Pan-Pim Kinase Inhibitor AZD1208 Suppresses Tumor Growth and Synergistically Interacts with Akt Inhibition in Gastric Cancer Cells.

PURPOSE: Pim kinases are highly conserved serine/threonine kinases, and different expression patterns of each isoform (Pim-1, Pim-2, and Pim-3) have been observed in various types of human cancers, including gastric cancer. AZD1208 is a potent and selective inhibitor that affects all three isoforms of Pim. We investigated the effects of AZD1208 as a single agent and in combination with an Akt inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antitumor activity of AZD1208 with/without an Akt inhibitor was evaluated in a large panel of gastric cancer cell lines through growth inhibition assays. The underlying mechanism was also examined by western blotting, immunofluorescence assay, and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS: AZD1208 treatment decreased gastric cancer cell proliferation rates and induced autophagy only in long-term culture systems. Light chain 3B (LC3B), a marker of autophagy, was increased in sensitive cells in a dose-dependent manner with AZD1208 treatment, which suggested that the growth inhibition effect of AZD1208 was achieved through autophagy, not apoptosis. Moreover, we found that cells damaged by Pim inhibition were repaired by activation of the DNA damage repair pathway, which promoted cell survival and led the cells to become resistant to AZD1208. We also confirmed that the combination of an Akt inhibitor with AZD1208 produced a highly synergistic effect in gastric cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION: Treatment with AZD1208 alone induced considerable cell death through autophagy in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, the combination of AZD1208 with an Akt inhibitor showed synergistic antitumor effects through regulation of the DNA damage repair pathway.

Cyclin E overexpression confers resistance to the CDK4/6 specific inhibitor palbociclib in gastric cancer cells.

Palbociclib is a specific inhibitor of CDK4/6 and has been shown to provide a survival benefit in hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. TCGA database reported that about half of gastric cancers exhibit abnormalities in cell-cycle-related molecules, suggesting that gastric cancer is a good candidate for palbociclib treatment; however, the antitumor effects and predictive markers of palbociclib in gastric cancer remain incompletely described. Herein, the effect and predictive markers of palbociclib on gastric cancer cells were investigated. Our results reveal that palbociclib showed anti-proliferative effects by inducing G1 phase cell-cycle arrest and cellular senescence in some gastric cancer cells. Basal protein expression level of cyclin E showed an inverse correlation of cancer cell sensitivity to palbociclib. In addition, palbociclib enhanced the antitumor effect of 5-FU in vitro and in vivo by modulating thymidine synthase expression. These results suggest that cyclin E protein expression determines the anti-proliferative effect of palbociclib, and palbociclib acts synergistically with 5-FU in gastric cancer. These findings provide a rationale for future clinical trials of palbociclib and 5-FU combination-based chemotherapy in gastric cancer.

Korean Cancer Patients' Awareness of Clinical Trials, Perceptions on the Benefit and Willingness to Participate.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess current levels of awareness of clinical trials (CTs), perceptions regarding their benefits and willingness to participate to CTs among Korean cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2012 to August 2015, we distributed questionnaires to cancer patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy at Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: A total of 397 out of 520 requested patients (76.3%) responded to the survey. Among the 397 patients, 62.5% were female and the median age was 52 years. Overall, 97.4% (387/397) answered that they have at least heard of CTs. When asked about their level of awareness, 23.8% (92/387) answered that they could more than roughly explain about CTs. The average visual analogue scale score of CT benefit in all patients was 6.43 (standard deviation, 2.20). Patients who were only familiar with the term without detailed knowledge of the contents had the least expectation of benefit from CTs (p=0.015). When asked about their willingness to participate in CTs, 56.7% (225/397) answered positively. Patients with higher levels of awareness of CTs showed higher willingness to participate (p < 0.001). Heavily treated patients and patients with previous experience regarding CTs also showed a higher willingness to participate (p < 0.001). The perceived benefit of CTs was higher in the group willing to participate (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: The patient's level of awareness regarding CTs was positively related to the positive perception and willingness to participate. Although the general awareness of CTs was high, a relatively large proportion of patients did not have accurate knowledge; therefore, proper and accurate patient education is necessary.

