Manabu Fukui

Microbial succession during a composting process as evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis.

Microbial succession during a laboratory‐scale composting process of garbage was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) combined with measurement of physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, organic acids, total dissolved organic carbon and water‐soluble humic substance. From the temperature changes, a rapid increase from 25 to 58u2003°C and then a gradual decrease, four phases were recognized in the process as follows; mesophilic (S), thermophilic (T), cooling (C) and maturing (M). The polymerase chain reaction‐amplified 16S rDNA fragments with universal (907R) and eubacterial (341F with GC clamp) primers were subjected to DGGE analysis. Consequently, the DGGE band pattern changed during the composting process. The direct sequences from DGGE bands were related to those of known genera in the DNA database. The microbial succession determined by DGGE was summarized as follows: in the S phase some fermenting bacteria, such as lactobacillus, were present with the existing organic acids; in the T phase thermophilic bacillus appeared and, after the C phase, bacterial populations were more complex than in previous phases and the phylogenetic positions of those populations were relatively distant from strains so far in the DNA database. Thus, the DGGE method is useful to reveal microbial succession during a composting process.

Optimization of Annealing Temperature To Reduce Bias Caused by a Primer Mismatch in Multitemplate PCR

ABSTRACT To reduce PCR bias derived from a primer mismatch, the effect of the annealing temperature on the product ratio was investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of PCR products from a mixture of perfect-match and one-mismatch templates. These templates were generated by PCR from Pediococcus acidilactici for one mismatch and Micrococcus luteus for the perfect match. PCRs showed that the bias was reduced at lower temperatures. An environmental sample was also examined.

Parallel characterization of anaerobic toluene- and ethylbenzene-degrading microbial consortia by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, RNA-DNA membrane hybridization, and DNA microarray technology

ABSTRACT A mesophilic toluene-degrading consortium (TDC) and an ethylbenzene-degrading consortium (EDC) were established under sulfate-reducing conditions. These consortia were first characterized by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments, followed by sequencing. The sequences of the major bands (T-1 and E-2) belonging to TDC and EDC, respectively, were affiliated with the family Desulfobacteriaceae. Another major band from EDC (E-1) was related to an uncultured non-sulfate-reducing soil bacterium. Oligonucleotide probes specific for the 16S rRNAs of target organisms corresponding to T-1, E-1, and E-2 were designed, and hybridization conditions were optimized for two analytical formats, membrane and DNA microarray hybridization. Both formats were used to characterize the TDC and EDC, and the results of both were consistent with DGGE analysis. In order to assess the utility of the microarray format for analysis of environmental samples, oil-contaminated sediments from the coast of Kuwait were analyzed. The DNA microarray successfully detected bacterial nucleic acids from these samples, but probes targeting specific groups of sulfate-reducing bacteria did not give positive signals. The results of this study demonstrate the limitations and the potential utility of DNA microarrays for microbial community analysis.

Physiology, phylogenetic relationships, and ecology of filamentous sulfate-reducing bacteria (genus Desulfonema)

Abstract Microscopy of organic-rich, sulfidic sediment samples of marine and freshwater origin revealed filamentous, multicellular microorganisms with gliding motility. Many of these neither contained sulfur droplets such as the Beggiatoa species nor exhibited the autofluorescence of the chlorophyll-containing cyanobacteria. A frequently observed morphological type of filamentous microorganism was enriched under anoxic conditions in the dark with isobutyrate plus sulfate. Two strains of filamentous, gliding sulfate-reducing bacteria, Tokyo 01 and Jade 02, were isolated in pure cultures. Both isolates oxidized acetate and other aliphatic acids. Enzyme assays indicated that the terminal oxidation occurs via the anaerobic C1 pathway (carbon monoxide dehydrogenase pathway). The 16S rRNA genes of the new isolates and of the two formerly described filamentous species of sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfonema limicola and Desulfonema magnum, were analyzed. All four strains were closely related to each other and affiliated with the δ-subclass of Proteobacteria. Another close relative was the unicellular Desulfococcus multivorans. Based on phylogenetic relationships and physiological properties, Strains Tokyo 01 and Jade 02 are assigned to a new species, Desulfonema ishimotoi. A new, fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe targeted against 16S rRNA was designed so that that it hybridized specifically with whole cells of Desulfonema species. Filamentous bacteria that hybridized with the same probe were detected in sediment samples and in association with the filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacterium Thioploca in its natural habitat. We conclude that Desulfonema species constitute an ecologically significant fraction of the sulfate-reducing bacteria in organic-rich sediments and microbial mats.

