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Saleem F, Li E, Tran KL, Rudra B, Edge TA, Schellhorn HE, Gupta RS. Utilizing novel Escherichia coli-specific conserved signature proteins for enhanced monitoring of recreational water quality. Microbiologyopen 2024; 13:e1410. [PMID: 38682792 PMCID: PMC11057252 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1410] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli serves as a proxy indicator of fecal contamination in aquatic ecosystems. However, its identification using traditional culturing methods can take up to 24 h. The application of DNA markers, such as conserved signature proteins (CSPs) genes (unique to all species/strains of a specific taxon), can form the foundation for novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests that unambiguously identify and detect targeted bacterial taxa of interest. This paper reports the identification of three new highly-conserved CSPs (genes), namely YahL, YdjO, and YjfZ, which are exclusive to E. coli/Shigella. Using PCR primers based on highly conserved regions within these CSPs, we have developed quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays for the evaluation of E. coli/Shigella species in water ecosystems. Both in-silico and experimental PCR testing confirmed the absence of sequence match when tested against other bacteria, thereby confirming 100% specificity of the tested CSPs for E. coli/Shigella. The qPCR assays for each of the three CSPs provided reliable quantification for all tested enterohaemorrhagic and environmental E. coli strains, a requirement for water testing. For recreational water samples, CSP-based quantification showed a high correlation (r > 7, p < 0.01) with conventional viable E. coli enumeration. This indicates that novel CSP-based qPCR assays for E. coli can serve as robust tools for monitoring water ecosystems and other critical areas, including food monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizan Saleem
- Department of BiologyMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Enze Li
- Department of BiologyMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Kevin L. Tran
- Department of BiologyMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Bashudev Rudra
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Thomas A. Edge
- Department of BiologyMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | | | - Radhey S. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
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2
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Pessi IS, Popin RV, Durieu B, Lara Y, Tytgat B, Savaglia V, Roncero-Ramos B, Hultman J, Verleyen E, Vyverman W, Wilmotte A. Novel diversity of polar Cyanobacteria revealed by genome-resolved metagenomics. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001056. [PMID: 37417735 PMCID: PMC10438808 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Benthic microbial mats dominated by Cyanobacteria are important features of polar lakes. Although culture-independent studies have provided important insights into the diversity of polar Cyanobacteria, only a handful of genomes have been sequenced to date. Here, we applied a genome-resolved metagenomics approach to data obtained from Arctic, sub-Antarctic and Antarctic microbial mats. We recovered 37 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Cyanobacteria representing 17 distinct species, most of which are only distantly related to genomes that have been sequenced so far. These include (i) lineages that are common in polar microbial mats such as the filamentous taxa Pseudanabaena, Leptolyngbya, Microcoleus/Tychonema and Phormidium; (ii) the less common taxa Crinalium and Chamaesiphon; (iii) an enigmatic Chroococcales lineage only distantly related to Microcystis; and (iv) an early branching lineage in the order Gloeobacterales that is distributed across the cold biosphere, for which we propose the name Candidatus Sivonenia alaskensis. Our results show that genome-resolved metagenomics is a powerful tool for expanding our understanding of the diversity of Cyanobacteria, especially in understudied remote and extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S. Pessi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rafael V. Popin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Benoit Durieu
- InBioS – Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Yannick Lara
- Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology, UR-Astrobiology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Valentina Savaglia
- InBioS – Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Beatriz Roncero-Ramos
- InBioS – Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jenni Hultman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBioS – Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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3
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Saleem F, Jiang JL, Atrache R, Paschos A, Edge TA, Schellhorn HE. Cyanobacterial Algal Bloom Monitoring: Molecular Methods and Technologies for Freshwater Ecosystems. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040851. [PMID: 37110273 PMCID: PMC10144707 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can accumulate to form harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the surface of freshwater ecosystems under eutrophic conditions. Extensive HAB events can threaten local wildlife, public health, and the utilization of recreational waters. For the detection/quantification of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, both the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Health Canada increasingly indicate that molecular methods can be useful. However, each molecular detection method has specific advantages and limitations for monitoring HABs in recreational water ecosystems. Rapidly developing modern technologies, including satellite imaging, biosensors, and machine learning/artificial intelligence, can be integrated with standard/conventional methods to overcome the limitations associated with traditional cyanobacterial detection methodology. We examine advances in cyanobacterial cell lysis methodology and conventional/modern molecular detection methods, including imaging techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/DNA sequencing, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), mass spectrometry, remote sensing, and machine learning/AI-based prediction models. This review focuses specifically on methodologies likely to be employed for recreational water ecosystems, especially in the Great Lakes region of North America.
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4
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Kieninger AK, Tokarz P, Janović A, Pilhofer M, Weiss GL, Maldener I. SepN is a septal junction component required for gated cell-cell communication in the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7486. [PMID: 36470860 PMCID: PMC9722847 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34946-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular organisms require controlled intercellular communication for their survival. Strains of the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc regulate cell-cell communication between sister cells via a conformational change in septal junctions. These multi-protein cell junctions consist of a septum spanning tube with a membrane-embedded plug at both ends, and a cap covering the plug on the cytoplasmic side. The identities of septal junction components are unknown, with exception of the protein FraD. Here, we identify and characterize a FraD-interacting protein, SepN, as the second component of septal junctions in Nostoc. We use cryo-electron tomography of cryo-focused ion beam-thinned cyanobacterial filaments to show that septal junctions in a sepN mutant lack a plug module and display an aberrant cap. The sepN mutant exhibits highly reduced cell-cell communication rates, as shown by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments. Furthermore, the mutant is unable to gate molecule exchange through septal junctions and displays reduced filament survival after stress. Our data demonstrate the importance of controlling molecular diffusion between cells to ensure the survival of a multicellular organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Katrin Kieninger
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Piotr Tokarz
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Janović
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Pilhofer
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gregor L. Weiss
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Iris Maldener
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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5
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In vitro activity of reconstituted rubisco enzyme from Gloeobacter violaceus. J Biosci 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-021-00188-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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6
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Salazar VW, Tschoeke DA, Swings J, Cosenza CA, Mattoso M, Thompson CC, Thompson FL. A new genomic taxonomy system for the Synechococcus collective. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:4557-4570. [PMID: 32700350 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus are major contributors to global primary productivity and are found in a wide range of aquatic ecosystems. This Synechococcus collective (SC) is metabolically diverse, with some lineages thriving in polar and nutrient-rich locations and others in tropical or riverine waters. Although many studies have discussed the ecology and evolution of the SC, there is a paucity of knowledge on its taxonomic structure. Thus, we present a new taxonomic classification framework for the SC based on recent advances in microbial genomic taxonomy. Phylogenomic analyses of 1085 cyanobacterial genomes demonstrate that organisms classified as Synechococcus are polyphyletic at the order rank. The SC is classified into 15 genera, which are placed into five distinct orders within the phylum Cyanobacteria: (i) Synechococcales (Cyanobium, Inmanicoccus, Lacustricoccus gen. Nov., Parasynechococcus, Pseudosynechococcus, Regnicoccus, Synechospongium gen. nov., Synechococcus and Vulcanococcus); (ii) Cyanobacteriales (Limnothrix); (iii) Leptococcales (Brevicoccus and Leptococcus); (iv) Thermosynechococcales (Stenotopis and Thermosynechococcus) and (v) Neosynechococcales (Neosynechococcus). The newly proposed classification is consistent with habitat distribution patterns (seawater, freshwater, brackish and thermal environments) and reflects the ecological and evolutionary relationships of the SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius W Salazar
- Center of Technology-CT2, SAGE-COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diogo A Tschoeke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jean Swings
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carlos A Cosenza
- Center of Technology-CT2, SAGE-COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta Mattoso
- Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cristiane C Thompson
- Center of Technology-CT2, SAGE-COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabiano L Thompson
- Center of Technology-CT2, SAGE-COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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7
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Abstract
