Dae-Im Jung, Yunjeong Park, Jung-Ah Choi, Soon-Hwan Kwon, Jun Young Lee, Manki Song, Sang Hwan Seo
{"title":"Development and analytical evaluation of a microneutralization cytopathic effect assay for human adenovirus type 55-specific neutralizing antibodies.","authors":"Dae-Im Jung, Yunjeong Park, Jung-Ah Choi, Soon-Hwan Kwon, Jun Young Lee, Manki Song, Sang Hwan Seo","doi":"10.71150/jm.2604007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.71150/jm.2604007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reliable quantification of neutralizing antibodies (nAb) against human adenovirus type 55 (HAdV-55) is critical for the evaluation of emerging vaccine candidates. While the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is currently the reference standard, its utility for large-scale studies is limited by low throughput, labor-intensive plaque counting, and prolonged assay times. In this study, we established and analytically validated a microneutralization assay based on cytopathic effect (MN-CPE) as a scalable alternative for HAdV-55-specific nAb quantification. Comparative performance analysis revealed that both assays maintain high dilution linearity, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.988 for MN-CPE and 0.9926 for PRNT. Relative accuracy assessments using high-, middle-, and low-titer reference sera demonstrated acceptable responses across the dynamic range. Notably, the MN-CPE assay allowed for the definition of a negative-control acceptance range, providing a distinct statistical advantage over PRNT, where negative-control values were consistently zero. Furthermore, both assays successfully detected HAdV-55-specific nAbs in immunized cynomolgus macaques, with no cross-reactivity observed against other HAdV types such as HAdV-4. These findings indicate that the MN-CPE assay is analytically comparable to PRNT and serves as a practical, relatively high-capacity alternative for HAdV-55 neutralization testing in clinical and preclinical vaccine research.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 7","pages":"e2604007"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148663692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qian Liu, Xiaorong Chen, Xi Liu, Lingjuan Liu, Cuiting Chen, Lingling Li, Weiqing Liang, Pan Xu, Jinbao Pu
{"title":"Rhizosphere microbiome differentiation and soil environmental drivers in two Monotropastrum species.","authors":"Qian Liu, Xiaorong Chen, Xi Liu, Lingjuan Liu, Cuiting Chen, Lingling Li, Weiqing Liang, Pan Xu, Jinbao Pu","doi":"10.71150/jm.2602009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.71150/jm.2602009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study compared the rhizosphere microbial communities of two closely related Monotropastrum species (M. humile, Mh; and M. humile var. glaberrima, Mhg) and identified key soil factors associated with their assembly. Bacterial and fungal communities were profiled by Illumina high-throughput sequencing, and soil physicochemical properties were assessed across multiple sites in Zhejiang Province, China. The bacterial communities of both species were dominated by Proteobacteria and Acidobacteriota at the phylum level, while the dominant fungal groups belonged to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The two plants shared several dominant bacterial genera, including Serratia, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, and Bradyrhizobium, as well as common dominant fungal genera such as Saitozyma and Podila. Despite these similarities, species-specific enrichment patterns were observed. The rhizosphere of Mhg contained higher abundances of Acidothermus and Lactarius, whereas Mh preferentially enriched Cedecea, Klebsiella, and Russula. Bacterial communities were shaped by pH, soil organic matter (SOM), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorus (AP), whereas fungal communities were primarily influenced by pH, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), and SOM (p < 0.05). These results suggest that both host identity and soil properties contribute to rhizosphere microbial assembly, with clear host-associated differentiation in microbial communities. Notably, the identified host-associated microbial taxa, particularly key mycorrhizal fungi, may serve as potential microbial inoculants, providing new opportunities for the conservation and cultivation of mycoheterotrophic plants.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 7","pages":"e2602009"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148663836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heymin Song, Nanjoo Park, Eunsuk Kim, Seowon Jang, Sunghoon Kim, Jeongik Cho, Hyunjin Yoon
