Biology subjects

Mosca, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Mosca, A..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Root-associated microbial community recruitment in two citrus rootstocks subjected to water and salinity stresses

Background and AimsAbiotic stress is a major constraint for citrus production in Mediterranean environments, where water deficit and salinity frequently occur. This is particularly relevant for perennial crops, like citrus, where limited options for stress avoidance exist. Rootstocks are extensively employed to enhance stress resilience; however, their influence on the root microbiome under abiotic stress remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of water stress and salinity on the diversity, composition, and interactions of bacterial and fungal communities in two citrus rootstocks with reported contrasting phenotypes, such as Bitters, which has been described as exhibiting a promising tolerance to both water and salt stress, and Carrizo, which is generally reported to be highly sensitive to these conditions. MethodsThe distinct rootstocks have been subjected to either water stress or salt stress and compared with the non-stressed rootstocks. At the end of stress period, they were profiled and then integrated with recorded plant morphological (i.e. root volume), physiological (water potential, abscisic acid, chlorophyll and chlorophyll content meter) and biochemical measurements (abscisic acid and catalase). In parallel, we used a high-throughput amplicon sequencing to profile bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting the rhizosphere and endorhizosphere microhabitats of the rootstocks in both stresses and in non-treated conditions. Finally, we used correlations and multivariate analysis to determine relationships between plant performance and microbiome putatively underpinning stress adaptation and tolerance. ResultsAcross all treatments, microbial community composition was primarily shaped by microhabitat, with clear differentiation between rhizosphere and endorhizosphere. Abiotic stress significantly restructured microbial communities, particularly in the rhizosphere, while the endorhizosphere exhibited stronger genotype-dependent patterns. Bacterial communities showed pronounced stress-driven enrichments of taxa belonging to the main phyla (such as Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Bacteroidota), with selective recruitment of taxa putatively associated with stress adaptation, whereas the response of fungal taxa (more represented by Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Glomeromycota phyla) was less consistent and mainly microhabitat-driven. Notably, the two rootstocks exhibited distinct physiological strategies, with Bitters by increased proline accumulation and root volume and Carrizo characterized by enhanced ABA and catalase. ConclusionsOur findings showed Bitters outperform Carrizo in terms of tolerance to both water and salinity stress. In both rootstocks, specific bacterial taxa such as high abundant core or rare members, were associated with distinct phenotypic parameters, highlighting the importance of integrating plant and microbiome perspectives for improving stress resilience in citrus.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Tracking kdr Alleles Associated with Pyrethroid Resistance in Aedes albopictus across Italy: A Nationwide Genotypic Dataset by MosqIRIT Network.

This data paper presents a curated, georeferenced dataset of the frequencies of the two main target site mutations (V1016G and F1534C) associated with resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in Aedes albopictus in Italy. Populations were collected in 102 out 107 Italian provinces between 2023 and 2025. Specimens were sampled by members of the Mosquito Insecticide Resistance Italian Network (MosqIRIT) as part of RN2 activities within the INF-ACT project. Genotyping was performed on 3,517 individuals by specific allele-specific PCR assays. Each record includes metadata on sampling site, administrative location, developmental stage, collection method, and mutation-specific genotype frequencies. To support spatial analysis modelling effort, the dataset integrates geographic, eco-climatic, and demographic data. This resource will support mosquito control programs, pyrethroid resistance monitoring and managing, as well as ecological modelling, and is compliant with the FAIR data program.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

Acinetobacter enrichment shapes composition and function of the bacterial microbiota of field-grown tomato plants

Tomato is a staple crop and an excellent model to study host-microbiota interactions in the plant food chain. In this study we describe a lab-in-the-field approach to investigate the microbiota of field-grown tomato plants. High-throughput amplicon sequencing revealed a three-microhabitat partition, phyllosphere, rhizosphere and root interior, differentiating host-associated communities from the environmental microbiota. An individual bacterium, classified as Acinetobacter sp., emerged as a dominant member of the microbiota at the plant-soil continuum. To gain insights into the functional significance of this enrichment, we subjected rhizosphere specimens to shotgun metagenomics. Similar to the amplicon sequencing survey, a microhabitat effect defined by a set of rhizosphere-enriched functions was identified. Mobilisation of mineral nutrients, as well as adaptation to salinity and polymicrobial communities, including antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), emerged as a functional requirement sustaining metagenomic diversification. A metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) representative of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was retrieved and metagenomic reads associated to this species identified a functional specialisation for plant-growth promotion traits (PGPTs), such as phosphate solubilization, siderophores production and reactive oxygen species detoxification, which were similarly represented in across tomato genotype-independent fashion. Our results revealed that the enrichment of a beneficial bacterium capable of alleviating plants abiotic stresses appears decoupled from ARGs facilitating microbiota persistence at the root-soil interface. IMPORTANCETomatoes are at centre-stage in global food security due to their high nutritional value, widespread cultivation, and versatility. Tomatoes provide essential vitamins and minerals, contribute to diverse diets, and support farmer livelihoods, making them a cornerstone of sustainable food systems. Beyond direct dietary benefits, the intricate relationship between tomatoes, their associated microbiota, and ARG is increasingly recognised. Tomato plants host diverse microbial communities in association with their organs, which influence plant health and productivity. Crop management impacts on composition and function of these communities, contributing to the prevalence of ARG in the soil and on the plants themselves. These genes can potentially transfer to human pathogens, posing a food safety and public health risk. Understanding these complex interactions is critical for developing sustainable agricultural practices capable of mitigating the impact of climatic modifications and the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Temporal Dynamics of the Tomato Rhizosphere Microbiome in Response to Synthetic Communities of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

