Brooklawnia propionicigenes sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic, propionate-producing bacterium isolated from a methanogenic reactor treating waste from cattle farms.

Facultatively anaerobic bacterial strains were isolated from samples of a methanogenic reactor and, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, found to be affiliated with the family Propionibacteriaceae in the phylum Actinomycetota. Four strains with almost-identical 16S rRNA gene sequences were comprehensively characterized. The most closely related species to the strains was Brooklawnia cerclae BL-34T (96.4 % sequence similarity). Although most of the phenotypic characteristics of the four strains were identical, distinct differences in some cellular and physiological properties were also detected. Cells of the strains were Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming, pleomorphic rods. The strains utilized carbohydrates and organic acids. The strains produced acetate, propionate and lactate from glucose, but the molar ratios of the products were variable depending on the strains. The strains grew at 10-40 °C (optimum at 35 °C) and pH 5.3-8.8 (optimum at pH 6.8-7.5.) The major cellular fatty acids of the strains were anteiso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0 and C15 : 0 dimethylacetal (as a summed feature). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-9(H4) and the diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The genome size of the type strain (SH051T) was 3.21 Mb and the genome DNA G+C content was 65.7 mol%. Genes responsible for propionate production through the Wood-Werkman pathway were detected in the genome of strain SH051T. Based on the results of phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic analyses of the novel strains, the name Brooklawnia propionicigenes sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate the four strains. The type strain of the novel species is SH051T (=NBRC 116195T=DSM 116141T).

Copper ion (Cu2+) is involved in the transcription of the tyrosinase-encoding melB gene of Aspergillus oryzae in solid-state culture.

In Aspergillus oryzae, the tyrosinase-encoding gene melB causes undesirable browning of sake and sake lees. This gene is known to be expressed specifically in solid-state culture; however, its expression mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the possible factors affecting the transcription of melB and found that the copper ion (Cu2+) significantly enhanced the transcription level of melB in solid-state culture.

Prevotella herbatica sp. nov., a plant polysaccharide-decomposing anaerobic bacterium isolated from a methanogenic reactor.

An obligately anaerobic bacterial strain (WR041T) was isolated from a plant residue sample in a methanogenic reactor. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. Prevotella paludivivens JCM 13650T was the closest species of the strain based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing (98.9 % similarity). Genome analysis of strain WR041T indicated that the genome size of the strain was 3.52 Mb and the genomic DNA G+C content was 37.5 mol%. Although the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain WR041T with the closest species was higher than the threshold value of the recommended species delineation (98.7 %), the average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between them were 91-92 and 45.5 %, respectively, suggesting that strain WR041T represents a novel species in the genus. Strain WR041T essentially required haemin and CO2/Na2CO3 for growth. The strain was saccharolytic and decomposed various polysaccharides (glucomannan, inulin, laminarin, pectin, starch and xylan) and produced acetate and succinate. The optimum growth conditions were 35 °C and pH 6.8. The major cellular fatty acids were branched-chain fatty acids such as anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Menaquinones MK-11 and MK-12 were the major respiratory quinones. Many protein-coding genes which were not found in the genome of P. paludivivens as orthologous genes were detected in the genome of strain WR041T. Based on the differences in the phylogenetic, genomic and physiological characteristics between strain WR041T and related species, the name Prevotella herbatica sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate strain WR041T (=NBRC 115134T = DSM 112534T).

Anaerocolumna chitinilytica sp. nov., a chitin-decomposing anaerobic bacterium isolated from anoxic soil subjected to biological soil disinfestation.

