Reversal of fungitoxicity of 8-quinolinols and their copper(II) bischelates. II. Reversal of the action of 8-quinolinol by DL-alpha-lipoic acid

The effect of amino acids and derivatives, Krebs cycle acids and related compounds, fatty acids, and vitamins and related compounds on the toxicity of 8-quinolinol and bis(8-quinolinolato)copper(II) to Aspergillus oryzae (ATCC 1011) was studied. Only aliphatic thiol-containing compounds (cysteine, glutathione, dithioerythritol, and dithiothreitol) and DL-alpha-lipoic acid protected against 8-quinolinol but not its copper(II) bischelate. It is suggested that 8-quinolinol inhibits lipoic acid biosynthesis, and the mode of fungitoxicity of 8-quinolinol is different from that of bis(8-quinolinolato)copper(II).     

Antifungal Activity of Substituted Nitrobenzenes and Anilines

Series of 1,3-dihalogeno-5-nitrobenzenes, 3- and 3,5-halogenoanilines, and 2,6-dihalogeno-4-nitroanilines were tested for fungitoxicity against Aspergillus niger, A. oryzae, Trichoderma viride, Myrothecium verrucaria, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in shaken culture by using Sabouraud dextrose broth enriched with yeast extract as the test medium. 1,3-Dichloro-5-nitrobenzene, 1,3-dibromo-5-nitrobenzene, 3-iodoaniline, 3,5-dichloroaniline, and 3,5-dibromoaniline were found to possess sufficient activity, compared with 8-quinolinol, to warrant further study.     

Antifungal Activity of Sodium Bicarbonate Against Fungal Agents Causing Superficial Infections

Although sodium bicarbonate—NaHCO₃ (SB) has many domestic and medical, traditional and empirical uses, only little scientific documentation of its activity is available. The aims of this study were to investigate the antifungal activity of SB on the three fungal groups (yeasts, dermatophytes and molds) responsible for human skin and nail infections. We first evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity of SB on 70 fungal strains isolated from skin and nail infections: 40 dermatophytes, 18 yeasts and 12 molds. A concentration of 10 g/L SB inhibited the growth of 80 % of all the fungal isolates tested on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The minimal inhibitory concentration 90 (MIC90) of SB measured on Sabouraud dextrose agar, Sabouraud dextrose broth and potato dextrose broth was 5 g/L for the yeasts, 20 g/L for the dermatophytes and 40 g/L for the molds. In a second step, we prospectively evaluated the ex vivo antifungal activity of SB on 24 infected (15 dermatophytes, 7 yeasts and 2 molds) clinical specimens (15 nails and 9 skin scrapings). The fungal growth was completely inhibited for 19 (79 %) specimens and reduced for 4 (17 %) specimens after 7 days of incubation on Sabouraud dextrose–chloramphenicol agar supplemented with 10 g/L of SB as compared to Sabouraud dextrose–chloramphenicol agar without SB. In conclusion, we documented the antifungal activity of SB on the most common agents of cutaneous fungal infection and onychomycosis, and we specified the effective concentrations for the different groups of pathogenic fungi. The mechanism of action of SB has yet to be explored.     

Synergistic Mixtures of Fungitoxic Monochloro and Dichloro-8-Quinolinols against Five Fungi

Fourteen mono- and dichloro-8-quinolinols were tested against five fungi (Aspergillus niger, A. oryzae, Myrothecium verrucaria, Trichoderma viride, and Mucor circinelloides) and compared with the fungitoxicity of 8-quinolinol in Yeast Nitrogen Base containing 1% D-glucose and 0.088% L-asparagine. All of the compounds were more fungitoxic than 8-quinolinol except for the surprising activity of 8-quinolinol against A. oryzae. Mixtures of the MICs of monochloro- and dichloro-8-quinolinols in which the halogens were in different positions of the quinoline ring showed synergism. Comparable mixtures in which one position of each compound was occupied by the same halogen showed additive activity. In a different study we showed that 3,5,6-, 3,5,7-, 4,5,7-, and 5,6,7-trichloro-8-quinolinols were not toxic to M. circinelloides, whereas the combinations of the correspondingly substituted mono- and dichloro-8-quinolinols as well as 3,6-dichloro- and 5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinols were inhibitory. This indicated that a steric factor can be involved in affecting fungitoxicity.     

