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Bioactive hydroxyphenylpyrrole-dicarboxylic acids from a new marine Halomonas sp.: Production and structure elucidation.

The new marine Halomonas sp. strain GWS-BW-H8hM (DSM 17996) was found to produce 3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-phenylpyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (HPPD-1) and 3,4-bis(4'-hydroxy- phenyl)pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (HPPD-2). In initial cultivations using marine broth, only low contents of these compounds have been isolated. Improving the conditions and growing the strain on artificial seawater supplemented with tryptone 10 g l(-1), yeast extract 5 g l(-1), L-tyrosine 0.6 g l(-1), glycine 1 g l(-1), and glucose 6 g l(-1), the growth-associated HPPD-1 and HPPD-2 production of a 40-l batch cultivation reached the amounts of 47 mg l(-1) and 116 mg l(-1), respectively, after 65 h. Both compounds showed potent anti-tumor-promoting activities.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Optimizing conditions for poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) production by Halomonas boliviensis LC1 in batch culture with sucrose as carbon source.

Halomonas boliviensis LC1 is able to accumulate poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) under conditions of excess carbon source and depletion of essential nutrients. This study was aimed at an efficient production of PHB by growing H. boliviensis to high cell concentrations in batch cultures. The effect of ammonium, phosphate, and yeast extract concentrations on cell concentration [cell dry weight (CDW)] and PHB content of H. boliviensis cultured in shake flasks was assayed using a factorial design. High concentrations of these nutrients led to increments in cell growth but reduced the PHB content to some extent. Cultivations of H. boliviensis under controlled conditions in a fermentor using 1.5% (w/v) yeast extract as N source, and intermittent addition of sucrose to provide excess C source, resulted in a polymer accumulation of 44 wt.% and 12 g l(-1) CDW after 24 h of cultivation. Batch cultures in a fermentor with initial concentrations of 2.5% (w/v) sucrose and 1.5% (w/v) yeast extract, and with induced oxygen limitation, resulted in an optimum PHB accumulation, PHB concentration and CDW of 54 wt.%, 7.7 g l(-1) and 14 g l(-1), respectively, after 19 h of cultivation. The addition of casaminoacids in the medium increased the CDW to 14.4 g l(-1) in 17 h but reduced the PHB content in the cells to 52 wt.%.

Culture Techniques↗

Analysis of the genome of the moderate halophile Halomonas eurihalina.

We have studied the genomic organization of Halomonas eurihalina, a moderately halophilic bacterium that produces an anionic exopolysaccharide with a potentially wide range of applications in industry. To estimate the genome size of strain F2-7, large restriction fragments of genomic DNA were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. According to the average size of the resolved restriction fragments, the genome size of H. eurihalina strain F2-7 was estimated to be around 2500 kb. The physical map of the chromosome for the endonuclease SwaI has been constructed. The F2-7 strain has two plasmids, pVE1 and pVE2, and in this study we have isolated three new plasmids, pVE3, pVE4, and pVE5, of 5.3, 16, and 6.5 kb, respectively, from strains H-1, H-217, and H-236 of H. eurihalina. We have characterized these plasmids and constructed their physical maps. Curing experiments produced no evidence for the involvement of these plasmids in the expression of the mucous phenotype.

Blotting, Southern↗

Novel insights into the role of potassium for osmoregulation in Halomonas elongata.

The role of K(+) in osmoregulation of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata was investigated. At lower salinities (0.51 M NaCl), K(+) was the predominant cytoplasmic solute (1.25 micro mol mg protein(-1)). At higher salinities (1.03 M NaCl) ectoine became the main cytoplasmic solute (1.57 micro mol mg protein(-1)), while the K(+) content remained unchanged. In response to osmotic upshock, cells of H. elongata simultaneously accumulated ectoine and K(+) glutamate. The ectoine and K(+) glutamate levels in osmotically stressed cells exceeded the level of cells adapted to high salinities. The increase in K(+) glutamate was long lasting (>120 min) and not transient, as described for non-halophiles. Regulation of the synthesis of ectoine and glutamate was proven to occur mainly at the level of enzyme activity. Limitation of K(+) inhibited the growth of salt-adapted H. elongata cells, especially at high salinities, and caused a decrease of the intracellular organic solute content, inhibition of respiration, and an abolition of the cell's ability to respond to osmotic stress. The saturation constant K(S) for K(+) was estimated to be 105 micro M at a salinity of 0.51 M NaCl, indicating that an uptake system of medium affinity is responsible for K(+) accumulation in H. elongata.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Mauran, an exopolysaccharide produced by the halophilic bacterium Halomonas maura, with a novel composition and interesting properties for biotechnology.

