Recently emancipated from the Staphylococcus genus due to genomic differences, Mammaliicoccus sciuri, previously classified as an occasional pathogen, emerges as a significant player in the landscape of resistance gene dissemination among Staphylococcaceae. Despite its classification, its role remained enigmatic. In this study, we delved into the genomic repertoire of M. sciuri to unravel its contribution to resistance and virulence gene transfer in the context of One Health. Through comprehensive analysis of publicly available genomes, we unveiled a diverse pan-immune system adept at defending against exogenous genetic elements, yet concurrently fostering horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
Specifically, exploration of CRISPR-Cas systems, with spacer sequences as molecular signatures, elucidated a global dissemination pattern spanning environmental, animal, and human hosts. Notably, we identified the integration of CRISPR-Cas systems within SCCmecs (Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec), harboring key genes associated with pathogenicity and resistance, especially the methicillin resistance gene mecA, suggesting a strategic adaptation to outcompete other mobile genetic elements. Our findings underscored M. sciuri's active engagement in HGT dynamics and evolutionary trajectories within Staphylococcaceae, emphasizing its central role in shaping microbial communities and highlighting the significance of understanding its implications in the One Health framework, an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to address global health challenges.
The differences in methanogen abundance and community
composition were investigated between nearshore and offshore
sediments in the South Yellow Sea (SYS). Shannon,
Simpson, and Chao1 indices revealed a higher diversity of
methanogens in the nearshore sediments than in the offshore
sediments. The Mann–Whitney U test demonstrated that the
relative abundance of Methanococcoides was significantly
higher in the offshore sediments, while the relative abundances
of Methanogenium, Methanosarcina, Methanosaeta,
Methanolinea, and Methanomassiliicoccus were significantly
higher in the nearshore sediments (P < 0.05). The abundance
of the mcrA gene in the nearshore sediments was significantly
higher than that in the offshore sediments. Furthermore, a
similar vertical distribution of the methanogen and sulfatereducing
bacteria (SRB) abundances was observed in the SYS
sediments, implying there is potential cooperation between
these two functional microbes in this environment. Finally,
total organic carbon (TOC) was significantly correlated with
methanogen community composition.
In this study, bacterial strains Ha5T, Ta1, and Jb2 were isolated
from different colonies of weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina.
They were identified as bacterial symbionts of the ant belonging
to family Acetobacteraceae and were distinguished as
different strains based on distinctive random-amplified polymorphic
DNA (RAPD) fingerprints. Cells of these bacterial
strains were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-motile,
catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. They were able
to grow at 15–37°C (optimum, 28–30°C) and in the presence
of 0–1.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0%). Their predominant cellular
fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c, C16:0, C19:0 ω8c cyclo, C14:0, and
C16:0 2-OH. Strains Ha5T, Ta1, and Jb2 shared highest 16S
rRNA gene sequence similarity (94.56–94.63%) with Neokomagataea
tanensis NBRC106556T of family Acetobacteraceae.
Both 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis
and core gene-based phylogenomic analysis placed them in
a distinct lineage in family Acetobacteraceae. These bacterial
strains shared higher than species level thresholds in multiple
overall genome-relatedness indices which indicated that
they belonged to the same species. In addition, they did not
belong to any of the current taxa of Acetobacteraceae as they
had low pairwise average nucleotide identity (< 71%), in silico
DNA-DNA hybridization (< 38%) and average amino acid
identity (< 67%) values with all the type members of the family.
Based on these results, bacterial strains Ha5T, Ta1, and Jb2 represent
a novel species of a novel genus in family Acetobacteraceae,
for which we propose the name Oecophyllibacter saccharovorans
gen. nov. sp. nov., and strain Ha5T as the type
strain.