Microbacterium abyssi sp. nov. and Microbacterium limosum sp. nov., two new species of the genus Microbacterium, isolated from deep-sea sediment samples.

Two Gram-positive, non-motile, short rod-shaped actinomycete strains, designated as A18JL241T and Y20T, were isolated from deep-sea sediment samples collected from the Southwest Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean, respectively. Both of the isolates were able to grow within the temperature range of 5-40 °C, NaCl concentration range of 0-7  % (w/v) and at pH 6.0-12.0. The two most abundant cellular fatty acids of both strains were anteiso-C15  :  0 and anteiso-C17  :  0. The major polar lipid contents of the two strains were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified glycolipid. These two strains shared common chemotaxonomic features comprising MK-10 and MK-12 as the respiratory quinones. The genomic DNA G+C contents of the two strains were 68.1 and 70.4  mol%, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene phylogeny showed that the novel strains formed two distinct sublines within the genus Microbacterium. Strain A18JL241T was most closely related to the type strain of Microbacterium tenebrionis KCTC 49593T (98.8 % sequence similarity), whereas strain Y20T formed a tight cluster with the type strain of Microbacterium schleiferi NBRC 15075T (99.0 %). The orthologous average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values with the type strains of related Microbacterium species were in the range of 74.1-89.1  % and 19.4-36.9  %, respectively, which were below the recognized thresholds of 95-96 % ANI and 70 % dDDH for species definition. Based on the results obtained here, it can be concluded that strains A18JL241T and Y20T represent two novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the names Microbacterium abyssi sp. nov. (type strain A18JL241T=JCM 33956T=MCCC 1A16622T) and Microbacterium limosum sp. nov. (type strain Y20T=JCM 33960T=MCCC 1A16747T) are proposed.

Nocardioides cremeus sp. nov., Nocardioides abyssi sp. nov. and Nocardioides oceani sp. nov., three actinobacteria isolated from Western Pacific Ocean sediment.

Three Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, short rod-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative actinomycete strains (SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T) were isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Western Pacific Ocean. Cells of the three strains showed optimum growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. Strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T could tolerate up to 10, 9 and 9 % (w/v) NaCl concentration and grow at pH 5.0-12.0, 5.0-11.0 and 5.0-11.0, respectively. Phylogenetic results based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three isolates belonged to the genus Nocardioides and were identified as representing three novel species based on 78.0-93.1 % average nucleotide identity and 21.3-50.0 % DNA-DNA hybridization values with closely related reference strains. Strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Nocardioides salarius CL-Z59T (99.2 %), Nocardioides deserti SC8A-24T (99.2 %) and Nocardioides marmotae zg-579T (98.5 %), respectively. All three strains had MK-8(H4) as the respiratory quinone, iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acid, and phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of all three isolates was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C contents of strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T were 71.1, 72.9 and 72.9 mol%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T clearly represent three novel taxa within the genus Nocardioides, for which the names Nocardioides cremeus sp. nov. (type strain SOB44T=JCM 35774T= MCCC M28400T), Nocardioides abyssi sp. nov. (type strain SOB72T=JCM 35775T=MCCC M28318T) and Nocardioides oceani sp. nov. (type strain SOB77T=JCM 35776T=MCCC M28544T) are proposed.

Use of biexponential and stretched exponential models of intravoxel incoherent motion and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma.

Background: It is important to assess the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma (EC) noninvasively using imaging methods. This prospective diagnostic study investigated the value of biexponential and stretched exponential models of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting the Ki-67 status of EC. Methods: In all, 70 patients with EC underwent pelvic MRI. The diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo diffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC), water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index (α), volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate transfer constant (Kep), and volume of extravascular extracellular space per unit volume of tissue (Ve) were compared. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to quantify diagnostic efficacy. Multivariate logistic regression and bootstrap (1,000 samples) analyses were used to establish and evaluate, respectively, the optimal model to predict Ki-67 status. Results: D, Ktrans, and Kep were lower while α was higher in the high-proliferation group as compared with low-proliferation group (all P values<0.05). D and Kep were independent predictors of Ki-67 status in EC, and the combination of these parameters had optimal diagnostic efficacy (AUC =0.920; sensitivity 85.71%; specificity 89.29%), which was significantly better than that of D (AUC =0.753; Z=2.874; P=0.004), α (AUC =0.715; Z=3.505; P=0.001), Ktrans (AUC =0.808; Z=2.741; P=0.006), and Kep (AUC =0.832; Z=2.147; P=0.032) alone. The validation model showed good accuracy (AUC =0.882; 95% confidence interval 0.861-0.897) and consistency (C-statistic =0.902). D, Kep, Ktrans, and α showed a slightly negative (r=-0.271), moderately negative (r=-0.534), slightly negative (r=-0.409), and slightly positive (r=0.488) correlation with the Ki-67 index, respectively (all P values <0.05). Conclusions: IVIM- and DCE-MRI-derived parameters, including D, α, Ktrans, and Kep, were associated with Ki-67 status in EC, and the combination of D and Kep may serve as a superior imaging marker for the identification of low- and high-proliferation EC.

