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Frontiers in Microbiology 2017The genus includes human pathogens ( and ) and environmental organisms known as non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that, when associated with biomaterials and chronic... (Review)
Review
The genus includes human pathogens ( and ) and environmental organisms known as non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that, when associated with biomaterials and chronic disease, can cause human infections. A common pathogenic factor of mycobacteria is the formation of biofilms. Various molecules are involved in this process, including glycopeptidolipids, shorter-chain mycolic acids, and GroEL1 chaperone. Nutrients, ions, and carbon sources influence bacterial behavior and have a regulatory role in biofilm formation. The ultrastructure of mycobacterial biofilms can be studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy, a technique that reveals different phenotypic characteristics. Cording is associated with NTM pathogenicity, and is also considered an important property of strains. Mycobacterial biofilms are more resistant to environmental aggressions and disinfectants than the planktonic form. Biofilm-forming mycobacteria have been reported in many environmental studies, especially in water systems. NTM cause respiratory disease in patients with underlying diseases, such as old tuberculosis scars, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis. Pathogens can be either slowly growing mycobacteria, such as complex, or rapidly growing species, such as . Another important biofilm-related group of infections are those associated with biomaterials, and in this setting the most frequently isolated organisms are rapidly growing mycobacteria. can develop a biofilm which plays a role in the process of casseous necrosis and cavity formation in lung tissue. also develops biofilms on clinical biomaterials. Biofilm development is an important factor for antimicrobial resistance, as it affords protection against antibiotics that are normally active against the same bacteria in the planktonic state. This antibiotic resistance of biofilm-forming microorganisms may result in treatment failure, and biofilms have to be physically eradicated to resolve the infection. New strategies with potential antibiofilm molecules that improve treatment efficacy have been developed. A novel antibiofilm approach focuses on sp. An understanding of biofilm is essential for the appropriate management of patients with many NTM diseases, while the recent discovery of biofilms opens a new research field.
PubMed: 29403446
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02651 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2017Most species in the Leguminosae (legume family) can fix atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) via symbiotic bacteria (rhizobia) in root nodules. Here, the literature on... (Review)
Review
Most species in the Leguminosae (legume family) can fix atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) via symbiotic bacteria (rhizobia) in root nodules. Here, the literature on legume-rhizobia symbioses in field soils was reviewed and genotypically characterised rhizobia related to the taxonomy of the legumes from which they were isolated. The Leguminosae was divided into three sub-families, the Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae. spp. were the exclusive rhizobial symbionts of species in the Caesalpinioideae, but data are limited. Generally, a range of rhizobia genera nodulated legume species across the two Mimosoideae tribes Ingeae and Mimoseae, but spp. show specificity towards in central and southern Brazil, / in central Mexico and in southern Uruguay. These specific symbioses are likely to be at least in part related to the relative occurrence of the potential symbionts in soils of the different regions. Generally, Papilionoideae species were promiscuous in relation to rhizobial symbionts, but specificity for rhizobial genus appears to hold at the tribe level for the Fabeae (), the genus level for (), () and the New Zealand native spp. () and species level for (), () and (). Specificity for rhizobial species/symbiovar appears to hold for ( sv. ) ( sv. ), (), ( sv. ), ( sv. s) and ( sv. ). Lateral gene transfer of specific symbiosis genes within rhizobial genera is an important mechanism allowing legumes to form symbioses with rhizobia adapted to particular soils. Strain-specific legume rhizobia symbioses can develop in particular habitats.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Bradyrhizobium; Cupriavidus; Fabaceae; Phylogeny; Plant Roots; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rhizobium; Symbiosis
PubMed: 28346361
DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040705 -
Microbiology Spectrum Aug 2022The genus includes widespread plant-associated bacteria that are abundant in the plant phyllosphere (leaf surfaces), consume plant-secreted methanol, and can produce...
