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Sepúlveda-Rebolledo P, González-Rosales C, Dopson M, Pérez-Rueda E, Holmes DS, Valdés JH. Comparative genomics sheds light on transcription factor-mediated regulation in the extreme acidophilic Acidithiobacillia representatives. Res Microbiol 2024; 175:104135. [PMID: 37678513 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Extreme acidophiles thrive in acidic environments, confront a multitude of challenges, and demonstrate remarkable adaptability in their metabolism to cope with the ever-changing environmental fluctuations, which encompass variations in temperature, pH levels, and the availability of electron acceptors and donors. The survival and proliferation of members within the Acidithiobacillia class rely on the deployment of transcriptional regulatory systems linked to essential physiological traits. The study of these transcriptional regulatory systems provides valuable insights into critical processes, such as energy metabolism and nutrient assimilation, and how they integrate into major genetic-metabolic circuits. In this study, we examined the transcriptional regulatory repertoires and potential interactions of forty-three Acidithiobacillia complete and draft genomes, encompassing nine species. To investigate the function and diversity of Transcription Factors (TFs) and their DNA Binding Sites (DBSs), we conducted a genome-wide comparative analysis, which allowed us to identify these regulatory elements in representatives of Acidithiobacillia. We classified TFs into gene families and compared their occurrence among all representatives, revealing conservation patterns across the class. The results identified conserved regulators for several pathways, including iron and sulfur oxidation, the main pathways for energy acquisition, providing new evidence for viable regulatory interactions and branch-specific conservation in Acidithiobacillia. The identification of TFs and DBSs not only corroborates existing experimental information for selected species, but also introduces novel candidates for experimental validation. Moreover, these promising candidates have the potential for further extension to new representatives within the class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Sepúlveda-Rebolledo
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática and PhD. Program on Integrative Genomics, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago (8580745), Chile.
| | - Carolina González-Rosales
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago (8580638), Chile; Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
| | - Mark Dopson
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
| | - Ernesto Pérez-Rueda
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica del Estado de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
| | - David S Holmes
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago (8580638), Chile; Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago (7510156), Chile.
| | - Jorge H Valdés
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago (8370146), Chile.
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2
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Khaleque HN, Nazem-Bokaee H, Gumulya Y, Carlson RP, Kaksonen AH. Simulating compatible solute biosynthesis using a metabolic flux model of the biomining acidophile, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270. Res Microbiol 2024; 175:104115. [PMID: 37572823 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Halotolerant, acidophilic, bioleaching microorganisms are crucial to biomining operations that utilize saline water. Compatible solutes play an important role in the adaptation of these microorganisms to saline environments. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270, an iron- and sulfur-oxidizing acidophilic bacterium, synthesizes trehalose as its native compatible solute but is still sensitive to salinity. Recently, halotolerant bioleaching bacteria were found to use ectoine as their key compatible solute. Previously, bioleaching bacteria were recalcitrant to genetic manipulation; however, recent advancements in genetic tools and techniques allow successful genetic modification of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270. Therefore, this study aimed to test, in silico, the effect of native and synthetic compatible solute biosynthesis by A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 on its growth and metabolism. Metabolic network flux modelling was used to provide a computational framework for the prediction of metabolic fluxes during production of native and synthetic compatible solutes by A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270, in silico. Complete pathways for trehalose biosynthesis by the bacterium are proposed and captured in the updated metabolic model including a newly discovered UDP-dependent trehalose synthesis pathway. Finally, the effect of nitrogen sources on compatible solute production was simulated and showed that using nitrogen gas as the sole nitrogen source enables the ectoine-producing 'engineered' microbe to oxidize up to 20% more ferrous iron in comparison to the native microbe that only produces trehalose. Therefore, the predictive outcomes of the model have the potential to guide the design and optimization of a halotolerant strain of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 for saline bioleaching operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himel Nahreen Khaleque
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Environment, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA, Australia; Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia; School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
| | - Hadi Nazem-Bokaee
- Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia; Australian National Herbarium, National Research Collections Australia, NCMI, CSIRO, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia.
| | - Yosephine Gumulya
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Environment, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA, Australia; Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia; Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Ross P Carlson
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
| | - Anna H Kaksonen
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Environment, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA, Australia; Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, CSIRO, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia.
