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July 7, 2019

Systems biology-guided biodesign of consolidated lignin conversion

Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer on the earth, yet its utilization for fungible products is complicated by its recalcitrant nature and remains a major challenge for sustainable lignocellulosic biorefineries. In this study, we used a systems biology approach to reveal the carbon utilization pattern and lignin degradation mechanisms in a unique lignin-utilizing Pseudomonas putida strain (A514). The mechanistic study further guided the design of three functional modules to enable a consolidated lignin bioconversion route. First, P. putida A514 mobilized a dye peroxidase-based enzymatic system for lignin depolymerization. This system could be enhanced by overexpressing a secreted multifunctional dye peroxidase to promote a two-fold enhancement of cell growth on insoluble kraft lignin. Second, A514 employed a variety of peripheral and central catabolism pathways to metabolize aromatic compounds, which can be optimized by overexpressing key enzymes. Third, the ß-oxidation of fatty acid was up-regulated, whereas fatty acid synthesis was down-regulated when A514 was grown on lignin and vanillic acid. Therefore, the functional module for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production was designed to rechannel ß-oxidation products. As a result, PHA content reached 73% per cell dry weight (CDW). Further integrating the three functional modules enhanced the production of PHA from kraft lignin and biorefinery waste. Thus, this study elucidated lignin conversion mechanisms in bacteria with potential industrial implications and laid out the concept for engineering a consolidated lignin conversion route.


July 7, 2019

Clonal dissemination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sequence type 235 isolates carrying blaIMP-6 and emergence of blaGES-24 and blaIMP-10 on novel genomic islands PAGI-15 and -16 in South Korea.

A total of 431 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates were collected from 29 general hospitals in South Korea in 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by the disk diffusion method, and MICs of carbapenems were determined by the agar dilution method. Carbapenemase genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced, and the structures of class 1 integrons surrounding the carbapenemase gene cassettes were analyzed by PCR mapping. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed for strain typing. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out to analyze P. aeruginosa genomic islands (PAGIs) carrying the blaIMP-6, blaIMP-10, and blaGES-24 genes. The rates of carbapenem-nonsusceptible and carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa isolates were 34.3% (148/431) and 9.5% (41/431), respectively. IMP-6 was the most prevalent carbapenemase type, followed by VIM-2, IMP-10, and GES-24. All carbapenemase genes were located on class 1 integrons of 6 different types on the chromosome. All isolates harboring carbapenemase genes exhibited genetic relatedness by PFGE (similarity > 80%); moreover, all isolates were identified as sequence type 235 (ST235), with the exception of two ST244 isolates by MLST. The blaIMP-6, blaIMP-10, and blaGES-24 genes were found to be located on two novel PAGIs, designated PAGI-15 and PAGI-16. Our data support the clonal spread of an IMP-6-producing P. aeruginosa ST235 strain, and the emergence of IMP-10 and GES-24 demonstrates the diversification of carbapenemases in P. aeruginosa in Korea. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of a psychotrophic Pseudarthrobacter sulfonivorans strain Ar51 (CGMCC 4.7316), a novel crude oil and multi benzene compounds degradation strain.

Pseudarthrobacter sulfonivorans strain Ar51, a psychotrophic bacterium isolated from the Tibet permafrost of China, can degrade crude oil and multi benzene compounds efficiently in low temperature. Here we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium. The complete genome sequence of Pseudarthrobacter sulfonivorans strain Ar51, consisting of a cycle chromosome with a size of 5.04Mbp and a cycle plasmid with a size of 12.39kbp. The availability of this genome sequence allows us to investigate the genetic basis of crude oil degradation and adaptation to growth in a nutrient-poor permafrost environment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Marivivens sp. JLT3646, a potential aromatic compound degrader

Marivivens sp. JLT3646 (CGMCC 1.15778), belonging to the phylum Alphaproteobacteria, was isolated from seawater, Kueishan Islet, offshore northeast of Taiwan. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of Marivivens sp. JLT3646, which contains a circular 2,978,145 bp chromosome with 56.2% G + C content, and one circular plasmid which is 169,066 bp in length. The genome data suggested that Marivivens sp. JLT3646 has the potential to degrade aromatic monomers, which might provide insight into biotechnological applications and facilitate the investigation of environmental bioremediation.


