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Petrucco CA, Crocker AW, D’Alessandro A, Medina EM, Gorman O, McNeill J, Gladfelter AS, Lew DJ. Tools for live-cell imaging of cytoskeletal and nuclear behavior in the unconventional yeast, Aureobasidium pullulans. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:br10. [PMID: 38446617 PMCID: PMC11064661 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-10-0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Aureobasidium pullulans is a ubiquitous fungus with a wide variety of morphologies and growth modes including "typical" single-budding yeast, and interestingly, larger multinucleate yeast than can make multiple buds in a single cell cycle. The study of A. pullulans promises to uncover novel cell biology, but currently tools are lacking to achieve this goal. Here, we describe initial components of a cell biology toolkit for A. pullulans, which is used to express and image fluorescent probes for nuclei as well as components of the cytoskeleton. These tools allowed live-cell imaging of the multinucleate and multibudding cycles, revealing highly synchronous mitoses in multinucleate yeast that occur in a semiopen manner with an intact but permeable nuclear envelope. These findings open the door to using this ubiquitous polyextremotolerant fungus as a model for evolutionary cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A. Petrucco
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Alex W. Crocker
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Alec D’Alessandro
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Edgar M. Medina
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Olivia Gorman
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Jessica McNeill
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | | | - Daniel J. Lew
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
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Dittrich M, Paulo C, Knabe N, Sturm H, Zaitsev V, Gorbushina AA. Microscopic Raman study of fungal pigment using the genetically amenable rock inhabitant Knufia petricola as a model organism. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 303:123250. [PMID: 37625274 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pigments such as melanin and carotenoids are distinctive markers of animal and plant pathogenic fungi as well as their environmental relatives. These complex pigments play important roles in pathogenicity and stress tolerance while also being useful as biomarkers. Accordingly, it is important to be able to identify in situ the pigments in black fungi, a group of clinical and environmental importance. In this study, wild-type and genetically modified strains of Knufia petricola A95 and wild fungal cells attached to ancient rock were investigated for their spectroscopic and microscopic Raman features and morphological appearance. Knockout mutants of melanin synthesis genes pks1 (polyketide synthase), sdh1 (scytalone dehydratase), and both pks1 and the carotenoid synthesis gene phd1 (phytoene desaturase) were studied We applied two different Raman microscopes using two lasers, with 633 nm and 488 nm wavelengths. We analyzed and compared Raman spectra between the measured reference substances and the mutant and wild-type strains. In the wild strain WT:A95, the peaks close to melanin peals were found at 1353 cm-1 and 1611 cm-1. There are no characteristic melanin peaks at 1580-1600 cm-1 and around 1350 cm-1 at the spectrum of the Δpks1/Δphd1 mutant and the Δsdh1 mutant. The Δpks1 mutant spectrum has the peaks at the beta-carotene v2 C-C in-plane stretch at 1155 cm-1 and v3 C-CH3 deformation at 1005 cm-1. The peaks of carotenoids and melanin were found in all mutants and the wild strain, except the Δpks1/Δphd1 mutant. Raman spectra allow for discrimination between the various pigments. Hence, interactions between natural fungal melanin, as well as other protective pigments, and complex environmental matrices can be characterized on a range of spatial and temporal scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dittrich
- University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
| | - Carlos Paulo
- University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Nicole Knabe
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinz Sturm
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vladimir Zaitsev
- Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory, 1-2, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Gorbushina
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstrasse 74-100, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Smith DFQ, Bencomo A, Faiez TS, Casadevall A. Thermal and pigment characterization of environmental fungi in the urban heat island of Baltimore City. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.10.566554. [PMID: 37986923 PMCID: PMC10659420 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.10.566554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
One of the major barriers of fungal infections of mammals is the inability to grow and/or survive at mammalian body temperature, typically around 37°C. This has provided mammals an advantage over fungi. However, environmental fungi may soon adapt to persist at higher temperatures, consistent with mammalian body temperature, due to thermal selection pressures imposed by climate change, global warming, and increased frequency of extreme heat events. Consequently, there is a need for more updated information about the thermal tolerance range of fungi near humans, such as in urban areas. The heat island effect suggests that cities are up to 8°C warmer than their suburban counterparts because of increased heat production, asphalt coatings and reduced greenspace among other factors, and it is more common in lower income and marginalized urban communities. Thus, urban centers are at increased risk for the emergence of heat tolerant fungi. In this study, we developed a methodology to collect and archive fungal isolates from sidewalk and soil samples in both warmer and cooler neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. We demonstrate a novel methodology for fungal sample collection from sidewalks, employing the use of standardized and commercially available taffy. Analysis of fungal isolates collected from warmer neighborhoods revealed greater thermal tolerance and lower pigmentation, suggesting local adaptation to heat. Lower pigmentation in hotter areas is consistent with the notion that fungi use pigmentation to help regulate their temperature. Further, we identified the robust presence of the polyextremotolerant fungus Aureobasidium pullalans from the warmest neighborhood in Baltimore, further showing that the extreme conditions of cities can drive proliferation of extremotolerant fungi. This study develops new techniques for environmental fungal collection and provides insight on the fungal census in an urban setting that can inform future work to study how urban environments may drive stress/thermotolerance in fungi, which could alter fungal interactions with humans and impact human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Q. Smith
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Alexa Bencomo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Krieger School of Arts & Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tasnim Syakirah Faiez
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Abstract
Hypersaline waters and glacial ice are inhospitable environments that have low water activity and high concentrations of osmolytes. They are inhabited by diverse microbial communities, of which extremotolerant and extremophilic fungi are essential components. Some fungi are specialized in only one of these two environments and can thrive in conditions that are lethal to most other life-forms. Others are generalists, highly adaptable species that occur in both environments and tolerate a wide range of extremes. Both groups efficiently balance cellular osmotic pressure and ion concentration, stabilize cell membranes, remodel cell walls, and neutralize intracellular oxidative stress. Some species use unusual reproductive strategies. Further investigation of these adaptations with new methods and carefully designed experiments under ecologically relevant conditions will help predict the role of fungi in hypersaline and glacial environments affected by climate change, decipher their stress resistance mechanisms and exploit their biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; ,
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; ,
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Carr EC, Barton Q, Grambo S, Sullivan M, Renfro CM, Kuo A, Pangilinan J, Lipzen A, Keymanesh K, Savage E, Barry K, Grigoriev IV, Riekhof WR, Harris SD. Characterization of a novel polyextremotolerant fungus, Exophiala viscosa, with insights into its melanin regulation and ecological niche. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad110. [PMID: 37221014 PMCID: PMC10411609 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Black yeasts are polyextremotolerant fungi that contain high amounts of melanin in their cell wall and maintain a primar yeast form. These fungi grow in xeric, nutrient depletes environments which implies that they require highly flexible metabolisms and have been suggested to contain the ability to form lichen-like mutualisms with nearby algae and bacteria. However, the exact ecological niche and interactions between these fungi and their surrounding community are not well understood. We have isolated 2 novel black yeasts from the genus Exophiala that were recovered from dryland biological soil crusts. Despite notable differences in colony and cellular morphology, both fungi appear to be members of the same species, which has been named Exophiala viscosa (i.e. E. viscosa JF 03-3 Goopy and E. viscosa JF 03-4F Slimy). A combination of whole genome sequencing, phenotypic experiments, and melanin regulation experiments have been performed on these isolates to fully characterize these fungi and help decipher their fundamental niche within the biological soil crust consortium. Our results reveal that E. viscosa is capable of utilizing a wide variety of carbon and nitrogen sources potentially derived from symbiotic microbes, can withstand many forms of abiotic stresses, and excretes melanin which can potentially provide ultraviolet resistance to the biological soil crust community. Besides the identification of a novel species within the genus Exophiala, our study also provides new insight into the regulation of melanin production in polyextremotolerant fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Carr
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Quin Barton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Sarah Grambo
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Mitchell Sullivan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Cecile M Renfro
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Alan Kuo
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jasmyn Pangilinan
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Anna Lipzen
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Keykhosrow Keymanesh
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Emily Savage
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kerrie Barry
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Wayne R Riekhof
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Steven D Harris
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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Berti L, Marvasi M, Perito B. Characterization of the Community of Black Meristematic Fungi Inhabiting the External White Marble of the Florence Cathedral. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:665. [PMID: 37367601 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Meristematic black fungi are a highly damaging group of microorganisms responsible for the deterioration of outdoor exposed monuments. Their resilience to various stresses poses significant challenges for removal efforts. This study focuses on the community of meristematic fungi inhabiting the external white marble of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, where they contribute to its darkening. Twenty-four strains were isolated from two differently exposed sites of the Cathedral, and their characterization was conducted. Phylogenetic analysis using ITS and LSU rDNA regions revealed a wide diversity of rock-inhabiting fungal strains within the sampled areas. Eight strains, belonging to different genera, were also tested for thermal preferences, salt tolerance, and acid production to investigate their tolerance to environmental stressors and their interaction with stone. All tested strains were able to grow in the range of 5-30 °C, in the presence 5% NaCl, and seven out of eight strains were positive for the production of acid. Their sensitivities to essential oils of thyme and oregano and to the commercial biocide Biotin T were also tested. The essential oils were found to be the most effective against black fungi growth, indicating the possibility of developing a treatment with a low environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Berti
