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Effects of nonionic surfactants on the cell surface hydrophobicity and apparent hamaker constant of a Sphingomonas sp.

Nonionic surfactants of the form CxEy were studied for their ability to alter the cell surface hydrophobicity and apparent Hamaker constants of a Sphingomonas sp. Through contact angle measurements on hydrated and dried bacterial lawns, it was found that the cell surface hydrophobicity changed systematically with both the alkyl (x) and polyoxyethylene (y) chain lengths. While differences in contact angles were observed between hydrated and dried lawns, they could not be attributed to the mere presence or absence of water, suggesting that reorientation of cell surface components may occur during drying. All surfactants examined reduced the hydrophilicity of the bacterial cell surface, with one surfactant (C18E10) making the cells hydrophobic. Effective bacterial Hamaker constants for bacteria interacting across a vacuum (Abb) and water (Abwb) and bacteria interacting in water with quartz sand (Abws) were calculated from the contact angles. It was found that the surfactants have the potential to reduce the Hamaker constants, but that the overall effects differed between dried and hydrated lawns, indicating that lawn preparation method can have a significant impact in interpretation of cell surface properties. The results also indicate that the Abws value of 10-20 J, which is often assumed in bacterial attachment and transport studies, may be an order of magnitude higher than the actual value. Finally, the results suggest that alteration of bacterial adhesion due to the presence of surfactants cannot be attributed to a single cell surface property but is rather due to multiple interactions.

Adsorption↗

Physicochemical properties and biological activities of DEAE-derivatized Sphingomonas gellan.

Physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of Sphingomonas gellan (S-gellan) were investigated. The S-gellan weight fractions of Glc and GlcUA were 0.45 and 0.25, respectively, and the molar ratio of Glc:Rha:GlcUA was approximately 4:2:3. The S-gellan was chemically derivatized with diethylaminoethyl chloride-HCl (DEAE-HCl), and the resulting modified S-gellan contained both positive and negative charges. The elemental and IR analyses were conducted to confirm the successful incorporation of DEAE groups into S-gellan. A large increase in nitrogen fraction was observed from the derivatized S-gellan by elemental analysis. The IR absorption bands induced by C-H, C-N, and C-O-C stretching were noticeable at 2950, 1310-1380, and 1000-1150 cm(-1), respectively, resulting from the DEAE substitution. The characteristic CH3 and CH2 peaks originated from the DEAE group were detected in the 1H NMR spectrum of the derivatized S-gellan as well. The solubility of native S-gellan was improved almost twice from 40% to 75% after DEAE derivatization, while water holding capacity (WHC) drastically decreased from 10026% to 245%. Oil binding capacity (OBC) of S-gellan also significantly dropped from 1528% to 331% after the derivatization. The bile acid binding capacity of S-gellan was indirectly determined by measuring the holding capability of cholic acid inside the dialysis membrane (MWCO 12,000-14,000 Da). Once S-gellan was DEAE derivatized, there was substantial increase in the cholic acid retardation index (CRI). Up to 9 h of dialysis, the derivatized S-gellan released 29.3% less of cholic acid compared to the control group that did not contain S-gellan. From these results of the improved water solubility and stronger bile acid binding capacity, it would be suggested that the DEAE-derivatized S-gellan has more advantages than gellan itself for functional food applications.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Preparation of (S)-N-substituted 4-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-2-ones by regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation with Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200.

[reaction: see text] Enantiopure (S)-N-substituted 4-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-2-ones have been prepared for the first time by regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of the corresponding pyrrolidin-2-ones by use of a biocatalyst. Hydroxylation of 6 and 8 with Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200 afforded 68% of (S)-7 in >99.9% ee and 46% of (S)-9 in 92% ee, respectively. Simple crystallization increased the ee of (S)-9 to 99. 9% in 82% yield.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Simultaneous and rapid monitoring of biomass and biopolymer production by Sphingomonas paucimobilis using Fourier transform-near infrared spectroscopy.

