Effects of intracellular trehalose content on Streptomyces griseus spores

Sugar-sensing swodkoreceptors and swodkocrine signaling

Sugars are one of the major metabolites and are essential for nucleic acid synthesis and energy production. In addition, sugars can act as signaling molecules. To study sugar signaling at the systemic level, there is an urgent need to systematically identify sugar-sensing proteins and nucleic acids. I propose the terms "swodkoreceptor" and "swodkocrine signaling," derived from the Polish word "słodki" meaning "sweet," to comprise all sugar-sensing proteins and signaling events, respectively, regardless of their cellular location and signaling domains. This proposal is intended to facilitate the inclusion of proteins such as the Escherichia coli LacI repressor as an allolactose receptor, human glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) as a fructose receptor, and other sugar-binding based allosterically regulated enzymes and transcription factors as sugar-sensing receptors. In addition, enzyme-interacting proteins whose interaction state is regulated by sugar binding have also been proposed as sugar receptors. The systemic study of protein- and nucleic-acid-based swodkoreceptors may help to identify organelle-specific swodkoreceptors and to also address receptor duality. The study of intra- and inter-organism swodkocrine signaling and its crosstalk with gasocrine signaling may help to understand the etiology of diseases due to dysregulation in sugar homeostasis and signaling.

Multi-scale computational modeling to identify novel chemical scaffolds as trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase inhibitors to combat Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis, a deadly infection having high fatality rates (20-50%) and antibiotic resistance, however, there's no effective drug or vaccine available. Trehalose is a vital sugar for B. pseudomallei which influences the pathogen resilience and pathogenicity. This proposed computational strategy focuses on developing novel drugs against Trehalose-6-phosphate Phosphatase (TPP) to combat infections. This study found three novel drugs from Asinex, Zinc, Chembridge, and Drugbank databases through a comprehensive structure-based virtual screening. The process screened the top three compounds: BDG_34042863, BDF_33738612, and DB00139 along with control (2-methyl-6-phenoxytetrahydro-2 H-pyran-3,4,5-triol) with a binding energy score of -8.8 kcal/mol, -8.4 kcal/mol, and - 7.7 kcal/mol, -6.4 kcal/mol respectively. In a molecular dynamics simulation, the Ligand-protein complexes demonstrated substantial non-covalent interactions as well as a stable docked intermolecular binding conformation. Throughout the MDS (molecular dynamic simulation) period, the studied compounds showed stable consistent interactions; there were no noticeable changes in the interactions or binding mode. The BDG_34042863, BDF_33738612, and DB00139 had a mean deviation of 4.04, 7.18, and 7.10 measured in Å, respectively. In addition, the simulation trajectories of complexes underwent MM/GBSA analysis, which revealed binding affinity scores of -33.39, -41.1, -49.16, and - 41.29 measured in kcal/mol for the control, BDG_34042863, BDF_33738612, and DB00139, respectively. According to DFT Analysis, BDF_33738612 showed the smallest energy gap (0.46 eV), indicating high reactivity, while DB00139 showed the largest energy gap (5.66 eV), illustrating good kinetic stability compared to the control. The compounds exhibit notable differences in reactivity and stability levels as their HOMO-1 to LUMO + 1 and HOMO-2 to LUMO + 2 orbitals have greater energy gaps, ranging from 5.06 eV to 6.69 eV and 5.66 eV to 7.09 eV, respectively. The compounds also had favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and were categorized as druglike. Among the selected compounds, BDF_33738612 demonstrated the most promising findings followed by BDG_34042863 and DB00139. The compounds may be employed in an experimental study to examine their anti-TPP activity against B. pseudomallei.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-025-00309-5.

Streptomyces enissocaesilis L-82 has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and promotes growth for Carassius auratus

Aeromonas is the main pathogen causing bacterial diseases in fish. The disadvantages of chemical drugs to control fish diseases have been highlighted, and it is urgent to find an eco-friendly control method. In this study, an actinomycete strain with antibacterial activity against fish pathogenic bacteria was screened from soil samples. Combined with morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and gyrB gene and whole genome comparison analysis, it was identified as a new strain of Streptomyces enissocaesilis, named Streptomyces enissocaesilis L-82. The strain has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against fish pathogens. A substance with a mass-to-charge ratio of 227.20 [M + H] + was isolated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. It was presumed to be a derivative of 5-dimethylallylindole-3-acetonitrile. The strain is safe and non-toxic to crucian carp, and can stably colonize crucian carp and inhibit the proliferation of A. hydrophila. After feeding the feed containing 1 × 108 CFU/mL strain concentration, the weight growth rate and specific growth rate of crucian carp increased, the activity of ACP and SOD in serum increased, and the survival rate of crucian carp increased after challenge. Genome-wide analysis showed that the strain had strong ability to metabolize and tolerate extreme environments. And has a strong potential for disease resistance. Therefore, the strain is expected to be developed as a feed additive for fish farming. KEY POINTS: • The new Streptomyces enissocaesilis L-82 has a broad spectrum and stable antibacterial activity and meets the safety standards of feed additives. • Strain L-82 can colonize crucian carp, improve the growth, antioxidant, and immune performance of the host, and improve the survival rate after being infected with A. hydrophila. • Genome-wide analysis suggests that the strain has great disease resistance potential and is expected to be developed as a feed additive for fish culture.

Isolation of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase from Rabbit Fast-Twitch Muscle

The sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is a membrane protein that is destabilized during purification in the absence of calcium ions. The disaccharide trehalose is a protein stabilizer that accumulates in the yeast cytoplasm when under stress. In the present work, SERCA was purified by including trehalose in the purification protocol. The purified SERCA showed high protein purity (~95%) and ATPase activity. ATP hydrolysis was dependent on the presence of Ca2+ and the enzyme kinetics showed a hyperbolic dependence on ATP (Km = 12.16 ± 2.25 μM ATP). FITC labeling showed the integrity of the ATP-binding site and the identity of the isolated enzyme as a P-type ATPase. Circular dichroism (CD) spectral changes at a wavelength of 225 nm were observed upon titration with ATP, indicating α-helical rearrangements in the nucleotide-binding domain (N-domain), which correlated with ATP affinity (Km). The presence of Ca2+ did not affect FITC labeling or the ATP-mediated structural changes at the N-domain. The use of trehalose in the SERCA purification protocol stabilized the enzyme. The isolated SERCA appears to be suitable for structural and ligand binding studies, e.g., for testing newly designed or natural inhibitors. The use of trehalose is recommended for the isolation of unstable enzymes.

