Melezitose

Impact of Nutritional Supplements on the Fitness of the Parasitoid Binodoxys communis (Gahan).[Pubmed:38667375]

Insects. 2024 Apr 3;15(4):245.

Alterative nutritional foods consumed by adult parasitoids play an important role in their fitness and ability to control pests because of food scarcity in many crops. While adult parasitoids feed on various sugars, they vary in their nutritional value for parasitoids. We assessed the effects of seven sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, maltose, Melezitose, and sorbitol) on the longevity, parasitism ability, parasitism behavior, and flight ability of B. communis, an important parasitoid of cotton aphids. We found that access to glucose, sucrose, or fructose, increased B. communis adult longevity more than the other sugars offered. All sugars except trehalose increased the parasitism rate to more than 50% compared to the starved control (only provided with water). We then compared parasitoid behaviors of wasps fed glucose, sucrose, or fructose to that of the starved control (with access only to water) and found that those fed B. communis spent more time either examining or attacking aphids than parasitoids in the control group, which spent more time walking or resting. Also, consumption of glucose, sucrose, or fructose also significantly improved the flight ability (the total flight distance, flight time, and average flight speed) of B. communis.

Polycladomyces zharkentensis sp. nov., a novel thermophilic cellulose- and starch-degrading member of the Bacillota from a geothermal aquifer in Kazakhstan.[Pubmed:38407242]

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2024 Feb;74(2).

A thermophilic, aerobic and heterotrophic filamentous bacterium, designated strain ZKZ2(T), was isolated from a pipeline producing hydrothermal water originating from a >2.3 km deep subsurface geothermal source in Zharkent, Almaty region, Kazakhstan. The isolate was Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, heat-resistant and capable of producing a variety of extracellular hydrolases. Growth occurred at temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees C, with an optimum around 70 degrees C, and at pH values between 5.5 and 9.0, with an optimum at pH 7.0-7.5 with the formation of aerial mycelia; endospores were produced along the aerial mycelium. The isolate was able to utilize the following substrates for growth: glycerol, l-arabinose, ribose, d-xylose, d-glucose, d-fructose, d-mannose, rhamnose, d-mannitol, methyl-d-glucopyranoside, aesculin, salicin, cellobiose, maltose, melibiose, sucrose, trehalose, Melezitose, raffinose, starch, turanose and 5-keto-gluconate. Furthermore, it was able to hydrolyse carboxymethylcellulose, starch, skimmed milk, Tween 60 and Tween 80. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(17 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 0). Our 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed ZKZ2(T) within the genus Polycladomyces, family Thermoactinomycetaceae, with the highest similarity to the type species Polycladomyces abyssicola JIR-001(T) (99.18 % sequence identity). Our draft genome sequence analysis revealed a genome size of 3.3 Mbp with a G+C value of 52.5 mol%. The orthologous average nucleotide identity value as compared to that of its closest relative, P. abyssicola JIR-001(T), was 90.23 %, with an in silico DNA-DNA hybridization value of 40.7 %, indicating that ZKZ2(T) represents a separate genome species. Based on the phenotypic and genome sequence differences from the other two Polycladomyces species, we propose that strain ZKZ2(T) represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Polycladomyces zharkentensis sp. nov. The type strain is ZKZ2(T) (=CECT 30708(T)=KCTC 43421(T)).

Clostridium lamae sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the fresh feces of alpaca.[Pubmed:38367205]

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 2024 Feb 17;117(1):36.

