Article
Biology
Per G. P. Ericson, Martin Irestedt, Dario Zuccon, Petter Larsson, Jean-Luc Tison, Steven D. Emslie, Anders Gotherstrom, Julian P. Hume, Lars Werdelin, Yanhua Qu
Summary: The study sequenced the genome of a 14,000 year old Coragyps occidentalis and found that it is not the ancestor of the extant Black Vulture, but is deeply nested within the South American clade of atratus. Fossil records indicate that occidentalis mostly occupied high elevations, and the study suggests that it evolved from a population of atratus in the southwestern region of South America around 300 to 400 thousand years ago. The morphological differences between occidentalis and atratus can be explained by ecological diversification in the new high elevation environment.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marwa Neyaz, Sumanjari Das, Daniel Cook, Rebecca Creamer
Summary: Swainsonine is a cytotoxic alkaloid produced by fungi, and its biosynthesis depends on the SWN gene cluster. The presence and conservation of swainsonine genes vary among different orders of fungi, suggesting a complex evolutionary history of the SWN cluster in fungi.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Theo Tricou, Eric Tannier, Damien M. de Vienne
Summary: In evolutionary research, the presence of ghost lineages, which are extinct, unknown, or unsampled lineages, can significantly impact the detection of gene flow and identification of species. Simulation data shows that ignoring ghost lineages can lead to misidentification of donors and recipients, particularly when using distant outgroups.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dongya Wu, Yiyu Hu, Shota Akashi, Hideaki Nojiri, Longbiao Guo, Chu-Yu Ye, Qian-Hao Zhu, Kazunori Okada, Longjiang Fan
Summary: In this study, the origin and evolution of Momilactone A biosynthetic gene clusters (MABGCs) in grass species were investigated. It was found that MABGCs originated from a MABGC-like cluster in Triticeae (BOP clade) through lateral gene transfer (LGT) and subsequent gene recruitment in the PACMAD clade of the grass lineage. The study also revealed the functional innovation of MABGCs in response to pathogen infection and allelopathy in rice and barnyardgrass.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Aleksandra Jaszczynska, Andrzej Falniowski, Simona Prevorcnik, Artur Osikowski, Sebastian Hofman
Summary: The Western Balkans is home to the richest subterranean aquatic gastropod fauna in the world. In this study, the genetic diversity of Belgrandiella populations from caves, springs, and interstitial aquifers was assessed using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, histone 3, and RAPD analysis. The results suggest that these snails form a metapopulation with low gene flow between populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiang Li, Peng Wu, Lijiao Li, Huiyu Feng, Wenying Tu, Zhijie Bao, Chuan Xiong, Mingying Gui, Wenli Huang
Summary: The present study assembled and compared eleven novel complete mitogenomes of Boletus, revealing differences in gene arrangement and evolution rates among Boletus species. The study also found a close relationship between Boletus species and Paxillus in the phylogenetic tree of 72 Agaricomycetes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prateek Dey, Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Indrani Sarkar, Swapna Devi Ray, Padmanabhan Pramod, Venkata Hanumat Sastry Kochiganti, Goldin Quadros, Saurabh Singh Rathore, Vikram Singh, Ram Pratap Singh
Summary: Psittacula cyanocephala, an endemic parakeet from the Indian sub-continent, was studied in terms of its mitochondrial genome to understand its evolutionary relationship with other Psittacula species. The study results suggest the paraphyletic nature of the Psittacula genus, indicating the need for taxonomic reconsideration. The findings also offer a scientific basis for developing forensic tests to control the illegal trade of Psittacula species.
Article
Microbiology
Perng-Kuang Chang, Leslie L. L. Scharfenstein, Noreen Mahoney, Qing Kong
Summary: In this study, it was found that almost all section Flavi aspergilli, except for A. avenaceus, had complete KA gene clusters. Additionally, the partial KA gene cluster was found in the Penicillium species, P. nordicum. Phylogenetic analysis based on KA gene cluster sequences revealed different evolutionary branches within section Flavi aspergilli. The transcriptional regulator KojR was shown to activate the kojA and kojT genes in Aspergillus flavus, and a critical binding motif for KojR in the kojA promoter region was identified.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuko Murayama, Haruhiko Ehara, Mari Aoki, Mie Goto, Takeshi Yokoyama, Shun-ichi Sekine
Summary: Transcription termination is an essential step in gene regulation, and is mediated by the RNA translocase/helicase Rho in bacteria. The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Thermus thermophilus RNA polymerase elongation complex (EC) bound to Rho reveals the binding sites and interactions between Rho and RNA polymerase. The study also suggests a general basis for gene regulation, as the Rho binding site overlaps with other macromolecule binding sites.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chi Zhang, Kun Zhang, Ying Peng, Jianshe Zhou, Yifan Liu, Bingjian Liu
Summary: The complete mitochondrial genomes of three Garra species were studied, along with the mechanisms of rearrangements that occur in their genomes. It was found that these species had rearranged mitochondrial genomes compared to other fish, possibly through a process of replication and loss. These findings provide a foundation for future phylogenetic studies.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiawei Zhou, Shuo Zhang, Jie Wang, Hongmei Shen, Bin Ai, Wei Gao, Cuijun Zhang, Qili Fei, Daojun Yuan, Zhiqiang Wu, Luke R. Tembrock, Sen Li, Cuihua Gu, Xuezhu Liao
Summary: The study focused on the comprehensive analysis of chloroplast genomes in the Populus genus to understand chloroplast evolution in a widely studied lineage of angiosperms. Comparative analyses in Populus revealed variations in key genome features such as genome size, gene number, gene content, repeat type and number, and SSR abundance, providing insights into evolutionary patterns. Additionally, the study highlighted the utility of complete chloroplast genomes for phylogenetic analyses and the importance of population-level variations in pan-chloroplast genomes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Antony T. Vincent, Steve J. Charette
Summary: Aeromonas salmonicida, a bacterial species known as a feared pathogen in fish farming, is not exclusively aquatic. It includes psychrophilic and mesophilic strains, and the study of its dual lifestyle is becoming increasingly important and relevant for speciation research.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Cheng, Junxiang Chen, Lijuan Zhao
Summary: Our study sequenced the whole genome of Marssonina coronaria strain NL1, revealing its close relationship with Marssonina rosae and Marssonina brunnea. Comparison of the three genomes identified species-specific carbohydrate-active enzymes and secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Additionally, we found genes encoding small secreted proteins that may play a role in the adaptation of Marssonina spp. to different hosts.