While the model bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis harbor single chromosomes, which is known as monoploidy, some freshwater cyanobacteria contain multiple chromosome copies per cell throughout their cell cycle, which is known as polyploidy. In the model cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, chromosome copy number (ploidy) is regulated in response to growth phase and environmental factors. In S. elongatus 7942, chromosome replication is asynchronous both among cells and chromosomes. Comparative analysis of S. elongatus 7942 and S. sp. 6803 revealed a variety of DNA replication mechanisms. In this review, the current knowledge of ploidy and DNA replication mechanisms in cyanobacteria is summarized together with information on the features common with plant chloroplasts. It is worth noting that the occurrence of polyploidy and its regulation are correlated with certain cyanobacterial lifestyles and are shared between some cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. ABBREVIATIONS NGS: next-generation sequencing; Repli-seq: replication sequencing; BrdU: 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine; TK: thymidine kinase; GCSI: GC skew index; PET: photosynthetic electron transport; RET: respiration electron transport; Cyt b6f complex: cytochrome b6f complex; PQ: plastoquinone; PC: plastocyanin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Watanabe
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture , Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Demoulin CF, Lara YJ, Cornet L, François C, Baurain D, Wilmotte A, Javaux EJ. Cyanobacteria evolution: Insight from the fossil record. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 140:206-223. [PMID: 31078731 PMCID: PMC6880289 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria played an important role in the evolution of Early Earth and the biosphere. They are responsible for the oxygenation of the atmosphere and oceans since the Great Oxidation Event around 2.4 Ga, debatably earlier. They are also major primary producers in past and present oceans, and the ancestors of the chloroplast. Nevertheless, the identification of cyanobacteria in the early fossil record remains ambiguous because the morphological criteria commonly used are not always reliable for microfossil interpretation. Recently, new biosignatures specific to cyanobacteria were proposed. Here, we review the classic and new cyanobacterial biosignatures. We also assess the reliability of the previously described cyanobacteria fossil record and the challenges of molecular approaches on modern cyanobacteria. Finally, we suggest possible new calibration points for molecular clocks, and strategies to improve our understanding of the timing and pattern of the evolution of cyanobacteria and oxygenic photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Demoulin
- Early Life Traces & Evolution - Astrobiology, UR ASTROBIOLOGY, Geology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Yannick J Lara
- Early Life Traces & Evolution - Astrobiology, UR ASTROBIOLOGY, Geology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Luc Cornet
- Early Life Traces & Evolution - Astrobiology, UR ASTROBIOLOGY, Geology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, InBioS-PhytoSYSTEMS, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Camille François
- Early Life Traces & Evolution - Astrobiology, UR ASTROBIOLOGY, Geology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Denis Baurain
- Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, InBioS-PhytoSYSTEMS, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- BCCM/ULC Cyanobacteria Collection, InBioS-CIP, Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Emmanuelle J Javaux
- Early Life Traces & Evolution - Astrobiology, UR ASTROBIOLOGY, Geology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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9
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Abstract
Nitrogen limitation induces dormancy in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis. During dormancy, the bacterium neither photosynthesizes nor divides, yet it maintains low-level metabolic activity. A new study shows how provision of a nitrogen source initiates a regimented genetic program that initially kick-starts metabolism and ultimately photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Gary Sawers
- Institute for Microbiology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
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10
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11
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Alvarenga DO, Fiore MF, Varani AM. A Metagenomic Approach to Cyanobacterial Genomics. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:809. [PMID: 28536564 PMCID: PMC5422444 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, or oxyphotobacteria, are primary producers that establish ecological interactions with a wide variety of organisms. Although their associations with eukaryotes have received most attention, interactions with bacterial and archaeal symbionts have also been occurring for billions of years. Due to these associations, obtaining axenic cultures of cyanobacteria is usually difficult, and most isolation efforts result in unicyanobacterial cultures containing a number of associated microbes, hence composing a microbial consortium. With rising numbers of cyanobacterial blooms due to climate change, demand for genomic evaluations of these microorganisms is increasing. However, standard genomic techniques call for the sequencing of axenic cultures, an approach that not only adds months or even years for culture purification, but also appears to be impossible for some cyanobacteria, which is reflected in the relatively low number of publicly available genomic sequences of this phylum. Under the framework of metagenomics, on the other hand, cumbersome techniques for achieving axenic growth can be circumvented and individual genomes can be successfully obtained from microbial consortia. This review focuses on approaches for the genomic and metagenomic assessment of non-axenic cyanobacterial cultures that bypass requirements for axenity. These methods enable researchers to achieve faster and less costly genomic characterizations of cyanobacterial strains and raise additional information about their associated microorganisms. While non-axenic cultures may have been previously frowned upon in cyanobacteriology, latest advancements in metagenomics have provided new possibilities for in vitro studies of oxyphotobacteria, renewing the value of microbial consortia as a reliable and functional resource for the rapid assessment of bloom-forming cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danillo O. Alvarenga
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)Jaboticabal, Brazil
- Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Marli F. Fiore
- Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Alessandro M. Varani
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)Jaboticabal, Brazil
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12
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Veit S, Takeda K, Tsunoyama Y, Baymann F, Nevo R, Reich Z, Rögner M, Miki K, Rexroth S. Structural and functional characterisation of the cyanobacterial PetC3 Rieske protein family. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2016; 1857:1879-1891. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Klotz A, Georg J, Bučinská L, Watanabe S, Reimann V, Januszewski W, Sobotka R, Jendrossek D, Hess W, Forchhammer K. Awakening of a Dormant Cyanobacterium from Nitrogen Chlorosis Reveals a Genetically Determined Program. Curr Biol 2016; 26:2862-2872. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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14
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Gupta RS. Impact of genomics on the understanding of microbial evolution and classification: the importance of Darwin's views on classification. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2016; 40:520-53. [PMID: 27279642 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyses of genome sequences, by some approaches, suggest that the widespread occurrence of horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) in prokaryotes disguises their evolutionary relationships and have led to questioning of the Darwinian model of evolution for prokaryotes. These inferences are critically examined in the light of comparative genome analysis, characteristic synapomorphies, phylogenetic trees and Darwin's views on examining evolutionary relationships. Genome sequences are enabling discovery of numerous molecular markers (synapomorphies) such as conserved signature indels (CSIs) and conserved signature proteins (CSPs), which are distinctive characteristics of different prokaryotic taxa. Based on these molecular markers, exhibiting high degree of specificity and predictive ability, numerous prokaryotic taxa of different ranks, currently identified based on the 16S rRNA gene trees, can now be reliably demarcated in molecular terms. Within all studied groups, multiple CSIs and CSPs have been identified for successive nested clades providing reliable information regarding their hierarchical relationships and these inferences are not affected by HGTs. These results strongly support Darwin's views on evolution and classification and supplement the current phylogenetic framework based on 16S rRNA in important respects. The identified molecular markers provide important means for developing novel diagnostics, therapeutics and for functional studies providing important insights regarding prokaryotic taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhey S Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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15
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Zamani-Dahaj SA, Okasha M, Kosakowski J, Higgs PG. Estimating the Frequency of Horizontal Gene Transfer Using Phylogenetic Models of Gene Gain and Loss. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:1843-57. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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16
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Hoeven R, Hardman SJO, Heyes DJ, Scrutton NS. Cross-Species Analysis of Protein Dynamics Associated with Hydride and Proton Transfer in the Catalytic Cycle of the Light-Driven Enzyme Protochlorophyllide Oxidoreductase. Biochemistry 2016; 55:903-13. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Hoeven
- Centre for Synthetic Biology
of Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Samantha J. O. Hardman
- Centre for Synthetic Biology
of Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Derren J. Heyes
- Centre for Synthetic Biology
of Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Centre for Synthetic Biology
of Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
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17
