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In order to continue with the study of natural products from previously isolated endophytes of the Brazilian medicinal plant Lychnophora ericoides, the main goal of this work focused on the metabolic exchange of endophytic microorganisms from this plant. As it has been demonstrated during the last years, elicitation of different molecules is consequence of microbial interactions, mainly due to the need to compete, survive and establish microbial communities in shared environments. Recent mass spectrometry related approaches, such as imaging and molecular networking, in combination with purification and structural elucidation were applied to the current study of the microbial interactions of endophytes. During this study, several chemical families were identified, such as polyene macrocycles, pyrroloindole alkaloids, leupeptins, angucyclines, siderophores, amongst others. Amongst the polyene macrocycles, the well-known antifungal amphotericin B was identified as a biosynthetic product of the endophytic actinobacteria Streptomyces albospinus RLe7. When S. albospinus RLe7 interacted with an endophytic fungus, Coniochaeta sp. FLe4, a red pigmentation was observed. A new fungal compound was detected from microbial interactions. Isolation and structure elucidation of this new compound enabled to demonstrate the elicitation of fungal secondary metabolites by amphotericin B, an actinobacterial metabolite. It was also demonstrated the elicitation of griseofulvin and its analogue dechlorogriseofulvin from another endophytic fungus, FLe9, as a consequence of exposition to amphotericin B. In addition, investigation of the chemical profile of another endophytic actinobacteria, S. mobaraensis RLe3, led to reveal this strain as angucycline-derivatives producer. Besides that, coculturing of this actinobacteria against Coniochaeta sp. FLe4 also demonstrated elicitation of angucycline analogues. In conclusion, this study demonstrated elicitation of natural products from microbial interactions as well as new compounds from endophytes from L. ericoides and contributed to the identification of microbial metabolites / Com o propósito de continuar com os estudos de produtos naturais de microorganismos endofíticos da planta medicinal Brasileira Lychnophora ericoides, o principal objetivo desse trabalho focou-se no estudo da troca metabólica de microorganismos endofíticos dessa planta. Como tem sido demonstrado durante os últimos anos, a elicitação de diferentes compostos é consequência das interações microbianas, principalmente devido à necessidade de competir, sobreviver e estabelecer comunidades microbianas em diversos ambientes naturais. Abordagens recentes de espectrometria de massas, tais como imageamento e molecular networking, junto com purificação e elucidação estrutural foram aplicadas durante o estudo de interações microbianas de endofíticos. Durante este estudo, várias classes químicas foram identificadas, tais como polienos macrocíclicos, alcaloides pirroloindólicos, leupeptinas, anguciclinas, sideróforos, entre outras. Da classe química de polienos macrocíclicos, foi identificada a anfotericina B como produto da biossíntese da actinobactéria endofítica Streptomyces albospinus RLe7. Durante a interação da S. albospinus RLe7 com o fungo endofítico Coniochaeta sp. FLe4, uma pigmentação vermelha foi observada. Um novo composto de origem fúngica foi detectado a partir de interações microbianas. O isolamento e posterior elucidação estrutural do novo composto permitiu demonstrar a eliciação de metabólitos secundários fúngicos pela anfotericina B, metabólito da actinobactéria S. albospinus RLe7. Foi também demonstrada a eliciação de griseofulvina e desclorogriseofulvina a partir de outro fungo endofítico, FLe9, como consequência da exposição à anfotericina B. Adicionalmente, a investigação do perfil químico de outra actinobactéria endofítica, S. mobaraensis RLe3, evidenciou essa linhagem como produtora de compostos da classe das anguciclinas. Além disso, o cocultivo dessa actinobacteria com o fungo endofítico Coniochaeta sp. FLe4 também eliciou análogos de anguciclinas. Em conclusão, neste estudo demonstrou-se a elicitação de produtos naturais a partir das interações microbianas assim como de novos compostos de endofíticos de L. ericoides e contribuiu-se com a identificação de metabólitos microbianos