A new approach of pellet formation of a filamentous fungus -Rhizopus oryzae

The effects of inoculum and medium composition (i.e. potato dextrose broth as carbon source, soybean peptone, calcium carbonate, and metal ions) on pellet formation of Rhizopus oryzae ATCC 20344 have been studied. Metal ions were found to have a significant negative effect on pellet formation while soybean peptone had a positive effect. In addition, potato dextrose broth and calcium carbonate were beneficial to R. oryzae for growing small, smooth pellets during the culture. The study also demonstrated that an inoculum size of less than 1.5x10(9)spores/L had no significant influence on pellet formation although it had large impacts on pellet growth. Thus, a new approach to form pellets has been developed using only potato dextrose broth, soybean peptone, and calcium carbonate allowing for pellet size to be controlled by adjusting inoculum size and the concentrations of potato dextrose broth, soybean peptone, and calcium carbonate in the medium.     

Fungal biotransformation of the antihistamine azatadine by Cunninghamella elegans.

The metabolism of the antihistamine azatadine by the zygomycete fungus Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 9245 was investigated. Within 72 h from the addition of the drug to 48-h-old cultures grown in Sabouraud dextrose broth, 95% of azatadine was biotransformed. Two major metabolites, 7-hydroxyazatadine (25%) and 8-hydroxyazatadine (50%), and two minor metabolites, N-desmethylazatadine and 9-hydroxyazatadine, were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by mass spectrometric and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses.     

New antifungal agents that inhibit the growth of Candida Species: Dichlorinated 8-quinolinols

Five dichlorinated 8-quinolinols (2,5- 5,6-, 3,5-, 3,7-, and 4,5-dichloro-8-quinolinol) were tested against Candida albicans and C. Tropicalis in Sabouraud dextrosebroth with and without bovine serum. The 5,6-, 3,5-, and 3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinols proved to be more effective than the control, 5-fluorocytosine. In cytotoxicity tests employing baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, all test agents proved to be more cytotoxic than the control. However, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3,5-dichloro-8-quinolinol to both fungi was only one tenth the cytotoxic dose,suggesting that the compound may be useful as a topical or systemic antifungal agent.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Susceptibility and features of the ultrastructure of Prototheca zopfii following exposure to copper sulphate,silver nitrate and chlorexidine

One of the most important forms of the occurrence of protothecosis is bovine mastitis. Studies on the "in vivo" and "in vitro" susceptibility to antimicrobials have shown that the microorganism is resistant to most of them. Looking for alternative treatments this study aimed to study the susceptibility to copper sulphate (which has an important algicide effect) and silver nitrate (used in dairy cattle breeding for the cauterization of mammary glands) and also to chlorexidine (an important post-dipping anti-septic used in dairy practice), and the effect of these antimicrobials in the ultrastructure of Prototheca zopfii before and after the exposure to these drugs. The "in vitro" susceptibility tests to chlorexidine, silver nitrate and copper sulphate of the strains of Prototheca zopfii for the determination of their minimal microbicidal concentrations (MMC), were performed using the tube dilution method in Sabouraud dextrose broth and evaluation of colony growth after plating in Sabouraud dextrose agar. The MMCs of chlorexidine, copper sulphate and silver nitrate of the 50 strains tested were 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively. The tubes containing the material used in the antimicrobial susceptibility tests were prepared for the examination in an electron microscope. The untreated controls of P. zopfii showed a similar ultrastructural appearance with the typical characteristics of the microorganism. Cells exposed to silver nitrate showed changes suggesting thickness of the cell wall. Cells exposed to chlorexidine showed changes suggesting degradation of intra-cellular organelles present in the cytoplasm. P. zopfii treated with copper sulphate showed changes suggesting fibrilation of inner layer of cell wall.     

