Qualitative metabolomics-based characterization of a phenolic UDP-xylosyltransferase with a broad substrate spectrum from Lentinus brumalis.

Wood-decaying fungi are the major decomposers of plant litter. Heavy sequencing efforts on genomes of wood-decaying fungi have recently been made due to the interest in their lignocellulolytic enzymes; however, most parts of their proteomes remain uncharted. We hypothesized that wood-decaying fungi would possess promiscuous enzymes for detoxifying antifungal phytochemicals remaining in the dead plant bodies, which can be useful biocatalysts. We designed a computational mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics pipeline for the phenotyping of biotransformation and applied it to 264 fungal cultures supplemented with antifungal plant phenolics. The analysis identified the occurrence of diverse reactivities by the tested fungal species. Among those, we focused on O-xylosylation of multiple phenolics by one of the species tested, Lentinus brumalis. By integrating the metabolic phenotyping results with publicly available genome sequences and transcriptome analysis, a UDP-glycosyltransferase designated UGT66A1 was identified and validated as an enzyme catalyzing O-xylosylation with broad substrate specificity. We anticipate that our analytical workflow will accelerate the further characterization of fungal enzymes as promising biocatalysts.

MIBiG 3.0: a community-driven effort to annotate experimentally validated biosynthetic gene clusters.

With an ever-increasing amount of (meta)genomic data being deposited in sequence databases, (meta)genome mining for natural product biosynthetic pathways occupies a critical role in the discovery of novel pharmaceutical drugs, crop protection agents and biomaterials. The genes that encode these pathways are often organised into biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). In 2015, we defined the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG): a standardised data format that describes the minimally required information to uniquely characterise a BGC. We simultaneously constructed an accompanying online database of BGCs, which has since been widely used by the community as a reference dataset for BGCs and was expanded to 2021 entries in 2019 (MIBiG 2.0). Here, we describe MIBiG 3.0, a database update comprising large-scale validation and re-annotation of existing entries and 661 new entries. Particular attention was paid to the annotation of compound structures and biological activities, as well as protein domain selectivities. Together, these new features keep the database up-to-date, and will provide new opportunities for the scientific community to use its freely available data, e.g. for the training of new machine learning models to predict sequence-structure-function relationships for diverse natural products. MIBiG 3.0 is accessible online at https://mibig.secondarymetabolites.org/.

Randomized comparison of TAVI valves: The Compare-TAVI trial.

INTRODUCTION: Based on technical advancements and clinical evidence, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been widely adopted. New generation TAVI valve platforms are continually being developed. Ideally, new valves should be superior or at least non-inferior regarding efficacy and safety, when compared to best-in-practice contemporary TAVI valves. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Compare-TAVI trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04443023) was launched in 2020, to perform a 1:1 randomized comparison of new vs contemporary TAVI valves, preferably in all comers. Consecutive cohorts will be launched with sample sizes depending on the choice of interim analyses, expected event rates, and chosen superiority or non-inferiority margins. Enrollment has just been finalized in cohort B, comparing the Sapien 3/Sapien 3 Ultra Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) series (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California, USA) and the Myval/Myval Octacor THV series (Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Vapi, Gujarat, India) balloon expandable valves. This non-inferiority study was aimed to include 1062 patients. The 1-year composite safety and efficacy endpoint comprises death, stroke, moderate-severe aortic regurgitation, and moderate-severe valve deterioration. Patients will be followed until withdrawal of consent, death, or completion of 10-year follow-up, whichever comes first. Secondary endpoints will be monitored at 30 days, 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. SUMMARY: The Compare-TAVI organization will launch consecutive cohorts wherein patients scheduled for TAVI are randomized to one of two valves. The aim is to ensure that the short- and long-term performance and safety of new valves being introduced is benchmarked against what achieved by best-in-practice contemporary valves.

The evolutionary phylodynamics of human parechovirus A type 3 reveal multiple recombination events in South Korea.

