Decoding and overcoming T cell exhaustion: Epigenetic and transcriptional dynamics in CAR-T cells against solid tumors.

T cell exhaustion, which is observed in various chronic infections and malignancies, is characterized by elevated expression of multiple inhibitory receptors, impaired effector functions, decreased proliferation, and reduced cytokine production. Notably, while adoptive T cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy, have shown promise in treating cancer and other diseases, the efficacy of these therapies is often compromised by T cell exhaustion. It is imperative, therefore, to understand the mechanisms underlying this exhaustion to promote advances in T cell-related therapies. Here, we divided exhausted T cells into three distinct subsets according to their developmental and functional profiles: stem-like progenitor cells, intermediately exhausted cells, and terminally exhausted cells. These subsets are carefully regulated by synergistic mechanisms that involve transcriptional and epigenetic modulators. Key transcription factors, such as TCF1, BACH2, and TOX, are crucial for defining and sustaining exhaustion phenotypes. Concurrently, epigenetic regulators, such as TET2 and DNMT3A, shape the chromatin dynamics that direct T cell fate. The interplay of these molecular drivers has recently been highlighted in CAR-T research, revealing promising therapeutic directions. Thus, a profound understanding of exhausted T cell hierarchies and their molecular complexities may reveal innovative and improved tumor treatment strategies.

Role of TRPC3 in Right Ventricular Dilatation under Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia in 129/SvEv Mice.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. However, the exact molecule responsible for the pathogenesis remains unknown. Given the resistance to RV dilation observed in transient receptor potential canonical 3(Trpc3)-/- mice during a pulmonary hypertension model induced by phenylephrine (PE), we hypothesized that TRPC3 also plays a role in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) conditions, which lead to RV dilation and dysfunction. To test this, we established an OSA mouse model using 8- to 12-week-old 129/SvEv wild-type and Trpc3-/- mice in a customized breeding chamber that simulated sleep and oxygen cycles. Functional parameters of the RV were evaluated through analysis of cardiac cine magnetic resonance images, while histopathological examinations were conducted on cardiomyocytes and pulmonary vessels. Following exposure to 4 weeks of CIH, Trpc3-/- mice exhibited significant RV dysfunction, characterized by decreased ejection fraction, increased end-diastole RV wall thickness, and elevated expression of pathological cardiac markers. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and the endothelin system were markedly increased solely in the hearts of CIH-exposed Trpc3-/- mice. Notably, no significant differences in pulmonary vessel thickness or the endothelin system were observed in the lungs of wild-type (WT) and Trpc3-/- mice subjected to 4 weeks of CIH. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TRPC3 serves as a regulator of RV resistance in response to pressure from the pulmonary vasculature, as evidenced by the high susceptibility to RV dilation in Trpc3-/- mice without notable changes in pulmonary vasculature under CIH conditions.

Correction: Massively synthesizable nickel-doped 1T-MoS2 nanosheet catalyst as an efficient tri-functional catalyst.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA03016D.].

Massively synthesizable nickel-doped 1T-MoS2 nanosheet catalyst as an efficient tri-functional catalyst.

In this study, a nickel (Ni)-doped 1T-MoS2 catalyst, an efficient tri-functional hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst, was massively synthesized at high pressure (over 15 bar). The morphology, crystal structure, and chemical and optical properties of the Ni-doped 1T-MoS2 nanosheet catalyst were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ring rotating disk electrodes (RRDE), and the OER/ORR properties were characterized using lithium-air cells. Our results confirmed that highly pure, uniform, monolayer Ni-doped 1T-MoS2 can be successfully prepared. The as-prepared catalysts exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for OER, HER, and ORR owing to the enhanced basal plane activity of Ni doping and formidable active edge sites resulting from the phase transition to a highly crystalline 1T structure from 2H and amorphous MoS2. Therefore, our study provides a massive and straightforward strategy to produce tri-functional catalysts.

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity-null effector developed using mammalian and plant GlycoDelete platform.

