Heterokaryon formation in the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune by electrofusion of protoplasts

Summary Conditions for high frequency electrofusion of protoplasts from the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune are described. Visual inspection revealed up to 30% of the protoplasts engaged in fusion. Using complementing nutritional mutations, nearly 7% of the regenerated protoplasts could be recovered as heterokaryotic mycelia. The method is probably equally applicable to other basidiomycetes such as Agaricus bisporus, permitting the recovery of fusion products in the absence of selection markers.     

Direct studies of dikaryotization in Schizophyllum commune

The growth, duplication and fate of multikaryotic hyphae bearing true clamp connections, as derived from compatible matings of Schizophyllum commune, were studied by phase contrast microscopy. The nuclei (N) of multikaryotic apices maintained a near central position during hyphal growth. True clamp connection formation occurred with near synchronous mitosis followed by septal synthesis across the clamp neck and main hyphal axis. Nuclear progeny after mitosis in a hexakaryon included 6 N in the apex, 1 N in the clamp and 5 N in the penultimate cell; the solitary nucleus in the clamp later entered the penultimate cell. Similar events occurred for clamp connection formation and mitosis in the trikaryon, quadrikaryon or pentakaryon, whether in the apex or primary branches. Nuclear content of the multikaryotic apex (2 N through 10 N) had no apparent effect on the rate of individual hyphal growth. Reduction of the nuclear number in a trikaryon occurred by long-term entrappment of a solitary nucleus in the clamp and subsequent outgrowth of the dikaryotic penultimate cell. Occasionally, more than one nucleus became entrapped in the clamp cell. The ephemeral nature of the multikaryon was indicated by the fact that older cultures appeared to be exclusively dikaryotic hyphae at the colony periphery.     

Enzyme activities associated with arabitol and mannitol biosynthesis and catabolism in Schizophyllum commune

Enzymes of polyol metabolism were studied in basidiospore germination of Schizophyllum commune during periods of in vivo arabitol and mannitol pool depletion (growth on glucose-asparagine) and during their subsequent synthesis (growth on acetate-NH ₄ ⁺ ). Optimal conditions for assays were established and specific activities of enzymes employing d-arabitol, d-mannitol, d-ribulose, d-fructose and d-xylulose as substrates were traced. Inquiries into the products formed during these reactions showed that d-ribulose generated arabitol while d-fructose produced mannitol with d-xylulose giving rise to xylitol. The dehydrogenase reactions were further investigated using polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Here was revealed the existence of at least two separate enzymatic activities pertaining to the catabolism of arabitol and mannitol. Also noted were the electrophoretic patterns when d-sorbitol, ribitol, xylitol and ethanol were used as substrates.     

Degradation of ferulic acid by a white rot fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizophyllum commune</Emphasis>

Summary A ubiquitous white rot fungus Schizophyllum commune was used for the first time to study the degradation of ferulic acid. Vanillic acid was observed as one of the major products of ferulic acid catabolism, with vanillin formed as an intermediate. Almost 99.9% ferulic acid with a initial concentration of 5 mM was consumed by this fungus after 16 days of incubation at 37 °C.     

Insoluble hydrophobin complexes in the walls of Schizophyllum commune and other filamentous fungi

Two closely related cysteine-rich hydrophobic proteins, Sc3p and Sc4p, of the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune are developmentally regulated and associated with the walls of aerial hyphae and fruit-body hyphae. They are present in the walls as hot-SDS-insoluble complexes which can be extracted with formic acid. The hydrophobins can then be dissociated by oxidation with performic acid. However, extraction of the walls with trifluoroacetic acid results in both solubilization and dissociation of the hydrophobin complexes into monomers. This suggests that non-covalent interactions are responsible for formation of these insoluble complexes. Carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid only occurred after reduction with DTT indicating all cysteines in the monomeric hydrophobins involved in intramolecular disulfide bridges. Abundant proteins with similar properties were found in walls from all other filamentous fungi tested, including the basidiomycetes Pleurotus ostreatus, Coprinus cinereus, Agaricus bisporus, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, the ascomycetes Aspergillus nidulans, Neurospora crassa, and Penicillium chrysogenum, and the zygomycete Mucor mucedo.     

