@article {pmid41844645,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Q and Jing, L and Duan, F and Sun, Y and Wang, W and Xu, B and Hua, D and Zhang, J and Shen, Z and Zhou, W and Luan, J and Liaw, PK and Han, X and Lu, J and Zhao, Y and Yang, T},
title = {Increasing fatigue resistance in ordered intermetallic alloys with multi-element symbiosis.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-70838-w},
pmid = {41844645},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {52222112//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 52101151//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 52101162//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 52301139//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 52101135//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; },
abstract = {Intermetallic alloys, recognized for the long-range atomic ordering and resultant impressive mechanical properties, are highly sought after in various advanced fields, including aerospace, automotive, and nuclear energy. However, their widespread application is still hindered seriously due to the poor fatigue endurance. Here, we design a new-type L12-structured multi-element symbiotic intermetallic alloy (MSIMA) and achieve a fatigue limit of ~1,100 MPa that remarkably surpasses its yield strength by 1.1 times, which is superior to other structural alloys currently in use. The complex sublattice occupation strengthens the alloy by increasing the antiphase boundary energy of the superlattice, thereby suppressing the fatigue-induced lattice defects. Concurrently, the multi-element symbiosis enables the modulation of local chemistries and the architecting of the disordered interfacial nanolayer (DINL) near grain boundaries, thereby shifting the fatigue fracture mode from intergranular to transgranular cracking. Furthermore, serving as the ductilizing sources, these DINLs facilitate the unusual anti-fatigue mechanisms-mechanical faulting and twinning-that are rarely observed in ordered alloys at room temperature. This deformation behavior effectively alleviates the strain localization and blunts the crack propagation, thereby enhancing their fatigue resistance.},
}

@article {pmid41845984,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, C and Liu, Y},
title = {Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Orchestrators of the peritoneal metastatic microenvironment.},
journal = {Critical reviews in oncology/hematology},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {105284},
doi = {10.1016/j.critrevonc.2026.105284},
pmid = {41845984},
issn = {1879-0461},
abstract = {Peritoneal metastasis (PM) represents a terminal stage of numerous abdominal malignancies, including gastric, colorectal, and ovarian cancers, and is associated with a dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. The peritoneal tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that actively governs cancer cell dissemination, implantation, and proliferation. Among the diverse cellular components of the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as principal regulators of this pro-tumorigenic niche. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence regarding the multifaceted roles of CAFs in driving PM. The diverse origins of peritoneal CAFs were examined, with a particular focus on the pivotal process of mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT), and the profound functional heterogeneity within the CAF population was explored. Moreover, the mechanisms through which CAFs promote metastasis were delineated, including the extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that generates invasive pathways and modulates mechanotransduction. Furthermore, the complex CAF secretome, comprising cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that directly stimulate cancer cell motility, invasion, and survival, was investigated. Besides, the critical role of CAFs in modulating metabolic symbiosis, particularly through the provision of lipids that enhance cancer cell membrane fluidity and invasiveness, was also addressed. Finally, the mechanisms by which CAFs establish a profoundly immunosuppressive microenvironment by recruiting and polarizing myeloid cells, inhibiting T-cell function, and creating a physical barrier to immune surveillance were elucidated. In conclusion, CAFs are important regulators of the peritoneal metastatic cascade, coordinating a spectrum of pro-tumorigenic events that collectively facilitate tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.},
}

@article {pmid41850296,
year = {2026},
author = {Bez, C and El Abiead, Y and Caraballo-Rodríguez, AM},
title = {From Molecules to Metabolomes, Understanding Symbiosis through Small Molecules.},
journal = {Journal of natural products},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5c01360},
pmid = {41850296},
issn = {1520-6025},
abstract = {Symbiosis, from Greek "living together" refers to the close association among organisms. Although these associations are found everywhere in nature, we do not know how these relationships are established or maintained over time. In this Perspective, we will focus on interorganism interactions involving microbes and eukaryotic hosts, particularly animals, plants, and humans, where symbiosis plays a critical role in health, development, and ecological fitness. We will focus on the chemical crosstalk between host and symbiont mediated by specialized small molecules. Finally, we suggest some steps for applying mass spectrometry-based metabolomic approaches to accelerate the understanding of these complex interactions.},
}

@article {pmid41850975,
year = {2026},
author = {Singh, J and Valdés-López, O and Schornack, S},
title = {Beyond nitrogen: phosphate controls root nodule symbiosis commitment.},
journal = {Trends in plant science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.001},
pmid = {41850975},
issn = {1878-4372},
abstract = {While root nodule symbiosis (RNS) is primarily recognized for nitrogen acquisition, it is heavily influenced by phosphorus levels. In natural agroecosystems, nitrogen limitation frequently co-occurs with phosphorus deficiency, yet the role of phosphorus in modulating RNS remains understudied. Recent research in the legume Phaseolus vulgaris shows that phosphorus starvation suppresses nodulation by downregulating the master regulator gene Nodule Inception, mediated by phosphate-responsive factors such as Phosphate Starvation Response-Like 7. We propose an integrated model where phosphate signaling functions as a metabolic checkpoint, balancing carbon availability, nitrogen demand, and phosphorus status. Elucidating how phosphate scarcity rewires these symbiotic gene networks is essential for sustainable agriculture, allowing for the optimization of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in nutrient-depleted environments.},
}

@article {pmid41840421,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, S and Tan, S and Li, Q and He, D and Xu, L and Zhang, H and Wang, R and Guan, Y and Cheng, Z and Wu, J and Xu, W and Zhang, H and Tang, M and Fan, J and Liu, L and Xie, J},
title = {PagMYB74 orchestrates flavonoid-mediated plant-microbe feedback for drought resilience in poplar.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.71086},
pmid = {41840421},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {2025D01E61//Xinjiang Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars/ ; },
abstract = {The interactions between plants and the soil microbiome play critical roles in regulating plant resistance to stresses. However, the process partly results from the complex interaction between root exudates and microbes, a relationship that remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the interconnected responses of the root microbiome associated with the perennial tree Populus under drought stress. This was achieved via molecular genetics approaches and multi-omics analyses, combined with integrative comparisons of microbiome structure against both the host plant's metabolomic profiles and transcriptomic data, using samples collected over a 13-wk period of progressive drought treatment. We demonstrate that progressive drought triggers a phased transcriptional cascade in roots, culminating in the activation of a flavonoid biosynthesis program. Moreover, we confirm that Pseudomonas is strongly associated with flavonoid biosynthesis and identify that gene PagMYB74 is critical for quercetin and kaempferol secretion. We further found that Pseudomonas putida S110 colonization establishes positive feedback through enhanced phenylpropanoid metabolism and activation of nutrient transport pathways in PagMYB74-overexpressing plants, reinforcing the symbiotic interaction. Our findings establish a complete mechanistic continuum from a single host gene to metabolite-driven recruitment and symbiotic reprogramming, facilitating the improvement of environmental adaptation by regulating their interaction with beneficial soil microorganisms.},
}

@article {pmid41841409,
year = {2026},
author = {Chu, J and Xu, X and Xu, Y and Hu, K and Chan, HF and Chen, W and Cheung, KH and Ning, X and Yung, KKL},
title = {Bioengineered Probiotic-Prebiotic Hierarchical Microspheres With pH-Responsive Architecture Reprogram Immunometabolism in Obesity-Related Disorders.},
journal = {Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e14910},
doi = {10.1002/smll.202514910},
pmid = {41841409},
issn = {1613-6829},
support = {82361168640//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; XJ2024043//Hong Kong Scholars Program/ ; 2021YFF1000700//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; N_EdUHK205/23//Joint Research Scheme/ ; JSTJ-2025-292//Jiangsu Youth Science and Technology Talent Support Program/ ; 20220ZB23//Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent/ ; 82361168640//Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Scholars and Scholars in Hong Kong and Macao/ ; },
abstract = {Obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic immunometabolic disorder driven by dysregulated gut-adipose communication and microbiota imbalance. Here, we present bioengineered pH-responsive probiotic-prebiotic hierarchical microspheres (MicroSym) that coordinate localized microbial restoration with systemic immune reprogramming to treat obesity-related disorders. MicroSym is fabricated via microfluidic-assisted phase separation coupled with electrostatic spraying, embedding probiotic bacteria within a lotus-derived prebiotic matrix to form a protective yet responsive microenvironment that preserves viability during gastric transit. At intestinal pH, the hierarchical architecture selectively disassembles to release probiotics and prebiotic substrates, fostering beneficial colonization and metabolite production. This symbiotic modulation reshapes the gut immune landscape, suppresses proinflammatory macrophage polarization, and restores adipose tissue homeostasis. In diet-induced obese mice, oral treatment with MicroSym remodels the gut microbiota, improves glucose tolerance, reduces lipid accumulation, and normalizes cytokine profiles without overt toxicity. Transcriptomic profiling and microbiome analyses further validate comprehensive systemic immunometabolic benefits. Collectively, this work establishes a biofabricated symbiotic microsphere platform for controlling microbiota-immune-metabolic crosstalk and offers a translatable therapeutic strategy for obesity-associated immunometabolic disease.},
}

@article {pmid41841794,
year = {2026},
author = {Prasad, A and Santos-Matos, G and Szigeti-Genoud, A and Mazel, F and Engel, P},
title = {Priority effects drive strain-level community composition of honeybee gut microbiota.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrag056},
pmid = {41841794},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Gut microbial communities often differ at the strain level among individual hosts, but the mechanisms driving this variation remain poorly understood. One potential factor is priority effects, a process in which differences in the timing and order of microbial colonization influence subsequent community assembly ("first come, first served" dynamics). We hypothesize that such priority effects operate at the strain level within species, where closely related bacteria exhibit niche overlap, and that these dynamics can lead to community divergence even under similar environmental conditions. We tested these predictions, using the gut microbiota of honeybees, which harbor conserved microbial communities that differ in strain composition among individual bees. We sequentially colonized microbiota-depleted honeybees with two distinct microbial communities composed of the same twelve core microbiota species but different strains, ensuring that individuals shared species-level composition but differed at the strain level. We found that firstcomer strains consistently dominated the resulting communities, suggesting strong priority effects. Dropout experiments in which the firstcomer strain of a species was removed led to only partial increases in the colonization success of the conspecific latecomer, suggesting that both intra- and inter-species interactions contribute to priority effects. Our findings highlight the significant role of priority effects in strain-level community assembly and reveal their influence in shaping the specialized gut microbiota of honeybees, with important implications for the development of probiotic strategies in beekeeping.},
}

@article {pmid41842961,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhou, F and Pang, L and Liu, Y and Khan, F and Chen, P},
title = {Symbiotic exclusivity between CLOCK and TFPI2 drives stemness and immunosuppression in glioblastoma models.},
journal = {The Journal of clinical investigation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1172/JCI199056},
pmid = {41842961},
issn = {1558-8238},
abstract = {Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by extensive crosstalk between glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) and immunosuppressive microglia, with our previous work identifying CLOCK and TFPI2 as key regulators of this interaction. Here, we uncover a 'symbiotic exclusivity' pattern between CLOCK and TFPI2, showing that despite mutually exclusive amplifications, they sustain symbiotic regulatory interactions in GBM. The CLOCK-BMAL1 complex transcriptionally upregulates TFPI2, while TFPI2-driven hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1a) signaling activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) P65 to upregulate the CLOCK-BMAL1 complex, creating a positive feedback loop to promote stemness, immunosuppression, and tumor progression. Disrupting the CLOCK-TFPI2 interplay through dual inhibition of their downstream effectors reduces GSC stemness and immunosuppressive microglia, activates antitumor immunity, and synergizes with anti-PD1 therapy to achieve complete tumor regression in 50-62.5% of tumor-bearing mice. This study uncovers a promising therapeutic strategy for a broader subset of GBM patients with high expression of either CLOCK or TFPI2, and provides a framework for identifying 'symbiotic exclusivity' genes in cancer.},
}

@article {pmid41844078,
year = {2026},
author = {Lozano-Bilbao, E and Delgado-Suárez, I and Hardisson, A and González-Weller, D and Rubio, C and Paz, S and Gutiérrez, ÁJ},
title = {Microhabitat light regime drives a seasonal reversal of metal burdens in the photosymbiotic sea anemone Anemonia sulcata.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {228},
number = {},
pages = {119577},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119577},
pmid = {41844078},
issn = {1879-3363},
abstract = {Trace-metal accumulation in intertidal bioindicators can be strongly influenced by fine-scale ecological conditions, yet the role of microhabitat light regime in photosymbiotic species remains poorly understood. Here, we quantified Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata from Tenerife and Gran Canaria using a fully crossed design that included island, microhabitat light regime (Light vs Dark), and season (Summer vs Winter). Metal profiles differed consistently between light regimes, but the strength and direction of this effect depended on season. In winter, individuals from Dark microhabitats showed higher concentrations for all analysed metals, whereas in summer the differences were weaker and restricted to a subset of elements. Multivariate and mixture-level analyses further showed that the Lighting × Season interaction explained the main structure of the dataset, while island contributed comparatively little to overall variation. These results indicate that microhabitat light regime is an important ecological modulator of metal burdens in A. sulcata, and that its effect changes seasonally. Accounting for both microhabitat and season may therefore improve the interpretation of biomonitoring data in intertidal photosymbiotic organisms.},
}

@article {pmid41844248,
year = {2026},
author = {Burghardt, LT and Sydow, P and Sutherland, J and Epstein, B and Tiffin, P},
title = {Genetic variation in host selectivity and adaptive strain enrichment in legume-rhizobia symbiosis: host-dependent, imperfect processes correlate with nodule morphology.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {293},
number = {2067},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2025.2851},
pmid = {41844248},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; //Division of Integrative Organismal Systems/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Medicago truncatula/genetics/microbiology/physiology/anatomy & histology ; *Genetic Variation ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology/anatomy & histology/genetics ; *Sinorhizobium meliloti/physiology ; Host Specificity/genetics ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Nitrogen Fixation ; },
abstract = {Mutualism breakdown can be prevented if partner species preferentially select and reward partners that provide greater benefit. We examined these two components using the legume Medicago truncatula and its nitrogen-fixing symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti. First, we re-analysed data from 202 accessions to show significant genetic variation in the capacity of Medicago to restrict strain diversity, finding that hosts with shorter nodules were more selective. A genome-wide association study on host selectivity identified genes including the hormone leginsulin, pectin degradation, multidrug and toxic compound efflux, zinc transport and DNA methylation. Second, we used two well-studied Medicago genotypes with contrasting nodule morphologies to assess the effectiveness of adaptive enrichment mechanisms by sampling the relative frequencies of rhizobial strains in pools of small nodules (indicating a lack of host investment) compared to large nodules (indicating increased host investment) and pairing these results with previous single-strain assessments of strain benefits to hosts. While both hosts enriched beneficial strains in large nodules, the host that formed larger and more variably sized nodules and thus had greater 'potential' to increase rhizobial populations was less effective. Our findings reveal that host genetic variation affects strain selectivity and suggest that nodule morphology traits warrant attention when exploring mutualism evolution.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
*Medicago truncatula/genetics/microbiology/physiology/anatomy & histology
*Genetic Variation
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology/anatomy & histology/genetics
*Sinorhizobium meliloti/physiology
Host Specificity/genetics
Genome-Wide Association Study
Nitrogen Fixation

@article {pmid41834867,
year = {2026},
author = {Souza, JM and Ribeiro, PHC and Millen, DD},
title = {Review: Shifts of rumen microbiota by feeding non-fibrous carbohydrates to improve cattle performance.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1735296},
pmid = {41834867},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Ruminants play an essential role in food production due to their ability to utilize forages through fermentation in the rumen. This fermentative chamber hosts a diverse microbial community capable of degrading fiber and non-fiber carbohydrates, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbial protein, which are essential for the animal's metabolism. Throughout their evolution, ruminants developed a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms specialized in the degradation of plant fibers, enabling the use of forages as a dietary foundation. However, modern intensive production systems have introduced concentrate ingredients to their diets (such as grains and industrial by-products), which represent a significant departure from ancestral diets based exclusively on forages. Dietary composition is the primary factor driving changes in the ruminal microbiota and can significantly alter its composition. Variations in the forage-to-concentrate ratio can drastically alter microbial activity, affecting the stability of the ruminal ecosystem. Sequencing technologies and omics approaches have enhanced the understanding of this ecology, allowing for more effective nutritional interventions. The objective of this review is to assess how contemporary diets in intensive production systems differ from ancestral, forage-only diets and how these differences reshape the ruminal microbiota. To this end, we characterized the variations in the ruminal microbiota composition of animals fed high-concentrate and high-forage diets, describing the specific microbial profiles of each condition and identifying beneficial and potentially detrimental microorganisms. This review synthesizes current evidence on how dietary transitions reshape ruminal microbial cross-feeding networks and proposes an integrative framework linking microbial symbiotic balance, rumen health, and production efficiency. By emphasizing the dynamic regulation of microbial interactions rather than isolated taxa, this work highlights cross-feeding stability as a central target for nutritional, microbial, and genetic interventions in intensive ruminant production systems.},
}

@article {pmid41835130,
year = {2026},
author = {Shoham, S and Weiss, C and Keren, R and Lavy, A and Polishchuk, I and Pokroy, B and Azem, A and Ilan, M},
title = {Intracellular vesicle-mediated biomineralization of arsenic and barium by a sponge symbiotic bacterium.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {6},
number = {1},
pages = {ycag039},
pmid = {41835130},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {In their soluble forms, arsenic and barium are ubiquitous toxic elements. Mechanisms for their detoxification include reducing bioavailability by assimilation into organic forms or mineralization. It was previously found that Entotheonella sp., a bacterium common to the Red Sea sponge Theonella swinhoei (Demospongiae, Tetractinellida), accumulates these elements by mineralizing them intracellularly, thus acting as a detoxifying organ to the sponge host. Here, we utilize cryo-TEM and energy-dispersive spectroscopy to investigate the accumulated minerals. Our results show that Entotheonella cells possess an internal membrane-enclosing sphere-like granules that contains barium, arsenic, sulfur, calcium, and phosphorus in high concentrations. Moreover, the bacterial cytoplasm contains many intracellular vesicles (ICVs) enriched with arsenic and sulfur. The coexistence of sulfur and arsenic may suggest the presence of cysteine-containing metal-binding proteins responsible for arsenic uptake and separation within the bacterial cell. To examine that hypothesis, we developed a protocol for vesicle isolation and performed proteomic profiling. Based on the proteins found, ICVs likely originate from the bacteria's outer membrane and contain proteins of known functions, including the transport and detoxification of toxic metals. These findings enhance our understanding of Entotheonella sp. and its host Tamiops swinhoei's unique strategies for hyper-accumulating and neutralizing toxic elements.},
}

@article {pmid41835236,
year = {2026},
author = {Ariyan, M and Mikryukov, V and Khalil, H and Gohar, D and Hosseyni Moghaddam, MS and Drenkhan, R and Tedersoo, L},
title = {Impact of plant species, mycorrhizal type, and leaf traits on foliar fungal communities (in a common garden experiment).},
journal = {IMA fungus},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {e173358},
pmid = {41835236},
issn = {2210-6340},
abstract = {Foliar fungal communities are essential components of the plant microbiome, playing a vital role in maintaining plant health and influencing ecosystem dynamics. Despite increasing interest in plant-microbe associations, the drivers shaping foliar fungal community composition remain poorly understood, including the roles of host phylogeny, functional traits, and belowground mycorrhizal symbiosis. We used the MycoPhylo experimental field, in which plant species are planted in a replicated, phylogenetically diverse design, to investigate the influence of host plant identity, mycorrhizal type, and leaf functional traits on foliar fungal assemblages. We examined foliar fungal communities across 158 plots representing 110 distinct plant species using a metabarcoding approach. The resulting operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were dominated by Dothideomycetes (44.5%), Tremellomycetes (12.7%), and Taphrinomycetes (9.0%). Functional guild analysis revealed that plant pathogens and saprotrophs were the most abundant ecological groups. Foliar fungal alpha diversity and community composition were significantly influenced by plant growth form and mycorrhizal association. Although plant deciduousness did not affect fungal richness, it significantly affected fungal community composition. The measured leaf traits (hairiness and thickness) showed the least influence on fungal richness. Mantel tests revealed weak, guild-dependent relationships between host phylogenetic distance and foliar fungal community dissimilarity. Moreover, plant phylogenetic eigenvectors accounted for up to 25.8% of the variation in fungal richness. These findings indicate that host phylogeny and plant traits contribute to-but do not solely determine-the structure of foliar fungal assemblages under field conditions.},
}

@article {pmid41835277,
year = {2026},
author = {Semenova, MG and Coba de la Peña, T and Petina, AN and Ivashina, T and Fedorova, EE},
title = {Nitrogen-fixing root nodules elicited by rhizobial potassium ion transporter Smkup1: senescence and autophagy.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1749975},
pmid = {41835277},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {With the aim to elucidate the interdependence between potassium transport by the host plant in nodule cells and potassium transport in bacteroids, a null mutant of rhizobial potassium ion transporter Smkup1 was created and investigated. The mutation, according to cytological analysis, has not caused specific aberrations in the root nodules' anatomy and ultrastructure, but a significant induction of the expression of host plant and rhizobial genes involved in the stress response was observed. At the same time, an opposite trend was observed for genes of the autophagy pathway that have shown a significant downregulation of expression. To identify the mechanisms of interplay between autophagy and senescence in the root nodule, an in silico analysis of protein-protein interactions of positive (Beclin 1) and negative (NAC1, BAK1) regulators of autophagy was performed. The resulting networks allowed the predictions of interacting proteins putatively linking symbiotic interactions, autophagy, stress, programmed cell death (PCD), and senescence. Based on these data, we hypothesized that modulation of the expression of these genes in the root nodule could be the way to extend the root nodule's lifespan and the duration of the nitrogen fixation process.},
}

@article {pmid41836174,
year = {2026},
author = {Lewis, N and Schätzle, S and Cardone, F and Erpenbeck, D and Wörheide, G and Vargas, S},
title = {Species-specific community structure in the microbiomes and eukaryotic communities associated with Mediterranean golf ball sponges.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {e20452},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.20452},
pmid = {41836174},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {*Porifera/microbiology ; Animals ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Species Specificity ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Eukaryota/genetics/classification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Sponges harbor complex and diverse microbiomes that contribute to the host's fitness and, ultimately, the health of the ecosystems sponges inhabit.

