Psychrobacter Cryohalolentis K5 Research Articles

Crystal structure of the cold-adapted haloalkane dehalogenase DpcA from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5.

Haloalkane dehalogenases (HLDs) convert halogenated aliphatic pollutants to less toxic compounds by a hydrolytic mechanism. Owing to their broad substrate specificity and high enantioselectivity, haloalkane dehalogenases can function as biosensors to detect toxic compounds in the environment or can be used for the production of optically pure compounds. Here, the structural analysis of the haloalkane dehalogenase DpcA isolated from the psychrophilic bacterium Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 is presented at the atomic resolution of 1.05 Å. This enzyme exhibits a low temperature optimum, making it attractive for environmental applications such as biosensing at the subsurface environment, where the temperature typically does not exceed 25°C. The structure revealed that DpcA possesses the shortest access tunnel and one of the most widely open main tunnels among structural homologs of the HLD-I subfamily. Comparative analysis revealed major differences in the region of the α4 helix of the cap domain, which is one of the key determinants of the anatomy of the tunnels. The crystal structure of DpcA will contribute to better understanding of the structure-function relationships of cold-adapted enzymes.

Cell surface display of cold-active esterase EstPc with the use of a new autotransporter from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5(T).

We have cloned the gene coding for AT877-a new predicted member of the autotransporter protein family with an esterase passenger domain from permafrost bacterium Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5(T). Expression of AT877 gene in Escherichia coli resulted in accumulation of the recombinant autotransporter in the outer membrane fraction and at the surface of the induced cells. AT877 displayed maximum hydrolytic activity toward medium-chain p-nitrophenyl esters (C8-C10) at 50°C and was resistant to the presence of several metal ions, organic solvents and detergents. Previously, we have described a cold-active esterase EstPc from the same bacterium which possesses high activity at low temperatures and relatively high thermal stability. To construct a cell surface display system for EstPc, the hybrid autotransporter gene coding for EstPc with the α-helical linker and the translocator domain from AT877 was constructed and expressed in E. coli. According to the results of the cell fractionation studies and esterase activity measurements, the EstPc passenger was successfully displayed at the surface of the induced cells. It demonstrated a temperature optimum at 15-25°C and a substrate preference toward p-nitrophenyl butyrate (C4). Obtained results provide a new example of the biotechnologically relevant enzyme from the permafrost microbial community with potential applications for the conversion of short- and medium-chain ester substrates and a basis for the construction of a new cell surface display platform.

Crystal structure of the novel haloalkane dehalogenases

Haloalkane dehalogenases (EC 3.8.1.5; HLDs) are microbial enzymes with catalytic activity for the hydrolytic conversion of xenobiotic and highly toxic halogenated aliphatic compounds to the corresponding alcohols. Biodegradation, biosensing, biocatalysis and cellular imaging are potentially practical applications for the HLDs. Two newly isolated and purified psychrophilic haloalkane dehalogenases, exhibiting interesting catalytic properties, DpcA from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and DmxA from Marinobacter sp. ELB17, were used for the crystallization experiments and structure determination. Diffracted crystals of DpcA(left) and DmxA(right) (see figure, the scale bar -100μm) were refined up to the 1.05 Å and 1.45 Å resolutions, respectively. Diffraction data for DpcA were collected on beamline 14.2 at the BESSY II electron-storage ring (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Germany) and equipped with a Rayonics MX-225 CCD detector at the wavelengths of 0.978 Å, and for DmxA were collected using Pilatus 6M-F detector at the wavelengths of 0.972 Å on the beamline ID29, at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble (France). Crystals of DpcA belonged to P21 space group with unit-cell parameters: a = 41.3, b = 79.4, c = 43.5 A °, α = β = 90.0, γ = 95.0 and contained 1 molecule in the asymmetric unit. Crystals of DmxA belonged to P212121 space group, with unit-cell parameters: a = 43.371, b = 78.343, c = 150.51; α = γ = β = 90.0 and contained 2 molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structures were solved by molecular replacement with MOLREP from the CCP4 software suite. The coordinates of Xanthobacter autotrophicus (PDB code: 1B6G; 40% sequence identities for 121 residues and 53% sequence similarity was used as search model for DpcA structure and for DmxA from Rhodococcus rhodochrous (PDB entry 4E46; 48% sequence identity for 142 residues and 63% sequence similarity). Belonging to the superfamily of α/β - hydrolases, according to the catalytic pentad, HLDs are subdivided onto the three subfamilies. DpcA belongs to the HLD - I: Asp- His - Asp + Trp - Trp and DmxA to the HLD – II: Asp - His - Glu + Asn - Trp. We thank M. Weiss and S. Pühringer (BESSY). This work is supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (P207/12/0775).Also by the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic (CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0024 and CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0001). The support of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic is acknowledged as well.

