@article {pmid40057539,
year = {2025},
author = {Teikari, JE and Russo, DA and Heuser, M and Baumann, O and Zedler, JAZ and Liaimer, A and Dittmann, E},
title = {Competition and interdependence define interactions of Nostoc sp. and Agrobacterium sp. under inorganic carbon limitation.},
journal = {NPJ biofilms and microbiomes},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {42},
pmid = {40057539},
issn = {2055-5008},
support = {239748522- SFB 1127//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 239748522- SFB 1127//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 406260942//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 239748522- SFB 1127//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 332215//Academy of Finland (Suomen Akatemia)/ ; },
mesh = {*Nostoc/metabolism/genetics ; *Carbon/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/metabolism/genetics ; Proteomics/methods ; Iron/metabolism ; Microbial Interactions ; Agrobacterium tumefaciens/genetics ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Heterotrophic Processes ; },
abstract = {Cyanobacteria of the Nostoc genus are capable of forming symbiotic relationships with plants but also serve as a hub for heterotrophic bacteria. By comparing the axenic strain Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102 and the xenic strains Nostoc sp. KVJ2 and KVJ3, we were able to demonstrate an almost obligate dependence of the cyanobacteria on the heterotrophic partners under carbon-limiting conditions. A detailed analysis of the intimate relationship between N. punctiforme and the isolate Agrobacterium tumefaciens Het4 using shotgun proteomics and microscopy uncovered a complex partnership characterized by competition for iron and facilitation for carbon. The prevalent extracarboxysomal localization of the carbon-fixing enzyme RubisCO suggests that a weak carbon-concentrating mechanism in N. punctiforme enforces a dependence on heterotrophic bacteria. Our study indicates a limited autonomy of symbiotic Nostoc strains, which may also explain its preference for symbiotic interactions.},
}

*Nostoc/metabolism/genetics
*Carbon/metabolism
*Symbiosis
Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/metabolism/genetics
Proteomics/methods
Iron/metabolism
Microbial Interactions
Agrobacterium tumefaciens/genetics
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Heterotrophic Processes

@article {pmid40057434,
year = {2025},
author = {Pang, L and Huang, Y and Huang-Gao, J and Chen, P},
title = {Protease regulation of tumor-immune cell symbiosis.},
journal = {Trends in cancer},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.trecan.2025.02.004},
pmid = {40057434},
issn = {2405-8025},
abstract = {Proteases play a crucial role in cancer progression and are traditionally known for their protumorigenic role by degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM). Emerging evidence indicates that proteases, such as caspases, cathepsins, and ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), regulate diverse immunomodulatory substrates or signals in the tumor microenvironment (TME), generating symbiotic interactions between cancer cells and immune cells. These interactions are critical for tumor progression and immunotherapy resistance across cancer types. In this review, we highlight recent insights into protease-mediated tumor-immune cell crosstalk, emphasizing how this symbiosis affects tumor progression and immunosuppression. Moreover, we discuss therapeutic strategies that exploit protease-mediated tumor-immune cell interactions to inhibit tumor progression and sensitize immunologically 'cold' tumors to immunotherapies, especially immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.},
}

@article {pmid40056871,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, Z and Fernie, AR and Zhang, Y},
title = {Engineering nitrogen and carbon fixation for next-generation plants.},
journal = {Current opinion in plant biology},
volume = {85},
number = {},
pages = {102699},
doi = {10.1016/j.pbi.2025.102699},
pmid = {40056871},
issn = {1879-0356},
abstract = {Improving plant nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) acquisition and assimilation is a major challenge for global agriculture, food security, and ecological sustainability. Emerging synthetic biology techniques, including directed evolution, artificial intelligence (AI)-guided enzyme design, and metabolic engineering, have opened new avenues for optimizing nitrogenase to fix atmospheric N2 in plants, engineering Rhizobia or other nitrogen-fixing bacteria for symbiotic associations with both legume and nonlegume crops, and enhancing carbon fixation to improve photosynthetic efficiency and source-to-sink assimilate fluxes. Here, we discuss the potential for engineering nitrogen fixation and carbon fixation mechanisms in plants, from rational and AI-driven optimization of nitrogen and carbon fixation cycles. Furthermore, we discuss strategies for modifying source-to-sink relationships to promote robust growth in extreme conditions, such as arid deserts, saline-alkaline soils, or even extraterrestrial environments like Mars. The combined engineering of N and C pathways promises a new generation of crops with enhanced productivity, resource-use efficiency, and resilience. Finally, we explore future perspectives, focusing on the integration of enzyme engineering via directed evolution and computational design to accelerate metabolic innovation in plants.},
}

@article {pmid40056711,
year = {2025},
author = {Shang, Q and Wang, Z and Wang, S and Zhang, W and Wang, Q and Wang, R and Huang, D and Pan, X},
title = {Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics elucidate how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate drought stress in Juglans sigillata.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {296},
number = {},
pages = {128135},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2025.128135},
pmid = {40056711},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {Walnut (Juglans sigillata), an economically significant ecotype of the Juglans genus in the Juglandaceae family, is cultivated mainly in southwest China, a region prone to seasonal drought. Drought significantly reduced both the yield and quality of walnuts in this area. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic fungi that colonize plant roots and play crucial roles in enhancing plant drought resistance. This study investigated the effects of AMF on the alleviation of drought stress. Compared to non-inoculated drought-stressed plants, AMF inoculation improved plant growth, increased photosynthetic capacity, enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability, and significantly activities of superoxide Dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase were significantly increased by 19.90 %, 18.43 %, and 8.39 %, respectively. malondialdehyde, Superoxide anion, and Hydrogen peroxide levels decreased by 18.39 %, 20.75 %, and 21.44 %, respectively, and soluble sugar and proline concentrations also significantly increased (P < 0.05), helping to maintain the osmotic balance. In addition, transcriptome results showed that ATP-binding cassette transporter related to drought resistance were significantly enriched in plants inoculated with AMF, and genes related to growth, such as IAA and CKT synthesis, transcription factors (BZIP, WRKY, and GTE), and related antioxidant enzymes. The mitogen-activated protein kinases pathway-related genes were upregulated in the inoculated drought treatment group, whereas pinobanksin and homoeriodictyol were upregulated in the inoculated drought treatment group, both of which provide support for drought resistance. In summary, AMF alleviated drought stress and promoted Juglans sigillata growth by modulating key physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms involved in drought resistance. This study offers important theoretical insights that support the application of AMF in sustainable agricultural practices.},
}

@article {pmid40056577,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, W and Wang, R and Li, Y and Li, Y and Zhang, P and Gao, M and Cao, Y and Fohrer, N and Zhang, Y and Li, BL},
title = {Cross-sectional-dependent microbial assembly and network stability: Bacteria sensitivity response was higher than eukaryotes and fungi in the Danjiangkou Reservoir.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {379},
number = {},
pages = {124851},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124851},
pmid = {40056577},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Water depth variation can lead to the vertical structure change of microbial communities in reservoirs, and then affect the relationship between the microbial communities along the depth gradient, profoundly affecting the stability of the aquatic ecosystems. However, the interspecific dynamics of microbial communities across different water layers in deep-water low-nutrient drinking water reservoirs remain not well understood. Thus, we assessed microbial communities' dynamic changes in different water layers in this study. The physical and chemical parameters and different planktonic microbial of the surface, middle, and bottom layers were studied from July 2022 to August 2023 in the Danjiangkou Reservoir, China. Based on high-throughput sequencing technology, model analysis and network analysis, the diversity of microbial communities in different water layers, community construction process and co-occurrence network differences were studied. The results showed that the diversity of bacterial communities in the Danjiangkou reservoir was significantly higher than that of fungi and eukaryotic microorganisms in different water depths. The dominant taxa of the bacterial communities in different water depths were Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria. The dominant phyla were Ascomycota, unclassified_k__Fungi and Chytridiomycota. The relative abundance of vertical dominant species in eukaryotic communities was slightly different, including Cryptophyta, Chlorophyta, Dinophyta and Metazoa. Different microbial communities shared the main dominant species on the vertical stratification. The neutral model showed that random processes significantly affected the assembly process of microbial communities in different water layers, and the mobility of fungal communities was much lower than that of bacteria and eukaryotes. The co-occurrence network analysis showed that the number of nodes and edges of the bacterial community was the highest, indicating that the network scale of the bacterial community was the largest. In addition, the map density and average clustering coefficient of bacterial and eukaryotic communities in surface water were the highest, indicating that the surface microbial species had a high degree of connectivity, can better transfer materials and exchange information, and Sensitive to changes in the external environment. In contrast, in fungal communities, microbial interactions were the most complex at the bottom. The interactions between microbial communities in different water depths were mainly positive, and the negative correlation of microbial communities in the middle and bottom water was greater than that in the surface water, indicating that the competition between species increased with the increase of depth. Correlation analysis showed that the key species of microbial community were significantly correlated with TP, PO4[3-]-P, NO3[-]-N and ORP. In summary, by analyzing water depth changes' impacts on the spatial distribution pattern, community assembly process and symbiotic network stability of microbial communities in the Danjiangkou Reservoir, we found that bacterial communities were more sensitive to water depth than eukaryotes and fungi. This study revealed the response mechanism of microbial communities to water depth in low-nutrient reservoirs, which is helpful to reflect aquatic ecological processes and provide a theoretical basis for the construction of subsequent reservoir ecological models.},
}

@article {pmid40056175,
year = {2025},
author = {de Fernandes, MG and Nascimento-Silva, G and Rozas, EE and Hardoim, CCP and Custódio, MR},
title = {From Sea to Freshwater: Shared and Unique Microbial Traits in Sponge Associated Prokaryotic Communities.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {82},
number = {4},
pages = {178},
pmid = {40056175},
issn = {1432-0991},
support = {88887465142/2019-00//Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior/ ; 2016/17189-7//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 2017/10157-5//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; },
mesh = {*Porifera/microbiology ; Animals ; *Microbiota ; *Fresh Water/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Seawater/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Ecosystem ; Archaea/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; },
abstract = {Despite their ecological significance and biotechnological potential, freshwater sponges remain relatively understudied compared to their marine counterparts. In special, the prokaryotic communities of species from isolated yet highly diverse ecosystems, such as the Amazon Rainforest, remain unknown, leaving an important part of the Porifera microbiome underexplored. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we unraveled the structure of the microbiota associated to the freshwater sponges Heteromeyenia cristalina and Metania reticulata for the first time. Their microbiome was compared with that of the haplosclerid marine sponges Amphimedon viridis and Haliclona melana; and the tetractinellid Cinachyrella alloclada. Our findings reveal not only a shared core microbiome between the freshwater and marine environments but also indicate functional redundancy in their communities, suggesting that certain microbial metabolic functions are conserved across diverse habitats. Comparisons between ecosystems also revealed that microbiomes of freshwater sponges can be richer and more diverse than those of marine species. Moreover, we compared the microbiome of adults and asexual reproduction structures (buds and gemmules) of sponges from both habitats, revealing a remarkable similarity between adults and their respective offsprings, indicating an important role of vertical transmission in this mode of reproduction. Our observations emphasize the dynamic interactions and the adaptability of the sponge-associated microbiota, providing insights into how these symbiotic associations were affected during the colonization of freshwater environments and shedding light into how symbiotic relationships are maintained throughout generations.},
}

*Porifera/microbiology
Animals
*Microbiota
*Fresh Water/microbiology
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Seawater/microbiology
*Phylogeny
Symbiosis
Ecosystem
Archaea/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

@article {pmid40056008,
year = {2025},
author = {Lust, B and Matthews, JL and Oakley, CA and Lewis, RE and Mendis, H and Peng, L and Grossman, AR and Weis, VM and Davy, SK},
title = {The Influence of Symbiont Identity on the Proteomic and Metabolomic Responses of the Model Cnidarian Aiptasia to Thermal Stress.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {3},
pages = {e70073},
pmid = {40056008},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {VUW1602//The Marsden Fund of the Royal Society Te Apārangi/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology ; *Sea Anemones/microbiology ; Proteome ; Metabolome ; Proteomics ; Heat-Shock Response/physiology ; Hot Temperature ; Metabolomics ; Stress, Physiological ; },
abstract = {We examined the effects of symbiont identity and heat stress on the host metabolome and proteome in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia') was inoculated with its homologous (i.e., native) symbiont Breviolum minutum or a heterologous (i.e., non-native) symbiont (Symbiodinium microadriaticum; Durusdinium trenchii) and thermally stressed. Integrated metabolome and proteome analyses characterised host thermal responses between symbioses, with clear evidence of enhanced nutritional deprivation and cellular stress in hosts harbouring heterologous symbionts following temperature stress. Host metabolomes were partially distinct at the control temperature; however, thermal stress caused metabolomes of anemones containing the two heterologous symbionts to become more alike and more distinct from those containing B. minutum. While these patterns could be partly explained by innate symbiont-specific differences, they may also reflect differences in symbiont density, as under control conditions D. trenchii attained 60% and S. microadriaticum 15% of the density attained by B. minutum, and at elevated temperature only D. trenchii-colonised anemones bleached (60% loss). Our findings add to a growing literature that highlights the physiological limits of partner switching as a means of adaptation to global warming. However, we also provide tentative evidence for improved metabolic functioning with a heterologous symbiont (D. trenchii) after sustained symbiosis.},
}

*Symbiosis
Animals
*Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology
*Sea Anemones/microbiology
Proteome
Metabolome
Proteomics
Heat-Shock Response/physiology
Hot Temperature
Metabolomics
Stress, Physiological

@article {pmid40054448,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, H and Sun, S and Liu, J and Guo, Q and Meng, L and Chen, J and Xiang, X and Zhou, Y and Zhang, N and Liu, H and Liu, Y and Yan, G and Ji, Q and He, L and Cai, S and Cai, C and Huang, X and Xu, S and Xiao, Y and Zhang, Y and Wang, K and Liu, Y and Chen, H and Yue, Z and He, S and Wang, J and Yang, H and Liu, X and Seim, I and Gu, Y and Li, Q and Zhang, G and Lee, SM and Kristiansen, K and Xu, X and Liu, S and Fan, G},
title = {The amphipod genome reveals population dynamics and adaptations to hadal environment.},
journal = {Cell},
volume = {188},
number = {5},
pages = {1378-1392.e18},
doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.030},
pmid = {40054448},
issn = {1097-4172},
mesh = {*Amphipoda/genetics ; Animals ; *Genome ; Adaptation, Physiological/genetics ; Population Dynamics ; Genetics, Population ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; },
abstract = {The amphipod Hirondellea gigas is a dominant species inhabiting the deepest part of the ocean (∼6,800-11,000 m), but little is known about its genetic adaptation and population dynamics. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome of H. gigas, characterized by a large genome size of 13.92 Gb. Whole-genome sequencing of 510 individuals from the Mariana Trench indicates no population differentiation across depths, suggesting its capacity to tolerate hydrostatic pressure across wide ranges. H. gigas in the West Philippine Basin is genetically divergent from the Mariana and Yap Trenches, suggesting genetic isolation attributed to the geographic separation of hadal features. A drastic reduction in effective population size potentially reflects glacial-interglacial changes. By integrating multi-omics analysis, we propose host-symbiotic microbial interactions may be crucial in the adaptation of H. gigas to the extremely high-pressure and food-limited environment. Our findings provide clues for adaptation to the hadal zone and population genetics.},
}

*Amphipoda/genetics
Animals
*Genome
Adaptation, Physiological/genetics
Population Dynamics
Genetics, Population
Whole Genome Sequencing
Hydrostatic Pressure
Phylogeny
Symbiosis/genetics

@article {pmid40054396,
year = {2025},
author = {Chakravarthula, PN and Suffridge, JE and Wang, S},
title = {Gaze dynamics during natural scene memorization and recognition.},
journal = {Cognition},
volume = {259},
number = {},
pages = {106098},
doi = {10.1016/j.cognition.2025.106098},
pmid = {40054396},
issn = {1873-7838},
abstract = {Humans can rapidly memorize numerous images, which is surprising considering the limited visual sampling of each image. To enhance the probability of recognition, it is crucial to focus on previously sampled locations most likely to support memory. How does the visuomotor system achieve this? To study this, we analyzed the eye movements of a group of neurotypical observers while they performed a natural scene memorization task. Using comprehensive gaze analysis and computational modeling, we show that observers traded off visual exploration for exploiting information at the most memorable scene locations with repeated viewing. Furthermore, both the explore-exploit trade-off and gaze consistency predicted accurate recognition memory. Finally, false alarms were predicted by confusion of the incoming visual information at fixated locations with previously sampled information from other images. Together, our findings shed light on the symbiotic relationship between attention and memory in facilitating accurate natural scene memory.},
}

@article {pmid40054249,
year = {2025},
author = {Walling, LK and Gamache, MH and González-Pech, RA and Harwood, VJ and Ibrahim-Hashim, A and Jung, JH and Lewis, DB and Margres, MJ and McMinds, R and Rasheed, K and Reis, F and van Riemsdijk, I and Santiago-Alarcon, D and Sarmiento, C and Whelan, CJ and Zalamea, PC and Parkinson, JE and Richards, CL},
title = {Incorporating microbiome analyses can enhance conservation of threatened species and ecosystem functions.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {970},
number = {},
pages = {178826},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178826},
pmid = {40054249},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Conservation genomics is a rapidly growing subdiscipline of conservation biology that uses genome-wide information to inform management of biodiversity at all levels. Such efforts typically focus on species or systems of conservation interest, but rarely consider associated microbes. At least three major approaches have been used to study how microorganisms broadly contribute to conservation areas: (1) diversity surveys map out microbial species distribution patterns in a variety of hosts, natural environments or regions; (2) functional surveys associate microbial communities with factors of interest, such as host health, symbiotic interactions, environmental characteristics, ecosystem processes, and biological invasions; and (3) manipulative experiments examine the response of changes to microbial communities or determine the functional roles of specific microbes within hosts or communities by adding, removing, or genetically modifying microbes. In practice, multiple approaches are often applied simultaneously. The results from all three conservation genomics approaches can be used to help design practical interventions and improve management actions, some of which we highlight below. However, experimental manipulations allow for more robust causal inferences and should be the ultimate goal of future work. Here we discuss how further integration of microbial research of a host's microbiome and of free living microbes into conservation biology will be an essential advancement for conservation of charismatic organisms and ecosystem functions in light of ongoing global environmental change.},
}

@article {pmid40054197,
year = {2025},
author = {Jiang, S and He, L and Cao, L and Sun, R and Dai, Z and Liang, YQ and Ren, L and Sun, S and Li, C},
title = {Unraveling individual and combined toxicity of microplastics and tetracycline at environment-related concentrations to coral holobionts.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {490},
number = {},
pages = {137823},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137823},
pmid = {40054197},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Coral holobionts constitute the foundational organisms of coral reef ecosystems. As an emerging pollutant, the projected accumulated levels of microplastics (MPs) are expected to continue increasing. Meanwhile, due to their properties, MPs can absorb multiple other marine pollutants, such as antibiotics (ATs). However, the co-toxicity mechanism of MPs and ATs to coral holobionts remains to be explored. Here, using Zoanthus sociatus as a model organism, we investigate the individual and combined toxicity of MPs and tetracycline (TC) at environment-related concentrations to coral holobionts. Microbiomics indicate that MPs and TC increase coral holobionts bacterial species richness while concurrently reducing the microbial community structure stability. The key metabolites and enzyme activity results demonstrated that the impacts of MPs and TC on corals encompassed antioxidant capacity, detoxification capability, immune function, and lipid metabolism. Transcriptomics shows that MPs and TC disrupt coral-algae relationships mainly through host nutrition limitation and inhibition of symbiotic algae carbon/nitrogen metabolism, respectively. A synergistic effect between MPs and TC has also been observed. In contrast, coral holobionts have shown adaptability through activating coral-symbiodiniaceae-bacteria interactions, mainly including: 1) enhancing the abundance of BMCs (beneficial microorganisms for corals); 2) enhancing host lipid accumulation; 3) immunoregulation; 4) symbiotic regulation. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the co-toxicity of MPs and TC, and highlight those MPs and TC at current environment concentration and predicted for most oceans in the coming decades, can ultimately cause coral bleaching.},
}

@article {pmid40054109,
year = {2025},
author = {Sarkar, A and Roy, A and Roy, S},
title = {Anabaena azollae - The cyanobacterial partner of Azolla filiculoides reciprocates variably to dose- and duration-dependent Bisphenol-A exposure.},
journal = {Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {109727},
doi = {10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109727},
pmid = {40054109},
issn = {1873-2690},
abstract = {Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most studied endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC), for its large-scale production and disposal, and ubiquitous presence in the environment. It is also known to impart significant phytotoxic effects on almost all aquatic flora including cyanobacteria. Yet, there are limited studies on the responses of symbiotic cyanobacteria i.e. Anabaena azollae - residing inside Azolla filiculoides. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the response of A. azollae upon exposure to different doses and durations of BPA, which marks this as one of the first such studies. Morphological study reaffirmed the infiltration of BPA through the host's physical barrier and induced various anomalies like filament fragmentation, and cellular disruption especially heterocysts in the case of the higher doses of BPA (20, and 30 mg L[-1]). Additionally, exposure to higher doses further stimulated the antioxidative enzymes, secondary metabolites and stress/defence markers. However, the exaggerated ROS production (nearly 190%-230% O2[.-] and 557%-783% H2O2) at 30 mg L[-1] severely disrupted the membrane integrity, osmotic balance, and reduced essential biomolecules like sugars, proteins and lipid accumulation. Moreover, higher doses of BPA treatment compromised photosynthetic activity by reducing the photosynthetic pigments and phycobiliproteins (PBPs). Conversely, up to the dose of 10 mg L[-1], better cellular integrity, improved accumulation of biomolecules, pigments, and ROS detoxification denoted the neutral/positive effect on the symbionts. The lower doses (≥10 mg L[-1]) also showed positive indications like higher accumulation of biomolecules proteins (16%-30%), lipids (9%-49%), sugar (18%-52%), and pigments like phycobiliproteins (6%-97%), phycocyanins (6%-134%), which seemed to support the biomass of cyanobionts. Moreover, the said doses stimulated the accumulation of phenolics (98%-117%), flavonoids (159%-224%), and released polysaccharides (60%-183%) alongside stress markers like ascorbate and proline indicating the evocation of defense strategy against BPA stress.},
}

