Deinococcus aquatilis sp. nov., isolated from water

Radiation-Tolerant Fibrivirga spp. from Rhizosphere Soil: Genome Insights and Potential in Agriculture

The rhizosphere of plants contains a wide range of microorganisms that can be cultivated and used for the benefit of agricultural practices. From garden soil near the rhizosphere region, Strain ES10-3-2-2 was isolated, and the cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming rods that were 0.3-0.8 µm in diameter and 1.5-2.5 µm in length. The neighbor-joining method on 16S rDNA similarity revealed that the strain exhibited the highest sequence similarities with "Fibrivirga algicola JA-25" (99.2%) and Fibrella forsythia HMF5405T (97.3%). To further explore its biotechnological potentialities, we sequenced the complete genome of this strain employing the PacBio RSII sequencing platform. The genome of Strain ES10-3-2-2 comprises a 6,408,035 bp circular chromosome with a 52.8% GC content, including 5038 protein-coding genes and 52 RNA genes. The sequencing also identified three plasmids measuring 212,574 bp, 175,683 bp, and 81,564 bp. Intriguingly, annotations derived from the NCBI-PGAP, eggnog, and KEGG databases indicated the presence of genes affiliated with radiation-resistance pathway genes and plant-growth promotor key/biofertilization-related genes regarding Fe acquisition, K and P assimilation, CO2 fixation, and Fe solubilization, with essential roles in agroecosystems, as well as genes related to siderophore regulation. Additionally, T1SS, T6SS, and T9SS secretion systems are present in this species, like plant-associated bacteria. The inoculation of Strain ES10-3-2-2 to Arabidopsis significantly increases the fresh shoot and root biomass, thereby maintaining the plant quality compared to uninoculated controls. This work represents a link between radiation tolerance and the plant-growth mechanism of Strain ES10-3-2-2 based on in vitro experiments and bioinformatic approaches. Overall, the radiation-tolerant bacteria might enable the development of microbiological preparations that are extremely effective at increasing plant biomass and soil fertility, both of which are crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of 1,000 Type-Strain Genomes Improves Taxonomic Classification of Bacteroidetes

Although considerable progress has been made in recent years regarding the classification of bacteria assigned to the phylum Bacteroidetes, there remains a need to further clarify taxonomic relationships within a diverse assemblage that includes organisms of clinical, piscicultural, and ecological importance. Bacteroidetes classification has proved to be difficult, not least when taxonomic decisions rested heavily on interpretation of poorly resolved 16S rRNA gene trees and a limited number of phenotypic features. Here, draft genome sequences of a greatly enlarged collection of genomes of more than 1,000 Bacteroidetes and outgroup type strains were used to infer phylogenetic trees from genome-scale data using the principles drawn from phylogenetic systematics. The majority of taxa were found to be monophyletic but several orders, families and genera, including taxa proposed long ago such as Bacteroides, Cytophaga, and Flavobacterium but also quite recent taxa, as well as a few species were shown to be in need of revision. According proposals are made for the recognition of new orders, families and genera, as well as the transfer of a variety of species to other genera. In addition, emended descriptions are given for many species mainly involving information on DNA G+C content and (approximate) genome size, both of which can be considered valuable taxonomic markers. We detected many incongruities when comparing the results of the present study with existing classifications, which appear to be caused by insufficiently resolved 16S rRNA gene trees or incomplete taxon sampling. The few significant incongruities found between 16S rRNA gene and whole genome trees underline the pitfalls inherent in phylogenies based upon single gene sequences and the impediment in using ordinary bootstrapping in phylogenomic studies, particularly when combined with too narrow gene selections. While a significant degree of phylogenetic conservation was detected in all phenotypic characters investigated, the overall fit to the tree varied considerably, which is one of the probable causes of misclassifications in the past, much like the use of plesiomorphic character states as diagnostic features.

