Draft genome sequence of the marine Rhodobacteraceae strain O3.65, cultivated from oil-polluted seawater of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

The marine alphaproteobacterium strain O3.65 was isolated from an enrichment culture of surface seawater contaminated with weathered oil (slicks) from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill and belongs to the ubiquitous, diverse and ecological relevant Roseobacter group within the Rhodobacteraceae. Here, we present a preliminary set of physiological features of strain O3.65 and a description and annotation of its draft genome sequence. Based on our data we suggest potential ecological roles of the isolate in the degradation of crude oil within the network of the oil-enriched microbial community. The draft genome comprises 4,852,484 bp with 4,591 protein-coding genes and 63 RNA genes. Strain O3.65 utilizes pentoses, hexoses, disaccharides and amino acids as carbon and energy source and is able to grow on several hydroxylated and substituted aromatic compounds. Based on 16S rRNA gene comparison the closest described and validated strain is Phaeobacter inhibens DSM 17395, however, strain O3.65 is lacking several phenotypic and genomic characteristics specific for the genus Phaeobacter. Phylogenomic analyses based on the whole genome support extensive genetic exchange of strain O3.65 with members of the genus Ruegeria, potentially by using the secretion system type IV. Our physiological observations are consistent with the genomic and phylogenomic analyses and support that strain O3.65 is a novel species of a new genus within the Rhodobacteraceae

Genomic analysis reveals Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis as stable element in traditional sourdoughs

Sourdough has played a significant role in human nutrition and culture for thousands of years and is still of eminent importance for human diet and the bakery industry. Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis is the predominant key bacterium in traditionally fermented sourdoughs

Complete Genome Sequence of the Linear Plasmid pJD12 Hosted by Micrococcus sp. D12, Isolated from a High-Altitude Volcanic Lake in Argentina

The linear plasmid pDJ12 from Micrococcus D12, isolated from the high-altitude volcanic Diamante Lake in the northwest of Argentina, was completely sequenced and annotated. It is noteworthy that the element is probably conjugative and harbors genes potentially instrumental in coping with stress conditions that prevail in such an extreme environmentFil: Dib, Julian Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Angelov, Angel. Technische Universitat Munchen; AlemaniaFil: Liebl, Wolfang. Technische Universitat Munchen; AlemaniaFil: Döbber, Johannes. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Voget, Sonja. Georg-August University; AlemaniaFil: Schuldes, Jörg. Georg-August University; AlemaniaFil: Gorriti, Marta Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (i); ArgentinaFil: Farias, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (i); ArgentinaFil: Meinhardt, Friedhelm. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Daniele, Rolf. Georg-August University; Alemani

Comparative genome analysis and genome-guided physiological analysis of Roseobacter litoralis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Roseobacter litoralis </it>OCh149, the type species of the genus, and <it>Roseobacter denitrificans </it>OCh114 were the first described organisms of the <it>Roseobacter </it>clade, an ecologically important group of marine bacteria. Both species were isolated from seaweed and are able to perform aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The genome of <it>R. litoralis </it>OCh149 contains one circular chromosome of 4,505,211 bp and three plasmids of 93,578 bp (pRLO149_94), 83,129 bp (pRLO149_83) and 63,532 bp (pRLO149_63). Of the 4537 genes predicted for <it>R. litoralis</it>, 1122 (24.7%) are not present in the genome of <it>R. denitrificans</it>. Many of the unique genes of <it>R. litoralis </it>are located in genomic islands and on plasmids. On pRLO149_83 several potential heavy metal resistance genes are encoded which are not present in the genome of <it>R. denitrificans</it>. The comparison of the heavy metal tolerance of the two organisms showed an increased zinc tolerance of <it>R. litoralis</it>. In contrast to <it>R. denitrificans</it>, the photosynthesis genes of <it>R. litoralis </it>are plasmid encoded. The activity of the photosynthetic apparatus was confirmed by respiration rate measurements, indicating a growth-phase dependent response to light. Comparative genomics with other members of the <it>Roseobacter </it>clade revealed several genomic regions that were only conserved in the two <it>Roseobacter </it>species. One of those regions encodes a variety of genes that might play a role in host association of the organisms. The catabolism of different carbon and nitrogen sources was predicted from the genome and combined with experimental data. In several cases, e.g. the degradation of some algal osmolytes and sugars, the genome-derived predictions of the metabolic pathways in <it>R. litoralis </it>differed from the phenotype.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The genomic differences between the two <it>Roseobacter </it>species are mainly due to lateral gene transfer and genomic rearrangements. Plasmid pRLO149_83 contains predominantly recently acquired genetic material whereas pRLO149_94 was probably translocated from the chromosome. Plasmid pRLO149_63 and one plasmid of <it>R. denitrifcans </it>(pTB2) seem to have a common ancestor and are important for cell envelope biosynthesis. Several new mechanisms of substrate degradation were indicated from the combination of experimental and genomic data. The photosynthetic activity of <it>R. litoralis </it>is probably regulated by nutrient availability.</p

