Article
Ecology
Yan Zhang, Tao Liu, Meng-Meng Li, Zheng-Shuang Hua, Paul Evans, Yanni Qu, Sha Tan, Min Zheng, Hui Lu, Jian-Yu Jiao, Sebastian Lucker, Holger Daims, Wen-Jun Li, Jianhua Guo
Summary: The recent discovery of comammox Nitrospira species capable of complete ammonia oxidation in non-marine thermal habitats expands our understanding of microbial nitrification. This study reports the wide distribution of comammox Nitrospira in terrestrial hot springs and provides new insights into their metabolic activity and thermal adaptation.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Monika Thakur, Nitish Sharma, Amit K. Rai, Sudhir P. Singh
Summary: A novel type I pullulanase (PulM) with optimal debranching activity at 40 degrees C and pH 6.0 to 7.0 was identified in this study. PulM showed cold-active properties with over 50% enzymatic activity detected at 4 degrees C. The enzyme efficiently catalyzed the hydrolysis of alpha-1,6-glycosidic linkages in pullulan and increased the apparent amylose content of potato starch by about 80%. The debranched starch led to the formation of resistant starch 3, which exhibited higher crystallinity, enhanced heat-stability, and resistance to alpha-amylase digestion compared to native starch.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasiya Matveeva, Alexander Ryabchenko, Viktoria Petrova, Daria Prokhorova, Evgenii Zhuravlev, Alexander Zakabunin, Artem Tikunov, Grigory Stepanov
Summary: Research on Cas9 nucleases from different organisms has the potential to advance genome engineering and gene therapy tools. Thermophilic Cas9 nucleases, which have varying activity temperature ranges and PAM preferences, are expanding. This study focuses on constructing a compact Cas9 nuclease that displays nuclease activity in the 37-60 degrees C range.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yi Li, Hong-Qian Peng, Li-Quan Yang
Summary: Thermophilic xylanases from hot-spring microorganisms have potential biological and industrial applications, but the high-temperature adaptation mechanisms of these enzymes are still unclear. Molecular dynamics simulations and comparative analysis revealed that XynM1 exhibits smaller structural dynamics and greater thermal stability than XynDRTY1, and temperature-induced structural differences mainly occur in specific regions. These findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of xylanase high-temperature adaptation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hovik Panosyan, Armine Margaryan, Nils-Kare Birkeland
Summary: Twelve thermophilic Anoxybacillus strains were isolated from a hot spring in Nagorno-Karabakh, with strain K1(T) being Gram-stain-positive, moderately thermophilic, and capable of growth within specific temperature and pH ranges. The strain showed high similarity to Anoxybacillus flavithermus DSM 2641(T) but was proposed as a separate species, Anoxybacillus karvacharensis, based on genetic analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Christaline George, Chloe Xue Qi Lim, Yan Tong, Stephen Brian Pointing
Summary: The Sembawang Hot Spring in Singapore is located at the foot of a geological feature called the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone. The hot spring exhibits a poly-extreme environment and supports distinct microbial communities along an environmental gradient. The high abundance of phototrophic bacteria and the presence of chemoautotrophs and heterotrophs reflect the known thermal ranges and allochthonous leaf input in the hot spring. The findings contribute to the understanding of hot spring microbiomes and address a biogeographic knowledge gap for the region.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yasmin G. Kortam, Wafaa M. Abd El-Rahim, Abd El-Nassar A. Khattab, Nazih Y. Rebouh, Regina R. Gurina, Olfat S. Barakat, Mohamed Zakaria, Hassan Moawad
Summary: The study focuses on finding new microorganisms that can produce antibiotics in Egypt's harsh environments. 280 bacterial isolates were tested against pathogenic bacteria, with 52 isolates exhibiting antagonistic properties. Mutants with increased antibiotic production were obtained through mutagenesis.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu-Ying Huang, Pei Wu, Xing-Ci Wu, Qian-Ru Zhu, Qian Zhu, Hong-Zhao Zheng, Dan Zhu, Zhi-Hua Lv, Yi-Rui Yin
Summary: In this study, a new thermophilic and inhibitor-tolerant beta-glucosidase gene, ThBg2, was obtained from a metagenome of Ruidian Hot Spring. The gene was synthesized, cloned, heterologously expressed, and enzymatically characterized. ThBg2 showed high activity and stability within a certain temperature and pH range.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Louisa F. James-Pearson, Kevin J. Dudley, Valentino Setoa Junior Teo, Bharat K. C. Patel
Summary: This research was funded by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Postgraduate Research Award and the Catapult research funding program, and was supported by the Central Analytical Research Facility (CARF) at QUT and the Nectar Research Cloud.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Cathalina Marin-Sanhueza, Alex Echeverria-Vega, Aleydis Gomez, Gustavo Cabrera-Barjas, Romina Romero, Aparna Banerjee
Summary: Thermophilic bacterium B. haynesii CamB6 isolated from a Chilean hot spring was found to produce various biomolecules, including polymeric and brown pigments, as a stress response mechanism. These biomolecules have promising biotechnological applications, such as antioxidant capacity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikolina Atanasova, Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva, Stoyanka Stoitsova, Nadja Radchenkova, Ivanka Boyadzhieva, Kaloyan Petrov, Margarita Kambourova
Summary: The metagenomic analysis of plastic-contaminated area in Marikostinovo hot spring, Bulgaria showed a higher taxonomic diversity in the sample without plastic than in the presence of poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL). The dominant phyla in the control sample were Proteobacteria, while Deinococcus-Thermus and Firmicutes dominated in the PCL-enriched sample. Furthermore, the study found that Brevibacillus thermoruber strain 7 exhibited the highest esterase activity at 55°C and was able to degrade PCL efficiently when co-cultivated with another isolate.