MALDI-TOF MS Affords Discrimination of Deinococcus aquaticus Isolates Obtained From Diverse Biofilm Habitats

Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) has been used routinely over the past decade in clinical microbiology laboratories to rapidly characterize diverse microorganisms of medical importance both at the genus and species levels. Currently, there is keen interest in applying MALDI-TOF MS at taxonomic levels beyond species and to characterize environmental isolates. We constructed a model system consisting of 19 isolates of Deinococcus aquaticus obtained from biofilm communities indigenous to diverse substrates (concrete, leaf tissue, metal, and wood) in the Fox River - Lake Winnebago system of Wisconsin to: (1) develop rapid sample preparation methods that produce high quality, reproducible MALDI-TOF spectra and (2) compare the performance of MALDI-TOF MS-based profiling to common DNA-based approaches including 16S rRNA sequencing and genomic diversity by BOX-A1R fingerprinting. Our results suggest that MALDI-TOF MS can be used to rapidly and reproducibly characterize environmental isolates of D. aquaticus at the subpopulation level. MALDI-TOF MS provided higher taxonomic resolution than either 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis or BOX-A1R fingerprinting. Spectra contained features that appeared to permit characterization of isolates into two co-occurring subpopulations. However, reliable strain-level performance required rigorous and systematic standardization of culture conditions and sample preparation. Our work suggests that MALDI-TOF MS offers promise as a rapid, reproducible, and high-resolution approach to characterize environmental isolates of members of the genus Deinococcus. Future work will focus upon application of methods described here to additional members of this ecologically diverse and ubiquitous genus.

Desiccation- and Saline-Tolerant Bacteria and Archaea in Kalahari Pan Sediments

More than 41% of the Earth's land area is covered by permanent or seasonally arid dryland ecosystems. Global development and human activity have led to an increase in aridity, resulting in ecosystem degradation and desertification around the world. The objective of the present work was to investigate and compare the microbial community structure and geochemical characteristics of two geographically distinct saline pan sediments in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. Our data suggest that these microbial communities have been shaped by geochemical drivers, including water content, salinity, and the supply of organic matter. Using Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing, this study provides new insights into the diversity of bacteria and archaea in semi-arid, saline, and low-carbon environments. Many of the observed taxa are halophilic and adapted to water-limiting conditions. The analysis reveals a high relative abundance of halophilic archaea (primarily Halobacteria), and the bacterial diversity is marked by an abundance of Gemmatimonadetes and spore-forming Firmicutes. In the deeper, anoxic layers, candidate division MSBL1, and acetogenic bacteria (Acetothermia) are abundant. Together, the taxonomic information and geochemical data suggest that acetogenesis could be a prevalent form of metabolism in the deep layers of a saline pan.

Deinococcus lacus sp. nov., a gamma radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from an artificial freshwater pond

A Gram-stain-negative, pink-coloured, non-motile and gamma radiation-resistant bacterium, designated strain IMCC1711^T, was isolated from a freshwater sample collected from an artificial pond (Inkyong Pond). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain IMCC1711^T was most closely related to Deinococcus piscis 3ax^T (94.2 %) and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with other species of the genus Deinococcus. Optimal growth of strain MCC1711^T was observed at 25 °C and pH 7.0 without NaCl. Strain IMCC1711^T exhibited high resistance to gamma radiation. The DNA G+C content of strain IMCC1711^T was 59.1 mol% and MK-8 was the predominant isoprenoid quinone. Major fatty acid constituents of the strain were C17 : 1ω8c, C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and C15 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipids constituted phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phosphoglycolipid and two unidentified glycolipids. On the basis of taxonomic data obtained in this study, it was concluded that strain IMCC1711^T represented a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Deinococcus lacus is IMCC1711^T (KCTC 52494^T=KACC 18979^T=NBRC 112440^T).