Trehalose Biosynthesis Gene otsA Protects against Stress in the Initial Infection Stage of Burkholderia-Bean Bug Symbiosis

Trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide, functions as a stress protectant in many organisms, including bacteria. In symbioses involving bacteria, the bacteria have to overcome various stressors to associate with their hosts; thus, trehalose biosynthesis may be important for symbiotic bacteria. Here, we investigated the role of trehalose biosynthesis in the Burkholderia-bean bug symbiosis. Expression levels of two trehalose biosynthesis genes, otsA and treS, were elevated in symbiotic Burkholderia insecticola cells, and hence mutant ΔotsA and ΔtreS strains were generated to examine the functions of these genes in symbiosis. An in vivo competition assay with the wild-type strain revealed that fewer ΔotsA cells, but not ΔtreS cells, colonized the host symbiotic organ, the M4 midgut, than wild-type cells. The ΔotsA strain was susceptible to osmotic pressure generated by high salt or high sucrose concentrations, suggesting that the reduced symbiotic competitiveness of the ΔotsA strain was due to the loss of stress resistance. We further demonstrated that fewer ΔotsA cells infected the M4 midgut initially but that fifth-instar nymphs exhibited similar symbiont population size as the wild-type strain. Together, these results demonstrated that the stress resistance role of otsA is important for B. insecticola to overcome the stresses it encounters during passage through the midgut regions to M4 in the initial infection stage but plays no role in resistance to stresses inside the M4 midgut in the persistent stage. IMPORTANCE Symbiotic bacteria have to overcome stressful conditions present in association with the host. In the Burkholderia-bean bug symbiosis, we speculated that a stress-resistant function of Burkholderia is important and that trehalose, known as a stress protectant, plays a role in the symbiotic association. Using otsA, the trehalose biosynthesis gene, and a mutant strain, we demonstrated that otsA confers Burkholderia with competitiveness when establishing a symbiotic association with bean bugs, especially playing a role in initial infection stage. In vitro assays revealed that otsA provides the resistance against osmotic stresses. Hemipteran insects, including bean bugs, feed on plant phloem sap, which may lead to high osmotic pressures in the midguts of hemipterans. Our results indicated that the stress-resistant role of otsA is important for Burkholderia to overcome the osmotic stresses present during the passage through midgut regions to reach the symbiotic organ.

Applications of Actinobacteria in aquaculture: prospects and challenges

Disease outbreaks due to improper culture management, poor water quality, and climate change are major concerns in aquaculture. Most of the aquatic pathogens are opportunistic and any imbalance in the host-pathogen-environment triad will result in a disease outbreak. The indiscriminate use of chemotherapeutics such as antibiotics to prevent diseases in aquaculture will lead to antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture. Hence, the demand for natural microbial strains which can be used as beneficial probiotics and bioaugmentors in fish farming systems has increased to ensure one health in aquaculture. Studies have proved the probiotic and bioremediation potential of several Actinobacterial species that can be applied in aquaculture. Actinobacteria, especially Streptomyces, can be applied in aquaculture for disease prevention, treatment, and bioremediation of organic and inorganic waste in the culture systems. The growth, immunity, and resistance towards aquatic pathogens in cultured organisms also get enhanced through their capability to release potent antimicrobial compounds, bioactive molecules, and novel enzymes. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial and quorum quenching activity can be well exploited against quorum sensing biofilm forming aquatic pathogens. Even though they impart specific adverse effects like the production of off-flavour compounds, this could be controlled through proper management strategies. This review discusses the applications, challenges, and prospects of Actinobacteria in aquaculture. Research gaps are also highlighted, which may shed light on the existing complexities and should pave the way for their better understanding and utilisation in aquaculture.

Complete Genome Sequence and Comparative Genome Analysis of Variovorax sp. Strains PAMC28711, PAMC26660, and PAMC28562 and Trehalose Metabolic Pathways in Antarctica Isolates

The complete genomes of Variovorax strains were analyzed and compared along with the genomes of Variovorax strains PAMC28711, PAMC28562, and PAMC26660, Antarctic isolates. The genomic information was collected from the NCBI database and the CAZyme database, and Prokka annotation was used to find the genes that encode for the trehalose metabolic pathway. Likewise, CAZyme annotation (dbCAN2 Meta server) was performed to predict the CAZyme family responsible for trehalose biosynthesis and degradation enzymes. Trehalose has been found to respond to osmotic stress and extreme temperatures. As a result, the study of the trehalose metabolic pathway was carried out in harsh environments such as the Antarctic, where bacteria Variovorax sp. strains PAMC28711, PAMC28562, and PAMC26660 can survive in extreme environments, such as cold temperatures. The trehalose metabolic pathway was analyzed via bioinformatics tools, such as the dbCAN2 Meta server, Prokka annotation, Multiple Sequence Alignment, ANI calculator, and PATRIC database, which helped to predict trehalose biosynthesis and degradation genes' involvement in the complete genome of Variovorax strains. Likewise, MEGA X was used for evolutionary and conserved genes. The complete genomes of Variovorax strains PAMC28711, PAMC26660, and PAMC28562 are circular chromosomes of length (4,320,000, 7,390,000, and 4,690,000) bp, respectively, with GC content of (66.00, 66.00, and 63.70)%, respectively. The GC content of these three Variovorax strains is lower than that of the other Variovorax strains with complete genomes. Strains PAMC28711 and PAMC28562 exhibit three complete trehalose biosynthetic pathways (OtsA/OtsB, TS, and TreY/TreZ), but strain PAMC26660 only possesses one (OtsA/OtsB). Despite the fact that all three strains contain trehalose, only strain PAMC28711 has two trehalases according to CAZyme families (GH37 and GH15). Moreover, among the three Antarctica isolates, only strain PAMC28711 exhibits auxiliary activities (AAs), a CAZyme family. To date, although the Variovorax strains are studied for different purposes, the trehalose metabolic pathways in Variovorax strains have not been reported. Further, this study provides additional information regarding trehalose biosynthesis genes and degradation genes (trehalases) as one of the factors facilitating bacterial survival under extreme environments, and this enzyme has shown potential application in biotechnology fields.