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Department of Sciences of Antiquity, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Marvasi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Brunella Perito
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
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Dhawale S, Pandit M, Thete K, Ighe D, Gawale S, Bhosle P, Lokwani DK. In silico approach towards polyphenols as targeting glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase for Candida albicans. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:12038-12054. [PMID: 36629053 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2164797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most common species of fungus with life-threatening systemic infections and a high mortality rate. The outer cell wall layer of C. albicans is packed with mannoproteins and glycosylated polysaccharide moieties that play an essential role in the interaction with host cells and tissues. The glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase enzyme produces N-acetylglucosamine, which is a crucial chemical component of the cell wall of Candida albicans. Collectively, these components are essential to maintain the cell shape and for infection. So, its disruption can have serious effects on cell growth and morphology, resulting in cell death. Hence, it is considered a good antifungal target. In this study, we have performed an in silico approach to analyze the inhibitory potential of some polyphenols obtained from plants. Those can be considered important in targeting against the enzyme glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (PDB-2VF5). The results of the study revealed that the binding affinity of complexes theaflavin and 3-o-malonylglucoside have significant docking scores and binding free energy followed by significant ADMET parameters that predict the drug-likeness property and toxicity of polyphenols as potential ligands. A molecular dynamic simulation was used to test the validity of the docking scores, and it showed that the complex remained stable during the period of the simulation, which ranged from 0 to 100 ns. Theaflavins and 3-o-malonylglucoside may be effective against Candida albicans using a computer-aided drug design methodology that will further enable researchers for future in vitro and in vivo studies, according to our in silico study.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Dhawale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shreeyash Institute of Pharmaceutical education and research, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Madhuri Pandit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shreeyash Institute of Pharmaceutical education and research, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kanchan Thete
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shreeyash Institute of Pharmaceutical education and research, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dnyaneshwari Ighe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shreeyash Institute of Pharmaceutical education and research, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sachin Gawale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shreeyash Institute of Pharmaceutical education and research, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Pallavi Bhosle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shreeyash Institute of Pharmaceutical education and research, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
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8
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Black Fungi on Stone-Built Heritage: Current Knowledge and Future Outlook. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12083969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Black fungi are considered as one of the main group of microorganisms responsible for the biodeterioration of stone cultural heritage artifacts. In this paper, we provide a critical analysis and review of more than 30 years of studies on black fungi isolated from stone-built heritage from 1990 to date. More than 109 papers concerning the fungal biodeterioration activity of stone were analysed. The main findings were a check list of the black fungal taxa involved in the biodeterioration of stone-built heritage, with a particular reference to meristematic black fungi, the main biodeterioration pattern attributed to them, and the methods of study including the new molecular advances. A particular focus was to discuss the current approaches to control black fungi from stone-built heritage and future perspectives. Black fungi are notoriously hard to remove or mitigate, so new methods of study and of control are needed, but it is also important to combine classical methods with new approaches to improve current knowledge to implement future conservation strategies.
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9
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Fast and efficient CRISPR-mediated genome editing in Aureobasidium using Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. J Biotechnol 2022; 350:11-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Jiang X, Van Horn DJ, Okie JG, Buelow HN, Schwartz E, Colman DR, Feeser KL, Takacs-Vesbach CD. Limits to the three domains of life: lessons from community assembly along an Antarctic salinity gradient. Extremophiles 2022; 26:15. [PMID: 35296937 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-022-01262-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Extremophiles exist among all three domains of life; however, physiological mechanisms for surviving harsh environmental conditions differ among Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. Consequently, we expect that domain-specific variation of diversity and community assembly patterns exist along environmental gradients in extreme environments. We investigated inter-domain community compositional differences along a high-elevation salinity gradient in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Conductivity for 24 soil samples collected along the gradient ranged widely from 50 to 8355 µS cm-1. Taxonomic richness varied among domains, with a total of 359 bacterial, 2 archaeal, 56 fungal, and 69 non-fungal eukaryotic operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Richness for bacteria, archaea, fungi, and non-fungal eukaryotes declined with increasing conductivity (all P < 0.05). Principal coordinate ordination analysis (PCoA) revealed significant (ANOSIM R = 0.97) groupings of low/high salinity bacterial OTUs, while OTUs from other domains were not significantly clustered. Bacterial beta diversity was unimodally distributed along the gradient and had a nested structure driven by species losses, whereas in fungi and non-fungal eukaryotes beta diversity declined monotonically without strong evidence of nestedness. Thus, while increased salinity acts as a stressor in all domains, the mechanisms driving community assembly along the gradient differ substantially between the domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoben Jiang
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - David J Van Horn
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020 1UNM, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Jordan G Okie
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Heather N Buelow
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020 1UNM, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Egbert Schwartz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Daniel R Colman
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020 1UNM, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Kelli L Feeser
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
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12
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Liu B, Fu R, Wu B, Liu X, Xiang M. Rock-inhabiting fungi: terminology, diversity, evolution and adaptation mechanisms. Mycology 2022; 13:1-31. [PMID: 35186410 PMCID: PMC8856086 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2021.2002452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF) constitute an ecological group associated with terrestrial rocks. This association is generally restricted to the persistent colonisation of rocks and peculiar morphological features based on melanisation and slow growth, which endow RIF with significance in eukaryotic biology, special status in ecology, and exotic potential in biotechnology. There is a need to achieve a better understanding of the hidden biodiversity, antistress biology, origin and convergent evolution of RIF, which will facilitate cultural relic preservation, exploitation of the biogeochemical cycle of rock elements and biotechnology applications. This review focuses on summarising the current knowledge of rock-inhabiting fungi, with particular reference to terminology, biodiversity and geographic distribution, origin and evolution, and stress adaptation mechanisms. We especially teased out the definition through summing up the terms related to rock-inhabting fungi, and also provided a checklist of rock-inhabiting fungal taxa recorded following updated classification schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xingzhong Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meichun Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Black Fungi and Stone Heritage Conservation: Ecological and Metabolic Assays for Evaluating Colonization Potential and Responses to Traditional Biocides. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12042038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Identifying species involved in biodeterioration processes is helpful, however further effort is needed to assess their ecological requirements and actual activity. Black fungi (BF) represent one of the most underestimated threats to stone cultural heritage in the Mediterranean basin; they are difficult to kill or remove due to their ability to grow inside the rock and cope with several stresses. Despite this, little is known about BF and factors favoring their growth on stone surfaces. Eighteen BF species were here investigated for temperature and salt tolerance, and metabolic traits by plate assays. The relation between some highly damaged monuments and their BF settlers was assessed using X-ray diffraction analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and SEM. The sensitiveness to four commonly used traditional biocides was also tested. All strains were able to grow within the range of 5–25 °C and in the presence of 3.5% NaCl. Instrumental analyses were fundamental in discovering the relation between halophilic strains and weathered marble sculptures. The acid, cellulase, esterase, and protease production recorded proved BF’s potential to produce a chemical action on carbonate stones and likely affect other materials/historical artefacts. Besides, the use of carboxymethylcellulose and Tween 20 should be evaluated in restoration practice to prevent tertiary bioreceptivity. Agar diffusion tests helped identify the most resistant species to biocides, opening the perspective of its use as reference organisms in material testing procedures.
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14
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Diversity of Mycobiota in Spanish Grape Berries and Selection of Hanseniaspora uvarum U1 to Prevent Mycotoxin Contamination. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090649. [PMID: 34564653 PMCID: PMC8473298 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of mycotoxins on grapes poses a high risk for food safety; thus, it is necessary to implement effective prevention methods. In this work, a metagenomic approach revealed the presence of important mycotoxigenic fungi in grape berries, including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger aggregate species, or Aspergillus section Circumdati. However, A. carbonarius was not detected in any sample. One of the samples was not contaminated by any mycotoxigenic species, and, therefore, it was selected for the isolation of potential biocontrol agents. In this context, Hanseniaspora uvarum U1 was selected for biocontrol in vitro assays. The results showed that this yeast is able to reduce the growth rate of the main ochratoxigenic and aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. occurring on grapes. Moreover, H. uvarum U1 seems to be an effective detoxifying agent for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, probably mediated by the mechanisms of adsorption to the cell wall and other active mechanisms. Therefore, H. uvarum U1 should be considered in an integrated approach to preventing AFB1 and OTA in grapes due to its potential as a biocontrol and detoxifying agent.
