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Savaglia V, Lambrechts S, Tytgat B, Vanhellemont Q, Elster J, Willems A, Wilmotte A, Verleyen E, Vyverman W. Geology defines microbiome structure and composition in nunataks and valleys of the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1316633. [PMID: 38380088 PMCID: PMC10877063 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1316633] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relation between terrestrial microorganisms and edaphic factors in the Antarctic can provide insights into their potential response to environmental changes. Here we examined the composition of bacterial and micro-eukaryotic communities using amplicon sequencing of rRNA genes in 105 soil samples from the Sør Rondane Mountains (East Antarctica), differing in bedrock or substrate type and associated physicochemical conditions. Although the two most widespread taxa (Acidobacteriota and Chlorophyta) were relatively abundant in each sample, multivariate analysis and co-occurrence networks revealed pronounced differences in community structure depending on substrate type. In moraine substrates, Actinomycetota and Cercozoa were the most abundant bacterial and eukaryotic phyla, whereas on gneiss, granite and marble substrates, Cyanobacteriota and Metazoa were the dominant bacterial and eukaryotic taxa. However, at lower taxonomic level, a distinct differentiation was observed within the Cyanobacteriota phylum depending on substrate type, with granite being dominated by the Nostocaceae family and marble by the Chroococcidiopsaceae family. Surprisingly, metazoans were relatively abundant according to the 18S rRNA dataset, even in samples from the most arid sites, such as moraines in Austkampane and Widerøefjellet ("Dry Valley"). Overall, our study shows that different substrate types support distinct microbial communities, and that mineral soil diversity is a major determinant of terrestrial microbial diversity in inland Antarctic nunataks and valleys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Savaglia
- InBioS Research Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Josef Elster
- Faculty of Science, Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice and Institute of Botany, Třeboň, Czechia
| | - Anne Willems
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBioS Research Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Pushkareva E, Elster J, Kudoh S, Imura S, Becker B. Microbial community composition of terrestrial habitats in East Antarctica with a focus on microphototrophs. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1323148. [PMID: 38249463 PMCID: PMC10797080 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1323148] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Antarctic terrestrial environment harbors a diverse community of microorganisms, which have adapted to the extreme conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the composition of microbial communities in a diverse range of terrestrial environments (various biocrusts and soils, sands from ephemeral wetlands, biofilms, endolithic and hypolithic communities) in East Antarctica using both molecular and morphological approaches. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the dominance of Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria and Firmicutes, while sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene showed the prevalence of Alveolata, Chloroplastida, Metazoa, and Rhizaria. This study also provided a comprehensive assessment of the microphototrophic community revealing a diversity of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae in various Antarctic terrestrial samples. Filamentous cyanobacteria belonging to the orders Oscillatoriales and Pseudanabaenales dominated prokaryotic community, while members of Trebouxiophyceae were the most abundant representatives of eukaryotes. In addition, the co-occurrence analysis showed a prevalence of positive correlations with bacterial taxa frequently co-occurring together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Pushkareva
- Department of Biology, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Třeboň, Czechia
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Sakae Kudoh
- Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Tachikawa, Japan
- National Institute of Polar Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Tachikawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Imura
- Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Tachikawa, Japan
- National Institute of Polar Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Tachikawa, Japan
| | - Burkhard Becker
- Department of Biology, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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3
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Luláková P, Šantrůčková H, Elster J, Hanáček M, Kotas P, Meador T, Tejnecký V, Bárta J. Mineral substrate quality determines the initial soil microbial development in front of the Nordenskiöldbreen, Svalbard. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad104. [PMID: 37660279 PMCID: PMC10689212 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad104] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substrate geochemistry is an important factor influencing early microbial development after glacial retreat on nutrient-poor geological substrates in the High Arctic. It is often difficult to separate substrate influence from climate because study locations are distant. Our study in the retreating Nordenskiöldbreen (Svalbard) is one of the few to investigate biogeochemical and microbial succession in two adjacent forefields, which share the same climatic conditions but differ in their underlying geology. The northern silicate forefield evolved in a classical chronosequence, where most geochemical and microbial parameters increased gradually with time. In contrast, the southern carbonate forefield exhibited high levels of nutrients and microbial biomass at the youngest sites, followed by a significant decline and then a gradual increase, which caused a rearrangement in the species and functional composition of the bacterial and fungal communities. This shuffling in the early stages of succession suggests that high nutrient availability in the bedrock could have accelerated early soil succession after deglaciation and thereby promoted more rapid stabilization of the soil and production of higher quality organic matter. Most chemical parameters and bacterial taxa converged with time, while fungi showed no clear pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Luláková
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Šantrůčková
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany ASCR, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hanáček
- Polar-Geo-Lab, Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kotas
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Travis Meador
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 702/2, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Tejnecký
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Bárta
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Pushkareva E, Elster J, Becker B. Metagenomic Analysis of Antarctic Biocrusts Unveils a Rich Range of Cold-Shock Proteins. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1932. [PMID: 37630492 PMCID: PMC10459675 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081932] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms inhabiting Antarctic biocrusts develop several strategies to survive extreme environmental conditions such as severe cold and drought. However, the knowledge about adaptations of biocrusts microorganisms are limited. Here, we applied metagenomic sequencing to study biocrusts from east Antarctica. Biocrusts were dominated by cyanobacteria, actinobacteria and proteobacteria. Furthermore, the results provided insights into the presence and abundance of cold shock proteins (Csp), cold shock domain A proteins (CsdA), and antifreeze proteins (AFP) in these extreme environments. The metagenomic analysis revealed a high number of CsdA across the samples. The majority of the Csp recorded in the studied biocrusts were Csp A, C, and E. In addition, CsdA, Csp, and AFP primarily originated from proteobacteria and actinobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Pushkareva
- Department of Biology, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Zulpicher Str. 47B, 50674 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelska 135, 37982 Trebon, Czech Republic;
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlate Stoce 3, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Burkhard Becker
- Department of Biology, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Zulpicher Str. 47B, 50674 Cologne, Germany;
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5
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Pushkareva E, Elster J, Holzinger A, Niedzwiedz S, Becker B. Biocrusts from Iceland and Svalbard: Does microbial community composition differ substantially? Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1048522. [PMID: 36590427 PMCID: PMC9800606 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1048522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide range of microorganisms inhabit biocrusts of arctic and sub-arctic regions. These taxa live and thrive under extreme conditions and, moreover, play important roles in biogeochemical cycling. Nevertheless, their diversity and abundance remain ambiguous. Here, we studied microbial community composition in biocrusts from Svalbard and Iceland using amplicon sequencing and epifluorescence microscopy. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene revealed the dominance of Chloroflexi in the biocrusts from Iceland and Longyearbyen, and Acidobacteria in the biocrusts from Ny-Ålesund and South Svalbard. Within the 18S rRNA gene sequencing dataset, Chloroplastida prevailed in all the samples with dominance of Trebouxiophyceae in the biocrusts from Ny-Ålesund and Embryophyta in the biocrusts from the other localities. Furthermore, cyanobacterial number of cells and biovolume exceeded the microalgal in the biocrusts. Community compositions in the studied sites were correlated to the measured chemical parameters such as conductivity, pH, soil organic matter and mineral nitrogen contents. In addition, co-occurrence analysis showed the dominance of positive potential interactions and, bacterial and eukaryotic taxa co-occurred more frequently together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Pushkareva
