Current Research in Microbial Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Bacterial diversity and biomarkers screening of station and carriage surface in Shanghai metro system, China","authors":"Lijun Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaojing Li ,&nbsp;Lisha Shi ,&nbsp;Yi Zheng ,&nbsp;Yichen Ding ,&nbsp;Tao Yuan ,&nbsp;Shuangqing Hu ,&nbsp;Jian Chen ,&nbsp;Ping Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100374","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100374","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mass transit environments, such as the metro, can facilitate the spread of bacteria between humans and their surroundings. These environments are particularly important for human health due to their potential for spreading pathogens and their impact on large populations. To gain a deeper understanding of bacterial distribution in subways, it is essential to identify variables that affect bacterial composition and microorganisms that are probably harmful to human heath.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing on surface samples from 5 subway stations in Shanghai, China, during the warm(summer), cold(winter) and transition(autumn) seasons. Bacteria community features across the three seasons were distinguished using random forest classification analyses, followed by in-depth diversity analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant differences were observed in surface bacterial communities across seasons. Highly abundant bacterial groups were generally ubiquitous. Among these highly abundant families and genera, some were unique to surface samples. Notably, the phyla <em>Firmicutes, Proteobacteria,</em> and <em>Actinobacteria</em> were predominant, with total abundances of 32.87 %, 29.41 %, and 16.31 %, respectively. Alpha diversity indices were statistically significant (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) among different seasons, with autumn exhibiting significantly higher alpha diversity metrics compared to summer and winter. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant compositional dissimilarities and distinct clustering patterns among the three seasons (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). An analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) test results indicated significant differences in bacterial patterns at the phylum, class, order, family, genus levels among the seasons (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Random forest classification analyses identified the top 24 bacterial taxa at the genus level across seasons in the metro system.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>We provided a direct comparison of surface bacterial microbiomes, and a comprehensive survey of seasonal variation in subways using culture-independent methods. Our findings reveal differences in both diversity and abundance of certain taxa across seasons, with 24 top indicator bacterial genera identified. This work serves as a reference for understanding the composition and dynamics of bacterial communities and for biomarker screening in subways, a crucial public space in our increasingly urbanized and interconnected world.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100374"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolomic insights into the prebiotic and metabolic regulatory properties of ellagic acid and urolithins on probiotic-like bacteria in vitro","authors":"Yang Yang ,&nbsp;Ke Wang ,&nbsp;Jia-Chi Chiou ,&nbsp;Danyue Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100425","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mounting evidence suggests that dietary polyphenols exert health benefits partly through their favorable interactions with gut bacteria. However, little is known about polyphenol’s metabolic regulatory effects towards individual bacteria at the molecular level. Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenol abundantly present in plant-based foods, was found to exhibit prebiotic properties through differential interactions with probiotic-like bacteria, including the EA-to-urolithin converting species such as <em>Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens</em> (<em>G. uro</em>). This study aimed to investigate the crosstalk between EA and EA-responsive beneficial bacteria, including both conventional and next-generation probiotics originating from the human gut, and to understand the underlying mechanism by which EA exerts prebiotic activities <em>in vitro</em>. The influence of EA and urolithins on probiotic bacteria was investigated at the levels of fecal microbiota and individual strains via anaerobic culturomics and metabolomics approaches. Results indicate that dietary-level EA favorably regulated gut microbial composition through the enrichment of probiotic genera (e.g., <em>Bifidobacterium</em> and <em>Akkermansia</em>) <em>in vitro</em>. Regarding individual bacteria, EA supplementation promoted the growth of <em>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</em> GG and <em>Bifidobacterium infantis</em>. Integrated targeted and untargeted metabolomic analyses of intracellular and extracellular metabolites revealed that EA/urolithins modulated metabolic pathways associated with amino acid metabolism, energy production and oxidative stress. Furthermore, <em>G. uro</em> exhibited strong EA uptake ability, facilitating the urolithin bioconversion and cellular accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, this study provides in-depth understanding on how dietary polyphenols with prebiotic properties regulate the growth and metabolic functions of probiotic-like bacteria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100425"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First report