Lactiplantibacillusplantarum ATG-K2 Exerts an Anti-Obesity Effect in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Modulating the Gut Microbiome.

Obesity is a major health problem. Compelling evidence supports the beneficial effects of probiotics on obesity. However, the anti-obesity effect of probiotics remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects and potential mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATG-K2 using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. 3T3-L1 cells were incubated to determine the effect of lipid accumulation with lysate of L. plantarum ATG-K2. Mice were fed a normal fat diet or HFD with L. plantarum ATG-K2 and Orlistat for 8 weeks. L. plantarum ATG-K2 inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and reduced body weight gain, WAT weight, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice, concurrently with the downregulation of PPARγ, SREBP1c, and FAS and upregulation of PPARα, CTP1, UCP1, Prdm16, and ND5. Moreover, L. plantarum ATG-K2 decreased TG, T-CHO, leptin, and TNF-α levels in the serum, with corresponding gene expression levels in the intestine. L. plantarum ATG-K2 modulated the gut microbiome by increasing the abundance of the Lactobacillaceae family, which increased SCFA levels and branched SCFAs in the feces. L. plantarum ATG-K2 exhibited an anti-obesity effect and anti-hyperlipidemic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice by alleviating the inflammatory response and regulating lipid metabolism, which may be influenced by modulation of the gut microbiome and its metabolites. Therefore, L. plantarum ATG-K2 can be a preventive and therapeutic agent for obesity.

Host plant growth promotion and cadmium detoxification in Solanum nigrum, mediated by endophytic fungi.

Current investigation conducted to evaluate the associated fungal endophyte interactions of a Cd hyper-accumulator Solanum nigrum Korean ecotype under varying concentrations of Cd. Two indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) producing fungal strains, RSF-4L and RSF-6L, isolated from the leaves of S. nigrum, were initially screened for Cd tolerance and accumulation potential. In terms of dry biomass production, the strain RSF-6L showed higher tolerance and accumulation capacity for Cd toxicity in comparison to RSF-4L. Therefore, RSF-6L was applied in vivo to S. nigrum and grown for six weeks under Cd concentrations of 0, 10, and 30mgKg-1 of dry sand. The effect of fungal inoculation assessed by plant physiological responses, endogenous biochemical regulations, and Cd profile in different tissues. Significant increase were observed in plant growth attributes such as shoot length, root length, dry biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll contents in inoculated RSF-6L plants in comparison to non-inoculated plants with or without Cd contamination. RSF-6L inoculation decreased uptake of Cd in roots and above ground parts, as evidenced by a low bio-concentration factor (BCF) and improved tolerance index (TI). However, Cd concentration in the leaves remained the same for inoculated and non-inoculated plants under Cd spiking. Fungal inoculation protected the host plants, as evidenced by low peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol peroxidase (PPO) activities and high catalase (CAT) activity. Application of appropriate fungal inoculation that can improve tolerance mechanisms of hyper-accumulators and reduce Cd uptake can be recommended for phyto-stabilisation/immobilisation of heavy metals in crop fields.

Plant growth-promoting potential of endophytic fungi isolated from Solanum nigrum leaves.

Fungal endophytes have been characterized as producers of phytohormones and potent promoters of plant growth. In this study, two fungal endophytes, Fusarium tricinctum RSF-4L and Alternaria alternata RSF-6L, were isolated from the leaves of Solanum nigrum. Culture filtrates (CFs) from each isolate were initially screened for indole compounds, and assayed for their ability to promote the growth of Dongjin rice plants. Nearly all plant growth attributes examined (i.e., chlorophyll content, root-shoot length, and biomass production) were significantly enhanced upon treatment with fungal CFs. Subsequently, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses were utilized to confirm the presence of phytohormones in the CF of each fungal endophytic isolate. These analyses revealed that RSF-4L and RSF-6L produced 54 and 30 µg/mL indole acetic acid, respectively, within their respective cultures. These findings suggest that the endophytes isolated in this study synthesize bioactive compounds that could play important roles in promoting plant growth.

Lactobacillus paracasei ATG-E1 improves particulate matter 10 plus diesel exhaust particles (PM10D)-induced airway inflammation by regulating immune responses.

