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Bibliography on: Symbiosis

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 20 Dec 2024 at 01:57 Created: 

Symbiosis

Symbiosis refers to an interaction between two or more different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both. Symbiotic relationships were once thought to be exceptional situations. Recent studies, however, have shown that every multicellular eukaryote exists in a tight symbiotic relationship with billions of microbes. The associated microbial ecosystems are referred to as microbiome and the combination of a multicellular organism and its microbiota has been described as a holobiont. It seems "we are all lichens now."

Created with PubMed® Query: ( symbiosis[tiab] OR symbiotic[tiab] ) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2024-12-17

Liapis CC (2024)

["Pseudoneurotransmission" and gut microbiome - brain communication in neuropsychiatric disorders].

Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki [Epub ahead of print].

The gut microbiome, which comprises symbiotic bacteria colonizing the human digestive tract, undergoes dynamic changes during the lifespan, as evidenced by the fact that the number of species and the diversity of their composition decrease significantly with age. The aim of this review is to illuminate bilateral neuroimmunological pathways that determine the role of gut microbiome dysbiosis, not only as a cause but also as a byproduct of many neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), but also in the frame of several behavioral and psychiatric pathological conditions such as depressive and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dysbiosis, in particular, reveals a model of "deceptive" mimicry of host molecules that might cause abnormal folding ("misfolding") and pathological aggregation of Aβ-peptide, leading to its dispersion through the gut-brain axis, precipitating microglia cell activation. By controlling myelination at the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a crucial area for multifaceted cognitive behavior, forecasting, and decision-making, the gut/microbiome-brain axis influences mood and social behavior, since major depressive disorder is correlated to white matter disturbance in the PFC, due to disregulations in the expression of myelin-related mRNA in this area. The gut microbiome is altered in psychosis compared to healthy controls, while medication with antipsychotics may result in reduced microbial community diversity. The vagus nerve, as a key element of the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating immune responses, may "detect" gut microbiome metabolites and transfer this intestinal information to the CNS, through its afferents, as in a "pseudo-neurotransmission" process. Scientific interest towards microbiome-based therapies increases as psychobiotics (which are strains of probiotics/prebiotics with specific properties to influence the gut-brain axis) appear to be able to exercise a beneficial effect in many CNS disorders. Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary interventions via psychobiotics intake that might enhance the gut microbiome's ability to produce beneficial metabolites that exert therapeutic effects on intestinal permeability, cognitive function, and immunity, may reveal new research pathways and therapeutic directions leading to a radical change of the "epistemology paradigm" as far as prevention and treatment of major neuro-psychiatric disorders is concerned.

RevDate: 2024-12-17

Stott C, Diop A, Raymann K, et al (2024)

Co-evolution and Gene Transfers Drive Speciation Patterns in Host-Associated Bacteria.

Molecular biology and evolution pii:7926168 [Epub ahead of print].

Microbial communities that maintain symbiotic relationships with animals evolve by adapting to the specific environmental niche provided by their host, yet understanding their patterns of speciation remains challenging. Whether bacterial speciation occurs primarily through allopatric or sympatric processes remains an open question. In addition, patterns of DNA transfers, which are pervasive in bacteria, are more constrained in a closed host-gut system. Eusocial bees have co-evolved with their specialized microbiota for over 85 million years, constituting a simple and valuable system to study the complex dynamics of host-associated microbial interactions. Here we studied the patterns of speciation and evolution of seven specialized gut bacteria from three clades of eusocial bee species: western honey bees, eastern honey bees and bumblebees. We conducted genomic analyses to infer species delineation relative to the patterns of homologous recombination (HR), and horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The studied bacteria presented various modes of evolution and speciation relative to their hosts, but some trends were consistent across all of them. We observed a clear interruption of homologous recombination between bacteria inhabiting different bee hosts, which is consistent with a mechanism of allopatric speciation, but we also identified interruptions of homologous recombination within hosts, suggesting recent or ongoing sympatric speciation. In contrast to HR, we observed that HGT events were not constrained by species borders. Overall, our findings show that in host-associated bacterial populations, patterns of HR and HGT have different impacts on speciation patterns, which are driven by both allopatric and sympatric speciation processes.

RevDate: 2024-12-17
CmpDate: 2024-12-17

Kameli N, Becker HEF, Jonkers DM, et al (2024)

Investigating the Immunomodulatory Impact of Fecal Bacterial Membrane Vesicles and Their IgA Coating Patterns in Crohn's Disease Patients.

International journal of molecular sciences, 25(23):.

The human intestinal tract contains trillions of bacteria that coexist in a symbiotic relationship with human cells. Imbalances in this interaction can lead to disorders such as Crohn's disease (CD). Bacteria membrane vesicles (MVs), which are released by almost all bacteria, have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in bacteria-host interactions. In this study, we assessed the physical characterizations, immunomodulatory effects, and IgA interactions of MVs derived from fecal samples of CD patients and healthy controls (HCs). MVs were isolated from the frozen fecal samples using a combination of ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography. Using nanoparticle tracking analysis, we found that the MVs of the CD patients showed a significantly lower concentration compared to those of the HCs. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy revealed the larger size of the MVs in active CD (Ac-CD) compared to the MVs of remission CD (Re-CD) and HCs. Differentiated monocyte THP-1 cells released more TNF-a when exposed to MVs from the HCs compared to the CD patients. On the other hand, the MVs from the HCs and Re-CD patients but not the Ac-CD patients induced more anti-inflammatory IL-10. Intriguingly, bead-based flow cytometry analysis showed that the MVs of the HCs and Re-CD patients were more coated with IgA compared to those of the Ac-CD patients. These results suggest the potential role of MVs in the immunomodulatory impact on the pathophysiology of CD. Moreover, IgA seems to regulate these effects by direct binding, which was not the case for the Ac-CD patients. Finally, the IgA coating patterns of the MVs could be used as an additional disease biomarker, as they can clearly identify the exacerbation status of CD.

RevDate: 2024-12-17
CmpDate: 2024-12-17

Kisiel A, Miller T, Łobodzińska A, et al (2024)

Biosynthesis of Phenolic Compounds of Medicago truncatula After Inoculation with Selected PGPR Strains.

International journal of molecular sciences, 25(23):.

The phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway is involved in the response of plants to stress factors, including microorganisms. This paper presents how free-living strains of rhizobacteria Pseudomonas brassicacearum KK5, P. corrugata KK7, Paenibacillus borealis KK4, and the symbiotic strain Sinorhizobium meliloti KK13 affect the expression of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), the activity of this enzyme, and the production of phenolic compounds in Medicago truncatula. Seedlings were inoculated with rhizobacteria, then at T0, T24, T72, and T168 after inoculation, the leaves and roots were analyzed for gene expression, enzyme activity, and the content of phenolic compounds. All bacteria affected PAL gene expression, in particular, MtPAL2, MtPAL3, and MtPAL4. Pseudomonas strains had the greatest impact on gene expression. The inoculation affected PAL activity causing it to increase or decrease. The most stimulating effect on enzyme activity was observed 168 h after inoculation. A varied effect was also observed in the case of the content of phenolic compounds. The greatest changes were observed 24 h after inoculation, especially with the KK7 strain. The influence of the studied rhizobacteria on the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds at the molecular level (expression of MtPAL genes) and biochemical level (PAL activity and content of phenolic compounds) was confirmed. The MtPAL3 gene underwent the most significant changes after inoculation and can be used as a marker to assess the interaction between M. truncatula and rhizobacteria. The Pseudomonas strains had the greatest influence on the biosynthesis pathway of phenolic compounds.

RevDate: 2024-12-17

Gorshkov AP, Kusakin PG, Vorobiev MG, et al (2024)

Effect of Insecticides Imidacloprid and Alpha-Cypermethrin on the Development of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Nodules.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 13(23):.

Insecticides are used commonly in agricultural production to defend plants, including legumes, from insect pests. It is a known fact that insecticides can have a harmful effect on the legume-rhizobial symbiosis. In this study, the effects of systemic seed treatment insecticide Imidor Pro (imidacloprid) and foliar insecticide Faskord (alpha-cypermethrin) on the structural organization of pea (Pisum sativum L.) nodules and their transcriptomic activity were investigated. The plants were treated as recommended by the manufacturer (10 mg/mL for Imidor Pro and 50 µg/mL for Faskord) and twofold concentrations were used for both insecticides. Insecticides had no visible effect on the growth of pea plants. The nodules also showed no visible changes, except for the variant treated with twofold concentration of Imidor Pro. However, the dry weight of shoots and roots differed significantly in insecticide-treated plants compared to untreated plants in almost all treatments. The number of nodules decreased in variants with Imidor Pro treatment. At the ultrastructural level, both insecticides caused cell wall deformation, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate accumulation in bacteroids, expansion of the peribacteroid space in symbiosomes, and inclusions in vacuoles. Treatment with Faskord caused chromatin condensation in nucleus. Imidor Pro treatment caused hypertrophy of infection droplets by increasing the amount of matrix, as confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis of extensins. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation of expression of a number of extensin-like protein-coding genes in nodules after the Imidor Pro treatment. Overall, both insecticides caused some minor changes in the legume-rhizobial system when used at recommended doses, but Faskord, an enteric contact insecticide, has fewer negative effects on symbiotic nodules and legume plants; of these two insecticides, it is preferred in pea agricultural production.

RevDate: 2024-12-17

Luo Z, Han H, Yao H, et al (2024)

Effects of Artificially Modified Microbial Communities on the Root Growth and Development of Tall Fescue in Nutrient-Poor Rubble Soil.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 13(23):.

The granite rubble soil produced through excavation during construction is nutrient-poor and has a simplified microbial community, making it difficult for plants to grow and increasing the challenges of ecological restoration. Recent studies have demonstrated that microbial inoculants significantly promote plant growth and are considered a potential factor influencing root development. Microorganisms influence root development either directly or indirectly, forming beneficial symbiotic relationships with plant roots. However, the mechanisms by which microorganisms affect root development and root anatomy, as well as the dynamics of soil microbial communities following the artificial application of microbial inoculants, remain unclear. This experiment utilized granite rubble soil from construction excavation in a pot trial, implementing five different treatment methods. After the fast-growing grass species tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was planted, four growth-promoting microbial inoculants-Bacillus subtilis (K), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (JD), Aspergillus niger (H), and Trichoderma harzianum (HC)-were applied to the soil in the pots. These treatments were compared with a control group (CK) that received no microbial inoculant. At 120 days of plant growth, the composition of the soil microbial community, biomass, root structure, and root anatomy were measured for each treatment group. This analysis aimed to explore the effects of different microbial treatments on the microbial communities and root development of Festuca arundinacea root soil. The study found that the addition of microbial inoculants reduced the number of microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of bacteria and fungi in the soil, affecting both the marker species and their abundance at the phylum level. Additionally, microbial inoculants promoted the development of the tall fescue root structure, increasing metrics such as the total root length, root surface area, root volume, and root-to-shoot ratio per plant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the area ratios of various components in the root anatomy of tall fescue's primary roots, such as the root cortex area, stele area, and the number of lateral roots, were influenced by Proteobacteria. Mortierellomycota was found to affect the root epidermis area.

RevDate: 2024-12-17

Qiu C, Jin X, Zhao Y, et al (2024)

A Nucleotide-Binding Domain Leucine-Rich Repeat Gene Regulates Plant Growth and Defense Against Chewing Herbivores.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 13(23):.

Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat immune receptor genes (NLRs) play an important role in plant defenses against pathogens, pathogenic nematodes, and piercing-sucking herbivores. However, little is known about their functions in plant defenses against chewing herbivores. Here, we identified a plasma membrane-localized coiled-coil-type NLR protein, OsPik-2-like, whose transcript levels were induced by the infestation of rice leaf folder (LF, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) larvae, and by treatment with mechanical wounding. Knocking out OsPik-2-like in rice increased the LF-induced levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile), the activity of trypsin protease inhibitors (TrypPIs), and the basal levels of some flavonoids, which in turn decreased the performance of LF larvae. Moreover, knocking out OsPik-2-like reduced plant growth. These findings demonstrate that OsPik-2-like regulates the symbiosis between rice and LF by balancing plant growth and defense.

RevDate: 2024-12-17

Danso Ofori A, Su W, Zheng T, et al (2024)

Roles of Phyllosphere Microbes in Rice Health and Productivity.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 13(23):.

The phyllosphere, comprising the aerial portions of plants, is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse microorganisms crucial for plant health and productivity. This review examines the functional roles of phyllosphere microorganisms in rice (Oryza sativa), focusing on their importance in nutrient uptake, disease resistance, and growth promotion. The molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions are explored along with their potential applications in enhancing sustainable rice production. The symbiotic relationships between rice plants and their associated microorganisms are highlighted, offering insights into improved agricultural practices. Furthermore, this review addresses the challenges and future developments in translating laboratory findings into practical applications. By synthesizing current research, this comprehensive analysis serves as a valuable resource for leveraging phyllosphere microbes in rice farming and related fields.

RevDate: 2024-12-17
CmpDate: 2024-12-17

Starke MD, Kapusta M, Płachno BJ, et al (2024)

Immunolocalization of Extensin and Pectin Epitopes in Liparis loeselii Protocorm and Protocorm-like Bodies.

Cells, 13(23):.

Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich, an endangered member of the Orchidaceae family, is found in alkaline fens. With the declining populations of L. loeselii, there is a pressing need to reintroduce this species in Central Europe. As in vitro germination is a crucial tool for obtaining plants for introduction into the environment, we looked at the morphological changes occurring during the early stages of L. loeselii development in vitro. As the early stages of orchid development, especially the protocorm stage, are thought to be responsible for SAM formation and the initiation of symbiotic association, we focused on cell wall elements whose epitopes have been found in similar processes in other species: the extensin and pectin rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) side chain epitopes. We addressed the following questions: Does the cell wall of L. loeselii change its composition during the early stages of development, as noted in other species? Are there noticeable similarities in the cell wall to organs of different species whose function is to contact microorganisms? Are there regularities that allow the recognition of individual structures on this basis? Immunolocalization revealed changes in the distribution of certain extensins (JIM11 and JIM20) and RG-I (LM5 and LM6) side chain epitopes. Extensins, a type of cell wall protein, were observed during the initial stages of the formation of PLB and the shoot apical meristem of protocorms and PLBs. RG-I, on the other hand, was found to play a significant role in the development of the protocorm and PLB. In pseudobulbs, which appeared on the protocorms, extensins occurred in their storage part. However, RG-I side chains (1→4)-β-galactans (LM5), and (1→5)-α-L-arabinans (LM6) were not found in pseudobulbs. We revealed that a common feature of protocorms and PLBs was an increased amount of extensins, which were detected with the JIM11 antibody, and pectins, which were detected with the LM5 antibody, that were present together, which may prove helpful in determining the identity of the induced structures and distinguishing them from pseudobulbs. Thus, our study unveiled the role of extensins and RG-I during the growth of protocorms and PLBs. We suggest that PLBs may mimic the wall remodelling that occurs in protocorms, which indicates that using cell wall components is an invitation to be colonised by a fungal partner. However, this needs to be tested in future research. The findings of this research can help interpret future studies on the propagation, acclimatisation, and introduction of L. loeselii into the natural environment.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Lin X, Wang M, Xie F, et al (2024)

Endophytic Bacteria Enterobacter cloacae PN7 Promotes Biosynthesis and Accumulation of Saponins in Panax notoginseng.

Current microbiology, 82(1):41.

Panax notoginseng is an important Chinese medicinal plant. Saponins are the major bioactive secondary metabolites with a wide range of medicinal and commercial value in P. notoginseng, so it is crucial to develop environmentally friendly methods to increase their production. The symbiotic relationship between endophytic bacteria and host plants offers a sustainable approach to enhance secondary metabolite biosynthesis. In this study, it was reported that the co-cultivation of an endophytic bacterium Enterobacter cloacae PN7, isolated from P. notoginseng and its host plant could greatly promote saponin accumulation in the root of seedlings. After six days of PN7 treatment, the total saponin concentration reached 21.64 mg/g, representing a 2.01-fold increase over the control. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that PN7 induction upregulated key genes in the saponin biosynthetic pathway (including DXS, HMGR, PMK, DS, CYP450, and GTs), modulated 253 plant hormone signaling genes (such as those related to JA, ETH, and ABA), and affected 284 transcription factor genes and 47 ABC transporter genes. Co-expression network analysis identified DEGs related to plant hormone signaling, transcription factors, and ABC transporters in saponin biosynthesis and distribution. The results suggested that JA signaling, mediated by transcription factors, such as bHLH and MYBs, and its interaction with ETH, played crucial roles in saponin biosynthesis. Additionally, potential ABC transporter candidates involved in saponin transport were identified. This study highlights the role of endophytic bacteria in enhancing saponin production in P. notoginseng and opens avenues for further research on microbial-plant interactions in secondary metabolite production.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Rajendran D, Vinayagam S, Sekar K, et al (2024)

Symbiotic Bacteria: Wolbachia, Midgut Microbiota in Mosquitoes and Their Importance for Vector Prevention Strategies.

Microbial ecology, 87(1):154.

Mosquito-borne illnesses pose a significant threat to eradication under existing vector management measures. Chemo-based vector control strategies (use of insecticides) raise a complication of resistance and environmental pollution. Biological control methods are an alternative approach to overcoming this complication arising from insecticides. The mosquito gut microbiome is essential to supporting the factors that involve metabolic regulation and metamorphic development (from juvenile to adult), as well as the induction of an immune response. The induced immune response includes the JAK-STAT, IMD, and Toll pathways due to the microbial interaction with the midgut cells (MG cells) that prevent disease transmission to humans. The aforementioned sequel to the review provides information about endosymbiont Wolbachia, which contaminates insect cells, including germline and somatic cytoplasm, and inhibits disease-causing pathogen development and transmission by competing for resources within the cell. Moreover, it reduces the host population via cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), feminization, male killing, and parthenogenesis. Furthermore, the Cif factor in Wolbachia is responsible for CI induction that produces inviable cells with the translocating systems and the embryonic defect-causing protein factor, WalE1 (WD0830), which manipulates the host actin. This potential of Wolbachia can be used to design a paratransgenic system to control vectors in the field. An extracellular symbiotic bacterium such as Asaia, which is grown in the growth medium, is used to transfer lethal genes within itself. Besides, the genetically transferred symbiotic bacteria infect the wild mosquito population and are easily manifold. So, it might be suitable for vector control strategies in the future.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Lipowska MM, Sadowska ET, Kohl KD, et al (2024)

Experimental Evolution of a Mammalian Holobiont? Genetic and Maternal Effects on the Cecal Microbiome in Bank Voles Selectively Bred for Herbivorous Capability.

Ecological and evolutionary physiology, 97(5):274-291.