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3
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Zhang H, Luo B, Liu J, Jin X, Zhang H, Zhong H, Li B, Hu H, Wang Y, Ali A, Riaz A, Sahito JH, Iqbal MZ, Zhang X, Liu D, Wu L, Gao D, Gao S, Su S, Gao S. Functional analysis of ZmG6PE reveals its role in responses to low-phosphorus stress and regulation of grain yield in maize. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1286699. [PMID: 38023907 PMCID: PMC10666784 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1286699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
A previous metabolomic and genome-wide association analysis of maize screened a glucose-6-phosphate 1-epimerase (ZmG6PE) gene, which responds to low-phosphorus (LP) stress and regulates yield in maize's recombinant inbred lines (RILs). However, the relationship of ZmG6PE with phosphorus and yield remained elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the underlying response mechanism of the ZmG6PE gene to LP stress and its consequential impact on maize yield. The analysis indicated that ZmG6PE required the Aldose_epim conserved domain to maintain enzyme activity and localized in the nucleus and cell membrane. The zmg6pe mutants showed decreased biomass and sugar contents but had increased starch content in leaves under LP stress conditions. Combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis showed that LP stress activated plant immune regulation in response to the LP stress through carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. Notably, LP stress significantly reduced the synthesis of glucose-1-phosphate, mannose-6-phosphate, and β-alanine-related metabolites and changed the expression of related genes. ZmG6PE regulates LP stress by mediating the expression of ZmSPX6 and ZmPHT1.13. Overall, this study revealed that ZmG6PE affected the number of grains per ear, ear thickness, and ear weight under LP stress, indicating that ZmG6PE participates in the phosphate signaling pathway and affects maize yield-related traits through balancing carbohydrates homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongkai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bowen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinwu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haixu Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Binyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongmei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yikai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Asif Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Asad Riaz
- Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Javed Hussain Sahito
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Zafar Iqbal
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Duojiang Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shunzong Su
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shibin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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4
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Moya-Beltrán A, Gajdosik M, Rojas-Villalobos C, Beard S, Mandl M, Silva-García D, Johnson DB, Ramirez P, Quatrini R, Kucera J. Influence of mobile genetic elements and insertion sequences in long- and short-term adaptive processes of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strains. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10876. [PMID: 37407610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37341-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent revision of the Acidithiobacillia class using genomic taxonomy methods has shown that, in addition to the existence of previously unrecognized genera and species, some species of the class harbor levels of divergence that are congruent with ongoing differentiation processes. In this study, we have performed a subspecies-level analysis of sequenced strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to prove the existence of distinct sublineages and identify the discriminant genomic/genetic characteristics linked to these sublineages, and to shed light on the processes driving such differentiation. Differences in the genomic relatedness metrics, levels of synteny, gene content, and both integrated and episomal mobile genetic elements (MGE) repertoires support the existence of two subspecies-level taxa within A. ferrooxidans. While sublineage 2A harbors a small plasmid related to pTF5, this episomal MGE is absent in sublineage 2B strains. Likewise, clear differences in the occurrence, coverage and conservation of integrated MGEs are apparent between sublineages. Differential MGE-associated gene cargo pertained to the functional categories of energy metabolism, ion transport, cell surface modification, and defense mechanisms. Inferred functional differences have the potential to impact long-term adaptive processes and may underpin the basis of the subspecies-level differentiation uncovered within A. ferrooxidans. Genome resequencing of iron- and sulfur-adapted cultures of a selected 2A sublineage strain (CCM 4253) showed that both episomal and large integrated MGEs are conserved over twenty generations in either growth condition. In turn, active insertion sequences profoundly impact short-term adaptive processes. The ISAfe1 element was found to be highly active in sublineage 2A strain CCM 4253. Phenotypic mutations caused by the transposition of ISAfe1 into the pstC2 encoding phosphate-transport system permease protein were detected in sulfur-adapted cultures and shown to impair growth on ferrous iron upon the switch of electron donor. The phenotypic manifestation of the △pstC2 mutation, such as a loss of the ability to oxidize ferrous iron, is likely related to the inability of the mutant to secure the phosphorous availability for electron transport-linked phosphorylation coupled to iron oxidation. Depletion of the transpositional △pstC2 mutation occurred concomitantly with a shortening of the iron-oxidation lag phase at later transfers on a ferrous iron-containing medium. Therefore, the pstII operon appears to play an essential role in A. ferrooxidans when cells oxidize ferrous iron. Results highlight the influence of insertion sequences and both integrated and episomal mobile genetic elements in the short- and long-term adaptive processes of A. ferrooxidans strains under changing growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Moya-Beltrán
- Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte 725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martin Gajdosik
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Camila Rojas-Villalobos
- Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte 725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Simón Beard
- Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte 725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, 7510157, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martin Mandl
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Danitza Silva-García
- Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte 725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Piramide 5750, 8580000, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - D Barrie Johnson
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK
- Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Pablo Ramirez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Raquel Quatrini
- Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte 725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, 7510157, Providencia, Santiago, Chile.
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Jiri Kucera
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic.
