


Vol 85, No 3 (2016)
- Year: 2016
- Articles: 16
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0026-2617/issue/view/9868
Reviews
Mechanisms of plant and microbial adaptation to heavy metals in plant–microbial systems
Abstract
The data on heavy metal (HM) accumulation and detoxification by plants and bacteria in plant–microbial systems (PMS) are reviewed. Bacteria are shown to be the labile component of the system, responsible for a considerable amelioration of HM stress impact on plants and for improved PMS adaptation to heavy metals. Simulation of plant–microbial interactions under conditions of soil contamination by HM revealed the protective role of bacterial migration from the rhizoplane to the rhizosphere.



Diversity at low abundance: The phenomenon of the rare bacterial biosphere
Abstract
Rare bacterial biosphere (RBB) is a large and probably predominant sector of bacterial diversity, which is specifically represented by small populations. Although some RBB components have been characterized phenotypically (actualistic objects), it has been mainly described as a set of virtual objects, i.e., of the 16S rRNA gene sequences from environmental DNA samples, which are grouped into phylotypes (operational taxonomic units, OTUs). The upper OTU threshold for RBB is presently not standardized. It is usually ~1% of the sum of OTU sequences in the metagenome library, or five sequences per OTU in absolute values. The analyzed RBB objects include (1) virtual and actualistic objects; (2) autochthonous and allochthonous forms; (3) vegetative and differentiated cells; (4) dead bacteria and free DNA; and (5) artifacts and informational gaps. The RBB phenomenon has not been sufficiently explained. According to some concepts, the RBB objects are rare due to restrictive action of unfavorable environmental factors. According to others, they utilize a successful adaptive strategy of low abundance, which facilitates higher genetic diversity, dispersal and colonization of new niches, and microbial conversion of specific substrates. Since RBB was revealed only in the early 2000s and is still poorly studied, its role in organic evolution and its place in the ecosystems should be determined by future research. The information on the RBB composition, distribution, and functions will be important for bacteriology, while some cultured species may be of basic or applied importance.



Experimental Articles
Carbohydrate metabolism of the phase variants of purple photosynthetic bacteria
Abstract
The R and M phase variants of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodobacter capsulatus were isolated. The growth rates in the dark and in the light in glucose-containing media were much higher for the Rba. sphaeroides R variant than for the M variant. For the Rba. capsulatus R and M variants, growth rates in the dark and in the light in fructose- or glucose-containing media differed insignificantly. The cells of Rba. sphaeroides and Rba. capsulatus phase variants growing in media with glucose and fructose exhibited differences in activity of the key enzymes of the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) and Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathways. The oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) does not participate in glucose and fructose metabolism in the studied bacteria. Specific activity of the ED pathway enzymes was higher in dark-grown R and M variants of both Rba. sphaeroides and Rba. capsulatus than in the cells grown under light. Specific activity of the EMP enzymes was higher for the R and M variants of both cultures grown in the light than for those grown in the dark. Activities of the 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate and fructose bisphosphate aldolases, the key enzymes of the ED and EMP pathways in Rba. sphaeroides M variant grown in the medium with glucose in the light or in the dark, were approximately twice those of the R variant. In the medium with fructose activities of these enzymes in both R and M variants did not change significantly depending on growth conditions. Activities of the enzymes of the EMP and ED pathways in the extracts of the Rba. capsulatus R and M cells grown with glucose or fructose did not change significantly. Cultivation of Rba. sphaeroides and Rba. capsulatus phase variants in the medium with fructose resulted in a considerably increased synthesis of 1-phosphofructokinase. Induction of 1-phosphofructokinase synthesis in Rba. sphaeroides occurred only in the light, while in Rba. capsulatus induction of this enzyme in the medium with fructose was observed both in the dark and in the light. Thus, under aerobic conditions in the dark the phase variants of both bacteria probably assimilated glucose and fructose via the ED pathway, while in the light the EMP pathway was active.



