Disruption of the cell division protein ftsK gene changes elemental selenium generation, selenite tolerance, and cell morphology in Rahnella aquatilis HX2.

AIMS: Some studies have indicated that the alterations in cellular morphology induced by selenite [Se(Ⅳ)] may be attributed to its inhibitory effects on cell division. However, whether the genes associated with cell division are implicated in Se(Ⅳ) metabolism remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ftsK gene in Rahnella aquatilis HX2 was mutated with an in-frame deletion strategy. The ftsK mutation strongly reduced the tolerance to selenite [Se(Ⅳ)] and the production of red elemental selenium [Se(0)] in R. aquatilis HX2, and this effect could not be attributed solely to the inhibition of cell growth. Deleting the ftsK gene also resulted in a significant decrease in bacterial growth of R. aquatilis HX2 during both exponential and stationary phases. The deletion of ftsK inhibited cell division, resulting in the development of elongated filamentous cells. Furthermore, the loss-of-function of FtsK significantly impacted the expression of seven genes linked to cell division and Se(Ⅳ) metabolism by at least 2-fold, as unveiled by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) under Se(Ⅳ) treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that FtsK is associated with Se(Ⅳ) tolerance and Se(0) generation and is a key player in coordinating bacterial growth and cell morphology in R. aquatilis HX2.

Acetic and citric acids effect the type II secretion system and decrease the metabolic activities of salmon spoilage-related Rahnella aquatilis KM05.

Rahnella aquatilis causes seafoods to spoil by metabolizing sulfur-containing amino acids and/or proteins, producing H2S in products. The type II secretion system (T2SS) regulates the transport of proteases from the cytoplasm to the surrounding environment and promotes bacterial growth at low temperatures. To prevent premature fish spoilage, new solutions for inhibiting the T2SS of bacteria should be researched. In this study, global transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the spoilage properties of R. aquatilis KM05. Two of the mapped genes/coding sequences (CDSs) were matched to the T2SS, namely, qspF and gspE, and four of the genes/CDSs, namely, ftsH, rseP, ptrA and pepN, were matched to metalloproteases or peptidases in R. aquatilis KM05. Subinhibitory concentrations of citric (18 µM) and acetic (41 µM) acids caused downregulation of T2SS-related genes (range from - 1.0 to -4.5) and genes involved in the proteolytic activities of bacteria (range from - 0.5 to -4.0). The proteolytic activities of R. aquatilis KM05 in vitro were reduced by an average of 40%. The in situ experiments showed the antimicrobial properties of citric and acetic acids against R. aquatilis KM05; the addition of an acidulant to salmon fillets limited microbial growth. Citric and acetic acids extend the shelf life of fish-based products and prevent food waste.

Hyphosphere interactions between Rhizophagus irregularis and Rahnella aquatilis promote carbon-phosphorus exchange at the peri-arbuscular space in Medicago truncatula.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form a continuum between roots and soil. One end of this continuum is comprised of the highly intimate plant-fungus interface with intracellular organelles for nutrient exchange, while on the other end the fungus interacts with bacteria to compensate for the AM fungus' inability to take up organic nutrients from soil. How both interfaces communicate in this highly complex tripartite mutualism is widely unknown. Here, the effects of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) Rahnella aquatilis dwelling at the surface of the extraradical hyphae of Rhizophagus irregularis was analysed based on the expression of genes involved in C-P exchange at the peri-arbuscular space (PAS) in Medicago truncatula. The interaction between AM fungus and PSB resulted in an increase in uptake and transport of Pi along the extraradical hyphae and its transfer from AM fungus to plant. In return, this was remunerated by a transfer of C from plant to AM fungus, improving the C-P exchange at the PAS. These results demonstrated that a microorganism (i.e., a PSB) developing at the hyphosphere interface can affect the C-P exchange at the PAS between plant and AM fungus, suggesting a fine-tuned communication operated between three organisms via two distantly connected interfaces.

Uptake of Selenite by Rahnella aquatilis HX2 Involves the Aquaporin AqpZ and Na+/H+ Antiporter NhaA.

