Normal and Mutant Glycine Transfer RNAs

THE glycine-specific tRNAs of E. coli can be grouped into three subspecies which are separated by chromatography on benzoylated DEAE cellulose (BDC): tRNA^Gly₁ (GGG), tRNA^Gly₂ (GGA/G) and tRNA^Gly₃ (GGU/C)^1,2. The tRNA^Gly₁ and tRNA^Gly₂ are specified by the genes, glyU and glyT, respectively, which have been located at 55 and 77 minutes on the E. coli chromosome. Suppressors of tryptophan A gene (trpA) missense mutations and partial diploid strains have been used extensively to characterize the glycine tRNA structural genes (Table 1)^1–3. A common property of these suppressor mutations is that the altered tRNA^Gly is no longer aminoacylated at the normal rate by the glycyl tRNA synthetase (GRS). When ordinary loading conditions are used virtually none of the suppressor tRNA species are amino-acylated. These studies have shown that single gene copies are normally present at the glyT and glyU loci.     

Mutant tRNA<Superscript>His</Superscript> Ineffective in Repression and Lacking Two Pseudouridine Modifications

TRANSFER RNA has been implicated in the regulation of a number of amino-acid biosynthetic operons^1–4. Histidyl-tRNA^His has been shown to be involved in regulation of the histidine operon by analysis of six genes (hisO, hisR, hisS, hisT, hisU, hisW), mutation of which causes derepression of the enzymes of the histidine biosynthetic pathway in Salmonella typhimurium^5–7. A class of derepressed mutants (hisR) has only about 55% as much tRNA^His as the wild type⁴ and in the one example sequenced, contains tRNA^HIS with a structure identical to that of the wild type⁸. Studies of mutants of the gene for histidyl-tRNA synthetase (hisS) indicated that the derepressed phenotype was associated with defects in the charging of tRNA^HISin vitro². The amounts of charged and uncharged tRNA^His present in vivo during physiological derepression of the wild type and in the six classes of regulatory mutants, have been determined⁹. This work has shown that repression of the histidine operon is correlated directly with the concentration of charged histidyl-tRNA^Hisin vivo and not with the ratio of charged to uncharged or the absolute amount of uncharged tRNA^His. The derepression observed in mutants, of hisS (the gene for histidyl-tRNA synthetase), hisR (the presumed structural gene for the single species of tRNA^His) and hisU and hisW (genes presumably involved in tRNA modification) may be explained by the lower cellular concentration of charged tRNA^His which these mutants contain.     

Sequence Relationship of Three Valine Acceptor tRNAs from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

THE degree of degeneracy of the genetic code varies for the twenty amino-acids: between one and six different triplets are assigned to a single amino-acid. Four triplets GUU, GUC, GUA, GUG code for the amino-acid valine^1,2. Two valine specific tRNAs have been separated by fractionation of mixed E. coli tRNA³; tRNA^val₁ is specific for GU^A_G and tRNA^val₂ corresponds to GU^U_C (see also ref. 1 for binding properties). Recent studies showed that although both species are recognized by the single activating enzyme present in E. coli, the association constant (Ka) for the minor species, tRNA^val₂ (?20% of total acceptor), is an order of magnitude higher than the association constant of the major species, tRNA^{val 4}₁. As a first step to comparing the structures of these two tRNAs, we analysed the base sequences of the major and minor species. We recently published the nucleotide sequence of tRNA^{val 5}₁; we report here the sequence of two minor subspecies (quite similar to each other) that comprise the tRNA^val₂ acceptor and we comment on the significance of the sequence homologies in relation to the problems of enzyme recognition and tRNA evolution.     

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Zhikong scallop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamys farreri</Emphasis> (Bivalvia: Pectinidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri is 21,695 bp in length and contains 12 protein-coding genes (the atp8 gene is absent, as in most bivalves), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The heavy strand has an overall A+T content of 58.7%. GC and AT skews for the mt genome of C. farreri are 0.337 and ?0.184, respectively, indicating the nucleotide bias against C and A. The mitochondrial gene order of C. farreri differs drastically from the scallops Argopecten irradians, Mimachlamys nobilis and Placopecten magellanicus, which belong to the same family Pectinidae. 6623 bp non-coding nucleotides exist intergenically in the mitogenome of C. farreri, with a large continuous sequence (4763 bp) between tRNA ^Val and tRNA ^Asn . Two repeat families are found in the large continuous sequence, which seems to be a common feature of scallops. Phylogenetic analysis based on 12 concatenated amino acid sequences of protein-coding genes supports the monophyly of Pectinidae and paraphyletic Pteriomorphia with respect to Heteroconchia.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces lutosisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from muddy soil