Aspergillus niger trehalase enzyme induced morphological and protein alterations on Acanthamoeba cyst and molecular docking studies

The cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba is yet to fully illustrate due to recalcitrant of Acanthamoeba during cyst stage. The formation of the trehalose layer at the cyst stage protects the inner components of this opportunist protozoan parasite. Trehalase from the Aspergillus niger (AnTre) activity on the cyst of Acanthamoeba was determined based on AnTre dose-response, morphological and protein changes. The interaction of the AnTre and trehalose was also visualized through docking simulation. Vacuolation of the cyst can be seen when observed under light microscopy. Membrane integrity assessment suggested possible hydrolization of the AnTre enzyme to trehalose membranes which based on acridine orange and propidium iodide staining. Surface morphology based on scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of bulging structure that was also proved through cross sectioning observed by transmission electron microscopy. Loss of internal structure of the cysts was clearly observed. Other morphological distinction where loss of rigid shape due to the destruction of the endo- and ecto cyst layers. However, the protein profile exhibits change of trehalose layer as responses to AnTre treatment. The observed biological results were also supported by interaction simulation based on molecular docking between trehalose and AnTre enzyme. In conclusion, this enzymatic approach could be developed into selective and effective mechanism to control Acanthamoeba without affecting the host especially mammals due to the absence of trehalose elements in the tissues of mammals.

Bacterial α-diglucoside metabolism: perspectives and potential for biotechnology and biomedicine

In a competitive microbial environment, nutrient acquisition is a major contributor to the survival of any individual bacterial species, and the ability to access uncommon energy sources can provide a fitness advantage. One set of soluble carbohydrates that have attracted increased attention for use in biotechnology and biomedicine is the α-diglucosides. Maltose is the most well-studied member of this class; however, the remaining four less common α-diglucosides (trehalose, kojibiose, nigerose, and isomaltose) are increasingly used in processed food and fermented beverages. The consumption of trehalose has recently been shown to be a contributing factor in gut microbiome disease as certain pathogens are using α-diglucosides to outcompete native gut flora. Kojibiose and nigerose have also been examined as potential prebiotics and alternative sweeteners for a variety of foods. Compared to the study of maltose metabolism, our understanding of the synthesis and degradation of uncommon α-diglucosides is lacking, and several fundamental questions remain unanswered, particularly with regard to the regulation of bacterial metabolism for α-diglucosides. Therefore, this minireview attempts to provide a focused analysis of uncommon α-diglucoside metabolism in bacteria and suggests some future directions for this research area that could potentially accelerate biotechnology and biomedicine developments. KEY POINTS: • α-diglucosides are increasingly important but understudied bacterial metabolites. • Kinetically superior α-diglucoside enzymes require few amino acid substitutions. • In vivo studies are required to realize the biotechnology potential of α-diglucosides.

The gut-brain connection in the pathogenicity of Parkinson disease: Putative role of autophagy

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive movement functionality disorder resulting in tremor and inability to execute voluntary functions combined with the preponderant non-motor disturbances encompassing constipation and gastrointestinal irritation. Despite continued research, the pathogenesis of PD is not yet clear. The available class of drugs for effective symptomatic management of PD includes a combination of levodopa and carbidopa. In recent past, the link between gut with PD has been explored. According to recent preclinical evidence, pathogens such as virus or bacterium may initiate entry into the gut via the nasal cavity that may aggravate lewy pathology in the gut that eventually propagates and progresses towards the brain via the vagus nerve resulting in the prodromal non-motor symptoms. Additionally, experimental evidence also suggests that alpha-synuclein misfolding commences at a very early stage in the gut and is transported via the vagus nerve prior to seeding PD pathology in the brain. However, this progression and resultant deterioration of the neurones can effectively be altered by an autophagy inducer, Trehalose, although the mechanism behind it is still enigmatic. Hence, this review will mainly focus on analysing the basic components of the gut that might be responsible for aggravating lewy pathology, the mediator(s) responsible for transmission of PD pathology from gut to brain and the important role of trehalose in ameliorating gut dysbiosis related PD complications that would eventually pave the way for therapeutic management of PD.

Structural, Metabolic and Evolutionary Comparison of Bacterial Endospore and Exospore Formation

Sporulation is a specialized developmental program employed by a diverse set of bacteria which culminates in the formation of dormant cells displaying increased resilience to stressors. This represents a major survival strategy for bacteria facing harsh environmental conditions, including nutrient limitation, heat, desiccation, and exposure to antimicrobial compounds. Through dispersal to new environments via biotic or abiotic factors, sporulation provides a means for disseminating genetic material and promotes encounters with preferable environments thus promoting environmental selection. Several types of bacterial sporulation have been characterized, each involving numerous morphological changes regulated and performed by non-homologous pathways. Despite their likely independent evolutionary origins, all known modes of sporulation are typically triggered by limited nutrients and require extensive membrane and peptidoglycan remodeling. While distinct modes of sporulation have been observed in diverse species, two major types are at the forefront of understanding the role of sporulation in human health, and microbial population dynamics and survival. Here, we outline endospore and exospore formation by members of the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, respectively. Using recent advances in molecular and structural biology, we point to the regulatory, genetic, and morphological differences unique to endo- and exospore formation, discuss shared characteristics that contribute to the enhanced environmental survival of spores and, finally, cover the evolutionary aspects of sporulation that contribute to bacterial species diversification.

Evaluation of Sample Preparation Methods for Inter-Laboratory Metabolomics Investigation of Streptomyces lividans TK24

In the past two decades, metabolomics has proved to be a valuable tool with many potential applications in different areas of science. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed, particularly for multicenter studies. These challenges are mainly attributed to various sources of fluctuation and unwanted variations that can be introduced at pre-analytical, analytical, and/or post-analytical steps of any metabolomics experiment. Thus, this study aimed at using Streptomyces lividans TK24 as the model organism in a cross-laboratory experiment in Manchester and Leuven to evaluate the reproducibility of a standard sample preparation method, and determine the optimal sample format (cell extract or quenched biomass) required to preserve the metabolic profile of the cells during cross-lab sample transportation and storage. Principal component analysis (PCA) scores plot of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data from both laboratories displayed clear growth-dependent clustering patterns which was in agreement with the Procrustes analysis findings. In addition, the data generated in Manchester displayed tight clustering of cell pellets (quenched biomass) and metabolite extracts, confirming the stability of both sample formats during the transportation and storage period.

