Characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates and microbiological outcome for patients treated with sulbactam-durlobactam in a phase 3 trial (ATTACK)

Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (ABC) causes severe, difficult-to-treat infections that are frequently antibiotic resistant. Sulbactam-durlobactam (SUL-DUR) is a targeted β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic designed to treat ABC infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant strains. In a global, pathogen-specific, randomized, controlled phase 3 trial (ATTACK), the efficacy and safety of SUL-DUR were compared to colistin, both dosed with imipenem-cilastatin as background therapy, in patients with serious infections caused by carbapenem-resistant ABC. Results from ATTACK showed that SUL-DUR met the criteria for non-inferiority to colistin for the primary efficacy endpoint of 28-day all-cause mortality with improved clinical and microbiological outcomes compared to colistin. This report describes the characterization of the baseline ABC isolates from patients enrolled in ATTACK, including an analysis of the correlation of microbiological outcomes with SUL-DUR MIC values and the molecular drivers of SUL-DUR resistance.

Tracing clinically-relevant antimicrobial resistances in Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex across diverse environments: A study spanning clinical, livestock, and wastewater treatment settings

Acinetobacter baumannii has become a prominent nosocomial pathogen, primarily owing to its remarkable ability to rapidly acquire resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial agents and its ability to persist in diverse environments. However, there is a lack of data on the molecular epidemiology and its potential implications for public health of A. baumannii strains exhibiting clinically significant resistances that originate from non-clinical environments. Therefore, the genetic characteristics and resistance mechanisms of 80 A. baumannii-calcoaceticus (ABC) complex isolates, sourced from environments associated with poultry and pig production, municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and clinical settings, were investigated. In total, our study classified 54 isolates into 29 previously described sequence types (STs), while 26 isolates exhibited as-yet-unassigned STs. We identified a broad range of A. baumannii STs originating from poultry and pig production environments (e.g., ST10, ST238, ST240, ST267, ST345, ST370, ST372, ST1112 according to Pasteur scheme). These STs have also been documented in clinical settings worldwide, highlighting their clinical significance. These findings also raise concerns about the potential zoonotic transmission of certain STs associated with livestock environments. Furthermore, we observed that clinical isolates exhibited the highest diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In contrast to non-clinical isolates, clinical isolates typically carried a significantly higher number of ARGs, ranging from 10 to 15. They were also the exclusive carriers of biocide resistance genes and acquired carbapenemases (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-58, blaOXA-72, blaGIM-1, blaNDM-1). Additionally, we observed that clinical strains displayed an increased capacity for carrying plasmids and undergoing genetic transformation. This heightened capability could be linked to the intense selective pressures commonly found within clinical settings. Our study provides comprehensive insights into essential aspects of ABC isolates originating from livestock-associated environments and clinical settings. We explored their resistance mechanisms and potential implications for public health, providing valuable knowledge for addressing these critical issues.

Three novel multiplex PCR assays for rapid detection of virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and toxin genes in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex species

The Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (ACB) complex is an often-overlooked group of nosocomial pathogens with a significant environmental presence. Rapid molecular screening methods for virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and toxin (VAT) genes are required to investigate the potential pathogenicity of environmental isolates. This study aimed to develop and apply novel ACB complex-specific multiplex PCR (mPCR) primers and protocols for the rapid detection of eight VAT genes. We optimized three single-tube mPCR assays using reference DNA from ACB complex and other Acinetobacter species. These assays were then applied to detect VAT genes in cultured ACB complex isolates recovered from clinical and environmental sources. Widespread detection of VAT genes in environmental isolates confirmed the validity, functionality, and applicability of these novel assays. Overall, the three newly developed ACB complex species-specific mPCR assays are rapid and simple tools that can be adopted in diagnostic and clinical lab settings. The detection of VAT genes in environmental isolates suggests that environmental niches could serve as a reservoir for potentially pathogenic ACB complex and warrants further investigation. The newly developed mPCR assays are specific, sensitive, and efficient, making them well-suited for high-throughput screening in epidemiological studies and evaluating the potential pathogenicity of ACB complex recovered from various sources.

Evolutionarily stable gene clusters shed light on the common grounds of pathogenicity in the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex

Nosocomial pathogens of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (ACB) complex are a cautionary example for the world-wide spread of multi- and pan-drug resistant bacteria. Aiding the urgent demand for novel therapeutic targets, comparative genomics studies between pathogens and their apathogenic relatives shed light on the genetic basis of human-pathogen interaction. Yet, existing studies are limited in taxonomic scope, sensing of the phylogenetic signal, and resolution by largely analyzing genes independent of their organization in functional gene clusters. Here, we explored more than 3,000 Acinetobacter genomes in a phylogenomic framework integrating orthology-based phylogenetic profiling and microsynteny conservation analyses. We delineate gene clusters in the type strain A. baumannii ATCC 19606 whose evolutionary conservation indicates a functional integration of the subsumed genes. These evolutionarily stable gene clusters (ESGCs) reveal metabolic pathways, transcriptional regulators residing next to their targets but also tie together sub-clusters with distinct functions to form higher-order functional modules. We shortlisted 150 ESGCs that either co-emerged with the pathogenic ACB clade or are preferentially found therein. They provide a high-resolution picture of genetic and functional changes that coincide with the manifestation of the pathogenic phenotype in the ACB clade. Key innovations are the remodeling of the regulatory-effector cascade connecting LuxR/LuxI quorum sensing via an intermediate messenger to biofilm formation, the extension of micronutrient scavenging systems, and the increase of metabolic flexibility by exploiting carbon sources that are provided by the human host. We could show experimentally that only members of the ACB clade use kynurenine as a sole carbon and energy source, a substance produced by humans to fine-tune the antimicrobial innate immune response. In summary, this study provides a rich and unbiased set of novel testable hypotheses on how pathogenic Acinetobacter interact with and ultimately infect their human host. It is a comprehensive resource for future research into novel therapeutic strategies.

The spread of multi- and pan-drug resistant bacterial pathogens is a worldwide threat to human health. Understanding the genetics of host colonization and infection can substantially help in devising novel ways of treatment. Acinetobacter baumannii, a nosocomial pathogen ranked top by the World Health Organization in the list of bacteria for which novel therapeutic approaches are needed, is a prime example. Here, we have carved out the genetic make-up that distinguishes A. baumannii and its pathogenic next relatives from other and mostly apathogenic Acinetobacter species. We found a rich spectrum of pathways and regulatory modules that reveal how the pathogens have modified biofilm formation, iron scavenging, and their carbohydrate metabolism to adapt to their human host. Among these, the capability to metabolize kynurenine is particularly intriguing. Humans produce this substance to contain bacterial invaders and to fine-tune the innate immune response. But A. baumannii and closely related pathogens found a way to feed on kynurenine. This suggests that the pathogens might be able to dysregulate the human immune response. In summary, our study substantially deepens the understanding of how a highly critical pathogen interacts with its host, which substantially eases the identification of novel targets for innovative therapeutic strategies.

