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Paredes-Barrada M, Kopsiaftis P, Claassens NJ, van Kranenburg R. Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius as an emerging thermophilic cell factory. Metab Eng 2024; 83:39-51. [PMID: 38490636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.03.001] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is a thermophilic and facultatively anaerobic microbe, which is emerging as one of the most promising thermophilic model organisms for metabolic engineering. The use of thermophilic microorganisms for industrial bioprocesses provides the advantages of increased reaction rates and reduced cooling costs for bioreactors compared to their mesophilic counterparts. Moreover, it enables starch or lignocellulose degradation and fermentation to occur at the same temperature in a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) or Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP) approach. Its natural hemicellulolytic capabilities and its ability to convert CO to metabolic energy make P. thermoglucosidasius a potentially attractive host for bio-based processes. It can effectively degrade hemicellulose due to a number of hydrolytic enzymes, carbohydrate transporters, and regulatory elements coded from a genomic cluster named Hemicellulose Utilization (HUS) locus. The growing availability of effective genetic engineering tools in P. thermoglucosidasius further starts to open up its potential as a versatile thermophilic cell factory. A number of strain engineering examples showcasing the potential of P. thermoglucosidasius as a microbial chassis for the production of bulk and fine chemicals are presented along with current research bottlenecks. Ultimately, this review provides a holistic overview of the distinct metabolic characteristics of P. thermoglucosidasius and discusses research focused on expanding the native metabolic boundaries for the development of industrially relevant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Paredes-Barrada
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Richard van Kranenburg
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Corbion, Arkelsedijk 46, 4206 AC, Gorinchem, The Netherlands.
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2
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Liu J, Han X, Tao F, Xu P. Metabolic engineering of Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius for polymer-grade lactic acid production at high temperature. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130164. [PMID: 38072074 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The production and application of biodegradable polylactic acid are still severely hindered by the cost of its polymer-grade lactic acid monomers. High-temperature biomanufacturing has emerged as an increasingly attractive approach to enable low-cost and high-efficiency bulk chemical production. In this study, thermophilic Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius was reprogrammed to obtain optically pure l-lactic acid- and d-lactic acid-producing strains, G. thermoglucosidasius GTD17 and GTD7, by using rational metabolic engineering strategies including pathway construction, by-product elimination, and production enhancing. Moreover, semi-rational adaptive evolution was carried out to further improve their lactic acid synthesis performance. The final strains GTD17-55 and GTD7-144 produce 151.1 g/L of l-lactic acid and 153.1 g/L of d-lactic acid at 60 °C, respectively. In consideration of the high temperature, productive performance of these strains is superior compared to the state-of-the-art industrial strains. This study lays the foundation for the low-cost and efficient production of biodegradable plastic polylactic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiongqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Hocq R, Bottone S, Gautier A, Pflügl S. A fluorescent reporter system for anaerobic thermophiles. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1226889. [PMID: 37476481 PMCID: PMC10355840 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1226889] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to their inherent capacity to make invisible biological processes visible and quantifiable, fluorescent reporter systems have numerous applications in biotechnology. For classical fluorescent protein systems (i.e., GFP and derivatives), chromophore maturation is O2-dependent, restricting their applications to aerobic organisms. In this work, we pioneered the use of the oxygen-independent system FAST (Fluorescence Activating and absorption Shifting tag) in the thermophilic anaerobe Thermoanaerobacter kivui. We developed a modular cloning system that was used to easily clone a library of FAST expression cassettes in an E. coli-Thermoanaerobacter shuttle plasmid. FAST-mediated fluorescence was then assessed in vivo in T. kivui, and we observed bright green and red fluorescence for cells grown at 55°C. Next, we took advantage of this functional reporter system to characterize a set of homologous and heterologous promoters by quantifying gene expression, expanding the T. kivui genetic toolbox. Low fluorescence at 66°C (Topt for T. kivui) was subsequently investigated at the single-cell level using flow cytometry and attributed to plasmid instability at higher temperatures. Adaptive laboratory evolution circumvented this issue and drastically enhanced fluorescence at 66°C. Whole plasmid sequencing revealed the evolved strain carried functional plasmids truncated at the Gram-positive origin of replication, that could however not be linked to the increased fluorescence displayed by the evolved strain. Collectively, our work demonstrates the applicability of the FAST fluorescent reporter systems to T. kivui, paving the way for further applications in thermophilic anaerobes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Hocq
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Optimized Expression of Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sara Bottone
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Gautier
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules (LBM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Stefan Pflügl
