@article {pmid42679821,
year = {2026},
author = {Heo, K and Jung, DJ and Yoo, JS and Goh, B and Kasper, DL and Oh, SF},
title = {Oxygen-responsive bacterial glycosphingolipid links symbiont fitness and immune development in neonatal host.},
journal = {Cell},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2026.08.011},
pmid = {42679821},
issn = {1097-4172},
abstract = {Symbiotic gut bacteria must re-establish themselves in every host generation, yet the molecular strategies enabling this inheritance remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Bacteroides fragilis uses a membrane glycolipid, alpha-galactosylceramide (BfaGC), to colonize the neonatal gut. Genome-wide fitness profiling revealed that BfaGC biosynthesis is selectively required during early life, when transient oxygenation creates a physiological bottleneck for strict anaerobes. Mechanistically, BfaGC reduces membrane proton permeability, sustaining the proton-motive force that supports aerobic respiration. This oxygen-responsive adaptation simultaneously generates a host-facing immunomodulatory signal that calibrates neonatal natural killer T (NKT) cell development, linking bacterial fitness to immune maturation through a single metabolite. The same mechanism also enables niche expansion by enterotoxigenic strains, revealing context-dependent consequences. Notably, this strategy is distinct among gut Bacteroidales: other prominent members synthesize a different sphingolipid subclass supporting broader fitness, implying divergent evolutionary strategies. Our findings provide time-resolved insight into how bacterial metabolites shape host-microbiota symbiosis across development.},
}

@article {pmid42679956,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhao, B and Zhang, Y and Ye, J and Li, M and Wang, H and Zhang, Y},
title = {Regulatory divergence of duplicated VIH genes links phosphate signaling to nodule development in Medicago truncatula.},
journal = {Journal of genetics and genomics = Yi chuan xue bao},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jgg.2026.08.008},
pmid = {42679956},
issn = {1673-8527},
abstract = {Primary metabolites and their derivatives often serve as intracellular signals. Inositol pyrophosphates are central regulators of phosphate signaling, but their roles in legume nodulation remain poorly understood. Here, we identify two conserved Vip1 Homolog/Diphosphoinositol Pentakisphosphate Kinase genes, MtVIH1 and MtVIH2, in Medicago truncatula. Biochemical analyses show that the kinase domains of both MtVIH1 and MtVIH2 retain PP-InsP kinase activity. However, transcriptomic and expression analyses reveal regulatory divergence between the duplicated genes, with MtVIH2 being preferentially induced during nodulation and co-expressed with the phosphate starvation marker Mt4. Silencing MtVIH2 reduces nodule formation, nitrogenase activity, and mature nodule marker expression, and alters extractable inorganic Pi accumulation in nodules. Consistently, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of MtVIH2 reproduces these defects, whereas Mtvih1-cas9 shows much weaker effects and Mtvih1/2-cas9 edited roots display phenotypes comparable to Mtvih2-cas9. These results demonstrate that regulatory divergence between duplicated VIH genes is associated with a predominant role of MtVIH2 in nodule development. Promoter analysis and luciferase assays reveal that a P1BS element contributes to MtPHR1-mediated activation of the MtVIH2 promoter. Together, these findings reveal regulatory divergence of duplicated VIH genes and suggest that conserved phosphate-responsive mechanisms contribute to nodule development and nitrogen fixation in M. truncatula.},
}

@article {pmid42680395,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Q and Nie, B and Yang, C and Wei, F and Deng, L and Chen, Z and Hua, S},
title = {Boosting domestic wastewater treatment with quorum signal-augmented heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacterial-algal aerobic granular sludge.},
journal = {Journal of environmental sciences (China)},
volume = {168},
number = {},
pages = {381-391},
doi = {10.1016/j.jes.2026.03.078},
pmid = {42680395},
issn = {1001-0742},
mesh = {Denitrification ; Sewage/microbiology ; Nitrification ; *Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods ; *Wastewater/microbiology/chemistry ; Quorum Sensing ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Aerobiosis ; },
abstract = {The aerobic bacterial-algal granular sludge (ABGS) enhanced with heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria, as a novel symbiotic technology, exhibits fluctuating treatment efficiency and unstable performance primarily due to the unstable symbiotic relationship. This study proposes an innovative approach to strengthening the bacteria-algae symbiosis by introducing exogenous signaling molecules. Concurrently, high-throughput, correlation analysis of environmental factors and metagenomic sequencing techniques are employed to elucidate the enhancement mechanisms of the signaling molecules. The results demonstrate that signaling molecule enhancement boosted total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency by 24.51 % in the bacteria-algae symbiotic system (X1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization revealed that the addition of signaling molecules resulted in more compact aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and markedly improved stability. High-throughput sequencing showed signaling molecules enriched denitrifying bacteria (Hydrogenophaga, Pseudoxanthomonas, Thauera, Zoogloea) and organic-degrading Desulfomicrobium, optimizing microbial diversity and enhancing nitrogen/organic removal. Correlation analysis of environmental factors indicate that the addition of C8-HSL facilitates the enrichment and functional activation of specific genera. Metagenomic analysis revealed that signaling molecules enhanced the system's denitrification performance by modulating gene expression and associated metabolic pathways. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis further confirmed that the signaling molecules upregulated the expression of the napA, nirK, and nirS genes. An increased abundance of the napA gene facilitated aerobic denitrification (NO3[-]-N→NO2[-]-N), while upregulated abundance of the nirK and nirS genes accelerated nitrite reduction (NO2[-]-N→N2). This study aims to provide theoretical and practical foundations for implementing advanced bacteria-algae symbiotic technologies.},
}

Denitrification
Sewage/microbiology
Nitrification
*Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods
*Wastewater/microbiology/chemistry
Quorum Sensing
Bacteria/metabolism
Aerobiosis

@article {pmid42680808,
year = {2026},
author = {Beck, A and Bayer, C and Debastiani, R and Schubert, T and Gröger, A and Ruthensteiner, B},
title = {Elemental composition, structure and amount of contact between Xanthoria parietina symbionts.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42680808},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Lichens/microbiology/physiology ; Cell Wall/chemistry/metabolism ; *Ascomycota/physiology ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Hyphae ; },
abstract = {As prominent examples for symbiotic interactions, the major part of lichens is built up by two different organisms, a photosynthetically active alga (photobiont) and a heterotrophic fungus (mycobiont). Given the hydrophobic coating of lichen symbionts in the lichen thallus by hydrophobins, the area of direct cell cell contact is of prime importance for the transfer of nutrients and signalling compounds between the symbionts. Genomic analyses reported cell wall remodelling during symbiont interaction. However, no detailed investigation of lichen symbiont interaction zone is available so far. Using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), we show that elemental composition of both symbiont cell walls differs when in contact to the symbiont as opposed to those cell wall areas without contact. Both, nitrogen and sulfur content of cell walls, differ significantly in areas of symbiont cell contacts as compared to non-contact zones. NanoCT imaging revealed that about one fourth of the photosymbiont cell wall is in contact to mycobiont hyphae, and fungal cells have a significantly increased volume if in contact to photobiont cells. We provide a sub µm 3D model of the lichen Xanthoria parietina using nanoCT imaging to foster understanding of the symbiont interaction zone.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Lichens/microbiology/physiology
Cell Wall/chemistry/metabolism
*Ascomycota/physiology
Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
Hyphae

@article {pmid42680900,
year = {2026},
author = {Moosavi, M and Khorassani, R and Tavakkol Afshari, R},
title = {Strigolactone (GR24) promotes arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and wheat root growth.},
journal = {Planta},
volume = {264},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42680900},
issn = {1432-2048},
mesh = {*Triticum/growth & development/microbiology/drug effects ; *Lactones/pharmacology ; *Mycorrhizae/drug effects/physiology ; *Plant Roots/growth & development/drug effects/microbiology ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; *Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/pharmacology ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; *Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {GR24 enhances wheat performance by optimizing plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) interactions. Signaling molecules such as strigolactones (SLs) play essential regulatory roles in the rhizosphere by facilitating plant-soil communication and strengthening plant-microbe interactions. These molecules are crucial for promoting AMF colonization and the stable establishment of a symbiotic association, thereby supporting plant adaptation under stress conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of seed priming with the synthetic strigolactone analogue GR24 to enhance AMF colonization, nutrient uptake, and the morpho-physiological performance of wheat. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions, with four GR24 concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 μM) and two AMF inoculation treatments (with and without AMF). Results showed that the addition of 5 μM GR24 combined with AMF significantly enhanced plant growth and physiological performance. Specifically, total dry weight (TDW), total chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and the uptake of N, K, Fe, and Zn increased by 41%, 31%, 50%, 42%, 42.88%, 39%, 69.69%, and 69.81%, respectively. In addition, application of 5 μM GR24 increased phosphorus (P) uptake by 19.42% compared with the control. These findings suggest that an appropriate concentration of GR24 enhances phosphorus uptake, while its combined application with AMF further improves nutrient acquisition, physiological performance, and overall plant growth in wheat.},
}

*Triticum/growth & development/microbiology/drug effects
*Lactones/pharmacology
*Mycorrhizae/drug effects/physiology
*Plant Roots/growth & development/drug effects/microbiology
Photosynthesis/drug effects
*Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/pharmacology
Symbiosis/drug effects
*Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology

@article {pmid42681268,
year = {2026},
author = {Paré, L and Kenny, M and Stefani, F},
title = {Methods for Single-Spore Cultures of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using a Superabsorbent Polymer-Based Autotrophic System.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {1-17},
pmid = {42681268},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/growth & development/physiology ; *Polymers/chemistry ; *Spores, Fungal/growth & development ; Autotrophic Processes ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Single-spore cultures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential for taxonomy, genomics, experimental ecology, and the production of well-characterized inoculum. Classical pot cultures in opaque substrates make monitoring the establishment of symbiosis and verifying culture purity difficult, whereas in vitro cultures on Ri T-DNA-transformed roots require sterile conditions and support only a limited subset of AMF species. Transparent "soils" based on superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offer a simple alternative that combines the advantages of in vivo and in vitro systems. Here, we present the superabsorbent polymer-based autotrophic system (SAP-AS), a simple and inexpensive culture system. The SAP-AS allows for easy single-spore inoculation, monitoring, and maintenance.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/growth & development/physiology
*Polymers/chemistry
*Spores, Fungal/growth & development
Autotrophic Processes
Symbiosis

@article {pmid42681269,
year = {2026},
author = {Hashimoto, K and Tanaka, S and Kawaguchi, M},
title = {Asymbiotic Growth of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {19-32},
pmid = {42681269},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/growth & development ; Fatty Acids/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Lactones/metabolism/pharmacology ; Culture Media/chemistry ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; },
abstract = {The development of asymbiotic culture methods for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is crucial for studying their symbiotic mechanisms and developing new inoculants. AM fungi lack genes encoding cytosolic fatty acid synthases, and thus require plant-derived lipids for their propagation. Certain fatty acids, such as myristate, can promote their mycelial growth and sporulation without a host plant. In this chapter, we describe detailed methods for asymbiotic culture using fatty acids and strigolactone.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/growth & development
Fatty Acids/metabolism
Symbiosis
Lactones/metabolism/pharmacology
Culture Media/chemistry
Plant Roots/microbiology

@article {pmid42681270,
year = {2026},
author = {Sbrana, C and Pepe, A and Ferrol, N and Giovannetti, M},
title = {A Whole-Plant Culture Method to Study Structural and Functional Traits of Extraradical Mycelium.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {33-44},
pmid = {42681270},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycelium/growth & development/physiology ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology/growth & development ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology/growth & development ; Hyphae/growth & development ; *Plants/microbiology ; },
abstract = {An in vivo whole-plant bi-dimensional experimental system has been devised and tested with different host plants to obtain extraradical mycelium (ERM) produced by different isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In this system, a plantlet is inoculated with AMF to establish mycorrhizal symbiosis and, after colonization, newly formed extraradical hyphae and spores are removed. Then, the mycorrhizal root system is wrapped in a nylon net and placed between two membranes in a Petri dish, allowing ERM to grow on the membrane surfaces. Such extraradical hyphae may be used for in situ morphometric analyses or harvested for molecular and biochemical assays; in the latter case, when reassembled, the whole-plant system can allow new mycelial harvests up to a maximum plant lifespan of 6 months. In this experimental system, which was tested with diverse host plant species and lines, values of explored membrane surface areas and densities of ERM showed large variations, and their length ranged from 9.7 ± 2.0 to 120.1 ± 14.1 m per plant, depending on host and AMF identity. Across the different plant-AMF combinations tested, the whole-plant system produced 2.0 ± 0.6 to 8.3 ± 3.3 mg of ERM fresh biomass per plant per harvest. This experimental system can be used for a wide range of AMF and host plant species, either establishing arbuscular mycorrhizas or other mycorrhizal interactions. ERM produced and collected in the whole-plant system is suitable for morphological, physiological, and molecular analyses, facilitating studies on the different aspects of mycorrhizal symbiotic interactions.},
}

*Mycelium/growth & development/physiology
*Mycorrhizae/physiology/growth & development
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology/growth & development
Hyphae/growth & development
*Plants/microbiology

@article {pmid42681272,
year = {2026},
author = {Ho-Plágaro, T and Tamayo-Navarrete, MI and Molinero-Rosales, N and García-Garrido, JM},
title = {Histochemical Staining of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Roots for Quantification of Fungal Colonization, High-Resolution Imaging, and Localization of Symbiotic Gene Expression.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {61-75},
pmid = {42681272},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology ; *Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Staining and Labeling/methods ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; },
abstract = {Histochemical staining and microscopy-based techniques have been widely used to detect, quantify, and analyze the morphology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in roots. Here, we describe a traditional standardized method for staining of AMF in colonized roots using trypan blue, along with possible modifications to adapt the protocol to specific needs, such as root type or reducing the use of toxic reagents. We also summarize common approaches for quantifying arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization. In addition, we present a simple fluorescent staining protocol, using wheat germ agglutinin-Alexa Fluor conjugates, for high-resolution imaging of fungal colonization patterns and arbuscule morphology in roots. Finally, we describe a GUS staining method for localizing the promoter activity of plant genes potentially involved in mycorrhization, using transformed mycorrhizal hairy roots carrying promoter-GUS fusions.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology
*Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Staining and Labeling/methods
Promoter Regions, Genetic

@article {pmid42681273,
year = {2026},
author = {Somoza, SC and Giovannetti, M},
title = {Intracellular Inorganic Orthophosphate Distribution in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Root.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {77-85},
pmid = {42681273},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/metabolism/physiology ; *Phosphates/metabolism/analysis ; *Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism ; *Lotus/microbiology/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Fungi ; },
abstract = {Phosphate is an essential macronutrient for plants and plays a key role in the establishment and regulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. However, conventional methods for studying phosphate levels in plant tissues often lack cellular resolution or require technically demanding procedures such as genetic transformation. Here, we present an adaptation of the recently developed inorganic orthophosphate staining assay (IOSA), for Lotus japonicus roots colonized by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis. IOSA is a rapid, colorimetric method that enables high-resolution, semi-quantitative visualization of intracellular inorganic phosphate. This protocol provides an efficient, accessible, and genetic transformation-free approach for investigating phosphate homeostasis and its involvement in AM symbiosis, offering a valuable tool for research in plant nutrition and symbiotic interactions.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/metabolism/physiology
*Phosphates/metabolism/analysis
*Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism
*Lotus/microbiology/metabolism
Symbiosis
Fungi

@article {pmid42681274,
year = {2026},
author = {García, JM and Pozo, MJ and López-Ráez, JA},
title = {Quantification of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis by Molecular and Gene Expression Analysis (qRT-PCR).},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {87-103},
pmid = {42681274},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Gene Expression Profiling/methods ; *Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) represent one of the most widespread and extensively studied symbiotic associations between plants and beneficial microorganisms. Over 80% of terrestrial plant species, including the majority of agricultural and horticultural crops, are capable of establishing this mutualistic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Through this symbiosis, the fungus aids the plant in the uptake of water and mineral nutrients, particularly under stress conditions. Beyond nutrient acquisition, AM symbiosis also influences key ecological and agronomic traits, including plant architecture, flowering, fruit quality, and tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses.As such, AMF hold significant potential as biofertilizers and bioprotective agents within sustainable agriculture. However, to fully leverage these benefits, a well-established and functional symbiosis is essential.Accurate quantification of AM colonization is thus crucial not only for research purposes, but also from an agronomic applications. In this context, gene expression analysis emerges as a powerful tool in biological research. In AM symbiosis, the expression patterns of specific genes provide insight into underlying regulatory networks and offer information on the extent and effectiveness of nutrient and water acquisition by the plant. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is particularly valuable for profiling a wide range of actively expressed genes, providing a molecular snapshot of the plant's physiological state. Nonetheless, to accurately identify expressed genes differentially, it is essential to implement appropriate controls that minimize nonspecific variation stemming from technical factors. In this chapter, we outline several histological and molecular methodologies for the accurate quantification and analysis of AM colonization in plant roots.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Gene Expression Profiling/methods
*Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics

@article {pmid42681276,
year = {2026},
author = {Ramírez-Serrano, B and Vega, I and Flors, V and Minchev, Z},
title = {Standardizing Methods for Shoot Metabolomics in Mycorrhizal Plants.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {113-125},
pmid = {42681276},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/metabolism ; *Metabolomics/methods/standards ; *Plant Shoots/metabolism/microbiology ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods ; *Metabolome ; Mass Spectrometry/methods ; *Plants/metabolism/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Software ; },
abstract = {With the latest advances in analytical techniques based on liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), knowledge of plant metabolomics has risen exponentially in recent years. The study of metabolomic changes associated with mycorrhizal symbiosis interacting with different environmental situations exemplifies the expansion of knowledge in this field. In the present chapter, we aim to provide a standard procedure for the analysis of shoot metabolites using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The provided information includes an extraction buffer of compromised polarity, as well as LC and MS conditions suitable for a general characterization of secondary metabolites from mycorrhizal plants. These conditions may require further adaptation in case a lipidomic or highly polar compound analysis is required or when a different instrumentation is used. In addition, we provide a protocol for a preliminary bioinformatic analysis of the identified features using public non-proprietary software, which, combined with the construction of pure standard libraries, can yield a powerful tool for the identification and semi-quantitative analysis of hundreds of secondary metabolites from mycorrhizal plants.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/metabolism
*Metabolomics/methods/standards
*Plant Shoots/metabolism/microbiology
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods
Chromatography, Liquid/methods
*Metabolome
Mass Spectrometry/methods
*Plants/metabolism/microbiology
Symbiosis
Software

@article {pmid42681277,
year = {2026},
author = {Rial, C and Durán, AG and Molinillo, JMG and López-Ráez, JA and Macías, FA and Varela, RM},
title = {Purification and Analysis of Signaling Molecules in Plant-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communication.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {127-138},
pmid = {42681277},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology/metabolism ; *Lactones/isolation & purification/metabolism/analysis ; Symbiosis ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods ; Flavonoids/isolation & purification/metabolism/analysis ; *Plants/microbiology/metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods ; Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods ; },
abstract = {The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is the most widespread mutualistic association between plants and fungi. The most widely recognized benefit of AM symbiosis for the host plant is a significant enhancement in the acquisition of mineral nutrients from the soil, particularly phosphorus. In addition to improved nutrition, AM symbiosis confers enhanced tolerance to a wide range of environmental stresses. Strigolactones (SLs) are a family of natural products produced by plants as shoot branching factors and are responsible for the induction of hyphal branching in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). On the other hand, flavonoids also play crucial roles in various signaling processes, such as legume-rhizobia symbiosis or in the AM symbiosis. Being able to accurately analyze strigolactones and flavonoids is essential for unraveling the basic mechanisms of AM symbiosis. However, the low amount of them produced by plants and their rapid degradability make it crucial to develop fast analytical methods with very low limits of quantification to study the interaction and communication between plants and AMF. Herein, a protocol is described for the development of a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of SLs and flavonoids, using GR24 and chrysin as internal standards, respectively, in roots, exudates, and extracts.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology/metabolism
*Lactones/isolation & purification/metabolism/analysis
Symbiosis
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods
Flavonoids/isolation & purification/metabolism/analysis
*Plants/microbiology/metabolism
Signal Transduction
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods
Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism
Chromatography, Liquid/methods

@article {pmid42681278,
year = {2026},
author = {Recorbet, G and Courty, PE and Wipf, D},
title = {Recovery of Extra-Radical Fungal Peptides Amenable for Shotgun Protein Profiling in Arbuscular Mycorrhizae.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {139-155},
pmid = {42681278},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/metabolism ; *Proteomics/methods ; *Fungal Proteins/metabolism/isolation & purification ; Mycelium/metabolism ; *Proteome ; *Peptides/isolation & purification/metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; },
abstract = {In arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, the belowground mycelium that develops into the soil not only provides extensive pathways for nutrient and signal fluxes, the occupation of different niches and dispersal of propagules but also has strong influences upon biogeochemical cycling. By providing a valuable overview of protein expression, shotgun proteomics can help decipher key metabolic pathways involved in the functioning of fungal mycelia. In this protocol, we describe the combination of extra-radical mycelium growth systems with gel-based extraction of fungal peptides amenable to shotgun protein profiling, which allows gaining information about the extra-radical proteome together with its adaptive responses to environmental changes when associated with spectral counting.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/metabolism
*Proteomics/methods
*Fungal Proteins/metabolism/isolation & purification
Mycelium/metabolism
*Proteome
*Peptides/isolation & purification/metabolism
Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology

@article {pmid42681279,
year = {2026},
author = {Sun, N and Feng, G},
title = {Collection of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Hyphal Exudates Under in Vitro Culture Conditions.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {157-164},
pmid = {42681279},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/growth & development/metabolism ; *Hyphae/growth & development/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Culture Media/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Hyphal exudates of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can be collected in vitro using dual-compartment or split-plate systems. AM fungi are co-cultivated with host roots in one compartment, while hyphae grow across the central barrier into a root-free hyphal compartment. Once sufficient hyphal growth is established, sterile nutrient solution or phosphate-buffered saline solution is added to the hyphal compartment. After 24-48 h, the solution is collected. This method enables root-free access to AM fungal secretions for metabolic and functional analyses.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/growth & development/metabolism
*Hyphae/growth & development/metabolism
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology
Culture Media/chemistry

