Platycodin D enhances LDLR expression and LDL uptake via down-regulation of IDOL mRNA in hepatic cells.

The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asian country. Platycondin D (PD), triterpenoid saponin that is a main constituent of PG, exhibits various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects. A previous study showed that PD had cholesterol-lowering effects in mice that develop hypercholesterolemia, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated during the last decade. Here, we demonstrated that both PG and PD markedly increased levels of cell surface low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) by down-regulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase named inducible degrader of the LDLR (IDOL) mRNA, leading to the enhanced uptake of LDL-derived cholesterol (LDL-C) in hepatic cells. Furthermore, cycloheximide chase analysis and in vivo ubiquitination assay revealed that PD increased the half-life of LDLR protein by reducing IDOL-mediated LDLR ubiquitination. Finally, we demonstrated that treatment of HepG2 cells with simvastatin in combination with PG and PD had synergistic effects on the improvement of LDLR expression and LDL-C uptake. Together, these results provide the first molecular evidence for anti-hypercholesterolemic activity of PD and suggest that PD alone or together with statin could be a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Bizionia hallyeonensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater in an oyster farm.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain T-y7(T), was isolated from seawater collected in an oyster farm in the South Sea, South Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic study. Strain T-y7(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain T-y7(T) fell within a clade comprising Bizionia species. It formed a coherent cluster with the type strains of Bizionia algoritergicola, B. argentinensis, B. echini and B. myxarmorum, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.4-98.9 % and mean DNA-DNA relatedness values of 11-27 %. Strain T-y7(T) had MK-6 as its predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 1) G, summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH), iso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH as its major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 37.1 mol%. Its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness and differential phenotypic properties revealed that strain T-y7(T) does not belong to any established Bizionia species. On the basis of the data presented, strain T-y7(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bizionia, for which the name Bizionia hallyeonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T-y7(T) ( = KCTC 23881(T)  = CCUG 62110(T)).

Mucilaginibacter litoreus sp. nov., isolated from marine sand.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain BR-18(T), was isolated from marine sand collected on the western coast of South Korea. The taxonomic position of the novel strain was determined using a polyphasic approach. Strain BR-18(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.5-7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the novel strain fell within a clade comprising members of the genus Mucilaginibacter and appeared most closely related to Mucilaginibacter lutimaris BR-3(T) (96.6 % sequence similarity) and Mucilaginibacter rigui WPCB133(T) (95.9 %). The novel strain showed lower levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of other members of the genus Mucilaginibacter (93.4-95.5 %) and those of other species included in the phylogenetic analyses (<91.6 %). Strain BR-18(T) contained MK-7 as its predominant menaquinone, summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) and iso-C(15 : 0) as its major fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as its major polar lipids, and sphingolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 42.4 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain BR-18(T) represents a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter litoreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BR-18(T) ( = KCTC 23697(T)  = CCUG 61484(T)).

Mucilaginibacter lutimaris sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, facultatively aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, BR-3(T), was isolated from a tidal flat on the western coast of Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic study. Strain BR-3(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.5-7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BR-3(T) fell within the clade comprising species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, joining the type strain of Mucilaginibacter rigui, with which it exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.2%). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain BR-3(T) and the type strains of the other species of the genus Mucilaginibacter were in the range 93.8-95.9%. A mean DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain BR-3(T) and M. rigui KCTC 12534(T) was 21%. Strain BR-3(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and C(16:1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and iso-C(15:0) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 49.8 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness of strain BR-3(T) demonstrated that this strain is separate from M. rigui as well as the other species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. On the basis of the data presented, strain BR-3(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter lutimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BR-3(T) (=KCTC 23461(T) =CCUG 60742(T)).

Algoriphagus namhaensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, DPG-3(T), was isolated from seawater from the South Sea in Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain DPG-3(T) grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 2% (w/v) NaCl. In a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain DPG-3(T) fell within a clade comprising Algoriphagus species and appeared most closely related to Algoriphagus halophilus JC 2051(T) (96.1%16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Algoriphagus lutimaris S1-3(T) (96.4%). The type strains of other Algoriphagus species showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 92.9-96.0% with strain DPG-3(T). The predominant menaquinone of strain DPG-3(T) was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) and iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and/or C(16:1)ω7c (summed feature 3). The major polar lipids detected in strain DPG-3(T) were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 44.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain DPG-3(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name Algoriphagus namhaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DPG-3(T) (=KCTC 23419(T)=CCUG 60523(T)).