@article {pmid40053387,
year = {2025},
author = {He, Z and Gao, Y and Huang, Z and Zhan, M and Tian, S and Fang, F and Zhao, D and Li, Z and Meng, F and Tang, BZ and Luo, L},
title = {Tuning the Near-Infrared J-Aggregate of a Multicationic Photosensitizer through Molecular Coassembly for Symbiotic Photothermal Therapy and Chemotherapy.},
journal = {ACS nano},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsnano.4c17582},
pmid = {40053387},
issn = {1936-086X},
abstract = {Cationic photosensitizers (PSs) offer many intriguing advantages, in addition to generating heat or reactive oxygen species for cancer phototherapy. However, the preparation of cationic PSs with enhanced near-infrared (NIR) absorption remains a significant challenge. In this work, we have synthesized a PS TPBBT, which incorporates a strong electron-withdrawing unit, benzobisthiadiazole, and four terminal pyridinium groups. It self-assembles into a mixed H/J aggregated state with a maximal absorption peak at 620 nm but coassembles with negatively charged planar small molecules to form sole J-aggregates. Following this strategy, we coassemble TPBBT with rhein, a planar, anionic traditional Chinese medicine with an anticancer activity, which allows for a near 100 nm bathochromic shift of the maximal absorption of TPBBT and improves the photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of TPBBT from 6.4 to 60.4% under 808 nm laser irradiation. Additionally, coassembling with TPBBT significantly enhances the cellular uptake of rhein through the photothermal effect. The coassembly of TPBBT and rhein (TPBBTein) can completely eliminate 4T1 tumors on mouse models, validating that this facile strategy not only can tune the NIR J-aggregate of cationic PS through molecular coassembly but also promotes the efficient, symbiotic combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy.},
}

@article {pmid40052412,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Y and Li, R and Liu, R and Shi, J and Qiu, X and Lei, J and Zhao, X and Wang, C and Ge, M and Xu, H and Miao, P and Li, Z and Yi, K and Liao, H and Zhong, Y},
title = {A simplified SynCom based on core-helper strain interactions enhances symbiotic nitrogen fixation in soybean.},
journal = {Journal of integrative plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jipb.13881},
pmid = {40052412},
issn = {1744-7909},
support = {32402668//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; xjq202120//Outstanding Young Researchers Program of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University/ ; 2023M743822//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 2021N0008//Science and Technology Project of Fujian Province, Key Program of Agricultural Orientation Project/ ; },
abstract = {Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are a promising tool for making full use of the beneficial functions imparted by whole bacterial consortia. However, the complexity of reconstructed SynComs often limits their application in sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, inter-strain interactions are often neglected during SynCom construction. Here, we propose a strategy for constructing a simplified and functional SynCom (sfSynCom) by using elite helper strains that significantly improve the beneficial functions of the core symbiotic strain, here Bradyrhizobium elkanii BXYD3, to sustain the growth of soybean (Glycine max). We first identified helper strains that significantly promote nodulation and nitrogen fixation in soybean mediated by BXYD3. Two of these helper strains assigned to the Pantoea taxon produce acyl homoserine lactones, which significantly enhanced the colonization and infection of soybean by BXYD3. Finally, we constructed a sfSynCom from these core and helper strains. This sfSynCom based on the core-helper strategy was more effective at promoting nodulation than inoculation with BXYD3 alone and achieved effects comparable to those of a complex elite SynCom previously constructed on the basis of potential beneficial functions between microbes and plants alone. Our results suggest that considering interactions between strains as well as those between strains and the host plant might allow construction of sfSynComs.},
}

@article {pmid40052218,
year = {2025},
author = {Huang, Y and Zhai, L and Zhou, Y and Lv, J and Liu, Y and Wu, T and Zhang, X and Han, Z and Wang, Y},
title = {MdPHR2 and MdARF6-4 synergistically regulate arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and the transcription of MdPHT1;13, enhancing phosphorus uptake in apple rootstocks.},
journal = {The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology},
volume = {121},
number = {5},
pages = {e70070},
doi = {10.1111/tpj.70070},
pmid = {40052218},
issn = {1365-313X},
support = {2023YFD2301002//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; 2115//the 2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University/ ; CARS-27//the Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System/ ; //the Key Laboratory of Beijing Municipality of Stress Physiology and Molecular Biology for Fruit Trees/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Malus/genetics/microbiology/metabolism ; *Phosphorus/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics/metabolism ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Glomeromycota/physiology ; Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Phosphorus in the soil is easily chelated into forms that are unavailable to plants, leading to phosphorus deficiency, which severely affects the growth, development, and fruit quality of apple trees. To address phosphorus deficiency, we used four different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to investigate their effects on the growth and development of apple rootstocks and phosphorus uptake in the soil. We identified Glomus mosseae (Gm) fungi as the most effective AMF for promoting growth and found that under phosphorus-deficient conditions, inoculating with Gm fungi promoted the growth of the above-ground parts of the plants and phosphorus absorption, while it inhibited root growth. After inoculating with Gm fungi, we found phosphorus starvation response factors (PHRs) and auxin response factors (ARFs) were upregulated. Knockdown of MdPHR2 or MdARF6-4 resulted in decreased root arbuscular structures, total mycorrhizal colonization rate, and root phosphorus content, indicating that MdPHR2 and MdARF6-4 positively regulate the symbiosis of Gm fungi and phosphorus absorption. In contrast, overexpressing MdARF6-4 led to reduced root development but increased root phosphorus content under Gm fungi inoculation, suggesting that MdARF6-4 is involved in Gm-mediated phosphorus absorption and root development. Moreover, both MdPHR2 and MdARF6-4 directly bound to the promoter area of the downstream phosphorus transporter MdPHT1;13, and these two transcription factors interacted with each other in vivo and in vitro. In summary, our study demonstrates that the interaction between MdPHR2 and MdARF6-4 synergistically regulates the Gm symbiosis and the transcription of MdPHT1;13, thereby promoting phosphorus absorption in apple rootstocks.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Malus/genetics/microbiology/metabolism
*Phosphorus/metabolism
*Symbiosis
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics/metabolism
*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Glomeromycota/physiology
Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid40052075,
year = {2025},
author = {Tao, G and Ahrendt, S and Miyauchi, S and Zhu, X and Peng, H and Labutti, K and Clum, A and Hayes, R and Chain, PSG and Grigoriev, IV and Bonito, G and Martin, FM},
title = {Characterisation and comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of false, yellow, black and blushing morels provide insights on their structure and evolution.},
journal = {IMA fungus},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {e138363},
pmid = {40052075},
issn = {2210-6340},
abstract = {Morchella species have considerable significance in terrestrial ecosystems, exhibiting a range of ecological lifestyles along the saprotrophism-to-symbiosis continuum. However, the mitochondrial genomes of these ascomycetous fungi have not been thoroughly studied, thereby impeding a comprehensive understanding of their genetic makeup and ecological role. In this study, we analysed the mitogenomes of 30 Morchellaceae species, including yellow, black, blushing and false morels. These mitogenomes are either circular or linear DNA molecules with lengths ranging from 217 to 565 kbp and GC content ranging from 38% to 48%. Fifteen core protein-coding genes, 28-37 tRNA genes and 3-8 rRNA genes were identified in these Morchellaceae mitogenomes. The gene order demonstrated a high level of conservation, with the cox1 gene consistently positioned adjacent to the rnS gene and cob gene flanked by apt genes. Some exceptions were observed, such as the rearrangement of atp6 and rps3 in Morchellaimportuna and the reversed order of atp6 and atp8 in certain morel mitogenomes. However, the arrangement of the tRNA genes remains conserved. We additionally investigated the distribution and phylogeny of homing endonuclease genes (HEGs) of the LAGLIDADG (LAGs) and GIY-YIG (GIYs) families. A total of 925 LAG and GIY sequences were detected, with individual species containing 19-48HEGs. These HEGs were primarily located in the cox1, cob, cox2 and nad5 introns and their presence and distribution displayed significant diversity amongst morel species. These elements significantly contribute to shaping their mitogenome diversity. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the phylogeny and evolution of the Morchellaceae.},
}

@article {pmid40050382,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, C and Wang, H and Wang, Z and Liang, L and Li, Y and Liu, D and Lu, Q},
title = {Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {7910},
pmid = {40050382},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {32230071//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Metagenomics/methods ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; Coleoptera/microbiology/genetics ; Metagenome ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; Weevils/microbiology/genetics ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Ips (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) bark beetles (BBs) are ecologically and economically devastating coniferous pests in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the microbial diversity associated with these beetles has been well studied, mechanisms of community assembly and the functional roles of key microbes remain poorly understood. This study investigates the microbial community structures and functions in both intestinal and non-intestinal environments of five Ips BBs using a metagenomic approach. The findings reveal similar microbial community compositions, though the α-diversity of dominant taxa differs between intestinal and non-intestinal environments due to the variability in bark beetle species, host trees, and habitats. Intestinal microbial communities are predominantly shaped homogenizing dispersal (HD) and undominated processes (UP), whereas non-intestinal microbial communities are primarily driven by heterogeneous selection (HS). Functional analysis shows that genes and enzymes associated with steroid biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation are primarily found in non-intestinal fungal symbionts Ogataea, Wickerhamomyce, Ophiostoma, and Ceratocystis of Ips species. Genes and enzymes involved in degrading terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides are predominately found in the intestinal Acinetobacter, Erwinia, and Serratia. This study provides valuable and in-depth insights into the symbiotic relationships between Ips BBs and their microbial partners, enhancing our understanding of insect-microbe coevolution and suggesting new strategies for pest management.},
}

Animals
*Metagenomics/methods
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics
Coleoptera/microbiology/genetics
Metagenome
Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism
Microbiota
Symbiosis
Weevils/microbiology/genetics
Phylogeny

@article {pmid40049406,
year = {2025},
author = {Thibodeau, A and Reardon, P and Bartlett, B and Curtin, C},
title = {Changes in microbial community structure during adaptation of kombucha symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast to fermentation of sweet and acid whey.},
journal = {Journal of dairy science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3168/jds.2024-25859},
pmid = {40049406},
issn = {1525-3198},
abstract = {Whey is a liquid byproduct from the dairy industry that is not fully utilized and can be problematic to dispose of. Based on its composition, there is potential to upcycle whey into fermented beverages for human consumption. Most focus to date has been upon alcoholic fermentation to generate alcohol for distillation, or use of kefir grains to make acidic beverages. Kombucha fermentation is analogous to kefir, with a solid-state inoculum that is backslopped from one batch to the next, but yields a different profile of organic acids when applied to its typical substrate of tea sweetened with sucrose. Notably, some kombucha symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) harbor a lactose-fermenting yeast species, Brettanomyces anomalus, rendering it possible that a SCOBY system could be adapted to lactose-containing whey substrates. The objective of this research was to apply a B. anomalus-containing kombucha SCOBY to the fermentation of sweet and acid whey. Sequential batch fermentations were performed to determine changes in microbial community structure and fermentation outcomes during adaptation to whey substrates. Metabarcoding targeting the fungal ITS2 region and the bacterial 16S V4-V5 domain was used to assess fungal and bacterial communities, respectively. We used [1]H nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the chemical composition of fermentations. The B. anomalus-containing kombucha SCOBY was able to perform repeat backslop-inoculated whey fermentation, with the major fermentation products being those characteristic to kombucha fermentation (acetic acid and ethanol). The whey-adapted SCOBY was characterized by replacement of the original main fungal taxa, Brettanomyces bruxellensis, by the lactose-fermenting B. anomalus, whereas the bacterial community remained more diverse.},
}

@article {pmid40048941,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Y and Wu, S and Jin, Z and Li, J},
title = {Integrated physiological and anatomical analyses reveal the mycorrhizal symbiosis efficiency of Heptacodium miconioides under different nitrogen conditions.},
journal = {Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {109725},
doi = {10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109725},
pmid = {40048941},
issn = {1873-2690},
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to play a role in protecting endangered plants from environmental stresses. However, the adaption mechanisms by which AMF symbiosis influences the physiological and anatomical traits of the endangered species Heptacodium miconioides under varying nitrogen (N) conditions remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of three types of AMF inoculation treatments-Rhizophagus intraradices, Glomus versiforme, and a mixture of the two-on the growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and stem and leaf structure of H. miconioides seedlings under low nitrogen (LN) and normal nitrogen (NN) conditions. Findings indicated that LN conditions significantly restricted the growth, physiological and anatomical properties of non-inoculated seedlings. In contrast, AMF inoculation improved dry weight, net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, catalase activity, and peroxidase activity in seedlings under LN. Under LN conditions, AMF colonization-particularly a combination of R. intraradices and G. versiforme-significantly increased stomatal size and aperture by 23.00%, 64.90%, respectively, while significantly reducing stomatal density by 25.00%. Furthermore, treatment with mixed AMFs resulted in substantially greater palisade tissue thickness, stem phloem, stem xylem, stem mean vessel diameter, and stem xylem/phloem ratio, which increased by 41.17%, 20.34%, 46.00%, 14.30%, and 21.62% respectively. These findings indicate that mixed AMF inoculation exhibits superior mycorrhizal efficiency for the host plant, enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity, and improving stomatal traits, leaf assimilative tissues, and stem conductive tissues under LN conditions. The study also suggests the potential use of AMF in the cultivation and protection of H. miconioides under N-poor habitats.},
}

@article {pmid40048940,
year = {2025},
author = {Jiang, Z and Peng, F and Yu, J and Li, Q},
title = {Plant growth-promoting effects and possible mechanisms of a plant endophytic fungus Aureobasidium sp. JRF1.},
journal = {Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {109724},
doi = {10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109724},
pmid = {40048940},
issn = {1873-2690},
abstract = {Endophytic fungi can establish symbiosis with host plant and promote plant growth in a sustainable way. In this study, a previously-isolated plant growth-promoting endophytic fungus JRF1 was deeply studied. JRF1 could colonize Arabidopsis and tomato seedlings and promote their growth. Through sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and 18S rRNA gene, JRF1 was identified as an Aureobasidium sp. strain. Transcriptome analysis indicated that JRF1 treatment up-regulated a majority of genes related to calcium signal and genes annotated as peroxidase and glutathione S- transferase. In addition, treatment with JRF1 activated the Aux/IAA (auxin/indole acetic acid) and cytokinin signaling, while down-regulated genes involved in JA/ETH (jasmonic acid/ethylene) pathways. Split co-culture assay not only demonstrated that JRF1 significantly promoted the Arabidopsis growth by direct contacting the seedlings, but also suggested JRF1 could exhibit positive effects in a non-contact manner. Subsequently, metabolome analysis revealed that JRF1 produced many soluble metabolites which might be responsible for plant growth-promoting, and the releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of JRF1 was also isolated and detected. Finally, we found that both cell-free supernatant (CFS) of JRF1 and its fermentation solution could outstandingly promote the plant growth, suggesting its possible role as a microbial fertilizer. Our results uncovered the interaction mode between JRF1 and host plant, proposing that the combined action of JRF1 with its metabolites resulted in the enhanced plant growth.},
}

@article {pmid40048810,
year = {2025},
author = {Vishal, CR and Gauns, MU and Pratihary, AK and Sadaiappan, B},
title = {Unprecedented warming impacts on phytoplankton and special emphasis on diatom-diazotroph associations in the oligotrophic waters of the Eastern Arabian sea.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {207},
number = {},
pages = {107038},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107038},
pmid = {40048810},
issn = {1879-0291},
abstract = {The impact of anomalous warming on the phytoplankton dynamics in the euphotic zone (0-60 m depth) of the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) during the southwest monsoon (SWM-2020) was investigated along the 68°E transect from 8°N to 21°N. During SWM-2020, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) along the transect exceeded 28 °C, with temperatures of ∼29-30 °C recorded in the North of the Findlater Jet Axis (NFJA). The active Findlater Jet (FJ) modulated the thermocline, causing shallower thermocline in the North EAS (NEAS, 16-21°N) and deeper thermocline in the South EAS (SEAS, 8-15°N). The increased stratification due to warming reduced the vertical mixing and exacerbated the oligotrophic condition within the MLDs in the NEAS. High dissolved inorganic silicate and phosphorous with low nitrate concentrations favouring dinoflagellates and diatom-diazotroph associations (DDAs) within the MLDs, particularly in the NEAS. In the NEAS, heterocystous cyanobacteria Richelia was abundant as free-living and in endosymbiosis with Rhizosolenia and Hemiaulus, while coccoid cells of Crocosphaera, symbiotic with Climacodium sp., thrived in both SEAS and NEAS indicating a critical role of dissolved iron in distribution of DDAs. DDAs were abundant in subsurface waters (25-40 m) and rare or absent within the nutricline and subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM, 40-60 m depths). High dissolved ammonium concentration in the NEAS indicated that N2 fixed by DDAs could be supplied into N-limited waters. A high abundance of unhealthy and moribund host-symbiotic stages suggests extreme warming, and shallower nitracline could harm DDAs in the EAS. This study highlights the importance of DDAs in the EAS, which remains poorly understood, and whose underestimation in N2 and C fixation can impact the regional nitrogen and carbon budgets.},
}

@article {pmid40047399,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, L and Guo, Q and Han, X and Yuan, F and Wei, C},
title = {Critical time of transovarial transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts and related molecular mechanisms in cicada Hyalessa maculaticollis.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70014},
pmid = {40047399},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {32070476//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32270496//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Obligate endosymbionts of sap-sucking auchenorrhynchan insects of Hemiptera colonize the bacteriomes and are transmitted vertically through the ovaries to the offspring of host insects, but the critical time of symbiont transmission and molecular mechanisms underlying the process remain unknown. We used histological and transmission electron microscopy, 16S rDNA amplification sequencing and transcriptome analyses to explore the vertical transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts in the cicada Hyalessa maculaticollis. We find that the symbiont Candidatus Karelsulcia muelleri (hereafter Karelsulcia) proliferates and changes shape after the adult cicadas emerged for 3 h, which is then extruded to the hemolymph from the basal membrane of bacteriome units. The yeast-like fungal symbiont (YLS) harbored in bacteriome sheath cells is released freely along with Karelsulcia. As ovaries mature, Karelsulcia and YLS infect oocytes of cicadas that had emerged for 60 h, and begin to gather at the posterior pole of oocytes, where they form a symbiont ball in each oocyte. Expressions of genes associated with cytoskeletal organization, endocytosis, amino acid transporter and lipid synthesis increase in the newly emerged adults, mediating the transport of substances during the transmission of symbionts. The amino acid-sensitive mechanistic target of the rapamycin pathway is one of the crucial pathways coordinating the vesicle-mediated symbiotic transmission. The insulin signaling pathway potentially together with insect hormones synergically regulate insect fertility and affect yolk deposition, which is closely related to the symbiont infection of ovaries. This study highlights the importance of signaling pathways in regulating the vertical transmission of symbionts in sap-feeding auchenorrhynchan insects.},
}

@article {pmid40046898,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, A and Covitz, RM and Folsom, AA and Mu, X and Peck, RF and Noh, S},
title = {Symbiotic T6SS affects horizontal transmission of Paraburkholderia bonniea among Dictyostelium discoideum amoeba hosts.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycaf005},
pmid = {40046898},
issn = {2730-6151},
support = {P20 GM103423/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Three species of Paraburkholderia are able to form facultative symbiotic relationships with the amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. These symbiotic Paraburkholderia share a type VI secretion system (T6SS) that is absent in other close relatives. We tested the phenotypic and transcriptional effect of tssH ATPase gene disruption in P. bonniea on its symbiosis with D. discoideum. We hypothesized that the ∆tssH mutant would have a significantly reduced ability to affect host fitness or transmit itself from host to host. We found that the T6SS does not directly affect host fitness. Instead, wildtype P. bonniea had significantly higher rates of horizontal transmission compared to ∆tssH. In addition, we observed significant differences in the range of infection prevalence achieved by wildtype vs. ∆tssH symbionts over multiple host social stages in the absence of opportunities for environmental symbiont acquisition. Successful symbiont transmission significantly contributes to sustained symbiotic association. Therefore, the shared T6SS appears necessary for a long-term evolutionary relationship between D. discoideum and its Paraburkholderia symbionts. The lack of difference in host fitness outcomes was confirmed by indistinguishable host gene expression patterns between hosts infected by wildtype or ∆tssH P. bonniea in an RNA-seq time series. These data also provided insight into how Paraburkholderia symbionts may evade phagocytosis by its amoeba host. Most significantly, cellular oxidant detoxification and lysosomal hydrolase delivery appear to be subject to the push and pull of host-symbiont crosstalk.},
}

@article {pmid40046318,
year = {2025},
author = {Ma, Y and Xiao, C and Liu, J and Ren, G},
title = {Nutrient-dependent regulation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes.},
journal = {Horticulture research},
volume = {12},
number = {3},
pages = {uhae321},
pmid = {40046318},
issn = {2662-6810},
abstract = {Mineral nutrients are essential for plant growth and development, playing a critical role in the mutualistic symbiosis between legumes and rhizobia. Legumes have evolved intricate signaling pathways that respond to various mineral nutrients, selectively activating genes involved in nodulation and nutrient uptake during symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). Key minerals, including nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, are vital throughout the SNF process, influencing signal recognition, nodule formation, the regulation of nodule numbers, and the prevention of nodule early senescence. Here, we review recent advancements in nutrient-dependent regulation of root nodule symbiosis, focusing on the systemic autoregulation of nodulation in nitrate-dependent symbiosis, the roles of nodule inception-like proteins, and the function of essential nutrients and their associated transporters in legume symbiosis. Additionally, we discuss several key research areas that require further exploration to deepen our understanding of nutrient-dependent mechanisms in SNF.},
}