A novel Gram-positive, anaerobic, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NGMCC 1.200840( T), was isolated from the alpacas fresh feces. The taxonomic position of the novel strain was determined using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed strain NGMCC 1.200840( T) was a member of the genus Clostridium and closely related to Clostridium tertium DSM 2485( T) (98.16% sequence similarity). Between strains NGMCC 1.200840( T) and C. tertium DSM 2485( T), the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) were 79.91% and 23.50%, respectively. Genomic DNA G + C content is 28.44 mol%. The strain can utilise D-glucose, D-mannitol, D-lactose, D-saccharose, D-maltose, D-xylose, L-arabinose, D-cellobiose, D-mannose, D-Melezitose, D-raffinose, D-sorbitol, L-rhamnose, D-trehalose, D-galactose and Arbutin to produce acid. The optimal growth pH was 7, the temperature was 37 degrees C, and the salt concentration was 0-0.5% (w/v). The major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) included iso-C(15:0), anteiso-C(15:0) and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified aminolipids. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, NGMCC 1.200840( T) represents a novel species within the genus Clostridium, for which the named Clostridium lamae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NGMCC 1.200840( T) (= CGMCC 1.18014( T) = JCM 35704( T)).

Analysis of growth dynamics in five different media and metabolic phenotypic characteristics of Piriformospora indica.[Pubmed:38260913]

Front Microbiol. 2024 Jan 8;14:1301743.

Piriformospora indica is an important endophytic fungus with broad potential for alleviating biotic and abiotic stress on host plants. This study monitored the growth dynamics of P. indica on five commonly used artificial media for microorganisms and analyzed its metabolic characteristics using Biolog Phenotype Microarray (PM) technology. The results showed that P. indica grew fastest on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), followed by Kidney Bean Agar (KBA), Alkyl Ester Agar (AEA), Oatmeal Agar (OA), and Luria-Bertani Agar (LB), and the most suitable medium for spore production was OA. Using Biolog PM1-10, 950 metabolic phenotypes of P. indica were obtained. P. indica could metabolize 87.89% of the tested carbon sources, 87.63% of the tested nitrogen sources, 96.61% of the tested phosphorus sources, and 100% of the tested sulfur sources. P. indica displayed 92 kinds of tested biosynthetic pathways, and it could grow under 92 kinds of tested osmotic pressures and 88 kinds of tested pH conditions. PM plates 1-2 revealed 43 efficient carbon sources, including M-Hydroxyphenyl acid, N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine, Tyramine, Maltotrios, alpha-D-Glucosine, I-Erythritol, L-Valine, D-Melezitose, D-Tagatose, and Turanose. PM plates 3,6-8 indicated 170 efficient nitrogen sources, including Adenosine, Inosine Allantoin, D, L-Lactamide, Arg-Met, lle-Trp, Ala-Arg, Thr-Arg, Trp-Tyr, Val-Asn, Gly-Gly-D-Leu, Gly-Gly-Phe, and Leu-Leu-Leu. This study demonstrates that P. indica can metabolize a variety of substrates, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, and has a wide range of environmental adaptability. The growth dynamics on artificial culture media and metabolic phenotypes of P. indica can be used to investigate its biological characteristics, screen for more suitable growth and sporulation conditions, and elucidate the physiological mechanisms that enhance the stress resistance of host plants. This study provides a theoretical basis for its better application in agriculture.

High red/far-red ratio promotes root colonization of Serratia plymuthica A21-4 in tomato by root exudates-stimulated chemotaxis and biofilm formation.[Pubmed:38064903]

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2024 Jan;206:108245.

