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Transformation methods for halophilic archaebacteria.

We present a practical description of polyethylene glycol mediated spheroplast transformation of Halobacterium halobium and Halobacterium volcanii. This method has been applied to phage DNA transfection, plasmid DNA transformation, and transformation with linear fragments of high molecular weight genomic DNA. Efficient spheroplast regeneration allows uncomplicated recovery of transformed progeny. Transformations can be performed equally well using fresh or frozen cell preparations. These methods should find application in molecular cloning, genetic fine mapping, and strain construction.

Archaea↗

Integrated biclustering of heterogeneous genome-wide datasets for the inference of global regulatory networks.

BACKGROUND: The learning of global genetic regulatory networks from expression data is a severely under-constrained problem that is aided by reducing the dimensionality of the search space by means of clustering genes into putatively co-regulated groups, as opposed to those that are simply co-expressed. Be cause genes may be co-regulated only across a subset of all observed experimental conditions, biclustering (clustering of genes and conditions) is more appropriate than standard clustering. Co-regulated genes are also often functionally (physically, spatially, genetically, and/or evolutionarily) associated, and such a priori known or pre-computed associations can provide support for appropriately grouping genes. One important association is the presence of one or more common cis-regulatory motifs. In organisms where these motifs are not known, their de novo detection, integrated into the clustering algorithm, can help to guide the process towards more biologically parsimonious solutions. RESULTS: We have developed an algorithm, cMonkey, that detects putative co-regulated gene groupings by integrating the biclustering of gene expression data and various functional associations with the de novo detection of sequence motifs. CONCLUSION: We have applied this procedure to the archaeon Halobacterium NRC-1, as part of our efforts to decipher its regulatory network. In addition, we used cMonkey on public data for three organisms in the other two domains of life: Helicobacter pylori, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Escherichia coli. The biclusters detected by cMonkey both recapitulated known biology and enabled novel predictions (some for Halobacterium were subsequently confirmed in the laboratory). For example, it identified the bacteriorhodopsin regulon, assigned additional genes to this regulon with apparently unrelated function, and detected its known promoter motif. We have performed a thorough comparison of cMonkey results against other clustering methods, and find that cMonkey biclusters are more parsimonious with all available evidence for co-regulation.

Algorithms↗

Assessment of whole genome amplification-induced bias through high-throughput, massively parallel whole genome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Whole genome amplification is an increasingly common technique through which minute amounts of DNA can be multiplied to generate quantities suitable for genetic testing and analysis. Questions of amplification-induced error and template bias generated by these methods have previously been addressed through either small scale (SNPs) or large scale (CGH array, FISH) methodologies. Here we utilized whole genome sequencing to assess amplification-induced bias in both coding and non-coding regions of two bacterial genomes. Halobacterium species NRC-1 DNA and Campylobacter jejuni were amplified by several common, commercially available protocols: multiple displacement amplification, primer extension pre-amplification and degenerate oligonucleotide primed PCR. The amplification-induced bias of each method was assessed by sequencing both genomes in their entirety using the 454 Sequencing System technology and comparing the results with those obtained from unamplified controls. RESULTS: All amplification methodologies induced statistically significant bias relative to the unamplified control. For the Halobacterium species NRC-1 genome, assessed at 100 base resolution, the D-statistics from GenomiPhi-amplified material were 119 times greater than those from unamplified material, 164.0 times greater for Repli-G, 165.0 times greater for PEP-PCR and 252.0 times greater than the unamplified controls for DOP-PCR. For Campylobacter jejuni, also analyzed at 100 base resolution, the D-statistics from GenomiPhi-amplified material were 15 times greater than those from unamplified material, 19.8 times greater for Repli-G, 61.8 times greater for PEP-PCR and 220.5 times greater than the unamplified controls for DOP-PCR. CONCLUSION: Of the amplification methodologies examined in this paper, the multiple displacement amplification products generated the least bias, and produced significantly higher yields of amplified DNA.

Bias↗

The Inferelator: an algorithm for learning parsimonious regulatory networks from systems-biology data sets de novo.

We present a method (the Inferelator) for deriving genome-wide transcriptional regulatory interactions, and apply the method to predict a large portion of the regulatory network of the archaeon Halobacterium NRC-1. The Inferelator uses regression and variable selection to identify transcriptional influences on genes based on the integration of genome annotation and expression data. The learned network successfully predicted Halobacterium's global expression under novel perturbations with predictive power similar to that seen over training data. Several specific regulatory predictions were experimentally tested and verified.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Drastic differences in glycosylation of related S-layer glycoproteins from moderate and extreme halophiles.

