1
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Tan Y, Xiao Y, Hao T. Carbon fixation via volatile fatty acids recovery from sewage sludge through electrochemical-pretreatment-based anaerobic digestion. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 258:121736. [PMID: 38754300 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121736] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Capturing the carbon in volatile fatty acids (VFA) produced from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge has the potential to not only provide economic benefits but also reduce greenhouse gas production. This study demonstrates a chemical-free method to collect VFA from an AD instead of methane that involves electrochemical pretreatment (EPT) of sludge. Experimental results show that applying 15 V EPT for 45 min enhances acidogenesis and selectively inhibits methanogenesis, leading to a substantial VFA accumulation (2563.1 ± 307.9 mg COD/L) and achieving 2.5 times more carbon fixation than via methane production. Interfacial thermodynamic analysis shows that EPT induces a decrease in both the repulsive electrostatic energy (from 152.9 kT to 12.2 kT) and the energy barrier (from 57.0 kT to 2.6 kT) in the sludge, leading to increased sludge aggregation and entrapment of microorganisms. Molecular docking sheds lights on how the methanogens interacts with the organic matter released from EPT (e.g., alanine-tRNA ligase), showing that these interactions potentially interfere with the proteins that are associated with the activities of the methanogens and the electron transfer pathways, thereby impeding methanogenesis. Integrating EPT into AD therefore facilitates the recovery of valuable VFA and the capture of carbon from freshwater sludge, providing notable economic and environmental benefits in sewage sludge treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkai Tan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, PR China
| | - Yihang Xiao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, PR China
| | - Tianwei Hao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, PR China.
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2
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Mukhopadhyay B. A reminder-peptidoglycan cell walls indeed occur in the archaeal domain, specifically in the members of Methanobacteria and Methanopyri classes. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1329047. [PMID: 38784805 PMCID: PMC11111885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1329047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
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3
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Cena JAD, Belmok A, Kyaw CM, Dame-Teixeira N. The Archaea domain: Exploring historical and contemporary perspectives with in silico primer coverage analysis for future research in Dentistry. Arch Oral Biol 2024; 161:105936. [PMID: 38422909 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.105936] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The complete picture of how the human microbiome interacts with its host is still largely unknown, particularly concerning microorganisms beyond bacteria. Although existing in very low abundance and not directly linked to causing diseases, archaea have been detected in various sites of the human body, including the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, skin, eyes, respiratory and urinary systems. But what exactly are these microorganisms? In the early 1990 s, archaea were classified as a distinct domain of life, sharing a more recent common ancestor with eukaryotes than with bacteria. While archaea's presence and potential significance in Dentistry remain under-recognized, there are concerns that they may contribute to oral dysbiosis. However, detecting archaea in oral samples presents challenges, including difficulties in culturing, the selection of DNA extraction methods, primer design, bioinformatic analysis, and databases. DESIGN This is a comprehensive review on the oral archaeome, presenting an in-depth in silico analysis of various primers commonly used for detecting archaea in human body sites. RESULTS Among several primer pairs used for detecting archaea in human samples across the literature, only one specifically designed for detecting methanogenic archaea in stool samples, exhibited exceptional coverage levels for the domain and various archaea phyla. CONCLUSIONS Our in silico analysis underscores the need for designing new primers targeting not only methanogenic archaea but also nanoarchaeal and thaumarchaeota groups to gain a comprehensive understanding of the archaeal oral community. By doing so, researchers can pave the way for further advancements in the field of oral archaeome research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline Belmok
- Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | - Naile Dame-Teixeira
- Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brazil; Division of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, UK.
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4
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Schuster B. Exploring surface structures. eLife 2024; 13:e96485. [PMID: 38416670 PMCID: PMC10901505 DOI: 10.7554/elife.96485] [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] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The surface layer of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius consists of a flexible but stable outer protein layer that interacts with an inner, membrane-bound protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Schuster
- Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, ViennaViennaAustria
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5
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Kato S, Tahara YO, Nishimura Y, Uematsu K, Arai T, Nakane D, Ihara A, Nishizaka T, Iwasaki W, Itoh T, Miyata M, Ohkuma M. Cell surface architecture of the cultivated DPANN archaeon Nanobdella aerobiophila. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0035123. [PMID: 38289045 PMCID: PMC10882981 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00351-23] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The DPANN archaeal clade includes obligately ectosymbiotic species. Their cell surfaces potentially play an important role in the symbiotic interaction between the ectosymbionts and their hosts. However, little is known about the mechanism of ectosymbiosis. Here, we show cell surface structures of the cultivated DPANN archaeon Nanobdella aerobiophila strain MJ1T and its host Metallosphaera sedula strain MJ1HA, using a variety of electron microscopy techniques, i.e., negative-staining transmission electron microscopy, quick-freeze deep-etch TEM, and 3D electron tomography. The thickness, unit size, and lattice symmetry of the S-layer of strain MJ1T were different from those of the host archaeon strain MJ1HA. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses highlighted the most highly expressed MJ1T gene for a putative S-layer protein with multiple glycosylation sites and immunoglobulin-like folds, which has no sequence homology to known S-layer proteins. In addition, genes for putative pectin lyase- or lectin-like extracellular proteins, which are potentially involved in symbiotic interaction, were found in the MJ1T genome based on in silico 3D protein structure prediction. Live cell imaging at the optimum growth temperature of 65°C indicated that cell complexes of strains MJ1T and MJ1HA were motile, but sole MJ1T cells were not. Taken together, we propose a model of the symbiotic interaction and cell cycle of Nanobdella aerobiophila.IMPORTANCEDPANN archaea are widely distributed in a variety of natural and artificial environments and may play a considerable role in the microbial ecosystem. All of the cultivated DPANN archaea so far need host organisms for their growth, i.e., obligately ectosymbiotic. However, the mechanism of the ectosymbiosis by DPANN archaea is largely unknown. To this end, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the cultivated DPANN archaeon, Nanobdella aerobiophila, using electron microscopy, live cell imaging, transcriptomics, and genomics, including 3D protein structure prediction. Based on the results, we propose a reasonable model of the symbiotic interaction and cell cycle of Nanobdella aerobiophila, which will enhance our understanding of the enigmatic physiology and ecological significance of DPANN archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Kato
- Japan Collection of Microorganisms (JCM), RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yuhei O. Tahara
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Nishimura
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | | | | | - Daisuke Nakane
- Department of Physics, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayaka Ihara
- Department of Physics, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Wataru Iwasaki
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Itoh
- Japan Collection of Microorganisms (JCM), RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyata
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Moriya Ohkuma
- Japan Collection of Microorganisms (JCM), RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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6
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Sensevdi ER, Sourrouille ZA, Quax TE. Host range and cell recognition of archaeal viruses. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 77:102423. [PMID: 38232492 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Archaea are members of a separate domain of life that have unique properties, such as the composition of their cell walls and the structure of their lipid bilayers. Consequently, archaeal viruses face different challenges to infect host cells in comparison with viruses of bacteria and eukaryotes. Despite their significant impact on shaping microbial communities, our understanding of infection processes of archaeal viruses remains limited. Several receptors used by archaeal viruses to infect cells have recently been identified. The interactions between viruses and receptors are one of the determinants of the host range of viruses. Here, we review the current literature on host ranges of archaeal viruses and factors that might impact the width of these host ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine Rabia Sensevdi
- Biology of Archaea and Viruses, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747 Groningen AG, the Netherlands
| | - Zaloa Aguirre Sourrouille
- Biology of Archaea and Viruses, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747 Groningen AG, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa Ef Quax
- Biology of Archaea and Viruses, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747 Groningen AG, the Netherlands.
