E3 ligase AtAIRP5/GARU regulates drought stress response by stimulating SERINE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE-LIKE1 turnover.

Ubiquitination is a major mechanism of eukaryotic posttranslational protein turnover that has been implicated in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated drought stress response. Here, we isolated T-DNA insertion mutant lines in which ABA-insensitive RING protein 5 (AtAIRP5) was suppressed, resulting in hyposensitive ABA-mediated germination compared to wild-type Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants. A homology search revealed that AtAIRP5 is identical to gibberellin (GA) receptor RING E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase (GARU), which downregulates GA signaling by degrading the GA receptor GID1, and thus AtAIRP5 was renamed AtAIRP5/GARU. The atairp5/garu knockout progeny were impaired in ABA-dependent stomatal closure and were markedly more susceptible to drought stress than wild-type plants, indicating a positive role for AtAIRP5/GARU in the ABA-mediated drought stress response. Yeast two-hybrid, pull-down, target ubiquitination, and in vitro and in planta degradation assays identified serine carboxypeptidase-like1 (AtSCPL1), which belongs to the clade 1A AtSCPL family, as a ubiquitinated target protein of AtAIRP5/GARU. atscpl1 single and atairp5/garu-1 atscpl1-2 double mutant plants were more tolerant to drought stress than wild-type plants in an ABA-dependent manner, suggesting that AtSCPL1 is genetically downstream of AtAIRP5/GARU. After drought treatment, the endogenous ABA levels in atscpl1 and atairp5/garu-1 atscpl1-2 mutant leaves were higher than those in wild-type and atairp5/garu leaves. Overall, our results suggest that AtAIRP5/GARU RING E3 Ub ligase functions as a positive regulator of the ABA-mediated drought response by promoting the degradation of AtSCPL1.

Deinococcus taeanensis sp. nov., a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Isolated from a Coastal Dune.

A Gram-stain-negative, nonspore-forming, nonmotile, aerobic, rod-shaped, and very pale orange-colored bacterial strain, designated TS293T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal dune after exposure to 3kGy of gamma (γ)-radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Deinococcus and clustered with D. deserti VCD115T. The genome of strain TS293T was 4.62 Mbp long (68.2% G + C content and 4124 predicted genes) divided into a 2.86Mb main chromosome and five plasmids. Many genes considered to be important to the γ-radiation and oxidative stress resistance of Deinococcus were conserved in TS293T, but genome features that could differentiate TS293T from D. deserti and D. radiodurans, the type species of the Deinococcus genus, were also detected. Strain TS293T showed resistance to γ-radiation with D10 values (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 3.1kGy. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS293T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c) and iso-C16:0. The major polar lipids were two unidentified phosphoglycolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-8. Based on the phylogenetic, genomic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS293T represents a novel species, for which the name Deinococcus taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS293T (= KCTC 43191T = JCM 34027T).

Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov., radiation resistant bacterium isolated from coastal sand dune.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and light pink-colored bacterial strain, designated TS19T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal sand dune after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Hymenobacter and was most closely related to H. wooponensis WM78T (98.3% similarity). Strain TS19T and H. wooponensis showed resistance to gamma radiation with D10 values (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 7.3 kGy and 3.5 kGy, respectively. The genome of strain TS19T consists of one contig with 4,879,662 bp and has a G + C content of 56.2%. The genome contains 3,955 protein coding sequences, 44 tRNAs, and 12 rRNAs. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS19T were iso-C15:0, summed feature 4 (iso-C17:1 I and/or anteiso-C17:1 B), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and C16:1 ω5c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS19T represents a novel species, for which the name Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS19T (= KCTC 72897T = JCM 34023T).

Spirosoma taeanense sp. nov., a radiation resistant bacterium isolated from a coastal sand dune.

An aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and pale yellow-colored bacterial strain, designated TS118T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal sand dune after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Spirosoma and most closely related to Spirosoma metallicum PR1014kT (95.1% similarity). The genome of strain TS118T is constituted by one chromosome (5,691,492 bp) and one plasmid (28,440 bp) and has a G + C content of 52.7%. The genome contains 4641 protein coding sequences (CDSs), 38 tRNAs, and 11 rRNAs. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS118T were C16:1 ω5c, iso-C15:0, C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified amino lipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The novel strain showed resistance to gamma radiation with a D10 value (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 4.3 kGy. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS118T represents a novel species, for which the name Spirosoma taeanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS118T (=KCTC 72898T =JCM 34024T).

