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July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas citronellolis P3B5, a candidate for microbial phyllo-remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites

Pseudomonas citronellolis is a Gram negative, motile gammaproteobacterium belonging to the order Pseudomonadales and the family Pseudomonadaceae. We isolated strain P3B5 from the phyllosphere of basil plants (Ocimum basilicum L.). Here we describe the physiology of this microorganism, its full genome sequence, and detailed annotation. The 6.95 Mbp genome contains 6071 predicted protein coding sequences and 96 RNA coding sequences. P. citronellolis has been the subject of many studies including the investigation of long-chain aliphatic compounds and terpene degradation. Plant leaves are covered by long-chain aliphates making up a waxy layer that is associated with the leaf cuticle. In addition, basil leaves are known to contain high amounts of terpenoid substances, hinting to a potential nutrient niche that might be exploited by P. citronellolis. Furthermore, the isolated strain exhibited resistance to several antibiotics. To evaluate the potential of this strain as source of transferable antibiotic resistance genes on raw consumed herbs we therefore investigated if those resistances are encoded on mobile genetic elements. The availability of the genome will be helpful for comparative genomics of the phylogenetically broad pseudomonads, in particular with the sequence of the P. citronellolis type strain PRJDB205 not yet publicly available. The genome is discussed with respect to a phyllosphere related lifestyle, aliphate and terpenoid degradation, and antibiotic resistance.


July 7, 2019

Genome sequence of the photoarsenotrophic bacterium Ectothiorhodospira sp. strain BSL-9, isolated from a hypersaline alkaline arsenic-rich extreme environment.

The full genome sequence of Ectothiorhodospira sp. strain BSL-9 is reported here. This purple sulfur bacterium encodes an arxA-type arsenite oxidase within the arxB2AB1CD gene island and is capable of carrying out “photoarsenotrophy” anoxygenic photosynthetic arsenite oxidation. Its genome is composed of 3.5 Mb and has approximately 63% G+C content. Copyright © 2016 Hernandez-Maldonado et al.


July 7, 2019

Contiguous and accurate de novo assembly of metazoan genomes with modest long read coverage.

Genome assemblies that are accurate, complete and contiguous are essential for identifying important structural and functional elements of genomes and for identifying genetic variation. Nevertheless, most recent genome assemblies remain incomplete and fragmented. While long molecule sequencing promises to deliver more complete genome assemblies with fewer gaps, concerns about error rates, low yields, stringent DNA requirements and uncertainty about best practices may discourage many investigators from adopting this technology. Here, in conjunction with the platinum standard Drosophila melanogaster reference genome, we analyze recently published long molecule sequencing data to identify what governs completeness and contiguity of genome assemblies. We also present a hybrid meta-assembly approach that achieves remarkable assembly contiguity for both Drosophila and human assemblies with only modest long molecule sequencing coverage. Our results motivate a set of preliminary best practices for obtaining accurate and contiguous assemblies, a ‘missing manual’ that guides key decisions in building high quality de novo genome assemblies, from DNA isolation to polishing the assembly.© The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.


July 7, 2019

Complete genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of the thermotolerant acetic acid bacterium, Acetobacter pasteurianus SKU1108, provide a new insight into thermotolerance.

Acetobacter pasteurianus SKU1108 is a typical thermotolerant acetic acid bacterium. In this study, the complete genome sequence of the SKU1108 strain was elucidated, and information on genomic modifications due to the thermal adaptation of SKU1108 was updated. In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the genetic background responsible for thermotolerance, the SKU1108 genome was compared with those of two closely related complete genome strains, thermotolerant A. pasteurianus 386B and mesophilic A. pasteurianus NBRC 3283. All 24 “thermotolerant genes” required for growth at higher temperatures in the thermotolerant Acetobacter tropicalis SKU1100 strain were conserved in all three strains. However, these thermotolerant genes accumulated amino acid mutations. Some biased mutations, particularly those that occurred in xanthine dehydrogenase XdhA, may be related to thermotolerance. By aligning whole genome sequences, we identified ten SKU1108 strain-specific regions, three of which were conserved in the genomes of the two thermotolerant A. pasteurianus strains. One of the regions contained a unique paralog of the thermotolerant gene xdhA, which may also be responsible for conferring thermotolerance. Thus, comparative genomics of complete genome sequences may provide novel insights into the phenotypes of these thermotolerant strains.