Effective colonization on plant roots is a prerequisite for plant growth promoting rhizobacterias (PGPR) to exert bene fi cial activities. Light is essential for plant growth, development and stress response. However, how light modulates root colonization of PGPR remains unclear. Here, we found that high red/far red (R/FR) light promoted and low R/FR light inhibited the colonization and growth enhancement of Serratia plymuthica A21-4 (S. plymuthica A21-4) on tomato, respectively. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis of root exudates collected from different R/FR ratio treated tomato seedlings with or without S. plymuthica A21-4 inoculation by UPLC-MS/MS showed that 64 primary metabolites in high R/FR light-grown plants significantly increased compared with those determined for low R/FR light-grown plants. Among them, 7 amino acids, 1 organic acid and 1 sugar obviously induced the chemotaxis and biofilm formation of S. plymuthica A21-4 compared to the control. Furthermore, exogenous addition of five artificial root exudate compontents (leucine, methionine, glutamine, 6-aminocaproic acid and Melezitose) regained and further increased the colonization ability and growth promoting ability of S. plymuthica A21-4 on tomato under low R/FR light and high R/FR light, respectively, indicating their involvement in high R/FR light-regulated the interaction of tomato root and S. plymuthica A21-4. Taken together, our results, for the fi rst time, clearly demonstrate that high R/FR light-induced root exudates play a key role in chemotaxis, bio fi lm formation and root colonization of S. plymuthica A21-4. This study can help promote the combined application of light supplementation and PGPR to facilitate crop growth and health in green agricultural production.

Actinidia deliciosa Extract as a Promising Supplemental Agent for Hepatic and Renal Complication-Associated Type 2 Diabetes (In Vivo and In Silico-Based Studies).[Pubmed:37762060]

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 6;24(18):13759.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic condition associated with obesity, oxidative stress-mediated inflammation, apoptosis, and impaired insulin signaling. The utilization of phytochemical therapy generated from plants has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Kiwifruit is recognized for its substantial content of antioxidative phenolics. Therefore, this work aimed to examine the effect of Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi fruit) on hepatorenal damage in a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2D in rats using in vivo and in silico analyses. An increase in hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation was observed in diabetic rats accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant status. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that there were observable inflammatory and apoptotic responses in the hepatic and renal organs of rats with diabetes, along with a dysregulation of the phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling proteins. However, the administration of kiwi extract to diabetic rats alleviated hepatorenal dysfunction, inflammatory processes, oxidative injury, and apoptotic events with activation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies revealed quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and Melezitose as components of kiwi extract that docked well with potential as effective natural products for activating the silent information regulator 1(SIRT-1) pathway. Furthermore, phenolic acids in kiwi extract, especially syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, have the ability to inhibit the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) active site. In conclusion, it can be argued that kiwi extract may present a potentially beneficial adjunctive therapy approach for the treatment of diabetic hepatorenal complications.

Chitosan-based coating enriched with melezitose alters primary metabolites in fresh-cut pineapple during storage.[Pubmed:37689569]

J Biosci Bioeng. 2023 Nov;136(5):374-382.

Demand for minimally processed fresh fruit is increasing due to its convenience. However, the distribution of fresh-cut fruits is limited because of their short shelf life. Pineapple, a popular tropical fruit, sold in fresh-cut form has a shelf life of approximately 5-7 days at 4 degrees C. Chitosan, an edible coating, is commonly used to prolong the shelf life of food products. Similarly, the sugar Melezitose has been reported to change during pineapple ripening and may play a role in regulating the shelf life of pineapple. However, the direct effects of this sugar have yet to be studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chitosan coating with Melezitose to prolong the shelf life of fresh-cut pineapple. Full-ripe Bogor pineapples from Okinawa, Japan, were cut into cubes and soaked in either chitosan 1.25%, Melezitose 5 mg/L, or chitosan+Melezitose and stored for 5 days under dark conditions (23.6 +/- 0.5 degrees C; relative humidity, 40.0 +/- 10.4%). None of the treatments significantly altered the weight loss or color changes in the fresh-cut fruit. However, treatment significantly altered the primary metabolites, namely quinic acid, sucrose, and xylitol based on orthogonal projection to latent structures data with the screening from p-value score. Moreover, cell-wall metabolism is possibly affected in pineapple cut fruit treated by chitosan-Melezitose as shown from metabolite sets enrichment analysis. This study showed that chitosan added with Melezitose might have potential to prolong the shelf-life of fresh-cut pineapple, providing a basis for further post-harvest studies of the whole pineapple fruit.