Antibiotic resistance in shellfish and major inland pollution sources in the drainage basin of Kamak Bay, Republic of Korea.

Shellfish-growing areas in marine environments are affected by pollutants that mainly originate from land, including streams, domestic wastewater, and the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which may function as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs). The objective of this study was to identify the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance at five oyster sampling sites and 11 major inland pollution sources in the drainage basin of Kamak Bay, Republic of Korea. Culture-based methods were used to estimate the diversity and abundance of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from oysters and major inland pollution sources. The percentages of ARB and multiple antibiotic resistance index values were significantly high in discharge water from small fishing villages without WWTPs. However, the percentages of antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates from oysters were low, as there was no impact from major inland pollutants. Fourteen ARGs were also quantified from oysters and major inland pollution sources. Although most ARGs except for quinolones were widely distributed in domestic wastewater discharge and effluent from WWTPs, macrolide resistance genes (ermB and msrA) were detected mainly from oysters in Kamak Bay. This study will aid in tracking the sources of antibiotic contamination in shellfish to determine the correlation between shellfish and inland pollution sources.

Hymenobacter baengnokdamensis sp. nov., Isolated from the Soil of a Crater Lake in Korea.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and pink-colored bacterial strain, designated BRD72T, was isolated from a crater lake (Baengnokdam) at the top of Mt. Hallasan in the Republic of Korea. Cells were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Hymenobacter and most closely related to Hymenobacter marinus KJ035T (96.2% similarity). The isolate was found to produce carotenoid pigment, but not flexirubin-type pigment. The predominant fatty acids of strain BRD72T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c, 21.6%), iso-C15:0 (17.9%), anteiso-C15:0 (13.3%) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17:1 I and/or anteiso-C17:1 B, 11.3%). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified amino lipid, and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and the main polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G+C content was 59.8 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain BRD72T represents a novel species, for which the name Hymenobacter baengnokdamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BRD72T (= KCTC 72649T = JCM 33837T).

Level of contamination in the feces of several species at major inland pollution sources in the drainage basin of Yeoja Bay, Republic of Korea.

We assessed the levels of fecal contamination and the originating species of 12 major inland pollutants in the drainage basin of Yeoja Bay. The presence of the human-specific (HF183), ruminant-specific (BacR and Rum-2-Bac), pig-specific (Pig-Bac-2 and Pig-2-Bac), avian-specific (GFD), and gull-specific (Gull2) markers in water samples (n = 34) from 12 inland pollution sources around Yeoja Bay was analyzed. HF183 was detected in 97% of the water samples, and all major inland pollution sources were contaminated with human feces. BacR and Rum-2-Bac were detected in 94% and 11%, respectively, of the water samples. Pig-2-Bac was not detected in the inland pollution sources, but site L5 might be contaminated with swine feces. Gull2 was not detected, whereas GFD was detected in 26% of the water samples. This study highlights the utility of a MST toolbox approach for characterizing the water quality of inland pollution sources and identifying the feces producing species.

Flagellimonas aquimarina sp. nov., and transfer of Spongiibacterium flavum Yoon and Oh 2012 and S. pacificum Gao et al. 2015 to the genus Flagellimonas Bae et al. 2007 as Flagellimonas flava comb. nov. and F. pacifica comb. nov., respectively.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic and diffusible yellow-coloured bacterial strain, designated strain ECD12T was isolated from a seaweed, Ecklonia cava. The isolate required sea salts for growth. Catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ECD12T formed an evolutionary lineage within the radiation enclosing the members of genera Spongiibacterium and Flagellimonas sharing the highest similarity to Flagellimonas eckloniae DOKDO007T (96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) followed by Spongiibacterium pacificum SW169T (96.4 %) and Spongiibacterium flavum DSM 22638T (96.1 %). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 1 G. The new isolate contained MK-6 as the only isoprenoid quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified amino lipids and two unidentified lipids as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content is 39 mol%. A number of phenotypic characteristics such as the production of diffusible pigment distinguished strain ECD12T from the related species. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species, Flagellimonas aquimarina sp. nov., is proposed for strain ECD12T (=KCTC 52351T=JCM 32292T). Based on the sequence similarity, phylogenetic relationship and common morphological, physiological and chemical characters among the members of the genera Spongiibacterium and Flagellimonas, it is recommended that the two genera are combined into a single genus. Thus, transfer of S. flavumYoon and Oh 2012 and S. pacificum Gao et al. 2015 to the genus FlagellimonasBae et al. 2007 as Flagellimonas flava comb. nov. and Flagellimonas pacifica comb. nov., respectively, is also proposed.