@article {pmid40045656,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, M and Zhao, X and Ren, X},
title = {Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Algal-Microorganism Symbiosis in Enhancing Large-Scale Lipid Production.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.4c11580},
pmid = {40045656},
issn = {1520-5118},
abstract = {Microalgae, characterized by their exceptional lipid content, rapid growth, and robust adaptability, represent a promising biological resource. In natural and engineered ecosystems, microalgae engage in intricate symbiotic relationships with diverse microorganisms, a dynamic interplay essential for ecological resilience and metabolic optimization. This review examines the role of symbiotic microorganisms in microalgal growth and lipid accumulation, with particular emphasis on the biological regulatory mechanisms that govern these processes. These include nutrient exchange, phytohormone-mediated growth stimulation, cofactors, and quorum-sensing-driven community coordination. The review highlights how these microbial interactions facilitate optimal lipid production by enhancing metabolic pathways, thereby improving the efficiency of lipid accumulation in microalgae. Furthermore, the review investigates horizontal gene transfer as an evolutionary driver that fortifies algal-microbial consortia against environmental stressors, enabling robust performance in fluctuating conditions. The integration of these biological insights holds transformative potential for advancing next-generation bioenergy platforms, where algal-microbial systems could play a pivotal role in enhancing biofuel production, wastewater treatment, and sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid40044917,
year = {2025},
author = {Štůsková, K and Vavřiník, A and Hakalová, E and Čechová, J and Gramaje, D and Eichmeier, A},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strongly influence the endorhizosphere of grapevine rootstock with soil type as a key factor.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {35},
number = {2},
pages = {17},
pmid = {40044917},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_025/0007314//Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy/ ; CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_025/0007314//Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy/ ; CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_025/0007314//Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy/ ; CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_025/0007314//Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy/ ; IGA-ZF/2022-ST2-004//Internal Grant Agency, Mendel university in Brno/ ; IGA-ZF/2022-ST2-004//Internal Grant Agency, Mendel university in Brno/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Vitis/microbiology ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Soil/chemistry ; Czech Republic ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Mycobiome ; Basidiomycota/genetics/physiology ; Rhizosphere ; Phosphorus/metabolism/analysis ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in enhancing the health and productivity of host plants, including grapevine. By forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots, AMF significantly improve water uptake and nutrient absorption, particularly phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). This study evaluated the microbiome composition and AMF colonization in the grapevine endorhizosphere across five wine-growing sub-regions in the Czech Republic. In all five sub-regions, in terms of composition of the fungal microbiome, the phyla Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes were most numerous. Additionally, the study confirmed that LSU primers are more sensitive than ITS primers for AMF sequencing. While the representation of the phylum Glomeromycetes ranged from 0.07% to 5.65% in the ITS library, it was significantly higher, ranging from 83.74% to 98.71%, in the LSU library. The most significant difference compared to other sub-regions was observed in the Slovácko sub-region, where the soil had a low pH, a different texture (sandy loam), reduced micronutrient concentration, and low organic matter. The application of chemical plant protection products to grapevines also could have played a significant role, with 49 applications recorded in the Slovácko sub-region during the three years preceding sample collection. In other sub-regions, chemical treatments were conducted only 19-26 times. These factors resulted in only trace amounts of AMF being detected in Slovácko. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that AMF positively influenced the phosphorus concentration in the soil and reduced the presence of certain fungal pathogens.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Vitis/microbiology
*Soil Microbiology
*Soil/chemistry
Czech Republic
Plant Roots/microbiology
Mycobiome
Basidiomycota/genetics/physiology
Rhizosphere
Phosphorus/metabolism/analysis

@article {pmid40042989,
year = {2025},
author = {da Silva, DMG and Marques, M and Couceiro, JF and Santos, E and Baylina, N and Costa, R and Keller-Costa, T},
title = {Endozoicomonas lisbonensis sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium isolated from the soft coral Litophyton sp. at Oceanário de Lisboa in Portugal.},
journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology},
volume = {75},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {40042989},
issn = {1466-5034},
mesh = {*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; *Base Composition ; Portugal ; *DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Animals ; *Fatty Acids/chemistry/analysis ; *Bacterial Typing Techniques ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Genome, Bacterial ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Seawater/microbiology ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; },
abstract = {This study describes a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterial species isolated from the octocoral Litophyton sp. inhabiting the live coral aquarium at Oceanário de Lisboa in Portugal. Four strains, NE35, NE40[T], NE41 and NE43, were classified into the genus Endozoicomonas by means of 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequence homologies. We then performed phylogenetic, phylogenomic and biochemical analyses to examine their novel species status within the Endozoicomonas genus, based on comparisons with the designated novel type strain NE40[T]. The closest 16S rRNA gene relatives to strain NE40[T] are Endozoicomonas montiporae CL-33[T] (98.2%), Endozoicomonas euniceicola EF212[T] (97.6%) and Endozoicomonas gorgoniicola PS125[T] (97.2%). The four strains show genome-wide average nucleotide identity scores above the species level cut-off (95%) with one another and below the cut-off with all Endozoicomonas type strains with publicly available genomes. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization further supported the classification of the strains as a novel species, showing values below 70% when compared with other Endozoicomonas type strains. The DNA G+C content of NE40[T] was 49.0 mol%, and its genome size was 5.45 Mb. Strain NE40[T] grows from 15 to 37 °C, with 1-5% (w/v) NaCl, and between pH 6.0 and 8.0 in marine broth and shows optimal growth at 28-32 °C, 2-3% NaCl and pH 7.0-8.0. The predominant cellular fatty acids are summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c), C16 :0 and C14 :0. Strain NE40[T] presents oxidase, catalase and β-galactosidase activities and can reduce nitrates to nitrites and degrade cellulose, chitin, agarose and xylan. Based on the polyphasic approach employed in this study, we propose the novel species name Endozoicomonas lisbonensis sp. nov. (type strain NE40[T]=DSM 118084[T]=UCCCB 212[T]).},
}

*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Phylogeny
*Anthozoa/microbiology
*Base Composition
Portugal
*DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Animals
*Fatty Acids/chemistry/analysis
*Bacterial Typing Techniques
*Sequence Analysis, DNA
Genome, Bacterial
Nucleic Acid Hybridization
Seawater/microbiology
Whole Genome Sequencing

@article {pmid40042528,
year = {2025},
author = {Zaki, H and Hussein, MA and El-Dawy, EGAM},
title = {Diversity and Symbiotic Associations of Endophytic Fungi in Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton (Asclepiadaceae) Across Three Egyptian Regions: Phenotypic Characterization and Mitotic Activity.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {10},
pmid = {40042528},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Endophytes/physiology/isolation & purification/classification ; Egypt ; *Fungi/classification/physiology/isolation & purification ; *Calotropis/microbiology ; *Biodiversity ; *Symbiosis ; Soil Microbiology ; Mitosis ; Phenotype ; },
abstract = {Endophytic fungi are essential contributors to fungal biodiversity, playing key roles in plant defense against pathogens, alleviation of abiotic stress, and promotion of growth. This study conducted a comprehensive survey of the phenotypic characterization of Calotropis procera and its associated endophytic fungi across three regions in Egypt: Qena-Safaga, Qena, and Qena-Kosseir. Positive and significant Pearson correlations among plant morphological traits suggest intrinsic connections. Fungal species diversity exhibited significant variation across the three regions examined. Particularly, the Qena-Kosseir region demonstrated the highest fungal species richness both in soil samples and endophytic fungi. Unique to this region, Allocanariomyces tritici, Aspergillus terreus, Chaetomium globosum, C. murorum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, Fusarium proliferatum, Penicillium crustosum, P. granulatum, P. spinuloseum, and Roussoella intermedia were identified as endophytes. Additionally, compared to other regions, the Qena-Kosseir area exhibited the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. ochraceus, A. ornatus, A. sclerotiocabonarus, Drechslera halodes, Emericella echinulata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Macrophomina phaseolina in soil samples, underscoring its distinct fungal community composition. Furthermore, antimitotic assays using the Allium cepa test revealed distinct effects of endophytic extracts on various mitotic stages. Of the 33 treatments, 11 showed an increase in the mitotic index (MI), indicating a potential positive effect on plant growth and cell division. This study offers valuable insights into the diversity and functional roles of endophytic fungi associated with C. procera, highlighting their promising applications in sustainable agriculture and plant health management.},
}

*Endophytes/physiology/isolation & purification/classification
Egypt
*Fungi/classification/physiology/isolation & purification
*Calotropis/microbiology
*Biodiversity
*Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology
Mitosis
Phenotype

@article {pmid40042419,
year = {2025},
author = {Zaura, E},
title = {[The microbiome and the first 1,000 days of life].},
journal = {Nederlands tijdschrift voor tandheelkunde},
volume = {132},
number = {3},
pages = {112-117},
doi = {10.5177/ntvt.2025.03.24064},
pmid = {40042419},
issn = {0028-2200},
mesh = {Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Female ; Pregnancy ; },
abstract = {A healthy human being lives in symbiosis with his microbes or microbiome. The first 1,000 days of life are crucial for developing a healthy and diverse microbiome. The development of a healthy microbiome begins as early as in the womb, where the training of the fetal immune cells begins. Next, the child s microbiome is influenced by the method of delivery during the birthing process. The largest and most important phase is the postnatal period. In this last phase, the child s environment, the behaviour and lifestyle of its caregivers, and the child itself are the main determinants of developing and maintaining a healthy microbiome.},
}

Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant
*Microbiota/physiology
Female
Pregnancy

@article {pmid40041502,
year = {2025},
author = {Hamprakorn, K and Maneewan, B and Jantasin, W and Lani, MN and Moonmanee, T and Panatuk, J},
title = {Effect of extracted phycocyanin by-products as a synbiotic supplement on the production performance and intestinal morphology of broilers.},
journal = {Veterinary world},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {52-59},
pmid = {40041502},
issn = {0972-8988},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIM: The extracted phycocyanin by-products retain nutritional value, including proteins, polysaccharides, and bioactive compounds, which have the potential as feed supplements in broiler production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of by-products acquired during phycocyanin extraction, which is used as a novel synbiotic supplement, on the production performance and intestinal health of broilers in a tropical climate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 240 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly distributed among five dietary treatment groups; they received a diet supplemented with a synbiotic product (probiotic [Lactobacillus johnsonii] at least 1.0 × 10[8] colony-forming unit/mg with prebiotic [by-product of phycocyanin extraction]) at 0.000%, 0.025%, 0.050%, 0.075%, and 0.100%. We investigated the effects of dietary synbiotic supplements on the growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and cecal bacterial population of broiler chickens aged 35 days.

RESULTS: Synbiotics used as a dietary supplement did not affect the growth performance of broilers during any experimental period (p > 0.05); however, it significantly increased the redness of meat and decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances on days 3 and 7 of storage (p < 0.05). Moreover, synbiotics significantly improved the height and surface area of villi in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with 0.1% synbiotics, incorporating a by-product of phycocyanin extraction, did not significantly influence the growth performance of broiler chickens. However, it positively affected meat quality by increasing redness and reducing lipid oxidation during storage. Additionally, synbiotic supplementation significantly enhanced intestinal health by improving the villi height and surface area in the duodenum and jejunum, highlighting its potential benefits for broiler intestinal morphology and meat quality in tropical climates. Further research is recommended to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and their implications for long-term poultry health and productivity.},
}

@article {pmid40038092,
year = {2025},
author = {Million, WC and Voolstra, CR and Perna, G and Puntin, G and Rowe, K and Ziegler, M},
title = {Resolving Symbiodiniaceae Diversity Across Coral Microhabitats and Reef Niches.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {3},
pages = {e70065},
pmid = {40038092},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {//German Academic Exchange Service/ ; 469364832//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; SPP 2299/441832482//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; //King Abdullah University of Science and Technology/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Coral Reefs ; *Anthozoa ; *Dinoflagellida/classification/genetics/physiology ; *Ecosystem ; *Symbiosis ; *Biodiversity ; Seawater/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Indian Ocean ; },
abstract = {Dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae are important symbionts of diverse marine animals and they also occupy different environmental niches on coral reefs. The link between diversity at ecosystem-scale to microhabitats of Symbiodiniaceae within the coral holobiont is largely unknown. Using ITS2-amplicon sequencing, we compared Symbiodiniaceae communities across four environments (seawater, near-reef vs. distant sediments and turf algae) and two coral microhabitats (tissue, mucus) on a coral reef in the Red Sea. We found that coral and environmental habitats were both dominated by the genera Symbiodinium, Cladocopium and Durusdinium, but environmental habitats additionally harboured Fugacium, Gerakladium and Halluxium. Each environmental habitat harboured a distinct Symbiodiniaceae community. Nonetheless, 17 ITS2 sequences were shared among coral and environmental habitats and were also part of nearly half of the ITS2 type profiles in coral-based communities. Tissues and mucus of 49 coral colonies from 17 genera had largely identical Symbiodiniaceae communities. Together with the large difference between environmental Symbiodiniaceae communities and those in the coral tissue and mucus, our results indicate a clear barrier between host-associated and environmental Symbiodiniaceae communities marked by only few shared complete type profiles. Monitoring coral colonies after mucus sampling confirmed its suitability for long-term monitoring of coral-associated Symbiodiniaceae communities.},
}

Animals
*Coral Reefs
*Anthozoa
*Dinoflagellida/classification/genetics/physiology
*Ecosystem
*Symbiosis
*Biodiversity
Seawater/microbiology
Phylogeny
Indian Ocean

@article {pmid40037901,
year = {2025},
author = {Williamson, E and Hill, K and Hogendoorn, K and Eisenhofer, R},
title = {The bacterial community associated with the solitary resin bee Megachile tosticauda throughout its life cycle.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaf023},
pmid = {40037901},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Unlike in eusocial bees where the identity, acquisition and function of symbiotic microbes is well understood, little is known about the relationships formed between solitary bees and bacteria. Assessing the potential role of microbes in solitary bee health is important, especially in the face of global bee declines. Early evidence suggests solitary bee microbiomes differ between bee species and development stages, but the reported bacteria are often indistinguishable from environmental taxa. Here, we use metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene to characterise the bacterial communities associated with solitary resin bee Megachile tosticauda. We describe the microbiome at different lifecycle stages, and within pollen provisions, and investigate indirect inheritance from nesting substrate upon eclosion. The microbiome of adult M. tosticauda was consistent between samples, and the bacterial composition of larval pollen supplies changed with progressing larval development. In wild adults and pollen provisions, the genus Acinetobacter - a common nectar associate - dominated the communities. In prepupae and frass Tyzzerella dominated, a genus that has been found in a number of other immature bee systems. Intriguingly, while wild adults did not harbour Tyzzerella, all bees that had newly emerged from the nest did. The combined observations show that M. tosticauda acquire their bacterial community from the environment, and Tyzzerella may represent a beneficial symbiont for mature brood.},
}

@article {pmid40037293,
year = {2025},
author = {Delherbe, NA and Gomez, O and Plominsky, AM and Oliver, A and Manzanera, M and Kalyuzhnaya, MG},
title = {Atmospheric methane consumption in arid ecosystems acts as a reverse chimney and is accelerated by plant-methanotroph biomes.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf026},
pmid = {40037293},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Drylands cover one-third of the Earth's surface and are one of the largest terrestrial sinks for methane. Understanding the structure-function interplay between members of arid biomes can provide critical insights into mechanisms of resilience toward anthropogenic and climate-change-driven environmental stressors-water scarcity, heatwaves, and increased atmospheric greenhouse gases. This study integrates in situ measurements with culture-independent and enrichment-based investigations of methane-consuming microbiomes inhabiting soil in the Anza-Borrego Desert, a model arid ecosystem in Southern California, United States. The atmospheric methane consumption ranged between 2.26 to 12.73 μmol m2 h-1, peaking during the daytime at vegetated sites. Metagenomic studies revealed similar soil-microbiome compositions at vegetated and unvegetated sites, with Methylocaldum being the major methanotrophic clade. Eighty-four metagenome-assembled genomes were recovered, six represented by methanotrophic bacteria (three Methylocaldum, two Methylobacter, and uncultivated Methylococcaceae). The prevalence of copper-containing methane monooxygenases in metagenomic datasets suggests a diverse potential for methane oxidation in canonical methanotrophs and uncultivated Gammaproteobacteria. Five pure cultures of methanotrophic bacteria were obtained, including four Methylocaldum. Genomic analysis of Methylocaldum isolates and metagenome-assembled genomes revealed the presence of multiple stand-alone methane monooxygenase subunit C paralogs, which may have functions beyond methane oxidation. Furthermore, these methanotrophs have genetic signatures typically linked to symbiotic interactions with plants, including tryptophan synthesis and indole-3-acetic acid production. Based on in situ fluxes and soil microbiome compositions, we propose the existence of arid-soil reverse chimneys, an empowered methane sink represented by yet-to-be-defined cooperation between desert vegetation and methane-consuming microbiomes.},
}

@article {pmid40036591,
year = {2025},
author = {Huang, YT and Abdrabo, KAE and Phang, GJ and Fan, YH and Wu, YT and Ou, JH and Hulcr, J},
title = {Genome diversification of symbiotic fungi in beetle-fungus mutualistic symbioses.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf039},
pmid = {40036591},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Ambrosia beetles and their fungal symbionts represent a widespread and diverse insect-fungus mutualism. This study investigates the genomic adaptations associated with the evolution of the ambrosia lifestyle across multiple fungal lineages. We performed comparative genomic analyses on 70 fungal genomes from four families (Irpicaceae, Ceratocystidaceae, Nectriaceae, and Ophiostomataceae), including 24 ambrosia and 34 non-ambrosia lineages. Our phylogenomic analyses reveal multiple independent colonization of insect vectors by the fungi, spanning from the mid-Cretaceous (114.6 Ma) to the early Quaternary (1.9 Ma). Contrary to expectations for obligate symbionts, ambrosia fungi showed no significant genome-wide modification in size, gene count, or secreted protein repertoire compared to their non-symbiotic relatives. Instead, we observed conservation of most assessed genomic features; where genome traits differ between free-living relatives and ambrosia fungi, the changes are lineage-specific, not convergent. Key findings include lineage-specific expansions in carbohydrate-active enzyme families (AA4 in Nectriaceae, CE4 in Ophiostomataceae, and GH3 in Ophiostomataceae and Ceratocystidaceae), suggesting potential enhancement or loss of lignin modification, hemicellulose deacetylation, and cellulose degradation in different ambrosia lineages. Repeat-Induced Point mutation analysis revealed family-specific patterns rather than lifestyle-associated differences. These results highlight the diverse genomic strategies employed by ambrosia fungi, demonstrating that symbiont evolution can proceed through refined, lineage-specific changes rather than genome-wide, or convergent alterations. Our genomic analyses do not reveal patterns typically associated with domestication in these ambrosia fungi, suggesting they may represent free-living fungi that co-opted wood boring beetles as vectors through subtle, lineage-specific adaptations.},
}

@article {pmid40034670,
year = {2025},
author = {Adair, MG and Tolley, KA and van Vuuren, BJ and da Silva, JM},
title = {Anthropogenic reverberations on the gut microbiome of dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion).},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {e18811},
pmid = {40034670},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics/physiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Lizards/microbiology ; Feces/microbiology ; Ecosystem ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {Exploration of the microbiome has been referred to as a final frontier in biological research. This is due to its precedence for generating insights on the holistic functioning of organismal biology by exploring the interactions between hosts and their associated symbiotic organisms. The microbiomes of many vertebrate groups still require exploration to advance current knowledge and fill previous knowledge gaps. This study generated initial descriptions of the bacterial microbiomes of three species of dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion) from the 16S rRNA gene region targeting the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions. This led to the successful identification of 1,073 and 4,502 independent amplicon sequence variants from buccal swab and faecal material samples, respectively. This newly acquired information is intended as a baseline for future work incorporating holobiont information. The diversity of microbial taxa suggests that the total dwarf chameleon microbiome is similar to other squamates investigated to date, as well as chelonians (Testudines). Microbial frequency differences were noted in comparison to crocodilians (Archosauria) and mammalian groups. Furthermore, this study aimed to examine the influence of habitat transformation on the composition of the microbiome in dwarf chameleons as each of the study species occupy both urban and natural habitats. Given that most urban habitats are highly transformed, the expectation was that microbial assemblages of the gastro-intestinal tracts of all three Bradypodion species would show significant differences between populations (i.e., natural, or urban). It was found, however, that the level of effect was contingent on species: B. melanocephalum populations showed noticeable microbiome differences between urban and natural populations; B. thamnobates showed variations in microbial community dispersions between populations; and B. setaroi showed no significant microbiome differences based on diversity metrics although some frequency differences, in microbiome composition, were observed between populations. We suggest that the magnitude of difference between the habitats occupied by the populations is a factor, given the apparent disparity between the natural and urban habitats for B. melanocephalum as compared to the other two species.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics/physiology
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Lizards/microbiology
Feces/microbiology
Ecosystem
Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification

@article {pmid40034156,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Z and Wei, J and Du, W and Huang, R and Song, L and Tian, Q and Zhou, X},
title = {Environmental response strategies for the spatial distribution of seed plants in Gansu.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1526269},
pmid = {40034156},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {The interplay between plant diversity and environmental response strategies is crucial for ecosystem adaptability and stability. A central focus in modern ecology is elucidating how environmental factors shape plant diversity patterns and regulate species distributions across heterogeneous landscapes. This study employed Joint Species Distribution Model (JSDM) to quantitatively analyze the influence of environmental variables on plant spatial distributions in Gansu Province, China, while examining interspecies interactions under varying conditions. Results demonstrated that environmental factors explained 95.4% of the variance, highlighting their predominant role in determining plant distributions. Habitat type accounted for the largest share of variance (33.5%), followed by elevation (22.1%), mean annual temperature (20.3%), mean annual precipitation (15.1%), and solar radiation (4.4%). Species' responses to environmental covariates were predominantly independent, with weak phylogenetic correlation (posterior mean: 0.17), reflecting limited ecological niche conservatism at the family level. Geographically, regions such as the northern Qilian foothills, Lanzhou-Baiyin wilderness, Loess Plateau, and Gannan Plateau exhibited negative correlations with most plant families, functioning as critical limiting or driving factors in spatial variability. Additionally, 33.7% of seed plant families showed negative correlations with light intensity, underscoring its role as a major limiting factor. Provincially, competition does not primarily constrain seed plant coexistence in Gansu. Regionally, however, pronounced differences in environmental responses were observed. In the northwest, solar radiation (37%) and precipitation (25%) were dominant drivers of plant distribution, while in the southeast, solar radiation (36.3%) and elevation (34.7%) were predominant. These findings underscore that species co-occurrence patterns are scale-dependent and influenced by regional resource availability. In resource-abundant southeastern areas, plant families displayed positive co-occurrence patterns indicative of mutualistic or symbiotic interactions, whereas resource-scarce northwestern areas experienced intensified negative co-occurrences due to heightened interspecific competition. This study highlights the critical role of environmental gradients in structuring seed plant distributions in Gansu, providing insights into the interaction of ecological adaptation and evolutionary history in shaping plant diversity. By identifying the drivers of plant distribution across heterogeneous environments, this research offers significant implications for biodiversity conservation and plant resource management strategies in Gansu Province, while contributing to a broader understanding of plant-environment dynamics in complex ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid40033450,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, L and Chen, C and Li, S},
title = {Efficacy of cognitive behavioral group counseling in enhancing the psychological resilience and academic emotion of urban primary school students.},
journal = {BMC psychology},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {189},
pmid = {40033450},
issn = {2050-7283},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; *Resilience, Psychological ; Female ; Child ; *Emotions ; China ; *Students/psychology/statistics & numerical data ; *Counseling/methods ; *Schools ; *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods ; Urban Population/statistics & numerical data ; },
abstract = {This study explores the intricate relationship between psychological resilience and academic emotions in urban primary school students, highlighting the transformative effects of cognitive behavioral group counseling (CBGC) on enhancing resilience. Conducted in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China, the research involved 575 students from five schools, utilizing questionnaires adapted from standard psychological instruments to assess their psychological resilience and academic emotions. Our findings reveal that robust psychological resilience significantly increases positive academic emotions (t = 0.374, 0.591, P < 0.01) and decreases negative ones (t= -0.541, -0.664, P < 0.01). Furthering our investigation, 36 students were selected and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a tailored CBGC program aimed at bolstering psychological resilience, while the control group engaged in after-school sports. The CBGC intervention, customized with culturally relevant content, age-appropriate language, and engaging activities, showed a significant post-intervention improvement in the experimental group's psychological resilience (t = 2.546, P < 0.05) and positive academic emotions (t = 2.546, 3.607, P < 0.01), alongside a notable reduction in negative emotions (t=-3.761,-2.038,P < 0.05).This study underscores the symbiotic relationship between psychological resilience and academic emotions among urban primary school students and demonstrates the efficacy of CBGC in fostering emotional balance and resilience. These insights have profound implications for educators and psychologists dedicated to nurturing a well-rounded and emotionally resilient student body.Trial Registration This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) on February 10, 2023, with registration number ChiCTR2300061594.},
}

Humans
Male
*Resilience, Psychological
Female
Child
*Emotions
China
*Students/psychology/statistics & numerical data
*Counseling/methods
*Schools
*Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods
Urban Population/statistics & numerical data

@article {pmid40033186,
year = {2025},
author = {Yu, J and Liu, C and Wang, D and Wan, P and Cheng, L and Yan, X},
title = {Integrated microbiome and metabolome analysis reveals altered gut microbial communities and metabolite profiles in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {115},
pmid = {40033186},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {No.2023BBB058//Key Research and Development Program of Hubei Province/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; Female ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Mastitis, Bovine/microbiology ; *Metabolome ; *Feces/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics/metabolism ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Dysbiosis/microbiology/veterinary ; Metabolomics/methods ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dairy cow mastitis is a common and prevalent disease arose by various complicated pathogeny, which poses serious threat to the health of cows, safety of dairy product and economic benefits for pastures. Due to the high stealthiness and long incubation period, subclinical mastitis (SM) of cows causes enormous economic losses. Besides the infection by exogenous pathogenic microorganisms, previous studies demonstrated that gastrointestinal microbial dysbiosis is one of the crucial causes for occurrence and development of mastitis based on the theory of entero-mammary axis. Whereas, limited researches have been conducted on potential pathological metabolic mechanisms underlying the relationship between gut microbiota and SM in cows.

