Enzymatic conversion of norsolorinic acid to averufin in aflatoxin biosynthesis

5'-Hydroxyaverantin (HAVN) was isolated from a mold, Emericella heterothallica IFO 30842. Aspergillus parasiticus NIAH-26, a UV-irradiated mutant of A. parasiticus SYS-4, produced neither aflatoxins nor precursors in yeast extract-sucrose (YES) medium. When the postmicrosome (cytosol) fraction of NIAH-26, which had been prepared from the culture in YES medium, was incubated with norsolorinic acid (NA) in the presence of NADH or NADPH, averantin (AVN) was produced. The reverse reaction from AVN to NA was promoted by the addition of NAD or NADP (dehydrogenase reaction). When the microsome fraction of NIAH-26 was incubated with AVN, HAVN was produced in the presence of NADPH (monooxygenase reaction). HAVN was, furthermore, oxidized to averufin (AVR) by the cytosol fraction of NIAH-26 in the presence of NAD or NADP (dehydrogenase reaction). In the feeding experiments with A. parasiticus NIAH-26, aflatoxins were produced from AVN, HAVN, NA, and AVR but not from averufanin or averythrin. These results indicate that the reaction sequence NA in equilibrium AVN----HAVN----AVR is involved in the biosynthetic pathway of aflatoxins. The enzyme activities described here were dependent on the culture medium, and no enzyme activities were observed in the nonaflatoxigenic strain A. oryzae SYS-2 (IFO 4251).

Oral administration of SSG, a beta-glucan obtained from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, affects the function of Peyer's patch cells

The effect of orally administered SSG, a beta-1,3-glucan obtained from the culture filtrate of a fungus, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395, on the function of Peyer's patch (PP) cells was investigated in comparison with that on spleen cells in mice. Oral administration of SSG enhanced the proliferative response of PP cells to a T-cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), and a B-cell mitogen, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), although the response of spleen cells was not affected. Peyer's patch cells taken from mice which had received oral administration of SSG two days before, showed enhanced plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) after antigen (SRBC) stimulation for 5 days in vitro. These results suggest that oral administration of SSG can modulate the mucosal immune response.

Preparation and antitumor activity of hydroxyethylated derivatives of 6-branched (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, SSG, obtained from the culture filtrate of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395

SSG is an antitumor branched (1----3)-beta-D-glucan obtained from the culture filtrate of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395. Hydroxyethylation of SSG higher than MS 0.45 (MS value represents molar ratio of hydroxyethyl group vs. glucosyl group) by ethyleneoxide in aqueous sodium hydroxide lose the antitumor activity. Degradation of branching point of hydroxyethylated SSG (HE-SSG) by the sequential treatments of periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction, and mild acid hydrolysis of these derivatives regenerated the antitumor activity. These results directly demonstrated that the branching point covered, at least a part of, the dormant active site of SSG.

Heat induced generation of the mitogenic substance(s) responding to murine splenocytes obtained from sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395

We have demonstrated that hot water extracts of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395 (TSHW) show various immunomodulating activities and mitogenic substance(s) were recovered from the beta-1,3-glucanase resistant-fraction (EDP) (Shinohara et al. Chem. Pharm. Bull., 37, 2174 (1989]. In this paper, we examined whether or not the mitogenic substance(s) were also obtained from the other methods, phosphate buffer extraction. Although the native extracts (3S-M) sterilized with a membrane filter showed a slight mitogenicity to murine splenocytes, 3S-M denatured in boiling water (3S-MB) showed significant activity. Treatment of 3S-M for only 1 min in boiling water or 10 min at 70 degrees C was sufficient to show significant mitogenic activity. After heat treatment of 3S-M in boiling water for 30 s, the main band corresponding to that of 3S-M was not clearly observed. Instead, new bands appeared at the top of the gel in normal-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (normal-PAGE), suggesting that many physicochemical changes occurred during the heat treatment. These findings suggest that heat denaturation of the substance(s) from sclerotia was one of the triggering mechanisms expressing mitogenic activity to murine splenocytes.