Differential Expression of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Related Proteins in Ductal Carcinoma in situ According to Molecular Subtype and Stromal Histology.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-related proteins and their implication in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). METHODS: We constructed a tissue microarray of 223 cases of DCIS and examined immunohistochemical staining for the 7 CAF-related proteins. We classified DCIS into luminal type, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) type, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) according to the immunohistochemical results for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2. We also classified DCIS into desmoplastic, normal-like, and inflammatory type according to stromal histology. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the expression of S100A4, podoplanin, prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 3, NG2, and PDGFRα in stromal cells of DCIS when classified according to molecular subtype. The expression rate of all CAF-related proteins in stromal cells was higher in the HER-2 type and TNBC than in the luminal type (p < 0.001). When classified according to stromal subtype, there were significant differences in the expression of all CAF-related proteins in stromal cells, with the inflammatory stromal type showing higher expression of CAF-related proteins than other stromal types. CONCLUSION: The expression of CAF-related proteins in stromal cells of DCIS varies according to molecular subtype and stromal type.

Ginkgolic acid as a dual-targeting inhibitor for protein tyrosine phosphatases relevant to insulin resistance.

Several protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that disrupt the insulin-signaling pathway were investigated by siRNAs to identify potential antidiabetic targets. Individual knockdown of PTPN9 and DUSP9 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes increased AMPK phosphorylation, respectively, and furthermore, concurrent knockdown of both PTPN9 and DUSP9 synergistically increased AMPK phosphorylation. Next, 658 natural products were screened to identify dual inhibitors of both PTPN9 and DUSP9. Based on the selectivity and inhibition potency of the compounds, ginkgolic acid (GA) was selected for further study as a potential antidiabetic drug candidate. GA inhibited the enzymatic activity of PTPN9 (Ki = 53 µM) and DUSP9 (Ki = 2.5 µM) in vitro and resulted in a significant increase of glucose-uptake in differentiated C2C12 muscle cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, GA increased phosphorylation of AMPK in 3T3L1 adipocytes. In this study, GA as a dual targeting inhibitor of PTPN9 and DUSP9 increased glucose uptake in 3T3L1 and C2C12 cells by activating the AMPK signaling pathway. These results strongly suggest GA could be used as a therapeutic candidate for type 2 diabetes.

Glucosinolate Profiling and Expression Analysis of Glucosinolate Biosynthesis Genes Differentiate White Mold Resistant and Susceptible Cabbage Lines.

Sclerotinia stem rot (white mold), caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a serious disease of Brassica crops worldwide. Despite considerable progress in investigating plant defense mechanisms against this pathogen, which have revealed the involvement of glucosinolates, the host⁻pathogen interaction between cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and S. sclerotiorum has not been fully explored. Here, we investigated glucosinolate profiles and the expression of glucosinolate biosynthesis genes in white-mold-resistant (R) and -susceptible (S) lines of cabbage after infection with S. sclerotiorum. The simultaneous rise in the levels of the aliphatic glucosinate glucoiberverin (GIV) and the indolic glucosinate glucobrassicin (GBS) was linked to white mold resistance in cabbage. Principal component analysis showed close association between fungal treatment and cabbage GIV and GBS contents. The correlation analysis showed significant positive associations between GIV content and expression of the glucosinolate biosynthesis genes ST5b-Bol026202 and ST5c-Bol030757, and between GBS content and the expression of the glucosinolate biosynthesis genes ST5a-Bol026200 and ST5a-Bol039395. Our results revealed that S. sclerotiorum infection of cabbage induces the expression of glucosinolate biosynthesis genes, altering the content of individual glucosinolates. This relationship between the expression of glucosinolate biosynthesis genes and accumulation of the corresponding glucosinolates and resistance to white mold extends the molecular understanding of glucosinolate-negotiated defense against S. sclerotiorum in cabbage.

