Pseudoalteromonas aestuariivivens sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped or ovoid bacterial strain, designated DB-2T, was isolated from a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in South Korea, and subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain DB-2T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DB-2T belonged to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Strain DB-2T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.17-97.36 % to the type strains of Pseudoalteromonas mariniglutinosa, Pseudoalteromonas spongiae and Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis and of 93.79-96.99 % to the type strains of the other species of the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Strain DB-2T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C12 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain DB-2T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified glycolipids, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain DB-2T was 54.9 ± 0.2 mol% and mean DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of P. mariniglutinosa, P. spongiae and P. tetraodonis were 10-17 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain DB-2T is separated from recognized species of the genus Pseudoalteromonas. On the basis of these data, strain DB-2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pseudoalteromonas, for which the name Pseudoalteromonas aestuariivivens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DB-2T ( = KCTC 42779T = CECT 8945T).

Complete genome of brown algal polysaccharides-degrading Pseudoalteromonas issachenkonii KCTC 12958(T) (=KMM 3549(T))

Pseudoalteromonas issachenkonii is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, flagellated, aerobic, chemoorganotrophic marine bacterium that was isolated from the thallus of Fucus evanescens (marine brown macroalgae) sampled from the Kraternaya Bight of the Kurile Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Here, we report the complete genome of P. issachenkonii KCTC 12958(T) (=KMM 3549(T)=LMG 19697(T)=CIP 106858(T)), which consists of 4,131,541 bp (G+C content of 40.3%) with two chromosomes, 3538 protein-coding genes, 102 tRNAs and 8 rRNA operons. Several genes related to glycoside hydrolases, proteases, and bacteriolytic- and hemolytic activities were detected in the genome that help explain how the strain mediates degradation of algal cell wall and decomposes algal polysaccharides into industrially applicable products.

Changes in bacterial community metabolism and composition during the degradation of dissolved organic matter from the jellyfish Aurelia aurita in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

Spatial increases and temporal shifts in outbreaks of gelatinous plankton have been observed over the past several decades in many estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The effects of these blooms on marine ecosystem functioning and particularly on the dynamics of the heterotrophic bacteria are still unclear. The response of the bacterial community from a Mediterranean coastal lagoon to the addition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the jellyfish Aurelia aurita, corresponding to an enrichment of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by 1.4, was assessed for 22 days in microcosms (8 l). The high bioavailability of this material led to (i) a rapid mineralization of the DOC and dissolved organic nitrogen from the jellyfish and (ii) the accumulation of high concentrations of ammonium and orthophosphate in the water column. DOM from jellyfish greatly stimulated heterotrophic prokaryotic production and respiration rates during the first 2 days; then, these activities showed a continuous decay until reaching those measured in the control microcosms (lagoon water only) at the end of the experiment. Bacterial growth efficiency remained below 20%, indicating that most of the DOM was respired and a minor part was channeled to biomass production. Changes in bacterial diversity were assessed by tag pyrosequencing of partial bacterial 16S rRNA genes, DNA fingerprints, and a cultivation approach. While bacterial diversity in control microcosms showed little changes during the experiment, the addition of DOM from the jellyfish induced a rapid growth of Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio species that were isolated. After 9 days, the bacterial community was dominated by Bacteroidetes, which appeared more adapted to metabolize high-molecular-weight DOM. At the end of the experiment, the bacterial community shifted toward a higher proportion of Alphaproteobacteria. Resilience of the bacterial community after the addition of DOM from the jellyfish was higher for metabolic functions than diversity, suggesting that jellyfish blooms can induce durable changes in the bacterial community structure in coastal lagoons.

The Pathogen of the Great Barrier Reef Sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile Is a New Strain of Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans Containing Abundant and Diverse Virulence-Related Genes

Sponge diseases have increased dramatically, yet the causative agents of disease outbreaks have eluded identification. We undertook a polyphasic taxonomic analysis of the only confirmed sponge pathogen and identified it as a novel strain of Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and gyraseB (gyrB) gene sequences along with phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NW4327 was most closely related to P. agarivorans. DNA-DNA hybridization and in silico genome comparisons established NW4327 as a novel strain of P. agarivorans. Genes associated with type IV pili, mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin pili, and curli formation were identified in NW4327. One gene cluster encoding ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, HlyD and TolC, and two clusters related to the general secretion pathway indicated the presence of type I secretion system (T1SS) and type II secretion system (T2SS), respectively. A contiguous gene cluster of at least 19 genes related to type VI secretion system (T6SS) which included all 13 core genes was found. The absence of T1SS and T6SS in nonpathogenic P. agarivorans S816 established NW4327 as the virulent strain. Serine proteases and metalloproteases of the classes S8, S9, M4, M6, M48, and U32 were identified in NW4327, many of which can degrade collagen. Collagenase activity in NW4327 and its absence in the nonpathogenic P. agarivorans KMM 255(T) reinforced the invasiveness of NW4327. This is the first report unambiguously identifying a sponge pathogen and providing the first insights into the virulence genes present in any pathogenic Pseudoalteromonas genome. The investigation supports a theoretical study predicting high abundance of terrestrial virulence gene homologues in marine bacteria.

Enzymatic basis of "hybridity" in thiomarinol biosynthesis

Thiomarinol is a naturally occurring double-headed antibiotic that is highly potent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Its structure comprises two antimicrobial subcomponents, pseudomonic acid analogue and holothin, linked by an amide bond. TmlU was thought to be the sole enzyme responsible for this amide-bond formation. In contrast to this idea, we show that TmlU acts as a CoA ligase that activates pseudomonic acid as a thioester that is processed by the acetyltransferase HolE to catalyze the amidation. TmlU prefers complex acyl acids as substrates, whereas HolE is relatively promiscuous, accepting a range of acyl-CoA and amine substrates. Our results provide detailed biochemical information on thiomarinol biosynthesis, and evolutionary insight regarding how the pseudomonic acid and holothin pathways converge to generate this potent hybrid antibiotic. This work also demonstrates the potential of TmlU/HolE enzymes as engineering tools to generate new "hybrid" molecules.

[Isolation, identification of a κ-carrageenase-producing bacterium and κ-Carrageenase characterization]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to screen and identify carrageenase-producing strain from mangrove soil leaf and to characterize produced carrageenase.

METHODS

The culture medium with κ-carrageenan as sole carbon source was used to isolate the strain exhibiting carrageenase activity. The isolated strain was identified by morphology observation and 16S rDNA sequencing. κ-carrageenase produced by Pseudoalteromonas sp. ASY5 was purified and characterized by DNS method.

RESULTS

A bacterial strain ASY5 with high carrageenase activity was isolated from mangrove soil humus, and was identified as Pseudoalteromonas sp. The molecular mass of the purifiedenzyme was estimated to be 30 kDa. The optimal temperature and pH of the enzyme were 60°C and 7.5, respectively. The enzyme was stabileat 50°C, and more stable between pH 7.0 and 9.0. The enzyme could convert κ-carrageenan. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for κ-carrageenan was 2.28 mg /mL and 147.06 μmol/(min · mg), respectively. The enzyme was significantly stimulated by Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Al3+. The enzyme was inhibited strongly by Ag+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and SDS.

CONCLUSION

κ-carrageenase produced by Pseudoalteromonas sp. ASY5 was stable at high temperature and alkaline pH, with potential application in carrageenan oligosaccharides production.

