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A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, microcystin-degrading bacterium, designated as CPCC 100929T, was isolated from a fresh water reservoir in Sichuan Province, PR China. This isolate grew well at 4–37 °C and pH 6.0–8.0, with optimal growth at 28–32 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:0, C18:1 ω7c 11-methyl and C19:0 cyclo ω8c. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were detected in the polar lipids extraction. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CPCC 100929T was closely related to those of members of the genus Shinella , with the highest similarity of 98.6 % to Shinella zoogloeoides DSM 287T and 97.4–98.4 % with other identified Shinella members. In the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the core-genes analysis, strain CPCC 100929T was included within the clade of the genus Shinella . The values of average nucleotide identity (81.4–86.7 %) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (25.4–44.6 %) between strain CPCC 100929T and other Shinella species were all below the thresholds for bacterial species delineation, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CPCC 100929T was 63.6 %. The genomic sequence analysis indicated that this species contained genes encoding peroxidase, bla carbapenemase and the key enzyme for microcystin bio degradation, as well as rich carbohydrate-active enzyme coding genes, which might endow the micro-organism with properties to adapt to diverse environments. Based on its phenotypic and genetic properties, we propose that strain CPCC 100929T (=T1A350T=KCTC 72957T) is the type strain of a novel species with the name Shinella lacus sp. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, pink-pigmented, coccus bacterium, designated CPCC 101081T, was isolated from a gravel soil sample collected from Badain Jara desert, PR China. Growth of the isolate occurred at 10–37 °C and pH 5.0–8.0, with optimal growth at 28–32 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω6c/C16:1ω7c) and C18:12-OH. Q-10 was detected as the main respiratory quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid, an amino-containing lipid and an unidentified glycophospholipid were examined in the polar lipids extraction. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strain CPCC 101081Twith the available sequences in the GenBank database showed that the isolate was closely related to members of the genusRosenomonas, with the highest similarity toRoseomonas roseaDSM 14916T(97.4 %). In the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the core genomes, strain CPCC 101081Twas included within the clade of the genusRoseomonas, representing a species level, with the closest neighbor ofR. roseaDSM 14916T. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain CPCC 101081Tand the related type strains of the genusRoseomonaswere all far lower than the cut-off values for definition species. On the basis of above phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain CPCC 101081Tis proposed to represent a novel species of the genusRoseomonaswith the nameRoseomonas harenaesp. nov. strain CPCC 101081T(=KCTC 62852T=NBRC 113512T) is the type strain of the species.

Fungi are widely distributed in all terrestrial ecosystems, and they are essential to the recycling of nutrients in all terrestrial habitats on earth. We wanted to determine the relationship between soil fungal communities and geochemical factors (geographical location and soil physicochemical properties) in three widely separated geographical regions (the Antarctic, Arctic, and Tibet Plateau). Using high-throughput Illumina amplicon sequencing, we characterized the fungal communities in 53 soil samples collected from the three regions. The fungal richness and diversity indices were not significantly different among the three regions. However, fungal community composition and many fungal taxa (Thelebolales, Verrucariales, Sordariales, Chaetothyriales, Hypocreales, Pleosporales, Capnodiales, and Dothideales) significantly differed among three regions. Furthermore, geographical location (latitude and altitude) and six soil physicochemical properties (SiO42−-Si, pH, NO3−-N, organic nitrogen, NO2−-N, and organic carbon) were significant geochemical factors those were correlated with the soil fungal community composition. These results suggest that many geochemical factors influence the distribution of the fungal species within the Antarctic, Arctic, and Tibet Plateau.

In this work, we isolated and characterized fusapyrone A (1), a new γ-pyrone derivative, along with six previously described compounds from the rice fermentation of Fusarium sp. CPCC 401218, a fung...

Strain CPCC 203383T, isolated from the surface-sterilized fruit of Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G. Don, was taxonomically characterized based on a polyphasic investigation. It had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Ornithinimicrobium pekingense DSM 21552 (97.2 %) and O. kibberense DSM 17687T (97.2%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed a distinct phyletic branch within the genus Ornithinimicrobium and the whole genome sequence data analyses supported that strain CPCC 203383T was phylogenetically related to the Ornithinimicrobium species. The isolate shared a range of phenotypic patterns reported for members of the genus Ornithinimicrobium , but also had a range of cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics that separated it from related Ornithinimicrobium species. The menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and unidentified lipids (ULs). The major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16:0, 9-methyl C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The cell wall peptidoglycan contains l-ornithine as diagnostic diamino acid and an interpeptide bridge consisting of L-Orn←L-Ala←Gly←D-Asp. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium cerasi sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 203383T(=NBRC 113522T=KCTC 49200T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C composition is 72.3 mol%. The availability of new data allows for an emended description of the genus Ornithinimicrobium .

