Search Results (78)

A plant pathogen is a deterministic factor affecting the plant microbiome. However, whether the influence of different pathogen species on the plant microbiome is consistent is not well-known. In this study, mulberry leaves with similar spots caused by two diseases—mulberry brown spot (MBS, caused by Neophloeospora maculans) and mulberry snags rotten leaves disease (MSRL, caused by Boeremia exigua var. mori)—along with asymptomatic leaves, were collected. Their endophytic fungal and bacterial communities were sequenced. The occurrence of MSRL reduced leaf fungal richness and diversity (observed species from 329 to 203; Shannon diversity index from 3.6 to 2.6, p < 0.05; phylogenetic diversity index from 45.8 to 20.6, p < 0.05), along with leaf bacterial diversity; in contrast, the occurrence of MBS had little effect on both fungal and bacterial richness and diversity. Both diseases significantly altered the composition and structure of leaf fungal communities, whereas only MBS did so for bacterial communities. For the dominant genera, the fungal genera, except Cercospora, were differently affected by the occurrence of MBS and MSRL, while the bacterial genera Pseudomonas (from 8.3% to 30.6%, p < 0.05 for MBS; from 23.1% to 28.1% for MSRL), Massilia (0.2% to 7.7%, p < 0.05; 2.1% to 6.1%), Chryseobacterium (0.1% to 0.3%; 2.7% to 7%), Pantoea (2.6% to 3.7%; 0.4% to 1%), and Aureimonas (0.7% to 1.4%; 1.3% to 1.7%) were consistently enriched by both diseases. In addition, Chryseobacterium (LDA score = 4.6, p < 0.01) was detected as a biomarker after the occurrence of MSRL. Intriguingly, there were four times more significant fungi–bacteria positive associations induced by the occurrence of MSRL compared to MBS (10.2% to 2.5%). Taken together, the responses of mulberry leaf microbiome to pathogen infection vary in response to the pathogen species; although several bacterial genera were consistently enriched, whether their enrichment reflects their antagonistic roles in fungal—bacterial inter-kingdom interactions remains to be determined and should be interpreted with further experimental tests. Full article

The Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom was founded on 9 March 1987. Until the closure of its office on 30 April 2024, followed by its formal dissolution on 21 January 2025, it was a significant part of the religion and belief and inter-religious relations landscape of the United Kingdom (UK). This essay aims, as soon as possible following the Network’s closure, but also in a scholarly way, to document some key aspects of its origins and development, and thus to make an initial contribution to the likely later creation of a more comprehensive and definitive historical record of the Network’s origins, development, achievements, challenges and closure on the basis of which future work in relevant scholarly fields such inter-faith studies, the sociology of religion, and political science will be able to build. For now, building on the documentary record which this essay sets out, an early preliminary identification and contextual evaluation is offered of some of the Network’s key achievements and challenges. And finally, the article aims to make an informed and contextually evaluated contribution to such practitioner and policy-related discussions that have emerged and are still emerging around the gaps that have been identified as having been left by the closure of the Network, and the desirability and viability of how aspects of its inheritance might or might not be taken forward into the future in addressing those gaps. Full article

Understanding the intimate interactions between plants and their microbiota at the cellular level is essential for unlocking the full potential of plant holobionts in agricultural systems. Traditional bulk and microbial community-level sequencing approaches reveal broad community patterns but fail to resolve how distinct plant cell types interact with or regulate microbial colonization, as well as the diverse antagonistic and synergistic interactions and responses existing between various microbial populations. Recent advances in single-cell and spatial multi-omics have transformed our understanding of plant cell identities as well as gene regulatory programs and their dynamic regulation in response to environmental stresses and plant development. In this review, we highlight the single-cell discoveries that uncover the plant cell-type-specific microbial perception, immune activation, and symbiotic differentiation, particularly in roots, nodules, and leaves. We further discuss how integrating transcriptomic, epigenomic, and spatial data can reconstruct multilayered interaction networks that connect plant cell-type-specific regulatory states with microbial spatial niches and inter-kingdom signaling (e.g., ligand–receptor and metabolite exchange), providing a foundation for developing new strategies to engineer crop–microbiome interactions to support sustainable agriculture. We conclude by outlining key methodological challenges and future research priorities that point toward building a fully integrated cellular interactome of the plant holobiont. Full article

