Cell models and drug discovery for mitochondrial diseases.

Mitochondrion is a semi-autonomous organelle, important for cell energy metabolism, apoptosis, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca2+ homeostasis. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation is one of the primary factors in mitochondrial disorders. Though much progress has been made, there remain many difficulties in constructing cell models for mitochondrial diseases. This seriously restricts studies related to targeted drug discovery and the mechanism and therapy for such diseases. Here we summarize the characteristics of patient-specific immortalized lymphoblastoid cells, fibroblastoid cells, cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) cell lines, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived differentiation cells in the study of mitochondrial disorders, as well as offering discussion of roles and advances of these cell models, particularly in the screening of drugs.

Construction, properties, and application of the pCB5 plasmid, a novel conjugative shuttle vector with a Cupriavidus basilensis origin of replication.

Cupriavidus basilensis is a species with diverse metabolic capabilities, including degradation of xenobiotics and heavy metal resistance. Although the genomes of several strains of this species have been sequenced, no plasmid has yet been constructed for genetic engineering in this species. In this study, we identified a novel plasmid, designated pWS, from C. basilensis WS with a copy number of 1-3 per cell and a length of 2150 bp. pWS contained three protein-coding genes, among which only rep was required for plasmid replication. Rep showed no homology with known plasmid replication initiators. Unlike most plasmids, pWS did not have a cis-acting replication origin outside the region of rep. The minimal replicon of pWS was stable in C. basilensis WS without selection. A conjugative C. basilensis/Escherichia coli shuttle vector, pCB5, was constructed using the minimal replicon of pWS. Interestingly, the copy number of pCB5 was flexible and could be manipulated. Enhancing the expression level of Rep in pCB5 by either doubling the promoter or coding region of rep resulted in doubling of the plasmid copy number. Moreover, replacing the native promoter of rep with the lac promoter increased the copy number by over fivefold. Finally, using two different ß-galactosidase reporting systems constructed with pCB5, we successfully demonstrated the different regulatory patterns of bph and dmp operons during diphenyl ether (DE) degradation in C. basilensis WS. Thus, this shuttle vector provided an efficient tool for DNA cloning and metabolic engineering in C. basilensis.

Marinobacterium zhoushanense sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated WM3T, was isolated from surface seawater collected from the East China Sea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive, short rods and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 15-43 °C (optimum 37-40 C), pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 6.5-7.5) and with 0.25-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0-1.5 %). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8, the major fatty acids included C16 : 0 (23.6 %), C18 : 1ω7c (26.2 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, 22.1 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain WM3T was most closely related to the genus Marinobacterium, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.5 % with both Marinobacterium litorale KCTC 12756T and Marinobacterium mangrovicola DSM 27697T. The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain WM3T was 55.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics presented in this study, strain WM3T is suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Marinobacterium, for which the name Marinobacterium zhoushanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WM3T (=KCTC 42782T=CGMCC 1.15341T).

Terasakiella brassicae sp. nov., isolated from the wastewater of a pickle-processing factory, and emended descriptions of Terasakiella pusilla and the genus Terasakiella.

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, polyhydroxybutyrate-accumulating, aerobic, S-shaped bacterium, designated B3T, was isolated from the wastewater of a pickle-processing factory. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that it was most closely related to the type strain, Terasakiella pusilla (96.6% similarity). Strain B3T was able to grow at 4-40 °C (optimum 32-37 °C), pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum 6.5-7.5) and with 0.5-8% (w/v) NaCl present (optimum 1-2%, w/v). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, the major fatty acids included C16:0, C18:1ω7c and C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:2-OH. The major polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, aminophospholipid and three uncharacterized phospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain B3T was 42.3 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between B3T and T. pusilla DSM 9263T was 23.9%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics of strain B3T, it represents a novel species of the genus Terasakiella, for which the name Terasakiella brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B3T (=KCTC 42652T=CGMCC 1.15254T). Emended descriptions of T. pusilla and the genus Terasakiella are also presented.

Haloimpatiens lingqiaonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from paper-mill wastewater.

