Sterile soil mitigates the intergenerational loss of gut microbial diversity and anxiety-like behavior induced by antibiotics in mice.

The decline in gut microbial diversity in modern humans is closely associated with the rising prevalence of various diseases. It is imperative to investigate the underlying causes of gut microbial loss and restoring methods. Although the impact of non-perinatal antibiotic use on gut microbiota has been recognized, its intergenerational effects remain unexplored. Our previous research has highlighted soil in the farm environment as a key factor for gut microbiome health by restoring gut microbial diversity and balance. In this study, we investigated the intergenerational consequences of antibiotic exposure and the therapeutic potential of sterile soil. We treated C57BL/6 mice with vancomycin and streptomycin for 2 weeks continuously, followed by a 4-8 week withdrawal period before breeding. The process was repeated across 3 generations. Half of the mice in each generation received an oral sterile soil intervention. We assessed gut microbial diversity, anxiety behavior, microglial reactivity, and gut barrier integrity across generations. Antibiotic exposure led to a decrease in gut microbial diversity over generations, along with aggravated anxiety behavior, microgliosis, and altered intestinal tight junction protein expression. Oral sterile soil intervention restored gut microbial diversity in adult mice across generations, concomitantly rescuing abnormalities in behavior, microgliosis, and intestinal barrier integrity. In conclusion, this study simulated an important process of the progressive loss of gut microbiota diversity in modern humans and demonstrated the potential of sterile soil to reverse this process. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for research and interventions targeting multiple modern chronic diseases related to intestinal microorganisms.

Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis Expands lncRNA Functional Profiles in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that arises as a multi-stage process involving multiple cell types. Patients diagnosed with the same clinical stage and pathological classification may have different prognoses and therapeutic responses due to alterations in molecular genetics. As an essential marker for the molecular subtyping of breast cancer, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in gene expression regulation, cell differentiation, and the maintenance of genomic stability. Here, we developed a modular framework for lncRNA identification and applied it to a breast cancer cohort to identify novel lncRNAs not previously annotated. To investigate the potential biological function, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical relevance of the novel lncRNAs, we elucidated the genomic and chromatin features of these lncRNAs, along with the associated protein-coding genes and putative enhancers involved in the breast cancer regulatory networks. Furthermore, we uncovered that the expression patterns of novel and annotated lncRNAs identified in breast cancer were related to the hormone response in the PAM50 subtyping criterion, as well as the immune response and progression states of breast cancer across different immune cells and immune checkpoint genes. Collectively, the comprehensive identification and functional analysis of lncRNAs revealed that these lncRNAs play an essential role in breast cancer by altering gene expression and participating in the regulatory networks, contributing to a better insight into breast cancer heterogeneity and potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Soil causes gut microbiota to flourish and total serum IgE levels to decrease in mice.

Traditional farm environments induce protection from allergic diseases. In this study, farm environmental factors were classified into three categories, environmental microbes, soil, and organic matter. To explore the impact of soil and environmental microorganisms on gut microbiota and immune function, mice were fed sterilized soil and inhaling microbes, soil microbes, or non-sterilized soil. Metagenomic sequencing results showed the intake of sterile soil, that is, inhaling a small amount of soil microbes in the air increased gut microbial diversity and the abundance of type III secretion system (T3SS) genes, and decreased serum immune IgE levels induced by 2-4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The intake of soil microbes increased the abundance of genes involved in the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids and amino acid biosynthesis. Meanwhile, the intake of soil increased gut microbial diversity, the abundance of T3SS genes and related infectious elements, and genes associated with the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids and amino acid biosynthesis, and decreased serum IgE levels. Therefore, soil may be useful as a potential 'prebiotic' promoting the reproduction and growth of some intestinal microorganisms that harbour bacterial secretion system genes, especially those of T3SS, whose abundance was positively and significantly correlated with innate immune function of mice.

Design, synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of pleuromutilin derivatives.

