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Rawat M, Chauhan M, Pandey A. Extremophiles and their expanding biotechnological applications. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:247. [PMID: 38713374 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03981-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Microbial life is not restricted to any particular setting. Over the past several decades, it has been evident that microbial populations can exist in a wide range of environments, including those with extremes in temperature, pressure, salinity, and pH. Bacteria and Archaea are the two most reported types of microbes that can sustain in extreme environments, such as hot springs, ice caves, acid drainage, and salt marshes. Some can even grow in toxic waste, organic solvents, and heavy metals. These microbes are called extremophiles. There exist certain microorganisms that are found capable of thriving in two or more extreme physiological conditions simultaneously, and are regarded as polyextremophiles. Extremophiles possess several physiological and molecular adaptations including production of extremolytes, ice nucleating proteins, pigments, extremozymes and exopolysaccharides. These metabolites are used in many biotechnological industries for making biofuels, developing new medicines, food additives, cryoprotective agents etc. Further, the study of extremophiles holds great significance in astrobiology. The current review summarizes the diversity of microorganisms inhabiting challenging environments and the biotechnological and therapeutic applications of the active metabolites obtained as a response to stress conditions. Bioprospection of extremophiles provides a progressive direction with significant enhancement in economy. Moreover, the introduction to omics approach including whole genome sequencing, single cell genomics, proteomics, metagenomics etc., has made it possible to find many unique microbial communities that could be otherwise difficult to cultivate using traditional methods. These findings might be capable enough to state that discovery of extremophiles can bring evolution to biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manvi Rawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | - Mansi Chauhan
- Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | - Anita Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India.
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2
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Srinivasan A, Sajeevan A, Rajaramon S, David H, Solomon AP. Solving polymicrobial puzzles: evolutionary dynamics and future directions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1295063. [PMID: 38145044 PMCID: PMC10748482 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1295063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymicrobial infections include various microorganisms, often necessitating different treatment methods than a monomicrobial infection. Scientists have been puzzled by the complex interactions within these communities for generations. The presence of specific microorganisms warrants a chronic infection and impacts crucial factors such as virulence and antibiotic susceptibility. Game theory is valuable for scenarios involving multiple decision-makers, but its relevance to polymicrobial infections is limited. Eco-evolutionary dynamics introduce causation for multiple proteomic interactions like metabolic syntropy and niche segregation. The review culminates both these giants to form evolutionary dynamics (ED). There is a significant amount of literature on inter-bacterial interactions that remain unsynchronised. Such raw data can only be moulded by analysing the ED involved. The review culminates the inter-bacterial interactions in multiple clinically relevant polymicrobial infections like chronic wounds, CAUTI, otitis media and dental carries. The data is further moulded with ED to analyse the niche colonisation of two notoriously competitive bacteria: S.aureus and P.aeruginosa. The review attempts to develop a future trajectory for polymicrobial research by following recent innovative strategies incorporating ED to curb polymicrobial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Adline Princy Solomon
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
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3
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Wang XW, Tan X, Dang CC, Lu Y, Xie GJ, Liu BF. Thermophilic microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle in thermal environments: Advances and prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165259. [PMID: 37400035 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Thermophilic microorganisms mediated significant element cycles and material conversion in the early Earth as well as mediating current thermal environments. Over the past few years, versatile microbial communities that drive the nitrogen cycle have been identified in thermal environments. Understanding the microbial-mediated nitrogen cycling processes in these thermal environments has important implications for the cultivation and application of thermal environment microorganisms as well as for exploring the global nitrogen cycle. This work provides a comprehensive review of different thermophilic nitrogen-cycling microorganisms and processes, which are described in detail according to several categories, including nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. In particular, we assess the environmental significance and potential applications of thermophilic nitrogen-cycling microorganisms, and highlight knowledge gaps and future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xin Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Yang Lu