Role of trisaccharides in larval secretion of Lycaeides argyrognomon butterfly on ant attendance.[Pubmed:37633410]

J Insect Physiol. 2023 Nov;150:104558.

Several myrmecophilous insects participate in symbiotic relationships with ants that receive sugar-rich food rewards. For instance, certain aphid species secrete honeydew containing high concentration of Melezitose, which acts as a potent feeding-stimulant and attractant for ants. Lycaenid butterfly larvae possess dorsal nectary glands that secrete sugar-rich droplets for tending ants. However, the roles of sugar components in ant foraging and larva-tending activities are unknown. Lycaeides (Plebejus) argyrognomon are larvae that are frequently and facultatively attended by various ant species, including Formica japonica, on the host plant Indigofera pseudotinctoria. The larval secretions of this insect contained small amounts of trisaccharides, Melezitose and maltotriose, which were not detected in the host plant's flower nectar, and larval secretions of two sympatric and myrmecophilous lycaenids, Zizeeria maha and Everes argiades. Melezitose and maltotriose, along with sucrose, were preferred by the worker ants. Of the four sugar mixture samples that mimicked I. pseudotinctoria floral nectar and the larval secretions of three lycaenids, respectively, the L. argyrognomon mimic was the most preferred by F. japonica ants. Moreover, the removal of trisaccharides from this mimic significantly reduced its stimulatory activity to ant feedings. These results indicated that the sugar composition of L. argyrognomon larval secretions is suited to the feeding preference of F. japonica ants, and that the trisaccharide components play a key role in increasing their preference. However, only half of the ants responded to the L. argyrognomon mimic even at the concentration corresponding to the maximum total sugar concentration in the collected larval secretions. The fact that the secretions of all L. argyrognomon larvae did not have sufficient sugar levels to stimulate ant feedings suggests that the production of sugar-rich secretions and trisaccharide components is metabolically costly for the larvae and that components other than sugars may be involved in ant attendance.

Modulatory properties of Thespesia garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc. Aqueous fruit extract on female rats reproductive hormones and tissues histology and potential inhibitory activity of its constituents against SRD5alpha2.[Pubmed:37356746]

J Ethnopharmacol. 2023 Dec 5;317:116842.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thespesia garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc. is called Gorontula (Kola of Tula) in Nigeria, Morojwa in Bostwana, and Thespesia garckeana in South Africa and is widely distributed across Africa. Its parts reportedly possess multiple medicinal properties and are employed for treating various diseases. In Tula, Gombe State, Nigeria, the ripe fruit decoction is taken as remedy for female infertility as documented by Ochokwu and co in the Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare in 2015. AIM OF THE STUDY: This research examined the effects of aqueous fruit extract of T. garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc. (AFETG) on selected reproductive tissues and hormones in female rats and also evaluated the inhibitory potentials of its phytoconstituents against human 5-alpha reductase 2 (SRD5alpha2) using in silico approach. METHODS: Twenty-five (25) sexually matured female rats were randomized into 5 groups (i.e. A - E). Oestrous in the rats was synchronized (subcutaneous oestradiol conjugate [10 mug/100 g BW]). Group A received distilled water (control). Group B received standard drug, clomiphene citrate (0.85 mg/kg BW), while groups C, D, and E received AFETG at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW respectively. The animals were treated for five (5) days and sacrificed 24 h after. Their blood was collected and prepared for analysis of serum prolactin, oestradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) while ovaries, uteruses, and oviducts were studied for histological and histomorphometric changes. For the in silico study, the target protein, human steroid 5alpha-reductase 2 (SRD5alpha2) was prepared and its receptor grid was generated using Optimized Potential for Liquid Simulations-2005. The ligand 2D structures were prepared using LigPrep 2.4 software and docked using Glide. The binding energy of the ligands to the protein receptor was predicted using Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) analysis. RESULTS: AFETG significantly increased serum levels of E2 but did not alter serum levels of prolactin, LH and FSH when compared with distilled water and clomiphene citrate. AFETG also significantly increased ovarian tertiary follicular diameter, oviductal epithelial height and serosa thickness as well as uterine endometrial epithelial height, endometrial thickness, and myometrial thickness when compared with control. Ovarian secondary follicular diameter and oviductal submucosa thickness and muscular thickness were significantly decreased by AFETG when compared with control. Two compounds in T. garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc.; D-Melezitose (-12.55 kcal/mol XP GScore) and 1, 3, 4-trihydroxy-5-oxo cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (-9.136 kcal/mol XP GScore) exhibited higher binding affinities for SRD5alpha2 than the reference ligand, epristeride (-8.096 kcal/mol XP GScore). In conclusion, the ability of AFETG to increase serum E2 level, thickness of uterine endometrium and ovarian tertiary follicles size can be explored for the treatment of female infertility caused by thinning of the uterine endometrium and reduced follicular size. Two compounds in AFETG (i.e. D-Melezitose and 1, 3, 4-trihydroxy-5-oxo cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid are potential inhibitors of SRD5alpha2, thus aiding the biosynthesis of E2. Available evidence therefore corroborate the traditional use of T. garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc fruit as a female fertility enhancer in Northern Nigeria.