July 7, 2019

Microbial sequence typing in the genomic era.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as high-throughput sequencing, is changing the field of microbial genomics research. NGS allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the diversity, structure and composition of microbial genes and genomes compared to the traditional automated Sanger capillary sequencing at a lower cost. NGS strategies have expanded the versatility of standard and widely used typing approaches based on nucleotide variation in several hundred DNA sequences and a few gene fragments (MLST, MLVA, rMLST and cgMLST). NGS can now accommodate variation in thousands or millions of sequences from selected amplicons to full genomes (WGS, NGMLST and HiMLST). To extract signals from high-dimensional NGS data and make valid statistical inferences, novel analytic and statistical techniques are needed. In this review, we describe standard and new approaches for microbial sequence typing at gene and genome levels and guidelines for subsequent analysis, including methods and computational frameworks. We also present several applications of these approaches to some disciplines, namely genotyping, phylogenetics and molecular epidemiology. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


July 7, 2019

Genomic insights into Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae strain KC-Na-1, isolated from the finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis)

Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae (PDD) is a marine bacterium that can infect a variety of marine animals and humans. Although this bacterium has been isolated from several stranded dolphins and whales, its pathogenic role in cetaceans is still unclear. In this study, we report the complete genome of PDD strain KC-Na-1 isolated from a finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) rescued from the South Sea (Republic of Korea). The sequenced genome comprised two chromosomes and four plasmids. Among the recently identified major virulence factors in PDD, only phospholipase (plpV) was found in strain KC-Na-1. Interestingly, two genes homologous to Vibrio thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) and its transcriptional regulator toxR, which are known virulence factors associated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were encoded on the plasmid pPDD-Na-1-3. Based on these results, strain KC-Na-1 may have potential pathogenicity in humans and other marine animals and also could act as a potential virulent strain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the complete genome sequence of P. damselae.


July 7, 2019

Cupriavidus malaysiensis sp. nov., a novel poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) accumulating bacterium isolated from the Malaysian environment.

Bacterial classification on the basis of a polyphasic approach was conducted on three poly(3 hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] accumulating bacterial strains that were isolated from samples collected from Malaysian environments; Kulim Lake, Sg. Pinang river and Sg. Manik paddy field. The Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, non-sporulating and non-fermenting bacteria were shown to belong to the genus Cupriavidus of the Betaproteobacteria on the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. The sequence similarity value with their near phylogenetic neighbour, Cupriavidus pauculus LMG3413T, was 98.5%. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values (8-58%) and ribotyping analysis both enabled these strains to be differentiated from related Cupriavidus species with validly published names. The RiboPrint patterns of the three strains also revealed that the strains were genetically related even though they displayed a clonal diversity. The major cellular fatty acids detected in these strains included C15:0 ISO 2OH/C16:1 ?7c, hexadecanoic (16:0) and cis-11-octadecenoic (C18:1 ?7c). Their G+C contents ranged from 68.0  to 68.6 mol%, and their major isoprenoid quinone was Ubiquinone Q-8. Of these three strains, only strain USMAHM13 (= DSM 25816 = KCTC 32390) was discovered to exhibit yellow pigmentation that is characteristic of the carotenoid family. Their assembled genomes also showed that the three strains were not identical in terms of their genome sizes that were 7.82, 7.95 and 8.70 Mb for strains USMAHM13, USMAA1020 and USMAA2-4, respectively, which are slightly larger than that of Cupriavidus necator H16 (7.42 Mb). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) results indicated that the strains were genetically related and the genome pairs belong to the same species. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, the three strains are considered to represent a novel species for which the name Cupriavidus malaysiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is USMAA1020T (= DSM 19416T = KCTC 32390T).


July 7, 2019

Comparative genomic analysis of Lactobacillus plantarum GB-LP4 and identification of evolutionarily divergent genes in high-osmolarity environment.