- Department of Biology, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,*Correspondence: Ekaterina Pushkareva,
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Trebon, Czechia,Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Andreas Holzinger
- Functional Plant Biology, Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sarina Niedzwiedz
- Marine Botany, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Burkhard Becker
- Department of Biology, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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6
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Wada T, Kudoh S, Koyama H, Iakovenko N, Elster J, Kvíderová J, Otani M, Shimada S, Imura S. Abundance and biomass of Bdelloid rotifers in the microbial mats from East Antarctica: The ecological relations between microscopic phototrophs and invertebrates. Ecol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomotake Wada
- Department of Polar Science SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Tokyo Japan
| | - Sakae Kudoh
- Department of Polar Science SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Tokyo Japan
- National Institute of Polar Research Research Organization of Information and Systems Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroshi Koyama
- Department of Polar Science SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Tokyo Japan
| | - Nataliia Iakovenko
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Prague Czechia
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science University of Ostrava Ostrava Czechia
- Department of Invertebrate Fauna and Systematics Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine Kiev Ukraine
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics AS ČR Liběchov Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Třeboň Czechia
- Centre for Polar Ecology University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czechia
| | - Jana Kvíderová
- Institute of Botany Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Třeboň Czechia
- Centre for Polar Ecology University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czechia
| | | | - Sho Shimada
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Toho University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Tokyo Medical and Dental University Tokyo Japan
| | - Satoshi Imura
- Department of Polar Science SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Tokyo Japan
- National Institute of Polar Research Research Organization of Information and Systems Tokyo Japan
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7
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Mischinger J, Schöllnast H, Zurl H, Geyer M, Fischereder K, Adelsmayr G, Igrec J, Fritz G, Merdzo-Hörmann M, Elster J, Schmid J, Triebl A, Trimmel V, Rosenlechner D, Seles M, Pichler G, Schöpfer-Schwab S, Strobl J, Hutterer G, Zigeuner R, Pummer K, Augustin H, Mannweiler S, Fuchsjäger M, Talakic E. Real-world evidence for interobserver-agreement of PI-RADS-version-2 and the value of combining 4-core-targeted-MRI-TRUS-fusion and systematic-12-core-TRUS prostate biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer according to biopsy-history. EUR UROL SUPPL 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(21)03109-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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8
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Jimel M, Kvíderová J, Elster J. Annual Cycle of Mat-Forming Filamentous Alga Tribonema cf. minus (Stramenopiles, Xanthophyceae) in Hydro-Terrestrial Habitats in the High Arctic Revealed By Multiparameter Fluorescent Staining. J Phycol 2021; 57:780-796. [PMID: 33244748 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The filamentous microalga Tribonema sp. (Stramenopiles, Xanthophyceae) plays an important role in shallow water polar (streams and seepages) and seasonally cold habitats in temperate regions (ponds). In these habitats, freezing and desiccation, and thus freeze-thawing and drying-rewetting cycles, are frequent. These regions produce visible biomass and are important components of low temperature-adapted communities. We characterized the annual cycles of a Tribonema cf. minus population in two habitats (seepage and stream) in the High Arctic, Svalbard. Seasonality, locality, and their combination (particularly changing environmental conditions) together with cultivation conditions of strains significantly affected their morphological characteristics. Morphological changes following hardening processes related to preparation for the winter period (transition from vegetative cells to akinete and/or pre-akinete) were recorded. Over the year, positive water temperatures (warmest 13.3°C) occurred for 5 months while negative (lowest temperature was -17.4°C) lasted for 7 months. In winter, there were two melt periods. Vitality staining protocol showed a high number of viable (77.4% and 53.8%) and dormant cells (1.7% and 4.1%; capable of growth and reproduction once suitable conditions return) in the winter seepage and stream, respectively. NPQ and OJIP chlorophyll fluorescence parameters revealed several hours recovery of photosynthesis (both field and control samples). During recovery, only minor or mild stress on photosynthesis was detected. FV /FM values (the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II in a dark-adapted state) in all field and control samples varied around 0.4. Tribonema cf. minus is capable of surviving winter Arctic conditions (perennial strategy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matouš Jimel
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Kvíderová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Hejduková E, Elster J, Nedbalová L. Annual Cycle of Freshwater Diatoms in the High Arctic Revealed by Multiparameter Fluorescent Staining. Microb Ecol 2020; 80:559-572. [PMID: 32488483 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01521-w] [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: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are important primary producers in a wide range of hydro-terrestrial habitats in polar regions that are characterized by many extreme environmental conditions. Nevertheless, how they survive periods of drought and/or freeze remains unknown. A general strategy of microorganisms to overcome adverse conditions is dormancy, but morphologically distinct diatom resting stages are rare. This study aimed to evaluate the annual cycle of freshwater diatoms in the High Arctic (Central Spitsbergen) and provide an insight into their physiological cell status variability. The diversity and viability of diatom cells were studied in samples collected five times at four study sites, tracing the key events for survival (summer vegetative season, autumn dry-freezing, winter freezing, spring melting, summer vegetative season [again]). For viability evaluation, a multiparameter fluorescent staining was used in combination with light microscopy and allowed to reveal the physiological status at a single-cell level. The proportions of the cell categories were seasonally and locality dependent. The results suggested that a significant portion of vegetative cells survive winter and provide an inoculum for the following vegetative season. The ice thickness significantly influenced spring survival. The thicker the ice layer was, the more dead cells and fewer other stages were observed. The influence of the average week max-min temperature differences in autumn and winter was not proven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hejduková
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Linda Nedbalová
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Singh P, Šnokhousová J, Saraf A, Suradkar A, Elster J. Phylogenetic evaluation of the genus Nostoc and description of Nostoc neudorfense sp. nov., from the Czech Republic. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:2740-2749. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacterial strain ARC8 was isolated from seepage coming into the river Dračice, Františkov, Czech Republic, and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Strain ARC8 showed a typical
Nostoc
-like morphology and in-depth morphological characterization indicated that it is a member of the genus
Nostoc
. Furthermore, in the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny inferred using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and neighbour joining methods, strain ARC8 clustered within the Nostoc sensu stricto clade. The phylogenetic distance and the positioning of strain ARC8 also indicated that it is a member of the genus
Nostoc
. Furthermore, the rbcL gene phylogeny along with the 16S–23S ITS secondary structure analysis also supported the findings from the 16S rRNA gene tree. In accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi and Plants we describe a novel species of
Nostoc
with the name Nostoc neudorfense sp. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Singh
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, India
- Laboratory of Cyanobacterial Systematics and Stress Biology, Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Jana Šnokhousová
- Phycology Centre, Institute of Botany, Academy of Science CR, Třeboň, Czechia
| | - Aniket Saraf
- Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkopar, Mumbai, India
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, India
| | - Archana Suradkar
