Methane oxidation in anoxic lake water stimulated by nitrate and sulfate addition

Methanotrophic bacteria play a key role in limiting methane emissions from lakes. It is generally assumed that methanotrophic bacteria are mostly active at the oxic-anoxic transition zone in stratified lakes, where they use oxygen to oxidize methane. Here, we describe a methanotroph of the genera Methylobacter that is performing high-rate (up to 72 μM day⁻¹) methane oxidation in the anoxic hypolimnion of the temperate Lacamas Lake (Washington, USA), stimulated by both nitrate and sulfate addition. Oxic and anoxic incubations both showed active methane oxidation by a Methylobacter species, with anoxic rates being threefold higher. In anoxic incubations, Methylobacter cell numbers increased almost two orders of magnitude within 3 days, suggesting that this specific Methylobacter species is a facultative anaerobe with a rapid response capability. Genomic analysis revealed adaptations to oxygen-limitation as well as pathways for mixed-acid fermentation and H₂ production. The denitrification pathway was incomplete, lacking the genes narG/napA and nosZ, allowing only for methane oxidation coupled to nitrite-reduction. Our data suggest that Methylobacter can be an important driver of the conversion of methane in oxygen-limited lake systems and potentially use alternative electron acceptors or fermentation to remain active under oxygen-depleted conditions.     

Regulation of ovule initiation by gibberellins and brassinosteroids in tomato and Arabidopsis: two plant species,two molecular mechanisms

Ovule primordia formation is a complex developmental process with a strong impact on the production of seeds. In Arabidopsis this process is controlled by a gene network, including components of the signalling pathways of auxin, brassinosteroids (BRs) and cytokinins. Recently, we have shown that gibberellins (GAs) also play an important role in ovule primordia initiation, inhibiting ovule formation in both Arabidopsis and tomato. Here we reveal that BRs also participate in the control of ovule initiation in tomato, by promoting an increase on ovule primordia formation. Moreover, molecular and genetic analyses of the co‐regulation by GAs and BRs of the control of ovule initiation indicate that two different mechanisms occur in tomato and Arabidopsis. In tomato, GAs act downstream of BRs. BRs regulate ovule number through the downregulation of GA biosynthesis, which provokes stabilization of DELLA proteins that will finally promote ovule primordia initiation. In contrast, in Arabidopsis both GAs and BRs regulate ovule number independently of the activity levels of the other hormone. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that different molecular mechanisms could operate in different plant species to regulate identical developmental processes even, as for ovule primordia initiation, if the same set of hormones trigger similar responses, adding a new level of complexity.     

Paternity tests support a diallelic self‐incompatibility system in a wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. laperrinei,Oleaceae)

Self‐incompatibility (SI) is the main mechanism that favors outcrossing in plants. By limiting compatible matings, SI interferes in fruit production and breeding of new cultivars. In the Oleeae tribe (Oleaceae), an unusual diallelic SI system (DSI) has been proposed for three distantly related species including the olive (Olea europaea), but empirical evidence has remained controversial for this latter. The olive domestication is a complex process with multiple origins. As a consequence, the mixing of S‐alleles from two distinct taxa, the possible artificial selection of self‐compatible mutants and the large phenological variation of blooming may constitute obstacles for deciphering SI in olive. Here, we investigate cross‐genotype compatibilities in the Saharan wild olive (O. e. subsp. laperrinei). As this taxon was geographically isolated for thousands of years, SI should not be affected by human selection. A population of 37 mature individuals maintained in a collection was investigated. Several embryos per mother were genotyped with microsatellites in order to identify compatible fathers that contributed to fertilization. While the pollination was limited by distance inside the collection, our results strongly support the DSI hypothesis, and all individuals were assigned to two incompatibility groups (G1 and G2). No self‐fertilization was observed in our conditions. In contrast, crosses between full or half siblings were frequent (ca. 45%), which is likely due to a nonrandom assortment of related trees in the collection. Finally, implications of our results for orchard management and the conservation of olive genetic resources are discussed.     

Uncertainty in research about key invasion characteristics limits the evaluation of exotic perennial grasses in natural systems in New South Wales,Australia

Exotic perennial grasses (EPGs) pose a significant risk to native communities globally. With over 2,200 species in Australia, understanding which characteristics enable high threat invasions, and comparing between functionally similar EPGs, can help prioritise species management. We developed a framework of risk and used the literature to rank 21 EPGs considered a threat to plant communities in New South Wales, while also evaluating the reliability of information currently available. Characteristics were scored within five broad categories that distinguish invasiveness: Arrival, Establishment, Persistence, Impact and Distribution. These included aspects of reproductive biology, competitive ability and environmental tolerance. The risk assessment was effective in assessing key characteristics of invasion. EPGs with an economic benefit (trade‐off species) were more likely to have reliable research and frequently ranked as high‐risk invaders in natural habitats due to the overlap of characteristics important in invasion with those considered important in agriculture. Lack of formal scientific research hindered assessment for some species, and some traits had been poorly assessed in the literature. High uncertainty was associated with key characteristics for Establishment, Persistence and Impact. Uncertainty in key characteristics revealed a need for improved integration of less formal research validated by more formal scientific research. This may lead to more informed decisions in the management of EPGs in native habitats and assist in early control of EPGs not yet assessed.     

Flavonoids: A complementary approach to conventional therapy of COVID-19?

Phytochemistry Reviews - COVID-19, the highly contagious novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has become a major international concern as it has spread quickly all over the globe. However,...     

Synergistic antifungal activity of statin–azole associations as witnessed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae- and Candida utilis-bioassays and ergosterol quantification

BackgroundFrequent opportunist fungal infections and the resistance to available antifungal drugs promoted the development of new alternatives for treatment, like antifungal drug combinations.AimsThis work aimed to detect the antifungal synergism between statins and azoles by means of an agar-well diffusion bioassay with Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 32051 and Candida utilis Pr_1–2 as test strains.MethodsSynergistic antifungal effects were tested by simultaneously adding a sub inhibitory concentration (SIC) of statin (atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin or simvastatin) plus a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of azole (clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole or miconazole) to yeast-embedded YNB agar plates, and a positive result corresponded to a yeast growth inhibition halo higher than that produced by the MIC of the azole alone. Yeast cell ergosterol quantification by RP-HPLC was used to confirm statin–azole synergism, and ergosterol rescue bioassays were performed for evaluating statin-induced ergosterol synthesis blockage.ResultsGrowth inhibition was significantly increased when clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and miconazole were combined with atorvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin. Highest growth inhibition increments were observed on S. cerevisiae (77.5%) and C. utilis (43.2%) with a SIC of simvastatin plus a MIC of miconazole, i.e. 4 + 2.4 μg/ml or 20 + 4.8 μg/ml, respectively. Pravastatin showed almost no significant effects (0–7.6% inhibition increase). Highest interaction ratios between antifungal agents corresponded to simvastatin–miconazole combinations and were indicative of synergism. Synergism was also confirmed by the increased reduction in cellular ergosterol levels (S. cerevisiae, 40% and C. utilis, 22%). Statin-induced ergosterol synthesis blockage was corroborated by means of ergosterol rescue bioassays, pravastatin being the most easily abolished inhibition whilst rosuvastatin being the most ergosterol-refractory.ConclusionsSelected statin–azole combinations might be viable alternatives for the therapeutic management of mycosis at lower administration doses or with a higher efficiency.