Spirosoma swuense sp. nov., isolated from wet soil

Strain JBM2-3T, a pale-yellow-coloured, aerobic, catalase-negative, oxidase-positive and Gram-stain-negative bacterium, was isolated from wet soil. The isolate grew aerobically at 25-30 °C (optimum 25 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-0.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain JBM2-3T belonged to the genus Spirosoma, with a sequence similarity of 96.2 % with Spirosoma panaciterrae Gsoil 1519T. The strain showed the typical chemotaxonomic characteristics of the genus Spirosoma, with the presence of menaquinone 7 as the respiratory quinone; the major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (composed of C16: 1ω6c/ω7c), C16: 1ω5c and iso-C15: 0. The DNA G+C content of strain JBM2-3T was 47.4 mol%. The polar lipid profile contained major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine and aminophospholipids. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain JBM2-3T should be classified as a representative of a novel species in the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma swuense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JBM2-3T (=KCTC 52176T=JCM 31298T).

Deinococcus rubellus sp. nov., bacteria isolated from the muscle of antarctic fish

Two new bacterial strains designated as Ant6^T and Ant18 were isolated from the muscle of a fish which had been caught in the Antarctic Ocean. Both strains are Gram-stain-positive, catalase positive, oxidase negative, aerobic, and coccoid bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains Ant6^T and Ant18 revealed that the strains Ant6^T and Ant18 belong to the genus Deinococcus in the family Deinococcaceae in the class Deinococci. The highest degrees of sequence similarities of strains Ant6^T and Ant18 were found with Deinococcus alpinitundrae LMG 24283^T by 96.4% and 96.8%, respectively. Strain Ant6^T exhibited a high level of DNA- DNA hybridization values with strain Ant18 (82 ± 0.6%). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that the predominant fatty acids were C_{17: 0} cyclo, 16:0, and feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/ω7c) for both strains. A complex polar lipid profile consisted of major amounts of unknown phosphoglycolipids (PGL) and unknown aminophospholipid (APL). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, strains Ant6^T (=KEMB 9004-169^T =JCM 31434^T) and Ant18 (=KEMB 9004-170) should be classified as a new species, for which the name Deinococcus rubellus sp. nov. is proposed.

Description of Deinococcus oregonensis sp. nov., from biological soil crusts in the Southwestern arid lands of the United States of America

Biological soil crusts are distinct habitats, harbor unique prokaryotic diversity and gave an impetus to isolate novel species. In the present study, a pink-pigmented bacterium, (OR316-6^T), was isolated from biological soil crusts using oligotrophic BG11-PGY medium. Strain OR316-6^T was Gram-positive, short rods, non-motile and non-spore forming. Cells were positive for catalase, oxidase and β-galactosidase and negative for most of the enzymatic activities. The major fatty acids present were C_16:0, C_17:0, and C_16:1ω7c and contained MK-8 and MK-10 as the predominant menaquinones. The cell wall peptidoglycan was of A3β variant with L-ornithine as the diamino acid. Based on the above characteristics, strain OR316-6^T was assigned to the genus Deinococcus. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain OR316-6^T was closely related to D. aquatilis DSM 23025^T with a 16S rRNA gene similarity of 99.3 % and clustered with a bootstrap value of 100 %. DNA-DNA similarity between strain OR316-6^T and D. aquatilis DSM 23025^T was 37.0 % indicating that strain OR316-6^T was a novel species. Further, DNA fingerprinting of stains OR316-6^T and D. aquatilis DSM 23035^T demonstrated that both strains were related to each other with a similarity coefficient of only 0.32 and supported the species status to strain OR316-6^T. In addition, phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain OR316-6^T from D. aquatilis DSM 23025^T. Based on the cumulative differences, strain OR316-16^T exhibited with its closely related species, it was identified as a novel species and proposed the name Deinococcus oregonensis sp. nov. The type strain is D. oregonensis sp. nov. (OR316-6^T = JCM 13503^T = DSM 17762^T).

