Genomic Insight into Shimazuella Soli Sp. Nov. Isolated from Soil and Its Putative Novel Class II Lasso Peptide.

The strain designated as AN120528T was isolated from farmland soil in South Korea. This strain grows well on R2A medium at 28 °C. The cells are an off-white colour and have no hyphae. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain is a member of the genus Shimazuella with a 98.11% similarity to Shimazuella alba KC615T and a 97.05% similarity to S. kribbensis KCTC 9933T, respectively. The strain AN120528T shares common chemotaxonomic features with the other two type strains in the genus. It has MK-9 (H4) and MK-10 (H4) as its predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids are iso-C14:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), lipids (L), and aminolipids (AL) were identified as the major cellular polar lipids. Analysis of the peptidoglycan showed the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the genome of the strain is approximately 3.3 Mbp in size. The strain showed a 77.5% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with S. alba KC615T. The genomic DNA (gDNA) G + C content is 39.0%. Based on polyphasic taxonomy analysis, it is proposed that this strain, AN120528T, represents a novel species in the genus Shimazuella, designated as Shimazuella soli sp. nov. The type stain is AN120528T (=KCTC 39810T = DSM 103571T). Furthermore, shimazuellin I, a new 15-amino-acid peptide, was discovered in the AN120528T through genome mining; it has the features of a lasso peptide, containing eight amino acids (-G-Q-G-G-S-N-N-D-) that form a macrolactam ring and seven amino acids (-D-G-W-Y-H-S-K-) that form a tail.

Amycolatopsis acidiphila sp. nov., a moderately acidophilic species isolated from coal mine soil.

Little is known on members of the genus Amycolatopsis inhabiting acidic habitats. In this study, a moderately acidophilic Amycolatopsis strain, designated 2-5T, was isolated from coal mine soil, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain was most closely related to the type strain of Amycolatopsis bartoniae, sharing 99.30 % similarity, while similarity to all other Amycolatopsis species was less than 97 %. The DNA-DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strain of A. bartoniae was 56.5±0.7 %. The optimal pH range of the isolate for growth was 5.5-6.0, but growth also occurred at pH 4.5 and 7.5. The isolate tolerated up to 6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %), and the temperature range for growth was 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C). The isolate was able to utilize most substrates tested for sole carbon sources, showing its metabolic versatility. The isolate exhibited antimicrobial activity against Serratia marcescens and weak antifungal activity against Fusarium proliferatum. The chemotaxonomic profiles of strain 2-5T included polar lipids containing phosphatidylethanolamine, phsphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol dimannosides, fatty acids containing C17 : 1ω6c and iso-C16 : 0 as the major components, MK-9(H4) as the predominant menaquinone, and meso-diaminopimelic acid and arabinose, galactose, glucose and ribose as the diagnostic diamino acid and sugars in the cell wall. The combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses clearly indicated that the isolate merits recognition as represnting a novel species of Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis acidiphila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2-5T (=KCTC 39523T=JCM 30562T).

Draft genome sequence of the halophilic Halobacillus mangrovi KTB 131 isolated from Topan salt of the Jeon-nam in Korea.

The draft genome sequence of the halophilic bacterium Halobacillus mangrovi KTB 131, isolated from Topan salt of the Jeon-nam in Korea, was established. The genome comprises 4,151,649 bp, with a G + C content of 41.6%. The strain displays a high number of genes responsible for secondary metabolite biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism compared to other Halobacillus bacterial genus members. Numerous genes responsible for various transport systems, solute accumulation, and aromatic/sulfur decomposition were detected. The first genomic analysis encourages further research on comparative genomics and potential biotechnological applications. The whole draft genome sequence of Halobacillus mangrovi KTB 131 is now available (Bioproject PRJNA380285).

Mesonia maritima sp. nov., isolated from seawater of the South Sea of Korea.

A yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, originally designated 15-S14-6T, was isolated from the southern coastal waters of Korea and was subjected to taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain 15-S14-6T was Gram-staining-negative, flagellated, rod-shaped and aerobic. The strain grew optimally at 25-30 °C, in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.5-8.0. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that 15-S14-6T represented a member of the genus Mesonia and exhibited the highest sequence similarity (98.0 %) with Mesonia aquimarina IMCC1021T, followed by Mesonia mobilis KMM 6059T (96.7 %) and Mesonia phycicola MDSW-25T (96.1 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between 15-S14-6T and M. aquimarina IMCC1021T was 11.2±1.6 % (12.3±0.3 % in a reciprocal experiment). Strain 15-S14-6T had a DNA G+C content of 34.4 mol% and had MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. Furthermore, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 were identified as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids, an unknown phospholipid and four other unknown lipids were determined to be the major polar lipids. Based on phenotypic properties and phylogenetic data presented here, 15-S14-6T represents a novel species within the genus Mesonia , for which the name Mesonia maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15-S14-6T (= KCCM 43197T, NCAIM B.02633T, CGMCC 1.16020T).

