@article {pmid41635081,
year = {2026},
author = {Hong, K and Yang, X and Tan, Y and Liu, Y and Xia, Q and Zeng, L and Zou, L and Wan, K and Zhang, Y and Kang, S and Huang, T and Lv, W and Jia, R and Wei, Y and Chen, Q and Wang, Y and Zhao, Y and Wu, Y and Yu, J and Zhang, H and Wang, B and Yan, J and Chu, J and Tang, X and Zhang, Y and Bucher, M and Wang, Y and Xue, L and Wang, Q and Li, J and Xiong, G},
title = {Presymbiotic activation of karrikin signaling creates a permissive state for arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis by derepressing the NSP1-NSP2-SLR1 transcriptional complex in rice.},
journal = {Molecular plant},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.molp.2026.01.014},
pmid = {41635081},
issn = {1752-9867},
abstract = {The establishment of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) is crucial for the survival of many terrestrial plants in nutrient-poor environments. This symbiotic relationship begins with complex chemical communication that reprograms transcriptional responses in host plants to facilitate the symbiotic relationship. However, the precise mechanisms regulating mutual recognition and commitment between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and host plants remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified the NSP1-NSP2-SLR1-SMAX1 module as a central regulatory hub operating downstream of the phosphate starvation response (PSR), gibberellin (GA), and karrikin (KAR) signaling pathways to control presymbiotic transcriptional responses necessary for AMS establishment. Phosphorus starvation upregulate the transcription of NSP1 and NSP2, which control the expression of genes involved in strigolactone production and mycorrhizal factor recognition. We found that SLR1, the DELLA protein in the GA signaling pathway in rice, interacts with NSP2 and enhances the transcriptional activity of the NSP1-NSP2 complex. Additionally, SLR1 interacts with SMAX1, a repressor of the KAR signaling pathway. The presence of AMF activates the KAR signaling pathway, which relieves the SMAX1-mediated repression of the transcriptional activity of NSP1-NSP2-SLR1, thereby triggering a transcriptional host response signatures at the presymbiotic stage of AMS. Our findings reveal the function of the NSP1-NSP2-SLR1-SMAX1 module in integrating multiple signals to establish a permissive state for AMS in rice. While activation of the KAR signaling pathway by AMF is necessary, it alone is not sufficient to ensure successful root mycorrhizal colonization; activation of the common symbiosis signaling pathway (CSSP) by AMF is also required. This study advances our understanding of how molecular communication between AMF and host plants orchestrates for the establishment of AMS.},
}

@article {pmid41635060,
year = {2026},
author = {Zeng, Z and Luan, L and Li, P and Zheng, J and Wang, X and Zhou, S and Jiang, Y},
title = {Protist predation stimulates peanut productivity by promoting the diversity of rare nitrogen-fixing bacteria.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.70952},
pmid = {41635060},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {42425704//National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars/ ; 2023YFD1900300-3//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 42477313//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 42577325//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2025J010024//Outstanding Youth Science Foundation of Fujian Province/ ; BK20242111//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; },
abstract = {The root nodule symbiosis between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) acts as an important nitrogen source in terrestrial ecosystems. NFB in soil are affected by top-down predation in the food web. However, how protist predation affects abundant and rare sub-communities of NFB remains virtually unknown, limiting the exploitation of soil food webs to promote plant productivity. Here, a 10-yr field experiment combined with a glasshouse experiment was conducted to explore the effects of protist predation on abundant and rare NFB under organic material amendments. Our results revealed that organic material amendments increased the diversity of rare NFB and phagotrophic protists, but decreased the relative abundance of abundant NFB Correlation analysis combined with the glasshouse experiment suggested that protist predation decreased the relative abundance of NFB abundant taxa, but increased the diversity of rare taxa, which further promoted the cytokinin content and decreased the ethylene content in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) roots. Subsequent changes in plant hormones regulated the expression of genes involved in rhizobial infection, nodule organogenesis, and bacteroid differentiation, thereby promoting nodulation and increasing peanut yield. Overall, our findings provide unique insights into the interactions between phagotrophic protists and NFB, highlighting their links with plant productivity via predation-stimulated symbiotic nitrogen fixation.},
}

@article {pmid41634543,
year = {2026},
author = {Rabeh, M and Shahrokh, S and Akbari, M and Ansari, N and Siavash, M and Yazdi, M},
title = {The spectrum of nasal colonization: frequency and resistant patterns in diabetes versus non-diabetes population.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12866-026-04751-z},
pmid = {41634543},
issn = {1471-2180},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The nasal cavity serves as a primary contact site and is a common location for colonization by symbiotic, opportunistic, and potentially pathogenic bacteria. Diabetic patients are more susceptible to colonization by opportunistic microorganisms due to impaired immune function, altered normal flora, and increased exposure to healthcare. This study aimed to investigate the nasal colonization of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Enterobacteriaceae) bacteria in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, assessing phenotypic traits including antibiotic resistance and biofilm production, as well as investigating the presence of resistant genes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, nasal swabs were collected from 150 diabetic and 150 non-diabetic individuals. Isolates were identified and evaluated phenotypically (Antibiotic resistance using the disk diffusion method and biofilm formation by the microtiter plate method) and genotypically (resistance genes including mecA, blaCTX, blaSHV, and blaTEM) by PCR.

RESULTS: The rate of S. aureus colonization was higher in diabetics (18.7%) than in non-diabetics (12.7%) and MRSA colonization was significantly higher in diabetics (8% vs. 1.3%). High antibiotic resistance was not observed except for tetracycline (nearly 50%) in S. aureus isolates from both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of MDR S. aureus between the diabetic (32.1%) and non-diabetic (31.6%) groups. Enterobacteriaceae colonization was 3.3% in diabetics and 7.3% in non-diabetics. Although none were phenotypically ESBL-positive, blaCTX, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes were present in about 40% of the isolates.

CONCLUSION: Nasal MRSA colonization was more common among diabetic patients than non-diabetics. The findings of this study highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of nasal colonization of MRSA in different populations and settings, which may lead to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies to control infections caused by nasal colonization.},
}

@article {pmid41633503,
year = {2026},
author = {Scabbio, E and Santoiemma, G and Cavaletto, G and Biedermann, PHW and Ranger, CM and Gugliuzzo, A and Cambronero-Heinrichs, JC and Rassati, D},
title = {Three-dimensional gallery system reconstruction reveals more frequent intraspecific than interspecific interactions in ambrosia beetles.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {293},
number = {2064},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2025.2280},
pmid = {41633503},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {//University of Padua/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Coleoptera/physiology ; *Weevils/physiology ; },
abstract = {Ambrosia beetle gallery systems are typically excavated into the xylem of host trees by a single mated female and are generally considered to function as independent units. However, field observations suggest that interactions among gallery systems may also occur. Using X-ray tomography to obtain three-dimensional reconstructions of ambrosia beetle galleries in flood-stressed and ethanol-injected trees, we found that intersections, where two or more galleries excavated by different females merge at one or more points, and intrusions, where a female begins excavating her gallery from within a gallery previously abandoned by another female of a larger species, are recurrent phenomena. We also observed that intraspecific intersections were generally more frequent than interspecific ones, regardless of tree treatment. These intraspecific intersections may represent a potential mechanism for cross-fertilization among the offspring of different founding females, thereby potentially increasing opportunities for outbreeding in these otherwise inbreeding species. Interspecific intersections, which could potentially facilitate lateral transfer of symbionts, occurred less frequently than expected, suggesting that ambrosia beetles may actively avoid such interactions. Overall, our study highlights that interactions among gallery systems may play a key role in shaping ambrosia beetle communities and their symbiotic networks, warranting further investigation.},
}

Animals
Female
*Coleoptera/physiology
*Weevils/physiology

@article {pmid41632429,
year = {2026},
author = {Yin, H and Wang, C and Zhao, K and Zhao, J and Chen, L and Zhang, H and Cao, S and Liu, J},
title = {Probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii RS-7 Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation Via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.},
journal = {Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41632429},
issn = {1867-1314},
support = {25zx7108//Southwest University of Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {Developing novel probiotics can help in preventing livestock diarrhea and associated intestinal diseases. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are symbiotic intestinal bacteria, which contribute to gastrointestinal tract health. An LAB strain, designated L. johnsonii RS-7, was isolated from the feces of healthy adult pigs and was resistant to acidic conditions and bile salts. In vitro evaluation showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting its potential application in alleviating intestinal inflammation. An artificially induced colitis model was established in mice to investigate the efficacy of L. johnsonii RS-7. Results indicated that mice administered water containing 3% DSS developed pronounced colitis symptoms, characterized by weight loss, elevated disease activity index, shortened colon length, microvilli shedding, tight junction disruption, reduced goblet cell counts, suppression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, and impaired gut microbiota diversity. These suggest that oral administration of L. johnsonii RS-7 significantly alleviated colitis symptoms. In summary, L. johnsonii RS-7 acted as a probiotic by inhibiting activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.},
}

@article {pmid41631719,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, L and Chen, Y and Zhu, R and Shi, K and Tu, T and Han, Q and Chen, X},
title = {NF-YAc-stimulated WOX5 expression reprograms cortical cells for nodule primordium initiation in soybean.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag051},
pmid = {41631719},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Reprogramming of differentiated root cortical cells into proliferative stem cells is the prerequisite for legume nodule organogenesis, yet the molecular trigger that confers stem-cell identity upon these cortical cells remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that, in soybean (Glycine max), the canonical root stem-cell regulator WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX gene WOX5 is activated by rhizobia specifically in cortical cells that will give rise to nodule primordia. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the three WOX5 homologs, wox5abc mutants reduced nodule number and attenuated nitrogenase activity, attributable to a decrease in primordium density rather than impaired rhizobia infection. Promoter dissection identified a 442 bp legume-specific promoter fragment within the WOX5a promoter that is both necessary and sufficient for primordium-specific expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assays revealed that this promoter fragment is directly bound by the symbiosis-responsive transcription factor NF-YAc to activate expression of WOX5a. Loss of NF-YAc phenocopied wox5abc, and NF-YAc overexpression failed to rescue nodulation in wox5abc mutants. Collectively, our findings reveal that NF-YAc-mediated activation of WOX5 initiates a de novo stem-cell niche in root cortical cells, providing the critical developmental trigger for nodule primordium initiation in soybean.},
}

@article {pmid41631036,
year = {2025},
author = {Bi, Y and Zhang, Q and He, Y and Ding, Y and Tian, H and Zeng, F and Lyu, K and Li, H and Lyu, S and Fan, Y},
title = {Creation and resistance evaluation of a new soybean germplasm rich in betalain.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1743684},
pmid = {41631036},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {The betalain biosynthesis system (RUBY) exhibits a stable cross-species coloration advantage in plant genetic transformation. As a visually detectable genetic marker (visible to the naked eye), the color marker holds enormous application potential in positive selection of transgenic plants, identification of hybrids between different plant varieties, haploid selection, and other research. However, when applying the RUBY to plant-microbe interaction research, it is necessary to clarify whether the biosynthesis of betalain and its accumulation in plant tissues and organs alter the plant-microbe interaction processes, including symbiotic or antagonistic relationships. In this study, RUBY transgenic soybean was created. There were no significant differences in nodule number, fresh weight, and dry weight of nodule between the RUBY transgenic line and wildtype soybean after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The biosynthesis and accumulation of betalain did not affect the infection and colonization of rhizobia. The RUBY transgenic line and wildtype soybean were inoculated with Phomopsis longicolla. The results showed that the biosynthesis and accumulation of betalain did not alter the infection and spread of P. longicolla. In field experiments, investigations found that the number of adult brown planthoppers and their eggs attached to the leaves of the RUBY transgenic line was extremely significantly lower than that of the wildtype soybean. This indicates that betalain accumulation may endow soybean with a repellent effect against herbivorous insects. This work revealed that the heterologous biosynthesis and accumulation of betalain in soybean neither affect the nodulation ability of soybean with rhizobia, nor interfere with the infection of soybean by pathogenic bacteria, but also reduce the damage caused by brown planthoppers to soybean. Analysis of the field investigation data on agronomic traits indicated that transgenic soybeans with low betalain content, exerted no adverse effects. In contrast, the transgenic soybean with high betalain content, exhibited negative impacts on node number on main stem, plant height, and yield.},
}

@article {pmid41629797,
year = {2026},
author = {Metwally, RA and Azb, MA and El-Demerdash, MM and Abdelhameed, RE},
title = {Priority impacts of plant growth promoting fungi and proline under NaCl stress: boosting chickpea plants tolerance and performance.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-08096-7},
pmid = {41629797},
issn = {1471-2229},
abstract = {Soil salinity threatens global agriculture by impairing plant growth, crop productivity, and soil health. This study was conducted to assess the impact of salinity on chickpea performance at the vegetative stage and the possible ameliorating role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and proline applications. A greenhouse experiment with 30 pots (5 replicates × 6 treatments) subjected half the treatments to 200 mM NaCl, AMF was applied at sowing, and proline was sprayed two weeks post-planting. Total pigments dramatically decreased [49.18%] in salt-stressed chickpea. Biomass, protein and carbohydrate metabolism were also affected. For instance, plant height and total fresh weight (TFW) showed inhibitions of 37.83% and 72.19% as compared to control. Conversely, chickpea under salt stress had an increased accumulation of H2O2 (13.12 mg/g DW) and higher electrolyte leakage (54.72%), however, proline or AMF supplementation decreased their levels. Also, the total protein content and antioxidant enzymes were higher in salt-stressed treatments. Under stress, the total carbohydrate contents in chickpea leaves were significantly enhanced by AMF inoculation (23.44%) and proline application (19.43%), when compared to the control. Moreover, salinity led to distortion of chickpea leaf anatomy including a decrease in upper and lower epidermis thickness, vessel numbers, as well as degradation of palisade and spongy parenchyma. Salinity also disrupted ion balance, increasing Na[+] and decreasing K[+] (lower K[+]/Na[+] ratio), which elevated H2O2 levels and membrane leakage. These results revealed that AMF as a symbiotic microorganism and proline as a well-known osmoprotectant perform several tasks to alleviate NaCl stress by decreasing Na[+] uptake, H2O2 content and membrane leakage. Subsequently, an enhancement in growth criteria, pigment fraction and carbohydrates was achieved with their applications under NaCl stress. Most obviously their applications maintained the chickpea leaf anatomy. As an innovative approach, we propose that AMF inoculation or proline application can reverse salinity-induced damage, offering a pathway to enhance crop tolerance in salt-affected regions.},
}

@article {pmid41627504,
year = {2026},
author = {Ranjithkumar, V and Ajithkumar, V and Gayathri, G},
title = {Symbiotic weaponry: the role of bacterial mediators in aphid-plant defense conflicts.},
journal = {Archives of microbiology},
volume = {208},
number = {4},
pages = {158},
pmid = {41627504},
issn = {1432-072X},
}

@article {pmid41627043,
year = {2026},
author = {Tan, Y and Liang, J and Yi, Q},
title = {Study on geographic differentiation and environment-host synergistic assembly mechanism of root-associated fungal communities in Paphiopedilum purpuratum.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0257325},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.02573-25},
pmid = {41627043},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {The orchid-fungus symbiosis is fundamental to orchid survival and reproduction; however, the diversity patterns and assembly mechanisms of the root-associated mycobiota in Paphiopedilum purpuratum remain inadequately characterized. We utilized high-throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 region to investigate the composition, diversity, sources, and assembly processes of the endophytic fungal communities across eight geographically distinct populations, with complementary profiling of rhizosphere soil fungi. Our results indicated that Ascomycota constituted the dominant phylum within the root mycobiota, while core taxonomic groups exhibited pronounced geographic differentiation at both family and genus levels. Significant inter-population disparities in α-diversity metrics reflected underlying community compositional divergence. Environmental variables, particularly longitude, exerted a stronger influence on community structure than biotic factors. Approximately 44.05% of root fungal operational taxonomic units were soil-derived, and the host plant selectively enriched fungal taxa, most of which possessed unknown trophic modes. Community assembly processes were compartment-specific: the root endophytic mycobiota was primarily governed by stochastic ecological drift, whereas the rhizosphere communities were predominantly shaped by deterministic dispersal limitation. This compartment-specific assembly was evidenced by the prevalence of stochastic processes (|βNTI| < 2) in the root endosphere, contrasting with the dominance of deterministic processes (|βNTI| > 2) in the rhizosphere. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed higher connectivity and robustness in the endophytic mycobiota. The interaction network between orchid mycorrhizal fungi and other root-associated soil fungi formed an efficient and stable functional system whose complexity showed population-specific differentiation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate clear geographic divergence in the root fungal communities of P. purpuratum and underscore a synergistic environment-host assembly mechanism, thereby providing critical ecological insights for informing conservation strategies for this endangered orchid.IMPORTANCEThis study investigates the root-associated fungal communities of the endangered orchid Paphiopedilum purpuratum across its geographical distribution. We identified clear geographical differentiation in community composition and diversity, predominantly driven by abiotic factors-particularly longitude-rather than biotic factors. A key finding reveals that 44% of root fungal taxa originate from the soil, indicating active host-mediated selection. A fundamental dichotomy in assembly mechanisms was observed: stochastic ecological drift dominated within roots, whereas deterministic dispersal limitation prevailed in the rhizosphere. Co-occurrence networks demonstrated that the root fungal community is highly connected and robust, suggesting a stable functional system. Our findings elucidate the synergistic roles of environment and host in shaping fungal assembly, providing novel insights into orchid-fungus symbiosis with theoretical implications for mycorrhizal ecology and practical relevance for conservation strategies.},
}

@article {pmid41626866,
year = {2026},
author = {Nozaki, H and Matsuzaki, R and Takahashi, K and Ueki, N and Higashiyama, T and Kawachi, M and Tanabe, Y},
title = {Distribution of rickettsial endosymbionts and their possible transmission within the Pleodorina japonica (Volvocales, Chlorophyceae) population.},
journal = {Journal of phycology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jpy.70131},
pmid = {41626866},
issn = {1529-8817},
support = {24K08946//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; },
abstract = {The green alga Pleodorina japonica is an interesting volvocine species that harbors abundant rickettsial endosymbionts ("MIDORIKO") within its cytoplasm. However, the diversity and transmission of these endosymbionts within the species remain unclear. In this study, we examined the presence or absence of "MIDORIKO" and the genetic diversity in 21 culture strains of the host P. japonica population from various localities in Japan. Genomic polymerase chain reactions using "MIDORIKO"-specific primers and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-staining demonstrated that only five of the 21 strains harbored "MIDORIKO." The 16S ribosomal DNA sequences of "MIDORIKO" from these five strains (1148 bp) were identical to each other and distinct from the sequences of the rickettsial endosymbionts harbored by other algal species and protists, suggesting that "MIDORIKO" from P. japonica is specific to P. japonica. The phylogenetic results for the 21 host strains, which were resolved based on three nuclear genes encoding oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 1, F1F0 ATP synthase subunit beta and actin disagreed significantly. None of the three gene phylogenies supported the close relationship of the five "MIDORIKO"-harboring strains. A recombination test using the three concatenated genes provided strong evidence of recombination. Therefore, gene flow by sexual reproduction has likely occurred in the natural habitats of P. japonica. The transmission of "MIDORIKO" among different P. japonica genotypes could also be considered to occur via sexual reproduction, although it is likely infrequent via that method given the sporadic nature of "MIDORIKO" within the P. japonica population. Although P. japonica exhibits homothallic sexual reproduction, the present genetic data demonstrate that it is undoubtedly a biological species.},
}

@article {pmid41626864,
year = {2026},
author = {Mendonça, IRW and Oliveira, MC},
title = {Microbiota associated with benthic Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae): From morphological structures to geographically dispersed populations.},
journal = {Journal of phycology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jpy.70129},
pmid = {41626864},
issn = {1529-8817},
support = {2018/17843-4//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 2020/09406-3//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 142189/2018-9//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; 304776/2022-0//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; 001//CAPES/ ; },
abstract = {Seaweed-associated microbiota distribution is influenced by factors such as symbiosis, season, life cycle, environmental conditions, and geographic location. This study investigated how microbial communities vary across different parts of benthic Sargassum thalli from nine locations spanning three regions over 600 km apart along Brazil's coast, with sites in each region within 20 km of each other. Using 16S rDNA gene sequencing of the V4 region, we identified 16,802 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), with 1169 shared across thallus structures and 1100 shared across regions. Our analysis showed that microbial communities varied both along the thallus and between regions, though communities were similar within regions less than 20 km apart. Among thallus structures, the holdfast had the most distinct microbiota, differing from the phylloid and receptacle. This pattern was consistent across Brazil's coastline and has also been observed in studies from Singapore and Portugal. The holdfast microbiota was marked by an unidentified Alphaproteobacteria, along with sulfur-cycling families Desulfocapsaceae and Desulfosarcinaceae. Phylloids and receptacles were mainly associated with photosynthetic cyanobacteria. We also identified shared taxonomic biomarkers across Sargassum species from Asia, Europe, and South America. These results suggest that the microbiota are more influenced by the thallus structure than by geographic location. These consistent patterns across Sargassum species from different continents-Asia, Europe, and South America-support the hypothesis of microbiota specialization within morphological niches.},
}