{"title":"Transcriptomic insights into the effects of sublethal exposure to endolysin LNT113 on Escherichia coli.","authors":"Heymin Song, Nanjoo Park, Eunsuk Kim, Seowon Jang, Sunghoon Kim, Jeongik Cho, Hyunjin Yoon","doi":"10.71150/jm.2605009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.71150/jm.2605009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The global rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria poses a critical threat to public health, and bacteriophage-derived endolysins have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. The engineered endolysin LNT113, derived from the Escherichia coli phage PBEC131 endolysin EC340, exhibits potent lytic activity against Gram-negative bacteria. This study investigated the transcriptomic responses of E. coli to sublethal LNT113 stress and identified genetic determinants required for bacterial adaptation to endolysin-induced stress. Transcriptomic analysis identified 552 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) following sublethal LNT113 exposure. Thirteen DEGs associated with stress response and envelope maintenance were individually deleted to generate thirteen mutant strains and to functionally evaluate their roles in bacterial stress tolerance. Among these, the ΔfabB and Δ(prmB-yfcL) mutants exhibited significantly reduced survival under sublethal LNT113 exposure, indicating increased susceptibility to the endolysin. Regarding the prmB-yfcL operon, individual genes were deleted to determine the gene critical for bacterial tolerance. Deletion of aroC and mepA rendered E. coli more susceptible to LNT113. Furthermore, 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine uptake assays demonstrated increased membrane permeability in the ΔfabB, ΔaroC, and ΔmepA mutants. Complementation with pWSK129::fabB, pWSK129::aroC, and pWSK129::mepA restored membrane integrity in the respective mutant strains. These findings suggest that fabB-mediated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and mepA-dependent peptidoglycan remodeling are critical for maintaining envelope integrity under endolysin stress, whereas aroC may indirectly support bacterial tolerance to LNT113 via metabolic adaptation. This study provides insights into bacterial responses to LNT113 and offers a foundation for optimizing endolysin-based therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 7","pages":"e2605009"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148663881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extracellular vesicles in human fungal pathogens: Biogenesis, functions, and translational applications.","authors":"Catia Mota, Heeyoun Hwang, Hyun Ah Kang","doi":"10.71150/jm.2606008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.71150/jm.2606008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as critical mediators of fungal physiology, virulence, and host-pathogen interactions. Since their first description in Cryptococcus neoformans, EVs have been identified in several fungal species and shown to transport a broad repertoire of bioactive cargo. Increasing evidence indicates that fungal EVs participate in multiple biological processes, including cell wall remodeling, stress adaptation, biofilm formation, antifungal resistance, and modulation of host immune responses. Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy, multi-omics approaches, and functional genetics have substantially expanded our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing EV biogenesis, cargo selection, and extracellular trafficking. These studies have further revealed that EV cargo loading is a highly regulated process linked to intracellular proteostasis, glycosylation, lipid homeostasis, and environmental adaptation. In parallel, the intrinsic immunogenicity and structural stability of fungal EVs have highlighted their translational potential as diagnostic biomarkers, vaccine platforms, therapeutic targets, and nanoscale delivery systems. Given the increasing global burden of invasive fungal infections, this review focuses on EVs derived from clinically relevant human fungal pathogens. We summarize recent advances in EV biogenesis, cargo regulation, their roles in pathogenesis, highlight emerging translational applications, and discuss key unresolved questions and future research directions in the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 7","pages":"e2606008"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148663707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sujin Jung, So Hyeon Park, Joon Sig Choi, Ho-Chul Shin, Seung Jun Kim, Bonsu Ku
