Scleromatobacter humisilvae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from oak forest soil.

A novel bacterial strain, designated BS-T2-15T, isolated from forest soil in close proximity to decaying oak wood, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences as well as phylogenomic analyses based on coding sequences of 340 concatenated core proteins indicated that strain BS-T2-15T forms a distinct and robust lineage in the Rubrivivax-Roseateles -Leptothrix-Azohydromonas -Aquincola-Ideonella branch of the order Burkholderiales. The amino acid identity and the percentage of conserved proteins between the genome of strain BS-T2-15T and genomes of closely related type strains ranged from 64.27 to 66.57% and from 40.89 to 49.27 %, respectively, providing genomic evidence that strain BS-T2-15T represents a new genus. Its cells are Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by a polar flagellum, rod-shaped and form incrusted white to ivory colonies. Optimal growth is observed at 20-22 °C, pH 6 and 0% NaCl. The predominant fatty acids of strain BS-T2-15T are C16 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH. Its polar lipid profile consists of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and its main respiratory quinone is ubiquinone 8. The estimated size of its genome is 6.28 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 69.56 mol%. Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties, the new strain BS-T2-15T represents a novel genus and species for which the name Scleromatobacter humisilvae gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is BS-T2-15T (DSM 113115T=UBOCC-M-3373T).

Thermococcus henrietii sp. nov., a novel extreme thermophilic and piezophilic sulfur-reducing archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal chimney.

A novel extreme thermophilic and piezophilic chemoorganoheterotrophic archaeon, strain EXT12cT, was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney sample collected at a depth of 2496 m at the East Pacific Rise 9° N. Cells were strictly anaerobic, motile cocci. The strain grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 % (w/v; optimum, 2.0%), from pH 6.0 to 7.5 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0), at temperatures between 60 and 95 °C (optimum, 80-85 °C), and at pressures from 0.1 to at least 50 MPa (optimum, 30 MPa). Strain EXT12cT grew chemoorganoheterotrophically on complex proteinaceous substrates. Its growth was highly stimulated by the presence of elemental sulphur or l-cystine, which were reduced to hydrogen sulfide. The DNA G+C content was 54.58 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and concatenated ribosomal protein sequences showed that strain EXT12cT falls into the genus Thermococcus and is most closely related to Thermococcus nautili strain 30-1T. Overall genome relatedness index analyses (average nucleotide identity scores and in silico DNA-DNA hybridizations) showed a sufficient genomic distance between the new genome and the ones of the Thermococcus type strains for the delineation of a new species. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic data, strain EXT12cT is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Thermococcus henrietii sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain EXT12cT (=UBOCC M-2417T=DSM 111004T).

Thermococcus camini sp. nov., a hyperthermophilic and piezophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

A coccoid-shaped, strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and piezophilic organoheterotrophic archaeon, strain Iri35cT, was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney rock sample collected at a depth of 2300 m at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Rainbow vent field). Cells of strain Iri35cT grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1-5 % (w/v) (optimum 2.0 %), from pH 5.0 to 9.0 (optimum 7.0-7.5), at temperatures between 50 and 90 °C (optimum 75-80 °C) and at pressures from 0.1 to at least 50 MPa (optimum: 10-30 MPa). The novel isolate grew on complex organic substrates, such as yeast extract, tryptone, peptone or beef extract, preferentially in the presence of elemental sulphur or l-cystine; however, these molecules were not necessary for growth. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 54.63 mol%. The genome has been annotated and the metabolic predictions are in accordance with the metabolic characteristics of the strain and of Thermococcales in general. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and concatenated ribosomal protein sequences showed that strain Iri35cT belongs to the genus Thermococcus, and is closer to the species T. celericrescens and T. siculi. Average nucleotide identity scores and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between the genome of strain Iri35cT and the genomes of the type species of the genus Thermococcus were below the species delineation threshold. Therefore, and considering the phenotypic data presented, strain Iri35cT is suggested to represent a novel species, for which the name Thermococcus camini sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Iri35cT (=UBOCC M-2026T=DSM 111003T).

"Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis," an Uncultivated Deltaproteobacterial Epibiont from the Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Shrimp Rimicaris exoculata.

The deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata largely depends on a dense epibiotic chemoautotrophic bacterial community within its enlarged cephalothoracic chamber. However, our understanding of shrimp-bacterium interactions is limited. In this report, we focused on the deltaproteobacterial epibiont of R. exoculata from the relatively unexplored South Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A nearly complete genome of a Deltaproteobacteria epibiont was binned from the assembled metagenome. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis reveals that it is affiliated with the genus Desulfobulbus, representing a potential novel species for which the name "Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis" is proposed. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that this bacterium utilizes the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for carbon assimilation and harvests energy via sulfur disproportionation, which is significantly different from other shrimp epibionts. Additionally, this epibiont has putative nitrogen fixation activity, but it is extremely active in directly taking up ammonia and urea from the host or vent environments. Moreover, the epibiont could be distinguished from its free-living relatives by various features, such as the lack of chemotaxis and motility traits, a dramatic reduction in biosynthesis genes for capsular and extracellular polysaccharides, enrichment of genes required for carbon fixation and sulfur metabolism, and resistance to environmental toxins. Our study highlights the unique role and symbiotic adaptation of Deltaproteobacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimps.IMPORTANCE The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata represents the dominant faunal biomass at many deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This organism harbors dense bacterial epibiont communities in its enlarged cephalothoracic chamber that play an important nutritional role. Deltaproteobacteria are ubiquitous in epibiotic communities of R. exoculata, and their functional roles as epibionts are based solely on the presence of functional genes. Here, we describe "Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis," an uncultivated deltaproteobacterial epibiont. Compared to campylobacterial and gammaproteobacterial epibionts of R. exoculata, this bacterium possessed unique metabolic pathways, such as the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, as well as sulfur disproportionation and nitrogen fixation pathways. Furthermore, this epibiont can be distinguished from closely related free-living Desulfobulbus strains by its reduced genetic content and potential loss of functions, suggesting unique adaptations to the shrimp host. This study is a genomic and transcriptomic analysis of a deltaproteobacterial epibiont and largely expands the understanding of its metabolism and adaptation to the R. exoculata host.

Anaeromicrobium sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a fermentative bacterium isolated from deep-sea sediment.

A novel anaerobic, mesophilic, heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain DY2726DT, was isolated from West Pacific Ocean sediments. Cells were long rods (0.5-0.8 µm wide, 4-15 µm long), Gram-positive and motile by means of flagella. The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 25-40 °C and pH 6.5-9.0, while optimal growth occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.5, with a generation time of 76 min. The strain required sea salts for growth at concentrations from 10 to 30 g l-1 (optimum at 20 g l-1). Substrates used as carbon sources were yeast extract, tryptone, glucose, cellobiose, starch, gelatin, dextrin, fructose, fucose, galactose, galacturonic acid, gentiobiose, glucosaminic acid, mannose, melibiose, palatinose and rhamnose. Products of fermentation were carbon dioxide, acetic acid and butyric acid. Strain DY2726DT was able to reduce amorphous iron hydroxide, goethite, amorphous iron oxides, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate and crotonate, but did not reduce sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite or nitrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain DY2726DT was affiliated to the family Clostridiaceae and was most closely related to the type strains of Alkaliphilus transvaalensis (90.0 % similarity) and Alkaliphilus oremlandii (89.6 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 33.4 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain DY2726DT were C16 : 1, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain DY2726DT is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Clostridiaceae, for which the name Anaeromicrobium sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Anaeromicrobium sediminis is DY2726DT (=JCM 30224T=MCCC 1A00776T).

Desulfurobacterium indicum sp. nov., a thermophilic sulfur-reducing bacterium from the Indian Ocean.

