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Journal of Microbiology (Seoul, Korea) Sep 2019Salterns are hypersaline extreme environments with unique physicochemical properties such as a salinity gradient. Although the investigation of microbiota in salterns... (Review)
Review
Salterns are hypersaline extreme environments with unique physicochemical properties such as a salinity gradient. Although the investigation of microbiota in salterns has focused on archaea and bacteria, diverse fungi also thrive in the brine and soil of salterns. Fungi isolated from salterns are represented by black yeasts (Hortaea werneckii, Phaeotheca triangularis, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Trimmatostroma salinum), Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium species. Most studies on saltern-derived fungi gave attention to black yeasts and their physiological characteristics, including growth under various culture conditions. Since then, biochemical and molecular tools have been employed to explore adaptation of these fungi to salt stress. Genome databases of several fungi in salterns are now publicly available and being used to elucidate salt tolerance mechanisms and discover the target genes for agricultural and industrial applications. Notably, the number of enzymes and novel metabolites known to be produced by diverse saltern-derived fungi has increased significantly. Therefore, fungi in salterns are not only interesting and important subjects to study fungal biodiversity and adaptive mechanisms in extreme environments, but also valuable bioresources with potential for biotechnological applications.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Fungi; Salt Tolerance; Salts; Sodium Chloride; Soil
PubMed: 31452042
DOI: 10.1007/s12275-019-9195-3 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2021Although the anti-tumor and anti-infective properties of β-glucans have been well-discussed, their role in bone metabolism has not been reviewed so far. This review... (Review)
Review
Although the anti-tumor and anti-infective properties of β-glucans have been well-discussed, their role in bone metabolism has not been reviewed so far. This review discusses the biological effects of β-glucans on bone metabolisms, especially on bone-resorbing osteoclasts, which are differentiated from hematopoietic precursors. Multiple immunoreceptors that can recognize β-glucans were reported to be expressed in osteoclast precursors. Coordinated co-stimulatory signals mediated by these immunoreceptors are important for the regulation of osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling. Curdlan from the bacterium negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation in vitro by affecting both the osteoclast precursors and osteoclast-supporting cells. We also showed that laminarin, lichenan, and glucan from baker's yeast, as well as β-1,3-glucan from inhibit the osteoclast formation in bone marrow cells. Consistent with these findings, systemic and local administration of β-glucan derived from and suppressed bone resorption in vivo. However, zymosan derived from stimulated the bone resorption activity and is widely used to induce arthritis in animal models. Additional research concerning the relationship between the molecular structure of β-glucan and its effect on osteoclastic bone resorption will be beneficial for the development of novel treatment strategies for bone-related diseases.
Topics: Animals; Bone Regeneration; Bone Resorption; Bone and Bones; Cartilage; Cell Differentiation; Glucans; Humans; Immunomodulation; Osteoclasts; Osteogenesis; Receptors, Immunologic
PubMed: 33915775
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071982 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021Intrinsic hydrophobicity is the reason for efficient bacterial settlement and biofilm growth on silicone materials. Those unwelcomed phenomena may play an important role...
