Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jillian M. Petersen, Benedict Yuen
Summary: Nitrogen fixation is a widespread metabolic trait in certain types of microorganisms called diazotrophs. Various organisms have evolved symbioses with diverse diazotrophic bacteria, with enormous economic and ecological benefits. Chemosynthetic nitrogen-fixing symbionts, recently discovered in marine clams, play a crucial role in providing nitrogen in symbiotic relationships.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Nadiatul A. Mohd-Radzman, Colleen Drapek
Summary: Plant root architecture is developmentally plastic and forms dedicated cells and organs to host symbionts, such as nitrogen-fixing nodules and myconodules. These symbiotic associations provide different levels of compartmentalisation, allowing the plant to regulate symbiotic interactions. This review discusses the developmental strategy of symbiont compartmentalisation by the plant host and speculates on how spatial confinement mitigates risks associated with root symbiosis.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothy L. Haskett, Ponraj Paramasivan, Marta D. Mendes, Patrick Green, Barney A. Geddes, Hayley E. Knights, Beatriz Jorrin, Min-Hyung Ryu, Paul Brett, Christopher A. Voigt, Giles E. D. Oldroyd, Philip S. Poole
Summary: Engineering N-2-fixing symbioses between cereals and diazotrophic bacteria represents a promising strategy to sustainably deliver biologically fixed nitrogen in agriculture. The development of a homozygous rhizopine producing barley line and a hybrid rhizopine uptake system significantly improved the sensitivity for rhizopine perception in the bacterium Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571. This work represents a key milestone toward the development of a synthetic plant-controlled symbiosis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lucas G. Castellani, Abril Luchetti, Juliet F. Nilsson, Julieta Perez-Gimenez, Caren Wegener, Andreas Schluter, Alfred Puhler, Antonio Lagares, Susana Brom, Mariano Pistorio, Karsten Niehaus, Gonzalo A. Torres Tejerizo
Summary: Biological nitrogen fixation is a major source of nitrogen into the biosphere, achieved through symbiosis between rhizobia and leguminous plants. Exopolysaccharides play a crucial role in establishing effective symbiosis between alfalfa and Ensifer meliloti. Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83 can infect alfalfa but lacks efficient nitrogen fixation, with different EPS biosynthesis gene organization compared to E. meliloti.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sophie de Vries, Cornelia Herrfurth, Fay-Wei Li, Ivo Feussner, Jan de Vries
Summary: Despite its small size, the water fern Azolla plays a significant role in plant symbioses. It harbors nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in specialized leaf cavities. Unlike other plant-cyanobiont symbioses, Azolla's symbiosis is permanent and inherited during reproduction. The presence of the plant hormone salicylic acid (SA) in Azolla suggests its involvement in the communication between the two partners.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Barney A. Geddes, Jason V. S. Kearsley, Jiarui Huang, Maryam Zamani, Zahed Muhammed, Leah Sather, Aakanx K. Panchal, George C. diCenzo, Turlough M. Finan
Summary: The symbiosis between leguminous plants and rhizobia in root nodules plays a key role in sustainable agricultural systems. Research has identified a minimal bacterial gene complement necessary for successful symbiosis and nitrogen fixation, paving the way for engineering symbiosis in nonlegume crops. By reorganizing the minimal symbiotic genes into three modules, researchers have provided a platform for expanding symbiosis to other plant partners and identifying genetic components that modulate competitiveness for nodulation and the effectiveness of rhizobia-plant symbioses.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinqing Zheng, Chenying Wang, Huaxia Sheng, Gaofeng Niu, Xu Dong, Lingling Yuan, Tuo Shi
Summary: This study investigated the importance of symbiotic metabolite supply to scleractinian corals and the effects of ocean acidification on coral calcification. The findings suggest that while there were no significant differences in carbon assimilation among different pH treatments, nitrogen assimilation significantly decreased at pH 7.4. This decreased nitrogen assimilation could lead to reduced coral resilience to stressful events, highlighting the trade-off between coral hosts and symbionts in response to future climate change.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
David M. Hershey, Aretha Fiebig, Sean Crosson
Summary: In this study, genes required for Caulobacter crescentus to activate surface attachment in response to signals from flagellum were identified. The genes involved in transmitting information from the flagellum are grouped into two pathways, one controlling the bacterium's morphogenesis program and the other required for flagellar motility. The results support a model where a developmental and a mechanical signaling pathway operate in parallel downstream of the flagellum and converge to regulate adhesion.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
W. F. Chen, E. T. Wang, Z. J. Ji, J. J. Zhang
Summary: Symbiotic rhizobia convert dinitrogen gas into ammonia for the host plant. Specificity exists between rhizobia and leguminous species. Nodulation specificity and efficiency are mainly determined by soil conditions and host plants.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Diana Hernandez-Oaxaca, Karen L. Claro-Mendoza, Marco A. Rogel, Monica Rosenblueth, Jorge A. Velasco-Trejo, Enrique Alarcon-Gutierrez, Jose Antonio Garcia-Perez, Julio Martinez-Romero, Euan K. James, Esperanza Martinez-Romero
