Acid Deaminase Activity Research Articles

Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Pseudomonas Species and Their Effect on Plant Growth Promotion

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) affect plant growth via various direct or indirect mechanisms. These microorganisms are the potential tools for sustainable agriculture. In this study, eight different Pseudomonas strains (PM1 - PM8) isolated from rhizospheric soil were characterized plant growth-promoting characteristics, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Gibberellin (GA3) production, phosphate solubilization, 1- aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity and effects of direct inoculation on plant growth parameters (fresh weight, shoot length). All of these strains have their ability for solubilization of insoluble phosphate depending on pH decrease at the range around pH4 - 5 at 2 days after inoculation. PM1, PM4, PM5 and PM7 species was capable of IAA production and PM4, PM5, PM7 and PM8 species have high activity for production of gibberellin (GA3) hormone. For ACC deaminase activity, PM1, PM3 and PM8 show high activity. Furthermore, all these species have significantly promoted the growth of the lettuce seedling plants for fresh weight and shoot length enhancement, so that these Pseudomonas species could be used as potential bio-fertilizer agents. Production of plant hormone IAA (A) and GA3 (B) from isolated Pseudomonas species.

Enteric bacteria from the earthworm (Metaphire posthuma) promote plant growth and remediate toxic trace elements

This work aimed at elucidating the role of bacteria present in the gut of the earthworm Metaphire posthuma in plant growth promotion and toxic trace elements (TTEs) bioremediation. We isolated and identified three bacterial strains Bacillus safensis (MF 589718), Bacillus flexus (MF 589717) and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MF 589719) among which the Bacillus strains appeared to be significantly more potent than the Staphylococcus strain (P < 0.05) in promoting plant growth and removing TTE (Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) from aqueous media. These strains exhibited several plant growth promoting traits (e.g., indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA) and ammonium ion production, 1-aminocyclopropane- 1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, and phosphate solubilizing potential). In a pot trial, the gut isolates improved Vigna radiata seed germination, and enhanced the leaf area (30–79%), total chlorophyll content (26–67%) and overall root-shoot biomass (32–83%) as compared to the control. Bacillus safensis and Bacillus flexus were equipotent in removing Cr(VI) (40.5 and 40.3%) from aqueous media; the former triumphed for Zn(II) removal (52.8%), while the latter performed better for Cu(II) removal (43.5%). The gut isolates successfully solubilized phosphate even in TTE-contaminated conditions. The results demonstrate that the earthworm's enteric bacteria possess inherent plant growth promoting, TTE resistance and phosphate solubilization (even under TTE stress) properties which can be further explored for their application in sustainable crop production and environmental management.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and their potential as bioinoculants on Pennisetum clandestinum (Poaceae)

In this study, we aimed at examining the potential to stimulate growth in Pennisetum clandestinum using four isolated bacterial strains from soils obtained from a Colombian tropical silvopastoral system. We previously identified genetically the strains and characterized two plant growth promotion activities. We found that the four bacterial strains were phylogenetically associated with Klebsiella sp. (strains 28P and 35P), Beijerinka sp. (37L) and Achromobacter xylosoxidans (E37), based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Moreover, the in vitro biochemical assays demonstrated that the strains exhibited some plant growth promotion mechanisms such as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity and indole compound synthesis. Notably, bacterial inoculation under greenhouse conditions showed a positive influence on P. clandestinum growth. We found a significant (p &lt; 0.05) effect on root and shoot length, and shoot dry weight. Shoot length increased by 52% and 30% with 37L and 35P, respectively, compared to those without inoculation treatment. Similarly, the use of 37L and 28P raised shoot dry weight values by 170% and 131%, respectively. In root development, inoculation with strains 37L and E37 increased root length by 134% and 100%, respectively. Beijerinckia sp. 37L was the most effective of the four strains at increasing P. clandestinum biomass and length.

Culturable endophytic bacteria of Camellia species endowed with plant growth promoting characteristics.