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Optimized Expression of Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Weinstein JY, Martí-Gómez C, Lipsh-Sokolik R, Hoch SY, Liebermann D, Nevo R, Weissman H, Petrovich-Kopitman E, Margulies D, Ivankov D, McCandlish DM, Fleishman SJ. Designed active-site library reveals thousands of functional GFP variants. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2890. [PMID: 37210560 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38099-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in a protein active site can lead to dramatic and useful changes in protein activity. The active site, however, is sensitive to mutations due to a high density of molecular interactions, substantially reducing the likelihood of obtaining functional multipoint mutants. We introduce an atomistic and machine-learning-based approach, called high-throughput Functional Libraries (htFuncLib), that designs a sequence space in which mutations form low-energy combinations that mitigate the risk of incompatible interactions. We apply htFuncLib to the GFP chromophore-binding pocket, and, using fluorescence readout, recover >16,000 unique designs encoding as many as eight active-site mutations. Many designs exhibit substantial and useful diversity in functional thermostability (up to 96 °C), fluorescence lifetime, and quantum yield. By eliminating incompatible active-site mutations, htFuncLib generates a large diversity of functional sequences. We envision that htFuncLib will be used in one-shot optimization of activity in enzymes, binders, and other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Martí-Gómez
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Rosalie Lipsh-Sokolik
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Shlomo Yakir Hoch
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Demian Liebermann
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Reinat Nevo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Haim Weissman
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | | | - David Margulies
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Dmitry Ivankov
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - David M McCandlish
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Sarel J Fleishman
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
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Millgaard M, Bidart GN, Pogrebnyakov I, Nielsen AT, Welner DH. An improved integrative GFP-based vector for genetic engineering of Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius facilitates the identification of a key sporulation regulator. AMB Express 2023; 13:44. [PMID: 37154828 PMCID: PMC10167077 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-023-01544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is a thermophilic Gram-positive bacterium, which is a promising host organism for sustainable bio-based production processes. However, to take full advantage of the potential of P. thermoglucosidasius, more efficient tools for genetic engineering are required. The present study describes an improved shuttle vector, which speeds up recombination-based genomic modification by incorporating a thermostable sfGFP variant into the vector backbone. This additional selection marker allows for easier identification of recombinants, thereby removing the need for several culturing steps. The novel GFP-based shuttle is therefore capable of facilitating faster metabolic engineering of P. thermoglucosidasius through genomic deletion, integration, or exchange. To demonstrate the efficiency of the new system, the GFP-based vector was utilised for deletion of the spo0A gene in P. thermoglucosidasius DSM2542. This gene is known to be a key regulator of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis, and it was therefore hypothesised that the deletion of spo0A in P. thermoglucosiadius would produce an analogous sporulation-inhibited phenotype. Subsequent analyses of cell morphology and culture heat resistance suggests that the P. thermoglucosidasius ∆spo0A strain is sporulation-deficient. This strain may be an excellent starting point for future cell factory engineering of P. thermoglucosidasius, as the formation of endospores is normally not a desired trait in large-scale production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Millgaard
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Gonzalo Nahuel Bidart
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ivan Pogrebnyakov
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alex Toftgaard Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Ditte Hededam Welner
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Anderson M, Padgett CM, Dargatz CJ, Nichols CR, Vittalam KR, DeVore NM. Engineering a Yellow Thermostable Fluorescent Protein by Rational Design. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:436-443. [PMID: 36643458 PMCID: PMC9835079 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Thermal green protein (TGP) is an extremely stable, highly soluble synthetic green fluorescent protein. The quantum yield of TGP is lower than the closest related natural fluorescent protein, monomeric Azami-Green. We improved the thermal recovery of TGP through the introduction of a chromophore mutation, Q66E. Furthermore, we developed a yellow thermal protein (YTP) via mutation of histidine 193 to tyrosine. Incorporation of Q66E into YTP (YTP-E) improved chemostability and pH stability. Both YTP and YTP-E have superior thermostability compared to TGP or TGP-E. These proteins offer a new option for green or yellow fluorescence under harsh chemical or thermal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew
R. Anderson
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Missouri
State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri65897, United States
| | - Caitlin M. Padgett
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Missouri
State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri65897, United States
| | - Cammi J. Dargatz
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Missouri
State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri65897, United States
| | - Calysta R. Nichols
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Missouri
State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri65897, United States
