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April 21, 2020

A Chromosome-Scale Genome Assembly of Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) Provides New Insights into Its Forage and Papermaking Usage.

Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a well-known woody tree historically used for Cai Lun papermaking, one of the four great inventions of ancient China. More recently, Paper mulberry has also been used as forage to address the shortage of feedstuff because of its digestible crude fiber and high protein contents. In this study, we obtained a chromosome-scale genome assembly for Paper mulberry using integrated approaches, including Illumina and PacBio sequencing platform as well as Hi-C, optical, and genetic maps. The assembled Paper mulberry genome consists of 386.83 Mb, which is close to the estimated size, and 99.25% (383.93 Mb) of the assembly was assigned to 13 pseudochromosomes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the expansion and contraction in the flavonoid and lignin biosynthetic gene families, respectively, accounting for the enhanced flavonoid and decreased lignin biosynthesis in Paper mulberry. Moreover, the increased ratio of syringyl-lignin to guaiacyl-lignin in Paper mulberry underscores its suitability for use in medicine, forage, papermaking, and barkcloth making. We also identified the root-associated microbiota of Paper mulberry and found that Pseudomonas and Rhizobia were enriched in its roots and may provide the source of nitrogen for its stems and leaves via symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Collectively, these results suggest that Paper mulberry might have undergone adaptive evolution and recruited nitrogen-fixing microbes to promote growth by enhancing flavonoid production and altering lignin monomer composition. Our study provides significant insights into genetic basis of the usefulness of Paper mulberry in papermaking and barkcloth making, and as forage. These insights will facilitate further domestication and selection as well as industrial utilization of Paper mulberry worldwide.Copyright © 2019 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


April 21, 2020

Complete genome sequence of Euzebya sp. DY32-46, a marine Actinobacteria isolated from the Pacific Ocean

Euzebya sp. DY32-46 was isolated from seawater collected at the depth of 150?m in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The genome was sequenced and consisted of one chromosome and one plasmid pEDY32-46I with sizes of 5,799,875 and 571,580?bp as well as DNA G?+?C contents of 70.7 and 69.6%, respectively. Genomic annotation showed that fifty biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites were located in the chromosome of Euzebya sp. DY32-46, indicating that a wide variety of its natural products need to be explored. Besides, dozens of biogeochemically relevant genes found in the genome of Euzebya sp. DY32-46 revealed its ecological roles in marine carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycles including transporting ammonium, phosphate and methylammonium, cleaving dimethylsulfoniopropionate and phosphate, reducing nitrite, etc. Based on genomic similarity analysis, Euzebya sp. DY32-46 represents a novel genospecies of the genus Euzebya, with average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 73.1-87.1% and 20.2-32.4% compared with the closely related type strains Euzebya rosea DSW09T and E. tangerina F10T. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that 97.1% of coding sequences were exclusively present in the plasmid pEDY32-46I contributing the speciation of Euzebya sp. DY32-46. This study widens our knowledge about industrial potential as well as ecological roles of the genus Euzebya and provides a great candidate for investigating nascent speciation of marine Actinobacteria.


April 21, 2020

Complete genome sequences of a H2O2-resistant psychrophilic bacterium Colwellia sp. Arc7-D isolated from Arctic Ocean sediment

Colwellia sp. Arc7-D, a psychrophilic H2O2-resisitant bacterium, was isolated from Arctic Ocean sediment. Here we describe the complete genome of Colwellia sp. Arc7-D. The genome has one circular chromosome of 4,305,442?bp (37.67?mol%?G?+?C content), consisting of 3526 coding genes, 77 tRNA genes, as well as five rRNA operons as 16S–23S-5S rRNA and one rRNA operon as 16S-23S-5S-5S. According to KEGG analysis, strain Arc7-D encodes 23 genes related with antioxidant activity including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase. However, many additional genes affiliated with anti-oxidative stress were also identified, such as aconitase, thioredoxin and ascorbic acid.


April 21, 2020

Genomic and Functional Characterization of the Endophytic Bacillus subtilis 7PJ-16 Strain, a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Mulberry Fruit Sclerotiniose.

