A. I. Netrusov

Microbial producers of plant growth stimulators and their practical use: A review

The ability of pro-and eukaryotic microorganisms to synthesize growth-stimulating phytohormones is reviewed, with emphasis on the pathways of biosynthesis of these compounds and their effects on the physiological and biochemical properties of the producers. Phytohormones are viewed as specific mediators in interactions between various organisms inhabiting the same ecological niche, the biological role of which is not limited to processes taking place in plants. In addition to setting forth the theoretical aspects of this problem, the review underscores the need to utilize such producer microorganisms in plant cultivation and biotechnology

Lab-scale bioreactor integrated with active membrane system for hydrogen production: experience and prospects

Abstract The development of new, low-energy consuming and clean technologies can include the utilization of organic wastes with the production of high-quality fuel gases (methane, hydrogen). This paper presents the results of organic wastes’ bioconversion into hydrogen and of the respective H 2 /CO 2 gas mixtures’ separation by using active membrane systems (membrane contactors) with moving liquid carriers. Rhodobacter capsulatus was used for lactate or low organic decomposition to H 2 -containing gas mixture and Thermohydrogenium kirishi was used for hydrogen production from glucose. Active membrane system was used for the separation of H 2 /CO 2 gas mixtures with the production of high-purity hydrogen. The possibility of integration of gas separating membrane systems with aerobic or anaerobic bioreactors are considered as well.

Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase: Distribution, Properties, and Physiological Role in Cells of Strict Anaerobes

This review considers the distribution of the main enzymes of antioxidative defense, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, in various groups of strictly anaerobic microorganisms: bacteria of the genus Clostridium, Bacteroides, sulfatereducing and acetogenic bacteria, methanogenic archaea, etc. Molecular and biochemical properties of purified Fe-containing SODs, cambialistic SODs, and heme catalases are presented. The physiological role and origin of the enzymes of antioxidative defense in strict anaerobes are discussed. Physiological responses (induction of SOD and catalase) to factors provoking oxidative stress in the cells of strict anaerobes able to maintain viability under aerobic conditions are also considered.

Aerotolerance of Strictly Anaerobic Microorganisms and Factors of Defense against Oxidative Stress: A Review

Effects of aerobic conditions on strictly anaerobic microorganisms belonging to diverse taxa (clostridia, acetogenic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, bacteroids, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea) and differing considerably in their oxygen resistance have been reviewed, with emphasis on the role of aerotolerance in the ecology of anaerobes. Consideration is given to components of nutritive media for anaerobe culturing, which decrease the toxic effects of oxygen and there by contribute significantly to maintenance and storage of industrial cultures of strictly anaerobic microorganisms. Physiological and biochemical factors are described, accounting for the relative resistance of many strict anaerobes to oxygen and products of incomplete reduction thereof. Specific attention is given to regulation of enzymes of antioxidative defense, operating in the cells of strict anaerobes under the conditions of oxidative stress caused by oxygen, superoxide anion, or hydrogen peroxide.

Auxin production by bacteria associated with orchid roots

Bacteria associated with the roots of greenhouse tropical orchids were shown to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and to excrete it into the culture liquid. The presence and activity of IAA were demonstrated colorimetrically, by thin-layer chromatography, and by biotests. The associated bacteria varied in their ability to excrete indole compounds (1–28 µg/ml nutrient broth). Addition of tryptophan to the growth medium enhanced phytohormone production. Upon addition of 200 µg/ml tryptophan, the bacteria isolated from Dendrobium moschatum roots (Sphingomonas sp. 18, Microbacterium sp. 23, Mycobacterium sp. 1, Bacillus sp. 3, and Rhizobium sp. 5) produced 50.2, 53.1, 92.9, 37.6, and 60.4 µg IAA/ml, respectively, while the bacteria isolated from Acampe papillosa roots (Sphingomonas sp. 42, Rhodococcus sp. 37, Cellulomonas sp. 23, Pseudomonas sp. 24, and Micrococcus luteus) produced 69.4, 49.6, 53.9, 31.0, and 39.2 µg IAA/ml. Auxin production depended on cultivation conditions and on the growth phase of the bacterial cultures. Treatment of kidney bean cuttings with bacterial culture liquid promoted formation of a “root brush” with a location height 7.4- to 13.4-fold greater than the one in the control samples. The ability of IAA-producing associated bacteria to act as stimulants of the host plant root development is discussed.