| | - Keerti R. Vittalam
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Missouri
State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri65897, United States
- Greenwood
Laboratory School, 1024
E. Harrison, Springfield, Missouri65897, United
States
| | - Natasha M. DeVore
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Missouri
State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri65897, United States
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7
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Guidi C, De Wannemaeker L, De Baets J, Demeester W, Maertens J, De Paepe B, De Mey M. Dynamic feedback regulation for efficient membrane protein production using a small RNA-based genetic circuit in Escherichia coli. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:260. [PMID: 36522655 PMCID: PMC9753035 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Membrane proteins (MPs) are an important class of molecules with a wide array of cellular functions and are part of many metabolic pathways. Despite their great potential-as therapeutic drug targets or in microbial cell factory optimization-many challenges remain for efficient and functional expression in a host such as Escherichia coli. RESULTS A dynamically regulated small RNA-based circuit was developed to counter membrane stress caused by overexpression of different MPs. The best performing small RNAs were able to enhance the maximum specific growth rate with 123%. On culture level, the total MP production was increased two-to three-fold compared to a system without dynamic control. This strategy not only improved cell growth and production of the studied MPs, it also suggested the potential use for countering metabolic burden in general. CONCLUSIONS A dynamically regulated feedback circuit was developed that can sense metabolic stress caused by, in casu, the overexpression of an MP and responds to it by balancing the metabolic state of the cell and more specifically by downregulating the expression of the MP of interest. This negative feedback mechanism was established by implementing and optimizing simple-to-use genetic control elements based on post-transcriptional regulation: small non-coding RNAs. In addition to membrane-related stress when the MP accumulated in the cytoplasm as aggregates, the sRNA-based feedback control system was still effective for improving cell growth but resulted in a decreased total protein production. This result suggests promiscuity of the MP sensor for more than solely membrane stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Guidi
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Jasmine De Baets
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Demeester
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Maertens
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brecht De Paepe
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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New Platform for Screening Genetic Libraries at Elevated Temperatures: Biological and Genomic Information and Genetic Tools of Geobacillus thermodenitrificans K1041. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0105122. [PMID: 36069579 PMCID: PMC9499010 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01051-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Geobacillus thermodenitrificans K1041 is an unusual thermophile that is highly transformable via electroporation, making it a promising host for screening genetic libraries at elevated temperatures. In this study, we determined its biological properties, draft genome sequence, and effective vectors and also optimized the electroporation procedures in an effort to enhance its utilization. The organism exhibited swarming motility but not detectable endospore formation, and growth was rapid at 60°C under neutral and relatively low-salt conditions. Although the cells showed negligible acceptance of shuttle plasmids from general strains of Escherichia coli, methylation-controlled plasmids from dam mutant strains were efficiently accepted, suggesting circumvention of a restriction-modification system in G. thermodenitrificans K1041. We optimized the electroporation procedure to achieve efficiencies of 103 to 105 CFU/μg for five types of plasmids, which exhibited the different copy numbers and segregational stabilities in G. thermodenitrificans K1041. Some sets of plasmids were compatible. Moreover, we observed substantial plasmid-directed production of heterologous proteins in the intracellular or extracellular environments. Our successful construction of a library of promoter mutants using K1041 cells as hosts and subsequent screening at elevated temperatures to identify improved promoters revealed that G. thermodenitrificans K1041 was practical as a library host. The draft genomic sequence of the organism contained 3,384 coding genes, including resA and mcrB genes, which are involved in restriction-modification systems. Further examination revealed that in-frame deletions of resA increased transformation efficiencies, but mcrB deletion had no effect. The ΔresA mutant exhibited transformation efficiencies of >105 CFU/μg for some plasmids. IMPORTANCE Geobacillus thermodenitrificans K1041 has yet to be fully characterized. Although it is transformable via electroporation, it rarely accepts Escherichia coli-derived plasmids. This study clarified the biological and genomic properties of G. thermodenitrificans K1041. Additionally, we developed an electroporation procedure resulting in efficient acceptance of E. coli-derived plasmids. This procedure produced transformants using small amounts of plasmids immediately after the ligation reaction. Thus, G. thermodenitrificans K1041 was identified as a host for screening promoter mutants at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, because this strain efficiently produced heterologous proteins, it could serve as a host for screening thermostable proteins encoded in random mutant libraries or metagenomes. We also generated a ΔresA mutant that exhibited transformation efficiencies of >105 CFU/μg, which were highest in cases of electroporation-based transformation of Geobacillus spp. with E. coli-derived plasmids. Our findings provide a new platform for screening diverse genetic libraries at elevated temperatures.