METHODS: Using high-throughput 16S and 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we explore the prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities associated with three sympatric Mediterranean demosponges, namely Tethya aurantium, Tethya meloni, and Tethya citrina.

RESULTS: We found species-specific prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities despite the close sympatry of the three Mediterranean Tethya species studied. This offers further support for the phylogenetic nature of the sponge microbiome, where microbial communities reflect the evolutionary ancestry of their host species. These patterns are both present in the eukaryotic and prokaryotic sponge-associated communities, since both display similar levels of host species specificity.},
}

*Porifera/microbiology
Animals
*Microbiota/genetics
Phylogeny
Species Specificity
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Eukaryota/genetics/classification

@article {pmid41839662,
year = {2026},
author = {Abdallah, MM and Suo, C and Cui, Y and Ullah, RH and Nhung, HH and Li, L and Liu, C},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as integrative modulators of plant tolerance to drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress: mechanistic insights and future directions.},
journal = {Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {100636},
doi = {10.1016/j.jgeb.2025.100636},
pmid = {41839662},
issn = {2090-5920},
abstract = {Climate change and anthropogenic pressures have intensified abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal (HM) contamination, severely impairing plant growth and productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), through their symbiotic association with plant roots, offer a promising biological strategy to enhance plant resilience under these stresses. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms by which AMF confer stress tolerance. Key mechanisms include modulation of aquaporin expression for water homeostasis, regulation of abscisic acid (ABA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, enhancement of antioxidant defenses, and fine-tuning of osmolyte metabolism such as proline. Under salinity, AMF improves ion homeostasis by regulating SOS1 and NHX transporters and enhancing K[+]/Na[+] discrimination. In HM-contaminated environments, AMF facilitate metal immobilization, chelation via phytochelatins and metallothioneins, and vacuolar sequestration, thereby reducing oxidative damage. The review also highlights AMF-mediated transcriptional reprogramming involving 14-3-3 proteins and stress-responsive transcription factors (e.g., WRKY, MYB, bHLH). By integrating rhizospheric interactions with intracellular signaling, AMF emerge as multifaceted modulators of plant stress physiology. This review delineates key gaps in current understanding and outlines strategic directions for harnessing AMF in sustainable agriculture under complex abiotic stress scenarios. By integrating mechanistic insights across drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress, it emphasizes the convergence of AMF-mediated signaling pathways and cross-tolerance mechanisms that underpin plant resilience.},
}

@article {pmid41839755,
year = {2026},
author = {Tourné, F and Medina, K and Listur, B and Báez, J and Martín, V},
title = {Commercial kombucha beverages produced in Uruguay: physicochemical composition and antioxidant profile.},
journal = {Journal of the science of food and agriculture},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/jsfa.70589},
pmid = {41839755},
issn = {1097-0010},
support = {//Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas/ ; //Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Kombucha is an ancient beverage obtained by fermenting a sweetened tea infusion with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Although its popularity has increased markedly in the past decade, there is still limited information on kombucha produced in Latin America, particularly regarding its physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant properties.

RESULTS: In this study, the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of eight commercial kombuchas from the Uruguayan market were evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed two distinct clusters among the samples, mainly differentiated by ethanol, glycerol, total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, volatile acidity, and titratable acidity. This multivariate pattern reflected differences in fermentation progress, where samples with lower residual sugar and higher levels of fermentation metabolites also showed greater antioxidant potential. A high degree of variability was detected among Uruguayan kombucha brands, especially regarding acidity and ethanol levels, with several products surpassing the threshold established for non-alcoholic beverages. In this set of samples, locally produced kombuchas tended to show higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than the imported products, highlighting their promising potential as functional beverages. However, further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm these trends.

CONCLUSION: This work represents the first report on the characterization of Uruguayan kombucha beverages and highlights the importance of establishing quality and regulatory standards to enhance product uniformity, safety, and consumer trust within the growing Latin American kombucha market. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid41830828,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, Y and Qi, Z and Yin, L and Chang, F and Ju, H and Jing, H and Diao, X},
title = {Multi-level holobiont dysregulation increases the ecological risk of combined ocean acidification and benzo[a]pyrene pollution to the reef-building coral Porites lutea.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {507},
number = {},
pages = {141743},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.141743},
pmid = {41830828},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Reef-building corals are increasingly threatened by the combined effects of global climate change and localized organic pollutants. However, the holistic impacts of co-exposure to ocean acidification (OA) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on coral holobionts remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the multi-level responses of the reef-building coral Porites lutea to short-term (7-day) exposure to OA (pH 7.80), BaP (10 µg/L), and their combination, by integrating physiological measurements with microbiome profiling (ITS2 and 16S rRNA). We found that combined stress was associated with a dysregulated response in Symbiodiniaceae, characterized by a significant increase in cell density without a parallel rise in chlorophyll content, suggesting a possible compensatory but inefficient proliferation response. Despite this, the dominant symbiont Cladocopium C15 remained stable. The bacterial diversity increased (e.g., enrichment of Ruegeria and Acanthopleuribacter, decline of Endozoicomonas), which may suggest enhanced functional redundancy, while the archaeal community was significantly restructured, most notably a marked decline of the putative obligate Nanoarchaeota-Halobacterota symbiosis. At the host level, combined stress was associated with suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD/POD) but upregulated genes related to protein folding (Hsp90) and calcium homeostasis (NCX1, VAMP4). These findings suggest a complex holobiont reconfiguration under combined stress, involving a stabilized core symbiont, altered microbiomes, and a shifted host defense strategy. Our study suggests that the ecological risk of combined OA and organic pollution may not be extrapolated from single-stressor responses, indicating the need to incorporate multi-stressor frameworks into coral reef risk assessments.},
}

@article {pmid41831253,
year = {2026},
author = {Maartens, LH and Gummow, B and Grewar, JD and Picard, J and Thompson, PN},
title = {A cohort study of factors associated with the incidence rate of keratoconjunctivitis in dairy heifers farmed under Mediterranean climatic conditions.},
journal = {Preventive veterinary medicine},
volume = {251},
number = {},
pages = {106849},
doi = {10.1016/j.prevetmed.2026.106849},
pmid = {41831253},
issn = {1873-1716},
abstract = {Bovine keratoconjunctivitis (BK) is a common ocular disease in cattle, often linked to symbiotic bacteria with pathogenic potential, such as Moraxella bovis. Although treatable, BK impacts productivity, animal welfare, and antimicrobial stewardship in food-producing systems. This study estimated the incidence rate of BK among dairy heifers and evaluated animal- and herd-level risk factors, including the field efficacy of a commercial M. bovis vaccine. A year-long prospective cohort study was conducted in 636 dairy heifers across nine farms in South Africa's Mediterranean climatic zone. Heifers were monitored monthly for general health and BK signs. Conjunctival swabs were collected to detect M. bovis, M. bovoculi, and Mesomycoplasma bovoculi. Risk factor data were obtained via structured interviews, environmental monitoring, and weather records. BK incidence density rate (IDR), vaccine efficacy, and risk factor associations were assessed using Poisson models. The BK IDR was 25.1 cases per 100 eye-years (95% CI: 20.7-30.4), peaking in summer. No microbial agents were significantly associated with BK IDR, underscoring its multifactorial nature. Incidence rates were similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated heifers, supporting evidence that current vaccines offer inconsistent protection. Significant animal-level risk factors included younger age, poor body condition, and peri-orbital dermatophytosis. Heifers in drylot enclosures with consistent nutrition showed lower BK incidence. Seasonal increases in solar radiation, lachryphagous fly abundance, and pyrethroid pesticide use were linked to higher BK IDR. Findings support a paradigm shift in BK prevention, emphasizing nutritional resilience, welfare-based heifer management, integrated pest control, and responsible pesticide use.},
}

@article {pmid41831708,
year = {2026},
author = {Sánchez, O and González, IC and Poyo, JG and Ureña, M and Arias, A},
title = {The hidden passengers: On the role of exotic crayfish in the spread of symbiotic and pathogenic organisms in northern Iberian Peninsula.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108598},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2026.108598},
pmid = {41831708},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {The spread of invasive crayfish species poses a growing threat to freshwater ecosystems and public health, not only through direct ecological impacts but also by facilitating the transmission of symbionts and potential zoonotic pathogens. This study characterizes the symbiont diversity associated with the crayfish species that occur in northern Spain. In addition, the first comprehensive and comparative compilation of reported symbiont and parasite species of crayfish species reported in Iberia is provided. A combination of scanning electron and optical microscopy analysis and a review of the literature was employed to identify the symbionts and evaluate their spatial distribution on the host, their taxonomy, and their zoonotic potential. A total of five crayfish species were analyzed, with symbionts recorded across multiple body regions, particularly the chelipeds, gills, and pleopods. The most prevalent taxa belonged to the phyla Ciliophora, Annelida, and Platyhelminthes. Some symbionts, such as Xironogiton victoriensis and Uncinocythere occidentalis, were identified as obligate ectosymbionts that could have a negative impact on protected species such as Austropotamobius fulcisianus. Furthermore, several symbiont taxa (e.g., Fusarium sp., and Paragonimus spp.) are known to be zoonotic and are associated with conditions such as keratitis, onychomycosis, and paragonimiasis. The results highlight the dual ecological and epidemiological risk posed by crayfish invasions. As vectors of both invasive symbionts and zoonotic agents, these crustaceans may facilitate the emergence of new infectious diseases in freshwater environments. This underscores the need for integrated monitoring strategies that consider symbiont-host dynamics in invasive species management and public health surveillance and highlights the importance of implementing targeted management actions to mitigate ecological impacts and reduce associated health risks.},
}

@article {pmid41831761,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Liu, Z and Yin, X and Guo, Z and Wang, J and He, Z and Liu, W and Luo, H and Xu, X and Yue, X and Zhou, A},
title = {Sustainable hydrogen and vivianite recovery from waste activated sludge in electro-fermentation: Perspectives of product regulation and microbial interaction.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {298},
number = {},
pages = {124248},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2026.124248},
pmid = {41831761},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Zero-valent iron mediated electro-fermentation (EF) has recently emerged as a promising strategy for the synchronous hydrogen and vivianite recovery from waste activated sludge (WAS), while the mechanism of production regulation and microbial interaction still remains unclear. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of hydrogen and phosphorus recovery from prefermented sludge via EF was performed. The substrate reduction (∼2500 mg COD/L, fermentation liquid was diluted 1:1) resulted in the highest hydrogen yield (25.5 mmol/g COD) and complete phosphate recovery at 2 d, the recovered vivianite accomplished the largest crystal size (138.8 μm) with layered structures. The highest utilization efficiency of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and organics was also achieved in 1:1 group. Anaerobic fermentation bacteria (AFB), electroactive bacteria (EAB), homo-acetogens, and nitrate reducing bacteria (NRB) were the predominant microbes in the plankton and bio-cathode, forming a mutually beneficial and stable symbiotic network. Further analysis of metabolic pathways revealed that the 1:1 group exhibited higher abundance of key functional genes involved in hydrolysis, acidification, and hydrogen production. This study may provide the theoretical and technical foundation for sludge valorization in the future implementation of EF in wastewater treatment plants.},
}

@article {pmid41831799,
year = {2026},
author = {Qi, H and Wu, R and Liao, J and Alvarez, PJJ and Yu, P},
title = {Longitudinal multi-omics reveal phase-dependent viral adaptive strategies and functional potential during formation of algal-bacterial granular sludge.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {449},
number = {},
pages = {134410},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134410},
pmid = {41831799},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Virus-prokaryote interactions within microbial aggregates critically influence microbiome function and stability, yet the interactive dynamics during microbial aggregation remain largely unexplored. Here, longitudinal multi-omics revealed that prokaryotic host community diversity underwent decline and subsequent recovery during algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) formation from activated sludge. Declined host diversity in the collapse phase enriched for lysogenic viruses and facilitated virus-host mutualistic symbiosis, during which the proportion of lysogenic metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) peaked at 84% (841,649 TPM), with auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) primarily involved in genetic information processing and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, low host diversity increased viral microdiversity by 1.97-fold and selected for virion structure genes that were conducive to viral fitness and replication. As host diversity recovered during the recovery phase, viruses and hosts engaged in an evolutionary arms race, with both host defense systems (DS) (Spearman's Rho = 0.68, P < 0.05) and viral anti-defense systems (ADS) (Spearman's Rho = 0.51, P < 0.05) enriched along with granule maturation. Furthermore, active lysogenic infections were accompanied by the dissemination of AMGs predominantly associated with the metabolism of cofactors, vitamins, terpenoids, and polyketides. Despite their phase-dependent functional profiles, lysogenic phages with AMGs putatively enhanced the structural and functional stability of the microbiome during ABGS formation. Overall, our study unveils a phase-dependent co-evolutionary interplay between viruses and prokaryotic hosts during ABGS formation, providing insights into virus-mediated microbial structural and functional resilience in engineered ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid41833385,
year = {2026},
author = {Itakura, M and Kakizaki, K and Suzuki, A and Okubo, S and Kato, H and Sugawara, M and Saeki, Y and Minamisawa, K},
title = {Screening of Bradyrhizobium ottawaense with High N2O-reducing Activity from Soybean Nodules in Japan.},
journal = {Microbes and environments},
volume = {41},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1264/jsme2.ME25062},
pmid = {41833385},
issn = {1347-4405},
mesh = {*Bradyrhizobium/genetics/isolation & purification/classification/metabolism/enzymology ; *Glycine max/microbiology ; Japan ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Oxidoreductases/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; },
abstract = {Bradyrhizobium ottawaense has prospects as an environmentally friendly inoculant for soybean farming because of its higher N2O reductase (N2OR) activity than that of B. diazoefficiens. To examine high N2O-reducing B. ottawaense, we performed a PCR anal-ysis of nosZ genes in 8,640 soybean nodules from 68 fields in Japan. Of 384 PCR-positive nodules, we obtained 90 isolates of bradyrhizobia with B. ottawaense-type nosZ, derived exclusively from 18 fields in Gunma and Osaka prefectures. Of 77 monophyletic isolates, 73 had significantly higher N2OR activity than B. diazoefficiens USDA110. Another 13 isolates‍ ‍from Osaka were phylogenetically placed outside of the B. ottawaense clade with B. liaoningense or B. betae, 8 of which also exhibited significantly higher N2OR activity than B. diazoefficiens USDA110. An anal-ysis of nopP gene sequences revealed amino acid sequence variations in the NopP effector protein among these high N2O-reducing isolates, with the NopPUSDA122 type being one of the variations identified. The NopP-mediated symbiotic incompatibility of soybean host plants may eliminate nodulation by indigenous bradyrhizobia and facilitate inoculant nodulation to reduce N2O emissions. Therefore, 90 isolates and their observed NopP types are‍ ‍potentially important resources for N2O mitigation. Furthermore, the dense geographical map of Bradyrhizobium species based on Internal Transcribed Spacer-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (ITS-RFLP) of the 16S-23S rRNA gene from 8,640 nodules revealed the recent northward expansion of B. elkanii to central Japan potentially due to global warming. This change in indigenous soybean bradyrhizobia is important for application strategies of bradyrhizobial inoculants under field conditions.},
}

*Bradyrhizobium/genetics/isolation & purification/classification/metabolism/enzymology
*Glycine max/microbiology
Japan
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
Phylogeny
*Oxidoreductases/genetics/metabolism
Symbiosis
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA

@article {pmid41833390,
year = {2026},
author = {Ito, S and Matsumoto, S and Kadowaki, M and Sato, H and Saeki, Y and Shiro, S},
title = {Effects of Soil Moisture Content and Rj Genotype Differences on Soybean Productivity and Soybean-nodulating Bradyrhizobial Occupancy.},
journal = {Microbes and environments},
volume = {41},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1264/jsme2.ME25075},
pmid = {41833390},
issn = {1347-4405},
mesh = {*Glycine max/growth & development/microbiology/genetics ; *Soil/chemistry ; Genotype ; *Bradyrhizobium/physiology/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/growth & development ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Water/analysis ; Symbiosis ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology/growth & development ; Plant Roots/growth & development/microbiology ; },
abstract = {We exami-ned the effects of soil moisture changes on soybean growth, yield, and the structure of soybean-nodulating bradyrhizobial communities in cultivars with different Rj genotypes. The experiment was conducted using cultivation pots with soybean cultivars Bragg (non-Rj), CNS (Rj2Rj3), D-51 (Rj3), and Fukuyutaka (Rj4). Test strains included Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 110[T], B. japonicum USDA 6[T] and USDA 123, and B. elkanii USDA 31. Cultivation pots were built with 15-cm ridges, and three soil moisture conditions were generated by varying the presence and placement of drainage holes on the pots. Declining soil moisture significantly reduced shoot length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root length, nodule number, pod number, pod dry weight, and seed number. An occupancy anal-ysis showed that USDA 110 dominated Fukuyutaka only; across treatments, it was the most abundant under high soil moisture, but significantly declined with reductions in soil moisture, where USDA 31 became dominant. A non-metric multidimensional scaling anal-ysis revealed shifts in community compositions in response to soil moisture and cultivar. Collectively, these results indicate that soybean growth, yield, and symbiosis with bradyrhizobia are strongly affected by soil moisture and also that these effects vary among cultivars.},
}

*Glycine max/growth & development/microbiology/genetics
*Soil/chemistry
Genotype
*Bradyrhizobium/physiology/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/growth & development
*Soil Microbiology
*Water/analysis
Symbiosis
Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology/growth & development
Plant Roots/growth & development/microbiology

@article {pmid41833536,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, H and Cai, LQ and Mou, Q and Sun, YF and Yang, KY and Liang, YS and Li, HS and Pang, H},
title = {A free-living Serratia symbiotica strain enhances aphid development, potentially through alteration of host nutritional composition.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.70719},
pmid = {41833536},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//Open Fund of Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Protection and Resource Utilization/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; JCYJ20250604175510013//the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aphids harbor diverse microbial communities that influence their development, reproduction, and stress tolerance. In our previous work, we identified a free-living strain of Serratia symbiotica, SsMj, which is highly abundant in the gut of Megoura crassicauda. However, the biological effects of SsMj on its aphid host remain largely unknown.

RESULTS: In this study, SsMj- M. crassicauda were generated by rearing newly hatched nymphs separately from their parthenogenetic SsMj+ parents. Absolute quantification of the microbiome revealed that, apart from the loss of SsMj, the overall bacterial abundance and diversity did not differ significantly between SsMj- and SsMj+ aphids. Nevertheless, SsMj- individuals exhibited slower development, smaller body size, reduced survival, and produced more offspring compared to their SsMj+ counterparts. Metabolomic analyses further showed that SsMj- aphids accumulated higher levels of several sugars but lower concentrations of multiple amino acids. Consistently, the insulin-like peptide (ILP) gene showed elevated expression across developmental stages in SsMj- aphids, which is likely to reflect a response to nutrient imbalance. RNA interference targeting ILP significantly delayed development, confirming its regulatory role in aphid growth. Comparative genomics showed that the SsMj genome contains a high number of genes involved in amino acid synthesis pathways than both obligate and facultative S. symbiotica strains, a pattern consistent with other free-living strains.

