Mycolata (Corynebacteria, Rhodococci and Mycobacteria): Good Servants but Bad Masters
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Biotechnology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: transcriptional regulation in Corynebacterium; analysis of transcriptional regulation in Corynebacterium glutamicum; functions of sigma factors of RNA polymerase and promoter activity control; development and use of the in vitro transcription system for Corynebacterium glutamicum; synthesis and use of the enzymes involved in nitrile metabolism from various sources (bacteria fungi, plants)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: sigma factors; mycobacteria; genome manipulation; antibacterial drug development
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The bacterial group Mycolata, mycolic acid-containing actinomycetes, includes specific microorganisms distinguished by their cell wall from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Corynebacterium, Rhodococcus, and Mycobacterium are the most prominent genera from this group. Corynebacteria and rhodococci are diverse bacteria, studied to a large extent for their biotechnological applications in biosynthesis, biodegradation, biotransformation, and bioremediation. Corynebacteria, e.g., C. glutamicum, originally appraised as efficient producers of various amino acids, are currently exploited for the synthesis of many useful compounds, such as organic acids, alcohol, diamines, fatty acids, enzymes, and even polymers. However, some species, such as C. diphtheria, C. ulcerans, and C. pseudotuberculosis, are agents causing severe illnesses. Various Rhodococcus strains are capable of degrading diverse organic compounds, such as aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and oxygenated and halogenated compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls, nitroaromatics, heterocyclic compounds, nitriles, and various herbicides. Their ability to resist antibiotics and toxic metal(loid)s (e.g., chromium, tellurium, and arsenic) may be the basis for their use in the detoxification processes. Rhodococci are also known for the production of acrylamide, triacylglycerols (TAGs), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), biosurfactants, and carotenoids. The Rhodococcus genus includes pathogens for animals (R. equi) and plants (R. fascians). Mycobacteria belong to scores of species, which can be divided into two major groups: tuberculosis (TB)-causing and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The TB complex includes severe pathogens such as M. tuberculosis, which are responsible for millions of deaths globally. NTM is predominantly composed of environmental saprophytes, in which important pathogenic species such as M. avium and M. abscessus are responsible for pulmonary and soft-tissue infections in immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a broad overview of up-to-date knowledge and current trends in Mycolata research, including members that show promise in biotechnological applications or that cause recurring infections.
The editors of this Special Issue of Microorganisms invite the submission of manuscripts concerning Mycolata and any aspect of their genetics, biochemistry, and physiology that imply promise for biotechnology or the potential for malignant infections.
Dr. Miroslav Pátek
Prof. Dr. Riccardo Manganelli
Prof. Dr. Maria S. Kuyukina
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- Rhodococcus
- Corynebacterium
- Mycobacterium
- biosynthesis
- biodegradation
- biotechnological applications
- pathogen
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