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is an economically important caffeine-containing beverage crop with massive plantation in the Northeast corner of the agroclimatic belt of India. The main aim of the work was to isolate, identify and characterize the native plant growth promoting endophytes associated with tea for future microbe based bioformulation. A total of 129 endophytic bacteria were isolated and characterized for plant growth promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, biocontrol traits like siderophore and extracellular enzyme production. BOX-PCR fingerprinting was used to differentiate the various bacterial isolates obtained from six different tea species. 16S rRNA sequencing and blast analysis showed that these isolates belonged to different genera, that is, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Paenibacillus and Lysinibacillus. Lysinibacillus sp. S24 showed the highest phosphate solubilization and IAA acid production efficiency of 268·4±14·3 and 13·5±0·5µgml-1 , respectively. Brevibacterium sp. S91 showed the highest ammonia production of 6·2±0·5µmolml-1 . Chitinase, cellulase, protease and pectinase activities were shown by 4·6, 34·1, 27·13 and 13·14% of the total isolates, respectively. Similarly, 41% of the total isolates were positive for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity. Further, the potent PGP isolates, S24 and S91 were able to enhance the vegetative parameters such as dry/fresh weight of root and shoot of tea plants in nursery conditions. Our findings corroborate that tea endophytic bacteria possess the potential to demonstrate multiple PGP traits both, in vivo and in vitro and have the potential for further large-scale trials. The exploration of tea endophytic bacterial community is suitable for the development of bioformulations for an integrated nutrient management and thus sustainable crop production and decreasing the hazardous effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment and human health.

ACC Deaminase Producing Bacteria With Multifarious Plant Growth Promoting Traits Alleviates Salinity Stress in French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Plants.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity has the potential to promote plant growth and development under adverse environmental conditions. In the present study, rhizobacterial strains were isolated from Garlic (Allium sativum) rhizosphere and were screened in vitro ACC deaminase activity in DF salt minimal media supplemented with 3 mM ACC. Out of six isolates, two could degrade ACC into α-ketobutyrate, exhibiting ACC deaminase activity producing more than ∼1500 nmol of α-ketobutyrate mg protein-1 h-1, and assessed for other plant growth promoting (PGP) functions including indole acetic acid production (greater than ∼30 μg/ml), siderophore, Ammonia, Hydrogen cyanide production and inorganic Ca3(PO4)2 (∼85 mg/L) and ZnSO4 solubilization. Besides facilitating multifarious PGP activities, these two isolates augmented in vitro stress tolerance in response to 6% w/v NaCl salt stress and drought stress (-0.73 Mpa). The strains ACC02 and ACC06 were identified Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus and Paenibacillus sp., respectively on the basis of 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis and were evaluated for growth promoting potential in French bean seedlings under non-saline and salinity stress conditions through pot experiments. The seed bacterization by ACC02 and ACC06 revealed that treatment of plants with bacterial isolates in the form of consortia significantly declined (∼60%) stress stimulated ethylene levels and its associated growth inhibition by virtue of their ACC deaminase activity. The consortia treatment alleviated the negative effects of salinity stress and increased root length (110%), root fresh weight (∼45%), shoot length (60%), shoot fresh weight (255%), root biomass (220%), shoot biomass (425%), and total chlorophyll content (∼57%) of French bean seedlings subjected to salinity stress.

Diversity and probiotic activities of endophytic bacteria associated with the coastal halophyte Messerschmidia sibirica

There is an increasing interest for exploitation and utilization of endophyte resources. However, little was known about endophytic bacteria (EB) associations with halophytes. It is hypothesized that EB from halophytes have evolved mechanisms that promote plant growth, while improving host-plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. The present study is the first to examine culturable EB colonization in Messerschmidia sibirica, a salt-secreting halophyte grown in coastal zone of Shandong peninsula in China. Total 198 EB strains were isolated from 450 samples of healthy M. sibirica leaf, stem, and root tissues. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene identified 40 EB genera, indicating a high degree of diversity. Pseudomonas alcaliphila had the highest colonization frequency in leaves and roots, whereas Bacillus subtilis was highest in stems. Diversity and species richness were greater in leaves and stems than in roots. Notably, cultivation-independent and -dependent analyses identified different bacterial species, especially when abundance is low, indicating the necessity of combining the two methods. Most (92.39%) strains exhibited at least one plant growth promotion trait. Respectively, 68.69%, 75.25%, 47.98%, 21.21%, and 48.48% of strains exhibited 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, IAA secretion, siderophore production, and N-fixation, and P-solubilization. In addition, 13.64% of strains showed antimicrobial activity against one or more plant pathogens, including Phytophthora nicotianae, Alternaria alternata, Ralstonia solanacearum, Acidovorax citrulli, Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans, and Erwinia carotovora subsp. Carotovora. Overall, our results supported the habitat-adapted symbiosis hypothesis, demonstrating that M. sibirica naturally harbors a diverse array of EB with different traits beneficial to the host plant.