Particulate matter (PM) exposure can adversely affect respiratory function. Probiotics can alleviate the inflammatory responses in respiratory diseases. We examined the protective effects of Lactobacillus paracasei ATG-E1 isolated from the feces of a newborn baby against airway inflammation in a PM10 plus diesel exhaust particle (DEP) (PM10D)-induced airway inflammation model. BALB/c mice were exposed to PM10D by intranasal injection three times at 3-day intervals for 12 days, and L. paracasei ATG-E1 was administered orally for 12 days. Analysis of immune cell population and expression of various inflammatory mediators and gut barrier-related genes were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung, peyer's patch, and small intestine. A histological analysis of the lungs was performed. In addition, the in vitro safety and their safety in genomic analyses were examined. L. paracasei ATG-E1 was found to be safe in vitro and by genomic analysis. L. paracasei ATG-E1 suppressed neutrophil infiltration and the number of CD4+, CD4+CD69+, CD62L-CD44+high, CD21/35+B220+, and Gr-1+CD11b+ cells, as well as the expression of inflammatory mediators, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, interleukin (IL)-17a, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 in BALF and lungs in PM10D-induced airway inflammation. It protected against histopathological damage in the lungs of mice with PM10D-induced airway inflammation. L. paracasei ATG-E1 concomitantly increased the expression levels of the gut barrier function-related genes occludin, claudin-1, and IL-10 in the small intestine, with an increased number of CD4+ and CD4+CD25+ immune cells in the peyer's patch. L. paracasei ATG-E1 suppressed immune activation and airway inflammatory responses in the airways and lungs by restoring the lung damage by PM10D. It also regulated intestinal immunity and ameliorated the gut barrier function in the ileum. These results indicate the potential of L. paracasei ATG-E1 as an protective and therapeutic agent against airway inflammation and respiratory diseases.

Lactobacillus reuteri ATG-F4 Alleviates Chronic Stress-induced Anhedonia by Modulating the Prefrontal Serotonergic System.

Mental health is influenced by the gut-brain axis; for example, gut dysbiosis has been observed in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Gut microbial changes by fecal microbiota transplantation or probiotics treatment reportedly modulates depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear how gut dysbiosis contributes to mental dysfunction, and how correction of the gut microbiota alleviates neuropsychiatric disorders. Our previous study showed that chronic consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri ATG-F4 (F4) induced neurometabolic alterations in healthy mice. Here, we investigated whether F4 exerted therapeutic effects on depressive-like behavior by influencing the central nervous system. Using chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to induce anhedonia, a key symptom of MDD, we found that chronic F4 consumption alleviated CUS-induced anhedonic behaviors, accompanied by biochemical changes in the gut, serum, and brain. Serum and brain metabolite concentrations involved in tryptophan metabolism were regulated by CUS and F4. F4 consumption reduced the elevated levels of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain observed in the CUS group. Additionally, the increased expression of Htr1a, a subtype of the 5-HT receptor, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of stressed mice was restored to levels observed in stress-naïve mice following F4 supplementation. We further demonstrated the role of Htr1a using AAV-shRNA to downregulate Htr1a in the mPFC of CUS mice, effectively reversing CUS-induced anhedonic behavior. Together, our findings suggest F4 as a potential therapeutic approach for relieving some depressive symptoms and highlight the involvement of the tryptophan metabolism in mitigating CUS-induced depressive-like behaviors through the action of this bacterium.