Hormones and hormone-like substances of microorganisms: A review

Data from the literature on the ability of microorganisms to form plant hormones have been reviewed. The substances covered include abscisic acid, ethylene and other compounds with phytohormone-like properties (brassinosteroids, oligosaccharines) and analogues of animal neurotransmitters (biogenic amines). Pathways whereby the substances are metabolized and their effects on the development and activity (physiological and biochemical) of the microorganisms are considered. The role of phytohormones and hormone-like substances in the formation of association (microorganism-host) interactions are analyzed. The potential utilities of microorganisms producing hormones and hormone-like substances are discussed.

Characterization of a heme-dependent catalase from Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus.

ABSTRACT Recently it was reported that methanogens of the genusMethanobrevibacter exhibit catalase activity. This was surprising, since Methanobrevibacter species belong to the order Methanobacteriales, which are known not to contain cytochromes and to lack the ability to synthesize heme. We report here that Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus strains AZ and DH1 contained catalase activity only when the growth medium was supplemented with hemin. The heme catalase was purified and characterized, and the encoding gene was cloned. The amino acid sequence of the catalase from the methanogens is most similar to that of Methanosarcina barkeri.

Purification, characterization, and primary structure of a monofunctional catalase from Methanosarcina barkeri

Methanosarcina barkeri is a strictly anaerobic, cytochrome-containing, methane-forming archaeon. We report here that the microorganism contains a catalase, which was purified and characterized. The enzyme with an apparent molecular mass of 190 kDa was shown to be composed of four identical subunits of apparent molecular mass of 54 kDa. The heme-containing enzyme did not exhibit peroxidase activity, which indicates that it is a monofunctional catalase. This is substantiated by the primary structure, which is related to that of other monofunctional catalases rather than to that of bifunctional catalase-peroxidases. The enzyme showed an [S]0.5V for H2O2 of 25 mM and an apparent Vmax of 200,000 U/mg; it was inhibited by azide ([I]0.5V = 1 μM) and cyanide ([I]0.5V = 5 μM) and inactivated by 1,2,4-aminotriazole. The activity was almost independent of the pH (between pH 4 and 10) and the temperature (between 15 °C and 55 °C). Comparison of the primary structure of monofunctional catalases revealed that the enzyme from M. barkeri is most closely related to the monofunctional catalase of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Production of gibberellic acids by an orchid-associated Fusarium proliferatum strain

The rice pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi is well known for its ability to produce the plant hormones gibberellins (GAs). However, the majority of closely related Fusarium species is unable to produce GAs although the GA gene cluster is present in their genomes. In this study, we analyzed five orchid-associated Fusarium isolates for their capacity to produce GAs. Four of them did not produce any GAs and were shown not to contain any GA biosynthetic genes. However, the fifth isolate, which has been identified as F. proliferatum based on five molecular markers, produced significant amounts of GAs in contrast to previously characterized F. proliferatum strains. We focused on the molecular characterization of two GA-specific genes, ggs2 and cps/ks, both inactive in F. proliferatum strain D-02945. Complementation of a F. fujikuroi Deltaggs2 mutant with the ET1 ggs2 gene fully restored GA biosynthesis, confirming that the orchid-associated isolate contains an active gene copy. A possible correlation between GA production and their role in plant-fungal interactions is discussed.

Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase in the Cells of Strictly Anaerobic Microorganisms

Strictly anaerobic microorganisms relating to various physiological groups were screened for catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. All of the investigated anaerobes possessed SOD activity, necessary for protection against toxic products of oxygen reduction. High specific activities of SOD were found in Acetobacterium woodii and Acetobacterium wieringae. Most of the investigated clostridia and acetogens were catalase-negative. A significant activity of catalase was found in Thermohydrogenium kirishiense, in representatives of the genus Desulfotomaculum, and in several methanogens. Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus had an exceptionally high catalase activity after growth in medium supplemented with hemin. Hemin also produced a strong positive effect on the catalase activity in many other anaerobic microorganisms. In methanogens, the activities of the enzymes of antioxidant defense varied in wide ranges depending on the stage of growth and the energy source.