@article {pmid41626782,
year = {2026},
author = {Walser, ON and Pathak, E and Banuelos, AI and Rossbach, S},
title = {Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase XoxF Confers a Competitive Advantage to Sinorhizobium meliloti During Symbiosis with Medicago sativa.},
journal = {Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0110-R},
pmid = {41626782},
issn = {0894-0282},
abstract = {The recent discovery of the lanthanide(Ln)-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (Ln-MDH) XoxF has expanded the spectrum of bacteria recognized for methylotrophic metabolism. Many bacteria, including rhizobia, have historically escaped being categorized as methylotrophs because they exclusively produce XoxF-type Ln MDHs and entirely lack the long-studied calcium-dependent methanol dehydrogenase MxaFI. We report that the XoxF-type Ln-MDH encoded by the smb20173 gene is the sole methanol dehydrogenase that supports methylotrophic growth of Sinorhizobium meliloti. The lanthanides that consistently supported growth of S. meliloti in minimal media with methanol included lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium. Based on genome, whole-transcriptome, and mutant phenotype analyses, we propose a metabolic model for Ln-dependent methylotrophy in S. meliloti wherein oxidation of one-carbon compounds, such as methanol, generate the reducing power needed to assimilate carbon via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle. By investigating how these newfound insights about lanthanides reshape our understanding of the methylotrophic capabilities of rhizobia, we explored how methanol produced by plants has the potential to create a nutritional niche in the rhizosphere. Using a Medicago sativa (alfalfa) nodule occupancy assay, we found that a xoxF mutant strain was outcompeted by the wild-type strain only when lanthanides were available, suggesting that Ln-dependent methylotrophy promotes an efficient rhizobia-legume symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41626691,
year = {2026},
author = {Nguyen, TNG and Kamal, MM and Lin, CL and Leu, JY},
title = {Splicing regulation and intron evolution in the short-intron ciliate model of endosymbiosis Paramecium bursaria.},
journal = {Nucleic acids research},
volume = {54},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/nar/gkag063},
pmid = {41626691},
issn = {1362-4962},
support = {AS-IA-110-L01//Academia Sinica/ ; AS-GCS-113-L03//Academia Sinica/ ; //National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan/ ; 113-2326-B-001-002//NSTC/ ; 112-2628-B-001-009//NSTC/ ; 113-2811-B-001-065//NSTC/ ; //Institute of Molecular Biology/ ; //Academia Sinica/ ; },
mesh = {*Introns/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Paramecium/genetics ; *RNA Splicing ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Chlorella/genetics/physiology ; Spliceosomes/genetics/metabolism ; Alternative Splicing ; },
abstract = {The integration of symbionts into host cells during endosymbiosis significantly alters gene expression and cell physiology. Though alternative splicing facilitates cellular adaptation through rapid modulation of gene expression and protein isoform diversity, its regulatory role during endosymbiosis remains poorly understood. Paramecium bursaria, which harbors hundreds of Chlorella variabilis algae within its cytoplasm, offers a powerful model to study splicing during endosymbiosis, especially given its exceptionally short introns (median ∼24 nt). Using time-course RNA sequencing of symbiotic and aposymbiotic cells, we found that splicing, especially of 5' proximal introns, enhances gene expression. Moreover, we identified 883 genes with differentially spliced introns, particularly enriched in transmembrane transporters essential for establishing nutrient exchange between a host cell and algal symbionts. Splicing regulation correlated with expression changes in conserved spliceosome components, implicating that these factors act as splicing enhancers or repressors during symbiosis. By exploring intron orthology across ciliates, we found that conserved introns exhibited more efficient splicing, characterized by lower GC content and uniform length, suggesting that intron evolution favors features that optimize expression. Our study reveals how splicing contributes to host adaptation during endosymbiosis and highlights the evolutionary dynamics of short introns in eukaryotes.},
}

*Introns/genetics
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Paramecium/genetics
*RNA Splicing
*Evolution, Molecular
Chlorella/genetics/physiology
Spliceosomes/genetics/metabolism
Alternative Splicing

@article {pmid41626682,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, F and Singh, J and Kumar, A},
title = {Symbiotic Advantage Beyond Root Architecture: How AMF Levels the Playing Field for Phosphorus Uptake in Sorghum.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70425},
pmid = {41626682},
issn = {1365-3040},
}

@article {pmid41626677,
year = {2026},
author = {Bristy, SA and Hossain, MA and Hasan, MI and Mahmud, SMH and Moni, MA and Rahman, MH},
title = {An integrated complete-genome sequencing and systems biology approach to predict antimicrobial resistance genes in the virulent bacterial strains of Moraxella catarrhalis.},
journal = {Briefings in functional genomics},
volume = {25},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/bfgp/elaf027},
pmid = {41626677},
issn = {2041-2657},
mesh = {*Moraxella catarrhalis/genetics/pathogenicity/drug effects ; *Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics ; *Systems Biology/methods ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Whole Genome Sequencing ; Humans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Virulence/genetics ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; },
abstract = {Moraxella catarrhalis is a symbiotic as well as mucosal infection-causing bacterium unique to humans. Currently, it is considered as one of the leading factors of acute middle ear infection in children. As M. catarrhalis is resistant to multiple drugs, the treatment is unsuccessful; therefore, innovative and forward-thinking approaches are required to combat the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To better comprehend the numerous processes that lead to antibiotic resistance in M. catarrhalis, we have adopted a computational method in this study. From the NCBI-Genome database, we investigated 12 strains of M. catarrhalis. We explored the interaction network comprising 74 antimicrobial-resistant genes found by analyzing M. catarrhalis bacterial strains. Moreover, to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the AMR system, clustering and the functional enrichment analysis were assessed employing AMR gene interactions networks. According to the findings of our assessment, the majority of the genes in the network were involved in antibiotic inactivation; antibiotic target replacement, alteration and antibiotic efflux pump processes. Additionally, rpoB, atpA, fusA, groEL and rpoL have the highest frequency of relevant interactors in the interaction network and are therefore regarded as the hub nodes. These hub genes only reflects their centrality in cellular function, rather than direct or selective targets for antimicrobial development without reservation. Finally, we believe that our findings could be useful to advance knowledge of the AMR system present in M. catarrhalis via a series of phenotypic assays including MIC testing, and gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR) to confirm the functional expression of AMR genes.},
}

*Moraxella catarrhalis/genetics/pathogenicity/drug effects
*Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
*Systems Biology/methods
*Genome, Bacterial
*Whole Genome Sequencing
Humans
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Virulence/genetics
Gene Regulatory Networks

@article {pmid41626549,
year = {2025},
author = {Dong, Z and Chen, C and Liao, C and Chen, XM},
title = {Integrating large language models and affective computing for human-machine symbiosis in intelligent driving.},
journal = {Innovation (Cambridge (Mass.))},
volume = {6},
number = {12},
pages = {101014},
pmid = {41626549},
issn = {2666-6758},
}

@article {pmid41626324,
year = {2025},
author = {Yu, L and Zhang, M and Zhang, S and Chen, M and Yuan, M and Huang, J and Chen, W and Zhang, Y},
title = {Root enhancement improves rhizosphere nutrient availability and promotes growth in flue-cured tobacco.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1728181},
pmid = {41626324},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Enhancing root development can profoundly reshape rhizosphere symbioses that influence nutrient uptake and plant growth. However, the mechanisms linking root optimization, rhizosphere microbial assembly, and nutrient dynamics in flue-cured tobacco remain insufficiently understood.

METHODS: A field experiment was conducted using flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. Yunyan 87) to compare an enhanced-root treatment (nutrient-bag seedling system under alternating moisture) with conventional floating seedling cultivation. Root traits, rhizosphere nutrient availability, soil enzyme activities, microbial community composition, plant nutrient accumulation, and mediation relationships among root traits, rhizosphere environment, and plant growth were evaluated.

RESULTS: The enhanced-root treatment significantly increased root length and root volume (up to 65.6% and 51.5%, respectively). Rhizosphere function was improved, as indicated by higher available phosphorus (+51.7%) and urease activity (+29.6%). Microbial community composition shifted toward beneficial taxa, including enrichment of Rhizobiaceae and Actinobacteria. These changes were associated with greater nutrient acquisition, increasing total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium accumulation by 13-14%. Mediation analysis further demonstrated that the rhizosphere environment fully mediated the positive effects of root optimization on plant growth, supporting a causal chain of "root system → rhizosphere symbiosis → plant performance."

DISCUSSION: Structural and functional enhancement of roots strengthens plant-microbe symbiosis and promotes nutrient cycling, thereby improving tobacco growth and nutrient accumulation. These findings provide a mechanistic framework for root-based strategies to enhance tobacco productivity while supporting soil ecological function.},
}

@article {pmid41625063,
year = {2025},
author = {Krumsvik, RJ and Klock, K and Bratteberg, MH},
title = {Symbiotic intelligence in dental trauma diagnostics-an exploratory case study.},
journal = {Frontiers in oral health},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {1687841},
pmid = {41625063},
issn = {2673-4842},
abstract = {Dental trauma in children is common and requires prompt diagnosis, which can be challenging in remote or isolated settings with limited access to emergency dental care. This exploratory case study investigates whether OpenAI's o3 can support dental trauma diagnostics in primary incisors, building on prior pretesting of GPT-4 on summative dental education exams (2023) and multimodal dental trauma analyses (2024), and focusing on o3's multimodal capability and reliability in 2025 with expert assessment ("human in the loop") prior to a supervisor seminar with students and supervisors (N = 84). Preliminary findings indicate that GPT-4 performed well on sample exams (2023), and that 7/10 multimodal analyses of dental injuries were accurate (2024); in the 2025 case, o3 correctly identified pulp necrosis in tooth 51 and uncomplicated enamel/dentin fractures in teeth 51 and 61, consistent with IADT guidance. Human expert involvement contributed essential validation, particularly for treatment decisions and ethical considerations. Overall, the study illustrates how symbiotic intelligence-purposeful collaboration between human and AI-may enhance learning outcomes in scenario-based simulations in remote areas, while requiring active human involvement and multiple validation communities.},
}

@article {pmid41623620,
year = {2025},
author = {Tanin, SM and Nuotclà, JA and Biedermann, PHW},
title = {The social context in bark beetle - fungus bioassays: a case study in European fir engraver bark beetles and their fungal associates.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1717396},
pmid = {41623620},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Certain species of bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most aggressive herbivorous forest insects due to their mass aggregation behavior and symbiosis with filamentous fungi. These characteristics help them overwhelm the natural defenses of the healthy trees they attack, and consequently, they are classified as primary pest species. Despite their important role in the beetles' success, the community of fungal symbionts and their key mutualist taxa are only well understood for a few symbionts in a small number of bark beetle species. Recent developments have shown that key mutualists can be identified using in vitro olfactory or gustatory bioassays. However, these assays have only tested mixed-sex groups of beetles. This introduces potential biases compared to individual assays due to the known tendency of these beetles to aggregate.

METHODS: This study focuses on the poorly studied fungal symbionts of European fir bark beetles in the genus Pityokteines, specifically P. vorontzowi and P. curvidens. We used a newly developed, two-tier bioassay to evaluate the attraction of beetles to olfactory and gustatory fungal cues in a specific order to identify essential mutualists. Additionally, we are the first to investigate whether testing individual beetles or mixed- or same-sex groups influences the outcome of such bioassays.

RESULTS: Our results show that Pityokteines beetles responded more strongly to physical contact with the fungus than to volatiles alone. Of the five commonly isolated species, only Geosmithia sp. and Ophiostoma piceae were attractive. Females responded to volatile cues, while males did not. Both sexes preferred to bore their feeding tunnels in these two fungi but were repelled by one of the other species, Graphilbum fragrans. The social context significantly impacted the beetles' behavior: same-sex groups exhibited the strongest response to the offered fungal cues, while mixed-sex groups demonstrated the weakest response.

CONCLUSION: In summary, we identified key fungal species in Pityokteines bark beetles that now need to be assessed individually for their function(s). Most importantly, our results suggest that previous studies should be reassessed because sex and social context must be considered when conducting such bioassays.},
}

@article {pmid41623618,
year = {2025},
author = {Alimu, A and Zhong, X and Gao, Y and Lu, Y},
title = {Elimination of Arsenophonus increases susceptibility to sulfoxaflor in Aphis gossypii.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1708122},
pmid = {41623618},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a globally significant agricultural pest that harbors diverse microbial symbionts. Beyond their well-known roles in nutrition, these microbial partners are increasingly recognized for their potential to modulate host detoxification pathways and influence insecticide susceptibility. While sulfoxaflor is a primary insecticide for controlling A. gossypii, the extent to which the predominant secondary symbiont, Arsenophonus, mediates susceptibility to this chemical remains largely unexplored.

METHODS: In this study, we investigated the role of Arsenophonus in modulating host sulfoxaflor susceptibility and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We established an Arsenophonus-infected A. gossypii line (A-infected) and an antibiotic-cured, Arsenophonus-deleted line (A-deleted). To ensure identical genetic backgrounds and eliminate residual antibiotic effects, the A-deleted line was maintained for 10 generations under antibiotic-free conditions, with symbiont status confirmed by PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. We then compared sulfoxaflor susceptibility, analyzed protein levels of detoxification enzymes, performed comparative transcriptomic analysis, and validated key candidate genes using RNA interference (RNAi).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Bioassays revealed that the elimination of Arsenophonus significantly increased susceptibility to sulfoxaflor. This hypersensitivity was metabolically associated with reduced protein levels of mixed-function oxidases (MFOs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Comparative transcriptomic analysis identified multiple differentially expressed cytochrome P450 genes, including CYP380C44, CYP380C45, CYP6J1, CYP6CY14, CYP6CY21, CYP4CJ1, and CYP4C1. Functional verification demonstrated that RNAi-mediated silencing of CYP380C44 in the A-infected line significantly increased sulfoxaflor mortality. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the secondary symbiont Arsenophonus modulates the host response to sulfoxaflor by regulating P450-mediated metabolic pathways. Identifying CYP380C44 as a critical effector gene highlights the Arsenophonus-P450 axis as a potential molecular target for developing novel pest control strategies that exploit symbiotic vulnerabilities.},
}

@article {pmid41623059,
year = {2026},
author = {Mathevet, R and Mounet, C},
title = {Governing biodiversity: solidarity, justice and reciprocity in wildlife management.},
journal = {Comptes rendus biologies},
volume = {349},
number = {},
pages = {1-25},
doi = {10.5802/crbiol.190},
pmid = {41623059},
issn = {1768-3238},
mesh = {Animals ; *Animals, Wild ; *Conservation of Natural Resources/methods/legislation & jurisprudence ; *Biodiversity ; France ; Humans ; *Social Justice ; Ecosystem ; Hunting ; Environmental Justice ; },
abstract = {In the current epoch of profound anthropogenic transformations of ecosystems, managing wildlife cannot be reduced to simple technical adjustments in response to social tensions or conflicts. This article proposes a shift in perspective based on three principles-ecological solidarity, interspecies reciprocity and environmental justice-to reconsider the conditions of coexistence between humans and wildlife. These principles are not limited to damage prevention; they can also open up political spaces for diverse living beings and their relations. We therefore present a framework for analyzing socio-ecological viability consisting of four dimensions: ecological interdependence, ethical-political commitment, relationship quality, and institutional arrangement fairness. Through three case studies in France involving wolves (Canis lupus), wild boars (Sus scrofa) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus), we examine three contrasting management strategies: conflict and polarization, pragmatic hunting and symbiotic negotiation-processes of mutual adjustment in shared environments. These cases do not describe fixed management regimes, but rather shifting configurations that reveal forms of power, situated knowledge and animal agency. Our analysis reveals the necessity of a wildlife governance that is more attentive to attachments, yet also more demanding in terms of reciprocity, and capable of recognizing the contributions of non-humans to shared environments. Transitioning from a logic of compensation to a policy of co-viability therefore necessitates supporting practices that foster a shared habitability and habitable futures for humans and other living beings alike.},
}

Animals
*Animals, Wild
*Conservation of Natural Resources/methods/legislation & jurisprudence
*Biodiversity
France
Humans
*Social Justice
Ecosystem
Hunting
Environmental Justice

@article {pmid41622876,
year = {2026},
author = {Abbas, D and Haider, K and Ghafar, MA and Ullah, F and Ali, MY and Khan, KA and Galian, J and Hou, M},
title = {Effect of the gut microbiota on insect reproduction: mechanisms and biotechnological prospects.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.70601},
pmid = {41622876},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 32172413)/ ; },
abstract = {The insect gut microbiota functions as a multifunctional symbiotic system that plays a central role in host reproduction. Through the production of bioactive metabolites, gut microbes interact with host hormonal pathways, immune signaling, and molecular regulatory networks, thereby shaping reproductive physiology and fitness. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding how gut microbiota regulate insect reproduction. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that microbial metabolites contribute to nutrient metabolism and the provision of essential cofactors, modulate hormone signaling pathways involved in reproductive development, and participate in pheromone biosynthesis that affects mating behavior. These processes impact both female and male reproductive functions through coordinated interactions among metabolism, endocrine regulation, and chemical communication. In females, microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and vitamins regulate insulin/TOR and juvenile hormone signaling, promoting ovarian development, vitellogenin synthesis, and oviposition. In males, gut bacteria influence spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and pheromone production, which are critical for mating success and fertility. Overall, these findings provide a mechanistic foundation for applied strategies, including Wolbachia-based population suppression, probiotic supplementation to enhance sterile insect technique (SIT) performance, and microbial manipulation of pheromone production for pest control. In addition, dietary conditions and environmental stressors can reshape gut microbial composition and metabolic activity, leading to changes in reproductive outcomes. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the complex interactions between insect gut microbiota and reproductive physiology. Key insights include: (i) the role of microbial metabolites in regulating mating behavior, oviposition, and offspring development; (ii) the potential of microbiota-based strategies for pest control, such as Wolbachia-mediated population suppression and probiotic enhancement of SIT; and (iii) the impact of external factors, including diet and environmental conditions, on reproduction through microbiota-mediated pathways. These findings deepen our understanding of insect-microbe symbiosis and its implications for evolutionary biology and sustainable pest management. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid41622335,
year = {2026},
author = {Ota, C and Bamba, M and Sato, S and Tsuchimatsu, T},
title = {Soil microbial composition and abundance influence the growth of Lotus japonicus.},
journal = {Journal of plant research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41622335},
issn = {1618-0860},
abstract = {In mutualistic symbiosis between plants and bacteria, the abundance and composition of symbiotic bacterial groups in the soil microbiota can be important for plant growth. Here, we focused on the nitrogen-fixing mutualism between Lotus japonicus and nodule bacteria to investigate whether and how much the abundance of symbiotic rhizobia in the soil microbiota of natural environments contributes to variations in host plant growth. An inoculation experiment of soil microbiota revealed extensive variations in plant growth phenotypes, even between microhabitats. We found that the local presence of L. japonicus and the relative abundance of Mesorhizobium bacteria showed positive correlations with plant growth supported by both 16S amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenome analyses. Among bacteria investigated, the abundance of Mesorhizobium was most strongly associated with plant growth phenotypes, supporting its role as the primary symbiotic rhizobia in natural environments. Given the specificity and the selectivity of plants for favorable rhizobia, legume-rhizobia interactions could trigger a positive plant-soil feedback that enriches favorable rhizobia into the soil surrounding legume plant habitats.},
}

@article {pmid41621781,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, E},
title = {Deciphering Plant-Microbe Symbioses: A Molecular Blueprint for Precision Agriculture.},
journal = {Journal of molecular biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {169668},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmb.2026.169668},
pmid = {41621781},
issn = {1089-8638},
abstract = {Symbioses between plants and microbes such as mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia, provide critical advantages in plant nutrient acquisition and stress resilience, and thereby underpin agricultural sustainability. However, plants coexist with a myriad of soil microbes, including mutualists, pathogens and commensals, and so must accurately differentiate between beneficial, detrimental, and neutral partners to optimize tradeoffs between growth and defense. Since 2013, our research group has been dedicated to addressing fundamental questions in plant-microbe symbioses. Our work encompasses the exchange of nutrients and signals between symbionts, and the differentiation between mutualistic and pathogenic microbes within the rhizosphere microbiome. We first discovered fatty acids as the main carbon source supplied by plants to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and later revealed the phosphate starvation response-centered regulatory network that controls the root and AM fungi phosphorus uptake pathways. In addition, we identified the receptors that recognize Myc factors and have made inroads on revealing the mechanisms underlying how plants distinguish symbiotic and immune signals. The legume-rhizobium symbiosis is understood to have evolved from arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Related to this, our group identified the Nod factor co-receptor, MtLICK1/2, and revealed that a SHR-SCR module specifies legume cortical cell fate to enable root nodulation. Collectively, our work has provided fundamental insights into the two most agriculturally important plant-microbe symbioses, thereby paving the way for innovative strategies that harness these interactions to advance sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid41621545,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, L and Wei, W and Sun, X and Li, X and Wen, X and Mao, B and Hao, R and Qiu, W and Li, H},
title = {Competitive nitrogen/phosphorus scarcity triggers multi-pathway nitrogen removal and phosphorus-stress response in microalgae-bacterial symbiosis: poly-metabolic synergy enhancement mechanisms.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {445},
number = {},
pages = {134138},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134138},
pmid = {41621545},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {This study elucidates the metabolic remodeling and synergistic mechanisms of the microalgae-bacteria symbiosis (MABS) under competitive nitrogen and phosphorus stress. Compared with the control, MABS increased removal efficiencies of total nitrogen, NH4[+]-N, NO3[-]-N, and total phosphorus by 5.9, 5.1, 1.5, and 1.7 times, respectively, while enhancing microalgal triacylglycerol production by 17.5%. Microalgae preferentially assimilated NH4[+]-N and dominated phosphorus uptake, whereas the bacterial community strengthened denitrification through functional specialization, carbon metabolism optimization, and electron transport chain (ETC) remodeling. Specifically, bacterial carbon metabolism shifted from the conventional tricarboxylic acid cycle toward a frdABCD-dependent branch that supplies reducing power, accompanied by the enrichment of electron carrier ubiquinone-10 and upregulation of ETC complexes III/IV. Symbiotic bacteria further promoted more efficient ATP synthesis in microalgae, synergizing with improved carbon fixation and lipid-directed carbon partitioning. These findings reveal the metabolic plasticity and cross-kingdom coordination that underpin high-rate nutrient removal and lipid accumulation in MABS.},
}

@article {pmid41620541,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Han, S and Zhang, W and Shen, W and Dong, B and Wang, N},
title = {Microbial Mediators of Pine Defense Resistance: Stage-Specific Gut Symbionts Enable Acantholyda posticalis to Overcome Terpenoid Barriers.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s00248-025-02641-x},
pmid = {41620541},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {SDAIT-24//Modern Agricultural Technology Industry System of Shandong province/ ; ZR2022MC198//Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province/ ; 2023TSGC0345//Science and Technology of Small and Medium Enterprises Innovation Ability Enhancement in Shandong Province/ ; },
abstract = {Acantholyda posticalis (Matsumura) is a globally significant forest pest that inflicts substantial economic losses through its feeding activity on Pinus species. As an oligophagous insect, A. posticalis relies critically on its gut microbiota to overcome the defensive secondary metabolites of pine needles, particularly α- and β-pinene terpenoids. This study investigated the dynamic compositional changes of gut bacterial communities across different developmental stages of A. posticalis and characterized their functional roles in host adaptation. Through traditional culturing methods, two pinene-degrading bacterial strains-Klebsiella variicola and Enterobacter hormaechei-were isolated from the larval gut. In vitro assays demonstrated their significant capacity to degrade the two pinenes. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed stage-specific bacterial enrichment patterns. Functional prediction suggested these microbial communities participate in critical metabolic processes, including phosphotransferase systems, GST activity, and detoxification pathways. This work advances understanding of insect-microbe symbiosis in oligophagous systems and proposes novel strategies for ecologically sustainable A. posticalis control through manipulation of its gut microbiota.},
}

