@article {pmid40503882,
year = {2025},
author = {Jonas, L and Lee, Y-Y and Bachvaroff, T and Hill, RT and Li, Y},
title = {Two novel Patescibacteria: Phycocordibacter aenigmaticus gen. nov. sp. nov. and Minusculum obligatum gen. nov. sp. nov., both associated with microalgae optimized for carbon dioxide sequestration from flue gas.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0123125},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01231-25},
pmid = {40503882},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {The functional roles of bacterial symbionts associated with microalgae remain understudied despite the importance of microalgae in biotechnology and environmental microbiology. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted to analyze bacterial communities associated with two microalgae optimized for growth with flue gas containing 5%-10% CO2. Two dominant bacteria with no taxonomic classification beyond the class level (Paceibacteria) were discovered repeatedly in the most productive algal cultures. Long-read metagenomic sequencing was conducted to yield high-quality metagenomes, from which two novel species were discovered under the Seqcode (seqco.de/r:ywe1blo2), Phycocordibacter aenigmaticus gen. nov. sp. nov. and Minusculum obligatum gen. nov. sp. nov. The genus Phycocordibacter gen. nov. was proposed as the nomenclatural type of the family Phycocordibacteraceae fam. nov. and the order Phycocordibacterales ord. nov. Both bacteria possessed features typical of Patescibacteria such as reduced genomes (<800 kbp), lack of complete glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways, and inability to synthesize amino acids. Instead, they rely on the reductive pentose phosphate pathway (Calvin cycle) for essential biosynthesis and redox balance. P. aenigmaticus may also rely on elemental sulfur oxidation (sdo), partial nitrite reduction (nirK), and sulfur-related amino acid metabolism (SAMe → SAH). Both bacteria were found in high relative abundance in cultures of Tetradesmus obliquus HTB1 (freshwater) and Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 (marine), suggesting a tight association with microalgae in various environments. The absence of full metabolic pathways for energy production suggests extreme metabolic limitations and obligate symbiosis, most likely with other bacteria associated with the microalgae.IMPORTANCETo our knowledge, this is the first report of Patescibacteria as dominant bacteria associated with microalgae or within a biologically mediated carbon capture system. Two novel Patescibacteria were found in two ecologically distinct microalgal cultures (one freshwater strain and one marine) regardless of whether the cultures were bubbled with air, 5% CO2, or 10% CO2. This unexpected and unprecedented dominance led to long-read sequencing and the assembly of high-quality metagenomes for both Patescibacteria, as well as five other bacteria in the system. The discovery of two novel species belonging to two novel genera, one novel family, and one novel order has enabled us to fill in gaps of a major, uncharacterized branch within the bacterial tree of life. Additionally, the extreme gene loss found in both Patescibacteria, Phycocordibacter aenigmaticus and Minusculum obligatum, contributes knowledge to a rapidly advancing body of research on the scavenging metabolic nature of this enigmatic and largely unclassified phylum.},
}

@article {pmid40501974,
year = {2025},
author = {Jacobs, J and Mirchandani, C and Seligmann, WE and Sacco, S and Escalona, M and Green, RE and Russell, SL},
title = {Wolbachia induces host cell identity changes and determines symbiotic fate in Drosophila.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2025.06.05.658111},
pmid = {40501974},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Many host-associated bacteria influence the differentiation of their eukaryotic host cells. The association between Wolbachia pipientis and Drosophila melanogaster offers a model for understanding how host-microbe gene expression co-evolves. Using Wolbachia -infected Drosophila cell lines, we show that the w Mel strain alters host cell states, inducing novel gene expression programs that diverge from known cell types. Transcriptomic co-expression network analysis identified gene expression modules specific to each cell type and infection state, and revealed that w Mel tailors its gene expression to host context. In macrophage-like host cells, w Mel expresses pathogenic effectors, whereas in neuron-like cells, w Mel upregulates metabolic genes. Micro-C chromatin contact data revealed that many of these infection-induced changes are epigenetically encoded, with w Mel infection conferring reduced chromatin contacts and widespread transcriptional derepression in D. melanogaster . These findings show that the nature of Wolbachia symbiosis-mutualistic or pathogenic-emerges from host cell environments and suggest new paths for engineering host-specific microbial phenotypes.

IN BRIEF: Wolbachia pipientis reprograms Drosophila cell identity by reshaping host gene expression and chromatin in a cell type-specific manner. Infected cells adopt novel states tailored to w Mel strain gene expression, enabling either mutualism or pathogenesis. These findings advance Wolbachia engineering for targeted host cell interactions and symbiont-driven phenotypes.},
}

@article {pmid40501112,
year = {2025},
author = {Bytnerowicz, TA and Griffin, KL and Menge, DNL},
title = {Time lags in the regulation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70295},
pmid = {40501112},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {DEB-1457650//National Science Foundation/ ; IOS-2129542//National Science Foundation/ ; Stengl-Wyer Scholars Program//University of Texas at Austin/ ; FP91781501-0/EPA/EPA/United States ; },
abstract = {Theory has shown that time lags in the regulation of symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation (SNF) can be important to the competitive dynamics and ecosystem consequences of N-fixing trees, but measurements of these time lags are lacking. Here, we used a novel method to measure SNF in seedlings of four N-fixing tree species that represent tropical and temperate origins and actinorhizal and rhizobial symbiotic associations, each grown under warm and cold temperature regimes. We added N to previously N-poor pots to induce downregulation and flushed N out of previously N-rich pots to induce upregulation. It took 31-51 d for SNF to decline by 95%, with faster downregulation in temperate species and at warm temperatures. Upregulation by 95% took 108-138 d in total, including 21-57 d after SNF was first detectable. SNF started earlier in rhizobial symbioses, but increased faster once it started in actinorhizal symbioses. These results suggest that time lags in regulating SNF represent a significant constraint on facultative SNF and can lead to large losses of available N from ecosystems, providing a resolution to the paradox of sustained N richness.},
}

@article {pmid40500556,
year = {2025},
author = {Shi, D and Liu, L and Zhang, D and Zheng, Y and Hu, W and Wu, P and Hao, X and Liu, H and Gao, J and Li, J and Wu, Z and Li, S and Wang, H},
title = {One-step Radiosynthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of Molecular Tracer [[18]F]FEtO-CHC Targeting Monocarboxylate Transporters for PET Imaging in Tumor-bearing Mice.},
journal = {Molecular imaging and biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40500556},
issn = {1860-2002},
support = {81471695//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82027804//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82001873//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) play a pivotal role in tumor metabolic symbiosis, acid resistance, and metastatic progression. Herein, we report the development of [[18]F]FEtO-CHC, a novel MCTs-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer, and systematically evaluate its potential for non-invasive tumor imaging.

PROCEDURES: The radiosynthesis of [[18]F]FEtO-CHC and its non-radioactive analog was achieved through optimized precursor synthesis and fluorination protocols. Comprehensive in vitro characterization encompassed: radiochemical purity and stability assessments, cellular uptake kinetics and inhibition assays in MCT-expressing BxPC3 (pancreatic) and 4T1 (breast) cancer models, biodistribution and dynamic micro-PET/CT imaging in tumor-bearing murine models.

RESULTS: [[18]F]FEtO-CHC, a CHC-derived radioligand, was synthesized via streamlined one-step radiosynthesis with 52.08 ± 6.74% decay-corrected yield (n=7), >99% radiochemical purity, and excellent stability. Cellular studies demonstrated MCTs-dependent uptake with significant suppression (>70%) by α-CHC competition. In vivo pharmacokinetics revealed favorable metabolic stability with dual hepatorenal clearance. Tumor uptake correlated with MCT expression levels, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes an efficient one-step radiosynthetic approach for [[18]F]FEtO-CHC production and validates its specificity as a MCT-targeted PET probe, offering potential utility in tumor imaging with further structural optimization.},
}

@article {pmid40500257,
year = {2025},
author = {Pérez, J and Picioreanu, C},
title = {Diffusion-based mechanism explains spatial organization in cross-feeding biofilms.},
journal = {NPJ biofilms and microbiomes},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {102},
pmid = {40500257},
issn = {2055-5008},
support = {PID2021-126102OB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/ ; ORIGEN PID2021-126102OB-I00//European Regional Development Fund/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; Diffusion ; Models, Biological ; Anaerobiosis ; Aerobiosis ; *Bacteria/metabolism/growth & development ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {Complex symbiotic interactions were claimed for explaining spatial organization of microbial species in cross-feeding biofilms. Here however, a distinct mechanism is proposed, called diffusion-based enhanced microbial organization (DEMO). An accepted mathematical model based on one-dimensional balances with diffusion-reaction of substrates and convection of multiple microbial types in a cross-feeding biofilm was used to describe emerging microbial distributions. The model allowed isolation of the effects of diffusion from other factors (kinetics, stoichiometry, specific symbiotic interactions), pointing to a possible mechanism for stratification in anaerobic biofilms. The secondary degrader consuming waste metabolite from a primary degrader was retained in anaerobic biofilms in an apparent growth yield disproportion. However, diffusion of an intermediate substrate can be responsible for this disproportion, even in longer food chains. This microbial distribution was not observed in independent feeding. In aerobic biofilms, this mechanism remains inactive, explaining the preference for full oxidation of organic matter in aerobic degradation.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
Diffusion
Models, Biological
Anaerobiosis
Aerobiosis
*Bacteria/metabolism/growth & development
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid40500053,
year = {2025},
author = {Deng, SJ and Tu, L and Li, L and Hu, JP and Li, JL and Tang, JX and Zhang, MC and Zhu, GD and Cao, J},
title = {A symbiotic bacterium regulates the detoxification metabolism of deltamethrin in Aedes albopictus.},
journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {212},
number = {},
pages = {106445},
doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106445},
pmid = {40500053},
issn = {1095-9939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Pyrethrins/metabolism/pharmacology ; *Aedes/microbiology/metabolism/drug effects ; *Nitriles/metabolism/pharmacology ; *Insecticides/metabolism/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; *Serratia marcescens/physiology/genetics/metabolism ; Insecticide Resistance ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism/genetics ; Insect Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {The mosquito Aedes albopictus is an important vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika; and is a globally distributed invasive mosquito with increasing resistance to insecticides, thereby posing a serious risk to global public health. Symbiotic gut bacteria have been shown to be related to insecticide resistance, but knowledge is still limited for A. albopictus. Here, we explored the role of Serratia marcescens, a gut symbiotic bacterium, in the resistance of A. albopictus to the insecticide deltamethrin. Using 16S-rRNA sequencing we found that S. marcescens was significantly enriched in A. albopictus after deltamethrin exposure, and that resistance increased after S. marcescens enrichment. The enzymatic activities of mixed-function oxidase (MFO) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), two important detoxification enzymes, were higher in the bacteria-enriched mosquitoes. The expressions of ABCG4 and GSTD1, two genes related to detoxification metabolism, were up-regulated following S. marcescens infection and after deltamethrin exposure, as assayed using RNA-seq. The up-regulation of these two genes was most significant in midgut and Malpighian tubules. Our results suggest that S. marcescens infection could enhance deltamethrin resistance in A. albopictus by increasing detoxification metabolism; of interest for designing more efficient mosquito control measures.},
}

Animals
*Pyrethrins/metabolism/pharmacology
*Aedes/microbiology/metabolism/drug effects
*Nitriles/metabolism/pharmacology
*Insecticides/metabolism/pharmacology
Symbiosis
*Serratia marcescens/physiology/genetics/metabolism
Insecticide Resistance
Inactivation, Metabolic
Glutathione Transferase/metabolism/genetics
Insect Proteins/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid40498450,
year = {2025},
author = {Teyssier, E and Grat, S and Landry, D and Ouradou, M and Rich, MK and Fort, S and Keller, J and Lefebvre, B and Delaux, PM and Mbengue, M},
title = {A plant Lysin Motif Receptor-Like Kinase plays an ancestral function in mycorrhiza.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {24},
pages = {e2426063122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2426063122},
pmid = {40498450},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {OPP1172165//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (GF)/ ; OPP1172165//Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)/ ; 101001675//EC | ERC | HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council (ERC)/ ; ANR-17-EURE-0003//LABoratoires d'EXcellence ARCANE (Labex ARCANE)/ ; ANR-15-IDEX-02//Glyc@Alps/ ; CARN-025-01//Institut Carnot PolyNat (PolyNat)/ ; ANR-10-LABX-41//Laboratoire d'Excellence TULIP (Labex TULIP)/ ; ANR-18-EURE-0019//École Universitaire de Recherche (EUR) - TULIP-GS/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Marchantia/genetics/microbiology/enzymology ; *Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Protein Kinases/metabolism/genetics ; Glomeromycota ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) with soilborne Glomeromycota fungi was pivotal in the conquest of land by plants almost half a billion years ago. In flowering plants, it is hypothesized that AM is initiated by the perception of AM fungi-derived chito- and lipochito-oligosaccharides (COs/LCOs) in the host via Lysin Motif Receptor-Like Kinases (LysM-RLKs). However, it remains uncertain whether plant perception of these molecules is a prerequisite for AM establishment and for its origin. Here, we made use of the reduced LysM-RLK complement present in the liverwort Marchantia paleacea to assess the conservation of the role played by this class of receptors during AM and in CO/LCO perception. Our reverse genetic approach demonstrates the critical function of a single LysM-RLK, MpaLYKa, in AM formation, thereby supporting an ancestral function for this receptor in symbiosis. Binding studies, cytosolic calcium variation recordings and genome-wide transcriptomics indicate that another LysM-RLK of M. paleacea, MpaLYR, is also required for triggering a response to COs and tested LCOs, despite being dispensable for AM formation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the perception of symbionts by LysM-RLK is an ancestral feature in land plants, and suggest the existence of yet-uncharacterized AM fungi signals.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology/metabolism
Symbiosis
*Marchantia/genetics/microbiology/enzymology
*Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Protein Kinases/metabolism/genetics
Glomeromycota
Phylogeny

@article {pmid40497987,
year = {2025},
author = {Kamalabadi Farahani, M and Bahar, A and Tahmasebi, H and Oksenych, V and Jahantigh, M},
title = {Microbial Metabolite Effects on Vasculogenic Mimicry in Metastatic Cancers.},
journal = {Cells},
volume = {14},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {40497987},
issn = {2073-4409},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neoplasms/pathology/microbiology/blood supply/metabolism ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; *Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology/microbiology ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Animals ; *Microbiota ; },
abstract = {Aggressive cancer cells can form new, functional blood vessel-like structures independently of endothelial cells, known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM), instead of the usual tumor blood vessel formation process. However, the symbiotic relationship between microbial communities and human cells ensures the upkeep of cellular metabolism and the functionality of the immune system and metastatic cancers. This interaction typically happens through the generation and management of hormonal intermediates, metabolites, secondary metabolites, proteins, and toxins. A disturbance in the balance between the host and microbiota can alter the dynamics of their relationship, creating a conducive environment for the development of diseases, such as cancers. This review aims to synthesize the initial evidence on the molecular processes governing the interactions between GM and cancer development and emphasize microbial metabolites' effects on vasculogenic mimicry. Some microbial metabolites could also contribute to developing interactions between microbes and the tumor microenvironment. While numerous obstacles persist, GM's immense significance and complete capability in shaping tailored anticancer plans cannot be exaggerated, highlighting the need to investigate a holistic method that includes microbial modulation therapy in cancer management.},
}

Humans
*Neoplasms/pathology/microbiology/blood supply/metabolism
Neoplasm Metastasis
*Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology/microbiology
Tumor Microenvironment
Animals
*Microbiota

@article {pmid40497665,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, C and Dunn, DW and Shi, L and Wang, R and Wang, RW},
title = {Parasites and investment to host inflorescences in a fig tree-fig wasp mutualism.},
journal = {Ecology},
volume = {106},
number = {6},
pages = {e70123},
doi = {10.1002/ecy.70123},
pmid = {40497665},
issn = {1939-9170},
support = {31760105//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 31901105//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32160239//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32070453//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 2023D61//Yunnan University of Finance and Economics/ ; U2102221//NSFC-Yunnan United Fund/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wasps/physiology ; *Ficus/parasitology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Flowers/parasitology/physiology ; Pollination ; Female ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; },
abstract = {Most mutualisms are parasitized by third-party species that inflict costs to the mutualists. How such parasites affect mechanisms that help maintain mutualism stability is poorly understood, even in well-studied systems. Angiosperm plants tend to invest most resources in tissue that yields high net benefits. In mutualisms with plant hosts, reduction in such investment can function as a key stability-promoting mechanism, such as in fig-wasp mutualisms. Here, uncooperative symbiont wasps that fail to pollinate incur "sanctions" via reduced host investment to unpollinated figs, realized via fig abortion, killing all wasp offspring, or via elevated offspring mortality within unaborted figs. We experimentally exposed host Ficus racemosa figs to parasitic wasps Sycophaga fusca, which convert fig flowers into offspring without benefitting host trees, with or without uncooperative (pollen-free) or cooperative (pollen-laden) symbiont pollinator wasps Ceratosolen fusciceps. Pollen-free C. fusciceps were still able to convert fig flower ovaries into wasp offspring, whereas those naturally pollen laden were prevented from reproducing by experimental manipulation. Independent of the effects of pollination and reproduction by pollinators, increased exposure to S. fusca parasites resulted in reduced rates of fig abortion and gall failure in unaborted figs. Although S. fusca convert flower ovaries that could otherwise become beneficial pollinator offspring or fig seeds into parasite offspring, figs with intermediate levels of parasite exposure received high levels of investment. Our results suggest that S. fusca parasite oviposition/larval activities can result in host trees boosting investment to figs, even when this may counter the tree's interests. We suggest that oviposition/larval activity by these parasites may mimic the biochemical pathways of pollinator gall formation and seed production.},
}

Animals
*Wasps/physiology
*Ficus/parasitology/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Flowers/parasitology/physiology
Pollination
Female
Host-Parasite Interactions

@article {pmid40497339,
year = {2025},
author = {Dou, Q and Yang, J and Zhang, L and Fan, R and Peng, Y},
title = {Bridge-Mediated Electron Transfer: Bioinspired Redox Communication for Sustained Nitrite-Independent Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation.},
journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/jacs.5c04107},
pmid = {40497339},
issn = {1520-5126},
abstract = {The lack of nitrite (NO2[-]) in real wastewater severely limits the sustainable nitrogen removal of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox). Although microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) provides a new approach for NO2[-]-independent anammox, the slow electron transfer at the microbe-material interface hinders its engineering application. Herein, this study proposes a strategy to enhance the electrical contact between microorganisms and insoluble acceptors through conductive bridging materials (e.g., Fe2O3 nanoparticles encapsulated by flavin-rich extracellular polymeric substances). Results showed that the interface between anammox bacteria (AMX1) and Fe2O3 exhibited a high electron flux (6.86 mA·cm[-2]), considerably higher than all reports to date, achieving stable ammonium (NH4[+]) removal of approximately 97.90% and operating continuously for over 150 days. Building on the efficient EET, Fe2O3 was further triggered into Fe[2+]/Fe[3+] redox signaling for microbial metabolic coordination. Specifically, Fe[2+] signals channeled reducing power into coenzyme A/biotin synthesis in symbiotic bacteria (VER2) and fed back to the carbon fixation enzyme (FC = 1.1-fold) of AMX1 through chemotaxis migration and cross-feeding, while Fe[2+] was reconverted to Fe[3+]. The Fe[3+] signals induced gene expression (Log2FC > 0) of EET-associated proteins and simultaneously facilitated the conversion of electricity to critical chemical energy, accelerating the autotrophic growth of AMX1. In this way, anammox bacteria not only survived but also thrived in NO2[-]-limited environments, with relative abundance increasing by 127.22% to sustain NH4[+] removal. This study offers a novel solution to the NO2[-] supply challenge in wastewater treatment, advancing industry toward carbon neutrality goals.},
}

@article {pmid40496994,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, J and Cao, J and Guo, B and Han, M and Feng, Z and Tang, J and Mo, X and Wang, J and Yang, Q and Pei, Y and Kuzyakov, Y and Ding, J and Makita, N and Yang, X and Zhang, H and Zhao, Y and Kong, D},
title = {Increased dependence on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition under carbon limitation by tree girdling.},
journal = {Plant diversity},
volume = {47},
number = {3},
pages = {466-478},
pmid = {40496994},
issn = {2468-2659},
abstract = {Nutrient acquisition through symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi is carbon (C) costly but fundamental for plant growth, community, and ecosystem functioning. Here, we examined the functions of roots and mycorrhiza with respect to nutrient uptake after artificially inducing C limitation-seven months after girdling of an ectomycorrhizal tree, Pinus taeda. Root physiological activity (measured as root nitrogen content and root exudation) declined after girdling and was accompanied with 110% and 340% increases in mycorrhizal colonization and extramatrical hyphal length, respectively. Fungi colonizing roots switched to a community characterized by higher C efficiency (lower C cost) of nutrient acquisition (CENA, the amount of nutrient acquisition per unit C cost) and lower network complexity, indicating a tradeoff between CENA and stability of the fungal community. Root transcriptome analysis suggested a shift in metabolic pathways from a tricarboxylic acid cycle decomposition of carbohydrate to lipid biosynthesis to maintain closer associations with mycorrhiza for nutrient cycling after the girdling. By integrating multi-level evidence, including root transcriptome, fungal composition, and network complexity data, we demonstrate an increased dependence on mycorrhiza for nutrient acquisition under the C limitation condition, which is likely due to a shift to fungal community with higher CENA at the cost of lower stability.},
}