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, India
| | - Josef Elster
- Phycology Centre, Institute of Botany, Academy of Science CR, Třeboň, Czechia
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Shukla SP, Kvíderová J, Adamec L, Elster J. Ecophysiological Features of Polar Soil Unicellular Microalgae 1. J Phycol 2020; 56:481-495. [PMID: 31833070 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to their ecological, physiological, and molecular adaptations to low and varying temperatures, as well as varying seasonal irradiances, polar non-marine eukaryotic microalgae could be suitable for low-temperature biotechnology. Adaptations include the synthesis of compounds from different metabolic pathways that protect them against stress. Production of biological compounds and various biotechnological applications, for instance, water treatment technology, are of interest to humans. To select prospective strains for future low-temperature biotechnology in polar regions, temperature and irradiance of growth requirements (Q10 and Ea of 10 polar soil unicellular strains) were evaluated. In terms of temperature, three groups of strains were recognized: (i) cold-preferring where temperature optima ranged between 10.1 and 18.4°C, growth rate 0.252 and 0.344 · d-1 , (ii) cold- and warm-tolerating with optima above 10°C and growth rate 0.162-0.341 · d-1 , and (iii) warm-preferring temperatures above 20°C and growth rate 0.249-0.357 · d-1 . Their light requirements were low. Mean values Q10 for specific growth rate ranged from 0.7 to 3.1. The lowest Ea values were observed on cold-preferring and the highest in the warm-preferring strains. One strain from each temperature group was selected for PN and RD measurements. The PN :RD ratio of the warm-preferring strains was less affected by temperature similarly as Q10 and Ea. For future biotechnological applications, the strains with broad temperature tolerance (i.e., the group of cold- and warm-tolerating and warm-preferring strains) will be most useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satya P Shukla
- Central Institute of Fisheries and Education, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Panch Marg, Off. Yari Road, Versova, Andheri (west), Mumbai, 400 061, India
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Kvíderová
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomír Adamec
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Pushkareva E, Wilmotte A, Láska K, Elster J. Comparison of Microphototrophic Communities Living in Different Soil Environments in the High Arctic. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Hopper A, Chou B, Elster J, Guram K, Crawford J, Murphy K, Chang A, MacEwan I. A Comparison of Acute Toxicities Between Vertebral-Body-Sparing Proton Craniospinal Irradiation and Standard Photon CSI in Pediatric Patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.06.1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Pessi IS, Pushkareva E, Lara Y, Borderie F, Wilmotte A, Elster J. Marked Succession of Cyanobacterial Communities Following Glacier Retreat in the High Arctic. Microb Ecol 2019; 77:136-147. [PMID: 29796758 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1203-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are important colonizers of recently deglaciated proglacial soil but an in-depth investigation of cyanobacterial succession following glacier retreat has not yet been carried out. Here, we report on the successional trajectories of cyanobacterial communities in biological soil crusts (BSCs) along a 100-year deglaciation gradient in three glacier forefields in central Svalbard, High Arctic. Distance from the glacier terminus was used as a proxy for soil age (years since deglaciation), and cyanobacterial abundance and community composition were evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy and pyrosequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences, respectively. Succession was characterized by a decrease in phylotype richness and a marked shift in community structure, resulting in a clear separation between early (10-20 years since deglaciation), mid (30-50 years), and late (80-100 years) communities. Changes in cyanobacterial community structure were mainly connected with soil age and associated shifts in soil chemical composition (mainly moisture, SOC, SMN, K, and Na concentrations). Phylotypes associated with early communities were related either to potentially novel lineages (< 97.5% similar to sequences currently available in GenBank) or lineages predominantly restricted to polar and alpine biotopes, suggesting that the initial colonization of proglacial soil is accomplished by cyanobacteria transported from nearby glacial environments. Late communities, on the other hand, included more widely distributed genotypes, which appear to establish only after the microenvironment has been modified by the pioneering taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Pessi
- InBioS - Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Allée du Six Août 13, B6a, Quartier Agora, Sart-Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 9), 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ekaterina Pushkareva
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Yannick Lara
- InBioS - Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Allée du Six Août 13, B6a, Quartier Agora, Sart-Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- UR Geology - Palaeobiogeology-Palaeobotany-Palaeopalynology, University of Liège, Allée du Six Août14, B18, Quartier Agora, Sart-Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Fabien Borderie
- InBioS - Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Allée du Six Août 13, B6a, Quartier Agora, Sart-Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté UsC INRA, Campus La Bouloie, Route de Gray 16, 25030, Besançon, France
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBioS - Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Allée du Six Août 13, B6a, Quartier Agora, Sart-Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, 37982, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Pushkareva E, Pessi IS, Namsaraev Z, Mano MJ, Elster J, Wilmotte A. Cyanobacteria inhabiting biological soil crusts of a polar desert: Sør Rondane Mountains, Antarctica. Syst Appl Microbiol 2018; 41:363-373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bohuslavová O, Macek P, Redčenko O, Láska K, Nedbalová L, Elster J. Dispersal of lichens along a successional gradient after deglaciation of volcanic mesas on northern James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2357-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Barcytė D, Hodač L, Nedbalová L, Elster J. Chloromonas svalbardensis n. sp. with Insights into the Phylogroup Chloromonadinia (Chlorophyceae). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2018; 65:882-892. [PMID: 29752887 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The traditional green algal genus Chloromonas accommodates mesophilic, cold-tolerant and cold-adapted microorganisms. In this paper, we studied a new strain isolated from a wet hummock meadow in the High Arctic. We used morphological, ultrastructural and molecular data to assess the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the new isolate. The observed morphological features generally corresponded to the cold-tolerant Chloromonas characteristics. However, ellipsoidal or wide ellipsoidal vegetative cells, a massive parietal cup-shaped chloroplast with a number of continuously connected lobes, a thick cell wall, a prominent hemispherical papilla and the anterior position of an oblong or round eyespot distinguished the alga from all previously described Chloromonas species. Analyses of rbcL and 18S rRNA genes showed that the new strain formed an independent lineage within a clade containing mesophilic and psychrotolerant Chloromonas species. Comparisons of secondary structure models of a highly variable ITS2 rDNA marker supported a separate species identity of the new isolate. Considering the morphological and molecular differences from its relatives, a new psychrotolerant species, Chloromonas svalbardensis, is proposed. Further, our results demonstrated the paraphyletic origin of Chloromonas within Chloromonadinia with genetically, morphologically and ecologically well-defined clades. We discuss a scenario of a possible Chloromonas split and revision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovilė Barcytė
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 2 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ladislav Hodač
- Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with Herbarium), Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Linda Nedbalová
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 2 128 44, Prague, Czechia.,Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czechia
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czechia.,Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Barcytė D, Hodač L, Nedbalová L, Elster J. Chloromonas arctica sp. nov., a psychrotolerant alga from snow in the High Arctic (Chlamydomonadales, Chlorophyta). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2018; 68:851-859. [PMID: 29458669 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of molecular phylogenetic methods, it has become possible to assess the bioversity of snow algae more accurately. In this study, we focused on a morphological, ultrastructural and taxonomic description of a new Chloromonas-like alga isolated from snow in the High Arctic (Svalbard). Light and transmission electron microscopy revealed broad ellipsoidal or ellipsoidal-cylindrical, occasionally spherical cells with a chloroplast without a pyrenoid, an inconspicuous eyespot and a papilla. The size difference and the aforementioned morphological traits clearly distinguished the alga from its closest counterparts within the genus Chloromonas. Moreover, we were able to cultivate the alga at both 5 and 20 °C, revealing the psychrotolerant nature of the strain. Phylogenetic analyses of the plastid rbcL and nuclear 18S rRNA gene showed that the alga is nested within a clade containing a number of psychrotolerant strains within the Chloromonadinia phylogroup (Chlorophyceae). In the rbcL phylogeny, the alga formed an independent lineage, sister to the freshwater species Chloromonas paraserbinowii. Comparisons of secondary structure models of a highly variable ITS2 rDNA marker showed support for a distinct species identity for the new strain. The ITS2 secondary structure of the new isolate differed from the closest matches 'Chlamydomonas' gerloffii and Choloromonas reticulata by three and five compensatory base changes, respectively. Considering the morphological and molecular differences from its closest relatives, a new psychrotolerant species from the Arctic, Choromonas arctica sp. nov., is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovilė Barcytė