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, coccobacillus-shaped bacterium, designated CPCC 101021T, was isolated from a sandy soil sample collected from Badain Jaran desert, China. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence was closely related to those of members of the genus Roseomonas, showing high similarities with Roseomonas hibiscisoli THG-N2.22T (98.0 %), Roseomonas oryzae KCTC 42542T (97.9 %), Roseomonas rhizosphaerae YW11T (97.9 %) and Roseomonas suffusca S1T (97.8 %). In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 101021T formed a distinct subclade with R. oryzae KCTC 42542T within the genus Roseomonas . Growth of the isolate occurred at 15–37 °C and pH 6.0–8.5, with optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 8 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c) and C16 : 0ω6c. Q-10 was detected as the main component in the respiratory quinone system, with Q-9 as a minor component. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified glycolipid were found in the polar lipid profile. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity was 84.6 % when comparing the draft genome sequences of strain CPCC 101021T with R. oryzae KCTC 42542T. On the basis of genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain CPCC 101021T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Roseomonas with the name Roseomonas vastitatis sp. nov. Strain CPCC 101021T (=J1A743T=KCTC 62043T) is the type strain of the species.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain 16Sb5-5T, was isolated from a sand sample collected in the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The strain was examined by a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. Cells of the isolate were Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod shaped. Strain 16Sb5-5T grew optimally at 37 °C, pH 7.0 and with 0‒2 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of the A3γ type and contained alanine, glycine, glutamic acid and ll-diaminopimelic acid (ll-DAP). Ribose, arabinose and glucose were detected in the whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified lipids. The major whole-cell fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 16Sb5-5T was closely related to Desertihabitans aurantiacus CPCC 204711T (99.8 % similarity) and formed a robust clade with D. aurantiacus in the phylogenetic trees. In silico genomic comparisons showed that strain 16Sb5-5T exhibited ANI values of 94.8–94.9 % and GGDC value of 59.5 % to D. aurantiacus CPCC 204711T. The genomic G+C content was 73.3 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain 16Sb5-5T could be distinguishable from its closest phylogenetic relative and represents a novel species of the genus Desertihabitans , for which the name Desertihabitans brevis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 16Sb5-5T (=KCTC 49116T=CGMCC 1.16553T). The description of the genus Desertihabitans has also been emended.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterium, designated CPCC 204705T, was isolated from a desert soil sample, collected from the Badain Jaran desert. Growth of strain CPCC 204705T was observed at pH 6.0–8.0 and 15–37 °C, with optimal growth at 28 °C and pH 7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204705T belonged to the genus Cellulomonas , showing the highest similarity (98.54 %) of 16S rRNA gene sequence to Cellulomonas oligotrophica JCM 17534T. The peptidoglycan type was A4β, containing d-ornithine and d-glutamic acids as diagnostic amino acids. Rhamnose and galactose were detected in the whole-cell hydrolysate as diagnostic sugars. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 1A, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. The major menaquinone was MK-9 (H4) and the polar lipid system contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain CPCC 204705T and C. oligotrophica JCM 17534T was 7.1±0.4 %, and the value of average nucleotide identity between these two strains was 79.8 %. The DNA G+C content of strain CPCC 204705T was 75.4 mol%. Based on the results of physiological experiments, chemotaxonomic data, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization value, strain CPCC 204705T should be classified as a novel Cellulomonas species. The name Cellulomonas telluris sp. nov. is proposed, with strain CPCC 204705T (=DSM 105430T=KCTC 39974T) as the type strain.

Twenty-two metabolites were isolated from Penicillium sp. CPCC 401423 cultured on rice. The structures of all compounds were elucidated mainly by MS and NMR analysis as well as the necessary CD experimental evidence, of which penicillidione A (1), penicillidione B (2), (E)-4-[(4-acetoxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]phenylacetic acid (3), (S)-2-hydroxy-2-{4-[(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]phenyl} (4), (S)-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methyl-butoxy)phenylacetic acid (5), (E)-4-[(3-carboxy-2-butenyl)oxy]benzoic acid (6), (Z)-4-[(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]benzoic acid (7), open-cycled N-demethylmelearoride A (12), and penostatin M (16) were identified as new compounds. The cytotoxic activity against human pancreatic carcinoma cell line MIA PaCa-2a was detected. Among them, compounds 13–15 and 22 displayed significant cytotoxicity against MIA-PaCa-2 cells with IC50 values of 8.9, 36.5, 31.8, and 22.3 µM, respectively (positive control gemcitabine IC50 65.0 µM).

Pichia pastoris is extensively used to produce various heterologous proteins. Amounts of biopharmaceutical drugs and industrial enzymes have been successfully produced by fed-batch high-cell-density fermentation (HCDF) of this cell factory. High levels of cell mass in defined media can be easily achieved and therefore large quantities of recombinant proteins with enhanced activities and lower costs can be obtained through HCDF technology. A robust HCDF process makes a successful transition to commercial production. Recently, efforts have been made to increase the heterologous protein production and activity by the HCDF of P. pastoris. However, challenges around selecting a suitable HCDF strategy exist. The high-level expression of a specific protein in P. pastoris is still, at least in part, limited by optimizing the methanol feeding strategy. Here, we review the progress in developments and applications of P. pastoris HCDF strategies for enhanced expression of recombinant proteins. We focus on the methanol induction strategies for efficient fed-batch HCDF in bioreactors, mainly focusing on various stat-induction strategies, co-feeding, and the limited induction strategy. These processes control strategies have opened the door for expressing foreign proteins in P. pastoris and are expected to enhance the production of recombinant proteins.

