破囊壶菌脂肪酶基因的克隆、双温控自诱导表达及酶学性质研究

【目的】克隆破囊壶菌Aurantiochytrium sp.PKU#SW7的脂肪酶基因,实现其在大肠杆菌细胞中异源高效表达,并进行初步酶学性质研究。【方法】基于转录组数据注释,获得脂肪酶基因lip,构建重组基因工程菌Rosetta(DE3)/p ET30-lip,利用双温控自诱导方法高效表达蛋白,表达产物(LIP)经Ni-Agarose His亲和层析柱纯化后进行酶学性质研究。【结果】从Aurantiochytrium sp.PKU#SW7中克隆得到一个大小为873 bp的脂肪酶基因(Gen Bank登录号为KT305964),该酶对p-NPB最适反应温度和pH分别为40°C和8.0。以不同浓度的金属离子Ca~(2+)和Co~(2+)溶液分别保温处理酶液30 min可使酶活提高1.3倍左右;甲醇对脂肪酶的抑制作用不明显。在最适反应条件下对p-NPP与p-NPB的酶活力分别为70.0±3.1 U/mg和102.5±2.6 U/mg。【结论】Aurantiochytrium sp.PKU#SW7脂肪酶具有良好的特性,符合生物柴油生物催化剂基本要求。     

高分子量腈水合酶在大肠杆菌中的表达策略及重组菌的细胞催化

【目的】实现红球菌Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1来源的高分子量腈水合酶H-NHase在Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)中过量表达,以提高菌体总酶活,缩短菌体发酵周期,提高生产效率。【方法】将H-NHase中编码α亚基的基因nhh A和调控基因nhh G上游的核糖体结合位点(Shine-Dalgarno sequence,SD)替换成翻译起始强度更高的异源SD,同时优化各亚基之间间隔序列的长度,并根据大肠杆菌密码子偏好性对目的基因进行优化。通过E.coli重组表达系统过表达优化后的腈水合酶基因。采用离子交换层析对H-NHase进行纯化,并通过凝胶过滤层析确定重组酶的相对分子量。优化了全细胞催化条件,并建立底物恒速流加的细胞催化工艺,模拟了烟酰胺的生产工艺。【结果】H-NHase在E.coli中实现了过量表达。重组蛋白粗酶液的活性为85.5±4.3 U/mg,纯酶比活为234.0±11.7 U/mg,H-NHase相对分子质量为504.5±9.8 k D。细胞催化最适p H为7.5,最适温度为25°C,底物浓度为400 mmol/L。在此条件下,重组菌细胞酶活为256.0±10.4 U/m L,流加工艺最终的产物转化率可达99.9%。【结论】重组H-NHase大肠杆菌细胞生长迅速,发酵周期短,应用此重组菌进行细胞催化可以提高酰胺类物质的生产效率,具有潜在的工业价值。     

牦牛瘤胃中产脂肪酶微生物的分离与鉴定

【背景】脂肪酶是一类特殊的酯键水解酶,广泛应用于工业化生产中,微生物是工业脂肪酶的主要来源。瘤胃中微生物种类繁多、数量庞大,已有关于瘤胃微生物产纤维素酶的报道,尚无产脂肪酶瘤胃微生物的分离筛选报道。【目的】从牦牛瘤胃中分离筛选出能够产脂肪酶的微生物,并进行菌株鉴定及其酶学性质的研究。【方法】以橄榄油为唯一碳源,通过中性红油脂平板进行初步筛选后,用改进铜皂-分光光度法测定酶活力进行复筛;再经形态学观察、生理生化实验和16S rRNA基因序列分析进行菌种鉴定;研究3种脂肪酶的最适作用温度、pH值及金属离子、有机溶剂和表面活性剂对酶活力的影响。【结果】筛选出6株酶活力较高的菌株,其中3株为液化沙雷氏菌,2株为白地霉,1株为卷枝毛霉。脂肪酶的酶学性质研究表明:液化沙雷氏菌、白地霉和卷枝毛霉所产脂肪酶的最适作用温度为45、35和40°C;最适pH为8.0、7.0和7.0;Ca2+和Mg2+对3种脂肪酶均有激活作用;Zn2+对3种脂肪酶有不同程度的抑制作用,EDTA、SDS可使3种脂肪酶失活;3种脂肪酶对丙三醇的耐受力较高,卷枝毛霉脂肪酶对甲醇、乙醇、丙酮的耐受力较高。【结论】从牦牛瘤胃中分离出3种产脂肪酶的微生物,且证实瘤胃微生物在脂肪酶研究方面具有较高的价值。     