@article {pmid40495375,
year = {2025},
author = {Fattar, N and Louni, M and Buysse, M and Floriano, AM and Bertaux, J and Cantereau, A and Rivero, A and Bruley, M and McCoy, KD and Delafont, V and Boulanger, N and Vavre, F and Bouchon, D and Duron, O},
title = {Evolutionary Convergence of Nutritional Symbionts in Ticks.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {17},
number = {3},
pages = {e70120},
pmid = {40495375},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {ANR- 20-CE34-0002//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-10-LABX-04-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-10-LABX-25-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-21-CE02-0002//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; //Université de Montpellier, KIM RIVE, MUSE/ ; //Région Occitanie Pyrénées-Méditerranée, RIVOC/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Ticks/microbiology/physiology ; *Coxiella/genetics/physiology/metabolism ; *Francisella/genetics/physiology/metabolism ; *Biological Evolution ; Phylogeny ; Heme/biosynthesis ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Symbiosis with bacteria is essential for the survival of animals with an obligate blood-feeding lifestyle. In ticks, two distinct bacterial lineages, Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts, have independently evolved into nutritional symbionts, converging on a key biochemical function for the tick's survival and growth: the production of three B vitamins. In this study, we carried out comparative analyses across multiple tick species and characterised remarkable similarities in their tissue localisation, particularly in organs important for nutrient metabolism and maternal transmission to progeny. In these organs, both symbionts colonise similar intracellular niches, residing within membrane-bound, replicative vacuoles that occupy a substantial part of the cytoplasm of tick cells. Despite extensive genomic reduction, both symbionts have retained pathways for the biosynthesis of B vitamins and, in some cases, chorismate, a precursor used for the production of serotonin by ticks. However, differences exist: while Coxiella-like endosymbionts lack the ability to synthesise heme, Francisella-like endosymbionts possess a complete heme biosynthesis pathway and may potentially provide ticks with this essential cofactor. Overall, these phenotypic and genomic characteristics reveal a broad convergence among symbiotic interactions across major tick families, highlighting the essential role of symbiosis in tick nutrition, feeding behaviour, blood intake and subsequently in pathogen transmission.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Ticks/microbiology/physiology
*Coxiella/genetics/physiology/metabolism
*Francisella/genetics/physiology/metabolism
*Biological Evolution
Phylogeny
Heme/biosynthesis
*Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism

@article {pmid40494677,
year = {2025},
author = {Gao, JP and Chiu, CH and Oldroyd, GED},
title = {Unlocking the role of NSP1 and NSP2: nutrient-responsive regulators in nodulation.},
journal = {Trends in plant science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2025.05.008},
pmid = {40494677},
issn = {1878-4372},
abstract = {Symbiotic nitrogen fixation represents a crucial yet energy-demanding strategy for legumes to survive in nutrient-poor soils. We highlight the multifaceted roles of NSP1 and NSP2 in this symbiosis and propose their function as 'nutrient-responsive regulators', integrating environmental signals, physiological status, and nutrient availability, to ensure nodulation occurs only under favorable conditions.},
}

@article {pmid40494494,
year = {2025},
author = {María, CM and José V, D and Adrián, PR and Enrique, QM and Natalia, GM},
title = {Transcriptome analyses reveal Beauveria bassiana endophyte induced disruption of aphid physiology.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {212},
number = {},
pages = {108377},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108377},
pmid = {40494494},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Some strains of entomopathogenic fungi are known to colonize crops endophytically, providing systemic protection against insect pests. This colonization has been revealed to reduce aphid survival and reproductive potential. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects could provide insight into what occurs to aphids when they feed on endophytically colonized plants. In this study, an RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was conducted for transcriptome analyses of the melon aphid Aphis gossypii and its symbiotic bacteria after feeding on Beauveria bassiana endophytically colonized melon plants. The fungal colonization triggers significant alterations in the aphid transcriptome, reflecting molecular responses to fungal propagules and/or plant-induced systemic resistance. Key changes include the up-regulation of genes involved in host plant recognition by the aphid pest, immune system activation, energy production, and defense mechanisms such as toxin adaptation, detoxification, and cell death markers. Genes associated with escape responses, including alarm pheromone production and wing bud differentiation, were also up-regulated. In contrast, down-regulated genes point to disruptions in homeostasis and neuronal function, further impacting aphid physiology and its symbiotic relationship with Buchnera. These molecular perturbations likely underlie the lethal and sublethal effects observed in aphids feeding on B. bassiana-colonized plants. This study identifies critical pathways involved in aphid-fungal-plant interactions, offering valuable insights into the potential of endophytic entomopathogenic fungi for aphid pest management.},
}

@article {pmid40494311,
year = {2025},
author = {van Galen, LG and Corrales, A and Truong, C and van den Hoogen, J and Kumar, S and Manley, BF and Stewart, JD and Kohout, P and Baldrian, P and Větrovský, T and Crowther, TW and Kiers, ET and Van Nuland, ME},
title = {The biogeography and conservation of Earth's 'dark' ectomycorrhizal fungi.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {35},
number = {11},
pages = {R563-R574},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.079},
pmid = {40494311},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology/classification/genetics ; *Biodiversity ; *Conservation of Natural Resources ; *Soil Microbiology ; Mycobiome ; Phylogeography ; Earth, Planet ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Breakthroughs in DNA sequencing have upended our understanding of fungal diversity. Only ∼155,000 of the 2-3 million fungal species on the planet have been formally described and named, and 'dark taxa' - species known only from sequences - represent the vast majority of species within the fungal kingdom. The International Code of Nomenclature requires physical type specimens to officially recognize new fungal species, making it difficult to name dark taxa. This is a significant problem for conservation because, without names, species cannot be recognized for environmental and legal protection. Symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi play a particularly important role in forest carbon drawdown, but at present we have little understanding of how many EcM fungal species exist, or where to prioritize research activities to survey and describe EcM fungal lineages. In this review, we use global soil metabarcoding databases (GlobalFungi and the Global Soil Mycobiome consortium) to evaluate current estimates of the total number of EcM fungal species on Earth, outline the current state of undescribed EcM dark taxa, and identify priority regions for future dark taxa exploration. The metabarcoding databases include up to 219,730 EcM fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected from almost 39,500 samples. Using Chao richness estimates corrected for extrapolating species numbers from metabarcoding datasets, we predict that the global diversity of EcM fungi could be ∼25,500-55,500 species. Dark taxa - those that do not match species-level identities - account for 79-83% of OTUs. Oceania contains the highest percentage of dark taxa (87%), and Europe the lowest (78%). Priority 'darkspots' for future research occur predominantly in tropical regions, but also in selected temperate forests at both southern and northern latitudes. We propose concrete steps to reduce the prevalence of EcM darkspots, including performing targeted field surveys, barcoding fungaria voucher specimens, and developing new ways to describe and conserve fungal taxa from DNA alone.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology/classification/genetics
*Biodiversity
*Conservation of Natural Resources
*Soil Microbiology
Mycobiome
Phylogeography
Earth, Planet
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40494298,
year = {2025},
author = {Martin, F and Tan, H},
title = {Saprotrophy-to-symbiosis continuum in fungi.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {35},
number = {11},
pages = {R469-R475},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.01.032},
pmid = {40494298},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {*Symbiosis/physiology ; *Fungi/physiology/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Fungi are one of the most diverse and ecologically important groups of organisms on Earth. They exhibit remarkable diversity in their ecological roles, ranging from decomposers to mutualistic symbionts to parasites. They have a wide array of lifestyles, which reflect their diverse ecological roles and evolutionary adaptations to marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems. Fungi are osmotrophs that grow as filaments of cells (hyphae) into their food, secrete digestive enzymes across their cells' chitinous walls, and absorb dissolved nutrients. The classification of fungal lifestyles is primarily based on how they obtain nutrients, with the major modes of nutrition being saprotrophy, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism. Here, we briefly explore these various lifestyles, illustrating their significance in ecosystems and their relationships with other organisms, and then discuss how comparative genomics provides novel insights into their evolutionary trajectories.},
}

*Symbiosis/physiology
*Fungi/physiology/genetics
Biological Evolution
Ecosystem

@article {pmid40494297,
year = {2025},
author = {Hibbett, D and Nagy, LG and Nilsson, RH},
title = {Fungal diversity, evolution, and classification.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {35},
number = {11},
pages = {R463-R469},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.01.053},
pmid = {40494297},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {*Fungi/classification/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Biodiversity ; *Biological Evolution ; },
abstract = {Fungi include mushrooms, molds, lichens, yeasts, and zoosporic forms that occur as free-living or symbiotic organisms in every ecosystem on Earth. About 155,000 species of Fungi have been described, and possibly millions more remain to be named. Recent focus on aquatic habitats has illuminated major groups near the boundary between Fungi and protists. Fungal systematists have made remarkable progress toward resolving the major branches of the phylogeny, although some deep nodes have proven recalcitrant. Fungal taxonomists steadily describe about 3,000 new species per year, and fungal molecular ecologists routinely detect many thousands of unidentifiable 'dark fungi' through metagenomic analyses. To assemble the complete fungal tree of life, it will be necessary to connect the main branches of the phylogeny to information on all described species and integrate the vast and rapidly growing corpus of dark fungi.},
}

*Fungi/classification/genetics
Phylogeny
*Biodiversity
*Biological Evolution

@article {pmid40494295,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, KH and Darnajoux, R and Magain, N},
title = {Fungi-cyanobacteria associations.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {35},
number = {11},
pages = {R456-R458},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.058},
pmid = {40494295},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Cyanobacteria/physiology ; *Fungi/physiology ; },
abstract = {In this quick guide, Chen et al. introduce the various symbiotic interactions that are found between fungi and cyanobacteria, as seen for example in the cyanolichens.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Cyanobacteria/physiology
*Fungi/physiology

@article {pmid40493490,
year = {2025},
author = {Risser, DD},
title = {Motility in Filamentous Cyanobacteria.},
journal = {Annual review of microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-051024-033328},
pmid = {40493490},
issn = {1545-3251},
abstract = {Filamentous cyanobacteria are multicellular organisms that perform oxygenic photosynthesis and frequently exhibit surface motility. This review discusses the underlying mechanism facilitating motility in these organisms, with a focus on recent molecular and genetic studies. While previous explanations for this motility have proposed exotic mechanisms, the current data indicate that all filamentous cyanobacteria produce a similar motility-associated extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) or slime essential for movement and employ a type IV pilus (T4P) motor to power motility. The (a) regulation of the motor to facilitate coordinated polarity and phototaxis and (b) possible bidirectional feedback between the T4P and motility-associated polysaccharide are discussed as well. Finally, the role of motility in promoting diverse biological phenomena, including dispersal, phototaxis, biofilm formation, granulation, and symbiosis, is explored.},
}

@article {pmid40492833,
year = {2025},
author = {Henry, R and Gurney, J and Armen, S and Barrett, CD and Gavitt, B and Van, P and Lammers, D and McClellan, J and Schreiber, M},
title = {The Joint Trauma System: A critical lifeline facing an uncertain future.},
journal = {The journal of trauma and acute care surgery},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/TA.0000000000004688},
pmid = {40492833},
issn = {2163-0763},
abstract = {ABSTRACT: The Joint Trauma System (JTS) has become a cornerstone of modern trauma care, revolutionizing battlefield treatment and saving countless lives through standardized, evidence-based protocols. Its development and success are rooted in lessons learned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where fragmented systems were transformed into cohesive, high-performing networks. The JTS has influenced not only military but also civilian trauma care, fostering a symbiotic relationship that advances innovation across both sectors. Despite its proven effectiveness, a growing movement within the US military questions its relevance during peacetime, threatening its existence. This article examines the history, impact, and future of the JTS while emphasizing the critical need for civilian advocacy to preserve its role as a key enabler of military readiness and trauma care innovation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Expert Opinion; Level V.},
}

@article {pmid40492740,
year = {2025},
author = {Green, EA and Klepacki, I and Klassen, JL},
title = {Isolation and characterization of mollicute symbionts from a fungus-growing ant reveals high niche overlap leading to co-exclusion.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0089325},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00893-25},
pmid = {40492740},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Two mollicute species belonging to the Mesoplasma and Spiroplasma genera have been detected in several species of fungus-growing ants using molecular methods. However, their ecological roles remain largely inferred from metagenomic data. To better understand their diversity and specialization, we cultured both of these Mesoplasma and Spiroplasma symbionts from the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, providing the first isolated mollicutes from any fungus-growing ant species. The genomes of our isolates and related metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from T. septentrionalis fungus gardens comprise two unique phylogenetic lineages compared to previously described Mesoplasma and Spiroplasma species, and from related MAGs previously sequenced from the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex echinatior. This suggests that the T. septentrionalis symbionts comprise undescribed species that can exclude each other from a niche that is largely shared between them. Mesoplasma genomes and MAGs also demonstrate regional specificity with their T. septentrionalis ant hosts. Both Mesoplasma and Spiroplasma strains from T. septentrionalis can catabolize glucose and fructose; both sugars are common in the ant's diet. Similarly, both these Mesoplasma and Spiroplasma can catabolize arginine, but only Mesoplasma can catabolize N-acetylglucosamine; both could produce ammonia for the ants or fungus garden. Based on our genomic and phenotypic analyses, we describe these T. septentrionalis symbionts as Mesoplasma whartonense sp. nov. and Spiroplasma attinicola sp. nov., providing insight into their genomic and phenotypic diversity and cultures to facilitate future studies of how these common but poorly understood members of the fungus-growing ant symbiosis separately colonize different ant colonies despite having highly overlapping niches.

IMPORTANCE: Fungus-growing ants partner with multiple microbial symbionts to obtain food and remain free from disease. Of these symbionts, those inhabiting the ant gut remain the least understood and are known only from environmental surveys. Such surveys can infer potential functions of gut symbionts, but cultures are required to experimentally validate these hypotheses. Here, we describe the first cultures of the ant gut symbionts of the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, using comparative genomics and phenotypic experiments to describe them as two novel species: Mesoplasma whartonense sp. nov. and Spiroplasma attinicola sp. nov. This genomic analysis suggests that these species are highly specialized to T. septentrionalis and are distinct from related environmental data generated from the related ant species Acromyrmex echinatior, implying substantial host specificity. Our phenotypic experiments and genomic reconstructions highlight the highly overlapping niches and likely costs and benefits of these symbionts to their ant host, setting the stage for further experimentation.},
}

@article {pmid40491555,
year = {2025},
author = {Cheng, H and Li, H and Li, Z and Wang, Y and Liu, L and Wang, J and Ma, X and Tan, B},
title = {The role of glycosylated mucins in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and gut health.},
journal = {Animal nutrition (Zhongguo xu mu shou yi xue hui)},
volume = {21},
number = {},
pages = {439-446},
pmid = {40491555},
issn = {2405-6383},
abstract = {The intestinal mucus barrier is a crucial component of the host's innate defense system, playing a vital role in regulating intestinal microecology and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Glycosylated mucins, the core components of this barrier, are essential for preserving its integrity by preventing bacterial degradation. Additionally, mucins significantly contribute to establishing a balanced symbiotic relationship between the host and microbes. These mucins have the potential to mitigate intestinal epithelial damage by capturing and transporting cell debris and pathogenic bacteria. Meanwhile, certain bacteria help maintain the equilibrium and stability of the gut microbiome by degrading glycosylated mucins to utilize the carbohydrate chains, thus affecting the cytokine expression to regulate the synthesis and secretion of specific glycans. Investigating the complex connections between the mucus barrier and mucin glycosylation holds great promise for advancing our understanding of gastrointestinal disease mechanisms, paving the way for innovative prevention and treatment strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40488931,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, Y and Wang, SW and Li, NQ and Jin, Q and Anbazhakan, R and Dai, YF and Xiang, ZX and Gao, JY},
title = {Ecological specificity of fungi on seedling establishment in Dendrobium huoshanense: a narrow distributed medicinal orchid.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {35},
number = {3},
pages = {41},
pmid = {40488931},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {Grant No. 202304BP090006//The project of innovation guidance & science and technology enterprise cultivation plan of Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology/ ; },
}

@article {pmid40488710,
year = {2025},
author = {Williams, JP and Macdonald, M and Watts, PA and Peckler, BF},
title = {Comparative Evaluation of Blue Phantom and SCOBY-Based Models for Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Cannulation Training.},
journal = {Simulation in healthcare : journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40488710},
issn = {1559-713X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound-guided intravenous (USIV) cannulation is a common alternative when IV access cannot otherwise be obtained. Many hospitals teach this skill with the commercial CAE Blue Phantom gelatinous training blocks. However, their cost is a barrier. This has led to experimentation with creative alternatives. Recent studies have trialed SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) in the production of training models for medical procedures. SCOBY is a biofilm-like structure appearing as a thick, rubbery film. We aimed to develop a 2-vessel SCOBY-based model and compare its effectiveness for teaching USIV against the Phantom.

METHODS: Participants, 23 emergency medicine clinicians, performed USIV on each model and completed a pre- and post-procedure questionnaire.

RESULTS: Seventy-four percent of participants indicated that the SCOBY model more closely resembled the clinical reality of human tissue compared with 13% for the Phantom. SCOBY provided an improved visual appearance, physical touch, feel of the procedure, and appearance of "subdermal tissues" on ultrasound compared to the Phantom.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest a promising future for SCOBY as a cost-effective alternative to teaching clinical skills.},
}

@article {pmid40488530,
year = {2025},
author = {Gao, H and Zhuang, D and Zhou, H and Su, Q and Hu, X and Wang, Y and Bao, W and Zhu, L},
title = {A comprehensive analysis of human gut microbial biosynthesis gene clusters unveiling the dominant role of Paenibacillus.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0061025},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00610-25},
pmid = {40488530},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {The secondary metabolites produced by the gut microbiota serve as crucial signaling molecules and substrates for gastrointestinal metabolic reactions, thereby playing a pivotal role in human physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we explore the complex symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiota and the human host by systematically annotating the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) across 4,744 human gut microbiota genomes, sourced from the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Genome database. Our comprehensive analysis compares the differential biosynthetic potentials of microbiota from diverse continents and phyla while also elucidating the biosynthetic profiles of gut archaea. Notably, our findings identify Paenibacillus as a dominant genus within the human gut microbiota, characterized by its extensive biosynthetic capacity. This study presents the first global atlas of BGCs within the human gut microbiome, offering valuable insights into gut-derived secondary metabolic pathways and their intricate interactions with host physiology. These results lay the groundwork for future investigations into the microbiota's role in health and disease, underscoring the importance of understanding microbiota-derived metabolites in microbiology and gastroenterology.IMPORTANCEThis study provides a comprehensive analysis of biosynthetic gene clusters in the human gut microbiome, revealing a vast diversity of natural products with potential therapeutic applications. We identified Paenibacillus as a key genus with exceptional biosynthetic capabilities, including the production of leinamycin, a potent anticancer compound previously thought to be exclusive to Streptomyces. The findings highlight the gut microbiome as a rich, untapped resource for novel drug discovery, particularly in cancer therapy and immune modulation.},
}

@article {pmid40488491,
year = {2025},
author = {Franco, MEE and Nickerson, MN and Bowen, BP and Louie, K and Northen, TR and U'Ren, JM},
title = {Hyperdiverse, bioactive, and interaction-specific metabolites produced only in co-culture suggest diverse competitors may fuel secondary metabolism of xylarialean fungi.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0046825},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00468-25},
pmid = {40488491},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Xylariales is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse fungal orders that is well-known for its chemical diversity. Enhanced secondary metabolism of Xylariales taxa is associated with increased gene duplication and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), especially in generalist taxa with both greater saprotrophic abilities and broader host ranges as foliar endophytic symbionts. Thus, one hypothesis for BGC diversification among more generalist fungi is that diverse competitive interactions-in both their free-living and symbiotic life stages with many hosts-may exert selective pressure for HGT and a diverse metabolic repertoire. Here, we used untargeted metabolomics to examine how competition (pairwise co-cultures) between seven xylarialean fungi influenced their metabolite production. Of the >9,000 total features detected, 6,115 and 2,071 were over-represented in co-cultures vs monocultures, respectively. For each strain, each additional co-culture interaction resulted in an 11- to 14-fold increase in metabolite richness compared to monocultures, reflecting the limited amount of metabolite overlap among different co-culture combinations. Phylogenetic relatedness and BGC content did not impact the diversity of metabolites produced in co-culture; however, co-cultures between more ecologically distinct fungi elicited the strongest metabolic response. Overall, the diversity, specificity, and putative bioactivity of metabolites over-represented in co-culture support the role of widespread and diverse competitive fungal interactions to drive xylarialean metabolic diversification. Additionally, as fungal-produced plant hormones were only detected in co-culture, our results reveal the potential for in planta interactions among fungal endophytes to influence the host plant.IMPORTANCESaprotrophic and endophytic xylarialean fungi are among the most prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites, with numerous industrial uses as antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and insecticidal toxins. Fungal secondary metabolites are typically encoded in biosynthetic gene clusters (sets of physically clustered genes), but the products of most clusters are unknown as the genes are not active in typical culture conditions. Co-cultures can help to "turn on" fungal secondary metabolite production, yet factors that can influence co-culture outcomes are largely unknown. Here, we used untargeted metabolomics to assess how differences in genomic content, ecology, and phylogenetic relatedness among seven diverse xylarialean fungal strains impact metabolic production in co-culture. As expected, co-culturing significantly increased metabolite diversity, as well as the abundance of putatively bioactive metabolites. Each new pairwise combination produced different metabolites, indicative of strain-specific responses to competitors. This new information will enable further characterization of the immense biotechnological potential of xylarialean fungi.},
}