Lactobacillus plantarum HAC01 ameliorates type 2 diabetes in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice in association with modulating the gut microbiota.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious metabolic disorder that occurs worldwide; however, this condition can be managed with probiotics. We assessed the potential therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum HAC01 on hyperglycemia and T2DM and determined their potential mechanisms using mice with high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. The diabetic model was established with an HFD and 50 mg kg-1 STZ. L. plantarum HAC01 was then administered for 10 weeks. Body weight, food and water intake, biochemical parameters, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test and histological analysis were performed, and the glucose metabolism-related gene expression and signaling pathways in the liver were determined. Fecal microbiota and serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were also analyzed. L. plantarum HAC01 significantly lowered blood glucose and HbA1c levels and improved glucose tolerance and HOMA-IR. Additionally, it increased the insulin-positive ß-cell area in islets and decreased the mRNA expression levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase, which are associated with gluconeogenesis. L. plantarum HAC01 also increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt, which are involved in glucose metabolism in the liver. Notably, L. plantarum HAC01 increased the Akkermansiaceae family and increased SCFAs in serum. L. plantarum HAC01 could alleviate hyperglycemia and T2DM by regulating glucose metabolism in the liver, protecting the islet ß-cell mass, and restoring the gut microbiota and SCFAs. L. plantarum HAC01 may thus be an effective therapeutic agent for T2DM.

Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High Fat/High Fructose Diet-Fed Rats.

Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics are beneficial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore the effects of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains, ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 (isolated from Korean fermented cabbage), in a rat model of high fat/high fructose (HF/HF) diet-induced NAFLD. Rats with NAFLD were randomized into four groups (HF/HF diet control, (HC); HF/HF diet with silymarin, (PC); HF/HF diet with ATG-K2, (K2); and HF/HF diet with ATG-K6, (K6)) with healthy rats on a normal diet serving as the negative control. After treatment, histopathological and biochemical analyses of the blood and liver tissue were conducted. In addition, fecal microbiota was analyzed using the MiSeq platform. Compared with HC rats, K2 and K6 rats experienced significantly lower body weight gain, displayed decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, had lower serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and showed increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Moreover, de novo lipogenesis-related genes were downregulated following K2 and K6 administration. The fecal microbiota of K2 and K6 rats contained a higher proportion of Bacteriodetes and a lower proportion of Fimicutes than that of HC rats. Taken together, our results suggest that L. plantarum strains ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 are potential therapeutic agents for NAFLD.

Quorum Sensing System Affects the Plant Growth Promotion Traits of Serratia fonticola GS2.

Quorum sensing (QS) enables bacteria to organize gene expression programs, thereby coordinating collective behaviors. It involves the production, release, and population-wide detection of extracellular signaling molecules. The cellular processes regulated by QS in bacteria are diverse and may be used in mutualistic coordination or in response to changing environmental conditions. Here, we focused on the influence of the QS-dependent genes of our model bacterial strain Serratia fonticola GS2 on potential plant growth promoting (PGP) activities including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, and biofilm formation. Based on genomic and phenotypic experimental data we identified and investigated the function of QS genes in the genome of the model strain. Our gene deletion study confirmed the biological functionality of the QS auto-inducer (gloI) and receptor (gloR) on potential PGP activities of GS2. A transcriptomic approach was also undertaken to understand the role of QS genes in regulation of genes primarily involved in PGP activities (IAA, ACC deaminase activity, and biofilm formation). Both transcriptomic and phenotypic data revealed that the QS-deletion mutants had considerably less PGP activities, as compared to the wild type. In addition, in vivo plant experiments showed that plants treated with GS2 had significantly higher growth rates than plants treated with the QS-deletion mutants. Overall, our results showed how QS-dependent genes regulate the potential PGP activities of GS2. This information may be helpful in understanding the relationship between QS-dependent genes and the PGP activity of bacteria, which aid in the production of practical bio-fertilizers for plant growth promotion.

Whole Genome Analysis of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains Isolated From Kimchi and Determination of Probiotic Properties to Treat Mucosal Infections by Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis.

