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Nanotechnology is an evolving interdisciplinary field of research interspersing material science and nanobiotechnology. Nanoparticles are studied extensively for their specific catalytic, magnetic, electronic, optical, antimicrobial, theranostic, diagnosis, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have many applications owing to their unique characteristics, which include low cost, nontoxicity, abundance in nature, and the ability to prepare compounds with varying morphologies having different properties. The main aim of the study is to biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles coated with silver from the aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst and to evaluate its antidiabetic potential by performing alpha-glucosidase inhibition and alpha-amylase inhibition assays and to evaluate the anticancer potential by cytotoxicity (MTT) assay against human breast cancer MDA-MB 231 cell lines. The biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles coated with Ag was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. An increasing concentration in the biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles coated with Ag produces strong antidiabetic activity through enzyme inhibition effect and anticancer activity through the reduction of cell viability. The present study recommended that the “Biological” method of biological nanoparticle production is a promising approach that allows synthesis in aqueous conditions, with low energy requirements and low costs. In the future, the mycosynthesized nanoparticles might be used in the medical arena to treat and prevent diseases.

Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer, and it causes more than 55,000 deaths annually. Although regional melanoma can be surgically removed, once melanoma metastasizes to other regions of the body, the survival rate drops dramatically. The current treatment options are chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, the low response rate and the development of resistance necessitate the search for a novel therapeutic target in melanoma. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α) is overexpressed in melanoma and plays a crucial role in driving malignant transformation in cancer cells. Here, we identified that histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) enhances the protein stability of HIF-1α. HDAC8 directly binds to and deacetylates HIF-1α, thereby promoting its protein stability. This, in turn, upregulates the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α and promotes the expressions of its target genes, such as hexokinase 2 (HK2) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). The inhibition of HDAC8 suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of melanoma cells. Furthermore, HDAC8 is correlated with HIF1A expression and poor prognosis in samples from patients with melanoma. These findings uncover a novel epigenetic mechanism that maintains HIF-1α stability and implicates the potential of HDAC8 inhibitors for melanoma therapy.

Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor (dmrt) play crucial roles in sex determination and sex differentiation in vertebrates and invertebrates. Although dmrt genes have been identified in vertebrates, little is known about aquatic invertebrates. In this study, two dmrt genes, namely, Dc_dmrt93B and Dc_dmrt99B, were identified from brackish water flea, Diaphanosoma celebensis. Transcriptional changes were observed in the dmrt genes when the flea was exposed to bisphenol (BP), an endocrine disruptor. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that both dmrt genes contained two conserved domains, namely, DM and DMA, closely clustered with those of Daphnia spp. Additionally, a significant increase in the Dc_dmrt99B mRNA expression level was observed upon exposure to intermediate concentrations of BP (bisphenol A>bisphenol S=bisphenol F, p

Ecdysone plays a crucial role in the molting process, is synthesized by neverland (nvd) and regulates the transcription of early response genes, HR3 and E75. However, their roles in the development and reproduction of small crustaceans are still poorly understood at the molecular level. Thus, this study aimed to identify and characterize the nvd, HR3, and E75 genes in the brackish water flea Diaphanosomal celebensis, and to investigate their transcriptional modulation upon exposure to bisphenol (BP) analogs. Three genes found in the local D. celebensis transcriptome database were sequenced and identified using BLAST X and conserved domain search. The relative expression patterns of these genes at different ages and under exposure to BP analogs were investigated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing analysis showed that nvd, HR3, and E75 had conserved domains. The mRNA expression patterns of Dc-nvd were highly upregulated at day 5 and day 7 of D. celebensis life cycle. The E75 and HR3 mRNA expression patterns differed according to age. The BP analogue exposure test showed that the three genes were significantly modulated with different patterns. The nvd, HR3, and E75 had conserved domains, suggesting that they have conserved functions in D. celebensis. Age-dependent expression of these three genes implies their involvement in the molting cycle. Our findings also suggest that BPS, BPF, and BPA may disrupt the edcysteroid signaling pathway in this species by different mechanisms.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, polar flagellated, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated DFW100M-13T, was isolated from gut of the larva of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis collected from Wanju-gun, South Korea. The growth range of NaCl concentration was 0–3 % (w/v) (optimally 0 % (w/v)), the temperature range for growth was 10–40 °C (optimally 28–30 °C), and the pH range for growth was pH 6.0–9.0 (optimally pH 7.0–8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DFW100M-13T had a high sequence similarity to members of the genus Microbacterium , having the highest similarity with Microbacterium luticocti DSM 19459T (97.7 %), Microbacterium rhizosphaerae CHO1T (97.1 %), and Microbacterium immunditiarum SK 18T (97.0 %), and formed a distinct lineage with Microbacterium luticocti DSM 19459T within the genus Microbacterium . A phylogenetic tree based on house-keeping genes also showed the result similar to the 16S rRNA gene-based tree. The main respiratory quinone (>10 %) was MK-11, MK-12 and MK-10, and the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an inidentified glycolipid and an unidnetified lipid. The peptidoglycan type was supposed to be the B2ß with amino acids d-alanine, d-glutamic acid, glycine, l-homoserine and d-ornithine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.0 mol%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, strain DFW100M-13T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Microbacterium protaetiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DFW100M-13T (=KACC 19323T=NBRC 113120T).