@article {pmid42681285,
year = {2026},
author = {Chialva, M and Ghignone, S},
title = {Transcriptome Analysis of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Short-Read Sequencing.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {225-251},
pmid = {42681285},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics ; *Gene Expression Profiling/methods ; *Transcriptome ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods ; Computational Biology/methods ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods ; Symbiosis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are obligate biotrophs whose molecular biology has long been difficult to investigate due to limited genomic resources and the occurrence, in experimental samples, of a high quantity of host plant material. High-throughput short-read RNA sequencing has become a key approach for characterizing AM fungal transcriptomes, but requires tailored bioinformatic strategies to overcome challenges such as mixed-species datasets, low fungal RNA abundance, and the absence of high-quality reference AM fungal genomes. This chapter presents a robust pipeline for AM fungal transcriptome analysis based on short-read RNA data, combining de novo assembly, functional annotation, and differential expression analysis. The workflow is applicable both to host-free systems, where fungal reads can be directly assembled, and to symbiotic conditions, where preprocessing steps are necessary to remove plant-derived reads and enrich for fungal transcripts. Methods to check read quality, remove contaminants, including the host, assemble and annotate transcriptome using homology- and domain-based tools are described. Finally, procedures for robust statistical analysis of differential gene expression are outlined, enabling the identification of molecular pathways involved in fungal development, nutrient exchange, and symbiotic function. Together, these methods provide a comprehensive framework for generating reliable and meaningful insights into the transcriptomes of AM fungi.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics
*Gene Expression Profiling/methods
*Transcriptome
*High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods
Computational Biology/methods
Molecular Sequence Annotation
Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods
Symbiosis
Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal

@article {pmid42681286,
year = {2026},
author = {Fiorilli, V and Rubio-Somoza, I and Balestrini, R},
title = {Co-extraction of Small RNAs and Total RNA from Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Roots Using Laser Microdissection.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3045},
number = {},
pages = {253-269},
pmid = {42681286},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics ; *Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics ; *Laser Capture Microdissection/methods ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *RNA, Plant/isolation & purification/genetics ; *RNA, Fungal/isolation & purification/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification/genetics ; },
abstract = {Understanding gene expression at the cellular level is essential for dissecting plant-microbe interactions. Laser microdissection (LMD) is a powerful approach for isolating specific plant cell types without the need for molecular markers, enabling the recovery of nucleic acids from defined cellular populations. In plant systems, LMD has been widely applied to study cell-type-specific transcriptomes, including those involved in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, where cellular heterogeneity limits bulk tissue analyses. Recent evidence highlights the role of small RNAs (sRNAs) as key regulators of plant-microbe interactions, including cross-kingdom RNA interference. In this chapter, we describe a detailed LMD-based methodology for the co-extraction of sRNAs and mRNAs from AM-colonized root cells, enabling the characterization of plant and fungal sRNAs and the identification of their potential targets, thus providing a framework for studying cell-specific regulatory mechanisms in AM symbiosis.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics
*Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics
*Laser Capture Microdissection/methods
Symbiosis/genetics
*RNA, Plant/isolation & purification/genetics
*RNA, Fungal/isolation & purification/genetics
RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification/genetics

@article {pmid42681469,
year = {2026},
author = {Jhu, MY and Heffer, J and Deamer, A and Moraes, TA and Piskorz, AM and Xia, C},
title = {Plant-Compatible Xenium In Situ Sequencing: Protocol for Spatial Transcriptomics in Medicago truncatula Roots and Nodules.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {3036},
number = {},
pages = {299-339},
pmid = {42681469},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Medicago truncatula/genetics ; *Plant Roots/genetics ; Spatial Transcriptomics/methods ; *Root Nodules, Plant/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Gene Expression Profiling/methods ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Transcriptome ; },
abstract = {Elucidating the spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression during plant organogenesis is crucial for enabling precise crop improvement strategies that incorporate beneficial traits into crops while avoiding adverse effects. Root nodules, specialized organs formed in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, provide a valuable system to study cell-type-specific gene networks in a symbiosis-induced developmental context. However, capturing these dynamics at cellular resolution in intact plant tissues remains technically challenging. Spatial transcriptomics technologies developed for animal systems are often not directly transferable to plant tissues due to fundamental differences in tissue composition between plants and animals, including rigid and heterogeneous plant cell walls, high cell wall autofluorescence, and large vacuoles in plant cells that complicate probe access and signal detection. To address these challenges, we present an optimized protocol for applying the Xenium in situ sequencing platform to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections of plant tissues, including Medicago truncatula roots and nodules. Key technical adaptations include customized tissue preparation, optimized section thickness, hybridization conditions, post-Xenium staining, imaging, and downstream image analysis, all tailored specifically for plant samples. To mitigate autofluorescence and enhance detection sensitivity, we employed a strategic approach to codeword selection during probe design. Furthermore, we developed a modular probe design approach combining a custom 380-gene standalone panel with a 100-gene add-on panel. This design allows flexibility for addressing diverse research questions and includes orthologous gene sequences from two Medicago ecotypes, ensuring compatibility for downstream functional validation using mutant lines available in both genetic backgrounds. We validated the protocol across nodules at multiple developmental stages using both the 50-gene panel targeting mature nodule cell identity and the extended 480-gene panel, which includes markers across different cell types and developmental stages, as well as genes of interest identified from prior single-cell and bulk RNA-seq analyses. This optimized workflow provides a reproducible and scalable method for high-resolution spatial transcriptomics in plant tissues, establishing a robust foundation for adaptation to other plant species and developmental systems.},
}

*Medicago truncatula/genetics
*Plant Roots/genetics
Spatial Transcriptomics/methods
*Root Nodules, Plant/genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Gene Expression Profiling/methods
Symbiosis/genetics
*Transcriptome

@article {pmid42682939,
year = {2026},
author = {Caboň, M and Slovák, M and Svitok, M and Steinová, J and Fačkovcová, Z and Gužiková, J and Kučera, J and Paoli, L and Větrovský, T and Hindáková, A and Senko, D and Zozomová-Lihová, J and Melichárková, A and Gajdošová, Z and Guttová, A},
title = {Ultramafic specialist lichens persist through flexible symbioses structured by climate-driven filtering and modulated by substrate effects.},
journal = {IMA fungus},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {e199447},
pmid = {42682939},
issn = {2210-6340},
abstract = {Ultramafic substrates impose severe edaphic stress characterised by metal toxicity, nutrient imbalance, and extreme microclimatic conditions, creating spatially fragmented habitats that can shape evolutionary and ecological dynamics of associated organisms. Together with climatic variation, such factors may also influence the structure of holobiont communities of lichenized fungi. Here we investigated the ultramafic specialist lichen Solenopsora liparina across its entire range. We contextualized its symbiotic associations using calcicolous congeners (S. candicans and S. cesatii), as ecological reference taxa representing contrasting substrate-associated lineages within the sampled dataset, to assess how climatic filtering acting within a specialised edaphic niche structures symbiotic partner diversity and composition. Photobionts and endolichenic fungi displayed climate-associated compositional turnover and lineage-level diversity. Variation in the composition of these symbionts was most strongly associated with precipitation during the warmest quarter and, in photobionts, with altitude and temperature seasonality. In photobionts, dominant lineages differed in their relative occurrence among host taxa, whereas low-abundance lineages were broadly shared across samples within the dataset. Despite this turnover, alpha diversity remained generally stable across environmental gradients, indicating that climatic variation most strongly affects community composition rather than within-sample diversity. The results are consistent with a model of mixed host- and substrate- associated symbiont assembly, in which dominant photobiont lineages exhibit host- or substrate-linked preferences, whereas low-abundance associates show weaker specificity and broader ecological overlap across environmental and host contexts. Overall, the findings indicate that climatic factors structure the composition of symbiotic partners without strongly altering their overall diversity, while variation among host taxa is reflected in lineage turnover of dominant symbionts. The persistence of the ultramafic specialist lichen S. liparina thus appears to rely on flexible, compositionally dynamic symbiotic associations shaped by climatic variation within a spatially and edaphically constrained niche, rather than obligate partner specificity. Substrate effects are interpreted here as host-associated lineage patterns rather than independently quantified drivers. More broadly, the results suggest that climatic variation can in some cases strongly influence symbiotic assembly within environmentally extreme and spatially heterogeneous systems. Substrate specialisation provides the ecological context in which such interactions occur. Together, the findings highlight the importance of climatic variation in shaping symbiotic assembly within an edaphically specialised system, emphasizing that patterns associated with host and substrate context are expressed mainly through lineage turnover rather than wholesale community replacement.},
}

@article {pmid42674501,
year = {2026},
author = {Xiao, D and Xie, H and Wei, Z and Feng, M and Ma, Y and Jiang, T and Liu, D},
title = {Mechanism of Glutathione as a Novel Sphalerite Depressant in Lead-Zinc Flotation Separation.},
journal = {Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids},
volume = {42},
number = {33},
pages = {24293-24305},
doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c02943},
pmid = {42674501},
issn = {1520-5827},
support = {202407AB110022//Central Guidance for Local Science and Technology Development Fund Project/ ; },
abstract = {Galena and sphalerite are the main sources of lead and zinc metals, and they are often closely symbiotic in nature. At present, the flotation method is the mainstream method to separate the two, but it faces a key problem: the lead ions produced by the dissolution of galena will activate the surface of sphalerite, making it more floatable and difficult to suppress. Therefore, how to effectively inhibit the activated sphalerite and achieve efficient separation of lead and zinc has always been a research hotspot in the field of sulfide ore flotation. On this basis, the green and environmentally friendly reagent glutathione (GSH) was applied to the flotation separation of sphalerite and galena for the first time in this study. Microflotation tests show that GSH can effectively inhibit sphalerite activated by lead ions and achieve efficient flotation separation of lead and zinc. The results of contact angle and zeta potential showed that GSH could significantly reduce the contact angle and surface zeta potential of sphalerite activated by lead ions, but had little effect on galena. FTIR results showed that GSH may be chemically adsorbed on the surface of sphalerite through COO- and C-N groups. XPS and ToF-SIMS results showed that GSH mainly coordinated with Zn2+ on the surface of sphalerite through COOH and C-N/-NH in the molecule to form GSH-ZnS complexes, thereby inhibiting sphalerite activated by lead ions.},
}

@article {pmid42674950,
year = {2026},
author = {Gong, W and Guo, L and Huang, C and Xie, B and Jiang, M and Zhao, Y and Zhang, H and Wu, Y and Liang, H},
title = {Retraction notice to "A systematic review of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in mariculture wastewater: Antibiotics removal by microalgal-bacterial symbiotic system (MBSS), ARGs characterization on the metagenomic" [Sci. Total Environ. 930 (2024) 172601].},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {182281},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.182281},
pmid = {42674950},
issn = {1879-1026},
}

@article {pmid42675165,
year = {2026},
author = {Villada, JC and Vasquez, YM and Szabó, G and Whittaker-Walker, E and Romero, MF and Qin, S and Varghese, N and Eloe-Fadrosh, EA and Kyrpides, NC and , and Visel, A and Woyke, T and Schulz, F},
title = {A genomic catalog of Earth's bacterial and archaeal symbionts.},
journal = {Nature biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42675165},
issn = {1546-1696},
support = {https://ror.org/04xm1d337//DOE | Office of Science (SC)/ ; https://ror.org/04xm1d337//DOE | Office of Science (SC)/ ; },
abstract = {Microbial symbiosis drives the functional and phylogenomic diversification of life on Earth yet remains underexplored because of culturing challenges. This study used machine learning (ML) to predict symbiotic lifestyles in more than a hundred thousand microbial genomes from diverse environmental metagenome samples and reference genomes. Predictions were performed using symclatron, an ML framework developed to identify genomic signatures of symbionts. Predictions were deposited in a catalog we established called Symbiont Genomes (SymGs). The results indicate that 15-23% of uncultivated microorganisms likely engage in symbiotic relationships with other organisms, categorized as host-associated or obligate intracellular lifestyles, and are present in half of all known bacterial and archaeal phyla. We also identify genomic signatures of symbiotic lifestyles, including the loss of certain metabolic functions and the differential presence of metabolic modules that may enable host-dependent living. The symclatron software and the SymGs catalog represent valuable resources for studying symbioses, potentially facilitating future mechanistic investigations and engineering of host-microorganism associations.},
}

@article {pmid42676610,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, Q and Tian, S and Linghu, E},
title = {Evolution of malignant tumors as neoorgan and predictions of future scenarios resulting from inappropriate treatment.},
journal = {Medical review (2021)},
volume = {6},
number = {4},
pages = {347-350},
pmid = {42676610},
issn = {2749-9642},
abstract = {Malignant tumors have long been viewed as uncontrolled cell proliferation driven by somatic mutations. However, emerging multi-omics and microenvironment evidence challenges this paradigm. Advanced tumors transcend cellular abnormality to form a "neoorgan" - a complex tissue ecosystem with multicellular coordination, functional autonomy, metabolic symbiosis, neural integration, and evolutionary potential. Genomic instability generates lineage-specific karyotypes; tumors reactivate ancient gene modules from primitive multicellular organisms; they actively remodel immune function via mitochondrial transfer; and they establish functional connections with the nervous system. Based on this evolutionary trajectory, we propose testable predictions: tumors may progress from a parasitic neoorgan toward an independent species, as exemplified by naturally occurring transmissible tumors and the "tumor-derived animal" hypothesis. Recognizing cancer as an evolutionary entity striving for independence - rather than a mere genetic malfunction - demands a fundamental shift in therapeutic strategy. Instead of solely cytotoxic "killing", rational approaches may aim to reintegrate the tumor into host regulatory networks or guide its evolution toward self-destruction. This framework expands tumor biology and challenges conventional boundaries between disease, life, and species.},
}

@article {pmid42676834,
year = {2026},
author = {Zheng, YX and Wang, Y and Zhang, XM and Jin, Q and Zhang, Y and Wang, GF and Shao, YQ and Li, J and Sun, C and Kong, WD and Yang, CQ and Zhang, AB},
title = {Soil-derived, gut-dominant generalist bacteria shape the fitness of folivorous larvae.},
journal = {iMeta},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e70169},
pmid = {42676834},
issn = {2770-596X},
abstract = {Whether Lepidoptera harbor a conserved core gut microbiome has long remained contentious. Through large-scale microbiome profiling of folivorous larvae, their host plants, and associated soils across three climatically distinct regions of China, we identify two soil-derived generalist bacteria, Ralstonia insidiosa and Delftia sp., that colonize 97.92% of larval species examined, attaining mean relative abundances exceeding 47%, with the soil microbial reservoir as their principal source. Strikingly, these two taxa exhibit strong mutual exclusion within the larval gut yet govern host development through diametrically opposed metabolic strategies: R. insidiosa promotes larval weight gain, whereas Delftia sp. suppresses growth. This functional bifurcation, in which two widespread generalists exert opposite phenotypic effects, represents a previously undescribed phenomenon in insect-microbe symbiosis. Our findings provide broad evidence that soil microbial reservoirs can shape aboveground herbivore fitness via horizontally acquired bacteria, offering mechanistic insights for microbiome-based ecological management.},
}

@article {pmid42677452,
year = {2026},
author = {Nair, T and Stuhr, NL and Weathers, BA and Curran, SP},
title = {Metabolic shifts driven by host-microbial interactions.},
journal = {The FEBS journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/febs.70704},
pmid = {42677452},
issn = {1742-4658},
support = {HF-004//Hevolution Foundation/ ; AG052374/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Host-microbe interactions within the gut have been extensively reviewed in the context of host immune response. Emerging evidence, however, highlights that these inflammatory and immune outcomes are often deeply intertwined with the microbiome-derived secondary metabolites. The gut microbiota functions in concert with the host by providing an extensive repertoire of metabolic enzymes that enhance digestion and capacity to assimilate a broad spectrum of ingested food sources. This symbiotic metabolism generates a diverse array of bioactive metabolites that shape local and systemic physiology, adaptive immune responses, and neuroimmune responses. Here, we focus on microbial metabolism as a central organizing principle of host-microbiota symbiosis. Microbiota-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, tryptophan-derived indoles, sphingolipids, and gaseous byproducts, signal through downstream molecular partners like nuclear receptors, transcriptional regulators, and redox-sensitive homeostatic pathways to regulate host energy homeostasis, but also alter immune functions like gut epithelial integrity, immune tolerance, and neuroimmune crosstalk. Finally, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies that target microbial metabolic functions-including dietary interventions, engineered probiotics, postbiotics, and receptor-directed approaches-that position microbial metabolism as a tractable axis for modulating immunometabolism homeostasis and potentially mitigating metabolic and inflammatory diseases.},
}

@article {pmid42677482,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, Q and Xu, X and Guo, Y and Li, H and Hao, Y and Zhang, Z and Cai, Z and White, JC and Ma, C},
title = {Nano-boron nitride enhances soybean growth and symbiotic nitrogen fixation by modulating the rhizosphere microbiome and biogeochemical cycling.},
journal = {Nanoscale},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d6nr02400a},
pmid = {42677482},
issn = {2040-3372},
abstract = {Nanotechnology offers promising strategies for sustainable agriculture, yet the systemic mechanisms by which nanomaterials enhance legume nitrogen fixation remain insufficiently understood. The multi-scale impacts of nano-boron nitride (nano-BN) on soybean growth, biological nitrogen fixation, and rhizosphere microbial communities were investigated. Soil addition of 50 mg kg[-1] nano-BN significantly promoted plant biomass, nodule biomass, and leghemoglobin content by 10.0%, 27.4%, and 39.4%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Nano-BN also enhanced the NH4[+]-N and NO3[-]-N content by 24.3% and 19.9% in root tissues, while reducing these levels in rhizosphere soil. Additionally, nano-BN enriched rhizosphere-dissolved organic matter, particularly humic-like components. Metagenomic analysis revealed that nano-BN reshaped carbon and nitrogen cycling functional genes, enhancing CO2 fixation and aerobic respiration; the nitrogen fixation functional gene nifH was upregulated by 27.7%. Microbial community analysis demonstrated increased bacterial diversity and abundance of beneficial taxa, particularly Bradyrhizobium, which increased by 24.9%. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed enhanced positive interactions and greater topological complexity upon the addition of nano-BN compared to the untreated control, indicating improved community stability. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nano-BN promotes soybean growth through integrated regulation of nutrient cycling, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and rhizosphere microbiome assembly. Nano-BN represents an innovative nano-fertilization strategy for enhancing biological nitrogen fixation, improving nutrient use efficiency, and advancing sustainable agricultural systems.},
}

@article {pmid42679025,
year = {2026},
author = {Chiu, CH and Grønlund, M and de Bang, TC and Watts-Williams, S and Song, F and Kelly, KA and Jakobsen, I and Paszkowski, U},
title = {Elevated CO2 reinforces PT11-dependent symbiotic phosphate uptake to reprogram root nutrient acquisition in rice.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {123},
number = {36},
pages = {e2606406123},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2606406123},
pmid = {42679025},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {0602-01412B//Danish Council for Independent Research, Technology and Production Sciences/ ; BB/X011933/1 BB/N008723/1//UKRI | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (AFRC)/ ; postdoc fellowship//National University of Singapore (NUS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Oryza/metabolism/microbiology/genetics/growth & development ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; *Carbon Dioxide/metabolism/pharmacology ; *Phosphates/metabolism ; *Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology ; Mycorrhizae/physiology/metabolism ; *Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Biological Transport ; },
abstract = {Plants acquire inorganic phosphate (Pi) either directly through their roots or through symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and the direct uptake pathway is downregulated when the symbiosis establishes. As atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise, it is critical to understand how increased carbon availability alters plant nutrient acquisition strategies, with implications for crop productivity and carbon sequestration alike. Here, we investigated the interaction between elevated CO2, soil Pi availability, and AM symbiosis in the major cereal crop rice. Elevated CO2 enhanced mycorrhizal colonization, phosphorus uptake, and crop biomass. We employed the rice pt11 mutant, which is defective in symbiotic Pi transport, in combination with split-root and radiotracer approaches to demonstrate that suppression of the direct Pi uptake pathways occurs locally in colonized roots, requiring functional symbiotic Pi transport. Likewise, changes in root architecture-notably reduced fine lateral root development-occur with local regulation dependent on processes downstream of PT11. Transcriptomic analyses identify symbiotic Pi transport as a regulatory checkpoint of the suppression of direct nutrient uptake and the progression of the mycorrhizal transcriptional program. Together, these findings reveal that in rice, rising CO2 enhances AM symbiosis not necessarily by activating canonical symbiosis signaling pathways, but rather by reinforcing symbiotic Pi uptake through enhanced carbon availability, thereby reshaping root nutrient acquisition. This work provides a mechanistic framework for integrating plant-microbe interactions into strategies aimed at sustaining crop productivity and managing carbon in a high-CO2 world.},
}

*Oryza/metabolism/microbiology/genetics/growth & development
*Symbiosis/physiology
*Carbon Dioxide/metabolism/pharmacology
*Phosphates/metabolism
*Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology
Mycorrhizae/physiology/metabolism
*Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Biological Transport

@article {pmid42679485,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Z and Jia, Y and Liu, T and Wang, S and Liu, L},
title = {Corrigendum to "A malignant symbiosis: The neuro-metabolic symphony rewires the tumor microenvironment" [Neoplasia 78 (2026) 101322].},
journal = {Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {81},
number = {},
pages = {101355},
doi = {10.1016/j.neo.2026.101355},
pmid = {42679485},
issn = {1476-5586},
}