Antitumor Effect of KX-01 through Inhibiting Src Family Kinases and Mitosis.

PURPOSE: KX-01 is a novel dual inhibitor of Src and tubulin. Unlike previous Src inhibitors that failed to show clinical benefit during treatment of breast cancer, KX-01 can potentially overcome the therapeutic limitations of current Src inhibitors through inhibition of both Src and tubulin. The present study further evaluates the activity and mechanism of KX-01 in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antitumor effect of KX-01 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines was determined by MTT assay. Wound healing and immunofluorescence assays were performed to evaluate the action mechanisms of KX-01. Changes in the cell cycle and molecular changes induced by KX-01 were also evaluated. A MDA-MB-231 mouse xenograft model was used to demonstrate the in vivo effects. RESULTS: KX-01 effectively inhibited the growth of breast cancer cell lines. The expression of phospho-Src and proliferative-signaling molecules were down-regulated in KX-01-sensitive TNBC cell lines. In addition, migration inhibition was observed by wound healing assay. KX-01-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased the aneuploid cell population in KX-01-sensitive cell lines. Multi-nucleated cells were significantly increased after KX-01 treatment. Furthermore, KX-01 effectively delayed tumor growth in a MDA-MB-231 mouse xenograft model. CONCLUSION: KX-01 effectively inhibited cell growth and migration of TNBC cells. Moreover, this study demonstrated that KX-01 showed antitumor effects through the inhibition of Src signaling and the induction of mitotic catastrophe. The antitumor effects of KX-01 were also demonstrated in vivo using a mouse xenograft model.

Paenibacillus harenae sp. nov., isolated from desert sand in China.

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain B519T, was isolated from a desert sand sample of Gansu Province, China. Strain B519T was strictly aerobic and cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella. The strain grew optimally at 32-35 degrees C and pH 6.5-7.0. Chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of the new isolate to the genus Paenibacillus, including menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the major isoprenoid quinone, DNA G+C content of 49.9 mol%, cell-wall type A1gamma (meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid) and anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain B519T was most closely related to Paenibacillus alkaliterrae KSL-134T (98.0 % similarity). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain B519T and P. alkaliterrae KSL-134T was about 12.3 %. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and molecular properties, strain B519T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus harenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B519T (=KCTC 3951T =DSM 16969T).

Salinimicrobium terrae sp. nov., isolated from saline soil, and emended description of the genus Salinimicrobium.

A novel yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, slightly halophilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, obligately aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM-C338(T), was isolated from saline soil from the Qaidam Basin in north-west China. Cells were non-sporulating, non-motile, short rods, predominantly occurring singly. Coccoid bodies and slightly curved rod-shaped cells of varying length developed in older cultures. Growth occurred with 0.5-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 1-3 %, w/v), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimally at pH 7.0) and at 4-37 degrees C (optimally at 28 degrees C). The major cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0), C(18 : 0), C(16 : 1)omega7c, C(18 : 1)omega7c, iso-C(13 : 0) 3-OH and iso-C(15 : 1). MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone. Non-diffusible carotenoid pigments were produced. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM-C338(T) was a member of the genus Salinimicrobium, having sequence similarities of 97.3 and 94.0 % with respect to Salinimicrobium xinjiangense BH206(T) and Salinimicrobium catena HY1(T). The combination of the phylogenetic data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences supported the view that strain YIM-C338(T) represents a novel species of the genus Salinimicrobium, for which the name Salinimicrobium terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM-C338(T) (=DSM 17865(T) =CGMCC 1.6308(T)). An emended description of the genus Salinimicrobium is also provided.

Gracilibacillus lacisalsi sp. nov., a halophilic Gram-positive bacterium from a salt lake in China.

