Identification of a Huperzine A-producing endophytic fungus from Phlegmariurus taxifolius

Molecular Biology Reports - Highly prized huperzine A (Hup A), a natural alkaloid formerly isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Huperzia serrata, has been widely used for the treatment of...     

Development of a novel anti-biofilm peptide derived from profilin of Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract

Candida yeast infections are the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Peptides with antimicrobial activity are a promising alternative treatment for such infections. Here, the antifungal activity of a new antimicrobial peptide—PEP-IA18—was evaluated against Candida species. PEP-IA18 was designed from the primary sequence of profilin, a protein from Spodoptera frugiperda, and displayed potent activity against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5?µM. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of PEP-IA18 involved interaction with the cell membrane (ergosterol complexation). Treatment at MIC and/or 10?×?MIC significantly reduced biofilm formation and viability. PEP-IA18 showed low toxicity toward human fibroblasts and only revealed hemolytic activity at high concentrations. Thus, PEP-IA18 exhibited antifungal and anti-biofilm properties with potential applicability in the treatment of infections caused by Candida species.     

Water deficit tolerance in sugarcane is dependent on the accumulation of sugar in the leaf

Sugarcane productivity is severely affected by the occurrence of water deficit in the field, causing inhibition of growth and sugar production. Evaluating physiological responses of sugarcane under water deficit conditions is essential to understand physiological variables responsible for reaching homeostasis. Therefore, we analysed physiological traits of two sugarcane genotypes, RB835486 (Tolerant) and RB855453 (Susceptible), under water deficit conditions: well-watered (WW-Control), water deficit (WD) and rewatered (RW). The physiological response was evaluated using linear regression and multivariate analysis. Some characteristics such as water potential in leaves, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll index, sucrose and starch contents did not show differences between the genotypes under water deficit conditions. However, the tolerant genotype showed increased reducing sugars content in the leaves, whereas the susceptible genotype had increased non-photochemical quenching (qN). After rewatering, the susceptible sugarcane genotype showed higher electron transport rate (ETR) and efficiency of PSII (Y). Multivariate analysis revealed that non-photochemical quenching and reducing sugars in the leaves were physiological variables responsible for reaching homestasis under water deficit conditions. Therefore, the reducing sugars concentration should be considered a physiological variable responsible for the adjustment made by the tolerant sugarcane genotype when submitted to water deficit.     

A highly sensitive molecular structural probe applied to in situ biosensing of metabolites using PEDOT:PSS

A large amount of research within organic biosensors is dominated by organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) that use conducting polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Despite the recent advances in OECT-based biosensors, the sensing is solely reliant on the amperometric detection of the bioanalytes. This is typically accompanied by large undesirable parasitic electrical signals from the electroactive components in the electrolyte. Herein, we present the use of in situ resonance Raman spectroscopy to probe subtle molecular structural changes of PEDOT:PSS associated with its doping level. We demonstrate how such doping level changes of PEDOT:PSS can be used, for the first time, on operational OECTs for sensitive and selective metabolite sensing while simultaneously performing amperometric detection of the analyte. We test the sensitivity by molecularly sensing a lowest glucose concentration of 0.02 mM in phosphate-buffered saline solution. By changing the electrolyte to cell culture media, the selectivity of in situ resonance Raman spectroscopy is emphasized as it remains unaffected by other electroactive components in the electrolyte. The application of this molecular structural probe highlights the importance of developing biosensing probes that benefit from high sensitivity of the material's structural and electrical properties while being complimentary with the electronic methods of detection.     

Agouti reintroduction recovers seed dispersal of a large-seeded tropical tree

The aim of animal reintroductions has mainly been species recovery; only few reintroduction initiatives focus on ecosystem restoration. Therefore, reintroduction consequences on ecological interactions are seldom assessed. We used the interaction between a reintroduced population of agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) and a vulnerable tropical endemic tree (Joannesia princeps) to examine reintroduction effects on seed dispersal and seedling establishment. To test the outcomes of this interaction, we tracked seeds of J. princeps in two adjacent forest areas with and without reintroduced agoutis. We also assessed if dispersal distances affected seedling survival. To determine seed fate and dispersal distance, we used spool-and-line tracking, together with camera traps to identify dispersers. Agoutis were the only species removing J. princeps seeds, thus dispersal only occurred where agoutis had been reintroduced; in the area without agoutis, all seeds remained intact on the soil, even one year after the experiment's beginning. At the reintroduction area, most seeds were preyed upon by agoutis but 7% remained dispersed and 2% germinated after ten months. Only seeds buried by agoutis were able to germinate. Most dispersed seeds were dispersed 15 m or farther and longer dispersal distances benefited J. princeps, since seedlings farther from a conspecific adult tree had greater survival probability. Agoutis were also seen burying seeds of two other plant species; these mammals have the potential to benefit dozens of large-seeded species in our study system. Agouti reintroduction thus exemplifies the value of trophic rewilding programs to re-establish ecological interactions and restore ecosystem functioning.