LuxR-Type Regulator AclR1 of Azorhizobium caulinodans Regulates Cyclic di-GMP and Numerous Phenotypes in Free-Living and Symbiotic States.

LuxR-type regulators play important roles in transcriptional regulation in bacteria and control various biological processes. A genome sequence analysis showed the existence of seven LuxR-type regulators in Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571, an important nitrogen-fixing bacterium in both its free-living state and in symbiosis with its host, Sesbania rostrata. However, the functional mechanisms of these regulators remain unclear. In this study, we identified a LuxR-type regulator that contains a cheY-homologous receiver (REC) domain in its N terminus and designated it AclR1. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis revealed that AclR1 exhibited relatively close evolutionary relationships with MalT/GerE/FixJ/NarL family proteins. Functional analysis of an aclR1 deletion mutant (ΔaclR1) in the free-living state showed that AclR1 positively regulated cell motility and flocculation but negatively regulated exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, and second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP)-related gene expression. In the symbiotic state, the ΔaclR1 mutant was defective in competitive colonization and nodulation on host plants. These results suggested that AclR1 could provide bacteria with the ability to compete effectively for symbiotic nodulation. Overall, our results show that the REC-LuxR-type regulator AclR1 regulates numerous phenotypes both in the free-living state and during host plant symbiosis.

Thermochemical oxidation of methane induced by high-valence metal oxides in a sedimentary basin.

Thermochemical oxidation of methane (TOM) by high-valence metal oxides in geological systems and its potential role as a methane sink remain poorly understood. Here we present evidence of TOM induced by high-valence metal oxides in the Junggar Basin, located in northwestern China. During diagenesis, methane from deeper source strata is abiotically oxidized by high-valence Mn(Fe) oxides at 90 to 135 °C, releasing 13C-depleted CO2, soluble Mn2+ and Fe2+. Mn generally plays the dominant role compared to Fe, due to its lower Gibbs free energy increment during oxidation. Both CO2 and metal ions are then incorporated into authigenic calcites, which are characterized by extremely negative δ13C values (-70 to -22.5‰) and high Mn content (average MnO = 5 wt.%). We estimate that as much as 1224 Tg of methane could be oxidized in the study area. TOM is unfavorable for gas accumulation but may act as a major methane sink in the deep crustal carbon cycle.