Nostoc é um gênero cianobacteriano com distribuição ubíqua que tem importância em diversos ecossistemas. Contudo, poucos genomas estão atualmente disponíveis para esse gênero. Enquanto Nostoc spp. são as cianobactérias mais comumente relatadas em relações simbióticas com fungos, animais, plantas e outros organismos, associações com outros micro organismos não receberam atenção similar. Como consequência das fortes interações entre cianobactérias e heterótrofos, culturas não axênicas são geralmente obtidas no isolamento dessas bactérias, o que proporciona uma oportunidade interessante para o desenvolvimento tanto de estudos genômicos quanto metagenômicos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as características genômicas e funcionais da linhagem Nostoc sp. CENA67, isolada de terra preta antropogênica, bem como estudar sua comunidade associada. Para esse fim, células de uma cultura não axênica de Nostoc sp. CENA67 foram sequenciadas com as plataformas MiSeq e Ion PGM e analisados com ferramentas genômicas e metagenômicas. A linhagem CENA67 de fato pertence à família Nostocaceae e possui algumas características em comum com cianobactérias do gênero Nostoc, porém diverge em certos aspectos morfológicos e filogenéticos do grupo típico de Nostoc, sugerindo que seja representante de um novo táxon. Além disso, seu genoma apresenta diferenças em relação aos genomas atualmente disponíveis para cianobactérias relacionadas ao gênero. A mineração desse genoma revelou 31 agrupamentos gênicos hipoteticamente relacionados à síntese de metabólitos secundários, a maioria dos quais não mostrou similaridade significativa com agrupamentos conhecidos. A análise de um agrupamento gênico de microviridina desvendou uma maior diversidade de genes para precursores dessa molécula do que se acreditava anteriormente, sugerindo que um número considerável de variantes ainda está a ser descoberta. A análise taxonômica da comunidade associada confirmou a dominância de cianobactérias na cultura, mas também revelou a presença de grande número de gêneros microbianos que normalmente são capazes de fixar nitrogênio atmosférico e estabelecer simbiose com plantas, incluindo Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium e Starkeya, entre outros. Rascunhos genômicos foram obtidos para Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Burkholderia lata e Hyphomicrobium nitrativorans. Todavia, genes para fixação de nitrogênio não foram detectados nesses genomas, apesar de serem encontrados no genoma da cianobactéria e no metagenoma da comunidade, o que sugere que algumas populações podem estar sob pressão de seleção para a perda da capacidade de fixação de nitrogênio, provavelmente devido a este nutriente estar sendo fornecido pelo organismo mais abundante nesta comunidade, a cianobactéria. A análise funcional indicou vias exclusivas tanto à cianobactéria quanto à comunidade associada, e sugeriu a complementariedade de certos metabolismos. Os resultados possibilitam o aumento do conhecimento sobre a diversidade molecular e química do filo Cyanobacteria e levantam possíveis interações com micro organismos simbiontes / Nostoc is a cyanobacterial genus with ubiquitous distribution that is important in several ecosystems. However, few genomes are currently available for this genus. While Nostoc spp. are the most commonly reported cyanobacteria in symbiotic relationship with fungi, animals, plants, and other organisms, associations with other microorganisms have not received similar attention. As a consequence of tight interactions between cyanobacteria and heterotrophs, non-axenic cultures are usually achieved in the isolation of these bacteria, which provides an interesting opportunity for carrying out both genomic as metagenomic studies. This work aimed to investigate the genomic and functional characteristics of the strain Nostoc sp. CENA67, isolated from anthropogenic dark earth, and to study its associated community. For this purpose, cells from a non-axenic culture of Nostoc sp. CENA67 were sequenced with the platforms MiSeq and Ion PGM and analyzed with genomic and metagenomic tools. The strain CENA67 indeed belongs to the family Nostocaceae and presents some characteristics in common with cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc, but diverges in certain morphological and phylogenetic aspects of the typical Nostoc group, suggesting that it is a representative of a new taxon. In addition, its genome presents differences in relation to the genomes currently available for cyanobacteria related to this genus. Genome mining revealed 31 gene clusters hypothetically related to the synthesis of secondary metabolites, most of which did not show significant similarity to known clusters. The analysis of a microviridin gene cluster unveiled a larger diversity of precursor genes for this molecule than was previously believed, suggesting that a considerable number of variants is still to be found. The taxonomic analysis of the associated community confirmed the dominance of cyanobacteria in the culture, but also revealed the presence of a great number of microbial genera that are usually capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and establishing symbiosis with plants, including Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium, and Starkeya, among others. Genomic drafts were obtained for Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Burkholderia lata, and Hyphomicrobium nitrativorans. Nevertheless, genes for nitrogen fixation were not detected in these genomes, despite being found in the cyanobacterial genome and the community metagenome, suggesting that some populations might be under selection pressure for the loss of the ability to fix nitrogen, probably due to this nutrient being provided for the most abundant organism in this culture, the cyanobacterium. Functional analysis indicated pathways exclusive both to the cyanobacterium as to the associated community, and suggested the complementarity of certain metabolisms. The results allow the increase of the knowledge about the molecular and chemical diversity of the phylum Cyanobacteria and raise possible interactions with symbiotic microorganisms

