Characterization and Transcriptome Analysis of a Long-Chain n-Alkane-Degrading Strain Acinetobacter pittii SW-1

Abstract

Strain sw-1, isolated from 7619-m seawater of the Mariana Trench, was identified as Acinetobacter pittii by 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequencing. A. pittii sw-1 was able to efficiently utilize long-chain n-alkanes (C18–C36), but not short- and medium-chain n-alkanes (C8–C16). The degradation rate of C20 was 91.25%, followed by C18, C22, C24, C32, and C36 with the degradation rates of 89.30%, 84.03%, 80.29%, 30.29%, and 13.37%, respectively. To investigate the degradation mechanisms of n-alkanes for this strain, the genome and the transcriptome analyses were performed. Four key alkane hydroxylase genes (alkB, almA, ladA1, and ladA2) were identified in the genome. Transcriptomes of strain sw-1 grown in C20 or CH3COONa (NaAc) as the sole carbon source were compared. The transcriptional levels of alkB and almA, respectively, increased 78.28- and 3.51-fold in C20 compared with NaAc, while ladA1 and ladA2 did not show obvious change. The expression levels of other genes involved in the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, permeases, membrane proteins, and sulfur metabolism were also upregulated, and they might be involved in n-alkane uptake. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) confirmed that alkB expression was significantly induced by C20, C24, and C32, and almA induction extent by C24 and C32 was higher than that with C20. Furthermore, ladA2 expression was only induced by C32, and ladA1 expression was not induced by any of n-alkanes. In addition, A. pittii sw-1 could grow with 0%–3% NaCl or 8 out of 10 kinds of the tested heavy metals and degrade n-alkanes at 15 °C. Taken together, these results provide comprehensive insights into the degradation of long-chain n-alkanes by Acinetobacter isolated from the deep ocean environment.

Intestinal Bacterial Diversity and Functional Analysis of Three Lepidopteran Corn Ear Worm Larvae

“…It also contains genes for sodium/proton antiporter, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and cold shock proteins, which help it survive osmotic, oxidative and cold shock stress [ 52 ]. Moreover, P. mosselii , P. hibiscicola , A. pittii and C. sediminis could also degrade heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, long-chain alkanes and polychlorinated biphenyls [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]. It is speculated that they can help the host adapt to more complex environments and resist harsh ones.…”

“…P. mosselii (OTU103) can produce bioactive secondary metabolites [ 65 ] and change the epithelial permeability of different cells to destroy the sytoskeleton [ 66 ]. A. pittii (OTU38) is also involved in unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, osmosis, membrane protein and expression of some genes in sulfur metabolism [ 56 ]. C. punctiferalis was predicted with more amino acid metabolism (Level 2), metabolism of other amino acids (Level 2), carbohydrate metabolism (Level 2), membrane transport (Level 2), lipid metabolism (Level 2), glycan biosynthesis and metabolism (Level 2), biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites (Level 2), metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides (Level 2) and transport and catabolism (Level 2) functions.…”

Specific Enriched Acinetobacter in Camellia Weevil Gut Facilitate the Degradation of Tea Saponin: Inferred from Bacterial Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

“…The transcriptome has been used to identify specific genes that associated with degradation function in bacteria ( 34 , 35 ). In the study ( 34 ), the degradation mechanisms of long-chain n-alkanes, the transcriptomes of the Acinetobacter pittii strain SW-1 grown in C 20 or CH 3 COONa (NaAc) as the sole carbon source were compared. A total of 437 DEGs were upregulated, and the transcriptional levels of alkB increased 78.28-fold ( 34 ).…”

“…In the study ( 34 ), the degradation mechanisms of long-chain n-alkanes, the transcriptomes of the Acinetobacter pittii strain SW-1 grown in C 20 or CH 3 COONa (NaAc) as the sole carbon source were compared. A total of 437 DEGs were upregulated, and the transcriptional levels of alkB increased 78.28-fold ( 34 ). The other study dealing with phosphorus (P) adsorption mechanisms in a phosphate-solubilizing bacterium (PSB) Acinetobacter sp.…”

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“…For instance, the potential of Bacillus species for deposited paraffin removal was investigated, and the strains exhibited effective degradation capability of n-alkanes between C 15 -C 23 and C 27 -C 30 [26]. Acinetobacter pittii SW-1 was reported that it could utilize long-chain n-alkanes (C 18 -C 36 ) and the degradation rate of C 20 was 91.25% [27]. Rhodococcus sp.…”