Discovery of New Siderophores from a Marine Streptomycetes sp. via Combined Metabolomics and Analysis of Iron-Chelating Activity.

The marine-derived Streptomyces sp. FIMYZ-003 strain was found to produce novel siderophores with yields negatively correlated with the iron concentration in the medium. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics coupled with metallophore assays identified two novel α-hydroxycarboxylate-type siderophores, fradiamines C and D (3 and 4), together with two related known siderophores, fradiamines A and B (1 and 2). Their chemical structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MS experiments. The annotation of a putative fra biosynthetic gene cluster enabled us to propose the biosynthetic pathway of fradiamines A-D. Furthermore, the solution-phase iron-binding activity of fradiamines was evaluated using metabolomics, confirming them as general iron scavengers. Fradiamines A-D exhibited Fe(III) binding activity equivalent to that of deferoxamine B mesylate. Growth analysis of pathogenic microbes demonstrated that fradiamine C promoted the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but fradiamines A, B, and D did not. The results indicate that fradiamine C may serve as a novel iron carrier applicable to antibiotic delivery strategies to treat and prevent foodborne pathogens.

Phenolic Metabolites from a Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Aspergillus puniceus A2 and Their Nrf2-Dependent Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

Four undescribed phenolic compounds, namely asperpropanols A-D (1-4), along with two known congeners 5 and 6, were isolated from Aspergillus puniceus A2, a deep-sea-derived fungus. The gross structures of the compounds were established by detailed analyses of the HRESIMS and NMR data, and their absolute configurations were resolved by modified Mosher's method and calculations of ECD data. Compounds 1-6 were found to have excellent anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells at 20 µM, evidenced by the reduced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 production. Among them, 5 and 6 showed inhibitory effects on NO production comparable with the positive control (BAY11-7083 at 10 µM). Additionally, the LPS-induced mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 were also decreased. Interestingly, mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was downregulated by LPS and recovered by 1-6, suggesting a vital role of Nrf2 in their effect. We further found that pharmacological inhibition of Nrf2 by ML385 largely abrogated the effects of 1-6 on RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, 1-6 may share a common anti-inflammatory mechanism via Nrf2 upregulation and activation.

Evaluation of Amide Proton Transfer-Weighted Imaging for Risk Factors in Stage I Endometrial Cancer: A Comparison With Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging.

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies in clinical practice. This study aimed to compare the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTWI) in the assessment of risk stratification factors for stage I EC including histological subtype, grade, stage, and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI). Methods: A total of 72 patients with stage I EC underwent pelvic MRI. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean diffusivity (MD), mean kurtosis (MK), and magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym at 3.5 ppm) were calculated and compared in risk groups with the Mann-Whitney U test or independent samples t-test. Spearman's rank correlation was applied to depict the correlation of each parameter with risk stratification. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and compared using the DeLong test. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to explore the optimal model for risk prediction. Results: There were significantly greater MTRasym (3.5 ppm) and MK and significantly lower ADC and MD in the non-adenocarcinoma, stage IB, LVSI-positive, high-grade, and non-low-risk groups (all p < 0.05). The MK and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were moderately positively correlated with risk stratification as assessed by the European Society for Medical Oncology (EMSO) clinical practice guidelines (r = 0.640 and 0.502, respectively), while ADC and MD were mildly negatively correlated with risk stratification (r = -0.358 and -0.438, respectively). MTRasym (3.5 ppm), MD, and MK were identified as independent risk predictors in stage I EC, and optimal predictive performance was obtained with their combinations (AUC = 0.906, sensitivity = 70.97%, specificity = 92.68%). The results of the validation model were consistent with the above results, and the calibration curve showed good accuracy and consistency. Conclusions: Although similar performance was obtained with each individual parameter of APTWI, DWI, and DKI for the noninvasive assessment of aggressive behavior in stage I EC, the combination of MD, MK, and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) provided improved predictive power for non-low-risk stage I EC and may serve as a superior imaging marker.