Spirosoma montaniterrae sp. nov., an ultraviolet and gamma radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from mountain soil

A Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, long-rod shaped bacterial strain designated DY10(T) was isolated from a soil sample collected at Mt. Deogyusan, Jeonbuk province, South Korea. Optimum growth observed at 30°C and pH 7. No growth was observed above 1% (w/v) NaCl. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DY10(T) belonged to the genus Spirosoma and was distantly related to Spirosoma arcticum R2-35(T) (91.0%), Spirosoma lingual DSM 74(T) (90.8%), Spirosoma endophyticum EX36(T) (90.7%), Spirosoma panaciterrae DSM 21099(T) (90.5%), Spirosoma rigui WPCB118(T) (90.2%), Spirosoma spitsbergense DSM 19989(T) (89.8%), Spirosoma luteum DSM 19990(T) (89.6%), Spirosoma oryzae RHs22(T) (89.6%), and Spirosoma radiotolerans DG5A(T) (89.1%). Strain DY10(T) showed resistance to gamma and ultraviolet radiation. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain DY10(T) were consistent with those of the genus Spirosoma, with the quinone system with MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, iso-C15:0, C16:1 ω5c, and summed feature3 (C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c), and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 53.0 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties with the closely related type strains clearly distinguished strain DY10(T) from previously described members of the genus Spirosoma and represents a novel species in this genus, for which the name Spirosoma montaniterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DY10(T) (=KCTC 23999(T) =KEMB 9004-162(T) =JCM 18492(T)).

Marine extremophiles: a source of hydrolases for biotechnological applications

The marine environment covers almost three quarters of the planet and is where evolution took its first steps. Extremophile microorganisms are found in several extreme marine environments, such as hydrothermal vents, hot springs, salty lakes and deep-sea floors. The ability of these microorganisms to support extremes of temperature, salinity and pressure demonstrates their great potential for biotechnological processes. Hydrolases including amylases, cellulases, peptidases and lipases from hyperthermophiles, psychrophiles, halophiles and piezophiles have been investigated for these reasons. Extremozymes are adapted to work in harsh physical-chemical conditions and their use in various industrial applications such as the biofuel, pharmaceutical, fine chemicals and food industries has increased. The understanding of the specific factors that confer the ability to withstand extreme habitats on such enzymes has become a priority for their biotechnological use. The most studied marine extremophiles are prokaryotes and in this review, we present the most studied archaea and bacteria extremophiles and their hydrolases, and discuss their use for industrial applications.

Deinococcus citri sp. nov., isolated from citrus leaf canker lesions

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, non-motile, coccoid bacterium, designated NCCP-154(T), was isolated from citrus leaf canker lesions and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain NCCP-154(T) grew at 10-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The novel strain exhibited tolerance of UV irradiation (>1000 J m(-2)). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain NCCP-154(T) showed the highest similarity to Deinococcus gobiensis CGMCC 1.7299(T) (98.8 %), and less than 94 % similarity to other closely related taxa. The chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone, MK-8; cell-wall peptidoglycan type, A3β (Orn-Gly2); major fatty acids, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH; 35.3 %) followed by C16 : 0 (12.7 %), iso-C17 : 1ω9c (9.2 %), C17 : 1ω8c (7.4 %) and iso-C17 : 0 (6.9 %); major polar lipids made up of several unidentified phosphoglycolipids and glycolipids and an aminophospholipid, and mannose as the predominant whole-cell sugar] also supported the affiliation of strain NCCP-154(T) to the genus Deinococcus. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain NCCP-154(T) and D. gobiensis JCM 16679(T) was 63.3±3.7 %. The DNA G+C content of strain NCCP-154(T) was 70.0 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain NCCP-154(T) can be differentiated from species with validly published names. Therefore, it represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus. The name Deinococcus citri sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain NCCP-154(T) ( = JCM 19024(T) = DSM 24791(T) = KCTC 13793(T)).