Lactobacillus plantarum is one of the widely-used probiotics and there have been a large number of advanced researches on the effectiveness of this species. However, the difference between previously reported plantarum strains, and the source of genomic variation among the strains were not clearly specified. In order to understand further on the molecular basis of L. plantarum on Korean traditional fermentation, we isolated the L. plantarum GB-LP4 from Korean fermented vegetable and conducted whole genome assembly. With comparative genomics approach, we identified the candidate genes that are expected to have undergone evolutionary acceleration. These genes have been reported to associate with the maintaining homeostasis, which are generally known to overcome instability in external environment including low pH or high osmotic pressure. Here, our results provide an evolutionary relationship between L. plantarum species and elucidate the candidate genes that play a pivotal role in evolutionary acceleration of GB-LP4 in high osmolarity environment. This study may provide guidance for further studies on L. plantarum.


July 7, 2019

Complete genomic analysis of multidrug-resistance Pseudomonas aeruginosa Guangzhou-Pae617, the host of megaplasmid pBM413.

We previously described the novel qnrVC6 and blaIMP-45carrying megaplasmid pBM413. This study aimed to investigate the complete genome of multidrug-resistance P. aeruginosa Guangzhou-Pae617, a clinical isolate from the sputum of a patient who was suffering from respiratory disease in Guangzhou, China.The genome was sequenced using Illumina Hiseq 2500 and PacBio RS II sequencers and assembled de novo using HGAP. The genome was automatically and manually annotated.The genome of P. aeruginosa Guangzhou-Pae617 is 6,430,493 bp containing 5881 predicted genes with an average G + C content of 66.43%. The genome showed high similarity to two new sequenced P. aeruginosa strains isolated from New York, USA. From the whole genome sequence, we identified a type IV pilin, two large prophages, 15 antibiotic resistant genes, 5 genes involved in the “Infectious diseases” pathways, and 335 virulence factors.The antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in the genome of P. aeruginosa strain Guangzhou-Pae617 were identified by complete genomic analysis. It contributes to further study on antibiotic resistance mechanism and clinical control of P. aeruginosa. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Streptomyces formicae KY5, the formicamycin producer.

Here we report the complete genome of the new species Streptomyces formicae KY5 isolated from Tetraponera fungus growing ants. S. formicae was sequenced using the PacBio and 454 platforms to generate a single linear chromosome with terminal inverted repeats. Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to correct base changes resulting from the high error rate associated with PacBio. The genome is 9.6 Mbps, has a GC content of 71.38% and contains 8162 protein coding sequences. Predictive analysis shows this strain encodes at least 45 gene clusters for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including a type 2 polyketide synthase encoding cluster for the antibacterial formicamycins. Streptomyces formicae KY5 is a new, taxonomically distinct Streptomyces species and this complete genome sequence provides an important marker in the genus of Streptomyces. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Planococcus faecalis AJ003T, the type species of the genus Planococcus and a microbial C30 carotenoid producer.

A novel type strain, Planococcus faecalis AJ003T, isolated from the feces of Antarctic penguins, synthesizes a rare C30 carotenoid, glycosyl-4,4′-diaponeurosporen-4′-ol-4-oic acid. The complete genome of P. faecalis AJ003Tcomprises a single circular chromosome (3,495,892?bp; 40.9% G?+?C content). Annotation analysis has revealed 3511 coding DNA sequences and 99 RNAs; seven genes associated with the MEP pathway and five genes involved in the carotenoid pathway have been identified. The functionality and complementation of 4,4′-diapophytoene synthase (CrtM) and two copies of heterologous 4,4′-diapophytoene desaturase (CrtN) involved in carotenoid biosynthesis were analyzed in Escherichia coli. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Flavobacterium kingsejongi WV39, a type species of the genus Flavobacterium and a microbial C40 carotenoid zeaxanthin producer.

A novel species, Flavobacterium kingsejongi WV39, isolated from feces of Antarctic penguins and a type species of the genus Flavobacterium, is yellow because it synthesizes a C40 carotenoid zeaxanthin. The complete genome of F. kingsejongi WV39 is made up of a single circular chromosome (4,224,053bp, 39.8% G+C content). Annotation analysis revealed 3,955 coding sequences, 72 RNAs (18 rRNA+54 tRNA), and five genes involved in zeaxanthin biosynthesis. The key gene encoding ß-carotenoid hydroxylase (CrtZ), which is the last enzyme in the zeaxanthin biosynthetic pathway, was cloned and subjected to complementary analysis in a heterologous E. coli strain. The CrtZ of F. kingsejongi WV39 showed a higher activity than other reported CrtZs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


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