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that S. symbiotica plays an essential role in aphid nutrient metabolism, and is likely to be facilitating the conversion of dietary sugars into amino acids to support host development. The fitness benefits conferred by this free-living S. symbiotica strain suggest a close, mutualistic-like association with its aphid host, highlighting its ecological and physiological significance in insect-microbe interactions. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid41833568,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, X and Zhang, P and Liu, Y and He, Y and Wang, L and Martin, FM and Zhang, F},
title = {Functional specialisation of ammonium transporters in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.71068},
pmid = {41833568},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {31901279//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32271829//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; ANR-11-LABX-0002-01//Laboratory of Excellence ARBRE and the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China/ ; //Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China./ ; },
abstract = {Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi enhance nitrogen (N) uptake in trees; however, the molecular mechanisms and functional specialisation among transporter isoforms remain poorly understood. Here, we characterised two ammonium transporters, LbAMT1.1a and LbAMT2.3, in the basidiomycete Laccaria bicolor, revealing complementary roles in fungal growth and symbiosis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that LbAMT1.1a was constitutively expressed during mycelial growth, whereas LbAMT2.3 was specifically induced during ECM formation. RNAi targeting each gene reduced mycelial growth, with LbAMT1.1a silencing producing stronger defects. [15]N-ammonium tracing demonstrated that both RNAi strains exhibited an over 83% reduction in ammonium uptake compared to wild-type. In planta experiments revealed differential impacts on symbiosis. Both RNAi strains showed a 31-60% reduction in ECM formation. LbAMT2.3 RNAi significantly reduced lateral root formation, suggesting an additional role in developmental signalling. Gene expression analysis revealed that LbAMT2.3 silencing suppressed LbAMT1.1a transcript levels, indicating regulatory crosstalk between subfamilies. Dual isotope tracing ([15]N/[13]C) confirmed that impaired fungal N uptake reduces both N transfer and carbon allocation, with LbAMT1.1a disruption having a greater impact. In conclusion, LbAMT1.1a serves as the primary ammonium uptake pathway, whereas LbAMT2.3 functions as both a symbiosis-induced transporter and a positive regulator of LbAMT1 family expression, with an additional role in modulating host root architecture.},
}

@article {pmid41829836,
year = {2026},
author = {Yuan, Y and Jia, Y and Chen, C and Wu, L and Sun, J and Zhou, Q and Wang, H and Chen, Y},
title = {Rhizosheath-Mycorrhizal Interactions in Kengyilia hirsuta Enhance Phosphorus Efficiency.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants15050805},
pmid = {41829836},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {2024YFHZ0167//The Sichuan Regional Innovation Cooperation Project/ ; 2021PTJS30//Special Project from the Collaborative Innovation Center for Ecological Animal Husbandry on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southwest Minzu University/ ; CX2023009//Discipline Construction Project of Southwest Minzu University/ ; ZYN2024013//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Southwest Minzu University/ ; 2024CXTD11//The project number of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Research Innovation Team/ ; },
abstract = {Phosphorus deficiency is a key factor limiting plant growth in desertified grasslands. Elucidating the adaptive strategies of pioneer plants that integrate root morphology and microbial interactions is crucial for understanding the natural restoration of ecosystems. This study investigated the strategies employed by Kengyilia hirsuta, a pioneer grass species in desertified grasslands, to adapt to low-phosphorus environments. By conducting sand culture experiments under varying phosphorus levels (low, optimal, and high), we focused on elucidating the synergistic adaptive mechanisms involving the root-rhizosheath system. The results showed that the rhizosheath serves as a critical micro-ecological niche for enriching arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and enhancing phosphatase activity. Under low-phosphorus stress, the plant strengthened root hair development and its symbiotic association with AMF, which markedly increased acid phosphatase activity and led to the highest phosphorus use efficiency. At the optimal phosphorus level, the plant developed an efficient "rhizosheath-mycorrhiza" synergistic system, characterized by high AMF colonization and spore density, facilitating optimized carbon-phosphorus exchange. Under phosphorus-sufficient conditions, the adaptive strategy transitioned towards root morphological plasticity, exemplified by increased surface area and branching. Multivariate analysis revealed that the phosphorus absorption efficiency of K. hirsuta is co-regulated by both morphological adaptation and symbiotic optimization. This study elucidates the mechanisms of nutrient stress adaptation in desertified grassland plants, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the natural restoration processes of degraded ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid41829798,
year = {2026},
author = {Hussain, HA and Liang, Z and Hussain, S and Luo, J and Sui, S and Liu, D},
title = {Harnessing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis to Enhance Growth and Resilience to Combined Drought and Heat Stress in Lily (Lilium spp.).},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants15050767},
pmid = {41829798},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {CSTB2023TIAD-LDX0002//Chongqing Municipal Special Fund for Technological Innovation and Application Development/ ; CSTB2023TIAD-LUX0005//Chongqing Municipal Special Fund for Technological Innovation and Application Development/ ; },
abstract = {Abiotic stresses such as drought and heat increasingly threaten plant growth and ornamental quality, particularly in climate-sensitive floricultural crops. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to enhance plant resilience under such conditions, yet their role in lilies remains insufficiently explored. In this study, we used a two-tier experimental approach to evaluate AMF-mediated benefits in lilies. First, different AMF strains, namely Funneliformis mosseae (FM), Rhizophagus intraradices (RI), Rhizophagus irregularis (RIG), Claroideoglomus etunicatum (CE), Diversispora versiformis (DV), and a mixed consortium (MIX), were screened for growth-promoting effects in two Lilium species, Taiwan lily and Lilium cv. Sorbonne, under non-stress conditions. Second, a selected AMF-host combination from the screening was evaluated to improve tolerance to drought, heat, and combined drought + heat stress. Among the tested strains, DV and MIX showed the most consistent improvements across key growth traits and root colonization. In the stress experiment, stress treatments reduced growth and physiological performance, particularly under combined drought + heat. AMF inoculation enhanced plant performance by improving shoot and root biomass, improving root system architecture, and leading to a higher chlorophyll content, greater relative water content, and enhanced flower traits. Biochemical analyses further revealed that AMF mitigated stress-induced oxidative damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, as shown by reduced O2•[-] and H2O2 staining. This reduction in oxidative stress was supported by increased activities of key antioxidant enzymes, indicating that AMF activate cellular defense mechanisms. These findings underscore the potential of AMF as a sustainable biotechnological tool for improving stress tolerance in lilies and enhancing floricultural productivity under climate-challenged environments.},
}

@article {pmid41829734,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhao, Z and Wei, H and Hu, H and Yao, Y and Liang, J and Wu, P},
title = {Kinship Modulates Carbon Allocation and Phosphorus Acquisition in Chinese Fir-AMF Networks Under Neighbor P Limitation.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants15050703},
pmid = {41829734},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {No. 2024J02010//Key Program of Natural Science of Fujian Province, China/ ; No. ZMGG-0801//8th Special Project on Seedling Research and Development of Forestry Science and Technology in Fujian Province, China/ ; },
abstract = {Phosphorus (P) deficiency in forest soils is a key constraint on the sustainable management and productivity of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantations. This study investigated how P limitation alters the reciprocal exchange of "photosynthetic carbon and mineral phosphorus" between Chinese fir and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) when the focal plant grows adjacent to neighbors with different degrees of relatedness. An indoor pot experiment simulating heterogeneous P supply was conducted using clonal seedlings of Chinese fir No. 36 as the focal plant, with Chinese fir No. 36, Chinese fir No. 41, and Schima superba as neighboring plants to establish three two-plant combinations: a kin pair (No. 36 + No. 36), a close-kin pair (No. 36 + No. 41), and an unrelated-kin pair (No. 36 + S. superba). Funneliformis mosseae was inoculated into the shared root-zone room connecting the two plants, and the neighbor was subjected to a gradient of P limitation (sufficient P, low P, and zero P). Meanwhile, the focal No. 36 plant received [13]CO2 pulse labeling to form a "Chinese fir-AMF-P-limited neighbor" symbiotic network in which No. 36 served as the [13]C donor. AMF colonization, seedling growth, and changes in [13]C enrichment and P concentration in plant tissues of the focal plant were quantified. Neighbor P limitation significantly increased AMF colonization in roots and whole-plant P concentration of the focal Chinese fir. Following [13]CO2 pulse labeling, whole-plant [13]C enrichment of the focal plant increased significantly under the neighbor zero P treatment, suggesting enhanced carbon allocation under severe neighbor P limitation. Moreover, under the neighbor zero P treatment, focal plants grown with an unrelated-kin neighbor showed significant increases in stem P concentration (1.86 g·kg[-1]) and stem atom% [13]C (1.50%), whereas focal plants grown with a kin neighbor exhibited a significant increase in root Atom% [13]C (1.29%). These patterns indicate that neighbor relatedness may modulate carbon allocation and P acquisition within the mycorrhizal network: in the kin context, the focal plant tended to allocate more photosynthetic carbon belowground and may partially subsidize the AMF carbon demand (i.e., a higher C reward), coinciding with a relatively weaker P accumulation in its own tissues; in contrast, in the unrelated kin context, carbon allocation shifted toward stems and was associated with strengthened P accumulation in stem tissues. Overall, the results highlight the dynamic nature of AMF-mediated carbon-nutrient reciprocity across hosts of contrasting relatedness and provide new insights into how mycorrhizal networks may facilitate plant adaptation to nutrient limitation.},
}

@article {pmid41829161,
year = {2026},
author = {Infante-Neta, AA and D'Almeida, AP and Lima, RS and Cecília, JA and da Silva Junior, IJ and Gonçalves, LB and de Albuquerque, TL},
title = {Waste Valorization of Passion Fruit Peel Hydrolysate for Bacterial Cellulose Production: Influence of Nitrogen Source on Yield and Functional Properties for Food Packaging.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/foods15050888},
pmid = {41829161},
issn = {2304-8158},
abstract = {The valorization of agro-industrial residues represents a strategic approach to advancing sustainability and circular bioeconomy principles in the food sector. Although bacterial cellulose (BC) production from waste substrates has been widely explored, limited attention has been given to the role of nitrogen source modulation in complex fermentation systems. This study evaluated passion fruit peel hydrolysate (PFPH), a cellulose- and hemicellulose-rich by-product, as an alternative carbon source for BC production using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) under static conditions. Acid hydrolysis and detoxification were performed to obtain fermentable sugars while minimizing inhibitory compounds. Different nitrogen sources and purification strategies were comparatively assessed. The highest purified BC yield (81 g L[-1] of culture medium) was obtained using ammonium sulfate, whereas sodium nitrate promoted greater impurity removal (77.51% mass reduction). Structural and chemical analyses (FTIR, XPS, and XRD) confirmed effective delignification, enhanced surface purity, and increased crystallinity. SEM revealed a homogeneous nanofibrillar network, and thermogravimetric analysis indicated thermal stability up to approximately 300 °C. Soil burial assays showed 26% mass loss after 42 days, demonstrating controlled biodegradation consistent with food packaging requirements. Overall, PFPH proved to be an efficient and sustainable substrate for BC biosynthesis. The modulation of nitrogen source significantly influenced both production yield and structural properties, highlighting the potential of this system for developing environmentally responsible biopolymer materials for food packaging applications.},
}

@article {pmid41828632,
year = {2026},
author = {Kastuganova, K and Askerov, A and Szabó, A and Barteneva, NS},
title = {Systematic Review: Long-Read Sequencing in Algal Studies.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27052415},
pmid = {41828632},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {AP26104995//Ministry of High Education and Sciences, Kazakhstan/ ; FDCRGP grant #SSH2024005//Nazarbayev University/ ; },
mesh = {*High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods ; Genomics/methods ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Microbiota/genetics ; },
abstract = {Long-read sequencing (LRS) has transformed life science research by introducing third-generation sequencing (TGS) platforms applicable across various research fields, including environmental sciences. In the past decade, LRS platforms have been utilized to extensively study algal systems by improving genomic approaches such as metabarcoding, chromosome-level genome and pangenome assemblies, as well as providing new insights into algae-associated microbiomes and host-symbiont interactions. This review aims to discuss recent advancements in LRS in algal research. To achieve this aim, a systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and across three electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar), with additional citation searching for relevant studies in four key algal research areas: metabarcoding, genomics, pangenomics, and host-symbionts interactions. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 51 studies were selected for this review. Throughout the review, we summarize the challenges of short-read sequencing (SRS) and discuss how LRS platforms address these challenges in algal studies. Furthermore, we discuss the future of LRS and explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can advance research on algal biology and ecology.},
}

*High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods
Genomics/methods
Symbiosis/genetics
Microbiota/genetics

@article {pmid41828348,
year = {2026},
author = {Leemann, RG and Liu, Y and Hjørungnes, M and Bailly, A and Bellés-Sancho, P and Pessi, G},
title = {Paraburkholderia phymatum STM815[T] Pectate Lyase Has a Negative Impact on Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiosis with Common Bean.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27052119},
pmid = {41828348},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {310030_215282/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; 1462/2025//Vontobel Stiftung/ ; },
mesh = {*Nitrogen Fixation ; *Symbiosis ; *Polysaccharide-Lyases/genetics/metabolism ; *Phaseolus/microbiology ; *Burkholderiaceae/enzymology/genetics ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {In the face of global challenges such as food insecurity, environmental degradation, and climate change, biological nitrogen fixation by rhizobia has become increasingly crucial for supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Paraburkholderia phymatum STM815[T] is a beta-proteobacterial rhizobium notable for its exceptionally broad host range, forming nitrogen-fixing symbioses with over 50 legume species. In this study, we identified pelB on the P. phymatum STM815[T] symbiotic plasmid, which codes for a pectate lyase, whose expression is activated by the presence of pectin in the medium and during symbiosis with common bean. In the absence of pelB, P. phymatum STM815[T] shows improved symbiotic performance with common bean. Plants infected with the pelB mutant developed fewer but larger nodules and exhibited a 43% increase in nitrogenase activity, suggesting that pelB in P. phymatum STM815[T] may negatively affect nodulation efficiency and nitrogen fixation in common bean.},
}

*Nitrogen Fixation
*Symbiosis
*Polysaccharide-Lyases/genetics/metabolism
*Phaseolus/microbiology
*Burkholderiaceae/enzymology/genetics
Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid41826648,
year = {2026},
author = {Sung, Y and Kim, DK and Kim, JS and Kim, SJ and Kim, JH and Han, JM},
title = {Metabolic networks in the tumor microenvironment: roles of amino acid and lipid metabolism pathways in cancer progression and therapy.},
journal = {Experimental & molecular medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s12276-026-01697-0},
pmid = {41826648},
issn = {2092-6413},
support = {RS-2023-00219297//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; RS-2025-00573098//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; RS-2025-18362970//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; NRF-2022R1A5A2027161//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; NRF-2023R1A2C1006159//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; RS-2024-00334337//Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF)/ ; },
abstract = {Metabolic rewiring, a defining hallmark of cancer, sustains cell proliferation and biosynthesis while coordinating adaptive interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent advances reveal that metabolism in the TME-comprising stromal, immune and endothelial components forms a complex metabolic network in which intercellular competition, cooperation and plasticity profoundly influence tumor progression and therapeutic responses. Here we integrate emerging evidence on the organizational principles of amino acid and lipid metabolism within the TME, emphasizing how nutrient fluxes shape immune evasion, therapeutic resistance and metabolic symbiosis. We highlight key mechanisms through which cancer and nonmalignant cells engage in reciprocal nutrient manipulation, focusing on glutamine, arginine, tryptophan, branched-chain amino acids and lipids. The dual roles of these metabolites in immune regulation and tumor growth reveal the limitations of traditional single-pathway targeting and advocate for a network-centric therapeutic approach. We further discuss how metabolite-derived signaling and epigenetic regulation reinforce cell state transitions and immune suppression. Current and emerging therapeutic strategies, including multitarget combinations and immune-metabolic synergies, are evaluated alongside translational challenges. Finally, we underscore the need for spatial metabolomics, liquid biopsy platforms and artificial intelligence-driven modeling to map nutrient competition and cooperative exchange within the TME, offering new opportunities for precision metabolic interventions.},
}

@article {pmid41826362,
year = {2026},
author = {Gabandé-Rodríguez, E and Gómez de Las Heras, MM and Ramírez-Ruiz de Erenchun, P and Simó, C and García-Cañas, V and Inohara, N and Berenguer-López, I and Enríquez-Zarralanga, V and Fernández-Almeida, Á and Oller, J and Soto-Heredero, G and Carrasco, E and Vázquez-Muñoz, C and Delgado-Pulido, S and Escrig-Larena, JI and Francos-Quijorna, I and Justo-Méndez, R and Aranda, JF and Poulton, J and Lechuga-Vieco, AV and Enríquez, JA and Núñez, G and Mittelbrunn, M},
title = {Butyrate extends health and lifespan in mice with mitochondrial deficiency.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-70547-4},
pmid = {41826362},
issn = {2041-1723},
abstract = {Mitochondrial diseases progressively lead to multisystemic failure with treatment options remaining extremely limited. Here, to investigate strategies that alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction, we first generate a ubiquitous and tamoxifen-inducible knockout mouse model of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), a nuclear-encoded protein involved in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance - Tfam[fl/fl]Ubc[Cre-ERT2] (iTfamKO) mice. Systemic TFAM deficiency triggers mitochondrial decline in a myriad of tissues in adult mice. Consequently, iTfamKO mice manifest multiorgan dysfunction including lipodystrophy, sarcopenia, metabolic alterations, kidney failure, neurodegeneration, and locomotor dysregulation, which result in the premature death of these mice. Interestingly, iTfamKO mice display intestinal barrier disruption and gut dysbiosis, with diminished levels of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate. Mice with a deficient proof-reading version of the mtDNA polymerase gamma (mtDNA-mutator mice) phenocopy the dysfunction of the intestinal barrier and bacterial dysbiosis with reduced levels of butyrate, suggesting that different mouse models of mitochondrial dysfunction share insufficient generation of butyrate. Transfer of microbiota from healthy control mice or administration of tributyrin, a butyrate precursor, delay multiple signs of multimorbidity, extending lifespan in iTfamKO mice. Mechanistically, butyrate supplementation recovers epigenetic histone acylation marks that are lost in the intestine of Tfam deficient mice. Overall, our findings highlight the relevance of preserving host-microbiota symbiosis in disorders related to mitochondrial dysfunction.},
}

@article {pmid41826186,
year = {2026},
author = {Boyd, BM and Bush, SE and Dale, C},
title = {Untangling nature's experiment with lice and endosymbiotic bacteria.},
journal = {Trends in parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2026.01.015},
pmid = {41826186},
issn = {1471-5007},
abstract = {Insects have formed close relationships with endosymbiotic microorganisms, enabling adaptation and promoting diversification. In this review, we examined studies of endosymbiotic bacteria in parasitic lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera). Lice and their endosymbionts lead fairly secluded lives, with each louse-host and louse-endosymbiont pair evolving in relative isolation. Consequently, each louse lineage and its associated endosymbiont represents natural replicates, useful for understanding how endosymbiosis arises and evolves under similar ecological conditions. While louse endosymbionts are vertically transmitted, they show surprisingly low levels of cospeciation with their louse hosts. Instead, phylogenomic evidence indicates repeated, independent acquisitions of endosymbionts from free-living progenitors. Following each acquisition, endosymbiont lineages experienced elevated evolutionary rates and genomic reduction, losing functionally redundant pathways while retaining functions necessary to maintain the symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41825597,
year = {2026},
author = {Winberg, A and Sjödin, KS and Öhlund, M and West, CE},
title = {LOSS OF SYMBIOTIC GUT BACTERIA IN CHILDREN AT DIAGNOSIS OF FOOD PROTEIN INDUCED ENTEROCOLITIS SYNDROME.},
journal = {The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jaci.2026.02.043},
pmid = {41825597},
issn = {1097-6825},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Gut microbial composition has been proposed to influence disease onset in children with food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in gut microbiota profiles in children with newly diagnosed FPIES and healthy controls.

METHODS: Fecal samples were collected at FPIES diagnosis from 56 children stratified into three age groups: young infants at mean (SD) age 4.6 (0.5) months, infants at 6.5 (0.6) months and young children, at 11.7 (7.8) months. Gut microbiota profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and compared between children with FPIES and 43 age matched controls.

RESULTS: Age was the strongest determinant of gut microbiota composition, followed by FPIES status. ß-diversity differed significantly between children with FPIES and controls (p<0.01), primarily driven by shifts in Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Verrucomicrobiota. Children with FPIES had lower Bifidobacterium and higher abundances of Bacteroides, Haemophilus, and Veillonella. FPIES food triggers were associated with reduced Verrucomicrobiota abundance.

CONCLUSION: Children with FPIES exhibit gut microbial dysbiosis characterized by reduced Bifidobacterium and Verrucomicrobiota abundance, suggesting potential links between early-life microbiota development and disease pathogenesis.},
}

@article {pmid41825416,
year = {2026},
author = {Gao, T and Li, Y and Yang, N and Liang, X and Lin, L},
title = {Reservoir hydrological fluctuations induce rhizosphere N-cycling divergent patterns: integrating root multi-adaptive strategies perspectives.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {404},
number = {},
pages = {129330},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129330},
pmid = {41825416},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Dam regulation-induced water level fluctuations (WLFs) significantly impact plant distributions and their interactions with microbes in drawdown zones, driving ecosystem functionality and nutrient dynamics. However, an integrated understanding of how periodic WLFs affect root adaptive traits and rhizosphere microbial dynamics to regulate nitrogen cycling remains limited. To address this, we compared WLF-affected zones (Zones I-II) with an unflooded zone (Zone III) to examine root multi-adaptive strategies, microbial structure and assembly, and nitrogen-cycling divergences. Root economics space (RES) results indicated the root nutrient foraging strategy across Zones I-III. Crucially, WLFs promoted convergent resource acquisition strategies (community-weighted mean-based and functional dispersion-based) and shifted root trait networks toward higher path length, diameter, modularity, but lower edge density. We further tested whether these adaptive strategies are related to rhizosphere microbial dynamics. We found that WLFs resulted in diverse and stochastic rhizobacterial distribution, which was induced by 'outsourcing' traits (distributed on one side of the 'collaboration gradient' of RES) and key environmental drivers. Given the reduced linkage in trait networks and destabilized N-functional microbial co-occurrence networks, structural equation modeling indicated that WLFs enhanced symbiotic root-rhizobacteria relationships. Furthermore, functional traits (Root N and root length) and key soil properties jointly suppressed N-transformation in Zone I, while divergently regulated N-fixation, denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in Zone II. The reduction of N-transformation was linked to resource scarcity in Zone III. These findings establish that WLFs foster root-microbe cooperation to regulate N-cycles, providing a theoretical basis for managing reservoir operations and riparian ecological functions.},
}

@article {pmid41825400,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, CZ and Fu, HM and Li, TX and Gao, XY and Hu, Q and Yan, P and Guo, JS and Xu, XW and Chen, YP},
title = {Light-driven community assembly and functional performance of aeration-free filamentous algae-partial nitrification/anammox granule.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {297},
number = {},
pages = {125694},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2026.125694},
pmid = {41825400},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {The algae-partial nitrification/anammox (A-PNA) process offers significant advantages for carbon-neutral wastewater nitrogen removal. This study successfully established a zero-aeration filamentous algal-PNA (FA-PNA) granular system by incorporating Pantanalinema sp. under stepwise increasing light intensities (0, 15, 60 and 90 μmol·m[-2]·s[-1]). Increasing light intensity promoted the enrichment of extracellular polymeric substances and filamentous algae, facilitating granular growth and achieving a nitrogen removal rate of 85 mg N·(L·d)[-1]. Quorum-sensing signaling molecules concentration increased significantly with light intensity, particularly C6-HSL (p < 0.05). Symbiotic network and transcriptomic analyses identified Pantanalinema sp. served as a central interactive hub. It formed potential cross-feeding network with the microorganisms (Nitrosomonas europaea, Candidatus Brocadia sapporoensis, and Denitratisoma sp.) based on B vitamins (vitamin B1, vitamin B2, biotin, folate, and cobalamin) and molybdenum cofactor (MOCO). Under elevated light, these microorganisms upregulated the transcriptional expression levels of key genes involved in B vitamins and MOCO synthesis, signaling molecule production, and reactive oxygen species scavenging, forming an integrated network. This synergistic "stress protection-signaling-metabolite exchange" network effectively alleviated light-induced metabolic suppression. Additionally, Candidatus Brocadia sapporoensis exhibited superior light adaptation potential compared to Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis_A and Candidatus Jettenia sp., identifying its suitability for FA-PNA systems. Overall, FA-PNA system provides a promising route for low-energy, carbon-negative nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.},
}