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Hagemann M, Henneberg M, Felde VJMNL, Drahorad SL, Berkowicz SM, Felix-Henningsen P, Kaplan A. Cyanobacterial Diversity in Biological Soil Crusts along a Precipitation Gradient, Northwest Negev Desert, Israel. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2015; 70:219-230. [PMID: 25408227 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-014-0533-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria occur worldwide but play an important role in the formation and primary activity of biological soil crusts (BSCs) in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The cyanobacterial diversity in BSCs of the northwest Negev desert of Israel was surveyed at three fixed sampling stations situated along a precipitation gradient in the years 2010 to 2012. The three stations also are characterized by marked differences in soil features such as soil carbon, nitrogen, or electrical conductivity. The cyanobacterial biodiversity was analyzed by sequencing inserts of clone libraries harboring partial 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained with cyanobacteria-specific primers. Filamentous, non-diazotrophic strains (subsection III), particularly Microcoleus-like, dominated the cyanobacterial community (30% proportion) in all years. Specific cyanobacterial groups showed increased (e.g., Chroococcidiopsis, Leptolyngbya, and Nostoc strains) or decreased (e.g., unicellular strains belonging to the subsection I and Scytonema strains) abundances with declining water availability at the most arid, southern station, whereas many cyanobacterial strains were frequently found in the soils of all three stations. The cyanobacterial diversity at the three sampling stations appears dependent on the available precipitation, whereas the differences in soil chemistry were of lower importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hagemann
- Abteilung Pflanzenphysiologie, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, A.-Einstein-Str. 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany,
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18
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Simm S, Keller M, Selymesi M, Schleiff E. The composition of the global and feature specific cyanobacterial core-genomes. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:219. [PMID: 25852675 PMCID: PMC4365693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes important for many ecosystems with a high potential for biotechnological usage e.g., in the production of bioactive molecules. Either asks for a deep understanding of the functionality of cyanobacteria and their interaction with the environment. This in part can be inferred from the analysis of their genomes or proteomes. Today, many cyanobacterial genomes have been sequenced and annotated. This information can be used to identify biological pathways present in all cyanobacteria as proteins involved in such processes are encoded by a so called core-genome. However, beside identification of fundamental processes, genes specific for certain cyanobacterial features can be identified by a holistic genome analysis as well. We identified 559 genes that define the core-genome of 58 analyzed cyanobacteria, as well as three genes likely to be signature genes for thermophilic and 57 genes likely to be signature genes for heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. To get insights into cyanobacterial systems for the interaction with the environment we also inspected the diversity of the outer membrane proteome with focus on β-barrel proteins. We observed that most of the transporting outer membrane β-barrel proteins are not globally conserved in the cyanobacterial phylum. In turn, the occurrence of β-barrel proteins shows high strain specificity. The core set of outer membrane proteins globally conserved in cyanobacteria comprises three proteins only, namely the outer membrane β-barrel assembly protein Omp85, the lipid A transfer protein LptD, and an OprB-type porin. Thus, we conclude that cyanobacteria have developed individual strategies for the interaction with the environment, while other intracellular processes like the regulation of the protein homeostasis are globally conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Simm
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mario Keller
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mario Selymesi
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Enrico Schleiff
- Department of Biosciences, Molecular Cell Biology of Plants, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany ; Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany ; Center of Membrane Proteomics, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany ; Buchmann Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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19
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Schuergers N, Wilde A. Appendages of the cyanobacterial cell. Life (Basel) 2015; 5:700-15. [PMID: 25749611 PMCID: PMC4390875 DOI: 10.3390/life5010700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular non-flagellar appendages, called pili or fimbriae, are widespread in gram-negative bacteria. They are involved in many different functions, including motility, adhesion, biofilm formation, and uptake of DNA. Sequencing data for a large number of cyanobacterial genomes revealed that most of them contain genes for pili synthesis. However, only for a very few cyanobacteria structure and function of these appendages have been analyzed. Here, we review the structure and function of type IV pili in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and analyze the distribution of type IV pili associated genes in other cyanobacteria. Further, we discuss the role of the RNA-chaperone Hfq in pilus function and the presence of genes for the chaperone-usher pathway of pilus assembly in cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Schuergers
- University of Freiburg, Institute of Biology III, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Annegret Wilde
- University of Freiburg, Institute of Biology III, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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20
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Gupta RS, Naushad S, Baker S. Phylogenomic analyses and molecular signatures for the class Halobacteria and its two major clades: a proposal for division of the class Halobacteria into an emended order Halobacteriales and two new orders, Haloferacales ord. nov. and Natrialbales ord. nov., containing the novel families Haloferacaceae fam. nov. and Natrialbaceae fam. nov. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2014; 65:1050-1069. [PMID: 25428416 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.070136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Halobacteria constitute one of the largest groups within the Archaea. The hierarchical relationship among members of this large class, which comprises a single order and a single family, has proven difficult to determine based upon 16S rRNA gene trees and morphological and physiological characteristics. This work reports detailed phylogenetic and comparative genomic studies on >100 halobacterial (haloarchaeal) genomes containing representatives from 30 genera to investigate their evolutionary relationships. In phylogenetic trees reconstructed on the basis of 32 conserved proteins, using both neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood methods, two major clades (clades A and B) encompassing nearly two-thirds of the sequenced haloarchaeal species were strongly supported. Clades grouping the same species/genera were also supported by the 16S rRNA gene trees and trees for several individual highly conserved proteins (RpoC, EF-Tu, UvrD, GyrA, EF-2/EF-G). In parallel, our comparative analyses of protein sequences from haloarchaeal genomes have identified numerous discrete molecular markers in the form of conserved signature indels (CSI) in protein sequences and conserved signature proteins (CSPs) that are found uniquely in specific groups of haloarchaea. Thirteen CSIs in proteins involved in diverse functions and 68 CSPs that are uniquely present in all or most genome-sequenced haloarchaea provide novel molecular means for distinguishing members of the class Halobacteria from all other prokaryotes. The members of clade A are distinguished from all other haloarchaea by the unique shared presence of two CSIs in the ribose operon protein and small GTP-binding protein and eight CSPs that are found specifically in members of this clade. Likewise, four CSIs in different proteins and five other CSPs are present uniquely in members of clade B and distinguish them from all other haloarchaea. Based upon their specific clustering in phylogenetic trees for different gene/protein sequences and the unique shared presence of large numbers of molecular signatures, members of clades A and B are indicated to be distinct from all other haloarchaea because of their uniquely shared evolutionary histories. Based upon these results, it is proposed that clades A and B be recognized as two new orders, Natrialbales ord. nov. and Haloferacales ord. nov., within the class Halobacteria, containing the novel families Natrialbaceae fam. nov. and Haloferacaceae fam. nov. Other members of the class Halobacteria that are not members of these two orders will remain part of the emended order Halobacteriales in an emended family Halobacteriaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhey S Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
| | - Sohail Naushad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
| | - Sheridan Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
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21
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Howard-Azzeh M, Shamseer L, Schellhorn HE, Gupta RS. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular signatures defining a monophyletic clade of heterocystous cyanobacteria and identifying its closest relatives. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2014; 122:171-185. [PMID: 24917519 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-014-0020-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Detailed phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses are reported on 140 genome sequenced cyanobacteria with the main focus on the heterocyst-differentiating cyanobacteria. In a phylogenetic tree for cyanobacteria based upon concatenated sequences for 32 conserved proteins, the available cyanobacteria formed 8-9 strongly supported clades at the highest level, which may correspond to the higher taxonomic clades of this phylum. One of these clades contained all heterocystous cyanobacteria; within this clade, the members exhibiting either true (Nostocales) or false (Stigonematales) branching of filaments were intermixed indicating that the division of the heterocysts-forming cyanobacteria into these two groups is not supported by phylogenetic considerations. However, in both the protein tree as well as in the 16S rRNA gene tree, the akinete-forming heterocystous cyanobacteria formed a distinct clade. Within this clade, the members which differentiate into hormogonia or those which lack this ability were also separated into distinct groups. A novel molecular signature identified in this work that is uniquely shared by the akinete-forming heterocystous cyanobacteria provides further evidence that the members of this group are specifically related and they shared a common ancestor exclusive of the other cyanobacteria. Detailed comparative analyses on protein sequences from the genomes of heterocystous cyanobacteria reported here have also identified eight conserved signature indels (CSIs) in proteins involved in a broad range of functions, and three conserved signature proteins, that are either uniquely or mainly found in all heterocysts-forming cyanobacteria, but generally not found in other cyanobacteria. These molecular markers provide novel means for the identification of heterocystous cyanobacteria, and they provide evidence of their monophyletic origin. Additionally, this work has also identified seven CSIs in other proteins which in addition to the heterocystous cyanobacteria are uniquely shared by two smaller clades of cyanobacteria, which form the successive outgroups of the clade comprising of the heterocystous cyanobacteria in the protein trees. Based upon their close relationship to the heterocystous cyanobacteria, the members of these clades are indicated to be the closest relatives of the heterocysts-forming cyanobacteria.
