@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.},
}

@article {pmid40431287,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhong, J and Ran, Q and Han, Y and Gan, L and Dong, C},
title = {Biosynthetic Mechanisms of Plant Chlorogenic Acid from a Microbiological Perspective.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40431287},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32360029//the National Science Foundation of China/ ; 32400111//the National Science Foundation of China/ ; Qiankehe Foundation-ZK (2024) General 091//he Guizhou Provincial Basic Research Program (Natural Science)/ ; },
abstract = {Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a phenolic compound with diverse bioactivities, plays a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms and has significant therapeutic potential in human inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. The biosynthesis and accumulation of CGA in plants result from a complex interplay between internal factors (e.g., hormones, enzymes, and genes) and external factors (e.g., microbial interactions, drought, and temperature fluctuations). This review systematically investigates the influence of microbes on internal regulatory factors governing CGA biosynthesis in plants. CGA is synthesized through four distinct metabolic pathways, with hormones, enzymes, and genes as key regulators. Notably, microbes enhance CGA biosynthesis by improving plant nutrient uptake, supplying essential hormones, regulating the expression of related enzymes and genes, and the interaction between bacteria and fungi. In addition, our review summarizes the challenges currently present in the research and proposes a series of innovative strategies. These include in-depth investigations into the molecular mechanisms of microbial regulation of plant gene expression, gene editing, development of microbial inoculants, construction of synthetic microbial communities, and exogenous application of plant hormones.},
}

@article {pmid40431268,
year = {2025},
author = {Jimbo, M and Kuniya, N and Fujimaki, Y and Yoshikawa, D and Kamiya, N and Amano, H and Yasumoto, K and Yuyama, I and Suzuki, G and Harii, S},
title = {A Lectin AtTL-2 Obtained from Acropora aff. tenuis Induced Stimualation of Phagocytosis of Symbiodiniaceae.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40431268},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {21H04742//the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan/ ; 19K06240//the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan/ ; },
abstract = {The coral Acropora aff. tenuis selectively acquired various zooxanthella (Symbiodiniaceae) strains, and one of the selective factors was lectins. The A. aff. tenuis lectin AtTL-2 was identified as a factor for Symbiodiniaceae acquisition by the coral, but the mechanism is not fully known. The acquisition process involves three steps: chemotaxis, entry into the coral, and phagocytosis. In this study, we examined the function of AtTL-2 in more detail. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to examine the distribution of AtTL-2. The effect of AtTL-2 on the number of Symbiodiniaceae acquired was measured in A. aff. tenuis juvenile polyps with and without AtTL-2 siRNA treatment. The effect of AtTL-2 fixation was examined by monitoring the acquisition of AtTL-2-fixed beads by A. aff. tenuis. AtTL-2 was distributed in nematocysts, spirocysts, and around Symbiodiniaceae. AtTL-2 siRNA inhibited the acquisition of Symbiodiniaceae by juvenile polyps. Fixation of AtTL-2 promoted bead acquisition by juvenile polyps more than fixation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Moreover, more AtTL-2-fixed beads were bound to the Symbiodiniaceae-enclosed cells than BSA-fixed beads. AtTL-2 is released from spirocysts and binds to Symbiodiniaceae. AtTL-2 then promotes the phagocytosis of Symbiodiniaceae by gastrodermal cells of A. aff. tenuis.},
}

@article {pmid40431236,
year = {2025},
author = {Peng, C and Li, Y and Yu, H and He, H and Cheng, Y and Sun, S and Liu, J},
title = {Synergistic Recruitment of Symbiotic Fungi by Potting and Scleroderma bovista Inoculation Suppresses Pathogens in Hazel Rhizosphere Microbiomes.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40431236},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32171840//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {This study explored how potted treatments (with and without Scleroderma bovista inoculation) shape rhizosphere microbial diversity in hazel across five soils using split-root cultivation. Three treatments (control, split-root, split-root with S. bovista) were analyzed for root growth and microbial dynamics. S. bovista inoculation consistently enhanced root parameters (number, tips) in all soils. Potted treatments (with and without S. bovista inoculation) altered microbial features (OTU/ASV), with only 0.9-3.3% of features remaining unchanged. At the class level, potting increased Agaricomycetes abundance while reducing Sordariomycetes, a trend amplified by S. bovista. Potting decreased species richness estimates (ACE and Chao1), while both treatments lowered diversity index (Shannon index). Potted treatments without S. bovista inoculation drove stronger shifts in species composition than inoculation. Findings reveal potting and S. bovista synergistically recruit symbiotic fungi via root exudates, establishing disease-suppressive communities that selectively inhibit pathotrophic fungi (particularly plant pathogen Coniothyrium and fungal parasite Cladobotryum) while roughly maintaining non-pathogenic saprotrophic microbes essential for organic matter decomposition. This work provides insights for optimizing hazel orchard management and ectomycorrhizal agent development.},
}

@article {pmid40431163,
year = {2025},
author = {Fujishima, M},
title = {Infection with the Endonuclear Symbiotic Bacterium Holospora obtusa Reversibly Alters Surface Antigen Expression of the Host Paramecium caudatum.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40431163},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {11694211//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 12206066//Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {It is known that the ciliate Paramecium cell surface including cilia is completely covered by high-molecular-mass GPI-anchored proteins named surface antigens (SAgs). However, their functions are not well understood. It was found that ciliate Paramecium caudatum reversibly changes its SAgs depending on the absence or presence of the endonuclear symbiotic bacterium Holospora obtusa in the macronucleus. Immunofluorescence microscopy with a monoclonal antibody produced SAg of the H. obtusa-free P. caudatum strain RB-1-labeled cell surface of the H. obtusa-free P. caudatum RB-1 cell but not the H. obtusa-bearing RB-1 cell. When this antibody was added to the living P. caudatum RB-1 cells, only H. obtusa-free cells were immobilized. An immunoblot with SAgs extracted from Paramecium via cold salt/ethanol treatment showed approximately 266-kDa SAgs in the extract from H. obtusa-free cells and 188 and 149-kDa SAgs in the extract from H. obtusa-bearing cells. H. obtusa-free RB-1 cells produced from H. obtusa-bearing cells via treatment with penicillin-G-potassium re-expressed 266-kDa SAg, while the 188 and 149-kDa SAgs disappeared. This phenotypic change in the SAgs was not induced by degrees of starvation or temperature shifts. These results definitively show that Paramecium SAgs have functions related to bacterial infection.},
}

@article {pmid40431145,
year = {2025},
author = {Jiang, K and Ye, L and Cao, C and Che, G and Wang, Y and Hong, Y},
title = {Multi-Metagenome Analysis Unravels Community Collapse After Sampling and Hints the Cultivation Strategy of CPR Bacteria in Groundwater.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40431145},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32360005//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022JBQN091//Fundamental Research Funds for the Inner Mongolia Normal University/ ; 2022JBTD010//Fundamental Research Funds for the Inner Mongolia Normal University/ ; },
abstract = {Groundwater harbors phylogenetically diverse Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) bacteria, representing an ideal ecosystem for studying this microbial dark matter. However, no CPR strains have been successfully isolated from groundwater, severely limiting further research. This study employed a multi-metagenome approach, integrating time-resolved sampling, antibiotic/nutrient interventions, and microbial correlation networks to unravel CPR ecological roles in groundwater and provide insights into their subsequent cultivation. Through 36 metagenomes from a groundwater system containing at least 68 CPR phyla, we revealed the time-sensitive collapse of CPR communities: total abundance plummeted from 7.9% to 0.15% within 48 h post-sampling, driven by competition with rapidly dividing non-CPR bacteria, such as members of Pseudomonadota. Ampicillin (100 mg/L) stabilized CPR communities by suppressing competitors, whereas low-nutrient conditions paradoxically reversed this effect. Long-term enrichment (14 months) recovered 63 CPR phyla (0.35% abundance), revealing their survival resilience despite nutrient deprivation. Correlation networks prioritized Actinomyces, a novel Acidimicrobiaceae genus, Aestuariivirga, Baekduia and Caedimonadaceae as potential CPR partners, providing actionable targets for co-culture trials. Here, we propose actionable recommendations spanning groundwater sampling, activation status, identification of CPR symbiotic partners, and optimization of culture conditions, which bypass traditional blind cultivation and are critical for future efforts to cultivate CPR bacterial strains from groundwater. Cultivating CPR bacteria will contribute to clarifying their diversity, ecological roles, evolutionary mechanisms, metabolic pathways, and genetic potential.},
}

@article {pmid40431144,
year = {2025},
author = {Lv, C and Meng, T and Zhong, B and Shang, Z and Li, C and Zahra, AA and Abdelrahman, TM},
title = {Pathogenicity of Steinernema carpocapsae ALL Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria as a Biological Control Agent on Red Palm Weevil.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40431144},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2023YFD2200704//the National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
abstract = {Insect-specific pathogens present a sustainable alternative to pesticides for managing the red palm weevil (RPW). This study assessed the efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae ALL nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria against the third-instar larvae and adults of RPW under laboratory conditions. The symbiotic bacteria were isolated, morphologically characterized, and genetically identified. The results indicated that the mortality rates of RPW larvae treated with S. carpocapsae exceeded 50% in all treatments at 120 h, reaching 93.33% at a concentration of 250 IJs/mL. The morphology of isolated symbiotic bacterium from S. carpocapsae on NBTA medium exhibited a light green color with a glossy surface, a raised center, and a mucilaginous texture. A novel strain of symbiotic bacterium was identified and named as LZ-G7. The bacteria toxicity on RPW adults showed a notable mortality rate of 66.67% at 48 h after feeding with concentration of 10 × 10[7] CFU/mL. The mortality rate of the third-instar larvae of RPW reached 83.33% after feeding with 0.30 × 10[8] CFU/g at 96 h and 93.33% after injection into blood cavity with 8 × 10[6] CFU at 48 h. These results suggest that S. carpocapsae and a novel symbiotic bacterium strain exhibit strong virulence against RPW and have the potential to serve as effective biological control agents in integrated pest management strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40431132,
year = {2025},
author = {Xue, Q and Liu, J and Cao, Y and Wei, Y},
title = {Host Lifeform Shapes Phyllospheric Microbiome Assembly in Mountain Lake: Deterministic Selection and Stochastic Colonization Dynamics.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13050960},
pmid = {40431132},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {U23A20157//Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Joint Fund for Regional Innovation and Development/ ; 202304041101020//Key Cooperation Project of National Science and Technology in Shanxi Province/ ; },
abstract = {The phyllosphere microbiome of aquatic macrophytes constitutes an integral component of freshwater ecosystems, serving crucial functions in global biogeochemical cycling and anthropogenic pollutant remediation. In this study, we examined the assembly mechanisms of epiphytic bacterial communities across four phylogenetically diverse macrophyte species (Scirpus validus, Hippuris vulgaris, Nymphoides peltatum, and Myriophyllum spicatum) inhabiting Ningwu Mayinghai Lake (38.87° N, 112.20° E), a vulnerable subalpine freshwater system in Shanxi Province, China. Through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we demonstrate marked phyllospheric microbiome divergence, as follows: Gammaproteobacteria dominated S. validus, H. vulgaris and N. peltatum, while Alphaproteobacteria dominated in M. spicatum. The nitrate, nitrite, and pH value of water bodies and the chlorophyll, leaf nitrogen, and carbon contents of plant leaves are the main driving forces affecting the changes in the β-diversity of epiphytic bacterial communities of four plant species. The partitioning of assembly processes revealed that deterministic dominance governed S. validus and M. spicatum, where niche-based selection contributed 67.5% and 100% to community assembly, respectively. Conversely, stochastic processes explained 100% of the variability in H. vulgaris and N. peltatum microbiomes, predominantly mediated by dispersal limitation and ecological drift. This investigation advances the understanding of microbial community structural dynamics and diversity stabilization strategies in aquatic macrophyte-associated microbiomes, while establishing conceptual frameworks between plant-microbe symbiosis and the ecological homeostasis mechanisms within vulnerable subalpine freshwater ecosystems. The empirical references derived from these findings offer novel perspectives for developing conservation strategies aimed at sustaining biodiversity equilibrium in high-altitude lake habitats, particularly in the climatically sensitive regions of north-central China.},
}

@article {pmid40431003,
year = {2025},
author = {Xie, K and Wang, G and Ni, Y and Shi, M and Sun, L and Cheng, B and Li, X},
title = {ZmHPAT2 Regulates Maize Growth and Development and Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants14101438},
pmid = {40431003},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {No. U21A20235//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Hydroxyproline O-arabinosyltransferase (HPAT), a critical enzyme in plant glycosylation pathways, catalyzes the transfer of arabinose to the hydroxyl group of hydroxyproline residues. This enzyme contains a canonical GT95 glycosyltransferase, a structural hallmark of this carbohydrate-active enzyme family. HPAT mediates arabinosylation of diverse cellular targets, including cell wall extension and small signaling peptides. Emerging evidence has shown that HPAT orthologs regulate plant development and symbiotic interactions through post-translational modification of CLV1/LRR Extracellular (CLE) peptides. Although the molecular functions of HPAT genes have been characterized in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Lotus japonicus, their roles remain unexplored in Zea mays L. In this study, we used ZmHPAT2 homozygous mutants to explore the function of the maize HPAT gene. Sequence analysis identified a N-terminal signal peptide targeting the Golgi apparatus and promoter elements responsive to AM fungal colonization. Phenotypic analysis revealed its negative regulatory role: zmhpat2 promotes vegetative growth (increased plant height and accelerated flowering) and enhances AM symbiosis (increased colonization rate). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ZmHPAT2 possesses dual regulatory functions-the activation of auxin signaling and repression of ZmMYB1-mediated arbuscular degradation pathways. In addition, overexpression of ZmHPAT2 in Lotus japonicus inhibits growth (reduced plant height) and impairs symbiotic interactions. Our findings establish ZmHPAT2 as a critical node to regulate auxin and symbiotic signaling, providing novel insights into plant glycosylation-mediated development. This work not only advances our understanding of maize growth regulation but also identifies potential targets for crop improvement through arabinosylation pathway manipulation.},
}

@article {pmid40429958,
year = {2025},
author = {San-Martin, MI and Chamizo-Ampudia, A and Sanchiz, Á and Ferrero, MÁ and Martínez-Blanco, H and Rodríguez-Aparicio, LB and Navasa, N},
title = {Microbiome Markers in Gastrointestinal Disorders: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Cancer, and Celiac Disease.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26104818},
pmid = {40429958},
issn = {1422-0067},
mesh = {Humans ; *Celiac Disease/microbiology/metabolism ; *Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/microbiology/metabolism ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Biomarkers/metabolism ; *Colorectal Neoplasms/microbiology/metabolism ; Animals ; Metagenomics/methods ; },
abstract = {Intestinal microbiota and the host's immune system form a symbiotic alliance that sustains normal development and function in the human gut. Changes such as dietary habits among societies in developed countries have led to the development of unbalanced microbial populations in the gut, likely contributing to the dramatic increase in inflammatory diseases in the last few decades. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies have tremendously helped to characterize the microbiome associated with disease, both in identifying global alterations and discovering specific biomarkers that potentially contribute to disease pathogenesis, as evidenced by animal studies. Beyond bacterial alterations, non-bacterial components such as fungi, viruses, and microbial metabolites have been implicated in these diseases, influencing immune responses and gut homeostasis. Multi-omics approaches integrating metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics offer a more comprehensive understanding of the microbiome's role in disease pathogenesis, paving the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Unraveling the metagenomic profiles associated with disease may facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention, as well as the development of more personalized and effective therapeutic strategies. This review synthesizes recent and relevant microbiome research studies aimed at characterizing the microbial signatures associated with inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and celiac disease.},
}

Humans
*Celiac Disease/microbiology/metabolism
*Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/microbiology/metabolism
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Biomarkers/metabolism
*Colorectal Neoplasms/microbiology/metabolism
Animals
Metagenomics/methods

@article {pmid40429241,
year = {2025},
author = {Civolani, S and Bariselli, M and Osti, R and Bernacchia, G},
title = {Insect Pest Control from Chemical to Biotechnological Approach: Constrains and Challenges.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16050528},
pmid = {40429241},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {The large growth in the global population requires new solutions for the control of harmful insects that compete for our food. Changing regulatory requirements and public perception, together with the continuous evolution of resistance to conventional insecticides, also require, in addition to innovative molecules with different modes of action, new non-chemical control strategies that can help maintain efficient integrated pest management programs. The last 30 years have inaugurated a new era characterised by the discovery of new mechanisms of action and new chemical families. Although European programs also promote a green deal in the crop protection sector, the existing thorough regulations slow down its spread and the adoption of new products. In light of these changes, this review will describe in more detail the dynamics of discovery and registration of new conventional insecticides and the difficulties that the agrochemical industries encounter. Subsequently, the different innovative control strategies alternative to conventional insecticides based on natural substances of different origin, entomopathogenic microorganisms, semiochemical and semiophysical compounds, and classical and augmentative biological control will be described. The advantages of these green strategies will be illustrated and also the constrains to their diffusion and commercialisation. Finally, the main biotechnological discoveries will be described, from transgenic plants to symbiotic control, classical genetic control, and, more recently, control based on insect genomic transformation or on RNAi. These new biotechnologies can revolutionise the sector despite some constrains related to the regulatory restrictions present in different countries.},
}

@article {pmid40427643,
year = {2025},
author = {Rybalka, D and Brygadyrenko, V},
title = {Effects of Toxic Organic Compounds on Tenebrio molitor and Its Parasite Gregarina steini.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology14050453},
pmid = {40427643},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {Environmental pollution by toxic compounds affects various species of living organisms, their life cycles, and symbiotic relationships. This study investigated the host-parasite relationship between Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) and Gregarina steini Berthold, 1827 (Eugregarinorida, Gregarinida) under exposure to aniline, formaldehyde, and o-xylene at different concentrations. For laboratory studies, 480 larvae of T. molitor and five concentrations of the studied organic compounds were used. Groups of T. molitor, each consisting of ten individuals, were subjected to the tested compounds for 10 days following the initial weight measurement. We measured the body weight and survival rate of T. molitor and the number of G. steini in them to assess the impact of the tested organic compounds on the host-parasite relationship. For all the compounds studied, a decrease in body weight and high mortality were observed in T. molitor at high concentrations. The lethality of the studied organic compounds was concentration-dependent. o-Xylene showed low toxicity at lower concentrations (10.4 and 26.0 mg/kg of feed), with a survival rate of 93.3% and 86.7%, respectively. At a concentration of 10.4 mg/kg, no lethal cases in T. molitor were observed. At higher concentrations (78 and 104 mg/kg feed), T. molitor mortality significantly increased to 33.3% and 53.3%, respectively.},
}

@article {pmid40425087,
year = {2025},
author = {Xie, J and Lu, P},
title = {Cytochrome P450s from the fungal symbiont of Sirex noctilio, Amylostereum areolatum: characterization, sequence analysis and their response to host terpenoids.},
journal = {Gene},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {149593},
doi = {10.1016/j.gene.2025.149593},
pmid = {40425087},
issn = {1879-0038},
abstract = {Amylostereum areolatum is the main symbiotic fungus of woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) and is an active participant in the large-scale death of Pinus sylvestris. Woodwasps and associated fungi resort to active detoxification mechanisms to overcome the toxicity of host defence chemicals, which consist of a multitude of monoterpenes and diterpenes. Since cytochrome P450 (CYP) is considered to have extensive detoxification capabilities in fungi, 35 CYP genes were identified from A. areolatum by Iso-Seq. Moreover, we analysed the transcriptional levels of 11 chosen CYPs in the mycelia of fungi grown on different carbon sources or sprayed with different terpene mixtures or extracts to explore the relationship between CYPs and utilization of terpenoids or the detoxification capabilities for terpenoids. Molecular modeling and docking were also employed to predict the interaction between the P450 protein structure and substrate. The results showed that the 35 CYPs of A. areolatum belong to 22 families and 12 clans, and all had the typical P450 conserved domains. RT-qPCR revealed that most CYPs were down-regulated with monoterpenes as the sole carbon source and up-regulated with diterpenes. CYPs were induced after spraying with xylem extract, and venom can increase the expression levels of CYPs. Molecular docking predicted that three P450 proteins (CYP5037BM3, CYP5144KC1, and CYP5152T1) bind tightly to diterpenes through hydrogen bonds and π-alkyl interactions, they have a higher binding affinity for diterpenes than for monoterpenes, suggesting that they may preferentially metabolize diterpenes. This indicates that A. areolatum regulates the expression levels of key P450 enzymes through a special response pattern to reduce the toxicity of the chemical defence of the host on itself and its symbiotic insect, Sirex noctilio.},
}

@article {pmid40425050,
year = {2025},
author = {Atanasković, I and Nedeljković, M and Lozo, J},
title = {Beyond pathogenicity: the immunomodulatory role of the type III secretion system in beneficial plant-microbe interactions.},
journal = {Open biology},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {240318},
doi = {10.1098/rsob.240318},
pmid = {40425050},
issn = {2046-2441},
support = {CRP/SRB23-04_EC//International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology/ ; 451-03-137/2025-03/200178, 451-03-136/2025-03/200178//Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia/ ; },
mesh = {*Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/immunology ; *Plants/microbiology/immunology ; Symbiosis ; Plant Immunity ; *Bacteria/pathogenicity/metabolism/immunology ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology ; Virulence ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/immunology ; },
abstract = {The type III secretion system (T3SS) has traditionally been studied for its role in bacterial virulence. However, recent research emphasizes its dual role in beneficial interactions between bacteria and plants. This review examines the immunomodulatory functions of T3SS beyond pathogenicity and focuses on how T3SS effectors manipulate plant immune responses to promote symbioses. By comparing T3SS mechanisms in pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, we aim to understand how this system enables beneficial microbes to colonize plants and improve plant growth and stress resilience. We also investigate the potential of T3SS to trigger induced systemic resistance in plants, a mechanism that could be utilized in agriculture to improve crop resistance to pathogens. The review concludes with an outlook on future research and emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies on T3SS effectors in non-pathogenic bacteria and their interactions with plant hosts.},
}

*Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/immunology
*Plants/microbiology/immunology
Symbiosis
Plant Immunity
*Bacteria/pathogenicity/metabolism/immunology
*Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology
Virulence
Plant Diseases/microbiology/immunology

@article {pmid40424976,
year = {2025},
author = {Cabric, V and Brown, CC},
title = {Thetis cells: regulators of intestinal immune tolerance.},
journal = {Current opinion in immunology},
volume = {95},
number = {},
pages = {102570},
doi = {10.1016/j.coi.2025.102570},
pmid = {40424976},
issn = {1879-0372},
abstract = {Our body's mucosal surfaces interface with the external environment and are potential sites of entry for pathogens as well as noxious substances. Yet, these barrier sites are also colonized with symbiotic microbes and are in contact with harmless environmental antigens. Different barrier epithelia harbor distinct microbial communities that shape both the epithelial layer and local immune cells that maintain tissue homeostasis and tolerance to symbiotic microbes. This seemingly paradoxical peaceful co-existence of immune cells and microbes has fascinated immunologists for decades: how does the immune system balance inflammatory and tolerogenic responses? The mechanisms underlying peripheral immune tolerance to harmless foreign antigens have been most widely studied within the intestine, where the immune system must establish and maintain tolerance to harmless food and commensal antigens. Dysregulated immune responses to these antigens are linked to several human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and food allergy. Understanding the cellular and molecular cues that promote intestinal immune tolerance is key to the development of effective therapeutic strategies for these pathologies. Here, we review recent insights into mechanisms of intestinal tolerance with a focus on recently identified RORγt[+] antigen-presenting cells.},
}

@article {pmid40423953,
year = {2025},
author = {Sun, YP and Zhao, MW and Shi, L},
title = {The orchestration of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis: a review of fungal-produced symbiotic regulators and their functions.},
journal = {Mycologia},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-13},
doi = {10.1080/00275514.2025.2499439},
pmid = {40423953},
issn = {1557-2536},
abstract = {Ectomycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiotic association formed between fungi and plants, which enhances the host plant's stress resistance and promotes plant growth. It plays an important role in forest ecosystems. A plethora of symbiotically active regulatory molecules are secreted throughout the continuum of ectomycorrhizal development, encompassing the period before physical contact between the fungi and their host plant roots to the maturation of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. However, our understanding of these substances is still limited. In recent years, as research in this field has deepened, several studies have documented that fungi release symbiotic regulatory substances, including fungal-derived plant hormones and small secreted proteins, which participate in the regulation of mycorrhizal formation. This article, from a fungal perspective, elaborates on the symbiotic regulatory substances secreted by ectomycorrhizal fungi into the surrounding environment or within the host plant. It further discusses the role of these substances in establishing symbiotic relationships with plants, aiming to offer novel insights for researchers in this field.},
}

@article {pmid40422717,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, L and Fu, N and Wang, M and Zhan, Z and Luo, Y and Wu, J and Ren, L},
title = {Integrative Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Related to Terpenoid Synthesis in Amylostereum areolatum (Russulales: Amylostereaceae).},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40422717},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {2022YFD1401000//National Key Research & Development Program of China/ ; },
abstract = {Amylostereum areolatum (Chaillet ex Fr.) Boidin (Russulales: Amylostereaceae) is a symbiotic fungus of Sirex noctilio Fabricius that has ecological significance. Terpenoids are key mediators in fungal-insect interactions, yet the biosynthetic mechanisms of terpenoids in this species remain unclear. Under nutritional conditions that mimic natural growth, A. areolatum was sampled during the lag phase (day 7), exponential phase (day 14), and stationary phase (day 21). Metabolome (solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)) and transcriptome (Illumina NovaSeq) profiles were integrated to investigate terpenoid-gene correlations. This analysis identified 103 terpenoids in A. areolatum, substantially expanding the known repertoire of terpenoid compounds in this species. Total terpenoid abundance progressively increased across three developmental stages, with triterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids demonstrating the highest diversity and abundance levels. Transcriptomic profiling (61.66 Gb clean data) revealed 26 terpenoid biosynthesis-associated genes, establishing a comprehensive transcriptional framework for fungal terpenoid metabolism. Among 11 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2Fold Change| ≥ 1, adjusted p < 0.05), HMGS1, HMGR2, and AaTPS1-3 emerged as key regulators potentially governing terpenoid biosynthesis. These findings provide foundational insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying terpenoid production in A. areolatum and related basidiomycetes.},
}

@article {pmid40422709,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, Q and Yang, W and Wang, M and Chen, J and Zhang, Z and Wei, Y and Chang, Q and Gong, M},
title = {Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanisms for Mycorrhiza-Enhanced Drought Tolerance in Maize by Regulating the Ca[2+] Signaling Pathway.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40422709},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {31870093//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31800096//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 242300420144//Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province/ ; 242102110158//Henan Province Science and Technology Research/ ; 252102110148//Henan Province Science and Technology Research/ ; },
abstract = {With the continuous change of climate, drought stress has emerged as the primary constraint on crop growth, posing a significant threat to the stability of global grain reserves. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as a kind of widely distributed root endophytes, enhance the drought tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) through regulating the physiological and molecular responses. However, comprehensive transcriptome analysis to reveal the molecular mechanism of drought tolerance in the symbiotic process between AMF and maize is still limited. In the potted plant experiment, maizes inoculated with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Funneliformis mosseae were grown under well-watered (WW) or drought-stressed (DS) conditions. By using RNA-Seq and transcriptome analysis on maize roots and leaves, this work aimed to investigate the differential expressed genes (DEGs) related to the Ca[2+] signaling pathway induced by AMF symbiosis under drought stress. Our findings indicated that F. mosseae inoculation resulted in a decrease in the net fluxes of Ca[2+], while simultaneously elevating Ca[2+] contents in the maize roots and leaves under well-watered or drought-stressed conditions. Notably, 189 DEGs were regulated not only by AMF symbiosis and drought stress, but also exhibited preferential expression in either leaves or roots. The annotation and enrichment of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) showed that most of the DEGs were significantly enriched in Ca[2+] signaling pathway genes, related to signal transduction, cellular process, and defense response. A high number of DEGs with this function (including calcineurin B-like protein (CBL), CBL-interacting protein kinase (CIPK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) receptor kinases) were upregulated-DEGs or downregulated-DEGs in F. mosseae-inoculated maizes under drought stress. Furthermore, some DEGs belong to transcription factor (TF) families, including bHLH ERF, and, MYB, were speculated to play key roles in improving the drought tolerance of maize. Based on the expression data and co-expression analysis between TF and Ca[2+] signaling pathway genes, Whirly1 with CBL11, and BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) with CBL10, CIPK24, CDPK1, CDPK14, CDPK19, and MAPK9 genes showed significant positive correlations, while B3 domain-containing transcription factors (B3 TFs) with MAPK1 and both CBL9 genes showed significant negative correlations in response to both F. mosseae inoculation and drought stress. The regulation of Ca[2+] signaling pathways by AMF symbiosis was an important response mechanism of maize to improve their drought resistance. This study provides insightful perspectives on how AMF-induced modulation of gene expression within the Ca[2+] signaling pathway can enhance the drought tolerance of mycorrhizal maize in the future.},
}

@article {pmid40422674,
year = {2025},
author = {Xie, K and Ni, Y and Bai, L and Zhai, Y and Zhou, W and Cheng, B and Li, X},
title = {Functional Characterization of Ammonium Transporter LjAMT2;4 During Lotus japonicus Symbiosis with Rhizobia and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40422674},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {U21A20235//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; S202310364181//College Students ' Innovation Program of Anhui Province/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia are important symbiotic microorganisms in soil, which can symbiose with legumes to form mycorrhizal symbionts and nodules, respectively. Once a stable symbiotic relationship is established, these microorganisms have been found to enhance nitrogen absorption by legumes. Although plants can directly utilize ammonium through ammonium transporters (AMTs), there is limited research on the role of the AMT gene family in promoting ammonium transport in symbiotic relationships. Lotus japonicus, a common host of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia, serves as a model legume plant. In this study, we examined the characteristics of the ammonium transporter LjAMT2;4 in L. japonicus and found that LjAMT2;4 is localized to the plasma membrane and is predominantly expressed in roots. The promoter region of LjAMT2;4 contains cis-acting elements induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizomes, and the expression of LjAMT2;4 was induced by AM fungi and rhizobia. However, there was no significant difference in the mycorrhizal colonization rate of ljamt2;4 compared to the wild type, while the absence of LjAMT2;4 significantly increased the number of root nodules under nitrogen-starved conditions, enhancing nitrogen fixation and alleviating nitrogen stress in extremely nitrogen-starved environments, ultimately promoting plant growth. These findings suggest that manipulating the genes involved in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, such as LjAMT2;4, could offer new strategies for sustainable agricultural production. Given that AM and rhizobia symbiosis are critical for crop growth, our findings may inform strategies to improve agricultural management.},
}

@article {pmid40422671,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, S and Yang, Z and Yang, X and Ma, X and Ma, Q and Ma, M and Zhang, J},
title = {Plant-Soil Interactions Shape Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity and Functionality in Eastern Tibetan Meadows.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40422671},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {32260298，31660160//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 24YFFA061//Ecological Civilization Construction Key Research and Development Special Project of Gansu Province/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi occur in the interface between soils and plants. Yet, the impacts of the plant community functional composition and soil properties on AM fungal communities remain poorly understood in the face of ongoing climate change. Here, we investigated the AM fungal community in alpine meadow habitats of the Tibetan Plateau by linking fungal species richness to plant community functional composition and soil parameters at three latitudinal sites. High-throughput sequencing of the AM fungal small subunit rRNA gene was performed to characterize fungal communities. We found that AM fungal diversity and plant functional diversity, as well as the contents of soil nutrients, were significantly higher in the southernmost site, Hongyuan (HY). Total soil nitrogen and soil-available phosphorus explained the variation in AM fungal diversity, while AM fungal biomass was best predicted by the plant community-weighed mean nitrogen:phosphorus ratio (CWM-N:P). Glomus species preferentially occurred in the northernmost site of Hezuo (HZ). Distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) revealed that AM fungal community structure was influenced by not only CWM-N:P but also by plant community-weighed mean photosynthetic rate (CWM-Pn), soil total carbon, and plant community functional dispersion (FDis). We conclude that plant traits and soil properties are crucial for nutrient-carbon (C) exchange, as fungal symbionts may shape AM communities in this vast alpine meadow ecosystem. Our findings provide timely insight into AM fungal community assembly from the perspective of nutrient-C exchange dynamics in the Tibetan Plateau's alpine meadow habitats.},
}

@article {pmid40421697,
year = {2025},
author = {Shen, Y and He, J and Ma, Y and Song, X and Li, P and Zhang, C and Zhou, Z and Chen, R},
title = {MtPEPC2 Encodes a Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Essential for Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Medicago truncatula.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.15636},
pmid = {40421697},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//This study was supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFF1003200; R.C.), National Natural Science Foundation of China (32270261; R.C.) Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA26030103; R.C.) and Science and Technology Department of Gansu Province, China (22ZD6NA049; R.C.)./ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) that takes place in root nodules of legumes essentially relies on the exchange of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) metabolites between the symbiotic partners. The endosymbionts rhizobia provide ammonium to the host plants, and in return receive carbon and energy sources from the host for nitrogen fixation. In a forward genetic study, we identified FN6516 as an SNF-defective (fix[-]) mutant of Medicago truncatula. Whole genome resequencing, genetic linkage analysis of an F2 segregating population, genetic complementation and gene editing results show that a plant-type PEPC, MtPEPC2, is the candidate gene. We demonstrate that MtPEPC2 expression is activated in nodules and that a high level of expression is detected at an early stage of nodule development. MtPEPC2 protein is localised in the cytoplasm of both infected and uninfected cells, but not in symbiosomes. Our work shows that a nonsense mutation in MtPEPC2 resulted in a great reduction in PEPC activities, almost complete loss of nodule nitrogen fixation activities, and defects in differentiation and/or maintenance of bacteroids. Importantly, overexpression of MtPEPC2 increased nodule nitrogenase activities.},
}

@article {pmid40421474,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, X and Guo, F and Ma, Y and Wang, Z and Wu, H and Zhang, H and Gao, L and Wen, T},
title = {Enzymatic Characterization of a Rumen Microorganism-Derived Multifunctional Glycoside Hydrolase and Its GH26 Domain with Mannanase Activity.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.5c04047},
pmid = {40421474},
issn = {1520-5118},
abstract = {In this study, a novel multifunctional glycoside hydrolase (GH) with two distinct domains homologous to the GH family 5 (GH5) and family 26 (GH26) was isolated from the rumen microorganism Segatella bryantii. The heterologous expression product of this enzyme exhibited both endo-β-1,4-glucanase and endo-β-1,4-mannanase activities. Intriguingly, segmental expression studies indicated that the GH26 domain alone contributed to the β-mannanase activity, and its specific activity reached 2060 U/mg under optimal conditions (30 °C, pH 5.5). Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that the glutamic acid residues at positions 165 and 276 were indispensable for the catalytic activity of the GH26 domain. Collectively, a novel multifunctional GH from a symbiotic microorganism of ruminants was identified. Preliminary enzymatic characterizations of its GH26 family domain, which has independent β-mannanase activities, were determined.},
}

@article {pmid40420886,
year = {2025},
author = {Carner, M and Bianconi, L and Sacchetto, L and Arietti, V and Nocini, R and Salvetta, MS and Maulu, G and Diodati, A and Turchet, L},
title = {The"symbiotic"regulation approach in bimodal hearing adults.},
journal = {Indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery : official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India},
volume = {77},
number = {6},
pages = {2239-2246},
pmid = {40420886},
issn = {2231-3796},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Patients with bimodal auditory stimulation represent an expanding group of cochlear implant users in many countries. The hearing results reported in the literature for subjects with bimodal hearing are controversial and often only evaluate hearing aids that are simply synchronized with their cochlear implant ("synchronized" regulation) and sometimes even adapted independently of the cochlear implant ("classic" regulation). This study aims to verify that the innovative "symbiotic'' regulation of the cochlear implant with an integrated hearing aid and dedicated fitting formula allows to achieve adequate rehabilitative hearing levels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty adult patients (12 females and 18 males; age range: 18-69 years) with bimodal hearing have been enrolled in a one-year study and divided into three groups of ten subjects for each of the regulation modes ("classic", "synchronized" and "symbiotic") applied to fit the cochlear implant and the hearing aid. Statistical analysis of the demographic characteristics and hearing outcomes observed in the three groups was conducted using the R statistical software.

RESULTS: For all subjects, the use of the "symbiotic" regulation approach with a dedicated bimodal regulation formula and integrated hearing aid allowed significantly better hearing performances (p < 0.05) compared to those obtained to either the "classic" or the "synchronized" regulations.

CONCLUSION: The "symbiotic" bimodal fitting formula provides significant hearing benefits compared to "classic" and "synchronized" regulation and it proves to be the ideal adjustment and coupling modality between a cochlear implant and a contralateral integrated hearing aid in bimodal listeners.},
}

@article {pmid40420254,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, Z and Dunlop, JA and Klimov, PB and Mai, H and Peng, A and Liu, Y},
title = {A new whip scorpion (Arachnida: Thelyphonida) with a phoretic mite (Acariformes: Trochometridiidae) from Mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber.},
journal = {BMC ecology and evolution},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {55},
pmid = {40420254},
issn = {2730-7182},
support = {2023Y0217//Yunnan Provincial Department of Education Scientific Research Fund Project/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Fossils/anatomy & histology ; *Amber ; *Mites/anatomy & histology/classification/physiology ; *Scorpions/anatomy & histology/classification ; *Arachnida/anatomy & histology/classification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber is a valuable resource for studying the diversity, evolution, and ecology of microarthropods, including arachnids. Its exceptional preservation offers a unique opportunity to uncover biological associations between organisms with high fidelity. Whip scorpions (Thelyphonida) are rare in the fossil record, with a few known from the Paleozoic era and Cretaceous period. However, the ecological interactions of these fossils with other organisms remain largely unexplored.

RESULTS: Here, we describe a new whip scorpion species, Mesothelyphonus xiaoae sp. nov., from Kachin amber. This species is diagnosed by its relatively small body size, an accessory tooth on the pedipalp coxal apophysis, six teeth on the pedipalpal trochanter, and an unmodified abdominal sternite III. Notably, the fossil includes a heterostigmatic mite (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Heterostigmata: Trochometridiidae) attached to the first leg of the whip scorpion. The mite appears to have selected a densely setose area on a limb primarily used for sensory purposes by the host, which may have made it more difficult to dislodge. This association likely represents an instance of phoresy, where the mite benefits from transportation and protection provided by the whip scorpion.

CONCLUSION: Based on modern knowledge of Trochometridium biology and host associations, we suggest that while the whip scorpion served as an incidental host, the primary host was likely a ground-nesting Apoidea (bees or wasps). This hypothesis implies that Mid-Cretaceous ecosystems included early apoids exhibiting nesting behavior, providing an essential niche for the development of this ancient symbiosis.},
}

Animals
*Fossils/anatomy & histology
*Amber
*Mites/anatomy & histology/classification/physiology
*Scorpions/anatomy & histology/classification
*Arachnida/anatomy & histology/classification

@article {pmid40419814,
year = {2025},
author = {Srivastava, AK and Riaz, A and Jiang, J and Li, X and Uzair, M and Mishra, P and Zeb, A and Zhang, J and Singh, RP and Luo, L and Chen, S and Yang, S and Zhao, Y and Xie, X},
title = {Advancing Climate-Resilient Sorghum: the Synergistic Role of Plant Biotechnology and Microbial Interactions.},
journal = {Rice (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {41},
pmid = {40419814},
issn = {1939-8425},
support = {[2022]091//Guizhou Provincial Youth Science and Technology Talents Growth Project/ ; },
abstract = {Climate-related problems such as drought stress, extreme temperature, erratic rainfall patterns, soil degradation, heatwaves, flooding, water logging, pests and diseases afflict the production and sustainability of sorghum. These challenges may be addressed by adopting climate-resilient practices and using advanced agronomic techniques. These challenges are being addressed through innovative applications of plant biotechnology and microbiology, which offer targeted solutions to enhance sorghum's resilience. For instance, biotechnological tools like CRISPR/Cas9 enable precise genetic modifications to improve drought and heat tolerance, while microbial inoculants, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), enhance nutrient uptake and stress tolerance through symbiotic interactions. However, biotechnological tools lead to the development of sorghum varieties with heat, drought and salinity tolerance, while marker-assisted selection significantly accelerates breeding for stress-resilient traits. When genetic engineering is introduced, genes encoding heat shock proteins, Osmo protectants and antioxidant pathways are introduced to increase plant resistance to abiotic stress. These compounds stabilise cellular structures, protect enzymes, and maintain osmotic balance, enhancing the plant's ability to survive and function in adverse environmental conditions. At the same time, it is reported that microbiology offers beneficial microbes, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that help enhance nutrient availability, soil health and water uptake. Combinations of endophytes and microbial inoculants enhance plant immunity to pests and diseases while increasing tolerance to stress. Biocontrol agents such as Bacillus and Trichoderma contain suppression of pathogens and need less dependence on the use of chemical pesticides. On top of that, genetic modification increases the nutritional quality of sorghum biofortified. This is where biotechnology and microbiology work together to deliver sustainable farming systems reducing environmental impacts, boosting yields and securing food supply under environmental stresses. This review aims to examine the synergistic integration of plant biotechnology and microbial interactions as a strategy to enhance sorghum's resilience to climate-induced stresses, including drought, elevated temperatures, and nutrient-deficient soils. It highlights recent advancements in biotechnological tools such as gene editing, marker-assisted selection, and tissue culture, alongside the emerging role of plant-beneficial microbes in promoting stress tolerance and improving soil health. By synthesizing current knowledge across these disciplines, this review seeks to outline a framework for future research that harnesses the intersection of biotechnology and microbial ecology to support the sustainable improvement of sorghum resilience.},
}

@article {pmid40418640,
year = {2025},
author = {Ranner, JL and Stabl, G and Martyniak, C and Paries, M and Spaccasassi, A and Gutjahr, C and Stark, TD and Dawid, C},
title = {Comprehensive Quantification of (Poly)phenols in Lotus japonicus with and without Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.5c02061},
pmid = {40418640},
issn = {1520-5118},
abstract = {In the present study, a highly specific, accurate, and robust ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of 50 plant (poly)phenol analytes was developed and validated to assess the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis on the (poly)phenolic content of the model legume Lotus japonicus (L. japonicus). Determination of molar concentrations of analytes in roots and shoots of wild-type and AM mutant L. japonicus (with and without AM symbiosis, respectively) revealed an overall increase in (poly)phenols in mycorrhizal plants. Time-course observation over 10 weeks showed a shift in (poly)phenol concentrations, especially in the roots. In total, 13 analytes were notably more abundant in young AM roots, suggesting a potential role in symbiosis initiation. An accumulation of various (poly)phenols at later stages of symbiosis might indicate a potential involvement in arbuscule degradation or AM autoregulation.},
}