Nostoc é um gênero cianobacteriano com distribuição ubíqua que tem importância em diversos ecossistemas. Contudo, poucos genomas estão atualmente disponíveis para esse gênero. Enquanto Nostoc spp. são as cianobactérias mais comumente relatadas em relações simbióticas com fungos, animais, plantas e outros organismos, associações com outros micro organismos não receberam atenção similar. Como consequência das fortes interações entre cianobactérias e heterótrofos, culturas não axênicas são geralmente obtidas no isolamento dessas bactérias, o que proporciona uma oportunidade interessante para o desenvolvimento tanto de estudos genômicos quanto metagenômicos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as características genômicas e funcionais da linhagem Nostoc sp. CENA67, isolada de terra preta antropogênica, bem como estudar sua comunidade associada. Para esse fim, células de uma cultura não axênica de Nostoc sp. CENA67 foram sequenciadas com as plataformas MiSeq e Ion PGM e analisados com ferramentas genômicas e metagenômicas. A linhagem CENA67 de fato pertence à família Nostocaceae e possui algumas características em comum com cianobactérias do gênero Nostoc, porém diverge em certos aspectos morfológicos e filogenéticos do grupo típico de Nostoc, sugerindo que seja representante de um novo táxon. Além disso, seu genoma apresenta diferenças em relação aos genomas atualmente disponíveis para cianobactérias relacionadas ao gênero. A mineração desse genoma revelou 31 agrupamentos gênicos hipoteticamente relacionados à síntese de metabólitos secundários, a maioria dos quais não mostrou similaridade significativa com agrupamentos conhecidos. A análise de um agrupamento gênico de microviridina desvendou uma maior diversidade de genes para precursores dessa molécula do que se acreditava anteriormente, sugerindo que um número considerável de variantes ainda está a ser descoberta. A análise taxonômica da comunidade associada confirmou a dominância de cianobactérias na cultura, mas também revelou a presença de grande número de gêneros microbianos que normalmente são capazes de fixar nitrogênio atmosférico e estabelecer simbiose com plantas, incluindo Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium e Starkeya, entre outros. Rascunhos genômicos foram obtidos para Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Burkholderia lata e Hyphomicrobium nitrativorans. Todavia, genes para fixação de nitrogênio não foram detectados nesses genomas, apesar de serem encontrados no genoma da cianobactéria e no metagenoma da comunidade, o que sugere que algumas populações podem estar sob pressão de seleção para a perda da capacidade de fixação de nitrogênio, provavelmente devido a este nutriente estar sendo fornecido pelo organismo mais abundante nesta comunidade, a cianobactéria. A análise funcional indicou vias exclusivas tanto à cianobactéria quanto à comunidade associada, e sugeriu a complementariedade de certos metabolismos. Os resultados possibilitam o aumento do conhecimento sobre a diversidade molecular e química do filo Cyanobacteria e levantam possíveis interações com micro organismos simbiontes / Nostoc is a cyanobacterial genus with ubiquitous distribution that is important in several ecosystems. However, few genomes are currently available for this genus. While Nostoc spp. are the most commonly reported cyanobacteria in symbiotic relationship with fungi, animals, plants, and other organisms, associations with other microorganisms have not received similar attention. As a consequence of tight interactions between cyanobacteria and heterotrophs, non-axenic cultures are usually achieved in the isolation of these bacteria, which provides an interesting opportunity for carrying out both genomic as metagenomic studies. This work aimed to investigate the genomic and functional characteristics of the strain Nostoc sp. CENA67, isolated from anthropogenic dark earth, and to study its associated community. For this purpose, cells from a non-axenic culture of Nostoc sp. CENA67 were sequenced with the platforms MiSeq and Ion PGM and analyzed with genomic and metagenomic tools. The strain CENA67 indeed belongs to the family Nostocaceae and presents some characteristics in common with cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc, but diverges in certain morphological and phylogenetic aspects of the typical Nostoc group, suggesting that it is a representative of a new taxon. In addition, its genome presents differences in relation to the genomes currently available for cyanobacteria related to this genus. Genome