Intrinsic hydrophobicity is the reason for efficient bacterial settlement and biofilm growth on silicone materials. Those unwelcomed phenomena may play an important role in pathogen transmission. We have proposed an approach towards the development of new anti-biofilm strategies that resulted in novel antimicrobial hydrophobic silicones. Those functionalized polysiloxanes grafted with side 2-(carboxymethylthioethyl)-, 2-(-propylamidomethylthioethyl)- and 2-(mercaptoethylamidomethylthioethyl)- groups showed a wide range of antimicrobial properties towards selected strains of bacteria (reference strains , and water-borne isolates , ), fungi () and algae (), which makes them valuable antibacterial and antibiofilm agents. Tested microorganisms showed various levels of biofilm formation, but particularly effective antibiofilm activity was demonstrated for bacterial isolate with high adhesion abilities. In the case of modified surfaces, the relative coefficient of adhesion for this strain was 18 times lower in comparison to the control glass sample.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Cell Adhesion; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Siloxanes
PubMed: 33557279
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040814 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Feb 2024Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble.... (Review)
Review
Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble. A total of 32 species of this fungal genus have been identified at the level of DNA, of which Aureobasidium pullulans is best known. Aureobasidium is of interest for a sustainable economy because it can be used to produce a wide variety of compounds, including enzymes, polysaccharides, and biosurfactants. Moreover, it can be used to promote plant growth and protect wood and crops. To this end, Aureobasidium cells adhere to wood or plants by producing extracellular polysaccharides, thereby forming a biofilm. This biofilm provides a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings and toxic chemicals. This and the fact that Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential of self-repair make them a potential engineered living material avant la lettre. KEY POINTS: •Aureobasidium produces products of interest to the industry •Aureobasidium can stimulate plant growth and protect crops •Biofinish of A. pullulans is a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings •Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential to function as engineered living materials.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Biofilms; Calcium Carbonate; Crops, Agricultural; Gasoline
PubMed: 38349550
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13025-5 -
FEMS Microbiology Letters Nov 2022Erythritol is a 4-carbon polyol produced with the aid of microbes in presence of hyper-osmotic stress. It is the most effective sugar alcohol that is produced... (Review)
Review
Erythritol is a 4-carbon polyol produced with the aid of microbes in presence of hyper-osmotic stress. It is the most effective sugar alcohol that is produced predominantly by fermentation. In comparison to various polyols, it has many precise functions and is used as a flavor enhancer, sequestrant, humectant, nutritive sweetener, stabilizer, formulation aid, thickener, and a texturizer. Erythritol production is a common trait in a number of the yeast genera viz., Trigonopsis, Candida, Pichia, Moniliella, Yarrowia, Pseudozyma, Trichosporonoides, Aureobasidium, and Trichoderma. Extensive work has been carried out on the biological production of erythritol through Yarrowia, Moniliella, Candida, and other yeast strains, and numerous strategies used to improve erythritol productivity through mutagenesis and genetic engineering are discussed in this review.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Erythritol; Yarrowia; Candida; Ustilaginales; Osmotic Pressure; Ascomycota
PubMed: 36354105
DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnac107 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Oct 2019Yeasts occur in all environments and have been described as potent antagonists of various plant pathogens. Due to their antagonistic ability, undemanding cultivation... (Review)
Review
Yeasts occur in all environments and have been described as potent antagonists of various plant pathogens. Due to their antagonistic ability, undemanding cultivation requirements, and limited biosafety concerns, many of these unicellular fungi have been considered for biocontrol applications. Here, we review the fundamental research on the mechanisms (e.g., competition, enzyme secretion, toxin production, volatiles, mycoparasitism, induction of resistance) by which biocontrol yeasts exert their activity as plant protection agents. In a second part, we focus on five yeast species (Candida oleophila, Aureobasidium pullulans, Metschnikowia fructicola, Cryptococcus albidus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that are or have been registered for the application as biocontrol products. These examples demonstrate the potential of yeasts for commercial biocontrol usage, but this review also highlights the scarcity of fundamental studies on yeast biocontrol mechanisms and of registered yeast-based biocontrol products. Yeast biocontrol mechanisms thus represent a largely unexplored field of research and plentiful opportunities for the development of commercial, yeast-based applications for plant protection exist.
Topics: Biological Control Agents; Plant Diseases; Yeasts
PubMed: 31576429
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2728-4 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2021Plants harbor a diverse community of microbes, whose interactions with their host and each other can influence plant health and fitness. While microbiota in plant...
Plants harbor a diverse community of microbes, whose interactions with their host and each other can influence plant health and fitness. While microbiota in plant vegetative tissues has been extensively studied, less is known about members of the seed microbiota. We used culture-based surveys to identify bacteria and fungi found in the seeds of the model tree, , collected from different sites. We found that individual seeds typically contained zero or one microbe, with common taxa including species of , , , , and a bacterium. isolates were associated with seed mortality and were negatively associated with the occurrence of fungal isolates within , , and from the same seed. Next, we conducted an inoculation experiment with one of the isolated seed microbes, , and found that it reduced seed germination and increased seedling mortality for . Our findings highlight common fungi and bacteria in the seeds of , prompting further study of their functional consequences. Moreover, our study confirms that is a seed pathogen of and is the first report that is a lethal seedling pathogen of , allowing for future work on the pathogenicity of this bacterium in seedlings and potential antagonism with other seed microbes.