@article {pmid40417841,
year = {2025},
author = {Han, J and Wang, F and Dmitrii, D and Tian, J and Han, P and Tan, Z and Zhang, J and Lin, J and Wang, J},
title = {Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on root architecture and ultrastructure of Hordeum jubatum under the interactive impact of nitrogen deposition and cold stress.},
journal = {Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/plb.70048},
pmid = {40417841},
issn = {1438-8677},
support = {32072666//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2572023CT18-02//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; },
abstract = {Hordeum jubatum L. is a perennial herb with high ornamental value and strong stress tolerance. Nitrogen deposition and cold stress are key environmental factors that affect stability of ecosystems in cold regions of northeast China. These factors significantly affect plant growth and development. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic soil fungi that can increase plant resistance and growth. However, research on impacts of nitrogen deposition and cold stress on roots of H. jubatum-AM symbionts remains limited. Root biomass (dry and fresh weight), architecture (length, surface area, volume, forks, number of fourth-order roots, and root fractal dimension), and ultrastructure of H. jubatum were assessed, both in the presence and absence of AMF, under conditions of nitrogen deposition and cold stress. Cold stress inhibited all indicators of root architecture and disrupted root ultrastructure, with greater inhibition shown in the N2 (NH4 [+]/NO3 [-] = 1:1) treatment under cold stress, indicating nitrogen deposition increased sensitivity of H. jubatum to cold stress. Inoculation with AMF significantly reduced damage caused by nitrogen deposition and cold stress on H. jubatum roots compared with the non-inoculation treatment. Our results demonstrate different effects of the interaction of nitrogen deposition and cold stress versus single stress (nitrogen deposition or cold stress) on plant root development and provide a scientific basis for the use of mycorrhizal technology to improve resistance and productivity of cold-tolerant plants in cold regions under stress conditions.},
}

@article {pmid40417129,
year = {2025},
author = {},
title = {Correction to "Identification of Novel Candidate Genes Associated With the Symbiotic Compatibility of Soybean With Rhizobia Under Natural Conditions".},
journal = {Plant direct},
volume = {9},
number = {5},
pages = {e70083},
pmid = {40417129},
issn = {2475-4455},
abstract = {[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1002/pld3.70069.].},
}

@article {pmid40416770,
year = {2025},
author = {Karugu, JC and Kimuyu, DM and Kenfack, D and Inbar, M},
title = {Influence of Myrmecophytic Acacia drepanolobium on the Composition and Growth of Surrounding Herbaceous Vegetation.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {e71500},
pmid = {40416770},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Whistling thorn acacia (Acacia (Vachellia) drepanolobium) forms nearly monospecific stands among woody species in black cotton soils in East Africa arid highlands. The tree defends itself against large mammal herbivores with spinescence and symbiotic ants. While these defenses have been extensively studied, little is known about the extent to which A. drepanolobium defense may benefit other plants growing in close association. We examined variation in herbaceous vegetation height, biomass, and composition between areas underneath A. drepanolobium canopies and the adjacent matrix in both fenced herbivore exclosures and unfenced areas. In unfenced areas, there was more tall herbaceous vegetation and biomass underneath tree canopies than away from tree canopies, while these differences were not significant in fenced exclosures. Both height and biomass of understory vegetation were negatively correlated with A. drepanolobium canopy height. Species richness was higher underneath tree canopies in both fenced and unfenced locations. In the unfenced locations, species evenness was lower underneath tree canopies than in the surrounding matrix, but the opposite was true in the fenced herbivore exclosures. The differences in herbaceous vegetation composition (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index) between underneath tree and off tree locations were more pronounced in the unfenced areas than within the fenced herbivore exclosures. Our findings suggest that highly defended trees may moderate herbivore effects on herbaceous vegetation. To the extent that herbaceous vegetation underneath trees experiences protection from herbivory, such refugia microhabitats may serve as recolonization nuclei in attempts to restore chronically overgrazed systems.},
}

@article {pmid40415704,
year = {2025},
author = {Koop, JAH and Blackstone, NW},
title = {Synergy, complexity, and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world.},
journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/brv.70041},
pmid = {40415704},
issn = {1469-185X},
support = {2236135//National Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Studies of symbiosis employ the term "parasitism" to connote different sorts of relationships. Within the context of mutualistic symbioses, parasites are otherwise cooperative individuals or strains that appropriate a disproportionate amount of the synergistic products. In the context of antagonistic symbioses, there is no pretence of cooperation, and instead parasites are defined as individuals or strains that derive fitness benefits at a fitness cost to their hosts. In both cases, parasitism is selected for at the lower level (that of the individual symbiont) but selected against at the higher level (the group of symbionts in a single host). Despite these similarities, these different sorts of parasitism likely evolve by different pathways. Once a host-symbiont relationship initiates, if functional synergy is lacking, the relationship will remain exploitative, although parasites may differ in their detrimental effects on the host and the higher-level unit. If functional synergy is present, however, cooperation may develop with benefits for both host and symbionts (i.e. mutualism). Nevertheless, parasites may still evolve from within these incipient relationships when individuals or strains of symbionts act parasitically by defecting from the common good to further their selfish replication. Levels-of-selection dynamics thus underlie both forms of parasitism, but only in the case of latent functional synergy can true symbiotic complexity at the higher level emerge.},
}

@article {pmid40415554,
year = {2025},
author = {Rubia, MI and Larrainzar, E and Arrese-Igor, C},
title = {Drought Stress Modifies the Source-Sink Dynamics of Nitrogen-Fixing Soybean Plants Prioritizing Roots and Nodules.},
journal = {Physiologia plantarum},
volume = {177},
number = {3},
pages = {e70276},
pmid = {40415554},
issn = {1399-3054},
support = {PID2021-122740OB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; TED2021-130111B-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; },
mesh = {*Glycine max/physiology/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation/physiology ; *Root Nodules, Plant/physiology/metabolism ; *Droughts ; *Plant Roots/physiology/metabolism ; Carbon/metabolism ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Plant Leaves/metabolism/physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Soybean plants are one of the most cultivated legume crops worldwide. Their ability to establish nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with rhizobium bacteria allows the reduction of molecular nitrogen to ammonium, contributing to a reduction in the dependence on nitrogen fertilizers. However, nitrogen fixation is highly sensitive to environmental stresses, such as water deficit, and the regulatory mechanisms underlying this inhibition remain debatable. In the current study, we analyzed carbon (C) allocation dynamics in drought-stressed soybean plants following the application of [U-[13]C]-sucrose to source leaves. Three sets of plants were analyzed: well-watered plants, mild drought, and severe drought-stressed plants. [13]C distribution was monitored for up to 6 h post-application. Under optimal water conditions, [13]C was mainly allocated to young (sink) leaves. During drought stress, transport trends changed, prioritizing C allocation primarily to the roots and nodules to a lesser extent. Metabolite profiling identified drought- and tissue-specific variations in the levels of the major C and N compounds.},
}

*Glycine max/physiology/metabolism
*Nitrogen Fixation/physiology
*Root Nodules, Plant/physiology/metabolism
*Droughts
*Plant Roots/physiology/metabolism
Carbon/metabolism
Nitrogen/metabolism
Plant Leaves/metabolism/physiology
Stress, Physiological
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40415147,
year = {2025},
author = {Yamamoto, S and Shimomura, A and Watanabe, S and Kojoma, M and Suzuki, A},
title = {Overwhelming glycyrrhizin production in Glycyrrhiza glabra induced by rihizobial symbiosis.},
journal = {Journal of natural medicines},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40415147},
issn = {1861-0293},
support = {19K22314//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JPJ011937//Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution/ ; },
abstract = {We reported that Glycyrrhiza uralensis inoculated with rhizobium tended to increase biomass production and glycyrrhizic acid (GL) production, in this study we have also achieved drastically increase in biomass and GL production in Glycyrrhiza glabra. At thirty days after inoculation (DAI), a significant increase in SPAD values was observed, and the expression of GL synthesis marker genes was also significantly increased. At 150 DAI, a significant increase in biomass was observed. Characteristically, it was also found that thick roots were enlarged by rhizobial inoculation. In addition, the expression of GL synthesis marker genes was also significantly increased. Moreover, GL content per unit root dry weight reached 4%, and GL production per plant increased six times compared to uninoculated plants. Moreover, we tried to reveal the mechanism of induction of GL production by rhizobial inoculation. Since it has been reported that the expression of jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis marker genes is increased by rhizobium in soybean, we investigated the expression of those genes in G. glabra, and found that GgMYC2 and GgJAR1 were up-regulated at Thirty DAI. Furthermore, methyl jasmonate treatment increased the expression of GL synthesis marker genes, suggesting that JA signaling is involved in the increased GL production due to rhizobial inoculation. These results aid in understanding the mechanism of increased GL production through the introduction of rhizobial symbiosis, and show the potential for providing a technology to significantly shorten the cultivation period for the production of Glycyrrhiza that meets the criteria for herbal medicines.},
}

@article {pmid40415063,
year = {2025},
author = {Alviti Kankanamalage, HP and Yang, JY and Karunarathna, SC and Tibpromma, S and Kumla, J and Wei, DP and Lumyong, S},
title = {Entomopathogenic fungi: insights into recent understanding.},
journal = {World journal of microbiology & biotechnology},
volume = {41},
number = {6},
pages = {179},
pmid = {40415063},
issn = {1573-0972},
support = {2560-030//This research was funded by CMU Presidential Scholarship/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/microbiology ; *Fungi/classification/pathogenicity/physiology/genetics ; *Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Symbiosis ; Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/parasitology ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Plants/microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; },
abstract = {Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are cosmopolitan, obligate, or facultative pathogens that show ruthless aggression toward various insects and ultimately cause them to die. They also have the ability to colonize and establish symbiotic relationships with plants as endophytes, thus offering a number of benefits to the host plants, inducing plant resistance against a number of biotic and abiotic stresses, and growth promotion. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to this group of fungi, mainly due to their exceptional ability to control numerous arthropod pests in crops. This practical application of EPF, which is of great interest, offers an eco-friendly manner of pest control, a key feature that makes them a potential solution to growing environmental concerns. This eco-friendly nature of EPF is particularly significant in the current context of growing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable solutions. This paper has attempted to review our current understanding of EPF. First, we briefly describe the historical identifications of EPF, landmark studies, and their classifications. Second, we discuss the group from an evolutionary standpoint. Third, the insect infection mechanisms, particularly the cuticular penetration pathway and different steps, are discussed. Finally, we emphasize the eco-friendly nature of these fungi, which makes them a sustainable option to mitigate the devastating effects of insect pests in current agriculture systems.},
}

Animals
*Insecta/microbiology
*Fungi/classification/pathogenicity/physiology/genetics
*Pest Control, Biological/methods
Symbiosis
Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/parasitology
Plant Diseases/microbiology
Plants/microbiology
Host-Pathogen Interactions

@article {pmid40414518,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, C and Shi, Y and Chen, B and Li, A and Meng, Q and Jiang, Y and Ji, B},
title = {Understanding diurnal variability in organic matter processing by microalgal-bacterial granular sludge in lake water remediation.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {132717},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132717},
pmid = {40414518},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {This study investigates the diurnal variability of organic matter removal by microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) in lake water remediation. Results showed that daytime removal efficiencies for NH4[+]-N, NO3[-]-N, NO2[-]-N, TN, and TP reached 72.1%, 73.2%, 91.5%, 60.5%, and 52.8%, respectively, exceeding nighttime values of 52.7%, 55.8%, 88.4%, 37.9%, and 39.9%. However, chemical oxygen demand (COD) exhibited a net release during daylight, contrasting with removal during night conditions. Significant microbial community shifts, notably increased Bacteroidota abundance, were driven by fluctuations in dissolved oxygen and organic carbon levels. Additionally, the upregulation of fatty acid metabolism-related genes like paaF and ACSL mechanistically supported COD removal efficiency. These findings suggest that optimizing MBGS operation through diurnal parameter regulation can enhance lake restoration efficacy and provide a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable engineering strategies in aquatic ecosystem management.},
}

@article {pmid40413516,
year = {2025},
author = {Hashimoto, R and Nishiyama, K and Namai, F and Suzuki, K and Sakuma, T and Fukuda, I and Sugiyama, Y and Okano, K and Shanoh, T and Toyoshi, E and Ohgi, R and Saha, S and Tsuchida, S and Nishiyama, E and Mukai, T and Furukawa, M and Nochi, T and Villena, J and Ikeda-Ohtsubo, W and Yoshioka, G and Nakazaki, E and Suda, Y and Kitazawa, H},
title = {Milk sialyl-oligosaccharides mediate the early colonization of gut commensal microbes in piglets.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {135},
pmid = {40413516},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {23K27051//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 23K19327//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 23K18072//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 2023//Japanese Dairy Science Association/ ; JPJ007097//Development of Innovative Technology grants BRAIN/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Oligosaccharides/metabolism/chemistry ; Swine/microbiology ; *Milk/chemistry ; *Lactobacillus/metabolism/isolation & purification/classification/growth & development ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The suckling period in pigs is a key phase in development for shaping the gut microbiota, which is essential for maintaining biological homeostasis in neonates. In piglets fed sow milk, the gut microbiota comprises predominantly lactobacilli, indicating a host-gut microbiota symbiosis that is influenced by sow milk components. In this study, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of the gut microbiome in suckling piglets, with a specific focus on the metabolism of sialyl-oligosaccharides by lactobacilli.

RESULTS: Based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, we identified 3'-sialyl-lactose (3'SL) as the major oligosaccharide in porcine milk, and microbiome profiling revealed the predominance of Ligilactobacillus salivarius during the suckling period, with a subsequent transition to Limosilactobacillus reuteri dominance post-weaning. Notably, sialic acid metabolism was established to be exclusively attributable to L. salivarius, thereby highlighting the pivotal role of 3'SL in determining species-specific bacterial segregation. L. salivarius was found to metabolize 3'SL when co-cultured with Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, resulting in a shift in the predominant short-chain fatty acid produced, from lactate to acetate. This metabolic shift, in turn, inhibits the growth of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the comparison of the gut microbiota between suckling piglets and those fed a low-3'SL formula revealed distinct diversity profiles. We accordingly speculate that an absence of sialyl-oligosaccharides in the formula-fed piglets may have restricted the growth of sialic acid-utilizing bacteria such as L. salivarius, thereby leading to a higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal the influence of sialyl-oligosaccharides in promoting microbial diversity and gut homeostasis, thereby highlighting the importance of sialic acid as a key factor in shaping milk-driven microbial colonization during the early stages of piglet development. Video Abstract.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Oligosaccharides/metabolism/chemistry
Swine/microbiology
*Milk/chemistry
*Lactobacillus/metabolism/isolation & purification/classification/growth & development
Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40413423,
year = {2025},
author = {Mahto, RK and Chandana, BS and Singh, RK and Talukdar, A and Swarnalakshmi, K and Suman, A and Vaishali, and Dey, D and Kumar, R},
title = {Uncovering potentials of an association panel subset for nitrogen fixation and sustainable chickpea productivity.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {693},
pmid = {40413423},
issn = {1471-2229},
mesh = {*Cicer/genetics/microbiology/growth & development/metabolism/physiology ; *Nitrogen Fixation ; Fertilizers ; Rhizobium/physiology ; Genotype ; Symbiosis ; Mycorrhizae/physiology ; Crops, Agricultural/genetics/growth & development ; Plant Root Nodulation ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a nutritious legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen through Rhizobium symbiosis, enhancing growth and yield. Sustainable agriculture is essential to address food security, climate change, and environmental sustainability. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) improve crop productivity, reduce chemical fertilizer use, and support eco-friendly farming. This study highlights PGPR's role in enhancing chickpea yield, resilience, and resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. PGPR reduces chemical dependency, preserves ecosystems, and supports global sustainability goals. Findings demonstrate PGPR's potential to improve food security and promote equitable distribution. This research offers innovative strategies for advancing sustainable agriculture.

RESULTS: The study revealed significant variability in nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and yield among 20 chickpea genotypes under different treatments, including Rhizobium, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM), and chemical fertilizers (NPK), applied alone and in combinations. Genotype ICC9085 consistently outperformed others, exhibiting the highest nodules per plant (22.67), nitrogen content (3.65%), and protein content (22.85%), while ICC1083 and ICC6579 showed minimal nodulation (< 5 nodules). Rhizobium treatment proved the most effective, achieving the highest nitrogenase activity (mean: 35.806; max: 189.2) and yielding superior growth-promoting results compared to VAM and control treatments. Molecular genotyping identified 20 out of 128 SSR markers as polymorphic, with an average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.35 and two alleles per marker, revealing moderate polymorphism and significant genetic diversity. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into four primary clusters, reflecting geographical and genetic diversity in nodulation traits. Environmental factors such as soil nutrients, temperature, and water stress, alongside genetic traits like root architecture and nitrogen-fixing efficiency, contributed to variations in growth and productivity. This interplay of genotype and environment underscores the adaptability and superior performance of certain varieties like ICC9085 under specific conditions.

CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the identified superior genotypes can be used to introduce desirable traits into allied chickpea cultivars through marker-assisted selection and crop improvement programs.The research of the chickpea, a crop with significant agricultural and industrial value, will eventually help develop efficient methods for the production of climate-smart food crops to meet the food and feed needs of future generations for a sustainable environment.},
}

*Cicer/genetics/microbiology/growth & development/metabolism/physiology
*Nitrogen Fixation
Fertilizers
Rhizobium/physiology
Genotype
Symbiosis
Mycorrhizae/physiology
Crops, Agricultural/genetics/growth & development
Plant Root Nodulation
Nitrogen/metabolism

@article {pmid40412605,
year = {2025},
author = {Glazer, I and Simões, N and Eleftherianos, I and Ramakrishnan, J and Ment, D and Toubarro, D and Mallick, S},
title = {Entomopathogenic nematodes: Survival, virulence and immunity.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108363},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108363},
pmid = {40412605},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {As entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are used as biological control agents, their survival and persistence are crucial to ensure success in application against insect pests. The survival of Heterorhabditis and Steinernema species is dependent on abiotic and biotic factors in the environment. Abiotic stress environments such as desiccation, temperature, and ultraviolet radiation (UV) severely impact their performance on field. EPNs produce and secrete effector molecules during the early stages of infection to interfere with the molecular mechanisms that control the insect innate immune function. Also, EPN effectors facilitate the subsequent release and spread of their symbiotic bacteria within the host. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying survival and virulence mechanisms enabling protection against environmental conditions and insect host immune responses is imperative to realistically enhance their performance on field. Thus, identifying key players regulating EPN survival, virulence and immunity could invariably contribute towards developing more robust, reliable solutions and application strategies including genetic tools and formulation technologies.},
}

@article {pmid40412128,
year = {2025},
author = {Xie, Y and Wang, R and Wu, Z and Xie, C and Gong, S and Zhang, J and Yu, H and Song, Z},
title = {Prophylactic application of sodium new houttuyfonate to regulate macrophage activation and antifungal infection in intra-abdominal candidiasis model mice.},
journal = {International immunopharmacology},
volume = {159},
number = {},
pages = {114922},
doi = {10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114922},
pmid = {40412128},
issn = {1878-1705},
abstract = {The abuse of immunosuppressants causes damage to the immune system, while the pathological proliferation and translocation of symbiotic Candida albicans can result in abdominal infection in immunocompromised people. In this study, we established a mouse peritoneal C. albicans infection model and investigated the effects of preventive application of Sodium New Houttuyfonate (SNH) by analyzing the proportion of immune cells, polarization of peritoneal macrophages, changes in fungal tissue load, and histology, and the data showed prophylactic SNH administration yields a double anti-infection effect in phagocytosis and regulation of immunity according to the immune inflammatory states of the body. In vitro, neutral red, colony counting, cytometric bead array, RT-qPCR, western blot, inhibitor treatment, and detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production on RAW264.7 macrophages showed SNH can stimulate the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and CC motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and the release of ROS and NO through a TLR2/p38/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, our data provide an innovative insight into the prevention use of exogenous SNH for the treatment of C. albicans infection.},
}

@article {pmid40411688,
year = {2025},
author = {Onsun, B and Toprak, K and Sanlier, N},
title = {Kombucha Tea: A Functional Beverage and All its Aspects.},
journal = {Current nutrition reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {69},
pmid = {40411688},
issn = {2161-3311},
mesh = {Humans ; *Kombucha Tea/analysis ; Fermentation ; Antioxidants/analysis ; Probiotics ; *Functional Food ; Tea ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The increasing interest in functional foods and beverages worldwide is driven by rising living standards, advancing technology, and heightened health awareness. Kombucha tea, a fermented beverage produced from sweetened tea and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), is a prominent example within this category. This review explores the definition, bioactive components, and health benefits of kombucha, emphasizing its potential roles as a functional beverage in the prevention and management of various diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS: The fermentation process of kombucha tea, typically lasting up to 14 days, results in the transformation of sugar into ethanol and acetic acid, contributing to its distinctive tangy flavor. Kombucha contains bioactive compounds such as organic acids, antioxidants, and probiotics, which are linked to potential health benefits including improved digestive health, enhanced immune function, and antioxidant activity. Recent advancements in sustainable production methods and innovative formulations have further contributed to the increasing popularity of this beverage. Kombucha tea, originating in Northeast China with a history of over 2,000 years, is increasingly recognized for its potential health-promoting effects. Its production through traditional fermentation methods combined with modern innovations underscores its value as a functional beverage with the potential to support health and well-being. This review assesses the roles of kombucha in maintaining human health, considering its use as a complementary strategy for the prevention and management of diseases due to the bioactive components it contains.},
}