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22
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Wong SY, Paschos A, Gupta RS, Schellhorn HE. Insertion/deletion-based approach for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in freshwater environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:11462-11470. [PMID: 25166281 DOI: 10.1021/es502794h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 is responsible for many outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome worldwide. Monitoring this pathogen in food and water supplies is an important public health issue. Highly conserved genetic markers, which are characteristic for specific strains, can provide direct identification of target pathogens. In this study, we examined a new detection strategy for pathogenic strains of E. coli O157:H7 serotype based on a conserved signature insertion/deletion (CSI) located in the ybiX gene using TaqMan-probe-based quantitative PCR (qPCR). The qPCR assay was linear from 1.0 × 10(2) to 1.0 × 10(7) genome copies and was specific to O157:H7 when tested against a panel of 15 non-O157:H7 E. coli. The assay also maintained detection sensitivity in the presence of competing E. coli K-12, heterologous nontarget DNA spiked in at a 1000-fold and 800-fold excess of target DNA, respectively, demonstrating the assay's ability to detect E. coli O157:H7 in the presence of high levels of background DNA. This study thus validates the use of strain-specific CSIs as a new class of diagnostic marker for pathogen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Y Wong
- Department of Biology, McMaster University , Life Sciences Building, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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23
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Stadnichuk IN, Tropin IV. Antenna replacement in the evolutionary origin of chloroplasts. Microbiology (Reading) 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261714030163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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24
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Ravinesan DA, Gupta RS. Molecular signatures for members of the genus Dehalococcoides and the class Dehalococcoidia. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2014; 64:2176-2181. [PMID: 24676731 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.057919-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacteria belonging to the class Dehalococcoidia, due to their ability to dehalogenate chlorinated compounds, are of much interest for bioremediation of contaminated sites. We report here comparative analyses on different genes/proteins from the genomes of members of the class Dehalococcoidia. These studies have identified numerous novel molecular markers in the forms of conserved signature indels (CSIs) in broadly distributed proteins and conserved signature genes/proteins (CSPs), which are uniquely found in members of the class Dehalococcoidia, but except for an isolated exception, they are not found in other sequenced bacterial genomes. Of these molecular markers, nine CSIs in divergent proteins and 19 CSPs are specific for members of the genera Dehalococcoides and Dehalogenimonas, providing potential molecular markers for the bacterial class Dehalococcoidia. Additionally, four CSIs in divergent proteins and 28 CSPs are only found in all members of the genus Dehalococcoides for which genome sequences are available, but they are absent in Dehalogenimonas lykanthroporepellens and in other bacteria. The gene sequences of several of these CSPs exhibiting specificity for the genus Dehalococcoides or the class Dehalococcoidia are highly conserved and PCR primers based upon them provide a novel means for identification of other related bacteria. Two other CSIs identified in this study in the SecD and aspartate carbomyltransferase proteins weakly support an affiliation of the class Dehalococcoidia with the other members of the phylum Chloroflexi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasha A Ravinesan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Radhey S Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
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25
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Sjostrand J, Tofigh A, Daubin V, Arvestad L, Sennblad B, Lagergren J. A Bayesian Method for Analyzing Lateral Gene Transfer. Syst Biol 2014; 63:409-20. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syu007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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26
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Naushad HS, Lee B, Gupta RS. Conserved signature indels and signature proteins as novel tools for understanding microbial phylogeny and systematics: identification of molecular signatures that are specific for the phytopathogenic genera Dickeya, Pectobacterium and Brenneria. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2014; 64:366-383. [DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.054213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome sequences are enabling applications of different approaches to more clearly understand microbial phylogeny and systematics. Two of these approaches involve identification of conserved signature indels (CSIs) and conserved signature proteins (CSPs) that are specific for different lineages. These molecular markers provide novel and more definitive means for demarcation of prokaryotic taxa and for identification of species from these groups. Genome sequences are also enabling determination of phylogenetic relationships among species based upon sequences for multiple proteins. In this work, we have used all of these approaches for studying the phytopathogenic bacteria belonging to the genera
Dickeya
,
Pectobacterium
and
Brenneria
. Members of these genera, which cause numerous diseases in important food crops and ornamental plants, are presently distinguished mainly on the basis of their branching in phylogenetic trees. No biochemical or molecular characteristic is known that is uniquely shared by species from these genera. Hence, detailed studies using the above approaches were carried out on proteins from the genomes of these bacteria to identify molecular markers that are specific for them. In phylogenetic trees based upon concatenated sequences for 23 conserved proteins, members of the genera
Dickeya
,
Pectobacterium
and
Brenneria
formed a strongly supported clade within the other
Enterobacteriales
. Comparative analysis of protein sequences from the
Dickeya
,
Pectobacterium
and
Brenneria
genomes has identified 10 CSIs and five CSPs that are either uniquely or largely found in all genome-sequenced species from these genera, but not present in any other bacteria in the database. In addition, our analyses have identified 10 CSIs and 17 CSPs that are specifically present in either all or most sequenced
Dickeya
species/strains, and six CSIs and 19 CSPs that are uniquely found in the sequenced
Pectobacterium
genomes. Finally, our analysis also identified three CSIs and one CSP that are specifically shared by members of the genera
Pectobacterium
and
Brenneria
, but absent in species of the genus
Dickeya
, indicating that the former two genera shared a common ancestor exclusive of
Dickeya
. The identified CSIs and CSPs provide novel tools for identification of members of the genera
Dickeya
and
Pectobacterium
and for delimiting these taxa in molecular terms. Descriptions of the genera
Dickeya
and
Pectobacterium
have been revised to provide information for these molecular markers. Biochemical studies on these CSIs and CSPs, which are specific for these genera, may lead to discovery of novel properties that are unique to these bacteria and which could be targeted to develop antibacterial agents that are specific for these plant-pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Sohail Naushad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
| | - Brian Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
| | - Radhey S. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
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27
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Gupta RS. Identification of Conserved Indels that are Useful for Classification and Evolutionary Studies. J Microbiol Methods 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mim.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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28
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Schwarz D, Schubert H, Georg J, Hess WR, Hagemann M. The gene sml0013 of Synechocystis species strain PCC 6803 encodes for a novel subunit of the NAD(P)H oxidoreductase or complex I that is ubiquitously distributed among Cyanobacteria. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 163:1191-202. [PMID: 24089436 PMCID: PMC3813643 DOI: 10.1104/pp.113.224287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The NAD(P)H oxidoreductase or complex I (NDH1) complex participates in many processes such as respiration, cyclic electron flow, and inorganic carbon concentration in the cyanobacterial cell. Despite immense progress in our understanding of the structure-function relation of the cyanobacterial NDH1 complex, the subunits catalyzing NAD(P)H docking and oxidation are still missing. The gene sml0013 of Synechocystis 6803 encodes for a small protein of unknown function for which homologs exist in all completely known cyanobacterial genomes. The protein exhibits weak similarities to the NDH-dependent flow6 (NDF6) protein, which was reported from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chloroplasts as a NDH subunit. An sml0013 inactivation mutant of Synechocystis 6803 was generated and characterized. It showed only weak differences regarding growth and pigmentation in various culture conditions; most remarkably, it exhibited a glucose-sensitive phenotype in the light. The genome-wide expression pattern of the Δsml0013::Km mutant was almost identical to the wild type when grown under high CO2 conditions as well as after shifts to low CO2 conditions. However, measurements of the photosystem I redox kinetic in cells of the Δsml0013::Km mutant revealed differences, such as a decreased capability of cyclic electron flow as well as electron flow into respiration in comparison with the wild type. These results suggest that the Sml0013 protein (named NdhP) represents a novel subunit of the cyanobacterial NDH1 complex, mediating its coupling either to the respiratory or the photosynthetic electron flow.