AbstractMammalian herbivory represents a complex adaptation requiring evolutionary changes across all levels of biological organization, from molecules to morphology to behavior. Explaining the evolution of such complex traits represents a major challenge in biology, as it is simultaneously muddled and enlightened by a growing awareness of the crucial role of symbiotic associations in shaping organismal adaptations. The concept of hologenomic evolution includes the partnered unit of the holobiont, the host with its microbiome, as a selection unit that may undergo adaptation. Here, we test some of the assumptions underlying the concept of hologenomic evolution using a unique experimental evolution model: lines of the bank vole (Myodes [=Clethrionomys] glareolus) selected for increased ability to cope with a low-quality herbivorous diet and unselected control lines. Results from a complex nature-nurture design, in which we combined cross-fostering between the selected and control lines with dietary treatment, showed that the herbivorous voles harbored a cecal microbiome with altered membership and structure and changed abundances of several phyla and genera regardless of the origin of their foster mothers. Although the differences were small, they were statistically significant and partially robust to changes in diet and housing conditions. Microbial characteristics also correlated with selection-related traits at the level of individual variation. Thus, the results support the hypothesis that selection on a host performance trait leads to genetic changes in the host that promote the maintenance of a beneficial microbiome. Such a result is consistent with some of the assumptions underlying the concept of hologenomic evolution.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Yang J, Tan S, Ge S, et al (2024)

Cyanobacteria-probiotics symbionts for modulation of intestinal inflammation and microbiome dysregulation in colitis.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(52):e2403417121.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often associated with excessive inflammatory response and highly dysregulated gut microbiota. Traditional treatments utilize drugs to manage inflammation, potentially with probiotic therapy as an adjuvant. However, current standard practices often suffer from detrimental side effects, low bioavailability, and unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Microbial complexes characterized by mutually beneficial symbiosis hold great promise for IBD therapy. Here, we aggregated Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Sp) with Bacillus subtilis (BS) by biomimetic mineralization to form cyanobacteria-probiotics symbionts (ASp@BS), which reshaped a healthy immune system and gut microbiota in a murine model of acute colitis. The symbionts exhibited excellent tolerance to the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract. Importantly, probiotics within the symbionts created a local anaerobic environment to activate the [NiFe]-hydrogenase enzyme of cyanobacteria, facilitating the production of hydrogen gas (H2) to persistently scavenge elevated reactive oxygen species and alleviate inflammatory factors. The resulting reduced inflammation improves the viability of the probiotics to efficiently regulate the gut microbiota and reshape the intestinal barrier functions. Our research elucidates that ASp@BS leverages the synergistic interaction between Sp and BS to create a therapeutic platform that addresses multiple aspects of IBD, offering a promising and comprehensive solution for IBD treatment.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Alam A, E Gabriel-Neumann (2024)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi travel the world with harvested underground crops.

Mycorrhiza, 35(1):4.

In recent years, the dispersal of potentially invasive plants, animals, and pathogens via international trading routes for fresh agricultural goods has been the subject of intensive research and risk assessment. Comparatively little is known about the potential impact of global food trade on the spreading of symbiotic soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The present study thus assessed whether internationally traded underground crop harvest products carry AM fungal propagules. Twenty batches of tubers, corms or bulbs originating from eight different countries were sampled and used to inoculate Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench plants grown in a heat-sterilized, sandy dune soil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Results revealed that most of the underground crop harvest products contained AM fungal propagules able to establish AM symbioses in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Though it is likely that most AM fungal propagules attached to harvest products will ultimately be eliminated in the waste or sewage stream, it is well possible that a certain portion would find its way into agricultural or natural ecosystems, e.g., via organic waste disposal or use of kitchen greywater for irrigation. Given the large volumes of underground crops traded worldwide, their impact on AM fungal dispersal and distribution deserves further investigation and assessment of associated risks of adulteration of soil microbial communities.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Martinez K, Stillson PT, A Ravenscraft (2024)

Inferior Caballeronia symbiont lacks conserved symbiosis genes.

Microbial genomics, 10(12):.

Pentatomomorphan bugs can form symbiotic associations with bacteria belonging to the supergenus Burkholderia sensu lato. This relationship has become a model for understanding environmental symbiont acquisition. Host insects can utilize various symbiont strains from across Burkholderia sensu lato; however, host colonization success and benefits conferred vary by bacterial clade. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis aimed at identifying candidate genes that underpin beneficial symbioses within this system. We scanned the entire Burkholderiaceae family for the presence of 17 colonization-associated genes, as well as 88 candidate genes that are differentially expressed during symbiosis. There was no difference in the distribution of the 17 colonization-associated genes between symbiotic (Caballeronia and insect-associated plant beneficial and environmental clade) and non-symbiotic lineages; however, there was a higher prevalence of the 88 candidate genes in the insect symbiont lineages. We subsequently analysed the genomes of nine symbiotic Caballeronia species that confer varying fitness benefits to their insect hosts. One symbiont species was significantly worse, one was significantly better and the remaining seven were intermediate in terms of conferred host fitness benefits. We found that species possessing a higher number of the candidate genes conferred faster host development time. Furthermore, we identified two candidate genes that were missing in the least beneficial species but present in the other eight, suggesting that these genes may be important in modulating symbiont quality. Our study suggests that the mechanisms required for host colonization are broadly distributed across Burkholderiaceae, but the genes that determine symbiont quality are more prevalent in insect-associated species. This work helps to identify genes that influence this highly specialized yet diverse symbiosis between Pentatomomorphan insects and Burkholderiaceae bacteria.

RevDate: 2024-12-16

Wang K, Liu X, Huang H, et al (2024)

A new target for treating intervertebral disk degeneration: gut microbes.

Frontiers in microbiology, 15:1452774.

Intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) is a common clinical spinal disease and one of the main causes of low back pain (LBP). Generally speaking, IDD is considered a natural degenerative process with age. However, with the deepening of research, people have discovered that IDD is not only related to age, but also has many factors that can induce and accelerate its progression. In addition, the pathogenesis of IDD remains unclear, resulting in limited traditional treatment methods that cannot effectively prevent and treat IDD. Conservative treatment may lead to patients' dependence on drugs, and the pain relief effect is not obvious. Similarly, surgical treatment is highly invasive, with a longer recovery time and a higher recurrence rate. With the deepening of exploration, people have discovered that intestinal microorganisms are an important symbiotic microbial community in the human body and are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. Changes in intestinal microorganisms and their metabolites may affect the body's inflammatory response, immune regulation, and metabolic processes, thereby affecting the health of the intervertebral disk. In this context, the gut microbiota has received considerable attention as a potential target for delaying or treating IDD. This article first introduces the impact of gut microbes on common distal organs, and then focuses on three potential mechanisms by which gut microbes and their metabolites influence IDD. Finally, we also summarized the methods of delaying or treating IDD by interfering with intestinal microorganisms and their metabolites. Further understanding of the potential mechanisms between intestinal microorganisms and IDD will help to formulate reasonable IDD treatment strategies to achieve ideal therapeutic effects.

RevDate: 2024-12-16

Cui JY, Ma J, Gao XX, et al (2024)

Unraveling the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer.

World journal of gastrointestinal oncology, 16(12):4565-4578.

Within the intricate milieu of colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) act as pivotal orchestrators, wielding considerable influence over tumor progression. This review endeavors to dissect the multifaceted functions of CAFs within the realm of CRC, thereby highlighting their indispensability in fostering CRC malignant microenvironment and indicating the development of CAFs-targeted therapeutic interventions. Through a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge, this review delineates insights into CAFs-mediated modulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, immune evasion, and neovascularization, elucidating the intricate web of interactions that sustain the pro-tumor metabolism and secretion of multiple factors. Additionally, recognizing the high level of heterogeneity within CAFs is crucial, as they encompass a range of subtypes, including myofibroblastic CAFs, inflammatory CAFs, antigen-presenting CAFs, and vessel-associated CAFs. Innovatively, the symbiotic relationship between CAFs and the intestinal microbiota is explored, shedding light on a novel dimension of CRC pathogenesis. Despite remarkable progress, the orchestrated dynamic functions of CAFs remain incompletely deciphered, underscoring the need for continued research endeavors for therapeutic advancements in CRC management.

RevDate: 2024-12-16
CmpDate: 2024-12-16

Huang H, Wang Q, Yang Y, et al (2024)

The mycobiome as integral part of the gut microbiome: crucial role of symbiotic fungi in health and disease.

Gut microbes, 16(1):2440111.

The gut mycobiome significantly affects host health and immunity. However, most studies have focused on symbiotic bacteria in the gut microbiome, whereas less attention has been given to symbiotic fungi. Although fungi constitute only 0.01%-0.1% of the gut microbiome, their larger size and unique immunoregulatory functions make them significant. Factors like diet, antimicrobials use, and age can disrupt the fungal community, leading to dysbiosis. Fungal-bacterial-host immune interactions are critical in maintaining gut homeostasis, with fungi playing a role in mediating immune responses such as Th17 cell activation. This review highlights methods for studying gut fungi, the composition and influencing factors of the gut mycobiome, and its potential in therapeutic interventions for intestinal and hepatic diseases. We aim to provide new insights into the underexplored role of gut fungi in human health.

RevDate: 2024-12-15

Yan G, Luo X, Huang B, et al (2024)

Imbalance in nitrogen and phosphorus allocation between tree roots and leaves induced by nitrogen addition.

The Science of the total environment, 958:177925 pii:S0048-9697(24)08082-3 [Epub ahead of print].

The allocation of limiting elements, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), in plant organs is essential for nutrient cycling between soil and plants (soil-plant nutrient cycling) and functional optimization in plant communities. Unprecedented inputs of anthropogenic N have caused drastic N and P imbalances in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the effects of N addition on the allocation strategies of N and P between plant organs remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a long-term, multilevel N addition experiment to investigate the allocation strategies for N and P in plant leaves and fine roots. We found that N addition significantly increased leaf N concentration, leaf P concentration, and leaf N:P ratios, while significantly decreasing fine root N concentration, fine root P concentration, and fine root N:P ratios. Additionally, we demonstrated a higher proportional increase of N in leaves and a lower proportional decrease of P in fine roots with N addition. Furthermore, our analyses revealed that N addition influenced the allocation of N and P between plant leaves and fine roots through changes in plant growth patterns and nutrient distribution strategies. These changes were driven by a significant increase in soil inorganic N concentration, a decrease in soil N cycling and a reduction in mycorrhizal symbiosis. Our findings suggest that N addition will likely lead to an imbalance between the N and P cycles in temperate forest ecosystems, due to the unequal allocation of N and P between tree roots and leaves. This imbalance may, in turn, have negative implications for the provision of ecosystem services.

RevDate: 2024-12-14

Liu Y, Han Q, Zhang J, et al (2024)

Soybean nodulation shapes the rhizosphere microbiome to increase rapeseed yield.

Journal of advanced research pii:S2090-1232(24)00553-8 [Epub ahead of print].

INTRODUCTION: Crop rotation, a crucial agricultural practice that enhances soil health and crop productivity, is widely used in agriculture worldwide. Soybeans play a crucial role in crop rotation owing to their nitrogen-fixing ability, which is facilitated by symbiotic bacteria in their root systems. The soybean-rapeseed rotation is an effective agricultural practice in the Yangtze River Basin of China. However, the mechanism underlying the effectiveness of this system remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to decipher the mechanisms by which previous soybean cultivation enhances the growth of subsequent rapeseed.

METHODS: Soybeans with three distinct nodulation genotypes were rotated with rapeseed, and the impact of previous soybean cultivation on subsequent rapeseed growth was evaluated by examining the soybean root secretome and soil rhizosphere microbiome.

RESULTS: Soybean-rapeseed rotation significantly enhanced subsequent rapeseed growth and yield, especially when supernodulating soybean plants were used, which released the most nitrogen into the soil rhizosphere. The differences in soybean nodulation capability led to variations in root exudation, which in turn influenced the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere. Notably, the supernodulating soybean plants promoted Sphingomonadaceae family of bacteria growth by secreting oleic acid and cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline, and further attracted them through cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline. Furthermore, the exogenous application of Sphingomonadaceae bacteria, either alone or in combination with rhizobia, significantly enhanced the growth of rapeseed.

CONCLUSION: Our data definitively demonstrated the crucial role of previous soybean cultivation in enhancing the yield of rapeseed, with the assistance of Sphingomonadaceae bacteria and rhizobia. This study elucidates the role of soybean nodulation in rhizosphere bacterial dynamics, highlighting its importance in sustainable agricultural practices.

RevDate: 2024-12-14

Ni Z, Chen L, Qian X, et al (2024)

Preliminary characterization of Ramaria botrytoides polysaccharide RB-P1-1 and analysis of its hypoglycemic effects by altering the gut microbiota and metabolites in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

International journal of biological macromolecules pii:S0141-8130(24)09585-0 [Epub ahead of print].

Gut microbiota has a symbiotic relationship with the host and is closely linked to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Polysaccharides are natural bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on T2DM; however, the mechanisms underlying their effects remain unclear. This study investigated the hypoglycemic effects of a purified polysaccharide, RB-P1-1, from Ramaria botrytoides and assessed its association with gut microbiota and metabolite changes using 16S rDNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Hypoglycemic effects were evaluated after microbial community restoration via fecal microbiota transplantation. RB-P1-1 significantly improved hyperglycemia profiles and reshaped gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of Alistipes, Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, Odoribacter, Akkermansia, and Turicibacter. RB-P1-1 modulated microbiota metabolites associated with hypoglycemic effects, including pyridoxamine, L-histidine, quercetin, 3-phosphonopropionic acid, oleoylethanolamide, 3-ketocholanic acid, 4-phenylbutyric acid, LysoPC(P-16:0/0:0), LysoPC(18:2), and short-chain fatty acids, and altered various metabolic pathways involved in T2DM development. Gut microbiota that showed altered abundance were correlated with metabolites that showed altered concentration. Gut microbiota isolated from the RB-P1-1-treated group alleviated the symptoms associated with T2DM. These results suggest RB-P1-1 is an effective active ingredient in the treatment of T2DM by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.

RevDate: 2024-12-14

Bai X, Li J, Jiang H, et al (2024)

Effects of multiple temperature variations on nitrogen removal and microbial community structure in tidal flow constructed wetlands.

Environmental research pii:S0013-9351(24)02520-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Tidal-flow constructed wetlands (TFCWs) provide distinct advantages for nitrogen removal by enhancing microbial activity through dynamic water level fluctuations. However, effects of temperature on nitrogen transformation processes and microbial community dynamics in TFCWs remain unclear. We analyzed the effects of TFCWs on nitrogen transformation and microbial community structure under different temperature conditions (23, 16, 12, and 8 °C) through 140 days of temperature-controlled experiments. The nitrogen removal efficiency was considerably enhanced at 23 °C, with transformation rates for ammonia nitrogen (NH4[+]-N) and total nitrogen (TN) reaching 9.28 ± 0.06 g/m[3]/day and 8.35 ± 0.08 g/m[3]/day, respectively. Conversely, at 8 °C, the nitrogen removal efficiency declined, with NH4[+]-N and TN transformation rates decreasing to 7.38 ± 0.05 g/m[3]/day and 6.78 ± 0.05 g/m[3]/day, respectively. Temperature markedly influenced the microbial diversity and community structure, as evidenced by the considerably higher Shannon diversity indices for bacterial communities at 23 °C (5.12 ± 0.21) compared with those at 8 °C (4.52 ± 0.40). Positive microbial interactions were more prevalent at lower temperatures (12 and 8 °C), leading to stronger symbiotic relationships, although the network complexity diminished. The microbial community composition of taxa such as Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Thaumarchaeota exhibited greater resilience at lower temperatures. Changes in dissolved oxygen levels also drove changes in bacterial and archaeal communities. These findings underscore the pivotal role of temperature in regulating ecological function and nitrogen removal efficiency of TFCWs and highlight the importance of accounting for temperature variations in the design and management of wastewater treatment systems.

RevDate: 2024-12-14

Heredia-Velásquez AM, Sarkar S, Thomas FW, et al (2024)

Urea-based mutualistic transfer of nitrogen in biological soil crusts.

The ISME journal pii:7923456 [Epub ahead of print].

Foundational to establishment and recovery of biocrusts is a mutualistic exchange of carbon for nitrogen between pioneer cyanobacteria, including the widespread Microcoleus vaginatus, and heterotrophic diazotrophs in its "cyanosphere". In other such mutualisms, nitrogen is transferred as amino acids or ammonium, preventing losses through specialized structures, cell apposition or intracellularity. Yet, in the biocrust symbiosis relative proximity achieved through chemotaxis optimizes the exchange. We posited that further partner specificity may stem from using an unusual nitrogen vehicle, urea. We show that representative mutualist M. vaginatus PCC 9802 possesses genes for urea uptake, two ureolytic systems, and the urea cycle, overexpressing only uptake and the rare urea carboxylase/allophanate hydrolase (uc/ah) when in co-culture with mutualist Massilia sp. METH4. In turn, it overexpresses urea biosynthesis, but neither urease nor urea uptake when in co-culture. On nitrogen-free medium, three cyanosphere isolates release urea in co-culture with M. vaginatus but not in monoculture. Conversely, M. vaginatus PCC 9802 grows on urea down to the low micromolar range. In natural biocrusts, urea is at low and stable concentrations that do not support the growth of most local bacteria, but aggregates of mutualists constitute dynamic microscale urea hotspots, and the cyanobacterium responds chemotactically to urea. The coordinated gene co-regulation, physiology of cultured mutualists, distribution of urea pools in nature, and responses of native microbial populations, all suggest that low-concentration urea is likely the main vehicle for interspecies N transfer, helping attain partner specificity, for which the rare high-affinity uc/ah system of Microcoleus. vaginatus is likely central.

RevDate: 2024-12-15

Pham MD, Bui XT, Vo TK, et al (2024)

Microalgae - bacteria based wastewater treatment systems: Granulation, influence factors and pollutants removal.

Bioresource technology, 418:131973 pii:S0960-8524(24)01677-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Wastewater treatment based on microalgae and bacteria symbiosis is an environmentally friendly, sustainable technology that has attracted attention recently because of its high efficiency in treating pollutants, saving energy, and short-term biomass recovery. Among them, the granular microalgae and bacteria combination emerges with the advantages of rapid gravity settling, good resistance to adverse environmental conditions, outstanding wastewater treatment performance, and easy biomass recovery. This review aims to clarify the microalgal-bacterial granule (MBG) - based process for wastewater treatment. In particular, MBG characteristics, granulation mechanism, and influence factors on the process are also discussed. The review contributes to the knowledge system related to MBG research in recent years, thereby pointing out research gaps that need to be filled in the future.