Dokdonia lutea sp. nov., isolated from Sargassum fulvellum seaweed.

A non-motile, yellow-coloured and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SFD34T, was isolated from seaweed collected from the South Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 1 G. Strain SFD34T contained MK-6 and phosphatidylethanolamine as the only isoprenoid quinone and major polar lipid, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 35 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SFD34T formed evolutionary lineage within the radiation enclosing the members of the genus Dokdonia with Dokdoniapacifica SW230T (96.86 % sequence similarity) as its nearest neighbour. A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain SFD34T from related members of the genus Dokdonia. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species, Dokdonia lutea sp. nov., is proposed for strain SFD34T (=KCTC 52269T=JCM 31795T).

Winogradskyella flava sp. nov., isolated from the brown alga, Sargassum fulvellum.

An aerobic, gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain SFD31T, was isolated from brown alga collected from the South Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SFD31T forms an independent lineage within the genus Winogradskyella. Strain SFD31T was related distantly to Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T (97.9 %, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Winogradskyellalitoriviva KMM 6491T (97.4 %), Winogradskyellapulchriflava EM106T (97.2 %) and Winogradskyellaeckloniae EC29T (96.9 %). The major fatty acids of strain SFD31T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and unknown 13.565. The only isoprenoid quinone of the isolate was menaquinone 6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain SFD31T was 36.0 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain SFD31T from the related species of the genus Winogradskyella. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species, Winogradskyella flava sp. nov., is proposed for strain SFD31T (=KCTC 52348T=JCM 31798T).

Flavivirga eckloniae sp. nov. and Flavivirga aquimarina sp. nov., isolated from seaweed Ecklonia cava.

Two Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic and yellow-coloured bacterial strains, designated strains ECD14T and EC2D5T, were isolated from a seaweed Eckloniacava. The isolates required sea salts for growth. Flexirubin-type and carotenoid pigment was produced. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two new strains was 95.5 %. Flavivirga amylovorans JC2681T was the nearest neighbour of strains ECD14T and EC2D5T with 96.5 and 96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. The common major fatty acids and respiratory quinones were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and unknown 13.565 and menaquinone 6 (MK-6), respectively. The common major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown amino lipid and an unknown lipid. The DNA G+C contents of strains ECD14T and EC2D5T were 33 and 31 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization of the two strains, it is suggested that the two isolates represent novel species of the genus Flavivirga, for which the names Flavivirga eckloniae sp. nov. (type strain, ECD14T=KCTC 52352T=JCM 31797T) and Flavivirga aquimarina sp. nov. (type strain, EC2D5T=KCTC 52353T=JCM 31796T) are proposed.

Kordia zosterae sp. nov., isolated from the seaweed, Zostera marina.

A Gram-stain-negative, gliding and rod shaped bacterium, designated strain ZO2-23T was isolated from a seaweed sample collected from the West Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells are catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ZO2-23T forms an independent lineage within the genus Kordia. Strain ZO2-23T was related to Kordia ulvae SC2T (98.0 %, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and K. antarctica IMCC3317T (97.9 %). The major fatty acids of strain ZO2-23T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The only isoprenoid quinone of the isolate was menaquinone-6. The DNA G+C content of strain ZO2-23T was 31.7 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain ZO2-23T from the related species of the genus Kordia. On the basis of the evidences presented in this study, novel species, Kordia zosterae sp. nov., is proposed for strain ZO2-23T (=KCTC 52268T=JCM 31799T).

Hymenobacter tenuis sp. nov., isolated from wastewater of an acidic water neutralization facility.

A non-motile, red-pink-coloured, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain POB6T, was isolated from a wastewater treatment facility, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B). The strain contained menaquinone MK-7 as the only isoprenoid quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipid and sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine. The DNA G+C content was 61 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain POB6T forms a distinct evolutionary lineage within the radiation enclosing the members of the genus Hymenobacter, sharing the highest similarity with Hymenobacterrigui WPCP131T (97.5 %) followed by Hymenobacter xinjiangensis X2-1gT (97.2 %), Hymenobacter perfusus A1-12T (97.2 %) and Hymenobacter gelipurpurascens Txg-1T (97.1 %). A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain POB6T from related members of the genus Hymenobacter. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species, Hymenobacter tenuis sp. nov., is proposed, with POB6T (=KCTC 52271T=JCM 31659T) as the type strain.

