Menu
July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of a strain of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum isolated from mouse feces and associated with improved organ transplant outcome.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum strain UMB-MBP-01, isolated from the feces of C57BL/6J mice. This strain was identified in microbiome profiling studies and associated with improved transplant outcome in a murine model of cardiac heterotypic transplantation. Copyright © 2017 Mongodin et al.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Paratyphi B sequence type 28 harboring mcr-1.

In 2015, plasmid-mediated colistin resistance was reported to be caused by a mobilized phosphoethanolamine transferase gene (mcr-1) in Enterobacteriaceae Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of the earliest d-tartrate-fermenting Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Paratyphi B isolate harboring mcr-1 from the collection of the German National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella. Copyright © 2017 Borowiak et al.


July 7, 2019

Genome sequence and composition of a tolyporphin-producing cyanobacterium-microbial community.

The cyanobacterial culture HT-58-2 was originally described as a strain of Tolypothrix nodosa with the ability to produce tolyporphins, which comprise a family of distinct tetrapyrrole macrocycles with reported efflux pump inhibition properties. Upon reviving the culture from what was thought to be a nonextant collection, studies of culture conditions, strain characterization, phylogeny, and genomics have been undertaken. Here, HT-58-2 was shown by 16S rRNA analysis to closely align with Brasilonema strains and not with Tolypothrix isolates. Light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy revealed cyanobacterium filaments that are decorated with attached bacteria and associated with free bacteria. Metagenomic surveys of HT-58-2 cultures revealed a diversity of bacteria dominated by Erythrobacteraceae, 97% of which are Porphyrobacter species. A dimethyl sulfoxide washing procedure was found to yield enriched cyanobacterial DNA (presumably by removing community bacteria) and sequence data sufficient for genome assembly. The finished, closed HT-58-2Cyano genome consists of 7.85 Mbp (42.6% G+C) and contains 6,581 genes. All genes for biosynthesis of tetrapyrroles (e.g., heme, chlorophyll a, and phycocyanobilin) and almost all for cobalamin were identified dispersed throughout the chromosome. Among the 6,177 protein-encoding genes, coding sequences (CDSs) for all but two of the eight enzymes for conversion of glutamic acid to protoporphyrinogen IX also were found within one major gene cluster. The cluster also includes 10 putative genes (and one hypothetical gene) encoding proteins with domains for a glycosyltransferase, two cytochrome P450 enzymes, and a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-binding protein. The composition of the gene cluster suggests a possible role in tolyporphin biosynthesis. IMPORTANCE A worldwide search more than 25 years ago for cyanobacterial natural products with anticancer activity identified a culture (HT-58-2) from Micronesia that produces tolyporphins. Tolyporphins are tetrapyrroles, like chlorophylls, but have several profound structural differences that reside outside the bounds of known biosynthetic pathways. To begin probing the biosynthetic origin and biological function of tolyporphins, our research has focused on studying the cyanobacterial strain, about which almost nothing has been previously reported. We find that the HT-58-2 culture is composed of the cyanobacterium and a community of associated bacteria, complicating the question of which organisms make tolyporphins. Elucidation of the cyanobacterial genome revealed an intriguing gene cluster that contains tetrapyrrole biosynthesis genes and a collection of unknown genes, suggesting that the cluster may be responsible for tolyporphin production. Knowledge of the genome and the gene cluster sharply focuses research to identify related cyanobacterial producers of tolyporphins and delineate the tolyporphin biosynthetic pathway. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.


July 7, 2019

A nosocomial outbreak of extensively drug resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii isolates containing blaOXA-237 encoded on a plasmid.

Carbapenem antibiotics are among the mainstay for treating infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, especially in the Northwest United States where carbapenem resistant A. baumannii remain relatively rare. However, between June 2012 and October 2014, an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii occurred in 16 patients from 5 healthcare facilities in the state of Oregon. All isolates were defined as extensively-drug resistant (XDR). MLST revealed that the isolates belonged to sequence type 2 (international clone 2, IC2), and were greater than 95% similar by rep-PCR analysis. Multiplex PCR revealed the presence of a blaOXA carbapenemase gene, later identified as blaOXA-237 Whole genome sequencing of all isolates revealed a well-supported separate branch within a global A. baumannii phylogeny. Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) SMRT sequencing was also performed on one isolate to gain insight into the genetic location of the carbapenem resistance gene. We discovered that blaOXA-237, flanked on either side by ISAba1 elements in opposite orientations, was carried by a 15,198 bp plasmid designated pORAB01-3, and was present in all 16 isolates. The plasmid also contained genes encoding for: a TonB-dependent receptor, septicolysin, a type IV secretory system conjugative DNA transfer family protein, an integrase, a RepB family plasmid DNA replication initiator protein, an a/ß hydrolase, and a BrnT/BrnA type II toxin-antitoxin system. This is the first reported outbreak associated with this specific carbapenemase. Particularly worrisome is that blaOXA-237 was plasmid encoded and found in the most prominent worldwide clonal group IC2, potentially giving pORAB01-3 great capacity for future widespread dissemination. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.