mining revealed 31 gene clusters hypothetically related to the synthesis of secondary metabolites, most of which did not show significant similarity to known clusters. The analysis of a microviridin gene cluster unveiled a larger diversity of precursor genes for this molecule than was previously believed, suggesting that a considerable number of variants is still to be found. The taxonomic analysis of the associated community confirmed the dominance of cyanobacteria in the culture, but also revealed the presence of a great number of microbial genera that are usually capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and establishing symbiosis with plants, including Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium, and Starkeya, among others. Genomic drafts were obtained for Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Burkholderia lata, and Hyphomicrobium nitrativorans. Nevertheless, genes for nitrogen fixation were not detected in these genomes, despite being found in the cyanobacterial genome and the community metagenome, suggesting that some populations might be under selection pressure for the loss of the ability to fix nitrogen, probably due to this nutrient being provided for the most abundant organism in this culture, the cyanobacterium. Functional analysis indicated pathways exclusive both to the cyanobacterium as to the associated community, and suggested the complementarity of certain metabolisms. The results allow the increase of the knowledge about the molecular and chemical diversity of the phylum Cyanobacteria and raise possible interactions with symbiotic microorganisms

Mycobacterium are important human pathogens and their strength lies in establishing acute infections, latent infections as well as co-existing with other dreadful infectious agents like HIV. The success of mycobacterium infection often relies in its ability to evade immune-surveillance mechanisms mediated by sentinels of host immunity by modulating host signal transduction pathways and expression of immune regulatory molecules. In this scenario, the role of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in orchestrating host immune responses assumes central importance. Of the PRRs, the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or intracellular surveillance receptors such as retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) govern key immune-surveillance mechanisms in recognition as well as control of mycobacterial or viral infections. The first part of this study illustrates the role of SHH signaling in macrophage induced neutrophil recruitment during mycobacterial infections. The present investigation demonstrates that, in response to mycobacterium infection, macrophages displayed robust activation of TLR2 dependent SHH signaling. By utilizing the well-documented experimental air pouch model, we show that the ability of pathogenic mycobacterium infected macrophages to recruit polymorph nuclear leukocytes (PMNs) like neutrophils to the infected site was dependent on SHH signaling. The activated SHH signaling differentially regulated the expression of proteolytic enzymes, MMP-9 and MMP-12 that would contribute to PMN migration. Interestingly, SHH-responsive krüppel-like family (KLF) of transcription factors, KLF4 and KLF5 were found to modulate these chemokine effectors to regulate neutrophil recruitment. Subsequent chapters describe novel functions of SHH signaling during RIG-I mediated anti-viral immunity and RIG-I mediated modulation of TLR2 anti-inflammatory signature in mycobacteria infected macrophages. In this perspective, we demonstrate that RIG-I ligand robustly induces the activation of SHH signaling via the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in macrophages. Furthermore, we show that the sustained inhibition of PKA-GSK-3β-SUFU negative regulatory axis upon RIG-I engagement with 5'3pRNA is critical for the activation of SHH signaling. Gain or loss of function studies implicate the necessity of RIG-I triggered MAVS-TBK1 canonical axis in the inhibition of PKA-GSK-3β-SUFU negative regulatory axis that contributes to SHH signaling activation. The RIG-I activated SHH signaling drives the production of anti-viral type 1 interferons leading to the inhibition Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) replication. Further, RIG-I-mediated anti-viral type 1 interferon production and subsequent control of viral replication suggested the involvement of two transcriptional factors, IRF3 and YY1 in the response along a SHH axis. Further, mounting evidence clearly depicts a significant cross talk among the molecular events initiated by given TLRs and RLRs like RIG-I. Clearly, these studies present an interesting challenge in delineating the events during polymicrobial infection of host immune cells like macrophages or DCs. Altogether, our results improve our understanding of mycobacteria associated confections’ and may add significantly to the current knowledge of the delicate balance that determines a successful mycobacterial infection.

