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Nature Communications Sep 2023The rhizosheath, or the layer of soil closely adhering to roots, can help plants to tolerate drought under moderate soil drying conditions. Rhizosheath formation is the...
The rhizosheath, or the layer of soil closely adhering to roots, can help plants to tolerate drought under moderate soil drying conditions. Rhizosheath formation is the result of poorly understood interactions between root exudates, microbes, and soil conditions. Here, we study the roles played by the soil microbiota in rhizosheath formation in barley (a dry crop). We show that barley rhizosheath formation is greater in acid soil than in alkaline soil, and inoculation with microbiota from acid soil enhances rhizosheath formation in alkaline soil. The rhizosheath-promoting activity is associated with the presence of Flavobacteriaceae and Paenibacillaceae bacteria that express genes for biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, a common auxin), as determined by metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Two bacterial strains isolated from rhizosheath (Chryseobacterium culicis and Paenibacillus polymyxa) produce IAA and enhance barley rhizosheath formation, while their IAA-defective mutants are unable to promote rhizosheath formation. Co-inoculation with the IAA-producing strains enhances barley grain yield in field experiments through an increase in spike number. Our findings contribute to our understanding of barley rhizosheath formation, and suggest potential strategies for crop improvement.
Topics: Hordeum; Bacteria; Desiccation; Indoleacetic Acids; Soil
PubMed: 37726263
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40916-4 -
Phytopathology Mar 2024is one of the most destructive agricultural pathogens around the world, resulting in severe damage to yield and quality in agricultural production. Biological control...
is one of the most destructive agricultural pathogens around the world, resulting in severe damage to yield and quality in agricultural production. Biological control promises to be a great potential alternative to chemical agents against J2-4, isolated from ginger plants injured by , has shown excellent biocontrol efficacy against in cucumber. In vitro experiments with the strain J2-4 resulted in a correct mortality rate of 88.79% (24 h) and 98.57% (48 h) for second-stage juveniles (J2s) of Strain J2-4 significantly suppressed nematode infection on potted plants, with a 65.94% reduction in galls and a 51.64% reduction in eggs compared with the control. The split-root assay demonstrated that strain J2-4 not only reduced J2s' invasion but also inhibited nematode development through the dependence on salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling of strain J2-4 induction of plant resistance in local and systemic roots of cucumbers. Genomic analysis of strain J2-4 indicated biosynthetic gene clusters encoding polymyxin, fusaricidin B, paenilan, and tridecaptin. In addition, genetic analysis showed that none of the genes encoding virulence factors were detected in the genome of J2-4 compared with the pathogenic species. Taking all the data together, we conclude that J2-4 has potential as a biological control agent against on cucumbers and can be considered biologically safe when used in agriculture.
Topics: Animals; Cucumis sativus; Paenibacillus polymyxa; Tylenchoidea; Plant Diseases; Bacillus
PubMed: 37698495
DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO-03-23-0091-R -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Sep 2023WLY78, a N-fixing bacterium, has great potential use as a biofertilizer in agriculture. Recently, we have revealed that GlnR positively and negatively regulates the...
WLY78, a N-fixing bacterium, has great potential use as a biofertilizer in agriculture. Recently, we have revealed that GlnR positively and negatively regulates the transcription of the (trogen ixation) operon () in WLY78 by binding to two loci of the promoter according to nitrogen availability. However, the regulatory mechanisms of nitrogen metabolism mediated by GlnR in the genus remain unclear. In this study, we have revealed that glutamine synthetase (GS) and GlnR in WLY78 play a key role in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism. GS (encoded by within ) and GS1 (encoded by ) belong to distinct groups: GSI-α and GSI-β. Both GS and GS1 have the enzyme activity to convert NH and glutamate into glutamine, but only GS is involved in the repression by GlnR. GlnR represses transcription of under excess nitrogen, while it activates the expression of under nitrogen limitation. GlnR simultaneously activates and represses the expression of and in response to nitrogen availability. Also, GlnR regulates the expression of and . IMPORTANCE In this study, we have revealed that GlnR uses multiple mechanisms to regulate nitrogen metabolism. GlnR activates or represses or simultaneously activates and inhibits the transcription of nitrogen metabolism genes in response to nitrogen availability. The multiple regulation mechanisms employed by GlnR are very different from GlnR which represses nitrogen metabolism under excess nitrogen. Both GS encoded by within the operon and GS1 encoded by in WLY78 are involved in ammonium assimilation, but only GS is required for regulating GlnR activity. The work not only provides significant insight into understanding the interplay of GlnR and GS in nitrogen metabolism but also provides guidance for improving nitrogen fixation efficiency by modulating nitrogen metabolism.
PubMed: 37668407
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00139-23 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Nov 2023Microbial exopolysaccharides offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based rheological modifiers. Recent studies revealed that the heteroexopolysaccharide produced...