Article
Microbiology
Ai -Ping Lv, Yu-Zhen Ming, Ze-Tao Liu, Yu-Ting Ouyang, Meng -Meng Li, Zheng-Han Lian, Jian-Yu Jiao, Ting-Ting She, Lan Liu, Wen-Jun Li
Summary: A novel anaerobic bacterium SYSU GA19001T, which belongs to the genus Clostridium, was isolated from a hot spring sediment sample. It showed the highest sequence similarity to Clostridium swellfunianum CICC 10730T (96.63%) and Clostridium prolinivorans PYR-10T (96.11%). The strain SYSU GA19001T is a Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, and it can grow at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 37-55°C (optimum, 45°C), and in NaCl concentrations of 0-2.0% (optimum, 0%).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Usha Lakra, Shubha Rani Sharma
Summary: This study isolated thermophilic microorganisms from Surajkund and Ramkund hot springs in Jharkhand, and extracted exopolysaccharides from two of the best isolates. The obtained product was confirmed to be exopolysaccharides through FTIR analysis, and the FESEM analysis showed varying surface morphology. According to 16S rRNA sequences, the isolates were identified as different strains of Bacillus licheniformis. This is the first report on exopolysaccharide-secreting thermophilic strains from these hot springs.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Junia Schultz, Mariana Teixeira Dornelles Parise, Doglas Parise, Laenne G. Medeiros, Thiago J. Sousa, Rodrigo B. Kato, Ana Paula Trovatti Uetanabaro, Fabricio Araujo, Rommel Thiago Juca Ramos, Siomar de Castro Soares, Bertram Brenig, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Aristoteles Goes-Neto, Alexandre S. Rosado
Summary: This study provides insights into the genomic features and phylogenomics of Anoxybacillus strains inhabiting the Antarctic thermophilic ecosystem. The strains showed high genomic similarity to each other and to A. flavithermus, and possessed various genes related to resistance, metabolism, and temperature adaptation. Moreover, prediction of glycosyl hydrolase enzyme-encoding genes, secondary metabolites, and prophage sequences suggests their potential for biotechnological applications.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shu-Fang Li, Shen-Yuan Xu, Ya-Jun Wang, Yu-Guo Zheng
Summary: In this study, Pullulanase was modified using a structure-guided consensus approach, resulting in the creation of a quadruple mutant PulAR-A365V/V401C/T504V/H499A. This mutant exhibited enhanced thermostability, pH stability, and catalytic efficiency, making it potentially useful in the starch industry.
BIORESOURCES AND BIOPROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kok Jun Liew, Chee Hung Liang, Yee Ting Lau, Amira Suriaty Yaakop, Kok-Gan Chan, Saleha Shahar, Mohd Shahir Shamsir, Kian Mau Goh
Summary: This study aimed to identify the prokaryotes and eukaryotes in the microbial mats of SKY hot spring using 16S and 18S rRNA markers, and explore carbohydrate degrading enzymes (CAZymes) with potential applications. Results showed that SKY hot spring is unique due to its rich lignocellulosic material, and nearly 10,000 CAZymes sequences were cataloged from both green and brown biofilms. The study provides valuable data on thermostable macromolecules, particularly glycoside hydrolases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ummirul Mukminin Kahar, Nurriza Ab Latif, Syazwani Itri Amran, Kok Jun Liew, Kian Mau Goh
Summary: This review provides a bibliometric analysis of publications and patents related to pullulan-degrading enzymes, as well as an overview of the biological aspects and protein engineering of these enzymes. The data suggest the need for improved international collaboration and the use of next-generation sequencing techniques to expand the knowledge about pullulan-degrading enzyme sequences.