Tropicimonas aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from seawater, and emended description of the genus Tropicimonas Harwati et al. 2009.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated DPG-21(T), was isolated from seawater from the South Sea in Korea, and investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain DPG-21(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2% (w/v) NaCl. In a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain DPG-21(T) clustered with Tropicimonas isoalkanivorans B51(T) (with a sequence similarity of 97.1%); the novel strain showed lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (<95.4%) with the other species included in the tree. The mean DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain DPG-21(T) and T. isoalkanivorans DSM 19548(T) was 12%. The predominant ubiquinones of strain DPG-21(T) were Q-10 and Q-9 while C(18:1)ω7c was the strain's major fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain DPG-21(T) was similar to that of T. isoalkanivorans DSM 19548(T). The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 69.6 mol%. Some phenotypic properties and the phylogenetic and genetic data indicated that strain DPG-21(T) was distinct from T. isoalkanivorans and represents a novel species of the genus Tropicimonas, for which the name Tropicimonas aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DPG-21(T) (=KCTC 23424(T)=CCUG 60524(T)).

Reclassification of the three species of the genus Krokinobacter into the genus Dokdonia as Dokdonia genika comb. nov., Dokdonia diaphoros comb. nov. and Dokdonia eikasta comb. nov., and emended description of the genus Dokdonia Yoon et al. 2005.

The genera Dokdonia and Krokinobacter, members of the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes, were found to be phylogenetically closely related from the result of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Dokdonia donghaensis DSW-1(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 99.3, 98.1 and 98.1% to Krokinobacter genikus Cos-13(T), Krokinobacter diaphorus MSKK-32(T) and Krokinobacter eikastus PMA-26(T), respectively. A taxonomic study of D. donghaensis DSW-1(T), K. genikus CIP 108744(T), K. diaphorus CIP 108745(T) and K. eikastus CIP 108743(T) was conducted using a polyphasic approach. The major fatty acids (>10% of the total fatty acids) in the four strains were iso-C(15:0), iso-C(15:1) G and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH, and their overall fatty acid profiles were essentially similar. The predominant menaquinone found in the type strains of the three species of the genus Krokinobacter was MK-6, in line with the genus Dokdonia. The polar lipid profiles of the type strains of the three species of the genus Krokinobacter were similar to that of D. donghaensis DSW-1(T) in that phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid were the major polar lipids. In addition, one unidentified aminophospholipid was also present as a major polar lipid in K. diaphorus CIP 108745(T) and K. eikastus CIP 108743(T). D. donghaensis DSW-1(T) was distinguishable from K. genikus CIP 108744(T), K. diaphorus CIP 108745(T) and K. eikastus CIP 108743(T) by genetic relatedness and differential phenotypic properties. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that K. genikus, K. diaphorus and K. eikastus be reclassified into the genus Dokdonia as Dokdonia genika comb. nov. (type strain is Cos-13(T) = NBRC 100811(T) = CIP 108744(T)), Dokdonia diaphoros comb. nov. (type strain is MSKK-32(T) = NBRC 100817(T) = CIP 108745(T)), and Dokdonia eikasta comb. nov. (type strain is PMA-26(T) = NBRC 100814(T) = CIP 108743(T)), respectively. An emended description of the genus Dokdonia is also presented.

Namhaeicola litoreus gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seawater.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding and pleomorphic bacterial strain, designated DPG-25(T), was isolated from seawater in a seaweed farm in the South Sea in Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain DPG-25(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DPG-25(T) formed a cluster with the type strains of Actibacter sediminis, Aestuariicola saemankumensis and Lutimonas vermicola. Strain DPG-25(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.3, 93.1 and 93.6 % to the type strains of Actibacter sediminis, Aestuariicola saemankumensis and L. vermicola, respectively. Strain DPG-25(T) contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain DPG-25(T) were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 39.9 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and the phylogenetic distinctiveness of strain DPG-25(T) demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from Actibacter sediminis, Aestuariicola saemankumensis and L. vermicola. On the basis of the data presented here, strain DPG-25(T) represents a novel species in a novel genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Namhaeicola litoreus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Namhaeicola litoreus is DPG-25(T) (= KCTC 23702(T) = CCUG 61485(T)).