An obligately anaerobic bacterial strain (CTTWT) belonging to the family Lachnospiraceae within the class Clostridia was isolated from an anoxic soil sample subjected to biological or reductive soil disinfestation. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, short rods with peritrichous flagella. The strain was saccharolytic and decomposed polysaccharides, chitin, xylan and ß-1,3-glucan. Strain CTTWT decomposed cell biomass and cell-wall preparations of an ascomycete plant pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae. The strain produced acetate, ethanol, H2 and CO2 as fermentation products from the utilized substrates. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain were C16 : 1 ω7c dimethylacetal (DMA), C16 : 0 DMA and C18 : 1 ω7c DMA. The closely related species of strain CTTWT based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences were species in the genus Anaerocolumna with sequence similarities of 95.2-97.6 %. Results of genome analyses of strain CTTWT indicated that the genome size of the strain was 5.62 Mb and the genomic DNA G+C content was 38.3 mol%. Six 16S rRNA genes with five different sequences from each other were found in the genome. Strain CTTWT had genes encoding chitinase, xylanase, cellulase, ß-glucosidase and nitrogenase as characteristic genes in the genome. Homologous genes encoding these proteins were found in the genomes of the related Anaerocolumna species, but the genomic and phenotypic properties of strain CTTWT were distinct from them. Based on the phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic analyses, the name Anaerocolumna chitinilytica sp. nov., in the family Lachnospiraceae is proposed for strain CTTWT (=NBRC 112102T=DSM 110036T).

Cyclohumulanoid Sesquiterpenes from the Culture Broth of the Basidiomycetous Fungus Daedaleopsis tricolor.

A series of cyclohumulanoids, i.e., tricocerapicanols A-C (1a-1c), tricoprotoilludenes A (2a) and B (3), tricosterpurol (4), and tricoilludins A-C (5-7) were isolated along with known violascensol (2b) and omphadiol (8) from the culture broth of Daedaleopsis tricolor, an inedible but not toxic mushroom. The structures were fully elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis, and the suggested relative structures were confirmed via density functional theory (DFT)-based chemical shift calculations involving a DP4 probability analysis. In the present study, the 1H chemical shifts were more informative than the 13C chemical shifts to distinguish the diastereomers at C-11. The absolute configurations of 1-5 were determined by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. For 6 and 7, the same chirality was assigned according to their biosynthetic similarities with the other compounds. The successful assignment of some Cotton effects was achieved by utilizing DFT calculations using simple model compounds. The plausible biosynthesis of 1-7 was also discussed on the basis of the structural commonality and general cyclohumulanoid biosynthesis. Compounds 2a and 5 were found to simultaneously induce hyphal swelling and branching at 5.0 µg/mL against a test fungus Cochliobolus miyabeanus.

DFT calculation-assisted stereo-structural assignment of arundifungin.

Arundifungin (1) has been reported as a potent antifungal agent against Candida and Aspergillus spp; however, only its planar structure has been disclosed. This paper describes the assignment of the relative and absolute configuration of 1, which includes (a) determination of the relative configuration of the ABCD polycyclic ring moiety on the basis of detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, followed by the confirmation with density functional theory (DFT)-based 13 C NMR chemical shift calculations, (b) determination of the absolute configuration of the ABCD polycyclic ring moiety by observing a positive Cotton effect at 217 nm because of the C-8/C-9 tetrasubstituted double bond and its reproduction using DFT calculations, (c) determination of the configurational relationship between C-17 and C-20 by a combination of nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) analysis and DFT-based conformational analysis, and (d) determination of the relative and absolute configuration of the C-24 and C-25 asymmetric centers on the acyclic side chain by a combination of chemical derivatization including modified Mosher's method and DFT-based conformational analysis, followed by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectral reproduction. Present study also discovered 26-deoxyarundifungin (2) of which relative structure was readily elucidated by 1 H and 13 C spectral comparison with those of 1. Since 2 exhibits slightly weaker antifungal activity against Cochliobolus miyabeanus than 1, the hydroxy group at C-26 moderately contributes to the activity.

Identification of neomacrophorins isolated from Trichoderma sp. 1212-03 as proteasome inhibitors.

Neomacrophorins I-III (1-3) and X have previously been isolated from Trichoderma sp. 1212-03. Their mode of action against cancer cells and the mechanism of biosynthesis of the characteristic [4.4.3] propellane framework in neomacrophorin X have not been reported. The isolation and characterization of neomacrophorins IV (4), V (5), and VI (6) is reported. Epoxyquinones 1, 4, and 6 potently induced apoptotic cell death in human acute promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells, while epoxysemiquinols 2, 3, and 5 showed weak activity. This indicates that the epoxyquinone moiety is crucial for apoptosis-inducing activities of neomacrophorins. We also found that neomacrophorins inhibit proteasome in vitro, and 1, 4, and 6 induced significant accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in HL60 cells. These activities were completely suppressed by a nucleophile, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). The analysis of reaction mechanisms using LC-MS suggested that C2' and C7' of neomacrophorins could be Michael acceptors in the reaction with NAC methyl ester (NACM). These findings indicated that the electrophilic properties of neomacrophorins are responsible for both their potent biological effects and the biosynthesis of unique [4.4.3] propellane framework in neomacrophorin X.