Two Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped, halophilic bacteria showing optimum growth at 5-7 % (w/v) NaCl were isolated from a salt lake, Xin-Jiang Province, China. The strains, designated BH312(T) and BH314, grew in the presence of 1-18 % (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures of 15-50 degrees C (optimum: 40 degrees C) and pH values of 5.5-10.0 (optimum: pH 7.5-8.0). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 38.8-39.0 mol% and the predominant lipoquinone was MK-7. The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified phospholipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates formed a cluster with Gracilibacillus orientalis XH-63(T) within the genus Gracilibacillus. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with closely related type strains were lower than 96.2 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, the isolates represent a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus for which the name Gracilibacillus lacisalsi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BH312(T) (=KCTC 13129(T)=DSM 19029(T)).

Reclassification of Salegentibacter catena Ying et al. 2007 as Salinimicrobium catena gen. nov., comb. nov. and description of Salinimicrobium xinjiangense sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from Xinjiang province in China.

A Gram-negative, non-motile and moderately halophilic rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain BH206(T), was isolated from a saline lake of Xinjiang province in China. The isolate showed catalase-positive and oxidase-negative reactions and did not reduce nitrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate was most closely related to [Salegentibacter] catena HY1(T) with 95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and formed a tight phyletic group with [Salegentibacter] catena HY1(T) with a bootstrap value of 99 % within the family Flavobacteriaceae. However, strain BH206(T) and [Salegentibacter] catena HY1(T) formed a phyletic lineage distinct from other Salegentibacter species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of strain BH206(T) with other related type species were lower than 94.6 %. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties, it is clear that [Salegentibacter] catena should be reclassified in the new genus Salinimicrobium as Salinimicrobium catena gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain HY1(T)=CGMCC 1.6101(T)=JCM 14015(T)) and that strain BH206(T) represents a novel species within the genus Salinimicrobium, for which the name Salinimicrobium xinjiangense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Salinimicrobium xinjiangense is BH206(T) (=KCTC 12883(T)=DSM 19287(T)).

Albimonas donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a non-photosynthetic member of the class Alphaproteobacteria isolated from seawater.

A moderately halophilic Gram-negative bacterium, strain DS2(T), was isolated from seawater from the East Sea in Korea. Strain DS2(T) grew at salinities of 0-14% (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures in the range 10-38 degrees C. The cells were non-motile short rods (1.0-1.4 microm in width and 1.6-2.6 microm in length) and the major fatty acids were C(18:1)omega7c and 11-methyl C(18:1)omega7c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 72.0 mol% and the predominant lipoquinone was Q-10. The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DS2(T) formed a distinct phyletic line from the genus Rubrimonas within the Alphaproteobacteria. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to the type strains of related genera were below 94%. On the basis of physiological and phylogenetic properties, strain DS2(T) represents a novel genus and species of the Alphaproteobacteria, for which the name Albimonas donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS2(T) (=KCTC 12586(T)=DSM 17890(T)).

Bacillus kribbensis sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample in Jeju, Korea.

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain BT080(T), was isolated from a soil sample in Jeju, Korea. Cells of the isolate were strictly aerobic rods that were motile by means of peritrichous flagella. The strain grew optimally at 30-33 degrees C and pH 5.5-6.5. Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone, MK-7; DNA G+C content, 43.3 mol%; major fatty acids, anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(14 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0)) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Bacillus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain BT080(T) formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Bacillus. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to related Bacillus species were below 96.4 %. On the basis of physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic properties, strain BT080(T) represents a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus kribbensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BT080(T) (=KCTC 13934(T)=DSM 17871(T)).

Halomonas kribbensis sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a solar saltern in Korea.

A moderately halophilic, Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain BH843(T), was isolated from a solar saltern in Korea and subjected to a taxonomic analysis. Strain BH843(T) grew at salinities of 1-14 % (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures of 10-40 degrees C. The cells were motile cocci or short rods with single flagella and contained C(16 : 0), C(19 : 0) cyclo omega8c and C(17 : 0) cyclo as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66 mol% and the predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain BH843(T) formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Halomonas, and the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to recognized Halomonas species were below 95.1 %. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain BH843(T) and the type strains of phylogenetically closely related Halomonas species were below 25 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain BH843(T) represents a novel species within the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas kribbensis is proposed. The type strain is BH843(T) (=KCTC 12584(T)=DSM 17892(T)).