Human parechovirus A (HPeV-A) is a causative agent of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, acute flaccid paralysis encephalitis, meningitis, and neonatal sepsis. To clarify the characteristics of HPeV-A infection in children, 391 fecal specimens were collected from January 2014 to October 2015 from patients with acute gastroenteritis in Seoul, South Korea. Of these, 221/391 (56.5%) HPeV-A positive samples were found in children less than 2 years old. Three HPeV-A genotypes HPeV-A1 (117/221; 52.94%), HPeV-A3 (100/221; 45.25%), and HPeV-A6 (4/221; 1.81%) were detected, among which HPeV-A3 was predominant with the highest recorded value of 58.6% in 2015. Moreover, recombination events in the Korean HPeV-A3 strains were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the capsid-encoding regions and noncapsid gene 2A of the four Korean HPeV-A3 strains are closely related to the HPeV-A3 strains isolated in Canada in 2007 (Can82853-01), Japan in 2008 (A308/99), and Taiwan in 2011 (TW-03067-2011) while noncapsid genes P2 (2B-2C) and P3 (3A-3D) are closely related to those of HPeV-A1 strains BNI-788St (Germany in 2008) and TW-71594-2010 (Taiwan in 2010). This first report on the whole-genome analysis of HPeV-A3 in Korea provides insight into the evolving status and pathogenesis of HPeVs in children.

Rapid Detection of a Downy Mildew Pathogen, Peronospora destructor, in Infected Onion Tissues and Soils by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification.

Downy mildew of onion caused by a soil-inhabiting water mold, Peronospora destructor, is one of the most devastating diseases that can destroy entire onion fields in a matter of days. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay that allows for rapid detection of P. destructor by visual inspection. The internal transcribed spacer 2 region of P. destructor was used to design primer sets for LAMP reactions. The optimal temperature and incubation time were determined for the most efficient primer set. In the optimized condition, the LAMP assay exhibited at least 100 times more sensitivity than conventional PCR, detecting femtogram levels of P. destructor genomic DNA (gDNA). Detection of the pathogen from a small number of spores without gDNA extraction further confirmed the high sensitivity of the assay. For specificity, the LAMP assay was negative for gDNA of other fungal pathogens that cause various diseases on onion and oomycetes, whereas the assay was positive for gDNA extracted from onion tissues showing the typical downy mildew symptoms. Finally, we examined the efficacy of the LAMP assay in detection of P. destructor in soils. Soils collected from onion fields that had been contaminated with P. destructor were solarized for 60 days. Whereas the LAMP assay was negative for the solarized soils, we were able to detect P. destructor that oversummers in fields. The LAMP assay developed in this study enables rapid detection and diagnosis of downy mildew of onion in infected tissues and in soil.

Description of Mycolicibacterium arenosum sp. nov. Isolated from Coastal Sand on the Yellow Sea Coast.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming bacterium was isolated from coastal sand samples from Incheon in the Republic of Korea and designated as strain CAU 1645T. The optimum conditions for growth were observed at 30 °C in growth media containing 1% (w/v) NaCl at pH 9.0. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-9 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, C17:1 w7c, and summed feature 7. Similarly, the 16S rRNA gene sequence exhibited the highest similarity with Mycolicibacterium bacteremicum DSM 45578T and Mycolicibacterium neoaurum JCM 6365T, both of which exhibited similarity rates of 97.2%. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.2%. The whole genome of strain CAU 1645T was obtained and annotated with annotation using RAST server. The pan-genome analysis was determined using Prokka, Roary, and Phandango. In the pan-genome analysis, the strain CAU 1645T shared 40 core genes with closely related Mycolicibacterium species, including the AcpM gene, the meromycolate extension acyl carrier protein involved in forming impermeable cell walls in mycobacteria. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Mycolicibacterium, for which we propose the name Mycolicibacterium arenosum sp. nov. The type strain is CAU 1645T (= KCTC 49724T = MCCC 1K07087T).