Affinity purification of endothia protease with a novel renin inhibitor SQ 32,970

A novel tripeptidic renin inhibitor is described, SQ 32,970, that will potently inhibit endothia protease. This inhibitor can be coupled to Sepharose and will allow the affinity-purification of endothia protease in one step to greater than 95% purity as measured by SDS PAGE. The purified endothia protease cleaves the Lys-Pro-Ala-Glu-Phe-Nph-Arg-Leu substrate at the Phe-Nph bond with a Kcat/Km of 7445 (s-1 mM-1) at pH 3.1 and 4057 (s-1 mM-1) at pH 6.0. Affinity purified endothia protease can be crystallized in the pH range in which it is enzymatically active and can be inhibited by renin inhibitors.

Isolation of a new tremorgenic indoloditerpene, 1'-O-acetylpaxilline, from Emericella striata and distribution of paxilline in Emericella spp

The distribution of a tremorgenic mycotoxin, paxilline (1), was investigated in 19 species belonging to the genus Emericella. It was found that Emericella desertorum, E. foveolata, and E. striata produced paxilline (1). A new type of indoloditerpene, emindole DA (4), was also found in E. quadrilineata. A new tremorgenic indoloditerpene, 1'-O-acetylpaxilline (3), was isolated from the mycelium of E. striata. Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic investigations.

Ultrastructural study of galacturonic acid distribution in some pathogenic fungi using gold-complexed Aplysia depilans gonad lectin

Aplysia gonad lectin, isolated from the mollusc Aplysia depilans, was successfully conjugated to colloidal gold and used for ultrastructural detection of galacturonic acids in some pathogenic fungi. These sugar residues were found to occur in the fibrillar sheath surrounding hyphal cells of Ascocalyx abietina and in intravacuolar dense inclusions of this fungus spores. In hyphae and spores of Ophiostoma ulmi, galacturonic acids were detected mainly in the outermost wall layers. In contrast, these saccharides appeared associated with the innermost wall layers and especially the plasma membrane of Verticillium albo-atrum cells. Galacturonic acids were found to be absent in cells of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici and Candida albicans. These cytochemical data indicate therefore that a heterogeneity in wall composition exists between ascomycete fungi. The significance of the presence of galacturonic acids in the cell walls of certain fungi is still open to question.

Labdane diterpene derivatives from Holwaya mucida

Clumps of white crystals present in 40-day-old malt agar cultures of Holwaya mucida were isolated as long white needles by crystallization from ethanol following short extraction with chloroform. The levorotary compound ([alpha]21/289 = -193.8 degrees) was recognized as a gamma-lactone (C17H20O5) by infrared and mass spectrometry. It was identified as 7 alpha-methoxy-3a, 10b-dimethyl-1, 2, 3, 3a alpha, 5a alpha, 7, 10b beta, 10c alpha-octahydro-4H, 9H-furo[2', 3', 4': 4, 5]naphthol[2, 1-c]pyran-4, 9-dione, a labdane-derived compound known as antibiotic LL-Z1271 alpha. Preparative thin-layer chromatography of the mother liquor afforded 2 minor metabolites. One was identified as LL-Z1271 gamma, the demethylated analogue of LL-Z1271 alpha. The other one named LL-Z1271 delta, was recognized as a compound related to alpha and gamma: its structure could not be fully elucidated. H. mucida (anamorph: Crinula calciiformis) has no taxonomic relationship with two other LL-Z1271 alpha producing species viz. Acrostalagmus sp. (= Acremonium cf. atrogriseum) and Oidiodendron truncatum.

D-galactofuranose in the N-linked sugar chain of a glycopeptide from Ascobolus furfuraceus

Two types of linkages between the carbohydrate and the peptide moiety in the glycopeptide from Ascobolus furfuraceus are described. Treatment with mild alkali produced beta-elimination of a small oligosaccharide. Evidence for the O-glycosidic linkage was provided by increase in absorbance at 240 nm, decrease in threonine and serine content after the alkaline treatment and detection of tritiated oligosaccharide following alkaline NaB3H4 reduction. Mannose is the sugar involved in the O-glycosidic linkage. The remaining glycopeptide was branched by galactofuranose units, which were selectivity released by mild acid hydrolysis. The N-glycosidic linkage of the sugar chain was conclusively proved by cleavage with endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase. Sequential NaB3H4 reduction and acid hydrolysis gave [3H]glucosaminitol. The structure of the sugar chain was studied by 13C NMR spectroscopy and by methylation analysis.

