The involvement of extracellular ATP in regulating the stunted growth of Arabidopsis plants by repeated wounding.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular ATP (exATP) has been shown to act as a signal molecule for regulating growth, development, and responses of plants to the external environment. RESULTS: In this study, we investigated the possible involvement of exATP in regulating the stunted growth caused by repeated wounding. The present work showed that the repeated wounding caused the decreases in leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, and root length of Arabidopsis seedlings, while the exATP level was enhanced by the repeated wounding. Repeated application of exogenous ATP had similar effects on the plant growth, as the repeated wounding. Through the comparison of p2k1-3 mutant (in which T-DNA disrupted the gene coding P2K1, as exATP receptor) and wide type (WT) plants, it was found that the mutation in P2K1 decreased the sensitivity of plant growth to the repeated wounding and exogenous ATP application. Further works showed that the ibuprofen (IBU, an inhibitor of jasmonate biosynthesis) partially rescued the wound-induced growth degradation. In comparison, the P2K1 mutation partly rescued the wound-induced growth degradation, whereas this mutation failed to do so in the wounded seedlings treated with IBU, indicating that the role of exATP in regulating the growth degradation by repeated wounding could be linked to the JA signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these results indicate that exATP could be a regulator for the stunted growth of plants by repeated wounding.

Extracellular ATP is involved in regulating Arabidopsis seed germination.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Extracellular ATP level induced a transient increase during germination of Arabidopsis seeds, and extracellular ATP could negatively regulate the seed germination by its receptor, DORN1. Extracellular ATP (exATP) acts as a signal molecule for regulating growth, development, and responses of plants to external environments. In this study, we investigated the possible involvement of exATP in regulating the seed germination of Arabidopsis thaliana. Treatments of Arabidopsis seeds with exogenous ATP delayed seed germination, suggesting that exATP could be a repressor for seed germination. During the germination of Arabidopsis seeds, the exATP level of the seeds presented a transient increase. When exogenous application of the glucose-hexokinase system effectively decreased the exATP level of the Arabidopsis seeds during germination, the percentage of germination was significantly enhanced, while the products of ATP hydrolysis had no effects on the germination. Further studies showed that the seeds of dorn 1-3 mutant plants (mutation in exATP receptor) showed a higher germination percentage, compared to the seeds of wide type (WT) plants. In addition, the dorn 1-3 mutant seeds were less sensitive to the delay-effect of exogenous ATP on seed germination than the WT seeds. The dorn 1-3 mutant seeds presented a higher GA (gibberellin) content, lower ABA (abscisic acid) content, and lower ratio of ABA/GA contents before the imbibition, compared to the WT seeds. The regulation of seed germination by exATP was dependent on the external temperature. These data suggest that exATP is involved in regulating Arabidopsis seed germination.

Prevalence, Concordance, and Transmission of Human Papillomavirus Infection Among Heterosexual Couples in Liuzhou, China: An Observational Perspective Study.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission dynamics, which have important public health implications for designing HPV vaccination strategies, is scarce in undeveloped areas. METHODS: From May to July 2014, 390 couples were enrolled from the general population in Liuzhou, China. Exfoliated cells from male penis shaft/glans penis/coronary sulcus (PGC) and perianal/anal canal (PA) sites and from female vaginal, vulvar, and PA sites were collected biannually for 1 year. RESULTS: The HPV type-specific concordance rate between couples was 15.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.5%-25.0%). For anogenital HPV transmission, the male-to-female transmission rate (11.5 [95% CI, 4.3-30.7] per 1000 person-months) was similar to the female-to-male transmission rate (11.3 [95% CI, 5.9-21.7] per 1000 person-months). The concordance rates between male PGC site and female vaginal, vulvar, and PA sites were 20.0%, 21.8%, and 14.9%, respectively, which were significantly higher than expected by chance. Infections transmitted from males to females seemed mainly originated from male genital sites, whereas for female-to-male transmission, the vaginal, vulvar, and PA sites might be all involved. CONCLUSIONS: Among the heterosexual couples with relatively conservative sexual behavior, the anogenital HPV transmission rate for females to males is similar to that of males to females. In addition to the vagina and vulva, the female PA site is also an important reservoir for HPV transmission.

Streptomyces daqingensis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkaline soil.