蚜科专化菌努利虫疠霉菌种超低温储存

虫霉目真菌的活力对超低温储存较为敏感。储存法在大范围应用前,需对储存效果进行详细评估。将蚜科专化菌努利虫疠霉以初级分生孢子形式（2－3′105个孢子/mL）在-80℃超低温存储12个月。结果显示日常用于培养该真菌的含0.1%乳化芝麻油的萨氏培养基作为超低温保护基质能有效地储存努利虫疠霉孢子,比常见的冷冻保护剂如二甲亚砜和甘油的效果好。孢子悬液经解冻和培养后可获得最多的生物量,而且菌种保持了较高的生长速率。更重要的是,萨氏培养基的主要成分4%葡萄糖、1%蛋白胨和1%酵母粉在低温存储过程中发挥了协同作用,能保     

Sporulation of Bacillus stearothermophilus

A broth medium containing tryptone and manganese sulfate supported heavy sporulation of Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 (NCA 1518) and four isolates identified as B. stearothermophilus. Maximal spore yields were obtained by use of inocula grown anaerobically in a medium containing glucose with aeration of sporulation medium via bubbling. After an extended stationary period, sporulation occurred concurrently with vegetative growth between 6 and 8 hr of incubation at 60 C. Omission of glucose from the inoculum or use of a “young” (2 hr) inoculum abolished the stationary period, but decreased spore yields. A requirement of oxygen for rapid vegetative growth and sporulation was demonstrated. Manganese (15 to 30 ppm) stimulated sporulation but did not enhance cell growth.     

布洛芬对曲霉的体外抗真菌活性评价

目的观察布洛芬对曲霉临床分离株的体外抗真菌活性。方法分别用微量液基稀释法和纸片扩散法,测定布洛芬对10株烟曲霉、黄曲霉和土曲霉的抗菌活性。结果微量液基稀释法显示布洛芬对曲霉的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）范围为1000～2000μg/mL,最低杀菌浓度（MFC）范围为2000～8000μg/mL;纸片扩散法也显示布洛芬有体外抗曲霉活性：48h时,1000μg布洛芬对曲霉产生的抑菌圈直径为（20.1±3.89）mm。结论布洛芬有体外抗曲霉活性。     

Aerometric study of viable fungus spores in an animal care facility.

Studies of airborn fungi were undertaken to evaluate exposure risks for laboratory animals and human handlers which might lead to allergic or invasive disease. Although sporadically high fungus levels were encountered, counts of viable fungus particles were in general low. Recoveries on malt extract agar significantly exceeded those on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The taxa most frequently and abundantly recovered were Penicillium species. Data analyses suggest that 'clean' bedding material may be the principal source of these spores, that cleaning temporarily increases spore levels, and that outdoor airborne fungi contributed little to the indoor air spora identified. Aspergillus fumigatus was infrequently encounted in our samples, and dermatophytes were not recovered.     

Isolation of a novel promoter for efficient protein production in Aspergillus oryzae

A novel protein overexpression system of Aspergillus oryzae was constructed. Five promoters which originate from A. oryzae expressed sequence tag (EST) clones in submerged culture were obtained by genome walking. These were subjected to beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter assays. The promoter of manganese superoxide dismutase-encoding gene (sodM) showed the most GUS production. The sodM gene was abundantly expressed in submerged culture but little expressed in solid-state culture. The sodM promoter was approximately 3-fold induced by the addition of 0.01% H2O2. Glucoamylase production in A. oryzae using the sodM promoter led to secretion of approximately 1 g/l-broth in Czapek-Dox medium for 3 d. Fucose lectin production in A. oryzae using the sodM promoter led to overexpression as a specific and abundant intracellular protein.     

