Evolutionary genomics and biosynthetic potential of novel environmental Actinobacteria

Two new strains of Streptomyces with metabolic potential for biological control of pear black spot disease

BACKGROUND

Pear black spot is caused by Alternaria tenuissima. It is one of the diseases of concern limiting pear production worldwide. Existing cultivation methods and fungicides are not sufficient to control early blight. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize two strains of Streptomyces and evaluate their potential for biological control of crop diseases caused by Alternaria tenuissima while promoting plant growth. It enriches the resources of biocontrol strains.

METHODS

In this study, the genetic background of the strain was elucidated through 16S rRNA gene analysis and multiphase taxonomic identification methods. The metabolic potential of the strain was assessed using a variety of approaches, including antiSMASH, COG, and KEGG databases, RGI tools, as well as the scanning of CAZY and plant-promoting genes. The biocontrol potential of the strain was further substantiated through a combination of plate experiments, gene cluster biopathway resolution and mass spectrometry validation of metabolites. Finally, the biocontrol efficacy of the strain was confirmed through fruit control experiments.

RESULTS

The study identified the potential new species status of the strains. Strain TRM 76130 exhibited a gene size of 5.94 Mbp and a G + C content of 73.65%, while strain TRM 76172 had a gene size of 8.30 Mbp and a G + C content of 71.38%. Both strains contained genes related to amino acid transport and metabolism, along with several CAZY genes and 19 plant growth factors. The resistance genes of strain TRM 76172 were classified as macrolides, and genomic prediction revealed the biosynthetic pathway of the active compound Candidin. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that strains TRM 76172 and TRM 76130 contained the active compounds amphotericin A and daptomycin, respectively. The pear assays demonstrated that both strains of Streptomyces were capable of reducing the symptoms of pear black spot.

CONCLUSION

The present study concludes that strains TRM76172 and TRM76130 possess significant potential to control Alternaria tenuissima and promote plant growth, thereby enriching the biocontrol fungal library.

Embleporicin: A Novel Class I Lanthipeptide from the Actinobacteria Embleya sp. NF3

Genome mining has emerged as a revolutionary tool for discovering new ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) in various genomes. Recently, these approaches have been used to detect and explore unique environments as sources of RiPP-producing microorganisms, particularly focusing on endophytic microorganisms found in medicinal plants. Some endophytic actinobacteria, especially strains of Streptomyces, are notable examples of peptide producers, as specific biosynthetic clusters encode them. To uncover the genetic potential of these organisms, we analyzed the genome of the endophytic actinobacterium Embleya sp. NF3 using genome mining and bioinformatics tools. Our analysis led to the identification of a putative class I lanthipeptide. We cloned the core biosynthetic genes of this putative lanthipeptide, named embleporicin, and expressed them in vitro using a cell-free protein system (CFPS). The resulting product demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341. This represents the first RiPP reported in the genus Embleya and the first actinobacterial lanthipeptide produced through cell-free technology.

Heterologous expression of lasso peptides with apparent participation in the morphological development in Streptomyces

Lasso peptides, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides, are primarily produced by bacteria and some archaea. Streptomyces lasso peptides have been known for their antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral properties. However, understanding their role in the morphology and production of secondary metabolites remains limited. We identified a previously unknown lasso peptide gene cluster in the genome of Streptomyces sp. L06. This gene cluster (LASS) produces two distinct lasso peptides, morphosin-1 and - 2. Notably, morphosin-2 is a member of a new subfamily of lasso peptides, with BGCs exhibiting a similar structure. When LASS was expressed in different Streptomyces hosts, it led to exciting phenotypic changes, including the absence of spores and damage in aerial mycelium development. In one of the hosts, LASS even triggered antibiotic formation. These findings open up a world of possibilities, suggesting the potential role of morphosins in shaping Streptomyces' morphological and biochemical development.