Microbial transformation of selenite [Se(IV)] to elemental selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) is known to be an important process for removing toxic soluble selenium (Se) oxyanions and recovery of Se from the environment as valuable nanoparticles. However, the mechanism of selenite uptake by microorganisms, the first step through which Se exerts its cellular function, remains not well studied. In this study, the effects of selenite concentration, time, pH, metabolic inhibitors, and anionic analogues on selenite uptake in Rahnella aquatilis HX2 were investigated. Selenite uptake by R. aquatilis HX2 was concentration- and time-dependent, and its transport activity was significantly dependent on pH. In addition, selenite uptake in R. aquatilis HX2 was significantly inhibited by the aquaporin inhibitor AgNO3 and sulfite (SO32-), and partially inhibited by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) treatments. Three mutants with in-frame deletions of aqpZ, glpF, and nhaA genes were constructed. The transport assay showed that the water channel protein AqpZ, and not GlpF, was a key channel of selenite uptake by R. aquatilis HX2, and sulfite and selenite had a common uptake pathway. In addition, the Na+/H+ antiporter NhaA is also involved in selenite uptake in R. aquatilis HX2.

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 43194 induces the gene expression of citrate synthase in the tricarboxylic acid cycle of the phosphate-solubilizing bacterium Rahnella aquatilis HX2.

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can cooperate with other soil microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, which develop near or on the surface of the extraradical hyphae where they perform multiple functions. However, the mechanisms involved in this privileged relationship are still poorly known. In the present study, we investigated how the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 43194 influences the three pace-making enzymes (i.e., citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and α-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in the phosphate-solubilizing bacterium Rahnella aquatilis HX2. The study was conducted under strict in vitro culture conditions and analysis made at the transcriptional level. Results showed that R. irregularis induced the expression of the gene-encoding citrate synthase (gltA), the pace-making enzyme involved in the first step of the TCA cycle, in R. aquatilis at all time points of observation (i.e., 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h). The expression of the gene-encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase (icd) significantly decreased at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h and the expression of the gene-encoding α-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase E1 component (kgdhc) significantly increased at 1, 6, and 48 h. The above results suggested that R. irregularis may influence the level of adenosine triphosphate production in R. aquatilis and thus the metabolism of the bacterium by stimulating the expression of gltA involved in the TCA cycle. Our results suggest a fine-tuned dialog between R. irregularis MUCL 43194 and R. aquatilis HX2 and emphasize the complexity of the interactions that might take place at the hyphal surface of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi hosting communities of microbes.

Disruption of acdS gene reduces plant growth promotion activity and maize saline stress resistance by Rahnella aquatilis HX2.

Rahnella aquatilis HX2 was isolated from Beijing vineyard soil and used as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium in the field. Previous studies have shown that it has a broad in vitro antimicrobial spectrum and could inhibit a variety of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. In this study, a gene, acdS, encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid-deaminase was disrupted by in-frame deletion in the HX2 strain. Compared to the wild-type, the acdS-mutant had higher rates of nitrogen fixation, reduced indole-3-acetic acid production, lowered efficacy as a biological control agent against the grape crown gall pathogen Agrobacterium vitis. Under saline stress conditions, plant height, above-ground fresh weight, root fresh weight of corn plants were increased by treatment with HX2 but this increase was compromised by the disruption of acdS gene. Our data confirmed the function of HX2 on plant growth promoting and demonstrated that acdS gene plays a major role in its PGPR activities.

The replication protein of pHW126 auto-controls its expression.

pHW126 belongs to a small group of rolling circle plasmids. So far, the region mediating autonomous replication has been identified and it was shown that the rep gene is required for replication. However, the regulation of rep expression remained elusive. Here evidence is presented that expression of the replication gene rep is auto-regulated. Sequence analysis revealed a conserved stretch in the rep promoter consisting of three imperfect direct repeats (DR2.1, DR2.2 and DR2.3). Assays for promoter activity showed that these direct repeats act as an enhancer of transcriptional activity. Interestingly, the activating effect was reduced in the presence of Rep protein. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the Rep protein can directly bind to direct repeats DR2.1 and DR2.3 while DR2.2 is not bound but places DR2.1 and DR2.3 in an appropriate distance. These results show that the synthesis of Rep protein is auto-regulated. In the absence of Rep protein the promoter is, due to the presence of the direct repeats acting as a transcriptional enhancer, highly active. Binding of Rep to the direct repeats reduces the transcription rate significantly. Since this regulation mechanism is independent of a specialised regulator protein it is presumably a very economic strategy.