Natural Clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Is Associated With Distinct Differences in Cervicovaginal Metabolites.[Pubmed:37163744]

J Infect Dis. 2023 Oct 18;228(8):1119-1126.

BACKGROUND: Natural clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis in women occurs in the interval between screening and treatment. In vitro, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-mediated tryptophan depletion results in C. trachomatis clearance, but whether this mechanism occurs in vivo remains unclear. We previously found that women who naturally cleared C. trachomatis had lower cervicovaginal levels of tryptophan and IFN-gamma compared to women with persisting infection, suggesting IFN-gamma-independent pathways may promote C. trachomatis clearance. METHODS: Cervicovaginal lavages from 34 women who did (n = 17) or did not (n = 17) naturally clear C. trachomatis were subjected to untargeted high-performance liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with natural clearance. RESULTS: In total, 375 positively charged metabolites and 149 negatively charged metabolites were annotated. Compared to women with persisting infection, C. trachomatis natural clearance was associated with increased levels of oligosaccharides trehalose, sucrose, Melezitose, and maltotriose, and lower levels of indoline and various amino acids. Metabolites were associated with valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The cervicovaginal metabolome in women who did or did not naturally clear C. trachomatis is distinct. In women who cleared C. trachomatis, depletion of various amino acids, especially valine, leucine, and isoleucine, suggests that amino acids other than tryptophan impact C. trachomatis survival in vivo.

Comparative analyses of functional traits based on metabolome and economic traits variation of Bletilla striata: Contribution of intercropping.[Pubmed:37008465]

Front Plant Sci. 2023 Mar 17;14:1147076.

The intercropping practice has been regarded as a practical land-use selection to improve the management benefits of Bletilla striata plantations. The reports about the variety of economic and functional traits of Bletilla pseudobulb under intercropping systems were limited. The present study investigated the variation of economic and functional traits of Bletilla pseudobulb under different intercropping systems (the deep-rooted intercropping system: B. striata - Cyclocarya paliurus, CB; and the shallow-rooted intercropping system: B. striata - Phyllostachys edulis, PB). The functional traits were analyzed through non-targeted metabolomics based on GC-MS. The results indicated that the PB intercropping system significantly decreased the yield of Bletilla pseudobulb while significantly increasing the total phenol and flavonoids compared with the control (CK). However, there were no significant differences in all economic traits between CB and CK. The functional traits among CB, PB, and CK were separated and exhibited significant differences. Under different intercropping systems, B. striata may adopt different functional strategies in response to interspecific competition. The functional node metabolites (D-galactose, cellobiose, raffinose, D-fructose, maltose, and D-ribose) were up-regulated in CB, while the functional node metabolites (L-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, methionine, L-lysine, serine, D-glucose, cellobiose, trehalose, maltose, D-ribose, palatinose, raffinose, xylobiose, L-rhamnose, Melezitose, and maltotriose) were up-regulated in PB. The correlation between economic and functional traits depends on the degree of environmental stress. Artificial neural network models (ANNs) accurately predicted the variation in economic traits via the combination of functional node metabolites in PB. The correlation analysis of environmental factors indicated that Ns (including TN, NH(4) (+)-, and NO(3) (-)-), SRI (solar radiation intensity), and SOC were the main factors that affected the economic traits (yield, total phenol, and total flavonoids). TN, SRI, and SOC were the main factors affecting the functional traits of the Bletilla pseudobulb. These findings strengthen our understanding of the variation of economic and functional traits of Bletilla pseudobulb under intercropping and clarify the main limiting environmental factors under B. striata intercropping systems.