Cancer therapy using immune checkpoint inhibitor antibodies has markedly shifted the paradigm of cancer treatment. However, methods completely eliminating the effector function of these signal-regulating antibodies is urgently required. The heterogeneity of glycan chains in antibodies limits their use as therapeutic agents due to their variability; thus, the development of uniform glycan chains is necessary. Here, we subjected the anti-programmed cell death protein (PD)-1 antibody nivolumab, a representative immune checkpoint inhibitor, to GlycoDelete (GD) engineering to remove the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of the antibody, leaving only one glycan in the Fc. Glyco-engineered CHO cells were prepared by overexpressing endo-ß-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (Endo T) in CHO cells, in which N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-transferase I was knocked out using Cas9. GD IgG1 nivolumab and GD IgG4 nivolumab were produced using GD CHO cells, and glycan removal was confirmed using mass spectrometry. Target binding and PD-1 inhibition was not altered; however, ADCC decreased. Furthermore, the IgG4 form, determined to be the most suitable form of GD nivolumab, was produced in a plant GD system. The plant GD nivolumab also reduced ADCC without affecting PD-1 inhibitory function. Thus, CHO and plant GD platforms can be used to improve signal-regulating antibodies by reducing their effector function.

Development of a low-melting-point eutectic salt and evaluation of its discharge performance for light weight thermal batteries.

This paper proposes low-melting-point eutectic salts containing RbCl as electrolytes for light weight thermal batteries. The handleability of the eutectic salts was remarkably improved for commercialisation. Their performance as thermal battery molten-salt electrolytes was verified using tests on a single cell and a 12-cell stacked battery.

Electrochemical properties of a lithium-impregnated metal foam anode (LIMFA FeCrAl) for molten salt thermal batteries.

Although numerous cathode materials with excellent properties have been developed for use in molten salt thermal batteries, similar progress is yet to be made with anode materials. Herein, a high-performance lithium-impregnated metal foam anode (LIMFA) is fabricated by impregnating molten lithium into a gold-coated iron-chrome-aluminium (FeCrAl) foam at 400 °C. A test cell employing the LIMFA FeCrAl anode exhibited a specific capacity of 2627 As g-1. For comparison, a cell with a conventional Li(Si) anode was also discharged, demonstrating a specific capacity of 982 As g-1. This significant improvement in performance can be attributed to the large amount (18 wt%) of lithium incorporated into the FeCrAl foam and the ability of the FeCrAl foam to absorb and immobilize molten lithium without adopting a cup system. For thermal batteries without a cup, the LIMFA FeCrAl provides the highest-reported specific capacity and a flat discharge voltage curve of molten lithium. After cell discharge, the FeCrAl foam exhibited no lithium leakage, surface damage, or structural collapse. Given these advantageous properties, in addition to its high specific capacity, LIMFA FeCrAl is expected to aid the development of thermal batteries with enhanced performance.

Functional characterization of naturally-occurring constitutively activating/inactivating mutations in equine follicle-stimulating hormone receptor.

OBJECTIVE: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the central hormone involved in mammalian reproduction, maturation at puberty, and gamete production that mediates its function by control of follicle growth and function. The present study investigated the mutations involved in the regulation of FSH receptor (FSHR) activation. METHODS: We analyzed seven naturally-occurring mutations that were previously reported in human FSHR (hFSHR), in the context of equine FSHR (eFSHR); these include one constitutively activation variant, one allelic variant, and five inactivating variants. These mutations were introduced into wild-type eFSHR (eFSHR-wt) sequence to generate mutants that were designated as eFSHR-D566G, -A306T, -A189V, -N191I, -R572C, -A574V, and -R633H. Mutants were transfected into PathHunter EA-parental CHO-K1 cells expressing ß-arrestin. The biological function of mutants was analyzed by quantitating cAMP accumulation in cells incubated with increasing concentrations of FSH. RESULTS: Cells expressing eFSHR-D566G exhibited an 8.6-fold increase in basal cAMP response, as compared to that in eFSHR-wt. The allelic variation mutant eFSHR-A306T was not found to affect the basal cAMP response or half maximal effective concentration (EC50) levels. On the other hand, eFSHR-D566G and eFSHR-A306T displayed a 1.5- and 1.4-fold increase in the maximal response, respectively. Signal transduction was found to be completely impaired in case of the inactivating mutants eFSHR-A189V, -R572C, and -A574V. When compared with eFSHR-wt, eFSHR-N191I displayed a 5.4-fold decrease in the EC50 levels (3,910 ng/mL) and a 2.3-fold decrease in the maximal response. In contrast, cells expressing eFSHR-R633H displayed in a similar manner to that of the cells expressing the eFSHR-wt on signal transduction and maximal response. CONCLUSION: The activating mutant eFSHR-D566G greatly enhanced the signal transduction in response to FSH, in the absence of agonist treatment. We suggest that the state of activation of the eFSHR can modulate its basal cAMP accumulation.