Nitrogen removal by a novel heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus TY1 under low temperatures

A new bacterial strain, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus TY1, was identified in activated sludge. This strain efficiently metabolized nitrogen from ammonium at low temperatures, utilizing NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, and NO₂^--N as nitrogen sources. Of these, NH₄⁺-N was superior in terms of both assimilation and heterotrophic nitrification at 8 °C. The nitrogen metabolism-associated genes amoA, nirK, and nosZ were identified in TY1. Optimal requirements for growth and nitrogen removal were pH 7, shaking speed of 90 rpm, a C/N ratio of 10, and sodium citrate for the carbon supply. The ability to denitrify at low temperature suggests TY1's potential for wastewater management.

Identification two key residues at the intersection of domains of a thioether monooxygenase for improving its sulfoxidation performance

AcCHMO, a cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, is a typical Type I Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO). We previously obtained the AcCHMO_M6 mutant, which oxidizes omeprazole sulfide (OPS) to the chiral sulfoxide drug esomeprazole. To further improve the catalytic efficiency of the AcCHMO_M6 mutant, a focused mutagenesis strategy was adopted at the intersections of the FAD-binding domain, NADPH-binding domain, and α-helical domain based on structural characteristics of AcCHMO. By using focused mutagenesis and subsequent global evolution two key residues (L55 and P497) at the intersections of the domains were identified. Mutant of L55Y improved catalytic efficiency significantly, whereas the P497S mutant alleviated substrate inhibition remarkably. AcCHMO_M7 (L55Y/P497S) was obtained by combining the two mutations, which increased the specific activity from 18.5 (M6) to 108 U/g, and an increase in the K_i of the substrate OPS from 34 to 265 μM. The results indicate that catalytic performance can be elevated by modification of the sensitive sites at the intersection of the domains of AcCHMO. The results also provided some insights for the engineering of other Type I BVMOs or other multidomain proteins.

Evaluation of Vitek-MS™ and Microflex LT™ commercial systems for identification of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex

INTRODUCTION

Acinetobacter is a genus that comprises a group of opportunistic pathogens responsible for a variety of nosocomial infections. The Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (Acb) complex includes some species of clinical importance, mainly A. baumannii, A. pittii and A. nosocomialis, which share phenotypic similarities that make it very difficult to distinguish between them using a phenotypic approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate two commercial matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems for the identification of different Acinetobacter species, with a special focus among those belonging to the Acb complex.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-six Acinetobacter spp. clinical strains, identified by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and rpoB gene sequencing, were analysed by two different MALDI-TOF systems.

RESULTS

Considering only the 144 strains of the Acb complex evaluated in this study, the Vitek-MS™ and Microflex LT™ systems correctly identified 129 (89.6%) and 143 (99.3%) strains, respectively.

CONCLUSION

After analysing 156 strains belonging to Acinetobacter spp., both Vitek-MS™ and Microflex LT™ proved to be rapid and accurate systems for the identification of Acb complex species showing a good correlation. However, both manufacturers should improve their databases to include new species in them.

Bacteria from the Midgut of Common Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha L.) Larvae Exhibiting Antagonistic Activity Against Bacterial Symbionts of Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Isolation and Molecular Identification

The mechanisms of action of the complex including entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their mutualistic partners, i.e., bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, have been well explained, and the nematodes have been commercialized as biological control agents against many soil insect pests. However, little is known regarding the nature of the relationships between these bacteria and the gut microbiota of infected insects. In the present study, 900 bacterial isolates that were obtained from the midgut samples of Melolontha melolontha larvae were screened for their antagonistic activity against the selected species of the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. Twelve strains exhibited significant antibacterial activity in the applied tests. They were identified based on 16S rRNA and rpoB, rpoD, or recA gene sequences as Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Citrobacter murliniae, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Chryseobacterium lathyri, Chryseobacterium sp., Serratia liquefaciens, and Serratia sp. The culture filtrate of the isolate P. chlororaphis MMC3 L3 04 exerted the strongest inhibitory effect on the tested bacteria. The results of the preliminary study that are presented here, which focused on interactions between the insect gut microbiota and mutualistic bacteria of entomopathogenic nematodes, show that bacteria inhabiting the gut of insects might play a key role in insect resistance to entomopathogenic nematode pressure.

Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Impact of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii Complex in a Belgian Burn Wound Center

Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and its closely related species A. pittii and A. nosocomialis, all members of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (Acb) complex, are a major cause of hospital acquired infection. In the burn wound center of the Queen Astrid military hospital in Brussels, 48 patients were colonized or infected with Acb complex over a 52-month period. We report the molecular epidemiology of these organisms, their clinical impact and infection control measures taken. A representative set of 157 Acb complex isolates was analyzed using repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) (DiversiLab) and a multiplex PCR targeting OXA-51-like and OXA-23-like genes. We identified 31 rep-PCR genotypes (strains). Representatives of each rep-type were identified to species by rpoB sequence analysis: 13 types to A. baumannii, 10 to A. pittii, and 3 to A. nosocomialis. It was assumed that isolates that belonged to the same rep-type also belonged to the same species. Thus, 83.4% of all isolates were identified to A. baumannii, 9.6% to A. pittii and 4.5% to A. nosocomialis. We observed 12 extensively drug resistant Acb strains (10 A. baumannii and 2 A. nosocomialis), all carbapenem-non-susceptible/colistin-susceptible and imported into the burn wound center through patients injured in North Africa. The two most prevalent rep-types 12 and 13 harbored an OXA-23-like gene. Multilocus sequence typing allocated them to clonal complex 1 corresponding to EU (international) clone I. Both strains caused consecutive outbreaks, interspersed with periods of apparent eradication. Patients infected with carbapenem resistant A. baumannii were successfully treated with colistin/rifampicin. Extensive infection control measures were required to eradicate the organisms. Acinetobacter infection and colonization was not associated with increased attributable mortality.

Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Genetic Similarities Within a New Generation of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumannii Complex Resistotypes in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex (ACB complex) is a nosocomial pathogen. Due to its high ability to develop antibiotic resistance, it has become a problematic challenge in the modern healthcare system. The molecular and genetic mechanisms of gaining multidrug resistance in ACB complex are well known. This study focuses on providing an overview of the antibiotic resistance profiles, genetic similarities and resistotypes, and general characteristics of carbapenem-resistant ACB complex (CRACB) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). In light of the data collected in this study, together with the already known information concerning antibiotic resistance of ACB complex, we intend to further elucidate the antibiotic therapy for CRACB strain resistotypes in BiH.

An endophytic bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Sasm3-enhanced phytoremediation of nitrate-cadmium compound polluted soil by intercropping Sedum alfredii with oilseed rape

Intensive agricultural system with high input of fertilizer results in high agricultural output. However, excessive fertilization in intensive agricultural system has great potential to cause nitrate and heavy metal accumulation in soil, which is adverse to human health. The main objective of the present study was to observe the effects of intercropping and inoculation of endophytic bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Sasm3 on phytoremediation of combined contaminated soil in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). The results showed that with Sasm3 inoculation, the biomass of rape was increased by 10-20% for shoot, 64% for root, and 23-29% for seeds while the nitrate accumulation in rape was decreased by 14% in root and by 12% in shoot. The cadmium concentration in rape increased significantly with mono-inoculating treatment, whereas it decreased significantly after intercropping treatment. By denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time quantitative PCR analysis, the diversity of bacterial community and the number of nirS and nirK gene copies increased significantly with inoculation or/and intercropping treatment. In conclusion, the endophytic bacterium Sasm3-inoculated intercropping system not only improved the efficiency of clearing cadmium from soil without obstructing crop production, but also improved the quality of crop.