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Wen J, Vischer NOE, de Vos AL, Manders EMM, Setlow P, Brul S. Organization and dynamics of the SpoVAEa protein and its surrounding inner membrane lipids, upon germination of Bacillus subtilis spores. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4944. [PMID: 35322191 PMCID: PMC8943000 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09147-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The SpoVA proteins make up a channel in the inner membrane (IM) of Bacillus subtilis spores. This channel responds to signals from activated germinant receptors (GRs), and allows release of Ca2+-DPA from the spore core during germination. In the current work, we studied the location and dynamics of SpoVAEa in dormant spores. Notably, the SpoVAEa-SGFP2 proteins were present in a single spot in spores, similar to the IM complex formed by all GRs termed the germinosome. However, while the GRs' spot remains in one location, the SpoVAEa-SGFP2 spot in the IM moved randomly with high frequency. It seems possible that this movement may be a means of communicating germination signals from the germinosome to the IM SpoVA channel, thus stimulating CaDPA release in germination. The dynamics of the SpoVAEa-SGFP2 and its surrounding IM region as stained by fluorescent dyes were also tracked during spore germination, as the dormant spore IM appeared to have an immobile germination related functional microdomain. This microdomain disappeared around the time of appearance of a germinated spore, and the loss of fluorescence of the IM with fluorescent dyes, as well as the appearance of peak SpoVAEa-SGFP2 fluorescent intensity occurred in parallel. These observed events were highly related to spores' rapid phase darkening, which is considered as due to rapid Ca2+DPA release. We also tested the response of SpoVAEa and the IM to thermal treatments at 40-80 °C. Heat treatment triggered an increase of green autofluorescence, which is speculated to be due to coat protein denaturation, and 80 °C treatments induce the appearance of phase-grey-like spores. These spores presumably have a similar intracellular physical state as the phase grey spores detected in the germination but lack the functional proteins for further germination events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wen
- Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Norbert O E Vischer
- Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arend L de Vos
- Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik M M Manders
- Confocal.Nl B.V., Science Park 106, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Setlow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030-3305, USA
| | - Stanley Brul
- Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Ithurbide S, Gribaldo S, Albers SV, Pende N. Spotlight on FtsZ-based cell division in Archaea. Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:665-678. [PMID: 35246355 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Compared with the extensive knowledge on cell division in model eukaryotes and bacteria, little is known about how archaea divide. Interestingly, both endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-based and FtsZ-based cell division systems are found in members of the Archaea. In the past couple of years, several studies have started to shed light on FtsZ-based cell division processes in members of the Euryarchaeota. In this review we highlight recent findings in this emerging field of research. We present current knowledge of the cell division machinery of halophiles which relies on two FtsZ proteins, and we compare it with that of methanobacteria, which relies on only one FtsZ. Finally, we discuss how these differences relate to the distinct cell envelopes of these two archaeal model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solenne Ithurbide
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Unit, CNRS UMR2001, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
| | - Sonja-Verena Albers
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Nika Pende
- Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Unit, CNRS UMR2001, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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11
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Obruča S, Dvořák P, Sedláček P, Koller M, Sedlář K, Pernicová I, Šafránek D. Polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis by halophiles and thermophiles: towards sustainable production of microbial bioplastics. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 58:107906. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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12
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Charles-Orszag A, Lord SJ, Mullins RD. High-Temperature Live-Cell Imaging of Cytokinesis, Cell Motility, and Cell-Cell Interactions in the Thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:707124. [PMID: 34447359 PMCID: PMC8383144 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.707124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant technical challenges have limited the study of extremophile cell biology. Here we describe a system for imaging samples at 75°C using high numerical aperture, oil-immersion lenses. With this system we observed and quantified the dynamics of cell division in the model thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius with unprecedented resolution. In addition, we observed previously undescribed dynamic cell shape changes, cell motility, and cell-cell interactions, shedding significant new light on the high-temperature lifestyle of this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - R. Dyche Mullins
