Transcriptional response of the xerotolerant Arthrobacter sp. Helios strain to PEG-induced drought stress

A new bacterial strain has been isolated from the microbiome of solar panels and classified as Arthrobacter sp. Helios according to its 16S rDNA, positioning it in the Arthrobacter citreus group. The isolated strain is highly tolerant to desiccation, UV radiation and to the presence of metals and metalloids, while it is motile and capable of growing in a variety of carbon sources. These characteristics, together with observation that Arthrobacter sp. Helios seems to be permanently prepared to handle the desiccation stress, make it very versatile and give it a great potential to use it as a biotechnological chassis. The new strain genome has been sequenced and its analysis revealed that it is extremely well poised to respond to environmental stresses. We have analyzed the transcriptional response of this strain to PEG6000-mediated arid stress to investigate the desiccation resistance mechanism. Most of the induced genes participate in cellular homeostasis such as ion and osmolyte transport and iron scavenging. Moreover, the greatest induction has been found in a gene cluster responsible for biogenic amine catabolism, suggesting their involvement in the desiccation resistance mechanism in this bacterium.

Automated summary

A new bacterial strain, Arthrobacter sp. Helios, isolated from solar panels, shows high tolerance to desiccation, UV radiation, metals, and metalloids. It is motile and adaptable to a variety of carbon sources, making it a potential biotechnological chassis. Genomic sequencing reveals its well-poised response to environmental stresses. Transcriptional analysis identifies genes involved in cellular homeostasis, ion and osmolyte transport, iron scavenging, and biogenic amine catabolism, suggesting their roles in the desiccation resistance mechanism.