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium, designated CPCC 204380T, which was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of the plant Calligonum mongolicum collected from Xinjiang Province, China, was established using a polyphasic approach. Vegetative hyphae developed well and globose bodies formed from aged hyphae. Spore chains that differentiated from the vegetative hyphae contained non-motile rod-shaped spores. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and 3-hydroxydiaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic amino acids. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. Glucose, mannose, ribose and xylose were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10(H8), followed by MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω9c. The genomic G+C content was 64.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204380T should be placed in the family Micromonosporaceae , in which it formed a distinct lineage next to the genera Rhizocola , Catellatospora , Catelliglobosispora , Hamadaea and Allocatelliglobosispora. It shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Rhizocola hellebori K12-0602T (96.1 %), Catellatospora chokoriensis 2-25/1T (95.9 %), Catelliglobosispora koreensis DSM 44566T (95.9 %), Hamadaea tsunoensis DSM 44101T (95.3 %) and Allocatelliglobosispora scoriae Sco-B14 T (94.2 %), and less than 94.0 % sequence similarity with other validly described species. The combination of phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics supported the proposal of strain CPCC 204380T as representing a novel species of a new genus in the family Micromonosporaceae , for which the name Allorhizocola rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. CPCC 204380T (=DSM 102292T=KCTC 39746 T) is the type strain of the type species.

Three anthraquinone analogues (1–3) were isolated by phytochemical work on EtOAc-soluble ingredients extracted from the roots of Polygonatum odoratum. The structures of all isolates were elucidated by NMR, MS and CD experiments, of which 1 (polygodoquinone A) was identified as a new anthraquinone derivative. Specifically, 1 represents an unusual structure composed of a naphthoquinone derivative linked to an anthraquinone via a C-C bond. 1–3 exhibited remarkable influenza A virus inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 11.4, 11.0, and 2.3 μM, respectively, which were better than ribavirin as the positive control.

A novel dark pink pigmented bacterium, designated strain CPCC 100847T (deposited with strain code 0113-15), was isolated from the urban air of Beijing, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CPCC 100847T was related to members of the genus Roseomonas and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Roseomonas aestuarii JC17T (97.5 %). A low level of DNA–DNA relatedness (18.7 %) with its closest type strain R. aestuarii JC17T (KCTC 22692T) proved that strain CPCC 100847T belonged to a unique genomic species. CPCC 100847T had many common characteristics of the genus Roseomonas , but also had a range of cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics that separated it from related Roseomonas species. Cells were Gram-negative, cocci- to oval-shaped, non-motile, non-endospore-forming and strictly aerobic. The respiratory ubiquinone was Q-10. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were C18 : 1ω7c, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas. The name proposed for this species is Roseomonas globiformis sp. nov., with CPCC 100847T (=KCTC 52094T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C composition is 65.2 mol%.

An intriguing structural feature of echinocandins is the incorporation of hydroxylated amino acids. Elucidation of the machinery and themechanism responsible for this modification is critical to generate new echinocandin derivativeswith enhanced antifungal activity. In our present study, we biochemically characterized the alpha-ketoglutarate/Fe2+-dependent proline hydroxylase (HtyE) from two Aspergillus species, Aspergillus pachycristatus and Aspergillus aculeatus, in the respective echinocandin B and aculeacin A biosynthetic gene clusters. Our results showed that both Ap-and Aa-HtyE converted L-proline to trans-4- and trans-3-hydroxyproline, but at different ratios. Both enzymes also effectively hydroxylated C-3 of 4R-methyl-proline, L-pipecolic acid, and D-proline. Our homology modeling and site-directed mutagenesis studies identified Leu182 of Ap-HtyE as a key residue in determining the regioselectivity of Ap-HtyE. Notably, we found that the efficiency in C-3 hydroxylation of 4R-methyl-proline has no direct correlation with the ratio of trans-4-hydroxylproline to trans-3-hydroxylproline catalyzed by HtyE. Deletion of Ap-htyE abolished A. pachycristatus anti-Candida activity and the production of echinocandin B, demonstrating that HtyE is the enzyme responsible for the hydroxylation of L-proline and 4R-methyl-proline in vivo and is essential for the anti-Candida activity of echinocandin B. Our present study thus sheds light on the biochemical basis for the selective hydroxylation of L-proline and 4R-methyl-proline and reveals a new type of biocatalyst with potential for the custom production of hydroxylated proline and pipecolic acid derivatives.

Glycosylation is an effective approach to improve the druggability of natural products by increasing their water solubility. In this work, we report the glycosylation of oleanane-type triterpenoids by a recombinant microbial glycosyltransferase YjiC1. A preliminary screening test indicated YjiC1 exhibited robust capabilities for O-glycosylation of triterpenoids, based on LC/MS analysis. Among the products, two new compounds (2a and 3a), together with a known one (1a), were isolated and characterized. These products exhibited improved water solubility, and 3a showed moderate anti-HIV activities at 100 μM. This reaction provides a facile and efficient approach to synthesize the glucosides of triterpenoids.