Three Lactobacillus plantarum strains ATG-K2, ATG-K6, and ATG-K8 were isolated from Kimchi, a Korean traditional fermented food, and their probiotic potentials were examined. All three strains were free of antibiotic resistance, hemolysis, and biogenic amine production and therefore assumed to be safe, as supported by whole genome analyses. These strains demonstrated several basic probiotic functions including a wide range of antibacterial activity, bile salt hydrolase activity, hydrogen peroxide production, and heat resistance at 70°C for 60 s. Further studies of antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis revealed growth inhibitory effects from culture supernatants, coaggregation effects, and killing effects of the three probiotic strains, with better efficacy toward C. albicans. In vitro treatment of bacterial lysates of the probiotic strains to the RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line resulted in innate immunity enhancement via IL-6 and TNF-α production without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and anti-inflammatory effects via significantly increased production of IL-10 when co-treated with LPS. However, the degree of probiotic effect was different for each strain as the highest TNF-α and the lowest IL-10 production by the RAW264.7 cell were observed in the K8 lysate treated group compared to the K2 and K6 lysate treated groups, which may be related to genomic differences such as chromosome size (K2: 3,034,884 bp, K6: 3,205,672 bp, K8: 3,221,272 bp), plasmid numbers (K2: 3, K6 and K8: 1), or total gene numbers (K2: 3,114, K6: 3,178, K8: 3,186). Although more correlative inspections to connect genomic information and biological functions are needed, genomic analyses of the three strains revealed distinct genomic compositions of each strain. Also, this finding suggests genome level analysis may be required to accurately identify microorganisms. Nevertheless, L. plantarum ATG-K2, ATG-K6, and ATG-K8 demonstrated their potential as probiotics for mucosal health improvement in both microbial and immunological contexts.

Multidisciplinary and Comparative Investigations of Potential Psychobiotic Effects of Lactobacillus Strains Isolated From Newborns and Their Impact on Gut Microbiota and Ileal Transcriptome in a Healthy Murine Model.

Psychobiotics are probiotic microorganisms that may exert positive influence on the psychological status of the host. Studies have revealed immunological and microbiological correlations of gut microbiota and the gut-brain axis, and have investigated psychobiotics based on the findings of the gut-brain axis. Considering their mode of actions, the present study sets anti-inflammatory effect, neurotransmitter modulation, and gut microbiota modulation as three essential criteria to evaluate Lactobacillus casei ATG-F1 (F1), L. reuteri ATG-F3 (F3), and L. reuteri ATG-F4 (F4) isolated from newborns as psychobiotics candidates in a healthy mouse model and compares the results with a non-treated control group and an ampicillin-induced gut dysbiosis (Amp) group as a negative control. The F3 and F4 strains showed anti-inflammatory effects in vitro in RAW264.7 murine macrophages, and the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 increased in ileums of mice orally administered with the F4 strain. Serum dopamine level significantly increased only in the F4-treated group as compared with the control group. Serum serotonin level was unaffected in Lactobacillus-treated groups, while a significant decrease in serum serotonin level was observed in the Amp group. Bacteroidetes population increased in fecal samples of the F4-treated group as compared with the control, and Bacteroidales S24-7 and Prevotellaceae population significantly increased at family level in fecal samples from the F4-treated group as compared with the control. In contrast, the Amp group showed an increase in the level of Proteobacteria and a decrease in the level of Bacteroidetes as compared with the control group. Transcriptome analysis revealed a distinctive clustering in ileums from the F4-treated group as compared to other experimental groups. In addition, the circadian rhythm pathway showed maximum enrichment in ileums of Lactobacillus-treated mice, and the F4-treated group showed the highest fold changes in circadian rhythm-related genes (Dbp, Per1, Per2, and Per3). Conclusively, L. reuteri ATG-F4 is suggested as a potential psychobiotics through demonstrations of anti-inflammatory effects, serum dopamine modulation, and gut microbiota modulation in a healthy murine model in the present study. Moreover, we carefully suggest gut circadian rhythm modulation as another important criterion of psychobiotics, which may have an important role in the gut-brain axis.

Expression and Characterization of Calcium- and Zinc-Tolerant Xylose Isomerase from Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis G10.

