Challenging old microbiological treasures for natural compound biosynthesis capacity.

Strain collections are a treasure chest of numerous valuable and taxonomically validated bioresources. The Leibniz Institute DSMZ is one of the largest and most diverse microbial strain collections worldwide, with a long tradition of actinomycetes research. Actinomycetes, especially the genus Streptomyces, are renowned as prolific producers of antibiotics and many other bioactive natural products. In light of this, five Streptomyces strains, DSM 40971T, DSM 40484T, DSM 40713T, DSM 40976T, and DSM 40907T, which had been deposited a long time ago without comprehensive characterization, were the subject of polyphasic taxonomic studies and genome mining for natural compounds based on in vitro and in silico analyses. Phenotypic, genetic, and phylogenomic studies distinguished the strains from their closely related neighbors. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the five strains and their close, validly named species were below the threshold of 70% and 95%-96%, respectively, determined for prokaryotic species demarcation. Therefore, the five strains merit being considered as novel Streptomyces species, for which the names Streptomyces kutzneri sp. nov., Streptomyces stackebrandtii sp. nov., Streptomyces zähneri sp. nov., Streptomyces winkii sp. nov., and Streptomyces kroppenstedtii sp. nov. are proposed. Bioinformatics analysis of the genome sequences of the five strains revealed their genetic potential for the production of secondary metabolites, which helped identify the natural compounds cinerubin B from strain DSM 40484T and the phosphonate antibiotic phosphonoalamide from strain DSM 40907T and highlighted strain DSM 40976T as a candidate for regulator-guided gene cluster activation due to the abundance of numerous "Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory protein" (SARP) genes.

Kitasatospora fiedleri sp. nov., a novel antibiotic-producing member of the genus Kitasatospora.

Strain TÜ4103T was originally sampled from Java, Indonesia and deposited in the Tübingen strain collection under the name 'Streptomyces sp.'. The strain was found to be an antibiotic producer as strain TÜ4103T showed bioactivity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Kocuria rhizophila in bioassays. Strain TÜ4103T showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.65 % to Kitasatospora cheerisanensis DSM 101999T and 98.82 % to Kitasatospora niigatensis DSM 44781T and Kitasatospora cineracea DSM 44780T. Genome-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain TÜ4103T is closely related to K. cineracea DSM 44780T and K. niigatensis DSM 44781T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the genome sequences of strain TÜ4103T and its closest phylogenomic relatives, strains DSM 44780T and DSM 44781T, were 43.0 and 42.9 %, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values support this claim, with the highest ANI score of 91.14 % between TÜ4103T and K. niigatensis being closely followed by an ANI value of 91.10 % between K. cineracea and TÜ4103T. The genome of TÜ4103T has a size of 7.91 Mb with a G+C content of 74.05 mol%. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain TÜ4103T are rich in meso-diaminopimelic acid, and rhamnose, galactose and mannose are characteristic as whole-cell sugars. The phospholipid profile contains phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and glycophospholipid. The predominant menaquinones (>93.5 %) are MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H6). Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and genomic characteristics, strain TÜ4103T (=DSM 114396T=CECT 30712T) merits recognition as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Kitasatospora, for which the name Kitasatospora fiedleri sp. nov. is proposed.

Novel species of Frankia, Frankia gtarii sp. nov. and Frankia tisai sp. nov., isolated from a root nodule of Alnus glutinosa.

The status of four Frankia strains isolated from a root nodule of Alnus glutinosa was established in a polyphasic study. Taxogenomics and phenotypic features show that the isolates belong to the genus Frankia. All four strains form extensively branched substrate mycelia, multilocular sporangia, vesicles, lack aerial hyphae, but contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, galactose, glucose, mannose, ribose, xylose and traces of rhamnose as cell wall sugars, iso-C16:0 as the predominant fatty acid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids, have comparable genome sizes to other cluster 1, Alnus-infective strains with structural and accessory genes associated with nitrogen fixation. The genome sizes of the isolates range from 7.0 to 7.7 Mbp and the digital DNA G + C contents from 71.3 to 71.5 %. The four sequenced genomes are rich in biosynthetic gene clusters predicted to express for novel specialized metabolites, notably antibiotics. 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequence analyses show that the isolates fall into two lineages that are closely related to the type strains of Frankia alni and Frankia torreyi. All of these taxa are separated by combinations of phenotypic properties and by digital DNA:DNA hybridization scores which indicate that they belong to different genomic species. Based on these results, it is proposed that isolates Agncl-4T and Agncl-10, and Agncl-8T and Agncl-18, be recognised as Frankia gtarii sp. nov. and Frankia tisai sp. nov. respectively, with isolates Agncl-4T (=DSM 107976T = CECT 9711T) and Agncl-8T (=DSM 107980T = CECT 9715T) as the respective type strains.