Three actinomycete strains originating from the surface-sterilized roots of Paris polyphylla were characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that they formed a deep, monophyletic branch in the genus Glycomyces, and were most closely related to the type strains of the species Glycomyces harbinensis and Glycomycesscopariae. Morphological and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strains CPCC 204357T, CPCC 204354 and CPCC 204355 to the genus Glycomyces. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strains CPCC 204357T, CPCC 204354 and CPCC 204355 from their closest phylogenetic related species in the genus Glycomyces. Low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with its closest type strains of G. harbinensis and G. scopariaeindicated that strain CPCC 204357T represent a novel species, for which the name Glycomyces paridis sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 204357T (=DSM 102295T=KCTC 39745T) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming actinobacterial strain, designated CPCC 204077T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of a medicinal plant Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. The peptidoglycan type of strain CPCC 204077T was detected as A4α with an l-Lys–l-Ser–d-Asp interpeptide bridge. Galactose, glucose, rhamnose and ribose were the sugar compositions in the whole-cell hydrolysates. MK-8(H4) was the only menaquinone. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acid was iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.0 mol%. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CPCC 204077T stood for a distinct lineage within the family Dermacoccaceae alongside the genera Branchiibius , Demetria and Barrientosiimonas , with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Branchiibius hedensis Mer 29717T (95.0 %), Calidifontibacter indicus PC IW02T (95.0 %), Barrientosiimonas humi 39T (94.9 %) and Demetria terragena HKI 0089T (94.7 %), and less than 94.7 % sequence similarities to all other species. Signature nucleotides in the 16S rRNA sequence showed that the strain contained the Dermacoccaceae family-specific 16S rRNA signature nucleotides and a genus-specific diagnostic nucleotide signature pattern. Combining the genotypic and phenotypic analyses, we propose that strain CPCC 204077T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Dermacoccaceae with the name Allobranchiibius huperziae gen. nov., sp. nov. Strain CPCC 204077T (=NBRC 110719T=DSM 29531T) is the type strain of the type species.

The taxonomic status of a novel bacterium, designated strain CPCC 100226T, isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal plant, Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The aerobic isolate formed pale white colonies on tryptic soy agar. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, motile and endospore-forming. Chemotaxonomic investigations revealed the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids, and the strain had a phospholipid pattern of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified aminophospholipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate was closely related to Paenibacillus aestuarii DSM 23861T with 95.1 % similarity. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 47.9 mol%. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus . The name proposed for this taxon is Paenibacillus eucommiae sp. nov. with CPCC 100226T (=DSM 26048T=KCTC 33054T) as the type strain.

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Badain Jaran Desert, designated as CPCC 204711T, was established using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the isolate were Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile cocci. Good growth was observed at 28 °C (range 20–40 °C), pH 7.0 (range pH 6.0–8.0) and 0–1 % NaCl concentration (range 0–5 %, w/v). Galactose, arabinose and ribose were detected as the sugar compositions in the whole cell hydrolysates. The peptidoglycan type was A3gamma (ll-Dpm-Gly). MK-9(H4) was detected as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, several unidentified glycolipids, and one unidentified amino-glycolipid were detected as the major polar lipids. The predominant fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204711T affiliated to the family Propionibacteriaceae , in which the strain formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage next to the genus Mariniluteicoccus , with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.0 % to Mariniluteicoccus endophyticus YIM 2617T. Both phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics supported that strain CPCC 204711T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Propionibacteriaceae , for which the name Desertihabitans aurantiacus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 204711T (=KCTC 39977T=DSM 105431T) as the type strain.

An actinobacterial strain, designated CPCC 204604T, was isolated from a water sample collected from Sancha Lake, a drinking-water reservoir in Sichuan Province, south-west China. Cells were strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming and non-motile. Polyphasic taxonomic analysis indicated that galactose and ribose were detected as the diagnostic sugars in the whole-cell hydrolysates, and ll-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The phospholipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 0 2-OH, C18 : 1ω9c, C18 : 0 and 10-methyl C18:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.2 mol%. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 204604T formed a distinct clade with Aeromicrobium ponti DSM 19178T within the lineage of the genus Aeromicrobium , with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.3 % to its closest neighbour. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data, we conclude that strain CPCC 204604T represents a novel species of the genus Aeromicrobium , for which the name Aeromicrobium lacus sp. nov. is proposed with strain CPCC 204604T (=NBRC 112936T=DSM 105424T) as the type strain.

Anemarrhena asphodeloides is an herb widely used to treat symptoms associated with diabetes in traditional Chinese medicine. However, its key components and metabolites have low bioavailability and poor host absorption. To clarify the anti-diabetic mechanism of A. asphodeloides extract (AAE), we examined the anti-diabetic effects of AAE in rats with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. Faeces levels of the main components and metabolites of AAE were significantly higher than levels in plasma, which indicated that gut microbiota might play important roles in its anti-diabetic effect. Microbiological studies showed that unabsorbed components increased the diversity of the gut microbiota, enriched potentially beneficial bacteria, and suppressed potentially harmful bacteria. In vitro studies showed that AAE promoted the proliferation of Blautia coccoides, a bacterium with positive implication for diabetes, in a dose-dependent manner. AAE also promoted pancreatic cell regeneration and restored the function of pancreatic islet cells via peroxiredoxin 4 overexpression. Overall, these results suggest that AAE alleviates diabetes via modulating gut microbiota and protein expression.