Orthogonal-field-alternation gel electrophoresis banding patterns of DNA from yeasts

Chromosomal DNAs from various yeast species were separated by orthogonal-field-alternation gel electrophoresis (OFAGE). To this end we developed a spheroplasting and lysis method to obtain intact DNA from both ascomycetous and basidiomycetous yeasts. The OFAGE banding patterns of 22 ascomycetous and four basidiomycetous yeast strains were compared. The strains represented species from the genera: Brettanomyces, Candida, Cryptococcus, Filobasidiella, Geotrichum, Hansenula, Kluyveromyces, Pachysolen, Pichia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Saccharomycodes, Saccharomycopsis, Schizosaccharomyces and Zygosaccharomyces. Variations occurred in the number of bands and their positions in the gel, not only among strains of different genera but also among species from the same genus and even between varieties of the same species. The ascomycetous yeasts, with the exception of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, only showed one to five bands of DNA larger than 1000 kilobase pairs (kb) in general none smaller. The patterns of the four basidiomycetous yeasts revealed also a few large DNA bands but in addition one to six bands ranging in size from 500 to 1000 kb, with the exception of a single smaller chromosome in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. From the OFAGE banding patterns of strains studied here it appears that in Sacch. cerevisiae the partitioning of DNA over chromosomes is unique. But rather than the large number of chromosomes, the presence of four chromosomes with less than 500 kb of DNA is characteristic for Sacch. cerevisiae.

Ultrastructural localization of glycoconjugates in the fungus Ascocalyx abietina, the Scleroderris canker agent of conifers, using lectin-gold complexes

Different glycoconjugates were revealed in the fungus Ascocalyx abietina (Lagerberg.) Schlaepfer-Bernhard, by using various lectin-gold complexes. N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and D-mannose were specifically localized in cell walls of fungal cells. N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) and L-fucose were detected in structures corresponding to lipid bodies, whereas they were totally absent in the cell wall. This is the first report on the occurrence of sialic acid in fungi and of fucose in Ascomycetes. The great advantage of using lectin-gold complexes for ultrastructural localization of sugars in phytopathogenic fungi, as well as in studies concerning host-pathogen interactions, is discussed.

Effect of a B cell mitogen extracted from a fungus Peziza vesiculosa on antibody production in mice

The effect of Vesiculogen (a hot-water extracted B cell mitogen from Peziza vesiculosa) on antibody production in mouse spleens was studied. The number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) elicited by injection with Vesiculogen and/or 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl substituted sheep red blood cells (TNP-SRBC) were comparatively assayed. In the mice injected with 100 micrograms of Vesiculogen (i.p.), an obvious increase in the numbers of anti-SRBC and anti-TNP SRBC PEC in spleens was observed after 2 d of injection, and the numbers of PFC reached a maximum on day 3. Injections to 1-1000 micrograms of Vesiculogen were effective. This effect was shown when Vesiculogen was administered by i.p. or i.v. injections. In some cases, the numbers of PFC in mice injected with Vesiculogen and antigen exceeded the sum of each number of PFC elicited by polyclonal B cell activation activity of Vesiculogen and by antigenic stimulation of TNP-SRBC. Pretreatment with Vesiculogen within 4 d before immunization markedly reduced the PFC response. These results suggest that the effect of Vesiculogen on antibody response in mice attributes to its activities as a polyclonal B cell activator and adjuvant.

Calmodulin levels in the yeast and mycelial phases of Ceratocystis ulmi

The calmodulin content of the yeast and mycelial phases of Ceratocystis ulmi was determined by radioimmunoassay. Calmodulin levels increased at the G1-S boundary of the cell cycle, coinciding with the first visible appearance of buds or germ tubes. However, in both phases the cellular calmodulin levels were equivalent. No differential synthesis was observed.