Branched-chain 2-keto acid decarboxylases derived fromPsychrobacter

The conversion of branched-chain amino acids to branched-chain acids or alcohols is an important aspect of flavor in the food industry and is dependent on the Ehrlich pathway found in certain lactic acid bacteria. A key enzyme in the pathway, the 2-keto acid decarboxylase (KDC), is also of interest in biotechnology applications to produce small branched-chain alcohols that might serve as improved biofuels or other commodity feedstocks. This enzyme has been extensively studied in the model bacterium Lactococcus lactis, but is also found in other bacteria and higher organisms. In this report, distinct homologs of the L.lactis KDC originally annotated as pyruvate decarboxylases from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and P.arcticus 273-4 were cloned and characterized, confirming a related activity toward specific branched-chain 2-keto acids derived from branched-chain amino acids. Further, KDC activity was confirmed in intact cells and cell-free extracts of P.cryohalolentis K5 grown on both rich and defined media, indicating that the Ehrlich pathway may also be utilized in some psychrotrophs and psychrophiles. A comparison of the similarities and differences in the P.cryohalolentis K5 and P.arcticus 273-4 KDC activities to other bacterial KDCs is presented.

Crystallographic analysis of new psychrophilic haloalkane dehalogenases: DpcA from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and DmxA from Marinobacter sp. ELB17.

Haloalkane dehalogenases are hydrolytic enzymes with a broad range of potential practical applications such as biodegradation, biosensing, biocatalysis and cellular imaging. Two newly isolated psychrophilic haloalkane dehalogenases exhibiting interesting catalytic properties, DpcA from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and DmxA from Marinobacter sp. ELB17, were purified and used for crystallization experiments. After the optimization of crystallization conditions, crystals of diffraction quality were obtained. Diffraction data sets were collected for native enzymes and complexes with selected ligands such as 1-bromohexane and 1,2-dichloroethane to resolutions ranging from 1.05 to 2.49 Å.

Characterization of a cold-active lipase from Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5T and its deletion mutants

A gene coding for cold-active lipase from the psychrotrophic Gram-negative bacterium Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5(T) isolated from a Siberian cryopeg has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein Lip1Pc with a 6× histidine tag at its C-terminus was purified by nickel affinity chromatography. With p-nitrophenyl dodecanoate (C12) as a substrate, the purified recombinant protein displayed maximum lipolytic activity at 25°C and pH 8.0. Increasing the temperature above 40°C and addition of various metal ions and organic solvents inhibited the enzymatic activity of Lip1Pc. Most nonionic detergents, such as Triton X-100 and Tween 20, slightly increased the lipase activity, while SDS completely inhibited it. To investigate the functional significance of the Lip1Pc N-terminal domain, we constructed five deletion mutants of this protein. The ND1 and ND2 mutants displayed specific activity reduced by 30-35%, while other truncated proteins were completely inactive. Both mutants demonstrated increased activity towards p-nitrophenyl decanoate (C10) and impaired utilization of C16 substrate. Although optimum reaction temperature of ND2 lowered to 20°C, it displayed enhanced stability by 44% after incubation at 40°C. The results prove that the N-terminal domain of Lip1Pc has a fundamental impact on the activity and stability of the protein.

Cloning, purification, and characterization of a cold-adapted esterase produced byPsychrobacter cryohalolentisK5Tfrom Siberian cryopeg