Comparison of coal solubilization by bacteria and fungi

Coal-solubilizing agents produced byTrametes versicolor, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Aspergillus sp., a bacterial consortium, and a bacterial isolate,Arthrobacter sp., from that consortium were compared in terms of pH dependence, thermostability, molecular mass, mechanism of action, and product diversity. The thermostability and low molecular weights exhibited by the coal-solubilizing agents indicated a non-enzymatic mechanism of action. Competition studies using cupric copper indicated that coal solubilization by these agents involved metal chelation. Results demonstrated that oxalate could account for some but not all of the coal solubilization observed forT.versicolor andP.chrysosporium. The very low levels of oxalate detected inAspergillus sp. and the bacterial cultures indicated that oxalate is not an important factor in coal solubilization by these microbes. When subjected to gel permeation chromatography, the soluble coal products generated by each microbial coal-solubilizing agent yielded unique molecular mass profiles suggesting substantial product diversity. Such diversity increases the possibility of identifying potentially valuable compounds and extending the commercial utilization of coal.Abbreviations A₄₅₀, A₂₆₀ absorbances respectively at 450 nm and 260 nm - CSA coal-solubilizing agent - CSU coal-solubilizing unit - GPC gel permeation chromatography - MEA malt extract agar - PDA potato dextrose agar - SDA Sabouraud dextrose agar - SDB Sabouraud dextrose broth - SEM standard error of the mean - Tris tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - TSA trypticase soy agar - TSB trypticase soy broth     

Antifungal activity of coumarins

The antifungal activity of 40 coumarins was tested against the fungal strains: Candida albicans (ATCC 14053), Aspergillus fumigatus (ATCC 16913) and Fusarium solani (ATCC 36031), using the broth microdilution method. Osthenol showed the most effective antifungal activity among all the compounds tested, with a MIC value of 125 microg/ml for Fusarium solani and 250 micro/ml for Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. The antifungal potential of this prenylated coumarin can be related to the presence of an alkyl group at C-8 position.     

In vitro susceptibilities of Candida and Aspergillus species to Melaleuca alternafolia (tea tree) oil

Candida species are an important cause of opportunistic infection in the oral cavity of immunocompromised patients, especially HIV infected patients. Melaleuca oil obtained commercially was investigated since it is known to have broad antifungal properties. The in-vitro susceptibilities of Aspergillus and susceptible and resistant Candida species were performed utilizing serial dilutions in microtiter plates with Sabouraud dextrose agar and the commercial preparation of Melaleuca. As a comparator, in vitro susceptibilities to amphotericin B and fluconazole were also determined using the broth microdilution technique. The results demonstrate that Melaleuca inhibited the Candida species. However, the growth of Aspergillus was not inhibited at the concentrations tested. Thus, preparations containing Melaleuca alternafolia may be a useful alternative for superficial candidal infections. In fact, it may be a useful alternative regimen for advanced HIV-positive patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to fluconazole. However, controlled clinical studies to evaluate its efficacy are still needed.     

Relationship between pKa of 8-quinolinol derivatives and a π-donor ability of the 8-quinolinolato oxygen in linear nitrosylruthenium(II) complexes

The relationship between the pK_a of 8-quinolinol derivatives {8-quinolinol (Hqn), 2-methyl- (H2-Meqn), 2,4-dimethyl- (H2,4-diMeqn), 5-chloro- (H5-Clqn) and 5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinols (H5,7-diClqn)} and a π-donor ability of the 8-quinolinolato oxygens has been investigated by the identification of the structures of the major products, [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO] (HQN=8-quinolinol derivative; HQN′=different 8-quinolinol derivatives), obtained by the reaction of [RuCl₃(QN or QN′)NO]⁻ with HQN′ or HQN. The results obtained clearly showed that the oxygen of the 8-quinolinol derivative that has a higher pK_a predominantly coordinates in the trans position to the NO ligand and is a better π-electron donor. The order of the π-electron donor ability for the oxygen of the 8-quinolinol derivatives is as follows: H2-Meqn≥H2,4-diMeqn>Hqn≥H5-Clqn>H5,7-diClqn, almost agreeing with the magnitude of the pK_a values of the corresponding 8-quinolinols. The structures of cis-1 [RuCl(5,7-diClqn)₂NO] and cis-1 [RuCl(5,7-diClqn)(2-Meqn)NO] were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Substituent effect of 8-quinolinolato ligands on photo-induced isomerization for linear nitrosylruthenium(II) complexes - Experimental study

