SnapShot: Microbial Hydrocarbon Bioremediation.

Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria are phylogenetically and physiologically diverse and employ layered strategies to sense hydrocarbons, respond transcriptionally, and then move toward an oil source. They then produce biopolymers that increase hydrocarbon bioavailability. This SnapShot highlights how these bacteria respond to and then remove hydrocarbon contaminants from the environment. To view this SnapShot, open or download the PDF.

Genome sequence and description of the mosquitocidal and heavy metal tolerant strain Lysinibacillus sphaericus CBAM5.

Lysinibacillus sphaericus CBAM5, was isolated from subsurface soil of oil well explorations in the Easter Planes of Colombia. This strain has potential in bioremediation of heavy-metal polluted environments and biological control of Culex quinquefasciatus. According to the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, the strain CBAM5 was assigned to the Lysinibacillus sphaericus taxonomic group 1 that comprises mosquito pathogenic strains. After a combination assembly-integration, alignment and gap-filling steps, we propose a 4,610,292 bp chromosomal scaffold. The whole genome (consisting of 5,146,656 bp long, 60 contigs and 5,209 predicted-coding sequences) revealed strong functional and syntenial similarities to the L. sphaericus C3-41 genome. Mosquitocidal (Mtx), binary (Bin) toxins, cereolysin O, and heavy metal resistance clusters from nik, ars, czc, mnt, ter, cop, cad, and znu operons were identified.

Genome sequence and description of the heavy metal tolerant bacterium Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain OT4b.31.

Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain OT4b.31 is a native Colombian strain having no larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus and is widely applied in the bioremediation of heavy-metal polluted environments. Strain OT4b.31 was placed between DNA homology groups III and IV. By gap-filling and alignment steps, we propose a 4,096,672 bp chromosomal scaffold. The whole genome (consisting of 4,856,302 bp long, 94 contigs and 4,846 predicted protein-coding sequences) revealed differences in comparison to the L. sphaericus C3-41 genome, such as syntenial relationships, prophages and putative mosquitocidal toxins. Sphaericolysin B354, the coleopteran toxin Sip1A and heavy metal resistance clusters from nik, ars, czc, cop, chr, czr and cad operons were identified. Lysinibacillus sphaericus OT4b.31 has applications not only in bioremediation efforts, but also in the biological control of agricultural pests.