@article {pmid41619978,
year = {2026},
author = {Ke, D and Hou, S and Zhou, Z},
title = {GmIFS interacts with GmNFR1α and plays a positive role in soybean legume-rhizobia symbiosis.},
journal = {Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {113011},
doi = {10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113011},
pmid = {41619978},
issn = {1873-2259},
abstract = {Soybean (Glycine max) serves as a vital source of plant protein and edible oil, while also functioning as a key soil-enriching crop. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation between soybean and rhizobia is crucial for sustainable green agriculture. Nod factor (NF) is a signaling molecule for the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between rhizobia and soybean. The soybean NF receptor GmNFR1α plays a pivotal role in nodulation; however, its signaling pathway remains incompletely characterized. In previous studies, using GmNFR1α as bait, we identified the isoflavone synthase GmIFS2 as an interactor through screening a soybean root/nodule yeast AD-cDNA library. Yeast two-hybrid, luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) in tobacco, and in vitro pull-down assays confirmed the interaction between GmIFS2 and the kinase domain of GmNFR1α (GmNFR1α-pk). Symbiotic phenotyping revealed that the ifs1/2 double mutant significantly inhibited the infection process of rhizobia, leading to a remarkable reduction in the number of soybean nodules and shoot/root dry weights. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of roots and nodules from ifs1/2 versus wild-type plants demonstrated substantial alterations in genes related to isoflavonoid synthesis, plant-pathogen interactions, and MAPK signaling pathways, alongside significant changes in key enzymes, transcription factors, and metabolites within isoflavonoid and nitrogen metabolism pathways. The study demonstrates that GmNFR1α can directly form a heteromeric complex with the soybean isoflavone synthase GmIFS2, positively regulating symbiotic nodulation between soybeans and rhizobia. The research findings further complement and elucidate the nodulation signaling pathway mediated by GmNFR1α, providing new molecular evidence for the symbiotic interaction mechanism between soybeans and rhizobia.},
}

@article {pmid41618562,
year = {2026},
author = {Shelake, RM and Waghunde, RR and Kim, JY},
title = {Coevolution of plant-microbe interactions, friend-foe continuum, and microbiome engineering for a sustainable future.},
journal = {Molecular plant},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.molp.2026.01.010},
pmid = {41618562},
issn = {1752-9867},
abstract = {The coevolution of plant-microbe (PM) associations over approximately 450 million years has been a fundamental driver of terrestrial life, giving rise to mutualistic, commensal, and pathogenic relationships along a dynamic friend-foe continuum. The need to adapt to the host environment has driven the convergent evolution of common strategies among mutualists and pathogens, enabling them to evade or modulate the plant immune system. This review synthesizes PM coevolution within a deep-time, three-pillar framework: organellogenesis, root evolution, and immune gatekeeping, linking ancient endosymbiotic events (mitochondria, chloroplast, and nitroplast) to contemporary holobiont-level phenotypes and biotechnological applications. We organize the friend-foe continuum around a coevolution-guided cost-benefit and tipping-point framework, using identified molecular switches and evolutionary constraints to derive actionable design rules for engineering PM associations. Moving beyond a descriptive toolbox of technologies, we integrate recent breakthroughs to analyze how four principal axes: host and microbial genetics, evolutionary dynamics, environmental and ecological conditions, and metabolic switches define the thresholds that govern microbial lifestyle transitions. Finally, we propose specific, testable strategies for PM coevolution-informed crop improvement, distinguishing near-term feasible targets from long-term speculative goals in nitrogen utilization, synthetic microbial communities, immune receptor engineering, modulation of plant memory, and microbiome-integrated breeding through genome editing, synthetic biology, AI, and microbiome engineering. Together, these approaches extend existing syntheses into a predictive, evolution-informed framework that transforms coevolutionary principles into a functional blueprint for sustainable and resilient agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid41618275,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Q and Li, Y and Li, K and Huang, X and Ahmat, M and Yan, Y and Huang, X and Yao, H and Cui, W and Hou, M},
title = {Candolleomyces candolleanus P9 from Altay Glycyrrhiza: β-glucosidase-mediated biotransformation.},
journal = {Microbial cell factories},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12934-026-02947-6},
pmid = {41618275},
issn = {1475-2859},
support = {2022B02042//Key Research and Development Task Special Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region/ ; 2022B02056-2//sub tasks of the Key Research and Development Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region/ ; xjnkywdzc-2025003-06-04//sub tasks of Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Stabilization Support Program/ ; },
abstract = {Endophytic fungi establish a symbiotic relationship with their host plants, actively engaging in the hosts' physiological and metabolic processes. They can directly or indirectly transform plant metabolites, thereby playing a crucial role in the host's overall health and functioning. In this study, we isolated and identified an endophytic fungus, Candolleomyces candolleanus P9 strain, which produces β-glucosidase from Ural Glycyrrhizae Radix in Altay, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. In addition, the enzyme production conditions of strain P9 were optimized using a wheat bran concentration of 30.6 g/L, beef extract concentration of 11.2 g/L, inoculum size of 2.6%, pH 7.23, at 30 °C, with shaking at 150 rpm, and a fermentation duration of 6 days. Under these conditions, the β-glucosidase activity of strain P9 increased by 13.6-fold compared to the initial level. On this basis, the efficiency of converting diurea-based urea into diurea-based elements was further optimized. The optimized results were as follows: conversion time 12 h, temperature 37℃, liquiritin concentration 0.8 mg/mL, pH value 7.5, and the conversion rate reached 93.09%. In addition, the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the fermentation broth of the P9 strain after biotransformation were significantly better than those of commercial β-glucosidase and control group. In summary, fermentation with the β-glucosidase-producing Candolleomyces candolleanus P9 strain is a potential method for converting liquiritin into liquiritigenin of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.},
}

@article {pmid41617724,
year = {2026},
author = {Dong, Z and Sun, MS and He, YD and Zhou, L and Xiang, W and Li, X and Huang, P and Zeng, JG},
title = {Fungal photobiont and microbiome genome composition in the Cladonia uncialis tripartite symbiosis.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41597-026-06624-6},
pmid = {41617724},
issn = {2052-4463},
abstract = {As symbiotic complexes formed through the association of bacteria or algae with fungi, lichens exhibit exceptional adaptability to extreme environments and function as pioneer species in rocky habitat ecological succession. The absence of high quality chromosome-level genome has constrained investigations into lichen adaptive evolution, while functional contributions of symbiotic bacterial communities remain inadequately explored. This study presents the chromosome-level genome assembly of the mycobiont Cladonia uncialis, comprising 28 chromosomes with a total size of 43.49 Mb, generated through integrated PacBio HiFi and Hi-C methodologies. We characterized the symbiotic microbiota using integrated short and long-read sequencing and constructed 31 metagenome-assembled genomes. The community was dominated by Ascomycota (41.16%), Proteobacteria (17.61%), and Bacteroidota (14.20%). Long-read sequencing significantly enhanced detection sensitivity for low-abundance taxa. This study provides essential genomic resources and comprehensive profiles of the symbiotic microbiota, enabling mechanistic exploration of adaptive evolution within lichen symbiotic systems under extreme environmental conditions.},
}

@article {pmid41616777,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, H and Hou, L and Lan, L and Zhang, R and Wang, DJ and Feng, H and Chen, CY and Ye, JJ and Oyebanji, OO and Chukwuma, EC and Chen, SY and Tong, YX and Yang, JB and Yang, J and Murray, JD and Soltis, PS and Soltis, DE and Zhang, XW and Li, DZ and Yi, TS and Wang, E},
title = {Evolution of root nodule symbiosis via paleopolyploidy and modular pathway rewiring.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2026.01.001},
pmid = {41616777},
issn = {1934-6069},
abstract = {The evolution of root nodule symbiosis (RNS), a key innovation for plant nitrogen acquisition, has long been studied but lacks a mechanistic, gene-level evolutionary framework. Here, we reconstruct the gene regulatory network underlying RNS (GRN-RNS) at single-gene resolution using comparative genomic and phylogenomic analyses of 10 newly sequenced and published genomes across all RNS families. We discover that symbiosis-related gene families originated from γ paleohexaploidy in core eudicots, fueling the molecular foundation for network assembly. The initial GRN-RNS emerged at the crown node of the nitrogen-fixing clade through the recruitment and rewiring of genes from three pathways: arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, nitrate response, and stress response. In legumes, GRN-RNS was further refined to enable symbiosome formation via convergent recruitment of modules for cell wall remodeling and kinase signaling. Our work resolves the temporal and regulatory architecture of RNS, providing a unifying framework to understand the evolution of this complex trait.},
}

@article {pmid41616063,
year = {2026},
author = {Nosaki, S and Noda, M and Onoda, H and Ito, M and Suzaki, T},
title = {The root nodule symbiosis regulator NIN exhibits broad DNA binding specificity conferred by an NLP-inherited motif.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {12},
number = {5},
pages = {eaeb8825},
pmid = {41616063},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; Amino Acid Motifs ; Protein Binding ; *Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/genetics ; *Lotus/genetics/metabolism ; *Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; Arabidopsis/genetics/metabolism ; Mutation ; *DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis (RNS) occurs in some eudicots, including legumes, and is regulated by the transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN), derived from the NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) family. However, how the NIN protein acquired RNS-specific functions remains unclear. We identify a previously undescribed motif in Lotus japonicus NIN, located downstream of the RWP-RK domain, which we term the FR. This motif broadens NIN's DNA binding specificity by stabilizing the RWP-RK dimer interface. nin mutants lacking the FR motif show defective nodulation and impaired nitrogen fixation. Arabidopsis NLP2 carries a NIN-type FR and shares key features with NIN. Furthermore, the NIN-type FR had already emerged before the divergence of gymnosperm and angiosperm lineages, suggesting that a specific molecular feature of NIN involved in RNS regulation was inherited from ancestral NLPs prior to the emergence of RNS.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
*Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry
Amino Acid Motifs
Protein Binding
*Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/genetics
*Lotus/genetics/metabolism
*Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics/chemistry
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Nitrogen Fixation/genetics
Arabidopsis/genetics/metabolism
Mutation
*DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid41615162,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Koga, R and Moriyama, M and Fukatsu, T},
title = {Disruption of methionine synthesis repressor makes Escherichia coli mutualistic to host stinkbug.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0388325},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03883-25},
pmid = {41615162},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Degenerative genome evolution is widely found among obligatory bacterial mutualists, as observed in plant-sucking hemipteran insects whose symbiont genomes are highly reduced and specialized for provisioning of essential amino acids. Originally, such symbionts must have been derived from environmental free-living bacteria. It is elusive, however, what evolutionary changes are involved in the early stages of such elaborate mutualistic associations. Here, we addressed this evolutionary question using the experimental symbiotic system consisting of the stinkbug Plautia stali and the model bacterium Escherichia coli. In E. coli, metJ encodes a repressor of the methionine synthesis pathway, and its disruption upregulates production of the essential amino acid methionine. We found that, when metJ-disrupted E. coli was inoculated to P. stali, the insects exhibited significantly elevated hemolymphal methionine levels and improved adult emergence rates, demonstrating that the single-gene mutation makes E. coli mutualistic to P. stali. In comparison with mutualistic E. coli single-gene mutants that upregulate another essential amino acid tryptophan, the phenotypic effects on P. stali were somewhat different: the adult emergence rate was improved by both the methionine-overproducing and tryptophan-overproducing E. coli mutants, whereas the adult body color was improved by the tryptophan-overproducing E. coli mutant only. When we generated a double mutant E. coli ΔmetJΔtnaA and inoculated it to P. stali, the adult emergence rate was not improved but rather attenuated, uncovering non-additive fitness consequences of these single-gene mutations. These results provide insights into what genetic changes may have facilitated the early evolution of the insect-microbe mutualism.IMPORTANCEWhat is the evolutionary origin of elaborate bacterial mutualists entailing drastic genome reduction, specialized metabolism, and uncultivability? This question is important but challenging to address, because the evolution of such symbiotic associations occurred in the past and cannot be observed directly. However, the recent development of an experimental symbiotic system consisting of the stinkbug Plautia stali as host and the model bacterium Escherichia coli as symbiont has opened an avenue to empirically investigate the evolution of host-microbe mutualism. We demonstrated that, strikingly, single-gene mutations of E. coli that upregulate the production of methionine and tryptophan make the non-symbiotic bacterium mutualistic to P. stali, plausibly via provisioning of the essential amino acids that complement the nutritional requirements of the plant-sucking insect host. Our finding provides insight into what genetic changes of the symbiont side can be involved in the early evolution of the host-microbe mutualism.},
}

@article {pmid41615103,
year = {2026},
author = {Oliveira, RJ and Santos, A and Zanuncio, JC and Zanetti, R},
title = {Climatic factors and Euplatypus parallelus populations in teak plantations in the Amazon biome.},
journal = {Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia},
volume = {85},
number = {},
pages = {e297602},
doi = {10.1590/1519-6984.297602},
pmid = {41615103},
issn = {1678-4375},
mesh = {Animals ; Brazil ; *Weevils/classification/physiology ; Population Density ; Seasons ; *Climate ; Forests ; Temperature ; },
abstract = {Damage caused by insect pests, such as the ambrosia beetle Euplatypus parallelus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is important to forest plantations, like teak. This beetle bores galleries into the trunk of Tectona grandis, where it cultivates symbiotic fungi and staining the wood. However, the effects of climatic factors on its populations are poorly understood. This study aimed to correlate the occurrence of E. parallelus with climatic factors in a 258.09 ha T. grandis plantation, established in October 2014, in São José dos Quatro Marcos (MT), Brazil. Ethanol-baited traps were systematically installed to monitor the pest. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) with negative binomial distribution were used to analyze the relationship between the number of insects collected and environmental variables. Precipitation and temperature were significant and included in the final model, unlike distance from traps to native vegetation, wind speed, relative humidity, and solar radiation. The abundance of E. parallelus increased with rising maximum and medium temperature and precipitation. The results indicate that temperature and precipitation are critical factors for predicting outbreaks of E. parallelus and should therefore be incorporated into monitoring and IPM programs. Including these variables strengthens the identification of critical sampling periods, the strategic placement of traps, and the calibration of action thresholds. It also guides climate-sensitive silvicultural practices and management guidelines, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change.},
}

Animals
Brazil
*Weevils/classification/physiology
Population Density
Seasons
*Climate
Forests
Temperature

@article {pmid41615023,
year = {2026},
author = {Martínez, LT and Escalona, M and Toffelmier, E and Miller, C and Sahasrahbudhe, R and Marimuthu, MPA and Nguyen, O and Chumchim, N and Beraut, E and Sacco, S and Seligmann, W and Fairbairn, CW and Cooper, RD and Shaffer, HB and Purcell, J and Sachs, JL},
title = {Chromosome-Level Reference Genome of a Foundational California Native Legume, Acmispon strigosus.},
journal = {The Journal of heredity},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jhered/esag007},
pmid = {41615023},
issn = {1465-7333},
abstract = {Acmispon is a legume genus that has diversified within the California Floristic Province. Acmispon species live in a variety of habitats including coastal sage scrub, deserts, grasslands, and woodlands, and form symbiotic associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Here, we report the first, chromosome-level assembly of Acmispon strigosus (Strigose bird's-foot trefoil or Strigose lotus) as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP). Consistent with the reference genome pipelines of the CCGP, we used Pacific Biosciences HiFi long reads and Hi-C chromatin-proximity sequencing technology to produce a de novo assembled genome. The assembly is 519 Mb in length, with a contig N50 of 22.97 Mb, scaffolded into seven pseudo-chromosomes. Using the NCBI egapx pipeline, we annotated a total of 21 347 genes resulting in a protein BUSCO completeness score of 91.5%. This is the first genome assembled for Acmispon and among the first genomic resources available for a native California legume. The assembly BUSCO completeness score of 94.8% makes it one of the most complete genomes for the tribe Loteae (Fabaceae). Generating whole genome sequences will contribute to our general understanding of nitrogen-fixing legume's adaptations to diverse soil and environmental conditions, interactions with nitrogen fixing Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium symbionts, and the degrading effects of pollution-induced nitrogen deposition to the legume-rhizobium symbiosis in California. These data will also help to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among Acmispon spp., which remain unresolved.},
}

@article {pmid41614833,
year = {2025},
author = {Khalil, HB and Zakherah, HA and Alhassan, FA and Salah, MM and Kamel, AM and Mohamed, AY and Alsahoud, HA and Metwaly, FH and Mostafa, SA},
title = {Wheat Plasma Membrane Receptors: Orchestrating Immunity and Bridging to Crop Improvement.},
journal = {Current issues in molecular biology},
volume = {48},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cimb48010002},
pmid = {41614833},
issn = {1467-3045},
support = {KFU254660//King Faisal University/ ; },
abstract = {The plant plasma membrane serves as the primary interface for perceiving extracellular signals, a function largely mediated by plasma membrane receptors (PMRs). In wheat (Triticum aestivum), the functional characterization of these receptors is impeded by the species' large, hexaploid genome, which results in extensive gene duplication and functional redundancy. This review synthesizes current knowledge on wheat PMRs, covering their diversity, classification, and signaling mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on their central role in plant immunity. We highlight the remarkable structural and functional diversification of PMR families, which range in size from 10 members, as seen in the case of wheat leaf rust kinase (WLRK), to over 3424 members in the receptor-like kinase (RLK) family. Furthermore, we reviewed the role of PMRs in being critical for detecting a wide array of biotic stimuli, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), herbivore-associated molecular patterns (HAMPs), and symbiotic signals. Upon perception, PMRs initiate downstream signaling cascades that orchestrate defense responses, including transcriptional reprogramming, cell wall reinforcement, and metabolic changes. The review also examines the complex cross-talk between immune receptors and other signaling pathways, such as those mediated by brassinosteroid and jasmonic acid receptors, which underpin the delicate balance between growth and defense. Finally, we bridge these fundamental insights to applications in crop improvement, delineating strategies like marker-assisted selection, gene stacking, and receptor engineering to enhance disease resistance. After identifying key obstacles such as genetic redundancy and pleiotropic effects, we propose future research directions that leverage multi-omics, systems biology, and synthetic biology to fully unlock the potential of wheat PMRs for sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid41613836,
year = {2025},
author = {Miao, F},
title = {The anthropomorphization of AI and the concept of Buddhist compassion in human-machine interaction.},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1583565},
pmid = {41613836},
issn = {1664-1078},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: With the advancement of anthropomorphic technologies and affective computing, the symbiosis of values between robots and humans has emerged as a crucial research topic. Against the backdrop of global cultural diversity, the four immeasurables-Metta (ci), Karuna (bei), Mudita (xi), and Upekkha (she)-in Buddhism offer a more adaptable and flexible ethical framework compared to other religious doctrines for guiding robotic development.

METHODS: By comparing with other religious ethics, it demonstrates the unique feasibility of Buddhist compassion in shaping robots' goodness-oriented behavior.

RESULTS: Taking Guanyin, a quintessential symbol of compassion in Buddhism, as the moral archetype, the study proposes a design philosophy centered on equality, reciprocity, and responsibility. An illustrative case of elderly care robots showcases the practical application of this framework.

DISCUSSION: Challenges related to artificial compassion implementation and cultural disparities are also analyzed. The paper concludes that the cultural adaptability of Buddhist compassion in a cross-cultural context renders it a viable solution for harmonious human-robot symbiosis, integrating technological innovation with profound ethical wisdom.},
}

@article {pmid41613569,
year = {2026},
author = {Duffy, SL and Kennington, WJ and Richards, ZT and Thomas, L},
title = {Concordant Patterns of Population Genetic Structure and Symbiont Communities in a Broadcasting Spawning Coral Along a Western Australian Fringing Reef.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {e72585},
pmid = {41613569},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The degree of connectivity across ecosystems is a key determinant of resilience, directly influencing recovery potential after disturbance and long-term ecosystem stability. In reef-building corals, there is added complexity to these processes because both the coral host and their symbiotic dinoflagellates determine resilience. Given these complexities, we investigated the connectivity of a broadcast spawning coral and its associated algal symbiont communities along the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park and Muiron Island Management Area. Using reduced representation sequencing and DNA metabarcoding in 158 colonies of Acropora cf. tenuis across 14 sampling sites, we detected significant spatial genetic structure in the coral host consistent with a pattern of isolation by distance (IBD). Spatial Autocorrelation analyses revealed that the genetic neighbourhood extends up to 50 km suggesting that this coral species has multiple demographically independent populations across Ningaloo Reef. Symbiont communities were dominated by Cladocopium and followed a similar IBD pattern of between-site differences in community composition. We did not identify a significant correlation between host genetic diversity and symbiont community diversity at the colony level. However, spatial patterns of genetic differentiation between sample sites for the host and symbiont community composition were significantly associated suggesting that connectivity along a fringing reef system for both coral hosts and their symbionts is driven by similar biogeographic factors.},
}

@article {pmid41612704,
year = {2026},
author = {Huang, Y and Guo, L and Fan, F and Zhao, X and Lu, Y and Jiao, M and Hou, Y},
title = {Bacteriocyte-specific antimicrobial peptides regulate the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus-Nardonella symbiosis and represent novel targets for symbiosis-based pest control.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.70604},
pmid = {41612704},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Many beetles require tyrosine supplementation from endosymbiotic bacteria for exoskeleton synthesis. Weevils harbor the ancient endosymbiont Nardonella within specialized bacteriocytes, a mutualistic association maintained for >125 million years in which the bacterium exclusively preserves tyrosine biosynthetic capability. The red palm weevil, one of the world's most destructive invasive pests causing widespread devastation to palm industries across continents, depends on its Nardonella endosymbiont for survival. Disrupting this obligate symbiosis represents a promising pest control strategy, yet the molecular mechanisms maintaining host-symbiont homeostasis remain poorly understood. Although antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been implicated in symbiont regulation in some insects, their functions in this ancient weevil-Nardonella association remain unknown.

