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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of the genus Listonella and reassignment of Listonella damsela (Love et al.) MacDonell and Colwell to the genus Photobacterium as Photobacterium damsela comb. nov. with an emended description.

The genus Listonella, which was recently described on the basis of 5S rRNA sequence data, was found to be of dubious value on the basis of the results of a comparison of a number of taxonomic studies involving members of the Vibrionaceae. The available data suggest that 5S rRNA sequences may be of limited taxonomic use at the intra- and intergeneric levels, at least for apparently recently evolved groups, such as the Vibrionaceae. In this light, we assessed the generic assignment of the species Listonella damsela. Phenotypic characterization of 12 strains of bacteria assigned to L. damsela, including type strain ATCC 33539, revealed a strong resemblance to members of the genus Photobacterium. All of the strains conformed to major characteristics common to all known Photobacterium species. The characteristics of these organisms included the absence of a flagellar sheath and accumulation of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate during growth on glucose coupled with the inability to utilize DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate as a sole carbon source. On the basis of the phenotypic data, we propose that L. damsela should be reassigned to the genus Photobacterium as Photobacterium damsela comb. nov.

Animals↗

Proteolytic inactivation of luciferases from three species of luminous marine bacteria, Beneckea harveyi, Photobacterium fischeri, and Photobacterium phosphoreum: evidence of a conserved structural feature.

Upon limited proteolysis of luciferases from the luminous marine bacteria Photobacterium fischeri, Photobacterium phosphoreum, and Beneckea harveyi, the rate of loss of luciferase activity is the same as the rate of loss of the heavier subunit of all three enzymes. It thus appears that the larger subunit of the luciferase from P. phosphoreum should be designated alpha based on its apparent homology with the alpha subunits of the luciferases from B. harveyi and P. fischeri. The luciferase from B. harveyi is more sensitive to chymotrypsin than to trypsin; the luciferases of the Photobacterium species are more sensitive to trypsin than to chymotrypsin. Proteolytic inactivation of all three luciferases results from hydrolysis of a few peptide bonds in the alpha subunit; the proteolytic fragments from the three luciferases in 0.50 M phosphate are approximately the same size, indicating that the three enzymes have a protease-labile region at about the same position in the primary structure of their alpha subunits. Phosphate stabilizes all three luciferases against inactivation by proteases. Formation and degradation of intermediate species derived from the alpha subunits are readily observable in all three luciferases. Phosphate alters both the rate of product formation and the sites of peptide bond scission. The beta subunits of the luciferases from the two Photobacterium species, unlike the enzyme of B. harveyi, appear to be degraded in buffers containing low concentrations of phosphate; in high-phosphate buffers, the beta subunits of all three luciferases appear to resist proteases. Analysis of native and chymotrypsin-inactivated P. fischeri and P. phosphoreum luciferases in the analytical ultracentrifuge indicates that, as with B. harveyi luciferase, the products of limited proteolysis do not dissociate under nondenaturing conditions. The fact that the luciferases from evolutionarily diverse species of luminous bacteria have protease-sensitive bonds in the same region of the alpha subunit that are stabilized by anions strongly suggests that the protease-labile region of the alpha subunit is either an integral component of or in close proximity to the active center.

Binding Sites↗

Purification of lumazine proteins from Photobacterium leiognathi and Photobacterium phosphoreum: bioluminescence properties.

Bright strains of the marine bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium leiognathi produce a "lumazine protein" in amounts comparable to that previously found in Photobacterium phosphoreum. New protocols are developed for the purification to homogeneity of the proteins from both species in yields up to 60%. In dimmer strains the amounts of lumazine protein in extracts are less, and also there is an accompanying shift of the bioluminescence spectral maximum to longer wavelength, 492 nm. Both types of lumazine proteins have identical fluorescence spectra, with maxima at 475 nm, so it is suggested that, whereas lumazine protein is the major emitter in bright strains, there is a second emitter also present with a fluorescence maximum at longer wavelength. The two species of lumazine protein have the same 276 nm/visible absorbance ratio, 2.2, but differ in visible maxima: P. phosphoreum, 417 nm; P. leiognathi, 420 nm. For the latter the bound lumazine has epsilon 420 = 10 100 M-1 cm-1, practically the same as in free solution. The two lumazine proteins also differ quantitatively in their effect on the in vitro bioluminescence reaction, i.e., at blue shifting the bioluminescence spectrum or altering the kinetics. The P. phosphoreum lumazine protein is more effective with its homologous luciferase or with P. leiognathi luciferase than is the lumazine protein from P. leiognathi. These differences may have an electrostatic origin.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Chemical characterization of lumazine protein from Photobacterium leiognathi: comparison with lumazine protein from Photobacterium phosphoreum.