A novel strain of actinobacteria, designated strain NEAU-ZJC8T, was isolated from a saline-alkaline soil collected from Heilongjiang Province, north-east China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Strain NEAU-ZJC8T exhibited morphological, cultural and chemotaxonomic features consistent with its classification as representing a member of the genus Streptomyces. Growth occurred at 16-35 °C, pH 5.0-11.0 and in the presence of 0-11 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. Whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained glucose, galactose and ribose. Predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and two unidentified phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 72.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain NEAU-ZJC8T formed a distinct clade within the genus Streptomyces and was closely related to Streptomyces haliclonae DSM 41970T (98.56 % similarity) and Streptomyces marinus NBRC 105047T (97.96 % similarity). A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NEAU-ZJC8T could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, strain NEAU-ZJC8T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces daqingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-ZJC8T ( = CGMCC 4.7178T = JCM 30057T).

[Calibration Transfer of Near Infrared Spectrometric Models for Crude Protein of Protein Feed Materials].

The near infrared spectrometric quantitative model of protein feed and its sharing in different instruments can greatly improve the utilization efficiency of the model and meet the needs of rapid development of feed industry. Considering the issue of applicability of near infrared spectrometric models for crude protein of protein feed materials, calibration transfer was explored among three types of instruments using spectral subtraction correction, direct standardization and piecewise directs standardization methods for the first time. Four kinds of protein feed raw materials were involved in the present study, corn protein powder, rapeseed meal, fish meal and distillers dried grains with soluble. The experimental instruments included MATRIX-I Fourier transform near infrared instrument (master instrument), Spectrum 400 Fourier transform near infrared instrument (slave 1 instrument), and SupNIR-2750 grating near infrared instrument (slave 2 instrument). Results showed that the spectral data difference for all the samples between the master and slave 2 instrument was relatively small, and the difference between the master and slave 1 instrument, and slave 1 and slave 2 instrument were relatively large. All the root mean square error of prediction and bias values after calibration transfer were lower than the values before calibration transfer, except that no improvement was found for the prediction of corn protein powder of slave 2 instrument corrected by piecewise direct standardization method. The relative prediction deviation (RPD) of corn protein powder, rapeseed meal and distillers dried grains with soluble transferred by all three methods were higher than 3, which indicated good predictions, while the RPD of fish meal were all higher than 2.5, which indicated relative good predictions. All three techniques used in the study were effective in the correction of the difference between different instruments for protein feed materials. This study is of important practical significance for the application of near infrared spectrometric models for crude protein of protein feed materials.

Plantactinospora veratri sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from black false hellebore root (Veratrum nigrum L.).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-FHS4T, was isolated from the root of black false hellebore (Veratrum nigrum L.). Strain NEAU-FHS4T formed single spores with smooth surfaces on substrate mycelium. The novel strain contained meso-diaminopimelic as amino acid of the peptidoglycan and xylose and glucose as whole-cell sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). Mycolic acids were not detected. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C18 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the novel isolate had characteristics typical of members of the genus Plantactinospora. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis also indicated that strain NEAU-FHS4T belonged to the genus Plantactinospora, with highest sequence similarities to Plantactinospora mayteni YIM 61359T (98.88 %) and Plantactinospora endophytica YIM 68255T (98.85 %). The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the novel strain from the most closely related strains. Based on morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain NEAU-FHS4T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Plantactinospora, for which the name Plantactinospora veratri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-FHS4T ( = CGMCC 4.7143T = DSM 46718T).

Microbispora bryophytorum sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from moss (Bryophyta).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-TX2-2(T), was isolated from moss and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate was found to have morphological characteristics typical of the genus Microbispora . The isolate formed longitudinally paired spores on the tips of short sporophores that branched from aerial hyphae. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence supported the assignment of the novel strain to the genus Microbispora , and strain NEAU-TX2-2(T) exhibited 99.08 and 98.62% gene sequence similarities to Microbispora amethystogenes JCM 3021(T) and Microbispora rosea subsp. rosea JCM 3006(T), respectively. However two tree-making algorithms supported the position that strain NEAU-TX2-2(T) formed a distinct clade with M. rosea subsp. rosea JCM 3006(T). A low level of DNA-DNA relatedness allowed the isolate to be differentiated from M. amethystogenes JCM 3021(T) and M. rosea subsp. rosea JCM 3006(T). Moreover, strain NEAU-TX2-2(T) could also be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives by morphological and physiological characteristics. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-TX2-2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Microbispora for which the name Microbispora bryophytorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-TX2-2(T) ( = CGMCC 4.7138(T) = DSM 46710(T)).