A novel sulfur-reducing bacterium, strain K6013T, was isolated from a sulfide sample collected at a depth of 2771 m from a high-temperature hydrothermal vent in the Indian Ocean. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, anaerobic, motile rods (0.9-2.2×0.4-0.6 µm). The strain grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1 to 4.5 % (w/v) (optimum 2.5 %), at pH 5 to 8 (optimum pH 6), and at temperatures between 40 and 75 °C (optimum 65 °C). K6013T was an obligate chemolithoautotroph, using thiosulfate, sulfur and nitrate as terminal electron acceptors in the presence of H2 but not sulfate, sulfite nor nitrite. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 (17.4 %), C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (ummed feature 8, 37.91 %), C18 : 0 (18.29 %) and C14 : 0 3-OH/iso-C16: 1I (summed feature 2, 8.56 %). The DNA G+C content was 38.2 mol%. The results of phylogenetic 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that K6013T represents a member of the genus Desulfurobacterium within the class Aquificae, with highest sequence similarity of 96.93 % to Desulfurobacterium atlanticum SL22T. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic data, K6013T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Desulfurobacterium, for which the name Desulfurobacterium indicum sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain K6013T (=DSM 101677T=MCCC 1A01868T).

Pseudodesulfovibrio indicus gen. nov., sp. nov., a piezophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium from the Indian Ocean and reclassification of four species of the genus Desulfovibrio.

A novel sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain J2T, was isolated from a serpentinized peridotite sample from the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain J2T clustered with the genus Desulfovibrio within the family Desulfovibrionaceae, but it showed low similarity (87.95 %) to the type species Desulfovibrio desulfuricans DSM 642T. It was most closely related to Desulfovibrio portus MSL79T (96.96 %), followed by Desulfovibrio aespoeensis Aspo-2T (96.11 %), Desulfovibrio piezophilus C1TLV30T (96.04 %) and Desulfovibrio profundus DSM 11384T (95.17 %). Other available sequences shared less than 93.33 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Cells were Gram-staining-negative, anaerobic, motile vibrios (2-6×0.4-0.6 µm). Growth was observed at salinities ranging from 0.2 to 6 % (optimum 2.5 %), from pH 5 to 8 (optimum pH 6.5-7) and at temperatures between 9 and 40 °C (optimum 30-35 °C). J2T was piezophilic, growing optimally at 10 MPa (range 0-30 MPa). J2T used lactate, malate, pyruvate, formate and hydrogen as energy sources. Sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, fumarate and nitrate were used as terminal electron acceptors. Lactate and pyruvate were fermented. The main fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl) and iso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain J2T was 63.5 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain J2T represents a novel species of a novel genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae, for which the name Pseudodesulfovibrio indicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain J2T (=MCCC 1A01867T = DSM 101483T). We also propose the reclassification of D. piezophilus as Pseudodesulfovibrio piezophilus comb. nov., D. profundus as Pseudodesulfovibrio profundus comb. nov., D. portus as Pseudodesulfovibrio portus comb. nov. and D. aespoeensis as Pseudodesulfovibrio aespoeensis comb. nov.

Thermodesulfatator autotrophicus sp. nov., a thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium from the Indian Ocean.