Summary: This study identified diverse Bradyrhizobium nodulating symbionts from native American trees and UK botanical garden soil. Whole genome analysis revealed five novel Bradyrhizobium genomospecies from Mexican trees and identified the species of UK isolates. Despite genetic distances and different hosts, Inga vera and Lysiloma symbionts shared a common set of nod genes, indicating the production of specific lipochitooligosaccharides. Some isolates showed potential as plant inoculants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joaquin Clua, Carolina Ripodas, Carla Roda, Marina E. Battaglia, Maria Eugenia Zanetti, Flavio Antonio Blanco
Summary: NIPK is a new component associated with NF-Y transcriptional regulators, influencing infection and nodule organogenesis, as well as activation of cell cycle and early symbiotic genes.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marta Ballesteros-Gutierrez, Marta Albareda, Coral Barbas, Angeles Lopez-Gonzalvez, Michael F. Dunn, Jose M. Palacios
Summary: Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae (Rlv) UPM791 effectively nodulates pea and lentil, and a host-dependent protein called C189 was identified to have diaminobutyrate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (DABA-AT) activity. The dat gene was found to be strongly induced in pea nodules, but not in lentil. Mutants defective in dat showed impaired symbiotic performance with pea plants, while no significant differences were observed in symbiosis with lentil. Comparative metabolomic analysis revealed differences in pea bacteroids, but not in lentil. The presence of L-homoserine and the absence of 2,4-diaminobutyrate (DABA) in pea nodules indicate that the Dat enzyme is involved in the adaptation mechanism of Rlv UPM791 to a homoserine-rich environment.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rafael E. Venado, Lucas E. Wange, Defeng Shen, Fabienne Pinnau, Tonni Grube Andersen, Wolfgang Enard, Macarena Marin
Summary: This study provides genetic evidence for the formation of the nodule oxygen diffusion barrier in legumes, which is crucial for nitrogen fixation in root nodules.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yanlin Ma, Rujin Chen
Summary: Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential mineral elements for plant growth and development, particularly in the symbiotic N fixation of legumes. Plants have evolved complex signaling networks to respond to phosphates and nitrates, optimizing symbiotic N fixation. Research in model organisms has provided insight into the signaling and transport processes of N and P during symbiosis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Ulrike Mathesius
Summary: This article reviews the evolutionary journey of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in legumes and investigates the unique characteristics of legumes that may have contributed to their success. The article poses four questions to explore the impact of these characteristics on the success of legumes and suggests potential insights for future crop improvements.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Oberhofer, Fabian Malfent, Martin Zehl, Ernst Urban, Judith Wackerlig, Gottfried Reznicek, Gabriel A. Vignolle, Christian Rueckert, Tobias Busche, Daniel Wibberg, Sergey B. Zotchev
Summary: Endophytic fungi have the potential to produce diverse secondary metabolites. In this study, a Helotiales isolate from Bergenia pacumbis was found to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. Genome sequencing revealed numerous secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters, and heterologous gene expression in Streptomyces bacteria showed the production of terpenoids. The study highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach combining traditional methods and genome mining to investigate the biosynthetic potential of endophytic fungi.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Fazlin Pheiffer, Yannik K. -H. Schneider, Espen Holst Hansen, Jeanette Hammer Andersen, Johan Isaksson, Tobias Busche, Christian Rueckert, Joern Kalinowski, Leonardo van Zyl, Marla Trindade
Summary: This study investigates the bioactive potential of the marine invertebrate symbiont Thalassomonas actiniarum, identifying its antibacterial and cytotoxic activities, as well as their ability to produce cholic acid and 3-oxo cholic acid through hydrolysis of conjugated bile acids. The findings provide a foundation for further research on the bioactivities and ecological role of Thalassomonas sp. in the marine environment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melissa E. Reardon-Robinson, Minh Tan Nguyen, Belkys C. Sanchez, Jerzy Osipiuk, Christian Ruckert, Chungyu Chang, Bo Chen, Rahul Nagvekar, Andrzej Joachimiak, Andreas Tauch, Asis Das, Hung Ton-That
Summary: In many gram-positive Actinobacteria, MdbA plays a crucial role in bacterial viability by catalyzing oxidative folding of exported proteins. However, in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the deletion of mdbA only affects cell growth at 37°C, suggesting the existence of alternative oxidoreductase enzymes. Through genetic suppressor mutations, we discovered that elevated expression of tsdA can compensate for the loss of mdbA by mediating oxidative folding of pilin and toxin substrates.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Simone Kann, Gustavo Concha, Felix Weinreich, Andreas Hahn, Christian Rueckert, Joern Kalinowski, Olfert Landt, Hagen Frickmann
