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Benning S, Pritsch K, Radl V, Siani R, Wang Z, Schloter M. (Pan)genomic analysis of two Rhodococcus isolates and their role in phenolic compound degradation. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0378323. [PMID: 38376357 PMCID: PMC10986565 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03783-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Rhodococcus is recognized for its potential to degrade a large range of aromatic substances, including plant-derived phenolic compounds. We used comparative genomics in the context of the broader Rhodococcus pan-genome to study genomic traits of two newly described Rhodococcus strains (type-strain Rhodococcus pseudokoreensis R79T and Rhodococcus koreensis R85) isolated from apple rhizosphere. Of particular interest was their ability to degrade phenolic compounds as part of an integrated approach to treat apple replant disease (ARD) syndrome. The pan-genome of the genus Rhodococcus based on 109 high-quality genomes was open with a small core (1.3%) consisting of genes assigned to basic cell functioning. The range of genome sizes in Rhodococcus was high, from 3.7 to 10.9 Mbp. Genomes from host-associated strains were generally smaller compared to environmental isolates which were characterized by exceptionally large genome sizes. Due to large genomic differences, we propose the reclassification of distinct groups of rhodococci like the Rhodococcus equi cluster to new genera. Taxonomic species affiliation was the most important factor in predicting genetic content and clustering of the genomes. Additionally, we found genes that discriminated between the strains based on habitat. All members of the genus Rhodococcus had at least one gene involved in the pathway for the degradation of benzoate, while biphenyl degradation was mainly restricted to strains in close phylogenetic relationships with our isolates. The ~40% of genes still unclassified in larger Rhodococcus genomes, particularly those of environmental isolates, need more research to explore the metabolic potential of this genus.IMPORTANCERhodococcus is a diverse, metabolically powerful genus, with high potential to adapt to different habitats due to the linear plasmids and large genome sizes. The analysis of its pan-genome allowed us to separate host-associated from environmental strains, supporting taxonomic reclassification. It was shown which genes contribute to the differentiation of the genomes based on habitat, which can possibly be used for targeted isolation and screening for desired traits. With respect to apple replant disease (ARD), our isolates showed genome traits that suggest potential for application in reducing plant-derived phenolic substances in soil, which makes them good candidates for further testing against ARD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Benning
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Karin Pritsch
- Research Unit for Environmental Simulations, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Viviane Radl
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Siani
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Zhongjie Wang
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Schloter
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair for Environmental Microbiology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Zumsteg J, Hirschler A, Carapito C, Maurer L, Villette C, Heintz D, Dahl C, El Nayal A, Sangal V, Mahmoud H, Van Dorsselaer A, Ismail W. Mechanistic insights into sulfur source-driven physiological responses and metabolic reorganization in the fuel-biodesulfurizing Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0082623. [PMID: 37655899 PMCID: PMC10537767 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00826-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparative proteomics and untargeted metabolomics were combined to study the physiological and metabolic adaptations of Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 under biodesulfurization conditions. After growth in a chemically defined medium with either dibenzothiophene (DBT) or MgSO4 as the sulfur source, many differentially produced proteins and metabolites associated with several metabolic and physiological processes were detected including the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, nucleotides, vitamins, protein synthesis, transcriptional regulation, cell envelope biogenesis, and cell division. Increased production of the redox cofactor mycofactocin and associated proteins was one of the most striking adaptations under biodesulfurization conditions. While most central metabolic enzymes were less abundant in the presence of DBT, a key enzyme of the glyoxylate shunt, isocitrate lyase, was up to 26-fold more abundant. Several C1 metabolism and oligotrophy-related enzymes were significantly more abundant in the biodesulfurizing culture. R. qingshengii IGTS8 exhibited oligotrophic growth in liquid and solid media under carbon starvation. Moreover, the oligotrophic growth was faster on the solid medium in the presence of DBT compared to MgSO4 cultures. In the DBT culture, the cell envelope and phospholipids were remodeled, with lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and unsaturated and short-chain fatty acids being the most prominent changes. Biodesulfurization increased the biosynthesis of osmoprotectants (ectoine and mannosylglycerate) as well as glutamate and induced the stringent response. Our findings reveal highly diverse and overlapping stress responses that could protect the biodesulfurizing culture not only from the associated sulfate limitation but also from chemical, oxidative, and osmotic stress, allowing efficient resource management. IMPORTANCE Despite decades of research, a commercially viable bioprocess for fuel desulfurization has not been developed yet. This is mainly due to lack of knowledge of the physiology and metabolism of fuel-biodesulfurizing bacteria. Being a stressful condition, biodesulfurization could provoke several stress responses that are not understood. This is particularly important because a thorough understanding of the microbial stress response is essential for the development of environmentally friendly and industrially efficient microbial biocatalysts. Our comparative systems biology studies provide a mechanistic understanding of the biology of biodesulfurization, which is crucial for informed developments through the rational design of recombinant biodesulfurizers and optimization of the bioprocess conditions. Our findings enhance the understanding of the physiology, metabolism, and stress response not only in biodesulfurizing bacteria but also in rhodococci, a precious group of biotechnologically important bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Zumsteg
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Aurélie Hirschler
