Production of extracellular proteases by human pathogenic Trichoderma longibrachiatum strains

Species belonging to the filamentous fungal genus Trichoderma are well known as potential candidates for the biological control of plant pathogenic fungi and as cellulase producers of biotechnological importance. Several data were published in the last decade also about the clinical importance of this genus, indicating that Trichoderma strains may be potential opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients. However, there is a lack of information about the potential virulence factors of clinical Trichoderma strains. This study was designed to examine the extracellular proteolytic enzymes of six clinical T. longibrachiatum isolates. Supernatants from induced liquid cultures of the examined strains were screened for proteolytic enzyme activities with 11 different chromogenic p-nitroaniline substrates. The production of trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and chymoelastase-like protease activities cleaving N-Benzoyl-L-Phe-L-Val-L-Arg-p-nitroanilide, N-Succinyl-L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Phe-p-nitroanilide, and N-Succinyl-L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Leu-p-nitroanilide, respectively, was common among the strains examined. Separation of trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like activities by column chromatography revealed, that both systems are complex consisting of several isoenzymes. The pH-dependence of these two protease systems was also studied. Based on the results, the different isoenzymes seem to have different optimal pH values. Extracellular proteolytic enzymes may be involved in the pathogenecity of Trichoderma strains as facultative human pathogens.     

Antagonistic potential of Gliocladium virens and Trichoderma longibrachiatum to phytopathogenic fungi

Three isolates of Gliocladium virens (G1, G2 and G3) and two of Trichoderma longibrachiatum (T1 and T2) were screened against isolates of three soilborne plant pathogens namely Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Pythium aphanidermatum. G. virens exhibited stronger hyperparasitism and wider biological spectrum than T. longibrachiatum. Further, similarities as well as variation was observed in the ability of the various isolates to invade the test pathogens in dual culture. For the hyperparasites, acidic pH range (5.0 to 5.5) favoured both growth and spore germination. The hyperparasites made direct contact with the pathogens followed by varied modes of attack invariably leading to cell disruption. Antagonists, G1 and G3 revealed strong antibiosis while T2 showed moderate effect. All the isolates produced enhanced levels of lytic enzymes adaptively and there were marked differences among them. However, no correlation was observed between these attributes and the hyperparasitic potential of the various isolates in dual culture. The relevance and the role of enzymes and toxic metabolite(s) in the antagonism of G. virens and T. longibrachiatum to these pathogens are discussed.     

Comparative study of the phospholipase activity of pathogenic and saprophytic Leptospira cultured on a serum-lecithin agar

The phospholipase activity of leptospires cultivated on serum-lecithin agar has been studied. Two zones of changes in the medium have been found to appear around the colonies of saprophytic Leptospira strains: transparent (5.25 +/- 2.09 mm wide) and turbid (6.90 +/- +/- 1.46 mm wide), which is linked with the production of phospholipases A and C. Only a single clear zone is formed around the colonies of pathogenic strains due to the production of phospholipase A. At the same time virulent Leptospira strains show greater phospholipase activity (the zones are 6.0 +/- 1.2 mm wide) than avirulent strains (the zones are 1.6 +/- +/- 0.04 mm wide).     

长枝木霉eg1基因的克隆及表达

从长枝木霉3.1029基因组中克隆了内切葡聚糖酶EGI基因,该基因全长1 566 bp,由3个外显子2个内含子组成,编码461个氨基酸,编码蛋白的N端为22aa组成的信号肽。采用重叠PCR法获得无内含子的内切葡聚糖酶基因eg1,构建成pYE-Leg1重组质粒;同时将其成熟肽编码序列插入酿酒酵母分泌型表达载体pYEα中,构建成pYEα-Leg1重组质粒;分别转化酿酒酵母。重组转化子经β-半乳糖诱导,检测表达产物的酶活,结果表明,pYE-Leg1转化子无明显胞外酶活;而pYEα-Leg1转化子在刚果红平板上可产生明显的水解圈,酶活检测显示pYEα载体可有效地将该基因在酿酒酵母中表达并分泌到胞外,发酵液中的酶活在培养96 h达到最高1.16 U/mL,最适酶解温度为50℃,最适pH值为5.6。以上研究将为利用酿酒酵母生产胞外纤维素酶提供依据。     

Purification and some properties of beta-transglycosylase of Trichoderma longibrachiatum