Subtalar distraction arthrodesis for calcaneal malunion - comparison of structural freeze-dried versus autologous iliac bone graft.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the outcomes of subtalar distraction arthrodesis (SDA) for calcaneal malunion using structural freeze-dried iliac allograft (FDIA) compared to using autologous iliac bone (AIB). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 57 consecutive cases (51 patients) of calcaneal malunion between March 2006 and December 2017. All patients were followed for an average of 22.8 months. All cases were treated by SDA using structural FDIA (17 cases, group 1), or AIB (40 cases, group 2). The outcome measures included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and radiographic measurements. RESULTS: The mean postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months of AOFAS scores and VAS pain score were significantly better in group 2 than those in group 1 (p < 0.05, for all). There were 3 cases (17.6%) of nonunion in the group 1, whereas the group 2 had 2 cases (5.0%), which did not shown significant difference between two groups (p = 0.492). Although the mean pre-, postoperative, and final follow-up radiologic parameters in both groups were similar, (p > 0.05, for all) the difference of talocalcaneal height, talocalcaneal angle, and talar declination angle from postoperative to final follow-up were significantly bigger in the group 1. (p < 0.05, for all). CONCLUSION: Although union rate was not significantly different between the two groups, we obtained more favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes in the autologous iliac bone group. Using FDIA without any orthobiological agent for SDA, there were significant more loss of radiological parameters due to inferior incorporation and biomechanical properties. When considering the SDA for calcaneal malunion, routine use of FDIA without any orthobiological agents as an interpositional graft for SDA is not recommended.

Phylogenetic analysis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in the Republic of Korea.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging zoonotic tick-borne disease caused by SFTS virus, which circulates among ticks and their host animals, including wildlife. However, few studies have examined SFTS virus infection in wildlife present in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We evaluated SFTS virus infection in tissue samples from Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus), one of the most common wild ungulates in ROK. In this study, we evaluated tissue samples of 129 water deer carcasses collected in 2017 and detected SFTS viral RNA by conventional PCR. SFTS viral RNA was found in 3 of the 129 carcasses, showing a prevalence of 2.3 %; 2 of which were collected in Gyeongsangnam-do and 1 of which was in the Gangwon-do region. Among the 6 internal organs studied, only the spleen samples were positive. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships between deer- and human-derived strains. The medium segments of the three positive cases clustered with genotype B, which is the predominant genotype in ROK. In the small segment, two cases clustered with genotype B, samples 17WD044 and 17WD065. The third sample, 17WD068 from Gangwon-do province, showed genotype A, which circulates mainly in China. The disagreement in the genotypes of the two tested segments suggests a potential reassortment between genotype A and B, resulting in genetic recombination as observed in sample 17WD068, which may be co-circulating in China and Korea. Further studies in wildlife and humans are necessary to understand the genetic characteristics of SFTS viruses circulating in ROK.

Erratum to: Flavobacterium parvum sp. nov., isolated from soil polluted by sewer water.

In the article by Lee et al. published in Journal of Microbiology 2018; 56, 542-548, The KACC 19447T on 26th line of 4th paragraph in the section of 'Description of Flavobacterium parvum sp. nov.' on page 546 should be corrected in KACC 19448T. The sentence should have read: The type strain, HS916T (= KACC 19448T, = JCM 32368T), was isolated from soil polluted by sewer water in Cheonan, South Korea.We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Hydrothermally synthesized homogeneous Ni-Mo-S structures on Ni-foam cathodes for thermal batteries.

Hydrothermally synthesized homogeneous structures based on Ni, Mo, and S on Ni metal foam cathodes (NiMoSs) were characterized electrochemically. A NiMoS-containing cell exhibited a much higher specific capacity of 1534 A s g-1 than an FeS2 cathode, owing to its homogeneous structure, demonstrating promise for thermal battery applications.

