Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “BACTERIUM”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Denitrification at extremely high pH values by the alkaliphilic, obligately chemolithoautotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing bacterium Thioalkalivibrio denitrificans strain ALJD.

Thioalkalivibrio denitrificans is the first example of an alkaliphilic, obligately autotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing bacterium able to grow anaerobically by denitrification. It was isolated from a Kenyan soda lake with thiosulfate as electron donor and N2O as electron acceptor at pH 10. The bacterium can use nitrite and N2O, but not nitrate, as electron acceptors during anaerobic growth on reduced sulfur compounds. Nitrate is only utilized as nitrogen source. In batch culture at pH 10, rapid growth was observed on N2O as electron acceptor and thiosulfate as electron donor. Growth on nitrite was only possible after prolonged adaptation of the culture to increasing nitrite concentrations. In aerobic thiosulfate-limited chemostats, Thioalkalivibrio denitrificans strain ALJD was able to grow between pH values of 7.5 and 10.5 with an optimum at pH 9.0. Growth of the organism in continuous culture on N2O was more stable and faster than in aerobic cultures. The pH limit for growth on N2O was 10.6. In nitrite-limited chemostat culture, growth was possible on thiosulfate at pH 10. Despite the observed inhibition of N2O reduction by sulfide, the bacterium was able to grow in sulfide-limited continuous culture with N2O as electron acceptor at pH 10. The highest anaerobic growth rate with N2O in continuous culture at pH 10 was observed with polysulfide (S8(2-)) as electron donor. Polysulfide was also the best substrate for oxygen-respiring cells. Washed cells at pH 10 oxidized polysulfide to sulfate via elemental sulfur in the presence of N2O or O2. In the absence of the electron acceptors, elemental sulfur was slowly reduced which resulted in regeneration of polysulfide. Cells of strain ALJD grown under anoxic conditions contained a soluble cd1-like cytochrome and a cytochrome-aa3-like component in the membranes.

Aerobiosis↗

Desulfitobacterium sp. strain PCE1, an anaerobic bacterium that can grow by reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene or ortho-chlorinated phenols.

A strictly anaerobic bacterium, strain PCE1, was isolated from a tetrachloroethene-dechlorinating enrichment culture. Cells of the bacterium were motile curved rods, with approximately four lateral flagella. They possessed a gram-positive type of cell wall and contained cytochrome c. Optimum growth occurred at pH 7.2-7.8 and 34-38 degrees C. The organism grew with L-lactate, pyruvate, butyrate, formate, succinate, or ethanol as electron donors, using either tetrachloroethene, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-phenylacetate, sulfite, thiosulfate, or fumarate as electron acceptors. Strain PCE1 also grew fermentatively with pyruvate as the sole substrate. L-Lactate and pyruvate were oxidized to acetate. Tetrachloroethene was reductively dechlorinated to trichloroethene and small amounts ( 5%) of cis-1,2-dichloroethene and trans-1,2-dichloroethene. Chlorinated phenolic compounds were dechlorinated specifically at the ortho-position. On the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the organism was identified as a species within the genus Desulfitobacterium, which until now only contained the chlorophenol-dechlorinating bacterium, Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Anaerobic degradation of 3-halobenzoates by a denitrifying bacterium.

A denitrifying bacterium was isolated from a river sediment after enrichment on 3-chlorobenzoate under anoxic, denitrifying conditions. The bacterium, designated strain 3CB-1, degraded 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-bromobenzoate, and 3-iodobenzoate with stoichiometric release of halide under conditions supporting anaerobic growth by denitrification. The 3-halobenzoates and 3-hydroxybenzoate were used as growth substrates with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. The doubling time when growing on 3-halobenzoates ranged from 18 to 25 h. On agar plates with 1 mM 3-chlorobenzoate as the sole carbon source and 30 mM nitrate as the electron acceptor, strain 3CB-1 formed small colonies (1-2 mm in diameter) in 2 to 3 weeks. Anaerobic degradation of both 3-chlorobenzoate and 3-hydroxybenzoate was dependent on nitrate as an electron acceptor and resulted in nitrate reduction corresponding to the stoichiometric values for complete oxidation of the substrate to CO2. 3-Chlorobenzoate was not degraded in the presence of oxygen. 3-Bromobenzoate and 3-iodobenzoate were also degraded under denitrifying conditions with stoichiometric release of halide, but 3-fluorobenzoate was not utilized by the bacterium. Utilization of 3-chlorobenzoate was inducible, while synthesis of enzymes for 3-hydroxybenzoate degradation was constitutively low, but inducible. Degradation was specific to the positive of the halogen substituent, and strain 3CB-1 did not utilize 2- or 4-chlorobenzoate.