@article {pmid40488407,
year = {2025},
author = {Grossman, AS and Lei, L and Botting, JM and Liu, J and Nahar, N and Liu, J and McLean, JS and He, X and Bor, B},
title = {Saccharibacteria deploy two distinct type IV pili, driving episymbiosis, host competition, and twitching motility.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf119},
pmid = {40488407},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {All cultivated Patescibacteria, also known as the candidate phyla radiation, are obligate episymbionts residing on other microbes. Despite being ubiquitous in many diverse environments, including mammalian microbiomes, molecular mechanisms of host identification and binding amongst ultrasmall bacterial episymbionts remain largely unknown. Type 4 pili are well conserved in this group and could potentially facilitate these symbiotic interactions. To test this hypothesis, we genetically targeted pili genes in Saccharibacteria Nanosynbacter lyticus strain TM7x to assess their essentiality and roles in symbiosis. Our results revealed that Nanosynbacter lyticus assembles two distinct type 4 pili: a non-essential thin pilus that has the smallest diameter of any type 4 pili and contributes to host-binding and episymbiont growth; and an essential thick pilus involved in twitching motility. To understand the role of these pili in vivo we developed Saccharibacteria competition assays and species specific Fluorescence in situ hybridization probes. Competition between different Saccharibacteria within mock communities demonstrated consistent competitive outcomes that were not driven by priority effects but were dependent on the thin pilus. Collectively our findings demonstrate that Saccharibacteria encode unique extracellular pili that enable their underexplored episymbiotic lifestyle and competitive fitness within a community.},
}

@article {pmid40486812,
year = {2025},
author = {Vanderstappen, M and van Ochten, JHM and Verborgt, O},
title = {Robotics in arthroplasty: how good are they?.},
journal = {JSES international},
volume = {9},
number = {3},
pages = {968-973},
pmid = {40486812},
issn = {2666-6383},
abstract = {Robotic systems have emerged as indispensable allies in the surgical arena, revolutionizing traditional practices and enhancing the capabilities of health-care professionals. Far removed from the autonomous robots depicted in science fiction, these robotic systems operate under the skilled guidance of surgeons, who control specialized instruments via intuitive consoles and often with the help of robotic product specialists. This symbiotic relationship between man and machine has propelled robotic surgery to the forefront of medical innovation, offering a plethora of benefits that transcends the limitations of conventional surgical techniques. In orthopedic surgery, robotic-assisted knee and hip arthroplasty has experienced rapid growth, and the next field of interest is, without a doubt, shoulder arthroplasty. Digitalization and the use of robotics in shoulder arthroplasty has drawn a lot of attention with the goal to improve the correction of joint deformities and component implantation, possibly leading to enhanced patient outcomes. This next evolution in surgical technology aims to make shoulder replacements more accurate and reproducible in both easy and challenging shoulders and usable by both low-volume and highly experienced surgeons. Nevertheless, robotic-assisted shoulder arthroplasty presents significant challenges related to cost, implant selection, training, and long-term efficacy. Addressing these challenges will require collaboration between surgeons, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies to ensure the safe and effective integration of robotic technology into orthopedic shoulder practice.},
}

@article {pmid40486090,
year = {2025},
author = {Song, M and Zhou, Y and Li, G and Barashkova, AS and Rogozhin, EA and Chang, W},
title = {Peptides in plant-microbe interactions: Functional diversity and pharmacological applications.},
journal = {Cell surface (Amsterdam, Netherlands)},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {100145},
pmid = {40486090},
issn = {2468-2330},
abstract = {As dynamic interfaces governing molecular recognition and signal transduction, interactions between plants and microbes fundamentally shape ecosystem dynamics and evolutionary trajectories. This review summarizes peptides involved in plant-microbe interactions, emphasizing their diversity, biological functions mediated at the cell surface, pharmacological applications, and recent methodological advances in their discovery. Plant-derived peptides, including cysteine-rich peptides (NCRs, RALFs, DEFs, nsLTPs) and post-translationally modified peptides (CLEs, CEPs, GLV/RGF, PSKs), regulate symbiotic relationships and plant defenses. Endophyte-derived peptides, notably Bacillus lipopeptides (surfactins, fengycins, iturins), exhibit pathogen inhibition and plant growth promotion. Additionally, plant polypeptides such as lipid transfer proteins, hevein-like peptides, thionins, defensins, and snakins significantly enhance plant immunity through direct antimicrobial action and systemic resistance. Technological advancements in isolation techniques, multi-omics approaches, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence have accelerated peptide discovery. However, challenges remain regarding functional characterization, peptide stability, production costs, and ecological impacts. Addressing these through interdisciplinary research and collaboration will promote practical applications of peptides in agriculture and medicine.},
}

@article {pmid40485985,
year = {2025},
author = {Cerioni, NL and Uhl, HL and Welty, MA and Adler, JJ},
title = {Soil microbiome analysis of cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40485985},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {Microbial biodiversity is critical to tomato plant health. The symbiotic relationship between tomato plants and their soil microbiome influences the plants' ability to absorb nutrients and adapt to environmental stresses. This study compared the soil microbiome between tomato plants appearing healthy versus those appearing unhealthy. There were no significant differences in overall bacterial biodiversity between the conditions. However, a specific beneficial genus (Sphingomonas) and its phylum Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) were found at significantly higher amounts in healthy plants' soil compared to unhealthy plants' soil. Our findings show the need for further examination of the benefits of Sphingomonas for tomato plants.},
}

@article {pmid40485603,
year = {2025},
author = {Ma, J and Fu, S and Tan, J and Han, Y and Chen, Y and Deng, X and Shen, H and Zeng, S and Peng, Y and Cai, C},
title = {Mechanistic Foundations of KRAS-Driven Tumor Ecosystems: Integrating Crosstalk among Immune, Metabolic, Microbial, and Stromal Microenvironment.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e02714},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202502714},
pmid = {40485603},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {82173342//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82203015//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82373275//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82403920//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2024JJ6662//Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province/ ; 2025JJ20077//Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province/ ; 2024RC3042//Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province/ ; 2023Q01//Youth Science Foundation of Xiangya Hospital/ ; GZC20242044//Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of the CPSF/ ; 2024M753679//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; kq2403008//Nature Science Foundation of Changsha/ ; },
abstract = {Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is the most frequently mutated member of the RAS family of small GTPases (RAS). It affects about one-fifth of cancer cases. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a multifaceted network of immune cells, metabolites, microbiota, stromal components, and extracellular matrix. It creates a dynamic ecosystem that supports malignant initiation, progression, and therapy resistance through bidirectional crosstalk with tumor cells. Emerging evidence reveals distinct TME landscapes shaped by wild-type versus oncogenic KRAS variants. Additionally, TME rewiring occurs during KRAS-targeted therapies. Deciphering these KRAS-dependent TME architectures and their therapeutic vulnerabilities represents a critical frontier for precision oncology. This review synthesizes key milestones and persistent challenges in KRAS inhibitor development. And it systematically evaluates how KRAS mutations orchestrated immunosuppressive niches, metabolic symbiosis, stromal remodeling, and microbiome dysbiosis, supported by mechanistic insights from preclinical and clinical studies. It further explores therapeutic opportunities arising from targeting TME interactions, including rational combinations of KRAS inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade, metabolic agents, or microbiota-modulating strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40484992,
year = {2025},
author = {Crawford, KM and Franco, CM},
title = {Genotype × genotype interactions in a plant-microbe symbiosis.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70270},
pmid = {40484992},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {1754287//NSF DEB/ ; //Fulbright Program/ ; //University of Houston/ ; },
}

@article {pmid40483691,
year = {2025},
author = {Burgmer, S and Meyer Zu Altenschildesche, FL and Gyenis, A and Lee, HJ and Vilchez, D and Giavalisco, P and Fichant, A and Uhlirova, M and Storelli, G},
title = {Endosymbiont control through non-canonical immune signaling and gut metabolic remodeling.},
journal = {Cell reports},
volume = {44},
number = {6},
pages = {115811},
doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115811},
pmid = {40483691},
issn = {2211-1247},
abstract = {Animals coexist with bacteria and need to keep these microorganisms under tight control. To achieve such control, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) sense bacterial cues and induce the production of antimicrobials. Here, we uncover a metabolic arm in the control of symbionts by PRRs. We show that, in Drosophila, the PRRs PGRP-LC and PGRP-LE act independently of canonical NF-κB signaling to repress essential metabolic functions in the gut, such as digestion and central carbon metabolism. This metabolic switch affects commensal populations and drastically reduces intestinal and systemic populations of the intracellular parasite Wolbachia. We propose that intestinal metabolic remodeling complements immune responses by imposing nutrient restriction on intracellular bacteria, whose lifestyle protects them from antimicrobials. Our findings reveal a role for PRRs in bacterial control beyond canonical immune pathways and provide insights into how microbial signals modulate symbiotic populations but also nutrition and metabolism in animals.},
}

@article {pmid40480451,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, KJ and Chang, YF and Liu, YF and Dai, SX and Li, J},
title = {Protective mechanism of Bifidobacterium on intestinal mucosal barrier in sepsis.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107785},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107785},
pmid = {40480451},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {Prior research has examined the advantageous impacts of probiotics in preventing and treating sepsis; however, the protective actions of Bifidobacterium against sepsis are still not understood. In this review, we innovatively discussed the mechanisms by which Bifidobacterium can prevent and treat sepsis by regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier during homeostasis and when damaged. Surprisingly, we found that the mechanisms include blocking NF-κB and p38MAPK signaling pathways, regulating AHR/NRF2/NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, inhibiting NLRP3/ASC/Caspase1 signaling pathways, regulating enteric glial cells (EGCs) network development, regulating immunity, and restoring intestinal symbiosis, etc. Through continued pathway researches into mechanisms of probiotics on sepsis, we try to get more evidence of Bifidobacterium on the prevention and treatment of sepsis.},
}

@article {pmid40480161,
year = {2025},
author = {Ali, U and Rao, S and Kumar, P},
title = {Nutrient and pharmaceutical and personal care product removal from wastewater: a special focus on microalgae and its consortium with Bacteria.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {988},
number = {},
pages = {179804},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179804},
pmid = {40480161},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are ubiquitous and have deleterious effects on the environment as well as flora and fauna. Physicochemical treatment systems are associated with high operational and capital costs. Also, prevalent biologically operated treatment systems majorly rely on heterotrophic bacteria for eliminating both nutrients as well as emerging contaminants. However, owing to the non-specific treatment regimes of the WWTPs, the discharge of PPCPs into the aquatic ecosystems and the resultant biomagnification is inevitable. The inclusion of algae into the treatment systems has broadened the facets of treatment owing to the complex cellular structure and function of the former. The presence of bacterial communities in the phycosphere of algae and their coherent action in the uptake of contaminants form the basis of their consideration for wastewater treatment. This article discusses the fate and global scenario of PPCPs in the water ecosystem based on recent literature, along with providing a glance into the mechanisms of PPCP uptake by algae. The exploration of mutualism or symbiosis between the algal and bacterial communities is one of the primary objectives of this review. The mechanisms of metabolism and the trade-off of nutrient substrates have also been vividly discussed. The usage of algal bacterial consortia (ABC) for nutrient and PPCP removal, along with methods to enhance the removal by phycoremediation, has also been delineated. Commercial and pilot-scale applications of ABC-based systems have been discussed. Challenges and prospects in the implementation of phycoremediation of PPCPs have also been elucidated.},
}

@article {pmid40478967,
year = {2025},
author = {Kundu, A and Moraes, TA and Price, RJ and Harrison, RJ and Oldroyd, GED},
title = {Getting to the Route: The Evolution of Nitrogen-Fixing Nodules.},
journal = {Annual review of cell and developmental biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-cellbio-101123-093247},
pmid = {40478967},
issn = {1530-8995},
abstract = {Root nodule symbiosis allows for plant acquisition of reactive nitrogen through fixation of atmospheric molecular dinitrogen by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Nodulation is a complex trait, with diverse modes of bacterial infection and nodule morphologies across species, reflecting evolutionary adaptation. Understanding ancient forms of this trait may carry advantages for its current utilization, since basal states likely reflect the least complexity. In this review we focus on the evolution of nodule development, particularly on events that have led to increased complexity of this symbiosis in later adaptations. We hypothesize that the ancestral form of nodulation comprises of an evolutionary coupling of nutrient-dependent lateral root development with apoplastic intercellular bacterial growth, alongside the acquisition or evolution of an ancestral chitinaceous signaling molecule by the microbial symbiont. Uncovering the evolutionary adaptations underpinning the extant diversity of this trait allows for a better understanding of the simplest ancestral state.},
}

@article {pmid40479232,
year = {2022},
author = {Hautala, J and Jauhiainen, JS},
title = {Co-creating Knowledge with Robots: System, Synthesis, and Symbiosis.},
journal = {Journal of the knowledge economy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-21},
pmid = {40479232},
issn = {1868-7873},
abstract = {In the contemporary robotizing knowledge economy, robots take increasing responsibility for accomplishing knowledge-related tasks that so far have been in the human domain. This profoundly changes the knowledge-creation processes that are at the core of the knowledge economy. Knowledge creation is an interactive spatial process through which ideas are transformed into new and justified outcomes, such as novel knowledge and innovations. However, knowledge-creation processes have rarely been studied in the context of human-robot co-creation. In this article, we take the perspective of key actors who create the future of robotics, namely, robotics-related students and researchers. Their thoughts and actions construct the knowledge co-creation processes that emerge between humans and robots. We ask whether robots can have and create knowledge, what kind of knowledge, and what kind of spatialities connect to interactive human-robot knowledge-creation processes. The article's empirical material consists of interviews with 34 robotics-related researchers and students at universities in Finland and Singapore as well as observations of human-robot interactions there. Robots and humans form top-down systems, interactive syntheses, and integrated symbioses in spatial knowledge co-creation processes. Most interviewees considered that robots can have knowledge. Some perceived robots as machines and passive agents with rational knowledge created in hierarchical systems. Others saw robots as active actors and learning co-workers having constructionist knowledge created in syntheses. Symbioses integrated humans and robots and allowed robots and human-robot cyborgs access to embodied knowledge.},
}

@article {pmid40478759,
year = {2025},
author = {Tanaka, Y and Ono, A and Aoki, D and Matsuda, R and Kitsukawa, Y and Choi, JH and Xie, X and Aime, MC and Kawagishi, H and Suzuki, T},
title = {Transcriptomic resource and hormonal profiling of the smut fungus, Ustilago esculenta, coexisting with Zizania latifolia and forming Makomotake.},
journal = {Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/bbb/zbaf084},
pmid = {40478759},
issn = {1347-6947},
abstract = {Ustilago esculenta is a smut fungus that parasitizes Zizania latifolia, forming edible fungal galls known as Makomotake. In this study, we quantified indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) produced in liquid-cultured U. esculenta and in fungal galls at different growth stages. IAA was detected in both samples, and its content showed a tendency to increase during the mature growth stage in October. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis was performed to investigate gene expression changes in U. esculenta during different developmental stages. The gene involved in spore maturation was upregulated in October, consistent with fungal maturation. Moreover, numerous genes with unknown functions were significantly upregulated, highlighting potential targets for further investigation. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal gall development and the symbiotic relationship between U. esculenta and Z. latifolia, providing a foundation for future research on fungal-plant interactions.},
}

@article {pmid40476364,
year = {2025},
author = {Culotta, JA and Lindsey, ARI},
title = {A reference genome for Trichogramma kaykai: A tiny desert-dwelling parasitoid wasp with competing sex-ratio distorters.},
journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkaf129},
pmid = {40476364},
issn = {2160-1836},
abstract = {The tiny parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai inhabits the Mojave Desert of the southwest United States. Populations of this tiny insect variably host up to two different sex-distorting genetic elements: (1) the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia which induces the parthenogenetic reproduction of females, and (2) a B-chromosome, "Paternal Sex Ratio" (PSR), which converts would-be female offspring to PSR-transmitting males. We report here the genome of a Wolbachia-infected Trichogramma kaykai isofemale colony KSX58. Using Oxford Nanopore sequencing we produced a final genome assembly of 205 Mbp with 34x coverage, consisting of 154 contigs with an N50 of 2.2 Mbp. The assembly is quite complete, with 92.67% complete Hymenoptera BUSCOs recovered: a very high score for Trichogrammatids that have been previously characterized for having high levels of core gene losses. We also report a complete mitochondrial genome for T. kaykai, and an assembly of the associated Wolbachia, strain wTkk. Finally, we identified copies of the parthenogenesis-inducing genes pifA and pifB in a remnant prophage region of the wTkk genome and compared their evolution to pifs from a suite of other parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia. The Trichogramma kaykai assembly is one of the highest quality genome assemblies for the genus to-date and will serve as a great resource for understanding the evolution of sex and selfish genetic elements.},
}

@article {pmid40473746,
year = {2025},
author = {Piromyou, P and Songwattana, P and Wongdee, J and Greetatorn, T and Boonchuen, P and Phimphong, T and Nguyen, HP and Manassila, M and Tanthanuch, W and Maikhunthod, B and Teamtisong, K and Tittabutr, P and Boonkerd, N and Giraud, E and Teaumroong, N},
title = {Putative type III effector SkP48 of Bradyrhizobium sp. DOA9 encoding a SUMO protease blocks nodulation in Vigna radiata.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {19835},
pmid = {40473746},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {TRG6280006//National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Suranaree University of Technology / The Thailand Research Fund project/ ; B13F660067//NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (PMU-B)/ ; B13F660067//NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (PMU-B)/ ; B13F660067//NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (PMU-B)/ ; B13F660067//NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (PMU-B)/ ; N11A670769//JSPS-NRCT by National Research Council of Thailand/ ; N11A670769//JSPS-NRCT by National Research Council of Thailand/ ; N11A670769//JSPS-NRCT by National Research Council of Thailand/ ; N11A670769//JSPS-NRCT by National Research Council of Thailand/ ; N11A670769//JSPS-NRCT by National Research Council of Thailand/ ; 195582//National Science, Research, and Innovation Fund (NSRF)/ ; 195582//National Science, Research, and Innovation Fund (NSRF)/ ; 195582//National Science, Research, and Innovation Fund (NSRF)/ ; 195582//National Science, Research, and Innovation Fund (NSRF)/ ; ("ET-Nod"; ANR-20-CE20-0012)//Grant from the French National Research Agency/ ; },
mesh = {*Bradyrhizobium/genetics/enzymology ; *Plant Root Nodulation ; *Vigna/microbiology ; *Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Bradyrhizobium sp. DOA9 can nodulate a wide spectrum of legumes; however, unlike other bradyrhizobia, DOA9 carries a symbiotic plasmid harboring type III secretion system (T3SS) and several effector (T3E) genes, one of which encodes a putative type III effector SkP48. Here, we demonstrated the pivotal roles of SkP48 from Bradyrhizobium sp. DOA9 in inhibiting nodulation of various Vigna species and Crotalaria juncea and suppressing nodulation efficiency of Arachis hypogaea. By contrast, the nodulation efficiency of a SkP48 mutant did not differ significantly with the DOA9 wild-type strain on Macroptilium atropurpureum and Stylosanthes hamata. The SUMO domain of SkP48 is primarily responsible for the blocking nodulation phenotype V. radiata. An evolutionary analysis revealed that the SkP48 which contains a shikimate kinase and a SUMO protease (C48 cysteine peptidase) domain, SkP48 is distinct from other effectors previously reported in other bradyrhizobia and pathogenic bacteria. Our findings suggest that the putative T3E SkP48 is a key factor suppressing nodulation and nodule organogenesis in several legumes by activation of effector-triggered immunity through salicylic acid biosynthesis induction, which is deleterious to rhizobial infection. In addition, nodulation may be modulated by the function of defensins involved in jasmonic acid signalling in V. radiata SUT1.},
}

*Bradyrhizobium/genetics/enzymology
*Plant Root Nodulation
*Vigna/microbiology
*Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Symbiosis
*Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics
Phylogeny