@article {pmid42679497,
year = {2026},
author = {Bagchi, R and Pant, B and Wang, HL and Kabir, AH},
title = {Localized root colonization by Trichoderma afroharzianum T22 is associated with host transcriptional reprogramming and beneficial bacterial enrichment under salinity stress in sorghum.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {314},
number = {},
pages = {128703},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2026.128703},
pmid = {42679497},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {Salinity is a major abiotic stress that severely restricts crop productivity. Despite considerable potential, the role of Trichoderma afroharzianum T22 in the molecular responses and root microbiome dynamics associated with salinity tolerance remains poorly understood in sorghum. In this study, T. afroharzianum inoculation alleviated salinity-induced stress by improving chlorophyll content, growth parameters, and nutrient balance, while restricting root-to-shoot Na[+] translocation. Split-root experiments showed that T. afroharzianum application to a single root compartment was insufficient to improve whole-plant performance under salinity, whereas inoculation of both compartments restored growth and chlorophyll-related traits. RNA-seq analysis showed the upregulation of genes involved in symbiosis, hormone signaling, antioxidant defense, and ion homeostasis, accompanied by repression of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and senescence in the roots. KEGG enrichment analysis further revealed activation of secondary metabolic pathways involved in stress adaptation. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing showed that T. afroharzianum inoculation was associated with shifts in the root bacterial community without significantly altering alpha diversity, while selectively enriching putatively beneficial taxa, including Dyella mobilis, Luteibacter rhizovicinus, and Luteibacter yeojuensis under salinity. In addition, a conserved core microbiome was retained across treatments and was dominated by Streptomyces, Rhizobium, Dyella, and Labrys. Further, Janibacter was identified as a characteristic indicator taxon of T. afroharzianum inoculation, while Streptomyces showed the highest overall indicator value. Multi-omics integration analysis revealed that T. afroharzianum-associated microbial taxa were strongly associated with hormone signaling, redox homeostasis, mineral transport, and secondary metabolism under salinity stress. Particularly, Streptomyces and Luteibacter were the two genera most strongly associated with plant growth traits, whereas Rhizobium and Mucilaginibacter showed stronger positive correlations with tissue Na[+] accumulation. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into T. afroharzianum-mediated salinity tolerance in sorghum and highlight its potential as a microbial biostimulant, warranting further validation across diverse sorghum genotypes in field conditions.},
}

@article {pmid42679744,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, S and Wang, C and Li, J and Ye, L and Liu, F and Tuersong, W and Li, J and Zhang, J and Zhang, Y and Liu, H and Hu, M},
title = {Symbiotic Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is associated with ivermectin resistance in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus via metabolic detoxification.},
journal = {International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance},
volume = {32},
number = {},
pages = {100668},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpddr.2026.100668},
pmid = {42679744},
issn = {2211-3207},
abstract = {Anthelmintic resistance constitutes a global threat to the control of parasitic nematodes. Current research has primarily focused on parasite-intrinsic genetic mechanisms, while the contribution of the symbiotic microbial community remains a key knowledge gap. Here, we report that ivermectin (IVM) resistance in the gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus is associated with the abundance of the bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. A representative strain, designated SM1, was isolated from resistant populations, and its abundance was associated with the resistant phenotype. Depletion of SM1 increased larval susceptibility to IVM, whereas reintroduction of the bacterium partially enhanced IVM tolerance. Metabolic analysis indicated that SM1 converts IVM into demethylated and oxo-derivatives (M1, M4, and M7). Using in silico analysis, the putative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (Cmp08160) with a possible participation in IVM biotransformation was identified. Collectively, these findings suggest that symbiotic bacteria can influence IVM susceptibility in H. contortus and highlight the relevance of considering host-microbiota interactions in studies of anthelmintic resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42668639,
year = {2026},
author = {Schmidt, A and Tan, ADY and Li, J and Kirkendale, L and Li, R},
title = {δ[13]C as a Continuum: Tissue-Based, Ontogenetic, and Interspecific Variation in Carbon Sourcing of a Photosymbiotic Bivalve (Subfamily Fraginae).},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {9},
pages = {e74241},
pmid = {42668639},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Photosymbiotic marine invertebrates derive carbon from both symbiont photosynthesis and heterotrophic feeding, yet the relative contribution of each source is often inferred from bulk tissue δ[13]C values without accounting for intertissue and intraspecific variations. Here, we measured δ[13]C in three tissues (mantle, gill, and foot) of the photosymbiotic bivalve Fragum unedo (subfamily Fraginae) across a range of body sizes from Gathaagudu (Shark Bay), Western Australia, and compiled published δ[13]C data from marine mollusks and cnidarians spanning photosymbiotic, chemosymbiotic, and non-symbiotic nutritional modes. Within F. unedo, δ[13]C differed consistently among tissues: the symbiont-free foot was enriched by approximately 1.1‰ relative to the mantle and 1.6‰ relative to the gill, which is consistent with bulk mixing between host and symbiont biomass in symbiont-bearing tissue, and also may be due to post-photosynthetic fractionation during metabolite translocation from symbiont-bearing source tissues to heterotrophic sink tissues. δ[13]C values also increased with body size, with a total ontogenetic shift of approximately 3‰ between the smallest and largest individuals, suggesting a progressive increase in reliance on symbiont-derived carbon through growth. Both tissue and size effects are comparable in magnitude to the differences commonly used to distinguish nutritional modes among taxa, indicating that tissue selection and developmental stage can directly alter carbon source assignments. The compiled dataset reveals that chemosymbiotic, photosymbiotic, and non-symbiotic taxa do not occupy discrete isotopic categories but instead form a continuous δ[13]C gradient with substantial overlap between nutritional modes. The values for F. unedo fall within the photosymbiotic range but near its lower boundary, consistent with a mixed nutritional strategy. These results demonstrate that δ[13]C is a valuable tracer of carbon sourcing in symbiotic systems but should be interpreted as a continuous variable shaped by tissue identity, ontogeny, and environmental context rather than as a categorical marker of symbiotic state.},
}

@article {pmid42669365,
year = {2026},
author = {Meng, Q and Xia, Y and Liu, F and Yan, B and Yang, J and Shi, L and Zhang, M and Wu, J},
title = {In situ fermentation-coupled symbiosis of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms and microalgae for efficient nutrient removal and sludge reduction in low carbon-to-nitrogen ratios wastewater.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {463},
number = {},
pages = {135748},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135748},
pmid = {42669365},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Microalgae-bacteria consortia (MBC) integrated with polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) treat wastewater sustainably, but face excess sludge and light-dark mismatch issues. This study developed in situ fermentation-coupled photo simultaneous nitrification-denitrification phosphorus removal (F/P-SNDPR) systems by incorporating fermentative PAOs into MBC for low carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C/N) wastewater. The effects of light-dark cycles on nutrient removal, sludge fermentation, and microbial dynamics were investigated. Under an optimal 16 h dark/8h light cycle, the F/P-SNDPR system achieved > 83% nitrogen and > 95% phosphorus removal, with low sludge production (312.21 mgVSS/d) and low net CO2 emissions. Prolonged light and dark phases promoted early microbial apoptosis and subsequent cell lysis, respectively, thereby facilitating fermentation. Combined dark duration and photoinhibition suppress nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, enabling stable partial nitrification. Flow cytometry and metagenomic results identified Candidatus Phosphoribacter as the primary fermentative microorganism. Its fermentation-associated genes, including LivFGHMK and Pta, facilitated volatile fatty acid (VFA) production during the dark phase. The generated VFA supported Candidatus Accumulibacter/Candidatus Competibacter to enhance nutrient removal, driven by key functional genes for polyphosphate metabolism (Ppk and Ppx) and denitrification (NirS, NirK, and NosZ). Overall, The F/P-SNDPR system offers a low-carbon strategy for efficient low C/N wastewater treatment without mechanical aeration or external carbon addition, while reducing sludge production.},
}

@article {pmid42669858,
year = {2026},
author = {Xu, Z and Zeng, A and Gao, K and Zhang, Z and Kuroiwa, Y and Kim, S and Zhao, E and Xiao, X},
title = {4.8 V and All-Climate (-60 to 55°C) All-Solid-State Batteries Enabled by Dual-Phase Symbiotic Halide Solid Electrolytes.},
journal = {Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e4852008},
doi = {10.1002/anie.4852008},
pmid = {42669858},
issn = {1521-3773},
support = {22379146//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 12475302//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022YFC2204502//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; 2025TQ09L933//Guangdong Special Talent Support Program/ ; 2023B1515120003//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 2024B1515120042//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 2023SLABFK07//Open Research Fund of Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory/ ; GYY-NYHJ-2023-WT-004//Weiqiao-UCAS Special Projects/ ; },
abstract = {Overcoming the intrinsic trade-off between high-voltage compatibility, thermal stability, and low-temperature ionic conductivity in halide solid electrolytes remains a critical challenge for advancing all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). Here, we propose a chemical symbiosis strategy to design a dual-phase halide electrolyte integrating nanocrystalline LiAlCl4 with amorphous Li-M-O-Cl (M = Ta/Al) phases. This innovative architecture synergistically combines the ultra-high-voltage stability (up to 4.8 V) of the crystalline phase with the low-energy-barrier ion transport pathways in the amorphous matrix. The designed electrolyte exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance under extreme conditions. It enables the ASSLBs to achieve a 90.5% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 4.8 V, maintain a specific capacity of 133 mA h g[-1] over 500 cycles at 55 °C and 3 C, and deliver unprecedented low-temperature performance with a capacity of 109.6 mA h g[-1] and 1800-h stability under dual extreme conditions of -60°C and 4.8 V. Comprehensive characterization reveals the amorphous phase facilitates facile percolation networks for rapid Li[+] conduction, while the nanocrystalline domains maintain structural integrity against high-voltage degradation. The electrolyte's broad compatibility with diverse cathodes (LiCoO2, LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2) also underscores its versatility for high-energy ASSLBs.},
}

@article {pmid42673952,
year = {2026},
author = {Lesterps, Z and Buhian, W and Fuchs, AL and Laffont, C and Remblière, C and Keller, J and Maillet, F and Portola, P and Mila, I and Jardinaud, MF and Delaux, PM and Pirrello, J and Reyt, G and Bensmihen, S},
title = {Co-option of a conserved lateral-root development program by symbiotic signals.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2026.07.065},
pmid = {42673952},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Nod factors (NFs) are microbial signals originally identified for their key role in the nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis in legumes. Beyond symbiosis, NFs also possess a conserved capacity to induce lateral-root formation across diverse plant species, including non-legumes. It is now well established that the nodule organogenesis program has co-opted several molecular mechanisms involved in root development, which raises the question of the developmental pathway controlled by NFs to trigger lateral-root formation and how it overlaps with nodule organogenesis in legumes. In Medicago truncatula, NF stimulation of lateral-root formation is independent of the cytokinin receptor CYTOKININ RESPONSE 1 (CRE1), a negative regulator of lateral-root formation. Here, we show that this stimulation is also independent of the NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) transcription factor, a major regulator of nodule organogenesis acting downstream of cytokinin perception. Instead, NFs stimulate lateral-root formation by influencing auxin biosynthesis and modulating auxin signaling, notably through Auxin/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID 7 (Aux/IAA7) in M. truncatula. Using reverse genetics and cross-species complementation, we show that orthologs of MtIAA7, AtIAA29 in Arabidopsis thaliana and SlIAA29 in tomato share a conserved role in lateral-root formation. MtIAA7 also interacts with AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) orthologs of AtARF7 and AtARF19, which are known to control lateral-root formation in Arabidopsis. Altogether, our findings show that NFs control a true lateral-root formation pathway, independent of the nodule organogenesis pathway in M. truncatula, by acting through a conserved auxin signaling module.},
}

@article {pmid42668154,
year = {2026},
author = {Pan, D and Li, S and Zeng, X and Guo, S},
title = {Establishment of a PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system for the orchid mycorrhizal fungus Mycena purpureofusca.},
journal = {Fungal biology},
volume = {130},
number = {6},
pages = {101808},
doi = {10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101808},
pmid = {42668154},
issn = {1878-6146},
mesh = {*Protoplasts/metabolism ; *Transformation, Genetic ; *Orchidaceae/microbiology ; *Mycorrhizae/genetics ; *Polyethylene Glycols ; Symbiosis ; *Agaricales/genetics ; China ; },
abstract = {Mycena purpureofusca is an essential symbiotic fungus associated with Gastrodia elata and Dendrobium officinale, two economically important medicinal and edible orchids in China. However, the lack of an efficient and stable genetic transformation system has limited research on orchid-fungal symbiosis and constrained the development of improved fungal strains. In this study, we established an efficient PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system for M. purpureofusca using the pCAMBIA1303 vector. Key parameters affecting protoplast preparation were evaluated by step-wise single-factor experiments followed by orthogonal optimization, including fungal age, osmotic stabilizer, lywallzyme concentration, digestion temperature, and digestion time. The highest protoplast yield was obtained from 24-h-old mycelia digested with 2.5% lywallzyme in 0.8 M KCl at 24°C for 4 h, resulting in 8.90 × 10[6] protoplasts/mL. Protoplast regeneration efficiency reached 3.54% on SGAY medium. Seven hygromycin-resistant isolates remained stable after three rounds of selective subculture, and five were confirmed by diagnostic PCR, corresponding to a stable transformation frequency of 4.3% based on the total regenerants obtained on non-selective regeneration plates. This transformation system provides a useful genetic tool for functional studies in M. purpureofusca and for future investigations of orchid-fungal symbiosis.},
}

*Protoplasts/metabolism
*Transformation, Genetic
*Orchidaceae/microbiology
*Mycorrhizae/genetics
*Polyethylene Glycols
Symbiosis
*Agaricales/genetics
China

@article {pmid42668160,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, J and Yang, QP and Smagghe, G and Wei, S and Xu, M},
title = {Diversity and functional plasticity of root-associated fungi of Pinus massoniana in bauxite mine restoration areas.},
journal = {Fungal biology},
volume = {130},
number = {6},
pages = {101815},
doi = {10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101815},
pmid = {42668160},
issn = {1878-6146},
mesh = {*Pinus/microbiology ; *Plant Roots/microbiology ; *Mycorrhizae/classification/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology ; Mining ; Phylogeny ; DNA, Fungal/genetics/chemistry ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Biodiversity ; *Fungi/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Symbiosis ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics/chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data ; },
abstract = {Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play a key role in plant establishment and stress tolerance, yet their diversity and functional roles in mining restoration systems remain insufficiently resolved. In the present study, we investigated the culturable fungal community associated with ectomycorrhizal root tips of Pinus massoniana in bauxite rehabilitation areas, with particular attention to their symbiotic capacity and ecological roles. Fungi were isolated from root tips and sporocarps, identified using ITS sequencing, and evaluated through seedling inoculation experiments. A total of 25 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were recovered from root-tip isolates, representing Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota. Several classical ectomycorrhizal taxa, including Suillus luteus, S. bovinus, and Phlebopus portentosus, formed typical ectomycorrhizal structures with P. massoniana. In addition, fungi not traditionally regarded as ectomycorrhizal, such as Schizophyllum commune, were able to form ectomycorrhizal-like associations. Other isolates, including Epicoccum nigrum, Trametes versicolor, and Morchella sp., colonized roots through dark septate hyphae and microsclerotia, indicating alternative interaction strategies. These results support the view that root-associated fungi in stressed environments encompass a continuum of ecological roles rather than discrete functional categories. The ability of some taxa to adopt multiple interaction modes suggests a degree of ecological plasticity that may be important for host adaptation in disturbed habitats. From an applied perspective, the identification of stress-tolerant EMF and facultative fungi highlights their potential use in the restoration of degraded mining ecosystems. Further work is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these interactions and their persistence under field conditions.},
}

*Pinus/microbiology
*Plant Roots/microbiology
*Mycorrhizae/classification/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology
Mining
Phylogeny
DNA, Fungal/genetics/chemistry
Sequence Analysis, DNA
*Biodiversity
*Fungi/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Symbiosis
DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics/chemistry
Molecular Sequence Data

@article {pmid42665237,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, L and Wei, D and Li, Y and Chen, X},
title = {Algae-to-host horizontal gene transfer in Paramecium bursaria is associated with host adaptation during endosymbiosis.},
journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108726},
doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108726},
pmid = {42665237},
issn = {1095-9513},
abstract = {Paramecium bursaria maintains a stable endosymbiosis with green algae, yet the evolutionary consequences of this association remain unclear. Here, we screened the host genome for algal-derived horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) using a lineage-aware workflow designed to detect horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between two defined lineages. We identified 16 candidate HTGs, including four putative newly transferred genes and 12 homologous transferred genes, most of which were functionally associated with redox homeostasis and metabolism. Five HTGs showed symbiosis-dependent expression. RNAi knockdown of GH32s and SATs reduced host proliferation, total cell area, and motility, while GH32s knockdown also reduced endosymbiont load. Duplication patterns suggest that most transfers may have occurred after the P. bursaria lineage diverged from the sampled Paramecium species but before its lineage-specific whole-genome duplication (WGD). The HTGs also showed host-associated shifts in GC content and gene length, while representative HTGs retained conserved domains and functional motifs. Together, our results support algae-to-host HGT in P. bursaria and suggest that some transferred genes may contribute to metabolic integration during endosymbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid42665540,
year = {2026},
author = {Tang, J and Yao, J and Qiao, L and Liang, P},
title = {Engineering nitrogen-fixing symbiosis: bridging signaling and intracellular entry.},
journal = {Trends in microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2026.08.004},
pmid = {42665540},
issn = {1878-4380},
abstract = {Nitrogen availability is a major constraint on plant growth and agricultural productivity. Legumes and several other plant lineages circumvent this limitation by establishing symbiotic associations with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, which convert atmospheric dinitrogen into ammonia that the host assimilates. Since root nodules were first recognized as sites of biological nitrogen fixation in the late 19th century, engineering this capacity in nonlegume crops has remained a long-standing goal. However, two key challenges remain: enabling intracellular rhizobial infection and establishing a molecular framework that supports nitrogen fixation. Recent advances in the molecular, cellular, and evolutionary mechanisms underlying root nodule symbiosis now provide a conceptual framework toward this goal. In this review, we synthesize these advances and outline staged strategies for engineering nitrogen-fixing symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid42667208,
year = {2026},
author = {Crossman, SG and Wang, M and Nowotarski, SH and McClain, ML and Sankari, S},
title = {3D MicroCT Imaging of Medicago sativa Root Nodules.},
journal = {Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE},
volume = {},
number = {234},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3791/71686},
pmid = {42667208},
issn = {1940-087X},
mesh = {*Medicago sativa/microbiology/anatomy & histology ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; *Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods ; *X-Ray Microtomography/methods ; Sinorhizobium meliloti ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {The symbiotic relationship between the legume Medicago sativa and the soil bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti results in the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Traditional destructive methods, including paraffin sectioning, vibratome sectioning, and cryosectioning, have been applied to visualize how bacteria occupy the nodule, making it extremely difficult to obtain reliable three-dimensional information. These approaches are often combined with fluorescent labeling or staining, which can introduce additional stress affecting plant growth and nodule formation. MicroCT has emerged as a relatively quick, easy, and robust tool for plant biology that can non-destructively visualize plant histological features in three dimensions (3D), thereby avoiding destructive artifacts during sample preparation and ensuring high-fidelity 3D reconstruction. While microCT has been applied to legume root nodules, a detailed established protocol that documents the process from plant harvest and sample preparation to scanning and software visualization is lacking. In this study, we show a step-by-step microCT workflow using Medicago sativa as a model. The protocol includes nodule excision from roots, fixation, contrast enhancement, mounting, scanning, and three-dimensional reconstruction. Critical parameters affecting elements such as image quality, tissue preservation, and contrast are highlighted. Using this approach, it is possible to visualize the overall tissue organization, bacteroid-infected cells, and vascular bundles in three dimensions without physically sectioning the nodules. The pipeline described here provides a reproducible method for non-destructive, high-resolution imaging of native root nodules and is likely adaptable to other legume species, offering researchers a practical tool for studying nodule structure and bacterial organization within nodules in 3D.},
}

*Medicago sativa/microbiology/anatomy & histology
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
*Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods
*X-Ray Microtomography/methods
Sinorhizobium meliloti
Symbiosis

@article {pmid42667471,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, X and Huang, J and Wu, L and Xu, T and Quan, G and Li, Y and Liu, T and Kong, L and He, X and Liu, Z and Xie, W},
title = {Effects of imbalanced gut microbial on mice with type a hepatic encephalopathy through the gut-liver-brain axis.},
journal = {Metabolic brain disease},
volume = {41},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42667471},
issn = {1573-7365},
support = {No. 2022B1111070006//This study was supported by the Tertiary Education Scientific research project of Guangzhou Municipal Education Bureau (No. 202235423; No. 202032875), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2023M740782), and the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province (No. 2022B1111070006)./ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hepatic Encephalopathy/microbiology/chemically induced/metabolism ; Mice ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology/drug effects ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; *Brain/metabolism ; Male ; *Liver/metabolism/pathology ; Thioacetamide ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Brain-Gut Axis/physiology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; *Dysbiosis ; Feces/microbiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The relationship between type A hepatic encephalopathy, a highly lethal disease, and gut microbiota remains unclear, and research on this topic is limited. The objective of our study was to investigate the correlation between an imbalance in the gut microbiota and type A hepatic encephalopathy and the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation.

METHODS: We established a mouse model of gut microbiota disorder and type A hepatic encephalopathy. Feces from grades III and IV type A hepatic encephalopathy mice were transplanted into healthy mice. Antibiotic administration, intestinal symbiosis, and pathogenicity experiments were conducted. Behavioral, biochemical, pathological, 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analyses, and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Antibiotic treatment caused a gut microbiota imbalance in mice. The degree of thioacetamide-induced type A hepatic encephalopathy was significantly aggravated after oral antibiotic administration, leading to a decline in the survival curve, accompanied by behavioral, biochemical, and pathological changes, as well as decreased Rikenellaceae levels. Transplanting feces from type A hepatic encephalopathy mice into healthy mice resulted in thioacetamide-like behavioral, biochemical, and tissue changes, as well as a significant decline in the abundance of the gut microbiota, an increase in the abundance of Prevotellaceae NK3B31, and a decrease in the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Odoribacter. Additionally, significant correlations were observed between the abundances of the four intestinal microbial species and the majority of measured indicators in mice with type A hepatic encephalopathy. Notably, Akkermansia muciniphila exhibited particularly strong associations with these indicators. Although significant between-group differences were observed for Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Candidatus Saccharimonas, Escherichia-Shigella, UCG_002, Acinetobacter, and Proteus, no significant correlations were detected between these microbial taxa and any of the measured indicators.