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15
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Kumar V, Sarma VV, Thambugala KM, Huang JJ, Li XY, Hao GF. Ecology and Evolution of Marine Fungi With Their Adaptation to Climate Change. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:719000. [PMID: 34512597 PMCID: PMC8430337 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.719000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change agitates interactions between organisms and the environment and forces them to adapt, migrate, get replaced by others, or extinct. Marine environments are extremely sensitive to climate change that influences their ecological functions and microbial community including fungi. Fungi from marine habitats are engaged and adapted to perform diverse ecological functions in marine environments. Several studies focus on how complex interactions with the surrounding environment affect fungal evolution and their adaptation. However, a review addressing the adaptation of marine fungi to climate change is still lacking. Here we have discussed the adaptations of fungi in the marine environment with an example of Hortaea werneckii and Aspergillus terreus which may help to reduce the risk of climate change impacts on marine environments and organisms. We address the ecology and evolution of marine fungi and the effects of climate change on them to explain the adaptation mechanism. A review of marine fungal adaptations will show widespread effects on evolutionary biology and the mechanism responsible for it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinit Kumar
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Kasun M. Thambugala
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Jun-Jie Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiang-Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ge-Fei Hao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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16
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Černoša A, Sun X, Gostinčar C, Fang C, Gunde-Cimerman N, Song Z. Virulence Traits and Population Genomics of the Black Yeast Aureobasidium melanogenum. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7080665. [PMID: 34436204 PMCID: PMC8401163 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium melanogenum is an opportunistic human pathogen frequently found indoors. Its traits, potentially linked to pathogenesis, have never been systematically studied. Here, we examine 49 A. melanogenum strains for growth at 37 °C, siderophore production, hemolytic activity, and assimilation of hydrocarbons and human neurotransmitters and report within-species variability. All but one strain grew at 37 °C. All strains produced siderophores and showed some hemolytic activity. The largest differences between strains were observed in the assimilation of hydrocarbons and human neurotransmitters. We show for the first time that fungi from the order Dothideales can assimilate aromatic hydrocarbons. To explain the background, we sequenced the genomes of all 49 strains and identified genes putatively involved in siderophore production and hemolysis. Genomic analysis revealed a fairly structured population of A.melanogenum, raising the possibility that some phylogenetic lineages have higher virulence potential than others. Population genomics indicated that the species is strictly clonal, although more than half of the genomes were diploid. The existence of relatively heterozygous diploids in an otherwise clonal species is described for only the second time in fungi. The genomic and phenotypic data from this study should help to resolve the non-trivial taxonomy of the genus Aureobasidium and reduce the medical hazards of exploiting the biotechnological potential of other, non-pathogenic species of this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Černoša
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.Č.); (N.G.-C.)
| | - Xiaohuan Sun
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China; (X.S.); (C.F.); (Z.S.)
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.Č.); (N.G.-C.)
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao 266555, China
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +386-1-320-3392
| | - Chao Fang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China; (X.S.); (C.F.); (Z.S.)
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.Č.); (N.G.-C.)
| | - Zewei Song
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China; (X.S.); (C.F.); (Z.S.)
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El Baidouri F, Zalar P, James TY, Gladfelter AS, Amend A. Evolution and Physiology of Amphibious Yeasts. Annu Rev Microbiol 2021; 75:337-357. [PMID: 34351793 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-051421-121352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Since the emergence of the first fungi some 700 million years ago, unicellular yeast-like forms have emerged multiple times in independent lineages via convergent evolution. While tens to hundreds of millions of years separate the independent evolution of these unicellular organisms, they share remarkable phenotypic and metabolic similarities, and all have streamlined genomes. Yeasts occur in every aquatic environment yet examined. Many species are aquatic; perhaps most are amphibious. How these species have evolved to thrive in aquatic habitats is fundamental to understanding functions and evolutionary mechanisms in this unique group of fungi. Here we review the state of knowledge of the physiological and ecological diversity of amphibious yeasts and their key evolutionary adaptations enabling survival in aquatic habitats. We emphasize some genera previously thought to be exclusively terrestrial. Finally, we discuss the ability of many yeasts to survive in extreme habitats and how this might lend insight into ecological plasticity, including amphibious lifestyles. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fouad El Baidouri
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA; , .,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Polona Zalar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Timothy Y James
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Amy S Gladfelter
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
| | - Anthony Amend
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA; ,
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18
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The bacterial and fungal nest microbiomes in populations of the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola. Syst Appl Microbiol 2021; 44:126222. [PMID: 34146923 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2021.126222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Social spiders of the species Stegodyphus dumicola live in communal nests with hundreds of individuals and are characterized by extremely low species-wide genetic diversity. The lack of genetic diversity in combination with group living imposes a potential threat for infection by pathogens. We therefore proposed that specific microbial symbionts inhabiting the spider nests may provide antimicrobial defense. To compare the bacterial and fungal diversity in 17 nests from three different locations in Namibia, we used 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequencing. The nest microbiomes differed between geographically distinct spider populations and appeared largely determined by the local environment. Nevertheless, we identified a core microbiome consisting of four bacterial genera (Curtobacterium, Modestobacter, Sphingomonas, Massilia) and four fungal genera (Aureobasidium, Didymella, Alternaria, Ascochyta), which likely are selected from surrounding soil and plants by the nest environment. We did not find indications for a strain- or species-specific symbiosis in the nests. Isolation of bacteria and fungi from nest material retrieved a few bacterial strains with antimicrobial activity but a number of antimicrobial fungi, including members of the fungal core microbiome. The significance of antimicrobial taxa in the nest microbiome for host protection remains to be shown.
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Black Fungi and Hydrocarbons: An Environmental Survey for Alkylbenzene Assimilation. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051008. [PMID: 34067085 PMCID: PMC8151820 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution with alkylbenzene hydrocarbons such as toluene is a recurring phenomenon. Their toxicity and harmful effect on people and the environment drive the search for sustainable removal techniques such as bioremediation, which is based on the microbial metabolism of xenobiotic compounds. Melanized fungi present extremophilic characteristics, which allow their survival in inhospitable habitats such as those contaminated with hydrocarbons. Screening methodologies for testing the microbial assimilation of volatile organic compounds (VOC) are scarce despite their importance for the bioremediation of hydrocarbon associated areas. In this study, 200 strains of melanized fungi were isolated from four different hydrocarbon-related environments by using selective methods, and their biodiversity was assessed by molecular and ecological analyses. Seventeen genera and 27 species from three main orders, namely Chaetothyriales, Cladosporiales, and Pleosporales, were identified. The ecological analysis showed a particular species distribution according to their original substrate. The isolated strains were also screened for their toluene assimilation potential using a simple and inexpensive methodology based on miniaturized incubations under controlled atmospheres. The biomass produced by the 200 strains with toluene as the sole carbon source was compared against positive and negative controls, with glucose and with only mineral medium, respectively. Nineteen strains were selected as the most promising for further investigation on the biodegradation of alkylbenzenes.
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20
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Dishwashers as an Extreme Environment of Potentially Pathogenic Yeast Species. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040446. [PMID: 33917934 PMCID: PMC8068352 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to compare the yeast species diversity in the specific environment of dishwashers, taking into account the potential risk for users. Yeasts were isolated from ten dishwashers and from tap water supplied to the appliances. Samples were collected for mycological analyses at the beginning of each month, from February to May 2016. Four dishwasher sites (rubber seals, detergent dispensers, sprinklers, and water drains) were analyzed. The microfungi were identified by the standard procedures applied in mycological diagnostics. To confirm species identification, molecular analysis was performed based on the sequences of the D1/D2 region. The presence of microfungi was detected in 70% of the investigated appliances. Rubber seals, detergent dispensers, and water drains were the most frequently colonized elements. Thirty-five yeast strains were isolated in this study, of which twenty-seven were obtained from dishwashers and eight from tap water. The strains belonged to six genera and six species (Candida parapsilosis, Clavispora lusitaniae, Dipodascus capitatus, Exophiala dermatitidis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa). Most of the strains came from rubber seals. In this way, it was demonstrated that the dishwashers’ condition is sufficient as an ecological niche for microfungi.