[Overexpression, purification and characterization of phospholipase C from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus]

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we constructed two recombinant Escherichia coli strains to produce phospholipase C (PLC) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The recombinant enzymes were purified to homogeneity and characterized. [Methods] We cloned the PLC encoding gene plc1, plc2 from genome DNA of A. calcoaceticus ATCC17902. The amplified fragments were inserted into pET28a(+ to obtain expression plasmids. E. coli BL21 (DE3) harboring the above plasmids were cultivated and induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside to express PLCs. The recombinant PLCs were purified by affinity chromatography and their catalytic properties were characterized.

RESULTS

Two PLCs from A. calcoaceticus were cloned and functional expressed in E. coli. The recombinant enzymes have activities of 31,160 +/- 418 U/mg for PLC1 and 13640 +/- 354 U/mg for PLC2, when using p-nitrophenyl phosphorycholine as substrate. The purified PLC1 and PLC2 exhibited optimum temperature at 65 degrees C and 50 degrees C, respectively. Their optimal pH were 8 and 7.5, respectively. PLC2 was stable under 40 degrees C and pH at 8, whereas the residual activity of PLC1 was less than 25% in the same condition. Mg2+ and Ca2+ stimulated two enzymes activity, whereas Zn2. stimulated PLC1 and inhibited PLC2. PLC1 and PLC2 hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol.

CONCLUSION

It is the first time to express and characterize the PLC gene from A. calcoaceticus ATCC17902. These research results provide reference for the study of food-safety microbiological PLC.

Characterization and plasmid elimination of NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter calcoaceticus from China

The presence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens in the environment poses a serious threat to public health. The opportunistic Acinetobacter spp. are among the most prevalent causes of nosocomial infections. Here, we performed complete genome sequencing of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain XM1570, which was originally cultivated from the sputum of a patient diagnosed with pneumonia in Xiamen in 2010. We identified carbapenem resistance associated gene bla_NDM-1 located on a 47.3-kb plasmid. Three methods – natural reproduction, sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment and nalidixic acid treatment – were used to eliminate the bla_NDM-1-encoding plasmid, which achieved elimination rates of 3.32% (10/301), 83.78% (278/332), and 84.17% (298/354), respectively. Plasmid elimination dramatically increased antibiotic sensitivity, reducing the minimum bacteriostatic concentration of meropenem from 256 µg/ml in the clinical strain to 0.125 µg/ml in the plasmid-eliminated strain. Conjugation transfer assays showed that the bla_NDM-1-containing plasmid could be transferred into Escherichia coli DH5α:pBR322 in vitro as well as in vivo in mice. The bla_NDM-1 genetic environment was in accordance with that of other bla_NDM-1 genes identified from India, Japan, and Hong-Kong. The multilocus sequence type of the isolate was identified as ST-70. Two novel genes encoding intrinsic OXA and ADC were identified and named as OXA-417 and ADC-72. The finding of bla_NDM-1 in species like A. calcoaceticus demonstrates the wide spread of this gene in gram-negative bacteria which is possible by conjugative plasmid transfer. The results of this study may help in the development of a treatment strategy for controlling NDM-1 bacterial infection and transmission.

Class 1 integrons and antibiotic resistance of clinical Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex in Poznań, Poland

Sixty-three clinical isolates of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex were analyzed for the presence of integrons and antimicrobial resistance. Class 1 integrons were detected in 40 (63.5 %) isolates. None of them had class 2 or class 3 integrons. The majority of the integrons contained aacC1-orfA-orfB-aadA1 gene cassette array. The presence of integrons was associated with the increased frequency of resistance to 12 of 15 antimicrobials tested, multi-drug resistance phenotype, and the overall resistance ranges of the strains.

Real-time fluorescence loop mediated isothermal amplification for the detection of Acinetobacter baumannii

BACKGROUND

Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii has been relying primarily on bacterial culture that often fails to return useful results in time. Although DNA-based assays are more sensitive than bacterial culture in detecting the pathogen, the molecular results are often inconsistent and challenged by doubts on false positives, such as those due to system- and environment-derived contaminations. In addition, these molecular tools require expensive laboratory instruments. Therefore, establishing molecular tools for field use require simpler molecular platforms. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification method is relatively simple and can be improved for better use in a routine clinical bacteriology laboratory. A simple and portable device capable of performing both the amplification and detection (by fluorescence) of LAMP in the same platform has been developed in recent years. This method is referred to as real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification. In this study, we attempted to utilize this method for rapid detection of A. baumannii.

METHODOLOGY AND SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS

Species-specific primers were designed to test the utility of this method. Clinical samples of A. baumannii were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of this system compared to bacterial culture and a polymerase chain reaction method. All positive samples isolated from sputum were confirmed to be the species of Acinetobacter by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The RealAmp method was found to be simpler and allowed real-time detection of DNA amplification, and could distinguish A. baumannii from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Acinetobacter genomic species 3. DNA was extracted by simple boiling method. Compared to bacterial culture, the sensitivity and specificity of RealAmp in detecting A. baumannii was 98.9% and 75.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The RealAmp assay only requires a single unit, and the assay positivity can be verified by visual inspection. Therefore, this assay has great potential of field use as a molecular tool for detection of A. baumannii.

The success of acinetobacter species; genetic, metabolic and virulence attributes

An understanding of why certain Acinetobacter species are more successful in causing nosocomial infections, transmission and epidemic spread in healthcare institutions compared with other species is lacking. We used genomic, phenotypic and virulence studies to identify differences between Acinetobacter species. Fourteen strains representing nine species were examined. Genomic analysis of six strains showed that the A. baumannii core genome contains many genes important for diverse metabolism and survival in the host. Most of the A. baumannii core genes were also present in one or more of the less clinically successful species. In contrast, when the accessory genome of an individual A. baumannii strain was compared to a strain of a less successful species (A. calcoaceticus RUH2202), many operons with putative virulence function were found to be present only in the A. baumannii strain, including the csu operon, the acinetobactin chromosomal cluster, and bacterial defence mechanisms. Phenotype microarray analysis showed that compared to A. calcoaceticus (RUH2202), A. baumannii ATCC 19606^T was able to utilise nitrogen sources more effectively and was more tolerant to pH, osmotic and antimicrobial stress. Virulence differences were also observed, with A. baumannii ATCC 19606^T, A. pittii SH024, and A. nosocomialis RUH2624 persisting and forming larger biofilms on human skin than A. calcoaceticus. A. baumannii ATCC 19606^T and A. pittii SH024 were also able to survive in a murine thigh infection model, whereas the other two species were eradicated. The current study provides important insights into the elucidation of differences in clinical relevance among Acinetobacter species.

