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RJR: Recommended Bibliography 19 Feb 2025 at 01:58 Created:
Symbiosis
Symbiosis refers to an interaction between two or more different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both. Symbiotic relationships were once thought to be exceptional situations. Recent studies, however, have shown that every multicellular eukaryote exists in a tight symbiotic relationship with billions of microbes. The associated microbial ecosystems are referred to as microbiome and the combination of a multicellular organism and its microbiota has been described as a holobiont. It seems "we are all lichens now."
Created with PubMed® Query: ( symbiosis[tiab] OR symbiotic[tiab] ) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion
Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)
RevDate: 2025-02-15
UnFATE: A Comprehensive Probe Set and Bioinformatics Pipeline for Phylogeny Reconstruction and Multilocus Barcoding of Filamentous Ascomycetes (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina).
Systematic biology pii:8016063 [Epub ahead of print].
The subphylum Pezizomycotina (filamentous ascomycetes) is the largest clade within Ascomycota. Despite the importance of this group of fungi, our understanding of their evolution is still limited due to insufficient taxon sampling. Although next-generation sequencing technology allows us to obtain complete genomes for phylogenetic analyses, generating complete genomes of fungal species can be challenging, especially when fungi occur in symbiotic relationships or when the DNA of rare herbarium specimens is degraded or contaminated. Additionally, assembly, annotation, and gene extraction of whole-genome sequencing data require bioinformatics skills and computational power, resulting in a substantial data burden. To overcome these obstacles, we designed a universal target enrichment probe set to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of filamentous ascomycetes at different phylogenetic levels. From a pool of single-copy orthologous genes extracted from available Pezizomycotina genomes, we identified the smallest subset of genetic markers that can reliably reconstruct a robust phylogeny. We used a clustering approach to identify a sequence set that could provide an optimal trade-off between potential missing data and probe set cost. We incorporated this probe set into a user-friendly wrapper script named UnFATE (https://github.com/claudioametrano/UnFATE) that allows phylogenomic inferences without requiring expert bioinformatics knowledge. In addition to phylogenetic results, the software provides a powerful multilocus alternative to ITS-based barcoding. Phylogeny and barcoding approaches can be complemented by an integrated, pre-processed, and periodically updated database of all publicly available Pezizomycotina genomes. The UnFATE pipeline, using the 195 selected marker genes, consistently performed well across various phylogenetic depths, generating trees consistent with the reference phylogenomic inferences. The topological distance between the reference trees from literature and the best tree produced by UnFATE ranged between 0.10 and 0.14 (nRF) for phylogenies from family to subphylum level. We also tested the in vitro success of the universal baits set in a target capture approach on 25 herbarium specimens from ten representative classes in Pezizomycotina, which recovered a topology congruent with recent phylogenomic inferences for this group of fungi. The discriminating power of our gene set was also assessed by the multilocus barcoding approach, which outperformed the barcoding approach based on ITS. With these tools, we aim to provide a framework for a collaborative approach to build robust, conclusive phylogenies of this important fungal clade.
Additional Links: PMID-39953951
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39953951,
year = {2025},
author = {Ametrano, CG and Jensen, J and Lumbsch, HT and Grewe, F},
title = {UnFATE: A Comprehensive Probe Set and Bioinformatics Pipeline for Phylogeny Reconstruction and Multilocus Barcoding of Filamentous Ascomycetes (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina).},
journal = {Systematic biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/sysbio/syaf011},
pmid = {39953951},
issn = {1076-836X},
abstract = {The subphylum Pezizomycotina (filamentous ascomycetes) is the largest clade within Ascomycota. Despite the importance of this group of fungi, our understanding of their evolution is still limited due to insufficient taxon sampling. Although next-generation sequencing technology allows us to obtain complete genomes for phylogenetic analyses, generating complete genomes of fungal species can be challenging, especially when fungi occur in symbiotic relationships or when the DNA of rare herbarium specimens is degraded or contaminated. Additionally, assembly, annotation, and gene extraction of whole-genome sequencing data require bioinformatics skills and computational power, resulting in a substantial data burden. To overcome these obstacles, we designed a universal target enrichment probe set to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of filamentous ascomycetes at different phylogenetic levels. From a pool of single-copy orthologous genes extracted from available Pezizomycotina genomes, we identified the smallest subset of genetic markers that can reliably reconstruct a robust phylogeny. We used a clustering approach to identify a sequence set that could provide an optimal trade-off between potential missing data and probe set cost. We incorporated this probe set into a user-friendly wrapper script named UnFATE (https://github.com/claudioametrano/UnFATE) that allows phylogenomic inferences without requiring expert bioinformatics knowledge. In addition to phylogenetic results, the software provides a powerful multilocus alternative to ITS-based barcoding. Phylogeny and barcoding approaches can be complemented by an integrated, pre-processed, and periodically updated database of all publicly available Pezizomycotina genomes. The UnFATE pipeline, using the 195 selected marker genes, consistently performed well across various phylogenetic depths, generating trees consistent with the reference phylogenomic inferences. The topological distance between the reference trees from literature and the best tree produced by UnFATE ranged between 0.10 and 0.14 (nRF) for phylogenies from family to subphylum level. We also tested the in vitro success of the universal baits set in a target capture approach on 25 herbarium specimens from ten representative classes in Pezizomycotina, which recovered a topology congruent with recent phylogenomic inferences for this group of fungi. The discriminating power of our gene set was also assessed by the multilocus barcoding approach, which outperformed the barcoding approach based on ITS. With these tools, we aim to provide a framework for a collaborative approach to build robust, conclusive phylogenies of this important fungal clade.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-18
CmpDate: 2025-02-15
Anemonefish use sialic acid metabolism as Trojan horse to avoid giant sea anemone stinging.
BMC biology, 23(1):39.
BACKGROUND: Anemonefish association with sea anemones is a prime example of mutualistic symbiosis. These fish live inside the sea anemone, benefitting from the protection of its toxic nematocysts, and in return, protect the anemone from its own predators. How anemonefish manage to avoid their host toxic stings remains unclear. One hypothesis suggests that low levels of sialic acids in anemonefish mucus prevent nematocyst discharge.
RESULTS: This study verified four predictions: (i) anemonefish mucus has lower sialic acid levels than non-symbiotic damselfish; (ii) this reduction is specific to mucus; (iii) during development, sialic acid levels inversely correlate with protection; (iv) sea anemone mucus has minimal sialic acids.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that anemonefish regulates the level of sialic acids in their mucus to avoid nematocyst discharge. We also highlight several genes implicated in sialic acid removal that could explain the protection mechanisms in place. This mechanism, potentially used by Dascyllus trimaculatus juveniles, suggests a convergent strategy for mutualistic associations with sea anemones.
Additional Links: PMID-39953546
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39953546,
year = {2025},
author = {Roux, N and Delannoy, C and Yu, SY and Miura, S and Carlu, L and Besseau, L and Nakagawa, T and Sato, C and Kitajima, K and Guerardel, Y and Laudet, V},
title = {Anemonefish use sialic acid metabolism as Trojan horse to avoid giant sea anemone stinging.},
journal = {BMC biology},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {39},
pmid = {39953546},
issn = {1741-7007},
support = {FY2023//J-GlycoNet Joint Research Program/ ; Shinka Grant//Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Sea Anemones/physiology/metabolism ; *N-Acetylneuraminic Acid/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Perciformes/physiology/metabolism ; Mucus/metabolism ; Nematocyst/metabolism ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Anemonefish association with sea anemones is a prime example of mutualistic symbiosis. These fish live inside the sea anemone, benefitting from the protection of its toxic nematocysts, and in return, protect the anemone from its own predators. How anemonefish manage to avoid their host toxic stings remains unclear. One hypothesis suggests that low levels of sialic acids in anemonefish mucus prevent nematocyst discharge.
RESULTS: This study verified four predictions: (i) anemonefish mucus has lower sialic acid levels than non-symbiotic damselfish; (ii) this reduction is specific to mucus; (iii) during development, sialic acid levels inversely correlate with protection; (iv) sea anemone mucus has minimal sialic acids.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that anemonefish regulates the level of sialic acids in their mucus to avoid nematocyst discharge. We also highlight several genes implicated in sialic acid removal that could explain the protection mechanisms in place. This mechanism, potentially used by Dascyllus trimaculatus juveniles, suggests a convergent strategy for mutualistic associations with sea anemones.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Sea Anemones/physiology/metabolism
*N-Acetylneuraminic Acid/metabolism
Symbiosis
Perciformes/physiology/metabolism
Mucus/metabolism
Nematocyst/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-02-14
Unveiling the industrial synergy optimization pathways in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration based on water-energy-carbon nexus.
Journal of environmental management, 376:124528 pii:S0301-4797(25)00504-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Urban agglomerations play an increasingly important role in bolstering regional economic growth; meanwhile bring with substantial water and energy consumption and carbon emissions. Its sustainable development needs synergistic management of water-energy-carbon (WEC), which is vitally linked by industrial activities. Taken Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration in China, this study adopts material flow analysis to clarify WEC nexus footprint patterns of the urban agglomeration, initially develops a multi-regional dynamic synergistic development model to explore industrial optimization pathways for WEC system management from 2020 to 2035. The complex model is constructed and simulated by integrating input-output modeling, system dynamics, and multi-objective programming. Simulation results revealed that optimal industrial restructuring with regional corporation, including equipment manufacturing are in a leading position, whereas conventional manufacturing that achieve cross-regional synergy can still release locational advantages without adverse environmental impacts. Through above industrial roadmap, a symbiotic industrial chain among urban agglomerations could be formed; the integrated optimization of resource efficiency improvement and emission sinks could be achieved coherently, with eco-efficiency increasing by 24.4%, 21.8%, and 42.4% for water, energy, and carbon; moreover, key sectors for industrial transfer within the urban agglomeration (e.g., water- and energy-intensive, high emission sectors) will be critical areas for coordinated management (contributing over 68% of resource consumption and CO2 emissions). In addition to industrial structure optimization, the marginal potential for carbon reduction through energy structure optimization is more prominent than energy efficiency gains. The findings offer policymakers valuable insights into integrated resource management within industrial collaboration for urban agglomerations, providing guidance in formulating effective environmental policies and economic strategies aligned with sustainable development goals.
Additional Links: PMID-39951998
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39951998,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, S and Xiang, N and Shu, C and Xu, F},
title = {Unveiling the industrial synergy optimization pathways in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration based on water-energy-carbon nexus.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {376},
number = {},
pages = {124528},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124528},
pmid = {39951998},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Urban agglomerations play an increasingly important role in bolstering regional economic growth; meanwhile bring with substantial water and energy consumption and carbon emissions. Its sustainable development needs synergistic management of water-energy-carbon (WEC), which is vitally linked by industrial activities. Taken Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration in China, this study adopts material flow analysis to clarify WEC nexus footprint patterns of the urban agglomeration, initially develops a multi-regional dynamic synergistic development model to explore industrial optimization pathways for WEC system management from 2020 to 2035. The complex model is constructed and simulated by integrating input-output modeling, system dynamics, and multi-objective programming. Simulation results revealed that optimal industrial restructuring with regional corporation, including equipment manufacturing are in a leading position, whereas conventional manufacturing that achieve cross-regional synergy can still release locational advantages without adverse environmental impacts. Through above industrial roadmap, a symbiotic industrial chain among urban agglomerations could be formed; the integrated optimization of resource efficiency improvement and emission sinks could be achieved coherently, with eco-efficiency increasing by 24.4%, 21.8%, and 42.4% for water, energy, and carbon; moreover, key sectors for industrial transfer within the urban agglomeration (e.g., water- and energy-intensive, high emission sectors) will be critical areas for coordinated management (contributing over 68% of resource consumption and CO2 emissions). In addition to industrial structure optimization, the marginal potential for carbon reduction through energy structure optimization is more prominent than energy efficiency gains. The findings offer policymakers valuable insights into integrated resource management within industrial collaboration for urban agglomerations, providing guidance in formulating effective environmental policies and economic strategies aligned with sustainable development goals.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-14
CmpDate: 2025-02-14
Seawater intrusion and infiltration modelling coupled to digital tools to avoid high saline concentrations in reclaimed water: application in coastal central Italy.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research, 91(3):280-294.
Industrial symbiosis approach was established between an industrial company and a water utility to prioritize the reuse of urban wastewater for industrial purposes. This requires low-salinity water, but this area is frequently affected by saline intrusion, thus creating water-related conflicts between the different economic activities. This study proposes a digital solution that combines dynamic simulation model (that predicts seawater intrusion and runoff) with digital tools, i.e., smart equalization (control algorithm) and matchmaking platform (decision support system). The models aim to predict the periods where significant peaks of salinity occurs, whereas the tools aim to distribute the wastewater and reclaimed water streams to diverse applications (industrial, agricultural) and/or treatments (conventional treatment, reverse osmosis) to maximize the amount of wastewater reused in efficient and sustainable way. During the 2D simulated period, wastewater conductivity was in range of 2100-2700 µS·cm[-1]. Although this conductivity was over the limit required for industrial reuse, the digital solution implemented in this study enabled to recover 71% of the total wastewater produced for industrial purposes and 10% for irrigation, only discharging 19% of the total. The approach implemented in this study would be very useful to be replicated in coastal areas where saline intrusion is relevant.
Additional Links: PMID-39950727
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39950727,
year = {2025},
author = {Szelag, B and Ciuccoli, N and González-Camejo, J and Giansanti, C and Kiczko, A and Eusebi, AL and Palermo, C and Fatone, F},
title = {Seawater intrusion and infiltration modelling coupled to digital tools to avoid high saline concentrations in reclaimed water: application in coastal central Italy.},
journal = {Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research},
volume = {91},
number = {3},
pages = {280-294},
pmid = {39950727},
issn = {0273-1223},
support = {869318//Horizon 2020 Framework Programme/ ; },
mesh = {*Seawater/chemistry ; Italy ; *Models, Theoretical ; Salinity ; Wastewater/chemistry ; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis ; Sodium Chloride/chemistry/analysis ; },
abstract = {Industrial symbiosis approach was established between an industrial company and a water utility to prioritize the reuse of urban wastewater for industrial purposes. This requires low-salinity water, but this area is frequently affected by saline intrusion, thus creating water-related conflicts between the different economic activities. This study proposes a digital solution that combines dynamic simulation model (that predicts seawater intrusion and runoff) with digital tools, i.e., smart equalization (control algorithm) and matchmaking platform (decision support system). The models aim to predict the periods where significant peaks of salinity occurs, whereas the tools aim to distribute the wastewater and reclaimed water streams to diverse applications (industrial, agricultural) and/or treatments (conventional treatment, reverse osmosis) to maximize the amount of wastewater reused in efficient and sustainable way. During the 2D simulated period, wastewater conductivity was in range of 2100-2700 µS·cm[-1]. Although this conductivity was over the limit required for industrial reuse, the digital solution implemented in this study enabled to recover 71% of the total wastewater produced for industrial purposes and 10% for irrigation, only discharging 19% of the total. The approach implemented in this study would be very useful to be replicated in coastal areas where saline intrusion is relevant.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Seawater/chemistry
Italy
*Models, Theoretical
Salinity
Wastewater/chemistry
Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods
Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
Sodium Chloride/chemistry/analysis
RevDate: 2025-02-14
Reversing Photodynamic Therapy-Induced Tumor Metabolic Symbiosis and Immune Evasion Delivers a Two-Punch Attack on Tumors.
Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an attractive approach for tumor treatment because of its precision, potent cytotoxic effect, and low risk of resistance compared to conventional cancer treatments. However, PDT consumes oxygen. The oxygen depletion effects in PDT-treated tumor cells can elevate lactic acid production and efflux, promoting the progression of surrounding tumor cells through tumor metabolic symbiosis and promoting macrophages to M2-type polarization for supporting tumor progression. Herein, a multifunctional nanosystem is developed for the intracellular co-delivery of the photosensitizer (ICG), the nanozyme (iron oxide nanoparticles, MNPs), and siMCT4 (siRNA for monocarboxylate transporter 4). In tumor cells undergoing PDT, siMCT4 inhibits lactate efflux, thereby limiting extracellular lactate-associated malignancy and immune evasion. Meanwhile, both the reduction of extracellular lactate levels and the presence of MNPs in the tumor microenvironment promote the M1-type polarization to enhance the antitumor activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the intracellular lactic acid accumulation and M1-type macrophage-secreted H2O2 facilitate the MNPs-mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Therefore, the intelligent nanosystem, IM@iPPAE@siMCT4, can regulate the intra/extracellular lactate levels and the M1-type macrophage polarization to deliver a two-punch attack on tumor cells. This nanosystem circumvents the problems arising from antitumor PDT.
Additional Links: PMID-39950511
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39950511,
year = {2025},
author = {Dou, R and Wang, L and Zhang, J and Cai, X and Tang, J and Liu, X and Hu, Y and Chen, J},
title = {Reversing Photodynamic Therapy-Induced Tumor Metabolic Symbiosis and Immune Evasion Delivers a Two-Punch Attack on Tumors.},
journal = {Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2409052},
doi = {10.1002/smll.202409052},
pmid = {39950511},
issn = {1613-6829},
support = {2022A1515140073//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 7212212//Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation/ ; 11875269//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 21574136//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022-PUMCH-E-004//National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding/ ; },
abstract = {Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an attractive approach for tumor treatment because of its precision, potent cytotoxic effect, and low risk of resistance compared to conventional cancer treatments. However, PDT consumes oxygen. The oxygen depletion effects in PDT-treated tumor cells can elevate lactic acid production and efflux, promoting the progression of surrounding tumor cells through tumor metabolic symbiosis and promoting macrophages to M2-type polarization for supporting tumor progression. Herein, a multifunctional nanosystem is developed for the intracellular co-delivery of the photosensitizer (ICG), the nanozyme (iron oxide nanoparticles, MNPs), and siMCT4 (siRNA for monocarboxylate transporter 4). In tumor cells undergoing PDT, siMCT4 inhibits lactate efflux, thereby limiting extracellular lactate-associated malignancy and immune evasion. Meanwhile, both the reduction of extracellular lactate levels and the presence of MNPs in the tumor microenvironment promote the M1-type polarization to enhance the antitumor activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the intracellular lactic acid accumulation and M1-type macrophage-secreted H2O2 facilitate the MNPs-mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Therefore, the intelligent nanosystem, IM@iPPAE@siMCT4, can regulate the intra/extracellular lactate levels and the M1-type macrophage polarization to deliver a two-punch attack on tumor cells. This nanosystem circumvents the problems arising from antitumor PDT.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-14
The Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genomes of Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum.
G3 (Bethesda, Md.) pii:8015395 [Epub ahead of print].
Dinoflagellates are a diverse group of microplankton that include free-living, symbiotic, and parasitic species. Amoebophrya, a basal lineage of parasitic dinoflagellates, infects a variety of marine microorganisms, including harmful-bloom-forming algae. Although there are currently three published Amoebophrya genomes, this genus has considerable genomic diversity. We add to the growing genomic data for Amoebophrya with an annotated genome assembly for Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum. This species appears to translate all three canonical stop codons contextually. Stop codons are present in the open reading frames of about half of the predicted gene models, including genes essential for cellular function. The in-frame stop codons are likely translated by suppressor tRNAs that were identified in the assembly. We also assembled the mitochondrial genome, which has remained elusive in the previous Amoebophrya genome assemblies. The mitochondrial genome assembly consists of many fragments with high sequence identity in the genes but low sequence identity in intergenic regions. Nuclear and mitochondrially-encoded proteins indicate that Amoebophrya sp. ex K. veneficum does not have a bipartite electron transport chain, unlike previously analyzed Amoebophrya species. This study highlights the importance of analyzing multiple genomes from highly diverse genera such as Amoebophrya.
Additional Links: PMID-39950409
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39950409,
year = {2025},
author = {DeMontigny, W and Bachvaroff, T},
title = {The Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genomes of Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum.},
journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkaf030},
pmid = {39950409},
issn = {2160-1836},
abstract = {Dinoflagellates are a diverse group of microplankton that include free-living, symbiotic, and parasitic species. Amoebophrya, a basal lineage of parasitic dinoflagellates, infects a variety of marine microorganisms, including harmful-bloom-forming algae. Although there are currently three published Amoebophrya genomes, this genus has considerable genomic diversity. We add to the growing genomic data for Amoebophrya with an annotated genome assembly for Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum. This species appears to translate all three canonical stop codons contextually. Stop codons are present in the open reading frames of about half of the predicted gene models, including genes essential for cellular function. The in-frame stop codons are likely translated by suppressor tRNAs that were identified in the assembly. We also assembled the mitochondrial genome, which has remained elusive in the previous Amoebophrya genome assemblies. The mitochondrial genome assembly consists of many fragments with high sequence identity in the genes but low sequence identity in intergenic regions. Nuclear and mitochondrially-encoded proteins indicate that Amoebophrya sp. ex K. veneficum does not have a bipartite electron transport chain, unlike previously analyzed Amoebophrya species. This study highlights the importance of analyzing multiple genomes from highly diverse genera such as Amoebophrya.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-15
Better utilization of inorganic nitrogen compared to organic nitrogen by a plant symbiotic fungal isolate of Alternaria alternata.
microPublication biology, 2025:.
Alternaria alternata , a fungus that causes plant diseases, is also a Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) that can enhance host plant growth by improving access to soil nutrients like nitrogen. To test the environmental factors influencing this relationship, we explored whether A. alternata can utilize both organic and inorganic nitrogen. Our results showed that an A. alternata isolate grew 133% larger in an inorganic nitrogen medium than in an organic nitrogen medium. These findings suggest the need for further research on other DSE taxa and nitrogen forms to better understand fungal nitrogen use.
Additional Links: PMID-39950092
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39950092,
year = {2025},
author = {Bock, B and Curry, L and Gehring, C},
title = {Better utilization of inorganic nitrogen compared to organic nitrogen by a plant symbiotic fungal isolate of Alternaria alternata.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39950092},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {Alternaria alternata , a fungus that causes plant diseases, is also a Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) that can enhance host plant growth by improving access to soil nutrients like nitrogen. To test the environmental factors influencing this relationship, we explored whether A. alternata can utilize both organic and inorganic nitrogen. Our results showed that an A. alternata isolate grew 133% larger in an inorganic nitrogen medium than in an organic nitrogen medium. These findings suggest the need for further research on other DSE taxa and nitrogen forms to better understand fungal nitrogen use.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-15
The oral-lung microbiome dysbiosis: Unravelling its role in implications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis.
Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP, 28(4):619-625.
BACKGROUND: The impact of the oral flora on the composition of the microbiome in the lungs is substantial in both healthy and diseased conditions, contributing significantly to its intricacy. There is mounting evidence from microbiological research that suggests a major ecological relationship between periodontitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and oral microecosystems. An association has been established between respiratory diseases and disruptions in the symbiotic equilibrium of the oral microbiome. This study aims to explore the intricate connections between oral health and lung microflora, particularly about the pathogenesis of COPD, and to highlight the implications for future research and clinical practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival Plaque samples were collected from a total of 120 participants with 30 healthy Control (H group),30 Periodontitis with no COPD (P group), 30 COPD with periodontally healthy (COPD) and 30 individuals with COPD and Periodontitis (COPD+ P). All participants underwent evaluation of periodontal measurements like Pocket Depth (PD), Clinical loss of Attachment (CAL), Gingival Index (GI), and Plaque Index (PI) Bacterial DNA was extracted and quantified using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Using the One-dimensional Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-analysis test for multiple comparisons, the mean values of all the clinical parameters were analyzed among the four participant groups. Using the Pearson Correlation coefficient, the parameters were correlated.
RESULTS: Statistical relevant relation was shown among Probing Depth (PD), Clinical Loss of Attachment (CAL), Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) in the COPD+P group. Increased prevalence of Pa (Pseudomonas aeroginosa) seen among P group and COPD+P. A substantial inverse relationship was seen between the absolute levels of Pa, CAL, PI, and lung function measures (Fev1, Fev1/FVC).
CONCLUSION: The importance of maintaining dental health in the prevention and treatment of respiratory disorders is highlighted by the relationships that exist between the oral microecosystem, oral hygiene, and respiratory pathologies. There is substantial potential to decrease the occurrence of respiratory illnesses by practicing good oral care and strategically managing the balance of the oral microbial flora. Therefore, future research efforts should prioritize the characterization of the precise impact of the oral microbiota on pulmonary health and use this knowledge towards developing innovative preventive and treatment measures targeted at combating respiratory infections and related diseases.
Additional Links: PMID-39949674
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39949674,
year = {2024},
author = {Mithradas, N and Sudhakar, U and Shanmugapriya, K and Jeddy, N and Ram, S},
title = {The oral-lung microbiome dysbiosis: Unravelling its role in implications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis.},
journal = {Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP},
volume = {28},
number = {4},
pages = {619-625},
pmid = {39949674},
issn = {0973-029X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The impact of the oral flora on the composition of the microbiome in the lungs is substantial in both healthy and diseased conditions, contributing significantly to its intricacy. There is mounting evidence from microbiological research that suggests a major ecological relationship between periodontitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and oral microecosystems. An association has been established between respiratory diseases and disruptions in the symbiotic equilibrium of the oral microbiome. This study aims to explore the intricate connections between oral health and lung microflora, particularly about the pathogenesis of COPD, and to highlight the implications for future research and clinical practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival Plaque samples were collected from a total of 120 participants with 30 healthy Control (H group),30 Periodontitis with no COPD (P group), 30 COPD with periodontally healthy (COPD) and 30 individuals with COPD and Periodontitis (COPD+ P). All participants underwent evaluation of periodontal measurements like Pocket Depth (PD), Clinical loss of Attachment (CAL), Gingival Index (GI), and Plaque Index (PI) Bacterial DNA was extracted and quantified using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Using the One-dimensional Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-analysis test for multiple comparisons, the mean values of all the clinical parameters were analyzed among the four participant groups. Using the Pearson Correlation coefficient, the parameters were correlated.
RESULTS: Statistical relevant relation was shown among Probing Depth (PD), Clinical Loss of Attachment (CAL), Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) in the COPD+P group. Increased prevalence of Pa (Pseudomonas aeroginosa) seen among P group and COPD+P. A substantial inverse relationship was seen between the absolute levels of Pa, CAL, PI, and lung function measures (Fev1, Fev1/FVC).
CONCLUSION: The importance of maintaining dental health in the prevention and treatment of respiratory disorders is highlighted by the relationships that exist between the oral microecosystem, oral hygiene, and respiratory pathologies. There is substantial potential to decrease the occurrence of respiratory illnesses by practicing good oral care and strategically managing the balance of the oral microbial flora. Therefore, future research efforts should prioritize the characterization of the precise impact of the oral microbiota on pulmonary health and use this knowledge towards developing innovative preventive and treatment measures targeted at combating respiratory infections and related diseases.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-15
Tomato rot by Rhizopus microsporus alters native fungal community composition and secondary metabolite production.
Frontiers in microbiology, 16:1508519.
Rhizopus rot is considered one of the most common diseases influencing global production and yield of horticulture commodities. However, the factors contributing to this pattern of prevalence are uncertain. Here, we focused on R. microsporus, which is known to rely on its endosymbiotic bacterium, Mycetohabitans, to produce toxins that interfere with plant development and inhibit the growth of other fungi. We assessed the impact of the symbiotic R. microsporus harboring its endosymbiont as well as the fungus cured of it on: (1) the magnitude of spoilage in tomato fruits, as evaluated by Koch's postulate for pathogenicity, (2) the shifts in native communities of endophytic fungi inhabiting these fruits, as examined by ITS rRNA gene metabarcoding and (3) secondary metabolites generated by these communities, as analyzed using multi-analyte LC-MS/MS. The pathogenicity test showed that the symbiotic endobacterium-containing R. microsporus W2-50 was able to cause tomato fruit spoilage. This was accompanied by decreased relative abundance of Alternaria spp. and an increase in the relative abundance of Penicillium spp. that may have facilitated the observed spoilage. In conclusion, symbiotic W2-50 appeared to facilitate fruit spoilage, possibly through successful colonization or toxin production by its endosymbiont.
Additional Links: PMID-39949627
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@article {pmid39949627,
year = {2025},
author = {Napo, M and Kock, A and Alayande, KA and Sulyok, M and Ezekiel, CN and Uehling, J and Pawlowska, TE and Adeleke, RA},
title = {Tomato rot by Rhizopus microsporus alters native fungal community composition and secondary metabolite production.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1508519},
pmid = {39949627},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Rhizopus rot is considered one of the most common diseases influencing global production and yield of horticulture commodities. However, the factors contributing to this pattern of prevalence are uncertain. Here, we focused on R. microsporus, which is known to rely on its endosymbiotic bacterium, Mycetohabitans, to produce toxins that interfere with plant development and inhibit the growth of other fungi. We assessed the impact of the symbiotic R. microsporus harboring its endosymbiont as well as the fungus cured of it on: (1) the magnitude of spoilage in tomato fruits, as evaluated by Koch's postulate for pathogenicity, (2) the shifts in native communities of endophytic fungi inhabiting these fruits, as examined by ITS rRNA gene metabarcoding and (3) secondary metabolites generated by these communities, as analyzed using multi-analyte LC-MS/MS. The pathogenicity test showed that the symbiotic endobacterium-containing R. microsporus W2-50 was able to cause tomato fruit spoilage. This was accompanied by decreased relative abundance of Alternaria spp. and an increase in the relative abundance of Penicillium spp. that may have facilitated the observed spoilage. In conclusion, symbiotic W2-50 appeared to facilitate fruit spoilage, possibly through successful colonization or toxin production by its endosymbiont.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Corrigendum to "Glycine betaine enhances heavy metal phytoremediation via rhizosphere modulation and nitrogen metabolism in king grass-Serratia marcescens strain S27 symbiosis" [J Hazard Mater 487 (2025) 137153].
Additional Links: PMID-39948007
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@article {pmid39948007,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, M and Sun, X and Ye, D and Duan, Y and Li, D and Guo, Y and Wang, M and Huang, Y and Chen, F and Feng, H and Dong, X and Cheng, S and Yu, Y and Xu, S and Zhu, Z},
title = {Corrigendum to "Glycine betaine enhances heavy metal phytoremediation via rhizosphere modulation and nitrogen metabolism in king grass-Serratia marcescens strain S27 symbiosis" [J Hazard Mater 487 (2025) 137153].},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {137555},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137555},
pmid = {39948007},
issn = {1873-3336},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobia as a potential source of nitrous oxide emissions.
Revista Argentina de microbiologia, 57(1):1-2.
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@article {pmid39947842,
year = {2025},
author = {Lodeiro, AR},
title = {Symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobia as a potential source of nitrous oxide emissions.},
journal = {Revista Argentina de microbiologia},
volume = {57},
number = {1},
pages = {1-2},
doi = {10.1016/j.ram.2025.01.003},
pmid = {39947842},
issn = {0325-7541},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-13
Symbionts of predatory protists are widespread in the oceans and related to animal pathogens.
Cell host & microbe, 33(2):182-199.e7.
Protists are major predators of ocean microbial life, with an ancient history of entanglements with prokaryotes, but their delicate cell structures and recalcitrance to culturing hinder exploration of marine symbioses. We report that tiny oceanic protistan predators, specifically choanoflagellates-the closest living unicellular relatives of animals-and uncultivated MAST-3 form symbioses with four bacterial lineages related to animal symbionts. By targeting living phagotrophs on ship expeditions, we recovered genomes from physically associated uncultivated Legionellales and Rickettsiales. The evolutionary trajectories of Marinicoxiellaceae, Cosmosymbacterales, Simplirickettsiaceae, and previously named Gamibacteraceae vary, including host-engagement mechanisms unknown in marine bacteria, horizontally transferred genes that mediate pathogen-microbiome interactions, and nutritional pathways. These symbionts and hosts occur throughout subtropical and tropical oceans. Related bacteria were detected in public data from freshwater, fish, and human samples. Symbiont associations with animal-related protists, alongside relationships to animal pathogens, suggest an unexpectedly long history of shifting associations and possibilities for host expansion as environments change.
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@article {pmid39947132,
year = {2025},
author = {Wittmers, F and Poirier, C and Bachy, C and Eckmann, C and Matantseva, O and Carlson, CA and Giovannoni, SJ and Goodenough, U and Worden, AZ},
title = {Symbionts of predatory protists are widespread in the oceans and related to animal pathogens.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {33},
number = {2},
pages = {182-199.e7},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2025.01.009},
pmid = {39947132},
issn = {1934-6069},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Choanoflagellata/physiology ; *Oceans and Seas ; *Phylogeny ; Humans ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome, Bacterial ; Fishes/microbiology ; Eukaryota/physiology/genetics ; Microbiota ; },
abstract = {Protists are major predators of ocean microbial life, with an ancient history of entanglements with prokaryotes, but their delicate cell structures and recalcitrance to culturing hinder exploration of marine symbioses. We report that tiny oceanic protistan predators, specifically choanoflagellates-the closest living unicellular relatives of animals-and uncultivated MAST-3 form symbioses with four bacterial lineages related to animal symbionts. By targeting living phagotrophs on ship expeditions, we recovered genomes from physically associated uncultivated Legionellales and Rickettsiales. The evolutionary trajectories of Marinicoxiellaceae, Cosmosymbacterales, Simplirickettsiaceae, and previously named Gamibacteraceae vary, including host-engagement mechanisms unknown in marine bacteria, horizontally transferred genes that mediate pathogen-microbiome interactions, and nutritional pathways. These symbionts and hosts occur throughout subtropical and tropical oceans. Related bacteria were detected in public data from freshwater, fish, and human samples. Symbiont associations with animal-related protists, alongside relationships to animal pathogens, suggest an unexpectedly long history of shifting associations and possibilities for host expansion as environments change.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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*Symbiosis
Animals
*Choanoflagellata/physiology
*Oceans and Seas
*Phylogeny
Humans
Bacteria/genetics/classification
Gene Transfer, Horizontal
Genome, Bacterial
Fishes/microbiology
Eukaryota/physiology/genetics
Microbiota
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-13
Colonization island directs L. plantarum to its niche.
Cell host & microbe, 33(2):168-170.
Symbiotic gut bacteria have evolved mechanisms to selectively recognize and colonize an appropriate host. In a recent issue of Science, Gutiérrez-GarcÃa et al. reported a colonization island that encodes sugar-binding adhesins used by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to colonize its symbiotic niche in the foregut of its host, Drosophila melanogaster.
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@article {pmid39947128,
year = {2025},
author = {Rahimi-Midani, A and Iatsenko, I},
title = {Colonization island directs L. plantarum to its niche.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {33},
number = {2},
pages = {168-170},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2025.01.005},
pmid = {39947128},
issn = {1934-6069},
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Lactobacillus plantarum/physiology/genetics/metabolism ; Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism/genetics ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; Genomic Islands ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic gut bacteria have evolved mechanisms to selectively recognize and colonize an appropriate host. In a recent issue of Science, Gutiérrez-GarcÃa et al. reported a colonization island that encodes sugar-binding adhesins used by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to colonize its symbiotic niche in the foregut of its host, Drosophila melanogaster.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
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Animals
*Symbiosis
*Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology
*Lactobacillus plantarum/physiology/genetics/metabolism
Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism/genetics
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
Genomic Islands
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation mitigates the adverse effects of heat stress on yield and physiological responses in strawberry plants.
Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 221:109629 pii:S0981-9428(25)00157-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a beneficial symbiotic relationship with plant roots, providing them with ample water and nutrients, especially under stressful conditions. It is inevitable to experience heat stress (HS) due to climate changes. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible role of AMF (with AMF = +AMF and without AMF = -AMF) on the strawberry cvs. ('Paros' and 'Queen Eliza')-resilience to HS at temperatures (control (23), 30, 35, 40, and 45 °C). The experiment was completely randomised and designed as a factorial arrangement with four replicates. The findings indicated that as the temperature increased, there was an increase in electrolyte leakage, proline, soluble carbohydrate contents and the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). The presence of AMF at high temperatures improved the relative water content (RWC), maximum quantum efficiency yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll compared to the -AMF. AMF promoted root colonization and the content of phosphorus and potassium, which was more in the cv. 'Paros' than the cv. 'Queen Eliza'. Primary and secondary fruit weights and plant yield were reduced by HS; however, the AMF effectively increased average fruit weight and yield in comparison to plants without AMF. Yield was positively correlated with RWC and Fv/Fm, and root colonization was positively associated with phosphorus concentration. Adding AMF to rhizosphere improved plant growth and nutrient uptake and increased strawberry-resilience to HS. They have achieved this by increasing antioxidative activity, proline, soluble carbohydrates, and RWC. The symbiotic relationship with AMF greatly enhanced the strawberry's ability to tolerate HS.
Additional Links: PMID-39946910
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@article {pmid39946910,
year = {2025},
author = {Shirdel, M and Eshghi, S and Shahsavandi, F and Fallahi, E},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation mitigates the adverse effects of heat stress on yield and physiological responses in strawberry plants.},
journal = {Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB},
volume = {221},
number = {},
pages = {109629},
doi = {10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109629},
pmid = {39946910},
issn = {1873-2690},
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a beneficial symbiotic relationship with plant roots, providing them with ample water and nutrients, especially under stressful conditions. It is inevitable to experience heat stress (HS) due to climate changes. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible role of AMF (with AMF = +AMF and without AMF = -AMF) on the strawberry cvs. ('Paros' and 'Queen Eliza')-resilience to HS at temperatures (control (23), 30, 35, 40, and 45 °C). The experiment was completely randomised and designed as a factorial arrangement with four replicates. The findings indicated that as the temperature increased, there was an increase in electrolyte leakage, proline, soluble carbohydrate contents and the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). The presence of AMF at high temperatures improved the relative water content (RWC), maximum quantum efficiency yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll compared to the -AMF. AMF promoted root colonization and the content of phosphorus and potassium, which was more in the cv. 'Paros' than the cv. 'Queen Eliza'. Primary and secondary fruit weights and plant yield were reduced by HS; however, the AMF effectively increased average fruit weight and yield in comparison to plants without AMF. Yield was positively correlated with RWC and Fv/Fm, and root colonization was positively associated with phosphorus concentration. Adding AMF to rhizosphere improved plant growth and nutrient uptake and increased strawberry-resilience to HS. They have achieved this by increasing antioxidative activity, proline, soluble carbohydrates, and RWC. The symbiotic relationship with AMF greatly enhanced the strawberry's ability to tolerate HS.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Alpha and beta diversities of hydrothermal vent macrofaunal communities along the southwestern Pacific back-arc basins.