Plant biostimulatory effects of the green alga Chlorella sp. MACC-360, the Kocuria rhizophila FSP120 bacterial strain, and the combined inter-kingdom co-culture of the alga and bacterium were investigated using Solanum lycopersicum as a model plant grown under controlled greenhouse conditions. The application of algal–bacterial co-cultures using the soil drench method significantly improved plant growth parameters, vegetative biomass yield, fruit yield, and photosynthetic performance of the tomato plants. The combined treatment resulted in a 43.7% increase in mean fruit yield, while individual applications of K. rhizophila FSP120 and Chlorella sp. MACC-360 enhanced yields by 30.85% and 19.44%, respectively. Although total yield increases did not reach statistical significance due to high intra-group variability, the treatment’s efficacy was statistically confirmed through key yield parameters including significantly higher fruit weight and fruit diameter (p < 0.05). The enhanced specific biostimulatory effects of the combined treatment could be at least partly attributed to the increased level of algal extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which was a specific effect of algal co-cultivation with a Kocuria rhizophila bacterium. Detailed analysis of plant phenotypic alterations, biomass yield, fruit and flowering parameters, as well as microbial community analysis of the rhizosphere, were conducted and compared among the various treatments. Our results indicate that an appropriately chosen combination and application of biostimulatory microbes can significantly enhance crop production, which might contribute to more sustainable agriculture. Full article

Volatile organic compounds produced by microbes are increasingly recognized as modulators of microbial interactions and mediators of both intra- and inter-kingdom communication. This study explored the possible ecophysiological roles of nine amides from Streptomyces sp. NP10 in quorum sensing (QS) and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. GC-MS profiling, synthesis, spectral validation, and co-injection experiments confirmed compound identities. Notably, N-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetamide is reported as a new natural product and N-(2-methylbutyl)acetamide as a new Streptomyces-produced metabolite. At subinhibitory concentrations (250 μg/mL), most of the amides enhanced P. aeruginosa biofilm formation, with N-(2-methylbutyl)acetamide, N-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetamide, and 2-phenylacetamide showing the strongest effects. Simultaneously, these compounds suppressed QS by reducing the production of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) and 2-alkyl-4-quinolones (AHQs). Aliphatic acetamides preferentially inhibited short-chain AHLs, while N-acetyltyramine and 2-phenylacetamide mainly affected quinolone signaling. These opposing effects on QS and biofilm are consistent with the involvement of alternative regulatory circuits. Motility assays showed biofilm stimulation was not correlated with altered swarming or twitching. Cross-species assays revealed limited QS inhibition, with only N-acetyltryptamine reducing violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Most of the amides were non-cytotoxic at 100 μM (10.5–20.2 μg/mL), except for 2-phenylacetamide. Overall, these amides likely serve as microbial signals influencing QS and biofilm formation, offering leads for anti-virulence strategies. Full article

Biofilms are more than just structural microbial communities. They are dynamic chemical ecosystems that synthesize a range of extracellular compounds involved in functions that extend beyond biofilm architecture. From quorum-sensing molecules like acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), phenazines, indoles, and reactive sulfur species (RSS), biofilm-derived metabolites can impact the physiology and behavior of microorganisms living in the same ecosystem, including other bacteria and protozoa. It has recently been demonstrated that such molecules may also modulate competition between microbes, promote cooperation, and impact motility, differentiation, or virulence of free-living and parasitic protozoa. This review aims to discuss biofilm compounds that mediate interspecies or interkingdom interactions and their involvement in regulating gut and environmental microbiomes functions, and host–pathogen relationships with special emphasis on protozoan activity and the infection outcome. This review will also address how this chemical dialog can be explored to identify new therapeutic interventions against microbial infections and parasitic diseases. Full article

Bacterial outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) mediate stress tolerance, biofilm formation, and interkingdom communication, but their role in beneficial endophytes remains underexplored. We isolated 11 non-redundant isolates associated with Bacillus, Enterococcus, Kosakonia and Kocuria from Agave tequilana seeds, identified by MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We focused on the catalase-negative Enterobacter cloacae SEA01, which exhibits plant-promoting traits and support agave growth under nutrient-poor microcosms. In addition, this endophyte produces OMVs. Time-resolved SEM documented OMV release and cell aggregation within 9 h, followed by mature biofilms at 24 h with continued vesiculation. Purified OMVs (≈80–300 nm) contained extracellular DNA and were characterized by dynamic light scattering and UHPLC–ESI–QTOF-MS lipidomics. The OMV lipidome was dominated by phosphatidylethanolamine (~80%) and was enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (16:1, 18:1), while the stress-associated cyclopropane fatty acids (17:1, 19:1) were comparatively retained in the whole-cell membranes; OMVs also exhibited reduced ubiquinone-8. SEA01 is catalase-negative, uncommon among plant-associated Enterobacter, suggesting a testable model in which oxidative factors modulate OMV output and biofilm assembly. These may have implications for recognition and redox signaling at the root interface. Future works should combine targeted proteomics/genomics with genetic or chemical disruption of catalase/OMV pathways. Full article