Nocardia noduli sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium with biotechnological potential.

A genome-based polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic status of an actinobacterium strain isolated from an actinorhizal root nodule. Strain ncl1T was found to have chemotaxonomic, cultural and morphological properties characteristic of members of the genus Nocardia. The strain was closely related to Nocardia aurea in the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences. The draft genome of the strain is 8.9 Mbp in size, has a genomic DNA G + C content of 67.0% and was predicted to contain at least 19 biosynthetic gene clusters encoding for specialized metabolites. Strain ncl1T was distinguished from its closest neighbour, N. aurea DSM 103986T, by a broad range of phenotypic properties and by low average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization scores. Consequently, the strain represents a novel Nocardia species for which the name Nocardia noduli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ncl1T (CECT 30123T = DSM 110878T). The present study provides further evidence that actinorhizal nodules are a source of novel species of Nocardia.

Planomonospora algeriensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a Saharan soil of Algeria.

A filamentous actinobacterium, designated strain PM3T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Abbès, Béchar (South-West Algeria). A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out to establish the status of strain PM3T. The isolate was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomical properties associated with members of the genus Planomonospora. The new isolated microorganism developed cylindrical sporangia arranged in double parallel rows on aerial mycelium, each one containing a motile single sporangiospore. The cell wall of the strain was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates were found to contain madurose, glucose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H2) (69.6%). The polar lipids detected were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylhydroxyethanolamine and glucosamine-containing lipids. The major fatty acids were found to be C17:1ω9c (38.6%) and C17:0 (24.2%). Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain PM3T shared a high degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Planomonospora sphaerica DSM 44632T (99.3%), Planomonospora parontospora subsp. parontospora DSM 43177T (99.2%) and P. parontospora subsp. antibiotica DSM 43869T (99.0%). DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain PM3T and the type strains of the closely related species were between 58.4 and 70.1%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data support the conclusion that strain PM3T represents a novel species of the genus Planomonospora, for which the name Planomonospora algeriensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PM3T (=DSM 46752T = CECT 9047T).

Saccharothrix ghardaiensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from Saharan soil.

The taxonomic position of a new Saccharothrix strain, designated MB46T, isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in Mzab region (Ghardaïa province, South Algeria) was established following a polyphasic approach. The novel microorganism has morphological and chemical characteristics typical of the members of the genus Saccharothrix and formed a phyletic line at the periphery of the Saccharothrix espanaensis subcluster in the 16S rRNA gene dendrograms. Results of the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain MB46T shares high degrees of similarity with S. espanaensis DSM 44229T (99.2%), Saccharothrix variisporea DSM 43911T (98.7%) and Saccharothrix texasensis NRRL B-16134T (98.6%). However, the new strain exhibited only 12.5-17.5% DNA relatedness to the neighbouring Saccharothrix spp. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and DNA-DNA hybridizations, strain MB46T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Saccharothrix, for which the name Saccharothrix ghardaiensis sp. nov. (type strain MB46T = DSM 46886T = CECT 9046T) is proposed.

Micromonospora profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep marine sediment.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated DS3010T, was isolated from a Black Sea marine sediment and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain was shown to have chemotaxonomic, morphological and phylogenetic properties consistent with classification as representing a member of the genus Micromonospora. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed that the strain was most closely related to the type strains of Micromonospora saelicesensis (99.5 %), Micromonospora chokoriensis (99.4 %) and Micromonospora violae (99.3 %). Similarly, a corresponding analysis based on partial gyrB gene sequences showed that it formed a distinct phyletic branch in a subclade that included the type strains of Micromonosporazamorensis, 'Micromonospora zeae', 'Micromonospora jinlongensis', M. saelicesensis and Micromonospora lupini. DS3010T was distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbours by low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness and by a combination of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that the isolate should be assigned to the genus Micromonospora as Micromonospora profundi sp. nov. with isolate DS3010T (=DSM 45981T=KCTC 29243T) as the type strain.