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7
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Gambelli L, McLaren M, Conners R, Sanders K, Gaines MC, Clark L, Gold VAM, Kattnig D, Sikora M, Hanus C, Isupov MN, Daum B. Structure of the two-component S-layer of the archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. eLife 2024; 13:e84617. [PMID: 38251732 PMCID: PMC10903991 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84617] [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: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Surface layers (S-layers) are resilient two-dimensional protein lattices that encapsulate many bacteria and most archaea. In archaea, S-layers usually form the only structural component of the cell wall and thus act as the final frontier between the cell and its environment. Therefore, S-layers are crucial for supporting microbial life. Notwithstanding their importance, little is known about archaeal S-layers at the atomic level. Here, we combined single-particle cryo electron microscopy, cryo electron tomography, and Alphafold2 predictions to generate an atomic model of the two-component S-layer of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. The outer component of this S-layer (SlaA) is a flexible, highly glycosylated, and stable protein. Together with the inner and membrane-bound component (SlaB), they assemble into a porous and interwoven lattice. We hypothesise that jackknife-like conformational changes in SlaA play important roles in S-layer assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Gambelli
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew McLaren
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Conners
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Kelly Sanders
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew C Gaines
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis Clark
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Vicki A M Gold
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Kattnig
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Cyril Hanus
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, Inserm UMR1266 - Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- GHU Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Michail N Isupov
- Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis, Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Bertram Daum
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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8
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Kuiper BP, Schöntag AMC, Oksanen HM, Daum B, Quax TEF. Archaeal virus entry and egress. MICROLIFE 2024; 5:uqad048. [PMID: 38234448 PMCID: PMC10791045 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Archaeal viruses display a high degree of structural and genomic diversity. Few details are known about the mechanisms by which these viruses enter and exit their host cells. Research on archaeal viruses has lately made significant progress due to advances in genetic tools and imaging techniques, such as cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). In recent years, a steady output of newly identified archaeal viral receptors and egress mechanisms has offered the first insight into how archaeal viruses interact with the archaeal cell envelope. As more details about archaeal viral entry and egress are unravelled, patterns are starting to emerge. This helps to better understand the interactions between viruses and the archaeal cell envelope and how these compare to infection strategies of viruses in other domains of life. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of archaeal viral entry and egress, shedding light onto the most elusive part of the virosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan P Kuiper
- Biology of Archaea and Viruses, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 7th floor, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anna M C Schöntag
- Biology of Archaea and Viruses, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 7th floor, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hanna M Oksanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bertram Daum
- Living Systems Institute, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Tessa E F Quax
- Biology of Archaea and Viruses, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 7th floor, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
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9
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Alarcón-Schumacher T, Lücking D, Erdmann S. Revisiting evolutionary trajectories and the organization of the Pleolipoviridae family. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010998. [PMID: 37831715 PMCID: PMC10599561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeal pleomorphic viruses belonging to the Pleolipoviridae family represent an enigmatic group as they exhibit unique genomic features and are thought to have evolved through recombination with different archaeal plasmids. However, most of our understanding of the diversity and evolutionary trajectories of this clade comes from a handful of isolated representatives. Here we present 164 new genomes of pleolipoviruses obtained from metagenomic data of Australian hypersaline lakes and publicly available metagenomic data. We perform a comprehensive analysis on the diversity and evolutionary relationships of the newly discovered viruses and previously described pleolipoviruses. We propose to classify the viruses into five genera within the Pleolipoviridae family, with one new genus represented only by virus genomes retrieved in this study. Our data support the current hypothesis that pleolipoviruses reshaped their genomes through recombining with multiple different groups of plasmids, which is reflected in the diversity of their predicted replication strategies. We show that the proposed genus Epsilonpleolipovirus has evolutionary ties to pRN1-like plasmids from Sulfolobus, suggesting that this group could be infecting other archaeal phyla. Interestingly, we observed that the genome size of pleolipoviruses is correlated to the presence or absence of an integrase. Analyses of the host range revealed that all but one virus exhibit an extremely narrow range, and we show that the predicted tertiary structure of the spike protein is strongly associated with the host family, suggesting a specific adaptation to the host S-layer glycoprotein organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominik Lücking
- Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Susanne Erdmann
- Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
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10
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Seeholzer T, Tarau D, Hollendonner L, Auer A, Rachel R, Grohmann D, Giessibl FJ, Weymouth AJ. A Next-Generation qPlus-Sensor-Based AFM Setup: Resolving Archaeal S-Layer Protein Structures in Air and Liquid. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:6949-6957. [PMID: 37527455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c02875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Surface-layer (S-layer) proteins form the outermost envelope in many bacteria and most archaea and arrange in two-dimensional quasicrystalline structures via self-assembly. We investigated S-layer proteins extracted from the archaeon Pyrobaculum aerophilium with a qPlus sensor-based atomic force microscope (AFM) in both liquid and ambient conditions and compared it to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images under vacuum conditions. For AFM scanning, a next-generation liquid cell and a new protocol for creating long and sharp sapphire tips was introduced. Initial AFM images showed only layers of residual detergent molecules (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), which are used to isolate the S-layer proteins from the cells. SDS was not visible in the TEM images, requiring more thorough sample preparation for AFM measurements. These improvements allowed us to resolve the crystallike structure of the S-layer samples with frequency-modulation AFM in both air and liquid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Seeholzer
- Faculty of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Daniela Tarau
- Institute of Microbiology and Archaea Centre, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Lea Hollendonner
- Faculty of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Andrea Auer
- Faculty of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Reinhard Rachel
- Institute of Microbiology and Archaea Centre, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Dina Grohmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Archaea Centre, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Franz J Giessibl
- Faculty of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Alfred J Weymouth
- Faculty of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
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11
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Abdel Azim A, Vizzarro A, Bellini R, Bassani I, Baudino L, Pirri CF, Verga F, Lamberti A, Menin B. Perspective on the use of methanogens in lithium recovery from brines. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233221. [PMID: 37601371 PMCID: PMC10434214 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233221] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea stand out as multipurpose biocatalysts for different applications in wide-ranging industrial sectors due to their crucial role in the methane (CH4) cycle and ubiquity in natural environments. The increasing demand for raw materials required by the manufacturing sector (i.e., metals-, concrete-, chemicals-, plastic- and lubricants-based industries) represents a milestone for the global economy and one of the main sources of CO2 emissions. Recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs) from byproducts generated along their supply chain, rather than massive mining operations for mineral extraction and metal smelting, represents a sustainable choice. Demand for lithium (Li), included among CRMs in 2023, grew by 17.1% in the last decades, mostly due to its application in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In addition to mineral deposits, the natural resources of Li comprise water, ranging from low Li concentrations (seawater and freshwater) to higher ones (salt lakes and artificial brines). Brines from water desalination can be high in Li content which can be recovered. However, biological brine treatment is not a popular methodology. The methanogenic community has already demonstrated its ability to recover several CRMs which are not essential to their metabolism. Here, we attempt to interconnect the well-established biomethanation process with Li recovery from brines, by analyzing the methanogenic species which may be suitable to grow in brine-like environments and the corresponding mechanism of recovery. Moreover, key factors which should be considered to establish the techno-economic feasibility of this process are here discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Abdel Azim
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Arianna Vizzarro
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ruggero Bellini
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bassani
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa Baudino
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Candido Fabrizio Pirri
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Verga
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Lamberti
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Menin
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
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12
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Choudhary R, Singh KS, Bisht S, Kumar S, Mohanty AK, Grover S, Kaushik JK. Host-microbe interaction and pathogen exclusion mediated by an aggregation-prone surface layer protein of Lactobacillus helveticus. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:125146. [PMID: 37271267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Probiotic surface layer proteins (Slps) have multiple functions and bacterial adhesion to host cells is one of them. The precise role of Slps in cellular adhesion is not well understood due to its low native protein yield and self-aggregative nature. Here, we report the recombinant expression and purification of biologically active Slp of Lactobacillus helveticus NCDC 288 (SlpH) in high yield. SlpH is a highly basic protein (pI = 9.4), having a molecular weight of 45 kDa. Circular Dichroism showed a prevalence of beta-strands in SlpH structure and resistance to low pH. SlpH showed binding to human intestinal tissue, enteric Caco-2 cell line, and porcine gastric mucin, but not with fibronectin, collagen type IV and laminin. SlpH inhibited the binding of the enterotoxigenic E. coli by 70 % and 76 % and that of Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344 by 71 % and 75 % to enteric Caco-2 cell line in the exclusion and competition assays, respectively. The pathogen exclusion and competition activity and tolerance to harsh gastrointestinal conditions show the potential for developing SlpH as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent against enteric pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Choudhary
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India)
| | - Kumar Siddharth Singh
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India)
| | - Sonu Bisht
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India)
| | - Sudarshan Kumar
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India)
| | - Ashok Kumar Mohanty
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India)
| | - Sunita Grover
- Dairy Microbiology Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India)
| | - Jai Kumar Kaushik
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, (India).
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13
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Swanson J, Navarrette A, Knox J, Kim H, Stanley F. Microbial Influence on the Mobility of +3 Actinides from a Salt-Based Nuclear Waste Repository. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1370. [PMID: 37374872 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061370] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biologically enhanced transport of radionuclides is one of several processes that can affect the performance of a nuclear waste repository. In this work, several microbial isolates from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) were tested for their influence on the concentration of neodymium, as an analog for +3 actinides, in simple sodium chloride solutions and in anoxic WIPP brines. Batch sorption experiments were carried out over a period of 4-5 weeks. In many cases, the effect on neodymium in solution was immediate and extensive and assumed to be due to surface complexation. However, over time, the continued loss of Nd from the solution was more likely due to biologically induced precipitation and/or mineralization and possible entrapment in extracellular polymeric substances. The results showed no correlation between organism type and the extent of its influence on neodymium in solution. However, a correlation was observed between different test matrices (simple NaCl versus high-magnesium brine versus high-NaCl brine). Further experiments were conducted to test these matrix effects, and the results showed a significant effect of magnesium concentration on the ability of microorganisms to remove Nd from solution. Possible mechanisms include cation competition and the alteration of cell surface structures. This suggests that the aqueous chemistry of the WIPP environs could play a larger role in the final disposition of +3 actinides than the microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Swanson
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
| | | | - Jandi Knox
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
| | - Hannah Kim
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
| | - Floyd Stanley
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
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14
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Tang SK, Zhi XY, Zhang Y, Makarova KS, Liu BB, Zheng GS, Zhang ZP, Zheng HJ, Wolf YI, Zhao YR, Jiang SH, Chen XM, Li EY, Zhang T, Chen PR, Feng YZ, Xiang MX, Lin ZQ, Shi JH, Chang C, Zhang X, Li R, Lou K, Wang Y, Chang L, Yin M, Yang LL, Gao HY, Zhang ZK, Tao TS, Guan TW, He FC, Lu YH, Cui HL, Koonin EV, Zhao GP, Xu P. Cellular differentiation into hyphae and spores in halophilic archaea. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1827. [PMID: 37005419 PMCID: PMC10067837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37389-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Several groups of bacteria have complex life cycles involving cellular differentiation and multicellular structures. For example, actinobacteria of the genus Streptomyces form multicellular vegetative hyphae, aerial hyphae, and spores. However, similar life cycles have not yet been described for archaea. Here, we show that several haloarchaea of the family Halobacteriaceae display a life cycle resembling that of Streptomyces bacteria. Strain YIM 93972 (isolated from a salt marsh) undergoes cellular differentiation into mycelia and spores. Other closely related strains are also able to form mycelia, and comparative genomic analyses point to gene signatures (apparent gain or loss of certain genes) that are shared by members of this clade within the Halobacteriaceae. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of non-differentiating mutants suggest that a Cdc48-family ATPase might be involved in cellular differentiation in strain YIM 93972. Additionally, a gene encoding a putative oligopeptide transporter from YIM 93972 can restore the ability to form hyphae in a Streptomyces coelicolor mutant that carries a deletion in a homologous gene cluster (bldKA-bldKE), suggesting functional equivalence. We propose strain YIM 93972 as representative of a new species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Actinoarchaeum halophilum gen. nov., sp. nov. is herewith proposed. Our demonstration of a complex life cycle in a group of haloarchaea adds a new dimension to our understanding of the biological diversity and environmental adaptation of archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Kun Tang
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
| | - Xiao-Yang Zhi
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Bing-Bing Liu
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbial Resources and Fermentation Technology, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Nanyang Institute of Technology, Nanyang, 473004, China
| | - Guo-Song Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Zhen-Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Hua-Jun Zheng
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai and Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Yu-Rong Zhao
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Song-Hao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
- Hebei Province Key Lab of Research and Application on Microbial Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Xi-Ming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - En-Yuan Li
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Pei-Ru Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
- Hebei Province Key Lab of Research and Application on Microbial Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Yu-Zhou Feng
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Ming-Xian Xiang
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Zhi-Qian Lin
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Jia-Hui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
- Hebei Province Key Lab of Research and Application on Microbial Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Cheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbial Resources and Fermentation Technology, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Nanyang Institute of Technology, Nanyang, 473004, China
| | - Rui Li
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Kai Lou
- Xinjiang Institute of Microbiology, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, 830091, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Xinjiang Institute of Microbiology, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, 830091, China
| | - Lei Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Min Yin
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Ling-Ling Yang
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Hui-Ying Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Zhong-Kai Zhang
- Biotechnology and Genetic Germplasm Resources Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, 650205, China
| | - Tian-Shen Tao
- Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Tong-Wei Guan
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu, 610039, China
| | - Fu-Chu He
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yin-Hua Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Heng-Lin Cui
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA.
| | - Guo-Ping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug,Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China.