A novel Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T, was isolated from muddy soil collected from a stream in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and characterised using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T (99.38%) and Streptomyces mirabilis JCM 4791^T (99.03%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with S. rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T and Streptomyces siamensis NBRC 108799^T (98.62%). The menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₈), MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₄). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and C_15:0. However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB), low DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic, physiological and biochemical properties could differentiate the strain from its close relatives in the genus Streptomyces. Therefore, strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces lutosisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with NEAU-QTH3-11^T (=DSM 42165^T=CGMCC 4.7198^T) as the type strain.     

Gas exchanges of an endangered species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa pinnatifolia</Emphasis> and a widespread congener <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. oblata</Emphasis>

Net photosynthetic rate (P_N), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal conductance (g_s), and stomatal limitation (L_s) were investigated in two Syringa species. The saturation irradiance (SI) was 400 µmol m^-2s^-1 for S. pinnatifolia and 1 700 µmol m^-2s^-1 for S. oblata. Compared with S. oblata, S. pinnatifolia had extremely low g _s . Unlike S. oblata, the maximal photosynthetic rate (P_max) in S. pinnatifoliaoccurred around 08:00 and then fell down, indicating this species was sensitive to higher temperature and high photosynthetic photon flux density. However, such phenomenon was interrupted by the leaf development rhythms before summer. A relatively lower P_N together with a lower leaf area and shoot growth showed the capacity for carbon assimilation was poorer in S. pinnatifolia.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cellulomonas macrotermitis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a chitinolytic and cellulolytic bacterium isolated from the hindgut of a fungus-growing termite

To investigate the symbiotic roles of the gut microbiota in the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi, a novel strain with chitinolytic and cellulolytic activity, designated strain an-chi-1^T, was isolated from the hindgut of M. barneyi. Strain an-chi-1^T grows optimally at 28–30 °C, pH 8.0 in PYG medium. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this isolate belongs to the genus Cellulomonas with high sequence similarity to Cellulomonas iranensis (99.4%), followed by Cellulomonas flavigena (98.4%), Cellulomonas phragmiteti (97.4%), Cellulomonas oligotrophica (97.2%) and Cellulomonas terrae (97.0%). The DNA–DNA relatedness between an-chi-1^T and the type strains of C. iranensis and C. flavigena DSM20109^T are 35.4% and 23.7%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids are anteiso-C_15:0 and C_14:0. The polar lipid profile consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylinositol dimannosides and one unidentified phospholipid. The cell-wall sugar is ribose. The peptidoglycan contains glutamic acid, aspartic acid and alanine. The DNA G+C content is 67.3 mol%. Based on its distinctive phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, an-chi-1^T represents a novel species of the genus Cellulomonas, for which the name Cellulomonas macrotermitis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is an-chi-1^T (= JCM 31923^T = CICC 24195^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Roseovarius tibetensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from Lake LongmuCo on Tibetan Plateau

Two Gram-stain negative halophilic strains, designated as LM2^T and LM4, were isolated from Lake LongmuCo on Tibetan Plateau. These two strains were aerobic, catalaseand oxidase-positive, nonmotile and rod-shaped organisms. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that LM2^T and LM4 belong to the genus Roseovarius, with Roseovarius tolerans EL-172^T (97.3% and 97.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively) and Roseovarius azorensis SSW084^T (95.5% and 95.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively) as their closest neighbors. Q-10 was the sole respiratory quinone of these two strains. The major fatty acids were C_18:1ω7c/C_18:1ω6c, C_16:0, C_19:0 cyclo ω8c, and 11-methyl C_18:1ω7c. The polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phospholipid of unknown structure containing glucosamine, and unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G + C content was between 64.2 and 64.5 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization showed 96.7% relatedness between LM2^T and LM4, 24.9% relatedness between LM2^T and R. tolerans EL-172^T, and 36.3% relatedness between LM4 and R. tolerans EL-172^T. Based on phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics, LM2^T and LM4 belong to the same species and were clearly distinguished from the type strains of the genus Roseovarius. It was evident that LM2^T and LM4 could be classified as a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius tibetensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LM2^T (= CGMCC 1.16230^T = KCTC 62028^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces luozhongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete with antifungal activity and antibacterial activity

