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Zytnick AM, Gutenthaler-Tietze SM, Aron AT, Reitz ZL, Phi MT, Good NM, Petras D, Daumann LJ, Martinez-Gomez NC. Identification and characterization of a small-molecule metallophore involved in lanthanide metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322096121. [PMID: 39078674 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322096121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria secrete metallophores, low-molecular-weight organic compounds that bind ions with high selectivity and affinity, in order to access essential metals from the environment. Previous work has elucidated the structures and biosynthetic machinery of metallophores specific for iron, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, and copper. No physiologically relevant lanthanide-binding metallophore has been discovered despite the knowledge that lanthanide metals (Ln) have been revealed to be essential cofactors for certain alcohol dehydrogenases across a diverse range of phyla. Here, we report the biosynthetic machinery, the structure, and the physiological relevance of a lanthanophore, methylolanthanin. The structure of methylolanthanin exhibits a unique 4-hydroxybenzoate moiety which has not previously been described in other metallophores. We find that production of methylolanthanin is required for normal levels of Ln accumulation in the methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, while overexpression of the molecule greatly increases bioaccumulation and adsorption. Our results provide a clearer understanding of how Ln-utilizing bacteria sense, scavenge, and store Ln; essential processes in the environment where Ln are poorly bioavailable. More broadly, the identification of this lanthanophore opens doors for study of how biosynthetic gene clusters are repurposed for additional functions and the complex relationship between metal homeostasis and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa M Zytnick
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Sophie M Gutenthaler-Tietze
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
- Chair of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Allegra T Aron
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210
| | - Zachary L Reitz
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708PB, The Netherlands
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
| | - Manh Tri Phi
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Nathan M Good
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Daniel Petras
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Medicine, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen 72074, Germany
| | - Lena J Daumann
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
- Chair of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
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2
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Poddar BJ, Khardenavis AA. Genomic Insights into the Landfill Microbial Community: Denitrifying Activity Supporting One-Carbon Utilization. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12010-024-04980-w. [PMID: 38980659 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-024-04980-w] [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] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
In spite of the developments in understanding of denitrifying methylotrophy in the recent years, challenges still exist in unravelling the overall biochemistry of nitrate-dependent methane oxidation in novel or poorly characterized/not-yet-cultured bacteria. In the present study, landfill site was mined for novel C1-carbon-metabolizing bacteria which can use nitrate/nitrite as an electron acceptor. A high-throughput rapid plate assay identified three bacterial isolates with eminent ability for nitrate-dependent methane metabolism under anaerobic conditions. Taxonomic identification by whole-genome sequence-based overall genome relatedness indices accurately assigned the isolates AAK_M13, AAK_M29, and AAK_M39 at the species level to Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus halotolerans, respectively. Several genes encoding sub-components involved in alcohol utilization and denitrification pathways, such as adh, fdh, fdo, nar, nir, and nor, were identified in all the genomes. Though no gene clusters encoding MMO/AMO were annotated, sequencing of PCR amplicons revealed similarity with pMMO/AMO gene using translated nucleotide sequence of strains AAK_M29 and AAK_M39, while strain AAK_M13 showed similarity with XRE family transcriptional regulator. This suggests the horizontal gene transfer and/or presence of a truncated version of a housekeeping enzyme encoded by genes exhibiting partial sequence similarity with pMMO genes that mimicked its function at greenhouse gas emission sites. Owing to lack of conclusive evidence for presence of methane metabolism genes in the selected isolates, further experiment was performed to validate their nitrate-dependent methane oxidation capacities. Bacillus subtilis AAK_M29, Bacillus halotolerans AAK_M39, and Enterobacter cloacae AAK_M13 could oxidize 60%, 75%, and 85% of the added methane respectively accompanied by high nitrate reduction (56-62%) thus supporting the correlation between these two activities. The remarkable ability of these isolates for nitrate-dependent methane metabolism has highlighted their role in ecological contribution and biotechnological potential to serve as methane and nitrate sinks in the landfill sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagyashri J Poddar
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division (EBGD), CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Anshuman A Khardenavis
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division (EBGD), CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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3
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Voutsinos MY, West-Roberts JA, Sachdeva R, Moreau JW, Banfield JF. Weathered granites and soils harbour microbes with lanthanide-dependent methylotrophic enzymes. BMC Biol 2024; 22:41. [PMID: 38369453 PMCID: PMC10875860 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01841-0] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior to soil formation, phosphate liberated by rock weathering is often sequestered into highly insoluble lanthanide phosphate minerals. Dissolution of these minerals releases phosphate and lanthanides to the biosphere. Currently, the microorganisms involved in phosphate mineral dissolution and the role of lanthanides in microbial metabolism are poorly understood. RESULTS Although there have been many studies of soil microbiology, very little research has investigated microbiomes of weathered rock. Here, we sampled weathered granite and associated soil to identify the zones of lanthanide phosphate mineral solubilisation and genomically define the organisms implicated in lanthanide utilisation. We reconstructed 136 genomes from 11 bacterial phyla and found that gene clusters implicated in lanthanide-based metabolism of methanol (primarily xoxF3 and xoxF5) are surprisingly common in microbial communities in moderately weathered granite. Notably, xoxF3 systems were found in Verrucomicrobia for the first time, and in Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes and Alphaproteobacteria. The xoxF-containing gene clusters are shared by diverse Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes, and include conserved hypothetical proteins and transporters not associated with the few well studied xoxF systems. Given that siderophore-like molecules that strongly bind lanthanides may be required to solubilise lanthanide phosphates, it is notable that candidate metallophore biosynthesis systems were most prevalent in bacteria in moderately weathered rock, especially in Acidobacteria with lanthanide-based systems. CONCLUSIONS Phosphate mineral dissolution, putative metallophore production and lanthanide utilisation by enzymes involved in methanol oxidation linked to carbonic acid production co-occur in the zone of moderate granite weathering. In combination, these microbial processes likely accelerate the conversion of granitic rock to soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Y Voutsinos
- School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jacob A West-Roberts
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Rohan Sachdeva
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - John W Moreau
- School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jillian F Banfield
- School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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4
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Liu R, Wei Z, Dong W, Wang R, Adams JM, Yang L, Krause SMB. Unraveling the impact of lanthanum on methane consuming microbial communities in rice field soils. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1298154. [PMID: 38322316 PMCID: PMC10844099 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1298154] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the lanthanide requiring enzymes in microbes was a significant scientific discovery that opened a whole new avenue of biotechnological research of this important group of metals. However, the ecological impact of lanthanides on microbial communities utilizing methane (CH4) remains largely unexplored. In this study, a laboratory microcosm model experiment was performed using rice field soils with different pH origins (5.76, 7.2, and 8.36) and different concentrations of La3+ in the form of lanthanum chloride (LaCl3). Results clearly showed that CH4 consumption was inhibited by the addition of La3+ but that the response depended on the soil origin and pH. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the genus Methylobacter, Methylosarcina, and Methylocystis as key players in CH4 consumption under La3+ addition. We suggest that the soil microbiome involved in CH4 consumption can generally tolerate addition of high concentrations of La3+, and adjustments in community composition ensured ecosystem functionality over time. As La3+ concentrations increase, the way that the soil microbiome reacts may not only differ within the same environment but also vary when comparing different environments, underscoring the need for further research into this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Liu
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziting Wei
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanying Dong
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Wang
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jonathan M. Adams
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Yang
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sascha M. B. Krause