Germination of spores of mycelial fungi in relation to exogenous dormancy
Abstract
Comparative analysis of germination of asexual sporulation spores (conidia and sporangiospores) and of specific features of dormancy release was carried out for ascomycete mycelial fungi Aspergillus tamarii VKM F-64 and A. sydowii VKM F-441, as well as for zygomycete fungi Cunninghamella echinulata VKM F-663 and Umbelopsis ramanniana VKM F-582. The spores of these strains were shown to be in a state of exogenous dormancy and differed in lag phase duration and germination rate, which depended on the presence of nutrients in the medium. Only the strain C. echinulata VKM F-663 exhibited 100% spore germination, with the germination rate and lag phase duration not depending on the composition of the medium. While in A. tamarii strain VKM F-64, the total number of spores germinating on rich and poor media was also almost the same, in the absence of nutrients lag phase duration increased and the germination rate decreased. For strains U. ramanniana VKM F-582 and A. sydowii VKM F-441, the degree of spore germination in the absence of nutrients in the medium was considerably lower than on the rich medium, while the lag phase was longer. These data indicate that the spores of C. echinulata VKM F-663 are in the state of exogenous dormancy, which does not require for release any compounds except water. The spores of U. ramanniana strain VKM F-582 and of the Aspergillus strains exhibited another variant of exogenous dormancy, which required for release, apart from water, also the sources of carbon and nitrogen. Thus, the character of dormancy release may differ even within a single genus (Aspergillus).



Strategies for adaptation to antibiotics in wild type Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in the strains with small colony phenotype
Abstract
Emergence of ciprofloxacin stress-induced mutants in the cultures of a collection strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and of two strains with a small colony phenotype, which were isolated from a swimming pool biofilm, was studied. In biofilm cultures of the small colony phenotype strains, which were already resistant to hypochlorite, prolonged incubation (up to 16 days) with sublethal ciprofloxacin concentrations was shown to result in emergence of the cells, which are resistant to the antibiotic and form colonies on media with rifampicin (100 μg/mL) and streptomycin (50 μg/mL). Under the same conditions, the mechanisms of temporary adaptation are switched on in the cells of strain ATCC 27853, which enabled its shortterm survival at an average level in liquid media and provided for colony formation on solid medium with ciprofloxacin (0.2 μg/mL). Only 20% of these colonies remained viable when transferred to a higher antibiotic concentration (2 μg/mL).



Membrane lipids and cytosol carbohydrates in Aspergillus niger under osmotic, oxidative, and cold impact
Abstract
The composition of the membrane lipids and cytosol soluble carbohydrates under three kinds of unfavorable impacts (osmotic, oxidative, and cold) was studied. Changes in the composition of the membrane lipids, specifically, increasing content of phosphatidic acids and decreasing levels of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines, were the general response to the impacts. The degree of fatty acid unsaturation increased in all dominant phospholipids under osmotic shock, only in cardiolipins and phosphatidic acids under oxidative stress, and only in phosphatidylcholines under cold shock. Increased sterol content was observed only under cold and osmotic treatments. No general pattern was revealed in the composition of cytosol carbohydrates in response to stresses. Oxidative stress had almost no effect on the carbohydrate composition, while osmotic and cold treatments resulted in increased glycerol content and decreased total carbohydrate content. The mechanisms of fungal response to various stress impacts are discussed.



Biofilm formation by different serological variants of Listeria monocytogenes in association with Bacillus pumilus
Abstract
Ability of Listeria monocytogenes serological variants belonging to phylogenetic lines I and II to form biofilms on glass, both in monoculture and in a consortium with Bacillus pumilus, was shown. After 72 h, both L. monocytogenes serological variants formed mature biofilms both in monoculture and in association with bacilli. The presence of B. pumilus in Listeria biofilms resulted in alteration of L. monocytogenes colony morphology, decrease in their enzymatic activity and aghesive capacity, enhanced virulence and hemolytic activity, and cell motility observed at 37°С. Importantly, all of these modifications of the biological characteristics were of a phenotypic nature and were restored when joint incubation of bacteria was terminated.



Hydrocarbon biodegradation and surfactant production by acidophilic mycobacteria
Abstract
Production of biosurfactants by acidophilic mycobacteria was demonstrated in the course of aerobic degradation of hydrocarbons (n-tridecane, n-tricosane, n-hexacosane, model mixtures of С14–С17, С12‒С19, and С9–С21n-alkanes, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane, squalane, and butylcyclohexane) and their complex mixtures (hydrocarbon gas condensate, kerosene, black oil, and paraffin oil) under extremely acidic conditions (pH 2.5). When grown on hydrocarbons, the studied bacterial culture AGS10 caused a decrease in the surface and interfacial tension of the solutions (to the lowest observed values of 26.0 and 1.3 mN/m, respectively) compared to the bacteria-free control. The rheological characteristics of the culture changed only when mycobacteria were grown on hydrocarbons. Neither the medium nor the cell-free culture liquid had the surfactant activity, which indicated formation of an endotype biosurfactant by mycobacteria. Biodegradation of n-alkanes was accompanied by an increase in cell numbers, surfactant production, and changes in the hydrophobicity of bacterial cell surface and in associated phenomena of adsorption and desorption to the hydrocarbon phase. Research on AGS10 culture liquids containing the raw biosurfactant demonstrated the preservation of its activity within a broad range of pH, temperature, and salinity.