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29
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Kern R, Eisenhut M, Bauwe H, Weber APM, Hagemann M. Does the Cyanophora paradoxa genome revise our view on the evolution of photorespiratory enzymes? PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2013; 15:759-768. [PMID: 23551942 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In the present-day O2 -rich atmosphere, the photorespiratory pathway is essential for organisms performing oxygenic photosynthesis; i.e. cyanobacteria, algae and land plants. The presence of enzymes for the plant-like 2-phosphoglycolate cycle in cyanobacteria indicates that, together with oxygenic photosynthesis, genes for photorespiratory enzymes were endosymbiotically conveyed from ancient cyanobacteria to photosynthetic eukaryotes. The genome information for Cyanophora paradoxa, a member of the Glaucophyta representing the first branching group of primary endosymbionts, and for many other eukaryotic algae was used to shed light on the evolutionary relationship of photorespiratory enzymes among oxygenic phototrophs. For example, it became possible to analyse the phylogenies of 2-phosphoglycolate phosphatase, serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase and hydroxypyruvate reductase. Analysis of the Cyanophora genome provided clear evidence that some photorespiratory enzymes originally acquired from cyanobacteria were lost, e.g. glycerate 3-kinase, while others were replaced by the corresponding enzymes from the α-proteobacterial endosymbiont, e.g. serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase. Generally, our analysis supports the view that many C2 cycle enzymes in eukaryotic phototrophs were obtained from the cyanobacterial endosymbiont, but during the subsequent evolution of algae and land plants multiple losses and replacements occurred, which resulted in a reticulate provenance of photorespiratory enzymes with different origins in different cellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kern
- Institut für Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Pflanzenphysiologie, Universität Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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30
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Mareš J, Hrouzek P, Kaňa R, Ventura S, Strunecký O, Komárek J. The Primitive Thylakoid-Less Cyanobacterium Gloeobacter Is a Common Rock-Dwelling Organism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66323. [PMID: 23823729 PMCID: PMC3688883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are an ancient group of photosynthetic prokaryotes, which are significant in biogeochemical cycles. The most primitive among living cyanobacteria, Gloeobacter violaceus, shows a unique ancestral cell organization with a complete absence of inner membranes (thylakoids) and an uncommon structure of the photosynthetic apparatus. Numerous phylogenetic papers proved its basal position among all of the organisms and organelles capable of plant-like photosynthesis (i.e., cyanobacteria, chloroplasts of algae and plants). Hence, G. violaceus has become one of the key species in evolutionary study of photosynthetic life. It also numbers among the most widely used organisms in experimental photosynthesis research. Except for a few related culture isolates, there has been little data on the actual biology of Gloeobacter, being relegated to an "evolutionary curiosity" with an enigmatic identity. Here we show that members of the genus Gloeobacter probably are common rock-dwelling cyanobacteria. On the basis of morphological, ultrastructural, pigment, and phylogenetic comparisons of available Gloeobacter strains, as well as on the basis of three new independent isolates and historical type specimen, we have produced strong evidence as to the close relationship of Gloeobacter to a long known rock-dwelling cyanobacterial morphospecies Aphanothece caldariorum. Our results bring new clues to solving the 40 year old puzzle of the true biological identity of Gloeobacter violaceus, a model organism with a high value in several biological disciplines. A probable broader distribution of Gloeobacter in common wet-rock habitats worldwide is suggested by our data, and its ecological meaning is discussed taking into consideration the background of cyanobacterial evolution. We provide observations of previously unknown genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity, which we expect to be utilized by experimental and evolutionary researchers worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mareš
- Institute of Botany ASCR, Centre for Phycology, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hrouzek
- Institute of Microbiology ASCR, Department of Autotrophic Microorganisms - ALGATECH, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Kaňa
- Institute of Microbiology ASCR, Department of Autotrophic Microorganisms - ALGATECH, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Stefano Ventura
- CNR-ISE Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Otakar Strunecký
- Institute of Botany ASCR, Centre for Phycology, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Komárek
- Institute of Botany ASCR, Centre for Phycology, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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31
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Naushad HS, Gupta RS. Phylogenomics and molecular signatures for species from the plant pathogen-containing order xanthomonadales. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55216. [PMID: 23408961 PMCID: PMC3568101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The species from the order Xanthomonadales, which harbors many important plant pathogens and some human pathogens, are currently distinguished primarily on the basis of their branching in the 16S rRNA tree. No molecular or biochemical characteristic is known that is specific for these bacteria. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses were conducted on 26 sequenced Xanthomonadales genomes to delineate their branching order and to identify molecular signatures consisting of conserved signature indels (CSIs) in protein sequences that are specific for these bacteria. In a phylogenetic tree based upon sequences for 28 proteins, Xanthomonadales species formed a strongly supported clade with Rhodanobacter sp. 2APBS1 as its deepest branch. Comparative analyses of protein sequences have identified 13 CSIs in widely distributed proteins such as GlnRS, TypA, MscL, LysRS, LipA, Tgt, LpxA, TolQ, ParE, PolA and TyrB that are unique to all species/strains from this order, but not found in any other bacteria. Fifteen additional CSIs in proteins (viz. CoxD, DnaE, PolA, SucA, AsnB, RecA, PyrG, LigA, MutS and TrmD) are uniquely shared by different Xanthomonadales except Rhodanobacter and in a few cases by Pseudoxanthomonas species, providing further support for the deep branching of these two genera. Five other CSIs are commonly shared by Xanthomonadales and 1–3 species from the orders Chromatiales, Methylococcales and Cardiobacteriales suggesting that these deep branching orders of Gammaproteobacteria might be specifically related. Lastly, 7 CSIs in ValRS, CarB, PyrE, GlyS, RnhB, MinD and X001065 are commonly shared by Xanthomonadales and a limited number of Beta- or Gamma-proteobacteria. Our analysis indicates that these CSIs have likely originated independently and they are not due to lateral gene transfers. The Xanthomonadales-specific CSIs reported here provide novel molecular markers for the identification of these important plant and human pathogens and also as potential targets for development of drugs/agents that specifically target these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Sohail Naushad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Radhey S. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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32
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Balsera M, Uberegui E, Susanti D, Schmitz RA, Mukhopadhyay B, Schürmann P, Buchanan BB. Ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) links the regulation of oxygenic photosynthesis to deeply rooted bacteria. PLANTA 2013; 237:619-635. [PMID: 23223880 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-012-1803-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/26/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Uncovered in studies on photosynthesis 35 years ago, redox regulation has been extended to all types of living cells. We understand a great deal about the occurrence, function, and mechanism of action of this mode of regulation, but we know little about its origin and its evolution. To help fill this gap, we have taken advantage of available genome sequences that make it possible to trace the phylogenetic roots of members of the system that was originally described for chloroplasts-ferredoxin, ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR), and thioredoxin as well as target enzymes. The results suggest that: (1) the catalytic subunit, FTRc, originated in deeply rooted microaerophilic, chemoautotrophic bacteria where it appears to function in regulating CO(2) fixation by the reverse citric acid cycle; (2) FTRc was incorporated into oxygenic photosynthetic organisms without significant structural change except for addition of a variable subunit (FTRv) seemingly to protect the Fe-S cluster against oxygen; (3) new Trxs and target enzymes were systematically added as evolution proceeded from bacteria through the different types of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms; (4) an oxygenic type of regulation preceded classical light-dark regulation in the regulation of enzymes of CO(2) fixation by the Calvin-Benson cycle; (5) FTR is not universally present in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, and in certain early representatives is seemingly functionally replaced by NADP-thioredoxin reductase; and (6) FTRc underwent structural diversification to meet the ecological needs of a variety of bacteria and archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Balsera
