Genome-wide characterization and metabolite profiling of Cyathus olla: insights into the biosynthesis of medicinal compounds.

Cyathus olla, belonging to the genus Cyathus within the order Agaricales, is renowned for its bird's nest-like fruiting bodies and has been utilized in folk medicine. However, its genome remains poorly understood. To investigate genomic diversity within the genus Cyathus and elucidate biosynthetic pathways for medicinal compounds, we generated a high-quality genome assembly of C. olla with fourteen chromosomes. The comparative genome analysis revealed variations in both genomes and specific functional genes within the genus Cyathus. Phylogenomic and gene family variation analyses provided insights into evolutionary divergence, as well as genome expansion and contraction in individual Cyathus species and 36 typical Basidiomycota. Furthermore, analysis of LTR-RT and Ka/Ks revealed apparent whole-genome duplication (WGD) events its genome. Through genome mining and metabolite profiling, we identified the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) for cyathane diterpenes from C. olla. Furthermore, we predicted 32 BGCs, containing 41 core genes, involved in other bioactive metabolites. These findings represent a valuable genomic resource that will enhance our understanding of Cyathus species genetic diversity. The genome analysis of C. olla provides insights into the biosynthesis of medicinal compounds and establishes a fundamental basis for future investigations into the genetic basis of chemodiversity in this significant medicinal fungus.

Microscopic Observations on Form and Structure of the Worm Enchytraeus buchholzi (Clitellata: Enchytraeidae).

BACKGROUND: The worm Enchytraeus buchholzi is a new record species for Shaanxi, China, and a key pest on American ginseng Panax quinquefolium. To distinguish the species, the authors prepared its whole mounts and paraffin-embedded sections, and microscopically observed, photographed and measured. Besides, we conducted an experimental study on its DNA barcode.  RESULTS: Cells, tissues and organs related to nervous, digestive, circulatory, excretory and reproductive systems were found, photomicrographed and described, including: prostomium, peristomium, segments, clitellum, pygidium, lateral and ventral chaetae; brain, cranial nerves, sensory papillae, ventral nerve cord; pharyngeal pad and glands, retractor muscles and muscular bundles, peptonephridia, esophagus, intestine; dorsal, lateral, ventral and intestinal parietal vessels, coelomocytes, coelomic cavity; nephridia, chloragogen cells; ovaries, groups of germ cells with developing oocytes, mature eggs, spermathecae; testes, seminal vesicles, sperm funnels, penial bulbs. Their shapes and sizes were given, and functions discussed briefly. The visual effect of staining specimens with hematoxylin plus eosin ranked the first, and that with acetocarmine the second.  CONCLUSIONS: The supplementary and objective descriptions, with the microphotographs as forceful pieces of evidence, have expanded biological knowledge in aspects of the form, structure and function of the worm, which is helpful for professionals to recognize and understand this species and provide a solid basis for its integrated pest management.

Streptomyces ferrugineus sp. nov., isolated from mangrove soil in Thailand.

Bacterial strain HV38(T) was isolated from mangrove soil, which was collected from Thailand. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characteristics were found to be typical of members of the genus Streptomyces. The strain was found to form a distinct phyletic line in the Streptomyces 16S rRNA gene tree and to be closely associated with the type strains of Streptomyces coeruleofuscus CGMCC 4.1667(T) (98.84 % sequence similarity), Streptomyces chromofuscus CGMCC 4.1451(T) (98.63 %) and Streptomyces albidoflavus CGMCC 4.1291(T) (98.56 %). The major menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H10). Its major cellular fatty acids were found to be iso-C14:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:1ω8c, C16:0, anteiso-C16:1ω8c, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C16:0. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain HV38(T) with S. coeruleofuscus CGMCC 4.1667(T), S. chromofuscus CGMCC 4.1451(T) and S. albidoflavus CGMCC 4.1291(T) were 32.7 ± 0.9, 21.8 ± 0.3 and 19.9 ± 0.9 %, respectively, which clearly supported the conclusion that they belong to separate genomic species. Cumulatively, the data indicated that strain HV38(T) represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces ferrugineus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HV38(T) (=CCTCC AA2014009(T )= DSM 42152(T)).