Structure-activity relationships of trichothecenes against COLO201 cells and Cochliobolus miyabeanus: The role of 12-epoxide and macrocyclic moieties.

The novel trichothecene 12-deoxytrichodermin (3) was isolated from the fungus Trichoderma sp. 1212-03, and included with other known natural trichothecenes in a structure-activity relationship investigation against a human colon cancer cell line (COLO201) and filamentous fungus Cochliobolus miyabeanus. This revealed that the 12-epoxide functionality is critical for the cytotoxicity of simple trichothecenes trichodermin (4) and deoxynivalenol (2), while not critical for the cytotoxicity of roridin J (6) and epiisororidin E (8). In contrast, 12-epoxide is essential for the antifungal activity.

Capsulimonas corticalis gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic capsulated bacterium, of a novel bacterial order, Capsulimonadales ord. nov., of the class Armatimonadia of the phylum Armatimonadetes.

An aerobic bacterial strain designated AX-7T was isolated from the trunk surface of a Japanese beech (Fagus crenata). Cells of strain AX-7T were Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile rods (1.0-1.2 µm in width and 1.2-3.0 µm in length) with peritrichous fimbriae. Cells were capsulated, and a number of them were surrounded by a thick slime layer. During growth, large aggregates formed, and the culture medium became viscous probably owing to exopolysaccharide release from the slime layer. The temperature range for growth was 10-37 °C, with an optimum at 30 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.0-7.0, with an optimum at pH 6.0. Strain AX-7T used various sugars, including polysaccharides, and yeast extract as growth substrates. Strain AX-7T contained menaquinones MK-9 and MK-10 as the respiratory quinones, and C16 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω11c, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Four unidentified phospholipids and 11 unidentified polar lipids constituted the polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 61.0 mol%. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain AX-7T belonged to the class Armatimonadia, its closest relative being Armatimonas rosea YO-36T, with sequence similarity of 88.1%. Based on data from this polyphasic study, we propose that strain AX-7T represents a new genus of a novel species within the novel order Capsulimonadales ord. nov. of the class Armatimonadia, for which the name Capsulimonas corticalis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. corticalis is AX-7T (=DSM 105890T=NBRC 113044T).

Clostridium fungisolvens sp. nov., a new ß-1,3-glucan-decomposing bacterium isolated from anoxic soil subjected to biological soil disinfestation.

Biological soil disinfestation (BSD) or reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) is a bioremediation method used to suppress or eliminate soil-borne plant pathogens by stimulating activities of indigenous anaerobic bacteria of the soil. An anaerobic bacterial strain (TW1T) was isolated from an anoxic soil sample subjected to the BSD treatment and comprehensively characterized. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, slightly curved and motile rods producing terminal spores. The strain was aerotolerant. Strain TW1T was saccharolytic and produced acetate, butyrate, H2 and CO2 as fermentation end products. Strain TW1T decomposed ß-1,3-glucan (curdlan and laminarin) and degraded mycelial cells of an ascomycete Fusarium plant pathogen. Major cellular fatty acids of strain TW1T were C14 : 0, C14 : 0 dimethylacetal (DMA), C16 : 0 aldehyde and C16 : 0 DMA. Strain TW1T made a group on the phylogenetic tree constructed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences with species such as Clostridium fallax (96.3 %) and Clostridium polyendosporum (96.0 %). Whole genome analysis of strain TW1T showed that the total length of the genome was 5.28 Mb with the DNA G+C content of 31.3 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANIb) between strain TW1T and C. fallax was 71.2 %. Presence of the genes encoding laminarinase or GH16 ß-glucosidase was confirmed from the genome analysis of strain TW1T. Based on the genomic, phylogenetic and phenotypic properties obtained, we propose strain TW1T should be assigned in the genus Clostridium in the family Clostridiaceae as Clostridium fungisolvens sp. nov. The type strain TW1T (=NBRC 112097T=DSM 110791T).

Description of Deinococcus populi sp. nov. from the trunk surface of a Japanese aspen tree.

