Journal of Microbiology

Journal Articles

Genome Sequencing Highlights the Plant Cell Wall Degrading Capacity of Edible Mushroom Stropharia rugosoannulata: Mengpei Guo , Xiaolong Ma , Yan Zhou , Yinbing Bian , Gaolei Liu , Yingli Cai , Tianji Huang , Hongxia Dong , Dingjun Cai , Xueji Wan , Zhihong Wang , Yang Xiao , Heng Kang; J. Microbiol. 2023;61(1):83-93. Published online February 1, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-00003-7

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Abstract: The basidiomycetous edible mushroom Stropharia rugosoannulata has excellent nutrition, medicine, bioremediation, and biocontrol properties. S. rugosoannulata has been widely and easily cultivated using agricultural by-products showing strong lignocellulose degradation capacity. However, the unavailable high-quality genome information has hindered the research on gene function and molecular breeding of S. rugosoannulata. This study provided a high-quality genome assembly and annotation from S. rugosoannulata monokaryotic strain QGU27 based on combined Illumina-Nanopore data. The genome size was about 47.97 Mb and consisted of 20 scaffolds, with an N50 of 3.73 Mb and a GC content of 47.9%. The repetitive sequences accounted for 17.41% of the genome, mostly long terminal repeats (LTRs). A total of 15,726 coding gene sequences were putatively identified with the BUSCO score of 98.7%. There are 142 genes encoding plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) in the genome, and 52, 39, 30, 11, 8, and 2 genes related to lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, chitin, and cutin degradation, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that S. rugosoannulata is superior in utilizing aldehyde-containing lignins and is possible to utilize algae during the cultivation.

Regulatory role of cysteines in (2R, 3R)-butanediol dehydrogenase BdhA of Bacillus velezensis strain GH1-13: Yunhee Choi , Yong-Hak Kim; J. Microbiol. 2022;60(4):411-418. Published online March 14, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-2018-y

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Abstract: Bacillus velezensis strain GH1-13 contains a (2R,3R)-butanediol dehydrogenase (R-BDH) BdhA which converts acetoin to R-BD reversibly, however, little is known about its regulatory cysteine and biological significance. We performed sitedirected mutation of three cysteines in BdhA. The C37S mutant had no enzyme activity and the C34S and C177S mutants differed from each other and wild type (WT). After zinc affinity chromatography, 1 mM ZnCl2 treatment resulted in a 3-fold enhancement of the WT activity, but reduced activity of the C34S mutant by more than 2 folds compared to the untreated ones. However, ZnCl2 treatment did not affect the activity of the C177S mutant. Most of the double and triple mutant proteins (C34S/C37S, C34S/C177S, C37S/C177S, and C34S/C37S/C177S) were aggregated in zinc resins, likely due to the decreased protein stability. All of the purified WT and single mutant proteins increased multiple intermolecular disulfide bonds in the presence of H2O2 as the buffer pH decreased from 7.5 to 5.5, whereas an intramolecular disulfide bond of cysteine 177 and another cysteine in the CGIC motif region was likely formed at pH higher than pKa of 7.5. When pH varied, WT and its C34S or C177S mutants reduced acetoin to R-BD at the optimum pH 5.5 and oxidized R-BD to acetoin at the optimum pH 10. This study demonstrated that cysteine residues in BdhA play a regulatory role for the production of acetoin and R-BD depending on pH as well as metal binding and oxidative stress.

Review

[Minireview]Potential roles of condensin in genome organization and beyond in fission yeast: Kyoung-Dong Kim; J. Microbiol. 2021;59(5):449-459. Published online April 20, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-021-1039-2

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5 Citations

Abstract: The genome is highly organized hierarchically by the function of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complex proteins such as condensin and cohesin from bacteria to humans. Although the roles of SMC complex proteins have been well characterized, their specialized roles in nuclear processes remain unclear. Condensin and cohesin have distinct binding sites and mediate long-range and short-range genomic associations, respectively, to form cell cycle-specific genome organization. Condensin can be recruited to highly expressed genes as well as dispersed repeat genetic elements, such as Pol III-transcribed genes, LTR retrotransposon, and rDNA repeat. In particular, mitotic transcription factors Ace2 and Ams2 recruit condensin to their target genes, forming centromeric clustering during mitosis. Condensin is potentially involved in various chromosomal processes such as the mobility of chromosomes, chromosome territories, DNA reannealing, and transcription factories. The current knowledge of condensin in fission yeast summarized in this review can help us understand how condensin mediates genome organization and participates in chromosomal processes in other organisms.