@article {pmid40473732,
year = {2025},
author = {Bajerlein, D and Zduniak, P and Wyszyńska, A and Baraniak, E and Przewoźny, M and Grzegorczyk, T and Urbański, A},
title = {Influences of carrier sex, body size, and time on the symbiotic interaction between Nicrophorus vespilloides and the Uroobovella nova mite species complex.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {19823},
pmid = {40473732},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {OR.271.3.9.215//The National Forest Holding "The State Forests", Poland/ ; OR.271.3.9.215//The National Forest Holding "The State Forests", Poland/ ; OR.271.3.9.215//The National Forest Holding "The State Forests", Poland/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Body Size ; *Mites/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Coleoptera/parasitology/physiology ; Seasons ; Sex Factors ; },
abstract = {Phoretic dispersal is critical in low-mobile invertebrates because it enables feeding, breeding, and gene flow. Phoresy may have serious evolutionary consequences for species in highly specific interactions. Mites within the Uroobovella nova species complex have a narrow range of carriers limited to burying beetles. Nicrophorus vespilloides, a model organism used in behavioural studies, is a common carrier of U. nova, but this interaction remains underexplored. This study investigated how carrier sex, body size, season, and year affect the relationship between U. nova and N. vespilloides. We tested the hypotheses that mite infestation is sex-biased because of differences in parental care between females and males and that larger individuals carry more mites. Mite prevalence was affected only by season. A slightly higher mite load was found in females than in males, and mites showed a significant but weak preference for beetle body size. Considerable temporal differences in mite load were found. Deutonymphs were highly specific when selecting attachment sites, irrespective of the carrier sex, and appeared on some body parts when the preferred sites had already been infested. The low specificity of U. nova towards N. vespilloides individuals and the high selectivity of attachment sites seem to increase the probability of colonising beetle brood chambers.},
}

Animals
Female
Male
*Body Size
*Mites/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Coleoptera/parasitology/physiology
Seasons
Sex Factors

@article {pmid40472591,
year = {2025},
author = {Bhargava, D and Chowdhury, A and Dube, DH},
title = {Chemical tools to study and modulate glycan-mediated host-bacteria interactions.},
journal = {Current opinion in chemical biology},
volume = {87},
number = {},
pages = {102603},
doi = {10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.102603},
pmid = {40472591},
issn = {1879-0402},
abstract = {Glycans cover the surfaces of all cells, where they are poised to mediate a two-way discourse between bacteria and host cells. In some instances, glycan-mediated interactions foster a symbiotic state, and in others, they tip the balance toward disease. Chemical biology approaches have begun to reveal the roles of glycans in host-bacteria interactions and provide novel pathways to modulate these interactions. Here, we highlight recent advances in the development and application of chemical biology tools to delineate the roles of glycans in bacterial adhesion, bacterial evasion of the host immune system, host recognition of bacterial cells, and endogenous mechanisms to maintain symbiosis. Further, we present glycan-based strategies to disrupt host-pathogen interactions and to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid40472333,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, X and Geng, S and Chen, Q and Su, B and Song, H and Zhou, J and Jia, R and Fan, H and Li, C and Wang, Y and Tian, Z and Sun, T and Jiang, C},
title = {Disrupting Tumor Lactate Homeostasis to Sensitize Chemo-Immunotherapy Using a Glucose-Disguised Lactate Interceptor.},
journal = {ACS nano},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsnano.5c03545},
pmid = {40472333},
issn = {1936-086X},
abstract = {Aberrantly elevated lactate flux in tumors is increasingly recognized as a key driver of metabolic symbiosis, immunosuppression, and, ultimately, immunogenic chemotherapy resistance. Here, we propose a precise lactate homeostasis modulation strategy that selectively intercepts intracellular lactate molecules in highly glycolytic tumor cells. Targeting monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), a key lactate efflux transporter overexpressed in tumor cells, we developed a glucose-disguised delivery system for precise transport of regulatory molecules into glycolysis-dependent tumor cells. By modulating lactate-mediated crosstalk between heterogeneous tumor subpopulations (glycolysis-dependent and lactate-consuming cells) and immune cells, this strategy effectively disrupts lactate-driven metabolic cooperation within the tumor niche, which may contribute to overcoming lactate-associated resistance to chemo-immunotherapy.},
}

@article {pmid40471191,
year = {2025},
author = {Ramirez, P and Martinez Montoya, H and Aramayo, R and Mateos, M},
title = {Diverse toxin repertoire but limited metabolic capacities inferred from the draft genome assemblies of three Spiroplasma (Citri clade) strains associated with Drosophila.},
journal = {Microbial genomics},
volume = {11},
number = {6},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/mgen.0.001408},
pmid = {40471191},
issn = {2057-5858},
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Spiroplasma/genetics/metabolism/classification ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Bacterial Toxins/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Spiroplasma (class Mollicutes) is a diverse wall-less bacterial genus whose members are strictly dependent on eukaryotic hosts (mostly arthropods and plants), with which they engage in pathogenic to mutualistic interactions. Spiroplasma are generally fastidious to culture in vitro, especially those that are vertically transmitted by their hosts, which include flies in the genus Drosophila. Drosophila has been invaded by at least three independent clades of Spiroplasma: Poulsonii (the best studied, contains reproductive manipulators and defensive mutualists associated with two major clades of Drosophila and has amongst the highest substitution rates within bacteria), Citri (restricted to the repleta group of Drosophila) and Ixodetis. We report the first genome drafts of Drosophila-associated Citri clade Spiroplasma: strain sMoj from Drosophila mojavensis, strain sAld-Tx from Drosophila aldrichi from Texas (newly discovered; also associated with Drosophila mulleri) and strain sHy2 from Drosophila hydei (the only Drosophila species known to naturally also harbour a Poulsonii clade strain, thereby providing an arena for horizontal gene transfer). Compared to their Poulsonii clade counterparts, we infer that the three Citri clade strains have the following: (1) equal or worse DNA repair abilities; (b) more limited metabolic capacities, which may underlie their comparatively lower titres and transmission efficiency; and (c) similar content of toxin domains, including at least one ribosome-inactivating protein, which is implicated in the Poulsonii-conferred defence against natural enemies. As a byproduct of our phylogenomic analyses and exhaustive search for certain toxin domains in public databases, we document the toxin repertoire in close relatives of Drosophila-associated Spiroplasma, and in a very divergent newly discovered lineage (i.e. 'clade X'). Phylogenies of toxin-encoding genes or domains imply substantial exchanges between closely and distantly related strains. Surprisingly, despite encoding several toxin genes and achieving relatively high prevalences in certain natural populations (sAld-Tx in this study; sMoj in prior work), fitness assays of sMoj (this study) and sAld-Tx (prior work) in the context of wasp parasitism fail to detect a beneficial effect to their hosts. Thus, how Citri clade strains persist in their Drosophila host populations remains elusive.},
}

Animals
*Drosophila/microbiology
Phylogeny
*Spiroplasma/genetics/metabolism/classification
*Genome, Bacterial
*Bacterial Toxins/genetics/metabolism
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40469468,
year = {2025},
author = {Bähr, S and Dunn, N and van der Meij, SET and Chowdhury, J and Benzoni, F},
title = {Temporal Dynamics and Disturbance Responses in Coral-Dwelling Decapods Provide a Novel Perspective on Their Ecological Role in Coral Reef Systems.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
pages = {e71474},
pmid = {40469468},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Symbiotic relationships between corals and invertebrates contribute significantly to coral reef biodiversity. However, their ecological functions within this ecosystem remain understudied due to limited knowledge of the interplay among lifehistory strategies, host density and condition, population variations, and mortality rates. To address this, we investigated the population dynamics of coral-dwelling gall crabs (Cryptochiridae), obligate symbionts of scleractinian corals, across four central Red Sea reefs. Combining transect surveys with a novel fate-tracking approach, we monitored 799 crabs on 517 host colonies from September 2022 to 2024. Our data revealed significant variation in host community composition, with reef-specific conditions shaping crab abundance and diversity more than cross-shelf gradients. Fate-tracking uncovered unexpectedly frequent crab colonization and extinction events and a strong preference for settling on already inhabited hosts. In 2023, a mass reef bleaching event provided a unique opportunity to assess disturbance impacts one year into our study, resulting in greater population declines on inshore reefs. Interestingly, fate-tracking showed that most sites maintained reproductively active crab populations despite bleaching, while compounded stressors at one site caused a local population collapse. Our findings underscore the complex dynamics of the relationship between cryptochirids and their coral hosts, where high reproductive output may offset the costs of host specificity and settlement requirements, thus enabling resilience to moderate disturbances. This study provides novel insights into cryptochirid ecology, revealing unexpectedly high temporal variability in their populations. The observed dynamics suggest gall crabs may occupy a functional role akin to cryptobenthic reef fish by contributing to reef energy transfer, converting host-derived resources like coral mucus into forms accessible to higher trophic levels and supplementing zooplankton communities with larvae. In light of increasing disturbances, this study highlights the need to integrate reef invertebrates into coral reef conservation strategies for preserving biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem functionality in a rapidly changing world.},
}

@article {pmid40477446,
year = {2022},
author = {Winmore, K and Melanie, N and Simphiwe, NI},
title = {Implications of the Urban Water and Food Systems Governance Nexus for Household Food Security in the City of Gweru, Zimbabwe.},
journal = {Urban forum (Johannesburg, South Africa)},
volume = {33},
number = {3},
pages = {329-348},
pmid = {40477446},
issn = {1874-6330},
abstract = {Innovative water governance practices are essential to achieve sustainable cities through robust public policies and stakeholder engagement. This study assessed the dynamics of water service delivery in Gweru and its impact on household food security. The study focused on the city's food sources, water service pricing, power struggles in decision-making, and the implications for household food security. A household survey was conducted with 489 respondents selected by stratified random sampling. Interviews with purposively enrolled key informants and observations were also used. Findings revealed a multi-faceted scenario of water governance challenges that crippled household food security. Food purchases and farming, the primary household food streams for the city, were under threat due to water shortages and high monthly water bills. More than 90% of household incomes were below the Poverty Datum Line and the Total Consumption Poverty Line; water bills accounted for a significant portion, ultimately causing food insecurity. The grant-aided municipality emphasized revenue collection to mitigate the central government's 2013 debt cancellation. Gweru had no useful alternative sources of water for agriculture. The existing water governance failed to capture the complex symbiotic relationship between the city's water and food availability. While we advocate minimal central government interference, the municipality must introduce an efficient dual-purpose water system to protect residents, the natural environment, and the local authority's finances.},
}

@article {pmid40477016,
year = {2020},
author = {Sturm, S},
title = {To Compose with Gaia: Living Sympoetically.},
journal = {Postdigital science and education},
volume = {2},
number = {3},
pages = {601-605},
doi = {10.1007/s42438-020-00151-2},
pmid = {40477016},
issn = {2524-4868},
}

@article {pmid40468789,
year = {2025},
author = {Williams, B},
title = {AAC and technology: what's communication equity got to do with it?.},
journal = {Augmentative and alternative communication (Baltimore, Md. : 1985)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-4},
doi = {10.1080/07434618.2025.2504495},
pmid = {40468789},
issn = {1477-3848},
abstract = {Many, if not most, people who need AAC are still denied effective language-based AAC; assumed illiterate for life; and subjected to extreme isolation and violence. We must secure fundamental fairness and mitigate the multiple and compounding biases and discrimination that those who require AAC endure. We must envisage ways in which people who use AAC can be better heard and live in community with all others. True community is not a dot on a map. It is a way of belonging. The right to community and communication are symbiotic. While our disabilities modify the ways we live, unchallenged biases cripple our lives far more. Communication equity boils down to the societal and legal obligation to ensure that all people have fair and universal, lifelong access to all means of communication. Research is required to determine whether the way we talk about AAC perpetuates the erroneous assumption that people should express themselves and be understood in one prescribed way only. To move toward communication equity, we need research grounded in the lived experiences of those who need or use AAC. We need to work together to bring about communication equity, not for the privileged few, but for all.},
}

@article {pmid40468714,
year = {2025},
author = {Lin, Z and Wolf, K and Agarwal, V and Schmidt, EW and Kwan, JC},
title = {Jaspamide/Jasplakinolide Is Synthesized by Jaspinella (Tectomicrobia) Bacteria in Sponges.},
journal = {Journal of natural products},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5c00433},
pmid = {40468714},
issn = {1520-6025},
abstract = {Symbiotic bacteria produce defensive compounds found in their eukaryotic hosts, such as marine sponges. How these symbioses are formed in each sponge, their biodiversity, and their ecological roles in nature are open challenges that remain to be addressed. Here, we describe a candidate bacterial genus, Jaspinella sp., that harbors biosynthetic genes for the potent natural product toxin jaspamide (jasplakinolide) in the microbiomes of two geographically and taxonomically diverse sponge species, Jaspis (=Dorypleres) splendens and Dictyonella sp. The jas gene cluster in Jaspinella matches the expectation for jaspamide biosynthesis, including a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) region homologous to the characterized chondramide cluster that produces a related compound in cultivated myxobacteria and a polyketide synthase (PKS) region that evolved convergently. Jaspinella is a member of Tectomicrobia, which consists of uncultivated bacteria including many well-known defensive sponge symbionts. However, Jaspinella is from a group previously associated only with soil and sediment bacteria, expanding the phylogenetic diversity of Tectomicrobia, the defensive symbioses in marine sponges, and knowledge of defensive compound evolution in nature.},
}

@article {pmid40468453,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, F and Gebeyew, K and Wu, Z and Chen, B and Jiao, J and Tan, Z and Tian, D and He, Z},
title = {Fat-rich diet promotes microbiome-dependent ATP synthesis in sheep model.},
journal = {Journal of animal science and biotechnology},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {81},
pmid = {40468453},
issn = {1674-9782},
support = {XDA26040304//Strategic Priority Research Program/ ; XDA26050102//Strategic Priority Research Program/ ; 32072760//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022JJ10054//Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province of China/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The ketogenic diet that forces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by beta-oxidation of fatty acids instead of carbohydrate glycolysis, has gained consensus on host metabolism. However, the mechanisms how a ketogenic diet alters gastrointestinal microbiome and its downstream consequences on microbial nutrient availability and energy metabolism remain to be elucidated. Here, we used the sheep model fed with fat-rich diet to evaluate the symbiotic microbiome across three regions of the gastrointestinal tract (rumen, ileum, and colon) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the microbial energy metabolism and microbe-mediated ATP biosynthesis.

RESULTS: Results showed that sheep fed a fat-rich diet had a greater ADG and increased reliance on fat oxidation for fuel utilization. Metagenomics analysis showed the loss of the specialized fiber-degrading bacteria (genus_Fibrobacter) in the rumen and enrichment of genera RUG420 and Eubacterium, which are involved in lipid metabolism and bile acid processing, in the ileum. A significant functional shift related to energy metabolism was shared across three regions of the gastrointestinal microbiomes. These shifts were dominated by glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and TCA cycle in the rumen and by fatty acid degradation and bile acid transformation in the ileum, indicating adaptation to nutrient availability and energy acquisition. Notably, the abundance of substrate-level phosphorylation (SLP) enzymes was significantly increased in the rumen, ileum and colon, while the ATP-producing capacity through electron transport phosphorylation (ETP) by family_Bacteroidaceae in rumen and Acutalibacteraceae in ileum of sheep with fat-rich diet.

CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the ATP-related microbiome encoding SLP and ETP in rumen, ileum, and colon contributed 36.95% to the host's weight variation. Our study is the first one demonstrating the microbial potential in the ATP synthesis under the shift in dietary energy source, providing a new perspective on the energy metabolism and precise human macronutrients nutrition.},
}

@article {pmid40467487,
year = {2025},
author = {Nakayama, T and Harada, R and Yabuki, A and Nomura, M and Shiba, K and Inaba, K and Inagaki, Y},
title = {Marked Genome Reduction Driven by a Parasitic Lifestyle: Two Complete Genomes of Endosymbiotic Bacteria Possibly Hosted by a Dinoflagellate.},
journal = {Microbes and environments},
volume = {40},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1264/jsme2.ME25005},
pmid = {40467487},
issn = {1347-4405},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Dinoflagellida/microbiology/physiology ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology ; Base Composition ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome Size ; },
abstract = {Bacteria with endosymbiotic lifestyles often show marked genome reduction. While the shrinkage of genomes in intracellular symbionts of animals, including parasitic bacteria, has been extensively exami-ned, less is known about symbiotic bacteria associated with single-celled eukaryotes. We herein report the genomes of two novel gammaproteobacterial lineages, RS3 and XS4, identified as putative parasitic endosymbionts of the dinoflagellate Citharistes regius. Phylogenetic ana-lyses suggest that RS3 and XS4 belong to the family Fastidiosibacteraceae within the order Beggiatoales, forming independent lineages therein. The genomes of RS3 and XS4 are 529 and 436‍ ‍kbp in size, respectively, revealing marked reductions from related bacterial genomes. XS4, which has a very reduced genome with a low GC content, uses a different genetic code, in which UGA assigned tryptophan. The small genomes of RS3 and XS4 encode a limited number of proteins, retaining only approximately 20% of the predicted ancestral proteome. Metabolic reconstruction suggests that RS3 and XS4 are parasitic symbionts that are heavily dependent on their host for essential metabolites. Furthermore, we found that the ancestor of both genomes likely acquired an ADP:ATP antiporter gene via horizontal gene transfer, an event that may have enabled their evolution as energy parasites by facilitating the acquisition of ATP from their host. These results on novel bacteria with highly reduced genomes expand our understanding of the phylogenetic and genomic diversities of endosymbiotic bacteria in protists.},
}

*Symbiosis
Phylogeny
*Genome, Bacterial
*Dinoflagellida/microbiology/physiology
*Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology
Base Composition
Gene Transfer, Horizontal
Genome Size

@article {pmid40466052,
year = {2025},
author = {Sands, DZ and Finn, NB},
title = {From Internet to Artificial Intelligence (Al) Bots: Symbiotic Evolutions of Digital Technologies and e-Patients.},
journal = {Journal of participatory medicine},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {e68911},
doi = {10.2196/68911},
pmid = {40466052},
issn = {2152-7202},
abstract = {This paper will view the rise of the e-patient, who is "equipped, enabled, empowered, and engaged" through the lens of the evolution of successive digital technology innovations, each building on its predecessors, creating new tools for patient empowerment. We begin with the dawn of the web and the proliferation of health websites and discuss the use of digital communication tools. We then discuss the adoption of electronic health records, which enabled the rise of patient portals. This digitization of health data, along with the rapid adoption of mobile internet access and the proliferation of health-related smartphone apps, in turn, provided a platform for patients to coproduce health care by contributing their own health data to their self-care and health care. The exchange of health information between patients and providers has also been facilitated by telehealth or telemedicine technology, which enables direct care delivery. The use of social networks in health, in use since the early days of the web, has expanded since COVID-19, when public health authorities worldwide, as well as patients, sought the use of social media channels to get connected and share information. Most recently, artificial intelligence and large language models have emerged with yet untapped potential to provide patients with the information that could improve their understanding of their conditions and treatment options. We conclude that innovations in digital health technology have symbiotically evolved with the ascendance of the e-patient, enabling improved communication, collaboration, and coordination between patients and clinicians and forging a health care system that is safer and more responsive to patient needs.},
}

@article {pmid40464313,
year = {2025},
author = {Marzari, T and Villette, J and Roudaire, T and Palavioux, K and Brulé, D and Klinguer, A and Héloir, MC and Gayral, M and Poinssot, B},
title = {The short chitooligosaccharide CO4 inhibits chitin-triggered immunity in grapevine and promotes the infection by Botrytis cinerea but not Plasmopara viticola.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/eraf247},
pmid = {40464313},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Plants have developed strategies to detect different microorganisms and specifically modulate their immune responses. A primary recognition involves the perception of highly conserved molecular signatures, also known as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Among them, chitin, the main component of the fungal cell wall, is well known to be particularly active in triggering immunity in many plant species, including grapevine. While chitin is a well-known elicitor of plant defenses, other MAMPs such as short chitooligosaccharides (e.g. chitotetraose: CO4) and lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) have been described to promote symbiotic interactions and inhibit plant immunity in several plant species. Here, we analyzed the molecular signaling triggered by these MAMPs in grapevine focusing on two key immune responses: MAPKs phosphorylation and defense genes expression. Our results revealed that CO4 is the most active MAMP to inhibit some immune responses normally triggered by chitin. In addition, CO4 pre-treatment of grapevine leaves resulted in the repression of immune responses and increased susceptibility to the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea while showing no effect on Plasmopara viticola infection. These results suggest that grapevine can regulate its immune signaling pathways differently to either block or promote microbial colonization, depending on the MAMP perceived.},
}

@article {pmid40462927,
year = {2025},
author = {Imes, AM and Pavelsky, MN and Badal, K and Kamp, DL and Briseño, JL and Sakmar, T and Vogt, MA and Nyholm, SV and Heath-Heckman, EAC and Grasse, B and Septer, AN and Mandel, MJ},
title = {Euprymna berryi as a comparative model host for Vibrio fischeri light organ symbiosis.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2025.01.10.632448},
pmid = {40462927},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Functional studies of host-microbe interactions benefit from natural model systems that enable exploration of molecular mechanisms at the host-microbe interface. Bioluminescent Vibrio fischeri colonize the light organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes , and this binary model has enabled advances in understanding host-microbe communication, colonization specificity, in vivo biofilms, intraspecific competition, and quorum sensing. The hummingbird bobtail squid, Euprymna berryi, can be generationally bred and maintained in lab settings and has had multiple genes deleted by CRISPR approaches. The prospect of expanding the utility of the light organ model system by producing multigenerational host lines led us to determine the extent to which the E. berryi light organ symbiosis parallels known processes in E. scolopes . However, the nature of the E. berryi light organ, including its microbial constituency and specificity for microbial partners, have not been examined. In this report, we isolate bacteria from E. berryi animals and tank water. Assays of bacterial behaviors required in the host, as well as host responses to bacterial colonization, illustrate largely parallel phenotypes in E. berryi and E. scolopes hatchlings. This study reveals E. berryi to be a valuable comparative model to complement studies in E. scolopes .