The genus includes widespread plant-associated bacteria that are abundant in the plant phyllosphere (leaf surfaces), consume plant-secreted methanol, and can produce plant growth-promoting metabolites. However, despite the potential to increase agricultural productivity, their impact on host fitness in the natural environment is relatively poorly understood. Here, we conducted field experiments with three traditionally cultivated rice landraces from northeastern India. We inoculated seedlings with native versus nonnative phyllosphere strains and found significant impacts on plant growth and grain yield. However, these effects were variable. Whereas some isolates were beneficial for their host, others had no impact or were no more beneficial than the bacterial growth medium on its own. Host plant benefits were not consistently associated with colonization and did not have altered phyllosphere microbiome composition, changes in the early expression of plant stress response pathways, or bacterial auxin production. We provide the first demonstration of the benefits of phyllosphere for rice yield under field conditions and highlight the need for further analysis to understand the mechanisms underlying these benefits. Given that the host landrace- relationship was not generalizable, future agricultural applications will require careful testing to identify coevolved host-bacterium pairs that may enhance the productivity of high-value rice varieties. Plants are associated with diverse microbes in nature. Do the microbes increase host plant health, and can they be used for agricultural applications? This is an important question that must be answered in the field rather than in the laboratory or greenhouse. We tested the effects of native, leaf-inhabiting bacteria (genus ) on traditionally cultivated rice varieties in a crop field. We found that inoculation with some bacteria increased rice grain production substantially while a nonnative bacterium reduced plant health. Overall, the effect of bacterial inoculation varied across pairs of rice varieties and their native bacteria. Thus, knowledge of evolved associations between specific bacteria hosted by specific rice varieties is necessary to develop ways to increase the yield of traditional rice landraces and preserve these important sources of cultural and genetic diversity.
Topics: Agriculture; Edible Grain; Methylobacterium; Oryza; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 35856668
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00810-22 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2019Chloromethane is a halogenated volatile organic compound, produced in large quantities by terrestrial vegetation. After its release to the troposphere and transport to... (Review)
Review
Chloromethane is a halogenated volatile organic compound, produced in large quantities by terrestrial vegetation. After its release to the troposphere and transport to the stratosphere, its photolysis contributes to the degradation of stratospheric ozone. A better knowledge of chloromethane sources (production) and sinks (degradation) is a prerequisite to estimate its atmospheric budget in the context of global warming. The degradation of chloromethane by methylotrophic communities in terrestrial environments is a major underestimated chloromethane sink. Methylotrophs isolated from soils, marine environments and more recently from the phyllosphere have been grown under laboratory conditions using chloromethane as the sole carbon source. In addition to anaerobes that degrade chloromethane, the majority of cultivated strains were isolated in aerobiosis for their ability to use chloromethane as sole carbon and energy source. Among those, the Proteobacterium (recently reclassified as ) harbours the only characterisized 'chloromethane utilization' () pathway, so far. This pathway is not representative of chloromethane-utilizing populations in the environment as genes are rare in metagenomes. Recently, combined 'omics' biological approaches with chloromethane carbon and hydrogen stable isotope fractionation measurements in microcosms, indicated that microorganisms in soils and the phyllosphere (plant aerial parts) represent major sinks of chloromethane in contrast to more recently recognized microbe-inhabited environments, such as clouds. Cultivated chloromethane-degraders lacking the genes display a singular isotope fractionation signature of chloromethane. Moreover, 13CH3Cl labelling of active methylotrophic communities by stable isotope probing in soils identify taxa that differ from the taxa known for chloromethane degradation. These observations suggest that new biomarkers for detecting active microbial chloromethane-utilizers in the environment are needed to assess the contribution of microorganisms to the global chloromethane cycle.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Biodegradation, Environmental; Energy Metabolism; Geologic Sediments; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Methanol; Methyl Chloride; Methylobacterium; Methylophilaceae; Methyltransferases; Proteobacteria; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 31166190
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.033.149 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023The female reproductive tract harbours unique microbial communities (known as microbiota) which have been associated with reproductive functions in health and disease....
INTRODUCTION
The female reproductive tract harbours unique microbial communities (known as microbiota) which have been associated with reproductive functions in health and disease. While endometrial microbiome studies have shown that the uterus possesses higher bacterial diversity and richness compared to the vagina, the knowledge regarding the composition of the Fallopian tubes (FT) is lacking, especially in fertile women without any underlying conditions.
METHODS
To address this gap, our study included 19 patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology, and 5 women who underwent tubal ligation as a permanent contraceptive method at Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA). We analyzed the microbiome of samples collected from the FT and endometrium using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
RESULTS
Our findings revealed distinct microbiome profiles in the endometrial and FT samples, indicating that the upper reproductive tract harbors an endogenous microbiome. However, these two sites also shared some similarities, with 69% of the detected taxa Being common to both. Interestingly, we identified seventeen bacterial taxa exclusively present in the FT samples, including the genera , and , among others. On the other hand, 10 bacterial taxa were only found in the endometrium, including the genera and (FDR <0.05). Furthermore, our study highlighted the influence of the endometrial collection method on the findings. Samples obtained transcervically showed a dominance of the genus Lactobacillus, which may indicate potential vaginal contamination. In contrast, uterine samples obtained through hysterescopy revealed higher abundance of the genera , and .