- The Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Guo-Jun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Bing-Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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Tikhonova TV, Osipov EM, Dergousova NI, Boyko KM, Elizarov IM, Gavrilov SN, Khrenova MG, Robb FT, Solovieva AY, Bonch-Osmolovskaya EA, Popov VO. Extracellular Fe(III) reductase structure reveals a modular organization enabling S-layer insertion and electron transfer to insoluble substrates. Structure 2023; 31:174-184.e3. [PMID: 36630959 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.12.010] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The thermophilic anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium Carboxydothermus ferrireducens utilizes insoluble Fe(III) oxides as electron acceptors in respiratory processes using an extracellular 11-heme cytochrome c OmhA as a terminal reductase. OmhA is able to transfer electrons to soluble and insoluble Fe(III) compounds, substrates of multiheme oxidoreductases, and soluble electron shuttles. The crystal structure of OmhA at 2.5 Å resolution shows that it consists of two functionally distinct parts: the cytochrome с electron transfer and the S-layer binding domains. Nonaheme C-terminal subdomain of the cytochrome с domain is structurally similar to the extracellular multiheme cytochrome OcwA from the metal-reducing Gram-positive bacterium "Thermincola potens." S-layer binding domain of OmhA is responsible for interaction with the S-layer that surrounds the Carboxydothermus ferrireducens cell envelope. The structural foundations enabling the embedding of extracellular multiheme cytochromes to the S-layer of a Gram-positive-type cell wall and putative electron transfer pathways to insoluble minerals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara V Tikhonova
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation
| | - Evgenii M Osipov
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation; Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Natalia I Dergousova
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation
| | - Konstantin M Boyko
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation
| | - Ivan M Elizarov
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey N Gavrilov
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation
| | - Maria G Khrenova
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation; Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Lenin Hills, Building 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Frank T Robb
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, 701 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - Anastasia Y Solovieva
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation
| | - Elizaveta A Bonch-Osmolovskaya
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Lenin Hills, Building 12, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir O Popov
- Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Building 1, Moscow 119071, Russian Federation; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Lenin Hills, Building 12, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation.
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5
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Abstract
Synthetic biology applications rely on a well-characterized set of microbial strains, with an established toolbox of molecular biology methods for their genetic manipulation. Since there are no thermophiles with such attributes, most biotechnology and synthetic biology studies use organisms that grow in the mesophilic temperature range. As a result, thermophiles, a heterogenous group of microbes that thrive at high (>50 °C) temperatures, are largely overlooked, with respect to their biotechnological potential, even though they share several favorable traits. Thermophilic bacteria tend to grow at higher rates compared to their mesophilic counterparts, while their growth has lower cooling requirements and is less prone to contamination. Over the last few years, there has been renewed interest in developing tools and methods for thermophile bioengineering. In this perspective, we explain why it is a good idea to invest time and effort into developing a thermophilic synthetic biology direction, which is the state of the art, and why we think that the implementation of a thermophilic synthetic biology platform—a thermochassis—will take synthetic biology to the extremes.
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Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are an industrial important group of organisms that are notable for their inability to respire without growth supplements. Recently described bioelectroanalytical detectors that can specifically detect and enumerate microorganisms depend on a phenomenon known as extracellular electron transport (EET) for effective detection. EET is often described as a type of microbial respiration, which logically excludes LAB from such a detection platform. However, members of the LAB have recently been described as electroactive with the ability to carry out EET, providing a timely impetus to revisit the utility of bioelectroanalytical detectors in LAB detection. Here, we show that an LAB, Enterococcus faecalis, is easily detected bioelectroanalytically using the defined substrate resorufin-β-d-galactopyranoside. Detection is rapid, ranging from 34 to 235 min for inoculum sizes between 107 and 104 CFU mL−1, respectively. We show that, although the signal achieved by Enterococcus faecalis is comparable to systems that rely on the respiratory EET strategies of target bacteria, E. faecalis is not dependent on the electrode for energy, and it is only necessary to capture small amounts of an organism’s metabolic energy to, in this case 1.6%, to achieve good detection. The results pave the way for new means of detecting an industrially important group of organisms, particularly in the food industry.