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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13
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Kim NM, Sinnott RW, Sandoval NR. Transcription factor-based biosensors and inducible systems in non-model bacteria: current progress and future directions. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 64:39-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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14
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Pulschen AA, Mutavchiev DR, Culley S, Sebastian KN, Roubinet J, Roubinet M, Risa GT, van Wolferen M, Roubinet C, Schmidt U, Dey G, Albers SV, Henriques R, Baum B. Live Imaging of a Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Reveals Distinct Roles for Two ESCRT-III Homologs in Ensuring a Robust and Symmetric Division. Curr Biol 2020; 30:2852-2859.e4. [PMID: 32502411 PMCID: PMC7372223 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Live-cell imaging has revolutionized our understanding of dynamic cellular processes in bacteria and eukaryotes. Although similar techniques have been applied to the study of halophilic archaea [1-5], our ability to explore the cell biology of thermophilic archaea has been limited by the technical challenges of imaging at high temperatures. Sulfolobus are the most intensively studied members of TACK archaea and have well-established molecular genetics [6-9]. Additionally, studies using Sulfolobus were among the first to reveal striking similarities between the cell biology of eukaryotes and archaea [10-15]. However, to date, it has not been possible to image Sulfolobus cells as they grow and divide. Here, we report the construction of the Sulfoscope, a heated chamber on an inverted fluorescent microscope that enables live-cell imaging of thermophiles. By using thermostable fluorescent probes together with this system, we were able to image Sulfolobus acidocaldarius cells live to reveal tight coupling between changes in DNA condensation, segregation, and cell division. Furthermore, by imaging deletion mutants, we observed functional differences between the two ESCRT-III proteins implicated in cytokinesis, CdvB1 and CdvB2. The deletion of cdvB1 compromised cell division, causing occasional division failures, whereas the ΔcdvB2 exhibited a profound loss of division symmetry, generating daughter cells that vary widely in size and eventually generating ghost cells. These data indicate that DNA separation and cytokinesis are coordinated in Sulfolobus, as is the case in eukaryotes, and that two contractile ESCRT-III polymers perform distinct roles to ensure that Sulfolobus cells undergo a robust and symmetrical division.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Delyan R Mutavchiev
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Siân Culley
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Kim Nadine Sebastian
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II - Microbiology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Marleen van Wolferen
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II - Microbiology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Chantal Roubinet
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Uwe Schmidt
- Center for System Biology Dresden (CSBD), 01307 Dresden, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gautam Dey
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sonja-Verena Albers
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II - Microbiology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ricardo Henriques
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Buzz Baum
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, UCL, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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15
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Kim S, Sureka HV, Kayitmazer AB, Wang G, Swan JW, Olsen BD. Effect of Protein Surface Charge Distribution on Protein–Polyelectrolyte Complexation. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3026-3037. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sieun Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hursh V. Sureka
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | | | - Gang Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - James W. Swan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Bradley D. Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
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16
