Reclassification of Paenibacillus riograndensis as a Genomovar of Paenibacillus sonchi: Genome-Based Metrics Improve Bacterial Taxonomic Classification.

Species from the genus Paenibacillus are widely studied due to their biotechnological relevance. Dozens of novel species descriptions of this genus were published in the last couple of years, but few utilized genomic data as classification criteria. Here, we demonstrate the importance of using genome-based metrics and phylogenetic analyses to identify and classify Paenibacillus strains. For this purpose, Paenibacillus riograndensis SBR5T, Paenibacillus sonchi X19-5T, and their close relatives were compared through phenotypic, genotypic, and genomic approaches. With respect to P. sonchi X19-5T, P. riograndensis SBR5T, Paenibacillus sp. CAR114, and Paenibacillus sp. CAS34 presented ANI (average nucleotide identity) values ranging from 95.61 to 96.32%, gANI (whole-genome average nucleotide identity) values ranging from 96.78 to 97.31%, and dDDH (digital DNA-DNA hybridization) values ranging from 68.2 to 73.2%. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, gyrB, recA, recN, and rpoB genes and concatenated proteins supported the monophyletic origin of these Paenibacillus strains. Therefore, we propose to assign Paenibacillus sp. CAR114 and Paenibacillus sp. CAS34 to P. sonchi species, and reclassify P. riograndensis SBR5T as a later heterotypic synonym of P. sonchi (type strain X19-5T), with the creation of three novel genomovars, P. sonchi genomovar Sonchi (type strain X19-5T), P. sonchi genomovar Riograndensis (type strain SBR5T), P. sonchi genomovar Oryzarum (type strain CAS34T = DSM 102041T; = BR10511T).

Glutamine synthetase stabilizes the binding of GlnR to nitrogen fixation gene operators.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a high energy demanding process carried out by diazotrophic microorganisms that supply combined nitrogen to the biosphere. The genes related to BNF are strictly regulated, but these mechanisms are poorly understood in gram-positive bacteria. The transcription factor GlnR was proposed to regulate nitrogen fixation-related genes based on Paenibacillus comparative genomics. In order to validate this proposal, we investigated BNF regulatory sequences in Paenibacillus riograndensis SBR5T genome. We identified GlnR-binding sites flanking σA -binding sites upstream from BNF-related genes. GlnR binding to these sites was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. GlnR-DNA affinity is greatly enhanced when GlnR is in complex with feedback-inhibited (glutamine-occupied) glutamine synthetase (GS). GlnR-GS complex formation is also modulated by ATP and AMP. Thereby, gene repression exerted by the GlnR-GS complex is coupled with nitrogen (glutamine levels) and energetic status (ATP and AMP). Finally, we propose a DNA-looping model based on multiple operator sites that represents a strong and strict regulation for these genes.

Genomic insights into the versatility of the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum amazonense.

BACKGROUND: The species Azospirillum amazonense belongs to a well-known genus of plant growth-promoting bacteria. This bacterium is found in association with several crops of economic importance; however, there is a lack of information on its physiology. In this work, we present a comprehensive analysis of the genomic features of this species. RESULTS: Genes of A. amazonense related to nitrogen/carbon metabolism, energy production, phytohormone production, transport, quorum sensing, antibiotic resistance, chemotaxis/motility and bacteriophytochrome biosynthesis were identified. Noteworthy genes were the nitrogen fixation genes and the nitrilase gene, which could be directly implicated in plant growth promotion, and the carbon fixation genes, which had previously been poorly investigated in this genus. One important finding was that some A. amazonense genes, like the nitrogenase genes and RubisCO genes, were closer phylogenetically to Rhizobiales members than to species of its own order. CONCLUSION: The species A. amazonense presents a versatile repertoire of genes crucial for its plant-associated lifestyle.

Tools for genetic manipulation of the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum amazonense.

BACKGROUND: Azospirillum amazonense has potential to be used as agricultural inoculant since it promotes plant growth without causing pollution, unlike industrial fertilizers. Owing to this fact, the study of this species has gained interest. However, a detailed understanding of its genetics and physiology is limited by the absence of appropriate genetic tools for the study of this species. RESULTS: Conjugation and electrotransformation methods were established utilizing vectors with broad host-replication origins (pVS1 and pBBR1). Two genes of interest--glnK and glnB, encoding PII regulatory proteins--were isolated. Furthermore, glnK-specific A. amazonense mutants were generated utilizing the pK19MOBSACB vector system. Finally, a promoter analysis protocol based on fluorescent protein expression was optimized to aid genetic regulation studies on this bacterium. CONCLUSION: In this work, genetic tools that can support the study of A. amazonense were described. These methods could provide a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms of this species that underlie its plant growth promotion.