Humans
*Kombucha Tea/analysis
Fermentation
Antioxidants/analysis
Probiotics
*Functional Food
Tea

@article {pmid40411428,
year = {2025},
author = {Nakajima, M and Tanaka, N and Motouchi, S and Kobayashi, K and Shimizu, H and Abe, K and Hosoyamada, N and Abara, N and Morimoto, N and Hiramoto, N and Nakata, R and Takashima, A and Hosoki, M and Suzuki, S and Shikano, K and Fujimaru, T and Imagawa, S and Kawadai, Y and Wang, Z and Kitano, Y and Nihira, T and Nakai, H and Taguchi, H},
title = {New glycoside hydrolase families of β-1,2-glucanases.},
journal = {Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society},
volume = {34},
number = {6},
pages = {e70147},
pmid = {40411428},
issn = {1469-896X},
support = {23K05041//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI/ ; JPMJSP2151//JST SPRING/ ; },
mesh = {*Glycoside Hydrolases/chemistry/metabolism/genetics/classification ; Phylogeny ; *Bacterial Proteins/chemistry/metabolism/genetics ; *Bacteria/enzymology ; Models, Molecular ; Substrate Specificity ; beta-Glucans/metabolism/chemistry ; },
abstract = {β-1,2-Glucans are natural glucose polymers produced by bacteria and play important physiological roles, including as symbiotic or pathogenic factors and in osmoregulation. Glycoside hydrolase (GH) families related to β-1,2-glucan metabolism (GH144, GH162, and GH189) have recently been created by identification of two β-1,2-glucanases and a β-1,2-glucanotransferase, respectively. In this study, we further found four phylogenetically new groups with unknown functions (Groups 1-4) by sequence database analysis using enzymes from GH144 and GH162 as queries. Biochemical analysis of representative proteins in these groups revealed that the proteins in Groups 1-3 showed hydrolytic activity specific to β-1,2-glucan, while no substrate was found for the Group 4 protein. The kinetic parameters of the enzymes of Groups 1-3 were similar to GH144 and GH162 β-1,2-glucanases, indicating that these enzymes were β-1,2-glucanases. Optical rotation analysis revealed that the β-1,2-glucanases followed an anomer-inverting mechanism. Structural analysis of the proteins in Groups 1-4 revealed that they possess (α/α)6-barrel folds similar to those of GH144, GH162, and GH189 enzymes. Comparison of spatial positions of predicted acidic catalytic residues suggested that Groups 1-3 and GH144 had the same reaction mechanism. Overall, phylogenetic, biochemical, and structural analyses revealed that Groups 1-3 are new GH families, GH192, GH193, and GH194, respectively, and that the three families belong to clan GH-S (clan GH, classification based on structural similarity) as GH144 and GH162.},
}

*Glycoside Hydrolases/chemistry/metabolism/genetics/classification
Phylogeny
*Bacterial Proteins/chemistry/metabolism/genetics
*Bacteria/enzymology
Models, Molecular
Substrate Specificity
beta-Glucans/metabolism/chemistry

@article {pmid40411056,
year = {2025},
author = {Patra, A and Das Bairagya, J and Chakraborty, S},
title = {Bayesian ecoevolutionary game dynamics.},
journal = {Physical review. E},
volume = {111},
number = {4-1},
pages = {044401},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevE.111.044401},
pmid = {40411056},
issn = {2470-0053},
abstract = {The symbiotic relationship between the frameworks of classical game theory and evolutionary game theory is well established. However, evolutionary game theorists have mostly tapped into the classical game of complete information where players are completely informed of all other players' payoffs. Of late, there is a surge of interest in ecoevolutionary interactions where the environment's state is changed by the players' actions which, in turn, are influenced by the changing environment. However, in real life, the information about the true environmental state must pass through some noisy channel (like the usually imperfect sensory apparatus of the players) before it is perceived by the players: The players naturally are prone to sometimes perceive the true state erroneously. Given the uncertain perceived environment, the players may adopt bet-hedging kind of strategies in which they play different actions in different perceptions. In a population of such ill-informed players, a player would be confused about the information state of her opponent, and an incomplete information situation akin to a Bayesian game surfaces. In short, we contemplate the possibility of the natural emergence of the symbiotic relationship between the frameworks of Bayesian games and ecoevolutionary games when the players are equipped with inefficient sensory apparatus. Herein, we illustrate this connection using a setup of infinitely large, well-mixed population of players equipped with two actions for exploiting a resource (the environment) at two different rates so that the resource state evolves accordingly. The state of the resource impacts every player's decision of playing particular action. We investigate the continuous state environment in the presence of a Gaussian noisy channel. Employing the formalism of deterministic replicator dynamics, we find that noisy information can be effective in preventing the resource from going extinct.},
}

@article {pmid40410860,
year = {2025},
author = {Yin, H and Shan, Y and Zhu, Q and Yuan, L and Ju, F and Shi, Y and Han, Y and Wu, R and Xia, T and Zhang, K and You, Y and You, B},
title = {Improved VPS4B O-GlcNAc modification triggers lipid droplets transferring from adipocytes to nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.},
journal = {Cancer & metabolism},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {24},
pmid = {40410860},
issn = {2049-3002},
support = {KYCX23_3429//Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province/ ; 82103435//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82173288, 81972554//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82372977, 81602385//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; BK20201208//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; Y-HR2019-0463//CSCO Clinical Oncology Research Foundation of Beijing/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The tumor microenvironment (TME) supplies critical metabolites that support cancer cell survival and progression. Adipocytes support tumor progression by secreting free fatty acids (FFAs) and adipokines; however, the role and mechanisms underlying lipid droplet (LD) release from adipocytes remain elusive.

METHODS: Using two nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines and primary human pre-adipocytes (HPA), we evaluate the effect of LDs on cell growth, proliferation, colony formation, and migration. We also assess the roles of LD on the tumor progression in vivo. Using RNA-seq analysis, we elucidate the effect of hypoxic NPC cell-derived exosomes (H-exo) on the gene expression profile of adipocytes. By co-culture system, we investigated the effect of vacuolar protein sorting 4 homolog B (VPS4B)-annexin A5 (ANXA5) interaction on adipocyte LD maturity and release.

RESULTS: Herein, we report that LDs, rather than FFAs, are the primary lipid form transferred from adipocytes to NPC cells, enhancing cancer progression. NPC cells internalize LDs directly via macropinocytosis, while H-exo induces oxidative stress and membrane fluidity in adipocytes, leading to LD release. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses reveal that VPS4B triggers LD release by interacting with ANXA5, and low LKB1 in H-exo enhances VPS4B O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification through the inhibition of serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11/LKB1)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway and activation of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) flux.

CONCLUSIONS: This study uncovers critical mechanisms of LD transfer in the TME, suggesting new therapeutic avenues in NPC.},
}

@article {pmid40410832,
year = {2025},
author = {Chu, B and Ge, S and He, W and Sun, X and Ma, J and Yang, X and Lv, C and Xu, P and Zhao, X and Wu, K},
title = {Gut symbiotic bacteria enhance reproduction in Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) by regulating juvenile hormone III and 20-hydroxyecdysone pathways.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {132},
pmid = {40410832},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; 2023FY100500//Chinese Science &Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; CARS-02//National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Fund of China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Spodoptera/microbiology/physiology/metabolism ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; *Ecdysterone/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Female ; Reproduction ; Enterobacter/isolation & purification/physiology ; Larva/microbiology ; Enterococcus/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics ; Klebsiella/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics ; *Juvenile Hormones/metabolism ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The insect gut microbiota forms a complex, multifunctional system that significantly affects phenotypic traits linked to environmental adaptation. Strong reproductive potential underpins the migratory success, population growth and destructive impact of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). However, the precise role of gut bacteria in S. frugiperda reproductive processes, distribution and transmission dynamics remains unclear.

RESULTS: We examined the gut microbiota of S. frugiperda a major invasive agricultural pest, identifying Enterococcus, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella as core microorganisms present throughout its life cycle. These microbes showed heightened activity during the egg stage, early larval stages and pre-oviposition period in females. Using an axenic insect re-infection system, Enterococcus quebecensis FAW181, Klebsiella michiganensis FAW071 and Enterobacter hormaechei FAW049 were found to significantly enhance host fecundity, increasing egg production by 62.73%, 59.95%, and 56.71%, respectively. Metagenomic and haemolymph metabolomic analyses revealed a positive correlation between gut symbiotic bacteria and hormone metabolism in female S. frugiperda. Further analysis of metabolites in the insect hormone biosynthesis pathway, along with exogenous injection of juvenile hormone III and 20-hydroxyecdysone, revealed that gut microbes regulate these hormones, maintaining levels equivalent to those in control insects. This regulation supports improved fecundity in S. frugiperda, aiding rapid colonization and population expansion.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the pivotal role of gut bacteria E. quebecensis FAW181, E. hormaechei FAW049, and K. michiganensis FAW071 in enhancing S. frugiperda reproduction by modulating JH III levels through JHAMT regulation and concurrently modulating the levels of 20E and its precursors via PHM. Our results provide novel insights into microbe-host symbiosis and pest management strategies for alien invasive species. Video Abstract.},
}

Animals
*Spodoptera/microbiology/physiology/metabolism
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
*Ecdysterone/metabolism
*Symbiosis
Female
Reproduction
Enterobacter/isolation & purification/physiology
Larva/microbiology
Enterococcus/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics
Klebsiella/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology
Bacteria/classification/genetics
*Juvenile Hormones/metabolism

@article {pmid40410728,
year = {2025},
author = {Eftekhari, F and Sarcheshmehpour, M and Lohrasbi-Nejad, A and Boroomand, N},
title = {Effects of mycorrhizal and Trichoderma treatment on enhancing maize tolerance to salinity and drought stress, through metabolic and enzymatic evaluation.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {687},
pmid = {40410728},
issn = {1471-2229},
mesh = {*Zea mays/microbiology/physiology/enzymology/metabolism ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology ; Droughts ; Salinity ; Stress, Physiological ; *Trichoderma/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Hypocreales ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Nowadays, climate change has intensified environmental stresses, including salinity and drought stress. Salinity and drought significantly impair crop growth and yield by affecting physiological and biochemical processes. One of the ways to enhance environmental stress tolerance in plants is to improve their symbiotic relationships with soil microorganisms. This study investigates the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum (accession number: PV544806) inoculation on maize to trace the activated pathways under stress conditions. Maize plants were exposed to different stress conditions: salinity (S1D0), drought (S0D1), and a combination of both salinity and drought (S1D1). They received treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (M1T0), Trichoderma (M0T1), and a combination of both (M1T1).

RESULTS: Inoculation of maize plants with AMF and T. harzianum markedly enhanced root dry weight, root volume, and total biomass under stress conditions. Additionally, the simultaneous inoculation of AMF and T. harzianum under combined salinity and drought conditions significantly affected traits such as dry weight of aerial parts, total biomass, and root colonization percentage compared to the non-inoculated control. Physiologically, the results also indicated that the inoculation significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and APX. Results from GC-MS analysis and metabolic pathway analysis showed that the combined inoculation of AMF and Trichoderma in maize plants stimulated the production of specific secondary metabolites such as oxaloacetate, Δ1-piperidine-6-carboxylate, and cadaverine under stress conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study's findings, the use of AMF and T. harzianum can enhance maize growth and performance under salinity and drought stress by stimulating the production of secondary metabolites.},
}

*Zea mays/microbiology/physiology/enzymology/metabolism
*Mycorrhizae/physiology
Droughts
Salinity
Stress, Physiological
*Trichoderma/physiology
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology
Hypocreales

@article {pmid40410607,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, J and Chen, T and Lian, CA and Wang, L and Zhuang, W and Yu, K},
title = {Deciphering factors influencing planktonic and sedimentary microbial assembly processes in Midwest salinity lakes.},
journal = {Applied microbiology and biotechnology},
volume = {109},
number = {1},
pages = {124},
pmid = {40410607},
issn = {1432-0614},
support = {JCYJ20220812103301001//Shenzhen Knowledge Innovation Program/ ; 2022A1515110797//Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province/ ; 51709005//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Lakes/microbiology/chemistry ; *Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; *Salinity ; China ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Plankton/genetics/classification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem ; Phylogeny ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; },
abstract = {The salt lake ecosystem, characterized by extreme environmental gradients, harbors microbes that uniquely adapt to high salt stress through natural selection. However, how abiotic and biotic factors shape the microbial community assembly in Yuncheng Salt Lakes remains unclear. Here, we investigated the assembly processes and meta co-occurrence patterns of microbiota in both water and sediment sampled from 14 distinct wide range of salinity lakes in the Shanxi Yuncheng area, Midwest of China, using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing technology combined with multivariate ecological and statistical methods. Habitat differentiation led to the differences in microbial diversity, co-occurrence patterns, and community assembly between sedimentary and planktonic communities. Sedimentary prokaryotes were more shaped by deterministic processes than planktonic bacterial communities. Salinity was a major abiotic factor influencing the balance between stochastic and deterministic processes in both sediment and water. Enhanced microbial interactions within sediments exhibited a more prominent impact in shaping community assembly, as indicated by the stronger association between network-inferred species and prokaryotic βNTI. Moreover, we revealed significant differences in how core species concerning βNTI responded to biotic and abiotic factors. Our findings elucidated the ecological process underlying microbial communities in Yuncheng Salt Lakes and shed light on the mechanism of microorganisms to maintain community complexity and diversity in the extreme environment. KEY POINTS: • Sedimentary prokaryotes were more shaped by deterministic processes than planktonic prokaryotic communities. • Salinity was a major factor influencing the balance between stochastic and deterministic process. • Inter-domain and intra-domain symbiotic interactions within sedimentary communities represent key biotic factors influencing their community assembly.},
}

*Lakes/microbiology/chemistry
*Geologic Sediments/microbiology
*Salinity
China
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Microbiota/genetics
*Plankton/genetics/classification
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
Biodiversity
Ecosystem
Phylogeny
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA

@article {pmid40409427,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, YQ and Li, X and Wang, ZZ and Huang, XY and Zeng, DW and Zhao, XQ and Liu, ZQ and Zhang, FL},
title = {Single cell protein production of co-culture Kodamaea ohmeri and Lactococcus lactis in corn straw hydrolysate.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {132649},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132649},
pmid = {40409427},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {With the world population continuously increasing, the protein demand will double by 2050. Single cell protein (SCP) derived from lignocellulosic biomass offers a sustainable solution. Many inhibitors are produced during the pretreatment process of lignocellulosic biomass. Inhibitor-rich hydrolysates limit microorganisms cell growth and SCP yields. In this work, we report a co-culture consortium of Kodamaea ohmeri SSK (pentose-utilizing yeast) and Lactococcus lactis LX (probiotic bacterium) that efficiently converts real corn straw hydrolysate into SCP. K. ohmeri SSK can tolerate inhibitors such as furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), and acetic acid and consume glucose, xylose, and arabinose in real hydrolysate. L. lactis LX showed less growth in monoculture than that of co-culture. The total amino acid content from co-cultured K. ohmeri SSK and L. lactis LX was increased to 331.42 mg/g crude protein, but that of monocultured K. ohmeri SSK was 309.89 mg/g crude protein containing 17 amino acids. This work demonstrates a symbiotic microbial platform can produce SCP from non-detoxified lignocellulosic biomass. The co-culture robust inhibitor tolerance and balanced amino acid profile highlight its potential for industrial-scale protein production. These results will represent an attractive choice cell factory for lignocellulosic substrate utilization and provide a platform for biomass conversion to SCP.},
}

@article {pmid40407237,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, M and Zhou, G and Zhang, C and Chen, L and Ma, D and Zhang, L and Jia, C and Ma, L and Zhang, J},
title = {Impact of Virus-Mediated Modifications in Bacterial Communities on the Accumulation of Soil Organic Carbon.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e06449},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202506449},
pmid = {40407237},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {2022YFD1500401//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 2023YFD1901001//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; CARS-03//Agriculture Research System of China/ ; CARS-52//Agriculture Research System of China/ ; 42277336//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; BK20221561//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; },
abstract = {Microbial adaptations to resource availability are crucial to predict the responses of ecosystems to carbon (C) changes, yet viral roles in C cycling under varying levels of C remain elusive. Through metagenomic analysis of soils with contrasting C availability, a total of 24,789 viral contigs predominantly represent Microviridae and Siphoviridae. The soils with low C availability (straw removal) harbored 21% lysogenic viruses and enriched auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) related to C degradation (p < 0.05). Conversely, the soils with high C availability (straw returning) show 93% lytic viruses, stronger virus-bacteria symbiosis, and numerous host functional genes related to C cycling and viral AMGs linked to C fixation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, these findings show that the addition of viruses boosted microbial metabolic efficiency and recalcitrant C accumulation (p < 0.05), with lytic activity accelerating organic C turnover via nutrient release and necromass formation. Overall, this study demonstrates viruses as key regulators of sustainable sequestration of C through host-driven metabolic optimization.},
}

@article {pmid40407228,
year = {2025},
author = {Rawstern, AH and Carbajal, LJ and Slade, TJ and Afkhami, ME},
title = {Non-Additive Interactions Between Multiple Mutualists and Host Plant Genotype Simultaneously Promote Increased Plant Growth and Pathogen Defence.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.15631},
pmid = {40407228},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//This study was funded by the University of Miami research funds awarded to M. Afkhami and the Mycological Society of America graduate fellowship awarded to A. Rawstern. A. Rawstern was additionally supported by the University of Miami Department of Biology and the Lisa D. Anness Graduate Fellowship./ ; },
abstract = {Understanding the impact of microbial interactions on plants is critical for maintaining healthy native ecosystems and sustainable agricultural practices. Despite the reality that genetically distinct plants host multiple microbes of large effect in the field, it remains unclear the extent to which host genotypes modulate non-additive microbial interactions and how these interactions differ between benign/pathogenic environments. Our study fills this gap by performing a large-scale manipulative microbiome experiment across seven genotypes of the model legume Medicago truncatula. We combine plant performance metrics, survival analyses, predictive modelling, RNA extractions and targeted gene expression to assess how host genotype and microbes non-additively interact to shape plant growth and disease ecology. Our results reveal three important findings: (1) host genotypes with high tolerance to pathogens benefit more from multiple mutualist interactions than susceptible genotypes, (2) only high-tolerance genotypes retain the same beneficial host performance outcomes from the benign environment within the pathogenic environment and (3) the quality of the symbiotic relationship with mutualists is a strong predictor of host survival against pathogenic disease. By applying these findings towards developing crops that promote synergistic microbial interactions, yields and pathogen defence could be simultaneously increased while reducing the need for toxic fertilisers and pesticides.},
}

@article {pmid40407187,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, S and Wang, Z and Liu, A and Li, J and Zhuang, J and Ji, X and Mulama, PI and Li, M and Cao, H and Tan, EK and Liu, W},
title = {Hosts and Commensal Bacteria Synergistically Antagonize Opportunistic Pathogens at the Single-Cell Resolution.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e00582},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202500582},
pmid = {40407187},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {32470044//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2308085MC74//Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province/ ; RC342201//Talents in Anhui Agricultural University/ ; },
abstract = {Natural microbes coexist in a diverse species population with competition for space and nutrient resources. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the regulatory networks of microbes among themselves and with their host are still in infancy. Here, it is reported that Drosophila and the commensal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum form an alliance to compete with the pathogenic Serratia marcescens using the integrated three-species model system. In the dual-species model, larvae diminish the L. plantarum population, but reversibly increase lactate production through altering its transcriptional reprogramming. In the tripartite-species model, larvae facilitate the growth of L. plantarum that confers colonization resistance against S. marcescens. On the other hand, S. marcescens launches sophisticated arms race strategies to impair colonization resistance by sensing lactate derived from L. plantarum. More importantly, the S. marcescens population challenged with Drosophila and L. plantarum adaptively diverge into virulent and reduced virulence subclusters with an increase in resistance heterogeneity. To form the alliance with Drosophila, heterogeneity in lactate generation is broadened among L. plantarum subpopulations. Altogether, these findings provide an insight into the host-commensal-pathogen symbiosis at both bulk and single-cell resolutions, advancing fundamental concepts of precise manipulation of bacterial communities.},
}

@article {pmid40406724,
year = {2025},
author = {Tong, A and Liu, W and Liu, X and Zhu, J and Zhou, Y and Li, J},
title = {Comparative analysis of actinorhizal nodule and associated soil microorganism diversity and structure in three Alnus species.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1572494},
pmid = {40406724},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Due to the importance of biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems, actinorhizal symbiosis has attracted more and more attention. Alders (Alnus) are important actinorhizal plants, but little is known about the diversity of symbiotic microbiota in the actinorhizal nodules. In addition, it remains unclear about the influence of the host species and habitats on the microbial community of alder root nodules and rhizospheric soils.

METHODS: In this study we sequenced the hyper-variable regions of the 16S rRNA from the root nodules and their rhizosphere soils of three alder species (Alnus mandshurica, A. sibirica, A. japonica) in northeastern China to explore the diversity, composition, network association, and nitrogen cycling pathway of the microbial communities in the actinorhizal nodules and associated soils.