Acremolin D, a new acremolin alkaloid from the deep-sea sediment derived Aspergillus sydowii fungus.

Chemical investigation of the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus sydowii MCCC 3A00324 led to the isolation of one new acremolin type alkaloid (acremolin D, 1) and five known alkaloids (2‒6). The planar structure of 1 was established by the extensive analyses of the NMR and HRESIMS data, while its absolute configuration was assigned by the comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD data. Acremolin D (1) represented the second analogue of acremolin found in nature. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against six human cancer cell lines (A549, Hela-S3, MCF-7, HepG2, K562, and SF-268). As a result, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited a certain inhibitory effects against the proliferation of the A549, Hela-S3, HepG2, and K562 cell lines at the concentration of 20 µM.[Formula: see text].

Nesterenkonia sedimenti sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-positive actinobacteria strain, designated MY13T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the western Pacific Ocean and subjected to a taxonomic polyphasic investigation. Based on the results, cells were aerobic, irregular short rod, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Colonies were cream, circular, smooth, convex, opaque and 1.0-2.0 mm in diameter after growth on MZ2 medium at 40 °C for 72 h. Strain MY13T grew at 4-50 °C (optimum, 40 °C), pH 7-12 (pH 9) and 0.5-15% (w/v) NaCl (3.5%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain MY13T is affiliated with the genus Nesterenkonia and closely related to Nesterenkonia populi GP10-3T (96.6%). Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values and average nucleotide identity (ANI) differentiated it from its closest relatives, with values ranging from 19.8% to 22.4% and 72.6% to 78.0%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the major menaquinone of strain MY13T was MK-7; major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C17:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0; whole-cell sugars were galactose and xylose; the peptidoglycan type was L-Lys-Gly-D-Asp; and polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unknown glycolipids, one unknown polar lipid and two unknown lipids. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 63.1 mol%. Based on the physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain MY13T is a novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia, for which the name Nesterenkonia sedimenti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MY13T (= LMG 28111T = MCCC 1A09979T = JCM 19767T = CGMCC 1.12784T).

Chryseoglobus indicus sp. nov., isolated from deep sea water.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, motile, aerobic, non-spore-forming and slender rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain CTD02-10-2T, was isolated from deep sea water of the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CTD02-10-2T was grouped into a separated branch with Chryseoglobus frigidaquae JCM 14730T (98.4 % nucleotide sequence identity). The respiratory quinones were menaquinones with 11, 12, 13 and 14 isoprene units and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 1 A and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and three unknown glycolipids. The genome of strain CTD02-10-2T was 2.59 Mb, with a DNA G+C content of 69.6 mol% and contained genes involved in the biosynthesis of alkylresorcinol, ansamycin, and carotenoids. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values for whole-genome sequence comparisons between strain CTD02-10-2T and C. frigidaquae JCM 14730T were clearly below the thresholds used for the delineation of a new species. Based on its morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, strain CTD02-10-2T was classified as a novel species of the genus Chryseoglobus, for which the name Chryseoglobus indicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CTD02-10-2T (=JCM 33842T=MCCC 1A16619T).

Brevibacterium profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Western Pacific Ocean.

A new Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated O1T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment of the Western Pacific Ocean. Strain O1T showed optimal growth at 30 °C, between pH 6.0 and 8.0, and in the presence of 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8 (H2), and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unknown glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain O1T was 64.9 mol% and the genome size was 4.17 Mb. Based on a similarity search and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain O1T belonged to the genus Brevibacterium. The values of average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization between strain O1T and its close relatives were well below the thresholds used for the delineation of a new species. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as the genotypic data, it is proposed that strain O1T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium profundi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is O1T (=JCM 33845T=MCCC 1A16744T).

Saccharopolyspora coralli sp. nov. a novel actinobacterium isolated from the stony coral Porites.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain E2AT, was isolated from a coral sample and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain E2AT formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Saccharopolyspora and was closely related to S. cavernae CCTCC AA 2012022T (96.4 %) and S. lacisalsi CCTCC AA 2010012T (95.3 %). The isolate grew at 15-35 °C, pH 5-12 and in the presence of 1-16 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall diamino acid was meso-DAP. Major fatty acids identified were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1 ω8c. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.6 mol%. Based on the data from the polyphasic taxonomic study reported here, strain E2AT represents a novel species within the genus Saccharopolyspora, for which the name Saccharopolyspora coralli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E2AT=(JCM 31844T=MCCC 1A17150T).