Shewanella upenei sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium isolated from bensasi goatfish Upeneus bensasi.

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, 20-23R(T), was isolated from intestine of bensasi goatfish, Upeneus bensasi, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 20-23R(T) belonged to the genus Shewanella. Strain 20-23R(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 99.5, 99.2, and 97.5% to Shewanella algae ATCC 51192(T), Shewanella haliotis DW01(T), and Shewanella chilikensis JC5(T), respectively. Strain 20-23R(T) exhibited 93.1-96.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the other Shewanella species. It also exhibited 98.3-98.4% gyrB sequence similarity to the type strains of S. algae and S. haliotis. Strain 20-23R(T) contained simultaneously both menaquinones and ubiquinones; the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-8 and Q-7. The fatty acid profiles of strain 20-23R(T), S. algae KCTC 22552(T) and S. haliotis KCTC 12896(T) were similar; major components were iso-C(15:0), C(16:0), C(16:1) ω7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and C(17:1) ω8c. The DNA G+C content of strain 20-23R(T) was 53.9 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness of strain 20-23R(T), together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain 20-23R(T) represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella upenei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20-23R(T) (=KCTC 22806(T) =CCUG 58400(T)).

Exceptional production of both prodigiosin and cycloprodigiosin as major metabolic constituents by a novel marine bacterium, Zooshikella rubidus S1-1.

A Gram-negative, red-pigment-producing marine bacterial strain, designated S1-1, was isolated from the tidal flat sediment of the Yellow Sea, Korea. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic data, strain S1-1 (KCTC 11448BP) represented a new species of the genus Zooshikella. Thus, we propose the name Zooshikella rubidus sp. nov. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of the red pigments produced by strain S1-1 revealed that the major metabolic compounds were prodigiosin and cycloprodigiosin. In addition, this organism produced six minor prodigiosin analogues, including two new structures that were previously unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a microorganism that simultaneously produces prodigiosin and cycloprodigiosin as two major metabolites. Both prodigiosin and cycloprodigiosin showed antimicrobial activity against several microbial species. These bacteria were approximately 1.5-fold more sensitive to cycloprodigiosin than to prodigiosin. The metabolites also showed anticancer activity against human melanoma cells, which showed significantly more sensitivity to prodigiosin than to cycloprodigiosin. The secondary metabolite profiles of strain S1-1 and two reference bacterial strains were compared by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analyses based on secondary metabolite profiles by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that the metabolite profile of strain S1-1 could clearly be distinguished from those of two phylogenetically related, prodigiosin-producing bacterial strains.

Ohtaekwangia koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Ohtaekwangia kribbensis sp. nov., isolated from marine sand, deep-branching members of the phylum Bacteroidetes.

Two Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T), were isolated from a sand sample collected from the west coast of the Korean peninsula by using low-nutrient media, and their taxonomic positions were investigated in a polyphasic study. The strains did not grow on marine agar. They grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 6.5-7.5. Strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) shared 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness of 12 %. In phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T), together with several uncultured bacterial clones, formed independent lineages within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω5c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) were 42.8 and 44.6 mol%, respectively. Strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) exhibited very low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (<85.0 %) to the type strains of recognized bacterial species. These data were sufficient to support the proposal that the novel strains should be differentiated from previously known genera of the phylum Bacteroidetes. On the basis of the data presented, we suggest that strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) represent two distinct novel species of a new genus, for which the names Ohtaekwangia koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (the type species; type strain 3B-2(T)  = KCTC 23018(T)  = CCUG 58939(T)) and Ohtaekwangia kribbensis sp. nov. (type strain 10AO(T)  = KCTC 23019(T)  = CCUG 58938(T)) are proposed.

