Cold shock of a hyperthermophilic archaeon: Pyrococcus furiosus exhibits multiple responses to a suboptimal growth temperature with a key role for membrane-bound glycoproteins

Uncovering the temporal dynamics and regulatory networks of thermal stress response in a hyperthermophile using transcriptomics and proteomics

Facing rapid fluctuations in their natural environment, extremophiles, like the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, exhibit remarkable adaptability to extreme conditions. However, our understanding of their dynamic cellular responses remains limited. This study integrates RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry data, thereby elucidating transcriptomic and proteomic responses to heat and cold shock stress in P. furiosus. Our results reveal rapid and dynamic changes in gene and protein expression following these stress responses. Heat shock triggers extensive transcriptome reprogramming, orchestrated by the transcriptional regulator Phr, targeting a broader gene repertoire than previously demonstrated. For heat shock signature genes, RNA levels swiftly return to baseline upon recovery, while protein levels remain persistently upregulated, reflecting a rapid but sustained response. Intriguingly, cold shock at 4°C elicits distinct short- and long-term responses at both RNA and protein levels. Cluster analysis identified gene sets with either congruent or contrasting trends in RNA and protein changes, representing well-separated arCOG groups tailored to their individual cellular responses. Particularly, upregulation of ribosomal proteins and significant enrichment of 5'-leadered sequences in cold-shock responsive genes suggest that translation regulation is important during cold shock adaption. Further investigating transcriptomic features, we reveal that thermal stress genes are equipped with basal sequence elements, such as strong promoter and poly(U)-terminators, facilitating a regulated response of the respective transcription units. Our study provides a comprehensive overview of the cellular response to temperature stress, advancing our understanding of stress response mechanisms in hyperthermophilic archaea and providing valuable insights into the molecular adaptations that facilitate life in extreme environments.IMPORTANCEExtreme environments provide unique challenges for life, and the study of extremophiles can shed light on the mechanisms of adaptation to such conditions. Pyrococcus furiosus, a hyperthermophilic archaeon, is a model organism for studying thermal stress response mechanisms. In this study, we used an integrated analysis of RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry data to investigate the transcriptomic and proteomic responses of P. furiosus to heat and cold shock stress and recovery. Our results reveal the rapid and dynamic changes in gene and protein expression patterns associated with these stress responses, as well as the coordinated regulation of different gene sets in response to different stressors. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular adaptations that facilitate life in extreme environments and advance our understanding of stress response mechanisms in hyperthermophilic archaea.

An unprecedented function for a tungsten-containing oxidoreductase

Five tungstopterin-containing oxidoreductases were characterized from the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus. Each enzyme catalyzes the reversible conversion of one or more aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acid, but they have different specificities. The physiological functions of only two of these enzymes are known: one, termed GAPOR, is a glycolytic enzyme that oxidizes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, while the other, termed AOR, oxidizes multiple aldehydes generated during peptide fermentation. Two of the enzymes have known structures (AOR and FOR). Herein, we focus on WOR5, the fifth tungstopterin enzyme to be discovered in P. furiosus. Expression of WOR5 was previously shown to be increased during cold shock (growth at 72 ℃), although the physiological substrate is not known. To gain insight into WOR5 function, we sought to determine both its structure and identify its intracellular substrate. Crystallization experiments were performed with a concentrated cytoplasmic extract of P. furiosus grown at 72 ℃ and the structure of WOR5 was deduced from the crystals that were obtained. In contrast to a previous report, WOR5 is heterodimeric containing an additional polyferredoxin-like subunit with four [4Fe-4S] clusters. The active site structure of WOR5 is substantially different from that of AOR and FOR and the significant electron density observed adjacent to the tungsten cofactor of WOR5 was modeled as an aliphatic sulfonate. Biochemical assays and product analysis confirmed that WOR5 is an aliphatic sulfonate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (ASOR). A catalytic mechanism for ASOR is proposed based on the structural information and the potential role of ASOR in the cold-shock response is discussed.

TldD/TldE peptidases and N-deacetylases: A structurally unique yet ubiquitous protein family in the microbial metabolism

Here we provide a review on TldD/TldE family proteins, summarizing current knowledge and outlining further research perspectives. Despite being widely distributed in bacteria and archaea, TldD/TldE proteins have been escaping attention for a long time until several recent reports pointed to their unique features. Specifically, TldD/TldE generally act as peptidases, though some of them turned out to be N-deacetylases. Biological function of TldD/TldE has been extensively described in bacterial specialized metabolism, in which they participate in the biosynthesis of lincosamide antibiotics (as N-deacetylases), and in the biosynthesis of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified bioactive peptides (as peptidases). These enzymes possess special position in the relevant biosynthesis since they convert non-bioactive intermediates into bioactive metabolites. Further, based on a recent study of Escherichia coli TldD/TldE, these heterodimeric metallopeptidases possess a new protein fold exhibiting several structural features with no precedent in the Protein Data Bank. The most interesting ones are structural elements forming metal-containing active site on the inner surface of the catalytically active subunit TldD, in which substrates bind through β sheet interactions in the sequence-independent manner. It results in relaxed substrate specificity of TldD/TldE, which is counterbalanced by enclosing the active centre within the hollow core of the heterodimer and only appropriate substrates can entry through a narrow channel. Based on the published data, we hypothesize a yet unrecognized central metabolic function of TldD/TldE in the degradation of (partially) unfolded proteins, i.e., in protein quality control.

DgCspC gene overexpression improves cotton yield and tolerance to drought and salt stress comparison with wild-type plants

Drought and high salinity are key limiting factors for cotton quality and yield. Therefore, research is increasingly focused on mining effective genes to improve the stress resistance of cotton. Few studies have demonstrated that bacterial Cold shock proteins (Csps) overexpression can enhance plants stress tolerance. Here, we first identified and cloned a gene DgCspC encoding 88 amino acids (aa) with an open reading frame (ORF) of 264 base pairs (bp) from a Deinococcus gobiensis I-0 with high resistance to strong radiation, drought, and high temperature. In this study, heterologous expression of DgCspC promoted cotton growth, as exhibited by larger leaf size and higher plant height than the wild-type plants. Moreover, transgenic cotton lines showed higher tolerance to drought and salts stresses than wild-type plants, as revealed by susceptibility phenotype and physiological indexes. Furthermore, the enhanced stresses tolerance was attributed to high capacity of cellular osmotic regulation and ROS scavenging resulted from DgCspC expression modulating relative genes upregulated to cause proline and betaine accumulation. Meanwhile, photosynthetic efficiency and yield were significantly higher in the transgenic cotton than in the wild-type control under field conditions. This study provides a newly effective gene resource to cultivate new cotton varieties with high stresses resistance and yield.

The life and death of RNA across temperatures

Temperature is an environmental condition that has a pervasive effect on cells along with all the molecules and reactions in them. The mechanisms by which prototypical RNA molecules sense and withstand heat have been identified mostly in bacteria and archaea. The relevance of these phenomena is, however, broader, and similar mechanisms have been recently found throughout the tree of life, from sex determination in reptiles to adaptation of viral RNA polymerases, to genetic disorders in humans. We illustrate the temperature dependence of RNA metabolism with examples from the synthesis to the degradation of mRNAs, and review recently emerged questions. Are cells exposed to greater temperature variations and gradients than previously surmised? How do cells reconcile the conflicting thermal stability requirements of primary and tertiary structures of RNAs? To what extent do enzymes contribute to the temperature compensation of the reaction rates in mRNA turnover by lowering the energy barrier of the catalyzed reactions? We conclude with the ecological, forensic applications of the temperature-dependence of RNA degradation and the biotechnological aspects of mRNA vaccine production.

