C4-dicarboxylate carriers and sensors in bacteria

A monocarboxylate permease of Rhizobium leguminosarum is the first member of a new subfamily of transporters

Amino acid transport by Rhizobium leguminosarum is dominated by two ABC transporters, the general amino acid permease (Aap) and the branched-chain amino acid permease (Bra). However, mutation of these transporters does not prevent this organism from utilizing alanine for growth. An R. leguminosarum permease (MctP) has been identified which is required for optimal growth on alanine as a sole carbon and nitrogen source. Characterization of MctP confirmed that it transports alanine (K(m) = 0.56 mM) and other monocarboxylates such as lactate and pyruvate (K(m) = 4.4 and 3.8 micro M, respectively). Uptake inhibition studies indicate that propionate, butyrate, alpha-hydroxybutyrate, and acetate are also transported by MctP, with the apparent affinity for solutes demonstrating a preference for C3-monocarboxylates. MctP has significant sequence similarity to members of the sodium/solute symporter family. However, sequence comparisons suggest that it is the first characterized permease of a new subfamily of transporters. While transport via MctP was inhibited by CCCP, it was not apparently affected by the concentration of sodium. In contrast, glutamate uptake in R. leguminosarum by the Escherichia coli GltS system did require sodium, which suggests that MctP may be proton coupled. Uncharacterized members of this new subfamily have been identified in a broad taxonomic range of species, including proteobacteria of the beta-subdivision, gram-positive bacteria, and archaea. A two-component sensor-regulator (MctSR), encoded by genes adjacent to mctP, is required for activation of mctP expression.

Genome sequence of Oceanobacillus iheyensis isolated from the Iheya Ridge and its unexpected adaptive capabilities to extreme environments

Oceanobacillus iheyensis HTE831 is an alkaliphilic and extremely halotolerant Bacillus-related species isolated from deep-sea sediment. We present here the complete genome sequence of HTE831 along with analyses of genes required for adaptation to highly alkaline and saline environments. The genome consists of 3.6 Mb, encoding many proteins potentially associated with roles in regulation of intracellular osmotic pressure and pH homeostasis. The candidate genes involved in alkaliphily were determined based on comparative analysis with three Bacillus species and two other Gram-positive species. Comparison with the genomes of other major Gram-positive bacterial species suggests that the backbone of the genus Bacillus is composed of approximately 350 genes. This second genome sequence of an alkaliphilic Bacillus-related species will be useful in understanding life in highly alkaline environments and microbial diversity within the ubiquitous bacilli.