Saccharothrix isguenensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from desert soil.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated MB27T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in Mzab region (Ghardaïa province, South Algeria). Strain MB27T was characterized following a polyphasic taxonomic approach. This strain produced a branched and fragmented substrate mycelium, which was found to have a yellowish orange colour. A white scanty aerial mycelium was produced on most media tested. Chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies clearly demonstrated that strain MB27T belongs to the family Pseudonocardiaceae and is closely related to the genus Saccharothrix. Cell-wall hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid but not glycine, and whole-cell hydrolysates contained galactose, glucose, ribose and small amounts of mannose and rhamnose. The detected phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. Mycolic acids were not detected while the predominant fatty acid was iso-branched hexadecanoate (iso-C16 : 0). The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4). Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain MB27T shairs the highest degree of similarity with Saccharothrix ecbatanensis DSM 45486T (99.8%), Saccharothrix hoggarensis DSM 45457T (99.3 %), Saccharothrix longispora DSM 43749T (98.6 %) and Saccharothrix yanglingensis DSM 45665T (98.6 %). However, it exhibited only 11-42 % DNA-DNA relatedness to the neighbouring Saccharothrixspecies. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and DNA-DNA hybridization, strain MB27T is shown to represent a novel species of the genus Saccharothrix, for which the name Saccharothrix isguenensis sp. nov. (type strain MB27T=DSM 46885T=CECT 9045T) is proposed.

Nocardia zapadnayensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel Gram-stain positive, rod-shaped, non-motile and mycolic acid containing strain, FMN18(T), isolated from soil, was characterised using a polyphasic approach. The organism showed a combination of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic properties that were consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardia and it formed a phyletic line in the Nocardia 16S rRNA gene tree. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (type IV) and whole cell sugars were galactose, glucose, arabinose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4ω-cyclo). The major phospholipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. Major fatty acids are C16:0, 10-methyl C18:0 (TBSA), C18:1 cis9 and C16:1 trans9. These chemotaxonomic traits are in good agreement with those known for representatives of the genus Nocardia. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain FMN18(T) showed it to be closely related to Nocardia grenadensis GW5-5797(T) (99.2 %), Nocardia speluncae N2-11(T) (99.1 %), Nocardia jinanensis 04-5195(T) (99.0 %) and Nocardia rhamnosiphila 202GMO(T) (98.3 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequence of strain FMN18(T) showed it to be closely related to N. rhamnosiphila 202GMO(T) (99.0 %), N. grenadensis DSM 45869(T) (96.6 %), N. jinanensis DSM 45048(T) (93.1 %), N. carnea IFM 0237(T) (89.7 %) and N. speluncae DSM 45078(T) (89.1 %). A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and phenotypic properties demonstrated that strain FMN18(T) was clearly distinguished from all closely related Nocardia species. It is proposed that the organism be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia zapadnayensis (type strain FMN18(T) = DSM 45872(T) = KCTC 29234(T)) is proposed.

Geodermatophilus africanus sp. nov., a halotolerant actinomycete isolated from Saharan desert sand.

A novel Gram-strain positive, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, designated CF11/1(T), was isolated from a sand sample obtained in the Sahara Desert, Chad. The black-pigmented isolate was aerobic and exhibited optimal growth from 25 to 35 °C at pH 6.0-8.0 and with 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl, indicating that it is a halotolerant mesophile. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The G+C content in the genome was 74.4 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diaminoacid. The main phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and a minor fraction of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H4) was the dominant menaquinone, and galactose was detected as a diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acid was branched-chain saturated acid iso-C16:0. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 95.3-98.6 % pairwise sequence identity with the members of the genus Geodermatophilus. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness, the isolate represents a novel species, Geodermatophilus africanus, with the type strain CF11/1(T) (DSM 45422 = CCUG 62969 = MTCC 11556).

Geodermatophilus normandii sp. nov., isolated from Saharan desert sand.