Uncovering potential 'herbal probiotics' in Juzen-taiho-to through the study of associated bacterial populations.

Juzen-taiho-to (JTT) is an immune-boosting formulation of ten medicinal herbs. It is used clinically in East Asia to boost the human immune functions. The active factors in JTT have not been clarified. But, existing evidence suggests that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-like factors contribute to the activity. To examine this possibility, JTT was subjected to a series of analyses, including high resolution mass spectrometry, which suggested the presence of structural variants of LPS. This finding opened a possibility that JTT contains immune-boosting bacteria. As the first step to characterize the bacteria in JTT, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was carried out for Angelica sinensis (dried root), one of the most potent immunostimulatory herbs in JTT. The sequencing revealed a total of 519 bacteria genera in A. sinensis. The most abundant genus was Rahnella, which is widely distributed in water and plants. The abundance of Rahnella appeared to correlate with the immunostimulatory activity of A. sinensis. In conclusion, the current study provided new pieces of evidence supporting the emerging theory of bacterial contribution in immune-boosting herbs.

Bioweathering of nontronite colloids in hybrid silica gel: implications for iron mobilization.

AIMS: This study aimed to study biotic iron dissolution using a new hybrid material constituted of well-dispersed mineral colloids in a silica gel matrix. This permitted to prevent adsorption of colloidal mineral particles on bacteria. Hybrid silica gel (HSG) permitted to study bioweathering mechanisms by diffusing molecules. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hybrid silica gel was synthesized through a classical sol-gel procedure in which mineral colloidal particles (NAu-2) were embedded in a porous silica matrix. Rahnella aquatilis RA1, isolated from a wheat rhizosphere was chosen for its ability to dissolve minerals by producing various organic acids and siderophores. Pyruvic, acetic and lactic acids were the major organic acids produced by R. aquatilis RA1 followed by oxalic and citric acids at the end of incubation. Comparison of abiotic and biotic experiments revealed a high efficiency of R. aquatilis RA1 for iron dissolution suggesting an optimized action of different ligands that solubilized or mobilized iron. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid silica gel allowed focusing on the colloidal mineral weathering by metabolites diffusion without mineral adsorption on bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Hybrid silica gels are new and efficient tools to study colloidal mineral bioweathering. Adjusting HSG porosity and hydrophobicity should permit to precise the influence of limiting diffusion of siderophores or aliphatic organic acids on mineral weathering.

Exploring metal effects and synergistic interactions of ferric stimulation on azo-dye decolorization by new indigenous Acinetobacter guillouiae Ax-9 and Rahnella aquatilis DX2b.

The first-attempt study deciphered metal-interacting effects on dye-decolorizing capabilities of indigenous bioelectricity-generating strains, Acinetobacter guillouiae Ax-9 and Rahnella aquatilis DX2b. Most of the metallic ions were inhibitory to color removal capabilities of these strains. However, with supplementation of 5 mM ferric chloride, specific decolorization rate (SDR) of Ax-9 increased by 55.48% compared to Fe(3+)-free conditions. In contrast, SDR of DX2b decreased 75.35% due to the inhibition of ferric chloride. On the other hand, ferric citrate could stimulate SDR of DX2b for 21.5% at same dosage. Enzymatic assay indicated that Fe reductase activity was consistent with synergistic effects of ferric chloride on Ax-9, and ferric citrate on DX2b. Protein analysis via SDS-PAGE and identification of Tandem MS/MS afterwards showed that outer membrane protein (Omp) primarily deals with decolorization as a channeling regulation. Moreover, molecular modeling and bioinformatics data also provided detailed evidences to confirm the biological significance of Omp.

