bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Sproeer, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Sproeer, C..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

COMPLETE GENOME SEQUENCE OF VIBRIO SYNGNATHI SP. NOV., A FISH PATHOGEN, ISOLATED FROM THE KIEL FJORD

A new Vibrio strain K08M4T was isolated from the broad-nosed pipefish Syngnathus typhle in the Kiel Fjord. Infection experiments revealed that K08M4T is highly virulent for juvenile pipefish. Cells of strain K08M4T are Gram-stain-negative, curved rod-shaped and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The strain can grow aerobically at 9 to 40{degrees}C, at pH 4 to 10.5 and tolerates up to 12% (w/v) NaCl. The most prevalent (> 10%) cellular fatty acids of K08M4T were C16:1{omega} 7c and C16:0. Whole-genome comparisons revealed that K08M4T represents a separate evolutionary lineage which is distinct from other Vibrio species and falls within the Vibrio Splendidus clade. The genome is 4,886,292 bp in size, consists of two circular chromosomes (3,298,328 bp, 1,587,964 bp), and comprises 4,178 protein-coding genes and 175 RNA genes. In this study, we describe the phenotypic features of the new isolate and present the annotation and analysis of its complete genome sequence. Based on these data, the new isolate represents a new species for which we propose the name Vibrio syngnathi. The type strain is K08M4T (=DSM 109818T). Supplementary materialOne supplementary figure and six supplementary table are available with the online version of the Manuscript.

microbiology↗

Genomics of the "tumorigenes" clade of the family Rhizobiaceae and description of Rhizobium rhododendri sp. nov.

Tumorigenic members of the family Rhizobiaceae, known as agrobacteria, are responsible for crown and cane gall diseases of various agricultural crops worldwide. Tumorigenic agrobacteria are commonly found in the genera Agrobacterium, Allorhizobium, and Rhizobium. In this study, we analyzed a distinct "tumorigenes" clade of the genus Rhizobium, which includes the tumorigenic species Rhizobium tumorigenes, as well as strains causing crown gall disease on rhododendron. Here, high quality, closed genomes of representatives of the "tumorigenes" clade were generated, followed by comparative genomic and phylogenomic analyses. Additionally, phenotypic characteristics of representatives of the "tumorigenes" clade were analyzed. Our results showed that the tumorigenic strains isolated from rhododendron represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium for which the name Rhizobium rhododendri sp. nov. is proposed. This species also includes additional strains originating from blueberry and Himalayan blackberry in USA, whose genome sequences were retrieved from GenBank. Both R. tumorigenes and R. rhododendri contain multipartite genomes, including a chromosome, putative chromids, and megaplasmids. Synteny and phylogenetic analyses indicated that a large putative chromid of R. rhododendri resulted from the cointegration of an ancestral megaplasmid and two putative chromids, following its divergence from R. tumorigenes. Moreover, gene clusters specific for both species of the "tumorigenes" clade were identified, and their biological functions and roles in ecological diversification of R. rhododendri and R. tumorigenes were predicted and discussed.

microbiology↗

Two new Rhizobiales species isolated from root nodules of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) show different plant colonization strategies

Root nodules of legume plants are primarily inhabited by rhizobial nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Here we propose two new Rhizobiales species isolated from root nodules of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), as shown by core-gene phylogeny, overall genome relatedness indices and pan-genome analysis. Mesorhizobium onobrychidis sp. nov., actively induces nodules, and achieves atmospheric nitrogen and carbon dioxide fixation. This species appears to be depleted in motility genes, and is enriched in genes for direct effects on plant growth performance. Its genome reveals functional and plant growth-promoting signatures like a large unique chromosomal genomic island with high density of symbiotic genetic traits. Onobrychidicola muellerharveyae gen. nov. sp. nov., is described as type species of the new genus Onobrychidicola in Rhizobiaceae. This species comprises unique genetic features and plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs), which strongly indicate its function in biotic stress reduction and motility. We applied a newly developed bioinformatics approach for in silico prediction of PGPTs (PGPT-Pred), which supports the different lifestyles of the two new species and the plant growth-promoting performance of M. onobrychidis in the greenhouse trial.

microbiology↗

PROMA PLASMIDS ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DISSEMINATION OF LINURON CATABOLIC GENES BETWEEN DIFFERENT GENERA

PromA plasmids are broad host range plasmids, which are often cryptic and hence have an uncertain ecological role. We present three novel PromA {gamma} plasmids which carry genes associated with degradation of the phenylurea herbicide linuron, two (pPBL-H3-2 and pBPS33-2) of which originate from unrelated Hydrogenophaga hosts isolated from different environments, and one (pEN1) which was exogenously captured from an on-farm biopurification system. Both Hydrogenophaga plasmids carry all three necessary gene clusters determining the three main steps for conversion of linuron to Krebs cycle intermediates, while pEN1 only determines the initial linuron hydrolysis step. Linuron catabolic gene clusters that determine the same step were identical on all plasmids, encompassed in differently arranged constellations and characterized by the presence of multiple IS1071 elements. In all plasmids except pEN1, the insertion spot of the catabolic genes in the PromA {gamma} plasmids was the same. Highly similar PromA plasmids carrying the linuron degrading gene cargo at the same insertion spot were were previously identified in linuron degrading Variovorax sp. Interestingly, in both Hydrogenophaga populations not every PromA plasmid copy carries catabolic genes. The results indicate that PromA plasmids are important vehicles of linuron catabolic gene dissemination, rather than being cryptic and only important for the mobilization of other plasmids.

genomics↗