Article
Microbiology
Nurfatini Radzlin, Amira Suriaty Yaakop, Kian Mau Goh, Kok Jun Liew, Iffah Izzati Zakaria, Ummirul Mukminin Kahar
Summary: This study reports the isolation of a halophilic marine bacterial strain PS-C1 from Sekinchan beach in Selangor, Malaysia, which belongs to the genus Celeribacter. The genome analysis of PS-C1 revealed the presence of multiple industrially important glycoside hydrolase (GH) genes. The activities of two GHs (beta-glucosidase and licheninase) were demonstrated, suggesting that strain PS-C1 could be a potential source of novel GH enzymes for lignocellulosic biomass degradation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lucas Martinez Alvarez, Henk Bolhuis, Goh Kian Mau, Chan Kok-Gan, Chan Chia Sing, Walter Mac Cormack, Lucas Ruberto
Summary: The Antarctic continent is not exempt from anthropogenic contamination, including frequent diesel spills. Bioremediation has proven effective for hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in Antarctica, although the impact on microbial communities and its potential for future use is still not well understood. This study analyzed the changes in bacterial community composition during a biostimulation treatment, revealing significant shifts in dominant genera between treated and non-treated systems.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Kian Mau Goh, Edgardo Ruben Donati, Rajesh Kumar Sani, Kok-Gan Chan
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kian Mau Goh, Kok Jun Liew, Saleha Shahar, Iffah Izzati Zakaria, Ummirul Mukminin Kahar
Summary: Microaerobacter geothermalis Nad S1(T) is a rare thermophilic bacterium that grows optimally at 55 degrees C and neutral pH. Although its genome has not been described despite being discovered over 10 years ago, the release of its genome sequence serves as a reference genetic information for future use.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ming Quan Lam, Nicola C. Oates, Daniel R. Leadbeater, Kian Mau Goh, Adibah Yahya, Madihah Md Salleh, Zaharah Ibrahim, Neil C. Bruce, Chun Shiong Chong
Summary: Genomic analysis reveals that R. solimangrovi has the ability to degrade lignocellulose and holds promise in seawater-based biorefinery industry.
Article
Microbiology
Payal Thakur, Mathew O. Alaba, Shailabh Rauniyar, Ram Nageena Singh, Priya Saxena, Alain Bomgni, Etienne Z. Gnimpieba, Carol Lushbough, Kian Mau Goh, Rajesh Kumar Sani
Summary: There is a large amount of literature on biocorrosion, but manually extracting genes and proteins is time-consuming. This study presents a text mining workflow that automatically extracts biocorrosion-associated genes/proteins in sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) from literature databases. The identified genes were validated and categorized as core and accessory gene families in 63 SRB genomes. The study suggests that text mining can significantly reduce manual curation time.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haya Ayyal Salman, Amira Suriaty Yaakop, Saleem Aladaileh, Morad Mustafa, Mohammed Gharaibeh, Ummirul Mukminin Kahar
Summary: Inflammation is a necessary immune system reaction to eliminate pathogens. Many herbal extracts and phytoconstituents have anti-inflammatory effects. This study focused on the molecular docking of E. alte phytoconstituents with human anti-inflammatory cytokine receptors. The results showed that beta-Sitosterol and Androstan-3-one had better binding energies and inhibition constants, suggesting their potential as effective anti-inflammatory compounds and reducers of oxidative stress.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kian Mau Goh, Kok Jun Liew, Saleha Shahar, Iffah Izzati Zakaria, Ummirul Mukminin Kahar
Summary: This study describes the genome sequence of thermophile strain 70B(T), which belongs to the family Thermosediminibacteraceae. The strain shows the closest relationship to Caldanaerovirga acetigignens JW/SA-NV4(T) based on genome-to-genome comparisons. Additionally, genes encoding [FeFe] hydrogenase were discovered in this strain.
Article
Microbiology
Joyce Yoon Mei Ding, Li Sim Ho, Julia Ibrahim, Chee Keng Teh, Kian Mau Goh
Summary: This study analyzed the root microbial community of oil palm seedlings under the influence of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer in normal and sterilized soil conditions. The findings showed that chemical fertilizer promoted the growth of certain microbial strains, while soil sterilization reduced microbial diversity and altered the soil microbiota composition. Sterilized soil negatively affected crop growth, especially when combined with fertilizer use. Therefore, conducting a soil microbiome survey before making fertilizer recommendations is beneficial.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abhilash Kumar Tripathi, Dipayan Samanta, Priya Saxena, Payal Thakur, Shailabh Rauniyar, Kian Mau Goh, Rajesh Kumar Sani
Summary: In this computational study, a putative AHL synthase in the model sulfate-reducing bacterium DvH was identified using data mining, multiple sequence alignment, homology modeling, and docking approaches. The gene encoding AHL synthase was found to be DVU_2486. Understanding AHL synthase would provide insights into quorum sensing mechanisms and aid in the design of strategies to control biofilm formation.
