The fine structure of Entomophthora apiculata and its penetration of Trichoplusia ni

1977 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Lambiase ◽  
William G. Yendol

The fine structure of conidia and immature resting spores of the entomogenous fungus Entomophthora apiculata is described. The two cell types contain comparable organelles and quantities of lipid, and possess a similar cell wall structure. The large quantity of stored lipid and numerous mitochondria in each cell type indicate a capacity for great metabolic activity. Numerous dense, microbody-like organelles were observed in conidia and resting spores, and their possible functions are discussed.Third instar larvae of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni were exposed to conidia of E. apiculata. Fungal germ tube formation and penetration of the host integument were observed. The germ tubes did not form appressoria and appeared to penetrate the epicuticle by enzymatic and physical means. After penetration of the epicuticle the germ tube often bifurcates, and expands as two or more digit-like projections parallel to the lamellae of the exocuticle. The hyphae gradually extend inward, cleaving the lamellae of cuticle, and eventually enter the host's body cavity.

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-366
Author(s):  
C. M. Tu ◽  
B. L. Singh

An entomogenous fungus, Entomophthora muscae, was studied morphologically with respect to the formation of primary and secondary conidia and germ tubes. The fungus penetrated the insect cuticle by germ tubes that were produced at the base of each conidium that penetrated directly through the cuticle. Fungal germ-tube formation and penetration of host integument were observed. The tough germ-tube penetration point seemed to provide abundant energy for the penetration of the host integument. Conidia not directly on the integument formed secondary conidia but were never observed to form germ tubes. Neither appressorium nor infection cushion was observed on the germ tubes.Key words: Entomophthora muscae, entomogenous fungus, insect mycosis, insect pathology, conidia.


Author(s):  
Brendan Clifford

An ultrastructural investigation of the Malpighian tubules of the fourth instar larva of Culex pipiens was undertaken as part of a continuing study of the fine structure of transport epithelia.Each of the five Malpighian tubules was found to be morphologically identical and regionally undifferentiated. Two distinct cell types, the primary and stellate, were found intermingled along the length of each tubule. The ultrastructure of the stellate cell was previously described in the Malpighian tubule of the blowfly, Calliphora erythrocephala by Berridge and Oschman.The basal plasma membrane of the primary cell is extremely irregular, giving rise to a complex interconnecting network of basal channels. The compartments of cytoplasm entrapped within this system of basal infoldings contain mitochondria, free ribosomes, and small amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The mitochondria are distinctive in that the cristae run parallel to the long axis of the organelle.


1994 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2959-2974 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Landolt ◽  
R. R. Heath ◽  
J. G. Millar ◽  
K. M. Davis-Hernandez ◽  
B. D. Dueben ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. e26834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jatinder S. Sangha ◽  
Wajahatullah Khan ◽  
Xiuhong Ji ◽  
Junzeng Zhang ◽  
Aaron A. S. Mills ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (10) ◽  
pp. 3211-3223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Sun Bahn ◽  
Paula Sundstrom

ABSTRACT In response to a wide variety of environmental stimuli, the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans exits the budding cycle, producing germ tubes and hyphae concomitant with expression of virulence genes, such as that encoding hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1). Biochemical studies implicate cyclic AMP (cAMP) increases in promoting bud-hypha transitions, but genetic evidence relating genes that control cAMP levels to bud-hypha transitions has not been reported. Adenylate cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) of nonpathogenic fungi interact with Ras and adenylate cyclase to increase cAMP levels under specific environmental conditions. To initiate studies on the relationship between cAMP signaling and bud-hypha transitions in C. albicans, we identified, cloned, characterized, and disrupted the C. albicans CAP1 gene. C. albicans strains with inactivated CAP1 budded in conditions that led to germ tube formation in isogenic strains withCAP1. The addition of 10 mM cAMP and dibutyryl cAMP promoted bud-hypha transitions and filamentous growth in thecap1/cap1 mutant in liquid and solid media, respectively, showing clearly that cAMP promotes hypha formation in C. albicans. Increases in cytoplasmic cAMP preceding germ tube emergence in strains having CAP1 were markedly diminished in the budding cap1/cap1 mutant. C. albicans strains with deletions of both alleles ofCAP1 were avirulent in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The avirulence of a germ tube-deficientcap1/cap1 mutant coupled with the role of Cap1 in regulating cAMP levels shows that the Cap1-mediated cAMP signaling pathway is required for bud-hypha transitions, filamentous growth, and the pathogenesis of candidiasis.


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