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Gonnella G, Adam N, Perner M. Horizontal acquisition of hydrogen conversion ability and other habitat adaptations in the Hydrogenovibrio strains SP-41 and XCL-2. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:339. [PMID: 31060509 PMCID: PMC6501319 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5710-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Obligate sulfur oxidizing chemolithoauthotrophic strains of Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus have been isolated from multiple hydrothermal vent associated habitats. However, a hydrogenase gene cluster (encoding the hydrogen converting enzyme and its maturation/assembly machinery) detected on the first sequenced H. crunogenus strain (XCL-2) suggested that hydrogen conversion may also play a role in this organism. Yet, numerous experiments have underlined XCL-2’s inability to consume hydrogen under the tested conditions. A recent study showed that the closely related strain SP-41 contains a homolog of the XCL-2 hydrogenase (a group 1b [NiFe]-hydrogenase), but that it can indeed use hydrogen. Hence, the question remained unresolved, why SP-41 is capable of using hydrogen, while XCL-2 is not. Results Here, we present the genome sequence of the SP-41 strain and compare it to that of the XCL-2 strain. We show that the chromosome of SP-41 codes for a further hydrogenase gene cluster, including two additional hydrogenases: the first appears to be a group 1d periplasmic membrane-anchored hydrogenase, and the second a group 2b sensory hydrogenase. The region where these genes are located was likely acquired horizontally and exhibits similarity to other Hydrogenovibrio species (H. thermophilus MA2-6 and H. marinus MH-110 T) and other hydrogen oxidizing Proteobacteria (Cupriavidus necator H16 and Ghiorsea bivora TAG-1 T). The genomes of XCL-2 and SP-41 show a strong conservation in gene order. However, several short genomic regions are not contained in the genome of the other strain. These exclusive regions are often associated with signs of DNA mobility, such as genes coding for transposases. They code for transport systems and/or extend the metabolic potential of the strains. Conclusions Our results suggest that horizontal gene transfer plays an important role in shaping the genomes of these strains, as a likely mechanism for habitat adaptation, including, but not limited to the transfer of the hydrogen conversion ability. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5710-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Gonnella
- Universität Hamburg, MIN-Fakultät, ZBH - Center for Bioinformatics, Bundesstraße 43, Hamburg, 20146, Germany.
| | - Nicole Adam
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Geomicrobiology, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Kiel, 24148, Germany.,previous address: Universität Hamburg, MIN-Fakultät, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Molecular Biology of Microbial Consortia, Ohnhorststr. 18, Hamburg, 22609, Germany
| | - Mirjam Perner
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Geomicrobiology, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Kiel, 24148, Germany. .,previous address: Universität Hamburg, MIN-Fakultät, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Molecular Biology of Microbial Consortia, Ohnhorststr. 18, Hamburg, 22609, Germany.
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2
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Nagata R, Takaki Y, Tame A, Nunoura T, Muto H, Mino S, Sawayama S, Takai K, Nakagawa S. Lebetimonas natsushimae sp. nov., a novel strictly anaerobic, moderately thermophilic chemoautotroph isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent polychaete nest in the Mid-Okinawa Trough. Syst Appl Microbiol 2017; 40:352-356. [PMID: 28690052 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A moderately thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, chemoautotrophic bacterium, designated strain HS1857T, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Noho site in the Mid-Okinawa Trough. Strain HS1857T grew between 35 and 63°C (optimum 55°C), in the presence of 10-55gl-1 NaCl (optimum 25gl-1), and pH 5.5-7.1 (optimum 6.4). Growth occurred with molecular hydrogen as the electron donor and elemental sulfur, nitrate, or selenate as the electron acceptors. Formate could serve as an alternative electron donor with nitrate as an electron acceptor. During growth with nitrate as the electron acceptor, strain HS1857T produced ammonium and formed a biofilm. CO2 was utilized as the sole carbon source. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 33.2mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain HS1857T is a member of the order Nautiliales, showing a sequence similarity of 95.0% with Lebetimonas acidiphila Pd55T. The fatty acid composition was similar to that of L. acidiphila, which was dominated by C18:0 (47.0%) and C18:1 (23.7%). Based on the genomic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic characteristics, the name Lebetimonas natsushimae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HS1857T (=NBRC 112478T=DSM 104102T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryousuke Nagata
- Laboratory of Marine Environmental Microbiology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takaki
- Department of Subsurface Geobiological Analysis and Research (D-SUGAR), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tame
- Department of Technical Services, Marine Works Japan, Ltd., Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Takuro Nunoura
- Marine Functional Biology Group, Research and Development Center for Marine Biosciences, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Muto
- Laboratory of Marine Environmental Microbiology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sayaka Mino
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan
| | - Shigeki Sawayama
- Laboratory of Marine Environmental Microbiology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Takai
- Department of Subsurface Geobiological Analysis and Research (D-SUGAR), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nakagawa
- Laboratory of Marine Environmental Microbiology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Subsurface Geobiological Analysis and Research (D-SUGAR), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan.