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5
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Jung H, Inaba Y, West AC, Banta S. Overexpression of quorum sensing genes in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans enhances cell attachment and covellite bioleaching. Biotechnol Rep (Amst) 2023; 38:e00789. [PMID: 36923508 PMCID: PMC10009093 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Cell adhesion is generally a prerequisite to the microbial bioleaching of sulfide minerals, and surface biofilm formation is modulated via quorum sensing (QS) communication. We explored the impact of the overexpression of endogenous QS machinery on the covellite bioleaching capabilities of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, a representative acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium. Cells were engineered to overexpress the endogenous qs-I operon or just the afeI gene under control of the tac promoter. Both strains exhibited increased transcriptional gene expression of afeI and improved cell adhesion to covellite, including increased production of extracellular polymeric substances and increased biofilm formation. Under low iron conditions, the improved bioleaching of covellite was more evident when afeI was overexpressed alone as compared to the native operon. These observations demonstrate the potential for the genetic modulation of QS as a mechanism for increasing the bioleaching efficiency of covellite, and potentially other copper sulfide minerals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejung Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Yuta Inaba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Alan C West
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Scott Banta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
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6
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Jung H, Inaba Y, Banta S. Genetic engineering of the acidophilic chemolithoautotroph Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:677-692. [PMID: 34794837 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There are several natural and anthropomorphic environments where iron- and/or sulfur-oxidizing bacteria thrive in extremely acidic conditions. These acidophilic chemolithautotrophs play important roles in biogeochemical iron and sulfur cycles, are critical catalysts for industrial metal bioleaching operations, and have underexplored potential in future biotechnological applications. However, their unique growth conditions complicate the development of genetic techniques. Over the past few decades genetic tools have been successfully developed for Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, which serves as a model organism that exhibits both iron- and sulfur-oxidizing capabilities. Conjugal transfer of plasmids has enabled gene overexpression, gene knockouts, and some preliminary metabolic engineering. We highlight the development of genetic systems and recent genetic engineering of A. ferrooxidans, and discuss future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejung Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Yuta Inaba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Scott Banta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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7
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Li M, Wen J. Recent progress in the application of omics technologies in the study of bio-mining microorganisms from extreme environments. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:178. [PMID: 34496835 PMCID: PMC8425152 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-mining microorganisms are a key factor affecting the metal recovery rate of bio-leaching, which inevitably produces an extremely acidic environment. As a powerful tool for exploring the adaptive mechanisms of microorganisms in extreme environments, omics technologies can greatly aid our understanding of bio-mining microorganisms and their communities on the gene, mRNA, and protein levels. These omics technologies have their own advantages in exploring microbial diversity, adaptive evolution, changes in metabolic characteristics, and resistance mechanisms of single strains or their communities to extreme environments. These technologies can also be used to discover potential new genes, enzymes, metabolites, metabolic pathways, and species. In addition, integrated multi-omics analysis can link information at different biomolecular levels, thereby obtaining more accurate and complete global adaptation mechanisms of bio-mining microorganisms. This review introduces the current status and future trends in the application of omics technologies in the study of bio-mining microorganisms and their communities in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Frontier Science Center of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianping Wen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China. .,Frontier Science Center of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
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8
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Zhang Q, Li S, Hachicha M, Boukraa M, Soulère L, Efrit ML, Queneau Y. Heterocyclic Chemistry Applied to the Design of N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Analogues as Bacterial Quorum Sensing Signals Mimics. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175135. [PMID: 34500565 PMCID: PMC8433848 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are small signaling molecules used by many Gram-negative bacteria for coordinating their behavior as a function of their population density. This process, based on the biosynthesis and the sensing of such molecular signals, and referred to as Quorum Sensing (QS), regulates various gene expressions, including growth, virulence, biofilms formation, and toxin production. Considering the role of QS in bacterial pathogenicity, its modulation appears as a possible complementary approach in antibacterial strategies. Analogues and mimics of AHLs are therefore biologically relevant targets, including several families in which heterocyclic chemistry provides a strategic contribution in the molecular design and the synthetic approach. AHLs consist of three main sections, the homoserine lactone ring, the central amide group, and the side chain, which can vary in length and level of oxygenation. The purpose of this review is to summarize the contribution of heterocyclic chemistry in the design of AHLs analogues, insisting on the way heterocyclic building blocks can serve as replacements of the lactone moiety, as a bioisostere for the amide group, or as an additional pattern appended to the side chain. A few non-AHL-related heterocyclic compounds with AHL-like QS activity are also mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, UMR 5246, CNRS, ICBMS, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (Q.Z.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Sizhe Li
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, UMR 5246, CNRS, ICBMS, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (Q.Z.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Maha Hachicha
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, UMR 5246, CNRS, ICBMS, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (Q.Z.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (M.B.)
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique Sélective et Hétérocyclique, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Boukraa
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, UMR 5246, CNRS, ICBMS, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (Q.Z.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (M.B.)
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique Sélective et Hétérocyclique, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Laurent Soulère
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, UMR 5246, CNRS, ICBMS, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (Q.Z.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (M.L.E.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Mohamed L. Efrit
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique Sélective et Hétérocyclique, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (M.L.E.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Yves Queneau
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, UMR 5246, CNRS, ICBMS, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (Q.Z.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (M.L.E.); (Y.Q.)
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9
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Bellenberg S, Salas B, Ganji S, Jorquera-Román C, Valenzuela ML, Buetti-Dinh A, Unelius CR, Dopson M, Vera M. Diffusible signal factor signaling controls bioleaching activity and niche protection in the acidophilic, mineral-oxidizing leptospirilli. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16275. [PMID: 34381075 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95324-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioleaching of metal sulfide ores involves acidophilic microbes that catalyze the chemical dissolution of the metal sulfide bond that is enhanced by attached and planktonic cell mediated oxidation of iron(II)-ions and inorganic sulfur compounds. Leptospirillum spp. often predominate in sulfide mineral-containing environments, including bioheaps for copper recovery from chalcopyrite, as they are effective primary mineral colonizers and oxidize iron(II)-ions efficiently. In this study, we demonstrated a functional diffusible signal factor interspecies quorum sensing signaling mechanism in Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans that produces (Z)-11-methyl-2-dodecenoic acid when grown with pyrite as energy source. In addition, pure diffusible signal factor and extracts from supernatants of pyrite grown Leptospirillum spp. inhibited biological iron oxidation in various species, and that pyrite grown Leptospirillum cells were less affected than iron grown cells to self inhibition. Finally, transcriptional analyses for the inhibition of iron-grown L. ferriphilum cells due to diffusible signal factor was compared with the response to exposure of cells to N- acyl-homoserine-lactone type quorum sensing signal compounds. The data suggested that Leptospirillum spp. diffusible signal factor production is a strategy for niche protection and defense against other microbes and it is proposed that this may be exploited to inhibit unwanted acidophile species.