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Obruča S, Dvořák P, Sedláček P, Koller M, Sedlář K, Pernicová I, Šafránek D. Polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis by halophiles and thermophiles: towards sustainable production of microbial bioplastics. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 58:107906. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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8
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Gurumurthy DM, Bilal M, Nadda AK, Reddy VD, Saratale GD, Guzik U, Ferreira LFR, Gupta SK, Savanur MA, Mulla SI. Evaluation of cell wall-associated direct extracellular electron transfer in thermophilic Geobacillus sp. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:383. [PMID: 34350088 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02917-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a cell wall-associated extracellular electron transfer (EET) was determined in the thermophilic Geobacillus sp. to utilize iron as a terminal electron acceptor. The direct extracellular transfer of its electrons was primarily linked to the cell wall cytochrome-c and diffusible redox mediators like flavins during the anoxic condition. Based on the azo dye decolouration and protein film voltammetry, it was revealed that, in the absence of surface polysaccharide and diffusible mediators, the cell wall-associated EET pathway was likely to be a favorable mechanism in Geobacillus sp. Since the permeability of such redox molecule is primarily limited to the cell wall, the electron transfer occurs by direct contact with cell wall-associated cytochrome and final electron acceptor. Furthermore, transfer of electrons with the help of redox shuttling molecules like riboflavin from cytochrome to cells, vice versa indicates that Geoabcillus sp. has adopted this unique pathway during an anoxic environment for its respiration. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02917-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai'an, China
| | - Ashok Kumar Nadda
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan, 173234 Himachal Pradesh India
| | - Vaddi Damodara Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Applied Sciences, REVA University, Bangalore, 560 064 India
| | - Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Urszula Guzik
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Science , University of Silesia in Katowice, Jagiellonska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland
| | - Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira
- Graduate Program in Process Engineering , Tiradentes University, Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, Aracaju, Sergipe 49032-490 Brazil
| | - Sanjay Kumar Gupta
- Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016 India
| | | | - Sikandar I Mulla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Applied Sciences, REVA University, Bangalore, 560 064 India
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9
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Mol V, Bennett M, Sánchez BJ, Lisowska BK, Herrgård MJ, Nielsen AT, Leak DJ, Sonnenschein N. Genome-scale metabolic modeling of P. thermoglucosidasius NCIMB 11955 reveals metabolic bottlenecks in anaerobic metabolism. Metab Eng 2021; 65:123-134. [PMID: 33753231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius represents a thermophilic, facultative anaerobic bacterial chassis, with several desirable traits for metabolic engineering and industrial production. To further optimize strain productivity, a systems level understanding of its metabolism is needed, which can be facilitated by a genome-scale metabolic model. Here, we present p-thermo, the most complete, curated and validated genome-scale model (to date) of Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius NCIMB 11955. It spans a total of 890 metabolites, 1175 reactions and 917 metabolic genes, forming an extensive knowledge base for P. thermoglucosidasius NCIMB 11955 metabolism. The model accurately predicts aerobic utilization of 22 carbon sources, and the predictive quality of internal fluxes was validated with previously published 13C-fluxomics data. In an application case, p-thermo was used to facilitate more in-depth analysis of reported metabolic engineering efforts, giving additional insight into fermentative metabolism. Finally, p-thermo was used to resolve a previously uncharacterised bottleneck in anaerobic metabolism, by identifying the minimal required supplemented nutrients (thiamin, biotin and iron(III)) needed to sustain anaerobic growth. This highlights the usefulness of p-thermo for guiding the generation of experimental hypotheses and for facilitating data-driven metabolic engineering, expanding the use of P. thermoglucosidasius as a high yield production platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviënne Mol
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Martyn Bennett
- The Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; The Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT), University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamín J Sánchez
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Beata K Lisowska
- The Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Markus J Herrgård
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; BioInnovation Institute, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Alex Toftgaard Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - David J Leak
- The Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; The Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT), University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.
| | - Nikolaus Sonnenschein
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Faustino MM, Fonseca BM, Costa NL, Lousa D, Louro RO, Paquete CM. Crossing the Wall: Characterization of the Multiheme Cytochromes Involved in the Extracellular Electron Transfer Pathway of Thermincola ferriacetica. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020293. [PMID: 33572691 PMCID: PMC7911101 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are emerging as a suite of versatile sustainable technologies to produce electricity and added-value compounds from renewable and carbon-neutral sources using electroactive organisms. The incomplete knowledge on the molecular processes that allow electroactive organisms to exchange electrons with electrodes has prevented their real-world implementation. In this manuscript we investigate the extracellular electron transfer processes performed by the thermophilic Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the Thermincola genus, which were found to produce higher levels of current and tolerate higher temperatures in BES than mesophilic Gram-negative bacteria. In our study, three multiheme c-type cytochromes, Tfer_0070, Tfer_0075, and Tfer_1887, proposed to be involved in the extracellular electron transfer pathway of T. ferriacetica, were cloned and over-expressed in E. coli. Tfer_0070 (ImdcA) and Tfer_1887 (PdcA) were purified and biochemically characterized. The electrochemical characterization of these proteins supports a pathway of extracellular electron transfer via these two proteins. By contrast, Tfer_0075 (CwcA) could not be stabilized in solution, in agreement with its proposed insertion in the peptidoglycan wall. However, based on the homology with the outer-membrane cytochrome OmcS, a structural model for CwcA was developed, providing a molecular perspective into the mechanisms of electron transfer across the peptidoglycan layer in Thermincola.