An anaerobic bacterium, strain ZC-CMC3T, was isolated from a wastewater sample in Zhejiang, China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, peritrichous, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped (0.6-1.2 × 2.9-5.1 µm) and catalase- and oxidase-negative. Strain ZC-CMC3T was able to grow at 25-48 °C (optimum 43 °C) and pH 5.5-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0-3 % (w/v) (optimum 0 %). The major polar lipids of the isolate were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, several phospholipids and glycolipids. Main fermentation products from PYG medium were formate, acetate, lactate and ethanol. Substrates which could be utilized were peptone, tryptone, yeast extract and beef extract. No respiratory quinone was detected. The main fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1cis 7 and C16 : 1cis 9. The DNA G+C content was 30.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to the family Clostridiaceae. Phylogenetically, the most closely related species were Oceanirhabdus sediminicola NH-JN4T (92.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Clostridium tepidiprofundi SG 508T (92.6 %). On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain ZC-CMC3T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Clostridiaceae, for which the name Haloimpatiens lingqiaonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is ZC-CMC3T ( = KCTC 15321T = JCM 19210T = CCTCC AB 2013104T).

Bacillus salitolerans sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a salt mine in Xinjiang province, China.

A novel aerobic bacterium, KC1(T), was isolated from a salt mine in Kuche county, Xinjiang province, China. Cells were observed to be Gram-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming and motile with flagella. Strain KC1(T) was found to grow at 25-45 °C (optimum 37 °C), pH 6.5-9.0 (optimum 8.0) and NaCl 0-10 % (v/v) (optimum 4 %). The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was found to be the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The cell-wall diamino acid was found to be meso-diaminopimelic acid. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylglycerol and a glycolipid. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KC1(T) showed low similarity (<96 %) to other validly named species. The phylogenetic trees showed that strain KC1(T) is closely related to Bacillus azotoformans DSM 1046(T) and Bacillus methanolicus DSM 16454(T). Both these type strains showed 95.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to strain KC1(T). The DNA G+C content of strain KC1(T) was determined to be 39.0 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain KC1(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus salitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KC1(T) (=JCM 19760(T) = CGMCC 1.12810(T)).

Gilvimarinus polysaccharolyticus sp. nov., an agar-digesting bacterium isolated from seaweed, and emended description of the genus Gilvimarinus.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain YN3(T), which was isolated from a seaweed sample taken from the coast of Weihai, China. The bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, and could grow at pH 5.0-10.0 and 4-32 °C in the presence of 0-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain YN3(T) was positive for the hydrolysis of polysaccharides, such as agar, starch and xylan. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, and two unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 49.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YN3(T) should be assigned to the genus Gilvimarinus. 'Gilvimarinus agarilyticus' KCTC 23325 and Gilvimarinus chinensis QM42(T) had the closest phylogenetic relationship to strain YN3(T), and showed 97.9 % and 95.8 % sequence similarities, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data and DNA-DNA hybridization studies, we propose that strain YN3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Gilvimarinus, for which the name Gilvimarinus polysaccharolyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YN3(T) ( = KCTC 32438(T) = JCM 19198(T)). An emended description of the genus Gilvimarinus is also presented.

Muriicola marianensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, orange-pigmented, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated strain A6B8(T), was isolated from seawater of the Mariana Trench. The isolate grew at 4-50 °C (optimum 30-35 °C), at pH 6.5-8.0 (optimum pH 7.5) and with 0.5-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0-2.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain A6B8(T) was related most closely to the genus Muriicola and shared highest sequence similarity of 97.7 % with Muriicola jejuensis EM44(T). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the predominant isoprenoid and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH were the major cellular fatty acids. The polar lipid profile of strain A6B8(T) included phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 47.1 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value (23.3 %) clearly demonstrated that strains A6B8(T) and M. jejuensis EM44(T) were representatives of two different species. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characterizations, A6B8(T) ( = CGMCC 1.12606(T) = KCTC 32436(T)) is considered to be the type strain of a novel species of the genus Muriicola, for which the name Muriicola marianensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Aquibacillus salifodinae sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a salt mine in Xinjiang province, China.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterium, strain WSY08-1(T), was isolated from a salt mine in Wensu county, Xinjiang province, China. Spherical to ellipsoidal endospores were observed to be formed in terminal swollen sporangia. Strain WSY08-1(T) was found to be able to grow at 20-45 °C (optimum 37 °C), 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4 %, w/v) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum 7.0). Catalase and oxidase activities were observed to be positive. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain WSY08-1(T) was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was identified as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unknown glycolipid, two unknown phospholipids and an unknown lipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 36.9 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain WSY08-1(T) is closely related to Aquibacillus halophilus B6B(T), Aquibacillus koreensis BH30097(T) and Aquibacillus albus YIM 93642(T) (97.6, 96.9 and 96.5 % similarity, respectively). The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strains WSY08-1(T) and A. halophilus B6B(T) was 31.4 %. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain WSY08-1(T) is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Aquibacillus, for which the name Aquibacillus salifodinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WSY08-1(T) (=JCM 19761(T) = CGMCC 1.12849(T)).

