Sodium citrate induces apoptosis in biocontrol yeast Cryptococcus laurentii

Aim: To provide the observation that sodium citrate induced apoptosis in biocontrol yeast Cryptococcus laurentii. Methods and Results: The viability of the yeast cells was evaluated using the percentage of colony‐forming units (CFU) of treated cells. The induction of cell death was dependent on the concentration of sodium citrate and exhibited typical apoptotic markers such as phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation as shown by annexin V coupled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelling and DNA fragmentation as detected by TdT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. The annexin V‐positive cells reached the maximum (14·8%) on the third day, whereas TUNEL‐positive cells increased gradually from 5·92 to 27·9% within 5 days of incubation in sodium citrate. In addition, confocal laser microscopy and flow cytometric analysis revealed that the induction of apoptosis was associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that reached the highest intracellular level in the first day, before the peak of the early event (PS exposure) in apoptosis. The apoptosis was delayed by the addition of antioxidant glutathione (GSH), suggesting that ROS generated in this process plays a key role in the regulation of the apoptosis in C. laurentii cells. Conclusions: This study indicated that the apoptotic signals in C. laurentii are dependent on citrate ions and/or sodium ions, the concentration and initial acidity of sodium citrate. Induction of ROS in response to sodium citrate plays a significant role in apoptosis. Significance and Impact of the Study: Yeast Cryptococcus laurentii has been selected as an effective biocontrol indicator for the postharvest diseases because of its competition for nutrients and space with the pathogen in the wound of fruits. This study presents a convenient method for commercial production of yeast as biocontrol agent.     

Synthesis and immunogenicity of polysaccharide-protein conjugate composed of galactoglucoxylomannan of Cryptococcus laurentii

Galactoglucoxylomannan (GalGXMan) antigen of Cryptococcus laurentii was conjugated to protein carrier by a simple one step reaction. The conjugate was immunogenic in rabbits and reinjection elicited booster response with significant increase of serum IgG (H+L) level. Induction of this Ig-isotype was confirmed in experiments with Protein A. Effectiveness of immune serum to inhibit the growth of C. laurentii was demonstrated. The results indicate that the prepared conjugate could be considered as effective immunogen with potential for incorporation in the vaccine.     

植酸酶及其基因工程研究进展

植酸酶可添加于食品与饲料中,能消除因不能降解的植酸所引起的抗营养作用,提高机体对蛋白质及多种微量元素的利用率,降低粪便中磷的含量,从而减少环境中磷的积累污染,有利于保护生态环境。弄清植酸酶的性质、基因结构和功能,了解其基因工程的研究进展,不仅具有重要的理论意义,而且在开发研究植酸酶制剂用于饲料、食品和医药等方面具有重要的实践价值。本文谨对植酸酶的性质、基因结构和功能及其基因工程的研究进展做一综述,并探讨了植酸酶的应用前景。     

Indole-3-acetic acid enhances the biocontrol of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea on pear fruit by Cryptococcus laurentii

This study evaluated the efficacy of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) alone or with a biocontrol yeast, Cryptococcus laurentii, in the inhibition of blue and gray mold diseases (Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea) on pear fruit. The results demonstrated that a combination of C. laurentii with IAA at 100 microg mL(-1) was more effective in suppressing blue and gray mold infections on pear fruit than application of C. laurentii alone. IAA alone or with C. laurentii stimulated catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities of pear fruit, indicating that IAA can induce fruit-mediated resistance, although this agent alone had no direct antifungal activity.     

Phytase enzymology, applications, and biotechnology

Phytases are phosphohydrolases that initiate the step-wise removal of phosphate from phytate. These enzymes have been widely used in animal feeding to improve phosphorus nutrition and to reduce phosphorus pollution of animal waste. The potential of phytases in improving human nutrition of essential trace minerals in plant-derived foods is being explored. This review covers the basic biochemistry and application of phytases, and emphasizes the emerging biotechnology used for developing new effective phytases with improved properties.     

Synthesis of cell envelope glycoproteins of Cryptococcus laurentii

Fungi of the genus Cryptococcus are encapsulated basidiomycetes that are ubiquitously found in the environment. These organisms infect both lower and higher animals. Human infections that are common in immune-compromised individuals have proven difficult to cure or even control with currently available antimycotics that are quite often toxic to the host. The virulence of Cryptococcus has been linked primarily to its polysaccharide capsule, but also to cell-bound glycoproteins. In this review, we show that Cryptococcus laurentii is an excellent model for studies of polysaccharide and glycoprotein synthesis in the more pathogenic relative C. neoformans. In particular, we will discuss the structure and biosynthesis of O-linked carbohydrates on cell envelope glycoproteins of C. laurentii. These O-linked structures are synthesized by at least four mannosyltransferases, two galactosyltransferases, and at least one xylosyltransferase that have been characterized. These glycosyltransferases have no known homologues in human tissues. Therefore, enzymes involved in the synthesis of cryptococcal glycoproteins, as well as related enzymes involved in capsule synthesis, are potential targets for the development of specific inhibitors for treatment of cryptococcal disease.     