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10
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Díaz M, San Martin D, Castro M, Vera M, Guiliani N. Quorum Sensing Signaling Molecules Positively Regulate c-di-GMP Effector PelD Encoding Gene and PEL Exopolysaccharide Biosynthesis in Extremophile Bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:69. [PMID: 33430222 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus species are fundamental players in biofilm formation by acidophile bioleaching communities. It has been previously reported that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans possesses a functional quorum sensing mediated by acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL), involved in biofilm formation, and AHLs naturally produced by Acidithiobacillus species also induce biofilm formation in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. A c-di-GMP pathway has been characterized in Acidithiobacillus species but it has been pointed out that the c-di-GMP effector PelD and pel-like operon are only present in the sulfur oxidizers such as A. thiooxidans. PEL exopolysaccharide has been recently involved in biofilm formation in this Acidithiobacillus species. Here, by comparing wild type and ΔpelD strains through mechanical analysis of biofilm-cells detachment, fluorescence microscopy and qPCR experiments, the structural role of PEL exopolysaccharide and the molecular network involved for its biosynthesis by A. thiooxidans were tackled. Besides, the effect of AHLs on PEL exopolysaccharide production was assessed. Mechanical resistance experiments indicated that the loss of PEL exopolysaccharide produces fragile A. thiooxidans biofilms. qRT-PCR analysis established that AHLs induce the transcription of pelA and pelD genes while epifluorescence microscopy studies revealed that PEL exopolysaccharide was required for the development of AHL-induced biofilms. Altogether these results reveal for the first time that AHLs positively regulate pel genes and participate in the molecular network for PEL exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by A. thiooxidans.
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11
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Huynh D, Norambuena J, Boldt C, Kaschabek SR, Levicán G, Schlömann M. Effect of Sodium Chloride on Pyrite Bioleaching and Initial Attachment by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2102. [PMID: 33013767 PMCID: PMC7516052 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomining applies microorganisms to extract valuable metals from usually sulfidic ores. However, acidophilic iron (Fe)-oxidizing bacteria tend to be sensitive to chloride ions which may be present in biomining operations. This study investigates the bioleaching of pyrite (FeS2), as well as the attachment to FeS2 by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans DSM 9293T in the presence of elevated sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations. The bacteria were still able to oxidize iron in the presence of up to 0.6M NaCl (35 g/L), and the addition of NaCl in concentrations up to 0.2M (~12 g/L) did not inhibit iron oxidation and growth of S. thermosulfidooxidans in leaching cultures within the first 7 days. However, after approximately 7 days of incubation, ferrous iron (Fe2+) concentrations were gradually increased in leaching assays with NaCl, indicating that iron oxidation activity over time was reduced in those assays. Although the inhibition by 0.1M NaCl (~6 g/L) of bacterial growth and iron oxidation activity was not evident at the beginning of the experiment, over extended leaching duration NaCl was likely to have an inhibitory effect. Thus, after 36 days of the experiment, bioleaching of FeS2 with 0.1M NaCl was reduced significantly in comparison to control assays without NaCl. Pyrite dissolution decreased with the increase of NaCl. Nevertheless, pyrite bioleaching by S. thermosulfidooxidans was still possible at NaCl concentrations as high as 0.4M (~23 g/L NaCl). Besides, cell attachment in the presence of different concentrations of NaCl was investigated. Cells of S. thermosulfidooxidans attached heterogeneously on pyrite surfaces regardless of NaCl concentration. Noticeably, bacteria were able to adhere to pyrite surfaces in the presence of NaCl as high as 0.4M. Although NaCl addition inhibited iron oxidation activity and bioleaching of FeS2, the presence of 0.2M seemed to enhance bacterial attachment of S. thermosulfidooxidans on pyrite surfaces in comparison to attachment without NaCl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieu Huynh
- Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Javiera Norambuena
- Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Christin Boldt
- Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Stefan R. Kaschabek
- Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Gloria Levicán
- Biology Department, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Michael Schlömann
- Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
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12
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Vardanyan N, Badalyan H, Markosyan L, Vardanyan A, Zhang R, Sand W. Newly Isolated Acidithiobacillus sp. Ksh From Kashen Copper Ore: Peculiarities of EPS and Colloidal Exopolysaccharide. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1802. [PMID: 32849411 PMCID: PMC7419681 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel strain of an iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacterium was isolated from a natural biotope at Kashen copper ore (Martakert Province, Republic of Artsakh). The strain is able to grow and oxidize ferrous ions in the range of pH 1.4-2.6 with optimal pH 2.0. The optimal temperature for growth is 35°C. Acidithiobacillus sp. Ksh has shown the highest activity for pyrite oxidation among other strains. It also demonstrated high activity in oxidation for copper and copper-gold bearing ores (Armenia). The isolate Acidithiobacillus sp. Ksh was identified as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans based on phylogenetic and physiological studies. Comparative studies of EPS production by cells grown on ferrous ions or pyrite were carried out. The chemical composition of capsular and colloidal EPS produced by Acidithiobacillus (At.) ferrooxidans Ksh were revealed to be proteins and carbohydrates. Exosaccharide produced by At. ferrooxidans Ksh is present mainly as polysaccharide in contrast to Leptospirillum (L.) ferriphilum CC, which is oligosaccharide. The structural difference of colloidal particles of these polysaccharides was due to the degree of hydration of the saccharide molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narine Vardanyan