The Science of the total environment, 967:178694 pii:S0048-9697(25)00328-6 [Epub ahead of print].
Ecosystems face various pressures, often leading to loss of biodiversity. Understanding how biodiversity is spatially structured, what are the driving factors, and the ecological and evolutionary processes involved is essential to assess communities' resilience to disturbances and guide efficient conservation measures. Hydrothermal vents from national waters of the West Pacific are targeted by mining industries for their mineral resources that include metals used in high-tech equipment. Although exploitation has not yet started, such activity could significantly affect ecosystem biodiversity and functioning. Here, we describe the distribution of hydrothermal biodiversity in the Southwest Pacific back-arc basins and the Futuna Volcanic Arc at different spatial scales in relation to environmental conditions and geography. We focused on three assemblages dominated by symbiotic megafauna: snails (Alviniconcha spp. and Ifremeria nautilei) and mussels (Bathymodiolus spp.). Faunal assemblages exhibit strong spatial structuring: between habitats along the dilution gradient of the hydrothermal fluid, and between geographic basins, with a faunal split between the Western and the Eastern basins of this region, and to a lesser extent, between fields in a basin. Species replacement along the chemical gradient drives faunal changes between Ifremeria and Bathymodiolus assemblages, while a drop in the number of species is noted when making this comparison with the Alviniconcha assemblage. While these local changes may result from environmental filtering along the diffuse flow gradient, geological settings and current geographic barriers, which drive colonization and speciation at larger scales, are likely shaping the vent community changes between the Eastern and Western basins. This result has significant implications for biodiversity conservation, especially in this mineral-rich setting. The Manus Basin is isolated and displays the highest proportion of endemism while the Woodlark Basin represents an important stepping-stone between the Eastern basins and Manus Basin, making them potentially highly vulnerable to mining with a risk of biodiversity loss.
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@article {pmid39946893,
year = {2025},
author = {Poitrimol, C and Thiébaut, É and Boulart, C and Cathalot, C and Rouxel, O and Jollivet, D and Hourdez, S and Matabos, M},
title = {Alpha and beta diversities of hydrothermal vent macrofaunal communities along the southwestern Pacific back-arc basins.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {967},
number = {},
pages = {178694},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178694},
pmid = {39946893},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Ecosystems face various pressures, often leading to loss of biodiversity. Understanding how biodiversity is spatially structured, what are the driving factors, and the ecological and evolutionary processes involved is essential to assess communities' resilience to disturbances and guide efficient conservation measures. Hydrothermal vents from national waters of the West Pacific are targeted by mining industries for their mineral resources that include metals used in high-tech equipment. Although exploitation has not yet started, such activity could significantly affect ecosystem biodiversity and functioning. Here, we describe the distribution of hydrothermal biodiversity in the Southwest Pacific back-arc basins and the Futuna Volcanic Arc at different spatial scales in relation to environmental conditions and geography. We focused on three assemblages dominated by symbiotic megafauna: snails (Alviniconcha spp. and Ifremeria nautilei) and mussels (Bathymodiolus spp.). Faunal assemblages exhibit strong spatial structuring: between habitats along the dilution gradient of the hydrothermal fluid, and between geographic basins, with a faunal split between the Western and the Eastern basins of this region, and to a lesser extent, between fields in a basin. Species replacement along the chemical gradient drives faunal changes between Ifremeria and Bathymodiolus assemblages, while a drop in the number of species is noted when making this comparison with the Alviniconcha assemblage. While these local changes may result from environmental filtering along the diffuse flow gradient, geological settings and current geographic barriers, which drive colonization and speciation at larger scales, are likely shaping the vent community changes between the Eastern and Western basins. This result has significant implications for biodiversity conservation, especially in this mineral-rich setting. The Manus Basin is isolated and displays the highest proportion of endemism while the Woodlark Basin represents an important stepping-stone between the Eastern basins and Manus Basin, making them potentially highly vulnerable to mining with a risk of biodiversity loss.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Design and implementation of an independent-drive bionic dragonfly robot.
Bioinspiration & biomimetics [Epub ahead of print].
Bionic flapping wing robots achieve flight by imitating animal flapping wings, which are safe, flexible, and efficient. Their practicality and human-machine symbiosis in narrow and complex environments are better than those of traditional fixed-wing or multirotor drones, which shows a broader application prospect. By systematic and biomimetic methods, a bionic dragonfly robot with four independent drive flapping wings, called DFly-I, was designed. First of all, the mechanical structure of the robot was introduced, especially the fluttering structure and the wing structure. Then, a new motion controller based on multi-channel field-oriented control (FOC) is proposed for its motion mechanism, which relies on four sets of brushless DC motors (BLDCs) based on FOC control and four sets of servos to achieve independent control of the flapping speed, rhythm, and angle of four flapping wings. In addition, the system model is analyzed, and on this basis, the robot motion and posture control are realized by an proportional-integral-derivative and active disturbance rejection (PID-ADRC) based controller. Lastly, a physical prototype was made, and the system was feasible through flight experiments in indoor venues.
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@article {pmid39946845,
year = {2025},
author = {Cheng, D and Yang, Z and Chen, G and Xu, H and Luwei, L and Chen, W},
title = {Design and implementation of an independent-drive bionic dragonfly robot.},
journal = {Bioinspiration & biomimetics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1088/1748-3190/adb5e4},
pmid = {39946845},
issn = {1748-3190},
abstract = {Bionic flapping wing robots achieve flight by imitating animal flapping wings, which are safe, flexible, and efficient. Their practicality and human-machine symbiosis in narrow and complex environments are better than those of traditional fixed-wing or multirotor drones, which shows a broader application prospect. By systematic and biomimetic methods, a bionic dragonfly robot with four independent drive flapping wings, called DFly-I, was designed. First of all, the mechanical structure of the robot was introduced, especially the fluttering structure and the wing structure. Then, a new motion controller based on multi-channel field-oriented control (FOC) is proposed for its motion mechanism, which relies on four sets of brushless DC motors (BLDCs) based on FOC control and four sets of servos to achieve independent control of the flapping speed, rhythm, and angle of four flapping wings. In addition, the system model is analyzed, and on this basis, the robot motion and posture control are realized by an proportional-integral-derivative and active disturbance rejection (PID-ADRC) based controller. Lastly, a physical prototype was made, and the system was feasible through flight experiments in indoor venues.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
A novel detoxification strategy of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) to dimethoate based on gut microbiota research.
Journal of economic entomology pii:8011058 [Epub ahead of print].
Bombyx mori (L.) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an important economic insect, and Exorista sorbillans (W.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) is an endoparasitic pest of larval B. mori. Dimethoate is less toxic to B. mori than E. sorbillans and is used in sericulture to controlling E. sorbillans. To investigate the effects of dimethoate treatment on the gut microorganisms and physiological functions of B. mori, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyzed the composition and structure of the gut microbiota. This study investigated their role in enhancing silkworm resistance by screening dominant populations after dimethoate treatment. The results indicated that dimethoate did not alter the composition of the dominant gut bacterial groups in silkworm; however, it significantly increased the abundance of the gut bacteria Methylobacterium and Aureimonas, and decreased the abundance of Enterobacterales, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Collinsella, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella. Eleven strains of dimethoate-resistant bacteria were selected through in vitro culture, all of which were unable to grow when dimethoate was used as a carbon source. Additionally, a germ-free silkworm model was established to assess detoxifying enzyme activity in the midgut. The results revealed that the gut symbiotic microbiota can enhance dimethoate resistance by increasing detoxification enzyme activity. This study identifies a novel pathway for silkworm resistance to dimethoate based on gut microbiota, providing new insights into the role of symbiotic gut bacteria in insecticide metabolism.
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@article {pmid39945306,
year = {2025},
author = {Tian, C and Tang, J and Zhu, Q and Guo, X and Shu, Q and Gu, Z and Li, F and Li, B},
title = {A novel detoxification strategy of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) to dimethoate based on gut microbiota research.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toaf028},
pmid = {39945306},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {32172795//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022GXCSSC26//Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Sericulture and Silk/ ; SNG2023016//Science and Technology Support Program of Suzhou/ ; //Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions/ ; },
abstract = {Bombyx mori (L.) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an important economic insect, and Exorista sorbillans (W.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) is an endoparasitic pest of larval B. mori. Dimethoate is less toxic to B. mori than E. sorbillans and is used in sericulture to controlling E. sorbillans. To investigate the effects of dimethoate treatment on the gut microorganisms and physiological functions of B. mori, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyzed the composition and structure of the gut microbiota. This study investigated their role in enhancing silkworm resistance by screening dominant populations after dimethoate treatment. The results indicated that dimethoate did not alter the composition of the dominant gut bacterial groups in silkworm; however, it significantly increased the abundance of the gut bacteria Methylobacterium and Aureimonas, and decreased the abundance of Enterobacterales, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Collinsella, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella. Eleven strains of dimethoate-resistant bacteria were selected through in vitro culture, all of which were unable to grow when dimethoate was used as a carbon source. Additionally, a germ-free silkworm model was established to assess detoxifying enzyme activity in the midgut. The results revealed that the gut symbiotic microbiota can enhance dimethoate resistance by increasing detoxification enzyme activity. This study identifies a novel pathway for silkworm resistance to dimethoate based on gut microbiota, providing new insights into the role of symbiotic gut bacteria in insecticide metabolism.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Labile Carbon Input Mitigates the Negative Legacy Effects of Nitrogen Addition on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in a Temperate Grassland.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3):.
Nitrogen (N) deposition and carbon (C) addition significantly influence the dynamics of plant-microbe interactions, particularly altering the symbiotic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of labile C input on the relationship between AMF and various plant species in a nitrogen-enriched environment remain a knowledge gap. A seven-year field experiment was conducted to examine how six levels of N and three levels of labile C addition impact AMF colonization in four key plant species: Leymus chinensis (Trin. ex Bunge) Tzvelev, Stipa baicalensis Roshev., Thermopsis lanceolata R. Br. and Potentilla bifurca Linn. Our results showed that N and C additions exert significantly different effects on the relationship between AMF and various plant species. Labile C addition mitigated historical N negative effects, particularly for S. baicalensis, enhancing AMF infection and promoting nutrient exchange under high-N and low-C conditions. The relationship between AMF and both L. chinensis and T. lanceolata changed to weak mutualism under low-N and high-C conditions, with significant decreases in vesicular and arbuscular abundance. Plant root stoichiometry plays a critical role in modulating AMF symbiosis, particularly under high-N and -C conditions, as reflected in the increased AMF infection observed in T. lanceolata and P. bifurca. Our findings emphasize the species-specific and nutrient-dependent AMF symbiosis, revealing that targeted C input can mitigate the legacy effects of N enrichment. Effective nutrient management is of crucial importance for ecological restoration efforts in temperate grasslands affected by long-term N enrichment.
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@article {pmid39943019,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, S and Zhang, Y and Yu, X and Cui, M and Jiang, L and Zhang, T and Gao, Y},
title = {Labile Carbon Input Mitigates the Negative Legacy Effects of Nitrogen Addition on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in a Temperate Grassland.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {39943019},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {2023E01008//Regional Collaborative Innovation Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region/ ; 32271579//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32160312//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Nitrogen (N) deposition and carbon (C) addition significantly influence the dynamics of plant-microbe interactions, particularly altering the symbiotic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of labile C input on the relationship between AMF and various plant species in a nitrogen-enriched environment remain a knowledge gap. A seven-year field experiment was conducted to examine how six levels of N and three levels of labile C addition impact AMF colonization in four key plant species: Leymus chinensis (Trin. ex Bunge) Tzvelev, Stipa baicalensis Roshev., Thermopsis lanceolata R. Br. and Potentilla bifurca Linn. Our results showed that N and C additions exert significantly different effects on the relationship between AMF and various plant species. Labile C addition mitigated historical N negative effects, particularly for S. baicalensis, enhancing AMF infection and promoting nutrient exchange under high-N and low-C conditions. The relationship between AMF and both L. chinensis and T. lanceolata changed to weak mutualism under low-N and high-C conditions, with significant decreases in vesicular and arbuscular abundance. Plant root stoichiometry plays a critical role in modulating AMF symbiosis, particularly under high-N and -C conditions, as reflected in the increased AMF infection observed in T. lanceolata and P. bifurca. Our findings emphasize the species-specific and nutrient-dependent AMF symbiosis, revealing that targeted C input can mitigate the legacy effects of N enrichment. Effective nutrient management is of crucial importance for ecological restoration efforts in temperate grasslands affected by long-term N enrichment.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
The Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization of the Sym2[A] Introgression Line A33.18 of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) with the Increased Specificity of Root Nodule Symbiosis.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3):.
In pea (Pisum sativum L.), alleles of the Sym2 gene determine the specificity of the interaction with nodule bacteria (rhizobia). The Sym2[A] allele present in landraces from Afghanistan provides higher selectiveness toward rhizobia than the Sym2[E] allele present in European cultivars. Rhizobial strains possessing the nodX gene can interact with both Sym2[A] and Sym2[E] peas, while strains lacking nodX can interact only with Sym2[E] peas. Here, we studied the previously obtained introgression line A33.18 bearing Sym2[A] in a homozygous state in the genome of the European pea cultivar 'Rondo'. A33.18 has proved its high selectiveness in pot experiments. Genome sequencing has shown that A33.18 possesses an 18.2 Mb region inherited from Afghanistan pea with 63 genes, including 5 receptor kinase genes, among which was the Sym2 candidate gene LykX. In a field experiment, under inoculation with the nodX[+] strain TOM, over 95% of nodules of A33.18 contained TOM, as opposed to less than 8% of nodules containing TOM in the parental European cultivar 'Rondo'. Thus, introgression of Sym2[A] enabled peas to interact specifically with the nodX[+] strain, favoring the formation of nodules by the strain from the inoculum and protecting peas from the indigenous soil microbiota.
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@article {pmid39942989,
year = {2025},
author = {Sulima, AS and Zhuravlev, IY and Alexeeva, EA and Kliukova, MS and Zorin, EA and Rakova, VA and Gordon, ML and Kulaeva, OA and Romanyuk, DA and Akhtemova, GA and Zhernakov, AI and Semenova, EV and Vishnyakova, MA and Tikhonovich, IA and Zhukov, VA},
title = {The Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization of the Sym2[A] Introgression Line A33.18 of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) with the Increased Specificity of Root Nodule Symbiosis.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {39942989},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {agreement № 075-15-2022-320, dated 20 April 2022//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russian Federation/ ; },
abstract = {In pea (Pisum sativum L.), alleles of the Sym2 gene determine the specificity of the interaction with nodule bacteria (rhizobia). The Sym2[A] allele present in landraces from Afghanistan provides higher selectiveness toward rhizobia than the Sym2[E] allele present in European cultivars. Rhizobial strains possessing the nodX gene can interact with both Sym2[A] and Sym2[E] peas, while strains lacking nodX can interact only with Sym2[E] peas. Here, we studied the previously obtained introgression line A33.18 bearing Sym2[A] in a homozygous state in the genome of the European pea cultivar 'Rondo'. A33.18 has proved its high selectiveness in pot experiments. Genome sequencing has shown that A33.18 possesses an 18.2 Mb region inherited from Afghanistan pea with 63 genes, including 5 receptor kinase genes, among which was the Sym2 candidate gene LykX. In a field experiment, under inoculation with the nodX[+] strain TOM, over 95% of nodules of A33.18 contained TOM, as opposed to less than 8% of nodules containing TOM in the parental European cultivar 'Rondo'. Thus, introgression of Sym2[A] enabled peas to interact specifically with the nodX[+] strain, favoring the formation of nodules by the strain from the inoculum and protecting peas from the indigenous soil microbiota.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
A Model of the Ectomycorrhizal Contribution to Forest Soil C and N Dynamics and Tree N Supply Within the EFIMOD3 Model System.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3):.
Mycorrhizal symbiosis has been the focus of research for more than a century due to the positive effect of fungi on the growth of the majority of woody plants. The extramatrical mycelium (EMM) of ectomycorrhiza (EMR) accounts for up to one-third of the total soil microbial biomass, whereas litter from this short-living pool accounts for 60% of the total litterfall mass in forest ecosystems. The functioning of EMR improves the nitrogen (N) nutrition of trees and thus contributes to the carbon (C) balance of forest soils. The model presented here is an attempt to describe these EMR functions quantitatively. It calculates the growth of EMM and the subsequent "mining" of additional nitrogen from recalcitrant soil organic matter (SOM) for EMR growth, with the associated formation of "dissolved soil carbon". The decomposition of EMM litter is carried out by all organisms in the soil food webs, forming available NH4+ in the first phase and then solid-phase by-products (excretes) as a new labile SOM pool. These substances are the feedback that determines the positive role of EMR symbiosis for forest vegetation. A sensitivity analysis revealed a leading role of the C:N ratio of biotic components in the dynamics of EMM. The model validation showed a satisfactory agreement between simulated and observed data in relation to EMM respiration in larch forest plantations of different ages. Model testing within the EFIMOD3 model system allowed a quantitative assessment of the contribution of different components to forest soil and ecosystem respiration. The validation and testing of this model demonstrated the adequacy of the theoretical background used in this model, with a fast EMM decomposition cycle by all soil biota of the food webs and without direct resource exchange between plants and fungi.
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@article {pmid39942979,
year = {2025},
author = {Chertov, O and Frolov, P and Shanin, V and Priputina, I and Bykhovets, S and Geraskina, A},
title = {A Model of the Ectomycorrhizal Contribution to Forest Soil C and N Dynamics and Tree N Supply Within the EFIMOD3 Model System.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {39942979},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {123030300031-6//Russian Academy of Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {Mycorrhizal symbiosis has been the focus of research for more than a century due to the positive effect of fungi on the growth of the majority of woody plants. The extramatrical mycelium (EMM) of ectomycorrhiza (EMR) accounts for up to one-third of the total soil microbial biomass, whereas litter from this short-living pool accounts for 60% of the total litterfall mass in forest ecosystems. The functioning of EMR improves the nitrogen (N) nutrition of trees and thus contributes to the carbon (C) balance of forest soils. The model presented here is an attempt to describe these EMR functions quantitatively. It calculates the growth of EMM and the subsequent "mining" of additional nitrogen from recalcitrant soil organic matter (SOM) for EMR growth, with the associated formation of "dissolved soil carbon". The decomposition of EMM litter is carried out by all organisms in the soil food webs, forming available NH4+ in the first phase and then solid-phase by-products (excretes) as a new labile SOM pool. These substances are the feedback that determines the positive role of EMR symbiosis for forest vegetation. A sensitivity analysis revealed a leading role of the C:N ratio of biotic components in the dynamics of EMM. The model validation showed a satisfactory agreement between simulated and observed data in relation to EMM respiration in larch forest plantations of different ages. Model testing within the EFIMOD3 model system allowed a quantitative assessment of the contribution of different components to forest soil and ecosystem respiration. The validation and testing of this model demonstrated the adequacy of the theoretical background used in this model, with a fast EMM decomposition cycle by all soil biota of the food webs and without direct resource exchange between plants and fungi.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
The Small Key to the Treasure Chest: Endogenous Plant Peptides Involved in Symbiotic Interactions.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3):.
Plant growth and development are inextricably connected with rhizosphere organisms. Plants have to balance between strong defenses against pathogens while modulating their immune responses to recruit beneficial organisms such as bacteria and fungi. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that regulatory peptides are essential in establishing these symbiotic relationships, orchestrating processes that include nutrient acquisition, root architecture modification, and immune modulation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the peptide families that facilitate beneficial relationships between plants and rhizosphere organisms.
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@article {pmid39942939,
year = {2025},
author = {Mamaeva, A and Makeeva, A and Ganaeva, D},
title = {The Small Key to the Treasure Chest: Endogenous Plant Peptides Involved in Symbiotic Interactions.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {39942939},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {23-66-10013//Russian Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Plant growth and development are inextricably connected with rhizosphere organisms. Plants have to balance between strong defenses against pathogens while modulating their immune responses to recruit beneficial organisms such as bacteria and fungi. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that regulatory peptides are essential in establishing these symbiotic relationships, orchestrating processes that include nutrient acquisition, root architecture modification, and immune modulation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the peptide families that facilitate beneficial relationships between plants and rhizosphere organisms.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-13
Chemical Conversations.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 30(3):.
Among living organisms, higher animals primarily use a combination of vocal and non-verbal cues for communication. In other species, however, chemical signaling holds a central role. The chemical and biological activity of the molecules produced by the organisms themselves and the existence of receptors/targeting sites that allow recognition of such molecules leads to various forms of responses by the producer and recipient organisms and is a fundamental principle of such communication. Chemical language can be used to coordinate processes within one species or between species. Chemical signals are thus information for other organisms, potentially inducing modification of their behavior. Additionally, this conversation is influenced by the external environment in which organisms are found. This review presents examples of chemical communication among microorganisms, between microorganisms and plants, and between microorganisms and animals. The mechanisms and physiological importance of this communication are described. Chemical interactions can be both cooperative and antagonistic. Microbial chemical signals usually ensure the formation of the most advantageous population phenotype or the disadvantage of a competitive species in the environment. Between microorganisms and plants, we find symbiotic (e.g., in the root system) and parasitic relationships. Similarly, mutually beneficial relationships are established between microorganisms and animals (e.g., gastrointestinal tract), but microorganisms also invade and disrupt the immune and nervous systems of animals.
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@article {pmid39942538,
year = {2025},
author = {Michailidu, J and Maťátková, O and Čejková, A and Masák, J},
title = {Chemical Conversations.},
journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {39942538},
issn = {1420-3049},
mesh = {Animals ; *Plants/chemistry/metabolism ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Among living organisms, higher animals primarily use a combination of vocal and non-verbal cues for communication. In other species, however, chemical signaling holds a central role. The chemical and biological activity of the molecules produced by the organisms themselves and the existence of receptors/targeting sites that allow recognition of such molecules leads to various forms of responses by the producer and recipient organisms and is a fundamental principle of such communication. Chemical language can be used to coordinate processes within one species or between species. Chemical signals are thus information for other organisms, potentially inducing modification of their behavior. Additionally, this conversation is influenced by the external environment in which organisms are found. This review presents examples of chemical communication among microorganisms, between microorganisms and plants, and between microorganisms and animals. The mechanisms and physiological importance of this communication are described. Chemical interactions can be both cooperative and antagonistic. Microbial chemical signals usually ensure the formation of the most advantageous population phenotype or the disadvantage of a competitive species in the environment. Between microorganisms and plants, we find symbiotic (e.g., in the root system) and parasitic relationships. Similarly, mutually beneficial relationships are established between microorganisms and animals (e.g., gastrointestinal tract), but microorganisms also invade and disrupt the immune and nervous systems of animals.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Animals
*Plants/chemistry/metabolism
Humans
Signal Transduction
Symbiosis
RevDate: 2025-02-13
Arginine-Enhanced Termitomyces Mycelia: Improvement in Growth and Lignocellulose Degradation Capabilities.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3): pii:foods14030361.
Termitomyces mushrooms, known for their symbiotic relationship with termites and their high nutritional and medicinal value, are challenging to cultivate artificially due to their specific growth requirements. This study investigates the impact of arginine on the mycelial growth, development, and lignocellulolytic capabilities of Termitomyces. We found that arginine significantly promoted conidia formation, altered mycelial morphology, and enhanced biomass and polysaccharide content. The addition of arginine also upregulated the expression of the enzymes related to lignocellulose decomposition, leading to increased activities of cellulase, hemicellulase, and laccase, which accelerated the decomposition and utilization of corn straw. A transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression patterns of carbohydrate-active enzyme genes in arginine-supplemented Termitomyces mycelia, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these enhancements. The GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis highlighted the role of arginine in transmembrane transport, fatty acid oxidation, and carbohydrate metabolism. This study offers a molecular basis for the observed phenotypic changes and valuable insights for developing optimal culture strategies for Termitomyces, potentially enhancing its artificial cultivation and application in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic waste.
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@article {pmid39941954,
year = {2025},
author = {Yi, W and Zhou, J and Xiao, Q and Zhong, W and Xu, X},
title = {Arginine-Enhanced Termitomyces Mycelia: Improvement in Growth and Lignocellulose Degradation Capabilities.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/foods14030361},
pmid = {39941954},
issn = {2304-8158},
support = {grant no 2018A030313011; grant no 2018B020206001//the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province;Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province/ ; 2024E04J1234//Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou/ ; },
abstract = {Termitomyces mushrooms, known for their symbiotic relationship with termites and their high nutritional and medicinal value, are challenging to cultivate artificially due to their specific growth requirements. This study investigates the impact of arginine on the mycelial growth, development, and lignocellulolytic capabilities of Termitomyces. We found that arginine significantly promoted conidia formation, altered mycelial morphology, and enhanced biomass and polysaccharide content. The addition of arginine also upregulated the expression of the enzymes related to lignocellulose decomposition, leading to increased activities of cellulase, hemicellulase, and laccase, which accelerated the decomposition and utilization of corn straw. A transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression patterns of carbohydrate-active enzyme genes in arginine-supplemented Termitomyces mycelia, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these enhancements. The GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis highlighted the role of arginine in transmembrane transport, fatty acid oxidation, and carbohydrate metabolism. This study offers a molecular basis for the observed phenotypic changes and valuable insights for developing optimal culture strategies for Termitomyces, potentially enhancing its artificial cultivation and application in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic waste.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-13
Complete Polar Lipid Profile of Kefir Beverage by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography with HRMS and Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
International journal of molecular sciences, 26(3): pii:ijms26031120.
Kefir, a fermented milk product produced using kefir grains, is a symbiotic consortium of bacteria and yeasts responsible for driving the fermentation process. In this study, an in-depth analysis of kefir's lipid profile was conducted, with a focus on its phospholipid (PL) content, employing liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Nearly 300 distinct polar lipids were identified through hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) and Fourier-transform orbital-trap MS and linear ion-trap tandem MS/MS. The identified lipids included phosphatidylcholines (PCs), lyso-phosphatidylcholines (LPCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamines (LPEs), phosphatidylserines (PSs), phosphatidylglycerols (PGs), and phosphatidylinositols (PIs). The presence of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerols (LyPGs) was identified as a key finding, marking a lipid class characteristic of Gram-positive bacterial membranes. This discovery highlights the role of viable bacteria in kefir and underscores its probiotic potential. The structural details of minor glycolipids (GLs) and glycosphingolipids (GSLs) were further elucidated, enriching the understanding of kefir's lipid complexity. Fatty acyl (FA) composition was characterized using reversed-phase LC coupled with tandem MS. A mild epoxidation reaction with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) was performed to pinpoint double-bond positions in FAs. The dominant fatty acids were identified as C18:3, C18:2, C18:1, C18:0 (stearic acid), C16:0 (palmitic acid), and significant levels of C14:0 (myristic acid). Additionally, two isomers of FA 18:1 were distinguished: ∆9-cis (oleic acid) and ∆11-trans (vaccenic acid). These isomers were identified using diagnostic ion pairs, retention times, and accurate m/z values. This study provides an unprecedented level of detail on the lipid profile of kefir, shedding light on its complex composition and potential nutritional benefits.
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@article {pmid39940887,
year = {2025},
author = {Ventura, G and Bianco, M and Losito, I and Cataldi, TRI and Calvano, CD},
title = {Complete Polar Lipid Profile of Kefir Beverage by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography with HRMS and Tandem Mass Spectrometry.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26031120},
pmid = {39940887},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {LSH-Puglia, T4-AN-01 H93C22000560003//Regione Puglia/ ; 2023-UNBACLE-0241870-Lipid7//University of Bari Aldo Moro/ ; },
mesh = {*Kefir/microbiology/analysis ; *Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods ; *Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Lipids/chemistry/analysis ; Phospholipids/analysis/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Kefir, a fermented milk product produced using kefir grains, is a symbiotic consortium of bacteria and yeasts responsible for driving the fermentation process. In this study, an in-depth analysis of kefir's lipid profile was conducted, with a focus on its phospholipid (PL) content, employing liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Nearly 300 distinct polar lipids were identified through hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) and Fourier-transform orbital-trap MS and linear ion-trap tandem MS/MS. The identified lipids included phosphatidylcholines (PCs), lyso-phosphatidylcholines (LPCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamines (LPEs), phosphatidylserines (PSs), phosphatidylglycerols (PGs), and phosphatidylinositols (PIs). The presence of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerols (LyPGs) was identified as a key finding, marking a lipid class characteristic of Gram-positive bacterial membranes. This discovery highlights the role of viable bacteria in kefir and underscores its probiotic potential. The structural details of minor glycolipids (GLs) and glycosphingolipids (GSLs) were further elucidated, enriching the understanding of kefir's lipid complexity. Fatty acyl (FA) composition was characterized using reversed-phase LC coupled with tandem MS. A mild epoxidation reaction with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) was performed to pinpoint double-bond positions in FAs. The dominant fatty acids were identified as C18:3, C18:2, C18:1, C18:0 (stearic acid), C16:0 (palmitic acid), and significant levels of C14:0 (myristic acid). Additionally, two isomers of FA 18:1 were distinguished: ∆9-cis (oleic acid) and ∆11-trans (vaccenic acid). These isomers were identified using diagnostic ion pairs, retention times, and accurate m/z values. This study provides an unprecedented level of detail on the lipid profile of kefir, shedding light on its complex composition and potential nutritional benefits.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Kefir/microbiology/analysis
*Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods
Chromatography, Liquid/methods
*Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Lipids/chemistry/analysis
Phospholipids/analysis/chemistry
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-13
Role of GmFRI-1 in Regulating Soybean Nodule Formation Under Cold Stress.
International journal of molecular sciences, 26(3): pii:ijms26030879.
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation, recognized as the most efficient nitrogen assimilation system in ecosystems, is essential for soybean growth, as nodulation provides critical nitrogen to host cells. Soybeans thrive in warm and moist environments. However, they are highly susceptible to low temperatures, which impede the formation and development of root nodules. The genetic basis and molecular mechanism underlying the inhibition of nodulation induced by low temperatures remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of soybean roots inoculated with rhizobium at 1 DPI (Day Post Inoculation) under normal or cold treatments. We identified 39 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated genes associated with nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Notably, cold-responsive genes including three FRI (Frigida) family genes were identified among differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Further expression pattern analysis of GmFRI-1 demonstrated it being significantly responsive to rhizobium inoculation and its highest expression in nodules. Further investigation revealed that overexpression of GmFRI-1 led to an increase in the nodule number, while RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene editing of GmFRI-1 suppressed nodule formation. Additionally, GmFRI-1 overexpression may regulate soybean nodulation by modulating the expression of GmNIN (NODULE INCEPTION), GmNSP1 (nodulation signaling pathway 1), and GmHAP2-2 (histone- or haem-associated protein domain) in the nod factor signaling pathway. This study offers new insights into the genetic basis of nodulation regulation under cold stress in legumes and indicates that GmFRI-1 may serve as a key regulator of nodule formation under cold stress.
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@article {pmid39940650,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, H and He, L and Li, H and Tao, N and Chang, T and Wang, D and Lu, Y and Li, Z and Mai, C and Zhao, X and Niu, B and Ma, J and Wang, L},
title = {Role of GmFRI-1 in Regulating Soybean Nodule Formation Under Cold Stress.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26030879},
pmid = {39940650},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2023ZD040350103//Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China/ ; 32241046, 32241045//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Glycine max/genetics/microbiology/metabolism ; *Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/microbiology/genetics ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Cold-Shock Response ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Root Nodulation/genetics ; Rhizobium/physiology ; Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic nitrogen fixation, recognized as the most efficient nitrogen assimilation system in ecosystems, is essential for soybean growth, as nodulation provides critical nitrogen to host cells. Soybeans thrive in warm and moist environments. However, they are highly susceptible to low temperatures, which impede the formation and development of root nodules. The genetic basis and molecular mechanism underlying the inhibition of nodulation induced by low temperatures remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of soybean roots inoculated with rhizobium at 1 DPI (Day Post Inoculation) under normal or cold treatments. We identified 39 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated genes associated with nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Notably, cold-responsive genes including three FRI (Frigida) family genes were identified among differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Further expression pattern analysis of GmFRI-1 demonstrated it being significantly responsive to rhizobium inoculation and its highest expression in nodules. Further investigation revealed that overexpression of GmFRI-1 led to an increase in the nodule number, while RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene editing of GmFRI-1 suppressed nodule formation. Additionally, GmFRI-1 overexpression may regulate soybean nodulation by modulating the expression of GmNIN (NODULE INCEPTION), GmNSP1 (nodulation signaling pathway 1), and GmHAP2-2 (histone- or haem-associated protein domain) in the nod factor signaling pathway. This study offers new insights into the genetic basis of nodulation regulation under cold stress in legumes and indicates that GmFRI-1 may serve as a key regulator of nodule formation under cold stress.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
*Glycine max/genetics/microbiology/metabolism
*Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/microbiology/genetics
*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Cold-Shock Response
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Plant Root Nodulation/genetics
Rhizobium/physiology
Nitrogen Fixation/genetics
Symbiosis/genetics
Gene Expression Profiling
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-12
An optimised faecal microRNA sequencing pipeline reveals fibrosis in Trichuris muris infection.
Nature communications, 16(1):1589.
The intestine is a site of diverse functions including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune surveillance, and microbial symbiosis. Intestinal microRNAs (miRNAs) are detectable in faeces and regulate barrier integrity, host-microbe interactions and the immune response, potentially offering valuable non-invasive tools to study intestinal health. However, current experimental methods are suboptimal and heterogeneity in study design limits the utility of faecal miRNA data. Here, we develop an optimised protocol for faecal miRNA detection and report a reproducible murine faecal miRNA profile in healthy mice. We use this pipeline to study faecal miRNAs during infection with the gastrointestinal helminth, Trichuris muris, revealing roles for miRNAs in fibrosis and wound healing. Intestinal fibrosis was confirmed in vivo using Hyperion® imaging mass cytometry, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach. Further applications of this optimised pipeline to study host-microbe interactions and intestinal disease will enable the generation of hypotheses and therapeutic strategies in diverse contexts.
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@article {pmid39939598,
year = {2025},
author = {Layton, E and Goldsworthy, S and Yang, E and Ong, WY and Sutherland, TE and Bancroft, AJ and Thompson, S and Au, VB and Griffiths-Jones, S and Grencis, RK and Fairhurst, AM and Roberts, IS},
title = {An optimised faecal microRNA sequencing pipeline reveals fibrosis in Trichuris muris infection.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {1589},
pmid = {39939598},
issn = {2041-1723},
mesh = {Animals ; *MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; *Trichuris ; *Trichuriasis/parasitology/immunology ; *Feces/parasitology/microbiology ; *Fibrosis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Female ; Intestines/parasitology/pathology ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods ; },
abstract = {The intestine is a site of diverse functions including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune surveillance, and microbial symbiosis. Intestinal microRNAs (miRNAs) are detectable in faeces and regulate barrier integrity, host-microbe interactions and the immune response, potentially offering valuable non-invasive tools to study intestinal health. However, current experimental methods are suboptimal and heterogeneity in study design limits the utility of faecal miRNA data. Here, we develop an optimised protocol for faecal miRNA detection and report a reproducible murine faecal miRNA profile in healthy mice. We use this pipeline to study faecal miRNAs during infection with the gastrointestinal helminth, Trichuris muris, revealing roles for miRNAs in fibrosis and wound healing. Intestinal fibrosis was confirmed in vivo using Hyperion® imaging mass cytometry, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach. Further applications of this optimised pipeline to study host-microbe interactions and intestinal disease will enable the generation of hypotheses and therapeutic strategies in diverse contexts.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism
*Trichuris
*Trichuriasis/parasitology/immunology
*Feces/parasitology/microbiology
*Fibrosis
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Female
Intestines/parasitology/pathology
Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods
RevDate: 2025-02-12
From Eggs to Guts: Symbiotic Association of Sodalis nezarae sp. nov. with the Southern Green Shield Bug Nezara viridula.
FEMS microbiology ecology pii:8010861 [Epub ahead of print].
Phytophagous insects engage in symbiotic relationships with bacteria that contribute to digestion, nutrient supplementation, and development of the host. The analysis of shield bug microbiomes has been mainly focused on the gut intestinal tract predominantly colonized by Pantoea symbionts, and other microbial community members in the gut or other organs have hardly been investigated. In this study, we reveal that the Southern green shield bug Nezara viridula harbours a Sodalis symbiont in several organs, with a notable prevalence in salivary glands, and anterior regions of the midgut. Removing external egg microbiota via sterilization profoundly impacted insect viability but did not disrupt the vertical transmission of Sodalis and Pantoea symbionts. Based on the dominance of Sodalis in testes, we deduce that N. viridula males could be involved in symbiont vertical transmission. Genomic analyses comparing Sodalis species revealed that Sodalis sp. Nvir shares characteristics with both free-living and obligate insect-associated Sodalis spp. Sodalis sp. Nvir also displays genome instability typical of endosymbiont lineages, which suggests ongoing speciation to an obligate endosymbiont. Together, our study reveals that shield bugs harbour unrecognized symbionts that might be paternally transmitted.