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11
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Gavrilov SN, Zavarzina DG, Elizarov IM, Tikhonova TV, Dergousova NI, Popov VO, Lloyd JR, Knight D, El-Naggar MY, Pirbadian S, Leung KM, Robb FT, Zakhartsev MV, Bretschger O, Bonch-Osmolovskaya EA. Novel Extracellular Electron Transfer Channels in a Gram-Positive Thermophilic Bacterium. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:597818. [PMID: 33505370 PMCID: PMC7829351 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.597818] [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: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biogenic transformation of Fe minerals, associated with extracellular electron transfer (EET), allows microorganisms to exploit high-potential refractory electron acceptors for energy generation. EET-capable thermophiles are dominated by hyperthermophilic archaea and Gram-positive bacteria. Information on their EET pathways is sparse. Here, we describe EET channels in the thermophilic Gram-positive bacterium Carboxydothermus ferrireducens that drive exoelectrogenesis and rapid conversion of amorphous mineral ferrihydrite to large magnetite crystals. Microscopic studies indicated biocontrolled formation of unusual formicary-like ultrastructure of the magnetite crystals and revealed active colonization of anodes in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) by C. ferrireducens. The internal structure of micron-scale biogenic magnetite crystals is reported for the first time. Genome analysis and expression profiling revealed three constitutive c-type multiheme cytochromes involved in electron exchange with ferrihydrite or an anode, sharing insignificant homology with previously described EET-related cytochromes thus representing novel determinants of EET. Our studies identify these cytochromes as extracellular and reveal potentially novel mechanisms of cell-to-mineral interactions in thermal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey N Gavrilov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria G Zavarzina
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan M Elizarov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tamara V Tikhonova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia I Dergousova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir O Popov
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Kurchatov Complex NBICS-Technologies, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute," Moscow, Russia
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Dalton Nuclear Institute, FSE Research Institutes, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Knight
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sahand Pirbadian
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kar Man Leung
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Frank T Robb
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Elizaveta A Bonch-Osmolovskaya
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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12
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Siderite-based anaerobic iron cycle driven by autotrophic thermophilic microbial consortium. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21661. [PMID: 33303863 PMCID: PMC7729950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78605-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a sample from a terrestrial hot spring (pH 6.8, 60 °C), we enriched a thermophilic microbial consortium performing anaerobic autotrophic oxidation of hydrothermal siderite (FeCO3), with CO2/bicarbonate as the electron acceptor and the only carbon source, producing green rust and acetate. In order to reproduce Proterozoic environmental conditions during the deposition of banded iron formation (BIF), we incubated the microbial consortium in a bioreactor that contained an unmixed anoxic layer of siderite, perfectly mixed N2/CO2-saturated liquid medium and microoxic (2% O2) headspace. Long-term incubation (56 days) led to the formation of magnetite (Fe3O4) instead of green rust as the main product of Fe(II) oxidation, the precipitation of newly formed metabolically induced siderite in the anoxic zone, and the deposition of hematite (Fe2O3) on bioreactor walls over the oxycline boundary. Acetate was the only metabolic product of CO2/bicarbonate reduction. Thus, we have demonstrated the ability of autotrophic thermophilic microbial consortium to perform a short cycle of iron minerals transformation: siderite–magnetite–siderite, accompanied by magnetite and hematite accumulation. This cycle is believed to have driven the evolution of the early biosphere, leading to primary biomass production and deposition of the main iron mineral association of BIF.