Caries is the most prevalent chronic disease affecting oral health in preschool children. In this 12-month prospective cohort study of 3–4-year-olds, we investigated the community-level bacterial–fungal interkingdom interactome and its role in cariogenic microenvironments, using 16S rRNA gene (bacterial) sequencing and ITS2 gene (fungal) sequencing of unstimulated saliva. Longitudinal analysis identified 19 key bacterial and fungal species that were associated with both caries progression and clinical features. Salivary bacteria Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides heparinolyticus, Alloprevotella, Anaerobiospirillum, and fungus Candida tropicalis not only showed altered abundances during caries development but also correlated with severity of caries, establishing diagnostic microbial signatures for caries prediction. The salivary mycobiome exhibited highly active and complex intra-network interactions in the caries-active state, suggesting that fungal networks may drive the broader community-wide microbiota interaction network in the caries state. Metabolic profiling further revealed distinct pathway shifts before and after caries onset. The findings demonstrate that caries progression follows ecological succession governed by cross-domain interactions. This study highlighted the fungal network’s important role in driving dysbiosis, advancing the current understanding of early childhood caries beyond bacterial-centric models, and also highlighted fungi not only as modulators but as active contributors to cariogenesis, which could guide future antimicrobial strategies. Full article

The mycoheterotrophic orchid Gastrodia elata relies entirely on symbiosis with Armillaria for nutrient acquisition during tuber development. The signaling mechanisms underlying this interaction have long been a research focus, and several pathways, such as phytohormone-mediated signaling, have been reported. However, the role of plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) in G. elata–Armillaria communication remains unexplored. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive lipidomic analysis of G. elata-derived extracellular vesicles (GDEVs) isolated from juvenile, immature (active symbiosis), and mature tubers. By employing high-resolution mass spectrometry and advanced statistical methods, we established a detailed EV lipidome profile for G. elata, identifying 996 lipid species spanning eight major classes. Distinct lipidomic remodeling was observed throughout tuber maturation. Notably, as the immature stage corresponds to the period of peak symbiotic activity, targeted lipidome comparisons enabled the identification of core lipid markers, particularly Glc-sitosterols and the polyketide 7,8-dehydroastaxanthin, which are highly enriched during active symbiosis and potentially associated with inter-kingdom communication. These findings suggest that developmentally regulated lipid transport via EVs plays a critical role in mediating G. elata–Armillaria interaction. Our work not only illuminates the contribution of vesicle lipids to plant–fungal interaction but also provides a methodological foundation for investigating EV-mediated signaling in non-model plant–microbe systems. Full article

Exosomes are essential components produced by all cell types, originating from the endosomal pathway through the invagination of the cell membrane. Their unique physicochemical characteristics are crucial for various commercial applications. Typically, exosomes range in size from 50 to 200 nm. Exosomes derived from plant cells are larger than their animal cell counterparts and demonstrate a broader therapeutic potential. This review explores the promising research opportunities associated with plant-derived exosomes, summarizing studies on their biogenesis, characterization, isolation methods, and therapeutic applications. It also emphasizes the importance of targeted drug delivery and provides insights into engineering plant-derived exosomes with various drugs. Additionally, highlights of plant-derived exosomes as natural nano-inducers that facilitate inter-kingdom communication and cross-kingdom regulatory interactions are also elucidated herein. Henceforth, this study culminates in a multidimensional insight for innovative therapeutic strategies and biotechnological advancements in plant-derived exosome research. Full article

This open-source-based article presents an automated method for identifying and tracing popular Salafi discussions online. The novelty of this method lies in its inter-disciplinary approach developed through collaboration among experts in the fields of the Middle East, Islamic studies, and computer science. The computerized model presented here harnesses machine learning techniques to accurately identify popular Salafi writings on social media and to distinguish them from the writings of Muslims from other denominations. Creating an AI-supported model to distinguish between writings on social media that pertain to two different Islamic denominations is a highly difficult task. Based on this machine learning model and the methodology that it implements, the study presented here identifies United Kingdom-based Twitter accounts that embody Salafi thinking (even if they do not utilize terminology that is manifestly Salafi) and, based on that identification, analyzes and characterizes the United Kingdom-based Salafi community on Twitter. Unlike other machine learning ideology-related studies that are focused on Salafi-jihadism, the present research is focused on quietist Salafism (Salafi-taqlidis) in the United Kingdom. The purpose of this study is to examine the virtual Salafi community in the United Kingdom, with a focus on identifying the key issues of concern to its members and assessing the influence of global Salafi trends within this UK-based community. Full article