IMPORTANCE: Microbiome studies have been substantially advanced by model systems that enable functional interrogation of the roles of the partners and the molecular communication between those partners. The Euprymna scolopes-Vibrio fischeri system has contributed foundational knowledge, revealing key roles for bacterial quorum sensing broadly and in animal hosts, for bacteria in stimulating animal development, for bacterial motility in accessing host sites, and for in vivo biofilm formation in development and specificity of an animal's microbiome. Euprymna berryi is a second bobtail squid host, and one that has recently been shown to be robust to laboratory husbandry and amenable to gene knockout. This study identifies E. berryi as a strong symbiosis model host due to features that are conserved with those of E. scolopes , which will enable extension of functional studies in bobtail squid symbioses.},
}

@article {pmid40462534,
year = {2025},
author = {Frew, A},
title = {What does colonisation tell us? Revisiting the functional outcomes of root colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70284},
pmid = {40462534},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {DE220100479//Australian Research Council/ ; },
}

@article {pmid40461988,
year = {2025},
author = {Nzepang, DT and Cissoko, M and Gully, D and Hocher, V and Rami, JF and Fall, S and Fonceka, D and Svistoonoff, S},
title = {Transcriptomic analysis reveals genetic factors underlying impaired symbiotic nitrogen fixation in lines derived from crosses between cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and its wild ancestors.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {556},
pmid = {40461988},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {ORACLE project//Avril Foundation/ ; ORACLE project//Avril Foundation/ ; ORACLE project//Avril Foundation/ ; ORACLE project//Avril Foundation/ ; LAPSE project//Institut de Recherche pour le Développement/ ; LAPSE project//Institut de Recherche pour le Développement/ ; LAPSE project//Institut de Recherche pour le Développement/ ; LAPSE project//Institut de Recherche pour le Développement/ ; PhD grant//Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst/ ; PhD grant//IRD Research Allowance for a Southern Thesis (ARTS)/ ; Div-N-Fix project//Agropolis Fondation/ ; Div-N-Fix project//Agropolis Fondation/ ; Div-N-Fix project//Agropolis Fondation/ ; Div-N-Fix project//Agropolis Fondation/ ; Div-N-Fix project//Agropolis Fondation/ ; },
mesh = {*Arachis/genetics/microbiology/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Transcriptome ; Bradyrhizobium/physiology ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/genetics/microbiology ; Crosses, Genetic ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) is a complex process regulated by numerous genes extensively studied in legumes that undergo intracellular infection, such as Lotus japonicus, Medicago truncatula, and Glycine max. However, the molecular and genetic mechanisms of SNF in legumes that rely on the intercellular infection pathway, such as peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), remain poorly understood. In a previous study, we identified two chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs), 12CS_051 and 12CS_044, each contains a wild segment on homeologous regions of chromosomes A02 and B02 respectively, that are severely impaired in nitrogen fixation. In this study, we have compared the transcriptomes of those lines with that of their recurrent parent, Fleur11, in roots inoculated with the effective Bradyrhizobium vignae strain ISRA400 to identify candidate genes associated with the reduced nitrogen fixation observed in these CSSLs.

RESULTS: A comparative analysis of the transcriptome profiles of the CSSLs and Fleur11 revealed significant changes in the expression of genes involved in plant immune signaling and key symbiotic genes, such as NIN, EFD, FEN1 or SNF-related transporters. These results align with the phenotypic differences observed during the symbiotic process in the CSSLs. When focusing on each QTL region, we found that only the orthologs of the symbiotic gene FEN1, which is responsible for the failure in the enlargement of infected cells in L. japonicus, exhibited a lack of expression in the two CSSLs compared to Fleur11. FEN1 encodes a homocitrate synthase that is essential for the nitrogenase activity. We hypothesize that changes in the expression of FEN1 could affect the nitrogenase activity, potentially leading to the unfair SNF observed in these lines.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of two ineffective nitrogen-fixing chromosome segment substitution lines and identified FEN1 as a suitable candidate gene involved in peanut symbiosis. This research provides valuable insights into understanding and improving SNF in peanut.},
}

*Arachis/genetics/microbiology/metabolism
*Nitrogen Fixation/genetics
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Gene Expression Profiling
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Transcriptome
Bradyrhizobium/physiology
Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Plant Roots/genetics/microbiology
Crosses, Genetic

@article {pmid40461259,
year = {2025},
author = {Esser, SP and Turzynski, V and Plewka, J and Nuy, J and Moore, CJ and Banas, I and Soares, AR and Lee, J and Woyke, T and Probst, AJ},
title = {Differential Expression of Core Metabolic Functions in Candidatus Altiarchaeum Inhabiting Distinct Subsurface Ecosystems.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {17},
number = {3},
pages = {e70096},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70096},
pmid = {40461259},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {DFG PR1603/2-1//Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein- Westfalen ("Nachwuchsgruppe Dr. Alexander Probst") and the German Research Foundation/ ; //Aker B.P.: GeneOil Project/ ; //U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute/ ; //DOE Office of Science User Facility/ ; //the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy operated/ ; },
mesh = {*Ecosystem ; Germany ; Groundwater/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome, Archaeal ; Multigene Family ; },
abstract = {Candidatus Altiarchaea are widespread across aquatic subsurface ecosystems and possess a highly conserved core genome, yet adaptations of this core genome to different biotic and abiotic factors based on gene expression remain unknown. Here, we investigated the metatranscriptome of two Ca. Altiarchaeum populations that thrive in two substantially different subsurface ecosystems. In Crystal Geyser, a high-CO2 groundwater system in the USA, Ca. Altiarchaeum crystalense co-occurs with the symbiont Ca. Huberiarchaeum crystalense, while in the Muehlbacher sulfidic spring in Germany, an artesian spring high in sulfide concentration, Ca. A. hamiconexum is heavily infected with viruses. We here mapped metatranscriptome reads against their genomes to analyse the in situ expression profile of their core genomes. Out of 537 shared gene clusters, 331 were functionally annotated and 130 differed significantly in expression between the two sites. Main differences were related to genes involved in cell defence like CRISPR-Cas, virus defence, replication, transcription and energy and carbon metabolism. Our results demonstrate that altiarchaeal populations in the subsurface are likely adapted to their environment while influenced by other biological entities that tamper with their core metabolism. We consequently posit that viruses and symbiotic interactions can be major energy sinks for organisms in the deep biosphere.},
}

*Ecosystem
Germany
Groundwater/microbiology
Symbiosis
Transcriptome
Gene Expression Profiling
Genome, Archaeal
Multigene Family

@article {pmid40459940,
year = {2025},
author = {Sasabe, J and Taniguchi, S and Adachi, K and Tran, X and Suzuki, M},
title = {Mammalian Tolerance to Amino Acid Heterochirality.},
journal = {Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e202500273},
doi = {10.1002/cbic.202500273},
pmid = {40459940},
issn = {1439-7633},
abstract = {Organisms use amino acids predominantly in l-configuration. On the other hand, a series of studies show that a variety of d-amino acids also occur in mammals and amino acid homochirality is not complete. Mammals de novo synthesize most amino acids with l-configuration, but serine and aspartate are converted from l- to d-configuration by endogenous enzymes. In addition to endogenous syntheses of d-amino acids, symbiotic bacteria in mammals chiral-convert amino acids, including alanine, glutamate, proline, and leucine in the intestine, creating a heterochiral inner environment. d-amino acids are distributed in distinctive patterns among organs and have physiological roles in the central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Mammals manage such diverse d-amino acids with catabolism and excretion into urine at individual levels. On the other hand, at cellular levels, enantio-selection mechanism to regulate chiral homeostasis of amino acids has remained unclear. In the protein synthesis, ribosome has a sophisticated system to eliminate d-amino acids, whereas non-ribosomal synthesis also utilizes d-amino acids. Furthermore, amino acid residues in proteins/peptides can be isomerized post-translationally through enzymatic or spontanelus processes. This manuscript overviews how chiral balance of free amino acids or residues in proteins is maintained in mammals at the individual and cellular levels.},
}

@article {pmid40459235,
year = {2025},
author = {Paulenová, E and Dobeš, P and Melicher, F and Houser, J and Faltinek, L and Hyršl, P and Wimmerová, M},
title = {The insight into the biology of five homologous lectins produced by the entomopathogenic bacterium and nematode symbiont Photorhabdus laumondii.},
journal = {Glycobiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/glycob/cwaf033},
pmid = {40459235},
issn = {1460-2423},
abstract = {Photorhabdus laumondii is a well-known bacterium with a complex life cycle involving mutualism with nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis and pathogenicity towards insect hosts. It provides an excellent model for studying the diverse roles of lectins, saccharide-binding proteins, in both symbiosis and pathogenicity. This study focuses on the seven-bladed β-propeller lectins of P. laumondii (PLLs), examining their biochemical properties (structure and saccharide specificity) and biological functions (gene expression, interactions with the nematode symbiont, and the host immune system response). Structural analyses revealed diverse oligomeric states among PLLs and a unique organisation of binding sites not described outside the PLL lectin family. Lectins exhibited high specificity for fucosylated and O-methylated saccharides with a significant avidity effect for multivalent ligands. Gene expression analysis across bacterial growth phases revealed that PLLs are predominantly expressed during the exponential phase. Interaction studies with the host immune system demonstrated that PLL5 uniquely induced melanisation in Galleria mellonella hemolymph. Furthermore, PLL2, PLL3, and PLL5 interfered with reactive oxygen species production in human blood cells, indicating their potential role in modulating host immune responses. Biofilm formation assays and binding studies with nematode life stages showed no significant involvement of PLLs in nematode colonization. Our findings highlight the primary role of PLLs in Photorhabdus pathogenicity rather than in symbiosis and offer valuable insight into the fascinating dynamics within the Photorhabdus-nematode-insect triparted system.},
}

@article {pmid40458963,
year = {2025},
author = {Jiang, Q and Jia, L and Chen, W and Zheng, Z and Lin, C and Zhu, L and Wang, X and Yao, X and Tissue, D and Robinson, D and Chen, G},
title = {Complementary foraging of roots and mycorrhizal fungi among nutrient patch types in four subtropical monospecific broadleaved tree plantations.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70263},
pmid = {40458963},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {2022L3009//Special Project for Guiding Science and Technology Development of Local Government by the Central Government of China/ ; 32301356//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Foraging in soil nutrient-rich patches is a key nutrient acquisition strategy for plants. However, how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) trees integrate root and mycorrhizal fungal responses in exploring different nutrient patches is poorly understood, especially in generally phosphorus-limited subtropical forests. We established five nutrient patch treatments (control; nitrogen addition; phosphorus addition; nitrogen + phosphorus addition; and organic residue addition) using ingrowth root bags in monoculture plantations of four subtropical tree species (two AM and two EM (Castanopsis)) to investigate the foraging responses of absorptive roots and mycorrhizal fungi. Compared to control patches, neither roots nor mycorrhizal fungi of AM and EM trees showed significant proliferative responses in nitrogen addition patches. In phosphorus addition and nitrogen + phosphorus addition patches, AM trees showed significant proliferation for mycorrhizal fungi only, while EM trees showed significant proliferation for roots only. In organic residue addition patches, however, AM trees showed significant proliferation only for roots, while EM trees showed significant proliferation only for mycorrhizal fungi. Our results highlight that foraging strategies of roots and mycorrhizal fungi are complementary among nutrient patch types and between AM and EM trees. Predicting belowground nutrient foraging strategies requires integrating information on mycorrhizal and nutrient patch types, including potential limiting nutrients.},
}

@article {pmid40458218,
year = {2025},
author = {Qush, A and Assaad, N and Alkhayat, FA and Al-Kuwari, MS and Al-Khalaf, N and Bassil, M and Yassine, HM and Zeidan, A and Razali, R and Kamareddine, L},
title = {Insects in agricultural greenhouses: a metagenomic analysis of microbes in Trialeurodes vaporariorum infesting tomato and cucumber crops.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1581707},
pmid = {40458218},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: With the predicted 9-10 billion world population increase by 2050 and its accompanying need for sustainable food production, and with the harsh climate conditions challenging agriculture and food security in many countries world-wide, employing "horticultural protected cultivation practices" in farming for seasonal and off-seasonal crop production is on the rise, among which is the use of agricultural greenhouses. The importance of greenhouse farming has been, indeed, evident by the perceived increase in year-round crops production, curtail in production risks, upsurge in agricultural profits, outreaching food stability and security in many countries globally. Yet, and despite this acknowledged success of employing greenhouses in farming, many constraints, including the presence of insect pests, still chaperoned this practice over the years, significantly impacting crop quality and production.

METHODS: As such, we assessed in this study the status of "insect pests" in the greenhouse model by collecting insects from different greenhouse sectors grown with tomatoes and cucumbers and identified the collected insects using relevant identification keys. To further explore the pest paradigm in greenhouses, we then focused on particularly studying Trialeurodes vaporariorum (TRIAVA), a key insect species among the collected and identified insects in the studied greenhouse model and a significant pest with an impactful effect on many crops worldwide. To do so, we traced the abundance of TRIAVA in the tomato and cucumber grown greenhouse sectors over the period of the study, analyzed its metagenome and associated its abundance with crop yield.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our findings revealed TRIAVA hosted microbes with aptitudes to either serve as symbiotic microorganisms and protect TRIAVA against pathogens or to potentially cause damage to crops. This work provides additional insight into the insect pests paradigm in greenhouses, an upshot that could serve integrated insect pest management strategies in greenhouses for optimal agricultural practices.},
}

@article {pmid40456902,
year = {2025},
author = {Guo, HB and Zhao, JC and Liu, WY and Bi, YD and Sibirina, LA and Yu, XD},
title = {Microbiome analysis for artificially establishing the symbiotic relationship between Hebeloma hiemale and Quercus mongolica.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {19273},
pmid = {40456902},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {2022-MS-418//Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province/ ; 2024-MSLH-344//Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province/ ; 32370008//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Quercus/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics ; Soil Microbiology ; Rhizosphere ; *Hebeloma/physiology ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; },
abstract = {Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) play a critical role in enhancing plant growth and health. However, the influence of artificially established ectomycorrhizal symbioses on the structure and function of rhizosphere microbial communities remains inadequately understood. In this study, a symbiotic relationship between Hebeloma hiemale and Quercus mongolica was established to investigate the influence of ECM on soil microbial communities in the rhizosphere of the host plant. High-throughput sequencing revealed that H. hiemale inoculation altered the evenness of both the fungal and bacterial communities and reduced the diversity of the bacterial community relative to the blank control. In particular, several bacterial genera with an enhanced capacity for nutrient cycling, contaminant degradation, and host plant protection were enriched following H. hiemale inoculation. Shifts in fungal community structure suggest potential benefits for the host plant, including reduced cadmium uptake, enhanced mercury remediation, and increased protection against pathogens. Our results highlight the complex interactions between ECM and rhizosphere microbial communities to enable a better understanding of the importance of multi-species relationships in plant-microbe symbioses and their ecological implications.},
}

*Quercus/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Microbiota
*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics
Soil Microbiology
Rhizosphere
*Hebeloma/physiology
Bacteria/genetics/classification

@article {pmid40456658,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, ZY and Zhong, YJ and Wang, YF and Xie, NH and Zhang, Y and Jiang, ZY and Shi, RJ and Liang, XL},
title = {Ecological functions of plant-beneficial microbiomes and their application prospects in sustainable agriculture.},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {36},
number = {5},
pages = {1553-1566},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202504.036},
pmid = {40456658},
issn = {1001-9332},
mesh = {*Microbiota/physiology ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Agriculture/methods ; Mycorrhizae/physiology ; Bacteriophages/physiology ; *Crops, Agricultural/growth & development/microbiology ; *Ecosystem ; Symbiosis ; Sustainable Development ; Plant Development ; },
abstract = {Soil microbial communities form dynamic interaction networks with plants, which influence growth, development, stress tolerance, and ecological adaptability of plants. In recent years, the roles of beneficial micro-biomes, including plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and plant-associated bacteriophages, in agricultural ecosystems have received increasing attention. Beneficial microorganisms can facilitate soil nutrient release, secrete plant hormones, and regulate signaling pathways, thereby establishing symbiotic relationships with plant for healthy host growth. They also play crucial roles in enhancing plant tolerance to salinity, drought, and pest-related stresses. Bacteriophages, as integral components of plant microbiomes, exhibit potential ecological functions, such as modulating host metabolism, boosting plant resistance, and maintaining microbial community balance. However, the mechanisms through which plant-associated microbiomes influence plant physiological traits remain less understood. The application of exogenous microorganisms in agriculture faces many challenges, such as competition from native microbiomes, environmental adaptability, and functional stabi-lity. We summarized the ecological functions of plant-beneficial microbiomes, including bacteriophages, in agricultural systems, highlighting their synergistic roles in soil health maintenance, nutrient cycling optimization, biodiversity conservation, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Furthermore, we discussed the complex mechanisms underlying plant-microbiome-environment interactions and proposed strategies for optimizing microbiome functions to promote sustainable development of agriculture and ensuring food security and ecological balance.},
}

*Microbiota/physiology
*Soil Microbiology
*Agriculture/methods
Mycorrhizae/physiology
Bacteriophages/physiology
*Crops, Agricultural/growth & development/microbiology
*Ecosystem
Symbiosis
Sustainable Development
Plant Development

@article {pmid40456535,
year = {2025},
author = {Lemoine, MM and Wöhner, T and Kaltenpoth, M},
title = {Microbial Community Dynamics in Natural Drosophila melanogaster Populations Across Seasons.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {6},
pages = {e70104},
pmid = {40456535},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {CoG 819585/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; //Max-Planck-Gesellschaft/ ; KA2846/5-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; Seasons ; *Fungi/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Microbiota ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; },
abstract = {Many insects benefit from gut microbes that contribute to digestion, detoxification, nutrient supplementation or defence. Although abiotic and biotic factors are known to shape insect-associated microbial communities, the seasonal dynamics and their potential impact on host fitness remain poorly studied. Here we investigated the temporal changes in bacterial and fungal communities associated with the model organism Drosophila melanogaster over 5 months. Our results reveal high inter-individual variation, but also consistent changes in microbial communities of three wild D. melanogaster populations from early spring to late summer. These changes were driven by specific indicator species, particularly Acetobacteraceae bacteria (Gluconobacter and Komagataeibacter) and Saccharomycetales yeasts (Pichia, Starmerella, Kregervanrija, Hanseniaspora, Saccharomycopsis, Priceomyces and Dipodascopsis). The temporal dynamics were not accompanied by differences in the total bacterial or fungal abundance, and alpha-diversity only changed across sampling months for the fungal but not the bacterial communities. While the changes in D. melanogaster-associated microbial communities are likely driven by the exposure to seasonally changing microbial environments and diets, they may have important impacts on host fitness. Elucidating the potential adaptive value of seasonally changing microbial communities will enhance our understanding of how symbiotic microbes may contribute to ecological niche shifts and geographic range expansions in insects.},
}

Animals
*Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology
Seasons
*Fungi/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
*Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
*Microbiota
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome

@article {pmid40456416,
year = {2025},
author = {Han, X and Zhou, Y and Feng, X and Wang, Y and Zhang, H},
title = {Potassium uptake function of LbKT1 and LbSKOR from Lycium barbarum and their influence on the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.},
journal = {Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology},
volume = {359},
number = {},
pages = {112587},
doi = {10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112587},
pmid = {40456416},
issn = {1873-2259},
abstract = {Potassium participates in a variety of plant physiological processes and has great impact on plant growth and stress adaptation. The absorption of potassium by Plant is mediated by potassium channels and transporters, and the Shaker potassium channel gene family plays an important role in potassium uptake. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form ubiquitous symbioses with plants and increase plants' potassium uptake. However, few studies have focused on the interaction of plant potassium channels from the Shaker gene family with AM fungi. In this study, the potassium uptake function of LbKT1 and LbSKOR (homologs of AKT1 and SKOR in Arabidopsis) from the Shaker gene family in Lycium barbarum was verified by the complementary assay using a yeast potassium uptake mutant. LbKT1 and LbSKOR were also overexpressed in tobacco to assess their influence on AM fungi under low and normal potassium conditions in a pot experiment. LbKT1 could rescue the phenotype of the yeast mutant, while LbSKOR could not. Overexpression of LbKT1 increased tobacco plant growth and potassium uptake and promoted the colonization of AM fungi. Meanwhile, overexpression of LbSKOR promoted potassium translocation from root to shoot and showed no obvious influence on the colonization of AM fungi. Our results suggested that the AM fungi could promote tobacco growth and potassium uptake, while the plant potassium status and the AM fungal colonization may form positive feedback in promoting tobacco potassium uptake and growth.},
}

@article {pmid40456330,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, Z and Du, Y and Yang, R and Ning, F and Wang, J and Lei, J and Wang, J and Zhang, A and Liu, Y},
title = {Response of extracellular polymeric substances in algal-bacterial granular sludge under salinity stress: Secretion behavior, structural properties, and protective roles.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {433},
number = {},
pages = {132754},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132754},
pmid = {40456330},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {The algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) technology exhibits the advantages of low energy consumption and high shock load resistance. While ABGS regulates extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion to cope with adverse conditions, the role of EPS in resisting salinity stress remains uncertain. This study investigated the response ofEPS in ABGS to salinity stress (0-5 %) by examining secretion behavior, structural properties, and protective roles. The results showed that high salinity (≥3%) led to changes in the components and content of EPS. Additionally, analysis of the adhesion in EPS indicated that the frequency of tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) decreased sharply from -10 Hz (0 %) to -45 Hz (1 %). According to the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory and the rheological properties, TB-EPS significantly influences sludge flocculation and stability at low salinity. This study provided a scientific foundation for revealing the role mechanism of EPS in ABGS for saline wastewater treatment.},
}