Description of Roseibium sediminicola sp. nov. Isolated from Sediment of a Tidal Flat on the Yellow Sea Coast.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, flagellated bacterial strain, designated as CAU 1639T, was isolated from the tidal flat sediment on the Yellow Sea in the Republic of Korea. Growth of the isolate was observed at 20-37 °C, at pH 5.0-10.5 and with 0-7% (w/v) NaCl. The genomic DNA G + C content was 60.8%. Phylogenetic analysis, grounded on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealed that strain CAU 1639T was closely related to species within the genus Roseibium. It shared the highest similarity with Roseibium album CECT 5095T, followed by Roseibium aggregatum IAM 12614T and Roseibium salinum Cs25T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity ranging from 98.0-98.4%. It was observed that the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values ranged between 72.5-79.5 and 20.0-22.9%, respectively. The polyphasic taxonomic analysis reveals that strain CAU 1639T represents a novel species in the genus Roseibium with the proposed name Roseibium sediminicola sp. nov. The type strain is CAU 1639T (= KCTC 82430T = MCCC 1K06081T).

Roseobacter insulae sp. nov. and Loktanella gaetbuli sp. nov., isolated from tidal flats in the Yellow Sea in Korea.

Two bacterial strains (designated as YSTF-M11T and TSTF-M6T) were isolated from tidal flat sediments of the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea, and taxonomically characterized. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YSTF-M11T clusters with the type strains of Roseobacter species and strain TSTF-M6T clusters with the type strains of Loktanella salsilacus, Loktanella fryxellensis and Loktanella atrilutea. Strains YSTF-M11T and TSTF-M6T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.5-98.9 % and 94.1-97.2 % to the type strains of four Roseobacter species and to the type strains of four Loktanella species, respectively. An UBCG tree based on genomic sequences and a tree based on AAI showed that strains YSTF-M11T and TSTF-M6T form a cluster with the type strains of Roseobacter species and with the type strains of L. salsilacus, L. fryxellensis and L. atrilutea, respectively. The ANI and dDDH values between genomic sequences of strain YSTF-M11T and the type strains of four Roseobacter species and between those of strain TSTF-M6T and the type strains of the three Loktanella species were in ranges of 74.0-75.9 and 18.2-19.7 % and 74.7-75.5 and 18.8-19.3 %, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strains YSTF-M11T and TSTF-M6T were 60.3 and 61.9 % based on their genomic sequences. Both strains contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1 ω7c as the major fatty acid. Strains YSTF-M11T and TSTF-M6T were separated from recognized Roseobacter species and L. salsilacus, L. fryxellensis and L. atrilutea, respectively, by their phenotypic properties together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness. Based on data presented in this study, strains YSTF-M11T (=KACC 21642T =NBRC 115155T) and TSTF-M6T (=KACC 21643T =NBRC 115154T) are considered to represent novel species of the genera Roseobacter and Loktanella, respectively, for which the names Roseobacter insulae sp. nov. and Loktanella gaetbuli sp. nov. are proposed.

Tianweitania aestuarii sp. nov., isolated from a coastal dune, reclassification of Corticibacterium populi as Tianweitania populi comb. nov., and emended description of the genus Tianweitania.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated and coccoid or ovoid bacterial strain, BSSL-BM11T, was isolated from sand of coastal dunes along the Yellow Sea of the Korean peninsula. Strain BSSL-BM11T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the up-to-date bacterial core gene set and average amino acid identity (AAI) showed that strain BSSL-BM11T forms a cluster with the type strains of Tianweitania sediminis and Corticibacterium populi. Strain BSSL-BM11T showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.3 and 98.0 % to the type strains of T. sediminis and C. populi, respectively, and less than 96.4 % to the type strains of the other recognized species. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain BSSL-BM11T and the type strains of T. sediminis and C. populi were 77.0-84.8 % and 20.0-28.1 %, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene similarity, AAI, ANI and dDDH values between T. sediminis Z8T and C. populi KCTC 42249T were 98.0, 77.4, 76.7 and 20.1 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain BSSL-BM11T from genomic sequence data was 61.3 mol%. Strain BSSL-BM11T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0 and cyclo C19 : 0 ω8c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain BSSL-BM11T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on the polyphasic data, it is proposed that C, populi be reclassified as a member of the genus Tianweitania. Phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain BSSL-BM11T is separated from T. sediminis and C. populi. On the basis of the data presented here, strain BSSL-BM11T (=KACC 21634T=NBRC 114503T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Tianweitania, for which the name Tianweitania aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed.