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Gorniak L, Bechwar J, Westermann M, Steiniger F, Wegner CE. Different lanthanide elements induce strong gene expression changes in a lanthanide-accumulating methylotroph. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0086723. [PMID: 37909735 PMCID: PMC10848612 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00867-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Since its discovery, Ln-dependent metabolism in bacteria attracted a lot of attention due to its bio-metallurgical application potential regarding Ln recycling and circular economy. The physiological role of Ln is mostly studied dependent on presence and absence. Comparisons of how different (utilizable) Ln affect metabolism have rarely been done. We noticed unexpectedly pronounced changes in gene expression caused by different Ln supplementation. Our research suggests that strain RH AL1 distinguishes different Ln elements and that the effect of Ln reaches into many aspects of metabolism, for instance, chemotaxis, motility, and polyhydroxyalkanoate metabolism. Our findings regarding Ln accumulation suggest a distinction between individual Ln elements and provide insights relating to intracellular Ln homeostasis. Understanding comprehensively how microbes distinguish and handle different Ln elements is key for turning knowledge into application regarding Ln-centered biometallurgy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Gorniak
- Institute of Biodiversity, Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Julia Bechwar
- Institute of Biodiversity, Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Frank Steiniger
- Electron Microscopy Center, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Carl-Eric Wegner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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6
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Firsova YE, Mustakhimov II, Torgonskaya ML. Compartment-related aspects of XoxF protein functionality in Methylorubrum extorquens DM4 analysed using its cytoplasmic targeting. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2023; 116:393-413. [PMID: 36719530 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-023-01811-6] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The impact of periplasmic localisation on the functioning of the XoxF protein was evaluated in the well-studied dichloromethane-utilising methylotroph Methylorubrum extorquens DM4, which harbors only one paralogue of the xoxF gene. It was found that the cytoplasmic targeting of XoxF by expression of the corresponding gene without the sequence encoding the N-terminal signal peptide does not impair the activation and lanthanide-dependent regulation of the MxaFI-methanol dehydrogenase genes. Analysis of the viability of ΔxoxF cells complemented with the full-length and truncated xoxF gene also showed that the expression of cytoplasmically targeted XoxF even increases the resistance to acids. These results contradict the proposed function of the XoxF protein as an extracytoplasmic signal sensor. At the same time, the observed dynamics of growth with methanol, as well as with dichloromethane of strains expressing cytoplasmic-targeted XoxF, indicate the probable enzymatic activity of lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase in this compartment. Herewith, the only available substrate for this enzyme in cells growing with dichloromethane was formaldehyde, which is produced during the primary metabolism of the mentioned halogenated toxicant directly in the cytosol. These findings suggest that the maturation of XoxF-methanol dehydrogenase may occur already in the cytoplasm, while the factors changing affinity of this enzyme for formaldehyde are apparently absent there. Together with the demonstrated functioning of an enhancer-like upstream activating sequence in the promoter region of the xoxF gene in M. extorquens DM4, the obtained information enriches our understanding of the regulation, synthesis and role of the XoxF protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia E Firsova
- Laboratory of Radioactive Isotopes, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, FRC Pushchino Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Ildar I Mustakhimov
- Laboratory of Radioactive Isotopes, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, FRC Pushchino Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Maria L Torgonskaya
- Laboratory of Radioactive Isotopes, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, FRC Pushchino Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Russia
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7
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Abstract
Wetlands are the major natural source of methane, an important greenhouse gas. The sulfur and methane cycles in wetlands are linked—e.g., a strong sulfur cycle can inhibit methanogenesis. Although there has historically been a clear distinction drawn between methane and sulfur oxidizers, here, we isolated a methanotroph that also performed respiratory oxidization of sulfur compounds. We experimentally demonstrated that thiotrophy and methanotrophy are metabolically compatible, and both metabolisms could be expressed simultaneously in a single microorganism. These findings suggest that mixotrophic methane/sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are a previously overlooked component of environmental methane and sulfur cycles. This creates a framework for a better understanding of these redox cycles in natural and engineered wetlands. Natural and anthropogenic wetlands are major sources of the atmospheric greenhouse gas methane. Methane emissions from wetlands are mitigated by methanotrophic bacteria at the oxic–anoxic interface, a zone of intense redox cycling of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. Here, we report on the isolation of an aerobic methanotrophic bacterium, ‘Methylovirgula thiovorans' strain HY1, which possesses metabolic capabilities never before found in any methanotroph. Most notably, strain HY1 is the first bacterium shown to aerobically oxidize both methane and reduced sulfur compounds for growth. Genomic and proteomic analyses showed that soluble methane monooxygenase and XoxF-type alcohol dehydrogenases are responsible for methane and methanol oxidation, respectively. Various pathways for respiratory sulfur oxidation were present, including the Sox–rDsr pathway and the S4I system. Strain HY1 employed the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle for CO2 fixation during chemolithoautotrophic growth on reduced sulfur compounds. Proteomic and microrespirometry analyses showed that the metabolic pathways for methane and thiosulfate oxidation were induced in the presence of the respective substrates. Methane and thiosulfate could therefore be independently or simultaneously oxidized. The discovery of this versatile bacterium demonstrates that methanotrophy and thiotrophy are compatible in a single microorganism and underpins the intimate interactions of methane and sulfur cycles in oxic–anoxic interface environments.
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8
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Singh AK, Gupta RK, Purohit HJ, Khardenavis AA. Genomic characterization of denitrifying methylotrophic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain AAK/M5 isolated from municipal solid waste landfill soil. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:140. [PMID: 35705700 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03311-7] [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: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Municipal landfills are known for methane production and a source of nitrate pollution leading to various environmental issues. Therefore, this niche was selected for the isolation of one-carbon (C1) utilizing bacteria with denitrifying capacities using anaerobic enrichment on nitrate mineral salt medium supplemented with methanol as carbon source. Eight axenic cultures were isolated of which, isolate AAK/M5 demonstrated the highest methanol removal (73.28%) in terms of soluble chemical oxygen demand and methane removal (41.27%) at the expense of total nitrate removal of 100% and 33% respectively. The whole genome characterization with phylogenomic approach suggested that the strain AAK/M5 could be assigned to Pseudomonas aeruginosa with close neighbours as type strains DVT779, AES1M, W60856, and LES400. The circular genome annotation showed the presence of complete set of genes essential for methanol utilization and complete denitrification process. The study demonstrates the potential of P. aeruginosa strain AAK/M5 in catalysing methane oxidation thus serving as a methane sink vis-à-vis utilization of nitrate. Considering the existence of such bacteria at landfill site, the study highlights the need to develop strategies for their enrichment and designing of efficient catabolic activity for such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar Singh
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Gupta
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Hemant J Purohit
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India
| | - Anshuman Arun Khardenavis
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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9
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Daszczyńska A, Krucoń T, Stasiuk R, Koblowska M, Matlakowska R. Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Metabolism of a Proteobacteria-Dominated Community in a Light Lanthanide-Rich Deep Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073947. [PMID: 35409305 PMCID: PMC8999231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence and diversity of proteobacterial XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) in the microbial community that inhabits a fossil organic matter- and sedimentary lanthanide (Ln3+)-rich underground mine environment using a metagenomic and metaproteomic approach. A total of 8 XoxF-encoding genes (XoxF-EGs) and 14 protein sequences matching XoxF were identified. XoxF-type MDHs were produced by Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria represented by the four orders Methylococcales, Nitrosomonadales, Rhizobiales, and Xanthomonadales. The highest number of XoxF-EG- and XoxF-matching protein sequences were affiliated with Nitrosomonadales and Rhizobiales, respectively. Among the identified XoxF-EGs, two belonged to the XoxF1 clade, five to the XoxF4 clade, and one to the XoxF5 clade, while seven of the identified XoxF proteins belonged to the XoxF1 clade, four to the XoxF4 clade, and three to the XoxF5 clade. Moreover, the accumulation of light lanthanides and the presence of methanol in the microbial mat were confirmed. This study is the first to show the occurrence of XoxF in the metagenome and metaproteome of a deep microbial community colonizing a fossil organic matter- and light lanthanide-rich sedimentary environment. The presented results broaden our knowledge of the ecology of XoxF-producing bacteria as well as of the distribution and diversity of these enzymes in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Daszczyńska
- Department of Geomicrobiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.D.); (R.S.)
| | - Tomasz Krucoń
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Robert Stasiuk
- Department of Geomicrobiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.D.); (R.S.)