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium, designated CPCC 204279T, which was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of the herb Limonium sinense collected from Xinjiang Province, China, was established using a polyphasic approach. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain CPCC 204279T contained galactose and arabinose as diagnostic sugars and meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid. The muramic acid residues in the peptidoglycan were N-acetylated. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The phospholipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 1ω9c, iso-C16 : 1 and C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204279T should be placed in the family Pseudonocardiaceae, in which the strain formed a distinct lineage next to the genus Actinophytocola. Signature nucleotides in the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain contained the Pseudonocardiaceae family-specific 16S rRNA signature nucleotides and a genus-specific diagnostic nucleotide signature pattern. The combination of phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics supported the conclusion that strain CPCC 204279T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Pseudonocardiaceae, for which the name Herbihabitans rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. Strain CPCC 204279T (=NBRC 111774T=DSM 101727T) is the type strain of the type species.

An actinobacterium, designated strain CPCC 203993T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample collected from Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and non-endospore-forming cocci. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strain CPCC 203993T with members of the genus Microlunatu s yielded 93.9 % to 97.8 % similarities. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 203993T was affiliated to the clade of the genus Microlunatus next to Microlunatus parietis DSM 22083T, while the DNA–DNA hybridization value of 31.5 % (±1.8 %) between strain CPCC 203993T and Microlunatus. parietis DSM 22083T was far below 70 %. This result indicated that strain CPCC 203993T represented a different genomic species from M. parietis . Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, MK-9(H4) as the only menaquinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, three unidentified glycolipids and one unidentified phospholipid in the polar lipids extracts, and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids, without mycolic acids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 64.04 mol%. The above evidence from the polyphasic study merit the recognition of strain CPCC 203993T as a representative of a novel species of the genus Microlunatus , for which Microlunatus nigridraconis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CPCC 203993T (=DSM 29529T=NBRC 110715T=KCTC 29689T).

A phytochemical investigation of Polygonatum odoratum roots led to the isolation of fifteen steroidal glycosides (1–15), three homoisoflavanones (16–18) and four cinnamic acid derivatives (19–22). The structures of all isolated compounds were established mainly by spectroscopic analyses as well as necessary chemical evidence, of which 1–8 (polygodorasides A-G) were identified as new steroidal glycosides. Among the isolates, compounds 7 and 17 showed remarkable in vitro inhibitory effects against influenza A virus with IC50 values of 14.30 and 49.70 μM (positive control ribavirin 28.4 μM).

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated CPCC 100842T, was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in south-west China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strain CPCC 100842T with the available sequences in the GenBank database showed that the isolate was closely related to members of the family Comamonadaceae , with the highest similarities to Simplicispira metamorpha DSM 1837T (98.05 %), Simplicispira limi KCTC 12608T (97.86 %), Simplicispira psychrophila LMG 5408T (97.04 %) and Simplicispira piscis JCM 19291T (97.0 %). In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 100842T formed a distinct phylogenetic subclade within the genus Simplicispira . The major cellular fatty acids were as C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). Q-8 was detected as the only respiratory quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid and glycolipid were found in the polar lipid extraction. The genomic DNA G+C content was 67.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity value was 80.4 % by comparing the draft genome sequences of strain CPCC 100842T and S. metamorpha DSM 1837T. The DNA–DNA hybridization result between strain CPCC 100842T and S. metamorpha DSM 1837T showed 37±3 % genomic relatedness. On the basis of the genotypic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, we propose that strain CPCC 100842T represents a novel species of the genus Simplicispira in the family Comamonadaceae with the name Simplicispira lacusdiani sp. nov. Strain CPCC 100842T (=KCTC 52093T=DSM 102231T) is the type strain of the species.

The Arctic region has been the focus of increasing attention as an ecosystem that is highly sensitive to changes associated with global warming. Although it was assumed to be vulnerable to changes in climate, a limited number of studies have been conducted on the surface sediment bacteria of Arctic fjorden. This study assessed the diversity and distribution pattern of bacterial communities in eight marine sediments along the seafloor in a high Arctic fjorden (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard). A total of 822 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified by Illumina MiSeq sequencing, targeting the V3–V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. In these surface marine sediments, more than half of the sequences belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria, followed by Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Lentisphaerae. The bacterial genera Marinicella, Desulfobulbus, Lutimonas, Sulfurovum and clade SEEP-SRB4 were dominant in all samples. Analysis of similarity indicated that bacterial communities were significantly different among the inner, central and outer basins (r2 = 0.5, P = 0.03

In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright (DZW), and a novel clean process to prepare diosgenin from DZW was developed. A total of 123 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from different plant tissues of DZW. Among them, the strain Fusarium sp. (CPCC 400709) showed the best activity of hydrolyzing steroidal saponins in DZW into diosgenin. Thus, this strain was used to prepare diosgenin from DZW by solid-state fermentation. The fermentation parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, and a high yield of diosgenin (2.16%) was obtained at 14.5% ammonium sulfate, an inoculum size of 12.3%, and 22 days of fermentation. Furthermore, the highest diosgenin yield (2.79%) was obtained by co-fermentation with Fusarium sp. (CPCC 400709) and Curvularia lunata (CPCC 400737), which was 98.9% of that obtained by β-glucosidase pretreated acid hydrolysis (2.82%). This process is acid-free and wastewater-free, and shows promise as an effective and clean way to prepare diosgenin for use in industrial applications from DZW.

