Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zheng Zhang, Penghui He, Dongbo Cai, Shouwen Chen
Summary: This review focuses on the genetic and metabolic engineering of microorganisms for gamma-PGA production, including strategies to enhance raw materials utilization, precursor supply, gamma-PGA synthetase gene cluster, transcription regulation, cofactor regeneration, energy engineering, and blocking synthetic pathways of by-products. The expression of gamma-PGA synthetase, glutamate racemase, and gamma-PGA hydrolase were manipulated to obtain gamma-PGA with different configurations and molecular weights. The review also discusses the metabolic engineering of other hosts for high-level production of gamma-PGA.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Reza Sohrabi, Bradley C. Paasch, Julian A. Liber, Sheng Yang He
Summary: The aboveground parts of terrestrial plants are inhabited by a variety of microbes, collectively known as the phyllosphere microbiota. Research on individual phyllosphere microbes has provided foundational knowledge about their adaptation to the phyllosphere environment and their role in biological control against pathogens. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of the phyllosphere microbiota across plant taxa and how plants regulate and respond to it, providing insights into improving agriculturally relevant traits of crop plants through plant and microbiota-based technologies.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Mousami Poudel, Rodrigo Mendes, Lilian A. S. Costa, C. Guillermo Bueno, Yiming Meng, Svetlana Y. Folimonova, Karen A. Garrett, Samuel J. Martins
Summary: Plant-associated microorganisms can enhance plant resistance to drought through various mechanisms, including osmotic adjustment, antioxidant enzyme enhancement, and modification in phytohormonal levels. Microbial volatile organic compounds and induction of stress-responsive genes also play crucial roles in acquiring drought tolerance.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernanda Salvato, Simina Vintila, Omri M. Finkel, Jeffery L. Dangl, Manuel Kleiner
Summary: Metaproteomics is a powerful tool for studying microbial communities, including plant-associated microbiota. This study optimized and evaluated protein extraction methods for metaproteomics of plant-associated microbiota in Arabidopsis and maize. The researchers identified two extraction methods that yield the highest number of identified microbial proteins in each plant species, providing valuable reference for future optimization in other plants.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Pankaj Trivedi, Chakradhar Mattupalli, Kellye Eversole, Jan E. Leach
Summary: Harnessing plant-associated microbiomes is a crucial strategy for sustainable agricultural production, but challenges remain in commercialization of microbial-based products. Translating microbiome knowledge into real-world applications will require interdisciplinary research and training the next generation of scientists.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
X. Ma, R. Yang, P. Wang, S. Liu, H. Xu, Z. Ye, B. Chi
Summary: A facile strategy based on dynamic chemistry was presented to prepare injectable hydrogels using hyaluronic acid and poly(gamma-glutamic acid), enabling efficient stem cell delivery. The hydrogels showed stable structure, rapid self-healing ability, and injectability with dual dynamic networks. Remarkably, the hydrogels promoted stem cell viability, proliferation, and cartilage regeneration in preclinical models.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexandra D. Gates, Austin M. French, Alexander A. Demetros, Brittni R. Kelley, Sarah L. Lebeis
Summary: This study investigates the influence of Streptomyces strains on the assembly of root microbiomes and reveals that they can significantly affect the abundance of other bacteria. The study also uncovers the mechanisms through which Streptomyces strains influence the colonization and growth of Agrobacterium and Burkholderia strains.
