Histopathology of the Shoot Apex of Sugarcane Colonized by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli.

Colonization of the xylem of sugarcane by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli results in the occlusion of the vessels by a gum-like compound and compromises the elongation of the stalk leading to stunted plants. However, no study has been performed in the apical tissue where the elongation of the stalks initiates at the intercalary meristem (IM). Microscopic and histochemical analyses were performed in plants with lower and higher bacterial titers and revealed that in both cases L. xyli subsp. xyli is present in this tissue and colonizes the forming xylem vessels in a similar way as observed in developed internodes. In both cases, it was observed adhering to the secondary walls, but only in plants with higher titers were a mild degradation of the walls and a granular material filling the vessels observed. The mixed composition of lipids, proteins, and pectin indicates that the filling is not a bacterial extracellular polymeric substance. Plants with higher bacterial populations also presented lower starch content in the ground parenchyma at the node elements, possibly resulting from the reported downregulation of photosynthesis and increased accumulation of phenolics. Their second and third IMs presented fewer cells and reduced expression of genes related to the cell cycle and to the synthesis of ABA in the apical tissue. These results indicate that increased L. xyli subsp. xyli colonization affects the development of the IM, which ultimately would reduce the length of the internodes, resulting in the main symptom of the disease.

Zinc- and cadmium-tolerant endophytic bacteria from Murdannia spectabilis (Kurz) Faden. studied for plant growth-promoting properties, in vitro inoculation, and antagonism.

This research aims to isolate and identify Zn- and Cd-tolerant endophytic bacteria from Murdannia spectabilis, identify their properties with and without Zn and Cd stress, and to investigate the effect of bacterial inoculation in an in vitro system. Twenty-four isolates could survive on trypticase soya agar (TSA) supplemented with Zn (250-500 mg L-1) and/or Cd (20-50 mg L-1) that belonged to the genera Bacillus, Pantoea, Microbacterium, Curtobacterium, Chryseobacterium, Cupriavidus, Siphonobacter, and Pseudomonas. Each strain had different indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and siderophore production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and lignocellulosic enzyme characteristics. Cupriavidus plantarum MDR5 and Chryseobacterium sp. MDR7 were selected for inoculation into plantlets that were already occupied by Curtobacterium sp. TMIL due to them have a high tolerance for Zn and Cd while showing no pathogenicity. As determined via an in vitro system, Cupriavidus plantarum MDR5 remained in the plants to a greater extent than Chryseobacterium sp. MDR7, while Curtobacterium sp. TMIL was the dominant species. The Zn plus Cd treatment supported the persistence of Cupriavidus plantarum MDR5. Dual and mixed cultivation showed no antagonistic effects between the endophytes. Although the plant growth and Zn/Cd accumulation were not significantly affected by the Zn-/Cd-tolerant endophytes, the inoculation did not weaken the plants. Therefore, Cupriavidus plantarum MDR5 could be applied in a bioaugmentation process.

The complete genome of Dietzia timorensis ID05-A0528T revealed the genetic basis for its saline-alkali tolerance.

The type strain Dietzia timorensis ID05-A0528T, was reported to be able to survive in the highly saline and alkaline environments with diverse carbon sources. In order to more pertinently understand the genetic mechanisms of its environmental tolerance and crude oil emulsification, we reported the complete genome sequence of the strain in the study. The genome contains only one circular chromosome, with the total size of 3,607,892 bps, and the G+C content of this strain is 65.58%, much lower than other type strains of this genus. It was found that strain ID05-A0528T contains genes involved in transportation and biosynthesis of compatible solutes, as well as genes encoding monovalent cation/proton antiporters, which could explain its abilities to tolerate high salinity and alkalinity. Various central metabolic routes and complete alkane hydroxylation pathway were also identified in the genome of strain ID05-A0528T, which is in accordance with its ability to use a wide spectrum of carbon sources and to degrade n-alkanes.

[Damage to ancient mural paintings and petroglyphs caused by Pseudonocardia sp. - A review].

The historical relics exposed to the natural environment during the long-term were vulnerable to microbial invasion. According to some new studies, microorganism of Pseudonocardia may is one of the main groups on the surface of mural paintings and petroglyphs, causing damage to the paints. Based on recent research progress, we reviewed the phenomenon according to the relationship between the ancient paintings and the growth conditions of Pseudonocardia, which could provide a new theory basis for the protection of cultural relics especially mural paintings and petroglyphs.

The genome of the moderate halophile Amycolicicoccus subflavus DQS3-9A1(T) reveals four alkane hydroxylation systems and provides some clues on the genetic basis for its adaptation to a petroleum environment.