Mucilaginibacter boryungensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, BDR-9(T), was isolated from soil collected from Boryung on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain BDR-9(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.0-7.5 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BDR-9(T) fell within the clade comprising species of the genus Mucilaginibacter within the phylum Bacteroidetes. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain BDR-9(T) and the type strains of species of the genus Mucilaginibacter were in the range 94.0-95.6 %. Strain BDR-9(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 44.3 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness of strain BDR-9(T) demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BDR-9(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter boryungensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BDR-9(T) ( = KCTC 23157(T)  = CCUG 59599(T)).

Roseivivax lentus sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment, and emended description of the genus Roseivivax Suzuki et al. 1999.

A Gram-negative-staining, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, S5-5(T), was isolated from a tidal flat sediment at Saemankum on the west coast of Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Strain S5-5(T) grew optimally at pH 7.5-8.0, at 30 degrees C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. It did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S5-5(T) is phylogenetically closely related to the genus Roseivivax, joining the cluster comprising the two recognized Roseivivax species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain S5-5(T) and members of the genus Roseivivax was in the range 95.0-96.7 %. Strain S5-5(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C(18 : 1)omega7c and 11-methyl C(18 : 1)omega7c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 68.2 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain S5-5(T) could be differentiated from Roseivivax species. On the basis of the data presented, strain S5-5(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Roseivivax, for which the name Roseivivax lentus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S5-5(T) (=KCTC 22708(T) =CCUG 57755(T)).

Rhizobium soli sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, pale-yellow, rod-shaped bacterial strain, DS-42(T), was isolated from a soil in Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain DS-42(T) grew optimally at 25 degrees C and pH 7.0-8.0. Strain DS-42(T) did not form nodules on three different legumes, and the nodD and nifH genes were also not detected by PCR. Strain DS-42(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major cellular fatty acid was C(18 : 1)omega7c. The DNA G+C content was 60.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, atpD and recA gene sequences showed that strain DS-42(T) belonged to the genus Rhizobium. Strain DS-42(T) showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.1-97.7 % to the type strains of recognized Rhizobium species. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain DS-42(T) and the type strains of Rhizobium huautlense, R. galegae, R. loessense and R. cellulosilyticum was 13-19 %, indicating that strain DS-42(T) was distinct from them genetically. Strain DS-42(T) can also be differentiated from these four phylogenetically related Rhizobium species by various phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogenetic distinctiveness and genetic data, strain DS-42(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS-42(T) (=KCTC 12873(T) =JCM 14591(T)).

Virgibacillus byunsanensis sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern.

A Gram-variable, motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, ISL-24(T), was isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain ISL-24(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30-37 degrees C and in the presence of 8 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C(15 : 0) as the predominant fatty acid. The DNA G+C content was 37.6 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-24(T) fell within the genus Virgibacillus, clustering with Virgibacillus carmonensis LMG 20964(T) and Virgibacillus necropolis LMG 19488(T), with a bootstrap resampling value of 92.3 %, and exhibiting 97.3 and 97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, to these strains. Strain ISL-24(T) exhibited 94.8-96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of the other Virgibacillus species. Mean DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain ISL-24(T) and V. carmonensis DSM 14868(T) and V. necropolis DSM 14866(T) were 11 and 19 %, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties of strain ISL-24(T), together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is different from recognized Virgibacillus species. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain ISL-24(T) represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus byunsanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ISL-24(T) (=KCTC 13259(T) =CCUG 56754(T)).

Alkalibacillus flavidus sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern.

A Gram-stain-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, ISL-17(T), was isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by means of a polyphasic study. Strain ISL-17(T) grew optimally at pH 8.5-9.0, at 37 degrees C and in the presence of approximately 10 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan, MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-17(T) fell within the genus Alkalibacillus, clustering with Alkalibacillus salilacus BH163(T) with a bootstrap resampling value of 100 %. Strain ISL-17(T) exhibited 98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to A. salilacus BH163(T) and 95.8-96.5 % similarity to the type strains of the other Alkalibacillus species. The mean DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain ISL-17(T) and A. salilacus KCTC 3916(T) was 19 %. The phenotypic properties of strain ISL-17(T), together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, enable this strain to be differentiated from recognized Alkalibacillus species. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain ISL-17(T) represents a novel species within the genus Alkalibacillus, for which the name Alkalibacillus flavidus sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is ISL-17(T) (=KCTC 13258(T) =CCUG 56753(T)).