A novel Gram-reaction-positive actinobacterial strain, designated CF5/3(T), was isolated from a sand sample obtained in the Sahara Desert, Chad. The greenish-black-pigmented isolate was aerobic and exhibited optimal growth from 25-40 °C at pH 6.0-10.0 with 0-1% (w/v) NaCl. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The DNA G+C content of the genome of the novel strain was 75.5 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diamino acid. The main phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and a minor fraction of phosphatidylglycerol. MK-9(H4) was the dominant menaquinone, and galactose was detected as a diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acids were branched-chain saturated acids: iso-C(15:0) and iso-C(16:0). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 95.6-98.8% pairwise sequence identity with the members of the genus Geodermatophilus. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness, the isolate represents a novel species, Geodermatophilus normandii, with the type strain CF5/3(T) ( =DSM 45417(T) =CCUG 62814(T) =MTCC 11412(T)).

Geodermatophilus tzadiensis sp. nov., a UV radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from sand of the Saharan desert.

Three novel Gram-positive, aerobic, actinobacterial strains, CF5/2(T), CF5/1 and CF7/1, were isolated in 2007 during environmental screening of arid desert soil in the Sahara desert, Chad. Results from riboprinting, MALDI-TOF protein spectra and 16S rRNA sequence analysis confirmed that all three strains belonged to the same species. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences with the strains' closest relatives indicated that they represented a distinct species. The three novel strains also shared a number of physiological and biochemical characteristics distinct from previously named Geodermatophilus species. The novel strains' peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid; their main phospholipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and a small amount of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H4) was the dominant menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were the branched-chain saturated acids iso-C16:0 and iso-C15:0. Galactose was detected as diagnostic sugar. Based on these chemotaxonomic results, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization between strain CF5/2(T) and the type strains of Geodermatophilus saharensis, Geodermatophilus arenarius, Geodermatophilus nigrescens, Geodermatophilus telluris and Geodermatophilus siccatus, the isolates CF5/2(T), CF5/1 and CF7/1 are proposed to represent a novel species, Geodermatophilus tzadiensis, with type strain CF5/2(T)=DSM 45416=MTCC 11411 and two reference strains, CF5/1 (DSM 45415) and CF7/1 (DSM 45420).

Nocardia amikacinitolerans sp. nov., an amikacin-resistant human pathogen.

Five nocardioform isolates from human clinical sources were evaluated. Analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene showed 99.9-100 % similarity among the strains. The results of a comparative phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates belonged to the genus Nocardia. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were performed on the clinical isolates. Traditional phenotypic analyses included morphological, biochemical/physiological, chemotaxonomic and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling. Molecular studies included 1441-bp 16S rRNA and 1246-bp gyrB gene sequence analyses, as well as DNA-DNA hybridizations. Biochemical analysis failed to differentiate the putative novel species from its phylogenetic neighbours; however, molecular studies were able to distinguish the patient strains and confirm them as members of a single species. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, similarity between the isolates and their closest relatives (type strains of Nocardia araoensis, N. arthritidis, N. beijingensis and N. niwae) was ≤99.3 %. Analysis of partial gyrB gene sequences showed 98-99.7 % relatedness among the isolates. Nocardia lijiangensis and N. xishanensis were the closest related species to the isolates based on gyrB gene sequence analysis, and their type strains showed 95.7 and 95.3 % similarity, respectively, to strain W9988(T). Resistance to amikacin and molecular analyses, including DNA-DNA hybridization, distinguished the five patient strains from their phylogenetic neighbours, and the results of this polyphasic study indicated the existence of a novel species of Nocardia, for which we propose the name Nocardia amikacinitolerans sp. nov., with strain W9988(T) ( = DSM 45539(T)  = CCUG 59655(T)) as the type strain.