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, 128 44, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Hodač
- Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with Herbarium), Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, Göttingen, 37073, Germany
| | - Linda Nedbalová
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, 128 44, Czech Republic.,The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, 379 82, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, 379 82, Czech Republic.,Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 3, České Budějovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
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Elster J, Margesin R, Wagner D, Häggblom M. Editorial: Polar and Alpine Microbiology—Earth's cryobiosphere. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2016; 93:fiw221. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiw221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Hodač L, Hallmann C, Spitzer K, Elster J, Faßhauer F, Brinkmann N, Lepka D, Diwan V, Friedl T. Widespread green algae Chlorella and Stichococcus exhibit polar-temperate and tropical-temperate biogeography. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2016; 92:fiw122. [PMID: 27279416 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiw122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorella and Stichococcus are morphologically simple airborne microalgae, omnipresent in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The minute cell size and resistance against environmental stress facilitate their long-distance dispersal. However, the actual distribution of Chlorella- and Stichococcus-like species has so far been inferred only from ambiguous morphology-based evidence. Here we contribute a phylogenetic analysis of an expanded SSU and ITS2 rDNA sequence dataset representing Chlorella- and Stichococcus-like species from terrestrial habitats of polar, temperate and tropical regions. We aim to uncover biogeographical patterns at low taxonomic levels. We found that psychrotolerant strains of Chlorella and Stichococcus are closely related with strains originating from the temperate zone. Species closely related to Chlorella vulgaris and Muriella terrestris, and recovered from extreme terrestrial environments of polar regions and hot deserts, are particularly widespread. Stichococcus strains from the temperate zone, with their closest relatives in the tropics, differ from strains with the closest relatives being from the polar regions. Our data suggest that terrestrial Chlorella and Stichococcus might be capable of intercontinental dispersal; however, their actual distributions exhibit biogeographical patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladislav Hodač
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with Herbarium), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine Hallmann
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karolin Spitzer
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic Institute of Botany, Phycology Centrum, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 37982 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Fabian Faßhauer
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Brinkmann
- Department of Forest Botany, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Lepka
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vaibhav Diwan
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Friedl
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae (SAG), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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Krajcarová L, Novotný K, Chattová B, Elster J. Erratum to: Elemental analysis of soils and Salix polaris in the town of Pyramiden and its surroundings (Svalbard). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:10138. [PMID: 27000114 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6497-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Krajcarová
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Novotný
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Chattová
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté Stoce 3, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Tashyreva D, Elster J. Annual Cycles of Two Cyanobacterial Mat Communities in Hydro-Terrestrial Habitats of the High Arctic. Microb Ecol 2016; 71:887-900. [PMID: 26841797 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-016-0732-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria form extensive macroscopic mats in shallow freshwater environments in the High Arctic and Antarctic. In these habitats, the communities are exposed to seasonal freezing and desiccation as well as to freeze-thawing and drying-rewetting cycles. Here, we characterized the annual cycles of two Phormidium communities in very shallow seepages located in central Svalbard. We observed the structure of the communities and the morphology, ultrastructure, metabolic activity, and viability of filaments and single cells. The communities overwintered as frozen mats, which were formed by long filaments enclosed in thick multilayered polysaccharide sheaths. No morphologically and/or ultrastructurally distinct spore-like cells were produced for surviving the winter, and the winter survival of the communities was not provided by a few resistant cells, which did not undergo visible morphological and ultrastructural transformations. Instead, a high proportion of cells in samples (85%) remained viable after prolonged freezing. The sheaths were the only morphological adaption, which seemed to protect the trichomes from damage due to freezing and freeze-associated dehydration. The cells in the overwintering communities were not dormant, as all viable cells rapidly resumed respiration after thawing, and their nucleoids were not condensed. During the whole vegetative season, defined by the presence of water in a liquid state, the communities were constantly metabolically active and contained <1% of dead and injured cells. The morphology and ultrastructure of the cells remained unaltered during observations throughout the year, except for light-induced changes in thylakoids. The dissemination events are likely to occur in spring as most of the trichomes were split into short fragments (hormogonia), a substantial proportion of which were released into the environment by gliding out of their sheaths, as well as by cracking and dissolving their sheaths. The short fragments subsequently grew longer and gradually produced new polysaccharide sheaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Tashyreva
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Krajcarová L, Novotný K, Chattová B, Elster J. Elemental analysis of soils and Salix polaris in the town of Pyramiden and its surroundings (Svalbard). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:10124-10137. [PMID: 26867690 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6213-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The contents of elements in the top soil (upper 5 cm) and deeper soil (5 to 10 cm) layers and in Salix polaris (leaves and stem) from the former Soviet mining town of Pyramiden and its close vicinity on the Svalbard archipelago were determined. The analyses covered major and trace elements, including heavy metals, in order to describe anthropogenic impacts related to the management of the mining town. Soil samples and plant tissues were analysed from 13 localities across and close to town vicinity. The plant ground cover of all sampling points was determined, and plant tissues (leaves and stem) were collected. Higher contents of Cd (3-11 mg kg(-1)) and Mo (11-33 mg kg(-1)) were detected in the soils. With relation to the world average concentration of metals in soils, the geo-accumulation indexes (Igeo) and the level of pollution of the analysed soils were classified into seven pollution grades. The soils of the studied localities were usually unpolluted (grade 1) when analysed for metals, with the soil pollution grades 4-6 identified only for Cd and Mo (moderately to strongly polluted). In Salix polaris, excessive amounts of Fe (60-1520 mg kg(-1)), Zn (80-1050 mg kg(-1)), Cd (0.2-5.5 mg kg(-1)) and Cr (0-3.6 mg kg(-1)) were observed. The Igeo of these elements, compared with values considered sufficient for plants, showed pollution grades from 2 to 6. The pollution load index (PLI) ranged between 0.49 and 1.01. Only one locality could be considered polluted having a PLI higher than 1. Plant/soil transfer factors (TF) for trace metals decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > Cd > Mn > Ni > As > Mo > Pb > Co > Al > Cr > Fe. The principal contribution of this study consists in the assessment of the contamination of soils and plants by toxic heavy metals in an otherwise pristine environment of the Svalbard archipelago related to urban/industrial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Krajcarová
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Novotný