@article {pmid40455119,
year = {2025},
author = {Yamanouchi, K and Nagai, T and Tsujiguchi, T and Chiba, M and Fujioka, M and Ahsan, CR and Matsumiya, T},
title = {Environmentally derived Balamuthia mandrillaris contains endosymbiotic bacteria.},
journal = {Parasitology research},
volume = {124},
number = {6},
pages = {57},
pmid = {40455119},
issn = {1432-1955},
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Balamuthia mandrillaris/microbiology/physiology/isolation & purification ; Japan ; *Symbiosis ; Pigments, Biological/metabolism/biosynthesis ; *Bacteria/isolation & purification/classification/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Balamuthia mandrillaris is an environmentally derived, free-living amoeba that causes fatal meningoencephalitis. We previously isolated B. mandrillaris from soil in the Aomori Prefecture and attempted to culture the cell-free amoeba using liquid medium; however, this was difficult to achieve because of contamination of the medium with endogenous bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of endogenous bacteria in environmentally derived B. mandrillaris and identify bacteria. Two new environmentally derived B. mandrillaris strains were isolated from soil samples collected throughout Japan. Environmentally derived B. mandrillaris was cultured under nutrient-free conditions for 60 days, and the induced cysts contained large amounts of viable bacteria. The sequence of the endophytic bacteria revealed that the genus Chitinophaga was common between the two strains of B. mandrillaris. The opportunistic pathogens Inquilinus and Brevundimonas were also detected. All of these bacteria were pigment-producing species. Bacterial pigment production helps protect organisms from extremes of heat and cold, increases the virulence of pathogenic strains, and protects organisms from protein and DNA damage caused by UV light and ionizing radiation. This suggests that B. mandrillaris preserving bacteria in a viable state for a long time under severe conditions with no nutrition may be the ability of the bacteria to produce pigments.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Balamuthia mandrillaris/microbiology/physiology/isolation & purification
Japan
*Symbiosis
Pigments, Biological/metabolism/biosynthesis
*Bacteria/isolation & purification/classification/genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
DNA, Ribosomal/genetics/chemistry

@article {pmid40454874,
year = {2025},
author = {Pfister, CA and Berlinghof, J and Bogan, M and Cardini, U and Gobet, A and Hamon-Giraud, P and Hart, J and Jimenez, N and Siegel, A and Stanfield, E and Vallet, M and Leblanc, C and Rousseau, C and Thomas, F and Stock, W and Dittami, SM},
title = {Evolutionary history and association with seaweeds shape the genomes and metabolisms of marine bacteria.},
journal = {mSphere},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0099624},
doi = {10.1128/msphere.00996-24},
pmid = {40454874},
issn = {2379-5042},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Seaweeds harbor a rich diversity of bacteria, providing them with metabolic resources and a surface for attachment and biofilm development. The host's unique environment potentially shapes the bacterial genomes and promotes adaptations for a symbiotic lifestyle. To investigate whether the genomes of seaweed-associated bacteria are genetically and metabolically distinct from their close free-living relatives in seawater, we compared both the seaweed-associated and free-living counterparts of 72 bacterial genera across 16 seaweed hosts using whole-genome sequences or high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes. While taxonomic affiliation strongly influenced genome characteristics such as GC content, gene number, and size, host association had a lower effect overall. A reduced genome size was suggested only in Nereocystis luetkeana-associated microbes, while only Ascophyllum nodosum-associated bacteria had an increased GC content. Metabolic adaptations were indicated from the genomes of seaweed-associated bacteria, including enriched pathways for B vitamin production, complex carbohydrate utilization, and amino acid biosynthesis. In particular, Flavobacteriia showed the most pronounced differences between host-associated and free-living strains. We further hypothesized that bacteria associated with seaweed might have evolved to complement their host's metabolism and tested this inference by analyzing the genomes of both the seaweed Ectocarpus subulatus and its 28 bacterial associates but found no evidence for such complementarity. Our analyses of 72 paired bacterial genomes highlighted significant metabolic differences in seaweed-associated strains with implications for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in the coastal ocean.

IMPORTANCE: We hypothesized that the unique environment of seaweeds in coastal oceans shapes bacterial genomes and promotes a symbiotic lifestyle. We compared the genomes of bacteria isolated from seaweed with bacteria from the same genus found free-living in seawater. For genome features that included the number of genes, the size of the genome, and the GC content, taxonomy was of greater importance than bacterial lifestyle. When we compared metabolic abilities, we again found a strong effect of taxonomy in determining metabolism. Although several metabolic pathways differed between free-living and host-associated bacteria, this was especially prominent for Flavobacteriia in the phylum Bacteroidota. Notably, bacteria living on seaweeds had an increased occurrence of genes for B vitamin synthesis, complex carbohydrate use, and nitrogen uptake, indicating that bacterial genomes reflect both their evolutionary history and the current environment they inhabit.},
}

@article {pmid40453780,
year = {2025},
author = {Yamato, M and Ohmae, M and Orihara, T and Kusakabe, R and Goto, BT and Błaszkowski, J},
title = {Molecular phylogeny, morphology, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and putative distribution of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Epigeocarpum japonicum (Glomeraceae).},
journal = {Mycoscience},
volume = {65},
number = {6},
pages = {270-277},
pmid = {40453780},
issn = {1618-2545},
abstract = {We collected in Japan five sporocarpic specimens morphologically identical to those of Epigeocarpum japonicum, a recently described Glomeromycota species. Although 18S-ITS-28S nuc rDNA sequences obtained from these sporocarps showed high sequence variability, phylogenetic analyses based on 18S-ITS-28S, the largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II (rpb1) gene, and concatenated sequences of the two loci convincingly demonstrated the identity of these sporocarps to E. japonicum. Importantly, the 18S-ITS-28S+rpb1 analyses highlighted the key role of rpb1 sequences in reconstructing the phylogenies of Glomeromycota taxa with strongly divergent rDNA sequences. Upon inoculation with sporocarpic spores, E. japonicum formed mycorrhiza with arbuscules and vesicles, which was not confirmed in the original description of the species. Comparisons of E. japonicum 18S sequences with Glomeromycota DNA sequences available in a public database indicated that E. japonicum is a cosmopolitan species and is mainly associated with plants in natural habitats such as grasslands, shrublands, and forests. Phylogenetic analyses also confirmed the autonomy of E. crypticum, another known species of the genus Epigeocarpum whose sporocarps were originally found in Brazil.},
}

@article {pmid40451789,
year = {2025},
author = {Yue, X and Yang, J and Qi, J and Gao, S and Huo, Q and Guo, X and Guo, H and Luo, J and Wang, Y and Zhao, Y and Liu, R and Wang, H and Yi, S and Fu, Y and Ji, X and Wei, Y and He, W and Guo, B},
title = {Loss of Pathogenicity and Evidence of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides From a Medicinal Plant.},
journal = {Molecular plant pathology},
volume = {26},
number = {6},
pages = {e70098},
pmid = {40451789},
issn = {1364-3703},
support = {GX2346//Xi'an Beilin District Science and Technology Plan Project/ ; 2018ZDXM-SF-016//Key Research and Development Plan Project of Shaanxi Province/ ; 23JHQ056//Shaanxi Institute of Basic Sciences Project/ ; 2023-JC-YB-165//Natural Science Basis Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Colletotrichum/pathogenicity/genetics ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics ; *Plants, Medicinal/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Huperzia/microbiology ; Virulence/genetics ; },
abstract = {Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a major agricultural pathogen of crops that has also been identified as an endophyte of the medicinal plant Huperzia serrata. Both H. serrata and C. gloeosporioides produce huperzine A, a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. In this study, a nonpathogenic C. gloeosporioides strain (NWUHS001) was isolated and its genome sequenced. Gene structure prediction identified 15,413 protein-coding genes and 879 noncoding RNAs. Through PHI-base database prediction, we found that NWUHS001 lacks two key pathogenicity genes CgDN3 and cap20, which may be the cause of its nonpathogenicity. Comparative genomic analysis showed that the number of genes encoding pectin lyase B (pelB), pectin lyase (pnl) and polygalacturonase (pg) in NWUHS001 was significantly lower than that in pathogenic strains during the expansion of mycelium into host tissues. This caused slow growth and incapability to penetrate host cells. In contrast, in NWUHS001, genes involved in carbon acquisition such as ribose and amino sugar metabolic pathways were enriched, indicating active metabolite exchange with the host. In addition, by comparing the genome of NWUHS001 with that of the host H. serrata, we found that polyketosynthetase (pksIII), a key gene in the host huperzine A biosynthetic pathway, may possibly have been acquired from the fungus by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). This study explained the possible genetic evolution mechanism of C. gloeosporioides from pathogenicity to nonpathogenicity, which is of value for studying the interaction between microorganisms and plants. It also provided clues to the genetic evolution of the biosynthetic pathway of huperzine A.},
}

*Colletotrichum/pathogenicity/genetics
*Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics
*Plants, Medicinal/microbiology
Phylogeny
*Huperzia/microbiology
Virulence/genetics

@article {pmid40450278,
year = {2025},
author = {Bouwman, T and Higa, L and Lee, C and Young, S and Ragasa, A and Bonito, G and Nguyen, NH and Du, ZY},
title = {Biochemical and molecular characterization of fungal isolates from California annual grassland soil.},
journal = {Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {56},
pmid = {40450278},
issn = {2731-3654},
support = {2022-38500-38099//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; DE-SC0020163//U.S. Department of Energy/ ; },
abstract = {Fungi play a pivotal role in ecosystem functionality, driving processes such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic interactions. Their wide enzymatic strategies enable the breakdown of complex organic materials and the valorization of organic waste streams, providing sustainable pathways for bioproduct development. Fungi also exhibit significant potential in industrial applications, particularly in biofuel and nutraceutical production, owing to their high lipid content and adaptability to diverse feedstocks. Genera such as Aspergillus, Mortierella, and Linnemannia have demonstrated exceptional lipid production capabilities and unique fatty acid profiles, including high yields of nutraceuticals like arachidonic acid (ARA) and oleic acid. This study explored uncharacterized fungal strains isolated from California grassland soils, analyzing their phylogeny, morphology, growth rates, lipid content, and fatty acid profiles. Results revealed notable genetic and physiological diversity among the isolates, with Mortierella strains emerging as the most promising for industrial applications due to their superior lipid content and productivity of ARA and oleic acid. Confocal microscopy confirmed consistent lipid droplet morphology, while phylogenetic analysis uncovered novel species-level diversity. Key strains were identified for biofuel and nutraceutical production, highlighting their industrial potential. These findings underscore the versatility of fungi as biotechnological tools and provide a foundation for further exploration and utilization of these promising strains in industrial processes.},
}

@article {pmid40450130,
year = {2025},
author = {Alizadeh, Z and Heidari, P and Asghari, HR},
title = {Exploring the influence of symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and beans on potassium uptake and the activity of AKT and HKT genes.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {19169},
pmid = {40450130},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Potassium/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics/metabolism ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Phaseolus/genetics/microbiology/metabolism ; Glomeromycota/physiology ; Fungi ; },
abstract = {In plants, potassium (K[+]) serves multiple functions, despite being scarce due to strong soil adsorption. This study examined how the presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) like Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae influenced the absorption and transport of K[+] in bean roots through symbiotic interactions. In a symbiotic relationship, AMF had the potential to enhance potassium absorption and storage in various tissues of bean seedlings. Under symbiotic conditions, the concentration of potassium in stem tissues was observed to increase almost four times more than control conditions. The genome of beans was shown to contain a total of nineteen PvAKT genes and two PvHKT genes. Based on phylogeny analysis, PvAKT family members and their corresponding orthologs were categorized into four distinct groups. Subfamily 3 of the PvAKT phylogeny tree exhibited distinct variations from other subfamilies in terms of gene structure, conserved domains, and potential phosphorylation sites. The presence of cis-regulatory element related to ABA responsiveness in the upstream region led to the division of PvAKT and PvHKT genes into two specific groups. Gene expression analysis disclosed that PvAKT and PvHKT genes are induced by AMF and have tissue specific expression. PvAKT6 and PvAKT11 genes and both PvHKT genes showed differential expression in root and shoot tissues, while PvAKT3 gene increased expression in both root and shoot tissues. The results suggest that AMF had a significant impact on increasing the solubility of K[+] and ultimately enhancing the function of K[+] transporters.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Potassium/metabolism
Phylogeny
Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics/metabolism
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Phaseolus/genetics/microbiology/metabolism
Glomeromycota/physiology
Fungi

@article {pmid40450007,
year = {2025},
author = {Kong, L and Feng, Y and Zheng, R and Wu, X and Mao, Y and Sun, J and Liu, S},
title = {Interspecies hydrogen transfer between cyanobacteria and symbiotic bacteria drives nitrogen loss.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {5078},
pmid = {40450007},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {52270016//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 523B2095//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; },
mesh = {*Hydrogen/metabolism ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Cyanobacteria/metabolism ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; Denitrification ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {The trace concentration of H2 in most ecosystems after the Earth's oxidation has long caused the neglect of hydrogenotrophic denitrification for nitrogen loss. Here, we find that the interspecies hydrogen transfer between cyanobacteria and symbiotic bacteria within cyanobacterial aggregates is an undiscovered pathway for nitrogen loss. Cyanobacteria in aggregates can actively generate H2 under the diel cycle as an electron donor for neighboring hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers. The hydrogenotrophic denitrification in engineered cyanobacterial aggregates accounts for a nitrogen removal rate of 3.47 ± 0.42 mmol l[-1] day[-1]. This value is nearly 50% of the heterotrophic denitrification rate, which far exceeds the general concept of the trace role. We find that H2-evolving cyanobacteria and hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers coexist in 84% of the 63 globally distributed cyanobacterial aggregates, where bloom colonies and phototrophic mats from hot springs are identified as potential hotspots. We suggest that interspecies hydrogen transfer within cyanobacterial aggregates is possibly responsible for the excessive nitrogen loss rate during cyanobacterial blooms where cyanobacterial aggregates persist.},
}

*Hydrogen/metabolism
*Nitrogen/metabolism
*Cyanobacteria/metabolism
*Symbiosis/physiology
Denitrification
Ecosystem

@article {pmid40449773,
year = {2025},
author = {Ding, H and Zhu, X and Liu, J and Si, J and Wu, L},
title = {Plant endophytic fungal polysaccharides and their activities: A review.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {144750},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144750},
pmid = {40449773},
issn = {1879-0003},
abstract = {Endophytic fungi, essential constituents of plant microecosystems, have attracted considerable scientific interest due to their remarkable biodiversity, ecological adaptability, and capacity to synthesize a wide range of bioactive metabolites. Among these, polysaccharides produced by endophytic fungi represent a promising yet insufficiently investigated class of macromolecules with significant pharmacological and biotechnological applications. However, research on these polysaccharides remains constrained by limited exploration. This review systematically consolidates current advances in the classification, extraction, purification, structural elucidation, and biological functions of endophytic fungal polysaccharides (EFPs), while also examining their interactions with host plants. The potential of polysaccharide-producing endophytic fungi remains largely underexplored. Furthermore, inherent polysaccharide complexity, combined with technical limitations, has confined most studies to extracellular polysaccharides, leaving comprehensive structural analyses scarce. EFPs demonstrate antioxidant, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities, and contribute substantially to the symbiotic dynamics between fungi and host plants, yet systematic activity profiling is insufficient. This review proposes establishing a targeted resource development framework to enhance the diversity of polysaccharide compounds and advocates for the integration of conventional and advanced methodologies to advance pharmacological investigations and functional analyses of EFPs, thereby offering strategic insights for future applications and facilitating deeper exploration and utilization.},
}

@article {pmid40449332,
year = {2025},
author = {Ou, Z and Wang, Z and Duan, C and Shu, L and Hu, Z},
title = {Simultaneously disinfection of amoebae, endosymbiotic bacteria, and resistance genes using a novel two-electron water oxidation strategy.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {284},
number = {},
pages = {123894},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123894},
pmid = {40449332},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Amoebae, which serve as important vectors for various pathogenic bacteria, are ubiquitous in natural and artificial water systems. Their robust survival capabilities and protective characteristics render conventional disinfection methods largely ineffective. Moreover, amoeba cells provide an ideal environment for the replication and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes, posing a significant threat to human health and safety. In this study, an in-situ activation system for electrocatalytic water oxidation was developed. This system effectively inactivates amoeba spores and their intracellular symbiotic bacteria while simultaneously reducing the abundance of resistance genes through the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and carbonate free radicals (•CO3[-]). The results demonstrated a 99.9 % inactivation rate for amoeba spores and a 99.999 % inactivation rate for intracellular bacteria. In addition, the prevalence of resistant genes in bacteria within amoebae, specifically including sul1 (sulfonamide resistance), tetA (tetracycline resistance), blaFOX (cefoxitin resistance), arsB (arsenic resistance), czcA (cadmium resistance), and copA (copper resistance), was significantly reduced by approximately 16 %-62.6 %. Therefore, this study introduces a new technology capable of simultaneously treating amoeba spores, intracellular bacteria, and resistance genes, which holds significant importance for reducing the spread of resistant genes and enhancing public health safety.},
}

@article {pmid40449312,
year = {2025},
author = {Xia, Z and Ng, HY and Bae, S},
title = {Synergistic microalgal-bacterial interactions enhance nitrogen removal in membrane-aerated biofilm photoreactors treating aquaculture wastewater under salt stress: Insights from metagenomic analysis.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {283},
number = {},
pages = {123878},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123878},
pmid = {40449312},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {This study investigates the membrane-aerated biofilm photoreactor (MABPR) for treating aquaculture effluents with low C/N ratio and elevated salinity (0.5%-3.2%). The MABPR integrated biofilm reactors with microalgal-bacterial consortia, achieving superior total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal by leveraging counter-diffusional biofilm properties, bubbleless aeration, and enhanced microalgal productivity. The system consistently outperformed conventional reactors, achieving 84.7 ± 1.9% TIN removal at 3.2% salinity with TIN removal flux increasing from 0.82 ± 0.04 to 1.22 ± 0.07 g/m[2] d. The MABPR promoted microalgal proliferation (Chl-a/VSS: 8.08-15.04 mg/g) and higher biomass productivity (1.83 g/m[2] d) compared to SBBPR and MABR. Elevated salinity stimulated extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, reinforcing biofilm stability and microbial resilience. The MABPR demonstrated 22%-65% higher nitrogen removal efficiency than controls at the highest salinity. Canonical nitrification-denitrification remained the primary nitrogen removal pathway, with short-cut nitrification-denitrification contributing under salt stress. Metagenomic analysis revealed bidirectional adaptation between microalgae and bacteria, with enriched nitrogen assimilation (GS/GOGAT pathway) compensating for bacterial deficits. Microalgae facilitated pollutant removal through ammonia uptake and dissolved organic matter release, supporting denitrification. At 3.2% salinity, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter abundance increased by 42.6% and 35.8%, while denitrifiers Denitromonas and Hoeflea dominated, comprising 59.4% and 35.9% of the population. The MABPR further promoted the synthesis of growth cofactors (vitamins, phytohormones), enhancing microalgal productivity and stress resilience. These synergistic microalgal-bacterial interactions supported pollutant removal, showcasing the MABPR as a robust, sustainable solution for aquaculture wastewater treatment and resource recovery under salt stress.},
}

@article {pmid40446515,
year = {2025},
author = {Moreira, GRM and De Lima Júnior, JM and Nomura, CS and De Jesus, JHF and Uher, E and Dufour, A and Do Noscimiento, MM and Grover, R and Migon, C and Ferrier-Pagès, C and Espósito, BP},
title = {Enhancing coral photosynthesis: The power of manganese-alginate gels.},
journal = {Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)},
volume = {89},
number = {},
pages = {127675},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127675},
pmid = {40446515},
issn = {1878-3252},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Scleractinian corals rely on symbiosis with Symbiodiniaceae, a family of marine dinoflagellates, for photosynthetic products, which sustains their growth in nutrient-poor environments. Manganese (Mn) is a critical element for photosynthesis as an essential cofactor for the oxygen-evolving complex of the photosynthetic machinery. Also, Mn is an essential metal involved in antioxidant mechanisms that maintain normal cellular function in heat stressed corals.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of different Mn species on photosynthetic efficiency in the coral Stylophora pistillata under thermal stress. A Mn-alginate device for controlled Mn supplementation was developed for this purpose.

METHODS: Coral nubbins were exposed to the following Mn species: manganese(II) chloride (MnCl₂), manganese(II) ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinate (MnEDDS), manganese(II) desferrioxamine (MnDFO), and manganese(III) citrate (MnCIT). Photosynthetic parameters were measured using fluorometry. Mn-alginate gel dishes were prepared for controlled release, and their impacts on coral health indicators were evaluated at 26 °C and 31 °C, including photosynthetic efficiency, oxygen production, and symbiont density.