- Institute of Microbiology, Scientific and Production Center of “Armbiotechnology” of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hamlet Badalyan
- Physical Ecology Laboratory, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Levon Markosyan
- Institute of Microbiology, Scientific and Production Center of “Armbiotechnology” of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Arevik Vardanyan
- Institute of Microbiology, Scientific and Production Center of “Armbiotechnology” of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Ruiyong Zhang
- Biofilm Centre, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hanover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sand
- Biofilm Centre, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Gao XY, Fu CA, Hao L, Gu XF, Wang R, Lin JQ, Liu XM, Pang X, Zhang CJ, Lin JQ, Chen LX. The substrate-dependent regulatory effects of the AfeI/R system in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans reveals the novel regulation strategy of quorum sensing in acidophiles. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:757-773. [PMID: 32656931 PMCID: PMC7984328 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A LuxI/R‐like quorum sensing (QS) system (AfeI/R) has been reported in the acidophilic and chemoautotrophic Acidithiobacillus spp. However, the function of AfeI/R remains unclear because of the difficulties in the genetic manipulation of these bacteria. Here, we constructed different afeI mutants of the sulfur‐ and iron‐oxidizer A. ferrooxidans, identified the N‐acyl homoserine lactones (acyl‐HSLs) synthesized by AfeI, and determined the regulatory effects of AfeI/R on genes expression, extracellular polymeric substance synthesis, energy metabolism, cell growth and population density of A. ferrooxidans in different energy substrates. Acyl‐HSLs‐mediated distinct regulation strategies were employed to influence bacterial metabolism and cell growth of A. ferrooxidans cultivated in either sulfur or ferrous iron. Based on these findings, an energy‐substrate‐dependent regulation mode of AfeI/R in A. ferrooxidans was illuminated that AfeI/R could produce different types of acyl‐HSLs and employ specific acyl‐HSLs to regulate specific genes in response to different energy substrates. The discovery of the AfeI/R‐mediated substrate‐dependent regulatory mode expands our knowledge on the function of QS system in the chemoautotrophic sulfur‐ and ferrous iron‐oxidizing bacteria, and provides new insights in understanding energy metabolism modulation, population control, bacteria‐driven bioleaching process, and the coevolution between the acidophiles and their acidic habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Chang-Ai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Likai Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 99 Lincheng West Road, Guiyang, 550081, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xiu-Feng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jian-Qiang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiang-Mei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xin Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Cheng-Jia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jian-Qun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Lin-Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
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14
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Inaba Y, West AC, Banta S. Enhanced microbial corrosion of stainless steel by
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
through the manipulation of substrate oxidation and overexpression of
rus. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:3475-3485. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Inaba
- Department of Chemical Engineering Columbia University New York New York
| | - Alan C. West
- Department of Chemical Engineering Columbia University New York New York
| | - Scott Banta
- Department of Chemical Engineering Columbia University New York New York
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15
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Li YS, Tian T, Li BB, Yu HQ. Longer persistence of quorum quenching bacteria over quorum sensing bacteria in aerobic granules. Water Res 2020; 179:115904. [PMID: 32413615 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Involvements of quorum sensing (QS) in the formation of aerobic granules for wastewater treatment have been well recognized. In previous studies the evolution of the QS-related activities and communities during bioreactor start-up period has been extensively studied, while the variation of QS in long-term reactor operation remains unrevealed. Furthermore, information about the roles of quorum quenching (QQ) in bioreactors is very limited. In this work, both QS and QQ during the start-up and successive long-term operation period of an aerobic granule bioreactor were explored. The QS activity and communities increased in the start-up but gradually decreased in the long-term operation, while the QQ activity and communities remained stable. These results indicate the longer persistence of QQ than QS in the granules and the minor contribution of QS in the long-term operation. This work provides a new insight into the roles of QQ and QS in wastewater treatment bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Sheng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Tian Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Bing-Bing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Han-Qing Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