@article {pmid41823843,
year = {2026},
author = {Dong, M and Sun, S},
title = {Root Fungal Endophyte Communities Differ Among Plant Functional Groups in an Alpine Meadow.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15050415},
pmid = {41823843},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {Disparities in root fungal endophyte (RFE) communities are well documented among plant species, yet differences among plant functional groups (PFGs) remain unclear. Given that RFE community structure is influenced by host plant abundance and species-specific root functional traits, and that PFGs exhibit divergent relative abundances and root traits, we hypothesize that PFGs harbor unique RFE communities, potentially aligned with their functional traits. We investigated RFE communities in 45 alpine meadow species representing four PFGs (grasses, legumes, dicot forbs, and monocot forbs), using high-throughput sequencing. Ascomycota dominated all groups (>50%) except monocot forbs (38.9%). Distinct differences in the RFE community species composition were found among PFGs. In particular, the differences were significant between dicot forbs and monocot forbs, and between monocot forbs and grasses, which contradicted with conventional PFG classification that combined monocot and dicot forbs as a single PFG. Moreover, marker operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with symbiotic lifestyles were more abundant in legumes, and their functional composition differed significantly from grasses. Roots' nitrogen concentration was the strongest predictor of RFE variation, followed by root length, biomass, and species abundance. These results emphasize the importance of integrating microbial partners into understanding plants' functional diversity and ecosystem resilience in alpine environments.},
}

@article {pmid41821961,
year = {2026},
author = {Kawano, K and Morimura, H and Awano, T and Kikuchi, Y and Sawayama, S and Nakagawa, S},
title = {Subcuticular symbionts of intertidal brittle stars: diversity, host specificity, and functional potential.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {6},
number = {1},
pages = {ycag034},
pmid = {41821961},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Echinoderms, widely distributed and abundant marine invertebrates, host diverse microbial communities, including subcuticular symbiotic bacteria (SCB). However, the diversity and functional roles of these bacteria remain largely unexplored in intertidal brittle stars. Here, we utilized both culture-dependent and -independent methods to investigate SCBs in three different intertidal brittle star species. Amplicon sequencing revealed distinct subcuticular microbiota among the three brittle star species, with Endozoicomonadaceae dominating in Ophiarachnella gorgonia, Spirochaetota prevalent in O. exigua, and Entomoplasmatales enriched in O. japonicus. Fluorescence in situ hybridization further demonstrated that these bacteria formed microcolonies within the subcuticular space of the arms. We successfully isolated strain ToK13[T], which possesses a nearly identical 16S rRNA gene sequence to that of the predominantly detected SCB. Sequence similarity analysis revealed that ToK13[T] exhibited 98.29%, 98.22%, and 98.16% 16S rRNA gene sequence identities to Kistimonas asteriae KMD 001[T], K. scapharcae JCM 17805[T], and K. alittae BGP-2[T], respectively. This isolate is an obligate aerobic heterotroph i.e. capable of utilizing various monosaccharides. Genomic analysis identified genes associated with host interaction and symbiosis, including those involved in the biosynthesis of multiple vitamins, cofactors, and secondary metabolites with potential antimicrobial activity. Competition assays with co-cultured isolates revealed that strain ToK13[T] inhibits the growth of several bacterial taxa. Collectively, these findings suggest that host-specific SCBs may contribute to the survival strategies of brittle stars by mediating microbial interactions and potentially influencing host fitness.},
}

@article {pmid41821566,
year = {2026},
author = {Pelanda, H and Rulli, E and Sultanov, M and Adornato, S and Rigante, D},
title = {Highlights on the Contribution of Gut Microbiota to Immune-Mediated Diseases in Childhood.},
journal = {Mediterranean journal of hematology and infectious diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {e2026025},
pmid = {41821566},
issn = {2035-3006},
abstract = {The gut microbiota, a vast community of symbiotic microorganisms inhabiting our gut, has been recognized as a key-lever for human health, shaping immune system resilience and being essential for immunological homeostasis throughout the life course. Gut microbiota composition may influence both initiation and/or perpetuation of intestinal inflammation, but recent research has highlighted its contribution to both rising and progression of protean non-intestinal inflammatory diseases: indeed, a perturbation of host-associated microbiota during critical developmental stages like early childhood can directly condition many cellular dynamics and impact long-term health. This narrative review explores the interactions among gut microbiota, physiologic healthy equilibrium, dysbiosis, and immune-mediated non-intestinal inflammatory diseases occurring in childhood, such as inflammasome-based disorders, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Kawasaki disease, and IgA vasculitis, focusing on how microbial changes may alter disease outcomes and suggesting potentially novel therapeutic approaches. Additionally, this review examines the evolution of immune recognition mechanisms and their role in maintaining the gut microbiota-host mutualism as a result of millennia of human co-evolution with the microbial counterpart.},
}

@article {pmid41821210,
year = {2026},
author = {Ren, Y and Yang, C and Ji, H and Xie, K and Mao, H and Zeng, D and Wang, L and Wang, S and Xu, G and Chen, A},
title = {Two mycorrhiza-responsive MADS transcription factors, OsMADS61 and OsMADS26, regulate both direct and mycorrhizal nitrate transport pathways.},
journal = {Journal of integrative plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jipb.70224},
pmid = {41821210},
issn = {1744-7909},
support = {32172670//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Most land plants have evolved both a direct root uptake pathway and a symbiotic pathway, via association with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, to facilitate nutrient acquisition, particularly of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), from soil. Recently, we revealed a highly efficient symbiotic pathway for nitrate uptake, mediated by an AM-specific NPF/NRT1 transporter, OsNPF4.5, in rice. However, the regulatory mechanism controlling the AM-specialized expression of OsNPF4.5 remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that two cis-acting elements, the CArG and GCC box, are essential for activating the expression of OsNPF4.5 in rice mycorrhizal roots. Deletion of either of the two motifs in its promoter caused almost complete abolition of the promoter activity of OsNPF4.5. An AM-responsive MADS (MCM1, AG, DEFA, and SRF) transcript factor, OsMADS61, could positively regulate OsNPF4.5 and another nitrate transporter gene, OsNRT2.2, involved in direct nitrate uptake. Knockout of OsMADS61 decreased root biomass, N accumulation, and mycorrhization efficiency in its mutants. OsMADS61 could be directly regulated by another AM-upregulated OsMADS paralog, OsMADS26, which itself can also activate OsNPF4.5, OsNRT2.2, and OsNAR2.1, encoding a nitrate transporter-activating protein. Together, our results reveal a dual regulatory role for OsMADS61 and OsMADS26 in governing both direct and symbiotic nitrate uptake pathways.},
}

@article {pmid41820838,
year = {2026},
author = {Açar, İ and Sarpkaya, K and Abid, I and Farooq, S and Yıldız, Z},
title = {Morphological and physiological responses of Pistacia rootstocks to salinity stress and commercial microbial formulation.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-08568-w},
pmid = {41820838},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {16128//Harran Üniversitesi/ ; ORF-Ctr-2025-6//King Saud University/ ; },
}

@article {pmid41820734,
year = {2026},
author = {Terkar, A and Raut, A and Kulkarni, J and Barvkar, VT and Borde, M},
title = {Effect of epigenetic modulation on metabolites from endophytes isolated from Embelia ribes.},
journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41820734},
issn = {1618-1905},
support = {(UGC-284)//University Grants Commission under Special Assistance Programme (SAP) DSA-I, India ./ ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Fungal endophytes share a symbiotic relationship with the host plants. Endophytes from medicinal plants produce metabolites similar to plants as well as some new metabolites, which serve as a promising medicinal source with, significant potential in the field of biomedicine. Epigenetic modifiers, such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, activate cryptic biosynthesis gene clusters, resulting in a significant increase in cryptic metabolite production. This study elucidated the alteration in the metabolite profiles of two endophytes isolated from the medicinal plant Embelia ribes after treatment with two epigenetic modulators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study assessed the effect of epigenetic modifiers-Azacitidine (AZ) and Sodium butyrate (SB)-on the metabolite profiles of Phomopsis azadirachtae and Diaporthe phaseolorum. Different concentrations of AZ and SB (1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 mM) were employed to assess their impact on the fungal endophyte cultures. Metabolome analysis was performed to observe the alteration of metabolites.

RESULTS: LC-MS analysis revealed 47 targeted metabolites in the AZ-treated P. azadirachtae culture. Treatment with AZ significantly affected the production of metabolites compared with the control. AZ treatment also altered the production of nine silent metabolites; namely dicerandrol B, phomosine A, epiepoxydon, taxol, cladosporine, phomonaphthalenone A, phomophyllin A, 3-indolepropionic acid (3-IPA) and ergosterol in P. azadirachtae culture. Two metabolites enhanced their production compared to the control. A total of 47 metabolites were identified in P. azadirachtae culture treated with SB, which also altered 11 silent metabolites and enhanced production of six metabolites; cytosporone B, phomophyllin A, phomosine A, phomosin B, laiolactol A, and ergosterol P by logarithmic analysis. Similarly, 41 metabolites were identified in D. phaseolorum culture treated with various concentrations of AZ. In D. phaseolorum culture treated with AZ, an epigenetic modification activated 11 silent metabolites-Cytochalasin N, bostrycoidin, phomonaphthalenone, phomopsterone, dicerandrol A, pinselin, indole-3-acetic acid, betulinic acid, phomophyllin A, dalienxanthone B and phomopoxide A. Two metabolites, phomosine A and zeatin riboside, were enhanced in majority of the AZ treatments compared to control by logarithmic analysis. SB treatment significantly modulated the metabolite profile of D. phaseolorum, with LC-MS analysis detecting 46 targeted compounds across different concentrations. The treatment activated 11 previously silent bioactive metabolites, including Ganodermaside D, lithocarpinol A, dalienxanthone B, cladospirone, dicerandrol B, libertellenone, phomonaphthalenone A, phomopoxide A, phomopsichin B, phomopsterone B, and cladospirone. Three metabolites, pinselin, dicerandrol A, and phmosine A was significantly enhanced in most of the SB treatments compared to control.

CONCLUSION: AZ treatment induced significant, concentration, dependent alterations in the metabolite profile of P. azadirachtae, with the most pronounced effects observed at the P1AZ concentration. Multivariate and clustering analyses revealed clear metabolic differentiation between treated and control cultures. A total of 47 targeted metabolites were detected under AZ treatment, including nine previously silent metabolites consistently induced across all concentrations. Notably, AZ exposure enhanced the production of phomophyllin A and phaseolorine, indicating the selective activation of cryptic biosynthetic pathways in P. azadirachtae. SB treatment significantly altered the secondary metabolite profile of P. azadirachtae in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolomic analysis detected 47 compounds in SB-treated cultures, with the most pronounced metabolic changes observed at the P50SB and P500SB concentrations. SB exposure activated a previously silent biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for the production of 11 metabolites. Furthermore, log fold-change analysis demonstrated significant and consistent upregulation of six metabolites across most SB treatments, highlighting SB's effectiveness in activating cryptic secondary metabolism in P. azadirachtae. In AZ-treated D. phaseolorum cultures, epigenetic alteration triggered 11 metabolites. Log fold change analysis reported significant upregulation of two metabolites. In D. phaseolorum, SB treatments detected 46 targeted compounds across different concentrations. The treatment activated 11 previously silent bioactive metabolites. and significantly increased the levels of three metabolites compared with controls. These findings demonstrate that the epigenetic modulators AZ and SB altered secondary metabolite profiles in fungal endophytes, indicating their potential to activate silent biosynthetic pathways. These findings support their use as exploratory tools for metabolite discovery, while highlighting the need for multi-omics and structural validation in future work.},
}

@article {pmid41820342,
year = {2026},
author = {Obana, N and Nakato, G and Nomura, N and Fukuda, S},
title = {A genetic toolkit for the human gut bacterium Mediterraneibacter gnavus identifies capsular polysaccharides as a competitive colonization factor.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-69022-x},
pmid = {41820342},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {JPMJER1902//MEXT | JST | Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO)/ ; 25K01926//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 23H05471//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; },
abstract = {Mediterraneibacter gnavus is a human symbiotic gut bacterium whose abundance often increases in patients with various diseases, such as active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the genetic factors governing its gut colonization and pathogenicity remain elusive due to the lack of genetic modification systems. In this study, we developed several genetic tools for M. gnavus, including a shuttle vector, an inducible promoter, fluorescent reporters, and systems for gene disruption and deletion. Using these genetic tools, we constructed mutants for six of the eight sortase-encoding genes in M. gnavus ATCC 29149 and identified those involved in the surface presentation of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and superantigen-like proteins. We also identified a CPS biosynthetic gene cluster adjacent to the sortase gene and demonstrated that CPS production is crucial for competitive colonization in germ-free mouse intestines. Notably, CPS production was inversely correlated with inflammatory activity, and CPS cluster-positive strains were more prevalent in healthy individuals than in Crohn's disease patients. These findings suggest that CPS contributes to the modulation of inflammation and pathogenesis. This study highlights the potential of precise gene-modification systems to uncover genetic determinants of intestinal colonization and pathogenesis in gut bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid41820263,
year = {2026},
author = {D'Agostino, L and Raturi, G and Shi, H and Lohani, N and Patange, A and Lamb, M and Patil, O and Trivedi, P and Nguyen, HT and Patil, GB},
title = {Integrative Genomic Analysis Reveals Modular Control of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobia Symbiosis in Soybean.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70491},
pmid = {41820263},
issn = {1365-3040},
}

@article {pmid41821950,
year = {2025},
author = {De León, ME and Fox, EGP and Dunaj, S and Jenner, RA and Keiser, CN and Macrander, J and Nixon, SA and Nobile, CJ and Petras, D and Rodriguez-Roman, E and Saviola, AJ and Trim, SA and Varona, NS and Yeager, J and Ul-Hasan, S and Herzig, V and Colston, TJ},
title = {A review of the venom microbiome and its utility in ecology and evolution including future directions for emerging research.},
journal = {Symbiosis (Philadelphia, Pa.)},
volume = {95},
number = {1},
pages = {3-27},
pmid = {41821950},
issn = {0334-5114},
abstract = {Microbes play vital roles in ecological systems, yet their presence and functions within venom environments of venomous organisms remain understudied. Despite the prevalent belief in the sterility of venoms, recent findings reveal diverse microbial communities within venom systems. This review aims to explore the relationships between venoms and microbes, highlighting their potential roles in evolutionary processes, ecological interactions, and therapeutic advancements. Venoms, composed of toxins utilized in hunting or defense, represent a rich source of natural products with applications in drug discovery and therapy, exemplified by FDA-approved venom toxin-derived drugs. Understanding microbial resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial peptides can illuminate coevolutionary processes and guide therapeutic development. Integrating hologenomic evolution and microbial ecology frameworks will facilitate comprehensive research on venom-microbiome interactions, and reveal the evolutionary drivers of venom diversification. Investigating and investing in these relationships promises advancements in understanding evolution, ecology, and biotechnology, with implications for human health and ecological conservation. This review synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies many gaps in literature, and investigates critical unanswered questions in the field of venom microbiology, encouraging ongoing and future collaborative research.},
}

@article {pmid41820103,
year = {2026},
author = {Shi, Y and Liu, H and Fernie, AR and Zhang, Y and Yang, W and Wang, H},
title = {Toward a multiomics framework for understanding symbiotic nitrogen fixation.},
journal = {Trends in plant science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.008},
pmid = {41820103},
issn = {1878-4372},
abstract = {Reducing dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizer requires biologically grounded alternatives. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation supplies fixed nitrogen but is restricted to a narrow angiosperm clade, limiting direct deployment in most major nonleguminous crops. We synthesize how telomere-to-telomere genomes and pangenomes expose structural and regulatory variants for nodulation; how single-cell and spatial transcriptomics resolve stage-specific cell states and division of labor; and how epigenomic and 3D genome maps reveal principles of regulatory control for infection, organogenesis, and fixation. Extending to actinorhizal symbioses tests single- versus multiple-origin models. We present an artificial intelligence-guided roadmap that integrates sequence, chromatin accessibility, and expression data to prioritize regulatory elements, propose compact edit sets, and guide cell type-specific deployment in nonleguminous crops, advancing from descriptive catalogs to testable models and iterative validation.},
}

@article {pmid41819687,
year = {2026},
author = {Ribeiro, FV and Santos, HF and Fagundes, TSF and Moreira, DL and de Paula, GE and Almeida, P and Saliba, BM and Carmo, FL and Ferreira, CEL and Pereira, RC},
title = {Microbial pollution disables the chemical defenses of sea fans.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {227},
number = {},
pages = {119534},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119534},
pmid = {41819687},
issn = {1879-3363},
abstract = {In coastal ecosystems, chemically rich species like gorgonians rely on specialized metabolites and symbiotic microbes for health and defense. In the Southwestern Atlantic, the elephant ear coral Phyllogorgia dilatata builds structurally complex forests and provides habitat for several species. Recent declines in cover have been linked to widespread disease, fouling, and necrosis. The loss of chemical defense due to anthropic perturbation has never been reported in the marine environment. We investigated whether pollution-driven stress could lead to a dysfunctional holobiont and impairment of its chemical defense. Using chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular networking, we profiled secondary metabolites and used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize microbial communities, relating these data to visual surveys of P. dilatata gorgonian forests. Defense compounds were found only in colonies far from pollution sources and correlated with bacteria associated with healthier environments. In contrast, pathogenic and sewage-associated bacteria dominated near the polluted site, where defenseless colonies of P. dilatata showed more disease and impaired health. Our results indicate that microbial pollution affects the capacity to modulate the microbiome through the use of infochemicals and leads to disruption of symbiosis and loss of chemical defense.},
}

@article {pmid41819177,
year = {2026},
author = {Liermann, W and Vogel, L and Gnott, M and Dannenberger, D and Reyer, H and Trakooljul, N and Mielenz, M and Starke, A and Tröscher, A and Hammon, HM},
title = {Influences of an abomasal fatty acid supplementation during late gestation and early lactation on the jejunal fatty acid composition, barrier function, and adherent microbiota in dairy cows.},
journal = {Journal of dairy science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3168/jds.2025-27870},
pmid = {41819177},
issn = {1525-3198},
abstract = {Fatty acids play a key role in the maintenance of intestinal health which strongly depends on the intestinal barrier function and symbiotic microbiota. Especially PUFA are able to affect both. In this context, beneficial effects of essential fatty acids (EFA) and CLA as special representatives of PUFA are also discussed. In turn, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of an abomasal supplementation of CLA, EFA, or a combination of both from wk 9 before to 9 wk after calving on indicators of intestinal permeability and the adherent intestinal microbiota in 38 dairy cows. Fat supplementations with coconut oil (CON, 76 g/d), EFA (78 and 4 g/d; linseed/ safflower oil), CLA (38 g/d Lutalin), or EFA+CLA were studied according to their effects on jejunal fatty acid composition as well as gene and protein expression of tight junction proteins and fatty acid binding proteins, free fatty acid receptors and further factors characterizing the intestinal barrier and immune function and the intestinal microbiota on d 63 after calving. Proportions of PUFA in jejunal tissue increased in the CLA and EFA+CLA groups compared with control cows. Proportions of n-3 fatty acids were increased by EFA. The EFA+CLA cows showed higher jejunal n-3 proportions compared with the other groups. Proportions of n-6 fatty acids were reduced in the EFA and EFA+CLA group compared with the CON and CLA group. The relative jejunal gene expression of fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) was increased in CLA cows compared with cows without CLA supplementation. Mucin 2 (MUC2) gene expression tended to be higher in the CLA group compared with the CON group. Essential fatty acids increased the jejunal interleukin 1β (IL1β) and tended to increase tight junction protein 1 (ZO1) gene expression compared with cows without EFA supply. The EFA+CLA group increased the jejunal IL1β gene expression compared with CON cows. Protein expression of occludin tended to decrease in cows with CLA. Alpha diversity chaos richness estimator (Chao1) index was higher and abundance-based coverage estimator index tended to be higher in EFA cows compared with non-EFA cows. Chao1 and Fisher diversity index tended to be higher in the EFA group compared with the CON group. The relative abundance of Bacteroidota were reduced in EFA+CLA cows compared with CON animals. Proteobacteria, Bacteria_unclassified and Planctomycetota abundance tended to be reduced in EFA compared with CON cows. Proteobacteria were more abundant in the EFA+CLA compared with the EFA group. On class level, EFA cows showed a higher abundance of WCHB1-41 compared with EFA+CLA cows. On family level, the relative abundance of WCHB1-41_fa was higher in EFA cows compared with EFA+CLA cows. In summary, the abomasal fatty acid supplementation modulates the total intestinal fatty acid composition. There is evidence that CLA had slight effects on intestinal barrier function. A combination of EFA and CLA seemed to enable an increased colonization of microbes to the intestinal epithelium inducing a pro-inflammatory response.},
}