- Hebei Province Key Lab of Research and Application on Microbial Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Hebei, 071002, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- Guizhou University, School of Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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15
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van Wolferen M, Pulschen AA, Baum B, Gribaldo S, Albers SV. The cell biology of archaea. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1744-1755. [PMID: 36253512 PMCID: PMC7613921 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has revealed the diversity and ubiquity of archaea in nature, with a growing number of studies highlighting their importance in ecology, biotechnology and even human health. Myriad lineages have been discovered, which expanded the phylogenetic breadth of archaea and revealed their central role in the evolutionary origins of eukaryotes. These discoveries, coupled with advances that enable the culturing and live imaging of archaeal cells under extreme environments, have underpinned a better understanding of their biology. In this Review we focus on the shape, internal organization and surface structures that are characteristic of archaeal cells as well as membrane remodelling, cell growth and division. We also highlight some of the technical challenges faced and discuss how new and improved technologies will help address many of the key unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen van Wolferen
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Buzz Baum
- Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Unit, CNRS UMR2001, Department of Microbiology, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France.
| | - Sonja-Verena Albers
- Molecular Biology of Archaea, Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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16
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Pfeifer K, Ehmoser EK, Rittmann SKMR, Schleper C, Pum D, Sleytr UB, Schuster B. Isolation and Characterization of Cell Envelope Fragments Comprising Archaeal S-Layer Proteins. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12142502. [PMID: 35889727 PMCID: PMC9320373 DOI: 10.3390/nano12142502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The outermost component of cell envelopes of most bacteria and almost all archaea comprise a protein lattice, which is termed Surface (S-)layer. The S-layer lattice constitutes a highly porous structure with regularly arranged pores in the nm-range. Some archaea thrive in extreme milieus, thus producing highly stable S-layer protein lattices that aid in protecting the organisms. In the present study, fragments of the cell envelope from the hyperthermophilic acidophilic archaeon Saccharolobus solfataricus P2 (SSO) have been isolated by two different methods and characterized. The organization of the fragments and the molecular sieving properties have been elucidated by transmission electron microscopy and by determining the retention efficiency of proteins varying in size, respectively. The porosity of the archaeal S-layer fragments was determined to be 45%. S-layer fragments of SSO showed a retention efficiency of up to 100% for proteins having a molecular mass of ≥ 66 kDa. Moreover, the extraction costs for SSO fragments have been reduced by more than 80% compared to conventional methods, which makes the use of these archaeal S-layer material economically attractive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Pfeifer
- Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (K.P.); (E.-K.E.); (U.B.S.)
| | - Eva-Kathrin Ehmoser
- Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (K.P.); (E.-K.E.); (U.B.S.)
| | - Simon K.-M. R. Rittmann
- Archaea Physiology & Biotechnology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
- Arkeon GmbH, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Christa Schleper
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Dietmar Pum
- Institute of Biophysics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Uwe B. Sleytr
- Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (K.P.); (E.-K.E.); (U.B.S.)
| | - Bernhard Schuster
- Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (K.P.); (E.-K.E.); (U.B.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-47654-80436
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17
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Gophna U, Altman-Price N. Horizontal Gene Transfer in Archaea-From Mechanisms to Genome Evolution. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:481-502. [PMID: 35667126 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-040820-124627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Archaea remains the least-studied and least-characterized domain of life despite its significance not just to the ecology of our planet but also to the evolution of eukaryotes. It is therefore unsurprising that research into horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in archaea has lagged behind that of bacteria. Indeed, several archaeal lineages may owe their very existence to large-scale HGT events, and thus understanding both the molecular mechanisms and the evolutionary impact of HGT in archaea is highly important. Furthermore, some mechanisms of gene exchange, such as plasmids that transmit themselves via membrane vesicles and the formation of cytoplasmic bridges that allows transfer of both chromosomal and plasmid DNA, may be archaea specific. This review summarizes what we know about HGT in archaea, and the barriers that restrict it, highlighting exciting recent discoveries and pointing out opportunities for future research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Gophna
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; ,
| | - Neta Altman-Price
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; , .,Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel
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18
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Du Y, Li H, Shao J, Wu T, Xu W, Hu X, Chen J. Adhesion and Colonization of the Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum HC-2 in the Intestine of Litopenaeus Vannamei Are Associated With Bacterial Surface Proteins. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:878874. [PMID: 35535252 PMCID: PMC9076606 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.878874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface proteins are a type of proteins expressed on the surface of bacteria that play an important role in cell wall synthesis, maintenance of cell morphology, and signaling with the host. Our previous study showed that the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum HC-2 improved the growth performance and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei. To further investigate the probiotic mechanism, we determined the automatic aggregation ability of the bacteria and surface hydrophobicity of HC-2 after being treated with 5 M of lithium chloride (LiCl) and observed the morphology and adhesion of the bacteria to HCT116 cells. The results showed that with the removal of the HC-2 surface protein, the auto-aggregation ability and surface hydrophobicity of HC-2 decreased, and the crude mucus layer coated on the bacterial surface gradually dissociated. The adhesion rate of HC-2 to HCT116 cells decreased from 98.1 to 20.9%. Moreover, a total of 201 unique proteins were identified from the mixture of the surface proteins by mass spectrometry (MS). Several proteins are involved in transcription and translation, biosynthetic or metabolic process, cell cycle or division, cell wall synthesis, and emergency response. Meanwhile, a quantitative real-time PCR qPCR_ showed that HC-2 was mainly colonized in the midgut of shrimp, and the colonization numbers were 15 times higher than that in the foregut, while the colonization rate in the hindgut was lower. The adhesion activity measurement showed that the adhesion level of HC-2 to crude intestinal mucus of L. vannamei was higher than that of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and collagen, and the adhesion capacity of the bacterial cells decreased with the extension of LiCl-treatment time. Finally, we identified the elongation factor Tu, Type I glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, small heat shock protein, and 30S ribosomal protein from the surface proteins, which may be the adhesion proteins of HC-2 colonization in the shrimp intestine. The above results indicate that surface proteins play an important role in maintaining the cell structure stability and cell adhesion. Surface proteomics analysis contributes to describing potential protein-mediated probiotic-host interactions. The identification of some interacting proteins in this work may be beneficial to further understand the adhesion/colonization mechanism and probiotic properties of L. plantarum HC-2 in the shrimp intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Du
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jianchun Shao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ting Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - WenLong Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xiaoman Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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19
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Legg MSG, Hager-Mair FF, Krauter S, Gagnon SML, Lòpez-Guzmán A, Lim C, Blaukopf M, Kosma P, Schäffer C, Evans SV. The S-layer homology domains of Paenibacillus alvei surface protein SpaA bind to cell wall polysaccharide through the terminal monosaccharide residue. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101745. [PMID: 35189140 PMCID: PMC8942822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-assembling (glyco)protein surface layers (S-layers) are ubiquitous prokaryotic cell-surface structures involved in structural maintenance, nutrient diffusion, host adhesion, virulence, and other processes, which makes them appealing targets for therapeutics and biotechnological applications as biosensors or drug delivery systems. However, unlocking this potential requires expanding our understanding of S-layer properties, especially the details of surface-attachment. S-layers of Gram-positive bacteria often are attached through the interaction of S-layer homology (SLH) domain trimers with peptidoglycan-linked secondary cell wall polymers (SCWPs). Cocrystal structures of the SLH domain trimer from the Paenibacillus alvei S-layer protein SpaA (SpaASLH) with synthetic, terminal SCWP disaccharide and trisaccharide analogs, together with isothermal titration calorimetry binding analyses, reveal that while SpaASLH accommodates longer biologically relevant SCWP ligands within both its primary (G2) and secondary (G1) binding sites, the terminal pyruvylated ManNAc moiety serves as the nearly exclusive SCWP anchoring point. Binding is accompanied by displacement of a flexible loop adjacent to the receptor site that enhances the complementarity between protein and ligand, including electrostatic complementarity with the terminal pyruvate moiety. Remarkably, binding of the pyruvylated monosaccharide SCWP fragment alone is sufficient to cause rearrangement of the receptor-binding sites in a manner necessary to accommodate longer SCWP fragments. The observation of multiple conformations in longer oligosaccharides bound to the protein, together with the demonstrated functionality of two of the three SCWP receptor-binding sites, reveals how the SpaASLH-SCWP interaction has evolved to accommodate longer SCWP ligands and alleviate the strain inherent to bacterial S-layer adhesion during growth and division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max S G Legg
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fiona F Hager-Mair
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Krauter
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susannah M L Gagnon
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arturo Lòpez-Guzmán
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Charlie Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Blaukopf
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Kosma
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Schäffer
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, NanoGlycobiology Unit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephen V Evans
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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20
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Halorubrum pleomorphic virus-6 Membrane Fusion Is Triggered by an S-Layer Component of Its Haloarchaeal Host. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020254. [PMID: 35215847 PMCID: PMC8875312 DOI: 10.3390/v14020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Haloarchaea comprise extremely halophilic organisms of the Archaea domain. They are single-cell organisms with distinctive membrane lipids and a protein-based cell wall or surface layer (S-layer) formed by a glycoprotein array. Pleolipoviruses, which infect haloarchaeal cells, have an envelope analogous to eukaryotic enveloped viruses. One such member, Halorubrum pleomorphic virus 6 (HRPV-6), has been shown to enter host cells through virus-cell membrane fusion. The HRPV-6 fusion activity was attributed to its VP4-like spike protein, but the physiological trigger required to induce membrane fusion remains yet unknown. (2) Methods: We used SDS-PAGE mass spectroscopy to characterize the S-layer extract, established a proteoliposome system, and used R18-fluorescence dequenching to measure membrane fusion. (3) Results: We show that the S-layer extraction by Mg2+ chelating from the HRPV-6 host, Halorubrum sp. SS7-4, abrogates HRPV-6 membrane fusion. When we in turn reconstituted the S-layer extract from Hrr. sp. SS7-4 onto liposomes in the presence of Mg2+, HRPV-6 membrane fusion with the proteoliposomes could be readily observed. This was not the case with liposomes alone or with proteoliposomes carrying the S-layer extract from other haloarchaea, such as Haloferax volcanii. (4) Conclusions: The S-layer extract from the host, Hrr. sp. SS7-4, corresponds to the physiological fusion trigger of HRPV-6.