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16
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Vargas-Straube MJ, Beard S, Norambuena R, Paradela A, Vera M, Jerez CA. High copper concentration reduces biofilm formation in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans by decreasing production of extracellular polymeric substances and its adherence to elemental sulfur. J Proteomics 2020; 225:103874. [PMID: 32569817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is an acidophilic bacterium able to grow in environments with high concentrations of metals. It is a chemolithoautotroph able to form biofilms on the surface of solid minerals to obtain its energy. The response of both planktonic and sessile cells of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 grown in elemental sulfur and adapted to high copper concentration was analyzed by quantitative proteomics. It was found that 137 proteins varied their abundance when comparing both lifestyles. Copper effllux proteins, some subunits of the ATP synthase complex, porins, and proteins involved in cell wall modification increased their abundance in copper-adapted sessile lifestyle cells. On the other hand, planktonic copper-adapted cells showed increased levels of proteins such as: cupreredoxins involved in copper cell sequestration, some proteins related to sulfur metabolism, those involved in biosynthesis and transport of lipopolysaccharides, and in assembly of type IV pili. During copper adaptation a decreased formation of biofilms was measured as determined by epifluorescence microscopy. This was apparently due not only to a diminished number of sessile cells but also to their exopolysaccharides production. This is the first study showing that copper, a prevalent metal in biomining environments causes dispersion of A. ferrooxidans biofilms. SIGNIFICANCE: Copper is a metal frequently found in high concentrations at mining environments inhabitated by acidophilic microorganisms. Copper resistance determinants of A. ferrooxidans have been previously studied in planktonic cells. Although biofilms are recurrent in these types of environments, the effect of copper on their formation has not been studied so far. The results obtained indicate that high concentrations of copper reduce the capacity of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 to form biofilms on sulfur. These findings may be relevant to consider for a bacterium widely used in copper bioleaching processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Vargas-Straube
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - S Beard
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - R Norambuena
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Paradela
- Proteomics Laboratory, National Biotechnology Center, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Vera
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.; Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - C A Jerez
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile..
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17
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Gao X, Liu X, Fu C, Gu X, Lin J, Liu X, Pang X, Lin J, Chen L. Novel Strategy for Improvement of the Bioleaching Efficiency of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Based on the AfeI/R Quorum Sensing System. Minerals 2020; 10:222. [DOI: 10.3390/min10030222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is an acidophilic and chemolithotrophic sulfur- and iron-oxidizing bacterium that has been widely used in the bioleaching process for extracting metals. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are essential for bacteria-ore interactions, and the regulation of EPS synthesis could be an important way of influencing the efficiency of the bioleaching process. Therefore, exploring and utilizing the regulatory pathways of EPS synthesis to improve the bacterial bioleaching capability have posed a challenge in the study and application of bioleaching bacteria. Here, several engineering strains were constructed using genetic manipulation methods. And we revealed the regulatory function of the AfeI/R quorum sensing (QS) system in EPS synthesis and biofilm formation of A. ferrooxidans, and the AfeI/R-mediated EPS synthesis could influence bacteria-substrate interactions and the efficiency of bioleaching. Finally, an AfeI/R-mediated bioleaching model was proposed to illustrate the role of QS system in this process. This study provided new insights into and clues for developing highly efficient bioleaching bacteria and modulating the bioleaching process.
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18
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Yin W, Wang Y, Liu L, He J. Biofilms: The Microbial "Protective Clothing" in Extreme Environments. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3423. [PMID: 31336824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 341] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial biofilms are communities of aggregated microbial cells embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Biofilms are recalcitrant to extreme environments, and can protect microorganisms from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, extreme temperature, extreme pH, high salinity, high pressure, poor nutrients, antibiotics, etc., by acting as "protective clothing". In recent years, research works on biofilms have been mainly focused on biofilm-associated infections and strategies for combating microbial biofilms. In this review, we focus instead on the contemporary perspectives of biofilm formation in extreme environments, and describe the fundamental roles of biofilm in protecting microbial exposure to extreme environmental stresses and the regulatory factors involved in biofilm formation. Understanding the mechanisms of biofilm formation in extreme environments is essential for the employment of beneficial microorganisms and prevention of harmful microorganisms.