Rhizosphere response to nickel in a facultative hyperaccumulator

This study faces the characterization of the culturable microbiota of the facultative Ni-hyperaccumulator Alyssoides utriculata to obtain a collection of bacterial and fungal strains for potential applications in Ni phytoextraction.Rhizosphere soil samples and adjacent bare soil associated with A. utriculata from serpentine and non-serpentine sites were collected together with plant roots and shoots. Rhizobacteria and fungi were isolated and characterized genotypically and phenotypically. Plants and soils were analyzed for total element concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).Serpentine and non-serpentine sites differ in terms of elements concentration in soil, plant roots and shoots. Ni and Co are significantly higher on serpentine site, while Ca is more abundant in non-serpentine site.Bacteria and fungi were significantly more abundant in rhizosphere than in bare soil and were dominated by genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus and Streptomyces, Penicillium and Mucor. The genus Pseudomonas was only found in rhizospheric serpentine soils (<2% of total serpentine isolates) and with Streptomyces sp. showed highest Ni-tolerance up to 15 mM. The same occurred for Trichoderma strain, belonging to the harzianum group (<2% of the total microfungal count) and Penicillium ochrochloron (<10% of the total microfungal count, tolerance up to Ni 20 mM). Among serpentine bacterial isolates, 8 strains belonging to 5 genera showed at least one PGPR activity (1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid (ACC) deaminase activity, production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores and phosphate solubilizing capacity), especially genera Pantoea, Pseudomonas and Streptomyces. Those microorganisms might thus be promising candidates for employment in bioaugmentation trials.

Serratia sp. CP-13 augments the growth of cadmium (Cd)-stressed Linum usitatissimum L. by limited Cd uptake, enhanced nutrient acquisition and antioxidative potential.

The current study was aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects and bioremediation potential of a Cd-tolerant bacterial strain, Serratia sp. CP-13, on the physiological and biochemical functions of Linum usitatissimum L., under Cd stress. The bacterial strain was isolated from the wastewater collection point of Chakera, Faisalabad, Pakistan, as this place contains industrial wastewater of the Faisalabad region. The Serratia sp. CP-13, identified through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, exhibited a significant phyto-beneficial potential in terms of invitro inorganic phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity. Effects of Serratia sp. CP-13 inoculation on L. usitatissimum were evaluated by growing the plants in CdCl2 (0, 5 or 10mgkg-1 dry soil)-spiked soil. Without inoculation of Serratia sp. CP-13, Cd stress significantly reduced the plant biomass as well as the quantity of proteins and photosynthetic pigments due to enhanced H2 O2 , malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and impaired nutrient homeostasis. Subsequently, Serratia sp. CP-13 increased the plant fresh and dry biomass, plant antioxidation capacity, whereas it decreased the lipid peroxidation under Cd stress. In parallel, Serratia sp. inoculation assisted the Cd-stressed plants to maintain an optimum level of nutrients (K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe and Mn). The isolated bacterial strain (Serratia sp. CP-13) when applied to Cd-stressed L. usitatissimum inhibited the Cd uptake, reduced Cd-induced lipid peroxidation, maintained the optimum level of nutrients and thereby, enhanced L. usitatissimum growth. The analysis of bio-concentration and translocation factor revealed that L. usitatissimum with Serratia sp. CP-13 inoculation sequestered Cd in plant rhizospheric zone. Serratia sp. CP-13 inoculation is a potential candidate for the development of low Cd-accumulating linseed and could be used for phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated rhizosphere/soil colloids.

Identification and characterization of plant growth-promoting endophyte RE02 from Trifolium repens L. in mining smelter.

