Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma helicoides TABS-2T (DSM 22551), a Bacterium Isolated from a Horsefly (Tabanus abactor).

Spiroplasma helicoides TABS-2 (DSM 22551) was isolated from the gut of a horsefly (Tabanus abactor) collected near Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA, in 1987. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium to facilitate the investigation of its biology and the comparative genomics among Spiroplasma species.

Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma turonicum Tab4cT, a Bacterium Isolated from Horse Flies (Haematopota sp.).

Spiroplasma turonicum Tab4c(T) was isolated from a horse fly (Haematopota sp.; probably Haematopota pluvialis) collected at Champchevrier, Indre-et-Loire, Touraine, France, in 1991. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium to facilitate the investigation of its biology and the comparative genomics among Spiroplasma spp.

Evidence for an Opportunistic and Endophytic Lifestyle of the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus-Associated Bacteria Serratia marcescens PWN146 Isolated from Wilting Pinus pinaster.

Pine wilt disease (PWD) results from the interaction of three elements: the pathogenic nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; the insect-vector, Monochamus sp.; and the host tree, mostly Pinus species. Bacteria isolated from B.

Phosphoproteomic analysis of Methanohalophilus portucalensis FDF1(T) identified the role of protein phosphorylation in methanogenesis and osmoregulation.

Methanogens have gained much attention for their metabolic product, methane, which could be an energy substitute but also contributes to the greenhouse effect. One factor that controls methane emission, reversible protein phosphorylation, is a crucial signaling switch, and phosphoproteomics has become a powerful tool for large-scale surveying. Here, we conducted the first phosphorylation-mediated regulation study in halophilic Methanohalophilus portucalensis FDF1(T), a model strain for studying stress response mechanisms in osmoadaptation.

Phytoplasma SAP11 alters 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana by suppressing NbOMT1.

Phytoplasmas are bacterial phytopathogens that release virulence effectors into sieve cells and act systemically to affect the physiological and morphological state of host plants to promote successful pathogenesis. We show here that transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana lines expressing the secreted effector SAP11 from Candidatus Phytoplasma mali exhibit an altered aroma phenotype. This phenomenon is correlated with defects in the development of glandular trichomes and the biosynthesis of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP).

Draft Genome Sequence of a 16SrII-A Subgroup Phytoplasma Associated with Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Witches' Broom Disease in Taiwan.

The bacterial genus "Candidatus Phytoplasma" contains a group of insect-transmitted plant pathogens in the class Mollicutes. Here, we report a draft genome assembly and annotation of strain NCHU2014, which belongs to the 16SrII-A subgroup within this genus and is associated with purple coneflower witches' broom disease in Taiwan.

Rapid identification of haloarchaea and methanoarchaea using the matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to classify certain environmental haloarchaea and methanoarchaea using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and to expand the archaeal mass spectral database. A total of 69 archaea were collected including type strains and samples isolated locally from different environments. For extraction of the haloarchaeal total cell peptides/proteins, a simple method of acetonitrile extraction was developed.

Comparative Phosphoproteomics Reveals the Role of AmpC β-lactamase Phosphorylation in the Clinical Imipenem-resistant Strain Acinetobacter baumannii SK17.

Nosocomial infectious outbreaks caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii have emerged as a serious threat to human health. Phosphoproteomics of pathogenic bacteria has been used to identify the mechanisms of bacterial virulence and antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we used a shotgun strategy combined with high-accuracy mass spectrometry to analyze the phosphoproteomics of the imipenem-susceptible strain SK17-S and -resistant strain SK17-R.

Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma cantharicola CC-1T (DSM 21588), a Bacterium Isolated from Soldier Beetle (Cantharis carolinus).

Spiroplasma cantharicola CC-1(T) (DSM 21588) was isolated from the gut of a soldier beetle (Cantharis carolinus) collected in Maryland, USA. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium to facilitate the investigation of its biology.

Tumor Suppressor Lzap Suppresses Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling to Promote Zebrafish Embryonic Ventral Cell Fates via the Suppression of Inhibitory Phosphorylation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls various cell fates in metazoan development, and its dysregulation is often associated with cancer formation. However, regulations of this signaling pathway are not completely understood. Here, we report that Lzap, a tumor suppressor, controls nuclear translocation of β-catenin.

Genome Analysis of Pseudomonas fluorescens PCL1751: A Rhizobacterium that Controls Root Diseases and Alleviates Salt Stress for Its Plant Host.

Pseudomonas fluorescens PCL1751 is a rod-shaped Gram-negative bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of a greenhouse-grown tomato plant in Uzbekistan. It controls several plant root diseases caused by Fusarium fungi through the mechanism of competition for nutrients and niches (CNN). This mechanism does not rely on the production of antibiotics, so it avoids the concerns of resistance development and is environmentally safe.

Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma litorale TN-1T (DSM 21781), a Bacterium Isolated from a Green-Eyed Horsefly (Tabanus nigrovittatus).

