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Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria show insecticidal activities that rely upon the production of insecticidal crystal proteins, which are encoded by cry or cyt genes and can target a variety of insect pests. It has been shown that cry1Ac is the only cry gene in B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD73 (B. thuringiensis HD73) and its expression is controlled by both σE and σK. Here, we report a novel σE-dependent strong promoter of a non-cry gene (HD73_5014), which can direct strong cry1Ac gene expression in B. thuringiensis HD73. We constructed an E. coli-B. thuringiensis shuttle vector (pHT315-P 5014 -1Ac) for cry1Ac gene expression, using the HD73_5014 gene promoter. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis showed that expression of the cry1Ac gene directed by the HD73_5014 gene promoter was at the same level as that directed by the previously known strongest cry promoter, P cry8E . However, this strain did not form typical bipyramidal crystals in mother cells, as observed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscope. The strain with Cry1Ac protein expression under the control of the HD73_5014 gene promoter (P 5014 -cry1Ac) showed insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella similar to that under the control of the orf1cry8E gene promoter (P cry8E -cry1Ac). Collectively, these results suggest that the HD73_5014 gene promoter, as a non-cry gene promoter, would be an efficient transcriptional element for cry gene expression. These data also show the possibility for improving Cry production by searching for transcriptional elements in not only cry genes, but also non-cry genes.

Rhodococcus opacus strain PD630 (R. opacus PD630), is an oleaginous bacterium, and also is one of few prokaryotic organisms that contain lipid droplets (LDs). LD is an important organelle for lipid storage but also intercellular communication regarding energy metabolism, and yet is a poorly understood cellular organelle. To understand the dynamics of LD using a simple model organism, we conducted a series of comprehensive omics studies of R. opacus PD630 including complete genome, transcriptome and proteome analysis. The genome of R. opacus PD630 encodes 8947 genes that are significantly enriched in the lipid transport, synthesis and metabolic, indicating a super ability of carbon source biosynthesis and catabolism. The comparative transcriptome analysis from three culture conditions revealed the landscape of gene-altered expressions responsible for lipid accumulation. The LD proteomes further identified the proteins that mediate lipid synthesis, storage and other biological functions. Integrating these three omics uncovered 177 proteins that may be involved in lipid metabolism and LD dynamics. A LD structure-like protein LPD06283 was further verified to affect the LD morphology. Our omics studies provide not only a first integrated omics study of prokaryotic LD organelle, but also a systematic platform for facilitating further prokaryotic LD research and biofuel development.

Paecilomyces hepiali is an endoparasitic fungus that commonly exists in the natural Cordyceps sinensis . Here, we report the draft genome sequence of P. hepiali , which will facilitate the exploitation of medicinal compounds produced by the fungus.

Yersinia enterocolitica is the most diverse species among the Yersinia genera and shows more polymorphism, especially for the non-pathogenic strains. Individual non-pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains are wrongly identified because of atypical phenotypes. In this study, we isolated an unusual Y. enterocolitica strain LC20 from Rattus norvegicus. The strain did not utilize urea and could not be classified as the biotype. API 20E identified Escherichia coli; however, it grew well at 25 °C, but E. coli grew well at 37 °C. We analyzed the genome of LC20 and found the whole chromosome of LC20 was collinear with Y. enterocolitica 8081, and the urease gene did not exist on the genome which is consistent with the result of API 20E. Also, the 16 S and 23 SrRNA gene of LC20 lay on a branch of Y. enterocolitica. Furthermore, the core-based and pan-based phylogenetic trees showed that LC20 was classified into the Y. enterocolitica cluster. Two plasmids (80 and 50 k) from LC20 shared low genetic homology with pYV from the Yersinia genus, one was an ancestral Yersinia plasmid and the other was novel encoding a number of transposases. Some pathogenic and non-pathogenic Y. enterocolitica-specific genes coexisted in LC20. Thus, although it could not be classified into any Y. enterocolitica biotype due to its special biochemical metabolism, we concluded the LC20 was a Y. enterocolitica strain because its genome was similar to other Y. enterocolitica and it might be a strain with many mutations and combinations emerging in the processes of its evolution.

We report the draft genome sequences of PKUSS-HG01 and PKUSS-LG01, two clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans from human dental plaque. The genomics information will facilitate the study of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and evolution of S. mutans .

We report the draft genome sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis strain LM1212, which differentiates into crystal producers or spore formers during the stationary phase. Availability of this genome sequence will facilitate the study of spore formation, crystal formation, cell differentiation, and evolution of B. thuringiensis .

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Psychrobacter sp. strain G, isolated from King George Island, Antarctica, which can produce lipolytic enzymes at low temperatures. The genomics information of this strain will facilitate the study of the physiology, cold adaptation properties, and evolution of this genus.

Marinobacter sp. BSs20148 was isolated from marine sediment collected from the Arctic Ocean at a water depth of 3,800 m. Here we report the complete genome sequence of Marinobacter sp. BSs20148. This genomic information will facilitate the study of the physiological metabolism, ecological roles, and evolution of the Marinobacter species.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Glaciecola psychrophila strain 170 T , a novel species of the genus Glaciecola , isolated from sea ice at high-latitude Arctic locations. The genome consists of a single chromosome (5,413,691 bp) and 5,363 genes. The genomics information will facilitate the study of the physiology, cold adaptation, and evolution of this genus.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive bacterium that produces intracellular protein crystals toxic to a wide variety of insect larvae. We report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain HD73 from the Centre OILB (Institut Pasteur, France), which belongs to serotype 3ab and is toxic to lepidopteran larvae.