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) serve as biomarkers of oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. However, the modulatory effects of heavy metals on the expression of small crustaceans are yet unknown. The acute toxicity of inorganic arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) to the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis (4 days old) was evaluated to determine their sublethal concentrations. Modulations in the activities and transcription of SODs (Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD) and GSTs (mu, kappa, theta, and sigma) in response to sublethal concentrations of heavy metals were investigated for 48 h. The 48-h median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined to be 2.62 mg/L, 2.60 mg/L, and 0.37 mg/L for Cd, As, and Pb, respectively, and the order of toxicity in this species was Pb > Cd = As. SOD and GST activities were induced after exposure to all metals; in particular, GST activity was sensitively enhanced upon As exposure. Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed that GST mu and GST sigma were specific for As, and GST kappa and GST theta for Cd. Mn-SOD mRNA expression was more sensitive to As. These findings suggest that D. celebensis SOD and GST may be involved in the antioxidant defense mechanisms to heavy metals. These genes may serve as useful biomarkers for risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. This study may be helpful for the better understanding of the molecular mode of action of heavy metals in small crustaceans and provide preliminary data for future studies evaluating the combined effects of heavy metal mixture.

A bacterium that was Gram-staining-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, rod- or filamentous-shaped, designated as strain 2JSPR-7T, was isolated from a gut of larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma which were raised at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea. 2JSPR-7T had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Xylanibacterium ulmi XIL08T (98.1 %), Xylanimicrobium pachnodae NBRC 107786T (97.8 %) and Xylanimonas cellulosilytica DSM 15894T (97.5 %). Optimum growth conditions were at 28–30 °C, pH 7–8 and 0 % salt concentration. The cellular fatty acids mainly consisted of anteiso-C15 : 0, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycophospholipids. The major menaquinones were MK-8(H4) and MK-9(H4). The peptidoglycan structure was suggested to be the type A3α (A11.14) l-Lys–l-Ser with the presence of d-Ala, l-Ala, d-Glu, l-Ser and l-Lys. Whole cell sugars were rhamnose, ribose and glucose. The DNA G+C content was 72.7 mol%. We encountered difficulty in selecting a suitable genus to accommodate strain 2JSPR-7T from any of the genera Xylanimonas , Xylanimicrobium and Xylanibacterium based on the polyphasic approach including phylogenetic and phenotypic characterization. Therefore, it is proposed to combine the genera Xylanimicrobium and Xylanibacterium with the genus Xylanimonas considering the priority of publication and to classify strain 2JSPR-7T in the genus as Xylanimonas allomyrinae sp. nov. The type strain of the novel species is 2JSPR-7T (=KACC 19330T=NBRC 113052T). In addition, the description of the genus Xylanimonas is emended, and Xylanibacterium ulmi and Xylanimicrobium pachnodae are reclassified as Xylanimonas ulmi comb. nov. and Xylanimonas pachnodae comb. nov., respectively.