Mauran is an anionic, sulfated heteropolysaccharide with a high uronic-acid content, synthesized by strain S-30 of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas maura. Under optimum environmental and nutritional conditions, it is capable of producing up to 3.8 g of mauran per liter of medium. Aqueous solutions of mauran are highly viscous and display pseudoplastic, viscoelastic and thixotropic behavior. Its viscosity is stable over a wide pH range (3-11), after freezing-thawing processes, and in the presence of sucrose, salts, surfactants and alpha-hydroxyl acids. It has a high capacity for binding lead and other cations. Its molecular mass when collected from an MY medium supplemented with 2.5% w/v salt during the stationary growth phase is 4.7x10(6) Da.

Biotechnology↗

Carbon and energy fluxes during haloadaptation of Halomonas sp. EF11 growing on phenol.

The haloalkaliphile Halomonas sp. EF11 can grow on phenol as sole source for carbon and energy, while maintaining an osmotic equilibrium predominantly by adjusting levels of a certain compatible solute. To determine the energy costs of haloadaptation and the fate of substrate-carbon, the strain was grown continuously in an isothermal compensation calorimeter, keeping all conditions constant except salinity. As salinity increased, slight linear reductions in exothermic heat flow and biomass formation occurred, and 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid (ectoine) synthesis increased linearly. However, beyond a certain salinity threshold the stationary phenol concentration increased exponentially, while heat flow fell sharply, indicating intoxication or wash-out. The clear transition point between the phases, where ectoine formation peaked, suggests that calorimetric measurements could be used to control the conversion of growth-inhibiting substrates (like phenol) into ectoine and to optimize the process. Enthalpy balance and chemical determinations revealed acetate and formate were formed as side products when the C/N ratio in the feed was low, while 2-muconic acid semialdehyde and formate were produced when the ratio was high. These findings indicate that phenol assimilation occurs via the meta pathway. However, enzyme assays implied that assimilation occurs via the ortho and meta pathways at a low C/N ratio and exclusively via the meta pathway at a high C/N ratio.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

A membrane-bound nitrate reductase encoded by the narGHJI operon is responsible for anaerobic respiration in Halomonas maura.

The halophilic bacterium Halomonas maura is capable of anaerobic respiration on nitrates. By insertional mutagenesis with the minitransposon Tn-5 we obtained the mutant Tc62, which was incapable of anaerobic respiration on nitrates. An analysis of the regions adjacent to the transposon allowed us to characterize the membrane-bound anaerobic-respiratory nitrate reductase narGHJI gene cluster in H. maura. We identified consensus sequences for fumarate and nitrate reductase regulator (FNR)-like protein-binding sites in the promoter regions of the nar genes and consensus sequences corresponding to the NarL binding sites upstream of the nar genes. RT-PCR analysis showed that the narGHJI operon was expressed in response to anaerobic conditions when nitrate was available as electron acceptor. This membrane-bound nitrate reductase is the only enzyme responsible for anaerobic respiration on nitrate in H. maura. In this article we discuss the possible relationship between this enzyme and a dissimilatory nitrate-reduction-to-ammonia process (DNRA) in H. maura and its role in the colonization of the rhizosphere.

Anaerobiosis↗

Halomonas maura is a physiologically versatile bacterium of both ecological and biotechnological interest.

Halomonas maura is a bacterium of great metabolic versatility. We summarise in this work some of the properties that make it a very interesting microorganism both from an ecological and biotechnological point of view. It plays an active role in the nitrogen cycle, is capable of anaerobic respiration in the presence of nitrate and has recently been identified as a diazotrophic bacterium. Of equal interest is mauran, the exopolysaccharide produced by H. maura, which contributes to the formation of biofilms and thus affords the bacterium advantages in the colonisation of its saline niches. Mauran is highly viscous, shows thixotropic and pseudoplastic behaviour, has the capacity to capture heavy metals and exerts a certain immunomodulator effect in medicine. All these attributes have prompted us to make further investigations into its molecular characteristics. To date we have described 15 open reading frames (ORF's) related to exopolysaccharide production, nitrogen fixation and nitrate reductase activity among others.

Biotechnology↗

Exopolysaccharide production by a new Halomonas strain CRSS isolated from saline lake Cape Russell in Antarctica growing on complex and defined media.