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@article {pmid39938947,
year = {2025},
author = {Rogowska-van der Molen, MA and Manzano-MarÃn, A and Postma, JL and Coolen, S and van Alen, T and Jansen, RS and Welte, CU},
title = {From Eggs to Guts: Symbiotic Association of Sodalis nezarae sp. nov. with the Southern Green Shield Bug Nezara viridula.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaf017},
pmid = {39938947},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Phytophagous insects engage in symbiotic relationships with bacteria that contribute to digestion, nutrient supplementation, and development of the host. The analysis of shield bug microbiomes has been mainly focused on the gut intestinal tract predominantly colonized by Pantoea symbionts, and other microbial community members in the gut or other organs have hardly been investigated. In this study, we reveal that the Southern green shield bug Nezara viridula harbours a Sodalis symbiont in several organs, with a notable prevalence in salivary glands, and anterior regions of the midgut. Removing external egg microbiota via sterilization profoundly impacted insect viability but did not disrupt the vertical transmission of Sodalis and Pantoea symbionts. Based on the dominance of Sodalis in testes, we deduce that N. viridula males could be involved in symbiont vertical transmission. Genomic analyses comparing Sodalis species revealed that Sodalis sp. Nvir shares characteristics with both free-living and obligate insect-associated Sodalis spp. Sodalis sp. Nvir also displays genome instability typical of endosymbiont lineages, which suggests ongoing speciation to an obligate endosymbiont. Together, our study reveals that shield bugs harbour unrecognized symbionts that might be paternally transmitted.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
SYMRK significantly affected AMF symbiosis and plant growth in maize.
Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology pii:S0168-9452(25)00044-5 [Epub ahead of print].
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important symbiotic microorganisms in the soil that form reciprocal relationships with most plants to enhance their ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. The establishment of symbiosis between plants and AMF involves complex molecular mechanisms, and the SYMRK (Symbiosis receptor-like kinase) plays a pivotal role in the establishment of symbiosis. Maize (Zea mays) is a globally significant crop and one of the hosts for AMF, but research on AMF symbiosis-related genes in maize is limited. In this study, we identified a symbiosis receptor kinase in maize, named ZmSYMRK, which corresponds to the ortholog gene OsSYMRK in rice. ZmSYMRK encodes a cell membrane-localized protein kinase that is crucial for AMF colonization. We demonstrated that ZmSYMRK deletion resulted in severe defects in maize symbiosis with AMF. The colonization rates of zmsymrk mutants were significantly reduced at three different time points, and the colonization defects did not recover with prolonged colonization time. Furthermore, the deletion of the ZmSYMRK gene severely affected plant growth under low phosphorus conditions, and the growth defects of the mutants were even more pronounced after symbiosis. We conclude that ZmSYMRK plays a crucial role in both plant growth and the establishment of symbiotic relationships with AMF.
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@article {pmid39938596,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhou, J and Li, S and Luo, X and Sun, L and Chen, J and Cheng, B and Li, X},
title = {SYMRK significantly affected AMF symbiosis and plant growth in maize.},
journal = {Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {112427},
doi = {10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112427},
pmid = {39938596},
issn = {1873-2259},
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important symbiotic microorganisms in the soil that form reciprocal relationships with most plants to enhance their ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. The establishment of symbiosis between plants and AMF involves complex molecular mechanisms, and the SYMRK (Symbiosis receptor-like kinase) plays a pivotal role in the establishment of symbiosis. Maize (Zea mays) is a globally significant crop and one of the hosts for AMF, but research on AMF symbiosis-related genes in maize is limited. In this study, we identified a symbiosis receptor kinase in maize, named ZmSYMRK, which corresponds to the ortholog gene OsSYMRK in rice. ZmSYMRK encodes a cell membrane-localized protein kinase that is crucial for AMF colonization. We demonstrated that ZmSYMRK deletion resulted in severe defects in maize symbiosis with AMF. The colonization rates of zmsymrk mutants were significantly reduced at three different time points, and the colonization defects did not recover with prolonged colonization time. Furthermore, the deletion of the ZmSYMRK gene severely affected plant growth under low phosphorus conditions, and the growth defects of the mutants were even more pronounced after symbiosis. We conclude that ZmSYMRK plays a crucial role in both plant growth and the establishment of symbiotic relationships with AMF.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
Efficient removal of enrofloxacin in swine wastewater using eukaryotic-bacterial symbiotic membraneless bioelectrochemical system.
Journal of hazardous materials, 489:137513 pii:S0304-3894(25)00425-X [Epub ahead of print].
A eukaryotic-bacterial symbiotic membraneless bioelectrochemical system (EBES) reactor with eukaryotic-bacteria symbiotic cathode was developed to treat swine wastewater containing enrofloxacin (ENR), which had high performance at ENR tolerance and operational stability. With ENR concentrations shifting from 2 to 50 mg/L, the removal efficiencies of ENR, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH4[+]-N always were higher than 95 %, and the maximum power output (≥343 mW/m[3]) could be achieved. At 20 mg/L ENR, the removal efficiencies of ENR, COD and NH4[+]-N respectively reached to 99.4 ± 0.1 %, 98.5 % ± 0.1 %, and 96.3 % ± 0.5 %, corresponding to the open circuit voltage and maximum power density (Pmax) of EBES were 851 mV and 455 mW/m[3]. The community analyses showed that bacteria (Comamonas, Rhodobacter, Rhodococcus, and Vermiphilaceae et al.), algae (Chlorella) and fungi (Rozellomycota, Trebouxiophyceae, Exophiala, and Aspergillus et al.) at genus level were the dominate populations in the EBES, and their abundance increased with ENR concentration, suggesting they played key roles to remove ENR and another nutrient element. The low relative abundances (1.9 ×10[-7] to 1.1 ×10[-5] copies/g) of aac (6')-ib-cr, qnrA, qnrD, qnrS, and gyrA in effluent revealed that the present EBES reactor had superior capabilities in controlling antibiotic-resistance genes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Our trial experiments provided a novel way for antibiotic livestock wastewater treatment.
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@article {pmid39938376,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, Y and Li, S and Jiao, Y and Ji, X and Li, Y and Chen, Q and Zhang, X and Zhang, G},
title = {Efficient removal of enrofloxacin in swine wastewater using eukaryotic-bacterial symbiotic membraneless bioelectrochemical system.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {489},
number = {},
pages = {137513},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137513},
pmid = {39938376},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {A eukaryotic-bacterial symbiotic membraneless bioelectrochemical system (EBES) reactor with eukaryotic-bacteria symbiotic cathode was developed to treat swine wastewater containing enrofloxacin (ENR), which had high performance at ENR tolerance and operational stability. With ENR concentrations shifting from 2 to 50 mg/L, the removal efficiencies of ENR, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH4[+]-N always were higher than 95 %, and the maximum power output (≥343 mW/m[3]) could be achieved. At 20 mg/L ENR, the removal efficiencies of ENR, COD and NH4[+]-N respectively reached to 99.4 ± 0.1 %, 98.5 % ± 0.1 %, and 96.3 % ± 0.5 %, corresponding to the open circuit voltage and maximum power density (Pmax) of EBES were 851 mV and 455 mW/m[3]. The community analyses showed that bacteria (Comamonas, Rhodobacter, Rhodococcus, and Vermiphilaceae et al.), algae (Chlorella) and fungi (Rozellomycota, Trebouxiophyceae, Exophiala, and Aspergillus et al.) at genus level were the dominate populations in the EBES, and their abundance increased with ENR concentration, suggesting they played key roles to remove ENR and another nutrient element. The low relative abundances (1.9 ×10[-7] to 1.1 ×10[-5] copies/g) of aac (6')-ib-cr, qnrA, qnrD, qnrS, and gyrA in effluent revealed that the present EBES reactor had superior capabilities in controlling antibiotic-resistance genes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Our trial experiments provided a novel way for antibiotic livestock wastewater treatment.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
Replication-transcription symbiosis in the mammalian nucleus: The art of living together.
Current opinion in cell biology, 93:102479 pii:S0955-0674(25)00017-1 [Epub ahead of print].
Similarly to life in our planet, where thousands of species inhabit the same ecosystem, the cell nucleus hosts different essential processes that share the same territory, making the interaction between them unavoidable. DNA replication and transcription are essential processes that copy and decode the information contained in our genomes, sharing -and competing for- the same chromatin template. Both activities are executed by large macromolecular machines with similar requirements to access the DNA, remodel the nucleosomes ahead of them and reassemble the chromatin make-up behind. Mechanistically, both processes cannot simultaneously act on the same DNA sequence, but emerging evidence shows that they frequently interact. Here we revise recent data on how transcription and replication occur in chromatin highlighting the symbiotic relationship between both processes, which might help explain how their activities contribute to shape the structure and function of the mammalian genome.
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@article {pmid39938136,
year = {2025},
author = {Segura, J and Gómez, M},
title = {Replication-transcription symbiosis in the mammalian nucleus: The art of living together.},
journal = {Current opinion in cell biology},
volume = {93},
number = {},
pages = {102479},
doi = {10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102479},
pmid = {39938136},
issn = {1879-0410},
abstract = {Similarly to life in our planet, where thousands of species inhabit the same ecosystem, the cell nucleus hosts different essential processes that share the same territory, making the interaction between them unavoidable. DNA replication and transcription are essential processes that copy and decode the information contained in our genomes, sharing -and competing for- the same chromatin template. Both activities are executed by large macromolecular machines with similar requirements to access the DNA, remodel the nucleosomes ahead of them and reassemble the chromatin make-up behind. Mechanistically, both processes cannot simultaneously act on the same DNA sequence, but emerging evidence shows that they frequently interact. Here we revise recent data on how transcription and replication occur in chromatin highlighting the symbiotic relationship between both processes, which might help explain how their activities contribute to shape the structure and function of the mammalian genome.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
CmpDate: 2025-02-12
A thallus-forming N-fixing fungus-cyanobacterium symbiosis from subtropical forests.
Science advances, 11(7):eadt4093.
Fungi engage in diverse symbiotic relationships with phototrophs. Lichens, symbiotic complexes involving fungi and either cyanobacteria, green algae, or both, have fungi forming the external layer and much of the interior. We found an erect thallus resembling a lichen yet with an unexpected thallus structure composed of interwoven cyanobacterial filaments with numerous fungal hyphae inserted within individual cyanobacterial sheaths, contrasting with typical lichen structure. Phylogenetics identified the fungus as a previously undescribed species, Serendipita cyanobacteriicola, closely related to endophytes, and the cyanobacterium belongs to the family Coleofasciculaceae, representing a genus and species not yet classified, Symbiothallus taiwanensis. These thalli exhibit nitrogen-fixing activity similar to mosses but lower than cyanolichens. Both symbiotic partners are distinct from known lichen-forming symbionts, uncovering a phylogenetically and morphologically unprecedented thallus-forming fungus-cyanobacterium symbiosis. We propose the name "phyllosymbia" for these thalli to underscore their unique symbiotic nature and leaf-like appearance. This finding marks a previously unknown instance of fungi solely residing within structures generated by cyanobacteria.
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@article {pmid39937913,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, CC and Xie, QY and Chuang, PS and Darnajoux, R and Chien, YY and Wang, WH and Tian, X and Tu, CH and Chen, BC and Tang, SL and Chen, KH},
title = {A thallus-forming N-fixing fungus-cyanobacterium symbiosis from subtropical forests.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {11},
number = {7},
pages = {eadt4093},
pmid = {39937913},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Forests ; *Lichens/microbiology/physiology ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Fungi/physiology ; },
abstract = {Fungi engage in diverse symbiotic relationships with phototrophs. Lichens, symbiotic complexes involving fungi and either cyanobacteria, green algae, or both, have fungi forming the external layer and much of the interior. We found an erect thallus resembling a lichen yet with an unexpected thallus structure composed of interwoven cyanobacterial filaments with numerous fungal hyphae inserted within individual cyanobacterial sheaths, contrasting with typical lichen structure. Phylogenetics identified the fungus as a previously undescribed species, Serendipita cyanobacteriicola, closely related to endophytes, and the cyanobacterium belongs to the family Coleofasciculaceae, representing a genus and species not yet classified, Symbiothallus taiwanensis. These thalli exhibit nitrogen-fixing activity similar to mosses but lower than cyanolichens. Both symbiotic partners are distinct from known lichen-forming symbionts, uncovering a phylogenetically and morphologically unprecedented thallus-forming fungus-cyanobacterium symbiosis. We propose the name "phyllosymbia" for these thalli to underscore their unique symbiotic nature and leaf-like appearance. This finding marks a previously unknown instance of fungi solely residing within structures generated by cyanobacteria.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Symbiosis
*Cyanobacteria/genetics/physiology
*Phylogeny
*Forests
*Lichens/microbiology/physiology
Nitrogen Fixation
Fungi/physiology
RevDate: 2025-02-12
CmpDate: 2025-02-12
Mycorrhiza increases plant diversity and soil carbon storage in grasslands.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(7):e2412556122.
Experimental studies have shown that symbiotic relationships between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and host plants can regulate soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. Although the impacts of mycorrhiza are highly context-dependent, it remains unclear how these effects vary across broad spatial scales. Based on data from 2296 field sites across grassland ecosystems of China, here we show that mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis enhances SOC storage in the topsoil and subsoil through increasing plant diversity and elevating biomass allocation to belowground. SOC storage is significantly higher in both the topsoil and subsoil in systems dominated by obligate mycorrhizal (OM) and facultative mycorrhizal (FM) plants than those dominated by nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants. Also, the relative abundance of OM plants increases at the expense of FM plants as temperature and precipitation increase. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential mechanisms by which mycorrhizal fungi may influence grassland plant diversity and SOC storage in the context of global change.
Additional Links: PMID-39937867
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@article {pmid39937867,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, E and Wang, Y and Crowther, TW and Sun, W and Chen, S and Zhou, D and Shangguan, Z and Huang, J and He, JS and Wang, Y and Sheng, J and Tang, L and Li, X and Dong, M and Wu, Y and Hu, S and Bai, Y and Yu, G},
title = {Mycorrhiza increases plant diversity and soil carbon storage in grasslands.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {7},
pages = {e2412556122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2412556122},
pmid = {39937867},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {332192464//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 2023YFF1304105//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Grassland ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Carbon/metabolism/analysis ; *Biodiversity ; China ; Symbiosis ; Soil Microbiology ; Plants/microbiology ; Biomass ; },
abstract = {Experimental studies have shown that symbiotic relationships between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and host plants can regulate soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. Although the impacts of mycorrhiza are highly context-dependent, it remains unclear how these effects vary across broad spatial scales. Based on data from 2296 field sites across grassland ecosystems of China, here we show that mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis enhances SOC storage in the topsoil and subsoil through increasing plant diversity and elevating biomass allocation to belowground. SOC storage is significantly higher in both the topsoil and subsoil in systems dominated by obligate mycorrhizal (OM) and facultative mycorrhizal (FM) plants than those dominated by nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants. Also, the relative abundance of OM plants increases at the expense of FM plants as temperature and precipitation increase. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential mechanisms by which mycorrhizal fungi may influence grassland plant diversity and SOC storage in the context of global change.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Grassland
*Soil/chemistry
*Carbon/metabolism/analysis
*Biodiversity
China
Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology
Plants/microbiology
Biomass
RevDate: 2025-02-12
Definition of the rhizobial symbiovars caraganae, robiniae and sophorae within Mesorhizobium and albiziae within Neomesorhizobium.
International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology, 75(2):.
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@article {pmid39937681,
year = {2025},
author = {Andrews, M and Zhang, J},
title = {Definition of the rhizobial symbiovars caraganae, robiniae and sophorae within Mesorhizobium and albiziae within Neomesorhizobium.},
journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology},
volume = {75},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.006678},
pmid = {39937681},
issn = {1466-5034},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
The cell biology and genome of Stentor pyriformis, a giant cell that embeds symbiotic algae in a microtubule meshwork.
Molecular biology of the cell [Epub ahead of print].
Endosymbiotic events in which an endosymbiont is retained within a cell that remains capable of phagocytosis, a situation known as mixotrophy, provide potentially important clues about the eukaryotic evolution. Here we describe the cell biology and genome of the giant mixotrophic ciliate Stentor pyriformis. We show that S. pyriformis contains Chlorella variabilis as an endosymbiont that retains the ability to live outside the host. Within the host, the Chlorella cells surrounded by microtubule "baskets" near the cell surface. Photosynthetic efficiency of the Chlorella is reduced inside the Stentor cell compared to outside the host, due to increased non-photochemical quenching. S. pyriformis displays positive phototaxis via directed swimming that requires the presence of the Chlorella, implying a potential flow of information from the symbiont to direct the orientation and swimming of the host cell. We sequenced the S. pyriformis genome and found that it employs a standard genetic code, similar to other Stentor species but different from most other ciliates. We propose that S. pyriformis will serve as a useful model system for studying endosymbiosis, with unique advantages in terms of size and regenerative ability as well as distinct cellular and genomic features compared with other mixotrophic ciliate models. [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text].
Additional Links: PMID-39937680
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@article {pmid39937680,
year = {2025},
author = {Boudreau, V and Larson, BT and Gerbich, TM and Fadero, T and Yan, V and Lucas-DeMott, A and Yung, J and Moulin, SLY and Descovich, CP and Slabodnick, MM and Burlacot, A and Wang, JR and Niyogi, KK and Marshall, WF},
title = {The cell biology and genome of Stentor pyriformis, a giant cell that embeds symbiotic algae in a microtubule meshwork.},
journal = {Molecular biology of the cell},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {mbcE24120571},
doi = {10.1091/mbc.E24-12-0571},
pmid = {39937680},
issn = {1939-4586},
abstract = {Endosymbiotic events in which an endosymbiont is retained within a cell that remains capable of phagocytosis, a situation known as mixotrophy, provide potentially important clues about the eukaryotic evolution. Here we describe the cell biology and genome of the giant mixotrophic ciliate Stentor pyriformis. We show that S. pyriformis contains Chlorella variabilis as an endosymbiont that retains the ability to live outside the host. Within the host, the Chlorella cells surrounded by microtubule "baskets" near the cell surface. Photosynthetic efficiency of the Chlorella is reduced inside the Stentor cell compared to outside the host, due to increased non-photochemical quenching. S. pyriformis displays positive phototaxis via directed swimming that requires the presence of the Chlorella, implying a potential flow of information from the symbiont to direct the orientation and swimming of the host cell. We sequenced the S. pyriformis genome and found that it employs a standard genetic code, similar to other Stentor species but different from most other ciliates. We propose that S. pyriformis will serve as a useful model system for studying endosymbiosis, with unique advantages in terms of size and regenerative ability as well as distinct cellular and genomic features compared with other mixotrophic ciliate models. [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text].},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
Mentorship: A gifted symbiosis.
Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, 32(2):190-191.
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@article {pmid39936470,
year = {2025},
author = {Oboli, VN},
title = {Mentorship: A gifted symbiosis.},
journal = {Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine},
volume = {32},
number = {2},
pages = {190-191},
doi = {10.1111/acem.15085},
pmid = {39936470},
issn = {1553-2712},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-11
Rapid metabolic profiling and authentication of Cordyceps using ambient ionization mass spectrometry and machine learning.
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry [Epub ahead of print].
Cordyceps sinensis, a symbiotic organism formed between a fungus and an insect, is celebrated for its substantial medicinal benefits and economic significance in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the market for Cordyceps sinensis is rife with counterfeits, where numerous types of Cordyceps frequently pose as the genuine species, leading to financial losses for consumers. Here, we developed an ambient ionization mass spectrometry for the metabolic analysis of four kinds of Cordyceps. We tentatively identified a total of 81 metabolites, revealing significant differences between wild-type Cordyceps sinensis and its counterfeit counterparts. The heterogeneous distribution of metabolites was also examined. Notably, ergothioneine, an antioxidant, and its precursor hercynine were found to be more abundant in the stroma compared to other sections. Then, a neural network was employed to distinguish between different Cordyceps, achieving an average classification accuracy of 90.3% in blind tests. We demonstrate the potential for on-site detection of Cordyceps using a handheld nano-electrospray ionization source in conjunction with a miniature mass spectrometer, yielding mass spectral profiles comparable to those obtained with a benchtop system.
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@article {pmid39934578,
year = {2025},
author = {Ma, W and Song, M and Ji, Z and Liu, Y and Na, P and Li, Y and Nie, Z},
title = {Rapid metabolic profiling and authentication of Cordyceps using ambient ionization mass spectrometry and machine learning.},
journal = {Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39934578},
issn = {1618-2650},
support = {2023AAC03013//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; 2020BDE03016//Key Research and Development Plan Project of Ningxia Province/ ; 22334007//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Cordyceps sinensis, a symbiotic organism formed between a fungus and an insect, is celebrated for its substantial medicinal benefits and economic significance in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the market for Cordyceps sinensis is rife with counterfeits, where numerous types of Cordyceps frequently pose as the genuine species, leading to financial losses for consumers. Here, we developed an ambient ionization mass spectrometry for the metabolic analysis of four kinds of Cordyceps. We tentatively identified a total of 81 metabolites, revealing significant differences between wild-type Cordyceps sinensis and its counterfeit counterparts. The heterogeneous distribution of metabolites was also examined. Notably, ergothioneine, an antioxidant, and its precursor hercynine were found to be more abundant in the stroma compared to other sections. Then, a neural network was employed to distinguish between different Cordyceps, achieving an average classification accuracy of 90.3% in blind tests. We demonstrate the potential for on-site detection of Cordyceps using a handheld nano-electrospray ionization source in conjunction with a miniature mass spectrometer, yielding mass spectral profiles comparable to those obtained with a benchtop system.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-13
CmpDate: 2025-02-11
Mesorhizobium salmacidum sp. nov. and Mesorhizobium argentiipisi sp. nov. are symbionts of the dry-land forage legumes Lessertia diffusa and Calobota sericea.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 118(3):54.
Legumes Lessertia diffusa and Calobota sericea, indigenous to South Africa, are commonly used as fodder crops with potential for sustainable livestock pasture production. Rhizobia were isolated from their root nodules grown in their respective soils from the Succulent Karoo biome (SKB) in South Africa, identified and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene confirmed all isolates as Mesorhizobium members, which were categorized into two distinct lineages using five housekeeping protein-coding genes. Lineage I included 14 strains from both legumes, while Lineage II comprised a single isolate from C. sericea. Differences in phenotypic traits were observed between the lineages and corroborated by average nucleotide identity analyses. While all strains nodulated their original hosts, strains from C. sericea failed to effectively nodulate L. diffusa and vice versa. Phylogenetic analyses of nitrogen fixation (nifH) and nodulation (nodA, nodC) loci grouped all strains in a single clade, suggesting that unique symbiotic loci determine nodulation of these legumes. We designated Lineage I and II as Mesorhizobium salmacidum sp. nov. (Ld1326[Ts]; GCA_037179605.1[Ts]) and Mesorhizobium argentiipisi sp. nov. (Cs1330R2N1[Ts]; GCA_037179585.1[Ts]), using genome sequences as nomenclatural types according to the Nomenclatural Code for Prokaryotes using Sequence Data, thus avoiding complications with South Africa's biodiversity regulations. Identifying effective microsymbionts of L. diffusa and C. sericea is essential for conservation of Succulent Karoo Biome, where indigenous invasive species like Vachellia karroo and non-native Australian acacia species are present. Furthermore, targeted management practices using effective symbionts of the studied legumes can sustain the biome's socio-economic contribution through fodder provision.
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@article {pmid39934476,
year = {2025},
author = {Muema, EK and van Lill, M and Venter, SN and Chan, WY and Claassens, R and Steenkamp, ET},
title = {Mesorhizobium salmacidum sp. nov. and Mesorhizobium argentiipisi sp. nov. are symbionts of the dry-land forage legumes Lessertia diffusa and Calobota sericea.},
journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek},
volume = {118},
number = {3},
pages = {54},
pmid = {39934476},
issn = {1572-9699},
mesh = {*Phylogeny ; *Mesorhizobium/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology ; *Fabaceae/microbiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; South Africa ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Soil Microbiology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; },
abstract = {Legumes Lessertia diffusa and Calobota sericea, indigenous to South Africa, are commonly used as fodder crops with potential for sustainable livestock pasture production. Rhizobia were isolated from their root nodules grown in their respective soils from the Succulent Karoo biome (SKB) in South Africa, identified and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene confirmed all isolates as Mesorhizobium members, which were categorized into two distinct lineages using five housekeeping protein-coding genes. Lineage I included 14 strains from both legumes, while Lineage II comprised a single isolate from C. sericea. Differences in phenotypic traits were observed between the lineages and corroborated by average nucleotide identity analyses. While all strains nodulated their original hosts, strains from C. sericea failed to effectively nodulate L. diffusa and vice versa. Phylogenetic analyses of nitrogen fixation (nifH) and nodulation (nodA, nodC) loci grouped all strains in a single clade, suggesting that unique symbiotic loci determine nodulation of these legumes. We designated Lineage I and II as Mesorhizobium salmacidum sp. nov. (Ld1326[Ts]; GCA_037179605.1[Ts]) and Mesorhizobium argentiipisi sp. nov. (Cs1330R2N1[Ts]; GCA_037179585.1[Ts]), using genome sequences as nomenclatural types according to the Nomenclatural Code for Prokaryotes using Sequence Data, thus avoiding complications with South Africa's biodiversity regulations. Identifying effective microsymbionts of L. diffusa and C. sericea is essential for conservation of Succulent Karoo Biome, where indigenous invasive species like Vachellia karroo and non-native Australian acacia species are present. Furthermore, targeted management practices using effective symbionts of the studied legumes can sustain the biome's socio-economic contribution through fodder provision.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Phylogeny
*Mesorhizobium/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology
*Fabaceae/microbiology
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Symbiosis
South Africa
Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Nitrogen Fixation
Soil Microbiology
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
RevDate: 2025-02-11
CmpDate: 2025-02-11
Cytoplasmic incompatibility factor proteins from Wolbachia prophage are costly to sperm development in Drosophila melanogaster.
Proceedings. Biological sciences, 292(2040):20243016.
The symbiosis between arthropods and Wolbachia bacteria is globally widespread, largely due to selfish-drive systems that favour the fitness of symbiont-transmitting females. The most common drive, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), is central to arboviral control efforts. In Drosophila melanogaster carrying wMel Wolbachia deployed in mosquito control, two prophage genes in Wolbachia, cifA and cifB, cause CI that results in a paternal-effect lethality of embryos in crosses between Wolbachia-bearing males and aposymbiotic females. While the CI mechanism by which Cif proteins alter sperm development has recently been elucidated in D. melanogaster and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the Cifs' extended impact on male reproductive fitness such as sperm morphology and quantity remains unclear. Here, using cytochemical, microscopic and transgenic assays in D. melanogaster, we demonstrate that both CifA and CifB cause a significant portion of defects in elongating spermatids, culminating in malformed mature sperm nuclei. Males expressing Cifs have reduced spermatid bundles and sperm counts, and transgenic expression of Cifs can occasionally result in no mature sperm formation. We reflect on Cifs' varied functional impacts on the Host Modification model of CI as well as host evolution, behaviour and vector control strategies.
Additional Links: PMID-39933580
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@article {pmid39933580,
year = {2025},
author = {Kaur, R and Bordenstein, SR},
title = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility factor proteins from Wolbachia prophage are costly to sperm development in Drosophila melanogaster.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {292},
number = {2040},
pages = {20243016},
pmid = {39933580},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; //Penn State/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/physiology/microbiology ; Male ; *Spermatozoa/physiology ; *Prophages/physiology/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Female ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The symbiosis between arthropods and Wolbachia bacteria is globally widespread, largely due to selfish-drive systems that favour the fitness of symbiont-transmitting females. The most common drive, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), is central to arboviral control efforts. In Drosophila melanogaster carrying wMel Wolbachia deployed in mosquito control, two prophage genes in Wolbachia, cifA and cifB, cause CI that results in a paternal-effect lethality of embryos in crosses between Wolbachia-bearing males and aposymbiotic females. While the CI mechanism by which Cif proteins alter sperm development has recently been elucidated in D. melanogaster and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the Cifs' extended impact on male reproductive fitness such as sperm morphology and quantity remains unclear. Here, using cytochemical, microscopic and transgenic assays in D. melanogaster, we demonstrate that both CifA and CifB cause a significant portion of defects in elongating spermatids, culminating in malformed mature sperm nuclei. Males expressing Cifs have reduced spermatid bundles and sperm counts, and transgenic expression of Cifs can occasionally result in no mature sperm formation. We reflect on Cifs' varied functional impacts on the Host Modification model of CI as well as host evolution, behaviour and vector control strategies.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Drosophila melanogaster/physiology/microbiology
Male
*Spermatozoa/physiology
*Prophages/physiology/genetics
Symbiosis
Female
Cytoplasm/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-02-11
Blow fly larvae socially integrate termite nests through morphological and chemical mimicry.
Current biology : CB pii:S0960-9822(25)00007-7 [Epub ahead of print].
Nests of ecosystem-dominant eusocial insects like ants and termites offer stable, nutrient-rich, and protected habitats that may be exploited by other organisms. Several arthropod lineages managed to breach nest defenses and become inquilines, mutualists, predators, parasitoids, or social parasites.[1][,][2][,][3][,][4] However, achieving social integration requires extreme morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations.[5] Among flies, only scuttle flies (Phoridae) are well-known social parasites,[2] although interactions with termites (predation, scavenging, and putative parasitism) have also been mentioned in anecdotal reports for blow flies (Rhiniinae[6][,][7][,][8][,][9][,][10] and Bengaliinae[11][,][12][,][13]) and flesh flies (Miltogramminae[14][,][15][,][16]). Here, we report a fly larva found to be socially integrated within nests of the termite Anacanthotermes ochraceus (Burmeister) in Morocco. Behavioral, chemical, and morphological analyses show that colony integration, including communication and grooming, is achieved through unique adaptations. The chemical profiles of the fly larvae perfectly match those of the termites at the colony level. Notably, the posterior part of the larvae mimics a termite's head, and the long papillae that imitate the termites' antennae surround the entire body. Based on phylogenomics, we show that the larvae belong to the blow fly genus Rhyncomya (Calliphoridae: Rhiniinae). Our results support the hypothesis that the enigmatic blow fly subfamily Prosthetosomatinae (only known from larvae observed in termite nests[17][,][18][,][19][,][20]) is Rhiniinae. Thus, we demonstrate that the diverse schizophoran flies evolved social integration independently from the 150-million-year-diverged Phoridae radiation. This discovery sheds light on the repeated evolution of termitophily within the order Diptera.
Additional Links: PMID-39933515
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39933515,
year = {2025},
author = {Schär, S and Talavera, G and Dapporto, L and Bruschini, C and Dincă, V and Beza-Beza, C and Wiegmann, BM and Taheri, A and Pape, T and Vila, R},
title = {Blow fly larvae socially integrate termite nests through morphological and chemical mimicry.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.01.007},
pmid = {39933515},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Nests of ecosystem-dominant eusocial insects like ants and termites offer stable, nutrient-rich, and protected habitats that may be exploited by other organisms. Several arthropod lineages managed to breach nest defenses and become inquilines, mutualists, predators, parasitoids, or social parasites.[1][,][2][,][3][,][4] However, achieving social integration requires extreme morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations.[5] Among flies, only scuttle flies (Phoridae) are well-known social parasites,[2] although interactions with termites (predation, scavenging, and putative parasitism) have also been mentioned in anecdotal reports for blow flies (Rhiniinae[6][,][7][,][8][,][9][,][10] and Bengaliinae[11][,][12][,][13]) and flesh flies (Miltogramminae[14][,][15][,][16]). Here, we report a fly larva found to be socially integrated within nests of the termite Anacanthotermes ochraceus (Burmeister) in Morocco. Behavioral, chemical, and morphological analyses show that colony integration, including communication and grooming, is achieved through unique adaptations. The chemical profiles of the fly larvae perfectly match those of the termites at the colony level. Notably, the posterior part of the larvae mimics a termite's head, and the long papillae that imitate the termites' antennae surround the entire body. Based on phylogenomics, we show that the larvae belong to the blow fly genus Rhyncomya (Calliphoridae: Rhiniinae). Our results support the hypothesis that the enigmatic blow fly subfamily Prosthetosomatinae (only known from larvae observed in termite nests[17][,][18][,][19][,][20]) is Rhiniinae. Thus, we demonstrate that the diverse schizophoran flies evolved social integration independently from the 150-million-year-diverged Phoridae radiation. This discovery sheds light on the repeated evolution of termitophily within the order Diptera.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-11
CmpDate: 2025-02-11
Plant-like heliotropism in a photosymbiotic animal.
The Journal of experimental biology, 228(3):.
As in plants, photosynthesis also represents a key energy source in photosymbiotic cnidarians bearing microalgae. We observed that the cnidarian sea anemone Anemonia viridis, commonly known as the snakelocks anemone, displayed heliotropism or solar tracking in their natural habitats. When exposed to sunlight, A. viridis point their tentacles towards the sun while remaining sessile, facing east at dawn and west at dusk as they track the sun's relative position through the day. This phenomenon was previously only observed in plants. Solar tracking movements in A. viridis are driven by peak wavelengths that prompt photosynthesis in their endosymbionts. The heliotropic response was absent in both bleached (aposymbiotic) A. viridis and in symbiotic A. viridis with chemically inhibited photosynthesis. We revealed a direct correlation between heliotropism and symbiont oxygen production in A. viridis and showed how photosymbiotic A. viridis utilises this mechanism to modulate exposure to solar irradiation. Our study exemplifies how photosynthetic organisms such as plants and symbiotic sea anemones, display similar behaviour in response to similar environmental pressures.
Additional Links: PMID-39931814
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39931814,
year = {2025},
author = {Lintnerova, E and Shaw, C and Keys, M and Brownlee, C and Modepalli, V},
title = {Plant-like heliotropism in a photosymbiotic animal.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental biology},
volume = {228},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1242/jeb.247651},
pmid = {39931814},
issn = {1477-9145},
support = {//Marine Biological Association/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Sea Anemones/physiology ; *Photosynthesis ; Phototropism/physiology ; Sunlight ; },
abstract = {As in plants, photosynthesis also represents a key energy source in photosymbiotic cnidarians bearing microalgae. We observed that the cnidarian sea anemone Anemonia viridis, commonly known as the snakelocks anemone, displayed heliotropism or solar tracking in their natural habitats. When exposed to sunlight, A. viridis point their tentacles towards the sun while remaining sessile, facing east at dawn and west at dusk as they track the sun's relative position through the day. This phenomenon was previously only observed in plants. Solar tracking movements in A. viridis are driven by peak wavelengths that prompt photosynthesis in their endosymbionts. The heliotropic response was absent in both bleached (aposymbiotic) A. viridis and in symbiotic A. viridis with chemically inhibited photosynthesis. We revealed a direct correlation between heliotropism and symbiont oxygen production in A. viridis and showed how photosymbiotic A. viridis utilises this mechanism to modulate exposure to solar irradiation. Our study exemplifies how photosynthetic organisms such as plants and symbiotic sea anemones, display similar behaviour in response to similar environmental pressures.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Animals
*Symbiosis
*Sea Anemones/physiology
*Photosynthesis
Phototropism/physiology
Sunlight
RevDate: 2025-02-12
Proposal of Patescibacterium danicum gen. nov., sp. nov. in the ubiquitous bacterial phylum Patescibacteriota phyl. nov.
ISME communications, 5(1):ycae147.
Candidatus Patescibacteria is a diverse bacterial phylum that is notable for members with ultrasmall cell size, reduced genomes, limited metabolic capabilities, and dependence on other prokaryotic hosts. Despite the prevalence of the name Ca. Patescibacteria in the scientific literature, it is not officially recognized under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes and lacks a nomenclatural type. Here, we rectify this situation by describing two closely related circular metagenome-assembled genomes and by proposing one of them (ABY1[TS]) to serve as the nomenclatural type for the species Patescibacterium danicum [TS] gen. nov., sp. nov. according to the rules of the SeqCode. Rank-normalized phylogenomic inference confirmed the stable placement of P. danicum [TS] in the Ca. Patescibacteria class ABY1. Based on these results, we propose Patescibacterium gen. nov. to serve as the type genus for associated higher taxa, including the phylum Patescibacteriota phyl. nov. We complement our proposal with a genomic characterization, metabolic reconstruction, and biogeographical analysis of Patescibacterium. Our results confirm small genome sizes (<1 Mbp), low GC content (>36%), and the occurrence of long gene coding insertions in the 23S rRNA sequences, along with reduced metabolic potential, inferred symbiotic lifestyle, and a global distribution. In summary, our proposal will provide nomenclatural stability to the fourth-largest phylum in the bacterial domain.
Additional Links: PMID-39931676
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@article {pmid39931676,
year = {2025},
author = {Dutkiewicz, Z and Singleton, CM and Sereika, M and Villada, JC and Mussig, AJ and Chuvochina, M and Albertsen, M and Schulz, F and Woyke, T and Nielsen, PH and Hugenholtz, P and Rinke, C},
title = {Proposal of Patescibacterium danicum gen. nov., sp. nov. in the ubiquitous bacterial phylum Patescibacteriota phyl. nov.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae147},
pmid = {39931676},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Candidatus Patescibacteria is a diverse bacterial phylum that is notable for members with ultrasmall cell size, reduced genomes, limited metabolic capabilities, and dependence on other prokaryotic hosts. Despite the prevalence of the name Ca. Patescibacteria in the scientific literature, it is not officially recognized under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes and lacks a nomenclatural type. Here, we rectify this situation by describing two closely related circular metagenome-assembled genomes and by proposing one of them (ABY1[TS]) to serve as the nomenclatural type for the species Patescibacterium danicum [TS] gen. nov., sp. nov. according to the rules of the SeqCode. Rank-normalized phylogenomic inference confirmed the stable placement of P. danicum [TS] in the Ca. Patescibacteria class ABY1. Based on these results, we propose Patescibacterium gen. nov. to serve as the type genus for associated higher taxa, including the phylum Patescibacteriota phyl. nov. We complement our proposal with a genomic characterization, metabolic reconstruction, and biogeographical analysis of Patescibacterium. Our results confirm small genome sizes (<1 Mbp), low GC content (>36%), and the occurrence of long gene coding insertions in the 23S rRNA sequences, along with reduced metabolic potential, inferred symbiotic lifestyle, and a global distribution. In summary, our proposal will provide nomenclatural stability to the fourth-largest phylum in the bacterial domain.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-12
Exploring anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of Aspergillus flavus, a fungal endophyte isolated from Dillenia indica leaf callus.