Bacillus sp. 7PJ-16, an endophytic bacterium isolated from a healthy mulberry stem and previously identified as Bacillus tequilensis 7PJ-16, exhibits strong antifungal activity and has the capacity to promote plant growth. This strain was studied for its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent to reduce mulberry fruit sclerotiniose in the field and as a growth-promoting agent for mulberry in the greenhouse. In field studies, the cell suspension and supernatant of strain 7PJ-16 exhibited biocontrol efficacy and the lowest disease incidence was reduced down to only 0.80%. In greenhouse experiments, the cell suspension (1.0?×?106 and 1.0?×?105 CFU/mL) and the cell-free supernatant (100-fold and 1000-fold dilution) stimulated mulberry seed germination and promoted mulberry seedling growth. In addition, to accurately identify the 7PJ-16 strain and further explore the mechanisms of its antifungal and growth-promoting properties, the complete genome of this strain was sequenced and annotated. The 7PJ-16 genome is comprised of two circular plasmids and a 4,209,045-bp circular chromosome, containing 4492 protein-coding genes and 116 RNA genes. This strain was ultimately designed as Bacillus subtilis based on core genome sequence analyses using a phylogenomic approach. In this genome, we identified a series of gene clusters that function in the synthesis of non-ribosomal peptides (surfactin, fengycin, bacillibactin, and bacilysin) as well as the ribosome-dependent synthesis of tasA and bacteriocins (subtilin, subtilosin A), which are responsible for the biosynthesis of numerous antimicrobial metabolites. Additionally, several genes with function that promote plant growth, such as indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis, the production of volatile substances, and siderophores synthesis, were also identified. The information described in this study has established a good foundation for understanding the beneficial interactions between endophytes and host plants, and facilitates the further application of B. subtilis 7PJ-16 as an agricultural biofertilizer and biocontrol agent.


April 21, 2020

Mucilaginibacter xinganensis sp. nov., a phenanthrene-degrading bacterium isolated from wetland soil.

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped and non-motile strain, BJC16-A31T, was isolated from the wetland soil sample taken from Daxing’anling, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China. Strain BJC16-A31T was found to be oxidase- and catalase-positive, and produced light orange colonies on modified R2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BJC16-A31T is closely related to Mucilaginibacter gotjawali SA3-7T with 96.54% sequence similarity and it formed a separate lineage in the genus Mucilaginibacter. Strain BJC16-A31T contained menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the predominant isoprenoid quinine. Anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and anteiso-C15:0 were the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, six unidentified polar lipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified aminolipid. The genome is composed of a circular 5,301,339 bp chromosome with average G?+?C percentage of 42.25%. The Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) between strain BJC16-A31T and M. gotjawali SA3-7T was 77.51%. Combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic characteristics support the conclusion that strain BJC16-A31T represents a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter xinganensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BJC16-A31T (=?CGMCC 1.12728T?=?NBRC 110384T).


April 21, 2020

Multi-omics response of Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB to hexavalent chromium.

The release of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] into water bodies poses a major threat to the environment and human health. However, studies of the biological response to Cr(VI) are limited. In this study, a toxic bacterial mechanism of Cr(VI) was investigated using Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB (hereafter BB), which was isolated from chromate slag. The maximum Cr(VI) concentrations with respect to the resistance and reduction by BB are 4000?mg?L-1 and 2500?mg?L-1, respectively. In the BB genome, more genes responsible for Cr(VI) resistance and reduction are observed compared with other P. phragmitetus strains. A total of 361 proteins were upregulated to respond to Cr(VI) exposure, including enzymes for Cr(VI) uptake, intracellular reduction, ROS detoxification, DNA repair, and Cr(VI) efflux and proteins associated with novel mechanisms involving extracellular reduction mediated by electron transfer, quorum sensing, and chemotaxis. Based on metabolomic analysis, 174 metabolites were identified. Most of the upregulated metabolites are involved in amino acid, glucose, lipid, and energy metabolisms. The results show that Cr(VI) induces metabolite production, while metabolites promote Cr(VI) reduction. Overall, multi-enzyme expression and metabolite production by BB contribute to its high ability to resist/reduce Cr(VI). This study provides details supporting the theory of Cr(VI) reduction and a theoretical basis for the efficient bioremoval of Cr(VI) from the environment. Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


April 21, 2020

Stout camphor tree genome fills gaps in understanding of flowering plant genome evolution.

We present reference-quality genome assembly and annotation for the stout camphor tree (Cinnamomum kanehirae (Laurales, Lauraceae)), the first sequenced member of the Magnoliidae comprising four orders (Laurales, Magnoliales, Canellales and Piperales) and over 9,000 species. Phylogenomic analysis of 13 representative seed plant genomes indicates that magnoliid and eudicot lineages share more recent common ancestry than monocots. Two whole-genome duplication events were inferred within the magnoliid lineage: one before divergence of Laurales and Magnoliales and the other within the Lauraceae. Small-scale segmental duplications and tandem duplications also contributed to innovation in the evolutionary history of Cinnamomum. For example, expansion of the terpenoid synthase gene subfamilies within the Laurales spawned the diversity of Cinnamomum monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.