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Puzorjov A, McCormick AJ. Phycobiliproteins from extreme environments and their potential applications. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:3827-3842. [PMID: 32188986 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The light-harvesting phycobilisome complex is an important component of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and red algae. Phycobilisomes are composed of phycobiliproteins, including the blue phycobiliprotein phycocyanin, that are considered high-value products with applications in several industries. Remarkably, several cyanobacteria and red algal species retain the capacity to harvest light and photosynthesise under highly selective environments such as hot springs, and flourish in extremes of pH and elevated temperatures. These thermophilic organisms produce thermostable phycobiliproteins, which have superior qualities much needed for wider adoption of these natural pigment-proteins in the food, textile, and other industries. Here we review the available literature on the thermostability of phycobilisome components from thermophilic species and discuss how a better appreciation of phycobiliproteins from extreme environments will benefit our fundamental understanding of photosynthetic adaptation and could provide a sustainable resource for several industrial processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Puzorjov
- SynthSys and Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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17
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Kurashiki R, Mizuno T, Murata K, Ohshiro T, Suzuki H. A plasmid vector that directs hyperproduction of recombinant proteins in the thermophiles Geobacillus species. Extremophiles 2019; 24:147-156. [PMID: 31701242 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-019-01142-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Geobacillus spp. are moderate thermophiles that have great potential for use in diverse applications. For effective utilization of the species, genetic tools have been extensively studied; however, an overexpression vector remains to be developed. Here we constructed a plasmid vector that can shuttle between Escherichia coli and Geobacillus spp., and which contained a maltose-inducible promoter from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426. Although the vector (termed pGKE119) was originally designed for basal gene expression, it surprisingly directed robust protein production in G. kaustophilus. Protein production essentially occurred in an auto-inducible manner without maltose; however, some proteins were produced more efficiently in the presence of maltose. Although the productivity was affected by culture conditions, three proteins were successfully produced with abundance ratios of 12-27% (on a total protein basis) and yields of 77-170 mg (per L culture). pGKE119 directed substantial protein production even in Geobacillus subterraneus, Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius, and Geobacillus thermoleovorans. This suggests that pGKE119 can use a range of Geobacillus spp. as hosts and widely expand their genetic toolbox. Because Geobacillus spp. are highly proliferative bacteria that are distinct from organisms used as protein production hosts, pGKE119 may also provide a novel platform for hyperproduction of recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Kurashiki
- Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Sustainability Science, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Mizuno
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan
| | - Kurumi Murata
- Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohshiro
- Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan.,Center for Research on Green Sustainable Chemistry, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Suzuki
- Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan. .,Center for Research on Green Sustainable Chemistry, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8552, Japan.
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18
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Multidisciplinary involvement and potential of thermophiles. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2018; 64:389-406. [PMID: 30386965 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-018-0662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The full biotechnological exploitation of thermostable enzymes in industrial processes is necessary for their commercial interest and industrious value. The heat-tolerant and heat-resistant enzymes are a key for efficient and cost-effective translation of substrates into useful products for commercial applications. The thermophilic, hyperthermophilic, and microorganisms adapted to extreme temperatures (i.e., low-temperature lovers or psychrophiles) are a rich source of thermostable enzymes with broad-ranging thermal properties, which have structural and functional stability to underpin a variety of technologies. These enzymes are under scrutiny for their great biotechnological potential. Temperature is one of the most critical parameters that shape microorganisms and their biomolecules for stability under harsh environmental conditions. This review describes in detail the sources of thermophiles and thermostable enzymes from prokaryotes and eukaryotes (microbial cell factories). Furthermore, the review critically examines perspectives to improve modern biocatalysts, its production and performance aiming to increase their value for biotechnology through higher standards, specificity, resistance, lowing costs, etc. These thermostable and thermally adapted extremophilic enzymes have been used in a wide range of industries that span all six enzyme classes. Thus, in particular, target of this review paper is to show the possibility of both high-value-low-volume (e.g., fine-chemical synthesis) and low-value-high-volume by-products (e.g., fuels) by minimizing changes to current industrial processes.