Strain 1JSPR-7T, a facultatively anaerobic bacterium isolated from the gut of larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma raised in Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequences showed that strain 1JSPR-7T fell within the genus Lactococcus , forming a compact cluster with the type strain of four subspecies of Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus taiwanensis . The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 1JSPR-7T revealed the highest homology with L. lactis subsp. lactis JCM 5805T (97.3 %) and L. lactis subsp. hordniae NBRC 100931T (97.1 %), and the rpoB gene sequence showed the highest similarity to L. lactis subsp. cremoris DSM 20069T (91.4 %) and L. lactis subsp. tructae L105T (91.4 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values indicated that strain 1JSPR-7T was a novel species of the genus Lacococcus. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were summed feature 7 (unknown 18.846, C19 : 1ω6c and/or C19 : 0cyclo ω10c), C16 : 0 and C14 : 0, and the predominant menaquinone was MK-8 with MK-7 as a minor one. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified glycolipids with diphosphatidylglycerol as the major one. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of the A4α type with an interpeptide bridge comprising l-Lys-d-Asp. The DNA G+C content based on the whole genome sequences was 37.4 mol%. Based on the data obtained, strain 1JSPR-7T represents a novel species of the genus Lactococcus , for which the name Lactococcus allomyrinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1JSPR-7T (=KACC 19319T=NBRC 113068T).

Owing to its high production and world-wide usage, plastic pollution is an increasing concern in marine environments. Plastic is decomposed into nano- and micro-sized debris, which negative affect reproduction and development in aquatic organisms. Bisphenol A (BPA), an additive of plastic, is released into the water column upon plastic degradation, and is known as a representative endocrine-disrupting chemical. However, the reproductive effects of plastics and bisphenols at the molecular level have not yet been explored in small marine crustaceans. In this study, we investigated the effects of polystyrene (PS) beads (0.05, 0.5, and 6 - μm) and bisphenol analogues (BPs; BPA, BPS, and BPF) on reproduction and development of small marine crustaceans. Effects on transcriptional changes in ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone (JH) signaling pathway-related genes were examined in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis exposed to PS beads and BPs for 48 h. As results, BPs and PS beads delayed emergence time of first offspring, and increased fecundity in a concentration-dependent manner. BPs differentially modulated the expression of ecdysteroid and JH signaling pathway-related genes, indicating that BP analogs can disrupt endocrine systems via mechanisms different from those of BPA. PS beads was also changed the gene expression of both pathway, depending on their size and concentration. Our findings suggest that BP analogues and PS beads disrupt the endocrine system by modulating the hormonal pathways, affecting reproduction negatively. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular mode of action of BPs and PS beads in the reproduction of small crustaceans.

