Bacterial cell sensing and signaling pathway for external polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

The mechanism by which a bacterial cell senses external nutrients remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified a bacterial cell sensing system for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a common marine PAH-using bacterium, . It consists of an outer membrane receptor (PahS) and a periplasmic protein (PahP) in combination with a two-component sensing system (TCS) that ensures a rapid response to PAH occurrence by directly controlling serial reactions including chemotactic sensing and movement, PAH uptake and intracellular PAH metabolism.

sp. nov., isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic and heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain ZH257, was isolated from enrichment samples incubated on the seamount floor of the Western Pacific Ocean. Cells were rod-shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive, and motile by means of polar flagella. Strain ZH257 grew at 4-37 °C (optimum, 28-32 °C), pH 6.

Anti-Parkinson's disease activity of phenolic acids from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf extracts and their autophagy activation mechanism.

Although Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, the preventative or therapeutic agents for the treatment of PD are limited. Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (EuO) is widely used as a traditional herb to treat various diseases. EuO bark extracts have been reported to possess anti-PD activity.