Endophyte-assisted phytoremediation is considered to be an effective approach for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil; however, few information is available on Trifolium repens L. and its endophytes to remediate heavy metal-polluted soils. In this study, heavy metal-resistant endophytes were isolated from T. repens growing in mining smelter and identified by BIOLOG system. The isolate was also evaluated for promoting plant growth in heavy metal-contaminated soils in pot experiments. A total of eight Cd2+-resistant endophytes were isolated and these isolates preferred to grow on L-aspartic acid and α-D-glucose. All the isolates had at least two plant growth-promoting properties including siderophore production, phosphate solubilization activity, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity. Strain RE02, identified as Pseudomonas putida by Biolog system, showed the highest Cd tolerance and could reduce Cd concentration from 20 to 1.84mgL-1 in about 49h in liquid medium, amounting to about 90.8%. Among the five endophytes which have positive effect on the growth of T. repens, RE02, whose IAA production ability was 7.06mgL-1 and phosphate solubilization was 134.76mgL-1, could improve T. repens root and shoot biomass by 25.9% and 37.7% in cadmium-contained soil, respectively. Our research may provide a new microbial-enhanced phytoremediation of heavy metal-polluted soils and improve the remediation efficiency.

Non-pathogenic Staphylococcus strains augmented the maize growth through oxidative stress management and nutrient supply under induced salt stress

The present study was conducted to elucidate the role of phytobeneficial bacteria to control the cellular oxidative damage in maize (Zea mays L.) plants caused by salinity. Bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca L.) through serial dilution method and taxonomically identified on the basis of their 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. In vitro phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity were evaluated by solubilization index measurement, colorimetric method, and turbidity assay, respectively. In the pot experiment, the impact of single and mixed inoculation of these strains at four levels (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM) of salt stress was evaluated in terms of growth and physiological response of maize plants to salinity. The bacterial strains (STN-1, STN-5, and STN-14) were taxonomically classified as Staphylococcus spp. At 5% NaCl level, the strains demonstrated substantial potential for phosphate solubilization, ACC deaminase activity, and IAA production both with and without tryptophan. The inoculation of strains STN-1, STN-5, and mixed inoculation resulted in substantial growth improvement of maize plants along with increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species. In addition, single inoculation of STN-1 and STN-5 along with mixed inoculation augmented the uptake of N, P, K, and Ca+2 and reduced Na+ uptake. Current results demonstrated that the strains STN-1 and STN-5 modulated stress-responsive mechanisms and regulated ion balance in induced salinity to promote maize growth.

Endophytic Actinomycetes from Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis): Isolation, Abundance, Antimicrobial, and Plant-Growth-Promoting Activities.

Endophytic actinomycetes are a promising source of novel metabolites with diverse biological activities. Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) produce arsenals of phytochemicals, which are linked to a number of medicinal and nutritional properties. However, a systematic investigation into the abundance and diversity of cultivated actinomycetes residing in tea plants has not been performed. In this study, a total of 46 actinobacteria were recovered from leaf, stem, and root samples of 15 tea cultivars collected in Fujian province, China. Their abundance and diversity were shown to be influenced by both the genotypes and tissue types of tea plants. Based on 16S RNA sequence analysis, these isolates were taxonomically grouped into 11 families and 13 genera, including Streptomyces, Actinomadura, Kribbella, Nocardia, Kytococcus, Leifsonia, Microbacterium, Micromonospora, Mobilicoccus, Mycobacterium, Nocardiopsis, Piscicoccus, and Pseudonocardia. The genus Streptomyces was most prevalent whereas rare genera, Mobilicoccus and Piscicoccus, were reported for the first time to occur as plant endophytes. PCR screening of polyketide synthase genes (PKS-I and PKS-II) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes (NRPS), along with antimicrobial assays against a set of bacterial and fungal pathogens, showed that endophytic actinomycetes associated with tea plants have a high potential for producing antimicrobial metabolites. Furthermore, indole acetic acid (IAA) production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activities were recorded in 93.5% and 21.7% of all isolates, respectively. Overall, these results indicate that endophytic actinomycetes from tea plants represent a valuable source of bioactive metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, and plant-growth-promoting properties.