We report herein the design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of pleuromutilin derivatives containing urea/thiourea functionalities. The antibacterial activities of these new pleuromutilin derivatives were evaluated in vitro against Gram-positive pathogens (GPPs) (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecium) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae by the broth dilution method. Most of the targeted compounds exhibit good potency in inhibiting the growth of pathogens including Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA, ATCC29213, MIC: 0.0625-16 µg/mL), Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, ATCC43300, MIC: 0.125-16 µg/mL) and M. pneumoniae (ATCC15531 MIC: 0.125-1 µg/mL, ATCC29342 MIC: 0.0625-0.25 µg/mL and drug resistant strain MIC: 0.5-2 µg/mL). In particular, the compounds 6m and 6n containing phenyl-urea group showed excellent activity with the MIC value less than 0.0625 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC29213. The compound 6h exhibited better activity than tiamulin against Methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC43300.

Haloechinothrix aidingensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China.

An actinomycete strain, designated YIM 98757T, was isolated from the hypersaline sediment of Aiding Lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China. The strain grew well on most media tested and no diffusible pigment was produced. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented. No spores were formed. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid. Xylose, galactose, ribose were the major whole-cell sugars. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unknown phospholipid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The major fatty acid was iso-C16:0. The DNA G + C content was 69.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Haloechinothrix. However, it differed from its closest relative, H. alba YIM 98757 T in many phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Moreover, the DNA-DNA and ANI relatedness values between the novel isolate and H. alba YIM 93221 T were 53.3% and 92.5%, respectively. Based on comparative analysis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strain YIM 98757 T represents a novel species of the genus Haloechinothrix, for which the name Haloechinothrix aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 98757T (= CGMCC 4.7627T = CCTCC AA 2020012).

Oceanobacillus salinisoli sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from saline soil of Turpan city in Xinjiang province, north-west China.

YIM B00359T, a novel bacterial strain was isolated from the saline soil of Turpan city in Xinjiang province, north-west China. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, motile, aerobic, produced oval subterminal endospores in swollen sporangia. The whole-cell hydrolysates contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid, with xylose, glucose, and ribose as the major whole-cell sugars. The phospholipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids, unidentified glycolipids, and one unidentified glycophospholipid. The predominant menaquinone is MK-7. The major fatty acids are anteiso-C15:0, iso-C14:0, iso-C15:0, and iso-C16:0. The DNA G + C content of the type strain is 37.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Oceanobacillus. However, it differed from its closest relatives, Oceanobacillus halophilus DSM 23996 T and Oceanobacillus senegalensis Marseille-P3587T in many physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Based on comparative analysis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strain YIM B00359T represents a novel species of the genus Oceanobacillus, for which the name Oceanobacillus salinisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B00359T (= CGMCC 1.17509T = KCTC 43185T).

Paenibacillus turpanensis sp. nov., isolated from a salt lake of Turpan city in Xinjiang province, north-west China.

Strain YIM B00363T, a Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium, was isolated from saline soil samples collected from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China, and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The optimum growth temperature was 37 °C and the optimum pH was 7.5-8.0. The major menaquinone was MK-7; anteiso-C15:0 (53.52%), iso-C15:0 (15.04%) and C16:0 (12.76%) were the predominant cellular fatty acids. The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids, unidentified glycolipids and unknown lipids. The DNA G + C content of the type strain was 50.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain YIM B00363T belonged to a cluster comprising species of the genus Paenibacillus. The nearest relatives were P. residui MC-246T and P. senegalensis JC66T, with 93.2% and 92.8% gene sequence similarities, respectively. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic distinctivenes, strain YIM B00363T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus turpanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B00363T (= CGMCC 1.17507T = KCTC 43184T).

Polar Solvents Induce Sum Frequency Generation Activity for Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes.

Regarding methods of process and use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), solvents are generally employed to disperse or dissolve CNTs as a pretreatment or intermediate process step. This naturally imposes an essential issue on how CNTs and solvents interact with each other, which seems trivial, comparatively inconsequential, and might often be overlooked from the perspective of engineering scenarios. However, as a matter of fact, it is indeed a fascinating and significant topic. In this article, to investigate the interfacial properties of multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) exposed to widely utilized solvents, we applied sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) to probe solvent-wetted MWCNTs and proved that polar solvents can substantially alter the interfacial optical property of MWCNTs. First, the interfacial optical phonon vibrational modes were detected when MWCNTs were wetted by polar solvents, i.e., water and dimethylformamide (DMF), while such modes were inactive when the solvents were nonpolar, i.e., decalin and air. Second, the interfacial optical phonon vibration frequency displayed distinct dependence on surface defects of MWCNTs. Combining theoretical analysis with experimental verification, a valid conjecture with respect to surface phonon vibration activity for MWCNTs was proposed. This phenomenon of polar solvent-induced SFG activity may have the potential to find applications in optical detection and environmental sensing in the near future.

