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Streptomyces thermoautotrophicus does not fix nitrogen.

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Streptomyces thermoautotrophicus UBT1 and related strains do not possess a functional nitrogenase enzyme. Reclassification is proposed for these non-diazotrophic bacteria, challenging previous findings.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Streptomyces thermoautotrophicus UBT1 was previously characterized as a thermophilic chemolithoautotroph possessing a novel, oxygen-insensitive nitrogenase.
  • This nitrogenase was hypothesized to be encoded by the sdn genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diazotrophic capabilities of S. thermoautotrophicus UBT1 and related strains.
  • To re-evaluate the presence and function of the proposed oxygen-tolerant nitrogenase.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing of S. thermoautotrophicus UBT1, H1, and P1-2 strains.
  • Growth assays on ammonium-free media.
  • Isotopic labeling experiments with N2 gas.
  • Draft genome sequencing of UBT1 and H1 strains.
  • Comparative genomic analysis with Hydrogenibacillus schlegelii.

Main Results:

  • Strains UBT1, H1, and P1-2 exhibited minimal growth on ammonium-free media and failed to incorporate labeled N2 gas.
  • The sdn genes showed limited similarity in draft genomes of UBT1 and H1.
  • sdn genes shared high nucleotide identity with genes from Hydrogenibacillus schlegelii, which lacks nitrogenase genes and is a non-diazotroph.
  • H. schlegelii draft genome confirmed the absence of nitrogenase genes.

Conclusions:

  • The previously proposed oxygen-tolerant nitrogenase in S. thermoautotrophicus is unlikely to exist.
  • Strains UBT1, H1, and P1-2 are proposed for reclassification as non-Streptomycete, non-diazotrophic, facultative chemolithoautotrophs.