RESULTS: The differences in blood parameters, gut microbiome, plasma and fecal metabolome between healthy and SM cows were compared by performing 16 S rDNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomic analysis in the current study. The content of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and activity of catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) were significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was dramatically increased in serum of SM cows in comparison with healthy cows. The gut of cows with SM harbored more abundant Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Succinivibrio and Lactobacillus_iners. Moreover, the abundance of Paraprevotella, Coprococcus, Succiniclasticum, Desulfovibrio and Bifidobacterium_pseudolongum were observably reduced in the gut of SM cows. Furthermore, higher abundance of pro-inflammatory metabolites were observed in feces (9(S)-HPODE, 25-hydroxycholesterol, dodecanedioic acid, etc.) and plasma (9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, 13,14-dihydro PGF1α, 5,6-dehydro arachidonic acid, myristic acid, histamine, etc.) of SM cows. The abundance of certain metabolites with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (mandelic acid, gamma-tocotrienol, deoxycholic acid, etc.) were notably decreased in feces or plasma of cows with SM.

CONCLUSIONS: The intestinal microbial composition and metabolic profiles of healthy and SM cows were significantly distinct, that were characterized by decreased abundance of intestinal symbiotic bacteria, potential probiotics and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compounds, along with increased abundance of potential pro-inflammatory bacteria, lipid metabolites, and the occurrence of oxidative stress in cows suffered from SM. The results of this study further enriched our understanding of the correlations between gut microbiota and metabolic profiles and SM, which provided insight into the formulation of management strategies for SM in cows.},
}

Animals
Cattle
Female
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Mastitis, Bovine/microbiology
*Metabolome
*Feces/microbiology
*Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics/metabolism
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Dysbiosis/microbiology/veterinary
Metabolomics/methods

@article {pmid40033103,
year = {2025},
author = {Santana-Molina, C and Williams, TA and Snel, B and Spang, A},
title = {Chimeric origins and dynamic evolution of central carbon metabolism in eukaryotes.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40033103},
issn = {2397-334X},
support = {grant agreement No. 947317 (ASymbEL)//EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)/ ; 735929LPI//Simons Foundation/ ; GBMF9741//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; },
abstract = {The origin of eukaryotes was a key event in the history of life. Current leading hypotheses propose that a symbiosis between an asgardarchaeal host cell and an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont represented a crucial step in eukaryotic origin and that metabolic cross-feeding between the partners provided the basis for their subsequent evolutionary integration. A major unanswered question is whether the metabolism of modern eukaryotes bears any vestige of this ancestral syntrophy. Here we systematically analyse the evolutionary origins of the eukaryotic gene repertoires mediating central carbon metabolism. Our phylogenetic and sequence analyses reveal that this gene repertoire is chimeric, with ancestral contributions from Asgardarchaeota and Alphaproteobacteria operating predominantly in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, respectively. Our analyses also reveal the extent to which this ancestral metabolic interplay has been remodelled via gene loss, transfer and subcellular retargeting in the >2 billion years since the origin of eukaryotic cells, and we identify genetic contributions from other prokaryotic sources in addition to the asgardarchaeal host and alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont. Our work demonstrates that, in contrast to previous assumptions, modern eukaryotic metabolism preserves information about the nature of the original asgardarchaeal-alphaproteobacterial interactions and supports syntrophy scenarios for the origin of the eukaryotic cell.},
}

@article {pmid40033038,
year = {2025},
author = {Sakaguchi, K and Sugawara, K and Hosokawa, Y and Ito, J and Morita, Y and Mizuma, H and Watanabe, Y and Kimura, Y and Aburaya, S and Takahashi, M and Izumi, Y and Bamba, T and Komada, H and Yamada, T and Hirota, Y and Yoshida, M and Nogami, M and Murakami, T and Ogawa, W},
title = {Metformin-regulated glucose flux from the circulation to the intestinal lumen.},
journal = {Communications medicine},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {44},
pmid = {40033038},
issn = {2730-664X},
support = {22K18393//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Through a retrospective analysis of existing FDG PET-MRI images, we recently demonstrated that metformin increases the accumulation of FDG in the intestinal lumen, suggesting that metformin stimulates glucose excretion into the intestine. However, the details of this phenomenon remain unclear. We here investigate the detailed dynamics of intestinal glucose excretion, including the rate of excretion and the metabolism of excreted glucose, in both the presence and absence of metformin.

METHODS: We quantified intestinal glucose excretion using newly developed FDG PET-MRI-based bioimaging in individuals with type 2 diabetes, both treated and untreated with metformin. The metabolism of excreted glucose was analyzed through mass spectrometry of fecal samples from mice intravenously injected with [13]C-labeled glucose.

RESULTS: Continuous FDG PET/MRI image taking reveals that FDG is initially observed in the jejunum, suggesting its involvement in FDG excretion. Metformin-treated individuals excrete a significant amount of glucose (~1.65 g h[-1] per body) into the intestinal lumen. In individuals not receiving metformin, a certain amount of glucose (~0.41 g h[-1]per body) is also excreted into the intestinal lumen, indicating its physiological importance. Intravenous injection of [13]C-labeled glucose in mice increases the content of [13]C in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) extracted from feces, and metformin increased the incorporation of [13]C into SCFAs.

CONCLUSIONS: A previously unrecognized, substantial flux of glucose from the circulation to the intestinal lumen exists, which likely contributes to the symbiosis between gut microbiota and the host. This flux represents a potential target of metformin's action in humans.},
}

@article {pmid40032241,
year = {2025},
author = {Stock, SP and Hazir, S},
title = {The bacterial symbionts of Entomopathogenic nematodes and their role in symbiosis and pathogenesis.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108295},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108295},
pmid = {40032241},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Entomopathogenic bacteria in the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus are mutualistically associated with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, respectively. Together they form an insecticidal partnership which has been shown to kill a wide range of insect species. The spectrum of dependence in this symbiotic partnership is diverse, ranging from a tight, obligate relationship to a facultative one. A body of evidence suggests that the reproductive fitness of the nematode-bacterium partnership is tightly associated and interdependent. Furthermore, maintenance of their virulence is also critical to the conversion of the insect host as a suitable environment where this partnership can be perpetuated. Disruption of the symbiotic partnership can have detrimental effects on the fitness of both partners. The nematode-bacterial symbiont-insect partnership represents a model system in ecology and evolutionary biology and amenable to investigate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between invertebrates and microbes. Furthermore, the EPN's bacterial symbionts are also viewed as a model system to study the biosynthesis, structure and function of various natural products. Their ability to produce up to 25 different natural product classes is outstanding among the Morganellaceae. These natural products show biological activity, most likely originating from important functions during the life cycle of both the nematodes and their symbionts. Tools and high throughput technologies have been developed to identify ubiquitous and rare molecules and study their function and assess their potential as novel biological activities. We herein summarize the symbiotic relationship between EPN and their bacterial symbionts, focusing on their fitness and their ability to successfully access and utilize an insect host. We also recapitulate the history of natural products research highlighting recent findings and the synthetic biology approaches that are currently implemented to identify non-natural derivatives from Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus with improved biological activity.},
}

@article {pmid40031421,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, B and Guo, Y and Li, X and Dong, C and Sha, H and Li, H and Zhao, Z and Li, T},
title = {Phytostabilization potential and microbial response to the reclamation of native Cynodon dactylon in spoil heaps from a multiple-metal mining site in Southwest China.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {378},
number = {},
pages = {124758},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124758},
pmid = {40031421},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Phytocapping offers a sustainable approach for managing exposed tailings by mitigating pollutant spread and enhancing phytoremediation. This study investigates the potential of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) as a pioneering plant for rehabilitating tailings from an open-pit lead-zinc mine in Southwest China. Our findings demonstrate that Bermudagrass significantly improved soil quality and multifunctionality compared to adjacent bare tailings. Soil improvements included increases in organic matter (107%), total and available nitrogen (50% and 110%, respectively), available phosphorus (170%), and soil enzyme activities, including β-glucosidase (170%), sucrase (1729%), alkaline phosphatase (3722%), and acid phosphatase (168%). The reclamation process also promoted microbial community succession, altering community composition, improving microbial diversity, and enhancing bacterial biomass from (0.89 ± 0.54) × 10[15] to (9.06 ± 3.25) × 10[15] copies/g in rhizosphere soils. Greenhouse experiments further confirmed Bermudagrass's resilience to cadmium (Cd), with both mining and non-mining ecotypes thriving in tailing soils and Cd[2+] hydroponic solutions (up to 44.5 μM) without evident phytotoxicity. Bermudagrass roots exhibited exceptional Cd accumulation (bioconcentration factor: 181-1006) while minimizing Cd translocation to shoots (translocation factor: <0.13). Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae, a restored root-mutually symbiotic fungus, further mitigated Cd-induced phytotoxicity and enhanced plant growth. These findings highlight Bermudagrass as a promising pioneer species for phytostabilization in severely contaminated mining environments, with its rhizosphere microbiome playing a critical role in facilitating ecosystem restoration. Sustainable plant establishment in mine waste rock requires concurrent development of belowground fertility and healthy rhizospheric soil. Ultimately, successful revegetation depends on integrated above and belowground development to achieve long-term ecological restoration.},
}

@article {pmid40031102,
year = {2025},
author = {Pang, Q and Qu, D and Li, W and Zhou, J and Yang, Y and Wang, L and Zheng, D and Liu, Y and Zhang, R and Yang, L and Wu, F and Zhang, X and Su, H},
title = {Muti-omics insights the enhancement of drought tolerance in sweet cherry with dark septate endophyte S16.},
journal = {Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {109716},
doi = {10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109716},
pmid = {40031102},
issn = {1873-2690},
abstract = {Drought stress severely limits the growth and productivity of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are a group of root-associated fungi known to enhance plant stress tolerance. This study aimed to explore the role of DSE fungus S16 in improving drought tolerance in sweet cherry seedlings and to reveal the underlying molecular and microbial mechanisms through a multi-omics approach. Physiological analysis showed that S16 inoculation improved plant growth, increased relative water content, photosynthetic rate, and antioxidant enzyme activities, while reducing ion leakage and oxidative damage under drought conditions. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identified key metabolic pathways, particularly flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as being significantly activated, with upregulation of genes such as PAL, 4CL and CHS, and increased accumulation of metabolites like cinnamic acid (CA) and flavonoid derivatives. Exogenous application of CA at 0.5 mM further enhanced drought resistance by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increasing proline accumulation, and boosting antioxidant enzyme activities. Rhizosphere microbiota analysis revealed that S16 symbiosis and CA treatment under drought conditions increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as members of Sphingomonas, Stenotrophobacter and Parcubacteria, while promoting the dominance of Humicola and Fusarium fungi. These findings provide multi-omics evidence for the role of S16 in enhancing drought tolerance in sweet cherry, offering a theoretical basis for the application of DSE fungi in sustainable fruit tree production.},
}

@article {pmid40030960,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, H and Yu, Z and Ren, Z and Zhang, Y and Liu, J and Wang, L and Guo, B},
title = {FingHV: Efficient Sharing and Fine-Grained Scheduling of Virtualized HPU Resources.},
journal = {IEEE transactions on cybernetics},
volume = {PP},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1109/TCYB.2024.3518569},
pmid = {40030960},
issn = {2168-2275},
abstract = {While artificial intelligence (AI) technology has advanced in real-world applications, there is a strong motivation to develop hybrid systems where AI algorithms and humans collaborate, promoting more human-centered approaches in AI system design. This has led to the emergence of a novel human-machine computing (HMC) paradigm, which combines human cognitive abilities with machine computational power to create a collaborative computing framework that meets the demands of large-scale, complex tasks and enables human-machine symbiosis. Human processing units (HPUs) are crucial computing resources in HMC-oriented systems, and efficient HPU resource provisioning is key to boosting system performance. However, existing schemes often fail to assign tasks to the most suitable HPUs and optimize HPU utility, as they either cannot quantitatively measure skills or overlook utility concerns during task assignment and scheduling. To address these challenges, this article proposes a fine-grained HPU virtualization (FingHV) approach, which leverages virtualization techniques to improve flexibility, fairness, and utility in the provisioning process. The core idea is to use a tree-based skill model to precisely measure the levels and correlations of multiple skills within individual HPUs, and to apply a mixed time/event-based scheduling policy to maximize HPU utility. Specifically, we begin by proposing a hierarchical multiskill tree to model HPU skills and their correlations. Next, we formulate the HPU virtualization problem and present a fine-grained virtualization method, which includes a quality-driven HPU assignment process and a mixed time/event-based scheduling policy to improve resource-sharing efficiency. Finally, we evaluate FingHV on a synthetic dataset with varying task sizes and a real-world case. The results demonstrate that FingHV improves global matching quality by up to 39.7% and increases HPU utility by 11.2% compared to the baselines.},
}

@article {pmid40028341,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, H and Li, J and Niu, Y and Zhou, T and Zhang, P and Liu, Y and Li, Y},
title = {Interactions between the metabolic reprogramming of liver cancer and tumor microenvironment.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1494788},
pmid = {40028341},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; *Tumor Microenvironment/immunology ; *Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/immunology/pathology ; Animals ; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism/immunology ; Cellular Reprogramming ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/immunology/pathology ; Energy Metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/metabolism ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; },
abstract = {Metabolic reprogramming is one of the major biological features of malignant tumors, playing a crucial role in the initiation and progression of cancer. The tumor microenvironment consists of various non-cancer cells, such as hepatic stellate cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells, as well as extracellular matrix and soluble substances. In liver cancer, metabolic reprogramming not only affects its own growth and survival but also interacts with other non-cancer cells by influencing the expression and release of metabolites and cytokines (such as lactate, PGE2, arginine). This interaction leads to acidification of the microenvironment and restricts the uptake of nutrients by other non-cancer cells, resulting in metabolic competition and symbiosis. At the same time, metabolic reprogramming in neighboring cells during proliferation and differentiation processes also impacts tumor immunity. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the metabolic crosstalk between liver cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment, deepening our understanding of relevant findings and pathways. This contributes to further understanding the regulation of cancer development and immune evasion mechanisms while providing assistance in advancing personalized therapies targeting metabolic pathways for anti-cancer treatment.},
}

Humans
*Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
*Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/immunology/pathology
Animals
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism/immunology
Cellular Reprogramming
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/immunology/pathology
Energy Metabolism
Hepatic Stellate Cells/metabolism
Metabolic Reprogramming

@article {pmid40027183,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, H and Hu, J and Ma, Y and Abulimiti, Y and Zhou, Y},
title = {Lung commensal bacteria promote lung cancer progression through NK cell-mediated immunosuppressive microenvironment.},
journal = {International journal of medical sciences},
volume = {22},
number = {5},
pages = {1039-1051},
pmid = {40027183},
issn = {1449-1907},
mesh = {Humans ; *Lung Neoplasms/immunology/microbiology/pathology ; Animals ; *Killer Cells, Natural/immunology ; *Tumor Microenvironment/immunology ; Mice ; *Disease Progression ; Lung/immunology/microbiology/pathology ; Symbiosis/immunology ; Microbiota/immunology ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/immunology/microbiology/pathology ; Interferon-gamma/immunology/metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Male ; Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism/immunology ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic microbiota pervades the majority of the human body's organs and tissues, functioning as crucial regulators of both health maintenance and disease progression. Pertinently, lung adenocarcinoma has been indisputably linked to chronic inflammation. However, the precipitators that instigate such inflammation, along with the particular immune mediators involved, remain enigmatic and warrant extensive exploration. This research revealed a significant variance exists in the commensal bacteria between lung cancer tissues and their normal counterparts. This holds true for both clinical patients and mice, where both the diversity and abundance of bacteria in tumor tissues significantly surpass those in normal tissues. It has been demonstrated that disturbances in pulmonary commensal bacteria can stimulate the proliferation of tumor cells. Mechanistically, we suggest that lung bacteria may promote the expression of the NK cell immunosuppressive molecule TIGIT along with the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ. This consequently mediates alterations in the immunosuppressive microenvironment, thereby fostering tumor proliferation.},
}

Humans
*Lung Neoplasms/immunology/microbiology/pathology
Animals
*Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
*Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
Mice
*Disease Progression
Lung/immunology/microbiology/pathology
Symbiosis/immunology
Microbiota/immunology
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/immunology/microbiology/pathology
Interferon-gamma/immunology/metabolism
Cell Proliferation
Male
Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism/immunology

@article {pmid40025656,
year = {2025},
author = {Reyes-Pérez, PJ and Jiménez-Guerrero, I and Sánchez-Reina, A and Civantos, C and Castro, NM and Ollero, FJ and Gandullo, J and Bernal, P and Pérez-Montaño, F},
title = {The Type VI Secretion System of Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 Is Required for Successful Nodulation With Glycine max cv Pekin.},
journal = {Microbial biotechnology},
volume = {18},
number = {3},
pages = {e70112},
pmid = {40025656},
issn = {1751-7915},
support = {IJC2020-045968-I//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PID2020-118279RA-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PID2021-123000OB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; RYC2019-026551-I//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; //10.13039/501100011033-AgenciaEstataldeInvestigación/ ; //State Subprogram for Knowledge Generation from the Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI)/ ; //MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ ; },
mesh = {*Sinorhizobium fredii/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; *Plant Root Nodulation ; *Symbiosis ; *Glycine max/microbiology ; *Type VI Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; },
abstract = {The symbiotic relationship between rhizobia and legumes is critical for sustainable agriculture and has important economic and environmental implications. In this intricate process, rhizobial bacteria colonise plant roots and induce the formation of specialised plant organs, the nodules. Within these structures, rhizobia fix environmental nitrogen into ammonia, significantly reducing the demand for synthetic fertilisers. Multiple bacterial secretion systems (TXSS, Type X Secretion System) are involved in establishing this symbiosis, with T3SS being the most studied. While the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) is known as a "nanoweapon" commonly used by diderm (formerly gram-negative) bacteria for inter-bacterial competition and potentially manipulating eukaryotic cells, its precise role in legume symbiosis remains unclear. Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257, a fast-growing rhizobial strain capable of nodulating diverse legume plants, possesses a single T6SS cluster containing genes encoding structural components and potential effectors that could target plant cells and/or act as effector-immunity pairs. Our research reveals that this T6SS can be induced in nutrient-limited conditions and, more importantly, is essential for successful nodulation and competitive colonisation of Glycine max cv Pekin. Although the system did not demonstrate effectiveness in eliminating competing bacteria in vitro, its active presence within root nodules suggests a sophisticated role in symbiotic interactions that extends beyond traditional interbacterial competition.},
}

*Sinorhizobium fredii/genetics/metabolism/physiology
*Plant Root Nodulation
*Symbiosis
*Glycine max/microbiology
*Type VI Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism
Plant Roots/microbiology
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology

@article {pmid40025068,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, W and Gao, H and Cui, C and Wang, L and Wang, Y and Li, Y and Li, F and Zheng, Y and Xia, T and Wang, S},
title = {Harnessing engineered symbionts to combat concurrent malaria and arboviruses transmission.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {2104},
pmid = {40025068},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {32021001 and 32370537//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Serratia/genetics/physiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology/parasitology ; *Anopheles/parasitology/virology ; *Malaria/transmission ; *Aedes/virology/microbiology/parasitology ; Zika Virus/physiology/genetics ; Humans ; Zika Virus Infection/transmission/virology ; Arboviruses/physiology/genetics ; Arbovirus Infections/transmission ; Dengue/transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/genetics/physiology ; Female ; Genetic Engineering ; Plasmodium/physiology/genetics ; },
abstract = {Concurrent malaria and arbovirus infections pose significant public health challenges in tropical and subtropical regions, demanding innovative control strategies. Here, we describe a strategy that employs multifunctional engineered symbiotic bacteria to suppress concurrent transmission of malaria parasites, dengue, and Zika viruses by various vector mosquitoes. The symbiotic bacterium Serratia AS1, which efficiently spreads through Anopheles and Aedes populations, is engineered to simultaneously produce anti-Plasmodium and anti-arbovirus effector proteins controlled by a selected blood-induced promoter. Laboratory and outdoor field-cage studies show that the multifunctional engineered symbiotic strains effectively inhibit Plasmodium infection in Anopheles mosquitoes and arbovirus infection in Aedes mosquitoes. Our findings provide the foundation for the use of engineered symbiotic bacteria as a powerful tool to combat the concurrent transmission of malaria and arbovirus diseases.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Serratia/genetics/physiology
*Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology/parasitology
*Anopheles/parasitology/virology
*Malaria/transmission
*Aedes/virology/microbiology/parasitology
Zika Virus/physiology/genetics
Humans
Zika Virus Infection/transmission/virology
Arboviruses/physiology/genetics
Arbovirus Infections/transmission
Dengue/transmission/virology
Dengue Virus/genetics/physiology
Female
Genetic Engineering
Plasmodium/physiology/genetics