CONCLUSIONS: Gut microbiota disorder aggravates lesions in thioacetamide-induced type A hepatic encephalopathy mice. Transplanting feces from mice with type A hepatic encephalopathy causes healthy mice to exhibit type A hepatic encephalopathy symptoms.},
}

Animals
*Hepatic Encephalopathy/microbiology/chemically induced/metabolism
Mice
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology/drug effects
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
*Brain/metabolism
Male
*Liver/metabolism/pathology
Thioacetamide
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Brain-Gut Axis/physiology
Mice, Inbred C57BL
*Dysbiosis
Feces/microbiology
Disease Models, Animal

@article {pmid42668004,
year = {2026},
author = {Loiseau, V and Prigot-Maurice, C and Giraud, I and Paulhac, H and Laverré, T and Raimond, M and Beltran-Bech, S and Braquart-Varnier, C},
title = {Sex-specific survival and absence of Wolbachia-mediated protection during invertebrate iridescent virus 31 infection in Armadillidium vulgare.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108724},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2026.108724},
pmid = {42668004},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Invertebrate Iridescent Virus 31 (IIV-31, or Iridovirus armadillidium1) is a large double-stranded DNA virus that induces iridescence and high mortality in terrestrial isopods. Despite its broad distribution, its pathogenic mechanisms and interactions with host immunity and endosymbionts are poorly understood. We examined the effects of IIV-31 infection on survival, hemocyte concentration and viability, septicemia, and viral load in Armadillidium vulgare, while testing for protective effects of the feminizing endosymbiont Wolbachia (wVulC strain). Virgin adults from asymbiotic (males and females) and Wolbachia-symbiotic (females only) lineages were experimentally infected by needle pricking. Infected individuals exhibited typical iridescence from ~6 days post-infection (dpi), culminating in 100% mortality after 80 days. Wolbachia conferred no significant survival benefit (log-rank test, p = 0.42). However, despite attaining 100% mortality in both sexes by 80 dpi, females exhibited delayed mortality kinetics compared to males (Cox proportional hazards model, p = 0.04). Infected isopods displayed a marked reduction of circulating hemocyte numbers (negative binomial GLMM, p < 0.0001) and elevated septicemia (p = 0.008), with higher septicemia in infected females relative to their controls, but no sex difference in viral load at 30 dpi (p = 0.23). These findings demonstrate that IIV-31 causes reduction of circulating hemocyte counts and opportunistic septicemia, with female-specific tolerance but no Wolbachia-mediated protection, underscoring sexual dimorphism in immune responses as a pivotal factor in isopod-iridovirus dynamics.},
}

@article {pmid42657574,
year = {2026},
author = {Pan, YN and Han, YX and Dong, KX and Liu, S and Guo, HR and Li, L and Cheng, HM and Wang, JH},
title = {Mechanism of ion homeostasis mediated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant responses to saline-alkaline stress.},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {37},
number = {7},
pages = {2453-2462},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202607.005},
pmid = {42657574},
issn = {1001-9332},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Homeostasis/physiology ; *Ions/metabolism ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Plants/metabolism/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Salt Stress/physiology ; *Alkalies ; Soil/chemistry ; Soil Microbiology ; },
abstract = {Against the backdrop of global climate change, soil salinization and alkalization have emerged as major environmental constraints on sustainable agricultural development. Salt-alkali stress primarily disrupts cellular ion homeostasis, resulting in excessive accumulation of ions such as Na[+] and Cl[-] and deficiencies of essential nutrient ions including K[+] and Ca[2+], with negative consequence on plant growth and development. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a widespread group of beneficial soil microorganisms, could establish symbiotic associations with most terrestrial plants and enhance the tolerance of host plants to salt-alkali stress through sophisticated mechanisms of ion regulation. Although increasing attention has been paid on AMF-mediated ion regulation in recent years, a systematic integration of the underlying mechanisms from the microscopic to the macroscopic level remains lacking. We summarized the key mechanisms by which AMF regulate ion uptake, transport, and metabolism of plants under salt-alkali stress, including selective ion absorption and enhanced nutrient acquisition by extraradical structures, nutrient exchange and ion compartmentalization mediated by intraradical structures, improvement of the rhizosphere environment by AMF-derived substances, and the regulation of Na[+] efflux and translocation, Na[+] and Cl[-] sequestration, as well as K[+] and Ca[2+] uptake and allocation. Collectively, these mechanisms elucidate how AMF alleviates ion toxicity and nutrient imbalance under salt-alkali stress, and provide a theoretical basis for the application of AMF in enhancing crop salt-alkali tolerance from the perspective of ion homeostasis.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Homeostasis/physiology
*Ions/metabolism
*Stress, Physiological
*Plants/metabolism/microbiology
Symbiosis
*Salt Stress/physiology
*Alkalies
Soil/chemistry
Soil Microbiology

@article {pmid42657906,
year = {2026},
author = {Speare, L and Zhao, L and Pavelsky, MN and Jackson, A and Smith, S and Tyagi, B and Sharpe, GC and Woo, M and Gifford, SM and Septer, AN},
title = {Flagella are required to activate expression of aggregation factors necessary for T6SS-mediated competition in host-like conditions.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0397024},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03970-24},
pmid = {42657906},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Bacteria employ antagonistic strategies to eliminate competitors of an ecological niche. Contact-dependent mechanisms, such as the type VI secretion system (T6SS), are prevalent in host-associated bacteria, yet we know relatively little about how T6SS+ strains make contact with competitors in highly viscous environments, such as host mucus. To better understand how cells respond to and contact one another in such environments, we performed a genome-wide transposon mutant screen of the T6SS-wielding beneficial bacterial symbiont, Vibrio fischeri MJ11, and identified two sets of genes that are conditionally required for killing. We found that surface modification and flagellar-associated genes do not affect T6SS directly and are therefore not required for interbacterial killing when cell contact is forced, yet are necessary for killing in high-viscosity liquid (hydrogel), where cell-cell contact must be biologically mediated. Quantitative transcriptomics revealed that V. fischeri significantly increases expression of both T6SS genes and cell surface modification factors upon transition from low- to high-viscosity media. Consistent with coincubation and fluorescence microscopy data, flagella are not required for T6SS expression in hydrogel. However, flagella were necessary to enhance expression of ~50% of the genome in hydrogel, including the surface modification genes identified in our screen and functional pathways important for host colonization, such as uptake of host-relevant iron and carbon sources, and nitric oxide detoxification enzymes. Our findings suggest that flagella play a key role when V. fischeri cells coordinately activate competitive strategies and host colonization factors, underscoring the significance of the physical environment in directing complex bacterial behaviors.IMPORTANCEThe physical environment has dramatic effects on bacterial behavior, but little is known about how mechanical signals impact antagonistic interactions. Symbiotic bacteria use molecular weapons to eliminate competitors for limited space within highly viscous host tissue and mucus. Previously, we found that a putative lipoprotein adhesin, TasL, and an unknown ligand are required to bring competitor cells within range of the T6SS weapon. Here, we found that mutations in flagella or predicted surface modification genes prevent TasL-mediated adhesion and killing in high viscosity. Transcriptomics revealed the flagella are required to coordinate expression of host colonization factors with the T6SS interbacterial weapon when transitioning from lower to higher viscosity conditions. These findings suggest that flagella may play a role in sensing mechanical signals, such as environmental viscosity, to enhance a symbiont's ability to successfully colonize the host while efficiently eliminating potential competitors from the host niche.},
}

@article {pmid42658362,
year = {2026},
author = {Majumdar, P and DasGupta, M},
title = {Molecular cartography of root nodule organogenesis: insights into the role of transcription factors.},
journal = {Plant molecular biology},
volume = {116},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {42658362},
issn = {1573-5028},
support = {PDF/2023/002103//ANRF_NPDF/ ; },
mesh = {*Root Nodules, Plant/genetics/growth & development/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Organogenesis, Plant/genetics ; Plant Root Nodulation/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Rhizobium/physiology ; },
abstract = {Nodule organogenesis is a complex developmental process which is induced post-embryonically following rhizobia infection and relies on coordinated action of a suite of transcription factors at multiple stages starting from its initiation, de novo meristem establishment and differentiation. The rewiring of nitrate-responsive NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) homolog, NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) transcription factor through genetic adaptations in the common ancestor of the nitrogen-fixing clade is crucial to the origin of nodulation trait. Moreover, nodule formation emerged through the co-option of evolutionary ancient root/lateral root developmental pathways mediated by conserved transcriptional regulators such as NF-Y, LBD16, SHR/SCR, WOX5, PLT and KNOX. Importantly, NIN has acquired functions to integrate signals from rhizobia infection and divert the existing developmental pathways towards nodule organogenesis, thereby acts as a master regulator of root nodule symbiosis. Nodule specific innovations in the existing developmental pathway genes through mechanisms like genetic adaptations in their cis-regulatory region, paralog retention, changes in spatio-temporal gene expression pattern and functional changes to the protein are crucial for imparting developmental novelty during nodule organogenesis. Here, we provide a consolidated idea on transcription factor-mediated genetic modules regulating distinct stages of nodule organogenesis with an emphasis on their nodule specific innovations. This knowledge gain is particularly important to engineer nitrogen-fixing nodules into non-nodulation crop plants which will eventually minimize the reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and thereby favors a sustainable agricultural system.},
}

*Root Nodules, Plant/genetics/growth & development/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Organogenesis, Plant/genetics
Plant Root Nodulation/genetics
Symbiosis
Rhizobium/physiology

@article {pmid42658484,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, Q and Liu, Z and Yin, Y and Su, J and Yu, D and Xing, L and Zou, Z and Kang, L and Sun, J},
title = {Symbiont-Induced HSP83 Establishes Two-Tiered Control of Antifungal Immunity in an Invasive Beetle-Fungus Complex.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e77421},
pmid = {42658484},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {32088102//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32061123002//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //Initiative Scientific Research Program of the Institute of Zoology/ ; 2024IOZ0105//Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; C2022201042//Hebei Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2026NHCTDC11001//Hainan Medical University/ ; 2023HBQZYCXY003//High-level Talent Research Funding Project of Hebei University/ ; },
abstract = {Hosts must distinguish mutualistic symbionts from antagonists while avoiding harmful immune overactivation, yet the mechanisms maintaining this balance remain unclear. This challenge is acute during biological invasions, where exposure to novel microbial communities can outpace host genetic adaptation. Dendroctonus valens (RTB) associates with its mutualistic fungus Leptographium procerum (Lp), forming an invasive beetle-fungus complex during attacks on Chinese pines. Lp fails to trigger antimicrobial peptide expression but induces the heat shock protein 83 (HSP83). The native antagonist Ophiostoma minus (Om) activates immunity through pattern recognition receptors, including PGRP-SA, PGRP-SC2, βGRP3, and βGRP5. HSP83 modulates these responses through two-tiered negative regulation. First, it associates with PGRP-SA, βGRP3, and βGRP5 to attenuate Om detection. Second, it interacts with NF-κB-like factor Dorsal to limit antimicrobial peptide production. This symbiont-induced regulation enables selective defense, supporting RTB survival during combined Lp and Om exposure while limiting excessive Toll-dependent PRR/AMP activation and easing immune-metabolic trade-offs. These findings define a symbiont-assisted, mutation-independent mechanism of host adjustment during biological invasions, in which microbial partners provide immediate immune benefits and influence host success in novel environments.},
}

@article {pmid42661800,
year = {2026},
author = {Edis, G and Sahin, E and Keskin, E and Akata, I},
title = {Identification and complete genome characterization of two new partitiviruses hosted by the lichenized fungus Calogaya decipiens.},
journal = {Virusdisease},
volume = {37},
number = {2},
pages = {213-219},
pmid = {42661800},
issn = {2347-3584},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Lichens represent complex symbiotic systems consisting of a fungal partner and photosynthetic microorganisms, and they could also harbor diverse associated microbiota including viruses. Despite increasing interest in mycoviruses from filamentous fungi, viruses infecting lichenized fungi remain poorly characterized. In this study, we identified and molecularly characterized two novel double-stranded RNA viruses infecting the lichenized fungus Calogaya decipiens (Arnold) Arup, Frödén & Søchting. Viral sequences were detected from dsRNA-enriched extracts of a surface-sterilized lichen thallus using random PCR amplification and high-throughput sequencing. Genome analyses revealed that both viruses possess bipartite genomes typical of members of the family Partitiviridae, each consisting of two dsRNA segments encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and a capsid protein (CP). The genome segments of Calogaya decipiens partitivirus 1 (CdPV1) and Calogaya decipiens partitivirus 2 (CdPV2) range from 1861 to 2283 bp and contain single open reading frames. Phylogenetic analysis based on RdRp amino acid sequences placed CdPV1 within the genus Alphapartitivirus, whereas CdPV2 clustered with members of the genus Betapartitivirus. Conserved catalytic motifs characteristic of dsRNA virus polymerases were identified in both RdRps. Sequence identity comparisons with related viruses supported the classification of CdPV1 and CdPV2 as representatives of two novel partitivirus species. To our knowledge, this study represents the first report of mycoviruses infecting the lichenized fungus C. decipiens.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-026-00966-w.},
}

@article {pmid42662665,
year = {2026},
author = {Songsri, J and Sutthanut, K and Wandee, R and Weerapreeyakul, N and Srisongkram, T and Songsermsakul, P and Srisuk, P and Tippayawat, P},
title = {Comparative analysis of freeze-drying and spray-drying on the physicochemical modulation and symbiotic functionality of egg white for Bifidobacterium animalis.},
journal = {Food chemistry: X},
volume = {38},
number = {},
pages = {104300},
pmid = {42662665},
issn = {2590-1575},
abstract = {This study investigates the physicochemical modulation of egg white (EW) via targeted drying to develop dual-action protectants and prebiotics for Bifidobacterium animalis. Using yeast desugarization, freeze-drying (FDEW), and spray-drying (SDEW), we elucidated significant process-induced transformations. FTIR-PCA mapped distinct protein conformational shifts, highlighting heat-induced aggregation and the generation of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) during spray-drying. These chemical modifications strategically altered EW functionality. Desugared FDEW demonstrated superior cryoprotective efficacy, maintaining 63-94% B. animalis viability during lyophilization by mitigating detrimental MRP formation and osmotic stress, outperforming skim milk control. Conversely, heat-induced protein aggregation and MRP synthesis in SDEW prevented the complete mortality of probiotics under severe thermal stress. Furthermore, these thermally modified SDEW matrices exhibited remarkable prebiotic potential, significantly enhancing B. animalis growth kinetics beyond commercial inulin. Ultimately, modulating processing conditions systematically alter EW's structural composition, transforming a ubiquitous ingredient into a highly functional symbiotic delivery system.},
}

@article {pmid42662997,
year = {2026},
author = {Lombard, R and Wang, W and Chervonsky, A and Dalal, S and Cohen, RD and Sakuraba, A and Rubin, DT and Weber, CR and Pekow, J},
title = {FUT2 non-secretor status is not associated with disease phenotype or outcomes in patients with Crohn's disease.},
journal = {Crohn's & colitis 360},
volume = {8},
number = {3},
pages = {otag094},
pmid = {42662997},
issn = {2631-827X},
abstract = {PURPOSE: The fucosyltransferase 2 gene (FUT2) is responsible for the regulation of mucosal blood type antigens which can act as receptors for bacterial adhesion and regulate intestinal flora. A homozygous nonsense mutation in this gene leads to the absence of these antigens, termed FUT2 non-secretor status, and is associated with the development of Crohn's disease (CD). The mechanism of this association is likely via changes in homeostatic symbiosis, thus promoting development of inflammation. However, the impact of FUT2 genotype on CD phenotype and outcomes is not known.

METHODS: Subjects were prospectively enrolled into a single-center translational IBD registry. All patients with CD who had available DNA extracted from peripheral blood for genotyping were included. Genotyping was performed using the rs601338-AA SNP, which represents the nonsense mutation (428GA) shown to be causing non-secretor status. Baseline demographics, disease phenotype, CD-related surgeries, and hospitalizations were also assessed retrospectively and statistically compared based on FUT2 genotype.

RESULTS: 635 patients with CD were included in the analysis, including 178 FUT2 wild-type (WT), 314 heterozygous (HET) and 143 homozygous (O) patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 8 years and 2 months. There were no statistically significant differences detected between genotypes when comparing sex, race, smoking status, body-mass index, and age of onset. Presence of extra-intestinal manifestations including arthritis, uveitis, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum and primary sclerosing cholangitis, as well as disease location and behavior were also found to be similar when compared between O and WT, O and HET, and O and HET plus WT populations. The mean number of biologics used between groups was 1.50 (O), 1.39 (HET)and 1.42 (WT) (P = .55), with no difference in total duration of biologic therapy between groups. 60.8% of O patients used immunomodulators compared to 54.8% of HET and 59.6% of WT patients. In addition, there were no differences between groups in the number of patients who required more than one CD-related hospitalization (O = 30.1%, HET = 34.1%, WT = 30.3%) or surgery (O = 32.2%, HET = 39.5%, WT = 32%).

CONCLUSION: In this single-center analysis of 635 patients with CD, the FUT2 genotype was not associated with disease phenotype, disease severity, or clinical outcomes. These data suggest that while lack of fucosylation is associated with developing CD, it does not play a major role in driving disease progression.},
}

@article {pmid42646148,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Z and Wang, N and Zhang, H and Qian, B and Wang, D and Wang, Y},
title = {Establishment of an Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Gene Disruption System in the Lichen-Forming Fungus Umbilicaria muhlenbergii.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42646148},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {32422003//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; XDB0810000//Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {Lichen-forming fungi establish intimate symbiotic associations with photosynthetic partners and play important roles in diverse ecosystems, but functional genetic studies in these organisms remain limited by the lack of efficient genome-editing tools. In this study, we established an efficient CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene disruption system in Umbilicaria muhlenbergii. Using this system, we achieved the targeted disruption of six candidate transcription factors with a high replacement efficiency of up to 65.0%. No off-target mutations were detected in any of the three independent mutants examined for each target gene. Preliminary phenotypic characterization of the resulting mutants revealed that disruption of UmSOM1 markedly impaired fungal growth, induced pseudohyphal development, and altered colony morphology and pigmentation. Compared with conventional homologous recombination, the CRISPR-Cas9 system substantially improved gene disruption efficiency, thereby overcoming a major limitation in the genetic manipulation of lichen-forming fungi. This system provides a robust platform for functional genomic studies and will accelerate investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal-algal symbiosis and morphological transitions in lichen-forming fungi.},
}

@article {pmid42646465,
year = {2026},
author = {Shan, X and Wang, Y and Wang, W and Wang, M and Yue, S and Qin, F and Dong, M and Ahmed, W and Li, L and Lin, S and Mehmood, S and Li, W},
title = {Evaluation of Redox-Mediated Responses of Coral Symbiotic Dinoflagellates to Nano-Selenium.},
journal = {Marine drugs},
volume = {24},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42646465},
issn = {1660-3397},
support = {2024ZRBSHZ148//Ministry of Natural Resources and provincial authorities in China/ ; KYQD(ZR)-21018//Hainan University/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Dinoflagellida/drug effects/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction/drug effects ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; Antioxidants/pharmacology/metabolism ; *Anthozoa ; *Selenium/pharmacology/chemistry ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects ; *Nanoparticles/chemistry ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; },
abstract = {This study investigated species-specific physiological and redox responses of two coral symbiotic dinoflagellates, Cladocopium sp. and Durusdinium sp., to green-synthesized nano-selenium (SeNP) gradients, with implications for eco-friendly marine antifouling. Growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and osmo-protectants were assessed to elucidate mechanisms. Both species exhibited a biphasic (hormetic) response, with stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high levels. At 50-100 mg L[-1], Cladocopium sp. showed enhanced growth, pigments, antioxidant activity, and osmotic regulation, with reduced oxidative stress, indicating improved redox homeostasis. In contrast, ≥150 mg L[-1] disrupted redox balance and suppressed growth. Durusdinium sp. displayed slower growth but maintained stable pigments, consistent antioxidant activity, and low MDA, reflecting a tolerance-oriented strategy. Overall, SeNPs synergistically regulate antioxidant systems and osmotic homeostasis to balance the intracellular redox status of symbiotic dinoflagellates, indicating their potential as antioxidant agents to improve the growth performance of symbiotic dinoflagellates in coral nursery cultivation.},
}

Animals
*Dinoflagellida/drug effects/metabolism
Oxidation-Reduction/drug effects
Symbiosis/drug effects
Antioxidants/pharmacology/metabolism
*Anthozoa
*Selenium/pharmacology/chemistry
Oxidative Stress/drug effects
Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects
*Nanoparticles/chemistry
Photosynthesis/drug effects

@article {pmid42647619,
year = {2026},
author = {Da-Anoy, J and Chen, MH and Bouchie, A and Dougherty, J and Lapadula, AKH and Skena, A and Wang, W and Abraham, T and Thompson, KR and Jasnos, O and Toyama, KS and Ayivor, J and Diya, O and Gilmore, TD and Davies, SW},
title = {Algae-specific immune modulation influences responses to heat and pathogen challenge in a symbiotic coral.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {12},
number = {35},
pages = {eady0833},
pmid = {42647619},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology/immunology/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Hot Temperature ; Vibrio/physiology ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology ; Oxidative Stress ; Transcriptome ; },
abstract = {The role of symbiotic algae in coral life history and host health is well documented, but the immune and physiological trade-offs of hosting these symbionts remain less explored. While association with the algal symbionts of the genus Durusdinium is known to confer thermotolerance, it has also been linked to coral tissue loss under stress. We investigated whether algal type influences host immunity and stress responses in the tropical coral Pocillopora acuta. Durusdinium-hosting (D-hosting) P. acuta have distinct transcriptomic profiles, higher immune-related gene expression, and elevated baseline levels of immunity transcription factor nuclear factor κB as compared to corals hosting Cladocopium (C-hosting). Under heat challenge, D-hosting P. acuta exhibited tissue loss, oxidative stress, and immune and microbial dysregulation, whereas C-hosting P. acuta were more susceptible to bleaching, metabolic dysregulation, and decline in nitrogen-fixing and antioxidant-producing bacteria. Last, infection with the bacterium Vibrio coralliilyticus caused high tissue loss in D-hosting corals but not in C-hosting corals. Our results suggest a mechanism for how Durusdinium association enhances thermotolerance yet predisposes corals to tissue damage under stress, suggesting immune trade-offs that can compromise host survival under multiple stressors.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/microbiology/immunology/genetics/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Hot Temperature
Vibrio/physiology
*Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology
Oxidative Stress
Transcriptome