Nitrate reductase involves in selenite reduction in Rahnella aquatilis HX2 and the characterization and anticancer activity of the biogenic selenium nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) show numerous advantages including their high stability, low toxicity, and high bioactivity. While metabolism of SeNPs remains not well studied and need more investigation to reveal the process. PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between nitrate reductase and selenite reduction in Rahnella aquatilis HX2, characterize the properties of HX2 produced SeNPs, and explore their potential applications, particularly their anticancer activity. PROCEDURES: Selenium species were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma - Mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Transcription level of nitrate reductase was determined by Real-time quantitative PCR. Morphology, particle size, crystal structure and surface chemistry of SeNPs were determined by electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering method, Raman scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Anti cancer cell activity was measured by CCK-8 assay. MAIN FINDINGS: SeNP production in R. aquatilis HX2 was correlated with the cell growth. The products of selenite reduction in HX2 detected by HPLC-ICP-MS included SeNPs, selenocysteine (SeCys), Se-Methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys), and 7 unknown compounds. Nitrate addition experiments suggested the involvement of nitrate reductase in selenite reduction in HX2. Both the cellular membrane and cytoplasm of HX2 exhibited selenite-reducing ability, indicating that membrane-associated nitrate reductase was not the sole selenite reductase in HX2. Characterization of the biogenic SeNPs revealed a spherical morphology and amorphous structure of them. Surface chemistry analysis implicated the binding of extracellular polymeric substances to the biogenic SeNPs, and the presence of Se0, Se2-, and electron-rich Se atoms on the surface of SeNPs. Finally, the IC50 values of the biogenic SeNPs were 36.49 µM for HepG2 and 3.70 µM for HeLa cells. CONCLUSIONS: The study first revealed that the nitrate reductase is involving in selenite reduction in R. aquatilis HX2. The biogenic SeNPs coordinated with organic substances in the surface. And SeNPs produced by R. aquatilis HX2 showed excellent anticancer activities on HepG2 and HeLa cells.

Biochemical characterization of glutaminase-free L-asparaginases from Himalayan Pseudomonas and Rahnella spp. for acrylamide mitigation.

L-asparaginase having low glutaminase activity is important in clinical and food applications. Herein, glutaminase-free L-asparaginase (type I) coding genes from Pseudomonas sp. PCH182 (Ps-ASNase I) and Rahnella sp. PCH162 (Rs-ASNase I) was amplified using gene-specific primers, cloned into a pET-47b(+) vector, and plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli (E. coli). Further, affinity chromatography purified recombinant proteins to homogeneity with monomer sizes of ~37.0 kDa. Purified Ps-ASNase I and Rs-ASNase I were active at wide pHs and temperatures with optimum activity at 50 °C (492 ± 5 U/mg) and 37 °C (308 ± 4 U/mg), respectively. Kinetic constant Km and Vmax for L-asparagine (Asn) were 2.7 ± 0.06 mM and 526.31 ± 4.0 U/mg for Ps-ASNase I, and 4.43 ± 1.06 mM and 434.78 ± 4.0 U/mg for Rs-ASNase I. Circular dichroism study revealed 29.3 % and 24.12 % α-helix structures in Ps-ASNase I and Rs-ASNase I, respectively. Upon their evaluation to mitigate acrylamide formation, 43 % and 34 % acrylamide (AA) reduction were achieved after pre-treatment of raw potato slices, consistent with 65 % and 59 % Asn reduction for Ps-ASNase I and Rs-ASNase I, respectively. Current findings suggested the potential of less explored intracellular L-asparaginase in AA mitigation for food safety.

Bacteria associated with a tree-killing insect reduce concentrations of plant defense compounds.

Bark beetles encounter a diverse array of constitutive and rapidly induced terpenes when attempting to colonize living conifers. Concentrations of these compounds at entry sites can rapidly reach levels toxic to beetles, their brood, and fungal symbionts. Large numbers of beetles can overwhelm tree defenses via pheromone-mediated mass attacks, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. We show that bacteria associated with mountain pine beetles can metabolize monoterpenes and diterpene acids. The abilities of different symbionts to reduce concentrations of different terpenes appear complementary. Serratia reduced concentrations of all monoterpenes applied to media by 55-75 %, except for α-pinene. Beetle-associated Rahnella reduced (-)- and (+)-α-pinene by 40 % and 45 %, respectively. Serratia and Brevundimonas reduced diterpene abietic acid levels by 100 % at low concentrations. However, high concentrations exhausted this ability, suggesting that opposing rates of bacterial metabolism and plant induction of terpenes are critical. The two major fungal symbionts of mountain pine beetle, Grosmannia clavigera and Ophiostoma montium were highly susceptible to abietic acid. Grosmannia clavigera did not reduce total monoterpene concentrations in lodgepole pine turpentine. We propose the ability of bark beetles to exert landscape-scale impacts may arise partly from micro-scale processes driven by bacterial symbionts.