Exploration of Deinococcus-Thermus molecular diversity by novel group-specific PCR primers

The deeply branching Deinococcus-Thermus lineage is recognized as one of the most extremophilic phylum of bacteria. In previous studies, the presence of Deinococcus-related bacteria in the hot arid Tunisian desert of Tataouine was demonstrated through combined molecular and culture-based approaches. Similarly, Thermus-related bacteria have been detected in Tunisian geothermal springs. The present work was conducted to explore the molecular diversity within the Deinococcus-Thermus phylum in these extreme environments. A set of specific primers was designed in silico on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, validated for the specific detection of reference strains, and used for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of metagenomic DNA retrieved from the Tataouine desert sand and Tunisian hot spring water samples. These analyses have revealed the presence of previously undescribed Deinococcus-Thermus bacterial sequences within these extreme environments. The primers designed in this study thus represent a powerful tool for the rapid detection of Deinococcus-Thermus in environmental samples and could also be applicable to clarify the biogeography of the Deinococcus-Thermus phylum.

Radiation-resistant extremophiles and their potential in biotechnology and therapeutics

Extremophiles are organisms able to thrive in extreme environmental conditions. Microorganisms with the ability to survive high doses of radiation are known as radioresistant or radiation-resistant extremophiles. Excessive or intense exposure to radiation (i.e., gamma rays, X-rays, and particularly UV radiation) can induce a variety of mutagenic and cytotoxic DNA lesions, which can lead to different forms of cancer. However, some populations of microorganisms thrive under different types of radiation due to defensive mechanisms provided by primary and secondary metabolic products, i.e., extremolytes and extremozymes. Extremolytes (including scytonemin, mycosporine-like amino acids, shinorine, porphyra-334, palythine, biopterin, and phlorotannin, among others) are able to absorb a wide spectrum of radiation while protecting the organism's DNA from being damaged. The possible commercial applications of extremolytes include anticancer drugs, antioxidants, cell-cycle-blocking agents, and sunscreens, among others. This article aims to review the strategies by which microorganisms thrive in extreme radiation environments and discuss their potential uses in biotechnology and the therapeutic industry. The major challenges that lie ahead are also discussed.

Identification of nitrite-reducing bacteria using sequential mRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and fluorescence-assisted cell sorting

Sequential mRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (mRNA FISH) and fluorescence-assisted cell sorting (SmRFF) was used for the identification of nitrite-reducing bacteria in mixed microbial communities. An oligonucleotide probe labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to target mRNA of nirS, the gene that encodes nitrite reductase, the enzyme responsible for the dissimilatory reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide. Clones for nirS expression were constructed and used to provide proof of concept for the SmRFF method. In addition, cells from pure cultures of Pseudomonas stutzeri and denitrifying activated sludge were hybridized with the HRP probe, and tyramide signal amplification was performed, conferring a strongly fluorescent signal to cells containing nirS mRNA. Flow cytometry-assisted cell sorting was used to detect and physically separate two subgroups from a mixed microbial community: non-fluorescent cells and an enrichment of fluorescent, nitrite-reducing cells. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and subsequent sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were used to compare the fragments amplified from the two sorted subgroups. Sequences from bands isolated from DGGE profiles suggested that the dominant, active nitrite reducers were closely related to Acidovorax BSB421. Furthermore, following mRNA FISH detection of nitrite-reducing bacteria, 16S rRNA FISH was used to detect ammonia-oxidizing and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria on the same activated sludge sample. We believe that the molecular approach described can be useful as a tool to help address the longstanding challenge of linking function to identity in natural and engineered habitats.

Oxidative stress resistance in Deinococcus radiodurans

Deinococcus radiodurans is a robust bacterium best known for its capacity to repair massive DNA damage efficiently and accurately. It is extremely resistant to many DNA-damaging agents, including ionizing radiation and UV radiation (100 to 295 nm), desiccation, and mitomycin C, which induce oxidative damage not only to DNA but also to all cellular macromolecules via the production of reactive oxygen species. The extreme resilience of D. radiodurans to oxidative stress is imparted synergistically by an efficient protection of proteins against oxidative stress and an efficient DNA repair mechanism, enhanced by functional redundancies in both systems. D. radiodurans assets for the prevention of and recovery from oxidative stress are extensively reviewed here. Radiation- and desiccation-resistant bacteria such as D. radiodurans have substantially lower protein oxidation levels than do sensitive bacteria but have similar yields of DNA double-strand breaks. These findings challenge the concept of DNA as the primary target of radiation toxicity while advancing protein damage, and the protection of proteins against oxidative damage, as a new paradigm of radiation toxicity and survival. The protection of DNA repair and other proteins against oxidative damage is imparted by enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems dominated by divalent manganese complexes. Given that oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species is associated with aging and cancer, a comprehensive outlook on D. radiodurans strategies of combating oxidative stress may open new avenues for antiaging and anticancer treatments. The study of the antioxidation protection in D. radiodurans is therefore of considerable potential interest for medicine and public health.