Life-style and genome structure of marine Pseudoalteromonas siphovirus B8b isolated from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Marine viruses (phages) alter bacterial diversity and evolution with impacts on marine biogeochemical cycles, and yet few well-developed model systems limit opportunities for hypothesis testing. Here we isolate phage B8b from the Mediterranean Sea using Pseudoalteromonas sp. QC-44 as a host and characterize it using myriad techniques. Morphologically, phage B8b was classified as a member of the Siphoviridae family. One-step growth analyses showed that this siphovirus had a latent period of 70 min and released 172 new viral particles per cell. Host range analysis against 89 bacterial host strains revealed that phage B8b infected 3 Pseudoalteromonas strains (52 tested, >99.9% 16S rRNA gene nucleotide identity) and 1 non-Pseudoaltermonas strain belonging to Alteromonas sp. (37 strains from 6 genera tested), which helps bound the phylogenetic distance possible in a phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer event. The Pseudoalteromonas phage B8b genome size was 42.7 kb, with clear structural and replication modules where the former were delineated leveraging identification of 16 structural genes by virion structural proteomics, only 4 of which had any similarity to known structural proteins. In nature, this phage was common in coastal marine environments in both photic and aphotic layers (found in 26.5% of available viral metagenomes), but not abundant in any sample (average per sample abundance was 0.65% of the reads). Together these data improve our understanding of siphoviruses in nature, and provide foundational information for a new ‘rare virosphere’ phage–host model system.

Soluble recombinant protein production in Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125

Solubility/activity issues are often experienced when immunoglobulin fragments are produced in conventional microbial cell factories. Although several experimental approaches have been followed to solve, or at least minimize, the accumulation of the recombinant proteins into insoluble aggregates, sometimes the only alternative strategy is changing the protein production platform. In this chapter we describe the use of Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 as host of choice for the production of the heavy-chain antibody fragment VHHD6.1. Combining the use of a regulated psychrophilic gene expression system with an optimized fermentation process in defined growth medium, we obtained the recombinant VHHD6.1 in fully soluble form and correctly translocated into host periplasmic space.

Biodegradation of complex hydrocarbons in spent engine oil by novel bacterial consortium isolated from deep sea sediment

Complex hydrocarbon and aromatic compounds degrading marine bacterial strains were isolated from deep sea sediment after enrichment on spent engine (SE) oil. Phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the isolates were related to members of the Pseudoalteromonas sp., Ruegeria sp., Exiguobacterium sp. and Acinetobacter sp. Biodegradation using 1% (v/v) SE oil with individual and mixed strains showed the efficacy of SE oil utilization within a short retention time. The addition of non-ionic surfactant 0.05% (v/v) Tween 80 as emulsifying agent enhanced the solubility of hydrocarbons and renders them more accessible for biodegradation. The degradation of several compounds and the metabolites formed during the microbial oxidation process were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. The potential of this consortium to biodegrade SE oil with and without emulsifying agent provides possible application in bioremediation of oil contaminated marine environment.

A Study of Tryptophan Fluorescence Quenching of Bifunctional Alginate Lyase from a Marine BacteriumPseudoalteromonassp. Strain No. 272 by Acrylamide

A fluorescence quenching study of a sole tryptophan residue of a bifunctional alginate lyase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain No. 272 was done in the presence and absence of substrates, oligomeric guluronic and its C5 isomer mannuronic acid, by a Stern-Volmer plot with a quencher, acrylamide. N-Acetyltryptophanamide and reduced and carboxymethylated alginate lyase showed large quenching constants, on the other hand, the native enzyme had small constants regardless of the presence or absence of the substrates. The result suggests that the tryptophan residue is located in a buried region of the enzyme molecule, but is barely accessible to acrylamide, and that the residue is not masked by the substrates with various degrees of polymerization.

Exploring the hologenome concept in marine bivalvia: haemolymph microbiota as a pertinent source of probiotics for aquaculture

Haemolymph-associated microbiota of marine bivalves was explored for antibacterial activity against important aquaculture pathogens. A collection of 843 strains were cultured from the haemolymph of four bivalve species (Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus edulis, Pecten maximus and Tapes rhomboides) collected by deep-sea diving in the Glenan Archipelago (France). Cell-free culture supernatants were investigated for antibacterial activity using the well-diffusion assay. About 3% of haemolymph-associated cultivable bacteria displayed antibacterial activity toward Gram-negative pathogens. Among the active bacteria, Pseudoalteromonas strains exhibited the highest antibacterial activity. The cell-free culture supernatant of one of them, named hCg-51, was able to inhibit the growth of bacterial pathogens even after drastic dilution (1 : 1024). Hemocyte survival was not significantly altered in the presence of the haemolymph-associated strains assayed. Moreover, a dose-dependent beneficial effect on hemocyte survival rates was observed with the hCg-51 strain. These results suggest that haemolymph microbiota may participate in bivalve protection and therefore confer a health benefit on the host. As a result, the results highlight bivalve haemolymph microbiota as a promising novel source for aquaculture probiotics. This work also gives a first insight into the contribution of the haemolymph-associated microbiota as part of the bivalve 'hologenome'.

Genome analysis of Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra JG1 reveals various survival advantages in marine environment

BACKGROUND

Competition between bacteria for habitat and resources is very common in the natural environment and is considered to be a selective force for survival. Many strains of the genus Pseudoalteromonas were confirmed to produce bioactive compounds that provide those advantages over their competitors. In our previous study, P. flavipulchra JG1 was found to synthesize a Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra antibacterial Protein (PfaP) with L-amino acid oxidase activity and five small chemical compounds, which were the main competitive agents of the strain. In addition, the genome of this bacterium has been previously sequenced as Whole Genome Shotgun project (PMID: 22740664). In this study, more extensive genomic analysis was performed to identify specific genes or gene clusters which related to its competitive feature, and further experiments were carried out to confirm the physiological roles of these genes when competing with other microorganisms in marine environment.

RESULTS

The antibacterial protein PfaP may also participate in the biosynthesis of 6-bromoindolyl-3-acetic acid, indicating a synergistic effect between the antibacterial macromolecule and small molecules. Chitinases and quorum quenching enzymes present in P. flavipulchra, which coincide with great chitinase and acyl homoserine lactones degrading activities of strain JG1, suggest other potential mechanisms contribute to antibacterial/antifungal activities. Moreover, movability and rapid response mechanisms to phosphorus starvation and other stresses, such as antibiotic, oxidative and heavy metal stress, enable JG1 to adapt to deleterious, fluctuating and oligotrophic marine environments.

CONCLUSIONS

The genome of P. flavipulchra JG1 exhibits significant genetic advantages against other microorganisms, encoding antimicrobial agents as well as abilities to adapt to various adverse environments. Genes involved in synthesis of various antimicrobial substances enriches the antagonistic mechanisms of P. flavipulchra JG1 and affords several admissible biocontrol procedures in aquaculture. Furthermore, JG1 also evolves a range of mechanisms adapting the adverse marine environment or multidrug rearing conditions. The analysis of the genome of P. flavipulchra JG1 provides a better understanding of its competitive properties and also an extensive application prospect.

