Biosynthetic gene clusters with biotechnological applications in novel Antarctic isolates from Actinomycetota.

Actinomycetota have been widely described as valuable sources for the acquisition of secondary metabolites. Most microbial metabolites are produced via metabolic pathways encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Although many secondary metabolites are not essential for the survival of bacteria, they play an important role in their adaptation and interactions within microbial communities. This is how bacteria isolated from extreme environments such as Antarctica could facilitate the discovery of new BGCs with biotechnological potential. This study aimed to isolate rare Actinomycetota strains from Antarctic soil and sediment samples and identify their metabolic potential based on genome mining and exploration of biosynthetic gene clusters. To this end, the strains were sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies platforms. The assemblies were annotated and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Finally, the BGCs present in each genome were identified using the antiSMASH tool, and the biosynthetic diversity of the Micrococcaceae family was evaluated. Taxonomic annotation revealed that seven strains were new and two were previously reported in the NCBI database. Additionally, BGCs encoding type III polyketide synthases (T3PKS), beta-lactones, siderophores, and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) have been identified, among others. In addition, the sequence similarity network showed a predominant type of BGCs in the family Micrococcaceae, and some genera were distinctly grouped. The BGCs identified in the isolated strains could be associated with applications such as antimicrobials, anticancer agents, and plant growth promoters, among others, positioning them as excellent candidates for future biotechnological applications and innovations. KEY POINTS: • Novel Antarctic rare Actinomycetota strains were isolated from soil and sediments • Genome-based taxonomic affiliation revealed seven potentially novel species • Genome mining showed metabolic potential for novel natural products.

Commonalities between the Atacama Desert and Antarctica rhizosphere microbial communities.

Plant-microbiota interactions have significant effects on plant growth, health, and productivity. Rhizosphere microorganisms are involved in processes that promote physiological responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. In recent years, the interest in microorganisms to improve plant productivity has increased, mainly aiming to find promising strains to overcome the impact of climate change on crops. In this work, we hypothesize that given the desertic environment of the Antarctic and the Atacama Desert, different plant species inhabiting these areas might share microbial taxa with functions associated with desiccation and drought stress tolerance. Therefore, in this study, we described and compared the composition of the rhizobacterial community associated with Deschampsia antarctica (Da), Colobanthus quitensis (Cq) from Antarctic territories, and Croton chilensis (Cc), Eulychnia iquiquensis (Ei) and Nicotiana solanifolia (Ns) from coastal Atacama Desert environments by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. In addition, we evaluated the putative functions of that rhizobacterial community that are likely involved in nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance of these plants. Even though each plant microbial rhizosphere presents a unique taxonomic pattern of 3,019 different sequences, the distribution at the genus level showed a core microbiome with a higher abundance of Haliangium, Bryobacter, Bacillus, MND1 from the Nitrosomonadaceae family, and unclassified taxa from Gemmatiamonadaceae and Chitinophagaceae families in the rhizosphere of all samples analyzed (781 unique sequences). In addition, species Gemmatirosa kalamazoonesis and Solibacter usitatus were shared by the core microbiome of both Antarctic and Desert plants. All the taxa mentioned above had been previously associated with beneficial effects in plants. Also, this microbial core composition converged with the functional prediction related to survival under harsh conditions, including chemoheterotrophy, ureolysis, phototrophy, nitrogen fixation, and chitinolysis. Therefore, this study provides relevant information for the exploration of rhizospheric microorganisms from plants in extreme conditions of the Atacama Desert and Antarctic as promising plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

Mammals' sperm microbiome: current knowledge, challenges, and perspectives on metagenomics of seminal samples.

Bacterial growth is highly detrimental to sperm quality and functionality. However, during the last few years, using sequencing techniques with a metagenomic approach, it has been possible to deepen the study of bacteria-sperm relationships and describe non-culturable species and synergistic and antagonistic relationships between the different species in mammalian animals. We compile the recent metagenomics studies performed on mammalian semen samples and provide updated evidence to understand the importance of the microbial communities in the results of sperm quality and sperm functionality of males, looking for future perspectives on how these technologies can collaborate in the development of andrological knowledge.

Bacteria and Boar Semen Storage: Progress and Challenges.

Porcine breeding today is based on artificial insemination with chilled semen. This is stored at 5 °C with antibiotic supplementation to avoid bacteriospermia. There are many negative consequences on sperm quality and functionality as a result of bacterial contamination, as well as on the health of the sow. Nowadays, various techniques are being developed to reduce the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and thus avoid the generation of antibiotic resistance genes. This review aims to inform about the bacterial contamination consequences of storing liquid semen from boar and to provide an update on current methods and alternatives to antibiotic use in cold storage.

Two Archaeal Metagenome-Assembled Genomes from El Tatio Provide New Insights into the Crenarchaeota Phylum.