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Abstract
The SUP05 clade of gammaproteobacteria (Thioglobaceae) comprises both primary producers and primary consumers of organic carbon in the oceans. Host-associated autotrophs are a principal source of carbon and other nutrients for deep-sea eukaryotes at hydrothermal vents, and their free-living relatives are a primary source of organic matter in seawater at vents and in marine oxygen minimum zones. Similar to other abundant marine heterotrophs, such as SAR11 and Roseobacter, heterotrophic Thioglobaceae use the dilute pool of osmolytes produced by phytoplankton for growth, including methylated amines and sulfonates. Heterotrophic members are common throughout the ocean, and autotrophic members are abundant at hydrothermal vents and in anoxic waters; combined, they can account for more than 50% of the total bacterial community. Studies of both cultured and uncultured representatives from this diverse family are providing novel insights into the shifting biogeochemical roles of autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria that cross oxic-anoxic boundary layers in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Morris
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
| | - Rachel L Spietz
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA;
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22
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Gambelli L, Mesman R, Versantvoort W, Diebolder CA, Engel A, Evers W, Jetten MSM, Pabst M, Daum B, van Niftrik L. The Polygonal Cell Shape and Surface Protein Layer of Anaerobic Methane-Oxidizing Methylomirabilis lanthanidiphila Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:766527. [PMID: 34925275 PMCID: PMC8671808 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.766527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylomirabilis bacteria perform anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to nitrite reduction via an intra-aerobic pathway, producing carbon dioxide and dinitrogen gas. These diderm bacteria possess an unusual polygonal cell shape with sharp ridges that run along the cell body. Previously, a putative surface protein layer (S-layer) was observed as the outermost cell layer of these bacteria. We hypothesized that this S-layer is the determining factor for their polygonal cell shape. Therefore, we enriched the S-layer from M. lanthanidiphila cells and through LC-MS/MS identified a 31 kDa candidate S-layer protein, mela_00855, which had no homology to any other known protein. Antibodies were generated against a synthesized peptide derived from the mela_00855 protein sequence and used in immunogold localization to verify its identity and location. Both on thin sections of M. lanthanidiphila cells and in negative-stained enriched S-layer patches, the immunogold localization identified mela_00855 as the S-layer protein. Using electron cryo-tomography and sub-tomogram averaging of S-layer patches, we observed that the S-layer has a hexagonal symmetry. Cryo-tomography of whole cells showed that the S-layer and the outer membrane, but not the peptidoglycan layer and the cytoplasmic membrane, exhibited the polygonal shape. Moreover, the S-layer consisted of multiple rigid sheets that partially overlapped, most likely giving rise to the unique polygonal cell shape. These characteristics make the S-layer of M. lanthanidiphila a distinctive and intriguing case to study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Gambelli
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.,College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Rob Mesman
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Versantvoort
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Christoph A Diebolder
- Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN), Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Andreas Engel
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Wiel Evers
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Martin Pabst
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Bertram Daum
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Laura van Niftrik
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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23
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Makarova KS, Wolf YI, Karamycheva S, Koonin EV. A Unique Gene Module in Thermococcales Archaea Centered on a Hypervariable Protein Containing Immunoglobulin Domains. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:721392. [PMID: 34489912 PMCID: PMC8416519 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.721392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms involved in biological conflicts and self vs nonself recognition in archaea remain poorly characterized. We apply phylogenomic analysis to identify a hypervariable gene module that is widespread among Thermococcales. These loci consist of an upstream gene coding for a large protein containing several immunoglobulin (Ig) domains and unique combinations of downstream genes, some of which also contain Ig domains. In the large Ig domain containing protein, the C-terminal Ig domain sequence is hypervariable, apparently, as a result of recombination between genes from different Thermococcales. To reflect the hypervariability, we denote this gene module VARTIG (VARiable Thermococcales IG). The overall organization of the VARTIG modules is similar to the organization of Polymorphic Toxin Systems (PTS). Archaeal genomes outside Thermococcales encode a variety of Ig domain proteins, but no counterparts to VARTIG and no Ig domains with comparable levels of variability. The specific functions of VARTIG remain unknown but the identified features of this system imply three testable hypotheses: (i) involvement in inter-microbial conflicts analogous to PTS, (ii) role in innate immunity analogous to the vertebrate complement system, and (iii) function in self vs nonself discrimination analogous to the vertebrate Major Histocompatibility Complex. The latter two hypotheses seem to be of particular interest given the apparent analogy to the vertebrate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Svetlana Karamycheva
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
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24
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Zoghi A, Massoud R, Todorov SD, Chikindas ML, Popov I, Smith S, Khosravi-Darani K. Role of the lactobacilli in food bio-decontamination: Friends with benefits. Enzyme Microb Technol 2021; 150:109861. [PMID: 34489020 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2021.109861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Food contamination such as toxins and heavy metals has been increasing in the last few decades as a result of industrialization in general and as part of food production in particular. Application of microorganisms in toxins and heavy metals bio-removal has been documented and applied as a favorable decontamination approach due to being environmentally friendly, reasonably simple, and economically feasible. Lactobacilli have been proposed and applied as a beneficial biologic sorbent for toxins and heavy metals in processes of reducing their hazardous bio-availability. The purpose of this review is to summarize the known role of Lactobacillus bacterial species in food bio-decontamination processes. After a quick glimpse of the worthy properties of lactobacilli, their cell wall structure is mentioned. Then the potential role of Lactobacillus strains for mycotoxins (aflatoxins, patulin, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, zearalenone, cyanotoxins, and trichothecenes) and heavy metals (lead, arsenic copper, mercury, cadmium, zinc, aluminum, chromium, and iron) bio-removal were described. In addition, the role of various factors in removal yield and the decontamination mechanism were explained. Finally, the lactobacilli-contaminant stability, in vivo studies, and being a friend or foe of Lactobacillus bacteria are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaleh Zoghi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramona Massoud
- Department of Food and Technology, Standard Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
- ProBacLab, Department of Advanced Convergence, Handong Global University, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37554, Republic of Korea
| | - Michael Leonidas Chikindas
- Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, USA; Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Popov
- Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Stephanie Smith
- Project SUPER, Douglass Residential College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Kianoush Khosravi-Darani
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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25
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Moreno CR, Ramires JAF, Lotufo PA, Soeiro AM, Oliveira LMDS, Ikegami RN, Kawakami JT, Pereira JDJ, Reis MM, Higuchi MDL. Morphomolecular Characterization of Serum Nanovesicles From Microbiomes Differentiates Stable and Infarcted Atherosclerotic Patients. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:694851. [PMID: 34422924 PMCID: PMC8375156 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.694851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities are considered decisive for maintaining a healthy situation or for determining diseases. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important complication of atherosclerosis caused by the rupture of atheroma plaques containing proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL), damaged proteins, lipids, and DNA, a microenvironment compatible with a pathogenic microbial community. Previously, we found that archaeal DNA-positive infectious microvesicles (iMVs) were detected in vulnerable plaques and in the sera of Chagas disease patients with heart failure. Now, we characterize and quantify the levels of serum microbiome extracellular vesicles through their size and content using morphomolecular techniques to differentiate clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD). We detected increased numbers of large iMVs (0.8–1.34 nm) with highly negative surface charge that were positive for archaeal DNA, Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigens and MMP9 in the sera of severe AMI patients, strongly favoring our hypothesis that pathogenic archaea may play a role in the worst outcomes of atherosclerosis. The highest numbers of EVs <100 nm (exosomes) and MVs from 100 to 200 nm in the stable atherosclerotic and control healthy groups compared with the AMI groups were indicative that these EVs are protective, entrapping and degrading infectious antigens and active MMP9 and protect against the development of plaque rupture. Conclusion: A microbiome with pathogenic archaea is associated with high numbers of serum iMVs in AMI with the worst prognosis. This pioneering work demonstrates that the morphomolecular characterization and quantification of iEVs in serum may constitute a promising serum prognostic biomarker in CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Rodrigues Moreno
- Laboratorio de Patologia Cardiaca, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Antonio Franchini Ramires
- Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Matos Soeiro
- Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luanda Mara da Silva Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigação em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiências - LIM56, Departamento de Dermatologia, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Nishiyama Ikegami
- Laboratorio de Patologia Cardiaca, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joyce Tiyeko Kawakami
- Laboratorio de Patologia Cardiaca, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline de Jesus Pereira
- Laboratorio de Patologia Cardiaca, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcia Martins Reis
- Laboratorio de Patologia Cardiaca, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria de Lourdes Higuchi
- Laboratorio de Patologia Cardiaca, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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26
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Analysis of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Granules in Haloferax mediterranei by Double-Fluorescence Staining with Nile Red and SYBR Green by Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13101582. [PMID: 34069083 PMCID: PMC8156647 DOI: 10.3390/polym13101582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Haloferaxmediterranei is a haloarchaeon of high interest in biotechnology because it produces and mobilizes intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules during growth under stress conditions (limitation of phosphorous in the culture media), among other interesting metabolites (enzymes, carotenoids, etc.). The capability of PHA production by microbes can be monitored with the use of staining-based methods. However, the staining of haloarchaea cells is a challenging task; firstly, due to the high ionic strength of the medium, which is inappropriate for most of dyes, and secondly, due to the low permeability of the haloarchaea S-layer to macromolecules. In this work, Haloferax mediterranei is used as a halophilic archaeon model to describe an optimized protocol for the visualization and analysis of intracellular PHA granules in living cells. The method is based on double-fluorescence staining using Nile red and SYBR Green by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Thanks to this method, the capability of PHA production by new haloarchaea isolates could be easily monitored.