Identification and characterization of single-stranded DNA-binding protein from the facultative psychrophilic bacteria Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis

Single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) plays an important role in DNA metabolism such as DNA replication, repair, and recombination, and is essential for cell survival. This study reports on the ssb-like gene cloning, gene expression and characterization of a single-stranded DNA-binding protein of Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis (PhaSSB) and is the first report of such a protein from psychrophilic microorganism. PhaSSB possesses a high sequence similarity to Escherichia coli SSB (48% identity and 57% similarity) and has the longest amino acid sequence (244 amino acid residues) of all the known bacterial SSBs with one OB-fold per monomer. An analysis of purified PhaSSB by means of chemical cross-linking experiments, sedimentation analysis and size exclusion chromatography revealed a stable tetramer in solution. Using EMSA, we characterized the stoichiometry of PhaSSB complexed with a series of ssDNA homopolymers, and the size of the binding site was determined as being approximately 35 nucleotides long. In fluorescence titrations, the occluded site size of PhaSSB on poly(dT) is 34 nucleotides per tetramer under low-salt conditions (2mM NaCl), but increases to 54-64 nucleotides at higher-salt conditions (100-300mM NaCl). This suggests that PhaSSB undergoes a transition between ssDNA binding modes, which is observed for EcoSSB. The binding properties of PhaSSB investigated using SPR technology revealed that the affinity of PhaSSB to ssDNA is typical of SSB proteins. The only difference in the binding mode of PhaSSB to ssDNA is a faster association phase, when compared to EcoSSB, though compensated by faster dissociation rate. When analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the melting temperature (Tm) was determined as 63 °C, which is only a few degrees lower than for EcoSSB.

Molecular cloning, expression and enzymatic characterization of glutathione S-transferase from Antarctic sea-ice bacteria Pseudoalteromonas sp. ANT506

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene from Antarctic sea-ice bacteria Pseudoalteromonas sp. ANT506 (namely PsGST), was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The open reading frame of PsGST comprised 654 bp encoding a protein of 217 amino acids with a calculated molecular size of 24.3 kDa. The rPsGST possesses the conserved amino acid defining the binding sites of glutathione (G-site) and substrate binding pocket (H-site) in GST N_3 family. PsGST was expressed in E. coli and the recombinant PsGST (rPsGST) was purified by Ni-affinity chromatography with a high specific activity of 74.21 U/mg. The purified rPsGST showed maximum activity at 40 °C and exhibited 14.2% activity at 0 °C. It was completely inactivated at 50 °C for 40 min. These results indicated that rPsGST was a typical cold active GST with low thermostability. The enzyme was little affected by H2O2 and Triton X-100, and 50.2% of the remaining activity was detected in the presence of high salt concentrations (2M NaCl). The enzymatic Km values for CDNB and GSH was 0.22 mM and 1.01 mM, respectively. These specific enzyme properties may be related to the survival environment of Antarctic sea ice bacteria.

Detection of ionic liquid stable cellulase produced by the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. isolated from brown alga Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh

An extracellular cellulase produced by marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. was studied for its activity and stability in six different ionic liquids (ILs) over a wide range of concentrations (1-20% v/v) and compared with aqueous medium as control. Enzyme showed its optimal activity at 45°C and at pH 5 in control. Although the activity varied with the type of IL and its concentration used, the activity measured at 5% (v/v) was maximum with [EMIM]Br followed by [EMIM]Ac, [BMIM]Cl, [C2MIM][CH3SO3], [BMIM][OTF] and [BMPL][OTF] with 115%, 104.7%, 102.2%, 98.33%, 93.84% and 92.67%, respectively, and >80% activity at 15% (v/v) in all ILs. The enzyme stability at 5% (v/v) IL concentration for 36h was superior to commercial cellulase. The cellulase activity enhanced by 1.35- to 1.72-fold over control when 5% (v/v) IL based reaction medium with algal biomass was used and thus showed potentials for saccharification of biomass in a single step process.

[Nonribosomal peptides synthetases gene clusters and core domain in Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ631]

OBJECTIVE

We studied nonribosomal peptides synthetases (NRPSs) gene clusters and the core module of NRPSs in Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ631 using genome mining approach.

METHODS

The genome of Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ631 was constructed by the next genome sequencing (NGS) technology. We adopted an online available software called NRPS-PKS knowledgebase to identify potential NRPSs gene clusters within genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite of Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ631. The genes encoding adenylation (A) domains, the core module of NRPSs, were collected and analyzed using genome mining method.

RESULTS

We identified three typical NRPS gene clusters comprising three ORFs which encode six continuous modular NRPSs. The result of genome mining indicates that genome of Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ631 contains 38 A domain genes which show 60% similarity below to their closest relatives. The substrate of these A domains was predicted to specifically bind 18 types of amino acids using the specificity-conferring selection rule.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported on the systematic screening and analysis of NRPSs gene clusters and A domains in genus Pseudoalteromonas, suggesting that the genus Pseudoalteromonas possesses a vast array of secondary metabolite biosynthesis genes that were previously found mostly in actinomycetes and fungi. The information on secondary metabolite genes from Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ631 will facilitate us to isolate novel nonribosomal peptides.

Antibacterial activity of Pseudoalteromonas in the coral holobiont

Corals harbor diverse and abundant prokaryotic populations. Bacterial communities residing in the coral mucus layer may be either pathogenic or symbiotic. Some species may produce antibiotics as a method of controlling populations of competing microbial species. The present study characterizes cultivable Pseudoalteromonas sp. isolated from the mucus layer of different coral species from the northern Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea, Israel. Six mucus-associated Pseudoalteromonas spp. obtained from different coral species were screened for antibacterial activity against 23 tester strains. Five of the six Pseudoalteromonas strains demonstrated extracellular antibacterial activity against Gram-positive-but not Gram-negative-tester strains. Active substances secreted into the cell-free supernatant are heat-tolerant and inhibit growth of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and of ten endogenous Gram-positive marine bacteria isolated from corals. The Pseudoalteromonas spp. isolated from Red sea corals aligned in a phylogenetic tree with previously isolated Pseudoalteromonas spp. of marine origin that demonstrated antimicrobial activity. These results suggest that coral mucus-associated Pseudoalteromonas may play a protective role in the coral holobiont's defense against potential Gram-positive coral pathogens.

Gene sequence based clustering assists in dereplication of Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea strains with identical inhibitory activity and antibiotic production

Some microbial species are chemically homogenous, and the same secondary metabolites are found in all strains. In contrast, we previously found that five strains of P. luteoviolacea were closely related by 16S rRNA gene sequence but produced two different antibiotic profiles. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether such bioactivity differences could be linked to genotypes allowing methods from phylogenetic analysis to aid in selection of strains for biodiscovery. Thirteen P. luteoviolacea strains divided into three chemotypes based on production of known antibiotics and four antibacterial profiles based on inhibition assays against Vibrio anguillarum and Staphylococcus aureus. To determine whether chemotype and inhibition profile are reflected by phylogenetic clustering we sequenced 16S rRNA, gyrB and recA genes. Clustering based on 16S rRNA gene sequences alone showed little correlation to chemotypes and inhibition profiles, while clustering based on concatenated 16S rRNA, gyrB, and recA gene sequences resulted in three clusters, two of which uniformly consisted of strains of identical chemotype and inhibition profile. A major time sink in natural products discovery is the effort spent rediscovering known compounds, and this study indicates that phylogeny clustering of bioactive species has the potential to be a useful dereplication tool in biodiscovery efforts.