@article {pmid41818467,
year = {2026},
author = {Jogawat, A and Sanyasi, M and Menon, SH and Goyal, D and Nair, AM and Vadassery, J},
title = {Arabidopsis SWEET12 contributes to the regulation of sugar allocation and Defense responses during interaction with Serendipita indica.},
journal = {Plant & cell physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/pcp/pcag032},
pmid = {41818467},
issn = {1471-9053},
abstract = {Carbon availability is a central determinant of beneficial plant-fungal associations, and sugar transporters are key levers of this exchange. SWEETs (SUGARS WILL EVENTUALLY BE EXPORTED TRANSPORTER) are involved in transporting various kinds of sugars in plants; however, their functional roles in fungal symbiosis are not sufficiently explored. In this study, we investigate the functional relevance of Arabidopsis SWEETs in the interaction with endophytic fungi, Serendipita indica. Transcript profiling of SWEET genes in response to S. indica and its major elicitor, cellotriose, revealed early root-specific induction of SWEET12. Using a SWEET12 loss-of-function mutant, we demonstrate that the absence of SWEET12 disrupts the major outcomes of mutualism including growth promotion, balanced colonization, sugar allocation, and the accumulation of defense phytohormones (JA and SA). Transcriptome profiling further reveals that SWEET12 buffers whole-plant responses by coordinating genes linked to carbohydrate, nitrogen, and lipid metabolism, and by tuning defense signalling and nutrient transporter networks. Our findings indicate that SWEET12 is essential for balancing fungal colonization and host defense, thereby promoting plant growth. SWEET12 does so by acting as sugar valve that meters sugar release to the apoplast, enabling the fungus to access carbon while preserving host sugar homeostasis and immune competence.},
}

@article {pmid41814406,
year = {2026},
author = {Shi, Y and Liu, H and Yang, W and Zhai, J and Wang, H},
title = {Advances in single-cell and spatial omics for studying symbiotic nitrogen fixation: comparative cellular and evolutionary perspectives.},
journal = {Genome biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s13059-026-04024-y},
pmid = {41814406},
issn = {1474-760X},
support = {2024ZD04079//Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Project/ ; },
abstract = {Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics have revolutionized studies of symbiotic nitrogen fixation by resolving cellular heterogeneity, spatial gene-expression, and regulatory dynamics within root nodules. Recent investigations in model legumes have revealed conserved and species-specific programs controlling immune recognition, nodule development, and nitrogen-fixation metabolism. Integrating these datasets with single-cell epigenomic profiles, such as chromatin accessibility and three-dimensional genome architecture, provides new insight into epigenetic mechanisms that regulate key symbiotic genes. Comparative single-cell analyses across legumes and non-legumes elucidate phenotypic diversity and core regulatory networks of symbiotic nitrogen fixation at the cellular level, offering critical frameworks for engineering this process in non-legume crops.},
}

@article {pmid41813826,
year = {2026},
author = {Usländer, A and Haag, MV and Cheng, AP and Lederer, B and Khoo, JY and Dunker, F and Acosta, IF and Weiberg, A and Gutjahr, C},
title = {Cross-kingdom RNA interference promotes arbuscular mycorrhiza development.},
journal = {Nature plants},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41813826},
issn = {2055-0278},
support = {170483403//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 433194101//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 170483403//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 170483403//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 170483403//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 170483403//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 433194101//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 433194101//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; 433194101//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; },
abstract = {Cross-kingdom RNA interference is an emerging concept in plant-pathogen interactions. Here we provide evidence that cross-kingdom RNA interference also occurs in a beneficial plant symbiosis called arbuscular mycorrhiza. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis transfers small RNAs into plant cells, promoting the colonization of host roots. This finding establishes inter-organismal RNA communication as a new regulatory mechanism of this ancient and widespread symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41645062,
year = {2026},
author = {Horton, AL and Neighmond, H and Neighmond, A and Anderson, R and Lessard, M and Price, V and Leys, SP and Riesgo, A},
title = {Molecular and spatial integration of algal endosymbionts of the freshwater sponge, Ephydatia muelleri, throughout development in light and dark conditions.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {27},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41645062},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {#9332//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; #P20GM103423/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; #P20GM103423/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Animal-algal photosymbioses are a unique group of symbiotic relationships in which animals harbor photosynthetic algae within their cells and tissues. Both marine and freshwater sponges host algal endosymbionts. In previous work, we demonstrated that freshwater sponges can acquire these endosymbionts horizontally through algal infection and that potentially conserved evolutionary pathways may lead to the establishment of the endosymbioses including those involved in endocytosis, ion transport, vesicle-mediated transport, innate immunity, redox regulation, and metabolic processes.

RESULTS: Here, we show that algal symbionts can be transferred vertically from algal-bearing overwintering gemmules to adult sponges, and that their proliferation is enhanced by light. Sponges grown under light conditions harbored higher algal loads than those in the dark; however, algae were still able to proliferate and persist in sponges reared in the dark, occupying similar spatial locations to those grown in light. RNA-Seq analysis of algal-bearing sponges across developmental stages in light and dark conditions revealed putative genetic regulatory pathways involved in the transmission and establishment of the endosymbiosis, as well as those regulated by light. Differential expression analysis indicated that the endocytosis and SNARE pathways may regulate the internalization and transport of algae at the earliest stage of hatching under light conditions and later in development under dark conditions, potentially contributing to the recruitment of endosymbiotic algae. In sponges hatched in the dark, genes involved in vesicle acidification are regulated, alongside observable changes in the expression of genes in the pentose phosphate pathway – a key metabolic route involved in redox homeostasis and circadian rhythm regulation via NADPH metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS: E. muelleri serves as a versatile model system, supported by robust genomic and transcriptomic resources, for studying host-symbiont interactions. It offers a unique opportunity to investigate the molecular signaling and environmental factors that shape symbiosis in a system where the host can exist with or without algal endosymbionts, symbionts can be acquired either horizontally or vertically, and proliferation of the algae can occur with or without photosynthesis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-026-12618-w.},
}

@article {pmid41813549,
year = {2026},
author = {Kou, L and Zuo, W and Freschet, GT and Zheng, J and Ma, N and Lambers, H and Li, S and Wang, H},
title = {Toward refining and contextualizing the root economics space.},
journal = {Trends in ecology & evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2026.02.003},
pmid = {41813549},
issn = {1872-8383},
abstract = {The trait-based 'root economics space' (RES) offers a framework for understanding plant belowground strategies. It is structured along two axes: a 'fast-slow' conservation gradient and a 'do-it-yourself to outsourcing' collaboration gradient. However, growing evidence reveals divergent dominant trait combinations structuring the RES axes across plant types and environmental contexts, challenging the framework's generality. We propose an RES framework that refines and contextualizes these axes by incorporating functionally relevant root traits. It explicitly accounts for differences in symbiotic strategies among arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, and ericoid associations, while also considering dual-mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal types, and integrating nutrient limitation patterns across ecosystems. We further define the spatial scales and organizational levels at which the RES framework is most applicable to guide its future development.},
}

@article {pmid41813028,
year = {2026},
author = {Lee, YI and Zahn, FE and Chiang, YA and Yang, CK and Jiang, H and Gebauer, G},
title = {Mycorrhizal specificity of fully mycoheterotrophic Yoania in Taiwan and China and novel natural abundance stable isotope patterns.},
journal = {Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/plb.70195},
pmid = {41813028},
issn = {1438-8677},
support = {565/9-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; 107-2923-B-178-001-MY3//Taiwanese Ministry of Science and Technology/ ; //Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, People's Republic of China/ ; },
abstract = {Yoania is a rare achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophic orchid genus distributed across Japan, Taiwan, China, India and Vietnam, associating with wood-decomposing fungi. Studying mycoheterotrophic plants' mycorrhizal diversity is essential, as they depend entirely on fungi for carbon and nutrients. Here, we studied mycorrhizal interactions and nutrient strategies in three Yoania species from Taiwan and China. We hypothesize (H1) that Physisporinus associates with the Yoania species studied, and (H2) that when this symbiotic relationship alters nutritional patterns, this partnership will result in lower δ[13]C enrichment than in other fully mycoheterotrophic, wood-decaying-fungus-associated orchids. High-throughput DNA sequencing was used to investigate the mycorrhizal fungal communities of three Yoania species. In addition, natural stable isotopes (δ[13]C and δ[15]N) were measured in two species, while δ[2]H and δ[18]O were measured in one of them to further evaluate nutrient acquisition strategies. In Taiwan, Yoania japonica and Yoania amagiensis var. squamipes, and in China, Yoania prainii, all associate with a single Physisporinus taxonomic unit, distinct from the Physisporinus taxonomic units associated with Yoania species in Japan. As a white-rot fungus, Physisporinus may preferentially decompose relatively [13]C depleted lignin likely explaining the lower [13]C enrichment of Yoania in comparison with other fully mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with wood-decomposing fungi. Our combined molecular and isotopic evidence suggests that the mycoheterotrophic orchid genus Yoania employs a nutritional strategy that is most likely linked to the use of lignin by its white-root fungal partner in forest ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid41812752,
year = {2026},
author = {Feng, L and Zhang, K and Lun, X and Liu, Z},
title = {Resource Utilization and Microbial Community Evolution in Anaerobic Digestion Effluent Containing Heavy Metal Zn via Eco-remediation Technology Based on a PBR Algal-Bacterial Symbiosis System.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {124138},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2026.124138},
pmid = {41812752},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Anaerobic digestion effluent (ADE) containing heavy metal zinc (Zn) poses a severe, persistent threat to aquatic ecosystems, demanding efficient and sustainable ecological remediation technologies. Conventional physicochemical methods are costly and prone to secondary pollution, failing to restore the ecological functions of contaminated water bodies. Based on ecological engineering and water resource restoration principles, this study developed an Algae-assisted Sequencing Batch Photo-Bioreactor (A-SBPBR) - an algal-bacterial symbiotic system - for treating Zn-containing ADE, aiming to simultaneously achieve efficient pollutant removal, Zn risk mitigation, and resource recovery via microalgal biomass production, thereby providing a solution for ecological restoration and sustainable management of polluted water.The study investigated the removal efficiencies of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (AN), and total phosphorus (TP) in ADE, as well as microalgal physiological parameters. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the dynamic evolution of microbial community structure and evaluate its ecological functions, thus assessing the technology's restoration potential.Results showed that: (1) The A-SBPBR system exhibited excellent pollutant removal performance, with degradation rates of 71.96% for sCOD, 93.22% for TN, 81.80% for AN, and 93.31% for TP; effluent concentrations were reduced to 322.18 ± 42.65 mg/L, 2.8421 ± 0.27 mg/L, 6.0423 ± 0.59 mg/L, and 2.3418 mg/L respectively. (2) The algal-bacterial system significantly enhanced microalgal lipid accumulation: crude fat content increased to 6.45%, a 3.00% rise from the initial level, highlighting its resource recovery potential for nutrient reclamation from wastewater. (3) Microbial analysis at the order level revealed significant enrichment of Pseudomonadales in the later stage, while the potentially pathogenic Rickettsiales was suppressed to an extremely low abundance of 0.53%. These shifts confirm the system's potential in pathogen inhibition, water purification enhancement, and ecological balance maintenance.},
}

@article {pmid41811515,
year = {2026},
author = {Thiebaut, F and Urquiaga, MC and de Araújo, PM and de Carvalho Vivarini, A and Grativol, C},
title = {Small but big player: the important role of microRNAs in legume crops.},
journal = {Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG},
volume = {301},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41811515},
issn = {1617-4623},
mesh = {*MicroRNAs/genetics ; *Crops, Agricultural/genetics/growth & development ; *Fabaceae/genetics/growth & development ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *RNA, Plant/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; RNA Interference ; Gene Editing ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; },
abstract = {Legumes are essential components of global cropping systems due to their nutritional value and contribution to sustainable agriculture. Among the regulatory molecules, small RNAs (sRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), play crucial roles in plant development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. miRNAs regulate genes involved in diverse developmental processes, including nodule formation, which is fundamental for the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis that characterizes legumes. Functional studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are key modulators of plant defense, contributing to resistance against pathogens and environmental challenges. Moreover, miRNAs also participate in cross-kingdom communication, such as plant-bacteria interactions, influencing symbiotic efficiency. Advances in molecular biology have enabled the manipulation of miRNAs and their targets for crop improvement. Current approaches include the design of artificial miRNAs (amiRNA), modulation of miRNA expression through miRNA-encoded peptides, genome editing of non-coding genes using CRISPR/Cas9, and the application of RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Together, these strategies highlight the potential of miRNA-based tools in plant biotechnology. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing miRNA-mediated gene silencing will provide powerful resources for optimizing legume productivity and resilience within sustainable agricultural systems.},
}

*MicroRNAs/genetics
*Crops, Agricultural/genetics/growth & development
*Fabaceae/genetics/growth & development
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*RNA, Plant/genetics
Symbiosis/genetics
RNA Interference
Gene Editing
CRISPR-Cas Systems

@article {pmid41811444,
year = {2026},
author = {Kuwabara, JT and Beilinson, V and Hargadon, AC and Chen, GY and Hu, XM and Ladinsky, MS and Hackett, KT and Dillard, JP and Visick, KL and Ruby, EG and McFall-Ngai, M},
title = {SypC, a symbiont outer membrane vesicle protein, impacts the development of the squid-vibrio partnership.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {123},
number = {11},
pages = {e2524648123},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2524648123},
pmid = {41811444},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {R01 GM135254/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R37 AI050661/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM130355/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Decapodiformes/microbiology ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; *Aliivibrio fischeri/physiology/metabolism/genetics ; Biofilms/growth & development ; *Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and the cargo they carry are increasingly recognized as a means of communication between microbial symbionts and the cells of their host. However, few studies have focused on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying OMV signaling during symbiosis onset and development. We show here that SypC, an OMV protein of the bioluminescent symbiont Vibrio fischeri, is taken up by cells of the squid host Euprymna scolopes where it assumes a new function, i.e., the facilitation of symbiont-induced light-organ morphogenesis. SypC is a Wza-like outer membrane protein found in host-associated Vibrionaceae and is essential for V. fischeri biofilm formation. Colonization or direct treatment with V. fischeri OMVs triggers host development, which was reduced or delayed if the host is instead exposed to a ∆sypC mutant or ∆sypC OMVs. RNA-seq analyses comparing light organs colonized by either the mutant or its parent revealed differential expression of host genes associated with immune responses and tissue morphogenesis. In immunocytochemical imaging, SypC-bearing OMVs were taken up by the host's macrophage-like cells near the light-organ crypts, revealing the mechanism by which SypC travels through tissue to trigger morphogenesis. Taken together, the data provide evidence that in addition to its role in biofilm formation and colonization, SypC has a second function promoting the induction of symbiotic-tissue development. These findings provide a critical piece of a puzzle whereby a rich array of host and symbiont molecules work in concert to orchestrate normal symbiont colonization and host development within the first hours to days of symbiosis.},
}

Animals
*Decapodiformes/microbiology
*Symbiosis/physiology
*Aliivibrio fischeri/physiology/metabolism/genetics
Biofilms/growth & development
*Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid41810571,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, W and Dong, R and Wu, J and Rahman, H and Xie, D and Li, Y and Zhang, Z and Guo, X and Cao, Y and Zhu, H},
title = {PR10 RNase activity drives immunity-mediated nodule cell death in Medicago littoralis.},
journal = {The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology},
volume = {125},
number = {5},
pages = {e70783},
doi = {10.1111/tpj.70783},
pmid = {41810571},
issn = {1365-313X},
support = {2024YFA0918200//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; 32070273//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Root Nodules, Plant/immunology/cytology/genetics/enzymology/microbiology ; *Ribonucleases/metabolism/genetics ; *Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Cell Death ; *Plant Immunity ; *Medicago/immunology/genetics/enzymology/microbiology/cytology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Establishment and maintenance of the legume-rhizobium symbiosis require a precise balance between host immune responses and symbiotic accommodation. In Medicago littoralis R108, mutation of NAD1 causes necrotic nodules accompanied by an overactivated immune response, indicating that tight immune regulation is essential for successful rhizobial colonization. Here, we identify members of the pathogenesis-related 10 (PR10) family as critical determinants of nodule function in M. littoralis. MltPR10 genes are transcriptionally upregulated in nad1-1 nodules. Strikingly, nad1-1 pr10c pr10d triple mutants produce nodules with almost normal morphology and restored nitrogenase activity compared with the necrotic nodules of nad1-1. MlPR10d exhibits robust ribonuclease activity against both plant and bacterial RNA, whereas the MlPR10d[Y150F] variant abolishes its RNase activity and fails to restore the necrotic phenotype when introduced into the nad1-1 pr10c pr10d-mutant plants. Together, these findings indicate that PR10 RNase activity directly influences nodule cell fate and may function as a terminal executioner of RNA degradation during immunity-overactivated nodule cell death. Our results reveal a mechanistic link between immune regulation and nodule functionality and suggest molecular targets for improving biological nitrogen fixation in legumes.},
}

*Root Nodules, Plant/immunology/cytology/genetics/enzymology/microbiology
*Ribonucleases/metabolism/genetics
*Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Cell Death
*Plant Immunity
*Medicago/immunology/genetics/enzymology/microbiology/cytology
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Symbiosis

@article {pmid41808841,
year = {2026},
author = {Huo, T and Huang, X and Liao, J and Zhang, H and Hu, L and Xie, M},
title = {The bidirectional effects and mechanisms of the oral and gut microbiomes: a narrative review.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1697413},
pmid = {41808841},
issn = {1664-3224},
abstract = {Among the microbial ecosystems of the human body, the gut and oral microbiota constitute the two largest communities, collectively harboring thousands of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Under physiological conditions, these microbiotas maintain internal homeostasis and stability, thereby protecting the host against pathogenic colonization. However, when pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis translocate from the oral cavity to the gut, disruption of gut microbial homeostasis may occur, increasing the risk of disease development. Potential mechanisms underlying this association include the establishment of new symbiotic relationships, the disruption of the intestinal barrier, the activation or suppression of inflammatory cells-particularly the balance between T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs)-and the induction of systemic inflammation. Conversely, gut microbiota dysbiosis, as observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or colorectal cancer, is also associated with alterations in the composition and diversity of the oral microbiota. Factors such as immune cell migration, malnutrition, and taste disturbances may contribute to oral microbial imbalance. In this review, we summarize the bidirectional influences on the composition and diversity of the oral and gut microbiomes and propose potential mechanisms underlying their interactions. A deeper understanding of these processes will enhance our knowledge of microbiota-host interactions and systemic health, and may shed light on the prevention and treatment of systemic diseases related to oral and gut microbiota dysbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41808437,
year = {2026},
author = {de Beer, JC and Alayande, KA and Pirk, CWW and Adeleke, RA and Sole, CL},
title = {Dietary Specialisation Shapes Gut Bacterial Diversity in Dung Beetles: Insights From Coprophagy to Millipede Carnivory.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {e70317},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70317},
pmid = {41808437},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {98696//National Research Foundation of South Africa/ ; SRUG220326856//National Research Foundation of South Africa/ ; //South Africa Sweden University Forum/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology/classification ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Diet ; Phylogeny ; *Arthropods/physiology ; Biodiversity ; Carnivory ; Coprophagia ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Dung beetles are ecosystem engineers, providing ecosystem services like nutrient cycling, waste degradation and parasite suppression. Their gut microbiome is essential for exploiting specialised diets, yet the eco-evolutionary factors driving microbial composition across diverse feeding strategies remain ambiguous. Here, we show that diet strongly influences gut bacterial composition across seven dung beetle species specialising in coprophagy, necrophagy, detritophagy, fungivory and carnivory. Most dietary specialisations grouped separately, though fungivores clustered with carrion and millipede feeders. The millipede-feeding species, Sceliages brittoni and S. hippias, hosted the most distinct and least diverse gut microbiomes. Taxonomically, differences were driven by distinct marker taxa, many of which are consistently isolated across taxonomic orders with similar diets. For example, the indicative bacterial species I. indica has been identified in various flesh-feeding insect taxa. Crucially, this pattern of shared bacterial communities suggests that diet is a dominant structuring factor which promotes community convergence regardless of host phylogeny. This study highlights the role of diet in shaping the dung beetle gut microbiome and provides the first characterisation of the gut microbiota in millipede-feeding dung beetles. Our findings underscore the critical role of diet, laying the foundation for functional studies into the eco-evolutionary significance of these host-microbe interactions.},
}

Animals
*Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology/classification
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Diet
Phylogeny
*Arthropods/physiology
Biodiversity
Carnivory
Coprophagia
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid41807436,
year = {2026},
author = {Tedeschi, F and Quilbé, J and Fechete, LI and Vistisen Christiansen, SJ and Andersen, SU},
title = {RHD6LA regulates root hair responses to both symbionts and commensals.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-70504-1},
pmid = {41807436},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {07NNF19SA0059362//Novo Nordisk Fonden (Novo Nordisk Foundation)/ ; },
abstract = {While intracellular symbiosis with rhizobia relies on Nod factor signaling through the conserved common symbiosis signaling pathway (CSSP), it remains unclear how legumes simultaneously manage interactions with commensal soil microbes. Using single cell RNA-sequencing, we show that commensal soil bacteria induce a Nod factor-independent transcriptional response in specific root hairs. This response is similar to the rhizobium response in the CSSP-deficient cyclops mutant, which is unable to accommodate rhizobia in root hair infection threads. Both responses include the nodulation gene NODULATION SIGNALING PATHWAY 2 (NSP2) and a transcription factor, which we name ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6 LIKE A (RHD6LA). We show that RHD6LA is required for facilitating infection thread formation in response to rhizobia and for preventing exaggerated root hair responses to commensal soil bacteria. The overlap between commensal and symbiotic signaling highlights the complexity of legume-microbe interactions at the root hair interface and suggests additional mechanisms for microbial discrimination in rhizobium-responsive root hairs.},
}

