Lithocarols A-F,six tenellone derivatives from the deep-sea derived fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508

Lithocarols A-F (1–6) possessing novel highly-oxygenated isobenzofuran core, together with a related known compound isoprenylisobenzofuran A (7) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508. Among them, lithocarols A-E (1–5) represent the first examples of poly-ketal derivatives in tenellone family. The structures for all these compounds were fully elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Their cytotoxic assay disclosed that compounds 1–4 displayed moderate growth inhibitory effect against four human tumor cell lines with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 10.5 to 38.7 μM.     

Studies of Aquatic Fungi. XIII. Mycoflora of the River Czarna Hańcza and its Tributary,the River Marycha

The authors investigated the mycoflora and the environmental factors in the River Czarna Hańcza (10 stations) and its tributary River Marycha (1 station) as well as Lakes Hańcza (2 stations) and Wigry (2 stations) on the occurrence of various aquatic fungi. At the stations investigated the presence of 45 aquatic fungi species was noted. The following fungi, up to now unknown in Poland, were found: Monoblepharis hypogyna, Rozellopsis inflata, Cladolegnia eccentrica, Apostemidium guernisaci, Anguillospora gigantea, Geniculospora grandis, Clavariopsis aquatica, Lemonniera aquatica and Lemonniera terrestris.     

Purification and characteristics of cytosolic chitinase from Piromyces communis OTS1

Abstract A chitinase was purified from the cytosolic fraction of the anaerobic rumen fungus Piromyces communis OTS1 by affinity chromatography using regenerated chitin, gel filtration and chromatofocusing. The chitinase was most active at pH 6.2 and at 60 °C in a 20-min assay. The molecular mass of the purified protein was estimated by SDS-PAGE to be 42 kDa and its pI was 4.9. The enzyme activity, which was of the 'endo' type, was inhibited by A⁺, Hg²⁺ and allosamidin. N -Acetyl- β -glucosaminidase and 'exo' type chitinase activity were absent from the purified preparation.     

Infection Process of Botrytis cinerea on Eucalypt Leaves

This study aimed to elucidate the infection process of Botrytis cinerea on eucalypt leaves. Tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of leaf side (adaxial or abaxial), leaf age and luminosity on conidial germination, appressorium formation and grey mould (GM) severity. The adaxial and abaxial surfaces of detached eucalypt leaves were inoculated with a conidial suspension of B. cinerea and kept under constant light or dark. Subsequently, the adaxial surface of young and old leaves was inoculated and kept in the dark. To evaluate the percentage of conidia germination and appressorium formation, leaf samples were collected 6 hours after inoculation (hai), clarified (alcohol and chloral hydrate) and evaluated under a light microscope. The severity of GM was assessed 10 days after inoculation. For scanning electron microscopy analysis, samples were collected from 2 to 168 hai. A higher percentage of conidia germination (92%) and GM severity (21%) occurred on the adaxial surfaces of leaves kept in the dark. There was no statistical difference between the surfaces of young and old leaves for conidia germination. No appressorium was formed by B. cinerea. The GM severity on young leaves (17.3%) was 34 times higher than on old leaves (0.5%). The micrographs showed germinating conidia emitting 1–4 germ tubes in samples at 4 hai. The fungus penetration occurred through intact leaf surfaces, and both extra‐ and intracellular colonization of the mesophyll cells by the hyphae of the pathogen were observed at 120 hai. Sporulation occurred on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces (macronematous conidiophores) and below the epidermis (micronematous conidiophores).     

Recent developments in the fungal transformation of steroids

Steroids constitute a vital part of the active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and intermediates used to produce medicines, and their application in chemical and agrochemical fields is also valued. The complex stereochemistry of steroids requires attention to regio- and stereoselectivity of the reaction during preparation, and therefore, biocatalytic methods are appropriate for their production. This work reviews the recent application of fungi for the transformation of different steroid substrates, new biotransformation techniques, recently characterized reactions, and practical aspects, covering the period from 1990 to 2014. The future prospects of fungal biotechnology and biotransformation in the biopharmaceutical industry are also considered.     

抗真菌肽对真菌作用机制研究进展

20 世纪 90 年代初, Iijima 等从麻蝇幼虫血淋巴分离出一种具有抗真菌活性、能抑制 C.albicans 生长的蛋白质 . 到目前为止,已发现 150 多种肽具有抗真菌的特性,随着被发现的抗真菌肽数目不断增多,人们对抗真菌肽的抗真菌机理也进行了大量的研究,抗真菌肽对真菌的作用方式主要有：阻止、破坏真菌细胞壁的合成;与膜作用,在质膜上形成孔洞,使重要的内容物外泄;与真菌细胞内线粒体、核酸大分子等重要细胞器相互作用;最终导致真菌的死亡 .     

Impacts of the invasive fungus Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust) on three Australian Myrtaceae species of coastal swamp woodland

Exotic fungal pathogens can substantially affect individuals and populations of susceptible native plant species, potentially resulting in changes in community structure and composition. Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust) is a pathogenic fungus native to South America that affects species in the plant family Myrtaceae. The pathogen was introduced accidentally to Australia and first detected in NSW in April 2010. Ecological impacts have been poorly studied in the native range of A. psidii and even less in its Australian introduced range. In order to assess the potential impact of A. psidii on coastal swamp woodland, two glasshouse experiments were conducted using three co‐occurring species: Melaleuca quinquenervia, Leptospermum laevigatum and Baeckea linifolia. Plants of each species were grown individually (Experiment 1) and in mixed species assemblages (Experiment 2), with half inoculated with A. psidii and the other half remaining as controls. Infection level was assessed and impact on seedling survival and growth recorded. In both experiments L. laevigatum and M. quinquenervia seedlings were heavily infected and showed high degrees of susceptibility with negative effects on growth (height, biomass and number of leaves). In contrast, no B. linifolia seedling presented visible symptoms of disease, although seedlings showed reduced growth. Melaleuca quinquenervia seedlings had greater infection levels and suffered greater growth reductions than L. laevigatum in both experiments. However, there was no significant difference in the relative abundance of the three species in the mixed‐species experiment. This study provides a better understanding of the potential impacts of A. psidii in this vegetation community and has significant implications for the conservation and management of Australian Myrtaceae‐dominated plant communities generally.     

茶园害虫匮乏期天敌与蚊虫的空间关系

为了充分发挥中性昆虫蚊虫作为天敌的食饵替代物作用,科学地保护和利用自然天敌,2015年和2016年开展了合肥地区白毫早茶园和乌牛早茶园害虫匮乏时期(3—5月)的天敌与蚊虫之间的空间关系研究,运用地学统计学方法求得天敌和蚊虫各自的变程,用灰色关联度方法分析蚊虫与天敌变程的关联度,关联度值越大的天敌在空间上对蚊虫的跟随关系越密切。并分析茶树品种间及年度间天敌位次的变化。8种天敌中,白毫早茶园2015年与蚊虫空间跟随关系密切的前四位天敌是粽管巢蛛、八斑球腹蛛、三突花蟹蛛和茶色新圆蛛;2016年的是粽管巢蛛、茶色新圆蛛、锥腹肖蛸和三突花蟹蛛;两年间前四位天敌有3种相同,但位次不全相同。乌牛早茶园2015年与蚊虫空间跟随关系密切的前四位天敌是八斑球腹蛛、茶色新圆蛛、锥腹肖蛸和三突花蟹蛛;2016年的是三突花蟹蛛、粽管巢蛛、草间小黑蛛和茶色新圆蛛;两年间前四位天敌中有茶色新圆蛛和三突花蟹蛛2种相同。年度间天敌位次相异率为87.5%,茶树品种间天敌位次相异率为93.75%。按照天敌位次总和及按照天敌与蚊虫空间关系密切指数总和评判,两种茶园2015年和2016年3—5月份与蚊虫空间关系密切的前四位天敌均依次是粽管巢蛛、三突花蟹蛛、茶色新圆蛛和八斑球腹蛛。本文的结果为人为地促进优势种天敌建群,合理保护和利用自然天敌提供科学依据。