Characterization of bacteria in ballast water using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

To evaluate a rapid and cost-effective method for monitoring bacteria in ballast water, several marine bacterial isolates were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Since International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations are concerned with the unintended transportation of pathogenic bacteria through ballast water, emphasis was placed on detecting species of Vibrio, enterococci and coliforms. Seawater samples collected from the North Sea were incubated in steel ballast tanks and the presence of potentially harmful species of Pseudomonas was also investigated. At the genus-level, the identification of thirty six isolates using MALDI-TOF MS produced similar results to those obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No pathogenic species were detected either by 16S rRNA gene analysis or by MALDI-TOF MS except for the opportunistically pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, in house software that calculated the correlation coefficient values (CCV) of the mass spectral raw data and their variation was developed and used to allow the rapid and efficient identification of marine bacteria in ballast water for the first time.

Properties of the endogenous components of the thioredoxin system in the psychrophilic eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC 125

The endogenous components of the thioredoxin system in the Antarctic eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis have been purified and characterised. The temperature dependence of the activities sustained by thioredoxin (PhTrx) and thioredoxin reductase (PhTrxR) pointed to their adaptation in the cold growth environment. PhTrxR was purified as a flavoenzyme and its activity was significantly enhanced in the presence of molar concentration of monovalent cations. The energetics of the partial reactions leading to the whole electron transfer from NADPH to the target protein substrate in the reconstituted thioredoxin system was also investigated. While the initial electron transfer from NADPH to PhTrxR was energetically favoured, the final passage to the heterologous protein substrate enhanced the energetic barrier of the whole process. The energy of activation of the heat inactivation process essentially reflected the psychrophilic origin of PhTrxR. Vice versa, PhTrx possessed an exceptional heat resistance (half-life, 4.4 h at 95 °C), ranking this protein among the most thermostable enzymes reported so far in psychrophiles. PhTrxR was covalently modified by glutathione, mainly by its oxidised or nitrosylated forms. A mutagenic analysis realised on three non catalytic cysteines of the flavoenzyme allowed the identification of C(303) as the target for the S-glutathionylation reaction.

Bacteriostatic anti-Vibrio parahaemolyticus activity of Pseudoalteromonas sp. strains DIT09, DIT44 and DIT46 isolated from Southern Chilean intertidal Perumytilus purpuratus

We characterised the anti-Vibrio parahaemolyticus (anti-V. parahaemolyticus) marine bacteria DIT09, DIT44 and DIT46 isolated from the intertidal mussel Perumytilus purpuratus. The 16S rRNA gene sequences identify a Pseudoalteromonas sp. that form a clade with P. prydzensis and P. mariniglutinosa. The strains produced bacteriostatic anti-V. parahaemolyticus agents during the exponential growth phase, which were also active against V. cholerae and V. anguillarum, but not on other Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Bacteriostatic agents could be permeated by analytic ultra-filtration with 3.5 kDa cut-off, partially precipitated with 70 and 90 % ammonium sulphate, but not extracted with ethyl acetate. Reverse-phase HPLC revealed the production of a set of 5-6 active compounds by each strain (elution from 20 to 40 % acetonitrile), with similar but non identical HPLC patterns. Additionally, V. parahaemolyticus was able to progressively overcome the inhibition of antibiotics in trypticase soy agar with Fe(III) 0.5 up to 2 mM, suggesting the involvement of a set of novel siderophore or active molecules targeted at different Fe-siderophore uptake systems. The overall findings suggest that Pseudoalteromonas sp. DIT strains produce a putatively novel class of bacteriostatic and probably amphiphilic anti-Vibrio agents, indicating the need for further studies with chemical purification followed by their structural and functional characterization. Finally, the crude cell-free extracts, as well as the strains incubated at 10(3) and 10(5) c.f.u./mL, did not cause mortality in Artemia franciscana nauplii, suggesting that these bacteria are serious candidates for further probiotic evaluations with shellfish and fish cultures.

Bioactivity, chemical profiling, and 16S rRNA-based phylogeny of Pseudoalteromonas strains collected on a global research cruise

One hundred one antibacterial Pseudoalteromonas strains that inhibited growth of a Vibrio anguillarum test strain were collected on a global research cruise (Galathea 3), and 51 of the strains repeatedly demonstrated antibacterial activity. Here, we profile secondary metabolites of these strains to determine if particular compounds serve as strain or species markers and to determine if the secondary metabolite profile of one strain represents the bioactivity of the entire species. 16S rRNA gene similarity divided the strains into two primary groups: One group (51 strains) consisted of bacteria which retained antibacterial activity, 48 of which were pigmented, and another group (50 strains) of bacteria which lost antibacterial activity upon sub-culturing, two of which were pigmented. The group that retained antibacterial activity consisted of six clusters in which strains were identified as Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, Pseudoalteromonas aurantia, Pseudoalteromonas phenolica, Pseudoalteromonas ruthenica, Pseudoalteromonas rubra, and Pseudoalteromonas piscicida. HPLC-UV/VIS analyses identified key peaks, such as violacein in P. luteoviolacea. Some compounds, such as a novel bromoalterochromide, were detected in several species. HPLC-UV/VIS detected systematic intra-species differences for some groups, and testing several strains of a species was required to determine these differences. The majority of non-antibacterial, non-pigmented strains were identified as Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans, and HPLC-UV/VIS did not further differentiate this group. Pseudoalteromonas retaining antibacterial were more likely to originate from biotic or abiotic surfaces in contrast to planktonic strains. Hence, the pigmented, antibacterial Pseudoalteromonas have a niche specificity, and sampling from marine biofilm environments is a strategy for isolating novel marine bacteria that produce antibacterial compounds.

Correlation between pigmentation and larval settlement deterrence by Pseudoalteromonas sp. sf57

The red-pigmented marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. sf57 forms a biofilm that deters larval settlement of the tube-building polychaete Hydroides elegans. To investigate the correlation between pigmentation and larval settlement deterrence, mutants of sf57 with deficient or altered pigmentation were generated by transposon mutagenesis. Five groups of pigmented mutants were obtained, viz. white, yellow, pink, dark red, and white-to-red. The white mutant WM1, which exhibited a substantial increase in bacterial density in the biofilm, became inductive to larval settlement. The other mutants that showed a lesser increase in bacterial density in their biofilms either retained their deterrence or induced higher larval settlement rates, but did not become inductive strains. Analysis of the disrupted genes in these mutants suggests that the type II secretion pathway, the LysR transcriptional regulator, NAD(P)-binding proteins, exonuclease, pyruvate metabolism, flagella assembly, and cell membrane processes may play a role in the regulation of pigmentation in sf57.

Cytoplasmic and periplasmic proteomic signatures of exponentially growing cells of the psychrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125

The psychrophilic model bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis is characterized by remarkably fast growth rates under low-temperature conditions in a range from 5°C to 20°C. In this study the proteome of cellular compartments, the cytoplasm and periplasm, of P. haloplanktis strain TAC125 was analyzed under exponential growth conditions at a permissive temperature of 16°C. By means of two-dimensional protein gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, a first inventory of the most abundant cytoplasmic and periplasmic proteins expressed in a peptone-supplemented minimal medium was established. By this approach major enzymes of the amino acid catabolism of this marine bacterium could be functionally deduced. The cytoplasmic proteome showed a predominance of amino acid degradation pathways and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes but also the protein synthesis machinery. Furthermore, high levels of cold acclimation and oxidative stress proteins could be detected at this moderate growth temperature. The periplasmic proteome was characterized by a significant abundance of transporters, especially of highly expressed putative TonB-dependent receptors. This high capacity for protein synthesis, efficient amino acid utilization, and substrate transport may contribute to the fast growth rates of the copiotrophic bacterium P. haloplanktis in its natural environments.