RESULTS: We identified two novel bacteriocyte-specific AMPs, RfAMP1 and RfAMP2. Unlike canonical immune AMPs, RfAMPs exhibited expression patterns that paralleled endosymbiont dynamics and responded specifically to symbiont presence rather than pathogenic infections. Both peptides localized to Nardonella membranes and cytoplasm. RNAi-mediated knockdown of either RfAMP1 or RfAMP2 resulted in endosymbiont escape into midgut tissues and increased endosymbiont abundance within bacteriocytes. At subinhibitory concentrations, RfAMPs significantly increased bacterial membrane permeability. Loss of RfAMP function through RNAi disrupted symbiotic homeostasis, impaired tyrosine biosynthesis and severely compromised larval survival.

CONCLUSIONS: RfAMPs regulate endosymbiont homeostasis and spatial confinement, essential for tyrosine provisioning and host fitness. These findings reveal molecular mechanisms underlying the ancient weevil-Nardonella mutualism and highlight potential targets for red palm weevil management through symbiosis disruption. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid41612166,
year = {2026},
author = {Bellabarba, A and Fagorzi, C and Bacci, G and Decorosi, F and Checcucci, A and Pacini, GC and Bekki, A and Mimoune, AEH and Azim, K and Hafidi, M and Mengoni, A and Pini, F and Viti, C},
title = {Genomic and Phenotypic Bases of Salt Tolerance in Sinorhizobium meliloti: Candidate Traits for Bioinoculant Development Addressing Saline Soils.},
journal = {Microbial biotechnology},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {e70304},
doi = {10.1111/1751-7915.70304},
pmid = {41612166},
issn = {1751-7915},
support = {//Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area/ ; },
mesh = {*Sinorhizobium meliloti/genetics/physiology/isolation & purification/drug effects ; *Salt Tolerance/genetics ; Soil Microbiology ; Genome, Bacterial ; Medicago sativa/microbiology ; Soil/chemistry ; Phenotype ; Sodium Chloride/metabolism ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Symbiosis ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; },
abstract = {Soil salinity poses a major challenge to the legume-rhizobia symbiosis development, thereby affecting sustainable agriculture. Selecting NaCl-tolerant strains and enhancing the native strains' fitness under salt stress are essential steps for the restoration of marginal areas. In this work, 49 Sinorhizobium meliloti strains, the rhizobial species forming symbiotic nitrogen-fixing associations with alfalfa-including 21 de novo-sequenced field isolates-were subjected to a thorough in vitro screening for salt tolerance at progressively higher NaCl concentrations. Field isolates showed genome-based geographical clustering but contrasting salt tolerance abilities. Indeed, genome-wide association (GWA) analysis on the strains' whole-genome sequencing data indicated several loci associated with the variability in salt tolerance. Candidate genes were involved in various processes including cell wall organisation, LPS biosynthesis, quorum sensing, and carbohydrate transport and metabolism. The relationship with carbohydrate metabolism was further confirmed by Phenotype Microarray analysis which indicated salt-tolerant strains having enhanced capacity in carbon source usage. These findings reveal synergistic pathways underlying salt tolerance and suggest candidate traits (e.g., quorum sensing, carbohydrate synthesis and modification) for developing bioinoculants to enhance legume performance in saline soils.},
}

*Sinorhizobium meliloti/genetics/physiology/isolation & purification/drug effects
*Salt Tolerance/genetics
Soil Microbiology
Genome, Bacterial
Medicago sativa/microbiology
Soil/chemistry
Phenotype
Sodium Chloride/metabolism
Genome-Wide Association Study
Symbiosis
Carbohydrate Metabolism

@article {pmid41611504,
year = {2026},
author = {He, H and Liu, W and Wang, C and Zhu, Y and Zhang, W and Kong, Z and Wang, L},
title = {[Fuctions of the aspartic proteasegene AhAP12 in peanut nodulation].},
journal = {Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology},
volume = {42},
number = {1},
pages = {330-342},
doi = {10.13345/j.cjb.250392},
pmid = {41611504},
issn = {1872-2075},
support = {2021YFD1600600//the National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 202204051001020//the Special Fund for Science and Technology Innovation Teams of Shanxi Province/ ; 2021xG003 and 2022xG0014//the High-level Talent Start-up Funds of Shanxi Agricultural University/ ; 202105D121010-23 and 202204010910001-33//the Independent Research and Development Project of Shanxi HouJi Laboratory/ ; },
mesh = {*Arachis/genetics/microbiology/enzymology/physiology ; Nitrogen Fixation/genetics/physiology ; *Plant Root Nodulation/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Aspartic Acid Proteases/genetics/metabolism ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Root Nodules, Plant/genetics ; Rhizobium/physiology ; },
abstract = {Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of China's important oilseed and economic crops, and its symbiotic nitrogen fixation system formed with rhizobia has significant agricultural and ecological value. The aspartic protease family plays a crucial role in plant stress resistance and hormone signal transduction, while its function in leguminous plants for nodular nitrogen fixation remains unclear. This study identified a specifically expressed aspartic protease family gene, AhAP12, which rapidly responded to rhizobial infection in peanut nodules through bioinformatics analysis. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that AhAP12 was localized to both the nucleus and cell membrane. Moreover, overexpression of AhAP12 in peanut hairy roots significantly increased nodule formation, while silencing AhAP12 markedly reduced nodulation, which indicated that AhAP12 positively regulated peanut nodulation. Further expression analysis revealed that AhAP12 might influence the nodulation process by regulating the expression of multiple key nodulation-related genes, including AhNIN and AhHK. This study is the first to elucidate the role of AhAP12 in symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes, providing new theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms of nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Additionally, it offers valuable genetic resources for breeding new peanut varieties with enhanced nodulation efficiency and improved nitrogen utilization.},
}

*Arachis/genetics/microbiology/enzymology/physiology
Nitrogen Fixation/genetics/physiology
*Plant Root Nodulation/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Aspartic Acid Proteases/genetics/metabolism
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Symbiosis/genetics
Root Nodules, Plant/genetics
Rhizobium/physiology

@article {pmid41610853,
year = {2026},
author = {Weiler, BA and Kron, N and Bonacolta, AM and Vermeij, MJA and Baker, AC and Del Campo, J},
title = {Temporal transcriptional rhythms govern coral-symbiont function and microbiome dynamics.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2026.01.004},
pmid = {41610853},
issn = {1934-6069},
abstract = {Diel rhythms align physiological processes with light/dark cycles, driving predictable oscillations in gene expression and protein activity through tightly controlled transcriptional-translational feedback loops. This study presents in situ transcriptomic analyses of the stony coral Pseudodiploria strigosa and its photosymbionts, Breviolum sp., at key daily time points. P. strigosa shows precise transcriptional control: dawn triggers a molecular reset marked by RNA metabolism and protein turnover; midday emphasizes anabolic and phosphate-regulated pathways; dusk reflects transitional lipid and amino acid metabolism; and midnight reveals stress responses, mRNA catabolism, and mitochondrial organization. Photosymbionts display subtler diel patterns, with photoprotection at dawn, metabolite transport and nitrogen cycling through midday/dusk, and cell cycle and ion homeostasis at night. Microbial communities show time-dependent restructuring of co-occurrence networks, driving diel-related functional consequences like changes in microbial metabolism. These findings present a system-level molecular framework of diel regulation across the coral-photosymbiont-microbe holobiont, revealing time-specific transcriptional control of coordinated function and homeostasis.},
}

@article {pmid41610732,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, S and Li, H and Ning, M and Yu, BYM and Wu, S and Cheng, WY and Li, Y and Yeung, WF},
title = {The association between gut microbiota and insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Sleep medicine reviews},
volume = {86},
number = {},
pages = {102236},
doi = {10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102236},
pmid = {41610732},
issn = {1532-2955},
abstract = {Emerging evidence suggests interactions between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, but specific associations with insomnia remain unclear. This systematic review evaluated alterations in gut microbiota in patients with insomnia compared with healthy controls. A systematic literature search was performed on eight databases from inception to June 2025. Case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies examining gut microbiota in adults with insomnia versus healthy controls were included. Fourteen studies encompassing 9036 participants (58.4 % female) were included. Alpha diversity was reduced in patients with insomnia in most of the included studies, among which observed species significantly decreased (SMD: 0.90, 95 % CI: 1.39, -0.40, k = 5). Beta diversity analysis revealed a consistently distinct microbial community structure between individuals with insomnia and healthy controls. Taxonomically, insomnia correlated with shifted Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratios. Meta-analyses revealed alterations in key genera, including significantly decreased Faecalibacterium and Lachnospira, and significantly increased Blautia and Eubacterium hallii. Changes in gut microbiota were also correlated with inflammatory markers and metabolic disturbances. In summary, gut microbiota dysbiosis was associated with insomnia and characterized by reduced microbial diversity and altered bacterial composition. These findings suggest potential applications for microbial biomarkers in insomnia diagnosis and subtyping, and the development of personalized microbiota-targeted interventions.},
}

@article {pmid41609689,
year = {2026},
author = {Christensen, SM and Kaltenpoth, M and Vogel, H and Vannette, RL},
title = {Streptomyces anthophorae sp. nov. and Streptomyces nidicola sp. nov., novel actinobacteria isolated from a solitary bee.},
journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology},
volume = {76},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.007029},
pmid = {41609689},
issn = {1466-5034},
mesh = {Animals ; *Streptomyces/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Bees/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Base Composition ; Fatty Acids/chemistry/analysis ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; California ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Diaminopimelic Acid/analysis ; },
abstract = {Six novel actinobacterial strains (BH034[T], BH055, BH097, BH104, BH105 and BH106[T]) were isolated from developing brood in nests of the solitary bee species Anthophora bomboides from Bodega Bay, California, USA. Phylogenetic analysis based on a five-gene multilocus sequence alignment and whole-genome data positions all six strains within the genus Streptomyces, with close relation to Streptomyces endophyticus YIM 65594[T] and Streptomyces fractus MV32[T]. Through genetic and chemotaxonomic analysis, five of the isolates (BH034[T], BH055, BH097, BH104 and BH105) were found to be a clade representing one species [>96% average nucleotide identity (ANI)], whereas BH106[T] was a distinct species (<93% ANI with each of the other isolate genomes). Within this species (BH034[T]-BH105), the genomes comprised on average 9.6 Mb (±0.4 Mb), encoded 8,640 (±349) predicted genes and had a G+C content of 70.9 (±0.07) mol%. The type strain, BH034[T], contained iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids and contained ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. The remaining strain, BH106[T], represents a distinct species; its genome comprised 9.4 Mb, encoded 8,426 predicted genes and had a G+C content of 70.7 mol%; the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and the cell wall also contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Functional genomic analysis revealed multiple secondary metabolite gene clusters in the bee-associated Streptomyces strains, several of which were found to be absent in closely related Streptomyces species. Based on genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strains BH034-BH105 and BH106 represent two novel species within the genus Streptomyces, for which the names Streptomyces anthophorae sp. nov. (type strain BH034[T]=NRRL B-65741[T]=DSM 119658[T]) and Streptomyces nidicola sp. nov. (type strain BH106[T]=NRRL B-65742[T]=DSM 119659[T]) are proposed.},
}

Animals
*Streptomyces/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Bees/microbiology
*Phylogeny
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Genome, Bacterial
Base Composition
Fatty Acids/chemistry/analysis
Bacterial Typing Techniques
Multilocus Sequence Typing
Sequence Analysis, DNA
California
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Diaminopimelic Acid/analysis

@article {pmid41608563,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Z and Ji, X and Cong, X and Gao, Y and Gao, J},
title = {Recent advances in nanoparticles targeting TGF-β signaling for cancer treatment.},
journal = {Theranostics},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {3507-3540},
pmid = {41608563},
issn = {1838-7640},
mesh = {*Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism/antagonists & inhibitors ; Humans ; *Neoplasms/drug therapy ; *Signal Transduction/drug effects ; *Nanoparticles/administration & dosage ; Animals ; *Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage ; *Drug Delivery Systems/methods ; },
abstract = {Multiple therapies blocking TGF-β signaling have been investigated in preclinical and clinical trials over the past few decades; nevertheless, the outcomes of clinical trials are disappointing due to the double-faced systemic effects of TGF-β and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. Intelligent nanodelivery systems engineered with responsive stimuli and targeting capabilities address the Janus-faced biology of TGF-β through spatially precise inhibition. Nanoparticles targeting TGF-β reciprocally create a positive feedback loop that enhances the penetration and delivery efficiency of nanoparticles because of the role of TGF-β in remodeling the tumor microenvironment. This review first outlines the function of TGF-β signaling, summarizes various tools for suppressing TGF-β signaling and provides an exhaustive emphasis on advanced nanoparticles targeting TGF-β. This review elucidates the symbiotic interplay between TGF-β blockade and nanoparticles, where nanomaterial-based strategies refine the specificity of TGF-β targeting, while the blockade of TGF-β reciprocally enhances the efficiency of nanoparticle-mediated delivery. Additionally, current challenges and future directions are highlighted to guide the future development of TGF-β blockade strategies and nanoparticles for antitumor therapy.},
}

*Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism/antagonists & inhibitors
Humans
*Neoplasms/drug therapy
*Signal Transduction/drug effects
*Nanoparticles/administration & dosage
Animals
*Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage
*Drug Delivery Systems/methods

@article {pmid41607111,
year = {2026},
author = {Brandes, J and Halitschke, R and Fischer, K and Baldwin, IT and Franken, P},
title = {Genetic and environmental regulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal responsiveness in petunia: Implications for breeding and trait selection.},
journal = {Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/plb.70185},
pmid = {41607111},
issn = {1438-8677},
support = {//Thüringer Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Digitale Gesellschaft/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi enhance plant nutrition and stress tolerance, yet their agricultural use remains limited because symbiotic outcomes are unpredictable. Mycorrhizal responsiveness (AM-responsiveness)-the host's growth response to AMF inoculation-offers a potential breeding target. We investigated variation in AM-responsiveness among Petunia hybrida, P. axillaris, P. exserta and P. inflata, and explored its genetic and environmental determinants. Plants were inoculated with Rhizoglomus irregulare and analysed for biomass, AMF colonization, phosphate uptake, phosphate transporter expression and accumulation of the foliar biomarker 11-carboxyblumenol C-glucoside. Species differed strongly in colonization intensity, biomass and biomarker accumulation. Based on contrasting AM-responses between P. axillaris and P. exserta, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from these parents was used to assess AM-responsiveness as a quantitative trait under variable environmental conditions. The RILs showed transgressive segregation for biomass responses, confirming a heritable component, while strong genotype × environment (G × E) interactions demonstrated environmental dependency. These results highlight AM-responsiveness as a genetic trait suitable for breeding but emphasize the need to account for environmental variation. Foliar blumenols proved effective non-destructive indicators of colonization, supporting their potential in high-throughput screening for mycorrhizal traits.},
}

@article {pmid41607035,
year = {2026},
author = {Poddar, S and Sahoo, S and Chandra, Y and Shrivastava, S and Kotamraju, S and Saha, B},
title = {Metadherin with Stromal-Immune Cues Drives CD36-Dependent Lipid Reprogramming and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Insights from a Hetero-Spheroid Model.},
journal = {Advanced healthcare materials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e04890},
doi = {10.1002/adhm.202504890},
pmid = {41607035},
issn = {2192-2659},
support = {BT/HRD/35/02/2006//DBT Ramalingaswami Re-Entry/ ; FBR070306//CSIR, India/ ; },
abstract = {Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) exhibits altered lipid metabolism, driven by the tumor microenvironment's cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). CD36, a fatty acid translocase, is crucial in this metabolic adaptation of cancer cells. Despite its importance, what controls CD36-mediated lipid flow is still unclear. This study identifies metadherin (MTDH), an oncogene, as a critical regulator of CD36-dependent lipid exchange and TNBC progression. Using engineered spheroid models that mimic tumor microenvironment with MTDH-Wt and MTDHΔ7 overexpressing TNBC cells co-cultured with CAFs and TAMs, we observed increased lipid uptake, enhanced EMT, and aggressive metastatic features driven by MTDH-CD36 signaling. Further analyses, including advanced microscopy and transcriptomics, revealed that MTDHΔ7 overexpression in TNBC cells in the presence of stromal-immune cells, amplifies lipid metabolic pathways, promotes stemness, and pro-metastatic signaling. Intriguingly, increased formation of tunnelling nanotube-like structures, indicative of metabolic rewiring, was observed in Lv.MTDHΔ7-MDA-MB-231[CAF-TAM] heterotypic spheroids. These changes were reversed by sulfosuccinimidyl oleate (SSO; CD-36 inhibitor) treatment. Moreover, SCID mice bearing Lv.MTDH-Wt/Δ7-MDA-MB-231cells[CAF-TAM] heterotypic spheroids led to accelerated breast tumor growth and lipid-driven metastasis. Importantly, SSO administration significantly reduced lipid accumulation and tumor aggressiveness, confirming CD36 as a functional mediator of MTDH-driven lipid reprogramming. Our findings establish MTDH as a master regulator of lipid reprogramming through CD36, a process further amplified by CAF-TAM interactions, which creates a lipid-rich tumor microenvironment fuelling TNBC aggressiveness. This study reveals crucial mechanistic insights into how stromal-immune cells induce lipid symbiosis and highlights the MTDH-CD36 axis as a promising therapeutic target for future combination therapies in aggressive, metabolically reprogrammed TNBC.},
}

@article {pmid41606705,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, B and Zheng, G and Jiang, H and Wang, T and Liu, G and Zhang, Z and Lu, X and Liang, C and Tian, J},
title = {Flavonoid-Mediated Recruitment of Bradyrhizobium Enhances Maize Root Development and Nutrient Acquisition in Maize-Soybean Intercropping Systems.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70420},
pmid = {41606705},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {2021YFF1000504//National Key Research and Development Programme of China/ ; 2023ZD04072//Scientific and Technological Innovation 2030 - Major Project/ ; 32302662//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Intercropping between legumes and cereals enhances nutrient acquisition. However, the mechanisms by which legume-associated microbes influence non-legume root development remain unclear. Bradyrhizobium, traditionally recognised as a legume symbiont, may also perform non-symbiotic roles in shaping cereal root architecture and nutrient uptake. We investigated how soybean-maize intercropping recruits Bradyrhizobium through flavonoid exudation and how this bacterium modulates maize flavonoid metabolism, root growth, and nutrient acquisition. Pot intercropping experiments were conducted with maize grown alone or with soybean. Root exudates, rhizosphere microbial communities, and soil nutrient profiles were analysed, and Bradyrhizobium isolates were tested for flavonoid responses and maize inoculation effects. Intercropping markedly enriched Bradyrhizobium in the maize-soybean interaction-zone rhizosphere. Soybean roots released 5-8 times more flavonoids than maize, which recruited Bradyrhizobium and enhanced soil phosphate availability and nutrient-cycling potential. Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium promoted maize root elongation and nutrient uptake. Transcriptomic analyses revealed activation of the phenylpropanoid-flavonoid pathway, repression of flavonol biosynthesis, and induction of auxin-responsive and nutrient transport genes, suggesting that Bradyrhizobium stimulates maize root growth via a flavonoid-auxin regulatory module. Soybean-derived flavonoids recruit Bradyrhizobium to maize rhizospheres, where the bacterium enhances maize root development and nutrient acquisition, uncovering a cross-species microbial mechanism underlying legume-cereal intercropping benefits.},
}

@article {pmid41606480,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Y and Zhai, Y and Zhang, Q and Zhang, Y and Li, Y and Tang, S and Wang, J and Lu, H},
title = {Endophytic Alternaria oxytropis modulates host metabolism and enhances stress resilience in locoweed independent of swainsonine biosynthesis.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-08257-8},
pmid = {41606480},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {No.2023YFD1801100//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; No. 32072929//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Locoweed toxicity is attributed to swainsonine-producing endophytic fungus Alternaria oxytropis, yet the broader ecological significance of fungal metabolites beyond swainsonine remains poorly understood. Here, we integrated untargeted metabolomics with biochemical assays to compare the effects on the plant of the wild-type Alternaria oxytropis endophyte with endophyte-free plants and plants colonised by swnR-silenced strains. Across four symbiotic systems, 3,008 metabolites were identified, with significant alterations enriched in terpenoid backbone, flavonoid, and amino acid metabolism. Fungal-colonized plants exhibited elevated accumulation of sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoid glycosides-metabolites with known allelopathic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant functions. Notably, swnR-silenced symbionts maintained enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, particularly catalase, despite a marked reduction in swainsonine levels. Growth parameters remained unaffected, indicating that metabolic reprogramming occurred without fitness costs. Our findings reveal that A. oxytropis endophytes modulate host secondary metabolism and oxidative defense independently of swainsonine biosynthesis. This dual role-conferring toxicity while enhancing ecological competitiveness-offers new insight into locoweed persistence and provides a potential strategy for mitigating toxicity while preserving adaptive benefits in host-endophyte symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid41605787,
year = {2026},
author = {Inagaki, M and Kamiya, S and Okamura, A and Miura, A and Kayano, Y and Tanaka, A and Takemoto, D},
title = {Cdc25-Mediated Activation of the Small GTPase RasB Is Essential for Hyphal Fusion and Symbiotic Infection of Epichloë festucae.},
journal = {Molecular plant pathology},
volume = {27},
number = {1},
pages = {e70210},
doi = {10.1111/mpp.70210},
pmid = {41605787},
issn = {1364-3703},
support = {//NOVARTIS Foundation (Japan) for the Promotion of Science/ ; //Toyoaki Scholarship Foundation/ ; 23117719//the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 16KT0145//the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Epichloe/pathogenicity/physiology/genetics/enzymology ; *Hyphae/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics/physiology ; *Fungal Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Mutation/genetics ; *ras Proteins/metabolism ; Lolium/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Epichloë festucae is a filamentous endophytic fungus that symbiotically colonises the intercellular spaces of aerial tissues in perennial ryegrass without causing disease symptoms. This mutualistic association enhances host resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Balanced and coordinated growth of E. festucae with its host is essential for the establishment and long-term maintenance of the symbiotic relationship. Various E. festucae mutants defective in symbiosis with host plants have been isolated, and notably, many of these symbiosis-defective mutants also lack hyphal fusion ability under culture conditions, supporting a close functional connection between signal transduction required for hyphal fusion and symbiosis establishment. Using a plasmid insertional mutagenesis approach, we identified cdc25 as an essential regulator of hyphal fusion in E. festucae. cdc25 encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates the small GTPase Ras. The Δcdc25 strain lost both hyphal fusion ability and the capacity to infect host plants. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that Cdc25 specifically interacts with RasB, one of five Ras proteins in E. festucae. Expression of constitutively active (CA) RasB in the Δcdc25 strain restored both hyphal fusion and host infection, whereas expression of CA-RasB in the ΔmpkB strain failed to rescue its defect in hyphal fusion, suggesting that the Cdc25-RasB signalling module acts upstream of the MAPK cascade. In pathogenic fungi, this signalling module is known to regulate infection-related morphogenesis. These findings indicate that E. festucae has evolutionarily repurposed the conserved Cdc25-RasB module to coordinate hyphal fusion and maintain a stable mutualistic interaction with its host.},
}