Molecular genetic identification of a new Tisochrysis lutea (Bendif et Probert, 2013) strain isolated from the Russian coastal waters of the Sea of Japan
Abstract
Clones of a marine haptophyte microalga Tisochrysis lutea (Bendif et Probert, 2013) from Atlantic and tropical Pacific waters are model objects for basic and applied research and are widely used in aquaculture, as well as the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The article reports species identification and determination of the phylogenetic position of the first and only Russian T. lutea clone isolated from the coastal waters of the northern Sea of Japan.



A new bacterial strain, Pseudomonas koreensis IB-4, as a promising agent for plant pathogen biological control
Abstract
A bacterial strain IB-4, antagonistic to plant pathogenic fungi of the genera Fusarium, Bipolaris, and Alternaria, was isolated from arable soils of the Mechetlinskii district, Bashkortostan. Physiological, biochemical, and culture morphological properties of strain IB-4 supported its classification within the genus Pseudomonas. In spite of some discrepancies in the results of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic research, analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, DNA–DNA hybridization, GC-content, and MALDI mass spectral data provide considerable evidence supporting its identification as a Pseudomonas koreensis strain. P. koreensis strain IB-4 was shown to possess the valuable features characteristic of PGPR microorganisms: antifungal and nitrogenase activities and ability to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinin-like compounds. Field test, in which potato plants were treated with the culture liquid of P. koreensis strain IB-4 revealed a positive effect on potato yield and resistance to plant pathogens.



Diversity of methanogenic archaea from the 2012 terrestrial hot spring (Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka)
Abstract
Archaeal diversity in the 2012 terrestrial hot spring (Valley of Geysers, Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka, Russia) was investigated using molecular and cultivation-based approaches. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed predominance among archaea of uncultured microorganisms of the pSL12 and THSCG clusters. Analysis of the mcrA genes revealed that members of the order Methanomassiliicoccales were predominant (68%) among methanogens; the latter constituted 0.15% of the total number of archaea. Five stable thermophilic methanogenic associations utilizing hydrogen, formate, acetate, or methanol as substrates were obtained from the sediments of spring 2012. The diversity of cultured methanogens was limited to members of the genera Methanothermobacter, Methanothrix, and Methanomethylovorans. The association growing at 65°C and producing methane from methanol contained two components, which probably formed a syntrophic relationship: a Methanothermobacter methanogenic archaeon and a bacterium representing an separate cluster within the Firmicutes phylum, which was phylogenetically related to the genera Thermacetogenium and Syntrophaceticus. These data indicate high diversity of methanogens, notwithstanding their low abundance among archaea. The group of thermophilic Methanomassiliicoccales, which predominated among methanogens, is of special interest.



Proteomic analysis of sensitive and multi drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by bacteria that are resistant to the most effective anti TB drugs (Isoniazid and Rifampicin) with or without resistance to other drugs. Novel intervention strategies to eliminate this disease based on finding proteins can be used for designing new drugs or new and reliable kits for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to compare the protein profile of MDR-TB with sensitive isolates. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) along with mass spectrometry is a powerful and effective tool to identification and characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was used for diagnosis and comparison of proteins. We identified 14 protein spots in MDR-TB isolates that 2DE analysis showed these spots absent in M. tuberculosis sensitive isolates (Rv1876, Rv0379, Rv0147, Rv2031c, Rv3597c, Rv1886c, MT0493, Rv0440, Rv3614c, Rv1626, Rv0443, Rv0475, Rv3057 and unknown protein. The results showed 22 protein spots which were up regulated (or expressed) by the MDR-TB isolates, (Rv1240, Rv3028c, Rv2971, Rv2114c, Rv3311, Rv3699, Rv1023, Rv1308, Rv3774, Rv0831c, Rv2890c, Rv1392, Rv0719, Rv0054, Rv3418c, Rv0462, Rv2215, Rv2986c, Rv3248c and Rv1908c)). Two up regulated protein spots were identified in sensitive isolate (Rv1133c and Rv0685). These data will provide valuable clues in further investigation for suitable TB rapid tests or drug targets against drug resistant and sensitive of M. tuberculosis.