Characterization of depth-related microbial community structure in lake sediment by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of amplified 16S rDNA and reversely transcribed 16S rRNA fragments

Vertical changes of bacterial community structure in a mesophilic lake sediment were investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amplified 16S rDNA and reversely transcribed 16S rRNA fragments. Comparison of community structure analyses based on 16S rDNA and rRNA revealed that the diversity indices from the 16S rDNA-based DGGE profiles were greater than those from the 16S rRNA-based DGGE profiles. In addition, the diversity indices based on 16S rDNA did not change drastically throughout the layers, but the diversity indices based on 16S rRNA decreased with sediment depth. This result indicates that the diversity of active bacteria decreases and inactive bacteria accumulate in association with sedimentation. Dendrograms deduced from DGGE profiles of either 16S rDNA or rRNA were different, and the rRNA-based dendrogram showed a significant difference between the upper layers (0-2, 2-5, and 5-8 cm) and lower layers (8-11, 11-14, 14-17, and 17-20 cm). The sequences of 13 DGGE bands were determined. Phylogenetic analysis of these rDNA fragments revealed that the most conspicuous band in both rDNA- and rRNA-based DGGE was closely related to the genus Nitrospira (95% sequence similarity), and the relative signal intensity was strong especially in the deep layers. Membrane hybridization with a probe targeting the genus Nitrospira also supported the observation that 16S rRNAs derived from Nitrospira-like microorganisms were abundant in this sediment (8.6-16.8% of bacterial 16S rRNA) and that the relative abundance increased with depth. Overall, our results demonstrated that parallel characterization of community structure based on both 16S rDNA and rRNA is important for assessing whole microbial populations and active microbial populations in sediments.

Distribution and diversity of thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria within a Cu-Pb-Zn mine (Toyoha, Japan)

The distribution and diversity of thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria at the Cu-Pb-Zn Toyoha underground mine, Japan, were investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene, and sequence analysis of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene. Hydrothermal waters from different boreholes penetrating the Cu-Pb-Zn sulfide veins were collected and concentrated with a sterile filter (pore size: 0.2 mum) at sites A (64 degrees C), B (71 degrees C), and C (48 degrees C). Microbial mats developed at sites A (53 degrees C), B (66 degrees C), and D (73 degrees C) were harvested. The denaturing gel electrophoresis analysis showed 17 bacterial and three archaeal bands including two of spore-forming, Gram-positive sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfotomaculum-like 16S rDNA sequences from site B. The phylogenetic analysis of 16 clone families of dissimilatory sulfite reductase genes indicated that they are Desulfotomaculum-, Thermodesulforhabdus-like sequences, and unresolved sequences. We obtained evidence of the diversity and distribution of microbes related to thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria within effluent-hydrothermal groundwater and microbial mats in the thermophilic subsurface environment of the Toyoha Mine.

Analysis of Dissimilatory Sulfite Reductase and 16S rRNA Gene Fragments from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Sites of the Suiyo Seamount, Izu-Bonin Arc, Western Pacific

ABSTRACT This study describes the occurrence of unique dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DSR) genes at a depth of 1,380 m from the deep-sea hydrothermal vent field at the Suiyo Seamount, Izu-Bonin Arc, Western Pacific, Japan. The DSR genes were obtained from microbes that grew in a catheter-type in situ growth chamber deployed for 3 days on a vent and from the effluent water of drilled holes at 5°C and natural vent fluids at 7°C. DSR clones SUIYOdsr-A and SUIYOdsr-B were not closely related to cultivated species or environmental clones. Moreover, samples of microbial communities were examined by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. The sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments obtained from the vent catheter after a 3-day incubation revealed the occurrence of bacterial DGGE bands affiliated with the Aquificae and γ- and ε-Proteobacteria as well as the occurrence of archaeal phylotypes affiliated with the Thermococcales and of a unique archaeon sequence that clustered with “Nanoarchaeota.” The DGGE bands obtained from drilled holes and natural vent fluids from 7 to 300°C were affiliated with the δ-Proteobacteria, genus Thiomicrospira, and Pelodictyon. The dominant DGGE bands retrieved from the effluent water of casing pipes at 3 and 4°C were closely related to phylotypes obtained from the Arctic Ocean. Our results suggest the presence of microorganisms corresponding to a unique DSR lineage not detected previously from other geothermal environments.