Alkalibacillus aidingensis sp. nov., an Bacterium Isolated from Aiding Lake in Xinjiang Province, North-West China.

A bacterial strain, Gram staining negative, aerobic, long rod, motile bacterium with flagellum, designated strain YIM 98829T, was isolated from the Aiding Lake in Xinjiang province, North-West China. The isolate produced oval subterminal endospores in swollen sporangia. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained ornithine, serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and alanine, while diaminopimelic acid could not be detected. The major whole-cell sugars contained xylose, glucose, galactose, and mannose. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phospholipid, and two unidentified aminophospholipids were part of the polar lipid profile. Iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0 were the major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content of the type strain was 38.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Alkalibacillus. However, it differed from its closest relatives, A. haloalkaliphilus DSM 5271T (97.04%), A. filiformis 4AGT (96.99%), and A. silvisoli BM2T (96.95%) in some physiological characteristics. DNA-DNA hybridization result indicated low levels of relatedness between strain YIM 98829T and A. haloalkaliphilus JCM 12303T (16.9%). On the basis of physiological, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, strain YIM 98829T represents a novel species of genus Alkalibacillus, for which the name Alkalibacillus aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 98829T (= NBRC 114103T = CGMCC 1.17260T = DSM 112470T).

Oceanobacillus halotolerans sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China.

A bacterial strain, designated YIM 98839T, was isolated from the hypersaline sediment of Aiding Lake in Xinjiang province, North-West China. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, motile, aerobic, produced oval subterminal or central endospores in swollen sporangia. The whole-cell hydrolysates contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid. Galactose, fucose and ribose are the major whole-cell sugars. The phospholipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unknown phospholipid. The predominant menaquinone is MK-7. The major fatty acids are anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C15:0. The DNA G + C content of the type strain is 37.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Oceanobacillus. However, it differed from its closest relative, Oceanobacillus limi H9BT in many physiological characteristics. Moreover, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between the novel isolate and the relative type strain was 20.2%. Based on comparative analysis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strain YIM 98839T represents a novel species of the genus Oceanobacillus, for which the name Oceanobacillus halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 98839T (= CGMCC 1.17002T = KCTC 43140T).

Homologous G Protein-Coupled Receptors Boost the Modeling and Interpretation of Bioactivities of Ligand Molecules.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the most important drug targets, accounting for ∼34% of drugs on the market. For drug discovery, accurate modeling and explanation of bioactivities of ligands is critical for the screening and optimization of hit compounds. Homologous GPCRs are more likely to interact with chemically similar ligands, and they tend to share common binding modes with ligand molecules. The inclusion of homologous GPCRs in learning bioactivities of ligands potentially enhances the accuracy and interpretability of models due to utilizing increased training sample size and the existence of common ligand substructures that control bioactivities. Accurate modeling and interpretation of bioactivities of ligands by combining homologous GPCRs can be formulated as multitask learning with joint feature learning problem and naturally matched with the group lasso learning algorithm. Thus, we proposed a multitask regression learning with group lasso (MTR-GL) implemented by l2,1-norm regularization to model bioactivities of ligand molecules and then tested the algorithm on a series of thirty-five representative GPCRs datasets that cover nine subfamilies of human GPCRs. The results show that MTR-GL is overall superior to single-task learning methods and classic multitask learning with joint feature learning methods. Moreover, MTR-GL achieves better performance than state-of-the-art deep multitask learning based methods of predicting ligand bioactivities on most datasets (31/35), where MTR-GL obtained an average improvement of 38% on correlation coefficient (r2) and 29% on root-mean-square error over the DeepNeuralNet-QSAR predictors.

Appropriate dose of ethanol exerts anti-senescence and anti-atherosclerosis protective effects by activating ALDH2.

Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to reduce atherosclerosis-associated diseases. As shown in our earlier works, ethanol has a dose-dependent protective effects against endothelial cellular senescence by activating aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in vitro. However, whether ethanol administration possesses anti-atherosclerosis properties and whether ALDH2 is involved in the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we revealed that the appropriate dose of ethanol reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation, and upregulated ALDH2 expression and activity in ApoE-/- mice. ALDH2 deficiency blocked the protection of ethanol against atherosclerotic plaque formation by inhibiting endothelium senescence. In contrast, Alda-1, which is a specific enzymatic agonist of ALDH2, enhanced the anti-senescence and anti-atherosclerosis effects of the appropriate dose of ethanol. Furthermore, following ALDH2 knockdown, resveratrol (an anti-aging compound) recovered the beneficial effects of ethanol against endothelial senescence in vitro. Thus, these results suggest that the appropriate dose of ethanol has protective effects against endothelial senescence and atherosclerosis by activating ALDH2.

Crocin reduces the inflammation response in rheumatoid arthritis.

This study is to determine the role and mechanism of crocin in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Totally 60 Wistar SD rats were randomly divided into control group, RA model group, methotrexate group, crocin high dose, middle dose, and low dose groups. The paw swelling degree, arthritis score, thymus and spleen index, the mRNA and protein levels of iNOS, and the serum content of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 were evaluated. Crocin treatment significantly alleviated the paw swelling of RA rats. The arthritis score in crocin treatment groups was significantly lower than that in RA model group. Additionally, the thymus index, but not the spleen index, declined remarkably in crocin treatment groups than in RA model group. Besides, crocin administration significantly reduced the iNOS production and the serum content of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. Crocin may exert potent anti-RA effects through inhibiting cytokine.

Actinorugispora endophytica gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from Daucus carota.

An actinomycete strain, designated YIM 690008T, was isolated from Daucus carota collected from South Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew well on most media tested and no diffusible pigment was produced. The aerial mycelium formed wrinkled single spores and short spore chains, some of which were branched. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, mannose, ribose, galactose and rhamnose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H4), MK-10(H6), MK-10(H8) and MK-10(H2). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, some unknown phospholipids, glycolipids and polar lipids. The major fatty acids were i-C16 : 0, ai-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate belongs to the family Nocardiopsaceae. However, based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data, it was concluded that strain YIM 690008T represents a novel genus and novel species of the family Nocardiopsaceae, for which the name Actinorugispora endophytica gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain YIM 690008T = DSM 46770T = JCM 30099T = KCTC 29480T) is proposed.

Drimane sesquiterpenoids from the Aspergillus oryzae QXPC-4.

Three new drimane sesquiterpenoids, astellolides C-E (1-3, resp.), four new drimane sesquiterpenoid p-hydroxybenzoates, astellolides F-I (4-7, resp.), together with two known compounds astellolides A and B (8 and 9, resp.), have been isolated from the liquid culture of Aspergillus oryzae (strain No. QXPC-4). Their structures were established by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data. The relative and absolute configurations were determined on the basis of NOESY and CD data, together with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of compounds 1-3. The metabolites were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities, however, no compounds showed a significant cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines at a concentration of 20 µM.

Soil intake modifies the gut microbiota and alleviates Th2-type immune response in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model.

Background: A low-clean living environment (LCLE) can increase gut microbial diversity and prevent allergic diseases, whereas gut microbial dysbiosis is closely related to the pathogenesis of asthma. Our previous studies suggested that soil in the LCLE is a key factor in shaping intestinal microbiota. We aimed to explore whether sterilized soil intake as a prebiotic while being incubated with microbes in the air can attenuate mouse asthma inflammation by modifying gut microbiota. Methods: 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbial composition, in combination with immune parameters measured in the lung and serum samples. Results: 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed significant differences in the fecal microbiota composition between the test and control mice, with a higher abundance of Allobaculum, Alistipes, and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001, which produce short-chain fatty acids and are beneficial for health in the test mice. Soil intake significantly downregulated the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-9 in serum and increased the expression of IFN-γ, which regulated the Th1/Th2 balance in the lung by polarizing the immune system toward Th1, alleviating ovalbumin-induced asthma inflammation. The effect of sensitization on gut microbiota was greater than that of air microbes and age together but weaker than that of soil. Conclusions: Soil intake effectively reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic mice, possibly by promoting the growth of multiple beneficial bacteria. The results indicated that the development of soil-based prebiotic products might be used for allergic asthma management, and our study provides further evidence for the hygiene hypothesis.

ALDH2 deficiency augments atherosclerosis through the USP14-cGAS-dependent polarization of proinflammatory macrophages.