{"title":"Structural and biochemical analyses of a novel bacterial dual specificity phosphatase from Candidatus Chlorohelix allophototropha.","authors":"Sujin Jung, So Hyeon Park, Joon Sig Choi, Ho-Chul Shin, Seung Jun Kim, Bonsu Ku","doi":"10.71150/jm.2604025","DOIUrl":"10.71150/jm.2604025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are a subfamily of protein tyrosine phosphatases that regulate diverse cellular processes through dephosphorylation of phosphorylated substrates. DUSPs are commonly found in eukaryotes, bacteria, archaea, and viruses. However, structural and biochemical characterization of bacterial DUSP remains limited, as only one bacterial DUSP has been identified thus far. In this study, we investigated a novel putative bacterial DUSP from Candidatus Chlorohelix allophototropha, referred to as CCaDUSP. The crystal structure of CCaDUSP showed the presence of a well-conserved catalytic motif with a characteristic phosphate-binding loop. Biochemical analyses further confirmed that CCaDUSP exhibits phosphatase activity and contains dual general acid/base residues, both of which contribute to its enzymatic activity. These findings not only represent the first characterization of a novel bacterial DUSP with dual general acid/base residues but also provide a foundation for understanding the diversity of DUSP proteins in bacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":"e2604025"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148455795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Han-Sol Kim, Su-Hwa Lee, Zhun Li, Hah Young Yoo, Jang-Seu Ki
{"title":"Potential of marine dinoflagellates Amphidinium carterae and Prorocentrum minimum as fatty acids producers: A comparative transcriptome and fatty acid profiling study.","authors":"Han-Sol Kim, Su-Hwa Lee, Zhun Li, Hah Young Yoo, Jang-Seu Ki","doi":"10.71150/jm.2604005","DOIUrl":"10.71150/jm.2604005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marine dinoflagellates are gaining attention as sustainable bioresource for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly omega-3 such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In the present study, we analyzed the FAs and transcriptomic profiles of marine dinoflagellates Amphidinium carterae (D-044) and Prorocentrum minimum (D-127) to evaluate their potential as FAs producers. Gas chromatography-FA methyl ester (GC-FAME) analysis showed that A. carterae is a superior omega-3 producer, yielding a total FA content of 67.6 mg/g DW. DHA accounted for 26.7% of the total FAME profile, which is significantly higher than that of P. minimum (18.1 mg/g DW; DHA 13.1%). Gene Ontology (GO) annotation revealed genes related to FAs and lipid metabolism in A. carterae (1,217 genes) and in P. minimum (2,317 genes), which provide a molecular basis for dinoflagellates with high lipid productivity. Notably, three lipid droplet-associated hydrolase (LDAH) genes with diverse evolutionary origins were identified from A. carterae. These findings suggest a potential expansion of the genetic repertoire related to lipid storage and metabolism, highlighting A. carterae and LDAH as candidates for future biotechnological applications and microalgal metabolic engineering.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 6","pages":"e2604005"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577053/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148391038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bo-Yun Choi, Hye-Jin Kim, Myeong Jae Kim, Yoon Jin Roh, Ji Yeon Hong, Kui Young Park, Woo Jun Sul
{"title":"Adipose tissue-derived stem cell exosomes enhance skin barrier function and show exploratory associations with the skin mycobiome in aging skin.","authors":"Bo-Yun Choi, Hye-Jin Kim, Myeong Jae Kim, Yoon Jin Roh, Ji Yeon Hong, Kui Young Park, Woo Jun Sul","doi":"10.71150/jm.2603020","DOIUrl":"10.71150/jm.2603020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skin aging increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), reduces elasticity, and perturbs the skin microbiome. Adipose tissue-derived stem cell exosomes (ASCE) show regenerative potential; however, their clinical effects on skin physiology and microbiome remain unclear. We conducted a split-face, randomized controlled trial in 16 adults aged ≥ 40 years with visible facial aging. One facial side received ultrasound-assisted transdermal delivery of a human ASCE-containing solution (HACS), whereas the other side received normal saline, at two-week intervals for three sessions. Biophysical outcomes (TEWL, stratum corneum hydration, and elasticity parameters R2/R5/R7) were assessed at baseline and week 2, 4, and 8. Wrinkles, pigmentation, and sebum levels were quantified using Mark-Vu imaging, and the Physician's Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (PGAIS) and patient satisfaction assessment scores were recorded. Skin swabs from ten participants were subjected to 16S rRNA and ITS1 sequencing. HACS treatment significantly reduced TEWL (p = 0.006 at week 2; p = 0.009 at week 8) and increased hydration (p < 0.001 at all time points) with a significant increase in elasticity (R2/R5/R7 values, p < 0.001). Both the PGAIS and patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher on the experimental side. Bacterial α/β-diversity remained largely unchanged, and no bacterial taxa remained significantly associated with skin parameters after FDR correction. In contrast, several fungal taxa showed significant positive associations with skin parameters after FDR correction, detectable only on the HACS-treated side. No significant adverse events were observed. HACS improved barrier function, elasticity, and aesthetic outcomes, whereas microbiome analyses suggested a modest fungal response associated with treatment-related skin changes in aging skin.