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27
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Shafiee RT, Snow JT, Hester S, Zhang Q, Rickaby REM. Proteomic response of the marine ammonia-oxidising archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus to iron limitation reveals strategies to compensate for nutrient scarcity. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:835-849. [PMID: 33876540 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dissolved iron (Fe) is vanishingly low in the oceans, with ecological success conferred to microorganisms that can restructure their biochemistry to maintain high growth rates during Fe scarcity. Chemolithoautotrophic ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) are highly abundant in the oceans, constituting ~30% of cells below the photic zone. Here we examine the proteomic response of the AOA isolate Nitrosopumilus maritimus to growth-limiting Fe concentrations. Under Fe limitation, we observed a significant reduction in the intensity of Fe-dense ferredoxins associated with respiratory complex I whilst complex III and IV proteins with more central roles in the electron transport chain remain unchanged. We concomitantly observed an increase in the intensity of Fe-free functional alternatives such as flavodoxin and plastocyanin, thioredoxin and alkyl hydroperoxide which are known to mediate electron transport and reactive oxygen species detoxification, respectively. Under Fe limitation, we found a marked increase in the intensity of the ABC phosphonate transport system (Phn), highlighting an intriguing link between Fe and P cycling in N. maritimus. We hypothesise that an elevated uptake of exogenous phosphonates under Fe limitation may either supplement N. maritimus' endogenous methylphosphonate biosynthesis pathway - which requires Fe - or enhance the production of phosphonate-containing exopolysaccharides known to efficiently bind environmental Fe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana T Shafiee
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Joseph T Snow
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Svenja Hester
- Department of Biochemistry, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Rosalind E M Rickaby
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
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28
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Subramanian RH, Suzuki Y, Tallorin L, Sahu S, Thompson M, Gianneschi NC, Burkart MD, Tezcan FA. Enzyme-Directed Functionalization of Designed, Two-Dimensional Protein Lattices. Biochemistry 2021; 60:1050-1062. [PMID: 32706243 PMCID: PMC7855359 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The design and construction of crystalline protein arrays to selectively assemble ordered nanoscale materials have potential applications in sensing, catalysis, and medicine. Whereas numerous designs have been implemented for the bottom-up construction of protein assemblies, the generation of artificial functional materials has been relatively unexplored. Enzyme-directed post-translational modifications are responsible for the functional diversity of the proteome and, thus, could be harnessed to selectively modify artificial protein assemblies. In this study, we describe the use of phosphopantetheinyl transferases (PPTases), a class of enzymes that covalently modify proteins using coenzyme A (CoA), to site-selectively tailor the surface of designed, two-dimensional (2D) protein crystals. We demonstrate that a short peptide (ybbR) or a molecular tag (CoA) can be covalently tethered to 2D arrays to enable enzymatic functionalization using Sfp PPTase. The site-specific modification of two different protein array platforms is facilitated by PPTases to afford both small molecule- and protein-functionalized surfaces with no loss of crystalline order. This work highlights the potential for chemoenzymatic modification of large protein surfaces toward the generation of sophisticated protein platforms reminiscent of the complex landscape of cell surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit H. Subramanian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuta Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Current address: Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan, 606-8501
| | - Lorillee Tallorin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Swagat Sahu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Thompson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Nathan C. Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Michael D. Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - F. Akif Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Ravi J, Fioravanti A. S-layers: The Proteinaceous Multifunctional Armors of Gram-Positive Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:663468. [PMID: 33889148 PMCID: PMC8056022 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.663468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
S-layers are self-assembled crystalline 2D lattices enclosing the cell envelopes of several bacteria and archaea. Despite their abundance, the landscape of S-layer structure and function remains a land of wonder. By virtue of their location, bacterial S-layers have been hypothesized to add structural stability to the cell envelope. In addition, S-layers are implicated in mediating cell-environment and cell-host interactions playing a key role in adhesion, cell growth, and division. Significant strides in the understanding of these bacterial cell envelope components were made possible by recent studies that have provided structural and functional insights on the critical S-layer and S-layer-associated proteins (SLPs and SLAPs), highlighting their roles in pathogenicity and their potential as therapeutic or vaccine targets. In this mini-review, we revisit the sequence-structure-function relationships of S-layers, SLPs, and SLAPs in Gram-positive pathogens, focusing on the best-studied classes, Bacilli (Bacillus anthracis) and Clostridia (Clostridioides difficile). We delineate the domains and their architectures in archetypal S-layer proteins across Gram-positive genera and reconcile them with experimental findings. Similarly, we highlight a few key "flavors" of SLPs displayed by Gram-positive pathogens to assemble and support the bacterial S-layers. Together, these findings indicate that S-layers are excellent candidates for translational research (developing diagnostics, antibacterial therapeutics, and vaccines) since they display the three crucial characteristics: accessible location at the cell surface, abundance, and unique lineage-specific signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Ravi
- Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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30
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Two Archaeal Metagenome-Assembled Genomes from El Tatio Provide New Insights into the Crenarchaeota Phylum. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030391. [PMID: 33803363 PMCID: PMC7999037 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A phylogenomic and functional analysis of the first two Crenarchaeota MAGs belonging to El Tatio geysers fields in Chile is reported. A soil sample contiguous to a geothermal activity exposed lagoon of El Tatio was used for shotgun sequencing. Afterwards, contigs were binned into individual population-specific genomes data. A phylogenetic placement was carried out for both MAG 9-5TAT and MAG 47-5TAT. Then functional comparisons and metabolic reconstruction were carried out. Results showed that both MAG 9-5TAT and MAG 47-5TAT likely represent new species in the genus Thermoproteus and the genus Sulfolobus, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the phylogenetic and genomic diversity for archaea species that inhabit the El Tatio geysers field and expand the understanding of the Crenarchaeota phylum diversity.
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31
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Haber M, Burgsdorf I, Handley KM, Rubin-Blum M, Steindler L. Genomic Insights Into the Lifestyles of Thaumarchaeota Inside Sponges. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:622824. [PMID: 33537022 PMCID: PMC7848895 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.622824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sponges are among the oldest metazoans and their success is partly due to their abundant and diverse microbial symbionts. They are one of the few animals that have Thaumarchaeota symbionts. Here we compare genomes of 11 Thaumarchaeota sponge symbionts, including three new genomes, to free-living ones. Like their free-living counterparts, sponge-associated Thaumarchaeota can oxidize ammonia, fix carbon, and produce several vitamins. Adaptions to life inside the sponge host include enrichment in transposases, toxin-antitoxin systems and restriction modifications systems, enrichments previously reported also from bacterial sponge symbionts. Most thaumarchaeal sponge symbionts lost the ability to synthesize rhamnose, which likely alters their cell surface and allows them to evade digestion by the host. All but one archaeal sponge symbiont encoded a high-affinity, branched-chain amino acid transporter system that was absent from the analyzed free-living thaumarchaeota suggesting a mixotrophic lifestyle for the sponge symbionts. Most of the other unique features found in sponge-associated Thaumarchaeota, were limited to only a few specific symbionts. These features included the presence of exopolyphosphatases and a glycine cleavage system found in the novel genomes. Thaumarchaeota have thus likely highly specific interactions with their sponge host, which is supported by the limited number of host sponge species to which each of these symbionts is restricted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Haber
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Ilia Burgsdorf
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kim M. Handley
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maxim Rubin-Blum
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute, Haifa, Israel
| | - Laura Steindler
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Pfeifer K, Ergal İ, Koller M, Basen M, Schuster B, Rittmann SKMR. Archaea Biotechnology. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 47:107668. [PMID: 33271237 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Archaea are a domain of prokaryotic organisms with intriguing physiological characteristics and ecological importance. In Microbial Biotechnology, archaea are historically overshadowed by bacteria and eukaryotes in terms of public awareness, industrial application, and scientific studies, although their biochemical and physiological properties show a vast potential for a wide range of biotechnological applications. Today, the majority of microbial cell factories utilized for the production of value-added and high value compounds on an industrial scale are bacterial, fungal or algae based. Nevertheless, archaea are becoming ever more relevant for biotechnology as their cultivation and genetic systems improve. Some of the main advantages of archaeal cell factories are the ability to cultivate many of these often extremophilic organisms under non-sterile conditions, and to utilize inexpensive feedstocks often toxic to other microorganisms, thus drastically reducing cultivation costs. Currently, the only commercially available products of archaeal cell factories are bacterioruberin, squalene, bacteriorhodopsin and diether-/tetraether-lipids, all of which are produced utilizing halophiles. Other archaeal products, such as carotenoids and biohydrogen, as well as polyhydroxyalkanoates and methane are in early to advanced development stages, respectively. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of Archaea Biotechnology by describing the actual state of research and development as well as the industrial utilization of archaeal cell factories, their role and their potential in the future of sustainable bioprocessing, and to illustrate their physiological and biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Pfeifer
- Archaea Physiology & Biotechnology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Universität Wien, Wien, Austria; Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Wien, Austria
| | - İpek Ergal
- Archaea Physiology & Biotechnology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Universität Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - Martin Koller
- Office of Research Management and Service, c/o Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Austria
| | - Mirko Basen
- Microbial Physiology Group, Division of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schuster
- Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Wien, Austria
| | - Simon K-M R Rittmann
- Archaea Physiology & Biotechnology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Universität Wien, Wien, Austria.