Microbial exopolysaccharides offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based rheological modifiers. Recent studies revealed that the heteroexopolysaccharide produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa is composed of three distinct biopolymers, referred to as paenan I, II and III. Using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knock-out variants of glycosyltransferases, defined polysaccharide compositions were produced and rheologically characterized in detail. The high viscosity and gel-like character of the wildtype polymer is proposed to originate from the non-covalent interaction between a pyruvate residue of paenan I and the glucuronic acid found in the backbone of paenan III. Paenan II conveys thermostable properties to the exopolysaccharide mixture. In contrast to the wildtype polymer mixture, knock-out variants demonstrated significantly altered rheological behavior. Using the rheological characterization performed in this study, tailor-made paenan variants and mixtures can be generated to be utilized in a wide range of applications including thickening agents, coatings, or high-value biomedical materials.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Paenibacillus polymyxa; Polymers; Pyruvic Acid
PubMed: 37659800
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121243 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023The valorization of fruit and vegetable residues (such as carrot discard) and their microbial conversion into 2,3-butanediol (BDO) can be considered as a very...
The valorization of fruit and vegetable residues (such as carrot discard) and their microbial conversion into 2,3-butanediol (BDO) can be considered as a very interesting way to reduce food waste and sustainably originate high value-added products. This work analyzes the valorization of carrot discard as feedstock for 2,3-butanediol (BDO) production by DSM 365. The influences of stirring and the presence of tryptone (nitrogen source) are studied. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the influence of the pre-culture medium (nitrogen source, nutrients, and pH) and the substrate, fermentation assays in simple and mixture semi-defined media (glucose, fructose, and/or galactose) were also carried out. As a result, 18.8 g/L BDO, with a BDO yield of 0.43 g/g (86% of its theoretical value), could be obtained from carrot discard enzymatic hydrolysate at 100 rpm, no tryptone, and pre-culture Häßler medium. No hydrothermal pre-treatment was necessary for BDO production from carrot discard, which increases the profitability of the process. Therefore, 18.8 g BDO, as well as 2.5 g ethanol and 2.1 g acetoin by-products, could be obtained from 100 g of carrot discard (dry matter).
PubMed: 37627821
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10080937 -
Plant Disease Mar 2024Strawberry is a popular fruit with valuable nutrition and an attractive fragrance, but its production and propagation are limited by various diseases, including...
Strawberry is a popular fruit with valuable nutrition and an attractive fragrance, but its production and propagation are limited by various diseases, including anthracnose and gray mold. For disease management, biological control measures are environmentally friendly and good alternatives to fungicides to avoid crop losses, reduce carbon emissions, and improve food safety. In this study, TP3, which originated from the strawberry phyllosphere, was shown to antagonize the anthracnose fungal pathogen and reduce leaf symptoms on strawberry plants. Several mass spectra corresponding to fusaricidin were detected in the confrontation assay of TP3 and by image mass spectrometry The transcription of and in the fusaricidin biosynthesis gene cluster increased while TP3 was cultured in the medium containing the culture filtrate of , as detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, indicating the involvement of fusaricidins in TP3 antagonism against the anthracnose pathogen. Further disease control assays demonstrated the time frame and spatial mode of TP3-induced systemic resistance of strawberry against . The transcript level of the marker gene of the jasmonic acid pathway increased in strawberry leaves after drenching treatment with TP3, and the callose deposition was enhanced by further flg22 treatment. In addition, TP3 treatments of the strawberry mother plants reduced infection in the daughter plants, which would be a potent feature for the application of TP3 in strawberry nurseries and fields to reduce the impact of diseases, especially anthracnose.
Topics: Paenibacillus polymyxa; Fragaria; Fungicides, Industrial; Peptide Fragments; Thymopoietins
PubMed: 37580883
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-08-23-1499-RE -
BMC Biotechnology Jul 2023One critical parameter in microbial cultivations is the composition of the cultivation medium. Nowadays, the application of chemically defined media increases, due to a...
BACKGROUND
One critical parameter in microbial cultivations is the composition of the cultivation medium. Nowadays, the application of chemically defined media increases, due to a more defined and reproducible fermentation performance than in complex media. In order, to improve cost-effectiveness of fermentation processes using chemically defined media, the media should not contain nutrients in large excess. Additionally, to obtain high product yields, the nutrient concentrations should not be limiting. Therefore, efficient medium optimization techniques are required which adapt medium compositions to the specific nutrient requirements of microorganisms.
RESULTS
Since most Paenibacillus cultivation protocols so far described in literature are based on complex ingredients, in this study, a chemically defined medium for an industrially relevant Paenibacillus polymyxa strain was developed. A recently reported method, which combines a systematic experimental procedure in combination with online monitoring of the respiration activity, was applied and extended to identify growth limitations for Paenibacillus polymyxa. All cultivations were performed in microtiter plates. By systematically increasing the concentrations of different nutrient groups, nicotinic acid was identified as a growth-limiting component. Additionally, an insufficient buffer capacity was observed. After optimizing the growth in the chemically defined medium, the medium components were systematically reduced to contain only nutrients relevant for growth. Vitamins were reduced to nicotinic acid and biotin, and amino acids to methionine, histidine, proline, arginine, and glutamate. Nucleobases/-sides could be completely left out of the medium. Finally, the cultivation in the reduced medium was reproduced in a laboratory fermenter.