The properties of lumazine proteins purified from the marine bioluminescent bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum, a psychrophile, and Photobacterium leiognathi, a relatively thermophilic species, are compared. An accurate 1:1 stoichiometry of binding of the ligand 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine to each lumazine protein is established by back-titration of the apoprotein with the authentic ligand, using both fluorescence and absorption measurements. Neither protein contains metal cofactors, organic phosphorus, or carbohydrate. Both proteins are anionic and hydrophilic. They each contain a single Trp residue and have blocked amino terminals but otherwise differ in amino acid composition and other properties (P. phosphoreum and P. leiognathi, respectively): Met (internal), 1, 2; Cys, 2, 1; Arg, 4, 7; pI, 4.78 and 4.83, 4.38 and 4.45; Mr, 19 750, 21 300. In the P. phosphoreum protein both Cys residues are accessible, but in the P. leiognathi protein the single Cys is "buried". Modification of this buried Cys and at least one Cys in the P. phosphoreum protein prevents binding of the ligand. The UV and visible absorption spectra of both lumazine proteins denatured in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride can be accurately modeled by using the number of equivalents of the lumazine derivative and blocked aromatic amino acid model compounds determined by chemical and spectrophotometric analyses for Trp, Tyr, and Phe.

Amino Acids↗

Small-subunit rRNA sequences and whole DNA relatedness concur for the reassignment of Pasteurella piscicida (Snieszko et al.) Janssen and Surgalla to the genus Photobacterium as Photobacterium damsela subsp. piscicida comb. nov.

The taxonomic status of Pasteurella piscicida (strain NCIMB 2058T [T = type strain] and a strain isolated from the environment) was investigated by performing phylogenetic analyses of small-subunit rRNA sequences, DNA-DNA hybridization analyses, and biochemical characterization analyses. The results of the phylogenetic analyses and the levels of DNA-DNA complementarity demonstrated conclusively that Pasteurella piscicida is extremely closely related to Photobacterium damsela ATCC 33539T. Since the two taxa exhibited a level of DNA-DNA relatedness of 80%, they are members of the same species. The high level of DNA relatedness and the presence of specific morphological and biochemical characteristics support the hypothesis that two subspecies should be recognized. On the basis of its phylogenetic position, we concluded that Pasteurella piscicida should be renamed Photobacterium damsela subsp. piscicida comb. nov.

Base Sequence↗

Photobacterium histaminum Okuzumi et al. 1994 is a later subjective synonym of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae (Love et al. 1981) Smith et al. 1991.

The type strain of Photobacterium histaminum, JCM 8968T (= ATCC 51805T), and that of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, ATCC 33539T, exhibit 100% identity in their 16S rRNA sequence, more than 80% DNA-DNA homology and only one phenotypic difference. Also, like P. histaminum, P. damselae subsp. damselae was shown to excrete a large amount of histamine when cells were grown on medium containing excessive histidine under acidic conditions. Therefore, the name P. histaminum should be considered to be a later subjective synonym of P. damselae subsp. damselae.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Application of AFLP for taxonomic and epidemiological studies of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

A collection of 106 Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida strains and 19 Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae strains, including reference and type strains, were genetically characterized using AFLP. The total genomic DNA of each bacterial strain was digested using restriction endonucleases HindIII and TaqI. Using numerical analysis, six clusters were recognized. The largest cluster (n = 106) contained the majority of the strains tested and consisted exclusively of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. The Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae strains fell outside this cluster. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed 77% DNA binding between the two subspecies, indicating a close genetic relationship. This clearly demonstrates the applicability of AFLP in studying the taxonomic position of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. In addition, AFLP proved to be a useful genotypic technique for epidemiological surveys of the pathogen, since it was able to discriminate between Mediterranean and Japanese Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida isolates.