Article
Forestry
Bartosz Labiszak, Witold Wachowiak
Summary: This study investigates the role of hybridization and introgression in the evolutionary history of closely related pine taxa. The results indicate the significant impact of interspecific gene flow in the divergence of species and reveal asymmetrical migration patterns between different pine species. The study provides insights into the role of reticulation evolution in maintaining species integrity in forest trees.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter O. Mulhair, Liam Crowley, Douglas H. Boyes, Amber Harper, Owen T. Lewis, Peter W. H. Holland
Summary: Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that play essential roles in the patterning and cell fate of developing animal embryos. Most Lepidoptera species have around 100 homeobox loci, including a unique Hox gene cluster. The Shx genes are generally conserved, but some moth lineages have undergone dramatic duplication in the Hox gene cluster.
Article
Entomology
Michele Carmo-Sousa, Rafael Brandao Garcia, Nelson Arno Wulff, Alberto Fereres, Marcelo Pedreira Miranda
Article
Plant Sciences
P. A. Silva, J. Huang, N. A. Wulff, Z. Zheng, R. Krugner, J. Chen
Summary: This study presents the draft whole-genome sequence of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' strain 9PA from a sweet orange tree in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, providing valuable genetic resources for research and control of HLB.
Article
Plant Sciences
Monica N. Alves, Silvio A. Lopes, Laudecir L. Raiol-Junior, Nelson A. Wulff, Eduardo A. Girardi, Patrick Ollitrault, Leandro Pena
Summary: Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most destructive and incurable disease of citrus, with no resistant citrus genotypes currently available. Some citrus relatives have been identified as fully resistant to HLB, but they are phylogenetically distant from citrus. By evaluating a diverse collection of graft-compatible Citrinae species, new potential sources of resistance to HLB were identified, including Eremocitrus glauca and Papua/New Guinea Microcitrus species.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Berta Alquezar, Haroldo Xavier Linhares Volpe, Rodrigo Facchini Magnani, Marcelo Pedreira de Miranda, Mateus Almeida Santos, Viviani Vieira Marques, Marcia Rodrigues de Almeida, Nelson Arno Wulff, Hieng-Ming Ting, Michel de Vries, Robert Schuurink, Harro Bouwmeester, Leandro Pena
Summary: Huanglongbing is a destructive disease endangering the citrus industry globally, with no effective control methods currently available. Genetically modified sweet orange lines emitting a sesquiterpene repellent to the main HLB psyllid vector show promising results in repelling the insect and providing a new approach for possible HLB control in the field.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pierre Nottelet, Laure Bataille, Geraldine Gourgues, Robin Anger, Carole Lartigue, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet, Esther Marza, Remi Fronzes, Yonathan Arfi
Summary: MIB and MIP are surface proteins in mycoplasmas that sequentially capture antibodies and cleave off their V-H domains. Through a mechanism called the "hug of death", these proteins twist the orientation of the V-L and V-H domains to disrupt the antigen binding site and promote the dissociation of the antibody-antigen complex, helping mycoplasmas evade immune responses.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Flavia Moura Manoel Bento, Josiane Cecilia Darolt, Bruna Lais Merlin, Leandro Pena, Nelson Arno Wulff, Fernando Luis Consoli
Summary: This study investigated the molecular interplay between the psyllid vector and CLas in the gut, revealing how CLas modulates the vector's immune response, gut peristalsis, and brain-gut communication circuitry, as well as its colonization through gene expression. These findings provide potential targets for the development of new management strategies aimed at interfering with the successful utilization of the psyllid vector by CLas.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Candida de Godoy Gasparoto, Isabela Vescove Primiano, Renato B. Bassanezi, Silvia Afonseca Lourenco, Luiz H. Montesino, Nelson Arno Wulff, Elaine Cristina Martins, Armando Bergamin Filho, Lilian Amorim
Summary: This study aimed to compare the transmission of Huanglongbing (HLB) by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) when both 'Candidatus Liberibacter americanus' (CLam) and 'Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) are present. The results showed a higher detection rate of CLas compared to CLam in both ACP and leaf samples, indicating a clear prevalence of CLas over CLam.