Proteome Cold-Shock Response in the Extremely Acidophilic Archaeon, Cuniculiplasma divulgatum

The archaeon Cuniculiplasma divulgatum is ubiquitous in acidic environments with low-to-moderate temperatures. However, molecular mechanisms underlying its ability to thrive at lower temperatures remain unexplored. Using mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, we analysed the effect of short-term (3 h) exposure to cold. The C. divulgatum genome encodes 2016 protein-coding genes, from which 819 proteins were identified in the cells grown under optimal conditions. In line with the peptidolytic lifestyle of C. divulgatum, its intracellular proteome revealed the abundance of proteases, ABC transporters and cytochrome C oxidase. From 747 quantifiable polypeptides, the levels of 582 proteins showed no change after the cold shock, whereas 104 proteins were upregulated suggesting that they might be contributing to cold adaptation. The highest increase in expression appeared in low-abundance (0.001-0.005 fmol%) proteins for polypeptides' hydrolysis (metal-dependent hydrolase), oxidation of amino acids (FAD-dependent oxidoreductase), pyrimidine biosynthesis (aspartate carbamoyltransferase regulatory chain proteins), citrate cycle (2-oxoacid ferredoxin oxidoreductase) and ATP production (V type ATP synthase). Importantly, the cold shock induced a substantial increase (6% and 9%) in expression of the most-abundant proteins, thermosome beta subunit and glutamate dehydrogenase. This study has outlined potential mechanisms of environmental fitness of Cuniculiplasma spp. allowing them to colonise acidic settings at low/moderate temperatures.

Global Transcriptional Programs in Archaea Share Features with the Eukaryotic Environmental Stress Response

The environmental stress response (ESR), a global transcriptional program originally identified in yeast, is characterized by a rapid and transient transcriptional response composed of large, oppositely regulated gene clusters. Genes induced during the ESR encode core components of stress tolerance, macromolecular repair, and maintenance of homeostasis. In this review, we investigate the possibility for conservation of the ESR across the eukaryotic and archaeal domains of life. We first re-analyze existing transcriptomics data sets to illustrate that a similar transcriptional response is identifiable in Halobacterium salinarum, an archaeal model organism. To substantiate the archaeal ESR, we calculated gene-by-gene correlations, gene function enrichment, and comparison of temporal dynamics. We note reported examples of variation in the ESR across fungi, then synthesize high-level trends present in expression data of other archaeal species. In particular, we emphasize the need for additional high-throughput time series expression data to further characterize stress-responsive transcriptional programs in the Archaea. Together, this review explores an open question regarding features of global transcriptional stress response programs shared across domains of life.

A Haloarchaeal Small Regulatory RNA (sRNA) Is Essential for Rapid Adaptation to Phosphate Starvation Conditions

The haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii contains nearly 2800 small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs). One intergenic sRNA, sRNA132, was chosen for a detailed characterization. A deletion mutant had a growth defect and thus underscored the importance of sRNA132. A microarray analysis identified the transcript of an operon for a phosphate-specific ABC transporter as a putative target of sRNA132. Both the sRNA132 and the operon transcript accumulated under low phosphate concentrations, indicating a positive regulatory role of sRNA132. A kinetic analysis revealed that sRNA132 is essential shortly after the onset of phosphate starvation, while other regulatory processes take over after several hours. Comparison of the transcriptomes of wild-type and the sRNA132 gene deletion mutant 30 min after the onset of phosphate starvation revealed that sRNA132 controls a regulon of about 40 genes. Remarkably, the regulon included a second operon for a phosphate-specific ABC transporter, which also depended on sRNA132 for rapid induction in the absence of phosphate. Competitive growth experiments of the wild-type and ABC transporter operon deletion mutants underscored the importance of both transporters for growth at low phosphate concentrations. Northern blot analyses of four additional members of the sRNA132 regulon verified that all four transcripts depended on sRNA132 for rapid regulation after the onset of phosphate starvation. Importantly, this is the first example for the transient importance of a sRNA for any archaeal and bacterial species. In addition, this study unraveled the first sRNA regulon for haloarchaea.

Induction of a Toxin-Antitoxin Gene Cassette under High Hydrostatic Pressure Enables Markerless Gene Disruption in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus yayanosii

The discovery of hyperthermophiles has dramatically changed our understanding of the habitats in which life can thrive. However, the extreme high temperatures in which these organisms live have severely restricted the development of genetic tools. The archaeon Pyrococcus yayanosii A1 is a strictly anaerobic and piezophilic hyperthermophile that is an ideal model for studies of extreme environmental adaptation. In the present study, we identified a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)-inducible promoter (P _hhp ) that controls target gene expression under HHP. We developed an HHP-inducible toxin-antitoxin cassette (HHP-TAC) containing (i) a counterselectable marker in which a gene encoding a putative toxin (virulence-associated protein C [PF0776 {VapC}]) controlled by the HHP-inducible promoter was used in conjunction with the gene encoding antitoxin PF0775 (VapB), which was fused to a constitutive promoter (P _hmtB ), and (ii) a positive marker with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase-encoding gene from P. furiosus controlled by the constitutive promoter P _gdh The HHP-TAC was constructed to realize markerless gene disruption directly in P. yayanosii A1 in rich medium. The pop-out recombination step was performed using an HHP-inducible method. As proof, the PYCH_13690 gene, which encodes a 4-α-glucanotransferase, was successfully deleted from the strain P. yayanosii A1. The results showed that the capacity for starch hydrolysis in the Δ1369 mutant decreased dramatically compared to that in the wild-type strain. The inducible toxin-antitoxin system developed in this study greatly increases the genetic tools available for use in hyperthermophiles.IMPORTANCE Genetic manipulations in hyperthermophiles have been studied for over 20 years. However, the extremely high temperatures under which these organisms grow have limited the development of genetic tools. In this study, an HHP-inducible promoter was used to control the expression of a toxin. Compared to sugar-inducible and cold-shock-inducible promoters, the HHP-inducible promoter rarely has negative effects on the overall physiology and central metabolism of microorganisms, especially piezophilic hyperthermophiles. Previous studies have used auxotrophic strains as hosts, which may interfere with studies of adaptation and metabolism. Using an inducible toxin-antitoxin (TA) system as a counterselectable marker enables the generation of a markerless gene disruption strain without the use of auxotrophic mutants and counterselection with 5-fluoroorotic acid. TA systems are widely distributed in bacteria and archaea and can be used to overcome the limitations of high growth temperatures and dramatically extend the selectivity of genetic tools in hyperthermophiles.

Global effect of the lack of inorganic polyphosphate in the extremophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus: A proteomic approach

Inorganic polyphosphates (polyP) are present in all living cells and several important functions have been described for them. They are involved in the response to stress conditions, such as nutrient depletion, oxidative stress and toxic metals amongst others. A recombinant strain of Sulfolobus solfataricus unable to accumulate polyP was designed by the overexpression of its endogenous ppx gene. The overall impact of the lack of polyP on this S. solfataricus polyP (-) strain was analyzed by using quantitative proteomics (isotope-coded protein label, ICPL). Stress-related proteins, such as peroxiredoxins and heat shock proteins, proteins involved in metabolism and several others were produced at higher levels in the ppx expression strain. The polyP deficient strain showed an increased copper sensitivity and an earlier transcriptional up-regulation of copA gene coding for the P-type copper-exporting ATPase. This implies a complementary function of both copper resistance systems. These results strongly suggests that the lack of polyP makes this hyperthermophilic archaeon more sensitive to toxic conditions, such as an exposure to metals or other harmful stimuli, emphasizing the importance of this inorganic phosphate polymers in the adaptations to live in the environmental conditions in which thermoacidophilic archaea thrive. SIGNIFICANCE: Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) are ubiquitous molecules with many functions in living organisms. Few studies related to these polymers have been made in archaea. The construction of a polyP deficient recombinant strain of Sulfolobus solfataricus allowed the study of the global changes in the proteome of this thermoacidophilic archaeon in the absence of polyP compared with the wild type strain. The results obtained using quantitative proteomics suggest an important participation of polyP in the oxidative stress response of the cells and as having a possible metabolic role in the cell, as previously described in bacteria. The polyP deficient strain also showed an increased copper sensitivity and an earlier transcriptional up-regulation of copA, implying a complementary role of both copper resistance systems.

