Abnormal form of Aspergillus terreus isolated from mycotic abscesses

A remarkable outer cell-wall thickening (up to 1.5 m) was observed on septate hyphae obtained from pus collected from multiple abscesses of a 25-year-old female patient. Ultrastructural examination of the hyphae showed a thick electron dense layer of microfibrillar material surrounding the electron transparent cell wall. The organism was able to grow only on hypertonic media upon initial isolation but on later subculture it grew on normal isotonic media. The thick microfibrillar material diminished progressively upon subculture but could be demonstrated in 7 day secondary cultures in isotonic liquid medium. There, microfibrillar bridges appeared to bind hyphae together. The observations suggested that this microfibrillar material was a true extracellular component. The immunological status of the patient was not examined, but her 10 year history of multiple mycotic abscesses and dermatophytoses suggested some abnormalities.     

Genetic and Physiological Characteristics of a Slow-Growing Circadian Clock Mutant of NEUROSPORA CRASSA

A circadian clock mutant of Neurospora crassa with a period length of about 25.8 hours (4 hr longer than wild type) has been isolated after mutagenesis of the band strain. This mutant, called frq-5, segregates as a single nuclear gene, maps near the centromere on linkage group III, and is unlinked to four previously described clock mutants clustered on linkage group VII R (Feldman and Hoyle 1973, 1976). frq-5 differs from the other clock mutants in at least two other respects: (1) it is recessive in heterokaryons, and (2) it grows at about 60% the rate of the parent band strain on both minimal and complete media. Double mutants between frq-5 and each of the other clock mutants show additivity of period length--two long period mutants produce a double mutant whose period length is longer than either of the two single mutants, while a long and a short period double mutant has an intermediate period length. Although slow growth and long periodicity of frq-5 have segregated together among more than 300 progeny, slow growth per se is not responsible for the long period, since all the double mutants have the slow growth characteristic of frq-5, but have period lengths both shorter and longer than wild type.     

Characterization of a shiitake mutant strain producing ballshaped fruiting bodies

Growth characteristics of a spontaneous mutant of shiitake Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler were studied. The mutant was first detected as a result of changes in the growth habit of the normal strain in the liquid medium. Abundant formation of aerial hyphae was distinctive. In sawdust logs the mutant strain produced abnormal basidiocarps, lacking stipe, gill and spore formation.
Growth rates of the normal and the mutant strain were compared in two liquid media: malt-yeast extract and Leatham's medium. The increase in dry weight of the mutant's mycelium was much higher than that of the wild type in both media, which indicated better adaptation to liquid culture. In the sawdust, however, growth of the mutant was slower than that of the normal strain. The mutant's intracellular protein content was lower than that of the normal strain. The pH of the liquid cultures differed: the wild type decreased the pH during growth, while the mutant increased the pH. Comparison of the protein and esterase isoenzyme profiles of the vegetative hyphae of both strains indicated profound differences. One protein (pI 6.5, 39 kDa), which in earlier studies has been found to be typical of L. edodes species, was absent from the mutant's profile. Differences in the esterase profile were also clear.     

Impact of the lectin chaperone calnexin on the stress response, virulence and proteolytic secretome of the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

Calnexin is a membrane-bound lectin chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is part of a quality control system that promotes the accurate folding of glycoproteins entering the secretory pathway. We have previously shown that ER homeostasis is important for virulence of the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, but the contribution of calnexin has not been explored. Here, we determined the extent to which A. fumigatus relies on calnexin for growth under conditions of environmental stress and for virulence. The calnexin gene, clxA, was deleted from A. fumigatus and complemented by reconstitution with the wild type gene. Loss of clxA altered the proteolytic secretome of the fungus, but had no impact on growth rates in either minimal or complex media at 37°C. However, the ΔclxA mutant was growth impaired at temperatures above 42°C and was hypersensitive to acute ER stress caused by the reducing agent dithiothreitol. In contrast to wild type A. fumigatus, ΔclxA hyphae were unable to grow when transferred to starvation medium. In addition, depleting the medium of cations by chelation prevented ΔclxA from sustaining polarized hyphal growth, resulting in blunted hyphae with irregular morphology. Despite these abnormal stress responses, the ΔclxA mutant remained virulent in two immunologically distinct models of invasive aspergillosis. These findings demonstrate that calnexin functions are needed for growth under conditions of thermal, ER and nutrient stress, but are dispensable for surviving the stresses encountered in the host environment.     