Actinomycetospora rhizophila sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from rhizosphere soil of a peace lily (Spathi phyllum Kochii).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-B-8(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a peace lily (Spathi phyllum Kochii) collected from Heilongjiang province, north-east China. Key morphological and physiological characteristics as well as chemotaxonomic features of strain NEAU-B-8(T) were congruent with the description of the genus Actinomycetospora , such as the major fatty acids, the whole-cell hydrolysates, the predominant menaquinone and the phospholipid profile. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain NEAU-B-8(T) shared the highest sequence similarities with Actinomycetospora lutea JCM 17982(T) (99.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Actinomycetospora chlora TT07I-57(T) (98.4 %), Actinomycetospora straminea IY07-55(T) (98.3%) and Actinomycetospora chibensis TT04-21(T) (98.2%); similarities to type strains of other species of this genus were lower than 98%. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NEAU-B-8(T) formed a distinct branch with A. lutea JCM 17982(T) that was supported by a high bootstrap value of 97% in the neighbour-joining tree and was also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain NEAU-B-8(T) and A. lutea JCM 17982(T) was found to be 50.6 ± 1.2%. Meanwhile, strain NEAU-B-8(T) differs from other most closely related strains in phenotypic properties, such as maximum NaCl tolerance, hydrolysis of aesculin and decomposition of urea. On the basis of the morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA-DNA hybridization data, we conclude that strain NEAU-B-8(T) represents a novel species of the genus Actinomycetospora , named Actinomycetospora rhizophila sp. nov. The type strain is NEAU-B-8(T). ( = CGMCC 4.7134(T) =DSM 46673(T)).

Sphaerisporangium corydalis sp. nov., isolated from the root of Corydalis yanhusuo L.

Two Gram-stain positive, aerobic actinomycete strains, designated NEAU-YHS12 and NEAU-YHS15(T), were isolated from the root of Corydalis yanhusuo L. collected from Wuchang, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two strains are closely related to one another (99.8 % similarity), and had the closest relationship with Sphaerisporangium cinnabarinum JCM 3291(T) (98.7, 98.6 %), Sphaerisporangium flaviroseum YIM 48771(T) (98.6, 98.6 %), Sphaerisporangium melleum JCM 13064(T) (98.5, 98.4 %) and Sphaerisporangium dianthi NEAU-CY18(T) (98.4, 98.4 %). DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains NEAU-YHS12 and NEAU-YHS15(T) was 82 ± 1.4 %, and the values between the two strains and the closely related type strains were well below 70 %. The two strains also shared a number of phenotypic characteristics that were distinct from the closely related species. Both strains were observed to contain MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2) as the detected menaquinones. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The phospholipid profiles were found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphoglycolipid, and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:0, C17:1 ω7c, C18:0 and iso-C15:0. On the basis of the genetic and phenotypic properties, it is proposed that strains NEAU-YHS15(T) and NEAU-YHS12 be classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium, for which the name Sphaerisporangium corydalis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-YHS15(T) (CGMCC 4.7148(T) = DSM46732(T)).

Streptomyces maoxianensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil in Maoxian, China.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-Spg16(T), was isolated from a soil sample from a pine forest in Songpinggou, Maoxian, southwest China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out to establish the status of strain NEAU-Spg16(T). The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. The major menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H8), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The phospholipid profile was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C(16:0), C(18:0), C(16:0) and iso-C(15:0). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-Spg16(T) belongs to the genus Streptomyces with the highest sequence similarity to Streptomyces nitrosporeus DSM 40023(T) (98.6%). However, phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that it is most closely related to Streptomyces scopuliridis DSM 41917(T) (98.2% sequence similarity). A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-Spg16(T) can be clearly differentiated from S. scopuliridis DSM 41917(T) and S. nitrosporeus DSM 40023(T). Therefore, it is concluded that strain NEAU-Spg16(T) represents a novel species of the genus of Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces maoxianensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type stain is NEAU-Spg16(T) (=CGMCC 4.7139(T) = DSM 42137(T)).

Catellatospora tagetis sp. nov., isolated from the root of a marigold (Tagetes erecta L.).

A Gram-stain positive, non-motile, mesophilic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-YJC4(T) was isolated from the root of a marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) collected in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-YJC4(T) were consistent with the description of the genus Catellatospora. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-YJC4(T) belongs to the genus Catellatospora, being most closely related to Catellatospora bangladeshensis JCM 12949(T) (98.7 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain NEAU-YJC4(T) formed a monophyletic clade with the closest relative. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-YJC4(T) can be distinguished from C. bangladeshensis JCM 12949(T). Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-YJC4(T) represents a novel species of the genus Catellatospora, for which the name Catellatospora tagetis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-YJC4(T) (=CGMCC 4.7176(T) = JCM 30053(T)).