The outer surface of the moderate halophilic archaebacterium Haloferax volcanii (formerly named Halobacterium volcanii) is covered with a hexagonally packed surface (S) layer glycoprotein. The polypeptide (794 amino acid residues) contains 7 N-glycosylation sites. Four of these sites were isolated as glycopeptides and the structure of one of the corresponding saccharides was determined. Oligosaccharides consisting of beta-1,4-linked glucose residues are attached to the protein via the linkage unit asparaginyl-glucose. In the related glycoprotein from the extreme halophile Halobacterium halobium, the glucose residues are replaced by sulfated glucuronic acid residues, causing a drastic increase in surface charge density. This is discussed in terms of a recent model explaining the stability of halophilic proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Analysis of promoter sequence and its activity of homologues gene rad25 of eukaryotes from halophilic archaea].

The transcriptional product in Halobacterium halobium R1 similar to eukaryotic gene rad25 was analyzed by RT-PCR. Using bgaH as the reporter genes, the promoter function of eukaryotic rad25-like DNA fragment in halophilic archaea was investigated by promoter probe analysis. The important functional regions, which could influence the promoter activity of rad25-like gene, were identified by deletion analysis of the promoter sequence in Haloferax volcanii. It is found that the DNA fragment of promoter similar to eukaryotic gene rad25 contains the typical characteristic sequence of archaeal promoter. These results indicate that rad25-like gene in Halobacterium halobium R1 is active and may play a role on the NER pathway as the eukaryotic pattern.

Archaeal Proteins↗

Enzyme diversity in halophilic archaea.

The halophilic archaea display a considerable extent of enzyme diversity. The presence or absence of certain enzymatic activities is closely linked with the taxonomic status of the strains investigated. Thus, Halobacterium species such as Hb. salinarium, Hb. halobium, and Hb. cutirubrum differ from most other Halobacteriaceae tested by the possession of an NAD(+)-dependent glycerol dehydrogenase, by the absence of methylglyoxal synthase activity, and the ability of fermentative growth on arginine. Species such as Hb. saccharovorum and Hb. sodomense, which are still classified within the genus Halobacterium, have an enzymatic machinery greatly different from that of the Hb. salinarium-Hb. halobium group, confirming the need for a taxonomic reappraisal of these species. The presence of NAD(+)-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase is characteristic of representatives of the genus Haloarcula, which possess only low activities of NAD(+)-independent L- and D-lactate dehydrogenases, if at all. Other enzymes which show considerable diversity are fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, of which two classes exist, and ribulose 1,6-bisphosphate carboxylase, which is present in a limited number of species.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Archaebacterial heat-shock proteins.

The response to heat shock was examined in seven archaebacterial strains from the genus Halobacterium. Upon heat shock each strain preferentially synthesized a limited number of proteins which fell into three narrow mol. wt. ranges. Further examination of the heat-shock response in H. volcanii revealed that heat-shock protein (hsp) synthesis was greatest at 60 degrees C. Synthesis of hsps at this induction temperature was both rapid and transient. Cells recovered their normal protein synthesis patterns rapidly upon returning to their normal growth temperature following heat shock. H. volcanii cells also responded with a ;heat shock-like' response to salt dilution, a natural environmental stress for these organisms. These results indicate that the heat shock or stress response which is charactertistic of eukaryotic and eubacterial cells is also present among members of the archaebacterial genus Halobacterium.

Journal Article↗

The structural protein E of the archaeal virus phiCh1: evidence for processing in Natrialba magadii during virus maturation.

phiCh1 is a lysogenic virus for the haloalkalophilic archaeon Natrialba magadii. The virus morphology resembles other members of Myoviridae infecting Halobacterium species. The gene of the major capsid protein E of virus phiCh1 was cloned and the DNA sequence was determined. Gene E was mapped to a 3.2-kbp ClaI fragment, localized to the 5'-end of the phiCh1 genome. The complete nucleotide sequence of this region was determined and the identity of gene E was confirmed by comparing the experimentally determined N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein to the translated DNA sequence of its open reading frame. We present evidence that the gene E product is proteolytically cleaved between Lys(16) and Asn(17) to yield the 305 residue polypeptides found in the mature viral capsid. Processing of the protein itself during virus development was determined by 2D gel electrophoresis using protein E-specific antibodies. Sequence similarity studies revealed an 80% identity to capsid protein Hp32 of phiH, infecting Halobacterium salinarum. RT-PCR analysis as well as Western blot studies revealed gene E as a late gene. Transcripts and proteins could be detected shortly before onset of lysis of the lysogenic strain N. magadii L11.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Early evolutionary relationships among known life forms inferred from elongation factor EF-2/EF-G sequences: phylogenetic coherence and structure of the archaeal domain.