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13
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Xiao X, Yu HQ. Molecular mechanisms of microbial transmembrane electron transfer of electrochemically active bacteria. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020; 59:104-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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14
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Paquete CM. Electroactivity across the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:3796-3802. [PMID: 33335679 PMCID: PMC7720022 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing interest on sustainable biotechnological processes for the production of energy and industrial relevant organic compounds have increased the discovery of electroactive organisms (i.e. organisms that are able to exchange electrons with an electrode) and the characterization of their extracellular electron transfer mechanisms. While most of the knowledge on extracellular electron transfer processes came from studies on Gram-negative bacteria, less is known about the processes performed by Gram-positive bacteria. In contrast to Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria lack an outer-membrane and contain a thick cell wall, which were thought to prevent extracellular electron transfer. However, in the last decade, an increased number of Gram-positive bacteria have been found to perform extracellular electron transfer, and exchange electrons with an electrode. In this mini-review the current knowledge on the extracellular electron transfer processes performed by Gram-positive bacteria is introduced, emphasising their electroactive role in bioelectrochemical systems. Also, the existent information of the molecular processes by which these bacteria exchange electrons with an electrode is highlighted. This understanding is fundamental to advance the implementation of these organisms in sustainable biotechnological processes, either through modification of the systems or through genetic engineering, where the organisms can be optimized to become better catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M. Paquete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
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15
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Methanogenesis inhibitors used in bio-electrochemical systems: A review revealing reality to decide future direction and applications. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 319:124141. [PMID: 32977094 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a robust technology capable of treating real wastewaters by utilizing mixed anaerobic microbiota as inoculum for producing electricity from oxidation of the biodegradable matters. However, these mixed microbiota comprises of both electroactive microorganisms (EAM) and substrate/electron scavenging microorganisms such as methanogens. Hence, in order to maximize bioelectricity from MFC, different physio-chemical techniques have been applied in past investigations to suppress activity of methanogens. Interestingly, recent investigations exhibit that methanogens can produce electricity in MFC and possess the cellular machinery like cytochrome c and Type IV pili to perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) in the presence of suitable electron acceptors. Hence, in this review, in-depth analysis of versatile behaviour of methanogens in both MFC and natural anaerobic conditions with different inhibition techniques is explored. This review also discusses the future research directions based on the latest scientific evidence on role of methanogens for EET in MFC.
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Wang L, Wang M, Shi X, Yang J, Qian C, Liu Q, Zong L, Liu X, Zhu Z, Tang D, Zhang X. Investigation into archaeal extremophilic lifestyles through comparative proteogenomic analysis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:7080-7092. [PMID: 32820705 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1808531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Archaea are a group of primary life forms on Earth and could thrive in many unique environments. Their successful colonization of extreme niches requires corresponding adaptations at proteogenomic level in order to maintain stable cellular structures and active physiological functions. Although some studies have already investigated the extremophilic lifestyles of archaeal species based on genomic features and protein structures, there is a lack of comparative proteogenomic analysis in a large scale. In this study, we explored 686 high-quality archaeal genomes (proteomes) sourced from the Pathosystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC) database. General patterns of genomic features such as genome size, coding capacity (coding genes and non-coding regions), and G + C contents were re-confirmed. Protein domain distribution patterns were then identified across archaeal species. Domains with unknown functions (DUFs) and mini proteins were investigated in terms of their distributions due to their importance in archaeal physiological functions. In addition, physicochemical properties of protein sequences, such as stability, hydrophobicity, isoelectric point, aromaticity and amino acid compositions in corresponding archaeal groups were compared. Unique features associated with extremophilic lifestyles were observed, which suggested that evolutionary adaptations to different extreme environments had intrinsic impacts on archaeal protein features. Taken together, this systematic study facilitates a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the extremophilic lifestyles of archaeal species, which will further contribute to the evolutionary explorations of archaeal adaptations both experimentally and theoretically in the future studies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Informatics and Engineering, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Lab of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyi Shi
- School of Life Science, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianye Yang
- School of Life Science, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenlu Qian
- School of Life Science, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qinghua Liu
- Jiangsu Key Lab of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lixin Zong
- School of Life Science, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Informatics and Engineering, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zuobin Zhu
- School of Life Science, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Daoquan Tang
- Jiangsu Key Lab of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Informatics and Engineering, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Computer Science, School of Medical Informatics and Engineering, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Two Routes for Extracellular Electron Transfer in Enterococcus faecalis. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00725-19. [PMID: 31932308 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00725-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis cells are known to have ferric reductase activity and the ability to transfer electrons generated in metabolism to the external environment. We have isolated mutants defective in ferric reductase activity and studied their electron transfer properties to electrodes mediated by ferric ions and an osmium complex-modified redox polymer (OsRP). Electron transfer mediated with ferric ions and ferric reductase activity were both found to be dependent on the membrane-associated Ndh3 and EetA proteins, consistent with findings in Listeria monocytogenes In contrast, electron transfer mediated with OsRP was independent of these two proteins. Quinone in the cell membrane was required for the electron transfer with both mediators. The combined results demonstrate that extracellular electron transfer from reduced quinone to ferric ions and to OsRP occurs via different routes in the cell envelope of E. faecalis IMPORTANCE The transfer of reducing power in the form of electrons, generated in the catabolism of nutrients, from a bacterium to an extracellular acceptor appears to be common in nature. The electron acceptor can be another cell or abiotic material. Such extracellular electron transfer contributes to syntrophic metabolism and is of wide environmental, industrial, and medical importance. Electron transfer between microorganisms and electrodes is fundamental in microbial fuel cells for energy production and for electricity-driven synthesis of chemical compounds in cells. In contrast to the much-studied extracellular electron transfer mediated by cell surface exposed cytochromes, little is known about components and mechanisms for such electron transfer in organisms without these cytochromes and in Gram-positive bacteria such as E. faecalis, which is a commensal gut lactic acid bacterium and opportunistic pathogen.