Comparative genomics reveals a deep-sea sediment-adapted life style of Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM9913

Deep-sea sediment is one of the most important microbial-driven ecosystems, yet it is not well characterized. Genome sequence analyses of deep-sea sedimentary bacteria would shed light on the understanding of this ecosystem. In this study, the complete genome of deep-sea sedimentary bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM9913 (SM9913) is described and compared with that of the closely related Antarctic surface sea-water ecotype Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 (TAC125). SM9913 has fewer dioxygenase genes than TAC125, indicating a possible sensitivity to reactive oxygen species. Accordingly, experimental results showed that SM9913 was less tolerant of H(2)O(2) than TAC125. SM9913 has gene clusters related to both polar and lateral flagella biosynthesis. Lateral flagella, which are usually present in deep-sea bacteria and absent in the related surface bacteria, are important for the survival of SM9913 in deep-sea environments. With these two flagellar systems, SM9913 can swim in sea water and swarm on the sediment particle surface, favoring the acquisition of nutrients from particulate organic matter and reflecting the particle-associated alternative lifestyle of SM9913 in the deep sea. A total of 12 genomic islands were identified in the genome of SM9913 that may confer specific features unique to SM9913 and absent from TAC125, such as drug and heavy metal resistance. Many signal transduction genes and a glycogen production operon were also present in the SM9913 genome, which may help SM9913 respond to food pulses and store carbon and energy in a deep-sea environment.

Crystal structure of an S-formylglutathione hydrolase from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125

S-formylglutathione hydrolases (FGHs) constitute a family of ubiquitous enzymes which play a key role in formaldehyde detoxification both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, catalyzing the hydrolysis of S-formylglutathione to formic acid and glutathione. While a large number of functional studies have been reported on these enzymes, few structural studies have so far been carried out. In this article we report on the functional and structural characterization of PhEst, a FGH isolated from the psychrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis. According to our functional studies, this enzyme is able to efficiently hydrolyze several thioester substrates with very small acyl moieties. By contrast, the enzyme shows no activity toward substrates with bulky acyl groups. These data are in line with structural studies which highlight for this enzyme a very narrow acyl-binding pocket in a typical alpha/beta-hydrolase fold. PhEst represents the first cold-adapted FGH structurally characterized to date; comparison with its mesophilic counterparts of known three-dimensional structure allowed to obtain useful insights into molecular determinants responsible for the ability of this psychrophilic enzyme to work at low temperature.

Antibacterial activity of marine culturable bacteria collected from a global sampling of ocean surface waters and surface swabs of marine organisms

The purpose of the present study was to isolate marine culturable bacteria with antibacterial activity and hence a potential biotechnological use. Seawater samples (244) and 309 swab samples from biotic or abiotic surfaces were collected on a global Danish marine research expedition (Galathea 3). Total cell counts at the seawater surface were 5 x 10(5) to 10(6) cells/ml, of which 0.1-0.2% were culturable on dilute marine agar (20 degrees C). Three percent of the colonies cultured from seawater inhibited Vibrio anguillarum, whereas a significantly higher proportion (13%) of colonies from inert or biotic surfaces was inhibitory. It was not possible to relate a specific kind of eukaryotic surface or a specific geographic location to a general high occurrence of antagonistic bacteria. Five hundred and nineteen strains representing all samples and geographic locations were identified on the basis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequence homology and belonged to three major groups: Vibrionaceae (309 strains), Pseudoalteromonas spp. (128 strains), and the Roseobacter clade (29 strains). Of the latter, 25 strains were identified as Ruegeria mobilis or pelagia. When re-testing against V. anguillarum, only 409 (79%) retained some level of inhibitory activity. Many strains, especially Pseudoalteromonas spp. and Ruegeria spp., also inhibited Staphylococcus aureus. The most pronounced antibacterial strains were pigmented Pseudoalteromonas strains and Ruegeria spp. The inhibitory, pigmented Pseudoalteromonas were predominantly isolated in warmer waters from swabs of live or inert surfaces. Ruegeria strains were isolated from all ocean areas except for Arctic and Antarctic waters and inhibitory activity caused by production of tropodithietic acid.

[Molecular cloning, gene expression and characterization of purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. XM2107]

OBJECTIVE

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP, EC 2.4.2.1) is an important enzyme which is applied in nucleoside medication and intermediate biosynthesis. In this paper, we aimed to obtain the PNP gene from cold-adapted marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. XM2107 and study the characteristics of enzyme for applying in nucleoside medication and intermediate biosynthesis.

METHODS

Purine nucleoside phosphorylas gene which amplified from the cold-adapted marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. XM2107 genome by homology-based PCR cloning was cloned, sequenced and expressed at E. coli BL21 (DE3) by using expression vector pET-His. The recombinant purine nucleoside phosphorylas enzyme (XmPNP) was purified by metal chelate chromatography and its several characteristics were determined completely.

RESULTS

Analysis of entire sequences of XmPNP revealed that the whole sequence is 702 bp and coded a peptide of 233 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 25 kDa. Compared with mesophilic counterparts, XmPNP showed a lower temperature optimum (50 degrees C). The optimal pH for inosine phosphorolysis catalyzed by XmPNP was around 7.6 at sodium phosphate buffer. XmPNP showed the highest activity toward inosine (K(m) value, 0.382 mmol/L, at 37 degrees C) and the activity decreased in the order of guanosine and adenosine. Furthermore, XmPNP still expressed high catalytic activity and excellent thermalstability at ordinary temperature.

CONCLUSION

Both high catalytic activity and good thermalstability at ordinary temperature indicated that it will provide attractive candidate for prodrug activation and nucleoside medication biotransformation.

Molecular phylogeny and modular structure of hybrid NRPS/PKS gene fragment of Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ6-3-2 isolated from marine sponge Hymeniacidon perleve

Among 12 marine bacterial strains from the China coast that exhibited interesting bioactivity (positive for both antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities), only four strains, namely, NJ6-3-1, NJ6-3-2, NB-6, and YTHM-17, had a KS domain or A domain when screened for PKS and NRPS genes using a PCR. Interestingly, two of these strains belonging to Pseudoalteromonas and associated with the marine sponge Hymeniacidon perleve were positive for both PKS and NRPS, whereas the other two strains of Pseudoalteromonas did not have a PKS or NRPS gene. A molecular phylogeny analysis and DGGE analysis of the Pseudoalteromonas sp. indicated that they had a specific affinity with the host marine sponge Hymeniacidon perleve. Furthermore, an analysis of a partial sequence of Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ6-3-2 isolated from the marine sponge Hymeniacidon perleve obtained from genomic walking using a computational approach indicated a relatively complete PKS module including auxiliary domains (DH,KR,and Cy).

Purification and biochemical characteristic of a cold-active recombinant esterase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. 643A under denaturing conditions

In this paper production of a cold-active esterase EstA from the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. 643A in E. coli expression system was described. The purification and biochemical characteristic of EstA were performed in the presence of urea and then compared with results obtained for the esterase with no addition of urea and isolated from the native source. In both cases the cold-active enzyme displayed similar properties. However, the differences concerning thermal activity were observed. The optimal temperature for recombinant esterase in the presence of urea (1 M) was about 15 degrees C lower in comparison with enzyme isolated from the native source. Furthermore, the EstA was found to be more thermolabile in denaturant conditions. The differences were presumably caused by slightly changed protein structure in the presence of urea. The preservation of activity of EstA dissolved in buffer containing 8 M urea suggests that the protein structure is retained and it does not undergo dramatic changes due to high urea concentration. This thesis was confirmed with FT-IR data.

