Restriction fragment length polymorphism of rRNA operons for discrimination and intergenic spacer sequences for cataloging of Bacillus subtilis sub-groups

Identification of leader-trailer helices of precursor ribosomal RNA in all phyla of bacteria and archaea

Ribosomal RNAs are transcribed as part of larger precursor molecules. In Escherichia coli, complementary RNA segments flank each rRNA and form long leader-trailer (LT) helices, which are crucial for subunit biogenesis in the cell. A previous study of 15 representative species suggested that most but not all prokaryotes contain LT helices. Here, we use a combination of in silico folding and covariation methods to identify and characterize LT helices in 4464 bacterial and 260 archaeal organisms. Our results suggest that LT helices are present in all phyla, including Deinococcota, which had previously been suspected to lack LT helices. In very few organisms, our pipeline failed to detect LT helices for both 16S and 23S rRNA. However, a closer case-by-case look revealed that LT helices are indeed present but escaped initial detection. Over 3600 secondary structure models, many well supported by nucleotide covariation, were generated. These structures show a high degree of diversity. Yet, all exhibit extensive base-pairing between the leader and trailer strands, in line with a common and essential function.

Joint engineering of SACE_Lrp and its target MarR enhances the biosynthesis and export of erythromycin in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

The Lrp and MarR families are two groups of transcriptional regulators widely distributed among prokaryotes. However, the hierarchical-regulatory relationship between the Lrp family and the MarR family remains unknown. Our previous study found that an Lrp (SACE_Lrp) from Saccharopolyspora erythraea indirectly repressed the biosynthesis of erythromycin. In this study, we characterized a novel MarR family protein (SACE_6745) from S. erythraea, which is controlled by SACE_Lrp and plays a direct regulatory role in erythromycin biosynthesis and export. SACE_Lrp directly regulated the expression of marR by specifically binding a precise site OM (5'-CTCCGGGAACCATT-3'). Gene disruption of marR increased the production of erythromycin by 45% in S. erythraea A226. We found that MarR has direct DNA-binding activity for the promoter regions of the erythromycin biosynthetic genes, as well as an ABC exporter SACE_2701-2702 which was genetically proved to be responsible for erythromycin efflux. Disruption of SACE_Lrp in industrial S. erythraea WB was an efficient strategy to enhance erythromycin production. Herein, we jointly engineered SACE_Lrp and its target MarR by deleting marR in WBΔSACE_Lrp, resulting in 20% increase in erythromycin yield in mutant WBΔLrpΔmarR compared to WBΔSACE_Lrp, and 39% to WB. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the hierarchical-regulatory relationship of Lrp and MarR proteins and new avenues for coordinating antibiotic biosynthesis and export by joint engineering regulators in actinomycetes. KEY POINTS: • The hierarchical-regulatory relationship between SACE_Lrp and MarR was identified. • MarR directly controlled the expression of erythromycin biosynthesis and export genes. • Joint engineering of SACE_Lrp-MarR regulatory element enhanced erythromycin production.

Feasibility of using RFLP of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene(s) for rapid differentiation of isolates of aerobic spore-forming bacteria from honey

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using RFLP of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene (s) by using universal primers 27f/1492r and a combination of three restriction enzymes, AluI, CfoI, and TaqI, for a low-cost, rapid screen for a primarily differentiation of isolates of the complex of aerobic spore-forming bacteria commonly found in honey samples. The described method produced unique and distinguishable patterns to differentiate among 80 isolates belonging to 26 different species of Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Rummeliibacillus, and Paenibacillus reported in honey and other apiarian sources.

Description of a methanotrophic strain BOH1, isolated from Al-Bohyriya well, Al-Ahsa City, Saudi Arabia

Methanotrophic bacteria have a unique ability to utilize methane as their carbon and energy sources. Therefore, methanotrophs play a key role in suppressing methane emissions from different ecosystems and hence in alleviating the global climate change. Despite methanotrophs having many ecological, economical and biotechnological applications, little is known about this group of bacteria in Al-Ahsa. Therefore, the main objective of the current work was to expand our understanding of methane oxidizing bacteria in Al-Ahsa region. The specific aim was to describe a methanotrophic strain isolated from Al-Bohyriya well, Al-Ahsa using phenotypic, genotypic (such as 16S rRNA and pmoA gene sequencing) and phylogenetic characterization. The results indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Methylomonas that belongs to Gammaproteobacteria as revealed by the comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and pmoA genes. There is a general agreement in the profile of the phylogenetic trees based on the sequences of 16srRNA and pmoA genes of the strain BOH1 indicating that both genes are efficient taxonomic marker in methanotrophic phylogeny. The strain possesses the particulate but not the soluble methane monooxygenase as a key enzyme for methane metabolism. Further investigation such as DNA:DNA hybridization is needed to assign the strain as a novel species of the genus Methyomonas and this will open the door to explore the talents of the strain for its potential role in alleviating global warming and biotechnological applications in Saudi Arabia such as bioremediation of toxic by-products released in oil industry. In addition, the strain enhances our knowledge of methanotrophic bacteria and their adaptation to desert ecosystems.