Phylogenies were inferred from both the gene and the protein sequences of the translational elongation factor termed EF-2 (for Archaea and Eukarya) and EF-G (for Bacteria). All treeing methods used (distance-matrix, maximum likelihood, and parsimony), including evolutionary parsimony, support the archaeal tree and disprove the "eocyte tree" (i.e., the polyphyly and paraphyly of the Archaea). Distance-matrix trees derived from both the amino acid and the DNA sequence alignments (first and second codon positions) showed the Archaea to be a monophyletic-holophyletic grouping whose deepest bifurcation divides a Sulfolobus branch from a branch comprising Methanococcus, Halobacterium, and Thermoplasma. Bootstrapped distance-matrix treeing confirmed the monophyly-holophyly of Archaea in 100% of the samples and supported the bifurcation of Archaea into a Sulfolobus branch and a methanogen-halophile branch in 97% of the samples. Similar phylogenies were inferred by maximum likelihood and by maximum (protein and DNA) parsimony. DNA parsimony trees essentially identical to those inferred from first and second codon positions were derived from alternative DNA data sets comprising either the first or the second position of each codon. Bootstrapped DNA parsimony supported the monophyly-holophyly of Archaea in 100% of the bootstrap samples and confirmed the division of Archaea into a Sulfolobus branch and a methanogen-halophile branch in 93% of the bootstrap samples. Distance-matrix and maximum likelihood treeing under the constraint that branch lengths must be consistent with a molecular clock placed the root of the universal tree between the Bacteria and the bifurcation of Archaea and Eukarya. The results support the division of Archaea into the kingdoms Crenarchaeota (corresponding to the Sulfolobus branch and Euryarchaeota). This division was not confirmed by evolutionary parsimony, which identified Halobacterium rather than Sulfolobus as the deepest offspring within the Archaea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Presence of two novel cardiolipins in the halophilic archaeal community in the crystallizer brines from the salterns of Margherita di Savoia (Italy) and Eilat (Israel).

Two novel cardiolipin derivatives were recently detected in Halobacterium salinarum, namely an archaeal analog of bisphosphatidylglycerol (BPG) and a glycocardiolipin (GlyC). GlyC was found to be tightly bound to bacteriorhodopsin. To obtain information on the presence and distribution of these archaeal cardiolipins, we have analyzed the lipids extracted from the crystallizer ponds of the salterns of Margherita di Savoia (Italy) and Eilat (Israel) and from cultures of representative species of the Halobacteriaceae by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. BPG was present as a minor lipid component in the lipids extracted from the biomass of the Margherita di Savoia and the Eilat salterns, while GlyC was detected only in the extract of the biomass of Margherita di Savoia. Both compounds were enriched in the membrane fraction obtained by dialysis of the cells against distilled water. We detected BPG in all members of the Halobacteriaceae tested, but GlyC has so far been found only in the genera Halobacterium and Haloarcula. A sulfated diglycosyl diether was the major glycolipid detected in the biomass of both salterns.

Biomass↗

The primary structure of rat ribosomal protein L35.

The amino acid sequence of the rat 60S ribosomal subunit protein L35 was deduced from the sequence of nucleotides in a recombinant cDNA and confirmed from the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein. Ribosomal protein L35 has 122 amino acids (the NH2-terminal methionine is removed after translation of the mRNA) and has a molecular weight of 14,412. Hybridization of the cDNA to digests of nuclear DNA suggests that there are 15-17 copies of the L35 gene. The mRNA for the protein is about 570 nucleotides in length. Rat L35 is related to the archaebacterial ribosomal proteins Halobacterium marismortui L33 and Halobacterium halobium L29E; it is also related to Escherichia coli L29 and to other members of the prokaryotic ribosomal protein L29 family. The protein contains a possible internal duplication of 11 residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the ATPase A- and B-subunits of the halophilic archaebacterium Haloferax volcanii and characterization of the enzyme.

