Proteomic analysis of phytopathogenic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis> as a potential tool for identifying pathogenicity factors,therapeutic targets and for basic research

Botrytis cinerea is a phytopathogenic fungus causing disease in a substantial number of economically important crops. In an attempt to identify putative fungal virulence factors, the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) protein profile from two B. cinerea strains differing in virulence and toxin production were compared. Protein extracts from fungal mycelium obtained by tissue homogenization were analyzed. The mycelial 2-DE protein profile revealed the existence of qualitative and quantitative differences between the analyzed strains. The lack of genomic data from B. cinerea required the use of peptide fragmentation data from MALDI-TOF/TOF and ESI ion trap for protein identification, resulting in the identification of 27 protein spots. A significant number of spots were identified as malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The different expression patterns revealed by some of the identified proteins could be ascribed to differences in virulence between strains. Our results indicate that proteomic analysis are becoming an important tool to be used as a starting point for identifying new pathogenicity factors, therapeutic targets and for basic research on this plant pathogen in the postgenomic era.     

Calcium spikes in a leech nonspiking neuron

The NS neurons are nonspiking cells, present as pairs in each midbody ganglion of the leech nervous system, which display a very extensive arborization. They were shown to regulate the coactivation of motoneurons. Here we have investigated the electrophysiological properties of these neurons under the hypothesis that transmission along the extensive neurites requires the aid of voltage-dependent conductances. The results indicate that NS neurons respond to electrical stimulation with a spike-like event, which was not an all-or-none but rather a graded phenomenon that depended on the intensity and duration of the electrical stimulus. The spike-like response was activated at a membrane potential of approximately −50 mV; its amplitude was a logarithmic function of the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and was unaffected by a broad range of changes in the extracellular Na⁺ concentration; intracellular application of tetraethylammonium (TEA) caused a large increase in its amplitude and duration. These data indicate that NS neurons bear voltage-dependent low-threshold Ca²⁺ and TEA-sensitive K⁺ conductances that could contribute to shaping synaptic signals, or transmission along the extensive neuritic tree.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bracon (Lucobracon) iskilipus</Emphasis> sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae) from the Central Black Sea region of Turkey

During the studies on the Turkish Braconidae, a new species Bracon (Lucobracon) iskilipus sp. n. from the Turkish Central Black Sea region was recorded. Bracon (Lucobracon) iskilipus sp. n. was described, its morphological diagnostic characters were illustrated and it was compared with the related Bracon (Lucobracon) moczari Papp.     

Development and characterization of new microsatellite markers for ginseng (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> C. A. Meyer)

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, commonly known as Korean or Asian ginseng, is a perennial herb native to Korea and China. Its roots are highly prized for several medicinal properties. The present study describes development and characterization of twenty-two polymorphic microsatellite markers for this species. A total of 99 alleles were detected with an average of 4.5 alleles per locus across 20 accessions. Values for observed (H _O ) and expected (H _E ) heterozygosities ranged from 0.05 to 1.00 and from 0.18 to 0.73, respectively. Eleven loci deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.001). Significant (P < 0.05) heterozygote deficiency was observed at 13 loci. Exact test for linkage disequilibrium showed significant values (P < 0.05) between 12 pairs of loci. These microsatellite markers provide powerful tools for understanding population and conservation genetics of this species and also for genetic differentiation and authentication of different Panax species being used in commercial ginseng products.     

The potential role of polyploidy and hybridisation in the further evolution of the highly invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fallopia</Emphasis> taxa in Europe

Japanese knotweed s.l. comprises Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, F. × bohemica and any F2s or backcrosses. The parental taxa were introduced from the East to the West as garden ornamentals in the nineteenth century, and soon spread beyond the confines of the garden to become widespread and persistent weeds. Since only female F. japonica var. japonica was introduced, its impressive spread has occurred solely by vegetative means. However, the initial lack of genetic variability has been complemented by an extensive series of hybridisations in the adventive range. We examine the history, spread, reproductive biology and ecological impact of these species in the West. The role and importance of polyploidy and hybridisation in their invasion of the West is discussed, as are the implications of these factors for the potential further evolution of the group.     

Bioconversion of starch processing waste to Phellinus linteus mycelium in solid-state cultivation

The objective of the experiment was to use starch processing waste as an alternative growth medium for cultivation of mycelia of the mushroom Phellinus linteus and to find an optimum condition under solid-state cultivation. Response surface analysis along with a central composite design was successfully applied to approximate the simultaneous effects of the substrate concentration (16-36 g l(-1)), pH (4.5-6.5), and temperature (25-35 degrees C) on the mycelial growth rate. In the model, pH and temperature significantly affected the mycelial growth but substrate concentration did not. The optimal substrate concentration, pH, and temperature for maximizing growth rate of P. linteus mycelia were found to be 16.5 g l(-1), pH 6.0, and 29.7 degrees C, respectively. Subsequent verification of these levels agreed with model predictions and the maximum mycelial growth rate at these conditions was 6.1 +/- 0.8 mm day(-1). Therefore, the results of the experiments suggest that starch processing waste could be utilized as a growth substrate for the cultivation of the mushroom mycelia of P. linteus, enhancing the usefulness of this byproduct of the starch manufacturing industry. This approach is likely to be useful for establishing similar parameters for the cultivation of other fungi.     

Assaying three new fungi against citrus mites in the laboratory,and a field trial

The Basidiomycotine fungi Meira geulakonigii, Meira argovae and Acaromyces ingoldii were assayed in the laboratory against five species of herbivorous mites: Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Eriophyidae), Panonychus citri, Eutetranychus orientalis, Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (all four Tetranychidae). All fungi caused significantly high mortality rates (as compared to controls) after 14 days, some after 1 week. Phyllocoptruta oleivora was the most susceptible, showing >80% mortality even after 1 week. In a field trial, grapefruits sprayed either once a month or once a season with M. geulakonigii had significantly fewer P. oleivora and less damage than unsprayed fruit. These results suggest that M. geulakonigii may protect grapefruits against the injurious P. oleivora.