The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism commonly exists in the East Asian populations and is associated with high risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the ALDH2 rs671 mutant-linked high CVD remain elusive. Here, we show that macrophages derived from human ALDH2 rs671 carriers and ALDH2 knockout mice exhibited an enhanced pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype and an impaired anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype. Transplanting bone marrow from ALDH2-/-ApoE-/- to ApoE-/- mice significantly increased atherosclerotic plaque growth and pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization in vivo. Mechanistically, ALDH2 inhibited activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway in macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of cGAS by RU.521 completely neutralized ALDH2-deficiency-induced macrophage polarization. In-depth mechanistic investigation showed that ALDH2 accelerated cGAS K48-linked polyubiquitination degradation at lysine 282 in macrophages by reducing the interaction between ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) and cGAS, mainly through its enzymatic role in mitigating 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) accumulation. Consistently, USP14 knockdown in bone marrow cells alleviated proinflammatory responses in macrophages and protected against atherosclerosis. Our findings provide new mechanistic insights of ALDH2 deficiency-associated proinflammation and atherosclerosis and new therapeutic and preventive paradigms for treatment of atherosclerosis-associated CVD.

Streptomyces endophyticus sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from Artemisia annua L.

Three filamentous actinomycetes, strains YIM 65594(T), YIM 65638 and YIM 65642, were isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of Artemisia annua L. collected from Yunnan province, south-west China. These strains were found to have morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus Streptomyces. The organisms formed an extensively branched substrate mycelium, with abundant aerial hyphae that differentiated into spores. The cell wall of the isolates contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and the menaquinones were MK-9(H(8)) and MK-9(H(6)). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of these strains revealed that the strains clustered together and were most closely related to Streptomyces kunmingensis NBRC 14463(T), with 98.5-98.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strains YIM 65594(T), YIM 65638 and YIM 65642 from related species. However, the high level of DNA-DNA relatedness between them showed that these three strains belong to the same species. Strain YIM 65594(T) (= DSM 41984(T) = CCTCC AA 209036(T)) was selected as the type strain to represent this novel species, for which the name Streptomyces endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed.

Rhodococcus canchipurensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a limestone deposit site.

A novel actinobacterial strain, MBRL 353(T), was isolated from a sample collected from a limestone quarry at Hundung, Manipur, India. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain MBRL 353(T) and other members of the genus Rhodococcus showed sequence similarities ranging from 95.5 to 98.2 %, with strain MBRL 353(T) showing closest sequence similarity to Rhodococcus triatomae IMMIB RIV-085(T) (98.2 %) and Rhodococcus equi DSM 20307(T) (97.2 %). DNA-DNA hybridization results, however, revealed that DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain MBRL 353(T) and R. triatomae DSM 44892(T) (43.4 %) and R. equi DSM 20307(T) (33.4 %) were well below the 70 % limit for species identification. Strain MBRL 353(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose and arabinose in the cell wall. Mycolic acids were present. The major fatty acids were C(16 : 0) (45.7 %), C(18 : 1)ω9c (18.2 %) and 10-methyl C(18 : 0) (11.3 %). The only menaquinone detected was MK-8(H(2)), while the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and one unknown phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.2 mol%. The phenotypic and genotypic data showed that strain MBRL 353(T) merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus for which the name Rhodococcus canchipurensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MBRL 353(T) (= KCTC 19851(T) = JCM 17578(T)).

Blastococcus endophyticus sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from Camptotheca acuminata.

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 68236(T), was isolated from healthy leaves of Camptotheca acuminata. and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of this strain occurred singly, in pairs or in tetrads. It grew at 10-45 °C, at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-3% (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 71.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 68236(T) belongs to the genus Blastococcus. However, it differed from its closest relatives, Blastococcus aggregatus DSM 4725(T), Blastococcus saxobsidens DSM 44509(T) and Blastococcus jejuensis DSM 19597(T) in many phenotypic characteristics. Moreover, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between the novel isolate and the three above-mentioned type strains were 49.0 ± 1.6%, 46.1 ± 3.2% and 39.8 ± 1.5%, respectively. Based on comparative analysis of physiological and chemotaxonomic data, strain YIM 68236(T) represents a novel species of the genus Blastococcus, for which the name Blastococcus endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 68236(T) ( =CCTCC AA 209045(T) =DSM 45413(T) =KCTC 19998(T)).