Journal Article

Effects of digested Cheonggukjang on human microbiota assessed by in vitro fecal fermentation: Vineet Singh , Nakwon Hwang , Gwangpyo Ko , Unno Tatsuya; J. Microbiol. 2021;59(2):217-227. Published online February 1, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-021-0525-x

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13 Citations

Abstract: In vitro fecal fermentation is an assay that uses fecal microbes to ferment foods, the results of which can be used to evaluate the potential of prebiotic candidates. To date, there have been various protocols used for in vitro fecal fermentation- based assessments of food substances. In this study, we investigated how personal gut microbiota differences and external factors affect the results of in vitro fecal fermentation assays. We used Cheonggukjang (CGJ), a Korean traditional fermented soybean soup that is acknowledged as healthy functional diet. CGJ was digested in vitro using acids and enzymes, and then fermented with human feces anaerobically. After fecal fermentation, the microbiota was analyzed using MiSeq, and the amount of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured using GC-MS. Our results suggest that CGJ was effectively metabolized by fecal bacteria to produce SCFAs, and this process resulted in an increase in the abundance of Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium and a reduction in the growth of Sutterella, an opportunistic pathogen. The metabolic activities predicted from the microbiota shifts indicated enhanced metabolism linked to methionine biosynthesis and depleted chondroitin sulfate degradation. Moreover, the amount of SCFAs and microbiota shifts varied depending on personal microbiota differences. Our findings also suggest that in vitro fecal fermentation of CGJ for longer durations may partially affect certain fecal microbes. Overall, the study discusses the usability of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fecal fermentation (GIDFF) to imitate the effects of diet-induced microbiome modulation and its impact on the host.

Reviews

Functional interplay between the oxidative stress response and DNA damage checkpoint signaling for genome maintenance in aerobic organisms: Ji Eun Choi , Woo-Hyun Chung; J. Microbiol. 2020;58(2):81-91. Published online December 23, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-020-9520-x

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10 Citations

Abstract: The DNA damage checkpoint signaling pathway is a highly conserved surveillance mechanism that ensures genome integrity by sequential activation of protein kinase cascades. In mammals, the main pathway is orchestrated by two central sensor kinases, ATM and ATR, that are activated in response to DNA damage and DNA replication stress. Patients lacking functional ATM or ATR suffer from ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) or Seckel syndrome, respectively, with pleiotropic degenerative phenotypes. In addition to DNA strand breaks, ATM and ATR also respond to oxidative DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting an unconventional function as regulators of intracellular redox status. Here, we summarize the multiple roles of ATM and ATR, and of their orthologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Tel1 and Mec1, in DNA damage checkpoint signaling and the oxidative stress response, and discuss emerging ideas regarding the possible mechanisms underlying the elaborate crosstalk between those pathways. This review may provide new insights into the integrated cellular strategies responsible for maintaining genome stability in eukaryotes with a focus on the yeast model organism.

REVIEW] Antibacterial strategies inspired by the oxidative stress and response networks: So Youn Kim , Chanseop Park , Hye-Jeong Jang , Bi-o Kim , Hee-Won Bae , In-Young Chung , Eun Sook Kim , You-Hee Cho; J. Microbiol. 2019;57(3):203-212. Published online February 26, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-019-8711-9