A psychrotrophic gram-negative bacterium Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5(T) was previously isolated from a cryopeg within Siberian permafrost and its genome has been completely sequenced. To clone and characterize potential cold-active lipases/esterases produced by P. cryohalolentis K5(T) , we have identified their potential genes by alignment with amino acid sequences of lipases/esterases from related bacteria. One of the targets, EstPc, was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The recombinant protein was produced with a 6x histidine tag at its C-terminus and purified by nickel affinity chromatography. Purified recombinant protein displayed maximum esterolytic activity with p-nitrophenyl butyrate (C4) as a substrate at 35 °C and pH 8.5. Activity assay conducted at different temperatures revealed that EstPc is a cold-adapted esterase which displayed more than 90% of its maximum activity at 0-5 °C. In contrast to many known cold-active enzymes, it possesses relatively high thermostability, preserving more than 60% of activity after incubation for 1 h at 80 °C. It was activated by Ca(2+) , Mn(2+) , and EDTA whereas Zn(+2) , Cu(+2) , Co(+2) , Ni(+2) , and Mg(+2) inhibited it. Various organic solvents (ethanol, methanol and others) inhibited the enzyme. Most non-ionic detergents, such as Triton X-100 and Tween 20 increased the lipase activity while SDS completely inhibited it.

Implications of Subzero Metabolic Activity on Long-Term Microbial Survival in Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Permafrost

The survival of microorganisms over extended time frames in frozen subsurface environments may be limited by chemical (i.e., via hydrolysis and oxidation) and ionizing radiation-induced damage to chromosomal DNA. In an effort to improve estimates for the survival of bacteria in icy terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments, we determined rates of macromolecular synthesis at temperatures down to -15°C in bacteria isolated from Siberian permafrost (Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and P. arcticus 273-4) and the sensitivity of P. cryohalolentis to ionizing radiation. Based on experiments conducted over ≈400 days at -15°C, the rates of protein and DNA synthesis in P. cryohalolentis were <1 to 16 proteins cell(-1) d(-1) and 83 to 150 base pairs (bp) cell(-1) d(-1), respectively; P. arcticus synthesized DNA at rates of 20 to 1625 bp cell(-1) d(-1) at -15°C under the conditions tested. The dose of ionizing radiation at which 37% of the cells survive (D(37)) of frozen suspensions of P. cryohalolentis was 136 Gy, which was ∼2-fold higher (71 Gy) than identical samples exposed as liquid suspensions. Laboratory measurements of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation demonstrate the physiological potential for DNA metabolism at -15°C and suggest a sufficient activity is possible to offset chromosomal damage incurred in near-subsurface terrestrial and martian permafrost. Thus, our data imply that the longevity of microorganisms actively metabolizing within permafrost environments is not constrained by chromosomal DNA damage resulting from ionizing radiation or entropic degradation over geological time.

Survivability of Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 Under Simulated Martian Surface Conditions

Spacecraft launched to Mars can retain viable terrestrial microorganisms on board that may survive the interplanetary transit. Such biota might compromise the search for life beyond Earth if capable of propagating on Mars. The current study explored the survivability of Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5, a psychrotolerant microorganism obtained from a Siberian permafrost cryopeg, under simulated martian surface conditions of high ultraviolet irradiation, high desiccation, low temperature, and low atmospheric pressure. First, a desiccation experiment compared the survival of P. cryohalolentis cells embedded, or not embedded, within a medium/salt matrix (MSM) maintained at 25 degrees C for 24 h within a laminar flow hood. Results indicate that the presence of the MSM enhanced survival of the bacterial cells by 1 to 3 orders of magnitude. Second, tests were conducted in a Mars Simulation Chamber to determine the UV tolerance of the microorganism. No viable vegetative cells of P. cryohalolentis were detected after 8 h of exposure to Mars-normal conditions of 4.55 W/m(2) UVC irradiation (200-280 nm), -12.5 degrees C, 7.1 mbar, and a Mars gas mix composed of CO(2) (95.3%), N(2) (2.7%), Ar (1.6%), O(2) (0.2%), and H(2)O (0.03%). Third, an experiment was conducted within the Mars chamber in which total atmospheric opacities were simulated at tau = 0.1 (dust-free CO(2) atmosphere at 7.1 mbar), 0.5 (normal clear sky with 0.4 = dust opacity and 0.1 = CO(2)-only opacity), and 3.5 (global dust storm) to determine the survivability of P. cryohalolentis to partially shielded UVC radiation. The survivability of the bacterium increased with the level of UVC attenuation, though population levels still declined several orders of magnitude compared to UVC-absent controls over an 8 h exposure period.

Identification of the csp gene and molecular modelling of the CspA-like protein from Antarctic soil-dwelling psychrotrophic bacterium Psychrobacter sp. B6.