@article {pmid42648148,
year = {2026},
author = {Du, X and Zhang, Z and Wang, Z and Song, W and Lin, D and Qu, F},
title = {Biochemical oxidation-mediated simultaneous removal of manganese and sulfamethazine in solar-activated algal-MnOBacteria symbiotic membrane bioreactor.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {308},
number = {Pt A},
pages = {126757},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2026.126757},
pmid = {42648148},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {The combined pollution of manganese (Mn) and sulfonamide antibiotics in eutrophic reservoir water poses urgent threat to drinking water safety. In this study, a novel solar-activated algal-MnOBacterial symbiotic membrane bioreactor (SAB-MBR) was assembled to address this issue via multiple biochemical oxidation processes. SAB-MBR achieved over 93% Mn(II) removal and reliably satisfied the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (0.1 mg/L) within 4 days. Sulfamethazine was eliminated with >99% from very beginning. This system also exhibited the highest membrane permeability (29.3 L/(m[2]·h)) and an advantageous hydraulic retention time of approximately 100 min. Illumination triggered algal extracellular organic matter (EOM) to act as natural photosensitizer, facilitating superoxide radical (O2•[-]) generation by 77% compared to non-illuminated controls. The synergistic effects between birnessite and EOM enriched highly reactive Mn(III) species, accelerating abiotic oxidation of Mn(II) and sulfamethazine. XPS and EPR analyses confirm the establishment of an efficient autocatalytic oxidation cycle. Microbial community analysis evidences the enrichment of manganese-oxidizing and organic-degrading bacteria, along with the accumulation of relevant functional genes. Elevated catalase gene expression further protected Mn(III) from H2O2-mediated reduction. Overall, SAB-MBR constitutes a low-carbon solution for efficiently addressing the combined challenges of manganese and antibiotic contamination in eutrophic reservoir water.},
}

@article {pmid42650009,
year = {2026},
author = {Franczak, J and Latif, A},
title = {Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 (MCT1) in Cancer Biology: Canonical Transport Functions, Metabolic-Epigenetic Crosstalk and Emerging Nuclear Localisation.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {18},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers18162699},
pmid = {42650009},
issn = {2072-6694},
support = {MR/W007428/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {MCT1 (encoded by SLC16A1) is a key regulator of cellular metabolism, mediating proton-coupled transport of lactate, pyruvate, ketone bodies, and other monocarboxylates across biological membranes. Long recognised for its canonical role in metabolic homeostasis and the lactate shuttle, MCT1 is now implicated in tumour-promoting processes, including metabolic symbiosis, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. Aberrant plasma membrane MCT1 (PM MCT1) expression is observed in diverse malignancies, where it may carry prognostic or predictive value, making it an attractive therapeutic target. This review integrates established metabolic functions of MCT1 with emerging evidence showing its unexpected nuclear localisation (nMCT1) and potential to modulate chromatin state through metabolite-driven epigenetic regulation. In particular, we discuss how PM MCT1 substrates such as lactate, pyruvate, and ketone bodies may influence histone modifications and gene regulation through direct or indirect metabolic mechanisms. We also examine reports of nuclear or nuclear-associated MCT1 (nMCT1) staining in immune and cancer contexts, while emphasising that functions of nMCT1 remain insufficiently validated. By distinguishing established transport biology from substrate-mediated epigenetic effects, this review highlights both the therapeutic promise of MCT1 targeting and the experimental gaps that must be addressed. We conclude by outlining priorities for future research, including orthogonal validation of putative nMCT1, improved patient stratification based on MCT1 expression and metabolic phenotype, and rational combination strategies for MCT1-directed therapies.},
}

@article {pmid42650258,
year = {2026},
author = {Dorantes-Aranda, JJ and Rottier, C and Camp, EF and Matthews, JL and Ferrier-Pagès, C},
title = {Trophic Antioxidant Transfer as a Measure for Scalable Coral Conservation Strategies.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15080994},
pmid = {42650258},
issn = {2076-3921},
support = {1184//G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP)/ ; },
abstract = {Coral reefs are increasingly threatened by elevated seawater temperatures associated with heatwaves and El Niño events. These phenomena challenge conventional management practices, highlighting an urgent need for innovative interventions to enhance reef resilience. Investigating the role of oxidative stress-one of the main explanations for coral bleaching-is central to these efforts, as excessive production of reactive oxygen species can impair coral physiology, disrupt the coral-algal symbiosis, and ultimately lead to mortality. Here, we investigated an antioxidant-rich food web approach by feeding the reef-building coral Stylophora pistillata with Artemia that had been pre-fed with (i) low-cost and in-house-produced pellets containing curcumin, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, vitamins C or E, or (ii) the phytoplankton species Pavlova lutheri, Symbiodinium sp., Nannochloropsis sp., Dunaliella salina or Synechococcus sp. Curcumin and the microalga P. lutheri offered the best protection to corals against oxidative stress, and represent the best candidates for potential scalable coral conservation interventions involving targeted feeding of antioxidants. Curcumin pellets offer a streamlined alternative to P. lutheri by eliminating the need for multi-stage microalgal culturing. Direct enrichment of Artemia with antioxidant-rich pellets simplifies production and may provide a cost-effective, scalable strategy to enhance coral resilience to oxidative stress, bleaching and potential mortality.},
}

@article {pmid42650859,
year = {2026},
author = {Tang, Z and Fan, S and Lin, G and Yuan, T and Yang, S},
title = {Advances in Imaging of Plant Ca[2+] Signaling.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom16081193},
pmid = {42650859},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {No grant number was assigned to this institutional support.//Northeast Forestry University/ ; },
mesh = {*Calcium Signaling ; *Plants/metabolism ; *Calcium/metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; *Molecular Imaging/methods ; },
abstract = {Calcium ions (Ca[2+]) function as ubiquitous second messengers that translate environmental and developmental cues into spatially and temporally defined cellular responses in plants. This review summarizes the cellular architecture and molecular mechanisms that generate, shape, and terminate Ca[2+] signals, with emphasis on plasma-membrane channels, intracellular stores, pumps, exchangers, and organelle-associated transport systems. We also examine the development of live Ca[2+] indicators, from chemical dyes and aequorin to ratiometric and single-fluorophore genetically encoded calcium indicators, and discuss principles for selecting sensors for different tissues and subcellular compartments. Recent studies have applied these tools to abiotic stress, plant immunity, polar growth, development, symbiosis, and systemic signaling. Accurate quantitative imaging nevertheless requires careful matching of sensor properties to the target cellular environment and rigorous control of motion, spectral interference, and analytical procedures. Combining improved indicators with advanced microscopy, genetic validation, and standardized data analysis should help connect distinct Ca[2+] signatures with their molecular origins and physiological roles.},
}

*Calcium Signaling
*Plants/metabolism
*Calcium/metabolism
Stress, Physiological
*Molecular Imaging/methods

@article {pmid42652430,
year = {2026},
author = {Kashkouli, M and Khajehali, J and Mehrabadi, M},
title = {Manipulation of Microbial Symbionts in Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Reveals Divergent Impacts on Insect Host Fitness and Plant Defense Modulation.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17080775},
pmid = {42652430},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {4004174//Iranian National Science Foundation (INSF)/ ; },
abstract = {Insect-microbe symbioses play pivotal roles in host ecology and plant-insect interactions, yet their species-specific functions in agricultural pests remain less understood. This study elucidates the functional role of symbiotic microbial communities in mediating insect host fitness and plant defense responses in two economically important whitefly species, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Using integrated molecular and physiological approaches, we characterized species-specific responses to antibiotic treatments (rifampicin and tetracycline) and their cascading effects on tripartite plant-insect-microbe interactions. In B. tabaci, antibiotic exposure induced significant depletion of the obligate symbiont Portiera and facultative Rickettsia (except for tetracycline-mediated Portiera proliferation), correlating with enhanced plant immune responses. In parallel, antibiotic treatments increased the titers of Hamiltonella and Rickettsia alongside constitutive plant defense suppression in T. vaporariorum, though tetracycline uniquely induced AOS expression elevation. Developmental assays revealed stage-specific vulnerabilities, with late nymphal and pupal stages showing high sensitivity to symbiont disruption, culminating in complete mortality within 40-50 d post-treatment. These findings show that microbial symbionts are essential to whitefly nutrition and evasion of plant anti-herbivore defenses. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for understanding symbiont-assisted invasion success in these whitefly species and underscore the potential of microbiome-targeted approaches for sustainable whitefly management.},
}

@article {pmid42652469,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, Y and Jiang, X and Wang, D and Dong, Q and Zhang, X and Wang, Y and Ye, W},
title = {Transcriptional Reshaping of Bacteriocytes in the Aphid-Serratia Symbiosis.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17080815},
pmid = {42652469},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {25JRRK003//Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Department/ ; No. 2026JY01//Longnan City Science and Technology Plan Project/ ; },
abstract = {The facultative endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica significantly influences the ecological fitness of its aphid host. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Serratia affects the host's symbiotic organ, the bacteriocyte, remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of bacteriocytes from Serratia- and Serratia+ pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) strains. Our analysis revealed that Serratia colonization extensively modulates gene expression within bacteriocytes. Key metabolic pathways were significantly altered: genes involved in ribosomal biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation were upregulated, while those in fatty acid biosynthesis were downregulated. Furthermore, we observed a complex reshaping of the immune profile, characterized by a broad downregulation of immune recognition and signaling components alongside an upregulation of specific effector genes and antioxidant enzymes. These findings suggest that Serratia induces a state of enhanced anabolic capacity and energy production in bacteriocytes, coupled with strategic reallocation of resources and a finely tuned immune response that balances symbiont tolerance with control. Our RT-qPCR validation confirmed the RNA-seq results, further supporting these results. This study provides the first bacteriocyte-specific transcriptomic resource for the aphid-Serratia interaction system, offering novel insights into the molecular integration of a facultative symbiont into host physiology.},
}

@article {pmid42652525,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, PR and Shelomi, M},
title = {Effect of Protein Supplementation on the Gut Microbiome of Omnivorous and Herbivorous Goliath Beetles.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17080871},
pmid = {42652525},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {NSTC-114-2311-B-002-017//National Science and Technology Council/ ; 113L7801//Ministry of Education/ ; },
abstract = {Scarab beetles depend on gut microbes for digestive enzymes. Some species' microbiomes show taxonomic conservation regardless of diet, while others have conserved functional profiles. We compared the hindgut microbiomes of two Cetoniinae beetle larvae: the obligately saproxylophagous Mecynorrhinella poggei and the omnivorous/predatory Goliathus goliatus, which requires protein supplementation when reared artificially. Two diets with and without supplementation were used. If diet drives the microbiome, then gut microbes in protein-supplemented hosts should produce fewer lignocellulolytic enzymes and more proteinases regardless of species. If microbiome composition is conserved within a species, then Mecynorrhinella is expected to have more lignocellulolytic microbes while Goliathus should have more proteinolytic microbes regardless of diet. In this study, low-protein diets reduced G. goliatus growth, but gut microbiome composition and predicted function remained largely stable, dominated by Bacteroidales including Dysgonomonas, Proteiniphilum, and Alistipes. Mecynorrhinella's gut microbiome showed some reduced Proteiniphilum and increased Dysgonomonas relative abundance, but otherwise the microbiome composition was statistically stable with no effect of diet on growth or predicted microbiome function. These results highlight that microbiomes of closely related insects can markedly differ even if diet does not and that microbiome functional conservation tied to host physiology may occur even if greater plasticity could theoretically reduce malnutrition.},
}

@article {pmid42653362,
year = {2026},
author = {Gupta, A and Nair, S},
title = {Microbiome-Epigenome Interplay Impacts Microbial Symbiosis and Stress Adaptations in the Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens).},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27167357},
pmid = {42653362},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {Core Grants//International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology/ ; Extra-mural Grants//Department of Biotechnology/ ; Extra-mural Grants//Department of Science and Technology/ ; Senior Research Fellowship//Council of Scientific and Industrial Research/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Stress, Physiological/genetics ; *Epigenome ; *Epigenesis, Genetic ; *Adaptation, Physiological/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects/genetics ; Azacitidine/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {The gut microbiota and epigenetic processes both contribute to insect survival and adaptation; however, the relationship between these two systems remains largely unexplored. In this study, we used the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens; BPH) to explore microbiome-epigenome interactions and evaluate its impact on BPH survivability under environmental stress. Disruption of the gut microbiome using antibiotics significantly altered the epigenetic profile of various stress-responsive genes in the BPH. Similarly, perturbations in the epigenome induced by 5-azacytidine resulted in an altered microbiome with diverse metabolic capacities, thus indicating the potential role of epigenetics in maintaining microbial symbiosis in BPH. Further, analysis of gene expression profiles revealed that 5-azacytidine treatment altered the mRNA levels of various genes involved in BPH immunity, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms regulate and sustain microbial symbionts in insects by modulating their immune system. Altogether, these findings suggest an interplay between the epigenome and microbiome, that influences gene regulation and microbe-mediated regulation of shared metabolic pathways in BPH. Our results highlight new research avenues into the molecular mechanisms of symbiont-enabled herbivory and have implications for future studies on the relationship between gut microbiota and epigenetic mechanisms, the evolution of these processes and their effects on insect-plant interactions in changing environments.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Stress, Physiological/genetics
*Epigenome
*Epigenesis, Genetic
*Adaptation, Physiological/genetics
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects/genetics
Azacitidine/pharmacology

@article {pmid42653408,
year = {2026},
author = {Marczak, Ł and Strugała, A and Szuba, A},
title = {High-Throughput Analysis Reveals Stable Metabolome of Paxillus involutus Under White Light Exposure Despite Reduced Mycelium Growth.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27167405},
pmid = {42653408},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {DEC-2011/03/D/NZ9/05500//National Science Centre/ ; },
mesh = {*Metabolome/radiation effects ; *Light ; *Mycelium/growth & development/metabolism/radiation effects ; *Basidiomycota/metabolism/growth & development/radiation effects ; Metabolomics/methods ; Mycorrhizae/metabolism/growth & development/radiation effects ; Oxidative Stress ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Ectomycorrhizal fungi are rarely exposed to light in their natural soil habitat, and, in consequence, the metabolic effects of light exposure on mycelia's molecular status remain largely uncharacterized. Meanwhile, such information may fill knowledge gaps and provide baseline data to understand their ecological resilience, abiotic stress responses, and metabolic regulation. This study analyzed the impact of white light on the metabolome of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus. Mycelia were grown for six weeks under darkness (control) and white light conditions (150 μmol·m[-2]·s[-1]; 16/8 day/night periods). Treated mycelia were characterized by phenotypic alterations, mainly decreased growth and formation of more compact hyphal biomass. Although treated Paxillus had increased H2O2 concentrations, P. involutus exposed to light had unchanged malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating that light exposure does not lead to severe oxidative stress. Indeed, a high-throughput GC-MS study revealed that the metabolome of mycelia exposed to light did not differ significantly from that of the controls, with only a few compounds showing altered abundances, all of which were more abundant in the light-exposed treatment. Lyxose and ribitol showed significant differences between treatments based on unadjusted p-values, as confirmed by individual t-tests, whereas only xylonic acid remained significant after FDR correction (α = 0.05). This finding is consistent with the overall pattern observed in the PCA and suggests that subtle changes in metabolite abundances may contribute to the observed phenotypic modifications. This first high-throughput metabolomic analysis of ectomycorrhizal mycelium exposed to light indicates that, although light is commonly considered a stress factor for soil fungi, it does not cause significant modifications in the Paxillus involutus metabolome, despite visible phenotypic changes in the mycelium. Although this study focuses solely on mycelium and does not investigate different light spectra, it may help explain potential implications for symbiotic plant interactions under fluctuating light conditions in soil ecosystems.},
}

*Metabolome/radiation effects
*Light
*Mycelium/growth & development/metabolism/radiation effects
*Basidiomycota/metabolism/growth & development/radiation effects
Metabolomics/methods
Mycorrhizae/metabolism/growth & development/radiation effects
Oxidative Stress
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism

@article {pmid42653409,
year = {2026},
author = {Samarina, L and Turbekova, A and Jantassov, S and Demir, H and Kozhakhmetova, F and Begalina, A and Akzhunis, R and Aisakulova, K},
title = {Light-Root Microbiome Interactions in Vegetable Crops: From Photoreceptor Signaling to Exudate-Mediated Recruitment.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27167408},
pmid = {42653409},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {AP23488411//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan/ ; },
mesh = {*Microbiota/radiation effects ; *Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism/radiation effects ; *Light ; *Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Vegetables/microbiology/metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Rhizosphere ; },
abstract = {In protected cultivation, light intensity, spectral quality, red/far-red ratio, photoperiod and diel fluctuation can alter the belowground biological environment by modifying carbon allocation, root architecture, root exudation, nutrient acquisition, immune tone and rhizosphere physicochemistry. Direct community-level evidence in vegetables remains sparse, but targeted experiments on bacterial colonization, arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, beneficial fungi and root pathogens show that light can condition specific plant-microbe interactions. This review develops a molecular framework for light-root-microbiome interactions in protected vegetable crops and distinguishes direct community evidence, targeted colonization or symbiosis evidence, crop-specific indirect evidence and mechanistic analogues. We synthesize how photoreceptors and PIF-, HY5-, hormone- and immunity-related pathways regulate root niche construction, while also considering direct microbial photoreception. Experimental examples include tomato rhizosphere responses to shading, R:FR-dependent colonization by Serratia plymuthica, phyB-HY5-strigolactone control of tomato mycorrhization, light-intensity effects on lettuce-AMF interactions, spectrum-dependent Trichoderma harzianum colonization and light sensing by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum. The evidence supports the view that light acts as a conditional regulator whose effects depend on crop genotype, microbial partner, substrate, nutrient status and developmental stage. Progress will require factorial lighting experiments coupled with exudomics, stable-isotope tracing, absolute microbial quantification, isolate genomics, synthetic communities and pathogen-challenge assays.},
}

*Microbiota/radiation effects
*Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism/radiation effects
*Light
*Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/metabolism
Symbiosis
*Vegetables/microbiology/metabolism
Signal Transduction
Rhizosphere

@article {pmid42654236,
year = {2026},
author = {Julien, V and Carvalho, JP and Andrade, JC and Rodrigues, CF and Rajão, A},
title = {The Impact of Children's Dietary Habits on the Oral Microbiome: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18162656},
pmid = {42654236},
issn = {2072-6643},
mesh = {Humans ; *Microbiota/physiology ; *Feeding Behavior/physiology ; *Mouth/microbiology ; Child ; *Diet ; Oral Health ; Dysbiosis ; Child, Preschool ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: The oral microbiome plays a central role in maintaining oral health from early life, with childhood representing a critical period for its establishment and long-term stability. While many environmental factors influence this dynamic microbial ecosystem, diet is distinct in being both universal and highly modifiable. This systematic review aims to evaluate and synthesize current evidence regarding the impact and mechanisms of distinct dietary habits, food matrices, and nutritional components on the composition, diversity, and ecological resilience of the pediatric oral microbiome. Methods: A literature review aligned with PRISMA guidelines was conducted via digital searches on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases (January 2015-December 2025). Search strategies combined MeSH terms and keywords targeting "Microbiota", "Mouth", "Child", "Diet", and "Oral health". Results: From 1068 records identified, 16 relevant articles met the inclusion criteria. Dietary habits may influence taxonomic and functional profiles. Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, sucrose-rich sodas, and sweet treats induces notable dysbiosis and enriches acidogenic/aciduric taxa. Conversely, protective food matrices, including probiotic-fortified dairy products, polyol-based sugar-free chewing gums (xylitol and maltitol), bovine milk, and bioactive-rich agents like green tea, actively suppress cariogenic pathways (specifically Streptococcus mutans) and support commensal, health-associated genera without disrupting overall microbial structures. Conclusions: Diet represents an important modifiable factor shaping the pediatric oral microbiome, capable of either driving dysbiosis or reinforcing symbiosis. Cultivating a microbiome-informed dietary approach early in childhood supports a resilient microbial architecture, offering a non-invasive, public health framework for long-term oral and systemic disease prevention.},
}

Humans
*Microbiota/physiology
*Feeding Behavior/physiology
*Mouth/microbiology
Child
*Diet
Oral Health
Dysbiosis
Child, Preschool

@article {pmid42654515,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Tian, Y and Tian, J and Xie, Q},
title = {Biodeterioration Control of the Longhu Pagoda Stone Heritage, China: Identification of Deteriogens and Evaluation of Biocidal Efficacy.},
journal = {Materials (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {19},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ma19163361},
pmid = {42654515},
issn = {1996-1944},
support = {22372131//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Longhu Pagoda, a national key cultural heritage site located at the southern foot of Hushan Mountain in Liubao, Jinan, Shandong Province, is a masterpiece of Tang-dynasty stone pagoda architecture and a core component of the Shentong Temple heritage complex alongside the Four Gates Pagoda. The pagoda features a distinctive "Tang-dynasty body, Song-dynasty crown" structure: its stone base and main body, carved with intricate high-reliefs of dragons, tigers, heavenly kings, arhats, and apsaras, date back to the late Tang Dynasty (717-845 AD), while the brick eaves and roof were reconstructed during the Northern Song Dynasty. Severely threatened by biodeterioration induced by bryophytes, lichens, and associated microorganisms, the pagoda's exquisitely carved stone surface has undergone irreversible aesthetic degradation and structural weakening, threatening its thousand-year-old artistic integrity. Biocide treatment is a commonly adopted strategy for stone heritage conservation. This study aims to characterize the specific biodeteriogens colonizing Longhu Pagoda and evaluate the efficacy of various biocides for targeted conservation intervention. In this study, biological samples collected from Longhu Pagoda were first identified: bryophyte samples contained chloroplasts, with some having morphological characteristics similar to Pottiaceae or Grimmiaceae; symbiotic algae isolated from lichen samples were identified as Chlorella sp.; four dominant fungal strains were isolated via morphological observation and molecular sequencing (ITS), namely Aspergillus niger (F1), Trichoderma yunnanense (F2), Talaromyces ruber (F3), and Aspergillus aflatoxiformans (F4). On this basis, the inhibitory effects of different biocides on dominant deteriorating organisms were systematically evaluated via chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, algal growth inhibition tests, and oxford cup assays, combined with field verification on Longhu Pagoda. The optimal biocide with stable inhibition efficacy and favorable stone compatibility was screened out. The results provide technical support for the biological conservation of Longhu Pagoda and similar stone cultural relics suffering from microbial biodeterioration.},
}