La dissipation des Hydrocarbures Aromatiques Polycycliques (HAP), polluants persistants majoritaires des sols de friches industrielles, implique l'action de microorganismes bactériens et fongiques. Cependant, leur contribution relative à la dissipation in situ, en fonction des interactions entre ces microorganismes ou avec les plantes et les polluants, est mal connue et les communautés fongiques ont été très peu étudiées dans de tels environnements. L'objectif de cette thèse était de préciser l'écodynamique des HAP dans la rhizosphère sous l'effet des microorganismes et de leurs interactions et d'évaluer la diversité fongique dans des sols contaminés. La dynamique des communautés fongiques a été étudiée in situ pendant 5 années, par PCR en temps réel et Temporal Temperature Gradient Electrophoresis (TTGE), dans un sol historiquement contaminé en présence ou non de plantes et dans le même sol ayant subi un traitement de remédiation par désorption thermique. Les plantes avaient un effet positif sur l'abondance et la diversité des champignons et étaient le facteur déterminant la structure des communautés fongiques, dominées par les Ascomycètes. D'autre part, des souches bactériennes et fongiques ont été isolées de ce sol et testées pour leur capacité à dégrader les HAP in vitro. Parmi celles-ci, la bactérie Arthrobacter oxydans Pyr2MsHM11 et le champignon Fusarium solani MM1 ont été choisies comme souches modèles pour étudier leur action individuelle ou conjointe sur la dissipation de trois HAP, dans différentes conditions, des plus simples (cultures liquides) aux plus complexes (microcosmes de sol planté en présence d'une microflore). Les résultats ont montré l'importance fondamentale des interactions entre microorganismes, notamment des phénomènes de compétition, pour la croissance des souches modèles et pour l'expression de leurs potentiels de dissipation des HAP / The dissipation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), very common and persistant pollutants in soils from industrial wastelands, involve the action of bacterial and fungal microorganisms. However their respective contribution, and the influence of the microbial and plant-microbe interactions on in situ PAH dissipation, are poorly known and fungal communities were scarcely studied in such environments. This work aimed to study the fate of PAHs in rhizosphere under the influence of microorganisms and their interactions and to estimate the fungal diversity in contaminated soils. The dynamic of fungal communities was monitored in situ for 5 years, by real-time PCR and Temporal Temperature Gradient Electrophoresis (TTGE) in an aged PAH-polluted soil and in the same soil treated by thermal desorption. The results showed that plants had a positive effect on fungal abundance and diversity and were the main driver of fungal community structure, dominated by Ascomycetes. Besides, bacterial and fungal strains were isolated from this soil and screened for their ability to dissipate PAHs in vitro. Among them, the bacteria Arthrobacter oxydans Pyr2MsHM11 and the fungus Fusarium solani MM1 were chosen as model strains to study their individual and simultaneous effect on PAH dissipation in different experimental conditions, from liquid cultures to planted soil microcosms with a complex microflora. It was found that interactions between microorganisms, notably competition, had a crucial influence on their growth and on the expression of their PAH dissipation potential

La Fermentation Malo-Lactique (FML) réalisée par OEnococcus oeni est une étape importante de la vinification qui doit être maîtrisée. Bien que les vinificateurs aient à leur disposition des souches OE. oeni selectionnees la FML n’est pas toujours réussie. Les conditions physico-chimiques (pH, éthanol, température), la composition du vin et les facteurs biologiques influencent l’activite de cette bacterie ; parmi ces dernières les interactions entre micro-organismes sont primordiales. Souvent, après la fermentation alcoolique par la levure, des souches indigenes d’OE. oeni sont naturellement présentes dans le vin. Des interactions négatives peuvent alors se produire entre les souches autochtones et les souches sélectionnées apportées. Des connaissances sur ces interactions sont donc necessaires. L’objectif de ce travail etait d’etudier les interactions pendant la FML entre 5 souches d’OEnococcus oeni issues de différentes niches écologiques. Pour cela, des expériences ont été effectuées dans du milieu MRS modifié et dans des conditions proches à celles du vin (20 °C ; pH 3,5 et 10 % d’ethanol). Nous avons tout d’abord caracterise