Publications

4545

Abstract Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) play a critical role in the mitigation of nitrogen pollution by metabolizing nitrite to nitrate, which is removed via assimilation, denitrification, or anammox. Recent studies showed that NOB are phylogenetically and metabolically diverse, yet most of our knowledge of NOB comes from only a few cultured representatives. Using cultivation and genomic sequencing, we identified four putative Candidatus Nitrotoga NOB species from freshwater sediments and water column samples in Colorado, USA. Genome analyses indicated highly conserved 16S rRNA gene sequences, but broad metabolic potential including genes for nitrogen, sulfur, hydrogen, and organic carbon metabolism. Genomic predictions suggested that Ca. Nitrotoga can metabolize in low oxygen or anoxic conditions, which may support an expanded environmental niche for Ca. Nitrotoga similar to other NOB. An array of antibiotic and metal resistance genes likely allows Ca. Nitrotoga to withstand environmental pressures in impacted systems. Phylogenetic analyses highlighted a deeply divergent nitrite oxidoreductase alpha subunit (NxrA), suggesting a novel evolutionary trajectory for Ca. Nitrotoga separate from any other NOB and further revealing the complex evolutionary history of nitrite oxidation in the bacterial domain. Ca. Nitrotoga-like 16S rRNA gene sequences were prevalent in globally distributed environments over a range of reported temperatures. This work considerably expands our knowledge of the Ca. Nitrotoga genus and suggests that their contribution to nitrogen cycling should be considered alongside other NOB in wide variety of habitats.

AbstractRickettsialesare a lineage of obligatorily intracellularAlphaproteobacteria, encompassing important human pathogens, manipulators of host reproduction, and mutualists. Here we report the discovery of a novelRickettsialesbacterium associated withParamecium, displaying a unique extracellular lifestyle, including the ability to replicate outside host cells. Genomic analyses show that the bacterium possesses a higher capability to synthesize amino acids, compared to all investigatedRickettsiales. Considering these observations, phylogenetic and phylogenomic reconstructions, and re-evaluating the different means of interaction ofRickettsialesbacteria with eukaryotic cells, we propose an alternative scenario for the evolution of intracellularity inRickettsiales. According to our reconstruction, theRickettsialesancestor would have been an extracellular and metabolically versatile bacterium, while obligate intracellularity and genome reduction would have evolved later in parallel and independently in different sub-lineages. The proposed new scenario could impact on the open debate on the lifestyle of the last common ancestor of mitochondria withinAlphaproteobacteria.

AbstractHuanglongbing (HLB), the most destructive citrus disease, is caused by three species of phloem-limited Candidatus Liberibacter. Chemical control is a critical short-term strategy against Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). Currently, application of antibiotics in agricultural practices is limited due to public concerns regarding emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and potential side effects in humans. The present study screened 39 antimicrobials (non-antibiotics) for effectiveness against Las using an optimized graft-based screening system. Results of principal component, hierarchical clustering and membership function analyses demonstrated that 39 antimicrobials were clustered into three groups: “effective” (Group I), “partly effective” (Group II), and “ineffective” (Group III). Despite different modes of action, 8 antimicrobials (aluminum hydroxide, D,L-buthionine sulfoximine, nicotine, surfactin from Bacillus subtilis, SilverDYNE, colloidal silver, EBI-601, and EBI-602), were all as highly effective at eliminating or suppressing Las, showing both the lowest Las infection rates and titers in treated scions and inoculated rootstock. The ineffective group, which included 21 antimicrobials, did not eliminate or suppress Las, resulting in plants with increased titers of Candidatus Liberibacter. The other 10 antimicrobials partly eliminated/suppressed Las in treated and graft-inoculated plants. These effective antimicrobials are potential candidates for HLB control either via rescuing infected citrus germplasms or restricted field application.

Metagenomic sequencing of fracture fluid from South Africa recovered a nearly complete “ Candidatus Bathyarchaeota” archaeon genome. The metagenome-assembled genome of BE326-BA-RLH contains genes involved in methane metabolism and dissimilatory nitrate reduction.

