Rhodococcus aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from subarctic rainwater

Responses to Ecopollutants and Pathogenization Risks of Saprotrophic Rhodococcus Species

Under conditions of increasing environmental pollution, true saprophytes are capable of changing their survival strategies and demonstrating certain pathogenicity factors. Actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus, typical soil and aquatic biotope inhabitants, are characterized by high ecological plasticity and a wide range of oxidized organic substrates, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Their cell adaptations, such as the ability of adhering and colonizing surfaces, a complex life cycle, formation of resting cells and capsule-like structures, diauxotrophy, and a rigid cell wall, developed against the negative effects of anthropogenic pollutants are discussed and the risks of possible pathogenization of free-living saprotrophic Rhodococcus species are proposed. Due to universal adaptation features, Rhodococcus species are among the candidates, if further anthropogenic pressure increases, to move into the group of potentially pathogenic organisms with "unprofessional" parasitism, and to join an expanding list of infectious agents as facultative or occasional parasites.

Characterization of cyanobacterial cells synthesizing 10-methyl stearic acid

Recently, microalgae have attracted attention as sources of biomass energy. However, fatty acids from the microalgae are mainly unsaturated and show low stability in oxygenated environments, due to oxidation of the double bonds. The branched-chain fatty acid, 10-methyl stearic acid, is synthesized from oleic acid in certain bacteria; the fatty acid is saturated, but melting point is low. Thus, it is stable in the presence of oxygen and is highly fluid. We previously demonstrated that BfaA and BfaB in Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum are involved in the synthesis of 10-methyl stearic acid from oleic acid. In this study, as a consequence of the introduction of bfaA and bfaB into the cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, we succeeded in producing 10-methyl stearic acid, with yields up to 4.1% of the total fatty acid content. The synthesis of 10-methyl stearic acid in Synechocystis cells did not show a significant effect on photosynthetic activity, but the growth of the cells was retarded at 34 °C. We observed that the synthesis of 10-methylene stearic acid, a precursor of 10-methyl stearic acid, had an inhibitory effect on the growth of the transformants, which was mitigated under microoxic conditions. Eventually, the amount of 10-methyl stearic acid present in the sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol of the transformants was remarkably higher than that in the monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol. Overall, we successfully synthesized 10-methyl stearic acid in the phototroph, Synechocystis, demonstrating that it is possible to synthesize unique modified fatty acids via photosynthesis that are not naturally produced in photosynthetic organisms.

Current taxonomy of Rhodococcus species and their role in infections

Rhodococcus is a genus of obligate aerobic, Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, catalase-positive, non-motile, and none-endospore bacteria. The genus Rhodococcus was first introduced by Zopf. This bacterium can be isolated from various sources of the environment and can grow well in non-selective medium. A large number of phenotypic characterizations are used to compare different species of the genus Rhodococcus, and these tests are not suitable for accurate identification at the genus and species level. Among nucleic acid-based methods, the most powerful target gene for revealing reliable phylogenetic relationships is 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA gene) sequence analysis, but this gene is unable to differentiation some of Rhodococcus species. To date, whole genome sequencing analysis has solved taxonomic complexities in this genus. Rhodococcus equi is the major cause of foal pneumonia, and its implication in human health is related to cases in immunocompromised patients. Macrolide family together with rifampicin is one of the most effective antibiotic agents for treatment rhodococcal infections.

Rhodococcus psychrotolerans sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of Deschampsia antarctica

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain CMAA 1533^T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Deschampsia antarctica collected at King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Strain CMAA 1533^T was found to grow over a wide range of temperatures (4-28 °C) and pH (4-10). Macroscopically, the colonies were observed to be circular shaped, smooth, brittle and opaque-cream on most of the culture media tested. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CMAA 1533^T belongs to the family Nocardiaceae and forms a distinct phyletic line within the genus Rhodococcus. Sequence similarity calculations indicated that the novel strain is closely related to Rhodococcus degradans CCM 4446^T, Rhodococcus erythropolis NBRC 15567^T and Rhodococcus triatomae DSM 44892^T (≤ 96.9%). The organism was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose and arabinose in whole cell hydrolysates. Its predominant isoprenologue was identified as MK-8(H₂) and the polar lipids as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The major fatty acids were identified as Summed feature (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c), C_16:0, C_18:1 ω9c and 10-methyl C_18:0. The G+C content of genomic DNA was determined to be 65.5 mol%. Unlike the closely related type strains, CMAA 1533^T can grow at 4 °C but not at 37 °C and was able to utilise adonitol and galactose as sole carbon sources. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data, it is concluded that strain CMAA 1533^T (= NRRL B-65465^T = DSM 104532^T) represents a new species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed.