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21
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Tesei D, Chiang AJ, Kalkum M, Stajich JE, Mohan GBM, Sterflinger K, Venkateswaran K. Effects of Simulated Microgravity on the Proteome and Secretome of the Polyextremotolerant Black Fungus Knufia chersonesos. Front Genet 2021; 12:638708. [PMID: 33815472 PMCID: PMC8012687 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.638708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Black fungi are a group of melanotic microfungi characterized by remarkable polyextremotolerance. Due to a broad ecological plasticity and adaptations at the cellular level, it is predicted that they may survive in a variety of extreme environments, including harsh niches on Earth and Mars, and in outer space. However, the molecular mechanisms aiding survival, especially in space, are yet to be fully elucidated. Based on these premises, the rock-inhabiting black fungus Knufia chersonesos (Wt) and its non-melanized mutant (Mut) were exposed to simulated microgravity-one of the prevalent features characterizing space conditions-by growing the cultures in high-aspect-ratio vessels (HARVs). Qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses were performed on the mycelia and supernatant of culture medium (secretome) to assess alterations in cell physiology in response to low-shear simulated microgravity (LSSMG) and to ultimately evaluate the role of cell-wall melanization in stress survival. Differential expression was observed for proteins involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, transport, and ribosome biogenesis and translation via ribosomal translational machinery. However, no evidence of significant activation of stress components or starvation response was detected, except for the scytalone dehydratase, enzyme involved in the synthesis of dihydroxynaphthalene (DNH) melanin, which was found to be upregulated in the secretome of the wild type and downregulated in the mutant. Differences in protein modulation were observed between K. chersonesos Wt and Mut, with several proteins being downregulated under LSSMG in the Mut when compared to the Wt. Lastly, no major morphological alterations were observed following exposure to LSSMG. Similarly, the strains' survivability was not negatively affected. This study is the first to characterize the response to simulated microgravity in black fungi, which might have implications on future astrobiological missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Tesei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Abby J. Chiang
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Research and Infectious Diseases, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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22
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Kapustová M, Granata G, Napoli E, Puškárová A, Bučková M, Pangallo D, Geraci C. Nanoencapsulated Essential Oils with Enhanced Antifungal Activity for Potential Application on Agri-Food, Material and Environmental Fields. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10010031. [PMID: 33401404 PMCID: PMC7824627 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a new frontier of this century that finds applications in various fields of science with important effects on our life and on the environment. Nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds is a promising topic of nanotechnology. The excessive use of synthetic compounds with antifungal activity has led to the selection of resistant fungal species. In this context, the use of plant essential oils (EOs) with antifungal activity encapsulated in ecofriendly nanosystems could be a new and winning strategy to overcome the problem. We prepared nanoencapsules containing the essential oils of Origanum vulgare (OV) and Thymus capitatus (TC) by the nanoprecipitation method. The colloidal suspensions were characterized for size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, efficiency of encapsulation (EE) and loading capacity (LC). Finally, the essential oil nanosuspensions were assayed against a panel of fourteen fungal strains belonging to the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota phyla. Our results show that the nanosystems containing thyme and oregano essential oils were active against various fungal strains from natural environments and materials. In particular, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were two to four times lower than the pure essential oils. The aqueous, ecofriendly essential oil nanosuspensions with broad-spectrum antifungal activity could be a valid alternative to synthetic products, finding interesting applications in the agri-food and environmental fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdaléna Kapustová
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 21, 84551 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.K.); (A.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Granata
- Istituto Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (E.N.)
| | - Edoardo Napoli
- Istituto Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (E.N.)
| | - Andrea Puškárová
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 21, 84551 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.K.); (A.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Mária Bučková
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 21, 84551 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.K.); (A.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Domenico Pangallo
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 21, 84551 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.K.); (A.P.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (D.P.); (C.G.); Tel.: +421-2-5930-7443 (D.P.); +39-095-733-8318 (C.G.)
| | - Corrada Geraci
- Istituto Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (E.N.)
- Correspondence: (D.P.); (C.G.); Tel.: +421-2-5930-7443 (D.P.); +39-095-733-8318 (C.G.)
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23
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Muggia L, Ametrano CG, Sterflinger K, Tesei D. An Overview of Genomics, Phylogenomics and Proteomics Approaches in Ascomycota. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E356. [PMID: 33348904 PMCID: PMC7765829 DOI: 10.3390/life10120356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are among the most successful eukaryotes on Earth: they have evolved strategies to survive in the most diverse environments and stressful conditions and have been selected and exploited for multiple aims by humans. The characteristic features intrinsic of Fungi have required evolutionary changes and adaptations at deep molecular levels. Omics approaches, nowadays including genomics, metagenomics, phylogenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics have enormously advanced the way to understand fungal diversity at diverse taxonomic levels, under changeable conditions and in still under-investigated environments. These approaches can be applied both on environmental communities and on individual organisms, either in nature or in axenic culture and have led the traditional morphology-based fungal systematic to increasingly implement molecular-based approaches. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies was key to boost advances in fungal genomics and proteomics research. Much effort has also been directed towards the development of methodologies for optimal genomic DNA and protein extraction and separation. To date, the amount of proteomics investigations in Ascomycetes exceeds those carried out in any other fungal group. This is primarily due to the preponderance of their involvement in plant and animal diseases and multiple industrial applications, and therefore the need to understand the biological basis of the infectious process to develop mechanisms for biologic control, as well as to detect key proteins with roles in stress survival. Here we chose to present an overview as much comprehensive as possible of the major advances, mainly of the past decade, in the fields of genomics (including phylogenomics) and proteomics of Ascomycota, focusing particularly on those reporting on opportunistic pathogenic, extremophilic, polyextremotolerant and lichenized fungi. We also present a review of the mostly used genome sequencing technologies and methods for DNA sequence and protein analyses applied so far for fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Muggia
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio G. Ametrano
- Grainger Bioinformatics Center, Department of Science and Education, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL 60605, USA;
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Institute of Natual Sciences and Technology in the Arts, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Donatella Tesei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
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Sajjad W, Rafiq M, Din G, Hasan F, Iqbal A, Zada S, Ali B, Hayat M, Irfan M, Kang S. Resurrection of inactive microbes and resistome present in the natural frozen world: Reality or myth? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 735:139275. [PMID: 32480145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present world faces a new threat of ancient microbes and resistomes that are locked in the cryosphere and now releasing upon thawing due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. The cryosphere act as the best preserving place for these microbes and resistomes that stay alive for millions of years. Current reviews extensively discussed whether the resurrection of microbes and resistomes existing in these pristine environments is true or just a hype. Release of these ancient microorganisms and naked DNA is of great concern for society as these microbes can either cause infections directly or they can interact with contemporary microorganisms and affect their fitness, survival, and mutation rate. Moreover, the contemporary microorganisms may uptake the unlocked naked DNA, which might transform non-pathogenic microorganisms into deadly antibiotic-resistant microbes. Additionally, the resurrection of glacial microorganisms can cause adverse effects on ecosystems downstream. The release of glacial pathogens and naked DNA is real and can lead to fatal outbreaks; therefore, we must prepare ourselves for the possible reemergence of diseases caused by these microbes. This study provides a scientific base for the adoption of actions by international cooperation to develop preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Sajjad
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Ghufranud Din
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Fariha Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Awais Iqbal
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sahib Zada
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Barkat Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Hayat
- Institute of Microbial Technology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao Campus, China
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- College of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. USA
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, China.