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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Naushad HS, Gupta RS. Phylogenomics and molecular signatures for species from the plant pathogen-containing order xanthomonadales. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55216. [PMID: 23408961 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2008.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The species from the order Xanthomonadales, which harbors many important plant pathogens and some human pathogens, are currently distinguished primarily on the basis of their branching in the 16S rRNA tree. No molecular or biochemical characteristic is known that is specific for these bacteria. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses were conducted on 26 sequenced Xanthomonadales genomes to delineate their branching order and to identify molecular signatures consisting of conserved signature indels (CSIs) in protein sequences that are specific for these bacteria. In a phylogenetic tree based upon sequences for 28 proteins, Xanthomonadales species formed a strongly supported clade with Rhodanobacter sp. 2APBS1 as its deepest branch. Comparative analyses of protein sequences have identified 13 CSIs in widely distributed proteins such as GlnRS, TypA, MscL, LysRS, LipA, Tgt, LpxA, TolQ, ParE, PolA and TyrB that are unique to all species/strains from this order, but not found in any other bacteria. Fifteen additional CSIs in proteins (viz. CoxD, DnaE, PolA, SucA, AsnB, RecA, PyrG, LigA, MutS and TrmD) are uniquely shared by different Xanthomonadales except Rhodanobacter and in a few cases by Pseudoxanthomonas species, providing further support for the deep branching of these two genera. Five other CSIs are commonly shared by Xanthomonadales and 1-3 species from the orders Chromatiales, Methylococcales and Cardiobacteriales suggesting that these deep branching orders of Gammaproteobacteria might be specifically related. Lastly, 7 CSIs in ValRS, CarB, PyrE, GlyS, RnhB, MinD and X001065 are commonly shared by Xanthomonadales and a limited number of Beta- or Gamma-proteobacteria. Our analysis indicates that these CSIs have likely originated independently and they are not due to lateral gene transfers. The Xanthomonadales-specific CSIs reported here provide novel molecular markers for the identification of these important plant and human pathogens and also as potential targets for development of drugs/agents that specifically target these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Sohail Naushad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Araki M, Shimada Y, Mimuro M, Tsuchiya T. Establishment of the reporter system for a thylakoid-lacking cyanobacterium, Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421. FEBS Open Bio 2012; 3:11-5. [PMID: 23847755 PMCID: PMC3668518 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 11/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 is considered, by molecular phylogenetic analyses, to be an early-branching cyanobacterium within the cyanobacterial clade. G. violaceus is the only known oxygenic photosynthetic organism that lacks thylakoid membranes. There is only one report on the development of a transformation system for G. violaceus [H. Guo, X. Xu, Prog. Nat. Sci. 14 (2004) 31–35] and further studies using the system have not been reported. In the present study, we succeeded in introducing an expression vector (pKUT1121) derived from a broad-host-range plasmid, RSF1010, into G. violaceus by conjugation. The frequency of transformation of our system is significantly higher than that described in the previous report. In addition, luciferase heterologously expressed in G. violaceus functioned as a reporter. The established system will promote the molecular genetic studies on G. violaceus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tohru Tsuchiya
- Corresponding author. Address: Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-nihonmatsu-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. Tel.: +81 75 753 6575; fax: +81 75 753 7909.
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A global analysis of adaptive evolution of operons in cyanobacteria. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2012; 103:331-46. [PMID: 22987250 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-012-9813-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Operons are an important feature of prokaryotic genomes. Evolution of operons is hypothesized to be adaptive and has contributed significantly towards coordinated optimization of functions. Two conflicting theories, based on (i) in situ formation to achieve co-regulation and (ii) horizontal gene transfer of functionally linked gene clusters, are generally considered to explain why and how operons have evolved. Furthermore, effects of operon evolution on genomic traits such as intergenic spacing, operon size and co-regulation are relatively less explored. Based on the conservation level in a set of diverse prokaryotes, we categorize the operonic gene pair associations and in turn the operons as ancient and recently formed. This allowed us to perform a detailed analysis of operonic structure in cyanobacteria, a morphologically and physiologically diverse group of photoautotrophs. Clustering based on operon conservation showed significant similarity with the 16S rRNA-based phylogeny, which groups the cyanobacterial strains into three clades. Clade C, dominated by strains that are believed to have undergone genome reduction, shows a larger fraction of operonic genes that are tightly packed in larger sized operons. Ancient operons are in general larger, more tightly packed, better optimized for co-regulation and part of key cellular processes. A sub-clade within Clade B, which includes Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, shows a reverse trend in intergenic spacing. Our results suggest that while in situ formation and vertical descent may be a dominant mechanism of operon evolution in cyanobacteria, optimization of intergenic spacing and co-regulation are part of an ongoing process in the life-cycle of operons.
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Schirrmeister BE, Dalquen DA, Anisimova M, Bagheri HC. Gene copy number variation and its significance in cyanobacterial phylogeny. BMC Microbiol 2012; 12:177. [PMID: 22894826 PMCID: PMC3552681 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In eukaryotes, variation in gene copy numbers is often associated with deleterious effects, but may also have positive effects. For prokaryotes, studies on gene copy number variation are rare. Previous studies have suggested that high numbers of rRNA gene copies can be advantageous in environments with changing resource availability, but further association of gene copies and phenotypic traits are not documented. We used one of the morphologically most diverse prokaryotic phyla to test whether numbers of gene copies are associated with levels of cell differentiation. Results We implemented a search algorithm that identified 44 genes with highly conserved copies across 22 fully sequenced cyanobacterial taxa. For two very basal cyanobacterial species, Gloeobacter violaceus and a thermophilic Synechococcus species, distinct phylogenetic positions previously found were supported by identical protein coding gene copy numbers. Furthermore, we found that increased ribosomal gene copy numbers showed a strong correlation to cyanobacteria capable of terminal cell differentiation. Additionally, we detected extremely low variation of 16S rRNA sequence copies within the cyanobacteria. We compared our results for 16S rRNA to three other eubacterial phyla (Chroroflexi, Spirochaetes and Bacteroidetes). Based on Bayesian phylogenetic inference and the comparisons of genetic distances, we could confirm that cyanobacterial 16S rRNA paralogs and orthologs show significantly stronger conservation than found in other eubacterial phyla. Conclusions A higher number of ribosomal operons could potentially provide an advantage to terminally differentiated cyanobacteria. Furthermore, we suggest that 16S rRNA gene copies in cyanobacteria are homogenized by both concerted evolution and purifying selection. In addition, the small ribosomal subunit in cyanobacteria appears to evolve at extraordinary slow evolutionary rates, an observation that has been made previously for morphological characteristics of cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina E Schirrmeister
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Bhandari V, Naushad HS, Gupta RS. Protein based molecular markers provide reliable means to understand prokaryotic phylogeny and support Darwinian mode of evolution. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2012; 2:98. [PMID: 22919687 PMCID: PMC3417386 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The analyses of genome sequences have led to the proposal that lateral gene transfers (LGTs) among prokaryotes are so widespread that they disguise the interrelationships among these organisms. This has led to questioning of whether the Darwinian model of evolution is applicable to prokaryotic organisms. In this review, we discuss the usefulness of taxon-specific molecular markers such as conserved signature indels (CSIs) and conserved signature proteins (CSPs) for understanding the evolutionary relationships among prokaryotes and to assess the influence of LGTs on prokaryotic evolution. The analyses of genomic sequences have identified large numbers of CSIs and CSPs that are unique properties of different groups of prokaryotes ranging from phylum to genus levels. The species distribution patterns of these molecular signatures strongly support a tree-like vertical inheritance of the genes containing these molecular signatures that is consistent with phylogenetic trees. Recent detailed studies in this regard on the Thermotogae and Archaea, which are reviewed here, have identified large numbers of CSIs and CSPs that are specific for the species from these two taxa and a number of their major clades. The genetic changes responsible for these CSIs (and CSPs) initially likely occurred in the common ancestors of these taxa and then vertically transferred to various descendants. Although some CSIs and CSPs in unrelated groups of prokaryotes were identified, their small numbers and random occurrence has no apparent influence on the consistent tree-like branching pattern emerging from other markers. These results provide evidence that although LGT is an important evolutionary force, it does not mask the tree-like branching pattern of prokaryotes or understanding of their evolutionary relationships. The identified CSIs and CSPs also provide novel and highly specific means for identification of different groups of microbes and for taxonomical and biochemical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Bhandari