Two functionally distinct NADP+-dependent ferredoxin oxidoreductases maintain the primary redox balance of Pyrococcus furiosus

Electron bifurcation has recently gained acceptance as the third mechanism of energy conservation in which energy is conserved through the coupling of exergonic and endergonic reactions. A structure-based mechanism of bifurcation has been elucidated recently for the flavin-based enzyme NADH-dependent ferredoxin NADP⁺ oxidoreductase I (NfnI) from the hyperthermophillic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus. NfnI is thought to be involved in maintaining the cellular redox balance, producing NADPH for biosynthesis by recycling the two other primary redox carriers, NADH and ferredoxin. The P. furiosus genome encodes an NfnI paralog termed NfnII, and the two are differentially expressed, depending on the growth conditions. In this study, we show that deletion of the genes encoding either NfnI or NfnII affects the cellular concentrations of NAD(P)H and particularly NADPH. This results in a moderate to severe growth phenotype in deletion mutants, demonstrating a key role for each enzyme in maintaining redox homeostasis. Despite their similarity in primary sequence and cofactor content, crystallographic, kinetic, and mass spectrometry analyses reveal that there are fundamental structural differences between the two enzymes, and NfnII does not catalyze the NfnI bifurcating reaction. Instead, it exhibits non-bifurcating ferredoxin NADP oxidoreductase-type activity. NfnII is therefore proposed to be a bifunctional enzyme and also to catalyze a bifurcating reaction, although its third substrate, in addition to ferredoxin and NADP(H), is as yet unknown.

Reverse gyrase is essential for microbial growth at 95 °C

Reverse gyrase is an enzyme that induces positive supercoiling in closed circular DNA in vitro. It is unique to thermophilic organisms and found without exception in all microorganisms defined as hyperthermophiles, that is, those having optimal growth temperatures of 80 °C and above. Although its in vivo role has not been clearly defined, it has been implicated in stabilizing DNA at high temperatures. Whether or not it is absolutely required for growth at these high temperatures has yet to be fully determined. In a previous study with an organism that has an optimal growth temperature of 85 °C, it was shown that the enzyme is not a prerequisite for life at extreme temperatures as disruption of its gene did not result in a lethal phenotype at the supraoptimal growth temperature of 90 °C. Herein we show that the enzyme is absolutely required for microbial growth at 95 °C, which in this case is a suboptimal growth temperature. Deletion of the gene encoding the reverse gyrase of the model hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, which has an optimal growth temperature of 100 °C, revealed that the gene is required for growth at 95 °C, as well as at 100 °C. The results suggest that a temperature threshold above 90 °C exists, wherein the activity of reverse gyrase is absolutely necessary to maintain a correct DNA twist for any organism growing at such temperature extremes.

Ethanol production by the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus by expression of bacterial bifunctional alcohol dehydrogenases

Ethanol is an important target for the renewable production of liquid transportation fuels. It can be produced biologically from pyruvate, via pyruvate decarboxylase, or from acetyl‐CoA, by alcohol dehydrogenase E (AdhE). Thermophilic bacteria utilize AdhE, which is a bifunctional enzyme that contains both acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase activities. Many of these organisms also contain a separate alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhA) that generates ethanol from acetaldehyde, although the role of AdhA in ethanol production is typically not clear. As acetyl‐CoA is a key central metabolite that can be generated from a wide range of substrates, AdhE can serve as a single gene fuel module to produce ethanol through primary metabolic pathways. The focus here is on the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows by fermenting sugar to acetate, CO₂ and H₂. Previously, by the heterologous expression of adhA from a thermophilic bacterium, P. furiosus was shown to produce ethanol by a novel mechanism from acetate, mediated by AdhA and the native enzyme aldehyde oxidoreductase (AOR). In this study, the AOR gene was deleted from P. furiosus to evaluate ethanol production directly from acetyl‐CoA by heterologous expression of the adhE gene from eight thermophilic bacteria. Only AdhEs from two Thermoanaerobacter strains showed significant activity in cell‐free extracts of recombinant P. furiosus and supported ethanol production in vivo. In the AOR deletion background, the highest amount of ethanol (estimated 61% theoretical yield) was produced when adhE and adhA from Thermoanaerobacter were co‐expressed.

Extremely thermophilic microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms for production of fuels and industrial chemicals

Enzymes from extremely thermophilic microorganisms have been of technological interest for some time because of their ability to catalyze reactions of industrial significance at elevated temperatures. Thermophilic enzymes are now routinely produced in recombinant mesophilic hosts for use as discrete biocatalysts. Genome and metagenome sequence data for extreme thermophiles provide useful information for putative biocatalysts for a wide range of biotransformations, albeit involving at most a few enzymatic steps. However, in the past several years, unprecedented progress has been made in establishing molecular genetics tools for extreme thermophiles to the point that the use of these microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms has become possible. While in its early days, complex metabolic pathways have been altered or engineered into recombinant extreme thermophiles, such that the production of fuels and chemicals at elevated temperatures has become possible. Not only does this expand the thermal range for industrial biotechnology, it also potentially provides biodiverse options for specific biotransformations unique to these microorganisms. The list of extreme thermophiles growing optimally between 70 and 100°C with genetic toolkits currently available includes archaea and bacteria, aerobes and anaerobes, coming from genera such as Caldicellulosiruptor, Sulfolobus, Thermotoga, Thermococcus, and Pyrococcus. These organisms exhibit unusual and potentially useful native metabolic capabilities, including cellulose degradation, metal solubilization, and RuBisCO-free carbon fixation. Those looking to design a thermal bioprocess now have a host of potential candidates to choose from, each with its own advantages and challenges that will influence its appropriateness for specific applications. Here, the issues and opportunities for extremely thermophilic metabolic engineering platforms are considered with an eye toward potential technological advantages for high temperature industrial biotechnology.

Bioprocessing analysis of Pyrococcus furiosus strains engineered for CO₂-based 3-hydroxypropionate production

Metabolically engineered strains of the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus (T(opt) 95-100°C), designed to produce 3-hydroxypropionate (3HP) from maltose and CO2 using enzymes from the Metallosphaera sedula (T(opt) 73°C) carbon fixation cycle, were examined with respect to the impact of heterologous gene expression on metabolic activity, fitness at optimal and sub-optimal temperatures, gas-liquid mass transfer in gas-intensive bioreactors, and potential bottlenecks arising from product formation. Transcriptomic comparisons of wild-type P. furiosus, a genetically-tractable, naturally-competent mutant (COM1), and COM1-based strains engineered for 3HP production revealed numerous differences after being shifted from 95°C to 72°C, where product formation catalyzed by the heterologously-produced M. sedula enzymes occurred. At 72°C, significantly higher levels of metabolic activity and a stress response were evident in 3HP-forming strains compared to the non-producing parent strain (COM1). Gas-liquid mass transfer limitations were apparent, given that 3HP titers and volumetric productivity in stirred bioreactors could be increased over 10-fold by increased agitation and higher CO2 sparging rates, from 18 mg/L to 276 mg/L and from 0.7 mg/L/h to 11 mg/L/h, respectively. 3HP formation triggered transcription of genes for protein stabilization and turnover, RNA degradation, and reactive oxygen species detoxification. The results here support the prospects of using thermally diverse sources of pathways and enzymes in metabolically engineered strains designed for product formation at sub-optimal growth temperatures.