A bacterial strain designated PtRA-8T was isolated from the trunk surface of a Japanese aspen tree (Populus tremula var. sieboldii). Cells of strain PtRA-8T were aerobic, non-motile, non-spore forming, Gram-stain-negative rods, 1.0‒2.0 µm in width and 3.0‒10.0 µm in length. The pH range for growth was between 5.5 and 7.5, with an optimum at 6.5. The temperature range for growth was between 10 and 37 °C, with an optimum at around 25‒30 °C. Strain PtRA-8T was highly resistant to UV irradiation, similar to its Deinococcus relatives. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-8. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10% of the total fatty acid content) were iso-C15:0 (17.8%), C16:0 (15.0%), iso-C17:0 (10.4%), and iso-C17:1 ω9c/C16:010-methyl (22.2%). The polar lipids consisted of four unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified phospholipids, and three unidentified polar lipids. The peptidoglycan was A3ß-type containing glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and ornithine. The DNA G + C content of strain PtRA-8T was 68.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain PtRA-8T was closely related to "Deinococcus radioresistens" 8AT (97.4%), Deinococcus metalli DSM 27521T (95.7%), and Deinococcus yunweiensis YIM 007T (94.5%). The DNA-DNA hybridization experiments between strain PtRA-8T and its relatives yielded relatedness values below 70%. Based on the polyphasic evidence, we concluded that strain PtRA-8T represents a novel species within the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus populi is proposed. The type strain of D. populi is PtRA-8T (= DSM 29820T= NBRC 110763T; DPD TaxonNumber TA00271).

Neomacrophorin X, a [4.4.3]Propellane-Type Meroterpenoid from Trichoderma sp. 1212-03.

Neomacrophorin X (1) was isolated from Trichoderma sp. 1212-03. Heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) spectral analysis indicated a unique [4.4.3]propellane framework, which was verified by the 1H and 13C chemical shift calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and subsequent comparison with experimental data obtained in CDCl3. The DFT-based electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations were effective in not only determining the absolute configuration but also confirming the relative structure. The predominant conformation of 1 was found to be solvent-dependent, with different conformations presenting different NMR and ECD profiles. Introduction of J-based analysis with a J-resolved HMBC aided in this investigation. This conformational alternation was reproduced by considering the solvation with the SM5.4 model in the calculation, although it was not sufficiently quantitative. Although the calculations without solvent effects suggested a conformer that satisfies the spectral profiles in CDCl3, postcalculations with the SM5.4 solvation protocol stabilized the second major conformer, which reproduces the NMR and ECD profiles in polar solvents. Neomacrophorin X (1) is assumed to be biosynthesized by a coupling between the reduced form of anthraquinone and a neomacrophorin derivative. This hypothesis was supported experimentally by the isolation of pachybasin and chrysophanol, as well as acyclic premacrophorin (2), from the same fungus. Some biological properties of 1 are described.

Acidicapsa acidisoli sp. nov., from the acidic soil of a deciduous forest.

A bacterial strain designated strain SK-11T was isolated from the acidic soil of a deciduous forest in the Shirakami Mountains in Japan. Cells of strain SK-11T were aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-negative rods, 0.7-1.0 µm in width and 1.0-1.4 µm in length. The pH range for growth was between pH 4.0 and 5.5, with an optimum at pH 5.0. The temperature range for growth was between 10 and 35 °C, with an optimum at around 25-30 °C. Strain SK-11T utilized various carbohydrates as growth substrates as well as yeast extract and protein hydrolysates. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of total fatty acid contents) were iso-C15 : 0 (55.4 %), iso-C17 : 0 (16.7 %) and iso-C17 : 1ω9c/10 methyl-hexadecanoic acid (17.7 %). The major respiratory quinone was MK-8. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain SK-11T was 56.9 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SK-11T belonged to the family Acidobacteriaceae within subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria, and the closest relatives of strain SK-11T were Acidicapsa ligni WH120T and Acidicapsa borealis KA1T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.6 and 96.5 %, respectively. On the basis of the evidence from our polyphasic study, we concluded that strain SK-11T represents a novel species of the genus Acidicapsa, and propose the name Acidicapsa acidisoli sp. nov. The type strain of Acidicapsaacidisolisp nov. is SK-11T (=DSM 100508T=NBRC 111227T).

