Journal of Microbiology

Editor’s Choice articles are curated by our senior editors, who represent each section, to highlight research published in 2024 that they consider particularly interesting to our readers and/or important within the respective research area.

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Evolutionary Microbiology and Systematics
Microbial Ecology and Environmental Microbiology
Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
Microbial Genetics, Genomics
and Molecular Biology (Prokaryote)
Microbial Genetics, Genomics
and Molecular Biology (Eukaryote)
Microbial Pathogenesis
and Host-Microbe Interaction
Synthetic Microbiology and Biotechnology
Virology

Microbial Genetics, Genomics and Molecular Biology (Eukaryote)

Articles

LAMMER Kinase Governs the Expression and Cellular Localization of Gas2, a Key Regulator of Flocculation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: Won-Hwa Kang , Yoon-Dong Park , Joo-Yeon Lim , Hee-Moon Park; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(1):21-31. Published online January 5, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00097-7

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Abstract PDF: It was reported that LAMMER kinase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe plays an important role in cation-dependent and galactose-specific flocculation. Analogous to other flocculating yeasts, when cell wall extracts of the Δlkh1 strain were treated to the wild-type strain, it displayed flocculation. Gas2, a 1,3-β-glucanosyl transferase, was isolated from the EDTA-extracted cell-surface proteins in the Δlkh1 strain. While disruption of the gas2+ gene was not lethal and reduced the flocculation activity of the Δlkh1 strain, the expression of a secreted form of Gas2, in which the GPI anchor addition sequences had been removed, conferred the ability to flocculate upon the WT strain. The Gas2-mediated flocculation was strongly inhibited by galactose but not by glucose. Immunostaining analysis showed that the cell surface localization of Gas2 was crucial for the flocculation of fission yeast. In addition, we identified the regulation of mbx2+ expression by Lkh1 using RT-qPCR. Taken together, we found that Lkh1 induces asexual flocculation by regulating not only the localization of Gas2 but also the transcription of gas2+ through Mbx2.

Licochalcone A Protects Vaginal Epithelial Cells against Candida albicans Infection via the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: Wei Li, Yujun Yin, Taoqiong Li, Yiqun Wang, Wenyin Shi; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(7):525-533. Published online May 31, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00134-z

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Abstract PDF

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent condition affecting a significant portion of women worldwide. Licochalcone A (LA), a natural compound with diverse biological activities, holds promise as a protective agent against Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection. This study aims to investigate the potential of LA to safeguard vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) from C. albicans infection and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. To simulate VVC in vitro, VK2-E6E7 cells were infected with C. albicans. Candida albicans biofilm formation, C. albicans adhesion to VK2-E6E7 cells, and C. albicans-induced cell damage and inflammatory responses were assessed by XTT reduction assay, fluorescence assay, LDH assay, and ELISA. CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of LA on VK2-E6E7 cells. Western blotting assay was performed to detect protein expression. LA dose-dependently hindered C. albicans biofilm formation and adhesion to VK2-E6E7 cells. Furthermore, LA mitigated cell damage, inhibited the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and attenuated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in C. albicans-induced VK2-E6E7 cells. The investigation into LA's impact on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway revealed that LA downregulated TLR4 expression and inhibited NF-κB activation in C. albicans-infected VK2-E6E7 cells. Furthermore, TLR4 overexpression partially abated LA-mediated protection, further highlighting the role of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. LA holds the potential to safeguard VECs against C. albicans infection, potentially offering therapeutic avenues for VVC management.

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New Curcumin Analogue (PAC) Inhibits Candida albicans Virulence, Restricts Its Adhesion Potential, and Relieves Oral Epithelial Cell Inflammation and Defense Mechanisms
Ghazoua Mezni, Hawraa Issa, Manal Dahdah, Anaïs Poulin, Adam Daïch, Abdulaziz Alamri, Mahmoud Rouabhia, Abdelhabib Semlali
Antibiotics.2025; 14(5): 495. CrossRef
Therapeutic potential of Licochalcone A in dermatological diseases: from basic to clinical research
Deming Liu, Xue Jiang, Fujin Yang, Jingjing Zhou, Yanxi Li, Hua Yang
Frontiers in Pharmacology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Non-Mitochondrial Aconitase-2 Mediates the Transcription of Nuclear-Encoded Electron Transport Chain Genes in Fission Yeast: Ho-Jung Kim, Soo-Yeon Cho, Soo-Jin Jung, Yong-Jun Cho, Jung-Hye Roe, Kyoung-Dong Kim; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(8):639-648. Published online June 25, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00147-8