RESULTS: The results showed that the microbial community α-diversity decreased significantly from the associated soil to the root nodule, and the microbial diversity in the root nodule of A. sibirica was not affected by the habitats. The dominant microbe genus in alder nodules was Frankia, whose abundance was significantly higher than that in associated soil samples. Furthermore, the abundance of Frankia was affected by alder tree species, but not by the habitats. The most significant taxon in the nodules of all the three alders was Frankia genus, which was negatively correlated with other six genera of microbes. The main function of microorganisms in alder nodules is nitrogen fixation, which is not affected by tree species and their habitats.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the host determines the microbial community composition in the root nodule of three alders. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of alder species and habitats on the microbial communities of alder nodules and associated soils.},
}

@article {pmid40406720,
year = {2025},
author = {Striganavičiūtė, G and Vaitiekūnaitė, D and Šilanskienė, M and Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė, V},
title = {Harnessing microbial allies: enhancing black alder resilience to PAH stress through microbial symbiosis.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1552258},
pmid = {40406720},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent environmental pollutants that pose significant risks to plant health and ecosystem function. Phytoremediation, using plants in combination with microorganisms, offers a promising strategy for mitigating PAH toxicity. This study investigates the role of PAH-degrading microorganisms in mitigating the phytotoxic effects of PAHs on black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) seedlings. Specifically, we examined the effects of three microbial strains-Pseudomonas putida Trevisan, Sphingobium yanoikuyae Yabuuchi et al., and Rhodotorula sphaerocarpa (S.Y. Newell & Fell) Q.M. Wang, F.Y. Bai, M. Groenewald & Boekhout-on plant growth and biochemical responses under exposure to naphthalene, pyrene, phenanthrene, and fluorene. The results revealed genotype-dependent variations in plant responses. In family 13-99-1K, S. yanoikuyae significantly enhanced defense mechanisms under phenanthrene exposure, evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. In contrast, family 41-65-7K exhibited stable shoot height and increased chlorophyll a/b ratio, but a decrease in soluble sugars under P. putida treatment with pyrene. This suggests a shift in metabolic priorities towards growth rather than stress mitigation. These findings highlight the complex interactions between plant genotype, microbial strain, and PAH type, underscoring the potential of microbial-assisted phytoremediation. Our study suggests that tailored microbial inoculants, in combination with appropriate plant genotypes, could optimize phytoremediation efforts in PAH-contaminated environments. Future research should focus on soil-based systems and longer-term evaluations to better understand the dynamics of plant-microbe-PAH interactions.},
}

@article {pmid40406719,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, C and Teng, Z and Jin, Z and Ouyang, Q and Lv, L and Hou, X and Hussain, M and Zhu, Z},
title = {Structure and composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community associated with mango.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1578936},
pmid = {40406719},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an important fruit crop with significant economic value in tropical and subtropical areas globally. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) symbiosis is vital for mango trees growth, and the detailed understanding of various (a)biotic factors that influence AMF community composition is crucial for sustainable crop production. To date, there is little information available on how do different seasons and plant age influence the AMF community composition associated with mango. Using high-throughput amplicon sequencing, we examined AMF community diversity and composition in the rhizosphere of mango from two distinct orchards during spring (C_BY and C_YL) and autumn (Q_BY and Q_YL), which differed in age (10 and 28 years). The results revealed a notable variation in the number of observed species between two 28-years-old mango orchards (C_BY28 vs C_YL28 and Q_BY28 vs Q_YL28) during both the spring and autumn seasons. However, the comparison of 10-years-old and 28-years-old mangoes showed no significant shift in the diversity and richness of AMF. At the taxonomic level, Glomus was the absolute dominant genus in AMF community. The correlation analysis between species abundance and soil nutrients showed that the level of phosphorus, potassium and their available forms (AP, AK) significantly affect AMF community. Furthermore, the P, AP, and AK contents were found positively correlated with the dominant AMF molecular virtual species Sclerocystis sinuosa. These findings indicate the response characteristics of mango rhizosphere AMF community to soil nutrients, providing scientific basis for precise regulation of soil environment to improve mango tree growth and production.},
}

@article {pmid40406136,
year = {2025},
author = {Duhamel, M and Salzet, M},
title = {Self or nonself: end of a dogma?.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1595764},
pmid = {40406136},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Immune Tolerance ; Immunity, Innate ; *Autoimmunity ; *Immune System/immunology ; *Self Tolerance ; },
abstract = {Immunologists generally view the notion of self and non-self as part of a broader, more contextual understanding of immune function, rather than a rigid dogma. While the classical paradigm that the primary role of the immune system is to recognize and eliminate anything foreign once provided a unifying basis for explaining tolerance and rejection, numerous discoveries have focused attention on how immune responses are finely tuned by a range of contextual cues, including tissue signals, hygienist theory, molecular mimicry, symbiotic microbes, metabolic factors and epigenetic modifications. Maternal-fetal tolerance and the persistence of microchimeric cells in adults demonstrate that genetically foreign cells can be actively integrated into the host, challenging the simple assumption that 'foreign' equals unconditional attack. Similarly, research into the microbiome, the virome and the phenomenon of trained innate immunity has shown that there can be beneficial or even essential relationships between the body and what has traditionally been labelled 'non-self'. Over the last decade, the idea that the immune system strictly enforces a binary distinction has instead evolved towards a model in which it continuously interprets signals of damage or perturbation, manages complex ecological relationships with commensal or latent organisms, and recalibrates according to the organism's life stage and environment. There remains a recognition that clonal deletion and negative selection in the thymus, together with MHC-bound peptide recognition, still underlie many core processes, and in certain clinical contexts, such as acute transplant rejection or the prevention of autoimmunity, an approximate self-non-self-categorization is directly relevant. Overall, however, the field recognizes that 'self' is not a static attribute defined once and for all, but rather a dynamic and context-dependent state that continues to be shaped by microbial symbioses, epigenetic reprogramming and immunoregulatory networks throughout an individual's lifespan.},
}

Humans
Animals
*Immune Tolerance
Immunity, Innate
*Autoimmunity
*Immune System/immunology
*Self Tolerance

@article {pmid40405324,
year = {2025},
author = {Raquin, V and Martin, E and Minard, G and Valiente Moro, C},
title = {Variation in diet concentration and bacterial inoculum size in larval habitats shapes the performance of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {130},
pmid = {40405324},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {Micro-Be-Have//IDEX Lyon scientific breakthrough project/ ; Micro-Be-Have//IDEX Lyon scientific breakthrough project/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/growth & development/physiology ; Larva/microbiology/growth & development/physiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; *Diet ; Female ; *Microbiota ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ecological niches present unique environmental and biological trademarks such as abiotic conditions, nutrient availability, and trophic interactions that may impact the ecology of living organisms. Female mosquitoes deposit their eggs in aquatic niches with fluctuating diet sources and microbial communities. However, how niche's diet and microbial composition impact mosquito performance (i.e., traits that maximize mosquito fitness) are not well understood. In this study, we focused on the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, one of the most invasive species in the world and a competent vector for human pathogens. To remove any external microbes, Ae. albopictus eggs were surface-sterilized then hatching larvae were exposed to a gradient of bacterial inoculum (i.e., initial microbial load) and diet concentrations while their impact on mosquito performance traits during juvenile development was measured.

RESULTS: Our results showed that Ae. albopictus larvae develop faster and give larger adults when exposed to microbiota in rearing water. However, mosquito performance, up to the adult stage, depends on both bacterial inoculum size and diet concentration in the aquatic habitat. Upon low inoculum size, larvae survived better if the diet was in sufficient amounts whereas a higher inoculum size was associated with optimal larvae survival only in the presence of the lower amount of diet. Inoculum size, and to a lesser extent diet concentration, shaped bacterial community structure and composition of larval-rearing water allowing the identification of bacterial taxa for which their abundance in larvae-rearing water correlated with niche parameters and/or larval traits.

CONCLUSIONS: Our work demonstrates that both diet concentration and bacterial inoculum size impact mosquito performance possibly by shaping bacterial community structure in the larval habitat, which accounts for a large part of the juvenile's microbiota. Host-microbe interactions influence several mosquito life-history traits, and our work reveals that niche parameters such as inoculum size and diet concentration could have numerous implications on the microbiota assembly and host evolutionary trajectory. This underlies that host-microbe-environment interactions are an important yet overlooked factor of mosquito adaptation to its local environment, with potential future implications for vector control and vector ecology. Video Abstract.},
}

Animals
*Aedes/microbiology/growth & development/physiology
Larva/microbiology/growth & development/physiology
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Ecosystem
*Diet
Female
*Microbiota
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology

@article {pmid40406538,
year = {2023},
author = {Jiang, G and Zhou, Z and Li, X and Qian, Y and Wang, K},
title = {The Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy.},
journal = {Maternal-fetal medicine (Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {36-43},
pmid = {40406538},
issn = {2641-5895},
abstract = {Gut microbiota is symbiotic and interdependent with human body. Intestinal probiotics are colonized in the human gastrointestinal tract, which can improve the host intestinal microenvironment and enhance the intestinal function and immune function of the human body. A small number of opportunistic pathogens exist in the intestinal tract. Once the number of pathogens exceeds the threshold of intestinal tolerance, the intestinal micro-ecological balance can be destroyed, and various diseases may thus develop. Pregnancy is a special status with different physiologic changing stages. In the meanwhile, alterations in the gut microbiome populations occur, which can promote the differentiation, development, and maturation of fetal organs by affecting maternal metabolism. Compared with normal pregnant women, great changes in the gastrointestinal function and gut microbiome may take place in pregnant women with pregnancy-related complications, in which these changes include the number, species, and intestinal translocation. The composition of the maternal gut microbiome could contribute to pregnancy and obstetric outcomes, and long-term health of mother and child. The relationships of pregnancy to gut microbiome have attracted an increasing attention in recent years. This article will provide a summary review of the research studies of gut microbiome in normal pregnant women versus abnormal pregnancy women with complications.},
}

@article {pmid40405104,
year = {2025},
author = {Lotfy, WA and Ali, AM and Abdou, HM and Ghanem, KM},
title = {Optimization of fermentation conditions for enhanced acetylcholine and biomass production of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AM2 using the Taguchi approach.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {317},
pmid = {40405104},
issn = {1471-2180},
mesh = {*Fermentation ; *Biomass ; Culture Media/chemistry/metabolism ; *Acetylcholine/biosynthesis/metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; *Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism/growth & development ; Glucose/metabolism ; },
abstract = {This study aimed to optimize the fermentation conditions and medium composition for maximum acetylcholine (ACh) and biomass production by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AM2 using the Taguchi array design, which enables efficient identification of influential variables through minimal experimental runs. Seven key factors were evaluated: beef extract, peptone, yeast extract, glucose, pH, agitation rate, and inoculation size. The optimization process identified the most significant variables influencing ACh and biomass production, with beef extract and peptone being critical for ACh synthesis, while inoculation size was a critical determinant of biomass yield. The optimal conditions for ACh production were determined as beef extract (11 g/l), peptone (40 g/l), yeast extract (5 g/l), glucose (20 g/l), pH 5.7, no agitation, and 1% (v/v) inoculation size, resulting in a predicted ACh concentration of 490.83 pg/ml and an experimental value of 495.8 pg/ml. For biomass production, the optimal conditions were beef extract (8 g/l), peptone (10 g/l), yeast extract (20 g/l), glucose (35 g/l), pH 6.6, agitation at 150 rpm, and 4% (v/v) inoculation size, yielding a predicted biomass of 20.58 g/l and an experimental value of 21.3 g/l. The optimized conditions significantly improved ACh production (6.32-fold) and biomass production (4.56-fold) compared to basal conditions. These findings highlight the efficiency of the Taguchi approach in enhancing the production of ACh and biomass, providing insights into the functional niche of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AM2 for potential industrial applications and its use in a symbiotic form.},
}

*Fermentation
*Biomass
Culture Media/chemistry/metabolism
*Acetylcholine/biosynthesis/metabolism
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
*Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism/growth & development
Glucose/metabolism

@article {pmid40403989,
year = {2025},
author = {Deng, L and Guan, G and Cannon, RD and Mei, L},
title = {Age-related oral microbiota dysbiosis and systemic diseases.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107717},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107717},
pmid = {40403989},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {The oral microbiota is an essential microbial community within the human body, playing a vital role in maintaining health. In older adults, age-related changes in the oral microbiota are linked to both systemic and oral health impairments. The use of various medications for systemic diseases in the elderly can also contribute to the development of oral diseases. Oral microbiota dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the composition of oral microbial communities. This imbalance, along with disruptions in the host immune response and prolonged inflammation, is closely associated with the onset and progression of several diseases. It contributes to oral conditions such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis. It is also linked to systemic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. This review aims to explore how oral microbiota influences specific health outcomes in older individuals, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. The oral microbiota holds promise as a diagnostic tool, therapeutic target, and prognostic biomarker for managing cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. Emphasizing proper oral health care and instilling an understanding of how drugs prescribed for systemic disease impact the oral microbiome, is anticipated to emerge as a key strategy for promoting the general health of older adults.},
}

@article {pmid40402470,
year = {2025},
author = {Moukarzel, R and Waller, LP and Jones, EE and Ridgway, HJ},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis in New Zealand ecosystems: challenges and opportunities.},
journal = {Letters in applied microbiology},
volume = {78},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/lambio/ovaf070},
pmid = {40402470},
issn = {1472-765X},
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics/classification ; New Zealand ; *Symbiosis ; *Ecosystem ; *Plants/microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophs that form a symbiotic and mutualistic relationship with most terrestrial plants, playing an important role in plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and ecosystem stability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on AMF colonization in plants within New Zealand ecosystems, including the challenges and opportunities of molecular identification techniques used in characterizing AMF communities in natural and managed systems. The ecosystem services provided by AMF, such as improved growth parameters, enhanced nutrition, and disease control, are discussed in detail, highlighting their significance in sustainable agriculture and natural ecosystems. Additionally, the role of AMF in invasion ecology was examined, revealing their dual potential to either facilitate or hinder invasive plant species. Despite significant advances in understanding AMF biology, future research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of AMF-plant interactions and to address the challenges caused by changing environmental conditions. This review focused on the importance of AMF in promoting ecosystem resilience and suggests avenues for future research to harness their full potential in agricultural and ecological contexts.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics/classification
New Zealand
*Symbiosis
*Ecosystem
*Plants/microbiology
Soil Microbiology

@article {pmid40401909,
year = {2025},
author = {Morel-Letelier, I and Yuen, B and Orellana, LH and Kück, AC and Camacho-García, YE and Lara, M and Leray, M and Wilkins, LGE},
title = {Seasonal transcriptomic shifts reveal metabolic flexibility of chemosynthetic symbionts in an upwelling region.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0168624},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.01686-24},
pmid = {40401909},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Upwelling in the Tropical Eastern Pacific profoundly affects marine coastal ecosystems by driving drastic seasonal changes in water temperature, oxygen levels, and nutrient availability. These conditions serve as a natural experiment that provides a unique opportunity to study how marine animals and their associated microorganisms respond in the face of environmental change. Lucinid bivalves host chemosynthetic Candidatus Thiodiazotropha symbionts equipped with diverse metabolic pathways for sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen use. However, how these symbionts employ their metabolic toolkit in a changing environment remains poorly understood. To address this question, we conducted metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses of Ctena cf. galapagana symbionts before and during a Papagayo upwelling event in Santa Elena Bay, Costa Rica. The C. cf. galapagana were co-colonized mainly by two Ca. Thiodiazotropha symbiont clades regardless of the sampling season. We observed a concerted shift in the transcriptomic profiles of both symbiont clades before and during upwelling, suggesting changes in energy source use. Dissimilatory methanol oxidation genes were upregulated before upwelling, while sulfide oxidation genes were upregulated during upwelling. These physiological changes were potentially driven by upwelling-induced changes in sediment biogeochemistry and resource availability. Our findings highlight the adaptability of the lucinid symbiosis and the crucial role of symbiont metabolic flexibility in their resilience to environmental challenges.IMPORTANCEThe oceans are undergoing rapid change, and marine animals together with their associated microorganisms must adjust to these changes. While microbes are known to play a critical role in animal health, we are only beginning to understand how symbiotic relationships help animals cope with environmental variability. Annual upwelling events cause drastic and abrupt increases in nutrient availability and productivity, while temperature and oxygen decrease. In this study, we investigated how bacterial symbionts of the lucinid bivalve Ctena cf. galapagana respond to upwelling in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The symbionts, from the genus Candidatus Thiodiazotropha, are chemosynthetic (i.e., they use inorganic chemicals for energy and fix carbon) and provide nutrition to their host. Our results show that these symbionts adjust their use of different energy sources in response to environmental changes that affect resource availability. This metabolic flexibility underscores the resilience of animal-microbe relationships in coping with environmental change.},
}

@article {pmid40401050,
year = {2025},
author = {Mager, M and Becker, L and Schulten, N and Fraune, S and Axmann, IM},
title = {Oligonucleotide library assisted sequence mining reveals promoter sequences with distinct temporal expression dynamics for applications in Curvibacter sp. AEP1-3.},
journal = {Synthetic biology (Oxford, England)},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {ysaf001},
pmid = {40401050},
issn = {2397-7000},
abstract = {The β-proteobacterial species Curvibacter sp. AEP1-3 is a model organism for the study of symbiotic interactions as it is the most abundant colonizer of Hydra vulgaris. Yet, genetic tools for Curvibacter are still in their infancy; few promoters have been characterized so far. Here, we employ an oligonucleotide-based strategy to develop novel expression systems Curvibacter. Potential promoters were systematically mined from the genome in silico. The sequences were cloned as a mixed library into a mCherry reporter vector and positive candidates were selected by Flow Cytometry to be further analysed through plate reader measurements. From 500 candidate sequences, 25 were identified as active promoters of varying expression strength levels. Plate reader measurements revealed unique activity profiles for these sequences across growth phases. The expression levels of these promoters ranged over two orders of magnitudes and showed distinct temporal expression dynamics over the growth phases: while three sequences showed higher expression levels in the exponential phase, we found 12 sequences saturating expression during stationary phase and 10 that showed little discrimination between growth phases. From our library, promoters of the genes dnaK, rpsL and an acyl-homoserine-lactone (AHL) synthase stood out as the most interesting candidates fit for a variety of applications. We identified enriched transcription factor binding motifs among the sorted 33 sequences and genes encoding for homologs of these transcription factors in close proximity to the identified motifs. In this work, we show the value of employing comprehensive high-throughput strategies to establish expression systems for novel model organisms.},
}

@article {pmid40400690,
year = {2025},
author = {Cha, M and Wu, Y and Man, D and Yi, X},
title = {Associations between gut microbiota and diet composition of three arid-adapted rodent species from the Inner Mongolia grassland.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1569592},
pmid = {40400690},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Food habits are closely associated with the gut microbiota of herbivorous animals; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the arid-adapted rodents. This study investigates the relationship between gut microbiota and dietary composition to offer a scientific basis for comprehending the ecological adaptation strategies of grassland rodents. Cecal contents of Spermophilus alashanicus, S. dauricus, and Meriones unguiculatus were collected and analyzed by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and DNA metabarcoding techniques to determine the structure of gut microbial communities and dietary composition. The results showed that S. alashanicus presented significantly higher gut microbial richness and diversity than S. dauricus and M. unguiculatus. The dominant gut bacterial genera in S. alashanicus and S. dauricus were similar, suggesting that their common genetic backgrounds might influence the colonization and symbiosis of gut microbiota. The three species consumed both plant-based and animal-based foods but differed in their dietary preferences. S. dauricus displayed a significantly higher diversity of animal-based food consumption compared with the other two species. Correlation analysis between diet and gut microbiota indicated that plant-based foods significantly enhanced the diversity and composition of gut microbiota. In contrast, the consumption of animal-based foods significantly decreased microbial diversity. This finding suggests a potential link between the host's genetic background, dietary composition, and the gut microbiota.},
}

@article {pmid40399923,
year = {2025},
author = {Montanari, E and Bernardo, G and Le Noci, V and Anselmi, M and Pupa, SM and Tagliabue, E and Sommariva, M and Sfondrini, L},
title = {Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer.},
journal = {Molecular cancer},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {148},
pmid = {40399923},
issn = {1476-4598},
support = {P2022R5TCA//PRIN, PROGETTI DI RICERCA DI RILEVANTE INTERESSE NAZIONALE/ ; 24718//AIRC IG/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Neoplasms/immunology/microbiology/etiology/pathology/metabolism ; *Microbiota/immunology ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Human-resident microbes typically cluster into biofilms - structurally organized communities embedded within a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that serves as a protective shield. These biofilms enhance microbial survival and functional adaptability, favoring a symbiotic relationship with the host under physiological conditions. However, biofilms exhibit a dual role in modulating the immune response. If their ability to promote tolerance is key to safeguarding homeostasis, by contrast, their persistence can overcome the cutting-edge balance resulting in immune evasion, chronic inflammation and development of numerous diseases such as cancer. Recent evidence highlights the significance of cancer-associated microbiota in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). These microbial inhabitants often exhibit biofilm-like structures, which may protect them from host immune responses and therapeutic interventions. The presence of biofilm-forming microbiota within the TME may promote chronic inflammation, and release of bioactive molecules that interfere with immune surveillance mechanisms, thereby enabling cancer cells to evade immune destruction. This review delves into the complex interplay between biofilms and cancer, with particular focus on the tumor-associated microbiota and the implications of biofilm involvement in modulating the immune landscape of the TME. Addressing this intricate relationship holds promises for innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at reprogramming the microbiota-cancer axis for better clinical outcomes.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Neoplasms/immunology/microbiology/etiology/pathology/metabolism
*Microbiota/immunology
Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
Animals

@article {pmid40399789,
year = {2025},
author = {Mugo, CW and Church, E and Horniblow, RD and Mollan, SP and Botfield, H and Hill, LJ and Sinclair, AJ and Grech, O},
title = {Unravelling the gut-brain connection: a systematic review of migraine and the gut microbiome.},
journal = {The journal of headache and pain},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {125},
pmid = {40399789},
issn = {1129-2377},
mesh = {Humans ; *Migraine Disorders/microbiology/therapy ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; Probiotics/therapeutic use ; *Brain-Gut Axis/physiology ; Synbiotics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: There is substantial evidence linking migraines to gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and colitis often co-occur with migraines and GI symptoms are common among migraine patients. However, the evidence supporting the efficacy of gut microbiome-targeted therapies for managing migraines is limited. This systematic review aimed to describe the existing evidence of the gut microbiome in patients with migraine compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, it sought to examine how therapies targeting the gut microbiome including prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics, might influence clinical outcomes.