Isolation of furanoterpene-containing particles from Ceratocystis fimbriata-infected sweet potato root tissue

Furanoterpene-containing particles were isolated by centrifugation on a discontinuous Ficoll density gradient from a homogenate of the non-infected tissue adjacent to the infected region of Ceratocystis fimbriata-infected sweet potato root tissue. The particles were recovered at a relatively high ratio in the 2% Ficoll fraction, in which there was no contamination by mitochondria and only little by endoplasmic reticulum judging from the distribution of the activities of their marker enzymes and electron micrographs. Each particle was enveloped in a single membrane, 7-10 nm thick.

The use of primuline to identify the septum polysaccharide of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Treatment of cells and purified cell walls of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe with primuline reveals the septum as a bright fluorescent band. When polysaccharides containing (1----3)-beta-, (1----6)-beta- or (1----3)-alpha-glucosidic linkages are treated with primuline, only those molecules containing chains of (1----3)-beta-glucosyl residues are stained. This implies that (1----3)-beta-glucan is present in the septum of Schiz. pombe as the main constituent.

Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin inhibits adenylate cyclase of sensitive yeast cells

K1 killer toxin secreted by the K1 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been well characterized. It is a simple protein of molecular weight (MW) 11,470 (ref. 3), encoded by a double-stranded, linear RNA plasmid, called M RNA, of MW 1.1-1.7 x 10(6) (refs 4-6). It is lethal to sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae which does not carry M RNA. Leakage of K+ and ATP is the first distinct response in sensitive cells, and the toxic action is thought to be due to its action as a protonophore or K+ ionophore. Recently, a further killer toxin has been found in Kluyveromyces lactis IFO 1267, and it is associated with the presence of the double-stranded linear DNA plasmids, pGK1-1 (MW 5.4 x 10(6)) and pGK1-2 (MW 8.4 x 10(6)). It has been shown, by curing pGK1-1 or deletion mapping, that the structural gene for the killer toxin and immunity-determining gene reside on the smaller plasmid. Moreover, the plasmids could be transferred from K. lactis to S. cerevisiae by protoplast fusion and protoplast transformation. As the K. lactis toxin is encoded by a DNA plasmid and has a relatively wider action spectrum than K1 killer toxin, the mode of action of the toxin is highly interesting. Here we report that K. lactis toxin inhibits adenylate cyclase in sensitive yeast cells and brings about arrest of the cells at the G1 stage.

Yeast ribosomal proteins: VII. Cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins from a fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe were analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seventy-three protein species were identified in the 80S ribosome, and named SP-S1 to SP-S33 and SP-L1 to SP-L40 in the small and large subunits, respectively. Many of these proteins could be correlated to those of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the basis of their electrophoretic mobilities. Eleven proteins were isolated from the 80S ribosome, and their amino acid compositions were determined. Of these, SP-S6, SP-L1, SP-L12, SP-L15, SP-L17, SP-L27, SP-L36 and SP-L40c and d were sequenced from their amino-termini. SP-S28 and SP-L2 appear to have their amino-termini blocked. These results were compared with the data available for the S. cerevisiae and rat liver ribosomal proteins. The S. cerevisiae counterparts of the eight proteins mentioned above were found to be YS4, YL1, YL10, YL14, YL35, YL40 and YL44c and d, respectively. The rat liver counterparts of SP-S6, SP-L1, SP-L27 and SP-L40c and d were the rat S6, L4, L37 and P2, respectively. Comparison of the partial sequences of these ribosomal proteins suggests that these two yeasts are relatively far apart, phylogenetically.