Leeia oryzae gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a rice field in Korea.

A strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain HW7(T), was isolated from a rice field in Korea. Cells of strain HW7(T) were short rod-shaped and motile with single polar flagella. The major cellular fatty acids of strain HW7(T) were C(16 : 0) and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH). The genomic DNA G+C content was 56 mol% and the major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HW7(T) forms a distinct lineage with respect to closely related genera within the class Betaproteobacteria and that the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to the type species of related genera are less than 93 %. On the basis of the physiological and phylogenetic data, strain HW7(T) represents a novel genus and species of the Betaproteobacteria, for which the name Leeia oryzae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HW7(T) (=KCTC 12585(T)=DSM 17879(T)).

Bacillus taeanensis sp. nov., a halophilic Gram-positive bacterium from a solar saltern in Korea.

A halophilic bacterium, strain BH030017(T), showing optimum growth at 2-5 % (w/v) NaCl was isolated from solar-saltern sediment from the Tae-An area of Korea and was characterized taxonomically. The cells of strain BH030017(T) were Gram-positive, motile, short rods containing cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 36 mol% and the predominant lipoquinone was MK-7. The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BH030017(T) formed a cluster with Bacillus clarkii DSM 8720(T) and Bacillus agaradhaerens DSM 8721(T) within the family Bacillaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with respect to closely related type strains were less than 95.1 %. On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain BH030017(T) represents a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BH030017(T) (=KCTC 3918(T)=DSM 16466(T)).

Paenibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov., isolated from Xinjiang province in China.

Strain B538T is a Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, which was isolated from Xinjiang province in China. This organism grew optimally at 30-35 degrees C and pH 8.0-8.5. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B538T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus and chemotaxonomic data (DNA G+C content, 47.0 mol%; major isoprenoid quinone, MK-7; cell wall type, A1gamma meso-diaminopimelic acid; major fatty acids, anteiso-C15:0 and C16:0) supported affiliation of the isolate with the genus Paenibacillus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the isolate was most closely related to Paenibacillus glycanilyticus DS-1T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.1%; sequence similarities to other members of the genus Paenibacillus used in the phylogenetic tree were less than 96.5%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain B538T and P. glycanilyticus DS-1T was about 8.0%. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties, strain B538T (=KCTC 3952T=DSM 16970T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Paenibacillus gansuensis sp. nov., isolated from desert soil of Gansu Province in China.

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain B518(T), was isolated from a desert-soil sample from Gansu Province in China. The isolate was strictly aerobic and was motile by means of several flagella. The strain grew optimally at 35-40 degrees C and at pH 7.0-7.5. The predominant fatty acids of strain B518(T) were anteiso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 50 mol% and the predominant quinone was MK-7. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain B518(T) formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Paenibacillus and was most closely related to Paenibacillus chitinolyticus IFO 15660(T), with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.8 %. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to other type strains of Paenibacillus species were below 95.1 %. On the basis of the chemotaxonomic data and molecular properties, strain B518(T) represents a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus gansuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B518(T) (=KCTC 3950(T)=DSM 16968(T)).

Bacillus seohaeanensis sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium that contains L-lysine in its cell wall.

A halotolerant, round-endospore-forming, aerobic, Gram-positive bacterium, designated BH724(T), was isolated from a solar saltern at Taean in Korea. Cells of this strain were rod-shaped and found to be non-motile. Strain BH724(T) grew at salinities of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl with an optimum of 3 % (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures of 15-50 degrees C with an optimum of 40 degrees C. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BH724(T) belonged to the genus Bacillus and that Bacillus aquimaris TF-12(T), Bacillus marisflavi TF-11(T) and Bacillus vietnamensis JCM 11124(T) were its closest neighbours, sharing 97.3, 97.2 and 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39 mol% and the predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Its major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(14 : 0). The peptidoglycan type was A1alpha, linked directly through l-lysine. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic, physiological and phylogenetic properties, strain BH724(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus seohaeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BH724(T) (=KCTC 3913(T)=DSM 16464(T)).