Fusarithioamide B,a new benzamide derivative from the endophytic fungus Fusarium chlamydosporium with potent cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities

Fusarithioamide B (6), a new aminobenzamide derivative with unprecedented carbon skeleton and five known metabolites: stigmast-4-ene-3-one (1), stigmasta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (2), p-hydroxyacetophenone (3), tyrosol (4), and fusarithioamide A (5) were separated from Fusarium chlamydosporium EtOAc extract isolated from Anvillea garcinii (Burm.f.) DC. leaves (Asteraceae). The structure elucidation and complete assignment of the isolated metabolites were performed mainly by the aid of various NMR and MS data. Fusarithioamide B (6) has been assessed for antibacterial and antifungal activities towards various microbial strains by disc diffusion assay. It exhibited selective antifungal activity towards C. albicans (MIC 1.9?µg/ml and IZD 14.5?mm), comparing to clotrimazole (MIC 2.8?µg/ml and IZD 17.9?mm). Also, it possessed high antibacterial potential towards E. coli, B. cereus, and S. aureus compared to ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, 6 was tested for the in vitro cytotoxic effect against KB, HCT-116, BT-549, MCF-7, SKOV-3, and SK-MEL cell lines. It had selective and potent effect towards BT-549, MCF-7, SKOV-3, and HCT-116 cell lines with IC₅₀s 0.09, 0.21, 1.23, and 0.59?μM, respectively compared to doxorubicin (IC₅₀s 0.046, 0.05, 0.321, and 0.24?μM, respectively). Fusarithioamide B may provide a lead molecule for future developing of antitumor and antimicrobial agents.     

蛇足石杉中的新内生真菌及其代谢产物的分离与鉴定

从蛇足石杉内生菌的次级代谢产物中寻找活性成分,为进一步开发利用蛇足石杉药用植物资源提供了新途径,但至今其内生菌代谢产物的系统性研究较为少见。种类丰富的内生真菌普遍存在于各种植物中,但蕨类植物中内生真菌的研究较少。为了寻找蛇足石杉内生菌中的细胞毒活性成分,该研究从蛇足石杉根部分离得到一株球毛壳属(Chaetomium sp.)真菌M336,对其化学成分进行了研究。对蛇足石杉内生真菌M336采用PDA固体培养基扩大发酵,发酵物经提取及乙酸乙酯萃取后,通过正相硅胶柱色谱法、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱法、薄层制备、高效液相色谱等色谱手段对其发酵物中的化学成分进行分离纯化,利用理化性质、质谱、核磁等波谱分析技术,并结合相关文献数据鉴定化合物的结构。结果表明：从内生真菌M336发酵提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取部分分离并鉴定出8个化合物,分别为chaetoviridines F、chaetoviridines E、5′-epichaetoviridin A、5′-epichaetoviridin A、xanthoquinodins Al、xanthoquinodins A2、xanthoquinodins B1和毛壳菌素。从M336中分离得到8个化合物,化合物3有一定的抑菌作用,其余化合物有一定的细胞毒活性。该研究结果丰富了蛇足石杉内生真菌球毛壳属中的天然细胞毒活性的化合物。     

Isolation, cloning and expression analysis of EcPMA1, a putative plasma membrane H-ATPase transporter gene from the biotrophic pathogenic fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum

Little is known at the molecular level about the transporters involved in nutrient transfer in the plant/powdery mildew interaction. A PCR-based approach was used to identify and isolate a partial-length cDNA coding for an isoform of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase (EcPMA1) in the biotrophic pathogenic fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum. Southern analysis suggests that EcPMA1 exists as a single-copy gene. Sequence analysis indicated a high similarity of EcPMA1 to other fungal H⁺-ATPases. Expression of EcPMA1 increases in infected Arabidopsis leaves as the disease progresses, correlating with the growth of the pathogen.     

反刍动物产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的分离鉴定和致病潜力分析

产志贺毒素大肠杆菌(Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC)是重要的食源性病原,而STEC往往以正常菌群的形式存在于牛羊等反刍动物肠道.[目的]本研究对牛羊粪便样品中的STEC分离和鉴定并对分离株进行致病潜力分析.从江苏、云南和河北等地共分离到羊源STEC菌株11株,牛源...     

Partial purification of pisatin demethylase,a cytochrome P-450 from the pathogenic fungus Nectria haematococca

The plant pathogen Nectria haematococca can demethylate pisatin, a phytoalexin from pea. Demethylation is apparently necessary for virulence on pea and is catalyzed by a microsomal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system. The cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase of this system were solubilized with sodium cholate and partially purified by chromatography on blue A-agarose and -aminohexyl-agarose. The reductase was further purified by chromatography on 2,5-ADP-agarose to a specific activity of about 16 moles cytochrome c reduced per min per mg protein. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the reductase fraction contained one major band of molecular weight 84,000. The partially purified cytochrome P-450 fraction contained a number of minor bands and three major bands of molecular weights 52,000, 56,000 and 58,000. This fraction lost all demethylase activity during concentration after -aminohexyl-agarose chromatography, so it could not be purified further. The purified reductase could reconstitute demethylase activity of cytochrome P-450 fractions and appeared to be rate-limiting for demethylase activity in microsomal extracts.     