@article {pmid41806446,
year = {2026},
author = {Lo Giudice, A and Papale, M and Bertolino, M and Reboa, A and Rizzo, C},
title = {Diversity and ecology of the prokaryotic microbiome associated with marine sponges across Antarctica.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {1025},
number = {},
pages = {181655},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181655},
pmid = {41806446},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Antarctic sponges host diverse and functionally relevant microbial communities that play central roles in the structure and resilience of polar benthic ecosystems. This review provides a focused analysis of the prokaryotic microbiomes associated with Antarctic sponges, with an emphasis on three ecologically significant species: Mycale (Oxymycale) acerata, Dendrilla antarctica, and Hymeniacidon torquata. Drawing from recent molecular studies, we examine the composition, predicted functional potential, and environmental responsiveness of these bacterial and archaeal communities. Comparative analyses with surrounding seawater and sediments reveal both overlaps and distinct host-specific microbial signatures, suggesting that sponge-associated microbiomes are shaped by selective pressures at the host and habitat levels. A conserved microbial core appears to coexist with more variable taxa influenced by host physiology and environmental gradients. We also discuss the impact of environmental stressors on microbiome structure and stability. Functional insights from metagenomic data highlight key microbial contributions to nutrient cycling, symbiotic lifestyles, secondary metabolite and vitamin production, quorum sensing, and the biodegradation of aromatic compounds. This review critically assesses current knowledge on Antarctic sponge-associated prokaryotic microbiomes, identifying recurrent taxonomic and functional patterns and evaluating evidence for core microbial functions across species and regions. We hypothesize that, despite taxonomic variability and geographical sampling bias, Antarctic sponge microbiomes share conserved functional traits shaped by host- and environment-driven selective pressures. Although foundational knowledge has expanded, particularly for shallow-water species, significant gaps persist-especially in underexplored habitats and in linking predicted functions to ecological dynamics. We conclude by outlining research priorities, including standardized protocols, broader spatial and temporal sampling, and multi-omics integration to better understand microbiome resilience under climate-driven change.},
}

@article {pmid41806308,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, K and He, Q and Lin, Z and Huang, S and Zhong, Z and Zhu, P and Gao, M and Zhao, L and Jin, H and Wu, G and Geoff, GM and Han, Q and Pang, R},
title = {Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Insect Genetics and Microbial Symbiont Effects on Susceptibility of Diaphorina citri to the Citrus Greening Pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e17056},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202517056},
pmid = {41806308},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {32001903//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022ZDJS020//Guangdong Province Key Discipline Research Capacity Enhancement Project/ ; 2025A1515012591//Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province/ ; 2023KTSCX046//Guangdong Provincial Universities Characteristic Innovation Project/ ; 2024A04J4995//Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan Project/ ; },
abstract = {Insect-vectored pathogens pose a significant threat to global agriculture. The colonization efficiency of pathogens in vectors plays a central role in these pathosystems, yet studies of the factors that affect this aspect are limited. This study investigates the genetic and microbial symbiont factors influencing the susceptibility of Diaphorina citri to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the pathogen causing citrus greening disease (huanglongbing). Through a microbiome Genome Wide Association Study (mGWAS) based on 16S amplicon sequencing and genomic resequencing of 120 D. citri individuals from six populations, we identified 79 SNPs significantly associated with the relative abundance of CLas within insects. Additionally, some of these SNPs were also associated with the relative abundance of Candidatus Profftella armature, a key endosymbiont of D. citri. SNPs in the regulatory region of gene Dcitr04g11610.1 led to its overexpression in CLas-susceptible D. citri, and CLas infection further elevated its expression. Conversely, RNAi knockdown of Dcitr04g11610.1 reduced CLas infection rates and abundance, accompanied by increased abundance of Profftella. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Dcitr04g11610.1's high homology to Major Facilitator Superfamily-type transporter SLC18B1 proteins, suggesting a role in CLas polyamine utilization. These findings highlight the importance and potential interplay of insect genetics and symbiotic microbiota in insect-vectored plant pathogen systems.},
}

@article {pmid41805839,
year = {2026},
author = {Matarrita-Carranza, B and Weiss, B and Sandoval-Calderón, M and Koehler, S and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M},
title = {Defensive symbionts of European beewolves face competition from brood cell microbiota during vertical transmission.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiag024},
pmid = {41805839},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Beewolf wasps rely on an ancient defensive symbiosis with Streptomyces bacteria that protect their larvae from fungal infection. Female beewolves apply the bacteria to the brood-cell ceiling, and larvae later transfer the symbionts onto the cocoon surface, where they produce antifungal metabolites. Here, we investigated the mechanism of symbiont transfer from the beewolf brood cell to the larval cocoon and characterized the microbial community dynamics across different beewolf life stages and during larval hibernation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the symbionts are transiently taken up into the proximal midgut lumen and then regurgitated onto the cocoon during the spinning process. High-throughput sequencing showed that the bacterial community of beewolf feeding larvae resembles that of the honeybee prey, whereas that of adults and diapausing larvae is dominated by Wolbachia. Moreover, the cocoon bacterial community is initially dominated by the defensive Streptomyces philanthi symbiont, but when larvae excrete the gut content inside the cocoon, other bacterial taxa including Lactobacillus, Gilliamella and Bartonella shift the community composition toward dominance by Pseudomonadota. Our findings provide new insights into the transmission route of an ancient extracellular symbiont and its potential competition with other bacteria in this long-term defensive symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41805398,
year = {2026},
author = {Bouderka, F and López-García, P and Deschamps, P and Zhou, Y and Krupovic, M and Gutiérrez-Preciado, A and Ciobanu, M and Bertolino, P and David, G and Moreira, D and Jardillier, L},
title = {Parasitic connections: a patescibacterial epibiont, its methylotrophic gammaproteobacterial host, and their phages.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0002526},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00025-26},
pmid = {41805398},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Patescibacteriota form a very diverse and widely distributed phylum of small bacteria inferred to have an episymbiotic lifestyle. However, the prevalence of this lifestyle within the phylum and its host specificity remain poorly known due to the scarcity of cultured representatives. Here, we describe a complex system consisting of a patescibacterium, its gammaproteobacterial hosts, and their respective phages based on enrichment cultures and metagenomic data from two shallow, geographically close, freshwater ecosystems. The patescibacterium Strigamonas methylophilicida sp. nov. defines a new genus within the family Absconditicoccaceae. It grows as an epibiont on cells of methanotrophic species of the gammaproteobacterial family Methylophilaceae. Strigamonas cells grow tightly attached to the host, sometimes forming stacks that connect two host cells. Despite a surprisingly large genome (1.9 Mb) compared to many other Patescibacteriota, S. methylophilicida lacks many essential biosynthetic pathways, including the complete biosynthesis of phospholipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids, implying a dependence on the host to obtain these molecules. We also identified and assembled the complete genomes of one patescibacterial phage that might represent a new virus family within the class Caudoviricetes, and two Methylophilaceae phages predicted to have head-tailed and filamentous virions, respectively. The patesciphage uses a modified genetic code similar to that of its host and encodes four tRNA genes, including the suppressor tRNA gene for the UGA stop codon, which is reassigned to glycine in many Patescibacteriota. Our results confirm a prevalent episymbiotic lifestyle in Absconditicoccaceae and further suggest a clade-specific adaptation of this patescibacterial family for gammaproteobacterial hosts.IMPORTANCEPatescibacteriota are ultra-small bacteria with reduced genomes that rely on symbiotic interactions with other prokaryotes; however, their host specificity and associated viral parasites remain poorly characterized due to limited cultured representatives. By combining targeted cultivation with genomic and microscopy analyses, we reveal previously unrecognized host lineages and expand the known viral diversity infecting this major, but still poorly known, bacterial phylum. We describe Strigamonas methylophilicida, a new patescibacterial species of the family Absconditicoccaceae that grows as an epibiont on various methylotrophic Gammaproteobacteria. This expands the host range for this family, previously found to infect only photosynthetic partners. Using enrichment cultures and metagenomics, we retrieved complete genomes of novel phages infecting S. methylophilicida and its methylotrophic hosts, including one phage that uses a modified genetic code matching that of the patescibacterium, which shows a specific viral adaptation to infect Absconditicoccaceae hosts. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized patescibacteria-methylotrophs-phages tripartite interaction in freshwater environments, highlight the adaptations of patescibacterial phages, and shed light on the complex ecology and evolution of host-parasite-phage dynamics in understudied bacterial lineages.},
}

@article {pmid41803708,
year = {2026},
author = {Arai, H and Bodelle, L and Mahéo, F and Cloteau, R and Denis, G and Koga, R and Kageyama, D and Sugio, A and Simon, JC},
title = {Linking genomic variation in Spiroplasma endosymbionts to male production and male-killing in the pea aphid.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12864-026-12706-x},
pmid = {41803708},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {21J00895//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 23H02229//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JPJ009237//Cabinet Office, Government of Japan/ ; 30001959/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; },
}

@article {pmid41803336,
year = {2026},
author = {Mandal, S and Aran, KR},
title = {Symbiotic in Alzheimer's disease: modulating the gut-brain axis for neuroimmune homeostasis and cognitive protection.},
journal = {Inflammopharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41803336},
issn = {1568-5608},
abstract = {Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder defined by progressive cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation, synaptic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, and tau hyperphosphorylation. The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a crucial regulatory signaling cascade that links intestinal microbiome composition with both neural health and disease through the vagus nerve. Gut dysbiosis has increasingly been implicated in AD pathogenesis by exacerbating systemic and neuroinflammatory signaling, disrupting intestinal and blood-brain barrier (BBB) structural stability, and promoting microglial activation, thereby facilitating Aβ aggregation and neurodegeneration. Preclinical studies indicate that symbiotic interventions restore microbial balance and improve gut-brain communication, contributing to neuroprotective effects. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that symbiotics can restore synaptic plasticity and cognitive resilience by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, as exemplified by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and by upregulating neurotrophic factors, particularly brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These effects are associated with normalised glial reactivity, attenuation of oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial bioenergetics, together contributing to enhanced synaptic function, reduced neuroinflammation, and preservation of cognitive performance. This review highlights a critical assessment of the treatment potential of symbiotic interventions in modulating the GBA in AD, emphasising mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative pathways and evaluating their capacity to mitigate symptoms and delay disease progression, as supported by current preclinical evidence.},
}

@article {pmid41803161,
year = {2026},
author = {Fang, L and Guo, J and Ning, Q and Luo, Y and Jian, J and Ning, J},
title = {High-Quality Genome Assemblies of Two Prototheca wickerhamii Strains.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41597-026-06916-x},
pmid = {41803161},
issn = {2052-4463},
abstract = {Prototheca wickerhamii is a non-photosynthetic microalgal species that has been implicated in opportunistic human infections. Understanding its genomic features is crucial for both medical applications and symbiosis research. We generated high-quality genome assemblies for two strains of Prototheca wickerhamii, Pw26 and PwS1, using PacBio HiFi reads. The assemblies were evaluated for completeness and accuracy using BUSCO analysis. The assembled genomes for Pw26 and PwS1 were 17.8 MB and 17.4 MB, respectively, with contig N50 values of 1.6 MB. The number of assembled contigs is closely related to the number of chromosomes. The GC content was 63.5% for both genomes. Comparative analysis showed high similarity in genome size and alignment, with Pw26 having slightly more protein-coding genes (46,394) than PwS1 (44,702). Repeat sequences accounted for 6.03% and 4.18% of the genomes in Pw26 and PwS1, respectively. These high-quality genome assemblies provide a valuable resource for comparative genomics and functional exploration of Prototheca wickerhamii. The detailed genomic characterization supports further studies on pathogenic mechanisms.},
}

@article {pmid41802887,
year = {2026},
author = {Glass, BH and Abraham, T and Siggers, T and Davies, SW and Gilmore, TD},
title = {NF-κB: A Diverse and Multi-Functional Transcription Factor in Holozoans.},
journal = {Molecular biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/molbev/msag059},
pmid = {41802887},
issn = {1537-1719},
abstract = {Transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and many upstream signaling components have been identified in a diversity of holozoan taxa, including unicellular holozoans (e.g., Filasterea and Choanoflagellata) and the metazoan phyla Porifera (sponges), Placozoa, and Cnidaria (e.g., jellyfishes, sea anemones, corals, and hydra). Herein, we review recent progress made towards characterizing the structure, regulation, activity, and biological functions of NF-κB proteins found in these taxa. We also provide an updated phylogenetic sampling of NF-κB orthologs highlighting their different domain configurations among holozoans, as well as a method for comparing the computationally predicted three-dimensional structures of NF-κB dimers and relating these structures to their amino acid similarities and DNA-binding specificities. This synthesis reveals new insights regarding the evolutionarily conserved and variable domain-dependent activities and regulation of holozoan NF-κBs. Further, we provide an overview of the roles of NF-κB in pathogen responses, stress responses, symbiosis, and development, with a focus on recent findings from sponges and cnidarians. This curation of a growing body of knowledge highlights both conserved and divergent roles of NF-κB in foundational biological processes. Finally, we suggest priorities for future research on the evolution of NF-κB structure and function. Overall, investigations of NF-κB in diverse holozoan taxa will continue to provide information about the origins of this important and pervasive transcriptional regulator, and will also contribute to an understanding of the responses of sentinel species to the modern-day stresses associated with changing environmental conditions and novel pathogen-based diseases.},
}

@article {pmid41800175,
year = {2026},
author = {Al-Zahrani, SS},
title = {Frontiers in fungal phosphatases: molecular diversity, regulatory mechanisms, analytical methodologies, ecological significance, and prospects for sustainable utilization.},
journal = {Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1735288},
pmid = {41800175},
issn = {2296-4185},
abstract = {Phosphorus is an indispensable macronutrient essential for all forms of life, as it plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism, nucleic acid synthesis, and structural integrity. Since organisms can only absorb dissolved inorganic phosphate, the phosphatase enzyme is important in the process of converting organic phosphorus into forms that are bioavailable. Fungal phosphatases are a vastly diverse and heterogeneous functional and structural category that catalyzes the liberation of phosphates in a wide variety of organic compounds and facilitates the mobilization of phosphorus in the soil and symbiotic interactions. This review summarizes the existing information on fungal phosphatases, their classification, molecular regulation, methods of their analysis, ecological significance, and biotechnological use. Bibliometric analysis has been conducted using 3,944 publications published between 1944 and June-2025, and the analysis rate has shown an increase of 7.11% which indicates the rising relevance of the research. Phosphate-sensitive transcriptional networks (PHO/PHR pathways), nutrient signaling (TOR), MAPK cascades, and post-translational modifications control their activity. Analytical methods have either the traditional colorimetric assays or fluorometric and omics-based ones, such as transcriptomics and proteomics. These enzymes mediate organic phosphorus mineralization, symbiotic nutrient exchange in mycorrhizal systems, saprotrophic decomposition, and global phosphorus cycling, which are ecologically relevant. Its uses would be in biofertilizers, soil nutrient management, recovery of phosphorus in waste, industrial bioprocesses, and climate-smart agriculture. Nevertheless, a number of gaps exist in terms of the phosphatase diversity in non-model fungi, complexity of regulatory networks, and methodological sophistication. To promote sustainable phosphorus management, the combination of molecular, ecological and applied viewpoints is a requirement, especially due to the global exhaustion of phosphorus resources and the necessity of environmental sustainability.},
}

@article {pmid41800128,
year = {2026},
author = {Klinges, JG and Villoch Diaz-Mauriño, M and Wilder, RM and Erbes, MC and Karabelas, EC and Muller, EM and Krediet, CJ},
title = {A quick and reliable menthol-induced bleaching protocol for the Caribbean staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {e20888},
pmid = {41800128},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/drug effects/physiology ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; *Menthol/pharmacology ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology/drug effects ; *Coral Bleaching ; Caribbean Region ; Coral Reefs ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; },
abstract = {Corals and dinoflagellate algae form a unique mutualistic symbiosis that provides the energetic and structural foundation for shallow coral reef ecosystems. Despite the long success of this partnership in oligotrophic seas, coral reefs are in decline due to increasing threats from rising seawater temperatures and disease, both of which can lead to bleaching and mortality. In order to better understand the mechanisms that underpin this mutualism, it may be necessary to dismantle the coral-algal symbiosis. Previous studies have experimentally bleached corals using thermal stress, photosynthetic inhibitors (DCMU), and menthol. We compared lab-induced bleaching of staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis by menthol treatment to traditional thermal stress. The larger aim was to adapt existing bleaching protocols for this important coral species, providing a guide for future studies. Bleaching in corals treated with menthol or exposed to elevated temperature stress (31°C) was monitored by measuring photosynthetic activity determined by Fv/Fm using pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorescence and compared to untreated conspecifics. Corals were also monitored for symbiont density and overall health using the CoralWatch Coral Health Chart card throughout the experiment. We found that A. cervicornis bleached in response to both menthol treatment and thermal stress, but menthol treatment was more effective at reducing algal symbiont photosynthetic capacity (Fv/Fm) without negatively affecting the health of the coral. Our results indicate that menthol treatment at 0.38 mM rendered staghorn coral aposymbiotic within fourteen days without any visual or physiological damage to the coral. This study provides a simple and effective menthol-bleaching treatment protocol for future studies on staghorn coral.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/drug effects/physiology
Symbiosis/drug effects
*Menthol/pharmacology
*Dinoflagellida/physiology/drug effects
*Coral Bleaching
Caribbean Region
Coral Reefs
Photosynthesis/drug effects

@article {pmid41799286,
year = {2026},
author = {Fang, X and Guo, Y and Huang, J and Zhang, M},
title = {Polyamines as a Universal Language of Host-Microbiota Symbiosis.},
journal = {Research (Washington, D.C.)},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {1184},
pmid = {41799286},
issn = {2639-5274},
abstract = {Polyamines are ancient metabolites that serve critical functions in maintaining epithelial integrity, regulating immune response, and supporting healthy aging. The gut microbiota actively synthesizes and converts polyamines, while host factors such as inflammation, barrier function, and nutritional status dynamically modulate this metabolic network. Disruption of this host-microbiota axis reduces polyamine availability, impairs barrier function, and exacerbates inflammation. In contrast, polyamines exert protective effects by promoting epithelial repair, modulating macrophage and T-cell responses, and enhancing autophagy-mediated tissue renewal and longevity. Recent advances in engineered probiotics, microbial small RNAs, and postbiotics further highlight the therapeutic potential of precisely modulating polyamine metabolism in clinical contexts such as inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative conditions associated with aging.},
}

@article {pmid41798221,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Y and Du, Y and Alwutayd, KM and Islam, W and Zeng, F},
title = {Diversity and ecological roles of endophytic fungi in desert phreatophytes.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {16},
number = {4},
pages = {112},
pmid = {41798221},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Fungal symbionts in plant roots and leaves drive ecosystem functionality by enhancing nutrient acquisition for plants and influencing plant biomass and productivity. Therefore, investigating variations in fungal communities across roots and leaves, as well as identifying the drivers of these variations, is crucial for understanding biological, abiotic factors, and microbial interactions. We utilized high-throughput Illumina HiSeq sequencing to characterize the structural and functional diversity of leaf and root endosphere (RE) fungal microbiota associated with Alhagi sparsifolia across three arid regions (Taklimakan [Cele], Gurbantünggüt [Mosuowan], and Kumtag [Turpan]) in northwest China's Xinjiang province. Our study found that the relative abundance of Ascomycota within the RE was much higher than that observed in the leaf endosphere (LE). Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were dominant in the RE. However, the niche width and multi-functionality of LE fungi were significantly lower than those of RE fungi. The number of edges, nodes, and the average degree of LE fungi were lower than those of RE across different regions and interannual variations. In Turpan, the edges, nodes, and average degree of LE fungi were higher compared to the other two sampling sites (Cele and Mosuowan), whereas RE fungi exhibited the opposite trend. Redundancy analysis and hierarchical partitioning results showed that precipitation, temperature, and root total phosphorus were the main common factors that significantly affected the variation in the composition of leaf and RE fungal community (P < 0.05). Interestingly, total potassium content in leaves, roots, and soil was found to correlate with the diversity of fungi in both the leaf and RE. This research enhances our comprehension of the ecological significance of endophytic fungi in desert plants and highlights the need for further research on the symbiotic interactions that underpin the survival and adaptation of plants in harsh environments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04743-w.},
}

@article {pmid41796817,
year = {2026},
author = {Lin, B and Zhang, Q and Liu, X and Wu, N and Wang, H and Ji, B},
title = {Electric field drives assimilation enhancement and deterministic assembly in algae-bacteria symbiosis for enhanced aniline biodegradation.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {449},
number = {},
pages = {134366},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134366},
pmid = {41796817},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {The practical application of Algae-Bacteria Symbiosis systems (ABS) for treating high-concentration aniline wastewater is constrained by limitations in operational stability and pollutant removal efficiency. To address these challenges, an Electro-enhanced ABS system (E-ABS) was developed that employs weak electric fields to modulate microbial ecological processes. The E-ABS demonstrated complete and efficient aniline degradation, achieving an average total nitrogen (TN) removal rate of 82.5%, surpassing conventional ABS by 14.6%. Electrochemical analysis revealed a 60.0% enhancement in electrochemical oxidation, facilitated by enhanced extracellular electron transfer (EET) between electroactive microorganisms and Chlorella. Electrode stimulation restructured the microbial community, enriching electroactive microorganism (Thauera) in anode biofilms and denitrifiers (Saccharimonadales, TM7a). Environmental filtration exerted stronger control over microbial assembly in E-ABS, with deterministic selection further amplified by the electric field, increasing heterogeneous selection (|βNTI| = 3.5) by 47.7%. [15]N isotope tracing confirmed that enhanced pollutant removal stemmed from electrode biofilm adsorption and stimulation, boosting Chlorella enrichment and elevating bacterial and algal assimilation contributions by 3.2% and 6.5%, respectively. This work elucidates the regulatory mechanisms of algae-bacteria interactions under weak electric fields, offering a sustainable strategy for aniline wastewater treatment.},
}