RESULTS: Free Mn(II) (MnCl2) and MnEDDS significantly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Mn-alginate effectively delivered Mn in controlled bursts. Under thermal stress, Mn supplementation improved photosynthetic activity and favored symbiont density. Mn-alginate dishes were stable in seawater and biocompatible, releasing Mn optimally at elevated temperatures.

CONCLUSION: Mn-alginate gel dishes are an efficient and safe method for improving coral photosynthesis and mitigating thermal stress impacts, supporting reef conservation efforts in a changing climate.},
}

@article {pmid40445563,
year = {2025},
author = {Martín-Cardoso, H and Castillo, L and Busturia, I and Bücker, G and Marqués, L and Pla, E and Català-Forner, M and Domingo, C and San Segundo, B},
title = {Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increase Blast Resistance and Grain Yield in Japonica Rice Cultivars in Flooded Fields.},
journal = {Rice (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {47},
pmid = {40445563},
issn = {1939-8425},
support = {PLEC2021-007786//MICIU/AEI and European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR/ ; PID2021-128825OB-I00//MICIU/AEI/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi establish symbiotic associations with a wide range of plant species. Root colonization by AM fungi improves the uptake of mineral nutrients in the host plant, mainly phosphorus, in exchange for photosynthetically fixed carbon. Rice is one of the most important cereal crops in the world that is cultivated in diverse ecosystems, mainly in flooded fields. Although rice is a host for AM fungi, flooding depresses colonization of rice roots by AM fungi. However, once fungal penetration into the rice root has occurred, the functional capacities of the AM fungus are not affected by flooding. In this study, we investigated mycorrhizal responsiveness in a panel of temperate japonica rice varieties in low fertility soil collected from rice fields. We show that inoculation with an AM fungus, either Rhizophagus irregularis or Funneliformis mosseae, stimulates seedling growth, improves Pi nutrition and enhances resistance to infection by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae in aerobically grown rice plants in low fertility soil. The fungus M. oryzae is the causal agent of the rice blast disease, one of the most devastating diseases in cultivated rice worldwide. Field trials were conducted in flooded paddy fields of eastern Spain (mediterranean region) in 2023 and 2024. Three elite rice varieties were inoculated with R. irregularis and grown in nurseries under aerobic conditions during early vegetative stage. The AM-inoculated seedlings were then transplanted to flooded fields. We show that inoculation with R. irregularis increases grain yield and blast resistance, namely leaf blast, neck blast, node blast and panicle blast, in flooded field conditions. Although all the japonica rice varieties here examined benefited from the AM symbiosis, its effects varied depending on the rice variety and the geographical location. These findings demonstrated that the application of AM fungi in nurseries may be integrated with conventional rice cultivation systems in paddy fields for the development of sustainable rice production systems less dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.},
}

@article {pmid40444050,
year = {2025},
author = {Sarti, G and Traini, C and Magni, G and Attorre, S and Tognozzi, G and Calussi, E and Giovannini, MG and Vannucchi, MG and Lana, D},
title = {Chronic administration of prebiotics and probiotics prevent pathophysiological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease in the cortex of APP/PS1 mice.},
journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1596469},
pmid = {40444050},
issn = {1663-9812},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Dysbiosis is a characteristic of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The disbalance between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria causes increased production of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in the gut, which can contribute to brain accumulation of Aβ. Recovering microbiota composition with symbiotic administration of prebiotics and probiotics may be a strategy to prevent or reduce AD symptomathology. The aim of this research was to study whether chronic administration of pre- and probiotics modifies the histopathological signs of neurodegeneration in the cortex of APP/PS1 mice, a transgenic mouse model of AD. We focused on neuritic plaques deposition, neuronal degeneration and glia activation.

METHODS: Transgenic (TG) mice and Wild type (WT) littermates were fed daily with a diet supplemented with prebiotics (a multi-extract of fibers and plant complexes, containing inulin/fruit-oligosaccharides) and probiotics (a 50%-50% mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus paracasei). The treatment started at 2 months of age and lasted for 6 months. Controls were WT and TG mice fed with a standard diet. All groups were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and digital imaging. Cortical sections were immunostained for neuritic plaques, neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and inflammatory proteins. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out by immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and digital imaging with ImageJ software.

RESULTS: Quantitative analyses in TG mice demonstrated intense Aβ load and accumulation of neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NHP) in neuritic plaques, neuronal degeneration, shrinkage of the cortex, increase of GFAP expression, and microglia and astrocytes activation. All these effects were mainly evident in cortical Layer 5. The symbiotic treatment with pre- and probiotics decreased Aβ deposition and neuritic plaques in the frontoparietal cortex. In addition, the treatment decreased the degeneration of neurons, the cortical shrinkage, increased GFAP expression, and modified microglia phenomic, decreasing significantly microglia activation. The abovementioned effects of the treatment were mostly evident in cortical Layer 5.

DISCUSSION: These data confirm that prolonged dietary regimen enriched with pre- and probiotics counteracts many of the histopathological hallmarks of AD, and poses the bases for a simple, affordable treatment that may help prevent AD.},
}

@article {pmid40443489,
year = {2025},
author = {Düşen, S and Kaska, Y and Yilmaz, M and Ulubelı, SA},
title = {Endoparasites and epibionts of loggerhead and green sea turtles from the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey: A detailed assessment.},
journal = {Helminthologia},
volume = {62},
number = {1},
pages = {40-49},
pmid = {40443489},
issn = {0440-6605},
abstract = {Two species of sea turtles, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), use Turkey's Mediterranean and rarely Aegean Sea coasts for nesting and foraging. The injured sea turtles are regularly transferred for treatment to the Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER) Muğla Ortaca-Dalyan (Turkey) from the different coasts of the these two seasthese include Çanakkale, Balıkesir, İzmir and Aydın (Aegean Sea); Antalya and Mersin (Mediterranean Sea) and also Muğla (it has two coasts both Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea). In this study, both internal and external parasites and epibiont species of turtles that died during treatment were examined. This is the first detailed parasitological and epibiont study on these sea turtles in the Turkish coast. Twenty-two adult Caretta caretta and twelve green turtles were examined and these symbiotic groups were recorded: endoparasitic digeneans and nematodes, and epibiotic annelids and cirripeds (barnacles). The observed three digenean species (Pyelosomum renicapite, Learedius learedi and Deuterobaris proteus) are recorded in Turkey for the first time. Also, Ch. mydas and C. caretta represent new host records for these digenean species in Turkey. Ch. mydas represents a new host record for two cirriped species (Chelonibia testudinaria and Lepas hillii) from Turkey and C. caretta also represent a new host record for Ozobranchus margoi from Turkey. Based on the available literature, the implications of these symbionts on sea turtle health are discussed, highlighting the importance of recording parasitic data of sea turtles. The study of internal and external parasites is very important, especially for the treatment of sea turtles under rehabilitation.},
}

@article {pmid40442996,
year = {2025},
author = {Ding, Q and Zhou, Z and Cui, L and Liu, J and You, G and Chen, Q and Hou, J and Fan, X and Yang, Y},
title = {Study on the treatment of livestock and poultry wastewater using algae-bacteria symbiotic system: effect of inoculation proportion and performance.},
journal = {Environmental technology},
volume = {46},
number = {14},
pages = {2597-2614},
doi = {10.1080/09593330.2024.2440162},
pmid = {40442996},
issn = {1479-487X},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wastewater/microbiology ; Poultry ; Symbiosis ; Livestock ; *Microalgae/metabolism ; *Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods ; *Chlorella vulgaris/metabolism/physiology ; Flocculation ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Ammonia/metabolism ; },
abstract = {In order to solve the problems of poor tolerance of traditional algal-bacterial symbiosis system to high ammonia wastewater and biomass recovery, a new symbiosis system combining biological agents of nitrifying bacteria and ordinary Chlorella vulgaris was proposed. The results showed that adjusting the volume ratio of algae and bacteria had an effect on the wastewater treatment performance, microalgae growth and flocculation effect. At the optimal algal-bacterial volume ratio of 1:3, the TN, NH4+-N and COD removal rates were 50%, 70%and 83%, respectively. The high concentration of ammonia nitrogen would have some inhibitory effect on microalgal photosynthesis, but the appropriate inoculation ratio could alleviate this pressure and improve the growth rate of microalgae. Under the optimal inoculation ratio, the PN and PS contents of extracellular polymers were 125.16 and 73 mg/L, respectively, which induced a stronger protective mechanism and enhanced the synergistic effect between algae-bacteria. In addition, the flocculation efficiency of the algal-bacterial system increased from 15% to 30% with the decrease of the initial inoculum of microalgae. The results provided a theoretical basis for the construction of an efficient algal-bacterial symbiosis system for the treatment of livestock and poultry wastewater as well as the efficient flocculation of the algal-bacterial system.},
}

Animals
*Wastewater/microbiology
Poultry
Symbiosis
Livestock
*Microalgae/metabolism
*Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods
*Chlorella vulgaris/metabolism/physiology
Flocculation
Nitrogen/metabolism
Bacteria/metabolism
Ammonia/metabolism

@article {pmid40442956,
year = {2025},
author = {Sun, B and Liu, P and Wang, P and Wang, M and Chai, Y and Cui, F and Jin, Y},
title = {Efficient Construction of Heterogeneous Oxides as Robust Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Zinc-Air Batteries.},
journal = {Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2501938},
doi = {10.1002/smll.202501938},
pmid = {40442956},
issn = {1613-6829},
support = {242300420004//Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province China/ ; 2022M712918//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Metal-air batteries (MABs) have attracted considerable attention. However, the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of air cathode is severe which has obstructed the more extensively application. Here, this study proposes a facile method to obtain heterogeneous oxides catalyst for enhancing the oxygen electrode catalysis where multiple nanosize Co3O4, Mn3O4 and MnCo2O4 (CMMCO) are symbiotic. In this case, the concomitant mono-metal oxide can contribute to atomic ratio modulation effect on MnCo2O4 spinel such as Mn[2+] to Mn[3+],Co[3+] to Co[2+], resulting in Mn high-spin state transformation into low-spin state and oxygen vacancies, further optimizing the adsorption of intermediates. Obviously, built-in electric field at heterojunction interface dramatically facilitates electron transfer. Also, band-gap change determined by orbital overlap indicates the affinity with reactant. For the resulting CMMCO catalyst, an excellent half-wave potential of E1/2 = 0.82 V for the ORR and low polarization potential (360 mV) for OER at 10 mA cm[-2] are achieved. Based on CMMCO cathodes, the assembled zinc air batteries demonstrate an impressive peak power density of 179 mW cm[-2] and cycling stability. The successful combination between heterogeneous interface regulation and efficient ORR/OER catalysis may provide a pivotal guideline for metal air batteries investigation with low-cost bifunctional catalyst.},
}

@article {pmid40442955,
year = {2025},
author = {Choi, J and Palanichamy, P and Tanaka, H and Kondo, T and Gruwell, ME and Husnik, F},
title = {Accelerated pseudogenization in the ancient endosymbionts of giant scale insects.},
journal = {Molecular biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/molbev/msaf125},
pmid = {40442955},
issn = {1537-1719},
abstract = {Symbiotic microorganisms are subject to a complex interplay of environmental and population-genetic pressures that drive their gene loss. Despite the widely held perception that ancient symbionts have stable genomes, even tiny genomes experience ongoing pseudogenization. Whether these tiny genomes also experience bursts of rapid gene loss is, however, less understood. Giant scale insects (Monophlebidae) feed on plant sap and rely on the symbiotic bacterium Walczuchella, which provides them with essential nutrients. When compared to other ancient symbionts with similar genome sizes, such as Karelsulcia, Walczuchella's genome was previously reported as unusually pseudogene-rich (10 % of coding sequences). However, this result was based on only one genome assembly, raising questions about the assembly quality or a recent ecological shift such as co-symbiont acquisition driving the gene loss. Here, we generated six complete genomes of Walczuchella from three genera of giant scales, each with distinct co-symbiotic partners. We show that all the genomes are highly degraded, and particularly genes related to the cellular envelope and energy metabolism seem to be undergoing pseudogenization. Apart from general mechanisms driving genome reduction, such as the long-term intracellular lifestyle with transmission bottlenecks, we hypothesize that a more profound loss of DNA replication and repair genes, together with recent co-obligate symbiont acquisitions, likely contribute to the accelerated degradation of Walczuchella genomes. Our results highlight that even ancient symbionts with small genomes can experience significant bursts of gene loss when stochastic processes erase a gene that accelerates gene loss or when the selection pressure changes such as after co-symbiont acquisition.},
}

@article {pmid40441134,
year = {2025},
author = {Huffmyer, AS and Wong, KH and Becker, DM and Strand, E and Mass, T and Putnam, HM},
title = {Shifts and critical periods in coral metabolism reveal energetic vulnerability during development.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.013},
pmid = {40441134},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Climate change accelerates coral reef decline and jeopardizes recruitment essential for ecosystem recovery. Adult corals rely on a vital nutritional exchange with their symbiotic algae (Symbiodiniaceae), but the dynamics of reliance from fertilization to recruitment are understudied. We investigated the physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic changes across 13 developmental stages of Montipora capitata, a coral in Hawai'i that inherits symbionts from parent to egg. We found that embryonic development depends on maternally provisioned mRNAs and lipids, with a rapid shift to symbiont-derived nutrition in late developmental stages. Symbiont density and photosynthesis peak in swimming larvae to fuel pelagic dispersal. By contrast, respiratory demand increases significantly during metamorphosis and settlement, reflecting this energy-intensive morphological reorganization. Symbiont proliferation is driven by symbiont ammonium assimilation in larval stages with little evidence of nitrogen metabolism in the coral host. As development progresses, the host enhances nitrogen sequestration, regulating symbiont populations, and ensuring the transfer of fixed carbon to support metamorphosis, with both metabolomic and transcriptomic indicators of increased carbohydrate availability. Although algal symbiont community composition remained stable, bacterial communities shifted with ontogeny, associated with holobiont metabolic reorganization. Our study reveals extensive metabolic changes during development with increasing reliance on symbiont nutrition. Metamorphosis and settlement emerge as critical periods of energetic vulnerability to projected climate scenarios that destabilize symbiosis. This highly detailed characterization of symbiotic nutritional exchange during sensitive early life stages provides essential knowledge for understanding and forecasting the function of nutritional symbioses and, specifically, coral survival and recruitment in a future of climate change.},
}

@article {pmid40440302,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, H and Zhang, J and Liu, R and Li, Y and Du, Y and Wei, T},
title = {An insect symbiotic virus promotes the transmission of a phytoarbovirus via inhibiting E3 ubiquitin ligase Sina.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {21},
number = {5},
pages = {e1013178},
pmid = {40440302},
issn = {1553-7374},
mesh = {Animals ; *Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors ; Symbiosis ; *Hemiptera/virology ; *Plant Diseases/virology ; *Insect Vectors/virology ; Virus Replication ; },
abstract = {Co-infection with symbiotic viruses and arboviruses with synergistic effects in insect vectors are common in nature, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we identify a novel symbiotic virus, leafhopper Recilia dorsalis bunyavirus (RdBV), which enhances the transmission efficiency of cytorhabdovirus rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV, a plant rhabdovirus) in field. RSMV infection activates the expression of R. dorsalis E3 ubiquitin ligase Seven in absentia (RdSina), while RdBV infection suppresses its expression. We show that RdSina directly targets and mediates the degradation of RSMV phosphoprotein (P), thereby attenuating the formation of P-induced viroplasm that are crucial for viral replication. RdSina interacts with nonstructural protein NSs2 of RdBV but does not mediate its ubiquitination. However, NSs2 competes with RSMV P for binding to RdSina, thus neutralizing RdSina's ability in mediating P degradation. Furthermore, we find that the MYC transcription factor binds to the promoter sequences of RdSina, activating its transcription. However, NSs2 also directly binds to the same promoter sequences of RdSina and competitively suppresses MYC-activated RdSina transcription. Together, NSs2 obstructs the function of RdSina in mediating P degradation, ultimately promoting RSMV propagation in co-infected vectors. These findings elucidate how insect symbiotic viruses negatively regulate E3 ubiquitin ligases to benefit arbovirus transmission by co-infected insect vectors, which potentially is a common phenomenon in nature.},
}

Animals
*Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors
Symbiosis
*Hemiptera/virology
*Plant Diseases/virology
*Insect Vectors/virology
Virus Replication

@article {pmid40439833,
year = {2025},
author = {Ishfaq, S and Anum, H and Shaheen, T and Zulfiqar, S and Ishfaq, A and Anjum, A and Ramzan, U and Rafiq, A and Mehboob-Ur-Rahman, and Guo, W},
title = {Decoding fungal communication networks: molecular signaling, genetic regulation, and ecological implications.},
journal = {Functional & integrative genomics},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {111},
pmid = {40439833},
issn = {1438-7948},
mesh = {*Fungi/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; *Signal Transduction ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; Quorum Sensing ; },
abstract = {Fungal communication networks regulate essential biological processes, enabling fungi to adapt to environmental changes, coordinate development, and establish interactions within microbial communities. These networks are mediated by diverse signaling molecules, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), peptide signaling molecules, and quorum-sensing molecules, which facilitate intra- and interspecies communication. The intricate regulation of these signals occurs through specialized signal transduction pathways such as G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and two-component regulatory systems, allowing fungi to sense external cues and modulate their physiological responses. Genetic mechanisms also play a critical role in fungal communication, influencing community dynamics through regulatory genes governing hyphal fusion, pheromone signaling, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Crosstalk between these signaling pathways is further modulated by epigenetic modifications, which fine-tune gene expression in response to environmental conditions. The integration of these molecular networks shapes fungal interactions, impacting resource acquisition, symbiosis, and pathogenicity. Additionally, fungal communication has significant ecological and evolutionary implications, contributing to niche establishment, microbial competition, and host-pathogen interactions. Despite significant progress in understanding fungal communication, key knowledge gaps remain regarding the interplay between signaling molecules, genetic regulation, and environmental adaptation. Future research should focus on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal signaling networks and their potential applications in biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine. Harnessing fungal communication could lead to novel strategies for improving crop protection, developing antifungal therapies, and optimizing industrial fermentation processes. This review synthesizes recent advancements in fungal signaling research, providing a comprehensive perspective on its complexity and evolutionary significance.},
}

*Fungi/genetics/metabolism/physiology
*Signal Transduction
*Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
Quorum Sensing

@article {pmid40439021,
year = {2025},
author = {Vetukuri, RR and Lanfranco, L and Stevens, K},
title = {Spray-induced gene silencing boosts functional genomics in symbiotic fungi.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70269},
pmid = {40439021},
issn = {1469-8137},
}

@article {pmid40438840,
year = {2025},
author = {Saleem, MM and Masood, S and Rahmatullah, MM and Ayesha Imdad, I and Mohammed Aslam Sange, A and Nasr, D},
title = {Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Its Role in the Development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {17},
number = {4},
pages = {e83084},
pmid = {40438840},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {The gut microbiota refers to the diverse community of symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting the host digestive tract. This microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the digestive system. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Although the pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear, recent studies suggest that the disruption of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) may play a significant role. This study aims to examine the role of the gut microbiota in the development of IBS, analyze factors influencing the gut microbiome, and explore the potential for microbiota-targeted therapies. Relevant literature published from 2014 until 2024 was sourced from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus using the keywords "microbiome", "irritable bowel syndrome", "dysbiosis", "faecal transplantation", and "probiotics". This review revealed consistent evidence of gut microbiota dysbiosis in individuals with IBS, characterized by altered microbial diversity, composition, and metabolic function. Contributing factors included a reduced abundance of beneficial commensals, overgrowth of potentially pathogenic species, and disrupted host-microbiota interactions. This dysbiosis was also frequently associated with symptom severity and specific IBS subtypes. Emerging evidence further highlights the role of diet, stress, and genetic factors in modulating gut microbiota and influencing IBS development. The growing body of research supports a strong link between dysbiosis and the pathogenesis and symptomatology of IBS. Understanding the microbial underpinnings of IBS opens avenues for potential diagnostic biomarkers and innovative therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring a balanced gut microbiota. However, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and translate these insights into effective clinical strategies for the management of IBS. This review underscores the significance of gut microbiota in IBS and its potential as a target for future therapeutic interventions.},
}

@article {pmid40438199,
year = {2021},
author = {McKenna, V and Archibald, JM and Beinart, R and Dawson, MN and Hentschel, U and Keeling, PJ and Lopez, JV and Martín-Durán, JM and Petersen, JM and Sigwart, JD and Simakov, O and Sutherland, KR and Sweet, M and Talbot, NJ and Thompson, AW and Bender, S and Harrison, PW and Rajan, J and Cochrane, G and Berriman, M and Lawniczak, MKN and Blaxter, M},
title = {The Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project: probing the evolution of symbiosis across the Tree of Life.},
journal = {Wellcome open research},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {254},
pmid = {40438199},
issn = {2398-502X},
abstract = {We present the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project, a global collaboration to generate high quality genome sequences for a wide range of eukaryotes and their microbial symbionts. Launched under the Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the ASG Project brings together researchers from across the globe who hope to use these reference genomes to augment and extend their analyses of the dynamics, mechanisms and environmental importance of symbioses. Applying large-scale, high-throughput sequencing and assembly technologies, the ASG collaboration will assemble and annotate the genomes of 500 symbiotic organisms - both the "hosts" and the microbial symbionts with which they associate. These data will be released openly to benefit all who work on symbioses, from conservation geneticists to those interested in the origin of the eukaryotic cell.},
}

@article {pmid40438073,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, L and Du, J and Liu, W and Xu, Q and Zhang, Y},
title = {How to strengthen primary health care? An exploratory study on the policy of vertical integration of high-quality medical resources based on symbiosis theory.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1578712},
pmid = {40438073},
issn = {2296-2565},
mesh = {*Primary Health Care/organization & administration ; Humans ; *Health Policy ; *Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration ; Symbiosis ; *Health Resources ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Vertical Integration of High-Quality Medical Resources (VI-HQMR) is a strategy of medical resource reallocation. It is the key to strengthen primary health care (PHC) and build an integrated delivery system (IDS). It contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of universal health coverage (UHC) set out by the World Health Organization (WHO). In order to VI-HQMR, countries around the world have carried out many beneficial explorations. However, our understanding of the importance of clarifying the internal logical from policy perspective in the VI-HQMR is limited. This study aims to develop a theoretical model from the symbiotic perspective to improve the strategy of VI-HQMR.