Heliyon, 11(3):e42142.
BACKGROUND: Endophytic fungi represent a compelling assemblage of microorganisms that inhabit plant tissues without inflicting any discernible detriment to the host organism. They foster a symbiotic association with their host plants, frequently conferring advantages such as augmented growth, enhanced resilience to stressors, and safeguarding against pathogens.
STUDY DESIGN: Dillenia indica is a medicinal tree of Dilleniaceae. This study aims to isolate and identify the fungi growing as a contaminant in leaf callus. For the identification, both morphological observation and molecular methods were used. The presence of secondary metabolites in different fungal extracts were observed by FTIR and High-resolution accurate mass spectroscopy (HRAMS) methods. Different biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor) of fungal extracts were assessed.
METHODS: For callus initiation, leaf tissues of Dillenia indica were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP (1mgl-1) and NAA (1mgl-1) plant growth regulators. To raise pure cultures of endophyte, fungal hyphae were isolated from the contaminated cultures and were grown on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. For molecular identification, genomic DNA (gDNA) was isolated from fungal mycelia. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS4) were used to amplify the conserved ITS region of the fungal gDNA. Previously deposited sequences in the Gene bank were used for the identification and making of phylogenetic tree. Antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer potential of fungal extracts were studied.
RESULTS: The endophyte was identified as Aspergillus flavus. FTIR study showed the presence of diverse types of secondary metabolites in fungal extract. A significant presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, etc. was observed by High-resolution accurate mass spectroscopy analysis (HRAMS) of fungal extract. Endophyte extract prepared in chloroform showed both antioxidant (IC50 430.23) and antibacterial (maximum inhibition of E. coli:15 ± 0.62 mm) potential compared to other solvents. Cell viability decreased at high concentrations of endophyte extract prepared in chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. Fungal extract prepared in ethyl acetate showed considerable cytotoxicity and growth inhibition of DL tumor cells.
CONCLUSION: In the present study, isolated endophyte of Dillenia indica showed high occurrence of secondary metabolites. Fungal extracts showed antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor activities. As, endophytes are remarkable source of active constituents, there is a great need to explore such endophytes. Their extensive studies are required to develop an alternative of plant less production of valuable compounds.
Additional Links: PMID-39931481
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@article {pmid39931481,
year = {2025},
author = {Gupta, A and Chandra Pandey, B and Yaseen, M and Kushwaha, R and Shukla, M and Chaudhary, P and Manna, PP and Singh, A and Tiwari, I and Nath, G and Kumari, N},
title = {Exploring anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of Aspergillus flavus, a fungal endophyte isolated from Dillenia indica leaf callus.},
journal = {Heliyon},
volume = {11},
number = {3},
pages = {e42142},
pmid = {39931481},
issn = {2405-8440},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Endophytic fungi represent a compelling assemblage of microorganisms that inhabit plant tissues without inflicting any discernible detriment to the host organism. They foster a symbiotic association with their host plants, frequently conferring advantages such as augmented growth, enhanced resilience to stressors, and safeguarding against pathogens.
STUDY DESIGN: Dillenia indica is a medicinal tree of Dilleniaceae. This study aims to isolate and identify the fungi growing as a contaminant in leaf callus. For the identification, both morphological observation and molecular methods were used. The presence of secondary metabolites in different fungal extracts were observed by FTIR and High-resolution accurate mass spectroscopy (HRAMS) methods. Different biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor) of fungal extracts were assessed.
METHODS: For callus initiation, leaf tissues of Dillenia indica were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP (1mgl-1) and NAA (1mgl-1) plant growth regulators. To raise pure cultures of endophyte, fungal hyphae were isolated from the contaminated cultures and were grown on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. For molecular identification, genomic DNA (gDNA) was isolated from fungal mycelia. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS4) were used to amplify the conserved ITS region of the fungal gDNA. Previously deposited sequences in the Gene bank were used for the identification and making of phylogenetic tree. Antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer potential of fungal extracts were studied.
RESULTS: The endophyte was identified as Aspergillus flavus. FTIR study showed the presence of diverse types of secondary metabolites in fungal extract. A significant presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, etc. was observed by High-resolution accurate mass spectroscopy analysis (HRAMS) of fungal extract. Endophyte extract prepared in chloroform showed both antioxidant (IC50 430.23) and antibacterial (maximum inhibition of E. coli:15 ± 0.62 mm) potential compared to other solvents. Cell viability decreased at high concentrations of endophyte extract prepared in chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. Fungal extract prepared in ethyl acetate showed considerable cytotoxicity and growth inhibition of DL tumor cells.
CONCLUSION: In the present study, isolated endophyte of Dillenia indica showed high occurrence of secondary metabolites. Fungal extracts showed antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor activities. As, endophytes are remarkable source of active constituents, there is a great need to explore such endophytes. Their extensive studies are required to develop an alternative of plant less production of valuable compounds.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-11
CmpDate: 2025-02-11
Effects of ex situ conservation on commensal bacteria of crocodile lizard and conservation implications.
The veterinary quarterly, 45(1):1-14.
Ex situ conservation is an important wildlife conservation strategy, but endangered wildlife in captivity often exhibit high disease rates. Commensal microorganisms are vital for homeostasis, immunity, and linked to diseases. This study analyzed the structure, assembly, variations of the symbiotic microbiota of the endangered crocodile lizard, and their relationship with environment, as well as the effects of captivity on them, to explore why captive reptiles face high dermatosis rates. Results showed that the reptile's microbiota significantly differ from that of its habitat, demonstrating niche specificity. While species richness among organs showed no significant differences, microbial diversity varied considerably. Skin microbiota showed no site-specific clustering. The assembly of skin, oral, and intestinal bacterial communities was dominated by homogeneous selection. The gut and oral bacterial networks were resilient to disturbances, while the skin bacterial network was sensitive. Captivity primarily affected the skin microbiota, reducing its diversity and stability, thereby increasing disease risk, and these effects were not solely attributable to environmental changes. These findings suggested that skin microbial changes in captive reptiles may be responsible for their increased susceptibility to dermatosis in ex situ conservation. This study underscored the importance of understanding reptile-associated microbes for effective conservation strategies and offers potential solutions.
Additional Links: PMID-39930789
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39930789,
year = {2025},
author = {Jiang, H and Lv, M and He, T and Xie, M and Zhao, Z and He, J and Luo, S and Guo, Y and Chen, J},
title = {Effects of ex situ conservation on commensal bacteria of crocodile lizard and conservation implications.},
journal = {The veterinary quarterly},
volume = {45},
number = {1},
pages = {1-14},
doi = {10.1080/01652176.2025.2463704},
pmid = {39930789},
issn = {1875-5941},
mesh = {Animals ; *Lizards/microbiology ; *Conservation of Natural Resources ; *Skin/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Endangered Species ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Ex situ conservation is an important wildlife conservation strategy, but endangered wildlife in captivity often exhibit high disease rates. Commensal microorganisms are vital for homeostasis, immunity, and linked to diseases. This study analyzed the structure, assembly, variations of the symbiotic microbiota of the endangered crocodile lizard, and their relationship with environment, as well as the effects of captivity on them, to explore why captive reptiles face high dermatosis rates. Results showed that the reptile's microbiota significantly differ from that of its habitat, demonstrating niche specificity. While species richness among organs showed no significant differences, microbial diversity varied considerably. Skin microbiota showed no site-specific clustering. The assembly of skin, oral, and intestinal bacterial communities was dominated by homogeneous selection. The gut and oral bacterial networks were resilient to disturbances, while the skin bacterial network was sensitive. Captivity primarily affected the skin microbiota, reducing its diversity and stability, thereby increasing disease risk, and these effects were not solely attributable to environmental changes. These findings suggested that skin microbial changes in captive reptiles may be responsible for their increased susceptibility to dermatosis in ex situ conservation. This study underscored the importance of understanding reptile-associated microbes for effective conservation strategies and offers potential solutions.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
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Animals
*Lizards/microbiology
*Conservation of Natural Resources
*Skin/microbiology
*Microbiota
Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Endangered Species
Symbiosis
RevDate: 2025-02-10
CmpDate: 2025-02-10
Role of RPE Phagocytosis in the Retina Metabolic Ecosystem.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1468:429-433.
Photoreceptors are the most glycolytically active cells in the body. Vital to glucose homeostasis is the metabolic relationship between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The photoreceptors and RPE are in metabolic symbiosis, wherein the RPE takes up glucose from circulation and passes it on to the photoreceptors to fuel glycolysis. In turn, the photoreceptors produce energy substrates that are taken up by the RPE to support their metabolism. One of the main roles of the RPE is to phagocytose "used" photoreceptor outer segments (POS), a process that occurs to mitigate damage accrued by light. This mini-review explores the role that POS phagocytosis has in supporting the metabolic ecosystem linking photoreceptors and the RPE.
Additional Links: PMID-39930233
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@article {pmid39930233,
year = {2025},
author = {Etchegaray, JI and Ravichandran, K},
title = {Role of RPE Phagocytosis in the Retina Metabolic Ecosystem.},
journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology},
volume = {1468},
number = {},
pages = {429-433},
pmid = {39930233},
issn = {0065-2598},
mesh = {*Phagocytosis/physiology ; *Retinal Pigment Epithelium/metabolism/physiology ; Humans ; Animals ; Glycolysis/physiology ; Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment/metabolism/physiology ; Glucose/metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; Retina/metabolism/physiology ; },
abstract = {Photoreceptors are the most glycolytically active cells in the body. Vital to glucose homeostasis is the metabolic relationship between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The photoreceptors and RPE are in metabolic symbiosis, wherein the RPE takes up glucose from circulation and passes it on to the photoreceptors to fuel glycolysis. In turn, the photoreceptors produce energy substrates that are taken up by the RPE to support their metabolism. One of the main roles of the RPE is to phagocytose "used" photoreceptor outer segments (POS), a process that occurs to mitigate damage accrued by light. This mini-review explores the role that POS phagocytosis has in supporting the metabolic ecosystem linking photoreceptors and the RPE.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
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*Phagocytosis/physiology
*Retinal Pigment Epithelium/metabolism/physiology
Humans
Animals
Glycolysis/physiology
Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment/metabolism/physiology
Glucose/metabolism
Energy Metabolism
Retina/metabolism/physiology
RevDate: 2025-02-12
CmpDate: 2025-02-11
The role of gut microbiota at different developmental stages in the adaptation of the Etiella zinckenella to a plant host.
Scientific reports, 15(1):4971.
Insect gut symbiotic microbiota play a crucial role in the nutritional, physiological, and behavioral aspects of their hosts, providing valuable insights for investigating the co-evolution of insects and plants. Sophora alopecuroides L. serves as an important windbreak plant, while Etiella zinckenella is a major pest that infests its seeds. However, the structure of the gut microbiota community in E. zinckenella remains poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the gut microbiota of E. zinckenella across different developmental stages-larvae (1st-5th instars), pupae, and adults-infesting S. alopecuroides using 16 S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The results revealed that the dominant phyla throughout the development of E. zinckenella were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota, although the dominant genera varied significantly across stages. Diversity analysis of gut microbiota at different developmental stages indicated that microbial diversity was significantly higher in the larval stage compared to the pupal and adult stages. Functional predictions further highlighted the richness of metabolic pathways within the gut microbiota of E. zinckenella. Notably, carbohydrate metabolism functions were significantly more abundant during the larval stage, while lipid metabolism functions were substantially lower. Our findings demonstrate dynamic changes in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota across the developmental stages of E. zinckenella, underscoring the critical roles of these bacteria during specific stages of the insect's life cycle. This study lays the groundwork for future strategies aimed at controlling E. zinckenella through modulation of its gut microbiota, offering significant theoretical implications.
Additional Links: PMID-39929927
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@article {pmid39929927,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, L and He, Z and Zhang, D and Zhao, F and Zhang, Y and Ding, R},
title = {The role of gut microbiota at different developmental stages in the adaptation of the Etiella zinckenella to a plant host.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {4971},
pmid = {39929927},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {31860619,31560611//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31860619,31560611//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31860619,31560611//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31860619,31560611//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31860619,31560611//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31860619,31560611//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021AAC02009//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; 2021AAC02009//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; 2021AAC02009//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; 2021AAC02009//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; 2021AAC02009//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; 2021AAC02009//Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province/ ; },
mesh = {*Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Animals ; *Larva/microbiology/growth & development ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Adaptation, Physiological ; Symbiosis ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Pupa/microbiology/growth & development ; },
abstract = {Insect gut symbiotic microbiota play a crucial role in the nutritional, physiological, and behavioral aspects of their hosts, providing valuable insights for investigating the co-evolution of insects and plants. Sophora alopecuroides L. serves as an important windbreak plant, while Etiella zinckenella is a major pest that infests its seeds. However, the structure of the gut microbiota community in E. zinckenella remains poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the gut microbiota of E. zinckenella across different developmental stages-larvae (1st-5th instars), pupae, and adults-infesting S. alopecuroides using 16 S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The results revealed that the dominant phyla throughout the development of E. zinckenella were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota, although the dominant genera varied significantly across stages. Diversity analysis of gut microbiota at different developmental stages indicated that microbial diversity was significantly higher in the larval stage compared to the pupal and adult stages. Functional predictions further highlighted the richness of metabolic pathways within the gut microbiota of E. zinckenella. Notably, carbohydrate metabolism functions were significantly more abundant during the larval stage, while lipid metabolism functions were substantially lower. Our findings demonstrate dynamic changes in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota across the developmental stages of E. zinckenella, underscoring the critical roles of these bacteria during specific stages of the insect's life cycle. This study lays the groundwork for future strategies aimed at controlling E. zinckenella through modulation of its gut microbiota, offering significant theoretical implications.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Animals
*Larva/microbiology/growth & development
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Adaptation, Physiological
Symbiosis
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Pupa/microbiology/growth & development
RevDate: 2025-02-10
The protist symbionts of Reticulitermes tibialis: Unexpected diversity enables a new taxonomic framework.
Protist, 176:126087 pii:S1434-4610(25)00003-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Wood-feeding termites harbor specialized protists in their hindguts in a classic nutritional mutualism. The protists are vertically inherited, which has generated a broad-scale pattern of codiversification over ∼150 million years, but there are many incongruences due to lineage-specific loss and transfer of symbionts. Despite the evolutionary and economic importance of this symbiosis, the symbiont communities of most termite species are incompletely characterized or entirely unstudied. Here, we have investigated the protist symbiont community of Reticulitermes tibialis, using single-cell PCR to link morphology to 18S rRNA gene sequences. The protists belong to at least 41 species in 3 major lineages within Metamonada: Spirotrichonymphida, Pyrsonymphidae, and Trichonympha. The Spirotrichonymphida symbionts belong to 6 genera, including Pseudospironympha, which has not been found in Reticulitermes until now, and Dexiohelix, a new genus. Pyrsonymphidae traditionally include just Pyrsonympha and Dinenympha, but our morphology-linked 18S phylogeny indicates that both genera are polyphyletic. We accordingly restrict the definitions of Pyrsonympha and Dinenympha to the clades that include their type species, and we propose 5 new genera to accommodate the remaining clades. Short-read 18S amplicon sequencing revealed considerable variation in community composition across R. tibialis colonies in Arizona, suggestive of a symbiont metacommunity. Symbiont species varied in their prevalence across colonies, with a core set of about 12 highly prevalent symbiont species, 11 species with intermediate prevalence, and 18 rare species. This pattern contrasts with the traditional paradigm of consistent symbiont community composition across colonies of a termite species.
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@article {pmid39929034,
year = {2025},
author = {Coots, NL and Jasso-Selles, DE and Swichtenberg, KL and Aguilar, SG and Nguyen, L and Sidles, PG and Woo, C and Smith, HM and Bresee, BJ and Abboud, AA and Abd Al Rahman, T and Anand, R and Avalle, SR and Batra, A and Brown, MA and Camacho Ruelas, H and Fajardo Chavez, A and Gallegos, CN and Grambs, A and Hernández, DA and Singh Johal, A and Jones, SA and McAnally, KB and McNamara, M and Munigala, L and Nguyen, HL and Salas Perez, K and Shah, R and Sharma, NK and Thomas, MK and Vega Beltran, E and Verne, NM and De Martini, F and Gile, GH},
title = {The protist symbionts of Reticulitermes tibialis: Unexpected diversity enables a new taxonomic framework.},
journal = {Protist},
volume = {176},
number = {},
pages = {126087},
doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2025.126087},
pmid = {39929034},
issn = {1618-0941},
abstract = {Wood-feeding termites harbor specialized protists in their hindguts in a classic nutritional mutualism. The protists are vertically inherited, which has generated a broad-scale pattern of codiversification over ∼150 million years, but there are many incongruences due to lineage-specific loss and transfer of symbionts. Despite the evolutionary and economic importance of this symbiosis, the symbiont communities of most termite species are incompletely characterized or entirely unstudied. Here, we have investigated the protist symbiont community of Reticulitermes tibialis, using single-cell PCR to link morphology to 18S rRNA gene sequences. The protists belong to at least 41 species in 3 major lineages within Metamonada: Spirotrichonymphida, Pyrsonymphidae, and Trichonympha. The Spirotrichonymphida symbionts belong to 6 genera, including Pseudospironympha, which has not been found in Reticulitermes until now, and Dexiohelix, a new genus. Pyrsonymphidae traditionally include just Pyrsonympha and Dinenympha, but our morphology-linked 18S phylogeny indicates that both genera are polyphyletic. We accordingly restrict the definitions of Pyrsonympha and Dinenympha to the clades that include their type species, and we propose 5 new genera to accommodate the remaining clades. Short-read 18S amplicon sequencing revealed considerable variation in community composition across R. tibialis colonies in Arizona, suggestive of a symbiont metacommunity. Symbiont species varied in their prevalence across colonies, with a core set of about 12 highly prevalent symbiont species, 11 species with intermediate prevalence, and 18 rare species. This pattern contrasts with the traditional paradigm of consistent symbiont community composition across colonies of a termite species.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-10
Does the genome of Sarcoleotia globosa encode a rich carbohydrate-active enzyme gene repertoire?.
Mycologia [Epub ahead of print].
The lifestyles of the order Geoglossales (Geoglossomycetes, Ascomycota) remain largely unknown. Recent observations support ericoid mycorrhizal lifestyles, especially in cultured Sarcoleotia-related species. However, the currently known genomes of geoglossoid fungi encode fewer carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in Pezizomycotina, in contrast to the abundant CAZyme repertoires found in well-known ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. The absence of assembled genomes for cultured geoglossoid fungi hinders our understanding of the genomic features related to their lifestyles. We hypothesize that the genome of Sarcoleotia globosa, a putative ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, encodes abundant CAZymes, consistent with its culturability. General features, such as smaller genome size and smaller number of genes, are shared between the genome of S. globosa strain NBRC 116039 and other geoglossalean genomes. However, the former had the most extensive CAZyme repertoire, with several enzyme families involved in plant cell wall degradation. Some of these CAZymes are not found in Geoglossales and closely related lineages. Nonetheless, the number of CAZymes from S. globosa was notably smaller than that previously reported in ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. This inconsistency may highlight not only ecophysiological variation among ericoid root mycobionts but also the specific evolution of lifestyles in Geoglossales.
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@article {pmid39928903,
year = {2025},
author = {Baba, T and Hagiuda, R and Matsumae, H and Hirose, D},
title = {Does the genome of Sarcoleotia globosa encode a rich carbohydrate-active enzyme gene repertoire?.},
journal = {Mycologia},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-6},
doi = {10.1080/00275514.2025.2452305},
pmid = {39928903},
issn = {1557-2536},
abstract = {The lifestyles of the order Geoglossales (Geoglossomycetes, Ascomycota) remain largely unknown. Recent observations support ericoid mycorrhizal lifestyles, especially in cultured Sarcoleotia-related species. However, the currently known genomes of geoglossoid fungi encode fewer carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in Pezizomycotina, in contrast to the abundant CAZyme repertoires found in well-known ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. The absence of assembled genomes for cultured geoglossoid fungi hinders our understanding of the genomic features related to their lifestyles. We hypothesize that the genome of Sarcoleotia globosa, a putative ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, encodes abundant CAZymes, consistent with its culturability. General features, such as smaller genome size and smaller number of genes, are shared between the genome of S. globosa strain NBRC 116039 and other geoglossalean genomes. However, the former had the most extensive CAZyme repertoire, with several enzyme families involved in plant cell wall degradation. Some of these CAZymes are not found in Geoglossales and closely related lineages. Nonetheless, the number of CAZymes from S. globosa was notably smaller than that previously reported in ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. This inconsistency may highlight not only ecophysiological variation among ericoid root mycobionts but also the specific evolution of lifestyles in Geoglossales.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-10
CmpDate: 2025-02-10
Integrative morphological, mitogenomic and phylogenetic analyses reveal new vent-dwelling scallop species.
Invertebrate systematics, 39:.
Delectopecten is a small genus of the family Pectinidae (Bivalvia: Pectinida) that remains poorly studied in terms of both morphology and phylogeny. Here, we describe the first member of this genus from deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems, D. thermus sp. nov., based on morphological investigations and molecular analyses of a specimen collected from the Higashi-Ensei vent field (962-m depth) in the northern Okinawa Trough. Morphologically, this new species resembles D. vancouverensis and D. gelatinosus in shell size, shape, auricle size and sculpture. However, D. thermus sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeneric species (including 9 extant and 12 fossil species) by its unequal auricles (the anterior one being larger than the posterior), inwardly recurved anterior auricle of the left valve and a large byssal notch angle of ~90°. Comparisons of genetic sequences from three mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments supported the placement of the new species in the genus Delectopecten . Further phylogenetic analyses using these gene markers support that Delectopecten is monophyletic and positioned as an early diverging clade of the family Pectinidae. Additionally, the mitogenome of D. thermus sp. nov. was assembled and annotated, a first for its genus - revealing significant divergences in gene order compared to other pectinids. The 16S rRNA amplicon analysis of the gill tissue indicated that this vent-dwelling scallop does not exhibit symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria. A key to all known species of Delectopecten is provided to aid the identification of species in this understudied genus. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D3D5D4AD-EE39-49F0-9782-12A5D6752A67.
Additional Links: PMID-39928520
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@article {pmid39928520,
year = {2025},
author = {Lin, YT and Peng, YB and Chen, C and Xu, T and Qiu, JW},
title = {Integrative morphological, mitogenomic and phylogenetic analyses reveal new vent-dwelling scallop species.},
journal = {Invertebrate systematics},
volume = {39},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1071/IS24091},
pmid = {39928520},
issn = {1447-2600},
mesh = {*Phylogeny ; Animals ; *Pectinidae/genetics/anatomy & histology/classification ; Hydrothermal Vents ; Species Specificity ; Genome, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Japan ; },
abstract = {Delectopecten is a small genus of the family Pectinidae (Bivalvia: Pectinida) that remains poorly studied in terms of both morphology and phylogeny. Here, we describe the first member of this genus from deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems, D. thermus sp. nov., based on morphological investigations and molecular analyses of a specimen collected from the Higashi-Ensei vent field (962-m depth) in the northern Okinawa Trough. Morphologically, this new species resembles D. vancouverensis and D. gelatinosus in shell size, shape, auricle size and sculpture. However, D. thermus sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeneric species (including 9 extant and 12 fossil species) by its unequal auricles (the anterior one being larger than the posterior), inwardly recurved anterior auricle of the left valve and a large byssal notch angle of ~90°. Comparisons of genetic sequences from three mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments supported the placement of the new species in the genus Delectopecten . Further phylogenetic analyses using these gene markers support that Delectopecten is monophyletic and positioned as an early diverging clade of the family Pectinidae. Additionally, the mitogenome of D. thermus sp. nov. was assembled and annotated, a first for its genus - revealing significant divergences in gene order compared to other pectinids. The 16S rRNA amplicon analysis of the gill tissue indicated that this vent-dwelling scallop does not exhibit symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria. A key to all known species of Delectopecten is provided to aid the identification of species in this understudied genus. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D3D5D4AD-EE39-49F0-9782-12A5D6752A67.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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*Phylogeny
Animals
*Pectinidae/genetics/anatomy & histology/classification
Hydrothermal Vents
Species Specificity
Genome, Mitochondrial/genetics
Japan
RevDate: 2025-02-10
CmpDate: 2025-02-10
Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a mesophilic, obligate parasitic bacterium and proposal of Minisyncoccaceae fam. nov., Minisyncoccales ord. nov., Minisyncoccia class. nov. and Minisyncoccota phyl. nov. formerly referred to as Candidatus Patescibacteria or candidate phyla radiation.
International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology, 75(2):.
In the domain Bacteria, one of the largest, most diverse and environmentally ubiquitous phylogenetic groups, Candidatus Patescibacteria (also known as candidate phyla radiation/CPR), remains poorly characterized, leaving a major knowledge gap in microbial ecology. We recently discovered a novel cross-domain symbiosis between Ca. Patescibacteria and Archaea in highly purified enrichment cultures and proposed Candidatus taxa for the characterized species, including Ca. Minisyncoccus archaeophilus and the corresponding family Ca. Minisyncoccaceae. In this study, we report the isolation of this bacterium, designated strain PMX.108[T], in a two-strain co-culture with a host archaeon, Methanospirillum hungatei strain DSM 864[T] (JF-1[T]), and hereby describe it as the first representative species of Ca. Patescibacteria. Strain PMX.108[T] was isolated from mesophilic methanogenic sludge in an anaerobic laboratory-scale bioreactor treating synthetic purified terephthalate- and dimethyl terephthalate-manufacturing wastewater. The strain could not grow axenically and is obligately anaerobic and parasitic, strictly depending on M. hungatei as a host. The genome was comparatively large (1.54 Mbp) compared to other members of the clade, lacked some genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway and encoded type IV pili-related genes associated with the parasitic lifestyle of ultrasmall microbes. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. Here, we report the phenotypic and genomic properties of strain PMX.108[T]; we propose Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate this strain. The type strain of the species is PMX.108[T] (=JCM 39522[T]). We also propose the associated family, order, class and phylum as Minisyncoccaceae fam. nov. Minisyncoccales nov., Minisyncoccia class. nov. and Minisyncoccota phyl. nov. within the bacterial kingdom Bacillati.
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@article {pmid39928396,
year = {2025},
author = {Nakajima, M and Nakai, R and Hirakata, Y and Kubota, K and Satoh, H and Nobu, MK and Narihiro, T and Kuroda, K},
title = {Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a mesophilic, obligate parasitic bacterium and proposal of Minisyncoccaceae fam. nov., Minisyncoccales ord. nov., Minisyncoccia class. nov. and Minisyncoccota phyl. nov. formerly referred to as Candidatus Patescibacteria or candidate phyla radiation.},
journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology},
volume = {75},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.006668},
pmid = {39928396},
issn = {1466-5034},
mesh = {*Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Base Composition ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Fatty Acids ; Symbiosis ; DNA, Archaeal/genetics ; },
abstract = {In the domain Bacteria, one of the largest, most diverse and environmentally ubiquitous phylogenetic groups, Candidatus Patescibacteria (also known as candidate phyla radiation/CPR), remains poorly characterized, leaving a major knowledge gap in microbial ecology. We recently discovered a novel cross-domain symbiosis between Ca. Patescibacteria and Archaea in highly purified enrichment cultures and proposed Candidatus taxa for the characterized species, including Ca. Minisyncoccus archaeophilus and the corresponding family Ca. Minisyncoccaceae. In this study, we report the isolation of this bacterium, designated strain PMX.108[T], in a two-strain co-culture with a host archaeon, Methanospirillum hungatei strain DSM 864[T] (JF-1[T]), and hereby describe it as the first representative species of Ca. Patescibacteria. Strain PMX.108[T] was isolated from mesophilic methanogenic sludge in an anaerobic laboratory-scale bioreactor treating synthetic purified terephthalate- and dimethyl terephthalate-manufacturing wastewater. The strain could not grow axenically and is obligately anaerobic and parasitic, strictly depending on M. hungatei as a host. The genome was comparatively large (1.54 Mbp) compared to other members of the clade, lacked some genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway and encoded type IV pili-related genes associated with the parasitic lifestyle of ultrasmall microbes. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. Here, we report the phenotypic and genomic properties of strain PMX.108[T]; we propose Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate this strain. The type strain of the species is PMX.108[T] (=JCM 39522[T]). We also propose the associated family, order, class and phylum as Minisyncoccaceae fam. nov. Minisyncoccales nov., Minisyncoccia class. nov. and Minisyncoccota phyl. nov. within the bacterial kingdom Bacillati.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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*Phylogeny
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*DNA, Bacterial/genetics
*Sequence Analysis, DNA
*Base Composition
Bacterial Typing Techniques
Fatty Acids
Symbiosis
DNA, Archaeal/genetics
RevDate: 2025-02-10
Leaf Beetle Symbiotic Bacteria Degrade Chlorogenic Acid of Poplar Induced by Egg Deposition to Enhance Larval Survival.
Plant, cell & environment [Epub ahead of print].
Insect symbiotic microbiota acting as a third-party force of plant-insect interactions, play a significant role in insect hosts tolerance to phytochemical defences. However, it remains unknown whether insect symbiotic bacteria can assist the host in degrading phytochemical defences induced by egg deposition. Plagiodera versicolora is a worldwide forest pest. Our study showed that P. versicolora egg deposition on Populus davidiana × Populus bolleana induced significant changes in the transcriptome and metabolome of leaves. Combined qRT-PCR and LC-MS quantitative analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the contents of chlorogenic acid and rutin were significantly increased upon egg deposition in poplar. Bioassays indicated that the high concentration of chlorogenic acid induced by egg deposition could significantly reduce the performance of germ-free larvae. Six symbiotic bacterial strains with potential ability to degrade chlorogenic acid were isolated and identified. Their degradation products did not affect larval survival either. In vivo inoculation assays showed that four of those symbiotic bacteria could assist in the degradation of high concentration of chlorogenic acid induced by egg deposition and improve the larval survival. Our study provides clear evidence that the insect symbiotic bacteria can mediate the tolerance of herbivorous insects against plant toxins induced by egg deposition.
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@article {pmid39925102,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, B and Liu, F and He, X and Liu, Y and Liu, X and Lu, M},
title = {Leaf Beetle Symbiotic Bacteria Degrade Chlorogenic Acid of Poplar Induced by Egg Deposition to Enhance Larval Survival.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.15427},
pmid = {39925102},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//This research was supported by the Hubei University National talent project (1070017364) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (32301593)./ ; },
abstract = {Insect symbiotic microbiota acting as a third-party force of plant-insect interactions, play a significant role in insect hosts tolerance to phytochemical defences. However, it remains unknown whether insect symbiotic bacteria can assist the host in degrading phytochemical defences induced by egg deposition. Plagiodera versicolora is a worldwide forest pest. Our study showed that P. versicolora egg deposition on Populus davidiana × Populus bolleana induced significant changes in the transcriptome and metabolome of leaves. Combined qRT-PCR and LC-MS quantitative analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the contents of chlorogenic acid and rutin were significantly increased upon egg deposition in poplar. Bioassays indicated that the high concentration of chlorogenic acid induced by egg deposition could significantly reduce the performance of germ-free larvae. Six symbiotic bacterial strains with potential ability to degrade chlorogenic acid were isolated and identified. Their degradation products did not affect larval survival either. In vivo inoculation assays showed that four of those symbiotic bacteria could assist in the degradation of high concentration of chlorogenic acid induced by egg deposition and improve the larval survival. Our study provides clear evidence that the insect symbiotic bacteria can mediate the tolerance of herbivorous insects against plant toxins induced by egg deposition.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-08
Experimental study on the mechanism of biological hydrogen sulfide generation from organic sulfur-rich coal.
Journal of biotechnology pii:S0168-1656(25)00028-8 [Epub ahead of print].
Whether of primary or secondary origin, the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in coalbed methane (CBM) is commonly attributed to sulfate reduction facilitated by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). However, the sulfate content in high-sulfur coal is exceptionally low, insufficient to function as a substrate for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In this study, an anaerobic digestion experiment was conducted with high-organic-sulfur coal collected from the Late Permian Longtan Formation in Guangxi Province as both the carbon and sulfur sources. The formation mechanism of H2S is revealed from the evolution rules of gas components, liquid organic matter, and microbial communities during the anaerobic digestion process. The findings indicate three distinct mechanisms contributing to the biological formation of H2S in coal seams: firstly, the degradation of readily degradable organic sulfur in coal by microorganisms possessing denitrification capabilities, primarily attributed to the activity of the bacteria Wolinella; secondly, The symbiotic system between SRB and Pseudomonas and denitrifying bacteria(Thiobacillus) to metabolize SO4[2-] and produce H2S; thirdly, Methylotrophic methanogens employ the methyl groups of organic sulfides to produce CH4 and H2S simultaneously. Therefore, biological H2S can be generated under the presence of a sulfur source, appropriate temperature, and conducive environmental conditions. This comprehension will contribute valuable insights to the discourse on the generation and enrichment patterns of H2S in natural coalbed methane. Additionally, it can offer practical avenues for the prevention and control of H2S through technological approaches.
Additional Links: PMID-39922539
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39922539,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, W and Su, X and Zhao, W and Yan, P and Zhou, Y},
title = {Experimental study on the mechanism of biological hydrogen sulfide generation from organic sulfur-rich coal.},
journal = {Journal of biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jbiotec.2025.02.002},
pmid = {39922539},
issn = {1873-4863},
abstract = {Whether of primary or secondary origin, the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in coalbed methane (CBM) is commonly attributed to sulfate reduction facilitated by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). However, the sulfate content in high-sulfur coal is exceptionally low, insufficient to function as a substrate for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In this study, an anaerobic digestion experiment was conducted with high-organic-sulfur coal collected from the Late Permian Longtan Formation in Guangxi Province as both the carbon and sulfur sources. The formation mechanism of H2S is revealed from the evolution rules of gas components, liquid organic matter, and microbial communities during the anaerobic digestion process. The findings indicate three distinct mechanisms contributing to the biological formation of H2S in coal seams: firstly, the degradation of readily degradable organic sulfur in coal by microorganisms possessing denitrification capabilities, primarily attributed to the activity of the bacteria Wolinella; secondly, The symbiotic system between SRB and Pseudomonas and denitrifying bacteria(Thiobacillus) to metabolize SO4[2-] and produce H2S; thirdly, Methylotrophic methanogens employ the methyl groups of organic sulfides to produce CH4 and H2S simultaneously. Therefore, biological H2S can be generated under the presence of a sulfur source, appropriate temperature, and conducive environmental conditions. This comprehension will contribute valuable insights to the discourse on the generation and enrichment patterns of H2S in natural coalbed methane. Additionally, it can offer practical avenues for the prevention and control of H2S through technological approaches.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-08
Ethylene signaling is essential for mycorrhiza-induced resistance against chewing herbivores in tomato.
Journal of experimental botany pii:8005847 [Epub ahead of print].
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis can prime plant defenses, leading to mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR) against different attackers, including insect herbivores. Still, our knowledge of the complex molecular regulation leading to MIR is very limited. Here, we show that the AM fungus Funneliformis mosseae protects tomato plants against two different chewing herbivores, Spodoptera exigua and Manduca sexta. We explore the underlying molecular mechanism through genome-wide transcriptional profiling, bioinformatics network analyses, and functional bioassays. Herbivore-triggered JA-regulated defenses were primed in leaves of mycorrhizal plants, while ET biosynthesis and signaling were also higher both before and after herbivory. We hypothesized that fine-tuned ET signaling is required for the primed defensive response leading to MIR. ET is a complex regulator of plant responses to stress and is generally considered a negative regulator of plant defenses against herbivory. However, ET-deficient or insensitive lines did not show AM-primed JA biosynthesis or defense response, and were unable to develop MIR against any of the herbivores. Thus, we demonstrate that hormone crosstalk is central to the priming of plant immunity by beneficial microbes, with ET fine-tuning being essential for the primed JA biosynthesis and boosted defenses leading to MIR in tomato.
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39921876,
year = {2025},
author = {Lidoy, J and Rivero, J and RamÅ¡ak, Ž and Petek, M and Križnik, M and Flors, V and Lopez-Raez, JA and Martinez-Medina, A and Gruden, K and Pozo, MJ},
title = {Ethylene signaling is essential for mycorrhiza-induced resistance against chewing herbivores in tomato.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/eraf053},
pmid = {39921876},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis can prime plant defenses, leading to mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR) against different attackers, including insect herbivores. Still, our knowledge of the complex molecular regulation leading to MIR is very limited. Here, we show that the AM fungus Funneliformis mosseae protects tomato plants against two different chewing herbivores, Spodoptera exigua and Manduca sexta. We explore the underlying molecular mechanism through genome-wide transcriptional profiling, bioinformatics network analyses, and functional bioassays. Herbivore-triggered JA-regulated defenses were primed in leaves of mycorrhizal plants, while ET biosynthesis and signaling were also higher both before and after herbivory. We hypothesized that fine-tuned ET signaling is required for the primed defensive response leading to MIR. ET is a complex regulator of plant responses to stress and is generally considered a negative regulator of plant defenses against herbivory. However, ET-deficient or insensitive lines did not show AM-primed JA biosynthesis or defense response, and were unable to develop MIR against any of the herbivores. Thus, we demonstrate that hormone crosstalk is central to the priming of plant immunity by beneficial microbes, with ET fine-tuning being essential for the primed JA biosynthesis and boosted defenses leading to MIR in tomato.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-08
Mechanisms of cooperation in the plants-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-bacteria continuum.
The ISME journal pii:8005809 [Epub ahead of print].
