Summary auto-generated
This study describes the isolation and characterization of a novel thermophilic bacterium, strain K14T, capable of degrading polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) including poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and copolymers containing thioester linkages. The organism was isolated from activated sludge in Egypt using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-mercaptopropionate) as the sole carbon source. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that strain K14T is closely related to the dehydroabietic acid-degrading thermophile DhA-71, with 99% sequence similarity. DNA-DNA hybridization studies (94% reassociation) confirmed these two strains belong to the same species. Both strains are gram-negative, motile rods with a single polar flagellum, belonging to the β-Proteobacteria subclass. Based on their distinct phylogenetic position, thermophilic nature, and ability to degrade novel polymers, the authors propose a new genus Schlegelella and the type species Schlegelella thermodepolymerans. The bacterium exhibits optimal growth at 50°C, possesses characteristic fatty acid profiles with high cyclic C17 content, and displays a DNA G+C content of 70.0 mol%.
Key findings
- A novel thermophilic bacterium, Schlegelella thermodepolymerans strain K14T, was isolated that can degrade poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-mercaptopropionate), a polyester with thioester linkages.
- Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences demonstrates that strain K14T and the dehydroabietic acid-degrading strain DhA-71 form a new genus within the β-Proteobacteria, with 99% sequence similarity and 94% DNA-DNA hybridization.
- Schlegelella thermodepolymerans is a gram-negative, motile, thermophilic rod with optimal growth around 50°C and distinctive fatty acid profiles featuring high levels of cyclic C17 fatty acids.
- The genus and species are named in honor of H.G. Schlegel, a pioneer in PHA research, and the specific epithet reflects the organism's ability to depolymerize PHAs at elevated temperatures.
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Abstract
A novel thermophilic bacterium, strain K14T, capable of degrading poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as well as copolymers containing 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-mercaptopropionate linked by thioester bonds, was isolated. 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that strain DhA-71, a dehydroabietic acid-degrading bacterium, was the nearest phylogenetic neighbour and that both strains should be placed as members of a newly created genus, Schlegelella gen. nov., in the Rubrivivax subgroup of the β-Proteobacteria. Strain K14T (=LMG 21644T=DSM 15344T) is proposed as the type strain of Schlegelella thermodepolymerans gen. nov., sp. nov. Its phylogenetic, morphological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics are described in detail.