Development of a novel PCR assay based on the gyrase B gene for species identification of Bacillus licheniformis

Bacillus licheniformis is closely related to the Bacillus subtilis group, and could not be clearly identified using phenotypic and genotypic (16S rDNA sequence analysis) techniques alone. Some strains of this species are considered to be probiotic and are widely applied in the food and feed industry. The objective of this study was to develop species-specific PCR based on the gyrB gene sequence for direct species identification of the B. licheniformis within the B. subtilis group. A pair of species-specific primer was designed and used to specifically detect B. licheniformis, but none of the other B. subtilis group strains. Our data indicate that the novel species-specific primer could be used to rapidly and accurately identify the species of B. licheniformis from B. subtilis group by a PCR based assay.

Effects of continuous thermophilic composting (CTC) on bacterial community in the active composting process

The method of continuous thermophilic composting (CTC) remarkably shortened the active composting cycle and enhanced the compost stability. Effects of CTC on the quantities of bacteria, with a comparison to the traditional composting (TC) method, were explored by plate count with incubation at 30, 40 and 50°C, respectively, and by quantitative PCR targeting the universal bacterial 16S rRNA genes and the Bacillus 16S rRNA genes. The comparison of cultivatable or uncultivatable bacterial numbers indicated that CTC might have increased the biomass of bacteria, especially Bacillus spp., during the composting. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was employed to investigate the effects of CTC on bacterial diversity, and a community dominated by fewer species was detected in a typical CTC run. The analysis of sequence and phylogeny based on DGGE indicated that the continuously high temperature had changed the structure of bacterial community and strengthened the mainstay role of the thermophilic and spore-forming Bacillus spp. in CTC run.

Distinct differentiation of closely related species of Bacillus subtilis group with industrial importance

PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene by universal primers followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using RsaI, CfoI and HinfI endonucleases, distinctly differentiated closely related Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus from Bacillus subtilis sensu stricto. This simple, economical, rapid and reliable protocol could be an alternative to misleading phenotype-based grouping of these closely related species.

The genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii W23: insights into speciation within the B. subtilis complex and into the history of B. subtilis genetics

The genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii W23 has been determined. The sequence strongly suggests that W23 is a direct descendant of B. subtilis ATCC 6633. W23 shares a 3.6 Mb core genome with the intensively studied model organism B. subtilis subsp. subtilis 168, and gene order within this core has been strongly conserved. Additionally, the W23 genome has 157 accessory (that is, non-core) genome segments that are not found in 168, while the 168 genome has 141 segments not found in W23. The distribution of sequences similar to these accessory segments among other genomes of the B. subtilis species complex shows that those sequences having entered into the phylogeny of the complex more recently tend to be larger and more AT-rich than those having entered earlier. A simple model can account for these observations, in which parasitic or symbiotic DNAs are transferred into the genome and then are reduced in size and modified in base composition during speciation.

Isolation and characterization of a novel pyrene-degrading Bacillus vallismortis strain JY3A

The PAHs-degrading bacterium strain JY3A was newly isolated from the polluted soil in the Jinan Oil Refinery Factory, Shandong Province of China. The isolate was identified as Bacillus vallismortis with respect to its 16S rDNA sequence, DNA-DNA relatedness and fatty acid profiles, as well as various physiological characteristics. The strain was Gram-positive, motile, endospore forming, aerobic, oxidase and catalase-positive. The cells were 0.8-1.0μm wide and 2.0-2.5μm long, single or in pairs and sometimes in chains. Bacillus vallismortis strain JY3A could utilize naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, fluorene, benzene, toluene, phenol, methanol, ethanol, Tween 80, cyclohexane or catechol as sole carbon source. The strain alone removed 90.5% of pyrene at an initial concentration of 150ppm in 15days in the presence of 0.5% (w/w) Tween 80. However, in co-culture with Phanerochaete chrysosporium, JY3A reduced the concentration of pyrene by nearly 55.4% after 7days of incubation.