July 7, 2019

Genome and plasmid analysis of blaIMP-4 -carrying Citrobacter freundii B38.

Sequencing of the blaIMP-4 -carrying C. freundii B38 using PacBio SMRT technique revealed that the genome contained a chromosome of 5,134,500 bp, and three plasmids, pOZ172 (127,005 bp), pOZ181 (277,592 bp), and pOZ182 (18,467 bp). Plasmid pOZ172 was identified as IncFIIY, like pP10164-NDM and pNDM-EcGN174. It carries a class 1 integron with four cassettes: blaIMP-4-qacG2-aacA4-aphA15, and a complete hybrid tni module (tniR-tniQ-tniB-tniA). The recombination of tniR from Tn402 (identical) with tniQBA (99%) from Tn5053 occurred within the res site of Tn402/5053. The Tn402/5053-like integron, named Tn6017, was inserted into Tn1722 at the res II site. The replication, partitioning and transfer systems of pOZ181 were similar to IncHI2 (e.g. R478) and contained a sul1-type class 1 integron with the cassette array: orf-dfrA1-orf-gcu37-aadA5 linked to an upstream Tn1696 tnpA-tnpR and to a downstream 3′ CS and ISCR1 A Tn2 transposon with a blaTEM-1b ß-lactamase was identified on pOZ182. Other interesting resistance determinants on the B38 chromosome included MDR efflux pumps, AmpC ß-lactamase, and resistances to Cu, Ag, As, and Zn. This is the first report of a complete tni module linked to a blaIMP- 4 carrying class 1 integron, and together with other recently reported non-sul1 integrons, represents the emergence of a distinct evolutionary lineage of class 1 integrons lacking a 3′ -CS (qacE?1-sul1). The unique cassette array, complete tni module of Tn6017, and incompatibility group of pOZ172 suggests a different blaIMP-4 evolutionary pathway in C. freundii B38 compared to other blaIMP-4 foundin Gram-negative bacteria in the Western Pacific Region. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.


July 7, 2019

Towards integration of population and comparative genomics in forest trees.

The past decade saw the initiation of an ongoing revolution in sequencing technologies that is transforming all fields of biology. This has been driven by the advent and widespread availability of high-throughput, massively parallel short-read sequencing (MPS) platforms. These technologies have enabled previously unimaginable studies, including draft assemblies of the massive genomes of coniferous species and population-scale resequencing. Transcriptomics studies have likewise been transformed, with RNA-sequencing enabling studies in nonmodel organisms, the discovery of previously unannotated genes (novel transcripts), entirely new classes of RNAs and previously unknown regulatory mechanisms. Here we touch upon current developments in the areas of genome assembly, comparative regulomics and population genetics as they relate to studies of forest tree species.© 2016 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2016 New Phytologist Trust.


July 7, 2019

Genomic recombination leading to decreased virulence of group B Streptococcus in a mouse model of adult invasive disease.

Adult invasive disease caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is increasing worldwide. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) now permits rapid identification of recombination events, a phenomenon that occurs frequently in GBS. Using WGS, we described that strain NGBS375, a capsular serotype V GBS isolate of sequence type (ST)297, has an ST1 genomic background but has acquired approximately 300 kbp of genetic material likely from an ST17 strain. Here, we examined the virulence of this strain in an in vivo model of GBS adult invasive infection. The mosaic ST297 strain showed intermediate virulence, causing significantly less systemic infection and reduced mortality than a more virulent, serotype V ST1 isolate. Bacteremia induced by the ST297 strain was similar to that induced by a serotype III ST17 strain, which was the least virulent under the conditions tested. Yet, under normalized bacteremia levels, the in vivo intrinsic capacity to induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was similar between the ST297 strain and the virulent ST1 strain. Thus, the diminished virulence of the mosaic strain may be due to reduced capacity to disseminate or multiply in blood during a systemic infection which could be mediated by regulatory factors contained in the recombined region.


