Exploring functional genes' correlation with (S)-equol concentration and new daidzein racemase identification.

With its estrogenic activity, (S)-equol plays an important role in maintaining host health and preventing estrogen-related diseases. Exclusive production occurs through the transformation of soy isoflavones by intestinal bacteria, but the reasons for variations in (S)-equol production among different individuals and species remain unclear. Here, fecal samples from humans, pigs, chickens, mice, and rats were used as research objects. The concentrations of (S)-equol, along with the genetic homology and evolutionary relationships of (S)-equol production-related genes [daidzein reductase (DZNR), daidzein racemase (DDRC), dihydrodaidzein reductase (DHDR), tetrahydrodaidzein reductase (THDR)], were analyzed. Additionally, in vitro functional verification of the newly identified DDRC gene was conducted. It was found that approximately 40% of human samples contained (S)-equol, whereas 100% of samples from other species contained (S)-equol. However, there were significant variations in (S)-equol content among the different species: rats > pigs > chickens > mice > humans. The distributions of the four genes displayed species-specific patterns. High detection rates across various species were exhibited by DHDR, THDR, and DDRC. In contrast, substantial variations in detection rates among different species and individuals were observed with respect to DZNR. It appears that various types of DZNR may be associated with different concentrations of (S)-equol, which potentially correspond to the regulatory role during (S)-equol synthesis. This enhances our understanding of individual variations in (S)-equol production and their connection with functional genes in vitro. Moreover, the newly identified DDRC exhibits higher potential for (S)-equol synthesis compared to the known DDRC, providing valuable resources for advancing in vitro (S)-equol production. IMPORTANCE: (S)-equol ((S)-EQ) plays a crucial role in maintaining human health, along with its known capacity to prevent and treat various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndromes, osteoporosis, diabetes, brain-related diseases, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and inflammation. However, factors affecting individual variations in (S)-EQ production and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. This study examines the association between functional genes and (S)-EQ production, highlighting a potential correlation between the DZNR gene and (S)-EQ content. Various types of DZNR may be linked to the regulation of (S)-EQ synthesis. Furthermore, the identification of a new DDRC gene offers promising prospects for enhancing in vitro (S)-EQ production.

Pseudomonas hunanensis sp. nov., isolated from soil subjected to long-term manganese pollution.

A Gram-negative, polar flagella, rod-shaped bacterium LV (T) was isolated from a soil sample subjected to long-term manganese pollution in Hunan Province, China. Cells grow optimally on Luria-Bertani agar medium at 30 °C in the presence of 0-5.0 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7-8. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain LV (T) belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, with sequence similarity values of 98.6, 98.2, 98.7, and 97.3 % to Pseudomonas monteilii BCRC 17520 (T) , Pseudomonas putida BCRC 10459 (T) , Pseudomonas plecoglossicida BCRC 17517 (T) , and Pseudomonas asplenii BCRC 17131 (T) , respectively. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between the five strains was <30 %. The DNA G+C content of strain LV (T) is 68.8 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that the strain LV(T) possesses ubiquinone Q-9. The polar lipid profile of strain LV (T) contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids present are C10:03-OH (12.33 %), C16:0 (23.99 %), summed feature 3(C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), and summed feature 8(C18:1 ω7c and C18:1 ω6c). Based on the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain LV (T) is distinguishable from related members of the genus Pseudomonas. Thus, strain LV (T) represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LV (T) (=CICC 10558(T) = NCCB 100446(T)).