@article {pmid40023108,
year = {2025},
author = {Zou, H and Huang, X and Xiao, W and He, H and Liu, S and Zeng, H},
title = {Recent advancements in bacterial anti-phage strategies and the underlying mechanisms altering susceptibility to antibiotics.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {295},
number = {},
pages = {128107},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2025.128107},
pmid = {40023108},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {The rapid spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the challenges in developing new antibiotics have brought renewed international attention to phage therapy. However, in bacteria-phage co-evolution, the rapid development of bacterial resistance to phage has limited its clinical application. This review consolidates the latest advancements in research on anti-phage mechanisms, encompassing strategies such as systems associated with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD[+]) to halt the propagation of the phage, symbiotic bacteria episymbiont-mediated modulation of gene expression in host bacteria to resist phage infection, and defence-related reverse transcriptase (DRT) encoded by bacteria to curb phage infections. We conduct an in-depth analysis of the underlying mechanisms by which bacteria undergo alterations in antibiotic susceptibility after developing phage resistance. We also discuss the remaining challenges and promising directions for phage-based therapy in the future.},
}

@article {pmid40022356,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Y and Wu, Y and Chen, S and Zhao, Y and Li, C and Xiang, H and Wang, D and Wang, Y},
title = {Decoding the aroma landscape of fermented golden pompano: The interplay of ester compounds and symbiotic microbiota as revealed by metagenomics and two-dimensional flavoromics.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {203},
number = {},
pages = {115832},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115832},
pmid = {40022356},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Metagenomics/methods ; *Fermentation ; *Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis/metabolism ; *Esters/metabolism/analysis ; *Microbiota ; Odorants/analysis ; Taste ; Seafood/microbiology ; Flavoring Agents/metabolism ; Animals ; Fermented Foods/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Fermented pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is a traditionally popular fermented seafood throughout Asia. Its distinctive flavor profile is primarily attributed to the microbial metabolic conversion of nutrients, which produces specific volatile compounds. Two-dimensional flavoromics of mature pompano revealed that various volatile flavor compounds accumulate throughout fermentation, with fruity (predominantly esters) and oleogustus (primarily ketones) being key flavor markers. S-curve analysis further demonstrated synergistic and additive interactions between these compounds, which enhance flavor release. Metagenomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis revealed that amino acid metabolism was the pivotal pathway for ethyl ester synthesis, with Staphylococcus equorum being positively correlated with esters such as ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl enanthate. This study elucidated the interrelationship between flavor compounds and the microbial community in fermented pompano, which is expected to provide insights into flavor modulation and guide the selection of strains that produce key esters in fermented seafood products.},
}

*Metagenomics/methods
*Fermentation
*Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis/metabolism
*Esters/metabolism/analysis
*Microbiota
Odorants/analysis
Taste
Seafood/microbiology
Flavoring Agents/metabolism
Animals
Fermented Foods/microbiology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40021818,
year = {2025},
author = {Tavares, GG and Santana, LR and da Silva, LN and Teixeira, MB and da Silva, AA and Cabral, JSR and Souchie, EL},
title = {Morpho-physiological traits of soybean plants in symbiosis with Gigaspora sp. and submitted to water restriction.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {7133},
pmid = {40021818},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {*Glycine max/microbiology/physiology/growth & development ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Water/metabolism ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Glomeromycota/physiology ; Plant Leaves/microbiology/physiology ; Plant Transpiration/physiology ; },
abstract = {In agricultural production, periods in which there is a lack of water can affect the productivity of soybean crops. One alternative is the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which maximize water absorption, biochemical regulation, leaf elasticity and transpiration, and water use regulation. The present study aimed to analyze the morphological and physiological traits of soybean plants associated with Gigaspora margarita and Gigaspora gigantea submitted to water restriction in nonsterilized soil. The soybean plants received 31 g of the AMF Gigaspora margarita or 46 g of Gigaspora gigantea separately at sowing and were cultivated in a greenhouse under natural light conditions with controlled relative humidity and temperature. Water restriction was imposed when the plants reached the V3 stage and were divided into three levels: irrigated (80%), moderate (60%), and severe (40%) field capacity (FC). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 × 3 factorial design (three inoculation treatments × three water restriction levels). Physiological and morphological parameters, photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, root colonization of soybean plants, and percentage of fungal spores were evaluated. The inoculation of Gigaspora gigantea promoted the adaptation of physiological (photosynthesis rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, Ci/Ca ratio, and carboxylation) and morphological traits (plant height and stem diameter), with greater colonization of soybean roots under conditions of water restriction, and maximized the tolerance of plants to drought, mitigating the negative effects of these conditions regardless of the level of water restriction. Mycorrhizal inoculation promoted better functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus and growth of soybean plants.},
}

*Glycine max/microbiology/physiology/growth & development
*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Water/metabolism
*Symbiosis/physiology
Photosynthesis
Plant Roots/microbiology
Glomeromycota/physiology
Plant Leaves/microbiology/physiology
Plant Transpiration/physiology

@article {pmid40020154,
year = {2025},
author = {Hincher, MR and Carleton, JP and Wheeler, SJ and DelCogliano, M and Mathis, K and Tabima, JF},
title = {Ubiquity and diversity of Basidiobolus across amphibian species inhabiting an urbanization gradient.},
journal = {Mycologia},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-13},
doi = {10.1080/00275514.2025.2455909},
pmid = {40020154},
issn = {1557-2536},
abstract = {The role of microfungal species in the environment is wide and well documented, especially in terms of symbiosis. Nonetheless, microfungal species are usually overseen and vastly understudied. One example of these understudied microfungal groups is the genus Basidiobolus, an ecologically diverse zoopagomycete genus found within vertebrate gastrointestinal systems, a saprobe across leaf litter, or as an opportunistic pathogen of immunocompromised humans. Studies of Basidiobolus diversity and distribution have been focused mostly on non-urbanized areas of subtropical regions, but there is a recent paucity of studies on this genus in temperate and densely human populated areas. Here, we present insights into the ubiquity and diversity of Basidiobolus species associated with amphibian species that live in the Worcester waterway system, a system of connecting streams and ponds that originate in pristine, protected wild management areas, and the highly urbanized downtown area of Worcester, Massachusetts. Our results show the ubiquitous presence of Basidiobolus across the gastrointestinal tract samples of amphibians spanning diverse species and habitats, including conservation areas, urban watersheds, and rural ecosystems. Our study reveals that multiple individuals and species of Basidiobolus coexist within a single host, suggesting complex interactions within amphibian gut microbiomes. Finally, we present possible novel diversity in the genus, indicating that further studies should be focused on understanding the species richness, genetic diversity, and ecological roles and associations of this interesting fungal group.},
}

@article {pmid40018897,
year = {2025},
author = {Khoury, M and Evans, B and Guleria, T and Van Der Broeke, J and Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia, L and Chen, O and Mustafee, N and Chen, A and Djordjevic, S and Savic, D},
title = {Towards the development of an online platform for an industry metabolic pathway.},
journal = {Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research},
volume = {91},
number = {4},
pages = {382-399},
pmid = {40018897},
issn = {0273-1223},
support = {869318//Horizon 2020 Framework Programme/ ; },
mesh = {*Water Purification/methods ; Industrial Waste ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Internet ; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods ; Wastewater ; },
abstract = {This paper presents the design of a web-based decision co-creation platform to showcase water treatment technologies connected via industrial symbiosis for a circular economy approach. The platform is developed as part of the EU H2020-funded ULTIMATE project. This system initially investigates three case studies focusing respectively on: water and nutrient recovery in greenhouses, pre-treatment of wastewater from olive mills before integration into communal wastewater systems, and value-added compound recovery from wastewater in a juice factory. These cases are then merged into one abstract composite example showing all three aspects of the problem, connecting greenhouses, juice factories, and olive mills, describing a pioneering form of industrial 'metabolic network' of the circular economy. This work describes the modelling framework, the online platform and the interactive visualisations that allow users to explore the industrial symbiosis configurations enabled by the metabolic pathway. The platform thus serves as a decision support tool that merges circular economy and industrial symbiosis, as well as a pedagogical tool.},
}

*Water Purification/methods
Industrial Waste
Metabolic Networks and Pathways
Internet
Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods
Wastewater

@article {pmid40017177,
year = {2025},
author = {Palladini, A and Moyano, A and Díaz, V and Rasuk, MC and Giudice, A and Castillo, G and Abraham, S and Dib, J and Manzano, C and Rull, J},
title = {Ceratitis capitata microbiota and its effect on environmental stress tolerance: making flies stronger.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70010},
pmid = {40017177},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {PICT 2018 number 03521//Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica/ ; },
abstract = {Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is a cosmopolitan pest of economic importance. It is controlled by using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which involves rearing and release of sterile males destined to mate with wild females, causing generation-to-generation suppression. Medflies are colonized by microorganisms, primarily the Enterobacteriaceae, with the genera Klebsiella and Enterobacter being the most common. Such microbiota contributes to host fitness. During the SIT, diet with antibiotics and irradiation for sterility of adults alter microbiota. We aimed to determine the role of Medfly microbiota on resistance to abiotic stress conditions, evaluating its function under: (i) starvation, (ii) elevated temperatures, and (iii) dry environments. These conditions simulate challenges Medfly may encounter after release, which differ from controlled rearing environments. We compared adult survival between symbiotic and aposymbiotic individuals, under starvation, two thermal regimes (25 and 30 °C) or two humidity regimes (20%-25% and 80%-90% R.H.). Aposymbiotic individuals were obtained after providing them with water containing a mixture of antibiotics and methylparaben. Treatment with antimicrobials effectively reduced the gut microbiota. While starvation had no significant effect on survival, a higher proportion of aposymbiotic individuals died earlier at 30 °C and under dry humidity, with the effect being more pronounced after 48 h. Our results suggest that microbiota plays a role in adaptation of Medfly under environmental stress. We report for the presence of a culturable yeast in the digestive tract of C. capitata, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii. Providing a probiotic adult diet with bacteria and Z. rouxii prior to release could improve SIT outcomes under adverse conditions.},
}

@article {pmid40016887,
year = {2025},
author = {Yu, YH and Kurtenbach, J and Crosbie, D and Brachmann, A and Marín Arancibia, M},
title = {Pseudomonas Species Isolated From Lotus Nodules Are Genetically Diverse and Promote Plant Growth.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {3},
pages = {e70066},
pmid = {40016887},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {MA 7269/2-2//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; },
mesh = {*Lotus/microbiology/growth & development ; *Pseudomonas/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/growth & development ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Genetic Variation ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology/growth & development ; Genome, Bacterial ; Plant Development ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Nodules harbour microbial communities composed of rhizobia and other lower-abundance bacteria. These non-rhizobial bacteria can promote plant growth. However, their genomic diversity and how this relates to their plant growth-promoting traits remain poorly investigated. Here, we isolated 14 Pseudomonas strains from the nodules of Lotus plants, sequenced their genomes, analysed their genomic and phylogenetic diversity, and assessed their ability to promote plant growth. We identified five distinct species, including a novel species named Pseudomonas monachiensis sp. nov., with strain PLb12A[T], as the type strain. Genome analysis of these nodule-isolated Pseudomonas revealed an abundance of genes associated to plant growth-promoting traits, especially auxin-related genes, compared to closely related type strains. In accordance, most nodule-isolated Pseudomonas strains enhanced shoot growth of Lotus burttii, while only some promoted root growth or early onset of root hair proliferation. However, none of the strains significantly affected the ability to form nodules. Overall, our findings highlight the genotypic diversity and the plant growth-promoting potential of nodule-isolated Pseudomonas and underscore their possible applications in mixed inocula with rhizobia.},
}

*Lotus/microbiology/growth & development
*Pseudomonas/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/growth & development
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
*Phylogeny
*Genetic Variation
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology/growth & development
Genome, Bacterial
Plant Development
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid40016206,
year = {2025},
author = {Das, D and Varshney, K and Ogawa, S and Torabi, S and Hüttl, R and Nelson, DC and Gutjahr, C},
title = {Ethylene promotes SMAX1 accumulation to inhibit arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {2025},
pmid = {40016206},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {Grant GU1423/1-2//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 57381412//Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service)/ ; 22KJ3127//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Ethylenes/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology/drug effects ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects ; *Lotus/microbiology/metabolism/genetics ; *Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism/pharmacology ; Lactones/metabolism/pharmacology ; Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism ; Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Glomeromycota/physiology ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism/genetics ; Pyrans/pharmacology/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Most land plants engage in arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis with Glomeromycotina fungi for better access to mineral nutrients. The plant hormone ethylene suppresses AM development, but a molecular explanation for this phenomenon is lacking. Here we show that ethylene inhibits the expression of many genes required for AM formation in Lotus japonicus. These genes include strigolactone biosynthesis genes, which are needed for fungal activation, and Common Symbiosis genes, which are required for fungal entry into the root. Application of strigolactone analogs and ectopic expression of the Common Symbiosis gene Calcium Calmodulin-dependent Kinase (CCaMK) counteracts the effect of ethylene. Therefore, ethylene likely inhibits AM development by suppressing expression of these genes rather than by inducing defense responses. These same genes are regulated by SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1 (SMAX1), a transcriptional repressor that is proteolyzed during karrikin signaling. SMAX1 is required for suppression of AM by ethylene, and SMAX1 abundance in nuclei increases after ethylene application. We conclude that ethylene suppresses AM by promoting accumulation of SMAX1. SMAX1 emerges as a signaling hub that integrates karrikin and ethylene signaling, thereby orchestrating development of a major plant symbiosis with a plant's physiological state.},
}

*Ethylenes/metabolism
*Symbiosis
*Mycorrhizae/physiology/drug effects
*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects
*Lotus/microbiology/metabolism/genetics
*Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism/pharmacology
Lactones/metabolism/pharmacology
Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism
Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Glomeromycota/physiology
Signal Transduction/drug effects
Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism/genetics
Pyrans/pharmacology/metabolism

@article {pmid40015991,
year = {2025},
author = {Chocarro-Calvo, A and Jociles-Ortega, M and García-Martinez, JM and Louphrasitthiphol, P and Carvalho-Marques, S and Vivas-García, Y and Ramírez-Sánchez, A and Chauhan, J and Fiuza, MC and Druan, M and Sánchez-Danés, A and Goding, CR and García-Jiménez, C},
title = {Fatty acid uptake activates an AXL-CAV1-β-catenin axis to drive melanoma progression.},
journal = {Genes & development},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/gad.351985.124},
pmid = {40015991},
issn = {1549-5477},
abstract = {Interaction between the tumor microenvironment and cancer cell plasticity drives intratumor phenotypic heterogeneity and underpins disease progression and nongenetic therapy resistance. Phenotype-specific expression of the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is a pivotal player in dormancy, invasion, and resistance to treatment. However, although the AXL ligand GAS6 is present within tumors, how AXL is activated in metastasizing cells remains unclear. Here, using melanoma as a model, we reveal that AXL is activated by exposure to human adipocytes and to oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid abundant in lymph and in adipocytes. AXL activation triggers SRC-dependent formation and nuclear translocation of a β-catenin-CAV1 complex required for melanoma invasiveness. Remarkably, only undifferentiated AXL[High] melanoma cells engage in symbiosis with human adipocytes, in part by triggering WNT5a-mediated lipolysis, leading to AXL-dependent, but FATP-independent, fatty acid uptake and nuclear localization of the β-catenin-CAV1 complex. Significantly, human melanomas in the vicinity of adipocytes exhibit high levels of nuclear CAV1. The results unveil an AXL- and CAV1-dependent mechanism through which a nutritional input drives phenotype-specific activation of a prometastasis program. Given the key role of AXL in a broad range of cancers, the results offer major insights into the mechanisms of cancer cell dormancy and therapy resistance.},
}

@article {pmid40015875,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhong, Y and Wang, Q and Sun, F and Yu, X and Liu, Y and Shentu, X},
title = {Effects of tebuconazole on insecticidal activity and symbionts in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).},
journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {208},
number = {},
pages = {106283},
doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106283},
pmid = {40015875},
issn = {1095-9939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/drug effects ; *Triazoles/pharmacology ; *Symbiosis ; *Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology/toxicity ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Harnessing symbionts as targets for pest management is an emerging and promising strategy that can contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Brown planthopper (BPH), a major rice pest, significantly threatens crop yields and quality. In this study, we discovered that BPHs exhibited a significant increase in mortality after consuming the fungicide tebuconazole, indicating its direct toxic effect. Tebuconazole negatively impacts the body weight, digestive enzyme activity, and reproductive capacity in BPHs, and it also leads to a significant downregulation of the expression levels of the ecdysteroid biosynthetic genes. The number of symbionts and the expression level of Noda in the BPH treated with tebuconazole was significantly reduced. Sequencing results showed that tebuconazole had a significant effect on the richness of symbiotic fungi and bacteria in BPH. As a fungicide, tebuconazole can offer new approaches and insights for managing resistance and integrated pest control.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/drug effects
*Triazoles/pharmacology
*Symbiosis
*Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology/toxicity
*Insecticides/pharmacology

@article {pmid40013383,
year = {2025},
author = {Pasinato, A and Singh, G},
title = {Lichens are a treasure chest of bioactive compounds: fact or fake?.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70034},
pmid = {40013383},
issn = {1469-8137},
}

@article {pmid40012216,
year = {2025},
author = {Md-Zain, BM and Wan-Mustafa, WAS and Tingga, RCT and Gani, M and Mohd-Ridwan, AR},
title = {High-Throughput DNA Metabarcoding for the Gut Microbiome Assessment of Captive White-Handed Gibbon and Siamang.},
journal = {Journal of medical primatology},
volume = {54},
number = {2},
pages = {e70009},
doi = {10.1111/jmp.70009},
pmid = {40012216},
issn = {1600-0684},
support = {ST-2022-027//The National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources (NCTF),/ ; ST-2021-017//Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; *Animals, Zoo/microbiology ; *Hylobates/microbiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Feces/microbiology ; Malaysia ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/veterinary ; Hylobatidae/genetics/microbiology ; Male ; Female ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota plays a vital role in primates' overall health and well-being, including small apes (Hylobatidae). The symbiotic relationships between bacteria and the gut aid food digestion, maintain host health, and help them adapt to their environment, including captive conditions. Despite being listed as endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list category, molecular studies on the small ape's gut microbiome are limited compared to other primates. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota of captive small apes at Zoo Taiping and Night Safari, Peninsular Malaysia, by evaluating their microbial communities.

METHODS: Seven fecal samples from Hylobatidae (white-handed gibbon and siamang) were collected, and the bacteria therein were successfully isolated and subjected to high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

RESULTS: The acquired amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were successfully classified into 17 phyla, 82 families, 164 genera, and 43 species of microbes. Each small ape exhibited a unique gut microbiota profile. The phyla Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were dominant in each individual. Environmental conditions and host genetics are among the factors that influence the small ape's gut microbiome composition.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide valuable insights into the gut microbiota composition of small apes at Zoo Taiping and Night Safari, thus contributing to the health management and welfare efforts of small apes in captivity.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics
*DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
*Animals, Zoo/microbiology
*Hylobates/microbiology
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Feces/microbiology
Malaysia
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/veterinary
Hylobatidae/genetics/microbiology
Male
Female
RNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics

@article {pmid40011773,
year = {2025},
author = {Oyarte Galvez, L and Bisot, C and Bourrianne, P and Cargill, R and Klein, M and van Son, M and van Krugten, J and Caldas, V and Clerc, T and Lin, KK and Kahane, F and van Staalduine, S and Stewart, JD and Terry, V and Turcu, B and van Otterdijk, S and Babu, A and Kamp, M and Seynen, M and Steenbeek, B and Zomerdijk, J and Tutucci, E and Sheldrake, M and Godin, C and Kokkoris, V and Stone, HA and Kiers, ET and Shimizu, TS},
title = {A travelling-wave strategy for plant-fungal trade.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40011773},
issn = {1476-4687},
abstract = {For nearly 450 million years, mycorrhizal fungi have constructed networks to collect and trade nutrient resources with plant roots[1,2]. Owing to their dependence on host-derived carbon, these fungi face conflicting trade-offs in building networks that balance construction costs against geographical coverage and long-distance resource transport to and from roots[3]. How they navigate these design challenges is unclear[4]. Here, to monitor the construction of living trade networks, we built a custom-designed robot for high-throughput time-lapse imaging that could track over 500,000 fungal nodes simultaneously. We then measured around 100,000 cytoplasmic flow trajectories inside the networks. We found that mycorrhizal fungi build networks as self-regulating travelling waves-pulses of growing tips pull an expanding wave of nutrient-absorbing mycelium, the density of which is self-regulated by fusion. This design offers a solution to conflicting trade demands because relatively small carbon investments fuel fungal range expansions beyond nutrient-depletion zones, fostering exploration for plant partners and nutrients. Over time, networks maintained highly constant transport efficiencies back to roots, while simultaneously adding loops that shorten paths to potential new trade partners. Fungi further enhance transport flux by both widening hyphal tubes and driving faster flows along 'trunk routes' of the network[5]. Our findings provide evidence that symbiotic fungi control network-level structure and flows to meet trade demands, and illuminate the design principles of a symbiotic supply-chain network shaped by millions of years of natural selection.},
}

@article {pmid40011535,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, DX and Bai, Z and Yuan, YW and Li, SA and Wei, YL and Yuan, HS},
title = {Ectomycorrhizal fungal community varies across broadleaf species and developmental stages.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {6955},
pmid = {40011535},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {32371732//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32270017//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; U2102220//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology ; *Quercus/microbiology/growth & development ; *Acer/microbiology/growth & development ; China ; Forests ; Trees/microbiology/growth & development ; Biodiversity ; Betula/microbiology/growth & development ; Mycobiome ; Plant Roots/microbiology/growth & development ; Ecosystem ; Symbiosis ; Fungi/classification/genetics ; Soil Microbiology ; },
abstract = {Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play pivotal roles in determining temperate forest ecosystem processes. We tracked root EMF community succession across saplings, juveniles, and adults of three temperate broadleaf trees (Acer mono, Betula platyphylla, and Quercus mongolica) in Northeast China. Adult stages showed higher alpha diversity but lower community dissimilarity compared to earlier stages. In particular, the EMF alpha diversity of Quercus mongolica marginally increased along with host developmental stages and ranked as sapling < juvenile < adult. Unlike those of Acer mono and Quercus mongolica, the EMF community composition of Betula platyphylla showed greater variation between the sapling and juvenile stages than between the sapling and adult stages. Cooccurrence networks revealed increasing interconnectivity with host maturity, dominated by positive correlations (> 99%). LEfSe was employed to identify stage- and/or host-specific EMF indicators. This study highlighted the assembly of EMF community during the development of broadleaf trees in temperate forests, thereby advancing understanding of the succession and coevolution of symbiotic relationships.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology
*Quercus/microbiology/growth & development
*Acer/microbiology/growth & development
China
Forests
Trees/microbiology/growth & development
Biodiversity
Betula/microbiology/growth & development
Mycobiome
Plant Roots/microbiology/growth & development
Ecosystem
Symbiosis
Fungi/classification/genetics
Soil Microbiology