Production of high activity thermostable phytase from thermotolerant Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation

The thermotolerant fungus, Aspergillus niger NCIM 563, was used for production of extracellular phytase on agricultural residues: wheat bran, mustard cake, cowpea meal, groundnut cake, coconut cake, cotton cake and black bean flour in solid state fermentation (SSF). Maximum enzyme activity (108 U g⁻¹ dry mouldy bran, DMB) was obtained with cowpea meal. During the fermentation phytic acid was hydrolysed completely with a corresponding increase in biomass and phytase activity within 7 days. Phosphate in the form of KH₂PO₄ (10 mg per 100 g of agriculture residue) increased phytase activity. Among various surfactants added to SSF, Trition X-100 (0.5%) exhibited a 30% increase in phytase activity. The optimum pH and temperature of the crude enzyme were 5.0 and 50°C respectively. Phytase activity (86%) was retained in buffer of pH 3.5 for 24 h. The enzyme retained 75% of its activity on incubation at 55°C for 1 h. In the presence of 1 mM K⁺ and Zn²⁺, 95% and 55% of the activity were retained. Scanning electron microscopy showed a high density growth of fungal mycelia on wheat bran particles during SSF. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 237–243. Received 07 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 18 December 1999     

Salicylic Acid Enhances Biocontrol Efficacy of the Antagonist Cryptococcus laurentii in Apple Fruit

Biological control and induced resistance are two of the promising approaches to the control of postharvest diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of salicylic acid (SA) alone or in combination with an antagonistic yeast, Cryptococcus laurentii, in controlling the blue mold disease caused by Penicillium expansum on apple fruit wounds. SA alone significantly inhibited the spore germination of P. expansum in vitro when its concentration was increased to 1000 μg ml⁻¹, but it was not effective in controlling the disease in vivo. Simultaneous application of SA and C. laurentii to the wounds on the apple fruit surface showed that SA could improve the efficacy of C. laurentii against P. expansum in a concentration-dependent manner, being most effective at 10 μg ml⁻¹ but less effective at a higher or lower concentrations. Besides reducing the blue mold incidence in the local wound sites, the combination of C. laurentii with SA at 10 μg ml⁻¹ also had a synergistic effect on the induction of fruit resistance to the disease, which might be associated with a rapid increase in peroxidase, phenylalanineamonialyase and lipoxygenase activities. In addition, SA at 100 μg ml⁻¹ or above showed an adverse effect on the growth of C. laurentii in vitro and in vivo, whereas it had no effect when its concentration was decreased to 10 μg ml⁻¹ or lower. This suggested that SA could enhance the biological activity of C. laurentii in apple fruit by inducing resistance to pathogens based on the antagonistic activity of C. laurentii.     

An ectophosphatase activity in Cryptococcus neoformans

There is increasing evidence in the literature showing that fungal pathogens express biologically active ectoenzymes. The expression of surface phosphatases at the cell surface of Cryptococcus neoformans, the etiologic agent of cryptococcosis, was evaluated in the present study. Different isolates of C. neoformans express ectophosphatase activity, which is not influenced by capsule size or serotype. The cryptococcal enzyme is an acid phosphatase, inhibited by classic inhibitors of ectophosphatases, including ammonium molybdate and sodium salts of fluoride and orthovanadate. Only the inhibition of enzyme activity caused by sodium orthovanadate has been shown to be irreversible. The cryptococcal ectoenzyme is also inhibited by Zn2+ and inorganic phosphate, the final product of reactions catalyzed by phosphatases. The ectophosphatase from C. neoformans efficiently releases phosphate groups from different phosphorylated amino acids, giving a higher rate of phosphate removal when phosphothreonine is used as a substrate. Yeast cells with irreversibly inhibited ectophosphatases are less capable of adhering to animal epithelial cells than fungi fully expressing enzyme activity, suggesting that ectoenzyme expression can contribute to the pathogenesis of C. neoformans.     

Isolation of Cryptococcus laurentii from Canada Goose guano in rural upstate New York

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are etiologic agents of cryptococcal pneumonia and meningitis, potentially lethal syndromes associated with AIDS. A related species, Cryptococcus laurentii, has recently been implicated in several cases of human disease. Guano from Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), an organism that lives closely beside man and inhabits recreational space in rural and suburban areas, might be a significant environmental reservoir of Cryptococcus organisms in non-urban areas. Cryptococcal organisms were isolated from Canada Goose guano from a site in rural northern New York, with identification based upon colony and microscopic morphology, ability to metabolize l-Dopa to melanin, and positive reaction with a commercial anti-cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide latex bead agglutination test. DNA sequences from five positive isolates were identical to each other, and identical to the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences of C. laurentii strain CBS7140 (Accession AY315665) across a 511 bp sequence. All five isolates of C. laurentii possess three of the known virulence factors common to cryptococcal organisms that cause human disease: capsule, ability to grow at 37 °C, and laccase activity.     