Living organisms must adapt and communicate effectively in their environment to survive. Cells communicate through various mechanisms, including releasing growth factors, chemokines, small bioactive molecules, and cell–cell contact. In recent years, a new and sophisticated cell communication mechanism based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been described in all three domains of life: archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. EVs are small, bilayer proteolipid vesicles released by cells into the extracellular space. This review aims to analyze and compare the current literature on bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic EVs and their possible clinical applications. This framework will address three key points: (a) The role of EVs in bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea. (b) What is the impact of EVs in archaea on disease? (c) How archaea use EVs to communicate with other domains (bacteria/eukaryotes). Full article

The mammalian gastrointestinal tract is a stage for dynamic inter-kingdom interactions among bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, which collectively shape the gut micro-ecology and influence host physiology. Despite being a modest fraction, the fungal community, also referred to as mycobiota, represents a critical component of the gut microbiota. Emerging evidence suggests that fungi act as early colonizers of the intestine, exerting a lasting influence on gut development. Meanwhile, the composition of the mycobiota is influenced by multiple factors, with diet, nutrition, drug use (e.g., antimicrobials), and physical condition standing as primary drivers. During its establishment, the mycobiota forms both antagonistic and synergistic relationships with bacterial communities within the host. For instance, intestinal fungi can inhibit bacterial colonization by producing alcohol, while certain bacterial pathogens exploit fungal iron carriers to enhance their growth. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing these complex interactions remain poorly understood. In this review, we first introduce the methodologies for studying the microbiota, then address the significance of the mycobiota in the mammalian intestine, especially during weaning when all ‘primary drivers’ change, and, finally, discuss interactions between fungi and bacteria under various influencing factors. Our review aims to shed light on the complex inter-kingdom dynamics between fungi and bacteria in gut homeostasis and provide insights into how they can be better understood and managed to improve host health and disease outcomes. Full article

Recent advancements in the field of plant–pathogen interactions have spotlighted the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as pivotal mediators of cross-kingdom communication, offering new vistas for enhancing crop protection strategies. EVs are instrumental in the transport of small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) and other bioactive molecules across species boundaries, thus playing a critical role in the molecular warfare between plants and pathogens. This review elucidates the sophisticated mechanisms by which plants utilize EVs to dispatch sRNAs that silence pathogenic genes, fortifying defenses against microbial threats. Highlighting both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems, this review delves into the biogenesis, isolation, and functional roles of EVs, illustrating their importance not only in fundamental biological processes but also in potential therapeutic applications. Recent studies have illuminated the significant role of EVs in facilitating communication between plants and pathogens, highlighting their potential in host-defense mechanisms. However, despite these advancements, challenges remain in the efficient isolation and characterization of plant-derived EVs. Overcoming these challenges is critical for fully harnessing their potential in developing next-generation crop protection strategies. This review proposes innovative strategies for utilizing RNA-based interventions delivered via EVs to bolster plant resilience against diseases. By integrating the latest scientific findings with practical applications in agriculture, this review aims to enhance the connection between fundamental plant biology and the development of innovative crop management technologies. Full article

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory, oestrogen-dependent disorder that is defined by the presence of endometrium-like tissue in the extra-uterine environment. It is estimated to affect approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, and the cause is still largely unknown. The heterogenous nature and complex pathophysiology of the disease results in diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This review examines the emerging role of host extracellular vesicles (EVs) in endometriosis development and progression, with a particular focus on bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs). EVs are nano-sized membrane-bound particles that can transport bioactive molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, and therefore play an essential role in intercellular communication. Due to their unique cargo composition, EVs can play a dual role, both in the disease pathogenesis and as biomarkers. Both host and bacterial EVs (HEVs and BEVs) have been implicated in endometriosis, by modulating inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, tissue remodelling, and cellular proliferation within the peritoneal microenvironment. Understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying EVs in endometriosis pathophysiology and modulation of the lesion microenvironment may lead to novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets. Future research should focus on uncovering the specific cargo, the inter-kingdom cell-to-cell interactions, and the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial mechanisms of both HEVs and BEVs in endometriosis in the hope of discovering translational findings that could improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Full article