The moderate halophile Amycolicicoccus subflavus DQS3-9A1(T) is the type strain of a novel species in the recently described novel genus Amycolicicoccus, which was isolated from oil mud precipitated from oil produced water. The complete genome of A. subflavus DQS3-9A1(T) has been sequenced and is characteristic of harboring the genes for adaption to the harsh petroleum environment with salinity, high osmotic pressure, and poor nutrient levels. Firstly, it characteristically contains four types of alkane hydroxylases, including the integral-membrane non-heme iron monooxygenase (AlkB) and cytochrome P450 CYP153, a long-chain alkane monooxygenase (LadA) and propane monooxygenase. It also accommodates complete pathways for the response to osmotic pressure. Physiological tests proved that the strain could grow on n-alkanes ranging from C10 to C36 and propane as the sole carbon sources, with the differential induction of four kinds of alkane hydroxylase coding genes. In addition, the strain could grow in 1-12% NaCl with the putative genes responsible for osmotic stresses induced as expected. These results reveal the effective adaptation of the strain DQS3-9A1(T) to harsh oil environment and provide a genome platform to investigate the global regulation of different alkane metabolisms in bacteria that are crucially important for petroleum degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the co-existence of such four types of alkane hydroxylases in a bacterial strain.

Ethno-veterinary control of bovine dermatophilosis and ticks in Zhombe, Njelele and Shamrock resettlement in Zimbabwe.

A structured questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the ethno-veterinary practices and other control methods used by smallholder farmers for the management of bovine dermatophilosis and ticks. A total of 153 farmers were interviewed from Njelele, Zhombe communal and Shamrock resettlement areas. Crop production contributed most to livelihoods (83.2 %) while livestock contributed 9.0 %. Over 90 % of the respondents had attended school up to primary level, with 11.4 % undergoing animal health and husbandry training. Treatment of livestock diseases was practised by 96 % of the farmers, and 49.7 % of these farmers used ethno-veterinary medicines. Across the study sites, dermatophilosis was controlled using the following plants: Cissus quadrangularis (59.7 %), Catunaregam spinosa (10.5 %), Pterocarpus angolensis (10.5 %), Kalanchoe lanceolata (5.3 %), Aloe chabaudii (3.5 %), Cassia abbreviata (1.8 %), Dichrostachys cinerea (1.8 %), Urginea sanguinea (1.8 %), Ximenia caffra (1.8 %) and a plant locally called umfanawembila (1.8 %). Carica papaya and two plants, locally called mugimbura and umdungudungu, were used for tick control, and these were reported once from Njelele communal. Other control methods, besides plants or conventional drugs, were used by 28 % of the farmers for the treatment of dermatophilosis and ticks. Some farmers (14.4 %) claimed that ethno-veterinary medicines performed better than conventional drugs. The study revealed that farmers used ethno-veterinary medical practices for the treatment of dermatophilosis but rarely for tick control.

A metabolic model for members of the genus Tetrasphaera involved in enhanced biological phosphorus removal.

Members of the genus Tetrasphaera are considered to be putative polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewater. Although abundant in Danish full-scale wastewater EBPR plants, how similar their ecophysiology is to 'Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis' is unclear, although they may occupy different ecological niches in EBPR communities. The genomes of four Tetrasphaera isolates (T. australiensis, T. japonica, T. elongata and T. jenkinsii) were sequenced and annotated, and the data used to construct metabolic models. These models incorporate central aspects of carbon and phosphorus metabolism critical to understanding their behavior under the alternating anaerobic/aerobic conditions encountered in EBPR systems. Key features of these metabolic pathways were investigated in pure cultures, although poor growth limited their analyses to T. japonica and T. elongata. Based on the models, we propose that under anaerobic conditions the Tetrasphaera-related PAOs take up glucose and ferment this to succinate and other components. They also synthesize glycogen as a storage polymer, using energy generated from the degradation of stored polyphosphate and substrate fermentation. During the aerobic phase, the stored glycogen is catabolized to provide energy for growth and to replenish the intracellular polyphosphate reserves needed for subsequent anaerobic metabolism. They are also able to denitrify. This physiology is markedly different to that displayed by 'Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis', and reveals Tetrasphaera populations to be unusual and physiologically versatile PAOs carrying out denitrification, fermentation and polyphosphate accumulation.

An endophytic Pseudonocardia species induces the production of artemisinin in Artemisia annua.