Anaerobiosis↗

An indigenous drought-tolerant strain of Glomus intraradices associated with a native bacterium improves water transport and root development in Retama sphaerocarpa.

The effects of interactions between Bacillus thuringiensis, a drought-adapted bacterium, and two isolates of Glomus intraradices, an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, on Retama sphaerocarpa, a drought-adapted legume, were investigated. The fungal isolates were an indigenous drought-tolerant and a nonindigenous drought-sensitive isolate. Shoot length and root growth, symbiotic parameters, water transport (in terms of percent relative plant water uptake), and volumetric soil moisture and soil enzymatic activities in response to microbial inoculations were evaluated. Retama plants colonized by G. intraradices plus Bacillus possessed similar shoot length after 30 days from sowing compared with noninoculated Retama plants after 150 days. Inoculation with drought-adapted bacterium increased root growth by 201%, but maximum root development was obtained by co-inoculation of B. thuringiensis and the indigenous G. intraradices. Nodules were formed only in plants colonized by autochthonous AM fungi. Relative water uptake was higher in inoculated than in noninoculated Retama plants, and these inoculants depleted soil water content concomitantly. G. intraradices-colonized Retama reached similar shoot length irrespective of the fungal origin, but there were strong differences in relative water uptake by plants colonized by each one of the fungi. Indigenous G. intraradices-colonized roots (evaluated as functional alkaline phosphatase staining) showed the highest intensity and arbuscule richness when associated with B. thuringiensis. The interactive microbial effects on Retama plants were more relevant when indigenous microorganisms were involved. Co-inoculation of autochthonous microorganisms reduced by 42% the water required to produce 1 mg of shoot biomass. This is the first evidence of the effectiveness of rhizosphere bacterium, singly or associated with AM fungus, in increasing plant water uptake, which represents a positive microbial effect on plants grown under drought environments.

Bacillus↗

A chitinase with high activity toward partially N-acetylated chitosan from a new, moderately thermophilic, chitin-degrading bacterium, Ralstonia sp. A-471.

A moderately thermophilic bacterium, strain A-471, capable of degrading chitin was isolated from a composting system of chitin-containing waste. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence revealed that the bacterium belongs to the genus Ralstonia. A thermostable chitinase A ( Ra-ChiA) was purified from culture fluid of the bacterium grown in colloidal chitin medium. Purification of the enzyme was achieved mainly by exploiting its binding to the colloidal chitin. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 70 kDa and the isoelectric point approximately 4.7. N-terminal amino acid sequencing revealed a sequence of ADPYLKVAYYP, which had high homology (66% identity) with that of chitinase A1 from Bacillus circulans WL-12. The pH and temperature optima were determined to be 5.0 and 70 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was classified as a retaining glycosyl hydrolase and was most active against partially N-acetylated chitosans. Its activities towards the partially N-acetylated chitosans, i.e. chitosan 7B, chitosan 8B, and chitosan 9B, were about 11-fold, 9-fold, and 5-fold higher than towards colloidal chitin, respectively. Ra-ChiA cleaved (GlcNAc)6 almost exclusively into (GlcNAc)2. Activation of Ra-ChiA was observed by the addition of 1 mM Cu2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, or Mg2+. Degradation of the partially N-acetylated chitosan produced oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization ranging from 1-8; these are products that offer potential application for functional oligosaccharide production.

Chitin↗

A novel thermoacidophilic endoglucanase, Ba-EGA, from a new cellulose-degrading bacterium, Bacillus sp.AC-1.

A newly discovered bacterium, strain AC1, containing cellulase was isolated from the gastric juice of the mollusca, Ampullaria crosseans. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence and carbon sources revealed that the bacterium belonged to the genus Bacillus. A novel endoglucanase (Ba-EGA) was purified from culture supernatants of the bacterium growing in CMC-Na (low viscosity) induction medium. The cellulase was purified about 150-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange, hydrophobic, and gel filtration chromatography, with a specific activity of 35.0 IU/mg. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 67 kDa. N-terminal amino acid sequencing revealed a sequence of SDYNYVEVLQKSILF, which had high homology with endoglucanases from the Bacillus and Clostridium species. The maximal activity of the enzyme with the substrate of CM-cellulose is at pH 4.5-6.5 and 70 degrees C, respectively. The studies on pH and temperature stability showed that the Ba-EGA is stable enough between pH 7.5 and 10.5 at 30 degrees C for 2 h, and more than 80% of the activity still remains when incubation was prolonged to 1 h at 50 degrees C. The activity of the enzyme was significantly inhibited by Fe(2+), Cu(2+) (5.0 mM of each), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (0.5%) and obviously activated by Tween 20 and Triton X-100 (0.25% each). Binding studies revealed that the Ba-EGA had cellulose-binding domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of a cold-adapted isocitrate lyase and expression analysis of the cold-inducible isocitrate lyase gene from the psychrophilic bacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea.

