Bacillus fungorum sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from spent mushroom substrate

A facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming Bacillus strain, 17-SMS-01T, isolated from spent mushroom substrate in the Fangshan District, Beijing, PR China, was initially identified as a Bacillus cereus group species based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Strain 17-SMS-01T had the highest sequence similarities to Bacillus wiedmannii FSL W8-0169T (99.9 %), Bacillus albus N35-10-2T (99.9 %), Bacillus luti TD41T (99.9 %) and Bacillus proteolyticus TD42T (99.9 %). However, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) values between strain 17-SMS-01T and the most closely related species were less than the previously proposed cut-off values of 96 % (ANI) and 70 % (DDH) for differentiating species within the genus, suggesting that this strain represents a novel Bacillus group species. The fatty acid profile of strain 17-SMS-01T, which showed a predominance of iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0, supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Bacillus . The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 (100%). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, an unidentified aminophospholiped and unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 35.0 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain 17-SMS-01T from the most closely related recognized species. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, strain 17-SMS-01T represents a novel Bacillus species, for which the name Bacillus fungorum sp. nov. is proposed. Type strain of the novel species is 17-SMS-01T (=MCCC 1K03483T=KCTC 33949T).

Burkholderia jiangsuensis sp. nov., a methyl parathion degrading bacterium, isolated from methyl parathion contaminated soil

A methyl parathion (MP) degrading bacterial strain, designated MP-1T, was isolated from a waste land where pesticides were formerly manufactured in Jiangsu province, China. Polyphasic taxonomic studies showed that MP-1T is a Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and motile bacterium. The bacterium could grow at salinities of 0–1 % (w/v) and temperatures of 15–40 °C. Strain MP-1T could reduce nitrate to nitrite, utilize d-glucose and l-arabinose, but not produce indole, or hydrolyse gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that MP-1T belongs to the genus Burkholderia , showing highest sequence similarity to Burkholderia grimmiae DSM 25160T (98.5 %), and similar strains including Burkholderia zhejiangensis OP-1T (98.2 %), Burkholderia choica LMG 22940T (97.5 %), Burkholderia glathei DSM 50014T (97.4 %), Burkholderia terrestris LMG 22937T (97.2 %) and Burkholderia telluris LMG 22936T (97.0 %). In addition, the gyrB and recA gene segments of strain MP-1T exhibited less than 89.0 % and 95.1 % similarities with the most highly-related type strains indicated above. The G+C content of strain MP-1T was 62.6 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The predominant polar lipids comprised phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, aminolipid and phospholipid. The principal fatty acids in strain MP-1T were C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (23.3 %), C16 : 0 (16.8 %), cyclo-C17 : 0 (15.0 %), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6 (8.5 %), cyclo-C19 : 0ω8c (8.1 %), C16 : 1 iso I/C14 : 0 3-OH (5.7 %), C16 : 0 3-OH (5.6 %) and C16 : 02-OH (5.1 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain MP-1T and the three type strains ( B. grimmiae DSM 25160T, B. zhejiangensis OP-1T and B. glathei DSM 50014T) ranged from 24.6 % to 37.4 %. In accordance with phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain MP-1T represents a novel species of the genus Burkholderia , for which the name Burkholderia jiangsuensis sp. nov. is proposed, the type strain is MP-1T (LMG 27927T = MCCC 1K00250T).

Screening Tests of Reproductive Immunology in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Female patients in reproductive age with systemic lupus erythematosus and fertility complications together are observed by rheumatologists, gynecologists, and reproductive immunologists. The paper notes the presence of autoantibodies to zona pellucida, to phospholipids (phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidic acid, annexin V, beta-2 glycoprotein I, and cardiolipin) and of isoantibodies to sperm cells. Isoantibodies to sperm cells are not significantly predominant, but autoimmunity is well expressed in IgG positivity against phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, cardiolipin, and beta-2 glycoprotein I, as well as antizona pellucida antibodies in IgG isotype. According to the levels of autoantibodies we have to choose preventive treatment to protect mother and her foetus.

Preparative isolation and characterization of the B875 complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

We have developed a simple and efficient method, using a mixed detergent system of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100, for the preparative isolation of theB875 complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. As a bonus, the method allows the preparation of both the B875 and B800-850 complexes from the same batch of chromatophores. The preparations are spectrally pure, as indicated by absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The latter method suggests that the Qy band of the B875 complex is due to weakly interacting bacteriochlorophyll molecules. Protein and pigment analysis shows that the B875 complex contains 2 mol of bacteriochlorophyll and 2 mol of sphaeroidene per mol of apoprotein (12 266 g), whereas the B800-850 complex contains 3 mol of bacteriochlorophyll and 1 mol of sphaeroidene per mol of apoprotein (11 497 g). While these stoichiometries are in accord with currently accepted models, they disagree with their published experimental basis. Phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, and diphosphatidyl glycerol were found to be present in the B875 complex.

ANALYSIS OF LIPIDS IN COTTON EXTRAFLORAL NECTAR1

Extrafloral cotton nectar subjected to gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of six fatty acids. Two saturated acids (palmitic and stearic) and four unsaturated acids (palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic), polar and neutral lipids, respectively, were identified. Thin layer chromotography separated six phospholipids including: phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, lysophosphatidyl choline, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, and an unknown. Fatty acid concentration was greatest in extrafloral nectar from young plants and decreased as the plants matured. The potential impact of extrafloral nectar lipid concentrations on predatory insects is discussed.

