Analysis of the Pseudoalteromonas tunicata genome reveals properties of a surface-associated life style in the marine environment

BACKGROUND

Colonisation of sessile eukaryotic host surfaces (e.g. invertebrates and seaweeds) by bacteria is common in the marine environment and is expected to create significant inter-species competition and other interactions. The bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata is a successful competitor on marine surfaces owing primarily to its ability to produce a number of inhibitory molecules. As such P. tunicata has become a model organism for the studies into processes of surface colonisation and eukaryotic host-bacteria interactions.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

To gain a broader understanding into the adaptation to a surface-associated life-style, we have sequenced and analysed the genome of P. tunicata and compared it to the genomes of closely related strains. We found that the P. tunicata genome contains several genes and gene clusters that are involved in the production of inhibitory compounds against surface competitors and secondary colonisers. Features of P. tunicata's oxidative stress response, iron scavenging and nutrient acquisition show that the organism is well adapted to high-density communities on surfaces. Variation of the P. tunicata genome is suggested by several landmarks of genetic rearrangements and mobile genetic elements (e.g. transposons, CRISPRs, phage). Surface attachment is likely to be mediated by curli, novel pili, a number of extracellular polymers and potentially other unexpected cell surface proteins. The P. tunicata genome also shows a utilisation pattern of extracellular polymers that would avoid a degradation of its recognised hosts, while potentially causing detrimental effects on other host types. In addition, the prevalence of recognised virulence genes suggests that P. tunicata has the potential for pathogenic interactions.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The genome analysis has revealed several physiological features that would provide P. tunciata with competitive advantage against other members of the surface-associated community. We have also identified properties that could mediate interactions with surfaces other than its currently recognised hosts. This together with the detection of known virulence genes leads to the hypothesis that P. tunicata maintains a carefully regulated balance between beneficial and detrimental interactions with a range of host surfaces.

Profiling the secretome of the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata using amine-specific isobaric tagging (iTRAQ)

The eukaryote-associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces a range of target-specific compounds that inhibit different types of marine organisms including invertebrate larvae and algal spores, as well as a broad spectrum of fungi, protozoa, and bacteria. The ability to produce such bioactive compounds is correlated to the expression of a yellow and a purple pigment in P. tunicata. To investigate the regulation and biosynthesis of the pigments and bioactive compounds, the expressed secretome of the pigmented wild-type P. tunicata and a nonpigmented mutant (wmpD-) defective in the type-II secretion pathway were compared. Secreted proteins were digested with trypsin, labeled using amine-specific isobaric tagging reagents (iTRAQ), and identified using two-dimensional SCX and nano C18 RP liquid-chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/LC-MS/MS). The iTRAQ labeling experiments enabled accurate measurement of the proteins identified in this work. A sequence-base prediction of P. tunicata secretome was also obtained and compared to the expressed proteome to determine the role of the type-II secretion pathway in this bacterium. Our results suggest that this secretion pathway has a role in iron transport and acquisition in P. tunicata.

Influence of petroleum contamination and biostimulation treatment on the diversity of Pseudomonas spp. in soil microcosms as evaluated by 16S rRNA based-PCR and DGGE

AIMS

The aim of this study was to apply a group specific PCR system followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis to evaluate the effect of oil contamination and the biostimulation process on the diversity of Pseudomonas populations in soil ecosystems.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Direct DNA extraction from biostimulated- and oil-contaminated soil samples was performed. Primers specific for the genus Pseudomonas spp. were used to amplify 16S rRNA genes and then a semi-nested PCR reaction was applied to obtain smaller fragments for comparing the PCR products by DGGE. Whether in bulk, oil-contaminated or biostimulated soils, the DGGE profiles revealed little change in Pseudomonas community throughout the 270 days of experiment. The presence of a few additional bands observed only in treated samples indicated that a bacterial shift occurred with the addition of nutrients and with oil contamination.

CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The combination of semi-nested PCR and DGGE was found to be a rapid and sensitive technique to study the diversity within the genus Pseudomonas and may be suitable for further studies concerning the role of this bacterial group in large-scale oil-contaminated areas.