CONCLUSION
In this study, a reliable and time-efficient high-throughput methodology was extended to investigate limitations in chemically defined media. The interpretation of online measured respiration activities agreed well with the growth performance of samples measured in parallel via offline analyses. Furthermore, the cultivation in microtiter plates was validated in a laboratory fermenter. The results underline the benefits of online monitoring of the respiration activity already in the early stages of process development, to avoid limitations of medium components, oxygen limitation and pH inhibition during the scale-up.
Topics: Paenibacillus polymyxa; Bioreactors; Fermentation; Paenibacillus; Culture Media; Nicotinic Acids
PubMed: 37507713
DOI: 10.1186/s12896-023-00793-7 -
Pest Management Science Nov 2023Kiwifruit bacterial canker (KBC) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) is the main limiting factor in the kiwifruit industry. This study aimed to identify...
BACKGROUND
Kiwifruit bacterial canker (KBC) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) is the main limiting factor in the kiwifruit industry. This study aimed to identify bacterial strains with antagonistic activity against Psa, analyze antagonistically active substances and provide a new basis for the biological control of KBC.
RESULTS
A total of 142 microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of asymptomatic kiwifruit. Among them, an antagonistic bacterial strain was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa YLC1 by 16S rRNA sequencing. KBC control by strain YLC1 (85.4%) was comparable to copper hydroxide treatment (81.8%) under laboratory conditions and field testing. Active substances of strain YLC1 were identified by genetic sequence analysis using antiSMASH. Six biosynthetic active compound gene clusters were identified as encoding ester peptide synthesis, such as polymyxins. An active fraction was purified and identified as polymyxin B1 using chromatography, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, polymyxin B1 also was found significantly to suppress the expression of T3SS-related genes, but did not affect the growth of Psa at low concentrations.
CONCLUSION
In this study, a biocontrol strain P. polymyxa YLC1 obtained from kiwifruit rhizosphere soil exhibited excellent control effects on KBC in vitro and in field tests. Its active compound was identified as polymyxin B1, which inhibits a variety of pathogenic bacteria. We conclude that P. polymyxa YLC1 is a biocontrol strain with excellent prospects for development and application. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
PubMed: 37417001
DOI: 10.1002/ps.7633 -
Microbial Cell Factories Jul 2023Chemical fertilizers have greatly contributed to the development of agriculture, but alternative fertilizers are needed for the sustainable development of agriculture....
BACKGROUND
Chemical fertilizers have greatly contributed to the development of agriculture, but alternative fertilizers are needed for the sustainable development of agriculture. 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) is a promising biological plant growth promoter.
RESULTS
In this study, we attempted to develop an effective strategy for the biological production of highly pure R,R-2,3-butanediol (R,R-2,3-BDO) by Paenibacillus polymyxa fermentation. First, gamma-ray mutagenesis was performed to obtain P. polymyxa MDBDO, a strain that grew faster than the parent strain and had high production of R,R-2,3-BDO. The activities of R,R-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase and diacetyl reductase of the mutant strain were increased by 33% and decreased by 60%, respectively. In addition, it was confirmed that the carbon source depletion of the fermentation broth affects the purity of R,R-2,3-BDO through batch fermentation. Fed-batch fermentation using controlled carbon feeding led to production of 77.3 g/L of R,R-2,3-BDO with high optical purity (> 99% of C products) at 48 h. Additionally, fed-batch culture using corn steep liquor as an alternative nitrogen source led to production of 70.3 g/L of R,R-2,3-BDO at 60 h. The fed-batch fermentation broth of P. polymyxa MDBDO, which contained highly pure R,R-2,3-BDO, significantly stimulated the growth of soybean and strawberry seedlings.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that P. polymyxa MDBDO has potential for use in biological plant growth promoting agent applications. In addition, our fermentation strategy demonstrated that high-purity R,R-2,3-BDO can be produced at high concentrations using P. polymyxa.
Topics: Paenibacillus polymyxa; Carbon; Fertilizers; Butylene Glycols; Fermentation; Paenibacillus
PubMed: 37407951
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02133-y -
Microbiological Research Sep 2023The bacteriophage phiBP contains a newly discovered putative replisome organizer, a helicase loader, and a beta clamp, which together may serve to replicate its DNA....
The bacteriophage phiBP contains a newly discovered putative replisome organizer, a helicase loader, and a beta clamp, which together may serve to replicate its DNA. Bioinformatics analysis of the phiBP replisome organizer sequence showed that it belongs to a recently identified family of putative initiator proteins. We prepared and isolated a wild type-like recombinant protein, gpRO-HC, and a mutant protein gpRO-HCK8A, containing a lysine to alanine substitution at position 8. gpRO-HC had low ATPase activity regardless of the presence of DNA, while the ATPase activity of the mutant was significantly higher. gpRO-HC bound to both single- and double-stranded DNA substrates. Different methods showed that gpRO-HC forms higher oligomers containing about 12 subunits. This work provides the first information about another group of phage initiator proteins, which trigger DNA replication in phages infecting low GC Gram-positive bacteria.
Topics: Paenibacillus polymyxa; DNA Replication; Bacteriophages; DNA; Adenosine Triphosphatases
PubMed: 37327604
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127437