| | - Marta Koblowska
- Laboratory of Systems Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Matlakowska
- Department of Geomicrobiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.D.); (R.S.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Good NM, Lee HD, Hawker ER, Su MZ, Gilad AA, Martinez-Gomez NC. Hyperaccumulation of Gadolinium by Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 Reveals Impacts of Lanthanides on Cellular Processes Beyond Methylotrophy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:820327. [PMID: 35369483 PMCID: PMC8969499 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.820327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lanthanides (Ln) are a new group of life metals, and many questions remain regarding how they are acquired and used in biology. Methylotrophic bacteria can acquire, transport, biomineralize, and use Ln as part of a cofactor complex with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in alcohol dehydrogenases. For most methylotrophic bacteria use is restricted to the light Ln, which range from lanthanum to samarium (atomic numbers 57–62). Understanding how the cell differentiates between light and heavy Ln, and the impacts of these metals on the metabolic network, will advance the field of Ln biochemistry and give insights into enzyme catalysis, stress homeostasis, and metal biomineralization and compartmentalization. We report robust methanol growth with the heavy Ln gadolinium by a genetic variant of the model methylotrophic bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens AM1, named evo-HLn, for “evolved for Heavy Lanthanides.” A non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in a cytosolic hybrid histidine kinase/response regulator allowed for sweeping transcriptional alterations to heavy metal stress response, methanol oxidation, and central metabolism. Increased expression of genes for Ln acquisition and uptake, production of the Ln-chelating lanthanophore, PQQ biosynthesis, and phosphate transport and metabolism resulted in gadolinium hyperaccumulation of 36-fold with a trade-off for light Ln accumulation. Gadolinium was hyperaccumulated in an enlarged acidocalcisome-like compartment. This is the first evidence of a bacterial intracellular Ln-containing compartment that we name the “lanthasome.” Carotenoid and toblerol biosynthesis were also upregulated. Due to its unique capabilities, evo-HLn can be used to further magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioremediation technologies. In this regard, we show that gadolinium hyperaccumulation was sufficient to produce MRI contrast in whole cells, and that evo-HLn was able to readily acquire the metal from the MRI contrast agent gadopentetic acid. Finally, hyperaccumulation of gadolinium, differential uptake of light and heavy Ln, increased PQQ levels, and phosphate transport provide new insights into strategies for Ln recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M. Good
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Harvey D. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Division of Synthetic Biology, The Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Emily R. Hawker
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Morgan Z. Su
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Assaf A. Gilad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Division of Synthetic Biology, The Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - N. Cecilia Martinez-Gomez
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: N. Cecilia Martinez-Gomez,
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11
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Slope LN, Daubney OJ, Campbell H, White SA, Peacock AFA. Location-Dependent Lanthanide Selectivity Engineered into Structurally Characterized Designed Coiled Coils. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:24473-24477. [PMID: 34495573 PMCID: PMC8597134 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202110500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Herein we report unprecedented location-dependent, size-selective binding to designed lanthanide (Ln3+ ) sites within miniature protein coiled coil scaffolds. Not only do these engineered sites display unusual Ln3+ selectivity for moderately large Ln3+ ions (Nd to Tb), for the first time we demonstrate that selectivity can be location-dependent and can be programmed into the sequence. A 1 nm linear translation of the binding site towards the N-terminus can convert a selective site into a highly promiscuous one. An X-ray crystal structure, the first of a lanthanide binding site within a coiled coil to be reported, coupled with CD studies, reveal the existence of an optimal radius that likely stems from the structural constraints of the coiled coil scaffold. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of location-dependent metal selectivity within a coiled coil scaffold, as well as the first report of location-dependent Ln3+ selectivity within a protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise N. Slope
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonB15 2TTUK
| | | | - Hannah Campbell
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonB15 2TTUK
| | - Scott A. White
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonB15 2TTUK
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12
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Slope LN, Daubney OJ, Campbell H, White SA, Peacock AFA. Location‐Dependent Lanthanide Selectivity Engineered into Structurally Characterized Designed Coiled Coils. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202110500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Louise N. Slope
- School of Chemistry University of Birmingham Edgbaston B15 2TT UK
| | | | - Hannah Campbell
- School of Chemistry University of Birmingham Edgbaston B15 2TT UK
| | - Scott A. White
- School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Edgbaston B15 2TT UK
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13
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Alessa O, Ogura Y, Fujitani Y, Takami H, Hayashi T, Sahin N, Tani A. Comprehensive Comparative Genomics and Phenotyping of Methylobacterium Species. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:740610. [PMID: 34737731 PMCID: PMC8561711 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.740610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFMs), a major bacterial group found in the plant phyllosphere, comprise two genera: Methylobacterium and Methylorubrum. They have been separated into three major clades: A, B (Methylorubrum), and C. Within these genera, however, some species lack either pigmentation or methylotrophy, which raises the question of what actually defines the PPFMs. The present study employed a comprehensive comparative genomics approach to reveal the phylogenetic relationship among the PPFMs and to explain the genotypic differences that confer their different phenotypes. We newly sequenced the genomes of 29 relevant-type strains to complete a dataset for almost all validly published species in the genera. Through comparative analysis, we revealed that methylotrophy, nitrate utilization, and anoxygenic photosynthesis are hallmarks differentiating the PPFMs from the other Methylobacteriaceae. The Methylobacterium species in clade A, including the type species Methylobacterium organophilum, were phylogenetically classified into six subclades, each possessing relatively high genomic homology and shared phenotypic characteristics. One of these subclades is phylogenetically close to Methylorubrum species; this finding led us to reunite the two genera into a single genus Methylobacterium. Clade C, meanwhile, is composed of phylogenetically distinct species that share relatively higher percent G+C content and larger genome sizes, including larger numbers of secondary metabolite clusters. Most species of clade C and some of clade A have the glutathione-dependent pathway for formaldehyde oxidation in addition to the H4MPT pathway. Some species cannot utilize methanol due to their lack of MxaF-type methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), but most harbor an XoxF-type MDH that enables growth on methanol in the presence of lanthanum. The genomes of PPFMs encode between two and seven (average 3.7) genes for pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, and their phylogeny is distinctly correlated with their genomic phylogeny. All PPFMs were capable of synthesizing auxin and did not induce any immune response in rice cells. Other phenotypes including sugar utilization, antibiotic resistance, and antifungal activity correlated with their phylogenetic relationship. This study provides the first inclusive genotypic insight into the phylogeny and phenotypes of PPFMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Alessa
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Fujitani
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hideto Takami
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nurettin Sahin
- Egitim Fakultesi, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Akio Tani
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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14
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Neodymium as Metal Cofactor for Biological Methanol Oxidation: Structure and Kinetics of an XoxF1-Type Methanol Dehydrogenase. mBio 2021; 12:e0170821. [PMID: 34544276 PMCID: PMC8546591 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01708-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The methane-oxidizing bacterium Methylacidimicrobium thermophilum AP8 thrives in acidic geothermal ecosystems that are characterized by high degassing of methane (CH4), H2, H2S, and by relatively high lanthanide concentrations. Lanthanides (atomic numbers 57 to 71) are essential in a variety of high-tech devices, including mobile phones. Remarkably, the same elements are actively taken up by methanotrophs/methylotrophs in a range of environments, since their XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases require lanthanides as a metal cofactor. Lanthanide-dependent enzymes seem to prefer the lighter lanthanides (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium), as slower methanotrophic/methylotrophic growth is observed in medium supplemented with only heavier lanthanides. Here, we purified XoxF1 from the thermoacidophilic methanotroph Methylacidimicrobium thermophilum AP8, which was grown in medium supplemented with neodymium as the sole lanthanide. The neodymium occupancy of the enzyme is 94.5% ± 2.0%, and through X-ray crystallography, we reveal that the structure of the active site shows interesting differences from the active sites of other methanol dehydrogenases, such as an additional aspartate residue in close proximity to the lanthanide. Nd-XoxF1 oxidizes methanol at a maximum rate of metabolism (Vmax) of 0.15 ± 0.01 μmol · min-1 · mg protein-1 and an affinity constant (Km) of 1.4 ± 0.6 μM. The structural analysis of this neodymium-containing XoxF1-type methanol dehydrogenase will expand our knowledge in the exciting new field of lanthanide biochemistry. IMPORTANCE Lanthanides comprise a group of 15 elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71 that are essential in a variety of high-tech devices, such as mobile phones, but were considered biologically inert for a long time. The biological relevance of lanthanides became evident when the acidophilic methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, isolated from a volcanic mud pot, could only grow when lanthanides were supplied to the growth medium. We expanded knowledge in the exciting and rapidly developing field of lanthanide biochemistry by the purification and characterization of a neodymium-containing methanol dehydrogenase from a thermoacidophilic methanotroph.