The effect of cold stress on the proteome of the marine bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens BA3SM1 and its ability to cope with metal excess

This study examined the effect of cold stress on the proteome and metal tolerance of Pseudomonas fluorescens BA3SM1, a marine strain isolated from tidal flat sediments. When cold stress (+10 °C for 36 h) was applied before moderate metal stress (0.4 mM Cd, 0.6 mM Cd, 1.5 mM Zn, and 1.5 mM Cu), growth disturbances induced by metal, in comparison with respective controls, were reduced for Cd and Zn while they were pronounced for Cu. This marine strain was able to respond to cold stress through a number of changes in protein regulation. Analysis of the predicted differentially expressed protein functions demonstrated that some mechanisms developed under cold stress were similar to those developed in response to Cd, Zn, and Cu. Therefore, pre-cold stress could help this strain to better counteract toxicity of moderate concentrations of some metals. P. fluorescens BA3SM1 was able to remove up to 404.3 mg Cd/g dry weight, 172.5 mg Zn/g dry weight, and 11.3 mg Cu/g dry weight and its metal biosorption ability seemed to be related to the bacterial growth phase. Thus, P. fluorescens BA3SM1 appears as a promising agent for bioremediation processes, even at low temperatures.

The bifunctional pyruvate decarboxylase/pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase from Thermococcus guaymasensis

The hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus guaymasensis produces ethanol as a metabolic end product, and an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyzing the reduction of acetaldehyde to ethanol has been purified and characterized. However, the enzyme catalyzing the formation of acetaldehyde has not been identified. In this study an enzyme catalyzing the production of acetaldehyde from pyruvate was purified and characterized from T. guaymasensis under strictly anaerobic conditions. The enzyme had both pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (POR) activities. It was oxygen sensitive, and the optimal temperatures were 85°C and >95°C for the PDC and POR activities, respectively. The purified enzyme had activities of 3.8 ± 0.22 U mg(-1) and 20.2 ± 1.8 U mg(-1), with optimal pH-values of 9.5 and 8.4 for each activity, respectively. Coenzyme A was essential for both activities, although it did not serve as a substrate for the former. Enzyme kinetic parameters were determined separately for each activity. The purified enzyme was a heterotetramer. The sequences of the genes encoding the subunits of the bifunctional PDC/POR were determined. It is predicted that all hyperthermophilic β -keto acids ferredoxin oxidoreductases are bifunctional, catalyzing the activities of nonoxidative and oxidative decarboxylation of the corresponding β -keto acids.

Metabolic changes in Avena sativa crowns recovering from freezing

Extensive research has been conducted on cold acclimation and freezing tolerance of fall-sown cereal plants due to their economic importance; however, little has been reported on the biochemical changes occurring over time after the freezing conditions are replaced by conditions favorable for recovery and growth such as would occur during spring. In this study, GC-MS was used to detect metabolic changes in the overwintering crown tissue of oat (Avena sativa L.) during a fourteen day time-course after freezing. Metabolomic analysis revealed increases in most amino acids, particularly proline, 5-oxoproline and arginine, which increased greatly in crowns that were frozen compared to controls and correlated very significantly with days after freezing. In contrast, sugar and sugar related metabolites were little changed by freezing, except sucrose and fructose which decreased dramatically. In frozen tissue all TCA cycle metabolites, especially citrate and malate, decreased in relation to unfrozen tissue. Alterations in some amino acid pools after freezing were similar to those observed in cold acclimation whereas most changes in sugar pools after freezing were not. These similarities and differences suggest that there are common as well as unique genetic mechanisms between these two environmental conditions that are crucial to the winter survival of plants.

Exploiting microbial hyperthermophilicity to produce an industrial chemical, using hydrogen and carbon dioxide

Microorganisms can be engineered to produce useful products, including chemicals and fuels from sugars derived from renewable feedstocks, such as plant biomass. An alternative method is to use low potential reducing power from nonbiomass sources, such as hydrogen gas or electricity, to reduce carbon dioxide directly into products. This approach circumvents the overall low efficiency of photosynthesis and the production of sugar intermediates. Although significant advances have been made in manipulating microorganisms to produce useful products from organic substrates, engineering them to use carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas has not been reported. Herein, we describe a unique temperature-dependent approach that confers on a microorganism (the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows optimally on carbohydrates at 100°C) the capacity to use carbon dioxide, a reaction that it does not accomplish naturally. This was achieved by the heterologous expression of five genes of the carbon fixation cycle of the archaeon Metallosphaera sedula, which grows autotrophically at 73°C. The engineered P. furiosus strain is able to use hydrogen gas and incorporate carbon dioxide into 3-hydroxypropionic acid, one of the top 12 industrial chemical building blocks. The reaction can be accomplished by cell-free extracts and by whole cells of the recombinant P. furiosus strain. Moreover, it is carried out some 30°C below the optimal growth temperature of the organism in conditions that support only minimal growth but maintain sufficient metabolic activity to sustain the production of 3-hydroxypropionate. The approach described here can be expanded to produce important organic chemicals, all through biological activation of carbon dioxide.

Genome-wide transcriptional response of the archaeon Thermococcus gammatolerans to cadmium

Thermococcus gammatolerans, the most radioresistant archaeon known to date, is an anaerobic and hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing organism living in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Knowledge of mechanisms underlying archaeal metal tolerance in such metal-rich ecosystem is still poorly documented. We showed that T. gammatolerans exhibits high resistance to cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co) and zinc (Zn), a weaker tolerance to nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and arsenate (AsO₄) and that cells exposed to 1 mM Cd exhibit a cellular Cd concentration of 67 µM. A time-dependent transcriptomic analysis using microarrays was performed at a non-toxic (100 µM) and a toxic (1 mM) Cd dose. The reliability of microarray data was strengthened by real time RT-PCR validations. Altogether, 114 Cd responsive genes were revealed and a substantial subset of genes is related to metal homeostasis, drug detoxification, re-oxidization of cofactors and ATP production. This first genome-wide expression profiling study of archaeal cells challenged with Cd showed that T. gammatolerans withstands induced stress through pathways observed in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes but also through new and original strategies. T. gammatolerans cells challenged with 1 mM Cd basically promote: 1) the induction of several transporter/permease encoding genes, probably to detoxify the cell; 2) the upregulation of Fe transporters encoding genes to likely compensate Cd damages in iron-containing proteins; 3) the induction of membrane-bound hydrogenase (Mbh) and membrane-bound hydrogenlyase (Mhy2) subunits encoding genes involved in recycling reduced cofactors and/or in proton translocation for energy production. By contrast to other organisms, redox homeostasis genes appear constitutively expressed and only a few genes encoding DNA repair proteins are regulated. We compared the expression of 27 Cd responsive genes in other stress conditions (Zn, Ni, heat shock, γ-rays), and showed that the Cd transcriptional pattern is comparable to other metal stress transcriptional responses (Cd, Zn, Ni) but not to a general stress response.