In nature, cooperation is an essential way for species, whether they belong to the same kingdom or to different kingdoms, to overcome the scarcity of resources and improve their fitness. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic microorganisms whose origin date back 400 million years. They form symbiotic associations with the vast majority of terrestrial plants, helping them to obtain nutrients from the soil in exchange for carbon. At the more complex level, soil bacteria participate in the symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plants: they obtain carbon from the exudation of hyphae connected to the roots and compensate for the limited saprophytic capacity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by mineralizing organic compounds. Therefore, plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil bacteria constitute a continuum that may be accompanied by multiple forms of cooperation. In this review, we first analyzed the functional complementarities and differences between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Secondly, we discussed the resource exchange relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from the perspective of biological market theory and "surplus carbon" hypothesis. Finally, on the basis of mechanisms for maintaining cooperation, direct and indirect reciprocity in the hyphosphere, induced by the availability of external resource and species fitness, were examined. Exploring these reciprocal cooperations will provide a better understanding of the intricate ecological relationships between plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil bacteria as well as their evolutionary implications.
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@article {pmid39921668,
year = {2025},
author = {Duan, S and Jin, Z and Zhang, L and Declerck, S},
title = {Mechanisms of cooperation in the plants-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-bacteria continuum.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf023},
pmid = {39921668},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {In nature, cooperation is an essential way for species, whether they belong to the same kingdom or to different kingdoms, to overcome the scarcity of resources and improve their fitness. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic microorganisms whose origin date back 400 million years. They form symbiotic associations with the vast majority of terrestrial plants, helping them to obtain nutrients from the soil in exchange for carbon. At the more complex level, soil bacteria participate in the symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plants: they obtain carbon from the exudation of hyphae connected to the roots and compensate for the limited saprophytic capacity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by mineralizing organic compounds. Therefore, plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil bacteria constitute a continuum that may be accompanied by multiple forms of cooperation. In this review, we first analyzed the functional complementarities and differences between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Secondly, we discussed the resource exchange relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from the perspective of biological market theory and "surplus carbon" hypothesis. Finally, on the basis of mechanisms for maintaining cooperation, direct and indirect reciprocity in the hyphosphere, induced by the availability of external resource and species fitness, were examined. Exploring these reciprocal cooperations will provide a better understanding of the intricate ecological relationships between plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil bacteria as well as their evolutionary implications.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-11
CmpDate: 2025-02-07
Alterations in mucosa branched N-glycans lead to dysbiosis and downregulation of ILC3: a key driver of intestinal inflammation.
Gut microbes, 17(1):2461210.
The perturbation of the symbiotic relationship between microbes and intestinal immune system contributes to gut inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) development. The host mucosa glycans (glycocalyx) creates a major biological interface between gut microorganisms and host immunity that remains ill-defined. Glycans are essential players in IBD immunopathogenesis, even years before disease onset. However, how changes in mucosa glycosylation shape microbiome and how this impact gut immune response and inflammation remains to be clarified. Here, we revealed that alterations in the expression of complex branched N-glycans at gut mucosa surface, modeled in glycoengineered mice, resulted in dysbiosis, with a deficiency in Firmicutes bacteria. Concomitantly, this mucosa N-glycan switch was associated with a downregulation of type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3)-mediated immune response, leading to the transition of ILC3 toward an ILC1 proinflammatory phenotype and increased TNFα production. In addition, we demonstrated that the mucosa glycosylation remodeling through prophylactic supplementation with glycans at steady state was able to restore microbial-derived short-chain fatty acids and microbial sensing (by NOD2 expression) alongside the rescue of the expression of ILC3 module, suppressing intestinal inflammation and controlling disease onset. In a complementary approach, we further showed that IBD patients, often displaying dysbiosis, exhibited a tendency of decreased MGAT5 expression at epithelial cells that was accompanied by reduced ILC3 expression in gut mucosa. Altogether, these results unlock the effects of alterations in mucosa glycome composition in the regulation of the bidirectional crosstalk between microbiota and gut immune response, revealing host branched N-glycans/microbiota/ILC3 axis as an essential pathway in gut homeostasis and in preventing health to intestinal inflammation transition.
Additional Links: PMID-39918275
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39918275,
year = {2025},
author = {Rodrigues, CS and Gaifem, J and Pereira, MS and Alves, MF and Silva, M and Padrão, N and Cavadas, B and Moreira-Barbosa, C and Alves, I and Marcos-Pinto, R and Torres, J and Lavelle, A and Colombel, JF and Sokol, H and Pinho, SS},
title = {Alterations in mucosa branched N-glycans lead to dysbiosis and downregulation of ILC3: a key driver of intestinal inflammation.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {2461210},
pmid = {39918275},
issn = {1949-0984},
mesh = {Animals ; *Dysbiosis/microbiology/immunology ; *Polysaccharides/metabolism ; Mice ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Intestinal Mucosa/immunology/microbiology/metabolism ; Humans ; *Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology/microbiology ; Down-Regulation ; Lymphocytes/immunology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Inflammation/immunology/metabolism ; Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification ; Glycosylation ; Immunity, Innate ; Female ; Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism/genetics ; Male ; },
abstract = {The perturbation of the symbiotic relationship between microbes and intestinal immune system contributes to gut inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) development. The host mucosa glycans (glycocalyx) creates a major biological interface between gut microorganisms and host immunity that remains ill-defined. Glycans are essential players in IBD immunopathogenesis, even years before disease onset. However, how changes in mucosa glycosylation shape microbiome and how this impact gut immune response and inflammation remains to be clarified. Here, we revealed that alterations in the expression of complex branched N-glycans at gut mucosa surface, modeled in glycoengineered mice, resulted in dysbiosis, with a deficiency in Firmicutes bacteria. Concomitantly, this mucosa N-glycan switch was associated with a downregulation of type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3)-mediated immune response, leading to the transition of ILC3 toward an ILC1 proinflammatory phenotype and increased TNFα production. In addition, we demonstrated that the mucosa glycosylation remodeling through prophylactic supplementation with glycans at steady state was able to restore microbial-derived short-chain fatty acids and microbial sensing (by NOD2 expression) alongside the rescue of the expression of ILC3 module, suppressing intestinal inflammation and controlling disease onset. In a complementary approach, we further showed that IBD patients, often displaying dysbiosis, exhibited a tendency of decreased MGAT5 expression at epithelial cells that was accompanied by reduced ILC3 expression in gut mucosa. Altogether, these results unlock the effects of alterations in mucosa glycome composition in the regulation of the bidirectional crosstalk between microbiota and gut immune response, revealing host branched N-glycans/microbiota/ILC3 axis as an essential pathway in gut homeostasis and in preventing health to intestinal inflammation transition.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Dysbiosis/microbiology/immunology
*Polysaccharides/metabolism
Mice
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Intestinal Mucosa/immunology/microbiology/metabolism
Humans
*Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology/microbiology
Down-Regulation
Lymphocytes/immunology
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Inflammation/immunology/metabolism
Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification
Glycosylation
Immunity, Innate
Female
Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism/genetics
Male
RevDate: 2025-02-08
Biology, genetics, and ecology of the cosmopolitan ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum.
Frontiers in microbiology, 16:1502977.
The ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum is a cosmopolitan and ecologically significant ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus that forms symbiotic associations with diverse host plants worldwide. As the only known ECM species within the large class Dothideomycetes, C. geophilum exhibits several characteristics that distinguish it from other ECM fungi. This fungus significantly contributes to ecosystem stability and development as an early colonizer of primary forest succession. The capacity of this symbiont to rapidly colonize disturbed or newly formed environments promotes the development of conditions that support the growth of other plant species, thus playing a crucial role in the ecological progression and restoration of ecosystems. Several C. geophilum isolates are known to enhance the drought resistance of host plants, a trait that is becoming increasingly important in the context of climate change and frequent drought events. In this review, we examined genetic studies that have assessed the phylogenetic structure of C. geophilum populations and identified the genes associated with adaptation to environmental stress and symbiosis. The high genetic diversity of C. geophilum is particularly noteworthy, considering its putative asexual reproductive mode. Population genomic analyses have suggested that C. geophilum is not a single species but rather a species complex comprising multiple cryptic lineages. This genetic variability may contribute to its adaptability and extensive distribution across habitats from circumpolar to tropical biomes. These lineages exhibit potential host preferences, suggesting a degree of specialization within the complex. The nuclear genome of C. geophilum has been sequenced, providing valuable insights into the symbiont genetic traits. Notably, this genome encodes a large set of repeated sequences and effector-like small secreted proteins. Transcriptomics has been used to identify candidate genes related to symbiosis and adaptation to environmental stress. Additionally, we briefly discuss how C. geophilum offers potential for sustainable forestry practices by improving resilience to stress.
Additional Links: PMID-39916863
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39916863,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, H and Kohler, A and Martin, FM},
title = {Biology, genetics, and ecology of the cosmopolitan ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1502977},
pmid = {39916863},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {The ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum is a cosmopolitan and ecologically significant ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus that forms symbiotic associations with diverse host plants worldwide. As the only known ECM species within the large class Dothideomycetes, C. geophilum exhibits several characteristics that distinguish it from other ECM fungi. This fungus significantly contributes to ecosystem stability and development as an early colonizer of primary forest succession. The capacity of this symbiont to rapidly colonize disturbed or newly formed environments promotes the development of conditions that support the growth of other plant species, thus playing a crucial role in the ecological progression and restoration of ecosystems. Several C. geophilum isolates are known to enhance the drought resistance of host plants, a trait that is becoming increasingly important in the context of climate change and frequent drought events. In this review, we examined genetic studies that have assessed the phylogenetic structure of C. geophilum populations and identified the genes associated with adaptation to environmental stress and symbiosis. The high genetic diversity of C. geophilum is particularly noteworthy, considering its putative asexual reproductive mode. Population genomic analyses have suggested that C. geophilum is not a single species but rather a species complex comprising multiple cryptic lineages. This genetic variability may contribute to its adaptability and extensive distribution across habitats from circumpolar to tropical biomes. These lineages exhibit potential host preferences, suggesting a degree of specialization within the complex. The nuclear genome of C. geophilum has been sequenced, providing valuable insights into the symbiont genetic traits. Notably, this genome encodes a large set of repeated sequences and effector-like small secreted proteins. Transcriptomics has been used to identify candidate genes related to symbiosis and adaptation to environmental stress. Additionally, we briefly discuss how C. geophilum offers potential for sustainable forestry practices by improving resilience to stress.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-10
CmpDate: 2025-02-07
Dysbiosis and extraintestinal cancers.
Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR, 44(1):44.
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in safeguarding host health and driving the progression of intestinal diseases. Despite recent advances in the remarkable correlation between dysbiosis and extraintestinal cancers, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. Pathogenic microbiota, along with their metabolites, can undermine the integrity of the gut barrier through inflammatory or metabolic pathways, leading to increased permeability and the translocation of pathogens. The dissemination of pathogens through the circulation may contribute to the establishment of an immune-suppressive environment that promotes carcinogenesis in extraintestinal organs either directly or indirectly. The oncogenic cascade always engages in the disruption of hormonal regulation and inflammatory responses, the induction of genomic instability and mutations, and the dysregulation of adult stem cell proliferation. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the existing evidence that points to the potential role of dysbiosis in the malignant transformation of extraintestinal organs such as the liver, breast, lung, and pancreas. Additionally, we delve into the limitations inherent in current methodologies, particularly the challenges associated with differentiating low loads gut-derived microbiome within tumors from potential sample contamination or symbiotic microorganisms. Although still controversial, an understanding of the contribution of translocated intestinal microbiota and their metabolites to the pathological continuum from chronic inflammation to tumors could offer a novel foundation for the development of targeted therapeutics.
Additional Links: PMID-39915884
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39915884,
year = {2025},
author = {He, R and Qi, P and Shu, L and Ding, Y and Zeng, P and Wen, G and Xiong, Y and Deng, H},
title = {Dysbiosis and extraintestinal cancers.},
journal = {Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR},
volume = {44},
number = {1},
pages = {44},
pmid = {39915884},
issn = {1756-9966},
support = {82160546//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 82460116//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 20202BBG73027//Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province/ ; 20242BAB26116//Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province/ ; JXSQ2023201020//Foundation of Jiangxi Province for Distinguished Scholars/ ; 20183021//Science and Technology Plan Fund of Jiangxi Health Commission/ ; 20202ACBL206017//Science and Technology Department of Jiangxi Province/ ; GJJ210185//Education Department of Jiangxi Province/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Dysbiosis/microbiology ; *Neoplasms/microbiology/pathology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Animals ; },
abstract = {The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in safeguarding host health and driving the progression of intestinal diseases. Despite recent advances in the remarkable correlation between dysbiosis and extraintestinal cancers, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. Pathogenic microbiota, along with their metabolites, can undermine the integrity of the gut barrier through inflammatory or metabolic pathways, leading to increased permeability and the translocation of pathogens. The dissemination of pathogens through the circulation may contribute to the establishment of an immune-suppressive environment that promotes carcinogenesis in extraintestinal organs either directly or indirectly. The oncogenic cascade always engages in the disruption of hormonal regulation and inflammatory responses, the induction of genomic instability and mutations, and the dysregulation of adult stem cell proliferation. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the existing evidence that points to the potential role of dysbiosis in the malignant transformation of extraintestinal organs such as the liver, breast, lung, and pancreas. Additionally, we delve into the limitations inherent in current methodologies, particularly the challenges associated with differentiating low loads gut-derived microbiome within tumors from potential sample contamination or symbiotic microorganisms. Although still controversial, an understanding of the contribution of translocated intestinal microbiota and their metabolites to the pathological continuum from chronic inflammation to tumors could offer a novel foundation for the development of targeted therapeutics.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Dysbiosis/microbiology
*Neoplasms/microbiology/pathology
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Animals
RevDate: 2025-02-11
Comparative effects of herbal additive, symbiotic and antibiotic on growth performance, blood constituents, gut microbiota, and immune response in broiler chickens.
Iranian journal of veterinary research, 25(3):242-249.
BACKGROUND: Using medicinal plants in broiler diets has been gaining attention as an alternative to synthetic additives due to their potential health benefits and lower risk of residue accumulation.
AIMS: The present study primarily aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of herbal additives, specifically barberry (Berberis vulgaris), sumac (Rhus coriaria, L), symbiotic, and antibiotic on broiler chickens.
METHODS: A total of 384 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to eight different dietary treatments, with six replicates per treatment. Experimental diets included control diet (CON), and other experimental groups were supplemented with 0.2 g/kg virginiamycin (VM), symbiotic (SS), 1 g/kg (B1) and 2 g/kg (B2) barberry seed powder, 1 g/kg (S1) and 2 g/kg (S2) sumac seed powder and 1 g/kg sumac seed powder + 1 g/kg barberry seed powder (B1 + S1).
RESULTS: The study results indicated that body weight increased in birds fed with VM and SS-supplemented diets (P<0.05) during 1 to 42 days of age. All dietary treatments except CON increased the count of Lactobacillus spp. and decreased the number of coliforms versus at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). Antibody titers against Gambaro disease were higher in birds fed diets B2 and B1 + S1 (P<0.05). The results also indicated that the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower in the SS and B1 + S1 groups as compared with the control group.
CONCLUSION: A mix of sumac and barberry (1%) powdered seeds has the potential to improve performance, and disease responsiveness and intestinal microbiota in broiler.
Additional Links: PMID-39925835
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39925835,
year = {2024},
author = {Tavakolinasab, F and Taherpour, K and Rostamzad, A},
title = {Comparative effects of herbal additive, symbiotic and antibiotic on growth performance, blood constituents, gut microbiota, and immune response in broiler chickens.},
journal = {Iranian journal of veterinary research},
volume = {25},
number = {3},
pages = {242-249},
pmid = {39925835},
issn = {1728-1997},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Using medicinal plants in broiler diets has been gaining attention as an alternative to synthetic additives due to their potential health benefits and lower risk of residue accumulation.
AIMS: The present study primarily aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of herbal additives, specifically barberry (Berberis vulgaris), sumac (Rhus coriaria, L), symbiotic, and antibiotic on broiler chickens.
METHODS: A total of 384 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to eight different dietary treatments, with six replicates per treatment. Experimental diets included control diet (CON), and other experimental groups were supplemented with 0.2 g/kg virginiamycin (VM), symbiotic (SS), 1 g/kg (B1) and 2 g/kg (B2) barberry seed powder, 1 g/kg (S1) and 2 g/kg (S2) sumac seed powder and 1 g/kg sumac seed powder + 1 g/kg barberry seed powder (B1 + S1).
RESULTS: The study results indicated that body weight increased in birds fed with VM and SS-supplemented diets (P<0.05) during 1 to 42 days of age. All dietary treatments except CON increased the count of Lactobacillus spp. and decreased the number of coliforms versus at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). Antibody titers against Gambaro disease were higher in birds fed diets B2 and B1 + S1 (P<0.05). The results also indicated that the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower in the SS and B1 + S1 groups as compared with the control group.
CONCLUSION: A mix of sumac and barberry (1%) powdered seeds has the potential to improve performance, and disease responsiveness and intestinal microbiota in broiler.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-06
Unique hot stage modification technique to enhance cementitious properties of electric arc furnace steel slag.
Journal of environmental management, 376:124398 pii:S0301-4797(25)00374-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Decarburization is a major concern for global industries, particularly the steel and cement sectors, which together contribute nearly 15% of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. One approach to reducing CO2 emissions is re-utilizing industrial waste, such as slag, to produce cementitious materials. While ironmaking slag from blast furnaces is conventionally recycled as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) cement, this technology is not directly applicable to electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, a byproduct of the steelmaking process. This study investigated the potential of direct reduced iron-electric arc furnace (DRI-EAF) steel slag as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) using a hot-stage modification technique. The experimental sequence follows remelting, modifying, and cooling DRI-EAF slag from a molten state at 1600 °C. Key aspects such as mineralogy, phase transformations, chemical compositions, and cooling conditions were analyzed using experimental data and thermodynamic simulations. The results indicate that adding lime and coke as modifying agents, smelting the slag for 40 min at 1600 °C, and water quenching can produce slag with up to 86% amorphous content. The primary phases precipitated at room temperature were calcium silicates (C2S and C3S). Additionally, the total iron content in the modified slag was reduced to 2 wt%, meeting the requirements for SCM use according to Indian standards. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with recycling DRI-EAF slag as an SCM were compared with data from conventional cement production. This study highlights the potential of upcycling DRI-EAF slag into SCMs while recovering iron nuggets as secondary resources for steelmaking, contributing to decarburization in both industries.
Additional Links: PMID-39914205
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@article {pmid39914205,
year = {2025},
author = {Chandel, SS and Lavakumar, A and Randhawa, NS and Singh, PK},
title = {Unique hot stage modification technique to enhance cementitious properties of electric arc furnace steel slag.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {376},
number = {},
pages = {124398},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124398},
pmid = {39914205},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Decarburization is a major concern for global industries, particularly the steel and cement sectors, which together contribute nearly 15% of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. One approach to reducing CO2 emissions is re-utilizing industrial waste, such as slag, to produce cementitious materials. While ironmaking slag from blast furnaces is conventionally recycled as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) cement, this technology is not directly applicable to electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, a byproduct of the steelmaking process. This study investigated the potential of direct reduced iron-electric arc furnace (DRI-EAF) steel slag as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) using a hot-stage modification technique. The experimental sequence follows remelting, modifying, and cooling DRI-EAF slag from a molten state at 1600 °C. Key aspects such as mineralogy, phase transformations, chemical compositions, and cooling conditions were analyzed using experimental data and thermodynamic simulations. The results indicate that adding lime and coke as modifying agents, smelting the slag for 40 min at 1600 °C, and water quenching can produce slag with up to 86% amorphous content. The primary phases precipitated at room temperature were calcium silicates (C2S and C3S). Additionally, the total iron content in the modified slag was reduced to 2 wt%, meeting the requirements for SCM use according to Indian standards. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with recycling DRI-EAF slag as an SCM were compared with data from conventional cement production. This study highlights the potential of upcycling DRI-EAF slag into SCMs while recovering iron nuggets as secondary resources for steelmaking, contributing to decarburization in both industries.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-08
CmpDate: 2025-02-06
Volatile Organic Compounds of Diverse Origins and Their Changes Associated With Cultivar Decay in a Fungus-Farming Termite.
Environmental microbiology, 27(2):e70049.
Fungus-farming termites cultivate a Termitomyces fungus monoculture in enclosed gardens (combs) free of other fungi, except during colony declines, where Pseudoxylaria spp. stowaway fungi appear and take over combs. Here, we determined Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of healthy Macrotermes bellicosus nests in nature and VOC changes associated with comb decay during Pseudoxylaria takeover. We identified 443 VOCs and unique volatilomes across samples and nest volatilomes that were mainly composed of fungus comb VOCs with termite contributions. Few comb VOCs were linked to chemical changes during decay, but longipinocarvone and longiverbenone were only emitted during comb decay. These terpenes may be involved in Termitomyces defence against antagonistic fungi or in fungus-termite signalling of comb state. Both comb and Pseudoxylaria biomass volatilomes contained many VOCs with antimicrobial activity that may serve in maintaining healthy Termitomyces monocultures or aid in the antagonistic takeover by Pseudoxylaria during colony decline. We further observed a series of oxylipins with known functions in the regulation of fungus germination, growth, and secondary metabolite production. Our volatilome map of the fungus-farming termite symbiosis provides new insights into the chemistry regulating complex interactions and serves as a valuable guide for future work on the roles of VOCs in symbioses.
Additional Links: PMID-39910670
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39910670,
year = {2025},
author = {Vidkjær, NH and Schmidt, S and Davie-Martin, CL and Silué, KS and Koné, NA and Rinnan, R and Poulsen, M},
title = {Volatile Organic Compounds of Diverse Origins and Their Changes Associated With Cultivar Decay in a Fungus-Farming Termite.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {2},
pages = {e70049},
pmid = {39910670},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {ERC-CoG 771349/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; DNRF168//The Danish National Research Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism ; *Isoptera/microbiology ; Termitomyces/metabolism ; Terpenes/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Fungus-farming termites cultivate a Termitomyces fungus monoculture in enclosed gardens (combs) free of other fungi, except during colony declines, where Pseudoxylaria spp. stowaway fungi appear and take over combs. Here, we determined Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of healthy Macrotermes bellicosus nests in nature and VOC changes associated with comb decay during Pseudoxylaria takeover. We identified 443 VOCs and unique volatilomes across samples and nest volatilomes that were mainly composed of fungus comb VOCs with termite contributions. Few comb VOCs were linked to chemical changes during decay, but longipinocarvone and longiverbenone were only emitted during comb decay. These terpenes may be involved in Termitomyces defence against antagonistic fungi or in fungus-termite signalling of comb state. Both comb and Pseudoxylaria biomass volatilomes contained many VOCs with antimicrobial activity that may serve in maintaining healthy Termitomyces monocultures or aid in the antagonistic takeover by Pseudoxylaria during colony decline. We further observed a series of oxylipins with known functions in the regulation of fungus germination, growth, and secondary metabolite production. Our volatilome map of the fungus-farming termite symbiosis provides new insights into the chemistry regulating complex interactions and serves as a valuable guide for future work on the roles of VOCs in symbioses.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism
*Isoptera/microbiology
Termitomyces/metabolism
Terpenes/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-02-05
Protection against anuran lungworm infection may be mediated by innate defenses rather than their microbiome.
International journal for parasitology pii:S0020-7519(25)00021-9 [Epub ahead of print].
Host-associated microbiomes provide protection against disease in diverse systems, through both direct and indirect interactions with invaders, although these interactions are less understood in the context of non-gut helminth infections in wildlife. Here, we used a widespread, invasive host-parasite system to better understand helminth-amphibian-microbiome dynamics. We focus on cane toads and their lungworm parasites, which invade the host through the skin, to study the interactions between lungworm infection abundance and skin and gut (colon) bacterial microbiomes. Through two experiments, first reducing skin bacterial loads, and second reducing bacterial diversity, we found no evidence of protection by skin bacteria against infection. We also did not find divergent gut communities dependent on lungworm infection, signifying little to no immune modulation from infection causing changes to gut communities, at least in the first month after initial parasite exposure. In light of previous work in the system, these results underscore the contribution of toads' innate susceptibility (including possible protection provided by skin secretions) rather than skin microbes in determining the chance of infection by these macroparasites.
Additional Links: PMID-39909191
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39909191,
year = {2025},
author = {Weitzman, CL and Brown, GP and Day, K and Shilton, CM and Gibb, K and Christian, K},
title = {Protection against anuran lungworm infection may be mediated by innate defenses rather than their microbiome.},
journal = {International journal for parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.01.010},
pmid = {39909191},
issn = {1879-0135},
abstract = {Host-associated microbiomes provide protection against disease in diverse systems, through both direct and indirect interactions with invaders, although these interactions are less understood in the context of non-gut helminth infections in wildlife. Here, we used a widespread, invasive host-parasite system to better understand helminth-amphibian-microbiome dynamics. We focus on cane toads and their lungworm parasites, which invade the host through the skin, to study the interactions between lungworm infection abundance and skin and gut (colon) bacterial microbiomes. Through two experiments, first reducing skin bacterial loads, and second reducing bacterial diversity, we found no evidence of protection by skin bacteria against infection. We also did not find divergent gut communities dependent on lungworm infection, signifying little to no immune modulation from infection causing changes to gut communities, at least in the first month after initial parasite exposure. In light of previous work in the system, these results underscore the contribution of toads' innate susceptibility (including possible protection provided by skin secretions) rather than skin microbes in determining the chance of infection by these macroparasites.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-07
CmpDate: 2025-02-05
Power beacon-assisted energy harvesting symbiotic radio networks: Outage performance.
PloS one, 20(2):e0313981.
The evolution of next-generation Internet-of-Things (IoT) in recent years exhibits a unique segment that wireless communication paradigms are oriented towards not only improved spectral efficiency transmission but also energy efficiency. This paper addresses these critical issues by proposing a novel communication model, namely power beacon-assisted energy-harvesting symbiotic radio. In particular, the limited energy primary IoT source communicates with its destination by first harvesting energy from a dedicated power beacon and then performing information exchange, while the backscatter device communicates by exploiting the available radio frequency emitted by the primary IoT source. The destination uses successive interference cancellation mechanisms to decode both its received signals. To assess the performance quality of the proposed communication model, we theoretically derive the coexistence outage probability (COP) in terms of highly accurate expressions and upper-bound and lower-bound approximations. Subsequently, we carry out a series of numerical results to verify the developed theory frameworks on the one hand, and on the other hand, analyze the COP performance against the variations of system key parameters (transmit signal-to-noise ratio, the time-splitting coefficient, the energy conversion efficiency factor, the reflection coefficient, and the coexistent decoding threshold). Our numerical results demonstrate that the proposed communication model can potentially work well in practices with reliable communication over 90% (COP is less than 0.1). Additionally, it also demonstrates that optimizing the reflection coefficient at the backscatter device can facilitate achieving minimal COP performance.
Additional Links: PMID-39908254
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39908254,
year = {2025},
author = {Hung, TC and Minh, BV and Nguyen, TN and Voznak, M},
title = {Power beacon-assisted energy harvesting symbiotic radio networks: Outage performance.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {20},
number = {2},
pages = {e0313981},
pmid = {39908254},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Wireless Technology/instrumentation ; Models, Theoretical ; Radio Waves ; Computer Communication Networks ; Internet of Things ; },
abstract = {The evolution of next-generation Internet-of-Things (IoT) in recent years exhibits a unique segment that wireless communication paradigms are oriented towards not only improved spectral efficiency transmission but also energy efficiency. This paper addresses these critical issues by proposing a novel communication model, namely power beacon-assisted energy-harvesting symbiotic radio. In particular, the limited energy primary IoT source communicates with its destination by first harvesting energy from a dedicated power beacon and then performing information exchange, while the backscatter device communicates by exploiting the available radio frequency emitted by the primary IoT source. The destination uses successive interference cancellation mechanisms to decode both its received signals. To assess the performance quality of the proposed communication model, we theoretically derive the coexistence outage probability (COP) in terms of highly accurate expressions and upper-bound and lower-bound approximations. Subsequently, we carry out a series of numerical results to verify the developed theory frameworks on the one hand, and on the other hand, analyze the COP performance against the variations of system key parameters (transmit signal-to-noise ratio, the time-splitting coefficient, the energy conversion efficiency factor, the reflection coefficient, and the coexistent decoding threshold). Our numerical results demonstrate that the proposed communication model can potentially work well in practices with reliable communication over 90% (COP is less than 0.1). Additionally, it also demonstrates that optimizing the reflection coefficient at the backscatter device can facilitate achieving minimal COP performance.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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*Wireless Technology/instrumentation
Models, Theoretical
Radio Waves
Computer Communication Networks
Internet of Things
RevDate: 2025-02-05
Herbal remedies for oral and dental health: a comprehensive review of their multifaceted mechanisms including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways.
Inflammopharmacology [Epub ahead of print].
Across diverse cultures, herbal remedies have been used to alleviate oral discomfort and maintain dental hygiene. This review presents studies on herbal remedies with remarkable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anticaries, analgesic, and healing properties. The manuscripts demonstrate the depth of scientific inquiry into herbal remedies used for the management of various oral and dental health conditions. These include gingivitis, oral ulcers, mucositis, periodontitis, oral pathogens, carcinoma, xerostomia, and dental caries. Researchers have investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of plant-derived compounds and their extracts evaluated their interactions with oral pathogens and inflammatory processes. The convergence of traditional knowledge and rigorous scientific investigation offers a compelling narrative, fostering a deeper understanding of herbal remedies as viable alternatives to conventional dental interventions. This work has the potential to provide patients with access to gentle, yet effective solutions, and simultaneously offer dental health professionals the opportunity to enrich their knowledge, and ability to provide personalized, holistic care. This review highlights the symbiotic relationship between herbal medicine and scientific understanding, emphasizing the importance of disseminating this knowledge to benefit both practitioners and patients, enabling evidence-based decision-making in dental care. The exploration of herbal remedies offers a promising alternative, potentially mitigating some of these side effects while promoting oral health in a more natural and holistic manner.
Additional Links: PMID-39907951
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39907951,
year = {2025},
author = {Anwar, MA and Sayed, GA and Hal, DM and Hafeez, MSAE and Shatat, AS and Salman, A and Eisa, NM and Ramadan, A and El-Shiekh, RA and Hatem, S and Aly, SH},
title = {Herbal remedies for oral and dental health: a comprehensive review of their multifaceted mechanisms including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways.},
journal = {Inflammopharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39907951},
issn = {1568-5608},
abstract = {Across diverse cultures, herbal remedies have been used to alleviate oral discomfort and maintain dental hygiene. This review presents studies on herbal remedies with remarkable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anticaries, analgesic, and healing properties. The manuscripts demonstrate the depth of scientific inquiry into herbal remedies used for the management of various oral and dental health conditions. These include gingivitis, oral ulcers, mucositis, periodontitis, oral pathogens, carcinoma, xerostomia, and dental caries. Researchers have investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of plant-derived compounds and their extracts evaluated their interactions with oral pathogens and inflammatory processes. The convergence of traditional knowledge and rigorous scientific investigation offers a compelling narrative, fostering a deeper understanding of herbal remedies as viable alternatives to conventional dental interventions. This work has the potential to provide patients with access to gentle, yet effective solutions, and simultaneously offer dental health professionals the opportunity to enrich their knowledge, and ability to provide personalized, holistic care. This review highlights the symbiotic relationship between herbal medicine and scientific understanding, emphasizing the importance of disseminating this knowledge to benefit both practitioners and patients, enabling evidence-based decision-making in dental care. The exploration of herbal remedies offers a promising alternative, potentially mitigating some of these side effects while promoting oral health in a more natural and holistic manner.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-05
Temporary dietary fiber depletion prompts rapid and lasting gut microbiota restructuring in mice.
Microbiology spectrum [Epub ahead of print].
UNLABELLED: Long-term alterations of the gut microbiota and host symbiosis after a dietary perturbation remain insufficiently understood and characterized. In this study, we investigate the impact of temporary dietary fiber depletion in mice that received a diet with reduced fiber content (RFD) for 3 weeks followed by a return to a standard chow diet for 6 weeks, compared to mice that only received a chow diet. Fiber deprivation was accompanied by a reduction of microbiota diversity and an increase in mucolytic and sulfate-reducing bacteria. The activities of enzymes targeting glycans from the host mucus were increased accordingly, while those targeting plant fibers were decreased. On the host side, we report transiently higher quantities of host DNA in feces during the RFD suggesting an impaired gut barrier function. Six weeks after the return to the chow diet, lasting changes in microbiota composition were observed, as exemplified by the replacement of durably depleted amplicon sequence variants close to Duncaniella dubosii by other members of the Muribaculaceae family. The observation of two distinct gut microbial communities in mice under identical environmental and alimentary conditions at the end of the experiment suggests the existence of alternative stable microbiota states.
IMPORTANCE: In this article, the authors explore the impact of a diet with reduced fiber content on the gut microbiota-host symbiosis in a mouse model. More importantly, they examine the resilience of the intestinal symbiosis after the return to a standard (chow) diet. Some of the measured parameters (intestinal barrier impairment and bacterial glycan-degrading enzymatic activities) returned to control values. However, this was not the case for bacterial richness-the number of different bacteria observed-which remained durably reduced. Among related bacteria, some groups receded and remained undetected until 6 weeks after the return to the chow diet while others saw their abundance increase in replacement. The authors find that a temporary fiber deprivation lasting as little as 3 weeks can cause a transition to an alternative stable microbiota state, i.e., a lasting change in intestinal microbiota composition.
Additional Links: PMID-39907460
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39907460,
year = {2025},
author = {Rous, C and Cadiou, J and Yazbek, H and Monzel, E and Desai, MS and Doré, J and van de Guchte, M and Mondot, S},
title = {Temporary dietary fiber depletion prompts rapid and lasting gut microbiota restructuring in mice.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0151724},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.01517-24},
pmid = {39907460},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Long-term alterations of the gut microbiota and host symbiosis after a dietary perturbation remain insufficiently understood and characterized. In this study, we investigate the impact of temporary dietary fiber depletion in mice that received a diet with reduced fiber content (RFD) for 3 weeks followed by a return to a standard chow diet for 6 weeks, compared to mice that only received a chow diet. Fiber deprivation was accompanied by a reduction of microbiota diversity and an increase in mucolytic and sulfate-reducing bacteria. The activities of enzymes targeting glycans from the host mucus were increased accordingly, while those targeting plant fibers were decreased. On the host side, we report transiently higher quantities of host DNA in feces during the RFD suggesting an impaired gut barrier function. Six weeks after the return to the chow diet, lasting changes in microbiota composition were observed, as exemplified by the replacement of durably depleted amplicon sequence variants close to Duncaniella dubosii by other members of the Muribaculaceae family. The observation of two distinct gut microbial communities in mice under identical environmental and alimentary conditions at the end of the experiment suggests the existence of alternative stable microbiota states.
IMPORTANCE: In this article, the authors explore the impact of a diet with reduced fiber content on the gut microbiota-host symbiosis in a mouse model. More importantly, they examine the resilience of the intestinal symbiosis after the return to a standard (chow) diet. Some of the measured parameters (intestinal barrier impairment and bacterial glycan-degrading enzymatic activities) returned to control values. However, this was not the case for bacterial richness-the number of different bacteria observed-which remained durably reduced. Among related bacteria, some groups receded and remained undetected until 6 weeks after the return to the chow diet while others saw their abundance increase in replacement. The authors find that a temporary fiber deprivation lasting as little as 3 weeks can cause a transition to an alternative stable microbiota state, i.e., a lasting change in intestinal microbiota composition.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-06
Characterizing the evolution of defense in a tripartite marine symbiosis using adaptive dynamics.
Evolution letters, 9(1):105-114.
The evolution and maintenance of symbiotic systems remains a fascinating puzzle. While the coevolutionary dynamics of bipartite (host-symbiont) systems are well-studied, the dynamics of more complex systems have only recently garnered attention with increasing technological advances. We model a tripartite system inspired by the marine symbiotic relationship between the alga Bryopsis sp., its intracellular defensive bacterial symbiont "Candidatus Endobryopsis kahalalidifaciens," which produces a toxin that protects the alga against fish herbivores, and the sea-slug Elysia rufescens (Zan et al., 2019), which is not deterred by the toxin. We disentangle the role of selection on different actors within this system by investigating evolutionary scenarios where defense evolves as (i) a host-controlled trait that reduces algal reproductive ability; (ii) a symbiont-controlled trait that impacts symbiont transmission; and (iii) a trait jointly controlled by both host and symbiont. Optimal investment in defensive toxins varies based on the characteristics of the host, symbiont, and sea slug; and evolutionary trajectories are modulated by trade-off shape, i.e., a strongly decelerating trade-off between defense and symbiont transmission can drive symbiont diversification via evolutionary branching. Increasing slug herbivory reduces host investment in defense to favor reproduction, while symbiont investment in defense first declines and then increases as host density declines to the degree that horizontal symbiont transmission is no longer beneficial. Increasing vertical transmission selects for reduced defense by the host when it evolves as a jointly controlled trait, as a result of investment by the symbiont. Our theoretical exploration of the evolution of defensive symbiosis in scenarios involving interactions with multiple herbivores provides a first window into the origin and maintenance of the Bryopsis sp. system, and adds another piece to the puzzle of the evolution of symbiotic systems.
