms are found throughout every corner of nature, and vast number of microorganisms is difficult to cultivate by classical microbiological techniques. The advent of metagenomics has revolutionized the field of microbial biotechnology. Metagenomics allow the recovery of genetic material directly from environmental niches without any cultivation techniques. Currently, metagenomic tools are widely employed as powerful tools to isolate and identify enzymes with novel biocatalytic activities from the uncultivable component of microbial communities. The employment of next-generation sequencing techniques for metagenomics resulted in the generation of large sequence data sets derived from various environments, such as soil, the human body and ocean water. This review article describes the state-of-the-art techniques and tools in metagenomics and discusses the potential of metagenomic approaches for the bioprospecting of industrial enzymes from various environmental samples. We also describe the unusual novel enzymes discovered via metagenomic approaches and discuss the future prospects for metagenome technologies.
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22
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DeCastro ME, Rodríguez-Belmonte E, González-Siso MI. Metagenomics of Thermophiles with a Focus on Discovery of Novel Thermozymes. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1521. [PMID: 27729905 PMCID: PMC5037290 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial populations living in environments with temperatures above 50°C (thermophiles) have been widely studied, increasing our knowledge in the composition and function of these ecological communities. Since these populations express a broad number of heat-resistant enzymes (thermozymes), they also represent an important source for novel biocatalysts that can be potentially used in industrial processes. The integrated study of the whole-community DNA from an environment, known as metagenomics, coupled with the development of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, has allowed the generation of large amounts of data from thermophiles. In this review, we summarize the main approaches commonly utilized for assessing the taxonomic and functional diversity of thermophiles through metagenomics, including several bioinformatics tools and some metagenome-derived methods to isolate their thermozymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Eugenia DeCastro
- Grupo EXPRELA, Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), Departamento de Bioloxía Celular e Molecular, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña A Coruña, Spain
| | - Esther Rodríguez-Belmonte
- Grupo EXPRELA, Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), Departamento de Bioloxía Celular e Molecular, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña A Coruña, Spain
| | - María-Isabel González-Siso
- Grupo EXPRELA, Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), Departamento de Bioloxía Celular e Molecular, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña A Coruña, Spain
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