Isolation and identification of phytate-degrading rhizobacteria with activity of improving growth of poplar and Masson pine.

A number of soil microorganisms can convert insoluble forms of phosphorus (P) to an accessible form to increase plant yields. Phytate is such a large kind of insoluble organic phosphorus that plants cannot absorb directly in soil, so the objectives of this study were to isolate, screen phytate-degrading rhizobacteria (PDRB), and to select potential microbial inocula that could increase the P uptake by plants. In this study, a total of 24 soil samples were collected from natural habitats of eight poplar and pine planting areas from the eastern to southern China. 17 PDRB strains were preliminarily screened from the rhizosphere soil of poplars and pines by the visible decolorization in the phytate selective medium. The highest ratio of the total diameter (colony + halo zone) to the colony diameter of the isolates was JZ-GX1, 3.85. Afterward, 17 PDRB strains were further determined for their abilities to degrade sodium phytate based on the amount of liberated inorganic P in liquid phytate specific medium. The results showed that the phytase ability of the three highest PDRB strains: JZ-GX1, JZ-DZ1 and JZ-ZJ1 were up to 2.58, 2.36 and 2.24 U/mL, respectively, much better than most of the bacteria reported in previous studies. In the soil-plant experiment, compared to CK, the best three strains of PDRB all could significantly promote growth of poplar and Masson pine under container growing. The three efficient PDRB strains were identified as follow: JZ-GX1, Rahnella aquatilis, both JZ-DZ1 and JZ-ZJ1 being autofluorescent, Pseudomonas fluorescens, by 16S rDNA gene sequencing technology, Biolog Identification System and biological characterization. The present study suggests that the three screened PDRB strains would have great potential application as biological fertilizers in the future.

Two-component system in Rahnella aquatilis is impacted by the hyphosphere of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis.

Two-component systems (TCS) are ubiquitous among bacteria, playing key roles in signalling events. However, to what extent the TCS of Rahnella aquatilis (a Phosphate solubilizing bacteria) is influenced by the hyphosphere of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Rhizophagus irregularis is totally unknown. Here, the expression of 16 genes encoding the TCS of R. aquatilis (i.e. involved in carbon-sensing and nutrient-sensing) and of eight genes regulated by the PhoR TCS (i.e. involved in inorganic and organic phosphorus mobilization) were analysed at regular intervals in presence of hyphae of R. irregularis. The study was conducted under in vitro culture conditions with phytate as the unique source of phosphorus. In presence of the AM fungus, the expression of TCS genes involved in carbon-sensing and nutrient-sensing were stimulated. Only, BaeS at 30 and 120 min, and BaeR at 60 min were inhibited. In addition, the PhoR TCS stimulated the expression of genes encoding phosphatase but inhibited the expression of genes involved in gluconic acid production. As the mechanism of coupling environmental changes with cellular physiological changes, TCS plays a pivotal role in regulating specific gene expression in R. aquatilis, recognizing environmental signals. More importantly, TCS genes may regulate bacteria response to hyphal carbon to mobilize phosphorus efficiently in the hyphosphere.

Highly stable selenium nanoparticles: Assembly and stabilization via flagellin FliC and porin OmpF in Rahnella aquatilis HX2.

Microorganisms play a critical role in the reduction of the more toxic selenite and selenate to the less toxic elemental selenium. However, the assembly process and stability of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) remain understudied. The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Rahnella aquatilis HX2 can reduce selenite to biogenic SeNPs (BioSeNPs). Two main proteins, namely flagellin FliC and porin OmpF were identified in the BioSeNPs. The fliC and ompF gene mutation experiments demonstrated that the FliC and OmpF could control the assembly of BioSeNPs in vivo. At the same time, the expressed and purified FliC and OmpF could control the assembly of SeNPs in vitro. BioSeNPs produced by R. aquatilis HX2 exhibited high stability under various ionic strengths, while the chemically synthesized SeNPs (CheSeNPs) showed a high level of aggregation. The in vitro experiments verified that FliC and OmpF could prevent the aggregation of the CheSeNPs under various ionic strengths. This work reports the preparation of highly stable BioSeNPs produced by strain R. aquatilis HX2 and verifies that FliC and OmpF both could control the assembly and stability of BioSeNPs. BioSeNPs with high stability could be suitable as nutritional supplement to remedy selenium deficiency and in nanomedicine applications.

