Aquimarina aquimarini sp. nov. and Aquimarina spinulae sp. nov., novel bacterial species with versatile natural product biosynthesis potential isolated from marine sponges.

This study describes two Gram-negative, flexirubin-producing, biofilm-forming, motile-by-gliding and rod-shaped bacteria, isolated from the marine sponges Ircinia variabilis and Sarcotragus spinosulus collected off the coast of Algarve, Portugal. Both strains, designated Aq135T and Aq349T, were classified into the genus Aquimarina by means of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We then performed phylogenetic, phylogenomic and biochemical analyses to determine whether these strains represent novel Aquimarina species. Whereas the closest 16S rRNA gene relatives to strain Aq135T were Aquimarina macrocephali JAMB N27T (97.8 %) and Aquimarina sediminis w01T (97.1 %), strain Aq349T was more closely related to Aquimarina megaterium XH134T (99.2 %) and Aquimarina atlantica 22II-S11-z7T (98.1 %). Both strains showed genome-wide average nucleotide identity scores below the species level cut-off (95 %) with all Aquimarina type strains with publicly available genomes, including their closest relatives. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization further suggested a novel species status for both strains since values lower than 70 % hybridization level with other Aquimarina type strains were obtained. Strains Aq135T and Aq349T grew from 4 to 30°C and with between 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl in marine broth. The most abundant fatty acids were iso-C17 : 03-OH and iso-C15 : 0 and the only respiratory quinone was MK-6. Strain Aq135T was catalase-positive and ß-galactosidase-negative, while Aq349T was catalase-negative and ß-galactosidase-positive. These strains hold unique sets of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and are known to produce the peptide antibiotics aquimarins (Aq135T) and the trans-AT polyketide cuniculene (Aq349T), respectively. Based on the polyphasic approach employed in this study, we propose the novel species names Aquimarina aquimarini sp. nov. (type strain Aq135T=DSM 115833T=UCCCB 169T=ATCC TSD-360T) and Aquimarina spinulae sp. nov. (type strain Aq349T=DSM 115834T=UCCCB 170T=ATCC TSD-361T).

Marine Sponge and Octocoral-Associated Bacteria Show Versatile Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis Potential and Antimicrobial Activities against Human Pathogens.

Marine microbiomes are prolific sources of bioactive natural products of potential pharmaceutical value. This study inspected two culture collections comprising 919 host-associated marine bacteria belonging to 55 genera and several thus-far unclassified lineages to identify isolates with potentially rich secondary metabolism and antimicrobial activities. Seventy representative isolates had their genomes mined for secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (SM-BGCs) and were screened for antimicrobial activities against four pathogenic bacteria and five pathogenic Candida strains. In total, 466 SM-BGCs were identified, with antimicrobial peptide- and polyketide synthase-related SM-BGCs being frequently detected. Only 38 SM-BGCs had similarities greater than 70% to SM-BGCs encoding known compounds, highlighting the potential biosynthetic novelty encoded by these genomes. Cross-streak assays showed that 33 of the 70 genome-sequenced isolates were active against at least one Candida species, while 44 isolates showed activity against at least one bacterial pathogen. Taxon-specific differences in antimicrobial activity among isolates suggested distinct molecules involved in antagonism against bacterial versus Candida pathogens. The here reported culture collections and genome-sequenced isolates constitute a valuable resource of understudied marine bacteria displaying antimicrobial activities and potential for the biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites, holding promise for a future sustainable production of marine drug leads.

The Roseibium album (Labrenzia alba) Genome Possesses Multiple Symbiosis Factors Possibly Underpinning Host-Microbe Relationships in the Marine Benthos.

Here, we announce the genomes of eight Roseibium album (synonym Labrenzia alba) strains that were obtained from the octocoral Eunicella labiata. Genome annotation revealed multiple symbiosis factors common to all genomes, such as eukaryotic-like repeat protein- and multidrug resistance-encoding genes, which likely underpin symbiotic relationships with marine invertebrate hosts.

Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequences of Three Uncultured Planktomarina sp. Strains from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

We report three metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Planktomarina strains from coastal seawater (Portugal) to help illuminate the functions of understudied Rhodobacteraceae bacteria in marine environments. The MAGs encode proteins involved in aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis and a versatile carbohydrate metabolism, strengthening the role of Planktomarina species in oceanic carbon cycling.

Sex differences in apolipoprotein A1 and nevirapine-induced toxicity.

Nevirapine (NVP) is associated with severe liver and skin toxicity through sulfotransferase (SULT) bioactivation of the phase I metabolite 12-hydroxy-NVP [1-3]. The female sex, a well-known risk factor for NVP-induced toxicity, is associated with higher SULT expression (4) and lower plasma levels of 12-hydroxy-NVP [3]. Interestingly, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) increases SULT2B1 activity and ApoA1 synthesis is increased by NVP [5, 6]. Herein, we explore the effect of ApoA1 levels on NVP metabolism and liver function. The study protocol was firstly approved by the hospitals' Ethics Committees. All included individuals were HIV-infected patients treated with NVP for at least one month. The plasma concentrations of NVP and its phase I metabolites were quantified by HPLC [7]. ApoA1 levels were assessed by an immunoturbidimetric assay. Forty-nine HIV-infected patients on NVP were included (53% men, 59% Caucasian). NVP plasma levels were correlated with HDL-cholesterol (Spearman r=0.2631; p=0.0441) and ApoA1 (Spearman r=0.3907; p=0.0115). Women had higher ApoA1 levels than men (Student's t Test; p=0.0051). In both sexes, 12-hydroxy-NVP levels were negatively correlated with ApoA1 (male: Spearman r=-0.3810; p=0.0499 female: Spearman r=-0.5944; p=0.0415). In men, ApoA1 was positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase (AST, Spearman r=0.5507; p=0.0413), while in women ApoA1 was associated (Spearman r=0.6408; p=0.0056) with alanine aminotransferase (ALT). These results show sex differences in NVP-induced ApoA1 synthesis. The higher ApoA1 levels in women might stabilize SULT2B1 [6]. This would explain the lower levels of 12-hydroxy-NVP [3] and the higher hepatotoxicity found in women, due to increased sulfonation of this metabolite. These data support a role for ApoA1 in the sex dimorphic mechanism leading to NVP-induced toxicity.