Genome-Wide Analysis of the <i>LRR-RLP</i> Gene Family in a Wild Banana (<i>Musa acuminata</i> ssp. <i>malaccensis</i>) Uncovers Multiple Fusarium Wilt Resistance Gene Candidates

Banana is the most popular fruit in the world, with a relevant role in food security for more than 400 million people. However, fungal diseases cause substantial losses every year. A better understanding of the banana immune system should facilitate the development of new disease-resistant cultivars. In this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein (LRR-RLP) disease resistance gene family in a wild banana. We identified 78 LRR-RLP genes in the banana genome. Remarkably, seven MaLRR-RLPs formed a gene cluster in the distal part of chromosome 10, where resistance to Fusarium wilt caused by Foc race 1 has been previously mapped. Hence, we proposed these seven MaLRR-RLPs as resistance gene candidates (RGCs) for Fusarium wilt. We also identified seven other banana RGCs based on their close phylogenetic relationships with known LRR-RLP proteins. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the banana, rice, and Arabidopsis LRR-RLP families revealed five major phylogenetic clades shared by these plant species. Finally, transcriptomic analysis of the MaLRR-RLP gene family in plants treated with Foc race 1 or Foc TR4 showed the expression of several members of this family, and some of them were upregulated in response to these Foc races. Our study provides novel insights into the structure, distribution, evolution, and expression of the LRR-RLP gene family in bananas as well as valuable RGCs that will facilitate the identification of disease resistance genes for the genetic improvement of this crop

Compound Identification from Bromelia karatas Fruit Juice Using Gas Chromatography&ndash;Mass Spectrometry and Evaluation of the Bactericidal Activity of the Extract

Fruits of species of the genus Bromelia contain compounds with health benefits and potential biotechnological applications. For example, Bromelia karatas fruits contain antioxidants and proteins with bactericidal activity, but studies regarding the activity of these metabolites and potential benefits are required. We evaluated the bactericidal activity of the methanolic extract (treated and not treated with activated charcoal) and its fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) from ripe B. karatas fruit (8 &deg;Brix) against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Shigella flexneri. The methanolic extract (ME) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined at eight concentrations. The methanolic extract MIC was 5 mg/mL for E. faecalis and 10 mg/mL for the other bacteria; the MBC was 20 mg/mL for E. coli and E. faecalis, and 40 mg/mL for S. enteritidis and S. flexneri. Through gas chromatography&ndash;mass spectrometry, 131 compounds were identified, some of which had previously been reported to have biological activities, such as bactericidal, fungicide, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibiting, and anti-allergic properties. The most abundant compounds found in the ME of B. karatas fruits were maleic anhydride, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and itaconic anhydride. This study shows that B. karatas fruits contain metabolites that are potentially beneficial for health

Kéfir, fuente de enzimas hidrolasas y bacterias con potencial para degradar plásticos tipo pet

Kefir is a fermented milk product that contains a symbiotic microbiota that generates health benefits by synthesizing different metabolites and enzymes with diverse metabolic capacities. For their part, synthetic plastics used in the home and industrial sectors have caused an environmental problem around the world due to excessive use, their high durability and lack of recycling. For this reason, Kefir consortia are studied as a source of hydrolytic enzymes and microorganisms capable of degrading plastics. For this, two kefir metagenomes (NCBI under the BioProject PRJNA704713) were analyzed, using bioinformatic tools, aimed at the search for sequences homologous to hydrolases, as well as the isolation of microorganisms that degrade PET-type plastics. The results obtained allowed the identification of two kefir sequences homologous to the dienelactone hydrolase enzyme (DLH-1 and DHL-2), which can participate in the degradation of plastic compounds. Both sequences presented a shared domain with the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily; this type of motif has been observed in PET hydrolases obtained from different species of actinomycetes. Likewise, microorganisms with the capacity to degrade PLC plastics were isolated, suggesting that they possess enzymes with hydrolytic activity of industrial compounds for the manufacture of PET. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that kefirs are sources of hydrolytic enzymes of PET hydrolases and that it is possible to isolate PET-degrading microorganisms from themEl kéfir es un producto de leche fermentada que contiene una microbiota simbiótica que genera beneficios para la salud al sintetizar diferentes metabolitos y enzimas con diversas capacidades metabólicas. Por otra parte, los plásticos sintéticos utilizados en sectores del hogar e industrial, han originado un problema ambiental alrededor del mundo debido a su uso desmedido, su alta durabilidad y la falta de reciclado. Por tal motivo, el estudio de los consorcios de kéfir representa una fuente para la obtención de microorganismos productores de enzimas hidrolíticas capaces de degradar plásticos. En este estudio, se analizaron dos metagenomas de kéfir (NCBI proyecto PRJNA704713), mediante herramientas bioinformáticas, dirigidos a la búsqueda de secuencias homólogas a hidrolasas, así como el aislamiento de microorganismos relacionados con la degradación de plásticos tipo PET. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron la identificación de dos secuencias de kéfir homólogas a las enzimas dienolactona hidrolasa (DLH-1 y DLH-2) que han sido relacionadas con la degradación de compuestos plásticos. Ambas secuencias presentan un dominio compartido con la superfamilia alfa/beta hidrolasas; este tipo de motivo se ha observado en las PET hidrolasas obtenidas en diferentes especies de actinomicetos. Así mismo, se aislaron seis bacterias que mostraron diferentes características y capacidades para degradar plásticos PLC. En conclusión, los metagenomas del kéfir presentan secuencias de enzimas asociadas a la degradación de plásticos tipo PET y los microorganismos aislados del kéfir fueron capaces de degradar PLC, lo que sugiere que representan un potencial para la degradación de plásticos PET

Intermediate-Salinity Systems at High Altitudes in the Peruvian Andes Unveil a High Diversity and Abundance of Bacteria and Viruses

Intermediate-salinity environments are distributed around the world. Here, we present a snapshot characterization of two Peruvian thalassohaline environments at high altitude, Maras and Acos, which provide an excellent opportunity to increase our understanding of these ecosystems. The main goal of this study was to assess the structure and functional diversity of the communities of microorganisms in an intermediate-salinity environment, and we used a metagenomic shotgun approach for this analysis. These Andean hypersaline systems exhibited high bacterial diversity and abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Balneolaeota, and Actinobacteria; in contrast, Archaea from the phyla Euryarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, and Crenarchaeota were identified in low abundance. Acos harbored a more diverse prokaryotic community and a higher number of unique species compared with Maras. In addition, we obtained the draft genomes of two bacteria, Halomonas elongata and Idiomarina loihiensis, as well as the viral genomes of Enterobacteria lambda-like phage and Halomonas elongata-like phage and 27 partial novel viral halophilic genomes. The functional metagenome annotation showed a high abundance of sequences associated with detoxification, DNA repair, cell wall and capsule formation, and nucleotide metabolism; sequences for these functions were overexpressed mainly in bacteria and also in some archaea and viruses. Thus, their metabolic profiles afford a decrease in oxidative stress as well as the assimilation of nitrogen, a critical energy source for survival. Our work represents the first microbial characterization of a community structure in samples collected from Peruvian hypersaline systems