Noviherbaspirillum galbum sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and yellow-colored bacterium, strain 17J57-3 T, was isolated from soil collected in Pyeongchang city, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 17J57-3 T formed a distinct lineage within the family Oxalobacteraceae (order Burkholderiales, class Betaproteobacteria). Strain 17J57-3 T was the most closely related to Noviherbaspirillum humi U15T (96.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Noviherbaspirillum massiliense JC206T (96.2%). The draft genome size of strain 17J57-3 T was 6,117,206 bp. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7.0 without NaCl. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c/C16:1 ω7c) and C16:0. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Biochemical, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain 17J57-3 T represents a novel bacterial species within the genus Noviherbaspirillum, for which the name Noviherbaspirillum galbum is proposed. The type strain of Noviherbaspirillum galbum is 17J57-3 T (= KCTC 62213 T = NBRC 114384 T).

Gene Silencing and Haploinsufficiency of Csk Increase Blood Pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Recent genome-wide association studies have identified 33 human genetic loci that influence blood pressure. The 15q24 locus is one such locus that has been confirmed in Asians and Europeans. There are 21 genes in the locus within a 1-Mb boundary, but a functional link of these genes to blood pressure has not been reported. We aimed to identify a causative gene for blood pressure change in the 15q24 locus. METHODS AND RESULTS: CSK and ULK3 were selected as candidate genes based on eQTL analysis studies that showed the association between gene transcript levels and the lead SNP (rs1378942). Injection of siRNAs for mouse homologs Csk, Ulk3, and Cyp1a2 (negative control) showed reduced target gene mRNA levels in vivo. However, Csk siRNA only increased blood pressure while Ulk3 and Cyp1a2 siRNA did not change it. Further, blood pressure in Csk+/- heterozygotes was higher than in wild-type, consistent with what we observed in Csk siRNA-injected mice. We confirmed that haploinsufficiency of Csk increased the active form of Src in Csk+/- mice aorta. We also showed that inhibition of Src by PP2, a Src inhibitor decreased high blood pressure in Csk+/- mice and the active Src in Csk+/- mice aorta and in Csk knock-down vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting blood pressure regulation by Csk through Src. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that Csk is a causative gene in the 15q24 locus and regulates blood pressure through Src, and these findings provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.

ANTXR2 is a potential causative gene in the genome-wide association study of the blood pressure locus 4q21.

Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease worldwide, but its genetic basis is poorly understood. Recently, genome-wide association studies identified 33 genetic loci that are associated with blood pressure. However, it has been difficult to determine whether these loci are causative owing to the lack of functional analyses. Of these 33 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) loci, the 4q21 locus, known as the fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) locus, has been linked to blood pressure in Asians and Europeans. Using a mouse model, we aimed to identify a causative gene in the 4q21 locus, in which four genes (anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2), PR domain-containing 8 (PRDM8), FGF5 and chromosome 4 open reading frame 22 (C4orf22)) were near the lead single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs16998073). Initially, we examined Fgf5 gene by measuring blood pressure in Fgf5-knockout mice. However, blood pressure did not differ between Fgf5 knockout and wild-type mice. Therefore, the other candidate genes were studied by in vivo small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing in mice. Antxr2 siRNA was pretreated with polyethylenimine and injected into mouse tail veins, causing a significant decrease in Antxr2 mRNA by 22% in the heart. Moreover, blood pressure measured under anesthesia in Antxr2 siRNA-injected mice rose significantly compared with that of the controls. These results suggest that ANTXR2 is a causative gene in the human 4q21 GWAS-blood pressure locus. Additional functional studies of ANTXR2 in blood pressure may identify a novel genetic pathway, thus increasing our understanding of the etiology of essential hypertension.

Authentication of the oriental medicinal plant Ligusticum tenuissimum (Nakai) Kitagawa (Korean Go-Bon) by multiplex PCR.

The oriental medicinal plant Ligusticum tenuissimum (Korean name, Go-Bon) is widely used in Korea and China. L. tenuissimum (Go-Bon) has been employed in the treatment of headache and common cold, and as a fever remedy. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was sequenced from thirty-four Go-Bon samples collected from botanical gardens and markets in Korea and China to identify and authenticate L. tenuissimum. Based on the ITS sequences, the thirty-four Go-Bon samples were classified into three groups: L. tenuissimum (Korean Go-Bon), L. jeholense (Chinese Go-Bon), and unknown Chinese Ligusticum species. Three specific primers were designed to identify the three groups of Ligusticum species using multiplex PCR. The established multiplex-PCR was proved to be effective for the differentiation of L. tenuissimum in commercial plant materials.

Molecular identification of oriental medicinal plant Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge ('Jimo') by multiplex PCR.

Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Jimo) is one of the most popular and valuable plant species in many countries, including China, Korea, and Japan. The current commercial products such as Sagan, Chog-chag-yag, and Shig-ban-pung which are most similar to Jimo roots, were used for more reliable authentication method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the trnL-F region has been proved to be an appropriate method for the identification of species in the A. asphodeloides genus. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been identified in Jimo, Sagan, Chog-chag-yag, and Shig-ban-pung. The specific PCR primers were designed from the SNP to differentiate the A. asphodeloides (Jimo) from Sagan, Chog-chag-yag, and Shig-ban-pung via multiplex PCR. The established multiplex-PCR method for the rapid detection of the Jimo in a single reaction was determined to be effective for the differentiation of Jimo (A. asphodeloides). We therefore present an effective method for the genetic identification of the A. asphodeloides.