Animals↗

Phenotypic characterization of the marine pathogen Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

The taxonomic position of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, the causative agent of fish pasteurellosis, is controversial as this organism has also been described as 'Pasteurella piscicida'. To clarify the taxonomic position of the pathogen, a total of 113 P. damselae subsp. piscicida strains and 20 P. damselae subsp. damselae strains, isolated from different geographical areas and from the main affected fish species, were analysed using 129 morphological and biochemical tests, including the commercial API 20E and API CH50 test systems. For comparison, the type strains of other Photobacterium species (i.e. Photobacterium leiognathi and Photobacterium angustum) were included in the analyses. The results were statistically analysed by unweighted pair group average clustering and the distance between the different clusters was expressed as the percentage disagreement. The analyses showed that, based on morphological and biochemical identification tests, P. damselae subsp. piscicida is related to other Photobacterium species. However, it is clearly distinguishable from P. damselae subsp. damselae and no phenotypic evidence was found to include P. damselae subsp. piscicida as a subspecies in the species P. damselae.

Animals↗

A new approach to separate the genus Photobacterium from Vibrio with RFLP patterns by HhaI digestion of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA.

A new approach to separate members of the genus Photobacterium from the genus Vibrio with RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) patterns by HhaI digestion of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA was developed in the present study. It was clearly shown that these patterns of the genus Photobacterium were unique and distinguishable from Vibrio species. This method is very simple and does not need other supporting procedures, such as Southern transfer and probe hybridization. It can be applied not only to luminous species, but also to non-luminous Photobacterium spp. This result promises a rapid tool to distinguish the genus Photobacterium from Vibrio and should be useful in routine identification system.

DNA, Ribosomal↗

Photobacterium profundum sp. nov., a new, moderately barophilic bacterial species isolated from a deep-sea sediment.

A novel, moderately barophilic bacterium was isolated from a sediment sample obtained from the Ryukyu Trench, at a depth of 5110 m. The isolate, designated strain DSJ4, is a Gram-negative rod capable of growth between 4 degrees C and 18 degrees C under atmospheric pressure, with optimum growth displayed at 10 degrees C, and capable of growth at pressures between 0.1 MPa and 70 MPa at 10 degrees C, with optimum growth displayed at 10 MPa. Strain DSJ4 is a moderately barophilic bacterium, and shows no significant change in growth at pressures up to 50 MPa. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence of strain DSJ4 places this strain within the Photobacterium subgroup of the family Vibrionaceae, closely related to the strain SS9 that was independently isolated from the Sulu Trough. The temperature and pressure ranges for growth, cellular fatty acid composition, and assorted physiological and biochemical characteristics indicate that these strains differ from other Photobacterium species. Furthermore, both SS9 and DSJ4 displayed a low level of DNA similarity to other Photobacterium type strains. Based on these differences, these strains are proposed to represent a new deep-sea-type species. The name Photobacterium profundum (JCM10084) is proposed.

Base Composition↗

Study of genetic relationships among marine species of the genera Beneckea and Photobacterium by means of in vitro DNA/DNA hybridization.