Spiroplasma litorale TN-1(T) (DSM 21781) was isolated from the gut of a green-eyed horsefly (Tabanus nigrovittatus), collected at Ocracoke Island in North Carolina in 1983. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium to facilitate the investigation of its biology.

Bacterial community dynamics in a swine wastewater anaerobic reactor revealed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis.

Anaerobic digestion is a microbiological process of converting organic wastes into digestate and biogas in the absence of oxygen. In practice, disturbance to the system (e.g.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Omani lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) and comparative analysis within the rosids.

The genus Citrus contains many economically important fruits that are grown worldwide for their high nutritional and medicinal value. Due to frequent hybridizations among species and cultivars, the exact number of natural species and the taxonomic relationships within this genus are unclear. To compare the differences between the Citrus chloroplast genomes and to develop useful genetic markers, we used a reference-assisted approach to assemble the complete chloroplast genome of Omani lime (C.

Molecular evolution of the actin-like MreB protein gene family in wall-less bacteria.

The mreB gene family encodes actin-like proteins that determine cell shape by directing cell wall synthesis and often exists in one to three copies in the genomes of non-spherical bacteria. Intriguingly, while most wall-less bacteria do not have this gene, five to seven mreB homologs are found in Spiroplasma and Haloplasma, which are both characterized by cell contractility. To investigate the molecular evolution of this gene family in wall-less bacteria, we sampled the available genome sequences from these two genera and other related lineages for comparative analysis.

ACAT inhibitory activity of exudates from Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana.

Cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is an enzyme controlling cholesterol esterification in cells. Large amounts of cholesterol esters accumulate in macrophages and smooth muscle cells of blood vessel walls resulting in the initial stages of atherosclerosis. Thus, atherosclerosis might be inhibited through inhibition of the activity of ACAT.

Lucidone from Lindera erythrocarpa Makino fruits suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and attenuates obesity and consequent metabolic disorders in high-fat diet C57BL/6 mice.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of development of numerous diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of lucidone in vitro on gene expression during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in vivo on high-fat diet induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice. Lucidone at 40 μmol/L suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells by reducing transcription levels of adipogenic genes, including PPARγ, C/EBPα, LXR-α, LPL, aP2, GLUT4 and adiponectin.

A sensitive LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS method reveals novel phytosiderophores and phytosiderophore-iron complexes in barley.

The direct analysis of phytosiderophores (PSs) and their metal complexes in plants is critical to understanding the biological functions of different PSs. Here we report on a rapid and highly sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) method for the direct and simultaneous determination of free PSs and their ferric complexes in plants. In addition to previously reported PSs--deoxymugineic acid (DMA), mugineic acid (MA) and epihydroxymugineic acid (epi-HMA)--two more PSs, avenic acid (AVA) and hydroxyavenic acid (HAVA), were identified by this method in roots of Hordeum vulgare cv Himalaya and in root exudates under iron (Fe) deficiency.

Arabidopsis thaliana CENTRORADIALIS homologue (ATC) acts systemically to inhibit floral initiation in Arabidopsis.

Floral initiation is orchestrated by systemic floral activators and inhibitors. This remote-control system may integrate environmental cues to modulate floral initiation. Recently, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) was found to be a florigen.

Long-distance movement of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS T RNA participates in systemic floral regulation.

The finding of mRNA acting as a systemic information molecule is one of the most exciting discoveries in recent plant biology. However, evidence demonstrating the functional significance of non-cell autonomous RNA remains limited. Recent analyses of Arabidopsis and rice revealed FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) protein as a systemic florigenic signal.

ZINC TOLERANCE INDUCED BY IRON 1 reveals the importance of glutathione in the cross-homeostasis between zinc and iron in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for plants, but it is toxic in excess concentrations. In Arabidopsis, additional iron (Fe) can increase Zn tolerance. We isolated a mutant, zinc tolerance induced by iron 1, designated zir1, with a defect in Fe-mediated Zn tolerance.

Differential expression and regulation of iron-regulated metal transporters in Arabidopsis halleri and Arabidopsis thaliana--the role in zinc tolerance.

To avoid zinc (Zn) toxicity, plants have developed a Zn homeostasis mechanism to cope with Zn excess in the surrounding soil. In this report, we uncovered the difference of a cross-homeostasis system between iron (Fe) and Zn in dealing with Zn excess in the Zn hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri ssp. gemmifera and nonhyperaccumulator Arabidopsis thaliana.

Progranulin A-mediated MET signaling is essential for liver morphogenesis in zebrafish.

The mechanism that regulates embryonic liver morphogenesis remains elusive. Progranulin (PGRN) is postulated to play a critical role in regulating pathological liver growth. Nevertheless, the exact regulatory mechanism of PGRN in relation to its functional role in embryonic liver development remains to be elucidated.

Mining small RNA sequencing data: a new approach to identify small nucleolar RNAs in Arabidopsis.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that direct 2'-O-methylation or pseudouridylation on ribosomal RNAs or spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs. These modifications are needed to modulate the activity of ribosomes and spliceosomes. A comprehensive repertoire of snoRNAs is needed to expand the knowledge of these modifications.