@article {pmid42654921,
year = {2026},
author = {Youne Oumnia, A and Mounia, AY and Kaoutar, O and Said, R and Mohammed, B and Kaddouri, H and Najib, AM and Bacem, M and Abdessamad, T and Hanane, D and Nazameen, H and Khan, Y and Lahcen, O},
title = {Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation Reshapes Chemotype, Nutritional Status, and Metabolic Signatures to Enhance Bioactivity in Origanum compactum Benth.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants15162518},
pmid = {42654921},
issn = {2223-7747},
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish a reciprocal interaction with plant roots, enhancing nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and the production of bioactive metabolites. These symbiotic fungi represent a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve the quality and yield of medicinal and aromatic plants such as Oregano (Origanum compactum). In this study, we investigated the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on the chemical composition, nutritional profile, and biological activities of Oregano cultivated under greenhouse conditions. Compared with non-mycorrhizal plants, mycorrhizal-inoculated plants showed approximately 33% higher protein content and 28% higher total sugar content, while lipid concentration decreased slightly by about 7%. Mycorrhizal inoculation also promoted the accumulation of secondary metabolites, resulting in increased concentrations of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents by approximately 33% and 25%, respectively. These compositional changes were associated with markedly enhanced antioxidant capacity, exceeding that of the reference antioxidant, as well as improved antibacterial activity, characterized by larger inhibition zones and lower minimum inhibitory concentrations against tested pathogens. Overall, mycorrhizal fungal inoculation reshaped the chemical composition and the major bioactive compounds of Oregano, thereby enhancing its nutritional and antimicrobial potential. These findings highlight the potential of AMF-based cultivation strategies to improve the phytochemical quality and medicinal potential of Oregano while supporting sustainable agricultural production.},
}

@article {pmid42654956,
year = {2026},
author = {Ali, I and Xu, X},
title = {Root Transporters Shape Rhizosphere Microbiomes to Enhance Nitrogen Acquisition Efficiency in Plants.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081609},
pmid = {42654956},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Y20250055//Foreign Expert Project/ ; 32471644//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2023LFR052//Talent Startup Program of Zhejiang A&F University Research and Development Fund/ ; },
abstract = {Root nitrogen acquisition is a central belowground process that determines how efficiently plants capture nitrogen from the rhizosphere and influences fertilizer demand and environmental nitrogen losses. Root N transporters, including nitrate, ammonium, amino acid, and peptide transporters, provide the molecular basis for inorganic and organic N uptake. However, root N acquisition is not determined solely by plant transport systems but is also shaped by rhizosphere microbial communities that regulate N mobilization, transformation, and availability. In addition to bacteria and archaea, saprotrophic fungi and mycorrhizal associations contribute to organic matter decomposition, N mineralization, and symbiotic N transfer. Mechanistically, transporter activity may alter rhizosphere N gradients and substrate availability, while root exudates and microbial metabolites can influence microbial recruitment, root physiology, and transporter expression. Evidence from rice NRT1.1B and OsLHT1 suggests that specific N transporter genes can influence rhizosphere microbiome assembly, although direct genetic evidence remains limited to a small number of transporter systems and crop contexts. This review synthesizes current knowledge on root N transporter diversity, rhizosphere microbial N cycling, organic N availability, and transporter-microbiome feedbacks in root-level N acquisition. By integrating plant physiology, soil microbiology, and rhizosphere ecology, this review proposes a conceptual framework in which root N transporters and microbial communities act as interconnected components of belowground N acquisition. Future integration of transporter-informed breeding, microbiome management, and fertilization strategies may improve root N capture while reducing reliance on synthetic N inputs.},
}

@article {pmid42654973,
year = {2026},
author = {Yu, Y and Zhong, Y and Li, S and Tu, Y and Liu, X and Wang, S},
title = {Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the WRKY Gene Family in Eucalyptus grandis Under Drought Stress During Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081626},
pmid = {42654973},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2023JJB130365, 2024JJA130119、grant no. 3240140516//Guangxi University/ ; },
abstract = {Eucalyptus is an important timber species characterized by strong adaptability and rapid growth. However, adverse environmental conditions such as drought stress severely impact its growth and productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form beneficial symbiotic relationships with Eucalyptus root systems and significantly enhance plant stress tolerance. In this study, we identified 111 WRKY genes in Eucalyptus grandis and systematically characterized their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, synteny, and cis-acting elements. Notably, AM fungal symbiosis significantly enhanced the biomass, plant height, and root length of E. grandis seedlings under drought stress. Through integrated RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses, we identified 12 EgWRKY genes that responded to drought stress during AM fungal symbiosis, with their expression levels significantly elevated in AM-inoculated roots under drought conditions. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory roles of EgWRKY genes in AM-mediated drought tolerance and establish a foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying WRKY-mediated stress responses in E. grandis.},
}

@article {pmid42654995,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, E and Zhang, Y and Yue, R and Wang, Y and Ma, X and Zhang, G and Jin, L},
title = {Plant-Microbiome Interactions in Medicinal Plants: A Synergistic Partnership for Biomass Production and Secondary Metabolite Accumulation.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081650},
pmid = {42654995},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {GSRAS-06//Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine/ ; CARS-21//Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine/ ; 2025A-116//Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; 25JRRA1171//Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; Northwest China-Tibet Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center (2026)//Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; 2025KJZC00005//Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources/ ; },
abstract = {Medicinal plants are important sources of secondary metabolites (SMs), but their production is constrained by resource shortages, low cultivation efficiency, and continuous cropping obstacles. As the "second genome" of host plants, the plant microbiome is deeply involved in plant growth and development, stress adaptation, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds, providing new pathways for the sustainable utilization of traditional Chinese medicine resources. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which the plant microbiome regulates biomass formation and SM accumulation in medicinal plants. Microorganisms can promote plant nutrient acquisition, enhance resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and regulate root architecture and hormonal signaling. Meanwhile, microorganisms can also participate in the remodeling of secondary metabolic networks in medicinal plants through elicitor- and effector protein-mediated signal transduction, regulation of metabolic gene expression, redistribution of photosynthetic carbon sources and metabolic precursors, and their own biosynthetic capacities. From the perspective of co-evolution, plants and their microbiomes constitute symbiotic systems formed through long-term interactions. Plants can selectively recruit specific microbial taxa through root exudates, SMs, and signaling molecules, whereas microorganisms influence plant adaptability and medicinal material quality through colonization, metabolic feedback, and horizontal gene transfer. This review proposes that a synergistic regulatory pattern of "close phylogenetic relatedness-similar secretions-similar microbial communities" may exist between medicinal plants and microorganisms. This pattern suggests that closely related medicinal plants may share similar core microbial taxa, which may help reveal the intrinsic mechanisms underlying specific microbial recruitment and the quality formation of geo-authentic medicinal materials. Furthermore, the design of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) can be achieved based on the identification of shared functional genes and the screening of indigenous core functional strains.},
}

@article {pmid42655011,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, J and Xia, Y and Xu, Y and Han, G and Li, C and Liu, Q and Huang, L and Lin, M and Zhang, N and Lu, Y and Xu, J},
title = {Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Root Endophyte Serendipita indica-Mediated Growth Promotion in Wheat Is Associated with Enhanced Photosynthesis.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081665},
pmid = {42655011},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {CX (24)3111//Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund/ ; YZLYJFJH2023YXBS103//Yangzhou "Lvyangjinfeng" PhD Talent Support Program/ ; SJZY202604//Jiangsu Agricultural Germplasm Resources Conservation and Utilization Project/ ; },
abstract = {Serendipita indica (S. indica), a root endophytic fungus of the Sebacinaceae family, promotes growth and increases biomass accumulation in a wide range of plant species. However, the mechanism underlying S. indica-mediated growth promotion in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), particularly its effects on chlorophyll accumulation, remains poorly understood. In this study, colonization by S. indica significantly enhanced shoot growth, biomass accumulation, plant height, fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll content in wheat seedlings. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive transcriptional reprogramming in leaves, characterized by the upregulation of genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis and the downregulation of senescence-associated genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predominantly associated with light-regulated developmental processes, whereas Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis identified significant enrichment in carotenoid biosynthesis and porphyrin metabolism pathways. These transcriptomic results were further validated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), which confirmed the induction of chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes and the repression of senescence-associated genes following S. indica colonization. Collectively, our results indicate that S. indica establishes a beneficial association with wheat and promotes chlorophyll accumulation through coordinated regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis and leaf senescence, which may contribute to enhanced photosynthetic capacity and improved plant growth during the seedling stage.},
}

@article {pmid42655087,
year = {2026},
author = {Uchida, N and Kodama, Y},
title = {Effects of Ammonium Chloride-Mediated Control of Digestive Vacuole Acidification on Endosymbiosis Between Paramecium tritobursaria and Chlorella variabilis.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081742},
pmid = {42655087},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (grant number 23H02529)//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; The SDGs Research Project//Shimane University/ ; },
abstract = {Paramecium tritobursaria is a ciliate that harbors intracellular Chlorella sp. symbionts and serves as a model organism for studying endosymbiosis. After ingestion by P. tritobursaria, some algal cells are digested within digestive vacuoles (DVs), whereas others escape digestion and become enclosed by a perialgal vacuole (PV) membrane, establishing a stable symbiosis. We investigated whether inhibiting DV acidification with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) modulates algal digestion and the establishment of endosymbiosis. Congo red-stained yeast assays showed that treatment with 20 mM NH4Cl for 40 min effectively suppressed DV acidification. Under these conditions, algal intracellular behavior was altered; escape from DVs appeared to be delayed, particularly at 6 h after uptake, and many cells remained within the DVs. Despite this delay, symbiosis was established at 24 h in both groups. Notably, NH4Cl treatment significantly increased the symbiosis establishment rate, with an average 1.5-fold increase and up to a 3-fold increase compared with the control. These results demonstrate that transient inhibition of DV acidification alters digestion dynamics and promotes the establishment of symbiosis. This study provides a novel strategy for dissecting P. tritobursaria-Chlorella sp. endosymbiosis through controlled modulation of DV maturation.},
}

@article {pmid42655111,
year = {2026},
author = {Escalona-Acuña, MI and Dzul-Beh, Á and Tapia, S and Cortés Peña, P and Brito, I and Bórquez, J and Molina Salinas, GM and Orrego, PR},
title = {Chrysothrix sp., a Lichen from Paposo Fog Oasis: Antibacterial Potential to Combat Multidrug-Resistant ESKAPE-E Pathogens.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081766},
pmid = {42655111},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Special Topics Research Fund FTE22-004//Universidad de Antofagasta/ ; },
abstract = {Lichens are mutualistic symbiosis between a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga or cyanobacteria (photobiont), forming metabolically versatile holobionts capable of producing diverse secondary metabolites that facilitate their survival in extreme environments. Chrysothrix species, commonly known as "gold dust lichens," are characterized by their vivid yellow thalli and their production of pulvinic acid derivatives, although their bioactive potential remains poorly explored. In this study, using organic chemistry techniques, we characterized the methanolic extract of Chrysothrix sp.-collected from the Paposo Fog Oasis in northern Chile, a unique coastal ecosystem sustained by persistent fog ("camanchacas") within the Atacama Desert-and identified calycin as its major secondary metabolite through chromatographic purification and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Antibacterial assays revealed that both the crude methanolic extract and purified calycin exhibited selective inhibitory activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive ESKAPE-E pathogens. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranged from 125 to 500 μg/mL, with the strongest effects observed against Enterococcus faecium (MDR, VRE) and Staphylococcus aureus (MDR, MRSA). No meaningful activity was detected against Gram-negative bacteria, consistent with the known permeability barrier conferred by the outer membrane. This work provides the first evidence of antibacterial activity for calycin isolated from Chrysothrix sp., highlighting the relevance of pulvinic acid derivatives as promising scaffolds for antimicrobial development. These findings highlight the potential of lichen-derived agents and alternative sources of antibacterial agents to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42655174,
year = {2026},
author = {Mao, J and Wu, Y and Huang, Y and Li, Y and Mo, M and Fan, Y and Chen, X and Huang, Z},
title = {Mechanisms of 915 MHz Microwave Thermal Treatment on Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Communities in Sugarcane Continuous Cropping Soil.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081831},
pmid = {42655174},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Guike AA22117007//Guangxi Science and Technology Major Program/ ; 2025 GXNSFBA069480//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2026 GXNSFBA00640373//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2024 GKLAMMTKFKT002//the Opening Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory of Advanced Microwave Manufacturing Technology/ ; 2025 GXKLAMMT03//the Opening Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory of Advanced Microwave Manufacturing Technology/ ; Guike AA22117005//Guangxi Science and Technology Major Program/ ; },
abstract = {Long-term sugarcane monoculture triggers severe continuous cropping obstacles accompanied by notable soil microecological degradation, including nutrient immobilization, soil acidification, salinization and microbial community imbalance. Physical soil remediation via industrial microwave irradiation represents a promising approach to alleviate soil degradation. Nevertheless, the interactive variations in soil structure, fertility and microbial communities under gradient 915 MHz industrial microwave irradiation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify the correlations among physicochemical properties, microbial structure and functional genes of sugarcane continuous cropping soil under microwave thermal regulation. A continuous 915 MHz microwave device with power gradients (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 kW) and a fixed irradiation duration of 10 min was adopted. Soil samples were incubated for 0, 15 and 30 weeks for comprehensive parameter determination. The results demonstrated that appropriate microwave power exerted positive regulatory effects on soil thermal intensity, aggregate disruption and microbial succession. Soil organic matter (SOM) and pH were key factors modulating the distribution of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. The 4 kW treatment disintegrated compact soil aggregates, activated mineral-bound nutrients, relieved soil acidification and salinization, and upregulated genes responsible for nutrient mineralization and antifungal metabolism to sustain high abundances of partial biocontrol fungi. In contrast, high-power treatments (6 kW and 8 kW) induced substantial early-stage SOM loss, reduced soil pH and aggravated salinization in the late incubation stage, thereby inhibiting symbiotic beneficial fungi. Collectively, 4 kW was the optimal microwave parameter in this study to coordinate soil structural, nutritional and microecological balance. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the green remediation of soil plagued by sugarcane continuous cropping obstacles.},
}

@article {pmid42655208,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhu, FC and Yang, YB and Liu, PP and Liu, X and Yin, QJ and Chen, XY and Yu, S},
title = {Hepatincolaceae (Alphaproteobacteria) Symbionts of Snapping Shrimp Alpheus brevicristatus: Genomic Capacity for Functions Beyond Nutrient Scavenging.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14081864},
pmid = {42655208},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2023FY100804//Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2024GXNSFBA010359//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; GUIKE AD2401006//Guangxi Science and Technology Base & Talents Fund/ ; 2023GXNSFAA026466//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Candidatus Hepatincolaceae is a poorly characterized family of obligate Alphaproteobacterial symbionts that are widely detected in ecdysozoans. They were previously assumed to play a nutrient-scavenging role in the gut lumen. In this study, two high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs, 1.39 Mb and 1.48 Mb in size) were recovered from the gut of the snapping shrimp Alpheus brevicristatus via metagenomic sequencing. Phylogenetic and whole-genome similarity analyses confirm that these two MAGs represent two novel, undescribed genera within the family Ca. Hepatincolaceae. Metabolic reconstruction reveals that they not only retain the canonical nutrient-scavenging pathways conserved across all Hepatincolaceae members, but also encode previously undocumented functional modules for antioxidant defense, vitamin B1 and B2 biosynthesis, and short-chain fatty acid production. They maintain a high oxygen-affinity cytochrome bd terminal oxidase to thrive in the anoxic gut microenvironment. Consistent with their symbiotic lifestyle, their genomes exhibit typical signatures of reductive evolution, such as reduced genome size, low GC content, and gene loss in amino acid and nucleotide de novo biosynthesis pathways. This study presents the first reported high-quality genomes of marine Ca. Hepatincolaceae symbionts, which are predicted to possess multiple metabolic functions extending beyond nutritional mutualism.},
}

@article {pmid42656081,
year = {2026},
author = {Mi, L and Guo, W and Zhang, G and Yin, Y and Mi, Q and Liu, S and Chen, J and Li, F and Tian, W and Qiao, P},
title = {Bacterial Communities Associated With Tuber indicum From the Nujiang River Basin, China.},
journal = {Journal of basic microbiology},
volume = {66},
number = {8},
pages = {e70198},
pmid = {42656081},
issn = {1521-4028},
support = {ZR2020MC001//Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation./ ; 31200248//National Natural Science Foundation of China./ ; 31500016//National Natural Science Foundation of China./ ; },
mesh = {China ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Soil/chemistry ; *Mycorrhizae ; Rivers/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ascomycota/physiology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nitrogen/analysis ; Symbiosis ; Phosphorus/analysis ; Manganese/analysis ; *Microbiota ; },
abstract = {Tuber indicum, an ectomycorrhizal fungus endemic to southwestern China, typically forms brûlés, which underlying microbial and edaphic dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated bacterial community composition associated with T. indicum ascocarps and soils in- and outside the brûlé at two natural sites (LB and BZL). Soil properties were analyzed to evaluate the correlation between the bacterial community and the soil properties. LB soils show higher pH, calcium, organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, whereas BZL soils were enriched in iron and manganese. These factors significantly shaped the microbial communities, as shown by canonical correspondence analysis. Proteobacteria dominated all samples and positively correlated with organic matter, manganese, and pH, indicating potential roles in brûlé formation. Verrucomicrobia showed positive correlations with potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Site-specific enrichment patterns suggested that soil mineral composition exerts selective pressure on microbial assembly. Notably, Bradyrhizobium elkanii and other beneficial taxa such as Bacillus, Ensifer, and Pseudomonas were differentially distributed in ascocarps and adjacent soils, implying their potential involvement in truffle symbiosis and fruiting body development. This study elucidates the interactions between soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities, offering novel ecological insights into the mechanisms underlying T. indicum fruiting body formation.},
}

China
*Soil Microbiology
*Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Soil/chemistry
*Mycorrhizae
Rivers/microbiology
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Ascomycota/physiology
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Nitrogen/analysis
Symbiosis
Phosphorus/analysis
Manganese/analysis
*Microbiota

@article {pmid42656605,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, Y and Du, L and Jiang, J and Tong, X and Xu, J and Wang, J and Lai, X},
title = {A novel batch effect correction framework for robust integration of high-variance data via a global-information virtual reference batch.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1877381},
pmid = {42656605},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {The integration of multi-batch high-variance datasets is increasingly important in studies of complex biological systems. In application domains such as microbial symbiosis, host-microbe interactions, and ecosystem robustness, this places a stringent demand on batch correction methods which must reduce technical batch effects while preserving the biologically meaningful cross-sample structure required for downstream interpretation. Here, we present GIR-Combat, a novel batch correction framework that constructs a global-information virtual reference batch from shared cross-batch structure, thereby enabling more consistent and objective correction across datasets. GIR-Combat identifies mutually nearest neighbors across batches, leverages their shared information to define a virtual reference, and incorporates this reference into a linear modeling framework for correction. By transforming reference-batch specification from a subjective choice into a modeling step, GIR-Combat provides a more objective and robust solution for correcting high-variance and compositionally imbalanced datasets in which conventional methods frequently underperform. We evaluated GIR-Combat on simulated datasets and multiple public benchmark datasets. The results show that GIR-Combat improves batch correction performance relative to existing methods, achieving better batch correction while preserving biologically meaningful structure. Quantitative and visual evaluation metrics further demonstrate its robustness and scalability in challenging integration scenarios. Overall, GIR-Combat provides a practical and methodologically grounded framework for high-variance multi-batch data integration, with potential value in applications where reliable integrated representations are required for interpreting complex biological interactions.},
}