A novel aerobic actinomycete, designated strain I12A-02601T, was isolated from a desert soil crusts sample collected from the Shapotou region of Tengger Desert, north-west China. The substrate mycelia of this isolate were well-developed and branched, but not fragmented. The maturity aerial mycelia formed short chains of small, rod-shaped spores. The strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, dd-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, glucose, ribose and xylose in its whole-cell hydrolysates. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, N-acetylglucosamine-containing phospholipids, phosphatidylinositolmannoside and glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequences comparison showed that strain I12A-02601T was most closely related to members of the family Nocardioidaceae, such as Actinopolymorpha alba YIM 48868T (93.3 % sequence similarity), Actinopolymorpha pittospori PIP 143T (93.2 %), and Flindersiella endophytica EUM 378T (93.2 %). In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain I12A-02601T formed a clade with the members of the genera Flindersiella, Thermasporomyces, and Actinopolymorpha in the family Nocardioidaceae. Combined data from this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, led to the conclusion that strain I12A-02601T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Nocardioidaceae, for which the name Tenggerimyces mesophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is I12A-02601T ( = CPCC 203544T = DSM 45829T = NBRC 109454T).

A new 2-arylbenzofuran compound, 5-dehydroxy-moracin U (1), along with 10 known compounds (2-11), were isolated from cell cultures of Morus alba. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity assay of 1-8 showed that 2 and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production with the values of 76.4% and 98.7% at 10(- 5) M, respectively.

Five new steroidal saponins ( 1 – 5 ) were isolated from the fermentation broth of total furostanol glycosides from tubers of Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright incubated with a fungal, Absidia coerulea AS 3.3389, along with known saponins, zingiberensis new saponin ( 6 ), deltonin ( 7 ), prosapogenin A of dioscin ( 8 ), and protobioside ( 9 ), and their structures were established by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as well as by comparison with previously reported spectral data in the literatures. The induced effects in vitro on rat platelet aggregation of all compounds were evaluated.

In this study seven strains of the genus Arthrobacter were screened by biotransformation to discover glycosylating patterns on steroid saponins. A strain of Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus (CPCC 203516) was found to have the ability of fructosylation. Crude enzyme of the strain was extracted for the further study of conversion characteristics and patterns. Sucrose was used as a non-activated sugar donor, and fifteen steroidal saponins were involved. Nine furostan saponins of the substrates were converted, and ten products were isolated and identified. Based on the HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectral data, one fructosyl was added to furostan saponins at C6-OH of 26-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl by A. nitroguajacolicus for all nine products. One product was distinguished by an additional fructosyl at the position of C6-OH on the first added fructosyl. Spirostan saponins of the substrates could not be converted. Steroidal saponins embracing a fructosyl are quite rare according to other reports based on similar studies. This study successfully converted furostan saponins into new compounds.

A Gram-positive bacterium originating from the surface-sterilized leaf of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (Franch.) was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed yellow, smooth, circular colonies on nutrient agar with 0.2 % starch (NSA). Cells were non-motile, non-sporulating, irregular rods or cocci. Strain CPCC 203535T had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of Ornithinimicrobium kibberense (96.9 %) and formed the deepest branch in the genus Ornithinimicrobium in the neighbour-joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The major menaquinones of strain CPCC 203535T were MK-8(H4), MK-8(H2) and MK-8. The peptidoglycan contained ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and unknown lipid (UL). The major fatty acids iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 were consistent with the fatty acid patterns reported for members of the genus Ornithinimicrobium . The DNA G+C composition is 71.4 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain CPCC 203535T from its closest phylogenetic species in the genus Ornithinimicrobium . Strain CPCC 203535T represents a novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium , for which the name Ornithinimicrobium flavum sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 203535T (=NBRC 109452 T=KCTC 29164T) as the type strain.

An endophytic, short rod-shaped, non-motile and non-spore-forming actinobacterium, designated strain CPCC 204135T, was isolated from a surface-sterilized medicinal plant, Huperzia serrata (Thunb.), collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. Strain CPCC 204135T was observed to grow at temperatures between 20 and 37 °C (optimum, 28–32 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–8.0) and in the presence of 0–9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204135T belonged to the genus Naumannella , showing the highest level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Naumannella halotolerans DSM 24323T (97.2 %), the only species of the genus Naumannella in the family Propionibacteriaceae with a validly published name. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain CPCC 204135T and N. halotolerans DSM 24323T was 20.1±1.8 %, which is far below the accepted 70 % threshold for species delineation. The cell-wall hydrolysates contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, alanine, glycine and glutamic acid, with the peptidoglycan type of A3γ. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified polar lipid and several kinds of glycolipids were detected in the polar lipids profile. MK-9(H4) was identified as the predominant menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain CPCC 204135T was determined to be 71.8 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we concluded that strain CPCC 204135T represents a novel species of the genus Naumannella , for which the name Naumannella huperziae sp. nov. is proposed, with strain CPCC 204135T (=DSM 101717T=NBRC 111773T) as the type strain.