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), a primary approach for evaluating gene expression, requires an appropriate normalization strategy to rule out variations in gene expression among samples. The best option is to use a reference gene whose expression level is stable across various experimental conditions to compare the mRNA levels of a target gene. However, there is limited information on how the reference gene is differentially expressed at different ages (growth) in small invertebrates with notable changes such as molting. In this study, expression profiles of nine candidate reference genes from the brackish water flea, Diaphanosoma celebensis, were evaluated under diverse exposure to toxicants and according to growth. As a result, four different algorithms showed similar stabilities of genes for chemical exposures in the case of limited conditions using the same developmental stage (e.g., adult), while the results according to age showed a significantly different pattern in suite of candidate reference genes. This affected the results of genes EcRA and GST, which are involved in development and detoxification mechanisms, respectively. Our finding is the first step towards establishing a standardized real-time qRT-PCR analysis of this environmentally important invertebrate that has potential for aquatic ecotoxicology, particularly in estuarine environments.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a representative endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that has estrogenic effects in aquatic animals. In recent years, due to the continuing usage of BPA, its analogues have been developed as alternative substances to replace its use. The molting process is a pivotal point in the development and reproduction of crustaceans. However, studies of the effects of EDCs on molting in crustaceans at the molecular level are scarce. In the present study, we examined the acute toxicity of BPA and its analogues bisphenol F (BPF) and S (BPS) to the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. We further identified four ecdysteroid pathway - related genes (cyp314a1, EcRA, EcRB, and USP) in D. celebensis, and investigated the transcriptional modulation of these genes during molting and after exposure to BPA and its analogues for 48 h. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these four genes are highly conserved among arthropods and may be involved in development and reproduction in the adult stage. The mRNA expression patterns of cyp314a1, EcRA and USP were matched with the molting cycle, suggesting that these genes play a role in the molting process in the adult stage in cladocerans. Following relative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses, BPA and its analogues were found to modulate the expression of each of these four genes differently, indicating that these compounds can disrupt the normal endocrine system function of D. celebensis. This study improves our understanding of the molecular mode of action of BPA and its analogues in D. celebensis.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, polar-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as SC2-7T, was isolated from the dust collector at a pig farm located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. Growth occurred at 10–37 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, 7.0–8.0) and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %) on Reasoner’s 2A medium. The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SC2-7T was a member of the family Comamonadaceae , forming a robust cluster with the genera Alicycliphilus , Oryzisolibacter and Melaminivora . The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain SC2-7T showed the highest sequence similarities to Alicycliphilus denitrificans K601T (97.2 %), Oryzisolibacter propanilivorax EPL6T (97.0 %), Melaminivora alkalimesophila CY1T (96.9 %), Diaphorobacter polyhydroxybutyrativorans SL-205T (96.6 %), Diaphorobacter nitroreducens NA10BT (96.6 %) and Melaminivora jejuensis KBB12T (96.5 %). The tree based on the gyrA gene sequences also showed that strain SC2-7T fell into a phylogenetic position similar to that based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. The polar lipids present were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant quinone was ubiquione-8. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (including C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (including C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c). The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.1 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data presented here, strain SC2-7T represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Pulveribacter suum gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Pulveribacter suum is SC2-7T (=KACC 19309T=NBRC 113102T).

Owing to the increasing usage of plastics, their debris is continuously deposited in marine environments, resulting in deleterious effects on aquatic organisms. Although it is known that microplastics disturb the cellular redox status, knowledge of molecular in marine cladocerans is still lacking. In the present study, we investigated the acute toxicity of different-sized polystyrene (PS) beads (0.05, 0.5, and 6-μm diameter), ingestion and egestion patterns, their distribution in the tissues, and their effects on the antioxidant systems in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. All different-sized PS beads showed no mortality at the concentrations used in this study. After 48 h of exposure to PS beads of different sizes, all microbeads were retained in the digestive tract, but the retention time varied according to the bead size. In particular, the group that was exposed to 0.05-μm beads showed widely distributed fluorescence (e.g., in the embryo, and probably in lipid droplets as well as the digestive tract). The transcriptional level and enzyme activities of antioxidants were modulated depending on the size of the PS beads, and lipid peroxidation was induced in groups exposed to 0.05 and 0.5-μm beads. These findings suggest that the size of PS beads is an important factor for cellular toxicity, and can induce size-dependent oxidative stress in this species. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular modes of action of microplastics in marine zooplankton.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated KADR8-3T, isolated from Andong sikhye in Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of morphological, genetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it was determined to belong to the genus Ottowia . The phylogenetic similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated the strain formed a clade with Ottowia beijingensis GCS-AN-3T, Ottowia thiooxydans DSM 14619T, Ottowia pentelensis RB3-7T and ‘ Ottowia shaoguanensis ’ J5-66T, showing the highest similarity to O. beijingensis GCS-AN-3T (96.3 %). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c). The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8. The polar lipids present were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 66.80 mol%. These results supported that strain KADR8-3T was clearly distinguishable from its closely related species and represents a novel species of the genus Ottowia , for which the name Ottowia oryzae is proposed. The type strain is KADR8-3T (=KACC 19325T=NBRC 113109T).

A novel bacterial strain, S-12T, of a member of the genus Phreatobacter was isolated from a cathode of a microbial fuel cell from Suwon City, South Korea. Cells were Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-sporulating rods, motile by means of a polar flagellum, and formed white round colonies. The strain grew at the range of 10–40 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum 7.0–8.0) and 0–1 % NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the relatedness of S-12T to Phreatobacter stygius YC6-17T (98.2 %) and Phreatobacter oligotrophus PI_21T (98.1 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. Polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content was 69.3 mol%. On the basis of its differences from species of the genus Phreatobacter with validly published names, strain S-12T is identified as representing a novel species, for which the proposed name is Phreatobacter cathodiphilus sp. nov., with S-12T as the type strain (=KACC 18497T=JCM 31612T).