Multitrophic interaction in the rhizosphere of maize: root feeding of Western corn rootworm larvae alters the microbial community composition

BACKGROUND

Larvae of the Western Corn Rootworm (WCR) feeding on maize roots cause heavy economical losses in the US and in Europe. New or adapted pest management strategies urgently require a better understanding of the multitrophic interaction in the rhizosphere. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WCR root feeding on the microbial communities colonizing the maize rhizosphere.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

In a greenhouse experiment, maize lines KWS13, KWS14, KWS15 and MON88017 were grown in three different soil types in presence and in absence of WCR larvae. Bacterial and fungal community structures were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the 16S rRNA gene and ITS fragments, PCR amplified from the total rhizosphere community DNA. DGGE bands with increased intensity were excised from the gel, cloned and sequenced in order to identify specific bacteria responding to WCR larval feeding. DGGE fingerprints showed that the soil type and the maize line influenced the fungal and bacterial communities inhabiting the maize rhizosphere. WCR larval feeding affected the rhiyosphere microbial populations in a soil type and maize line dependent manner. DGGE band sequencing revealed an increased abundance of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in the rhizosphere of several maize lines in all soil types upon WCR larval feeding.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

The effects of both rhizosphere and WCR larval feeding seemed to be stronger on bacterial communities than on fungi. Bacterial and fungal community shifts in response to larval feeding were most likely due to changes of root exudation patterns. The increased abundance of A. calcoaceticus suggested that phenolic compounds were released upon WCR wounding.

Outbreak of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex harboring different carbapenemase gene-associated genetic structures in an intensive care unit

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical and molecular epidemiology of the imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAcb) complex during an outbreak in an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

Forty-six clinical and 11 environmental isolates of the IRAcb complex were collected from the ICU of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan between December 2003 and March 2004. These isolates were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Carbapenemase genes and their associated genetic structures were analyzed using PCR. Clinical data obtained from the patients were also reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

The isolates were identified at the genomic species level as A. baumannii (42 clinical and five environmental isolates) and Acinetobacter genomic species 13TU (four clinical and six environmental isolates). Both species were comprised of two pulsotypes, but those of A. baumannii were closely related (83% similar). IS1008-ΔISAba3-bla(OXA-58-like) and ISAba1-bla(OXA-51-like) were identified in 22 and 21 clinical isolates of A. baumannii, respectively (one isolate contained both). The ISAba3-bracketed bla(OXA-58-like) gene was detected in all isolates of Acinetobacter genomic species 13TU. Patient transfers between different sections of the ICU were important factors that contributed to the spread of the two pulsotypes of A. baumannii. However, among the A. baumannii isolates identified, only those carrying IS1008-ΔISAba3-bla(OXA-58-like) could be found in the environment, indicating an additional route of transmission. The prior use of carbapenem or cefepime was associated with the subsequent infection with A. baumannii carrying the ISAba1-bla(OXA-51-like) gene, while prior piperacillin/tazobactam use was associated with the subsequent infection with A. baumannii carrying the IS1008-ΔISAba3-bla(OXA-58-like) gene.

CONCLUSION

A. baumannii isolates carrying different carbapenemase genes and their associated genetic structures might be transmitted or selected in different ways.

Novel regulator MphX represses activation of phenol hydroxylase genes caused by a XylR/DmpR-type regulator MphR in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus PHEA-2 utilizes phenol as its sole carbon and energy source and has a multi-component phenol hydroxylase-encoding gene operon (mphKLMNOP) for phenol degradation. Two additional genes, mphR and mphX, were found upstream and downstream of mphKLMNOP, respectively. The mphR gene encodes a XylR/DmpR-type regulator-like protein and is transcribed in the opposite direction to mphKLMNOP. The mphX gene is transcribed in the same direction as mphKLMNOP and encodes a protein with 293 amino acid residues showing weak identity with some unknown proteins encoded in the meta-cleavage pathway gene clusters for aromatic compound degradation. Disruption of mphR by homologous recombination resulted in the loss of phenol degradation while disruption of mphX caused significantly faster phenol degradation than in the wild type strain. Transcriptional assays for mphK, mphR, and mphX revealed that mphR activated mphKLMNOP transcription in the presence of phenol, but mphX partially repressed this activation. Gel mobility-shift assay demonstrated a direct interaction of MphR with the mphK promoter region. These results indicate the involvement of a novel repressor protein MphX in transcriptional regulation of phenol hydroxylase genes caused by a XylR/DmpR-type regulator MphR.

Increasing fatty acid production in E. coli by simulating the lipid accumulation of oleaginous microorganisms

Unlike many oleaginous microorganisms, E. coli only maintains a small amount of natural lipids in cells, impeding its utility to overproduce fatty acids. In this study, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was expressed in E. coli to redirect the carbon flux to the generation of malonyl-CoA, which resulted in a threefold increase in intracellular lipids. Moreover, providing a high level of NADPH by overexpressing malic enzyme and adding malate to the culture medium resulted in a fourfold increase in intracellular lipids (about 197.74 mg/g). Co-expression of ACC and malic enzyme resulted in 284.56 mg/g intracellular lipids, a 5.6-fold increase compared to the wild-type strain. This study provides some attractive strategies for increasing lipid production in E. coli by simulating the lipid accumulation of oleaginous microorganisms, which could aid the development of a prokaryotic fatty acid producer.

Sustainable biodegradation of phenol by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus P23 isolated from the rhizosphere of duckweed Lemna aoukikusa

Phenol-degrading bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of duckweed (Lemna aoukikusa) using an enrichment culture method. One of the isolates, P23, exhibited an excellent ability to degrade phenol and attach to a solid surface under laboratory conditions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P23 belongs to the genera Acinetobacter and has the highest similarity to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. P23 rapidly colonized on the surface of sterilized duckweed roots and formed biofilms, indicating that the conditions provided by the root system of duckweed are favorable to P23. A long-term performance test (160 h) showed that continuous removal of phenol can be attributed to the beneficial symbiotic interaction between duckweed and P23. P23 is the first growth-promoting bacterium identified from Lemna aoukikusa. The results in this study suggest the potential usefulness of dominating a particular bacterium in the rhizosphere of duckweeds to achieve efficient and sustainable bioremediation of polluted water.

Productivity of cyclohexanone oxidation of the recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum expressing chnB of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

The biocatalytic efficiency of recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum expressing the chnB gene encoding cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO) of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus NCIMB 9871 was investigated. Optimization of an expression system and induction conditions enabled the recombinant biocatalyst to produce CHMO to a specific activity of ca. 0.5 U mg(-1) protein. Tight control of feeding of an energy source (i.e., glucose) and dissolved oxygen tension during fed-batch culture-based biotransformation allowed the cells to produce epsilon-caprolactone to a concentration of 16.0 g l(-1). The specific and volumetric productivity for cyclohexanone oxidation were 0.12 g g drycells(-1)h(-1) (17.5 U g(-1) of dry cells) and 2.3 g l(-1)h(-1) (330 U l(-1)), respectively. These values correspond to over 5.4- and 2.7-fold of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing the same gene under similar reaction conditions. It could be concluded that the recombinant C. glutamicum is a promising biocatalyst for Baeyer-Villiger oxidations.