@article {pmid40011474,
year = {2025},
author = {Kobayashi, Y and Kondo, Y and Kohda, M and Awata, S},
title = {Active provisioning of food to host sea anemones by anemonefish.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {4115},
pmid = {40011474},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {23KJ1838//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 22H02703//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JPMJSP2139-RS22A027//Japan Science and Technology Agency/ ; 2021-4082//The Japan Science Society/ ; OCU-SRG2021_BR10//Osaka City University/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Sea Anemones/physiology ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; Feeding Behavior/physiology ; },
abstract = {In mutualistic symbiosis, organisms often provide food to their partners. However, the processes and significance of food provisioning to hosts remain poorly understood. The anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii, which prefers larger hosts, has been suggested to provide food to its host the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor. In the present study, we investigated food provisioning by anemonefish and its effects on the symbiotic relationships. When given foods of various sizes and types in the field, anemonefish selectively consumed small animal food (krill, clams, squid, and fish) and green macroalgae of small size, while providing larger pieces of animal food to their hosts. Additionally, the anemonefish avoided either eating or providing brown macroalgae and sponges to the host anemone, which appeared to be unsuitable as food for both anemonefish and sea anemones. When repeatedly provided small pieces of animal food, the anemonefish initially consumed the food themselves, but upon satiety, increased provisioning to the host. Food provisioning positively influenced the growth of host anemones. These findings suggest that anemonefish actively provide food to host anemones based on the situation, adding to our knowledge of the mutual benefits of symbiosis among partners.},
}

Animals
*Sea Anemones/physiology
*Symbiosis/physiology
Feeding Behavior/physiology

@article {pmid40011281,
year = {2025},
author = {Haider, K and Abbas, D and Galian, J and Ghafar, MA and Kabir, K and Ijaz, M and Hussain, M and Khan, KA and Ghramh, HA and Raza, A},
title = {The multifaceted roles of gut microbiota in insect physiology, metabolism, and environmental adaptation: implications for pest management strategies.},
journal = {World journal of microbiology & biotechnology},
volume = {41},
number = {3},
pages = {75},
pmid = {40011281},
issn = {1573-0972},
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; *Insecta/microbiology/physiology ; *Bacteria/classification/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Adaptation, Physiological ; Pest Control/methods ; Insect Control/methods ; },
abstract = {Similar to many other organisms, insects like Drosophila melanogaster, Hypothenemus hampei, and Cockroaches harbor diverse bacterial communities in their gastrointestinal systems. These bacteria, along with other microorganisms like fungi and archaea, are essential to the physiology of their insect hosts, forming intricate symbiotic relationships. These gut-associated microorganisms contribute to various vital functions, including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune regulation, and behavioral modulation. Notably, gut microbiota facilitates the breakdown of complex plant materials, synthesizes essential vitamins and amino acids, and detoxifies harmful substances, including pesticides. Furthermore, these microorganisms are integral to modulating host immune responses and enhancing disease resistance. This review examines the multifaceted roles of gut microbiota in insect physiology, with particular emphasis on their contributions to digestion, detoxification, reproduction, and environmental adaptability. The potential applications of gut microbiota in integrated pest management (IPM) are also explored. Understanding the microbial dynamics within insect pest species opens new avenues for pest control, including developing microbial biocontrol agents, microbial modifications to reduce pesticide resistance, and implementing microbiome-based genetic strategies. In particular, manipulating gut microbiota presents a promising approach to pest management, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical pesticides.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
*Insecta/microbiology/physiology
*Bacteria/classification/metabolism
Symbiosis
Adaptation, Physiological
Pest Control/methods
Insect Control/methods

@article {pmid40009242,
year = {2025},
author = {Antunes, PM and Stürmer, SL and Bever, JD and Chagnon, PL and Chaudhary, VB and Deveautour, C and Fahey, C and Kokkoris, V and Lekberg, Y and Powell, JR and Aguilar-Trigueros, CA and Zhang, H},
title = {Enhancing consistency in arbuscular mycorrhizal trait-based research to improve predictions of function.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {35},
number = {2},
pages = {14},
pmid = {40009242},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {RGPIN-2023-04103//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; grant 403.711/2023-1 and Research Assistanship Process 306.676/2022-2//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; NSF DBI 2027458//U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Biological Infrastructure/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics ; Soil Microbiology ; Plants/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Ecosystem ; Glomeromycota/physiology/genetics ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (phylum Glomeromycota) are obligate symbionts with plants influencing plant health, soil a(biotic) processes, and ecosystem functioning. Despite advancements in molecular techniques, understanding the role of AM fungal communities on a(biotic) processes based on AM fungal taxonomy remains challenging. This review advocates for a standardized trait-based framework to elucidate the life-history traits of AM fungi, focusing on their roles in three dimensions: host plants, soil, and AM fungal ecology. We define morphological, physiological, and genetic key traits, explore their functional roles and propose methodologies for their consistent measurement, enabling cross-study comparisons towards improved predictability of ecological function. We aim for this review to lay the groundwork for establishing a baseline of AM fungal trait responses under varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, we emphasize the need to include underrepresented taxa in research and utilize advances in machine learning and microphotography for data standardization.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics
Soil Microbiology
Plants/microbiology
Symbiosis
Ecosystem
Glomeromycota/physiology/genetics

@article {pmid40009197,
year = {2025},
author = {Kelleher, LA and Ramalho, MO},
title = {Impact of Species and Developmental Stage on the Bacterial Communities of Aphaenogaster Ants.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {82},
number = {4},
pages = {157},
pmid = {40009197},
issn = {1432-0991},
support = {7513312112//West Chester University/ ; },
mesh = {*Ants/microbiology ; Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Pennsylvania ; Phylogeny ; Ecosystem ; Biodiversity ; },
abstract = {Ants are distributed across the globe and there are currently over 14,000 described species. Due to the high diversity between species, ants are considered vital keystone species to many ecosystems. They provide basic ecosystem services such as: seed dispersal, soil bioturbation, decomposition, and pest control. Within these ecosystems ants form complex symbiotic relationships with plants, fungi, and bacteria. Studying the interaction between ants and their bacteria is important because of the crucial role that microbes play in the overall health of ants. Aphaenogaster Mayr, 1853, which is a globally distributed ant genus, remains understudied in terms of their bacterial community. This study aims to determine the taxonomic composition and abundance of the Aphaenogaster bacterial community and to determine if development stage and species impact the bacterial community composition. For this study, ants from several colonies were collected from the Gordon Natural Area in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. DNA was then extracted from the ants in all stages of development and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequencing following the NGS amplicon approach. The findings from this study reveal that species and development stage have a significant impact upon the bacterial community composition and abundance of Aphaenogaster ants, and Wolbachia is highly associated with these ants.},
}

*Ants/microbiology
Animals
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Microbiota
Symbiosis
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Pennsylvania
Phylogeny
Ecosystem
Biodiversity

@article {pmid40007963,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, J and Yang, X and Huo, C and Fan, X and Liu, Q and Liu, Z and Su, Y and Chen, Z},
title = {Eucalyptus grandis WRKY genes provide insight into the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in defense against Ralstonia solanacearum.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1510196},
pmid = {40007963},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: WRKY transcription factors are essential for plant growth, health, and responses to biotic and abiotic stress.

METHODS: In this study, we performed a deep in silico characterization of the WRKY gene family in the genome of Eucalyptus grandis. We also analyzed the expression profiles of these genes upon colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis (Ri) and infection with the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs).

RESULTS: A total of 117 EgWRKYs were identified. Phylogenetic analysis divided the EgWRKY proteins into three groups: group I (21 proteins, 17.95%), group II (65 proteins, 55.56%), and group III (24 proteins, 20.51%). Additionally, seven EgWRKY proteins (5.98%) were categorized into group IV due to the absence of the WRKY domain or zinc-finger structure. All EgWRKY genes are distributed irregularly across the 11 chromosomes, with 25 pairs identified as segmental duplicates and four as tandem duplicates. The promoter regions of 50% of members of each subfamily contain plant hormone-related cis-elements associated with defense responses, such as ABREs, TGACG motifs, and CGTCA motifs. All subfamilies (except for group IV-b and IV-c) contain AW-boxes, which are related to mycorrhizal induction. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed that 21 EgWRKYs were responsive to the AMF Ri, with 13 and 8 genes strongly up- and downregulated, respectively. Several genes (including EgWRKY116, EgWRKY62, and EgWRKY107) were significantly induced by Ri; these genes might enhance the defense of E. grandis against Rs.

DISCUSSION: Therefore, we identified E. grandis WRKY genes that are regulated by AMF colonization, some of which might improve the defense of E. grandis against R. solanacearum. These findings provide insights into E. grandis WRKY genes involved in interactions among the host plant, AMFs, and R. solanacearum.},
}

@article {pmid40007421,
year = {2025},
author = {Singh, G and Dal Grande, F and Martin, FM and Medema, MH},
title = {Breaking into nature's secret medicine cabinet: lichens - a biochemical goldmine ready for discovery.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70003},
pmid = {40007421},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {//NextGenerationEU (to GS)/ ; ANR-11-LABX-0002-01//Laboratory of Excellence ARBRE/ ; },
abstract = {Secondary metabolites are a crucial source of bioactive compounds playing a key role in the development of new pharmaceuticals. Recently, biosynthetic research has benefited significantly from progress on various fronts, including reduced sequencing costs, improved genome/metabolome mining strategies, and expanding tools/databases to compare and characterize chemical diversity. Steady advances in these fields are crucial for research on non-modal organisms such as lichen-forming fungi (LFF). Although most fungi produce bioactive metabolites, biosynthetic research on LFF (c. 21% of known fungi) lags behind, primarily due to experimental challenges. However, in recent years, several such challenges have been tackled, and, in parallel, a critical foundation of genomic data and pipelines has been established to accomplish the valorization of this potential. Integrating these concurrent advances to accelerate biochemical research in LFF provides a promising opportunity for new discoveries. This review summarizes the following: recent advances in fungal and LFF omics, and chemoinformatics research; studies on LFF biosynthesis, including chemical diversity and evolutionary/phylogenetic aspects; and experimental milestones in LFF biosynthetic gene functions. At the end, we outline a vision and strategy to combine the progress in these research areas to harness the biochemical potential of LFF for pharmaceutical development.},
}

@article {pmid40007156,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, X and Wen, J and Jia, S and He, Y and Yang, W and Chen, W and Li, D and Liu, R and Liu, Q and Cai, Y and Cheng, K and Zhang, X},
title = {Glutamine synthetase GhGLN1.5 regulates arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton by modulating inorganic nitrogen assimilation.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70035},
pmid = {40007156},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {32070262//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32301768//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 242300420138//Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province/ ; 234400510004//Project of Zhongyuan Scholars Workstation/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a crucial role in the nitrogen uptake and Verticillium wilt resistance of cotton. The absorbed inorganic nitrogen is converted into organic nitrogen through nitrogen assimilation mediated by glutamine synthetase (GS). However, the role of GS in AM symbiosis and Verticillium wilt resistance remains unclear. We identified an AM fungus-induced GS gene, GhGLN1.5, which participated in AM symbiosis. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrated that GhGLN1.5 exhibits catalytic activity of GS. The knockdown of GhGLN1.5 resulted in a reduction of AM colonization, nitrogen uptake capacity, and AM symbiosis-dependent resistance to Verticillium wilt. Heterologous expression of GhGLN1.5 enhanced AM symbiosis, increased GS activity, and promoted plant growth. The knockout of GhGLN1.5 in cotton inhibited AM symbiosis. Furthermore, we identified an AM fungus-induced ethylene response factor gene GhWRI3 through yeast one-hybrid library screening and found that GhWRI3 activates the expression of GhGLN1.5 via AW-box element. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of GhGLN1.5 expression in AM symbiosis, nitrogen assimilation, and Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton, suggesting potential strategies for regulating AM symbiosis in cotton through the WRI3-GLN1.5 module.},
}

@article {pmid40006841,
year = {2025},
author = {Utge Perri, SY and Valerga Fernández, MV and Scotti, A and Colombo, RP and González, F and Valenzuela, L and Godeas, AM and Silvani, VA},
title = {Responses of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Communities to Long-Term Mining and Passive Restoration.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {40006841},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {UBACYT 20020170100142BA//University of Buenos Aires/ ; PIP 11220200102192CO//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas/ ; PICT 2015-3474//Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación/ ; ATN RF-18951-RG//FONTAGRO/ ; },
abstract = {Mining activities cause strong soil alterations, such as heavy metal (HM) pollution, which decreases the diversity of plant communities and rhizospheric microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The polymetallic Paramillos de Uspallata mine in the Andes Mountains, the first mining exploitation in Argentina, provides a unique scenario to study AM fungal resilience after long-term disturbance following over 40 years of inactivity. This study aimed to analyze mycorrhizal status and AM fungal communities in the mine and a nearby unexploited area and to evaluate their associations with soil parameters to elucidate life history strategies. Long-term exposure to elevated Fe, Pb, Zn, and Ag concentrations and high electrical conductivity (EC, 5.46 mS/cm) led to the dominance of Entrophospora infrequens in association with Pappostipa speciosa, demonstrating that this AM species is a stress-tolerant strategist in symbiosis with a pioneer perennial plant, resilient in the most impacted mine areas. In contrast, the unexploited area, with an EC of 0.48 mS/cm and low HM contents, supported competitive and ruderal species, revealing distinct ecological strategies of AM fungi in disturbed versus undisturbed environments. These findings highlight the potential of E. infrequens for bioremediation and ecological restoration in post-mining landscapes.},
}

@article {pmid40006495,
year = {2025},
author = {Vassiliadis, S and Guthridge, KM and Reddy, P and Ludlow, EJ and Hettiarachchige, IK and Rochfort, SJ},
title = {Predicting Perennial Ryegrass Cultivars and the Presence of an Epichloë Endophyte in Seeds Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS).},
journal = {Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {25},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {40006495},
issn = {1424-8220},
support = {na//Agriculture Victoria Research/ ; na//Dairy Australia/ ; na//Gardiner Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Lolium/microbiology ; *Seeds/microbiology ; *Endophytes/physiology ; *Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods ; *Epichloe/physiology ; },
abstract = {Perennial ryegrass is an important temperate grass used for forage and turf worldwide. It forms symbiotic relationships with endophytic fungi (endophytes), conferring pasture persistence and resistance to herbivory. Endophyte performance can be influenced by the host genotype, as well as environmental factors such as seed storage conditions. It is therefore critical to confirm seed quality and purity before a seed is sown. DNA-based methods are often used for quality control purposes. Recently, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with hyperspectral imaging was used to discriminate perennial ryegrass cultivars and endophyte presence in individual seeds. Here, a NIRS-based analysis of bulk seeds was used to develop models for discriminating perennial ryegrass cultivars (Alto, Maxsyn, Trojan and Bronsyn), each hosting a suite of eight to eleven different endophyte strains. Sub-sampling, six per bag of seed, was employed to minimize misclassification error. Using a nested PLS-DA approach, cultivars were classified with an overall accuracy of 94.1-98.6% of sub-samples, whilst endophyte presence or absence was discriminated with overall accuracies between 77.8% and 96.3% of sub-samples. Hierarchical classification models were developed to discriminate bulked seed samples quickly and easily with minimal misclassifications of cultivars (<8.9% of sub-samples) or endophyte status within each cultivar (<11.3% of sub-samples). In all cases, greater than four of the six sub-samples were correctly classified, indicating that innate variation within a bag of seeds can be overcome using this strategy. These models could benefit turf- and pasture-based industries by providing a tool that is easy, cost effective, and can quickly discriminate seed bulks based on cultivar and endophyte content.},
}

*Lolium/microbiology
*Seeds/microbiology
*Endophytes/physiology
*Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods
*Epichloe/physiology

@article {pmid40005829,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, S and Xiang, J and Abedin, M and Wang, J and Zhang, Z and Zhang, Z and Wu, H and Xiao, J},
title = {Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Akkermansia muciniphila-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {40005829},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {6212002//Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality，China/ ; },
abstract = {Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in host-microbe communication. Akkermansia muciniphila, a symbiotic bacterium essential for intestinal health, is hypothesized to exert its effects via EVs. Here, we successfully isolated and characterized EVs derived from A. muciniphila (Am-EVs) using ultracentrifugation. Am-EVs exhibited a double-membrane structure, with an average diameter of 92.48 ± 0.28 nm and a proteomic profile comprising 850 proteins. In an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2), treatment with both 25 and 50 μg/mL Am-EVs significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA), while restoring catalase activity (CAT). Am-EVs also suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Subsequent transcriptomic sequencing and Western blot experiments revealed that Am-EVs attenuate the MAPK signaling pathway by downregulating TRIF, MyD88, p38 MAPK, and FOS while upregulating TGFBR2. These findings suggest that Am-EVs mediate anti-inflammatory effects through modulation of MAPK signaling, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents in intestinal inflammation.},
}

@article {pmid40005707,
year = {2025},
author = {Pešić, M and Tošić Jojević, S and Sikirić, B and Mrvić, V and Jovković, M and Milinković, M and Andjelković, S and Stajković-Srbinović, O},
title = {The Plant Growth-Promoting Ability of Alfalfa Rhizobial Strains Under Nickel Stress.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {40005707},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {GRANT No 7015//Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia/ ; 451-03-66/2024-03/200011//Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia/ ; },
abstract = {The growth and nutrient balance of legumes can be disrupted in soils with increased nickel (Ni) concentrations. The inoculation of legumes with rhizobia, symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, can be used for the alleviation of trace metal stress in plants. This study evaluated the Ni tolerance of alfalfa rhizobia isolates and some plant growth-promoting traits in the presence of Ni: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, Ni biosorption potential, and the effect of rhizobia on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth. The strains were characterized as Shinorhizobium meliloti, Sinorhizobium medicae, and Rhizobium tibeticum. In total, 70% of the tested strains tolerate up to 0.8 mM Ni, while 15% of the strains tolerate 1.2 mM Ni. The production of IAA was maintained in the presence of Ni until bacterial growth was stopped by raising the Ni concentration. Alfalfa seed germination is significantly reduced in the presence of 0.5 mM Ni, while a significant reduction in 10-day-old seedling length already occurs at a Ni concentration of 0.03 mM. In the plant experiment, when alfalfa was inoculated with rhizobial strains, nodulation was maintained up to 0.05 mM Ni, but a significant reduction in nodule number was detected at 0.01 mM Ni. At the concentration of 0.005 mM Ni, inoculation with 12 particular rhizobial strains significantly improved the number of nodules per plant, plant height, and root length, as well as plant shoot dry weight, compared to non-inoculated plants with Ni addition. However, higher concentrations caused a reduction in all of these plant growth parameters compared to the plants without Ni. The selected rhizobia strains showed a Ni biosorption capacity of 20% in the in vitro assay. The inoculation of alfalfa with effective rhizobial strains improves growth parameters compared to non-inoculated plants in the presence of certain concentrations of Ni.},
}

@article {pmid40005595,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, L and Xing, Y and Li, S and Zhou, L and Li, B and Guo, S},
title = {Different Symbiotic Species of Armillaria Affect the Yield and Active Compound Contents of Polyporus umbellatus.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {40005595},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {No. 2021-I2M-1-031, 2022-I2M-2-001, 2023-I2M-2-006//CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {Polyporus umbellatus is a medicinal fungus primarily used for diuresis, with its sclerotium serving as the medicinal component. The growth and development of sclerotia are reliant on a symbiotic relationship with Armillaria. However, the impact of different Armillaria species on the yield and quality of sclerotia remains unclear. In this study, three Armillaria strains, A35, A541, and A19, were identified through TEF-1α sequence analysis and phylogenetic classification. These strains were classified into three distinct species: A35 as A. ostoyae, A541 as A. gallica, while the taxonomic status of A19 remains unresolved. After four years of co-cultivation with these Armillaria strains, three groups of P. umbellatus sclerotia were harvested and labeled as A35-P, A541-P, and A19-P, respectively. The yields of A35-P, A541-P, and A19-P exhibited significant variations, with A541-P achieving the highest yield (1221 ± 258 g·nest[-1]), followed by A35-P (979 ± 201 g·nest[-1]), and A19-P yielding the least (591 ± 54 g·nest[-1]). HPLC revealed significant differences in the levels of polyporusterone A and polyporusterone B among the groups. The total polysaccharide content, determined via the phenol-sulfuric acid method, also varied significantly, with A541-P recording the highest content (0.897 ± 0.042%), followed by A19-P (0.686 ± 0.058%), and A35-P showing the lowest value (0.511 ± 0.083%). PCA based on these data indicated clear distinctions among A35-P, A541-P, and A19-P, with the three groups forming separate clusters. This study, for the first time, demonstrates the effects of three different Armillaria species on the yield and active compound content of P. umbellatus. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting high-quality Armillaria strains and offer guidance for the artificial cultivation of P. umbellatus.},
}

@article {pmid40004472,
year = {2025},
author = {Díaz, V and Villalobos, M and Arriaza, K and Flores, K and Hernández-Saravia, LP and Velásquez, A},
title = {Decoding the Dialog Between Plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: A Molecular Genetic Perspective.},
journal = {Genes},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/genes16020143},
pmid = {40004472},
issn = {2073-4425},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Plants/microbiology/genetics ; Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics/growth & development ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Signal Transduction/genetics ; Transcription Factors/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, a mutually beneficial interaction between plant roots and AM fungi, plays a key role in plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance, which make it a major focus for sustainable agricultural strategies. This intricate association involves extensive transcriptional reprogramming in host plant cells during the formation of arbuscules, which are specialized fungal structures for nutrient exchange. The symbiosis is initiated by molecular signaling pathways triggered by fungal chitooligosaccharides and strigolactones released by plant roots, which act as chemoattractants and signaling molecules to promote fungal spore germination, colonization, and arbuscule development. Calcium spiking, mediated by LysM domain receptor kinases, serves as a critical second messenger in coordinating fungal infection and intracellular accommodation. GRAS transcription factors are key components that regulate the transcriptional networks necessary for arbuscule development and maintenance, while small RNAs (sRNAs) from both plant and fungi, contribute to modifications in gene expression, including potential bidirectional sRNA exchange to modulate symbiosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms related to AM symbiosis may provide valuable insights for implementation of strategies related to enhancing plant productivity and resilience.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
Plants/microbiology/genetics
Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics/growth & development
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Signal Transduction/genetics
Transcription Factors/genetics/metabolism
Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid40004114,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, R and Gou, C and Zhang, K and He, M and Li, L and Kong, F and Sun, Z and Liu, H},
title = {Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analyses of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 18 Genes During Nodule Symbiosis in Glycine max.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26041649},
pmid = {40004114},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2023A1515110630 and 2023A1515110560//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Glycine max/genetics/microbiology ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Phylogeny ; *Glycoside Hydrolases/genetics/metabolism ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Multigene Family ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Root Nodules, Plant/genetics/microbiology/metabolism ; Genome, Plant ; Chitinases/genetics/metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Amino Acid Sequence ; },
abstract = {Glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18) proteins can hydrolyze the β-1,4-glycosidic bonds of chitin, which is a common structure component of insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. In this study, 36 GH18 genes were identified and subjected to bioinformatic analysis based on the genomic data of Glycine max. They were distributed in 16 out of 20 tested soybean chromosomes. According to the amino acid sequences, they can be further divided into five subclades. Class III chitinases (22 members) and class V chitinases (6 members) are the major two subclades. The amino acid size of soybean GH18 proteins ranges from 173 amino acids (aa) to 820 aa and the molecular weight ranges from 19.46 kDa to 91.01 kDa. From an evolutionary perspective, soybean GH18 genes are closely related to Medicago (17 collinear loci with soybean) and Lotus (23 collinear loci with soybean). Promoter analysis revealed that GH18 genes could be induced by environmental stress, hormones, and embryo development. GmGH18-15, GmGH18-24, and GmGH18-33 were screened out due to their nodulation specific expression and further verified by RT-qPCR. These results provide an elaborate reference for the further characterization of specific GH18 genes, especially during nodule formation in soybean.},
}

