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Verma SK, Chen Q, White JF. Evaluation of colonization and mutualistic endophytic symbiosis of Escherichia coli with tomato and Bermuda grass seedlings. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13879. [PMID: 35971430 PMCID: PMC9375544 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is generally considered a bacterium associated with animal microbiomes. However, we present evidence that E. coli may also mutualistically colonize roots of plant species, even to the extent that it may become endophytic in plants. In this study we used GFP tagged E. coli to observe its colonization and effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) seedling development and growth. Inoculation with the bacterium significantly improved root development of both seedlings tested. Treatment also increased the photosynthetic pigments in Bermuda grass seedlings. However, effects on shoot length in both seedlings were not significant. This bacterium was found to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) up to 8.68 ± 0.43 µg ml-1 in the broth medium amended with tryptophan. Effects on seedling root growth could, in part, be explained by IAA production. Bacteria successfully colonized the root surfaces and interiors of both seedlings. Tagged bacteria expressing the GFP were observed in the vascular tissues of Bermuda grass seedling roots. Seedlings with bacteria showed greater survival and were healthier than seedlings without bacteria, indicating that E. coli set up a successful mutualistic symbiosis with seedlings. E. coli is not commonly considered to be a plant endophyte but is more generally considered to be a crop contaminant. In this study we show that E. coli may also be an endophyte in plant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K. Verma
- Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - James Francis White
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
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Dudeja SS, Suneja-Madan P, Paul M, Maheswari R, Kothe E. Bacterial endophytes: Molecular interactions with their hosts. J Basic Microbiol 2021; 61:475-505. [PMID: 33834549 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202000657] [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: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant growth promotion has been found associated with plants on the surface (epiphytic), inside (endophytic), or close to the plant roots (rhizospheric). Endophytic bacteria mainly have been researched for their beneficial activities in terms of nutrient availability, plant growth hormones, and control of soil-borne and systemic pathogens. Molecular communications leading to these interactions between plants and endophytic bacteria are now being unrevealed using multidisciplinary approaches with advanced techniques such as metagenomics, metaproteomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteogenomic, microRNAs, microarray, chips as well as the comparison of complete genome sequences. More than 400 genes in both the genomes of host plant and bacterial endophyte are up- or downregulated for the establishment of endophytism and plant growth-promoting activity. The involvement of more than 20 genes for endophytism, about 50 genes for direct plant growth promotion, about 25 genes for biocontrol activity, and about 10 genes for mitigation of different stresses has been identified in various bacterial endophytes. This review summarizes the progress that has been made in recent years by these modern techniques and approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surjit S Dudeja
- Department of Bio & Nanotechnology, Guru Jambeshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, India
| | - Pooja Suneja-Madan
- Department of Microbiology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Minakshi Paul
- Department of Bio & Nanotechnology, Guru Jambeshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, India
| | - Rajat Maheswari
- Department of Microbiology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Erika Kothe
- Microbial Communication, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty for Biosciences, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Jena, Germany
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Zhang Z, Liu G, Chen Y, Xue W, Ji Q, Xu Q, Zhang H, Fan G, Huang H, Jiang L, Chen J. Comparison of different sequencing strategies for assembling chromosome-level genomes of extremophiles with variable GC content. iScience 2021; 24:102219. [PMID: 33748707 PMCID: PMC7961107 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, six bacterial isolates with variable GC, including Escherichia coli as mesophilic reference strain, were selected to compare hybrid assembly strategies based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of short reads, single-tube long-fragment reads (stLFR) sequencing, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing platforms. We obtained the complete genomes using the hybrid assembler Unicycler based on the NGS and ONT reads; others were de novo assembled using NGS, stLFR, and ONT reads by using different strategies. The contiguity, accuracy, completeness, sequencing costs, and DNA material requirements of the investigated strategies were compared systematically. Although all sequencing data could be assembled into accurate whole-genome sequences, the stLFR sequencing data yield a scaffold with more contiguity with more completeness of gene function than NGS sequencing assemblies. Our research provides a low-cost chromosome-level genome assembly strategy for large-scale sequencing of extremophile genomes with different GC contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Zhang
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Environmental Microbiology, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830091, China
| | - Guilin Liu
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
| | - Yao Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Weizhen Xue
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
| | - Qianyue Ji
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
| | - Qiwu Xu
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
| | - He Zhang
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
| | - Guangyi Fan
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China
| | - He Huang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Jianwei Chen
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong 266555, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao 266555, China
- Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
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Tharek M, Khairuddin D, Najimudin N, Ghazali AH. Plant Growth Promoting Potentials of Beneficial Endophytic Escherichia coli USML2 in Association with Rice Seedlings. Trop Life Sci Res 2021; 32:119-143. [PMID: 33936555 PMCID: PMC8054666 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2021.32.1.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