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25
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Sodré CS, Rodrigues PMG, Vieira MS, Marques Paes da Silva A, Gonçalves LS, Ribeiro MG, de Carvalho Ferreira D. Oral mycobiome identification in atopic dermatitis, leukemia, and HIV patients - a systematic review. J Oral Microbiol 2020; 12:1807179. [PMID: 32944157 PMCID: PMC7482892 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2020.1807179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oral mycobiome profiling is important to understand host-pathogen interactions that occur in various diseases. Invasive fungal infections are particularly relevant for patients who have received chemotherapy and for those who have HIV infection. In addition, changes in fungal microbiota are associated with the worsening of chronic conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD). This work aims, through a systematic review, to analyze the methods used in previous studies to identify oral fungi and their most frequent species in patients with the following conditions: HIV infection, leukemia, and atopic dermatitis. METHODS A literature search was performed on several different databases. Inclusion criteria were: written in English or Portuguese; published between September 2009 and September 2019; analyzed oral fungi of HIV-infected, leukemia, or AD patients. RESULTS 21 studies were included and the most identified species was Candida. The predominant methods of identification were morphological (13/21) and sugar fermentation and assimilation tests (11/21). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was the most used molecular method (8/21) followed by sequencing techniques (3/21). CONCLUSIONS Although morphological and biochemical tests are still used, they are associated with high-throughput sequencing techniques, due to their accuracy and time saving for profiling the predominant species in oral mycobiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Stofella Sodré
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulo Matheus Guerra Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Oral and Systemic Infections, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University- UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lucio Souza Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Oral and Systemic Infections, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University- UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Gonçalves Ribeiro
- Medical Genetics Service, Martagão Gesteira Pediatric Institute (IPPMG- UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro-UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dennis de Carvalho Ferreira
- Laboratory of Oral and Systemic Infections, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University- UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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26
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Novak Babič M, Gostinčar C, Gunde-Cimerman N. Microorganisms populating the water-related indoor biome. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6443-6462. [PMID: 32533304 PMCID: PMC7347518 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10719-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Modernisation of our households created novel opportunities for microbial growth and thus changed the array of microorganisms we come in contact with. While many studies have investigated microorganisms in the air and dust, tap water, another major input of microbial propagules, has received far less attention. The quality of drinking water in developed world is strictly regulated to prevent immediate danger to human health. However, fungi, algae, protists and bacteria of less immediate concern are usually not screened for. These organisms can thus use water as a vector of transmission into the households, especially if they are resistant to various water treatment procedures. Good tolerance of unfavourable abiotic conditions is also important for survival once microbes enter the household. Limitation of water availability, high or low temperatures, application of antimicrobial chemicals and other measures are taken to prevent indoor microbial overgrowth. These conditions, together with a large number of novel chemicals in our homes, shape the diversity and abundance of indoor microbiota through constant selection of the most resilient species, resulting in a substantial overlap in diversity of indoor and natural extreme environments. At least in fungi, extremotolerance has been linked to human pathogenicity, explaining why many species found in novel indoor habitats (such as dishwasher) are notable opportunistic pathogens. As a result, microorganisms that often enter our households with water and are then enriched in novel indoor habitats might have a hitherto underestimated impact on the well-being of the increasingly indoor-bound human population. KEY POINTS: Domestic environment harbours a large diversity of microorganisms. Microbiota of water-related indoor habitats mainly originates from tap water. Bathrooms, kitchens and household appliances select for polyextremotolerant species. Many household-related microorganisms are human opportunistic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Novak Babič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Microbial patterns in rumen are associated with gain of weight in beef cattle. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2020; 113:1299-1312. [PMID: 32577920 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-020-01440-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ruminal microorganisms play a pivotal role in cattle nutrition. The discovery of the main microbes or of a microbial community responsible for enhancing the gain of weight in beef cattle might be used in therapeutic approaches to increase animal performance and cause less environmental damages. Here, we examined the differences in bacterial and fungal composition of rumen samples of Braford heifers raised in natural grassland of the Pampa Biome in Brazil. We aimed to detect microbial patterns in the rumen that could be correlated with the gain of weight. We hypothesized that microorganisms important to digestion process are increased in animals with a higher gain of weight. The gain of weight of seventeen healthy animals was monitored for 60 days. Ruminal samples were obtained and the 16S and ITS1 genes were amplified and sequenced to identify the closest microbial relatives within the microbial communities. A predictive model based on microbes responsible for the gain of weight was build and further tested using the entire dataset., The main differential abundant microbes between groups included the bacterial taxa RFN20, Prevotella, Anaeroplasma and RF16 and the fungal taxa Aureobasidium, Cryptococcus, Sarocladium, Pleosporales and Tremellales. The predictive model detected some of these taxa associated with animals with the high gain of weight group, most of them being organisms that have been correlated to the production of substances that improve the ruminal digestion process. These findings provide new insights about cattle nutrition and suggest the use of these microbes to improve beef cattle breeding.
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Abdo H, Catacchio CR, Ventura M, D'Addabbo P, Alexandre H, Guilloux-Bénatier M, Rousseaux S. The establishment of a fungal consortium in a new winery. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7962. [PMID: 32409784 PMCID: PMC7224177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The biodiversity and evolution of fungal communities were monitored over a period of 3 vintages in a new winery. Samples were collected before grape receipt and 3 months after fermentation from 3 different wine related environments (WRE): floor, walls and equipment and analyzed using Illumina Mi-Seq. Genera of mold and filamentous fungi (294), non-enological (10) and wine-associated yeasts (25) were detected on all WREs before the arrival of the first harvest. Among them, genera like Alternaria and Aureobasidium persisted during two vintages. Therefore, these genera are not specific to winery environment and appear to be adapted to natural or anthropic environments due to their ubiquitous character. Some genera like Candida were also detected before the first harvest but only on one WREs, whereas, on the other WREs they were found after the harvest. The ubiquitous character and phenotypic traits of these fungal genera can explain their dynamics. After the first harvest and during 3 vintages the initial consortium was enriched by oenological genera like Starmerella introduced either by harvest or by potential transfers between the different WREs. However, these establishing genera, including Saccharomyces, do not appear to persist due to their low adaptation to the stressful conditions of winery environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany Abdo
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, F-21000 Dijon, France- IUVV Equipe VAlMiS, rue Claude Ladrey, BP 27877, 21078, Dijon, Cedex, France
| | | | - Mario Ventura
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | | | - Hervé Alexandre
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, F-21000 Dijon, France- IUVV Equipe VAlMiS, rue Claude Ladrey, BP 27877, 21078, Dijon, Cedex, France
| | - Michèle Guilloux-Bénatier
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, F-21000 Dijon, France- IUVV Equipe VAlMiS, rue Claude Ladrey, BP 27877, 21078, Dijon, Cedex, France
| | - Sandrine Rousseaux
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, F-21000 Dijon, France- IUVV Equipe VAlMiS, rue Claude Ladrey, BP 27877, 21078, Dijon, Cedex, France.
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Lu L, Dong D, Baig ZT, Yeung M, Xi J. Development of a novel fungal fluidized-bed reactor for gaseous ethanol removal. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 244:125529. [PMID: 32050333 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluidized bed bioreactors can overcome the limitations of packed bed bioreactors such as clogging, which has been observed in the industrial application for decades. The key to establish a gaseous fluidized bed bioreactor for treatment of volatile organic compounds is to achieve microbial growth on a light packing material. In this study, Two fungal species and two bacterial species were isolated to build a fungal fluidized-bed reactor (FFBR). A light packing material with wheat bran coated on expended polystyrene was used. The FFBR was operated for 65 days for gaseous ethanol removal and obtained elimination capacities of 500-1800 g∙m-3∙h-1 and removal efficiencies of 20-50%. The pressure drops was well controlled with values around 400 Pa∙m-1. Stress tolerant genera including Aureobasidium, Stenotrophomonas and Brevundimonas were dominant. Meyerozyma, whose species were present in an initial inoculated isolate, was detected among the dominant species with 28.70% relative abundance; they were reported to degrade complicated compounds under similarly stressful environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Lu
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zenab Tariq Baig
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Marvin Yeung
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jinying Xi
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
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Zupančič J, Turk M, Črnigoj M, Ambrožič Avguštin J, Gunde-Cimerman N. The dishwasher rubber seal acts as a reservoir of bacteria in the home environment. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:300. [PMID: 31856722 PMCID: PMC6924085 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-019-1674-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In modern lifestyles, people make their everyday tasks easier by using household appliances, for example dishwashers. Previous studies showed massive contamination of dishwasher rubber seals with fungi, thus bacterial community, able to survive under harsh conditions, remain undetermined. Methods Bacteria that colonise the extreme environment of household dishwasher rubber seals were investigated using cultivation-dependent and metagenomic approaches. All bacterial isolates were tested for resistance to seven selected antibiotics. Same time bacterial diversity of tap water, connected to the dishwashers was investigated. Results All 30 dishwashers investigated were colonised by various bacteria. Cultivation approaches resulted in 632 bacterial isolates in total, belonging to four phyla, eight classes, 40 genera and 74 species. The majority were Gram-positive, as solely Firmicutes (dominated by the Bacillus cereus group) and Actinobacteria. Gammaproteobacteria were primarily represented by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Metagenomic assessment of the bacterial biodiversity of the dishwasher rubber seals confirmed the predominance of Gram-positive bacteria, as primarily Actinobacteria, followed by Proteobacteria dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, and by pathogenic species such as Escherichia sp., Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas sp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Enterobacter sp.. Metagenomic assessment of bacterial biodiversity in the tap water connected to dishwashers revealed predominance of Gram-negative bacteria, in particular Proteobacteria, mainly represented by Tepidimonas sp.. Actinobacteria showed low numbers while no Firmicutes were detected in the tap water. The bacterial diversity of tap water was also lower, 23 genera compared to 39 genera on dishwasher rubber seals. Only 13 out of 49 genera identified by metagenomics approach was found in both environments, of those Gordonia was enriched while half of 13 genera were depleted in dishwashers compared to tap water. Conclusions These data indicate that colonisation of dishwasher rubber seals probably depends primarily on the bacterial input from the dirty vessels, and much less on the bacteria in the tap water. Based on the antibiotic resistance data, the dishwasher rubber seal bacterial isolates do not represent a serious threat for the spread of antibiotic resistance into the household environment. Nevertheless dishwashers cannot be ignored as potential sources of human infections, in particular for immuno-compromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerneja Zupančič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Martina Turk
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Črnigoj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP), Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Perini L, Mogrovejo DC, Tomazin R, Gostinčar C, Brill FHH, Gunde-Cimerman N. Phenotypes Associated with Pathogenicity: Their Expression in Arctic Fungal Isolates. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120600. [PMID: 31766661 PMCID: PMC6955883 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Around 85% of the environments on Earth are permanently or seasonally colder than 5 °C. Among those, the poles constitute unique biomes, which harbor a broad variety of microbial life, including an abundance of fungi. Many fungi have an outstanding ability to withstand extreme conditions and play vital ecosystem roles of decomposers as well as obligate or facultative symbionts of many other organisms. Due to their dispersal capabilities, microorganisms from cryosphere samples can be distributed around the world. Such dispersal involves both species with undefined pathogenicity and potentially pathogenic strains. Here we describe the isolation of fungal species from pristine Arctic locations in Greenland and Svalbard and the testing of the expression of characteristics usually associated with pathogenic species, such as growth at 37 °C, hemolytic ability, and susceptibility to antifungal agents. A total of 320 fungal isolates were obtained, and 24 of the most abundant and representative species were further analyzed. Species known as emerging pathogens, like Aureobasidium melanogenum, Naganishia albida, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, were able to grow at 37 °C, showed beta-hemolytic activity, and were intrinsically resistant to commonly used antifungals such as azoles and echinocandins. Antifungal resistance screening revealed a low susceptibility to voriconazole in N. albida and Penicillium spp. and to fluconazole in Glaciozyma watsonii and Glaciozyma-related taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Perini
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (C.G.); (N.G.-C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Diana C. Mogrovejo
- MicroArctic Research Group, Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Stiegstück 34, 22339 Hamburg, Germany; (D.C.M.); (F.H.H.B.)
| | - Rok Tomazin
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (C.G.); (N.G.-C.)