Expression of Genes for a Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide-Binding Oxidoreductase and a Methyltransferase from Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum Is Necessary for Biosynthesis of 10-Methyl Stearic Acid from Oleic Acid in Escherichia coli

In living organisms, modified fatty acids are crucial for the functions of the cellular membranes and storage lipids where the fatty acids are esterified. Some bacteria produce a typical methyl-branched fatty acid, i.e., 10-methyl stearic acid (19:0Me10). The biosynthetic pathway of 19:0Me10 in vivo has not been demonstrated clearly yet. It had been speculated that 19:0Me10 is synthesized from oleic acid (18:1Δ9) by S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransfer and NADPH-dependent reduction via a methylenated intermediate, 10-methyelene octadecanoic acid. Although the recombinant methyltransferases UmaA and UfaA1 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv synthesize 19:0Me10 from 18:1Δ9 and NADPH in vitro, these methyltransferases do not possess any domains functioning in the redox reaction. These findings may contradict the two-step biosynthetic pathway. We focused on novel S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases from Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum that are involved in 19:0Me10 synthesis and selected two candidate proteins, WP_048471942 and WP_048472121, by a comparative genomic analysis. However, the heterologous expression of these candidate genes in Escherichia coli cells did not produce 19:0Me10. We found that one of the candidate genes, WP_048472121, was collocated with another gene, WP_048472120, that encodes a protein containing a domain associated with flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding oxidoreductase activity. The co-expression of these proteins (hereafter called BfaA and BfaB, respectively) led to the biosynthesis of 19:0Me10 in E. coli cells via the methylenated intermediate.

Reclassification of Halomonas caseinilytica Wu et al. 2008 as a later synonym of Halomonas sinaiensis Romano et al. 2007, and emendation of the species description

The taxonomic relationship between Halomonas sinaiensis DSM 18067(T) and Halomonas caseinilytica JCM 14802(T) has not been established, despite the high similarity (99.6 %) of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. To clarify their taxonomic positions, a polyphasic approach was applied to both type strains. Genomic relatedness analyses between H. sinaiensis DSM 18067(T) and H. caseinilytica JCM 14802(T) resulted in an average nucleotide identity of 99.5 % and an estimated DNA-DNA hybridization of 96.1 % by the genome-to-genome distance calculator, indicating that they belong to a single species. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics showed no pronounced differences between the two type strains. Based on the results of this polyphasic study, it is proposed that H. caseinilytica JCM 14802(T) is a later heterotypic synonym of H. sinaiensis DSM 18067(T). An emended description for the species H. sinaiensis is given.

Pseudoalteromonas neustonica sp. nov., isolated from the sea surface microlayer of the Ross Sea (Antarctica), and emended description of the genus Pseudoalteromonas

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped and motile strain, designated PAMC 28425T, was isolated from a sea surface microlayer sample from the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain PAMC 28425T showed an affiliation with the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain PAMC 28425T formed a clade with Pseudoalteromonas prydzensis MB8-11T and Pseudoalteromonas mariniglutinosaKMM 3635T with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.3-98.6 %. Genomic relatedness analyses based on the average nucleotide identity and the genome-to-genome distance showed that strain PAMC 28425T is clearly distinguished from the phylogenetically close relatives. Cells of strain PAMC 28425T grew optimally at 25 °C and pH 7.5-8.5 in the presence of 1.0-3.0 % (w/v) sea salts. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, and C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.7 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented, we propose the name Pseudoalteromonas neustonica sp. nov. with the type strain PAMC 28425T (=KCCM 43187T=JCM 31286T).

Marinobacterium profundum sp. nov., a marine bacterium from deep-sea sediment

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile strain, designated PAMC 27536^T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment in the East Sea, Korea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain showed an affiliation with the genus Marinobacterium. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain PAMC 27536^T was related most closely to Marinobacterium rhizophilum CL-YJ9^T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.5 % and to other members of the genus Marinobacterium (94.0-91.7 %). Genomic relatedness analyses between strain PAMC 27536^T and M. rhizophilum KCCM 42386^T gave an average nucleotide identity of 85.6 % and an estimated DNA-DNA hybridization of 24.6 % using the genome-to-genome distance calculator, indicating that they represent genomically distinct species. Cells of strain PAMC 27536^T grew optimally at 25-30 °C and pH 7.0-7.5 in the presence of 3 % (w/v) sea salts. The major cellular fatty acids were C_16 : 1ω6c and/or C_16 : 1ω7c, C_18 : 1ω6c and/or C_18 : 1ω7c, and C_16 : 0. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The genomic DNA G+C content was 56.1-57.2 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, genomic and phenotypic data presented, a novel species with the name Marinobacterium profundum sp. nov. is proposed, with PAMC 27536^T ( = KCCM 43095^T = JCM 30410^T) as the type strain.

Sediminicola arcticus sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from deep-sea sediment, and emended description of the genus Sediminicola

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and non-motile strain, designated PAMC 27266(T), was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Arctic Ocean. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain PAMC 27266(T) showed closest affiliation with the genus Sediminicola . Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain PAMC 27266(T) formed a robust clade with Sediminicola luteus CNI-3(T), with which it shared 98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Genomic relatedness analyses based on the average nucleotide identity and genome-to-genome distance showed that strain PAMC 27266(T) is clearly distinguished from S. luteus . Cells of strain PAMC 27266(T) grew optimally at 15 °C and pH 6.5-7.5 in the presence of 3.5% (w/v) sea salts. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major cellular fatty acids (>10%) were C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c and C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 37.9 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented, we propose strain PAMC 27266(T) ( =KCCM 43038(T) =JCM 19894(T)) as the type strain of a novel species, with the name Sediminicola arcticus sp. nov.