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christine Carapito
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Loïc Maurer
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Département mécanique, ICube Laboratoire des sciences de l’ingénieur, de l’informatique et de l’imagerie, UNISTRA/CNRS/ENGEES/INSA, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claire Villette
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dimitri Heintz
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christiane Dahl
- Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ashraf El Nayal
- Environmental Biotechnology Program, Life Sciences Department, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Vartul Sangal
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Huda Mahmoud
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Alain Van Dorsselaer
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Wael Ismail
- Environmental Biotechnology Program, Life Sciences Department, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
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Tarasova EV, Luchnikova NA, Grishko VV, Ivshina IB. Actinomycetes as Producers of Biologically Active Terpenoids: Current Trends and Patents. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:872. [PMID: 37375819 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Terpenes and their derivatives (terpenoids and meroterpenoids, in particular) constitute the largest class of natural compounds, which have valuable biological activities and are promising therapeutic agents. The present review assesses the biosynthetic capabilities of actinomycetes to produce various terpene derivatives; reports the main methodological approaches to searching for new terpenes and their derivatives; identifies the most active terpene producers among actinomycetes; and describes the chemical diversity and biological properties of the obtained compounds. Among terpene derivatives isolated from actinomycetes, compounds with pronounced antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and other effects were determined. Actinomycete-produced terpenoids and meroterpenoids with high antimicrobial activity are of interest as a source of novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Most of the discovered terpene derivatives are produced by the genus Streptomyces; however, recent publications have reported terpene biosynthesis by members of the genera Actinomadura, Allokutzneria, Amycolatopsis, Kitasatosporia, Micromonospora, Nocardiopsis, Salinispora, Verrucosispora, etc. It should be noted that the use of genetically modified actinomycetes is an effective tool for studying and regulating terpenes, as well as increasing productivity of terpene biosynthesis in comparison with native producers. The review includes research articles on terpene biosynthesis by Actinomycetes between 2000 and 2022, and a patent analysis in this area shows current trends and actual research directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina V Tarasova
- Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13A Lenina Str., 614990 Perm, Russia
| | - Natalia A Luchnikova
- Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13A Lenina Str., 614990 Perm, Russia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Perm State University, 15 Bukirev Str., 614990 Perm, Russia
| | - Victoria V Grishko
- Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13A Lenina Str., 614990 Perm, Russia
| | - Irina B Ivshina
- Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13A Lenina Str., 614990 Perm, Russia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Perm State University, 15 Bukirev Str., 614990 Perm, Russia
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Advancing Desulfurization in the Model Biocatalyst Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 via an In Locus Combinatorial Approach. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0197022. [PMID: 36688659 PMCID: PMC9973023 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01970-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodesulfurization poses as an ideal replacement to the high cost hydrodesulfurization of the recalcitrant heterocyclic sulfur compounds, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT) and its derivatives. The increasingly stringent limits on fuel sulfur content intensify the need for improved desulfurization biocatalysts, without sacrificing the calorific value of the fuel. Selective sulfur removal in a wide range of biodesulfurization strains, as well as in the model biocatalyst Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8, occurs via the 4S metabolic pathway that involves the dszABC operon, which encodes enzymes that catalyze the generation of 2-hydroxybiphenyl and sulfite from DBT. Here, using a homologous recombination process, we generate two recombinant IGTS8 biocatalysts, harboring native or rearranged, nonrepressible desulfurization operons, within the native dsz locus. The alleviation of sulfate-, methionine-, and cysteine-mediated dsz repression is achieved through the exchange of the native promoter Pdsz, with the nonrepressible Pkap1 promoter. The Dsz-mediated desulfurization from DBT was monitored at three growth phases, through HPLC analysis of end product levels. Notably, an 86-fold enhancement of desulfurization activity was documented in the presence of selected repressive sulfur sources for the recombinant biocatalyst harboring a combination of three targeted genetic modifications, namely, a dsz operon rearrangement, a native promoter exchange, and a dszA-dszB overlap removal. In addition, transcript level comparison highlighted the diverse effects of our genetic engineering approaches on dsz mRNA ratios and revealed a gene-specific differential increase in mRNA levels. IMPORTANCE Rhodococcus is perhaps the most promising biodesulfurization genus and is able to withstand the harsh process conditions of a biphasic biodesulfurization process. In the present work, we constructed an advanced biocatalyst harboring a combination of three genetic modifications, namely, an operon rearrangement, a promoter exchange, and a gene overlap removal. Our homologous recombination approach generated stable biocatalysts that do not require antibiotic addition, while harboring nonrepressible desulfurization operons that present very high biodesulfurization activities and are produced in simple and low-cost media. In addition, transcript level quantification validated the effects of our genetic engineering approaches on recombinant strains' dsz mRNA ratios and revealed a gene-specific differential increase in mRNA levels. Based on these findings, the present work can pave the way for further strain and process optimization studies that could eventually lead to an economically viable biodesulfurization process.