Summary: This study compared the performance of two commercial real-time PCR assays for identifying Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in serum. The results showed that both assays had a similar diagnostic accuracy for detecting T. cruzi from human serum, with slightly higher specificity observed for the TibMolBiol assay. The RealStar assay exhibited cross-reactions with T. rangeli, a non-pathogenic parasite, which may be a disadvantage in areas where T. cruzi and T. rangeli co-circulate.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Johanna Nelkner, Liren Huang, Timo W. W. Lin, Alexander Schulz, Benedikt Osterholz, Christian Henke, Jochen Blom, Alfred Puehler, Alexander Sczyrba, Andreas Schlueter
Summary: The family Nitrososphaeraceae is important in agricultural microbiomes. Metabolic reconstruction of Thaumarchaeota MAGs from German soil showed their relevance for soil fertility and plant health. This family plays a crucial role in agricultural soil microbial communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Siebert, Tobias Busche, Ezgi Saydam, Jorn Kalinowski, Christian Rueckert-Reed, Bastian Blombach
Summary: Pseudomonas carboxydohydrogena is a lithoautotrophic and obligate aerobic alphaproteobacterium that can utilize CO, CO2, H-2, and mixtures thereof as sole carbon and energy sources. The complete genome sequence of type strain DSM 1083 is reported, and its close relation to Afipia carboxidovorans strain OM5 is discussed.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Cassandra Cieslak, Christian Rueckert, Tobias Busche, Carsten Hain, Joern Kalinowski, Katrin Schaper-Gerhardt, Ralf Gutzmer, Rudolf Stadler
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Selma Beganovic, Christian Rueckert-Reed, Hilda Sucipto, Wei Shu, Lars Glaeser, Thomas Patschkowski, Ben Struck, Joern Kalinowski, Andriy Luzhetskyy, Christoph Wittmann
Summary: In this study, a multiomics analysis of Streptomyces rimosus was performed to gain insights into the metabolic and regulatory networks driving oxytetracycline formation. The study compared wild-type and hyperproducing strains and revealed key traits influencing oxytetracycline production. Using these traits, the researchers successfully synthesized bhimamycin and created a novel microbial chassis strain with enhanced production. The mutagenized hyperproducer strain exhibited complex mutations, impacting gene expression and complicating rational engineering. This study highlights the importance of precursor supply and genetic stability in improving antibiotic production.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Julia Hassa, Tom Jonas Tubbesing, Irena Maus, Robert Heyer, Dirk Benndorf, Mathias Effenberger, Christian Henke, Benedikt Osterholz, Michael Beckstette, Alfred Puehler, Alexander Sczyrba, Andreas Schlueter
Summary: This study used metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses to investigate the microbial communities in a full-scale biogas plant with three differently operated digesters. The results showed that these microbial communities had a significant impact on the abundance of enzymes and genes involved in the biogas process, and identified key microorganisms involved in different steps of anaerobic digestion. Further analysis of the highly abundant MAGs in all digesters indicated their potential in ensuring biogas process stability.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Leonie Sagurna, Sascha Heinrich, Lara-Sophie Kaufmann, Christian Rueckert-Reed, Tobias Busche, Alexander Wolf, Jan Eickhoff, Bert Klebl, Joern Kalinowski, Julia E. Bandow
Summary: Bacteria of the genus Streptomyces produce various specialized metabolites. Single biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) can give rise to different products with varying biological activities. In this study, alnumycin and 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone were isolated from a Streptomyces strain containing the alnumycin BGC. Both compounds exhibited antimicrobial activity, with 1,6-dihydro 8-propylanthraquinone showing higher activity against E. coli & UDelta;tolC compared to alnumycin. The modes of action of these compounds are worth further investigation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Felix Werner, Lynn S. Schwardmann, Daniel Siebert, Christian Ruckert-Reed, Joern Kalinowski, Marie-Theres Wirth, Katharina Hofer, Ralf Takors, Volker F. Wendisch, Bastian Blombach
Summary: This study achieved efficient fatty alcohol production in C. glutamicum from wheat straw hydrolysate for the first time through targeted metabolic engineering and adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). The study provides useful metabolic engineering principles to tailor C. glutamicum for other products from second-generation feedstock.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rahmi Lale, Lisa Tietze, Maxime Fages-Lartaud, Jenny Nesje, Ingerid Onsager, Kerstin Engelhardt, Che Fai Alex Wong, Madina Akan, Niklas Hummel, Joern Kalinowski, Christian Rueckert, Martin Frank Hohmann-Marriott
Summary: In this study, a universal approach called Gene Expression Engineering (GeneEE) was developed to create artificial expression systems in various organisms, including bacteria and yeast, resulting in a wide range of expression levels.
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
C. Cieslak, C. Hain, C. Ruckert, L. J. Klages, K. Schaper-Ger-Hardt, J. Kalinowski, R. Gutzmer
JOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT
(2022)