Trehalose and bacterial virulence

Trehalose is a disaccharide of two D-glucose molecules linked by a glycosidic linkage, which plays both structural and functional roles in bacteria. Trehalose can be synthesized and degraded by several pathways, and induction of trehalose biosynthesis is typically associated with exposure to abiotic stress. The ability of trehalose to protect against abiotic stress has been exploited to stabilize a range of bacterial vaccines. More recently, there has been interest in the role of this molecule in microbial virulence. There is now evidence that trehalose or trehalose derivatives play important roles in virulence of a diverse range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens of animals or plants. Trehalose and/or trehalose derivatives can play important roles in host colonization and growth in the host, and can modulate the interactions with host defense mechanisms. However, the roles are typically pathogen-specific. These findings suggest that trehalose metabolism may be a target for novel pathogen-specific rather than broad spectrum interventions.

Hypoxia-induced synthesis of respiratory nitrate reductase 2 of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) depends on the histidine kinase OsdK in mycelium but not in spores

The three nitrate reductases (Nar) of the saprophytic aerobic actinobacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) contribute to survival when oxygen becomes limiting. In the current study, we focused on synthesis of the Nar2 enzyme, which is the main Nar enzyme present and active in exponentially growing mycelium. Synthesis of Nar2 can, however, also be induced in spores after extended periods of anoxic incubation. The osdRK genes (oxygen stress and development) were recently identified to encode a two-component system important for expression of the nar2 operon in mycelium. OsdK is a predicted histidine kinase and we show here that an osdK mutant completely lacks Nar2 enzyme activity in mycelium. Recovery of Nar2 enzyme activity was achieved by re-introduction of the osdRK genes into the mutant on an integrative plasmid. In anoxically incubated spores, however, the osdK mutant retained the ability to synthesize NarG2, the catalytic subunit of Nar2. We could also demonstrate that synthesis of NarG2 in spores occurred only under hypoxic conditions; anoxia, as well as O2 concentrations significantly higher than 1 % in the gas-phase, failed to result in induction of NarG2 synthesis. Together, these findings indicate that, although Nar2 synthesis in both mycelium and spores is induced by oxygen limitation, different mechanisms control these processes and only Nar2 synthesis in mycelium is under the control of the OsdKR two-component system.

The metabolic switch can be activated in a recombinant strain of Streptomyces lividans by a low oxygen transfer rate in shake flasks

Background

In Streptomyces, understanding the switch from primary to secondary metabolism is important for maximizing the production of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, as well as for optimizing recombinant glycoprotein production. Differences in Streptomyces lividans bacterial aggregation as well as recombinant glycoprotein production and O-mannosylation have been reported due to modifications in the shake flask design. We hypothetized that such differences are related to the metabolic switch that occurs under oxygen-limiting conditions in the cultures.

Results

Shake flask design was found to affect undecylprodigiosin (RED, a marker of secondary metabolism) production; the RED yield was 12 and 385 times greater in conventional normal Erlenmeyer flasks (NF) than in baffled flasks (BF) and coiled flasks (CF), respectively. In addition, oxygen transfer rates (OTR) and carbon dioxide transfer rates were almost 15 times greater in cultures in CF and BF as compared with those in NF. Based on these data, we obtained respiration quotients (RQ) consistent with aerobic metabolism for CF and BF, but an RQ suggestive of anaerobic metabolism for NF.

Conclusion

Although the metabolic switch is usually related to limitations in phosphate and nitrogen in Streptomyces sp., our results reveal that it can also be activated by low OTR, dramatically affecting recombinant glycoprotein production and O-mannosylation and increasing RED synthesis in the process.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-018-1035-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mechanism of neuroprotection by trehalose: controversy surrounding autophagy induction

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide with two glucose molecules linked through an α, α-1,1-glucosidic bond. Trehalose has received attention for the past few decades for its role in neuroprotection especially in animal models of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson and Huntington diseases. The mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of trehalose remains elusive. The prevailing hypothesis is that trehalose protects neurons by inducing autophagy, thereby clearing protein aggregates. Some of the animal studies showed activation of autophagy and reduced protein aggregates after trehalose administration in neurodegenerative disease models, seemingly supporting the autophagy induction hypothesis. However, results from cell studies have been less certain; although many studies claim that trehalose induces autophagy and reduces protein aggregates, the studies have their weaknesses, failing to provide sufficient evidence for the autophagy induction theory. Furthermore, a recent study with a thorough examination of autophagy flux showed that trehalose interfered with the flux from autophagosome to autolysosome, raising controversy on the direct effects of trehalose on autophagy. This review summarizes the fundamental properties of trehalose and the studies on its effects on neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss the controversy related to the autophagy induction theory and seek to explain how trehalose works in neuroprotection.

A Waking Review: Old and Novel Insights into the Spore Germination in Streptomyces

The complex development undergone by Streptomyces encompasses transitions from vegetative mycelial forms to reproductive aerial hyphae that differentiate into chains of single-celled spores. Whereas their mycelial life – connected with spore formation and antibiotic production – is deeply investigated, spore germination as the counterpoint in their life cycle has received much less attention. Still, germination represents a system of transformation from metabolic zero point to a new living lap. There are several aspects of germination that may attract our attention: (1) Dormant spores are strikingly well-prepared for the future metabolic restart; they possess stable transcriptome, hydrolytic enzymes, chaperones, and other required macromolecules stabilized in a trehalose milieu; (2) Germination itself is a specific sequence of events leading to a complete morphological remodeling that include spore swelling, cell wall reconstruction, and eventually germ tube emergences; (3) Still not fully unveiled are the strategies that enable the process, including a single cell’s signal transduction and gene expression control, as well as intercellular communication and the probability of germination across the whole population. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the germination process in Streptomyces, while focusing on the aforementioned points.

