Proteomic profiling uncovered the cytosolic superoxide dismutase BsSOD1 associated with plant defence in the herbal orchid Bletilla striata.

The herbal orchid Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb.f.

Comparative transcriptomics characterized the distinct biosynthetic abilities of terpenoid and paeoniflorin biosynthesis in herbaceous peony strains.

The herbaceous peony ( Pall.) is a perennial flowering plant of the Paeoniaceae species that is widely cultivated for medical and ornamental uses. The monoterpene glucoside paeoniflorin and its derivatives are the active compounds of the roots.

Characteristics and optimised fermentation of a novel magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum sp. ME-1.

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) can biosynthesise magnetosomes, which have great potential for commercial applications. A new MTB strain, Magnetospirillum sp. ME-1, was isolated and cultivated from freshwater sediments of East Lake (Wuhan, China) using the limiting dilution method.

Complete Genome Sequence of sp. ME-1, a Novel Magnetotactic Bacterium Isolated from East Lake, Wuhan, China.

A novel spiral magnetotactic bacterium, sp. ME-1, was isolated from East Lake in China. Here we report the complete genome of ME-1, which contains a 4,551,873-bp circular chromosome and a 5,222-bp circular plasmid.

Effects of actin-like proteins encoded by two Bacillus pumilus phages on unstable lysogeny, revealed by genomic analysis.

We characterized two newly isolated myoviruses, Bp8p-C and Bp8p-T, infecting the ginger rhizome rot disease pathogen Bacillus pumilus GR8. The plaque of Bp8p-T exhibited a clear center with a turbid rim, suggesting that Bp8p-T could transform into latent phage. Lysogeny assays showed that both the two phages could form latent states, while Bp8p-T could form latent phage at a higher frequency and stability than Bp8p-C.

Cellular responses in Bacillus thuringiensis CS33 during bacteriophage BtCS33 infection.

Unlabelled: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely used for 50years as a biopesticide for controlling insect pests. However, bacteriophage infection can cause failures in 50%-80% of the batches during Bt fermentation, resulting in severe losses. In the present work, the physiological and biochemical impacts of Bt strain CS33 have been studied during bacteriophage infection.

Genomic characteristics and comparative genomics analysis of Penicillium chrysogenum KF-25.

Background: Penicillium chrysogenum has been used in producing penicillin and derived β-lactam antibiotics for many years. Although the genome of the mutant strain P. chrysogenum Wisconsin 54-1255 has already been sequenced, the versatility and genetic diversity of this species still needs to be intensively studied.

Genomic analysis of a phage and prophage from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain.

Bacteriophages have been found to be the most abundant and also potentially most diverse biological entities on Earth. In the present study, Bacillus phages were isolated rapidly and shown to have a high degree of diversity. The genomes of a newly isolated phage, phiCM3, and a prophage, proCM3, from the Bacillus thuringiensis strain YM-03 were sequenced and characterized.

Chromate reduction by a chromate-resistant bacterium, Microbacterium sp.

Heavy-metal chromium [Cr(VI)] is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Comparing with chemical reduction, microbiological reduction is considered to be a friendly and cheaper way to decrease the damage caused by chromate. A bacterial strain, CR-07, which is resistant to and capable of reducing chromate was isolated from a mud sample of iron ore and identified as a Microbacterium sp.

Genome characteristics of a novel phage from Bacillus thuringiensis showing high similarity with phage from Bacillus cereus.

Bacillus thuringiensis is an important entomopathogenic bacterium belongs to the Bacillus cereus group, which also includes B. anthracis and B. cereus.

Novel Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxin active against Locusta migratoria manilensis.

A novel δ-endotoxin gene was cloned from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain with activity against Locusta migratoria manilensis by PCR-based genome walking. The sequence of the cry gene was 3,432 bp long, and it encoded a Cry protein of 1,144 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 129,196.5 kDa, which exhibited 62% homology with Cry7Ba1 in the amino acid sequence.

Isolation and phosphate-solubilizing ability of a fungus, Penicillium sp. from soil of an alum mine.

The use of microorganisms to solubilize elemental phosphorus from insoluble rock phosphate is a promising method to greatly reduce not only environmental pollution but also production costs. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms were isolated from soils in China, and a fungus strain (PSM11-5) from a soil sample from an alum mine, with the highest phosphate solubilization potential, was selected and identified as a Penicillium sp. Strain PSM11-5 could grow in buffered medium with pH values between 3.