Thermophilic mutants of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Summary A series of heat tolerant mutants of Pseudomonas fluorescens were obtained which can grow at temperatures up to 54°C, in contrast to a maximum growth temperature of 37°C for the wild type. The minimum temperatures allowing growth of the mutant strains increased to the same extent as their maximum temperatures. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns suggested the mutants had altered ribosomes, but the purified mutant ribosomes showed no significant increase in thermostability. The virulence of the wild and mutant strains for mice correlated with their relative abilities to grow at the mouse body temperature of approximately 37°C.     

Glucose transport-deficient mutant of Neurospora crassa with an unusual rhythmic growth pattern.

A new mutant of Neurospora crassa has been isolated from the patch strain. The phenotype of the new mutant includes the periodic production of sparse and dense aerial hyphae and the inability to utilize carbohydrates. The biochemical lesion was identified as a deficiency in the low-affinity glucose transport system. The high-affinity transport system appeared normal. External conditions such as medium composition, temperature change, and light-dark cycles affected the rhythm of hyphal production to a different extent in the mutant from that in the parental strain. The lesion in the mutant was mapped on the far left arm of linkage group IV.     

Gene dosage effects in polyploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing gua-1 wild-type and mutant alleles.

Triploid and tetraploid Saccharomyces strains containing different combinations of a gua-1 mutant allele and the corresponding wild type were prepared. The cultivation of the different strains in media upon which the mutant fails to grow leads to a pronounced growth rate response to the dosage of the wild-type allele. Proportionality between the specific activity of the guanosine 5'-monophosphate synthetase and the wild-type dosage was reavealed. Inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase, the precursor enzyme in the pathway, is derepressed in a sigmoid manner when the wild-type dosage is reduced, whereas the activity of cytosine deaminase, investigated as a reference enzyme, is less affected.     

A method for introduction of unmarked mutations in the genome of Paracoccus denitrificans: construction of strains with multiple mutations in the genes encoding periplasmic cytochromes c550, c551i, and c553i.

A new suicide vector, pRVS1, was constructed to facilitate the site-directed introduction of unmarked mutations in the chromosome of Paracoccus denitrificans. The vector was derived from suicide vector pGRPd1, which was equipped with the lacZ gene encoding beta-galactosidase. The reporter gene was found to be a successful screening marker for the discrimination between plasmid integrant strains and mutant strains which had lost the plasmid after homologous recombination. Suicide vectors pGRPd1 and pRVS1 were used in gene replacement techniques for the construction of mutant strains with multiple mutations in the cycA, moxG, and cycB genes encoding the periplasmic cytochromes c550, c551i, and c553i, respectively. Southern analyses of the DNA and protein analyses of the resultant single, double, and triple mutant strains confirmed the correctness of the mutations. The wild type and mutant strains were all able to grow on succinate and choline chloride. In addition, all strains grew on methylamine and displayed wild-type levels of methylamine dehydrogenase activities. cycA mutant strains, however, showed a decreased maximum specific growth rate on the methylamine substrate. The wild-type strain, cycA and cycB mutant strains, and the cycA cycB double mutant strain were able to grow on methanol and showed wild-type levels of methanol dehydrogenase activities. moxG mutant strains failed to grow on methanol and had low levels of methanol dehydrogenase activities. The maximum specific growth rate of the cycA mutant strain on methanol was comparable with that of the wild-type strain. The data indicate the involvement of the soluble cytochromes c in clearly defined electron transport routes.     

在哈尔滨地区使用液体菌种栽培红平菇技术初探

从福建三明真菌研究所(福建省三明市375000)购入红平菇优良菌株,在哈尔滨地区对其进行了用液体菌种代替固体原料的栽培技术研究。包括一级种培养基的筛选、液体菌种培养基的筛选、栽培种制作与培养以及出菇管理技术。结果表明:对于一级种,红平菇在PDA和马铃薯半组合培养基上都生长良好,菌丝洁白、粗壮、浓密,7～8d长满斜面;红平菇在玉米粉葡萄糖蛋白胨和麦麸葡萄糖蛋白胨液体培养基上生长较好,7d时菌丝长满培养液,菌丝量较多;用与平菇相似的常规方法制作栽培种、养菌处理与出菇管理,红平菇的产量达100%～150%。由于采用了液体菌种的栽培模式,从制种到采收的整个过程共需要50～60d,比二级种为固体菌种的常规方法缩短26～31d,大大地缩短了生产周期,提高了经济效益。     