The application of Fourier Transform near infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIRS) to near real-time monitoring of polysaccharide and biomass concentration was investigated using a gellan-producing strain of Sphingomonas paucimobilis grown in a stirred tank reactor. Successful models for both biomass and gellan were constructed despite the physichochemical complexity of the viscous process fluid. Modelling of biomass proved more challenging than for gellan, partly because of the low range of biomass concentration but a model with a good correlation coefficient (0.94) was formulated based on second derivative spectra. The gellan model was highly satisfactory, with an excellent correlation coefficient (0.98), again based on second derivative spectra. No sample pre-treatment was required and all spectral scanning was carried out on whole broth. Additionally, both models should be robust in practice since both were formulated using low numbers of factors. Thus, the near real time simultaneous monitoring of gellan and biomass in this highly complex matrix using FT-NIRS potentially opens the way to greatly improved process control strategies.

Biomass↗

Implication of two glutathione S-transferases in the optimal metabolism of m-toluate by Sphingomonas yanoikuyae B1.

A putative glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene (bphK) was identified in the meta-cleavage operon for the degradation of m-toluate by Sphingomonas yanoikuyae B1. Disruption of bphK resulted in the loss of GST activity against 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and a much increased lag time of the mutant strain MB3 (bphK::Km) following subculture into m-toluate medium. In contrast, an increased lag time was not observed when MB3 was grown on biphenyl or m-xylene and MB3 showed normal growth on m-toluate when complemented with a subclone containing the bphK gene only. Furthermore, an additional GST activity was detected in MB3. The induction timing of this second GST activity coincided with the beginning of the exponential growth phase of MB3 on m-toluate, reached maximal activity within three hours, and then dropped sharply to the basal level. Thus, it is apparent that BphK and/or the second GST are necessary for optimal growth of B1 on m-toluate.

Benzoates↗

Microbial degradation of high and low molecular weight polyaromatic hydrocarbons in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor by two strains of Sphingomonas sp.

A mixture of six polyaromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chyrysene and benzo[a]pyrene), varying in size from 2 to 5 rings, was dissolved in dodecane, and used as the delivery phase of a partitioning bioreactor. Two species of Sphingomonas were then used individually, and as a consortium, to determine which of the PAHs were degraded. Only low molecular weight PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene) were degraded by the individual strains, but the consortium degraded all substrates either to completion or near completion.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Formation of the metabolic intermediate 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol during incubation of a Sphingomonas sp. strain with the xeno-estrogenic octylphenol.

Degradation of branched octylphenol was studied in a bacterial culture of a Sphingomonas sp. strain. Octylphenol is considered to be the most stable degradation intermediate formed from the corresponding nonionic octylphenol polyethoxylates surfactants during biological wastewater treatment. Since octylphenol can exert estrogenic effects in wildlife, a detailed study of its biodegradation is warranted. The aerobic microbiological transformation of octylphenol was examined with and without the addition of the easily assimilable sodium acetate. In both cases the formation of the metabolite 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol, representing the intact alkyl chain as a tertiary alcohol, was observed. Since the octylphenol degradation rate was not affected by the presence of acetate, this strain did not show any diauxic metabolic behaviour when incubated with octylphenol and sodium acetate as the sources of carbon and energy. As a result of the biotransformation of octylphenol, its estrogenic potency was removed because it is the phenolic moiety that interacts with the estrogen receptors. This feature opens perspectives for the use of this strain in the framework of an adequate treatment of wastewater with high levels of alkylphenol polyethoxylates.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Isolation of a beta-carotene over-producing soil bacterium, Sphingomonas sp.

A carotenoid-accumulating bacterium isolated from soil, identified as a Sphingomonas sp., grew at 0.18 h(-1) and produced 1.7 mg carotenoids g(-1) dry cell, among which beta-carotene (29% of total carotenoids) and nostoxanthin (36%). A mutant strain, obtained by treatment with ethyl methanesulfonate, accumulated up to 3.5 mg carotenoids g(-1) dry cell. Accumulation of beta-carotene by this strain depended on the oxygenation of the growth medium, with maximal accumulation (89%) occurring under limiting conditions. Beta-carotene accumulation could be further enhanced by incubating the cells in the presence of glycerol (either not or only slowly assimilated) and yeast extract resulting in an accumulation of 5.7 mg beta-carotene g(-1) dry cell wt. The strain used lactose as carbon source with similar biomass and carotenoid production, providing a viable alternative use for cheese whey ultra-filtrate.