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3
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Giovannelli D, Sievert SM, Hügler M, Markert S, Becher D, Schweder T, Vetriani C. Insight into the evolution of microbial metabolism from the deep-branching bacterium, Thermovibrio ammonificans. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28436819 PMCID: PMC5441870 DOI: 10.7554/elife.18990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic thermophiles inhabit relic environments that resemble the early Earth. However, the lineage of these modern organisms co-evolved with our planet. Hence, these organisms carry both ancestral and acquired genes and serve as models to reconstruct early metabolism. Based on comparative genomic and proteomic analyses, we identified two distinct groups of genes in Thermovibrio ammonificans: the first codes for enzymes that do not require oxygen and use substrates of geothermal origin; the second appears to be a more recent acquisition, and may reflect adaptations to cope with the rise of oxygen on Earth. We propose that the ancestor of the Aquificae was originally a hydrogen oxidizing, sulfur reducing bacterium that used a hybrid pathway for CO2 fixation. With the gradual rise of oxygen in the atmosphere, more efficient terminal electron acceptors became available and this lineage acquired genes that increased its metabolic flexibility while retaining ancestral metabolic traits. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18990.001 Life may have arisen on our planet as far back as four billion years ago. Unlike today, the Earth’s atmosphere at the time had no oxygen and an abundance of volcanic emissions including hydrogen, carbon dioxide and sulfur gases. These dramatic differences have led scientists to wonder: how did the ancient microorganisms that inhabited our early planet make a living? And how has microbial life co-evolved with the Earth? One way to answer these questions is to study bacteria that live today in environments that resemble the early Earth. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are regions of the deep ocean where active volcanic processes recreate primordial conditions. These habitats support microorganisms that are highly adapted to live off hydrogen, carbon dioxide and sulfur gases, and studying these modern-day microorganisms could give insights into the earliest life on Earth. Thermovibrio ammonificans is a bacterium that was obtained from an underwater volcanic system in the East Pacific. Giovannelli et al. have now asked if T. ammonificans might have inherited some of its genetic traits from a long-gone ancestor that also thrived off volcanic gases. The genetic makeup of this microorganism was examined for genes that would help it thrive at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. Next, Giovannelli et al. compared these genes to related copies in other species of bacteria to reconstruct how the metabolism of T. ammonificans might have changed over time. This approach identified a group of likely ancient genesthat allow a microorganism to use chemicals like hydrogen, carbon dioxide and sulfur to fuel its growth and metabolism. These findings support the hypothesis that an ancestor of T. ammonificans could live off volcanic gases and that the core set of genes involved in those activities had been passed on, through the generations, to this modern-day microorganism. Giovannelli et al. also identified a second group of genes in T. ammonificans that indicate that this bacterium also co-evolved with Earth’s changing conditions, in particular the rise in the concentration of oxygen. The findings of Giovannelli et al. provide insight into how the metabolism of microbes has co-evolved with the Earth’s changing conditions, and will allow others to formulate new hypotheses that can be tested in laboratory experiments. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18990.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Giovannelli
- Institute of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, United States.,Institute of Marine Science, National Research Council of Italy, Ancona, Italy.,Program in Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, United States.,Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Stefan M Sievert
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, United States
| | | | - Stephanie Markert
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Institute for Microbiology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas Schweder
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Costantino Vetriani
- Institute of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, United States
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4
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Zhang W, Sun J, Cao H, Tian R, Cai L, Ding W, Qian PY. Post-translational modifications are enriched within protein functional groups important to bacterial adaptation within a deep-sea hydrothermal vent environment. MICROBIOME 2016; 4:49. [PMID: 27600525 PMCID: PMC5012046 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-016-0194-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins is one important strategy employed by bacteria for environmental adaptation. However, PTM profiles in deep-sea microbes remain largely unexplored. RESULTS We provide here insight into PTMs in a hydrothermal vent microbial community through integration of metagenomics and metaproteomics. In total, 2919 unique proteins and 1306 unique PTMs were identified, whereas the latter included acetylation, deamination, hydroxylation, methylation, nitrosylation, oxidation, and phosphorylation. These modifications were unevenly distributed among microbial taxonomic and functional categories. A connection between modification types and particular functions was demonstrated. Interestingly, PTMs differed among the orthologous proteins derived from different bacterial groups. Furthermore, proteomic mapping to the draft genome of a Nitrospirae bacterium revealed novel modifications for proteins that participate in energy metabolism, signal transduction, and inorganic ion transport. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that PTMs are enriched in specific functions, which would be important for microbial adaptation to extreme conditions of the hydrothermal vent. PTMs in deep-sea are highly diverse and divergent, and much broader investigations are needed to obtain a better understanding of their functional roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weipeng Zhang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Jin Sun