Geodermatophilus siccatus sp. nov., isolated from arid sand of the Saharan desert in Chad.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, CF6/1(T), was isolated in 2007 during environmental screening of arid desert soil in the Sahara near to Ourba, Chad. The isolate was found to grow best in a temperature range of 20-37 °C and at pH 6.0-8.5 and showed no NaCl tolerance, forming black-coloured and nearly circular colonies on GYM agar. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics determined for the isolate match those previously described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The DNA G + C content of the novel strain was determined to be 74.9 mol %. The peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The main phospholipids were determined to be phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol and traces of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H(4)) was identified as the dominant menaquinone and galactose as the diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be the branched-chain saturated acids iso-C(16:0) and iso-C(15:0), as well as C(17:1ω8c). The 16S rRNA gene sequence shows 97.5-97.9 % sequence identity with the four validly named or at least effectively published members of the genus: Geodermatophilus obscurus (97.5 %), Geodermatophilus arenarius (97.7 %), Geodermatophilus ruber (97.9 %) and Geodermatophilus nigrescens (97.9 %). Based on the results from this polyphasic taxonomic analysis and DNA-DNA hybridizations with all type strains of the genus, we propose that strain CF6/1(T) represents a novel species, Geodermatophilus siccatus, with the type strain CF6/1(T) = DSM 45419(T) = CCUG 62765(T) = MTCC 11414(T).

Geodermatophilus telluris sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from Saharan desert sand.

A novel Gram-positive, multiloculated thalli-forming, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, CF9/1/1(T), was isolated in 2007 during environmental screening for xerophilic fungi in arid desert soil from the Sahara desert, Chad. The isolate grew best at a temperature range of 20-35 °C and at pH 6.0-8.5 and with 0-4% (w/v) NaCl, forming black-coloured and irregular colonies on GYM agar. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 75.4 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as a diagnostic diamino acid. The main phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, a not yet structurally identified aminophospholipid and a small amount of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H4) was identified as the dominant menaquinone and galactose was a diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acids were branched-chain saturated acids: iso-C16:0 and iso-C15:0. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed 94.6-97.0% sequence similarities with those of five members of the genus: Geodermatophilus ruber DSM 45317(T) (94.6%), Geodermatophilus obscurus DSM 43160(T) (94.8%), Geodermatophilus siccatus DSM 45419(T) (96.2%), Geodermatophilus nigrescens DSM 45408(T) (96.7%) and Geodermatophilus arenarius DSM 45418(T) (97.0%). Based on the evidence from this polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel species, Geodermatophilus telluris sp. nov., is proposed; the type strain is CF9/1/1(T) (=DSM 45421(T)=CCUG 62764(T)).

Genome sequence of the chemoheterotrophic soil bacterium Saccharomonospora cyanea type strain (NA-134(T)).

Saccharomonospora cyanea Runmao et al. 1988 is a member of the genus Saccharomonospora in the family Pseudonocardiaceae that is moderately well characterized at the genome level thus far. Members of the genus Saccharomonospora are of interest because they originate from diverse habitats, such as soil, leaf litter, manure, compost, surface of peat, moist, over-heated grain, and ocean sediment, where they probably play a role in the primary degradation of plant material by attacking hemicellulose. Species of the genus Saccharomonospora are usually Gram-positive, non-acid fast, and are classified among the actinomycetes. S. cyanea is characterized by a dark blue (= cyan blue) aerial mycelium. After S. viridis, S. azurea, and S. marina, S. cyanea is only the fourth member in the genus for which a completely sequenced (non-contiguous finished draft status) type strain genome will be published. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the draft genome sequence, and annotation. The 5,408,301 bp long chromosome with its 5,139 protein-coding and 57 RNA genes was sequenced as part of the DOE funded Community Sequencing Program (CSP) 2010 at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI).

Genome sequence of the soil bacterium Saccharomonospora azurea type strain (NA-128(T)).

Saccharomonospora azurea Runmao et al. 1987 is a member of the genus Saccharomonospora, which is in the family Pseudonocardiaceae and thus far poorly characterized genomically. Members of the genus Saccharomonospora are of interest because they originate from diverse habitats, such as leaf litter, manure, compost, the surface of peat, and moist and over-heated grain, and may play a role in the primary degradation of plant material by attacking hemicellulose. Next to S. viridis, S. azurea is only the second member in the genus Saccharomonospora for which a completely sequenced type strain genome will be published. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence with project status 'Improved high quality draft', and the annotation. The 4,763,832 bp long chromosome with its 4,472 protein-coding and 58 RNA genes was sequenced as part of the DOE funded Community Sequencing Program (CSP) 2010 at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI).

Genome sequence of the ocean sediment bacterium Saccharomonospora marina type strain (XMU15(T)).

