Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lena Keller, Emilia Oueis, Amninder Kaur, Nasim Safaei, Susanne H. Kirsch, Antonia P. Gunesch, Sibylle Haid, Ulfert Rand, Luka Cicin-Sain, Chengzhang Fu, Joachim Wink, Thomas Pietschmann, Rolf Mueller
Summary: A new strain of actinobacteria, Kibdelosporangium persicum sp. nov., collected from a hot desert in Iran, yielded a novel family of sesquarterpenoids (persicamidines A-E) with remarkable antiviral activity. Extensive NMR analysis revealed a hexacyclic terpenoid molecule with a modified sugar moiety on one side and a unique isourea moiety fused to the terpenoid structure. Persicamidines A-E exhibited potent activity against hCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the nanomolar range, along with excellent selectivity indices, showing promise as potential drug candidates.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sylvia Soldatou, Grimur Hjorleifsson Eldjarn, Andrew Ramsay, Justin J. J. van der Hooft, Alison H. Hughes, Simon Rogers, Katherine R. Duncan
Summary: In this study, molecular networking of metabolite extracts from 25 Polar bacterial strains using the OSMAC approach revealed growth media specificity and potential chemical novelty. The metabolite extracts showed antibacterial activity and selective bioactivity against drug-persistent pathogens. The integration of genome sequencing data and metabolomics experiments with the computational approach NPLinker prioritized strains for further investigation based on biosynthetic and chemical information, potentially accelerating the discovery of new specialized metabolites.
Review
Fisheries
Ravindran Namitha, Raguraman Vasantharaja, Manickam Radhakrishnan, Kasivelu Govindaraju
Summary: Shrimp products are the most valuable seafood commodity, but White Spot disease caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) leads to significant economic damage in the global shrimp aquaculture industry. The lack of effective treatment for WSSV infection puts shrimp farmers in trouble and increases expenditure for the aquaculture systems.
AQUACULTURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yimtar L. Pongen, Durairaj Thirumurugan, Ramasamy Ramasubburayan, Santhiyagu Prakash
Summary: Actinobacteria, gram-positive bacteria with a high G:C ratio, have been extensively studied for their production of bioactive substances beneficial for human health and their ability to thrive in extreme environments. Recent research indicates that actinobacteria play a crucial role in cancer prevention and treatment through the synthesis of anticancer compounds. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the connection between actinobacteria and different types of cancer, highlighting the diverse range of actinobacterial bioactive compounds with anticancer properties, their mechanisms of action, and potential applications in cancer treatment. Additionally, the review explores the impact of the microbiome on cancer development and discusses the potential benefits of actinobacteria in controlling the microbiome and regulating the tumor microenvironment for cancer cure or prevention.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ixchel Campos-Avelar, Alexandre Colas de la Noue, Noel Durand, Guillaume Cazals, Veronique Martinez, Caroline Strub, Angelique Fontana, Sabine Schorr-Galindo
Summary: The study found that Streptomyces can effectively inhibit Aspergillus flavus growth and decrease aflatoxin production, with most isolates capable of degrading Aflatoxin B-1 in both solid and liquid cultures. Bacterial cells and cell-free extracts showed varying effectiveness in degradation and detoxification of the mycotoxin.
Review
Microbiology
Tanim Arpit Singh, Ajit Kumar Passari, Anjana Jajoo, Sheetal Bhasin, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Abeer Hashem, Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi, Elsayed Fathi Abd-Allah
Summary: Advancements in genome sequencing, metabolomics, and bioinformatics have provided a plethora of information about actinobacterial physiology and genetic regulation, enhancing our understanding of their ability to synthesize bioactive molecules. Developments in genomic approaches have opened new opportunities to discover and manipulate novel antibiotic gene clusters.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yung-Shun Su, Ming-Der Wu, Jih-Jung Chen, Ming-Jen Cheng, Yueh-Hsiung Kuo, Chee-Yin Chai, Aij-Lie Kwan
Summary: Phytochemical investigation of a new actinobacteria strain Amycolatopsis taiwanensis led to the discovery of nine new compounds and one new natural product. Some isolates showed potent anti-NO production activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, with compounds 3, 5, 7, and 8 being the most effective.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yung-Shun Su, Jih-Jung Chen, Ming-Jen Cheng, Chee-Yin Chai, Aij-Lie Kwan, Jheng-Cian Huang, Yueh-Hsiung Kuo
Summary: Phytochemical investigation of extracts from the actinobacteria strain Saccharomonospora piscinae led to the isolation of three new compounds and three new natural products. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis. One of the new compounds, Saccharpiscinol A, showed inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nashwa Hagagy, Hamada AbdElgawad
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of plant growth-promoting Actinobacteria (PGPB) in improving physiological and molecular parameters of rapeseed plants under ambient and elevated CO2 conditions. The results showed that PGPB treatment combined with elevated CO2 levels resulted in increased photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis rate, biomass production, and antioxidant capacity, as well as improved nitrogen- and sulfur-containing metabolites. The interaction effects of PGPB and elevated CO2 are expected to enhance plant biomass and adaptability to future climate changes.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Shaowei Liu, Ting Wang, Qinpei Lu, Feina Li, Gang Wu, Zhongke Jiang, Xugela Habden, Lin Liu, Xiaolin Zhang, Dmitry A. Lukianov, Ilya A. Osterman, Petr V. Sergiev, Olga A. Dontsova, Chenghang Sun