RevDate: 2024-12-13

Wang J, Gao Y, Liu Z, et al (2024)

Enhanced propionate degradation and CO2 electromethanogenesis in an up-flow dual-chamber electrocatalytic anaerobic bioreactor (UF-DC-EAB): Leveraging DIET-mediated syntrophy for microbial stability.

Water research, 272:122927 pii:S0043-1354(24)01827-X [Epub ahead of print].

Anaerobic digestion faces numerous challenges, including high CO2 content in biogas and volatile fatty acids (such as propionate) accumulation in digestate. To address these issues, an up-flow dual-chamber electrocatalytic anaerobic bioreactor (UF-DC-EAB) was developed to enhance propionate degradation through microbial symbiosis while improving biogas quality via CO2 electromethanogenesis. Under the extreme conditions with propionate as the primary carbon source at 6-h HRT, the UF-DC-EAB achieved a propionate removal efficiency of 72.1 ± 9.4 % and a faradaic efficiency of 25.5 ± 5.1 %. Microbial community analysis revealed an enrichment of acetoclastic methanogens (Methanosarcinales, 5.4 %) and syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria (Syntrophobacterales, 13.9 %) in the anode, which facilitated propionate degradation. In the cathode, hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanobacterium, 13.6 %) and electroactive bacteria (Geobacter, 6.2 %) were predominant, further promoting CO2 electromethanogenesis and biogas upgrading. Co-occurrence network and structural equation modeling indicated that the electrocatalytic regulation roused the intrinsic capability of the microbial community to oxidize propionate and provoked the occurrence of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) among the enriched functional microorganisms, by regulating the synthesis of key molecules like F420 and cytochrome c in response to propionate-induced changes. The DIET-mediated syntropy increased the net energy output by 212.5 %. This study presents a novel electrochemical system combining CO2 electromethanogenesis with propionate-rich digestate degradation, offering an efficient approach for anaerobic post-treatment.

RevDate: 2024-12-15
CmpDate: 2024-12-13

Ndeko AB, Diedhiou AG, Founoune-Mboup H, et al (2024)

Site climate more than soil properties and topography shape the natural arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in maize and spore density within rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) cropland in the eastern DR Congo.

PloS one, 19(12):e0312581.

Rhizosphere microorganisms, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), play a vital role in enhancing sustainable maize production. However, uncertainty persist regarding the influence of climate variables and soil properties on mycorrhizal colonization (MC) of maize and the abundance of AM fungal spores in the field. This study aimed to explore the environmental factors such as site climate variables, soil physicochemical properties and topography and vegetation variable, affecting the natural MC of maize and the density of AMF spores. The study hypothesizes that natural maize mycorrhizal colonization and AMF spore density vary significantly across different sites and agroecological zones. It further posits that climatic and edaphic variables predominantly explain the observed variation in mycorrhizal parameters. To assess the impact of these factors, a field study was conducted in 32 sites across three territories in the province of South Kivu, namely Kabare, Walungu, and Uvira. Rhizospheric soil and maize roots were collected from different sites. Maize MC varied significantly among sites, with Kabare and Walungu showing high colonization rates (52.1% and 44.7%, respectively) compared to Uvira (26.40%). Meanwhile, spore density was significantly higher in Uvira (1331.7 spores g-1 soil) than in Kabare (518.9 spores g-1 soil) and Walungu (468.58 spores g-1 soil). Correlation analysis indicated that maize MC was influenced by site climate and soil properties. The PLS-SEM model demonstrated that 76.5% (R2) of the total variance in maize root MC was explained by climatic variables and soil chemical properties. Compared to soil chemical properties, climate characteristics had a more pronounced impact on maize MC. Maize MC was inversely correlated with temperature, C and available P content, while being directly and positively correlated with altitude, rainfall, and base saturation rate. Furthermore, 68.5% (R2) of the spore density variability of AMF was explained by climatic variables and soil physical properties. Spore density was inversely correlated with sand and clay content, field capacity, rainfall, and altitude, while being positively correlated with temperature. The results of this study indicate that climatic conditions exert a more pronounced influence on the mycorrhizal colonization of maize and the density of AMF spores than soil characteristics.

RevDate: 2024-12-13
CmpDate: 2024-12-13

Yan H, Wang E, Xu X, et al (2024)

Dissemination patterns and functional role of a symbiotic bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Phytoseiulus persimilis.

Experimental & applied acarology, 94(1):11.

Symbiotic bacteria play a crucial role in various facets of host biology and physiology. The development and utilization of symbiotic bacteria in insects show promising potential for enhancing their reproduction, temperature tolerance, resistances to pathogens and insecticides. However, limited research has been conducted on symbiotic bacteria in predatory mites. In Phytoseiulus persimilis, we successfully cultivated a strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which has been noted for its significant contributions to pathogen control, pesticide and toxin resistance, and nutrition provision in some insect species. To explore the effect of S. maltophilia and its potential application on predatory mites, we fed S. maltophilia to P. persimilis and evaluated the transmission dynamics within mite generations. We examined its impacts on predator fitness and resistances to pesticides, pathogens, and starvation. The results showed that the S. maltophilia content in the offspring increased by 12.91 times when gravid mites were fed with the bacterial solution. P. persimilis that consumed prey treated with S. maltophilia showed a 25.20-fold increase in microbial content. Mating with treated males did not affect microbial levels in females. Moreover, S. maltophilia did not cause any discernible effect on the fitness of P. persimilis, including survival, developmental duration, fecundity, and longevity. Notably, it was found to improve P. persimilis survival following exposure to the pathogen Acaricomes phytoseiuli, resulting in a reduction of mortality by 20% compared to the control. This study serves as a foundational step for further utilization of beneficial microbes to improve the efficacy of predatory mite biological control.

RevDate: 2024-12-13

Hakalehto E, A Jääskeläinen (2024)

Production of Novel Energy Gases in Bioprocesses Using Undefined Mixed Cultures.

Advances in biochemical engineering/biotechnology [Epub ahead of print].

Three phases of matter intermingle in various environments. The phenomena behind these fluctuations provide microbial cultures with beneficial interphase on the borderlines. Correspondingly, a bioreactor broth usually consists of a liquid phase but also contains solid particles, gas bubbles, technical surfaces, and other niches, both on a visible scale and microscopically. The diffusion limitation in the suspension is a remarkable hindrance to the reaction sequence during production. It must be overcome technically. Gas flow into the reactor could serve this purpose, and the outgoing stream or bubbling contains volatile products. The various mixing elements or gas flows should be moderated if shear forces disturb the cell growth, biochemical production, enzymatic activity, or any other crucial biological or physicochemical parameters. The focus is to optimize energy production in the form of liberated gases or their mixtures. Many combustible flows need to get purified, depending on their purpose, for example, for various engines. They provide novel sources for traffic in the air, streets, roads, and waterways, not forgetting space technology dimensions.On the other hand, industrial fuels are often used as mixtures of gases or gases with other substances. This approach may facilitate the utilization of side streams. Also, municipal energy needs can be fulfilled by microbial gases. Microbial mixed cultures could play an essential role in the big picture of sustainable industries, living and agriculture, exhibiting an excessive total effect on societies' multifactorial development. The gas phase is the key to realizing their potential.Gaseous emissions are inherent part of all forms of microbial metabolism, both aerobic and anoxic ones. Carbon dioxide is liberated both in respiration and fermentation, but the microbiota also binds volatile carbon compounds. CO2 is also a raw material for plant cultivation, e.g., in greenhouses or in algal pools which both represent the first steps of food chains. Additionally, they produce biomass to produce energy, biochemicals, nutrition, and soil improvement. Gaseous products of the mixed microbial cultures are valuable sources for energy production as purified gases (e.g., biomethane, biohydrogen) or as mixtures (e.g., bio-hythane, volatiles). These relatively simple molecules also serve as supplies for other hydrocarbons (e.g., methanol). Also, many microbial metabolites serve as fuel sources (e.g., bio-oil) and substrates for further biosynthesis. This versatility of potential technological options in energy making and for industrial processes could offer huge opportunities for green energies and sustainable industries, transportation, or municipalities. In the agriculture sector, the complete recycling also includes the consideration of gas phase. This aspect provides increasing sources for clean food production. Moreover, the chemoautotrophic bacteria, including the archaeal strains, could emanate novel streams of biobased products for human use.The bioprocess always consists of a biological component and a reactor or vessel solution, plus its control and adjustment means. Some project examples are taken up introducing the combinations of these two technological mainstreams, which should be in "symbiosis" for the best results. This novel approach could lead the human activities in industries, agriculture, and municipalities into "no waste" situations. At the same time, new global resources for economically feasible and sustainable raw material sources and processes thereof will emerge. In this novel technological ecosystem, connectivity to biosphere will return and remain our societies on healthy foundations, thanks to the microbes and their communities. This chapter introduces some of the potentials.

RevDate: 2024-12-13

Baur P, P Comba (2024)

Copper coordination chemistry of the patellamides - cyanobactins in the ascidian-Prochloron symbiosis.

Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003) [Epub ahead of print].

Prochloron didemni, an obligate symbiont of certain ascidians (sea squirts found in tropical areas), produces various cyclic pseudo-octapeptides in large quantities. These secondary metabolites have attracted the attention of medicinal chemists and, due to their four azol(in)e and four amide donor groups, coordination chemists have become interested in these molecules. The structures of the metal-free macrocycles and their dinuclear copper(II) complexes are known, and solution equilibria, spectroscopic properties and a range of biologically relevant reactions have been studied in detail. However, until recently, the properties of the patellamides and structures of the copper(II) complexes in living systems have not been known unambiguously. These are reviewed in the present Perspective and, as a result, it now is possible to discuss possible biological functions of these species.

RevDate: 2024-12-13
CmpDate: 2024-12-13

Arighi C, Kim JD, Lu Z, et al (2025)

Opportunities and Pitfalls with Large Language Models for Biomedical Annotation.

Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing. Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, 30:706-710.

Large language models (LLMs) and biomedical annotations have a symbiotic relationship. LLMs rely on high-quality annotations for training and/or fine-tuning for specific biomedical tasks. These annotations are traditionally generated through expensive and time-consuming human curation. Meanwhile LLMs can also be used to accelerate the process of curation, thus simplifying the process, and potentially creating a virtuous feedback loop. However, their use also introduces new limitations and risks, which are as important to consider as the opportunities they offer. In this workshop, we will review the process that has led to the current rise of LLMs in several fields, and in particular in biomedicine, and discuss specifically the opportunities and pitfalls when they are applied to biomedical annotation and curation.

RevDate: 2024-12-14

Niaz K, Rauf M, Arif M, et al (2024)

Drought-tolerant fungal microbes, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus fumigatus, elevate physiohormonal and antioxidant responses of maize under drought stress.

Frontiers in microbiology, 15:1488639.

INTRODUCTION: Temporary and extended drought stress accelerates phytohormones and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants, however, the fate of the plants under stress is mostly determined by the metabolic and molecular reprogramming, which can be modulated by the application of habitat-adapted fungi that triggers resistance to stress upon symbiotic association.

METHODS: The present research exhibited the exploitation of the newly isolated, drought habitat-adapted fungal endophytic consortium of SAB (Aspergillus oryzae) and CBW (Aspergillus fumigatus), on maize under drought stress. SAB and CBW primarily hosted the root tissues of Conyza bonariensis L., which have not been reported earlier, and sufficiently produced growth-promoting metabolites and antioxidants.

RESULTS: SAB and CBW adeptly inhabited the maize roots. They promoted biomass, primary metabolites, osmolytes (protein, sugar, lipids, proline, phenolics, flavonoids), and IAA production while reducing tannins, ABA, and H2O2 contents and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, the enhanced adventitious root development at the root/stem interface, and elongated main root development optimum stomatal activity of SAB- and CBW-inoculated maize plants were observed under drought stress. SAB and CBW modulated the expression of the ZmBSK1, ZmAPX, and ZmCAT1 genes in the maize shoot and root tissues under drought stress vs. control, signifying an essential regulatory function for SAB/CBW-induced drought stress tolerance via phytohormonal signaling pathway leading to the antioxidant upregulation.

DISCUSSION: These findings imply that the exogenous administration of the SAB/CBW consortium might be a rather efficient strategy that contributes to optimizing the physio-hormonal attributes and antioxidant potential to alleviate the drought stress in maize.

RevDate: 2024-12-14

Olanrewaju OS, Glick BR, OO Babalola (2024)

Beyond correlation: Understanding the causal link between microbiome and plant health.

Heliyon, 10(23):e40517.

Understanding the causal link between the microbiome and plant health is crucial for the future of crop production. Established studies have shown a symbiotic relationship between microbes and plants, reshaping our knowledge of plant microbiomes' role in health and disease. Addressing confounding factors in microbiome study is essential, as standardization enables precise identification of microbiome features that influence outcomes. The microbiome significantly impacts plant development, necessitating holistic investigation for maintaining plant health. Mechanistic studies have deepened our understanding of microbiome structure and function related to plant health, though much research still needs to be carried out. This review, therefore, discusses current challenges and proposes advancing studies from correlation to causation and translation. We explore current knowledge on the microbiome and plant health, emphasizing multi-omics approaches and hypothesis-driven research. Future studies should focus on developing translational research for producing probiotics and prebiotics from biomarkers that regulate the microbiome-plant health connection, promoting sustainable crop production through microbiome applications.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Mykhailenko A, Zieliński P, Bednarz A, et al (2024)

Complex genomic landscape of inversion polymorphism in Europe's most destructive forest pest.

Genome biology and evolution pii:7916417 [Epub ahead of print].

In many species, polymorphic genomic inversions underlie complex phenotypic polymorphisms and facilitate local adaptation in the face of gene flow. Multiple polymorphic inversions can co-occur in a genome, but the prevalence, evolutionary significance, and limits to complexity of genomic inversion landscapes remain poorly understood. Here, we examine genome-wide genetic variation in one of Europe's most destructive forest pests, the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus, scan for polymorphic inversions, and test whether inversions are associated with key traits in this species. We analyzed 240 individuals from 18 populations across the species' European range and, using a whole-genome resequencing approach, identified 27 polymorphic inversions covering approximately 28% of the genome. The inversions vary in size and in levels of intra-inversion recombination, are highly polymorphic across the species range, and often overlap, forming a complex genomic architecture. We found no support for mechanisms such as directional selection, overdominance and associative overdominance that are often invoked to explain the presence of large inversion polymorphisms in the genome. This suggests that inversions are either neutral or maintained by the combined action of multiple evolutionary forces. We also found that inversions are enriched in odorant receptor genes encoding elements of recognition pathways for host plants, mates, and symbiotic fungi. Our results indicate that the genome of this major forest pest of growing social, political, and economic importance harbors one of the most complex inversion landscapes described to date and raise questions about the limits of intraspecific genomic architecture complexity.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Yanagibashi T, Ikutani M, Nagai T, et al (2024)

IL-5-producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells promote T cell-independent IgA production in cooperation with eosinophils.

International immunology pii:7916253 [Epub ahead of print].

Intestinal bacteria play a critical role in the regulation of the host immune system and an imbalance in intestinal bacterial composition induces various host diseases. Therefore, maintaining a balance in the intestinal bacterial composition is crucial for health. Immunoglobulin A (IgA), produced through T cell-dependent and T cell-independent (TI) pathways, is essential for host defense against pathogen invasion and maintaining the balance of intestinal symbiotic bacteria. Interleukin (IL)-5 is constitutively produced by group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and plays a critical role in the survival and proliferation of B cells and eosinophils. Here, we show that the role of IL-5-producing ILC2s in intestinal TI IgA production at steady state using TCRα deficient mice. In this mouse model, ILC2s increased fecal TI IgA levels in a non-inflammatory state in an IL-5-dependent manner. The administration of recombinant IL-33 (rIL-33) increased the amount of TI IgA production, accompanied by an increase in the number of IL-5-producing ILC2s in the large intestine. In addition, rIL-33 treatment increased IL-5-dependent IgA+ cells in isolated lymphoid follicles, the site of TI IgA production. Furthermore, eosinophils recruited by ILC2s were required for the maximal production of IgA in the TI pathway. Moreover, IL-5 increased the frequency of TI IgA-binding intestinal bacteria and was involved in the maintenance of intestinal bacterial composition. These findings indicate that IL-5-producing ILC2s together with eosinophils contribute to TI IgA production. In addition to their role in TI IgA production, IL-5-producing ILC2s may contribute to the homeostasis of intestinal commensal bacteria.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Wang Z, Zhang S, Liang J, et al (2024)

Rhizophagus irregularis regulates RiCPSI and RiCARI expression to influence plant drought tolerance.

Plant physiology pii:7917544 [Epub ahead of print].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can transfer inorganic nitrogen (N) from the soil to host plants to cope with drought stress, with arginine synthesis and NH4+ transport being pivotal processes. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying these processes remains unclear. Here, we found that drought stress upregulated expression of genes involved in the N transfer pathway and putrescine and glutathione synthesis in the mycorrhizal structures of Rhizophagus irregularis within alfalfa (Medicago sativa) roots, i.e., carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (RiCPSI), arginase (RiCARI), urease (RiURE), ornithine decarboxylase (RiODC), and glutamate-cysteine ligase (RiGCL). Furthermore, we confirmed that RiCPSI is a carbamoyl phosphate synthase. Silencing RiCARI via host-induced gene silencing inhibited arbuscule formation, suppressed putrescine and glutathione synthesis, and altered arginine metabolism within R. irregularis-plant symbiosis, leading to a substantial reduction in the drought tolerance of M. sativa. Conversely, silencing RiCPSI decreased arginine, putrescine, and glutathione synthesis in R. irregularis but did not adversely affect NH4+ transfer from fungi to the host plant and drought tolerance of M. sativa. Interestingly, overexpressing RiCPSI via our host-induced gene overexpressing system enhanced arginine, putrescine, and glutathione synthesis in R. irregularis, reduced arbuscule abundance, and improved drought tolerance of M. sativa. Our findings demonstrate that, under drought stress, R. irregularis-plant symbiosis facilitates improved NH4+ transfer from AMF to the host plant. This is accompanied by increased arginine, putrescine, and glutathione synthesis within R. irregularis, driven by the upregulation of RiCPSI and RiCARI expression in mycorrhizal structures within the roots. These molecular adjustments collectively contribute to enhanced drought tolerance in R. irregularis-plant symbiosis.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Reid TE, ML Gifford (2024)

Trichoderma gets by with a little help from Streptomyces: fungal-bacterial symbiosis in plant growth promotion.

Journal of experimental botany, 75(22):6893-6897.

RevDate: 2024-12-14
CmpDate: 2024-12-12

Mendoza-Suárez M, Akyol TY, Nadzieja M, et al (2024)

Increased diversity of beneficial rhizobia enhances faba bean growth.

Nature communications, 15(1):10673.