Using PCR with degenerate oligonucleotides, we amplified two conserved regions of the plasma membrane ATPase A (alpha)- and B (beta)-subunit-encoding genes from Haloferax volcanii, a halophilic archaeon. The amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced, and then used as homologous probes to clone genomic restriction fragments, one of which contained the nearly complete atpA- and atpB-gene. To complete the latter one, we sequenced a region of an overlapping fragment using synthetic oligonucleotides as primers. The deduced amino-acid sequence showed a high degree of similarity with the A and B sequences of Halobacterium halobium-ATPase, and a relatively high degree with Daucus carota V-ATPase, but less similarity to F-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunits. Like in V-ATPases, the A-subunit is more related to the catalytic F-ATPase beta-subunit, whereas B corresponds to alpha. Cross-reaction of antibodies against CF1-alpha (synthetic peptide) with B and CF1-beta with A of Haloferax volcanii confirmed this finding. The ATPase of Haloferax volcanii is a halophilic enzyme, the amino-acid sequences contain about 20% negatively charged residues. This is discussed in terms of adaption to hypersaline conditions. The enzyme is specific for ATP, we determined KM values for ATP in presence of Mn2+ and Mg2+, respectively. Other nucleotides, including GTP and ADP are competitive inhibitors of ATP hydrolysis. Despite of the high degree of similarity to the Halobacterium enzyme, the ATPase showed no sensitivity to most of the tested inhibitors of ATP hydrolysis. NEM, a specific inhibitor for V-ATPases inhibited the enzyme only slightly. Bafilomycin, NBD-Cl and nitrate showed no effect. These results will be discussed in context with some specific differences in the primary structure of the Haloferax A-subunit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Old and new data, new issues: the mitochondrial DeltaPsi.

New and old data pertinent to the electrochemical potentials across the inner mitochondrial membrane are reviewed with the intent of reconciling the various findings in the light of new perspectives provided by more recent knowledge. A careful scrutiny of old data permits ruling out the presence of a significant metabolically dependent electrical membrane potential. Recent technological advances make it possible to test the proposed alternatives. These proposals recast the original idea, and the possible mechanisms that are emerging also invoke a protonmotive force. Our conclusions that DeltaPsi is not involved in oxidative-phosphorylation finds parallel observations in Halobacterium halobium [H. Michel, D. Oesterhelt, Electrochemical proton gradient across the cell membrane of Halobacterium halobium: comparison of the light-induced increase with the increase of intracellular adenosine triphosphate under steady-state illumination, Biochemistry 19 (1980) 4615-4619] and thylakoid vesicles [D.R. Ort, R.A. Dilley, N.E. Good, Photophosphorylation as a function of illumination time II. Effects of permeant buffers, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 449 (1976) 108-129] in which light-induced ATP synthesis occurs in the absence of an apparent DeltaPsi or DeltapH, suggesting the presence of mechanisms similar to the one proposed for mitochondria.

Energy Metabolism↗

Subunit structure of gas vesicles: a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry study.

Many aquatic microorganisms use gas vesicles to regulate their depth in the water column. The molecular basis for the novel physical properties of these floatation organelles remains mysterious due to the inapplicability of either solution or single crystal structural methods. In the present study, some folding constraints for the approximately 7-kDa GvpA building blocks of the vesicles are established via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry studies of intact and proteolyzed vesicles from the cyanobacterium Anabaena flos-aquae and the archaea Halobacterium salinarum. The spectra of undigested vesicles show no evidence of posttranslational modification of the GvpA. The extent of carboxypeptidase digestion shows that the alanine rich C-terminal pentapeptide of GvpA is exposed to the surface in both organisms. The bonds that are cleaved by Trypsin and GluC are exclusively in the extended N-terminus of the Anabaena flos-aquae protein and in the extended C-terminus of the Halobacterium salinarum protein. All the potentially cleavable peptide bonds in the central, highly conserved portion of the protein appear to be shielded from protease attack in spite of the fact that some of the corresponding side chains are almost certainly exposed to the aqueous medium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic and genetic dissection of an archaeal regulon.