April 21, 2020

Complete genome sequence of Bradymonas sediminis FA350T, the first representative of the order Bradymonadales

Bradymonas sediminis FA350T (=DSM 28820T?=?CICC 10904T) is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped and facultatively anaerobic bacterium isolated from coastal sediments from the Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that that strain FA350T belonged to a novel bacterial order in the class Deltaproteobacteria. Then, based on polyphasic taxonomy analyses, a novel order Bradymonadales and a novel family Bradymonadaceae were proposed and validly published. Here, we reported the complete genome of this strain; the genome is 5,045,683?bp in size, has a GC content of 61.1% and contains 3992 predicted genes. Strain FA350T featured being able to prey on bacteria like the members from the order Myxococcales. This is in concordance with the fact that strain FA350T encoded genes affiliated with ABC-transporter, type IV pilus, type II secretion system, toxins and chemotaxis, which are known to play critical roles in bacterial predation. This genome data will provide insights into the bacterial predation pattern of strain FA350T and facilitate the investigation of the mutual interaction between predators and prey. Nucleotide sequence accession number The complete genome sequence of B. sediminis FA350T is available in the NCBI database (accession number CP030032). The strain has been deposited in the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Culture and China Centre of Industrial Culture Collection (=DSM 28820T?=?CICC 10904T).


April 21, 2020

Genome sequence and characterization of the bcs clusters for the production of nanocellulose from the low pH resistant strain Komagataeibacter medellinensis ID13488.

Komagataeibacter medellinensis ID13488 (formerly Gluconacetobacter medellinensis ID13488) is able to produce crystalline bacterial cellulose (BC) under high acidic growth conditions. These abilities make this strain desirable for industrial BC production from acidic residues (e.g. wastes generated from cider production). To explore the molecular bases of the BC biosynthesis in this bacterium, the genome has been sequenced revealing a sequence of 3.4 Mb containing three putative plasmids of 38.1 kb (pKM01), 4.3 kb (pKM02) and 3.3 Kb (pKM03). Genome comparison analyses of K. medellinensis ID13488 with other cellulose-producing related strains resulted in the identification of the bcs genes involved in the cellulose biosynthesis. Genes arrangement and composition of four bcs clusters (bcs1, bcs2, bcs3 and bcs4) was studied by RT-PCR, and their organization in four operons transcribed as four independent polycistronic mRNAs was determined. qRT-PCR experiments demonstrated that mostly bcs1 and bcs4 are expressed under BC production conditions, suggesting that these operons direct the synthesis of BC. Genomic differences with the close related strain K. medellinensis NBRC 3288 unable to produce BC were also described and discussed. © 2019 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.


April 21, 2020

Complete genome sequence of Streptomyces spongiicola HNM0071T, a marine sponge-associated actinomycete producing staurosporine and echinomycin

Streptomyes spongiicola HNM0071T is a novel marine sponge-associated actinomycete with potential to produce antitumor agents including staurosporine and echinomycin. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of S. spongiicola HNM0071, which consists of a linear chromosome of 7,180,417?bp, 5669 protein coding genes, 18 rRNA genes, and 66 tRNA genes. Twenty-seven putative secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were found in the genome. Among them, the staurosporine and echinomycin gene clusters have been described completely. The complete genome information presented here will enable us to investigate the biosynthetic mechanism of two well-known antitumor antibiotics and to discover novel secondary metabolites with potential antitumor activities.


April 21, 2020

Primary transcriptome and translatome analysis determines transcriptional and translational regulatory elements encoded in the Streptomyces clavuligerus genome.

Determining transcriptional and translational regulatory elements in GC-rich Streptomyces genomes is essential to elucidating the complex regulatory networks that govern secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) expression. However, information about such regulatory elements has been limited for Streptomyces genomes. To address this limitation, a high-quality genome sequence of ß-lactam antibiotic-producing Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27 064 is completed, which contains 7163 newly annotated genes. This provides a fundamental reference genome sequence to integrate multiple genome-scale data types, including dRNA-Seq, RNA-Seq and ribosome profiling. Data integration results in the precise determination of 2659 transcription start sites which reveal transcriptional and translational regulatory elements, including -10 and -35 promoter components specific to sigma (s) factors, and 5′-untranslated region as a determinant for translation efficiency regulation. Particularly, sequence analysis of a wide diversity of the -35 components enables us to predict potential s-factor regulons, along with various spacer lengths between the -10 and -35 elements. At last, the primary transcriptome landscape of the ß-lactam biosynthetic pathway is analyzed, suggesting temporal changes in metabolism for the synthesis of secondary metabolites driven by transcriptional regulation. This comprehensive genetic information provides a versatile genetic resource for rational engineering of secondary metabolite BGCs in Streptomyces. © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.