A beta-transglycosylase was purified to a homogeneous state from the extract of a wheat bran Koji culture of Trichoderma longibrachiatum by column chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a typical disproportionation reaction with cellopentaose as the substrate, producing a high molecular component (a water-insoluble glucan). The enzyme showed neither cellulase nor beta-glucosidase activity. The reaction was optimal at pH 6.0 and 37 degrees C. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 11,000 by gel filtration using a TOYOPEARL HW-55F column. The amount of the glucan synthesized by the enzyme increased with prolonged incubation in a reaction with cellopentaose, and soluble cellooligosaccharides, such as cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, and cellohexaose, were also produced. No glucose was produced in the reaction even when it was carried out for a long time. The total number of molecules (cellooligosaccharides) in the reaction mixture remained at the initial substrate level during the entire reaction. The beta-transglycosylase proved to be a specific transferase showing transfer activity of glucosyl, cellobiosyl, and cellotriosyl moieties from one cellopentaose to an acceptor molecule from cellopentaose upwards with almost 100% efficiency.     

Efficacy of Trichoderma longibrachiatum in the control of Heterodera avenae

Trichoderma longibrachiatum can be used for the control of Heterodera avenae in crops, but the effectiveness and possible mechanisms are unknown. Here we determined the efficacy and the mechanism responsible for the nematode control in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat seedlings inoculated with T. longibrachiatum at the concentrations from 1.5 × 10⁴ to 1.5 × 10⁸ spores ml^?1 significantly increased plant height, root length, and plant biomass; decreased H. avenae infection in both rhizospheric soil and roots; and enhanced chlorophyll content, root activity, and the specific activities of resistance-related enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase), compared to the control. Those reactions occurred soon after T. longibrachiatum inoculation and the effect reached the maximum 7–9 days after inoculation. Promoting competitive plant growth and inducing enzyme-trigged resistance serve as the main mechanism responsible for T. longibrachiatum against H. avenae. T. longibrachiatum can be considered an effective biocontrol agent against H. avenae in wheat.     

Interrelationship of Xylanase Induction and Cellulase Induction of Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Xylose oligomers rapidly induced xylanase activity of Trichoderma longibrachiatum, whereas induction was delayed in the presence of glucose. Cellobiose, cellopentaose, and xylobiose did not induce detectable levels of cellulase activity. However, mixtures of xylobiose with cellobiose or cellopentaose rapidly induced cellulase activity. In addition, mixtures of xylobiose with cellopentaose or cellobiose induced xylanase activity more effectively than xylobiose alone. Both xylanase and cellulase activity were detected after a lag period in the presence of lactose.     

长枝木霉对禾谷胞囊线虫的寄生和致死作用

【目的】明确长枝木霉(Trichoderma longibrachiatum)孢子悬浮液对小麦禾谷胞囊线虫(Heterodera avenae)的防治潜力和可能的作用机理。【方法】通过室内显微观察和测定不同时期长枝木霉(T.longibrachiatum)孢子悬浮液对小麦禾谷胞囊线虫(H.avenae)胞囊的寄生和致死作用及其可能的机理。【结果】显微观察结果表明,侵染初期长枝木霉孢子寄生于胞囊的表面,并且萌发产生大量的菌丝,侵染后期整个胞囊被致密的菌丝包围,胞囊内卵的胚胎发育停止和内容物凝集,甚至有的胞囊表面突起形成深褐色的小液泡,或者胞囊破裂和溶解。室内测定结果表明,不同浓度长枝木霉孢子悬浮液对胞囊具有明显的寄生和致死作用,并且其可能的寄生和致死作用机理主要是通过胞囊诱导和提高长枝木霉菌几丁质酶、葡聚糖酶和酪蛋白酶的活性,进而使胞囊体壁溶解和内容物外渗。处理后第18天浓度为1.5×108CFU/mL的长枝木霉孢子悬浮液对胞囊的寄生率为93.3%,第10天对胞囊孵化的相对抑制率为93.6%;经胞囊诱导后第4天浓度为1.5×108CFU/mL的长枝木霉孢子悬浮液几丁质酶和葡聚糖酶活性最高为0.78和0.96 U/(min·mL),第6天浓度为1.5×108CFU/mL的长枝木霉孢子悬浮液酪蛋白酶活性最高为4.03 U/(min·mL),并且诱导后其几丁质酶、葡聚糖酶和酪蛋白酶活性随着长枝木霉孢子悬浮液浓度的增加而增加。【结论】长枝木霉对小麦禾谷胞囊线虫胞囊具有较强的寄生和致死作用,且可能的寄生和致死作用机理主要通过胞囊诱导和提高长枝木霉菌几丁质酶、葡聚糖酶和酪蛋白酶的活性。     