Meira nashicola sp. nov., a novel basidiomycetous, anamorphic yeastlike fungus isolated from Japanese pear fruit with reddish stain

Three undescribed strains of basidiomycetous, anamorphic yeastlike fungi were isolated from Japanese pear fruits with a reddish stain collected in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The strains are classified in a single group and assigned to the genus Meira by conventional and chemotaxonomic studies. Sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions indicate that the strains represent a novel species with a close phylogenetic relationship to Meira geulakonigii and M. argovae. The name Meira nashicola sp. nov. is proposed for the strains (type strain PFS 002 = MAFF 230028 = CBS 117161).     

Isariotins G–J from cultures of the Lepidoptera pathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes

Four new alkaloids isariotins G–J (1–4), together with the known isariotins, were isolated from cultures of the Lepidoptera pathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes. The structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data. Compounds 1–4 exhibited antimalarial and cytotoxic activities.     

Isolation and characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from seafoods along the southwest coast of India

The work was aimed to study the microbial quality of the seafood sold in the domestic markets and incidence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Samples comprising of shellfish, finfish, and cephalopods were collected from various fish markets in and around Cochin. Presumed V. parahaemolyticus were identified by standard biochemical tests, and further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting species-specific tl gene (450 bp). About 81% of the samples were found to exceed the limits specified for total plate count while total presumptive V. parahaemolyticus count was above the limit in 71% of the samples ranging from 5.5 × 10⁵ to 9.7 × 10⁷ and 0.31 × 10² to 7.8 × 10⁶ cfu/g, respectively. Pathogenicity of the identified isolates was confirmed by Kanagawa phenomenon and urease activity. A total of 10% of the isolates exhibited weak haemolysis on Wagatsuma agar, and 1% of the isolates showed urease activity using Christensen’s urea agar. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis revealed two major clusters based on the species rather than seasonality. The gel pattern revealed 8–10 bands ranging from 0.45 to 3.0 kb. Antibiogram results revealed 85% of the strains sensitive to chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin. Multiple antibiotic resistance index was found to be 0.4 thus suggesting the risk potential involved in consuming seafoods. The present study has clearly demonstrated the need to adopt seafood safety measures for the products meant for human consumption.     

Observations of a new source of coral mortality along the Kenyan coast

In early 2002 coral mortality occurred along 600 km of coastline from Tanzania to Kenya. Astreopora, Echinopora , and Montipora species were severely affected, with Montipora being nearly eliminated from Kenyan reefs. Acropora , Platygyra , Goniopora , and massive Porites were also affected; however, Porites and Goniopora rarely died and often recovered, whereas death for most other species occurred within 2 weeks. In Echinopora and Montipora , a dull ashy tissue color and brittle skeletons characterized the early stages of this event with a mucus layer on the tissue surface in intermediate stages. Mucus and embedded debris then disappeared and surfaces were left covered in a white calcareous dust that sometimes capped a black layer. Astreopora tissues became dull and pale, and seldom produced mucus; eventually the skeleton became bare and white. Either a colorless translucent or brownish thin margin of tissue was visible between living tissue and bare skeleton, depending on species. Scanning electron micrographs of affected corals revealed the presence of fungi. Histology and staining showed that the fungi were mostly in the three genera that died from the syndrome and it may be that fungi invaded and killed corals weakened by another unidentified pathogen.     

高产吲哚乙酸东乡野生稻内生微杆菌KlspL18分离及鉴定

【目的】对分离自东乡野生稻叶组织的高产吲哚乙酸菌株KlspL18进行分类学鉴定。【方法】采用菌株形态、生理生化指标结合16S rRNA基因序列同源性比对以及全基因组测序等方法,对该菌株进行多相分类鉴定,并采用高效液相(HPLC)法测定其产吲哚乙酸的产量。【结果】菌株KlspL18为革兰氏阳性、不形成孢子的棒杆状,接触酶实验阳性,其温度、NaCl浓度和pH值生长范围分别为15–40℃ (最适为28℃)、1%–10%(最适为1%)及6.0–11.0 (最适为7.0),能利用多种糖和有机酸作为碳源。菌株细胞壁氨基酸主要为鸟氨酸,细胞壁多糖为半乳糖和甘露糖,极性脂类为二磷脂酰甘油、磷脂酰甘油和2种未鉴定的糖脂,细胞脂肪酸主要为anteiso-C15:0 (30.33%)、anteiso-C17:0 (31.53%)和iso-C16:0 (14.32%),萘醌类主要为MK-10和MK-11。16S rRNA基因序列分析表明,该菌株与Microbacterium proteolyticum RZ36T相似度为97.64%;全基因组测序分析显示,其G+C含量70.2%,与近缘标准菌株核苷酸同源性(A...     

Isolation and characterization of the mating-type idiomorphs from the wheat septoria leaf blotch fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola

Both mating-type loci from the wheat septoria leaf blotch pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola have been cloned and sequenced. The MAT1-2 gene was identified by screening a genomic library from the MAT1-2 isolate IPO94269 with a heterologous probe from Tapesia yallundae. The MAT1-2 idiomorph is 2772 bp and contains a single gene encoding a putative high-mobility-group protein of 394 amino acids. The opposite idiomorph was obtained from isolate IPO323, which has the complementary mating type, by long-range PCR using primers derived from sequences flanking the MAT1-2 idiomorph. The MAT1-1 locus is 2839 bp in size and contains a single open reading frame encoding a putative alpha1-domain protein of 297 amino acids. Within the nonidiomorphic sequences, homology was found with palI, encoding a membrane receptor from Aspergillus nidulans, and a gene encoding a putative component of the anaphase-promoting complex from Schizosaccharomyces pombe and a DNA-(apurinic or apyrimidinic) lyase from S. pombe. For each of the MAT genes specific primers were designed and tested on an F1 mapping population that was generated from a cross between IPO323 and IPO94269. An absolute correlation was found between the amplified allele-specific fragments and the mating type as determined by backcrosses of each F1 progeny isolate to the parental isolates. The primers were also used to screen a collection of field isolates in a multiplex PCR. An equal distribution of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 alleles was found for most geographic origins examined.     

Production of taxol from Phyllosticta dioscoreae, a leaf spot fungus isolated from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Taxol is a highly functionalized anticancer drug widely used in hospitals and clinics. The leaf spot fungus, Phyllosticta dioscoreae was isolated from diseased leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and screened for extracellular production of taxol in M1D (Modified liquid medium) and PDB (Potato dextrose broth) medium for the first time. The fungus was identified by its morphological and conidial features in the culture growth. The presence of taxol in the fungal culture filtrate was confirmed by different spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses. The amount of taxol produced was quantified by HPLC. The maximum amount of taxol produced was found to be 298 μg/L in M1D medium. Production rate was 5.96 × 10³ times faster than that found in culture broth of earlier reported fungus, Taxomyces andreanae. The extracted fungal taxol also showed strong cytotoxic activity in vitro in the cultures of human cancer cells tested by apoptotic assay. The results indicate that P. dioscoreae is an excellent source of taxol production, which suggests that the fungus has potential to undergo genetic engineering in order to improve its production level.     

黄蜻幼虫肠道分离菌QTYC38活性代谢产物的分离和鉴定

【目的】黄蜻幼虫肠道分离菌QTYC38菌株的鉴定及抗菌除草活性代谢物的研究。【方法】通过形态学观察及分子生物学ITS序列分析,对菌株QTYC38进行鉴定。利用生长速率法和琼脂扩散法测定菌株粗提物及其单体化合物的抗菌活性,结合培养皿生物分析法测定菌株粗提物及其单体化合物的除草活性。同时运用多种色谱方法分离发酵产物中的活性成分,并根据质谱和核磁共振谱数据确定其结构。【结果】菌株QTYC38被鉴定为浅黄新萨托菌Neosartorya aureola,在供试浓度为100μg/mL时,其粗提物对稗草和反枝苋的生长抑制活性较好,抑制率均大于65%;当供试浓度为30μg/滤纸片时,其对金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphyloccocus aureus)具有较好的抑菌活性,抑菌圈直径为22.7 mm,与阳性对照药(硫酸庆大霉素23.2 mm)活性相当。从该菌固体发酵产物中分离纯化得到4个单体化合物:helvolic acid(1),aromatic lactones(2),questin(3)和erogosterol(4)。其中,化合物1对枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)和金黄色葡萄球菌(S.aureus)均具有较好的生长抑制活性,最低抑菌浓度分别为3.1和1.5μg/mL;当供试浓度为100μg/mL时,化合物3和化合物4分别对杨树溃疡病菌(Dothiorella gregaria)和小麦赤霉病菌(Fusarium graminearum)具有较好的抑制效果,抑制率分别为52.4%和72.3%。【结论】菌株QTYC38具有开发为微生物源除草剂和新型杀菌剂的潜能。