Saccharopolyspora spinosa

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Classification

Domain: Bacteria

    Phylum: Actinobacteria

        Class: Actinobacteria

            Order: Actinomycetales

                Family: Pseudonocardiaceae

                    Genus: Saccharopolyspora

Species

Saccharopolyspora spinosa

NCBI: [1]

Description and Significance

Figure 1. Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Scanning Electron Microscopy image of S. spinosa hyphae surrounded by spiny sheath (left), and bead-like chains (right). Image is Courtesy of Dow AgroSciences

In 1982, researchers vacationing in the Virgin Islands discovered the actinomycete bacteria, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, in soil collected at an inoperative sugar mill rum still (##ref, ##ref). Similar to other species in the Saccharopolyspora genus, S. spinosa are aerobic, gram-positive, and have mycelium (##ref). The mycelium are made up of pale yellowish-pink aerial hyphae, and yellow to yellow-brown substrate hyphae (##ref). These hyphae are long bead-like spore chains that are surrounded by spiny(='spinosa') spore sheaths (##ref). These bacteria are most similar to S. erythraea in morphology, but have different physiological characteristics compared to other species in this genus. Furthermore, since the discovery of S. spinosa, many research cultures have developed distinct strains of S. spinosa. Strains of S. spinosa are convoluted in scientific literature, but a few including the type strain A83543.1 are listed on StrainInfo.net.

Saccharopolyspora spinosa produce secondary metabolites named 'spinosyns' that are economically, ecologically, and agriculturally important. It has been found that spinosyns have pesticidal properties that are effective for many mites and insects (##ref). Interestingly, the discovery of these properties led to a patent on S. spinosa and the byproducts produced by the organisms (Turner et al. 1995). Spinosyns now make up a new class of insecticides that are produced by such and such company. Because the active ingredients in these pesticides are biological byproducts, the pesticides are marketed as "natural," and less toxic compared to other availible chemicals. Therefore, pesticides containing spinosyns such as Conserve, Entrust, etc. are attractive options for pest management in agriculture.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

The genome of S. spinosa has been drafted by the Beijing Genomics Institute. It was produced using a genome shotgun strategy as well as pyrosequencing. The entire genome was found to be at 8,581,920 base pairs with 8,302 predicted coding sequences. G+C content was found to be 67.94%(ref #). This organism is still under study and its genome is in the process of being fully mapped.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Cell Structure The cell wall of Saccharopolyspora spinosa is mainly composed of a thick layer of peptidoglycan, and lipoteichoic acids, that serve as chelating agents and also for adherence. The individual peptidoglycan molecules are cross-linked by pentaglycine chains using a DD-transpeptidase enzyme. Spores of S. spinosaare round to oval and covered by a sheath. The cell wall of this organism, just as with other members in its genus is characterized by the absence of mycolic acids (long-chain α-substituted Β-hydroxylated fatty acids) (Alexander et al., 2000)

Metabolism S. spinosa is a chemoorganoheterotroph that decomposes organic matter to produce energy. It may utilize a list of organic acids for carbon and energy. Some of those that it metabolizes are: acetate, butyrate, citrate, formate, lactate, malate, proprionate, pyruvate, and succinate. This species is also able to reduce nitrogen. Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in most plants and the ability of S. spinosa to reduce nitrogen could make it a great symbiont to agricultural plants.

Life Cycle Many actinomycetes are soil dwelling decomposers (##ref). S. spinosa was discovered in soil and has been kept in culture... It has not been found in nature since its discovery (ref).

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

mode of action of spinosyns - neonicitinoid and gaba receptor

spinosyns have a unique mode of action involving the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine and GABA receptors (Bond et al, 2004; Salgado, 1998; Watson, 2001)

Habitat

Saccharopolyspora spinosa is kept in culture. Culture medias that have demonstrated good growth conditions for S. spinosa include actinomycete isolation agar, Bennett agar, tomato paste-oatmeal agar (Waksman 1961 via Thompson et al. 1990, Thompson et al. 1990), and BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) agar (Waldon et al. 2001). The optimal temperature for growth in media are 15-37°C (Thompson et al. 1990). These organisms are also grown in fermentation broths (Waldon et al. 2001).

Saccharopolyspora spinosa is part of the family actinomycete. It is the only bacterium that produces a natural, low-risk insecticidal chemical called Spinosad. This natural pesticide consists of a mixture of tetracyclic macrolide neurotoxins,spinosyn A and D that kills most pests and has no known toxic effect on humans (Yuanlong et al., 2011, Bond et al., 2004)

This chemical is already in use as a grain protect-ant in several countries. Spinosad protects against a large range of insects, predominantly moths and beetles. It is also being used as a larvicide for in the control of container breeding mosquitoes, an attractive option due to its highest ratings for safety, environmentally favourable toxicity profile and low persistence (Bond et al., 2004). This chemical compound is able to remain viable in dry grain storage bins and its length of virility has been measured to last from six months up to two years. The effectiveness of this compound is still being explored and it is reported that its strength is determinant upon several factors such as: insect species, pest life stage, grain type, and grain variety. Spinosad has also been marketed as a treatment for headlice under the pharmaceutical name Natroba.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Alexander, M., Bloom R.B., Hopwood, D.A., Hull, R., and B.H., Iglewski (Ed). Encyclopedia of Microbiology. Second Edition. 2000. Elsevier Science.

Bond J.G., Marina, C.F.and T. Williams. The naturally Derived Insecticide Spinosad is highly Toxic to "Aedes" and "Anopheles" Mosquito Larvae. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 2004. Volume 18. p 50-56

Cloyd, R. "Western Flower Thrips Managment: Have We Reached An Impasse?". OFA Bulletin. 2009. Volume 918. p. 24-29.

Hertlein Mark B. et al. "Spinosad: A New Natural Product for Stored Grain Protection". Journal of Stored Products Research. 2011. Volume 47. p. 131-146.

Mertz, F.P., and Yoa, R.C. "Saccharopolyspora spinosa sp. nov. Isolated from Soil Collected in a Sugar Mill Rum Still". International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology. 1990. Volume 40(1). p. 34-39.

Turner, J.R., Huber, M.L.B., Broughton, M.C., Mynderse, J.S., Martin, J.W.

Thompson, G.D., Dutton, R., and Sparks, T.C. "Spinosad - a case study: an example froma natural products discovery programme". Pest Management Science. 2000. Volume 56. p. 696-702.

Waldon, C., Matsushima, P.,Rosteck, P.R.J., Broughtonb,M.C., Turnerb, J., Madduria, K., Crawforda, K.P., Merloa, D.J., and Baltz, R.H. "Cloning and analysis of the spinosad biosynthetic gene cluster of Saccharopolyspora spinosa". Chemistry & Biology. 2001. Volume 8(5). p. 487–499.

Watson, G.B. Actions of Insecticidal Spinosyns on γ-aminobutyric Acid Receptors from Small-diameter Cockroach Neurones. 2001. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 71, 20–28.

Yuanlong P. et al. "Genome Sequencing of the Spinosyns-Producing Bacterium Saccharopolyspora Spinosa NRRL 18935". Journal of Bacteriology. 2011. Volume 193(12). p. 3150-3151.

Author

Page authored by Emily Pochubay, Matt O'Grady, Placid Mpeketula, and Demetrious Parker students of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.

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