A study of pathogenic factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains causing meningitis

Abstract Pneumococcal meningitis in St. Petersburg in the period 1985–1991 occurred in 1.7–2.3 children per 100 000 annually. The most common serotypes among pneumococcal strains isolated from patients with meningitis were 19, 1, 6, 15, and 2, whereas, among the capsulated strains isolated from carriers, type 3 predominated. Only one third of strains from cases of meningitis were highly virulent for mice (types 1, 2, 3). Hyaluronidase was produced by all the 39 studied strains, 22 (84.6±7.1%) out of 26 strains from patients with otitis media, and only by 15 (11.5±2.8%) out of 130 strains isolated from carriers. Non-capsulated strains lacked this enzyme. Results of intranasal inoculation of pneumococcal strains with different hyaluronidase activity and addition of exogenous hyaluronidase to strains which did not produce the enzyme confirm the hypothesis that this enzyme plays an important role in bacterial dissemination and breaching of the blood brain barrier by pneumococci. It was concluded that high hyaluronidase activity, presence of capsule, and pneumolysin or serotype (1, 2, and 19) despite hyaluronidase titer, are the most important factors contributing to the development of pneumococcal meningitis. The role of the mouse toxic factor is unclear.     

Purification and characterization of two xylanases from Trichoderma longibrachiatum.

Two endoxylanases were purified from the culture medium of Trichoderma longibrachiatum. Both enzymes were highly basic, and lacked activity on carboxymethyl-cellulose. An enzyme of 21.5 kDa (xylanase A) had a specific activity of 510 U/mg protein, a Km of 0.15 mg soluble xylan/ml, possessed transglycosidase activity and generated xylobiose and xylotriose as the major endproducts from xylan or xylose oligomers. A larger enzyme of 33 kDa (xylanase B) had a specific activity of 131 U/mg protein, a Km of 0.19 mg soluble xylan/ml, lacked detectable transglycosidase activity and generated xylobiose and xylose as major endproducts from xylan and xylose oligomers. Xylotriose was the smallest oligomer attacked by both enzymes. In addition, xylotriose inhibited hydrolysis of xylopentanose by both enzymes, while xylobiose appeared to inhibit xylanase B, but not xylanase A.     

长梗木霉纤维素酶基因的克隆及序列分析

从富含纤维素环境筛选获得一株纤维素降解菌株FU05,通过形态学特征及ITS序列分析确定其为长梗木霉(Trichoderma longibrachiatum)。PCR扩增获得该菌株的bgl2、cbh2和eg1。序列分析表明,这3种纤维素酶基因与GenBank上其他木霉同种纤维素酶基因具有较高同源性:bgl2基因与里氏木霉bgl2基因(AB003110)同源性达91%;cbh2基因与康宁木霉cbh2基因(DQ504304)同源性达99%;eg1基因与长梗木霉eg1基因(X60652)同源性达95%。3种纤维素酶基因编码的相应氨基酸序列与其他木霉纤维素酶的氨基酸序列相似性也非常高。对上述纤维素酶基因编码的相应蛋白进行PROSITE motif search,对其N端糖基化位点、纤维素结合区、糖基水解酶家族特征结构区等进行了定位。     