*Glycine max/genetics/microbiology
*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Phylogeny
*Glycoside Hydrolases/genetics/metabolism
*Symbiosis/genetics
Multigene Family
Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Root Nodules, Plant/genetics/microbiology/metabolism
Genome, Plant
Chitinases/genetics/metabolism
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Amino Acid Sequence

@article {pmid40003831,
year = {2025},
author = {Banfi, D and Mastore, M and Bianchi, T and Brivio, MF},
title = {The Expression Levels of Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) in Galleria mellonella Following Infection with the Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and Its Symbiotic Bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020201},
pmid = {40003831},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {Heat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP90, play a vital role in insect responses to environmental and biotic stresses by maintaining protein stability and supporting immune defenses. This study explores HSP90 regulation in Galleria mellonella larvae following exposure to the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and its symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila. Exposure to live nematodes caused slight changes in HSP90 expression, while non-viable nematodes had no effect, suggesting that nematode secretions or symbiotic bacteria do not directly influence HSP90 levels. However, nematodes with altered surface properties significantly increased HSP90 expression. X. nematophila also moderately elevated HSP90 levels but this effect disappeared when weakly bound surface proteins were removed. Interestingly, under thermal stress, live nematodes reduced heat-induced HSP90 expression, whereas surface-treated nematodes enhanced it. These findings suggest that HSP90 modulation is influenced by biological control agents, highlighting a potential link between HSP90 and immune detection of invaders. This interaction may be crucial in adapting biological control strategies in response to climate change. Further research is needed to clarify HSP activation pathways, host immune interactions, and mechanisms of entomopathogen immune evasion, particularly under varying environmental temperatures, to enhance bioinsecticide efficacy.},
}

@article {pmid40003776,
year = {2025},
author = {Cheng, H and Yan, X and Lin, C and Chen, Y and Ma, L and Fu, L and Dong, X and Liu, C},
title = {Exploring Bacterial Communities and Functions in Phytophagous Halyomorpha halys and Predatory Arma chinensis.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020146},
pmid = {40003776},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {59-0212-9-001-F//Agricultural Research Service/ ; },
abstract = {The phytophagous Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a global agricultural pest that damages many crops. Conversely, the predatory Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) shows promise as a biological control agent against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests. Halyomorpha halys and A. chinensis are closely related species with different feeding habits, as confirmed via genomic and morphological analyses. However, no study investigating the implications of these differences has been reported. Herein, 16S rRNA sequencing technology was employed to analyze the microbiota diversity and function in different tissues (salivary glands, gut, sperm, and ovaries) of H. halys and A. chinensis to elucidate these differences from a microbial perspective. Additionally, the adult male-to-female ratio in A. chinensis organs was statistically similar, while that in H. halys was not. Based on the dominance of the symbionts in the two bug species, we inferred that Sodalis is involved in reproduction and digestion in A. chinensis, while Spiroplasma and Pantoea play essential roles in H. halys reproduction and digestion. We analyzed the data on the microbial diversity of two bug species, laying a foundation for further understanding microbial symbiosis in A. chinensis and H. halys, which may inform the development of biological control strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40003742,
year = {2025},
author = {Castillo, D and Abella, E and Sinpoo, C and Phokasem, P and Chantaphanwattana, T and Yongsawas, R and Cervancia, C and Baroga-Barbecho, J and Attasopa, K and Noirungsee, N and Disayathanoowat, T},
title = {Gut Microbiome Diversity in European Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from La Union, Northern Luzon, Philippines.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020112},
pmid = {40003742},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {2022//Mekong - Lancang Special Fund/ ; },
abstract = {Insects often rely on symbiotic bacteria and fungi for various physiological processes, developmental stages, and defenses against parasites and diseases. Despite their significance, the associations between bacterial and fungal symbionts in Apis mellifera are not well studied, particularly in the Philippines. In this study, we collected A. mellifera from two different sites in the Municipality of Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines. A gut microbiome analysis was conducted using next-generation sequencing with the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bacterial and fungal community compositions were assessed using 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequences, respectively. Our findings confirm that adult worker bees of A. mellifera from the two locations possess distinct but comparably proportioned bacterial and fungal microbiomes. Key bacterial symbionts, including Lactobacillus, Bombilactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, and Frischella, were identified. The fungal community was dominated by the yeasts Zygosaccharomyces and Priceomyces. Using the ENZYME nomenclature database and PICRUSt2 software version 2.5.2, a predicted functional enzyme analysis revealed the presence of β-glucosidase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione transferase, and superoxide dismutase, which are involved in host defense, carbohydrate metabolism, and energy support. Additionally, we identified notable bacterial enzymes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and AMPs nucleosidase. Interestingly, the key bee symbionts were observed to have a negative correlation with other microbiota. These results provide a detailed characterization of the gut microbiota associated with A. mellifera in the Philippines and lay a foundation for further metagenomic studies of microbiomes in native or indigenous bee species in the region.},
}

@article {pmid40002351,
year = {2025},
author = {Papadopoulou, D and Chrysikopoulou, V and Rampaouni, A and Plakidis, C and Ofrydopoulou, A and Shiels, K and Saha, SK and Tsoupras, A},
title = {Antioxidant, Antithrombotic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Amphiphilic Bioactives from Water Kefir Grains and Its Apple Pomace-Based Fermented Beverage.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox14020164},
pmid = {40002351},
issn = {2076-3921},
abstract = {Kefir-based fermentation products exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against oxidative stress, inflammation, platelet activation and aggregation, and other related manifestations, thereby preventing the onset and development of several chronic diseases. Specifically, water kefir, a symbiotic culture of various microorganisms used for the production of several bio-functional fermented products, has been proposed for its health-promoting properties. Thus, water kefir grains and its apple pomace-based fermentation beverage were studied for bioactive amphiphilic and lipophilic lipid compounds with antioxidant, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Total lipids (TL) were extracted and further separated into their total amphiphilic (TAC) and total lipophilic content (TLC), in which the total phenolic and carotenoid contents (TPC and TCC, respectively) and the fatty acid content of the polar lipids (PL) were quantified, while the antioxidant activity of both TAC and TLC were assessed in vitro, by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP bioassays, along with the anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activity of TAC against human platelet aggregation induced by the thrombo-inflammatory mediator, platelet-activating factor (PAF) or standard platelet agonists like ADP.ATR-FTIR spectra facilitated the detection of specific structural, functional groups of phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid antioxidants, while LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of specific anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic PL bioactives bearing unsaturated fatty acids in their structures, with favorable omega-6 (n-6)/omega-3 (n-3)polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which further support the findings that the most potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic bioactivities were observed in the TAC extracts, in both water kefir grains and beverage cases. The detection of such bioactive components in both the uncultured water kefir grains and in the cultured beverage further supports the contribution of water kefir microorganisms to the bioactivity and the bio-functionality of the final fermented product. Nevertheless, the extracts of the beverage showed much stronger antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic activities, which further suggests that during the culture process for producing this beverage, not only was the presence of bioactive compounds produced by kefir microflora present, but biochemical alterations during fermentation of bioactive components derived from apple pomace also seemed to have taken place, contributing to the higher bio-functionality observed in the apple pomace-water kefir-based beverage, even when compared to the unfermented apple pomace. The overall findings support further studies on the use of water kefir and/or apple pomace as viable sources of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic amphiphilic bioactive compounds for the production of novel health-promoting bio-functional fermented products.},
}

@article {pmid40001925,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, C and Wang, Y and Dai, Q and Du, W and Zhao, Y and Song, Q},
title = {Screening of Bacteria Promoting Carbon Fixation in Chlorella vulgaris Under High Concentration CO2 Stress.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology14020157},
pmid = {40001925},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {U21A2016//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; XCH2022ZA-01//the Key Laboratory of Low-cost Rural Environmental Treatment Technology at Sichuan Univer-sity of Arts and Science, Education Department of Sichuan Province/ ; TSZW2011, TSZW2103//the Key Laboratory of Exploitation and Study of Distinctive Plants in Education Department of Sichuan Province/ ; },
abstract = {The cooperation between microalgae and bacteria can enhance the carbon fixation efficiency of microalgae. In this study, a microalgae-bacteria coexistence system under high-concentration CO2 stress was constructed, and the bacterial community structure of the entire system was analyzed using the 16S rDNA technique. Microbacterium sp., Bacillus sp., and Aeromonas sp. were screened and demonstrated to promote carbon fixation in Chlorella vulgaris HL 01 (C. vulgaris HL 01). Among them, the Aeromonas sp. + C. vulgaris HL 01 experimental group exhibited the most significant effect, with an increase of about 24% in the final biomass yield and a daily carbon fixation efficiency increase of about 245% (day 7) compared to the control group. Continuous cultivation of microalgae and bacterial symbiosis showed that bacteria could utilize the compounds secreted by microalgae for growth and could produce nutrients to maintain the vitality of microalgae. Detection of extracellular organic compounds of microorganisms in the culture broth by excitation-emission matrix spectral analysis revealed that bacteria utilized the aromatic proteinaceous compounds and others secreted by C. vulgaris HL 01 and produced new extracellular organic compounds required by C. vulgaris HL 01. The metabolic organic substances in the liquids of the experimental groups and the control group were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and it was found that 31 unique organic substances of C. vulgaris HL 01 were utilized by bacteria, and 136 new organic substances were produced. These differential compounds were mainly organic acids and their derivatives, benzene compounds, and organic heterocyclic compounds, etc. These results fully demonstrate that the carbon fixation ability and persistence of C. vulgaris HL 01 are improved through material exchange between microalgae and bacteria. This study establishes a method to screen carbon-fixing symbiotic bacteria and verifies that microalgae and bacteria can significantly improve the carbon fixation efficiency of microalgae for high-concentration CO2 through material exchange, providing a foundation for further research of microalgae-bacterial carbon fixation.},
}

@article {pmid40001916,
year = {2025},
author = {Dvoretsky, AG and Dvoretsky, VG},
title = {Symbionts of Red King Crab from the Sea of Okhotsk: A Review of Russian Studies.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology14020148},
pmid = {40001916},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation/ ; },
abstract = {The red king crab, Paralithodes camtscaticus, is a commercially significant crustacean that supports lucrative fisheries in Russia, the USA, and Norway. The western Kamchatka shelf, located in the Sea of Okhotsk, is home to one of the most important populations of the red king crab. In this study, we have conducted a review of the symbionts associated with P. camtscaticus in the waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula. A total of 42 symbiotic species belonging to 14 different phyla were identified in association with the red king crab. Out of these, 14 species were found to be parasitic to the red king crab, while the remaining 28 were either commensal or epibiont in nature. The taxa with the highest number of associated species included ciliates (11), crustaceans (8), and acanthocephalans (4). Our study found that red king crabs suffering from shell disease exhibited a more diverse symbiotic fauna and higher infestation indices as compared to healthy crabs, which were found to be free from parasites. Dangerous symbionts, such as dinoflagellates Hematodinium sp. and rhizocephalan barnacles Briarosaccus callosus, had low incidence rates, indicating that the red king crab population in the Sea of Okhotsk is in good condition with respect to population abundance, health, and recruitment and is not being adversely impacted by symbiotic organisms.},
}

@article {pmid40001319,
year = {2025},
author = {Risely, A},
title = {Feather mites selectively feed on specific bacteria and fungi on feathers with potential benefits to hosts.},
journal = {The Journal of animal ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.70021},
pmid = {40001319},
issn = {1365-2656},
abstract = {Invited Research Highlight: Matthews, A. E., Trevelline, B. K., Wijeratne, A. J., & Boves, T. J. (2024). Picky eaters: Selective microbial diet of avian ectosymbionts. Journal of Animal Ecology. Trophic interactions such as herbivory and predation are crucial regulators of ecological communities, yet few examples exist for these processes within host-associated microbiomes. In a recent study, Matthews et al. (2024) looked for evidence of selective microbial predation of bacteria and fungi by microscopic mites on the feathers of wild Prothonotary warblers (Protonotaria citrea). The authors quantified the bacterial and fungal diet of commensal feather mites and compared this with the composition of microbial communities living directly on the feather. They found that, despite a large variety of microbes to choose from, mites strongly preferred to eat a small number of bacterial and fungal genera. Some of these selectively enriched taxa are known keratin-degraders, suggesting that mites may protect feathers by selectively consuming harmful microbes. This study presents a rare example of a trophic interaction within the microscopic ecosystem of the feather that may act as an important force shaping microbial communities in ways that benefit the host, providing an overlooked mechanism by which symbioses between birds and mites could evolve.},
}

@article {pmid40000815,
year = {2025},
author = {Smith, PMC and González-Guerrero, M},
title = {BRUTUS links iron with legume-rhizobia symbiosis.},
journal = {Nature plants},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40000815},
issn = {2055-0278},
}

@article {pmid39999802,
year = {2025},
author = {Saier, MH},
title = {Cooperation and competition were primary driving forces for biological evolution.},
journal = {Microbial physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-25},
doi = {10.1159/000544890},
pmid = {39999802},
issn = {2673-1673},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: For many years, scientists have accepted Darwin's conclusion that "Survival of the Fittest" involves successful competition with other organisms for life-endowing molecules and conditions.

SUMMARY: Newly discovered "partial" organisms with minimal genomes that require symbiotic or parasitic relationships for growth and reproduction suggest that cooperation in addition to competition was and still is a primary driving force for survival. These two phenomena are not mutually exclusive, and both can confer a competitive advantage for survival. In fact, cooperation may have been more important in the early evolution for life on Earth before autonomous organisms developed, becoming large genome organisms.

KEY MESSAGES: This suggestion has tremendous consequences with respect to our conception of the early evolution of life on Earth as well as the appearance of intercellular interactions, multicellularity and the nature of interactions between humans and their societies (e.g., Social Darwinism).},
}

@article {pmid39999796,
year = {2025},
author = {Kim, S},
title = {Challenges and constraints to the sustainability of poultry farming in Republic of Korea.},
journal = {Animal bioscience},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.5713/ab.24.0641},
pmid = {39999796},
issn = {2765-0189},
abstract = {As of 2022, Republic of Korea accounted for 0.8% of global chicken meat production and 0.9% of global egg production. The country achieved self-sufficiency rates of 83.1% for chicken meat and 99.4% for eggs, demonstrating significant quantitative and qualitative growth to meet domestic demand. Although the industry is trending towards expansion and specialization, it faces several challenges in achieving sustainable poultry production. Key challenges in Korea include highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and pest issues, climate change and the push for carbon neutrality, reliance on imported breeding stock, insufficient preparedness for expanding cage space per laying hen, post-settlement payment systems for egg sales and an oversupply of chicken meat, and the aging poultry farming population and the closure of farms unable to secure successors. Following strategies are proposed to overcome or mitigate challenges mentioned above: (1) enhancing farm biosecurity and implementing vaccination policies for disease control, (2) modernizing facilities and promoting carbon-neutral practices to adapt to climate change, (3) diversifying breeding stocks across multiple locations and developing domestic strains, (4) implementing policies and supporting farms based on a comprehensive readiness assessment of all farms regarding expanded cage space requirements, (5) improving market transparency for the egg industry and regulating supply and demand in the broiler industry, and (6) offering incentives for farm succession, attracting labor, and promoting coexistence between corporations, rural communities, and small farms. In conclusion, the sustainable development of Korea's poultry industry is not a simple task. It requires a comprehensive approach considering economic efficiency, animal welfare, environmental protection, food security, and the symbiosis with rural communities. This approach necessitates efficient cooperation among all stakeholders, including the government, farmers, integrators, retailers, and research institutions, along with a comprehensive, phased strategy for both short- and long-term goals.},
}

@article {pmid39999781,
year = {2025},
author = {Chrismas, N and Yahr, R},
title = {Genomics: A window into the molecular mystery box of lichen symbiosis.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {35},
number = {4},
pages = {R139-R141},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.01.034},
pmid = {39999781},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {*Lichens/genetics/physiology/microbiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genomics ; Metagenomics ; },
abstract = {How is a symbiosis built? Lichen metagenomic and metatranscriptomic surveys comparing growth stages, experimental treatments and environmental settings identify a catalogue of candidate genes - and microbial partners - in a developing model system.},
}

*Lichens/genetics/physiology/microbiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Genomics
Metagenomics

@article {pmid39998668,
year = {2025},
author = {Kandalgaonkar, KN and Barvkar, VT},
title = {Intricate phytohormonal orchestration mediates mycorrhizal symbiosis and stress tolerance.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {35},
number = {2},
pages = {13},
pmid = {39998668},
issn = {1432-1890},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism ; *Plants/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are an essential symbiotic partner colonizing more than 70% of land plants. In exchange for carbon sources, mycorrhizal association ameliorates plants' growth and yield and enhances stress tolerance and/or resistance. To achieve this symbiosis, plants mediate a series of biomolecular changes, including the regulation of phytohormones. This review focuses on the role of each phytohormone in establishing symbiosis. It encases phytohormone modulation, exogenous application of the hormones, and mutant studies. The review also comments on the plausible phytohormone cross-talk essential for maintaining balanced mycorrhization and preventing fungal parasitism. Finally, we briefly discuss AMF-mediated stress regulation and contribution of phytohormone modulation in plants. We must examine their interplay to understand how phytohormones act species-specific or concentration-dependent manner. The review summarizes the gaps in these studies to improve our understanding of processes underlying plant-AMF symbiosis.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Stress, Physiological
*Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism
*Plants/microbiology

@article {pmid39998220,
year = {2025},
author = {Kwak, Y and Argandona, JA and Miao, S and Son, TJ and Hansen, AK},
title = {A dual insect symbiont and plant pathogen improves insect host fitness under arginine limitation.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0358824},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03588-24},
pmid = {39998220},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Some facultative bacterial symbionts are known to benefit insects, but nutritional advantages are rare among these non-obligate symbionts. Here, we demonstrate that the facultative symbiont Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous enhances the fitness of its psyllid insect host, Bactericera cockerelli, by providing nutritional benefits. L. psyllaurous, an unculturable pathogen of solanaceous crops, also establishes a close relationship with its insect vector, B. cockerelli, increasing in titer during insect development, vertically transmitting through eggs, and colonizing various tissues, including the bacteriome, which houses the obligate nutritional symbiont, Carsonella. Carsonella supplies essential amino acids to its insect host but has gaps in some of its essential amino acid pathways that the psyllid complements with its own genes, many of which have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Our findings reveal that L. psyllaurous increases psyllid fitness on plants by reducing developmental time and increasing adult weight. In addition, through metagenomic sequencing, we reveal that L. psyllaurous maintains complete pathways for synthesizing the essential amino acids arginine, lysine, and threonine, unlike the psyllid's other resident microbiota, Carsonella, and two co-occurring Wolbachia strains. RNA sequencing reveals the downregulation of a HGT collaborative psyllid gene (ASL), which indicates a reduced demand for arginine supplied by Carsonella when the psyllid is infected with L. psyllaurous. Notably, artificial diet assays show that L. psyllaurous enhances psyllid fitness on an arginine-deplete diet. These results corroborate the role of L. psyllaurous as a beneficial insect symbiont, contributing to the nutrition of its insect host.IMPORTANCEUnlike obligate symbionts that are permanently associated with their hosts, facultative symbionts rarely show direct nutritional contributions, especially under nutrient-limited conditions. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, a facultative symbiont and a plant pathogen, enhances the fitness of its Bactericera cockerelli host by supplying an essential nutrient arginine that is lacking in the plant sap diet. Our findings reveal how facultative symbionts can play a vital role in helping their insect hosts adapt to nutrient-limited environments. This work provides new insights into the dynamic interactions between insect hosts, their symbiotic microbes, and their shared ecological niches, broadening our understanding of symbiosis and its role in shaping adaptation and survival.},
}

@article {pmid39998180,
year = {2025},
author = {Lachnit, T and Ulrich, L and Willmer, FM and Hasenbein, T and Steiner, LX and Wolters, M and Herbst, EM and Deines, P},
title = {Nutrition-induced changes in the microbiota can cause dysbiosis and disease development.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0384324},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03843-24},
pmid = {39998180},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Eukaryotic organisms are associated with complex microbial communities. Changes within these communities have been implicated in disease development. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of disease. Here, we report a causal link between environment-induced shifts in the microbiota and disease development. Using the model organism Hydra, we observed changes in microbial composition when transferring laboratory-grown Hydra to natural lake environments. These shifts were caused not only by new colonizers, through the process of community coalescence (merging of previously separate microbial communities), but also by lake water nutrients. Moreover, selective manipulation of the nutrient environment induced compound-specific shifts in the microbiota followed by disease development. Finally, L-arginine supplementation alone caused a transition in Pseudomonas from symbiotic to pathogenic, leading to an upregulation of immune response genes, tissue degradation, and host death. These findings challenge the notion that the host-associated microbiota is exclusively controlled by the host, highlighting the dynamic interplay between host epithelial environment, microbial colonizer pool, and nutrient conditions of the surrounding water. Furthermore, our results show that overfeeding of the microbiota allows for uncontrolled microbial growth and versatile interactions with the host. Environmental conditions may thus render symbionts a potential hazard to their hosts, blurring the divide between pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes.IMPORTANCEThis study highlights the critical need to understand the dynamic interplay between host-associated microbiota and environmental factors to obtain a holistic view on organismal health. Our results demonstrate that ecosystem-wide microbial trafficking (community coalescence) and environmental nutrient conditions reshape microbial communities with profound implications for host health. By exploring nutrient-driven changes in microbial composition, our research finds experimental support for the "overfeeding hypothesis," which states that overfeeding alters the functionality of the host microbiota such that an overabundance in nutrients can facilitate disease development, transforming non-pathogenic microbes into pathogens. These findings emphasize the critical role of metabolic interactions driving microbial pathogenicity. Furthermore, our research provides empirical evidence for the "pathogenic potential" concept, challenging traditional distinctions between pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes and supporting the idea that any microbe can become pathogenic under certain conditions.},
}