Summary: This study explored the diversity and pharmacological potential of cultivable actinomycetes from soil samples in Taklamakan desert, revealing a significant level of actinobacterial diversity with new strains showing antibacterial activities and novel mechanisms. The findings suggest that the desert is a promising reservoir for discovery of unique actinobacteria and diverse bioactive compounds.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Weiyi She, Wenkang Ye, Aifang Cheng, Xin Liu, Jianwei Tang, Yi Lan, Feng Chen, Pei-Yuan Qian
Summary: Novel albofungin derivatives discovered from Streptomyces chrestomyceticus exhibit potent activities against pathogens and cancer cells, making them potential candidates for the development of antibiotics and antitumor drugs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Juliana Hiromi Emin Uesugi, Daniel dos Santos Caldas, Brunna Beatrys Farias Coelho, Maria Clara Coelho Prazes, Lucas Yukio Emin Omura, Jose Alyson Rocha Pismel, Nilson Veloso Bezerra
Summary: This study successfully isolated and characterized actinobacteria from industrial composting soil of oil palm in Brazil. The compost actinobacteria exhibited great diversity in morphology and metabolic production, which could be associated with the substrate and cultivation conditions.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Youdan Zhang, Xiaochen Zhang, Jieming Zhang, Shaukat Ali, Jianhui Wu
Summary: This study reveals significant differences in secondary metabolite profiles between an entomopathogenic fungus isolated from the wild and those exposed to spaceflight conditions. The findings support the use of space mutation as a tool for developing fungal strains with increased toxicity/virulence against target insect hosts.
Review
Plant Sciences
Lachlan Dow, Marta Gallart, Margaret Ramarajan, Simon R. Law, Louise F. Thatcher
Summary: In the search for new crop protection microbial biocontrol agents, isolates from the genus Streptomyces are commonly found. Streptomyces are natural soil dwellers and have evolved as plant symbionts producing specialized metabolites with antibiotic and antifungal activities. The investigation of factors stimulating the production and release of Streptomyces bioactive compounds is commonly conducted in vitro, but recent research is starting to shed light on their behavior in planta, under different conditions. This review focuses on the methods by which Streptomyces biocontrol agents employ specialized metabolites as a defense against plant pathogens, the signals shared in the tripartite system, and new approaches for identification and understanding of these metabolites.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hazem S. Elshafie, Ippolito Camele
Summary: This study isolated Actinomycetes strains from the rhizosphere zone of four different plant species and evaluated their growth-promoting activity and disease control ability on tomato plants. The results showed that these Actinomycetes strains had bioactive metabolites, antimicrobial activity, and ability to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, indicating their potential application as fungal-biocontrol agents.
Article
Virology
Kok Keng Tee, Po Qhuan Chan, Alson Mun-Khin Loh, Sarbhan Singh, Chee How Teo, Thevambiga Iyadorai, Jack Bee Chook, Kim Tien Ng, Yutaka Takebe, Kok Gan Chan, I-Ching Sam, Kenny Voon
Summary: Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV), a bat-borne virus, is associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in humans. Among 632 urban outpatients, 2.2% tested positive for PRV. Symptoms included cough, sore throat, and muscle ache, with minimal fever. Genetic analysis revealed the continuous evolution of PRV through reassortment among human, bat, and non-human primate hosts, emphasizing the importance of monitoring its prevalence and diversity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aurora Garcia-Berro, Venkat Talla, Roger Vila, Hong Kar Wai, Daria Shipilina, Kok Gan Chan, Naomi E. Pierce, Niclas Backstrom, Gerard Talavera
Summary: This study investigates the heterozygosity and population size dynamics of migratory insects using genomic data. The findings show that migratory species have higher levels of genome-wide heterozygosity than nonmigratory species. The study also reveals that migratory Lepidoptera maintain overall genetic diversity and demographic stability despite the risks associated with migration and local environmental fluctuations.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ajaree Rayanakorn, Wasan Katip, Zanfina Ademi, Kok-Gan Chan
Summary: This study aims to estimate the direct medical costs associated with S.suis treatment in Thailand and identify key drivers affecting high treatment costs. The study found that infective endocarditis, Glasgow Coma Scale, length of stay, and bicarbonate level were significant predictors associated with high total treatment costs. Therefore, early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial in alleviating long-term complications and high healthcare expenditures.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bingpeng Lin, Hooi Leng Ser, Lijing Wang, Jiang Li, Kok-Gan Chan, Learn-Han Lee, Loh Teng-Hern Tan
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of MMP12 in various oral diseases, including periodontitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, orthodontic tooth movement, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Studies have shown the association of MMP12 expression with the pathogenesis of these oral diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Dinyadarshini Johnson, Vengadesh Letchumanan, Chern Choong Thum, Sivakumar Thurairajasingam, Learn-Han Lee
Summary: Probiotics have the potential to improve human health and are a lucrative industry. They may be a customizable treatment for depression, offering a precision psychiatry-based approach. The use of probiotics for depression is supported by the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanisms. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains are the most widely studied and commercially available probiotics for major depressive disorder (MDD).