The Potency of Bacterial Associating Endemic Plants of The Java Coastal Area in Inducing Salt Tolerant in Agricultural Crops

Recent studies indicate that many plant species have ability to adapt to environmental stress because of their association with microbes. The aim of the research is to explore and to characterize bacterial endophyte and rhizoplane from endemic plants of the Java coastal area that induced salt tolerance in agricultural crops. Among the 1358 isolates of salt tolerant bacteria that have been isolated from 218 of different costal plants showed that 108 isolates of bacterial rhizoplane, 87 isolates of bacterial root endophytes and 35 isolates of bacterial leaf endophyte have the ability to promote rice seedling growth. An amount of 33 isolates with vigor index (VI) value more than 1200 were tested at different levels of NaCl concentration (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM). Fifteen bacterial isolates significantly increased VI value of rice seedling by up to 50% over uninoculated control at NaCl concentration more than 100 mM. Characterization of these 33 isolates revealed 32 isolates degraded pectin, 26 isolates produced indole acetic acid (IAA), 18 isolates solubilized phosphate, 15 isolates showed 1aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, 11 isolates produced hidrogene cyanide (HCN).

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria with glucose dehydrogenase gene for phosphorus uptake and beneficial effects on wheat.

The aim of this study was to isolate, characterize and use phosphate solubilizing bacteria to enhance the bioavailability of insoluble Ca-phosphate for wheat plants. For this purpose, 15 phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were isolated from wheat rhizospheric soils of Peshawar and southern Punjab region, Pakistan. These isolates were identified using light microscopy and 16S rRNA gene. Among the isolated bacteria, two strains (Pseudomonas sp. MS16 and Enterobacter sp. MS32) were the efficient P solubilizers based on their P solubilization activity determined qualitatively (solubilization index 3.2–5.8) as well as quantitatively (136–280 μg mL-1). These two strains produced indole-3-acetic acid (25.6–28.1 μg mL-1), gibberellic acid (2.5–11.8), solubilized zinc compounds (SI 2.8–3.3) and showed nitrogenase and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity in vitro. Phosphate solubilization activity of Pseudomonas sp. MS16 was further validated by amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of glucose dehydrogenase (gcd) gene (LT908484) responsible for P solubilization. Response Surface Methodology for large-scale production was used to find optimal conditions (Temperature 22.5°C, pH 7) for P solubilization. Glucose was found to support higher P solubilization in vitro. In an in vitro experiment, PSB treated wheat seedlings improved germination and seedling vigor (11% increases) as compared to un-inoculated control. Rhizoscanning of these seedlings showed an increase in various root growth parameters. Wheat inoculation with selected strain MS16 showed pronounced effect on grain yield in pot (38.5% increase) and field (17–18% increase) experiments compared to non-inoculated control. Root colonization by PSB through Florescent in situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy confirmed their rhizosphere competence in soil. BOX-PCR confirmed the re-isolated colonies of Pseudomonas sp. MS16. The results indicated that gluconic acid producing Pseudomonas sp. MS16 from un-explored soils may be cost effective and environment friendly candidate to improve plant growth and phosphorous uptake by wheat plants.

Shoot endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria reduce cadmium toxicity and enhance switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass

The aims of the study were to increase the biomass and to alleviate the deleterious effects of cadmium (Cd) in the switchgrass cultivars (Panicum virgatum L.) Alamo and Cave-in-Rock (CIR) under cadmium (Cd) stress using Cd-tolerant shoot endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Four shoot endophytic bacterial strains, viz. Bc09, So23, E02, and Oj24, were isolated from the above-ground parts of plants grown in a Cd-polluted soil and were successfully identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas grimontii, Pantoea vagans, Pseudomonas veronii, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively. These four strains were adapted to high CdCl2 concentrations as they had higher Cd uptake capacities. In addition, they possessed a huge amount of growth regulatory activities e.g., indole acetic acid production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCD) activity, and phosphate solubilization. Growth particularly the height and biomass of both cultivars increased significantly in response to PGPB inoculation in the 20 µM CdCl2 stress. The shoot biomass of the PGPB-inoculated Alamo was higher than the CIR under Cd stress. Interestingly, the level of Cd inside PGPB-inoculated plant tissues and the translocation factors were lower compared with the noninoculated Cd control plants. CIR plants exhibited higher Cd content than Alamo plants. Through confocal microscopy, green fluorescence was observed in roots and leaf tissues 2 days after the inoculation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled bacteria in Alamo, which confirmed the successful colonization of bacteria inside the plant tissues. These shoot endophytic PGPB and switchgrass interactions are useful for the sustainable biomass production of bioenergy crop in a Cd-contaminated environment.