A haloalkalophilic Halomonas strain CRSS, isolated from salt sediments in Antarctica, produced exocellular polysaccharides (EPS) up to 2.9 g g(-1) dry cells. Acetate was the most efficient carbon source for EPS production. The composition of media strongly affected the nature of the polymers; a mannan and a xylo-mannan, were obtained when cells were grown on complex media. Acetate was the most efficient carbon source for EPS production and in presence of this substrate, a new polysaccharide, a fructo-glucan, was produced. The EPS fraction was composed by glucose, fructose, glucosamine and galactosamine in relative proportions of 1:0.7:0.3:trace.

Antarctic Regions↗

Characterization of molybdenum-free nitrate reductase from haloalkalophilic bacterium Halomonas sp. strain AGJ 1-3.

Nitrate reductase from the haloalkalophilic denitrifying bacterium Halomonas sp. strain AGJ 1-3 was isolated and purified to homogeneity. The isolated enzyme belongs to a novel family of molybdenum-free nitrate reductases. It presents as a 130-140 kD monomeric protein with specific activity of 250 micromol/min per mg protein. The enzyme reduces not only nitrate, but also other anions, thus showing polyoxoanion reductase activity. Enzyme activity was maximal at pH 7.0 and 70-80 degrees C.

Anions↗

Diverse NO reduction by Halomonas halodenitrificans nitric oxide reductase.

Reduction of the four Fe centers is not required to initiate the reaction of the Halomonas halodenitrificans nitric oxide reductase (NOR) based on the facts that NOR in the form that ferric heme b(3) and non-heme iron (Fe(B)) are not bridged and/or the interaction between them is weakened and reversibly binds NO molecules, and that NOR in the form that only heme b(3) is oxidized reacts with NO molecules.

Enzyme Activation↗

An antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Halomonas sp. ANT-3b, growing on n-hexadecane, produces a new emulsyfying glycolipid.

A bacterial strain ANT-3b was isolated at the sea-ice seawater interface from Terra Nova Bay station, Ross Sea, Antarctica. It was isolated on mineral medium supplemented with 2% diesel fuel as a sole carbon and energy source and grown routinely on 2% n-hexadecane. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicates that the strain has 99.8% sequence similarity with Halomonas neptunia. The strain ANT-3b was grown in mineral medium supplemented with n-hexadecane between 4 and 20 degrees C, but not at 30 degrees C. The maximum degradation rate of the n-alkane was measured at 15 degrees C, with 5.6+/-1.7 mg O2 microg(-1) protein d(-1). The strain ANT-3b produced emulsifying compounds when grown on n-hexadecane, but not on mineral medium supplemented with D-fructose. A preliminary characterisation of the emulsifier was carried out. The lipid moiety contained a mixture of fatty acids with a following composition in molar ratio: caprylic acid 18.85, myristic acid 1.0, palmitic acid 9.68, palmitoleic acid 5.69 and oleic acid 1.26. The polysaccharide moiety also contained a mixture of sugars with the following molar ratio: mannose 1.71, galactose 1.00 and glucose 2.96. The molecular weight of the glycolipid component determined by gel permeation chromatography was in the 18 kDa range and contained smaller fragments, possibly oligomeric contaminants. Transmission electron microscopy showed contact between the glycolipid secreted by the strain and n-hexadecane broken down to nanodroplets at the water interface, to form a material with mesophase (liquid crystal) organisation.

Alkanes↗

The moderately halophilic bacterium Halomonas maura is a free-living diazotroph.

Halomonas maura is a moderately halophilic bacterium which lives in saline soils and synthesises an exopolysaccharide known as mauran. Strain S-31T grew in a nitrogen-free medium under an N2 atmosphere; the acetylene reduction assay proved positive under specific conditions. We identified the nifH gene in this strain by using degenerate oligonucleotides designed from highly preserved gene sequences obtained from the alignment of a large number of nifH sequences from different microorganisms. Our results lead us to conclude that H. maura is capable of fixing nitrogen under microaerobic conditions.

Base Sequence↗

The O-specific chain structure of the major component from the lipopolysaccharide fraction of Halomonas magadii strain 21 MI (NCIMB 13595).

An O-specific polysaccharide containing D-galactose and D-glucose, was isolated from the water-soluble lipopolysaccharide fraction of the alkaliphilic bacterium Halomonas magadii. The structure, determined by means of chemical analysis and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, showed a trisaccharide repeating unit, as shown below: [structure: see text]

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Nitrate reduction with Halomonas campisalis. Kinetics of denitrification at pH 9 and 12.5% NaCl.