Parallel analysis of antimicrobial activities in microbial community by SSCP based on CE

Conventional antimicrobial activity analyses such as the broth dilution method and disk diffusion test are considerably demanding processes for new antimicrobial agent discovery and sensitive diagnosis of infectious diseases. Here, we developed a new antimicrobial activity analysis system using CE-based SSCP (CE-SSCP) combined with 16S rRNA gene-specific PCR (PCR/CE-SSCP). Using this method, the population change in the microbial community in response to specific antimicrobial agents could be quantified with a high sensitivity and accuracy from a small sample amount. Using a mixture of microorganisms comprising Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Staphylococcus aureus as a model system, the linear correlation between the genomic DNA concentrations and peak areas in 16S rRNA gene-specific PCR/CE-SSCP was determined; consequently, quantification of cell concentrations could be demonstrated using this method. Compared to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from the conventional broth dilution method, this new system provided almost the same MIC values for popular antimicrobial agents such as kanamycin, spectinomycin, and streptomycin. The results demonstrated that the newly developed method can be a substitute for the conventional antimicrobial analysis method and highlighted its high potential in the areas of new antimicrobial agent discovery and clinical diagnosis.

Molecular typing of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex in a Singapore hospital where carbapenem resistance is endemic

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates in a tertiary care hospital where the prevalence of carbapenem resistance among these organisms is high.

DESIGN

The study was a prospective, observational study performed during an 8-month period (May 1 through December 31, 2004). A. baumannii isolates recovered from all clinical samples during the study period were included in the study. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and all carbapenem-resistant strains were typed by a polymerase chain reaction-based typing method.Setting. An 800-bed hospital in Singapore.

RESULTS

More than half of recovered isolates were clonally unrelated, with the remaining isolates grouped into 4 genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that the high prevalence of carbapenem resistance among Acinetobacter organisms in this institution is not caused by the spread of a predominant clone and that other factors may need to be investigated.

An outbreak of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex infection in the US military health care system associated with military operations in Iraq

BACKGROUND

We investigated an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex infection among US service members injured in Iraq.

METHODS

The investigation was conducted in Iraq and Kuwait, in the 2 military hospitals where the majority of injured service members were initially treated. After initially characterizing the outbreak, we evaluated 3 potential sources of infection for the period March 2003 to December 2004. The evaluation included screening samples that were obtained from the skin of patients for the presence of colonization and assessing the soil and health care environments for the presence of A. baumanii-calcoaceticus complex organisms. Isolates obtained from samples from patients in US Military treatment facilities, as well as environmental isolates, were genotypically characterized and compared using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS

A. baumanii-calcoaceticus complex organisms were present on the skin in only 1 (0.6%) of 160 patients who were screened and in 1 (2%) of 49 soil samples. A. baumanii-calcoaceticus complex isolates were recovered from treatment areas in 7 of the 7 field hospitals sampled. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, we identified 5 cluster groups in which isolates from patients were related to environmental isolates. One cluster included hospitalized patients who had not been deployed to Iraq. Among the clinical isolates, only imipenem, polymyxin B, and colistin demonstrated reliable in vitro antimicrobial activity. Generally, the environmental isolates were more drug susceptible than were the clinical isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that environmental contamination of field hospitals and infection transmission within health care facilities played a major role in this outbreak. On the basis of these findings, maintaining infection control throughout the military health care system is essential. Novel strategies may be required to prevent the transmission of pathogens in combat field hospitals.

AdeABC multidrug efflux pump is associated with decreased susceptibility to tigecycline in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of the AdeABC multidrug efflux pump in the decreased susceptibility of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex to tigecycline.

METHODS

Gene expression was analysed by Taqman RT-PCR. A single cross-over achieved insertional inactivation of the adeB gene with a suicide plasmid construct carrying an adeB fragment obtained by PCR. Analysis of the adeRS locus was performed by PCR and sequencing. Ribotyping was performed with the RiboPrinter system. MICs were determined by Etest.

RESULTS

Expression analysis revealed constitutive overexpression of adeABC in less-susceptible clinical isolates G5139 and G5140 (tigecycline MIC=4 mg/L) when compared with the isogenic clinical isolates G4904 and G5141 (MIC=1.5 mg/L). Insertional mutants GC7945 (adeB knockout in G5139) and GC7951 (adeB knockout in G5140) were obtained, which resulted in tigecycline MICs of 0.5 mg/L. As reported previously, the expression of adeABC is regulated by the two-component signalling system encoded by the adeR and adeS genes. PCR and sequencing analyses revealed an insertion of an IS(ABA-1) element in the adeS gene of G5139 and G5140.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that decreased susceptibility to tigecycline in the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex is associated with the overexpression of the AdeABC multidrug efflux pump.

Modified substrate specificity of pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase by biased mutation assembling with optimized amino acid substitution

A biased mutation-assembling method-that is, a directed evolution strategy to facilitate an optimal accumulation of multiple mutations on the basis of additivity principles, was applied to the directed evolution of water-soluble PQQ glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH-B) to reduce its maltose oxidation activity, which can lead to errors in blood glucose determination. Mutations appropriate for the reduction without fatal deterioration of its glucose oxidation activity were developed by an error-prone PCR method coupled with a saturation mutagenesis method. Moreover, two types of incorporation frequency based on their contribution were assigned to the mutations: high (80%) and evens (50%), in constructing a multiple mutant library. The best mutant created showed a marked reduction in maltose oxidation activity, corresponding to 4% of that of the wild-type enzyme, with 35% retention of glucose oxidation activity. In addition, this mutant showed a reduction in galactose oxidation activity corresponding to 5% of that of the wild-type enzyme. In conclusion, we succeeded in developing the PQQGDH-B mutants with improved substrate specificity and validated our method coupled with optimized mutations and their contribution-based incorporation frequencies by applying it to the development.

Low-Intensity Photosensitization May Enhance RecA Production

Three bacterial strains-Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and the A. calcoaceticus RecA- mutant-underwent photosensitization by a low-concentration (0.73 micromol/L) tetramethyl pyridyl porphine (a cationic hydrophylic photosensitizer) and a 4-J/cm2 dose of 407 to 420 nm blue light. The viability of the first two strains decreased by approximately 60%. and that of the RecA- strain decreased by 90%. Increasing the amount of photosensitizer to 14.6 micromol/L at the same dose of blue light resulted in a 95% to 98% decrease in viability of the three strains. Very little damage to the bacterial DNA was observed after this treatment. Increasing the concentration photosensitizer under the same illumination conditions also resulted in very little damage to the DNA. Western blotting demonstrated that the low photosensitization procedures enhance RecA production for mending the damaged chromosomal DNA. RecA production as a result of low-dose photosensitization was confirmed and demonstrated by immunofluorescent staining and gold immunolabeling. Although DNA is not the primary target for photosensitization, this process of RecA production may provide a certain degree of DNA mending and may also affect the survival of bacterial cells on low-intensity photosensitization.

Isolation and characterization of a phenol-degrading bacterium from an industrial activated sludge

This paper reports the successful isolation and characterization of a new phenol-degrading bacterium, strain EDP3, from activated sludge. Strain EDP3 is a nonmotile, strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, and short-rod or coccobacillary bacterium, which occurs singly, in pairs, or in clusters. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain EDP3 belonged to the gamma group of Proteobacteria, with a 97.0% identity to 16S rRNA gene sequences of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Strain EDP3 could aerobically grow on a number of aromatic compounds, such as phenol, sodium benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, phenylacetate, benzene, ethylbenzene, benzylalcohol, and so on. In particular, it could mineralize up to 1,000 mg l(-1) phenol at room temperature (25 degrees C). The growth kinetics of strain EDP3 on phenol as a sole carbon and energy source at 25 degrees C can be described using the Haldane equation. It has a maximal specific growth rate (mu(max)) of 0.28 h(-1), a half-saturation constant (K(S)) of 1,167.1 mg l(-1), and a substrate inhibition constant (Ki) of 58.5 mg l(-1). Values of yield coefficient (Y(X/S)) are between 0.4 and 0.6 mg dry cell (mg phenol)(-1). Strain EDP3 has high tolerance to the toxicity of phenol (up to 1,000 mg l(-1)). It therefore could be an excellent candidate for the biotreatment of high-strength phenol-containing industrial wastewaters and for the in situ bioremediation of phenol-contaminated soils.