*Epichloe/pathogenicity/physiology/genetics/enzymology
*Hyphae/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics/physiology
*Fungal Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Mutation/genetics
*ras Proteins/metabolism
Lolium/microbiology

@article {pmid41603534,
year = {2026},
author = {Catacora-Grundy, A and Kramer, N and Jakobsen, SL and Kühl, M and Decelle, J and Wangpraseurt, D},
title = {Intra-colony light gradients drive variation in coral symbiont morphology and carbon storage.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrag006},
pmid = {41603534},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Light availability plays a central role in shaping the photophysiology and energy metabolism of photosymbiotic organisms such as reef-building corals. Although light varies greatly within coral colonies, the effects of this spatial heterogeneity on the subcellular organization and energy storage of symbiotic algae (Symbiodiniaceae) remain poorly understood. Here, we combined microscale measurements of light and oxygen across both light-exposed upper regions and shaded basal regions of a Favites abdita colony with three-dimensional cellular imaging using Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM). Our multi-scale approach revealed subcellular heterogeneity among symbiont populations, suggesting different cell cycle stages and physiological states across a spatial stratification in the coral. Subcellular morphometrics revealed that symbiont cells at the top of the colony were twice more voluminous than those at the shaded base with similar plastid volume occupancy. Compared to symbionts at the top of the colony, symbionts in the basal region accumulated nearly three times more starch relative to their cell volume. These findings show that light gradients within coral colonies shape symbiont morphology and energy storage patterns, with important implications for coral stress tolerance and resilience.},
}

@article {pmid41603457,
year = {2026},
author = {Malinski, KH and Madalone, OF and Kingsolver, JG and Willett, CS},
title = {The role of a viral symbiont in the thermal mismatch of host-parasitoid interactions.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1242/jeb.251637},
pmid = {41603457},
issn = {1477-9145},
support = {IOS-2029156//Directorate for Biological Sciences/ ; Graduate Student Seed Grant//Triangle Comparative and Evolutionary Medicine Center, Duke University/ ; },
abstract = {High temperature events are becoming more severe with climate change, altering species interactions and ecological networks. Symbionts can influence the thermal tolerance of their hosts, yet the mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. We tested the impact of a high temperature event on the molecular interactions among a caterpillar host, Manduca sexta, its parasitoid wasp, Cotesia congregata, and the wasp's symbiotic virus. As in many host-parasitoid systems, high temperatures are lethal to developing parasitoids, but not hosts. Typically the parasitoid's viral symbiont immunosuppresses M. sexta. Here we show that elevated temperatures led to an impairment of this immunosuppression, persisting for days after the event ended. Viral gene expression in the host was altered by heat, with distinct expression patterns tied to the virus's genomic architecture. Specifically, viral transcription varied according to the gene's position on viral circular genomic segments: genes located on circles known to integrate into host DNA exhibited increased or unchanged expression following high temperature exposure, while genes on non-integrating circles showed marked reductions in expression. These results demonstrate that high temperatures can disrupt parasitic immunosuppression, which could help explain the lower thermal tolerance of parasitoids relative to hosts. The genomic structure of the viral symbiont may be associated with these effects, but additional research is needed to evaluate this hypothesis. Our findings highlight the importance of complex interactions between environmental temperature, microbial symbionts, and host immunity in the ecological responses of host-parasitoid systems to high temperature events.},
}

@article {pmid41202842,
year = {2026},
author = {Berasategui, A and Salem, H},
title = {Plant Pathogens Moonlighting as Beneficial Insect Symbionts.},
journal = {Annual review of entomology},
volume = {71},
number = {1},
pages = {471-495},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-121423-013411},
pmid = {41202842},
issn = {1545-4487},
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Insecta/microbiology/physiology ; *Plants/microbiology ; *Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Herbivory ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Insect Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; },
abstract = {Herbivorous insects can shape the epidemiology of disease in plants by vectoring numerous phytopathogens. While the consequences of infection are often well-characterized in the host plant, the extent to which phytopathogens alter the physiology and development of their insect vectors remains poorly understood. In this review, we highlight how insect-borne phytopathogens can promote vector fitness, consistent with theoretical predictions that selection should favor a mutualistic or commensal phenotype. In doing so, we define the metabolic features predisposing plant pathogens to engage in beneficial partnerships with herbivorous insects and how these mutualisms promote the microbe's propagation to uninfected plants. For the vector, the benefits of co-opting microbial pathways and metabolites can be immense: from balancing a nutritionally deficient diet and unlocking a novel ecological niche to upgrading its defensive biochemistry against natural enemies. Given the independent origins of these tripartite interactions and a number of convergent features, we also discuss the evolutionary and genomic signatures underlying microbial adaptation to its dual lifestyle as both a plant pathogen and an insect mutualist. Finally, as host association can constrain the metabolic potential of microbes over evolutionary time, we outline the stability of these interactions and how they impact the virulence and transmission of plant pathogens.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Insecta/microbiology/physiology
*Plants/microbiology
*Plant Diseases/microbiology
Herbivory
*Host-Pathogen Interactions
*Insect Vectors/microbiology/physiology

@article {pmid41082399,
year = {2026},
author = {Ravenscraft, A and Coon, KL},
title = {Transient Microbes in Insects: Fleeting but Functional.},
journal = {Annual review of entomology},
volume = {71},
number = {1},
pages = {253-273},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-121423-013446},
pmid = {41082399},
issn = {1545-4487},
mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/microbiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Many insects' gut microbiota derive partly or wholly from environmental sources. These microbes may be transient, passing through in a matter of hours, days, a developmental stage, or a host generation. There is increasing recognition of the presence of transient microbes in the insect gut, but it is often assumed that these microbes are commensal and serve no function for their hosts. Here, we explore different definitions of microbial transience and review results from diverse insect systems showing that transience does not always preclude, and in some cases enables, important contributions of environmentally acquired microbes to host fitness. Moving past the assumption that microbes must always be tightly associated with a host to serve beneficial functions will help us develop a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the functions of the gut microbiota in insects and other animals.},
}

Animals
*Insecta/microbiology
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Symbiosis

@article {pmid41601388,
year = {2026},
author = {Brearley, FQ},
title = {Testing the importance of ectomycorrhizas and nutrients for the growth of dipterocarp seedlings in Borneo.},
journal = {American journal of botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e70155},
doi = {10.1002/ajb2.70155},
pmid = {41601388},
issn = {1537-2197},
support = {ORP-1//British Ecological Society/ ; },
abstract = {PREMISE: A number of ecologically important tropical trees form symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal associations including the Dipterocarpaceae, that dominate lowland forests of South-east Asia. Whilst numerous pot-based studies have focused on the importance of EcMs for dipterocarp seedling growth and performance, few field studies have been undertaken.

METHODS: In a 20-month field experiment in Malaysian Borneo, two species with contrasting light requirements-shade-tolerant Hopea nervosa and the more light-demanding Parashorea tomentella-were subjected to the factorial addition of fungicide (to reduce EcM colonization) and nutrients.

RESULTS: Fungicide addition reduced EcM colonization by a small but significant percentage. Reductions in foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll concentrations in both species and in calcium and magnesium concentrations in H. nervosa did not translate into reduced biomass in either species. When given additional nutrients, H. nervosa had no increase in foliar nutrient concentrations or biomass, but P. tomentella had an increase in foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations and more than doubled its biomass. When nutrients were added but EcM reduced, P. tomentella did not increase in biomass.

CONCLUSIONS: EcM fungi can play an important role in influencing dipterocarp seedling mineral nutrition, and P. tomentella may require EcMs to effectively utilize additional mineral nutrient sources. The importance of nutrient uptake for biomass production is less clear and may be confounded by the use of fungicide to control EcM colonization.},
}

@article {pmid41601343,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, Q and Yan, J and Yang, Q},
title = {Metabolic reprogramming of efferocytosis in the tumour microenvironment: From apoptotic-cell clearance to therapeutic targeting.},
journal = {Clinical and translational medicine},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {e70601},
doi = {10.1002/ctm2.70601},
pmid = {41601343},
issn = {2001-1326},
support = {82360604//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2024YNLCYXZX0326//Yunnan Provincial Health Commission Clinical Medicine Center Research Project/ ; 2024YNLCYXZX0339//Yunnan Provincial Health Commission Clinical Medicine Center Research Project/ ; 202501AY070001-217//Yunnan Fundamental Research Kunming Medical University Projects/ ; YDYXJJ2025-0056//Yunnan University Medical Research Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Tumor Microenvironment/immunology/physiology ; *Apoptosis/physiology ; *Phagocytosis/physiology ; *Neoplasms/metabolism/immunology ; Animals ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; Efferocytosis ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Efferocytosis is a critical physiological process in which phagocytes clear apoptotic cells to maintain tissue homeostasis. However, within the tumour microenvironment (TME), this process is systematically hijacked by tumour cells, transforming it into a key pathological mechanism that drives immunosuppression, tumour progression and therapeutic resistance.

KEY FINDINGS: This review systematically elucidates the central role of metabolic reprogramming in this functional reversal, emphasising that efferocytosis is essentially an immunometabolic intersection process precisely regulated by metabolism. By releasing various metabolites such as ATP, lactate, adenosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), apoptotic tumour cells not only recruit tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) but also metabolically pre-program their functions, inducing polarisation towards a pro-tumourigenic M2-like phenotype. During the recognition stage, tumour cells exploit metabolic abnormalities, such as glycosylation and lipid oxidation, to modify surface 'eat-me/don't-eat-me' signals, thereby hijacking macrophage recognition and engulfment programs. Upon completion of engulfment, systemic reprogramming of amino acid, lipid and glucose metabolism occurs within macrophages. These metabolic alterations synergistically lock their immunosuppressive phenotype and establish a metabolic symbiosis between the tumour and stromal cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on these mechanisms, this review further explores translational strategies targeting the efferocytic-metabolic axis, aiming to reprogram the immunosuppressive efferocytosis into immune-activating events to overcome TME-mediated immunosuppression and enhance current therapeutic efficacy. By deeply dissecting the metabolic regulatory networks of efferocytosis, we aim to pave new directions for cancer immunotherapy, achieving a paradigm shift from 'metabolic hijacking' to 'metabolic interventional therapy'.},
}

Humans
*Tumor Microenvironment/immunology/physiology
*Apoptosis/physiology
*Phagocytosis/physiology
*Neoplasms/metabolism/immunology
Animals
Metabolic Reprogramming
Efferocytosis

@article {pmid41601318,
year = {2026},
author = {Muñoz-Hernández, J and Peralta-Maraver, I and Cavieres, G and Gutiérrez-Cortés, I and Rezende, EL and Rivera, DS},
title = {Phylosymbiosis and functional redundancy in the Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) gut microbiome and its implications for host fitness.},
journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jisesa/ieaf114},
pmid = {41601318},
issn = {1536-2442},
support = {11190637//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico/ ; 21241747//Universidad Mayor Doctoral Fellowship and the ANID National Doctoral Fellowship/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Drosophila/microbiology/physiology/genetics/growth & development ; *Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Chile ; *Genetic Fitness ; Female ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {The gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in host ecophysiology. Numerous studies have examined microbiome composition and functionality to understand the ecological and evolutionary factors shaping host-microbe interactions. However, the consequences of these patterns for animal ecology remain poorly understood. Here, we examined how variations in the gut microbiome influence fitness differences among Drosophila species sharing a common dietary niche. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we analyzed the gut microbial taxonomy and predicted functional profiles of 4 Drosophila species collected in central Chile. Our results revealed a strong signal of phylosymbiosis in the microbial taxonomy, while functionality was highly redundant across the studied fly species. Functional biomarkers analysis indicated that the gut microbiome supports the nutritional requirements of D. simulans (Sturtevant), D. hydei (Sturtevant), and D. repleta (Wollaston); whereas, this was less evident in D. melanogaster (Meigen). To assess the potential contribution of the microbiome to host performance, we compared egg-to-adult viability between 2 species with the greatest physiological divergence: D. simulans and D. hydei. Notably, D. simulans exhibited significantly higher egg viability and shorter development time than D. hydei. Strikingly, the D. simulans microbiome contained more taxonomic and functional biomarkers previously demonstrated to enhance fly fitness, whereas the D. hydei microbiome harbored taxa and functions potentially detrimental to host performance. These findings suggest that the gut microbiome contributes to host fitness and may shape the evolutionary ecology of Drosophila species, with broader implications for community dynamics, including interspecific competition and species displacement.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Drosophila/microbiology/physiology/genetics/growth & development
*Symbiosis
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis
Chile
*Genetic Fitness
Female
Phylogeny

@article {pmid41601046,
year = {2026},
author = {Wen, FF and Ma, QL and Guo, HR and Huang, Y and Zhang, X and Yao, YT and Li, DW and Yang, WD and Li, HY and Zou, LG},
title = {Unveiling zinc oxide nanoparticle toxicity in Symbiodinium kawagutii: Proteomic insights and coral reef implications.},
journal = {Ecotoxicology and environmental safety},
volume = {309},
number = {},
pages = {119615},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119615},
pmid = {41601046},
issn = {1090-2414},
mesh = {*Zinc Oxide/toxicity ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/drug effects/metabolism/growth & development/physiology ; Proteomics ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; Animals ; *Metal Nanoparticles/toxicity ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; Anthozoa ; *Nanoparticles/toxicity ; Proteome/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO), widely used as inorganic UV filters, are increasingly released into coastal waters, yet their mechanistic impacts on coral symbionts remain insufficiently resolved. Here, we evaluated nZnO toxicity in Symbiodinium kawagutii, a critical symbiotic alga in coral reefs, using proteomic profiling and cellular analyses. Results reveal that nZnO exposure significantly suppresses algal growth, disrupts photosynthesis, and induces oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage. Proteomic data indicate downregulation of essential photosynthetic proteins and upregulation of stress response proteins, reflecting profound metabolic disruptions. Cells also increased extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production; together with evidence of surface association and zinc accumulation, this suggests a defensive response that may modulate particle-cell interactions and Zn[2+] dynamics. Collectively, these results indicate that nZnO can impair key physiological functions of S. kawagutii that underpin coral-algal symbiosis, supporting the need to incorporate nanomaterial contaminants into coastal monitoring and ecological risk assessment frameworks.},
}

*Zinc Oxide/toxicity
Coral Reefs
*Dinoflagellida/drug effects/metabolism/growth & development/physiology
Proteomics
*Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity
Oxidative Stress/drug effects
Photosynthesis/drug effects
Animals
*Metal Nanoparticles/toxicity
Symbiosis/drug effects
Anthozoa
*Nanoparticles/toxicity
Proteome/metabolism

@article {pmid41600440,
year = {2026},
author = {Suo, L and Wang, D and Zhou, W and Peng, X},
title = {Weighted Sum-Rate Maximization and Task Completion Time Minimization for Multi-Tag MIMO Symbiotic Radio Networks.},
journal = {Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/s26020644},
pmid = {41600440},
issn = {1424-8220},
abstract = {Symbiotic radio (SR) has recently emerged as a promising paradigm for enabling spectrum- and energy-efficient massive connectivity in low-power Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks. By allowing passive backscatter devices (BDs) to coexist with active primary link transmissions, SR significantly improves spectrum utilization without requiring dedicated spectrum resources. However, most existing studies on multi-tag multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) SR systems assume homogeneous traffic demands among BDs and primarily focus on rate-based performance metrics, while neglecting system-level task completion time (TCT) optimization under heterogeneous data requirements. In this paper, we investigate a joint performance optimization framework for a multi-tag MIMO symbiotic radio network. We first formulate a weighted sum-rate (WSR) maximization problem for the secondary backscatter links. The original non-convex WSR maximization problem is transformed into an equivalent weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) problem, and then solved by a block coordinate descent (BCD) approach, where the transmit precoding matrix, decoding filters, backscatter reflection coefficients are alternatively optimized. Second, to address the transmission delay imbalance caused by heterogeneous data sizes among BDs, we further propose a rate weight adaptive task TCT minimization scheme, which dynamically updates the rate weight of each BD to minimize the overall TCT. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed framework significantly improves the WSR of the secondary system without degrading the primary link performance, and achieves substantial TCT reduction in multi-tag heterogeneous traffic scenarios, validating its effectiveness and robustness for MIMO symbiotic radio networks.},
}

@article {pmid41600372,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, B and You, X and Liu, Y and Xu, J and Xu, S},
title = {Multi-Level Perception Systems in Fusion of Lifeforms: Classification, Challenges and Future Conceptions.},
journal = {Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/s26020576},
pmid = {41600372},
issn = {1424-8220},
support = {2024YFC3406302//the National Key R&D Program of China/ ; 12204273//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; ZR2024MF107//the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China/ ; 2017YFA0701302//the National Key R&D Program of China/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Brain-Computer Interfaces ; *Perception/physiology ; },
abstract = {The emerging paradigm of "fusion of lifeforms" represents a transformative shift from conventional human-machine interfaces toward deeply integrated symbiotic systems, where biological and artificial components co-adapt structurally, energetically, informationally, and cognitively. This review systematically classifies multi-level perception systems within fusion of lifeforms into four functional categories: sensory and functional restoration, beyond-natural sensing, endogenous state sensing, and cognitive enhancement. We survey recent advances in neuroprosthetics, sensory augmentation, closed-loop physiological monitoring, and brain-computer interfaces, highlighting the transition from substitution to fusion. Despite significant progress, critical challenges remain, including multi-source heterogeneous integration, bandwidth and latency limitations, power and thermal constraints, biocompatibility, and system-level safety. We propose future directions such as layered in-body communication networks, sustainable energy strategies, advanced biointerfaces, and robust safety frameworks. Ethical considerations regarding self-identity, neural privacy, and legal responsibility are also discussed. This work aims to provide a comprehensive reference and roadmap for the development of next-generation fusion of lifeforms, ultimately steering human-machine integration from episodic functional repair toward sustained, multi-level symbiosis between biological and artificial systems.},
}

Humans
*Brain-Computer Interfaces
*Perception/physiology

@article {pmid41598957,
year = {2026},
author = {Negri, I and Toledo, ME},
title = {Evolution of Insect Pollination Before Angiosperms and Lessons for Modern Ecosystems.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17010103},
pmid = {41598957},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {Insect pollination, a critical ecological process, pre-dates the emergence of angiosperms by nearly 200 million years, with fossil evidence indicating pollination interactions between insects and non-angiosperm seed plants during the Late Paleozoic. This review examines the symbiotic relationships between insects and gymnosperms in pre-angiosperm ecosystems, highlighting the complexity of these interactions. Fossil records suggest that the mutualistic relationships between insects and gymnosperms, which facilitated plant reproduction, were as intricate and diverse as the modern interactions between angiosperms and their pollinators, particularly bees. These early pollination systems likely involved specialized behaviors and plant adaptations, reflecting a sophisticated evolutionary dynamic long before the advent of flowering plants. The Anthropocene presents a dichotomy: while climate change and anthropogenic pressures threaten insect biodiversity and risk disrupting angiosperm reproduction, such upheaval may simultaneously generate opportunities for novel plant-insect interactions as ecological niches are vacated. Understanding the deep evolutionary history of pollination offers critical insight into the mechanisms underlying the resilience and adaptability of these mutualisms. The evolutionary trajectory of bees-originating from predatory wasps, diversifying alongside angiosperms, and reorganizing after mass extinctions-exemplifies this dynamic, demonstrating how pollination networks persist and reorganize under environmental stress and underscoring the enduring health, resilience, and adaptability of these essential ecological systems.},
}

@article {pmid41598908,
year = {2026},
author = {González-Peña, R and Hidalgo-Martínez, DO and Laredo-Tiscareño, SV and Huerta, H and de Luna-Santillana, EJ and Adame-Gallegos, JR and Rodríguez-Alarcón, CA and Rubio-Tabares, E and García-Rejón, JE and Muñoz-Ramírez, ZY and Tangudu, C and Garza-Hernández, JA},
title = {Characterization of the Bacteriome of Culicoides reevesi from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico: Symbiotic and Pathogenic Associations.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17010052},
pmid = {41598908},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {419- 395 24-23//Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (SECIHTI)/ ; SIP20250075//Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado from Instituto Politécnico Nacional/ ; },
abstract = {Culicoides biting midges are vectors of veterinary and zoonotic pathogens, yet the bacteriome of several species remains unexplored. Culicoides reevesi, a poorly studied species in northern Mexico, represents an opportunity to investigate microbial associations that may influence vector biology. Adults of C. reevesi were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, followed by functional prediction with PICRUSt2. Heatmaps and pathway summaries were generated to highlight dominant taxa and functions. The bacteriome was dominated by Pseudomonadota, followed by Actinomycetota, Bacillota, and Bacteroidota. Symbiotic taxa such as Asaia and Cardinium were identified alongside potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium avium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Functional predictions indicated metabolic versatility, with abundant pathways related to aerobic respiration, the TCA cycle, amino acid biosynthesis, and quorum sensing. Despite all samples being collected from the same site and date, apparent differences in bacterial composition were observed across pools, suggesting microhabitat or host-related variability. This study provides the first taxonomic and functional baseline of the C. reevesi bacteriome. The detection of both symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria highlights the dual ecological role of the microbiome in host fitness and pathogen transmission potential. In conclusion, we suggest that these microbial associations influence vector physiology and competence, providing a basis for future microbiome-based control strategies. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating microbiome analyses into entomological surveillance and vector control strategies in endemic regions.},
}

