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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377980
Research Project: Development of New Production Methodologies for Biocontrol Agents and Fastidious Microbes to Improve Plant Disease Management

Location: Crop Bioprotection Research

Title: Streptomyces buecherae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from multiple bat species

Author
item HAMM, PARIS - University Of New Mexico
item Dunlap, Christopher
item MULLOWNEY, MICHAEL - Northwestern University
item CAIMI, NICOLE - University Of New Mexico
item KELLEHER, NEIL - Northwestern University
item THOMSON, REGAN - Northwestern University
item PORRAS-ALFARO, ANDREA - Western Illinois University
item NORTHUP, DIANA - University Of New Mexico

Submitted to: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2020
Publication Date: 11/16/2020
Citation: Hamm, P.S., Dunlap, C.A., Mullowney, M.W., Caimi, N.A., Kelleher, N.L., Thomson, R.J., Porras-Alfaro, A., Northup, D.E. 2020. Streptomyces buecherae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from multiple bat species. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 113:2213–2221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-020-01493-4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-020-01493-4

Interpretive Summary: An ARS researcher from Peoria, Illinois, collaborated with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, Western Illinois University, Northwestern University and the University of New Mexico to characterize a new species of bacteria isolated from bats. Bats play an important role in agriculture by controlling pest insects and acting as pollinators. The population of bats in the United States of American has declined sharply in recent years from a fungal disease that causes white-nose syndrome. In the current study, we identified a novel species of bacteria that can inhibit the fungal agent that causes the disease. The bacteria identified in this study will be evaluated later to determine their potential to control the disease in the field. This research benefits U.S. farmers and consumers that rely on crops impacted by the loss of these natural pollinators and insect predators.

Technical Abstract: A novel clade within the genus Streptomyces was discovered following antifungal screening against Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of white-nose syndrome. Swabs from both the cave bat (Myotis velifer) and the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) in southern New Mexico bore isolates AC536, AC541T and AC563, which were characterised using morphological, phenotypic, and phylogenetic analysis. A complete genome of the type strain was assembled to determine its taxonomy and secondary metabolite potential. Approximately 1.49 Mb or 17.76% of the whole genome is devoted to natural product biosynthesis. Multi-locus sequence analysis positions AC541T with neighbors Streptomyces rubidus (NRRL B-24619T), Streptomyces guanduensis (NRRL B-24617T), and Streptomyces yeochonensis (NRRL B-24245T). DNA-DNA relatedness between AC541T and its nearest neighbors ranged between 23.7 to 24.1%. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of the type strain is 73.13 mol%. Members of this clade presented an ivory to yellow hue on most ISP media except inorganic salts-starch agar (ISP4) and can grow on D-glucose, mannitol, and D-fructose exhibited little to no growth on L-arabinose, sucrose, D-xylose, inositol, L-rhamnose, D-raffinose, and cellulose. This clade possesses the capability to grow from 10 ºC to 45 ºC and 12.5% (w/v) NaCl. There is a slight growth variation in pH, but all isolates thrive at alkaline levels. Micromorphology depicts ovoid spores with smooth surfaces in flexuous chains. Based on our polyphasic study of AC541T, the strain warrants the assignment to a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces buecherae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AC541T (=JCM 33568T, =ATCC TSD201T).