An actinomycete strain, designated I12A-02593T, was isolated from a desert soil crust sample collected in the Shapotou region of Tengger Desert, north-west China. The isolate grew well on International Streptomyces Project (ISP) media 2, 3, 5 and 7, YS and Bennett’s agar; it produced spherical bodies and formed clumps on the aerial mycelia on ISP 5 agar plates. Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars in whole-cell hydrolysates, MK-9(H4) as the sole isoprenoid quinone, and iso-C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 2-OH and iso-C16 : 1 H as the major cellular fatty acids, without mycolic acids. The profile of the phospholipids mainly comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain I12A-02593T exhibited 96.4–97.4 % similarities with members of the genus Actinophytocola . In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolate formed a robust cluster with Actinophytocola oryzae NBRC 105245T, Aactinophytocola timorensis NBRC 105524T, Actinophytocola corallina NBRC 105525T, Actinophytocola burenkhanensis NBRC 105883Tand Actinophytocola xinjiangensis NBRC 106673T. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain I12A-02593T and the five species of the genus Actinophytocola were all less than 70 %. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomy evidence, a novel species of the genus Actinophytocola is proposed, with the name Actinophytocola gilvus sp. nov. The type strain is I12A-02593T ( = CPCC 203543T = DSM 45828T = NBRC 109453T = KCTC 29165T). An emended description of the genus Actinophytocola is also provided.

Liupao tea, a popular dark tea, exhibited anti-diabetic activity in Chinese tea culture. However, the bioavailability of the main active components is low. Therefore, the relationship between the anti-diabetic activity and the modulation of gut microbiota was investigated in this study for the first time. Liupao tea extract (LTE) could significantly alleviate hyperglycemia, insulin-resistance, and plasma lipid profiles. The hypoglycemic effect of high-dose LTE was comparable to that of metformin. Importantly, LTE exhibited beneficial effect on modulating the diabetic-induced disorder of gut microbiota, such as increasing Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and up-regulating putative short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, including Prevotella and Bacteroides. Moreover, 29 key phylotypes were significantly correlated with at least one diabetic index. In conclusion, LTE could be developed into an anti-diabetic functional beverage and its beneficial effects is likely to be associated with the prebiotic effects for increasing the level of SCFAs and the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria.

Two actinobacterial strains, CPCC 203464T and CPCC 203448, isolated from surface-sterilized stems of medicinal plants were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. These two aerobic organisms formed pale yellow colonies on tryptic soy agar (TSA). Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-acid-fast, non-motile, rod- or coccoid-like elements. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains CPCC 203464T and CPCC 203448 were most closely related to the type strains of the species of the genus Williamsia . Chemotaxonomic properties such as containing meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall, arabinose, galactose and ribose being the whole-cell hydrolysate sugars, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) as the phospholipids, and C16 : 0, 10-methyl C18 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH as major fatty acids supported the affiliation of strains CPCC 203464T and CPCC 203448 to the genus Williamsia . The DNA–DNA hybridization values in combination with differentiating chemotaxonomic and physiological characteristics strongly suggested that these two isolates should be classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Williamsia . The name Williamsia sterculiae sp. nov. is proposed, with strain CPCC 203464T ( = DSM 45741T = KCTC 29118T) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain I10A-01402T, was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of a medicinal plant, Perilla frutescens, collected in a suburb of Beijing, China. Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were C17 : 1ω9c, C18 : 1ω9c, C17 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain I10A-01402T belonged to the genus Nocardioides . Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a robust cluster with Nocardioides ginsengisegetis Gsoil 485T, N. koreensis MSL-09T and N. alkalitolerans KSL-1T. On the basis of the evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel species, Nocardioides perillae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is I10A-01402T ( = CPCC 203382T = DSM 24552T = KCTC 29022T).

A new polyketide synthase–nonribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS–NRPS) hybrid metabolite, named pericoannosin B (1), was isolated from endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31 of the medicinal plant Annona muricata. The structure and absolute configuration were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analyses (HRMS, NMR, IR, and CD).

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain CPCC 204076T, was isolated from surface-sterilized tissue of the medicinal plant Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The strainwas aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. Growth was observed at 10–37 °C, at pH 5.0–10.0 and with 0–3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The polar lipid fraction consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, a phospholipid, an aminolipid, a glycolipid, an aminophospholipid and phosphatidylinositol. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and the peptidoglycan was of type A4γ. The menaquinone system consisted of MK-9(H4) and MK-8(H4). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CPCC 204076T was found to be 71.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that CPCC 204076T belongs to the genus Jatrophihabitans with highest sequence similarity to Jatrophihabitans endophyticus DSM 45627T (96.5 %), Jatrophihabitans soli DSM 45908T (96.5 %) and Jatrophihabitans fulvus JCM 30448T (96.1 %), and much lower similarities (

New cytochalasans, periconiasin G (I) and periconiasin H (II) are isolated from Periconia sp.