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Huiluo Cao
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Renmao Tian
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Lin Cai
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Wei Ding
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
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5
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Han Y, Perner M. The globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas: versatile energy metabolisms and adaptations to redox clines. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:989. [PMID: 26441918 PMCID: PMC4584964 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfurimonas species are commonly isolated from sulfidic habitats and numerous 16S rRNA sequences related to Sulfurimonas species have been identified in chemically distinct environments, such as hydrothermal deep-sea vents, marine sediments, the ocean's water column, and terrestrial habitats. In some of these habitats, Sulfurimonas have been demonstrated to play an important role in chemoautotrophic processes. Sulfurimonas species can grow with a variety of electron donors and acceptors, which may contribute to their widespread distribution. Multiple copies of one type of enzyme (e.g., sulfide:quinone reductases and hydrogenases) may play a pivotal role in Sulfurimonas' flexibility to colonize disparate environments. Many of these genes appear to have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer which has promoted adaptations to the distinct habitats. Here we summarize Sulfurimonas' versatile energy metabolisms and link their physiological properties to their global distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mirjam Perner
- Molecular Biology of Microbial Consortia, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of HamburgHamburg, Germany
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6
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Stokke R, Dahle H, Roalkvam I, Wissuwa J, Daae FL, Tooming-Klunderud A, Thorseth IH, Pedersen RB, Steen IH. Functional interactions among filamentous Epsilonproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent biofilm. Environ Microbiol 2015; 17:4063-77. [PMID: 26147346 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how lithoautotrophic primary production is connected to microbial organotrophic consumption in hydrothermal systems. Using a multifaceted approach, we analysed the structure and metabolic capabilities within a biofilm growing on the surface of a black smoker chimney in the Loki's Castle vent field. Imaging revealed the presence of rod-shaped Bacteroidetes growing as ectobionts on long, sheathed microbial filaments (> 100 μm) affiliated with the Sulfurovum genus within Epsilonproteobacteria. The filaments were composed of a thick (> 200 nm) stable polysaccharide, representing a substantial fraction of organic carbon produced by primary production. An integrated -omics approach enabled us to assess the metabolic potential and in situ metabolism of individual taxonomic and morphological groups identified by imaging. Specifically, we provide evidence that organotrophic Bacteroidetes attach to and glide along the surface of Sulfurovum filaments utilizing organic polymers produced by the lithoautotrophic Sulfurovum. Furthermore, in situ expression of acetyl-CoA synthetase by Sulfurovum suggested the ability to assimilate acetate, indicating recycling of organic matter in the biofilm. This study expands our understanding of the lifestyles of Epsilonproteobacteria in hydrothermal vents, their metabolic properties and co-operative interactions in deep-sea hydrothermal vent food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runar Stokke
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Håkon Dahle
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Irene Roalkvam
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Juliane Wissuwa
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frida Lise Daae
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ave Tooming-Klunderud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingunn H Thorseth
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rolf B Pedersen
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ida Helene Steen
- Centre for Geobiology.,Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020, Bergen, Norway
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7
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Bocian-Ostrzycka KM, Grzeszczuk MJ, Dziewit L, Jagusztyn-Krynicka EK. Diversity of the Epsilonproteobacteria Dsb (disulfide bond) systems. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:570. [PMID: 26106374 PMCID: PMC4460558 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial proteins of the Dsb family-important components of the post-translational protein modification system-catalyze the formation of disulfide bridges, a process that is crucial for protein structure stabilization and activity. Dsb systems play an essential role in the assembly of many virulence factors. Recent rapid advances in global analysis of bacteria have thrown light on the enormous diversity among bacterial Dsb systems. While the Escherichia coli disulfide bond-forming system is quite well understood, the mechanisms of action of Dsb systems in other bacteria, including members of class Epsilonproteobacteria that contain pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria colonizing extremely diverse ecological niches, are poorly characterized. Here we present a review of current knowledge on Epsilonproteobacteria Dsb systems. We have focused on the Dsb systems of Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. because our knowledge about Dsb proteins of Wolinella and Arcobacter spp. is still scarce and comes mainly from bioinformatic studies. Helicobacter pylori is a common human pathogen that colonizes the gastric epithelium of humans with severe consequences. Campylobacter spp. is a leading cause of zoonotic enteric bacterial infections in most developed and developing nations. We focus on various aspects of the diversity of the Dsb systems and their influence on pathogenicity, particularly because Dsb proteins are considered as potential targets for a new class of anti-virulence drugs to treat human infections by Campylobacter or Helicobacter spp.