A novel sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain S606T, was isolated from a sulfide sample collected at a depth of 2764 m from a deep-sea vent chimney wall in the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses placed strain S606T within the genus Thermodesulfatator, with highest sequence similarity of 98.2 % to Thermodesulfatator indicus DSM 15286T, followed by Thermodesulfatator atlanticus AT1325T (97.4 %). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between S606T and the two other type strains (T. indicus DSM 15286T and T. atlanticus AT1325T) were 79.2 % and 71.5 %, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate values between S606T and these two type strains were 22.7±2.4 % and 18.1±2.3 %, respectively. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, anaerobic, motile rods (1-1.8×0.5-0.7 µm). The novel isolate grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 % (optimum 2.5-3 %), from pH 5.5 to 8 (optimum 6.5-7.0) and at temperatures between 50 and 80 °C (optimum 65-70 °C). S606T grew chemolithoautotrophically in an H2/CO2 atmosphere (80 : 20, v/v; 200 kPa), used sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor, but not sulfur, sulfite nor thiosulfate. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0 (24.2 %), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c, 26.3 %), C18 : 0 (22.2 %) and C18 : 1ω9c (9.2 %). The DNA G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 43.1 mol%. The combined genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic traits show that S606T should be described as representing a novel species of the genus Thermodesulfatator, for which the name Thermodesulfatator autotrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S606T (=DSM 101864T=MCCC 1A01871T).

Evaluation of Limited Sampling Methods for Oral Busulfan Pharmacokinetic Monitoring in Adult Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring busulfan area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) to establish the dose regimen for stem cell transplantation desirable to achieve efficacy while avoiding toxicity. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare AUCs calculated by 18 limited sampling methods (LSMs) from 2 to 5 samples to reference AUCs determined from 10 samples in a retrospective study of 103 adult patients receiving oral busulfan. LSMs using 2 or 3 samples were ineffective. METHODS: Four LSMs using 4 or 5 blood samples that accurately characterized busulfan AUC were identified. The best 2 methods were obtained with sampling at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours and after 1, 1.5, 2, 4, and 6 hours postdose. For these LSMs, the incidence of 20% difference between AUCs from LSMs and reference AUCs was less than 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Effective and safe determination of AUC for oral busulfan can be made with strategies using only 4 or 5 concentration timepoints.

Caloranaerobacter ferrireducens sp. nov., an anaerobic, thermophilic, iron (III)-reducing bacterium isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposits.

A thermophilic, anaerobic, iron-reducing bacterium (strain DY22619T) was isolated from a sulfide sample collected from an East Pacific Ocean hydrothermal field at a depth of 2901 m. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile rods (2-10 µm in length, 0.5 µm in width) with multiple peritrichous flagella. The strain grew at 40-70 °C inclusive (optimum 60 °C), at pH 4.5-8.5 inclusive (optimum pH 7.0) and with sea salts concentrations of 1-10 % (w/v) (optimum 3 % sea salts) and NaCl concentrations of 1.5-5.0 % (w/v) (optimum 2.5 % NaCl). Under optimal growth conditions, the generation time was around 55 min. The isolate was an obligate chemoorganoheterotroph, utilizing complex organic compounds, amino acids, carbohydrates and organic acids including peptone, tryptone, beef extract, yeast extract, alanine, glutamate, methionine, threonine, fructose, mannose, galactose, glucose, palatinose, rhamnose, turanose, gentiobiose, xylose, sorbose, pyruvate, tartaric acid, α-ketobutyric acid, α-ketovaleric acid, galacturonic acid and glucosaminic acid. Strain DY22619T was strictly anaerobic and facultatively dependent on various forms of Fe(III) as an electron acceptor: insoluble forms and soluble forms. It did not reduce sulfite, sulfate, thiosulfate or nitrate. The genomic DNA G+C content was 29.0 mol%. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses revealed that the closest relative of strain DY22619T was Caloranaerobacter azorensis MV1087T, sharing 97.41 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. On the basis of physiological distinctness and phylogenetic distance, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Caloranaerobacter, for which the name Caloranaerobacterhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1601/nm.4081ferrireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DY22619T ( = JCM 19467T = DSM 27799T = MCCC1A06455T).

Anoxybacter fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov., a piezophilic, thermophilic, anaerobic, fermentative bacterium isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent.