Effect of triglycerides on the production of lipids and lipase by Mucor hiemalis

The effect of triglycerides on the growth of Mucor hiemalis and the production of lipase and mycelial lipids was studied. Addition of 1% triglycerides to the fermentation medium was best for the mycelial as well as the broth lipase production. The added triglycerides seemed to be utilized through the formation of free fatty acids, and towards the end of the growth phase most of the triglycerides and their hydrolysis products were utilized. The mycelial lipase activity was maximum (66 U/g dry mycelium) at the end of the growth phase, while the maximal broth lipase activity (204 U/100 mL) was achieved after the cell lysis had started. The lipids produced per gram mycelia were high initially (260 mg/g dry weight at 48 h), reducing gradually later. With increase in growth the maximum mycelial lipids per 100 mL of culture medium was obtained after 96 h (176 mg/100 mL). The various fractions detected in the mycelial lipid extracts were sterol esters, triglycerides, free fatty acids, diglycerides, sterols, monoglycerides, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, and small amounts of an unknown polar lipid at all the stages of fermentation studied. Proportion between total neutral and total polar lipids remained nearly constant throughout fermentation.

Lipid and protein composition of a membrane-rich fraction of butter oil

SummaryLipid and aqueous extracts of bovine milk and 5 fractions prepared from bovine milk, including a membrane-rich fraction (MRF) isolated during butter oil production, were analysed for neutral lipid, phospholipid, protein and glycoprotein. The MRF showed an 8·5-fold enrichment in the phospholipid: protein ratio compared to whole milk. The percentage distribution of the 3 major phospholipid classes, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin was 30, 36, 31 % respectively, the values of which differ slightly from those of whole milk. Fatty acid analysis of the major neutral and phospholipid classes indicated a predominance of palmitate, stearate and oleate. SDS polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gradients indicated that the percentage protein having a mol. wt in excess of 75000 increased by a factor of 2 in the MRF when compared to milk. Glycoprotein profiles of the MRF and its precursor cream differ significantly from the patterns evident in whole milk and skim-milk.

Preparation and chemical properties of the outer membrane of a moderately halophilic gram-negative bacterium

Outer membranes, almost free from peptidoglycan components, were prepared from a moderately halophilic gram-negative bacterium grown in a medium containing 2 M NaCl. The outer membrane was easily released, leaving mureinoplasts, by mild desalting in a 20% sucrose solution containing 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-HCl buffer, pH 7.8. The membrane was recovered by treatment with DNase I and CsCl buoyant density centrifugation.Chemical analyses revealed that the outer membrane was mainly composed of 31% protein, about 20% extractable lipids (mainly phospholipids), and lipopolysaccharides. The proteins had about 18 mol% excess of acidic over basic amino acids. The phospholipids comprised phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, cardiolipin, and an unidentified phospholipid containing glucose, which seemed mainly associated with the outer membrane. The content of lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane was calculated arbitrarily as 30% from the heptose content. A unique feature of these lipopolysaccharides seemed to be a higher lipid content than found in lipopolysaccharides of other gram-negative bacteria. The major fatty acids of bound lipids of the outer membrane resembled those of the lipopolysaccharides obtained from cell envelope preparation and contained high concentrations of 3-hydroxy lauric acid.

Clotting Activity of Platelet Phospholipids in Rat and Man

SummaryThe clotting activity of man and rat platelet phospholipid fractions separated by bi-dimensional TLC, resuspended in Tyrode by sonication, was studied in the recalcification (manual) and in the Stypven (recalcification plus Russell’s viper venom) clotting time (determined in a coagulometer). Phosphatidyl serine was the most active fraction to shorten the two clotting tests utilized, in both rat and man, but it was much more effective in the Stypven time. The phosphatidyl ethanolamine was the second most active fraction, in the Stypven time; this fraction was almost as active as phosphatidyl serine in both animal species. The other fractions studied (phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin) were sligthly active or not active, depending on the experimental conditions.The clotting activity of platelet phosphatidyl serine from rat, at concentrations corresponding to platelet counts from 1 to 10 ( X105), was much smaller than this of the disrupted (sonicated) platelets from which it originated. However, the clotting activity of sonicated platelets could be completely reproduced, either at each concentration studied (Stypven time) or at a concentration corresponding to lOxlO5 platelets (recalcification time), by adding to phosphatidyl serine the other four phospholipid fractions (phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, sphingomyelin) dispersed in a homogeneous way by sonication.The feeding of a butter-rich diet to rats considerably increased the activity of each of the platelet phospholipid fractions in the two clotting tests carried out.

Effects of cholesterol on growth and lipid composition of Pythium sp. PRL 2142

Addition of exogenous cholesterol to Pythium initially increases the growth rate, but the final dry weight yield is reduced. Cholesterol induces an overall increase in lipid synthesis after the initial period of rapid growth. The lipid content of cholesterol-grown mycelium becomes about double that of mycelium grown without cholesterol. The proportion of phosphatidyl serine relative to other phospholipids is reduced by half in mycelia grown with cholesterol. The major phospholipids are phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, and phosphatidyl choline. Minor phospholipids identified are phosphatidyl inositol, lysophosphatidyl choline, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, and cardiolipin. No significant differences were noted in fatty acid composition.