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao 266555, China
| | - Florian H. H. Brill
- MicroArctic Research Group, Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Stiegstück 34, 22339 Hamburg, Germany; (D.C.M.); (F.H.H.B.)
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (C.G.); (N.G.-C.)
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Gostinčar C, Turk M, Zajc J, Gunde‐Cimerman N. Fifty Aureobasidium pullulans genomes reveal a recombining polyextremotolerant generalist. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:3638-3652. [PMID: 31112354 PMCID: PMC6852026 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans is a textbook example of a generalistic and ubiquitous fungus thriving in a wide variety of environments. To investigate whether A. pullulans is a true generalist, or alternatively, whether part of its versatility can be attributed to intraspecific specialization masked by cryptic diversification undetectable by traditional phylogenetic analyses, we sequenced and analysed the genomes of 50 strains of A. pullulans from different habitats and geographic locations. No population structure was observed in the sequenced strains. Decay of linkage disequilibrium over shorter physical distances (<100 bp) than in many sexually reproducing fungi indicates a high level of recombination in the species. A homothallic mating locus was found in all of the sequenced genomes. Aureobasidium pullulans appears to have a homogeneous population genetics structure, which is best explained by good dispersal and high levels of recombination. This means that A. pullulans is a true generalist that can inhabit different habitats without substantial specialization to any of these habitats at the genomic level. Furthermore, in the future, the high level of A. pullulans recombination can be exploited for the identification of genomic loci that are involved in the many biotechnologically useful traits of this black yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI‐1000LjubljanaSlovenia
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI‐QingdaoQingdao 266555China
| | - Martina Turk
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI‐1000LjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Janja Zajc
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI‐1000LjubljanaSlovenia
- National Institute of BiologyVečna pot 111, SI‐1000LjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Nina Gunde‐Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI‐1000LjubljanaSlovenia
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Dietzel K, Valle D, Fierer N, U'Ren JM, Barberán A. Geographical Distribution of Fungal Plant Pathogens in Dust Across the United States. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Sun X, Gostinčar C, Fang C, Zajc J, Hou Y, Song Z, Gunde-Cimerman N. Genomic Evidence of Recombination in the Basidiomycete Wallemia mellicola. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10060427. [PMID: 31167502 PMCID: PMC6628117 DOI: 10.3390/genes10060427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most commonly encountered species in the small basidiomycetous sub-phylum Wallemiomycotina is Wallemia mellicola, a xerotolerant fungus with a widespread distribution. To investigate the population characteristics of the species, whole genomes of twenty-five strains were sequenced. Apart from identification of four strains of clonal origin, the distances between the genomes failed to reflect either the isolation habitat of the strains or their geographical origin. Strains from different parts of the world appeared to represent a relatively homogenous and widespread population. The lack of concordance between individual gene phylogenies and the decay of linkage disequilibrium indicated that W. mellicola is at least occasionally recombining. Two versions of a putative mating-type locus have been found in all sequenced genomes, each present in approximately half of the strains. W. mellicola thus appears to be capable of (sexual) recombination and shows no signs of allopatric speciation or specialization to specific habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Sun
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Jinsha Road, Shenzhen 518120, China.
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao 266555, China.
| | - Chao Fang
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Jinsha Road, Shenzhen 518120, China.
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Janja Zajc
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Yong Hou
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Jinsha Road, Shenzhen 518120, China.
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Zewei Song
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Jinsha Road, Shenzhen 518120, China.
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Extreme-Fungi and the Benefits of A Stressing Life. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:life9020031. [PMID: 30934686 PMCID: PMC6616957 DOI: 10.3390/life9020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Zajc J, Gostinčar C, Černoša A, Gunde-Cimerman N. Stress-Tolerant Yeasts: Opportunistic Pathogenicity Versus Biocontrol Potential. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10010042. [PMID: 30646593 PMCID: PMC6357073 DOI: 10.3390/genes10010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-tolerant fungi that can thrive under various environmental extremes are highly desirable for their application to biological control, as an alternative to chemicals for pest management. However, in fungi, the mechanisms of stress tolerance might also have roles in mammal opportunism. We tested five species with high biocontrol potential in agriculture (Aureobasidium pullulans, Debayomyces hansenii, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Metschnikowia fructicola, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) and two species recognized as emerging opportunistic human pathogens (Exophiala dermatitidis, Aureobasidium melanogenum) for growth under oligotrophic conditions and at 37 °C, and for tolerance to oxidative stress, formation of biofilms, production of hydrolytic enzymes and siderophores, and use of hydrocarbons as sole carbon source. The results show large overlap between traits desirable for biocontrol and traits linked to opportunism (growth under oligotrophic conditions, production of siderophores, high oxidative stress tolerance, and specific enzyme activities). Based on existing knowledge and these data, we suggest that oligotrophism and thermotolerance together with siderophore production at 37 °C, urease activity, melanization, and biofilm production are the main traits that increase the potential for fungi to cause opportunistic infections in mammals. These traits should be carefully considered when assessing safety of potential biocontrol agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Zajc
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Institut 'Jožef Stefan', Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Anja Černoša
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Calvillo-Medina RP, Martínez-Neria M, Mena-Portales J, Barba-Escoto L, Raymundo T, Campos-Guillén J, Jones GH, Reyes-Grajeda JP, González-Y-Merchand JA, Bautista-de Lucio VM. Identification and biofilm development by a new fungal keratitis aetiologic agent. Mycoses 2018; 62:62-72. [PMID: 30187586 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, human keratitis caused by fungal plant pathogens has become more common. Biofilm is a structure that confers adaptations and virulence to fungi in keratitis. Neoscytalidium spp. are phytopathogenic and recently have been recognised as a human pathogen, using biofilm formation as a virulence factor. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was isolation, identification (at the species level) and characterisation of a new fungal keratitis agent. PATIENTS/METHODS The fungus was isolated from a 67-year-old male patient with a corneal ulcer. Biofilm formation and structure were evaluated by colorimetric methods and microscopy. To identify the fungus, morphological characteristics were examined and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We report the identification of a fungus, a member of the genus Neoscytalidium which is associated with human keratitis. Phylogenetic analysis and morphological observations on conidiogenous cells, which occur only in arthric chains in aerial mycelium and the coelomycetous synasexual morph is absent, identified a new species, Neoscytalidium oculus sp. nov. The fungus formed biofilm at a concentration of 1 × 106 conidia/mL, during 96 hours of incubation at 37°C, and also manifested haemolysis and melanin production. This is the first report in Latin America of a new species of Neoscytalidium from a clinical isolate has been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Paulina Calvillo-Medina
- Departamento de Microbiología y Proteómica, Instituto de Oftalmología "Fundación Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, México.,Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, México.,Consorcio de Estructura de Proteínas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, México.,Departamento de Microbiología Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, México
| | - Magda Martínez-Neria
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González", Mexico City, México
| | | | - Luis Barba-Escoto
- Sustainable Intensification Program México Edo. de México, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico City, México
| | - Tania Raymundo
- Laboratorio de Micología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, México
| | - Juan Campos-Guillén
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, México
| | - George H Jones
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Juan Pablo Reyes-Grajeda
- Consorcio de Estructura de Proteínas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, México
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Gostinčar C, Gunde-Cimerman N. Overview of Oxidative Stress Response Genes in Selected Halophilic Fungi. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E143. [PMID: 29509668 PMCID: PMC5867864 DOI: 10.3390/genes9030143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of microorganisms to stress, including to high concentrations of salt, can lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species in the cell. To limit the resulting damage, cells have evolved a variety of antioxidant defenses. The role of these defenses in halotolerance has been proposed before. Whole genome sequencing for some of the most halotolerant and halophilic fungal species has enabled us to investigate the possible links between oxidative and salt stress tolerance on the genomic level. We identified genes involved in oxidative stress response in the halophilic basidiomycete Wallemia ichthyophaga, and halotolerant ascomycetous black yeasts Hortaea werneckii and Aureobasidium pullulans, and compared them to genes from 16 other fungi, both asco- and basidiomycetes. According to our results, W. ichthyophaga can survive salinities detrimental to most other organisms with only a moderate number of oxidative stress response genes. In other investigated species, however, the maximum tolerated salinity correlated with the number of genes encoding three major enzymes of the cellular oxidative stress response: superoxide dismutases, catalases, and peroxiredoxins. This observation supports the hypothetical link between the antioxidant capacity of cells and their halotolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Graves JL, Thomas M, Ewunkem JA. Antimicrobial Nanomaterials: Why Evolution Matters. NANOMATERIALS 2017; 7:nano7100283. [PMID: 28934114 PMCID: PMC5666448 DOI: 10.3390/nano7100283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Due to the widespread occurrence of multidrug resistant microbes there is increasing interest in the use of novel nanostructured materials as antimicrobials. Specifically, metallic nanoparticles such as silver, copper, and gold have been deployed due to the multiple impacts they have on bacterial physiology. From this, many have concluded that such nanomaterials represent steep obstacles against the evolution of resistance. However, we have already shown that this view is fallacious. For this reason, the significance of our initial experiments are beginning to be recognized in the antimicrobial effects of nanomaterials literature. This recognition is not yet fully understood and here we further explain why nanomaterials research requires a more nuanced understanding of core microbial evolution principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Graves
- Department of Nanoengineering, Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering, North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.