In sustainable agriculture, the application of microorganisms to soil is a widely adopted strategy aimed at enhancing soil microbiome functionality, restoring fertility, and recovering biodiversity diminished by intensive farming. While introducing individual beneficial microbes often encounters issues with establishment and persistence, multispecies microbial consortia offer a more robust alternative, providing complementary functions that enhance both their resilience and effectiveness. To test this approach, we designed three synthetic bacterial communities (SynComs), each composed of varying combinations of ten bacterial endophytes previously shown to promote plant growth and exert biocontrol effects. The SynComs were designed with ascending levels of richness (4, 6, and 10 members) and diversity (ranging from 3 to 6 bacterial genera). In growth chamber trials with tomatoes, the SynComs not only promoted plant growth but also induced significant shifts in the rhizosphere bacterial communities, primarily affecting less abundant taxa. The SynComs MIX2 and MIX3, which included Pseudomonas species, exhibited the greatest impact on both plant growth enhancement and shifts within the resident microbial community. Monitoring of the introduced strains over time demonstrated that most bioinoculants successfully established although at very low concentration in the rhizosphere.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Genomic Insights and Biocontrol Potential of Ten Bacterial Strains from the Tomato Core Microbiome

Despite their adverse environmental effects, modern agriculture relies heavily on agrochemicals to manage diseases and pests and enhance plant growth and productivity. Some of these functions could instead be fulfilled by endophytes from the plant microbiota, which have diverse activities beneficial for plant growth and health. We therefore used a microbiome-guided top-down approach to select ten bacterial strains from different taxa in the core microbiome of tomato plants in the production chain for evaluation as potential bioinoculants. These taxa included some that are commonly used as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents (Pseudomonas and Bacillus) as well as the less studied genera Leclercia, Chryseobacterium, Glutamicibacter, and Paenarthorbacter. When inoculated in the tomato rhizosphere, these strains promoted plant growth and reduced the severity of Fusarium Crown and Root Rot and Bacterial Spot infections. High-quality genomes for each strain were obtained using Oxford Nanopore long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing, enabling the dissection of their genetic makeup to identify phyto-beneficial traits. This yielded a comprehensive inventory of genes from each strain related to processes including colonization, biofertilization, phytohormones, and plant signaling. Traits directly relevant to fertilization including phosphate solubilization and acquisition of nitrogen and iron were also identified. Moreover, the strains carried several functional genes putatively involved in abiotic stress alleviation and biotic stress management, traits that indirectly foster plant health and growth. The gathered genomic information will be instrumental in planning the use of these bacteria individually or in consortia to enhance plant growth by coupling strains with different traits, effects, and mechanisms of action.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Mosquitoes of the Maculipennis complex in Northern Italy

The correct identification of mosquito vectors is often hampered by the presence of morphologically indiscernible sibling species. The Maculipennis complex is one of these groups which include both malaria vectors of primary importance and species of low/negligible epidemiological relevance, of which distribution data in Italy are outdated. Our study was aimed at providing an updated distribution of Maculipennis complex in Northern Italy through the sampling and morphological/molecular identification of specimens from five regions. The most abundant species was Anopheles messeae s.l. (2032), followed by Anopheles maculipennis s.s. (418), Anopheles atroparvus (28) and Anopheles melanoon (13). The distribution of species was characterized by Ecological Niche Models (ENMs), fed by recorded points of presence. ENMs provided clues on the ecological preferences of the detected species, with An. messeae s.l. linked to stable breeding sites and An. maculipennis s.s. more associated to ephemeral breeding sites. We demonstrate that historical Anopheles malaria vectors are still widespread in Northern Italy.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2018

The pharmacological perturbation of brain zinc impairs BDNF-related signalling and the cognitive performances of young mice

Zinc (Zn2+) is a pleiotropic modulator of the neuronal and brain activity. The disruption of intraneuronal Zn2+ levels triggers neurotoxic processes and affects neuronal functioning. In this study, we investigated how the pharmacological modulation of brain Zn2+ affects synaptic plasticity and cognition in wild-type mice. To manipulate brain Zn2+ levels, we employed the Zn2+ (and copper) chelator 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (clioquinol, CQ). CQ was administered for two weeks to 2.5-month-old (m.o.) mice, and effects studied on BDNF-related signalling, metalloproteinase activity as well as learning and memory performances. CQ treatment was found to negatively affect short- and long-term memory performances. The CQ-driven perturbation of brain Zn2+ was found to reduce levels of BDNF, synaptic plasticity-related proteins and dendritic spine density in vivo.\n\nOur study highlights the importance of choosing \"when\", \"where\", and \"how much\" in the modulation of brain Zn2+ levels. Our findings confirm the importance of targeting Zn2+ as a therapeutic approach against neurodegenerative conditions but, at the same time, underscore the potential drawbacks of reducing brain Zn2+ availability upon the early stages of development.

neuroscience↗