对SDS稳定的V8(V125T)蛋白酶突变体的高效表达及性质研究

谷氨酰内切酶能特异性切割谷氨酸、天冬氨酸残基羧基端结合的肽键。将含有V8蛋白酶突变体(V125T)基因的表达质粒的重组大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),在50L发酵罐中发酵,融合蛋白为可溶性表达,可得菌湿重50g/L,相对蛋白表达量为33%。融合蛋白采用GST亲和纯化、肠激酶激活、DEAE-FF阴离子交换层析,得到纯的V8(V125T)突变体,经纯化后可获得0.998mg蛋白/g菌(湿重),比活为13.47 U/mg pro.纯化过程的酶活回收率达到了97.9%。对纯酶进行酶学性质分析,以Z-Phe-Leu-Glu-p NA作为底物测得V8(V125T)蛋白酶的Km为0.339mmol/L,Vmax为16.642μmol/min。其最适pH为8.0,在pH4.0~10.0之间较稳定;最适反应温度在45℃,12h内在4~35℃有很好的温度稳定性;25℃条件下1mmol/L的金属离子对酶具有不同程度的影响,其中Fe~(3+)的抑制作用最强;2mol/L尿素及1mmol/L EDTA对酶活性无影响,在0.1%SDS中保存12h、在0.5%SDS中4h和在1%SDS中1h,活性均能维持90%以上,在0.5%,0.1%SDS保存12h,仍能保持80%和64%的活性,与未突变的重组V8蛋白酶相比,该突变体对SDS的耐受性得到极大提高。     

火球菌Pyrococcus furious瓣状核酸内切酶1的表达纯化及酶学特征

【目的】克隆表达和纯化火球菌Pyrococcus furious来源的瓣状核酸内切酶1基因pFEN1(PF1414),对该蛋白的活性和酶学特征进行鉴定和分析。【方法】将pFEN1在大肠杆菌中进行重组表达,经亲和层析纯化得到电泳纯蛋白;利用人工合成的荧光标记的寡核苷酸片段作为底物,用变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳鉴定pFEN1在体外的酶学特性以及与其他蛋白的相互作用。【结果】pFEN1重组蛋白能在大肠杆菌中进行高效表达;高于100 mmol/L的NaCl会抑制pFEN1的活性;pFEN1的核酸酶活性依赖于金属离子Mg~(2+)或Mn~(2+),且Mn~(2+)的催化效率优于Mg~(2+);来自嗜热古菌的pFEN1是一种耐高温蛋白,最适反应温度为60–65°C;增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)能促进pFEN1的内切酶活性。【结论】本研究证实pFEN1是一种Mg~(2+)或Mn~(2+)依赖的核酸内切酶,且PCNA能促进该酶的活性。     

乙酸钙不动杆菌磷脂酶C在大肠杆菌中重组表达、纯化及酶学性质分析

【目的】构建乙酸钙不动杆菌(Acinetobacter calcoaceticus)ATCC17902磷脂酶C(Phospholipase C,PLC)的重组大肠杆菌菌株、纯化重组酶并进行酶学性质分析比较。【方法】以A.calcoaceticus ATCC17902基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增得到两段磷脂酶C基因(PLC1、PLC2),构建重组大肠杆菌表达质粒并转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中,实现PLC1、PLC2基因的表达。IPTG诱导表达后,经镍柱亲和层析纯化重组蛋白。【结果】成功构建两株产磷脂酶C的重组大肠杆菌并纯化,样品经SDS-PAGE分析在80 kDa附近均出现显著的特异性条带。NPPC法测得PLC1、PLC2酶活分别为31160±418 U/mg、13640±354 U/mg,最适反应温度分别为65、50℃,最适pH值分别为8、7.5。在低于30℃时,pH值7-8时,PLC1、PLC2重组酶较稳定,40℃处理30min,PLC1酶活稳定而PLC2残余酶活低于25%。Mg2+、Ca2+增强PLC1、PLC2的活性,Zn2+增强PLC1酶活性却抑制PLC2酶活。底物特异性分析表明PLC1、PLC2均水解磷脂酰肌醇(Phosphatidylinositol,PI),对其他种类磷脂不能水解或水解程度很低。【结论】本文首次实现了A.calcoaceticus ATCC17902来源的磷脂酶C的重组表达与功能验证,为其它食品安全性微生物来源的磷脂酶C的研究提供了一定的借鉴意义。     