Article
Microbiology
Josiane Cecilia Darolt, Flavia de Moura Manoel Bento, Bruna Lais Merlin, Leandro Pena, Fernando Luis Consoli, Nelson Arno Wulff
Summary: The study investigated the molecular interactions of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) with the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, during the vector acquisition process. Results demonstrated active metabolism and increased gene expression in Las genome within the psyllid gut, with genes involved in energy production, amino acid metabolism, and other functions being highly expressed. The research provides insight into the initial steps of Las gut colonization in D. citri, showing that 95% of Las genes were active during this process.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Pedro S. Berbert, Pabline M. Vieira, Glaucia B. Cabral, Elaine C. Martins, Nelson A. Wulff, Cirano J. Ulhoa, Francisco J. L. Aragao
Summary: Diseases caused by bacteria pose significant challenges to crop production. This study investigates the potential of utilizing the ThSMase gene from Trichoderma harzianum to create disease-resistant plants. The results show that transgenic tobacco plants expressing ThSMase exhibit resistance to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci and tolerance to Xylella fastidiosa, suggesting the potential of ThSMase in biotechnological processes such as molecular breeding.
Review
Microbiology
Yonathan Arfi, Carole Lartigue, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet, Alain Blanchard
Summary: Mycoplasmas are small, genome-reduced bacteria with the ability to colonize a wide range of host species. They can exist as commensal microbiota or cause pathogenic inflammatory diseases. These bacteria have evolved strategies to evade the host's immune response, including the expression of immunoglobulin-binding proteins to prevent antibody-antigen interaction. Understanding these immune evasion mechanisms is crucial for studying mycoplasma diseases and improving vaccine efficacy.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Thomas Ipoutcha, Geraldine Gourgues, Carole Lartigue, Alain Blanchard, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet
Summary: Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mgal) is a common poultry pathogen that spread to North American house finches after a host shift in 1994. The molecular determinants of Mgal virulence and host specificity are not well understood due to the lack of efficient methods for functional genomics. This study successfully used a recombination system derived from Bacillus subtilis for gene inactivation and targeted replacement in Mgal, providing the first genetic tool for targeted genome engineering of Mgal.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thomas Ipoutcha, Fabien Rideau, Geraldine Gourgues, Yonathan Arfi, Carole Lartigue, Alain Blanchard, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet
Summary: This study successfully adapted a CRISPR-derived base editor for three major pathogenic Mycoplasma species, allowing precise targeted editing of several virulence factors with high efficiency. This efficient and easy-to-use genetic tool will greatly facilitate functional studies of these economically important bacteria.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Monica N. Alves, Laudecir L. Raiol-Junior, Eduardo A. Girardi, Maeva Miranda, Nelson A. Wulff, Everton Carvalho, Silvio A. Lopes, Jesus A. Ferro, Patrick Ollitrault, Leandro Pena
Summary: Huanglongbing (HLB), the most destructive citrus disease, is associated with the Candidatus Liberibacter species Ca. L. asiaticus (Las). In this study, it was found that certain Oceanian citrus genotypes and hybrids showed full resistance to Las, with their leaves remaining Las-free even when the susceptible rootstock was infected. However, Las was detected in the stem bark above the graft union. Further experiments confirmed that the insects feeding on the Oceanian citrus plants and their canopies, new flushes, and leaves from rooted cuttings remained negative for Las, and their budwood pieces were unable to infect sweet orange through grafting.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joao Guilherme de Moraes Pontes, Hellen Bertoletti Barbieri, Alana Kelyene Pereira, Marina Ferreira Maximo, Aline Midori Kanashiro, Nelson Arno Wulff, Taicia Pacheco Fill
Summary: Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating citrus disease that causes significant economic damage and reduces the quality of oranges and juice. The bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter spp. is the likely cause of the disease, but no cure has been found. Current management strategies include using healthy nursery trees, controlling the psyllid vector, and eradicating symptomatic trees. Prolonged use of antibiotics, while effective, may have negative impacts on human health and the environment.
REVISTA VIRTUAL DE QUIMICA
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Jennifer Guiraud, Chloe Le Roy, Fabien Rideau, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet, Carole Lartigue, Cecile Bebear, Yonathan Arfi, Sabine Pereyre
Summary: This study improved the genetic tools for Mycoplasma hominis by increasing the transformation efficiency and generating transposon mutagenesis mutant libraries. The transposon insertion led to changes in the affected coding sequences, such as the loss of the immunoglobulin cleavage ability. These findings provide new methods for studying the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma hominis.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
