Effect of different carbon sources on proteases secreted by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum during Phaseolus vulgaris infection

The study of intracellular and secreted high-molecular-mass protease(s) of Trichoderma spp., and their responses to conidiation stimuli

We continued our study of high-molecular-mass proteases (HMMPs) using several strains of the genus Trichoderma, and other filamentous fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium culmorum, and Penicillium purpurogenum). We found that five Trichoderma strains secreted HMMPs into the media after induction with bovine serum albumin. Botrytis cinerea and F. culmorum secreted proteases in the absence of inducer, while A. niger or P. purpurogenum did not secrete proteolytic activity (PA). The activity of HMMPs secreted by or intracellularly located in Trichoderma spp. represents the predominant part of cellular PA, according to zymogram patterns. This observation allowed the study of HMMPs' physiological role(s) independent from the secretion. In studying conidiation, we found that illumination significantly stimulated PA in Trichoderma strains. In the T. atroviride IMI 206040 strain, we demonstrated that this stimulation is dependent on the BLR1 and BLR2 receptors. No stimulation of PA was observed when mechanical injury was used as an elicitor of conidiation. Compounds used as inhibitors or activators of conidiation exerted no congruent effects on both PA and conidiation. These results do not favour a direct role of HMMPs in conidiation. Probably, HMMP activity may be involved in the process of the activation of metabolism during vegetative growth, differentiation, and aging-related processes.

Correlation between the invasive fungal infection among and their blood glucose levels

The purpose of this study was to study the association of deep fungal infection with glucose levels in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Fasting blood glucose level was measured for 108 critically ill ICU patients in the morning. After analyzed according to the Spearman method found deep fungal infections in patients with the rise in blood glucose levels and the ratio increases, a positive correlation between the two. Deep infection in critically ill ICU patients and their blood glucose levels was closely related, and therefore, there should a focus on controlling blood sugar levels in patients.