粉被虫草无性型单孢子株间和单孢子株内的营养亲和性

在含5％氨酸钾的KMM和KPS培养基上,粉被虫草无性型以3种途径产生不利用硝酸盐的突变株（nit突变株）。（1）由菌落基质菌丝形成的快速生长气生菌丝角变;（2）菌落表面快速生长的气生菌丝;（3）菌落基质菌丝缓慢生长形成的基质菌丝角变。来自18个单孢子株的94个nit突变株中,64.8％的突变株是稳定的。配对试验结果表明:在全部19个配对中,单孢子株内配对率为57.9％,单孢子株间配对率为42.1％。在全部nit突变株中,Cp-14c3突变株与其它突变株间的配对率最高（18.2％）。单孢子株间配对率高的孢子株是Cp-14Cp-7,Cp-5和Cp-6,将来自Cp-14同一单孢子株的Cpe-14C3分别与Cp-14cl和Cp-14c4nit突变株配对后发现,它们形成的浓密生长配接线的颜色是不相同的,前者橙色,后者白色。统计结果发现,所试全部的单泡子株可分成11个营养亲和群（VCGs）,那些含有易与其它菌株配对的nit突变株的单孢子株,如Cp-1,Cg-4,Cp-5,Cp-6,Cp-7,Cp-13,和Cp-14等皆在同一营养亲和群内。用Hochest33258荧光染色观察发现,野生型菌株的菌丝和分生孢子单核,nit突变株的少量分生孢子中可见双核,互补配对形成的浓密菌丝丛中的分生孢子则常见双核。     

Dimorphic and yeast-like mutants of the genusCephalosporium Cda

A series of mutants, in which the mycelial type of growth gradually changes to the dimorphic and permanent yeast-like forms, were isolated from cultures ofCephalosporium sp. subjected to UV radiation. The intermediate stage between the mycelial and dimorphic strains (mutants 2/29 and 2/R) is characterized by the absence of aerial hyphae, ability to form conidiophores inside agar and by polymorphism of conidia. The Y-M transformation of two dimorphic mutants obtained from the 2/R mutant depends on temperature. Another mutant isolated from the 2/29 strain was found to form the mycelial phase only when osmolarity of the medium increased. At 22°C the transformation of all three dimorphic strains was influenced by the carbon source: the Y phase predominated in glucose-containing media, the M phase predominated in media with amino acids or citrate serving as carbon sources. Another mutant (2/7R) was found to grow permanently in the Y phase and was not influenced by temperature, osmolarity of the medium and by the carbon source. It is assumed that the dimorphism of the mutants is caused by a conformational mutation inhibiting the apical growth. This mutation can be phenotypically reversed by some factors of the environment.     

Gene transfer agents,bacteriophages, and bacteriocins of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata

Thirty-three wild type strains of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata were examined for ability to engage in genetic recombination through mediation by “gene transfer agent” (GTA) particles. The genetic exchange assays were based on capacity of strains to produce or receive GTA required for restoration of photosynthetic growth competence to a non-photosynthetic “white” mutant or for acquisition of resistance to rifampicin. A majority of the strains could either produce or receive GTA, and it was demonstrated that the agent is species specific. Possible relations between GTA and bacteriophages or bacteriocins were investigated. Sixteen types of virulent phages active on Rps. capsulata were isolated and their host ranges determined. Tests for transduction by the phages gave uniformly negative results. The viruses showed strict species specificity, but there was no apparent correlation between capacity of the Rps. capsulata strains to donate or receive GTA and susceptibility to the phages. A comparable survey disclosed that most of the bacterial strains were sensitive to or capable of producing bacteriocins; the latter also appear to be unrelated to GTA activity. The collection of bacterial strains was also screened for detection of lysogenic properties. None of the isolates is a “true” lysogen, but phages were detected in cultures of two strains, which may be “phage carriers” or pseudolysogens.     