cis-1 [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO] (HQN or HQN′ = 8-quinolinol, 5-chloro-, 5,7-dichloro-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2,4-dimethyl- or 2-methyl-8-quinolinol) complexes and the corresponding trans complexes were prepared. The cis-1 to trans and the trans to cis-1 photo-induced isomerizations were carried out to investigate the substituent effect of the 8-quinolinolato ligands on the isomerization and to elucidate the mechanism. The molar ratio of trans to cis-1 isomer for the isomerization was compared among [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO], [RuCl(QN′)₂NO] and [RuCl(QN)₂NO]. The results clearly indicate that the chloro group and bulkiness of the alkyl group in the 8-quinolinolato ligands influence on the isomerization.     

A non-specific aminopeptidase from Aspergillus

A fermentation broth supernatant of the Aspergillus oryzae strain ATCC20386 contains aminopeptidase activity that releases a wide variety of amino acids from natural peptides. The supernatant was fractionated by anion exchange chromatography. Based on the primary amino acid sequence data obtained from proteins in certain fractions, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were made and a PCR product was generated. This PCR product was used to screen an A. oryzae cDNA library from which the full length gene was then obtained. Fusarium venenatum and A. oryzae were used as hosts for gene expression. Transformed strains of both F. venenatum and A. oryzae over-expressed an active aminopeptidase (E.C. 3.4.11), named aminopeptidase II. The recombinant enzyme from both fungal hosts appeared as smears on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After deglycosylation of the N-linked sugars, both samples were a sharp band at approximately 56 kDa and had identical N-terminal amino acid sequences. Aminopeptidase II is a metalloenzyme with, presumably, Zn in the active site. Using various natural peptides and para-nitroanilides (pNAs) of amino acids as substrates, the aminopeptidase was found to be non-specific. Only X-Pro bonds demonstrated resistance to hydrolysis catalyzed by this aminopeptidase. The optimal enzyme activity was observed at pH 9.5 and 55 degrees C. Among amino acid pNAs, Leu-pNA appears to have the highest value of bimolecular constant of 40 min(-1) mM(-1) (k(cat) = 230 min(-1); K(m) = 5.8 mM) at pH 7.5 and 21 degrees C. Among Xaa-Ala-Pro-Tyr-Lys-amide pentapeptides, the velocity of catalytic hydrolysis at pH 7.5 and 21 degrees C was in a decreasing order: Pro, Ala, Leu, Gly and Glu.     

Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Deuteromycotina:Moniliales), a fungal pathogen of the mosquito Aedes australis

A laboratory fermenter was used to produce up to 12 l of infective Tolypocladium cylindrosporum blastoconidia in Sabouraud dextrose broth. Two media derived from coconuts were also demonstrated as suitable alternative systems for the production of viable blastoconidia. T. cylindrosporum conidia when dried at 37 degrees C and stored at 4 degrees C retained their viability for 10 months, but, when stored at 25 degrees C, the conidia lost viability after 2 months and blastoconidia did not survive the drying process. Distilled water suspensions were a simple, economic technique for the long-term storage of spores at both 4 and 25 degrees C. The adsorption of conidia onto silica gel crystals was a very suitable technique for the storage of stock culture material at 4 degrees C. The virulence, production and storage capabilities of both spore types were examined.