Additional Links: PMID-39906587
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39906587,
year = {2025},
author = {Singh, P and Bruijning, M and Carver, GD and Donia, MS and Metcalf, CJE},
title = {Characterizing the evolution of defense in a tripartite marine symbiosis using adaptive dynamics.},
journal = {Evolution letters},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {105-114},
pmid = {39906587},
issn = {2056-3744},
abstract = {The evolution and maintenance of symbiotic systems remains a fascinating puzzle. While the coevolutionary dynamics of bipartite (host-symbiont) systems are well-studied, the dynamics of more complex systems have only recently garnered attention with increasing technological advances. We model a tripartite system inspired by the marine symbiotic relationship between the alga Bryopsis sp., its intracellular defensive bacterial symbiont "Candidatus Endobryopsis kahalalidifaciens," which produces a toxin that protects the alga against fish herbivores, and the sea-slug Elysia rufescens (Zan et al., 2019), which is not deterred by the toxin. We disentangle the role of selection on different actors within this system by investigating evolutionary scenarios where defense evolves as (i) a host-controlled trait that reduces algal reproductive ability; (ii) a symbiont-controlled trait that impacts symbiont transmission; and (iii) a trait jointly controlled by both host and symbiont. Optimal investment in defensive toxins varies based on the characteristics of the host, symbiont, and sea slug; and evolutionary trajectories are modulated by trade-off shape, i.e., a strongly decelerating trade-off between defense and symbiont transmission can drive symbiont diversification via evolutionary branching. Increasing slug herbivory reduces host investment in defense to favor reproduction, while symbiont investment in defense first declines and then increases as host density declines to the degree that horizontal symbiont transmission is no longer beneficial. Increasing vertical transmission selects for reduced defense by the host when it evolves as a jointly controlled trait, as a result of investment by the symbiont. Our theoretical exploration of the evolution of defensive symbiosis in scenarios involving interactions with multiple herbivores provides a first window into the origin and maintenance of the Bryopsis sp. system, and adds another piece to the puzzle of the evolution of symbiotic systems.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-05
Distinct domain regions of NIN and NLP1 mediate symbiotic and nitrate signaling in Medicago truncatula.
Journal of experimental botany pii:7998955 [Epub ahead of print].
Nodule Inception (NIN) and NIN-like protein 1 (NLP1), both belonging to the RWP-RK type transcription factors, play critical roles in plant development. Specifically, NIN is pivotal in facilitating root nodule symbiosis in nitrogen-starved conditions, while NLP1 coordinates nodulation in response to nitrate level. In this study, we conducted domain swapping experiments between NIN and NLP1 in Medicago truncatula to elucidate the functional significance of their respective domains. The findings reveal that the C-terminal regions, including the RWP-RK and PB1 domains of NIN, can substitute for those of NLP1, whereas reciprocal substitution do not yield equivalent outcomes. Moreover, our data emphasize the critical role of PB1-mediated interactions for NLP1's activity, a feature not essential for NIN. Additionally, the N-terminal segment, conserved in NLPs but containing deletions or mutations in NIN, is essential for the proper functioning of both NIN and NLP1. Collectively, our research suggests the evolutionary divergence of NIN from ancestral NLPs, indicating specific adaptations that have enabled NIN as a central regulator in root nodulation processes.
Additional Links: PMID-39905670
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39905670,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, J and Fu, M and Luo, Z and Liu, J and Xie, F},
title = {Distinct domain regions of NIN and NLP1 mediate symbiotic and nitrate signaling in Medicago truncatula.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/eraf037},
pmid = {39905670},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Nodule Inception (NIN) and NIN-like protein 1 (NLP1), both belonging to the RWP-RK type transcription factors, play critical roles in plant development. Specifically, NIN is pivotal in facilitating root nodule symbiosis in nitrogen-starved conditions, while NLP1 coordinates nodulation in response to nitrate level. In this study, we conducted domain swapping experiments between NIN and NLP1 in Medicago truncatula to elucidate the functional significance of their respective domains. The findings reveal that the C-terminal regions, including the RWP-RK and PB1 domains of NIN, can substitute for those of NLP1, whereas reciprocal substitution do not yield equivalent outcomes. Moreover, our data emphasize the critical role of PB1-mediated interactions for NLP1's activity, a feature not essential for NIN. Additionally, the N-terminal segment, conserved in NLPs but containing deletions or mutations in NIN, is essential for the proper functioning of both NIN and NLP1. Collectively, our research suggests the evolutionary divergence of NIN from ancestral NLPs, indicating specific adaptations that have enabled NIN as a central regulator in root nodulation processes.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Comprehensive survey of kombucha microbial communities of diverse origins and fermentation practices.
FEMS yeast research pii:7998921 [Epub ahead of print].
Kombucha is a unique, naturally fermented sweetened tea produced for thousands of years, relying on a symbiotic microbiota in a floating biofilm, used for successive fermentations. The microbial communities consist of yeast and bacteria species, distributed across two phases: the liquid and the biofilm fractions. In the fermentation of kombucha, various starters of different shapes and origins are used and there are multiple brewing practices. By metabarcoding, we explored here the consortia and their evolution from a collection of 23 starters coming from various origins summarizing the diversity of kombucha fermentation processes. A core microbiota of yeast and bacteria has been identified in these diverse kombucha symbiotic consortia, revealing consistent core taxa across SCOBYs from different starters. The common core consists of five taxa: two yeast species from the Brettanomyces genus (B. bruxellensis and B. anomalus), and bacterial taxa Komagataeibacter, Lactobacillus, Acetobacteraceae, including the Acetobacter genus. The distribution of yeast and bacteria core taxa differs between the liquid and biofilm fractions, as well as between the 'mother' and 'daughter' biofilms used in successive fermentations. In terms of microbial composition, the diversity is relatively low, with only a few accessory taxa identified. Overall, our study provides a deeper understanding of the core and accessory taxa involved in kombucha fermentation.
Additional Links: PMID-39904552
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39904552,
year = {2025},
author = {Saad, EB and Friedrich, A and Fischer, F and Courot, O and Schacherer, J and Bleykasten, C},
title = {Comprehensive survey of kombucha microbial communities of diverse origins and fermentation practices.},
journal = {FEMS yeast research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsyr/foaf005},
pmid = {39904552},
issn = {1567-1364},
abstract = {Kombucha is a unique, naturally fermented sweetened tea produced for thousands of years, relying on a symbiotic microbiota in a floating biofilm, used for successive fermentations. The microbial communities consist of yeast and bacteria species, distributed across two phases: the liquid and the biofilm fractions. In the fermentation of kombucha, various starters of different shapes and origins are used and there are multiple brewing practices. By metabarcoding, we explored here the consortia and their evolution from a collection of 23 starters coming from various origins summarizing the diversity of kombucha fermentation processes. A core microbiota of yeast and bacteria has been identified in these diverse kombucha symbiotic consortia, revealing consistent core taxa across SCOBYs from different starters. The common core consists of five taxa: two yeast species from the Brettanomyces genus (B. bruxellensis and B. anomalus), and bacterial taxa Komagataeibacter, Lactobacillus, Acetobacteraceae, including the Acetobacter genus. The distribution of yeast and bacteria core taxa differs between the liquid and biofilm fractions, as well as between the 'mother' and 'daughter' biofilms used in successive fermentations. In terms of microbial composition, the diversity is relatively low, with only a few accessory taxa identified. Overall, our study provides a deeper understanding of the core and accessory taxa involved in kombucha fermentation.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Co-inoculation of Trichoderma and tea root-associated bacteria enhance flavonoid production and abundance of mycorrhizal colonization in tea (Camellia sinensis).
Microbiological research, 293:128084 pii:S0944-5013(25)00040-0 [Epub ahead of print].
Tea is one of the most popular nonalcoholic beverages, that contains several medicinally important flavonoids. Due to seasonal variation and various environmental stresses, the overall consistency of tea flavonoids affects the tea quality. To combat stress, plants stimulate symbiotic relationships with root-associated beneficial microbiomes that sustain nutrient allocation. Therefore, a study has been designed to understand the role of the tea root microbiome in sustaining tea leaf flavonoid production. To enumerate the microbiome, tea root and rhizoplane soil were collected from 3 years of healthy plants from Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India. A culture-independent approach was adopted to identify root and rhizosphere microbial diversity (BioSample: SAMN31404869; SRA: SRS15503027 [rhizosphere soil metagenome] BioSample: SAMN31404868;SRA:SRS15503030 [root metagenome]. In addition to diverse microbes, four mycorrhiza fungi, i.e., Glomus intraradices, Glomus irregulare, Paraglomus occultum and Scutellospora heterogama were predominant in collected root samples. A culture-dependent approach was also adopted to isolate several plant growth-promoting bacteria [Bacillus sp. D56, Bacillus sp. D42, Bacillus sp. DR15, Rhizobium sp. DR23 (NCBI Accession: OR821747-OR821750)] and one fungal [Trichoderma sp. AM6 (NCBI Accession:OM915414)] strain. A pot experiment was designed to assess the impact of that isolated microbiome on tea seedlings. After six months of microbiome inoculation, tea plants' physicochemical and transcriptional parameters were evaluated. The results confer that the microbiome-treated treatments [(T1-without any microbial inoculation; NCBI Accession: SAMN33591153), Trichoderma sp. AM6 (T2; NCBI Accession: SAMN33591155) and Trichoderma sp. AM6 +VAM containing tea root+synthetic microbial consortia (T5; NCBI Accession: SAMN33591154)] could enhance the total flavonoid content in tea seedlings by upregulating certain transcripts associated with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway of tea.
Additional Links: PMID-39903999
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39903999,
year = {2025},
author = {Mondal, A and Parvez, SS and Majumder, A and Sharma, K and Das, B and Bakshi, U and Alam, M and Banik, A},
title = {Co-inoculation of Trichoderma and tea root-associated bacteria enhance flavonoid production and abundance of mycorrhizal colonization in tea (Camellia sinensis).},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {293},
number = {},
pages = {128084},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2025.128084},
pmid = {39903999},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {Tea is one of the most popular nonalcoholic beverages, that contains several medicinally important flavonoids. Due to seasonal variation and various environmental stresses, the overall consistency of tea flavonoids affects the tea quality. To combat stress, plants stimulate symbiotic relationships with root-associated beneficial microbiomes that sustain nutrient allocation. Therefore, a study has been designed to understand the role of the tea root microbiome in sustaining tea leaf flavonoid production. To enumerate the microbiome, tea root and rhizoplane soil were collected from 3 years of healthy plants from Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India. A culture-independent approach was adopted to identify root and rhizosphere microbial diversity (BioSample: SAMN31404869; SRA: SRS15503027 [rhizosphere soil metagenome] BioSample: SAMN31404868;SRA:SRS15503030 [root metagenome]. In addition to diverse microbes, four mycorrhiza fungi, i.e., Glomus intraradices, Glomus irregulare, Paraglomus occultum and Scutellospora heterogama were predominant in collected root samples. A culture-dependent approach was also adopted to isolate several plant growth-promoting bacteria [Bacillus sp. D56, Bacillus sp. D42, Bacillus sp. DR15, Rhizobium sp. DR23 (NCBI Accession: OR821747-OR821750)] and one fungal [Trichoderma sp. AM6 (NCBI Accession:OM915414)] strain. A pot experiment was designed to assess the impact of that isolated microbiome on tea seedlings. After six months of microbiome inoculation, tea plants' physicochemical and transcriptional parameters were evaluated. The results confer that the microbiome-treated treatments [(T1-without any microbial inoculation; NCBI Accession: SAMN33591153), Trichoderma sp. AM6 (T2; NCBI Accession: SAMN33591155) and Trichoderma sp. AM6 +VAM containing tea root+synthetic microbial consortia (T5; NCBI Accession: SAMN33591154)] could enhance the total flavonoid content in tea seedlings by upregulating certain transcripts associated with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway of tea.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
The impact of wild-boar-derived microbiota transplantation on piglet microbiota, metabolite profile, and gut proinflammatory cytokine production differs from sow-derived microbiota.
Applied and environmental microbiology [Epub ahead of print].
Colonization of co-evolved, species-specific microbes in early life plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal development and immune function. This study hypothesized that modern pig production practices have resulted in the loss of co-evolved species and critical symbiotic host-microbe interactions. To test this, we reintroduced microbes from wild boars (WB) into conventional piglets to explore their colonization dynamics and effects on gut microbial communities, metabolite profiles, and immune responses. At postnatal day (PND) 21, 48 piglets were assigned to four treatment groups: (i) WB-derived mixed microbial community (MMC), (ii) sow-derived MMC, (iii) a combination of WB and sow MMC (Mix), or (iv) Control (PBS). Post-transplantation analyses at PND 48 revealed distinct microbial communities in WB-inoculated piglets compared with Controls, with trends toward differentiation from Sow but not Mix groups. WB-derived microbes were more successful in colonizing piglets, particularly in the Mix group, where they competed with Sow-derived microbes. WB group cecal digesta enriched with Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus mucosae, and Lactobacillus pontis. Cecal metabolite analysis showed that WB piglets were enriched in histamine, acetyl-ornithine, ornithine, citrulline, and other metabolites, with higher histamine levels linked to Lactobacillus abundance. WB piglets exhibited lower cecal IL-1β and IL-6 levels compared with Control and Sow groups, whereas the Mix group showed reduced IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-6 compared with the Sow group. No differences in weight gain, fecal scores, or plasma cytokines were observed, indicating no adverse effects. These findings support that missing WB microbes effectively colonize domestic piglets and may positively impact metabolite production and immune responses.IMPORTANCEThis study addresses the growing concern over losing co-evolved, species-specific microbes in modern agricultural practices, particularly in pig production. The implementation of strict biosecurity measures and widespread antibiotic use in conventional farming systems may disrupt crucial host-microbe interactions that are essential for gastrointestinal development and immune function. Our research demonstrates that by reintroducing wild boar-derived microbes into domestic piglets, these microbes can successfully colonize the gut, influence microbial community composition, and alter metabolite profiles and immune responses without causing adverse effects. These findings also suggest that these native microbes can fill an intestinal niche, positively impacting immune activation. This research lays the groundwork for future strategies to enhance livestock health and performance by restoring natural microbial populations that produce immune-modulating metabolites.
Additional Links: PMID-39902926
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39902926,
year = {2025},
author = {Rahman, R and Fouhse, JM and Ju, T and Fan, Y and Bhardwaj, T and Brook, RK and Nosach, R and Harding, J and Willing, BP},
title = {The impact of wild-boar-derived microbiota transplantation on piglet microbiota, metabolite profile, and gut proinflammatory cytokine production differs from sow-derived microbiota.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0226524},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02265-24},
pmid = {39902926},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Colonization of co-evolved, species-specific microbes in early life plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal development and immune function. This study hypothesized that modern pig production practices have resulted in the loss of co-evolved species and critical symbiotic host-microbe interactions. To test this, we reintroduced microbes from wild boars (WB) into conventional piglets to explore their colonization dynamics and effects on gut microbial communities, metabolite profiles, and immune responses. At postnatal day (PND) 21, 48 piglets were assigned to four treatment groups: (i) WB-derived mixed microbial community (MMC), (ii) sow-derived MMC, (iii) a combination of WB and sow MMC (Mix), or (iv) Control (PBS). Post-transplantation analyses at PND 48 revealed distinct microbial communities in WB-inoculated piglets compared with Controls, with trends toward differentiation from Sow but not Mix groups. WB-derived microbes were more successful in colonizing piglets, particularly in the Mix group, where they competed with Sow-derived microbes. WB group cecal digesta enriched with Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus mucosae, and Lactobacillus pontis. Cecal metabolite analysis showed that WB piglets were enriched in histamine, acetyl-ornithine, ornithine, citrulline, and other metabolites, with higher histamine levels linked to Lactobacillus abundance. WB piglets exhibited lower cecal IL-1β and IL-6 levels compared with Control and Sow groups, whereas the Mix group showed reduced IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-6 compared with the Sow group. No differences in weight gain, fecal scores, or plasma cytokines were observed, indicating no adverse effects. These findings support that missing WB microbes effectively colonize domestic piglets and may positively impact metabolite production and immune responses.IMPORTANCEThis study addresses the growing concern over losing co-evolved, species-specific microbes in modern agricultural practices, particularly in pig production. The implementation of strict biosecurity measures and widespread antibiotic use in conventional farming systems may disrupt crucial host-microbe interactions that are essential for gastrointestinal development and immune function. Our research demonstrates that by reintroducing wild boar-derived microbes into domestic piglets, these microbes can successfully colonize the gut, influence microbial community composition, and alter metabolite profiles and immune responses without causing adverse effects. These findings also suggest that these native microbes can fill an intestinal niche, positively impacting immune activation. This research lays the groundwork for future strategies to enhance livestock health and performance by restoring natural microbial populations that produce immune-modulating metabolites.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-05
Non-ribosomal peptide synthase profiles remain structurally similar despite minimally shared features across fungus-farming termite microbiomes.
ISME communications, 4(1):ycae094.
Fungus-farming termites (Macrotermitinae) engage in an obligate mutualism with members of the fungal genus Termitomyces, which they maintain as a monoculture on specialized comb structures. Both these comb structures and the guts of the termites host diverse bacterial communities that are believed to assist in sustaining monoculture farming through antagonist suppression. Among candidate bacteria-derived compounds serving this function are non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), which are a highly bioactive class of specialized metabolites, frequently produced by symbionts within eukaryotic hosts. However, our understanding of specialized metabolites in termite-associated microbiomes is limited. Here we use amplicon sequencing to characterize both bacterial composition and NRP potential. We show that bacterial and NRP diversity are correlated and that the former varies more than the latter across termite host and gut and comb samples. Compositions of the two are governed by host species and sample type, with topological similarity indicating a diverse set of biosynthetic potential that is consistent with the long evolutionary history of the Macrotermitinae. The structure of both bacterial and NRP compositional networks varied similarly between guts and combs across the Macrotermitinae albeit with auxiliary termite genus-specific patterns. We observed minimal termite species-specific cores, with essentially no Macrotermitinae-wide core and an abundance of putatively novel biosynthetic gene clusters, suggesting that there is likely no single solution to antagonist suppression via specialized NRP metabolites. Our findings contribute to an improved understanding of the distribution of NRP potential in the farming termite symbiosis and will help guide targeted exploration of specialized metabolite production.
Additional Links: PMID-39902384
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@article {pmid39902384,
year = {2024},
author = {Murphy, R and Strube, ML and Schmidt, S and Silué, KS and Koné, NA and Rosendahl, S and Poulsen, M},
title = {Non-ribosomal peptide synthase profiles remain structurally similar despite minimally shared features across fungus-farming termite microbiomes.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae094},
pmid = {39902384},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Fungus-farming termites (Macrotermitinae) engage in an obligate mutualism with members of the fungal genus Termitomyces, which they maintain as a monoculture on specialized comb structures. Both these comb structures and the guts of the termites host diverse bacterial communities that are believed to assist in sustaining monoculture farming through antagonist suppression. Among candidate bacteria-derived compounds serving this function are non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), which are a highly bioactive class of specialized metabolites, frequently produced by symbionts within eukaryotic hosts. However, our understanding of specialized metabolites in termite-associated microbiomes is limited. Here we use amplicon sequencing to characterize both bacterial composition and NRP potential. We show that bacterial and NRP diversity are correlated and that the former varies more than the latter across termite host and gut and comb samples. Compositions of the two are governed by host species and sample type, with topological similarity indicating a diverse set of biosynthetic potential that is consistent with the long evolutionary history of the Macrotermitinae. The structure of both bacterial and NRP compositional networks varied similarly between guts and combs across the Macrotermitinae albeit with auxiliary termite genus-specific patterns. We observed minimal termite species-specific cores, with essentially no Macrotermitinae-wide core and an abundance of putatively novel biosynthetic gene clusters, suggesting that there is likely no single solution to antagonist suppression via specialized NRP metabolites. Our findings contribute to an improved understanding of the distribution of NRP potential in the farming termite symbiosis and will help guide targeted exploration of specialized metabolite production.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Effects of stocking densities on growth, organ index, serum biochemistry, gut morphology and microbiota of young ducks in a rice-duck-crayfish coculture system.
Animal bioscience pii:ab.24.0488 [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE: The rice-duck-crayfish (RDC) coculture system, an ecologically efficient breeding method, supports ducks' natural habits and enhances duck welfare. However, the optimal stocking density and its influence on duck health in this system remains undetermined. The study examined the effects of stocking densities on growth, organ index, serum biochemistry, gut morphology and microbiota of ducks in RDC system.
METHODS: A total of five hundred and forty 20-day-old Nonghu No. 2 ducks were randomly divided into low-density (8 birds/666.67 m2, LD), medium-density (12 birds/666.67 m2, MD) and high-density (16 birds/666.67 m2, HD) groups, with three replicates in each group, and the symbiosis period was up to 40 days until rice tasselling.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in final body weight, average daily gain, or feed:gain ratio between groups (p>0.05); the liver and spleen indices of ducks in HD group were significantly greater than in LD group (p<0.05); the serum albumin concentration in HD group decreased, whereas creatine kinase activity increased (p<0.05); the ileal crypt depth significantly increased; and the ileal villus height and villus/crypt ratio significantly decreased in ducks in MD and HD groups than in LD group (p<0.05). Additionally, the abundance of cecal Deferribacterota and Spirochaetota increased significantly (p<0.05), while the abundance of Firmicutes decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing stocking density. Moreover, the increase in stocking density significantly decreased the abundance of some beneficial bacteria (Faecalibacterium and Fournierella) and increased the abundance of some harmful bacteria (Mucispirillum and Brachyspira) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that moderately high-density breeding doesn't significantly affect duck growth, but increased stocking density led to changes in cecal microbiota and dysbiosis. Reducing stocking density positively affects immune parameters and ileum morphology.However, due to the limited number of total replicates of the study, further research is needed to validate the reliability of the results.
Additional Links: PMID-39901714
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39901714,
year = {2025},
author = {He, XL and Liang, ZH and Huang, ZH and Wu, Y and Liu, J and Huang, T and Liu, JB and Pi, JS and Zhang, H},
title = {Effects of stocking densities on growth, organ index, serum biochemistry, gut morphology and microbiota of young ducks in a rice-duck-crayfish coculture system.},
journal = {Animal bioscience},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.5713/ab.24.0488},
pmid = {39901714},
issn = {2765-0189},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The rice-duck-crayfish (RDC) coculture system, an ecologically efficient breeding method, supports ducks' natural habits and enhances duck welfare. However, the optimal stocking density and its influence on duck health in this system remains undetermined. The study examined the effects of stocking densities on growth, organ index, serum biochemistry, gut morphology and microbiota of ducks in RDC system.
METHODS: A total of five hundred and forty 20-day-old Nonghu No. 2 ducks were randomly divided into low-density (8 birds/666.67 m2, LD), medium-density (12 birds/666.67 m2, MD) and high-density (16 birds/666.67 m2, HD) groups, with three replicates in each group, and the symbiosis period was up to 40 days until rice tasselling.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in final body weight, average daily gain, or feed:gain ratio between groups (p>0.05); the liver and spleen indices of ducks in HD group were significantly greater than in LD group (p<0.05); the serum albumin concentration in HD group decreased, whereas creatine kinase activity increased (p<0.05); the ileal crypt depth significantly increased; and the ileal villus height and villus/crypt ratio significantly decreased in ducks in MD and HD groups than in LD group (p<0.05). Additionally, the abundance of cecal Deferribacterota and Spirochaetota increased significantly (p<0.05), while the abundance of Firmicutes decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing stocking density. Moreover, the increase in stocking density significantly decreased the abundance of some beneficial bacteria (Faecalibacterium and Fournierella) and increased the abundance of some harmful bacteria (Mucispirillum and Brachyspira) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that moderately high-density breeding doesn't significantly affect duck growth, but increased stocking density led to changes in cecal microbiota and dysbiosis. Reducing stocking density positively affects immune parameters and ileum morphology.However, due to the limited number of total replicates of the study, further research is needed to validate the reliability of the results.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Borrow Strength to Exert: Low-Crystallinity Prussian Blue for Reduction Overload Enhanced Photothermal Therapy.
Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].
The strategy "Borrow strength to exert" in Sun Tzu's Art of War refers to borrowing external forces to withstand the enemy. Inspired by this, applying this thought to cancer treatment can achieve a more efficient therapeutic effect. Therefore, a fulcrum to borrow the force is vital and significant. Compared with normal cells, tumor cells are more sensitive to redox stress owing to their abnormal redox metabolism. Herein, a regulatory protocol based on chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) is proposed to prepare small-size and low-crystallinity Prussian blue nanoparticles (LcPB NPs). Notably, LcPB NPs possess higher superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like enzyme activity to induce reduction overload and destroy metabolic processes and organelle functions, which leverages the redox status defect in tumors as the fulcrum. Due to the down-regulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) mediated by redox imbalance, the inherent photothermal therapy (PTT) mode of LcPB NPs effectively inhibits tumor growth and disrupts calcium homeostasis. Additionally, LcPB NPs can improve the anticancer effect by inhibiting symbiotic bacteria. Meanwhile, their magnetic and optical response performance empowers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) for tumor diagnosis. Therefore, this work executing the strategy "Borrowing strength to exert" by disturbing the redox balance represents a new antineoplastic paradigm.
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@article {pmid39901445,
year = {2025},
author = {Yao, Y and Yao, J and Xiong, S and Sun, Y and Lai, L and He, C and Jiang, S and Elsayad, K and Peng, H and Wu, A and Yang, F},
title = {Borrow Strength to Exert: Low-Crystallinity Prussian Blue for Reduction Overload Enhanced Photothermal Therapy.},
journal = {Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2406145},
doi = {10.1002/smll.202406145},
pmid = {39901445},
issn = {1613-6829},
support = {32025021//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31971292//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //Youth Innovation Promotion Association/ ; 2022301//Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 2018-05-G//Ningbo 3315 Innovative Talent Project/ ; Z25C100007//Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang province/ ; 2024H006//International Cooperation Project of Ningbo City/ ; },
abstract = {The strategy "Borrow strength to exert" in Sun Tzu's Art of War refers to borrowing external forces to withstand the enemy. Inspired by this, applying this thought to cancer treatment can achieve a more efficient therapeutic effect. Therefore, a fulcrum to borrow the force is vital and significant. Compared with normal cells, tumor cells are more sensitive to redox stress owing to their abnormal redox metabolism. Herein, a regulatory protocol based on chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) is proposed to prepare small-size and low-crystallinity Prussian blue nanoparticles (LcPB NPs). Notably, LcPB NPs possess higher superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like enzyme activity to induce reduction overload and destroy metabolic processes and organelle functions, which leverages the redox status defect in tumors as the fulcrum. Due to the down-regulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) mediated by redox imbalance, the inherent photothermal therapy (PTT) mode of LcPB NPs effectively inhibits tumor growth and disrupts calcium homeostasis. Additionally, LcPB NPs can improve the anticancer effect by inhibiting symbiotic bacteria. Meanwhile, their magnetic and optical response performance empowers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) for tumor diagnosis. Therefore, this work executing the strategy "Borrowing strength to exert" by disturbing the redox balance represents a new antineoplastic paradigm.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-03
The BRUTUS iron sensor and E3 ligase facilitates soybean root nodulation by monoubiquitination of NSP1.
Nature plants [Epub ahead of print].
Legumes form root nodules with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria, which require ample iron to ensure symbiosis establishment and efficient nitrogen fixation. The functions and mechanisms of iron in nitrogen-fixing nodules are well established. However, the role of iron and the mechanisms by which legumes sense iron and incorporate this cue into nodulation signalling pathways remain unclear. Here we show that iron is a key driver of nodulation because symbiotic nodules cannot form without iron, even under conditions of sufficient light and low nitrogen. We further identify an iron optimum for soybean nodulation and the iron sensor BRUTUS A (BTSa) which acts as a hub for integrating iron and nodulation cues. BTSa is induced by rhizobia, binds to and is stabilized by iron. In turn, BTSa stabilizes and enhances the transcriptional activation activity of pro-nodulation transcription factor NSP1a by monoubiquitination from its RING domain and consequently activates nodulation signalling. Monoubiquitination of NSP1 by BTS is conserved in legumes to trigger nodulation under iron sufficiency. Thus, iron status is an essential cue to trigger nodulation and BTSa integrates cues from rhizobial infection and iron status to orchestrate host responses towards establishing symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Additional Links: PMID-39900829
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@article {pmid39900829,
year = {2025},
author = {Ren, Z and Zhang, L and Li, H and Yang, M and Wu, X and Hu, R and Lu, J and Wang, H and Wu, X and Wang, Z and Li, X},
title = {The BRUTUS iron sensor and E3 ligase facilitates soybean root nodulation by monoubiquitination of NSP1.},
journal = {Nature plants},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39900829},
issn = {2055-0278},
support = {32330078//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 3247150855//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; },
abstract = {Legumes form root nodules with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria, which require ample iron to ensure symbiosis establishment and efficient nitrogen fixation. The functions and mechanisms of iron in nitrogen-fixing nodules are well established. However, the role of iron and the mechanisms by which legumes sense iron and incorporate this cue into nodulation signalling pathways remain unclear. Here we show that iron is a key driver of nodulation because symbiotic nodules cannot form without iron, even under conditions of sufficient light and low nitrogen. We further identify an iron optimum for soybean nodulation and the iron sensor BRUTUS A (BTSa) which acts as a hub for integrating iron and nodulation cues. BTSa is induced by rhizobia, binds to and is stabilized by iron. In turn, BTSa stabilizes and enhances the transcriptional activation activity of pro-nodulation transcription factor NSP1a by monoubiquitination from its RING domain and consequently activates nodulation signalling. Monoubiquitination of NSP1 by BTS is conserved in legumes to trigger nodulation under iron sufficiency. Thus, iron status is an essential cue to trigger nodulation and BTSa integrates cues from rhizobial infection and iron status to orchestrate host responses towards establishing symbiotic nitrogen fixation.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-03
Potent SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitor (+)-eupenoxide-3,6-diketone (IC50: 0.048 μM) was synthesized based on (+)-eupenoxide; lead from (+)-eupenoxide analogs study by endophytic fermentation.
Journal of natural medicines [Epub ahead of print].
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, research has been conducted on treatment and countermeasures against the causative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the development of new seeds is urgently needed because viruses have the characteristic of becoming resistant through mutation. We hypothesize that endophytes produce antiviral substances to combat foreign viruses in host plants. According to this hypothesis, the seeds of therapeutic agents for infectious diseases could be obtained from endophytes by culture experiments. This report found that Aspergillus sp. endophyte isolated from Catharanthus roseus produced (+)-eupenoxide and its 3-ketone form with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. In addition, (+)-eupenoxide-3,6-diketon was discovered as a new compound with potent 3C-like protease inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.048 μM) by synthesis based on (+)-eupenoxide. This finding could be an important evidence that endophytic fungi symbiosis with medicinal plants is useful as antiviral producers.
Additional Links: PMID-39899217
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@article {pmid39899217,
year = {2025},
author = {Maehara, S and Kumamoto, M and Nakajima, S and Hieda, Y and Watashi, K and Hata, T},
title = {Potent SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitor (+)-eupenoxide-3,6-diketone (IC50: 0.048 μM) was synthesized based on (+)-eupenoxide; lead from (+)-eupenoxide analogs study by endophytic fermentation.},
journal = {Journal of natural medicines},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39899217},
issn = {1861-0293},
support = {JPMJSC15H1//Japan Science and Technology Corporation/ ; JPMJSC15H1//Japan Science and Technology Corporation/ ; JPMJMI22G1//JST-Mirai Program/ ; 23K06189//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 24K02290//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP23fk0108590//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; },
abstract = {Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, research has been conducted on treatment and countermeasures against the causative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the development of new seeds is urgently needed because viruses have the characteristic of becoming resistant through mutation. We hypothesize that endophytes produce antiviral substances to combat foreign viruses in host plants. According to this hypothesis, the seeds of therapeutic agents for infectious diseases could be obtained from endophytes by culture experiments. This report found that Aspergillus sp. endophyte isolated from Catharanthus roseus produced (+)-eupenoxide and its 3-ketone form with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. In addition, (+)-eupenoxide-3,6-diketon was discovered as a new compound with potent 3C-like protease inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.048 μM) by synthesis based on (+)-eupenoxide. This finding could be an important evidence that endophytic fungi symbiosis with medicinal plants is useful as antiviral producers.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and salinity stress mitigation in plants.
Frontiers in plant science, 15:1504970.
In recent decades, climate change has caused a decrease in rainfall, increasing sea levels, temperatures rising, and as a result, an expansion in salt marshes across the globe. An increase in water and soil salinity has led to a decline in the cultivated areas in different areas, and consequently, a substantial decrease in crop production. Therefore, it has forced scientists to find cheap, effective and environmentally friendly methods to minimize salinity's impact on crops. One of the best strategies is to use beneficial soil microbes, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, in order to increase plant tolerance to salt. The findings of this review showed that salinity can severely impact the morphological, physiological, and biochemical structures of plants, lowering their productivity. Although plants have natural capabilities to deal with salinity, these capacities are limited depending on plant type, and variety, as well as salinity levels, and other environmental factors. Furthermore, result of the present review indicates that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have a significant effect on increasing plant resistance in saline soils by improving the soil structure, as well as stimulating various plant factors including photosynthesis, antioxidant defense system, secondary metabolites, absorption of water and nutrients.
Additional Links: PMID-39898265
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@article {pmid39898265,
year = {2024},
author = {Boorboori, MR and Lackóová, L},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and salinity stress mitigation in plants.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1504970},
pmid = {39898265},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {In recent decades, climate change has caused a decrease in rainfall, increasing sea levels, temperatures rising, and as a result, an expansion in salt marshes across the globe. An increase in water and soil salinity has led to a decline in the cultivated areas in different areas, and consequently, a substantial decrease in crop production. Therefore, it has forced scientists to find cheap, effective and environmentally friendly methods to minimize salinity's impact on crops. One of the best strategies is to use beneficial soil microbes, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, in order to increase plant tolerance to salt. The findings of this review showed that salinity can severely impact the morphological, physiological, and biochemical structures of plants, lowering their productivity. Although plants have natural capabilities to deal with salinity, these capacities are limited depending on plant type, and variety, as well as salinity levels, and other environmental factors. Furthermore, result of the present review indicates that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have a significant effect on increasing plant resistance in saline soils by improving the soil structure, as well as stimulating various plant factors including photosynthesis, antioxidant defense system, secondary metabolites, absorption of water and nutrients.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
CmpDate: 2025-02-03
Freshwater sponges in the southeastern U.S. harbor unique microbiomes that are influenced by host and environmental factors.
PeerJ, 13:e18807.
Marine, and more recently, freshwater sponges are known to harbor unique microbial symbiotic communities relative to the surrounding water; however, our understanding of the microbial ecology and diversity of freshwater sponges is vastly limited compared to those of marine sponges. Here we analyzed the microbiomes of three freshwater sponge species: Radiospongilla crateriformis, Eunapius fragilis, and Trochospongilla horrida, across four sites in western North Carolina, U.S.A. Our results support recent work indicating that freshwater sponges indeed harbor a distinct microbiome composition compared to the surrounding water and that these varied across sampling site indicating both environmental and host factors in shaping this distinct community. We also sampled sponges at one site over 3 months and observed that divergence in the microbial community between sponge and water occurs at least several weeks after sponges emerge for the growing season and that sponges maintain a distinct community from the water as the sponge tissue degrades. Bacterial taxa within the Gammproteobacteria, Alphproteobacteria, Bacteroidota (Flavobacteriia in particular), and Verrucomicrobia, were notable as enriched in the sponge relative to the surrounding water across sponge individuals with diverging microbial communities from the water. These results add novel information on the assembly and maintenance of microbial communities in an ancient metazoan host and is one of few published studies on freshwater sponge microbial symbiont communities.
Additional Links: PMID-39897492
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@article {pmid39897492,
year = {2025},
author = {Keleher, JG and Strope, TA and Estrada, NE and Griggs Mathis, AM and Easson, CG and Fiore, C},
title = {Freshwater sponges in the southeastern U.S. harbor unique microbiomes that are influenced by host and environmental factors.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {e18807},
pmid = {39897492},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {*Porifera/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Animals ; *Fresh Water/microbiology ; North Carolina ; *Symbiosis ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {Marine, and more recently, freshwater sponges are known to harbor unique microbial symbiotic communities relative to the surrounding water; however, our understanding of the microbial ecology and diversity of freshwater sponges is vastly limited compared to those of marine sponges. Here we analyzed the microbiomes of three freshwater sponge species: Radiospongilla crateriformis, Eunapius fragilis, and Trochospongilla horrida, across four sites in western North Carolina, U.S.A. Our results support recent work indicating that freshwater sponges indeed harbor a distinct microbiome composition compared to the surrounding water and that these varied across sampling site indicating both environmental and host factors in shaping this distinct community. We also sampled sponges at one site over 3 months and observed that divergence in the microbial community between sponge and water occurs at least several weeks after sponges emerge for the growing season and that sponges maintain a distinct community from the water as the sponge tissue degrades. Bacterial taxa within the Gammproteobacteria, Alphproteobacteria, Bacteroidota (Flavobacteriia in particular), and Verrucomicrobia, were notable as enriched in the sponge relative to the surrounding water across sponge individuals with diverging microbial communities from the water. These results add novel information on the assembly and maintenance of microbial communities in an ancient metazoan host and is one of few published studies on freshwater sponge microbial symbiont communities.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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*Porifera/microbiology
*Microbiota
Animals
*Fresh Water/microbiology
North Carolina
*Symbiosis
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Eight Fungal Species Associated with Ambrosia Beetles in Korea.
Mycobiology, 53(1):1-17.
Ambrosia fungi are well-known for their symbiotic interactions with ambrosia beetles, acting as a sole food source of larvae and adult beetles. As a first step to reveal these interactions, extensive survey on the fungal symbionts of ambrosia beetles dwelling in Korea. Eight fungal species isolated from 15 ambrosia beetle species were not known for their presence in Korea. Seven of these belonged to two orders of Ascomycota; Microascales (Ambrosiella beaveri, A. catenulate, and A. roeperi) and Ophiostomatales (Leptographium verrucosum, Raffaelea cyclorhipidii, R. subfusca, and Sporothrix eucastaneae) and one to Polyporales of Basidiomycota (Irpex subulatus). This is the first report of these species in Korea with taxonomic descriptions.