Effects of Endophytic Bacteria on Disease and Growth in Plants under Biotic Stress

The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of four endophytic bacteria (EB) (Ochrobactrumsp. CB36/1, Pantoea agglomerans CC37/2, Bacillus thuringiensis CA41/1 and Pseudomonas fluorescens CC44) on the plant development of tomato and pepper and the effects against bacterial spot disease caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria (Xe) in both hosts. EB applied on tomato and pepper seedlings cultivated in a sterile peat growing medium in a climate chamber in two different periods to the roots. The pathogen inoculated on the leaves by spraying. Disease severity was measured by different scales for tomatoes and peppers, and plant development parameters were determined at the end of the study. The antagonistic effects of EB against Xe and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activities were determined with in vitro studies. The effect of endophytic bacteria on tomato and pepper varied according to the host plant x endophyte x pathogen combination. While no bacteria were effective against the pathogen in vitro, Ochrobactrum sp. CB36/1 inhibited the disease severity by 37% in tomato plants, but this effect was not observed in pepper. Tomato and especially pepper plants under disease stress had root and shoot fresh and dry weight increased by 28% to 128% by EB. The measurable effects of EB under biotic stress were determined to be higher than in stress-free conditions. In conclusion, the endophytic bacteria used in the study have potential for use within sustainable integrated agricultural concept framework, with their effects determined to vary according to the host, pathogen and endophytic bacteria.

Characterization of a Cd2+-resistant plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (Enterobacter sp.) and its effects on rice seedling growth promotion under Cd2+-stress in vitro

Rhizosphere contamination due to heavy metals in agriculture leads to decreased production of edible crops. High water solubility and permeability of these life-threatening metals lead to increased translocation to the upper part of plants and the accumulation of these metals in food crops including cereal seeds. Apart from conventional methods, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)-influenced bioremediation is now an emerging, eco-friendly and inexpensive tool. The K2 isolate is one such multi-heavy-metal-resistant PGPR isolated from the metal-contaminated rice rhizosphere. The isolate was identified as Enterobacter sp. using phenotypic characterization and MALDI-TOF MS-based ribosomal protein data. The strain was able to resist a group of heavy metals/metalloids (Cd2+, Pb2+, As3+, Ni2+, Hg2+) up to certain levels. The strain possessed a collection of PGP traits such as phosphate solubilization, Indole-3-acetic acid production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity and nitrogen fixation. In vitro growth enhancement of a rice cultivar by the strain was investigated using Cd2+ stress, as observed in various growth parameters (seed germination, root-shoot length, root-shoot biomass, seedling vigor index, chlorophyll content). Hence, the K2 strain can be exploited regarding multi-heavy-metal/metalloid contamination for effective growth promotion under stress conditions for sustainable agriculture.

Characterization of Cd-resistant Klebsiella michiganensis MCC3089 and its potential for rice seedling growth promotion under Cd stress

Application of heavy metal resistant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria has an important role as they help to evade metal-induced toxicity in plants on one hand and enhance plant growth on the other. The present study is therefore focused on the characterization of a cadmium resistant bacterial strain isolated from heavy metal contaminated rhizospheric soil designated as S8. This S8 strain was selected in terms of cadmium resistance and plant growth promoting traits. Moreover, it also showed resistance to lead and arsenic to a considerable extent. The selected strain S8 was identified as Klebsiella michiganensis by modern approaches of bacterial taxonomy. The plant growth promoting traits exhibited by the strain include 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity (58.33 ng α-keto butyrate/mg protein/h), Indole-3-acetic acid production (671 μg/ml), phosphate solubilization (71.98 ppm), nitrogen fixation (3.72 μg of nitrogen fixed/h/mg protein) etc. Besides, the strain also exhibited high cadmium removal efficiency (73–97%) from the medium and intracellular accumulation as well. Its efficiency to alleviate cadmium-induced toxicity was determined against a rice cultivar in terms of morphological and biochemical changes. Enhanced growth and reduced oxidative stress were detected in presence of the bacterium. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that K. michiganensis strain S8 is cadmium accumulating plant growth promoting rhizobacterium that can be applied in cadmium contaminated agricultural soil to achieve better productivity of rice.