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Bharat TAM, von Kügelgen A, Alva V. Molecular Logic of Prokaryotic Surface Layer Structures. Trends Microbiol 2020; 29:405-415. [PMID: 33121898 PMCID: PMC8559796 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Most prokaryotic cells are encased in a surface layer (S-layer) consisting of a paracrystalline array of repeating lattice-forming proteins. S-layer proteins populate a vast and diverse sequence space, performing disparate functions in prokaryotic cells, including cellular defense, cell-shape maintenance, and regulation of import and export of materials. This article highlights recent advances in the understanding of S-layer structure and assembly, made possible by rapidly evolving structural and cell biology methods. We underscore shared assembly principles revealed by recent work and discuss a common molecular framework that may be used to understand the structural organization of S-layer proteins across bacteria and archaea. Despite enormous sequence diversity in surface (S)-layer proteins, structural diversity is much lower than previously thought. S-layer proteins have a bipartite arrangement with a lattice-forming and an anchoring segment. Novel structural biology methods are revealing the architectures of S-layers in situ. S-layer assembly across prokaryotes is tightly coupled to the cell cycle, including the cell division machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmay A M Bharat
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK; Central Oxford Structural Microscopy and Imaging Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Andriko von Kügelgen
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK; Central Oxford Structural Microscopy and Imaging Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Vikram Alva
- Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
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Quemin ERJ, Machala EA, Vollmer B, Pražák V, Vasishtan D, Rosch R, Grange M, Franken LE, Baker LA, Grünewald K. Cellular Electron Cryo-Tomography to Study Virus-Host Interactions. Annu Rev Virol 2020; 7:239-262. [PMID: 32631159 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-021920-115935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites that reprogram host cells upon infection to produce viral progeny. Here, we review recent structural insights into virus-host interactions in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes unveiled by cellular electron cryo-tomography (cryoET). This advanced three-dimensional imaging technique of vitreous samples in near-native state has matured over the past two decades and proven powerful in revealing molecular mechanisms underlying viral replication. Initial studies were restricted to cell peripheries and typically focused on early infection steps, analyzing surface proteins and viral entry. Recent developments including cryo-thinning techniques, phase-plate imaging, and correlative approaches have been instrumental in also targeting rare events inside infected cells. When combined with advances in dedicated image analyses and processing methods, details of virus assembly and egress at (sub)nanometer resolution were uncovered. Altogether, we provide a historical and technical perspective and discuss future directions and impacts of cryoET for integrative structural cell biology analyses of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle R J Quemin
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Emily A Machala
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Vollmer
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany;
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Vojtěch Pražák
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Daven Vasishtan
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Rene Rosch
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Michael Grange
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Linda E Franken
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Lindsay A Baker
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Kay Grünewald
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany;
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
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Ali S, Jenkins B, Cheng J, Lobb B, Wei X, Egan S, Charles TC, McConkey BJ, Austin J, Doxey AC. Slr4, a newly identified S-layer protein from marine Gammaproteobacteria, is a major biofilm matrix component. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:979-990. [PMID: 32804439 PMCID: PMC7821379 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
S‐layers are paracrystalline proteinaceous lattices that surround prokaryotic cells, forming a critical interface between the cells and their extracellular environment. Here, we report the discovery of a novel S‐layer protein present in the Gram‐negative marine organism, Pseudoalteromonas tunicata D2. An uncharacterized protein (EAR28894) was identified as the most abundant protein in planktonic cultures and biofilms. Bioinformatic methods predicted a beta‐helical structure for EAR28894 similar to the Caulobacter S‐layer protein, RsaA, despite sharing less than 20% sequence identity. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that purified EAR28894 protein assembled into paracrystalline sheets with a unique square lattice symmetry and a unit cell spacing of ~9.1 nm. An S‐layer was found surrounding the outer membrane in wild‐type cells and completely removed from cells in an EAR28894 deletion mutant. S‐layer material also appeared to be “shed” from wild‐type cells and was highly abundant in the extracellular matrix where it is associated with outer membrane vesicles and other matrix components. EAR28894 and its homologs form a new family of S‐layer proteins that are widely distributed in Gammaproteobacteria including species of Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio, and found exclusively in marine metagenomes. We propose the name Slr4 for this novel protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sura Ali
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin Jenkins
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jiujun Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Metagenom Bio Life Science Inc., Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Briallen Lobb
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Suhelen Egan
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Trevor C Charles
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Metagenom Bio Life Science Inc., Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - John Austin
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew C Doxey
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Malamud M, Cavallero GJ, Casabuono AC, Lepenies B, Serradell MDLÁ, Couto AS. Immunostimulation by Lactobacillus kefiri S-layer proteins with distinct glycosylation patterns requires different lectin partners. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14430-14444. [PMID: 32817316 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
S-layer (glyco)-proteins (SLPs) form a nanostructured envelope that covers the surface of different prokaryotes and show immunomodulatory activity. Previously, we have demonstrated that the S-layer glycoprotein from probiotic Lactobacillus kefiri CIDCA 8348 (SLP-8348) is recognized by Mincle (macrophage inducible C-type lectin receptor), and its adjuvanticity depends on the integrity of its glycans. However, the glycan's structure has not been described so far. Herein, we analyze the glycosylation pattern of three SLPs, SLP-8348, SLP-8321, and SLP-5818, and explore how these patterns impact their recognition by C-type lectin receptors and the immunomodulatory effect of the L. kefiri SLPs on antigen-presenting cells. High-performance anion-exchange chromatography-pulse amperometric detector performed after β-elimination showed glucose as the major component in the O-glycans of the three SLPs; however, some differences in the length of hexose chains were observed. No N-glycosylation signals were detected in SLP-8348 and SLP-8321, but SLP-5818 was observed to have two sites carrying complex N-glycans based on a site-specific analysis and a glycomic workflow of the permethylated glycans. SLP-8348 was previously shown to enhance LPS-induced activation on both RAW264.7 macrophages and murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells; we now show that SLP-8321 and SLP-5818 have a similar effect regardless of the differences in their glycosylation patterns. Studies performed with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from C-type lectin receptor-deficient mice revealed that the immunostimulatory activity of SLP-8321 depends on its recognition by Mincle, whereas SLP-5818's effects are dependent on SignR3 (murine ortholog of human DC-SIGN). These findings encourage further investigation of both the potential application of these SLPs as new adjuvants and the protein glycosylation mechanisms in these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Malamud
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.,University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Immunology Unit & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gustavo J Cavallero
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Investigación en Hidratos de Carbono, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adriana C Casabuono
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Investigación en Hidratos de Carbono, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bernd Lepenies
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Immunology Unit & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, Hannover, Germany
| | - María de Los Ángeles Serradell
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Alicia S Couto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Investigación en Hidratos de Carbono, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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37
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Mughal F, Nasir A, Caetano-Anollés G. The origin and evolution of viruses inferred from fold family structure. Arch Virol 2020; 165:2177-2191. [PMID: 32748179 PMCID: PMC7398281 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04724-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The canonical frameworks of viral evolution describe viruses as cellular predecessors, reduced forms of cells, or entities that escaped cellular control. The discovery of giant viruses has changed these standard paradigms. Their genetic, proteomic and structural complexities resemble those of cells, prompting a redefinition and reclassification of viruses. In a previous genome-wide analysis of the evolution of structural domains in proteomes, with domains defined at the fold superfamily level, we found the origins of viruses intertwined with those of ancient cells. Here, we extend these data-driven analyses to the study of fold families confirming the co-evolution of viruses and ancient cells and the genetic ability of viruses to foster molecular innovation. The results support our suggestion that viruses arose by genomic reduction from ancient cells and validate a co-evolutionary ‘symbiogenic’ model of viral origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fizza Mughal
- Evolutionary Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Arshan Nasir
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Gustavo Caetano-Anollés
- Evolutionary Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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38
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Eichler J. N-glycosylation in Archaea-New roles for an ancient posttranslational modification. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:735-741. [PMID: 32633872 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Genome analysis points to N-glycosylation as being an almost universal posttranslational modification in Archaea. Although such predictions have been confirmed in only a limited number of species, such studies are making it increasingly clear that the N-linked glycans which decorate archaeal glycoproteins present diversity in terms of both glycan composition and architecture far beyond what is seen in the other two domains of life. In addition to continuing to decipher pathways of N-glycosylation, recent efforts have revealed how Archaea exploit this variability in novel roles. As well as encouraging glycoprotein synthesis, folding and assembly into properly functioning higher ordered complexes, N-glycosylation also provides Archaea with a strategy to cope with changing environments. Archaea can, moreover, exploit the apparent species-specific nature of N-glycosylation for selectivity in mating, and hence, to maintain species boundaries, and in other events where cell-selective interactions are required. At the same time, addressing components of N-glycosylation pathways across archaeal phylogeny offers support for the concept of an archaeal origin for eukaryotes. In this MicroReview, these and other recent discoveries related to N-glycosylation in Archaea are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Eichler
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel
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39
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Simonin P, Lombard C, Huguet A, Kish A. Improved Isolation of SlaA and SlaB S-layer proteins in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Extremophiles 2020; 24:673-680. [PMID: 32494965 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-020-01179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Sulfolobus acidocaldarius S-layer is composed of two main proteins: SlaA, which forms the ordered structure of the S-layer matrix, and SlaB, which supports and anchors the S-layer into the tetraether lipid membrane. While SlaA has previously been purified by exploiting its thermotolerance and high resistance to detergents, SlaB has resisted isolation, particularly from the cell membrane. Removal of proteins other than those of the S-layer is especially difficult if large batch-scale culture volumes are unavailable. Here, we describe a benchtop-scale protocol for the purification of SlaA from S. acidocaldarius, enabling isolation of SlaB using size exclusion chromatography (gel filtration). Using this protocol, we were able to identify for the first time tetraether lipids strongly attached to SlaB via heat- and detergent-resistant interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Simonin
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, CP 54, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Carine Lombard
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, CP 54, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Huguet
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, École Pratique des Hautes Études, UMR 7619 METIS, 4, place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Adrienne Kish
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, CP 54, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France.