Two yellow-pigmented isolates, S5-249T and L9-754T, originating from surface-sterilized plant tissues of Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) cultivars were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strains S5-249T and L9-754T had 16S rRNA genes sharing 94.2 % sequence similarity with each other and 91.6–97.2 % sequence similarity with those of other species in the genus Sphingomonas , suggesting that they represent two potentially novel species. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains S5-249T and L9-754T shared the highest similarity to that of Sphingomonas sanguinis NBRC 13937T (96.1 and 97.2 %, respectively). The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains S5-249T and L9-754T were 66.9 and 68.5 mol%, respectively. The respiratory quinone was determined to be Q-10, and the major polyamine was homospermidine. Strains S5-249T and L9-754T contained summed feature 7 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω9t and/or C18 : 1ω12t), C16 : 1, C14 : 0 2-OH and summed feature 4 (C16 : 1ω7t, iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 1ω7c) as the major cellular fatty acids. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingoglycolipid. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between S. sanguinis NBRC 13937T and the two type strains (S5-249T and L9-754T) were 72.31 and 77.73 %, respectively. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) studies between the novel strains (S5-249T and L9-754T) and other species of the genus Sphingomonas were well below the thresholds used to discriminate between bacterial species. The results of dDDH and physiological tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the strains from each other as well as from the species of the genus Sphingomonas with validly published names. These data strongly support the classification of the strains as representatives of novel species, for which we propose the names Sphingomonas jatrophae sp. nov. (type strain S5-249T=DSM 27345T=KACC 17593T) and Sphingomonas carotinifaciens sp. nov. (type strain L9-754T=DSM 27347T=KACC 17595T).

The taxonomic position of a bacterial strain designated T16R-228T, isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of a tomato plant collected from a farm in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea, was determined using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of morphological, genetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it was determined to belong to the genus Paenibacillus . It was an aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, catalase-negative, oxidase-negative rod with peritrichous flagella. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, hydroxyl- phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified polar lipid. Menaquiones were MK-7. Predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. DNA G+C content was 56.8 mol%. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the strain formed a clade with P. mucilaginosus VKPM B-7519T, P. edaphicus T7T, P. ehimensis KCTC 3748T, P. koreensis YC300T, P. tianmuensis B27T and P. elgii SD17T, showing the highest sequence similarity with P. mucilaginosus VKPM B-7519T (96.5 %). The polyphasic data supported that strain T16R-228T was clearly distinguished from its closely related species and represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus for which the name Paenibacillus solanacearum is proposed. The type strain is T16R-228T (=KACC 18654T=NBRC 111896T).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated, rod-shaped or filamentous bacterial strain, T16R-86T, was isolated from rhizosphere of a tomato plant collected from a farm on Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. It grew at the temperature range 10–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and pH range 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), and tolerated up to 2 % (w/v) NaCl. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain T16R-86T shared the highest similarity with Chitinophaga barathri YLT18T (96.8 %) and C. pinensis DSM 2588T (96.7 %), forming a subcluster with C. barathri YLT18T, C. cymbidii R156-2T and C. niabensis JS13-10T in the phylogenetic tree. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. Polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, five unknown aminolipids, an unknown aminophospholipid, one unknown phospholipid and two unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content was 53.6 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data showed that strain T16R-86T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga , for which the name Chitinophaga rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T16R-86T (=KACC 18790T=JCM 31600T).