脱落酸产生菌的遗传育种

从南京蔬菜研究所植物致病株中分离到3株脱落酸（ABA）产量较高菌株,经初步鉴定均为灰葡萄孢（BolrytiscinereaPers．）。分别命名为A23,A101,A160通过紫外诱变及菌株生长状况比较,选出一株菌A101作为出发菌,经紫外,硫酸二乙酯多次诱变,在ANA合成代谢关键酶抑制剂平板上定向选育出一株ANA高产菌UUD－1,该菌固体发酵可产生ABA374μg／ml,是出发菌株产量的14倍,且其产量连续培养5代稳定。     

Microtubule dynamics and the role of molecular motors in Neurospora crassa

Live-cell imaging methods were used to study microtubule dynamics in the apical regions of leading hyphae and germ tubes of Neurospora crassa expressing beta-tubulin-GFP. Microtubule polymerization rates in hyphae of N. crassa were much faster than those previously reported in any other eukaryotic organism. In order to address the roles of motor proteins in microtubule dynamic instability in N. crassa, the microtubule-motor mutant strains, Deltankin and ro-1, were examined. Polymerization and depolymerization rates in leading hyphae of these strains were reduced by one half relative to the wild type. Furthermore, microtubules in germ tubes of wild type and microtubule-motor mutants exhibited similar dynamic characteristics as those in hyphae of mutant strains. Small microtubule fragments exhibiting anterograde and retrograde motility were present in leading hyphae of all strains and germ tubes of wild-type strains. Our data suggest that microtubule motors play important roles in regulating microtubule dynamic instability in leading hyphae but not in germ tubes.     

Microtubule dynamics and the role of molecular motors in Neurospora crassa.

Live-cell imaging methods were used to study microtubule dynamics in the apical regions of leading hyphae and germ tubes of Neurospora crassa expressing beta-tubulin-GFP. Microtubule polymerization rates in hyphae of N. crassa were much faster than those previously reported in any other eukaryotic organism. In order to address the roles of motor proteins in microtubule dynamic instability in N. crassa, the microtubule-motor mutant strains, Deltankin and ro-1, were examined. Polymerization and depolymerization rates in leading hyphae of these strains were reduced by one half relative to the wild type. Furthermore, microtubules in germ tubes of wild type and microtubule-motor mutants exhibited similar dynamic characteristics as those in hyphae of mutant strains. Small microtubule fragments exhibiting anterograde and retrograde motility were present in leading hyphae of all strains and germ tubes of wild-type strains. Our data suggest that microtubule motors play important roles in regulating microtubule dynamic instability in leading hyphae but not in germ tubes.     

Synaptonemal complex and a new type of nuclear polycomplex in three higher plants: Paeonia tenuifolia,Paeonia delavayi,and Tradescantia paludosa

Synaptonemal complex (SC) formation was followed in three species of higher plants: Paeonia tenuifolia, P. delavayi, and Tradescantia paludosa. A desynaptic mutant of the latter species was compared to the wild type. Thickenings of lateral elements and “recombination nodules” were a regular feature of all pachytene SCs. Two types of polycomplexes can be formed in the same species. In diplotene cells of wild-type Tradescantia, polycomplexes of a paracrystalline nature were found in the cytoplasm whereas dense cores were formed in the nuclei. In the desynaptic mutant and in the two Paeonia species, a new type of nuclear polycomplex was observed consisting of the same dense core as seen in the wild type but with a piece of unmodified SC wrapped around it. The number, size, and structure of these “helicoidal polycomplexes” were similar in all nuclei. Their number was equal to the haploid chromosome number of the species: 5 in Paeonia and 6 in Tradescantia.     

Formation of aerial hyphae and conidia under orthophosphate-limited conditions inNeurospora crassa: Role of repressible cyclic phosphodiesterase

A wild type strain ofNeurospora crassa produced aerial hyphae and luxuriant conidia in standing culture in low phosphate liquid media.nuc-1 andnuc-2, which have no ability to derepress repressible cyclic phosphodiesterase (cPDase) (3′; 5′-cyclic AMP 5′-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17) and several other repressible enzymes, did not form them. Heterocaryon between them restored the abilities not only to produce aerial hyphae and conidia but also to produce cPDase. Revertants fromnuc-1 and a mutant in alkaline phosphatase,pho-2, produced aerial hyphae and conidia in low phosphate condition, whereas a mutant in cPDase,pho-3, produced only a limited amount of them. In media containing low levels of 2′, 3′-cAMP, the wild type, the revertants fromnuc-1, pho-2 andpho-3 produced aerial hyphae and conidia in abundance, whereas in media containing 3′, 5′-cAMP these strains produced no or only limited amounts of them. In low phosphate medianuc-1, nuc-2 andpho-3 showed higher levels of 3′, 5′-cAMP as compared with those strains which have the ability to derepress cPDase. The cPDase activities in crude mycelial extracts fromnuc-1 andpho-3 grown in low phosphate media were 5.6 and 17.5% of that ofpho-2 when assayed for 3′,5′-cAMP at an intracellular level of 2 μM.     