METHODS: We performed searches on Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies in migraines and the gut microbiome, focusing on those which investigated the gut microbiome composition and gut microbiome-targeted therapies. Key data was extracted and analysed including study details, patient demographics, migraine type, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes. For gut microbiome composition studies, bacterial diversity and abundance was noted. For gut microbiome-targeted therapies studies, treatment types, dosages, and patient outcomes was recorded.

RESULTS: A significant difference between various genera of microbes was reported between migraine patients and controls in several studies. Bacteroidetes (also named Bacteroidota), proteobacteria, and firmicutes (also named Bacillota) phyla groups were found significantly abundant in migraine, while studies were conflicted in the abundance of Actinobacteria and Clostridia with regards to increased migraine risk in migraine patients. Patients with migraine had a gut microbiome with reduced species number and relative abundance, as well as a distinct bacterial composition compared to controls. Synbiotic and synbiotic/probiotic combination treatments have been shown in five randomised controlled trials and one open label pilot study to significantly decrease migraine severity, frequency, duration and painkiller consumption.

CONCLUSIONS: The significant alterations in microbial phyla observed in migraine patients suggest a potential microbial signature that may be associated with migraine risk or chronic progression. However, the mechanistic underpinnings of these associations remain unclear. This systemic review found that probiotic and synbiotic/probiotic combination therapies may be promising interventions for migraine management, offering significant reductions in migraine frequency and painkiller use. Future randomised controlled studies are needed to evaluate the optimal length of treatment and impact on patient related quality of life.},
}

Humans
*Migraine Disorders/microbiology/therapy
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
Probiotics/therapeutic use
*Brain-Gut Axis/physiology
Synbiotics

@article {pmid40398697,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, M and Xu, Z and Qiu, J and Dong, B},
title = {Enhanced biogenic manganese oxide production and the removal of Cd(II) and ciprofloxacin via fungus-bacterium co-cultivation.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {121899},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2025.121899},
pmid = {40398697},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Microbial co-cultivation is a promising strategy for enhancing metabolite production and functional capabilities. While most research on biogenic manganese (Mn) oxidation (BMO) has focused on individual bacterial or fungal strains, the potential benefits of fungal-bacterial co-cultivation remain largely unexplored. In this study, the synergistic effects of co-culturing the Mn-oxidizing fungus Cladosporium sp. XM01 with the Mn-oxidizing bacterium Bacillus sp. XM02 on Mn(II) oxidation were systematically investigated. The results showed that co-cultivation significantly increased total cell biomass and enhanced Mn(II) removal. Optimal conditions were achieved by introducing strain XM02 with a 36 h delay and maintaining a co-culturing ratio of 2:1 (XM01:XM02). The enhanced Mn(II) oxidation observed in the co-culture system was attributed to increased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, which help maintain redox homeostasis and sustain the production of superoxide-an essential oxidant in Mn(II) bio-oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that Bacillus sp. XM02 cells were attached to the hyphae of Cladosporium sp. XM01, forming structured fungal-bacterial aggregates. These aggregates suggest strong physical interactions that likely facilitated nutrient exchange and metabolic cooperation. Additionally, removal kinetics experiments showed that BMO produced in the co-culture exhibited superior Cd(II) adsorption capacity and ciprofloxacin oxidation performance compared to BMO derived from pure cultures. This enhancement was linked to the higher specific surface area and increased average oxidation state (Mn-AOS) of the co-culture BMO, which enhanced its adsorption and oxidative reactivity. These findings provide new insights into the symbiotic interactions among Mn-oxidizing microorganisms and highlight the potential of fungal-bacterial co-cultures as an effective strategy to enhance BMO functionality for environmental remediation.},
}

@article {pmid40398680,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhou, Y and Komnick, MR and Sepulveda, F and Liu, G and Nieves-Ortiz, E and Meador, K and Ndatabaye, O and Fatkhullina, A and Bozicevich, A and Juengel, B and Wu-Woods, NJ and Naydenkov, PM and Kent, J and Christiansen, N and Madariaga, ML and Witkowski, P and Ismagilov, RF and Esterházy, D},
title = {Inducible, but not constitutive, pancreatic REG/Reg isoforms are regulated by intestinal microbiota and pancreatic diseases.},
journal = {Mucosal immunology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.mucimm.2025.05.003},
pmid = {40398680},
issn = {1935-3456},
abstract = {The REG/Reg gene locus encodes a conserved family of potent antimicrobial but also pancreatitis-associated proteins. Here we investigated whether REG/Reg family members differ in their baseline expression levels and abilities to be regulated in the pancreas and gut upon perturbations. We found, in humans and mice, the pancreas and gut differed in REG/Reg isoform levels and preferences, with the duodenum most resembling the pancreas. Pancreatic acinar cells and intestinal enterocytes were the dominant REG producers. Intestinal symbiotic microbes regulated the expression of the same, select Reg members in gut and pancreas. These Reg members had the most STAT3-binding sites close to the transcription start sites and were partially IL-22 dependent. We thus categorized them as "inducible" and others as "constitutive". Indeed, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatitis models, only inducible Reg members were upregulated in the pancreas. While intestinal Reg expression remained unchanged upon pancreatic perturbation, pancreatitis altered the microbial composition of the duodenum and feces shortly after disease onset. Our study reveals differential usage and regulation of REG/Reg isoforms as a mechanism for tissue-specific innate immunity, highlights the intimate connection of pancreas and duodenum, and implies a gut-to-pancreas communication axis resulting in a coordinated Reg response.},
}

@article {pmid40398016,
year = {2025},
author = {Ogo, S and Akama, K and Nakamura, N and Manaka, T and Yamanaka, T},
title = {Symbiosis with Astraeus hygrometricus upregulates cesium and potassium uptake by Pinus densiflora seedlings.},
journal = {Journal of environmental radioactivity},
volume = {287},
number = {},
pages = {107722},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107722},
pmid = {40398016},
issn = {1879-1700},
abstract = {After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011 in Japan, high activity levels of radiocesium have been reported in wild mushrooms of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. As EM fungal species form symbiotic associations with woody plants, we examined the effect of symbiosis by Astraeus hygrometricus, an EM fungus, on the uptake of cesium (Cs) and potassium (K) by Pinus densiflora seedlings under different levels of K and Cs in the soil in a pot culture. The pine seedlings exhibited enhanced growth due to the symbiosis with A. hygrometricus. The symbiosis with A. hygrometricus significantly increased the Cs and K concentrations of pine seedlings. Cultivating EM seedlings lowered exchangeable K in the soil, although exchangeable Cs did not significantly change. Furthermore, K addition suppresses the Cs absorption of P. densiflora seedlings irrespective of their association with EM fungi.},
}

@article {pmid40397361,
year = {2025},
author = {Lin, YY and Ho, HC and Chou, JY},
title = {Effects of lichen symbiotic bacteria-derived indole-3-acetic acid on the stress responses of an algal-fungal symbiont.},
journal = {Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40397361},
issn = {1678-4405},
support = {MOST 111-2621-B-018-001//National Science Council/ ; },
abstract = {Lichens, comprising filamentous fungi and algae/cyanobacteria engaged in mutualistic symbiosis, exhibit remarkable adaptability to environmental challenges. While fungi safeguard algae from dry conditions, their ability to mitigate other stresses remains uncertain. Additionally, the functions of coexisting bacteria within lichen communities remain relatively unexplored. This study investigates the potential of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) as a stress-response signaling molecule in lichen symbiosis. We subjected IAA-treated monocultures of algae and co-cultures of the fungal-algal complex to various stress conditions. IAA's role in bolstering resilience was evident, as demonstrated by the release of IAA (0-500 µM) by bacteria isolated from the lichen Parmelia tinctorum. This IAA was subsequently utilized by the lichen photobionts to alleviate oxidative stress. IAA acted as a communication signal, priming algal cells to defend against impending stressors. Further microscopic examinations unveiled that only the fibrous extensions were exposed in fungal cells that were in direct physical contact with viable algal cells. Co-cultivation and subsequent microscopic observations revealed that the algal cells were protected from diverse stressors by a barrier of fungal hyphae. Our findings underscore the significance of IAA in enhancing stress resistance within the context of lichen symbiosis, thereby advancing our understanding of the adaptability of these unique organisms. Further exploration of bacterial functions in lichen symbiosis holds promise for uncovering novel insights into their ecology and biology.},
}

@article {pmid40397014,
year = {2025},
author = {Chávez-Jacobo, VM and Reyes-González, AR and Girard, L and Dunn, MF},
title = {The Fsr transporter of Sinorhizobium meliloti contributes to antimicrobial resistance and symbiosis with alfalfa.},
journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)},
volume = {171},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40397014},
issn = {1465-2080},
mesh = {*Sinorhizobium meliloti/genetics/drug effects/physiology/metabolism ; *Medicago sativa/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/metabolism ; Biofilms/growth & development ; *Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Fosfomycin/pharmacology/analogs & derivatives/metabolism ; *Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters in bacteria participate in both the uptake and export of ions, metabolites or toxic compounds. In rhizobia, specific MFS transporters increase resistance to plant-produced compounds and may also affect other phenotypic traits, including symbiosis with legume host plants. Here, we describe the importance of the Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 Fsr efflux pump in resistance to selected antimicrobial compounds and in modulating biofilm formation, motility and symbiotic efficiency with alfalfa. The fsr gene (smc00990) is annotated as encoding an MFS family fosmidomycin efflux pump. Unexpectedly, both the 1021 wild type and an fsr null mutant were highly resistant to fosmidomycin. Our assays indicate that this is due to an inability to transport the antibiotic. Unlike the wild type, the fsr mutant was highly sensitive to the fosmidomycin structural analogue fosfomycin, and moderately more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and deoxycholate (DOC). Root and seed exudates from alfalfa did not inhibit the growth of the wild type or fsr mutant. fsr transcription significantly increased proportionally to the concentration of fosfomycin added to cultures but was unaffected by the addition of other antibiotics, H2O2, DOC or SDS. Alfalfa seed exudate moderately increased fsr transcriptional expression. Fluorometric assays using ethidium bromide as a substrate and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone as an energy decoupler showed that Fsr was a proton-dependent efflux pump. Biofilm formation and swimming motility were decreased and increased, respectively, in the fsr mutant, and its symbiotic efficiency with alfalfa was decreased in terms of nodule numbers per plant and plant dry weights.},
}

*Sinorhizobium meliloti/genetics/drug effects/physiology/metabolism
*Medicago sativa/microbiology
*Symbiosis
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/metabolism
Biofilms/growth & development
*Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Drug Resistance, Bacterial
Fosfomycin/pharmacology/analogs & derivatives/metabolism
*Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Plant Roots/microbiology

@article {pmid40396735,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, J and Chen, B-Y and Zhi, M-F and Lin, W-Z and Li, Y-L and Ye, H-L and Xu, S and Zhu, H and Zhou, L-J and Du, L-J and Meng, X-Q and Liu, Y and Feng, Q and Duan, S-Z},
title = {Linking oral microbiota to periodontitis and hypertension unveils that Filifactor alocis aggravates hypertension via infiltration of interferon-γ[+] T cells.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0008425},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00084-25},
pmid = {40396735},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Periodontal disease (PD), an inflammatory disease initiated by oral microbiota, may aggravate hypertension (HTN). Few studies were employed to characterize the oral microbiota in hypertensive patients with periodontitis. To investigate the interplay between oral microbiota and hypertension in individuals with periodontitis, we initiated a metagenomic sequencing study on subgingival plaque and saliva samples sourced from HTN patients and those with hypertension and periodontitis (PDHTN). Our primary objective was to characterize species serving as pivotal links (bridge species) in exacerbating hypertension induced by periodontal disease. Within subgingival plaque and saliva specimens, we pinpointed 31 and 28 bridge species, respectively. Furthermore, we noted a decrease in the abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria, such as Actinomyces spp., Rothia spp., and Veillonella spp., in PDHTN samples. Employing network analysis, we distinguished distinct polymicrobial clusters within the two patient groups. These bridge species coalesced into polymicrobial clusters, revealing intricate symbiotic and competitive relationships. To substantiate our findings, we leveraged an angiotensin II-infused animal model of ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP), confirming the contributory role of Filifactor alocis-a selectively analyzed subgingival bridge species-in exacerbating hypertension and upregulating the frequency of renal CD4[+]IFNγ[+] and CD8[+]IFNγ[+] T cells. Our study screened a list of species linking PD and HTN. PD may aggravate HTN by decreasing the abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria and increasing the abundance of pathogens. Using an animal model, we demonstrated that F. alocis aggravates HTN via the accumulation of IFNγ[+] T cells in the kidneys.

IMPORTANCE: Both periodontal disease and hypertension are widely prevalent all over the world. PD may aggravate the development of HTN via oral microbiota. However, few studies were employed to characterize the oral microbiota in hypertensive patients with periodontitis. Here, the present study profiled the oral microbiota in hypertensive participants with periodontitis. We found that the depleted abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria and the enriched abundance of pathogens. Finally, we validated the role of Filifactor alocis in exacerbating HTN via infiltration of IFNγ[+] T cells in mice kidneys. Our study improved the understanding of oral microbiota linking PD and HTN.},
}

@article {pmid40396656,
year = {2025},
author = {He, J and Van Dingenen, J and Goormachtig, S and Calonne-Salmon, M and Declerck, S},
title = {Legume-specific recruitment of rhizobia by hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf100},
pmid = {40396656},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {The legume-rhizobia symbiosis possesses great potential for sustainable agriculture because of its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing crop dependence on nitrogen fertilizers. Rhizobia recognize the host legume through flavonoids released by the roots. These signals are detected by bacteria typically over a few millimeters. Recent research has shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi extend this recognition beyond 15 cm by transporting flavonoids along their hyphae. In soil, common mycorrhizal networks linking plants are formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We hypothesized that such networks linking different legumes can transmit host-specific signals, guiding rhizobia to their appropriate hosts. Using in vitro and greenhouse microcosms, we linked Medicago truncatula and Glycine max via a common mycorrhizal network of Rhizophagus irregularis and inoculated GFP-labeled Sinorhizobium meliloti and mCherry-labeled Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens on the hyphae. S. meliloti preferentially migrated towards M. truncatula, whereas B. diazoefficiens preferentially migrated towards G. max (155 ± 8 and 13 ± 3 nodules, respectively). This was confirmed in the greenhouse with a higher concentration of S. meliloti (2.1-2.5 × 105 CFU·g-1) near M. truncatula and a higher concentration of B. diazoefficiens (1.5-1.6 × 105 CFU·g-1) near G. max (71-82 and 15-18 nodules, respectively). Metabolomics revealed host-specific flavonoids in hyphal exudates: M. truncatula-connected hyphae released DL-liquiritigenin, naringenin, sakuranetin, and 3,7-dimethylquercetin, whereas G. max-connected hyphae released daidzin, 6"-O-malonyldaidzin, irilone, and erylatissin A. These findings establish that common mycorrhizal networks constitute a "navigation system", using chemical signals to orient rhizobia towards their specific hosts, thereby improving nodulation with potential applications in agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid40395007,
year = {2025},
author = {Castillo-Medina, RE and Islas-Flores, T and Morales-Ruiz, E and Villanueva, M},
title = {Inhibition of protein or glutamine biosynthesis affect the light-induced dephosphorylation of the SBiP1 chaperone in Symbiodiniaceae.},
journal = {Bioscience reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1042/BSR20241085},
pmid = {40395007},
issn = {1573-4935},
support = {285802//Secretaría de Ciencia Humanidades Tecnología e Innovación (SECIHTI)/ ; },
abstract = {Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is fundamental for transduction of external stimuli into physiological responses. In photosynthetic dinoflagellates Symbiodinium microadriaticum CassKB8, Thr-phosphorylated SBiP1 under dark conditions, undergoes significant dephosphorylation upon light stimuli. We evaluated the effect of protein synthesis inhibitors on light modulated Thr phosphorylation of SBiP1. Inhibition of cytoplasmic protein synthesis by cycloheximide but not of chloroplastic protein synthesis by chloramphenicol, prevented Thr dephosphorylation of the protein under the light. Additionally, inhibition of glutamine synthetase by glufosinate produced a delay in the light induced dephosphorylation of the chaperone. Heat shock reverted the effect in cycloheximide-treated cells suggesting that heat stress overrides the cycloheximide-induced inhibition of SBiP1 dephosphorylation to hypothetically restore chaperone activity. These results suggest that light and stress are critical switches of SBiP1 chaperone activity that function along with common pathways of protein synthesis and ammonia assimilation, and further confirm that the light induced SBiP1 Thr dephosphorylation is independent of photosynthesis.},
}

@article {pmid40393856,
year = {2025},
author = {Pencik, O and Kolackova, M and Molnarova, K and Huska, D},
title = {What would a hypothetical supercyanobacterium look like?.},
journal = {Trends in biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.04.006},
pmid = {40393856},
issn = {1879-3096},
abstract = {Over the past two decades, advances in molecular and microbiological methods have broadened the range of microorganisms used in biotechnology. Among them, phototrophic bacteria - especially cyanobacteria - are gaining attention for their potential in tackling climate change and producing biopharmaceuticals. While traditional strains such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis dominate the field, cyanobacteria offer unique features that present both challenges and opportunities, such as complex gene regulation linked to photosynthesis and carbon fixation, protein sorting, and secretion, as well as the ability to establish novel symbiotic partnerships. This review highlights key developments in engineering cyanobacteria and outlines a vision for a future 'supercyanobacterium' that combines the best traits of current strains, unlocking new possibilities in heterotrophy-dominated biotechnology.},
}

@article {pmid40392778,
year = {2025},
author = {Ballinger, MJ and Perlman, SJ},
title = {Correction: Generality of toxins in defensive symbiosis: Ribosome-inactivating proteins and defense against parasitic wasps in Drosophila.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {21},
number = {5},
pages = {e1013193},
pmid = {40392778},
issn = {1553-7374},
abstract = {[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006431.].},
}

@article {pmid40391973,
year = {2025},
author = {Sanath-Kumar, R and Rahman, A and Ren, Z and Reynolds, IP and Augusta, L and Fuqua, C and Weisberg, AJ and Wang, X},
title = {Linear dicentric chromosomes in bacterial natural isolates reveal common constraints for replicon fusion.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0104625},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01046-25},
pmid = {40391973},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Multipartite bacterial genome organization can confer advantages, including coordinated gene regulation and faster genome replication, but is challenging to maintain. Agrobacterium tumefaciens lineages often contain a circular chromosome (Ch1), a linear chromosome (Ch2), and multiple plasmids. We previously observed that in some stocks of the C58 lab model, Ch1 and Ch2 were fused into a linear dicentric chromosome. Here we analyzed Agrobacterium natural isolates from the French Collection for Plant-Associated Bacteria and identified two strains distinct from C58 with fused chromosomes. Chromosome conformation capture identified integration junctions that were different from the C58 fusion strain. Genome-wide DNA replication profiling showed that both replication origins remained active. Transposon sequencing revealed that partitioning systems of both chromosome centromeres were essential. Importantly, the site-specific recombinase XerCD is required for the survival of the strains containing the fusion chromosome. Our findings show that replicon fusion occurs in natural environments and that balanced replication arm sizes and proper resolution systems enable the survival of such strains.