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15
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Crombie AT. The effect of lanthanum on growth and gene expression in a facultative methanotroph. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:596-613. [PMID: 34320271 PMCID: PMC9291206 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The biological importance of lanthanides has only recently been identified, initially as the active site metal of the alternative methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) Xox‐MDH. So far, the effect of lanthanide (Ln) has only been studied in relatively few organisms. This work investigated the effects of Ln on gene transcription and protein expression in the facultative methanotroph Methylocella silvestris BL2, a widely distributed methane‐oxidizing bacterium with the unique ability to grow not just on methane but also on other typical components of natural gas, ethane and propane. Expression of calcium‐ or Ln‐dependent MDH was controlled by Ln (the lanthanide switch) during growth on one‐, two‐ or three‐carbon substrates, and Ln imparted a considerable advantage during growth on propane, a novel result extending the importance of Ln to consumers of this component of natural gas. Two Xox‐MDHs were expressed and regulated by Ln in M. silvestris, but interestingly Ln repressed rather than induced expression of the second Xox‐MDH. Despite the metabolic versatility of M. silvestris, no other alcohol dehydrogenases were expressed, and in double‐mutant strains lacking genes encoding both Ca‐ and Ln‐dependent MDHs (mxaF and xoxF5 or xoxF1), growth on methanol and ethanol appeared to be enabled by expression of the soluble methane monooxygenase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Crombie
- School of Biological Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.,School of Environmental Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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16
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Karthikeyan OP, Smith TJ, Dandare SU, Parwin KS, Singh H, Loh HX, Cunningham MR, Williams PN, Nichol T, Subramanian A, Ramasamy K, Kumaresan D. Metal(loid) speciation and transformation by aerobic methanotrophs. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:156. [PMID: 34229757 PMCID: PMC8262016 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Manufacturing and resource industries are the key drivers for economic growth with a huge environmental cost (e.g. discharge of industrial effluents and post-mining substrates). Pollutants from waste streams, either organic or inorganic (e.g. heavy metals), are prone to interact with their physical environment that not only affects the ecosystem health but also the livelihood of local communities. Unlike organic pollutants, heavy metals or trace metals (e.g. chromium, mercury) are non-biodegradable, bioaccumulate through food-web interactions and are likely to have a long-term impact on ecosystem health. Microorganisms provide varied ecosystem services including climate regulation, purification of groundwater, rehabilitation of contaminated sites by detoxifying pollutants. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of methanotrophs, a group of bacteria that can use methane as a sole carbon and energy source, to transform toxic metal (loids) such as chromium, mercury and selenium. In this review, we synthesise recent advances in the role of essential metals (e.g. copper) for methanotroph activity, uptake mechanisms alongside their potential to transform toxic heavy metal (loids). Case studies are presented on chromium, selenium and mercury pollution from the tanneries, coal burning and artisanal gold mining, respectively, which are particular problems in the developing economy that we propose may be suitable for remediation by methanotrophs. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obulisamy Parthiba Karthikeyan
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, UK
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Department of Engineering Technology, College of Technology, University of Houston, Houston, TX USA
| | - Thomas J. Smith
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Shamsudeen Umar Dandare
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, UK
| | - Kamaludeen Sara Parwin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Heetasmin Singh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana
| | - Hui Xin Loh
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, UK
| | - Mark R Cunningham
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, UK
| | - Paul Nicholas Williams
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, UK
| | - Tim Nichol
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | - Deepak Kumaresan
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, UK
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17
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Knasin AL, Schelter EJ. Synthetic modeling of the structure and function of the rare-earth dependent methanol dehydrogenase cofactor. Methods Enzymol 2021; 650:19-55. [PMID: 33867022 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Historically, rare-earth ions have been considered irrelevant to biology. Recently, the active sites of certain methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes have been shown to contain a redox-inactive, rare-earth (RE) cation coordinated by the redox-active pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) cofactor. Importantly, it was demonstrated that rare earths were essential for the growth of certain methylotrophs that incorporated the XoxF-MDH. In this chapter, we summarize the optimized synthesis of a previously published rare-earth complex that serves as a model of the active site of this RE-containing MDH enzyme. The structure and reactivity of the metalated complex, [La(LQQ)(NO3)3] are also discussed. [La(LQQ)(NO3)3] catalytically oxidizes the test alcohol substrate, p-methylbenzyl alcohol, 4MeBnOH, to p-methylbenzaldehyde, 4MePhCHO, in the presence of a base (2,6-lutidine) and a terminal oxidant (ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate) with ~17 turnovers. By studying this synthetic model, we have developed a body of evidence about both the reactivity and the mechanism of dehydrogenation of alcohols as a molecular analogue to a native, rare-earth dependent enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison L Knasin
- P. Roy and Diana T. Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Eric J Schelter
- P. Roy and Diana T. Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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18
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Chen Z, Zhong X, Zheng M, Liu WS, Fei Y, Ding K, Li Y, Liu Y, Chao Y, Tang YT, Wang S, Qiu R. Indicator species drive the key ecological functions of microbiota in a river impacted by acid mine drainage generated by rare earth elements mining in South China. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:919-937. [PMID: 33848048 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated by rare earth elements (REEs) deposits exploration contains high concentrations of REEs, ammonium and sulfates, which is quite different from typical metallic AMD. Currently, microbial responses and ecological functions in REEs-AMD impacted rivers are unknown. Here, 16S rRNA analysis and genome-resolved metagenomics were performed on microbial community collected from a REEs-AMD contaminated river. The results showed that REEs-AMD significantly changed river microbial diversity and shaped unique indicator species (e.g. Thaumarchaeota, Methylophilales, Rhodospirillales and Burkholderiales). The main environmental factors regulating community were pH, ammonium and REEs, among which high concentration of REEs increased REEs-dependent enzyme-encoding genes (XoxF and ExaF/PedH). Additionally, we reconstructed 566 metagenome-assembled genomes covering 70.4% of identifying indicators. Genome-centric analysis revealed that the abundant archaea Thaumarchaeota and Xanthomonadaceae were often involved in nitrification and denitrification, while family Burkholderiaceae were capable of sulfide oxidation coupled with dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. These indicators play crucial roles in nitrogen and sulfur cycling as well as REEs immobilization in REEs-AMD contaminated rivers. This study confirmed the potential dual effect of REEs on microbial community at the functional gene level. Our investigation on the ecological roles of indicators further provided new insights for the development of REEs-AMD bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xi Zhong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Mengyuan Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Wen-Shen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yingheng Fei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Kengbo Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yaying Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Ye Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yuanqing Chao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Shizhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Rongliang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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19
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Featherston ER, Mattocks JA, Tirsch JL, Cotruvo JA. Heterologous expression, purification, and characterization of proteins in the lanthanome. Methods Enzymol 2021; 650:119-157. [PMID: 33867019 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Recent work has revealed that certain lanthanides-in particular, the more earth-abundant, lighter lanthanides-play essential roles in pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) dependent alcohol dehydrogenases from methylotrophic and non-methylotrophic bacteria. More recently, efforts of several laboratories have begun to identify the molecular players (the lanthanome) involved in selective uptake, recognition, and utilization of lanthanides within the cell. In this chapter, we present protocols for the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and characterization of many of the currently known proteins that comprise the lanthanome of the model facultative methylotroph, Methylorubrum extorquens AM1. In addition to the methanol dehydrogenase XoxF, these proteins include the associated c-type cytochrome, XoxG, and solute binding protein, XoxJ. We also present new, streamlined protocols for purification of the highly selective lanthanide-binding protein, lanmodulin, and a solute binding protein for PQQ, PqqT. Finally, we discuss simple, spectroscopic methods for determining lanthanide- and PQQ-binding stoichiometry of proteins. We envision that these protocols will be useful to investigators identifying and characterizing novel members of the lanthanome in many organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Featherston
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Joseph A Mattocks
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Jonathan L Tirsch
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Joseph A Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
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20
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Good NM, Martinez-Gomez NC. Expression, purification and testing of lanthanide-dependent enzymes in Methylorubrum extorquens AM1. Methods Enzymol 2021; 650:97-118. [PMID: 33867027 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
With mounting evidence of the importance of lanthanide metals in biology and among diverse bacterial phyla, a platform for high-throughput microbial growth for expression and purification of lanthanide-dependent enzymes is increasingly important. Presented in this chapter is a stream-lined approach for growth of the model methylotrophic bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 for the expression of lanthanide-dependent enzymes. Growth is optimized for both high-throughput phenotypic characterization facilitating in vivo studies, as well as for scaled-up batch cultivation for enzyme purification allowing for in vitro enzymatic studies. Both approaches have been shown to be important to understanding the function and structure of these enzymes. Expression systems have been designed for production of enzymes with and without lanthanide metals, allowing for detection of lanthanide dependence. The protocol described herein is expected to accelerate the discovery of novel lanthanide-dependent enzymes and our understanding of the role of these metals in the greater biological world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Good
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - N Cecilia Martinez-Gomez
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States.
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21
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Mattocks JA, Tirsch JL, Cotruvo JA. Determination of affinities of lanthanide-binding proteins using chelator-buffered titrations. Methods Enzymol 2021; 651:23-61. [PMID: 33888205 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The recent discoveries of the first proteins that bind lanthanides as part of their biological function not only are relevant to the emerging field of lanthanide-dependent biology, but also hold promise to revolutionize the technologically critical rare earths industry. Although protocols to assess the thermodynamics of metal-protein interactions are well established for "traditional" metal ions in biology, the characterization of lanthanide-binding proteins presents a challenge to biochemists due to the lanthanides' Lewis acidity, propensity for hydrolysis, and high-affinity complexes with biological ligands. These properties necessitate the preparation of metal stock solutions with very low buffered "free" metal concentrations (e.g., femtomolar to nanomolar) for such determinations. Herein we describe several protocols to overcome these challenges. First, we present standardization methods for the preparation of chelator-buffered solutions of lanthanide ions with easily calculated free metal concentrations. We also describe how these solutions can be used in concert with analytical methods including UV-visible spectrophotometry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), and sensitized terbium luminescence, in order to accurately determine dissociation constants (Kds) of lanthanide-protein complexes. Finally, we highlight how application of these methods to lanthanide-binding proteins, such as lanmodulin, has yielded insights into selective recognition of lanthanides in biology. We anticipate that these protocols will facilitate discovery and characterization of additional native lanthanide-binding proteins, will motivate the understanding of their biological context, and will prompt their applications in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Mattocks
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jonathan L Tirsch
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Joseph A Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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22
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Huang J, Zheng Y, Groom JD, Yu Z, Chistoserdova L. Expression, purification and properties of the enzymes involved in lanthanide-dependent alcohol oxidation: XoxF4, XoxF5, ExaF/PedH, and XoxG4. Methods Enzymol 2021; 650:81-96. [PMID: 33867026 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter we describe logistics, protocols and conditions for expression, purification and characterization of Ln3+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases representing three distinct phylogenetic clades of these enzymes, classified as XoxF4, XoxF5 and ExaF/PedH. We present data on the biochemical properties of a dozen enzymes, all generated by our group, in a comparative fashion. These enzymes display a range of properties in terms of substrate and metal specificities, pH and ammonium requirement, as well as catalytic constants. In addition, we describe a single novel cytochrome, XoxG4, that likely serves as a natural electron acceptor from XoxF5 in methanotrophs of the Gammaproteobacteria class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yue Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China
| | - Joseph D Groom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Zheng Yu
- Department of Microbiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ludmila Chistoserdova
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
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23
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Picone N, Blom P, Wallenius AJ, Hogendoorn C, Mesman R, Cremers G, Gagliano AL, D'Alessandro W, Quatrini P, Jetten MSM, Pol A, Op den Camp HJM. Methylacidimicrobium thermophilum AP8, a Novel Methane- and Hydrogen-Oxidizing Bacterium Isolated From Volcanic Soil on Pantelleria Island, Italy. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:637762. [PMID: 33643272 PMCID: PMC7907005 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.637762] [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: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Favara Grande is a geothermal area located on Pantelleria Island, Italy. The area is characterized high temperatures in the top layer of the soil (60°C), low pH (3–5) and hydrothermal gas emissions mainly composed of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and hydrogen (H2). These geothermal features may provide a suitable niche for the growth of chemolithotrophic thermoacidophiles, including the lanthanide-dependent methanotrophs of the phylum Verrucomicrobia. In this study, we started enrichment cultures inoculated with soil of the Favara Grande at 50 and 60°C with CH4 as energy source and medium containing sufficient lanthanides at pH 3 and 5. From these cultures, a verrucomicrobial methanotroph could be isolated via serial dilution and floating filters techniques. The genome of strain AP8 was sequenced and based on phylogenetic analysis we propose to name this new species Methylacidimicrobium thermophilum AP8. The transcriptome data at μmax (0.051 ± 0.001 h−1, doubling time ~14 h) of the new strain showed a high expression of the pmoCAB2 operon encoding the membrane-bound methane monooxygenase and of the gene xoxF1, encoding the lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase. A second pmoCAB operon and xoxF2 gene were not expressed. The physiology of strain AP8 was further investigated and revealed an optimal growth in a pH range of 3–5 at 50°C, representing the first thermophilic strain of the genus Methylacidimicrobium. Moreover, strain AP8 had a KS(app) for methane of 8 ± 1 μM. Beside methane, a type 1b [NiFe] hydrogenase enabled hydrogen oxidation at oxygen concentrations up to 1%. Taken together, our results expand the knowledge on the characteristics and adaptations of verrucomicrobial methanotrophs in hydrothermal environments and add a new thermophilic strain to the genus Methylacidimicrobium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Picone
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Pieter Blom
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anna J Wallenius
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Carmen Hogendoorn
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rob Mesman
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Geert Cremers
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Paola Quatrini
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Arjan Pol
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Pastawan V, Suganuma S, Mizuno K, Wang L, Tani A, Mitsui R, Nakamura K, Shimada M, Hayakawa T, Fitriyanto NA, Nakagawa T. Regulation of lanthanide-dependent methanol oxidation pathway in the legume symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium sp. strain Ce-3. J Biosci Bioeng 2020; 130:582-587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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25
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Mattocks JA, Cotruvo JA. Biological, biomolecular, and bio-inspired strategies for detection, extraction, and separations of lanthanides and actinides. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:8315-8334. [PMID: 33057507 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00653j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanides and actinides are elements of ever-increasing technological importance in the modern world. However, the similar chemical and physical properties within these groups make purification of individual elements a challenge. Current industrial standards for the extraction, separation, and purification of these metals from natural sources, recycled materials, and industrial waste are inefficient, relying upon harsh conditions, repetitive steps, and ligands with only modest selectivity. Biological, biomolecular, and bio-inspired strategies towards improving these separations and making them more environmentally sustainable have been researched for many years; however, these methods often have insufficient selectivity for practical application. Recent developments in the understanding of how lanthanides are selectively acquired and used by certain bacteria offer the opportunity for a newer, more efficient take on these designs, as well as the possibility for fundamentally new designs and strategies. Herein, we review current cell-based and biomolecular (primarily small-molecule and protein-based) methods for detection, extraction, and separations of f-block elements. We discuss how the increasing knowledge regarding the selective recognition, uptake, trafficking, and storage of these elements in biological systems has informed and will continue to promote development of novel approaches to achieve these ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Mattocks
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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26
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Glass JB, Cowan ET, Johannesson KH. Lanthanide rarity in natural waters: implications for microbial C1 metabolism. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 367:5920214. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Research in the last decade has illuminated the important role that lanthanides play in microbial carbon metabolism, particularly methylotrophy. Environmental omics studies have revealed that lanthoenzymes are dominant in some environments, and laboratory studies have shown that lanthoenzymes are favored over their calcium-containing counterparts even when calcium is far more abundant. Lanthanide elements are common in rocks but occur at exceedingly low levels in most natural waters (picomolar to nanomolar range) with the exception of volcanic hot springs, which can reach micromolar concentrations. Calcium is orders of magnitude higher in abundance than lanthanide elements across natural settings. Bacteria that use lanthanides for growth on simple carbon compounds (e.g. methanol and ethanol) grow optimally at micromolar concentrations. It is highly likely that bacteria in the environment have evolved specialized lanthanide sequestration and high-affinity uptake systems to overcome lanthanide deprivation. Indeed, we identified genes in soil metagenomes encoding the lanthanide-binding protein lanmodulin, which may be important for cellular differentiation between calcium and lanthanides. More research is needed on microbial adaptations to lanthanide scarcity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B Glass
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Cowan
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Karen H Johannesson
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA, 02125, USA
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27
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Featherston ER, Cotruvo JA. The biochemistry of lanthanide acquisition, trafficking, and utilization. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1868:118864. [PMID: 32979423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanides are relative newcomers to the field of cell biology of metals; their specific incorporation into enzymes was only demonstrated in 2011, with the isolation of a bacterial lanthanide- and pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent methanol dehydrogenase. Since that discovery, the efforts of many investigators have revealed that lanthanide utilization is widespread in environmentally important bacteria, and parallel efforts have focused on elucidating the molecular details involved in selective recognition and utilization of these metals. In this review, we discuss the particular chemical challenges and advantages associated with biology's use of lanthanides, as well as the currently known lanthano-enzymes and -proteins (the lanthanome). We also review the emerging understanding of the coordination chemistry and biology of lanthanide acquisition, trafficking, and regulatory pathways. These studies have revealed significant parallels with pathways for utilization of other metals in biology. Finally, we discuss some of the many unresolved questions in this burgeoning field and their potentially far-reaching applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Featherston
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States of America
| | - Joseph A Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States of America.