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Bacterial Biological Factories Intended for the Desulfurization of Petroleum Products in Refineries. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation9030211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The removal of sulfur by deep hydrodesulfurization is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Additionally, sulfur is not separated completely from heterocyclic poly-aromatic compounds. In nature, several microorganisms (Rhodococcus erythropolis IGTS8, Gordonia sp., Bacillus sp., Mycobacterium sp., Paenibacillus sp. A11-2 etc.) have been reported to remove sulfur from petroleum fractions. All these microbes remove sulfur from recalcitrant organosulfur compounds via the 4S pathway, showing potential for some organosulfur compounds only. Activity up to 100 µM/g dry cell weights is needed to meet the current demand for desulfurization. The present review describes the desulfurization capability of various microorganisms acting on several kinds of sulfur sources. Genetic engineering approaches on Gordonia sp. and other species have revealed a variety of good substrate ranges of desulfurization, both for aliphatic and aromatic organosulfur compounds. Whole genome sequence analysis and 4S pathway inhibition by a pTeR group inhibitor have also been discussed. Now, emphasis is being placed on how to commercialize the microbes for industrial-level applications by incorporating biodesulfurization into hydrodesulfurization systems. Thus, this review summarizes the potentialities of microbes for desulfurization of petroleum. The information included in this review could be useful for researchers as well as the economical commercialization of bacteria in petroleum industries.
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Glekas PD, Martzoukou O, Mastrodima ME, Zarkadoulas E, Kanakoglou DS, Kekos D, Pachnos M, Mavridis G, Mamma D, Hatzinikolaou DG. Deciphering the biodesulfurization potential of two novel Rhodococcus isolates from a unique Greek environment. AIMS Microbiol 2022; 8:484-506. [PMID: 36694580 PMCID: PMC9834085 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2022032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustainable biodesulfurization (BDS) processes require the use of microbial biocatalysts that display high activity against the recalcitrant heterocyclic sulfur compounds and can simultaneously withstand the harsh conditions of contact with petroleum products, inherent to any industrial biphasic BDS system. In this framework, the functional microbial BDS-related diversity in a naturally oil-exposed ecosystem, was examined through a 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene based enrichment process. Two new Rhodococcus sp. strains were isolated, which during a medium optimization process revealed a significantly enhanced BDS activity profile when compared to the model strain R. qingshengii IGTS8. In biocatalyst stability studies conducted in biphasic mode using partially hydrodesulfurized diesel under various process conditions, the new strains also presented an enhanced stability phenotype. In these studies, it was also demonstrated for all strains, that the BDS activity losses were decoupled from the overall cells' viability, in addition to the fact that the use of whole-broth biocatalyst positively affected BDS performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiotis D. Glekas
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Martzoukou
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Eleni Mastrodima
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstathios Zarkadoulas
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios S. Kanakoglou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Kekos
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Sector of Synthesis and Development of Industrial Processes (IV), School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Michalis Pachnos
- Division of European Affairs, Motor Oil Hellas, 15121 Marousi, Athens, Greece
| | - George Mavridis
- Division of European Affairs, Motor Oil Hellas, 15121 Marousi, Athens, Greece
| | - Diomi Mamma
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Sector of Synthesis and Development of Industrial Processes (IV), School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece,* Correspondence:
| | - Dimitris G. Hatzinikolaou
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece,* Correspondence: ; Tel: +306932782004