Marinimicrobium koreense gen. nov., sp. nov. and Marinimicrobium agarilyticum sp. nov., novel moderately halotolerant bacteria isolated from tidal flat sediment in Korea.

Two moderately halotolerant Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from tidal flat sediment of the South Sea in Korea (the Korea Strait). The strains, designated M9T and M18T, were strictly aerobic, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming and motile with a flagellum and their major fatty acids were C(16:0) and C(19:0) cyclo omega8c. Strains M9T and M18T could grow in the presence of up to 13-15% (w/v) NaCl, but their optimum salt concentrations were relatively low (0-3%, w/v). The major predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and the G + C content of the genomic DNA was 57-58 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies revealed that strains M9T and M18T formed a phylogenetic lineage distinct from the genus Teredinibacter within the class Gammaproteobacteria and were most closely related to the genera Microbulbifer, Saccharophagus and Teredinibacter, with less than 92.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two strains was 96.7%. On the basis of physiological and phylogenetic properties, strains M9T and M18T represent separate species within a novel genus of the class Gammaproteobacteria, for which the names Marinimicrobium koreense gen. nov., sp. nov. (type species) and Marinimicrobium agarilyticum sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of Marinimicrobium koreense and Marinimicrobium agarilyticum are M9T (= KCTC 12356T = DSM 16974T) and M18T (= KCTC 12357T = DSM 16975T), respectively.

Bacillus salarius sp. nov., a halophilic, spore-forming bacterium isolated from a salt lake in China.

A moderately halophilic bacterium, strain BH169T, capable of growing at salinities of 3-20% (w/v) NaCl was isolated from a saline lake in China. Strain BH169T was strictly aerobic, short-rod-shaped and non-motile (non-flagellated). Its major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was about 43 mol% and the predominant quinone was MK-7. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of the A1gamma type, containing meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct phylogenetic line within the spore-forming rods of the genus Bacillus. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Bacillus species were below 93%. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular properties, strain BH169T (=KCTC 3912T=DSM 16461T) represents the type strain of a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus salarius sp. nov. is proposed.

Bacillus koreensis sp. nov., a spore-forming bacterium, isolated from the rhizosphere of willow roots in Korea.

An endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the rhizosphere of willow roots in Korea. The bacterium, designated strain BR030T, was a strictly aerobic, motile rod. The cell wall contained type A1gamma peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(14 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown phospholipids (PL1, PL2). The genomic DNA G+C content was 36 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain BR030T formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to Bacillus flexus DSM 1320T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.8 %. Sequence similarities to other type strains were lower than 96.2 %. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties, the isolate represents a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BR030T (= KCTC 3914T = DSM 16467T).

Virgibacillus koreensis sp. nov., a novel bacterium from a salt field, and transfer of Virgibacillus picturae to the genus Oceanobacillus as Oceanobacillus picturae comb. nov. with emended descriptions.

A novel Virgibacillus strain, BH30097T, was isolated from a salt field near Taean-Gun on the Yellow Sea in Korea. Cells were Gram-positive rods and bore ellipsoidal endospores in terminal positions. The optimum pH and temperature for growth of this organism were pH 7 and 25 degrees C, respectively. The main respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). Analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data revealed that the isolate formed an evolutionary lineage distinct from other Virgibacillus species. Levels of sequence similarity between the isolate and other Virgibacillus species ranged from 93.8 to 96.7 %. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain BH30097T and a phylogenetically closely related strain, Virgibacillus halodenitrificans KCTC 3790T, were less than 24 %. On the basis of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison and DNA-DNA hybridization, a novel species, Virgibacillus koreensis sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain BH30097T (= KCTC 3823T = JCM 12387T). It is also proposed that Virgibacillus picturae be transferred to the genus Oceanobacillus as Oceanobacillus picturae comb. nov. based on its 16S rRNA gene sequences and other taxonomic characteristics.