Isocitrate lyase (ICL) from Colwellia psychrerythraea, a psychrophilic bacterium, was purified and characterized. The subunit molecular mass was 64 kDa, which is larger than that of other bacterial ICLs. The optimal temperature for its activity was 25 degrees C, the value of K(m) for the substrate ( DL-isocitrate) was minimum at 15 degrees C, and the catalytic efficiency ( k(cat)/ K(m)) value was maximum at 20 degrees C. Furthermore, the enzyme was remarkably thermolabile and completely inactivated by incubation for 2 min at 30 degrees C. These features indicate that ICL from this bacterium is a typical cold-adapted enzyme. A partial amino acid sequence of the C. psychrerythraea ICL was very similar to that of the closely related psychrophile Colwellia maris. Expression of the gene encoding the C. psychrerythraea ICL was found to be induced by low temperatures and by acetate in the medium. The cold adaptation of the catalytic properties of ICL and the stimulated expression of its gene at low temperatures strongly suggest that this enzyme is important for the growth of this bacterium in a cold environment.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Salinisphaera shabanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel, moderately halophilic bacterium from the brine-seawater interface of the Shaban Deep, Red Sea.

A novel, moderately halophilic bacterium was isolated from the brine-seawater interface of the Shaban Deep, northern Red Sea. A polyphasic approach was used for the taxonomic characterization of this isolate, with the phenotypic and phylogenetic data clearly showing the distinctiveness of this bacterium. Cells of isolate E1L3A were Gram-negative, monotrichous cocci that showed a remarkable physiological flexibility, as could be seen by the quite broad growth ranges for oxygen, temperature, NaCl, and, to a smaller degree, pH. In addition, it was able to grow from atmospheric pressure up to 15 MPa, making it a piezotolerant bacterium. Phylogenetically, strain E1L3A represents a new, deeply branching lineage within the gamma-Proteobacteria, as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. No close relatives are known so far, with sequence similarity to other cultivated members of the gamma-Proteobacteria being lower than 88%. The creation of the new genus Salinisphaera and the new species Salinisphaera shabanensis (DSM 14853; JCM 11575) for this new and highly versatile microorganism is therefore proposed.

Base Composition↗

Marine acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium requiring salts for the oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds.

An acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium was isolated from seawater, and designated as strain SH. Strain SH was a Gram-negative, rod-shaped and motile bacterium, which had an optimum temperature and pH value for growth of 30 degrees C and 4.0, respectively. The mol% guanine plus cytosine of the DNA was 46.0. Chemolithotrophic growth was observed with elemental sulfur and tetrathionate at pH 4.0, and was not observed with ferrous ion. The isolate was able to utilize carbon dioxide as a carbon source, and was unable to grow heterotrophically with yeast extract or glucose. The growth of strain SH was activated in medium supplemented with NaCl. However, LiCl and KCl did not sustain the growth of strain SH. The results indicate that strain SH was an acidophilic, halophilic, and obligately chemolithotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences indicated that strain SH had a close relationship to Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The oxidizing activities of sulfur and sulfite with resting cells were stimulated not only by the addition of NaCl, but also by KCl and LiCl. The oxidation of sulfite was inhibited by ionophores, carbonyl cyanide- m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), and monensin, and respiratory inhibitors, KCN and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline-N-oxode (HQNO).

Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans↗

Two isocitrate dehydrogenases from a psychrophilic bacterium, Colwellia psychrerythraea.