The enzyme xylose isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.5, XI) is responsible for the conversion of an aldose to ketose, especially xylose to xylulose. Owing to the ability of XI to isomerize glucose to fructose, this enzyme is used in the food industry to prepare high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of XI from Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis G10, a thermophilic bacterium. First, the gene coding for XI (xylA) was inserted into the pET-21a(+) expression vector and the construct was transformed into the Escherichia coli competent cell BL21 (DE3). The expression of recombinant XI was induced in the absence of isopropyl-thio-ß-galactopyranoside and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The optimum temperature of recombinant XI was 80°C and measurement of the heat stability indicated that 55% of residual activity was maintained after 2 h incubation at 60°C. The optimum pH was found to be 7.5 in sodium phosphate buffer. Magnesium, manganese, and cobalt ions were found to increase the enzyme activity; manganese was the most effective. Additionally, recombinant XI was resistant to the presence of Ca²âº and Zn²âº ions. The kinetic properties, Km and Vmax, were calculated as 81.44 mM and 2.237 µmol/min/mg, respectively. Through redundancy analysis, XI of A. kamchatkensis G10 was classified into a family containing type II XIs produced by the genera Geobacillus, Bacillus, and Thermotoga. These results suggested that the thermostable nature of XI of A. kamchatkensis G10 may be advantageous in industrial applications and food processing.

Mitochondrial Mutations in Cholestatic Liver Disease with Biliary Atresia.

Biliary atresia (BA) results in severe bile blockage and is caused by the absence of extrahepatic ducts. Even after successful hepatic portoenterostomy, a considerable number of patients are likely to show progressive deterioration in liver function. Recent studies show that mutations in protein-coding mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes and/or mitochondrial genes in nuclear DNA (nDNA) are associated with hepatocellular dysfunction. This observation led us to investigate whether hepatic dysfunctions in BA is genetically associated with mtDNA mutations. We sequenced the mtDNA protein-coding genes in 14 liver specimens from 14 patients with BA and 5 liver specimens from 5 patients with choledochal cyst using next-generation sequencing. We found 34 common non-synonymous variations in mtDNA protein-coding genes in all patients examined. A systematic 3D structural analysis revealed the presence of several single nucleotide polymorphism-like mutations in critical regions of complexes I to V, that are involved in subunit assembly, proton-pumping activity, and/or supercomplex formation. The parameters of chronic hepatic injury and liver dysfunction in BA patients were also significantly correlated with the extent of hepatic failure, suggesting that the mtDNA mutations may aggravate hepatopathy. Therefore, mitochondrial mutations may underlie the pathological mechanisms associated with BA.

Emulating Host-Microbiome Ecosystem of Human Gastrointestinal Tract in Vitro.

The human gut microbiome performs prodigious physiological functions such as production of microbial metabolites, modulation of nutrient digestion and drug metabolism, control of immune system, and prevention of infection. Paradoxically, gut microbiome can also negatively orchestrate the host responses in diseases or chronic disorders, suggesting that the regulated and balanced host-gut microbiome crosstalk is a salient prerequisite in gastrointestinal physiology. To understand the pathophysiological role of host-microbiome crosstalk, it is critical to recreate in vivo relevant models of the host-gut microbiome ecosystem in human. However, controlling the multi-species microbial communities and their uncontrolled growth has remained a notable technical challenge. Furthermore, conventional two-dimensional (2D) or 3D culture systems do not recapitulate multicellular microarchitectures, mechanical dynamics, and tissue-specific functions. Here, we review recent advances and current pitfalls of in vitro and ex vivo models that display human GI functions. We also discuss how the disruptive technologies such as 3D organoids or a human organ-on-a-chip microphysiological system can contribute to better emulate host-gut microbiome crosstalks in health and disease. Finally, the medical and pharmaceutical significance of the gut microbiome-based personalized interventions is underlined as a future perspective.

Draft genome sequence of a caprolactam degrader bacterium: Pseudomonas taiwanensis strain SJ9.

Pseudomonas taiwanensis strain SJ9 is a caprolactam degrader, isolated from industrial wastewater in South Korea and considered to have the potential for caprolactam bioremediation. The genome of this strain is approximately 6.2 Mb (G+C content, 61.75%) with 6,010 protein-coding sequences (CDS), of which 46% are assigned to recognized functional genes. This draft genome of strain SJ9 will provide insights into the genetic basis of its caprolactam-degradation ability.

Draft genome sequence of sulfur-reducing archaeon Thermococcus thioreducens DSM 14981T.

Thermococcus thioreducens DSM 14981T, a sulfur-reducing archaeon, was isolated from the rainbow hydrothermal vent site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Herein, we report the draft genome sequence of T. thioreducens DSM 14981T; we obtained 41 contigs with a genome size of 2,052,483bp and G+C content of 53.5%. This genome sequence will not only help understand how the archaeon adapts to the deep-sea hydrothermal environment but also aid the development of enzymes that are highly stable under extreme conditions for industrial applications.