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Chattová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135 CZ-379 82, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Obbels D, Verleyen E, Mano MJ, Namsaraev Z, Sweetlove M, Tytgat B, Fernandez-Carazo R, De Wever A, D'hondt S, Ertz D, Elster J, Sabbe K, Willems A, Wilmotte A, Vyverman W. Bacterial and eukaryotic biodiversity patterns in terrestrial and aquatic habitats in the Sør Rondane Mountains, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2016; 92:fiw041. [PMID: 26936447 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiw041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial and microeukaryotic biodiversity were studied using pyrosequencing analysis on a 454 GS FLX+ platform of partial SSU rRNA genes in terrestrial and aquatic habitats of the Sør Rondane Mountains, including soils, on mosses, endolithic communities, cryoconite holes and supraglacial and subglacial meltwater lenses. This inventory was complemented with Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis targeting Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria. OTUs belonging to the Rotifera, Chlorophyta, Tardigrada, Ciliophora, Cercozoa, Fungi, Bryophyta, Bacillariophyta, Collembola and Nematoda were present with a relative abundance of at least 0.1% in the eukaryotic communities. Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, FBP and Actinobacteria were the most abundant bacterial phyla. Multivariate analyses of the pyrosequencing data revealed a general lack of differentiation of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes according to habitat type. However, the bacterial community structure in the aquatic habitats was dominated by the filamentous cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya and appeared to be significantly different compared with those in dry soils, on mosses, and in endolithic habitats. A striking feature in all datasets was the detection of a relatively large amount of sequences new to science, which underscores the need for additional biodiversity assessments in Antarctic inland locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Obbels
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marie-José Mano
- Centre for Protein Engineering, Institute of Chemistry, Université de Liège, Sart-TilmanB6, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Zorigto Namsaraev
- Centre for Protein Engineering, Institute of Chemistry, Université de Liège, Sart-TilmanB6, B-4000 Liège, Belgium Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology RAS, Pr-t 60-letya Oktyabrya, 7/2, Moscow 117312, Russia NRC Kurchatov Institute, Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, Moscow, 12 31 82, Russia
| | - Maxime Sweetlove
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Rafael Fernandez-Carazo
- Centre for Protein Engineering, Institute of Chemistry, Université de Liège, Sart-TilmanB6, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Aaike De Wever
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie D'hondt
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Damien Ertz
- Botanic Garden Meise, Department Bryophytes-Thallophytes, Nieuwelaan 38, B-1860 Meise, Belgium Federation Wallonia-Brussels, General Administration of the Non-Compulsory Education and Scientific Research, Rue A. Lavallée 1, 1080 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, 379 82, Třeboň, Czech republic
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anne Willems
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- Centre for Protein Engineering, Institute of Chemistry, Université de Liège, Sart-TilmanB6, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Ryšánek D, Elster J, Kováčik L, Škaloud P. Diversity and dispersal capacities of a terrestrial algal genusKlebsormidium(Streptophyta) in polar regions. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2016; 92:fnw039. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiw039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Pearce DA, Alekhina IA, Terauds A, Wilmotte A, Quesada A, Edwards A, Dommergue A, Sattler B, Adams BJ, Magalhães C, Chu WL, Lau MCY, Cary C, Smith DJ, Wall DH, Eguren G, Matcher G, Bradley JA, de Vera JP, Elster J, Hughes KA, Cuthbertson L, Benning LG, Gunde-Cimerman N, Convey P, Hong SG, Pointing SB, Pellizari VH, Vincent WF. Aerobiology Over Antarctica - A New Initiative for Atmospheric Ecology. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:16. [PMID: 26909068 PMCID: PMC4754734 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of aerial dispersal in shaping patterns of biodiversity remains poorly understood, mainly due to a lack of coordinated efforts in gathering data at appropriate temporal and spatial scales. It has been long known that the rate of dispersal to an ecosystem can significantly influence ecosystem dynamics, and that aerial transport has been identified as an important source of biological input to remote locations. With the considerable effort devoted in recent decades to understanding atmospheric circulation in the south-polar region, a unique opportunity has emerged to investigate the atmospheric ecology of Antarctica, from regional to continental scales. This concept note identifies key questions in Antarctic microbial biogeography and the need for standardized sampling and analysis protocols to address such questions. A consortium of polar aerobiologists is established to bring together researchers with a common interest in the airborne dispersion of microbes and other propagules in the Antarctic, with opportunities for comparative studies in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Pearce
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; British Antarctic SurveyCambridge, UK
| | - Irina A Alekhina
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Aleks Terauds
- Australian Antarctic Division Kingston, TAS, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Catarina Magalhães
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| | - Wan-Loy Chu
- International Medical University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Maggie C Y Lau
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Craig Cary
- University of Waikato Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Josef Elster
- University of South BohemiaČeské Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Botany of the Academy of Science of the Czech RepublicTřeboň, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Liane G Benning
- Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ, German Research Centre for Geosciences Potsdam, Germany
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Pushkareva E, Pessi IS, Wilmotte A, Elster J. Cyanobacterial community composition in Arctic soil crusts at different stages of development. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv143. [PMID: 26564957 PMCID: PMC4668365 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacterial diversity in soil crusts has been extensively studied in arid lands of temperate regions, particularly semi-arid steppes and warm deserts. Nevertheless, Arctic soil crusts have received far less attention than their temperate counterparts. Here, we describe the cyanobacterial communities from various types of soil crusts from Svalbard, High Arctic. Four soil crusts at different development stages (ranging from poorly-developed to well-developed soil crusts) were analysed using 454 pyrosequencing of the V3-V4 variable region of the cyanobacterial 16S rRNA gene. Analyses of 95 660 cyanobacterial sequences revealed a dominance of OTUs belonging to the orders Synechococcales, Oscillatoriales and Nostocales. The most dominant OTUs in the four studied sites were related to the filamentous cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya sp. Phylotype richness estimates increased from poorly- to mid-developed soil crusts and decreased in the well-developed lichenized soil crust. Moreover, pH, ammonium and organic carbon concentrations appeared significantly correlated with the cyanobacterial community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Pushkareva
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, 37005 ČeskéBudějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Igor S Pessi
- Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, 37005 ČeskéBudějovice, Czech Republic Institute of Botany, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, 37982 Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Abstract
The increasing number of observations and floristic sample analyses provided by the Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic (CPE), led to development of the sample database (SampleDTB). At present, the Sample DTB contains records on total of 318 samples from 135 sites. Total of 254 taxa at level of genera or species were observed. For database functionality tests, two datasets were selected. The first one consisted of samples collected by ALGO groups in frame of Polar Ecology course organized by the CPE in 2011-2014 (ALGO dataset). The second one consisted of samples collected in Bulgaria in 2013 (BG dataset). The ALGO dataset contains records on total of 188 samples from 94 sites. Total of 216 taxa (genera or species) were observed. The majority of habitats sampled were streams and the most frequently sampled communities were layer-forming communities like periphyton, epilithon and biofilms. The most dominant classes observed in ALGO dataset were diatoms and cyanobacteria. The unconstrained canonical analysisrevealed that the environment type significantly affected the taxonomical composition observed. In the BG dataset, 16 samples from 4 sites were recorded. Total of 40 taxa (genera or species) were observed. Majority of habitats sampled included streams and shallow pools and the communities sampled were restricted to periphyton, epiphyton and epilithon. Similarly to ALGO dataset, the most dominant classes in BG dataset were Cyanophyceae and diatoms. Due to low number of samples, no multivariate analysis was performed in the BG dataset. These exports and further analyses proved functionality of the SampleDTB database.