Legume-rhizobium symbiosis provides a sustainable nitrogen source for agriculture. Nitrogen fixation efficiency depends on both legume and rhizobium genotypes, but the implications of their interactions for plant performance in environments with many competing rhizobium strains remain unclear. Here, we let 399 Rhizobium leguminosarum complex sv. viciae strains compete for nodulation of 212 faba bean genotypes. We find that the strains can be categorised by their nodule occupancy profiles into groups that show distinct competitive interactions and plant growth-promoting effects. Further, we show that the diversity of strains occupying root nodules affects plant growth and is under plant genetic control. These insights provide a basis for re-designing rhizobium inoculation and plant breeding strategies to enhance symbiotic nitrogen fixation in agriculture.

RevDate: 2024-12-12
CmpDate: 2024-12-12

Bonfante P (2024)

Fungal-bacterial endosymbiosis: Recreating an ancient symbiotic relationship.

Cell host & microbe, 32(12):2037-2038.

Fungal-bacterial endosymbioses, the most intimate typology of symbioses, have been described in different taxa of Mucoromycota, an early diverging group of Fungi. In a recent issue of Nature, Giger and colleagues describe how they implanted a Burkolderia-related microbe inside a Mucoromycota fungus, giving rise to a functional and stable endosymbiosis.

RevDate: 2024-12-12

Ayala-García P, Herrero-Gómez I, Jiménez-Guerrero I, et al (2024)

Extracellular Vesicle-Driven Crosstalk between Legume Plants and Rhizobia: The Peribacteroid Space of Symbiosomes as a Protein Trafficking Interface.

Journal of proteome research [Epub ahead of print].

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the surrounding milieu to preserve and transport elevated concentrations of biomolecules across long distances. EVs encapsulate metabolites, DNA, RNA, and proteins, whose abundance and composition fluctuate depending on environmental cues. EVs are involved in eukaryote-to-prokaryote communication owing to their ability to navigate different ecological niches and exchange molecular cargo between the two domains. Among the different bacterium-host relationships, rhizobium-legume symbiosis is one of the closest known to nature. A crucial developmental stage of symbiosis is the formation of N2-fixing root nodules by the plant. These nodules contain endocytosed rhizobia─called bacteroids─confined by plant-derived peribacteroid membranes. The unrestricted interface between the bacterial external membrane and the peribacteroid membrane is the peribacteroid space. Many molecular aspects of symbiosis have been studied, but the interbacterial and interdomain molecule trafficking by EVs in the peribacteroid space has not been questioned yet. Here, we unveil intensive EV trafficking within the symbiosome interface of several rhizobium-legume dual systems by developing a robust EV isolation procedure. We analyze the EV-encased proteomes from the peribacteroid space of each bacterium-host partnership, uncovering both conserved and differential traits of every symbiotic system. This study opens the gates for designing EV-based biotechnological tools for sustainable agriculture.

RevDate: 2024-12-13

Li L, Cai F, Guo C, et al (2024)

Gut microbiome and NAFLD: impact and therapeutic potential.

Frontiers in microbiology, 15:1500453.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affects approximately 32.4% of the global population and poses a significant health concern. Emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of the gut microbiota-including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites-in the development and progression of NAFLD. Dysbiosis among gut bacteria alters key biological pathways that contribute to liver fat accumulation and inflammation. The gut virome, comprising bacteriophages and eukaryotic viruses, significantly shapes microbial community dynamics and impacts host metabolism through complex interactions. Similarly, gut fungi maintain a symbiotic relationship with bacteria; the relationship between gut fungi and bacteria is crucial for overall host health, with certain fungal species such as Candida in NAFLD patients showing detrimental associations with metabolic markers and liver function. Additionally, the "hygiene hypothesis" suggests that reduced exposure to gut parasites may affect immune regulation and metabolic processes, potentially influencing conditions like obesity and insulin resistance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the intricate interactions within the gut microbiota and their associations with NAFLD. We highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting these microbial communities through interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Addressing the complexities of NAFLD requires comprehensive strategies that consider the multifaceted roles of gut microorganisms in disease pathology.

RevDate: 2024-12-12

Liu H, Mei H, Jiang H, et al (2024)

Bioprinted Symbiotic Dressings: A Lichen-Inspired Approach to Diabetic Wound Healing with Enhanced Bioactivity and Structural Integrity.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].

Providing oxygen and preventing infection at wound sites are effective ways to heal diabetic chronic wounds. Inspired by natural lichens, a bioprinted biogenic hydrogel (BBH) containing microalgae and probiotics is developed for diabetic chronic wound therapeutics, which offers prolonged biogenetic oxygen supply by microalgae and infection inhibition by probiotics. The rational design of symbiotic BBH with customizable structure and microorganism composition enhances wound resilience against elevated glucose levels and hypoxia, leading to the increased migration ability of fibroblasts and the angiogenic potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Notably, BBH-treated diabetic wounds exhibit dense vascular distribution, reduced hypoxia levels and inflammatory responses, and enhanced epithelial differentiation and keratinization abilities. Consequently, the BBH achieves rapid tissue repairing within 3 d and restores approximately 90% of the whole skin structure within 12 d. This work presents an engineered platform for regulating biological microenvironment of diabetic wounds and provides insights for developing bioprinted hybrid microorganism systems.

RevDate: 2024-12-11

Wang B, Zhang L, Lian L, et al (2024)

Treatment of Compound Pollution in Simulated Livestock and Poultry Wastewater by Algae-bacteria Symbiosis System.

Chemosphere pii:S0045-6535(24)02835-2 [Epub ahead of print].

Livestock and poultry breeding wastewater contains a large number of heavy metals and antibiotics; the volume is huge, and it is difficult to treat, which causes serious pollution of the environment. Some studies have shown that symbiotic systems can effectively improve the efficiency of sewage treatment, but there is still a lack of research on the treatment of livestock and poultry wastewater. This experiment not only provides a more in-depth discussion of previous studies, but also demonstrates the feasibility of symbiotic treatment of livestock and poultry wastewater and explores the survival mode and operation mechanism of algal and bacterial symbiosis. The results show that the presence of bacteria greatly promoted the growth of microalgae, with production of 0.50-0.59 g/L biomass and 17.5% lipid content. Lipid levels in the algae from the symbiotic system were 1.3 times higher than for the system of pure algae, which is attributed to the bacteria releasing extracellular substances to promote their own growth and providing small molecules of organic matter and other essential elements which can be used by microalgae. In addition, during the removal of complex pollutants in the symbiotic system we found that the main contributor to the removal of heavy metal ions was the adsorption by Chlorella, while the decomposition of antibiotics mainly originated from bacteria. Furthermore, in the context of this experiment was obtained the highest removal rate of SM2 reached 28.8%, while the removal rate of Cu(II) reached 60.6% -66.7%. The technology of symbiotic treatment of wastewater from livestock and poultry breeding fills a gap and lays a theoretical foundation for the improvement of wastewater treatment.

RevDate: 2024-12-12

Meng D, Long W, Sun J, et al (2024)

Eco-friendly fabrication of a delignified wood‑calcium alginate aerogel with improved mechanical properties for efficient thermal insulation and flame retardancy.

International journal of biological macromolecules, 287:138561 pii:S0141-8130(24)09372-3 [Epub ahead of print].

Wood based composites with low density and great flame retardancy are increasingly required as sustainable and low-carbon building materials for energy conservation. In this work, the symbiosis between bio-based calcium alginate (CaA) and delignified wood was fabricated to form delignified wood-CaA aerogel composites. The density of the delignified wood@CaA sample was dropped to only 89 kg/m[3] from 120 kg/m[3] of the control wood. In addition, its tensile strength, elongation at break, and bending strength reached 16.9 MPa, 4.6 %, and 40.2 MPa, which was increased by 128.4 %, 109.1 %, and 31.8 %, respectively compared to that of control wood. During either heating or cooling, the delignified wood@CaA sample always showed better thermal insulation than the control wood, moreover, it can be developed as an infrared stealthy material. Furthermore, the delignified wood@CaA aerogel reached the limiting oxygen index of 59.2 %, and it was self-extinguished immediately after leaving ignitor in the vertical burning test. In the cone calorimeter test, the total heat release and total smoke production of delignified wood@CaA aerogel decreased by 27.6 % and 71.4 % compared to that of the control wood, respectively. In summary, the light-weighted delignified wood@CaA aerogel composite with superior performance is an ideal material used in sustainable and low-carbon building.

RevDate: 2024-12-11

Gribonika I, Band VI, Chi L, et al (2024)

Skin autonomous antibody production regulates host-microbiota interactions.

Nature pii:10.1038/s41586-024-08376-y [Epub ahead of print].

The microbiota colonizes each barrier site and broadly controls host physiology[1]. However, when uncontrolled, microbial colonists can also promote inflammation and induce systemic infection[2]. The unique strategies employed at each barrier tissue to control the coexistence of the host with its microbiota remain largely elusive. Here we uncover that, within the skin, host-microbiota symbiosis depends on the remarkable ability of the skin to act as an autonomous lymphoid organ. Notably, an encounter with a new skin commensal promotes two parallel responses, both under the control of Langerhans cells. On one hand, skin commensals induce the formation of classical germinal centers within the lymph node associated with IgG1 and IgG3 antibody responses. On the other hand, microbial colonization also leads to the development of tertiary lymphoid organs within the skin that can locally sustain IgG2b and IgG2c responses. These phenomena are supported by the ability of regulatory T cells to convert into T follicular helper cells. Skin autonomous production of antibodies is sufficient to control local microbial biomass, as well as subsequent systemic infection with the same microbe. Collectively, these results reveal a striking compartmentalization of humoral responses to the microbiota allowing for control of both microbial symbiosis and potential pathogenesis.

RevDate: 2024-12-11
CmpDate: 2024-12-11

Yurchenko OV, AV Chernyshev (2024)

Spermatozoa and Spermatogenesis in the Ribbon Worm Asteronemertes gibsoni (Hoplonemertea, Oerstediidae), a Symbiont of Sea Stars.

Journal of morphology, 285(12):e70014.

In the phylum Nemertea, the class Hoplonemertea (former Enopla) comprises the largest number of studied species with complex spermatozoa. Asteronemertes gibsoni Chernyshev, 1991, a nemertean species having a symbiotic relationship with sea stars, is characterized by complex filiform spermatozoa. Here, spermatogenesis and spermatozoon structure in A. gibsoni have been examined using light and electron microscopy. Numerous proacrosomal vesicles of two kinds have been found in early spermatogenic cells. In spermatozoa, the elongated acrosomal complex consists of two components: a core, which is a spindle-shaped electron-dense acrosomal vesicle with a long anterior end, and its casing of moderate electron density that covers the acrosomal vesicle completely. The acrosomal complex is located laterally relative to the elongated nucleus. The acrosomal casing bears two rows of small, short channels between the nucleus and the electron-dense acrosomal core. In late spermatids, the elongations of the acrosomal complex and the nucleus occur simultaneously and are mediated by numerous microtubules that disappear during the latest stages of spermiogenesis. The flagellum in spermatogenic cells and spermatozoa contains an axoneme with the usual 9 × 2 + 2 microtubular organization and is posteriorly oriented in spermatozoa. As known to date, A. gibsoni has the most modified spermatozoa among investigated Nemertea, and the complex structure of its sperm is suggested to be associated with the reproductive biology, in particular, with fertilization. Additionally, a number of similar ultrastructural features in spermatozoon organization have been found in A. gibsoni and Kurilonemertes phyllospadicola whose phylogenetic relationship was previously proven.

RevDate: 2024-12-12

Fan X, Su Z, Zhang W, et al (2024)

An advanced chitosan based sponges dressing system with antioxidative, immunoregulation, angiogenesis and neurogenesis for promoting diabetic wound healing.

Materials today. Bio, 29:101361.

Promoting wound nerve regeneration and synchronously initiating angiogenesis are critical factors in the healing process of diabetic wounds. However, existing research on diabetic wounds mainly focuses on angiogenesis, bacterial infection and reactive oxygen species, often failing to coordinate neurogenesis and angiogenesis. To coordinate the symbiosis of nerves and blood vessels in the diabetic wounds, we successfully designed a multifunctional chitosan (CS)-based sponges by regulating the structure of CS specifically for diabetic wound healing. This sponge, which facilitates effective exudate transfer and modulates the wound microenvironment, was constructed using hydroxybutyl CS grafted with thioctic acid (TA), named as HCT sponge. When applied in a humid environment, the hydrophobic side chains of the HCT sponge interact with self-assembled hydrophobic domains, forming gel-sponge composite. Experimental results showed that the adhesion strength of the HCT sponge to wet porcine skin was 70.3 kPa. Additionally, the sponge exhibited favorable degradability, cytocompatibility and antioxidant properties. As it is shown in the experiments in vitro, sponge can not only promote cell proliferation, migration, and blood vessel formation, but also promote M2 macrophage polarization. Moreover, the rat liver and femoral artery injury model validated that the HCT sponge can effectively treat heavy bleeding from wounds efficacy through quickly sealing wounds and the formation of multiple hemostatic dams. In vivo studies indicated that the HCT sponge significantly accelerated the diabetic wound healing process compared to the recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor gel, achieving a better recovery from the HCT sponge after 15 days. Pathological results show that the designed novel sponge holds considerable promise for treating diabetic wound, allowing regenerative neurogenesis and angiogenesis at the wound site, which provides a significant potential for further improving clinical applications.

RevDate: 2024-12-13
CmpDate: 2024-12-11

Gasser MT, Liu A, Altamia MA, et al (2024)

Membrane Vesicles Can Contribute to Cellulose Degradation by Teredinibacter turnerae, a Cultivable Intracellular Endosymbiont of Shipworms.

Microbial biotechnology, 17(12):e70064.

Teredinibacter turnerae is a cultivable cellulolytic Gammaproteobacterium (Cellvibrionaceae) that commonly occurs as an intracellular endosymbiont in the gills of wood-eating bivalves of the family Teredinidae (shipworms). The genome of T. turnerae encodes a broad range of enzymes that deconstruct cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin and contribute to wood (lignocellulose) digestion in the shipworm gut. However, the mechanisms by which T. turnerae secretes lignocellulolytic enzymes are incompletely understood. Here, we show that T. turnerae cultures grown on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produce membrane vesicles (MVs) that include a variety of proteins identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) with predicted activities against cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. Reducing sugar assays and zymography confirm that these MVs exhibit cellulolytic activity, as evidenced by the hydrolysis of CMC. Additionally, these MVs were enriched with TonB-dependent receptors, which are essential to carbohydrate and iron acquisition by free-living bacteria. These observations indicate a potential role for MVs in lignocellulose utilisation by T. turnerae in the free-living state, suggest possible mechanisms for host-symbiont interaction and may be informative for commercial applications such as enzyme production and lignocellulosic biomass conversion.

RevDate: 2024-12-11

Wendlandt CE, Avelar-Barragan J, Zomorrodian AJ, et al (2024)

Host control by Acmispon strigosus constrains fitness gains of ineffective Bradyrhizobium symbionts in mixed infections.

Journal of evolutionary biology pii:7920832 [Epub ahead of print].

Plant hosts can gain significant growth benefits from symbiosis with microbes, but these benefits could be threatened by divergent fitness interests among partners. Here, we measured fitness outcomes in symbiosis, by varying the genotypes of both microbes and hosts, to examine scenarios that might favor uncooperative symbionts. We studied associations between Acmispon strigosus, an annual legume native to California, and its nitrogen fixing symbionts in the genus Bradyrhizobium. Bradyrhizobium symbionts form root nodules on compatible hosts, with strains varying from effective, fixing substantial nitrogen for the host, to ineffective strains that do not fix nitrogen and provide no benefit to host growth. We co-inoculated four A. strigosus plant lines with nine combinations of effective and ineffective Bradyrhizobium strains and measured the relative fitness of ineffective strains within individual nodules, as hosts must select against uncooperative symbionts to maintain benefits. In mixed infections, ineffective strains always had lower relative fitness in nodules compared to beneficial strains, consistent with efficient punishment of nonfixing rhizobia. However, ineffective strains exhibited genotypic variation in their fitness in nodules within individual nodules co-infected with a beneficial strain, suggesting a role for symbiont competitiveness in shaping this joint phenotype. Variation in symbiont fitness during co-inoculations did not measurably affect plant performance, suggesting that predicted conflict over the joint phenotype of rhizobia fitness has negligible effect on the host.

RevDate: 2024-12-10
CmpDate: 2024-12-10

Garces KR, Hanley TC, Deckert R, et al (2024)

Bacterial and fungal root endophytes alter survival, growth, and resistance to grazing in a foundation plant species.

Oecologia, 207(1):9.

Plants host an array of microbial symbionts, including both bacterial and fungal endophytes located within their roots. While bacterial and fungal endophytes independently alter host plant growth, response to stress and susceptibility to disease, their combined effects on host plants are poorly studied. To tease apart interactions between co-occurring endophytes on plant growth, morphology, physiology, and survival we conducted a greenhouse experiment. Different genotypes of Spartina alterniflora, a foundational salt marsh species, were inoculated with one bacterial endophyte, Kosakonia oryzae, one fungal endophyte, Magnaporthales sp., or co-inoculated. Within the greenhouse, an unplanned herbivory event occurred which allowed insight into the ways bacteria, fungi, and co-inoculation of both endophytic microbes alters plant defense chemicals and changes herbivory. Broadly, the individual inoculation of the bacterial endophyte increased survival, whereas the fungal endophyte increased plant growth traits. Following the herbivory event, the proportion of stems grazed was reduced when plants were inoculated with the individual endophytes and further reduced when both endophytes were present. Across genotypes, anti-herbivore defense chemicals varied by individual and co-inoculation of endophytes. Bacterial inoculation and genotype interactively affected above:below-ground biomass and S. alterniflora survival of ungrazed plants. Overall, our results highlight the variable outcomes of endophyte inoculation on Spartina growth, morphology, phenolics, and survival. This study furthers our understanding of the combined effects of symbionts and plant multitrophic interactions. Further, exploring intra and inter specific effects of plant--microbe symbiosis may be key in better predicting ecosystem level outcomes, particularly in response to global change.

RevDate: 2024-12-13

Fajardo J, Harrison B, Hervet VAD, et al (2024)

Microbiome profiling suggests novel endosymbiont associations of insect pests of stored grain.