褐藻胶裂解酶基因的克隆表达及重组酶酶学性质

【目的】克隆交替假单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas sp.)BYS-2的褐藻胶裂解酶基因,实现其在大肠杆菌细胞中异源表达,对分离纯化的重组酶进行酶学性质研究。【方法】以交替假单胞菌BYS-2菌株基因组DNA为模板,克隆得到褐藻胶裂解酶基因alg738,构建重组基因工程菌BL21(DE3)/p ET22b-alg738,诱导表达,表达产物通过Ni-NTA树脂纯化后进行酶学性质研究。【结果】重组酶的最适反应p H为8.0,在p H 6.0-9.0范围内37°C保温1 h仍能保持84%以上的相对酶活力,具有较好的p H稳定性;最适反应温度为45°C,热稳定性实验显示在37°C下保温60 min其残余酶活力仍达66.6%;在5 mmol/L浓度下,Na~+、Mg~(2+)、Mn~(2+)对该酶具有明显的促进作用,Ni~(2+)、Co~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Hg~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、EDTA、β-巯基乙醇、SDS具有明显的抑制作用。动力学参数Km、Vmax分别为1.11 g/L和0.011 g/(L·min),底物特异性分析表明该重组酶为偏好聚甘露糖醛酸钠(Poly M)裂解作用的双功能酶。【结论】重组褐藻胶裂解酶具有良好的酶学特性,为褐藻胶裂解酶的开发应用打下基础。     

流感嗜血杆菌ATCC49247来源的IgA酶理化性质及其对低糖基化IgA1的分解作用

【背景】近年来,能够特异性切割人IgA1分子的IgA蛋白酶(IgA酶)被认为是治疗IgA肾病(IgAN)的潜在药物,但各种物理化学因素均可能影响其生物学活性。【目的】研究流感嗜血杆菌(Haemophilus influenzae) ATCC49247 IgA酶的理化性质,确定IgA酶最适的作用条件后观察IgA酶对低糖基化IgA1的作用。【方法】从细菌培养液中分离纯化IgA酶,SDS-PAGE电泳后银染法分别检测多种理化条件下IgA酶的水解活性及其对低糖基化IgA1的消化作用。【结果】H. influenzae ATCC49247IgA酶可耐受的反应温度较广,最适温度为50°C;在高于60°C的环境中,IgA酶便不可逆地丧失了稳定性;IgA酶在pH 6.0-9.0的环境下能够保持完整催化活性;1 mmol/L的PMSF和高于10 mmol/L的SDS能够强烈地抑制IgA酶的活性,DTT和EDTA对IgA酶活性无明显影响;所有浓度的Al~(3+)、Fe~(3+)和高浓度的Cu~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、Fe~(2+)对IgA酶均表现出强烈的抑制作用,同时Co~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Ni~(2+)和Mg~(2+)都对IgA酶活性没有明显影响。选择了最适宜的IgA酶作用条件,发现IgA酶能够有效降解低糖基化IgA1底物。【结论】确定IgA酶最适宜的作用条件能保持良好的酶活性,更好地发挥了IgA酶对低糖基化IgA1的降解作用,为IgA酶的临床研究和药用价值的进一步开发提供一定的依据。     

蜡样芽胞杆菌磷脂酶C在乳酸克鲁维酵母中重组表达、纯化及酶学性质分析

【目的】构建蜡样芽胞杆菌(Bacillus cereus)磷脂酶C(Phospholipase C,PLC)的重组乳酸克鲁维酵母(Kluyveromyces lactis)菌株、纯化重组蛋白并对其进行酶学性质分析。【方法】以B.cereus基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增得到磷脂酶C基因(bcplc),构建重组乳酸克鲁维酵母表达质粒并转化到乳酸克鲁维酵母中,实现bcplc基因的表达。利用镍柱亲和层析纯化和脱盐柱得到电泳纯的重组磷脂酶C(rbcPLC)。【结果】成功构建产磷脂酶C的重组乳酸克鲁维酵母并纯化了重组磷脂酶C,纯化后rbcPLC经SDS-PAGE分析在40 kDa附近出现显性条带。NPPC法测得rbcPLC酶活为19251 U/mg,最适反应温度为80°C,最适pH为9.0。在低于40°C时,pH 7.0-8.0时,rbcPLC重组酶较稳定。Cu~(2+)和Co~(2+)对其有明显的抑制作用;Zn~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)对其有明显的促进作用。【结论】首次实现了对蜡样芽胞杆菌来源的磷脂酶C在乳酸克鲁维酵母中的重组表达、纯化及其酶学性质分析,为其它食品安全性微生物来源的磷脂酶C的研究提供了借鉴意义。     

酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶的重组表达、分离纯化及酶学特性

【背景】Cas9核酸酶是一种RNA引导的核酸内切酶,可与单链向导RNA (single-guide RNA,sgRNA)形成稳定的核糖核蛋白复合物,识别和切割特定的核苷酸片段。由于其具备高灵活性和高效率的特点,目前已经成为基础科学研究领域和临床治疗方法中使用最广泛的基因编辑工具。【目的】为Cas9核酸酶的合理开发和利用提供理论依据。【方法】利用大肠杆菌表达系统表达野生型酿脓链球菌(Streptococcus pyogenes) Cas9核酸酶,经硫酸铵沉淀和镍柱亲和层析两步纯化获得较高纯度表达产物,并对其热稳定性、pH稳定性、金属离子的影响等酶学特性进行研究。【结果】经高密度发酵后,大肠杆菌湿菌重达191.0 g/L。纯化后酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶的比酶活达641.29 U/mg,纯化倍数为16.02,收率为46.40%。Cas9核酸酶在25-42°C保温2 h后剩余酶活保持在65%以上,而在45°C保温15 min后全部失活;其在pH 6.0-10.0范围内稳定性较高,剩余酶活大于68%,在pH9.0时稳定性最高;0.5-20.0mmol/L浓度范围内的Mg~(2+)对该酶有激活作用,10.0 mmol/L的Mg~(2+)可使该酶酶活力提高约23%;Ba~(2+)、Co~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Fe~(2+)、Zn~(2+)对该酶有不同程度的抑制作用,其中0.5 mmol/L的Cu~(2+)和Fe~(2+)对Cas9核酸酶有完全抑制作用。【结论】异源表达并纯化出具有较高纯度和较高酶活力的酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶,并对其酶学特性进行了初步研究,该结果对CRISPR/Cas9技术的进一步推广和应用有一定的指导意义。     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Molecular phylogeny of Phebalium (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and related genera based on the nrDNA regions ITS 1+2

Parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 & ITS 2) for 38 taxa sampled from the Phebalium group (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and two outgroups confirm that, with the exception of Phebalium sensu stricto and Rhadinothamnus, six of the currently recognised genera within the group are monophyletic. The data indicate that Phebaliums. str. is paraphyletic with respect to Microcybe, and Rhadinothamnus is paraphyletic with respect to Chorilaena. Rhadinothamnus and Chorilaena together are the sister group to Nematolepis. Drummondita, included as an outgroup taxon, clustered within the ingroup as sister to Muiriantha and related to Asterolasia.The phylogeny suggests that the evolution of major clades within a number of these genera (e.g. Phebalium) relates to vicariance events between eastern and south-western Australia. Leionema is an eastern genus, with the most basal taxon being the morphologically distinct Leionema ellipticum from northern Queensland. Leionema also includes one species from New Zealand, but this species (as with some others) proved difficult to sequence and its phylogenetic position remains unknown. Taxonomic changes at the generic level are recommended.The authors wish to thank Paul G.Wilson, PERTH, for advice and discussion, and Paul Forster, BRI, for collecting and providing material of Leionema ellipticum. The project was supported by a Melbourne University Postgraduate Award (to BM), the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Australian Systematic Botany Society and Wolf Den (Australia) Investments.     

New species and new combinations in Peruvian Orchidaceae

seventeen new species and combinations are proposed in the generaChondrorhyncha, Cischweinfia, Cochlioda, Eloyella, Encyclia, Kefersteinia, Koellensteinia, Macroclinium, Rodriguezia, Solenidiopsis, andStenia. All new species are illustrated. A key is provided for 2-flowered species ofMacroclinium, PeruvianSigmatostalix, and PeruvianStenia. Solenidium (Solenidiopsis) peruvianum Schltr. is lectotypified.     