A phylogenomic and functional analysis of the first two Crenarchaeota MAGs belonging to El Tatio geysers fields in Chile is reported. A soil sample contiguous to a geothermal activity exposed lagoon of El Tatio was used for shotgun sequencing. Afterwards, contigs were binned into individual population-specific genomes data. A phylogenetic placement was carried out for both MAG 9-5TAT and MAG 47-5TAT. Then functional comparisons and metabolic reconstruction were carried out. Results showed that both MAG 9-5TAT and MAG 47-5TAT likely represent new species in the genus Thermoproteus and the genus Sulfolobus, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the phylogenetic and genomic diversity for archaea species that inhabit the El Tatio geysers field and expand the understanding of the Crenarchaeota phylum diversity.

Synthesis of (TDAE)(O2SSO2)(s) and discovery of (TDAE)(O2SSSSO2)(s) containing the first polythionite, [O2SSSSO2]2-.

Gaseous SO2 reacts with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) in acetonitrile in a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio to give analytically pure insoluble purple (TDAE)(O2SSO2) (1) in about 80% yield. Crystals of (TDAE)(O2SSSSO2) (2) were obtained from orange solution over the purple solid. The Raman spectrum of [TDAE](2+) was established using (TDAE)(A) salts [A = 2Br(-), 2Br(-)·2H2O (X-ray), 2[Br3](-) (X-ray)]. Vibrational spectroscopy showed that [O2SSO2](2-) in 1 has C2h geometry. The X-ray structure of 2 showed that it contained [O2SSSSO2](2-), the first example of a new class of sulfur oxyanions, the polythionites. The geometry of [O2SSSSO2](2-) consists of S2 with an S-S bond length of 2.003(1) Å connected to two terminal SO2 moieties by much longer S-S bonds of 2.337(1) Å. Calculations (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) show that the structural units in [O2SSSSO2](2-) are joined by the interaction of electrons in two mutually perpendicular π* SOMOs of the triplet-state diradical S2 with unpaired electrons in the π*-antibonding orbitals of the two terminal [SO2](•-) and polarized to delocalize the negative charge equally onto the three fragments. Thermodynamic estimates show 2 to be stable with respect to loss of sulfur and formation of 1, in contrast to [O2SSSSO2](2-) salts of small cations that are unstable toward the related dissociation. Reaction of TDAE with an excess of liquid SO2 led to (TDAE)(O3SOSO3)·SO2 (preliminary X-ray, Raman), (TDAE)(O3SSSSO3)·2SO2 (preliminary X-ray, Raman), and (TDAE)(O3SSO2) (Raman).

Synthesis of [N(CH3)4]2O3SOSO2(s) and [N(CH3)4]2[(O2SO)2SO2]·SO2(s) containing (SO4)(SO2)x(2-) x = 1, 2, members of a new class of sulfur oxydianions.

One mole equivalent of SO2 reversibly reacts with [N(CH3)4]2SO4(s) to give [N(CH3)4]2S2O6(s) (1) containing the [O3SOSO2](2-), shown by Raman and IR to be an isomer of the [O3SSO3](2-) dianion. The experimental and calculated (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) vibrational spectra are in excellent agreement, and the IR spectrum is similar to that of the isoelectronic O3ClOClO2. Crystals of [N(CH3)4]2(O2SO)2SO2·SO2 (2) were isolated from solutions of [N(CH3)4]2SO4 in liquid SO2. The X-ray structure showed that 2 contained the [(O2SO)2SO2](2-) dianion. The characterized N(CH3)4(+) salts 1 and 2 are the first two members of the (SO4)(SO2)x(2-) class of sulfur oxydianions analogous to the well-known small cation salts of the SO4(SO3)x(2-) polysulfates.

Structures and vibrational spectra of SO(n)(p-) sulfur oxides, MSO(n)(-) anions, and MSO(n), M2SO(n) salts in the gas phase (n = 1-3; p = 0-2; M = Li, Na, K). A density functional theory study.