Additional Links: PMID-39895926
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@article {pmid39895926,
year = {2025},
author = {Jeon, MJ and Park, S and Jeong, JC and Lim, J and Han, Y and Chi, WJ and Kim, S},
title = {Eight Fungal Species Associated with Ambrosia Beetles in Korea.},
journal = {Mycobiology},
volume = {53},
number = {1},
pages = {1-17},
pmid = {39895926},
issn = {1229-8093},
abstract = {Ambrosia fungi are well-known for their symbiotic interactions with ambrosia beetles, acting as a sole food source of larvae and adult beetles. As a first step to reveal these interactions, extensive survey on the fungal symbionts of ambrosia beetles dwelling in Korea. Eight fungal species isolated from 15 ambrosia beetle species were not known for their presence in Korea. Seven of these belonged to two orders of Ascomycota; Microascales (Ambrosiella beaveri, A. catenulate, and A. roeperi) and Ophiostomatales (Leptographium verrucosum, Raffaelea cyclorhipidii, R. subfusca, and Sporothrix eucastaneae) and one to Polyporales of Basidiomycota (Irpex subulatus). This is the first report of these species in Korea with taxonomic descriptions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-02
Understanding arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi's contribution to hexabromocyclododecane metabolism: Pathways and ecological implications in contaminated environments.
Journal of hazardous materials, 488:137396 pii:S0304-3894(25)00308-5 [Epub ahead of print].
This study investigates the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the metabolism of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and its ecological effects in contaminated environments. We focused on the symbiotic relationships between Iris pseudacorus L. and AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis) under HBCD exposure. Our results show that HBCD induces oxidative damage, which hinders plant growth. However, AMF significantly enhance the plant's antioxidant defenses, reducing oxidative damage and supporting better growth of I. pseudacorus. HBCD biodegradation patterns showed β- > γ- > α-HBCD, with AMF playing a key role in stabilizing rhizosphere microbial communities, particularly promoting Proteobacteria and potential bacterial degraders like Aeromonas and Trichococcus, which contributed to HBCD removal. Additionally, AMF appear to upregulate genes such as cypD_E, GST, dehH, dehA, dehM, Em3.8.1.2, and ligB, which are involved in debromination and hydroxylation reactions. This research highlights AMF's potential to enhance the phytoremediation of HBCD, providing valuable insights for environmental remediation strategies.
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Citation:
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@article {pmid39893978,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, B and Hu, S and You, L and Chen, Z},
title = {Understanding arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi's contribution to hexabromocyclododecane metabolism: Pathways and ecological implications in contaminated environments.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {488},
number = {},
pages = {137396},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137396},
pmid = {39893978},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {This study investigates the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the metabolism of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and its ecological effects in contaminated environments. We focused on the symbiotic relationships between Iris pseudacorus L. and AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis) under HBCD exposure. Our results show that HBCD induces oxidative damage, which hinders plant growth. However, AMF significantly enhance the plant's antioxidant defenses, reducing oxidative damage and supporting better growth of I. pseudacorus. HBCD biodegradation patterns showed β- > γ- > α-HBCD, with AMF playing a key role in stabilizing rhizosphere microbial communities, particularly promoting Proteobacteria and potential bacterial degraders like Aeromonas and Trichococcus, which contributed to HBCD removal. Additionally, AMF appear to upregulate genes such as cypD_E, GST, dehH, dehA, dehM, Em3.8.1.2, and ligB, which are involved in debromination and hydroxylation reactions. This research highlights AMF's potential to enhance the phytoremediation of HBCD, providing valuable insights for environmental remediation strategies.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-02
Herbicide prometryn aggravates the detrimental effects of heat stress on the potential for mutualism of Symbiodiniaceae.
Journal of hazardous materials, 488:137389 pii:S0304-3894(25)00301-2 [Epub ahead of print].
Ocean warming threatens the health of corals globally, and superimposed coastal environmental pollution can result in severe and irreversible coral bleaching. However, the responses of the coral symbiont Symbiodiniaceae to multiple stresses remain largely unknown. This study investigated the response of the coral symbiotic algae Cladocopium sp. to short-term exposure (4 days) to an environmentally relevant concentration (1 μg L[-1]) of the photosystem II (PSII) herbicide prometryn under heat stress (32 ℃) through physiological and omic analyses. These results showed that co-stress affected the photosynthetic efficiency of Cladocopium sp. negatively. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative stress under co-stress activated distinct regulatory pathways in Cladocopium sp. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that prometryn exacerbated heat stress-induced photosystem damage and reduced the regulatory capacity of Cladocopium sp. Moreover, co-stress disrupted energy metabolism, and further impaired nitrogen assimilation and nutrient transfer processes, potentially compromising the symbiotic potential between corals and Symbiodiniaceae. In summary, this study offers a valuable insight into understanding the molecular responses of Symbiodiniaceae to thermal and prometryn co-stress. It helps uncover the potential toxicity mechanisms induced by herbicide on coral symbionts in the context of climate change.
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@article {pmid39893977,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhou, Y and Liu, F and Yuan, M and Liu, X and Li, Q and Zhao, H},
title = {Herbicide prometryn aggravates the detrimental effects of heat stress on the potential for mutualism of Symbiodiniaceae.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {488},
number = {},
pages = {137389},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137389},
pmid = {39893977},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Ocean warming threatens the health of corals globally, and superimposed coastal environmental pollution can result in severe and irreversible coral bleaching. However, the responses of the coral symbiont Symbiodiniaceae to multiple stresses remain largely unknown. This study investigated the response of the coral symbiotic algae Cladocopium sp. to short-term exposure (4 days) to an environmentally relevant concentration (1 μg L[-1]) of the photosystem II (PSII) herbicide prometryn under heat stress (32 ℃) through physiological and omic analyses. These results showed that co-stress affected the photosynthetic efficiency of Cladocopium sp. negatively. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative stress under co-stress activated distinct regulatory pathways in Cladocopium sp. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that prometryn exacerbated heat stress-induced photosystem damage and reduced the regulatory capacity of Cladocopium sp. Moreover, co-stress disrupted energy metabolism, and further impaired nitrogen assimilation and nutrient transfer processes, potentially compromising the symbiotic potential between corals and Symbiodiniaceae. In summary, this study offers a valuable insight into understanding the molecular responses of Symbiodiniaceae to thermal and prometryn co-stress. It helps uncover the potential toxicity mechanisms induced by herbicide on coral symbionts in the context of climate change.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-02
Microbial-mediated carbon metabolism in the subtropical marine mangroves affected by shrimp pond discharge.
Marine environmental research, 205:106980 pii:S0141-1136(25)00037-6 [Epub ahead of print].
Mangrove ecosystems exhibit high efficiency in carbon (C) sequestering within the global ecosystem. However, the rapid expansion of the shrimp farming industry poses a significant threat to these delicate ecosystems. The microbial mechanisms driving C metabolism in shrimp-affected sediments remain poorly understood. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of C metabolism-related microbial communities in shrimp pond and natural mangrove sediments in a subtropical region. Shrimp pond discharge altered soil properties, microbial diversity, and microbial stability, driven by factors such as salinity, sulfide, and total organic C (TOC). Metagenomic analyses reveals shifts in C degradation and oxidation, with a reduction in genes for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation. Microbial markers like Prolixibacteraceae and Nitrosopumilaceae reflect these changes. Co-occurrence network analysis indicates higher connectivity within shrimp pond groups, suggesting nutrient-driven changes in symbiotic relationships. PLS-PM analysis further confirms the interplay between microbial composition, nutrient levels, and C metabolism, with higher 16S rRNA operon copy numbers linked to increased C fixation. These findings demonstrate how shrimp pond discharge alters microbial networks and C metabolism, with implications for ecosystem resilience.
Additional Links: PMID-39893934
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@article {pmid39893934,
year = {2025},
author = {Zeng, S and Mo, S and Wu, X and Meng, C and Peng, P and Kashif, M and Li, J and He, S and Jiang, C},
title = {Microbial-mediated carbon metabolism in the subtropical marine mangroves affected by shrimp pond discharge.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {205},
number = {},
pages = {106980},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.106980},
pmid = {39893934},
issn = {1879-0291},
abstract = {Mangrove ecosystems exhibit high efficiency in carbon (C) sequestering within the global ecosystem. However, the rapid expansion of the shrimp farming industry poses a significant threat to these delicate ecosystems. The microbial mechanisms driving C metabolism in shrimp-affected sediments remain poorly understood. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of C metabolism-related microbial communities in shrimp pond and natural mangrove sediments in a subtropical region. Shrimp pond discharge altered soil properties, microbial diversity, and microbial stability, driven by factors such as salinity, sulfide, and total organic C (TOC). Metagenomic analyses reveals shifts in C degradation and oxidation, with a reduction in genes for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation. Microbial markers like Prolixibacteraceae and Nitrosopumilaceae reflect these changes. Co-occurrence network analysis indicates higher connectivity within shrimp pond groups, suggesting nutrient-driven changes in symbiotic relationships. PLS-PM analysis further confirms the interplay between microbial composition, nutrient levels, and C metabolism, with higher 16S rRNA operon copy numbers linked to increased C fixation. These findings demonstrate how shrimp pond discharge alters microbial networks and C metabolism, with implications for ecosystem resilience.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-01
Backbone and side‑chain [1]H, [13]C and [15]N resonance assignments and secondary structure determination of the rhizobial FixJ.
Biomolecular NMR assignments [Epub ahead of print].
The symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum (B.japonicum) enables high soybean yields with little or no nitrogen fertiliser. A two component regulatory system comprising FixL, a histidine kinase with O2-sensing activity, and FixJ, a response regulator, controls the expression of genes involved in nitrogen fixation, such as fixK and nifA. Only under anaerobic conditions, the monophosphate group is transferred from FixL to the N-terminal receiver domain of FixJ (FixJN), which eventually promote the association of the C-terminal effector domain (FixJC) to the promoter regions of the nitrogen-fixation-related genes. Structural biological analyses carried out so far for rhizobial FixJ molecules have proposed a solution structure for FixJ that differs from the crystal structures, in which the two domains are extended. To understand the FixJ activation caused by phosphorylation of the N-terminal domain, which presumably regulates through the interactions between FixJN and FixJC, here we have performed backbone and sidechain resonance assignments of the unphosphorylated state of B. japonicum FixJ.
Additional Links: PMID-39891802
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@article {pmid39891802,
year = {2025},
author = {Horikawa, A and Okubo, R and Hishikura, N and Watanabe, R and Kurashima-Ito, K and Sayeesh, PM and Inomata, K and Mishima, M and Koteishi, H and Sawai, H and Shiro, Y and Ikeya, T and Ito, Y},
title = {Backbone and side‑chain [1]H, [13]C and [15]N resonance assignments and secondary structure determination of the rhizobial FixJ.},
journal = {Biomolecular NMR assignments},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39891802},
issn = {1874-270X},
abstract = {The symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum (B.japonicum) enables high soybean yields with little or no nitrogen fertiliser. A two component regulatory system comprising FixL, a histidine kinase with O2-sensing activity, and FixJ, a response regulator, controls the expression of genes involved in nitrogen fixation, such as fixK and nifA. Only under anaerobic conditions, the monophosphate group is transferred from FixL to the N-terminal receiver domain of FixJ (FixJN), which eventually promote the association of the C-terminal effector domain (FixJC) to the promoter regions of the nitrogen-fixation-related genes. Structural biological analyses carried out so far for rhizobial FixJ molecules have proposed a solution structure for FixJ that differs from the crystal structures, in which the two domains are extended. To understand the FixJ activation caused by phosphorylation of the N-terminal domain, which presumably regulates through the interactions between FixJN and FixJC, here we have performed backbone and sidechain resonance assignments of the unphosphorylated state of B. japonicum FixJ.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
Commercial bioinoculants improve colonization but do not alter the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community of greenhouse-grown grapevine roots.
Environmental microbiome, 20(1):15.
BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial root symbionts contributing to improved plant growth and development and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Commercial bioinoculants containing AMF are widely considered as an alternative to agrochemicals in vineyards. However, their effects on grapevine plants grown in soil containing native communities of AMF are still poorly understood. In a greenhouse experiment, we evaluated the influence of five different bioinoculants on the composition of native AMF communities of young Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown in a non-sterile soil. Root colonization, leaf nitrogen concentration, plant biomass and root morphology were assessed, and AMF communities of inoculated and non-inoculated grapevine roots were profiled using high-throughput sequencing.
RESULTS: Contrary to our predictions, no differences in the microbiome of plants exposed to native AMF communities versus commercial AMF bioinoculants + native AMF communities were detected in roots. However, inoculation induced positive changes in root traits as well as increased AMF colonization, plant biomass, and leaf nitrogen. Most of these desirable functional traits were positively correlated with the relative abundance of operational taxonomic units identified as Glomus, Rhizophagus and Claroideoglomus genera.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest synergistic interactions between commercial AMF bioinoculants and native AMF communities of roots to promote grapevine growth. Long-term studies with further genomics, metabolomics and physiological research are needed to provide a deeper understanding of the symbiotic interaction among grapevine roots, bioinoculants and natural AMF communities and their role to promote plant adaptation to current environmental concerns.
Additional Links: PMID-39891198
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@article {pmid39891198,
year = {2025},
author = {Berdeja, MP and Reynolds, NK and Pawlowska, T and Heuvel, JEV},
title = {Commercial bioinoculants improve colonization but do not alter the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community of greenhouse-grown grapevine roots.},
journal = {Environmental microbiome},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {39891198},
issn = {2524-6372},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial root symbionts contributing to improved plant growth and development and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Commercial bioinoculants containing AMF are widely considered as an alternative to agrochemicals in vineyards. However, their effects on grapevine plants grown in soil containing native communities of AMF are still poorly understood. In a greenhouse experiment, we evaluated the influence of five different bioinoculants on the composition of native AMF communities of young Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown in a non-sterile soil. Root colonization, leaf nitrogen concentration, plant biomass and root morphology were assessed, and AMF communities of inoculated and non-inoculated grapevine roots were profiled using high-throughput sequencing.
RESULTS: Contrary to our predictions, no differences in the microbiome of plants exposed to native AMF communities versus commercial AMF bioinoculants + native AMF communities were detected in roots. However, inoculation induced positive changes in root traits as well as increased AMF colonization, plant biomass, and leaf nitrogen. Most of these desirable functional traits were positively correlated with the relative abundance of operational taxonomic units identified as Glomus, Rhizophagus and Claroideoglomus genera.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest synergistic interactions between commercial AMF bioinoculants and native AMF communities of roots to promote grapevine growth. Long-term studies with further genomics, metabolomics and physiological research are needed to provide a deeper understanding of the symbiotic interaction among grapevine roots, bioinoculants and natural AMF communities and their role to promote plant adaptation to current environmental concerns.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-04
CmpDate: 2025-02-01
Destabilization of mutualistic interactions shapes the early heat stress response of the coral holobiont.
Microbiome, 13(1):31.
BACKGROUND: The stability of the symbiotic relationship between coral and their dinoflagellate algae (Symbiodiniaceae) is disrupted by ocean warming. Although the coral thermal response depends on the complex interactions between host, Symbiodiniaceae and prokaryotes, the mechanisms underlying the initial destabilization of these symbioses are poorly understood.
RESULTS: In a 2-month manipulative experiment, we exposed the coral Porites lutea to gradually increasing temperatures corresponding to 0-8 degree heating weeks (DHW) and assessed the response of the coral holobiont using coral and Symbiodiniaceae transcriptomics, microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and physiological measurements. From early stages of heat stress (< 1 DHW), the increase in metabolic turnover shifted the holobiont to a net heterotrophic state in which algal-derived nutrients were insufficient to meet host energy demands, resulting in reduced holobiont performance at 1 DHW. We postulate the altered nutrient cycling also affected the coral-associated microbial community, with the relative abundance of Endozoicomonas bacteria declining under increasing heat stress. Integration of holobiont stress responses correlated this decline to an increase in expression of a host ADP-ribosylation factor, suggesting that Symbiodiniaceae and Endozoicomonas may underlie similar endosymbiotic regulatory processes.
CONCLUSIONS: The thermotolerance of coral holobionts therefore is influenced by the nutritional status of its members and their interactions, and this identified metabolic interdependency highlights the importance of applying an integrative approach to guide coral reef conservation efforts. Video Abstract.
Additional Links: PMID-39891167
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@article {pmid39891167,
year = {2025},
author = {Marangon, E and Rädecker, N and Li, JYQ and Terzin, M and Buerger, P and Webster, NS and Bourne, DG and Laffy, PW},
title = {Destabilization of mutualistic interactions shapes the early heat stress response of the coral holobiont.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {31},
pmid = {39891167},
issn = {2049-2618},
mesh = {*Anthozoa/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Heat-Shock Response/physiology ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; Microbiota/physiology ; Hot Temperature ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The stability of the symbiotic relationship between coral and their dinoflagellate algae (Symbiodiniaceae) is disrupted by ocean warming. Although the coral thermal response depends on the complex interactions between host, Symbiodiniaceae and prokaryotes, the mechanisms underlying the initial destabilization of these symbioses are poorly understood.
RESULTS: In a 2-month manipulative experiment, we exposed the coral Porites lutea to gradually increasing temperatures corresponding to 0-8 degree heating weeks (DHW) and assessed the response of the coral holobiont using coral and Symbiodiniaceae transcriptomics, microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and physiological measurements. From early stages of heat stress (< 1 DHW), the increase in metabolic turnover shifted the holobiont to a net heterotrophic state in which algal-derived nutrients were insufficient to meet host energy demands, resulting in reduced holobiont performance at 1 DHW. We postulate the altered nutrient cycling also affected the coral-associated microbial community, with the relative abundance of Endozoicomonas bacteria declining under increasing heat stress. Integration of holobiont stress responses correlated this decline to an increase in expression of a host ADP-ribosylation factor, suggesting that Symbiodiniaceae and Endozoicomonas may underlie similar endosymbiotic regulatory processes.
CONCLUSIONS: The thermotolerance of coral holobionts therefore is influenced by the nutritional status of its members and their interactions, and this identified metabolic interdependency highlights the importance of applying an integrative approach to guide coral reef conservation efforts. Video Abstract.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Anthozoa/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis
Animals
*Heat-Shock Response/physiology
*Dinoflagellida/physiology/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Coral Reefs
Microbiota/physiology
Hot Temperature
Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Licorice endophytes activate glycyrrhizin synthesis metabolic flux through feedback of β-glucuronidase conversion activity.
International journal of biological macromolecules pii:S0141-8130(25)01033-5 [Epub ahead of print].
Terpenoids are widely distributed in plants and are often used as defense molecules in plant-microbe interactions. However, endophytic microorganisms usually establish a better symbiotic relationship with their hosts by secreting enzymes to avoid defense plant metabolites. This study evaluated the in vitro biotransformation activity of licorice endophytic fungi on glycyrrhizin and further explored the molecular regulation of their in vivo colonization on the licorice growth and metabolism. The results indicated that licorice endophytic fungi generally possessed the ability to bio-transform glycyrrhizin, with Z6 and Z15 exhibiting glycyrrhizin-induced β-glucuronidase activity. The Z6GH2 and Z15GH2 proteins were identified to hydrolyze glycyrrhizin in different ways by prokaryotic and eukaryotic experiments. In vivo re-infestation of licorice by Z6 and Z15 revealed significant promotion of glycyrrhizin biosynthesis and accumulation by regulating the expression levels of genes involved in glycolysis and glycyrrhizin biosynthesis pathway in licorice. These findings were further validated in J3, which has glycyrrhizin biotransformation properties. In summary, this study reveals the molecular mechanism by which endophytic fungi with glycyrrhizin β-glucuronidase activity promote glycyrrhizin biosynthesis and accumulation in licorice through feedback regulation of its metabolic flux. These finding highlight the importance of endophytic fungi in regulating the accumulation of active ingredients in medicinal plants.
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@article {pmid39889985,
year = {2025},
author = {Zuo, X and Xu, Y and Jiang, GRD and Liu, C},
title = {Licorice endophytes activate glycyrrhizin synthesis metabolic flux through feedback of β-glucuronidase conversion activity.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {140484},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140484},
pmid = {39889985},
issn = {1879-0003},
abstract = {Terpenoids are widely distributed in plants and are often used as defense molecules in plant-microbe interactions. However, endophytic microorganisms usually establish a better symbiotic relationship with their hosts by secreting enzymes to avoid defense plant metabolites. This study evaluated the in vitro biotransformation activity of licorice endophytic fungi on glycyrrhizin and further explored the molecular regulation of their in vivo colonization on the licorice growth and metabolism. The results indicated that licorice endophytic fungi generally possessed the ability to bio-transform glycyrrhizin, with Z6 and Z15 exhibiting glycyrrhizin-induced β-glucuronidase activity. The Z6GH2 and Z15GH2 proteins were identified to hydrolyze glycyrrhizin in different ways by prokaryotic and eukaryotic experiments. In vivo re-infestation of licorice by Z6 and Z15 revealed significant promotion of glycyrrhizin biosynthesis and accumulation by regulating the expression levels of genes involved in glycolysis and glycyrrhizin biosynthesis pathway in licorice. These findings were further validated in J3, which has glycyrrhizin biotransformation properties. In summary, this study reveals the molecular mechanism by which endophytic fungi with glycyrrhizin β-glucuronidase activity promote glycyrrhizin biosynthesis and accumulation in licorice through feedback regulation of its metabolic flux. These finding highlight the importance of endophytic fungi in regulating the accumulation of active ingredients in medicinal plants.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-31
CmpDate: 2025-01-31
Bacteria-tumor symbiosis destructible novel nanocatalysis drug delivery systems for effective tumor therapy.
Nanomedicine (London, England), 20(3):305-318.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant threat to human health. The dynamic equilibrium between probiotics and pathogenic bacteria within the gut microbiota is crucial in mitigating the risk of CRC. An overgrowth of harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract can result in an excessive accumulation of bacterial toxins and carcinogenic metabolites, thereby disrupting the delicate balance of the microbiota. This disruption may lead to alterations in microbial composition, impairment of mucosal barrier function, potential promotion of abnormal cell proliferation, and ultimately contribute to the progression of CRC. Recently, research has indicated that intestinal presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) significantly influences the onset, progression, and metastasis of CRC. Consequently, disrupting the interaction between CRC cells and Fn presents a promising strategy against CRC. Nanomaterials have been extensively utilized in cancer therapy and bacterial infection control, demonstrating substantial potential in treating bacteria-associated tumors. This review begins by elucidating the mechanisms of gut microbiota and the occurrence and progression of CRC, with a particular emphasis on clarifying the intricate relationship between Fn and CRC. Subsequently, we highlight strategies that utilize nanomaterials to disrupt the association between Fn and CRC. Overall, this review offers valuable insight and guidance for leveraging nanomaterials in CRC therapy.
Additional Links: PMID-39889806
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@article {pmid39889806,
year = {2025},
author = {Zang, J and Yin, F and Liu, Z and Li, F and Zhang, Y},
title = {Bacteria-tumor symbiosis destructible novel nanocatalysis drug delivery systems for effective tumor therapy.},
journal = {Nanomedicine (London, England)},
volume = {20},
number = {3},
pages = {305-318},
pmid = {39889806},
issn = {1748-6963},
mesh = {Humans ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; *Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy/microbiology/pathology ; *Fusobacterium nucleatum/drug effects ; Animals ; Symbiosis ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology/administration & dosage ; Nanostructures/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant threat to human health. The dynamic equilibrium between probiotics and pathogenic bacteria within the gut microbiota is crucial in mitigating the risk of CRC. An overgrowth of harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract can result in an excessive accumulation of bacterial toxins and carcinogenic metabolites, thereby disrupting the delicate balance of the microbiota. This disruption may lead to alterations in microbial composition, impairment of mucosal barrier function, potential promotion of abnormal cell proliferation, and ultimately contribute to the progression of CRC. Recently, research has indicated that intestinal presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) significantly influences the onset, progression, and metastasis of CRC. Consequently, disrupting the interaction between CRC cells and Fn presents a promising strategy against CRC. Nanomaterials have been extensively utilized in cancer therapy and bacterial infection control, demonstrating substantial potential in treating bacteria-associated tumors. This review begins by elucidating the mechanisms of gut microbiota and the occurrence and progression of CRC, with a particular emphasis on clarifying the intricate relationship between Fn and CRC. Subsequently, we highlight strategies that utilize nanomaterials to disrupt the association between Fn and CRC. Overall, this review offers valuable insight and guidance for leveraging nanomaterials in CRC therapy.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects
*Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy/microbiology/pathology
*Fusobacterium nucleatum/drug effects
Animals
Symbiosis
Drug Delivery Systems/methods
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology/administration & dosage
Nanostructures/chemistry
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Complexity of the lichen symbiosis revealed by metagenome and transcriptome analysis of Xanthoria parietina.
Current biology : CB pii:S0960-9822(24)01709-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Lichens are composite, symbiotic associations of fungi, algae, and bacteria that result in large, anatomically complex organisms adapted to many of the world's most challenging environments. How such intricate, self-replicating lichen architectures develop from simple microbial components remains unknown because of their recalcitrance to experimental manipulation. Here, we report a metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of the lichen Xanthoria parietina at different developmental stages. We identified 168 genomes of symbionts and lichen-associated microbes across the sampled thalli, including representatives of green algae, three different classes of fungi, and 14 bacterial phyla. By analyzing the occurrence of individual species across lichen thalli from diverse environments, we defined both substrate-specific and core microbial components of the lichen. Metatranscriptomic analysis of the principal fungal symbiont from three different developmental stages of a lichen, compared with axenically grown fungus, revealed differential gene expression profiles indicative of lichen-specific transporter functions, specific cell signaling, transcriptional regulation, and secondary metabolic capacity. Putative immunity-related proteins and lichen-specific structurally conserved secreted proteins resembling fungal pathogen effectors were also identified, consistent with a role for immunity modulation in lichen morphogenesis.
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@article {pmid39889699,
year = {2025},
author = {Tagirdzhanova, G and Scharnagl, K and Sahu, N and Yan, X and Bucknell, A and Bentham, AR and Jégousse, C and Ament-Velásquez, SL and Onuț-Brännström, I and Johannesson, H and MacLean, D and Talbot, NJ},
title = {Complexity of the lichen symbiosis revealed by metagenome and transcriptome analysis of Xanthoria parietina.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.12.041},
pmid = {39889699},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Lichens are composite, symbiotic associations of fungi, algae, and bacteria that result in large, anatomically complex organisms adapted to many of the world's most challenging environments. How such intricate, self-replicating lichen architectures develop from simple microbial components remains unknown because of their recalcitrance to experimental manipulation. Here, we report a metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of the lichen Xanthoria parietina at different developmental stages. We identified 168 genomes of symbionts and lichen-associated microbes across the sampled thalli, including representatives of green algae, three different classes of fungi, and 14 bacterial phyla. By analyzing the occurrence of individual species across lichen thalli from diverse environments, we defined both substrate-specific and core microbial components of the lichen. Metatranscriptomic analysis of the principal fungal symbiont from three different developmental stages of a lichen, compared with axenically grown fungus, revealed differential gene expression profiles indicative of lichen-specific transporter functions, specific cell signaling, transcriptional regulation, and secondary metabolic capacity. Putative immunity-related proteins and lichen-specific structurally conserved secreted proteins resembling fungal pathogen effectors were also identified, consistent with a role for immunity modulation in lichen morphogenesis.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-03
CmpDate: 2025-01-31
Prevalence of Heritable Symbionts in Parisian Bedbugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).
Environmental microbiology reports, 17(1):e70054.
Like many insects, the biology of bedbugs is impacted by a range of partner heritable microbes. Three maternally inherited symbionts are recognised: Wolbachia (an obligate partner), Symbiopectobacterium purcellii strain SyClec, and Candidatus Tisiphia sp. (facultative symbionts typically present in some but not all individuals). Past work had examined the presence of these heritable microbes from established laboratory lines, but not from broader field samples. We therefore deployed targeted endpoint PCR assays to determine the symbiont infection status for 50 bedbugs collected from 10 districts of Paris during the 2023 outbreak. All three symbionts were found to be broadly present across Cimex lectularius samples, with the Symbiopectobacterium-Candidatus Tisiphia-Wolbachia triple infection most commonly observed. A minority of individuals lacked either one or both facultative symbionts. Five mtDNA haplotypes were observed across the COI barcode region, and triple infections were found in all mtDNA haplotypes, indicating that symbiont infection is not a recent invasion event. We conclude that the Parisian bedbug outbreak was one in which the host's secondary symbionts were present at high-frequency coinfections, and facultative symbionts are an important but uncharacterised component of bedbug populations.
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@article {pmid39887637,
year = {2025},
author = {Cagatay, NS and Akhoundi, M and Izri, A and Brun, S and Hurst, GDD},
title = {Prevalence of Heritable Symbionts in Parisian Bedbugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {e70054},
pmid = {39887637},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {//TÜBİTAK [The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye]/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Bedbugs/microbiology/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Paris ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Prevalence ; },
abstract = {Like many insects, the biology of bedbugs is impacted by a range of partner heritable microbes. Three maternally inherited symbionts are recognised: Wolbachia (an obligate partner), Symbiopectobacterium purcellii strain SyClec, and Candidatus Tisiphia sp. (facultative symbionts typically present in some but not all individuals). Past work had examined the presence of these heritable microbes from established laboratory lines, but not from broader field samples. We therefore deployed targeted endpoint PCR assays to determine the symbiont infection status for 50 bedbugs collected from 10 districts of Paris during the 2023 outbreak. All three symbionts were found to be broadly present across Cimex lectularius samples, with the Symbiopectobacterium-Candidatus Tisiphia-Wolbachia triple infection most commonly observed. A minority of individuals lacked either one or both facultative symbionts. Five mtDNA haplotypes were observed across the COI barcode region, and triple infections were found in all mtDNA haplotypes, indicating that symbiont infection is not a recent invasion event. We conclude that the Parisian bedbug outbreak was one in which the host's secondary symbionts were present at high-frequency coinfections, and facultative symbionts are an important but uncharacterised component of bedbug populations.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Bedbugs/microbiology/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Paris
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Haplotypes
Prevalence
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Isolation and identification of Lactobacillus species from gut microbiota of Aegiale hesperiaris (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) larvae.
FEMS microbiology letters pii:7991263 [Epub ahead of print].
Entomophagy, the practice of consuming insects, is a global tradition. In Mexico, one of the most notable and widely consumed insects is the larva of Aegiale hesperiaris. This insect feeds on the leaves of various Agave species with high polysaccharide content, suggesting their potential role as prebiotics for the intestinal microbiota, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB are recognized for their use as probiotics in foods due to their health-promoting capabilities. In this study, LAB from the intestinal microbiota of A. hesperiaris larvae were isolated and characterized, utilizing 16S rRNA gene identification. The analysis revealed three bacterial species from the Lactobacillaceae family, indicating a close symbiotic relationship with the insect. This suggests a significant impact on carbohydrate and protein metabolism, vitamin synthesis, and amino acid production, contributing to the high nutritional value of this edible insect. The study provides insights into the bacteria within the digestive tract of A. hesperiaris larvae and their role in enhancing the nutritional value of this edible insect. Additionally, it establishes a foundation for future research on the ecological roles and potential biotechnological benefits of these bacteria in the food industry and the development of therapies for various conditions and diseases.
Additional Links: PMID-39886864
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@article {pmid39886864,
year = {2025},
author = {Herrera-Cardoso, ED and Tapia-Cervantes, KA and Cepeda-Negrete, J and Gutiérrez-Vargas, S and León-Galván, MF},
title = {Isolation and identification of Lactobacillus species from gut microbiota of Aegiale hesperiaris (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) larvae.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology letters},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnaf015},
pmid = {39886864},
issn = {1574-6968},
abstract = {Entomophagy, the practice of consuming insects, is a global tradition. In Mexico, one of the most notable and widely consumed insects is the larva of Aegiale hesperiaris. This insect feeds on the leaves of various Agave species with high polysaccharide content, suggesting their potential role as prebiotics for the intestinal microbiota, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB are recognized for their use as probiotics in foods due to their health-promoting capabilities. In this study, LAB from the intestinal microbiota of A. hesperiaris larvae were isolated and characterized, utilizing 16S rRNA gene identification. The analysis revealed three bacterial species from the Lactobacillaceae family, indicating a close symbiotic relationship with the insect. This suggests a significant impact on carbohydrate and protein metabolism, vitamin synthesis, and amino acid production, contributing to the high nutritional value of this edible insect. The study provides insights into the bacteria within the digestive tract of A. hesperiaris larvae and their role in enhancing the nutritional value of this edible insect. Additionally, it establishes a foundation for future research on the ecological roles and potential biotechnological benefits of these bacteria in the food industry and the development of therapies for various conditions and diseases.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Dynamic reciprocal morphological changes in insect hosts and bacterial symbionts.
The Journal of experimental biology pii:365525 [Epub ahead of print].
Symbiotic interactions, central to most life on Earth, are interwoven associations that vary in intimacy and duration. Some of the most well-known examples of symbioses occur between animals and gut bacteria. These associations lead to physiological integration of host and symbionts. The diversity of microbes within animal hosts can make studying them technically challenging. Thus, most science heavily focuses on the animal side of symbioses, limiting study of the microbial symbionts to characterization of their genetic and functional diversity. These limitations are minimized in Heteropteran insects that have specialized midguts that separately house single symbiont species away from ingested food. These insect-bacteria associations allow us to address fundamental questions as to how both hosts and symbionts change to establish a cooperative relationship. In this study, through ex vivo and in vivo observations of cellular behaviors, we explore concurrent structural and cellular dynamics in both the squash bug host (Anasa tristis) and its Caballeronia zhejiangensis symbionts during the initiation of symbiosis. We elucidate how C. zhejiangensis is sequestered within a specialized symbiotic organ within the A. tristis midgut, how the symbiont uses active motility to reach the symbiotic organ, how symbionts colonize host crypts within the organ and how host crypt morphogenesis progresses during the initiation of symbiotic interactions. Our findings provide insight into how dynamic cellular activity and morphological development reciprocally change in both host and symbiont as they establish symbiotic interactions.
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@article {pmid39886814,
year = {2025},
author = {Junker, AD and Chen, JZ and DuBose, JG and Gerardo, NM},
title = {Dynamic reciprocal morphological changes in insect hosts and bacterial symbionts.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1242/jeb.249474},
pmid = {39886814},
issn = {1477-9145},
support = {2023-67012-40012//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 2019-67013-29371//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic interactions, central to most life on Earth, are interwoven associations that vary in intimacy and duration. Some of the most well-known examples of symbioses occur between animals and gut bacteria. These associations lead to physiological integration of host and symbionts. The diversity of microbes within animal hosts can make studying them technically challenging. Thus, most science heavily focuses on the animal side of symbioses, limiting study of the microbial symbionts to characterization of their genetic and functional diversity. These limitations are minimized in Heteropteran insects that have specialized midguts that separately house single symbiont species away from ingested food. These insect-bacteria associations allow us to address fundamental questions as to how both hosts and symbionts change to establish a cooperative relationship. In this study, through ex vivo and in vivo observations of cellular behaviors, we explore concurrent structural and cellular dynamics in both the squash bug host (Anasa tristis) and its Caballeronia zhejiangensis symbionts during the initiation of symbiosis. We elucidate how C. zhejiangensis is sequestered within a specialized symbiotic organ within the A. tristis midgut, how the symbiont uses active motility to reach the symbiotic organ, how symbionts colonize host crypts within the organ and how host crypt morphogenesis progresses during the initiation of symbiotic interactions. Our findings provide insight into how dynamic cellular activity and morphological development reciprocally change in both host and symbiont as they establish symbiotic interactions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-01
GmWRKY33a is a hub gene responsive to brassinosteroid signaling that suppresses nodulation in soybean (Glycine max).
Frontiers in plant science, 15:1507307.
Brassinosteroids (BRs) are key phytohormones influencing soybean development, yet their role in symbiosis remains unclear. Here, the RNA-Seq was used to identify important gene associated with BRs and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and the function of candidate gene was verified by transgenic hairy roots. The result shows that the RNA-Seq analysis was conducted in which BR signaling was found to suppress nodule formation and many DEGs enriched in immunity-related pathways. WGCNA analyses led to the identification of GmWRKY33a as being responsive to BR signaling in the context of symbiosis establishment. Transgenic hairy roots analyses indicated that GmWRKY33a served as a negative regulator of the establishment of symbiosis. The qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that BR signaling upregulates GmWRKY33a, leading to nodulation suppression and activation of soybean immune responses. In summary, our research revealed that BR suppresses root nodule formation by modulating the immune signaling pathway in soybean roots. We further identified that GmWRKY33a, a crucial transcription factor in BR signaling, plays a negative role in the symbiotic establishment.
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@article {pmid39886690,
year = {2024},
author = {Yang, M and Lei, C and Ma, C and Hou, X and Yao, M and Mi, L and Liu, E and Xu, L and Wang, S and Liu, C and Chen, Q and Xin, D and Xu, C and Wang, J},
title = {GmWRKY33a is a hub gene responsive to brassinosteroid signaling that suppresses nodulation in soybean (Glycine max).},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1507307},
pmid = {39886690},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Brassinosteroids (BRs) are key phytohormones influencing soybean development, yet their role in symbiosis remains unclear. Here, the RNA-Seq was used to identify important gene associated with BRs and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and the function of candidate gene was verified by transgenic hairy roots. The result shows that the RNA-Seq analysis was conducted in which BR signaling was found to suppress nodule formation and many DEGs enriched in immunity-related pathways. WGCNA analyses led to the identification of GmWRKY33a as being responsive to BR signaling in the context of symbiosis establishment. Transgenic hairy roots analyses indicated that GmWRKY33a served as a negative regulator of the establishment of symbiosis. The qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that BR signaling upregulates GmWRKY33a, leading to nodulation suppression and activation of soybean immune responses. In summary, our research revealed that BR suppresses root nodule formation by modulating the immune signaling pathway in soybean roots. We further identified that GmWRKY33a, a crucial transcription factor in BR signaling, plays a negative role in the symbiotic establishment.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-01
Uropygial gland microbiota of nearctic-neotropical migrants vary with season and migration distance.