A microapparatus for liquid hydrogen fluoride solvolysis: sugar and amino sugar composition of Erysiphe graminis and Triticum aestivum cell walls

The assembly and use of a simple and safe apparatus for HF solvolysis of microgram amounts of cell walls, polysaccharides, or glycoproteins are described. Using this apparatus the cell wall composition of Erysiphe graminis was compared with that of its wheat host. The HF solvolysis combined with TFA posthydrolysis considerably increased sugar yields compared with TFA hydrolysis alone, due mainly to increased yields of glucose from wheat, and glucosamine from Erysiphe, corresponding to cellulose and chitin, respectively. A potentially useful method for determining amounts of fungal hyphae in plant tissue is also provided.

Distribution of carotenoids and sterols in relation to the taxonomy of Taphrina and Protomyces

Species of the genera Taphrina Fr. and Protomyces Unger were screened for the presence of carotenoid pigments and the sterols ergosterol and brassicasterol. All strains produced carotenoids in variable amounts: Taphrina: 0.3--39 micrograms/g dry weight; protomyces: 65--99 micrograms/g dry weight. It was concluded that the two genera cannot be separated on the basis of presence or absence of carotenoids. Thirty strains (24 species) of Taphrina produced brassicasterol as the principal sterol; twenty-one strains (17 species) did not form ergosterol. Only four isolates (4 species) produced ergosterol without formation of brassicasterol. Brassicasterol was the major sterol in 3 species of Protomyces, whereas ergosterol was absent. Brassicasterol is a rather unique sterol within the fungal kingdom and has hitherto not been found in the red yeasts. Therefore, this sterol is of taxonomic significance in contrast with ergosterol, which is widespread among fungi.

Antifungal activity of some Discomycetes. II. Fractionation and partial characterization of the antifungal substance produced by Ciboria rufo-fusca

An antifungal glycoprotein compound was obtained from the culture filtrate of Ciboria rufo-fusca, by ultrafiltration and fractionation through D.E.A.E. cellulose and ultrogel Ac A34 chromatography. The purified material was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was sensitive to the action of beta glucuronidase and catalase, and partly denatured by urea. The antifungal properties of the discomycete: Ciboria rufo-fusca was described in the first part of this work (6). The second part deals with the nature of the antifungal substance produced by Ciboria rufo-fusca.

Antifungal activity of some Discomycetes. I. Biological spectrum of Ciboria rufo-fusca (Weberb.) Sacc

The antifungal activity was investigated in culture filtrates of 131 strains (41 genera and 104 species) of Ascomycetes--Discomycetes by testing against 6 fungal species which caused diseases in man. The anti-fungal spectrum was established for a Ciboria rufo-fusca strain, the only one found to inhibit all test organisms. This strain was also active against several gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Sexual agglutination factors from the yeast Pichia amethionina

Pichia amethionina is a heterothallic yeast isolated from necrotic cactus tissue. Haploid cells of opposite mating type, designated alpha and alpha, agglutinate strongly when mixed. The agglutination factors of the two cell types have been solubilized from the cell walls by beta-glucanase digestion and then partially purified by affinity adsorption to the opposite cell type and by gel filtration. From alpha-cells was obtained a large, heat-stable glycoprotein with the ability to agglutinate alpha-cells. This alpha-agglutinin was inactivated by mercaptoethanol, probably because the recognition sites are linked to the glycoprotein core by disulfide bonds. Digestion of alpha-cells with beta-glucanase released a large heat-labile glycoprotein that did not agglutinate alpha-cells but did inhibit agglutination of alpha-cells by alpha-agglutinin. Subtilisin digestion of this alpha-factor released a carbohydrate-free protein of 27,000 daltons that retained the biological activity of the factor. These agglutination factors are sex- and species-specific and are not found on the surface of heterozygous diploid cells.

[DNA base composition in strains of "Sporothrix schenckii" and "Ceratocystis" (author's transl)]

Deoxyribonucleic acid base composition, as measured by guanine and cytosine content, was determined in strains of Ceratocystis minor, C. stenoceras and Sporothrix schenckii. The value for C. minor is 51.2 and the average value is 52.4 for C. stenoceras and 54.5 for S. schenckii. These values are in agreement with a close relationship between these fungi.