Development of amplified fragment length polymorphism-derived functional strain-specific markers to assess the persistence of 10 bacterial strains in soil microcosms

To augment the information on commercial microbial products, we investigated the persistence patterns of high-priority bacterial strains from the Canadian Domestic Substance List (DSL). Specific DNA markers for each of the 10 DSL bacterial strains were developed using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique, and the fates of DSL strains introduced in soil were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The results indicated that all DNA markers had high specificity at the functional strain level and that detection of the target microorganisms was sensitive at a detection limitation range from 1.3 × 10² to 3.25 × 10⁵ CFU/g of dry soil. The results indicated that all introduced strains showed a trend toward a declining persistence in soil and could be categorized into three pattern types. The first type was long-term persistence exemplified by Pseudomonas stutzeri (ATCC 17587) and Pseudomonas denitrificans (ATCC 13867) strains. In the second pattern, represented by Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051) and Escherichia hermannii (ATCC 700368), the inoculated strain populations dropped dramatically below the detection threshold after 10 to 21 days, while in the third pattern there was a gradual decrease, with the population falling below the detectable level within the 180-day incubation period. These patterns indicate a selection effect of a microbial community related to the ecological function of microbial strains introduced in soil. As a key finding, the DSL strains can be quantitatively tracked in soil with high sensitivity and specificity at the functional strain level. This provides the basic evidence for further risk assessment of the priority DSL strains.

Diversity and phylogeny of culturable spore-forming Bacilli isolated from marine sediments

Members of the genus Bacillus and related genera are ubiquitous in nature. However, Bacillus species isolated from marine sediments have attracted less interest respect to their terrestrial relatives. Here, we report the phylogenetic diversity of a collection of 96 Bacilli, isolated from 17 distinct stations of 5 oceanographic campaigns. The diversity was analysed by phenotypic and molecular approaches based on the amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), amplification of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-PCR) and on 16S rRNA sequencing. Intra-specific polymorphism was efficiently detected by biochemical analysis and ARDRA while results of ITS-PCR were in agreement with 16S rRNA sequencing. The identification results assigned 68% of the isolates to the species B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus and B. cereus. Phylogenetic analysis allowed the separation of 9 isolates in a clade that may represent a group of obligate marine Bacillus since they clustered with B. firmus, B. foraminis and marine isolates with metal oxidation and bioaccumulation capabilities. The remaining isolates showed a close affiliation to the genera Virgibacillus, Gracilibacillus and Paenibacillus. The widespread of Bacilli and their high diversity level observed in this work point out the need of more extensive studies to understand their distribution and ecology in deep-sea environments.

Discovery of marine Bacillus species by 16S rRNA and rpoB comparisons and their usefulness for species identification

Systematic studies of the Bacillus group have been biased towards terrestrial and pathogenic isolates, and relatively few studies have examined Bacillus species from marine environments. Here we took twenty Bacillus strains from diverse marine environments and sequenced their 16S rRNA. Using molecular comparisons, we separated the strains into thirteen Bacillus genotypes and identified 9 species: B. aquaemaris. B. badius, B. cereus group, B. firmus, B. halmapalus, B. hwajinpoensis, B. litoralis, B. sporothermodurans, B. vietnamensis, and three indistinguishable Bacilli. In addition, we sequenced the DNA-directed RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) gene and assessed its discriminative power in identifying Bacilli. Phylogenetic trees of Bacillus rpoB genes separated each Bacillus according to their taxonomic positions and were supported statistically. The resolution of Bacillus on the rpoB phylogenetic tree was approximately 4.5 times greater than on the 16S rRNA phylogenetic tree. These results demonstrate that the polymorphism of the Bacillus rpoB gene can be used to identify Bacillus species, providing an improved identification scheme for Bacillus species.

Species-level identification of Bacillus strains isolates from marine sediments by conventional biochemical, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and inter-tRNA gene sequence lengths analysis

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of commonly used conventional biochemical tests, sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes and tDNA-intergenic spacer length polymorphism (tDNA-PCR) to identify species of the genus Bacillus recovered from marine sediments. While biochemical tests were not sufficiently sensitive to distinguish between the 23 marine strains analyzed, partial 16S rRNA gene sequences allowed a correct identification, clustering them into four species belonging to Bacillus licheniformis (n = 6), Bacillus cereus (n = 9), Bacillus subtilis (n = 7) and Bacillus pumilus (n = 1). The identification results obtained with 16S rRNA sequencing were validated by tDNA-PCR analysis of 23 marine isolates that were identified by the similarities of their fingerprints to those of reference strains. tDNA-PCR fingerprinting was as discriminatory as 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Although it was not able to distinguish among the species of the B. cereus and B. subtilis groups, it should be considered a rapid and easy approach for the reliable identification of unknown Bacillus isolates or at least for the primary differentiation of Bacillus groups.

