Publications

4590

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.