Genome sequencing of a genetically tractable Pyrococcus furiosus strain reveals a highly dynamic genome

The model archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus grows optimally near 100°C on carbohydrates and peptides. Its genome sequence (NCBI) was determined 12 years ago. A genetically tractable strain, COM1, was very recently reported, and here we describe its genome sequence. Of 1,909,827 bp in size, it is 1,571 bp longer (0.1%) than the reference NCBI sequence. The COM1 genome contains numerous chromosomal rearrangements, deletions, and single base changes. COM1 also has 45 full or partial insertion sequences (ISs) compared to 35 in the reference NCBI strain, and these have resulted in the direct deletion or insertional inactivation of 13 genes. Another seven genes were affected by chromosomal deletions and are predicted to be nonfunctional. In addition, the amino acid sequences of another 102 of the 2,134 predicted gene products are different in COM1. These changes potentially impact various cellular functions, including carbohydrate, peptide, and nucleotide metabolism; DNA repair; CRISPR-associated defense; transcriptional regulation; membrane transport; and growth at 72°C. For example, the IS-mediated inactivation of riboflavin synthase in COM1 resulted in a riboflavin requirement for growth. Nevertheless, COM1 grew on cellobiose, malto-oligosaccharides, and peptides in complex and minimal media at 98 and 72°C to the same extent as did both its parent strain and a new culture collection strain (DSMZ 3638). This was in spite of COM1 lacking several metabolic enzymes, including nonphosphorylating glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and beta-glucosidase. The P. furiosus genome is therefore of high plasticity, and the availability of the COM1 sequence will be critical for the future studies of this model hyperthermophile.

Engineering a hyperthermophilic archaeon for temperature-dependent product formation

Microorganisms growing near the boiling point have enormous biotechnological potential but only recently have molecular engineering tools become available for them. We have engineered the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows optimally at 100°C, to switch its end products of fermentation in a temperature-controlled fashion without the need for chemical inducers. The recombinant strain (LAC) expresses a gene (ldh) encoding lactate dehydrogenase from the moderately thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor bescii (optimal growth temperature [T_opt] of 78°C) controlled by a “cold shock” promoter that is upregulated when cells are transferred from 98°C to 72°C. At 98°C, the LAC strain fermented sugar to produce acetate and hydrogen as end products, and lactate was not detected. When the LAC strain was grown at 72°C, up to 3 mM lactate was produced instead. Expression of a gene from a moderately thermophilic bacterium in a hyperthermophilic archaeon at temperatures at which the hyperthermophile has low metabolic activity provides a new perspective to engineering microorganisms for bioproduct and biofuel formation.

IMPORTANCE Extremely thermostable enzymes from microorganisms that grow near or above the boiling point of water are already used in biotechnology. However, the use of hyperthermophilic microorganisms themselves for biotechnological applications has been limited by the lack of their genetic accessibility. Recently, a genetic system for Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows optimally near 100°C, was developed in our laboratory. In this study, we present the first heterologous protein expression system for a microorganism that grows optimally at 100°C, a first step towards the potential expression of genes involved in biomass degradation or biofuel production in hyperthermophiles. Moreover, we developed the first system for specific gene induction in P. furiosus. As the cold shock promoter for protein expression used in this study is activated at suboptimal growth temperatures of P. furiosus, it is a powerful genetic tool for protein expression with minimal interference of the host’s metabolism and without the need for chemical inducers.

Extremely thermostable enzymes from microorganisms that grow near or above the boiling point of water are already used in biotechnology. However, the use of hyperthermophilic microorganisms themselves for biotechnological applications has been limited by the lack of their genetic accessibility. Recently, a genetic system for Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows optimally near 100°C, was developed in our laboratory. In this study, we present the first heterologous protein expression system for a microorganism that grows optimally at 100°C, a first step towards the potential expression of genes involved in biomass degradation or biofuel production in hyperthermophiles. Moreover, we developed the first system for specific gene induction in P. furiosus. As the cold shock promoter for protein expression used in this study is activated at suboptimal growth temperatures of P. furiosus, it is a powerful genetic tool for protein expression with minimal interference of the host’s metabolism and without the need for chemical inducers.

Parallel evolution of transcriptome architecture during genome reorganization

Assembly of genes into operons is generally viewed as an important process during the continual adaptation of microbes to changing environmental challenges. However, the genome reorganization events that drive this process are also the roots of instability for existing operons. We have determined that there exists a statistically significant trend that correlates the proportion of genes encoded in operons in archaea to their phylogenetic lineage. We have further characterized how microbes deal with operon instability by mapping and comparing transcriptome architectures of four phylogenetically diverse extremophiles that span the range of operon stabilities observed across archaeal lineages: a photoheterotrophic halophile (Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1), a hydrogenotrophic methanogen (Methanococcus maripaludis S2), an acidophilic and aerobic thermophile (Sulfolobus solfataricus P2), and an anaerobic hyperthermophile (Pyrococcus furiosus DSM 3638). We demonstrate how the evolution of transcriptional elements (promoters and terminators) generates new operons, restores the coordinated regulation of translocated, inverted, and newly acquired genes, and introduces completely novel regulation for even some of the most conserved operonic genes such as those encoding subunits of the ribosome. The inverse correlation (r=-0.92) between the proportion of operons with such internally located transcriptional elements and the fraction of conserved operons in each of the four archaea reveals an unprecedented view into varying stages of operon evolution. Importantly, our integrated analysis has revealed that organisms adapted to higher growth temperatures have lower tolerance for genome reorganization events that disrupt operon structures.

Microbial metalloproteomes are largely uncharacterized

Metal ion cofactors afford proteins virtually unlimited catalytic potential, enable electron transfer reactions and have a great impact on protein stability. Consequently, metalloproteins have key roles in most biological processes, including respiration (iron and copper), photosynthesis (manganese) and drug metabolism (iron). Yet, predicting from genome sequence the numbers and types of metal an organism assimilates from its environment or uses in its metalloproteome is currently impossible because metal coordination sites are diverse and poorly recognized. We present here a robust, metal-based approach to determine all metals an organism assimilates and identify its metalloproteins on a genome-wide scale. This shifts the focus from classical protein-based purification to metal-based identification and purification by liquid chromatography, high-throughput tandem mass spectrometry (HT-MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to characterize cytoplasmic metalloproteins from an exemplary microorganism (Pyrococcus furiosus). Of 343 metal peaks in chromatography fractions, 158 did not match any predicted metalloprotein. Unassigned peaks included metals known to be used (cobalt, iron, nickel, tungsten and zinc; 83 peaks) plus metals the organism was not thought to assimilate (lead, manganese, molybdenum, uranium and vanadium; 75 peaks). Purification of eight of 158 unexpected metal peaks yielded four novel nickel- and molybdenum-containing proteins, whereas four purified proteins contained sub-stoichiometric amounts of misincorporated lead and uranium. Analyses of two additional microorganisms (Escherichia coli and Sulfolobus solfataricus) revealed species-specific assimilation of yet more unexpected metals. Metalloproteomes are therefore much more extensive and diverse than previously recognized, and promise to provide key insights for cell biology, microbial growth and toxicity mechanisms.