Sphingomonas limnosediminicola sp. nov. and Sphingomonas palustris sp. nov., isolated from freshwater environments.

Two aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, gliding and yellow-pigmented bacteria, designated strains 03SUJ6T and WM95T were isolated from freshwater sediment of Juam reservoir and freshwater of Woopo wetland, Republic of Korea, respectively. Cells of the two strains are motile by gliding and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between 03SUJ6T and WM95T was 97.7 %, but their DNA-DNA relatedness was 55.1 %. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that 03SUJ6T and WM95T each form independent lineages within the genus Sphingomonas. 03SUJ6T was related distantly to Sphingomonas daechungensis CH15-11T (97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Sphingomonas ginsengisoliGsoil 634T (97.3 %) and Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens DMS 22298T (97.1 %). Closest relatives of strain WM95T were S. daechungensis CH15-11T (98.2 %), Sphingomonasjaspsi DSM 18422T (97.6 %), Sphingomonas sediminicolaDae 20T (97.5 %), Sphingomonaslutea JS5T (97.4 %) and S. ginsengisoliGsoil 634T (97.2 %). The major fatty acids of the two isolates were summed feature 8 and C16 : 0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. sym-Homospermidine was the major polyamine of the isolates. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished 03SUJ6T and WM95T from the related species of the genus Sphingomonas. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, the novel species, Sphingomonas limnosediminicola sp. nov. and Sphingomonas palustris sp. nov. are proposed for strain 03SUJ6T (=KCTC 23331T=JCM 17543T) and strain WM95T (=KACC 18738T=JCM 31399T), respectively.

Ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and biotechnological applications of Eclipta prostrata.

Eclipta prostrata belongs to a family of medicinal plants (Asteraceae) and plays a role in the treatment of several diseases, including infectious hepatitis, snake venom poisoning, gastritis, and respiratory diseases such as a cough and asthma. A number of compounds, including thiophene derivatives, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, polypeptides, and coumestans, have been isolated from E. prostrata. The plant functional compounds can act as reducing agent in the field of nanoparticle synthesis. The extracts of E. prostrata are widely used for green biosynthesis of various metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, nanoparticles, which showed a potential for pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and biomedical applications. Establishment of a efficient in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation method of E. prostrata is a vital prerequisite for application of biotechnology in order to improve secondary metabolite yields. The present mini-review discusses its pharmacological profile, chemical constituents, biotechnological, and ethnomedical uses, mainly focusing on antimyotoxic, antihemorrhagic, antiproliferative, antioxidant, antitumor, antihyperglycemic, antidementia, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antivenom, anti-HIV, and larvicidal activities, so that the pharmaceutical potential of the plant can be better evaluated. The mini review, providing up-to-date phytochemical and other information on E. prostrata, will serve a reference for further studies.

Sphingomonas lutea sp. nov., isolated from freshwater of an artificial reservoir.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain JS5T, was isolated from freshwater of Juam reservoir, Republic of Korea. Cells were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JS5T forms an independent lineage within the genus Sphingomonas. Strain JS5T was related distantly to 'Sphingomonas parvus' GP20-2 (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Sphingomonas sediminicola Dae 20T (96.8 %) and Sphingomonas daechungensis CH15-11T (96.7 %). The major fatty acids of strain JS5T were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c and summed feature 8 comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of the isolate was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content of strain JS5T was 65 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain JS5T from related species of the genus Sphingomonas. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species, Sphingomonaslutea sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate strain JS5T (=KCTC 23642T=JCM 18309T).

Altererythrobacter rigui sp. nov., isolated from wetland freshwater.

A non-motile and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain WW3T, was isolated from freshwater of Woopo wetland, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WW3T forms an independent lineage within the genus Altererythrobacter. Strain WW3T was related distantly to Altererythrobacter dongtanensisJM27T and Altererythrobacter troitsensisKMM 6042T (97.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain WW3T and the reference strains was low (30-41 %). The major fatty acids of strain WW3T were C17 : 1ω6c, C17 : 1ω8c, C15 : 0 2-OH and summed feature 8 comprising C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of the isolate was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content of strain WW3T was 63 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain WW3T from related species of the genus Altererythrobacter. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study,strain WW3T represents a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter rigui sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WW3T (=KCTC 42620T =JCM 30975T).