Regeneration of ion exchange resins with NaCl produces brine containing high concentrations of nitrate that can be difficult to remove using standard biological, physical, or chemical technologies. In this study. Halomonas campisalis (ATCC #700597) (Mormile et al., 1999) was shown to completely reduce nitrate at 125 g/L NaCl and pH 9. This organism was also used in experiments to determine nitrate-reduction rates and biomass yields. Kinetic parameters were measured separately with glycerol, lactate. acetate, ethanol, and methanol. The specific nitrate-reduction rate coefficient was highest in cultures amended with acetate, while lactate and glycerol (a natural osmoticum in hypersaline environments) had lower reduction rates. No evidence of nitrate reduction was observed when ethanol or methanol was provided as an electron donor. Kinetic modeling provided values for nitrate and nitrite-reduction rate coefficients and for biomass yields. Measured rates and yields were similar to reported parameters obtained from non-halophilic nitrate-reducing cultures under low salt concentrations. Therefore, for highly saline solutions, the use of halophiles to selectively remove nitrate from these brines may represent a viable treatment option.

Halomonas↗

Screening and characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase gene from Halomonas salina strain AS11.

A population survey was made of moderately halophilic bacteria in prawn pond sediment in the Songkla region of Thailand. Twenty-two isolated halophilic bacteria capable of growing on modified ATCC culture medium 1270 for halobacterium were then assayed for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity which might be involved in the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds. One isolate, designated AS11, was selected based on its high amount of ALDH activity. This organism can grow at sodium chloride concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 25%, although optimum growth occurs at 5% NaCl. Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies indicated that AS11 was an isolate of Halomonas salina. The aldh gene coding for this enzyme was then cloned. The open reading frame of the aldh gene was 1521-bp long and coded for a protein of 506 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 55 kDa. The aldh gene product proved to be 76% identical to the NAD-dependent acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene from Pseudomonase aeruginosa.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗

Thermokinetic description of anaerobic growth of Halomonas halodenitrificans using a static microcalorimetric ampoule technique.

Efficiency and velocity of growth are key variables to consider when designing any microbial biotechnological process. Selection of the optimal strain and description of environmental effects on growth patterns require rapid information about relevant parameters. Calorimetry is particularly suitable for providing such data, provided it can simultaneously perform many measurements and the apparatus is as simple as possible. The simplest experimental set-up measures the heat flux of microorganisms growing in a static, sealed ampoule. But, how reliable and reproducible are the growth rates and growth yield coefficients obtained from such a system? To answer this question, the strain Halomonas halodenitrificans CCM 286(T) was grown on glycerol with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor in a multi-channel isothermal heat conduction calorimeter in such a way that growth was predominantly influenced by availability of the oxidant. The time course of the heat fluxes up to the maximum attained was successfully modelled using integrated Monod kinetics. The reproducibility of the specific growth rate obtained was excellent (standard deviation less than 1% for a single measurement and less than 3% for a couple of measurements) and agreed well with figures reported in the literature. An Arrhenius-type model, consisting of one term for the activation and one for the inactivation of the microbial catalyst, was found to fit the whole specific growth rate versus temperature curve.

Anaerobiosis↗

Calorimetrically obtained information about the efficiency of ectoine synthesis from glucose in Halomonas elongata.

Compatible solutes are becoming more and more attractive commercially. Thus, knowledge of the efficiency of synthesis of compatible solutes from different carbon substrates is very important. As the growth rate and rates of formation of compatible solutes correspond to the heat flux, calorimetric measurements are particularly suitable for providing this information. By growing microorganisms continuously in a calorimeter, and generating a feeding stream with gradually increasing salinity without changing any other growth conditions, we were able to determine the efficiency of growth-associated synthesis of compatible solutes. This was shown for Halomonas elongata DMSZ 2581(T) growing on glucose, which synthesizes (at 25 degrees C) 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid (ectoine) as its main osmotic counterweight. The requirement of biologically usable energy for its growth-associated synthesis was found to be very low: a 100% efficiency of the conversion of the substrate-carbon into ectoine is both theoretically possible and was reached approximately in practice. The growth rate and yield coefficient were essentially independent of the ectoine formation rate, and the rate of substrate-carbon assimilation was far greater than the rate of dissimilation. The specific maximum growth rate was limited by the rate of formation of ectoine.

Adaptation, Biological↗