长梗木霉β-葡萄糖苷酶基因的克隆及表达

【目的】以实验室筛选获得的一株长梗木霉GM2(Trichoderma longibrachiatum)为材料,克隆出其β-葡萄糖苷酶(β-Glucosidase)基因bgl并在大肠杆菌和酵母中进行表达。【方法】利用同源克隆扩增出其β-葡萄糖苷酶基因bgl全长序列,分别亚克隆到质粒pET-32a(+)和pPICZα-B中,构建其原核表达载体pET32a(+)-bglI和真核表达载体pPICZα-B-bgl。【结果】bgl基因序列全长2 369 bp,含两个内含子,编码744个氨基酸。在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达bgl,重组蛋白以包涵体形式存在,上清液中没有β-葡萄糖苷酶的酶活。将载体pPICZα-B-bgl电转化入毕赤酵母GS115,得到78 kD左右重组蛋白,与预测大小相符。按9%接种量接入50 mL YP培养基(初始pH 5.5),30°C振荡培养96 h,添加终浓度1%的甲醇诱导后β-葡萄糖苷酶酶活达60 U/mL。重组酶bgl催化水杨苷水解反应的最适pH为5.0,最适温度为70°C;另外,此bgl在pH 3.0 10.0和40°C 60°C范围内具有比较好的稳定性。【结论】长梗木霉GM2的β-葡萄糖苷酶在P.pastoris中获得可溶性表达,并证明有一定的活性。     

Analysis of differential proteomes in pathogenic and non‐pathogenic Leptospira: Potential pathogenic and virulence factors

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes in the genus Leptospira. To date, factors determining the pathogenicity and virulence of leptospires remain unclear. We performed a gel‐based proteomic analysis to evaluate differential leptospiral proteomes in the pathogenic L. interrogans (serovars Australis, Bratislava, Autumnalis, and Icterohaemorrhagiae) and the non‐pathogenic L. biflexa (serovar Patoc). Quantitative proteome analysis and MS protein identification revealed 42 forms of 33 unique proteins whose levels were significantly greater in the pathogenic serovars compared with the non‐pathogenic serovar. Among the four pathogenic serovars, the more virulent serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae (which is most commonly associated with severe leptospirosis in patients) had significantly greater levels of 14 forms of 12 unique proteins, when compared with the other three pathogenic serovars. Some of these identified proteins may serve as the pathogenic and/or virulence factors of leptospirosis.     

The parasitic and lethal effects of Trichoderma longibrachiatum against Heterodera avenae

Heterodera avenae is a devastating plant pathogen that causes significant yield losses in many crops, but there is a lack of scientific information whether this pathogen can be controlled effectively using biocontrol agents. Here we determined the parasitic and lethal effects of Trichoderma longibrachiatum against H. avenae and the possible mechanism involved in this action. Both in vitro and greenhouse experiments were conducted. In vitro, T. longibrachiatum at the concentrations of 1.5 × 10⁴ to 1.5 × 10⁸ spores per ml had a strong parasitic and lethal effect on the cysts of H. avenae, with the concentration of 1.5 × 10⁸ spores per ml having >90% parasitism 18 days after treatments. In greenhouse, T. longibrachiatum inoculation decreased H. avenae infection in wheat (Triticum aestivum) significantly. Observations with microscopes revealed that after mutual recognition with cysts, the spore of T. longibrachiatum germinated with a large number of hyphae, and reproduced rapidly on the surface of cysts. Meanwhile, the cysts surface became uneven, with some cysts producing vacuoles, and the others splitting. Finally the cysts were dissolved by the metabolite of T. longibrachiatum. Chitinase activity increased in the culture filtrates of T. longibrachiatum and reached the maximum 4 days after inoculation in the medium supplemented with colloidal chitin (1.02 U/min per ml) and nematode cysts (0.78 U/min per ml). The parasitism and inhibition of cysts through the increased extracellular chitinase activity serves as the main mechanism with which T. longibrachiatum against H. avenae. In conclusion, T. longibrachiatum has a great potential to be used as a biocontrol agent against H. avenae.     

毒死蜱降解木霉菌对几种重要植物病原真菌的生防活性

木霉菌既是广泛应用的防治植物病害的生防菌,又是一类很有应用潜力的环境污染修复菌。针对分离筛选出的6株高效降解毒死蜱的木霉菌株,进行了土传植物真菌病害的生防活性试验。结果表明,在对峙培养条件下,供试木霉菌株对几种病原真菌均具有较为显著的抑制率,发酵滤液对多数病原真菌具有明显的抑菌作用。所有供试木霉菌株能在立枯丝核菌、灰霉、终极腐霉菌落上着生,并逐渐覆盖全部菌落;但不能在茄腐镰孢菌、尖孢镰孢菌、大丽轮枝菌上生长。真菌重寄生现象观察结果表明,供试木霉菌仅对立枯丝核菌具有明显的重寄生现象。研究结果表明,筛选出的高效降解毒死蜱的木霉菌菌株可对多种土传植物病原真菌具有良好的生防潜力。