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Li CJ, Wang M, Zhang Z, Zhi XY, Yang LL. Genome-based analyses reveal heterotypic synonyms of Streptomyces species and associated subspecies. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:581. [PMID: 36040504 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the genus Streptomyces, several validly described species have been reduced to synonyms of earlier described species though additional synonyms remain to be detected given the previous dependence on traditional phenotypic methods. In this study, genome-based procedures, including DNA-DNA hybridization analyses, overall genome-related indices, such as ANI, dDDH and AAI, revealed that certain strains recorded genomic indices above the threshold values used to define species boundaries. The results of phylogenetic and phylogenomic trees based on concatenated and phylogenomic analyses showed that 33 out of 364 tested species could be assigned to 15 species groups and that 18 Streptomyces species names be reclassified as later heterotypic synonyms of earlier validly published species. Consequently, it is proposed that S. albaduncus is a later heterotypic synonym of S. griseoloalbus; S. bellus is a synonym of S. coeruleorubidus; S. gancidicus and S. rubiginosus are synonyms of S. pseudogriseolus; S. niveoruber is a synonym of S. griseoviridis; S. griseomycini is a synonym of S. griseostramineus; S. jietaisiensis is a synonym of S. griseoaurantiacus; S. pluricolorescens is a synonym of S. rubiginosohelvolus; S. nashvillensis is a synonym of S. tanashiensis; S. yerevanensis is a synonym of S. flaveus; S. durhamensis is a synonym of S. filipinensis; S. recifensis is a synonym of S. griseoluteus; S. canaries and S. olivaceoviridis are synonyms of S. corchorusii; S. melanosporofaciens is a synonym of S. antimycoticus; S. albulus is a synonym of S. noursei; and S. janthinus and S. violarus are synonyms of S. violaceus. Additionally, seven of these 18 Streptomyces species have been designated subspecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yang Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling-Ling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China.
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Interplay between Sulfur Assimilation and Biodesulfurization Activity in Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8: Insights into a Regulatory Role of the Reverse Transsulfuration Pathway. mBio 2022; 13:e0075422. [PMID: 35856606 PMCID: PMC9426449 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00754-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodesulfurization is a process that selectively removes sulfur from dibenzothiophene and its derivatives. Several natural biocatalysts harboring the highly conserved desulfurization operon dszABC, which is significantly repressed by methionine, cysteine, and inorganic sulfate, have been isolated. However, the available information on the metabolic regulation of gene expression is still limited. In this study, scarless knockouts of the reverse transsulfuration pathway enzyme genes cbs and metB were constructed in the desulfurizing strain Rhodococcus sp. strain IGTS8. We provide sequence analyses and report the enzymes' involvement in the sulfate- and methionine-dependent repression of biodesulfurization activity. Sulfate addition in the bacterial culture did not repress the desulfurization activity of the Δcbs strain, whereas deletion of metB promoted a significant biodesulfurization activity for sulfate-based growth and an even higher desulfurization activity for methionine-grown cells. In contrast, growth on cysteine completely repressed the desulfurization activity of all strains. Transcript level comparison uncovered a positive effect of cbs and metB gene deletions on dsz gene expression in the presence of sulfate and methionine, but not cysteine, offering insights into a critical role of cystathionine β-synthase (CβS) and MetB in desulfurization activity regulation. IMPORTANCE Precise genome editing of the model biocatalyst Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 was performed for the first time, more than 3 decades after its initial discovery. We thus gained insight into the regulation of dsz gene expression and biocatalyst activity, depending on the presence of two reverse transsulfuration enzymes, CβS and MetB. Moreover, we observed an enhancement of biodesulfurization capability in the presence of otherwise repressive sulfur sources, such as sulfate and l-methionine. The interconnection of cellular sulfur assimilation strategies was revealed and validated.