Deinococcus depolymerans sp. nov., a gamma- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterium, isolated from a naturally radioactive site

Four gamma- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterial strains, designated TDMA-24T, TDMA-24-2, TDMA-24-3 and TDMA-24-4, were isolated from a fresh-water sample collected at Misasa, Tottori, Japan. Cells of these strains were Gram-reaction-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and formed red colonies. The genomic DNA G+C contents ranged from 70.5 to 70.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel isolates belong to the genus Deinococcus, the highest sequence similarities being with Deinococcus aquaticus PB314T (98 %) and Deinococcus caeni Ho-08T (97 %). The polar lipid profile of strain TDMA-24T comprised three unidentified phosphoglycolipids, five unidentified glycolipids and seven unidentified polar lipids. MK-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone. Major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 1ω6c, C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). On the basis of their phylogenetic positions and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, the novel isolates represent a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus depolymerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TDMA-24T ( = JCM 14369T  = NBRC 102115T  = CCUG 53609T).

Complete genome sequence of Deinococcus maricopensis type strain (LB-34)

Deinococcus maricopensis (Rainey and da Costa 2005) is a member of the genus Deinococcus, which is comprised of 44 validly named species and is located within the deeply branching bacterial phylum Deinococcus-Thermus. Strain LB-34(T) was isolated from a soil sample from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Various species of the genus Deinococcus are characterized by extreme radiation resistance, with D. maricopensis being resistant in excess of 10 kGy. Even though the genomes of three Deinococcus species, D. radiodurans, D. geothermalis and D. deserti, have already been published, no special physiological characteristic is currently known that is unique to this group. It is therefore of special interest to analyze the genomes of additional species of the genus Deinococcus to better understand how these species adapted to gamma- or UV ionizing-radiation. The 3,498,530 bp long genome of D. maricopensis with its 3,301 protein-coding and 66 RNA genes consists of one circular chromosome and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

Deinococcus reticulitermitis sp. nov., isolated from a termite gut

Bacterial strain TM-1(T) was isolated from the gut of a wood-feeding termite, Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder. Cells of strain TM-1(T) were Gram-negative, spherical (1.0-2.0 µm in diameter), non-motile, non-sporulating and red-pigmented. Strain TM-1(T) was resistant to UV radiation, showing 34% survival after exposure to UV light at a dose of 100 J m(-2). Growth occurred at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-7.0), and in the presence of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-0.4%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TM-1(T) was related to members of the genus Deinococcus, with sequence similarities ranging from 87.0 to 94.0%. The peptidoglycan of strain TM-1(T) contained ornithine, alanine, glycine and glutamic acid. The most abundant cellular fatty acids of strain TM-1(T) were summed feature 3 (C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c; 22.3%) and C(16:0) (37.5%). MK-8 was the predominant quinone. The polar lipid profile contained three glycophospholipids, six glycolipids, one aminolipid and three unknown lipids. DNA of the type strain had a G+C content of 65.6 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented, strain TM-1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus reticulitermitis sp. nov. is proposed, with TM-1(T) (=CGMCC 1.10218(T)=NBRC 106334(T)) as the type strain.