@article {pmid41598897,
year = {2025},
author = {Nie, Y and Yu, G and Hu, H},
title = {Niche Differentiation and Predicted Functions of Microbiomes in a Tri-Trophic Willow-Gall (Euura viminalis)-Parasitoid Wasp System.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17010043},
pmid = {41598897},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {32560120//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Chalcidoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), the most important natural enemies of parasitoids, serve as a pivotal factor in the regulation and management of pest populations. Microbiotas mediate interactions among plants, herbivores, and natural enemies and shape host immunity, parasitoid development, and gall formation; however, the niche-specific diversity and functions of tritrophic parasitoid-host-gall systems remain unclear. Focusing on leaf galls induced on twisted willow (Salix matsudana f. tortuosa) by the willow-galling sawfly Euura viminalis and on two chalcidoids, Eurytoma aethiops and Aprostocetus sp., we profiled bacterial and fungal microbiomes across plant surfaces, gall lumen, host larval tissues, and parasitoids using HTAS. Fungal diversity peaked on parasitoids but was depleted in the gall lumen and host tissues; bacterial richness showed the opposite trend, peaking in the gall lumen and decreasing on parasitoids. In networks contrasted by kingdom, fungi showed positive interface-hub connectivity (Cladosporium, Alternaria), whereas bacteria showed negative hub-mediated associations (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter), indicating habitat-specific replacements: exposed niches favored transport, two-component, secretion-motility and energy functions, whereas the gall lumen reduced transport/motility but selectively retained N/S metabolism; and in host tissues, information processing and nitrogen respiration were highlighted. These results inform microbiome-guided parasitoid biocontrol.},
}

@article {pmid41597716,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, Y and Li, D and Li, Y and Wang, X and Zhang, W and Wen, X and Liu, Z and Feng, Y and Yin, W and Yang, C and Zhang, X},
title = {Characterization of Seed Endophytic Microbiota in Pinus massoniana.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14010199},
pmid = {41597716},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2022ZD04016//STI 2030－Major Projects/ ; CAFYBB2020SZ008//Fundamental Research Funds of Research Institute of Forest New Technology, CAF/ ; },
abstract = {Seed endophytic microbiota are crucial for plant early development and stress resistance. Pinus massoniana is a key ecological and economic tree species in China, yet it is severely threatened by pine wilt disease (PWD). However, the community composition of P. massoniana seed endophytic microbiota and the persistent symbiosis formed via vertical transmission in seeds remain unclear. We analyzed the endophytic bacterial and fungal microbiota of P. massoniana seeds from four geographic regions using high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing to characterize community structure, diversity, and functional potential, providing a basis for endophytic microbiota-based strategies to enhance resistance to PWD. Results showed that both alpha and beta diversity analyses indicated that seed endophytic microbial communities of P. massoniana differed among regions. Bacterial communities were dominated by Pseudomonadota (phylum), Gammaproteobacteria (class), and the genera Klebsiella, norank_f_Pectobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus. Fungal communities were primarily composed of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (phylum), Sordariomycetes (class), and the genera Rosellinia, Aspergillus, and Coniophora. Correlation network analysis revealed that fungal networks were characterized by a higher proportion of positive correlations, whereas bacterial networks were more complex. Notably, several genera detected in seeds, including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Trichoderma, have also been reported in mature P. massoniana tissues, indicating a potential for putative vertical transmission from mother plants. Functional prediction further suggested that these taxa were enriched in pathways related to terpenoid and polyketide metabolism and saprotrophic functions, which have been implicated in PWD resistance and have been previously reported to exert nematode-suppressive or plant growth-promoting effects. Overall, this study elucidates the community structure and ecological characteristics of seed endophytic microbiota in P. massoniana and identifies potentially beneficial microbial taxa, providing potential support for the future utilization of P. massoniana endophytic microbiota in PWD research.},
}

@article {pmid41597691,
year = {2026},
author = {Ye, Y and Zhao, Y and Wang, N and Tang, R and Huang, Z and Li, S and Li, M and Zhang, C and Jiang, F},
title = {Deciphering Molecular Pathways of Bletilla striata Seeds Symbiotic Germination with Tulasnella sp. bj1.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14010174},
pmid = {41597691},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2021ZX008//the financial support of the Science and Technology Plan of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province/ ; },
abstract = {Orchid seed germination requires symbiotic association with mycorrhizal fungi that provide essential nutrients for germination and subsequent growth. Extensive research has elucidated the pivotal role of the mycorrhizal fungus Tulasnella sp. in the modulation of seed germination and growth processes in Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reiehb.f. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this symbiosis remain poorly characterized. Our integrated transcriptomic-metabolomic analysis of symbiotic germination revealed that co-cultivation of Tulasnella sp. bj1 with B. striata seeds significantly downregulates the expression of plant-derived flavonoid biosynthetic genes, with flavonoid degradation potentially alleviating germination and growth inhibition. The bj1 strain modulates indoleacetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis in B. striata by upregulating the expression of plant-derived tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) in the tryptophan pathway and hydrolytic enzymes (NtAMI) in the indoleacetamide pathway, with elevated IAA potentially contributing to seed germination and growth. Moreover, bj1 suppresses the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthetic pathway of B. striata by downregulating key plant-derived biosynthetic genes, concurrently promoting the accumulation of 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid-a metabolite associated with plant immune regulation that may favor colonization and symbiotic establishment with B. striata seeds. Additionally, bj1 induces the expression of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, potentially improving carbon source utilization to support protocorm development. In conclusion, bj1 modulates the immune response of B. striata seeds, facilitating the establishment of a symbiotic relationship. Subsequently, the germination and growth of B. striata seeds are enhanced through reduced flavonoid accumulation, increased IAA synthesis, and improved carbon source utilization. Consequently, this investigation provides a crucial foundation for elucidating mechanisms governing symbiotic germination in B. striata.},
}

@article {pmid41597634,
year = {2026},
author = {Nishu, SD and No, JH and Wee, GN and Lee, TK},
title = {A Drought-Activated Bacterial Symbiont Enhances Legume Resilience Through Coordinated Amino Acid Metabolism.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14010114},
pmid = {41597634},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2020R1C1C1006249//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; },
abstract = {Drought stress severely impacts agricultural productivity, yet mechanisms underlying microbial enhancement of plant drought tolerance remain poorly understood. This study investigated whether Sphingobacterium nripensae DR205 exhibits drought-specific plant growth promotion through conditional metabolic activation. We combined plant cultivation experiments, genome sequencing, and comparative transcriptomics to evaluate DR205 responses under normal and drought conditions with or without root exudates. DR205 showed minimal growth promotion under normal conditions but enhanced plant biomass by 74-344% specifically under drought stress. Genome analysis revealed complete pathways for both stress tolerance (osmolyte biosynthesis and antioxidant systems) and plant interaction (IAA production and nutrient mobilization). Transcriptomics uncovered dramatic metabolic reprogramming under drought, with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis genes shifting from 27-fold suppression under root exudates to 17-fold upregulation under drought. Lysine biosynthesis showed similar drought-specific activation patterns. Critically, drought signals overrode plant signals maintaining BCAA activation regardless of root exudate presence and ensuring metabolic investment in plant support occurred specifically during water deficit. This conditional mutualism represents a novel bacterial strategy where plant support is selectively activated during environmental stress. These findings challenge conventional PGPR paradigms and offer new approaches for developing climate-resilient agricultural systems through targeted application of stress-responsive beneficial microbes.},
}

@article {pmid41597618,
year = {2026},
author = {Yuan, X and Qin, H and Wang, Y and Wu, S and Zhang, Z and Fan, M and Li, L and Tian, L and Fu, Y},
title = {Coupled Effects of Tree Species and Understory Morel on Modulating Soil Microbial Communities and Nutrient Dynamics.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14010099},
pmid = {41597618},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {SZKJXM202215//Suzhou Science and Technology Plan Project 2022/ ; 2023AH040313//Anhui University Scientific Research Project 2023/ ; },
abstract = {Morel mushrooms (Morchella spp.) are highly prized for their culinary and economic value. Understory cultivation, leveraging the symbiotic relationship between morels and trees, has gained increasing popularity. However, the effects of this practice on belowground microbial communities and nutrient dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined how understory cultivation of morels (Morchella sextelata) under five different tree species affects soil bacterial and fungal communities, as well as nutrient availability and mineral element content. The results revealed that soil physicochemical properties responded variably to morel cultivation under different tree species. Notably, understory morel cultivation reduced soil NO3[-]-N by 38-67% across tree species, whereas NH4[+]-N remained stable, reflecting the distinct nutrient preference of Morchella and associated trees, and suggesting targeted nitrate fertilization could mitigate nitrogen limitations. Understory cultivation significantly increased soil mineral elements, with Zelkova serrata (Z. serrata) showing the highest concentrations, elevating available potassium (AK), calcium (ECa), manganese (AMn) and boron (AB) by approximately 20%, 13%, 30%, and 168%, highlighting its potential for soil quality improvement. Microbial community composition was also significantly altered, with fungal communities exhibiting more pronounced shifts than bacterial communities, likely due to their closer ecological associations with morels. Importantly, Z. serrata markedly promoted microbial-mediated soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation, driven by mineral binding, root secretions and soil pH value. These findings enhance understanding of belowground effects of morel understory cultivation, revealing that select tree species like Z. serrata can improve soil quality and nutrient cycling, while targeted nitrate fertilization supports sustaining morel cultivation systems.},
}

@article {pmid41597611,
year = {2025},
author = {Ghareeb, RY and Eid, SM and Alfy, H and Elsheikh, MH},
title = {Repercussions of Symbiotic Bacteria Associated with Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles on Immune Responses at Root-Knot Nematode Suppression.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14010092},
pmid = {41597611},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) of the Meloidogyne genus impact various plants, including crops, fruits, and vegetables. Few chemical control options exist globally, and many nematicides are banned due to health and environmental risks. This study tested a new nematicidal agent, the symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus indica, which was molecularly identified (PV845100). Cell-free culture supernatants of Xenorhabdus spp. and their biogenic Ag-NPs were used in nematicidal assays. Meloidogyne incognita showed high mortality rates of 95.3%, 74.6%, and 72.6% after 72 h of treatment with the X. indica filtrate at three concentrations. At the same concentrations, biogenic Ag-NPs resulted in 82.0%, 90.0%, and 85.3% mortality rates, respectively. After 72 h, hatchability decreased by 53%, 74.6%, and 72.6% for the X. indica filtrate and 82.0%, 90.0%, and 85.3% for Ag-NPs. Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) revealed that Mi-Ache1 expression was lower in M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2s) treated with the filtrate and Ag-NPs after 72 h compared to controls. Mi-Ache2 expression was also decreased, but only slightly. Furthermore, both the X. indica filtrate and biogenic Ag-NPs were safe in human lung (WI-38) and skin (HFB4) cell lines. These findings suggest that bacterial filtrates and their biogenic Ag-NPs could serve as cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to commercial nematicides.},
}

@article {pmid41597576,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, L and Zhao, Y},
title = {The Response of Substrate Microbial Communities to the Addition of Mineral Nutrients During the Growth Period of Straw Mushroom Volvariella volvacea.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14010056},
pmid = {41597576},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {No. 2024YFD1200204//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; No. 21N51900500//Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology/ ; 2020-02-08-00-12-F01479//Shanghai Agricultural Commission Program/ ; KFKT2023-03//the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding/ ; },
abstract = {Volvariella volvacea were grown on an abandoned cotton-based substrate, which was divided into two conditions: a group with added nutrients (N3P3) and a control group (CK). Using metagenomic sequencing technology, the study investigated the effect of nutrient addition during the growth process of V. volvacea on the microbial community and metabolic pathways of the substrate. The study found that the main bacteria in the N3P3 group were Proteus and Microsporidium, while in the CK group, Bacillus marinosus and Microsporidium globosa were more common. At all stages of V. volvacea growth, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes dominated. Metabolic function analysis showed that the N3P3 group significantly increased amino acid metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, genetic information processing, and cellular processes, while reducing the contents of pathogenic and saprophytic symbiotic fungi. Nitrogen metabolism, phosphorus metabolism, and carbon metabolism were closely related to the growth of V. volvacea, and nutrient addition significantly improved microbial community diversity and metabolic levels, which can be used as a substrate optimization formula. This is of great significance for the development of sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid41596418,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Zeng, NK and Zhang, X},
title = {Tuber Inoculation Drives Rhizosphere Microbiome Assembly and Metabolic Reprogramming in Corylus.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27020768},
pmid = {41596418},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2019RC185 and 320RC597//Natural Science Foundation of HainanProvince/ ; (2024)171//Project of Science and Technology Programs of Guizhou Province/ ; Gui(2024)TG12//Project of Central Government Financial Fund for Forest Reform and Development/ ; },
mesh = {*Rhizosphere ; *Microbiota ; Mycorrhizae/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism ; Metabolomics/methods ; *Plant Tubers/microbiology/metabolism ; Soil Microbiology ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; },
abstract = {To elucidate the potential of integrated multi-omics approaches for studying systemic mechanisms of mycorrhizal fungi in mediating plant-microbe interactions, this study employed the Tuber-inoculated Corylus system as a model to demonstrate how high-throughput profiling can investigate how fungal inoculation reshapes the rhizosphere microbial community and correlates with host metabolism. A pot experiment was conducted comparing inoculated (CTG) and non-inoculated (CK) plants, followed by integrated multi-omics analysis involving high-throughput sequencing (16S/ITS), functional prediction (PICRUSt2/FUNGuild), and metabolomics (UPLC-MS/MS). The results demonstrated that inoculation significantly restructured the fungal community, establishing Tuber as a dominant symbiotic guild and effectively suppressing pathogenic fungi. Although bacterial alpha diversity remained stable, the functional profile shifted markedly toward symbiotic support, including antibiotic biosynthesis and environmental adaptation. Concurrently, root metabolic reprogramming occurred, characterized by upregulation of strigolactones and downregulation of gibberellin A5, suggesting a potential "symbiosis-priority" strategy wherein carbon allocation shifted from structural growth to energy storage, and plant defense transitioned from broad-spectrum resistance to targeted regulation. Multi-omics correlation analysis further revealed notable associations between microbial communities and root metabolites, proposing a model in which Tuber acts as a core regulator that collaborates with the host to assemble a complementary micro-ecosystem. In summary, the integrated approach successfully captured multi-level changes, suggesting that Tuber-Corylus symbiosis constitutes a fungus-driven process that transforms the rhizosphere from a competitive state into a mutualistic state, thereby illustrating the role of mycorrhizal fungi as "ecosystem engineers" and providing a methodological framework for green agriculture research.},
}

*Rhizosphere
*Microbiota
Mycorrhizae/physiology
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism
Metabolomics/methods
*Plant Tubers/microbiology/metabolism
Soil Microbiology
Metabolic Reprogramming

@article {pmid41595563,
year = {2025},
author = {Hulin, A and Rifflet, A and Castelli, F and Giai Gianetto, Q and Fenaille, F and Aissat, A and Matondo, M and Fellahi, S and Tournigand, C and Junot, C and Sansonetti, P and Gomperts-Boneca, I and Mestivier, D and Sobhani, I},
title = {Potential Impact of Microbial Dysbiosis and Tryptophan Metabolites in Advanced Stages of Colorectal Cancer.},
journal = {Biomedicines},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines14010026},
pmid = {41595563},
issn = {2227-9059},
support = {Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer 2004 financement de la cohorte CCR//LNCC/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: We conducted an untargeted metabolomic study in serum, urine, and fecal water in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients compared to healthy controls. The aim was to define the interactions between metabolites and microbiota. Methods: Effluents were collected before colonoscopy. Metabolites were analyzed using LC-HRMS. Bioinformatics analyses included Limma test, along with spectral house and public databases for annotations. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing was performed on fecal samples. Species-metabolite interactions were calculated using Spearman correlation. Interleukins and inflammatory proteins were measured. Results: Fifty-three patients (11 stage I, 10 stage II, 10 stage III, and 22 stage IV) and twenty controls were included. Derivatives of deoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and fatty acids were lower in serum, while urinary bile acids were higher in stage IV CRC patients (versus controls). Metabolites related to tryptophan and glutamate were found significantly altered in stage IV: upregulation of kynurenine and downregulation of indole pathways. This was linked to increased inflammatory protein and microbial metabolites and to the imbalance between virulent pro-inflammatory bacteria (Escherichia and Desulfovibrio) and symbiotic (Ruminococcus and Bifidobacterium) bacteria. Conclusions: E. coli-related tryptophan catabolism shift is shown through stage IV CRC as compared to controls. As a consequence, tryptophan/kynurenine metabolite may become a promising marker for detecting the failure to immune response during therapy.},
}

@article {pmid41594931,
year = {2026},
author = {Han, D and Yang, C and Bao, L and Dong, L and He, H and Tang, P and Zhang, Y and Xiong, F and Liu, H and Yang, S},
title = {Comprehensive Metabolomic-Transcriptomic Analysis of the Regulatory Effects of Armillaria mellea Source Differences on Secondary Metabolism in Gastrodia elata.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15020196},
pmid = {41594931},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {Armillaria mellea (A. mellea) serves as a crucial nutritional source for Gastrodia elata (GE) growth, and its origin directly influences the GE quality and yield. This study analyzed GE symbiotic with A. mellea from different sources using metabolomics and transcriptomics. Results demonstrated that Group A exhibited significant differences in metabolites and gene expression compared to other groups. Group A showed significantly higher accumulation of active components like gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol than others, but its yield was lower than Group B. Metabolomic analysis identified 2418 metabolites, while transcriptomic sequencing produced 964,110,904 clean reads, with 14,637 annotated transcripts. KEGG analysis revealed that Group A's DEGs and DEMs were co-enriched in three key pathways, including flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction, such as the positive regulatory roles of key genes (CHS, 4CL, MYC2) on metabolites such as hesperetin, ferulate, and jasmonic acid, respectively. The coordinated upregulation of gene-metabolite interactions in Group A GE may be closely related to the accumulation of major active components, indirectly suggesting the influence of the A. mellea source on metabolic and transcriptional response differences in GE. This study, centered on the host GE, indirectly deduces the association between A. mellea and GE, providing a theoretical basis for screening high-quality "fungus-GE" combinations. Further in-depth research and validation experiments will be conducted in conjunction with fungal omics.},
}

@article {pmid41594929,
year = {2026},
author = {Duan, M and Dai, Q and Luo, W and Fu, Y and Feng, B and Zhou, H},
title = {Response Strategies of Giant Panda, Red Panda, and Forest Musk Deer to Human Disturbance in Sichuan Liziping National Nature Reserve.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15020194},
pmid = {41594929},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {32470538//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {The persistent expansion in the intensity and scope of human disturbance has become a key driver of global biodiversity loss, affecting wildlife behavior and population stability across multiple dimensions. As a characteristic symbiotic assemblage in the subalpine forest ecosystems of Sichuan, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), red panda (Ailurus fulgens), and forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) exhibit significant research value in their responses to human disturbance. However, existing studies lack systematic analysis of multiple disturbances within the same protected area. This study was conducted in the Sichuan Liziping National Nature Reserve, where infrared camera traps were deployed using a kilometer-grid layout. By integrating spatiotemporal pattern analysis and Generalized Additive Models (GAM), we investigated the characteristics of human disturbance and the response strategies of the three species within their habitats. The results show that: (1) A total of seven types of human disturbance were identified in the reserve, with the top three by frequency being cattle disturbance, goat disturbance, and walking disturbance; (2) Temporally, summer and winter were high-occurrence seasons for disturbance, with peaks around 12:00-14:00, while the giant panda exhibited a bimodal diurnal activity pattern (10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00), the red panda peaked mainly at 8:00-10:00, and the forest musk deer preferred crepuscular and nocturnal activity-all three species displayed activity rhythms that temporally avoided peak disturbance periods; (3) Spatially, giant pandas were sparsely distributed, red pandas showed aggregated distribution, and forest musk deer exhibited a multi-core distribution, with the core distribution areas of each species spatially segregated from high-disturbance zones; (4) GAM analysis revealed that the red panda responded most significantly to disturbance, the giant panda showed marginal significance, and the forest musk deer showed no significant response. This study systematically elucidates the spatiotemporal differences in responses to multiple human disturbances among three sympatric species within the same landscape, providing a scientific basis for the management of human activities, habitat optimization, and synergistic biodiversity conservation in protected areas. It holds practical significance for promoting harmonious coexistence between human and wildlife.},
}

@article {pmid41594894,
year = {2026},
author = {Dvoretsky, AG and Dvoretsky, VG},
title = {New Records of Symbiotic Amphipods on Red King Crabs in the Coastal Barents Sea.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15020160},
pmid = {41594894},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation/ ; },
abstract = {Monitoring epibiotic communities on the invasive red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in the Barents Sea is crucial for understanding the co-adaptation between this species and the local benthic fauna. Red king crabs were collected during regular diving surveys conducted in the coastal Barents Sea in 2015, 2021, and 2022. A detailed examination revealed the presence of two amphipod species, Metopa pusilla and Crassicorophium bonellii, which were not previously documented as epibionts on this host. With these additions, the total number of epibiotic amphipods on Barents Sea red king crabs rises to nine species (versus two in the native Sea of Okhotsk). Amphipod colonization was skewed toward large males, likely reflecting their greater migratory behavior. The prevalence of Metopa pusilla ranged from 1.9% to 4.3%, with a mean intensity of one individual per infested crab; Crassicorophium bonellii exhibited prevalence of 4.7-14.3% and mean intensity of 1.3-3.3 individuals. The primary colonization sites were the carapace and limbs. Given the low infestation parameters and the epibionts' localization away from critical structures like the gills and egg clutches, it is concluded that these amphipods pose a negligible risk to host health.},
}