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Gump W, Mutchnick I, Elster J, Ayyanar K. LG-02 * CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHALAMIC JUVENILE PILOCYTIC ASTROCYTOMA. Neuro Oncol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nov061.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Tashyreva D, Elster J. Effect of nitrogen starvation on desiccation tolerance of Arctic Microcoleus strains (cyanobacteria). Front Microbiol 2015; 6:278. [PMID: 25904909 PMCID: PMC4389727 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although desiccation tolerance of Microcoleus species is a well-known phenomenon, there is very little information about their limits of desiccation tolerance in terms of cellular water content, the survival rate of their cells, and the environmental factors inducing their resistance to drying. We have discovered that three Microcoleus strains, isolated from terrestrial habitats of the High Arctic, survived extensive dehydration (to 0.23 g water g-1 dry mass), but did not tolerate complete desiccation (to 0.03 g water g-1 dry mass) regardless of pre-desiccation treatments. However, these treatments were critical for the survival of incomplete desiccation: cultures grown under optimal conditions failed to survive even incomplete desiccation; a low temperature enabled only 0–15% of cells to survive, while 39.8–65.9% of cells remained alive and intact after nitrogen starvation. Unlike Nostoc, which co-exists with Microcoleus in Arctic terrestrial habitats, Microcoleus strains are not truly anhydrobiotic and do not possess constitutive desiccation tolerance. Instead, it seems that the survival strategy of Microcoleus in periodically dry habitats involves avoidance of complete desiccation, but tolerance to milder desiccation stress, which is induced by suboptimal conditions (e.g., nitrogen starvation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Tashyreva
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Czech Republic ; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Czech Republic ; Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Třeboň , Czech Republic
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Gump W, Debski R, Thompson M, Elster J, Spalding A, Agarwal V. SO-01 * PRIMARY INTRADURAL MALIGNANT PERIPHERAL NERVE SHEATH TUMOR: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW. Neuro Oncol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou274.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Elster J. Polar Microbiology: Life in a Deep Freeze. Edited by Robert V. Miller and Lyle G. Whyte. Washington (DC): ASM Press. $159.95. xiii + 312 p. + 11 pl.; ill.; index. ISBN: 978-1-55581-604-9. 2012. The Quarterly Review of Biology 2014. [DOI: 10.1086/675033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Pichrtová M, Hájek T, Elster J. Osmotic stress and recovery in field populations of Zygnema sp. (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) on Svalbard (High Arctic) subjected to natural desiccation. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2014; 89:270-80. [PMID: 24476153 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Zygnema is a genus of filamentous green algae belonging to the class of Zygnematophyceae (Streptophyta). In the Arctic, it typically forms extensive mats in habitats that regularly dry out during summer, and therefore, mechanisms of stress resistance are expected. We investigated its natural populations with respect to production of specialized desiccation-resistant cells and osmotic acclimation. Six populations in various stages of natural desiccation were selected, from wet biomass floating in water to dried paper-like crusts. After rewetting, plasmolysis and osmotic stress effects were studied using hypertonic sorbitol solutions, and the physiological state was estimated using chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters. All populations of Zygnema sp. formed stationary-phase cells filled with storage products. In green algal research, such cells are traditionally called akinetes. However, the populations differed in their reaction to osmotic stress. Whereas the wet-collected samples were strongly impaired, the osmotic stress resistance of the naturally dried samples was comparable to that of true aeroterrestrial algae. We showed that arctic populations of Zygnema acclimate well to natural desiccation via hardening that is mediated by slow desiccation. As no other types of specialized cells were observed, we assume that the naturally hardened akinetes also play a key role in winter survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pichrtová
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Třeboň, Czech Republic; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Strunecký O, Komárek J, Johansen J, Lukešová A, Elster J. Molecular and morphological criteria for revision of the genus Microcoleus (Oscillatoriales, Cyanobacteria). J Phycol 2013; 49:1167-1180. [PMID: 27007635 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ninety-two strains of Microcoleus vaginatus (=nomenclatural-type species of the genus Microcoleus Desmazières ex Gomont) and Phormidium autumnale Trevisan ex Gomont from a wide diversity of regions and biotopes were examined using a combination of morphological and molecular methods. Phylogenies based on the 16S rDNA and 16S-23S ITS (partial) demonstrated that the 92 strains, together with a number of strains in GenBank, were members of a highly supported monophyletic clade of strains (Bayesian posterior probability = 1.0) distant from the species-cluster containing the generitype of Phormidium. Similarity of the 16S rRNA gene exceeded 95.5% among all members of the Microcoleus clade, but was less than 95% between any Microcoleus strains and species outside of the clade (e.g., Phormidium sensu stricto). These findings, which are in agreement with earlier studies on these taxa, necessitate the revision of Microcoleus to include P. autumnale. Furthermore, the cluster of Phormidium species in the P. autumnale group (known as Group VII) must be moved into Microcoleus as well, and these nomenclatural transfers are included in this study. The main diacritical characters defining Microcoleus are related to the cytomorphology of trichomes, including: narrowed trichome ends, calyptra, cells shorter than wide up to more or less isodiametric, and facultative presence of sheaths. The majority of species are 4-10 μm in diameter. The possession of multiple trichomes in a common sheath is present facultatively in many but not all species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otakar Strunecký
- Institute of Botany, Centre for Phycology, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, 379 82, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Komárek
- Institute of Botany, Centre for Phycology, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, 379 82, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Jeffrey Johansen
- Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, 44118, USA
| | - Alena Lukešová
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre ASCR, v.v.i., Na Sádkách 7, České Budějovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany, Centre for Phycology, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, 379 82, Czech Republic
- Centre for Polar Ecology, Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
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Škaloud P, Nedbalová L, Elster J, Komárek J. A curious occurrence of Hazenia broadyi spec. nova in Antarctica and the review of the genus Hazenia (Ulotrichales, Chlorophyceae). Polar Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-013-1347-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Singh P, Singh SS, Elster J, Mishra AK. Molecular phylogeny, population genetics, and evolution of heterocystous cyanobacteria using nifH gene sequences. Protoplasma 2013; 250:751-764. [PMID: 23090238 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-012-0460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess phylogeny, population genetics, and approximation of future course of cyanobacterial evolution based on nifH gene sequences, 41 heterocystous cyanobacterial strains collected from all over India have been used in the present study. NifH gene sequence analysis data confirm that the heterocystous cyanobacteria are monophyletic while the stigonematales show polyphyletic origin with grave intermixing. Further, analysis of nifH gene sequence data using intricate mathematical extrapolations revealed that the nucleotide diversity and recombination frequency is much greater in Nostocales than the Stigonematales. Similarly, DNA divergence studies showed significant values of divergence with greater gene conversion tracts in the unbranched (Nostocales) than the branched (Stigonematales) strains. Our data strongly support the origin of true branching cyanobacterial strains from the unbranched strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Singh
- Laboratory of Microbial Genetics, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