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28
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Good NM, Fellner M, Demirer K, Hu J, Hausinger RP, Martinez-Gomez NC. Lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases require an essential aspartate residue for metal coordination and enzymatic function. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8272-8284. [PMID: 32366463 PMCID: PMC7294098 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The lanthanide elements (Ln3+), those with atomic numbers 57-63 (excluding promethium, Pm3+), form a cofactor complex with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in bacterial XoxF methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) and ExaF ethanol dehydrogenases (EDHs), expanding the range of biological elements and opening novel areas of metabolism and ecology. Other MDHs, known as MxaFIs, are related in sequence and structure to these proteins, yet they instead possess a Ca2+-PQQ cofactor. An important missing piece of the Ln3+ puzzle is defining what features distinguish enzymes that use Ln3+-PQQ cofactors from those that do not. Here, using XoxF1 MDH from the model methylotrophic bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens AM1, we investigated the functional importance of a proposed lanthanide-coordinating aspartate residue. We report two crystal structures of XoxF1, one with and another without PQQ, both with La3+ bound in the active-site region and coordinated by Asp320 Using constructs to produce either recombinant XoxF1 or its D320A variant, we show that Asp320 is needed for in vivo catalytic function, in vitro activity, and La3+ coordination. XoxF1 and XoxF1 D320A, when produced in the absence of La3+, coordinated Ca2+ but exhibited little or no catalytic activity. We also generated the parallel substitution in ExaF to produce ExaF D319S and found that this variant loses the capacity for efficient ethanol oxidation with La3+ These results provide evidence that a Ln3+-coordinating aspartate is essential for the enzymatic functions of XoxF MDHs and ExaF EDHs, supporting the notion that sequences of these enzymes, and the genes that encode them, are markers for Ln3+ metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M. Good
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthias Fellner
- Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Kemal Demirer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Okemos High School, Okemos, Michigan, USA
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert P. Hausinger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - N. Cecilia Martinez-Gomez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, For correspondence: N. Cecilia Martinez-Gomez,
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29
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Yanpirat P, Nakatsuji Y, Hiraga S, Fujitani Y, Izumi T, Masuda S, Mitsui R, Nakagawa T, Tani A. Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol and Formaldehyde Oxidation in Methylobacterium aquaticum Strain 22A. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060822. [PMID: 32486139 PMCID: PMC7356819 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lanthanides (Ln) are an essential cofactor for XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) in Gram-negative methylotrophs. The Ln3+ dependency of XoxF has expanded knowledge and raised new questions in methylotrophy, including the differences in characteristics of XoxF-type MDHs, their regulation, and the methylotrophic metabolism including formaldehyde oxidation. In this study, we genetically identified one set of Ln3+- and Ca2+-dependent MDHs (XoxF1 and MxaFI), that are involved in methylotrophy, and an ExaF-type Ln3+-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase, among six MDH-like genes in Methylobacterium aquaticum strain 22A. We also identified the causative mutations in MxbD, a sensor kinase necessary for mxaF expression and xoxF1 repression, for suppressive phenotypes in xoxF1 mutants defective in methanol growth even in the absence of Ln3+. Furthermore, we examined the phenotypes of a series of formaldehyde oxidation-pathway mutants (fae1, fae2, mch in the tetrahydromethanopterin (H4MPT) pathway and hgd in the glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (GSH) pathway). We found that MxaF produces formaldehyde to a toxic level in the absence of the formaldehyde oxidation pathways and that either XoxF1 or ExaF can oxidize formaldehyde to alleviate formaldehyde toxicity in vivo. Furthermore, the GSH pathway has a supportive role for the net formaldehyde oxidation in addition to the H4MPT pathway that has primary importance. Studies on methylotrophy in Methylobacterium species have a long history, and this study provides further insights into genetic and physiological diversity and the differences in methylotrophy within the plant-colonizing methylotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patcha Yanpirat
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
| | - Yukari Nakatsuji
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
| | - Shota Hiraga
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
| | - Yoshiko Fujitani
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
| | - Terumi Izumi
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
| | - Sachiko Masuda
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
- Advanced Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ryoji Mitsui
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, Okayama 700-8530, Japan;
| | - Tomoyuki Nakagawa
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan;
- The Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Technologies, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Akio Tani
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Okayama 710-0046, Japan; (P.Y.); (Y.N.); (S.H.); (Y.F.); (T.I.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence:
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30
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Wang L, Hibino A, Suganuma S, Ebihara A, Iwamoto S, Mitsui R, Tani A, Shimada M, Hayakawa T, Nakagawa T. Preference for particular lanthanide species and thermal stability of XoxFs in Methylorubrum extorquens strain AM1. Enzyme Microb Technol 2020; 136:109518. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2020.109518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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31
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Jahn B, Jonasson NSW, Hu H, Singer H, Pol A, Good NM, den Camp HJMO, Martinez-Gomez NC, Daumann LJ. Understanding the chemistry of the artificial electron acceptors PES, PMS, DCPIP and Wurster's Blue in methanol dehydrogenase assays. J Biol Inorg Chem 2020; 25:199-212. [PMID: 32060650 PMCID: PMC7082304 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-020-01752-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Methanol dehydrogenases (MDH) have recently taken the spotlight with the discovery that a large portion of these enzymes in nature utilize lanthanides in their active sites. The kinetic parameters of these enzymes are determined with a spectrophotometric assay first described by Anthony and Zatman 55 years ago. This artificial assay uses alkylated phenazines, such as phenazine ethosulfate (PES) or phenazine methosulfate (PMS), as primary electron acceptors (EAs) and the electron transfer is further coupled to a dye. However, many groups have reported problems concerning the bleaching of the assay mixture in the absence of MDH and the reproducibility of those assays. Hence, the comparison of kinetic data among MDH enzymes of different species is often cumbersome. Using mass spectrometry, UV-Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, we show that the side reactions of the assay mixture are mainly due to the degradation of assay components. Light-induced demethylation (yielding formaldehyde and phenazine in the case of PMS) or oxidation of PES or PMS as well as a reaction with assay components (ammonia, cyanide) can occur. We suggest here a protocol to avoid these side reactions. Further, we describe a modified synthesis protocol for obtaining the alternative electron acceptor, Wurster's blue (WB), which serves both as EA and dye. The investigation of two lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenases from Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 and Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV with WB, along with handling recommendations, is presented. Lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenases. Understanding the chemistry of artificial electron acceptors and redox dyes can yield more reproducible results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bérénice Jahn
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Niko S W Jonasson
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Hurina Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Helena Singer
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Arjan Pol
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan M Good
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - N Cecilia Martinez-Gomez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Lena J Daumann
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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32
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Lanthanide-Dependent Methylotrophs of the Family Beijerinckiaceae: Physiological and Genomic Insights. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 86:AEM.01830-19. [PMID: 31604774 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01830-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylotrophic bacteria use methanol and related C1 compounds as carbon and energy sources. Methanol dehydrogenases are essential for methanol oxidation, while lanthanides are important cofactors of many pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent methanol dehydrogenases and related alcohol dehydrogenases. We describe here the physiological and genomic characterization of newly isolated Beijerinckiaceae bacteria that rely on lanthanides for methanol oxidation. A broad physiological diversity was indicated by the ability to metabolize a wide range of multicarbon substrates, including various sugars, and organic acids, as well as diverse C1 substrates such as methylated amines and methylated sulfur compounds. Methanol oxidation was possible only in the presence of low-mass lanthanides (La, Ce, and Nd) at submicromolar concentrations (>100 nM). In a comparison with other Beijerinckiaceae, genomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed the usage of a glutathione- and tetrahydrofolate-dependent pathway for formaldehyde oxidation and channeling methyl groups into the serine cycle for carbon assimilation. Besides a single xoxF gene, we identified two additional genes for lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, including one coding for an ExaF-type alcohol dehydrogenase, which was so far not known in Beijerinckiaceae Homologs for most of the gene products of the recently postulated gene cluster linked to lanthanide utilization and transport could be detected, but for now it remains unanswered how lanthanides are sensed and taken up by our strains. Studying physiological responses to lanthanides under nonmethylotrophic conditions in these isolates as well as other organisms is necessary to gain a more complete understanding of lanthanide-dependent metabolism as a whole.IMPORTANCE We supplemented knowledge of the broad metabolic diversity of the Beijerinckiaceae by characterizing new members of this family that rely on lanthanides for methanol oxidation and that possess additional lanthanide-dependent enzymes. Considering that lanthanides are critical resources for many modern applications and that recovering them is expensive and puts a heavy burden on the environment, lanthanide-dependent metabolism in microorganisms is an exploding field of research. Further research into how isolated Beijerinckiaceae and other microbes utilize lanthanides is needed to increase our understanding of lanthanide-dependent metabolism. The diversity and widespread occurrence of lanthanide-dependent enzymes make it likely that lanthanide utilization varies in different taxonomic groups and is dependent on the habitat of the microbes.