Gramella fulva sp. nov., isolated from a dry surface of tidal flat.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by means of gliding, and short rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SH35T, was isolated from the dry surface of a tidal flat in Hwasung-si, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10-40°C (optimum 30°C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0), in 1-12% NaCl (optimum 2%), and was inhibited in the absence of NaCl and Ca2+ ions. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SH35T belonged to the genus Gramella and was a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae with highest sequence similarity to Gramella flava JLT2011T (96.1%), followed by Gramella oceani CCAMSZ-TT (95.6%), and 93.0-94.9% to other recognized Gramella species. The major cellular fatty acids (> 5% of the total) of strain SH35T were iso-C15:0, Iso-C16:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 9 (C16:0 10-methyl and/or C17:1 iso ω9с). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and nine unidentified polar lipids. The major respiratory quinone and the predominant polyamine were menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and symhomospermidine, respectively. The DNA G + C content was 40.5 mol% (39.7% based on total genome calculations). Based on phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characterization, strain SH35T represents a novel species of the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella fulva sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SH35T (= KACC 19447T = JCM 32369T).

Paludirhabdus telluriireducens gen. nov., sp. nov. and Paludirhabdus pumila sp. nov., isolated from soil of a mountain wetland and emended description of Gorillibacterium massiliense.

Two strains of Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, aerobic or facultative anaerobic, and rod-shaped bacteria that were designated ON8T and ON6T were isolated from soil collected from a mountain wetland in Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea. The isolates were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Cells of ON8T and ON6T grew at 15-35 °C (optimal 30 °C) and 15-40 °C (optimal 30 °C), respectively. The major menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of the total) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid and phospholipid. Meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C contents of strains ON8T and ON6T were 50.6 and 53.5 mol%, respectively, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbour of both strains was Gorillibacterium massiliense G5T (93.9 %), followed by the members of the genus Paenibacillus in the family Paenibacillaceae. The DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness value between ON8T and ON6T was 44.1 %, which indicated that they represented distinct species. Based on polyphasic characteristics, a novel genus is proposed with the name Paludirhabdus gen. nov., which consists of two species, Paludirhabdus telluriireducens sp. nov. (the type species; type strain ON8T=KACC 19267T=JCM 31958T) and Paludirhabdus pumila sp. nov. (type strain ON6T=KACC 19266T=JCM 31957T).

Flavobacterium parvum sp. nov., isolated from soil polluted by sewer water.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of gliding, and short rod-shaped bacterium, designated HS916T, was isolated from soil polluted by sewer water in Cheonan-si, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10-35°C (optimum 30°C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0), and 0-1% sodium chloride (NaCl, w/v). Based on similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain HS916T was closely related to members of the genus Flavobacterium, exhibiting the highest sequence similarities with Flavobacterium glycines Gm-149T (96.4%), followed by F. granuli Kw05T (96.3%), F. fluminis 3R17T (96.3%), F. aquicola TMd3a3T (96.2%), and F. nitratireducens N1T (96.2%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HS916T was placed in a monophyletic cluster with F. nitratireducens N1T and F. fluminis 3R17T. The predominant fatty acids (> 5% of the total) of strain HS916T were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, C17:1ω6с, C16:0 3-OH, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7с and/or C16:1ω6с). The major polar lipids of the strain comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified aminolipids, and five unidentified lipids. The predominant respiratory quinone and the major polyamine were menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and symhomospermidine, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain HS916T was 34.9 mol%. Based on polyphasic analyses, strain HS916T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium parvum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HS916T (= KACC 19448T = JCM 32368T).

Roseomonas fluminis sp. nov. isolated from sediment of a shallow stream.

An aerobic, Gram-negative, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, and ovoid-shaped bacterium, designated D3T, was isolated from shallow stream sediments in Sinan-gun, South Korea. Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum 35 °C), at pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0), and at an optimum NaCl concentration of 0.5 % (w/v). The major cellular fatty acids (>7 % of the total) were C16 : 0, C18 : 0 2-OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The predominant quinone was ubiquinone-10, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain D3T was 73.1 mol%. The major polyamine was spermidine. The major polar lipids of the isolate were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain D3T clustered with Roseomonas aquatica TR53T within the genus Roseomonas. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain D3T showed the highest sequence similarity to R. aquatica TR53T (95.9 %), followed by Roseomonas rosea 173-96T (95.7 %) and Roseomonas aerilata 5420S-30T (95.0 %). Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characterization, strain D3T represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas fluminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D3T (=KACC 19269T=JCM 31968T).

Uliginosibacterium sediminicola sp. nov., isolated from freshwater sediment.