July 7, 2019

A high-quality genome assembly of quinoa provides insights into the molecular basis of salt bladder-based salinity tolerance and the exceptional nutritional value.

Chenopodium quinoa is a halophytic pseudocereal crop that is being cultivated in an ever-growing number of countries. Because quinoa is highly resistant to multiple abiotic stresses and its seed has a better nutritional value than any other major cereals, it is regarded as a future crop to ensure global food security. We generated a high-quality genome draft using an inbred line of the quinoa cultivar Real. The quinoa genome experienced one recent genome duplication about 4.3 million years ago, likely reflecting the genome fusion of two Chenopodium parents, in addition to the ? paleohexaploidization reported for most eudicots. The genome is highly repetitive (64.5% repeat content) and contains 54 438 protein-coding genes and 192 microRNA genes, with more than 99.3% having orthologous genes from glycophylic species. Stress tolerance in quinoa is associated with the expansion of genes involved in ion and nutrient transport, ABA homeostasis and signaling, and enhanced basal-level ABA responses. Epidermal salt bladder cells exhibit similar characteristics as trichomes, with a significantly higher expression of genes related to energy import and ABA biosynthesis compared with the leaf lamina. The quinoa genome sequence provides insights into its exceptional nutritional value and the evolution of halophytes, enabling the identification of genes involved in salinity tolerance, and providing the basis for molecular breeding in quinoa.


July 7, 2019

Revealing the saline adaptation strategies of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas beimenensis through high-throughput omics and transposon mutagenesis approaches.

Studies on the halotolerance of bacteria are attractive to the fermentation industry. However, a lack of sufficient genomic information has precluded an investigation of the halotolerance of Halomonas beimenensis. Here, we describe the molecular mechanisms of saline adaptation in H. beimenensis based on high-throughput omics and Tn5 transposon mutagenesis. The H. beimenensis genome is 4.05 Mbp and contains 3,807 genes, which were sequenced using short and long reads obtained via deep sequencing. Sixteen Tn5 mutants with a loss of halotolerance were identified. Orthologs of the mutated genes, such as nqrA, trkA, atpC, nadA, and gdhB, have significant biological functions in sodium efflux, potassium uptake, hydrogen ion transport for energy conversion, and compatible solute synthesis, which are known to control halotolerance. Other genes, such as spoT, prkA, mtnN, rsbV, lon, smpB, rfbC, rfbP, tatB, acrR1, and lacA, function in cellular signaling, quorum sensing, transcription/translation, and cell motility also shown critical functions for promoting a halotolerance. In addition, KCl application increased halotolerance and potassium-dependent cell motility in a high-salinity environment. Our results demonstrated that a combination of omics and mutagenesis could be used to facilitate the mechanistic exploitation of saline adaptation in H. beimenensis, which can be applied for biotechnological purposes.


July 7, 2019

Determination of the genome and primary transcriptome of syngas fermenting Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486.

Autotrophic conversion of CO2 to value-added biochemicals has received considerable attention as a sustainable route to replace fossil fuels. Particularly, anaerobic acetogenic bacteria are naturally capable of reducing CO2 or CO to various metabolites. To fully utilize their biosynthetic potential, an understanding of acetogenesis-related genes and their regulatory elements is required. Here, we completed the genome sequence of the syngas fermenting Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486 and determined its transcription start sites (TSS). We constructed a 4.4?Mb long circular genome with a GC content of 47.2% and 4,090 protein encoding genes. To understand the transcriptional and translational regulation, the primary transcriptome was augmented, identifying 1,458 TSSs containing a high pyrimidine (T/C) and purine nucleotide (A/G) content at the -1 and +1 position, respectively, along with 1,253 5′-untranslated regions, and principal promoter elements such as -10 (TATAAT) and -35 (TTGACA), and Shine-Dalgarno motifs (GGAGR). Further analysis revealed 93 non-coding RNAs, including one for potential transcriptional regulation of the hydrogenase complex via interaction with molybdenum or tungsten cofactors, which in turn controls formate dehydrogenase activity of the initial step of Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Our results provide comprehensive genomic information for strain engineering to enhance the syngas fermenting capacity of acetogenic bacteria.


July 7, 2019

Complete circular genome sequence and temperature independent adaptation to anaerobiosis of Listeria weihenstephanensis DSM 24698.

The aim of this study was to analyze the adaptation of the environmental Listeria weihenstephanensis DSM 24698 to anaerobiosis. The complete circular genome sequence of this species is reported and the adaptation of L. weihenstephanensis DSM 24698 to oxygen availability was investigated by global transcriptional analyses via RNAseq at 18 and 34°C. A list of operons was created based on the transcriptional data. Forty-two genes were upregulated anaerobically and 62 genes were downregulated anaerobically. The oxygen dependent gene expression of selected genes was further validated via qPCR. Many of the differentially regulated genes encode metabolic enzymes indicating broad metabolic adaptations with respect to oxygen availability. Genes showing the strongest oxygen-dependent adaption encoded nitrate (narGHJI) and nitrite (nirBD) reductases. Together with the observation that nitrate supported anaerobic growth, these data indicate that L. weihenstephanensis DSM 24698 performs anaerobic nitrate respiration. The wide overlap between the oxygen-dependent transcriptional regulation at 18 and 34°C suggest that temperature does not play a key role in the oxygen-dependent transcriptional regulation of L. weihenstephanensis DSM 24698.


