Publications

4365

AbstractThis study is the first to investigate the presence and movement of the novel Liberibacter species ‘Candidatus Liberibacter brunswickensis’ (CLbr) in eggplant, Solanum melongena. The psyllid, Acizzia solanicola can transmit CLbr to eggplant and CLbr can be acquired by CLbr-negative A. solanicola individuals from CLbr-positive eggplants. In planta, CLbr can replicate, move and persist. Investigation into the early development of eggplants showed that CLbr titres had increased at the inoculation site at 14 days post inoculation access period (DPIAP). CLbr had become systemic in the majority of plants tested by 28 DPIAP. The highest bacterial titres were recorded at 35 DPIAP in all samples of the inoculated leaf, the roots, stems and the midrib and petiole samples of the newest leaf (the top leaf). This finding strongly suggests that CLbr movement in planta follows the source to sink relationship as previously described for ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) and ‘Ca. Liberibacter solanacearum’ (CLso). No symptoms consistent with Liberibacter-associated diseases were noted for plants colonised by CLbr during this study, consistent with the hypothesis that CLbr does not cause disease of eggplant during the early stages of host colonisation. In addition, no significant differences in biomass were found between eggplant colonised with CLbr, compared to those that were exposed to CLbr-negative A. solanicola, and to control plants.

The high diversity and global distribution of heterotrophic bacterial diazotrophs (HBDs) in the ocean has recently become apparent. However, understanding the role these largely uncultured microorganisms play in marine N 2 fixation poses a challenge due to their undefined growth requirements and the complex regulation of the nitrogenase enzyme. We isolated and characterized Candidatus Thalassolituus haligoni, a member of a widely distributed clade of HBD belonging to the Oceanospirillales. Analysis of its nifH gene via amplicon sequencing revealed the extensive distribution of Cand. T. haligoni across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. Pangenome analysis indicates that the isolate shares >99% identity with an uncultured metagenome-assembled genome called Arc-Gamma-03, recently recovered from the Arctic Ocean. Through combined genomic, proteomic, and physiological approaches, we confirmed that the isolate fixes N 2 gas. However, the mechanisms governing nitrogenase regulation in Cand. T. haligoni remain unclear. We propose Cand. T. haligoni as a globally distributed, cultured HBD model species within this understudied clade of Oceanospirillales.

AbstractCyanobacterial mats supplanting coral and spreading coral diseases in tropical reefs, intensified by environmental shifts caused by human‐induced pressures, nutrient enrichment, and global climate change, pose grave risks to the survival of coral ecosystems. In this study, we characterized Okeanomitos corallinicola gen. and sp. nov., a newly discovered toxic marine heterocyte‐forming cyanobacterium isolated from a coral reef ecosystem of the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene and the secondary structure of the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic region, placed this species in a clade distinct from closely related genera, that is, Sphaerospermopsis stricto sensu, Raphidiopsis, and Amphiheterocytum. The O. corallinicola is a marine benthic species lacking gas vesicles, distinguishing it from other members of the Aphanizomenonaceae family. The genome of O. corallinicola is large and exhibits diverse functional capabilities, potentially contributing to the resilience and adaptability of coral reef ecosystems. In vitro assays revealed that O. corallinicola demonstrates notable cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines, suggesting its potential as a source of novel anticancer compounds. Furthermore, the identification of residual saxitoxin biosynthesis function in the genome of O. corallinicola, a marine cyanobacteria, supports the theory that saxitoxin genes in cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates may have been horizontally transferred between them or may have originated from a shared ancestor. Overall, the identification and characterization of O. corallinicola provides valuable contributions to cyanobacterial taxonomy, offering novel perspectives on complex interactions within coral reef ecosystems.