Canadian journal of microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Many arthropods, including economically important pests of stored grains, host intracellular bacterial symbionts. These symbionts can have diverse impacts on host morphology, stress tolerance, and reproductive success. The ability to rapidly determine the infection status of host insects and the identity of intracellular symbionts, if present, is vital to understanding the biology and ecology of these organisms. We used a microbiome profiling method based on amplicon sequencing to rapidly screen 35 captive insect colonies. This method effectively revealed single and mixed infections by intracellular bacterial symbionts, as well as the presence or absence of a dominant symbiont, when that was the case. Because no a priori decisions are required about probable host-symbiont pairing, this method is able to quickly identify novel associations. This work highlights the frequency of endosymbionts, indicates some unexpected pairings that should be investigated further, such as dominant bacterial taxa that are not among the canonical genera of endosymbionts, and reveals different colonies of the same host insect species that differ in the presence and identity of endosymbiotic bacteria.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Taylor BN (2024)

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in trees: Patterns, controls, and ecosystem consequences.

Tree physiology pii:7920617 [Epub ahead of print].

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) represents the largest natural input of bioavailable nitrogen into the biosphere, impacting key processes spanning from local community dynamics to global patterns of nutrient limitation and primary productivity. While research on SNF historically focused largely on herbaceous and agricultural species, the past two decades have seen major advances in our understanding of SNF by tree species in forest and savanna communities. This has included important developments in the mathematical theory of SNF in forest ecosystems, experimental work on the regulators of tree SNF, broad observational analyses of tree N-fixer abundance patterns, and increasingly process-based incorporation of tree SNF into ecosystem models. This review synthesizes recent work on the local and global patterns, environmental drivers, and community and ecosystem effects of nitrogen-fixing trees in natural ecosystems. By better understanding the drivers and consequences of SNF in forests, this review aims to shed light on the future of this critical process and its role in forest functioning under changing climate, nutrient cycling, and land use.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Juéry C, Auladell A, Füssy Z, et al (2024)

Transportome remodeling of a symbiotic microalga inside a planktonic host.

The ISME journal pii:7920349 [Epub ahead of print].

Metabolic exchange is one of the foundations of symbiotic associations between organisms and is a driving force in evolution. In the ocean, photosymbiosis between heterotrophic hosts and microalgae is powered by photosynthesis and relies on the transfer of organic carbon to the host (e.g. sugars). Yet, the identity of transferred carbohydrates as well as the molecular mechanisms that drive this exchange remain largely unknown, especially in unicellular photosymbioses that are widespread in the open ocean. Combining genomics, single-holobiont transcriptomics, and environmental metatranscriptomics, we revealed the transportome of the marine microalga Phaeocystis in symbiosis within acantharia, with a focus on sugar transporters. At the genomic level, the sugar transportome of Phaeocystis is comparable to non-symbiotic haptophytes. By contrast, we found significant remodeling of the expression of the transportome in symbiotic microalgae compared to the free-living stage. More particularly, 36% of sugar transporter genes were differentially expressed. Several of them, such as GLUTs, TPTs, and aquaporins, with glucose, triose-phosphate sugars, and glycerol as potential substrates, were upregulated at the holobiont and community level. We also showed that algal sugar transporter genes exhibit distinct temporal expression patterns during the day. This reprogrammed transportome indicates that symbiosis has a major impact on sugar fluxes within and outside the algal cell, and highlights the complexity and the dynamics of metabolic exchanges between partners. This study improves our understanding of the molecular players of the metabolic connectivity underlying the ecological success of planktonic photosymbiosis and paves the way for more studies on transporters across photosymbiotic models.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Takagi H, Nakamura Y, Schmidt C, et al (2024)

Two waves of photosymbiosis acquisition in extant planktonic foraminifera explained by ecological incumbency.

The ISME journal pii:7920360 [Epub ahead of print].

Photosymbiosis, a mode of mixotrophy by algal endosymbiosis, provides key advantage to pelagic life in oligotrophic oceans. Despite its ecological importance, mechanisms underlying its emergence and association with the evolutionary success of photosymbiotic lineages remain unclear. We used planktonic foraminifera, a group of pelagic test-forming protists with an excellent fossil record, to reveal the history of symbiont acquisition among their three main extant clades. We used single-cell 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to reveal symbiont identity and mapped the symbiosis on a phylogeny time-calibrated by fossil data. We show that the highly specific symbiotic interaction with dinoflagellates emerged in the wake of a major extinction of symbiont-bearing taxa at the end of the Eocene. In contrast, less specific and low-light adapted symbioses with pelagophytes emerged 20 million years later, in multiple independent lineages in the Late Neogene, at a time when the vertical structure of pelagic ecosystems was transformed by global cooling. We infer that in foraminifera, photosymbiosis can evolve easily and that its establishment leads to diversification and ecological dominance to such extent, that the proliferation of new symbioses is prevented by the incumbent lineages.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Sakioka R, K Yoneyama (2024)

Nitrogen deficiency influences strigolactone levels in basal parts of shoots and shoot branching phenotype in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry pii:7919751 [Epub ahead of print].

Strigolactones (SLs) are allelochemicals attracting both symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and root parasitic plants and a novel class of phytohormones inhibiting lateral shoot branching. In general, nutrient deficiency significantly promotes SL production in roots and exudation into the rhizosphere, and also induces suppressed shoot branching phenotype in host plants of AM fungi including rice, tomato, maize, etc. Nutrient deficiencies also inhibit the shoot branching in Arabidopsis thaliana (hereafter Arabidopsis), a non-host of AM fungi, while the level of carlactone, a non-canonical SL and the SL precursor for the other SLs, was reported to be unaffected. Because Arabidopsis SLs including CL and methyl carlactonoate,, are highly unstable, relationships between SL levels and shoot branching in Arabidopsis remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that nitrogen deficiency increases SL levels in the basal part of shoots in Arabidopsis and lateral shoot branching appears to be strongly regulated by these SLs.

RevDate: 2024-12-10
CmpDate: 2024-12-10

Baine Q, Hughes DWW, Casares EE, et al (2024)

External insect gall morphology influences the functional guilds of natural enemy communities.

Proceedings. Biological sciences, 291(2036):20242424.

The evolution of diverse and novel morphological traits is poorly understood, especially how symbiotic interactions can drive these adaptations. The extreme diversity of external traits in insect-induced galls is currently explained by the Enemy Hypothesis, in which these traits have selective advantage in deterring parasitism. While previous tests of this hypothesis used only taxonomic identity, we argue that ecologically functional traits of enemies (i.e. mode of parasitism, larval development strategy) are a crucial addition. Here, we characterize parasitoid guild composition across four disparate gall systems and find consistent patterns of association between enemy guild and gall morphology. Specifically, galls with a longer average larva-to-surface distance host a significantly higher proportion of enemies with a distinct combination of functional traits (i.e. ectoparasitic, idiobiont, elongate ovipositor). Our results support the Enemy Hypothesis and highlight the importance of species ecology in examining insect communities and the evolution of novel defensive characters.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

O'Donnell RP, Wong DCJ, Phillips RD, et al (2024)

Discordance Down Under: Combining phylogenomics & fungal symbioses to detangle difficult nodes in a diverse tribe of Australian terrestrial orchids.

Systematic biology pii:7918489 [Epub ahead of print].

Orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) associations in the Orchidaceae are thought to have been a major driver of diversification in the family. In the terrestrial orchid tribe Diurideae, it has long been hypothesised that OMF symbiont associations may reflect evolutionary relationships among orchid hosts. Given that recent phylogenomic efforts have been unable to fully resolve relationships among subtribes in the Diurideae, we sought to ascertain whether orchid OMF preferences may lend support to certain phylogenetic hypotheses. First, we used phylogenomic methods and Bayesian divergence time estimation to produce a genus-level tree for the Diurideae. Next, we synthesised decades of published fungal sequences and morphological/germination data to identify dominant fungal partners at the genus scale and perform ancestral state reconstruction to estimate the evolutionary trajectory of fungal symbiont shifts. Across the tribe, we found phylogenomic discordance stemming from incomplete lineage sorting. However, our results also revealed unprecedented phylogenetic niche conservatism of fungal symbionts within the tribe: entire genera, subtribes, and even groups of related subtribes associate with only a single fungal family, suggesting that fungal symbiont preferences in the Diurideae do indeed reflect phylogenetic relationships among orchid hosts. Moreover, we show that these relationships have evolved directionally from generalist associations with multiple fungal families towards more specific partnerships with only one fungal family. Orchid symbiont preferences here provide new insights into the placement of several groups with longstanding phylogenetic uncertainty. In spite of complex evolutionary histories, host-symbiont relationships can be used to help detangle alternative phylogenetic hypotheses.

RevDate: 2024-12-10
CmpDate: 2024-12-10

Basiru S, Ait Si Mhand K, Elfermi R, et al (2024)

Enhancing chickpea growth through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation: facilitating nutrient uptake and shifting potential pathogenic fungal communities.

Mycorrhiza, 35(1):1.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most widespread plant symbionts associated with plant roots, and theyperform numerous functions that contribute to plants' health and physiology. However, there are many knowledge gaps in how the interactions between AMF and root mycobiomes influence the performance of the host plants. To this end, we inoculated a local chickpea cultivar grown in agricultural soil under semi-controlled conditions with Rhizophagus irregularis. In addition to examining mycorrhizal colonization, plant biomass, and mineral nutrition, we sequenced the ITS region of the rDNA to assess the chickpea mycobiome and identify key fungal taxa potentially responding to R. irregularis inoculation. Our results showed that inoculation had a positive effect on chickpea biomass and mineral nutrition, especially the total aboveground phosphorus, potassium and sodium contents. Fusarium, Sporomia, Alternaria, and unknown Pleosporales were the most abundant taxa in the roots, while Stachybotris, Penicillum, Fusarium, Ascobolus, an unknown Pleosporales and Acrophialophora were the most abundant in the rhizosphere. Among the ASVs that either were enriched or depleted in the rhizosphere and roots are potential plant pathogens from the genera Didymella, Fusarium, Neocosmospora, and Stagonosporopsis. This study highlights the relevance of AMF inoculation not only for enhancing chickpea growth and mineral nutrition in semi-arid conditions but also for influencing the composition of the plants' fungal community which contributes to improved plant performance and resilience against biotic and abiotic stress.

RevDate: 2024-12-10
CmpDate: 2024-12-10

Ling X, Guo H, Di J, et al (2024)

A complete DNA repair system assembled by two endosymbionts restores heat tolerance of the insect host.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(51):e2415651121.

DNA repair systems are essential to maintain genome integrity and stability. Some obligate endosymbionts that experience long-term symbiosis with the insect hosts, however, have lost their key components for DNA repair. It is largely unexplored how the bacterial endosymbionts cope with the increased demand for mismatch repairs under heat stresses. Here, we showed that ibpA, a small heat shock protein encoded by Buchnera aphidicola, directly interacted with the cytoskeletal actin to prevent its aggregation in bacteriocytes, thus reinforcing the stability of bacteriocytes. However, the succession of 11 adenines in the promoter of ibpA is extremely prone to mismatching error, e.g., a single adenine deletion, which impairs the induction of ibpA under heat stress. Coinfection with a facultative endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica remarkably reduced the mutagenesis rate in the Buchnera genome and potentially prevented a single adenine deletion in ibpA promoter, thereby alleviating the heat vulnerability of aphid bacteriocytes. Furthermore, Serratia encoded mutH, a conserved core protein of prokaryotic DNA mismatch repair (MMR), accessed to Buchnera cells, which complemented Buchnera mutL and mutS in constituting an active MMR. Our findings imply that a full complement of a prokaryotic MMR system assembled by two bacterial endosymbionts contributes significantly to the thermostability of aphid bacteriocytes in an ibpA-dependent manner, furnishing a distinct molecular link among tripartite symbioses in shaping resilience and adaptation of their insect hosts to occupy other ecological niches.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Ishizaka A, Tamura A, Koga M, et al (2024)

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota in COVID-19 is associated with intestinal DNA phage dynamics of lysogenic and lytic infection.

Microbiology spectrum [Epub ahead of print].

This study compared intestinal DNA phage dynamics and gut microbiota changes observed at the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study participants included 19 healthy individuals and 19 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Significant differences were observed in the diversity of the intestinal DNA virome after the onset of COVID-19 compared with that in healthy individuals. Classification by their tail morphology resulted in the order Caudovirales, a double-stranded DNA phage, accounting for >95% of all participants. In classifying phages based on host bacteria, a decreased number of phages infecting mainly the Clostridia class was observed immediately after the onset of COVID-19 and recovered over time. After the onset of COVID-19, two distinct movement patterns of intestinal phages and their host bacteria were observed: phage- and bacteria-predominant. The abundance of obligate anaerobes, such as Clostridium_sense_strict_1, Fusicatenibacter, and Romboutsia, and the phages hosting these bacteria decreased immediately after the onset of COVID-19, and faster phage recovery was observed compared with bacterial recovery. In contrast, the genus Staphylococcus, a facultative anaerobic bacterium, increased immediately after the onset of COVID-19, whereas the phages infecting Staphylococcus decreased. Furthermore, immediately after the onset of COVID-19, the percentage of lytic phages increased, whereas that of temperate phages decreased. These observations suggest that the gut microbiota dysbiosis observed immediately after the onset of COVID-19 may be linked to phage dynamics that control gut microbiota and may also affect the recovery from dysbiosis.IMPORTANCEBacteriophages infect and replicate with bacteria and archaea and are closely associated with intestinal bacteria. The symbiotic relationship between gut microbiota and bacteriophages is of interest, but it is challenging to study their dynamics in the human body over time. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported to alter the gut microbiota, which is involved in gut immune regulation and pathophysiology, although changes in the intestinal phages of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and their dynamic relationship with the gut microbiota remain unclear. SARS-CoV-2 infection, which follows a transient pathological course from disease onset to cure, may provide a reliable model to investigate these interactions in the gut environment. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the correlation between gut microbiota and intestinal DNA virome dynamics in COVID-19 pathogenesis. This study found that the dysbiosis observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection involves a growth strategy that depends on the phage or bacterial dominance.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Zhang H, Wang W, Honnas L, et al (2024)

Evaluating the stability of nursery-established arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal associations in apple rootstocks.

Applied and environmental microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are promoted as commercial bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture. Little is known, however, about the survival of AMF inoculants in soil and their impacts on native or pre-established AMF communities in root tissue. The current study was designed to assess the stability of pre-existing/nursery-derived AMF in apple rootstocks after being planted into soil containing a known community of AMF with a limited number of species. Root-associated endophytic communities (bacteria and fungi) are known to differ depending on apple rootstock genotype. Thus, an additional aim of this study was to explore the effect of apple rootstock genotype on AMF community structure. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in which a variety of apple rootstock genotypes (G.890, G.935, M.26, and M.7) were inoculated with a commercially available, multi-species AMF consortium. Nursery-derived AMF communities were sequenced, and changes to AMF community structure following cultivation in pasteurized soil (inoculated and non-inoculated) were assessed using a Glomeromycota-specific phylogenetic tree, which included 91 different AMF species from 24 genera. Results show that inoculant colonization potential was limited and that apple rootstocks serve as a significant source of inoculum from the nursery where they are produced. Rootstocks established relationships with introduced AMF in a genotype-specific manner. Regardless of colonization success, however, the inoculant caused alterations to the resident AMF communities of both Geneva and Malling rootstocks, particularly low abundance taxa. In addition, phylogeny-based analysis revealed a unique, well-supported clade of unknown taxonomy, highlighting the importance of using phylogenetic-based classification for accurate characterization of AMF communities.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the impacts of introduced AMF on residential AMF communities is essential to improving plant productivity in nursery and orchard systems. In general, there is a dearth of data on the interactions of commercial AMF inoculants with pre-established AMF communities living in symbiosis with the host plant. The interplay between apple rootstock genotype and the endophytic root microbiome is also an area where more research is needed. This study demonstrates the potential for nursery-established AMF associations to be maintained when transplanted into the field. In addition to providing insight into rootstock/AMF associations, our study calls attention to the current issues attendant with relying on web-based databases for determining AMF identity. The use of phylogenetic tools represents one possible solution and may be of value to industry practitioners in terms of improving product composition and consistency.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Gasser MT, Liu A, Flatau R, et al (2024)

Closing the genome of Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 by long-read nanopore sequencing.

Microbiology resource announcements [Epub ahead of print].

We present the complete closed circular genome sequence derived from the Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the shipworm endosymbiont, Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 (DSM 15152, ATCC 39867), originally isolated from the shipworm, Lyrodus pedicellatus (1). This sequence will aid in the comparative genomics of shipworm endosymbionts and the understanding of the host-symbiont evolution.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Farrell MV, Aljaber AM, Amoruso M, et al (2024)

Draft genome sequences of Flagellimonas sp. MMG031 and Marinobacter sp. MMG032 isolated from the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium pilosum.

Microbiology resource announcements [Epub ahead of print].

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of Flagellimonas sp. MMG031 and Marinobacter sp. MMG032, isolated from coral-associated dinoflagellate Symbiodinium pilosum, assembled and analyzed by undergraduate students participating in a Marine Microbial Genomics (MMG) course. A genomic comparison suggests MMG031 and MMG032 are novel species and a resource for restoration and biotechnology.

RevDate: 2024-12-10

Dong R, Wang W, Luo N, et al (2024)

MtNAD1 associates with the autophagy complex to contribute to the degradation of immunity-related proteins in Medicago truncatula nodules.

The New phytologist [Epub ahead of print].

Plant immunity is suppressed in the symbiotic nodule cells, thereby facilitating rhizobial infection. Medicago truncatula NODULES WITH ACTIVATED DEFENSE1 (MtNAD1) is crucial for suppressing immunity in nodules; however, its molecular function is unclear. We explored the molecular basis of the role of MtNAD1 in suppressing innate immunity in M. truncatula nodules. Medicago truncatula mutants lacking MtATG7 produced defective nodules, sharing some similarities with the Mtnad1 mutant nodules. Furthermore, MtNAD1 interacted with several immunity-related proteins, including BAX-inhibitor1a (MtBI-1a), two Lysin-motif proteins (MtLYM1/2), Pathogenesis-related10 (MtPR10c/d), MtMPK3/6, and two Lysin-motif receptor kinases (MtLYK8/9). In addition, MtNAD1 and the autophagy pathway contributed to the reduction of MtBI-1, MtPR10c/d, and MtLYM1/2 protein levels in planta. Knocking out either the MtBI-1 or MtLYM1/2 gene in the M. truncatula nad1 mutant can partially restore the defective nodules of the nad1 mutant. Our results demonstrate that MtNAD1 associates with the autophagy pathway by interacting with MtATG8, contributing to the degradation of several immunity-related proteins in M. truncatula nodules during rhizobial colonization and thereby supporting the development of a successful symbiosis.

RevDate: 2024-12-09
CmpDate: 2024-12-09

Salari H, Amooaghaie R, Mozafari H, et al (2024)

Impact of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species on arsenic tolerance and accumulation in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.).

BMC plant biology, 24(1):1174.

BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can regulate metal(loid) tolerance in plants and their capacity for phytoremediation. These effects can vary depending on the host plant and the AMF species. The impact of different AMF species on the ability of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for arsenic (As) phytoremediation is still largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of two AMF species, Rhizophagus irregularis, and Funneliformis mosseae, on the tolerance and accumulation of As in safflower in soils spiked with varying arsenate concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg[-1]).

RESULTS: The results indicated that both AMF species established effective symbiotic relationships with safflower. However, plants inoculated with R. irregularis exhibited higher mycorrhizal dependency and root colonization, especially under 100 mg kg[-1] As. Both AMF species significantly improved plant growth parameters, chlorophyll content, and phosphorus (P) nutrition, which resulted in increased P/As ratio and enhanced tolerance index in safflower plants. In addition, AMF inoculation reduced As-induced lipid peroxidation by enhancing catalase and peroxidase activity in leaves and roots. While the mycorrhizal symbiosis didn't affect As availability in soils, it significantly reduced shoot As concentration and the translocation factor under all As levels. Furthermore, mycorrhizal inoculation, especially with R. irregularis, increased As concentration and modified-bioconcentration factor in the roots and enhanced total As uptake per plant.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results and multivariate analyses, both AMF species, particularly R. irregularis, enhanced safflower's As tolerance by retaining As in roots, improving phosphorus nutrition, and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, showcasing their potential to enhance phytostabilization in safflower plants.

RevDate: 2024-12-09
CmpDate: 2024-12-09

Wang W, Wang FR, Guo Y, et al (2024)

[Characteristics of airway microbiome co-occurrence network in patients with type 2 and non-type 2 asthma].

Zhonghua jie he he hu xi za zhi = Zhonghua jiehe he huxi zazhi = Chinese journal of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, 47(12):1121-1129.

Objective: To study the characteristics of the airway microbiome co-occurrence network in patients with type 2 and non-type 2 asthma. Methods: In a prospective study based on a cohort of asthma patients, respiratory induced sputum samples were collected from 55 asthma patients [25 males and 30 females, with a median age of 47.7 years (age range 34.3-63.0 years)] admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University and 12 healthy controls from the Physical Examination Centre of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, from May 2021 to May 2022. According to the level of exhaled breath nitric oxide (FeNO), the asthma patients were divided into 22 cases in the high FeNO group (FeNO≥40 ppb, i.e., type 2 asthma group) and 33 cases in the low FeNO group (FeNO<40 ppb, i.e., non-type 2 asthma group). All induced sputum samples were subjected to second-generation macrogenomic sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of microbial community diversity, compositional characteristics, symbiotic network characteristics and metabolic function prediction. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used for between-group comparisons, and the linear discriminant analysis (LEfSe) method was used to compare the differences in flora composition between groups. The R language was used for microbial network analysis. In addition, PICRUSt was used to predict the metabolic-functional characteristics of the microbial communities. Results: The microbial communities in the healthy control group had a lower proportion of p_Firmicutes and p_Proteobacteria than asthma patients, 29% and 21%, respectively; 37% and 33% in the low FeNO group and 42% and 26% in the high FeNO group. The microbial network in the low FeNO group had 64 pairs of edges forming 16 communities, and about 75% of the nodes had eigenvector centrality values between 0 and 0.05, and 25% of the nodes had eigenvector centrality values between 0.10 and 0.45. There were four layers of κ-nucleosynthesis, and about 42% of the vertices were in the centre of the two layers. The microbial network of the high-FeNO group had 80 pairs of edges forming 18 clusters, and 81% of the nodes had eigenvector centrality values between 0 and 0.05, and 19% of the nodes had eigenvector centrality values between 0.10 and 0.35. The κ-nucleus decomposition had eight layers, and 21% of the vertices were located in the centre's two layers. The main functional differences between the low and high FeNO groups were shown in metabolic pathways (including sugar, lipid, amino acid, and energy metabolism), drug resistance, biofilm transport, signalling, intercellular communication, and cellular repair. Conclusions: Compared with non-type 2 asthmatics, type 2 asthmatics had a higher alpha diversity of respiratory microbiota, lower levels of microorganisms in the p_Proteobacteria, and a more aggregated microbial network. There was a significant difference in the predicted metabolic function of the two endotypes of asthmatics.

RevDate: 2024-12-09
CmpDate: 2024-12-09

Newsham KK, Foot GW, Sands CJ, et al (2024)

A cosmopolitan Serendipita forms mycothalli with sub-Antarctic leafy liverworts.

Fungal biology, 128(8 Pt B):2355-2364.

The occurrence of mycothalli, symbioses between liverworts and fungi, is poorly documented in sub-Antarctica, and biogeographical patterns in Serendipita, the main fungal genus forming the symbiosis, remain understudied. Here, 83 specimens of 16 leafy liverwort species were sampled from sub-Antarctic South Georgia and were examined for mycothalli. Microscopy was used to enumerate fungal structures in liverwort tissues, and sequencing of fungal ribosomal DNA was used to determine the taxonomic and biogeographical affinities of the fungi. Stained hyphal coils, a defining feature of the symbiosis, were found to be frequent (>40% of stem length colonised) in Barbilophozia hatcheri, Cephaloziella varians and Lophoziopsis excisa. A single species of Serendipita, based on a 3% cut-off for ITS2 region sequence divergence, was a frequent colonist of these liverworts. A further 18 basidiomycete and ascomycete taxa colonised other liverwort species. The presence of the Serendipita species was positively associated with the occurrence of stained hyphal coils in stem epidermal cells. Phylogenetic analyses, incorporating worldwide accessions from leafy liverwort-associated Serendipita, showed that the same species, which also occurs in Chile, mainland Europe and on Svalbard, is apparently the sole symbiont of sub- and maritime Antarctic leafy liverworts, and indicated much higher species richness of the genus outside Antarctica.

RevDate: 2024-12-09

Wei Y, Xia W, Qian Y, et al (2024)

Revealing microbial compatibility of partial nitritation/Anammox biofilm from sidestream to mainstream applications: Origins, dynamics, and interrelationships.

Bioresource technology pii:S0960-8524(24)01667-5 [Epub ahead of print].

Biofilms offer a solution to the challenge of low biomass retention faced in mainstream partial nitritation/Anammox (PN/A) applications. In this study, a one-stage PN/A reactor derived from initial granular sludge was successfully transformed into a biofilm system using shedding carriers. Environmental stressors, such as ammonium nitrogen concentration and organic matter, significantly affected the competitive dynamics and dominant species composition between Ca. Kuenenia and Ca. Brocadia. Under approximately 500 mg/L NH4[+]-N, Ca. Brocadia emerged as the dominant anammox bacteria species, but was subsequently replaced by Ca. Kuenenia in the presence of approximately 54 mg COD/L CH3COONa. Moreover, Chloroflexi species on the original biofilm exhibited an associated relationship with the growth of Ca. Kuenenia in new biofilm. The biofilm assembly and microbial community migration uniquely reveal the microbial niche dynamics. This study provides valuable insights for PN/A biofilm applications facing diverse challenges of environmental stresses in the transition from sidestream to mainstream.

RevDate: 2024-12-09

Xia Z, Xue C, Liu R, et al (2024)

Lead accumulation and concomitant reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging in Robinia pseudoacacia are dependent on nitrogen nutrition.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 219:109388 pii:S0981-9428(24)01056-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Heavy metal pollution combined with nitrogen (N) limitation is a major factor preventing revegetation of contaminated land. Woody N2-fixing legumes are a natural choice for phytoremediation. However, the physiological responses of woody legumes to lead (Pb) with low N exposure are currently unknown. In the present study, a common Robinia cultivar from Northeast China, inoculated and non-inoculated with rhizobia, was exposed to -Pb or + Pb at moderate (norN) or low N application (lowN). Our results showed that without inoculation, independent of N application, Pb taken up by the roots was allocated to the shoot and inhibited photosynthesis and biomass production. In non-inoculated Robinia, Pb-mediated oxidative stress resulted in reduced H2O2 scavenging as indicated by increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in the leaves and proline contents in the roots, independent of N application. Combined lowN∗Pb exposure significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in roots and leaves and enhanced APX and dehydroascorbate reductase activities in leaves compared to individual Pb exposure. Rhizobia inoculation raised the abundance of nodules and promoted Pb uptake by roots. Under Pb exposure, inoculation with rhizobia reduced MDA contents, increased proline contents in leaves and roots and enhanced activity of nitrate reductase in the leaves, independent of N application. Under Pb exposure, nitrogenase activity of inoculated Robinia under low- and norN application were similar indicating that enhanced of N2-fixation at lowN was counteracted by Pb exposure. These results show that inoculation of Robinia with rhizobia can alleviate Pb toxicity at combined lowN and Pb exposure by reducing oxidative stress.

RevDate: 2024-12-09

Shen Z, Li X, Zeng Y, et al (2024)

Influence of Noncovalent Interaction on the Nucleophilicity and Electrophilicity of Metal Centers in [M[II](S2CNEt2)2] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt).

The journal of physical chemistry. A [Epub ahead of print].

A systematic theoretical study was performed on the electrophilic and nucleophilic properties of Group 10 square-planar metal compounds [M[II](S2CNEt2)2] (M = Ni 1, Pd 2, and Pt 3) and their complexes. The nucleophilic metal center and coordinated sulfur atom in [M(S2CNEt2)2] facilitate the formation of metal-involving and conventional noncovalent bonds. The presence a heavier metal center results in a more negative electrostatic potential and a larger nucleophilicity, which in turn leads to the formation of stronger metal-involving noncovalent bonds than those formed by a lighter metal center. The Ni[II] center was observed to display electrophilic-nucleophilic dualism with regard to noncovalent interactions, forming both a metal-involving halogen bond (Ni···I) with iodine chloride (ICl) and a semicoordination bond (Ni···N) with N-bases. The nucleophilicity and electrophilicity of the Ni[II] center are enhanced in the ternary complexes LB···1···XCl (X = H, I; LB = NH3, NHCH2, pyridine) due to the push-pull mechanism. The N···Ni semicoordination bond exerts a push effect on the dz[2] orbital of the Ni[II] center, while the Ni···X noncovalent bond provides a symbiotic pull effect on this orbital. Furthermore, the formation of metal-involving noncovalent bonds may enhance the electrophilic ability of the Pd[II] and Pt[II] center, resulting in the formation of stable ternary complexes Py···2/3···XCl (X = H, I), which are characterized by M···N and M···X interactions.

RevDate: 2024-12-09

Nazem-Bokaee H, Hom EFY, Mathews S, et al (2024)

Analyzing sorbitol biosynthesis using a metabolic network flux model of a lichenized strain of the green microalga Diplosphaera chodatii.

Microbiology spectrum [Epub ahead of print].

Diplosphaera chodatii, a unicellular terrestrial microalga found either free-living or in association with lichenized fungi, protects itself from desiccation by synthesizing and accumulating low-molecular-weight carbohydrates such as sorbitol. The metabolism of this algal species and the interplay of sorbitol biosynthesis with its growth, light absorption, and carbon dioxide fixation are poorly understood. Here, we used a recently available genome assembly for D. chodatii to develop a metabolic flux model and analyze the alga's metabolic capabilities, particularly, for sorbitol biosynthesis. The model contains 151 genes, 155 metabolites, and 194 unique metabolic reactions participating in 12 core metabolic pathways and five compartments. Both photoautotrophic and mixotrophic growths of D. chodatii were supported by the metabolic model. In the presence of glucose, mixotrophy led to higher biomass and sorbitol yields. Additionally, the model predicted increased starch biosynthesis at high light intensities during photoautotrophic growth, an indication that the "overflow hypothesis-stress-driven metabolic flux redistribution" could be applied to D. chodatii. Furthermore, the newly developed metabolic model of D. chodatii, iDco_core, captures both linear and cyclic electron flow schemes characterized in photosynthetic microorganisms and suggests a possible adaptation to fluctuating water availability during periods of desiccation. This work provides important new insights into the predicted metabolic capabilities of D. chodatii, including a potential biotechnological opportunity for industrial sorbitol biosynthesis.IMPORTANCELichenized green microalgae are vital components for the survival and growth of lichens in extreme environmental conditions. However, little is known about the metabolism and growth characteristics of these algae as individual microbes. This study aims to provide insights into some of the metabolic capabilities of Diplosphaera chodatii, a lichenized green microalgae, using a recently assembled and annotated genome of the alga. For that, a metabolic flux model was developed simulating the metabolism of this algal species and allowing for studying the algal growth, light absorption, and carbon dioxide fixation during both photoautotrophic and mixotrophic growth, in silico. An important capability of the new metabolic model of D. chodatii is capturing both linear and cyclic electron flow mechanisms characterized in several other microalgae. Moreover, the model predicts limits of the metabolic interplay between sorbitol biosynthesis and algal growth, which has potential applications in assisting the design of bio-based sorbitol production processes.

RevDate: 2024-12-09

Marques M, da Silva DM, Santos E, et al (2024)

Genome sequences of four novel Endozoicomonas strains associated with a tropical octocoral in a long-term aquarium facility.

Microbiology resource announcements [Epub ahead of print].

We report the genome sequences of four Endozoicomonas sp. strains isolated from the octocoral Litophyton maintained long term at an aquarium facility. Our analysis reveals the coding potential for versatile polysaccharide metabolism; Type II, III, IV, and VI secretion systems; and the biosynthesis of novel ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides.

RevDate: 2024-12-09

Grossman AS, Lei L, Botting JM, et al (2024)

Saccharibacteria deploy two distinct Type IV pili, driving episymbiosis, host competition, and twitching motility.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology pii:2024.11.25.624915.

All cultivated Patescibacteria, or CPR, exist as obligate episymbionts on other microbes. Despite being ubiquitous in mammals and environmentally, molecular mechanisms of host identification and binding amongst ultrasmall bacterial episymbionts are largely unknown. Type 4 pili (T4P) are well conserved in this group and predicted to facilitate symbiotic interactions. To test this, we targeted T4P pilin genes in Saccharibacteria Nanosynbacter lyticus strain TM7x to assess their essentiality and roles in symbiosis. Our results revealed that N. lyticus assembles two distinct T4P, a non-essential thin pili that has the smallest diameter of any T4P and contributes to host-binding, episymbiont growth, and competitive fitness relative to other Saccharibacteria, and an essential thick pili whose functions include twitching motility. Identification of lectin-like minor pilins and modification of host cell walls suggest glycan binding mechanisms. Collectively our findings demonstrate that Saccharibacteria encode unique extracellular pili that are vital mediators of their underexplored episymbiotic lifestyle.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Titus BM, Bennett-Smith MF, Chiodo T, et al (2024)

The clownfish-hosting sea anemones (Anthozoa: Actiniaria): updated nomenclature, biogeography, and practical field guide.

Zootaxa, 5506(1):1-34.

Ten described species of sea anemones (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Actiniaria) serve as hosts to charismatic clownfishes (or anemonefishes) on coral reefs throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Although not diverse in number, the clownfish-hosting sea anemones have large biogeographic ranges, exhibit extensive intraspecific phenotypic appearances, and have been surrounded by a great deal of historical and contemporary taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion. We believe these factors have created challenges for field scientists making real-time species-level identifications of host sea anemones. Subsequently, a surprising amount of peer-reviewed clownfish literature never accounts for the host sea anemone, omitting critical data for understanding the symbiosis ecologically and evolutionarily. Here, we leverage the revolution that has taken place in the realm of digital underwater photography over the past 30 years to provide an updated, practical field guide for the clownfish-hosting sea anemones. First however, we review and revise the nomenclature for each species to better reflect valid changes that were made in the historical literature but never broadly adopted. Next, we demonstrate that machine learning algorithms may be of limited use for automating sea anemone species IDs from digital photographs alone-highlighting the importance of organismal expertise for identifying these animals. Finally, we present high-resolution digital photographs that encompass much of the intraspecific phenotypic variation encountered underwater, discuss important characteristics useful for field IDs, and provide updated range maps for each species to better reflect the known biogeographic range of each host anemone. We hope the increased confidence in field identification provided by this guide will result in more papers incorporating the sea anemone host data into research frameworks and subsequent publications.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Fransen CHJM (2024)

Platypontonia ngae sp. nov., a new symbiotic shrimp (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) living inside a boring gastrochaenid bivalve mollusk from the Philippines.

Zootaxa, 5476(1):89-98.

A new symbiotic palaemonid shrimp Platypontonia ngae sp. nov., is described based on a male-female pair found inside the mantle cavity of a gastrochaenid bivalve mollusk collected on a coral slope on the island Panglao, Philippines. The new species constitutes the third member of the genus Platypontonia Bruce, 1968. The new species is described, figured and compared with its congeners.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Sun YL, Jiang W, ZL Sha (2024)

Shallow-water Trapezioidea (Decapoda: Brachyura) from the South China Sea, including two new records, and notes on Tetralia glaberrima Herbst, 1790.

Zootaxa, 5476(1):393-423.

A collection of coral symbiotic crabs (Trapezioidea) from the South China Sea reports a total of 24 species, including 12 species of Trapeziidae (including one new record: Trapezia plana Ward, 1941), four species of Domeciidae, and eight species of Tetraliidae (including one new record: Tetralia brengelae Trautwein, 2007). Live color and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequence data of all species are provided.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Mayén-Estrada R, Dávila S, RJP Dias (2024)

Ciliate symbionts of bivalves with notes on their worldwide geographic distribution.

Zootaxa, 5448(4):451-481.

The shells, mantle cavities and various organs of mollusks serve as suitable habitats for symbiotic ciliates, as commensal, epibiotic and parasitic. With about 80,000 species, molluscans are distributed in freshwater, marine and terrestrial habitats; symbiotic ciliates have been recorded in bivalves, gastropods and polyplacophorans; however these records have not been integrated in comprehensive revisions. The goal of this work is to provide an updated checklist of the ciliates involved as symbionts of bivalve molluscs worldwide. Available records of symbiotic species of ciliates were compiled and checked, along with their molluscan hosts and localities. We obtained data for 165 species of ciliates as symbionts of 158 bivalve hosts, distributed in 31 countries, regions and seas. This is the first comprehensive study to review the biodiversity of ciliates associated with bivalves and show that only a small fraction of this class of molluscs has been studied in terms of their symbiotic relationships with ciliates.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Scioli JA, Robles R, DL Felder (2024)

New species and records of the symbiotic shrimp genus Leptalpheus Williams, 1965, with notes on Fenneralpheus Felder & Manning, 1986, and preliminary molecular analysis of phylogenetic relationships (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae).

Zootaxa, 5466(1):1-72.