Genetic Engineering↗

Degradation of the radioactive and non-labelled branched 4(3',5'-dimethyl 3'-heptyl)-phenol nonylphenol isomer by sphingomonas TTNP3.

The degradation of the 4(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)-phenol (p353NP) nonylphenol isomer in cultures of Sphingomonas TTNP3 supplemented with the technical mixture of nonylphenol was first assessed. Then the radioactive and non-labelled form of these diastereomers were both synthesised. The radioactive isomers were synthesised using [ring-U-14C]-labelled phenol and 3,5-dimethyl-3-heptanol by Friedel and Crafts alkylation. The time-course of degradation was performed with and without 14C-p353NP; balancing of radioactivity was calculated from different soluble fractions (organic, aqueous), bacterial biomass, and 14CO2 evolved as mineralization product. The noticeable portion of 14C bound to biomass showed that at least the aromatic ring of 14C-p353NP was degraded and served as energy source and probably as carbon source for bacterial growth. In addition, the appearance of 3,5-dimethyl-3-heptanol, the nonanol corresponding with the side-chain of p353NP, was demonstrated in the bacterial media, and its concentration determined during the course of fermentation. Besides the parent 14C-p353NP, no other radioactive compounds, i.e. metabolites of 14C-p353NP were detected in the media.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Isolation and characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-degrading Sphingomonas sp. strain ZL5.

A bacterial strain ZL5, capable of growing on phenanthrene as a sole carbon and energy source but not naphthalene, was isolated by selective enrichment from crude-oil-contaminated soil of Liaohe Oil Field in China. The isolate was identified as a Sphingomonas sp. strain on the basis of 16S ribosomal DNA analysis. Strain ZL5 grown on phenanthrene exhibited catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) activity but no catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase activities. This suggests that the mode of cleavage of phenanthrene by strain ZL5 could be meta via the intermediate catechol, which is different from the protocatechuate way of other two bacteria, Alcaligenes faecelis AFK2 and Nocardioides sp. strain KP7, also capable of growing on phenanthrene but not naphthalene. A resident plasmid (approximately 60 kb in size), designated as pZL, was detected from strain ZL5. Curing the plasmid with mitomycin C and transferring the plasmid to E. coli revealed that pZL was responsible for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation. The C23O gene located on plasmid pZL was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli JM109(DE3). The ring-fission activity of the purified C23O from the recombinant E. coli on dihydroxylated aromatics was in order of catechol > 4-methylcatechol > 3-methylcatechol > 4-chlorocatechol >> 3,4-dihydroxyphenanthrene > 3-chlorocatechol.

Base Sequence↗

Convergent and divergent points in catabolic pathways involved in utilization of fluoranthene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene by Sphingomonas paucimobilis var. EPA505.

Catabolic pathways for utilization of naphthalene (NAP), anthracene (ANT), phenanthrene (PHE), and fluoranthene (FLA) by Sphingomonas paucimobilis EPA505 were identified. Accumulation of catabolic intermediates was investigated with three classes of Tn5 mutants with the following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-negative phenotypes; (class I NAP(-) PHE(-) FLA(-), class II NAP(-) PHE(-), and class III FLA(-)). Class I mutant 200pbhA had a Tn5 insertion within a meta ring fission dioxygenase (pbhA), and a ferredoxin subunit gene (pbhB) resided directly downstream. Mutant 200pbhA and other class I mutants lost the ability to catalyze the initial dihydroxylation step and did not transform NAP, ANT, PHE, or FLA. Class I mutant 401 accumulated salicylic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, and hydroxyacenaphthoic acid during incubation with NAP, ANT, PHE, or FLA, respectively. Class II mutant 132pbhC contained the Tn5 insertion in an aldolase hydratase (pbhC) and accumulated what appeared to be meta ring fission products: trans-o-hydroxybenzylidene pyruvate, trans-o-hydroxynaphylidene pyruvate, and trans-o-hydroxynaphthyl-oxobutenoic acid when incubated with NAP, ANT, and PHE, respectively. When mutant 132pbhC was incubated with 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, it accumulated trans-o-hydroxybenzylidene pyruvate. Class III mutant 104ppdk had a Tn5 insertion in a pyruvate phosphate dikinase gene that affected expression of a FLA-specific gene and accumulated a proposed meta ring fission product; trans-o-hydroxyacenaphyl-oxobutenoic acid during incubation with FLA. Trans-o-hydroxyacenaphyl-oxobutenoic acid was degraded to acenaphthenone that accumulated with class III mutant 611. Acenaphthenone was oxidized via incorporation of one molecule of dioxygen by another oxygenase. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was the final FLA-derived catabolic intermediate detected. Analysis of PAH utilization mutants revealed that there are convergent and divergent points involved in NAP, ANT, PHE, and FLA utilization by S. paucimobilis EPA505.