PHYTOBIOMES JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xue-Bin Ma, Rong Yang, Kanaparedu P. C. Sekhar, Bo Chi
Summary: Injectable hydrogels with step-by-step tunable crosslinking degree were prepared using a dual crosslinking strategy in this study, showing good biocompatibility and mechanical properties. These hydrogels have great potential in soft tissue engineering.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Izabela Szpregiel, Danuta Wronska, Michal Kmiecik, Sylwia Palka, Bogdan F. Kania
Summary: Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from glutamic acid (Glu), a key balance between neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The study aimed to investigate the effects of stress and Glu on the GAD concentrations in rabbit brain structures, revealing varying levels of the enzyme under different conditions, particularly in response to stress. The study highlighted the potential impact of glutamate receptor activity on GAD concentrations and suggested the importance of further research on the Glu-GAD-GABA system in stress and homeostasis modulation.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaoyu Wei, Zhen Chen, Ailing Liu, Lijie Yang, Yiyuan Xu, Mingfeng Cao, Ning He
Summary: Extracellular polymeric substances are synthesized by bacteria through various biosynthetic pathways. Bacilli-sourced extracellular polymeric substances, such as EPS and ?-PGA, have important industrial applications but face limitations in low yields and high costs. Understanding the metabolic mechanisms is crucial for expanding the functions and increasing the yield of extracellular polymeric substances.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Giulia Semenzato, Teresa Faddetta, Sara Falsini, Sara Del Duca, Antonia Esposito, Anna Padula, Claudia Greco, Nadia Mucci, Marco Zaccaroni, Anna Maria Puglia, Alessio Papini, Renato Fani
Summary: Seed-associated microbiota are crucial for plant growth and fitness stimulation. The localization and composition of bacterial endophytic population in Origanum heracleoticum L. seeds were investigated, revealing high biodiversity at the strain level and the predominance of the genus Pseudomonas. These endophytes have the potential to influence plant secondary metabolites production and can be exploited in the pharmaceutical field.
Article
Polymer Science
Chi-Chang Lin, Jiun-Yan Chiu
Summary: The study demonstrates that the addition of appropriate amounts of γ-PGA and glycerol can significantly improve the thermal and mechanical properties of hydrogel materials without detrimental effects on chemical structure and cell response toxicity. These modified hydrogel materials show significant enhancement in biological properties compared to original gellan gum, providing a new direction for applications in soft tissue engineering.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Saira Bano, Xiaogang Wu, Xiaojun Zhang
Summary: Soil microbiomes are complex networks with crucial functions for ecosystems. Engineering rhizosphere microbiomes in agriculture is gaining attention, but diverse soil factors impact success. Understanding key factors and microbial responses can optimize microbiomes for increased crop productivity and sustainability.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dexin Wang, Xiaoping Fu, Dasen Zhou, Jiaqi Gao, Wenqin Bai
Summary: In this study, a novel gamma-PGA-producing strain Bacillus tequilensis BL01 was isolated, and genetic engineering strategies were implemented to improve gamma-PGA production. Compared with the wild type strain, the engineered strain showed a 2.17-fold and 1.32-fold increase in gamma-PGA production in flask and fermenter, respectively. Different molecular weights of gamma-PGA were successfully obtained, expanding its industrial applications.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sajad Ali, Anshika Tyagi, Muntazir Mushtaq, Henda Al-Mahmoudi, Hanhong Bae
Summary: Heavy metal toxicity, particularly arsenic (As), poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food safety. The use of plant microbiome in mitigating As toxicity shows great potential, as it can metabolize toxic elements and offer various benefits to host plants. Understanding plant-microbiome interactions and their molecular mechanisms in exhibiting resilience towards As toxicity is crucial for identifying effective microbial communities for As mitigation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Da-Ran Kim, Dae-Han Chae, Su Bin Kwon, Youn-Sig Kwak
Article
Agronomy
Heeil Do, Su-Hyeon Kim, Gyeongjun Cho, Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: This study revealed the composition and potential ecological characteristics of fungal communities in imported pollen, finding some potential plant pathogenic fungi, which is important for the direction of the pollen quarantine process and fungal biology in pollen.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Soil serves as a major reservoir for plant-associated microbes, with actinomycetes playing a crucial role in producing antibiotics that contribute to plant health. The study conducted a genome-wide analysis of antibiotic producing genes in Streptomyces globisporus SP6C4, revealing 15 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Three of these gene clusters were found to exhibit antifungal or antibacterial activity, showcasing the potential benefits of SP6C4 in agriculture.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Su-Hyeon Kim, Heeil Do, Gyeongjun Cho, Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Pollination plays a crucial role in plant reproduction, with insect pollination being the most common method. However, declining insect populations due to environmental factors have led to an increase in artificial pollination. This study examined the bacterial composition of artificial pollens in various fruits, identifying potential high-risk pathogens that could impact biosecurity in orchards.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Su-Hyeon Kim, Gyoengjun Cho, Su In Lee, Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: This study investigated the impact of fire blight disease caused by Erwinia amylovora on bacterial communities in the rhizosphere, endosphere, and episphere of apple trees, revealing that infected trees had lower species richness and diversity compared to healthy trees. While rhizospheric bacterial communities remained stable, those in the endosphere and episphere were significantly affected by E. amylovora infection. Differences in metabolic pathways, particularly sugar metabolites, were observed between infected and healthy trees, with sucrose metabolites identified as important for colonization of E. amylovora in host tissue.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Correction
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Gyeongjun Cho, Geun-Hye Gang, Hee-Young Jung, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: This study reveals the interaction of rhizosphere fungal community in Korean lady's slipper and identifies crucial mycorrhizal fungi that contribute to habitat expansion and cultivation of the endangered orchid species.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Da-Ran Kim, Su-Hyeon Kim, Su In Lee, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Soybean is an important source of protein and is widely used in agriculture, food, and industry. This study found that the microbial community of soybean differed between infected and non-infected plants. Pseudomonas spp. was found to increase in the population of infected soybean. Additionally, the endophyte Streptomyces bacillaris S8 was identified as a key microbe in healthy soybeans.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Plant microbiota has a significant impact on plant growth and physiology, but there is currently no technology to mechanically control the structure of plant microbiota. This review discusses the partnership between plants and microbes, from plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to microbiota structural modulation. Glutamic acid enriches specific taxa in the microbiota community and enhances microbial population density in the rhizosphere. Further research is needed to understand how plant microbiota clusters are controlled or modulated at the community level.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Su-Hyeon Kim, Da -Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: The plant microbiota is crucial for promoting plant health by facilitating various functions. This study investigated the microbial communities of kiwifruit across different cultivars and tissues at various developmental stages, and identified a key bacterium in one of the cultivars. These findings provide insights for maintaining kiwifruit health through analyzing its microbial community.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yejin Lee, Gyeongjun Cho, Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Fire blight disease is a devastating affliction in apple cultivation worldwide. Limited options for controlling the disease and treating fruit trees have necessitated large-scale surveys to develop microbial agents for apple trees. Our research identified core bacterial taxa consistently present in healthy apple trees and discovered that the endophyte communities in healthy trees have similar structures and metabolite pathway expression rates as those in diseased trees. These findings provide insights into the potential roles of endophytes and the development of strategies to enhance apple growth and resilience.
PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Yejin Lee, Gyeongjun Cho, Gyeong Seo Jo, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Green algae have been evaluated as highly effective biofertilizers, and specifically C. fusca CHK0059 has been reported to greatly improve crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of C. fusca CHK0059 treatment on strawberry phenotypes and microbiota communities. The results showed increased chlorophyll content in the C. fusca CHK0059 treated group, along with altered microbiota in the strawberry rhizosphere.
HORTICULTURE ENVIRONMENT AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gyeongjun Cho, Da-Ran Kim, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: Ginseng is a popular medicinal herb with various therapeutic effects, but slow growth due to soilborne pathogens has been a challenge for its cultivation. This study investigated root rot disease and the associated microbiota in a ginseng monoculture system. The results showed that an early collapse of the microbiota community can inhibit root rot disease, and nitrogen fixation is essential for the initial microbiota community structure. The findings suggest that specific management practices to maintain a healthy microbiome can be implemented to prevent and mitigate the disease.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Gyeongjun Cho, Youn-Sig Kwak
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity and characteristics of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae strains isolated from strawberry cultivation sites in Korea. The results showed that there are distinct groups of strains present, and some strains have lower sensitivity to chemical fungicides. Continuous monitoring and management of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, including the less chemically effective strains, is recommended.