@article {pmid41796814,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, K and Wang, X and Yuan, T and Su, G and Wu, C and Sun, M and Wang, Y and Hao, M and Chen, X and Feng, S and Wu, F and Liu, D and Rao, H and Lu, Z},
title = {Cerium-iron symbiotic nanozyme alleviates drought stress in wheat by targeting stomatal regulation and photosynthesis.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {449},
number = {},
pages = {134367},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134367},
pmid = {41796814},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Drought stress induces excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in crops, severely impairing wheat growth and threatening food security. This study developed a symbiotic nanozyme system composed of nanoscale Fe2O3 nanomaterials anchored on the CeO2 carrier and encapsulated with polyacrylic acid (PAA@Ce-Fe NMs). Uniquely, PAA@Ce-Fe NMs feature superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) dual enzyme-mimicking activities, targeting stomatal, to mitigate oxidative damage. Under drought conditions, roots application of 100 mg/L PAA@Ce-Fe NMs of soil cultivation and hydroponics experiment significantly improved wheat growth phenotypes, including biomass andphotosynthetic rate. Importantly, thesignificantly improved wheat growth phenotypes, including biomass and photosynthetic rate. Importantly, the oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide anion (O2•[-]) markedly decreased by 40.0%, 44.0%, and 46.0%, respectively. While the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and catalase (CAT) enhanced by 16.8% and 18.7%, respectively. It downregulating proline (15.5%) and glutathione (15.4%) content, response to stress relief. Multi-omics analyses revealed that PAA@Ce-Fe NMs significantly upregulate photosynthesis related genes (PsbA), tricarboxylic acid cycle (GGT, IDH1/2) and enhanced glutathione metabolism in roots. Furthermore, it achieves drought resistance by regulating the ABC transporter protein and the betaine synthesis pathway, inhibiting the Rboh gene of NADPH oxidase (Rboh), reducing the level of ROS, and regulating amino acid metabolites. These findings indicated that the nanoplatforms equipped with symbiotic nanozyme have significant potential in alleviating plant oxidative stress, which not only regulates crop growth but also significantly enhances yield and quality, opening up a new era for agricultural nanotechnology.},
}

@article {pmid41796418,
year = {2026},
author = {Fernandez, MAP and Ogura-Tsujita, Y and Marutani, M},
title = {Mycorrhizal specialization for Tulasnellaceae fungi in Taeniophyllum marianense, a leafless epiphytic orchid native to Guam.},
journal = {Journal of plant research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41796418},
issn = {1618-0860},
support = {1017998//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 2023-70008-41051//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {Orchids are obligately dependent on orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) for nutrition, growth, and establishment. The degree of mycorrhizal specificity varies, from generalists associating with several fungi to specialists relying on a few species. Many leafless epiphytic orchids specifically associate with Ceratobasidiaceae fungi. However, the mycorrhizal associates and specificity of Taeniophyllum marianense, a leafless epiphytic orchid native to the remote island of Guam, remain unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated 189 seedling and mature individuals of T. marianense growing on 26 host tree species across 10 sites in Guam. OMF were identified using fungal-specific primers targeting Ceratobasidiaceae, Serendipitaceae, Tulasnellaceae, and general Basidiomycota. Sequences were grouped into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on 97% similarity. T. marianense in Guam associated with a diversity of OMF, including five Tulasnellaceae, six Ceratobasidiaceae, and four Serendipitaceae OTUs. Two Tulasnellaceae OTUs (TU1 and TU2) were the most dominant, comprising 64.6% of fungal sequences and occurring consistently across seedling and mature orchids from different host tree species and habitats, suggesting their role as primary mycorrhizal associates. In contrast, Ceratobasidiaceae and Serendipitaceae were less common and may play minor or opportunistic roles. The mycorrhizal capacity of TU1 and TU2 isolates was confirmed in vitro, where both strains significantly promoted seed germination and protocorm development. While other leafless epiphytic orchids typically associate with Ceratobasidiaceae, T. marianense in Guam specifically associates with Tulasnellaceae fungi closely related to globally distributed species. These findings suggest that mycorrhizal specialization may persist in island ecosystems through flexible associations with widespread, locally available fungal associates.},
}

@article {pmid41796124,
year = {2026},
author = {Khoury, J and Haloun, B and Musai, N and Hayouka, K and Davidovich, E and Polak, D},
title = {Distinct functional profiles of oral neutrophils in molar incisor pattern periodontitis, generalized periodontitis and periodontal health.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-39112-3},
pmid = {41796124},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {This study aimed to compare oral neutrophil (oNeut) functions in molar-incisor pattern periodontitis (MIPP), generalized periodontitis (GP), and periodontally healthy subjects, and to explore how biofilm exposure shapes these functions. oNeut were isolated from healthy, GP, and MIPP volunteers (n = 10 per group) and challenged ex vivo with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans JP2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell viability, and cytokine release were quantified post-infection. Separately, healthy oNeut were exposed to de novo biofilms modeling healthy, GP, or MIPP microbiomes, and their functional responses were assessed. Results showed that periodontitis patients (GP and MIPP) had higher baseline oNeut counts but exhibited reduced resistance to necrosis and lower ROS output after JP2 challenge than controls; JP2-stimulated ROS was significantly lower than both HOCl-treated and naïve controls. MIPP oNeut secreted more TNFα, CCL2, OPG, and RANKL than GP, whereas GP displayed a higher OPG/RANKL ratio. Except for TNFα and IL-1β, all measured mediators were elevated in healthy oNeut compared with those from periodontitis groups. Under dysbiotic versus symbiotic biofilm challenge, healthy oNeut produced less ROS but secreted higher levels of TNFα, OPG, and RANKL. Overall, oNeut from periodontitis patients exhibited distinct oxidative and cytokine responses to JP2, reflecting both host-specific and biofilm-driven priming.},
}

@article {pmid41703705,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, S and Meade, A},
title = {Molecular clock dating using complex mixture models: applied to ancient symbionts.},
journal = {Molecular biology and evolution},
volume = {43},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/molbev/msag039},
pmid = {41703705},
issn = {1537-1719},
support = {32400493//Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 42293294//Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 14112024//Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC)/ ; 4054912//CUHK/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Models, Genetic ; Phylogeny ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Software ; },
abstract = {Molecular clocks are a fundamental technique in evolutionary biology for establishing the timing and tempo of organismal divergence. However, currently available molecular clock methods, which often rely on simple homogeneous substitution models, can produce inaccurate time estimates, particularly for deep-time or rapidly evolving lineages where substitution heterogeneity and saturation are common. Hereby, we introduce phyloHessian (https://github.com/evolbeginner/phyloHessianWrapper), a Julia-based software to enable the use of complex mixture substitution models in molecular dating. phyloHessian computes the phylogenetic Hessian matrix and integrates it into PAML-MCMCtree's approximate likelihood framework to conduct dating analyses. Simulations mimicking phylogenies at different timescales demonstrate that complex mixture substitution models significantly enhance the accuracy of divergence time and substitution rate estimates in deep-time phylogenies. This pattern remains consistent across a wide range of uncertainties associated with molecular clock analysis. Additionally, mixture models display greater robustness to model and calibration specifications compared to their homogeneous counterparts. Empirical analysis of ancient symbiont lineages Microsporidia and Rickettsiales with different substitution models shows that mixture models, compared to homogeneous models, yield accelerated substitution rates and in some cases significantly different divergence times, leading to a revised understanding of their host association origins. Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating complex mixture substitution models for constructing reliable evolutionary timelines and elucidating the evolutionary history of deep-time or fast-evolving lineages.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
*Models, Genetic
Phylogeny
*Evolution, Molecular
Software

@article {pmid41795945,
year = {2026},
author = {Snyder Garneau, RE and Tegeder, M},
title = {S-Methylmethionine Phloem Loading Affects Source-Sink Physiology and Assimilate Partitioning in Nitrogen-Fixing Pea Plants, Resulting in Improved Growth and Seed Protein Yields.},
journal = {Plant & cell physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/pcp/pcag031},
pmid = {41795945},
issn = {1471-9053},
abstract = {Legumes like pea (Pisum sativum L.) fix atmospheric nitrogen (N) in a symbiosis with bacteria, thus reducing the need for N fertilizer and its negative impact on the environment and human health. In addition, their seeds are a vital source of protein for human diets and animal feed. Legume productivity depends on efficient sulfur (S) partitioning within the plant to support N fixation in nodules and seed protein synthesis. S movement from source leaves to sinks occurs in the phloem, and we tested the hypothesis that phloem loading of the organic S compound S-methylmethionine (SMM) is a key regulatory step controlling sink S supply. In pea plants relying solely on N fixation for N nutrition, expression of an SMM transporter in the leaf phloem enhanced source-to-sink movement of SMM and other S assimilates, resulting in increased nodule number, N fixation, and total plant N. These changes triggered coordinated increases in S, N, and carbon acquisition, metabolism, and partitioning, leading to greater vegetative growth, seed yield, and improved seed protein quantity and quality. Overall, this study identifies source-to-sink transport of SMM as a promising target for improving legume productivity.},
}

@article {pmid41794853,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Z and Yu, L and Wu, C and Guo, J and Zhu, L and Wang, J and Zhou, C},
title = {Soil acidification dismantles a citrulline-mediated microbe-metabolite-host defense axis in watermelon, exacerbating Fusarium wilt.},
journal = {NPJ biofilms and microbiomes},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41522-026-00951-7},
pmid = {41794853},
issn = {2055-5008},
support = {20250586//where they are referenced/ ; 2023AH020024, gxyq2022053//Natural Science Foundation of Universities in Anhui Province/ ; XK-XJGY003//University-Level Advanced Discipline/ ; DTR2024033//Discipline (Major) Leader Development Program/ ; },
abstract = {Soil acidification disrupts the structure and function of soil microbiomes, resulting in increased vulnerability to soil-borne pathogens. While the link between soil acidification and disease susceptibility is well-established, the mechanisms underlying the suppression of plant defense remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that soil acidification perturbed the co-evolved assembly process of endophytic microbiomes in watermelon roots, leading to the collapse of a critical microbe-metabolite-host defense axis essential for resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON). Integrated field surveys and multi-omics analyses revealed that acidification-induced dysbiosis in the root endophytic microbiomes, characterized by the depletion of keystone Pseudomonas species (Pseudomonadaceae), strongly correlated with increased Fusarium wilt incidence. Central to this interaction was citrulline, a metabolite produced by root Pseudomonas endophytes that functioned as a symbiotic effector promoting bacterial colonization and a defense modulator inhibiting FON-induced oxidative burst. Disruption of citrulline biosynthesis abolished these protective effects, whereas exogenous citrulline application restored disease resistance. These findings underscored the role of root endophyte-derived citrulline in sustaining microbial fitness and plant defense, revealing a tripartite interaction impacted by soil acidification. Collectively, this study provides insights for developing microbiome-based strategies to enhance sustainable crop protection in degraded agroecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid41794478,
year = {2026},
author = {Chiarini, E and Buzzanca, D and Devizia, A and Giordano, M and Dipietro, F and Zeppa, G and Alessandria, V},
title = {Kombucha meets circular economy: A microbiome and metabolite perspective on second fermentation with plant by-products.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {230},
number = {},
pages = {118597},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2026.118597},
pmid = {41794478},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Fermentation ; *Microbiota ; *Kombucha Tea/microbiology/analysis/economics ; Food Microbiology ; Bacteria/metabolism/classification ; Yeasts/metabolism ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; },
abstract = {Kombucha is a traditional fermented beverage produced through the fermentation of sugared tea by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). In recent years, the valorisation of plant-based by-products as fermentation substrates has gained attention as a sustainable approach to improving both the nutritional and economic efficiency of fermented beverages. The present study investigated the production of kombuchas supplemented with pineapple, fennel, and carrot by-products during the secondary fermentation phase, aiming to evaluate their influence on fermentation dynamics, microbial ecology, and the chemical and aromatic profiles of the final products. The experimental design integrated culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches, including amplicon sequencing, to characterize microbial community composition and evolution throughout fermentation. Chemical profiling was carried out using gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-qMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode-array and refractive index detectors (HPLC-DAD/RI). The fermentation process was monitored during both the primary and secondary stages, and a shelf-life assessment was conducted over 14 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C) to evaluate product stability. Microbiological results indicated a predominance of Schizosaccharomyces spp., while Komagataeibacter spp. was the only bacterial genus identified. A significant reduction in α-diversity was observed over time, suggesting selective adaptation of the microbial community to the fermentation environment. β-diversity analysis revealed clear differences among samples collected after 8 and 22 days, reflecting the combined influence of time and substrate composition on microbial succession. Chemical analyses demonstrated an increase in acetic acid concentration and a progressive decline in pH throughout fermentation, consistent with the metabolic activity of acetic acid bacteria. Among volatile organic compounds (VOCs), alcohols and organic acids were the most abundant chemical classes detected. Several VOCs were associated with minor yeast genera, including Hannaella, Galactomyces, Aureobasidium, and Millerozyma, whereas Schizosaccharomyces spp. showed a strong correlation with specific aroma-active compounds, highlighting its key role in defining the sensory characteristics of the beverage. Overall, this study provides new evidence on how different vegetable by-products and microbial consortia influence the development of chemical and aromatic compounds in kombucha. The findings highlight the potential of using by-products as a sustainable, value-added strategy for producing fermented beverages, while also supporting the principles of the circular economy and resource-efficient food systems.},
}

*Fermentation
*Microbiota
*Kombucha Tea/microbiology/analysis/economics
Food Microbiology
Bacteria/metabolism/classification
Yeasts/metabolism
Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

@article {pmid41793892,
year = {2026},
author = {Jin, XH and Li, Y and Li, YX and Wang, YC and He, HY and Zhang, HB},
title = {Rhizomorph endophytic bacterial community of Armillaria and growth promotion of Armillaria gallica and Gastrodia elata.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {307},
number = {},
pages = {128489},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2026.128489},
pmid = {41793892},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {Armillaria is a crucial symbiotic fungus for the late-stage growth of Gastrodia elata corms. We analyzed the bacterial community colonizing the Armillaria rhizomorph through isolation culture and high-throughput sequencing methods. We found that (1) the Armillaria rhizomorphs associated with G. elata contained diverse endophytic bacteria. The core genera included Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia (10.32%), Alphaproteobacteria_unclassified (9.00%), Bradyrhizobium (7.09%), Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium (5.12%), and Yersinia (3.20%). Factors, such as Armillaria species identity and soil characteristics (pH, AP, and AK), significantly influence the community structure of endophytic bacteria. (2) A total of 49 bacterial strains were isolated from the Armillaria rhizomorph, and the five dominant genera were Pseudomonas (28.57%), Bacillus (22.45%), Viridibacillus (12.24%), Rouxiella (10.20%), and Priestia (8.16%). All the isolated bacterial strains were capable of producing IAA, three strains had potassium hydrolysis ability, and 14 strains exhibited phosphorus solubilization ability. (3) In the interaction experiment between the bacteria and Armillaria gallica YSP2_1, most bacteria inhibited the laccase production and rhizomorph branching of A. gallica, but they were able to increase the biomass of A. gallica. In the triple cocultivation experiment, two bacterial strains, 1YSL_5_Viridibacillus and 1YSL_7_Peribacillus, significantly increased the yield of G. elata tubers. This study indicated that rhizomorph endophytic bacteria could facilitate interactions between Armillaria and G. elata.},
}

@article {pmid41793588,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhou, L and Wang, P and Guo, C and Kuang, T and Chen, X and Zuo, J and Wang, J and Zhao, Z and Zhang, X},
title = {Functional traits shape gut microbial assembly beyond phylogeny in estuarine fish.},
journal = {Science China. Life sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41793588},
issn = {1869-1889},
abstract = {Host-specific patterns of symbiotic microbiomes are ubiquitous in nature, yet the intricate interplay among host phylogeny, functional traits, and gut microbiota remains insufficiently explored and debated. In this study, the gut microbiota of 61 fish species inhabiting the sympatric Pearl River Estuary, China, was examined by integrating host phylogeny and functional traits to elucidate the mechanisms underlying microbiota assembly. While substantial interspecies differences in gut microbiota composition were evident, the influence of phylosymbiosis was minimal. Instead, functional traits emerged as pivotal mediators of gut microbiota differentiation, emphasizing their roles in adaptive and ecological functions, such as habitat preferences, feeding strategies, and digestive efficiencies. Clustering and machine learning analyses identified three distinct enterotypes within the fish gut microbiota strongly associated with feeding habits and migratory behaviors. Gut microbiota diverged among fishes differing in estuarine use, feeding strategies, and resilience traits. Functional profiling of the gut microbiota unveiled enterotype-specific metabolic adaptations, encompassing pathways related to nutrient utilization and stress resistance. Notably, redundancy analysis indicated that functional traits-such as eye size, oral gape shape, and gut length-played significant roles in influencing enterotype clustering. Our findings introduce the concept of "functsymbiosis", defined as the functional-trait-driven congruence between hosts and their symbiotic microbiota, indicating that host functional traits, rather than phylogenetic lineage, predominantly govern gut microbiota assembly. This study highlights the complex interactions between host traits and gut microbiota in fish, providing novel insights into the adaptive mechanisms underpinning host-microbiota dynamics and the ecological significance of gut microbiota in shaping host fitness and niche differentiation.},
}

@article {pmid41791334,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhao, J and Li, R and Yang, S and Gou, J and Chen, X},
title = {Elucidating the enzyme-driven degradation of macrolide antibiotics in a bacterial-algal symbiotic system.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {403},
number = {},
pages = {129163},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129163},
pmid = {41791334},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {With the widespread use of macrolide antibiotics, their presence in aquatic environments has emerged as a significant ecological concern. Clarithromycin (CLA), a representative macrolide antibiotic, was used to investigate the stress response and metabolic degradation dynamics within a bacterial-algal symbiotic system operated in a novel photobioreactor. Ten days before the addition of CLA, the bacterial-algal system was in the period of symbiotic acclimatization and secreted considerable EPS with polysaccharide content as high as 77.84 ± 2.05 mg/g SS, which provided a high density of adsorption sites for CLA. Up to 96.74% of CLA was degraded, 0.89% was adsorbed and 0.23% was accumulated. In this study, three degradation pathways of clarithromycin were hypothesized, with N-desmethyl-Clari, 2-Phospho-Clari and de-desotamine-Clari being the major degradation products. Expression of the specific degradation enzymes phosphotransferase and erythromycin esterase increased by 7.43-fold and 23.55-fold, respectively, compared to the control. Sphingopyxis was the dominant flora. The transcriptomics results showed that the bacterial-algal system resisted stress and degraded CLA through regulatory mechanisms that enhanced energy metabolism, substance exchange, signaling responses and attenuated competitive behavioral processes. In this study, a green and efficient CLA removal method was developed and theoretical support was provided for the treatment of CLA-containing wastewater. This study not only provides a viable and eco-friendly solution for the immediate remediation of clarithromycin-contaminated water but also offers a sustainable microbial-enhanced framework with promising potential for long-term application in the treatment of wastewater containing emerging refractory antibiotics.},
}

@article {pmid41789915,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, S and Li, Y and Xue, J and Hao, Y and Shaalan, MGA and Ghallab, EHS and Guo, Z and Jin, S and Fang, Y and I M Khater, E and Li, S},
title = {Metagenomic sequencing reveals viral diversity of mosquitoes from Egypt: co-circulation of multiple insect-specific viruses.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0213525},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.02135-25},
pmid = {41789915},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Mosquito-borne virus surveillance is pivotal for investigating mosquito viromes, facilitating understanding of viral evolutionary histories and genetic diversity. Natural viral communities in mosquitoes include not only insect-specific viruses (ISVs) but also viruses infecting symbiotic microorganisms. In this study, a total of 654 mosquito samples-encompassing species from the Aedes and Culex genera-were collected from Egypt and subjected to metagenomic sequencing analysis. Over 130 virus species were identified, grouped into 35 families or equivalent taxonomic ranks. Detected ISVs included Culex flavivirus (CxFV), Kustavi Toti-like virus, Hanko Toti virus 5, Culex phasma-like virus (CPLV), Culex Iflavi-like virus 1, Culex Iflavi-like virus 4, Guadeloupe Culex rhabdovirus (GCRV), and Sarawak virus, confirming concurrent ISV circulation in Egyptian mosquitoes. Phylogenetic analyses of these ISVs revealed their closest evolutionary affinities to viral genome sequences originating from the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Specifically, Egyptian CxFV strains exhibited a closer genetic relationship with the tropical lineage within the Latin American/Caribbean/Africa genotype. Furthermore, our study uncovered 10 putative novel viruses, which are distributed across seven viral families: Amagaviridae, Chrysoviridae, Mitoviridae, Totiviridae, Virgaviridae, Narnaviridae, and Orthomyxoviridae. Collectively, our findings emphasize the necessity for more in-depth investigations into arthropod viromes-encompassing both mosquitoes and ticks-in Egypt, as well as in neighboring African and Middle Eastern countries. Such research is critical for enhancing our understanding of viral diversity and evolutionary biology, elucidating their roles in mosquito-pathogen-host interactions, and exploring their potential as biocontrol agents against vector-borne diseases of public health importance.