This theoretical study focuses on geometries, vibrational spectra, charge distributions, electron affinities, and reaction energies for SO(n)(p-) anions and alkali salts MSO(n)(-), M(1,2)SO(n) in the gas phase (n = 1-3; p = 0-2; M = Li-K). Most of our data for compounds with the S oxidation states 0, 2, and 4 are new in the literature. The bulk of the results are obtained at the B3PW91 level, with CCSD(T)=FC calculations carried out for relative energy calibrations; the 6-311+G(3df) basis set is used throughout. The formation of contact ion pairs is prevalent; they are of type: (i) M(+)(SO(n)(-)) for the π-radicals MSO, MSO(2), MSO(3) of doublet multiplicity; (ii) (M(+))(2)(SO(n)(2-)) for M(2)SO, M(2)SO(2), M(2)SO(3) in their singlet ground states; and (iii) M(ns)(SO(n)(-)) for the radicals MSO(-), MSO(2)(-), MSO(3)(-) in their triplet states. When isolated in matrices, M(2)SO and M(2)SO(2) will facilitate the spectroscopic study of the little known SO(2-) and SO(2)(2-) ions. Divalent M(2)SO(n) salts, due to their large dipole moments, should be highly soluble in polar solvents, first dissociating into MSO(n)(-) + M(+) products. For MSO(3), bidentate coordination OS(O(2)M) is preferred over tridentate S(O(3)M) binding. We confirm that all MSO(2) molecules are planar, at variance with an ESR study assigning to NaSO(2) a nonplanar structure. This study partially support the assignment of an experimental frequency at 918.2 cm(-1) (932 cm(-1), calculated) to the antisymmetric ν(a)(SO) mode of the elusive sulfoxilate ion, SO(2)(2-). A definitive identification, however, would require to record the vibrational spectrum below 800 cm(-1) (apparently not done in the original work) because the missing symmetric ν(s)(SO) mode is here found to lie around 760 cm(-1), exhibiting high intensity in both IR and Raman spectra.

Evidence for [18-Crown-6 Na]2[S2O4] in methanol and dissociation to Na2S2O4 and 18-Crown-6 in the solid state; accounting for the scarcity of simple oxy dianion salts of alkali metal crown ethers in the solid state.

[18-Crown-6 Na](2)S(2)O(4) complex was prepared in methanol solution but dissociates into 18-Crown-6 ((s)) and Na(2)S(2)O(4 (s)) on removal of the solvent. Evidence for complexation in methanol is supported by a quantitative mass analysis and the dissociation in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. These observations are accounted for by investigating the energetics of complexation in solution and dissociation in the solid state using calculated density functional theory (DFT) gas phase binding enthalpies and free energies combined with conductor-like screening model (COSMO) solvation energies and lattice enthalpy and free energy terms derived from volume based thermodynamics (VBT). Our calculations show that complexation of alkali metal dianion salts to crown ethers are much less favorable than that of the corresponding monoanion salts in the solid state and that the formation of alkali metal crown complexes of stable simple oxy-dianion (e.g., CO(3)(2-), SO(4)(2-)) salts is unlikely. The roles of complexation with 18-Crown-6 and ion pair formation in the process of dissolution of Na(2)S(2)O(4) to methanol are discussed.

Axial asymmetry of the charge- and spin-density distributions in Pi states. Molecular quadrupole moments and hyperfine coupling constants of CH, NH, OH, CF, LiO, NO, and FO.

The axial asymmetry of the charge- and spin-density distributions in Pi states is studied via second-rank traceless tensors P(ii) (ii = xx, yy, zz), namely, quadrupole moments (Theta(ii)), electric field gradients (q(ii)), and magnetic dipolar (T(ii)) hyperfine coupling constants (hfcc's). In linear molecules, it holds that P(xx) does not = P(yy) does not = P(zz) for Pi, but P(xx) = P(yy) does not = P(zz) for Sigma, Delta, Phi,..., states. Thus, traceless P(ii) in Pi states have two independent parameters, P(parallel) = P(zz) is proportional to [r(m)(3 cos2 theta - 1] and deltaP(perpendicular) = |P(xx) - P(yy)| is proportional to [r(m) sin2 theta], with m = 2(Theta(ii)) or -3(q(ii), T(ii)). All linear states have P(parallel) does not = 0, but only Pi states exhibit deltaP(perpendicular) does not = 0, as shown by hfcc's like c = (3/2)T(zz), and d = |T(xx) - T(yy)|, as well as q0 = (-q(zz)) and |q(2)/2| = |q(xx) - q(yy)|. Little is known about Theta(zz) and deltaTheta(perpendicular) = |Theta(xx) - Theta(yy)| in Pi states since most experimental values (gas-phase) are rotational averages, and several theoretical studies have reported Theta(zz) but assumed deltaTheta(perpendicular) = 0. The diatomics studied here have X2Pi(1/2)(pi1) ground states, like CH and NO, or are of type X2Pi(3/2)(pi3), like OH, CF, LiO, and FO. The A3Pi(sigma pi3) state of NH is also included. Our P(parallel) and deltaP(perpendicular) values--calculated at the experimental R(e)'s with the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ method--reproduce well the available literature data. The properties of the CF and FO radicals are not well-known so that our {c, d} and {q0, q2} values should help future experimental studies of their hyperfine spectra. Excluding OH, the complete quadrupole sets {Theta(zz), deltaTheta(perpendicular)} are new for all species discussed here. For comparison purposes, Theta(zz) of a low-lying Sigma state is also calculated for each X2Pi radical.