The nucleotide sequence of 5S ribosomal RNA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The nucleotide sequence of 5S rRNA from the fission yeast, S. pombe, has been established by post labeling procedures combined with cataloging RNase T1- and A-oligonucleotides derived from unlabeled 5S rRNA. The sequence consists of 119 nucleotides without a modified base and shows more dissimilarities (at 38 positions) from that of S. cerevisiae than from that of humans (at 33 positions).

Characterization of phosphorylated oligomannosides from Hansenula wingei mannoprotein

Yeast cell wall mannoproteins often contain phosphate esterified to the oligosaccharide side chains, and partial acetolysis yields both neutral and phosphorylated fragments [Thieme, T. R., & Ballou, C. E. (1971) Biochemistry 10, 4121--4129]. We have isolated the acidic acetolysis fragments from Hansenula wingei mannoprotein [Yen, P. H., & Ballou, C. E. (1974) Biochemistry 13, 2420--2427] and have separated them into a mannopentaose monophosphate (Man5P) and a mannotriose monophosphate (Man3P). On the basis of selective enzymatic and partial acid hydrolysis and 1H and 31P NMR studies, Man5P was shown to have the structure P leads to 6 alpha Man1 leads to 3 alpha Man1 leads to 2 alpha Man1 leads to 2 alpha Man1 leads to 2Man (where Man = D-mannopyranose). The 31P NMR spectrum of the Man3P showed it to be a mixture of a phosphate monoester and a phosphate diester, which was separated by ion-exchange chromatography. The monoester had the structure P leads to 6 alpha Man1 leads to 3 alpha Man1 leads to 3Man whereas the diester had the properties of a cyclic phosphate. Although native H. wingei mannoprotein contains phosphodiester linkages, the starting mannoprotein preparation was isolated under alkaline conditions that hydrolyze such bonds, and it did not show a phosphodiester signal in the 31P NMR spectrum. We conclude that the cyclic phosphate was an artifact formed during the acetolysis reaction. Because acetolysis of H. wingei mannoprotein yields only phosphorylated mannotriose and mannopentaose whereas the mannoprotein contains mannotetraose side chains as well, the phosphorylation process must be a very specific event in the biosynthesis of the glycoprotein.

Sporothrix schenckii and related species of Ceratocystis

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Effects of potassium and sodium ions on the killing action of a Pichia kluyveri toxin in cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Loss of viability of toxin-treated cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SCF 1717 could be prevented in the period before they altered physiologically if cells were incubated in media with a suitable concentration of potassium (0.08 to 0.13 M) and hydrogen ions (pH 6.2 to 6.7). Incorporation of higher amounts of potassium chloride in the media had a pronounced negative effect on cell survival, particularly when the pH of the medium was lowered. Replacement of KCl by NaCl in the plate media was even more deleterious to toxin-treated cells and, in contrast with potassium, low concentrations of sodium ions could not sustain recovery of cells. Complete recovery of a toxin-treated cell suspension required an incubation of 3 h in a suitable medium. The recovery process was blocked by cycloheximide.

[Localization of polyphosphates in cells of microorganisms using 31-P-NMR-145, 75 MHz of high resolution]

Using the method of 31P-NMR of high resolution at 145,78 MHz the presence of mobile inorganic polyphosphates in the cells of actinomycetes (Mycobacterium smegmatis), yeasts (Candida albicans and Endomyces magnusii) and bacteria (E. coli) was established. A considerable increase in the intensity and a low field shift of the polyphosphate signal after addition of EDTA to the M. Smegmatis cells can be indicative of possible localization of inorganic polyphosphates in the periplasmic space. The lack of effect of exogenous EDTA and Mn2+ on the polyphosphate signal in the spectrum of E. magnusii cells is probably due to localization of polyphosphates inside the cells. A comparison of 31P-NMR spectra of living cells and bacterial extracts of Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Bacillus antracoides, B. megaterium and Salmonella typhimurium is given.