Stachybotrysin, an Osteoclast Differentiation Inhibitor from the Marine-Derived Fungus Stachybotrys sp. KCB13F013.

Two new phenylspirodrimane derivatives, stachybotrysin (1) and stachybotrylactone B (2), were isolated from the cultures of the marine-derived fungus Stachybotrys sp. KCB13F013. The structures were determined by analyzing the spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR and MS) and chemical transformation, including the modified Mosher's method and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Compound 1 exhibited an inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophage cells via suppressing the RANKL-induced activation of p-ERK, p-JNK, p-p38, c-Fos, and NFATc1.

Biological Control of Meloidogyne incognita by Aspergillus niger F22 Producing Oxalic Acid.

Restricted usage of chemical nematicides has led to development of environmentally safe alternatives. A culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger F22 was highly active against Meloidogyne incognita with marked mortality of second-stage juveniles (J2s) and inhibition of egg hatching. The nematicidal component was identified as oxalic acid by organic acid analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Exposure to 2 mmol/L oxalic acid resulted in 100% juvenile mortality at 1 day after treatment and suppressed egg hatching by 95.6% at 7 days after treatment. Oxalic acid showed similar nematicidal activity against M. hapla, but was not highly toxic to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The fungus was incubated on solid medium and dried culture was used for preparation of a wettable powder-type (WP) formulation as an active ingredient. Two WP formulations, F22-WP10 (ai 10%) and oxalic acid-WP8 (ai 8%), were prepared using F22 solid culture and oxalic acid. In a field naturally infested with M. incognita, application of a mixture of F22-WP10 + oxalic acid-WP8 at 1,000- and 500-fold dilutions significantly reduced gall formation on the roots of watermelon plants by 58.8 and 70.7%, respectively, compared to the non-treated control. The disease control efficacy of the mixture of F22-WP10 + oxalic acid-WP8 was significantly higher than that of a chemical nematicide, Sunchungtan (ai 30% fosthiazate). These results suggest that A. niger F22 can be used as a microbial nematicide for the control of root-knot nematode disease.

Structures and biological activities of azaphilones produced by Penicillium sp. KCB11A109 from a ginseng field.

Twelve metabolites, including five highly oxygenated azaphilones, geumsanols A-E, along with seven known analogues were isolated from Penicillium sp. KCB11A109, a fungus derived from a ginseng field. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic means (NMR and MS), and stereochemistries were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses ((1)H-(1)H coupling constants, NOESY, and HETLOC) and chemical derivatizations (modified Mosher's method and acetonide formation). The isolates were evaluated for their anticancer, antimicrobial, antimalarial activities, and phenotypic effects in zebrafish development. Of these compounds possessing no pyranoquinone core, only geumsanol E exhibited cytotoxic activities and toxic effects on zebrafish embryos, suggesting that a double bond at C-11 and C-12 is important for biological activity.

Haenamindole, an unusual diketopiperazine derivative from a marine-derived Penicillium sp. KCB12F005.

During the chemical investigation of marine-derived fungus, an unusual diketopiperazine (DKP) alkaloid, haenamindole (1), was isolated from a culture of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KCB12F005. The structure of 1, which possesses benzyl-hydroxypiperazindione and phenyl-pyrimidoindole rings system in the molecule, was elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data. The stereochemistry of 1 was determined by ROESY and advanced Marfey's method.

Lewinella xylanilytica sp. nov., a member of the family Saprospiraceae isolated from coastal seawater.

An orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 13-9-B8T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected at Marado, Jeju Island, South Korea. The novel strain was Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-gliding, rod-shaped and aerobic. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain clustered with members of the genus Lewinella of the family Saprospiraceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes and was most closely related to the species Lewinella marina (95.6 % similarity to the type strain). Strain 13-9-B8T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain 13-9-B8T contained MK-7 as the predominant menquinone and summed feature 3, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids detected in strain 13-9-B8T were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and eight unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain 13-9-B8T was 59.1 mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented, strain 13-9-B8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lewinella, for which the name Lewinella xylanilytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-9-B8T ( = DSM 29526T = KCTC 32663T).