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104 Citations

Abstract: Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a cell’s capability to readily detoxify them. Although ROS are spontaneously generated during the normal oxygen respiration and metabolism, the ROS generation is usually augmented by redox-cycling agents, membrane disrupters, and bactericidal antibiotics, which contributes their antimicrobial bioactivity. It is noted that all the bacteria deploy an arsenal of inducible antioxidant defense systems to cope with the devastating effect exerted by the oxidative stress: these systems include the antioxidant effectors such as catalases and the master regulators such as OxyR. The oxidative stress response is not essential for normal growth, but critical to survive the oxidative stress conditions that the bacterial pathogens may encounter due to the host immune response and/or the antibiotic treatment. Based on these, we here define the ROS-inspired antibacterial strategies to enhance the oxidative stress of ROS generation and/or to compromise the bacterial response of ROS detoxification, by delineating the ROSgenerating antimicrobials and the core concept of the bacterial response against the oxidative stress.

Journal Articles

Oxygen-mediated growth enhancement of an obligate anaerobic archaeon Thermococcus onnurineus NA1: Seong Hyuk Lee , Hwan Youn , Sung Gyun Kang , Hyun Sook Lee; J. Microbiol. 2019;57(2):138-142. Published online January 31, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-019-8592-y

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Abstract: Thermococcus onnurineus NA1, an obligate anaerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon, showed variable oxygen (O2) sensitivity depending on the types of substrate employed as an energy source. Unexpectedly, the culture with yeast extract as a sole energy source showed enhanced growth by 2-fold in the presence of O2. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed the upregulation of several antioxidant-related genes encoding thioredoxin peroxidase (TON_0862), rubrerythrin (TON_0864), rubrerythrin-related protein (TON_0873), NAD(P)H rubredoxin oxidoreductase (TON_0865), or thioredoxin reductase (TON_1603), which can couple the detoxification of reactive oxygen species with the regeneration of NAD(P)+ from NAD(P)H. We present a plausible mechanism by which O2 serves to maintain the intracellular redox balance. This study demonstrates an unusual strategy of an obligate anaerobe underlying O2-mediated growth enhancement despite not having heme-based or cytochrome-type proteins.

Gentic overexpression increases production of hypocrellin A in Shiraia bambusicola S4201: Dan Li , Ning Zhao , Bing-Jing Guo , Xi Lin , Shuang-Lin Chen , Shu-Zhen Yan; J. Microbiol. 2019;57(2):154-162. Published online January 31, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-019-8259-8

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15 Citations

Abstract: Hypocrellin A (HA) is a perylenequinone (PQ) isolated from Shiraia bambusicola that shows antiviral and antitumor activities, but its application is limited by the low production from wild fruiting body. A gene overexpressing method was expected to augment the production rate of HA in S. bambusicola. However, the application of this molecular biology technology in S. bambusicola was impeded by a low genetic transformation efficiency and little genomic information. To enhance the plasmid transformant ratio, the Polyethylene Glycol-mediated transformation system was established and optimized. The following green fluorescent protein (GFP) analysis showed that the gene fusion expression system we constructed with a GAPDH promoter Pgpd1 and a rapid 2A peptide was successfully expressed in the S. bambusicola S4201 strain. We successfully obtained the HA high-producing strains by overexpressing O-methyltransferase/FAD-dependent monooxygenase gene (mono) and the hydroxylase gene (hyd), which were the essential genes involved in our putative HA biosynthetic pathway. The overexpression of these two genes increased the production of HA by about 200% and 100%, respectively. In general, this study will provide a basis to identify the genes involved in the hypocrellin A biosynthesis. This improved transformation method can also be used in genetic transformation studies of other fungi.

Comparative genomic analysis of pyrene-degrading Mycobacterium species: Genomic islands and ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases involved in pyrene degradation: Dae-Wi Kim , Kihyun Lee , Do-Hoon Lee , Chang-Jun Cha; J. Microbiol. 2018;56(11):798-804. Published online October 24, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-018-8372-0