Anthracenes↗

Gellan gum biosynthesis in Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461: genes, enzymes and exopolysaccharide production engineering.

The commercial gelling agent, gellan, is an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461. In recent years, significant progress in understanding the relationship between gellan structure and properties and elucidation of the biosynthesis and engineering of this recent product of biotechnology has been made. This review focuses on recent advances in this field. Emphasis is given to identification and characterization of genes and enzymes involved, or predicted to be involved, in the gellan biosynthetic pathway, at the level of synthesis of sugar-activated precursors, of the repeat unit assembly and of gellan polymerization and export. Identification of several genes, biochemical characterization of the encoded enzymes and elucidation of crucial steps of the gellan pathway indicate that possibilities now exist for exerting control over gellan production at any of the three levels of its biosynthesis. However, a better knowledge of the poorly understood steps and of the bottlenecks and regulation of the pathway, the characterization of the composition, structure and functional properties of gellan-like polymers produced either by the industrial strain under different culture conditions or by mutants are still required for eventual success of the metabolic engineering of gellan production.

Biological Transport↗

Highly enantioselective hydrolysis of alicyclic meso-epoxides with a bacterial epoxide hydrolase from Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200: simple syntheses of alicyclic vicinal trans-diols.

Hydrolysis of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-3,4-epoxy-pyrrolidine and cyclohexene oxide with the epoxide hydrolase of Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200, respectively, gave the corresponding vicinal trans-diols in high ee and yield, representing the first example of enantioselective hydrolysis of a meso-epoxide with a bacterial epoxide hydrolase.

Alcohols↗

Biochemical characterization of the beta-1,4-glucuronosyltransferase GelK in the gellan gum-producing strain Sphingomonas paucimobilis A.T.C.C. 31461.

Biosynthesis of bacterial polysaccharide-repeat units proceeds by sequential transfer of sugars, from the appropriate sugar donor to an activated lipid carrier, by committed glycosyltransferases (GTs). Few studies on the mechanism of action for this type of GT are available. Sphingomonas paucimobilis A.T.C.C. 31461 produces the industrially important polysaccharide gellan gum. We have cloned the gelK gene from S. paucimobilis A.T.C.C. 31461. GelK belongs to family 1 of the GT classification [Campbell, Davies, Bulone, Henrissat (1997) Biochem. J. 326, 929-939]. Sequence similarity studies suggest that GelK consists of two protein modules corresponding to the -NH(2) and -CO(2)H halves, the latter possibly harbouring the GT activity. The gelK gene and the open reading frames coding for the -NH(2) (GelK(NH2)) and -CO(2)H (GelK(COOH)) halves were overexpressed in Escherichia coli. GelK and GelK(NH2) were present in both the soluble and membrane fractions of E. coli, whereas GelK(COOH) was only present in the soluble fraction. GelK catalysed the transfer of [(14)C]glucuronic acid from UDP-[(14)C]glucuronic acid into a glycolipid extracted from S. paucimobilis or E. coli, even in the presence of EDTA, and the radioactive sugar was released from the glycolipid by beta-1,4-glucuronidase. GelK was not able to use synthetic glucosyl derivatives as acceptors, indicating that the PP(i)-lipid moiety is needed for enzymic activity. Recombinant GelK(NH2) and GelK(COOH) did not show detectable activity. Based on the biochemical characteristics of GelK and on sequence similarities with N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, we propose that GT families 1 and 28 form a superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural analysis of two glycosphingolipids from the lipopolysaccharide-lacking bacterium Sphingomonas capsulata.