Donghicola tyrosinivorans sp. nov., a tyrosine-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, strain 13-93-B1T, was isolated from seawater off Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells formed ivory colonies and were ovoid to rod-shaped. The strain was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and grew optimally at 30 °C, in the presence of 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0-7.5. It did not synthesize bacteriochlorophyll a. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 13-93-B1T clustered with the type strain Donghicola eburneus SW-277T (97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). DNA-DNA hybridization between strain 13-93-B1T and D. eburneus KCTC 12735T was 33.1 ± 1.4 % (35.2 ± 2.8 % in a reciprocal experiment). The predominant cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c; 76.9 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and polar lipids detected in strain 13-93-B1T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain 13-93-B1T was 60.4 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented, strain 13-93-B1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Donghicola, for which the name Donghicola tyrosinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-93-B1T ( = DSM 100212T = KCTC 42571T).

Umboniibacter roseus sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater.

A Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic, dark pink-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterial isolate, designated 14-121-B13T, was isolated from surface seawater off the coast of the South Sea at Namhae-gun, Republic of Korea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive and required NaCl for growth. Strain 14-121-B13T grew optimally at 30 °C, in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.5-8.0.Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 14-121-B13T clustered with the type strain of Umboniibacter marinipuniceus, with which it exhibited 96.7 % sequence similarity. The DNA G+C content of strain 14-121-B13T was 48.9 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-7 and the polar lipids detected in strain 14-121-B13T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, unidentified phospholipids, unidentified aminophospholipids and unidentified lipids. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented, strain 14-121-B13T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus, Umboniibacter for which the name Umboniibacter roseus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 14-121-B13T ( = DSM 29882T = KCTC 42467T).

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

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated and rod-shaped or ovoid bacterial strain, designated BG-MY13(T), was isolated from a tidal flat sediment on the South Sea, South Korea. Strain BG-MY13(T) grew optimally at 30-35 °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 revealed that strain BG-MY13(T) falls within the cluster comprising the type strains of species of the genus Gramella . Strain BG-MY13(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequ4ence similarity values of 96.9-97.8% to the type strains of Gramella echinicola , Gramella gaetbulicola , Gramella portivictoriae and Gramella marina and of 94.6-96.5% to the type strains of other species of the genus Gramella with validly published names. Strain BG-MY13(T) contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain BG-MY13(T) was 38.9 mol% and DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of G. echinicola , G. gaetbulicola , G. portivictoriae and G. marina were 12-23%. The differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain BG-MY13(T) is separated from other species of the genus Gramella . On the basis of the data presented, strain BG-MY13(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Gramella , for which the name Gramella aestuariivivens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BG-MY13(T) ( = KCTC 42285(T) = NBRC 110677(T)).

Lutibacter oricola sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from seawater.

A bacterial strain, UDC377(T), was isolated from seawater samples collected at Seo-do on the coast of Dokdo island in the East Sea, and was subjected to taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain UDC377(T) was pale-yellow, Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped and aerobic. The strain grew optimally at 25-28 °C, in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0-7.5. Strain UDC377(T) produced carotenoid pigments; however, it did not produce flexirubin-type pigments. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain UDC377(T) clustered with members of the genus Lutibacter and appeared most closely related to Lutibacter agarilyticus KYW566(T) (96.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) followed by L. aestuarii MA-My1(T) (95.0 %), L. litoralis CL-TF09(T) (94.9 %), L. maritimus S7-2(T) (94.1 %) and L. flavus IMCC1507(T) (94.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain UDC377(T) was 30.8 mol%. Strain UDC377(T) contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids, and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and six unknown lipids as the major polar lipids. Based on phenotypic properties and phylogenetic data presented, strain UDC377(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lutibacter, for which the name Lutibacter oricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UDC377(T) ( = DSM 24956(T) = KCTC 23668(T)).

Antarctobacter jejuensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater in Jeju, Korea.

A novel bacterium, designated strain 13-2-B6(T), was isolated from seawater adjacent to Songak Mountain on Jeju Island, South Korea. The novel strain was observed to be Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile with a single polar flagellum. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain 13-2-B6(T) was determined to be phylogenetically closely related to the type strain of Antarctobacter heliothermus, currently the sole species of the genus Antarctobacter (family Rhodobacteraceae). Sequence similarity between the 16S rRNA genes of strain 13-2-B6(T) and A. heliothermus EL-219(T) is 96.9 %. Strain 13-2-B6(T) was found to grow optimally at 25-30 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone in strain 13-2-B6(T) was identified as ubiquinone Q-10 and the major fatty acids were identified as C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids, two unknown phospholipids, an unknown glycolipid and an unknown lipid were found to be components of the polar lipid profile. The G + C content of strain 13-2-B6(T) was determined to be 62 mol %. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 13-2-B6(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Antarctobacter, for which the name Antarctobacter jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-2-B6(T) (=KCTC 42009(T) =JCM 19898(T)).