AbstractThe symbiosis between a marine alga and a N2-fixing cyanobacterium (UCYN-A) is geographically widespread in the oceans and is important in the marine N cycle. UCYN-A is uncultivated, and is an unusual unicellular cyanobacterium because it lacks many metabolic functions, including oxygenic photosynthesis and carbon fixation, which are typical in cyanobacteria. It is now presumed to be an obligate symbiont of haptophytes closely related to Braarudosphaera bigelowii. N2-fìxing cyanobacteria use different strategies to avoid inhibition of N2 fixation by the oxygen evolved in photosynthesis. Most unicellular cyanobacteria temporally separate the two incompatible activities by fixing N2 only at night, but surprisingly UCYN-A appears to fix N2 during the day. The goal of this study was to determine how the unicellular UCYN-A coordinates N2 fixation and general metabolism compared to other marine cyanobacteria. We found that UCYN-A has distinct daily cycles of many genes despite the fact that it lacks two of the three circadian clock genes found in most cyanobacteria. We also found that transcription patterns in UCYN-A are most similar to marine cyanobacteria that are capable of aerobic N2 fixation in the light such as Trichodesmium and heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria, rather than Crocosphaera or Cyanothece species, which are more closely related to unicellular marine cyanobacteria evolutionarily. Our findings suggest that the symbiotic interaction has resulted in a shift of transcriptional regulation to coordinate UCYN-A metabolism with the phototrophic eukaryotic host, thus allowing efficient coupling of N2 fixation (by the cyanobacterium) to the energy obtained from photosynthesis (by the eukaryotic unicellular alga) in the light.ImportanceThe symbiotic N2-fixing cyanobacterium UCYN-A and its eukaryotic algal host, which is closely related to Braarudosphaera bigelowii, have been shown to be globally distributed and important in open ocean N2 fixation. These unique cyanobacteria have reduced metabolic capabilities, even lacking genes for oxygenic photosynthesis and carbon fixation. Cyanobacteria generally use energy from photosynthesis for nitrogen fixation, but require mechanisms for avoiding inactivation of the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase enzyme by ambient oxygen (O2) or the O2 evolved through photosynthesis. This study shows that the symbiosis between the N2-fixing cyanobacterium UCYN-A and its eukaryotic algal host has led to adaptation of its daily gene expression pattern in order to enable daytime aerobic N2 fixation, which is likely more energetically efficient than fixing N2 at night, as in other unicellular marine cyanobacteria.

ABSTRACTEnvironmental fluctuations in the availability of nutrients lead to intricate metabolic strategies.CandidatusAccumulibacter phosphatis, a polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAO) responsible for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewater treatment systems, is prevalent in aerobic/anaerobic environments. While the overall metabolic traits of these bacteria are well described, the inexistence of isolates has led to controversial conclusions on the metabolic pathways used.Here, we experimentally determined the redox cofactor preference of different oxidoreductases in the central carbon metabolism of a highly enrichedCa. A. phosphatis culture. Remarkably, we observed that the acetoacetyl-CoA reductase engaged in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) synthesis is NADH-preferring instead of the generally assumed NADPH dependency. Based on previously published meta-omics data and the results of enzymatic assays, a reduced central carbon metabolic network was constructed and used for simulating different metabolic operating modes. In particular, scenarios with different acetate-to-glycogen consumption ratios were simulated. For a high ratio (i.e. more acetate), a polyphosphate-based metabolism arises as optimal with a metabolic flux through the glyoxylate shunt. In case of a low acetate-to-glycogen ratio, glycolysis is used in combination with reductive branch of the TCA cycle. Thus, optimal metabolic flux strategies will depend on the environment (acetate uptake) and on intracellular storage compounds availability (polyphosphate/glycogen).This metabolic flexibility is enabled by the NADH-driven PHA synthesis. It allows for maintaining metabolic activity under varying environmental substrate conditions, with high carbon conservation and lower energetic costs compared to NADPH dependent PHA synthesis. Such (flexible) metabolic redox coupling can explain PAOs’ competitiveness under oxygen-fluctuating environments.IMPORTANCEHere we demonstrate how microbial metabolism can adjust to a wide range of environmental conditions. Such flexibility generates a selective advantage under fluctuating environmental conditions. It can also explain the different observations reported in PAO literature, including the capacity ofCa. Accumulibacter phosphatis to act like glycogen accumulating organisms (GAO). These observations stem from slightly different experimental conditions and controversy only arises when one assumes metabolism can only operate in one single mode. Furthermore, we also show how the study of metabolic strategies is possible when combining-omics data with functional assays and modeling. Genomic information can only provide the potential of a microorganism. The environmental context and other complementary approaches are still needed to study and predict the functional application of such metabolic potential.