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Malla MA, Dubey A, Kumar A, Yadav S. Metagenomic analysis displays the potential predictive biodegradation pathways of the persistent pesticides in agricultural soil with a long record of pesticide usage. Microbiol Res 2022; 261:127081. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Martín-Cabello G, Terrón-González L, Santero E. Characterization of a dszEABC operon providing fast growth on dibenzothiophene and construction of broad-host-range biodesulfurization catalysts. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:1946-1963. [PMID: 35233925 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A new operon for biodesulfurization (BDS) of dibenzothiophene and derivatives has been isolated from a metagenomic library made from oil-contaminated soil, by selecting growth of E. coli on DBT as the sulfur source. This operon is similar to a dszEABC operon also isolated by metagenomic functional screening but exhibited substantial differences: (i) the new fosmid provides much faster growth on DBT; (ii) associated dszEABC genes can be expressed without the need of heterologous expression from the vector promoter; and (iii) monooxygenases encoded in the fosmid cannot oxidize indole to produce indigo. We show how expression of the new dszEABC operon is regulated by the sulfur source, being induced under sulfur-limiting conditions. Its transcription is activated by DszR, a type IV activator οf σN -dependent promoters. DszR is coded in a dszHR operon, whose transcription is in turn regulated by sulfur and presumably activated by the global regulator of sulfur metabolism CysB. Expression of dszH is essential for production of active DszR, although it is not involved in sulfur sensing or regulation. Two broad-host-range DBT biodesulfurization catalysts have been constructed and shown to provide DBT biodesulfurization capability to three Pseudomonas strains, displaying desirable characteristics for biocatalysts to be used in BDS processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Martín-Cabello
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía, and Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain
| | - Laura Terrón-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía, and Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain
| | - Eduardo Santero
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía, and Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain
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Biodesulfurization Induces Reprogramming of Sulfur Metabolism in Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8: Proteomics and Untargeted Metabolomics. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0069221. [PMID: 34468196 PMCID: PMC8557817 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00692-21] [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: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur metabolism in fuel-biodesulfurizing bacteria and the underlying physiological adaptations are not understood, which has impeded the development of a commercially viable bioprocess for fuel desulfurization. To fill these knowledge gaps, we performed comparative proteomics and untargeted metabolomics in cultures of the biodesulfurization reference strain Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 grown on either inorganic sulfate or the diesel-borne organosulfur compound dibenzothiophene as a sole sulfur source. Dibenzothiophene significantly altered the biosynthesis of many sulfur metabolism proteins and metabolites in a growth phase-dependent manner, which enabled us to reconstruct the first experimental model for sulfur metabolism in a fuel-biodesulfurizing bacterium. All key pathways related to assimilatory sulfur metabolism were represented in the sulfur proteome, including uptake of the sulfur sources, sulfur acquisition, and assimilatory sulfate reduction, in addition to biosynthesis of key sulfur-containing metabolites such as S-adenosylmethionine, coenzyme A, biotin, thiamin, molybdenum cofactor, mycothiol, and ergothioneine (low-molecular weight thiols). Fifty-two proteins exhibited significantly different abundance during at least one growth phase. Sixteen proteins were uniquely detected and 47 proteins were significantly more abundant in the dibenzothiophene culture during at least one growth phase. The sulfate-free dibenzothiophene-containing culture reacted to sulfate starvation by restricting sulfur assimilation, enforcing sulfur-sparing, and maintaining redox homeostasis. Biodesulfurization triggered alternative pathways for sulfur assimilation different from those operating in the inorganic sulfate culture. Sulfur metabolism reprogramming and metabolic switches in the dibenzothiophene culture were manifested in limiting sulfite reduction and biosynthesis of cysteine, while boosting the production of methionine via the cobalamin-independent pathway, as well as the biosynthesis of the redox buffers mycothiol and ergothioneine. The omics data underscore the key role of sulfur metabolism in shaping the biodesulfurization phenotype and highlight potential targets for improving the biodesulfurization catalytic activity via metabolic engineering. IMPORTANCE For many decades, research on biodesulfurization of fossil fuels was conducted amid a large gap in knowledge of sulfur metabolism and its regulation in fuel-biodesulfurizing bacteria, which has impeded the development of a commercially viable bioprocess. In addition, lack of understanding of biodesulfurization-associated metabolic and physiological adaptations prohibited the development of efficient biodesulfurizers. Our integrated omics-based findings reveal the assimilatory sulfur metabolism in the biodesulfurization reference strain Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 and show how sulfur metabolism and oxidative stress response were remodeled and orchestrated to shape the biodesulfurization phenotype. Our findings not only explain the frequently encountered low catalytic activity of native fuel-biodesulfurizing bacteria but also uncover unprecedented potential targets in sulfur metabolism that could be exploited via metabolic engineering to boost the biodesulfurization catalytic activity, a prerequisite for commercial application.