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Shukla SP, Kvíderová J, Tříska J, Elster J. Chlorella mirabilis as a Potential Species for Biomass Production in Low-Temperature Environment. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:97. [PMID: 23630521 PMCID: PMC3632980 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful adaptation/acclimatization to low temperatures in micro-algae is usually connected with production of specific biotechnologically important compounds. In this study, we evaluated the growth characteristics in a micro-scale mass cultivation of the Antarctic soil green alga Chlorella mirabilis under different nitrogen and carbon sources followed by analyses of fatty acid contents. The micro-scale mass cultivation was performed in stable (in-door) and variable (out-door) conditions during winter and/or early spring in the Czech Republic. In the in-door cultivation, the treatments for nitrogen and carbon sources determination included pure Z medium (control, Z), Z medium + 5% glycerol (ZG), Z medium + 5% glycerol + 50 μM KNO3 (ZGN), Z medium + 5% glycerol + 200 μM NH4Cl (ZGA), Z medium + 5% glycerol + 1 mM Na2CO3 (ZNC), Z medium + 5% glycerol + 1 mM Na2CO3 + 200 μM NH4Cl (ZGCA) and Z medium + 5% glycerol + 1 mM Na2CO3 + 50 μM KNO3 (ZGCN) and were performed at 15°C with an irradiance of 75 μmol m−2 s−1. During the out-door experiments, the night-day temperature ranged from −6.6 to 17.5°C (daily average 3.1 ± 5.3°C) and irradiance ranged from 0 to 2,300 μmol m−2 s−1 (daily average 1,500 ± 1,090 μmol m−2 s−1). Only the Z, ZG, ZGN, and ZGC treatments were used in the out-door cultivation. In the in-door mass cultivation, all nitrogen and carbon sources additions increased the growth rate with the exception of ZGA. When individual sources were considered, only the effect of 5% glycerol addition was significant. On the other hand, the growth rate decreased in the ZG and ZGN treatments in the out-door experiment, probably due to carbon limitation. Fatty acid composition showed increased production of linoleic acid in the glycerol treatments. The studied strain of C. mirabilis is proposed to be a promising source of linoleic acid in low-temperature-mass cultivation biotechnology. This strain is a perspective model organism for biotechnology in low-temperature conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Shukla
- Aquatic Environment Management Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Education Mumbai, India ; Centre for Phycology, Institute of Botany AS CR Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Marteinsson V, Vaishampayan P, Kviderova J, Mapelli F, Medori M, Calfapietra C, Aguilera A, Hamisch D, Reynisson E, Magnússon S, Marasco R, Borin S, Calzada A, Souza-Egipsy V, González-Toril E, Amils R, Elster J, Hänsch R. A Laboratory of Extremophiles: Iceland Coordination Action for Research Activities on Life in Extreme Environments (CAREX) Field Campaign. Life (Basel) 2013; 3:211-33. [PMID: 25371340 PMCID: PMC4187199 DOI: 10.3390/life3010211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Existence of life in extreme environments has been known for a long time, and their habitants have been investigated by different scientific disciplines for decades. However, reports of multidisciplinary research are uncommon. In this paper, we report an interdisciplinary three-day field campaign conducted in the framework of the Coordination Action for Research Activities on Life in Extreme Environments (CAREX) FP7EU program, with participation of experts in the fields of life and earth sciences. In situ experiments and sampling were performed in a 20 m long hot springs system of different temperature (57 °C to 100 °C) and pH (2 to 4). Abiotic factors were measured to study their influence on the diversity. The CO2 and H2S concentration varied at different sampling locations in the system, but the SO2 remained the same. Four biofilms, mainly composed by four different algae and phototrophic protists, showed differences in photosynthetic activity. Varying temperature of the sampling location affects chlorophyll fluorescence, not only in the microbial mats, but plants (Juncus), indicating selective adaptation to the environmental conditions. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA microarray and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)-based analysis in laboratory showed the presence of a diverse microbial population. Even a short duration (30 h) deployment of a micro colonizer in this hot spring system led to colonization of microorganisms based on ribosomal intergenic spacer (RISA) analysis. Polyphasic analysis of this hot spring system was possible due to the involvement of multidisciplinary approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viggó Marteinsson
- Matis ohf. Food Safety, Environment and Genetics, Vinlandsleid 12, Reykjavik, 113, Iceland; E-Mails: (E.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Parag Vaishampayan
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California, Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Jana Kviderova
- Institute of Botany AS CR, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, CZ-379 82 Czech Republic; E-Mails: (J.K.); (J.E.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice,CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Francesca Mapelli
- Department of Food, Environment and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, via Celoria 2, Milan, 20133, Italy; E-Mails: (F.M.); (R.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Mauro Medori
- Consiglio NazionaledelleRicercheIstituto di BiologiaAgroambientale e Forestale via Marconi 2-05010 Porano (TR), Italy; E-Mails: (M.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Carlo Calfapietra
- Consiglio NazionaledelleRicercheIstituto di BiologiaAgroambientale e Forestale via Marconi 2-05010 Porano (TR), Italy; E-Mails: (M.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Angeles Aguilera
- Centro de Astrobiología. INTA-CSIC. Torrenjón de Ardoz, Madrid, 28850, Spain; E-Mails: (A.A.); (V.S.-E.); (E.G.-T.); (R.A.)
| | - Domenica Hamisch
- Department of Plant Biology Technical University of Braunschweig, Pockelsstr. 14, Brunschweig, 38092, Germany; E-Mails: (D.H.); (R.H.)
| | - Eyjólfur Reynisson
- Matis ohf. Food Safety, Environment and Genetics, Vinlandsleid 12, Reykjavik, 113, Iceland; E-Mails: (E.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Sveinn Magnússon
- Matis ohf. Food Safety, Environment and Genetics, Vinlandsleid 12, Reykjavik, 113, Iceland; E-Mails: (E.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Ramona Marasco
- Department of Food, Environment and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, via Celoria 2, Milan, 20133, Italy; E-Mails: (F.M.); (R.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Sara Borin
- Department of Food, Environment and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, via Celoria 2, Milan, 20133, Italy; E-Mails: (F.M.); (R.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Abigail Calzada
- Geology Department, University of Oviedo, Jesús Arias de Velasc, Oviedo, 33005, Spain; E-Mail:
| | - Virginia Souza-Egipsy
- Centro de Astrobiología. INTA-CSIC. Torrenjón de Ardoz, Madrid, 28850, Spain; E-Mails: (A.A.); (V.S.-E.); (E.G.-T.); (R.A.)
| | - Elena González-Toril
- Centro de Astrobiología. INTA-CSIC. Torrenjón de Ardoz, Madrid, 28850, Spain; E-Mails: (A.A.); (V.S.-E.); (E.G.-T.); (R.A.)
| | - Ricardo Amils
- Centro de Astrobiología. INTA-CSIC. Torrenjón de Ardoz, Madrid, 28850, Spain; E-Mails: (A.A.); (V.S.-E.); (E.G.-T.); (R.A.)
| | - Josef Elster
- Institute of Botany AS CR, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, CZ-379 82 Czech Republic; E-Mails: (J.K.); (J.E.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice,CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hänsch
- Department of Plant Biology Technical University of Braunschweig, Pockelsstr. 14, Brunschweig, 38092, Germany; E-Mails: (D.H.); (R.H.)
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Tashyreva D, Elster J, Billi D. A novel staining protocol for multiparameter assessment of cell heterogeneity in Phormidium populations (cyanobacteria) employing fluorescent dyes. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55283. [PMID: 23437052 PMCID: PMC3577823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial populations display high heterogeneity in viability and physiological activity at the single-cell level, especially under stressful conditions. We demonstrate a novel staining protocol for multiparameter assessment of individual cells in physiologically heterogeneous populations of cyanobacteria. The protocol employs fluorescent probes, i.e., redox dye 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride, ‘dead cell’ nucleic acid stain SYTOX Green, and DNA-specific fluorochrome 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, combined with microscopy image analysis. Our method allows simultaneous estimates of cellular respiration activity, membrane and nucleoid integrity, and allows the detection of photosynthetic pigments fluorescence along with morphological observations. The staining protocol has been adjusted for, both, laboratory and natural populations of the genus Phormidium (Oscillatoriales), and tested on 4 field-collected samples and 12 laboratory strains of cyanobacteria. Based on the mentioned cellular functions we suggest classification of cells in cyanobacterial populations into four categories: (i) active and intact; (ii) injured but active; (iii) metabolically inactive but intact; (iv) inactive and injured, or dead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Tashyreva
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Pushkareva E, Elster J. Biodiversity and ecological classification of cryptogamic soil crusts in the vicinity of Petunia Bay, Svalbard. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.5817/cpr2013-1-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe various types of Arctic soil crust that were collected in the vicinity of Petunia Bay, Svalbard in the 2012 summer season. The photosynthetically active area of different soil crust samples was estimated by a chlorophyll fluorescence imaging camera. Biodiversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae from the collected soil crusts was analyzed using a stereomicroscopy and light microscopy. In most cases, cryptogamic crusts were dominated by cyanobacteria such as Gloeocapsa sp., Nostoc sp., Microcoleus sp., Scytonema sp., and Chroococcus sp. The dominant green microalgae were Coccomyxa sp., Hormotila sp., and Trebouxia sp. which commonly occurred in a lichenised soil crust. Soil crusts that were located in conditions with high water content were dominated by Nostoc sp. Cryptogamic soil crusts from the studied area can be divided into three different types and classified: (1) black-brown soil crusts (with low diversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae), (2) brown soil crusts (with high diversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae) and (3) grey-brown soil crusts (with low diversity of cyanobacteria and algae). The occurrence of similar soil crust types were compared at different altitudes. Altitude does not affect the biodiversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae. However, cyanobacteria and microalgae abundance increases with altitude.