Strains representative of species of the marine genera Beneckea and Photobacterium were used as reference standards in in vitro DNA/DNA competition experiments. Within a given species, strains were found to be related by over 80% competition. (Competition was defined as the amount of radioactive DNA displaced by heterologous DNA relative to the amount displaced by homologous DNA.) On the basis of interspecies competition values (expressed as averages), the following groupings could be made: 1. "Photobacterium" fischeri was related to strain ATCC 15382 by a competition of 38% and was distinct from all the other strains tested (competition less than or equal to 11%). 2. The genus Photobacterium consisted of 3 species, P.phosphoreum, P.leiognathi, and a newly designated species, P.angustum (composed of non-luminous strains). The latter species was found to be related to P.leiognathi and P.phosphoreum by 56 and 28% competition, respectively, while P.phosphoreum was related to P.leiognathi by 29%. 3. In the genus Beneckea, 65% competition was detected between B.harveyi and B.campbellii as well as between B.parahaemolytica and B.alginolytica. These pairs of species were related to each other by 51-58% and to B.natriegens by 34-56% competition. A newly designated pathogenic species, B.vulnifica, appeared to have a low but significant relationship to all the above mentioned species of Beneckea. 4. Two biotypes, related by 68% competition, were recognized in the species B.splendida. Similarly, B.pelagia was found to consist of 2 biotypes related by a competition of 67%. The competition values between these species were 38-40%. 5. B.nereida, B.nigrapulchrituda, and "Vibrio" anguillarum had competition values less than or equal to 30% to each other as well as to other species of Beneckea. 6. With Vibrio cholerae as the reference standard, V.albensis was found to be related by a competition of 82%, while V.proteus and V.metschnikovii had competition values of 22 and 12%, respectively. These results suggested that V.albensis should be synonymized with V.cholerae, while the latter two organisms should remain distinct from this species. V.cholerae as well as the other terrestrial organisms tested did not appear to be significantly related to any of the marine strains (competition values less than or equal to 27%). The speciation derived from the results of the DNA/DNA competition experiments was compared to previous speciation based on phenotypic similarities.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Physical characterization of lumazine proteins from Photobacterium.

The physicochemical properties of Photobacterium lumazine proteins have been investigated. The molecular weights obtained by several physical techniques are in good agreement, and the averages are 2% and 8% higher than the minimum molecular weights from amino acid and ligand content. The average molecular weights, sedimentation coefficients, and molecular radii are respectively the following: Photobacterium leiognathi lumazine protein, 21 200 +/- 300, 2.18 S, and 22.9 A; Photobacterium phosphoreum lumazine protein, 21 300 +/- 500, 2.16 S, and 23.0 A. The hydrations of the lumazine proteins, estimated in several ways, indicate less hydration for P. leiognathi than for P. phosphoreum. The frictional ratios corrected for hydration give axial ratios less than 1.3 for both lumazine proteins. These values agree with those obtained by a combination of rotational and translational frictional parameters and elimination of the common hydrated volume terms. There is insufficient area on the exterior surface to accommodate hydration when the lumzine proteins are considered as smooth-surfaced ellipsoids. The required surface area can be accommodated however by surface roughness with a minimum of 30% internal water.

Amino Acids↗

Formation of hybrid luciferases from subunits of different species of Photobacterium.

Enzyme divergence within three species of the genus Photobacterium (P. fischeri, P. leiognathi, and P. phosphoreum) was studied by comparing the catalytic characteristics and quaternary interactions of bacterial luciferases isolated from each species. Each luciferase was composed of two subunits of different molecular weights as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Subunits were isolated in quantity by DEAE-Sephadex gel filtration in 7 M urea. Isolated subunits had no luciferase activity after renaturation in buffer, but active enzyme could be recovered by renaturation of the heavy and light subunits together. Renaturation of hybrid pairs (containing one subunit from each of two different species) yielded active luciferases, but only in cases where a heavy subunit of one species was combined with a light subunit of another. These hybrids exhibited in vitro catalytic characteristics most like those of the parent luciferase from which the heavy subunit was derived. The light subunit of P. leiognathi luciferase conferred an increased thermal stability to all enzymes containing it. The heavy subunit of each of the three Photobacterium species was sensitive to trypsinization. Thus, on the basis of structural and functional analogies with the luciferase from Beneckea harveyi, the heavy and light subunits of Photobacterium species have been designated alpha and beta, respectively.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

Phylogenetic analysis and assessment of the genera Vibrio, Photobacterium, Aeromonas, and Plesiomonas deduced from small-subunit rRNA sequences.