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19
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Esparza M, Jedlicki E, González C, Dopson M, Holmes DS. Effect of CO 2 Concentration on Uptake and Assimilation of Inorganic Carbon in the Extreme Acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:603. [PMID: 31019493 PMCID: PMC6458275 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was motivated by surprising gaps in the current knowledge of microbial inorganic carbon (Ci) uptake and assimilation at acidic pH values (pH < 3). Particularly striking is the limited understanding of the differences between Ci uptake mechanisms in acidic versus circumneutral environments where the Ci predominantly occurs either as a dissolved gas (CO2) or as bicarbonate (HCO3 -), respectively. In order to gain initial traction on the problem, the relative abundance of transcripts encoding proteins involved in Ci uptake and assimilation was studied in the autotrophic, polyextreme acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans whose optimum pH for growth is 2.5 using ferrous iron as an energy source, although they are able to grow at pH 5 when using sulfur as an energy source. The relative abundance of transcripts of five operons (cbb1-5) and one gene cluster (can-sulP) was monitored by RT-qPCR and, in selected cases, at the protein level by Western blotting, when cells were grown under different regimens of CO2 concentration in elemental sulfur. Of particular note was the absence of a classical bicarbonate uptake system in A. ferrooxidans. However, bioinformatic approaches predict that sulP, previously annotated as a sulfate transporter, is a novel type of bicarbonate transporter. A conceptual model of CO2 fixation was constructed from combined bioinformatic and experimental approaches that suggests strategies for providing ecological flexibility under changing concentrations of CO2 and provides a portal to elucidating Ci uptake and regulation in acidic conditions. The results could advance the understanding of industrial bioleaching processes to recover metals such as copper at acidic pH. In addition, they may also shed light on how chemolithoautotrophic acidophiles influence the nutrient and energy balance in naturally occurring low pH environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Esparza
- Laboratorio de Biominería, Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Eugenia Jedlicki
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina González
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mark Dopson
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - David S. Holmes
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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20
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Kaur A, Capalash N, Sharma P. Communication mechanisms in extremophiles: Exploring their existence and industrial applications. Microbiol Res 2019; 221:15-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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21
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Bellenberg S, Huynh D, Poetsch A, Sand W, Vera M. Proteomics Reveal Enhanced Oxidative Stress Responses and Metabolic Adaptation in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Biofilm Cells on Pyrite. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:592. [PMID: 30984136 PMCID: PMC6450195 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative stress and growth inhibition by inactivation of essential enzymes, DNA and lipid damage in microbial cells. Acid mine drainage (AMD) ecosystems are characterized by low pH values, enhanced levels of metal ions and low species abundance. Furthermore, metal sulfides, such as pyrite and chalcopyrite, generate extracellular ROS upon exposure to acidic water. Consequently, oxidative stress management is especially important in acidophilic leaching microorganisms present in industrial biomining operations, especially when forming biofilms on metal sulfides. Several adaptive mechanisms have been described, but the molecular repertoire of responses upon exposure to pyrite and the presence of ROS are not thoroughly understood in acidophiles. In this study the impact of the addition of H2O2 on iron oxidation activity in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans DSM 14882T was investigated. Iron(II)- or sulfur-grown cells showed a higher sensitivity toward H2O2 than pyrite-grown ones. In order to elucidate which molecular responses may be involved, we used shot-gun proteomics and compared proteomes of cells grown with iron(II)-ions against biofilm cells, grown for 5 days in presence of pyrite as sole energy source. In total 1157 proteins were identified. 213 and 207 ones were found to have increased levels in iron(II) ion-grown or pyrite-biofilm cells, respectively. Proteins associated with inorganic sulfur compound (ISC) oxidation were among the latter. In total, 80 proteins involved in ROS degradation, thiol redox regulation, macromolecule repair mechanisms, biosynthesis of antioxidants, as well as metal and oxygen homeostasis were found. 42 of these proteins had no significant changes in abundance, while 30 proteins had increased levels in pyrite-biofilm cells. New insights in ROS mitigation strategies, such as importance of globins for oxygen homeostasis and prevention of unspecific reactions of free oxygen that generate ROS are presented for A. ferrooxidans biofilm cells. Furthermore, proteomic analyses provide insights in adaptations of carbon fixation and oxidative phosphorylation pathways under these two growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Bellenberg
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Biofilm Centre, Aquatische Biotechnologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dieu Huynh
- Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Ansgar Poetsch
- Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Wolfgang Sand
- Biofilm Centre, Aquatische Biotechnologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany.,College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mario Vera
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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22
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Zhang S, Yan L, Xing W, Chen P, Zhang Y, Wang W. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and its potential application. Extremophiles 2018; 22:563-579. [PMID: 29696439 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-018-1024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The widely distributed Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) lives in extremely acidic conditions by fixing CO2 and nitrogen, and by obtaining energy from Fe2+ oxidation with either downhill or uphill electron transfer pathway and from reduced sulfur oxidation. A. ferrooxidans exists as different genomovars and its genome size is 2.89-4.18 Mb. The chemotactic movement of A. ferrooxidans is regulated by quorum sensing. A. ferrooxidans shows weak magnetotaxis due to formation of 15-70 nm magnetite magnetosomes with surface functional groups. The room- and low-temperature magnetic features of A. ferrooxidans are different from other magnetotactic bacteria. A. ferrooxidans has potential for removing sulfur from solids and gases, metals recycling from metal-bearing ores, electric wastes and sludge, biochemical production synthesizing, and metal workpiece machining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Zhang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University (HBAU), 5 Xinfeng Road, Daqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Daqing, 163319, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Yan
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University (HBAU), 5 Xinfeng Road, Daqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Daqing, 163319, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weijia Xing
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University (HBAU), 5 Xinfeng Road, Daqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Daqing, 163319, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road No. 199, Lanzhou, 730020, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University (HBAU), 5 Xinfeng Road, Daqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Daqing, 163319, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University (HBAU), 5 Xinfeng Road, Daqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Daqing, 163319, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
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23
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Díaz M, Castro M, Copaja S, Guiliani N. Biofilm Formation by the Acidophile Bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Involves c-di-GMP Pathway and Pel exopolysaccharide. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E113. [PMID: 29466318 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acidophile bacteria belonging to the Acidithiobacillus genus are pivotal players for the bioleaching of metallic values such as copper. Cell adherence to ores and biofilm formation, mediated by the production of extracellular polymeric substances, strongly favors bioleaching activity. In recent years, the second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) has emerged as a central regulator for biofilm formation in bacteria. C-di-GMP pathways have been reported in different Acidithiobacillus species; however, c-di-GMP effectors and signal transduction networks are still largely uncharacterized in these extremophile species. Here we investigated Pel exopolysaccharide and its role in biofilm formation by sulfur-oxidizing species Acidithiobacillusthiooxidans. We identified 39 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins involved in c-di-GMP metabolism and signal transduction, including the c-di-GMP effector protein PelD, a structural component of the biosynthesis apparatus for Pel exopolysaccharide production. We found that intracellular c-di-GMP concentrations and transcription levels of pel genes were higher in At. thiooxidans biofilm cells compared to planktonic ones. By developing an At. thiooxidans ΔpelD null-mutant strain we revealed that Pel exopolysaccharide is involved in biofilm structure and development. Further studies are still necessary to understand how Pel biosynthesis is regulated in Acidithiobacillus species, nevertheless these results represent the first characterization of a c-di-GMP effector protein involved in biofilm formation by acidophile species.