Development of quantitative real-time PCR assays for detection and quantification of surrogate biological warfare agents in building debris and leachate

Evaluation of the fate and transport of biological warfare (BW) agents in landfills requires the development of specific and sensitive detection assays. The objective of the current study was to develop and validate SYBR green quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) assays for the specific detection and quantification of surrogate BW agents in synthetic building debris (SBD) and leachate. Bacillus atrophaeus (vegetative cells and spores) and Serratia marcescens were used as surrogates for Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Yersinia pestis (plague), respectively. The targets for SYBR green Q-PCR assays were the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region and recA gene for B. atrophaeus and the gyrB, wzm, and recA genes for S. marcescens. All assays showed high specificity when tested against 5 ng of closely related Bacillus and Serratia nontarget DNA from 21 organisms. Several spore lysis methods that include a combination of one or more of freeze-thaw cycles, chemical lysis, hot detergent treatment, bead beat homogenization, and sonication were evaluated. All methods tested showed similar threshold cycle values. The limit of detection of the developed Q-PCR assays was determined using DNA extracted from a pure bacterial culture and DNA extracted from sterile water, leachate, and SBD samples spiked with increasing quantities of surrogates. The limit of detection for B. atrophaeus genomic DNA using the ITS and B. atrophaeus recA Q-PCR assays was 7.5 fg per PCR. The limits of detection of S. marcescens genomic DNA using the gyrB, wzm, and S. marcescens recA Q-PCR assays were 7.5 fg, 75 fg, and 7.5 fg per PCR, respectively. Quantification of B. atrophaeus vegetative cells and spores was linear (R(2) > 0.98) over a 7-log-unit dynamic range down to 10(1) B. atrophaeus cells or spores. Quantification of S. marcescens (R(2) > 0.98) was linear over a 6-log-unit dynamic range down to 10(2) S. marcescens cells. The developed Q-PCR assays are highly specific and sensitive and can be used for monitoring the fate and transport of the BW surrogates B. atrophaeus and S. marcescens in building debris and leachate.

Estimation of ribosomal RNA operon (rrn) copy number in Acinetobacter isolates and potential of patterns of rrn operon-containing fragments for typing strains of members of this genus

The copy number of the rrn operon in 70 strains of Acinetobacter including the type strains of almost all the genomic species with validated names was estimated after digestion of their genomic DNA by the restriction enzymes BglII and PstI, and Southern blotting. Copy number estimates varied between and among species, with between 3 and 7 rrn operon copies detected. Copy number estimates obtained from the same strain with the two enzymes sometimes varied. BglII generated RFLP patterns of the rrn containing fragments obtained from Southern blots after agarose gel electrophoresis were examined for their value in identifying Acinetobacter isolates. This method was very reproducible with the same fragment pattern always generated from the same isolate on repeated analysis. Often multiple strains of the same genomic species gave identical or very similar patterns (e.g. Acinetobacter baylyi), clustering closest together on the dendrogram generated after numerical analysis of these patterns. However, with some, like BG5 and BG8, the patterns derived from the different strains, some of which had been placed in this genomic species from DNA:DNA hybridization data, varied considerably to each other and to the type strain. Little similarity was seen when relationships between these strains based on these patterns were compared to those using DNA:DNA hybridization data. Often these patterns could be used to question earlier identification of strains using phenotypic characters. Thus, strain AB82 thought to belong to genomic species 5 gave an identical pattern to A. bouvetii(T) (DSM 14964). In some cases this pattern analysis suggested that novel species of Acinetobacter might exist among the strains examined.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of 16S–23S rDNA Intergenic Spacer of Aeromonas spp