Low-dose radiation suppresses Pokemon expression under hypoxic conditions.

Our previous data demonstrated that CoCl2-induced hypoxia controls endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated and other intracellular factors. One of them, the transcription factor Pokemon, was differentially regulated by low-dose radiation (LDR). There are limited data regarding how this transcription factor is involved in expression of the unfolded protein response (UPR) under hypoxic conditions. The purpose of this study was to obtain clues on how Pokemon is involved in the UPR. Pokemon was selected as a differentially expressed gene under hypoxic conditions; however, its regulation was clearly repressed by LDR. It was also demonstrated that both expression of ER chaperones and ER stress sensors were affected by hypoxic conditions, and the same results were obtained when cells in which Pokemon was up- or down-regulated were used. The current state of UPR and LDR research associated with the Pokemon pathway offers an important opportunity to understand the oncogenesis, senescence, and differentiation of cells, as well as to facilitate introduction of new therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

A technique for the prevention of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) using the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana M130.

The possibility of using hyphomycete fungi as suitable biocontrol agents against greenhouse whitefly has led to the isolation of various insect pathogenic fungi. Among them is Beauveria bassiana, one of the most studied entomopathogenic fungi. The objective of this study was to use B. bassiana M130 as an insecticidal agent against the greenhouse whitefly. M130 isolated from infected insects is known to be a biocontrol agent against greenhouse whitefly. Phylogenetic classification of M130 was determined according to its morphological features and 18S rRNA sequence analysis. M130 was identified as B. bassiana M130 and showed chitinase (342.28 units/ml) and protease (461.70 units/ml) activities, which were involved in the invasion of the host through the outer cuticle layer, thus killing them. The insecticidal activity was 55.2% in petri-dish test, 84.6% in pot test, and 45.3% in field test. The results of this study indicate that B. bassiana has potential as a biological agent for the control of greenhouse whitefly to replace chemical pesticides.

Nocardioides endophyticus sp. nov. and Nocardioides conyzicola sp. nov., isolated from herbaceous plant roots.

Two Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped actinobacterial strains were isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of mugwort (Artemisia princeps) and horse-weed (Conyza canadensis), and subjected to taxonomic characterization. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolates, designated MWE 3-5(T) and HWE 2-02(T), should be placed in the genus Nocardioides of the family Nocardioidaceae. The strains were closely related to Nocardioides hankookensis DS-30(T), which exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.99 and 99.09 % with strains MWE 3-5(T) and HWE 2-02(T), respectively. The genome relatedness of N. hankookensis DS-30(T) with strain MWE 3-5(T) was 35.8 %, and that with strain HWE 2-02(T) was 36.4 %, whereas that between the two isolates was 43.2 %. Strains MWE 3-5(T) and HWE 2-02(T) possessed MK-8(H4) as the major isoprenoid quinone, and ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The main fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c for strain MWE 3-5(T) and iso-C16 : 0, 10-methyl C18 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c for strain HWE 2-02(T). Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic studies, the following two novel species are proposed: Nocardioides endophyticus sp. nov. (type strain, MWE 3-5(T) = KCTC 29122(T) = JCM 18532(T)) and Nocardioides conyzicola sp. nov. (type strain, HWE 2-02(T) = KCTC 29121(T) = JCM 18531(T)).

Marinoscillum luteum sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A novel strain, designated SJP7(T), was isolated from sediment of the Tofua Arc of the Tonga Trench. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed the highest similarity to that of Marinoscillum pacificum KCCM 42325(T) (95.9%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate formed a distinct phyletic line with Marinoscillum pacificum KCCM 42325(T) and Marinoscillum furvescens LMG 13023(T) within the family Cytophagaceae. Cells of strain SJP7(T) were Gram-stain-negative and appeared as long rods that were motile by gliding. Growth was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and in the presence of 0.5-7.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5-3%). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The dominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c), iso-C(15:0) and C(16:1)ω5c. The DNA G+C content was 43.5 mol%. These properties support the affiliation of strain SJP7(T) with the genus Marinoscillum. Further phenotypic differentiation of strain SJP7(T) from other species of the genus Marinoscillum was indicated by the results of physiological and biochemical tests. On the basis of evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, strain SJP7(T) represents a novel species of the genus Marinoscillum, for which the name Marinoscillum luteum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marinoscillum luteum is SJP7(T) ( =KCTC 23939(T) =NCAIM B02491(T)).