July 7, 2019

Comparative genomics of Campylobacter iguaniorum to unravel genetic regions associated with reptilian hosts.

Campylobacter iguaniorum is most closely related to the species C fetus, C hyointestinalis, and C lanienae Reptiles, chelonians and lizards in particular, appear to be a primary reservoir of this Campylobacter species. Here we report the genome comparison of C iguaniorum strain 1485E, isolated from a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), and strain 2463D, isolated from a green iguana (Iguana iguana), with the genomes of closely related taxa, in particular with reptile-associated C fetus subsp. testudinum In contrast to C fetus, C iguaniorum is lacking an S-layer encoding region. Furthermore, a defined lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis locus, encoding multiple glycosyltransferases and bounded by waa genes, is absent from C iguaniorum Instead, multiple predicted glycosylation regions were identified in C iguaniorum One of these regions is > 50 kb with deviant G + C content, suggesting acquisition via lateral transfer. These similar, but non-homologous glycosylation regions were located at the same position on the genome in both strains. Multiple genes encoding respiratory enzymes not identified to date within the C. fetus clade were present. C iguaniorum shared highest homology with C hyointestinalis and C fetus. As in reptile-associated C fetus subsp. testudinum, a putative tricarballylate catabolism locus was identified. However, despite colonizing a shared host, no recent recombination between both taxa was detected. This genomic study provides a better understanding of host adaptation, virulence, phylogeny, and evolution of C iguaniorum and related Campylobacter taxa. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.


July 7, 2019

Borneol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain TCU-HL1 catalyzes the oxidation of (+)-borneol and its isomers to camphor.

Most plant-produced monoterpenes can be degraded by soil microorganisms. Borneol is a plant terpene that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Neither microbial borneol dehydrogenase (BDH) nor a microbial borneol degradation pathway has been reported previously. One borneol-degrading strain, Pseudomonas sp. strain TCU-HL1, was isolated by our group. Its genome was sequenced and annotated. The genome of TCU-HL1 consists of a 6.2-Mbp circular chromosome and one circular plasmid, pTHL1 (12.6 kbp). Our results suggest that borneol is first converted into camphor by BDH in TCU-HL1 and is further decomposed through a camphor degradation pathway. The recombinant BDH was produced in the form of inclusion bodies. The apparent Km values of refolded recombinant BDH for (+)-borneol and (-)-borneol were 0.20 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.01 mM, respectively, and the kcat values for (+)-borneol and (-)-borneol were 0.75 ± 0.01 and 0.53 ± 0.01 s(-1), respectively. Two plant BDH genes have been reported previously. The kcat and kcat/Km values of lavender BDH are about 1,800-fold and 500-fold lower, respectively, than those of TCU-HL1 BDH.The degradation of borneol in a soil microorganism through a camphor degradation pathway is reported in this study. We also report a microbial borneol dehydrogenase. The kcat and kcat/Km values of lavender BDH are about 1,800-fold and 500-fold lower, respectively, than those of TCU-HL1 BDH. The indigenous borneol- and camphor-degrading strain isolated, Pseudomonas sp. strain TCU-HL1, reminds us of the time 100 years ago when Taiwan was the major producer of natural camphor in the world. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.


July 7, 2019

Multiplication of blaOXA-23 is common in clinical Acinetobacter baumannii, but does not enhance carbapenem resistance.