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8
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Bacterial extremo-α-carbonic anhydrases from deep-sea hydrothermal vents as potential biocatalysts for CO2 sequestration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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9
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Gao B, Lara-Tejero M, Lefebre M, Goodman AL, Galán JE. Novel components of the flagellar system in epsilonproteobacteria. mBio 2014; 5:e01349-14. [PMID: 24961693 PMCID: PMC4073491 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01349-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Motility is essential for the pathogenesis of many bacterial species. Most bacteria move using flagella, which are multiprotein filaments that rotate propelled by a cell wall-anchored motor using chemical energy. Although some components of the flagellar apparatus are common to many bacterial species, recent studies have shown significant differences in the flagellar structures of different bacterial species. The molecular bases for these differences, however, are not understood. The flagella from epsilonproteobacteria, which include the bacterial pathogens Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori, are among the most divergent. Using next-generation sequencing combined with transposon mutagenesis, we have conducted a comprehensive high-throughput genetic screen in Campylobacter jejuni, which identified several novel components of its flagellar system. Biochemical analyses detected interactions between the identified proteins and known components of the flagellar machinery, and in vivo imaging located them to the bacterial poles, where flagella assemble. Most of the identified new components are conserved within but restricted to epsilonproteobacteria. These studies provide insight into the divergent flagella of this group of bacteria and highlight the complexity of this remarkable structure, which has adapted to carry out its conserved functions in the context of widely diverse bacterial species. IMPORTANCE Motility is essential for the normal physiology and pathogenesis of many bacterial species. Most bacteria move using flagella, which are multiprotein filaments that rotate propelled by a motor that uses chemical energy as fuel. Although some components of the flagellar apparatus are common to many bacterial species, recent studies have shown significant divergence in the flagellar structures across bacterial species. However, the molecular bases for these differences are not understood. The flagella from epsilonproteobacteria, which include the bacterial pathogens Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori, are among the most divergent. We conducted a comprehensive genetic screen in Campylobacter jejuni and identified several novel components of the flagellar system. These studies provide important information to understand how flagella have adapted to function in the context of widely diverse sets of bacterial species and bring unique insight into the evolution and function of this remarkable bacterial organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beile Gao
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Maria Lara-Tejero
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Matthew Lefebre
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Jorge E Galán
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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10
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Vetriani C, Voordeckers JW, Crespo-Medina M, O'Brien CE, Giovannelli D, Lutz RA. Deep-sea hydrothermal vent Epsilonproteobacteria encode a conserved and widespread nitrate reduction pathway (Nap). ISME JOURNAL 2014; 8:1510-21. [PMID: 24430487 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2013.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Revised: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Despite the frequent isolation of nitrate-respiring Epsilonproteobacteria from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, the genes coding for the nitrate reduction pathway in these organisms have not been investigated in depth. In this study we have shown that the gene cluster coding for the periplasmic nitrate reductase complex (nap) is highly conserved in chemolithoautotrophic, nitrate-reducing Epsilonproteobacteria from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Furthermore, we have shown that the napA gene is expressed in pure cultures of vent Epsilonproteobacteria and it is highly conserved in microbial communities collected from deep-sea vents characterized by different temperature and redox regimes. The diversity of nitrate-reducing Epsilonproteobacteria was found to be higher in moderate temperature, diffuse flow vents than in high temperature black smokers or in low temperatures, substrate-associated communities. As NapA has a high affinity for nitrate compared with the membrane-bound enzyme, its occurrence in vent Epsilonproteobacteria may represent an adaptation of these organisms to the low nitrate concentrations typically found in vent fluids. Taken together, our findings indicate that nitrate reduction is widespread in vent Epsilonproteobacteria and provide insight on alternative energy metabolism in vent microorganisms. The occurrence of the nap cluster in vent, commensal and pathogenic Epsilonproteobacteria suggests that the ability of these bacteria to respire nitrate is important in habitats as different as the deep-sea vents and the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costantino Vetriani
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA [2] Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - James W Voordeckers
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA [2] Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Melitza Crespo-Medina
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA [2] Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Charles E O'Brien
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA [2] Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Donato Giovannelli
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA [2] Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA [3] Institute of Marine Science - ISMAR, National Research Council of Italy, CNR, Ancona, Italy