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Chabert N, Bonnefoy V, Achouak W. Quorum sensing improves current output with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Microb Biotechnol 2017; 11:136-140. [PMID: 28925584 PMCID: PMC5743822 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a strict acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium that obtains its energy from reduced inorganic sulfur species or ferrous iron oxidation under aerobic conditions. Carbon felt electrodes were pre‐colonized by A. ferrooxidansATCC 23270T using ferrous iron or sulfur as electron donors, via the addition (or not) of a mixture of C14 acyl‐homoserine lactones (C14‐AHLs). Electrode coverage during pre‐colonization was sparse regardless of the electron donor source, whereas activation of quorum sensing significantly enhanced it. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) inoculated with pre‐colonized electrodes (which behaved as biocathodes) were more efficient in terms of current production when iron was used as an electron donor. Biocathode coverage and current output were remarkably increased to −0.56 A m−2 by concomitantly using iron‐based metabolism and C14‐AHLs. Cyclic voltammetry displayed different electrochemical reactions in relation to the nature of the electron donor, underlying the implication of different electron transfer mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Chabert
- CEA, CNRS, UMR7265, ECCOREV FR 3098, LEMIRE, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Microbienne de la Rhizosphère et Environnement Extrêmes, Aix Marseille Univ, F-13108, St Paul Les Durance, France
| | - Violaine Bonnefoy
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Wafa Achouak
- CEA, CNRS, UMR7265, ECCOREV FR 3098, LEMIRE, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Microbienne de la Rhizosphère et Environnement Extrêmes, Aix Marseille Univ, F-13108, St Paul Les Durance, France
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25
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Tran TTT, Mangenot S, Magdelenat G, Payen E, Rouy Z, Belahbib H, Grail BM, Johnson DB, Bonnefoy V, Talla E. Comparative Genome Analysis Provides Insights into Both the Lifestyle of Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans Strain CF27 and the Chimeric Nature of the Iron-Oxidizing Acidithiobacilli Genomes. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1009. [PMID: 28659871 PMCID: PMC5468388 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The iron-oxidizing species Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans is one of few acidophiles able to oxidize ferrous iron and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds at low temperatures (<10°C). To complete the genome of At. ferrivorans strain CF27, new sequences were generated, and an update assembly and functional annotation were undertaken, followed by a comparative analysis with other Acidithiobacillus species whose genomes are publically available. The At. ferrivorans CF27 genome comprises a 3,409,655 bp chromosome and a 46,453 bp plasmid. At. ferrivorans CF27 possesses genes allowing its adaptation to cold, metal(loid)-rich environments, as well as others that enable it to sense environmental changes, allowing At. ferrivorans CF27 to escape hostile conditions and to move toward favorable locations. Interestingly, the genome of At. ferrivorans CF27 exhibits a large number of genomic islands (mostly containing genes of unknown function), suggesting that a large number of genes has been acquired by horizontal gene transfer over time. Furthermore, several genes specific to At. ferrivorans CF27 have been identified that could be responsible for the phenotypic differences of this strain compared to other Acidithiobacillus species. Most genes located inside At. ferrivorans CF27-specific gene clusters which have been analyzed were expressed by both ferrous iron-grown and sulfur-attached cells, indicating that they are not pseudogenes and may play a role in both situations. Analysis of the taxonomic composition of genomes of the Acidithiobacillia infers that they are chimeric in nature, supporting the premise that they belong to a particular taxonomic class, distinct to other proteobacterial subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam T T Tran
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LCBMarseille, France
| | - Sophie Mangenot
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire pour l'Etude des Génomes, C.E.A., Institut de Génomique - GenoscopeEvry, France
| | - Ghislaine Magdelenat
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire pour l'Etude des Génomes, C.E.A., Institut de Génomique - GenoscopeEvry, France
| | - Emilie Payen
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire pour l'Etude des Génomes, C.E.A., Institut de Génomique - GenoscopeEvry, France
| | - Zoé Rouy
- CNRS UMR8030, CEA/DSV/IG/Genoscope, Laboratoire d'Analyses Bioinformatiques pour la Génomique et le MétabolismeEvry, France
| | | | - Barry M Grail
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor UniversityBangor, United Kingdom
| | - D Barrie Johnson
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor UniversityBangor, United Kingdom
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