@article {pmid42657304,
year = {2026},
author = {Sofue, A and Takeda, N and Shigeto, S},
title = {Ultrabroadband Multiplex CARS Imaging Reveals Distinct Protein- and Lipid-Rich Domains in Arbuscules.},
journal = {Chemical & biomedical imaging},
volume = {4},
number = {8},
pages = {1794-1804},
pmid = {42657304},
issn = {2832-3637},
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form mutualistic symbioses with a wide range of terrestrial plants, in which they exchange inorganic nutrients taken up from the soil for plant-derived photosynthates such as sugars and lipids. This nutrient exchange occurs exclusively at arbuscules(?)highly branched hyphal structures that develop in the plant root cortex. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying arbuscule development and function have been extensively studied using targeted approaches based on transgenic plants and fluorescence microscopy, directly visualizing the various molecular components crucial for arbuscule function using nontargeted approaches remains a major challenge. Here, we demonstrate that ultrabroadband multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microspectroscopy enables two- and three-dimensional imaging of arbuscule-containing regions in plant roots. Using genetically transformed Lotus japonicus roots colonized by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, we identify Raman spectroscopic signatures of arbuscules indicative of protein-rich domains. These domains are associated with periarbuscular membrane-embedded transporters that are involved in AM nutrient exchange, including phosphate transporters, as well as other proteins present in fungal and plant cells adjacent to the arbuscules. Additionally, we detect adjacent lipid-rich regions corresponding to arbuscule trunks that mainly contain unsaturated triacylglycerols transferred from the host plant. Our findings highlight the potential of ultrabroadband multiplex CARS imaging as a label-free, in situ imaging tool for studying arbuscules, providing deeper chemical insights into AM symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid42642068,
year = {2026},
author = {Rosić, I and Nikolić, I},
title = {Challenges and opportunities in type III secretion system effector prediction.},
journal = {Open biology},
volume = {16},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1098/rsob.250485},
pmid = {42642068},
issn = {2046-2441},
support = {451-03-136/2025-03/200178//Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia/ ; 451-03-137/2025-03/200178//Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia/ ; CRP/SRB23-04_EC//International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology/ ; },
mesh = {*Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; *Computational Biology/methods ; *Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Prediction Algorithms ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Type III secretion system effectors (T3SEs) are small bacterial proteins with big biological roles. They act as central molecular mediators of interactions between Gram-negative bacteria and eukaryotic hosts, spanning pathogenic, symbiotic and environmental contexts. Over the past three decades, T3SE discovery has progressed from genome-independent experimental assays to an expanding landscape of computational prediction methods. Early in silico approaches formalized empirically defined protein N-terminal properties into feature-engineered machine-learning models, followed by deep-learning methods that learn sequence patterns directly from amino acid sequences. More recent pipelines integrate multiple layers of information, including homology, regulatory elements, genomic context, pan-genomic context and protein language model embeddings, primarily to prioritize candidate novel effectors. Despite these advances, several challenges remain. Training data and available databases remain biased towards a limited set of well-known plant and animal pathogens; many tools are no longer maintained, and the extent to which current predictors generalize to non-pathogenic, symbiotic, environmental and host-unknown bacteria remains unclear. Here, we review the conceptual evolution of T3SE prediction, highlight persistent limitations and sources of bias, and outline open questions that must be addressed to enable robust, interpretable and ecologically inclusive prediction of T3SEs, pointing towards the need for centralized, user-friendly platforms that integrate diverse biological signals into transparent, ranked outputs suitable for experimental validation.},
}

*Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics
*Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry
*Computational Biology/methods
*Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism/genetics
Prediction Algorithms
Animals

@article {pmid42643606,
year = {2026},
author = {Kadnikov, VV and Mardanov, AV and Beletsky, AV and Ravin, NV},
title = {Metagenomic insights into microbial communities of terrestrial mud volcanos: functional diversity of subsurface archaea and bacteria.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1892847},
pmid = {42643606},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Terrestrial mud volcanoes are surface geological features where fluidized sediments and gasses from the subsurface are discharged along a fracture network providing a window into the deep biosphere. Although mud volcanoes constitute an important source of methane emission from natural environments, their microbial communities responsible for methane cycling remain poorly characterized. Using a metagenomics approach, we investigated the taxonomic composition and metabolic potential of microbial communities in three active mud volcanoes in the Kerch-Taman mud volcanic province. Despite the volcanoes' close proximity their microbial communities strongly differ. In the Kmv1 and Kmv2 volcanoes surface horizons mostly harbored organotrophic microbial communities, while the relative abundance of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) increased with depth. The deep horizons (1.5 m) of Kmv1 were dominated by Ca. Methanoperedenaceae that lacked nitrate reductase and could couple methane oxidation to the reduction of metal oxides, while the abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria was low. Consistently, with higher sulfate content, the deep horizon in Kmv2 was dominated by Ca. Methanoperedenaceae, ANME-2a/2b clade, sulfate-reducing Desulfobacterota and sulfur-oxidizing Gammaproteobacteria. No clear depth distribution of taxa was observed in the Kmv3 volcano where microorganisms of the methane and sulfur cycles, namely, methanogens, ANME-3 clade, methanotrophic bacteria, and sulfate reducers were simultaneously detected. A high-quality genome of a member of the archaeal candidate phylum EX4484-52 within the DPANN lineage was assembled from metagenomes. This archaeon, named Candidatus Lutivulcanarchaeum fermentans, has complete glycolytic pathway and ATP generation mechanisms, but lacked the biosynthetic pathways for many key cellular compounds, indicating a parasitic or symbiotic lifestyle.},
}

@article {pmid42644422,
year = {2026},
author = {Georgieva, S and Salloum, PM and Buysse, M},
title = {Beyond Symbiosis: The Mind-Bending Role of Microbiomes in Host-Parasite Interactions.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {16},
pages = {e70531},
doi = {10.1111/mec.70531},
pmid = {42644422},
issn = {1365-294X},
}

@article {pmid42644597,
year = {2026},
author = {Sun, S and Zheng, K and Su, Y and Liang, Y and Wu, M and Yu, H and Sun, J and Wang, W and Martin, A and Kennedy, F and Ryan, K and Gao, C and McMinn, A and Wang, M},
title = {Diversity of Antarctic sea ice and under-ice seawater RNA viruses.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0147226},
doi = {10.1128/aem.01472-26},
pmid = {42644597},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Sea ice is vital to polar ecosystems and serves as a natural laboratory for studying microbial adaptations in extreme environments. Nevertheless, the diversity and ecology of Antarctic marine RNA viruses have not been sufficiently explored. Here, 11 metatranscriptomes from Antarctic sea ice and ice-associated environments were analyzed to characterize RNA viral communities and their ecological differentiation between sea ice and seawater. Diverse RNA viral lineages were identified, of which Cryppavirales and Picornavirales were dominant. Lenarviricota was predominant in sea ice, highlighting the differential distribution between the two ecosystems. Evolutionary analyses showed lower Ka/Ks values in sea ice-associated RNA viruses, suggesting stronger purifying constraints and a more conserved evolutionary pattern compared with under-ice seawater. More than half of the viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) could be assigned to hosts, primarily fungi and algae, suggesting a potential role for viruses in fungal-algal symbiotic/parasitic systems. This study provides new insights into the diversity and distinctiveness of RNA viruses in Antarctic sea ice-seawater systems.

IMPORTANCE: Polar sea ice is a vital component of Antarctic ecosystems and plays an important role in climate regulation, yet the diversity and ecological roles of its viral communities remain largely unknown. This study documents the diversity and complexity of RNA viruses in Antarctic sea ice-seawater systems. The potential host lineages of RNA viruses in Antarctic sea ice were explored, shedding light on the cryptic RNA viral communities in these extreme environments. These findings provide important insights into the diversity and ecology of RNA viruses in these habitats, enhancing the understanding of polar viral ecology.},
}

@article {pmid42646070,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, H and Jiao, X and Wang, Y and Sun, N},
title = {Co-Application of Organic and Ca, Mg, Zn Fertilizers Reshapes Depth-Stratified Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities in Orchard Soil.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12080543},
pmid = {42646070},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {KJCX20250926//Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences/ ; Z191100004019001//Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are crucial symbiotic microorganisms in terrestrial ecosystems, playing a vital role in maintaining orchard soil health and productivity. However, how organic-and Ca, Mg, Zn fertilizers co-application affect vertical stratification and ecological functions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in perennial fruit orchards remains unclear. Based on a five-year in situ peach trial, we established three fertilization regimes: low- (LWF), medium- (MWF), and high-input (HWF) regimes. We systematically analyzed the AMF community structure, diversity, and their correlations with soil physicochemical properties, as well as peach tree physiology, fruit yield, and quality across two soil depths: 0-20 cm (topsoil) and 20-40 cm (subsoil). HWF significantly inhibited AMF root colonization rates and spore density (p < 0.05), while reducing community α-diversity AMF α-diversity (p < 0.05), characterized by the enrichment of genera such as Glomus and a decrease in the relative abundance of Rhizoglomus. Redundancy analysis (RDA) identified available Zn (AZn) and Mg (WMg) as key drivers of this restructuring. Integrating RDA results into depth-specific partial least squares structural equation models (PLS-SEM), we found that subsoil AZn/WMg indirectly boosted yield by reshaping AMF composition (β = 0.34, p = 0.006), mediated via improved canopy status (NDVI, PRI). Total effect analysis confirmed the dominant role of subsoil pathways. These findings challenge the prevailing topsoil-centric view of soil microbial ecology and underscore the importance of considering the full soil profile when evaluating the impacts of agricultural practices on beneficial symbionts. We conclude that sustainable management strategies should account for depth-dependent AMF responses to maintain both productivity and belowground biodiversity across the entire rooting zone.},
}

@article {pmid42646141,
year = {2026},
author = {Xie, T and Shen, K and Xia, W and Tan, W and Xie, C and Zhang, Z and Shi, Z and Wei, X},
title = {Research Advances in Gastrodia elata Endophytes: Diversity, Secondary Metabolites and Pharmacological Activities.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42646141},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {202401AU070075, 202401AU070076, 202301AU070036//Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department/ ; 202401BA070001-124, 202501BA070001-101//Association of Local Colleges and Universities/ ; TMKF2024B13//Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia Elata and Fungal Symbiotic Biology/ ; },
abstract = {Gastrodia elata, a medicinal and edible plant of the Orchidaceae family, has a long history of medicinal application and extensive development value in China. Endophytes permanently colonize G. elata and form a stable long-term symbiotic relationship with the host. The secondary metabolites produced by these fungi possess diverse structures and multiple biological activities, which are important sources for discovering novel bioactive ingredients that provide natural materials for screening and developing medicinal compounds. This article reviewed the research and development progress of endophytes associated with G. elata, including endophytes' sources, biological functions, compound classification and pharmacological activities. The results showed that more than 296 secondary metabolites were reported-mainly terpenoids, polyketides, alkaloids, anthraquinones, phenolics-with prominently characterized antifeedant and antibacterial activities. Our work aims to provide scientific references for the in-depth exploration and efficient utilization of G. elata endophytic fungal resources.},
}

@article {pmid42637426,
year = {2026},
author = {Morales, D and Lavado, L and Martinez, P and Escudero, A and Ontañón, I and Tejedor-Calvo, E},
title = {Exploring the functional, aromatic and metabolomic profile of kombucha beverages based on edible mushrooms.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {242},
number = {Pt 4},
pages = {120093},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2026.120093},
pmid = {42637426},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {Fermentation ; *Metabolomics/methods ; *Agaricales/metabolism ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis ; *Kombucha Tea/analysis/microbiology ; Phenols/analysis ; *Odorants/analysis ; *Fermented Beverages/analysis ; },
abstract = {Kombucha is a fermented beverage traditionally produced with tea leaves and sugar, but the use of alternative substrates has gained increasing attention due to their potential to enhance nutritional and sensory properties. In this study, commonly consumed and commercially available edible mushrooms in Europe-Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, Lactarius deliciosus, Cantharellus cibarius, and Boletus edulis-were employed as substrates for kombucha fermentation using three different SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts) consortia. Fermentations were monitored for 21 days, assessing pH, total soluble solids, ethanol, soluble proteins, and total phenolic compounds. Across all mushroom substrates, sugar depletion and acidification occurred, while protein and phenolic contents varied depending on mushroom type and SCOBY used. Agaricus bisporus based kombucha showed the most distinctive aromatic profile. The analysis of major volatile compounds indicated that differences were mainly associated with the SCOBY used rather than with the fermentation matrix. Preliminary metabolomics analyses highlighted substrate-driven differences in fermentation outcomes. Overall, mushroom kombuchas demonstrated low residual sugar, enhanced protein levels, and complex aroma profiles, supporting their potential as novel functional beverages.},
}

Fermentation
*Metabolomics/methods
*Agaricales/metabolism
Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis
*Kombucha Tea/analysis/microbiology
Phenols/analysis
*Odorants/analysis
*Fermented Beverages/analysis

@article {pmid42637735,
year = {2026},
author = {Shi, J and Abdel-Ghany, S and Abdel-Fattah, M and Hu, X and Wadan, AS and Sabit, H},
title = {Cancer-associated adipocytes: metabolic reprogramming, crosstalk and therapeutic implications in tumor progression.},
journal = {Signal transduction and targeted therapy},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42637735},
issn = {2059-3635},
mesh = {Humans ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; *Adipocytes/pathology/metabolism ; *Tumor Microenvironment/genetics ; *Neoplasms/pathology/metabolism/genetics/therapy ; Animals ; Disease Progression ; },
abstract = {Adipose tissue, once considered a passive fuel store, is now recognized as a dynamic endocrine organ that shapes cancer behavior. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) undergo marked reprogramming-losing large lipid droplets, adopting fibroblast-like features, and intensifying lipolysis-while releasing proinflammatory mediators that accelerate proliferation, invasion, and therapy resistance. This interaction is bidirectional: through cytokines, adipokines, and extracellular vesicles (including exosomal microRNAs), CAAs coordinate immune recruitment, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and angiogenesis. Mechanistically, several pathways converge at this interface. YAP/TAZ, STAT3, and PI3K/AKT integrate mechanical stress, inflammatory tone, and nutrient cues; metabolic symbiosis-enhanced fatty acid oxidation alongside glycolytic rewiring-supplies energy and redox support. CAAs also amplify metastasis and chemoresistance, particularly in triple-negative breast (TNBC) and pancreatic cancers, via effectors such as CXCL8, FAM3C, and SAA1. Systemic axes also matter in cancer cachexia, adipocyte-derived lipocalin-2 (LCN2) promotes tissue wasting and dampens thermogenesis, while obesity's chronic inflammation further biases the TME toward tumor promotion. This review synthesizes how CAAs and adipose dynamics drive oncogenesis, progression and therapeutic failure and highlights actionable nodes within the adipose-tumor axis for precision oncology.},
}

Humans
Metabolic Reprogramming
*Adipocytes/pathology/metabolism
*Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
*Neoplasms/pathology/metabolism/genetics/therapy
Animals
Disease Progression

@article {pmid42638205,
year = {2026},
author = {Stefanson, R and Deyalage, S and Senarathna, S and Malalgoda, M},
title = {Sourdough fermentation as a modulator of nutritional quality in cereal-based baked products.},
journal = {Journal of the science of food and agriculture},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/jsfa.70919},
pmid = {42638205},
issn = {1097-0010},
support = {//The authors thank the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and the Western Grains Research Association for funding support. The authors would also like to acknowledge the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada - Discovery grant program and the University of Manitoba start-up funds for supporting this work/ ; },
abstract = {Sourdough fermentation, an ancient food bioprocessing technology, has attracted renewed attention for its positive impact on the nutritional profile and sensory attributes of leavened baked products. This process relies on the symbiotic activity between lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, which leads to acidification, proteolysis, enzyme activation, and metabolite synthesis, altering the dough and the final product. Growing consumer demand for healthy foods has prompted researchers and manufacturers to explore sourdough technology for the development of nutritious and functional baked goods with health benefits. This review provides a critical synthesis of current knowledge, with particular emphasis on linking fermentation mechanisms to nutritional outcomes and their relevance in modern food systems. Specifically, the multifaceted influence of sourdough technology on several macronutrients is explored. Previous research indicates that sourdough fermentation can lower the glycemic response, enhance protein digestibility, increase phenolic compounds, and improve mineral bioavailability. Despite these promising effects, the mechanistic basis underlying such nutritional improvements remains underexplored, particularly under controlled and industrial processing conditions. This review highlights key research gaps, including the scalability of sourdough production for nutritious food development and the specific fermentation mechanisms that promote human health. Variability in fermentation practices across artisanal and industrial settings further complicates the reproducibility of these effects. Addressing these gaps through supplemental research is essential both for consumers seeking healthy food options and for the food industry as it aims to innovate and meet market demands. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid42638733,
year = {2025},
author = {Cardona, PJ},
title = {Decoding the tuberculosis puzzle: mechanical factors driving disease progression.},
journal = {Frontiers in tuberculosis},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1570292},
pmid = {42638733},
issn = {2813-7868},
abstract = {It is stated that, following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), only 5-10% of individuals will develop active tuberculosis (TB), predominantly in the pulmonary form. After excluding major comorbidities that impair immune responses-such as undernourishment, alcohol abuse, smoking, HIV infection, and diabetes-there remains no clear explanation for this progression. Extensive efforts have been made to identify a transcriptomic biosignature in blood to predict disease development, yet none have been successful. This perspective aims to provide insights into this phenomenon. In adults, pulmonary TB exhibits a particular tropism for the upper lobes, primarily due to localized mechanical factors. Reduced mobility exacerbates the neutrophilic inflammatory response fuelling Mtb extracellular growth, while gravitational stress impairs the function of secondary lobular septa, hampering lesion encapsulation. Interestingly, such tropism is absent in children, as these regional differences do not exist. Instead, they develop self-healing, small lesions known as Ghon foci. However, children have a significantly higher likelihood of developing disseminated extrapulmonary TB, a phenomenon that could be named as the pediatric TB paradox. This has traditionally been attributed to an immature immune response, but an alternative explanation may lie in the profound modifications occurring in lung parenchyma and microvascular maturation during the first 2 to 3 years of life. Ultimately, the evolution of Mtb suggests an original symbiotic relationship with humans, which has been disrupted by socio-demographic and cultural factors. These shifts may have transformed Mtb from a natural enhancer of Th1 responses and trained immunity into the leading infectious killer of humankind.},
}

@article {pmid42638963,
year = {2026},
author = {Lange, K and Rottier, C and Davenet, J and Grover, R and Ferrier-Pagès, C},
title = {Energetic and carbon allocation strategies shape coral holobiont responses to combined thermal and nutrient stress.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1909606},
pmid = {42638963},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Climate change and coastal eutrophication increasingly threaten coral reefs, yet their combined impact on coral holobionts remains poorly understood. This study examined the physiological response and carbon budget of two holobionts (Galaxea fascicularis in symbiosis with Cladocopium; Heteroxenia fuscescens in symbiosis with Durusdinium) exposed to nitrate-phosphate enrichment and thermal stress (30 °C). In G. fascicularis, individual stressors severely reduced photosynthate translocation (-90%) due to a significant increase in symbiont respiration, and this species suffered significant bleaching (86% symbiont loss) after the heat-stress phase. Conversely, H. fuscescens was resilient to individual stressors, showing no bleaching and increased carbon translocation under nutrient enrichment or thermal stress alone. Both species exhibited an "energy saving" response following heat stress exposure, significantly increasing lipid and carbohydrate stores. Combined stressors temporarily boosted photosynthetic rates and carbon translocation in G. fascicularis, before a collapse in these parameters after the stress. In contrast, under combined stress H. fuscescens suffered severe bleaching but maintained high rates of carbon translocation to the host and accumulated substantial energy reserves. These findings suggest that different strategies in carbon allocation dictate competitive success under environmental stress: while G. fascicularis prioritizes symbiont maintenance, H. fuscescens maintains or enhances translocation to preserve host metabolism. This study highlights the importance of assessing holobiont carbon budgets and energy reserves to predict coral resilience in a changing ocean.},
}

@article {pmid42639485,
year = {2026},
author = {Kulkova, J and Kulkov, I and Zahlan, A and Rohrbeck, R and Menvielle, L},
title = {From theory to therapy: integrating artificial intelligence for transformative healthcare innovation.},
journal = {Health systems (Basingstoke, England)},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {189-206},
pmid = {42639485},
issn = {2047-6965},
abstract = {The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare by improving diagnostics, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency. Yet, many frameworks for AI adoption overlook the complex and iterative nature of healthcare systems. This study introduces the AI Healthcare Symbiosis Cycle (AI-HSC), a novel framework based on Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Systems Theory, and Kotter's 8-Step Change Model, conceptualising AI adoption as a continuous and adaptive process. Dynamic Capabilities Theory highlights the need for organisations to sense opportunities, seize resources, and change processes in response to AI advancements. Systems Theory focuses on optimising interdependencies within healthcare organisations, while Kotter's model ensures a structured approach to managing change. The AI-HSC aligns phases of AI integration - initiation, integration, evolution, and revolution - with Kotter's steps, promoting a systematic and scalable adoption strategy. Key recommendations include implementing pilot programs, fostering interdisciplinary coalitions, embedding AI literacy into organisational culture, and developing robust ethics and compliance frameworks. By bridging theory with practice, the AI-HSC provides actionable strategies for sustainable AI integration, addressing critical barriers and fostering continuous innovation. This research contributes to the digital change discourse, offering valuable insights for academia and healthcare practitioners.},
}

@article {pmid42639815,
year = {2026},
author = {Ma, Z and Li, W and Guo, Q and Tibesigwa, DG and Meng, Q and Wang, F},
title = {Strigolactones: From Fundamental Biology to Applications in Tree Breeding.},
journal = {Physiologia plantarum},
volume = {178},
number = {5},
pages = {e71064},
doi = {10.1111/ppl.71064},
pmid = {42639815},
issn = {1399-3054},
support = {2022YFD2200303//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Lactones/metabolism ; *Trees/metabolism/genetics/physiology ; *Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism ; *Plant Breeding ; Signal Transduction ; },
abstract = {Strigolactones (SLs) are small carotenoid-derived signaling molecules that serve as both rhizosphere chemical cues and well-recognized endogenous plant hormones. They are involved in shoot branching inhibition, root system remodeling, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and diverse stress responses in plants. This paper systematically reviews the biosynthesis and metabolism of SLs, the perception and signaling mechanisms, their translocation and long-distance transport in planta, as well as how SLs modulate key traits of forest trees via crosstalk with other hormones, including auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, etc. Based on current technical platforms such as tissue resolved liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), isotope labeling, tissue specific clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and inducible expression systems, grafting assays, and semifield long-term monitoring, this study proposes a research and breeding roadmap progressing from molecular validation to medium- and short-term characterization in model trees and finally to multisite long-term ecological assessment. It also provides recommendations covering risks, benefits, and regulations concerning the use of chemical analogs, gene editing, and grafting strategies in forest cultivation. This review presents a multiscale theoretical framework and testable pathways for translating SLs research from model plants to forestry applications.},
}

*Lactones/metabolism
*Trees/metabolism/genetics/physiology
*Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism
*Plant Breeding
Signal Transduction