Lipid accumulation in prokaryotic microorganisms from arid habitats

This review shall provide support for the suitability of arid environments as preferred location to search for unknown lipid-accumulative bacteria. Bacterial lipids are attracting more and more attention as sustainable replacement for mineral oil in fuel and plastic production. The development of prokaryotic microorganisms in arid desert habitats is affected by its harsh living conditions. Drought, nutrient limitation, strong radiation, and extreme temperatures necessitate effective adaption mechanisms. Accumulation of storage lipids as energy reserve and source of metabolic water represents a common adaption in desert animals and presumably in desert bacteria and archaea as well. Comparison of corresponding literature resulted in several bacterial species from desert habitats, which had already been described as lipid-accumulative elsewhere. Based on the gathered information, literature on microbial communities in hot desert, cold desert, and humid soil were analyzed on its content of lipid-accumulative bacteria. With more than 50% of the total community size in single studies, hot deserts appear to be more favorable for lipid-accumulative species then humid soil (≤20%) and cold deserts (≤17%). Low bacterial lipid accumulation in cold deserts is assumed to result from the influence of low temperatures on fatty acids and the increased necessity of permanent adaption methods.

Oxygen and Nitrate Respiration in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

Streptomyces species belong to the phylum Actinobacteria and can only grow with oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor. Like other members of this phylum, such as corynebacteria and mycobacteria, the aerobic respiratory chain lacks a soluble cytochrome c. It is therefore implicit that direct electron transfer between the cytochrome bc1 and the cytochrome aa3 oxidase complexes occurs. The complex developmental cycle of streptomycetes manifests itself in the production of spores, which germinate in the presence of oxygen into a substrate mycelium that greatly facilitates acquisition of nutrients necessary to support their saprophytic lifestyle in soils. Due to the highly variable oxygen levels in soils, streptomycetes have developed means of surviving long periods of hypoxia or even anaerobiosis but they fail to grow under these conditions. Little to nothing is understood about how they maintain viability under conditions of oxygen limitation. It is assumed that they can utilise a number of different electron acceptors to help them maintain a membrane potential, one of which is nitrate. The model streptomycete remains Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), and it synthesises three nonredundant respiratory nitrate reductases (Nar). These Nar enzymes are synthesised during different phases of the developmental cycle and they are functional only under oxygen-limiting (<5% oxygen in air) conditions. Nevertheless, the regulation of their synthesis does not appear to be responsive to nitrate and in the case of Nar1, it appears to be developmentally regulated. This review highlights some of the novel aspects of our current, but somewhat limited, knowledge of respiration in these fascinating bacteria.

Streptomyces Bacteria as Potential Probiotics in Aquaculture

In response to the increased seafood demand from the ever-going human population, aquaculture has become the fastest growing animal food-producing sector. However, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics as a biological control agents for fish pathogens has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria. Probiotics are defined as living microbial supplement that exert beneficial effects on hosts as well as improvement of environmental parameters. Probiotics have been proven to be effective in improving the growth, survival and health status of the aquatic livestock. This review aims to highlight the genus Streptomyces can be a good candidate for probiotics in aquaculture. Studies showed that the feed supplemented with Streptomyces could protect fish and shrimp from pathogens as well as increase the growth of the aquatic organisms. Furthermore, the limitations of Streptomyces as probiotics in aquaculture is also highlighted and solutions are discussed to these limitations.

A respiratory nitrate reductase active exclusively in resting spores of the obligate aerobe Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The Gram-positive aerobe Streptomyces coelicolor undergoes a complex life cycle including growth as vegetative hyphae and the production of aerial hyphae and spores. Little is known about how spores retain viability in the presence of oxygen; however, nothing is known about this process during anaerobiosis. Here, we demonstrate that one of the three respiratory nitrate reductases, Nar-1, synthesized by S. coelicolor is functional exclusively in spores. A tight coupling between nitrite production and the activity of the cytoplasmically oriented Nar-1 enzyme was demonstrated. No exogenous electron donor was required to drive nitrate reduction, which indicates that spore storage compounds are used as electron donors. Oxygen reversibly inhibited nitrate reduction by spores but not by spore extracts, suggesting that nitrate transport might be the target of oxygen inhibition. Nar-1 activity required no de novo protein synthesis indicating that Nar-1 is synthesized during sporulation and remains in a latently active state throughout the lifetime of the spore. Remarkably, the rates of oxygen and of nitrate reduction by wetted spores were comparable. Together, these findings suggest that S. coelicolor spores have the potential to maintain a membrane potential using nitrate as an alternative electron acceptor.

Impact of temperature stress and validamycin A on compatible solutes and fumonisin production in F. verticillioides: role of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase

Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogen of maize that causes root, stalk and ear rot and produces fumonisins, toxic secondary metabolites associated with disease in livestock and humans. Environmental stresses such as heat and drought influence disease severity and toxin production, but the effects of abiotic stress on compatible solute production by F. verticillioides have not been fully characterized. We found that decreasing the growth temperature leads to a long-term reduction in polyol levels, whereas increasing the temperature leads to a transient increase in polyols. The effects of temperature shifts on trehalose levels are opposite the effects on polyols and more dramatic. Treatment with validamycin A, a trehalose analog with antifungal activity, leads to a rapid reduction in trehalose levels, despite its known role as a trehalase inhibitor. Mutant strains lacking TPS1, which encodes a putative trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, have altered growth characteristics, do not produce detectable amounts of trehalose under any condition tested, and accumulate glycogen at levels significantly higher than wild-type F. verticillioides. TPS1 mutants also produce significantly less fumonisin than wild type and are also less pathogenic than wild type on maize. These data link trehalose biosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and disease, and suggest that trehalose metabolic pathways may be a viable target for the control of Fusarium diseases and fumonisin contamination of maize.

The osmoprotective effect of some organic solutes on Streptomyces sp. mado2 and nocardiopsis sp. mado3 growth

The response of two marine actinomycetes such as Streptomyces sp. MADO2 and Nocardiopsis sp. MADO3 to osmotic stress in minimal medium M63 and in glycerol-asparagine medium (ISP5) was studied. The two strains were moderately halophilic and the behavior of the strain Streptomyces sp. MADO2 and Nocardiopsis sp. MADO3 towards the salt stress was varied depends on the media composition and the salinity concentration. The strain Streptomyces sp. was more sensitive to salt stress than Nocardiopsis sp. The growth of both Streptomyces sp. and Nocardiopsis sp. were inhibited at 1 M NaCl irrespective of the medium used. The Nocardiopsis sp. acquired osmoadaptation on ISP5 medium whereas the Streptomyces sp. showed poor growth on M63 medium. Glycine betaine (GB), proline and trehalose played a critical role in osmotic adaptation at high osmolarity whereas at low osmolarity they showed an inhibitory effect on the bacterial growth. The present findings confirmed that GB was the powerful osmoprotectant for Streptomyces sp. and Nocardiopsis sp. grown at 1 M NaCl both in M63 and ISP5 media.