A bacterial strain, designated 5GHs33-3T, was isolated from greenhouse soil collected from Yongin region, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. The strain was an aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium. Strain 5GHs33-3T grew at 4–37 °C (optimally at 28–30 °C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimally at pH 7.0) and with 0–7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 0 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain 5GHs33-3T had high sequence similarity with Actinotalea suaedae EGI 60002T (98.4 %), Actinotalea ferrariae CF5-4T (96.4 %) and Actinotalea fermentans DSM 3133T (96.2 %), and less than 95.5 % sequence similarity against all the other species with validly published names. The phylogenetic tree revealed that strain 5GHs33-3T formed a robust independent monophyletic line with Actinotalea suaedae EGI 60002T. The predominant fatty acids of strain 5GHs33-3T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The only quinone was MK-8(H4). Polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phosphoglycolipid and unknown lipids. The peptidoglycan type was A4β, with ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid and an interpeptide bridge comprising l-Glu. The DNA G+C content is 69.0 mol%. Based on phylogenetic evidence and the results of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain 5GHs33-3T represents a novel species of a new genus of the family Cellulomonadaceae , for which the name Pseudactinotalea terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 5GHs33-3T (=KACC 16542T=NBRC 111006T). We also propose the reclassification of Actinotalea suaedae as Pseudactinotalea suaedae comb. nov. (type strain EGI 60002T=JCM 19624T=KACC 17839T=KCTC 29256T).

A bacterial strain, designated 2DFW10M-5T, was isolated from gut of the larva of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis collected in the Republic of Korea. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and rod-shaped. The strain grew at the range of 10–37 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C) and pH 4.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and tolerated up to 1 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0 %) on Reasoner's 2A medium. It was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 2DFW10M-5T showed the highest similarity to Gryllotalpicola daejeonensis RU-04T (98.4 %), Gryllotalpicola soli KIS12-7T (98.2 %), Gryllotalpicola kribbensis PU-02T (97.5 %), Gryllotalpicola koreensis RU-16T (97.4 %) and Gryllotalpicola reticulitermitis TS-56T (97.2 %). The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 2DFW10M-5T fell into the radius of the genus Gryllotalpicola . The predominant fatty acid was ω-cyclohexyl-C17:0. The polar lipids of strain 2DFW10M-5T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The detected isoprenoid quinones were MK-11 (61.0 %), MK-10 (33.7 %) and MK-12 (5.3 %). The peptidoglycan contained d- and l-alanine, d-glutamic acid, glycine, l-serine and d-lysine with l-lysine as the diamino acid. The DNA G+C content calculated from the genome sequence of strain 2DFW10M-5T was 69.2 mol%. On the basis of its genomic, phylogenetic and phenotypic properties and distinctiveness, strain 2DFW10M-5T represents a novel species of the genus Gryllotalpicola , for which the name Gryllotalpicola protaetiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2DFW10M-5T (=KACC 19316T=NBRC 113049T).

Although it has previously been shown that bisphenol (BP) analogues may interfere with the normal hormonal regulation by acting as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), little information is available on effects of BP analogues in invertebrates, particularly on cladocerans. In the present study, we identified estrogen-related receptors (EER), vitellogenin (VTG), and VTG receptor (VtgR) from the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis, and examined the effects of BPA and the substitutes, BPF and BPS, in different sublethal concentrations. Gene expression varied with time well matched with brooding, suggesting that DcEER, DcVTG, and DcVtgR play a role in reproduction in D. celebensis. qRT-PCR analysis showed that BPA and its substitutes differently modulated mRNA expressions of DcEER, DcVTG, and DcVtgR, indicating that these compounds adversely affect the normal reproduction-related pathway. This study facilitates better understanding of the molecular mode of action of BP analogues on the reproductive system of D. celebensis.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterium, designated strain 2DFWR-13T, was isolated from gut of the larva of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, in the Republic of Korea. Strain 2DFWR-13T showed high sequence similarities to Lysinimonas kribbensis MSL-13T (97.7 %), Homoserinibacter gongjuensis 5GH26-15T (97.2 %), Microbacterium deminutum KV-483T (97.1 %) and Herbiconiux ginsengi CGMCC 4.3491T (97.1 %). The predominant fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The major menaquinones were MK-13 and MK-12. The peptidoglycan type was type B2 with the diagnostic amino acid d-DAB. The N-acyl type of the murein was glycolyl. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 71.5 mol%. Based on its phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics, we conclude that strain 2DFWR-13T represents a novel genus and species of the family Microbacteriaceae , for which the name Protaetiibacter intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Protaetiibacter intestinalis is 2DFWR-13T (=KACC 19321T=NBRC 113050T). In addition, an emended description of the genus Lysinimonas Jang et al. 2013 and the reclassification of Lysinimonas kribbensis Jang et al. 2013 as Pseudolysinimonas kribbensis gen. nov., comb. nov. are proposed.