A phytobeneficial strain Planomicrobium sp. MSSA-10 triggered oxidative stress responsive mechanisms and regulated the growth of pea plants under induced saline environment.

The study was planned to characterize Planomicrobium sp. MSSA-10 for plant-beneficial traits and to evaluate its inoculation impact on physiology of pea plants under different salinity levels. Strain MSSA-10 was isolated from pea rhizosphere and identified by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence. The strain demonstrated phosphate solubilization and auxin production up to 2moll-1 NaCl and exhibited 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity up to 1·5moll-1 salt. In an inoculation experiment under different salinity regimes, a significant increase in growth was observed associated with decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and enhanced antioxidative enzyme activities. The strain also promoted the translocation of nutrients in plants with subsequent increase in chlorophyll and protein contents as compared to noninoculated plants. It has been observed that rifampicin-resistant derivatives of MSSA-10 were able to survive for 30days at optimum cell density with pea rhizosphere. Growth-stimulating effect of MSSA-10 on pea plants may be attributed to its rhizosphere competence, nutrient mobilization and modulation of plant oxidative damage repair mechanisms under saline environment. Planomicrobium sp. MSSA-10 might be used as potent bioinoculant to relieve pea plants from deleterious effects of salinity.

Understanding the Structure, Multimerization, Subcellular Localization and mC Selectivity of a Genomic Mutator and Anti-HIV Factor APOBEC3H

APOBEC3H (A3H) is a member of the APOBEC3 subfamily of DNA cytosine deaminases that are important for innate immune defense and have been implicated in cancer biogenesis. To understand the structural basis for A3H biochemical function, we determined a high-resolution structure of human A3H and performed extensive biochemical analysis. The 2.49 Å crystal structure reveals a uniquely long C-terminal helix 6 (h6), a disrupted β5 strand of the canonical five-stranded β-sheet core, and a long loop 1 around the Zn-active center. Mutation of a loop 7 residue, W115, disrupted the RNA-mediated dimerization of A3H yielding an RNA-free monomeric form that still possessed nucleic acid binding and deaminase activity. A3H expressed in HEK293T cells showed RNA dependent HMW complex formation and RNase A-dependent deaminase activity. A3H has a highly positively charged surface surrounding the Zn-active center, and multiple positively charged residues within this charged surface play an important role in the RNA-mediated HMW formation and deaminase inhibition. Furthermore, these positively charged residues affect subcellular localization of A3H between the nucleus and cytosol. Finally, we have identified multiple residues of loop 1 and 7 that contribute to the overall deaminase activity and the methylcytosine selectivity.

Purple corn‐associated rhizobacteria with potential for plant growth promotion

Purple corn (Zea mays var. purple amylaceum) is a native variety of the Peruvian Andes, cultivated at 3000m since the pre-Inca times without N fertilization. We aimed to isolate and identify native plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for future microbial-based inoculants. Eighteen strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of purple corn plants grown without N fertilization in Ayacucho (Peru). The 16S rRNA gene clustered the 18 strains into nine groups that contained species of Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Achromobacter, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas and Lysinibacillus. A representative strain from each group was selected and assayed for N2 fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole acetic and siderophore production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity and biocontrol abilities. Inoculation of purple corn plants with single and combined strains selected after a principal component analysis caused significant increases in root and shoot dry weight, total C and N contents of the plants. PGPRs can support growth and crop production of purple corn in the Peruvian Andes and constitute the base for microbial-based inoculants. This study enlarges our knowledge on plant-microbial interactions in high altitude mountains and provides new applications for PGPR inoculation in purple amylaceum corn, which is part of the staple diet for the native Quechua communities.