An endophytic Escherichia coli USML2 originally isolated from the inner part of an oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) leaf tissue was inoculated to rice seedlings to investigate its ability in colonising plant inner tissues and promoting growth. Infection of E. coli USML2 was initiated by colonisation on the root surface, invasion of the interior root system followed by endophytic spreading. Inoculation of E. coli USML2 in the rice rhizosphere zone resulted in a significant increase in leaf numbers (33.3%), chlorophyll content (33.3%), shoot height (34.8%) and plant dry weight (90.4%) of 42 days old rice seedlings as compared to the control. These findings also demonstrated the ability of E. coli USML2 to spread endophytically which serves as a beneficial strategy for the bacterium to colonise the host plant and gain protection against adverse soil conditions. The genome of E. coli USML2 had also revealed predicted genes essential for endophytic bacterial colonisation and plant growth promotion which further proven potentials of E. coli USML2 as Plant Growth Promoting Endophyte (PGPE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Munirah Tharek
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Dzulaikha Khairuddin
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental System, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nazalan Najimudin
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Amir Hamzah Ghazali
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
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Dasgupta MG, Burragoni S, Amrutha S, Muthupandi M, Parveen ABM, Sivakumar V, Ulaganathan K. Diversity of bacterial endophyte in Eucalyptus clones and their implications in water stress tolerance. Microbiol Res 2020; 241:126579. [PMID: 32861101 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2020.126579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The genus Eucalyptus with over 747 species occurs in wide ecological range and is preferred for bioenergy plantations due to their short rotation, rapid growth and superior wood properties. They are planted in 22 million ha area and India is third largest planter of Eucalyptus. In the present study, the bacterial endophyte community in leaves of six Eucalyptus clones belonging to E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis was assessed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The clones were selected based on their response to progressive water stress. A total of 4947 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained and the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Escherichia coli was enriched in all samples at species level. Comparison of endophyte diversity was conducted between the two species and across the water stress tolerant and susceptible clones. The alpha-diversity analysis revealed that species richness and diversity was high in E. camaldulensis and water stress susceptible clones. LefSe analysis predicted 69 and 54 significantly enriched taxonomic biomarkers between species and stress response groups respectively. A maximum of 49 taxonomic biomarkers were recorded in susceptible group and the significantly enriched species were Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Turicibacter sanguinis, while the tolerant group documented 5 biomarkers including oscillibacter sp. The presence of functional biomarkers was also assessed in both the groups. The findings of the present study provides an insight into the diversity of bacterial endophyte in Eucalyptus leaves and to our knowledge this is the first report on documenting the endophyte abundance in water stress responsive Eucalyptus clones.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sravanthi Burragoni
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Sivanantham Amrutha
- Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, 641002, India
| | - Muthusamy Muthupandi
- Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, 641002, India
| | | | - Veerasamy Sivakumar
- Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, 641002, India
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Sharma RS, Karmakar S, Kumar P, Mishra V. Application of filamentous phages in environment: A tectonic shift in the science and practice of ecorestoration. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:2263-2304. [PMID: 30847110 PMCID: PMC6392359 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Theories in soil biology, such as plant-microbe interactions and microbial cooperation and antagonism, have guided the practice of ecological restoration (ecorestoration). Below-ground biodiversity (bacteria, fungi, invertebrates, etc.) influences the development of above-ground biodiversity (vegetation structure). The role of rhizosphere bacteria in plant growth has been largely investigated but the role of phages (bacterial viruses) has received a little attention. Below the ground, phages govern the ecology and evolution of microbial communities by affecting genetic diversity, host fitness, population dynamics, community composition, and nutrient cycling. However, few restoration efforts take into account the interactions between bacteria and phages. Unlike other phages, filamentous phages are highly specific, nonlethal, and influence host fitness in several ways, which make them useful as target bacterial inocula. Also, the ease with which filamentous phages can be genetically manipulated to express a desired peptide to track and control pathogens and contaminants makes them useful in biosensing. Based on ecology and biology of filamentous phages, we developed a hypothesis on the application of phages in environment to derive benefits at different levels of biological organization ranging from individual bacteria to ecosystem for ecorestoration. We examined the potential applications of filamentous phages in improving bacterial inocula to restore vegetation and to monitor changes in habitat during ecorestoration and, based on our results, recommend a reorientation of the existing framework of using microbial inocula for such restoration and monitoring. Because bacterial inocula and biomonitoring tools based on filamentous phages are likely to prove useful in developing cost-effective methods of restoring vegetation, we propose that filamentous phages be incorporated into nature-based restoration efforts and that the tripartite relationship between phages, bacteria, and plants be explored further. Possible impacts of filamentous phages on native microflora are discussed and future areas of research are suggested to preclude any potential risks associated with such an approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhey Shyam Sharma
- Bioresources and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental StudiesUniversity of DelhiDelhiIndia
| | - Swagata Karmakar
- Bioresources and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental StudiesUniversity of DelhiDelhiIndia
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Bioresources and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental StudiesUniversity of DelhiDelhiIndia
| | - Vandana Mishra
- Bioresources and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental StudiesUniversity of DelhiDelhiIndia
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