Species-level identification of isolates of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex by sequence analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer region

The species Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, A. baumannii, genomic species 3, and genomic species 13TU included in the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex are genetically highly related and difficult to distinguish phenotypically. Except for A. calcoaceticus, they are all important nosocomial species. In the present study, the usefulness of the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer (ITS) sequence for the differentiation of (genomic) species in the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex was evaluated. The ITSs of 11 reference strains of the complex and 17 strains of other (genomic) species of Acinetobacter were sequenced. The ITS lengths (607 to 638 bp) and sequences were highly conserved for strains within the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex. Intraspecies ITS sequence similarities ranged from 0.99 to 1.0, whereas interspecies similarities varied from 0.86 to 0.92. By using these criteria, 79 clinical isolates identified as A. calcoaceticus (18 isolates) or A. baumannii (61 isolates) with the API 20 NE system (bioMerieux Vitek, Marcy l'Etoile, France) were identified as A. baumannii (46 isolates), genomic species 3 (19 isolates), and genomic species 13TU (11 isolates) by ITS sequencing. An identification rate of 96.2% (76 of 79 isolates) was obtained by using ITS sequence analysis for identification of isolates in the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex, and the accuracy of the method was confirmed for a subset of strains by amplified rRNA gene restriction analysis and genomic DNA analysis by AFLP analysis by using libraries of profiles of reference strains. In conclusion, ITS sequence-based identification is reliable and provides a promising tool for elucidation of the clinical significance of the different species of the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex.

Physiological conditions conducive to high cyanophycin content in biomass of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain ADP1

The effects of the inorganic medium components, the initial pH, the incubation temperature, the oxygen supply, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and chloramphenicol on the synthesis of cyanophycin (CGP) by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain ADP1 were studied in a mineral salts medium containing sodium glutamate and ammonium sulfate as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Variation of all these factors resulted in maximum CGP contents of only about 3.5% (wt/wt) of the cell dry matter (CDM), and phosphate depletion triggered CGP accumulation most substantially. However, addition of arginine to the medium as the sole carbon source for growth promoted CGP accumulation most strikingly. This effect was systematically studied, and an optimized phosphate-limited medium containing 75 mM arginine and 10 mM ammonium sulfate yielded a CGP content of 41.4% (wt/wt) of the CDM at 30 degrees C. The CGP content of the cells was further increased to 46.0% (wt/wt) of the CDM by adding 2.5 microg of chloramphenicol per ml of medium in the accumulation phase. These contents are by far the highest CGP contents of bacterial cells ever reported. CGP was easily isolated from the cells by using an acid extraction method, and this CGP contained about equimolar amounts of aspartic acid and arginine and no detectable lysine; the molecular masses ranged from 21 to 29 kDa, and the average molecular mass was about 25 kDa. Transmission electron micrographs of thin sections of cells revealed large CGP granules that frequently had an irregular shape with protuberances at the surface and often severely deformed the cells. A cphI::OmegaKm mutant of strain ADP1 with a disrupted putative cyanophycinase gene accumulated significantly less CGP than the wild type accumulated, although the cells expressed cyanophycin synthetase at about the same high level. It is possible that the intact CphI protein is involved in the release of CGP primer molecules from initially synthesized CGP. The resulting lower concentration of primer molecules could explain the observed low rate of accumulation at similar specific activities.

Development of a novel glucose enzyme fuel cell system employing protein engineered PQQ glucose dehydrogenase

Glucose dehydrogenase harboring pyrroloquinoline quinone as the prosthetic group (PQQGDH) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus is an ideal enzyme for the anode of biofuel cell, because of its oxygen insensitivity and high catalytic efficiency. However, the application of PQQGDH for the bioanode is inherently limited because of its instability. Using Ser415Cys mutant whose stability was greatly improved, we constructed the biofuel cell system employing the engineered PQQGDH as the bioanode enzyme and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) as the biocathode, and compared the stability of the biofuel cell with that employing wild-type PQQGDH. The maximum power density was 17.6 microW/cm2 at an external optimal load of 200 k omega. Using Ser415Cys mutant, the lifetime of the biofuel cell system was greatly extended to 152 h, more than six times as that of the biofuel cell employing the wild-type.

Sulfoacetaldehyde is excreted quantitatively by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus SW1 during growth with taurine as sole source of nitrogen

Eighteen enrichment cultures with taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonate) as the sole source of combined nitrogen under aerobic conditions were all successful, and 24 pure cultures were obtained. Only three of the cultures yielded an inorganic product, sulfate, from the sulfonate moiety of taurine, and the others were presumed to yield organosulfonates. Sulfoacetate, known from Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 under these conditions, was not detected in any culture, but sulfoacetaldehyde (as a hydrazone derivative) was tentatively detected in the outgrown medium of nine isolates. The compound was stable under these conditions and the identification was confirmed by MALDI-TOF-MS. Most sulfoacetaldehyde-releasing isolates were determined to be strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and a representative organism, strain SW1, was chosen for further work. A quantitative enzymic determination of sulfoacetaldehyde and its bisulfite addition complex was developed: it involved the NAD-coupled sulfoacetaldehyde dehydrogenase from R. palustris. A. calcoaceticus SW1 utilized taurine quantitatively and concomitantly with growth in, for example, an adipate-salts medium, and the release of sulfoacetaldehyde was stoichiometric. The deamination reaction involved a taurine dehydrogenase. Enrichment cultures to explore the possible release of organophosphonates from the analogous substrate, 2-aminoethanephosphonate, led to 33 isolates, all of which released inorganic phosphate quantitatively.

Synthesis of novel lipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by heterologous expression of an unspecific bacterial acyltransferase

The bifunctional wax ester synthase/acyl-coenzyme A:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT) is the key enzyme in storage lipid accumulation in the gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ADP1, mediating wax ester, and to a lesser extent, triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis. Saccharomyces cerevisiae accumulates TAGs and steryl esters as storage lipids. Four genes encoding a DGAT (Dga1p), a phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (Lro1p) and two acyl-coenzyme A:sterol acyltransferases (ASATs) (Are1p and Are2p) are involved in the final esterification steps in TAG and steryl ester biosynthesis in this yeast. In the quadruple mutant strain S. cerevisiae H1246, the disruption of DGA1, LRO1, ARE1, and ARE2 leads to an inability to synthesize storage lipids. Heterologous expression of WS/DGAT from A. calcoaceticus ADP1 in S. cerevisiae H1246 restored TAG but not steryl ester biosynthesis, although high levels of ASAT activity could be demonstrated for WS/DGAT expressed in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue in radiometric in vitro assays with cholesterol and ergosterol as substrates. In addition to TAG synthesis, heterologous expression of WS/DGAT in S. cerevisiae H1246 resulted also in the accumulation of fatty acid ethyl esters as well as fatty acid isoamyl esters. In vitro studies confirmed that WS/DGAT is capable of utilizing a broad range of alcohols as substrates comprising long-chain fatty alcohols like hexadecanol as well as short-chain alcohols like ethanol or isoamyl alcohol. This study demonstrated the highly unspecific acyltransferase activity of WS/DGAT from A. calcoaceticus ADP1, indicating the broad biocatalytic potential of this enzyme for biotechnological production of a large variety of lipids in vivo in prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic expression hosts.