Quadrupole, octopole, and hexadecapole electric moments of Sigma, Pi, Delta, and Phi electronic states: cylindrically asymmetric charge density distributions in linear molecules with nonzero electronic angular momentum.

The number of independent components, n, of traceless electric 2(l)-multipole moments is determined for C(infinity v) molecules in Sigma(+/-), Pi, Delta, and Phi electronic states (Lambda=0,1,2,3). Each 2(l) pole is defined by a rank-l irreducible tensor with (2l+1) components P(m)((l)) proportional to the solid spherical harmonic r(l)Y(m)(l)(theta,phi). Here we focus our attention on 2(l) poles with l=2,3,4 (quadrupole Theta, octopole Omega, and hexadecapole Phi). An important conclusion of this study is that n can be 1 or 2 depending on both the multipole rank l and state quantum number Lambda. For Sigma(+/-)(Lambda=0) states, all 2(l) poles have one independent parameter (n=1). For spatially degenerate states--Pi, Delta, and Phi (Lambda=1,2,3)--the general rule reads n=1 for l<2/Lambda/ (when the 2(l)-pole rank lies below 2/Lambda/ but n=2 for higher 2(l) poles with l>or=2/Lambda/. The second nonzero term is the off-diagonal matrix element [formula: see text]. Thus, a Pi(Lambda=1) state has one dipole (mu(z)) but two independent 2(l) poles for l>or=2--starting with the quadrupole [Theta(zz),(Theta(xx)-Theta(yy))]. A Delta(Lambda=2) state has n=1 for 2((1,2,3)) poles (mu(z),Theta(zz),Omega(zzz)) but n=2 for higher 2((l>or=4)) poles--from the hexadecapole Phi up. For Phi(Lambda=3) states, it holds that n=1 for 2(1) to 2(5) poles but n=2 for all 2((l>or=6)) poles. In short, what is usually stated in the literature--that n=1 for all possible 2(l) poles of linear molecules--only applies to Sigma(+/-) states. For degenerate states with n=2, all Cartesian 2(l)-pole components (l>or=2/Lambda/) can be expressed as linear combinations of two irreducible multipoles, P(m=0)((l)) and P/m/=2 Lambda)((l)) [parallel (z axis) and anisotropy (xy plane)]. Our predictions are exemplified by the Theta, Omega, and Phi moments calculated for Lambda=0-3 states of selected diatomics (in parentheses): X (2)Sigma(+)(CN), X (2)Pi(NO), a (3)Pi(u)(C(2)), X (2)Delta(NiH), X (3)Delta(TiO), X (3)Phi(CoF), and X (4)Phi(TiF). States of Pi symmetry are most affected by the deviation from axial symmetry.

Theoretical studies on dications and trications of FH, ClH, and BrH. Properties of the bound 1(5)sigma- states. Electron-spin g-factors and fine/hyperfine constants of the metastable X3Sigma- states of ClH2+ and BrH2+.

This theoretical study reports calculations on the fine and hyperfine structure parameters of the metastable X(3)Sigma(-)(sigma(2)pi(2)) state of ClH(2+) and BrH(2+). Data on the repulsive FH(2+) system are also included for comparison purposes. The hyperfine structure (hfs) coupling constants for magnetic (A(iso), A(dip)) and quadrupole (eQq) interactions are evaluated using B3LYP, MP4SDQ, CCSD, and QCISD methods and several basis sets. The fine structure (fs) constants (zero-field splitting lambda and spin-rotation coupling gamma) and electron-spin magnetic moments (g-factor) are evaluated in 2nd-order perturbation theory using multireference CI (MRCI) wave functions. Our calculations find for (35)Cl of ClH(2+) A(iso)/A(dip) = 110/-86 MHz; eQq(0) = -59 MHz; 2lambda = 20.4 cm(-1); g( perpendicular)(v = 0) = 2.02217; and gamma = -0.31 cm(-1) (to be compared with the available experimental A(iso)/A(dip)= 162/-30 MHz). For (79)BrH(2+), the corresponding values are 300/-400 MHz; 368 MHz; 362.6 cm(-1); 2.07302; and -0.98 cm(-1) (experimental 2lambda = 445(+/-80) cm(-1)). We find g( perpendicular)(ClH(2+)) to increase by about 0.0054 between v = 0 and 2, whereas the experimental effective g( perpendicular) changes drastically with vibrational excitation. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for halogen atoms X are found to be as large as corresponding A(dip)(X)'s, indicating that both terms may have to be included in the Hamiltonian used to interpret XH(2+) hyperfine spectra. A novel finding relates to the bound character of the 1(5)Sigma(-)(sigmapi(2)sigma) state in FH(2+), as already known for ClH(2+) and BrH(2+), but having a deeper potential well D(e) approximately 4,000 cm(-1) (versus 1,000 cm(-1) in the heavier radicals). Vertical ionization potentials for formation of XH(3+) trications are also discussed.