le comportement des souches en cultures pures à la fois dans les conditions de micro-aerobie et d’anaerobiose. Une grande variabilité a été retrouvée entre les souches dans les 2 conditions : trois des 5 souches sont favorisées en conditions d’anaerobiose tandis que les deux autres se sont mieux développées en conditions de micro-aérobie. La présence de 4 g.L-1 d’acide L-malique dans le milieu permet de produire, pour toutes les souches, une biomasse environ 2 fois plus élevée que celle obtenue dans le milieu sans acide L-malique. La totalite de l’acide malique est consommee par les 5 souches mais avec des vitesses différentes. Pour une souche donnée la vitesse spécifique de consommation d’acide L-malique (ν) et la vitesse specifique de croissance (μ) presentent des profils similaires au cours de la FML. Elles ont été reliées par un modèle mathématique qui a permis de quantifier ce lien pour chaque souche. Les interactions lors des cultures mixtes des 10 couples formés par les 5 souches ont ensuite été étudiées dans un Bio-Réacteur à Membrane (BRM) en anaérobiose. Trois catégories ont été mises en évidence: interactions à effets négatifs réciproques sur la croissance des 2 souches en culture mixte ; interactions à effet négatif sur la croissance de la souche la plus rapide en culture pure et à effet positif sur la croissance de la souche la plus lente en culture pure et interactions à effets positifs sur la souche la plus rapide en culture pure. La comparaison des cultures pures et mixtes a révélé que l’activite specifique de croissance des souches est affectee en culture mixte, ce qui provoque le prolongement de la phase de la latence dans le cas de l’inhibition et son raccourcissement dans le cas de la stimulation. La modelisation de la consommation d’acide L-malique a révélé pour certains couples une activation de la consommation de cet acide bien que la croissance soit fortement inhibée. Ces interactions, qui affectent le déroulement de la FML, ne peuvent etre dues qu’a l’effet de metabolite(s) extracellulaire(s) excretee(s) dans le milieu de fermentation. Ces métabolites restent à identifier. / In winemaking, the control of malolactic fermentation (MLF) by OEnococcus oeni is an essential step for this process. Although winemakers have the availability for selected OE.oeni strains, the MLF is not always successful. The physical-chemical conditions (pH, ethanol, and temperature), the composition of wine, and biological factors, all together influence the activity of this bacterium; regarding biological factors, the interactions between microorganisms are essential. Often, after alcoholic fermentation by yeast, indigenous strains of OE.oeni are naturally present in wine, negative interactions can then occur between the indigenous strains and selected strains; therefore, knowledge on these interactions is needed. The goal of the present work was to study the interactions during MLF between five strains of OE.oeni from different origins. Experiments were performed in the modified MRS medium to be in nearly conditions to those of wine (20 °C, pH 3.5, and 10% ethanol). The characterization of the behavior of strains in pure cultures was done under both, micro-aerobic and anaerobic conditions; a large variability was found between the strains in the two conditions: three out of five strains were favored under anaerobic conditions while the two others were better developed in micro-aerobic conditions. The presence of 4 g.L-1 of L-malic acid in the culture medium increased the biomass produced, about two-fold higher than that obtained in medium without L-malic acid. All of the L-malic acid is consumed by the five strains but at different specific rates. A mathematical model allowed to quantifying the relationship between the specific consumption rate of L-malic acid (ν) and the specific growth rate two specific rates for each strain; for a given strain, both rates have similar profiles during the MLF. Interactions in mixed cultures of 10 couples formed by the five strains were then examined in a Membrane Bioreactor (BRM) under anaerobic conditions. Three different interaction types were identified: 1) negative reciprocal interactions of the both strains in mixture culture, 2) interaction that affect negatively the favored strain in pure culture and positively the slowest one, and 3) interaction with positive effect on the fastest strain in pure culture. Comparison of pure and mixed culture showed that the specific activity of strains was affected in mixture culture causing the extension of the lag phase in the case of inhibition and its shortcut in the case of stimulation. Modeling of the consumption of the L-malic acid revealed activation of the consumption of this acid for some couples however, growth is strongly affected. The interactions affecting the course of the MLF are due solely to the effect of excreted extracellular metabolite(s); these metabolites remain to be identified