Analysis of the Pseudoalteromonas tunicata genome reveals properties of a surface-associated life style in the marine environment

BACKGROUND

Colonisation of sessile eukaryotic host surfaces (e.g. invertebrates and seaweeds) by bacteria is common in the marine environment and is expected to create significant inter-species competition and other interactions. The bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata is a successful competitor on marine surfaces owing primarily to its ability to produce a number of inhibitory molecules. As such P. tunicata has become a model organism for the studies into processes of surface colonisation and eukaryotic host-bacteria interactions.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

To gain a broader understanding into the adaptation to a surface-associated life-style, we have sequenced and analysed the genome of P. tunicata and compared it to the genomes of closely related strains. We found that the P. tunicata genome contains several genes and gene clusters that are involved in the production of inhibitory compounds against surface competitors and secondary colonisers. Features of P. tunicata's oxidative stress response, iron scavenging and nutrient acquisition show that the organism is well adapted to high-density communities on surfaces. Variation of the P. tunicata genome is suggested by several landmarks of genetic rearrangements and mobile genetic elements (e.g. transposons, CRISPRs, phage). Surface attachment is likely to be mediated by curli, novel pili, a number of extracellular polymers and potentially other unexpected cell surface proteins. The P. tunicata genome also shows a utilisation pattern of extracellular polymers that would avoid a degradation of its recognised hosts, while potentially causing detrimental effects on other host types. In addition, the prevalence of recognised virulence genes suggests that P. tunicata has the potential for pathogenic interactions.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The genome analysis has revealed several physiological features that would provide P. tunciata with competitive advantage against other members of the surface-associated community. We have also identified properties that could mediate interactions with surfaces other than its currently recognised hosts. This together with the detection of known virulence genes leads to the hypothesis that P. tunicata maintains a carefully regulated balance between beneficial and detrimental interactions with a range of host surfaces.

Cloning, expression and physicochemical characterization of a di-heme cytochrome c (4) from the psychrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC 125

The 20-kDa di-heme cytochrome c (4) from the psycrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC 125 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and investigated through UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopies and protein voltammetry. The model structure was computed using the X-ray structure of Pseudomonas stutzeri cytochrome c (4) as a template. The protein shows unprecedented properties within the cytochrome c (4) family, including (1) an almost nonpolar surface charge distribution, (2) the absence of high-spin heme Fe(III) states, indicative of a thermodynamically stable and kinetically inert axial heme His,Met coordination, and (3) identical E degrees ' values for the two heme centers (+0.322 V vs the standard hydrogen elecrode). At pH extremes, both heme groups undergo the "acid" and "alkaline" conformational transitions typical of class I cytochromes c, involving ligand-exchange equilibria, whereas at intermediate pH values their electronic properties are sensitive to several residue ionizations.

Isolation and characterization of two groups of novel marine bacteria producing violacein

Thirteen strains of novel marine bacteria producing a purple pigment were isolated from the Pacific coast of Japan. They were divided into two groups based on their 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, and both groups of bacteria belonged to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The UV-visible spectrum of the pigment was identical to those of violacein, a pigment produced by several species of bacteria including Chromobacterium violaceum, an opportunistic pathogen. Further analysis of the chemical structure of the pigment by mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the pigment was violacein. The high purity of violacein in the crude extract enabled us to employ simple and nonpolluting procedures to purify the pigment. Isolated bacteria may be useful as a C. violaceum substitute for the safe production of violacein.

The psychrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas halosplanktis TAC125 possesses a gene coding for a cold-adapted feruloyl esterase activity that shares homology with esterase enzymes from γ-proteobacteria and yeast

The complete genome of the psychrophilic bacteria Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC 125, recently published, owns a gene coding for a putative esterase activity corresponding to the ORF PSHAa1385, also classified in the Carbohydrate Active Enzymes database (CAZY) belonging to family 1 of carbohydrate esterase proteins. This ORF is 843 bp in length and codes for a protein of 280 amino acid residues. In this study we characterized and cloned the PSHAa1385 gene in Escherichia coli. We also characterized the recombinant protein by biochemical and biophysical methodologies. The PSHAa1385 gene sequence showed a significant homology with several carboxyl-esterase and acetyl-esterase genes from gamma-proteobacteria genera and yeast. The recombinant protein exhibited a significant activity towards pNP-acetate, alpha-and beta-naphthyl acetate as generic substrates, and 4-methylumbelliferyl p-trimethylammonio cinnamate chloride (MUTMAC) as a specific substrate, indicating that the protein exhibits a feruloyl esterase activity that it is displayed by similar enzymes present in other organisms. Finally, a three-dimensional model of the protein was built and the amino acid residues involved in the catalytic function of the protein were identified.

The truncated hemoglobins in the Antarctic psychrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125

The genome sequence of the Antarctic Gram-negative marine eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 is a potential source of useful data on proteins from a cold-adapted microorganism. Identifying the bases of protein adaptation to higher or lower temperatures is important to understand the relationship between structure/function and life history on the Earth. The P. haloplanktis TAC125 genome contains three genes in distinct positions on chromosome I, named PSHAa0030, PSHAa2217 and PSHAa0458. These genes encode three truncated hemoglobins. The amino-acid identity between the three hemoglobins is less than 25% suggesting that these proteins may have different function(s) in bacterial cellular metabolism. The hemoglobin encoded by the PSHAa0030 gene has been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and structurally characterised. This truncated hemoglobin is monomeric; circular dichroism shows high temperature resistance. The optical spectra of oxygenated and CO forms are similar to those of other truncated hemoglobins. Phylogenetic analyses show that two truncated globins encoded by the PSHAa0030 and PSHAa2217 genes belong to group II, and the third one encoded by PSHAa0458 to group I.

The regulator CdsS/CdsR two-component system modulates expression of genes involved in chitin degradation of Pseudoalteromonas piscicida strain O-7

Pseudoalteromonas piscicida strain O-7 (formerly Alteromonas sp. strain O-7) is an efficient degrader of chitin in the marine environment. The chitinolytic system of the strain consists of many enzymes induced by N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). This paper reports that CdsR, which is a response regulator of CdsS/CdsR two-component signal transduction system, is bound to near the promoter region of GlcNAc-induced aprIV gene. The CdsR protein as a response regulator was transphosphorylated by the CdsS protein as a sensor kinase. Furthermore, the transphosphorylation from CdsS to CdsR was promoted by chitin degradation products and a metabolite. The CdsR protein was also phosphorylated by acetyl phosphate which is an indicator of nutritive conditions of cells. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that phosphorylated CdsR (CdsR-P) was bound to not only near the promoter region of aprIV gene but also those of chiA, chiB, chiC, chiD and cbp1 genes which are induced in the presence of GlcNAc. Footprinting analysis demonstrated that CdsR-P was bound to the sequences around the transcriptional start sites of aprIV and chiD genes. These results indicate that CdsR is one of the common regulators of these genes involved in chitin degradation of the strain.