Repeated isolation of Cryptococcus laurentii from the oropharynx of an immunocompromized patient

Cryptococcus laurentii is one of the non-neoformans cryptococci that have rarely been isolated from humans. We report a case of repeated colonization of the oropharynx by Cr. laurentii in a patient with erythroleukaemia. The isolate was identified by phenotypic and genotypic tests and showed resistance to fluconazole. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phytase production and decrease of phytic acid content in canola meal byAspergillus carbonarius in solid-state fermentation

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) usingAspergillus carbonarius with canola meal as a substrate showed that production of phytase was associated with growth; maximum activity was achieved after 72 h. Apparent 25% and 10% increases in the protein content of the canola meal were noticed after 48 h and 72 h, respectively but total carbohydrate concentration had fallen by 25% by the end of fermentation. The rate of decrease of phytic acid content was optimum with a moisture content between 53% and 60%; homogenization of the inoculum for 120 s led to the greatest biomass and lowest phytic acid content. Inoculation of sterile meal led to lower phytic acid contents than inoculation of non-sterile meal.The authors are with the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada     

Glycogen-bound phosphorylase in Cryptococcus laurentii

Electron micrographs of Cryptococcus laurentii cells reveal glycogen granules throughout the cytoplasm. Glycogen phosphorylase (α-1,4-glucan: orthophosphate glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.1) is bound to these granules and has been obtained in purified form upon isolation of homogeneous preparations of these granules. The enzyme has a pH optimum close to 6; its K_m values are: 1.5 mM for P_i, 0.65 mg/ml for glycogen, and 1 mM for Glc-1-P. The K_m for Glc-1-P is substantially lower, 0.4 mM, in the presence of Mg²⁺, whereas v_max remains unchanged. The enzyme is not activated by AMP. Glc-6-P, glucose nucleotides, AMP, ADP, and ATP are inhibitors of the enzyme. Mg²⁺ reverses the inhibition by nucleotides and sugar nucleotides. A Glc-6-P-dependent glycogen synthetase is also bound to the glycogen granules of this organism.     

植酸酶基因工程研究进展

植酸酶是催化植酸及植酸盐水解成肌醇和无机磷酸的一类酶的总称.添加于食品和饲料中,能消除植酸所引起的抗营养作用,可提高蛋白质和矿物质的生物利用率.对植酸酶的生物学特性、基因结构和基因工程的研究进展做了综述.     

Characterization of an ecto-ATPase activity in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent of pulmonary cryptococcosis and cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, which are major clinical manifestations in immunosuppressed patients. In the present study, a surface ATPase (ecto-ATPase) was identified in C. neoformans yeast cells. Intact yeasts hydrolyzed adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) at a rate of 29.36+/-3.36nmol Pi/hx10(8) cells. In the presence of 5 mM MgCl(2), this activity was enhanced around 70 times, and an apparent K(m) for Mg-ATP corresponding to 0.61mM was determined. Inhibitors of phosphatases, mitochondrial Mg(2+)-ATPases, V-ATPases, Na(+)-ATPases or P-ATPases had no effect on the cryptococcal ATPase, but extracellular impermeant compounds reduced enzyme activity in living cells. ATP was the best substrate for the cryptococcal ecto-enzyme, but it also efficiently hydrolyzed inosine 5'-triphosphate (ITP), cytidine 5'-triphosphate (CTP), guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) and uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP). In the presence of ATP, C. neoformans became less susceptible to the antifungal action of fluconazole. Our results are indicative of the occurrence of a C. neoformans ecto-ATPase that may have a role in fungal physiology.     

Phospholipase activity in Cryptococcus neoformans

Phospholipases have only been detected in a few fungi and yeasts, in particular in Candida albicans. Secreted phospholipases are considered by some researchers to be a potential factor of virulence and pathogenicity in C. albicans. Twenty-three Cryptococcus neoformans strains were tested in order to observe phospholipase production. Twenty-two of the 23 strains tested were able to produce phospholipases, and the ratio diameter of the colony to total diameter of the colony plus zone of precipitation (Pz) ranged between 0.271 and 0.949. C. neoformans, just like C. albicans, can be divided on the basis of the Pz into different strains according to their virulence and pathogenicity. There also appeared to be a correlation between the phospholipase production and the size of the capsule in the strains isolated from AIDS patients. For this reason, further studies on C. neoformans phospholipase activity would be useful in evaluating the virulence of different strains.     

极端环境脂肪酶菌种库建立及其酶学性质研究

为得到特殊性质的脂肪酶酶种,从来源于极端环境的27份样品定向筛选脂肪酶产生菌,并构建了一个小型的菌种库。其中酵母L112在20℃,pH5．0时酶活为18．60u/ml,属低温酸性酶种。酶学性质研究表明,该酶最适作用温度为25-30℃,最适pH为5.4。在pH4.8,50℃条件下40min保持60%以上酶活。Mg^2 和Ca^2 对酶有激活作用,Zn^2 、Fe^2 、Cu^2 和EDTA有抑制作用。该产酶菌析经中国科学院微生物研究所鉴定为罗伦隐球酵母（Cryptococcus laurentii(Kufferath)C.E.Slcinner).