[Comparative characterisation of lipopolysaccharides of Rahnella aquatills].

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of eight strains of R. aquatilis isolated from different sources have been studied. The studies of neutral monosaccharide composition evidence that all of LPS contain galactose (13.4-68.5%), glucose (5.7-29.8%) and heptose (2.6-8.3%) (depending on strains). Some monosaccharides, such as ribose (95U007), rhamnose (95U011, 95U012, 96U036), fucose (95U003, 95U004, 95U007) and mannose (95U012, 96U035, 96U036, 96U037) were absent in LPS. Arabinose was present in two strains--95U003 and 95U007. On the basis of monosaccharide composition all investigated LPS can be divided into six groups. It was shown by double immunodiffusion in agar that all R. aquatilis LPS displayed antigenic activity in homological systems. The results of serological cross reactions indicate the immunochemical heterogeneity of R. aquatilis species.

Rahnella sp. LRP3 induces phosphate precipitation of Cu (II) and its role in copper-contaminated soil remediation.

Microbially induced phosphate precipitation (MIPP) is an advanced bioremediation technology to immobilize heavy metals in soil. In this study, an indigenous bacterial strain LRP3, identified as Rahnella sp., was isolated from Cu-contaminated dark brown soil in the mining area. Strain LRP3 could produce phytase and alkaline phosphatase to degrade phytic acid, which released soluble phosphate to the bacterial culture. Due to the metabolism of bacterial growth, the pH value of bacterial culture was increased. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cu (II) to bacterial growth in solution was up to 130 mg/L. The bacterial culture could rapidly precipitate Cu (II) in solution through MIPP. The analysis results of Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed that the precipitate form by bacterial culture was rod-shaped Cu3(OH)3PO4 crystal with a diameter of 10 µm. The bacterial culture decreased the content of DTPA-Cu of 83 mg/kg soil in the soil by 58.2%, 61.5% and 75.8% after 5, 10 and 30 days of incubation, respectively, at the temperature of 25 °C. The results indicate that MIPP-based bioremediation by Rahnella sp. LRP3 is a practical, environmental friendly technology for the cleaning-up of copper-contaminated soil.

Three chlorotoluene-degrading bacterial strains: Differences in biodegradation potential and cell surface properties.

Pollution of the environment with chlorinated aromatic compounds is a problem of increasing importance, which has stimulated the search for efficient methods for the remediation of contaminated soil and water. Additionally, for better understanding of the significance of bioavailability to biodegradation, investigation of the cell surface properties is necessary. Hence, this study concerns the properties and possible application, in chlorotoluene removal, of three newly isolated environmental bacterial strains from the genera Pseudomonas, Raoultella and Rahnella. The results show the differences in the biochemical profiles of the isolated strains, their cellular fatty acid composition and their hemolytic properties. However, all three strains exhibit high biodegradation potential, degrading not less than 60% of each monochlorotoluene isomer in 21-day experiments. What is more, observations of changes in the cell surface properties indicate the possible adaptation mechanisms of the strains that enable efficient biodegradation of hydrophobic pollutants such as monochlorotoluenes.

Signal beyond nutrient, fructose, exuded by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus triggers phytate mineralization by a phosphate solubilizing bacterium.

Cooperation is a prevalent phenomenon in nature and how it originates and maintains is a fundamental question in ecology. Many efforts have been made to understand cooperation between individuals in the same species, while the mechanisms enabling cooperation between different species are less understood. Here, we investigated under strict in vitro culture conditions if the exchange of carbon and phosphorus is pivotal to the cooperation between the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis and the phosphate solubilizing bacterium (PSB) Rahnella aquatilis. We observed that fructose exuded by the AMF stimulated the expression of phosphatase genes in the bacterium as well as the rate of phosphatase release into the growth medium by regulating its protein secretory system. The phosphatase activity was subsequently increased, promoting the mineralization of organic phosphorus (i.e., phytate) into inorganic phosphorus, stimulating simultaneously the processes involved in phosphorus uptake by the AMF. Our results demonstrated for the first time that fructose not only is a carbon source, but also plays a role as a signal molecule triggering bacteria-mediated organic phosphorus mineralization processes. These results highlighted the molecular mechanisms by which the hyphal exudates play a role in maintaining the cooperation between AMF and bacteria.