@article {pmid41594860,
year = {2026},
author = {Carvajal-Rodríguez, A},
title = {Life as a Categorical Information-Handling System: An Evolutionary Information-Theoretic Model of the Holobiont.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15020125},
pmid = {41594860},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {ED431C 2024/22//Xunta de Galicia/ ; PID2022-137935NB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; ED431G 2023/07//Centro singular de investigación de Galicia/ ; },
abstract = {Living systems can be understood as organized entities that capture, transform, and reproduce information. Classical gene-centered models explain adaptation through frequency changes driven by differential fitness, yet they often overlook the higher-order organization and causal closure that characterize living systems. Here we revisit several evolutionary frameworks, from the replicator equation to group selection and holobiont dynamics, and show that evolutionary change in population frequencies can be expressed as a Jeffreys divergence. Building on this foundation, we introduce a categorical model of Information Handlers (IHs), entities capable of self-maintenance, mutation, and combination. This abstract architecture illustrates the usefulness of category theory for framing evolutionary processes that range from very simple to highly complex. The same categorical scheme can represent basic allele-frequency change as well as more elaborate scenarios involving reproductive interactions, symbiosis, and other organizational layers. A key feature of the framework is that different levels of evolutionary change can be summarized through a measure that quantifies the information generated, thereby distinguishing diverse types of evolutionary transformation, such as individual and sexual selection, mate choice, or even holobiont selection. Finally, we show that the informational partition associated with host-microbiome pairings in holobionts generalizes the information-theoretic structure previously developed for non-random mating, revealing a common underlying architecture across biological scales.},
}

@article {pmid41594849,
year = {2026},
author = {Zheng, Z and Lucas, JR and Zhang, C and Sun, C},
title = {Do Symbiotic Microbes Drive Chemical Divergence Between Colonies in the Pratt's Leaf-Nosed Bat, Hipposideros pratti?.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15020114},
pmid = {41594849},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {32400377//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32300392//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; C2023205017//Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province/ ; C2023205010//Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province/ ; BJ2025044//Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department/ ; C20230345//Hebei Province to introduce overseas students funding project/ ; },
abstract = {Host odour may be affected by symbiotic microbes that produce metabolites. As a result, chemical signal production may be influenced. Few studies to date have assessed how symbiotic microbes influence variation in geography of animal chemical signals. This is important because chemical signal divergence can affect mate choice, species recognition, and ultimately speciation in a broad range of animals. However, the underlying driving forces of chemical signal divergence are still rather poorly understood. To study chemical signals, bats provide a good model system because they are such social mammals. Because males roost in dark spaces during the daytime, they rely on chemical and acoustic signals. We identified three colonies across a large geographic area and collected male forehead gland secretions from Pratt's leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros pratti). We examined the role symbiotic microbes played in potential variation in the geography of chemical signals. We observed significant colony-level differences in compound categories and in the amount of specific compounds. We also found significant colony-level differences in forehead gland microbiota. However, there was no significant relationship between bat-gland bacterial community composition and variation in chemical composition across colonies. These results suggest that bacterial communities may fail to shape the chemical signalling profiles of the different colonies in Pratt's leaf-nosed bats.},
}

@article {pmid41594709,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, T and Feng, P and Alexander, PG and Lee, JY and Sowa, GA and Vo, NV},
title = {Lactate Metabolism in the Intervertebral Disc: Mechanistic Insights and Pathological Implications.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom16010170},
pmid = {41594709},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {1R01AR081234-22/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Intervertebral Disc/metabolism/pathology ; *Lactic Acid/metabolism ; *Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism/pathology ; Animals ; Glycolysis ; Nucleus Pulposus/metabolism/pathology ; },
abstract = {The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest avascular structure in the human body, and its nucleus pulposus (NP) cells predominantly generate large amounts of lactate through glycolysis, accompanied by an acidic microenvironment-features that represent characteristic metabolic traits of disc cells. In recent years, knowledge of the biological roles of lactate has undergone a conceptual shift. On the one hand, lactate can serve as a context-dependent auxiliary biofuel in specific regions of the IVD, particularly within annulus fibrosus (AF) regions adjacent to the NP. On the other hand, lactate functions in disc cells as a signaling molecule and a metabolic-epigenetic regulator, influencing transcriptional programs through lactylation and modulating multiple molecular pathways associated with cellular stress adaptation and fate determination. This review summarizes current knowledge on lactate production, transport, and clearance in the intervertebral disc, as well as emerging evidence for the roles of lactate in disc health and pathophysiology. In addition, we outline research perspectives and future directions aimed at advancing our understanding of lactate biology and evaluating its potential as a therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration.},
}

Humans
*Intervertebral Disc/metabolism/pathology
*Lactic Acid/metabolism
*Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism/pathology
Animals
Glycolysis
Nucleus Pulposus/metabolism/pathology

@article {pmid41594402,
year = {2026},
author = {Sun, J and Ju, H and Du, X and Xu, C and Chang, MS and Liu, Z and Li, X},
title = {An Annotated Checklist of Symbiotic Copepods of Mollusks in the Global Oceans: A Review of Diversity, Hosts and Geographical Distributions.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani16020212},
pmid = {41594402},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {D2025204008//Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province/ ; YJ2020020//Scientific Research Project for Talented Scholars of Hebei Agricultural University/ ; 2021KY15//Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project of the Ocean College, Hebei Agricultural University/ ; 32300422//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic copepods have a wide host group, including not only invertebrates but also vertebrates, with variable symbiotic sites and morphological characteristics. Even though symbiotic copepods exhibit remarkable diversity, our knowledge of them is still very limited, causing significant lacunae in our understanding of their taxonomic characteristics, host associations, and geographical distributions. To fill these knowledge gaps, we have compiled a comprehensive list of symbiotic copepods and their molluscan hosts in the global oceans based on an extensive literature review. The inventory provides a comprehensive synthesis of the diversity, hosts, and geographical distributions of the symbiotic copepods. This review summarizes information on copepods symbiotic with mollusks from 1863 to 2025. Our compilation records a total of 342 symbiotic copepod species associated with more than 435 species of mollusks. This total includes some copepod species for which no specific host has been identified. For each copepod species, we provide details on its hosts, geographical distributions and the original references.},
}

@article {pmid41592659,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, K and Tong, L and Zhao, Y and Zhang, J and Yan, Y and Ji, H and Sheng, J and Zhao, C and Wang, H},
title = {Combined use of microalgae-bacteria-fungi symbionts with 5-deoxystrigol to increase the removal of nutrients and antibiotics from swine wastewater during different breeding periods.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {134090},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134090},
pmid = {41592659},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {This study evaluated four microalgae-based technologies for nutrient (total nitrogen, TN; total phosphorus, TP; chemical oxygen demand, COD) and six antibiotic removal from swine wastewater across four breeding periods. Using Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa), Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), and Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae), we established monoculture, binary co-cultures, and tripartite co-culture (Treatment 4). Treatment 4 outperformed the other treatments in the late fattening stage and non-pregnant sow stage, achieving TN removal of 89.67 ± 5.45%, TP removal of 87.58 ± 6.64%, COD removal of 92.58 ± 4.71%, and antibiotic removal of 88.54-96.35% (P < 0.05). Adding 5-deoxystrigol (5-DS) at 10[-6] M maximized the efficiency, increasing the TN, TP, COD, and Oxytetracycline (OTC) removal efficiencies by 3.81-4.67% compared to those of the control (P < 0.05). This system provides a standardized solution for intensive treatment of swine wastewater.},
}

@article {pmid41592653,
year = {2026},
author = {Ayed, L and Dhif, H and Torjmèn, S and Chaieb, K},
title = {Optimization of physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of functional kombucha beverage sweetened with dried fruits using simplex centroid mixture and Plackett-Burman designs.},
journal = {Journal of microbiological methods},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107408},
doi = {10.1016/j.mimet.2026.107408},
pmid = {41592653},
issn = {1872-8359},
abstract = {Traditional foods and beverages represent alternative strategies to counteract bacterial virulence. The fermentation of tea, sugar, supplemented with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) produces kombucha beverage, which offers several health advantages and is similar to soft drinks. This study investigates the effect of various fermentation factors on the growth levels of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, total phenolic content and antimicrobial activities of Green Tea, Black Tea and Moringa kombucha beverage (GTBTMK) prepared with a starter SCOBY culture. Formulation of kombucha beverage was optimized using a Simplex-Centroid Mixture Design and Plackett-Burman Design. The best optimized kombucha formulation (18.98 g/L; Dried Apricot was 20 g/L; Dried plum was 10 g/L, Dried Grape was 20 g/L,11.763 g/L Green tea, 0.01238 g/L Black tea and 8.1127 g/L Moringa) contain a high phenolic content of 86.79 mg GAE/mL and exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Micrococcus luteus NCIMB 8166 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 14116, Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404 (Inhibition zone more than 20 mm). This research provides new insights into the development of innovative, functional kombucha beverage potentially expanding the spectrum of health-promoting fermented drinks available to consumers.},
}

@article {pmid41591679,
year = {2026},
author = {Xue, Y and Wang, W and Lu, Y and Chen, J and Zhang, G and Liu, W and Wan, F and He, Z and Zhang, Y},
title = {Genetic Diversity and Endosymbiont Infection Patterns of the Greenhouse Whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, in China.},
journal = {Neotropical entomology},
volume = {55},
number = {1},
pages = {3},
pmid = {41591679},
issn = {1678-8052},
support = {110202401016(LS-06)//Major Special Projects for Green Pest Control, China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics ; China ; *Symbiosis ; *Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Haplotypes ; },
abstract = {The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a globally invasive pest that affects both horticultural and agricultural systems, causing substantial economic losses. However, comprehensive studies on its invasion genetics and associated symbiotic landscape in China are lacking. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and examined the infection patterns of six key secondary endosymbionts in 1702 individuals from 73 populations across 18 provinces in China. Phylogenetic analysis incorporating global sequences revealed that Chinese populations are comprised of ten haplotypes. Genetic diversity was extremely low, with haplotype H1 being overwhelmingly dominant (97.60% of individuals) and shared with global invasive lineages. Endosymbiont screening showed a high prevalence of Arsenophonus (78.56%) and Hamiltonella (44.98%), with frequent co-infections. These results suggest that the widespread invasion of T. vaporariorum in China likely originated from a limited number of founder individuals, resulting in a significant genetic bottleneck. The invasion success appears to be associated with a "genotype-symbiotype complex"-the dominant H1 maternal lineage combined with a beneficial symbiotic toolkit. These findings provide insights into the invasion dynamics of this pest and implications for targeted control strategies.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics
China
*Symbiosis
*Genetic Variation
Phylogeny
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics
Haplotypes

@article {pmid41591199,
year = {2026},
author = {Kelman, MJ and Renaud, JB and Tanney, JB and Machado, M and Sumarah, MW},
title = {High-Resolution LC-MS Characterization of Ramaria flavobrunnescens, a Coral Mushroom Toxic to Livestock, Reveals Fungal, Bacterial, and Eucalyptus Tree Metabolites.},
journal = {Toxins},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/toxins18010053},
pmid = {41591199},
issn = {2072-6651},
mesh = {*Eucalyptus/metabolism ; Animals ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Livestock ; Secondary Metabolism ; *Agaricales/metabolism ; *Bacteria/metabolism ; Metabolomics ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; },
abstract = {Ramaria flavobrunnescens is an ectomycorrhizal coral mushroom that is often found growing in eucalyptus forests. The mushroom has been linked to accidental ingestion-associated livestock poisonings in South America, though the toxicological agent has not yet been described. Mushroom samples identified as R. flavobrunnescens were analyzed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine the potential source of the toxicity, and to provide a metabolomic profile of the species. Previously reported Ramaria secondary metabolites were detected, including ramarins, ramariolides, pistillarin and arsenic-containing compounds. A number of bacterial species were isolated from R. flavobrunnescens that produced iron-chelating cyclic peptides, which were detected in the mushroom samples. Interestingly, we detected a series of eucalyptus tree secondary metabolites in abundance from R. flavobrunnescens fruiting bodies, some of which have reported toxicities and bioactivities. To our knowledge, this is the first report of eucalyptus secondary metabolites in a mushroom. The diversity of secondary metabolites identified in the mushroom extracts provides insight into the potential complex ecological interactions between R. flavobrunnescens, its associated microbiota, and its mycorrhizal interaction with eucalyptus trees.},
}

*Eucalyptus/metabolism
Animals
Chromatography, Liquid
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Livestock
Secondary Metabolism
*Agaricales/metabolism
*Bacteria/metabolism
Metabolomics
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

@article {pmid41590718,
year = {2026},
author = {Tian, X and Lyu, C and Zhou, Y and Zhang, L and Fan, A and Liu, Z},
title = {A Structure-Based Deep Learning Framework for Correcting Marine Natural Products' Misannotations Attributed to Host-Microbe Symbiosis.},
journal = {Marine drugs},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/md24010020},
pmid = {41590718},
issn = {1660-3397},
support = {2022YFC2804900//the National Key R&D Program of China/ ; 7244465//the Beijing Natural Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Biological Products/chemistry/pharmacology ; *Symbiosis ; *Deep Learning ; *Aquatic Organisms/chemistry ; Animals ; Drug Discovery/methods ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Multigene Family ; },
abstract = {Marine natural products (MNPs) are a diverse group of bioactive compounds with varied chemical structures, but their biological origins are often misannotated due to complex host-microbe symbiosis. Propagated through public databases, such errors hinder biosynthetic studies and AI-driven drug discovery. Here, we develop a structure-based workflow of origin classification and misannotation correction for marine datasets. Using CMNPD and NPAtlas compounds, we integrate a two-step cleaning strategy that detects label inconsistencies and filters structural outliers with a microbial-pretrained graph neural network. The optimized model achieves a balanced accuracy of 85.56% and identifies 3996 compounds whose predicted microbial origins contradict their Animalia labels. These putative symbiotic metabolites cluster within known high-risk taxa, and interpretability analysis reveal biologically coherent structural patterns. This framework provides a scalable quality-control approach for natural product databases and supports more accurate biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) tracing, host selection, and AI-driven marine natural product discovery.},
}

*Biological Products/chemistry/pharmacology
*Symbiosis
*Deep Learning
*Aquatic Organisms/chemistry
Animals
Drug Discovery/methods
*Host Microbial Interactions
Multigene Family

@article {pmid41590551,
year = {2026},
author = {Kim, J and Park, SJ and Lee, YJ and Hwang, HJ and Kim, E and Nam, Y and Park, JD and Seyedsayamdost, MR and Yun, H and Lee, SR},
title = {Algal-Bacterial Interaction-Driven Secondary Metabolites From Phaeobacter inhibens and Their Anti-Allergic Effects on Th2 Cell Immune Response.},
journal = {Archiv der Pharmazie},
volume = {359},
number = {1},
pages = {e70192},
doi = {10.1002/ardp.70192},
pmid = {41590551},
issn = {1521-4184},
support = {2024 BK21 FOUR Program//Pusan National University/ ; RS-2024-00403999//Korea Basic Science Institute/ ; RS-2025-23525419//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; RS-2025-02214034//Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology/ ; },
mesh = {*Th2 Cells/drug effects/immunology ; *Anti-Allergic Agents/pharmacology/isolation & purification/chemistry ; *Haptophyta/microbiology/metabolism ; Animals ; *Rhodobacteraceae/metabolism/chemistry ; Mice ; Secondary Metabolism ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; },
abstract = {The Roseobacter clade, a versatile Rhodobacteraceae lineage, comprises up to 20% of marine bacteria and drives key biogeochemical cycles. Phaeobacter inhibens, a representative model species, is associated with the alga Emiliania huxleyi, exhibiting a dual lifestyle that alternates between promoting symbiotic growth and displaying pathogenicity during algal senescence. In this study, we investigated the metabolic responses of P. inhibens cultured with sinapic acid, an algal-derived lignin catabolite known to modulate algal-bacterial interactions. Detailed LC-MS/UV-guided analysis of the sinapic acid-treated culture identified 10 metabolites, including two new compounds, roseochelins C (1) and D (2). All isolated compounds were tested for anti-allergic effects in Th2 cell-mediated immune responses, and sinatryptin A (4) showed the strongest activity by reducing Th2 cytokine production and blocking Th2 differentiation through inhibition of the IL-4/STAT6-GATA3/IRF4 pathway. These findings expand the chemical diversity of algal-bacterial interactions, and anti-allergic assays of the isolated metabolites highlight the potential of Roseobacter-derived compounds as novel bioactive resources.},
}

*Th2 Cells/drug effects/immunology
*Anti-Allergic Agents/pharmacology/isolation & purification/chemistry
*Haptophyta/microbiology/metabolism
Animals
*Rhodobacteraceae/metabolism/chemistry
Mice
Secondary Metabolism
Cytokines/metabolism
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug

@article {pmid41590486,
year = {2026},
author = {Jin, D and Xin, L and Tu, P and Song, H and Zou, Y and Bian, Z and Feng, Z},
title = {Root and Leaf-Specific Metabolic Responses of Ryegrass to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Under Cadmium Stress.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010074},
pmid = {41590486},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {2024YFC3909300//Ministry of Science and Technology of China/ ; GZSTCKP[2025]019//Department of Science and Technology of Guizhou Province/ ; 2022YFE0210800//Ministry of Science and Technology of China/ ; },
abstract = {Cadmium (Cd) drastically inhibits plant growth and metabolism, whereas arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance plant Cd tolerance through metabolic regulation. To clarify tissue-specific responses, we conducted a pot experiment combined with GC-MS to examine how AM fungi influence root and leaf metabolism of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under different Cd levels. Root and leaf metabolomes diverged substantially in composition and function. In total, 83 metabolites were identified in roots, mainly phenolics, amines, and sugars associated with carbon-nitrogen metabolism and stress-defense pathways, whereas 75 metabolites were identified in leaves, largely related to photosynthetic metabolism. Roots were more sensitive to Cd, showing significant metabolic alterations at Cd ≥ 5 mg·kg[-1], including disruption of galactose metabolism, while leaves exhibited notable changes only at Cd ≥ 100 mg·kg[-1], with suppression of citrate, L-aspartate, and starch and sucrose metabolism. AM fungi modulated plant metabolism more strongly under Cd stress. Specifically, AM fungi restored Cd-suppressed galactose and glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism in roots, enhanced starch and sucrose metabolism and amino acid pathways in leaves, and increased stress-related amino acids and organic acids in both tissues. Overall, AM fungi substantially alleviated Cd-induced metabolic inhibition, particularly at Cd ≥ 50 mg·kg[-1], providing mechanistic insight into AM-enhanced Cd tolerance and supporting the application of AM symbiosis in remediation of Cd-contaminated soils.},
}

@article {pmid41590477,
year = {2026},
author = {Xie, XG and Jiang, HJ and Sun, K and Zhao, YY and Li, XG and Han, T and Chen, Y and Dai, CC},
title = {Fungal Endophyte Comprehensively Orchestrates Nodulation and Nitrogen Utilization of Legume Crop (Arachis hypogaea L.).},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010065},
pmid = {41590477},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {32571876//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; PAPD//project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development (PAPD) of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China/ ; },
abstract = {(1) Background: Improving nitrogen use efficiency in peanuts is essential for achieving a high yield with reduced nitrogen fertilizer input. This study investigates the role of the fungal endophyte Phomopsis liquidambaris in regulating nitrogen utilization throughout the entire growth cycle of peanuts. (2) Methods: Field pot experiments and a two-year plot trial were conducted. The effects of Ph. liquidambaris colonization on the rhizosphere microbial community, soil nitrogen forms, and peanut physiology were analyzed. (3) Results: Colonization by Ph. liquidambaris significantly suppressed the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in the rhizosphere at the seedling stage. This led to a transient decrease in nitrate and an increase in ammonium availability, which enhanced nodulation-related physiological responses. Concurrently, the peanut-specific rhizobium Bradyrhizobium sp. was enriched in the rhizosphere, and the root exudates induced by the fungus further stimulated nodulation activity. These early-stage effects promoted the establishment of peanut-Bradyrhizobium symbiosis. During the mid-to-late growth stages, the fungus positively reshaped the composition of key functional microbial groups (including diazotrophs, AOA, and AOB), thereby increasing rhizosphere nitrogen availability. (4) Conclusions: Under low nitrogen fertilization, inoculation with Ph. liquidambaris maintained yield stability in long-term monocropped peanuts by enhancing early nodulation and late-stage rhizosphere nitrogen availability. This study provides a promising microbe-based strategy to support sustainable legume production with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application.},
}

@article {pmid41590465,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, J and Li, J and Li, T and Wang, Z and Li, C},
title = {The Compatibility of the Epichloë bromicola-Hordeum Association.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010053},
pmid = {41590465},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {2025ZNSFSC0970//The study reported here was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province/ ; 31971756//The Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32001396//The Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022GAAS62//The Doctor Foundation of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Artificial inoculation of Epichloë endophytes into elite forage germplasm aims to establish beneficial symbioses for developing high-yield, high-quality, and stress-tolerant cultivars, but host specificity of the fungi often causes compatibility issues in non-natural hosts.

METHODS: The E. bromicola isolated from native wild barley was inoculated into cultivated wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum) and cultivated barley (Hordeum valgare), forming Hb+Eb and Hv+Eb. The NHb+Eb (native wild barley naturally infected with E. bromicola) served as a control. We analyzed fungal colonization patterns and symbiotic gene regulation to clarify the compatibility between E. bromicola and non-natural hosts.

RESULTS: Compared with NHb+Eb and Hb+Eb, E. bromicola in Hv+Eb showed obvious hyphal vacuolization. E. bromicola colonization altered host trichome morphology and induced stomatal closure. Correspondingly, expression of the siderophore biosynthesis gene sidN and the NADPH oxidase complex genes (NoxA, NoxB, NoxR, RacA) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in Hv+Eb than in Hb+Eb and NHb+Eb.

CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that the incompatibility between cultivated barley and E. bromicola is characterized by altered hyphal morphology, which is linked to the downregulation of sidN and Nox. These findings provide a critical theoretical foundation for developing highly compatible cereal-Epichloë germplasms.},
}

@article {pmid41590453,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, K and Cai, Y and Shi, X and Yan, Z and Huang, Q and Perez-Moreno, J and Liu, D and Yang, Z and Yang, C and Yu, F and Liu, W},
title = {Symbiosis Among Naematelia aurantialba, Stereum hirsutum, and Their Associated Microbiome in the Composition of a Cultivated Mushroom Complex JinEr.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010041},
pmid = {41590453},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {202205AD160036//Fuqiang Yu/ ; Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program//Jesús Pérez-Moreno, Xinhua He/ ; },
abstract = {The JinEr mushroom ("Golden Ear"), a globally rare edible and medicinal macrofungus, comprises a symbiotic complex formed by the symbiotic association of Naematelia aurantialba (Tremellomycetes) and Stereum hirsutum (Agaricomycetes). However, the interactions between these fungi and their associated microbiome remain poorly understood. This study employed high-throughput amplicon sequencing, in situ microbial isolation and culture, and microbial confrontation assays to analyze microbial diversity, community structure, and potential functional roles of the endomycotic bacterial community within JinEr basidiomata and its cultivation substrate. Molecular analysis confirmed the heterogenous composition of the basidiomata, revealing N. aurantialba constitutes less than 20% of the fungal biomass, while S. hirsutum predominates, accounting for approximately 80%. Endomycotic fungi accounted for 0.33% (relative abundance) of the fungal community. Prokaryotic analysis identified Delftia and Sphingomonas as the dominant endomycotic bacterial genera within basidiomata, comprising 85.42% of prokaryotic sequences. Endomycotic bacterial diversity differed significantly (p < 0.05) between basidiomata and substrate, indicating host-specific selection. Cultivation-based approaches yielded 140 culturable bacterial isolates (spanning four families and seven genera) from basidiomata core tissues. In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that eight representative bacterial strains exhibited compatible growth with both hosts, while one Enterobacteriaceae strain displayed antagonism towards them. These findings confirm that the heterogeneous JinEr basidiomata harbor a specific prokaryotic assemblage potentially engaged in putative symbiotic or commensal associations with the host fungi. This research advances the understanding of microbial ecology in this unique fungal complex and establishes a culture repository of associated bacteria. This collection facilitates subsequent screening for beneficial bacterial strains to enhance the JinEr cultivation system through the provision of symbiotic microorganisms.},
}

@article {pmid41590439,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, Z and Zhang, W and Xie, W and Lei, Y and Li, Y and Sun, Y},
title = {Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Rhizosphere Soil of Maize in Northern Xinjiang, China, and Evaluation of Inoculation Benefits of Three Strains.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010027},
pmid = {41590439},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {31860003//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which significantly enhances the absorption capacity of plant roots, forms a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with plants and is known as the "underground internet of plants". To explore the community characteristics, environmental driving factors, and growth-promoting effects of AMF on maize in saline-alkaline habitats, this research attempts a survey of the rhizosphere soil of saline-alkali maize fields in four areas of northern Xinjiang (20 samples). High-throughput sequencing and morphological methods were used to analyze the diversity of AMF, and the correlation analyses of Mantel and Pearson were used to explore the relationship between AMF and soil environmental factors. The results showed that eleven genera of AMF belonging to three orders and seven families were identified in the rhizosphere soil of maize in Xinjiang, and Glomus was the absolute dominant group. The relationship analysis of the environmental factors and diversity of AMF shows that total nitrogen, total potassium and acid phosphatase are the main factors affecting the community structure of AMF. Through spore isolation and pot experiments, Rhizophagus intraradices, Acaulospora denticulata and Glomus melanosporum were successfully screened and identified. Among them, Rhizophagus intraradices, which can effectively improve the plant biomass, promote the root growth and enhance the absorption of phosphorus and potassium nutrients, promoted the growth of maize remarkably. This study systematically revealed the diversity of AMF as an environmental driving mechanism as well as plant growth promoter, establishing it as a candidate for application in the maize rhizosphere in northern Xinjiang. This provides a theoretical basis for AMF resource development and agricultural application in this saline-alkali area.},
}

@article {pmid41590432,
year = {2025},
author = {Batool, A and Li, SS and Dong, HJ and Bahadur, A and Tu, W and Zhang, Y and Xiao, Y and Feng, SY and Wang, M and Zhang, J and Sheng, HB and He, S and Li, ZY and Kang, HR and Lan, DY and He, XY and Xiao, YL},
title = {Battle of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Against Drought Stress: A Gateway to Sustainable Agriculture.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010020},
pmid = {41590432},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {204202505004//Huanggang Normal University/ ; 2042023059//Huanggang Normal University/ ; 31701466//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Around 85% of all land plants have symbiotic relationships with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, microscopic soil fungi that build extensive filamentous network in and around the roots. These links strongly influence plant development, water uptake, mineral nutrition, and defense against abiotic stresses. In this context, the use of AMF as a biological instrument to enhance plant drought resistance and phenotypic plasticity, through the formation of mutualistic associations, seems like a novel strategy for sustainable agriculture. This review synthesizes current understanding on the mechanisms through which AMF alleviates drought stress in agriculture. We focus on how AMF help maintain nutrient and water homeostasis by modulating phytohormones and signaling molecules, and by orchestrating associated biochemical and physiological responses. Particular emphasis is placed on aquaporins (AQPs) as key water-and stress-related channels whose expression and activity are modulated by AMF to maintain ion, nutrient, and water balance. AMF-mediated host AQP responses exhibit three unique patterns under stressful conditions: either no changes, downregulation to limit water loss, or upregulation to promote water and nutrient uptake. Nevertheless, little is known about cellular and molecular underpinnings of AMF effect on host AQPs. We also summarize evidence that AMF enhance antioxidant defenses, osmotic adjustment, soil structure, and water retention, thereby jointly improving plant drought tolerance. This review concludes by outlining the potential of AMF to support sustainable agriculture, offering critical research gaps, such as mechanistic studies on fungal AQPs, hormonal crosstalk, and field-scale performance, which propose future directions for deploying AMF in drought-prone agroecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid41590418,
year = {2025},
author = {Sun, J and Zhao, S and Yang, L and Liang, Y and Yang, X and Shen, L and Guo, E and Li, Q and Jia, Y and Zhang, L and Liu, H and Sun, R},
title = {Influence of Suillus grevillea on the Root Morphology, Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Properties of Quercus variabilis Blume Seedlings with Root Pruning.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12010006},
pmid = {41590418},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {252300423598//Henan Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project/ ; 247578//Postdoctoral Fund Project in Henan Province/ ; KJCX2020A06//Young Innovation Fund of Henan Agricultural University/ ; KJCX2020A05//Young Innovation Fund of Henan Agricultural University/ ; },
abstract = {Root pruning affects the ability of roots of Quercus variabilis Blume to absorb water and nutrients. Suillus grevillea can form a mutualistic symbiosis with Quercus variabilis Blume. A pot experiment in three compartments with two inoculation treatments (inoculation with Suillus grevillea and noninoculation control) and four different root pruning treatments (0, 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 of the main root length pruned) was conducted. The shoot dry weight, root dry weight, shoot and root N, P and K contents, root morphological and physiological parameters of Quercus variabilis Blume seedlings, and soil properties were measured. The results showed that root pruning affected root endogenous hormone levels, root morphology, shoot and root nutrient absorption, and biomass accumulation. Compared with those without inoculation, the shoot dry weight, root dry weights, shoot and root N, and P and K contents of inoculated plants were greater, regardless of the degree of root pruning. The root length, root projection area, root surface area, root average diameter, root density, root volume, and root tip number increased in response to Suillus grevillea. The root auxin (IAA), cytokinin (CTK), gibberellin (GA), zeatin riboside (ZR), and salicylic acid (SA) contents were greater in inoculated Quercus variabilis Blume seedlings than in noninoculated plants. Inoculation with Suillus grevillea improved the soil microenvironment around the seedlings. Suillus grevillea can compensate for the adverse effects of root pruning on nutrient absorption, root morphological and physiological growth and the soil properties of Quercus variabilis Blume seedlings.},
}

@article {pmid41589623,
year = {2026},
author = {Sun, Z and An, Z and Hong, W and He, C and Liu, J and Wang, Y and Xue, C and Dong, N},
title = {Microbial extracellular vesicles from min pigs remodel macrophage polarization via STING to sustain intestinal immune homeostasis.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {2620126},
doi = {10.1080/19490976.2026.2620126},
pmid = {41589623},
issn = {1949-0984},
mesh = {Animals ; *Extracellular Vesicles/immunology/metabolism ; *Macrophages/immunology ; Mice ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/immunology ; Homeostasis ; Colitis/immunology/chemically induced/microbiology ; *Membrane Proteins/genetics/metabolism/immunology ; Signal Transduction ; *Intestines/immunology/microbiology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Dextran Sulfate ; Swine ; Mice, Knockout ; Intestinal Mucosa/immunology ; STING Protein ; },
abstract = {Intestinal immune homeostasis is crucial for intestinal function and health. Increasing evidence suggests that certain gut microbiota can enhance the host's intestinal immune regulatory capacity. However, the mechanisms by which the microbiota confers beneficial traits and robust immunity to the host, as well as the cross-species reproducibility of these effects, remain unclear. This study, through multi-omics integration comparison and functional validation, revealed that Streptococcus hyointestinalis from Min pigs regulates macrophage polarization homeostasis by targeting and inhibiting the excessive activation of the STING signaling pathway and its downstream pro-inflammatory cascade reactions through its extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby shifting them toward the M2 phenotype. This process ensures the integrity of the intestinal barrier and alleviates colitis induced by the combined effects of low temperature and sodium sulfate-induced colitis (DSS). Notably, in Sting[-/-] mice, the EV-mediated intestinal protective effect was eliminated, confirming its targeted efficacy. Our data reveal a microbial EV‒STING‒macrophage axis in which symbiotic bacterial exosomes promote reparative macrophage programs by regulating STING signaling and maintaining intestinal integrity under environmental stress. These findings reveal a novel host-microbiota communication pathway with therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammation-driven intestinal diseases.},
}

Animals
*Extracellular Vesicles/immunology/metabolism
*Macrophages/immunology
Mice
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/immunology
Homeostasis
Colitis/immunology/chemically induced/microbiology
*Membrane Proteins/genetics/metabolism/immunology
Signal Transduction
*Intestines/immunology/microbiology
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Dextran Sulfate
Swine
Mice, Knockout
Intestinal Mucosa/immunology
STING Protein

@article {pmid41589045,
year = {2026},
author = {Tang, Y and Yan, D and Liang, C and Wei, J and He, J and Cui, H},
title = {Unprecedented Meroterpenoids Exert Anti-inflammatory Activity by Targeting NF-κB and PI3K Signaling Pathways.},
journal = {Organic letters},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.orglett.5c04695},
pmid = {41589045},
issn = {1523-7052},
abstract = {Four classes of unprecedented meroterpenoids (1-10), together with 10 new analogues, were isolated from the symbiotic fungi biotransformation extract. Among them, compounds 1-3 were characterized as the inaugural meroterpenoids containing a 5/3/6/6/6 fused carbon ring system. Compounds 4 and 5 were identified as the first meroterpenoids featuring the rare 6/6/6/6 tetracyclic carbon skeleton. Compound 6 stood out as the first meroterpenoid exhibiting a novel 5/3/6/6/5 pentacyclic framework. Notably, compounds 7-10 were reported as a novel 6/6/6/5 carbon skeleton architecture. Furthermore, 1 and 6 showed stronger inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values of 7.46 and 6.02 μM, respectively, than the positive control (indomethacin, IC50 = 31.17 μM). Meanwhile, 1 and 6 significantly downregulated the expression of inflammatory enzyme iNOS and also inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB, PI3K, and IκB-α in a concentration-dependent manner.},
}

@article {pmid41588874,
year = {2026},
author = {Nickerson, MN and Tfaily, MM and Meredith, LK and U'Ren, JM},
title = {Fungal Microbiome-Metabolome Relationships in Sphagnum and Two Co-Occurring Alaskan Mosses.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {2},
pages = {e70242},
doi = {10.1111/mec.70242},
pmid = {41588874},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {AGS-1933280//National Science Foundation/ ; DGE-2022055//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Sphagnopsida/microbiology ; *Metabolome/genetics ; Alaska ; *Fungi/genetics/classification ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Ecosystem ; *Bryophyta/microbiology ; *Mycobiome ; Tundra ; },
abstract = {In boreal and tundra ecosystems, mosses are abundant and ecologically important members of the vegetation due to their ability to insulate permafrost and maintain soil moisture. Mosses also harbour diverse bacterial and fungal symbionts that can provide nutrients and protection against environmental stressors. Sphagnum mosses are particularly important due to their significant role in carbon sequestration, which has been attributed in part to the production of antimicrobial metabolites that slow decomposition. Although Sphagnum leachate has been shown to inhibit bacteria, how Sphagnum chemical traits impact fungal communities remains understudied. Here, we used culture-free and culture-based methods to examine the relationship between moss fungal communities and metabolomes in living and senescing tissues of Sphagnum and two co-occurring moss genera across four Alaskan boreal/tundra sites. Although their richness was similar among moss genera, fungal and metabolite composition differed significantly among moss genera, regardless of tissue age. Importantly, mosses with more similar metabolome composition harboured more similar fungal communities, particularly in living tissues. Numerous OTU-metabolite correlations suggest direct interactions whereby fungi may consume, degrade, and/or be inhibited by metabolites; however, in vitro growth of moss-associated fungi showed inhibition in only 25% of replicates with two phenolic metabolites. Overall, our data suggest that metabolites may be a key factor structuring fungal communities in Sphagnum and other mosses, although not solely via inhibitory effects. Given the significance of mosses to ecosystem function and carbon sequestration in northern regions, it is critical to better understand factors that shape fungal communities potentially involved in stress adaptation and decomposition.},
}

*Sphagnopsida/microbiology
*Metabolome/genetics
Alaska
*Fungi/genetics/classification
*Microbiota/genetics
Ecosystem
*Bryophyta/microbiology
*Mycobiome
Tundra

@article {pmid41588861,
year = {2026},
author = {Yu, K and Chua, ST and Zhao, R and Smith, A and Kühl, M and Smith, AG and Ellis, T and Vignolini, S},
title = {Artificial Symbiosis for Bulk Production of Bacterial Cellulose Composites.},
journal = {Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e14125},
doi = {10.1002/adma.202514125},
pmid = {41588861},
issn = {1521-4095},
support = {CoS-101001637//ERC BiTe ERC-2020/ ; NNF24OC0094451//Novo Nordisk Fonden/ ; GBMF9206//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; 198750//SNSF Sinergia/ ; BB/M011194/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; EP/P030467/1//EPSRC Underpinning Multi-User Equipment Call/ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic relationships between micro-organisms are key to the function of all global ecosystems. Here we extrapolate this concept for biomaterial fabrication by creating artificial symbiotic relationships between species that are usually not grown synergistically in nature. Specifically, we combine the cellulose-producing bacterium Komagataeibacter hansenii and the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to obtain bulk growth of bacterial cellulose. Usually, bacterial cellulose is produced as floating pellicles at the air-liquid interface of the growing media, because free oxygen, together with the nutrients in the culture medium, is required for the bacteria to synthesize the cellulose fibers. In the co-culture, bacterial cellulose production can be achieved in bulk beyond the spatial restriction of the air-liquid interface as the motile microalgae with photosynthetic activities act as oxygen-generating sites within the culture medium. In exchange, the highly porous and mechanically robust scaffold provided by the cellulose allows the algal-bacterial community to form a bio-composite up to several centimeters in thickness. We demonstrate that this symbiotic growth platform allows the simultaneous production of bulk bacterial cellulose in static incubation conditions, taking up an arbitrary and yet tunable 3D shape, dependent on the geometry of the culture vessel.},
}

@article {pmid41588828,
year = {2026},
author = {Shaw, D and Gentekaki, E and Tsaousis, AD},
title = {The Microbiome Within a Microbe: Rethinking Blastocystis Biology.},
journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology},
volume = {73},
number = {1},
pages = {e70056},
doi = {10.1111/jeu.70056},
pmid = {41588828},
issn = {1550-7408},
support = {CA21105//COST/ ; //University of Kent/ ; },
mesh = {*Blastocystis/physiology/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; *Microbiota ; Blastocystis Infections/parasitology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; },
abstract = {Blastocystis spp., one of the most prevalent microeukaryotes in the human gut, has long puzzled researchers with its ambiguous role in health and disease. Decades-old microscopy studies reported bacterial- and viral-like particles within Blastocystis spp. cells, but these findings have been mainly overlooked. Comparable associations in other protozoa, such as those between Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma, as well as protozoan-virus interactions, are known to influence metabolism, immune evasion, and ecological fitness. Here, we revisit these neglected observations in Blastocystis spp., framing them within the holobiont concept and proposing that this protist may host its own microbial consortium. We also propose potential mechanisms, ecological implications, and modern experimental strategies-from organ-on-a-chip to single-cell multi-omics-to rigorously test this hypothesis. Recognizing Blastocystis spp. as a possible "microbiome within a microbe" could transform our understanding of its biology and its place in gut microbial ecology.},
}

*Blastocystis/physiology/microbiology/virology
Humans
*Microbiota
Blastocystis Infections/parasitology
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome

@article {pmid41588607,
year = {2026},
author = {Meng, Y and Wang, H and Mu, D and Zeng, S and Wang, S},
title = {Host genetic variation and gut microbiome in pediatric diseases.},
journal = {Chinese medical journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41588607},
issn = {2542-5641},
abstract = {Pediatric health is the foundation for people's lifelong health. The co-evolution of host genetics and the gut microbiome fosters a symbiotic relationship that is important for pediatric growth and the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, a comprehensive overview of the human genetic-gut microbiome axis in pediatric diseases remains unavailable. This review summarizes the human genetic variants that are associated with pediatric diseases, affecting the nervous, respiratory, and immune systems, as well as those linked to preterm birth (PTB), as identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). As the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in pediatric health, we have systematically discussed microbial biomarkers associated with the onset and progression of pediatric diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical impact across four key axes: the gut-brain, gut-lung, gut-skin, and gut-immune axes. The GWAS on the gut microbiome revealed numerous genetic variants that intricately regulate its composition. These variants predispose individuals to gut microbiome dysbiosis, potentially initiating or exacerbating pediatric disease manifestations, as discussed below. Moreover, the underrepresentation of populations from low- and middle-income countries in existing microbiome-related data, coupled with technical challenges, limits our understanding of the association between microbiome and health. Finally, we emphasize the promising potential of elucidating and modulating host gene-gut microbiome interactions to offer novel insights for advancing precision pediatric medicine and developing innovative therapeutic strategies.},
}

@article {pmid41588561,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, H and Zhang, P and Wang, G and Wang, J and Wang, D and Li, M and Yin, H},
title = {Root Exudate Chemodiversity Bridges Acquisitive-Conservative Strategy Synergy Between Roots and Rhizosphere Microbes in a Subtropical Forest.},
journal = {Ecology letters},
volume = {29},
number = {1},
pages = {e70323},
doi = {10.1111/ele.70323},
pmid = {41588561},
issn = {1461-0248},
support = {Creation of Nutrient-Enhancing Biofertilizers//Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 2024M763188//fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 32171757//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32301446//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; U23A2051//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; XZ202301YD0028C//Science and technology program of Tibet Autonomous Region/ ; XZ202301ZR0047G//Science and technology program of Tibet Autonomous Region/ ; },
mesh = {*Plant Roots/microbiology/chemistry/physiology ; *Rhizosphere ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Trees/microbiology/physiology ; *Forests ; *Plant Exudates/chemistry/metabolism ; *Microbiota ; Tropical Climate ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Root exudates act as key energy and signalling carriers linking roots with rhizosphere microbes, yet how their quantity and quality mediate root-microbe coordination remains unclear. Here, we measured fine root exudation rates and chemical composition, functional traits, and soil microbial communities across 13 coexisting subtropical tree species. Root exudation release rates and composition tightly aligned with the conservative-acquisitive root economics spectrum, bridging strategic synergy between roots and their microbial partners. Acquisitive roots with higher nitrogen concentrations released exudates at higher rates and greater chemodiversity, supporting more diverse microbial communities enriched in fast-growing copiotrophs and saprotrophic fungi, but with reduced symbiotic fungal abundance, whereas conservative roots with higher tissue density showed the opposite pattern. These results highlight root exudate, especially its chemical composition, as a key trait shaping the root-microbe functional continuum, providing novel insights into mechanisms of belowground functional integrations which affect species coexistence and ecosystem functioning under environmental change.},
}

*Plant Roots/microbiology/chemistry/physiology
*Rhizosphere
*Soil Microbiology
*Trees/microbiology/physiology
*Forests
*Plant Exudates/chemistry/metabolism
*Microbiota
Tropical Climate
Symbiosis

@article {pmid41588422,
year = {2026},
author = {Monshizadeh, Z and Rismani, E and Abdi, F and Pakdel, JD and Ghanbarnejad, N and Raz, A},
title = {Inhibition of carboxypeptidase b1 from Anopheles stephensi by the potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor: a foundational step toward paratransgenesis-based malaria control.},
journal = {Malaria journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12936-026-05790-7},
pmid = {41588422},
issn = {1475-2875},
support = {596/CU/CSP VA/United States ; },
abstract = {Vector-borne diseases such as malaria are a threat to global public health and the economy. These diseases were proposed to be managed and controlled by new preventive strategies such as paratransgenesis. This is an innovative technique that makes use of symbiotic microorganisms to influence vector or targeted pathogens. The performed studies on Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles gambiae demonstrated that the carboxypeptidase-B1 enzyme plays a vital role in the sexual development of the Plasmodium parasite in the mosquito midgut by its enzymatic activity. Therefore, inhibiting its enzymatic activity could be a target for preventing approaches. Potato Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor (PCI) has desirable characteristics that make it a promising effector molecule for paratransgenesis. In this study, the inhibitory effect of PCI on Carboxypeptidase-1 from An. stephensi (CPBAs1) was evaluated. The coding sequence of the cpbas1 and pci genes were cloned into the pET-23a expression vector, expressed, and purified. Finally, the inhibitory effect of the PCI on CPBAs1 was evaluated in parallel with the 1,10-phenanthroline as the commercial-specific inhibitor. Our findings revealed that PCI could inhibit the enzymatic activity of the CPBAs1 efficiently in low concentrations. Given PCI's remarkable inhibition activity against the CPBAs1 and its suitable structural features, PCI could be considered as a potential effector molecule for use in the paratransgenesis approach in future related studies.},
}