Entwicklungsgeschichte und Ultrastruktur von Pollenkitt und Exine bei nahe verwandten entomophilen und anemophilen Angiospermensippen derAlismataceae,Liliaceae, Juncaceae,Cyperaceae, Poaceae undAraceae

Some closely related members of the monocotyledonous familiesAlismataceae, Liliaceae, Juncaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae andAraceae with variable modes of pollination (insect- and wind-pollination) were studied in relation to the ultrastructure of pollenkitt and exine (amount, consistency and distribution of pollenkitt on the surface of pollen grains). The character syndromes of pollen cementing in entomophilous, anemophilous and intermediate (ambophilous or amphiphilous) monocotyledons are the same in principal as in dicotyledons. Comparing present with former results one can summarize: 1) The pollenkitt is always produced in the same manner by the anther tapetum in all angiosperm sub-classes. 2) The variable stickiness of entomophilous and anemophilous pollen always depends on the particular distribution and consistency of the pollenkitt, but not its amount on the pollen surface. 3) The mostly dry and powdery pollen of anemophilous plants always contains a variable amount of inactive pollenkitt in its exine cavities. 4) A step-by step change of the pollen cementing syndrome can be observed from entomophily towards anemophily. 5) From the omnipresence of pollenkitt in all wind-pollinated angiosperms studied one can conclude that the ancestors of anemophilous angiosperms probably have been zoophilous (i.e. entomophilous) throughout.

     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

安徽牯牛降的丝孢菌Ⅰ

本文报导作者采自安徽枯牛降自然保护区的18种丝孢菌,分属于5个属,其中有3个新种:牛皮冻生尾孢(Cercospora paederiicola),山鸡椒假尾饱(Pseudocercospora litseae-cubebae),鸡血藤生假尾孢(P. millettiicola)和2个中国新纪录。文中对新种进行了描述及绘图,新记录种作了简要说明。研究的标本保存在中国科学院微生物研究所真菌标本室(HMAS)。     

Changes of dung beetle communities from rainforests towards agroforestry systems and annual cultures in Sulawesi (Indonesia)

Little is known about how tropical land-use systems contribute to the conservation of functionally important insect groups, including dung beetles. In a study at the margin of Lore Lindu National Park (a biodiversity hotspot in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia) dung-beetle communities were sampled in natural forest, young secondary forest, agroforestry systems (cacao plantations with shade trees) and annual cultures (maize fields), each with four replicates (n = 16 sites). At each site we used 10 pitfall traps, baited with cattle dung, along a 100 m transect for six 3-day periods. The number of trapped specimens and species richness at the natural forest sites was higher than in all land-use systems, which did not significantly differ. Each land-use system contained, on average, 75% of the species richness of the natural forest, thereby indicating their importance for conservation. However, a two-dimensional scaling plot based on NESS indices (m = 6) indicated distinct dung beetle communities for both forest types, while agroforestry systems and annual cultures exhibited a pronounced overlap. Mean body size of dung beetles was not significantly influenced by land-use intensity. Five of the six most abundant dung beetle species were recorded in all habitats, whereas the abundance of five other species was significantly related to habitat type. Mean local abundance and number of occupied sites were closely correlated, further indicating little habitat specialisation. The low dung beetle diversity (total of 18 recorded species) may be due to the absence of larger mammals in Sulawesi during historical times, even though Sulawesi is the largest island of Wallacea. In conclusion, the dung beetle fauna of the lower montane forest zone in Central Sulawesi appears to be relatively robust to man-made habitat changes and the majority of species did not exhibit strong habitat preferences.     

Phylogenetic investigations of Sordariaceae based on multiple gene sequences and morphology

The family Sordariaceae incorporates a number of fungi that are excellent model organisms for various biological, biochemical, ecological, genetic and evolutionary studies. To determine the evolutionary relationships within this group and their respective phylogenetic placements, multiple-gene sequences (partial nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA, nuclear ITS ribosomal DNA and partial nuclear β-tubulin) were analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Analyses of different gene datasets were performed individually and then combined to generate phylogenies. We report that Sordariaceae, with the exclusion Apodus and Diplogelasinospora, is a monophyletic group. Apodus and Diplogelasinospora are related to Lasiosphaeriaceae. Multiple gene analyses suggest that the spore sheath is not a phylogenetically significant character to segregate Asordaria from Sordaria. Smooth-spored Sordaria species (including so-called Asordaria species) constitute a natural group. Asordaria is therefore congeneric with Sordaria. Anixiella species nested among Gelasinospora species, providing further evidence that non-ostiolate ascomata have evolved from ostiolate ascomata on several independent occasions. This study agrees with previous studies that show heterothallic Neurospora species to be monophyletic, but that homothallic ones may have a multiple origins. Although Gelasinospora and Neurospora are closely related and not resolved as monophyletic groups, there is insufficient evidence to place currently accepted Gelasinospora and Neurospora species into the same genus.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.