Jeongeupia naejangsanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from forest soil from Naejang Mountain in Korea.

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, rod-shaped, cellulose-degrading bacterial strain, BIO-TAS4-2(T), which belongs to the Betaproteobacteria , was isolated from forest soil from Naejang Mountain, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain BIO-TAS4-2(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 degrees C and in the presence of 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BIO-TAS4-2(T) clustered with members of the genera Andreprevotia, Silvimonas and Deefgea of the family Neisseriaceae, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.5-94.2 %. Strain BIO-TAS4-2(T) contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) and C(16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 63.8 mol%. Strain BIO-TAS4-2(T) could be differentiated from members of phylogenetically related genera by differences in fatty acid composition, DNA G+C content and some phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BIO-TAS4-2(T) is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Jeongeupia naejangsanensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with BIO-TAS4-2(T) (=KCTC 22633(T)=CCUG 57610(T)) as the type strain.

Lutibacter maritimus sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-gliding, yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated S7-2(T), was isolated from a tidal flat sediment at Saemankum on the west coast of Korea and investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain S7-2(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 25-30 degrees C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S7-2(T) clustered with Lutibacter litoralis CF-TF09(T), a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, with which it showed 95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. It contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) and C(15 : 1) omega6c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain S7-2(T) and L. litoralis JCM 13034(T) were phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 34.6 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness suggested that strain S7-2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Lutibacter, for which the name Lutibacter maritimus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S7-2(T) (=KCTC 22635(T)=CCUG 57524(T)).

Planococcus salinarum sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern, and emended description of the genus Planococcus.

A Gram-positive, non-motile and coccoid-, short rod- or rod-shaped bacterial strain, ISL-16(T), was isolated from a marine solar saltern in Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain ISL-16(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 degrees C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-16(T) joined the cluster comprising species of the genus Planococcus. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence contained the same signature nucleotides as those defined for the genus Planococcus. Strain ISL-16(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.9-98.2 % to the type strains of species of the genus Planococcus. Strain ISL-16(T) contained MK-8 and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinones and anteiso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 1)omega7c alcohol and anteiso-C(17 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain ISL-16(T) and the type strains of species of the genus Planococcus were 15-28 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, enabled strain ISL-16(T) to be differentiated from recognized species of the genus Planococcus. On the basis of the data presented, strain ISL-16(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus salinarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ISL-16(T) (=KCTC 13584(T)=CCUG 57753(T)). An emended description of the genus Planococcus is also given.

Brevundimonas naejangsanensis sp. nov., a proteolytic bacterium isolated from soil, and reclassification of Mycoplana bullata into the genus Brevundimonas as Brevundimonas bullata comb. nov.

A Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, BIO-TAS2-2(T), of the class Alphaproteobacteria, was isolated from a soil in Korea and studied using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain BIO-TAS2-2(T) grew optimally at pH 7.5-8.5 and 30 degrees C and in the presence of 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BIO-TAS2-2(T) fell within the clade comprising species of the genus Brevundimonas, forming a coherent cluster with Brevundimonas terrae KSL-145(T) and Brevundimonas diminuta LMG 2089(T). It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.0-98.7 % to members of the genus Brevundimonas and Mycoplana bullata IAM 13153(T). Strain BIO-TAS2-2(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and cyclo-C(18 : 1)omega7c and C(16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 67.0 mol%. Strain BIO-TAS2-2(T) exhibited DNA-DNA relatedness levels of 12-19 % with the type strains of phylogenetically related Brevundimonas species and M. bullata. The novel strain could be differentiated from Brevundimonas species and M. bullata by differences in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain BIO-TAS2-2(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Brevundimonas, for which the name Brevundimonas naejangsanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BIO-TAS2-2(T) (=KCTC 22631(T)=CCUG 57609(T)). In this study, it is also proposed that Mycoplana bullata be transferred to the genus Brevundimonas as Brevundimonas bullata comb. nov. (type strain TK0051(T)=ATCC 4278(T)=DSM 7126(T)=JCM 20846(T)=LMG 17157(T)).