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 49605^T, was isolated from a desert soil sample from Lop Nur, Xinjiang, north-west China, and characterised using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain exhibited antifungal activity against the following strains: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis; Antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus; and no antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain TRM 49605^T to the genus Streptomyces. Strain TRM 49605^T shows high sequence similarities to Streptomyces roseolilacinus NBRC 12815^T (98.62 %), Streptomyces flavovariabilis NRRL B-16367^T (98.45 %) and Streptomyces variegatus NRRL B-16380^T (98.45 %). Whole cell hydrolysates of strain TRM 49605^T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose, glucose, xylose and mannose as the major whole cell sugars. The major fatty acids in strain TRM 49605^T were identified as iso C_16:0, anteiso C_15:0, C_16:0 and Summed Feature 5 as defined by MIDI. The main menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₄), MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈) and MK-10(H₆). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 71.2 %. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain TRM 49605^T and the phylogenetically related strain S. roseolilacinus NBRC 12815^T was 60.12 ± 0.06 %, which is lower than the 70 % threshold value for delineation of genomic prokaryotic species. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain TRM 49605^T (=CCTCC AA2015026^T = KCTC 39666^T) should be designated as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces luozhongensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Uliginosibacterium flavum</Emphasis> sp. nov. isolated from an artificial lake

A Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, motile by means of a polar flagellum, greenish-yellow-pigmented bacterial strain (designated strain JJ3220^T) was isolated from an artificial lake in South Korea and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JJ3220^T indicated that the isolate belongs to the family Rhodocyclaceae, and that it exhibits 96.4% similarity to Uliginosibacterium paludis KBP-13^T. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were C_14:0, C_16:0, and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c). Strain JJ3220^T had flexirubin-type pigments. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 62.8%. The major respiratory quinone and major polar lipid of strain JJ3220^T were ubiquinone-8 and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Based on the morphological and physiological properties and biochemical evidence presented, it can be concluded that strain JJ3220^T represents a novel species of the genus Uliginosibacterium. The type strain Uliginosibacterium flavum is JJ3220^T (=KACC 17644^T =JCM 19465^T).     

Identification and Characterization of New Members of Vacuolar H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-Pyrophosphatase Family from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> Genome

The vacuolar H⁺-pyrophosphatase (V-PPase) is an electrogenic H⁺ pump localized in the plant vacuolar membrane. V-PPase from many species has been characterized previously and the corresponding genes/cDNAs have been cloned. Cloning of the V-PPase genes from many plant species has revealed conserved motifs that may correspond to catalytic sites. The completion of the entire DNA sequence of Oryza sativa (430 Mb) presented an opportunity to study the structure and function of V-PPase proteins, and also to identify new members of this family in Oryza sativa. Our analysis identified three novel V-PPase proteins in the Oryza sativa genome that contain functional domains typical of V-PPase. We have designated them as OVP3 to OVP5. The new predicted OVPs have chromosomal locations different from previously characterized V-PPases (OVP1 and OVP2) located on chromosome 6. They all contain three characteristic motifs of V-PPase and also a conserved motif [DE]YYTS, specific to type I V-PPases and involved in coupling PP_i hydrolysis to H⁺ translocation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibribacter flagellatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus syriacus</Emphasis> and emended description of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibribacter</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile by flagella, rod-shaped strain (THG-T16^T) was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 28–30 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–1.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T16^T were identified as Nibribacter koreensis KACC 16450^T (98.6%), Rufibacter roseus KCTC 42217^T (94.7%), Rufibacter immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351^T (94.5%) and Rufibacter tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084^T (94.4%). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T16^T was determined to be 46.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T16^T and N. koreensis KACC 16450^T, R. roseus KCTC 42217^T, R. immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351^T, R.tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084^T were 33.5?±?0.5% (31.7?±?0.7% reciprocal analysis), 28.1?±?0.2% (25.2?±?0.2%), 17.1?±?0.9% (10.2?±?0.6%) and 8.1?±?0.3% (5.2?±?0.1%). The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7 and the polyamine as sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:1 ω5c, C_17:1 ω6c, iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T16^T represents a novel species of the genus Nibribacter, for which the name Nibribacter flagellatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T16^T(=?KACC 19188^T?=?CCTCC AB 2016246^T).     