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Gupta RS. Origin and Spread of Photosynthesis Based upon Conserved Sequence Features in Key Bacteriochlorophyll Biosynthesis Proteins. Mol Biol Evol 2012; 29:3397-412. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mss145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Gao B, Gupta RS. Phylogenetic framework and molecular signatures for the main clades of the phylum Actinobacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2012; 76:66-112. [PMID: 22390973 PMCID: PMC3294427 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.05011-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylum Actinobacteria harbors many important human pathogens and also provides one of the richest sources of natural products, including numerous antibiotics and other compounds of biotechnological interest. Thus, a reliable phylogeny of this large phylum and the means to accurately identify its different constituent groups are of much interest. Detailed phylogenetic and comparative analyses of >150 actinobacterial genomes reported here form the basis for achieving these objectives. In phylogenetic trees based upon 35 conserved proteins, most of the main groups of Actinobacteria as well as a number of their superageneric clades are resolved. We also describe large numbers of molecular markers consisting of conserved signature indels in protein sequences and whole proteins that are specific for either all Actinobacteria or their different clades (viz., orders, families, genera, and subgenera) at various taxonomic levels. These signatures independently support the existence of different phylogenetic clades, and based upon them, it is now possible to delimit the phylum Actinobacteria (excluding Coriobacteriia) and most of its major groups in clear molecular terms. The species distribution patterns of these markers also provide important information regarding the interrelationships among different main orders of Actinobacteria. The identified molecular markers, in addition to enabling the development of a stable and reliable phylogenetic framework for this phylum, also provide novel and powerful means for the identification of different groups of Actinobacteria in diverse environments. Genetic and biochemical studies on these Actinobacteria-specific markers should lead to the discovery of novel biochemical and/or other properties that are unique to different groups of Actinobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beile Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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40
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Bernát G, Schreiber U, Sendtko E, Stadnichuk IN, Rexroth S, Rögner M, Koenig F. Unique properties vs. common themes: the atypical cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 is capable of state transitions and blue-light-induced fluorescence quenching. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 53:528-542. [PMID: 22302714 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcs009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The atypical unicellular cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421, which diverged very early during the evolution of cyanobacteria, can be regarded as a key organism for understanding many structural, functional, regulatory and evolutionary aspects of oxygenic photosynthesis. In the present work, the performance of two basic photosynthetic adaptation/protection mechanisms, common to all other oxygenic photoautrophs, had been challenged in this ancient cyanobacterium which lacks thylakoid membranes: state transitions and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching. Both low temperature fluorescence spectra and room temperature fluorescence transients show that G. violaceus is capable of performing state transitions similar to evolutionarily more recent cyanobacteria, being in state 2 in darkness and in state 1 upon illumination by weak blue or far-red light. Compared with state 2, variable fluorescence yield in state 1 is strongly enhanced (almost 80%), while the functional absorption cross-section of PSII is only increased by 8%. In contrast to weak blue light, which enhances fluorescence yield via state 1 formation, strong blue light reversibly quenches Chl fluorescence in G. violaceus. This strongly suggests regulated heat dissipation which is triggered by the orange carotenoid protein whose presence was directly proven by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry in this primordial cyanobacterium. The results are discussed in the framework of cyanobacterial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Bernát
- Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany.
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Beck C, Knoop H, Axmann IM, Steuer R. The diversity of cyanobacterial metabolism: genome analysis of multiple phototrophic microorganisms. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:56. [PMID: 22300633 PMCID: PMC3369817 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyanobacteria are among the most abundant organisms on Earth and represent one of the oldest and most widespread clades known in modern phylogenetics. As the only known prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, cyanobacteria are considered to be a promising resource for renewable fuels and natural products. Our efforts to harness the sun's energy using cyanobacteria would greatly benefit from an increased understanding of the genomic diversity across multiple cyanobacterial strains. In this respect, the advent of novel sequencing techniques and the availability of several cyanobacterial genomes offers new opportunities for understanding microbial diversity and metabolic organization and evolution in diverse environments. RESULTS Here, we report a whole genome comparison of multiple phototrophic cyanobacteria. We describe genetic diversity found within cyanobacterial genomes, specifically with respect to metabolic functionality. Our results are based on pair-wise comparison of protein sequences and concomitant construction of clusters of likely ortholog genes. We differentiate between core, shared and unique genes and show that the majority of genes are associated with a single genome. In contrast, genes with metabolic function are strongly overrepresented within the core genome that is common to all considered strains. The analysis of metabolic diversity within core carbon metabolism reveals parts of the metabolic networks that are highly conserved, as well as highly fragmented pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our results have direct implications for resource allocation and further sequencing projects. It can be extrapolated that the number of newly identified genes still significantly increases with increasing number of new sequenced genomes. Furthermore, genome analysis of multiple phototrophic strains allows us to obtain a detailed picture of metabolic diversity that can serve as a starting point for biotechnological applications and automated metabolic reconstructions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Knoop
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilka M Axmann
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Steuer
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
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Sciuto K, Andreoli C, Rascio N, La Rocca N, Moro I. Polyphasic approach and typification of selected Phormidium strains (Cyanobacteria). Cladistics 2011; 28:357-374. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-0031.2011.00386.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Couradeau E, Benzerara K, Moreira D, Gérard E, Kaźmierczak J, Tavera R, López-García P. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic community structure in field and cultured microbialites from the alkaline Lake Alchichica (Mexico). PLoS One 2011; 6:e28767. [PMID: 22194908 PMCID: PMC3237500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The geomicrobiology of crater lake microbialites remains largely unknown despite their evolutionary interest due to their resemblance to some Archaean analogs in the dominance of in situ carbonate precipitation over accretion. Here, we studied the diversity of archaea, bacteria and protists in microbialites of the alkaline Lake Alchichica from both field samples collected along a depth gradient (0-14 m depth) and long-term-maintained laboratory aquaria. Using small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene libraries and fingerprinting methods, we detected a wide diversity of bacteria and protists contrasting with a minor fraction of archaea. Oxygenic photosynthesizers were dominated by cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms. Cyanobacterial diversity varied with depth, Oscillatoriales dominating shallow and intermediate microbialites and Pleurocapsales the deepest samples. The early-branching Gloeobacterales represented significant proportions in aquaria microbialites. Anoxygenic photosynthesizers were also diverse, comprising members of Alphaproteobacteria and Chloroflexi. Although photosynthetic microorganisms dominated in biomass, heterotrophic lineages were more diverse. We detected members of up to 21 bacterial phyla or candidate divisions, including lineages possibly involved in microbialite formation, such as sulfate-reducing Deltaproteobacteria but also Firmicutes and very diverse taxa likely able to degrade complex polymeric substances, such as Planctomycetales, Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia. Heterotrophic eukaryotes were dominated by Fungi (including members of the basal Rozellida or Cryptomycota), Choanoflagellida, Nucleariida, Amoebozoa, Alveolata and Stramenopiles. The diversity and relative abundance of many eukaryotic lineages suggest an unforeseen role for protists in microbialite ecology. Many lineages from lake microbialites were successfully maintained in aquaria. Interestingly, the diversity detected in aquarium microbialites was higher than in field samples, possibly due to more stable and favorable laboratory conditions. The maintenance of highly diverse natural microbialites in laboratory aquaria holds promise to study the role of different metabolisms in the formation of these structures under controlled conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Couradeau
- Unité d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
- Institut de Minéralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condensés, CNRS UMR 7590, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condensés, CNRS UMR 7590, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - David Moreira
- Unité d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Emmanuelle Gérard
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Józef Kaźmierczak
- Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Rosaluz Tavera
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Distrito Federal, Mexico
| | - Purificación López-García
- Unité d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
- * E-mail:
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Zhang Z, Xing C, Wang L, Gong B, Liu H. IndelFR: a database of indels in protein structures and their flanking regions. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:D512-8. [PMID: 22127860 PMCID: PMC3245007 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Insertion/deletion (indel) is one of the most common methods of protein sequence variation. Recent studies showed that indels could affect their flanking regions and they are important for protein function and evolution. Here, we describe the Indel Flanking Region Database (IndelFR, http://indel.bioinfo.sdu.edu.cn), which provides sequence and structure information about indels and their flanking regions in known protein domains. The indels were obtained through the pairwise alignment of homologous structures in SCOP superfamilies. The IndelFR database contains 2,925,017 indels with flanking regions extracted from 373,402 structural alignment pairs of 12,573 non-redundant domains from 1053 superfamilies. IndelFR provides access to information about indels and their flanking regions, including amino acid sequences, lengths, locations, secondary structure constitutions, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, domain information, 3D structures and so on. IndelFR has already been used for molecular evolution studies and may help to promote future functional studies of indels and their flanking regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