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24 Citations

Abstract: The genome sequences of two pyrene-degrading bacterial strains of Mycobacterium spp. PYR10 and PYR15, isolated from the estuarine wetland of the Han river, South Korea, were determined using the PacBio RS II sequencing platform. The complete genome of strain PYR15 was 6,037,017 bp in length with a GC content of 66.5%, and contained 5,933 protein- coding genes. The genome of strain PYR10 was 5,999,427 bp in length with a GC content of 67.7%, and contained 5,767 protein-coding genes. Based on the average nucleotide identity values, these strains were designated as M. gilvum PYR10 and M. pallens PYR15. A genomic comparison of these pyrene-degrading Mycobacterium strains with pyrene- non-degrading strains revealed that the genomes of pyrene-degrading strains possessed similar repertoires of ringhydroxylating dioxygenases (RHDs), including the pyrenehydroxylating dioxygenases encoded by nidA and nidA3, which could be readily distinguished from those of pyrenenon- degraders. Furthermore, genomic islands, containing catabolic gene clusters, were shared only among the pyrenedegrading Mycobacterium strains and these gene clusters contained RHD genes, including nidAB and nidA3B3. Our genome data should facilitate further studies on the evolution of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degradation pathways in the genus Mycobacterium.

The NADPH oxidase AoNoxA in Arthrobotrys oligospora functions as an initial factor in the infection of Caenorhabditis elegans: Xin Li , Ying-Qian Kang , Yan-Lu Luo , Ke-Qin Zhang , Cheng-Gang Zou , Lian-Ming Liang; J. Microbiol. 2017;55(11):885-891. Published online October 27, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-017-7169-x

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18 Citations

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidases can serve as signaling molecules to regulate a variety of physiological processes in multi-cellular organisms. In the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora, we found that ROS were produced during conidial germination, hyphal extension, and trap formation in the presence of nematodes. Generation of an AoNoxA knockout strain demonstrated the crucial role of NADPH oxidase in the production of ROS in A. oligospora, with trap formation impaired in the AoNoxA mutant, even in the presence of the nematode host. In addition, the expression of virulence factor serine protease P186 was up-regulated in the wild-type strain, but not in the mutant strain, in the presence of Caenorhabditis elegans. These results indicate that ROS derived from AoNoxA are essential for full virulence of A. oligospora in nematodes.

A novel methanotroph in the genus Methylomonas that contains a distinct clade of soluble methane monooxygenase: Ngoc-Loi Nguyen , Woon-Jong Yu , Hye-Young Yang , Jong-Geol Kim , Man-Young Jung , Soo-Je Park , Seong-Woon Roh , Sung-Keun Rhee; J. Microbiol. 2017;55(10):775-782. Published online September 28, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-017-7317-3

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22 Citations

Abstract: Aerobic methane oxidation is a key process in the global carbon cycle that acts as a major sink of methane. In this study, we describe a novel methanotroph designated EMGL16-1 that was isolated from a freshwater lake using the floating filter culture technique. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolate was found to be closely related to the genus Methylomonas in the family Methylococcaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria with 94.2–97.4% 16S rRNA gene similarity to Methylomonas type strains. Comparison of chemotaxonomic and physiological properties further suggested that strain EMGL16-1 was taxonomically distinct from other species in the genus Methylomonas. The isolate was versatile in utilizing nitrogen sources such as molecular nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, urea, and ammonium. The genes coding for subunit of the particulate form methane monooxygenase (pmoA), soluble methane monooxygenase (mmoX), and methanol dehydrogenase (mxaF) were detected in strain EMGL16-1. Phylogenetic analysis of mmoX indicated that mmoX of strain EMGL16-1 is distinct from those of other strains in the genus Methylomonas. This isolate probably represents a novel species in the genus. Our study provides new insights into the diversity of species in the genus Methylomonas and their environmental adaptations.

Reviews

Minireview] Microbial radiation-resistance mechanisms: Kwang-Woo Jung , Sangyong Lim , Yong-Sun Bahn; J. Microbiol. 2017;55(7):499-507. Published online June 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-017-7242-5

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45 Citations

Abstract: Organisms living in extreme environments have evolved a wide range of survival strategies by changing biochemical and physiological features depending on their biological niches. Interestingly, organisms exhibiting high radiation resistance have been discovered in the three domains of life (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya), even though a naturally radiationintensive environment has not been found. To counteract the deleterious effects caused by radiation exposure, radiation- resistant organisms employ a series of defensive systems, such as changes in intracellular cation concentration, excellent DNA repair systems, and efficient enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Here, we overview past and recent findings about radiation-resistance mechanisms in the three domains of life for potential usage of such radiationresistant microbes in the biotechnology industry.