A novel piezophilic, thermophilic, anaerobic, fermentative bacterial strain, designated strain DY22613(T), was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposit at the East Pacific Rise (GPS position: 102.6° W 3.1° S). Cells of strain DY22613(T) were long, motile rods (10 to 20 µm in length and 0.5 µm in width) with peritrichous flagella and were Gram-stain-negative. Growth was recorded at 44-72 °C (optimum 60-62 °C) and at hydrostatic pressures of 0.1-55 MPa (optimum 20 MPa). The pH range for growth was from pH 5.0 to 9.0 with an optimum at pH 7.0. Growth was observed in the presence of 1 to 8 % (w/v) sea salts and 0.65 to 5.2 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum salt concentrations at 3.5 % for sea salts and at 2.3 % for NaCl. Under optimal growth conditions, the shortest generation time observed was 27 min (60 °C, 20 MPa). Strain DY22613(T) was heterotrophic, able to utilize complex organic compounds, amino acids, sugars and organic acids including peptone, tryptone, beef extract, yeast extract, alanine, glutamine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, fructose, fucose, galactose, gentiobiose, glucose, mannose, melibiose, palatinose, rhamnose, turanose, pyruvate, lactic acid, methyl ester, erythritol, galacturonic acid and glucosaminic acid. Strain DY22613(T) was able to reduce Fe(III) compounds, including Fe(III) oxyhydroxide (pH 7.0), amorphous iron(III) oxide (pH 9.0), goethite (α-FeOOH, pH 12.0), Fe(III) citrate and elementary sulfur. Products of fermentation were butyrate, acetate and hydrogen. Main cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 3-OH and C14 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain DY22613(T) was 36.7 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain forms a novel lineage within the class Clostridia and clusters with the order Haloanaerobiales (86.92 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The phylogenetic data suggest that the lineage represents at least a novel genus and species, for which the name Anoxybacter fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DY22613(T) ( = JCM 19466(T) = DSM 28033(T) = MCCC 1A06456(T)).

Kosmotoga pacifica sp. nov., a thermophilic chemoorganoheterotrophic bacterium isolated from an East Pacific hydrothermal sediment.

A novel strictly anaerobic thermophilic heterotrophic bacterium, strain SLHLJ1(T), was isolated from a Pacific hydrothermal sediment. Cells were Gram-negative coccobacilli (approximately 1.0 × 0.6 µm) with a toga. It grew at temperatures between 33 and 78 °C (optimum 70 °C). Elemental sulphur and L-cystine stimulated its growth. It contained C16:0, C16:1 ω11c, C18:0 and C18:1 ω9c as major fatty acids (>5%), 3 phospholipids and 2 glycolipids as polar lipids. Its DNA G+C content was 43.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain SLHLJ1(T) within the family Thermotogaceae. The novel isolate was most closely related to Kosmotoga arenicorallina (97.93 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), K. olearia (92.43%) and K. shengliensis (92.17 %). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic comparisons with its closest relatives, we propose its assignment to a novel species of the genus Kosmotoga. The name Kosmotoga pacifica sp. nov. is proposed with strain SLHLJ1(T) (=DSM 26965(T) = JCM 19180(T) = UBOCC 3254(T)) as the type species.

Chemolithoautotrophic diazotrophs dominate dark nitrogen fixation in mangrove sediments.