Salipiger pentaromativorans sp. nov., a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from mangrove sediment.[Pubmed:36790415]

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2023 Feb;73(2).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been recognized as a potential health risk and are widespread in nature due to their intrinsic chemical stability and high recalcitrance to degradation. A taxonomic study was carried out on strain P9(T), which was isolated from a PAH-degrading consortium, enriched from the mangrove sediment from Zhangzhou, PR China. The isolate was chemoheterotrophic, aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, short-rod shaped, and motile by one polar flagellum. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5-6.0 % (optimum, 3 %), at pH 4-9 (optimum, pH 7) and at 10-41 degrees C (optimum, 25-30 degrees C). It did not synthesize bacteriochlorophyll a. Catalase and oxidase activities were positive. Acid was produced from starch, amygdalin, arbutin, cellobiose, d-fructose, maltose, d-mannitol, Melezitose, melibiose, raffinose, d-ribose, sucrose, trehalose, d-xylose, aesculin ferric citrate, gentiobiose, glycogen, l-arabinose, l-rhamnose, methyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside, methyl beta-d-xylopyranoside, N-acetylglucosamine and salicin, and weakly positive for d-arabitol, d-galactose, lactose, turanose and glycerol. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain P9(T) fell within the clade comprising the type strains of Salipiger species and formed an independent cluster with Salipiger profundus, which was distinct from other members of the family Rhodobacteraceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain P9(T) was most closely related to Salipiger bermudensis HTCC 260(T) (96.7 %), and other species of the genus Salipiger (95.7-94.2 %). Strain P9(T) had the highest digital DNA-DNA hybridization value with S. profundus CGMCC 1.12377(T) (25.0 %) and the highest average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm) values with S. profundus CGMCC 1.12377(T)(80.3 and 85.8 %, respectively). The sole respiratory quinone was quinone 10. The dominant fatty acids were C(18 : 1) omega7c (61.4 %), C(16 : 0) (17.5 %) and C(19 : 0) omega8c cyclo (7.6 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 65.8 mol%. In the polar lipid profile, phospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, glycolipid and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major compounds. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain P9(T) represents a novel species of the genus Salipiger, for which the name Salipiger pentaromativorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P9(T) (=CCTCC AB 209290(T)=LMG 25701(T)=MCCC 1F01055(T)).

Parabacteroides faecalis sp. nov. Isolated from Swine Faeces.[Pubmed:36725751]

Curr Microbiol. 2023 Feb 1;80(3):91.

A Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated AGMB00274(T) was isolated from swine faeces. An 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that strain AGMB00274(T) belonged to the genus Parabacteroides, with the highest similarity to Parabacteroides johnsonii (P. johnsonii) DSM 18315(T) (sequence similarity of 94.9%). The genome size of strain AGMB00274(T) was 4,308,683 bp, with a DNA G+C content of 42.5 mol%. The biochemical analysis of strain AGMB00274(T) showed that it was positive for gelatin hydrolysis and alpha-fucosidase, but negative for the acid production from D-glucose, D-mannitol, D-maltose, salicin, glycerol, D-cellobiose, D-mannose, D-Melezitose, D-sorbitol, D-trehalose, and negative for alpha-arabinosidase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and pyroglutamic acid arylamidase. The dominant cellular fatty acids (> 10%) of the isolate were anteiso-C(15: 0) (23.2%), iso-C(15: 0) (16.6%), C(18: 1) omega9c (16.4%), summed feature 11 (iso-C(17: 0) 3-OH and/or C(18: 2) DMA) (12.5%), and C(16: 0) (11.3%). The major respiratory quinones of strain AGMB00274(T) were MK-9 (55.4%) and MK-10 (44.6%). The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on phylogenetic, genetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic analyses, as a novel species of the genus Parabacteroides, strain AGMB00274(T) was proposed with the name Parabacteroides faecalis sp. nov. The type strain used was AGMB00274(T) (= KCTC 25286(T) = GDMCC 1.2742(T)).

Serum and cecal metabolic profile of the insulin resistant and dyslipidemic p47(phox) knockout mice.[Pubmed:36251883]

Free Radic Res. 2022 Jul-Aug;56(7-8):483-497.

Involvement of NOX-dependent oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders as well as in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis has been demonstrated previously. In the present study, the metabolic profile in p47(phox-/-) and WT mice fed on a chow diet was evaluated to assess the role of metabolites in glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia under altered oxidative stress conditions. p47(phox-/-) mice displayed glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia, and altered energy homeostasis without any significant change in gluconeogenesis. The expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis and uptake was enhanced in the liver, adipose tissue, and intestine tissues. Similarly, the expression of genes associated with lipid efflux in the liver and intestine was also enhanced. Enhanced gut permeability, inflammation, and shortening of the gut was evident in p47(phox-/-) mice. Circulating levels of pyrimidines, phosphatidylglycerol lipids, and 3-methyl-2-oxindole were augmented, while level of purine was reduced in the serum. Moreover, the cecal metabolome was also altered, as was evident with the increase in indole-3-acetamide, N-acetyl galactosamine, glycocholate, and a decrease in hippurate, indoxyl sulfate, and indigestible sugars (raffinose and Melezitose). Treatment of p47(phox-/-) mice with pioglitazone, marginally improved glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia, with an increase in PUFAs (linoleate, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid). Overall, the results obtained in p47(phox-/-) mice indicate an association of IR and dyslipidemia with altered serum and cecal metabolites (both host and bacterial-derived), implying a critical role of NOX-derived ROS in metabolic homeostasis.

Combined Elevation of Temperature and CO(2) Impacts the Production and Sugar Composition of Aphid Honeydew.[Pubmed:36171514]

J Chem Ecol. 2022 Oct;48(9-10):772-781.

Honeydew is the keystone of many interactions between aphids and their predators, parasitoids, and mutualistic partners. Despite the crucial importance of honeydew in aphid-ant mutualism, very few studies have investigated the potential impacts of climate change on its production and composition. Here, we quantified changes in sugar compounds and the amount of honeydew droplets released by Aphis fabae reared on Vicia faba plants under elevated temperature and/or CO(2) conditions. Following the combined elevation of these two abiotic factors, we found a significant increase in the fructose content of A. fabae honeydew, accompanied by nonsignificant trends of increase in total honeydew production and Melezitose content. The environmental conditions tested in this study did not significantly impact the other honeydew sugar contents. The observed changes may be related to changes in phloem composition under elevated CO(2) conditions as well as to increases in aphid metabolism and sap ingestion under elevated temperatures. Although limited, such changes in aphid honeydew may concurrently reinforce ant attendance and mutualism under elevated temperature and CO(2) conditions. Finally, we discuss the enhancing and counteracting effects of climate change on other biological agents (gut microorganisms, predators, and parasitoids) that interact with aphids in a complex multitrophic system.