PubMed: 34074042
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060653 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Jan 2021It has been well known that different strains of Aureobasidium spp. can yield a large amount of pullulan. Although pullulan has wide applications in various sectors of... (Review)
Review
It has been well known that different strains of Aureobasidium spp. can yield a large amount of pullulan. Although pullulan has wide applications in various sectors of biotechnology, its biosynthesis and regulation were not resolved. Lately, the molecular mechanisms of pullulan biosynthesis and regulation have been elucidated and their genes and encoding proteins have been identified using the genome-wide mutant analysis. It is found that a multidomain AmAgs2 is the key enzyme for pullulan biosynthesis and the alternative primers are required for its biosynthesis. Pullulan biosynthesis is regulated by glucose repression and signaling pathways. Elucidation of such a biosynthetic pathway and regulation is of significance in biotechnology. Therefore, the present review article mainly summaries the recent research proceedings in this field, hoping to promote further endeavors on enhanced pullulan production and improved chemical properties of pullulan via molecular modifications of the producers by using synthetic biology approaches.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Biosynthetic Pathways; Biotechnology; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Drug Delivery Systems; Glucans
PubMed: 33142619
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117076 -
Critical Reviews in Biotechnology Sep 2020Mangrove fungi, their ecological role in mangrove ecosystems, their bioproducts, and potential applications are reviewed in this article. Mangrove ecosystems can play an... (Review)
Review
Mangrove fungi, their ecological role in mangrove ecosystems, their bioproducts, and potential applications are reviewed in this article. Mangrove ecosystems can play an important role in beach protection, accretion promotion, and sheltering coastlines and creeks as barriers against devastating tropical storms and waves, seawater, and air pollution. The ecosystems are characterized by high average and constant temperatures, high salinity, strong winds, and anaerobic muddy soil. The mangrove ecosystems also provide the unique habitats for the colonization of fungi which can produce different kinds of enzymes for industrial uses, recycling of plants and animals in the ecosystems, and the degradation of pollutants. Many mangrove ecosystem-associated fungi also can produce exopolysaccharides, Ca-gluconic acid, polymalate, liamocin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, biofuels, xylitol, enzymes, and bioactive substances, which have many potential applications in the bioenergy, food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, mangrove ecosystems are rich bioresources for bioindustries and ecology. It is necessary to identify more mangrove fungi and genetically edit them to produce a distinct array of novel chemical entities, enzymes, and bioactive substances.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Avicennia; Biodegradation, Environmental; Fungi; Rhizophoraceae; Salt-Tolerant Plants; Wetlands
PubMed: 32633147
DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1789063 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023One hundred twenty-five yeast strains isolated from table grapes and apples were evaluated for the control of in vitro and in vivo. Ten strains were selected for their...
One hundred twenty-five yeast strains isolated from table grapes and apples were evaluated for the control of in vitro and in vivo. Ten strains were selected for their ability to inhibit mycelial growth of in vitro. In the in vivo assays, these yeasts were tested at 20 °C on 'Thompson Seedless' berries for 7 days; only three were selected (m11, me99 and ca80) because they significantly reduced the incidence of gray mold. These three yeast strains were then evaluated at different concentrations (1 × 10, 1 × 10 and 1 × 10 cells mL) on 'Thompson Seedless' grape berries at 20 °C. The strains m11, me99 and ca80 reduced the incidence of to 11.9, 26.1 and 32.1%, respectively, when the berries were submerged in a yeast suspension at a concentration of 1 × 10 cells mL 24 h before inoculation with . The most favorable pH for antifungal activity was 4.6 in the three isolates. The three yeast strains secreted the hydrolytic enzymes chitinase and β-1-glucanase, and two strains (me99 and ca80) produced siderophores. The three yeast strains exhibited low oxidative stress tolerance and only strain m11 had the ability to produce biofilms. The strains were identified using 5.8S-ITS rDNA PCR-RFLP and correspond to the (m11) and (me99 and ca80) species.
PubMed: 37233268
DOI: 10.3390/jof9050557