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Abstract PDF

Aconitase-2 (Aco2) is present in the mitochondria, cytosol, and nucleus of fission yeast. To explore its function beyond the well-known role in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, we conducted genome-wide profiling using the aco2ΔNLS mutant, which lacks a nuclear localization signal (NLS). The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data showed a general downregulation of electron transport chain (ETC) genes in the aco2ΔNLS mutant, except for those in the complex II, leading to a growth defect in respiratory-prone media. Complementation analysis with non-catalytic Aco2 [aco2ΔNLS + aco2(3CS)], where three cysteines were substituted with serine, restored normal growth and typical ETC gene expression. This suggests that Aco2's catalytic activity is not essential for its role in ETC gene regulation. Our mRNA decay assay indicated that the decrease in ETC gene expression was due to transcriptional regulation rather than changes in mRNA stability. Additionally, we investigated the Php complex's role in ETC gene regulation and found that ETC genes, except those within complex II, were downregulated in php3Δ and php5Δ strains, similar to the aco2ΔNLS mutant. These findings highlight a novel role for nuclear aconitase in ETC gene regulation and suggest a potential connection between the Php complex and Aco2.

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Critical role of mitochondrial aconitase in skeletal muscle maturation
Tomoya Fukawa, Miho Takata, Kota Kishida, Kosuke Sugiura, Minori Suzuki, Haruka Tsuda, Iori Sakakibara, Takayuki Uchida, Md Mizanur Rahman, Anayt Ulla, Koichi Sairyo, Takahiko Sato, Madoka Ikemoto-Uezumi, Akiyoshi Uezumi, Takeshi Nikawa
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

FgVAC1 is an Essential Gene Required for Golgi-to-Vacuole Transport and Fungal Development in Fusarium graminearum: Sieun Kim, Jiyeun Park, You-Kyoung Han, Hokyoung Son; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(8):649-660. Published online July 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00160-x

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Abstract PDF

Fusarium graminearum is an important plant pathogen that causes head blight in cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and rice worldwide. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized FgVAC1, an essential gene in F. graminearum that encodes a Rab5 effector involved in membrane tethering functions. The essentiality of FgVAC1 was confirmed through a conditional promoter replacement strategy using the zearalenone-inducible promoter (P_ZEAR). Cytological analyses revealed that FgVac1 colocalizes with FgRab51 on early endosomes and regulates the proper transport of the vacuolar hydrolase FgCpy1 to the vacuole. Suppression of FgVAC1 led to inhibited vegetative growth, reduced asexual and sexual reproduction, decreased deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis, and diminished pathogenicity. Our findings highlight the significant role of FgVac1 in vacuolar protein sorting, fungal development, and plant infection in F. graminearum.

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Spray‐induced gene silencing as a novel strategy for managing dollar spot in creeping bentgrass caused by Clarireedia jacksonii
Sooho Lim, Hosung Jeon, Woojin Kim, Minlee Kim, Hokyoung Son
Pest Management Science.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

Inhibition of Virulence Associated Traits by β-Sitosterol Isolated from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Flowers against Candida albicans: Mechanistic Insight and Molecular Docking Studies: Pallvi Mohana, Atamjit Singh, Farhana Rashid, Sharabjit Singh, Kirandeep Kaur, Rupali Rana, Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Neena Bedi, Rajinder Kaur, Saroj Arora; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(12):1165-1175. Published online November 6, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00174-5

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The emerging drug resistance and lack of safer and more potent antifungal agents make Candida infections another hot topic in the healthcare system. At the same time, the potential of plant products in developing novel antifungal drugs is also in the limelight. Considering these facts, we have investigated the different extracts of the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis of the Malvaceae family for their antifungal efficacy against five different pathogenic Candida strains. Among the various extracts, the chloroform extract showed the maximum zone of inhibition (26.6 ± 0.5 mm) against the Candida albicans strain. Furthermore, the chloroform fraction was isolated, and a sterol compound was identified as β-sitosterol. Mechanistic studies were conducted to understand the mechanism of action, and the results showed that β-sitosterol has significant antifungal activity and is capable of interrupting biofilm formation and acts by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans cells. Microscopic and molecular docking studies confirmed these findings. Overall, the study validates the antifungal efficacy of Candida albicans due to the presence of β-sitosterol which can act as an effective constituent for antifungal drug development individually or in combination.

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Extraction of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Flower
Shubham Porte, Vinayak Kaushik, Geetanjali Sahu, Sharang Bali
Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology.2025; : 339. CrossRef
Hibiscus rosa‐sinensis: A Multifunctional Flower Bridging Nutrition, Medicine, and Molecular Therapeutics
Hassan Raza, Muhammad Tauseef Sultan, Khalil Ahmad, Muhammad Maaz, Shehnshah Zafar, Ahmad Mujtaba Noman, Entessar Mohammad Al Jbawi
Food Science & Nutrition.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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Editor's Choice 2024