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33
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Lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase from the legume symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens strain USDA110. Enzyme Microb Technol 2019; 130:109371. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2019.109371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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34
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Cotruvo JA. The Chemistry of Lanthanides in Biology: Recent Discoveries, Emerging Principles, and Technological Applications. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2019; 5:1496-1506. [PMID: 31572776 PMCID: PMC6764073 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.9b00642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The essential biological role of rare earth elements lay hidden until the discovery in 2011 that lanthanides are specifically incorporated into a bacterial methanol dehydrogenase. Only recently has this observation gone from a curiosity to a major research area, with the appreciation for the widespread nature of lanthanide-utilizing organisms in the environment and the discovery of other lanthanide-binding proteins and systems for selective uptake. While seemingly exotic at first glance, biological utilization of lanthanides is very logical from a chemical perspective. The early lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr, Nd) primarily used by biology are abundant in the environment, perform similar chemistry to other biologically useful metals and do so more efficiently due to higher Lewis acidity, and possess sufficiently distinct coordination chemistry to allow for selective uptake, trafficking, and incorporation into enzymes. Indeed, recent advances in the field illustrate clear analogies with the biological coordination chemistry of other metals, particularly CaII and FeIII, but with unique twists-including cooperative metal binding to magnify the effects of small ionic radius differences-enabling selectivity. This Outlook summarizes the recent developments in this young but rapidly expanding field and looks forward to potential future discoveries, emphasizing continuity with principles of bioinorganic chemistry established by studies of other metals. We also highlight how a more thorough understanding of the central chemical question-selective lanthanide recognition in biology-may impact the challenging problems of sensing, capture, recycling, and separations of rare earths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A. Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United
States
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35
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Featherston ER, Rose HR, McBride MJ, Taylor EM, Boal AK, Cotruvo JA. Biochemical and Structural Characterization of XoxG and XoxJ and Their Roles in Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase Activity. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2360-2372. [PMID: 31017712 PMCID: PMC6814260 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanide (Ln)-dependent methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) have recently been shown to be widespread in methylotrophic bacteria. Along with the core MDH protein, XoxF, these systems contain two other proteins, XoxG (a c-type cytochrome) and XoxJ (a periplasmic binding protein of unknown function), about which little is known. In this work, we have biochemically and structurally characterized these proteins from the methyltroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. In contrast to results obtained in an artificial assay system, assays of XoxFs metallated with LaIII , CeIII , and NdIII using their physiological electron acceptor, XoxG, display Ln-independent activities, but the Km for XoxG markedly increases from La to Nd. This result suggests that XoxG's redox properties are tuned specifically for lighter Lns in XoxF, an interpretation supported by the unusually low reduction potential of XoxG (+172 mV). The X-ray crystal structure of XoxG provides a structural basis for this reduction potential and insight into the XoxG-XoxF interaction. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of XoxJ reveals a large hydrophobic cleft and suggests a role in the activation of XoxF. These studies enrich our understanding of the underlying chemical principles that enable the activity of XoxF with multiple lanthanides in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Featherston
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hannah R. Rose
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Molly J. McBride
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Elle M. Taylor
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Amie K. Boal
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Joseph A. Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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36
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Daumann LJ. Essential and Ubiquitous: The Emergence of Lanthanide Metallobiochemistry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:12795-12802. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201904090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lena J. Daumann
- Department of Chemistry Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 Munich Germany
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37
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena J. Daumann
- Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
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38
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Houghton KM, Carere CR, Stott MB, McDonald IR. Thermophilic methanotrophs: in hot pursuit. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 95:5543213. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTMethane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 20–30% of global climate change effects. The global methane budget is ∼500–600 Tg y−1, with the majority of methane produced via microbial processes, including anthropogenic-mediated sources such as ruminant animals, rice fields, sewage treatment facilities and landfills. It is estimated that microbially mediated methane oxidation (methanotrophy) consumes >50% of global methane flux each year. Methanotrophy research has primarily focused on mesophilic methanotrophic representatives and cooler environments such as freshwater, wetlands or marine habitats from which they are sourced. Nevertheless, geothermal emissions of geological methane, produced from magma and lithosphere degassing micro-seepages, mud volcanoes and other geological sources, contribute an estimated 33–75 Tg y−1 to the global methane budget. The aim of this review is to summarise current literature pertaining to the activity of thermophilic and thermotolerant methanotrophs, both proteobacterial (Methylocaldum, Methylococcus, Methylothermus) and verrucomicrobial (Methylacidiphilum). We assert, on the basis of recently reported molecular and geochemical data, that geothermal ecosystems host hitherto unidentified species capable of methane oxidation at higher temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Houghton
- GNS Science, Wairakei Research Centre, 114 Karetoto Rd, Taupō 3384, New Zealand
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Knighton Rd, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Carlo R Carere
- GNS Science, Wairakei Research Centre, 114 Karetoto Rd, Taupō 3384, New Zealand
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Matthew B Stott
- GNS Science, Wairakei Research Centre, 114 Karetoto Rd, Taupō 3384, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Ian R McDonald
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Knighton Rd, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
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Kalimuthu P, Daumann LJ, Pol A, Op den Camp HJM, Bernhardt PV. Electrocatalysis of a Europium‐Dependent Bacterial Methanol Dehydrogenase with Its Physiological Electron‐Acceptor Cytochrome
c
GJ. Chemistry 2019; 25:8760-8768. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201900525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Palraj Kalimuthu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Lena J. Daumann
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Department of Chemistry Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstr. 5–13, Haus D 81377 München Germany
| | - Arjan Pol
- Department of Microbiology Institute of Wetland and Water Research Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Huub J. M. Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology Institute of Wetland and Water Research Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Paul V. Bernhardt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
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Rare earth element alcohol dehydrogenases widely occur among globally distributed, numerically abundant and environmentally important microbes. ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:2005-2017. [PMID: 30952993 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0414-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanides (Ln3+), known as rare earth elements, have recently emerged as enzyme cofactors, contrary to prior assumption of their biological inertia. Several bacterial alcohol dehydrogenases have been characterized so far that depend on Ln3+ for activity and expression, belonging to the methanol dehydrogenase clade XoxF and the ethanol dehydrogenase clade ExaF/PedH. Here we compile an inventory of genes potentially encoding Ln3+-dependent enzymes, closely related to the previously characterized XoxF and ExaF/PedH enzymes. We demonstrate their wide distribution among some of the most numerically abundant and environmentally important taxa, such as the phylogenetically disparate rhizobial species and metabolically versatile bacteria inhabiting world's oceans, suggesting that reliance on Ln3+-mediated biochemistry is much more widespread in the microbial world than previously assumed. Through protein expression and analysis, we here more than double the extant collection of the biochemically characterized Ln3+-dependent enzymes, demonstrating a range of catalytic properties and substrate and cofactor specificities. Many of these enzymes reveal propensity for oxidation of methanol. This observation, in combination with genome-based reconstruction of methylotrophy pathways for select species suggests a much wider occurrence of this metabolic capability among bacterial species, and thus further suggests the importance of methylated compounds as parts of the global carbon cycling.