We sequenced nearly complete small-subunit rRNAs of 54 reference strains belonging to the genera Vibrio, Photobacterium, Aeromonas, and Plesiomonas. We then performed a phylogenetic analysis by comparing the sequences which we obtained with all other known sequences for bacteria belonging to the gamma subgroup of the Proteobacteria (thus providing a data base consisting of 70 sequences for the genera investigated), using methods such as neighbor joining, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony, as well as bootstrap, to assess the robustness of each topology. Our results confirmed that the family Vibrionaceae should include only Photobacterium and Vibrio species (but not Vibrio marinus); that Aeromonas species deserve family rank; and that Plesiomonas shigelloides is linked to the family Enterobacteriaceae. The genera Vibrio, Photobacterium, Aeromonas, and Plesiomonas, together with the family Enterobacteriaceae, the family Pasteurellaceae, and probably the genus Alteromonas, form a robust monophyletic unit within the gamma 3 subgroup of the Proteobacteria.

Aeromonas↗

Reassessment of the taxonomic position of Vibrio iliopiscarius (Onarheim et al. 1994) and proposal for Photobacterium iliopiscarium comb. nov.

The phylogenetic position of Vibrio iliopiscarius was inferred by the maximum-likelihood, maximum-parsimony and neighbour-joining methods on the basis of almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequences. The results showed that this species falls into the same cluster as Photobacterium species and is clearly distinct from other Vibrio species. Its nearest phylogenetic neighbour is Photobacterium phosphoreum. From these results, it is concluded that V. iliopiscarius should be reclassified as Photobacterium iliopiscarium comb. nov., the type strain of which is PS1T (= ATCC 51760T).

Base Sequence↗

The lux genes of the luminous bacterial symbiont, Photobacterium leiognathi, of the ponyfish. Nucleotide sequence, difference in gene organization, and high expression in mutant Escherichia coli.

The lux genes required for light expression in the luminescent bacterium Photobacterium leiognathi (ATCC 25521) have been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and their organization and nucleotide sequence determined. Transformation of a recombinant 9.5-kbp chromosomal DNA fragment of P. leiognathi into an E. coli mutant (43R) gave luminescent colonies that were as bright as those of the parental strain. Moreover, expression of the lux genes in the mutant E. coli was strong enough so that not only were high levels of luciferase detected in crude extracts, but the fatty-acid reductase activity responsible for synthesis of the aldehyde substrate for the luminescent reaction could readily be measured. Determination of the 7.3-kbp nucleotide sequence of P. leiognathi DNA, including the genes for luciferase (luxAB) and fatty-acid reductase (luxCDE) as well as a new lux gene (luxG) found recently in luminescent Vibrio species, showed that the order of the lux genes was luxCDABEG. Moreover, luxF, a gene homologous to luxB and located between luxB and luxE in Photobacterium but not Vibrio strains, was absent. In spite of this different lux gene organization, an intergenic stem-loop structure between luxB and luxE was discovered to be highly conserved in other Photobacterium species after luxF.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗

The primary structure of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase from Photobacterium leiognathi: evidence for a separate evolution of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase in bacteria.

The complete amino-acid sequence of the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase of the Photobacterium leiognathi was determined. The fragmentation strategy employed included cyanogen bromide cleavage at its methionine residues and the only tryptophan residue. The S-carboxymethylated chain was further cleaved by means of trypsin, in order to obtain overlapping fragments. For sequence determination automated solid or liquid-phase techniques of Edman degradation were used. C-Terminal amino acids of the entire chain were determined after treatment with carboxypeptidase A. Comparison of the primary structure of this bacterial Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase with the established amino-acid sequences of the other eukaryotic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases revealed clear homologies. Correspondingly, the Cu-Zn-binding amino-acid residues of the active centre were localized: His45, His47, His70, His79, His125 and Asp91. The two cysteine residues in position 52 and 147 were homologous to the cysteine residues, modelling the essential intrachain disulfide bridge of the corresponding bovine enzyme. As only 25-30% of aligned sequence positions were found to be identical, the enzyme of P. leiognathi shows only a remote phylogenetic relationship towards eukaryotic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases. When compared to the established phylogenetic tree of the cytochrome c family, this indicates a separate evolution of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase in Photobacterium. Therefore, a natural gene transfer from the eukaryotic host (ponyfish) to the prokaryotic photobacterium, which Martin and Fridovich postulated 1981 (J. Biol. Chem. 256, 6080-6089) on the basis of amino-acid compositions, can be excluded.

Amino Acid Sequence↗