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kooi Yeong Khaw, Michael R. R. Whittaker, Sanjaya Kuruppu, Kok Gan Chan, Siew Hua Gan, Bey Hing Goh
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tao Shang, Chee Mun Fang, Chin Eng Ong, Yan Pan
Summary: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play crucial roles in metabolising both endogenous and exogenous substances. This review paper discusses various factors that contribute to the expression levels of human CYP proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterial systems, including N-terminal modifications, co-expression with chaperons, vector and E. coli strain selection, culture and expression conditions, membrane preparations, protein solubilizations, protein purifications, and reconstitution of catalytic systems. The paper identifies common factors that lead to high CYP expression and emphasizes the need for careful evaluation for individual CYP isoforms. Recombinant E. coli systems are proven to be useful tools for obtaining optimal levels of human CYP proteins, enabling further structural and functional characterizations.
Article
Entomology
Hoi-Sen Yong, Sze-Looi Song, Kah-Ooi Chua, Yvonne Jing Mei Liew, I. Wayan Suana, Phaik-Eem Lim, Kok-Gan Chan, Praphathip Eamsobhana
Summary: The mitochondrial genomes of three fruit fly species from the Zeugodacus genus show similarities in gene order and structure, but differences in certain gene features and taxonomic status. More sampling of different taxonomic units is needed to clarify their classification.
ARTHROPOD SYSTEMATICS & PHYLOGENY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nasreddine El Omari, Saad Bakrim, Asaad Khalid, Mohammed Albratty, Ashraf N. Abdalla, Learn-Han Lee, Khang Wen Goh, Long Chiau Ming, Abdelhakim Bouyahya
Summary: Cancer progression is influenced by epigenetic events, with histone modification playing a key role in gene expression. Belinostat, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, has shown effectiveness in the treatment of T-cell lymphoma and solid malignancies. By indirectly promoting acetylated histone accumulation and restoring normal gene expressions, belinostat exhibits potential anti-cancer therapeutic effects through various pathways. Additionally, it has been found to increase p21WAF1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Investigative trials have supported belinostat's potential as a valuable anti-cancer drug.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Wei-Shan Ang, Jodi Woan-Fei Law, Vengadesh Letchumanan, Kar Wai Hong, Sunny Hei Wong, Nurul Syakima Ab Mutalib, Kok-Gan Chan, Learn-Han Lee, Loh Teng-Hern Tan
Summary: A new probiotic, Christensenella minuta, was discovered in 2012 from healthy human stool. It is a subdominant commensal bacterium with highly heritable properties and has mutual interactions with other heritable microbiomes. Its relative abundance is positively correlated with the lean host phenotype. Various studies have shown its potential in managing metabolic diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hui-Shee Tan, Pan Yan, Hollysia Alda Agustie, Hwei-San Loh, Nabin Rayamajhi, Chee-Mun Fang
Summary: This study investigated 59 Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from poultry fecal samples in Malaysia's commercial poultry farm, focusing on their resistance profile, phenotypic ESBL production, beta-lactamase genes, virulence factors, and plasmid replicon types. The study found that bla(TEM) and bla(CMY-2 group) were the most prevalent genes in Escherichia coli isolates, while bla(SHV), bla(DHA), and bla(TEM) were most commonly detected in Klebsiella spp. Resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporin was primarily mediated by plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase. The presence of plasmids in Enterobacteriaceae highlights their potential dissemination and the poultry as a reservoir of resistance and virulence determinants.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Samiah Hamad Al-Mijalli, Naoufal El Hachlafi, Emad M. Abdallah, Mohamed Jeddi, Hamza Assaggaf, Ahmed Qasem, Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasser, Ammar Attar, Mommen Adnan Naem, Learn-Han Lee, Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Hanae Naceiri Mrabti
Summary: In this study, the chemical constituents and antibacterial mechanism of action of Syzygium aromaticum essential oils extracted from leaves (CEOL) and floral buds (CEOB) were investigated. The results showed that eugenol was the major component in both CEOL and CEOB. The essential oils exhibited potent antibacterial activity against various bacteria, with low minimum inhibitory concentrations and bactericidal nature. They also affected the cell membrane permeability and cell integrity, leading to disruption of bacterial growth and viability. Additionally, CEOB showed stronger antimicrobial effects and anti-biofilm activity, suggesting its potential use as a natural alternative in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ying Cui, Kai Song, Zi-Jing Jin, Learn-Han Lee, Chitti Thawai, Ya-Wen He
Summary: This study found that minimum medium favored the synthesis of biocontrol strain Pseudomonas PA1201's antimicrobial secondary metabolite, pyoluteorin (Plt). Fructose, mannitol, and glycerol promoted Plt biosynthesis, with fructose being the most effective carbon source. Fructose acted through activation of the pltLABCDEFG (pltL) operon, while glucose or succinic acid antagonized fructose-dependent synthesis of Plt.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