IMPORTANCE: Mosquito-borne viruses are estimated to cause over 100 million human infections annually, making surveillance of these pathogens increasingly crucial amid growing international travel and trade. Egypt, situated in northeastern Africa, serves as a geopolitical and geographical hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa-a unique location that complicates the surveillance of mosquito-borne viruses. Arboviruses persist in nature through cyclical transmission between arthropod vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, and midges) and susceptible vertebrate hosts. Despite this, systematic investigations into mosquito viromes remain relatively scarce in Egypt. The present study aimed to explore the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of mosquito-associated viruses in Egypt using metaviromic sequencing. Our findings significantly expand the current knowledge of both known and previously uncharacterized mosquito-associated viruses in the region, while also providing complete genome sequences of several viruses that may infect arthropods or vertebrates, and potentially interfere with the replication of pathogenic arboviruses.},
}

@article {pmid41788917,
year = {2026},
author = {Cho, H and Glasgow, E and Mukund, V and Boyle, JA and Stinchcombe, JR},
title = {Simulated drought with Polyethylene-Glycol (PEG) decreases above-ground performance and increases nodulation in the legume Medicago lupulina.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2026},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41788917},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {We investigated drought growth responses in Medicago lupulina using PEG to simulate drought stress. We grew Medicago lupulina plants inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti in Magenta boxes under randomly assigned treatments: a control, PEG applied to the bottom (PEG added to the bottom-watering container), or PEG applied from the top (PEG poured over the growth media). PEG treatments significantly reduced above-ground growth but unexpectedly increased nodulation. Our results suggest that while PEG effectively simulates drought stress on above-ground growth parameters, it may not accurately simulate drought effects on rhizobial symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41788331,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, H and Yang, YY and Chokkakula, S and Sathishkumar, K and Alam, MM and Al-Sehemi, AG and Zhang, X and Chong, S and Jeyaraj, G},
title = {Fungi between threat and promise: global perspectives on health and innovation.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1743670},
pmid = {41788331},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Fungi play a dual role as indispensable ecological engineers and as major agents of disease in humans, animals, and plants. Recent estimates highlight their substantial impact, with millions of invasive infections annually and severe agricultural losses threatening food security. At the same time, fungi underpin ecosystem services such as decomposition, soil aggregation, and carbon sequestration, while also serving as prolific sources of enzymes, metabolites, and sustainable biomaterials. Advances in single-cell and spatial omics, cryo-electron microscopy, AlphaFold-based structural predictions, and machine learning applied to biosynthetic gene clusters are transforming the study of fungal pathogenicity, symbiosis, and metabolism. These approaches are shifting fungal research from descriptive biology toward predictive, translational pipelines that connect mechanistic insights to drug discovery, resistance management, and biotechnological innovation. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including antifungal resistance, climate-driven emergence of new pathogens, limited therapeutic options, and bottlenecks in scaling fungal applications for sustainability. Addressing these requires integrated One Health strategies that bridge clinical, agricultural, and environmental perspectives. By uniting structural biology, omics, genome editing, and computational tools within a global framework, fungal biology can be harnessed not only to mitigate emerging risks but also to drive innovations in medicine, agriculture, and green technologies.},
}

@article {pmid41787809,
year = {2026},
author = {Mapari, SV and Gaikwad, SB and Sutar, RR and Patil, RM and Behera, BC},
title = {From Symbiosis to Cytotoxicity: Biosynthesis, Molecular Mechanisms, and Anticancer Potential of Lichen-Derived Depsides and Depsidones.},
journal = {Chemistry & biodiversity},
volume = {23},
number = {3},
pages = {e02921},
doi = {10.1002/cbdv.202502921},
pmid = {41787809},
issn = {1612-1880},
support = {DBTHRDPMU/JRF/BET-20/I/2020/AL/112//Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Lichens/chemistry/metabolism ; *Depsides/pharmacology/chemistry/metabolism ; *Lactones/chemistry/pharmacology/metabolism ; *Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Animals ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology ; },
abstract = {Lichen is a unique symbiotic organism that consists of fungi and photosynthetic algae and or cyanobacteria. They are known for producing a large repository of secondary metabolites, among which depsides and depsidones gain pharmacological interest. This review meticulously examines the anticancer efficacy of lichen-derived depsides and depsidones, with a focus on their chemical composition, biosynthetic pathways, and molecular mechanisms that underpin their antitumor activities across various cancer cell lines. These compounds have shown notable bioactivities, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and suppression of critical oncogenic cascades such as cellular proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In some studies, they have shown their selectivity for malignant cells while having minimal cytotoxicity towards healthy cells. This review also addresses the challenges for isolation and large-scale production of these metabolites and also explores the aspect of chemical synthesis or designing of synthetic analogues to increase stability, potency, and pharmacokinetic profile. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the potential application of depsides and depsidones as natural anticancer drugs, as studies strongly recommend conducting further analysis using laboratory models.},
}

Humans
*Lichens/chemistry/metabolism
*Depsides/pharmacology/chemistry/metabolism
*Lactones/chemistry/pharmacology/metabolism
*Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/metabolism
Symbiosis
Cell Proliferation/drug effects
Apoptosis/drug effects
Animals
Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology

@article {pmid41787564,
year = {2026},
author = {Luo, F and Cai, Y and Cui, Y and He, X and Xu, J and Tang, W and Wang, X and Cai, Y and Xie, H and Chen, W and Li, W and Ding, X},
title = {Microbiome eco-evolution of cultivated and wild rice species across the genus Oryza and its importance in supporting rice growth.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s40168-026-02359-z},
pmid = {41787564},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {CARS-01-09//the earmarked fund for the China Agriculture Research System/ ; 32260023, 31560041//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 20232ACB205006//Key Project of Jiangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Crop wild relatives and their microbiomes are essential for sustainable crop production. However, the co-evolution of wild rice species and their microbiomes remains poorly understood. Herein, we investigated microbiome assembly across 17 wild rice and one cultivated rice species under controlled conditions spanning ~15 million years of evolution.

RESULTS: Our data reveal distinct eco-evolutionary patterns for bacteria and fungi. Host divergence time was the predominant driver of root microbiota structure, outweighing polyploidy and life cycle, and exerted a stronger effect on bacteria than fungi. Bacterial community exhibited a significant phylosymbiosis with its host, but fungi did not. Over evolutionary time, bacterial diversity decreased while phylogenetic clustering increased. Deterministic and stochastic processes co-drove bacteria assembly, whereas stochastic processes strongly drove fungi assembly. Potentially functional taxa, including nitrogen-fixing and methane-cycle bacteria, were differentially enriched across evolutionary time and polyploidization events. Notably, co-speciating bacteria better predicted grain weight than fungi, with core species making a major contribution. Using a synthetic community (SynCom) derived from the wild rice core microbiome and four nitrogen-fixing strains enriched in early- and medium-diverging Oryza species, we demonstrated that the SynCom strongly promoted rice growth, with the removal of key members markedly reducing its impact.

CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal co-phylogenetic patterns between Oryza and root-associated bacteria, highlighting the closer functional linkage between rice traits and bacteria than fungi, likely due to their co-evolution. Our findings provide new insights into crop-microbiome symbiosis from an eco-evolutionary perspective and underscore the importance of co-speciating microbiomes from wild relatives in supporting crop growth. Video Abstract.},
}

@article {pmid41786689,
year = {2026},
author = {Bao, X and Hou, B and Guo, Z and Song, L and Chen, H and Zheng, Q and Zhao, Y and Gao, D and Fan, C and Xiong, X and Sun, C and Zhao, J},
title = {Absolute dynamic and relative static: the relationship of glycolysis and OXPHOS in cancer development.},
journal = {Cell death discovery},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41420-026-02992-5},
pmid = {41786689},
issn = {2058-7716},
abstract = {For a significant period following the postulation of the Warburg effect, mitochondrial dysfunction and aerobic glycolysis were commonly accepted as the defining features of cancer. Currently, a deeper understanding of tumor metabolism has demonstrated that the energy phenotype of tumor cells is not solely glycolytic. Most cancer cells possess active mitochondria and still maintain the ability to undergo oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and utilize the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to support tumor growth. In this review, we examine the choice of energy supply pathways in tumor cells in both static and dynamic contexts. From a static standpoint, tumors contain cells that rely on glycolysis or OXPHOS for energy supply and demonstrate metabolic heterogeneity. Additionally, the simultaneous operation of glycolysis and OXPHOS establishes metabolic symbiosis. In contrast, cancer cells can also exhibit metabolic plasticity by dynamically shifting between glycolysis and OXPHOS to support tumor growth. This process is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the ever-changing tumor microenvironment, specific biological activities of tumor cells, and the effects of drug therapies. The relationship between glycolysis and OXPHOS suggests that in the process of cancer development, the stable state of energy metabolism is temporary, while the dynamic changes in energy metabolism are eternal, which is in line with the category of dialectical materialism and provides us with a new perspective for treating cancer.},
}

@article {pmid41785622,
year = {2026},
author = {Dörfler, P and Wolffers, M and Eggenberger, U and Kruspan, P and Kuba, M},
title = {Evaluation of alternative bed materials in fluidized bed incineration for ash recycling as supplementary cementitious material.},
journal = {Waste management (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {215},
number = {},
pages = {115413},
doi = {10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115413},
pmid = {41785622},
issn = {1879-2456},
abstract = {This study evaluates different alternative bed materials, sourced from waste materials, to replace quartz sand in fluidized bed incineration of wood. Using alternative bed materials is not only beneficial in terms of the circular economy, but it also aims at tailoring the chemical and mineralogical composition of the resulting bed ash to enable its use as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in sustainable cements. Seven alternative bed materials were investigated: Construction and demolition waste fine-fraction (CDW-ff), Electric arc furnace slag (EAF slag), Steel Refinement slag (SR slag), two types of used foundry sands, and Municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash. These materials are likely to present more latent hydraulic or pozzolanic properties than the commonly used quartz sand. The study focuses on (i) the physical and mechanical properties of the alternative bed materials relevant to fluidization, and (ii) their chemical and mineralogical properties relevant for upcycling as SCM. The developed testing scheme involves three stages from the laboratory to the pilot scale. First, materials were characterized using XRF, XRD, and particle analysis, followed by XRD-heating-stage, rotary kiln experiments, and cold-flow fluidization. Finally, the most promising materials (CDW-ff and EAF Slag) were tested in bench scale wood incineration reactors. The produced bed ash contains cement-reactive phases, indicating a high potential for use as SCM. This reuse option will help closing material cycles in the sense of a circular economy. These promising findings should be validated at industrial scale, through cement performance testing and critical evaluation of the composition of the resulting ash regarding heavy metal content.},
}

@article {pmid41785342,
year = {2026},
author = {Qiao, L and Sun, H and Tang, J and Hernández-Reyes, C and Lace, B and Knerr, J and Schulze, E and Lee, T and Keller, J and Libourel, C and Yao, J and Zhao, F and Ni, Y and Jia, Y and Xu, X and Yang, G and Zhang, L and Zhang, Y and Grosse, R and Tian, C and Oldroyd, GED and Delaux, PM and Ott, T and Liang, P},
title = {Nanodomain-localized formin gates symbiotic microbial entry in legume and solanaceous plants.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {391},
number = {6789},
pages = {1036-1045},
doi = {10.1126/science.adx8542},
pmid = {41785342},
issn = {1095-9203},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Medicago truncatula/microbiology/genetics/physiology ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics ; Nitrogen Fixation ; *Solanum lycopersicum/microbiology/genetics ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; Plant Root Nodulation/genetics ; Actins/metabolism ; *Microfilament Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Colonization of plant roots by symbionts requires substantial morphodynamic reorganization. Examples are actin-scaffolded microcompartments called infection pockets formed during root nodule symbiosis (RNS) by legumes. We demonstrate that the actin-binding formin SYFO2 is indispensable for rhizobial infection in Medicago truncatula, where it drives actin polymerization in phase-separated and symbiosis-specific nanodomains. SYFO2 also regulates symbiotically active arbuscules formed during mycorrhizal symbiosis in plants outside the nodulating clade, indicating that it was additionally recruited to promote rhizobial infections in legumes. As part of our aim to enable nitrogen fixation in nonlegumes, we activated endogenous SYFO2 by stably introducing the RNS master regulator NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) into the natural nonhost tomato. This demonstrates the possibility of recruiting arbuscular mycorrhizae-related genes into an engineered nodulation-specific pathway.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Medicago truncatula/microbiology/genetics/physiology
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
*Mycorrhizae/physiology/genetics
Nitrogen Fixation
*Solanum lycopersicum/microbiology/genetics
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism/chemistry
Plant Root Nodulation/genetics
Actins/metabolism
*Microfilament Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry

@article {pmid41784839,
year = {2026},
author = {Dymo, AM and Kozyulina, PY and Dolgikh, AV and Kantsurova, ES and Danko, KV and Pavlova, OA and Leonova, TS and Bovin, AD and Smirnova, NV and Kulesh, PA and Frolov, AA and Dolgikh, EA},
title = {Rhizobial Nod factors modulate reactive oxygen species, jasmonates, and pattern-recognizing receptors to suppress immune response.},
journal = {Plant molecular biology},
volume = {116},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41784839},
issn = {1573-5028},
support = {RSF 24-16-00180//Russian Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; *Cyclopentanes/metabolism ; *Receptors, Pattern Recognition/metabolism/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Oxylipins/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Plant Immunity ; *Rhizobium/physiology ; *Pisum sativum/microbiology/immunology/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism/immunology ; },
abstract = {Fine-tuning of the immune response plays a key role in legume-rhizobial symbiosis. Rhizobial Nod factors can suppress the defense responses during symbiosis, but the possible mechanisms of such regulation remain poorly understood. Here, we observe that Nod factors effectively suppress the expression of genes encoding defense markers (WRKYs, PRs, PALs), the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and reduce the content of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) LYK9 induced by treatment with deacetylated chitooligosaccharide CO8-DA in pea roots. Since PRR LYK9 may recognize both chitin/COs and peptidoglycan, it likely plays an important role in the activation of defense responses during rhizobial inoculation. To identify potential regulators through which Nod factors suppress the immune response in plants during symbiosis with rhizobia, proteome and transcriptome analyses were performed. This allowed identifying several potential candidates activated by Nod factors, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, which prevent excessive ROS accumulation and the development of oxidative stress. We also found ubiquitin ligases and ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes that may target PRRs activated in response to rhizobial inoculation. LYK9 degradation via ubiquitinylation was shown to prevent a hypersensitive response in plants. Nod factors activate enzymes involved in jasmonic acid biosynthesis, which in turn activates the transcription factor ABR1, suppressing the abscisic acid-induced responses and decreasing the immune response. Finally, we showed that LysM-receptor-like kinases PsLYK11/MtLYK11, probable homologs of Arabidopsis AtLYK3 in pea and Medicago, are involved in regulation of the immune response.},
}

*Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
*Cyclopentanes/metabolism
*Receptors, Pattern Recognition/metabolism/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Oxylipins/metabolism
Symbiosis
*Plant Immunity
*Rhizobium/physiology
*Pisum sativum/microbiology/immunology/genetics/metabolism
Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism/immunology

@article {pmid41781251,
year = {2026},
author = {Hasegawa, R and Poulin, R},
title = {Colorful parasites: an overlooked frontier in animal coloration research.},
journal = {Trends in parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2026.01.004},
pmid = {41781251},
issn = {1471-5007},
abstract = {The diverse coloration of animals has fascinated researchers over the past centuries. A growing body of evidence has documented the many functions of animal coloration, ranging from mate attraction to predator avoidance. Yet, the adaptive functions of parasite coloration have been largely neglected in this context, despite the fact that many parasites across diverse taxonomic groups exhibit colorful body patterns. In this opinion article, we discuss the potential adaptive functions of color in parasites. We first summarize some potential functions of parasite coloration based on an intensive review of the existing literature. We then propose several possible ecological, evolutionary, and biogeographical hypotheses regarding patterns in parasite coloration and outline future directions for this intriguing study frontier.},
}

@article {pmid41780388,
year = {2026},
author = {Guérineau, M and Mayer, J and Pedehour, P and Poinet, L},
title = {Exploring social acceptability of energy sufficiency policies.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {402},
number = {},
pages = {129104},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129104},
pmid = {41780388},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Energy sufficiency is increasingly recognized as a crucial component in achieving carbon neutrality and reducing human pressure on natural ecosystems. France has incorporated sufficiency as a key pillar of its energy transition, aiming for a 50% reduction in final energy consumption by 2050. While there is growing interest in sufficiency policies, it remains unclear whether there is social acceptance of the proposed measures. This paper employs an exploratory study and Q-method analysis to investigate the acceptability of sufficiency policies. Three distinct sufficiency strategies are identified: monitored sufficiency, symbiotic sufficiency and governed sufficiency. Our study shows that, while sufficiency measures are conceived as overarching policy tools, their acceptance by populations is far from guaranteed. We demonstrate that the level of acceptability is dependent on a number of individual parameters, including the level of maturity with regard to sufficiency practices, or personal values. Moreover, while policies based on governed sufficiency are more widely accepted, radical measures associated with symbiotic sufficiency appear to face greater resistance. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to balance political ambition with public acceptance in sufficiency strategies, suggesting that these should be adapted to local contexts and individual capacities.},
}

@article {pmid41780383,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, X and Liu, L and Fan, W and Liu, R and Yuan, H and Li, X},
title = {Enhancing methane production in anaerobic digestion of food waste by Fe-MOF and Fe-MOF-derived carbon composites: Insights into properties, multi-omics analyses, and mechanisms.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {402},
number = {},
pages = {129181},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129181},
pmid = {41780383},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {In this work, Fe-MOF and Fe-MOF-derived carbon composites (Fe-MDCs) derived at 300, 500, and 700 °C were first applied in anaerobic digestion to achieve efficient renewable energy production from food waste. The enhancement mechanism of methane yield was further explored using metagenomic and metaproteomic analysis. The results showed that compared with the control group, methane yield was enhanced by 9.66%-13.99%, 16.21%-23.56%, and 7.99%-19.84% in Fe-MOF, Fe-MDC-500, and Fe-MDC-700 groups, respectively. Among them, Fe-MDC-500 possessed superior electronic conductivity and a higher specific surface area, which was beneficial for improving methane production by facilitating interspecies electron transfer and providing abundant surface sites for microbial attachment. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that the functional microorganisms, key genes related to methane metabolism, and the activity of corresponding coenzymes were increased in Fe-MOF, Fe-MDC-500, and Fe-MDC-700 groups. The poor syntrophic interaction resulted in the lowest methane yield under Fe-MOF-300 addition. Metaproteomic analysis indicated that the expressions of proteins related to quorum sensing system, transcription, and translation were also up-regulated, indicating that Fe-MDC-500 potentially promoted microbial communication among methanogenic and symbiotic microorganisms, ultimately boosting the metabolic activity of anaerobic digestion system. Meanwhile, the expressions of vital proteins involved in enzyme synthesis and catalytic bioconversion, including RNA polymerase, Ribosome, and Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, were significantly upregulated. This research clarified the mechanism of exogenous materials enhanced methane production by elucidating the key metabolic pathways and functional genes, which provided valuable insights for optimizing energy recovery system.},
}

@article {pmid41779834,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, M and Li, Y and Mao, SH and Zhang, Z and Chen, C and Nie, X and Liu, X and Wang, H and Liu, X and Zhang, W and Lin, Q and Zhuang, GC and Sun, J},
title = {Intricate chemosymbiosis in a widespread shallow-water thyasirid clam.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {12},
number = {10},
pages = {eadw8163},
pmid = {41779834},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Bivalvia/microbiology/physiology/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Gills/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Chemosynthetic symbioses between animals and bacteria are common in marine ecosystems, but the symbioses in shallow-water thyasirid clams inhabiting suboxic sediments remain understudied despite their widespread occurrence. Here, we report that the shallow-water thyasirid clam Thyasira tokunagai, dominant in Yellow Sea sediments, harbors sulfur-oxidizing Sedimenticola symbionts in pouch-like structures on the gill; the symbionts exhibit highly consistent genomic content and functionality across the region. Two phylotypes of symbionts are present, differing by a single base in the 16S rRNA gene while sharing key functional genes with minimal differences. Spatial metabarcoding analyses of gills showed that individuals also vary in the level of spatial heterogeneity concerning the two phylotypes. These symbionts exhibit active Calvin cycle gene expressions and close-knit host-symbiont metabolic integration. Furthermore, we estimated the capacity of dissolved inorganic carbon assimilation in the live holobiont by radiocarbon tracing (29.3 ± 8.7 nmol C·clam[-1]·day[-1]). Our findings provide the basis for understanding chemosymbiosis in thyasirid clams, highlight the potential of T. tokunagai as a model for studying symbiosis, and underscore the ecological significance of shallow-water chemosymbioses overall.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Bivalvia/microbiology/physiology/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Phylogeny
*Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism
Ecosystem
Gills/microbiology

@article {pmid41779084,
year = {2026},
author = {Mallmann, GC and Tomazelli, D and Camargo, LS and da Cruz, SP and de Oliveira Filho, LCI and Sousa, JP and Klauberg-Filho, O},
title = {Risk assessment of fungicides on symbiotic phase of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.},
journal = {Ecotoxicology (London, England)},
volume = {35},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41779084},
issn = {1573-3017},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: The widespread use of plant protection products (PPPs) may lead to soil contamination, potentially compromising the symbiotic integrity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in agricultural systems. However, the effects of PPPs on AMF are underexplored due to the absence of standardized methodology for ecotoxicological assessments. The objective of this study was to introduce an in vivo method for assessing the effects of PPP pollutants on the AMF symbiotic phase and to evaluate the suitability of this method as an intermediate-tier protocol in risk assessment frameworks. Four tests were conducted using combinations of: (1) Gigaspora albida + Glycine max; (2) G. albida + Urochloa brizantha; (3) Rhizophagus clarus + G. max; (4) R. clarus + U. brizantha). All assays were performed in tropical artificial soil (TAS) under a gradient of chlorothalonil concentrations (0, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 72 mg a.i. kg[-][1]). The evaluated endpoints included total root colonization, percentage of arbuscules colonization, total extraradical mycelial length (ERM), and spore number. All endpoints were sensitive to the presence of PPPs in TAS, with mycorrhizal colonization and ERM being the most sensitive, meeting the validity criteria (CV < 30%). The Inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for all endpoints were higher than the predicted environmental concentrations (PECs). Therefore, this method can be considered suitable as an intermediate-tier protocol, as it exhibits key characteristics of a standardized approach and can be applied to ecotoxicological studies involving other potentially contaminating PPPs, as well as additional classes of environmental contaminants.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10646-026-03059-y.},
}