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Strunecký O, Elster J, Komárek J. Molecular clock evidence for survival of Antarctic cyanobacteria (Oscillatoriales, Phormidium autumnale) from Paleozoic times. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2012; 82:482-90. [PMID: 22671691 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2012.01426.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 04/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are well adapted to freezing and desiccation; they have been proposed as possible survivors of comprehensive Antarctic glaciations. Filamentous types from the order Oscillatoriales, especially the species Phormidium autumnale Kützing ex Gomont 1892, have widely diverse morphotypes that dominate in Antarctic aquatic microbial mats, seepages, and wet soils. Currently little is known about the dispersion of cyanobacteria in Antarctica and of their population history. We tested the hypothesis that cyanobacteria survived Antarctic glaciations directly on site after the Gondwana breakup by using the relaxed and strict molecular clock in the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. We estimated that the biogeographic history of Antarctic cyanobacteria belonging to P. autumnale lineages has ancient origins. The oldest go further back in time than the breakup of Gondwana and originated somewhere on the supercontinent between 442 and 297 Ma. Enhanced speciation rate was found around the time of the opening of the Drake Passage (c. 31-45 Ma) with beginning of glaciations (c. 43 Ma). Our results, based primarily on the strains collected in maritime Antarctica, mostly around James Ross Island, support the hypothesis that long-term survival took place in glacial refuges. The high morphological diversification of P. autumnale suggested the coevolution of lineages and formation of complex associations with different morphologies, resulting in a specific endemic Antarctic cyanobacterial flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otakar Strunecký
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Science of Czech Republic, Třeboň & Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Blocher J, Eckert I, Elster J, Wiefek J, Eiffert H, Schmidt H. Aquaporins AQP1 and AQP4 in the cerebrospinal fluid of bacterial meningitis patients. Neurosci Lett 2011; 504:23-7. [PMID: 21896312 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.08.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2011] [Revised: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins facilitate water transport through cell membranes. Due to the localization of AQP1 and AQP4 in the brain, they might contribute to cerebral edema. Our study aimed to determine whether AQP1 and AQP4 can be measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and whether there is a difference in AQP1 and AQP4 concentration between patients with bacterial meningitis (BM) and healthy controls. AQP1 and AQP4 concentrations in CSF from 35 patients with BM and 27 controls were analyzed using a commercial ELISA. The mean concentration of AQP1 in CSF was significantly elevated in patients with BM (BM: 3.8±3.4ng/ml, controls: 0.8±0.5ng/ml; p<0.001). AQP4 had a tendency to be increased, however the difference was not significant (BM: 1.8±3.1ng/ml, controls: 0.1±0.2ng/ml; p=0.092). AQP1 and AQP4 in CSF of BM patients were inversely correlated (r=-0.47, p=0.004). We could not find any other correlation between concentration of AQP1 or AQP4 in CSF and CSF leukocytes, lactate, protein, albumin CSF/serum ratio, age, a prediction score, an outcome score or the Glasgow Coma Scale at admission in patients with BM. Control patients displayed a correlation between AQP1 and the albumin CSF/serum ratio (r=0.390, p=0.040). This is the first study that detected AQP1 and AQP4 in CSF. Whether the significant elevation of AQP1 is due to a higher expression and subsequent shedding into CSF or a BM-induced cell damage needs to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Blocher
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Abstract
Eukaryotic micro-algae, well adapted to extremely low and varying temperatures, varying light intensities, as well as low availability of essential macronutrients and other resources, represent ideal producers in low-temperature biotechnological processes. In order to identify the nutrient requirements of six biotechnologically perspective Arctic and Antarctic soil Chlorella-like strains at various temperature and light regimes, the algae were cultivated in a unit for cross gradients of temperature (-4 to 24°C) and irradiance (5 to 65 µmol m-2 s-1), and at different nutrient treatments in each temperature-irradiance combination. The nutrient treatments included two different carbon (bicarbonate and carbonate concentrations of 1 and 5 mM) and nitrogen (nitrate concentrations of 50 amd 100 µM and ammonium concentrations 100 and 500 µM) forms at two different concentrations for each. Temperature and irradiance growth requirements were similar in the majority of strains reflecting thus comparable conditions in the original microhabitat, regardless of its geographic position. All studied strains tolerated low temperatures (1 to 5°C), but were able to grow even at temperatures above 20°C, thus, they were considered to be psychrotolerant. All experimental strains were able to grow at very low irradiances. Nutrient manipulation either did not affect the growth limits and optimum, or narrowed the growth optima; the response was strain-specific. Ammonium and nitrate additions resulted in decreased growth rates in all tested strains, with the exception of one strain in which growth stimulation was observed. The decrease in growth rate was probably due to nutrient oversaturation in the inhibited strains. Carbonate addition stimulated growth of all strains. Bicarbonate also increased the growth rate in all strains with one exception, in which bicarbonate inhibited growth, indicating thus carbon limitation during cultivation and different carbon uptake mechanisms.
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Strunecký O, Elster J, Komárek J. Phylogenetic relationships between geographically separate Phormidium cyanobacteria: is there a link between north and south polar regions? Polar Biol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-010-0834-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Rezanka T, Nedbalová L, Elster J, Cajthaml T, Sigler K. Very-long-chain iso and anteiso branched fatty acids in N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines from a natural cyanobacterial mat of Calothrix sp. Phytochemistry 2009; 70:655-663. [PMID: 19272619 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Revised: 02/04/2009] [Accepted: 02/05/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A combination of TLC, ESI-MS/MS and GC-MS was used to identify unusual molecular species of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines containing very-long-chain anteiso branched fatty acids (VLCFAs) from Calothrix sp. collected in Antarctica and determine their component VLCFA up to 33-methyltetratriacontanoic acid as picolinyl ester derivatives using GC-MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Rezanka
- Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
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Komárek J, Elster J, Komárek O. Diversity of the cyanobacterial microflora of the northern part of James Ross Island, NW Weddell Sea, Antarctica. Polar Biol 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-008-0424-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Elster J, Lukavsky J, Harding K, Benson EE, Day JG. Deployment of the encapsulation-dehydration protocol to cryopreserve polar microalgae held at the Czech Republic Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany. Cryo Letters 2008; 29:27-28. [PMID: 18392286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Polar isolates of four chlorococcal microalgae originating from the Arctic and Antarctica withstand cryopreservation using encapsulation-dehydration. Viability assessments, which initially used chloroplhyll fluorescence (Kautsky) induction kinetics, revealed that all strains suffered photosynthetic impairment during early post-cryopreservation recovery. This cryoinjury was reversible, as indicated by cell regrowth in three of the four strains. Lack of growth in the fourth isolate was due to contaminating bacteria rather than cryogenic factors.
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