[Minireview] Unraveling new functions of superoxide dismutase using yeast model system: Beyond its conventional role in superoxide radical scavenging: Woo-Hyun Chung ,; J. Microbiol. 2017;55(6):409-416. Published online March 9, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-017-6647-5

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39 Citations

Abstract: To deal with chemically reactive oxygen molecules constantly threatening aerobic life, cells are readily equipped with elabo-rate biological antioxidant systems. Superoxide dismutase is a metalloenzyme catalytically eliminating superoxide radi-cal as a first-line defense mechanism against oxidative stress. Multiple different SOD isoforms have been developed through-out evolution to play distinct roles in separate subcellular com-partments. SOD is not essential for viability of most aerobic organisms and intriguingly found even in strictly anaerobic bacteria. Sod1 has recently been known to play important roles as a nuclear transcription factor, an RNA binding pro-tein, a synthetic lethal interactor, and a signal modulator in glucose metabolism, most of which are independent of its canonical function as an antioxidant enzyme. In this review, recent advances in understanding the unconventional role of Sod1 are highlighted and discussed with an emphasis on its genetic crosstalk with DNA damage repair/checkpoint path-ways. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been successfully used as an efficient tool and a model organism to investigate a number of novel functions of Sod1.

Journal Article

Latent Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection in bladder cancer cells promotes drug resistance by reducing reactive oxygen species: Suhyuk Lee , Jaehyuk Jang , Hyungtaek Jeon , Jisu Lee , Seung-Min Yoo , Jinsung Park , Myung-Shin Lee; J. Microbiol. 2016;54(11):782-788. Published online October 29, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-016-6388-x

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7 Citations

Abstract: Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the major etiologic agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman’s disease. Recent studies have indicated that KSHV can be detected at high frequency in patient-derived bladder cancer tissue and might be associated with the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the second most common cancer of the genitourinary tract, and it has a high rate of recurrence. Because drug resistance is closely related to chemotherapy failure and cancer recurrence, we investigated whether KSHV infection is associated with drug resistance of bladder cancer cells. Some KSHV-infected bladder cancer cell lines showed resistance to an anti-cancer drug, cisplatin, possibly as a result of downregulation of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, drug resistance acquired from KSHV infection could partly be overcome by HDAC1 inhibitors. Taken together, the data suggest the possible role of KSHV in chemo-resistant bladder cancer, and indicate the therapeutic potential of HDAC1 inhibitors in drug-resistant bladder cancers associated with KSHV infection.

Review

MINIREVIEW] Hydroxylation of methane through component interactions in soluble methane monooxygenases: Seung Jae Lee; J. Microbiol. 2016;54(4):277-282. Published online April 1, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-016-5642-6

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9 Citations

Abstract: Methane hydroxylation through methane monooxygenases (MMOs) is a key aspect due to their control of the carbon cycle in the ecology system and recent applications of methane gas in the field of bioenergy and bioremediation. Methanotropic bacteria perform a specific microbial conversion from methane, one of the most stable carbon compounds, to methanol through elaborate mechanisms. MMOs express particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) in most strains and soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) under copper-limited conditions. The mechanisms of MMO have been widely studied from sMMO belonging to the bacterial multicomponent monooxygenase (BMM) superfamily. This enzyme has diiron active sites where different types of hydrocarbons are oxidized through orchestrated hydroxylase, regulatory and reductase components for precise control of hydrocarbons, oxygen, protons, and electrons. Recent advances in biophysical studies, including structural and enzymatic achievements for sMMO, have explained component interactions, substrate pathways, and intermediates of sMMO. In this account, oxidation of methane in sMMO is discussed with recent progress that is critical for understanding the microbial applications of C-H activation in one-carbon substrates.

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