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40
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Tourte M, Schaeffer P, Grossi V, Oger PM. Functionalized Membrane Domains: An Ancestral Feature of Archaea? Front Microbiol 2020; 11:526. [PMID: 32296409 PMCID: PMC7137397 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria and Eukarya organize their plasma membrane spatially into domains of distinct functions. Due to the uniqueness of their lipids, membrane functionalization in Archaea remains a debated area. A novel membrane ultrastructure predicts that monolayer and bilayer domains would be laterally segregated in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus barophilus. With very different physico-chemical parameters of the mono- and bilayer, each domain type would thus allow the docking of different membrane proteins and express different biological functions in the membrane. To estimate the ubiquity of this putative membrane ultrastructure in and out of the order Thermococcales, we re-analyzed the core lipid composition of all the Thermococcales type species and collected all the literature data available for isolated archaea. We show that all species of Thermococcales synthesize a mixture of diether bilayer forming and tetraether monolayer forming lipids, in various ratio from 10 to 80% diether in Pyrococcus horikoshii and Thermococcus gorgonarius, respectively. Since the domain formation prediction rests only on the coexistence of di- and tetraether lipids, we show that all Thermococcales have the ability for domain formation, i.e., differential functionalization of their membrane. Extrapolating this view to the whole Archaea domain, we show that almost all archaea also have the ability to synthesize di- and tetraether lipids, which supports the view that functionalized membrane domains may be shared between all Archaea. Hence domain formation and membrane compartmentalization may have predated the separation of the three domains of life and be essential for the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Tourte
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, CNRS, MAP UMR 5240, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Philippe Schaeffer
- Université de Strasbourg-CNRS, UMR 7177, Laboratoire de Biogéochimie Moléculaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Vincent Grossi
- Université de Lyon, ENS Lyon, CNRS, Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, UMR 5276, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Phil M. Oger
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, CNRS, MAP UMR 5240, Villeurbanne, France
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Abdul-Halim MF, Schulze S, DiLucido A, Pfeiffer F, Bisson Filho AW, Pohlschroder M. Lipid Anchoring of Archaeosortase Substrates and Midcell Growth in Haloarchaea. mBio 2020; 11:e00349-20. [PMID: 32209681 PMCID: PMC7157517 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00349-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The archaeal cytoplasmic membrane provides an anchor for many surface proteins. Recently, a novel membrane anchoring mechanism involving a peptidase, archaeosortase A (ArtA), and C-terminal lipid attachment of surface proteins was identified in the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii ArtA is required for optimal cell growth and morphogenesis, and the S-layer glycoprotein (SLG), the sole component of the H. volcanii cell wall, is one of the targets for this anchoring mechanism. However, how exactly ArtA function and regulation control cell growth and morphogenesis is still elusive. Here, we report that archaeal homologs to the bacterial phosphatidylserine synthase (PssA) and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PssD) are involved in ArtA-dependent protein maturation. Haloferax volcanii strains lacking either HvPssA or HvPssD exhibited motility, growth, and morphological phenotypes similar to those of an ΔartA mutant. Moreover, we showed a loss of covalent lipid attachment to SLG in the ΔhvpssA mutant and that proteolytic cleavage of the ArtA substrate HVO_0405 was blocked in the ΔhvpssA and ΔhvpssD mutant strains. Strikingly, ArtA, HvPssA, and HvPssD green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions colocalized to the midcell position of H. volcanii cells, strongly supporting that they are involved in the same pathway. Finally, we have shown that the SLG is also recruited to the midcell before being secreted and lipid anchored at the cell outer surface. Collectively, our data suggest that haloarchaea use the midcell as the main surface processing hot spot for cell elongation, division, and shape determination.IMPORTANCE The subcellular organization of biochemical processes in space and time is still one of the most mysterious topics in archaeal cell biology. Despite the fact that haloarchaea largely rely on covalent lipid anchoring to coat the cell envelope, little is known about how cells coordinate de novo synthesis and about the insertion of this proteinaceous layer throughout the cell cycle. Here, we report the identification of two novel contributors to ArtA-dependent lipid-mediated protein anchoring to the cell surface, HvPssA and HvPssD. ArtA, HvPssA, and HvPssD, as well as SLG, showed midcell localization during growth and cytokinesis, indicating that haloarchaeal cells confine phospholipid processing in order to promote midcell elongation. Our findings have important implications for the biogenesis of the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Schulze
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anthony DiLucido
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Friedhelm Pfeiffer
- Computational Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alexandre Wilson Bisson Filho
- Department of Biology, Rosenstiel Basic Medical Science Research Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
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42
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Damiati S, Schuster B. Electrochemical Biosensors Based on S-Layer Proteins. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E1721. [PMID: 32204503 PMCID: PMC7147708 DOI: 10.3390/s20061721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Designing and development of electrochemical biosensors enable molecule sensing and quantification of biochemical compositions with multitudinous benefits such as monitoring, detection, and feedback for medical and biotechnological applications. Integrating bioinspired materials and electrochemical techniques promote specific, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive biosensing platforms for (e.g., point-of-care testing). The selection of biomaterials to decorate a biosensor surface is a critical issue as it strongly affects selectivity and sensitivity. In this context, smart biomaterials with the intrinsic self-assemble capability like bacterial surface (S-) layer proteins are of paramount importance. Indeed, by forming a crystalline two-dimensional protein lattice on many sensors surfaces and interfaces, the S-layer lattice constitutes an immobilization matrix for small biomolecules and lipid membranes and a patterning structure with unsurpassed spatial distribution for sensing elements and bioreceptors. This review aims to highlight on exploiting S-layer proteins in biosensor technology for various applications ranging from detection of metal ions over small organic compounds to cells. Furthermore, enzymes immobilized on the S-layer proteins allow specific detection of several vital biomolecules. The special features of the S-layer protein lattice as part of the sensor architecture enhances surface functionalization and thus may feature an innovative class of electrochemical biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Damiati
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Department of NanoBiotechnology, BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
- Current address: Division of Nanobiotechnology, Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bernhard Schuster
- Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Department of NanoBiotechnology, BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
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Czernohlavek C, Schuster B. Formation and characteristics of mixed lipid/polymer membranes on a crystalline surface-layer protein lattice. Biointerphases 2020; 15:011002. [PMID: 31948239 PMCID: PMC7116081 DOI: 10.1116/1.5132390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The implementation of self-assembled biomolecules on solid materials, in particular, sensor and electrode surfaces, gains increasing importance for the design of stable functional platforms, bioinspired materials, and biosensors. The present study reports on the formation of a planar hybrid lipid/polymer membrane on a crystalline surface layer protein (SLP) lattice. The latter acts as a connecting layer linking the biomolecules to the inorganic base plate. In this approach, chemically bound lipids provided hydrophobic anchoring moieties for the hybrid lipid/polymer membrane on the recrystallized SLP lattice. The rapid solvent exchange technique was the method of choice to generate the planar hybrid lipid/polymer membrane on the SLP lattice. The formation process and completeness of the latter were investigated by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and by an enzymatic assay using the protease subtilisin A, respectively. The present data provide evidence for the formation of a hybrid lipid/polymer membrane on an S-layer lattice with a diblock copolymer content of 30%. The hybrid lipid/polymer showed a higher stiffness compared to the pure lipid bilayer. Most interestingly, both the pure and hybrid membrane prevented the proteolytic degradation of the underlying S-layer protein by the action of subtilisin A. Hence, these results provide evidence for the formation of defect-free membranes anchored to the S-layer lattice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Czernohlavek
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Schuster
- Department of NanoBiotechnology, Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
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Haque RU, Paradisi F, Allers T. Haloferax volcanii for biotechnology applications: challenges, current state and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 104:1371-1382. [PMID: 31863144 PMCID: PMC6985049 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Haloferax volcanii is an obligate halophilic archaeon with its origin in the Dead Sea. Simple laboratory culture conditions and a wide range of genetic tools have made it a model organism for studying haloarchaeal cell biology. Halophilic enzymes of potential interest to biotechnology have opened up the application of this organism in biocatalysis, bioremediation, nanobiotechnology, bioplastics and the biofuel industry. Functionally active halophilic proteins can be easily expressed in a halophilic environment, and an extensive genetic toolkit with options for regulated protein overexpression has allowed the purification of biotechnologically important enzymes from different halophiles in H. volcanii. However, corrosion mediated damage caused to stainless-steel bioreactors by high salt concentrations and a tendency to form biofilms when cultured in high volume are some of the challenges of applying H. volcanii in biotechnology. The ability to employ expressed active proteins in immobilized cells within a porous biocompatible matrix offers new avenues for exploiting H. volcanii in biotechnology. This review critically evaluates the various application potentials, challenges and toolkits available for using this extreme halophilic organism in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- R U Haque
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.,School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.,Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre, School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - F Paradisi
- School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - T Allers
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
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Genome Analyses and Genome-Centered Metatranscriptomics of Methanothermobacter wolfeii Strain SIV6, Isolated from a Thermophilic Production-Scale Biogas Fermenter. Microorganisms 2019; 8:microorganisms8010013. [PMID: 31861790 PMCID: PMC7022856 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the thermophilic biogas-producing microbial community, the genus Methanothermobacter was previously described to be frequently abundant. The aim of this study was to establish and analyze the genome sequence of the archaeal strain Methanothermobacter wolfeii SIV6 originating from a thermophilic industrial-scale biogas fermenter and compare it to related reference genomes. The circular chromosome has a size of 1,686,891 bases, featuring a GC content of 48.89%. Comparative analyses considering three completely sequenced Methanothermobacter strains revealed a core genome of 1494 coding sequences and 16 strain specific genes for M. wolfeii SIV6, which include glycosyltransferases and CRISPR/cas associated genes. Moreover, M. wolfeii SIV6 harbors all genes for the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway and genome-centered metatranscriptomics indicates the high metabolic activity of this strain, with 25.18% of all transcripts per million (TPM) belong to the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway and 18.02% of these TPM exclusively belonging to the mcr operon. This operon encodes the different subunits of the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (EC: 2.8.4.1), which catalyzes the final and rate-limiting step during methanogenesis. Finally, fragment recruitment of metagenomic reads from the thermophilic biogas fermenter on the SIV6 genome showed that the strain is abundant (1.2%) within the indigenous microbial community. Detailed analysis of the archaeal isolate M. wolfeii SIV6 indicates its role and function within the microbial community of the thermophilic biogas fermenter, towards a better understanding of the biogas production process and a microbial-based management of this complex process.