Streptomyces vulcanius sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from volcanic sediment.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-C3(T), was isolated from volcanic sediment collected from Longwan, Jilin province, north China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the members of the genus Streptomyces. EzTaxon-e analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated strain NEAU-C3(T) to be most closely related to Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. ossamyceticus JCM 4965(T) (97.7 % sequence similarity) and Streptomyces torulosus JCM 4872(T) (97.7 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-C3(T) belongs within the genus Streptomyces and forms a separate subclade, an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 72 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NEAU-C3(T) and the two most closely related type strains were low enough to justify the assignment of the strain to a novel species. On the basis of these phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is concluded that strain NEAU-C3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces vulcanius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-C3(T) (=CGMCC 4.7177(T)=DSM 42139(T)).

Sphaerisporangium dianthi sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from a root of Dianthus chinensis L.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-CY18(T), was isolated from the root of a Chinese medicinal plant Dianthus chinensis L and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The novel strain was found to develop spherical sporangia with non-motile spores on aerial mycelium. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were identified as madurose, mannose, ribose, galactose and glucose. The phospholipid profile was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H4), MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were identified as C17:0 10-methyl, iso-C16:0 and C16:0. EzTaxon-e analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Sphaerisporangium and was most closely related to Sphaerisporangium cinnabarinum JCM 3291(T) (98.9 %) and Sphaerisporangium melleum JCM 13064(T) (98.3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain NEAU-CY18(T) forms a monophyletic clade with S. cinnabarinum JCM 3291(T), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 97 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. Comparisons of some phenotypic properties and low DNA-DNA relatedness values enabled the strain to be differentiated from S. cinnabarinum JCM 3291(T) and S. melleum JCM 13064(T). Therefore, it is concluded that strain NEAU-CY18(T) represents a novel Sphaerisporangium species, for which the name Sphaerisporangium dianthi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-CY18(T) ( = CGMCC 4.7132(T) = DSM 46736(T)).

Nonomuraea fuscirosea sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-dht8(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus Nonomuraea. The G+C content of the DNA was 68.47 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain NEAU-dht8(T) was most closely related to Nonomuraea maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14(T) (99.31%), Nonomuraea kuesteri GW 14-1925(T) (98.77%), Nonomuraea coxensis JCM 13931(T) (98.71%), Nonomuraea wenchangensis 210417(T) (98.44 %), Nonomuraea bangladeshensis 5-10-10(T) (98.36%) and Nonomuraea salmonea DSM 43678(T) (98.0%); similarities to other species of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98%. Two tree-making algorithms based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a phyletic line with its closest neighbour N. maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14(T). However, the low level of DNA-DNA relatedness allowed the novel isolate to be differentiated from N. maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14(T). Strain NEAU-dht8(T) could also be differentiated from other species of the genus Nonomuraea showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98-98.77%) by morphological and physiological characteristics. Thus, strain NEAU-dht8(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea fuscirosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-dht8(T) ( = CGMCC 4.7104(T) = DSM 45880(T)).

Combined application of plasma mutagenesis and gene engineering leads to 5-oxomilbemycins A3/A4 as main components from Streptomyces bingchenggensis.

Milbemycin oxime has been commercialized as effective anthelmintics in the fields of animal health, agriculture, and human infections. Currently, milbemycin oxime is synthesized by a two-step chemical reaction, which involves the ketonization of milbemycins A3/A4 to yield the intermediates 5-oxomilbemycins A3/A4 using CrO3 as catalyst. Due to the low efficiency and environmental unfriendliness of the ketonization of milbemycins A3/A4, it is imperative to develop alternative strategies to produce 5-oxomilbemycins A3/A4. In this study, the atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutation system was first employed to treat milbemycin-producing strain Streptomyces bingchenggensis, and a mutant strain BC-120-4 producing milbemycins A3, A4, B2, and B3 as main components was obtained, which favors the construction of genetically engineered strains producing 5-oxomilbemycins. Importantly, the milbemycins A3/A4 yield of BC-120-4 reached 3,890 ± 52 g/l, which was approximately two times higher than that of the initial strain BC-109-6 (1,326 ± 37 g/l). The subsequent interruption of the gene milF encoding a C5-ketoreductase responsible for the ketonization of milbemycins led to strain BCJ60 (∆milF) with the production of 5-oxomilbemycins A3/A4 and the elimination of milbemycins A3, A4, B2, and B3. The high 5-oxomilbemycins A3/A4 yield (3,470 ± 147 g/l) and genetic stability of BCJ60 implied the potential use in industry to prepare 5-oxomilbemycins A3/A4 for the semisynthesis of milbemycins oxime.