Maribacter thermophilus sp. nov., isolated from an algal bloom in an intertidal zone, and emended description of the genus Maribacter.

A novel facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain HT7-2(T), was isolated from Ulva prolifera collected from the intertidal zone of Qingdao sea area, China, during its bloom. Cells were rod-shaped (1.9-3.5×0.4-0.6 µm), non-sporulating and motile by gliding. Strain HT7-2(T) was able to grow at 4-50 °C (optimum 40-42 °C), pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0), 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-3 %) and 0.5-10 % (w/v) sea salts (optimum 2.5 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.8 mol%. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain HT7-2(T) belonged to the genus Maribacter with sequence similarity values of 94.5-96.6 %, and was most closely related to Maribacter aestuarii GY20(T) (96.6%). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the main isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 and the major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 and unknown equivalent chain-length 13.565. The polar lipids of strain HT7-2(T) consisted of one phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified lipids and one unidentified aminolipid. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain HT7-2(T) ( =CGMCC 1.12207(T) =JCM 18466(T)) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Maribacter, for which the name Maribacter thermophilus sp. nov. is proposed. An emended description of the genus Maribacter is also proposed.

Paracoccus sediminis sp. nov., isolated from Pacific Ocean marine sediment.

Strain CMB17(T) was a short rod-shaped bacterium isolated from marine sediment of the Pacific Ocean. Cells were Gram-stain-negative and non-motile. Optimal growth occurred at 25-30 °C, pH 6.5-7 and 0.5-1% (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acid was C(18 : 1)ω7c (87.59%), and ubiquinone-10 was detected as the only isoprenoid quinone. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CMB17(T) is most closely related to Paracoccus stylophorae KTW-16(T) (96.7%), P. solventivorans DSM 6637(T) (96.4%) and P. saliphilus YIM 90738(T) (96.4%). Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain CMB17(T) is proposed to represent a novel species, denominated Paracoccus sediminis sp. nov. (type strain CMB17(T) = JCM 18467(T) = DSM 26170(T) = CGMCC 1.12681(T)).

Devosia pacifica sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment.

A novel bacterial strain, NH131(T), was isolated from deep-sea sediment of South China Sea. Cells were strictly aerobic, Gram-stain negative, short rod-shaped and motile with a single lateral flagellum. Strain NH131(T) grew optimally at pH 6.5-7.0 and 25-30 °C. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain NH131(T) belonged to the genus Devosia, sharing the highest sequence similarity with the type strain, Devosia geojensis BD-c194(T) (96.2%). The predominant fatty acids were C(18 : 1)ω7c, 11-methyl C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(18 : 0) and C(16 : 0). Ubiquinone 10 was the predominant ubiquinone. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, three glycolipids and two unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain NH131(T) was 63.0 mol%. On the basis of the results of polyphasic identification, it is suggested that strain NH131(T) represents a novel species of the genus Devosia for which the name Devosia pacifica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NH131(T) ( = JCM 19305(T) = KCTC 32437(T)).

Oceanirhabdus sediminicola gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from sea sediment.

A novel anaerobic bacterium, designated NH-JN4(T) was isolated from a sediment sample collected in the South China Sea. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, peritrichous and rod-shaped (0.5-1.2×2.2-7 µm). The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 22-42 °C and pH 6.0-8.5. Optimal growth occurred at 34-38 °C and pH 6.5-7.0. The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0.5-6 % (w/v) with an optimum of 2.5 %. Catalase and oxidase were not produced. Substrates which could be utilized were peptone, tryptone, yeast extract, beef extract and glycine. Main fermentation products from PYG medium were formate, acetate, butyrate and ethanol. Strain NH-JN4(T) could utilize sodium sulfite as an electron acceptor. No respiratory quinone was detected. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0 DMA. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and glycolipids. The DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NH-JN4(T) was a member of family Clostridiaceae, and was most closely related to Clostridium limosum ATCC 25620(T), Clostridium proteolyticum DSM 3090(T), Clostridium histolyticum ATCC 19401(T) and Clostridium tepidiprofundi SG 508(T), showing 94.0, 93.0, 92.9 and 92.3 % sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain NH-JN4(T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Clostridiaceae, for which the name Oceanirhabdus sediminicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is NH-JN4(T) ( = JCM 18501(T) = CCTCC AB 2013103(T) = KCTC 15322(T)).

Halolamina salifodinae sp. nov. and Halolamina salina sp. nov., two extremely halophilic archaea isolated from a salt mine.