METHODS: Policies related to the VI-HQMR were retrieved for exploratory research. The texts and entries were coded according to the four elements of symbiosis theory, the first-level categories and their variables were mined, and the occurrence frequency was used as the main indicator for thematic clustering.

RESULTS: A total of 609 policies were retrieved, among which 1,072 entries mentioned VI-HQMR. Results showed that the VI-HQMR included 482 symbiotic units, 549 symbiotic models, 383 symbiotic environments and 96 symbiotic interfaces. Secondary and above public hospitals and PHC institutions are the most important symbiotic units. Medical alliances are the most important symbiotic model. The symbiotic environment includes policy, technology and economics. The vertical integration of human resources is the main symbiotic interface.

CONCLUSION: The VI-HQMR is still in the initial exploration stage. The symbiotic model is changing from parasitism to the commensalism. To achieve the optimal mutualism model, we need to work hard from the symbiotic environment. Health administrative department should coordinate with other relevant departments to introduce special policies to support the VI-HQMR. Through opening the way for promotion, financial incentive, and informationization assistance, improve the enthusiasm of urban hospitals.},
}

*Primary Health Care/organization & administration
Humans
*Health Policy
*Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration
Symbiosis
*Health Resources
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid40437776,
year = {2025},
author = {Du, H and Cai, Y and Shen, L and Zheng, Y and Zhao, L and Hu, R and Jiang, S and Yuan, J and Hu, C and Deng, Q and Huang, J and Hu, J and Wang, Y and Tan, J and Chen, J and Liu, F and Duan, Y and Niu, H},
title = {Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis modulates early-life immune response and gut metabolism.},
journal = {Animal models and experimental medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ame2.70034},
pmid = {40437776},
issn = {2576-2095},
support = {2023VPPC-R02//Open Research Project of the Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis and Infection Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Education/ ; 2022YFF0710701//National Key R&D Programs of China/ ; 2022YFF0710702//National Key R&D Programs of China/ ; 202201020381//Guangzhou Joint Fund for Key Laboratory/ ; 202206010157//Guangzhou Key Research and Development Program/ ; YXJC202204//Medical Joint Fund of Jinan University/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The maturation of the immune system is critical during early life, as it involves the differentiation, maturation, and establishment of immune tolerance of immune cells. This process is influenced not only by genetic factors but also by environmental factors, particularly the symbiotic microbiota. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12), originally found in dairy products, is widely used in infant formula and dietary supplements. However, its role and mechanisms in immune development during early life remain unclear.

METHODS: Using GF mice as the experimental model, B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 was administered via gavage during early life. In the juvenile stage, changes in T-cell subsets in the spleen, thymus, and gut intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were assessed using spectral flow cytometry. Additionally, targeted metabolomics analysis of tryptophan metabolism and short-chain fatty acid pathways in colonic tissue was conducted to explore how B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 influences the immune system through gut microbiota metabolism.

RESULTS: BB-12 effectively modulates the gut immune microenvironment, leading to beneficial changes in T-cell subsets in key immune tissues such as the spleen, thymus, and gut IELs. Metabolomics analysis further supports these findings by showing that BB-12 intervention greatly increased the production of tryptophan derivatives and acetic acid in the colon of GF mice.

CONCLUSION: The findings provide theoretical evidence for the role of B. animalis subsp. lactis in immune system development and support its application in dietary supplements, suggesting potential as a component for infant immune health and in preventing immune-related diseases.},
}

@article {pmid40436322,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, Q and Chu, G and Gao, C and Tian, T and Zhang, W and Chen, W and Gao, M},
title = {Effect of light intensity on performance, microbial community and metabolic pathway of algal-bacterial symbiosis in sequencing batch biofilm reactor treating mariculture wastewater.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {132726},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132726},
pmid = {40436322},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {An algal-bacterial symbiosis (ABS) system was constructed in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor for mariculture wastewater treatment, and its performance, microbial community and metabolic pathway were analyzed under different light intensities. The ammonia oxidation rate and nitrate reduction rate under 7000 Lux light intensity were higher than other light intensities. Functional microorganisms including Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, Alterinioella, and Chlorella vulgaris were enriched under 7000 Lux. Metabolism was the primary functional pathway based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis pathways belonging to Metabolism were promoted under 7000 Lux light intensity. The enhancement of light intensity promoted the algal photosynthesis, TCA cycle, electron generation, and nitrogen transformation. The TCA cycle and electron generation offered energy and electron donors for nitrogen transformation. This research provides fundamental knowledge to select optimal light intensity for ABS system treating mariculture wastewater.},
}

@article {pmid40435727,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, B and Ouyang, W and Yang, J and Chen, Y and Yan, P and Fang, F and Li, Z and Guo, J},
title = {Dual stable isotope tracing the source and composition of biogenic substance in microalgae-bacteria symbiosis: What do the bacteria contribute to the microalgae bloom?.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {985},
number = {},
pages = {179732},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179732},
pmid = {40435727},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Microalgae blooms are often regarded as harmful, but during the process of microalgae blooms, there are positive ecological values that the biochemical interactions of symbiosis of microalgae and bacteria could inform new strategies for microalgae blooms management and water treatment. This study used [13]C and [15]N stable isotope labeling and elemental analysis to elucidate carbon and nitrogen metabolism and migration between microalgae and bacteria. Anabaena flos-aquae (AF) was selected as the target microalgae species to establish a symbiotic system with Brevundimonas lenta (B. lenta), Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (P. plecoglossicida) and mixed bacteria obtained from the Zhuxi River (ZX). The 14-day co-culture using sequential batch methods revealed that the synergy of AF with B. lenta and ZX enhanced carbon utilization efficiency in microalgae, with contribution rates of 9.69 % and 29.69 %, respectively, while also boosting nitrogen utilization by 17.72 % and 46.39 %, respectively. High-biodiversity bacterial communities in symbiotic systems improved carbon and nitrogen utilization while reducing CO2 emissions. Stable isotope analysis showed that symbiosis increased lighter isotope percentages in microalgae, with bacteria shifting from lighter to heavier isotopes. This study provides theoretical and experimental insights into managing microalgae blooms and water treatment by analyzing biogenic substance transport in microalgae-bacteria interactions.},
}

@article {pmid40434691,
year = {2025},
author = {Sportès, A and Hériché, M and Inès, D and Monfort-Pimet, V and Rosnoblet, C and Trouvelot, S and Wipf, D and Courty, PE},
title = {A transcriptomic perspective of P trade in mycorrhizal grapevine.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {35},
number = {3},
pages = {39},
pmid = {40434691},
issn = {1432-1890},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics/metabolism ; *Vitis/microbiology/metabolism/genetics ; *Transcriptome ; Symbiosis ; *Glomeromycota/genetics/physiology ; *Phosphates/metabolism ; Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Fungi ; },
abstract = {Nutrient exchanges are a key feature of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera), one of the most economically important crops worldwide, relies heavily on AM symbiosis for its growth and development. Since the phylloxera crisis, cultivated grapevines are obtained by grafting a Vitis vinifera scion onto a rootstock. In this study, we investigated the responses of the rootstock "Riparia Gloire de Montpellier" to mycorrhizal root colonization under three distinct phosphate (P) levels. We explored regulatory aspects of plant P nutrition by comparing the transcriptome profiling of non-colonized roots and roots colonized by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM197198. We have shown that P availability significantly influences gene expression in both the AM fungus and the grapevine. Our transcriptomic study shed light on the molecular mechanisms that prevail during the AM symbiosis of a perennial woody plant species, with available P affecting several functional classes of proteins. The nine genes coding for Pht1 transporters in the R. irregularis genome were either down-regulated (RiPT1 and RiPT2) or up-regulated by the high-P treatment (RiPT8 and RiPT11), up-regulated by the low-P treatment (RiPT5), and regulated in a P-dose-dependent manner (RiPT9 and RiPT10). Expression of two of the three identified AM-induced Pht1, VvPT4 and VvPT8, was enhanced under mycorrhizal conditions, but finely tuned by the P treatment. To immunolocalize VvPT4 and VvPT8, we developed an innovative root-clearing protocol specifically designed for woody plants. This technological advancement has made it possible to visualize only VvPT4 at the periarbuscular membrane of mature arbuscules, its expression being strongly influenced by differences in P availability.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics/metabolism
*Vitis/microbiology/metabolism/genetics
*Transcriptome
Symbiosis
*Glomeromycota/genetics/physiology
*Phosphates/metabolism
Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Gene Expression Profiling
Fungi

@article {pmid40434644,
year = {2025},
author = {He, B and Li, M and Guo, S and Zhu, F and Jiao, Z and Li, J and Tan, N and Jiao, S and Liu, T and Zhang, J and Fan, Y and Gao, Y and Zhou, T and Li, J and Huang, W and Jiang, L and Lin, Z and Wang, S and Xu, W},
title = {Host complement C3 promotes malaria transmission by killing symbiotic bacteria in the mosquito midgut.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {22},
pages = {e2424570122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2424570122},
pmid = {40434644},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {81830067//the State Key Program of The National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82302570//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 82372287//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Complement C3/metabolism/immunology ; *Anopheles/parasitology/microbiology/immunology ; Symbiosis ; Plasmodium falciparum ; *Malaria, Falciparum/transmission/parasitology/immunology ; Mice ; *Mosquito Vectors/parasitology/microbiology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; *Malaria/transmission ; Humans ; Female ; },
abstract = {Host-derived factors ingested during mosquito blood feeding are poorly understood modulators of malaria transmission. Here, we demonstrated that host complement C3, acquired by mosquitoes during Plasmodium infection, significantly enhanced rodent malaria infection in laboratory-reared mosquitoes. This effect was recapitulated in field-caught Anopheles sinensis mosquitoes, confirming its relevance to malaria transmission in a more natural setting. Moreover, host-derived C3 significantly reduced the efficacy of anti-Pfs25 antibodies in blocking malaria transmission. Mechanistically, host-derived C3 lyses the mosquito midgut symbiont Elizabethkingia anophelis (E. anophelis)-a bacterium that intrinsically suppresses parasite development by blocking the zygote-to-ookinete transition. Strikingly, host-derived C3 in mosquitoes appears to be activated by the alternative pathway, and inhibiting Factor B with Iptacopan (LNP023) reduced Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection, while increased the efficacy of anti-Pfs25 antibodies to blocking P. falciparum transmission in the standard membrane-feeding assay. Therefore, this study describes a strategy of the malaria parasite to utilize host complement C3 to promote its transmission and provides us with an avenue to block malaria transmission and improve the blocking efficacy of anti-Pfs25 antibodies by the inhibition of C3 activation.},
}

Animals
*Complement C3/metabolism/immunology
*Anopheles/parasitology/microbiology/immunology
Symbiosis
Plasmodium falciparum
*Malaria, Falciparum/transmission/parasitology/immunology
Mice
*Mosquito Vectors/parasitology/microbiology
Host-Parasite Interactions
*Malaria/transmission
Humans
Female

@article {pmid40434078,
year = {2025},
author = {Weisse, L and Martin, L and Moumen, B and Héchard, Y and Delafont, V},
title = {Environmental diversity of Candidatus Babelota and their relationships with protists.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0026125},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00261-25},
pmid = {40434078},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Ca. Babelota is a phylum of strictly intracellular bacteria whose representatives are commonly detected in various environments through metagenomics, though their presence, ecology, and biology have never been addressed so far. As a group of strict intracellular, we hypothesize that their presence, occurrence, and abundance heavily depend on their hosts, which are known as heterotrophic protists, based on few described isolates. Here, we conducted a sampling campaign allowing to characterize protists and associated bacterial communities, using high-throughput sequencing. In parallel, a systematic enrichment of protists from samples was performed to attempt characterization and isolation of new Ca. Babelota within native hosts. We found that Ca. Babelota are among the most widespread phylum among the rare ones. Protist enrichments are allowed in certain cases to enrich as well for Ca. Babelota, which could be visualized in vivo infecting protist cells. Though cosmopolitan, Ca. Babelota diversity was highly site-specific. Cooccurrence analyses allowed to retrieve well-known as well as new putative associations involving numerous protists of various trophic regimes. The combination of approaches developed in this study enhances our understanding of Ca. Babelota ecology and biology, while paving the way for future isolation of new members of this elusive phylum, which could have huge impact on protists-and ecosystems-functioning.IMPORTANCEOur understanding of microbial diversity surrounding us and colonizing the environment has been dramatically impacted by the advent of DNA-based analyses. Such progress helped shine a new light on numerous lineages of yet-to-be-characterized microbes, whose ecology and biology are basically unknown. Among those uncharacterized clades is the Candidatus Babelota, a bacterial phylum for which parasitism seems to be an ancestral trait. All known Ca. Babelota thrive by infecting phagotrophic protist hosts, thereby impacting this basal link of the trophic chain. The Ca. Babelota constitutes a model that stands out, as phylum-wide conserved parasitism has only been described in one previous occurrence for Bacteria, with the Chlamydiota. Thus, exploring the intricate interplay between Ca. Babelota and their protist hosts will advance our knowledge of bacterial diversity, their ecology, and global impact on ecosystem functioning.},
}

@article {pmid40433813,
year = {2025},
author = {Shen, Y and Yan, Y and Yin, T and Zhang, H and Zhu, H and Zhang, S and Hu, H and Wei, G and Chou, M},
title = {An isoflavone reductase-like protein MtIFL negatively regulates nodule symbiosis in Medicago truncatula.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70251},
pmid = {40433813},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {2020ZDLNY07-09//Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province/ ; 41977052//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 42377131//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; U21A2029//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2023YFD1900900//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
abstract = {Flavonoids are valuable metabolites produced by legumes, including Medicago truncatula, and play crucial roles in signaling communication during legume-rhizobium symbiosis. Isoflavone reductase proteins (IFRs) are involved in the biosynthesis of isoflavones and plant defense regulation. However, their role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation remains mostly elusive. Here, 13 putative IFR gene family members were identified, and an IFR-like gene named MtIFL was functionally characterized through expression patterns, phenotypic characterizations, flavonoid metabolome, and transcriptome analyses. Furthermore, the binding partner of MtIFL was investigated using Y1H, EMSA, and Dual-LUC assays. MtIFL was strongly induced in the process of nodule development and expressed in the meristem and infection zone of mature nodules. Knockout of MtIFL promoted nodulation, while overexpression of MtIFL induced premature senescence of nodules. Further investigations revealed that MtIFL negatively regulates nitrogen-fixing symbiosis by mediating isoflavone metabolism, and MtNIN regulates MtIFL expression by binding to the hNRE motif. Overall, our findings suggest that MtIFL negatively regulates nodule formation, thereby influencing the survival of rhizobia in nodule cells. MtNIN regulates MtIFL expression and may play a role in isoflavone metabolism. These results provide novel insights into the function of IFRs in symbiotic nodulation and the role of flavonoids in nodule development.},
}

@article {pmid40433782,
year = {2025},
author = {Jung, M and Lee, DH},
title = {Effects of gut symbiotic bacteria, Caballeronia insecticola, on reproductive capacity and mating behaviors of insect host, Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae).},
journal = {Environmental entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvaf052},
pmid = {40433782},
issn = {1938-2936},
support = {//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; 2021R1A2C1010679//Korea government (MSIT)/ ; //Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; RS-2023-00246911//Ministry of Education/ ; },
abstract = {This study addresses how gut symbiont, Caballeronia insecticola, could change reproductive capacity, mating behaviors, and copulation success of host insect, Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae). First, we evaluated symbiotic effects on the female reproductive capacity with varying numbers of males available to a female. Overall, symbiotic females displayed on average a 1.8-fold increase in egg production compared to aposymbiotic individuals. However, eggs from symbiotic females were on average 42% less viable, compared to those from the aposymbiotic, when paired with single male. The decrease in the hatchability was alleviated to 12% when paired with 3 males. Consequently, this yielded significant increase in the number of viable offspring by symbiotic females when multiple males were available. Second, we evaluated symbiotic effects on male morphometric characteristics including hind legs used as weapon, and found significant increases in hind leg sizes associated with symbiosis. Finally, we investigated mating behaviors between a female and 2 males of different symbiotic status. Symbiotic females displayed on average a 1.4-fold increase in the number of copulations compared to the aposymbiotic. From both female types, however, no significant difference was observed in their mate choice and copulation success rate between aposymbiotic and symbiotic males. However, symbiotic females exhibited on average 17% reduction in copulation duration compared to the aposymbiotic. Copulation failure was caused more frequently by female's rejection than by intruder male's disruption for both female types. Our study demonstrates that symbiotic females benefit from the symbiosis increasing their reproductive capacity and copulation frequency.},
}

@article {pmid40433667,
year = {2025},
author = {Murcia-Flores, L and Sánchez-García, A and Pecci-Lloret, MP and Rodríguez-Lozano, FJ},
title = {Association between oral dysbiosis and Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1564362},
pmid = {40433667},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Humans ; *Parkinson Disease/microbiology/etiology ; *Dysbiosis/complications/microbiology ; *Mouth/microbiology ; Microbiota ; Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Risk Factors ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: The oral cavity serves as the gateway to the human organism, hosting a diverse community of microorganisms that coexist in a state of symbiosis. Disruption of this balance leads to oral dysbiosis, a condition associated with infections and oral pathologies, which may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of systemic disorders such as Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. While oral dysbiosis is recognized as a risk factor and an aggravating element for Parkinson's disease, it is not regarded as a direct cause. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing research exploring the potential relationship between oral dysbiosis and the development of Parkinson's disease. Following a comprehensive analysis, 12 studies were selected, comprising 11 case-control studies and one observational analytical study. These studies investigated the composition of oral microbiota in different sample groups, revealing a higher abundance of pathogenic oral bacteria in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest that oral dysbiosis may influence both the onset of Parkinson's disease and the progression of symptoms such as cognitive decline. These results pave the way for future research, particularly regarding alterations in oral microbiota as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024540056.},
}

Humans
*Parkinson Disease/microbiology/etiology
*Dysbiosis/complications/microbiology
*Mouth/microbiology
Microbiota
Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Case-Control Studies
Risk Factors

@article {pmid40433445,
year = {2025},
author = {Park, JS and Kim, J and Kim, Y and Kim, KH and Kwak, W and Kim, I},
title = {Whole Genome Sequences of Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius, 1775 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in the Korean Peninsula: Insights into Population Structure with Novel Pathogenic Or Symbiotic Candidates.},
journal = {Current genomics},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {118-128},
pmid = {40433445},
issn = {1389-2029},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The blackish cicada (Cryptotympana atrata) exhibits unique characteristics and is one of the model cicadas found in the Korean Peninsula. It is a species of southern origin, prefers high temperatures, and is listed as a climate-sensitive indicator species in South Korea. Therefore, this species can be utilized to study the impact of climate change on the genetic diversity and structure of populations. However, research on the genome of C. atrata is limited.

METHODS: We sequenced the genome of an individual collected from South Korea and constructed a draft genome. Additionally, we collected ten specimens from each of the five regions in South Korea and identified single nucleotide variants (SNVs) for population genetic analysis. The sequencing library was constructed using the MGIEasy DNA Library Prep Kit and sequenced using the MGISEQ-2000 platform with 150-bp paired-end reads.

RESULTS: The draft genome of C. atrata was approximately 5.0 Gb or 5.2 Gb, making it one of the largest genomes among insects. Population genetic analysis, which was conducted on four populations in South Korea, including both previously distributed and newly expanded regions, showed that Jeju Island, a remote southern island with the highest average temperature, formed an independent genetic group. However, there were no notable genetic differences among the inland populations selected based on varying average temperatures, indicating that the current population genetic composition on the Korean Peninsula is more reflective of biogeographic history rather than climate-induced genetic structures. Additionally, we unexpectedly observed that most individuals of C. atrata collected in a specific locality were infected with microbes not commonly found in insects, necessitating further research on the pathogens within C. atrata.

CONCLUSION: This study introduces the draft genome of C. atrata, a climate-sensitive indicator species in South Korea. Population analysis results indicate that the current genetic structure of C. atrata is driven by biogeographic history rather than just climate. The prevalence of widespread pathogen infections raises concerns about their impact on C. atrata. Considering the scarcity of publicly available genomic resources related to the family Cicadidae, this draft genome and population data of C. atrata are expected to serve as a valuable resource for various studies utilizing cicada genomes.},
}