| | - Misty Thomas
- Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA.
| | - Jude Akamu Ewunkem
- Department of Nanoengineering, Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering, North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.
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Fungal Contaminants in Drinking Water Regulation? A Tale of Ecology, Exposure, Purification and Clinical Relevance. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017. [PMCID: PMC5486322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14060636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbiological drinking water safety is traditionally monitored mainly by bacterial parameters that indicate faecal contamination. These parameters correlate with gastro-intestinal illness, despite the fact that viral agents, resulting from faecal contamination, are usually the cause. This leaves behind microbes that can cause illness other than gastro-intestinal and several emerging pathogens, disregarding non-endemic microbial contaminants and those with recent pathogenic activity reported. This white paper focuses on one group of contaminants known to cause allergies, opportunistic infections and intoxications: Fungi. It presents a review on their occurrence, ecology and physiology. Additionally, factors contributing to their presence in water distribution systems, as well as their effect on water quality are discussed. Presence of opportunistic and pathogenic fungi in drinking water can pose a health risk to consumers due to daily contact with water, via several exposure points, such as drinking and showering. The clinical relevance and influence on human health of the most common fungal contaminants in drinking water is discussed. Our goal with this paper is to place fungal contaminants on the roadmap of evidence based and emerging threats for drinking water quality safety regulations.
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A standardized approach for co-culturing dothidealean rock-inhabiting fungi and lichen photobionts in vitro. Symbiosis 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-017-0479-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Poyntner C, Blasi B, Arcalis E, Mirastschijski U, Sterflinger K, Tafer H. The Transcriptome of Exophiala dermatitidis during Ex-vivo Skin Model Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:136. [PMID: 27822460 PMCID: PMC5075926 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is a widespread polyextremophile and human pathogen, that is found in extreme natural habitats and man-made environments such as dishwashers. It can cause various diseases ranging from phaeohyphomycosis and systemic infections, with fatality rates reaching 40%. While the number of cases in immunocompromised patients are increasing, knowledge of the infections, virulence factors and host response is still scarce. In this study, for the first time, an artificial infection of an ex-vivo skin model with Exophiala dermatitidis was monitored microscopically and transcriptomically. Results show that Exophiala dermatitidis is able to actively grow and penetrate the skin. The analysis of the genomic and RNA-sequencing data delivers a rich and complex transcriptome where circular RNAs, fusion transcripts, long non-coding RNAs and antisense transcripts are found. Changes in transcription strongly affect pathways related to nutrients acquisition, energy metabolism, cell wall, morphological switch, and known virulence factors. The L-Tyrosine melanin pathway is specifically upregulated during infection. Moreover the production of secondary metabolites, especially alkaloids, is increased. Our study is the first that gives an insight into the complexity of the transcriptome of Exophiala dermatitidis during artificial skin infections and reveals new virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Poyntner
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Blasi
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria
| | - Elsa Arcalis
- Department for Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Molecular Plant Physiology and Crop Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Mirastschijski
- Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University Bremen Bremen, Germany
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria
| | - Hakim Tafer
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria
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Ota A, Višnjevec AM, Vidrih R, Prgomet Ž, Nečemer M, Hribar J, Cimerman NG, Možina SS, Bučar-Miklavčič M, Ulrih NP. Nutritional, antioxidative, and antimicrobial analysis of the Mediterranean hackberry ( Celtis australis L.). Food Sci Nutr 2016; 5:160-170. [PMID: 28070327 PMCID: PMC5217915 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Celtis australis is a deciduous tree commonly known as Mediterranean hackberry or the European nettle tree. The fruit of hackberry are seldom used for nutritional purposes. The nutritional and physicochemical properties of ripe hackberry fruit from Istria (Marasi village near Vrsar, Croatia) were determined, including water, total fiber, protein, vitamin, mineral, and phenolic contents. This analysis demonstrates that the hackberry fruit is a valuable source of dietary fiber, protein, and vitamins, and of pigments such as lutein, β‐carotene, zeaxanthin, and tocopherols. The seasonal differences associated with the different growth stages for the element composition, total phenolic content, and phenolic profile were also determined for hackberry mesocarp and leaves. Water and ethanol extracts were prepared from mesocarp and leaves harvested at different growth stages and their phenolic profiles and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated. This study demonstrates that water and ethanol extracts of hackberry fruit and leaves collected at different growth stages contain epicatechin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, delphinidin‐3,5‐di‐O‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3,5‐di‐O‐glucoside, and pelargonidin‐3,5‐di‐O‐glucoside. They also show some antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Further studies are needed to identify and define the active ingredients of these hackberry leaf ethanol extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Ota
- Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Jamnikarjeva 101 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Ana Miklavčič Višnjevec
- Science and Research Centre of Koper University of Primorska Zelena ulica 8 Izola SI-6310 Slovenia
| | - Rajko Vidrih
- Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Jamnikarjeva 101 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Željko Prgomet
- Agricultural Department in Poreč University of Rijeka Carla Huguesa 6 Poreč Croatia
| | - Marijan Nečemer
- Institute Jožef Stefan Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Janez Hribar
- Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Jamnikarjeva 101 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde Cimerman
- Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Jamnikarjeva 101 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia; Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP) Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Sonja Smole Možina
- Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Jamnikarjeva 101 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Milena Bučar-Miklavčič
- Science and Research Centre of Koper University of Primorska Zelena ulica 8 Izola SI-6310 Slovenia
| | - Nataša Poklar Ulrih
- Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Jamnikarjeva 101 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia; Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP) Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
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Zupančič J, Novak Babič M, Zalar P, Gunde-Cimerman N. The Black Yeast Exophiala dermatitidis and Other Selected Opportunistic Human Fungal Pathogens Spread from Dishwashers to Kitchens. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148166. [PMID: 26867131 PMCID: PMC4750988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the diversity and distribution of fungi in nine different sites inside 30 residential dishwashers. In total, 503 fungal strains were isolated, which belong to 10 genera and 84 species. Irrespective of the sampled site, 83% of the dishwashers were positive for fungi. The most frequent opportunistic pathogenic species were Exophiala dermatitidis, Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Exophiala phaeomuriformis, Fusarium dimerum, and the Saprochaete/Magnusiomyces clade. The black yeast E. dermatitidis was detected in 47% of the dishwashers, primarily at the dishwasher rubber seals, at up to 106 CFU/cm2; the other fungi detected were in the range of 102 to 105 CFU/cm2. The other most heavily contaminated dishwasher sites were side nozzles, doors and drains. Only F. dimerum was isolated from washed dishes, while dishwasher waste water contained E. dermatitidis, Exophiala oligosperma and Sarocladium killiense. Plumbing systems supplying water to household appliances represent the most probable route for contamination of dishwashers, as the fungi that represented the core dishwasher mycobiota were also detected in the tap water. Hot aerosols from dishwashers contained the human opportunistic yeast C. parapsilosis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and E. dermatitidis (as well as common air-borne genera such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Cladosporium). Comparison of fungal contamination of kitchens without and with dishwashers revealed that virtually all were contaminated with fungi. In both cases, the most contaminated sites were the kitchen drain and the dish drying rack. The most important difference was higher prevalence of black yeasts (E. dermatitidis in particular) in kitchens with dishwashers. In kitchens without dishwashers, C. parapsilosis strongly prevailed with negligible occurrence of E. dermatitidis. F. dimerum was isolated only from kitchens with dishwashers, while Saprochaete/Magnusiomyces isolates were only found within dishwashers. We conclude that dishwashers represent a reservoir of enriched opportunistic pathogenic species that can spread from the dishwasher into the indoor biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerneja Zupančič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Monika Novak Babič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polona Zalar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP), Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
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Sav H, Ozakkas F, Altınbas R, Kiraz N, Tümgör A, Gümral R, Döğen A, Ilkit M, de Hoog GS. Virulence markers of opportunistic black yeast in Exophiala. Mycoses 2016; 59:343-50. [PMID: 26857806 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The black yeast genus Exophiala is known to cause a wide variety of diseases in severely ill individuals but can also affect immunocompetent individuals. Virulence markers and other physiological parameters were tested in eight clinical and 218 environmental strains, with a specific focus on human-dominated habitats for the latter. Urease and catalase were consistently present in all samples; four strains expressed proteinase and three strains expressed DNase, whereas none of the strains showed phospholipase, haemolysis, or co-haemolysis activities. Biofilm formation was identified in 30 (13.8%) of the environmental isolates, particularly in strains from dishwashers, and was noted in only two (25%) of the clinical strains. These results indicate that virulence factors are inconsistently present in the investigated Exophiala species, suggesting opportunism rather than pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafize Sav