Two strictly aerobic, extremely halophilic archaea, strains WSY15-H1(T) and WSY15-H3(T), were isolated from a salt mine in Wensu county, Xinjiang province, China. Cells of the two strains were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and pleomorphic. Colonies were pink- and red-pigmented, respectively. Strain WSY15-H1(T) grew at 20-45 °C (optimum 37-42 °C), 1.6-5.4 M NaCl (optimum 3.4-3.9 M), 0-2.0 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.1-0.5 M) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum 7.0), whereas strain WSY15-H3(T) grew at 20-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), 1.9-5.4 M NaCl (optimum 3.4 M), 0.02-2.5 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.5-1.0 M) and pH 6.0-7.5 (optimum 6.5). The minimal NaCl concentrations to prevent cell lysis were 9 % (w/v) for strain WSY15-H1(T) and 8 % (w/v) for strain WSY15-H3(T). The major polar lipids of the two isolates were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, as well as nine glycolipids for strain WSY15-H1(T) and seven glycolipids for strain WSY15-H3(T); two of these glycolipids (GL1 and GL3) were chromatographically identical to bis-sulfated diglycosyl diether (S2-DGD-1) and sulfated diglycosyl diether (S-DGD-1), respectively. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains WSY15-H1(T) and WSY15-H3(T) were 65.4 and 66.2 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains WSY15-H1(T) and WSY15-H3(T) shared 97.0% similarity with each other and showed respectively 98.4 and 97.6% sequence similarity to Halolamina pelagica TBN21(T), which was the only type strain that had higher than 91% sequence similarity with the two isolates. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships and DNA-DNA relatedness indicated that strains WSY15-H1(T) and WSY15-H3(T) represent two novel lineages with closest affinity to H. pelagica TBN21(T). Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, two novel species of the genus Halolamina are proposed, Halolamina salifodinae sp. nov. (type strain WSY15-H1(T) = JCM 18548(T) = GCMCC 1.12371(T)) and Halolamina salina sp. nov. (type strain WSY15-H3(T) = JCM 18549(T) = GCMCC 1.12285(T)).

Anoxybacillus vitaminiphilus sp. nov., a strictly aerobic and moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, motile and spore-forming bacterium, strain 3nP4(T), was isolated from the Puge hot spring located in the south-western geothermal area of China. Strain 3nP4(T) grew at 38-66 °C (optimum 57-60 °C), at pH 6.0-9.3 (optimum 7.0-7.5) and with 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0-0.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, as well as DNA-DNA relatedness values, indicated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Anoxybacillus, related most closely to Anoxybacillus voinovskiensis DSM 12111(T). Strain 3nP4(T) had diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified phospholipid as major polar lipids and iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as major fatty acids, which are both typical chemotaxonomic characteristics of the genus Anoxybacillus. The mean DNA G+C content of strain 3nP4(T) was 39.2±0.95 mol% (HPLC). A distinctive characteristic of the novel isolate was its extreme reliance on vitamin mixture or yeast extract for growth. Based on data from this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain 3nP4(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Anoxybacillus, for which the name Anoxybacillus vitaminiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3nP4(T) ( = CGMCC 1.8979(T) = JCM 16594(T)).

Halopiger salifodinae sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a salt mine.

A novel extremely halophilic archaeon KCY07-B2(T) was isolated from a salt mine in Kuche county, Xinjiang province, China. Colonies were cream-pigmented and cells were pleomorphic rod-shaped. Strain KCY07-B2(T) was able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37-45 °C) and pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum 7.0). The strain required at least 1.9 M NaCl for growth. MgCl2 was not required. Cells lysed in distilled water. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, derived from both C20C20 and C20C25 glycerol diethers, together with five glyolipids. The bis-sulfated glycolipid S2-DGD-1 was present. The DNA G+C content was 62.5 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain KCY07-B2(T) was closely related to Halopiger xanaduensis SH-6(T) and Halopiger aswanensis 56(T) (95.8 % and 95.5 % similarity, respectively). On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain KCY07-B2(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halopiger, for which the name Halopiger salifodinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KCY07-B2(T) ( = JCM 18547(T) = CGMCC 1.12284(T)).

Halopelagius longus sp. nov., a member of the family Halobacteriaceae isolated from a salt mine, and emended description of the genus Halopelagius.