Molybdenum incorporation in tungsten aldehyde oxidoreductase enzymes from Pyrococcus furiosus

The hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus expresses five aldehyde oxidoreductase (AOR) enzymes, all containing a tungsto-bispterin cofactor. The growth of this organism is fully dependent on the presence of tungsten in the growth medium. Previous studies have suggested that molybdenum is not incorporated in the active site of these enzymes. Application of the radioisotope (99)Mo in metal isotope native radioautography in gel electrophoresis (MIRAGE) technology to P. furiosus shows that molybdenum can in fact be incorporated in all five AOR enzymes. Mo(V) signals characteristic for molybdopterin were observed in formaldehyde oxidoreductase (FOR) in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-monitored redox titrations. Our finding that the aldehyde oxidation activity of FOR and WOR5 (W-containing oxidoreductase 5) correlates only with the residual tungsten content suggests that the Mo-containing AORs are most likely inactive. An observed W/Mo antagonism is indicative of tungstate-dependent negative feedback of the expression of the tungstate/molybdate ABC transporter. An intracellular selection mechanism for tungstate and molybdate processing has to be present, since tungsten was found to be preferentially incorporated into the AORs even under conditions with comparable intracellular concentrations of tungstate and molybdate. Under the employed growth conditions of starch as the main carbon source in a rich medium, no tungsten- and/or molybdenum-associated proteins are detected in P. furiosus other than the high-affinity transporter, the proteins of the metallopterin insertion machinery, and the five W-AORs.

Identification of residues important for the activity of Haloferax volcanii AglD, a component of the archaeal N-glycosylation pathway

In Haloferax volcanii, AglD adds the final hexose to the N-linked pentasaccharide decorating the S-layer glycoprotein. Not knowing the natural substrate of the glycosyltransferase, together with the challenge of designing assays compatible with hypersalinity, has frustrated efforts at biochemical characterization of AglD activity. To circumvent these obstacles, an in vivo assay designed to identify amino acid residues important for AglD activity is described. In the assay, restoration of AglD function in an Hfx. volcanii aglD deletion strain transformed to express plasmid-encoded versions of AglD, generated through site-directed mutagenesis at positions encoding residues conserved in archaeal homologues of AglD, is reflected in the behavior of a readily detectable reporter of N-glycosylation. As such Asp110 and Asp112 were designated as elements of the DXD motif of AglD, a motif that interacts with metal cations associated with nucleotide-activated sugar donors, while Asp201 was predicted to be the catalytic base of the enzyme.

Global proteomic analysis of the insoluble, soluble, and supernatant fractions of the psychrophilic archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii. Part I: the effect of growth temperature

The response of the cold-adapted (psychrophilic) methanogenic archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii to growth temperature was investigated using differential proteomics (postincorporation isobaric labeling) and tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/LC-MS/MS). This is the first proteomic study of M. burtonii to include techniques that specifically enrich for both surface and membrane proteins and to assess the effects of growth temperature (4 vs 23 degrees C) and carbon source (trimethylamine vs methanol) on cellular protein levels. Numerous surface layer proteins were more abundant at 4 degrees C, indicating an extensive remodeling of the cell envelope in response to low temperature. Many of these surface proteins contain domains associated with cell adhesion. Within the cell, small proteins each composed of a single TRAM domain were recovered as important cold adaptation proteins and might serve as RNA chaperones, in an analogous manner to Csp proteins (absent from M. burtonii). Other proteins that had higher abundances at 4 degrees C can be similarly tied to relieving or resolving the adverse affects of cold growth temperature on translational capacity and correct protein folding. The proteome of M. burtonii grown at 23 degrees C was dominated by oxidative stress proteins, as well as a large number of integral membrane proteins of unknown function. This is the first truly global proteomic study of a psychrophilic archaeon and greatly expands knowledge of the cellular mechanisms underpinning cold adaptation in the Archaea.

Oxidative stress protection and the repair response to hydrogen peroxide in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus and in related species

Pyrococcus furiosus is a shallow marine, anaerobic archaeon that grows optimally at 100 degrees C. Addition of H(2)O(2) (0.5 mM) to a growing culture resulted in the cessation of growth with a 2-h lag before normal growth resumed. Whole genome transcriptional profiling revealed that the main response occurs within 30 min of peroxide addition, with the up-regulation of 62 open reading frames (ORFs), 36 of which are part of 10 potential operons. More than half of the up-regulated ORFs are of unknown function, while some others encode proteins that are involved potentially in sequestering iron and sulfide, in DNA repair and in generating NADPH. This response is thought to involve primarily damage repair rather than protection, since cultures exposed to sub-toxic levels of H(2)O(2) were not more resistant to the subsequent addition of H(2)O(2) (0.5-5.0 mM). Consequently, there is little if any induced protective response to peroxide. The organism maintains a constitutive protective mechanism involving high levels of oxidoreductase-type enzymes such as superoxide reductase, rubrerythrin, and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase. Related hyperthermophiles contain homologs of the proteins involved in the constitutive protective mechanism but these organisms were more sensitive to peroxide than P. furiosus and lack several of its peroxide-responsive ORFs.

The complete genome sequence of Haloferax volcanii DS2, a model archaeon

BACKGROUND

Haloferax volcanii is an easily culturable moderate halophile that grows on simple defined media, is readily transformable, and has a relatively stable genome. This, in combination with its biochemical and genetic tractability, has made Hfx. volcanii a key model organism, not only for the study of halophilicity, but also for archaeal biology in general.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We report here the sequencing and analysis of the genome of Hfx. volcanii DS2, the type strain of this species. The genome contains a main 2.848 Mb chromosome, three smaller chromosomes pHV1, 3, 4 (85, 438, 636 kb, respectively) and the pHV2 plasmid (6.4 kb).

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The completed genome sequence, presented here, provides an invaluable tool for further in vivo and in vitro studies of Hfx. volcanii.

Hot Transcriptomics

DNA microarray technology allows for a quick and easy comparison of complete transcriptomes, resulting in improved molecular insight in fluctuations of gene expression. After emergence of the microarray technology about a decade ago, the technique has now matured and has become routine in many molecular biology laboratories. Numerous studies have been performed that have provided global transcription patterns of many organisms under a wide range of conditions. Initially, implementation of this high-throughput technology has lead to high expectations for ground breaking discoveries. Here an evaluation is performed of the insight that transcriptome analysis has brought about in the field of hyperthermophilic archaea. The examples that will be discussed have been selected on the basis of their impact, in terms of either biological insight or technological progress.

"Hot standards" for the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus

Within the archaea, the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus has become an important model organism for physiology and biochemistry, comparative and functional genomics, as well as, more recently also for systems biology approaches. Within the Sulfolobus Systems Biology (“SulfoSYS”)-project the effect of changing growth temperatures on a metabolic network is investigated at the systems level by integrating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and enzymatic information for production of a silicon cell-model. The network under investigation is the central carbohydrate metabolism. The generation of high-quality quantitative data, which is critical for the investigation of biological systems and the successful integration of the different datasets, derived for example from high-throughput approaches (e.g., transcriptome or proteome analyses), requires the application and compliance of uniform standard protocols, e.g., for growth and handling of the organism as well as the “–omics” approaches. Here, we report on the establishment and implementation of standard operating procedures for the different wet-lab and in silico techniques that are applied within the SulfoSYS-project and that we believe can be useful for future projects on Sulfolobus or (hyper)thermophiles in general. Beside established techniques, it includes new methodologies like strain surveillance, the improved identification of membrane proteins and the application of crenarchaeal metabolomics.

Antimicrobial activity of the iron-sulfur nitroso compound Roussin's black salt [Fe4S3(NO)7] on the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

The iron-sulfur nitroso compound [Fe(4)S(3)(NO)(7)](-) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that has been used for more than 100 years to combat pathogenic anaerobes. Known as Roussin's black salt (RBS), it contains seven moles of nitric oxide, the release of which was always assumed to mediate its cytotoxicity. Using the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, it is demonstrated through growth studies, membrane analyses, and scanning electron microscopy that nitric oxide does not play a role in RBS toxicity; rather, the mechanism involves membrane disruption leading to cell lysis. Moreover, insoluble elemental sulfur (S(0)), which is reduced by P. furiosus to hydrogen sulfide, prevents cell lysis by RBS. It is proposed that S(0) also directly interacts with the membranes of P. furiosus during its transfer into the cell, ultimately for reduction by a cytosolic NADPH sulfur reductase. RBS is proposed to be a new class of inorganic antimicrobial agent that also has potential use as an inert cell-lysing agent.