@article {pmid39997813,
year = {2025},
author = {Meng, G and Huang, Z and Tao, L and Zhuang, Z and Zhang, Q and Chen, Q and Yang, H and Zhao, H and Ye, C and Wang, Y and Zhang, J and Chen, W and Du, S and Chen, Y and Wang, D and Jin, H and Lei, Y},
title = {Atomic symbiotic- catalyst for low-temperature zinc-air battery.},
journal = {Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e202501649},
doi = {10.1002/anie.202501649},
pmid = {39997813},
issn = {1521-3773},
abstract = {Atomic-level designed electrocatalysts, including single-/dual-atom catalysts, have attracted extensive interests due to their maximized atom utilization efficiency and increased activity. Herein, a new electrocatalyst system termed as "atomic symbiotic-catalyst", that marries the advantages of typical single-/dual-atom catalysts while addressing their respective weaknesses, was proposed. In atomic symbiotic-catalyst, single-atom MNx and local carbon defects formed under a specific thermodynamic condition, act synergistically to achieve high electrocatalytic activity and battery efficiency. This symbiotic-catalyst shows greater structural precision and preparation accessibility than those of dual-atom catalysts owing to its reduced complexity in chemical space. Meanwhile, it outperforms the intrinsic activities of conventional single-atom catalysts due to multi-active-sites synergistic effect. As a proof-of-concept study, an atomic symbiotic-catalyst comprising single-atom MnN4 moieties and abundant sp3-hybridized carbon defects was constructed for low-temperature zinc-air battery, which exhibited a high peak power density of 76 mW cm-2 with long-term stability at -40 ℃, representing a top-level performance of such batteries.},
}

@article {pmid39996506,
year = {2025},
author = {Timmins-Schiffman, EB and Khanna, R and Brown, T and Dilworth, J and MacLean, BX and Mudge, MC and White, SJ and Kenkel, CD and Rodrigues, LJ and Nunn, BL and Padilla-Gamiño, JL},
title = {Proteomic Plasticity in the Coral Montipora capitata Gamete Bundles after Parent Thermal Bleaching.},
journal = {Journal of proteome research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00946},
pmid = {39996506},
issn = {1535-3907},
abstract = {Coral reefs are vital to marine biodiversity and human livelihoods, but they face significant threats from climate change. Increased ocean temperatures drive massive "bleaching" events, during which corals lose their symbiotic algae and the important metabolic resources those algae provide. Proteomics is a crucial tool for understanding coral function and tolerance to thermal stress, as proteins drive physiological processes and accurately represent cell functional phenotypes. We examined the physiological condition of coral (Montipora capitata) gametes from parents that either experienced thermal bleaching or were nonbleached controls by comparing data dependent (DDA) and data independent (DIA) acquisition methods and peptide quantification (spectral counting and area-under-the-curve, AUC) strategies. For DDA, AUC captured a broader dynamic range than spectral counting. DIA yielded better coverage of low abundance proteins than DDA and a higher number of proteins, making it the more suitable method for detecting subtle, yet biologically significant, shifts in protein abundance in gamete bundles. Gametes from bleached corals showed a broadscale decrease in metabolic proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, citric acid cycle, and protein translation. This metabolic plasticity could reveal how organisms and their offspring acclimatize and adapt to future environmental stress, ultimately shaping the resilience and dynamics of coral populations.},
}

@article {pmid39994923,
year = {2025},
author = {Salgueiro, J and Nussenbaum, AL and Marchesini, MI and Garbalena, MS and Brambilla, S and Belliard, S and Cuadros, F and Núñez, M and Yáñez, C and Juárez, ML and Vera, MT and Lanzavecchia, SB and Tsiamis, G and Segura, DF},
title = {Culturable bacteria associated with Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1: in search of nitrogen-fixing symbionts with biotechnological potential.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70004},
pmid = {39994923},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {RC 22515//International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)/ ; PICT-2019-04141//Ministry of Science Argentina/ ; PIP-CONICET 0039//Ministry of Science Argentina/ ; PI USAL 2022- 80020210100018//UNIVERSIDAD DEL SALVADOR/ ; },
abstract = {Anastrepha fraterculus is a significant fruit fly pest in Argentina and other South American countries. Previous studies showed the key role of gut bacteria in the protection and nutrient assimilation of fruit flies, particularly the importance of the biological fixation of nitrogen (diazotrophy). The presence of diazotrophic bacteria in A. fraterculus sp. 1 has been demonstrated through molecular, culture-independent methods. This study is aimed to characterize the composition and diversity of culturable gut bacteria of A. fraterculus sp. 1 males from different origins, and explore their metabolic roles, focusing on diazotrophic bacteria. Three male groups were studied: wild-caught (WW), lab-reared from wild larvae (WL), and lab-colony raised (LL). Gut bacteria were collected and characterized via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with potential diazotrophs screened using selective media (SIL and NFb). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene mapped potential diazotrophs across the bacterial collection, while biochemical profiling and ARDRA (Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis) were used to quickly differentiate diazotrophic bacteria. PCR testing for the nifH gene, associated with nitrogen fixation, was also performed. Bacterial diversity was highest in WW, followed by WL, and lowest in LL. In LL and WL, Enterobacter was the most frequent genus, while Klebsiella dominated in WW. Among the 20 SIL+ isolates identified, 10 came from WW, 9 from WL, and 1 from LL. One of these isolates (Enterobacter sp.) was tested as a supplement to the adult diet, without showing a beneficial effect on males pheromone calling behavior. Three isolates were also NFb+; two had the nifH gene. ARDRA was effective for rapid diazotroph discrimination. These findings highlight the potential of gut symbiotic bacteria in eco-friendly pest management strategies like the sterile insect technique (SIT). By using diazotrophic bacteria, protein requirements in artificial diets could be reduced, cutting costs and improving the affordability of SIT programs.},
}

@article {pmid39994514,
year = {2025},
author = {Sendi, H and Klimov, PB and Kolesnikov, VB and Káčerová, J and Bonino, E and Azar, D and Robin, N},
title = {The oldest continuous association between astigmatid mites and termites preserved in Cretaceous amber reveals the evolutionary significance of phoresy.},
journal = {BMC ecology and evolution},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {16},
pmid = {39994514},
issn = {2730-7182},
support = {09I03-03-V04-00439//EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia/ ; 09I03-03-V04-00439//EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia/ ; 075-15-2021-1345//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies/ ; 075-15-2021-1345//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies/ ; 075-15-2021-1345//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies/ ; B2/202/P1/PARADI2S//BELSPO BRAIN-be federal Belgian grant/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Isoptera/parasitology ; *Mites/genetics/physiology/classification ; *Biological Evolution ; *Fossils ; *Amber ; Symbiosis ; Nymph/growth & development/physiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Among minute-sized and wingless arthropods, astigmatid mites stand out for their diverse range of symbiotic associations (parasitic, neutral and mutualistic), with both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. When inhabiting discontinuous and ephemeral environments, astigmatid mites adapt their life cycle to produce a phoretic heteromorphic nymph. When feeding resources are depleted, phoretic nymphs disperse to new habitats through phoresy, attaching to a larger animal which transports them to new locations. This dispersal strategy is crucial for accessing patchy resources, otherwise beyond the reach of these minute arthropods. In Astigmata, the phoretic nymph is highly specialized for dispersal, equipped with an attachment organ and lacking a mouth and pharynx. Despite the common occurrence of phoretic associations in modern mites, their evolutionary origins remain poorly understood. Among Astigmata, the family Schizoglyphidae represents an early derivative lineage with phoretic tritonymphs; however, our knowledge of this family is limited to a single observation.

RESULTS: Here, we report the oldest biotic association of arthropods fossilised in amber (~ 130 Ma, Lebanon): an alate termite with 16 phoretic tritonymphs of Schizoglyphidae (Plesioglyphus lebanotermi gen. et sp. n.). The mites are primarily attached to the membranes of the host's hindwings, using their attachment organs, pretarsal claws and tarsal setae. Additionally, we report new modern phoretic tritonymphs of this same family, on one of the earliest lineages of termites. These data collectively indicate that schizoglyphid-termite associations represent the oldest continuous mite-host associations. Notably, phoretic schizoglyphids retain a distinct mouth and pharynx, whereas these structures are absent in the modern phoretic stages of non-schizoglyphid Astigmata.

CONCLUSION: The discovery of Schizoglyphidae mites in Lebanese amber represents the oldest known continuous association between acariform mites and their hosts. This finding demonstrates the long-term evolutionary significance of phoresy in Astigmata, evidencing a relationship sustained for over 130 Ma. It indicates that these early mites lived inside termite nests as inquilines and used alate termites for dispersal. This ancient association offers key insights into the coevolution of both mites and termites, highlighting a potential for the future discoveries of similar mites. This fossil -a stem-group Astigmata- is important for the accurate calibration of acariform mite phylogenies, advancing our understanding of these mites evolutionary history.},
}

Animals
*Isoptera/parasitology
*Mites/genetics/physiology/classification
*Biological Evolution
*Fossils
*Amber
Symbiosis
Nymph/growth & development/physiology

@article {pmid39994115,
year = {2025},
author = {Prado, A and Pineda-Solis, S and Garibay-Orijel, R and Windsor, D and Boevé, JL},
title = {Fungal alkaloids mediate defense against bruchid beetles in field populations of an arborescent ipomoea.},
journal = {Journal of chemical ecology},
volume = {51},
number = {2},
pages = {26},
pmid = {39994115},
issn = {1573-1561},
support = {PAPIIT IA205121//Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/ ; PAPIIT IA209323//Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/ ; NA//Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Ipomoea/chemistry/metabolism ; *Coleoptera/physiology ; *Alkaloids/metabolism/analysis/chemistry ; *Seeds/chemistry/microbiology/metabolism ; *Plant Leaves/chemistry/metabolism ; Endophytes/physiology/chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes/analysis/metabolism/chemistry ; Swainsonine/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Several Convolvulaceae species harbor heritable fungal endophytes from which alkaloids are translocated to reproductive tissues of the plant host. Evidence for the distribution and ecological role of these fungal alkaloids, however, is lacking or incomplete for many host species and growth forms. Here we report on the identity of the fungal endophytes and quantities of alkaloids present in the leaves and seeds of the arborescent morning glory, Ipomoea murucoides (Convolvulaceae). Young folded leaf samples taken from the wild, harbored mycelium of one of two fungal taxa wrapped around the leaves' glandular trichomes. Most trees harbored the swainsonine producing Ceramothyrium (Chaetothyriales) fungi while a few trees were found to harbor a Truncatella (Xylariales) species, suggesting endophyte replacement. Seeds had higher concentrations of the indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine than leaves. Additionally, seeds from trees harboring Ceramothyrium fungi exhibited less bruchid damage and had higher concentrations of swainsonine than seeds from trees harboring Truncatella fungi. Five sesquiterpenes were detected in the leaf trichomes in both Ceramothyrium and Truncatella colonized trees. The seed content of the tropane alkaloids, tropine and tropinone, did not differ significantly among the two fungal symbionts. It is likely that the host allocates the defensive chemicals from leaves to seeds, protecting them from seed predators such as bruchid beetles. Overall, our field data show that Ipomoea species provides an interesting opportunity to study vertical and horizontal fungal symbiont transmissions.},
}

Animals
*Ipomoea/chemistry/metabolism
*Coleoptera/physiology
*Alkaloids/metabolism/analysis/chemistry
*Seeds/chemistry/microbiology/metabolism
*Plant Leaves/chemistry/metabolism
Endophytes/physiology/chemistry
Sesquiterpenes/analysis/metabolism/chemistry
Swainsonine/metabolism

@article {pmid39994074,
year = {2025},
author = {Grobbelaar, A and Osthoff, G and Deacon, F and Cason, ED},
title = {The Faecal Microbiome Analysed from Healthy, Free-Roaming Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis).},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {82},
number = {4},
pages = {151},
pmid = {39994074},
issn = {1432-0991},
support = {RA201126576714//National Research Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Feces/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Giraffes/microbiology ; South Africa ; Male ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Microbiota ; },
abstract = {Similar to other herbivores, healthy giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) rely on a variety of symbiotic microorganisms in their digestive systems to break down cellulose and hemicellulose. In this study, we investigate the impact that external stimuli might have on the faecal prokaryote composition of healthy, free-roaming giraffes. Faecal samples were collected from six male and seven female giraffe individuals, over a 2-year period, during the wet and dry seasons, from six locations within the Free State Province, South Africa. Giraffe populations were exposed to one of two feeding practices which included provision of supplemental feed or only naturally available vegetation. Seventeen (17) different prokaryotic phyla, consisting of 8370 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), were identified from the 13 healthy, adult, free-roaming giraffes included in the study. Overall, the bacterial phyla with the largest relative abundance included Fusobacteria (22%), followed by Lentisphaera (17%) and Cyanobacteria (16%), which included 21 dominant prokaryotic ASVs. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG 014 and Treponema 2 were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher and Escherichia / Shigella, Romboutsia and Ruminococcus 1 significantly lower for giraffes receiving supplemental feed compared to natural available vegetation. This is the first study to investigate the composition of the faecal prokaryotic communities of healthy, free-roaming giraffes. The analysis of faecal prokaryotes contributes to the development of non-invasive methods for assessing the nutritional status and identifying health issues in giraffe populations. Ultimately, such advances are beneficial towards the larger-scale conservation, determining nutritional needs and management of other sensitive wildlife species, as well.},
}

Animals
*Feces/microbiology
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Giraffes/microbiology
South Africa
Male
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Microbiota

@article {pmid39993925,
year = {2025},
author = {Sajid, S and Xiao, B and Zhang, G and Zhang, Z and Chen, L and Fang, JK and Lu, Y and Cai, L},
title = {Increased sulfate-reducing bacteria can drive microbial dysbiosis in bleached corals.},
journal = {Journal of applied microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jambio/lxaf043},
pmid = {39993925},
issn = {1365-2672},
abstract = {AIMS: Coral bleaching occurs when coral colonies lose their Symbiodiniaceae partner and turn pale or white. Although this event is generally temperature-induced, there is also the possibility of holobiont microbial infection and dysbiosis. To address this issue, this study was conducted to investigate the diversity and composition of Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria in healthy and bleached colonies of Porites lutea collected from eastern Shenzhen.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and 16S amplicon sequencing analysis were used to explore the diversity and composition of Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria in healthy and bleached colonies of P. lutea. Bacterial diversity and richness were significantly higher in bleached colonies than in healthy colonies (P < 0.05), whereas the diversity and richness of Symbiodiniaceae showed no significant changes. The bleaching event exerted a more significant impact on Symbiodiniaceae composition, which differed between healthy and bleached colonies (PERMANOVA, F = 8.246, P < 0.05). In terms of composition, Clade C (Cladocopium) was the predominant Symbiodiniaceae, whereas subclade C116 and C2r were significantly less abundant in bleached colonies than in healthy colonies (P < 0.05). The phyla Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were significantly more abundant in bleached colonies than in healthy colonies (P < 0.05). The sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) Desulfobulbus and Desulfobacter at the genus level and Desulfobacterales and Desulfuromonadales at the order level were significantly more abundant in bleached colonies than in healthy colonies (P < 0.05). The co-occurrence patterns of Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria revealed a negative correlation of Desulfofaba, Desulfovibrio, Desulfarculus, and Desulfobulbus with Endozoicomonas, a very common symbiotic bacterial genus found in corals.

CONCLUSION: Coral bleaching may be associated with significant shifts in microbial communities, including increased SRB abundance, which may disrupt microbial balance and contribute to bleaching.},
}

@article {pmid39992146,
year = {2025},
author = {Mou, A and Li, X and Li, Z and Qu, L and Dong, Y and Wang, Z and Zhang, X and Xu, Q},
title = {Comparative analysis of esophageal gland microbes between two body sizes of Gigantopelta aegis, a hydrothermal snail from the Southwest Indian Ridge.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0295924},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.02959-24},
pmid = {39992146},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {Microbial communities within animals provide nutritional foundation and energy supply for the hydrothermal ecosystem. The peltospirid snail Gigantopelta aegis forms large aggregation in the Longqi vent field on the Southwest Indian Ridge. This endemic species is characterized by a changeable diet and morphology, especially reflected in internal organs such as remarkably enlarged esophageal glands. Here, 16S full-length rRNA gene analysis was performed to compare the variations in esophageal gland microbiota between two body size groups (small and large) of G. aegis. Phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the dominant featured bacteria contributing to the microbial community. No significant differences between the small and large groups were revealed by the diversity index and principal component analysis (PCA) clustering. The differences were in the relative abundance of bacteria. Compared with small-sized snails, the larger ones housed more Thiogranum (9.94% to 34.86%) and fewer Sediminibacterium (29.38% to 4.54%). Functional prediction for all of the microbiota showed that the pathways related to metabolism appeared highly abundant in smaller G. aegis. However, for the larger ones, the most distinctive pathways were those of environmental information processing. Facultative symbiotic Sulfurovum was marked as a core node in the co-occurrence network and suggested an influence on habitat selection of G. aegis in hydrothermal fields. In summary, variations in bacteria composition and potential functions possibly reflected changes in the anatomical structure and dietary habits of G. aegis. These dominant bacteria shared capabilities in nutritional supplementation and ecological niche expansion in the host, potentially a key adaptation for hydrothermal survival.IMPORTANCEDominant in the Longqi hydrothermal vent Southwest Indian Ridge, Gigantopelta aegis was observed to undergo unique and significant morphological changes and diet shifts known as cryptometamorphosis. During this process, G. aegis developed a specialized bacteria-housing organ, the esophageal gland, in the later life stages. Our research discovered variations in esophageal gland microbes between different body size groups of snails. These bacteria were closely related to the development and health of G. aegis. Full-length 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed more Thiogranum and fewer Sediminibacterium, suggesting a potential association with environmental adaptation. In the small-sized group, the potential functions were enriched in metabolism, while in larger G. aegis individuals, predictions indicated adaptive functions such as environmental information processing. Also, symbiotic Sulfurovum could be one of the factors influencing the habitat selection of G. aegis. Understanding the complex relationship between benthic macrofauna and microbes helps us describe the mechanisms of survival in extreme environments.},
}

@article {pmid39991579,
year = {2025},
author = {Meng, K and Song, J and Qi, F and Li, J and Fang, Z and Song, L and Shi, S},
title = {The mutualistic relationship between M2c macrophages of TGFβ1 induction and gastric cancer cells: the correlation between protective mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment and polarization of subtypes of cells.},
journal = {Journal of Cancer},
volume = {16},
number = {5},
pages = {1598-1617},
pmid = {39991579},
issn = {1837-9664},
abstract = {Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with fast metastasis and high mortality rate. GC cells and tumor immune microenvironment exhibit high heterogeneity. Multiple pieces of evidence suggest that TGFβ1 intervenes in the tumor microenvironment, immune cells and GC prognosis. The aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate the functional intervention of macrophage polarization subtypes on gastric cancer cell lines in the GC tumor microenvironment, providing valuable insights into tumor microenvironment research and potential targets for treatment strategies. Methods: TCGA database and multiple GEO datasets were used to validate the role of TGFβ1 in cancer prognosis, immune infiltration and subtype macrophage polarization. Construct different subtypes of macrophages and establish cell co culture systems using Transwell chambers. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting (WB) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to verify the changes in the metastatic function and defense mechanism of gastric cancer cells (Hgc27 and MKN45) in different co culture systems. Further analyze the effect of gastric cancer cell metabolites on macrophage subtype polarization. Results: TGFβ1 was highly expressed in GC tissues, highly expressed TGFβ1 could reduce the survival time of GC patients. The GC immune infiltration results confirmed the correlation between TGFβ1 and M2 macrophages. The GEO dataset results of gastric cancer at different stages showed that some M2 macrophage markers showed consistent changes with TGFβ1. The WB, ELISA and RT-qPCR have identified TGFβ1-induced polarization of M2c macrophages, most biomarkers are associated with M2c. M2c macrophages can enhance cell migration and function, can inhibit ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells, endowing them with stronger special environmental resistance. Gastric cancer cells tend to polarize towards M2 macrophages, with M2c being the main M2 subtype of macrophages. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study reveals a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between M2c macrophages and cancer cells in the microenvironment of gastric cancer tumors. TGFβ1 promotes the production of M2c macrophages, which enhance the function and ferroptosis resistance of gastric cancer cells. Gastric cancer cells provide the material basis for M2c macrophage polarization. This new evidence may provide new insights into developing more effective targeted therapies for gastric cancer to combat the formation of immune escape and metastasis in gastric cancer.},
}

@article {pmid39991448,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, ML and Huang, YH and Cai, LQ and Qin, XM and Meng, XY and Li, HS and Pang, H},
title = {Influence of Host Species, Location, and Aphid Prey on Microbial Diversity and Community Dynamics of Aphidophagous Ladybird Beetles in Guangxi, China.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {e71036},
pmid = {39991448},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Host species, locations, and diet can significantly impact microbial diversity and community in insects. Several ladybird beetles are known as key predators and potential biological control agents for aphids. However, there is limited understanding of how host species, locations, and aphid prey influence the microbial diversity and community of aphidophagous ladybird beetles in natural environments. In this study, we collected 74 samples of ladybirds and their aphid prey from various locations in Guangxi, China, and sequenced the 16S amplicons to investigate differences in their microbiomes. The dominant genera in the ladybird samples, Bacteroides and Alistipes, were rarely reported as predominant in other ladybird populations, indicating a unique genus-level microbial community pattern in Guangxi. Alpha diversity indices and Bray-Curtis distances varied significantly among ladybird species. Abundance analysis revealed that the relative abundance of dominant bacteria in aphidophagous ladybirds differed significantly among different ladybird species and locations. Although the primary and facultative aphid symbionts differed among aphid samples from various populations and locations, they had minimal direct impact on the microbial community of the aphidophagous ladybirds, being sporadically detected in the corresponding predator samples. Our findings provide insights into the microbial communities of ladybirds and aphids in sympatric and distinct field environments, highlighting the plasticity of microbial abundance in aphidophagous ladybirds across different ladybird species and locations, as well as the low retention rate of specific aphid symbionts in ladybird predators.},
}