Diazotrophic microorganisms regulate marine productivity by alleviating nitrogen limitation. So far chemolithoautotrophic bacteria are widely recognized as the principal diazotrophs in oligotrophic marine and terrestrial ecosystems. However, the contribution of chemolithoautotrophs to nitrogen fixation in organic-rich habitats remains unclear. Here, we utilized metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches integrated with cultivation assays to investigate the diversity, distribution, and activity of diazotrophs residing in Zhangzhou mangrove sediments. Physicochemical assays show that the studied mangrove sediments are typical carbon-rich, sulfur-rich, nitrogen-limited, and low-redox marine ecosystems. These sediments host a wide phylogenetic variety of nitrogenase genes, including groups I-III and VII-VIII. Unexpectedly diverse chemolithoautotrophic taxa including Campylobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Zetaproteobacteria, and Thermodesulfovibrionia are the predominant and active nitrogen fixers in the 0-18 cm sediment layer. In contrast, the 18-20 cm layer is dominated by active diazotrophs from the chemolithoautotrophic taxa Desulfobacterota and Halobacteriota. Further analysis of MAGs show that the main chemolithoautotrophs can fix nitrogen by coupling the oxidation of hydrogen, reduced sulfur, and iron, with the reduction of oxygen, nitrate, and sulfur. Culture experiments further demonstrate that members of chemolithoautotrophic Campylobacteria have the nitrogen-fixing capacity driven by hydrogen and sulfur oxidation. Activity measurements confirm that the diazotrophs inhabiting mangrove sediments preferentially drain energy from diverse reduced inorganic compounds other than from organics. Overall, our results suggest that chemolithoautotrophs rather than heterotrophs are dominant nitrogen fixers in mangrove sediments. This study underscores the significance of chemolithoautotrophs in carbon-dominant ecosystems.

Thermococcus prieurii sp. nov., a hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent.

A novel hyperthermophilic, anaerobic archaeon, strain Bio-pl-0405IT2(T), was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney sample collected from the East Pacific Rise at 2700 m depth in the 'Sarah Spring' area (7° 25' 24" S 107° 47' 66" W). Cells were irregular, motile cocci (0.8-1.5 µm in diameter) and divided by constriction. Growth was observed at temperatures between 60 °C and 95 °C with an optimum at 80 °C. The pH range for growth was between pH 4.0 and pH 8.0 with an optimum around pH 7.0. Strain Bio-pl-0405IT2(T) grew at salt concentrations of 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl with an optimum at 2 %. The novel isolate grew by fermentation or sulphur respiration on a variety of organic compounds. It was a chemoorganoheterotrophic archaeon growing preferentially with yeast extract, peptone and tryptone as carbon and energy sources and sulphur and organic compounds as electron acceptors; it also grew on maltose and starch. Sulphur or l-cystine were required for growth and were reduced to hydrogen sulfide. The strain was resistant to rifampicin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin and kanamycin (all at 100 µg ml(-1)) but was sensitive to tetracycline. The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 53.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1450 bp) of strain Bio-pl-0405IT2(T) showed that the novel isolate belonged to the genus Thermococcus. DNA-DNA hybridization values with the two closest relatives Thermococcus hydrothermalis AL662(T) and Thermococcus celer JCM 8558(T) were below the threshold value of 70 %. On the basis of the physiological and genotypic distinctness, we propose a novel species, Thermococcus prieurii sp. nov. The type strain is Bio-pl-0405IT2(T) ( = CSUR P577(T)= JCM 16307(T)).

Palaeococcus pacificus sp. nov., an archaeon from deep-sea hydrothermal sediment.

A hyperthermophilic, anaerobic, piezophilic archaeon (strain DY20341(T)) was isolated from a sediment sample collected from an East Pacific Ocean hydrothermal field (1° 37' S 102° 45' W) at a depth of 2737 m. The cells were irregular cocci, 0.8-1.5 µm in diameter. Growth was observed between 50 and 90 °C (optimum 80 °C), pH 5.0 and 8.0 (optimum pH 7.0), 1% and 7% (w/v) sea salts (Sigma, optimum 3%), 1% and 4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3%) and 0.1 and 80 MPa (optimum 30 MPa). The minimum doubling time was 66 min at 30 MPa and 80 °C. The isolate was an obligate chemoorganoheterotroph, capable of utilizing complex organic compounds and organic acids including yeast extract, peptone, tryptone, casein, starch, Casamino acids, citrate, lactate, acetate, fumarate, propanoate and pyruvate for growth. It was strictly anaerobic and facultatively dependent on elemental sulfur or sulfate as electron acceptors, but did not reduce sulfite, thiosulfate, Fe(III) or nitrate. The presence of elemental sulfur enhanced growth. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.6 ± 1 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the closest relative of the isolated organism was Palaeococcus ferrophilus DMJ(T) (95.7% 16S rRNA gene similarity). On the basis of its physiological properties and phylogenetic analyses, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Palaeococcus pacificus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain DY20341(T) (=JCM 17873(T)=DSM 24777(T)).