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacteroidales Strain 6E, Isolated from a Rice Paddy Field in Japan.

We generated a high-quality draft genome sequence of Bacteroidales strain 6E, a strict anaerobe newly isolated from Japanese rice paddy field soil. The genome consists of 61 contigs, with a total size of 4,436,542 bp and mean G+C content of 45.4%. Annotation predicted 3,620 protein-coding and 54 RNA genes.

Relative and absolute structure of phomolide C.

Phomolide C (1) was isolated from a fungus Diaporthe sp. being found at Shirakami mountainous area. Although only the planar structure of 1 has been known, our detailed NMR spectroscopic analysis and ECD studies revealed its both relative and absolute configuration.

Clostridium oryzae sp. nov., from soil of a Japanese rice field.

An obligately anaerobic bacterial strain designated KC3(T) was isolated from a rice straw-degrading culture, for which soil of a Japanese rice field was used as the inoculum. Cells of strain KC3(T) were determined to be non-cellulolytic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, ellipsoidal, spore-forming rods, 0.8-1×4-25 µm. Endospores were formed at a terminal position in elongated cells (12-25 µm, mean 15 µm). The temperature range for growth was 20-50 °C, with an optimum at 37 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.0-7.5, with an optimum at pH 6.0 (slightly acidophilic). Strain KC3(T) fermented cellobiose to lactate, butyrate, acetate, formate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo 11,12 dimethylacetal. The DNA G+C content of strain KC3(T) was 37.5 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain KC3(T) shared low sequence similarity (<93 %) with type strains of the genus Clostridium sensu stricto (Clostridium rRNA cluster I). Analyses of the DNA gyrase A and ATP synthase beta subunit sequences supported the affiliation of strain KC3(T) to the genus Clostridium sensu stricto. The evidence presented here indicates that strain KC3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium oryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Clostridium oryzae is KC3(T) ( = DSM 28571(T) = NBRC 110163(T)).

Genetic polymorphisms in Japanese fragrant landraces and novel fragrant allele domesticated in northern Japan.

Rice fragrance is an important characteristic for Southeast Asian consumers, and fragrant landraces from Japan were first recorded in the 17th century. Principal component analysis clearly showed that Japanese fragrant landraces were genetically different from non-Japanese fragrant landraces. Japanese fragrant landraces were composed of six clades, none of which carried the most common fragrance mutation, an 8-bp deletion in exon 7 of Badh2. Fragrant landraces comprised two major groups carrying different Badh2 mutations. One group carried a known SNP at exon13 and the other a SNP at the exon1-intron1 junction as splicing donor site. The latter was considered to be a potential splicing mutant group as a novel allele at Badh2. Heterozygosity (He) scores in the two fragrant groups were not significantly different from non-fragrant landraces and modern cultivars. However, lower He scores were found around the Badh2 locus in the two groups. The potential splicing mutant group showed a more extended haplotype than the E13 SNP group. A likely causal factor responsible for loss of function is a novel splicing mutation allele that may have been generated quite recently. The fragrance allele has dispersed as a result of out-crossing under local environmental conditions.

Roseomonas aceris sp. nov. isolated from a mono maple tree in the Shirakami Mountains in Japan.

A novel bacterial strain belonging to the genus Roseomonas was isolated from the trunk surface of a mono maple (Acer mono) tree growing in the Shirakami Mountains. The strain, designated R-1(T), was Gram-negative, non-motile, and oval-rod, and formed reddish colonies on agar plates, as has previously been described for Roseomonas species. Although motility was not observed, cells were peritrichously flagellated. Strain R-1(T) preferred organic acids over carbohydrates as growth substrates. The major cellular fatty acid was C18:1 ω7c (48.79%). Ubiquinone-10 was the major respiratory quinone. Strain R-1(T) demonstrated the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Roseomonas pecuniae N75(T) (96.9%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that strain R-1(T) was a member of the genus Roseomonas and formed a cluster with R. pecuniae N75(T). DNA-DNA hybridization between strain R-1(T) and R. pecuniae N75(T) yielded 21.7% relatedness. On the basis of its phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic char-acteristics, strain R-1(T) represents a novel species within the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas aceris sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is R-1(T) (NBRC 109410(T) = DSM 26554 (T)).