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 6","pages":"e2603020"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577115/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148391110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prophase roles of replication protein A in crossover formation and meiotic progression.","authors":"Rose M Lee, Keun Pil Kim, Jeong H Joo","doi":"10.71150/jm.2604001","DOIUrl":"10.71150/jm.2604001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Meiotic recombination is initiated by programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which are subsequently processed to generate single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Replication protein A (RPA), a heterotrimeric ssDNA-binding complex, plays essential roles in DNA replication, repair, and recombination; however, the specific functions of RPA in meiotic recombination progression and chromosome morphogenesis remain unclear. Here, we investigate the role of RPA in recombination and meiotic progression by conditionally depleting Rfa1, the large subunit of the RPA complex, using an auxin-inducible degron (AID) system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that Rfa1 depletion causes severe defects in meiotic recombination, including impaired DSB processing, defective chromosome axis assembly, compromised synaptonemal complex formation, and failure of ZMM-dependent crossover recombination. Notably, inhibition of Mek1 protein kinase activity, which bypasses the recombination checkpoint, does not rescue these defects in Rfa1-depleted cells. Together, these findings identify RPA as a key factor that stabilizes recombination intermediates and coordinates prophase I events with chromosome synapsis and crossover formation during meiosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 6","pages":"e2604001"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148391062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mingzhu Zheng, Chuang Liu, Ceyuan Liu, Jing Xie, Gen Pan, Can Zhong, Jian Jin
{"title":"High yield strategies for triterpenoid biosynthesis in cell factories.","authors":"Mingzhu Zheng, Chuang Liu, Ceyuan Liu, Jing Xie, Gen Pan, Can Zhong, Jian Jin","doi":"10.71150/jm.2509018","DOIUrl":"10.71150/jm.2509018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Triterpenoids are natural products widely found in the plant kingdom and have various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumour. However, the content of triterpenoids in medicinal plants is low, and it is difficult to purify and isolate them due to their complex structure. The efficient production of some triterpenoids in chassis organisms has been achieved by constructing a heterologous triterpenoid synthesis pathway in engineered strains such as yeast, modifying the key enzymes in the pathway, and adjusting the metabolism of yeast. Modification of key enzymes in the synthetic pathway is currently an effective strategy to enhance the heterologous synthesis of triterpenoids. This paper reviews the current research progress on the modification of key enzymes downstream in the synthetic pathway and the design of key enzymes around them to enhance triterpenoid production in five main areas: 1) increasing the supply of triterpenoid precursors; 2) inhibition of the natural sterol pathway; 3) fusion expression of related enzymes; 4) compartmentalisation of the metabolic pathway; and 5) tapping and enhancing the triterpenoid efflux pump. Finally, recent advances and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in enzyme engineering and pathway design for triterpenoid biosynthesis are highlighted. Challenges and perspectives for further increasing the yield of triterpenoid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are presented.</p>","PeriodicalId":16546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology","volume":"64 6","pages":"e2509018"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577033/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148391108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}