The mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of the green alga Haematococcus are made up of nearly identical repetitive sequences.

The chlamydomonadalean green alga Haematococcus lacustris (strain UTEX 2505) has the largest chloroplast genome on record: 1352 kb with ∼90% non-coding DNA [1,2]. But what of the mitochondrial genome? Here we present sequencing, assembly, and analysis of the mitogenome that shows that it, too, is extremely expanded. What's more, the same repetitive elements have spread throughout the mitochondrial and chloroplast (or plastid) DNA (mtDNA and ptDNA, respectively), resulting in the situation whereby these two distinct organelle genomes are made up of nearly identical sequences.

Next-Generation Sequencing of Haematococcus lacustris Reveals an Extremely Large 1.35-Megabase Chloroplast Genome.

is an industrially relevant microalga that is used for the production of the carotenoid astaxanthin. Here, we report the use of PacBio long-read sequencing to assemble the chloroplast genome of strain UTEX:2505. At 1.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Model Oleaginous Alga CCMP1894.

The model oleaginous alga was completely sequenced using a combination of optical mapping and next-generation sequencing technologies to generate one of the most complete eukaryotic genomes published to date. The assembled genome is 30.7 Mb long.

Phylogenetic Distribution of CRISPR-Cas Systems in Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Unlabelled: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an antibiotic-refractory pathogen with a large genome and extensive genotypic diversity. Historically, P. aeruginosa has been a major model system for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying type I clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR-Cas)-based bacterial immune system function.

Azotobacter Genomes: The Genome of Azotobacter chroococcum NCIMB 8003 (ATCC 4412).

The genome of the soil-dwelling heterotrophic N2-fixing Gram-negative bacterium Azotobacter chroococcum NCIMB 8003 (ATCC 4412) (Ac-8003) has been determined. It consists of 7 circular replicons totalling 5,192,291 bp comprising a circular chromosome of 4,591,803 bp and six plasmids pAcX50a, b, c, d, e, f of 10,435 bp, 13,852, 62,783, 69,713, 132,724, and 311,724 bp respectively. The chromosome has a G+C content of 66.

Metagenomic and functional analysis of hindgut microbiota of a wood-feeding higher termite.

From the standpoints of both basic research and biotechnology, there is considerable interest in reaching a clearer understanding of the diversity of biological mechanisms employed during lignocellulose degradation. Globally, termites are an extremely successful group of wood-degrading organisms and are therefore important both for their roles in carbon turnover in the environment and as potential sources of biochemical catalysts for efforts aimed at converting wood into biofuels. Only recently have data supported any direct role for the symbiotic bacteria in the gut of the termite in cellulose and xylan hydrolysis.

Biocatalytic conversion of avermectin to 4''-oxo-avermectin: improvement of cytochrome p450 monooxygenase specificity by directed evolution.

Discovery of the CYP107Z subfamily of cytochrome P450 oxidases (CYPs) led to an alternative biocatalytic synthesis of 4''-oxo-avermectin, a key intermediate for the commercial production of the semisynthetic insecticide emamectin. However, under industrial process conditions, these wild-type CYPs showed lower yields due to side product formation. Molecular evolution employing GeneReassembly was used to improve the regiospecificity of these enzymes by a combination of random mutagenesis, protein structure-guided site-directed mutagenesis, and recombination of multiple natural and synthetic CYP107Z gene fragments.

Genome streamlining in a cosmopolitan oceanic bacterium.

The SAR11 clade consists of very small, heterotrophic marine alpha-proteobacteria that are found throughout the oceans, where they account for about 25% of all microbial cells. Pelagibacter ubique, the first cultured member of this clade, has the smallest genome and encodes the smallest number of predicted open reading frames known for a free-living microorganism. In contrast to parasitic bacteria and archaea with small genomes, P.

Evolution of a microbial nitrilase gene family: a comparative and environmental genomics study.

Background: Completed genomes and environmental genomic sequences are bringing a significant contribution to understanding the evolution of gene families, microbial metabolism and community eco-physiology. Here, we used comparative genomics and phylogenetic analyses in conjunction with enzymatic data to probe the evolution and functions of a microbial nitrilase gene family. Nitrilases are relatively rare in bacterial genomes, their biological function being unclear.

Discovery of pectin-degrading enzymes and directed evolution of a novel pectate lyase for processing cotton fabric.

There is a growing need in the textile industry for more economical and environmentally responsible approaches to improve the scouring process as part of the pretreatment of cotton fabric. Enzymatic methods using pectin-degrading enzymes are potentially valuable candidates in this effort because they could reduce the amount of toxic alkaline chemicals currently used. Using high throughput screening of complex environmental DNA libraries more than 40 novel microbial pectate lyases were discovered, and their enzymatic properties were characterized.

A novel, high performance enzyme for starch liquefaction. Discovery and optimization of a low pH, thermostable alpha-amylase.

High throughput screening of microbial DNA libraries was used to identify alpha-amylases with phenotypic characteristics compatible with large scale corn wet milling process conditions. Single and multiorganism DNA libraries originating from various environments were targeted for activity and sequence-based screening approaches. After initial screening, 15 clones were designated as primary hits based upon activity at pH 4.