The extremely halophilic archaeon Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 can grow phototrophically by means of light-driven proton pumping by bacteriorhodopsin in the purple membrane. Here, we show by genetic analysis of the wild type, and insertion and double-frame shift mutants of Bat that this transcriptional regulator coordinates synthesis of a structural protein and a chromophore for purple membrane biogenesis in response to both light and oxygen. Analysis of the complete Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 genome sequence showed that the regulatory site, upstream activator sequence (UAS), the putative binding site for Bat upstream of the bacterio-opsin gene (bop), is also present upstream to the other Bat-regulated genes. The transcription regulator Bat contains a photoresponsive cGMP-binding (GAF) domain, and a bacterial AraC type helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif. We also provide evidence for involvement of the PAS/PAC domain of Bat in redox-sensing activity by genetic analysis of a purple membrane overproducer. Five additional Bat-like putative regulatory genes were found, which together are likely to be responsible for orchestrating the complex response of this archaeon to light and oxygen. Similarities of the bop-like UAS and transcription factors in diverse organisms, including a plant and a gamma-proteobacterium, suggest an ancient origin for this regulon capable of coordinating light and oxygen responses in the three major branches of the evolutionary tree of life. Finally, sensitivity of four of five regulon genes to DNA supercoiling is demonstrated and correlated to presence of alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences (RY boxes) near the regulated promoters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phylogenetic relationships within the order Halobacteriales inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequences.

Phylogenetic relationships within the halophilic archaea were inferred from comparisons of the 16S rRNA gene sequences from 61 strains, representing 18 genera with validly published names within the order Halobacteriales. Trees produced using distance-matrix (least-squares and neighbour-joining) methods affirm with strong bootstrap support that the members of the order Halobacteriales are a monophyletic group. Ten genera were supported as monophyletic groups [Haloarcula, Halobiforma, Halococcus, Haloferax, Halorubrum, Halosimplex (multiple sequences from a single strain), Natrialba, Natrinema, Natronococcus and Natronorubrum] and eight genera were represented by a single strain (Halobacterium, Halobaculum, Halogeometricum, Halomicrobium, Halorhabdus, Halosimplex, Natronobacterium and Natronomonas). The genus Haloterrigena was always paraphyletic, and the phylogenetic placement of and sister groups to Halobacterium and Natronomonas could not be resolved. Both treeing methods failed to resolve the deep branching patterns within the order Halobacteriales and the relationships between the major clades. Additional representation from the currently monospecific genera and/or the use of other macromolecules may be required to resolve the relationships within the order Halobacteriales.

Base Sequence↗

The plasma membrane ATPase of the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Purification and immunological relationships to F1-ATPases.

The plasma-membrane-associated ATPase of the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius characterized in a previous work [M. Lübben & G. Schäfer (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 164, 533-540] has been solubilized. It can be easily removed from the membrane by mild treatment with zwitterionic detergents, therefore it appears to be a peripheral membrane protein analogous to the soluble F1-ATPase of eubacteria and eukaryotes. Further purification has been achieved by subsequent gel permeation and ion-exchange chromatography. The final purity is greater than 70% as judged by staining intensities after SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The ATPase consists of two major polypeptides of 65 kDa (alpha) and 51 kDa (beta) in comparable quantities; a minor band (20 kDa) is assumed to be a contaminant or a constitutive part of the enzyme, possibly copurified in substoichiometric amount. The native molecular mass of the solubilized ATPase determined by gel permeation is 430 kDa. Considering the precision of these methods, it remains open whether a 3:3 stoichiometry reflects the contribution of alpha and beta subunits to the quaternary structure, in analogy to known F1-ATPases. The catalytic properties resemble those of the membrane-bound state. There are two pH optima at 5.3 and 8.0 in the absence and only one optimum at 6.5 in the presence of the activating anion sulfite. Activity is strictly dependent on the divalent cations Mg2+ or Mn2+. ATP and dATP are hydrolyzed with highest rates; also other purine and pyrimidine nucleotides are cleaved significantly, but not ADP, pyrophosphate and p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The ATPase is insensitive to azide or vanadate but is inhibited by relatively low concentrations of nitrate. Polyclonal antisera have been raised against the beta subunit of the Sulfolobus ATPase. Cross-reactivities with cellular or membrane extracts of a number of archaebacteria, eubacteria and chloroplasts have been analyzed by means of Western blotting and immunodecoration. A strong cross-reactivity with other genera of the Sulfolobales is observed, also with Methanobacterium, Methanosarcina, Methanolobus and Halobacterium. Even membranes of the eubacterium Escherichia coli and of eukaryotic chloroplast react with the antibodies. With one exception, in all cases the molecular mass of the cross-reacting polypeptide falls in the range of 51-56 kDa. Only in Halobacterium halobium, bands at 66 and 68 kDa have been detected. In order to identify the cross-reacting polypeptides, the purified F1-ATPases of E. coli, chloroplasts and beef heart mitochondria have been tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Archaea↗