We analyzed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) of Aeromonas species. A total of 69 isolates belonging to 18 DNA hybridization groups (HG; equivalent of genomic species) were used in this study. ISRs were amplified by PCR and the products were digested with four restriction endonucleases: Hin6I, Csp6I, TaqI, and TasI. The RFLP patterns obtained after digesting by particular enzymes revealed ISR polymorphism of isolates allocated to individual genomic species. The combined Hin6I, Csp6I, TaqI, and TasI restriction profiles were examined by Dice coefficient (SD) and unweighted pair group method of clustering (UPGMA). The isolates were allocated into 15 groups, three strains were unclustered. The strains belonging to the following genomic species: A. hydrophila, A. bestiarum, A. salmonicida, A. caviae, A. media, A. schubertii, A. allosaccharophila, A. popoffii, and A. culicicola formed distinct clusters. Strains belonging to HG 6, HG 7, HG 11, and HG 16 revealed similar combined RFLP patterns and constituted one group. Similarly, the strains of A. jandaei (HG 9) and the type strain of A. trota were allocated into one cluster. Two isolates of HG 14 formed distinct cluster. We noticed a genetic diversity among A. veronii isolates, the strains were clustered in two groups. Our study showed that combined ISR-RFLP analysis may be used for identification of some species of Aeromonas.

Quantifying bacterial population dynamics in compost using 16S rRNA gene probes

Composting provides a dynamic setting for studying ecological topics such as succession, competition, and community stability in a relatively short period of time. This study used hierarchical small sub-unit-based rRNA gene probes to quantify the change in the relative abundance of phylogenetic groups common to compost in laboratory scale reactors. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene targets accounted for only 37% of all small subunit (SSU) rRNA genes initially, but increased to a maximum of 83% of the total at 84 h. The sum of rRNA genes detected using probes specific to Pseudomonas and low-G+C Gram-positive rRNA genes represented between 16% and 87% of the total. The lack of hybridization to the taxon-specific probes was most pronounced between 36 h and 60 h, when the pH was between 4.6 and 4.8. During this period the relative abundance of taxon-specific gene targets accounted for only 17-33% of the total bacterial rRNA gene targets. Pseudomonas-type 16S rRNA genes were the most abundant of the groups measured until 72 h. Those genes had their highest relative abundance at 12 h (78% of bacterial rRNA genes; 30% of all rRNA genes), after which time their relative abundance began to decline as the temperature increased. Prior to 72 h, 16S rRNA genes from low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria (LGC-GPB) represented less than 7% of the bacterial rRNA genes. However, by 84 h the relative abundance of LGC-GPB and Bacillus rRNA genes had increased to 60% and 18% of the bacterial rRNA gene targets, respectively (50% and 15% of all rRNA genes, respectively).

Carbohydrates and glycoproteins of Bacillus anthracis and related bacilli: targets for biodetection

The spore is the form released in a bioterrorism attack. There is a real need for definition of new targets for Bacillus anthracis that might be incorporated into emerging biodetection technologies. Particularly of interest are macromolecules found in B. anthracis that are (1) spore-specific, (2) readily accessible on the spore surface and (3) distinct from those present in related organisms. One of the few biochemical methods to identify the spores of B. anthracis is based on the presence of rhamnose and 3-O-methyl rhamnose as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Related organisms additionally contain 2-O-methyl rhamnose and fucose. Carbohydrates and glycoproteins of the B. cereus group of organisms and the related B. subilis group are reviewed here. It is hypothesized that the spore-specific carbohydrate is a component of the newly described glycoprotein of the exosporium of B. anthracis. Further work to define the protein and carbohydrate components of the glycoprotein of B. anthracis could be highly useful in developing new technologies for rapid biodetection.

Identification of bacterial spores using statistical analysis of Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy data

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) has been applied for the first time to the identification and speciation of bacterial spores. A total of forty specimens representing five strains of Bacillus spores (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 49760, Bacillus atrophaeus ATCC 49337, Bacillus subtilis 6051, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and Bacillus globigii Dugway) were analyzed. Spores were deposited, with minimal preparation, into the photoacoustic sample cup and their spectra recorded. Principal component analysis (PCA), classification and regression trees (CART), and Mahalanobis distance calculations were used on this spectral library to develop algorithms for step-wise classification at three levels: (1) bacterial/nonbacterial, (2) membership within the spore library, and (3) bacterial strain. Internal cross-validation studies on library spectra yielded classification success rates of 87% or better at each of these three levels. Analysis of fifteen blind samples, which included five samples of spores already in the spectral library, two samples of closely related Bacillus globigii 01 spores not in the library, and eight samples of nonbacterial materials, yielded 100% accuracy in distinguishing among bacterial/nonbacterial samples, membership in the library, and bacterial strains within the library.