Animal microbiome, 7(1):11.
Symbiotic microbiota are important drivers of host behaviour, health, and fitness. While most studies focus on humans, model organisms, and domestic or economically important species, research investigating the role of host microbiota in wild populations is rapidly accumulating. Most studies focus on the gut microbiota; however, skin and other glandular microbiota also play an important role in shaping traits that may impact host fitness. The uropygial gland is an important source of chemical cues and harbours diverse microbes that could mediate chemical communication in birds, so determining the factors most important in shaping host microbiota should improve our understanding of microbially-mediated chemical communication. Hypothesizing that temporal, geographic, and taxonomic effects influence host microbiota, we evaluated the effects of season, migration distance, and taxonomy on the uropygial gland microbiota of 18 passerine species from 11 families. By sampling 473 birds at a single stopover location during spring and fall migration and using 16S rRNA sequencing, we demonstrate that season, followed by migration distance, had the strongest influence on uropygial gland microbial community composition. While statistically significant, taxonomic family and species had only weak effects on gland microbiota. Given that temporal effects on gland microbiota were nearly ubiquitous among the species we tested, determining the consequences of and mechanisms driving this seasonal variation are important next steps.
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@article {pmid39885562,
year = {2025},
author = {Grieves, LA and Gloor, GB},
title = {Uropygial gland microbiota of nearctic-neotropical migrants vary with season and migration distance.},
journal = {Animal microbiome},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
pages = {11},
pmid = {39885562},
issn = {2524-4671},
abstract = {Symbiotic microbiota are important drivers of host behaviour, health, and fitness. While most studies focus on humans, model organisms, and domestic or economically important species, research investigating the role of host microbiota in wild populations is rapidly accumulating. Most studies focus on the gut microbiota; however, skin and other glandular microbiota also play an important role in shaping traits that may impact host fitness. The uropygial gland is an important source of chemical cues and harbours diverse microbes that could mediate chemical communication in birds, so determining the factors most important in shaping host microbiota should improve our understanding of microbially-mediated chemical communication. Hypothesizing that temporal, geographic, and taxonomic effects influence host microbiota, we evaluated the effects of season, migration distance, and taxonomy on the uropygial gland microbiota of 18 passerine species from 11 families. By sampling 473 birds at a single stopover location during spring and fall migration and using 16S rRNA sequencing, we demonstrate that season, followed by migration distance, had the strongest influence on uropygial gland microbial community composition. While statistically significant, taxonomic family and species had only weak effects on gland microbiota. Given that temporal effects on gland microbiota were nearly ubiquitous among the species we tested, determining the consequences of and mechanisms driving this seasonal variation are important next steps.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-01
Fish gut symbiotic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis: RSM optimization for its extracellular lipase enzyme production, lipase-protein purification, characterization, and docking analysis.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 301:140428 pii:S0141-8130(25)00977-8 [Epub ahead of print].
Lipase enzymes play a vital role in digestion and nutrient metabolism in host organisms, with symbiotic bacteria producing abundant enzymes, carbohydrates, vitamins, and other nutrients. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and screen lipase-producing bacteria from the gut of Systomus sarana, optimize enzyme production using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and characterize the extracted lipase protein. A total of 11 bacterial strains were isolated and identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. Among these, Bacillus thuringiensis (SS5) exhibited the highest enzyme index (5.46 mm) and crude enzyme activity (109 U/mL). Using RSM optimization, growth conditions were refined to pH 7.5, temperature 35 °C, incubation time 30 h, with 2.3 % peptone and 2.34 % lactose, resulting in enhanced lipase production of 210 U/mL. The partially purified protein (~30 kDa) was characterized by SDS-PAGE and FTIR spectroscopy, revealed functional groups such as acids, aliphatic amines, and aromatics. MALDI-TOF/MS analysis identified eight peptides, with one major peptide sequence (IYVYYSDIMHVMNTMGQR). The modelled protein structure based on 259 amino acids was validated through homology modeling. Molecular docking studies demonstrated strong binding affinities (-7.36 to -8.95 kcal/mol) between the lipase protein and fatty acids (linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid) as well as tripalmitin. These findings highlight the potential of fish gut-derived Bacillus thuringiensis as a valuable source of lipase enzymes for industrial applications such as bioremediation and biodiesel production. Further exploration of these bacterial enzymes within their native ecosystems is recommended to expand their biotechnological utility.
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@article {pmid39884621,
year = {2025},
author = {Dhayalan, A and P D, KJ and Manoharan, S and Nadeem, A and Govindasamy, B and Pachiappan, P and Vasudhevan, P},
title = {Fish gut symbiotic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis: RSM optimization for its extracellular lipase enzyme production, lipase-protein purification, characterization, and docking analysis.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {301},
number = {},
pages = {140428},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140428},
pmid = {39884621},
issn = {1879-0003},
abstract = {Lipase enzymes play a vital role in digestion and nutrient metabolism in host organisms, with symbiotic bacteria producing abundant enzymes, carbohydrates, vitamins, and other nutrients. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and screen lipase-producing bacteria from the gut of Systomus sarana, optimize enzyme production using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and characterize the extracted lipase protein. A total of 11 bacterial strains were isolated and identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. Among these, Bacillus thuringiensis (SS5) exhibited the highest enzyme index (5.46 mm) and crude enzyme activity (109 U/mL). Using RSM optimization, growth conditions were refined to pH 7.5, temperature 35 °C, incubation time 30 h, with 2.3 % peptone and 2.34 % lactose, resulting in enhanced lipase production of 210 U/mL. The partially purified protein (~30 kDa) was characterized by SDS-PAGE and FTIR spectroscopy, revealed functional groups such as acids, aliphatic amines, and aromatics. MALDI-TOF/MS analysis identified eight peptides, with one major peptide sequence (IYVYYSDIMHVMNTMGQR). The modelled protein structure based on 259 amino acids was validated through homology modeling. Molecular docking studies demonstrated strong binding affinities (-7.36 to -8.95 kcal/mol) between the lipase protein and fatty acids (linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid) as well as tripalmitin. These findings highlight the potential of fish gut-derived Bacillus thuringiensis as a valuable source of lipase enzymes for industrial applications such as bioremediation and biodiesel production. Further exploration of these bacterial enzymes within their native ecosystems is recommended to expand their biotechnological utility.},
}
RevDate: 2025-02-01
CmpDate: 2025-01-30
Social ecology of artisanal sand mining in the Niger River around Bamako, Mali.
PloS one, 20(1):e0318029.
Sand, shaping both natural waterways and urban infrastructure, has recently seen a major surge in extraction, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like West Africa. To assess the organization, quantification, and socio-ecological implications of sand mining around Mali's capital Bamako, we employed a mixed methods approach including structured and unstructured interviews, truck counts, turbidity analyses, and river depth measurements. Our study identified five artisanal systems for mining sand and gravel from the Niger River, using tied-up pirogues, single pirogues, carts, tractors, and trucks. Recent increases in extracted quantities, workforce size, and sand prices were observed, resulting in an estimated annual extraction of 4.86 million m3 in 2022, mainly sourced from upstream of Bamako. With extraction rates surpassing natural replenishment, the riverbed in the study communities of Gouni and Usine Toch has reportedly lowered by 1.4 m and 1.8 m during the last 50 years. Mining activities are highly informal, characterized by self-organization, low and irregular salaries, and unsafe working conditions, particularly for women. Economically, sand mining activities have created symbiotic relationships rather than conflicts with local farming, fishing and other livelihoods. Sand mining operations did not significantly affect the Niger River's water turbidity, which varied primarily with seasonal rainfall fluctuations. Recent developments suggest that mining activities are accelerating, with mechanized practices likely to replace current artisanal methods and underlying social structures.
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@article {pmid39883607,
year = {2025},
author = {Hemmler, KS and Camara, B and Buerkert, A},
title = {Social ecology of artisanal sand mining in the Niger River around Bamako, Mali.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {e0318029},
pmid = {39883607},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Mali ; *Mining ; *Rivers ; *Sand ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; },
abstract = {Sand, shaping both natural waterways and urban infrastructure, has recently seen a major surge in extraction, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like West Africa. To assess the organization, quantification, and socio-ecological implications of sand mining around Mali's capital Bamako, we employed a mixed methods approach including structured and unstructured interviews, truck counts, turbidity analyses, and river depth measurements. Our study identified five artisanal systems for mining sand and gravel from the Niger River, using tied-up pirogues, single pirogues, carts, tractors, and trucks. Recent increases in extracted quantities, workforce size, and sand prices were observed, resulting in an estimated annual extraction of 4.86 million m3 in 2022, mainly sourced from upstream of Bamako. With extraction rates surpassing natural replenishment, the riverbed in the study communities of Gouni and Usine Toch has reportedly lowered by 1.4 m and 1.8 m during the last 50 years. Mining activities are highly informal, characterized by self-organization, low and irregular salaries, and unsafe working conditions, particularly for women. Economically, sand mining activities have created symbiotic relationships rather than conflicts with local farming, fishing and other livelihoods. Sand mining operations did not significantly affect the Niger River's water turbidity, which varied primarily with seasonal rainfall fluctuations. Recent developments suggest that mining activities are accelerating, with mechanized practices likely to replace current artisanal methods and underlying social structures.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Mali
*Mining
*Rivers
*Sand
Humans
Female
Male
RevDate: 2025-02-01
Saving coral reefs: significance and biotechnological approaches for coral conservation.
Advanced biotechnology, 2(4):42.
Coral reefs are highly productive ecosystems that provide valuable services to coastal communities worldwide. However, both local and global anthropogenic stressors, threaten the coral-algal symbiosis that enables reef formation. This breakdown of the symbiotic relationship, known as bleaching, is often triggered by cumulative cell damage. UV and heat stress are commonly implicated in bleaching, but other anthropogenic factors may also play a role. To address coral loss, active restoration is already underway in many critical regions. Additionally, coral researchers are exploring assisted evolution methods for greater coral resilience to projected climate change. This review provides an overview of the symbiotic relationship, the mechanisms underlying coral bleaching in response to stressors, and the strategies being pursued to address coral loss. Despite the necessity of ongoing research in all aspects of this field, action on global climate change remains crucial for the long-term survival of coral reefs.
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@article {pmid39883363,
year = {2024},
author = {Cecchini, P and Nitta, T and Sena, E and Du, ZY},
title = {Saving coral reefs: significance and biotechnological approaches for coral conservation.},
journal = {Advanced biotechnology},
volume = {2},
number = {4},
pages = {42},
pmid = {39883363},
issn = {2948-2801},
support = {2020-38500-32559//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 2022-38500-38099//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {Coral reefs are highly productive ecosystems that provide valuable services to coastal communities worldwide. However, both local and global anthropogenic stressors, threaten the coral-algal symbiosis that enables reef formation. This breakdown of the symbiotic relationship, known as bleaching, is often triggered by cumulative cell damage. UV and heat stress are commonly implicated in bleaching, but other anthropogenic factors may also play a role. To address coral loss, active restoration is already underway in many critical regions. Additionally, coral researchers are exploring assisted evolution methods for greater coral resilience to projected climate change. This review provides an overview of the symbiotic relationship, the mechanisms underlying coral bleaching in response to stressors, and the strategies being pursued to address coral loss. Despite the necessity of ongoing research in all aspects of this field, action on global climate change remains crucial for the long-term survival of coral reefs.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-30
Transcriptomic analysis reveals potential roles of polyamine and proline metabolism in waterlogged peach roots inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae and Serendipita indica.
Tree physiology pii:7990721 [Epub ahead of print].
Root-associated endophytic fungi can create symbiotic relationships with trees to enhance stress tolerance, but the underlying mechanisms, especially with regard to waterlogging tolerance, remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae and Serendipita indica on the growth, root cross-section structure, and root transcriptional responses of peach under waterlogging stress, with a focus on polyamine and proline metabolism. Genes and transcription factors associated with secondary cell wall biosynthesis were selected, and their expression profiles were analyzed. F. mosseae significantly increased the height, stem diameter, and leaf number of peach seedlings subjected to two weeks of waterlogging stress, whereas S. indica only significantly improved stem diameter. Both fungal species substantially increased root diameter, stele diameter, the number of late metaxylem inside the stele, and late metaxylem diameter, thus improving aeration within inoculated roots under waterlogging stress. Transcriptomic analysis of waterlogged roots identified 5425 and 5646 differentially expressed genes following inoculation with F. mosseae and S. indica, respectively. The arginine and proline metabolism and arginine biosynthesis pathways were enriched following fungal inoculations. Both fungi reduced the conversion of glutamate and ornithine for proline synthesis. However, S. indica promoted peptide-to-proline conversion by up-regulating the expression of PIPs. Although both fungi promoted the expression of genes involved in arginine and ornithine synthesis pathway, only F. mosseae led to increased levels of arginine and ornithine. Additionally, F. mosseae promoted the accumulation of putrescine and maintained polyamine homeostasis by down-regulating PAO2 and SAMDC. Moreover, F. mosseae facilitated the metabolism of cadaverine. In conclusion, both F. mosseae and S. indica formed symbiotic relationships with peach, with F. mosseae primarily improving polyamine accumulation and S. indica predominantly facilitating proline accumulation for enhanced waterlogging resistance.
Additional Links: PMID-39883080
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@article {pmid39883080,
year = {2025},
author = {Liang, SM and Abeer, H and Elsayed, FAA and Wu, QS},
title = {Transcriptomic analysis reveals potential roles of polyamine and proline metabolism in waterlogged peach roots inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae and Serendipita indica.},
journal = {Tree physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/treephys/tpaf013},
pmid = {39883080},
issn = {1758-4469},
abstract = {Root-associated endophytic fungi can create symbiotic relationships with trees to enhance stress tolerance, but the underlying mechanisms, especially with regard to waterlogging tolerance, remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae and Serendipita indica on the growth, root cross-section structure, and root transcriptional responses of peach under waterlogging stress, with a focus on polyamine and proline metabolism. Genes and transcription factors associated with secondary cell wall biosynthesis were selected, and their expression profiles were analyzed. F. mosseae significantly increased the height, stem diameter, and leaf number of peach seedlings subjected to two weeks of waterlogging stress, whereas S. indica only significantly improved stem diameter. Both fungal species substantially increased root diameter, stele diameter, the number of late metaxylem inside the stele, and late metaxylem diameter, thus improving aeration within inoculated roots under waterlogging stress. Transcriptomic analysis of waterlogged roots identified 5425 and 5646 differentially expressed genes following inoculation with F. mosseae and S. indica, respectively. The arginine and proline metabolism and arginine biosynthesis pathways were enriched following fungal inoculations. Both fungi reduced the conversion of glutamate and ornithine for proline synthesis. However, S. indica promoted peptide-to-proline conversion by up-regulating the expression of PIPs. Although both fungi promoted the expression of genes involved in arginine and ornithine synthesis pathway, only F. mosseae led to increased levels of arginine and ornithine. Additionally, F. mosseae promoted the accumulation of putrescine and maintained polyamine homeostasis by down-regulating PAO2 and SAMDC. Moreover, F. mosseae facilitated the metabolism of cadaverine. In conclusion, both F. mosseae and S. indica formed symbiotic relationships with peach, with F. mosseae primarily improving polyamine accumulation and S. indica predominantly facilitating proline accumulation for enhanced waterlogging resistance.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Nanomaterials-plants-microbes interaction: plant growth promotion and stress mitigation.
Frontiers in microbiology, 15:1516794.
Soil salinization, extreme climate conditions, and phytopathogens are abiotic and biotic stressors that remarkably reduce agricultural productivity. Recently, nanomaterials have gained attention as effective agents for agricultural applications to mitigate such stresses. This review aims to critically appraise the available literature on interactions involving nanomaterials, plants, and microorganisms. This review explores the role of nanomaterials in enhancing plant growth and mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses. These materials can be synthesized by microbes, plants, and algae, and they can be applied as fertilizers and stress amelioration agents. Nanomaterials facilitate nutrient uptake, improve water retention, and enhance the efficiency of active ingredient delivery. Nanomaterials strengthen plant antioxidant systems, regulate photosynthesis, and stabilize hormonal pathways. Concurrently, their antimicrobial and protective properties provide resilience against biotic stressors, including pathogens and pests, by promoting plant immune responses and optimizing microbial-plant symbiosis. The synergistic interactions of nanomaterials with beneficial microorganisms optimize plant growth under stress conditions. These materials also serve as carriers of nutrients, growth regulators, and pesticides, thus acting like "smart fertilizers. While nanotechnology offers great promise, addressing potential environmental and ecotoxicological risks associated with their use is necessary. This review outlines pathways for leveraging nanotechnology to achieve resilient, sustainable, and climate-smart agricultural systems by integrating molecular insights and practical applications.
Additional Links: PMID-39881995
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@article {pmid39881995,
year = {2024},
author = {Sodhi, GK and Wijesekara, T and Kumawat, KC and Adhikari, P and Joshi, K and Singh, S and Farda, B and Djebaili, R and Sabbi, E and Ramila, F and Sillu, D and Santoyo, G and de Los Santos-Villalobos, S and Kumar, A and Pellegrini, M and Mitra, D},
title = {Nanomaterials-plants-microbes interaction: plant growth promotion and stress mitigation.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1516794},
pmid = {39881995},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Soil salinization, extreme climate conditions, and phytopathogens are abiotic and biotic stressors that remarkably reduce agricultural productivity. Recently, nanomaterials have gained attention as effective agents for agricultural applications to mitigate such stresses. This review aims to critically appraise the available literature on interactions involving nanomaterials, plants, and microorganisms. This review explores the role of nanomaterials in enhancing plant growth and mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses. These materials can be synthesized by microbes, plants, and algae, and they can be applied as fertilizers and stress amelioration agents. Nanomaterials facilitate nutrient uptake, improve water retention, and enhance the efficiency of active ingredient delivery. Nanomaterials strengthen plant antioxidant systems, regulate photosynthesis, and stabilize hormonal pathways. Concurrently, their antimicrobial and protective properties provide resilience against biotic stressors, including pathogens and pests, by promoting plant immune responses and optimizing microbial-plant symbiosis. The synergistic interactions of nanomaterials with beneficial microorganisms optimize plant growth under stress conditions. These materials also serve as carriers of nutrients, growth regulators, and pesticides, thus acting like "smart fertilizers. While nanotechnology offers great promise, addressing potential environmental and ecotoxicological risks associated with their use is necessary. This review outlines pathways for leveraging nanotechnology to achieve resilient, sustainable, and climate-smart agricultural systems by integrating molecular insights and practical applications.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Tracing microbial community across endophyte-to-saprotroph continuum of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl leaves considering priority effect of endophyte on litter decomposition.
Frontiers in microbiology, 15:1518569.
Endophytes typically coexist with plants in symbiosis and transition into the saprobic system as plant tissues senesce, participating in the decomposition process of litter. However, the dynamic changes of endophytic communities during this process and their role in litter decomposition remain unclear. This study tracked the microbial composition across the transition from live leaves to litter in Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl (C. camphora), evaluating the contribution of endophytes to litter decomposition by examining microbial diversity, community assembly, and co-occurrence networks along the endophyte-to-saprotroph spectrum. The results revealed increasing bacterial diversity but stable fungal diversity, and the diversity of endogenous microbes is mirrored this in the saprophytic phase. Bacterial community assembly was characterized by deterministic processes during the symbiotic phase, shifted to stochastic processes during the saprophytic phase. In contrast, fungal community assembly was predominantly driven by stochastic processes throughout the continuum. Out of the 49 keystone taxa identified, only Pseudorhodoplanes sinuspersici demonstrated a significant positive correlation with community assembly. All identified bacterial keystone taxa during the saprophytic phase originated from endophytic sources, and around 80% of the fungal keystone taxa in the initial stages of decomposition were similarly endophytic in origin. Additionally, 60% of the dominant bacterial taxa and 28% of the dominant fungal taxa at the commencement of decomposition were of endophytic descent. This suggests that endogenous microbes possess the potential to evolve into both keystone and dominant taxa during the saprophytic phase. Endogenous keystone and dominant microbes both exhibited significant correlations with microbial network, indicating their substantial ecological presence in microbial community. Both endogenous keystone and dominant taxa exerted significant potential influences on litter decomposition. Overall, during the saprophytic phase, endophytes are likely to influence the assemblage of microbial communities, the network structure, and decomposition-related functions. Specifically, it appears that bacterial endophytes may possess a greater adaptability to the decomposition processes of leaf litter compared to their fungal counterparts.
Additional Links: PMID-39881990
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@article {pmid39881990,
year = {2024},
author = {Xiao, J and He, Z and He, X and Lin, Y and Kong, X},
title = {Tracing microbial community across endophyte-to-saprotroph continuum of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl leaves considering priority effect of endophyte on litter decomposition.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1518569},
pmid = {39881990},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Endophytes typically coexist with plants in symbiosis and transition into the saprobic system as plant tissues senesce, participating in the decomposition process of litter. However, the dynamic changes of endophytic communities during this process and their role in litter decomposition remain unclear. This study tracked the microbial composition across the transition from live leaves to litter in Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl (C. camphora), evaluating the contribution of endophytes to litter decomposition by examining microbial diversity, community assembly, and co-occurrence networks along the endophyte-to-saprotroph spectrum. The results revealed increasing bacterial diversity but stable fungal diversity, and the diversity of endogenous microbes is mirrored this in the saprophytic phase. Bacterial community assembly was characterized by deterministic processes during the symbiotic phase, shifted to stochastic processes during the saprophytic phase. In contrast, fungal community assembly was predominantly driven by stochastic processes throughout the continuum. Out of the 49 keystone taxa identified, only Pseudorhodoplanes sinuspersici demonstrated a significant positive correlation with community assembly. All identified bacterial keystone taxa during the saprophytic phase originated from endophytic sources, and around 80% of the fungal keystone taxa in the initial stages of decomposition were similarly endophytic in origin. Additionally, 60% of the dominant bacterial taxa and 28% of the dominant fungal taxa at the commencement of decomposition were of endophytic descent. This suggests that endogenous microbes possess the potential to evolve into both keystone and dominant taxa during the saprophytic phase. Endogenous keystone and dominant microbes both exhibited significant correlations with microbial network, indicating their substantial ecological presence in microbial community. Both endogenous keystone and dominant taxa exerted significant potential influences on litter decomposition. Overall, during the saprophytic phase, endophytes are likely to influence the assemblage of microbial communities, the network structure, and decomposition-related functions. Specifically, it appears that bacterial endophytes may possess a greater adaptability to the decomposition processes of leaf litter compared to their fungal counterparts.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Endophytic strategies decoded by genome and transcriptome analysis of Fusarium nematophilum strain NQ8GII4.
Frontiers in microbiology, 15:1487022.
INTRODUCTION: Fusarium nematophilum strain NQ8GII4 is an endophytic fungus with significant potential for improving growth and disease resistance of alfalfa. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the symbiotic relationship between NQ8GII4 and alfalfa roots remain poorly understood.
METHODS: In this study, we conducted (1) a comparative genomic analysis of selected saprophytic, pathogenic, and endophytic fungi, including molecular phylogeny analysis, whole-genome alignment, and divergence date estimation positioning, and (2) transcriptomic profiling of alfalfa roots infected with NQ8GII4.
RESULTS: Our findings reveal that NQ8GII4 is genetically closely related to F. solani, suggesting it diverged from Fusarium phytopathogens. During the early stages of symbiosis establishment, genes encoding glycosyltransferases (GTs), fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes (FCWDEs), and steroid-14α-demethylase (CYP51) were significantly downregulated, potentially suppressing hyphal growth of the fungus. Once symbiosis was established, NQ8GII4 secreted effectors that activated plant immunity, which in turn could slow growth of the fungus. Moreover, genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, such as type I polyketide synthases (T1PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), were significantly downregulated. Homologs of autophagy-related genes, including ATG1, ATG2, ATG11, and others, were also downregulated, suggesting that reduced phytotoxin production and autophagy inhibition is a consequence of NQ8GII4's symbiosis.
DISCUSSION: This study investigated the comprehensive molecular and genetic mechanisms governing the interaction between NQ8GII4 and alfalfa roots. Beyond the NQ8GII4-alfalfa system, these findings also provide a valuable molecular framework for understanding the mechanism of interactions between endophytic fungi and their host plants.
Additional Links: PMID-39881987
PubMed:
Citation:
show bibtex listing
hide bibtex listing
@article {pmid39881987,
year = {2024},
author = {Yan, S and Zhang, Q and Jia, S and Guo, M and Zhang, Q and Gu, P},
title = {Endophytic strategies decoded by genome and transcriptome analysis of Fusarium nematophilum strain NQ8GII4.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1487022},
pmid = {39881987},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Fusarium nematophilum strain NQ8GII4 is an endophytic fungus with significant potential for improving growth and disease resistance of alfalfa. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the symbiotic relationship between NQ8GII4 and alfalfa roots remain poorly understood.
METHODS: In this study, we conducted (1) a comparative genomic analysis of selected saprophytic, pathogenic, and endophytic fungi, including molecular phylogeny analysis, whole-genome alignment, and divergence date estimation positioning, and (2) transcriptomic profiling of alfalfa roots infected with NQ8GII4.
RESULTS: Our findings reveal that NQ8GII4 is genetically closely related to F. solani, suggesting it diverged from Fusarium phytopathogens. During the early stages of symbiosis establishment, genes encoding glycosyltransferases (GTs), fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes (FCWDEs), and steroid-14α-demethylase (CYP51) were significantly downregulated, potentially suppressing hyphal growth of the fungus. Once symbiosis was established, NQ8GII4 secreted effectors that activated plant immunity, which in turn could slow growth of the fungus. Moreover, genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, such as type I polyketide synthases (T1PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), were significantly downregulated. Homologs of autophagy-related genes, including ATG1, ATG2, ATG11, and others, were also downregulated, suggesting that reduced phytotoxin production and autophagy inhibition is a consequence of NQ8GII4's symbiosis.
DISCUSSION: This study investigated the comprehensive molecular and genetic mechanisms governing the interaction between NQ8GII4 and alfalfa roots. Beyond the NQ8GII4-alfalfa system, these findings also provide a valuable molecular framework for understanding the mechanism of interactions between endophytic fungi and their host plants.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-31
Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization defines root ecological strategies in an extreme arid environment.
Frontiers in plant science, 15:1488383.
The symbiosis between mycorrhizae fungi and plant roots is essential for plant establishment in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. However, the role of mycorrhizal colonization (colM) in shaping root ecological strategies remains poorly understood. Emerging research identifies colM as a key trait influencing the multidimensional covariation of root traits within the Root Economic Space (RES), where a 'collaboration gradient' is proposed. At one end of this gradient, species with larger root diameters (RD) rely on colM for resource acquisition through an 'outsourcing' strategy, while at the other end, species with finer roots and greater exploration capacity employ a 'do it yourself' strategy to acquire resources independently. Although the RES framework has improved our understanding of root strategies, the relationship between colM and root traits in desert ecosystems remains underexplored, particularly in hyper-arid environments, where limited resources can constrain both plant and mycorrhizal survival. In this study, we examine the root ecological strategies of 32 dominant shrub species in Chile's Coastal Atacama Desert, focusing on the link between specific root traits and colM. We found that larger RD correlated with higher levels of colM, supporting the 'outsourcing' strategy within the 'collaboration gradient' hypothesis of the RES. Additionally, RD and colM emerged as playing key roles in defining both dimensions of root ecological strategies. Moreover, we identified colM as a central hub trait in the root phenotypic network, underscoring its role in survival strategies under hyper-arid conditions. These findings emphasize the critical importance of colM in modulating plant ecological strategies and highlight the need to further investigate how AM enhances root lifespan and optimizes resource uptake in extreme environments.
Additional Links: PMID-39881730
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39881730,
year = {2024},
author = {Delpiano, CA and Rios, RS and Barraza-Zepeda, CE and Pozo, MJ and Aguilera, LE and Loayza, AP},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization defines root ecological strategies in an extreme arid environment.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1488383},
pmid = {39881730},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {The symbiosis between mycorrhizae fungi and plant roots is essential for plant establishment in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. However, the role of mycorrhizal colonization (colM) in shaping root ecological strategies remains poorly understood. Emerging research identifies colM as a key trait influencing the multidimensional covariation of root traits within the Root Economic Space (RES), where a 'collaboration gradient' is proposed. At one end of this gradient, species with larger root diameters (RD) rely on colM for resource acquisition through an 'outsourcing' strategy, while at the other end, species with finer roots and greater exploration capacity employ a 'do it yourself' strategy to acquire resources independently. Although the RES framework has improved our understanding of root strategies, the relationship between colM and root traits in desert ecosystems remains underexplored, particularly in hyper-arid environments, where limited resources can constrain both plant and mycorrhizal survival. In this study, we examine the root ecological strategies of 32 dominant shrub species in Chile's Coastal Atacama Desert, focusing on the link between specific root traits and colM. We found that larger RD correlated with higher levels of colM, supporting the 'outsourcing' strategy within the 'collaboration gradient' hypothesis of the RES. Additionally, RD and colM emerged as playing key roles in defining both dimensions of root ecological strategies. Moreover, we identified colM as a central hub trait in the root phenotypic network, underscoring its role in survival strategies under hyper-arid conditions. These findings emphasize the critical importance of colM in modulating plant ecological strategies and highlight the need to further investigate how AM enhances root lifespan and optimizes resource uptake in extreme environments.},
}
RevDate: 2025-01-29
CmpDate: 2025-01-29
The Role of Gut Microbiota in Shaping Immune Responses in Tephritidae Fruit Fly and Prospective Implications for Management.
Neotropical entomology, 54(1):34.
The interaction of microbial communities with host immunity has become one of the most explored research areas with significant implications for pest control strategies. It has been found that the gut microbiota plays substantial roles in immune response regulation and host-gut microbiome symbiosis, as well as in pathogen resistance and overall fitness in Tephritidae fruit flies that are major pests of agricultural importance. In this review, we discuss the modulation of immune responses of Tephritidae fruit flies by the gut microbiota with particular emphasis on the general interactions between microbiota and the immune system. These interactions help to unravel new horizons of pest management. Regulating gut microbiota modifies the performance of biological control agents and SIT and allows the creation of microbial therapies that affect the vital physiological functions of fruit flies. Besides, deploying microbes that can modulate the immune response and using microbial-derived signals provide an eco-friendly and more sustainable way of eradicating chemical pesticides and making farming systems less susceptible to climatic variability. This paper reviews various aspects of the possibility of using gut microbiota for changing the approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs that would improve methods of controlling Tephritidae fruit fly populations more ecologically.
Additional Links: PMID-39881025
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39881025,
year = {2025},
author = {Haider, K and Sufian, M and Abbas, D and Kabir, K and Ali, MS and Kausar, Y and Ghafar, MA},
title = {The Role of Gut Microbiota in Shaping Immune Responses in Tephritidae Fruit Fly and Prospective Implications for Management.},
journal = {Neotropical entomology},
volume = {54},
number = {1},
pages = {34},
pmid = {39881025},
issn = {1678-8052},
mesh = {*Tephritidae/immunology/microbiology ; Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Symbiosis ; Pest Control, Biological ; },
abstract = {The interaction of microbial communities with host immunity has become one of the most explored research areas with significant implications for pest control strategies. It has been found that the gut microbiota plays substantial roles in immune response regulation and host-gut microbiome symbiosis, as well as in pathogen resistance and overall fitness in Tephritidae fruit flies that are major pests of agricultural importance. In this review, we discuss the modulation of immune responses of Tephritidae fruit flies by the gut microbiota with particular emphasis on the general interactions between microbiota and the immune system. These interactions help to unravel new horizons of pest management. Regulating gut microbiota modifies the performance of biological control agents and SIT and allows the creation of microbial therapies that affect the vital physiological functions of fruit flies. Besides, deploying microbes that can modulate the immune response and using microbial-derived signals provide an eco-friendly and more sustainable way of eradicating chemical pesticides and making farming systems less susceptible to climatic variability. This paper reviews various aspects of the possibility of using gut microbiota for changing the approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs that would improve methods of controlling Tephritidae fruit fly populations more ecologically.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
*Tephritidae/immunology/microbiology
Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Symbiosis
Pest Control, Biological
RevDate: 2025-01-29
Methanol transfer supports metabolic syntrophy between bacteria and archaea.
Nature [Epub ahead of print].
In subsurface methanogenic ecosystems, the ubiquity of methylated-compound-using archaea-methylotrophic methanogens[1-4]-implies that methylated compounds have an important role in the ecology and carbon cycling of such habitats. However, the origin of these chemicals remains unclear[5,6] as there are no known energy metabolisms that generate methylated compounds de novo as a major product. Here we identified an energy metabolism in the subsurface-derived thermophilic anaerobe Zhaonella formicivorans[7] that catalyses the conversion of formate to methanol, thereby producing methanol without requiring methylated compounds as an input. Cultivation experiments showed that formate-driven methanologenesis is inhibited by the accumulation of methanol. However, this limitation can be overcome through methanol consumption by a methylotrophic partner methanogen, Methermicoccus shengliensis. This symbiosis represents a fourth mode of mutualistic cross-feeding driven by thermodynamic necessity (syntrophy), previously thought to rely on transfer of hydrogen, formate or electrons[8-10]. The unusual metabolism and syntrophy provide insights into the enigmatic presence of methylated compounds in subsurface methanogenic ecosystems and demonstrate how organisms survive at the thermodynamic limit through metabolic symbiosis.
Additional Links: PMID-39880954
PubMed:
Citation:
show bibtex listing
hide bibtex listing
@article {pmid39880954,
year = {2025},
author = {Huang, Y and Igarashi, K and Liu, L and Mayumi, D and Ujiie, T and Fu, L and Yang, M and Lu, Y and Cheng, L and Kato, S and Nobu, MK},
title = {Methanol transfer supports metabolic syntrophy between bacteria and archaea.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39880954},
issn = {1476-4687},
abstract = {In subsurface methanogenic ecosystems, the ubiquity of methylated-compound-using archaea-methylotrophic methanogens[1-4]-implies that methylated compounds have an important role in the ecology and carbon cycling of such habitats. However, the origin of these chemicals remains unclear[5,6] as there are no known energy metabolisms that generate methylated compounds de novo as a major product. Here we identified an energy metabolism in the subsurface-derived thermophilic anaerobe Zhaonella formicivorans[7] that catalyses the conversion of formate to methanol, thereby producing methanol without requiring methylated compounds as an input. Cultivation experiments showed that formate-driven methanologenesis is inhibited by the accumulation of methanol. However, this limitation can be overcome through methanol consumption by a methylotrophic partner methanogen, Methermicoccus shengliensis. This symbiosis represents a fourth mode of mutualistic cross-feeding driven by thermodynamic necessity (syntrophy), previously thought to rely on transfer of hydrogen, formate or electrons[8-10]. The unusual metabolism and syntrophy provide insights into the enigmatic presence of methylated compounds in subsurface methanogenic ecosystems and demonstrate how organisms survive at the thermodynamic limit through metabolic symbiosis.},
}
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RJR Experience and Expertise
Researcher
Robbins holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in the life sciences. He served as a tenured faculty member in the Zoology and Biological Science departments at Michigan State University. He is currently exploring the intersection between genomics, microbial ecology, and biodiversity — an area that promises to transform our understanding of the biosphere.
Educator
Robbins has extensive experience in college-level education: At MSU he taught introductory biology, genetics, and population genetics. At JHU, he was an instructor for a special course on biological database design. At FHCRC, he team-taught a graduate-level course on the history of genetics. At Bellevue College he taught medical informatics.
Administrator
Robbins has been involved in science administration at both the federal and the institutional levels. At NSF he was a program officer for database activities in the life sciences, at DOE he was a program officer for information infrastructure in the human genome project. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, he served as a vice president for fifteen years.
Technologist
Robbins has been involved with information technology since writing his first Fortran program as a college student. At NSF he was the first program officer for database activities in the life sciences. At JHU he held an appointment in the CS department and served as director of the informatics core for the Genome Data Base. At the FHCRC he was VP for Information Technology.
Publisher
While still at Michigan State, Robbins started his first publishing venture, founding a small company that addressed the short-run publishing needs of instructors in very large undergraduate classes. For more than 20 years, Robbins has been operating The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project, a web site dedicated to the digital publishing of critical works in science, especially classical genetics.
Speaker
Robbins is well-known for his speaking abilities and is often called upon to provide keynote or plenary addresses at international meetings. For example, in July, 2012, he gave a well-received keynote address at the Global Biodiversity Informatics Congress, sponsored by GBIF and held in Copenhagen. The slides from that talk can be seen HERE.
Facilitator
Robbins is a skilled meeting facilitator. He prefers a participatory approach, with part of the meeting involving dynamic breakout groups, created by the participants in real time: (1) individuals propose breakout groups; (2) everyone signs up for one (or more) groups; (3) the groups with the most interested parties then meet, with reports from each group presented and discussed in a subsequent plenary session.
Designer
Robbins has been engaged with photography and design since the 1960s, when he worked for a professional photography laboratory. He now prefers digital photography and tools for their precision and reproducibility. He designed his first web site more than 20 years ago and he personally designed and implemented this web site. He engages in graphic design as a hobby.
RJR Picks from Around the Web (updated 11 MAY 2018 )
Old Science
Weird Science
Treating Disease with Fecal Transplantation
Fossils of miniature humans (hobbits) discovered in Indonesia
Paleontology
Dinosaur tail, complete with feathers, found preserved in amber.
Astronomy
Mysterious fast radio burst (FRB) detected in the distant universe.
Big Data & Informatics
Big Data: Buzzword or Big Deal?
Hacking the genome: Identifying anonymized human subjects using publicly available data.