The shrimp genera Leptalpheus Williams, 1965 and Fenneralpheus Felder & Manning, 1986 are composed entirely of symbiotic species that co-inhabit burrows of infaunal macrocrustaceans. We report extensive collections of these genera from western Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Indo-West Pacific regions. Integrative taxonomy methods, including morphological comparisons and analysis of three mitochondrial genetic markers, are used to test species hypotheses and evolutionary relationships among members of these genera. Our molecular analysis failed to recover Leptalpheus or Fenneralpheus as monophyletic groups. Our results strongly supported the monophyly of three clades composed of species of Leptalpheus, loosely corresponding to previously proposed species groups. Three new species closely related to Leptalpheus forceps Williams, 1965, L. marginalis Anker, 2011, and L. mexicanus Ríos & Carvacho, 1983 are described. Leptalpheus ankeri n. sp., from the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic coast of Florida, and Gulf of Mexico, is a polymorphic species that exhibits two major cheliped morphotypes. Leptalpheus sibo n. sp., from the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, is morphologically very similar to L. ankeri n. sp., likely its transisthmian sister species, and shares its cheliped polymorphism. A reassessment of L. forceps concluded that records of this species from the Caribbean Sea and Brazil are not conspecific with L. forceps sensu stricto from the Atlantic coast of the USA and the Gulf of Mexico, and they are herein described as Leptalpheus degravei n. sp. Based on both molecular and morphological evidence, we found Leptalpheus bicristatus Anker, 2011 to be a junior synonym of L. mexicanus and Leptalpheus canterakintzi Anker & Lazarus, 2015 to be a junior synonym of Leptalpheus azuero Anker, 2011. First reports of Leptalpheus axianassae Dworschak & Coelho, 1999 in Texas and Mexico, Leptalpheus denticulatus Anker & Marin, 2009 in the Mariana Islands, Leptalpheus felderi Anker, Vera Caripe & Lira, 2006 and Leptalpheus lirai Vera Caripe, Pereda & Anker, 2021 in the USA, and Leptalpheus pereirai Anker & Vera Caripe, 2016 in Cuba are included.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Cognato AI, Smith SM, Schiffer M, et al (2024)

A taxonomic review of Sueus Murayama, 1951 ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Hyorrhynchini) aided by molecular phylogenetic analyses.

Zootaxa, 5477(4):475-493.

Four Sueus Murayama, 1951 species occur in Southeast Asia and Oceania. They all likely have a female-biased haplodiploid inbreeding mating system and feed on symbiotic ambrosia fungi. These life history traits increase the potential of adventive events. Indeed, Sueus has been recently discovered on the Caribbean island of Martinique. Morphological variation has been observed among some populations of Sueus niisimai (Eggers, 1926), which questioned species boundaries. Given the beetle's potential economic importance, we provide a molecular phylogeny as a foundation for systematic study and review the status of the known species. We sequenced a total of 1117 nucleotides from mitochondrial COI and nuclear CAD genes for 25 specimens. Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenies were similar in topology and demonstrated the sister placement of S. granulatus (Eggers, 1936) to the other Sueus species, reciprocal monophyly of S. niisimai and S. pilosus (Eggers, 1936) status restored, the monophyly of S. obesus Browne, 1977 and elevated levels of nucleotide divergence (interspecific = 16-22%). Sueus chatterjeei Smith & Cognato sp. nov. (India) and Sueus insulanus Schiffer, Smith & Cognato sp. nov. (Papua New Guinea) are described. Hyorrhynchus granulatus Eggers, 1936 is removed from synonymy with Hyorrhynchus lewisi Blandford, 1894 and reinstated as a valid species, Sueus granulatus (Eggers, 1936) status restored, comb. nov. A key to the eight recognized species is given. In addition, the identity of the Martinique species is revised as S. pilosus. Geographic distribution of species and the potential existence of cryptic species are discussed.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-08

Domahovski AC, A Paladini (2024)

Pharsalus repandus Melichar, 1906 (Hemiptera, Ricaniidae): first record of ant-attendance in the family, ethological notes, and new records from Brazil.

Zootaxa, 5477(5):563-570.

Ant attendance or trophobiosis is widely distributed in Auchenorrhyncha and can be defined as a disjunctive association, an interspecific relationship between two symbiotic organisms. Aggregation behavior with or without ant mutualism has been documented for nymphs and adults in a few families of Fulgoromorpha whereas ant-attendance is reported for all planthopper families except for Ricaniidae. Based on field observations of Pharsalus repandus Melichar, 1906, the present work aims to record the first mutualistic interaction of ant-attendance in a species of the family Ricaniidae, report its aggregation behavior, its host plant, and expand its known distribution to the states of Paraná and Minas Gerais. Two ants were attending the planthoppers at the same time, identified as Camponotus (Myrmotrhix) rufipes (Fabricius, 1775) and Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) crassus Mayr, 1862. We noted direct contact and observed the ants employing antennal palpation behavior to stimulate the planthoppers to deliver honeydew.

RevDate: 2024-12-08

Suetsugu K, Okada H, Hirota SK, et al (2024)

Drastic mycorrhizal community shifts in Sceptridium ferns during the generation transition from fully mycoheterotrophic gametophytes to photosynthetic sporophytes.

The New phytologist [Epub ahead of print].

Many plant species experience a prolonged subterranean phase during which they rely entirely on mycorrhizal fungi for carbon. While this mycoheterotrophic strategy spans liverworts, lycophytes, and ferns, most empirical research has centered on angiosperms. This study explores the fungal associations of Sceptridium (Ophioglossaceae), an early-diverging fern with mycoheterotrophic gametophytes. We analyzed germination patterns and fungal associations in Sceptridium gametophytes, comparing them to the distribution and mycorrhizal partners of photosynthetic sporophytes. High-throughput sequencing data reveal that mycoheterotrophic gametophytes consistently associate with a single Entrophospora fungus in the order Entrophosporales (Glomeromycotina), while photosynthetic sporophytes primarily partner with fungi from Glomeraceae (Glomerales, Glomeromycotina). Consequently, gametophytes exhibit spatial clustering without association with adult plants. This is the first documentation of an association between Entrophosporaceae (and the order Entrophosporales) and mycoheterotrophic plants. The drastic shifts in Sceptridium mycorrhizal communities across life stages likely reflect changing physiological needs during development. Further research is essential to determine whether the association with Entrophosporaceae is widespread among mycoheterotrophic species and to elucidate the functional and physiological mechanisms underlying these mycorrhizal shifts.

RevDate: 2024-12-07

Sacristán C, Guerrero M, Sánchez S, et al (2024)

Comparison of Oxytetracycline and Sulfamethazine Effects Over Root Elongation in Selected Wild and Crop Plants Commonly Present in the Mediterranean Cropland and Pasture Scenarios.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology [Epub ahead of print].

Fertilization with animal manure and sewage sludge, and the use of sewage water for irrigation, can lead to high antimicrobial concentrations in agricultural soils. Once in soil, antimicrobials can exert direct and indirect toxic effects on plants by misbalancing plant-microbe symbiotic relationships. We performed germination tests to determine the optimum germination conditions of 24 plant species (10 crop and 14 wild species). Subsequently, we analyzed the differences in oxytetracycline and sulfamethazine phytotoxicity in 19 plant species for which optimum germination conditions could be established. The root elongation of the majority of wild species was inhibited in the presence of oxytetracycline and sulfamethazine, whereas crops were mainly affected by oxytetracycline. There were no differences in sensitivity to oxytetracycline between crop and wild plant species, whereas wild plants were significantly more susceptible to sulfamethazine than crop species. Thus, to cover both productivity and biodiversity protection goals, we recommend pharmaceuticals' predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values based on crop and wild plant species phytotoxicity data.

RevDate: 2024-12-07

Li Q, Chen Y, Zhang J, et al (2024)

Specificity of benthic invertebrate gill-associated microbiome contributes to host fitness to localized heterogeneous environment in the cold seep.

The Science of the total environment, 958:177861 pii:S0048-9697(24)08018-5 [Epub ahead of print].

The deep hydrocarbon fluids discharged into the water column at cold seeps create diverse and heterogeneous habitats on the seafloor. Symbiosis is essential for the survival of marine life in extreme deep-sea environments. Although the symbiotic relationship between chemoautotrophic bacteria and invertebrates has been reported, our understanding of these host-microbe interactions under heterogeneous environment remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the bacterial community structures, histological and subcellular localization, and potential functions of the gill microbiomes of six invertebrates in the Haima cold seep, South China Sea. The results showed distinct gill-associated microbiomes in these six invertebrates. Gigantidas haimaensis and Archivesica marissinica exhibit a highly dependent symbiotic relationship with their intracellular gill symbionts, characterized by a simple composition. In contrast, Alvinocaris longirostris, Shinkaia crosnieri, Phymorhynchus buccinoides, and Paraescarpia echinospica display a loosely dependent association with their extracellular gill-associated microbes, which are notably complex in composition. Moreover, gill microbiome specificity was seen among six invertebrates and host selection could be an underlying mechanism. The potential functional components of these six invertebrate gill microbiomes contribute to host fitness in heterogeneous local environments. The results obtained from our study provide insights into the ecology and evolution of host-microbe interactions and the underlying mechanisms in extreme marine environments. This information is critical for predicting the responses of benthic fauna to environmental changes in cold seeps.

RevDate: 2024-12-07

Yuan M, Shi Z, Gao J, et al (2024)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal type increases the negative feedback of soil microbial biomass to nitrogen deposition.

Journal of environmental management, 373:123617 pii:S0301-4797(24)03603-X [Epub ahead of print].

Soil microbes are crucial for ecosystem health and functioning, playing key roles in decomposing organic matter, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. Mycorrhizal fungi, a vital group of soil microbes, establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing plant nutrient uptake and improving soil structure. Globally nitrogen (N) enrichment is recognized as a significant regulator of soil microbial communities. However, whether and how mycorrhiza mediate the effects of N deposition on soil microbial biomass remains unclear. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis using 1945 paired observations (1309 AM type and 636 NonAM type) from 113 independent studies to assess the mycorrhiza-mediated responses of soil microbial biomass and respiration to N deposition. The results showed that N deposition reduced total, bacterial and fungal biomass, as well as fungi to bacteria ratio (F:B ratio), and the negative impact was more pronounced under AM type compared to NonAM type. Notably, the adverse effects intensified with increasing N application rate under AM type. Moreover, root respiration exhibited a greater increase with N deposition in AM type than in NonAM type, whereas microbial and soil respiration displayed a more significant decrease in AM type compared to NonAM type. The structural equation modeling revealed that the effects of N deposition on microbes were primarily driven by mean annual temperature (MAT) for AM type, whereas for NonAM type, it was mean annual precipitation (MAP) that played a significant role. Overall, our results indicated that soil microbes of the AM type were more susceptible to N deposition compared to those of the NonAM type. The observed patterns indicated that mycorrhizal type could effect the responses of plants and soil to nitrogen deposition, which has implications for ecosystem nutrient cycling and sustainable agriculture.

RevDate: 2024-12-07

Su Z, Li H, Xu Y, et al (2024)

Establishment of an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system for an Armillaria species, a host of the fully mycoheterotrophic plant Gastrodia elata.

Folia microbiologica [Epub ahead of print].

The genus Armillaria (Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Physalacriaceae) comprises pathogenic fungi that cause root-rot disease in plants, as well as species with low pathogenicity, some of which are hosts of the fully mycoheterotrophic orchid plant Gastrodia elata (Orchidaceae). To investigate the mechanisms underlying such special interactions between Armillaria fungi and G. elata, it is crucial to establish genetic transformation platforms for the Armillaria fungi and G. elata. In this study, an Armillaria strain Arm37 was isolated from G. elata, which can form symbiosis with G. elata in axenic culture under laboratory conditions. A vector pYT-EV containing a cassette for hygromycin-resistance selection and a cassette for expressing or silencing target genes was constructed. An Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system for Arm37 was successfully developed and optimized to achieve a transformation efficiency of 32%. The ATMT system was successfully used to express the reporter genes eGFP encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein and GUS encoding β-glucuronidase and to effectively silence the endogenous gene URA3 encoding orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase in Arm37. This ATMT system established for Arm37 provides an efficient genetic tool for exploring the Arm37 genes that are involved in the unique interaction between the Armillaria fungi and fully mycoheterotrophic plant G. elata.

RevDate: 2024-12-06

Ticinesi A, Siniscalchi C, Meschi T, et al (2024)

Gut microbiome and bone health: update on mechanisms, clinical correlations, and possible treatment strategies.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA [Epub ahead of print].

The intestinal microbiome is increasingly regarded as a relevant modulator of the pathophysiology of several age-related conditions, including frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive decline. Aging is in fact associated with alteration of the equilibrium between symbiotic bacteria and opportunistic pathogens, leading to dysbiosis. The microbiome is able to regulate intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation, has a central role in intestinal amino acid metabolism, and produces a large number of metabolites and byproducts, with either beneficial or detrimental consequences for the host physiology. Recent evidence, from both preclinical animal models and clinical studies, suggests that these microbiome-centered pathways could contribute to bone homeostasis, regulating the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast function. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms involved in the gut-bone axis, with a particular focus on microbiome function and microbiome-derived mediators including short-chain fatty acids. We also review the current evidence linking gut microbiota dysbiosis with osteopenia and osteoporosis, and the results of the intervention studies on pre-, pro-, or post-biotics targeting bone mineral density loss in both animal models and human beings, indicating knowledge gaps and highlighting possible avenues for future research.

RevDate: 2024-12-06
CmpDate: 2024-12-06

Li S, Wang R, Liu R, et al (2024)

Exploring the dynamic characteristic of typical kombucha induced by symbiotic microbiota succession from four Chinese regions: A comprehensive analytical framework.

Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.), 198:115335.

To investigate the microbial diversities and dynamic quality properties of kombucha, the successional changes with different periods from four regions were comprehensively characterized and compared. A total of 197 indigenous yeast and bacterial strains were isolated, involving Gluconobacter, Komagataeibacter, Starmerella and Zygosaccharomyces spp. The successional dynamics of the kombucha communities in different regions were evaluated. The b* values of all kombucha decreased continuously as fermentation progressed. Results indicated that proper fermentation timing significantly influenced nutritional composition and aroma characteristics. A gradual increase in the content of individual monomeric phenols during the middle and late stages of fermentation (days 6-15). Overall, the Shaanxi (SX) region exhibited the highest content of the 10 phenolics detected on day 9, with 273.45 mg/L, followed by the Hunan (HN) region on day 9 (206.49 mg/L). Higher concentrations of bioactive compounds were produced during later stages, which determined the antioxidant properties. A total of 94 volatile compounds were identified and 32 volatiles with relative odor activity value (rOAV) ≥ 0.1. Four regions showed a decreasing trend in the number of aromas in the later stages of fermentation. The predominant compounds were acids, esters and alcohols during the later fermentation stages, which decanal, trans-β-ionone and damascenone serving as characteristic aromas. The partial least-squares regression analysis revealed that apple juice, fruity and sour apple odors showed an intensely positive impact on the overall acceptability of the kombucha.

RevDate: 2024-12-06

Xie K, Ren Y, Huang Y, et al (2024)

A conserved nuclear factor YC subunit, NF-YC3, is essential for arbuscule development.

The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology [Epub ahead of print].

Establishing reciprocal symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is an important evolutionary strategy of most terrestrial plants to adapt to environmental stresses, especially phosphate (Pi) deficiencies. Identifying the key genes essential for AM symbiosis in plants and dissecting their functional mechanisms will be helpful for the breeding of new crop varieties with enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency. Here, we report a nuclear factor YC subunit-encoding gene, OsNF-YC3, whose expression is specifically induced in arbuscule-containing cells, plays an essential role in AM symbiosis. Knockout of OsNF-YC3 resulted in stunted arbuscule morphology and substantially decreased P accumulation, while overexpressing OsNF-YC3 enhanced mycorrhization and Pi uptake efficiency. OsNF-YC3 is directly regulated by OsPHRs, the major regulators of Pi starvation responses. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis uncovered multiple genes with crucial roles in arbuscule development as its potential downstream targets, including the AM-specific Pi transporter gene OsPT11. OsNF-YC3 can form a heterotrimer with the other two NF-Y subunits, OsNF-YA11 and OsNF-YB11, in yeast. Loss of OsNF-YA11 function also severely impaired arbuscule development in its mutants. Overall, our results highlight an essential role of OsNF-YC3 and its potential interacting NF-Y subunit, OsNF-YA11, in regulating AM symbiosis and arbuscule development.

RevDate: 2024-12-07

Mfopa AN, Kemzeu R, Fokom R, et al (2024)

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antileishmanial activities of kombucha as affected by fermentation time.

Heliyon, 10(22):e40463.

OBJECTIVE: Study the impact of fermentation time on the phytochemical properties, antioxidant and antileishmanial activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The preparation of Kombucha tea by fermentation was performed under aseptic conditions and symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) layer was maintained in culture for continuous growth in a water-sugar (4 L-500 g) mixture for 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days. The process of preparation was performed using a decoction. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins was determined using standard method. The antioxidant activity was determined using three tests: DPPH•, ABTS• + and FRAP methods. Finally, the antileishmanial activity was performed in vitro on Leishmania donovani promastigote strains.

RESULTS: The qualitative analysis of the constituents showed the kombucha drink was rich in saponins, terpenoids, quinones, phenolic compounds, catechins and coumarins depending on the fermentation times. Depending on the fermentation time (7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days and 35 days), significant quantities of phenolic compounds were obtained in the tea with values ranging from 182.42 to 509.41 mg GAE/g dry extract; 15.83-53.05 mg QE/g dry extract and 6.16-51.82 mg TAE/g dry extract respectively for phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and total tannins. The SC50 values of DPPH• and ABTS• [+], were 14.57 μg/mL; and 21.47 μg/mL after 14 and 21 days of fermentation respectively indicating a good antioxidant profile. The inhibition of the promastigote form of Leishmania donovani responsible for visceral leishmaniasis was observed with the samples obtained after 7 days, 14 days and 28 days with inhibitory concentrations 50 of: 131.2, 48.86 and 128.8 μg/mL respectively. The antileishmanial activity was more pronounced with the Kombucha tea after 14 days (KBT14) extract (48.86 μg/mL).

CONCLUSION: The Kombucha tea revealed the presence of phenolic compounds at different fermentation time. In addition, a good antioxidant profile was observed with the different radicals analyzed. Also, the inhibition of the Leishmania parasite was obtained. Therefore, the Kombucha tea constitutes a source bioactive molecules with antioxidant properties against Leishmania parasite.

RevDate: 2024-12-05

Medeiros ID, Ibáñez A, Arnold AE, et al (2024)

Eco-phylogenetic study of Trebouxia in southern Africa reveals interbiome connectivity and potential endemism in a green algal lichen photobiont.

American journal of botany [Epub ahead of print].