Successive changes in community structure of an ethylbenzene-degrading sulfate-reducing consortium.

The microbial community structure and successive changes in a mesophilic ethylbenzene-degrading sulfate-reducing consortium were for the first time clarified by the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the PCR amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments. At least ten bands on the DGGE gel were detected in the stationary phase. Phylogenetic analysis of the DGGE bands revealed that the consortium consisted of different eubacterial phyla including the delta subgroup of Proteobacteria, the order Sphingobacteriales, the order Spirochaetales, and the unknown bacterium. The most abundant band C was closely related to strain mXyS1, an m-xylene-degrading sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB), and occurred as a sole band on DGGE gels in the logarithmic growth phase that 40% ethylbenzene was consumed accompanied by sulfide production. During further prolonged incubation, the dominancy of band C did not change. These results suggest that SRB corresponds to the most abundant band C and contributes mainly to the degradation of ethylbenzene coupled with sulfate reduction.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Characterizations of Freshwater Thioploca Species from Lake Biwa, Japan, and Lake Constance, Germany

ABSTRACT Filamentous, gliding, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria of the genus Thioploca were found on sediments in profundal areas of Lake Biwa, a Japanese freshwater mesotrophic lake, and were characterized morphologically and phylogenetically. The Lake Biwa Thioploca resembled morphologically Thioploca ingrica, a brackish water species from a Danish fjord. The diameters of individual trichomes were 3 to 5.6 μm; the diameters of complete Thioploca filaments ranged from 18 to 75 μm. The cell lengths ranged from 1.2 to 3.8 μm. In transmission electron microscope specimens stained with uranyl acetate, dense intracellular particles were found, which did not show any positive signals for phosphorus and sulfur in an X-ray analysis. The 16S rRNA gene of the Thioploca from Lake Biwa was amplified by using newly designed Thioploca-specific primers (706-Thioploca, Biwa160F, and Biwa829R) in combination with general bacterial primers in order to avoid nonspecific amplification of contaminating bacterial DNA. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the three overlapping PCR products resulted in single DGGE bands, indicating that a single 16S rRNA gene had been amplified. With the same method, the Thioploca from Lake Constance was examined. The 16S rRNA sequence was verified by performing fluorescence in situ hybridization targeted at specific motifs of the Lake Biwa Thioploca. Positive signals were obtained with the bacterial probe EUB-338, the γ-proteobacterial probe GAM42a, and probe Biwa829 targeting the Lake Biwa Thioploca. Based on the nearly complete 16S rRNA sequence and on morphological similarities, the Thioploca from Lake Biwa and the Thioploca from Lake Constance are closely related to T. ingrica and to each other.

Depth-related change in archaeal community structure in a freshwater lake sediment as determined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of amplified 16S rRNA genes and reversely transcribed rRNA fragments

Vertical changes in archaeal community structure in mesophilic freshwater lake sediment were investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of amplified 16S rRNA genes and reversely transcribed 16S rRNA fragments. Electrophoretic band pattern of archaeal community did not drastically change with depth. The archaeal 16S rRNA-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis band pattern was very similar to the 16S rDNA-based pattern. These results indicate that archaeal community structure does not drastically change throughout the 0-20 cm in depth, and most archaeal populations in the sediment retain extractable rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of seven sequences retrieved from both DNA- and RNA-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed that these sequences were divided into four major lineages; the kingdom Crenarchaeota, the order Methanomicrobiales, the family Methanosaetaceae, and an uncultured cluster within Euryarchaeota. The order Methanomicrobiales and the family Methanosaetaceae were the dominant methane-producing archaea in this profundal freshwater lake sediment. Moreover, we found Euryarchaeota that are not related to methanogens, and non-thermophilic Crenarchaeota. This suggests that archaeal populations other than methanogens in low-temperature sediment have been previously underestimated.