Bacteriophages in Arctic and Antarctic low-temperature systems
Abstract
Comparative analysis of the presence of bacteriophages was carried out for the water column of a permanently ice-covered, extremely oligotrophic Lake Untersee (East Antarctica) and the ancient ice wedge of the Mamontova Gora outcrop (Aldan River, Central Yakutia). Microscopy revealed bacteriophages in the Mamontova Gora ice samples and in the lysates of the pure cultures of phage-sensitive bacteria isolated from the same samples. Bacteriophages isolated from these cultures were filamentous and interacted with bacteria as moderate (lysogenic) phages. A similar filamentous bacteriophage was isolated from the Lake Untersee water column. The highest morphological diversity of bacteriophages was revealed by microscopy in the oxic Lake Untersee water column in the chemocline zone (70–76 m) and in the sulfide layer (85 m). Detection of similar filamentous bacteriophages in a relic ice sample and in the samples from Antarctic Lake Untersee indicate wide occurrence of bacteriophages and lysogeny in microbial communities of low-temperature ecosystems.



Organotrophic bacteria of the Baikal Rift Zone hot springs
Abstract
Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene fragments was used to investigate the bacterial community of an Alla hot spring microbial mat. The mat community was mainly represented by the members of five phyla: Deinococcus-Thermus, Nitrospirae, Atribacteria (OP9), Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes, with other groups responsible for not more than 2% of the total number. From hot springs of the Baikal Rift Zone (Buryatia, Russia), 13 strains of aerobic alkaliphilic thermophilic organotrophic bacteria were isolated, and their morphology, ecology, physiology, and phylogenetic position were studied. Based on analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolates were identified as members of the family Bacillaceae. Strains Al-9-1, Se-1, Ga-1-1, Ga-9-2, and Se-1-10 were assigned to the genus Anoxybacillus; strains Ur-6, Br-2-2, А2, and Um-09m, to the genus Bacillus; strains Gor-10s and Gа-35, to the genus Paenabacillus. Secreted endopeptidases of the isolates were shown to have relatively narrow substrate specificity. The investigated enzymes were characterized by high pH (6.3–11.4) and temperature stability (23–70°C), which makes it possible to carry out organic matter degradation in the environment under variable ecological conditions.



Analysis of endophytic actinobacteria species diversity in the stem of Gynura cusimbua by 16S rRNA gene clone library
Abstract
Endophytic actinobacteria that lived in any associations with plant tissues represented a rather unexplored area of actinobacteria compared with soils. Gynura cusimbua was a kind of medicinal plant which had prevention effects for high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, etc. Endophytic actinobacteria of G. cusimbua might produce some secondary metabolites which had the same function as their host. Stem samples of G. cusimbua collected from Hainan Province were used to study their endophytic actinobacteria to find some new compounds. In order to avoid vast proportions of the host plant DNA in the metagenomic library, the strategies of enrichment of the microorganism cells after tissue digestion and exclusion of 16S rRNA gene derived from the plastid by digested with PvuII were used. Two sets of actinobacteria specific primers were used for targeting endophytic actinobacteria from metagenomic library. 63 positive clones of actinobacteria were selected for sequencing and constructing the phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA gene, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence of 59 strains among them had higher similar to the closest type strain and belonged to Microbacterium, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Curtobacterium, Okibacterium, Quadrisphaera and Kineococcus, respectively. Others were in low similarity and belonged to unclassified Micrococcineae, unclassified Intrasporangiaceae and unclassified Microbacteriaceae.



Identification of extremely halophilic archaea associated with adult Artemia urmiana
Abstract
The brine shrimp, Artemia is the dominant macrozooplankton present in many hypersaline environments. Artemia urmiana is the only macroscopic organism in Urmia Salt Lake (Iran), and the high salinity of the lake makes it a suitable environment for halophilic archaea too. Because of common environment for Artemia and extreme halophiles; this investigation is concentrated on studying the relationship between Artemia and halophilic archaea in Urmia Lake. In this study first the procedure of arhaea isolation was done. Then, isolated strains were sub-cultured and DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR using specific primers for amplifying archaeal 16S rRNA. The amplified archeal DNA fragments were purified, and sequenced. 16S rRNA sequences were compared to known sequences using the NCBI BLAST program. Sequences relating to Halorubrum, Haloarcula and Halobacterium species were identified in Urmia Salt Lake water and Artemia adults and the phylogenetic tree of different species was constructed. Only Halorubrum species were present in association with Artemia. They belong to Halobacteriaceae family of archeae which are isolated from different salt lakes in different parts of world and we could show their existence in adult Artemia, another organism living in hypersaline enviroments.