Methylation of 23S rRNA nucleotide G745 is a secondary function of the RlmAI methyltransferase

Several groups of Gram-negative bacteria possess an RlmA(I) methyltransferase that methylates 23S rRNA nucleotide G745 at the N1 position. Inactivation of rlmA(I) in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Escherichia coli reduces growth rates by at least 30%, supposedly due to ribosome malfunction. Wild-type phenotypes are restored by introduction of plasmid-encoded rlmA(I), but not by the orthologous Gram-positive gene rlmA(II) that methylates the neighboring nucleotide G748. Nucleotide G745 interacts with A752 in a manner that does not involve the guanine N1 position. When a cytosine is substituted at A752, a Watson-Crick G745-C752 pair is formed occluding the guanine N1 and greatly reducing RlmA(I) methylation. Methylation is completely abolished by substitution of the G745 base. Intriguingly, the absence of methylation in E. coli rRNA mutant strains causes no reduction in growth rate. Furthermore, the slow-growing rlmA(I) knockout strains of Acinetobacter and E. coli revert to the wild-type growth phenotype after serial passages on agar plates. All the cells tested were pseudorevertants, and none of them had recovered G745 methylation. Analyses of the pseudorevertants failed to reveal second-site mutations in the ribosomal components close to nucleotide G745. The results indicate that cell growth is not dependent on G745 methylation, and that the RlmA(I) methyltransferase therefore has another (as yet unidentified) primary function.

Relations and functions of dye-linked formaldehyde dehydrogenase from Hyphomicrobium zavarzinii revealed by sequence determination and analysis

faoA, the gene of the dye-linked NAD(P)-independent quinone-containing formaldehyde dehydrogenase of methylamine-grown Hyphomicrobium zavarzinii strain ZV 580 was sequenced and analyzed together with an apparent promoter region and adjoining genes in a 7.2-kb fragment of hyphomicrobial DNA. The formaldehyde dehydrogenase, identified as a periplasmic enzyme by its signal sequence, is distantly related to the soluble pyrroloquinoline-quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and to other predicted glucose dehydrogenase sequences. The promoter region, containing about 400 nucleotides upstream of faoA, comprised potential binding sites identical or highly similar to known consensus sequences of the sigma factors sigma(70) (housekeeping), sigma(H) (heat shock), sigma(F) (flagellar) and sigma(N) (nitrogen). The complex regulation of the transcription of faoA, which is suggested by this setting and emphasized by a possible heat-shock promoter, supports a hypothesis proposing an auxiliary role of the enzyme in lowering detrimental elevated concentrations of formaldehyde, which might arise in the course of stress or regulatory transitions disturbing balanced C(1) metabolism.

Partial purification and characterization of a non-cyanobacterial cyanophycin synthetase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain ADP1 with regard to substrate specificity, substrate affinity and binding to cyanophycin

This study reports, for the first time, purification and biochemical characterization of a cyanophycin synthetase from a non-cyanobacterial strain. Cyanophycin synthetase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain ADP1 was purified 69-fold from recombinant Escherichia coli by two chromatographic steps and one novel affinity step utilizing the Mg(2+)-dependent binding of the enzyme to cyanophycin. Unlike cyanobacterial cyanophycin synthetases characterized so far, the purified enzyme from A. calcoaceticus strain ADP1 did not accept lysine as an alternative substrate to arginine. The apparent K(m)-values for arginine (47 microM) and aspartic acid (240 microM) were similar to those of known cyanophycin synthetases from cyanobacteria, but this enzyme had a slightly higher affinity for aspartic acid. In addition, the two different ATP-binding sites of the enzyme were characterized independently of each other with respect to K(m) values for ATP. The ATP-binding site responsible for the addition of arginine was found to have a much higher affinity for ATP (38 microM) than that responsible for the addition of aspartate (210 mM). Furthermore, the binding of the enzyme to the two possible forms of cyanophycin granule polypeptide (CGP), CGP-Asp and CGP-Arg, was studied. While both forms bound around 30-40 % of the enzyme activity present under the assay conditions, binding was Mg(2+)-dependent in the case of CGP-Asp. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that both forms of cyanophycin were equally abundant in cyanophycin-accumulating cells of A. calcoaceticus ADP1.

Typing and characterization of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex in a Chinese hospital

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumanniicomplex (Acbcomplex) and to type carbapenemases. The relatedness of 45 isolates of carbapenem-resistantAcbcomplex collected from a clinical setting was analysed by PFGE. The carbapenemases produced by these isolates were typed by IEF, a three-dimensional test, 2-mercaptopropanoic acid inhibition assay, PCR and DNA cloning and sequencing. Results showed that all 45 isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics including meropenem. The resistance rates to cefoperazone/sulbactam and ampicillin/sulbactam were 2.2 and 6.5 %, respectively. About 71.7–78.3 % of these isolates were intermediately resistant to cefepime, ceftazidime and cefotaxime. Forty-five isolates were classified into type A (98 %) and B (2 %) based on their PFGE patterns. Most of type A isolates were from the ICU. Type A was the dominant isolate, including subtypes A1 (22 %), A2 (71 %), A3 (2 %) and A4 (2 %). Only one isolate, from the haematology department, belonged to type B. Forty-three isolates (96 %) were positive for carbapenemase. One isolate had two bands by IEF, the pIs of which were 6.64 and 7.17. The band with the pI of 6.64 was OXA-23. The other 42 isolates produced two bands with pIs of 6.40 and 7.01 which could not be inhibited by clavulanic acid, cloxacillin or 2-mercaptopropanoic acid. It can be concluded that the prevalent carbapenem-resistantAcbcomplex isolates from this hospital all had similar β-lactamase patterns.

Antibodies to prion and Acinetobacter peptide sequences in bovine spongiform encephalopathy

An amino acid sequence homology has been identified between the bovine prion sequence (RPVDQ) and the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus enzyme, uridine-diphosphate-N-acetyl glucosamine-1-carboxy-vinyl-transferase which also contains (RPVDQ). Class-specific IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies against synthetic peptides containing the structurally related sequences present in bovine prion and A. calcoaceticus were measured in 189 bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) positive cattle, 127 BSE negative cattle and 87 healthy control animals using an ELISA technique. Class-specific IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies against the structurally related synthetic peptides were significantly elevated in BSE positive cattle when compared to BSE negative cattle (P < 0.001) and healthy control animals (P < 0.001). These autoantibodies may have a role in the pathogenesis of BSE.