A thermotolerant, extremely halophilic archaeon, BC12-B1(T), was isolated from a salt mine in Baicheng county, Xinjiang province, China. Colonies were off-white-grey. The cells stained Gram-negative, were motile and irregularly long-rod-shaped (variation in both width and length) with abundant gas vesicles. The strain was able to grow at 20-55 °C (optimum, 48 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, 7.0-7.3), with 1.8-6.0 M NaCl (optimum, 3.0-3.5 M) and with 0.02-2.2 M Mg(2+) (optimum, 0.1-0.2 M). Cells lysed in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis was 8 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BC12-B1(T) was most closely related to Halopelagius inordinatus RO5-2(T) (98.5 %) with less than 95 % sequence similarity to other described species. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain BC12-B1(T) was 64.0 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain BC12-B1(T) and Hpl. inordinatus RO5-2(T) was 43.6 %. The major polar lipids of strain BC12-B1(T) were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, four glycolipids and an unknown lipid. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain BC12-B1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Halopelagius, for which the name Halopelagius longus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BC12-B1(T) ( = CGMCC 1.12397(T) = JCM 18758(T)). An emended description of the genus Halopelagius is also provided.

Aequorivita viscosa sp. nov., isolated from an intertidal zone, and emended descriptions of Aequorivita antarctica and Aequorivita capsosiphonis.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-motile and non-sporulating bacterium, designed strain 8-1b(T), was isolated from seaweed collected from the intertidal zone of Zhoushan sea area, East China Sea. Strain 8-1b(T) grew at 4-39 °C (optimum, 28-32 °C) and at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, 7.0-8.5), and with 0.5-8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1-3%) and 0.5-10% (w/v) sea salts (optimum, 2-3%). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 8-1b(T) was related closely to Aequorivita capsosiphonis JCM 15070(T) (96.7% similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain 8-1b(T) was 36.6 mol%. Compared with reference strains, cells of strain 8-1b(T) showed positive activities for H2S production and utilization of D-mannose, DL-lactic acid, L-asparagine and glycyl L-aspartic acid. The major fatty acids of strain 8-1b(T) were iso-C(15:0), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH, iso-C(15:1) G and iso-C(17:1)ω9c. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6. The polar lipids of strain 8-1b(T) consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), three uncharacterized aminolipids (AL1-3), four uncharacterized glycolipids (GL1-4) and five uncharacterized lipids (L1-5). Based on the phenotypic and genotypic characterization, strain 8-1b(T) represents a novel species of the genus Aequorivita, for which the name Aequorivita viscosa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain 8-1b(T) ( =CGMCC 1.11023(T) = JCM 18497(T)). Emended descriptions of Aequorivita antarctica and Aequorivita capsosiphonis are also presented.

Draft Genome Sequence of Amphibacillus jilinensis Y1(T), a Facultatively Anaerobic, Alkaliphilic and Halotolerant Bacterium.

The genus Amphibacillus was established in 1990, and seven additional species were described in the past two decades. Amphibacillus jilinensis Y1(T) is a facultatively anaerobic and alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a soda lake in China. Here we describe the structural and genetic features of the draft genome about the type strain Y1(T) (3,831,075 bp, with a G+C content of 37.27%). This is the first genome report of the Amphibacillus genus.

Salimesophilobacter vulgaris gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from paper-mill wastewater.

A novel anaerobic, heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain Zn2(T), was isolated from the wastewater of a paper mill in Zhejiang, China. Cells were gram-type-positive rods, 0.5-0.8 µm wide and 2-4 µm long, and were motile by a lateral flagellum. The ranges of temperature and pH for growth were 10-50 °C and pH 6.0-9.5. Optimal growth occurred at 35 °C and pH 7.3-7.5. The strain did not require NaCl for growth, but its inclusion in the medium improved growth (optimum concentration 6 %). Substrates utilized as sole carbon sources were peptone, tryptone, Casamino acids, D-xylose, salicin, glycerol, formate, acetate and propionate. The main products of carbohydrate fermentation were acetate, formate, propionate and lactate. Elemental sulfur, thiosulfate and Fe(III) were used as electron acceptors, but sulfate, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite and Mn(IV) were not. Growth was inhibited by the addition of 10 µg ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline or chloramphenicol ml(-1). iso-C15 : 0, C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 cis9 and C18 : 1 cis9 were the major fatty acids. Strain Zn2(T) did not contain any detectable menaquinones or ubiquinones. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, two unknown phospholipids and four unknown glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 37 mol%, as determined by HPLC. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain Zn2(T) was a member of family Clostridiaceae, and was most closely related to the type strains of Geosporobacter subterraneus, Thermotalea metallivorans and Caminicella sporogenes, showing 91.2, 90.3 and 91.1 % sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain Zn2(T) is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Salimesophilobacter vulgaris gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Salimesophilobacter vulgaris is Zn2(T) ( = DSM 24770(T)  = JCM 17796(T)).