Archives of Microbiology 

Abstract: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA fragments was used to explore the genetic diversity of hydrothermal vent microbial communities, specifically to determine the importance of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria therein. DGGE analysis of two different hydrothermal vent samples revealed one PCR band for one sample and three PCR bands for the other sample, which probably correspond to the dominant bacterial populations in these communities. Three of the four 16S rDNA fragments were sequenced. By comparison with 16S rRNA sequences of the Ribosomal Database Project, two of the DGGE-separated fragments were assigned to the genus Thiomicrospira. To identify these 'phylotypes' in more detail, a phylogenetic framework was created by determining the nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (approx. 1500 nucleotides) from three described Thiomicrospira species, viz., Tms. crunogena, Tms. pelophila, Tms. denitrificans, and from a new isolate, Thiomicrospira sp. strain MA2-6. All Thiomicrospira species except Tms. denitrificans formed a monophyletic group within the gamma subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Tms. denitrificans was assigned as a member of the epsilon subdivision and was distantly affiliated with Thiovulum, another sulfur-oxidizing bacterium. Sequences of two dominant 16S rDNA fragments obtained by DGGE analysis fell into the gamma subdivision Thiomicrospira. The sequence of one fragment was in all comparable positions identical to the 16S rRNA sequence of Tms. crunogena. Identifying a dominant molecular isolate as Tms. crunogena indicates that this species is a dominant community member of hydrothermal vent sites. Another 'phylotype' represented a new Thiomicrospira species, phylogenetically in an intermediate position between Tms. crunogena and Tms. pelophila. The third 'phylotype' was identified as a Desulfovibrio, indicating that sulfate-reducing bacteria, as sources of sulfide, may complement sulfur- and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria ecologically in these sulfide-producing hydrothermal vents.

Abstract: Sulfolobus is a new genus of bacteria characterized as follows: 1. generally spherical cells producing frequent lobes; 2. facultative autotrophy with growth on sulfur or on a variety of simple organic compounds; 3. unusual cell wall structure devoid of peptidoglycan; 4. acidophilic, pH optimum of 2–3 and range from 0.9–5.8; 5. thermophilic with temperature optimum of 70–75°C and range from 55–80°C (one strain grew at 85°C). The DNA base composition of five strains was determined by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation and found to be 60–68% guanine plus cytosine. Sulfolobus apparently has no close relationship with any previously described bacteria, either heterotrophic or autrotrophic. Techniques are presented for distinguishing Sulfolobus from Thermoplasma, another genus of acidophilic thermophilic spherically shaped organisms. Sulfolobus has been isolated from a variety of natural acidic thermal habitats, both terrestrial and aquatic. Most isolations have been from habitats in Yellowstone National Park, but strains were also isolated from Italy, Dominica and El Salvador. It is suggested that Sulfolobus may be an important geochemical agent in the production of sulfuric acid from sulfur in high temperature hydrothermal systems.

Abstract: Culture parameters influencing metabolism of synthetic14C-lignins to14CO2 in defined media have been studied in shallow batch cultures of the ligninolytic wood-destroying HymenomycetePhanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. Study of the effect of O2 concentration in the gas phase above non-agitated cultures indicated essentially complete absence of attack on the lignin polymer at 5% O2 in N2, and a 2- to 3-fold enhancement by 100% O2 as compared to air (21% O2). Agitation of the cultures resulting in the formation of mycelial pellets greatly suppressed lignin decomposition. The optimum culture pH for lignin decomposition was 4 to 4.5, with marked suppression above 5.5 and below 3.5. The source of nutrient nitrogen (NO 3 − , NH 4 + , amino acids) had little influence on lignin decomposition, but the concentration of nitrogen was critical; decomposition at 24 mM was only 25–35% of that at 2.4 mM N. Thiamine was the only vitamin required for growth and lignin decomposition. Under the optimum conditions developed, decomposition of 5 mg of synthetic lignin was accompanied by utilization of approximately 100 mg of glucose. The influence of the various culture parameters was analogous for metabolism of synthetic lignin labeled in the ring-,side chain-, and methoxyl carbon atoms.

Abstract: All microorganisms possess a positive turgor, and maintenance of this outward-directed pressure is essential since it is generally considered as the driving force for cell expansion. Exposure of microorganisms to high-osmolality environments triggers rapid fluxes of cell water along the osmotic gradient out of the cell, thus causing a reduction in turgor and dehydration of the cytoplasm. To counteract the outflow of water, microorganisms increase their intracellular solute pool by amassing large amounts of organic osmolytes, the so-called compatible solutes. These osmoprotectants are highly congruous with the physiology of the cell and comprise a limited number of substances including the disaccharide trehalose, the amino acid proline, and the trimethylammonium compound glycine betaine. The intracellular amassing of compatible solutes as an adaptive strategy to high-osmolality environments is evolutionarily well-conserved in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Furthermore, the nature of the osmolytes that are accumulated during water stress is maintained across the kingdoms, reflecting fundamental constraints on the kind of solutes that are compatible with macromolecular and cellular functions. Generally, compatible solutes can be amassed by microorganisms through uptake and synthesis. Here we summarise the molecular mechanisms of compatible solute accumulation in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, model organisms for the gram-negative and gram-positive branches of bacteria.