Endophytic actinobacteria colonize internal tissues of their host plants and are considered as a rich and reliable source of diverse species and functional microorganisms. In this study, endophytic actinobacterial strain YIM 63111 was isolated from surface-sterilized tissue of the medicinal plant Artemisia annua. We identified strain YIM 63111 as a member of the genus Pseudonocardia. A. annua seedlings grown under both sterile and greenhouse conditions were inoculated with strain YIM 63111. The growth of A. annua seedlings was strongly reduced when YIM 63111 was inoculated at higher concentrations under sterile conditions. However, no growth inhibition was observed when A. annua was grown under greenhouse conditions. Using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expressing YIM 63111 strain, we also observed the endophytic colonization of A. annua seedling using confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The transcription levels of the key genes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis were investigated using real time RT-PCR, revealing that cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP71AV1) and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) expression were up-regulated in A. annua upon inoculation with strain YIM 63111 under certain conditions. The up-regulation of these genes was associated with the increased accumulation of artemisinin. These results suggest that endophytic actinobacteria effectively stimulate certain plant defense responses. Our data also demonstrate the use of Pseudonocardia sp. strain YIM 63111 as a promising means to enhance artemisinin production in plants.

Nocardioides ginsengagri sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain BX5-10(T)) was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field on Baekdu Mountain in Jilin district, China. The taxonomic position of this bacterium was determined in an investigation based on a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain BX5-10(T) was shown to belong to the family Nocardioidaceae and to be most closely related to Nocardioides plantarum NCIMB 12834(T) (96.5% sequence similarity), Nocardioides dokdonensis KCTC 19309(T) (96.2%) and Nocardioides fonticola NAA-13(T) (95.1%). Strain BX5-10(T) was characterized chemotaxonomically as having ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in its cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8(H(4)) as the predominant menaquinone and C(18:1)ω9c, C(16:0) and C(17:1)ω8c as its major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.3 mol%. The novel strain could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from all recognized species of the genus Nocardioides. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses and the genotypic and phenotypic data, a novel species, Nocardioides ginsengagri sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is BX5-10(T) (=KCTC 19467(T)=DSM 21362(T)).

Promicromonospora xylanilytica sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from surface-sterilized leaves of the medicinal plant Maytenus austroyunnanensis.

A novel xylan-degrading actinomycete, strain YIM 61515(T), was isolated from surface-sterilized leaves of the medicinal plant Maytenus austroyunnanensis. Cells were Gram-positive and non-spore-forming, produced primary branches and formed white to yellowish white colonies on the media tested. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 61515(T) was most similar to Promicromonospora aerolata V54A(T) and Promicromonospora vindobonensis V45(T) (99.4 and 99.1% sequence similarity, respectively). The isolate formed a separate lineage in a cluster containing P. aerolata V54A(T). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolate and other members of the genus Promicromonospora ranged from 96.3 to 98.4%. Chemotaxonomic data, including major menaquinones, fatty acid compositions and polar lipid profiles, supported the placement of strain YIM 61515(T) in the genus Promicromonospora. DNA-DNA relatedness, physiological and biochemical data showed that strain YIM 61515(T) could be distinguished from members of all known species of the genus Promicromonospora and therefore represented a novel species. The name Promicromonospora xylanilytica sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM 61515(T) (=DSM 21603(T)=CCTCC AA 208046(T)) as type strain.

Successful treatment of asymptomatic or clinically terminal bovine Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection (Johne's disease) with the bacterium Dietzia used as a probiotic alone or in combination with dexamethasone: Adaption to chronic human diarrheal diseases.

A naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease, primarily of ruminants (Johne disease), is a chronic debilitating disease that is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). MAP infection occurs primarily in utero and in newborns. Outside our Dietzia probiotic treatment, there are no preventive/curative therapies for bovine paratuberculosis. Interestingly, MAP is at the center of controversy as to its role in (cause of) Crohn disease (CD) and more recently, its role in diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); the latter two, like CD, are considered to be a result of chronic intestinal inflammation. Treatments, both conventional and biologic agents, which induce and maintain remission are directed at curtailing processes that are an intricate part of inflammation. Most possess side effects of varying severity, lose therapeutic value, and more importantly, none routinely result in prevention and/or cures. Based on (a) similarities of Johne disease and Crohn disease, (b) a report that Dietzia inhibited growth of MAP under specific culture conditions, and (c) findings that Dietzia when used as a probiotic, (i) was therapeutic for adult bovine paratuberculosis, and (ii) prevented development of disease in MAP-infected calves, the goal of the present investigations was to design protocols that have applicability for IBD patients. Dietzia was found safe for cattle of all ages and for normal and immunodeficient mice. The results strongly warrant clinical evaluation as a probiotic, in combination with/without dexamethasone.

The Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies: molecular investigation of gram-positive bacterial plant pathogens.

Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies are actinomycete plant pathogens residing mainly in the xylem vessels that infect economically important host plants. In the Clavibacter subspecies michiganensis and sepedonicus, infecting tomato and potato, respectively, essential factors for disease induction are plasmid encoded and loss of the virulence plasmids converts these biotrophic pathogens into endophytes. The genes responsible for successful colonization of the host plant, including evasion/suppression of plant defense reactions, are chromosomally encoded. Several serine proteases seem to be involved in colonization. They are secreted by Clavibacter, but their targets remain unknown. A type 3 secretion system (T3SS) translocating effectors into the plant cells is absent in these gram-positive pathogens. With the development of the modern 'omics technologies for RNA and proteins based on the known genome sequences, a new phase in the investigation of the mechanisms of plant pathogenicity has begun to allow the genome-wide investigation of the Clavibacter-host interaction.

Phycicoccus ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic, coccoid-shaped bacterium, designated BXN5-13(T), was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field from Baekdu Mountain in Jilin district, China. Strain BXN5-13(T) grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 6.5-7.5 with 0-2  % (w/v) NaCl. Strain BXN5-13(T) had ß-glucosidase activity that was connected with ginsenoside-converting ability, so that it was able to convert ginsenoside Rb(1) to ginsenoside F2. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the closest phylogenetic relatives of strain BXN5-13(T) were Phycicoccus aerophilus 5516T-20(T) (98.4  % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), P. bigeumensis MSL-03(T) (98.3  %), P. dokdonensis DS-8(T) (97.9  %) and P. jejuensis KSW2-15(T) (96.9  %). Lower sequence similarity (<97.0  %) was found with the type strains of other recognized species of the family Intrasporangiaceae. The predominant quinone was MK-8(H4). The major fatty acids (>10  %) were iso-C15:0, C17:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The chemotaxonomic data and the high genomic DNA G+C content of strain BXN5-13(T) (70.8l %) supported its affiliation with the genus Phycicoccus. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain BXN5-13(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours was below 16  %. Strain BXN5-13(T) represents a novel species within the genus Phycicoccus, for which the name Phycicoccus ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BXN5-13(T) (=KCTC 19419(T)=DSM 21006(T)=LMG 24462(T)).

Geodermatophilus ruber sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of a medicinal plant.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated CPCC 201356(T), was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of the medicinal plant Astragalus membranaceus and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Good growth occurred at 20-32 °C, at pH 7.0-7.5 and with 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Colonies on R2A and ISP 2 agar were light red to red, round and lacked aerial mycelium; cells adhered to the agar. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(4)) and MK-9. Polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and C(17 : 1)ω8c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CPCC 201356(T) belonged to the family Geodermatophilaceae and consistently formed a distinct sub-branch with Geodermatophilus obscurus DSM 43160(T). The organism showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.7 % with G. obscurus DSM 43160(T). DNA-DNA hybridization between strain CPCC 201356(T) and G. obscurus DSM 43160(T) was 17.4 %. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel species, Geodermatophilus ruber sp. nov., is proposed; the type strain is CPCC 201356(T) (=DSM 45317(T) =CCM 7619(T)).

Nocardioides panacisoli sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (Gsoil 346(T)) was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in South Korea and was characterized in order to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain Gsoil 346(T) was shown to belong to the genus Nocardioides in the family Nocardioidaceae, with the most closely related species being Nocardioides aquiterrae GW-9(T) (96.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity); however, the strain clustered in a distinct branch of the phylogenetic tree with Nocardioides kongjuensis A2-4(T) (96.2 %), Nocardioides aromaticivorans H-1(T) (96.1 %), Nocardioides nitrophenolicus NSP41(T) (96.1 %) and Nocardioides simplex ATCC 15799(T) (95.9 %). Strain Gsoil 346(T) was characterized chemotaxonomically and found to have ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids, MK-8(H(4)) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega9c and C(17 : 1)omega8c as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of the novel strain was 73.0 mol%. These chemotaxonomic properties supported the placement of strain Gsoil 346(T) in the genus Nocardioides. The results of physiological and biochemical tests, along with the phylogenetic analysis, allowed strain Gsoil 346(T) to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Nocardioides. Therefore, strain Gsoil 346(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides panacisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with Gsoil 346(T) (=KCTC 19470(T)=DSM 21348(T)) as the type strain.