April 21, 2020

A New Species of the ?-Proteobacterium Francisella, F. adeliensis Sp. Nov., Endocytobiont in an Antarctic Marine Ciliate and Potential Evolutionary Forerunner of Pathogenic Species.

The study of the draft genome of an Antarctic marine ciliate, Euplotes petzi, revealed foreign sequences of bacterial origin belonging to the ?-proteobacterium Francisella that includes pathogenic and environmental species. TEM and FISH analyses confirmed the presence of a Francisella endocytobiont in E. petzi. This endocytobiont was isolated and found to be a new species, named F. adeliensis sp. nov.. F. adeliensis grows well at wide ranges of temperature, salinity, and carbon dioxide concentrations implying that it may colonize new organisms living in deeply diversified habitats. The F. adeliensis genome includes the igl and pdp gene sets (pdpC and pdpE excepted) of the Francisella pathogenicity island needed for intracellular growth. Consistently with an F. adeliensis ancient symbiotic lifestyle, it also contains a single insertion-sequence element. Instead, it lacks genes for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids such as cysteine, lysine, methionine, and tyrosine. In a genome-based phylogenetic tree, F. adeliensis forms a new early branching clade, basal to the evolution of pathogenic species. The correlations of this clade with the other clades raise doubts about a genuine free-living nature of the environmental Francisella species isolated from natural and man-made environments, and suggest to look at F. adeliensis as a pioneer in the Francisella colonization of eukaryotic organisms.


April 21, 2020

Complete genome sequence of Salinigranum rubrum GX10T, an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a marine solar saltern

Since the first genome of a halophilic archaeon was sequenced in 2000, microbes inhabiting hypersaline environments have been investigated largely based on genomic characteristics. Salinigranum rubrum GX10T, the type species of the genus Salinigranum belonging to the euryarchaeal family Haloferacaceae, was isolated from the brine of Gangxi marine solar saltern near Weihai, China. Similar with most members of the class Halobacteria, S. rubrum GX10T is an extreme halophile requiring at least 1.5?M NaCl for growth and 3.1?M NaCl for optimum growth. We sequenced and annotated the complete genome of S. rubrum GX10T, which was found to be 4,973,118?bp and comprise one chromosome and five plasmids. A total of 4966 protein coding genes, 47 tRNA genes and 6 rRNA genes were obtained. The isoelectric point distribution for the predict proteins was observed with an acidic peak, which reflected the adaption of S. rubrum GX10T to the halophilic environment. Genes related to potassium uptake, sodium efflux as well as compatible-solute biosynthesis and transport were identified, which were responsible for the resistance to osmotic stress. Genes related to heavy metal resistance, CRISPR-Cas system and light transform system were also detected. This study reports the first genome in the genus Salinigranum and provides a basis for understanding resistance strategies to harsh environment at the genomic level.


April 21, 2020

In situ enrichment of microbial communities on polarized electrodes deployed in alkaline hot springs

The discovery of the ability of microorganisms to exchange electrons with inert electrodes has triggered new areas in fundamental and applied research. However, the field is currently limited to several known electrochemically active microorganisms enriched and isolated in research laboratories. An alternative strategy is to enrich such microorganisms in their native environment by allowing them to exchange electrons with polarized solid electrodes. The use of this approach is currently limited because of a lack of available tools. We developed a low-cost, battery-operated potentiostat that is capable of controlling the potential of a working electrode and can be deployed and operated remotely, allowing the enrichment of microorganisms on electrodes in their native environment. The device was tested in four alkaline hot springs in Heart Lake Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park (with a temperature ranging from 45 ?C to 91 ?C and a relatively constant pH of 8.5–8.7). Microbial community analysis showed a change in microbial community structure after 32 days of polarization. The impact of polarization on microbial community was most substantial on the electrodes that generated the highest cathodic and anodic currents, suggesting a direct impact of polarization on electrode microbial community.


April 21, 2020

Complete genome of Pseudoalteromonas atlantica ECSMB14104, a Gammaproteobacterium inducing mussel settlement

Pseudoalteromonas is widely distributed in the marine environments and the biofilms formed by Pseudoalteromonas promote settlement of many species of invertebrates. Here, we show the complete genome of Pseudoalteromonas atlantica ECSMB14104, which was isolated from biofilms formed in the East China Sea and exhibited inducing activity on the Mytilus coruscus settlement. Complete genome of this strain containsa total of 3325 genes and the GC content of 41.02%. This genomic information is contributed to molecular mechanism of P. atlantica ECSMB14104 regulating mussel settlement.


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