Gracilimonas sediminicola sp. nov., a moderately halotolerant bacterium isolated from seaweed sediment collected in the East Sea, Republic of Korea.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain CAU 1638T, was isolated from seaweed sediment collected in the Republic of Korea. The cells of strain CAU 1638T grew at 25-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-7.0 (optimum, pH 6.5) and in the presence of 0-10% NaCl (optimum, 2 %). The cells were positive for catalase and oxidase and did not hydrolyse starch and casein. Strain CAU 1638T was most closely related to Gracilimonas amylolytica KCTC 52885T (97.7 %), followed by Gracilimonas halophila KCTC 52042T (97.4 %), Gracilimonas rosea KCCM 90206T (97.2 %), Gracilimonas tropica KCCM 90063T and Gracilimonas mengyeensis DSM 21985T (97.1 %), as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone, and iso-C15  : 0 and C15  : 1 ω6c were the major fatty acids. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified lipids, two unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified phospholipids. The G+C content of the genome was 44.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CAU 1638T and the reference strains were 73.1-73.9 % and 18.9-21.5  %, respectively. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CAU 1638T represents a novel species of the genus Gracilimonas, for which the name Gracilimonas sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1638T (=KCTC 82454T=MCCC 1K06087T).

Muricauda lutisoli sp. nov., isolated from mudflat.

A Gram-negative, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CAU 1631T, was isolated from a mudflat sample in the Republic of Korea. Strain CAU 1631T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 6.5, and 1% (w/v) NaCl solution. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and 92 core genes indicated that strain CAU 1631T is a member of the genus Muricauda and most closely related to Muricauda oceanensis 40DY170T and Muricauda lutimaris SMK-108T (98.1%, both). The draft genome was 3.4 Mb with 3064 protein-coding genes, and the DNA G + C content was 43.3 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and iso-C15:0 G, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. Based on the comprehensive taxonomic characterization, strain CAU 1631T is a novel species, for which the name Muricauda lutisoli sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is CAU 1631T (= KCTC 82456T = MCCC 1K06088T).

Devosia litorisediminis sp. nov., isolated from a sand dune.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated BSSL-BM10T, was isolated from sand of a dune that was collected from the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea. It was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain BSSL-BM10T fell phylogenetically within the radiation comprising type strains of Devosia species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain BSSL-BM10T shared sequence similarities of 98.2% with the type strain of D. naphthalenivorans and 93.5-97.7% with type strains of other Devosia species. ANI and dDDH values between strain BSSL-BM10T and type strains of 18 Devosia species were 71.0-78.4% and 18.8-21.5%, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain BSSL-BM10T was 60.9% based on its genomic sequence data. Strain BSSL-BM10T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and 11-methyl C18:1 ω7c, C18:1 ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c), and C16:0 as its major fatty acids. Major polar lipids of strain BSSL-BM10T were phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified glycolipids. Strain BSSL-BM10T showed distinguishable phenotypic properties with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness separated from recognized Devosia species. Based on data presented in this study, strain BSSL-BM10T should be placed in the genus Devosia. The name Devosia litorisediminis sp. nov. is proposed for strain BSSL-BM10T (= KACC 21633T = NBRC 115152T).