Kribbella ginsengisoli sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated Gsoil 001(T), was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon province, South Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Gsoil 001(T) was shown to belong to the genus Kribbella. The closest phylogenetic relatives were Kribbella koreensis LM 161(T) (99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Kribbella flavida KACC 20248(T) (98.8 %) and Kribbella alba (98.8%). Lower similarity (98.4-96.9 %) was found with the other recognized species of the genus Kribbella. The major quinone was MK-9(H(4)), the major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0) and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. These chemotaxonomic data and the high genomic DNA G+C content (66.3 mol%) supported the affiliation of strain Gsoil 001(T) to the genus Kribbella. The results of physiological and biochemical tests differentiated strain Gsoil 001(T) genotypically and phenotypically from the Kribbella species with validly published names. Therefore, this isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Kribbella ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 001(T) (=KCTC 19134(T) =DSM 17941(T)).

Glycomyces scopariae sp. nov. and Glycomyces mayteni sp. nov., isolated from medicinal plants in China.

Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM 56256(T) and YIM 61331(T), were isolated from the roots of Scoparia dulcis and Maytenus austroyunnanensis, two Chinese medicinal plants, and their taxonomic status was established based on a polyphasic investigation. The organisms were found to have chemical and morphological markers typical of members of the genus Glycomyces. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that they were closely related to each other and to Glycomyces sambucus E71(T). A battery of physiological characteristics and levels of DNA-DNA relatedness indicated that strains YIM 56256(T) and YIM 61331(T) represent two novel species, clearly different from the related known Glycomyces species. On the basis of the data presented, it is evident that each of these strains represents a novel species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the names Glycomyces scopariae sp. nov. (type strain YIM 56256(T) =KCTC 19158(T) =DSM 44968(T)) and Glycomyces mayteni sp. nov. (type strain YIM 61331(T) =KCTC 19527(T) =CCTCC AA 208004(T)) are proposed.

Pseudoclavibacter soli sp. nov., a {beta}-glucosidase-producing bacterium.

A Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated strain KP02(T), was isolated from soil from a ginseng field in Daejeon, South Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, this strain was shown to be related to 'Pseudoclavibacter alba' NBRC 15616 (95.5 %), 'Pseudoclavibacter faecalis' NBRC 15706 (93.9 %), Pseudoclavibacter helvolus DSM 20419(T) (93.7 %) and 'Pseudoclavibacter bifida' IAM 14848 (93.0 %). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain KP02(T) possessed MK-9 and MK-8 as major menaquinones and anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 0 )as predominant fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain KP02(T) was 64.4 mol%. The physiological and biochemical tests suggested that strain KP02(T) represents a novel species. Based on these data, strain KP02(T) (=KCTC 19255(T)=JCM 15058(T)) should be classified as the type strain of a novel Pseudoclavibacter species, for which the name Pseudoclavibacter soli sp. nov. is proposed.

Pseudonocardia endophytica sp. nov., isolated from the pharmaceutical plant Lobelia clavata.

An endophytic actinomycete strain, designated YIM 56035(T), was isolated from the inner tissue of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Lobelia clavata. The strain stained Gram-positive, was aerobic and exhibited branching, white aerial mycelium and yellowish-brown substrate mycelium. The strain formed spore chains on aerial hyphae. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.3 mol%. On the basis of morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain YIM 56035(T) was assigned to the genus Pseudonocardia. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 98.5, 97.3, 97.3 and 97.1 % similarity to the closely related type strains Pseudonocardia kongjuensis LM 157(T), Pseudonocardia autotrophica IMSNU 20050(T), Pseudonocardia ammonioxydans H9(T) and Pseudonocardia compacta IMSNU 20111(T), respectively. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and comparison of some phenotypic characteristics revealed that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia. The name Pseudonocardia endophytica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain YIM 56035(T) (=DSM 44969(T) =CCTCC AA 206026(T) =KCTC 19150(T)).

Agrococcus versicolor sp. nov., an actinobacterium associated with the phyllosphere of potato plants.

The taxonomic position of a group of actinobacterial strains isolated from the phyllosphere of potato plants was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Although the similarity values for their 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested an intermediate position between Microbacterium and Agrococcus, the phylogenetic tree demonstrated a clear clustering of the representative strain, K 114/01(T), within the genus Agrococcus. The presence of 2,4-diaminobutyric acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain K 114/01(T) substantiated the affiliation to the genus Agrococcus. An analysis performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed highly similar spectral patterns for the isolated strains, which, together with their conformity regarding a multitude of phenotypic features, supported their affiliation to the same species. Differences in several physiological features, peptidoglycan and menaquinone composition and whole-cell fatty acid profiles enabled discrimination of the phyllosphere isolates with respect to recognized Agrococcus species. As the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were below 97 %, the strains isolated from the phyllosphere of potato plants represent a novel species of the genus Agrococcus, for which the name Agrococcus versicolor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K 114/01(T) (=DSM 19812(T) =LMG 24386(T)).