Novel multiprotein complexes identified in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus by non-denaturing fractionation of the native proteome

Virtually all cellular processes are carried out by dynamic molecular assemblies or multiprotein complexes, the compositions of which are largely undefined. They cannot be predicted solely from bioinformatics analyses nor are there well defined techniques currently available to unequivocally identify protein complexes (PCs). To address this issue, we attempted to directly determine the identity of PCs from native microbial biomass using Pyrococcus furiosus, a hyperthermophilic archaeon that grows optimally at 100 degrees C, as the model organism. Novel PCs were identified by large scale fractionation of the native proteome using non-denaturing, sequential column chromatography under anaerobic, reducing conditions. A total of 967 distinct P. furiosus proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (nano LC-ESI-MS/MS), representing approximately 80% of the cytoplasmic proteins. Based on the co-fractionation of proteins that are encoded by adjacent genes on the chromosome, 106 potential heteromeric PCs containing 243 proteins were identified, only 20 of which were known or expected. In addition to those of unknown function, novel and uncharacterized PCs were identified that are proposed to be involved in the metabolism of amino acids (10), carbohydrates (four), lipids (two), vitamins and metals (three), and DNA and RNA (nine). A further 30 potential PCs were classified as tentative, and the remaining potential PCs (13) were classified as weakly interacting. Some major advantages of native biomass fractionation for PC identification are that it provides a road map for the (partial) purification of native forms of novel and uncharacterized PCs, and the results can be utilized for the recombinant production of low abundance PCs to provide enough material for detailed structural and biochemical analyses.

Thermoacidophilic proteins for biofuel production

Growing concerns about global climate change and energy dependence have led to an increased effort to reduce carbon emissions. A considerable reduction could be achieved by using biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass instead of fossil fuels. One major bottleneck of biofuel production from lignocellulose is the availability of efficient and inexpensive biocatalysts (i.e. alcohol dehydrogenases, cellulases and esterases) that are active and stable at high temperatures and low pH values. Although heterologous gene expression is used effectively to obtain recombinant proteins derived from mesophiles, the production of thermoacidophilic proteins is often unsuccessful. Some of the reasons for this failure and potential solutions for an increased production of novel extremophilic biocatalysts are discussed here.

A thermostable dolichol phosphoryl mannose synthase responsible for glycoconjugate synthesis of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii

Dolichol phosphoryl mannose synthase (DPM synthase) is an essential enzyme in the synthesis of N- and O-linked glycoproteins and the glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol anchor. An open reading frame, PH0051, from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii encodes a DPM synthase ortholog, PH0051p. A full-length version of PH0051p was produced using an E. coli in vitro translation system and its thermostable activity was confirmed with a DPM synthesis assay, although the in vitro productivity was not sufficient for further characterization. Then, a yeast expression vector coding for the N-terminal catalytic domain of PH0051p was constructed. The N-terminal domain, named DPM(1-237), was successfully expressed, and turned out to be a membrane-bound form in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, even without its hydrophobic C-terminal domain. The membrane-bound DPM(1-237) was solubilized with a detergent and purified to homogeneity. The purified DPM(1-237) showed thermostability at up to 75 degrees C and an optimum temperature of 60 degrees C. The truncated mutant DPM(1-237) required Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) ions as cofactors the same as eukaryotic DPM synthases. By site-directed mutagenesis, Asp(89) and Asp(91) located at the most conserved motif, DXD, were confirmed as the catalytic residues, the latter probably bound to a cofactor, Mg(2+). DPM(1-237) was able to utilize both acceptor lipids, dolichol phosphate and the prokaryotic carrier lipid C(55)-undecaprenyl phosphate, with Km values of 1.17 and 0.59 microM, respectively. The DPM synthase PH0051p seems to be a key component of the pathway supplying various lipid-linked phosphate sugars, since P. horikoshii could synthesize glycoproteins as well as the membrane-associated PH0051p in vivo.

Genomics and functional genomics with haloarchaea

The first haloarchaeal genome was published in 2000 and today five genome sequences are available. Transcriptome and proteome analyses have been established for two and three haloarchaeal species, respectively, and more than 20 studies using these functional genomic approaches have been published in the last two years. These studies gave global overviews of metabolic regulation (aerobic and anaerobic respiration, phototrophy, carbon source usage), stress response (UV, X-rays, transition metals, osmotic and temperature stress), cell cycle-dependent transcript level regulation, and transcript half-lives. The only translatome analysis available for any prokaryotic species revealed that 10 and 20% of all transcripts are translationally regulated in Haloferax volcanii and Halobacterium salinarum, respectively. Very effective methods for the construction of in frame deletion mutants have been established recently for haloarchaea and are intensively used to unravel the biological roles of genes in this group. Bioinformatic analyses include both cross-genome comparisons as well as integration of genomic data with experimental results. The first systems biology approaches have been performed that used experimental data to construct predictive models of gene expression and metabolism, respectively. In this contribution the current status of genomics, functional genomics, and molecular genetics of haloarchaea is summarized and selected examples are discussed.

Correlating the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome in the environmental adaptation of a hyperthermophile

We have performed a comprehensive characterization of global molecular changes for a model organism Pyrococcus furiosus using transcriptomic (DNA microarray), proteomic, and metabolomic analysis as it undergoes a cold adaptation response from its optimal 95 to 72 degrees C. Metabolic profiling on the same set of samples shows the down-regulation of many metabolites. However, some metabolites are found to be strongly up-regulated. An approach using accurate mass, isotopic pattern, database searching, and retention time is used to putatively identify several metabolites of interest. Many of the up-regulated metabolites are part of an alternative polyamine biosynthesis pathway previously established in a thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus. Arginine, agmatine, spermidine, and branched polyamines N4-aminopropylspermidine and N4-( N-acetylaminopropyl)spermidine were unambiguously identified based on their accurate mass, isotopic pattern, and matching of MS/MS data acquired under identical conditions for the natural metabolite and a high purity standard. Both DNA microarray and semiquantitative proteomic analysis using a label-free spectral counting approach indicate the down-regulation of a large majority of genes with diverse predicted functions related to growth such as transcription, amino acid biosynthesis, and translation. Some genes are, however, found to be up-regulated through the measurement of their relative mRNA and protein levels. The complimentary information obtained by the various "omics" techniques is used to catalogue and correlate the overall molecular changes.

Structural and transcriptional analyses of a purine nucleotide-binding protein from Pyrococcus furiosus: a component of a novel, membrane-bound multiprotein complex unique to this hyperthermophilic archaeon

The open-reading frame PF0895 in the genome of the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus, encodes a 206-residue protein (M(R )23,152). The structure of the recombinant protein was solved by single isomorphous replacement with anomalous scattering (SIRAS) using a mercury derivative. It has been refined to 1.70 A with a crystallographic R and R(free )values of 19.7% and 22.3%, respectively. The PF0895 structure is similar to those of the ATP binding cassettes observed in the ABC transporter family. However, bioinformatics and molecular analyses indicate that PF0895 is not part of the expected five-gene operon that encodes a typical prokaryotic solute-binding ABC transporter. Rather, transcriptional profiling data show that PF0895 is part of a novel four-gene operon (PF0895-PF0896-PF0897-PF0897.1) where only PF0895 has homologs in other organisms. Interestingly, from genome analysis, P. furiosus itself contains a second version of this complex, encoded by PF1090-PF1093. From the structural studies we can only conclude that one of the subunits of this novel membrane complex, PF0895, and its homolog PF1090, likely bind a purine nucleotide. PF0895 is therefore predicted to be part of a membrane-bound multiprotein complex unrelated to ABC transporters that is so far unique to P. furiosus. It appears to play a role in the stress response, as its expression is down regulated when the organism is subjected to cold-shock, where cells are transferred from 95 degrees C, near the optimal growth temperature, to 72 degrees C, near the minimal growth temperature. The related PF1090-containing operon is unaffected by cold-shock and is independently regulated.