Mesonia aestuariivivens sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain (JHPTF-M18T), which was isolated from a tidal flat sediment in Republic of Korea, was taxonomically characterized. Strain JHPTF-M18T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-7.5 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain JHPTF-M18T forms a phylogenetic lineage within the radiation comprising type strains of Mesonia species. The 16S rRNA gene of strain JHPTF-M18T shared sequence similarities of 97.7% with that of type strain of M. mobilis and 92.5-96.8% with those of type strains of the other nine Mesonia species. The DNA G+C content was 33.1% based on its genomic sequence. AAI, ANI and dDDH values between strain JHPTF-M18T and the type strains of M. mobilis, M. hitae, M. oceanica, M. phycicola and M. algae were 72.1-83.7%, 73.1-79.7% and 18.5-22.8%, respectively. Strain JHPTF-M18T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) as its major fatty acids. Major polar lipids of strain JHPTF-M18T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. Strain JHPTF-M18T was separated from recognized Mesonia species by its phenotypic properties together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness. Based on data presented in this study, strain JHPTF-M18T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mesonia. The name Mesonia aestuariivivens sp. nov. is proposed for JHPTF-M18T (=KACC 22185T = NBRC 115119T).

Marinobacterium arenosum sp. nov., isolated from a coastal sand.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CAU 1594T, was isolated from a coastal sand sample collected in the Republic of Korea. Cells of strain CAU 1594T grew best at 30 °C, pH 7.5, and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, indicated that strain CAU 1594T was affiliated with the genus Marinobacterium and most similar to Marinobacterium jannaschii ATCC 27135T (95.1%) and Marinobacterium stanieri ATCC 27130T (94.9%). The whole genome of strain CAU 1594T was 4,917,683 bp, including 4,188 CDSs, with a 60.4 mol% G + C content. Based on draft genome sequences, the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain CAU 1594T were within the ranges of 71.9-73.1% and 20.0-2.1%, respectively, compared to reference strains. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8, and the major fatty acids were C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and C16:1 ω7c), and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c and C18:1 ω7c). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on these results, strain CAU 1594T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacterium, for which the name Marinobacterium arenosum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1594T (=KCTC 82405T=MCCC 1K05672T).

Thalassococcus arenae sp. nov. isolated from sea sand.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CAU 1522T, was isolated from a sea sand sample collected from the Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain CAU 1522T ensued at 30 °C, pH 7.5, and 1.0% (w/v) NaCl. Strain CAU 1522T was affiliated to the genus Thalassococcus with high similarity to T. lentus KCTC 32084T (97.5%), T. profundi MCCC 1K03253T (96.5%), and T. halodurans JCM 13833T (96.1%) according to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The whole genome of strain CAU 1522T was 3.7 Mb in length and included 7 contigs and 3599 protein-coding genes, with a G + C content of 65.4 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c (summed feature 8), with Q-10 being the sole isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid, and an unidentified lipid. These phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic data support that strain CAU 1522T is a novel Thalassococcus species, for which the name T. arenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1522T (= KCTC 72545T = MCCC 1K04064T).

Paenibacillus arenosi sp. nov., a siderophore-producing bacterium isolated from coastal sediment.

In this study, strain CAU 1523T, a novel Gram-positive-positive bacterium isolated from marine sediment collected from the coast of Busan, Republic of Korea, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. This strain showed growth at a temperature range of 20-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), a pH range of 6.5-9.5 (optimum, 7.5), and in the presence of 0-3% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and 92 concatenated core genes indicated that CAU 1523T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus, sharing the highest sequence similarity with P. assamensis JCM 13186T (98.0%). CAU 1523T was differentiated from other Paenibacillus species by average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values, using cut-off values of 95-96%, 90%, and 70%, respectively, for closely related strains. The genome of CAU 1523T possessed various biosynthetic gene clusters, one of which encoded a putative siderophore-interacting protein. Siderophore production by the isolate was confirmed using the qualitative chrome azurol sulfonate (CAS) agar assay. Based on its phylogenetic and physiological characteristics, strain CAU 1523T represents a novel, siderophore-producing species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus arenosi sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain CAU 1523T (= KCTC 43108T = MCCC 1K04063T).