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Narechania A, Baker RH, Sit R, Kolokotronis SO, DeSalle R, Planet PJ. Random Addition Concatenation Analysis: a novel approach to the exploration of phylogenomic signal reveals strong agreement between core and shell genomic partitions in the cyanobacteria. Genome Biol Evol 2011; 4:30-43. [PMID: 22094860 PMCID: PMC3267395 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evr121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent whole-genome approaches to microbial phylogeny have emphasized partitioning genes into functional classes, often focusing on differences between a stable core of genes and a variable shell. To rigorously address the effects of partitioning and combining genes in genome-level analyses, we developed a novel technique called Random Addition Concatenation Analysis (RADICAL). RADICAL operates by sequentially concatenating randomly chosen gene partitions starting with a single-gene partition and ending with the entire genomic data set. A phylogenetic tree is built for every successive addition, and the entire process is repeated creating multiple random concatenation paths. The result is a library of trees representing a large variety of differently sized random gene partitions. This library can then be mined to identify unique topologies, assess overall agreement, and measure support for different trees. To evaluate RADICAL, we used 682 orthologous genes across 13 cyanobacterial genomes. Despite previous assertions of substantial differences between a core and a shell set of genes for this data set, RADICAL reveals the two partitions contain congruent phylogenetic signal. Substantial disagreement within the data set is limited to a few nodes and genes involved in metabolism, a functional group that is distributed evenly between the core and the shell partitions. We highlight numerous examples where RADICAL reveals aspects of phylogenetic behavior not evident by examining individual gene trees or a "'total evidence" tree. Our method also demonstrates that most emergent phylogenetic signal appears early in the concatenation process. The software is freely available at http://desalle.amnh.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva Narechania
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
| | - Richard H. Baker
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
| | - Ryan Sit
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
| | - Sergios-Orestis Kolokotronis
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
- Present address: Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University
| | - Rob DeSalle
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
| | - Paul J. Planet
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
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Microbial systematics in the post-genomics era. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2011; 101:45-54. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-011-9663-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Kern R, Bauwe H, Hagemann M. Evolution of enzymes involved in the photorespiratory 2-phosphoglycolate cycle from cyanobacteria via algae toward plants. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2011; 109:103-14. [PMID: 21222161 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-010-9615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/22/2010] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The photorespiratory pathway was shown to be essential for organisms performing oxygenic photosynthesis, cyanobacteria, algae, and plants, in the present day O(2)-containing atmosphere. The identification of a plant-like 2-phosphoglycolate cycle in cyanobacteria indicated that not only genes of oxygenic photosynthesis but also genes encoding photorespiratory enzymes were endosymbiotically conveyed from ancient cyanobacteria to eukaryotic oxygenic phototrophs. Here, we investigated the origin of the photorespiratory pathway in photosynthetic eukaryotes by phylogenetic analysis. We found that a mixture of photorespiratory enzymes of either cyanobacterial or α-proteobacterial origin is present in algae and higher plants. Three enzymes in eukaryotic phototrophs clustered closely with cyanobacterial homologs: glycolate oxidase, glycerate kinase, and hydroxypyruvate reductase. On the other hand, the mitochondrial enzymes of the photorespiratory cycle in algae and plants, glycine decarboxylase subunits and serine hydroxymethyltransferase, evolved from proteobacteria. Other than most genes for proteins of the photosynthetic machinery, nearly all enzymes involved in the 2-phosphogylcolate metabolism coexist in the genomes of cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Kern
- Universität Rostock, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Pflanzenphysiologie, Rostock, Germany
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Naushad HS, Gupta RS. Molecular signatures (conserved indels) in protein sequences that are specific for the order Pasteurellales and distinguish two of its main clades. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2011; 101:105-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-011-9628-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Hackenberg C, Kern R, Hüge J, Stal LJ, Tsuji Y, Kopka J, Shiraiwa Y, Bauwe H, Hagemann M. Cyanobacterial lactate oxidases serve as essential partners in N2 fixation and evolved into photorespiratory glycolate oxidases in plants. THE PLANT CELL 2011; 23:2978-90. [PMID: 21828292 PMCID: PMC3180805 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.111.088070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Glycolate oxidase (GOX) is an essential enzyme involved in photorespiratory metabolism in plants. In cyanobacteria and green algae, the corresponding reaction is catalyzed by glycolate dehydrogenases (GlcD). The genomes of N(2)-fixing cyanobacteria, such as Nostoc PCC 7120 and green algae, appear to harbor genes for both GlcD and GOX proteins. The GOX-like proteins from Nostoc (No-LOX) and from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii showed high L-lactate oxidase (LOX) and low GOX activities, whereas glycolate was the preferred substrate of the phylogenetically related At-GOX2 from Arabidopsis thaliana. Changing the active site of No-LOX to that of At-GOX2 by site-specific mutagenesis reversed the LOX/GOX activity ratio of No-LOX. Despite its low GOX activity, No-LOX overexpression decreased the accumulation of toxic glycolate in a cyanobacterial photorespiratory mutant and restored its ability to grow in air. A LOX-deficient Nostoc mutant grew normally in nitrate-containing medium but died under N(2)-fixing conditions. Cultivation under low oxygen rescued this lethal phenotype, indicating that N(2) fixation was more sensitive to O(2) in the Δlox Nostoc mutant than in the wild type. We propose that LOX primarily serves as an O(2)-scavenging enzyme to protect nitrogenase in extant N(2)-fixing cyanobacteria, whereas in plants it has evolved into GOX, responsible for glycolate oxidation during photorespiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hackenberg
- University of Rostock, Plant Physiology Department, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ramona Kern
- University of Rostock, Plant Physiology Department, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jan Hüge
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Lucas J. Stal
- Department of Marine Microbiology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Yoshinori Tsuji
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Joachim Kopka
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Yoshihiro Shiraiwa
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Hermann Bauwe
- University of Rostock, Plant Physiology Department, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Martin Hagemann
- University of Rostock, Plant Physiology Department, 18051 Rostock, Germany
- Address correspondence to
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Origin of diderm (Gram-negative) bacteria: antibiotic selection pressure rather than endosymbiosis likely led to the evolution of bacterial cells with two membranes. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2011; 100:171-82. [PMID: 21717204 PMCID: PMC3133647 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-011-9616-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The prokaryotic organisms can be divided into two main groups depending upon whether their cell envelopes contain one membrane (monoderms) or two membranes (diderms). It is important to understand how these and other variations that are observed in the cell envelopes of prokaryotic organisms have originated. In 2009, James Lake proposed that cells with two membranes (primarily Gram-negative bacteria) originated from an ancient endosymbiotic event involving an Actinobacteria and a Clostridia (Lake 2009). However, this Perspective argues that this proposal is based on a number of incorrect assumptions and the data presented in support of this model are also of questionable nature. Thus, there is no reliable evidence to support the endosymbiotic origin of double membrane bacteria. In contrast, many observations suggest that antibiotic selection pressure was an important selective force in prokaryotic evolution and that it likely played a central role in the evolution of diderm (Gram-negative) bacteria. Some bacterial phyla, such as Deinococcus-Thermus, which lack lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and yet contain some characteristics of the diderm bacteria, are postulated as evolutionary intermediates (simple diderms) in the transition between the monoderm bacterial taxa and the bacterial groups that have the archetypal LPS-containing outer cell membrane found in Gram-negative bacteria. It is possible to distinguish the two stages in the evolution of diderm-LPS cells (viz. monoderm bacteria → simple diderms lacking LPS → LPS containing archetypal diderm bacteria) by means of conserved inserts in the Hsp70 and Hsp60 proteins. The insert in the Hsp60 protein also distinguishes the traditional Gram-negative diderm bacterial phyla from atypical taxa of diderm bacteria (viz. Negativicutes, Fusobacteria, Synergistetes and Elusimicrobia). The Gram-negative bacterial phyla with an LPS-diderm cell envelope, as defined by the presence of the Hsp60 insert, are indicated to form a monophyletic clade and no loss of the outer membrane from any species from this group seems to have occurred. This argues against the origin of monoderm prokaryotes from diderm bacteria by loss of outer membrane.
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