Micromonospora violae sp. nov., isolated from a root of Viola philippica Car.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-zh8(T), was isolated from a root of Viola philippica Car collected in China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-zh8(T) belongs to the genus Micromonospora, being most closely related to Micromonospora chokoriensis 2-9(6)(T) (99.9 %), Micromonospora saelicesensis Lupac 09(T) (99.3 %) and Micromonospora lupini Lupac 14N(T) (99.0 %). gyrB gene analysis also indicated that strain NEAU-zh8(T) should be assigned to the genus Micromonospora. The cell-wall peptidoglycan consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. The major menaquinones were MK-10(H4), MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H6). The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, C16:0 and C17:0 10-methyl. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that strain NEAU-zh8(T) could be readily distinguished from the closest phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-zh8(T) represents a novel Micromonospora species, for which the name Micromonospora violae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-zh8(T) (=CGMCC 4.7102(T)=DSM 45888(T)).

Nonomuraea shaanxiensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a soil sample.

A novel actinomycete, strain NEAU-st1(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected in Shaanxi province, Northwest China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-st1(T) belongs to the genus Nonomuraea, being most closely related to Nonomuraea rosea GW12687(T) (98.91 %), Nonomuraea solani NEAU-Z6(T) (98.44 %), Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM67092(T)(98.24 %) and Nonomuraea monospora PT708(T) (98.02 %); similarities to sequences of other type strains of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98 %. Both tree-making algorithms used also supported the position that strain NEAU-st1(T) formed a distinct clade with its most closely related species. Morphological and physiological characteristics confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Nonomuraea and distinguished it from its most closely related species. DNA-DNA hybridization further differentiated strain NEAU-st1(T) from its nearest phylogenetic neighbours. These results suggested that strain NEAU-st1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea shaanxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-st1(T) (=CGMCC 4.7096(T) = DSM 45877(T)).

Streptosporangium shengliense [corrected] sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a lake sediment.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-GH7(T), was isolated from a lake sediment and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Strain NEAU-GH7(T) was Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming and produced spherical sporangia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain NEAU-GH7(T) formed a monophyletic clade with the closest relative Streptosporangium longisporum DSM 43180(T) (99.0 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 74 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. However, the low level of DNA-DNA relatedness allowed the strain to be differentiated from its closest relative. Moreover, strain NEAU-GH7(T) could also be differentiated from S. longisporum DSM 43180(T) and other Streptosporangium species showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.0 %) by morphological and physiological characteristics. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and phenotypic characteristics, strain NEAU-GH7(T) should be classified as a new species of the genus Streptosporangium, for which the name Streptosporangium shengliense [corrected] sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-GH7(T) (=CGMCC 4.7105(T)=DSM 45881(T)).

Nonomuraea guangzhouensis sp. nov., and Nonomuraea harbinensis sp. nov., two novel actinomycetes isolated from soil.

Two novel actinomycetes, designated strains NEAU-ZJ3(T) and NEAU-yn31(T), were isolated from soils in China and their taxonomic positions determined by a polyphasic approach. Key morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of the two strains were consistent with the description of the genus Nonomuraea. The G+C contents of strains NEAU-ZJ3(T) and NEAU-yn31(T) were determined to be 67.4 and 68.0 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains should be classified in the genus Nonomuraea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NEAU-ZJ3(T) showed it to be most closely related to Nonomuraea salmonea DSM 43678(T) (98.27 %), Nonomuraea endophytica YIM 65601(T) (98.23 %) and Nonomuraea candida HMC10(T) (98.08 %), and that of strain NEAU-yn31(T) to Nonomuraea ferruginea IFO 14094(T) (99.08 %) and N. candida HMC10(T) (98.01 %). Furthermore, a combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that the two strains can be distinguished from each other and their phylogenetically closest relatives. Thus, strains NEAU-ZJ3(T) and NEAU-yn31(T) represent two novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the names Nonomuraea guangzhouensis sp. nov. and Nonomuraea harbinensis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are NEAU-ZJ3(T) (=CGMCC 4.7101(T) = DSM 45889(T)) and NEAU-yn31(T) (=CGMCC 4.7106(T) = DSM 45887(T)), respectively.