“SORBOSE TOXICITY” IN NEUROSPORA

Brockman, II. E., and F. J. de Serres. (Oak Ridge Natl. Lab., Oak Ridge, Tenn.) “Sorbose toxicity” in Neurospora . Amer. Jour. Bot. 50(7): 709–714. Illus. 1963.—The effect of “sorbose toxicity” on Neurospora conidia or ascospores was compared in sorbose-fructose-glucose (S-F-G) and sorbose-sucrose (S-S) media. Many frequently encountered and difficultly controlled experimental variables may strongly affect viability in S-S media but are essentially without effect in S-F-G media. The viabilities of different mutant strains are affected to varying extents by autoclave exposure time of the S-S media but not of the S-F-G media. Ascospores are more sensitive than conidia to “sorbose kill” in S-S media. An over plating method described by New meyer (1954) for increasing ascospore “viability” is without effect when sucrose is replaced with fructose and glucose. In all experiments in which sorbose was added to induce colonial growth, “sorbose toxicity” or “sorbose kill” was eliminated or minimized by replacing sucrose with a mixture of fructose and glucose as the carbon source for Neurospora media.     

Generation of an evolved <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> strain with a high freeze tolerance and an improved ability to grow on glycerol

Glycerol is a residue generated during biodiesel production and represents around 10% of the total product output. Biodiesel production is currently having a significant impact on glycerol price, leading to an increased interest in the use of glycerol as a cheap substrate for fermentation processes. We have analysed the growth kinetics of two wild-type strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on synthetic media containing glycerol as the sole carbon and energy source. Both strains were initially unable to grow when cultivated under these conditions, and an unusually long lag phase was necessary prior to the appearance of slow-growing cells. Following the application of an "evolutionary engineering" approach, we obtained S. cerevisiae strains with an improved ability to grow on glycerol. We report here the isolation of an evolved strain that exhibits a reduction of the lag phase, a threefold increase of the specific growth rate and a higher glycerol consumption rate compared to wild-type strains. The evolved strain has retained its fermentative activity, producing ethanol at the same rate and yield as the wild type. Interestingly, the yeast biomass obtained by cultivating the evolved strain on synthetic glycerol-based media also showed a high viability after prolonged storage at -20°C. The strategy adopted in our study could be easily applied to obtain S. cerevisiae strains with new industrially relevant traits, such as an improved ability to use cheap substrates and high resistance to freeze and thaw procedures.     

Deletion of the dynein heavy-chain gene DYN1 leads to aberrant nuclear positioning and defective hyphal development in Candida albicans

Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule-associated minus-end-directed motor protein. CaDYN1 encodes the single dynein heavy-chain gene of Candida albicans. The open reading frames of both alleles of CaDYN1 were completely deleted via a PCR-based approach. Cadyn1 mutants are viable but grow more slowly than the wild type. In vivo time-lapse microscopy was used to compare growth of wild-type (SC5314) and dyn1 mutant strains during yeast growth and after hyphal induction. During yeast-like growth, Cadyn1 strains formed chains of cells. Chromosomal TUB1-GFP and HHF1-GFP alleles were used both in wild-type and mutant strains to monitor the orientation of mitotic spindles and nuclear positioning in C. albicans. In vivo fluorescence time-lapse analyses with HHF1-GFP over several generations indicated defects in dyn1 cells in the realignment of spindles with the mother-daughter axis of yeast cells compared to that of the wild type. Mitosis in the dyn1 mutant, in contrast to that of wild-type yeast cells, was very frequently completed in the mother cells. Nevertheless, daughter nuclei were faithfully transported into the daughter cells, resulting in only a small number of multinucleate cells. Cadyn1 mutant strains responded to hypha-inducing media containing l-proline or serum with initial germ tube formation. Elongation of the hyphal tubes eventually came to a halt, and these tubes showed a defect in the tipward localization of nuclei. Using a heterozygous DYN1/dyn1 strain in which the remaining copy was controlled by the regulatable MAL2 promoter, we could switch between wild-type and mutant phenotypes depending on the carbon source, indicating that the observed mutant phenotypes were solely due to deletion of DYN1.