Molecular investigation of the distribution, abundance and diversity of the genus Pseudoalteromonas in marine samples

The genus Pseudoalteromonas has attracted interest because it has frequently been found in association with eukaryotic hosts, and because many Pseudoalteromonas species produce biologically active compounds. One distinct group of Pseudoalteromonas species is the antifouling subgroup containing Pseudoalteromonas tunicata and Ps. ulvae, which both produce extracellular compounds that inhibit growth and colonization by different marine organisms. PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene of the genus Pseudoalteromonas and the antifouling subgroup were developed and applied in this study. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was applied to determine the relative bacterial abundance of the genus and the antifouling subgroup, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied to study the diversity of the genus in 11 different types of marine samples from Danish coastal waters. The detection of Ps. tunicata that contain the antifouling subgroup was achieved through specific PCR amplification of the antibacterial protein gene (alpP). The Pseudoalteromonas species accounted for 1.6% of the total bacterial abundance across all samples. The Pseudoalteromonas diversity on the three unfouled marine organisms Ciona intestinalis, Ulva lactuca and Ulvaria fusca was found to be low, and Ps. tunicata was only detected on these three hosts, which all contain accessible cellulose polymers in their cell walls.

Molecular and functional properties of the psychrophilic elongation factor G from the Antarctic Eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC 125

The molecular and functional properties of the elongation factor (EF) G from the psychrophilic Antarctic eubacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis (Ph) were studied. PhEF-G catalyzed protein synthesis in vitro that was inhibited by fusidic acid, an antibiotic specifically acting on EF-G. The EF interacted with GDP only in the presence of P. haloplanktis ribosome and fusidic acid with an affinity similar to that displayed by Escherichia coli EF-G. The psychrophilic translocase elicited a ribosome-dependent GTPase that was competitively inhibited by GDP, the slowly hydrolyzable GTP analog GppNHp, and the protein synthesis inhibitor ppGDP. The temperature dependence of the activity of PhEF-G reached its maximum at least 26 degrees C beyond the growth temperature of P. haloplanktis (4-20 degrees C). The heat inactivation profile of the ribosome-dependent GTPase of PhEF-G gave a temperature for half inactivation (46 degrees C), significantly lower than that for half denaturation measured by either UV- (57 degrees C) or fluorescence-melting (62 degrees C). This finding was attributed to a different effect of the temperature on the catalytic domain with respect to that elicited on the other domains constituting the EF, thus confirming the differential molecular flexibility present in psychrophilic enzymes. A molecular model, based on the 3D coordinates of a thermophilic EF-G, showed differences only in connecting loops.

The use of functional genomics for the identification of a gene cluster encoding for the biosynthesis of an antifungal tambjamine in the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata

A large insert library was created in Escherichia coli from the DNA of the surface-associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. Screening of the library for antifungal activity resulted in the detection and identification of a large gene cluster encoding for the biosynthesis of an antifungal tambjamine. A biosynthetic pathway has been proposed based on analysis and annotation of the gene cluster.

Pseudoalteromonas marina sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from tidal flats of the Yellow Sea, and reclassification of Pseudoalteromonas sagamiensis as Algicola sagamiensis comb. nov

Two Gram-negative, motile and strictly aerobic marine bacteria were isolated from a tidal flat sediment sample obtained from Dae-Chun, Chung-Nam, Korea. They were preliminarily identified as Pseudoalteromonas-like bacteria, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showing nearly identical sequences (>99.7 % sequence similarity) and the highest similarity (98.4 %) to the species Pseudoalteromonas undina. Some phenotypic features of the newly isolated strains were similar to those of members of the genus Pseudoalteromonas, but several physiological and chemo-taxonomical properties readily distinguished the new isolates from previously described species. DNA-DNA hybridization with type strains of phylogenetically closely related species demonstrated that the isolates represent a novel Pseudoalteromonas species, for which the name Pseudoalteromonas marina sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain mano4(T) (=KCTC 12242(T)=DSM 17587(T)). In addition, on the basis of this study and polyphasic data obtained from previous work, it is proposed that the species Pseudoalteromonas sagamiensis should be reclassified as Algicola sagamiensis comb. nov. and that strain B-10-31(T) (=DSM 14643(T)=JCM 11461(T)) be designated the type strain.

Immobilized preparation of cold-adapted and halotolerant Antarctic β-galactosidase as a highly stable catalyst in lactose hydrolysis

A cold-active beta-galactosidase of Antarctic marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. 22b was synthesized by an Escherichia coli transformant harboring its gene and immobilized on glutaraldehyde-treated chitosan beads. Unlike the soluble enzyme the immobilized preparation was not inhibited by glucose, its apparent optimum temperature for activity was 10 degrees C higher (50 vs. 40 degrees C, respectively), optimum pH range was wider (pH 6-9 and 6-8, respectively) and stability at 50 degrees C was increased whilst its pH-stability remained unchanged. Soluble and immobilized preparations of Antarctic beta-galactosidase were active and stable in a broad range of NaCl concentrations (up to 3 M) and affected neither by calcium ions nor by galactose. The activity of immobilized beta-galactosidase was maintained for at least 40 days of continuous lactose hydrolysis at 15 degrees C and its shelf life at 4 degrees C exceeded 12 months. Lactose content in milk was reduced by more than 90% over a temperature range of 4-30 degrees C in continuous and batch systems employing the immobilized enzyme.

Evidence for the involvement of pathogenic bacteria in summer mortalities of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

A study was conducted to investigate the involvement of bacteria in oyster mortalities during summer. Moribund and apparently healthy oysters were sampled during mortality events along the French coast and in rearing facilities, usually when temperature reached 19 degrees C or higher, and oysters were in the gonadal maturation phase. Hemolymph samples were aseptically withdrawn and submitted to bacteriological analysis. In healthy oysters, bacteria colonized hemolymph at low concentrations depending on the location. In most moribund oysters, bacteria were present in hemolymph and other tissues. These bacterial populations were more often diverse in oysters originating from the open sea than from facilities where animals were generally infected by a single type of bacterium. Only the dominant colonies were identified by phenotypic and genotypic characters (RFLP of GyrB gene and partial sequence of 16S rRNA gene). They belonged to a limited number of species including Vibrio aestuarianus, members of the V. splendidus group, V. natriegens, V. parahaemolyticus, and Pseudoalteromonas sp. The most frequently encountered species was V. aestuarianus (56% of isolates), which was composed of several strains closely related by their 16S rRNA gene but diverse by their phenotypic characters. They appeared intimately linked to oysters. The species within the V. splendidus group were less prevalent (25% of isolates) and more taxonomically dispersed. A majority of the dominant strains of V. aestuarianus and V. splendidus group injected to oysters induced mortality, whereas others belonging to the same species, particularly those found in mixture, appeared innocuous.

Chromosomal context directs high-frequency precise excision of IS492 in Pseudoalteromonas atlantica

DNA rearrangements, including insertions, deletions, and inversions, control gene expression in numerous prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, ranging from phase variation of surface antigens in pathogenic bacteria to generation of Ig diversity in human B cells. We report here that precise excision of the mobile element IS492 from one site on the Pseudoalteromonas atlantica chromosome directly correlates with phase variation of peripheral extracellular polysaccharide ((p)EPS) production from OFF (epsG::IS492) to ON (epsG(+)). In a previously undescribed application of quantitative PCR, we determined that the frequency of this transposase-dependent precise excision is remarkably high, ranging from 10(-3) to 10(-2) per cell per generation. High-frequency excision resulting in nonmutagenic repair of donor DNA is extremely unusual for classical transposable elements. Interestingly, high-frequency precise excision of IS492 does not occur at four different insertion sites on the P. atlantica chromosome, despite identity in the IS492 nucleotide sequences and 5- to 7-bp flanking DNA. The genome sequence revealed that epsG-associated IS492 is the only element inserted within a gene. Quantitative RT-PCR assays for externally derived transposase transcripts from each IS492 copy showed that IS492 at epsG has higher levels of host-initiated transcription through the element, suggesting that transcription per se or an increase in transposase (mooV) expression is responsible for the effect of chromosomal position on element excision. MooV levels and excision activity for IS492 inserted in forward and reverse orientations relative to plac and pT7 in Escherichia coli support that external transcription of mooV boosts transposase to a critical level required for detectable excision.