The first agmatine/cadaverine aminopropyl transferase: biochemical and structural characterization of an enzyme involved in polyamine biosynthesis in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

We report here the characterization of the first agmatine/cadaverine aminopropyl transferase (ACAPT), the enzyme responsible for polyamine biosynthesis from an archaeon. The gene PF0127 encoding ACAPT in the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity. P. furiosus ACAPT is a homodimer of 65 kDa. The broad substrate specificity of the enzyme toward the amine acceptors is unique, as agmatine, 1,3-diaminopropane, putrescine, cadaverine, and sym-nor-spermidine all serve as substrates. While maximal catalytic activity was observed with cadaverine, agmatine was the preferred substrate on the basis of the k(cat)/K(m) value. P. furiosus ACAPT is thermoactive and thermostable with an apparent melting temperature of 108 degrees C that increases to 112 degrees C in the presence of cadaverine. Limited proteolysis indicated that the only proteolytic cleavage site is localized in the C-terminal region and that the C-terminal peptide is not necessary for the integrity of the active site. The crystal structure of the enzyme determined to 1.8-A resolution confirmed its dimeric nature and provided insight into the proteolytic analyses as well as into mechanisms of thermal stability. Analysis of the polyamine content of P. furiosus showed that spermidine, cadaverine, and sym-nor-spermidine are the major components, with small amounts of sym-nor-spermine and N-(3-aminopropyl)cadaverine (APC). This is the first report in Archaea of an unusual polyamine APC that is proposed to play a role in stress adaptation.

Transcriptional profiling of the model Archaeon Halobacterium sp. NRC-1: responses to changes in salinity and temperature

Background

The model halophile Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 was among the first Archaea to be completely sequenced and many post-genomic tools, including whole genome DNA microarrays are now being applied to its analysis. This extremophile displays tolerance to multiple stresses, including high salinity, extreme (non-mesophilic) temperatures, lack of oxygen, and ultraviolet and ionizing radiation.

Results

In order to study the response of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 to two common stressors, salinity and temperature, we used whole genome DNA microarrays to assay for changes in gene expression under differential growth conditions. Cultures grown aerobically in rich medium at 42°C were compared to cultures grown at elevated or reduced temperature and high or low salinity. The results obtained were analyzed using a custom database and microarray analysis tools. Growth under salt stress conditions resulted in the modulation of genes coding for many ion transporters, including potassium, phosphate, and iron transporters, as well as some peptide transporters and stress proteins. Growth at cold temperature altered the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, buoyant gas vesicles, and cold shock proteins. Heat shock showed induction of several known chaperone genes. The results showed that Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 cells are highly responsive to environmental changes at the level of gene expression.

Conclusion

Transcriptional profiling showed that Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is highly responsive to its environment and provided insights into some of the specific responses at the level of gene expression. Responses to changes in salt conditions appear to be designed to minimize the loss of essential ionic species and abate possible toxic effects of others, while exposure to temperature extremes elicit responses to promote protein folding and limit factors responsible for growth inhibition. This work lays the foundation for further bioinformatic and genetic studies which will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the biology of a model halophilic Archaeon.

Osmotic shock tolerance and membrane fluidity of cold-adaptedCryptococcus flavescensOH 182.9, previously reported asC. nodaensis, a biocontrol agent ofFusariumhead blight

Cryptococcus flavescens (previously reported as C. nodaensis), a biological control agent of Fusarium head blight, has been previously shown to have improved desiccation tolerance after cold adaptation. The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of cold adaptation on the physicochemical properties of C. flavescens that may be responsible for its improved desiccation tolerance. The results show that cold adaptation improves liquid hyperosmotic shock tolerance and alters the temperature dependence of osmotic shock tolerance. Fluorescence anisotropy was used to characterize differences in the membrane fluidity of C. flavescens with and without cold adaptation. Force curves from atomic force microscopy showed a significant increase in the cell wall spring constant after cold adaptation. Cold adaptation of C. flavescens during culturing was shown to produce smaller cells and produced a trend towards higher CFU yields. These results suggest that cold adaptation significantly alters the membrane properties of C. flavescens and may be an effective method of improving the desiccation tolerance of microorganisms. In addition, we provide information on the correct naming of the isolate as C. flavescens.

Insights into the metabolism of elemental sulfur by the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus: characterization of a coenzyme A- dependent NAD(P)H sulfur oxidoreductase

The hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus uses carbohydrates as a carbon source and produces acetate, CO2, and H2 as end products. When S(0) is added to a growing culture, within 10 min the rate of H2 production rapidly decreases and H(2)S is detected. After 1 hour cells contain high NADPH- and coenzyme A-dependent S(0) reduction activity (0.7 units/mg, 85 degrees C) located in the cytoplasm. The enzyme responsible for this activity was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity (specific activity, 100 units/mg) and is termed NAD(P)H elemental sulfur oxidoreductase (NSR). NSR is a homodimeric flavoprotein (M(r), 100,000) and is encoded by PF1186. This designation was previously assigned to the gene encoding an enzyme that reduces coenzyme A disulfide, which is a side reaction of NSR. Whole-genome DNA microarray and quantitative PCR analyses showed that the expression of NSR is up-regulated up to sevenfold within 10 min of S(0) addition. This primary response to S(0) also involves the up-regulation (>16-fold) of a 13-gene cluster encoding a membrane-bound oxidoreductase (MBX). The cluster encoding MBX is proposed to replace the homologous 14-gene cluster that encodes the ferredoxin-oxidizing, H2-evolving membrane-bound hydrogenase (MBH), which is down-regulated >12-fold within 10 min of S(0) addition. Although an activity for MBX could not be demonstrated, it is proposed to conserve energy by oxidizing ferredoxin and reducing NADP, which is used by NSR to reduce S(0). A secondary response to S(0) is observed 30 min after S(0) addition and includes the up-regulation of genes encoding proteins involved in amino acid biosynthesis and iron metabolism, as well as two so-called sulfur-induced proteins termed SipA and SipB. This novel S(0)-reducing system involving NSR and MBX has been found so far only in the heterotrophic Thermococcales and is in contrast to the cytochrome- and quinone-based S(0)-reducing system in autotrophic archaea and bacteria.

Structure determination of a new protein from backbone-centered NMR data and NMR-assisted structure prediction

Targeting of proteins for structure determination in structural genomic programs often includes the use of threading and fold recognition methods to exclude proteins belonging to well-populated fold families, but such methods can still fail to recognize preexisting folds. The authors illustrate here a method in which limited amounts of structural data are used to improve an initial homology search and the data are subsequently used to produce a structure by data-constrained refinement of an identified structural template. The data used are primarily NMR-based residual dipolar couplings, but they also include additional chemical shift and backbone-nuclear Overhauser effect data. Using this methodology, a backbone structure was efficiently produced for a 10 kDa protein (PF1455) from Pyrococcus furiosus. Its relationship to existing structures and its probable function are discussed.