IMPORTANCE: Most bacterial genomes are monopartite with a single, circular chromosome. However, some species, like Agrobacterium tumefaciens, carry multiple chromosomes. Emergence of multipartite genomes is often related to adaptation to specific niches, including pathogenesis or symbiosis. Multipartite genomes confer certain advantages; however, maintaining this complex structure can present significant challenges. We previously reported a laboratory-propagated lineage of A. tumefaciens strain C58 in which the circular and linear chromosomes fused to form a single dicentric chromosome. Here we discovered two geographically separated environmental isolates of A. tumefaciens containing fused chromosomes with integration junctions different from the C58 fusion chromosome, revealing the constraints and diversification of this process. We found that balanced replication arm sizes and the repurposing of multimer resolution systems enable the survival and stable maintenance of dicentric chromosomes. These findings reveal how multipartite genomes function across different bacterial species and the role of genomic plasticity in bacterial genetic diversification.},
}

@article {pmid40391904,
year = {2025},
author = {Gasser, MT and Flatau, R and Altamia, MA and Filone, CM and Distel, DL},
title = {Complete genome sequences of two shipworm endosymbiont strains, Teredinibacter turnerae SR01903 and SR02026.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0026525},
doi = {10.1128/mra.00265-25},
pmid = {40391904},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {We present the complete genome sequences of two strains of Teredinibacter turnerae, SR01903 and SR02026, shipworm endosymbionts isolated from the gills of Lyrodus pedicellatus and Teredo bartschi, respectively, and derived from Oxford Nanopore sequencing. These sequences will aid in the comparative genomics of shipworm endosymbionts and symbiosis model development.},
}

@article {pmid40391446,
year = {2025},
author = {Otjacques, E and Jatico, B and Marques, TA and Xavier, JC and Ruby, E and McFall-Ngai, M and Rosa, R},
title = {Climate-Driven Warming Disrupts the Symbiosis of Bobtail Squid Euprymna scolopes and the Luminous Bacterium Vibrio fischeri.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {e70243},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.70243},
pmid = {40391446},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {LA/P/0069/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; UI/BD/151019/2021//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; UIDB/00006/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; UIDB/04292/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aliivibrio fischeri/physiology ; *Decapodiformes/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Climate Change ; Temperature ; },
abstract = {Under the current climate crisis, marine heatwaves (MHW) are expected to intensify and become more frequent in the future, leading to adverse effects on marine life. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of environmental warming on the symbiotic relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) and the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri. We exposed eggs of E. scolopes to three different temperatures during embryogenesis, namely: (i) 25°C (yearly average), (ii) 27°C (summer maximum) or (iii) 30°C (category IV MHW), followed by a colonisation assay under the same conditions. Decreased hatching success and reduced developmental time were observed across warmer conditions compared to 25°C. Moreover, exposure to the category IV MHW led to a significant decrease in survival after 48 h. With increasing temperature, bobtail squids required more bacteria in the surrounding seawater for successful colonisation. When colonised, the regression of the light organ's appendages was not dependent on temperature, but the opposite was found in non-colonised bobtail squids. Furthermore, the capacity for crypt 3 formation in the squid's light organ, which is crucial for enhancing resilience under stress, also declined with warming conditions. This study emphasises the critical need to study the dynamics of microbial symbiosis under the projected conditions for the ocean of tomorrow.},
}

Animals
*Aliivibrio fischeri/physiology
*Decapodiformes/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Climate Change
Temperature

@article {pmid40390499,
year = {2025},
author = {Patel, P and Patel, F and Joshi, C and Joshi, M},
title = {Whole genome analysis of endophytic strain PM1 reveals promising plant Growth-Promoting mechanisms in pomegranate.},
journal = {Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology},
volume = {23},
number = {2},
pages = {100486},
pmid = {40390499},
issn = {2090-5920},
abstract = {The plant ecosystem harbours diverse symbiotic microorganisms with plant growth promoting and biocontrol activities. The gram- negative endophytic bacterium PM1 strain, isolated from the nodal region of pomegranate. The strain PM1 was studied through whole-genome sequencing, functional annotation, and plant growth-promoting trait (PGPT) gene analysis. Phylogenetic tree analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing confirmed its classification within the genus Brucella. The assembled genome size was 5,200,895 bp with a G + C content of 56.4 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis revealed a 97.62 % similarity between PM1 and B. anthropi ATCC 49188 T, a type strain derived from human clinical samples, indicating a close relationship with Brucella anthropi. The functional annotation revealed 2,945 PGPT-related genes, including 32 % linked to direct effects (phytohormone signal production, biofertilization, and bioremediation processes) and 67 % to indirect effects (plant colonization, biocontrol, and competitive exclusion). KEGG analysis revealed genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, hormone biosynthesis (gibberellin, cytokinin, and auxin), root colonization, and stress mitigation. Virulence factor database (VFDB) data revealed the absence of complete virulence gene assemblies, indicating limited pathogenic potential. Furthermore, secondary metabolite analysis predicted the potential production of ochrobactin compounds, which are potent siderophores that are important traits associated with PGPTs. The complete genome analysis of Brucella sp. PM1 provides new insights into plant-bacteria interactions, laying a foundation for advanced postgenomic studies and facilitating the development of bioeffective strategies such as biofertilizers or biocontrol agents for sustainable improvement in crop yields.},
}

@article {pmid40388617,
year = {2025},
author = {Paries, M and Hobecker, K and Hernandez Luelmo, S and Binci, F and Guercio, A and Usländer, A and Cardoso, C and Si, Y and Wankner, L and Bashyal, S and Troycke, P and Brückner, F and Pimprikar, P and Shabek, N and Gutjahr, C},
title = {The GRAS protein RAM1 interacts with WRI transcription factors to regulate plant genes required for arbuscule development and function.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {21},
pages = {e2427021122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2427021122},
pmid = {40388617},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {170483403 SFB924_TP B03//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; 759731//EC | ERC | HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council (ERC)/ ; XX//Alexander von Humboldt Foundation/ ; 2047396//NSF (NSF)/ ; 2139805//NSF (NSF)/ ; XX//Max-Planck-Society/ ; },
mesh = {*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics ; *Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology/growth & development/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics/metabolism ; Nicotiana/genetics ; *Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Arabidopsis/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {During arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis AM fungi form tree-shaped structures called arbuscules in root cortex cells of host plants. Arbuscules and their host cells are central for reciprocal nutrient exchange between the symbionts. REQUIRED FOR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZATION1 (RAM1) encodes a GRAS protein crucial for transcriptionally regulating plant genes needed for arbuscule development and nutrient exchange. Similar to other GRAS proteins, RAM1 likely does not bind to DNA and how RAM1 activates its target promoters remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that RAM1 interacts with five AM-induced APETALA 2 (AP2) transcription factors of the WRINKLED1-like family called CTTC MOTIF-BINDING TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 (CBX1), WRI3, WRI5a, WRI5b, and WRI5c via a C-terminal domain containing the M2/M2a motif. This motif is conserved and enriched in WRI proteins encoded by genomes of AM-competent plants. RAM1 together with any of these WRI proteins activates the promoters of genes required for symbiotic nutrient exchange, namely RAM2, STUNTED ARBUSCULES (STR), and PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 4 (PT4), in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. This activation as well as target promoter induction in Lotus japonicus hairy roots depends on MYCS (MYCORRHIZA SEQUENCE)-elements and AW-boxes, previously identified as WRI-binding sites. The WRI genes are activated in two waves: Transcription of RAM1, CBX1, and WRI3 is coregulated by calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-activated CYCLOPS, through the AMCYC-RE in their promoter, and DELLA, while WRI5a, b, and c promoters contain MYCS-elements and AW-boxes and can be activated by RAM1 heterocomplexes with CBX1 or WRI3. We propose that RAM1 provides an activation domain to DNA-binding WRI proteins to activate genes with central roles in AM development and function.},
}

*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics
*Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Mycorrhizae/genetics/physiology/growth & development/metabolism
Symbiosis/genetics
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Plant Roots/microbiology/genetics/metabolism
Nicotiana/genetics
*Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Arabidopsis/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid40387630,
year = {2025},
author = {Yee, DP and Juery, C and Toullec, G and Catacora-Grundy, A and Lekieffre, C and Wangpraseurt, D and Decelle, J},
title = {Physiology and metabolism of eukaryotic microalgae involved in aquatic photosymbioses.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70190},
pmid = {40387630},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {GBMF11532//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; 101088661//H2020 European Research Council - Consolidator/ ; (GA#101059915)//H2020 European Union BiOcean5D/ ; },
abstract = {Symbiosis between eukaryotic microalgae and heterotrophic hosts is a widespread, phylogenetically convergent, and ecologically important phenomenon in aquatic ecosystems. Partners include taxonomically diverse microalgae interacting with multicellular or unicellular hosts in marine or freshwater environments. While progress has been made recently, there are still major knowledge gaps on the microenvironmental conditions of microalgae in hospite (e.g. nutrient and CO2 availability), the algal carbon metabolism (production and storage), and the cellular mechanisms of carbohydrate export to the host. This review aims to provide current knowledge on the physiology and metabolism of symbiotic microalgae, to highlight whether there are commonalities across different photosymbioses, and to identify new approaches and technologies for disentangling photosymbiotic interactions at relevant temporal and spatial scales.},
}

@article {pmid40387602,
year = {2025},
author = {Bonacolta, AM and Krause-Massaguer, J and Unuma, T and Del Campo, J},
title = {The Sea Cucumber-Infecting Parasite Apostichocystis gudetama gen. nov. sp. nov. Expands Marine-Host-Specific Clade of Apicomplexans.},
journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology},
volume = {72},
number = {3},
pages = {e70013},
pmid = {40387602},
issn = {1550-7408},
support = {//University of Miami/ ; PID2020-118836GA-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; 2021 SGR 00420//Departament de Recerca i Universitats de la Generalitat de Catalunya/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Sea Cucumbers/parasitology ; *Apicomplexa/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; Host Specificity ; Female ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; },
abstract = {Unknown ellipsoid bodies, later classified as apicomplexan cysts, are prevalent in the ovaries of Japanese sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus), where they can lead to lower fecundity in infected individuals and adverse effects on wild populations as well as aquaculture efforts for this endangered species. Apicomplexans are widespread and essential to marine environments, where they can affect the health and fitness of host populations. We performed genomic sequencing of recovered cysts to gain more ecological and evolutionary information on this parasite. We recovered this apicomplexan's complete nuclear ribosomal RNA (rrn) operon, the entire mitochondrial genome, and a partial apicoplast (relic chloroplast) genome. The rrn operon phylogeny revealed this parasite as being closely related to coccidian-like parasites of marine fish (ichthyocolids) and cnidarians (corallicolids), while organelle phylogenomics hint at a closer relation to the protococcidian Eleutheroschizon. Using this new phylogenetic context and previous morphological descriptions, we describe this parasite as Apostichocystis gudetama gen. nov. sp. nov. Mining available microbiomes reveal the presence of Apostichocystis spp. beyond its host range, alluding to other potential hosts or cryptic, closely related lineages. Its phylogenetic placement has important implications concerning the evolution of parasitism within Apicomplexa and the divergence of a marine-host-specific clade of coccidian-like parasites.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
*Sea Cucumbers/parasitology
*Apicomplexa/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
Host Specificity
Female
Host-Parasite Interactions
Genome, Mitochondrial

@article {pmid40386899,
year = {2025},
author = {Pa, M and Iyer, K and Koul, V and Kochar, M},
title = {Regulatory Players in Mycorrhizal-Bacterial-Plant Interactions.},
journal = {Journal of basic microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e70053},
doi = {10.1002/jobm.70053},
pmid = {40386899},
issn = {1521-4028},
support = {//The financial support of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India (Grant No. 38(1521)/21/EMR-II) and Director General, TERI, for providing the required infrastructure and facilities to carry out our research work./ ; },
abstract = {Mycorrhizae contribute significantly for plant growth and development, often providing nutrients such as phosphate and nitrogen, while also enhancing stress tolerance and resistance against phytopathogens. Plant symbiotic mycorrhizal networks harbor bacterial communities that aid mycorrhizal functions and augment plant nutrition and development. Various bacterial associations of mycorrhiza bring forth advantageous traits to mycorrhizal symbiosis and host colonization, which involves a wide range of signaling and regulatory molecules. These regulatory molecules play an important role in adapting and responding to new microenvironments with different hosts through the production of metabolites and expression of favorable genes. Small molecular components such as noncoding RNA (miRNA and sRNA) are also involved in the regulation and adaptation to these microenvironments. Regulatory pathways involving protein kinases play an important role in the tripartite association of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi with plants, and the subsequent promotion of symbiotic interactions. This mini-review highlights potential bacterial regulatory candidates which can influence mycorrhiza-plant interactions to significantly benefit plant growth and development. An understanding of these bacterial regulatory mechanisms may suggest new strategies for knowledge-based application in crop productivity improvement programs.},
}

@article {pmid40385569,
year = {2025},
author = {Fernández-Vargas, R and Jiménez-Alpízar, S and Leandro-Arce, V and Mendoza-Guido, B and Rojas-Jimenez, K},
title = {Draft genome sequences of four potential new species of the genus Bradyrhizobium isolated from root nodules of native legumes in Costa Rican forests.},
journal = {Access microbiology},
volume = {7},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40385569},
issn = {2516-8290},
abstract = {Here, we report the draft genome sequences of four Bradyrhizobium spp. isolates obtained from root nodules of the native legumes Pentaclethra macroloba, Chamaecrista nictitans, Erythrina fusca and Zygia engelsingii in tropical forests of Costa Rica. Genomes ranged from 8.6 to 9.8 Mb with GC contents between 62.8% and 63.8%. Phylogenomic analysis, along with average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) comparisons, confirmed that these isolates represent potential new species. ANI values ranged from 88.3% to 90.3%, and dDDH values from 28.8% to 41.8%, compared with their closest Bradyrhizobium species. Functional annotation revealed some genes related to nitrogen fixation (nifA, nifB, nifH) and nodulation capacity (nodB, nodC, nodJ). These results provide insights into the diversity and symbiotic capabilities of Bradyrhizobium in tropical ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid40385373,
year = {2025},
author = {Rodak, NY and Tan, CH and Sternberg, PW},
title = {A small-scale bacterial-based liquid Culture Method for Steinernema hermaphroditum.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40385373},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) infect and kill their insect host with the help of symbiotic bacteria. The only known hermaphroditic (androdiecious) EPN, the clade IV Steinernema hermaphroditum , offers opportunities for exploring both parasitic and mutualistic symbiosis, as well as for evolutionary and developmental studies. Experimental and genetic analysis of this animal is now facilitated through the development of forward and reverse genetic tools and improved culturing techniques. Here, we describe a liquid-culture technique adapted for this worm. The method can be a starting point for the development of large-scale cultivation of the worm and provides a method to generate infective juveniles without an insect host and either with or without its native symbiotic bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid40385307,
year = {2025},
author = {McLaren, GC and Farrell, MV and Shikuma, NJ and Tran, C},
title = {Photosynthetic dependence and filament production in physical bacterial-Symbiodiniaceae interactions.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycaf070},
pmid = {40385307},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {The cnidarian microbiome consists of a wide variety of beneficial microbes that play vital roles in maintaining and fortifying host health. Photosynthesis from symbiotic dinoflagellates (in the family Symbiodiniaceae) is crucial for their symbiosis establishment with the cnidarian host. Although more is known regarding interactions between the host and its associated bacteria and dinoflagellates, there has been little investigation into the relationship between the two microbes themselves and whether photosynthesis plays a role. Through two different methods of photosynthetic inhibition of dinoflagellates (incubation in the dark or pre-treatment with a photosystem II inhibitor), we investigated how pathogenic versus beneficial bacteria physically interact with three Symbiodiniaceae strains (symbiotic and free-living). The beneficial bacterium Tritonibacter mobilis appears to interact with photosynthesizing algae only. In the absence of photosynthesis, little to no physical interactions were observed between Symbiodiniaceae and T. mobilis. Bacterial congregation around individual dinoflagellate cells was significantly lower when photosynthesis was impaired, suggesting photosynthesis is a key facilitator of interactions between T. mobilis and all three Symbiodiniaceae strains. We also investigated whether photosynthesis affects interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and the pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus. Although no discernable impacts of photosynthetic inhibition were observed with the pathogen, scanning electron microscopy uncovered various mechanisms of interaction between Symbiodiniaceae and both bacteria, one of which includes the production of filaments not previously described. Overall, our research highlights the importance of photosynthesis in initiating interactions between bacteria and both free-living and symbiotic dinoflagellates, and opens a door to new questions regarding cell-surface interactions among individual microbes.},
}

@article {pmid40385219,
year = {2025},
author = {Halder, U and Radharamanan, C and Venkatesan, K and Perumal, S},
title = {Inhibition of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Growth, Development, and Promotion of Root Nodulation Including Plant Nitrogen Uptake Triggered by Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics.},
journal = {ACS omega},
volume = {10},
number = {18},
pages = {18668-18681},
pmid = {40385219},
issn = {2470-1343},
abstract = {Agroecosystem sustainability and global food security may be threatened by the widespread presence and distribution of microplastics (MPs). This study investigates the impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics with four different dosages (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5%) on the growth, development, and nitrogen uptake of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a legume that forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Oxidative stress was indicated by increases in the activity of hydrogen peroxide, proline, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase of 54.3, 72.93, 135.74, 41.59, and 44.59%, respectively, for the 3.5% dose (T4) and malondialdehyde and catalase of 23.7 and 17.52%, respectively, for the 2.5% dose (T3) over the control. Peanut seedlings' growth and development were inhibited through the suppression of chlorophyll a (30.92%), chlorophyll b (36.36%), and carotenoid (25.65%) for treatment 2 (T2) and plant height (19.52% for T4), plant dry weight (46.09%), leaf number (18.86%), and branch length (59.37%) for T4. However, root nodule number, weight, and plant N content promoted 30.19-72.32, 55.88-141.16, and 1.46-7.01%, respectively, from control to T4, which may be an adaptive mechanism for legumes to overcome N deficiency through the morphological and physiological adjustments in the stressed conditions. The study outcomes may provide worthy implications for correctly managing peanut crops in PVC MP-contaminated soil, which will ensure food security and ecosystem sustainability.},
}

@article {pmid40384928,
year = {2025},
author = {Songwattana, P and Boonchuen, P and Pruksametanan, N and Teamtisong, K and Sato, S and Hashimoto, S and Higashitani, N and Kawaharada, Y and Araragi, M and Okazaki, S and Piromyou, P and Wongdee, J and Greetatorn, T and Giraud, E and Boonkerd, N and Tittabutr, P and Teaumroong, N},
title = {Elucidation of the symbiotic incompatibility mechanisms between Vigna radiata and Bradyrhizobium vignae ORS3257 mediated by nodulation outer protein P2.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {28},
number = {5},
pages = {112351},
pmid = {40384928},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Bradyrhizobium vignae ORS3257 is an efficient symbiotic strain for Vigna unguiculata and V. mungo but fails with V. radiata due to an effector-triggered immunity response mediated by the nodulation outer protein P2 (NopP2). To understand this incompatibility, we identified NopP2 interacting proteins in V. radiata cv. KPS1, including enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) as targets. Protein-protein interaction assays confirmed that NopP2 binds to these enzymes, and further analysis revealed their co-localization on the plasma membrane. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed NopP2 stimulates genes related to plant defense response (PR1, PR5, MYB13, and TAO1), hydrogen peroxide (SOD, POX10, and POX16), and cell wall lignification (LAC). NopP2 did not alter the expression of genes encoding the target enzymes but interfered with MDHAR activity, leading to high H2O2 accumulation in roots. These findings suggest that NopP2 contributes to symbiotic incompatibility in V. radiata by inducing a multifaceted defense response and initiating cell wall lignification early in infection.},
}

@article {pmid40384784,
year = {2025},
author = {DiSalvo, S and Maness, N and Braun, A and Tran, M and Hofferkamp, A},
title = {Tracking tripartite interaction dynamics: isolation, integration, and influence of bacteriophages in the Paraburkholderia-Dictyostelium discoideum symbiosis system.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1537073},
pmid = {40384784},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Bacteriophages influence interactions between bacterial symbionts and their hosts by exerting parasitic pressure on symbiont populations and facilitating bacterial evolution through selection, gene exchange, and prophage integration. Host organisms also modulate phage-bacteria interactions, with host-specific contexts potentially limiting or promoting phage access to bacterial symbionts or driving alternative phenotypic or evolutionary outcomes.

METHODS: To better elucidate tripartite phage-bacteria-host interactions in real-time, we expanded the Dictyostelium discoideum-Paraburkholderia symbiosis system to include Paraburkholderia-specific phages. We isolated six environmental Paraburkholderia phages from soil samples using a multi-host enrichment approach. We also identified a functional prophage from monocultures of one of the Paraburkholderia symbiont strains implemented in the enrichment approach. These phages were evaluated across all three amoeba-associated Paraburkholderia symbiont species. Finally, we treated Paraburkholderia infected amoeba lines with select phage isolates and assessed their effects on symbiont prevalence and host fitness.

RESULTS: The isolated phages exhibited diverse plaquing characteristics and virion morphologies, collectively targeting Paraburkholderia strains belonging to each of the amoeba-symbiotic species. Following amoeba treatment experiments, we observed that phage application in some cases reduced symbiont infection prevalence and alleviated host fitness impacts, while in others, no significant effects were noted. Notably, phages were able to persist within the symbiont-infected amoeba populations over multiple culture transfers, indicating potential long-term interactions.

DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the variability of phage-symbiont interactions within a host environment and underscore the complex nature of phage treatment outcomes. The observed variability lays the foundation for future studies exploring the long-term dynamics of tripartite systems, suggesting potential mechanisms that may shape differential phage treatment outcomes and presenting valuable avenues for future investigation.},
}

@article {pmid40384569,
year = {2025},
author = {Kwon, EH and Adhikari, A and Khan, AL and Do, E and Methela, NJ and Lee, CY and Kang, SM and Ku, KM and Yun, BW and Lee, IJ},
title = {Microbial Melatonin Production Improves Plant Metabolic Function in Short-Term Climate-Induced Stresses.},
journal = {Journal of pineal research},
volume = {77},
number = {3},
pages = {e70052},
pmid = {40384569},
issn = {1600-079X},
mesh = {*Melatonin/biosynthesis ; *Glycine max/metabolism/microbiology ; *Bacillus/metabolism ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Climate Change ; },
abstract = {Climate change, specifically high temperatures, can reduce soil moisture and cause hypersaline conditions, which creates an unsustainable agro-production system. Microbial symbionts associated with plants relinquish stressful conditions by producing stress-protecting substances. Melatonin is a signaling and stress-protecting molecule for plants, but is least known for microbial symbionts and their function in stress protection. Here, our study shows that the melatonin-synthesizing Bacillus velezensis EH151 (27.9 ng/mL at 96 h) significantly improved host plant (Glycine max L.) growth, biomass, photosynthesis, and reduced oxidative stress during heat and salinity stress conditions than the non-inculcated control. The EH151 symbiosis enhanced the macronutrient (P, Ca, and K) and reduced Na uptake in shoots during stress conditions. The microbial inoculation significantly expressed the high-affinity K[+] transporter, MYB transcription factor, Salt Overly Sensitive 1, Na[+]/H[+] antiporter 2, and heat shock transcription factors in spatio-temporal orders during heat and salinity stress (H&S 1, 3, 10, and 14 h). We observed that microbial strain significantly increased the plant's endogenous abscisic acid (49.5% in H&S 10 h), jasmonic acid (71% in H&S 10 h), and melatonin biosynthesis (418% in H&S 14 h). Metabolome map of plant defense response showed that EH151 enhanced activation of amino acid metabolism pathways (e.g., glutamate (34%) L-aspartate (82%), glycine (18.5%), and serine (58%) under H&S 14 h compared to non-inoculation). Conversely, the free sugars and organic acids within the central carbon metabolism were significantly activated in non-inoculated combined heat and salinity stress compared to inoculated plants-suggesting lesser defense energy activated for stress tolerance. In conclusion, the current results show promising effects of the microbial abilities of melatonin that can regulate host growth and defense responses. Utilization of beneficial strains like B. velezensis EH151 could be the ideal strategy to improve stress tolerance and overcome the adverse impact of climate-induced abrupt changes.},
}

*Melatonin/biosynthesis
*Glycine max/metabolism/microbiology
*Bacillus/metabolism
*Stress, Physiological
*Climate Change

@article {pmid40383418,
year = {2025},
author = {Dellagnola, FA and Yunes, AN and Vega, IA},
title = {Unravelling the Consortium of the Cercarial Dermatitis in Lake from a Basin of Argentinian Central Andes: Histological and Phylogenetic Insights of Chilina Snail and their Fluke Partner.},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107650},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107650},
pmid = {40383418},
issn = {1873-6254},
abstract = {In the context of a research program dealing with the symbiotic associations between aquatic snails and trematodes, we studied a host-parasite consortium in Lake El Nihuil (Mendoza, Argentina), a water body from Atuel river basin (Central Andes) in which recent outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis ('swimmer's itch') occurred. According to the morphological traits and molecular phylogenetic analyses (mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes), the gastropod host was assigned to the endemic genus Chilina. The snails hosted and released a schistosomatid brevifurcate apharingeate cercaria, whose phylogenetic position was inferred using 28S rRNA subunit gene and 18S-ITS1-5.8S rRNA ribosomal region. The parasite was placed in a clade together with sequences from 'Furcocercariae Lineage II', avian schistosomes closely related to the recently named genus Nasusbilharzia, whose final host, the endemic black-necked swan, occurs in Lake El Nihuil. The infected specimens of Chilina sp. showed abundant parasite larvae placed between haemocoelic spaces and connective tissues, modifying the histological architecture of the digestive gland-gonad complex. Parasites produced a decrease in the number of glandular acini and atrophy of the reproductive tissue. This work suggests a displacement of the swimmer's itch outbreaks towards lower latitudes, highlighting the need for the implementation of multidisciplinary studies to monitor these emerging diseases in association with specific symbiotic consortiums.},
}

@article {pmid40383409,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, D and Zhao, J and Wu, M and Zhou, Y and Lyu, B and Xu, C and Huang, C and Su, Z and Zhang, H and Guo, J and Tang, W and Chen, G and Li, Q},
title = {Microbial Interactions Induce the Mutational Signature of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Colorectal Cancer and Associated with EPPK1 Mutations.},
journal = {Cancer letters},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {217807},
doi = {10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217807},
pmid = {40383409},
issn = {1872-7980},
abstract = {To better understand the impact of microbial interactions on the clonal evolution of colorectal cancer (CRC), we conducted high-resolution profiling of the gut microbiome of 101 treatment-naïve primary CRC patients using nanopore sequencing. We performed an integrated analysis of microbiome and tumor exome data to identify symbiotic microbes that interactively influence the mutational processes and the subsequent clonality of CRC. Our results suggested that Dialister pneumosintes and Fusobacterium animalis were both associated with somatic EPPK1 mutations and promote SBS6 (mismatch repair deficiency, dMMR) activity. Notably, we showed that the symbiotic architecture of Dialister pneumosintes and Fusobacterium animalis undergoes significant changes with the mutational status of EPPK1. In addition, we identified specific metabolic pathways involving key metabolites that potentially mediate microbial interactions in CRC. These findings provide new insights into the interplay between the gut microbiome and the mutation landscape of colorectal cancer, thereby informing the clonal evolution of CRC and new strategies for precision medicine.},
}

@article {pmid40383313,
year = {2025},
author = {Ren, J and Ren, X and Deng, Z and Zhang, H and Wang, J and Zhang, C and Lu, F and Shi, J},
title = {Ecological effects of biochar in heavy metal-contaminated soils from multidimensional perspective: Using meta-analysis.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {132695},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132695},
pmid = {40383313},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {The application of biochar in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil shows great potential, but its comprehensive impacts on metal dynamics and the soil ecosystem have not been quantified. This study conducted a meta - analysis of 496 observations from 41 studies. The results indicated that biochar can significantly decrease the bioavailability of cationic metals, but has limited effect on anionic heavy metals. After application, soil nutrient content and enzyme activity significantly increased. Microbial network analysis revealed enhanced interactions between species, and the reconstruction of the core microbial community indicated a shift in microbial survival strategies from resisting heavy metal stress to nutrient cycling and plant symbiosis. FAPROTAX analysis showed that microbial communities related to nitrogen and sulfur cycles were significantly stimulated. This study explores the role of biochar in restoring soil multifunctionality while addressing metal pollution issues from multiple perspectives, offering key insights for developing targeted soil remediation strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40382964,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, X and Ni, R and Li, L and Yu, H and Qi, J and Ma, B and Hu, C and Qu, J},
title = {Algae-driven bacterial production of extracellular reactive oxygen species for emerging contaminants degradation.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {982},
number = {},
pages = {179670},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179670},
pmid = {40382964},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Emerging contaminants (ECs) are ubiquitous in natural surface waters, posing significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Symbiotic systems comprising photoautotrophic algae and associated bacteria offer a promising approach for the bioremediation of aquatic environments. This study investigated the degradation of five ECs (carbamazepine, diclofenac, atenolol, sulfamethoxazole, and ofloxacin) by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated through algal-bacterial interactions. The algal-bacterial system exhibited superior degradation efficiencies, achieving 96 %, 97 %, 89 %, 72 %, and 77 % removal for the respective ECs after 6 days, far surpassing the performance of pure bacterial or algal systems. Elevated levels of biogenic ROS were observed in the algal-bacterial system, with extracellular superoxide radicals (O2[•-]) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) identified as key drivers of the degradation process. Under ECs stress, the algal-bacterial system maintained cellular integrity and metabolic activity by upregulating pathways related to carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism, thereby enhancing its resistance. These findings highlight the significant potential of algal-bacterial systems for the transformation of ECs, offering a sustainable strategy for bioremediation and the restoration of ecosystem health.},
}

@article {pmid40382931,
year = {2025},
author = {Subedi, SC and Epps, S and Ankrah, N and Bhandari, S},
title = {Soil microbes' role in plant germination and growth under salt stress.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {386},
number = {},
pages = {125841},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125841},
pmid = {40382931},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {One significant consequence of climate change is the rising sea levels, which contribute to the intrusion of saltwater towards the inland and groundwater placing extreme salt stress on many plants. Beneficial interactions with microorganisms may be crucial for ameliorating salt stress and facilitating the ecosystem services plants provide. We aimed to test if microbes aid plants in coping with salinity stress and to identify potential applications for enhancing plant resilience in the face of ongoing environmental changes. We set up a factorial experiment that manipulated the introduction of field collected soil microbes, the salinity of these introduced microbes, and the salinity of the water in which plants were grown (freshwater vs. saltwater). To identify the impact of native microbes on the survival of plants in high stress environments, specifically we examined how a Liatris spicata, a freshwater plant would germinate and grow in salt environments. The overall germination of L. spicata showed that native microbes from high salinity sites positively affect the growth of plants in saltwater. Germination rate was significantly higher (25.8 %) in plants with microbes compared to control plants. Both saltwater exposure and microbial presence had a significant effect on plant growth, suggesting that the impact of saltwater on plant growth depends on the presence of microbes. Our results revealed a significant decrease in the number of microbial colony-forming units (CFUs) in response to saltwater treatment (p < 0.001). Both fungal and bacterial CFUs were significantly reduced in saltwater-treated soils compared to freshwater soils. These findings highlight the potential role of native soil microbes in enhancing plant resilience to salinity stress, offering valuable insights for improving plant survival and productivity in increasingly saline environments.},
}

@article {pmid40382556,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, X and Yang, L and Cai, T and Liao, H and Cai, P and Zhao, X and Gu, N and Yue, Z and Gu, Y and Zhang, F and Wu, C and Lu, X},
title = {The natural symbiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecalis LX10 drives Bombyx mori refractoriness to Nosema bombycis infection via the secretion of enterococcin.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {303},
pmid = {40382556},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {Y20235377//A Project Supported by Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department/ ; 2024YZ07//The General Plan Project of Huzhou Science and Technology Bureau/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Enterococcus faecalis/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; *Bombyx/microbiology/immunology ; *Symbiosis ; *Nosema/physiology/pathogenicity ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The microsporidian Nosema bombycis is an obligate intracellular fungal-related parasites of the Bombyx mori, causing the epidemic disease Pebrine and extensive economic losses in the agricultural and sericulture industry. Enterococcus has emerged as one of the predominant gut microorganisms of the major model organism, Bombyx mori. However, the potential interactions mechanism between B. mori, N. bombycis and Enterococcus have not been well demonstrated.

METHODS: To address this gap, we used an insect model, silkworm to examine the potential mechanism of the natural symbiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecalis LX10 drives B. mori refractoriness to N. bombycis infection. E. faecalis LX10 was isolated from the gut of healthy silkworms, and its inhibitory activity against N. bombycis was evaluated at both the cellular and individual levels using posttranslational modifications, gene and protein expression analysis, transfected cells, and in vitro immunofluorescence.

RESULTS: We demonstrated that enterococcin (EntLX), the first antimicrobial protein family in gut commensal bacterium Enterococcus faecalis LX10 of B. mori, contributes to defending against N. bombycis infection resistance depends on the enzyme gelatinase (GelE), disulfide bond and disulfide bond formation proteinA (DsbA). The EntLX protein, abundantly expressed in transgenic BmN cells and gut organs(gut epithelium, peritrophic membrane and contents), can reduce the infection rate of cells and alleviate intestinal damage caused by N. bombycis infection. After simultaneous vaccination with E. faecalis LX10 and N. bombycis, the differentially key metabolites, physiological characteristics(larval mass), or economic traits(cocoon length, cocoon width, whole-cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, pupation rate and adult emergence rate) showed a certain degrees of recovery and correction compared with those of single N. bombycis inoculation at the individual level.

CONCLUSIONS: This study advances the understanding of the anti-microsporidia activity of enterococci and paves the way for the expression of these molecules as antifungal agents via the genetic transformation of Enterococcus symbionts from disease-transmitting insects.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.},
}

Animals
*Enterococcus faecalis/metabolism/physiology/genetics
*Bombyx/microbiology/immunology
*Symbiosis
*Nosema/physiology/pathogenicity
*Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid40382475,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, Q and Downey, R and Stark, JS and Johnstone, GJ and Mitchell, JG},
title = {The Microbial Ecology of Antarctic Sponges.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {44},
pmid = {40382475},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Porifera/microbiology ; Animals ; Antarctic Regions ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Archaea/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {Microbial communities in Antarctic marine sponges have distinct taxonomic and functional profiles due to low temperatures, seasonal days and nights, and geographic isolation. These sponge holobionts contribute to nutrient cycling, structural habitat formation, and benthic ecosystem resilience. We review Antarctic sponge holobiont knowledge, integrating culture-based and molecular data across environmental and taxonomic gradients. Although microbiome data exist for only a fraction of the region's 593 known sponge species, these hosts support diverse symbionts spanning at least 63 bacterial, 5 archaeal, and 6 fungal phyla, highlighting the complexity and ecological significance of these understudied polar microbiomes. A conserved core microbiome, dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Nitrospinae, and Planctomycetes, occurs across Antarctic sponges, alongside taxa shaped by host identity, depth, and environment. Metagenomic data indicate microbial nitrogen cycling, chemoautotrophic carbon fixation, and stress tolerance. Despite these advances, major knowledge gaps remain, particularly in deep-sea and sub-Antarctic regions, along with challenges in taxonomy, methodological biases, and limited functional insights. We identify key research priorities, including developing standardised methodologies, expanded sampling across ecological and depth gradients, and integrating multi-omics with environmental and host metadata. Antarctic sponge holobionts provide a tractable model for investigating microbial symbiosis, functional adaptation, and ecosystem processes in one of Earth's most rapidly changing marine environments.},
}

*Porifera/microbiology
Animals
Antarctic Regions
*Microbiota
Symbiosis
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Archaea/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Ecosystem
Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid40381977,
year = {2025},
author = {Ramírez, CS and Tolmie, C and Rivas, MG and Gonzalez, PJ and Murgida, DH and Opperman, DJ and Brondino, CD and Ferroni, FM},
title = {Structural insights into the copper-containing nitrite reductase from Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 and its role in the low nitrite reductase activity of rhizobia.},
journal = {Archives of biochemistry and biophysics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {110467},
doi = {10.1016/j.abb.2025.110467},
pmid = {40381977},
issn = {1096-0384},
abstract = {Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 is a widely used microorganism in the formulation of bioinoculants for soybean crops, harboring a copper-containing nitrite reductase with low enzymatic activity. The activity of BjNirK at pH 6.5 was higher compared to that at pH 8.0, regardless of the presence of either physiological or artificial electron donors. Thermal shift assays reveal that the enzyme is more stable at pH 6.5 than at pH 8.0. X-ray structural data reveals that the funnel for substrate entry shows a wider cavity when compared to other class I NirK structures. Furthermore, the presence of an additional channel for proton provision is observed, in addition to the primary and secondary proton channels. The T2Cu active site can accommodate one or two water molecules, resulting in a tetra- or pentacoordinated metal site, respectively. The structural data correlates well with both optical visible and resonance Raman spectroscopies, denoting a strong blue character of the T1Cu site in both solid and solution states. Furthermore, EPR-monitored redox titration reveals that the catalytic rate is not constrained by T1Cu-T2Cu intraprotein electron transfer reaction at either pH 6.5 or pH 8.0. Additionally, bioinformatics studies indicate that the interaction between the enzyme and the electron donor is not pH dependent. These two observations suggest that the low activity of BjNirK is not caused by inefficient donor-enzyme interaction or impaired electron transfer. The present results suggest that the structural architecture and enzyme properties in rhizobia are designed to ensure low activity, a trait that is particularly advantageous for symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid40381437,
year = {2025},
author = {Gushi, M and Ishibashi, H and Takayama, K and Yamashiro, H and Takeuchi, I},
title = {Interactive effects of high seawater temperature and the PS II herbicide Irgarol 1051 on photosynthetic efficiency of one species of the Acropora tenuis [sensu lato] complex (Scleractinia: Acroporidae).},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {218},
number = {},
pages = {118098},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118098},
pmid = {40381437},
issn = {1879-3363},
abstract = {Among herbicides, Irgarol 1051 causes the strongest inhibition of maximum effective quantum yield (∆F/Fm') in symbiotic dinoflagellates of corals. In this study, interactive effects of heat stress and Irgarol (1.0 μg/L) were investigated using aquaculture-reared Acropora sp., a species in the Acropora tenuis [sensu lato] complex in southern Japan. Two 7-d experiments were conducted with 27.5 °C as the temperature control and 30.0 or 32.0 °C as heat stress treatments. Coral colour, evaluated by red-green-blue values, and ∆F/Fm' of symbiotic dinoflagellates in coral were monitored daily. In the 27.5 and 30.0 °C treatments, coral colour remained stable throughout the experiment; whereas, corals began to whiten at 32.0 °C in both control and Irgarol treatments. ∆F/Fm' decreased from day 1 in both Irgarol treatments under control (27.5 °C) and heat stress conditions (30.0 and 32.0 °C). In the control treatment, heat stress of 32.0 °C induced a decrease in ∆F/Fm', but less than the decrease in ∆F/Fm' during Irgarol exposure. ∆F/Fm' did not decrease in the temperature control and 30.0 °C heat stress treatments. A significant interactive decrease in ∆F/Fm' was observed on day 1 at both 30.0 and 32.0 °C. Thus, at 30.0 and 32.0 °C, heat stress was considered to accelerate the ∆F/Fm' reduction at the early stage of Irgarol exposure in aquaculture-reared Acropora sp. Compared to our previous study, the present study suggests that the response of corals in the A. tenuis [sensu lato] complex to Irgarol exposure differs depending on the genetic differences, such as species level.},
}

@article {pmid40381311,
year = {2025},
author = {Gao, J and Tian, H and Li, L and Shen, D and Dong, B and Xu, Z},
title = {Two-phase remediation of extreme textured soils: Integrating stabilized sludge and plant-assisted strategies for enhanced water-nutrient supply and nitrogen fixation.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {386},
number = {},
pages = {125757},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125757},
pmid = {40381311},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {The continuous degradation of soil texture has severely suppressed soil productivity. Here, we present a two-phase remediation strategy aimed at improving extreme textured soils (ETS), specifically clay (CL) and sandy (SA) soils, by integrating stabilized sludge (SS) amendment and nitrogen-fixing plant (alfalfa) cultivation. In Phase I, the application of SS improved soil texture, as indicated by the optimized mechanical composition and aggregate structure. Water-stable aggregates contributed to organic carbon accumulation by protecting particulate organics. In addition, the improved aggregate spatial arrangement enhanced water dynamics. In Phase II, alfalfa cultivation restructured the diazotroph community via plant-rhizobium symbiosis, upregulating nitrogenase genes (nifKDH) and boosting nitrogen fixation. The synergy between SS and alfalfa established a resilient microbial ecosystem, offering a sustainable solution for ETS remediation and efficient sludge utilization, addressing both environmental and resource management goals.},
}

@article {pmid40380978,
year = {2025},
author = {Pipes, BL and Nishiguchi, MK},
title = {Generation and validation of a versatile inducible multiplex CRISPRi system to examine bacterial regulation in the Euprymna-Vibrio fischeri symbiosis.},
journal = {Archives of microbiology},
volume = {207},
number = {7},
pages = {147},
pmid = {40380978},
issn = {1432-072X},
support = {EXO 80NSSC18K1053//National Aeronautical and Space Adminstration/ ; EXO 80NSSC18K1053//National Aeronautical and Space Adminstration/ ; DBI-2214028//National Science Foundation/ ; DBI-2214028//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Aliivibrio fischeri/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Animals ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; *CRISPR-Cas Systems ; *Decapodiformes/microbiology ; Genetic Vectors ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats ; Plasmids/genetics ; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics ; },
abstract = {The Vibrio fischeri-Euprymna scolopes symbiosis has become a powerful animal-microbe model system to examine the genetic underpinnings of symbiont development and regulation. Although there has been a number of elegant bacterial genetic technologies developed to examine this symbiosis, there is still a need to develop more sophisticated methodologies to better understand complex regulatory pathways that lie within the association. Therefore, we have developed a suite of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) vectors for inducible repression of specific V. fischeri genes associated with symbiotic competence. The suite utilizes both Tn7-integrating and shuttle vector plasmids that allow for inducible expression of CRISPRi dCas9 protein along with single-guide RNAs (sgRNA) modules. We validated this CRISPRi tool suite by targeting both exogenous (an introduced mRFP reporter) and endogenous genes (luxC in the bioluminescence producing lux operon, and flrA, the major regulatory gene controlling flagella production). The suite includes shuttle vectors expressing both single and multiple sgRNAs complementary to the non-template strand of multiple targeted genetic loci, which were effective in inducible gene repression, with significant reductions in targeted gene expression levels. V. fischeri cells harboring a version of this system targeting the luxC gene and suppressing the production of luminescence were used to experimentally validate the hypothesis that continuous luminescence must be produced by the symbiont in order to maintain the symbiosis at time points longer than the known 24-h limit. This robust new CRISPRi genetic toolset has broad utility and will enhance the study of V. fischeri genes, bypassing the need for gene disruptions by standard techniques of allelic knockout-complementation-exchange and the ability to visualize symbiotic regulation in vivo.},
}

*Aliivibrio fischeri/genetics/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
Animals
*Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
*CRISPR-Cas Systems
*Decapodiformes/microbiology
Genetic Vectors
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
Plasmids/genetics
RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics