Article
Soil Science
Pradeep Kumar Rai, Anuradha Rai, Naveen Kumar Sharma, Vinod Kumar Singh, Surendra Singh
Summary: The study shows that urbanization significantly impacts the diversity, abundance, and community composition of cyanobacteria along a rural-urban gradient. Rural soils have the highest diversity and abundance of uncultured cyanobacteria, followed by sub-urban and urban soils. Urban soils show a favored growth of specific taxa, indicating biotic homogenization.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Fabian Nies, Benjamin L. Springstein, Dustin M. Hanke, Tal Dagan
Summary: This study reveals the existence of natural competence genes in subsection V cyanobacteria and provides experimental evidence of natural competence in a specific species. This finding has significance in understanding the role of DNA acquisition in the genome evolution of cyanobacteria.
Article
Plant Sciences
Laura Brenes-Guillen, Daniela Vidaurre-Barahona, Saylen Morales, Marielos Mora-Lopez, Ana Sittenfeld, Lorena Uribe-Lorio
Summary: This study focused on the cultured cyanobacterial diversity in two geothermal environments of northern Costa Rica. It identified several potential new species within known genera, and suggested the presence of three possible new genera in their collection. The thermal springs of Miravalles and Las Lilas were found to be reservoirs of novel phylogeographic lineages of phototrophic microorganisms, indicating unique biodiversity in these environments.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Thomas J. Smith, Mark N. Puttick, Joseph E. O'Reilly, Davide Pisani, Philip C. J. Donoghue
Summary: Cladistic character matrices are often used in analyses of morphological disparity, but their sampling may lead to biases in morphospace occupation. Differences in tree shape can predict genuine differences in morphospace occupation, cautioning against uncritical repurposing of cladistic datasets in disparity analyses. Uniformity in lineage sampling across time and topology is important for distinguishing evolutionary phenomena from artefactual signals.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
A. Elizabeth Arnold
Summary: An intriguing new study uses newly generated metagenomes to study the evolution of fungi, specifically focusing on lichens, which are one of the most species-rich and fascinating manifestations of symbiosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meng-Yun Chen, Wen-Kai Teng, Liang Zhao, Bo-Ping Han, Li-Rong Song, Wen-Sheng Shu
Summary: In this study, the evolutionary trajectory and driving forces of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by cyanobacteria were explored through genome analysis. The distribution of diazotrophic cyanobacteria carrying nitrogen fixation gene clusters (NFGCs) was found to be uneven and shaped by multiple independent losses. Two types of NFGCs were identified, with one type being ancestral and abundant, and the other type resembling anaerobic bacteria and sparse, possibly acquired through horizontal gene transfer. The origin of BNF in cyanobacteria coincided with major evolutionary events such as the origin of multicellularity and simultaneous genetic innovations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryan A. York, Luke E. Brezovec, Jenn Coughlan, Steven Herbst, Avery Krieger, Su-Yee Lee, Brandon Pratt, Ashley D. Smart, Eugene Song, Anton Suvorov, Daniel R. Matute, John C. Tuthill, Thomas R. Clandinin
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of walking behavior in fruit flies. Through capturing the movement of multiple species and strains, the researchers find that walking can be represented in a universal behavior space with evolutionarily conserved structure. However, specific movements and transitions have evolved rapidly, leading to convergent evolution in the temporal structure of locomotion.
Article
Microbiology
Olga M. Perez-Carrascal, Nicolas Tromas, Yves Terrat, Elisa Moreno, Alessandra Giani, Laisa Correa Braga Marques, Nathalie Fortin, B. Jesse Shapiro
Summary: The study reveals a wide genetic diversity in Microcystis colonies from lakes and reservoirs, with a close relationship between the genetic composition of Microcystis and its microbiome, which may benefit each other.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Radka Hauerova, Tomas Hauer, Jan Kastovsky, Jiri Komarek, Olga Lepsova-Skacelova, Jan Mares
Summary: Recent research revealed that the previously thought similar Tenebriella actually belongs to a new genus and is capable of forming prominent microbial mats. Molecular phylogenetics analysis identified unique morphological and ecological characteristics of Tenebriella, leading to the recognition of two new species within this genus.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Meijin Li, Lei Cheng, Jie Tang, Maurycy Daroch
Summary: Thermoleptolyngbya is a genus of non-heterocystous cyanobacteria that reside in hot spring microbial mats and can perform nitrogen fixation. The analysis of nitrogen-fixation clusters in extremophilic strains revealed that the cluster is located in a single locus within the Thermoleptolyngbyace genus. The nitrogen-fixation genes within Thermoleptolyngbyaceae are closely related to each other but also exhibit heterogeneity within the genus, with strains from Asia and China forming a separate clade. Among these strains, Thermoleptolyngbya sp. PKUAC-SCTB121 has been shown to have functional nitrogenase activity.
Review
Plant Sciences
Toby Spribille, Philipp Resl, Daniel E. Stanton, Gulnara Tagirdzhanova
Summary: This review explores the exchange of goods and services between fungus and phototroph in lichens and how it contributes to the success of both symbionts and their symbiosis. Lichen fungal symbionts have the unique characteristic of exposing most of their mycelium to an aerial environment. Phototrophs provide carbohydrates to the fungus, which are converted into specific polyols with multiple functions, including growth, respiration, and desiccation tolerance. Fungal symbionts provide protection against herbivory and light stress for phototrophs and influence fungal sex and morphogenesis. These interactions create a multiplayer marketplace that drives symbiont selection and lichen diversification.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tongli Xu, Yulin Cui, Song Qin, Yin-Chu Wang
Summary: Lectins are glycoproteins that can bind to specific carbohydrates and exhibit various biological activities. Cyanobacterial lectins have shown therapeutic effects, but current knowledge about them is limited. Genome-wide analyses were performed to study cyanobacterial lectins, and the Legume lectin-like lectin family was found to be the richest and most complex. This research is important for the development of lectin-based medicine and finding solutions to viral and tumor diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas Vieira Lima, Alexandre Salino, Michael Kessler, Germinal Rouhan, Weston L. Testo, Caio Suzart Argolo, Thais Elias Almeida
Summary: In this study, we investigated the monophyly of genera in the Gleicheniaceae family using extended sampling and genomic data. The results confirmed the monophyly of most genera, except for Sticherus. We also found that while most Gleicheniaceae genera originated during the Mesozoic, some genera showed diversification in the Neogene and Quaternary periods. Our findings suggest the importance of reticulation and polyploidy in this diversification process, and identify Rouxopteris and Stromatopteris as evolutionary relics.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lamia Benredjem, Joao Morais, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Akila Abdi, Hajira Berredjem, Vitor Vasconcelos
Summary: This study isolated and identified cyanobacteria strains from the Cheffia Reservoir, revealing the importance of morphological features and the 16S rRNA gene in species determination. The research also discovered potentially toxic genotypes within this ecosystem, highlighting the need for adapted water treatment methods to prevent toxin release from picocyanobacteria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guillermo Navalon, Alexander Bjarnason, Elizabeth Griffiths, Roger B. J. Benson
Summary: This study examines the morphological diversification in living birds and finds substantial variation in evolutionary modes among different avian subgroups and skeletal parts. It suggests that waterbirds have explored a large portion of their morphospace, emphasizing body proportions and bone shape related to locomotion, while landbirds have distinct body forms and emphasize local shape variation in the head and distal limb bones.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Surbhi Kharwar, Samujjal Bhattacharjee, Arun Kumar Mishra
Summary: The study explores the impact of sulfate limitations on EPS production and compositions in cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, revealing that lower sulfate supplementations can increase EPS production with enhanced expression of Alr2882. Analysis of Alr2882 indicates its membrane localisation and potential role in EPS production, with predictions of helical topology and post-translational modifications, showcasing a high level of molecular regulation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Deeksha Mishra, Aniket Saraf, Naresh Kumar, Sagarika Pal, Prashant Singh
Summary: The study discusses the taxonomic status of newly described and reclassified taxa within the order Nostocales, focusing on prominent morphological forms, by constructing comprehensive phylogenetic trees. Additionally, proposed strategies aim to address taxonomic complexities stemming from inadequate taxon sampling.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ekta Verma, Sindhunath Chakraborty, Surbhi Kharwar, Balkrishna Tiwari, Satya Shila Singh, Arun Kumar Mishra
Summary: The study demonstrates the existence of P-II-acetyl-CoA carboxylase interaction in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 and suggests a possible adverse impact of nitrogen starvation on this interaction.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azmi Khan, Pratika Singh, Archana Chaudhary, Rizwanul Haque, Prashant Singh, Arun Kumar Mishra, Abhijit Sarkar, Amrita Srivastava
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and efficient treatment is needed. This study focused on the anticancer activity of a siderophore produced by Aspergillus nidulans against the liver cancer cell line HepG2. The siderophore showed inhibitory effects on cell growth and proliferation, leading to cell death and oxidative stress. Compared to normal cells, the effects of siderophore treatment were more significant on cancerous cells.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Teresa Coronado-Parra, Monica Roldan, Marina Aboal
Summary: This study investigated the growth of Chroothece strain under different environmental parameters, and found that the strain preferred high light intensities and green monochromatic light. UV-A radiation decreased phycocyanin content, while UV-A + B radiation significantly decreased c-phycocyanin content. Increased nitrogen concentration negatively affected all pigments, while increased salinity had no significant effect on the strain's growth. The study also highlighted the usefulness of CLSM in ecological research of microalgae in small volumes.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Soumia Boutarfa, Mohammed Mourad Senoussi, Daniel Gonzalez-Silvera, Jose Angel Lopez-Jimenez, Marina Aboal
Summary: Screening microalgae from extreme environments, a thermophilic green alga Coelastrella thermophila var. globulina was isolated from a hot spring in Algeria for the first time, with a high content of n-6 and n-3 PUFA, indicating its potential for biotechnological applications.
Article
Microbiology
Sagarika Pal, Aniket Saraf, Naresh Kumar, Arush Singh, Utkarsh Talukdar, Niraj Kohar, Prashant Singh
Summary: In this study, a novel cyanobacterial genus, Johanseniella gen. nov., was isolated from Tripura, Northeast India. The taxonomic status of the strain URH-6-PS was found to be distinct from the genus Cylindrospermum, and the results indicated the need for revision of the Clade I taxonomy. The establishment of a new genus provides valuable insights into the taxonomic complexities surrounding the genus Cylindrospermum.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lira A. Gaysina, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Aniket Saraf, Rezeda Z. Allaguvatova, Sagarika Pal, Prashant Singh
Summary: A new species of the genus Roholtiella, Roholtiella volcanica sp. nov., was discovered during the study of biodiversity of cyanobacteria in Gorely volcano soils. Morphological, ecological, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to describe and classify the new species. This research contributes to the understanding of cyanobacterial diversity and taxonomy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Surbhi Kharwar, Samujjal Bhattacharjee, Arun Kumar Mishra
Summary: High salinity has negative effects on heterocytous cyanobacterium Anabaena sphaerica, reducing growth dynamics, photosynthesis, and membrane stability. However, the cyanobacterium shows resilience by adjusting physiological and biochemical mechanisms, including increasing enzymatic antioxidants and accumulating osmoprotectants. Additionally, it enhances nitrate assimilation, indicating the ability to withstand high salinity.
ACTA PHYSIOLOGIAE PLANTARUM
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sindhunath Chakraborty, Samujjal Bhattacharjee, Balkrishna Tiwari, Tameshwar Jaishwal, Satya Shila Singh, Arun Kumar Mishra
Summary: This study investigates the impact of zinc stress on the proteome of Anabaena sphaerica and reveals the molecular mechanisms of zinc tolerance. The cyanobacteria reduce the expression of certain proteins to conserve energy and enhance the expression of metallothionein and antioxidative proteins to chelate and detoxify excess zinc ions. Additionally, the overexpression of certain enzymes and synthesis of antioxidant proteins suggest cysteine synthesis under sulfur deprivation. A. sphaerica also exhibits high zinc biosorption efficiency, confirming its potential for zinc bioremediation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sagarika Pal, Aniket Saraf, Naresh Kumar, Prashant Singh
Summary: A soil-dwelling cyanobacterial strain (KLS-BP-3A_PS) was isolated from the Northeast region of India and identified as a new species of Desikacharya, named Desikacharya kailashaharensis. This discovery is significant for the study of biodiversity in the Northeast region of India.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Naresh Kumar, Aniket Saraf, Sagarika Pal, Deeksha Mishra, Prashant Singh
Summary: This study isolated a dark-colored thin film of cyanobacteria growing on a submerged stone in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The isolated strain was found to belong to a new genus, highlighting the need for further research in resolving taxonomic discrepancies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Naresh Kumar, Aniket Saraf, Sagarika Pal, Prashant Singh
Summary: In this study, two cyanobacterial strains KUT1-PS and 18C-PS from India were characterized using a polyphasic approach. The morphological characterization indicated that both strains belonged to the genus Cylindrospermum. Phylogenetic analyses at the genus and species levels provided evidence that strain 18C-PS is a representative of Cylindrospermum badium, while strain KUT1-PS is a novel species referred to as Cylindrospermum solincola sp. nov. This study emphasizes the importance of comparing newly sequenced strains with established species for taxonomic interpretations.
Article
Microbiology
Surbhi Kharwar, Arun Kumar Mishra
Summary: This study investigates the effects of sulfate limitation on nitrogen and thiol metabolisms in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. The results show that sulfate limitation leads to decreased nitrogen-containing compounds and thiol contents in the cells, as well as reduced activities of nitrogen and thiol metabolic enzymes. These findings indicate that sulfate plays a crucial role in nitrogen and thiol metabolisms in Anabaena.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ana Rotter, Antonia Giannakourou, Jesus E. Argente Garcia, Grazia Marina Quero, Charlene Auregan, George Triantaphyllidis, Amalia Venetsanopoulou, Roberta De Carolis, Chrysa Efstratiou, Marina Aboal, Maria Angeles Esteban Abad, Ernesta Grigalionyte-Bembic, Yannis Kotzamanis, Mate Kovac, Maja Ljubic Cmelar, Gian Marco Luna, Cristobal Aguilera, Francisco Gabriel Acien Fernandez, Juan Luis Gomez Pinchetti, Sonia Manzo, Iva Milasincic, Antun Nadarmija, Luisa Parrella, Massimiliano Pinat, Efstratios Roussos, Colin Ruel, Elisabetta Salvatori, Francisco Javier Sanchez Vazquez, Maria Semitiel Garcia, Antonio F. Skarmeta F. Gomez, Jan Ulcar, Cristian Chiavetta
Summary: Marine biotechnology in the Mediterranean region has great potential for innovation and economic growth, but is currently hindered by a lack of clear value chains and fragmented business initiatives. To address this issue, eight countries established blue biotechnology hubs and identified three promising value chains: algae production, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, and valorization of aquaculture/fisheries/processing by-products. Stakeholder events provided valuable insight and feedback on the necessary skills and potential for development in this field.