Biochemical contributions to the taxonomic status of the Endogonaceae

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. M. Weijman ◽  
H. L. C. Meuzelaar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Intact Cell ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Saprolegnia Ferax ◽  
Mucor Mucedo ◽  
Allomyces Arbuscula ◽  
Liquid Chromatographic Analysis ◽  
Liquid Chromatographic ◽  
Curie Point Pyrolysis

The Endogonaceae are generally considered as zygomycete representatives, although zygospores have only been observed in the type genus Endogone. Consequently, the oomycetous or chytridiomycetous nature of some fungi classified in the Endogonaceae cannot be excluded. The presence or absence of chitin in cell walls can indicate the oomycetous or zygomycetous relationship. The occurrence of glucosamine was investigated by gas–liquid chromatographic analysis of intact cell hydrolyzates, a process requiring small quantities of material. The cells were also characterized by Curie-point pyrolysis mass spectrometry. These two techniques were applied to lyophilized spores or sporocarps of Endogone, Glomus, Glaziella, and Gigaspora. Mucor mucedo, Allomyces arbuscula, Pythium spinosum, and Saprolegnia ferax were included for comparison.In all endogonaceous isolates tested, a strong predominance of chitin was indicated, supporting their classification within the Zygomycetes.The phylogenetic significance of chitin and cellulose distribution in fungal cell walls is discussed.

scholarly journals Fungal Cell Wall Septation and Cytokinesis Are Inhibited by Bleomycins

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 3281-3289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol W. Moore ◽  
Judith McKoy ◽  
Robert Del Valle ◽  
Donald Armstrong ◽  
Edward M. Bernard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Intact Cell ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Mother And Daughter ◽  
Fungal Organisms

ABSTRACT When the essential and distinctive cell walls of either pathogenic or nonpathogenic fungi break, cytoplasmic membranes rupture and fungi die. This fungicidal activity was discovered previously on nonproliferating Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells treated briefly with the oxidative tool and anticancer drug family of bleomycins. The present studies investigated effects of bleomycin on growing fungal organisms. These included the medically important Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans, as well as the emerging human pathogen and fungal model, S. cerevisiae. Bleomycin had its highest potency against A. fumigatus. Scanning electron microscopy and thin-section transmission electron microscopy were used to study morphological growth characteristics. Killing and growth inhibition were also measured. Long, thin, and segmented hyphae were observed when A. fumigatus was grown without bleomycin but were never observed when the mold was grown with the drug. Bleomycin arrested conidial germination, hyphal development, and the progression and completion of cell wall septation. Similarly, the drug inhibited the construction of yeast cell wall septa, preventing cytokinesis and progression in the cell division cycle of S. cerevisiae. Even when cytoplasms of mother and daughter cells separated, septation and cell division did not necessarily occur. Bizarre cell configurations, abnormally thickened cell walls at mother-daughter necks, abnormal polarized growth, large undivided cells, fragmented cells, and empty cell ghosts were also produced. This is the first report of a fungicidal agent that arrests fungal growth and development, septum formation, and cytokinesis and that also preferentially localizes to cell walls and alters isolated cell walls as well as intact cell walls on nongrowing cells.

Antifungal Proteins from Plant Latex

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-506
Author(s):  
Mayck Silva Barbosa ◽  
Bruna da Silva Souza ◽  
Ana Clara Silva Sales ◽  
Jhoana D’arc Lopes de Sousa ◽  
Francisca Dayane Soares da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Protein Classification ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Antifungal Proteins ◽  
Plant Latex

Latex, a milky fluid found in several plants, is widely used for many purposes, and its proteins have been investigated by researchers. Many studies have shown that latex produced by some plant species is a natural source of biologically active compounds, and many of the hydrolytic enzymes are related to health benefits. Research on the characterization and industrial and pharmaceutical utility of latex has progressed in recent years. Latex proteins are associated with plants’ defense mechanisms, against attacks by fungi. In this respect, there are several biotechnological applications of antifungal proteins. Some findings reveal that antifungal proteins inhibit fungi by interrupting the synthesis of fungal cell walls or rupturing the membrane. Moreover, both phytopathogenic and clinical fungal strains are susceptible to latex proteins. The present review describes some important features of proteins isolated from plant latex which presented in vitro antifungal activities: protein classification, function, molecular weight, isoelectric point, as well as the fungal species that are inhibited by them. We also discuss their mechanisms of action.

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