Strain M1-21T is a Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and short-rod-shaped bacterium, motile by means of a single polar flagellum; it was isolated from freshwater sediment in Korea. It grew at 10-40 °C (optimum 25 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-0.75 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth occurred in the absence of NaCl) on R2A agar, and it accumulated poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate granules inside the cells. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain M1-21T showed highest sequence similarity with Uliginosibacterium gangwonense (94.7 %) and Uliginosibacterium paludis (94.4 %). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M1-21T belongs to the genus Uliginosibacterium. The DNA G+C content of strain M1-21T was 61.9 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total) were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain M1-21T showed distinct phenotypic characteristics that differentiated it from species of the genus Uliginosibacterium. Based on these results, strain M1-21T represents a novel species of the genus Uliginosibacterium, for which the name Uliginosibacterium sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M1-21T (=KACC 19271T=JCM 32000T).

Sphingomonas silvisoli sp. nov., isolated from forest soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated RP18T, was isolated from forest soil in Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea. Growth occurred at 15-30 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 6.0-7.0 (optimum pH 7.0), and was inhibited in the presence of normal saline. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain RP18T showed the highest sequence similarity to Sphingomonas kyeonggiensis THG-DT81T (96.0 %), followed by Sphingomonas pituitosa EDIVT (95.4 %) and Sphingomonas dokdonensis DS-4T (95.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RP18T was clustered with Sphingomonas gimensis 9PNM-6T and Sphingomonas jejuensis MS-31T under the genus Sphingomonas. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain RP18T was 61.5 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids (>6 % of the total) were C16 : 0, C14 : 0 2-OH, C17 : 1ω6с, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7с and/or C16 : 1ω6с) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7с and/or C18 : 1ω6с). Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and sym-homospermidine were detected as the predominant respiratory quinone and major compound in the polyamine pattern, respectively. The major polar lipids of the isolate consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phospholipid and sphingoglycolipid. Based on phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characterization, strain RP18T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas silvisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RP18T (=KACC 18914T=JCM 31801T).

Chthonobacter albigriseus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from grass-field soil.

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and non-motile bacterial strain, designated ED7T, was isolated from grass-field soil in Cheonan, Korea. Strain ED7T utilized methanol and methylamine, but not formate, as carbon and energy sources. The strain was able to grow at 20-42 °C (optimum 30-35 °C), at pH 7.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.5-8.0), and in the absence of NaCl. According to the similarities of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain ED7T was most closely related to the genera Labrenzia (≤93.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Pleomorphomonas (≤93.1 %) and Prosthecomicrobium (≤93.1 %). A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ED7T revealed that it was affiliated with the family Methylocystaceae, being most closely related to the genus Pleomorphomonas. In contrast to Pleomorphomonas koreensis and Pleomorphomonas oryzae, strain ED7T did not contain the nifH gene. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain ED7T was 71.8 mol%. The predominant fatty acids of strain ED7T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 2 (C14 : 0 3-OH, and/or C16 : 1 iso I), 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 3-OH. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown aminophospholipid. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristic data, strain ED7T could be differentiated from other genera, suggesting that strain ED7T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Methylocystaceae, for which the name Chthonobacter albigriseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is ED7T (=JCM 30603T=KCTC 42450T).

Flavobacterium eburneum sp. nov., isolated from reclaimed saline land soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, motile by gliding, and aerobic bacterial strain, designated SA31T, was isolated from reclaimed saline land soil near a lake in Taean-gun, South Korea. Cells of the isolate formed ivory-coloured colonies. Growth occurred at 10-35 °C (optimum 25-30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5), and 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 %). Based on similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain SA31T was mostly affiliated with the genus Flavobacterium, exhibiting the highest sequence similarities with Flavobacterium palustre S44T (96.0 %), Flavobacterium glycines Gm-149T (95.9 %), Flavobacterium defluvii EMB117T (95.7 %) and Flavobacterium daejeonense GH1-10T (95.6 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also indicated that strain SA31T was clustered with Flavobacterium daejeonense GH1-10T and Flavobacterium glycines Gm-149T. The predominant fatty acids (>7 % of total) of strain SA31T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7с and/or C16 : 1ω6с), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids of the isolate comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid, one unknown glycolipid, one unknown aminophospholipid and three unknown lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SA31T was 33.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain SA31T represents a novel species the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium eburneum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA31T (=KACC 18743T=JCM 31221T).