MreB of Streptomyces coelicolor is not essential for vegetative growth but is required for the integrity of aerial hyphae and spores

MreB forms a cytoskeleton in many rod-shaped bacteria which is involved in cell shape determination and chromosome segregation. PCR-based and Southern analysis of various actinomycetes, supported by analysis of genome sequences, revealed mreB homologues only in genera that form an aerial mycelium and sporulate. We analysed MreB in one such organism, Streptomyces coelicolor. Ectopic overexpression of mreB impaired growth, and caused swellings and lysis of hyphae. A null mutant with apparently normal vegetative growth was generated. However, aerial hyphae of this mutant were swelling and lysing; spores doubled their volume and lost their characteristic resistance to stress conditions. Loss of cell wall consistency was observed in MreB-depleted spores by transmission electron microscopy. An MreB-EGFP fusion was constructed to localize MreB in the mycelium. No clearly localized signal was seen in vegetative mycelium. However, strong fluorescence was observed at the septa of sporulating aerial hyphae, then as bipolar foci in young spores, and finally in a ring- or shell-like pattern inside the spores. Immunogold electron microscopy using MreB-specific antibodies revealed that MreB is located immediately underneath the internal spore wall. Thus, MreB is not essential for vegetative growth of S. coelicolor, but exerts its function in the formation of environmentally stable spores, and appears to primarily influence the assembly of the spore cell wall.

Trehalose: a review of properties, history of use and human tolerance, and results of multiple safety studies

This paper contains a review of the history, natural occurrence, human consumption, metabolism, manufacture, and the results of eight standardized animal safety studies using trehalose. Trehalose (alpha,alpha-trehalose) is a naturally occurring sugar containing two D-glucose units in an alpha,alpha-1,1 linkage. Trehalose functions in many organisms as an energy source or a protectant against the effects of freezing or dehydration. It also possesses physical and/or chemical properties that are different than other sugars, which may make trehalose an attractive ingredient in food, health and beauty and pharmaceutical products. Data are presented supporting safe human consumption of trehalose in doses up to 50 g, and the physiologic ability of humans to digest it. No consistent treatment-related, dose-dependent adverse effects were observed in any of the eight safety studies performed at doses up to 10% of the diets. On the basis of these toxicity studies, human studies in which doses of trehalose were administered to various populations, and consumption of trehalose in commercial products in Japan, it is concluded that trehalose is safe for use as an ingredient in consumer products when used in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices.

Primary metabolism and its control in streptomycetes: a most unusual group of bacteria

Streptomycetes are Gram-positive bacteria with a unique capacity for the production of a multitude of varied and complex secondary metabolites. They also have a complex life cycle including differentiation into at least three distinct cell types. Whilst much attention has been paid to the pathways and regulation of secondary metabolism, less has been paid to the pathways and the regulation of primary metabolism, which supplies the precursors. With the imminent completion of the total genome sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), we need to understand the pathways of primary metabolism if we are to understand the role of newly discovered genes. This review is written as a contribution to supplying these wants. Streptomycetes inhabit soil, which, because of the high numbers of microbial competitors, is an oligotrophic environment. Soil nutrient levels reflect the fact that plant-derived material is the main nutrient input; i.e. it is carbon-rich and nitrogen- and phosphate-poor. Control of streptomycete primary metabolism reflects the nutrient availability. The variety and multiplicity of carbohydrate catabolic pathways reflects the variety and multiplicity of carbohydrates in the soil. This multiplicity of pathways has led to investment by streptomycetes in pathway-specific and global regulatory networks such as glucose repression. The mechanism of glucose repression is clearly different from that in other bacteria. Streptomycetes feed by secreting complexes of extracellular enzymes that break down plant cell walls to release nutrients. The induction of these enzyme complexes is often coordinated by inducers that bear no structural relation to the substrate or product of any particular enzyme in the complex; e.g. a product of xylan breakdown may induce cellulase production. Control of amino acid catabolism reflects the relative absence of nitrogen catabolites in soil. The cognate amino acid induces about half of the catabolic pathways and half are constitutive. There are reduced instances of global carbon and nitrogen catabolite control of amino acid catabolism, which again presumably reflects the relative rarity of the catabolites. There are few examples of feedback repression of amino acid biosynthesis. Again this is taken as a reflection of the oligotrophic nature of the streptomycete ecological niche. As amino acids are not present in the environment, streptomycetes have rarely invested in feedback repression. Exceptions to this generalization are the arginine and branched-chain amino acid pathways and some parts of the aromatic amino acid pathways which have regulatory systems similar to Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and other copiotrophic bacteria.

Antibiotic production, accumulation of intracellular carbon reserves, and sporulation in Micromonospora echinospora (ATCC 15837)

The physiology of the actinomycete Micromonospora echinospora was examined during growth. Biphasic accumulation of glycogen occurred, initially during the early exponential growth phase, and again following the onset of sporulation at 120 h. Lipid levels increased during growth eventually representing 25% of the cell mass. A significant proportion of the lipid was found to be in the form of triacylglycerols, which were found to accumulate markedly during the sporulation phase. The disaccharide trehalose was also found to accumulate during growth with levels rising to 5% of the dry weight during the mycelial production phase, then remaining constant during sporulation. Antibiotic was produced transiently by the cultures over the period preceding sporulation.Key words: Micromonospora, glycogen, trehalose, lipids, triacylglycerol.

