Biology subjects

Antonielli, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Antonielli, L..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Comparative genomics of Cadophora luteo-olivacea reveals a divergent lineage, conserved functional repertoires, and strain-level variation in pathogenicity

Cadophora luteo-olivacea is an ecologically versatile fungus associated with grapevine trunk diseases, yet the extent to which strains from different hosts and environments differ in genome composition, functional potential, and pathogenicity remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of 12 C. luteo-olivacea isolates recovered from grapevine, almond, apple, Crocus bulbs, soil, air, wastewater, and deep-sea sediment. Genome assemblies were highly complete (BUSCO >99%) and ranged from 46.94 to 50.70 Mbp. Pairwise average nucleotide identity (ANI) revealed a cohesive 11-strain group and one markedly divergent strain, CBS 266.93. Phylogenomic analysis based on 2,645 single-copy orthologs further showed that CBS 266.93 lies outside the main C. luteo-olivacea clade and forms a sister relationship with Cadophora malorum, indicating that its taxonomic placement warrants reassessment. Across the remaining strains, broad functional conservation was observed, including similar KOG profiles, extensive carbohydrate-active enzyme repertoires (798-849 genes per genome), and abundant biosynthetic gene clusters (26-35 per genome). Transposable element content varied substantially among strains (0.67-4.45% of genome), but this variation did not parallel overall functional profiles. All isolates colonized grapevine leaves in vitro, although lesion severity differed significantly among strains, indicating conserved plant-colonizing capacity with quantitative variation in aggressiveness. Small RNA profiling of inoculated grapevine leaves further revealed isolate-associated differences in host miRNA family expression, particularly for miR398, miR827, and miR156. Together, these results show that most C. luteo-olivacea strains share a conserved genomic framework compatible with plant colonization, while retaining lineage-and strain-level phenotypic and host-associated variation.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

Genomic diversity in Paenibacillus polymyxa: Unveiling distinct species groups and functional variability

Paenibacillus polymyxa is a bacterial species of high interest, as suggested by the increased number of publications on its functions in the past years. Accordingly, the number of described strains and sequenced genomes is also on the rise. While functional diversity was repeatedly suggested for this species, the available genomic data is now sufficient to confidently segregate strains affiliated to P. polymyxa into two major species groups. As these strains exhibit considerable potential in agriculture, medicine, and bioremediation, it is preferable to clarify their taxonomic affiliation to facilitate reliable and durable approval as active ingredients. Strains currently affiliated to P. polymyxa can be separated into two major species groups with differential potential in nitrogen fixation, plant interaction, secondary metabolism, and antimicrobial resistance, as inferred from genomic data.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Endophytic bacterial communities of alpine Rosaceae plants are affected by the plant tissue, collection site and host plant and culturable psychrotolerant isolates contribute to plant freezing stress tolerance

O_LIWild plants growing in alpine regions are associated with endophytic microbial communities that may support plant growth and survival under cold conditions. C_LIO_LIThe structure and function of endophytic bacterial communities were characterised in flowers, leaves and roots of three alpine Rosaceous plants in Alpine areas using a combined amplicon sequencing and culture-dependent approach to identify factors shaping these communities. C_LIO_LIAmplicon-sequencing analysis revealed that plant tissue, collection site and host plant are the main factors affecting the richness, diversity and taxonomic structure of endophytic bacterial communities in alpine Rosaceae plants. Core endophytic bacterial taxa were identified as 31 amplicon sequence variants highly prevalent across all plant tissues. C_LIO_LIPsychrotolerant bacterial endophytes belonging to the core taxa of Duganella, Erwinia, Pseudomonas and Rhizobium genera mitigated freezing stress in strawberry plants, demonstrating the beneficial role of endophytic bacterial communities and their potential use for cold stress mitigation in agriculture. C_LI

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Paenibacillus xylinteritus sp. nov., a novel bacterial species isolated from grapevine wood

Bacteria naturally colonize grapevine wood, and some populations interact synergistically with fungal pathogens to promote wood degradation. In this study, we characterized a bacterial strain, designated S150T, isolated from the wood of grapevine cultivar Sauvignon Blanc. The strain was previously known as promoting wood degradation caused by the causal agent of white-rot, Fomitiporia mediterranea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain S150T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, S150T shared low sequence similarity values (between 96.5 and 97.5%) with closed recognized members of the genus (P. jilunlii Be17, P. tepidiphilus SYSU G01001, P. tengchongensis SYSU-G-01003, P. sonchi X19-5, P. helianthi P26E). The cell wall peptidoglycan of S150 contains meso-diaminopimelate. MK6 and MK7 are the two respiratory quinones. The main cellular fatty acids are iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C15:0. The polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three amino phospholipids, two phospholipids and three polar lipids. The whole-genome is 7.45 Mb, with a G+C content of 52.54%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between S150T and the closely related Paenibacillus member (P. sonchi X19-5) was 85.06%. Biochemical and physiological analyses revealed that strain S150T has different characteristics from reference strains Paenibacillus spp.. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses show strain S150T is a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus xylinteritus is proposed.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Modulation of root growth by nutrient-defined fine-tuning of polar auxin transport

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient and its availability in soil plays a critical role in plant growth, development and impacts agricultural productivity. Plants have evolved different strategies to sense and respond to heterogeneous nitrogen distribution. Modulating root system architecture, including primary root growth and branching, is among the most essential plant adaptions to ensure adequate nitrogen acquisition. However, the immediate molecular pathways coordinating the adjustment of root growth in response to varying nitrogen sources are poorly understood. Here, using a combination of physiological, live in vivo high- and super resolution imaging, we describe a novel adaptation strategy of root growth on available nitrogen source. We show that growth, i.e. tissue-specific cell division and elongation rates are fine-tuned by modulating auxin flux within and between tissues. Changes in auxin redistribution are achieved by nitrogen source dependent post-translational modification of PIN2, a major auxin efflux carrier, at an uncharacterized, evolutionary conserved phosphosite. Further, we generate a computer model based on our results which successfully recapitulate our experimental observations and creates new predictions that could broaden our understanding of root growth mechanisms in the dynamic environment.

plant biology↗