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Kuhl T, Chowdhury SP, Uhl J, Rothballer M. Genome-Based Characterization of Plant-Associated Rhodococcus qingshengii RL1 Reveals Stress Tolerance and Plant-Microbe Interaction Traits. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:708605. [PMID: 34489897 PMCID: PMC8416521 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.708605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress tolerant, plant-associated bacteria can play an important role in maintaining a functional plant microbiome and protecting plants against various (a)biotic stresses. Members of the stress tolerant genus Rhodococcus are frequently found in the plant microbiome. Rhodococcus qingshengii RL1 was isolated from Eruca sativa and the complete genome was sequenced, annotated and analyzed using different bioinformatic tools. A special focus was laid on functional analyses of stress tolerance and interactions with plants. The genome annotation of RL1 indicated that it contains a repertoire of genes which could enable it to survive under different abiotic stress conditions for e.g., elevated mercury concentrations, to interact with plants via root colonization, to produce phytohormones and siderophores, to fix nitrogen and to interact with bacterial signaling via a LuxR-solo and quorum quenching. Based on the identified genes, functional analyses were performed in vitro with RL1 under different growth conditions. The R. qingshengii type strain djl6 and a closely related Rhodococcus erythropolis BG43 were included in the experiments to find common and distinct traits between the strains. Genome based phylogenetic analysis of 15 available and complete R. erythropolis and R. qingshengii genome sequences revealed a separation of the R. erythropolis clade in two subgroups. First one harbors only R. erythropolis strains including the R. erythropolis type strain. The second group consisted of the R. qingshengii type strain and a mix of R. qingshengii and R. erythropolis strains indicating that some strains of the second group should be considered for taxonomic re-assignment. However, BG43 was clearly identified as R. erythropolis and RL1 clearly as R. qingshengii and the strains had most tested traits in common, indicating a close functional overlap of traits between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Kuhl
- Institute for Network Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Soumitra Paul Chowdhury
- Institute for Network Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jenny Uhl
- Research Unit Analytical Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Rothballer
- Institute for Network Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
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Biotechnological and Ecological Potential of Micromonospora provocatoris sp. nov., a Gifted Strain Isolated from the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19050243. [PMID: 33923039 PMCID: PMC8146288 DOI: 10.3390/md19050243] [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: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A Micromonospora strain, isolate MT25T, was recovered from a sediment collected from the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench using a selective isolation procedure. The isolate produced two major metabolites, n-acetylglutaminyl glutamine amide and desferrioxamine B, the chemical structures of which were determined using 1D and 2D-NMR, including 1H-15N HSQC and 1H-15N HMBC 2D-NMR, as well as high resolution MS. A whole genome sequence of the strain showed the presence of ten natural product-biosynthetic gene clusters, including one responsible for the biosynthesis of desferrioxamine B. Whilst 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the isolate was most closely related to the type strain of Micromonospora chalcea, a whole genome sequence analysis revealed it to be most closely related to Micromonospora tulbaghiae 45142T. The two strains were distinguished using a combination of genomic and phenotypic features. Based on these data, it is proposed that strain MT25T (NCIMB 15245T, TISTR 2834T) be classified as Micromonospora provocatoris sp. nov. Analysis of the genome sequence of strain MT25T (genome size 6.1 Mbp) revealed genes predicted to responsible for its adaptation to extreme environmental conditions that prevail in deep-sea sediments.
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Gavriilidou A, Mackenzie TA, Sánchez P, Tormo JR, Ingham C, Smidt H, Sipkema D. Bioactivity Screening and Gene-Trait Matching across Marine Sponge-Associated Bacteria. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:75. [PMID: 33573261 PMCID: PMC7912018 DOI: 10.3390/md19020075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine sponges harbor diverse microbial communities that represent a significant source of natural products. In the present study, extracts of 21 sponge-associated bacteria were screened for their antimicrobial and anticancer activity, and their genomes were mined for secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Phylogenetic analysis assigned the strains to four major phyla in the sponge microbiome, namely Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. Bioassays identified one extract with anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity, and more than 70% of the total extracts had a moderate to high cytotoxicity. The most active extracts were derived from the Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, prominent for producing bioactive substances. The strong bioactivity potential of the aforementioned strains was also evident in the abundance of BGCs, which encoded mainly beta-lactones, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), terpenes, and siderophores. Gene-trait matching was performed for the most active strains, aiming at linking their biosynthetic potential with the experimental results. Genetic associations were established for the anti-MRSA and cytotoxic phenotypes based on the similarity of the detected BGCs with BGCs encoding natural products with known bioactivity. Overall, our study highlights the significance of combining in vitro and in silico approaches in the search of novel natural products of pharmaceutical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asimenia Gavriilidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (H.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Thomas Andrew Mackenzie
- Fundación MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, Avda. del Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain; (T.A.M.); (P.S.); (J.R.T.)