Ecological significance of compatible solute accumulation by micro-organisms: from single cells to global climate

The osmoadaptation of most micro-organisms involves the accumulation of K(+) ions and one or more of a restricted range of low molecular mass organic solutes, collectively termed 'compatible solutes'. These solutes are accumulated to high intracellular concentrations, in order to balance the osmotic pressure of the growth medium and maintain cell turgor pressure, which provides the driving force for cell extension growth. In this review, I discuss the alternative roles which compatible solutes may also play as intracellular reserves of carbon, energy and nitrogen, and as more general stress metabolites involved in protection of cells against other environmental stresses including heat, desiccation and freezing. Thus, the evolutionary selection for the accumulation of a specific compatible solute may not depend solely upon its function during osmoadaptation, but also upon the secondary benefits its accumulation provides, such as increased tolerance of other environmental stresses prevalent in the organism's niche or even anti-herbivory or dispersal functions in the case of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). In the second part of the review, I discuss the ecological consequences of the release of compatible solutes to the environment, where they can provide sources of compatible solutes, carbon, nitrogen and energy for other members of the micro-flora. Finally, at the global scale the metabolism of specific compatible solutes (betaines and DMSP) in brackish water, marine and hypersaline environments may influence global climate, due to the production of the trace gases, methane and dimethylsulfide (DMS) and in the case of DMS, also couple the marine and terrestrial sulfur cycles.

MsiK-dependent trehalose uptake in Streptomyces reticuli

During cultivation in the presence of trehalose Streptomyces reticuli expresses an inducible, highly specific trehalose uptake system that is absent in Streptomyces lividans. A palmitated trehalose-binding protein was identified in the cytoplasmic membrane of mycelia, extracted with the detergent Triton X-100 and purified using a trehalose affinity matrix. Immunological studies showed that within S. reticuli the synthesis of the ATP-binding protein MsiK is induced by trehalose. The data suggest that MsiK assists the trehalose ABC transporter, like the previously described ABC transport systems for maltose and cellobiose/cellotriose, respectively.

A new sigma factor, SigD, essential for stationary phase is also required for multicellular differentiation in Myxococcus xanthus

BACKGROUND

Myxococcus xanthus is a gram-negative bacterium that undergoes spectacular development to form multicellular fruiting bodies under nutrient deprivation. Inside a fruiting body, vegetative cells differentiate into spores. A number of sigma factors have been shown to play roles in the regulation of gene expression in the M. xanthus life cycle. Additional sigma factors were searched to further explore the M. xanthus life cycle.

RESULTS

A new sigma factor was identified, SigD, which consists of 297 amino acid residues. Two transcription initiation sites for the sigD gene were detected by primer extension analysis using total RNA from the vegetative and developmental cells, one of which was specific for development. The characterization of sigD-lacZ fusion strains demonstrated that sigD expression increased during entry into stationary phase of vegetative growth and during early development. A deletion mutant of sigD exhibited growth defects during the late-log phase and stationary phase, with dramatically reduced cell viability. The patterns of protein synthesis at late log phase of vegetative growth and at early development on CF agar plates were significantly different between the deletion mutant and the wild-type strain. The deletion mutant was more sensitive to various stresses when compared with the wild-type strain and did not accumulate trehalose in response to osmotic stress. The deletion mutant also showed a significant delay in fruiting body formation and sporulation and yielded fewer spores than the wild-type strain.

CONCLUSIONS

SigD shows characteristic features of the stationary phase sigma factors and also plays important roles in multicellular differentiation of M. xanthus.

Differentiation of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) under nitrate-limited conditions

The life cycle of Streptomyces coelicolor during development on solid medium has been studied from a physiological perspective. A biphasic growth pattern was demonstrated, evidenced by a continuous transition from an initial exponential growth period into a slower phase of biomass accretion. The switch between the two phases coincided with the exhaustion of nitrate from the medium. The depletion of nitrate from the medium coincided with the initiation of aerial mycelium formation within the cultures and the development of hydrophobic surface properties. During secondary growth, cultures remained metabolically active, continuing to accumulate DNA, despite a cessation in the levels of RMA and cell protein accretion. In addition, the accumulation of glycogen and lipid contributed to the observed accretion of biomass in this phase. The depletion of nitrate also marked an increase in the production of α-ketoglutarate by the culture and a coincident decrease in medium pH. Latter stages of the secondary growth phase saw the development of spores within the culture, this in turn was associated with a decrease in cellular glycogen. This supported previous observations that glycogen degradation and spore maturation were intimately associated.

Characterization of trehalase activities from the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum

The thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum produced large amounts of intracellular and extracellular trehalase activity when grown on starch as the sole carbon source. The specific activity of the purified proteins: 1700 U (mg protein)-1 (extracellular) and 3700 U (mg protein)-1 (intracellular), was many times higher than the values reported for other microbial sources. The apparent molecular mass of the native enzymes was estimated to be 370 kDa (extracellular trehalase) and 398 kDa (intracellular trehalase) by gel-filtration chromatography. Analysis by SDS-PAGE showed unique polypeptide bands of approx. 82 kDa (extracellular trehalase) and 85 kDa (intracellular trehalase), suggesting that the native enzymes were composed of five subunits. The carbohydrate content of extracellular and intracellular trehalases was estimated to be 81% and 51%, respectively. Electrofocusing indicated a pI of 3.7 and 3.4, respectively, for the extracellular and intracellular enzymes. Both trehalases were highly specific for trehalose and were stimulated by calcium and manganese. Calcium and manganese also protected both trehalases from thermoinactivation. Inhibition was observed in the presence of aluminium, mercurium, copper, zinc, EDTA, ADP, and ATP. Apparent Km values, for the extracellular and intracellular trehalases, were 3.58 mM and 2.24 mM, respectively. The optimum of pH for the extracellular and the intracellular trehalase was 6.0, and the optimum of temperature 60 degrees C and 65 degrees C, respectively.

Pectinolytic Enzymes from Actinomycetes for the Degumming of Ramie Bast Fibers

Actinomycetes isolated from 10 different soil and compost samples were screened for production of pectinolytic enzyme activities when grown on pectin-containing solid and liquid media. Pectinolytic enzymes, detected by using plate diffusion tests with a medium containing ramie ( Boehmeria nivea ) plant material as the sole carbon source, were mainly pectate lyases, but low activities of pectinesterases were also observed. Polygalacturonases and polymethylgalacturonases were not produced. Multiple forms of pectate lyases were detected in the culture supernatants of some of the strains by using the zymogram technique of isoelectric focusing gels. Xylanolytic and cellulolytic activities were always found to be associated with pectinolytic activities. None of the pectinolytic enzymes were produced in a medium with glucose as the sole carbon source. Treatment of ramie bast fibers with crude enzyme preparations from a selection of strains showed a good correlation between the pectate lyase activity applied and the degumming effect, resulting in good separation of the bast fibers.