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Goh KM, Shahar S, Chan KG, Chong CS, Amran SI, Sani MH, Zakaria II, Kahar UM. Current Status and Potential Applications of Underexplored Prokaryotes. Microorganisms 2019; 7:E468. [PMID: 31635256 PMCID: PMC6843859 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thousands of prokaryotic genera have been published, but methodological bias in the study of prokaryotes is noted. Prokaryotes that are relatively easy to isolate have been well-studied from multiple aspects. Massive quantities of experimental findings and knowledge generated from the well-known prokaryotic strains are inundating scientific publications. However, researchers may neglect or pay little attention to the uncommon prokaryotes and hard-to-cultivate microorganisms. In this review, we provide a systematic update on the discovery of underexplored culturable and unculturable prokaryotes and discuss the insights accumulated from various research efforts. Examining these neglected prokaryotes may elucidate their novelties and functions and pave the way for their industrial applications. In addition, we hope that this review will prompt the scientific community to reconsider these untapped pragmatic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian Mau Goh
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Saleha Shahar
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
- International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, ZhenJiang 212013, China.
| | - Chun Shiong Chong
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Syazwani Itri Amran
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Helmi Sani
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Iffah Izzati Zakaria
- Malaysia Genome Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Jalan Bangi, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Ummirul Mukminin Kahar
- Malaysia Genome Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Jalan Bangi, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.
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How Thermophilic Gram-Positive Organisms Perform Extracellular Electron Transfer: Characterization of the Cell Surface Terminal Reductase OcwA. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01210-19. [PMID: 31431546 PMCID: PMC6703420 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01210-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermophilic Gram-positive organisms were recently shown to be a promising class of organisms to be used in bioelectrochemical systems for the production of electrical energy. These organisms present a thick peptidoglycan layer that was thought to preclude them to perform extracellular electron transfer (i.e., exchange catabolic electrons with solid electron acceptors outside the cell). In this paper, we describe the structure and functional mechanisms of the multiheme cytochrome OcwA, the terminal reductase of the Gram-positive bacterium Thermincola potens JR found at the cell surface of this organism. The results presented here show that this protein can take the role of a respiratory “Swiss Army knife,” allowing this organism to grow in environments with soluble and insoluble substrates. Moreover, it is shown that it is unrelated to terminal reductases found at the cell surface of other electroactive organisms. Instead, OcwA is similar to terminal reductases of soluble electron acceptors. Our data reveal that terminal oxidoreductases of soluble and insoluble substrates are evolutionarily related, providing novel insights into the evolutionary pathway of multiheme cytochromes. Extracellular electron transfer is the key process underpinning the development of bioelectrochemical systems for the production of energy or added-value compounds. Thermincola potens JR is a promising Gram-positive bacterium to be used in these systems because it is thermophilic. In this paper, we describe the structural and functional properties of the nonaheme cytochrome OcwA, which is the terminal reductase of this organism. The structure of OcwA, determined at 2.2-Å resolution, shows that the overall fold and organization of the hemes are not related to other metal reductases and instead are similar to those of multiheme cytochromes involved in the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and sulfur. We show that, in addition to solid electron acceptors, OcwA can also reduce soluble electron shuttles and oxyanions. These data reveal that OcwA can work as a multipurpose respiratory enzyme allowing this organism to grow in environments with rapidly changing availability of terminal electron acceptors without the need for transcriptional regulation and protein synthesis.
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