Two glycosphingolipids, GSL-1 and GSL-3, were isolated from Sphingomonas capsulata and studied by methylation analysis, laser desorption mass spectrometry, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including two-dimensional 1H,1H COSY and heteronuclear 13C,1H COSY experiments. GSL-1 and GSL-3 differ in their carbohydrate part, their structures being alpha-D-GlcpA-(1-->1)-Cer and alpha-D-Galp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-GlcpN-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcpA(1-- >1)Cer, respectively. Variations occur in the ceramide of GSL-1 and GSL-3, both having the same long-chain bases, erythro-2-amino-1, 3-octadecanediol (sphinganine), (13Z)-erythro-2-amino-13-eicosene-1, 3-diol and (13Z)-erythro-2-amino-13,14-methylene-1,3-eicosanediol, in the ratios 2.6 : 1 : 3.5 in GSL-1 and 1 : 1.2 : 1.5 in GSL-3. All bases are quantitatively substituted by amide-linked (S)-2-hydroxymyristic acid.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Recurrent Sphingomonas paucimobilis -bacteraemia associated with a multi-bacterial water-borne epidemic among neutropenic patients.

A cluster of septicaemias due to several water-related species occurred in a haematological unit of a university hospital. In recurrent septicaemias of a leukaemic patient caused by Sphingomonas paucimobilis, genotyping of the blood isolates by use of random amplified polymorphic DNA-analysis verified the presence of two distinct S. paucimobilis strains during two of the separate episodes. A strain of S. paucimobilis identical to one of the patient's was isolated from tap water collected in the haematological unit. Thus S. paucimobilis present in blood cultures was directly linked to bacterial colonization of the hospital water system. Heterogeneous finger-printing patterns among the clinical and environmental isolates indicated the distribution of a variety of S. paucimobilis clones in the hospital environment. This link also explained the multi-microbial nature of the outbreak.

Bacteremia↗

Aminopeptidase from Sphingomonas capsulata.

A novel aminopeptidase with unique substrate specificity was purified from a culture broth of Sphingomonas capsulata. This is the first reported aminopeptidase to demonstrate broad substrate specificity and yet release glycine and alanine with the highest efficacy. On a series of pentapeptide amides with different N-terminal amino acids, this enzyme efficiently releases glycine, alanine, leucine, proline, and glutamate with the lowest turnover value of 370 min(-1) for glutamate. At pH 7.5 (pH optimum) and 25 degrees C, the kinetic parameters for alanine para-nitroanilide were found to be k(cat) = 7600 min(-1) and K(m) = 14 mm. For alanine beta-naphthylamide, they were k(cat) = 860 min(-1) and K(m) = 6.7 mm. Polymerase chain reaction primers were designed based upon obtained internal sequences of the wild type enzyme. The subsequent product was then used to acquire the full-length gene from an S. capsulata genomic library. An open reading frame encoding a protein of 670 amino acids was obtained. The translated protein has a putative signal peptide that directs the enzyme into the supernatant. A search of the amino acid sequence revealed no significant homology to any known aminopeptidases in the available data bases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystal structure of AlgQ2, a macromolecule (alginate)-binding protein of Sphingomonas sp. A1, complexed with an alginate tetrasaccharide at 1.6-A resolution.

Sphingomonas sp. A1 possesses a high molecular weight (HMW) alginate uptake system composed of a novel pit formed on the cell surface and a pit-dependent ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter in the inner membrane. The transportation of HMW alginate from the pit to the ABC transporter is mediated by the periplasmic HMW alginate-binding proteins AlgQ1 and AlgQ2. We determined the crystal structure of AlgQ2 complexed with an alginate tetrasaccharide using an alginate-free (apo) form as a search model and refined it at 1.6-A resolution. One tetrasaccharide was found between the N and C-terminal domains, which are connected by three extended hinge loops. The tetrasaccharide complex took on a closed domain form, in contrast to the open domain form of the apo form. The tetrasaccharide was bound in the cleft between the domains through van der Waals interactions and the formation of hydrogen bonds. Among the four sugar residues, the nonreducing end residue was located at the bottom of the cleft and exhibited the largest number of interactions with the surrounding amino acid residues, suggesting that AlgQ2 mainly recognizes and binds to the nonreducing part of a HMW alginate and delivers the polymer to the ABC transporter through conformational changes (open and closed forms) of the two domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