Person:
Navarro Llorens, Juana María

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First Name
Juana María
Last Name
Navarro Llorens
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/76135
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Ciencias Químicas
Department
Bioquímica y Biología Molecular
Area
Bioquímica y Biología Molecular
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2019 - 201912020 - 20232
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Author: Castillo López, María × Has files: true ×

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Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    New insights into the genome of Rhodococcus ruber strain Chol-4
    (BMC Genomics, 2019) Guevara Acosta, Flor Govinda; Castillo López, María; Alonso, Sergio; Perera González, Julián; Navarro Llorens, Juana María
    Background: Rhodococcus ruber strain Chol-4, a strain isolated from a sewage sludge sample, is able to grow in minimal medium supplemented with several compounds, showing a broad catabolic capacity. We have previously determined its genome sequence but a more comprehensive study of their metabolic capacities was necessary to fully unravel its potential for biotechnological applications. Results: In this work, the genome of R. ruber strain Chol-4 has been re-sequenced, revised, annotated and compared to other bacterial genomes in order to investigate the metabolic capabilities of this microorganism. The analysis of the data suggests that R. ruber Chol-4 contains several putative metabolic clusters of biotechnological interest, particularly those involved on steroid and aromatic compounds catabolism. To demonstrate some of its putative metabolic abilities, R. ruber has been cultured in minimal media containing compounds belonging to several of the predicted metabolic pathways. Moreover, mutants were built to test the naphtalen and protocatechuate predicted catabolic gene clusters. Conclusions: The genomic analysis and experimental data presented in this work confirm the metabolic potential of R. ruber strain Chol-4. This strain is an interesting model bacterium due to its biodegradation capabilities. The results obtained in this work will facilitate the application of this strain as a biotechnological tool.
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    Xerotolerance: a new property in Exiguobacterium Genus
    (Microorganisms, 2021) Castillo López, María; Galán, Beatriz; Carmona, Manuel; Navarro Llorens, Juana María; Peretó, Juli; Porcar, Manuel; Getino, Luis; Olivera, Elías R.; Luengo, José M.; García, José Luis; Castro Ruiz, Laura
    The highly xerotolerant bacterium classified as Exiguobacterium sp. Helios isolated from a solar panel in Spain showed a close relationship to Exiguobacterium sibiricum 255-15 isolated from Siberian permafrost. Xerotolerance has not been previously described as a characteristic of the extremely diverse Exiguobacterium genus, but both strains Helios and 255-15 showed higher xerotolerance than that described in the reference xerotolerant model strain Deinococcus radiodurans. Significant changes observed in the cell morphology after their desiccation suggests that the structure of cellular surface plays an important role in xerotolerance. Apart from its remarkable resistance to desiccation, Exiguobacterium sp. Helios strain shows several polyextremophilic characteristics that make it a promising chassis for biotechnological applications. Exiguobacterium sp. Helios cells produce nanoparticles of selenium in the presence of selenite linked to its resistance mechanism. Using the Lactobacillus plasmid pRCR12 that harbors a cherry marker, we have developed a transformation protocol for Exiguobacterium sp. Helios strain, being the first time that a bacterium of Exiguobacterium genus has been genetically modified. The comparison of Exiguobacterium sp. Helios and E. sibiricum 255-15 genomes revealed several interesting similarities and differences. Both strains contain a complete set of competence-related DNA transformation genes, suggesting that they might have natural competence, and an incomplete set of genes involved in sporulation; moreover, these strains not produce spores, suggesting that these genes might be involved in xerotolerance.
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    Characterization of Limnospira platensis PCC 9108 R-M and CRISPR-Cas systems
    (Microbiological Research, 2023) Castillo López, María; Guevara Acosta, Flor Govinda; Baldanta Callejo, Sara; Suárez Rodríguez, Patricia; Agudo, Lucía; Nogales, Juan; Díaz Carrasco, Asunción; Arribas-Aguilar, Fernando; Pérez-Pérez, Julián; García, Jose Luis; Galán, Beatriz; Navarro Llorens, Juana María
    The filamentous cyanobacterium Limnospira platensis, formerly known as Arthrospira platensis or spirulina, is one of the most commercially important species of microalgae. Due to its high nutritional value, pharmacological and industrial applications it is extensively cultivated on a large commercial scale. Despite its widespread use, its precise manipulation is still under development due to the lack of effective genetic protocols. Genetic transformation of Limnospira has been attempted but the methods reported have not been generally reproducible in other laboratories. Knowledge of the transformation defense mechanisms is essential for understanding its physiology and for broadening their applications. With the aim to understand more about the genetic defenses of L. platensis, in this work we have identified the restriction-modification and CRISPR-Cas systems and we have cloned and characterized thirteen methylases. In parallel, we have also characterized the methylome and orphan methyltransferases using genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation patterns and RNA-seq. The identification and characterization of these enzymes will be a valuable resource to know how this strain avoids being genetically manipulated and for further genomics studies.