Nesterenkonia salmonea sp. nov. and Nesterenkonia sphaerica sp. nov., isolated from the Southern Atlantic Ocean.

Two Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming actinobacteria, strains GY074T and GY239T, were isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Southern Atlantic Ocean. The results of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed both isolates within the genus Nesterenkonia, and showed a sequence similarity of 98.3 % between the two strains and similarites of 94.3-97.2 % with respect to Nesterenkonia species with validly published names. Based on whole-genome sequences, the values of in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and the average nucleotide identity between strains GY074T and GY239T were 21.2 and 78.1 %, respectively, less than the proposed cut-off level for species delineation, i.e. 70 and 95 %. For both strains, the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0, and the major menaquinones were MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9. The major polar lipid contents of the two strains were similar with phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains GY074T and GY239T were 61.1 and 64.2 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis and physiological and chemotaxonomic data, the isolates represent two novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia, for which the names Nesterenkonia salmonea sp. nov. (type strain GY074T=KCTC 39639T=MCCC 1A11256T) and Nesterenkonia sphaerica sp. nov. (type strain GY239T=KCTC 39640T=MCCC 1A10688T) are proposed.

Cytotoxic Polyketides Isolated from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum MCCC 3A00292.

The chemical examination of the solid cultures of the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium chrysogenum MCCC 3A00292 resulted in the isolation of three new versiol-type analogues, namely peniciversiols A-C (1-3), and two novel lactone derivatives, namely penicilactones A and B (6 and 7), along with 11 known polyketides. The planar structures of the new compounds were determined by the comprehensive analyses of the high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, while their absolute configurations were resolved on the basis of comparisons of the experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra with the calculated ECD data. Compound 1 is the second example of versiols featuring a 2,3-dihydropyran-4-one ring. Additionally, compounds 6 and 7 are the first representatives of γ-lactone derivatives constructed by a 1,3-dihydroxy-5-methylbenzene unit esterifying with the α-methyl-γ-hydroxy-γ-acetic acid α,ß-unsaturated-γ-lactone moiety and α-hydroxy-γ-methyl-γ-acetic acid α,ß-unsaturated-γ-lactone unit, respectively. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines of BIU-87, ECA109, BEL-7402, PANC-1, and Hela-S3. Compound 1 exhibited a selective inhibitory effect against the BIU-87 cell line (IC50 = 10.21 µM), while compounds 4, 5, 8, and 12-16 showed inhibitory activities against the ECA109, BIU-87, and BEL-7402 cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 7.70 to > 20 µM.

Nesteretal A, A Novel Class of Cage-Like Polyketide from Marine-Derived Actinomycete Nesterenkonia halobia.

An intriguing cage-like polyhemiketal, nesteretal A (1), was isolated from the coral-derived actinomycete Nesterenkonia halobia. Its structure was established by extensive spectroscopic and computational methods. Nesteretal A is a highly oxygenated compound featuring an unprecedented 5/5/5/5 tetracyclic scaffold. A possible biosynthetic pathway of 1 from naturally occurring diacetyl was proposed. Compound 1 showed a weak retinoid X receptor-α (RXRα) transcriptional activation effect.

Paracoccus subflavus sp. nov., isolated from Pacific Ocean sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic bacterium, designated GY0581T, was isolated from marine sediment sampled from the Western Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain GY0581T belonged to the genus Paracoccus and had the highest levels of sequence similarity to Paracoccus sediminis JCM 18467T (98.2 %). Levels of similarity between strain GY0581T and other Paracoccus species were lower than 97.0 %. The average nucleotide identity and the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain GY0581T and P. sediminis JCM 18467T were 83.9 and 27 %, respectively, which are below the respective thresholds for species differentiation. The major cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c (79.5 %). The only isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The polar lipid pattern indicated the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified glycolipid and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain GY0581T was 65.6 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic characterization, it is concluded that strain GY0581T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus subflavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GY0581T (=KCTC 42710T=MCCC 1A10575T).

Saccharopolytide A, a new cyclic tetrapeptide with rare 4-hydroxy-proline moieties from the deep-sea derived actinomycete Saccharopolyspora cebuensis MCCC 1A09850.