To investigate the copy number of blaOXA-23 and its correlation with carbapenem resistance in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB).A total of 113 blaOXA-23-positive clinical CRAB isolates were collected from two hospitals in Zhejiang province, China. Their genetic relatedness was determined by MLST. The MIC of imipenem was determined using the agar diffusion method and the copy number of blaOXA-23 was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The complete genomes of five clinical CRAB strains were sequenced using PacBio technology to investigate the multiplication mechanism of blaOXA-23.Most of the isolates (100/113) belonged to global clone II and the MIC of imipenem ranged from 16 to 96 mg/L. The gene blaOXA-23 resided exclusively in Tn2006 or Tn2009. Approximately 38% of the isolates carried two or more copies of blaOXA-23. The copy number of blaOXA-23 was not correlated with the MIC of imipenem. Within the five sequenced strains, multiple copies of blaOXA-23 were either tandemly clustered or independently inserted at different genomic sites.Multiplication of blaOXA-23 is common in CRAB, but does not enhance carbapenem resistance. Multiplication can be present in the form of either tandem amplifications or independent insertions at different sites.© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.


July 7, 2019

A novel plasmid, pSx1, harboring a new Tn1696 derivative from extensively drug-resistant Shewanella xiamenensis encoding OXA-416.

The whole genome sequencing of extensively drug-resistant Shewanella xiamenensis T17 isolated from hospital effluents in Algeria revealed the presence of a novel 268.4?kb plasmid designated pSx1, which carries several antibiotic-resistance genes in the novel Tn1696 derivative (Tn6297), in addition to the chromosomal blaOXA-48-like gene (blaOXA-416). The presence of the plasmid was confirmed by nuclease S1-PFGE analysis and transformation by electroporation into Escherichia coli DH10B. Tn6297 contains an In27 class 1 integron harboring the dfrA12-orfF-aadA2 array, msr(E) and mph(E) associated with IS26; a new efflux pump multidrug resistance composite transposon delimited by two ISEc29s; Tn-tet harboring tetR and tetA(C); a class 1 integron with the qacG gene cassette; qnrVC6 and dfrA23 associated with ISCR1; and a complex class 1 integron In4-like containing aacC1, aadA1, blaVEB-16, catA2, sul1?, cmlA9, tetR, tetA(G), aac(6′)-II, and blaPSE-1. Its mer operon carries merB, but lacks merC, in contrast to Tn1696 and Tn21. This study represents the first characterization of a multidrug-resistant transposon and multidrug resistance plasmid in Shewanella and is the first report of blaOXA-416 in Algeria, providing evidence that Shewanella spp. could be an important reservoir and vehicle for drug resistance genes.


July 7, 2019

Novel methyltransferase recognition motif identified in Chania multitudinisentens RB-25(T) gen. nov., sp. nov.

DNA methylation, defined by the addition of a methyl group to adenine or cytosine bases in DNA catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (MTases), is one of the most studied post-replicative DNA modification mechanism in bacteria (Roberts et al., 2003b). The three forms of nucleotide methylation identified to date are: N6-methyladenine(m6A), N4-methylcytosine (m4C), and 5-methylcytosine (m5C) (Gromova and Khoroshaev, 2003).


July 7, 2019

Recent “omics” advances in Helicobacter pylori.

The development of high-throughput whole genome sequencing (WGS) technologies is changing the face of microbiology, facilitating the comparison of large numbers of genomes from different lineages of a same organism. Our aim was to review the main advances on Helicobacter pylori “omics” and to understand how this is improving our knowledge of the biology, diversity and pathogenesis of H. pylori. Since the first H. pylori isolate was sequenced in 1997, 510 genomes have been deposited in the NCBI archive, providing a basis for improved understanding of the epidemiology and evolution of this important pathogen. This review focuses on works published between April 2015 and March 2016. Helicobacter “omics” is already making an impact and is a growing research field. Ultimately these advances will be translated into a routine clinical laboratory setting in order to improve public health.© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


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