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19
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Peculiarities and biotechnological potential of environmental adaptation by Geobacillus species. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:10425-10437. [PMID: 30310966 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9422-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The genus Geobacillus comprises thermophilic bacilli capable of endospore formation. The members of this genus provide thermostable proteins and can be used in whole cell applications at elevated temperatures; therefore, these organisms are of biotechnological importance. While these applications have been described in previous reviews, the present paper highlights the environmental adaptations and genome diversifications of Geobacillus spp. and their applications in evolutionary-protein engineering. Despite their obligate thermophilic properties, Geobacillus spp. are widely distributed in nature. Because several isolates demonstrate remarkable properties for cell reproduction in their respective niches, they seem to exist not only as endospores but also as vegetative cells in diverse environments. This suggests their excellence in environmental adaptation via genome diversification; in fact, evidence suggests that Geobacillus spp. were derived from Bacillus spp. while diversifying their genomes via horizontal gene transfer. Moreover, when subjected to an environmental stressor, Geobacillus spp. diversify their genomes using inductive mutations and transposable elements to produce derivative cells that are adaptive to the stressor. Notably, inductive mutations in Geobacillus spp. occur more rapidly and frequently than the stress-induced mutagenesis observed in other microorganisms. Owing to this, Geobacillus spp. can efficiently generate mutant genes coding for thermostable enzyme variants from the thermolabile enzyme genes under appropriate selection pressures. This phenomenon provides a new approach to generate thermostable enzymes, termed as thermoadaptation-directed enzyme evolution, thereby expanding the biotechnological potentials of Geobacillus spp. In this review, we have discussed this approach using successful examples and major challenges yet to be addressed.
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20
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Drejer EB, Hakvåg S, Irla M, Brautaset T. Genetic Tools and Techniques for Recombinant Expression in Thermophilic Bacillaceae. Microorganisms 2018; 6:microorganisms6020042. [PMID: 29748477 PMCID: PMC6027425 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are the most prominent bacterial hosts for recombinant protein production by far, additional species are being explored as alternatives for production of difficult-to-express proteins. In particular, for thermostable proteins, there is a need for hosts able to properly synthesize, fold, and excrete these in high yields, and thermophilic Bacillaceae represent one potentially interesting group of microorganisms for such purposes. A number of thermophilic Bacillaceae including B.methanolicus, B.coagulans, B.smithii, B.licheniformis, Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius, G. kaustophilus, and G. stearothermophilus are investigated concerning physiology, genomics, genetic tools, and technologies, altogether paving the way for their utilization as hosts for recombinant production of thermostable and other difficult-to-express proteins. Moreover, recent successful deployments of CRISPR/Cas9 in several of these species have accelerated the progress in their metabolic engineering, which should increase their attractiveness for future industrial-scale production of proteins. This review describes the biology of thermophilic Bacillaceae and in particular focuses on genetic tools and methods enabling use of these organisms as hosts for recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eivind B Drejer
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Sigrid Hakvåg
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Marta Irla
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Trygve Brautaset
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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21
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Yi Y, Frenzel E, Spoelder J, Elzenga JTM, van Elsas JD, Kuipers OP. Optimized fluorescent proteins for the rhizosphere-associated bacterium Bacillus mycoides with endophytic and biocontrol agent potential. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018; 10:57-74. [PMID: 29195004 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tracking of fluorescent protein (FP)-labelled rhizobacteria is a key prerequisite to gain insights into plant-bacteria interaction mechanisms. However, the performance of FPs mostly has to be optimized for the bacterial host and for the environment of intended application. We report on the construction of mutational libraries of the superfolder green fluorescent protein sfGFP and the red fluorescent protein mKate2 in the bacterium B. mycoides, which next to its potential as plant-biocontrol agent occasionally enters an endophytic lifestyle. By fluorescence-activated cell sorting and comparison of signal intensities at the colony and single-cell level, the variants sfGFP(SPS6) and mKate (KPS12) with significantly increased brightness were isolated. Their high applicability for plant-bacteria interaction studies was shown by confocal laser scanning microscopy tracking of FP-tagged B. mycoides strains after inoculation to Chinese cabbage plants in a hydroponic system. During the process of colonization, strain EC18 rapidly attached to plant roots and formed a multicellular matrix, especially at the branching regions of the root hair, which probably constitute entrance sites to establish an endophytic lifestyle. The universal applicability of the novels FPs was proven by expression from a weak promoter, dual-labelling of B. mycoides, and by excellent expression and detectability in additional soil- and rhizosphere-associated Bacillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglei Yi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elrike Frenzel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Spoelder
- Plant Physiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J Theo M Elzenga
- Plant Physiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Dirk van Elsas
- Microbial Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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