July 7, 2019

Adaptation of surface-associated bacteria to the open ocean: A genomically distinct subpopulation of Phaeobacter gallaeciensis Ccolonizes Pacific mesozooplankton.

The marine Roseobacter group encompasses numerous species which occupy a large variety of ecological niches. However, members of the genus Phaeobacter are specifically adapted to a surface-associated lifestyle and have so far been found nearly exclusively in disjunct, man-made environments including shellfish and fish aquacultures, as well as harbors. Therefore, the possible natural habitats, dispersal and evolution of Phaeobacter spp. have largely remained obscure. Applying a high-throughput cultivation strategy along a longitudinal Pacific transect, the present study revealed for the first time a widespread natural occurrence of Phaeobacter in the marine pelagial. These bacteria were found to be specifically associated to mesoplankton where they constitute a small but detectable proportion of the bacterial community. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of 18 isolated strains were identical to that of Phaeobacter gallaeciensis DSM26640(T) but sequences of internal transcribed spacer and selected genomes revealed that the strains form a distinct clade within P. gallaeciensis. The genomes of the Pacific and the aquaculture strains were highly conserved and had a fraction of the core genome of 89.6%, 80 synteny breakpoints, and differed 2.2% in their nucleotide sequences. Diversification likely occurred through neutral mutations. However, the Pacific strains exclusively contained two active Type I restriction modification systems which is commensurate with a reduced acquisition of mobile elements in the Pacific clade. The Pacific clade of P. gallaeciensis also acquired a second, homolog phosphonate transport system compared to all other P. gallaeciensis. Our data indicate that a previously unknown, distinct clade of P. gallaeciensis acquired a limited number of clade-specific genes that were relevant for its association with mesozooplankton and for colonization of the marine pelagial. The divergence of the Pacific clade most likely was driven by the adaptation to this novel ecological niche rather than by geographic isolation.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence and comparative analysis of Staphylococcus condimenti DSM 11674, a potential starter culture isolated from soy sauce mash.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are key players in the majority of food fermentation ecosystems, which are commonly found in the production of fermented meat and milk products (Blaiotta et al., 2005; Resch et al., 2008). Strains of CNS have been implicated in exerting desirable effects as components of a fermentation flora, such as color formation, aroma development, and shelf-life enhancement, and may therefore have the potential for future application as starter cultures (Zell et al., 2008). Staphylococcus condimenti is one of the most prominent species and has the potential for use in starter cultures for the production of fermented sausage and cured ham (Zell et al., 2008). S. condimenti DSM 11674 was originally isolated from fermenting soy sauce mash and suggested to be a new species in 1998 (Probst et al., 1998). However, S. condimenti has been found in a few clinical samples (Argemi et al., 2015; Misawa et al., 2015). Therefore, some concerns have been raised with regard to the safety of this species for use in food production (Zell et al., 2008; Seitter et al., 2011a,b). To further understand the biochemical and genetic characteristics of DSM 11674 and advance the potential biotechnological applications of this strain, we constructed the complete genome sequence of S. condimenti DSM 11674.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis GQJK49, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium with antifungal activity.

Bacillus velezensis GQJK49 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium with antifungal activity, which was isolated from Lycium barbarum L. rhizosphere. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of B. velezensis GQJK49. Twelve gene clusters related to its biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including antifungal and antibacterial antibiotics, were predicted. Copyright © 2017 Ma et al.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of the pathogenic Vibrio vulnificus type strain ATCC 27562.

Vibrio vulnificus has the highest death rate and economic burden per case of any foodborne pathogen in the United States. A complete genome sequence of the type strain promotes comparative analyses with other clinical and environmental isolates, improving our understanding of this important human pathogen and successful environmental organism. Copyright © 2017 Rusch and Rowe-Magnus.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Mesorhizobium ciceri bv. biserrulae WSM1497, an efficient nitrogen-fixing microsymbiont of the forage legume Biserrula pelecinus.

We report here the complete genome sequence of Mesorhizobium ciceri bv. biserrulae strain WSM1497, the efficient nitrogen-fixing microsymbiont and commercial inoculant in Australia of the forage legume Biserrula pelecinus The genome consists of 7.2 Mb distributed across a single chromosome (6.67 Mb) and a single plasmid (0.53 Mb). Copyright © 2017 Brewer et al.


July 7, 2019

Whole-genome sequence of Chlamydia abortus strain GN6 isolated from aborted yak fetus.

The obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia abortus is one of the causative agents of abortion and fetal loss in sheep, goats, and cattle in many countries. It also affects the reproductivity of yaks (Bos grunniens). This study reports the whole-genome sequence of Chlamydia abortus strain GN6, which was isolated from aborted yak fetus in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. Copyright © 2017 Li et al.


Talk with an expert

If you have a question, need to check the status of an order, or are interested in purchasing an instrument, we're here to help.