Phaeobacter leonis sp. nov., an alphaproteobacterium from Mediterranean Sea sediments.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, heterotrophic bacterium, designated 306(T), was isolated from near-surface (109 cm below the sea floor) sediments of the Gulf of Lions, in the Mediterranean Sea. Strain 306(T) grew at temperatures between 4 and 32 °C (optimum 17-22 °C), from pH 6.5 to 9.0 (optimum 8.0-9.0) and between 0.5 and 6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0%). Its DNA G+C content was 58.8 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the novel isolate belongs to the class Alphaproteobacteria and is related to the genus Phaeobacter. It shares 98.7% 16S rRNA sequence identity with Phaeobacter arcticus, its closest phylogenetic relative. It contained Q-10 as the only respiratory quinone, C(18:1)ω7c and C(16:0) as major fatty acids (>5%) and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified lipids and an aminolipid as polar lipids. The chemotaxonomic data are consistent with the affiliation of strain 306(T) to the genus Phaeobacter. Results of physiological experiments, biochemical tests and DNA-DNA hybridizations (with P. arcticus) indicate that strain 306(T) is genetically and phenotypically distinct from the five species of the genus Phaeobacter with validly published names. Strain 306(T) therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Phaeobacter leonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 306(T) ( =DSM 25627(T) =CIP 110369(T) =UBOCC 3187(T)).

Transcriptome Analysis of Cyclooctasulfur Oxidation and Reduction by the Neutrophilic Chemolithoautotrophic Sulfurovum indicum from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Ecosystems.

Chemolithoautotrophic Campylobacterota are widespread and predominant in worldwide hydrothermal vents, and they are key players in the turnover of zero-valence sulfur. However, at present, the mechanism of cyclooctasulfur activation and catabolism in Campylobacterota bacteria is not clearly understood. Here, we investigated these processes in a hydrothermal vent isolate named Sulfurovum indicum ST-419. A transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple genes related to biofilm formation were highly expressed during both sulfur oxidation and reduction. Additionally, biofilms containing cells and EPS coated on sulfur particles were observed by SEM, suggesting that biofilm formation may be involved in S0 activation in Sulfurovum species. Meanwhile, several genes encoding the outer membrane proteins of OprD family were also highly expressed, and among them, gene IMZ28_RS00565 exhibited significantly high expressions by 2.53- and 7.63-fold changes under both conditions, respectively, which may play a role in sulfur uptake. However, other mechanisms could be involved in sulfur activation and uptake, as experiments with dialysis bags showed that direct contact between cells and sulfur particles was not mandatory for sulfur reduction activity, whereas cell growth via sulfur oxidation did require direct contact. This indirect reaction could be ascribed to the role of H2S and/or other thiol-containing compounds, such as cysteine and GSH, which could be produced in the culture medium during sulfur reduction. In the periplasm, the sulfur-oxidation-multienzyme complexes soxABXY1Z1 and soxCDY2Z2 are likely responsible for thiosulfate oxidation and S0 oxidation, respectively. In addition, among the four psr gene clusters encoding polysulfide reductases, only psrA3B3C3 was significantly upregulated under the sulfur reduction condition, implying its essential role in sulfur reduction. These results expand our understanding of the interactions of Campylobacterota with the zero-valence sulfur and their adaptability to deep-sea hydrothermal environments.

Disproportionation of Inorganic Sulfur Compounds by Mesophilic Chemolithoautotrophic Campylobacterota.