The complete mitochondrial genome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vanessa indica</Emphasis> and phylogenetic analyses of the family Nymphalidae

Vanessa indica is a small butterfly lacking historical molecular and biological research. Vanessa indica belongs to the family Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), which is the largest group of butterflies and are nearly ubiquitous. However, after more than a century of taxonomic and molecular studies, there is no consensus for family classification, and the phylogenetic relationships within Nymphalidae are controversial. The first objective was to sequence and characterize the complete mitochondrial genome of V. indica. The most important objective was to completely reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships for family members within Nymphalidae. The mitochondrial genomic DNA (mtDNA) of V. indica was extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The complete mitochondrial sequence was annotated and characterized by analyzing sequences with SeqMan program. The phylogenetic analyses were conducted on thirteen protein coding genes (PCGs) in 95 mtDNA of Nymphalidae downloaded from GenBank for reference using the maximum likelihood method and Bayesian inference to ensure the validity of the results. The complete mitogenome was a circular molecule with 15,191 bp consisting of 13 protein coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes (16S rRNA and 12S rRNA), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and an A?+?T-rich region (D-loop). The nucleotide composition of the genome was highly biased for A?+?T content, which accounts for 80.0% of the nucleotides. All the tRNAs have putative secondary structures that are characteristic of mitochondrial tRNAs, except tRNA^Ser(AGN). All the PCGs started with ATN codons, except cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), which was found to start with an unusual CGA codon. Four genes were observed to have unusual codons: COX1 terminated with atypical TT and the other three genes terminated with a single T. The A?+?T rich region of 327 bp consisted of repetitive sequences, including a ATAGA motif, a 19-bp poly-T stretch, and two microsatellite-like regions (TA)₈. The phylogenetic analyses consistently placed Biblidinae as a sister cluster to Heliconiinae and Calinaginae as a sister clade to Satyrinae. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree identified Libytheinae as a monophyletic group within Nymphalidae. The complete mitogenome of V. indica was 15,191 bp with mitochondrial characterizations common for lepidopteran species, which enriched the mitochondria data of Nymphalid species. And the phylogenetic analysis revealed different classifications and relationships than those previously described. Our results are significant because they would be useful in further understanding of the evolutionary biology of Nymphalidae.     

Gas exchange,carbon balance and stomatal traits in wild and cultivated rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) genotypes

Carbon balancing within the plant species is an important feature for climatic adaptability. Photosynthesis and respiration traits are directly linked with carbon balance. These features were studied in 20 wild rice accessions Oryza spp., and cultivars. Wide variation was observed within the wild rice accessions for photosynthetic oxygen evolution or photosynthetic rate (A), dark (R _d), and light induced respiration (LIR) rates, as well as stomatal density and number. The mean rate of A varied from 10.49 μmol O₂ m^?2 s^?1 in cultivated species and 13.09 μmol O₂ m^?2 s^?1 in wild spp., The mean R _d is 2.09 μmol O₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 2.31 μmol O₂ m^?2 s^?1 in cultivated and wild spp., respectively. Light induced Respiration (LIR) was found to be almost twice in wild rice spp., (16.75 μmol O₂ m^?2 s^?1) compared to cultivated Oryza spp., Among the various parameters, this study reveals LIR and A as the key factors for positive carbon balance. Stomatal contribution towards carbon balance appears to be more dependent on abaxial surface where several number of stomata are situated. Correlation analysis indicates that R _d and LIR increase with the increase in A. In this study, O. nivara (CR 100100, CR 100097), O. rufipogon (IR 103404) and O. glumaepatula (IR104387) were identified as potential donors which could be used in rice breeding program. Co-ordination between gas exchange and patchiness in stomatal behaviour appears to be important for carbon balance and environmental adaptation of wild rice accessions, therefore, survival under harsh environment.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ponticoccus alexandrii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the marine toxigenic dinoflagellate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alexandrium minutum</Emphasis>

During an investigation of the biodiversity of the cultivable bacterial community associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin-producing marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium minutum a novel algal-associated bacterium, designated strain AT2-A^T was isolated. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that the strain is a member of the genus Ponticoccus, with high sequence similarity to Ponticoccus litoralis DSM 18986^T (97.9%) and Ponticoccus lacteus JCM 30379^T (96.0%). However, based on the data obtained for the physiological and biochemical characteristics, and low level of DNA–DNA relatedness analysis, the strain could be genotypically and phenotypically differentiated from two type strains of the genus Ponticoccus. Therefore, this algal-associated bacterial strain is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Ponticoccus, for which the name Ponticoccus alexandrii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AT2-A^T (CCTCC AB 2017228 ^T = KCTC 52626 ^T ).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brevibacterium anseongense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of ginseng field

Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, pale-yellow, and rodshaped bacterium, designated as Gsoil 188^T, was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon, South Korea. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus Brevibacterium and was most closely related to B. epidermidis NBRC 14811^T (98.4%), B. sediminis FXJ8.269^T (98.2%), B. avium NCFB 3055^T (98.1%), and B. oceani BBH7^T (98.1%), while it shared less than 98.1% identity with the other species of this genus. The DNA G + C content was 68.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was MK-8(H₂). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain Gsoil 188^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified aminolipid. The physiological and biochemical characteristics, low DNA-DNA relatedness values, and taxonomic analysis allowed the differentiation of strain Gsoil 188^T from the other recognized species of the genus Brevibacterium. Therefore, strain Gsoil 188^T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium anseongense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 188^T (= KACC 19439^T = LMG 30331^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces xiangluensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-LA29^T, was isolated from soil collected from Xianglu Mountain and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach comprising chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, morphological and physiological characterisation, the isolate has been affiliated to the genus Streptomyces. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate is closely related to Streptomyces vastus JCM4524^T (98.8% identity) and Streptomyces cinereus DSM43033^T (97.9%). However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) and low DNA–DNA relatedness values enabled the strain to be differentiated from these closely related species of the genus Streptomyces. Thus, strain NEAU-LA29^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces xiangluensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-LA29^T (=?CGMCC 4.7466^T?=?DSM 105786^T).     

Genetic differentiation among natural populations of the lizard complex <Emphasis Type="Italic">Darevskia raddei</Emphasis> as inferred from genome microsatellite marking

The article presents the genetic parameters of the populations of lizards of the Darevskia raddei complex (D. raddei nairensis and D. raddei raddei) and the populations of D. valentini calculated on the basis of the analysis of variability of 50 allelic variants of the three nuclear genome microsatellite-containing loci of 83 individuals. It was demonstrated that the F_st genetic distances between the populations of D. raddei nairensis and D. raddei raddei were not statistically significantly different from the F_st genetic distances between the populations of different species, D. raddei and D. valentini. At the same time, these distances were statistically significantly higher than the F_st distances between the populations belonging to one species within the genus Darevskia. These data suggest deep divergence between the populations of D. raddei raddei and D. raddei nairensis of the D. raddei complex and there arises the question on considering them as separate species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terrabacter ginsengisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from ginseng cultivating soil

A Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, nonmotile, yellowish, coccus-rod-shaped bacterium (designated Gsoil 653^T) isolated from ginseng cultivating soil was characterized using a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. The strain Gsoil 653^T exhibited optimal growth at pH 7.0 on R2A agar medium at 30°C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, indicated that Gsoil 653^T belongs to the genus Terrabacter of the family Humibacillus, and was closely related to Terrabacter tumescens DSM 20308^T (98.9%), Terrabacter carboxydivorans PY2^T (98.9%), Terrabacter terrigena ON10^T (98.8%), Terrabacter terrae PPLB^T (98.6%), and Terrabacter lapilli LR-26^T (98.6%). The DNA G + C content was 70.5 mol%. The major quinone was MK-8(H₄). The primary polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_14:0, and anteiso-C_15:0, as in the case of genus Terrabacter, thereby supporting the categorization of strain Gsoil 653^T. However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between Gsoil 653^T and closely related strains of Terrabacter species was low at less than 31%. Moreover, strain Gsoil 653^T could be both genotypically and phenotypically distinguished from the recognized species of the genus Terrabacter. This isolate, therefore, represents a novel species, for which the name Terrabacter ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain Gsoil 653^T (= KACC 19444^T = LMG 30325^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizobium hedysari</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel species isolated from a root nodule of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hedysarum multijugum</Emphasis> in China

A strain 5-1-2^T was isolated from a root nodule of Hedysarum multijugum collected from Zhangye city, Gansu province, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and other housekeeping genes (recA and atpD) indicated that the strain represents a novel species in the genus Rhizobium close to the strain Rhizobium subbaraonis JC85^T with similarities of 98.27, 88.92 and 89.62%, respectively. Strain 5-1-2^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. Our results showed that the major fatty acids were feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c; 38.90%). In addition, the DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strains R. subbaraonis JC85^T and Rhizobium halophytocola YC6881^T were 39.2 ± 2.1 and 44.3 ± 1.9, respectively. Therefore, a novel species Rhizobium hedysari sp. nov. is proposed, and 5-1-2^T (=CGMCC1.15677^T = NBRC112532^T) is designated as the type strain.