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Architecture and modular assembly of Sulfolobus S-layers revealed by electron cryotomography. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25278-25286. [PMID: 31767763 PMCID: PMC6911244 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1911262116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria and most archaea are enveloped in S-layers, protective lattices of proteins that are among the most abundant on earth. S-layers define both the cell’s shape and periplasmic space, and play essential roles in cell division, adhesion, biofilm formation, protection against harsh environments and phages, and comprise important virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. Despite their importance, structural information about archaeal S-layers is sparse. Here, we describe in situ structural data on archaeal S-layers by cutting-edge electron cryotomography. Our results shed light on the function and evolution of archaeal cell walls and thus our understanding of microbial life. They will also inform approaches in nanobiotechnology aiming to engineer S-layers for a vast array of applications. Surface protein layers (S-layers) often form the only structural component of the archaeal cell wall and are therefore important for cell survival. S-layers have a plethora of cellular functions including maintenance of cell shape, osmotic, and mechanical stability, the formation of a semipermeable protective barrier around the cell, and cell–cell interaction, as well as surface adhesion. Despite the central importance of S-layers for archaeal life, their 3-dimensional (3D) architecture is still poorly understood. Here we present detailed 3D electron cryomicroscopy maps of archaeal S-layers from 3 different Sulfolobus strains. We were able to pinpoint the positions and determine the structure of the 2 subunits SlaA and SlaB. We also present a model describing the assembly of the mature S-layer.
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Sulfolobus acidocaldarius Microvesicles Exhibit Unusually Tight Packing Properties as Revealed by Optical Spectroscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215308. [PMID: 31731418 PMCID: PMC6862217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used optical spectroscopy to characterize the physical properties of microvesicles released from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (Sa-MVs). The most abundant proteins in Sa-MVs are the S-layer proteins, which self-assemble on the vesicle surface forming an array of crystalline structures. Lipids in Sa-MVs are exclusively bipolar tetraethers. We found that when excited at 275 nm, intrinsic protein fluorescence of Sa-MVs at 23 °C has an emission maximum at 303 nm (or 296 nm measured at 75 °C), which is unusually low for protein samples containing multiple tryptophans and tyrosines. In the presence of 10–11 mM of the surfactant n-tetradecyl-β-d-maltoside (TDM), Sa-MVs were disintegrated, the emission maximum of intrinsic protein fluorescence was shifted to 312 nm, and the excitation maximum was changed from 288 nm to 280.5 nm, in conjunction with a significant decrease (>2 times) in excitation band sharpness. These data suggest that most of the fluorescent amino acid residues in native Sa-MVs are in a tightly packed protein matrix and that the S-layer proteins may form J-aggregates. The membranes in Sa-MVs, as well as those of unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) made of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) tetraether lipids isolated from S. acidocaldarius (LUVPLFE), LUVs reconstituted from the tetraether lipids extracted from Sa-MVs (LUVMV) and LUVs made of the diester lipids, were investigated using the probe 6-dodecanoyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene (Laurdan). The generalized polarization (GP) values of Laurdan in tightly packed Sa-MVs, LUVMV, and LUVPLFE were found to be much lower than those obtained from less tightly packed DPPC gel state, which echoes the previous finding that the GP values from tetraether lipid membranes cannot be directly compared with the GP values from diester lipid membranes, due to differences in probe disposition. Laurdan’s GP and red-edge excitation shift (REES) values in Sa-MVs and LUVMV decrease with increasing temperature monotonically with no sign for lipid phase transition. Laurdan’s REES values are high (9.3–18.9 nm) in the tetraether lipid membrane systems (i.e., Sa-MVs, LUVMV and LUVPLFE) and low (0.4–5.0 nm) in diester liposomes. The high REES and low GP values suggest that Laurdan in tetraether lipid membranes, especially in the membrane of Sa-MVs, is in a very motionally restricted environment, bound water molecules and the polar moieties in the tetraether lipid headgroups strongly interact with Laurdan’s excited state dipole moment, and “solvent” reorientation around Laurdan’s chromophore in tetraether lipid membranes occurs very slowly compared to Laurdan’s lifetime.
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Zink IA, Pfeifer K, Wimmer E, Sleytr UB, Schuster B, Schleper C. CRISPR-mediated gene silencing reveals involvement of the archaeal S-layer in cell division and virus infection. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4797. [PMID: 31641111 PMCID: PMC6805947 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12745-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The S-layer is a proteinaceous surface lattice found in the cell envelope of bacteria and archaea. In most archaea, a glycosylated S-layer constitutes the sole cell wall and there is evidence that it contributes to cell shape maintenance and stress resilience. Here we use a gene-knockdown technology based on an endogenous CRISPR type III complex to gradually silence slaB, which encodes the S-layer membrane anchor in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus. Silenced cells exhibit a reduced or peeled-off S-layer lattice, cell shape alterations and decreased surface glycosylation. These cells barely propagate but increase in diameter and DNA content, indicating impaired cell division; their phenotypes can be rescued through genetic complementation. Furthermore, S-layer depleted cells are less susceptible to infection with the virus SSV1. Our study highlights the usefulness of the CRISPR type III system for gene silencing in archaea, and supports that an intact S-layer is important for cell division and virus susceptibility. The S-layer is a proteinaceous envelope often found in bacterial and archaeal cells. Here, the authors use CRISPR-based technology to silence slaB, encoding the S-layer membrane anchor, to show that an intact S-layer is important for cell division and virus susceptibility in the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Anna Zink
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstraße 14, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin Pfeifer
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstraße 14, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Muthgasse 11/II, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erika Wimmer
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstraße 14, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Uwe B Sleytr
- Institute of Biophysics, Muthgasse 11/II, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Schuster
- Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Muthgasse 11/II, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Schleper
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Division, Althanstraße 14, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Cell Structure Changes in the Hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus islandicus Lacking the S-Layer. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01589-19. [PMID: 31455649 PMCID: PMC6712394 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01589-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The S-layer is considered to be the sole component of the cell wall in Sulfolobales, a taxonomic group within the Crenarchaeota whose cellular features have been suggested to have a close relationship to the last archaea-eukaryote common ancestor. In this study, we genetically dissect how the two previously characterized S-layer genes as well as a newly identified S-layer-associated protein-encoding gene contribute to the S-layer architecture in Sulfolobus. We provide genetic evidence for the first time showing that the slaA gene is a key cell morphology determinant and may play a role in Sulfolobus cell division or/and cell fusion. Rediscovery of the ancient evolutionary relationship between archaea and eukaryotes has revitalized interest in archaeal cell biology. Key to the understanding of archaeal cells is the surface layer (S-layer), which is commonly found in Archaea but whose in vivo function is unknown. Here, we investigate the architecture and cellular roles of the S-layer in the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus islandicus. Electron micrographs of mutant cells lacking slaA or both slaA and slaB confirm the absence of the outermost layer (SlaA), whereas cells with intact or partially or completely detached SlaA are observed for the ΔslaB mutant. We experimentally identify a novel S-layer-associated protein, M164_1049, which does not functionally replace its homolog SlaB but likely assists SlaB to stabilize SlaA. Mutants deficient in the SlaA outer layer form large cell aggregates, and individual cell size varies, increasing significantly up to six times the diameter of wild-type cells. We show that the ΔslaA mutant cells exhibit more sensitivity to hyperosmotic stress but are not reduced to wild-type cell size. The ΔslaA mutant contains aberrant chromosome copy numbers not seen in wild-type cells, in which the cell cycle is tightly regulated. Together, these data suggest that the lack of SlaA results in either cell fusion or irregularities in cell division. Our studies show the key physiological and cellular functions of the S-layer in this archaeal cell.
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50
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Assaf JC, Nahle S, Chokr A, Louka N, Atoui A, El Khoury A. Assorted Methods for Decontamination of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk Using Microbial Adsorbents. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E304. [PMID: 31146398 PMCID: PMC6628408 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins (AF) are carcinogenic metabolites produced by different species of Aspergillus which readily colonize crops. AFM1 is secreted in the milk of lactating mammals through the ingestion of feedstuffs contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Therefore, its presence in milk, even in small amounts, presents a real concern for dairy industries and consumers of dairy products. Different strategies can lead to the reduction of AFM1 contamination levels in milk. They include adopting good agricultural practices, decreasing the AFB1 contamination of animal feeds, or using diverse types of adsorbent materials. One of the most effective types of adsorbents used for AFM1 decontamination are those of microbial origin. This review discusses current issues about AFM1 decontamination methods. These methods are based on the use of different bio-adsorbent agents such as bacteria and yeasts to complex AFM1 in milk. Moreover, this review answers some of the raised concerns about the binding stability of the formed AFM1-microbial complex. Thus, the efficiency of the decontamination methods was addressed, and plausible experimental variants were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Claude Assaf
- Centre d'Analyses et de Recherche (CAR), Unité de Recherche Technologies et Valorisation agro-Alimentaire (UR-TVA), Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Campus des sciences et technologies, Mar Roukos, Matn 1104-2020, Lebanon .
- Research Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O Box 5, Lebanon.
- Platform of Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences (PRASE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technologies, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon.
| | - Sahar Nahle
- Centre d'Analyses et de Recherche (CAR), Unité de Recherche Technologies et Valorisation agro-Alimentaire (UR-TVA), Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Campus des sciences et technologies, Mar Roukos, Matn 1104-2020, Lebanon .
- Research Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O Box 5, Lebanon.
- Platform of Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences (PRASE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technologies, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon.
| | - Ali Chokr
- Research Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O Box 5, Lebanon.
- Platform of Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences (PRASE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technologies, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon.
| | - Nicolas Louka
- Centre d'Analyses et de Recherche (CAR), Unité de Recherche Technologies et Valorisation agro-Alimentaire (UR-TVA), Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Campus des sciences et technologies, Mar Roukos, Matn 1104-2020, Lebanon .
| | - Ali Atoui
- Research Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadat Campus, Beirut P.O Box 5, Lebanon.
| | - André El Khoury
- Centre d'Analyses et de Recherche (CAR), Unité de Recherche Technologies et Valorisation agro-Alimentaire (UR-TVA), Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Campus des sciences et technologies, Mar Roukos, Matn 1104-2020, Lebanon .
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