Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Quantifying Siderophores and Pyochelin for Infection Control
Published on: March 15, 2024
Iron Uptake Analysis in a Set of Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas putida
Lázaro Molina1, Valérie A Geoffroy2, Ana Segura1
1Environmental Protection Department, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Granada, Spain.
Abstract:
Pseudomonas putida strains are frequent inhabitants of soil and aquatic niches and they are occasionally isolated from hospital environments. As the available iron sources in human tissues, edaphic, and aquatic niches are different, we have analyzed iron-uptake related genes in different P. putida strains that were isolated from all these environments. We found that these isolates can be grouped into different clades according to the genetics of siderophore biosynthesis and recycling. The pyoverdine locus of the six P. putida clinical isolates that have so far been completely sequenced, are not closely related; three strains (P. putida HB13667, HB3267, and NBRC14164T) are grouped in Clade I and the other three in Clade II, suggesting possible different origins and evolution. In one clinical strain, P. putida HB4184, the production of siderophores is induced under high osmolarity conditions. The pyoverdine locus in this strain is closely related to that of strain P. putida HB001 which was isolated from sandy shore soil of the Yellow Sea in Korean marine sand, suggesting their possible origin, and evolution. The acquisition of two unique TonB-dependent transporters for xenosiderophore acquisition, similar to those existing in the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa PAO, is an interesting adaptation trait of the clinical strain P. putida H8234 that may confer adaptive advantages under low iron availability conditions.
Insights
Pseudomonas putida strains from different environments show distinct iron uptake gene clusters, indicating varied evolutionary paths. This genetic diversity influences their adaptation to diverse ecological niches, including human tissues.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Pseudomonas putida are common soil, aquatic, and hospital bacteria.
- Iron availability varies significantly across these environments, impacting bacterial adaptation.
- Understanding iron acquisition mechanisms is crucial for P. putida's survival and pathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze iron-uptake related genes in P. putida strains from diverse environments.
- To investigate the genetic basis of siderophore biosynthesis and recycling.
- To explore the evolutionary origins and adaptations of P. putida clinical isolates.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis of iron-uptake related genes.
- Phylogenetic analysis based on siderophore biosynthesis loci.
- Identification of unique genetic elements in clinical isolates.
Main Results:
- P. putida isolates group into distinct clades based on siderophore genetics.
- Clinical isolates show diverse pyoverdine loci, suggesting different evolutionary trajectories.
- One strain exhibits siderophore induction under high osmolarity, linked to marine sand isolates.
- A clinical strain possesses unique TonB-dependent transporters for xenosiderophore acquisition.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variation in iron uptake systems reflects adaptation to different environments.
- Distinct evolutionary pathways exist for P. putida, even among clinical strains.
- Unique transporters may provide adaptive advantages in low-iron conditions for clinical P. putida.