of a carbapenem-resistant Serratia sarumanii clinical strain co-harboring blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1 genes in China","authors":"Xiao Liu ,&nbsp;Zhen Liu ,&nbsp;Xuemei Bai ,&nbsp;He Gao ,&nbsp;Zhiwen Sun ,&nbsp;Duochun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbapenem-resistant <em>Enterobacteriaceae</em> (CRE), particularly those co-harboring multiple carbapenemase genes, pose a significant global health threat. However, the coexistence of <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 in <em>Serratia sarumanii</em> has not been previously reported. This study aims to report and characterize the first carbapenem-resistant <em>S. sarumanii</em> (CRSS) clinical strain MAS3954 in China co-harboring <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and <em>bla</em>_NDM-1, focusing on its genetic characteristics, plasmid stability, and transfer potential. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 were located on two distinct plasmids. Plasmid pMAS3954-KPC (113,856 bp, IncFII/IncFIB) exhibited low similarity (&lt;66%) to known plasmids, indicating a novel fusion event between pKPC-h2 and <em>S. marcescens</em> chromosome, while pMAS3954-NDM (55,235 bp, IncX3) was highly conserved (100% identity/coverage). Conjugation experiments showed that the <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 was transferable, while <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 was not. During 10 days of continuous passage, the genetic context of <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 was gradually excised from the plasmids after the 8th day, whereas they maintained 100% retention for <em>bla</em>_KPC-2. <em>S. sarumanii</em> MAS3954 was multidrug-resistant (MDR), including carbapenems, β-lactams, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, colistin, and fluoroquinolones, but remained susceptible to certain aminoglycosides and tigecycline. Phylogenomic analysis identified a distinct clade for <em>S. sarumanii</em> MAS3954, diverging notably from other strains. Comparison of resistance genes further highlighted the unique co-harboring of <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 in MAS3954, absent in other strains. To our knowledge, this study represents the first characterization of clinical <em>S. sarumanii</em> strain co-harboring <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and <em>bla</em>_NDM-1. The findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and infection control to prevent the spread of these MDR strains in healthcare settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100411"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144195581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies","authors":"Marietta Wolf ,&nbsp;Thorsten Steinberg ,&nbsp;Konstantin Johannes Scholz ,&nbsp;Anne Kruse ,&nbsp;Sama Rezasoltani ,&nbsp;Georg Conrads ,&nbsp;Ali Al-Ahmad ,&nbsp;Fabian Cieplik","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review examines the classification, distribution, and detection methods of <em>Fusobacterium nucleatum</em> subspecies, focusing on their distinct roles in health and disease. The evolution of <em>F. nucleatum</em> classification is traced from early to modern protein-based and genomic methods, such as 16S rRNA and next generation sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The review highlights the importance of distinguishing <em>F. nucleatum</em> subspecies due to their varying pathogenic potentials and ecological niches in both oral and extraoral environments. Different subspecies exhibit distinct prevalence and activity levels in specific clinical conditions, such as periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This highlights the importance of accurately identifying subspecies to understand their role in disease progression. Moreover, understanding the varying pathogenic potential of <em>F. nucleatum</em> subspecies, which is driven by genetic diversity and virulence factors, is also essential for advancing research and improving patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100414"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the genetic basis of biochemical pathways of plant growth promotion in Bacillus pumilus and the first genomic insights into B. pseudomycoides as a biostimulant","authors":"Esmeralda Dushku ,&nbsp;Charalampos Kotzamanidis ,&nbsp;Athanasios Kargas ,&nbsp;Maria-Eleni Fanara-Lolou ,&nbsp;Virginia Giantzi ,&nbsp;Evdokia Krystallidou ,&nbsp;Antonios Zdragas ,&nbsp;Andigoni Malousi","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bacillus</em> species are among the most promising plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) due to their adaptability to various environmental niches and extensive biosynthetic capabilities. Despite the available data on the PGP-traits (PGPTs) of <em>Bacillus</em>, the genetic basis underlying their beneficial effects remains largely unexplored. In this study, a comparative genomic analysis of three <em>B. pumilus</em> and one <em>B. pseudomycoides</em> strains, isolated from the maize rhizosphere, is presented to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind their PGP-traits. All strains exhibited multiple PGP-traits, including phosphate solubilization, phytohormone and siderophore production, growth in nitrogen-free medium, stress tolerance, and biofilm formation. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that plant-associated strains have higher genetic similarity, emphasizing niche-specific evolution. Genome analyses revealed strain- and species-specific adaptations, particularly in relation to nutrient acquisition and abiotic stress response mechanisms. <em>B. pumilus</em> strains encoded alternative sigma factors (SigB, SigM, SigW) enabling enhanced salt tolerance, whereas <em>B. pseudomycoides</em> lacked this system and relied on conventional osmoprotective strategies. The strains utilized different tryptophan-dependent (IAN, IAM or IPyA) pathways for auxin biosynthesis and differed in phosphate solubilization ability, which can be attributed to upstream and missense variants in genes affecting acid metabolism (<em>gltA, acnA, acnB, citM</em>, and <em>citS)</em> and phosphatase (<em>phoA</em>) activity. Iron uptake <em>via</em> bacillibactin-siderophores was exclusive to <em>B. pumilus</em>. The inability of the <em>B. pseudomycoides</em> strain to acquire iron was associated with structural variants (absence of <em>bsaA</em> gene) within the bacillibactin biosynthetic gene cluster. This work provides new insights into the molecular basis of PGP traits in <em>Bacillus</em> and supports the development of <em>Bacillus</em>-based bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100419"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes as rising threats: Their interaction represents an urgent environmental concern","authors":"Chen Hongjin ,&nbsp;Saeed ur Rahman ,&nbsp;Asad Rehman ,&nbsp;Abid Ali Khan ,&nbsp;Muhammad Khalid","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100447","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100447","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs) have been reported to be emerging contaminant of different environmental niches like air, soil, and water. When exposed to these environments, MPs interact with already existing antibiotics to create combined pollution that can harm organisms. MPs have garnered significant attention in academic circles due to their ability to adsorb antibiotics. This review article explores different dimensions of MPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the interplay between MPs, antibiotics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), emphasizing their interconnection with soil and water pollution. It also summarizes the mechanisms behind the interaction between antibiotics and MPs, detailing various physical and chemical interactions. Additionally, it outlines the pathways through which MPs and ARGs complexes spread, offering insights for future research and solutions to tackle compound pollution. The article concludes by providing targeted strategies to mitigate the environmental and public health risks posed by MP-associated ARG transmission, highlighting the need for integrated pollution control, advanced monitoring techniques, and stricter regulatory policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100447"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant-microbe interactions: PGPM as microbial inoculants/biofertilizers for sustaining crop productivity and soil fertility","authors":"Bibek Laishram ,&nbsp;Okram Ricky Devi ,&nbsp;Rinjumoni Dutta ,&nbsp;T. Senthilkumar ,&nbsp;Girish Goyal ,&nbsp;Dinesh Kumar Paliwal ,&nbsp;Narinder Panotra ,&nbsp;Akhtar Rasool","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100333","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100333","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant-microbe interactions play pivotal roles in sustaining crop productivity and soil fertility, offering promising avenues for sustainable agricultural practices. This review paper explores the multifaceted interactions between plants and various microorganisms, highlighting their significance in enhancing crop productivity, combating pathogens, and promoting soil health. Understanding these interactions is crucial for harnessing their potential in agricultural systems to address challenges such as food security and environmental sustainability. Therefore, the introduction of beneficial microbes into agricultural ecosystems by bio-augmentation reduces the negative effects of intensive, non-sustainable agriculture on the environment, society, and economy, into the mechanisms underlying the application of plant growth promoting microbes as microbial inoculants/biofertilizers; their interactions, the factors influencing their dynamics, and the implications for agricultural practices, emerging technologies and strategies that leverage plant-microbe interactions for improving crop yields, soil fertility, and overall agricultural sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100333"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11743900/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pathogenic effects of Streptococcus oralis intestinal colonization on bladder health in mice","authors":"Natsuno Nakamura ,&nbsp;Kota Iioka ,&nbsp;Hirobumi Morisaki ,&nbsp;Nobuo Okahashi ,&nbsp;Mie Kurosawa ,&nbsp;Haruka Fukamachi ,&nbsp;Shohei Matsui ,&nbsp;Takahiro Funatsu ,&nbsp;Hirotaka Kuwata ,&nbsp;Momoe Itsumi","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100375","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100375","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Streptococcus oralis</em>, a commensal oral <em>Streptococcus</em>, is known as an early colonizer of the tooth surface and causes opportunistic infections, such as bacterial endocarditis. However, its pathogenicity remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of <em>S. oralis in vivo</em> using a mouse model. To establish <em>S. oralis</em>-colonized mice, germ-free mice were orally infected with <em>S. oralis</em>. After colonization was confirmed, these infected mice were bred, and their offspring were used as <em>S. oralis</em>-colonized mice. <em>S. oralis</em> was detected only in the intestine of these mice, which exhibited soft stools but no significant inflammation in the examined tissues. Interestingly, <em>S. oralis</em>-colonized mice showed higher urination frequency. Bladder tissue analysis in <em>S. oralis</em>-colonized mice revealed atrophy, edema, fibrosis, and epithelial denudation. RNA sequencing analysis of the bladder in <em>S. oralis</em>-colonized mice indicated higher expression of genes related to chronic inflammation and extracellular matrix organization, and lower expression of genes related to anti-oxidative stress. In this study, we revealed that the commensal bacterium <em>S. oralis</em> induces chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the bladder of mice by intestinal colonization. Hence, our findings indicate that <em>S. oralis</em> has the potential to affect distal tissue beyond the oral cavity, potentially possessing a pathogenic factor involved in non-bacterial cystitis. This study highlights the potential impact of <em>S. oralis</em> on the urinary system of mice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100375"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel peptide inhibitor for the Chikungunya virus nsP2 protease: Identification and characterization","authors":"Mohammadamin Mastalipour ,&nbsp;Ian Gering ,&nbsp;Mônika Aparecida Coronado ,&nbsp;Jorge Enrique Hernández González ,&nbsp;Dieter Willbold ,&nbsp;Raphael Josef Eberle","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100376","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100376","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging pathogen affecting populations worldwide, with rapidly increasing infection rates. CHIKV, an arbovirus of the alphavirus genus, is predominantly found in tropical regions and transmitted by <em>Aedes</em> mosquitoes. Climate change has accelerated the global spread of these vectors, leading to outbreaks in non-tropical regions, including parts of Europe. The absence of antiviral therapies and the potential for co-infections with other viruses make CHIKV a significant public health concern. CHIKV replication relies on nsP2 cysteine protease activity to cleave its viral polyprotein into functional nonstructural and structural proteins. Targeting the nsP2 protease represents a promising strategy for antiviral therapy development. In this study, phage display was used to screen a library of peptides for potential binders of the target protease. Biophysical and biochemical analyses of the identified peptides assessed their inhibitory potential. Among the six identified peptides (named as P1–P6), four demonstrated inhibitory effects on the nsP2 protease (nsP2^pro). Peptide P1 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 4.6 ± 1.9 µM, and a low cytotoxicity. The secondary structure analysis through CD spectroscopy and homology modelling revealed that P1 adopts an alpha-helical conformation. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations enabled us to investigate the dynamics of the nsP2^pro active site and molecular docking was employed to predict the orthosteric binding mode of P1, providing insights into protein-peptide interaction. These findings underscore the potential of peptide P1 as a lead compound for further investigation in the context of CHIKV research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100376"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143632171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphogenesis and mechanical properties of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens biofilms: a comparative study of rough and smooth morphotypes","authors":"Emmanuelle Baudu ,&nbsp;Eric Raspaud ,&nbsp;Catherine Fontagné-Faucher ,&nbsp;Yassine Nait Chabane ,&nbsp;Claire-Emmanuelle Marcato-Romain","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em>, a Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, is ubiquitously found in diverse environments. Its resilience in harsh conditions and biofilm-forming capabilities make it a promising candidate for various agricultural applications. <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> can also colonize the air-liquid interface by producing pellicles. Despite its potential, the characterization of <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> biofilms remains underexplored. We investigated colony expansion and pellicle formation kinetic, followed by an analysis of the mechanical properties of the latter. This work focused on <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> strain L-17, which produced two morphotypes on agar plate: 1) a <strong>rough</strong> (R) morphotype exhibiting quick colony expansion and 2) a <strong>smooth</strong> (S) morphotype with a slower but extended colony expansion. The morphogenesis model of pellicle formation proposed in the literature for <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> was applicable to <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em>, with few modifications for the smooth morphotype, which needed a longer period to spread over the surface. Mature pellicles were visually homogeneous and heterogeneous for R and S, respectively. Surprisingly, (i) their deformability by stretching was heterogeneous for the former and homogeneous for the latter; (ii) R produced a stiff pellicle whereas the entire smooth pellicle showed an elastic response.</div><div>Taken together, results of this study confirmed that the existence of two distinct morphotypes within the same strain offers a unique opportunity to study the diversity of behaviors in <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em>, providing insights into its potential applications in agriculture and beyond. Moreover, they led to the hypothesis that surfactant production and flagella expression are differentiating factors between both morphotypes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100403"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143941001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}