The disproportionation of inorganic sulfur compounds could be widespread in natural habitats, and microorganisms could produce energy to support primary productivity through this catabolism. However, the microorganisms that carry this process out and the catabolic pathways at work remain relatively unstudied. Here, we investigated the bacterial diversity involved in sulfur disproportionation in hydrothermal plumes from Carlsberg Ridge in the northwestern Indian Ocean by enrichment cultures. A bacterial community analysis revealed that bacteria of the genera Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum, belonging to the phylum Campylobacterota and previously having been characterized as chemolithoautotrophic sulfur oxidizers, were the most dominant members in six enrichment cultures. Subsequent bacterial isolation and physiological studies confirmed that five Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum isolates could disproportionate thiosulfate and elemental sulfur. The ability to disproportionate sulfur was also demonstrated in several strains of Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum that were isolated from hydrothermal vents or other natural environments. Dialysis membrane experiments showed that S0 disproportionation did not require the direct contact of cells with bulk sulfur. A comparative genomic analysis showed that Campylobacterota strains did not contain some genes of the Dsr and rDSR pathways (aprAB, dsrAB, dsrC, dsrMKJOP, and qmoABC) that are involved in sulfur disproportionation in some other taxa, suggesting the existence of an unrevealed catabolic pathway for sulfur disproportionation. These findings provide evidence for the catabolic versatility of these Campylobacterota genera, which are widely distributed in chemosynthetic environments, and expand our knowledge of the microbial taxa involved in this reaction of the biogeochemical sulfur cycle in hydrothermal vent environments. IMPORTANCE The phylum Campylobacterota, notably represented by the genera Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum, is ubiquitous and predominant in deep-sea hydrothermal systems. It is well-known to be the major chemolithoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing group in these habitats. Herein, we show that the mesophilic predominant chemolithoautotrophs of the genera Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum could grow via sulfur disproportionation to gain energy. This is the first report of the chemolithoautotrophic disproportionation of thiosulfate and elemental sulfur within the genera Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum, and this comes in addition to their already known role in the chemolithoautotrophic oxidation of sulfur compounds. Sulfur disproportionation via chemolithoautotrophic Campylobacterota may represent a previously unrecognized primary production process in hydrothermal vent ecosystems.

Anaerobic utilization of toluene by marine alpha- and gammaproteobacteria reducing nitrate.

Aromatic hydrocarbons are among the main constituents of crude oil and represent a major fraction of biogenic hydrocarbons. Anthropogenic influences as well as biological production lead to exposure and accumulation of these toxic chemicals in the water column and sediment of marine environments. The ability to degrade these compounds in situ has been demonstrated for oxygen- and sulphate-respiring marine micro-organisms. However, if and to what extent nitrate-reducing bacteria contribute to the degradation of hydrocarbons in the marine environment and if these organisms are similar to their well-studied freshwater counterparts has not been investigated thoroughly. Here we determine the potential of marine prokaryotes from different sediments of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea to couple nitrate reduction to the oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons. Nitrate-dependent oxidation of toluene as an electron donor in anoxic enrichment cultures was elucidated by analyses of nitrate, nitrite and dinitrogen gas, accompanied by cell proliferation. The metabolically active members of the enriched communities were identified by RT-PCR of their 16S rRNA genes and subsequently quantified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. In all cases, toluene-grown communities were dominated by members of the Gammaproteobacteria, followed in some enrichments by metabolically active alphaproteobacteria as well as members of the Bacteroidetes. From these enrichments, two novel denitrifying toluene-degrading strains belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria were isolated. Two additional toluene-degrading denitrifying strains were isolated from sediments from the Black Sea and the North Sea. These isolates belonged to the Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Serial dilutions series with marine sediments indicated that up to 2.2×10(4) cells cm(-3) were able to degrade hydrocarbons with nitrate as the electron acceptor. These results demonstrated the hitherto unrecognized capacity of alpha- and gammaproteobacteria in marine sediments to oxidize toluene using nitrate.