Phylogenomic analyses of the genus Actinoplanes: description of four novel genera

The genus Actinoplanes comprises 57 species (in February 2024) that are important components of ecosystems and are widely used in biotechnology, especially pharmaceuticals. Phylogenetic analysis of the family Micromonosporaceae (based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence) allowed us to group members of different genera into separate clades; however, the genus Actinoplanes was divided into three separate clades. Such phylogenetic heterogeneity could be due to the limitations of 16S rRNA gene analysis. In response to this heterogeneity, genomic phylogeny was performed. Phylogenomic reconstruction based on 324 single-copy orthologous genes allowed us to divide the genus Actinoplanes first into four clades and then, based on average nucleotide identity analysis, into five clades. Finally, chemotaxonomic analysis of each clade confirmed each clade's distinctiveness and the necessity to reclassify the genus Actinoplanes. The obtained data allowed us to divide the genus Actinoplanes into five genera: Actinoplanes, Paractinoplanes, Winogradskya, Symbioplanes and Amorphoplanes.

Opportunities and challenges of microbial siderophores in the medical field

Siderophores are low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites that function as iron chelators. Under iron-deficiency conditions, they are produced by a wide variety of microbes, allowing them to increase their iron uptake. The primary function of these compounds is the environmental iron scavenging and its transport into the cytosol. Iron is then reduced to its ferrous form to operate as an enzymatic cofactor for various functions, including respiration, nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, methanogenesis, and amino acid synthesis. Depending on their functional group, siderophores are classified into hydroxamate, catecholate, phenolate, carboxylate, and mixed types. They have achieved great importance in recent years due to their medical applications as antimicrobial, antimalarial, or anticancer drugs, vaccines, and drug-delivery agents. This review integrates current advances in specific healthcare applications of microbial siderophores, delineating new opportunities and challenges as viable therapies to fight against diseases that represent crucial public health problems in the medical field.Key points• Siderophores are low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites functioning as iron chelators.• The siderophore's properties offer viable options to face diverse clinical problems.• Siderophores are alternatives for the enhancement of antibiotic activities.

Bioinformatic comparison of three Embleya species and description of steffimycins production by Embleya sp. NF3

The Embleya genus is a new member of the Streptomycetaceae family formed by only two species isolated from soil (Embleya scabrispora and Embleya hyalina). Strain NF3 is an endophytic actinobacterium obtained from the medicinal tree Amphipterygium adstringens. By 16S rRNA gene analysis, NF3 strain was identified as Embleya sp., closely related to E. hyalina. In our interest to deep into the NF3 strain features, a bioinformatic study was performed on the Embleya genus based on their genome information to produce secondary metabolites. A comparative analysis of the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of NF3 with the two released Embleya genomes revealed that NF3 has 49 BGCs, E. scabrispora DSM41855 has 50 BGCs, and E. hyalina NBRC13850 has 46 BGCs. Although bearing similar cluster numbers, the three strains shared only 25% of the BGCs information. NF3 encoded the nybomycin cluster detected in E. hyalina NBRC13850 and lacked the hitachimycin cluster present in E. scabrispora DSM41855. On the contrary, strain NF3 contained a cluster for the anthracycline steffimycin, neither encoded by E. hyalina NBRC13850 nor by E. scabrispora DSM41855. Our results and previous characterization studies supported strain NF3 as a new member of the genus Embleya. The chemical analysis of the steffimycins produced by strain NF3 showed the production of eight compounds of the steffimycins and steffimycinone families. Four of these molecules have already been described: steffimycin B, steffimycin C, 8-demethoxy-10-deoxysteffimycinone, and 7-deoxiesteffimycinone, and four are new natural products: 8-demethoxysteffimycin B, 8-demethoxy-10-deoxysteffimycin B, 7-deoxy-8-demethoxysteffimycinone, and 7-deoxy-10-deoxysteffimycinone. With this information, we proposed an alternative pathway to produce StefB. Among steffimycins, StefB was the main compound produced by this strain (29.8%) and showed the best cytotoxic activity. KEY POINTS: • The Embleya genus and its biosynthetic potential • An alternative biosynthetic pathway for steffimycins biosynthesis • Four new natural products of the steffimycin family.