Chemical and enzymic analyses of Pichia polymorpha cell walls

Conventional techniques of chemical analysis have shown that the cell walls of the yeast Pichia polymorpha, at early stationary growth phase, consisted of carbohydrate (about 85%), protein (8%), and lipid (7%). Glucose and mannose were the only neutral sugars and glucosamine the sole amino sugar present among the cell wall components. Paper and gas-liquid chromatographies of acid hydrolysates of purified cell walls and cell wall fractions proved that mannan and alkali-insoluble glucans, in that order, were the major polysaccharide components, accounting for 83% of the total carbohydrate content. The isolation of an alkali-soluble glucan, non-precipitable with Fehling's solution, has been achieved. Treatments of whole cell walls and their fractions with purified cell wall lytic enzymes have shown the presence of both 1,3- and 1,6-beta-D-linkages in all the glucan fractions. 1,3-alpha-Glucan was not detected. Mannan-glucan complexes have been found containing about 50% each of mannose and glucose. All polysaccharides exhibited different turnover rates when cells were grown in the presence of D-[U-14C]glucose. The morphogenetic implications of these results are discussed.

[Relationship between continuous cultivation conditions and the lipid composition of Hansenual polymorpha]

The effect of temperature, pH, and specific growth rate on the composition of fatty acids and lipid classes was studied in the thermotolerant yeast Hansenula polymorpha grown in the chemostat in a medium with methanol. The fatty acid composition of lipids was found to change depending on the conditions of cultivation: the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids increased when the growth temperature decreased; the proportion of linoleic acid in the lipids increased with the specific growth rate of the yeast and with the pH of the medium. The composition of lipid classes also depended on the cultivation conditions. Therefore, it is possible to find such a regime for cultivating the yeast that would be optimal for the accumulation of particular lipid classes.

The nucleotide sequence of tRNA tyrosine from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The sequence of tRNA tyrosine from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is pCUCCUGAUm1 GGUG psi AGDDGGDDAUCACACor (psi) CCGGUG psi Ai6 AACCGGUUGm7 GUm5C GCUAGT psi CGm1 AUUCUGGUCAGGAGACCAOH. This sequence differs in 30 nucleotides from the tRNA-Tyr seqence of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It has a unique anticodon stem of only four GC base pairs. The normal fifth pair position of nucleotide 28-44 is occupied by a C-U and in 20% of the tRNA-Tyr molecules it is psi-U. This unusual feature and its implications are considered in the discussion.

[Comparative study of the protein makeup in diploid and haploid forms of Saccharomyces and Pichia]

The rates of growth, biomass accumulation, and electrophoretic spectra of mobile cytoplasmic proteins were studied with nonisogenous haploid and diploid cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia guilliermondii as well as with isogenous haploid-diploid pairs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pinus. On a mineral medium with glucose, differences in these parameters in various yeast strains were found to be due to the genotype of a strain rather than to ploidy: nonisogenous haploid and diploid cultures displayed considerable and random variability of these properties while no differences were found in isogenous haploid-diploid pairs. Studies on solubility of protein fractions in various solvents made it possible to reveal differences connected with ploidy, namely: both in nonisogenous and isogenous haploid-diploid systems, the content of the water-soluble fraction decreased in diploid cultures.

Application of the laser to the study of pathogenic fungi

Laser microanalysis has been applied to the study of pathogenic fungi. Such a method allows chemical information to be obtained and permits the detection of 74 elements in the periodic system of Mendeleev from lithium (3) to uranium (92).

The nucleotide sequence of the major glutamate transfer RNA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The nucleotide sequence of glutamate tRNA1 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe was determined to be pU-C-C-G-U-U-G-U-m1G-G-U-C-C-A-A-C-G-G-C-D-A-G-G-A-U-U-C-G-U-C-G-C-U-U-U*-C-A-C-C-G-A-C-G-G-G-A-G-m5C-G-G-G-G-T-psi-C-G-A-C-U-C-C-C-C-G-C-A-A-C-G-G-A-G-C-C-AOH. The sequence differs markedly from that of S. cerevisiae tRNAGlu. S. pombe glutamate tRNA1 can be aminoacylated by the homologous glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase as well as by the corresponding enzyme from S. cerevisiae.