A genome mining analysis on the deep-sea derived actinomycete Saccharopolyspora cebuensis MCCC 1A09850 indicated its potential to produce polypeptides. Accordingly, a systematic chemical investigation was conducted, which resulted in the isolation of one new cyclic tetrapeptide (saccharopolytide A, 1) and two known polyketides (2, 3) along with six other miscellaneous compounds (4‒9). Mainly by analysis of the 1D, 2D NMR and MS data, the chemical structure of saccharopolytide A was established as cyclo-(l-Leu-4-hydroxy-l-Pro-l-Phe-4-hydroxy-l-Pro). All isolates were evaluated for anti-allergic and anti-tumor bioactivities. Indol-3-carbaldehyde (4) showed weak anti-allergic effect with IC50 value of 55.75 µg/mL. And 2 showed weak anti-proliferative activity against Hela and H1299 tumor cell lines. Our results consolidate the potential of deep-sea-derived microorganisms to produce structurally interesting compounds.

Amycolatopsis albispora sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain WP1T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean, and examined in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain WP1T formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Amycolatopsis and was closely related to A. magusensis KT2025T (97.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), A. palatopharyngis 1BDZT (97.3 %) and A. marinaMs392AT (97.2 %). The isolate grew at 4-45 °C, pH 5-11 and in the presence of 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell wall of the novel strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars. Major fatty acids identified were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and C17 : 1ω6c. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-7. The polar lipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, four unknown phospholipids and one unknown glycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 72.2 mol%. Strain WP1T displayed low DNA-DNA reassociation with A. magusensis DSM 45510T (mean value 36.2 %), A. palatopharyngis JCM 12460T (31.5 %) and A. marina JCM 16121T (29.7 %). Based on the data reported here, strain WP1T represents a novel species within the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis albisporasp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WP1T (=KCTC 39642T=MCCC 1A10745T).

Altererythrobacter aurantiacus sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, coccoid bacterium, strain O30(T), was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the west Pacific. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that this strain is affiliated with the family Erythrobacteraceae in the class Alphaproteobacteria, and is closely related to the members of the genera Erythromicrobium (96.6 %), Porphyrobacter (95.5-96.3 %), Altererythrobacter (94.1-96.2 %) and Erythrobacter (94.2-96.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis including all described species of the family Erythrobacteraceae revealed that the isolate forms a clade in the cluster of the genus Altererythrobacter. Strain O30(T) was found to grow at 4-40 °C, pH 6.0-10.0 and in the presence of 0.5-7.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed ubiquinones Q-8, Q-9 and Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinones, summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c), C17:1 ω6c and C16:0 as major fatty acids, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 56.9 mol %. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data presented in this study, strain O30(T) represents a novel species within the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter aurantiacus sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is O30(T) (= CGMCC 1.12762(T) = JCM 19853(T) = LMG 28110(T) = MCCC 1A09962(T)).

Nocardioides rotundus sp. nov., isolated from deep seawater.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, coccoid-shaped, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain GY0594T, was isolated from deep seawater of the western Pacific. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this strain was affiliated with the genus Nocardioides with low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ( ≤ 96.0 %) with members of the genus Nocardioides. Chemotaxonomic characterization of strain GYP0594T supported the result of the phylogenetic analysis. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, one unidentified lipid and six unidentified phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. The DNA G+C content of strain GY0594T was determined to be 71.2 mol%. However, strain GY0594T could be distinguished from closely related species by cell morphology, nitrate reduction, aesculin hydrolysis, activity of urease, cystine arylamidase, trypsin and acid phosphatase, assimilation of N-acetylglucosamine, maltose, adipic acid, malic acid and phenylacetate, and significant differences in the proportions of several fatty acids. In conclusion, based on the data presented, strain GY0594T should be placed in the genus Nocardioides as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides rotundus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GY0594T ( = MCCC 1A10561T = KCTC 39638T).

[Secondary metabolites from a deep-sea-derived actinomycete Micrococcus sp. R21].

To investigate cytotoxic secondary metabolites of Micrococcus sp. R21, an actinomycete isolated from a deep-sea sediment (-6 310 m; 142 degrees 19. 9' E, 10 degrees 54. 6' N) of the Western Pacific Ocean, column chromatography was introduced over silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. As a result, eight compounds were obtained. By mainly detailed analysis of the NMR data, their structures were elucidated as cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-leu) (1), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Gly) (2), cyclo( L-Pro-L-Ala) (3), cyclo( D-Pro-L-Leu) (4), N-ß-acetyltryptamine (5), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), and phenylacetic acid (7). Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against RAW264. 7 cells with IC50 value of 9.1 µmol x L(-1).