An effective cold inducible expression system developed in Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125

A regulative two-component system previously identified in Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 was used to construct a cold inducible expression system that is under the control of l-malate. Performances of the inducible system were tested for both psychrophilic and mesophilic protein production using two "difficult" proteins as control. The results obtained demonstrated that both psychrophilic beta-galactosidase and yeast alpha-glucosidase are produced in a fully soluble and catalytically competent form. Optimal conditions for protein production, including growth temperature, growth medium and l-malate concentration were also investigated. Under optimized conditions yields of 620 and 27 mg/l were obtained for beta-galactosidase and alpha-glucosidase, respectively.

Optimization of recombinant human nerve growth factor production in the psychrophilic Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis

The optimization of production strategy is a very useful tool to attain high level of recombinant protein at a low cost. A promising biotechnological application of psychrophilic bacteria is their use as non-conventional host for the recombinant production of useful proteins. The lowering of the expression temperature can in fact facilitate the correct folding of heterologous proteins that accumulate in insoluble form as inclusion bodies when produced in Escherichia coli. An example of such "difficult" proteins is the human nerve growth factor (hNGF). The gene encoding the mature form of hNGF was expressed in the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 at 4 degrees C. Western blotting experiments demonstrated that the protein was produced in soluble form and translocated in the periplasmic space. Furthermore, an analytical gel filtration chromatography confirmed that the recombinant protein was largely in dimeric form. For a more efficient recombinant rhNGF production, the influence of cultivation operational strategies and growth conditions (medium composition, temperature, specific growth rate) on biomass yield and recombinant protein production was investigated in batch and chemostat cultivations. The highest product yield of soluble rhNGF (7.5mg(NGF)g(dryweight)(-1)) has been achieved in batch culture at 4 degrees C on Schatz medium with addition of tryptone and vitamins.

Inhibition of fungal colonization by Pseudoalteromonas tunicata provides a competitive advantage during surface colonization

The marine epiphytic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces a range of extracellular secondary metabolites that inhibit an array of common fouling organisms, including fungi. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the ability to inhibit fungi provides P. tunicata with an advantage during colonization of a surface. Studies on a transposon-generated antifungal-deficient mutant of P. tunicata, FM3, indicated that a long-chain fatty acid-coenzyme A ligase is involved in the production of a broad-range antifungal compound by P. tunicata. Flow cell experiments demonstrated that production of an antifungal compound provided P. tunicata with a competitive advantage against a marine yeast isolate during surface colonization. This compound enabled P. tunicata to disrupt an already established fungal biofilm by decreasing the number of yeast cells attached to the surface by 66% +/- 9%. For in vivo experiments, the wild-type and FM3 strains of P. tunicata were used to inoculate the surface of the green alga Ulva australis. Double-gradient denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that after 48 h, the wild-type P. tunicata had outcompeted the surface-associated fungal community, whereas the antifungal-deficient mutant had no effect on the fungal community. Our data suggest that P. tunicata is an effective competitor against fungal surface communities in the marine environment.

Ecological advantages of autolysis during the development and dispersal of Pseudoalteromonas tunicata biofilms

In the ubiquitous marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata, subpopulations of cells are killed by the production of an autocidal protein, AlpP, during biofilm development. Our data demonstrate an involvement of this process in two parameters, dispersal and phenotypic diversification, which are of importance for the ecology of this organism and for its survival within the environment. Cell death in P. tunicata wild-type biofilms led to a major reproducible dispersal event after 192 h of biofilm development. The dispersal was not observed with a DeltaAlpP mutant strain. Using flow cytometry and the fluorescent dye DiBAC4(3), we also show that P. tunicata wild-type cells that disperse from biofilms have enhanced metabolic activity compared to those cells that disperse from DeltaAlpP mutant biofilms, possibly due to nutrients released from dead cells. Furthermore, we report that there was considerable phenotypic variation among cells dispersing from wild-type biofilms but not from the DeltaAlpP mutant. Wild-type cells that dispersed from biofilms showed significantly increased variations in growth, motility, and biofilm formation, which may be important for successful colonization of new surfaces. These findings suggest for the first time that the autocidal events mediated by an antibacterial protein can confer ecological advantages to the species by generating a metabolically active and phenotypically diverse subpopulation of dispersal cells.

A mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MSHA)-like pilus promotes attachment of Pseudoalteromonas tunicata cells to the surface of the green alga Ulva australis

This study demonstrates that attachment of the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata to the cellulose-containing surface of the green alga Ulva australis is mediated by a mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MSHA-like) pilus. We have identified an MSHA pilus biogenesis gene locus in P. tunicata, termed mshI1I2JKLMNEGFBACDOPQ, which shows significant homology, with respect to its genetic characteristics and organization, to the MSHA pilus biogenesis gene locus of Vibrio cholerae. Electron microscopy studies revealed that P. tunicata wild-type cells express flexible pili peritrichously arranged on the cell surface. A P. tunicata mutant (SM5) with a transposon insertion in the mshJ region displayed a non-piliated phenotype. Using SM5, it has been demonstrated that the MSHA pilus promotes attachment of P. tunicata wild-type cells in polystyrene microtitre plates, as well as to microcrystalline cellulose and to the living surface of U. australis. P. tunicata also demonstrated increased pilus production in response to cellulose and its monomer constituent cellobiose. The MSHA pilus thus functions as a determinant of attachment in P. tunicata, and it is proposed that an understanding of surface sensing mechanisms displayed by P. tunicata will provide insight into specific ecological interactions that occur between this bacterium and higher marine organisms.

Unravelling the role of the ToxR-like transcriptional regulator WmpR in the marine antifouling bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata

The dark-green-pigmented marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces several target-specific compounds that act against a range of common fouling organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, invertebrate larvae and algal spores. The ToxR-like regulator WmpR has previously been shown to regulate expression of bioactive compounds, type IV pili and biofilm formation phenotypes which all appear at the onset of stationary phase. In this study a comparison of survival under starvation or stress between the wild-type P. tunicata strain and a wmpR mutant (D2W2) does not suggest a role for WmpR in regulating starvation- and stress-resistant phenotypes such as those that may be required in stationary phase. Both proteomic [2-dimensional PAGE (2D-PAGE)] and transcriptomic (RNA arbitrarily primed PCR) studies were used to discover members of the WmpR regulon. 2D-PAGE identified 11 proteins that were differentially expressed by WmpR. Peptide sequence data were obtained for six of these proteins and identified using the draft P. tunicata genome as being involved in protein synthesis, amino acid transamination and ubiquinone biosynthesis, as well as hypothetical proteins. The transcriptomic analysis identified three genes significantly up-regulated by WmpR, including a TonB-dependent outer-membrane protein, a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and a hypothetical protein. Under iron-limitation the wild-type showed greater survival than D2W2, indicating the importance of WmpR under these conditions. Results from these studies show that WmpR controls the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in iron acquisition and uptake, amino acid metabolism and ubiquinone biosynthesis in addition to a number of proteins with as yet unknown functions.