Cloning of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus chromosomal region involved in catechin degradation

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus utilizes catechin as sole carbon source. The chromosomal region involved in catechin catabolism was cloned in Escherichia coli DH5alpha from the genomic DNA of A. calcoaceticus. A recombinant E. coli containing 9.2 kb DNA fragment of A. calcoaceticus inserted in pUC19 showed a halo zone around the colony in plate assays, indicating the catechin utilizing ability of the clone. Enzyme assays revealed the expression of the cloned DNA fragment of A. calcoaceticus. High performance thin layer chromatography confirmed protocatechuic acid and phloroglucinol carboxylic acid as cleavage products of catechin in A. calcoaceticus and the catechin degrading ability of the clones. A. calcoaceticus followed the beta-ketoadipate pathway for catechin degradation. The sub-clone (pASCI) of this insert was sequenced and analyzed. The sequence showed three major ORFs but only ORF 2 showed similarities to other aromatic oxygenases and the sequence of ORF 2 was submitted to GenBank (AF369935).

Genetic organization of genes encoding phenol hydroxylase, benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase alpha subunit and its regulatory proteins in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus PHEA-2

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus PHEA-2 is a phenol-degrading bacterium isolated from the wastewater from an oil refinery. A 10-kb XhoI fragment consisting of nine complete Open Reading Frames (ORFs) and one partial ORF was screened from a lambda library of PHEA-2 by Southern hybridization. The sequence analyses revealed that ORF2-ORF7, designated mphKLMNOP, are homologous to dmpKLMNOP of Pseudomonas sp. CF600 and mopKLMNOP of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus NCIB8250, sharing 38%-72% and 58.5%-93.5% respectively. The products encoded by dmp and mop genes convert phenol to catechol. The mph-operon and downstream ORFs, ORF9 and ORF10, sharing high identities to benM and benA, which encode ben-operon regulatory protein and benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase alpha subunit respectively, are separated by ORF8, whose function is unknown. The organization of the mph and ben operons is different from that described previously.

Indigo production by Escherichia coli carrying the phenol hydroxylase gene from Acinetobacter sp strain ST-550 in a water-organic solvent two-phase system

Acinetobacter sp. strain ST-550 produces indigo from indole in the presence of a large volume of diphenylmethane and a high level of indole. Particular proteins increased remarkably in strain ST-550 grown in the two-phase culture system for indigo production. One of the proteins showed a N-terminal amino acid sequence that was identical to that of the largest subunit of phenol hydroxylase (MopN) from A. calcoaceticus NCBI8250. The indigo-producing activity was strongly induced when ST-550 was grown with phenol as a sole carbon source. Genes coding for the multicomponent phenol hydroxylase were cloned, based on the homology with mopKLMOP from A. calcoaceticus NCBI8250. Escherichia coli carrying the genes produced indigo from indole. E. coli JA300 and its cyclohexane-resistant mutant, OST3410, carrying the hydroxylase genes and the NADH regeneration system were grown in the two-phase culture system for indigo production. The OST3410 recombinant produced 52 microg indigo ml(-1) of medium in the presence of diphenylmethane. This productivity was 4.3-fold higher than that of the JA300 recombinant.

Degradation and transformability of DNA from transgenic leaves

The fate of transplastomic (chloroplast genome contains the transgene) tobacco plant DNA in planta was studied when the plant leaves were subjected to decay conditions simulating those encountered naturally, including grinding, incubation with cellulase or enzymes produced by Erwinia chrysanthemi, and attack by the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Direct visualization of DNA on agarose gels, gene extraction yield (the number of amplifiable aadA sequences in extracted plant DNA), and the frequency that recipient bacteria can be transformed by plant DNA were used to evaluate the quality and quantity of plant DNA and the transgene. These measurements were used to monitor the physical and biological degradation of DNA inside decaying plant tissues. Our results indicate that while most of the DNA will be degraded inside plant cells, sufficient DNA persists to be released into the soil.

The improvement of lipase secretion and stability by addition of inert compounds into Acinetobacter calcoaceticus cultures

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD413 produces variable amounts of an exocellular lipase that becomes rapidly inactivated upon secretion. To achieve high yield and protect the enzyme, we assayed the addition of several inert compounds to cell-free supernatants, cell fractions, and whole cultures. Glass beads, poly(ethylene glycol) 600, Triton X-100, saccharose, gum arabic, and beta-cyclodextrin were among the compounds tested. beta-Cyclodextrin and gum arabic (and saccharose to a lesser extent) were effective enzyme stabilizers in cell-free supernatants, while gum arabic, glass beads, and Triton X-100 improved lipase secretion from cells, and, therefore, total lipase yield (30-50%, according to the additive). In whole cultures, beta-cyclodextrin was the most effective additive, particularly in combination with glass beads or gum arabic. Indeed, cultures containing beta-cyclodextrin plus gum arabic were able to maintain 95% (+/- 1.5%) of the initial lipase activity for more than 16 h, while control cultures with no additives maintained only 10% (+/- 4%) of the enzyme activity after the same period. In conclusion, the addition of inert compounds in cultures may be considered a useful approach for achieving increased yield and lipase stabilization, amenable for downstream processing.

Reactor operation and scale-up of whole cell Baeyer-Villiger catalyzed lactone synthesis

The recombinant whole cell biocatalyst Escherichia coli TOP10 [pQR239], expressing cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus NCIMB 9871, was used in 1.5- and 55-L fed-batch processes to oxidize bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one to its corresponding regioisomeric lactones, (-)-(1S,5R)-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-6-en-3-one and (-)-(1R,5S)-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-6-en-2-one. By employing a bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one feed rate below that of the theoretical volumetric biocatalyst activity (275 micromol x min(-1) x L(-1)), the reactant concentration in the bioreactor was successfully maintained below the inhibitory concentration of 0.2-0.4 g x L(-1). In this way approximately 3.5 g x L(-1) of the combined regioisomeric lactones was produced with a yield of product on reactant of 85-90%. The key limitation to the process was shown to be product inhibition. This process was scaled up to 55 L, producing over 200 g of combined lactone product. Using a simple downstream process (centrifugation, adsorption to activated charcoal, 5-fold concentration with ethyl acetate elution, and silica gel chromatography), we have shown that the two regioisomeric lactone products could be isolated and purified at this scale.

Bioengineered emulsans from Acinetobacter calcoaceticusRAG-1 transposon mutants

Transposon mutants of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain RAG-1 were studied in an effort to control fatty acid (FA) substitution patterns of emulsan, a bioemulsifier secreted by the organism. The disrupted genes, involved in the biosynthetic pathways of biotin, histidine, cysteine or purines, influenced the level and types of FAs incorporated into emulsan. The structural variants of emulsan generated by the transposon mutants were characterized for yield, FA content, molecular weight, and emulsification behavior when grown on a series of FAs of different chain lengths from C11 to C18. Yields of emulsan from the transposon mutants were found to be lower than the parent strain and depended on the type of FA used to supplement the growth medium. Mutants 13D (His-) and 52D (Cys-) grown on LB plus C16 or C14, respectively, exhibited enhanced emulsifying activity compared to A. calcoaceticus RAG-1. The presence and composition of long chain FAs on the polysaccharide backbone influenced emulsification behavior: particularly a high mole percentage of C16 (48%) and C18 (42%). The results provide important insight into the bioengineering of bioemulsifier-producing microorganisms and provide a path towards highly tailored novel amphipathic structures to utilize as biodegradable in environmental, biomedical, and personal care applications.