A new putative sigma factor of Myxococcus xanthus

A third putative sigma factor gene, sigC, has been isolated from Myxococcus xanthus by using the sigA gene (formerly rpoD of M. xanthus) as a probe. The nucleotide sequence of sigC has been determined, and an open reading frame of 295 residues (M(r) = 33,430) has been identified. The deduced amino acid sequence of sigC exhibits the features which are characteristic of other bacterial sigma factors. The characterization of a sigC-lacZ strain has demonstrated that sigC expression is induced immediately after cells enter into the developmental cycle and is dramatically reduced at the onset of sporulation. A deletion mutant of sigC grows normally in vegetative culture and is able to develop normally. However, in contrast to the wild-type cells, the sigC deletion mutant cells became capable of forming fruiting bodies and myxospores on semirich agar plates. This suggests that sigC may play a role in expression of genes involved in negatively regulating the initiation of fruiting body formation.

Trehalose synthesis genes are controlled by the putative sigma factor encoded by rpoS and are involved in stationary-phase thermotolerance in Escherichia coli

The rpoS (katF) gene of Escherichia coli encodes a putative sigma factor (sigma S) required for the expression of a variety of stationary phase-induced genes, for the development of stationary-phase stress resistance, and for long-term starvation survival (R. Lange and R. Hengge-Aronis, Mol. Microbiol. 5:49-59, 1991). Here we show that the genes otsA, otsB, treA, and osmB, previously known to be osmotically regulated, are also induced during transition into stationary phase in a sigma S-dependent manner. otsA and otsB, which encode trehalose-6-phosphate synthase and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase, respectively, are involved in sigma S-dependent stationary-phase thermotolerance. Neither sigma S nor trehalose, however, is required for the development of adaptive thermotolerance in growing cells, which might be controlled by sigma E.

Physiological controls and regulation of ergot alkaloid formation

Innovation and technical development of ergot alkaloids (EA) has moved closer to scientific research. Circumstantial evidence presently links the initiation of EA metabolism to changes in a range of parameters--morphology, concentrations of enzymes and their substrates, nutrients and external stress. The biosynthesis of EA begins at the level of the genetic information apparatus and continues at the level of physiological expression. EA and their formation play a role in the physiology of the production organism. Insufficient insight into Claviceps physiology hampers the deployment of computers in the control and regulation of the EA process. Knowledge of physiological controls and genetic manipulation are the principal tools of modern EA production. In principle it is now possible to improve EA yields by a concerted breeding of the ergot fungus by sexual and parasexual genetic engineering.

Purification and properties of an extracellular conidial trehalase from Humicola grisea var. thermoidea

An extracellular trehalase (alpha, alpha-trehalose glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.28) was purified from conidia of Humicola grisea var. thermoidea. The purified enzyme is a glycoprotein and migrates as a single polypeptide band during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated as 580,000 by gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme is separable into three polypeptide bands of 105,000, 98,000 and 84,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE. It is specific for trehalose and its activity is not inhibited by other disaccharides. It has a Km of 2.3 mM, an optimum pH of 5.6 in sodium acetate buffer and a temperature optimum of 60 degrees C. The enzyme is activated by Ca2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ and inhibited by inorganic phosphate, AMP, ADP or ATP. The inhibitory effect of phosphate, AMP and ADP, but not that of ATP, was abolished in the presence of Ca2+.

Regulation of trehalose metabolism by Streptomyces griseus spores

Spores of Streptomyces griseus contain trehalose and trehalase, but trehalose is not readily hydrolyzed until spore germination is initiated. Trehalase in crude extracts of spores, germinated spores, and mycelia of S. griseus had a pH optimum of approximately 6.2, had a Km value for trehalose of approximately 11 mM, and was most active in buffers having ionic strengths of 50 to 200 mM. Inhibitors or activators or trehalase activity were not detected in extracts of spores or mycelia. Several lines of evidence indicated that trehalose and trehalase are both located in the spore cytoplasm. Spores retained their trehalose and most of their trehalase activity following brief exposure to dilute acid. Protoplasts formed by enzymatic removal of the spore walls in buffer containing high concentrations of solutes also retained their trehalose and trehalase activity. Protoplasts formed in buffer containing lower levels of solutes contained low levels of trehalose. The mechanism by which trehalose metabolism is regulated in S. griseus spores is unresolved. A low level of hydration of the cytoplasm of the dormant spores and an increased level of hydration during germination may account for the apparent inactivity of trehalase in dormant spores and the rapid hydrolysis of trehalose upon initiation of germination.

Trehalose accumulation in vegetative cells and spores of Myxococcus xanthus

The disaccharide trehalose is found in the spores and cysts of a variety of organisms. We analyzed developing cells of Myxococcus xanthus for trehalose accumulation. Vegetative cells grown in media with low osmotic strengths contained less than 5 micrograms of trehalose per mg of protein. Spores formed in fruiting bodies accumulated up to 1,100 micrograms of trehalose per mg of protein. Spores formed in liquid culture following the addition of glycerol contained up to 300 micrograms of trehalose per mg of protein. The trehalose contents of both spore types decreased rapidly during the early stages of germination. Trehalase activity was not detected in extracts of dormant or germinating spores. Trehalose accumulation in M. xanthus was also associated with elevated osmotic strength. Vegetative cells accumulated up to 214 micrograms of trehalose per mg of protein when grown in media containing elevated levels of solutes.

Metabolism of endogenous trehalose by Streptomyces griseus spores and by spores or cells of other actinomycetes

The disaccharide trehalose is accumulated as a storage product by spores of Streptomyces griseus. Nongerminating spores used their trehalose reserves slowly when incubated in buffer for several months. In contrast, spores rapidly depleted their trehalose pools during the first hours of germination. Extracts of dormant spores contained a high specific activity of the enzyme trehalase. The level of trehalase remained relatively constant during germination or incubation in buffer. Nongerminating spores of Streptomyces viridochromogenes, Streptomyces antibioticus, and Micromonospora echinospora and nongrowing spherical cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes and Nocardia corallina also maintained large amounts of trehalose and active trehalase. These trehalose reserves were depleted during spore germination or outgrowth of spherical Arthrobacter and Nocardia cells into rods.