A bacterial strain designated 5GH32-13T was isolated from greenhouse soil in Yongin-city, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile rods of two different shapes. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidasenegative. Flexirubin-like pigments were not detected. β-Carotene was produced. The strain grew in the range of 10-37°C (optimum of 28-30°C) and pH 6-8 (optimum of pH 7) and tolerated up to 1% (w/v) NaCl (optimum of 0%). According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain 5GH32-13T shared a sequence similarity of less than 96.0% with all validly named taxa, having the highest sequence similarity with Pseudoflavitalea soli KIS20-3T (95.8%), Pseudoflavitalea rhizosphaerae T16R-265T (95.4%), Flavitalea gansuensis JCN-23T (95.3%), Pseudobacter ginsenosidimutans Gsoil 221T (95.3%), and Flavitalea populi HY-50RT (95.2%). A phylogenetic tree showed that strain 5GH32-13T was not grouped consistently into any specific genus. Its only polyamine was homospermidine, and its major fatty acids (> 10% of total fatty acids) were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and iso-C15:1 G. The strain’s only respiratory quinone was MK-7, and its polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, six unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. Its DNA G + C content was 47.5 mol%. The results from chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain 5GH32-13T represents a novel species of a novel genus of the family Chitinophagaceae, and the name Paraflavitalea soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5GH32-13T (= KACC 17331T = JCM 33061T).

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming motile by means of peritrichous flagella, facultatively anaerobic bacterium designated TI45-13arT was isolated from Nuruk, a Korean traditional Makgeolli fermentation starter. It grew at 4-35°C (optimum, 28-30°C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and NaCl concentrations up to 5% (w/v). Phylogenetic trees generated using 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TI45-13arT belonged to the genus Paenibacillus and showed the highest sequence similarities with Paenibacillus kyungheensis DCY88T (98.5%), Paenibacillus hordei RH-N24T (98.4%) and Paenibacillus nicotianae YIM h-19T (98.1%). The major fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0. The DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol%, and MK-7 was the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified glycolipids, and one unidentified aminoglycolipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomy study, it was suggested that strain TI45-13arT represents a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus for which the name Paenibacillus nuruki sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain was TI45-13arT (= KACC 18728T = NBRC 112013T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, coccoid- or short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated SC2-6T, was isolated from a dust collector of a pig farm located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. Strain SC2-6T grew within the ranges of 10–37 °C (28–30 °C, optimally), pH 6.0–10.0 (pH 7.0–8.0, optimally) and 0–3% NaCl (w/v). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain SC2-6T showed the highest values to Paracoccus kondratievae GBT (96.3%), Paracoccus denitrificans DSM 413T (96.3%) and Paracoccus sanguinis 5503T (96.1%). The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SC2-6T belonged to the genus Paracoccus and clustered with Paracoccus pacificus F14T. The phylogenetic tree based on the rpoD gene sequences also demonstrated that strain SC2-6T fell into the clade of the genus Paracoccus . The DNA G+C content was 66.9 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and the major fatty acids (> 10% of the total fatty acids) were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c). The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified glycolipid, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain SC2-6T was classified in the genus Paracoccus as a member of a novel species, for which the name Paracoccus suum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC2-6T (=KACC 19328T=NBRC 113110T).

The combined effect of toxic inducers has emerged as a challenging topic, particularly due to their inconsistent impacts on the environment. Using toxic unit (TU) based on LC50 value, we investigated the 48 h acute toxicities of the following combinations: Cd + As, Cd + Pb, As + Pb, and Cd + As + Pb, and binary and ternary combined effects were interpreted using concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) model. The molecular effects of these combinations were further examined on the basis of gene expression (four GST and two SOD isoforms) and antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD and GST). The CA-predicted LC50 was similar to the observed results, indicating that the CA model is more applicable for evaluating the combined effects of the metal mixtures. Synergistic effects (ΣTULC50