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) frequently occur in the deep granitic rock aquifers at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (Äspö HRL), Sweden. The new SRB strain Desulfovibrio äspöensis could be iso-lated. The objective of this project was to explore the basic interaction mechanisms of uranium, curium, neptunium and plutonium with cells of D. äspöensis DSM 10631T. The cells of D. äspöensis were successfully cultivated under anaerobic conditions as well in an optimized bicarbonate-buffered mineral medium as on solid medium at 22 °C. To study the interaction of D. äspöensis with the actinides, the cells were grown to the mid-exponential phase (four days). The collected biomass was usually 1.0±0.2 gdry weight/L. The purity of the used bacterial cultures was verified using microscopic techniques and by applying the Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Enzyme Analysis (ARDREA). The interaction experiments with the actinides showed that the cells are able to remove all four actinides from the surrounding solution. The amount of removed actinide and the interaction mechanism varied among the different actinides. The main U(VI) removal occurred after the first 24 h. The contact time, pH and [U(VI)]initial influence the U removal efficiency. The presence of uranium caused a damaging of the cell membranes. TEM revealed an accumulation of U inside the bacterial cell. D. äspöensis are able to form U(IV). A complex interaction mechanism takes place consisting of biosorption, bioreduction and bioaccumulation. Neptunium interacts in a similar way. The experimental findings are indicating a stronger interaction with uranium compared to neptunium. The results obtained with 242Pu indicate the ability of the cells of D. äspöensis to accumulate and to reduce Pu(VI) from a solution containing Pu(VI) and Pu(IV)-polymers. In the case of curium at a much lower metal concentration of 3x10-7 M, a pure biosorption of Cm(III) on the cell envelope forming an inner-sphere surface complex most likely with organic phosphate groups was detected. To summarize, the strength of the interaction of D. äspöensis with the selected actinides at pH 5 and actinide concentrations ≥10 mg/L ([Cm] 0.07 mg/L) follows the pattern: Cm > U > Pu >> Np.

For the first time microbial tDNA could be isolated from 50 g unperturbed Mont Terri Opalinus Clay. Based on the analysis of the tDNA the bacterial diversity of the unperturbed clay is dominated by representatives of Firmicutes, Betaproteobacteria, and Bacteriodetes. Firmicutes also dominate after treatment of the clay with R2A medium. Bacteria isolated from Mont Terri Opalinus Clay on R2A medium were related to Sporomusa spp., Paenibacillus spp., and Clostridium spp.. All further investigations are concentrated on the unique isolates Sporomusa sp. MT-2 and Paenibacillus sp. MT-2. Cells of the type Sporomusa sp. MT-2 and Paenibacillus sp. MT-2 were comprehensively analyzed in terms of growing, morphology, functional groups of the cell envelope, and cell membrane structure. Strong actinide(An)/lanthanide(Ln)-interactions with the Opalinus Clay isolates and the Äspö-strain Pseudomonas fluorescens (CCUG 32456) could be determined within a broad pH range (2-8). The metals bind as a function of pH on protonated phosphoryl, carboxyl and deprotonated phosphoryl sites of the respective cell membrane. The thermodynamic surface complexation constants of bacterial An/Ln-species were determined and can be used in modeling programs. Depending on the used An different interaction mechanisms were found (U(VI): biosorption, partly biomineralisation; Cm(III): biosorption, indications for embedded Cm(III); Pu: biosorption, bioreduction and indications for embedded Pu). Different strategies of coping with U(VI) were observed comparing P. fluorescens planktonic cells and biofilms under the chosen experimental conditions. An enhanced capability of the biofilm to form meta-autunite in comparison to the planktonic cells was proven. Conclusively, the P. fluorescens biofilm is more efficient in U(VI) detoxification. In conclusion, Mont Terri Opalinus Clay contains bacterial communities, that may influence the speciation and hence the migration behavior of selected An/Ln under environmental conditions.