Zhongshania aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain CAU 1632T was isolated from a seawater sample collected in the Republic of Korea. The cells of strain CAU 1632T grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0 in 0% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CAU 1632T formed a tight phyletic lineage with Zhongshania antarctica ZS-23T, Zhongshania borealis CL-AS9T, Zhongshania marina DSW25-10T, Zhongshania guokunii ZS6-22T, 'Zhongshania ponticola GM-8T', Zhongshania aliphaticivorans SM-2T and shared a high similarity between 97.2% and 97.7%. The whole genome of strain CAU 1632T was 4.3-Mb with 3,780 protein-coding genes, 12 contigs, and a DNA G+C content of 49.4 mol%. The major fatty acids of strain CAU 1632T were C17:1 ω8c, C19:1 ω6c and/or C19:0 cyclo ω10c (summed feature 3), and C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c (summed feature 8). Q-8 was the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminophospholipids, and two phospholipids. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses, strain CAU 1632T represents a novel species within the genus Zhongshania, for which the name Zhongshania aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1632T (= KCTC 82432T = MCCC 1K06086T).

Halomarinibacterium sedimenti gen. nov., sp. nov., a carotenoid pigment-producing bacterium isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain CAU 1614T was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected in the Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain CAU 1614T proceeded at 30 °C, pH 7.0, and 2% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene similarity was lower than 94.5% with genera Aureisphaera, Marinirhabdus, Aureitalea, Gilvibacter, Ulvibacter, and Jejudonia. The highest similarity was with Aureisphaera galaxeae 04OKA003-7T (94.5%). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C16:0 3-OH, and iso-C17:0 3-OH and the predominant menaquinone was MK-6. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified lipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and an unidentified glycolipid. The draft genome of strain CAU 1614T was 3.9 Mb and DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic data, strain CAU 1614T presents a novel genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Halomarinibacterium sedimenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1614T (= KCTC 82457T = MCCC 1K06083T).

Marinobacter arenosus sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, designated strain CAU 1620T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Strain CAU 1620T grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 8.0 in the presence of 6.0% (w/v) NaCl. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain CAU 1620T showed the highest similarity to Marinobacter adhaerens DSM 23420T (98.5%), followed by Marinobacter algicola DSM 16394T (98.3%) and Marinobacter maroccanus LMG 30465T (98.2%). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values between strain CAU 1620T and related strains were estimated as 75.6-78.1% and 19.5-20.9%, respectively. The DNA G + C content based on the draft genome sequence was 59.2%, and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-9. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C12:0, C16:0, C18:1 ω9c, and C12:0 3OH. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. According to phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain CAU 1620T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter arenosus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1620T (= KCTC 82431T = MCCC 1K06079T).

Arenibacterium arenosum sp. nov., isolated from sea sand.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, short rod-shaped aerobic bacterial strain CAU 1593T was isolated from a coastal sand sample collected in the Republic of Korea. Cells of strain CAU 1593T grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.5 in 4% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain CAU 1593T had the highest similarity to Arenibacterium halophilum (97.5%). The whole genome of strain CAU 1593T was 3,979,826 bp with 26 contigs, and the DNA G + C content was 64.3 mol%. The major fatty acid of strain CAU 1593 T was summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c). Q-10 was the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two phosphoglycolipids, an unidentified glycolipid, and an unidentified lipid. Based on the results of chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, and phenotypic analyses, strain CAU 1593T represents a novel species in the genus Arenibacterium, which is named Arenibacterium arenosum sp. nov. The type strain is CAU 1593T (= KCTC 82402T = MCCC 1K05671T).