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Picone N, Op den Camp HJM. Role of rare earth elements in methanol oxidation. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 49:39-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Contrasting in vitro and in vivo methanol oxidation activities of lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases XoxF1 and ExaF from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4248. [PMID: 30862918 PMCID: PMC6414531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lanthanide (Ln) elements are utilized as cofactors for catalysis by XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs). A primary assumption is that XoxF enzymes produce formate from methanol oxidation, which could impact organisms that require formaldehyde for assimilation. We report genetic and phenotypic evidence showing that XoxF1 (MexAM1_1740) from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 produces formaldehyde, and not formate, during growth with methanol. Enzyme purified with lanthanum or neodymium oxidizes formaldehyde. However, formaldehyde oxidation via 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) reduction is not detected in cell-free extracts from wild-type strain methanol- and lanthanum-grown cultures. Formaldehyde activating enzyme (Fae) is required for Ln methylotrophic growth, demonstrating that XoxF1-mediated production of formaldehyde is essential. Addition of exogenous lanthanum increases growth rate with methanol by 9–12% but does not correlate with changes to methanol consumption or formaldehyde accumulation. Transcriptomics analysis of lanthanum methanol growth shows upregulation of xox1 and downregulation of mxa genes, consistent with the Ln-switch, no differential expression of formaldehyde conversion genes, downregulation of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) biosynthesis genes, and upregulation of fdh4 formate dehydrogenase (FDH) genes. Additionally, the Ln-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase ExaF reduces methanol sensitivity in the fae mutant strain when lanthanides are present, providing evidence for the capacity of an auxiliary role for ExaF during Ln-dependent methylotrophy.
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Ochsner AM, Hemmerle L, Vonderach T, Nüssli R, Bortfeld-Miller M, Hattendorf B, Vorholt JA. Use of rare-earth elements in the phyllosphere colonizer Methylobacterium extorquens PA1. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1152-1166. [PMID: 30653750 PMCID: PMC6850437 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Until recently, rare‐earth elements (REEs) had been thought to be biologically inactive. This view changed with the discovery of the methanol dehydrogenase XoxF that strictly relies on REEs for its activity. Some methylotrophs only contain xoxF, while others, including the model phyllosphere colonizer Methylobacterium extorquens PA1, harbor this gene in addition to mxaFI encoding a Ca2+‐dependent enzyme. Here we found that REEs induce the expression of xoxF in M. extorquens PA1, while repressing mxaFI, suggesting that XoxF is the preferred methanol dehydrogenase in the presence of sufficient amounts of REE. Using reporter assays and a suppressor screen, we found that lanthanum (La3+) is sensed both in a XoxF‐dependent and independent manner. Furthermore, we investigated the role of REEs during Arabidopsisthaliana colonization. Element analysis of the phyllosphere revealed the presence of several REEs at concentrations up to 10 μg per g dry weight. Complementary proteome analyses of M. extorquens PA1 identified XoxF as a top induced protein in planta and a core set of La3+‐regulated proteins under defined artificial media conditions. Among these was a REE‐binding protein that is encoded next to a gene for a TonB‐dependent transporter. The latter was essential for REE‐dependent growth on methanol indicating chelator‐assisted uptake of REEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Ochsner
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Hemmerle
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Vonderach
- Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Nüssli
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Bortfeld-Miller
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Bodo Hattendorf
- Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Julia A Vorholt
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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Akberdin IR, Collins DA, Hamilton R, Oshchepkov DY, Shukla AK, Nicora CD, Nakayasu ES, Adkins JN, Kalyuzhnaya MG. Rare Earth Elements Alter Redox Balance in Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z R. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2735. [PMID: 30542328 PMCID: PMC6277846 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) control methanol utilization in both methane- and methanol-utilizing microbes. It has been established that the addition of REEs leads to the transcriptional repression of MxaFI-MeDH [a two-subunit methanol dehydrogenase (MeDH), calcium-dependent] and the activation of XoxF-MeDH (a one-subunit MeDH, lanthanum-dependent). Both enzymes are pyrroquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases and show significant homology; however, they display different kinetic properties and substrate specificities. This study investigates the impact of the MxaFI to XoxF switch on the behavior of metabolic networks at a global scale. Results: In this study we investigated the steady-state growth of Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20ZR in media containing calcium (Ca) or lanthanum (La, a REE element). We found that cells supplemented with La show a higher growth rate compared to Ca-cultures; however, the efficiency of carbon conversion, estimated as biomass yield, is higher in cells grown with Ca. Three complementary global-omics approaches–RNA-seq transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics–were applied to investigate the mechanisms of improved growth vs. carbon conversion. Cells grown with La showed the transcriptional activation of the xoxF gene, a homolog of the formaldehyde-activating enzyme (fae2), a putative transporter, genes for hemin-transport proteins, and nitrate reductase. In contrast, genes for mxaFI and associated cytochrome (mxaG) expression were downregulated. Proteomic profiling suggested additional adjustments of the metabolic network at the protein level, including carbon assimilation pathways, electron transport systems, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Discord between gene expression and protein abundance changes points toward the possibility of post-transcriptional control of the related systems including key enzymes of the TCA cycle and a set of electron-transport carriers. Metabolomic data followed proteomics and showed the reduction of the ribulose-monophosphate (RuMP) pathway intermediates and the increase of the TCA cycle metabolites. Conclusion: Cells exposed to REEs display higher rates of growth but have lower carbon conversion efficiency compared to cells supplemented with Ca. The most plausible explanation for these physiological changes is an increased conversion of methanol into formate by XoxF-MeDH, which further stimulates methane oxidation but limits both the supply of reducing power and flux of formaldehyde into the RuMP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya R Akberdin
- Biology Department, Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States.,Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - David A Collins
- Biology Department, Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Richard Hamilton
- Biology Department, Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Anil K Shukla
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Ernesto S Nakayasu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Joshua N Adkins
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Marina G Kalyuzhnaya
- Biology Department, Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
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