Saccharomonospora marina Liu et al. 2010 is a member of the genus Saccharomonospora, in the family Pseudonocardiaceae that is poorly characterized at the genome level thus far. Members of the genus Saccharomonospora are of interest because they originate from diverse habitats, such as leaf litter, manure, compost, surface of peat, moist, over-heated grain, and ocean sediment, where they might play a role in the primary degradation of plant material by attacking hemicellulose. Organisms belonging to the genus are usually Gram-positive staining, non-acid fast, and classify among the actinomycetes. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence (permanent draft status), and annotation. The 5,965,593 bp long chromosome with its 5,727 protein-coding and 57 RNA genes was sequenced as part of the DOE funded Community Sequencing Program (CSP) 2010 at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI).

Kroppenstedtia eburnea gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermoactinomycete isolated by environmental screening, and emended description of the family Thermoactinomycetaceae Matsuo et al. 2006 emend. Yassin et al. 2009.

A Gram-positive, spore-forming, aerobic, filamentous bacterium, strain JFMB-ATE(T), was isolated in 2008 during environmental screening of a plastic surface in grade C in a contract manufacturing organization in southern Germany. The isolate grew at temperatures of 25-50 °C and at pH 5.0-8.5, forming ivory-coloured colonies with sparse white aerial mycelia. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the family Thermoactinomycetaceae, except that the cell-wall peptidoglycan contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, while all previously described members of this family display this diagnostic diamino acid in meso-conformation. The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 54.6 mol%, the main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, and the major menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids had saturated C14-C16 branched chains. No diagnostic sugars were detected. Based on the chemotaxonomic results and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolate is proposed to represent a novel genus and species, Kroppenstedtia eburnea gen. nov. sp. nov. The type strain is JFMB-ATE(T) ( = DSM 45196(T)  = NRRL B-24804(T)  = CCUG 59226(T)).

Nocardia niwae sp. nov., isolated from human pulmonary sources.

Members of the genus Nocardia are responsible for cutaneous, pulmonary and disseminated human infections. From 2003 to 2008, four nocardioform strains (W8027, W8681, W9071 and W9241(T)) were isolated from patients in the state of Florida, USA. Ribosomal gene sequencing analysis suggested that a novel species of the genus Nocardia had been isolated. These strains were subjected to a taxonomic analysis using a polyphasic approach. Phenotypic analyses included morphological examination, biochemical profiling and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Molecular studies included 16S rRNA and DNA gyrase B subunit (gyrB) gene sequence analyses and DNA-DNA hybridization. Phylogenetic neighbours were determined through 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence analyses. Phenotypic characteristics that differentiated the novel isolates from phylogenetically related species were growth at 45 °C, and three of the four novel strains utilized l-rhamnose. The antimicrobial profiles could not reliably distinguish the novel species from related nocardiae. Analysis showed that the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the four novel isolates were identical. The blast analysis of the near full-length 16S rRNA gene showed 99.2 % sequence similarity to Nocardia araoensis DSM 44729(T), Nocardia arthritidis DSM 44731(T) and Nocardia beijingensis JCM 10666(T), 98.7 % to Nocardia amamiensis DSM 45066(T), 98.2 % to Nocardia pneumoniae JCM 12119(T) and 97.8 % to Nocardia takedensis JCM 13313(T). Analysis of partial gyrB gene sequences showed that the novel isolates had 95.4 % similarity to N. arthritidis DSM 44731(T), 95.3 % to Nocardia gamkensis DSM 44956(T), 94.4 % to N. pneumoniae JCM 12119(T), 93.8 % to Nocardia asiatica DSM 44668(T), 93.5 % to N. amamiensis DSM 45066(T), 93.4 % to N. beijingensis JCM 10666(T) and 93.2 % to N. araoensis DSM 44729(T). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between the four novel strains were 86-89 %; the relatedness value for strain W9241(T) compared with N. beijingensis JCM 10666(T) was 47 % and 46 % with N. araoensis DSM 44729(T), 44 % with N. arthritidis DSM 44731(T), 32 % with N. amamiensis DSM 45066(T) and 20 % with N. asiatica DSM 44668(T). The results of the taxonomic analysis suggested that the new isolates represent a novel species of the genus Nocardia for which the name Nocardia niwae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is W9241(T) (=DSM 45340(T)=CCUG 57756(T)).