@article {pmid42640151,
year = {2026},
author = {Jia, S and Wen, J and Li, J and Feng, M and He, Y and Liu, R and Liu, Q and Zhang, J and Cheng, K and Zhang, X and Zhang, X},
title = {The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase GhNTF3 Modulates the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis-Immunity Trade-Off in Cotton by Regulating Salicylic Acid Biosynthesis.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e77315},
doi = {10.1002/advs.77315},
pmid = {42640151},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {U25A20661//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32301768//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Plant immunity is essential for survival against pathogen invasion. However, enhanced immune activation can restrict arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization. Therefore, plants must finely balance immunity and symbiosis to optimize fitness, but the key regulators underlying this trade-off remain unclear. Here, we identify a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase, GhNTF3, as a central regulator of the AM symbiosis-immunity balance. Knockdown of GhNTF3 promotes AM symbiosis but decreases Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton. GhNTF3 overexpression suppresses AM symbiosis. GhNTF3 interacts with GhWAK13, a previously characterized wall-associated kinase that is specifically induced by AM symbiosis, at the plasma membrane. Genetic evidence indicates that GhWAK13 functions in association with GhNTF3 during AM symbiosis. GhWAK13 negatively regulates salicylic acid (SA) accumulation, whereas GhNTF3 positively regulates SA accumulation during AM symbiosis. Knockdown of SA biosynthesis genes or the SA receptor gene GhNPR1 significantly enhanced AM fungal colonization, whereas exogenous SA application strongly inhibited symbiosis. Moreover, GhNTF3 interacts with GhJAZ6 in the nucleus to enhance Verticillium wilt resistance, potentially through SA accumulation in cotton. Collectively, our findings identify a molecular module in which the interplay between GhNTF3 and GhWAK13 dynamically balances AM symbiosis and Verticillium wilt resistance through antagonistic regulation of the SA signaling pathway.},
}

@article {pmid42640803,
year = {2026},
author = {Xiao, H and Liu, J and Zhao, J and Liu, X and Wang, B and Zeng, X and Liu, Z and Li, Y and Dong, J and Cui, M and Liu, X},
title = {A gut symbiotic filamentous fungus reprograms host metabolism and the microbiota to confer radioprotection.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {123},
number = {35},
pages = {e2608386123},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2608386123},
pmid = {42640803},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {32100087//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 82373524//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 82574025//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Mucor/physiology/metabolism ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; Limosilactobacillus reuteri/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The gut mycobiome is increasingly linked to host physiology, yet functional insights are dominated by yeasts, leaving the roles of filamentous fungi largely unexplored. Here, we identify Mucor racemosus as a gut-resident symbiotic filamentous fungus that establishes intestinal colonization via both hyphal and spore forms. M. racemosus confers radioprotection through an integrated metabolic program coupling direct host support with microbiota-mediated amplification. The fungus produces L-glutamate, L-aspartate, and DL-lysine, which are transferred to the host to enhance DNA damage repair in radiation-exposed intestinal epithelial cells. In parallel, M. racemosus-derived methylthioadenosine remodels the gut bacterial community by enriching Limosilactobacillus reuteri and reprogramming sulfur metabolism to generate radioprotective methionine. This coordinated fungal-bacterial metabolic axis reinforces intestinal radiotolerance. Consistent with this mechanism, dietary administration of M. racemosus-fermented cheese confers radioprotection in vivo. Together, these findings establish gut filamentous fungi as active metabolic organizers of host-microbiota interactions.},
}

*Symbiosis
Animals
*Mucor/physiology/metabolism
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
Limosilactobacillus reuteri/metabolism

@article {pmid42642046,
year = {2026},
author = {Citra, N and Liu, Y and Ishangulyyeva, G and Erbilgin, N},
title = {Pine Monoterpenes Drive Growth, Competition, and Volatile Metabolism of Symbiotic Fungi Associated with the Mountain Pine Beetle.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology letters},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnag096},
pmid = {42642046},
issn = {1574-6968},
abstract = {Monoterpenes are key conifer defences that shape interactions between the mountain pine beetle and its symbiotic phytopathogenic fungi. Conifer monoterpenes vary both within and between tree species, yet how this variation affects symbiotic fungi remains poorly understood. We tested how monoterpene blends from three geographically distinct subspecies of Pinus contorta, including subsp. contorta, latifolia, and murrayana can affect the growth and volatile emissions of two fungal symbionts, Grosmannia clavigera and Ophiostoma montium, of the mountain pine beetle. We conducted a factorial experiment using monoterpene blends representing the three subspecies in combination with three fungal cultures (two alone and one mixed) to quantify fungal biomass and volatile organic compounds. Monoterpene blends reduced fungal biomass, with the subsp. murrayana blend is the most inhibitory Grosmannia clavigera tolerated monoterpenes better than O. montium, suggesting enhanced virulence. Fungal volatile emissions varied by blend and culture; 2-methyl-1-butanol and isobutanol were positively correlated with growth, whereas verbenone and cis-grandisol were negatively correlated. These findings show that the monoterpene diversity of host trees differentially modulates fungal growth and volatile emission, revealing chemical mechanisms underlying host colonization by the mountain pine beetle across regions.},
}

@article {pmid42632174,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, X and Liu, H and Jia, T and Liu, X and Li, Y and Gu, Y and Xiang, Q and Zhao, K and Zou, L and Ma, M and Zhang, L and Yu, H and Chen, Q and Yu, X},
title = {Rhizobia-mediated soybean rhizosphere and nodule endophytic microorganisms reduce bioavailability of Cd and Cu in soil.},
journal = {Ecotoxicology and environmental safety},
volume = {323},
number = {},
pages = {120704},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120704},
pmid = {42632174},
issn = {1090-2414},
abstract = {Low-level bioavailable cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in agricultural soils poses a severe threat to soil health and food safety; however, the mechanisms by which indigenous Cu-Cd tolerant rhizobia modulate plant-microbe-soil interactions remain poorly understood. In this field trial, the effects of two Cu-Cd tolerant strains, Sinorhizobium xinjiangense YN5 (RB) and Rhizobium pusense GF4 (RD), when inoculated individually and in combination (RC), were assessed with respect to soybean growth, heavy‑metal partitioning, rhizosphere and nodule endophytic microbiomes, and soil functional genes under bioavailable Cu-Cd stress. RB treatment significantly promoted aboveground growth parameters (plant height, node number, and pod per plant) and biomass accumulation, whereas RC treatment favored root development and maximized the reduction in soybean Cd accumulation. Rhizobia elevated Cu concentrations in leaves, while enhanced root sequestration curtailed Cd translocation to stems and pods, thereby diminishing Cd accumulation across all organs. Soil available nutrients, soil organic matter, and nitrogenase activity were significantly increased, whereas bioavailable Cd and Cu declined. Rhizobia strengthened cooperative interactions within the rhizosphere community, with positive associations accounting for 86.56% of network links under RB. Nodule symbiotic networks exhibited greater modularity and integration, and source tracking analysis revealed that RB markedly increased microbial transfer from the rhizosphere to nodules, reaching 85.2%. Rhizobia activated function associated with carbon and sulfur cycling genes. Collectively, indigenous Cu-Cd tolerant rhizobia mitigate heavy metal stress and strengthen nutrient cycling microbial functions, presenting a promising eco-compatible strategy to enhance legume productivity in agricultural soils facing low-level bioavailable heavy metal exposure.},
}

@article {pmid42634286,
year = {2026},
author = {Qiu, W and Tang, X and Shen, Q and Yuan, J},
title = {Plant-Microbiome Interactions for Rhizosphere Health: A Three-Step Framework for Crop Resilience.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70837},
pmid = {42634286},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {42322708//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {The rhizosphere is a key ecological niche where plants interact with microorganisms, and its health directly affects plant growth, development, and disease resistance. Existing theories have laid an important foundation for understanding plant-microbe interactions. Among them, the biological market theory interprets the mutualistic symbiosis between plants and microorganisms from the perspective of nutrient exchange, offering valuable insights into resource flow and interaction mechanisms within the rhizosphere. On this basis, this study further proposes the conceptual model of 'biological corporation' to integrate interaction mechanisms covering three dimensions: plant-dominated regulation, microbial functional differentiation, and signal network coordination. Within this theoretical framework, plants modulate the screening and colonisation of microbial communities via a dual-genome regulatory system. Microbial populations reshape community structure and drive functional differentiation through resource competition, cross-feeding symbiosis, and defensive strategies. Interkingdom and intrakingdom signal cascades further link the physiological and metabolic processes of plants and microorganisms, thereby facilitating the steady-state maintenance of the rhizosphere microecosystem. Based on this hierarchical symbiotic mechanism, we propose a three-step regulatory scheme for rhizosphere health restoration, and provide practical strategies including crop germplasm improvement, synthetic microbial consortium construction, and cross-kingdom signal engineering to mitigate combined biotic and abiotic stresses in farmland.},
}

@article {pmid42635566,
year = {2026},
author = {Clark, J and Krueger, Q and Carrier, TJ and Moran, Y and Reitzel, AM},
title = {Is a Commensal Here, a Pathogen There? Genotype Specific Responses by the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis to Vibrio Species.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {16},
pages = {e70517},
doi = {10.1111/mec.70517},
pmid = {42635566},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {2044826//National Science Foundation/ ; 2526917//National Science Foundation/ ; 2020669//Israel Binational Science Foundation/ ; //Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (UNC Charlotte)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Sea Anemones/microbiology/genetics/immunology ; Genotype ; *Vibrio/pathogenicity/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; },
abstract = {Animals rely on diverse molecular mechanisms to maintain beneficial microbial associations while also defending against pathogens, yet the extent to which these responses vary among genotypes of a single species remains poorly understood. Using individuals from different locations of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, we compared transcriptional responses to a commensal (Vibrio diabolicus) and pathogen (Vibrio coralliilyticus) bacterium. We find striking genotype-specific divergence: individuals from Nova Scotia mounted a strong transcriptional response to V. diabolicus, whereas the North Carolina and Florida individuals showed almost no response to this same bacterium. In contrast, all individuals regardless of location exhibited a large transcriptional response to the pathogen V. coralliilyticus. These responses involved key immune pathways (e.g., cGAS-STING, NF-κB, and proteostasis-related stress responses), suggesting that different genotypes deploy distinct molecular responses when encountering the same bacterium. The robust, immune-like response of the individuals from Nova Scotia to a bacterium considered commensal in other populations indicates that V. diabolicus may not function as a commensal across the species range. Such genotype-by-microbe specificity points to potential local adaptation to particular bacterial partners that underscores the complexity of holobiont regulation across heterogeneous environments and stresses the importance of assessing additive, synergistic, and antagonistic interactions across hologenomic mosaics.},
}

Animals
*Sea Anemones/microbiology/genetics/immunology
Genotype
*Vibrio/pathogenicity/physiology/genetics
*Symbiosis/genetics
Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics

@article {pmid42636907,
year = {2026},
author = {Xiang, S and Tian, Y and Tong, C and Qi, X and Ren, T and Ji, B},
title = {Ionic synergy of Ca[2+], Mg[2+], and Fe[2+] Balances hydrophobicity and microbial ecology in microalgal-bacterial granular sludge.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {135700},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135700},
pmid = {42636907},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) faces structural stability challenges that limit its engineering application. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of divalent metal ions under light-dark cycles, five experimental groups were established: a blank control, Ca[2+] addition, Mg[2+] addition, Fe[2+] addition, and combined ion addition. Results showed that Fe[2+] was crucial for maintaining granule integrity and promoting photosynthetic taxa through regulating hydrophobic carbon group accumulation in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), though its sole addition caused community specialization and compromised nitrogen/phosphorus removal stability, especially under dark conditions. Ca[2+] enhanced Proteobacteria proliferation and biomass accumulation, improving COD and TN removal, but this effect seemed to be insufficient to counteract granule disintegration caused by iron deficiency. Mg[2+] exhibited limited direct community effects but correlated positively with COD removal and Chl-a/Chl-b ratio. Notably, combined addition achieved balanced EPS hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties, maintained community diversity and functional redundancy, and demonstrated stable pollutant removal through ionic synergy. This study elucidates metal ion regulatory pathways in MBGS, providing theoretical foundations for targeted ion optimization.},
}

@article {pmid42637124,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, X and Zhou, J and Liu, X and Liu, L and Chen, Q and Xiang, Q and Gu, Y and Zhao, K and Zou, L and Wang, Q and Yu, H and Yu, X},
title = {Rhizobia block Cd absorption in peanut via rhizosphere microbiome assembly and N-regulated host defense.},
journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {129012},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2026.129012},
pmid = {42637124},
issn = {1873-6424},
abstract = {Cadmium (Cd) contamination severely threatens peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). Although rhizobia inoculation can alleviate heavy metal toxicity in plants, how nitrate (NO3[-]) regulates Cd translocation and the defense of the "rhizobia-root-nodule" system remains unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which the peanut rhizobium, Rhizobium sp. HM13, mitigates Cd toxicity and sustains SNF under varying NO3[-] levels (N- and N+) via field and pot trials. Field trials showed that HM13 reduced rhizosphere bioavailable Cd and decreased seed Cd accumulation by 49.9%. Rhizosphere sequencing revealed that HM13 enriched functional taxa, particularly Actinobacteriota, Bacillus, and Bradyrhizobium, enhancing network complexity and stability. Pot experiments confirmed that HM13's Cd-blocking effect was strongly modulated by NO3[-]. Under N+ conditions, Cd stress reduced nitrogenase activity; nitrate supply induced premature nodule senescence, disrupted the symbiotic Cd-exclusion barrier, resulting in increased Cd accumulation in pods. Conversely, under N- conditions, robust symbiotic nitrogen fixation strengthened the root-nodule Cd-exclusion barrier, sustaining nitrogenase activity and reducing pod Cd by 38.6-41.8%. Physiologically, HM13 established a synergistic root-nodule defense network. Roots intercepted Cd via the POD-CAT-GSH-PRO pathway, while nodules protected nitrogenase activity through GR-FLA-mediated redox regulation. Overall, Rhizobium sp. HM13 is a dual-functional strain sustaining SNF and blocking Cd. This study elucidates the nitrogen-regulated SNF-antioxidant defense mechanism, providing theoretical and technical support for safe peanut production in Cd-contaminated farmlands.},
}

@article {pmid42637327,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, P and Liu, Z and Ye, S and Zhang, T and Wang, X and Wang, Y and Piao, C},
title = {Bile salt tolerance enhancement and survival mechanism in Limosilactobacillus fermentum M2 mediated by Kluyveromyces marxianus Y4.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {242},
number = {Pt 5},
pages = {120151},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2026.120151},
pmid = {42637327},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Kluyveromyces/metabolism/physiology ; *Limosilactobacillus fermentum/metabolism/drug effects/growth & development/physiology ; *Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism/pharmacology ; *Microbial Viability/drug effects ; *Probiotics/metabolism ; Coculture Techniques ; },
abstract = {Enhancing the survival capacity of probiotic strains under bile salt (BS) stress via probiotic interactions constitutes a highly prospective novel strategy within the domain of probiotic applications. In this study, based on probiotic characterization of two probiotic strains, designated Limosilactobacillus fermentum M2 and Kluyveromyces marxianus Y4, the viable counts of L. fermentum M2 under BS stress reached from 9.1 to 7.34 log CFU/mL, while co-culture with K. marxianus Y4 significantly increased the survival of L.fermentum M2 by 76.4% compared with monoculture (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant difference was observed under non - BS stress conditions. Meanwhile metabolites of BS treatment K. marxianus Y4 (BSTKM) enhanced the survival ability of L.fermentum M2 exposed to BS. The observations of the microbial microstructure confirm that BSTKM exerts a protective effect by preserving the structural integrity of L.fermentum M2. Subsequently, metabolomic analysis was performed to identify differential metabolites between BSTKM and BS, while proteomic profiling was used to investigate the differential protein expression in L.fermentum M2 under BSTKM and BS stress. Integrated multi - omics analysis suggested that differential metabolites such as biotin, amino acids, and purines may be associated with DNA repair processes, thereby enhancing the survival ability of L.fermentum M2 under BS stress. This study provides a theoretical foundation for improving the survivability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) under BS conditions and proposes new perspectives on LAB - yeast symbiotic interactions.},
}

*Kluyveromyces/metabolism/physiology
*Limosilactobacillus fermentum/metabolism/drug effects/growth & development/physiology
*Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism/pharmacology
*Microbial Viability/drug effects
*Probiotics/metabolism
Coculture Techniques

@article {pmid42628764,
year = {2026},
author = {Xiao, R and Li, Y and Liu, P and Chou, HH},
title = {Synthetic microalgal-bacterial symbiotic system integrating oxidase-protease fusion enzyme for simultaneous removal of recalcitrant nitrogen-containing organic compounds and PET microplastics.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {135685},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135685},
pmid = {42628764},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Industrial wastewaters-particularly those from the printing and dyeing sector-contain complex mixtures of recalcitrant nitrogen-containing organic compounds and microplastics that resist conventional treatment. Here we report a previously undescribed oxidase-protease fusion enzyme (A20674), discovered through transcriptomic analysis of wastewater-acclimated Chlorella vulgaris. Domain dissection reveals that the oxidase-like region drives broad-spectrum removal of N-heterocyclic and aromatic compounds, while the protease-like domain removes organic nitrogen. Engineered overexpression of this enzyme boosted organic nitrogen removal up to fifty-five-fold (final concentration 13-100 mg/L) across different industrial wastewaters. Capitalizing on this metabolic specialization, we constructed a synthetic microalgal-bacterial consortium in which Pseudomonas putida uses microalgal extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) as a carbon source to sustain growth, while supplying indole-3-acetic acid that stimulates microalgal biomass and EPS production. Reciprocal engineering of EPS overproduction in C. vulgaris and enhanced polysaccharide-catabolism in P. putida amplified this mutualistic loop. An evolved, PETase/MHETase-expressing P. putida strain simultaneously acquired elevated IAA output, further strengthening the symbiosis. The optimized consortium reduced organic nitrogen concentrations by sixteen-fold to discharge-compliant levels (≤5 mg/L), enhanced removal of recalcitrant organic nitrogen compounds by five-fold (final concentration 34 mg/L), and improved PET microplastic removal by nine-fold (initial concentration 1 g/L and final concentration 684 mg/L) in printing and dyeing wastewater. These findings uncover a bifunctional enzyme architecture for degrading structurally diverse industrial pollutants, and establish a synthetic-ecology framework for integrated removal of dissolved nitrogen-containing organic compounds and particulate microplastics-a combination unattainable by any single organism or conventional treatment process.},
}

@article {pmid42629340,
year = {2026},
author = {Wan, X and Zhou, Y and Yang, J and Guo, G and Lei, M and Chen, T},
title = {Engineering Plant-Microbiome Interaction Networks for Predictive Soil Bioremediation Under the Stress-Stability Paradox.},
journal = {Physiologia plantarum},
volume = {178},
number = {4},
pages = {e71082},
doi = {10.1111/ppl.71082},
pmid = {42629340},
issn = {1399-3054},
support = {2023YFD1702300//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 4257072380//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Biodegradation, Environmental ; *Plants/microbiology/metabolism ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Soil/chemistry ; Soil Pollutants/metabolism ; Metals, Heavy/metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; },
abstract = {Soil pollution poses a profound threat to ecosystem and human health. This review proposes a novel framework centered on engineering biological interaction networks for efficient and sustainable soil decontamination, moving beyond the traditional single-species paradigm. We dissect the architecture and dynamics of key interactions, including plant-plant, plant-microbe, and microbe-microbe interactions, within remediation contexts, elucidating how mechanisms like mutualism, competition, and cross-kingdom signaling govern the fate of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and complex mixtures. Crucially, we explore how these natural networks can be actively engineered through strategies such as targeted bioaugmentation, precision biostimulation, and rational plant community assembly to enhance remediation outcomes. Furthermore, we highlight how cutting-edge multi-omics, synthetic ecology, and computational modeling are transitioning the field from descriptive ecology to predictive network design, enabling the decoding of the soil black box and the rational construction of tailored, resilient remediation consortia. Finally, we discuss the ecological challenges of introducing designed networks and outline a future road map toward precision restoration ecology, where theory-guided interaction network management enables effective, stable, and ecologically sound soil clean-up. This network-centric paradigm represents a fundamental shift from experience-based trial-and-error to a principled design approach for restoring soil health.},
}

*Biodegradation, Environmental
*Plants/microbiology/metabolism
*Soil Microbiology
*Microbiota/physiology
Soil/chemistry
Soil Pollutants/metabolism
Metals, Heavy/metabolism
Stress, Physiological

@article {pmid42630429,
year = {2026},
author = {Preiner, J and Steccari, I and Oburger, E and Wienkoop, S},
title = {Excess molybdenum impairs growth, nitrogen metabolism and nutrient translocation of soybean in Bradyrhizobium symbiosis, with parallels to tungsten stress.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1905971},
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1905971},
pmid = {42630429},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Molybdenum (Mo) serves an important biological role as part of cofactors of various enzymes in all domains of life. In plants, it is critical for nitrogen metabolism and integral to rhizobial enzymes such as nitrogenase, which is essential for plant-rhizobia symbiosis. However, like other transition metals, Mo can be toxic at excess concentrations. Its chemical analog tungsten (W) has no biological function in eukaryotes and is known to be toxic, primarily by inhibiting molybdoenzymes. Previously, we found that soybean (Glycine max) in symbiosis with N2-fixing rhizobia (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) (N fix plants) had greater capacity to synthesize protective compounds in response to W-induced stress than KNO3-fertilized (N fed) plants. This shotgun metabolomic and proteomic study investigates the response of N fed and N fix plants to excess Mo (0.5 mM Na2MoO4), whether the metabolic plasticity observed upon W-stress is also present in Mo-exposed N fix plants and the key drivers of this plasticity. Our results show that, similar to W, excess Mo elicits a strong metabolic response in symbiotic soybean plants, disrupting plant growth, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and the translocation of essential nutrients including Fe, Cu, Mn and S. Furthermore, excess Mo elicits a profile of protective compounds that is qualitatively similar to, but quantitatively distinct from, that seen under W stress. Notably, while this defense response was more pronounced in symbiotic plants (N fix) under W and Mo stress, it did not result in restored plant growth. Together, these findings demonstrate that the deployment of protective compounds is largely independent of whether the excess metal is essential for plant growth. The fact that this response is associated with the plant-rhizobia symbiosis highlights the importance of biotic interactions for shaping a plant's chemical defense against abiotic stress.},
}