Two structurally different monomeric and dimeric types of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH; EC 1.1.1.42) isozymes were confirmed to exist in a psychrophilic bacterium, Colwellia psychrerythraea, by Western blot analysis and the genes encoding them were cloned and sequenced. Open reading frames of the genes (icd-M and icd-D) encoding the monomeric and dimeric IDHs of this bacterium, IDH-M and IDH-D, were 2,232 and 1,251 bp in length and corresponded to polypeptides composed of 743 and 416 amino acids, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of the IDH-M and IDH-D showed high homology with those of monomeric and dimeric IDHs from other bacteria, respectively. Although the two genes were located in tandem, icd-M then icd-D, on the chromosomal DNA, a Northern blot analysis and primer extension experiment revealed that they are transcribed independent of each other. The expression of the monomeric and dimeric IDH isozyme genes in C. maris, a psychrophilic bacterium of the same genus as C. psychrerythraea, is known to be induced by low temperature and acetate, respectively, but no such induction in the expression of the C. psychrerythraea icd-M and icd-D genes was detected. IDH-M and IDH-D overexpressed in Escherichia coli were purified and characterized. In C. psychrerythraea, the IDH-M isozyme is cold-active whereas IDH-D is mesophilic, which is similar to C. maris that contains both cold-adapted and mesophilic isozymes of IDH. Experiments with chimeric enzymes between the cold-adapted monomeric IDHs of C. psychrerythraea and C. maris (IDH-M and ICD-II, respectively) suggested that the C-terminal region of the C. maris IDH-II is involved in its catalytic activity.

Alteromonadaceae↗

A denitrifying bacterium from the deep sea at 11,000-m depth.

The denitrifying bacterium strain MT-1 was isolated from the mud of the Mariana Trench. The optimal temperature and pressure for growth of this bacterium were found to be 30 degrees C and 0.1 MPa, respectively. However, it showed greater tolerance to low temperature (4 degrees C) and high hydrostatic pressure (50 MPa) as compared with denitrifiers obtained from land. From the results, it can be said that this organism is adapted to the environment of the deep sea. Strain MT-1 was shown to belong to the genus Pseudomonas by analysis of its 16S rDNA. The cytochrome contents of the bacterium were similar to those of Ps. stutzeri in spectrophotometric studies.

Cytochromes↗

NH4+ transport system of a psychrophilic marine bacterium, Vibrio sp. strain ABE-1.

NH4(+) transport system of a psychrophilic marine bacterium Vibrio sp. strain ABE-1 (Vibrio ABE-1) was examined by measuring the uptake of [14C]methylammonium ion (14CH3NH3+) into the intact cells. 14CH3NH3+ uptake was detected in cells grown in medium containing glutamate as the sole nitrogen source, but not in those grown in medium containing NH4Cl instead of glutamate. Vibrio ABE-1 did not utilize CH3NH3+ as a carbon or nitrogen source. NH4Cl and nonradiolabeled CH3NH3+ completely inhibited 14CH3NH3+ uptake. These results indicate that 14CH3NH3+ uptake in this bacterium is mediated via an NH4+ transport system and not by a specific carrier for CH3NH3+. The respiratory substrate succinate was required to drive 14CH3NH3+ uptake and the uptake was completely inhibited by KCN, indicating that the uptake was energy dependent. The electrochemical potentials of H+ and/or Na+ across membranes were suggested to be the driving forces for the transport system because the ionophores carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and monensin strongly inhibited uptake activities at pH 6.5 and 8.5, respectively. Furthermore, KCl activated 14CH3NH3+ uptake. The 14CH3NH3+ uptake activity of Vibrio ABE-1 was markedly high at temperatures between 0 degrees and 15 degrees C, and the apparent Km value for CH3NH3+ of the uptake did not change significantly over the temperature range from 0 degrees to 25 degrees C. Thus, the NH4+ transport system of this bacterium was highly active at low temperatures.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Purification and partial identification of novel antimicrobial protein from marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas species strain X153.

A marine bacterium, X153, was isolated from a pebble collected at St. Anne du Portzic (France). By 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequence analysis, X153 strain was identified as a Pseudoalteromonas sp. close to P. piscicida. The crude culture of X153 was highly active against human pathogenic strains involved in dermatologic diseases, and marine bacteria including various ichthyopathogenic Vibrio strains. The active substance occurred both in bacterial cells and in culture supernatant. An antimicrobial protein was purified to homogeneity by a 4-step procedure using size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. The highly purified P-153 protein is anionic, and sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gives an apparent molecular mass of 87 kDa. The X153 bacterium protected bivalve larvae against mortality, following experimental challenges with ichthyopathogenic Vibrio. Pseudoalteromonas sp. X153 may be useful in aquaculture as a probiotic bacterium.

Animals↗

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↗

Effects of carotenoid inhibition on the photosynthetic RC-LH1 complex in purple sulphur bacterium Thiorhodospira sibirica.