Endolichenic fungi within 17 lichen species in the area near Ny-Alesund (Svalbard, High Arctic) were studied by a culture-based method. The 247 fungal isolates were obtained from 2712 lichen thallus segments. The colonization rate of endolichenic fungi ranged from 1.6 to 26.5 %, respectively. These isolates were identified to 40 fungal taxa, including 35 Ascomycota (10 orders), 4 Basidiomycota (3 orders), and 1 unidentified fungus. Thelebolales was the most abundant order, while Sordariales were the most diverse order. The common fungal taxa shared by more than 3 lichen species were Thelebolus microsporus (93 isolates), Coniochaeta hoffmannii (7 isolates), Sarocladium kiliense (33 isolates), Coniochaeta sp. 1 (5 isolates), Coniochaeta sp. 4 (28 isolates), and Coniochaeta sp. 2 (5 isolates). Low Sorenson's similarity coefficients were observed among different lichen species, indicating that host-related factor may shape the endolichenic fungal communities in this region. In addition, no endolichenic fungal taxa were previously found in the Antarctica and Austrian Alps, suggesting endolichenic fungal communities in this region might be also shaped by the Arctic climate. The results demonstrate the existence of specific cultured endolichenic fungal species, which may be suitable objects for further study of their possible functional roles in the lichen thalli.

Four new compounds, pericoannosin A (I) having an unusual carbon skeleton and periconiasins D-F (II), (III), and (IV) are isolated.

A Gram-positive, non-motile strain, designated CPCC 202695T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Qinghai–Tibet plateau, north-west China. Strain CPCC 202695T contained rhamnose, glucose and galactose in the cell wall as diagnostic sugars and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glutamic acid and glycine in the peptidoglycan. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown glycolipids. MK-12 was the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 (34.2 %), iso-C15 : 0 (19.8 %), iso-C16 : 0 (12.7 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (11.1 %) were the major fatty acids. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (94.2–97.1 %) between the isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Agromyces indicated that strain CPCC 202695T was a member of the genus Agromyces. DNA–DNA relatedness clearly separated strain CPCC 202695T from its closest relatives. The phenotypic and genotypic data demonstrated that strain CPCC 202695T represents a novel species of the genus Agromyces, for which the name Agromyces flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CPCC 202695T ( = KCTC 19578T = CCM 7623T).

Aim To study the hydroxylation in glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) by biocatalysis, and evaluate the antibacterial activities of the derivatives. Methods The hydroxylation was performed via incubating GA with a fungus, Cunninghamella blakesleeana (C. blakesleeana) AS 3.970 at 30 °C for 5 days. Results GA was converted into two major derivatives and four minor derivatives. The two major derivatives were isolated and elucidated as 3-oxo-7β-hydroxy-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA-1) and 7β-hydroxy-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA-2) based on their spectral data, and other derivatives (GA-3–GA-6) were identified by HR-ESI-MS. The antibacterial activities of substrate and two major derivatives were evaluated on four bacteria strains and one yeast strain. Conclusion Cunninghamella blakesleeana AS 3.970 has the capability of hydroxylation for GA. The two major derivatives and GA were found to have considerable activities against drug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, moderately halophilic, alkalitolerant actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 70179(T), was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from Xinjiang Province, north-west China, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type of strain YIM 70179(T) was A4alpha, l-Lys-Gly-l-Glu. Cells of the isolate contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown glycolipid, MK-8 as major menaquinone and anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0) as major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 68.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 70179(T) fell within the radiation of species of the genus Nesterenkonia. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain YIM 70179(T) and the type strains of recognized Nesterenkonia species were below 97 %, except to Nesterenkonia halobia DSM 20541(T) (99.6 %), but these two strains exhibited a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (18.4 %). Based on genetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that strain YIM 70179(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia, for which the name Nesterenkonia halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 70179(T) (=DSM 16378(T) =KCTC 19048(T)).

Three Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-acid-alcohol-fast strains, designated I05-00051, I05-00074T and I03-00808, were isolated from different soil samples in Beijing and Sichuan, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed that these three isolates represented the same genospecies. These three strains showed

Biotransformations of icariin (1) by cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Morus alba yielded two new metabolites, icaruralins A and B (2 and 3), and one known metabolite, baohuoside I (4). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report that the cell suspension cultures of G. uralensis and M. alba possess deglycosylation functionality.

A new trichostatin analog (1) and two known analogs (2, 3) have been isolated from the rice fermentation of the Streptomyces sp. CPCC 203909. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The absolute configurations of 1 were assigned by Marfey's method, combined with comparing the NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopic data of 2 and 3. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney 293 cell line with IC50 value of 39.2 μM.

Two yeast strains isolated from the moss Chorisodontium aciphyllum from the Fildes Region, King George Island, maritime Antarctica, were classified as members of the genus Cryptococcus based on sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that the two strains represented a novel species of the genus Cryptococcus, for which the name Cryptococcus fildesensis sp. nov. is proposed (type strain: CPCC 300017T = DSM 26442T = CBS 12705T). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 805542.