Abstract
In this study we reconstructed the architecture of Bacillus cereus sensu lato population based on ribosomal proteins, and identified a link between the ribosomal proteins’ variants and thermal groups (thermotypes) of the bacilli. The in silico phyloproteomic analysis of 55 ribosomal proteins (34 large and 21 small subunit r-proteins) of 421 strains, representing 14 well-established or plausible B. cereus sensu lato species, revealed several ribosomal clusters (r-clusters), which in general were well correlated with the strains’ affiliation to phylogenetic/thermal groups I–VII. However, a conformity and possibly a thermal characteristic of certain phylogenetic groups, e.g. the group IV, were not supported by a distribution of the corresponding r-clusters, and consequently neither by the analysis of cold-shock proteins (CSPs) nor by a content of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Furthermore, a preference for isoleucine and serine over valine and alanine in r-proteins along with a lack of HSP16.4 were recognized in non-mesophilic thermotypes. In conclusion, we suggest that the observed divergence in ribosomal proteins may be connected with an adaptation of B. cereus sensu lato members to various thermal niches.
Highlights
Bacillus cereus sensu lato, known as the B. cereus group, includes closely related Gram-positive, spore-forming and aerobic bacilli, commonly present in various natural environments[1] and food matrices[2]
Taking into consideration multiple relationships between temperature and ribosomes[28,31,34], we performed a comparative bioinformatical study of the B. cereus s.l. r-proteins to establish a link between thermotolerant, mesophilic and psychrotolerant characteristics of the bacilli
Our results revealed a an association between alterations in the r-proteins and the B. cereus s.l. thermotypes that may be connected with a temperature-related adaptive trait, regardless of the phylogenetic position of the strains
Summary
Known as the B. cereus group, includes closely related Gram-positive, spore-forming and aerobic bacilli, commonly present in various natural environments[1] and food matrices[2]. 7_6_55CFAA_CT211, and Bacillus wiedmannii[12], have been recognized as plausible members of the group Such a view on B. cereus s.l. species is a very simplified one, since their classification rely mainly on distinctive phenotypic traits, such as pathogenic potential to mammals (B. anthracis and B. cereus emetic or diarrheal strains) and insects (B. thuringiensis), physiology, e.g. psychro- (B. weihenstephanensis) or thermotolerance (B. cytotoxicus), as well as colony morphology (B. mycoides and B. pseudomycoides). Such approach is practical, it is not necessarily consistent with the group’s phylogenetic classification[13,14,15]. The results were supported by the analysis of cold-shock proteins (CSPs) as well as screening of genomes for the presence of other elements involved in the temperature stress response, such as heat-shock proteins or desaturases
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