Core complexes (LH1-RC) were isolated using preparative gel electrophoresis from photosynthetic membranes of the purple bacterium, Thiorhodospira sibirica, grown in the absence or presence of the carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor, diphenylamine. The biosynthesis of carotenoids is affected by diphenylamine both quantitavely and qualitatively: after inhibition, the level of carotenoids in core complexes reaches only 10% of the normal content, as analyzed by HPLC and absorption spectroscopy. The normally grown bacterium biosynthesizes spirilloxanthin, rhodopin, anhydrorhodovibrin and lycopene, whereas after inhibition only neurosporene, zeta-carotene and their derivatives are found in the complexes. There is no concomitant accumulation of appreciable amounts of colorless carotenoid precursors. Interestingly, the main absorption band of the core light harvesting complex isolated from carotenoid-inhibited cells, shows a red shift to 889 nm, instead of a blue shift observed in many carotenoid-deficient species of purple photosynthetic bacteria. The stability of isolated core complexes against n-octyl-beta-D: -glucopyranoside clearly depends on the presence of carotenoids. Subcomplexes resulting from the detergent treatment, were characterized by non-denaturating gel electrophoresis combined with in situ absorption spectroscopy. Core complexes with the native carotenoid complement dissociate into three subcomplexes: (a) LH1 complexes partially depleted of carotenoids, with an unusual spectrum in the NIR region (lambdamax = 791, 818, 847 and 875 nm), (b) reaction centers associated with fragments of LH1, (c) small amounts of a carotenoidless B820 subcomplex. The core complex from the carotenoid-deficient bacterium is much less stable and yields only the two sub-complexes (b) and (c). We conclude that carotenoids contribute critically to stability and interactions of the core complexes with detergents.

Carotenoids↗

Inhibition by trimethylamine of methylamine oxidation by Paracoccus denitrificans and bacterium W3A1.

Trimethylamine, a common substrate for methylotrophic growth, specifically inhibited methylamine-dependent respiration by Paracoccus denitrificans and bacterium W3A1. These effects were caused by the specific inhibition by trimethylamine of the periplasmic quinoprotein methylamine dehydrogenase. Steady-state kinetic analysis of the effect of trimethylamine on methylamine oxidation by methylamine dehydrogenase indicated that the inhibition was a mixed type. Apparent Ki values for trimethylamine of 1.1 mM and 4.7 mM, respectively, were obtained for the P. denitrificans and bacterium W3A1 enzymes. Methylamine-dependent oxygen consumption by each bacterium was inhibited either by preincubation of cells with trimethylamine prior to the addition of substrate or by addition of trimethylamine to actively respiring cells. Formate-dependent respiration was not inhibited by trimethylamine. A scheme is proposed which describes a regulatory role for trimethylamine in the metabolism and dissimilation of methylamine by methylotrophic bacteria.

Bacteria↗

Lack of detectable polyamines in an extremely halophilic bacterium.

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine and other analogs) were not detectable by the dansylation procedure coupled with HPLC analysis in an extremely halophilic bacterium, Halobacterium halobium. Based on the detection limit of this analytical method, we estimated that the polyamine content in H. halobium, if present, was less than 0.06% of that of E. coli. Putrescine uptake and the metabolic conversion of ornithine or arginine to polyamines were negligible in this bacterium. In a H. halobium cell-free extract, a saturated amount of KC1 was needed for poly(U) directed polyphenylalanine synthesis; neither putrescine nor spermidine could replace KC1. These results suggest that polyamines may play an insignificant role in the growth of this halophilic bacterium.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Balneatrix alpica gen. nov., sp. nov., a bacterium associated with pneumonia and meningitis in a spa therapy center.

In 1987, an outbreak of pneumonia and meningitis caused by an unknown bacterium occurred in a spa therapy centre. Nine isolates of this pathogen constituted a tight DNA hybridization group. rRNA-DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the studied bacteria represented a new branch in superfamily II (= gamma subclass) of the Proteobacteria, close to the genus Oceanospirillum. The new bacterium was highly polymorphic and, in young cultures, had curved Gram-negative cells, motile by polar single flagella. The new bacterium differed from the genus Oceanospirillum by its lacking the NaCl requirement and by reducing nitrate into nitrite, producing indole from tryptophan and producing acid from carbohydrates. The name Balneatrix alpica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for the studied organism. The type strain is strain 4-87 (= CIP 103589).

Balneology↗