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Ozakkas
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rabiye Altınbas
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuri Kiraz
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Tümgör
- Department of Microbiology, Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Gümral
- Department of Microbiology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aylin Döğen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mersin, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
| | - G Sybren de Hoog
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.,King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Yew SM, Chan CL, Kuan CS, Toh YF, Ngeow YF, Na SL, Lee KW, Hoh CC, Yee WY, Ng KP. The genome of newly classified Ochroconis mirabilis: Insights into fungal adaptation to different living conditions. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:91. [PMID: 26842951 PMCID: PMC4738786 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2409-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ochroconis mirabilis, a recently introduced water-borne dematiaceous fungus, is occasionally isolated from human skin lesions and nails. We identified an isolate of O. mirabilis from a skin scraping with morphological and molecular studies. Its genome was then sequenced and analysed for genetic features related to classification and biological characteristics. RESULTS UM 578 was identified as O. mirabilis based on morphology and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny. The 34.61 Mb assembled genome with 13,435 predicted genes showed less efficiency of this isolate in plant cell wall degradation. Results from the peptidase comparison analysis with reported keratin-degrading peptidases from dermatophytes suggest that UM 578 is very unlikely to be utilising these peptidases to survive in the host. Nevertheless, we have identified peptidases from M10A, M12A and S33 families that may allow UM 578 to invade its host via extracellular matrix and collagen degradation. Furthermore, the lipases in UM 578 may have a role in supporting the fungus in host invasion. This fungus has the potential ability to synthesise melanin via the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin pathway and to produce mycotoxins. The mating ability of this fungus was also inspected in this study and a mating type gene containing alpha domain was identified. This fungus is likely to produce taurine that is required in osmoregulation. The expanded gene family encoding the taurine catabolism dioxygenase TauD/TdfA domain suggests the utilisation of taurine under sulfate starvation. The expanded glutathione-S-transferase domains and RTA1-like protein families indicate the selection of genes in UM 578 towards adaptation in hostile environments. CONCLUSIONS The genomic analysis of O. mirabilis UM 578 provides a better understanding of fungal survival tactics in different habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Mei Yew
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chai Ling Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chee Sian Kuan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Yue Fen Toh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Yun Fong Ngeow
- Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bandar Sungai Long, 43000, Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Shiang Ling Na
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Kok Wei Lee
- Codon Genomics SB, No. 26, Jalan Dutamas 7, Taman Dutamas, Balakong, 43200, Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Chee-Choong Hoh
- Codon Genomics SB, No. 26, Jalan Dutamas 7, Taman Dutamas, Balakong, 43200, Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Wai-Yan Yee
- Codon Genomics SB, No. 26, Jalan Dutamas 7, Taman Dutamas, Balakong, 43200, Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Kee Peng Ng
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Muggia L, Fleischhacker A, Kopun T, Grube M. Extremotolerant fungi from alpine rock lichens and their phylogenetic relationships. FUNGAL DIVERS 2015; 76:119-142. [PMID: 26877720 PMCID: PMC4739527 DOI: 10.1007/s13225-015-0343-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Fungi other than the lichen mycobiont frequently co-occur within lichen thalli and on the same rock in harsh environments. In these situations dark-pigmented mycelial structures are commonly observed on lichen thalli, where they persist under the same stressful conditions as their hosts. Here we used a comprehensive sampling of lichen-associated fungi from an alpine habitat to assess their phylogenetic relationships with fungi previously known from other niches. The multilocus phylogenetic analyses suggest that most of the 248 isolates belong to the Chaetothyriomycetes and Dothideomycetes, while a minor fraction represents Sordariomycetes and Leotiomycetes. As many lichens also were infected by phenotypically distinct lichenicolous fungi of diverse lineages, it remains difficult to assess whether the culture isolates represent these fungi or are from additional cryptic, extremotolerant fungi within the thalli. Some of these strains represent yet undescribed lineages within Chaethothyriomycetes and Dothideomycetes, whereas other strains belong to genera of fungi, that are known as lichen colonizers, plant and human pathogens, rock-inhabiting fungi, parasites and saprotrophs. The symbiotic structures of the lichen thalli appear to be a shared habitat of phylogenetically diverse stress-tolerant fungi, which potentially benefit from the lichen niche in otherwise hostile habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Muggia
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria ; Department of Life Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via Valerio 12/2, 34128 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Theodora Kopun
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Grube
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
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49
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Fleischhacker A, Grube M, Kopun T, Hafellner J, Muggia L. Community Analyses Uncover High Diversity of Lichenicolous Fungi in Alpine Habitats. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2015; 70:348-360. [PMID: 25792281 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-015-0579-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Lichens are frequently colonized by specialized, lichenicolous fungi. Symptomatic lichenicolous fungi usually display typical phenotypes and reproductive structures on the lichen hosts. The classification based on these structures revealed different host specificity patterns. Other fungi occur asymptomatically in the lichen thalli and are much less known. We aimed at studying the diversity of lichen-associated fungi in specific, lichen-rich communities on rocks in the Alps. We tested whether lichenicolous fungi developing symptomatically on their known hosts also occur asymptomatically in other thalli of the same or of different host species. We collected lichen thalli according to a uniform sampling design comprising individuals adjacent to thalli that showed symptoms of lichenicolous fungal infections. The total fungal communities in the selected lichen thalli were further studied by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprinting analyses and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragments. The systematic, stratified sampling strategy helped to recover 17 previously undocumented lichenicolous fungi and almost exhaustively the species diversity of symptomatic lichenicolous fungi in the studied region. The results from SSCP and the sequencing analyses did not reveal asymptomatic occurrence of normally symptomatic lichenicolous fungi in thalli of both the same and different lichen host species. The fungal diversity did not correlate with the species diversity of the symptomatic lichenicolous fungus-lichen host associations. The complex fingerprint patterns recovered here for fungal communities, in associations of well-delimited lichen thalli, suggest lichen symbiosis as suitable subjects for fungal metacommunity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Fleischhacker
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Holteigasse 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
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50
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Blasi B, Tafer H, Tesei D, Sterflinger K. From Glacier to Sauna: RNA-Seq of the Human Pathogen Black Fungus Exophiala dermatitidis under Varying Temperature Conditions Exhibits Common and Novel Fungal Response. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127103. [PMID: 26061625 PMCID: PMC4463862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Exophiala dermatitidis (Wangiella dermatitidis) belongs to the group of the so-called black yeasts. Thanks in part to its thick and strongly melanized cell walls, E. dermatitidis is extremely tolerant to various kinds of stress, including extreme pH, temperature and desiccation. E. dermatitidis is also the agent responsible for various severe illnesses in humans, such as pneumonia and keratitis, and might lead to fatal brain infections. Due to its association with the human environment, its poly-extremophilic lifestyle and its pathogenicity in humans, E. dermatitidis has become an important model organism. In this study we present the functional analysis of the transcriptional response of the fungus at 1°C and 45°C, in comparison with that at 37°C, for two different exposition times, i.e. 1 hour and 1 week. At 1°C, E. dermatitidis uses a large repertoire of tools to acclimatize, such as lipid membrane fluidization, trehalose production or cytoskeleton rearrangement, which allows the fungus to remain metabolically active. At 45°C, the fungus drifts into a replicative state and increases the activity of the Golgi apparatus. As a novel finding, our study provides evidence that, apart from the protein coding genes, non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs as well as fusion-transcripts are differentially regulated and that the function of the fusion-transcripts can be related to the corresponding temperature condition. This work establishes that E. dermatitidis adapts to its environment by modulating coding and non-coding gene transcription levels and through the regulation of chimeric and circular RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Blasi
- VIBT-Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hakim Tafer
- VIBT-Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Donatella Tesei
- VIBT-Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- VIBT-Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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