La production de la majorité des vins rouges et de certains types de vins blancs et de vins pétillants requiert deux étapes fermentaires successives. La première est la fermentation alcoolique (FA) réalisée principalement par Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A la fin de la FA, les vins sont soumis à la fermentation malolactique (FML) réalisée principalement par Oenococcus oeni. Cependant, la FML est souvent difficile à déclencher et accomplir à cause de l’activité antibactérienne individuelle ou synergique de différents paramètres physicochimiques du vin et de métabolites levuriens inhibiteurs. Dans ce contexte, l’étude des interactions qui peuvent avoir lieu entre les souches de levures et de bactéries est importante pour le choix adéquat des souches et de la stratégie d’inoculation. Dans le présent travail, S. cerevisiae souche D a fortement inhibé O. oeni souche X pendant les fermentations séquentielles réalisées dans des milieux synthétiques jus de raisin (MSJ) alors que la souche levurienne A s’est révélée stimulatrice. Des traitements protéasiques et thermiques des MSJ fermentés par la souche D ont démontré la nature protéique des métabolites levuriens inhibiteurs. Le fractionnement par ultrafiltration de ces mêmes milieux a montré qu’une fraction peptidique extracellulaire de 5-10 kDa était responsable de l’inhibition de la FML. Elle a été graduellement relarguée au cours de la FA et a atteint sa concentration maximale à un stade avancé de la phase stationnaire. L’inhibition de la FML a été maintenue dans les jus de raisin commerciaux et les moûts naturels (CabernetSauvignon et Syrah) présentant des teneurs faibles et élevées en composés phénoliques. Ces derniers n’ont pas pu donc modifier l’activité biologique des peptides inhibiteurs. La fraction 5-10 kDa a été testée in vitro sur un extrait cellulaire contenant l’enzyme malolactique dans une gamme de pH comprise entre 3,5 et 6,7. Les résultats ont montré qu’elle a pu directement inhiber l’activité de l’enzyme malolactique avec une cinétique d’inhibition croissante corrélée à l’avancement de la fermentation alcoolique. La fraction 5-10 kDa du précipité au sulfate d’ammonium (60-80 %) a ensuite été analysée par chromatographie échangeuse d’ions. Les éluats récupérés avec 0,5 M NaCl par chromatographie anionique et cationique ont renfermé des peptides inhibiteurs et ont été migrés sur SDSPAGE. Les bandes d’intérêt ont ensuite été coupées et séquencées par LC1D-nanoESI-LTQ-Orbitrap. Les résultats ont montré 12 peptides qui ont probablement travaillé en synergie. 2 fragments de GAPDH de 0,9 et 1,373 kDa ayant un pI de 9,074 et un fragment de Wtm2p de 2,42 kDa ayant un pI de 3,35 sont impliqués dans l’inhibition de la FML. / The production of most red wines and certain white and sparkling wine styles requires two consecutive fermentation steps. The first one is the alcoholic fermentation (AF) and is carried out mainly by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At the end of the AF, the wines undergo malolactic fermentation (MLF) carried out mainly by Oenococcus oeni. However, the MLF is often difficult to trigger and accomplish because of the individual or synergistic antibacterial activity of several physical chemical wine parameters and yeast inhibitory metabolites. In this context, the study of the interactions that may occur between specific strains of yeasts and bacteria is important for choosing the adequate strain combination and inoculation strategy. In the present work, S. cerevisiae strain D strongly inhibited O. oeni strain X during sequential fermentations performed in synthetic grape juice (SGJ) media whereas S. cerevisiae strain A stimulated it. Protease and heat treatments of the SGJ media fermented by strain D showed the protein nature of the yeast inhibitory metabolites. Fractionation by ultrafiltration of the same media revealed that an extracellular peptidic fraction of 5-10 kDa was responsible for the inhibition. It was gradually released during AF and reached its highest concentration at late stages of the stationary phase. The MLF inhibition was maintained in natural grape juices and grape musts (Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah) presenting low and high phenolic contents. Therefore, the activity of the inhibitory peptides was not affected by grape phenolic compounds. The 5-10 kDa fraction was tested in vitro on cell-free bacterial cytosolic extracts containing the malolactic enzyme in a pH range between 3.5 and 6.7. Results showed that it was able to directly inhibit the malolactic enzyme activity with an increasing inhibitory kinetic correlated to the AF time at which it was collected. The 5-10 kDa peptidic fraction of the 60-80 % ammonium sulfate precipitate was submitted to analyses by both anionic and cationic exchange chromatography (AEXC and CEXC). Eluates recuperated with 0.5 M NaCl from both AEXC and CEXC contained inhibitory peptides and were further migrated by SDS-PAGE. The bands of interest were excised and sequenced by LC1D-nanoESI-LTQ-Orbitrap. Results gave 12 different peptidic fractions that may have worked synergistically. 2 GAPDH fragments of 0.9 and 1.373 kDa having a pI of 9.074 and a Wtm2p fragment of 2.42 kDa having a pI of 3.35 were involved in the MLF inhibition.