Deinococcus wulumuqiensis sp. nov., and Deinococcus xibeiensis sp. nov., isolated from radiation-polluted soil

The taxonomic positions of two gamma- and UV-ray-resistant strains isolated from radiation-polluted soil in north-west China were determined in a polyphasic study. The organisms, designated R12T and R13T, were Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming cocci, which contained MK-8 as the major respiratory quinone and C16 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0 as major fatty acids. The cell walls of strains R12T and R13T contained ornithine. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA–DNA hybridizations showed that strains R12T and R13T are members of novel species belonging to the genus Deinococcus, with Deinococcus radiodurans DSM 20539T as the closest relative. The isolates R12T and R13T shared 97 and 97.1 % 16S rRNA gene similarity, respectively, and 29.5 and 33.3 % DNA–DNA relatedness, respectively, with D. radiodurans DSM 20539T. The DNA G+C contents of isolates R12T and R13T were 66.7 and 63.8 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic tests and other results, two species, Deinococcus wulumuqiensis sp. nov. (type strain R12T =CGMCC 1.8884T =NBRC 105665T) and Deinococcus xibeiensis sp. nov. (type strain R13T =CGMCC 1.8885T =NBRC 105666T), are proposed.

Deinobacterium chartae gen. nov., sp. nov., an extremely radiation-resistant, biofilm-forming bacterium isolated from a Finnish paper mill

A rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile, aerobic, oxidase and catalase-positive and radiation-resistant bacterium (designated strain K4.1(T)) was isolated from biofilm collected from a Finnish paper mill. The bacterium grew as pale pink colonies on oligotrophic medium at 12 to 50 °C (optimum 37 to 45 °C) and at pH 6 to 10.3. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 66.8 l%. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain K4.1(T) was distantly related to the genus Deinococcus, sharing highest similarity with Deinococcus pimensis (90.0  %). In the phylogenetic tree, strain K4.1(T) formed a separate branch in the vicinity of the genus Deinococcus. The peptidoglycan type was A3β with L-Orn-Gly-Gly and the quinone system was determined to be MK-8. The polar lipid profile of strain K4.1(T) differed markedly from that of the genus Deinococcus. The predominant lipid of strain K4.1(T) was an unknown aminophospholipid and it did not contain the unknown phosphoglycolipid predominant in the polar lipid profiles of deinococci analysed to date. Two of the predominant fatty acids of the strain, 15 : 0 anteiso and 17 : 0 anteiso, were lacking or present in small amounts in species of the genus Deinococcus. Phylogenetic distinctness and significant differences in the polar lipid and fatty acid profiles suggest classification of strain K4.1(T) as a novel genus and species in the family Deinococcaceae, for which we propose the name Deinobacterium chartae gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is K4.1(T) (=DSM 21458(T) =HAMBI 2721(T)).

Development of versatile shuttle vectors for Deinococcus grandis

To develop new shuttle vectors for Deinococcus species, the nucleotide sequence of the small cryptic plasmid pUE30 from Deinococcus radiopugnans ATCC19172 was determined. The 2467-bp plasmid possesses two open reading frames, one encoding 88 amino acid residues (Orf1) and the other encoding 501 amino acid residues (Orf2). The predicted amino acid sequence encoded by Orf1 exhibits similarity to the N-terminal regions of replication proteins encoded by repABC-type plasmids of a-proteobacteria. On the other hand, the predicted amino acid sequence encoded by Orf2 exhibits similarity to replication proteins encoded by plasmids of D. radiodurans SARK and Thermus species. Hybrid plasmids consisting of pUE30 and pKatCAT5, which replicates in E. coli with a chloramphenicol resistance determinant, were shown to autonomously replicate in D. grandis ATCC43672. Deletion analysis revealed that Orf2 was necessary for replication of the plasmids in D. grandis. On the other hand, a DNA fragment encompassing the Orf1-coding region was involved in the instability of the plasmid in D. grandis. An expression plasmid that possesses the D. radiodurans minimal groE promoter was constructed, and a firefly luciferase gene was successfully expressed in D. grandis. The D. grandis host-vector system developed in this study should prove useful in the bioremediation of radioactive waste and for the investigation of DNA repair mechanisms.