| | - Richard A Lutz
- Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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11
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Meyer JL, Huber JA. Strain-level genomic variation in natural populations of Lebetimonas from an erupting deep-sea volcano. ISME JOURNAL 2013; 8:867-80. [PMID: 24257443 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2013.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chemolithoautotrophic Epsilonproteobacteria are ubiquitous in sulfidic, oxygen-poor habitats, including hydrothermal vents, marine oxygen minimum zones, marine sediments and sulfidic caves and have a significant role in cycling carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur in these environments. The isolation of diverse strains of Epsilonproteobacteria and the sequencing of their genomes have revealed that this group has the metabolic potential to occupy a wide range of niches, particularly at dynamic deep-sea hydrothermal vents. We expand on this body of work by examining the population genomics of six strains of Lebetimonas, a vent-endemic, thermophilic, hydrogen-oxidizing Epsilonproteobacterium, from a single seamount in the Mariana Arc. Using Lebetimonas as a model for anaerobic, moderately thermophilic organisms in the warm, anoxic subseafloor environment, we show that genomic content is highly conserved and that recombination is limited between closely related strains. The Lebetimonas genomes are shaped by mobile genetic elements and gene loss as well as the acquisition of novel functional genes by horizontal gene transfer, which provide the potential for adaptation and microbial speciation in the deep sea. In addition, these Lebetimonas genomes contain two operons of nitrogenase genes with different evolutionary origins. Lebetimonas expressed nifH during growth with nitrogen gas as the sole nitrogen source, thus providing the first evidence of nitrogen fixation in any Epsilonproteobacteria from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. In this study, we provide a comparative overview of the genomic potential within the Nautiliaceae as well as among more distantly related hydrothermal vent Epsilonproteobacteria to broaden our understanding of microbial adaptation and diversity in the deep sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L Meyer
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Josephine Bay Paul Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Julie A Huber
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Josephine Bay Paul Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
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12
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Functional metagenomic investigations of microbial communities in a shallow-sea hydrothermal system. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72958. [PMID: 23940820 PMCID: PMC3735525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the functional capability of microbial communities in shallow-sea hydrothermal systems (water depth of <200 m). This study analyzed two high-throughput pyrosequencing metagenomic datasets from the vent and the surface water in the shallow-sea hydrothermal system offshore NE Taiwan. This system exhibited distinct geochemical parameters. Metagenomic data revealed that the vent and the surface water were predominated by Epsilonproteobacteria (Nautiliales-like organisms) and Gammaproteobacteria (Thiomicrospira-like organisms), respectively. A significant difference in microbial carbon fixation and sulfur metabolism was found between the vent and the surface water. The chemoautotrophic microorganisms in the vent and in the surface water might possess the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle and the Calvin-Bassham-Benson cycle for carbon fixation in response to carbon dioxide highly enriched in the environment, which is possibly fueled by geochemical energy with sulfur and hydrogen. Comparative analyses of metagenomes showed that the shallow-sea metagenomes contained some genes similar to those present in other extreme environments. This study may serve as a basis for deeply understanding the genetic network and functional capability of the microbial members of shallow-sea hydrothermal systems.
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Pérez-Rodríguez I, Bohnert KA, Cuebas M, Keddis R, Vetriani C. Detection and phylogenetic analysis of the membrane-bound nitrate reductase (Nar) in pure cultures and microbial communities from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2013; 86:256-67. [PMID: 23889124 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few years the relevance of nitrate respiration in microorganisms from deep-sea hydrothermal vents has become evident. In this study, we surveyed the membrane-bound nitrate reductase (Nar) encoding gene in three different deep-sea vent microbial communities from the East Pacific Rise and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Additionally, we tested pure cultures of vent strains for their ability to reduce nitrate and for the presence of the NarG-encoding gene in their genomes. By using the narG gene as a diagnostic marker for nitrate-reducing bacteria, we showed that nitrate reductases related to Gammaproteobacteria of the genus Marinobacter were numerically prevalent in the clone libraries derived from a black smoker and a diffuse flow vent. In contrast, NarG sequences retrieved from a community of filamentous bacteria located about 50 cm above a diffuse flow vent revealed the presence of a yet to be identified group of enzymes. 16S rRNA gene-inferred community compositions, in accordance with previous studies, showed a shift from Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria to Epsilonproteobacteria as the vent fluids become warmer and more reducing. Based on these findings, we argue that Nar-catalyzed nitrate reduction is likely relevant in temperate and less reducing environments where Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria are more abundant and where nitrate concentrations reflect that of background deep seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Pérez-Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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