We cloned and sequenced the cspA-like gene from a psychrotrophic Antarctic soil-dwelling bacterial strain Psychrobacter sp. B6. The gene is 213 bp long and shows 99% and 98% sequence identity with the Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 gene encoding a cold-shock DNA-binding domain protein and the Psychrobacter arcticus transcriptional regulator-CspA gene, respectively. The protein encoded by the Psychrobacter sp. B6 cspA-like gene shows 100% identity with the two proteins mentioned above, and also 61% sequence identity with CspB from Bacillus subtilis and Csp from Bacillus caldolyticus, and 56% - with Escherichia coli CspA protein. A three-dimensional model of the CspA-like protein from Psychrobacter sp. B6 was generated based on three known structures of cold shock proteins: the crystal structure of the major cold shock protein from Escherichia coli (CspA), the NMR structure of the latter protein, and the NMR structure of Csp from Thermotoga maritima. The deduced structure of the CspA-like protein from Psychrobacter sp. B6 was found to be very similar to these known structures of Csp-like proteins.

Development of affinity columns for the removal of high‐abundance proteins in cerebrospinal fluid

The gene encoding Psp HJ147 UDG (Psychrobacter sp. HJ147 uracil-DNA glycosylase) was cloned and sequenced. The gene consists of 735 bp for coding a protein with 244 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of Psp HJ147 UDG showed a high similarity to that of Psychrobacter articus, Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and Psychrobacter sp. PRwf-1. The PCR-amplified Psp HJ147 UDG gene was expressed under the control of the T7lac promoter on pTYB1 in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The expressed enzyme was purified with IMPACT-CN (intein-mediated purification with an affinity chitin-binding tag) system. The optimum pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 7.0-7.5 and 20-25 degrees C respectively. The optimum NaCl and KCl concentrations for the activity of the purified enzyme ranged from 50 to75 mM. The half-life of the enzyme at 50 degrees C was approx. 45 s. These heat-labile characteristics enabled Psp HJ147 UDG to control carry-over contamination in direct PCR without loss of the PCR product. Psp HJ147 UDG's contaminant control in both direct PCR and indirect PCR exhibited superiority over the UDG of the marine psychrophilic bacterium strain BMTU 3346 and that of E. coli.

Exploration of Csp Genes from Temperate and Glacier Soils of the Indian Himalayas and In Silico Analysis of Encoding Proteins

The metagenomic Csp library was constructed from the temperate and glacier soils of central Himalaya, India followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The library was further screened for low-temperature adaptation, and the positive recombinants were sorted out by determining changes in the melting temperature (Tm). A homology search of cloned sequence showed their identity with the Csp genes of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5, and Shewanella spp MR-4. Amino acid sequence analysis annotated the presence of conserved aromatic and basic amino acids as well as RNA binding motifs from the cold shock domain. Furthermore, a PROSITE scan showed a moderate identity of less than 60% with the known cold shock-inducible proteins (ribosomal proteins, rbfA, DEAD-box helicases), cold acclimation protein, and temperature-induced protein (SRP1/TIP1). This study highlighted the prevalence of Csp genes from cold Himalayan environments that can be explored for tailor-made crop constructions in future.

Proteomic analysis of Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 during growth at subzero temperatures

It is crucial to examine the physiological processes of psychrophiles at temperatures below 4 degrees C, particularly to facilitate extrapolation of laboratory results to in situ activity. Using two dimensional electrophoresis, we examined patterns of protein abundance during growth at 16, 4, and -4 degrees C of the eurypsychrophile Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5 and report the first identification of cold inducible proteins (CIPs) present during growth at subzero temperatures. Growth temperature substantially reprogrammed the proteome; the relative abundance of 303 of the 618 protein spots detected (approximately 31% of the proteins at each growth temperature) varied significantly with temperature. Five CIPs were detected specifically at -4 degrees C; their identities (AtpF, EF-Ts, TolC, Pcryo_1988, and FecA) suggested specific stress on energy production, protein synthesis, and transport during growth at subzero temperatures. The need for continual relief of low-temperature stress on these cellular processes was confirmed via identification of 22 additional CIPs whose abundance increased during growth at -4 degrees C (relative to higher temperatures). Our data suggested that iron may be limiting during growth at subzero temperatures and that a cold-adapted allele was employed at -4 degrees C for transport of iron. In summary, these data suggest that low-temperature stresses continue to intensify as growth temperatures decrease to -4 degrees C.