Comparative genome analysis of Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum reveal a genomic island for reuterin and cobalamin production.
Lactobacillus reuteri is a heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium that naturally inhabits the gut of humans and other animals. The probiotic effects of L. reuteri have been proposed to be largely associated with the production of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound reuterin during anaerobic metabolism of glycerol. We determined the complete genome sequences of the reuterin-producing L. reuteri JCM 1112(T) and its closely related species Lactobacillus fermentum IFO 3956. Both are in the same phylogenetic group within the genus Lactobacillus. Comparative genome analysis revealed that L. reuteri JCM 1112(T) has a unique cluster of 58 genes for the biosynthesis of reuterin and cobalamin (vitamin B(12)). The 58-gene cluster has a lower GC content and is apparently inserted into the conserved region, suggesting that the cluster represents a genomic island acquired from an anomalous source. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) with (13)C(3)-glycerol demonstrated that L. reuteri JCM 1112(T) could convert glycerol to reuterin in vivo, substantiating the potential of L. reuteri JCM 1112(T) to produce reuterin in the intestine. Given that glycerol is shown to be naturally present in feces, the acquired ability to produce reuterin and cobalamin is an adaptive evolutionary response that likely contributes to the probiotic properties of L. reuteri.
Morita
Hidetoshi
H
School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-8501, Japan. morita@azabu-u.ac.jp
Toh
Hidehiro
H
Fukuda
Shinji
S
Horikawa
Hiroshi
H
Oshima
Kenshiro
K
Suzuki
Takehito
T
Murakami
Masaru
M
Hisamatsu
Shin
S
Kato
Yukio
Y
Takizawa
Tatsuya
T
Fukuoka
Hideo
H
Yoshimura
Tetsuhiko
T
Itoh
Kikuji
K
O'Sullivan
Daniel J
DJ
McKay
Larry L
LL
Ohno
Hiroshi
H
Kikuchi
Jun
J
Masaoka
Toshio
T
Hattori
Masahira
M
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D044404:Genomic Islands; D005985:Glyceraldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D052197:Limosilactobacillus fermentum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D011407:Propane / Q000378:metabolism*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
C047158:3-hydroxypropionaldehyde; D005985:Glyceraldehyde; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D011407:Propane