Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation
It is known that the bacterial microbiota in beehives is essential for keeping bees healthy. Acetic acid bacteria of the genus <i>Bombella</i> colonize several niches in beehives and are associated with larvae protection against microbial pathogens. We have analyzed the genomes of 22 <...
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/5/1058 |
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| author | Luca Härer Maik Hilgarth Matthias A. Ehrmann |
| author_facet | Luca Härer Maik Hilgarth Matthias A. Ehrmann |
| author_sort | Luca Härer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | It is known that the bacterial microbiota in beehives is essential for keeping bees healthy. Acetic acid bacteria of the genus <i>Bombella</i> colonize several niches in beehives and are associated with larvae protection against microbial pathogens. We have analyzed the genomes of 22 <i>Bombella</i> strains of different species isolated in eight different countries for taxonomic affiliation, central metabolism, prophages, bacteriocins and tetracycline resistance to further elucidate the symbiotic lifestyle and to identify typical traits of acetic acid bacteria. The genomes can be assigned to four different species. Three genomes show ANIb values and DDH values below species demarcation values to any validly described species, which identifies them as two potentially new species. All <i>Bombella</i> spp. lack genes in the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, indicating a focus of intracellular carbohydrate metabolism on the pentose phosphate pathway or the Entner–Doudoroff pathway for which all genes were identified within the genomes. Five membrane-bound dehydrogenases were identified that catalyze oxidative fermentation reactions in the periplasm, yielding oxidative energy. Several complete prophages, but no bacteriocins, were identified. Resistance to tetracycline, used to prevent bacterial infections in beehives, was only found in <i>Bombella apis</i> MRM1<sup>T</sup>. <i>Bombella</i> strains exhibit increased osmotolerance in high glucose concentrations compared to <i>Gluconobacter oxydans</i>, indicating adaption to high sugar environments such as beehives. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:22:05Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:22:05Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a59ac82a83c456d991dd4de768001e82023-11-23T12:17:15ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072022-05-01105105810.3390/microorganisms10051058Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat AdaptationLuca Härer0Maik Hilgarth1Matthias A. Ehrmann2Chair of Microbiology, Technical University Munich, 85354 Freising, GermanyChair of Technical Microbiology, Technical University Munich, 85354 Freising, GermanyChair of Microbiology, Technical University Munich, 85354 Freising, GermanyIt is known that the bacterial microbiota in beehives is essential for keeping bees healthy. Acetic acid bacteria of the genus <i>Bombella</i> colonize several niches in beehives and are associated with larvae protection against microbial pathogens. We have analyzed the genomes of 22 <i>Bombella</i> strains of different species isolated in eight different countries for taxonomic affiliation, central metabolism, prophages, bacteriocins and tetracycline resistance to further elucidate the symbiotic lifestyle and to identify typical traits of acetic acid bacteria. The genomes can be assigned to four different species. Three genomes show ANIb values and DDH values below species demarcation values to any validly described species, which identifies them as two potentially new species. All <i>Bombella</i> spp. lack genes in the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, indicating a focus of intracellular carbohydrate metabolism on the pentose phosphate pathway or the Entner–Doudoroff pathway for which all genes were identified within the genomes. Five membrane-bound dehydrogenases were identified that catalyze oxidative fermentation reactions in the periplasm, yielding oxidative energy. Several complete prophages, but no bacteriocins, were identified. Resistance to tetracycline, used to prevent bacterial infections in beehives, was only found in <i>Bombella apis</i> MRM1<sup>T</sup>. <i>Bombella</i> strains exhibit increased osmotolerance in high glucose concentrations compared to <i>Gluconobacter oxydans</i>, indicating adaption to high sugar environments such as beehives.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/5/1058<i>Bombella</i>acetic acid bacteria<i>Apis mellifera</i>honeybee microbiotacomparative genomicsmetabolism |
| spellingShingle | Luca Härer Maik Hilgarth Matthias A. Ehrmann Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation Microorganisms <i>Bombella</i> acetic acid bacteria <i>Apis mellifera</i> honeybee microbiota comparative genomics metabolism |
| title | Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation |
| title_full | Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation |
| title_short | Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus <i>Bombella</i> in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation |
| title_sort | comparative genomics of acetic acid bacteria within the genus i bombella i in light of beehive habitat adaptation |
| topic | <i>Bombella</i> acetic acid bacteria <i>Apis mellifera</i> honeybee microbiota comparative genomics metabolism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/5/1058 |
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