Complete genome analysis of Serratia marcescens RSC-14: A plant growth-promoting bacterium that alleviates cadmium stress in host plants.

Serratia marcescens RSC-14 is a Gram-negative bacterium that was previously isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of the Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum. The strain stimulates plant growth and alleviates Cd stress in host plants. To investigate the genetic basis for these traits, the complete genome of RSC-14 was obtained by single-molecule real-time sequencing. The genome of S. marcescens RSC-14 comprised a 5.12-Mbp-long circular chromosome containing 4,593 predicted protein-coding genes, 22 rRNA genes, 88 tRNA genes, and 41 pseudogenes. It contained genes with potential functions in plant growth promotion, including genes involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis, acetoin synthesis, and phosphate solubilization. Moreover, annotation using NCBI and Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology identified several genes that encode antioxidant enzymes as well as genes involved in antioxidant production, supporting the observed resistance towards heavy metals, such as Cd. The presence of IAA pathway-related genes and oxidative stress-responsive enzyme genes may explain the plant growth-promoting potential and Cd tolerance, respectively. This is the first report of a complete genome sequence of Cd-tolerant S. marcescens and its plant growth promotion pathway. The whole-genome analysis of this strain clarified the genetic basis underlying its phenotypic and biochemical characteristics, underpinning the beneficial interactions between RSC-14 and plants.

The whole chloroplast genome sequence of black nightshade plant (Solanum nigrum).

In this study, complete chloroplast genome of Solanum nigrum, a wild relative of potato and tomato being important for its medicinal features, was sequenced. The genome size is 154 671 bp in length, with 40% GC content. A pair of inverted repeats, IRa and IRSb, were separated by a large single-copy region and a small single-copy region of 82 315 bp and 33 411 bp, respectively. The genome harbored 73 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes. The evolutionary relationships in our phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. nigrum is closer to S. tuberosum when compared with those of known relatives' species belonging to Solanum genus.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Kichulchoia multifasciata (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Cobitidae).

The Kichulchoia multifasciata (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Cobitidae) is one of the loaches and is endemic to Korea. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence consisted of 16 569 base pairs (bp) encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 2 non-coding region. The overall base composition of K. multifasciata was G + C: 42.5% and A + T: 57.5%, apparently with a slight AT bias. Phylogenetic analysis showed that K. multifasciata was closely related to Koreocobitis rotundicaudata.

Whole genome sequence of lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici strain S1.

Pediococcus acidilactici strain S1, a lactic acid-fermenting bacterium, was isolated from makgeolli-a Korean traditional fermented alcoholic beverage. Here we report the 1,980,172bp (G+C content, 42%) genome sequence of Pediococcus acidilactici strain S1 with 1,525 protein-coding sequences (CDS), of which 47% could be assigned to recognized functional genes. The genome sequence of the strain S1 might provide insights into the genetic basis of the lactic acid bacterium with alcohol-tolerant.

Complete genome sequence of the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus subterraneus KCTC 3922T as a potential denitrifier.

Denitrification is a crucial process for the global nitrogen cycle through the reduction of nitrates by heterotrophic bacteria. Denitrifying microorganisms play an important role in eliminating fixed nitrogen pollutants from the ecosystem, concomitant with N2O emission. Although many microbial denitrifiers have been identified, little is known about the denitrifying ability of the genus Geobacillus. Here, we report the first complete genome sequences of Geobacillus subterraneus KCTC 3922T, isolated from Liaohe oil field in China, and G. thermodenitrificans KCTC 3902T. The strain KCTC 3922T contains a complete set of genes involved in denitrification, cofactor biogenesis, and transport systems, which is consistent with a denitrifying activity. On the other hand, G. thermodenitrificans KCTC 3902T exhibited no denitrifying activity probably due to the lack of molybdnumtransferase (moeA) and nitrite transporter (nirC) genes. Therefore, comparative genome analysis of Geobacillus strains highlights the potential impact on treatment of nitrate-contaminated environments.