PREMISE: Southern Africa is a biodiversity hotspot rich in endemic plants and lichen-forming fungi. However, species-level data about lichen photobionts in this region are minimal. We focused on Trebouxia (Chlorophyta), the most common lichen photobiont, to understand how southern African species fit into the global biodiversity of this genus and are distributed across biomes and mycobiont partners.

METHODS: We sequenced Trebouxia nuclear ribosomal ITS and rbcL of 139 lichen thalli from diverse biomes in South Africa and Namibia. Global Trebouxia phylogenies incorporating these new data were inferred with a maximum likelihood approach. Trebouxia biodiversity, biogeography, and mycobiont-photobiont associations were assessed in phylogenetic and ecological network frameworks.

RESULTS: An estimated 43 putative Trebouxia species were found across the region, including seven potentially endemic species. Only five clades represent formally described species: T. arboricola s.l. (A13), T. cf. cretacea (A01), T. incrustata (A06), T. lynniae (A39), and T. maresiae (A46). Potential endemic species were not significantly associated with the Greater Cape Floristic Region or desert. Trebouxia species occurred frequently across multiple biomes. Annual precipitation, but not precipitation seasonality, was significant in explaining variation in Trebouxia communities. Consistent with other studies of lichen photobionts, the Trebouxia-mycobiont network had an anti-nested structure.

CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the metric used, ca. 20-30% of global Trebouxia biodiversity occurs in southern Africa, including many species yet to be described. With a classification scheme for Trebouxia now well established, tree-based approaches are preferable over "barcode gap" methods for delimiting new species.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-05

Xu Z, Schahl A, Jolivet MD, et al (2024)

Dynamic pre-structuration of lipid nanodomain-segregating remorin proteins.

Communications biology, 7(1):1620.

Remorins are multifunctional proteins, regulating immunity, development and symbiosis in plants. When associating to the membrane, remorins sequester specific lipids into functional membrane nanodomains. The multigenic protein family contains six groups, classified upon their protein-domain composition. Membrane targeting of remorins occurs independently from the secretory pathway. Instead, they are directed into different nanodomains depending on their phylogenetic group. All family members contain a C-terminal membrane anchor and a homo-oligomerization domain, flanked by an intrinsically disordered region of variable length at the N-terminal end. We here combined molecular imaging, NMR spectroscopy, protein structure calculations and advanced molecular dynamics simulation to unveil a stable pre-structuration of coiled-coil dimers as nanodomain-targeting units, containing a tunable fuzzy coat and a bar code-like positive surface charge before membrane association. Our data suggest that remorins fold in the cytosol with the N-terminal disordered region as a structural ensemble around a dimeric anti-parallel coiled-coil core containing a symmetric interface motif reminiscent of a hydrophobic Leucine zipper. The domain geometry, the charge distribution in the coiled-coil remorins and the differences in structures and dynamics between C-terminal lipid anchors of the remorin groups provide a selective platform for phospholipid binding when encountering the membrane surface.

RevDate: 2024-12-05

Shi Z, Ma R, Shan L, et al (2024)

Artificial Plateletoids Recruit Blood Proteins to Shield Symbiotic Thrombin: a Silk Fibroin/Calcium Interface Medicated Thrombin Generation and Preservation.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].

Breaking the constraints of thrombin during storage and in vivo applications remains challenging because of its low stability and sensitivity to environmental temperature and acidity. Herein, an artificial plateletoid is developed for in situ thrombin generation through a co-incubation approach with plasma in vitro, utilizing a silk fibroin/Ca[2+] interface, to enhance the activity and stability of the generated thrombin. Notably, the enzymatic activity of the plateletoid thrombin platform is as high as 30 U g[-1], leading to rapid clotting within 55 s, and it persisted for at least 90 days at as high as 37 °C. This considerably lessens the difficulties associated with maintaining the cold chain while storing and shipping thrombin formulations. Additionally, a gastric bleeding model confirmed that the plateletoid platform improved the acid resistance of thrombin by upregulating the pH of the gastric environment (pH 0.8), facilitating oral delivery of thrombin for effective hemorrhage control in highly acidic stomach conditions. This pioneering study addresses the constraints of thrombin in storage and in vivo applications and may provide a basis for further research on biological storage and delivery approaches.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-05

Guillory A, Fournier J, Kelner A, et al (2024)

Annexin- and calcium-regulated priming of legume root cells for endosymbiotic infection.

Nature communications, 15(1):10639.

Legumes establish endosymbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or rhizobia bacteria to improve mineral nutrition. Symbionts are hosted in privileged habitats, root cortex (for AM fungi) or nodules (for rhizobia) for efficient nutrient exchange. To reach these habitats, plants form cytoplasmic cell bridges, key to predicting and guiding fungal hyphae or rhizobia-filled infection thread (IT) root entry. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly studied. Here we show that unique ultrastructural changes and calcium (Ca[2+]) spiking signatures, closely associated with Medicago truncatula Annexin 1 (MtAnn1) accumulation, accompany rhizobia-related bridge formation. Loss of MtAnn1 function in M. truncatula affects Ca[2+] spike amplitude, cytoplasmic configuration and rhizobia infection efficiency, consistent with a role of MtAnn1 in regulating infection priming. MtAnn1, which evolved in species establishing intracellular symbioses, is also AM-symbiosis-induced and required for proper arbuscule formation. Together, we propose that MtAnn1 is part of an ancient Ca[2+]-regulatory module for transcellular endosymbiotic infection.

RevDate: 2024-12-08
CmpDate: 2024-12-05

Cheibchalard T, Leelahavanichkul A, Chatthanathon P, et al (2024)

Fungal microbiome in gut of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone mice (pristane and FCGRIIb deficiency), a possible impact of fungi in lupus.

PloS one, 19(12):e0314662.

The gut mycobiota (fungal microbiota) plays a crucial role in the immune system, potentially impacting autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Despite growing interest, data on intestinal fungi in SLE remain limited. This study thereby investigated the human-mimicked (mice) gut mycobiome and quantitative gut mycobiome analyses using universal fungal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) DNA next generation sequencing and real-time PCR, tracking time-series dynamics from preclinical to established SLE conditions in two SLE-prone mouse models. These models included pristane -induced mice, representing an environmental cause of SLE, and Fc gamma receptor RIIb (FcgRIIb) deficiency mice, representing a genetic factor. Fecal samples and different intestinal sections from mice aged 2-10 months were analyzed, including samples from 4-month-old and 11-month-old mice, which represented preclinical lupus (negative for anti-dsDNA) and established SLE conditions (positive for anti-dsDNA with proteinuria), respectively, alongside age-matched healthy controls. Results showed increased fungal diversity, specific changes in gut fungal species (i.e. increased Candida spp.), and an elevated Basidiomycota-to-Ascomycota (Basidiomycota/Ascomycota) ratio, which correlated with lupus activity in both lupus models. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe; a possible representative organism) helped identify specific fungal difference between the lupus models. Our findings revealed that active lupus states may elevate gut fungal populations and alter fungal components in both the pristane and genetically susceptible SLE-prone mice, as indicated by mycobiota and quantitative mycobiota analyses. These changes could, in turn, influence disease activity. This research is essential for a deeper understand of the SLE-gut microbiome association, as the gut microbiome comprises both bacterial and fungal symbiosis. Manipulating fungal communities could present a potential therapeutic avenue for influencing disease outcomes in lupus. Further studies are crucial to clarify the direct role of gut fungi in lupus disease progression.

RevDate: 2024-12-06
CmpDate: 2024-12-05

Gutiérrez-García K, Aumiller K, Dodge R, et al (2024)

A conserved bacterial genetic basis for commensal-host specificity.

Science (New York, N.Y.), 386(6726):1117-1122.

Animals selectively acquire specific symbiotic gut bacteria from their environments that aid host fitness. To colonize, a symbiont must locate its niche and sustain growth within the gut. Adhesins are bacterial cell surface proteins that facilitate attachment to host tissues and are often virulence factors for opportunistic pathogens. However, the attachments are often transient and nonspecific, and additional mechanisms are required to sustain infection. In this work, we use live imaging of individual symbiotic bacterial cells colonizing the gut of living Drosophila melanogaster to show that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum specifically recognizes the fruit fly foregut as a distinct physical niche. L. plantarum establishes stably within its niche through host-specific adhesins encoded by genes carried on a colonization island. The adhesin binding domains are conserved throughout the Lactobacillales, and the island also encodes a secretion system widely conserved among commensal and pathogenic bacteria.

RevDate: 2024-12-05

Plante M (2024)

A new symbiotic, holistic and gradualist model proposal for the concept of "living organism".

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften [Epub ahead of print].

In biology, the concept of "living organism" has traditionally been based on the smallest level of organization comprising all the necessary and essential characteristics of life: the cell. Today, this concept is being challenged by the analysis of ambiguous biological entities, located both below and above the level of the living cell, which exhibit some of the characteristics of living organisms. This situation has given rise to an epistemological pluralism of the concepts of "organism", "individual" and "living", for which no clear and unanimous definition has yet been accepted. The aim of this manuscript is to explore new ideas and perspectives for defining the concept of "living organism", in order to eliminate a certain level of pluralism that could generate confusion, particularly in the pragmatic context of biological research. First, I expose the dualism of the concepts of "organism" and "individual" and suggest a fusion of these concepts in order to eliminate a certain level of pluralism. In doing so, I develop a symbiotic and holistic definition of the concept of "living organism", which includes different structural levels of the organism: molecular, cellular and ecosystems. Second, I present the epistemological problem of the concept of "living", which is closely related to the concepts of "organism" and "individual", by analyzing the list and gradational types of definition. In doing so, I propose a new symbiotic, holistic and gradualist model of the concept of "living organism", using a gradation of several properties of the living applied to the different structural levels of the organism developed previously (molecular, cellular, ecosystems).

RevDate: 2024-12-05

Wang Z, Miao X, Wu X, et al (2024)

Utilizing photosynthetic oxygen-releasing biomaterials to modulate blood vessel growth in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane.

Biomaterials science [Epub ahead of print].

Effective vascularization is crucial for the success of tissue engineering and is influenced by numerous factors. The present work focuses on investigating the effect of a substance, cyanobacteria-loaded oxygen-releasing hydrogel, on vascularization and verifying the effect of photosynthetic-oxygen-releasing biomaterials containing a cyanobacteria hydrogel on angiogenesis, using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as a model system. On the eighth day of embryonic development, cyanobacterial microspheres were placed on the CAM and maintained in a light incubator under appropriate growth and photosynthesis conditions. The effect of cyanobacterial microspheres on vascularization was evaluated from the eighth day of embryonic development. The carrier material used to prepare the microspheres was a calcium alginate hydrogel, which is biocompatible for maintaining embryonic vitality. The article studied the preparation method, the optimal process, and the specific effects of in vivo co-culture on CAM vascularization and development. The data indicate that our prepared photosynthetic oxygen-releasing blue-green algal microspheres have the potential for symbiosis with tissues by supplying oxygen to tissues and inducing vascular growth through photosynthetic oxygen release. This research opens new avenues for applying cyanobacterial microspheres, a novel biological oxygen-releasing material, in regenerative medicine.

RevDate: 2024-12-07
CmpDate: 2024-12-05

Moura IB, AM Buckley (2025)

Using nutrition to help recovery from infections.

Current opinion in gastroenterology, 41(1):54-58.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine, but antibiotic consumption can have depleting effects on the gut microbiota, potentially leading to gastrointestinal symptoms and other diseases, namely Clostridioides difficile infection. Because nutrition is a major driver of gut microbiota diversity and function, here we explore the current evidence on the potential of diets in alleviate the deleterious effects of antibiotics consumed during infections.

RECENT FINDINGS: Beneficial nutrients can enhance the symbiotic effect of the gut microbiota with the host, supporting anti-inflammatory responses and maintaining tight junction integrity. Short-chain fatty acids have been shown to positively affect the immune response, reducing the severity of C. difficile infection, whereas high-fibre diets have been shown to promote faster recovery of the gut microbiota after antibiotic therapy.

SUMMARY: The role of nutrition during infection is gaining momentum, with key findings exploring the effect of some nutrients in limiting the severity of infections and helping the microbiota recover from antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Although this field is in its infancy, these findings open the possibility of personalised nutrition as a way of restoring microbiome diversity. But more work is needed to identify the most effective types and combinations of nutrients to achieve this.

RevDate: 2024-12-07

Pérez Y, Almendras K, Millanes AM, et al (2024)

Peltigera lichens as sources of uncharacterized cultured basidiomycete yeasts.

IMA fungus, 15(1):39.

Lichens represent one of the most successful examples of symbiosis. They are constituted by the association between a dominant fungus (i.e., the mycobiont), one or more photosynthetic partners (algae or cyanobacteria), and harbor an array of associated microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. The associated fungal communities in lichens, known as the "lichen mycobiome", are composed of both ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, including filamentous and yeast taxa. Recently, basidiomycete yeasts have received considerable attention as a much-overlooked source of diversity within the lichen mycobiome, with hypothesized roles in lichen symbiosis. This study surveyed the diversity of cultivable basidiomycete yeasts associated with Peltigera lichens across southern Chile. A phylogenetic study based on sequences of 179 yeast isolates allowed the identification of 29 taxa from 13 genera in the classes Agaricostilbomycetes, Cystobasidiomycetes, Microbotryomycetes, and Tremellomycetes, with the latter being the most represented. This research revealed several yeast species, including members of the genera Boekhoutia and Goffeauzyma, in lichens for the first time, thereby expanding our understanding of lichen-associated fungal diversity. In addition, four new cultivable species isolated from Peltigera are formally described. These are Boekhoutia peltigerae sp. nov., Cystobasidium chilense sp. nov., Genolevuria patagonica sp. nov. and Pseudotremella navarinensis sp. nov. These results highlight the role of lichens as reservoirs of uncharacterized basidiomycete yeasts.

RevDate: 2024-12-04

Lu B, Lin Y, He C, et al (2024)

Effects of dark septate endophyte on root growth, physiology and transcriptome of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus seedlings under drought stress.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 219:109367 pii:S0981-9428(24)01035-0 [Epub ahead of print].

As the only evergreen relict species in the desert environment of western China, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Leguminosae) roots is colonized with dark septate endophytes (DSE), but the potential of DSE to alleviate the adverse effects of drought on seedling roots remains uncertain. This study examined the effects of DSE on root growth, physiology and transcriptome of A. mongolicus under drought stress. Drought drastically reduced root biomass by 47.7%, while all DSE strains established positive symbiosis with A.mongolicus, with G.hyphopodioides having the most pronounced promoting effect. Inoculation with G. hyphopodioides alleviated drought stress injury by increasing CAT activity, AsA content and soluble sugar content in the roots, with a significant reduction in MDA accumulation by 97.7%. G. hyphopodioides also significantly increased zeatin and brassinosteroid contents, which in turn regulated the root structure and increased root activity, resulting in a 208.6% increase in root biomass. Transcriptome analysis screened 1246 differentially expressed genes (542 up-regulated and 704 down-regulated) between G. hyphopodioides inoculation under drought treatment, mainly associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, ascorbic acid and aldehyde metabolism, hormone synthesis and signalling, sucrose and starch metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism, and further investigated and identified key potential genes and transcription factors (DREB, ERF, NAC, MYB, C2H2). These findings reveal the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which DSE symbiosis improves the drought resistance of A. mongolicus seedlings, providing valuable guidance on the use of DSE resources to promote ecological construction and production of desert plants.

RevDate: 2024-12-04

Zhao W, Zhang Y, Chen J, et al (2024)

Revolutionizing oral care: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-Regulating biomaterials for combating infection and inflammation.

Redox biology, 79:103451 pii:S2213-2317(24)00429-4 [Epub ahead of print].

The human oral cavity is home to a delicate symbiosis between its indigenous microbiota and the host, the balance of which is easily perturbed by local or systemic factors, leading to a spectrum of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, and pulp infections. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play crucial roles in the host's innate immune defenses. However, in chronic inflammatory oral conditions, dysregulated immune responses can result in excessive ROS production, which in turn exacerbates inflammation and causes tissue damage. Conversely, the potent antimicrobial properties of ROS have inspired the development of various anti-infective therapies. Therefore, the strategic modulation of ROS by innovative biomaterials is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for oral infection and inflammation. This review begins by highlighting the state-of-the-art of ROS-regulating biomaterials, which are designed to generate, scavenge, or modulate ROS in a bidirectional manner. We then delve into the latest innovations in these biomaterials and their applications in treating a range of oral diseases, including dental caries, endodontic and periapical conditions, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and oral candidiasis. The review concludes with an overview of the current challenges and future potential of these biomaterials in clinical settings. This review provides novel insights for the ongoing development of ROS-based therapeutic strategies for oral diseases.

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ESP Quick Facts

ESP Origins

In the early 1990's, Robert Robbins was a faculty member at Johns Hopkins, where he directed the informatics core of GDB — the human gene-mapping database of the international human genome project. To share papers with colleagues around the world, he set up a small paper-sharing section on his personal web page. This small project evolved into The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Support

In 1995, Robbins became the VP/IT of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Soon after arriving in Seattle, Robbins secured funding, through the ELSI component of the US Human Genome Project, to create the original ESP.ORG web site, with the formal goal of providing free, world-wide access to the literature of classical genetics.

ESP Rationale

Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.

ESP Goal

In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Usage

Usage of the site grew rapidly and has remained high. Faculty began to use the site for their assigned readings. Other on-line publishers, ranging from The New York Times to Nature referenced ESP materials in their own publications. Nobel laureates (e.g., Joshua Lederberg) regularly used the site and even wrote to suggest changes and improvements.

ESP Content

When the site began, no journals were making their early content available in digital format. As a result, ESP was obliged to digitize classic literature before it could be made available. For many important papers — such as Mendel's original paper or the first genetic map — ESP had to produce entirely new typeset versions of the works, if they were to be available in a high-quality format.

ESP Help

Early support from the DOE component of the Human Genome Project was critically important for getting the ESP project on a firm foundation. Since that funding ended (nearly 20 years ago), the project has been operated as a purely volunteer effort. Anyone wishing to assist in these efforts should send an email to Robbins.

ESP Plans

With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.

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Papers in Classical Genetics

The ESP began as an effort to share a handful of key papers from the early days of classical genetics. Now the collection has grown to include hundreds of papers, in full-text format.

Digital Books

Along with papers on classical genetics, ESP offers a collection of full-text digital books, including many works by Darwin and even a collection of poetry — Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg.

Timelines

ESP now offers a large collection of user-selected side-by-side timelines (e.g., all science vs. all other categories, or arts and culture vs. world history), designed to provide a comparative context for appreciating world events.

Biographies

Biographical information about many key scientists (e.g., Walter Sutton).

Selected Bibliographies

Bibliographies on several topics of potential interest to the ESP community are automatically maintained and generated on the ESP site.

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