DISCUSSION
Although the upper reproductive tract appears to have a low microbial biomass, our results suggest that the endometrial and FT microbiome is unique to each individual. In fact, samples obtained from the same individual showed more microbial similarity between the endometrium and FT compared to samples from different women. Understanding the composition of the female upper reproductive microbiome provides valuable insights into the natural microenvironment where processes such as oocyte fertilization, embryo development and implantation occur. This knowledge can improve fertilization and embryo culture conditions for the treatment of infertility.
Topics: Female; Humans; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Uterus; Endometrium; Vagina; Infertility; Bacteria
PubMed: 37415669
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1096050 -
Microorganisms Apr 2015Methylotrophs, which can utilize methane and/or methanol as sole carbon and energy sources, are key players in the carbon cycle between methane and CO₂, the two most... (Review)
Review
Methylotrophs, which can utilize methane and/or methanol as sole carbon and energy sources, are key players in the carbon cycle between methane and CO₂, the two most important greenhouse gases. This review describes the relationships between methylotrophs and plants, and between methanotrophs (methane-utilizers, a subset of methylotrophs) and heterotrophic bacteria. Some plants emit methane and methanol from their leaves, and provide methylotrophs with habitats. Methanol-utilizing methylotrophs in the genus Methylobacterium are abundant in the phyllosphere and have the ability to promote the growth of some plants. Methanotrophs also inhabit the phyllosphere, and methanotrophs with high methane oxidation activities have been found on aquatic plants. Both plant and environmental factors are involved in shaping the methylotroph community on plants. Methanotrophic activity can be enhanced by heterotrophic bacteria that provide growth factors (e.g., cobalamin). Information regarding the biological interaction of methylotrophs with other organisms will facilitate a better understanding of the carbon cycle that is driven by methylotrophs.
PubMed: 27682083
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms3020137 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021Four strains belonging to the family of were isolated from different locations on the International Space Station (ISS) across two consecutive flights. Of these, three...
Four strains belonging to the family of were isolated from different locations on the International Space Station (ISS) across two consecutive flights. Of these, three were identified as Gram-negative, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive, motile bacteria, designated as IF7SW-B2, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, whereas the fourth was identified as . The sequence similarity of these three ISS strains, designated as IF7SW-B2, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, was <99.4% for 16S rRNA genes and <97.3% for gene, with the closest being SE2.11. Furthermore, the multi-locus sequence analysis placed these three ISS strains in the same clade of The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of these three ISS strains were <93% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were <46.4% with any described species. Based on the ANI and dDDH analyses, these three ISS strains were considered as novel species belonging to the genus The three ISS strains showed 100% ANI similarity and dDDH values with each other, indicating that these three ISS strains, isolated during various flights and from different locations, belong to the same species. These three ISS strains were found to grow optimally at temperatures from 25 to 30°C, pH 6.0 to 8.0, and NaCl 0 to 1%. Phenotypically, these three ISS strains resemble and since they assimilate similar sugars as sole carbon substrate when compared to other species. Fatty acid analysis showed that the major fatty acid produced by the ISS strains are C -ω7 and C -ω6. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone 10, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified lipid. Therefore, based on genomic, phylogenetic, biochemical, and fatty acid analyses, strains IF7SW-B2, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, are assigned to a novel species within the genus , and the name sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IF7SW-B2 (NRRL B-65601 and LMG 32165).
PubMed: 33790880
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.639396 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021The pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFMs), a major bacterial group found in the plant phyllosphere, comprise two genera: and They have been separated into...
The pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFMs), a major bacterial group found in the plant phyllosphere, comprise two genera: and They have been separated into three major clades: A, B (), and C. Within these genera, however, some species lack either pigmentation or methylotrophy, which raises the question of what actually defines the PPFMs. The present study employed a comprehensive comparative genomics approach to reveal the phylogenetic relationship among the PPFMs and to explain the genotypic differences that confer their different phenotypes. We newly sequenced the genomes of 29 relevant-type strains to complete a dataset for almost all validly published species in the genera. Through comparative analysis, we revealed that methylotrophy, nitrate utilization, and anoxygenic photosynthesis are hallmarks differentiating the PPFMs from the other . The species in clade A, including the type species , were phylogenetically classified into six subclades, each possessing relatively high genomic homology and shared phenotypic characteristics. One of these subclades is phylogenetically close to species; this finding led us to reunite the two genera into a single genus . Clade C, meanwhile, is composed of phylogenetically distinct species that share relatively higher percent G+C content and larger genome sizes, including larger numbers of secondary metabolite clusters. Most species of clade C and some of clade A have the glutathione-dependent pathway for formaldehyde oxidation in addition to the HMPT pathway. Some species cannot utilize methanol due to their lack of MxaF-type methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), but most harbor an XoxF-type MDH that enables growth on methanol in the presence of lanthanum. The genomes of PPFMs encode between two and seven (average 3.7) genes for pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, and their phylogeny is distinctly correlated with their genomic phylogeny. All PPFMs were capable of synthesizing auxin and did not induce any immune response in rice cells. Other phenotypes including sugar utilization, antibiotic resistance, and antifungal activity correlated with their phylogenetic relationship. This study provides the first inclusive genotypic insight into the phylogeny and phenotypes of PPFMs.
PubMed: 34737731
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.740610 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2023Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) complicate malignancies and portend worse outcomes. MPE is comprised of various components, including immune cells, cancer cells, and...
Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) complicate malignancies and portend worse outcomes. MPE is comprised of various components, including immune cells, cancer cells, and cell-free DNA/RNA. There have been investigations into using these components to diagnose and prognosticate MPE. We hypothesize that the microbiome of MPE is unique and may be associated with diagnosis and prognosis. We compared the microbiota of MPE against microbiota of pleural effusions from non-malignant and paramalignant states. We collected a total of 165 pleural fluid samples from 165 subjects; Benign (n = 16), Paramalignant (n = 21), MPE-Lung (n = 57), MPE-Other (n = 22), and Mesothelioma (n = 49). We performed high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing on pleural fluid samples and controls. We showed that there are compositional differences among pleural effusions related to non-malignant, paramalignant, and malignant disease. Furthermore, we showed differential enrichment of bacterial taxa within MPE depending on the site of primary malignancy. Pleural fluid of MPE-Lung and Mesothelioma were associated with enrichment with oral and gut bacteria that are commonly thought to be commensals, including Rickettsiella, Ruminococcus, Enterococcus, and Lactobacillales. Mortality in MPE-Lung is associated with enrichment in Methylobacterium, Blattabacterium, and Deinococcus. These observations lay the groundwork for future studies that explore host-microbiome interactions and their influence on carcinogenesis.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Mesothelioma; Biomarkers; Pleural Effusion; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Prognosis; Microbiota; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 36755121
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29001-4 -
Genes Dec 2021Switchgrass is a promising feedstock for biofuel production, with potential for leveraging its native microbial community to increase productivity and resilience to...
Switchgrass is a promising feedstock for biofuel production, with potential for leveraging its native microbial community to increase productivity and resilience to environmental stress. Here, we characterized the bacterial, archaeal and fungal diversity of the leaf microbial community associated with four switchgrass () genotypes, subjected to two harvest treatments (annual harvest and unharvested control), and two fertilization levels (fertilized and unfertilized control), based on 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region amplicon sequencing. Leaf surface and leaf endosphere bacterial communities were significantly different with Alphaproteobacteria enriched in the leaf surface and Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli enriched in the leaf endosphere. Harvest treatment significantly shifted presence/absence and abundances of bacterial and fungal leaf surface community members: Gammaproteobacteria were significantly enriched in harvested and Alphaproteobacteria were significantly enriched in unharvested leaf surface communities. These shifts were most prominent in the upland genotype DAC where the leaf surface showed the highest enrichment of Gammaproteobacteria, including taxa with 100% identity to those previously shown to have phytopathogenic function. Fertilization did not have any significant impact on bacterial or fungal communities. We also identified bacterial and fungal taxa present in both the leaf surface and leaf endosphere across all genotypes and treatments. These core taxa were dominated by , , and , in addition to , , and . Local core leaf bacterial and fungal taxa represent promising targets for plant microbe engineering and manipulation across various genotypes and harvest treatments. Our study showcases, for the first time, the significant impact that harvest treatment can have on bacterial and fungal taxa inhabiting switchgrass leaves and the need to include this factor in future plant microbial community studies.
Topics: Archaea; Bacteria; Biodiversity; Biofuels; Fungi; Microbiota; Panicum; Plant Leaves; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 35052362
DOI: 10.3390/genes13010022