| | - Pilar Sánchez
- Fundación MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, Avda. del Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain; (T.A.M.); (P.S.); (J.R.T.)
| | - José Ruben Tormo
- Fundación MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, Avda. del Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain; (T.A.M.); (P.S.); (J.R.T.)
| | | | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (H.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (H.S.); (D.S.)
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Świecimska M, Golińska P, Wypij M, Goodfellow M. Genomic-based classification of Catenulispora pinisilvae sp. nov., novel actinobacteria isolated from a pine forest soil in Poland and emended description of Catenulispora rubra. Syst Appl Microbiol 2020; 44:126164. [PMID: 33360072 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2020.126164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Two actinobacteria, strains NF3 and NH11T, isolated from a pine forest soil, near Torun, Poland were examined for diverse chemotaxonomic and morphological properties that placed them in the genus Catenulispora. They produced an extensively branched stable mycelium, contained LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, arabinose as the diagnostic whole-organism sugar, tetra-, hexa- and octa-hydrogenated menaquinones with nine isoprenoid units as the predominant isoprenologues, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0 as major fatty acids, and formed a well supported clade within the Catenulispora 16S rRNA gene tree together with Catenulispora acidiphila DSM 44928T and Catenulispora rubra DSM 44948T sharing sequence similarities with the latter of 98.8 and 99.0%, respectively. The sizes of whole genome sequences generated for the isolates and the C. rubra strain ranged from 11.20 to 12.80 Mbp with corresponding in silico DNA G+C values of 69.9-70.0%. The isolates and the C. acidiphila and C. rubra strains formed a well supported branch in the actinobacterial phylogenomic tree. Isolates NF3 and NH11T belong to the same species as they have identical 16S rRNA gene sequences, share many chemotaxonomic, cultural and phenotypic features and show very high average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA:DNA relatedness (dDDH) similarities. They can be distinguished from their closest phylogenomic neighbours by using a combination of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties and by ANI and dDDH values well below the thresholds of these metrics used to assign closely related strains to different species. Consequently, we propose that the isolates be classified as a new Catenulispora species, Catenulispora pinisilvae sp. nov., the type strain is NH11T (=DSM 111109T =PCM 3046T). An emended description is given for C. rubra based on data acquired in the present study. Analyses of the draft genomes of the isolates and the C. acidiphila and C. rubra strains revealed the presence of many biosynthetic gene clusters with the potential to synthesize novel drug-like metabolites. In vitro screens showed that the isolates inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and wheat pathogens belonging to the genus Fusarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Świecimska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87 100 Toruń, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Golińska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87 100 Toruń, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Wypij
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87 100 Toruń, Poland.
| | - Michael Goodfellow
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Ridley Building 2, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom.
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Diesel-born organosulfur compounds stimulate community re-structuring in a diesel-biodesulfurizing consortium. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 28:e00572. [PMID: 33365264 PMCID: PMC7749429 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We enriched and characterized a biodesulfurizing consortium (designated as MG1). The MG1 consortium reduced the total sulfur of diesel by 25 % and utilized each of the diesel-born compounds dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene (BT), 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) and 4, 6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4, 6-DMDBT) as a sole sulfur source. MiSeq analysis revealed compositional shifts in the MG1 community according to the type of the sulfur source. A DBT-grown MG1 culture had Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus and Sphingomonas as the most abundant genera. When diesel or 4, 6-DMDBT was provided as a sole sulfur source, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas spp. were the most abundant. In the BT culture, Rhodococcus spp. were the key biodesulfurizers, while Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas spp. dominated the 4-MDBT-grown consortium. MG1 also utilized 2-hydroxybiphenyl (the product of the 4S biodesulfurization pathway) where Pseudomonas spp. uniquely dominated the consortium. The data improves our understanding of the sulfur source-driven structural adaptability of biodesulfurizing consortia.
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