Metagenomic analysis of a hydrolytic community: Identification and biochemically characterisation of polysaccharide degrading biocatalysts from non-cultured microorganisms

Die Durchmusterung von Umweltgenbanken hat sich in den letzten Jahren als effektive Technik erwiesen, auf den stetig wachsenden Bedarf der Industrie an neuen Biokatalysatoren zu reagieren. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde eine Umwelt-Genbank eines Boden-Konsortiums durch die Kombination unterschiedlicher metagenomischer Methoden analysiert und darüber hinaus der Nutzen von Anreicherungen zur Erhöhung der Anzahl positiver Klone untersucht.Um diese Ziele zu erreichen wurden folgende Strategien verfolgt:Zum anderen wurde die vorhandene Cosmid-Genbank nach biotechnologisch interessanten Enzymen unter Verwendung unterschiedlicher Durchmusterungsmethoden durchsucht. Um die Wahrscheinlichkeit zu erhöhen biotechnologisch interessante Enzyme zu finden wurde sowohl das klassische, aktivitätsbasierende, als auch die auf Sequenzähnlichkeiten basierende Durchmusterung genutzt. Insgesamt wurden 36 biotechnologisch interessante Gene bzw. deren Produkte aus unterschiedlichen Enzymklassen gefunden.Eine neuartige, äußerst stabile und halotolerante Cellulase wurde zudem einer genauen biochemischen Charakterisierung unterzogen

Comparative Analysis of Plasmids in the Genus Listeria

Kuenne C, Voget S, Pischimarov J, et al. Comparative Analysis of Plasmids in the Genus Listeria. PLOS ONE. 2010;5(9): e12511.Background: We sequenced four plasmids of the genus Listeria, including two novel plasmids from L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2c and 7 strains as well as one from the species L. grayi. A comparative analysis in conjunction with 10 published Listeria plasmids revealed a common evolutionary background. Principal Findings: All analysed plasmids share a common replicon-type related to theta-replicating plasmid pAMbeta1. Nonetheless plasmids could be broadly divided into two distinct groups based on replicon diversity and the genetic content of the respective plasmid groups. Listeria plasmids are characterized by the presence of a large number of diverse mobile genetic elements and a commonly occurring translesion DNA polymerase both of which have probably contributed to the evolution of these plasmids. We detected small non-coding RNAs on some plasmids that were homologous to those present on the chromosome of L. monocytogenes EGD-e. Multiple genes involved in heavy metal resistance (cadmium, copper, arsenite) as well as multidrug efflux (MDR, SMR, MATE) were detected on all listerial plasmids. These factors promote bacterial growth and survival in the environment and may have been acquired as a result of selective pressure due to the use of disinfectants in food processing environments. MDR efflux pumps have also recently been shown to promote transport of cyclic diadenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) as a secreted molecule able to trigger a cytosolic host immune response following infection. Conclusions: The comparative analysis of 14 plasmids of genus Listeria implied the existence of a common ancestor. Ubiquitously-occurring MDR genes on plasmids and their role in listerial infection now deserve further attention

Draft Genome Sequence of Roseovarius tolerans EL-164, a Producer of N-Acylated Alanine Methyl Esters and N-Acylhomoserine Lactones.

Roseovarius tolerans EL-164 is a member of the Roseobacter clade, a group of marine bacteria within the Alphaproteobacteria. It produces different N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) autoinducers as well as five AHL-related but functionally different compounds, the N-acylated alanine methyl esters. The size of the draft genome is 3,749,755 bp

Genome sequence of Planktotalea frisia type strain (SH6-1T), a representative of the Roseobacter group isolated from the North Sea during a phytoplankton bloom

Abstract Planktotalea frisia SH6-1T Hahnke et al. (Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 62:1619–24, 2012) is a planktonic marine bacterium isolated during a phytoplankton bloom from the southern North Sea. It belongs to the Roseobacter group within the alphaproteobacterial family Rhodobacteraceae. Here we describe the draft genome sequence and annotation of the type strain SH6-1T. The genome comprises 4,106,736 bp and contains 4128 protein-coding and 38 RNA genes. The draft genome sequence provides evidence for at least three extrachromosomal elements, encodes genes for DMSP utilization, quorum sensing, photoheterotrophy and a type IV secretion system. This indicates not only adaptation to a free-living lifestyle of P. frisia but points also to interactions with prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms