Systematic placement of the basidiomycetous yeastCystofilobasidium lari-marini comb. nov. as predicted by rRNA nucleotide sequence analysis

Based on similarities in basidial morphology and nucleotide sequences of the V3 variable region in the large sub-unit ribosomal RNA, the yeastLeucosporidium lari-marini is considered phylogenetically related to the genusCystofilobasidium. Therefore the new combinationCystofilobasidium lari-marini is proposed.     

Ligninolysis

Lignin, the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon on earth, consists in a highly irregular three dimensional biopolymer of oxygenated phenylpropanoid units. In natural environments, lignin is only degraded efficiently by some basidioamycetes that secrete an array of enzymes for this purpose. Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism of lignin breakdown have revealed several features that make this process highly unique from a biochemical standpoint. This article summarizes some of them.     

Anthraquinones from the Genus cortinarius

The anthraquinones 6-methylxanthopurpurin-3-methyl ether, xanthorin, and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-7-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (austrocortinin) have been isolated from fruit bodies of a red Australian toadstool belonging to the genus Cortinarius; austrocortinin is reported for the first time as a natural product.     

Kinetics of NO3(-) net fluxes in Pinus pinaster, Rhizopogon roseolus and their ectomycorrhizal association, as affected by the presence of NO3(-) and NH4+

The impact of mineral N supply, N-free or NO3(-) with or without NH4+, on the subsequent uptake of NO3(-) by maritime pine seedlings associated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon roseolus was studied using ion-selective microelectrodes. NO3(-) net fluxes into N-starved non-mycorrhizal short roots (NMSRs) were low and measurable only over the NO3(-) concentration range of 0-70 microM. The simple kinetics observed in those roots may reflect the dominant operation of a high-affinity NO3(-) transport system (HATS) which is constitutive. NO3(-) pretreatment increased the NO3(-) net fluxes and led to a complex kinetics that may reflect the operation of other HATS. A simple kinetics was observed in plants pre-incubated at high NH4+ concentration. In contrast, NO3(-) uptake kinetics presented only one saturation phase in the fungus, whether associated with the plant or not. NO3(-) uptake was greater after a pretreatment in N-free or NO3 (-) solution, but NH4+ pretreatment led to a threefold reduction in NO3 (-) uptake. These results suggest that the regulation of NO3(-) transport systems varies between the host and the fungal partner. This variation is likely to contribute to the positive effect of mycorrhizal association on N uptake in plants when the N supply is low and fluctuating.     

Decolorization of azo dyes using Basidiomycete strain PV 002

Summary Basidiomycete PV 002, a recently isolated white-rot strain from decomposed neem waste displayed high extracellular peroxidase and rapidly decolorized azo dyes. In this study, the optimal culture conditions for efficient production of ligninolytic enzymes were determined with respect to carbon and nitrogen. An additional objective was to determine the efficiency of PV 002 to degrade the azo dyes. White-rot strain PV 002 efficiently decolorized Ranocid Fast Blue (96%) and Acid Black 210 (70%) on day 5 and 9 respectively under static conditions. The degradation of azo dyes under different conditions was strongly correlated with the ligninolytic activity. The optimum growth temperature of strain PV 002 was 26 °C and pH 7.0.     

粗毛栓菌的形态学变异

白腐担子菌粗毛栓菌是一种木栖真菌,通常根据其子实体的形态学特征对其进行鉴定.在不同条件下培养,该菌将呈现出显著的形态变化:在振荡的营养液中,只能形成空心的菌丝体球;在静止的半丰富和贫营养液体培养基中,将分别产生花簇样和蜂巢样结构;在麦草粉和松木屑上,子实体呈圆面包状;在杨木条上,将长出类似于野生型的平伏状或叠瓦状子实体.本文还提出了真菌形态建成机制的新观点.     

Lytic β-1,3 Glucanase from Arthrobacter: Pattern of Action

The action pattern of lytic β-1,3 glucanase (glucanase I) from Arthrobacter which liberates predominantly laminaripentaose from various β-glucans has been studied. The enzyme was not active on short linear laminaridextrins, but was active on an enzymatically synthesized, linear β-1,3 oligoglucan preparation. Any intactness of the glucose residues of the chain ends of a substrate did not seem to be necessary for the action of the enzyme. The results of determination of laminaripentaose during a relatively early phase of the reaction suggested that about half of the reducing power liberated in the medium might be explained by the formation of the sugar. It seems that the formation of laminaripentaose relates to the initial attack of glucanase 1 on β-1,3 glucan chains.     

Removal of estrogenic activity from endocrine-disrupting chemicals by purified laccase of Phlebia tremellosa

A white-rot basidiomycete, Phlebia tremellosa, produced a laccase that showed increased activity during degradation of phthalates. A laccase was purified through the ion exchange chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis, and the estimated molecular weight was 75 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature of the purified laccase was pH 4.0 and 20 degrees C, respectively. The K(m) value of the enzyme was 55.7 microM, and the V(max) was 0.0541 OD min(-1) U(-1) for o-tolidine. Purified laccase reduced the estrogenic activity of four different endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, this effect was reduced by a laccase inhibitor, kojic acid, which confirmed that the laccase was involved in the removal of estrogenic activity.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the red‐listed wood‐decay fungus Phlebia centrifuga

Seven polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the wood‐decay basidiomycete Phlebia centrifuga. The primers were identified using two techniques, based on intersimple sequence repeats (ISSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), respectively. The markers were screened on 27 isolates from Europe and North America. Two markers varied only on a worldwide scale, but not within Europe. The other five showed variation on both scales. These markers will now be used to characterize populations of P. centrifuga, which is red‐listed as near‐threatened in its natural habitat due to human disturbance.