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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 -
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 -
Folia Microbiologica Mar 2018Different strains of the saprophytic yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (Ascomycota: Dothideales) exhibit different biochemical characteristics, while their... (Review)
Review
Different strains of the saprophytic yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (Ascomycota: Dothideales) exhibit different biochemical characteristics, while their ubiquitous occurrence across diverse habitats and environmental conditions makes them an easily accessible source for biotechnological exploitation. They are useful in agricultural and industrial applications. Their antagonistic activities against postharvest pathogens make them suitable bioagents for the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables, while they possess antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi. Additionally, A. pullulans appears to be a potent source of single-cell protein. Many strains of A. pullulans harbor a wide range of industrially important enzymes, while the trademark exopolysaccharide pullulan that they produce has been extensively studied and is currently used in many applications. They also produce poly (β-L-malic acid), heavy oil liamocins, siderophore, and aubasidan-like β-glucan which are of interest for future applications. Ongoing studies suggest that A. pullulans holds many more interesting properties capable of further potential biotechnological applications.
Topics: Ascomycota; Fungal Proteins; Glucans; Industrial Microbiology
PubMed: 29079936
DOI: 10.1007/s12223-017-0561-4 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Apr 2022Aureobasidium melanigenum is a ubiquitous dematiaceous fungus that rarely causes invasive human infections. Here, we present a case of Aureobasidium melanigenum...
BACKGROUND
Aureobasidium melanigenum is a ubiquitous dematiaceous fungus that rarely causes invasive human infections. Here, we present a case of Aureobasidium melanigenum bloodstream infection in a 20-year-old man with long-term catheter use.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 20-year-old man receiving home care with severe disabilities due to cerebral palsy and short bowel syndrome, resulting in long-term central venous catheter use, was referred to our hospital with a fever. After the detection of yeast-like cells in blood cultures on day 3, antifungal therapy was initiated. Two identification tests performed at a clinical microbiological laboratory showed different identification results: Aureobasidium pullulans from matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and Cryptococcus albidus from a VITEK2 system. Therefore, we changed the antifungal drug to liposomal amphotericin B. The fungus was identified as A. melanigenum by DNA sequence-based analysis. The patient recovered with antifungal therapy and long-term catheter removal.
CONCLUSION
It is difficult to correctly identify A. melanigenum by routine microbiological testing. Clinicians must pay attention to the process of identification of yeast-like cells and retain A. melanigenum in cases of refractory fungal infection.
Topics: Adult; Antifungal Agents; Aureobasidium; Central Venous Catheters; Humans; Male; Mycoses; Sepsis; Young Adult
PubMed: 35382751
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07310-9 -
Medical Mycology Case Reports Sep 2022is a yeast-like dematiaceous fungus ubiquitous in nature. It is a rare cause of skin and soft tissue infection, peritonitis, and catheter-related fungemia in certain...
is a yeast-like dematiaceous fungus ubiquitous in nature. It is a rare cause of skin and soft tissue infection, peritonitis, and catheter-related fungemia in certain human hosts. We report a case of recurrent catheter-related fungemia that was successfully treated with caspofungin, posaconazole, and catheter removal.
PubMed: 35855930
DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.06.004 -
Critical Reviews in Microbiology Jun 2015The genus Aureobasidium spp. have been divided into three species, A. pullulans. A. leucospermi and A. proteae, and A. pullulans has been known to have five varieties.... (Review)
Review
The genus Aureobasidium spp. have been divided into three species, A. pullulans. A. leucospermi and A. proteae, and A. pullulans has been known to have five varieties. However, after analysis of many strains of this yeast isolated from different environments, they do not belong to any of the three species or the five varieties. Although pullulan produced by A. pullulans has been widely used in different fields in industry and different strains of this yeast has been known to produce poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA), heavy oils and β-1,3-glucan, it is still unknown how the black yeast synthesizes and secretes the extracellular polymers at molecular level. In this review article, new biosynthetic pathways of pullulan, PMA and heavy oils, the enzymes and their genes related to their biosynthesis and regulation are proposed. Furthermore, some enzymes and their genes related to pullulan biosynthesis in A. pullulans have been characterized. But it is completely unknown how pullulan is secreted and how PMA, heavy oils and β-1,3-glucan are synthesized and secreted. Therefore, there is much work to be done about taxonomy and biosynthesis, secretion and regulation of pullulan, PMA, heavy oils and β-1,3-glucan at molecular levels in Aureobasidium spp.
Topics: Ascomycota; Biopolymers; Biosynthetic Pathways; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
PubMed: 25168340
DOI: 10.3109/1040841X.2013.826176 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology May 2016Poly(β-L-malic acid) is one natural biopolymer that has the outstanding features of biocompatibility, biodegradability, water solubility, and non-immunogenicity, and it... (Review)
Review
Poly(β-L-malic acid) is one natural biopolymer that has the outstanding features of biocompatibility, biodegradability, water solubility, and non-immunogenicity, and it is easily chemically modified. So poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMLA) and its derivatives may have a great potential application as a novel drug delivery system and in the production of advanced biomaterials which have attracted so much research attention. The fungi of Aureobasidium spp. have been discovered to be the most suitable candidates for PMLA production in large quantities which satisfy the demand of either research or industry. In this review, we will give an overall summary about the PMLA produced by Aureobasidium spp. based on related research in the last decades and the elaboration of this PMLA producer will also be accomplished. More importantly, the latest proceedings will be specified and some suggestions to the elucidation of a PMLA biosynthesis pathway which remains undefined up to date will be proposed. Finally, through this review, the further exploitation for the application of PMLA from Aureobasidium spp. can be emphasized and promoted.
Topics: Ascomycota; Biosynthetic Pathways; Malates; Polymers
PubMed: 26971495
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7404-0 -
Biotechnology Advances 2022Aureobasidium spp. can use a wide range of substrates and are widely distributed in different environments, suggesting that they can sense and response to various... (Review)
Review
Aureobasidium spp. can use a wide range of substrates and are widely distributed in different environments, suggesting that they can sense and response to various extracellular signals and be adapted to different environments. It is true that their pullulan, lipid and liamocin biosynthesis and cell growth are regulated by the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway; Polymalate (PMA) and pullulan biosynthesis is controlled by the Ca and TORC1 signaling pathways; the HOG1 signaling pathway determines high osmotic tolerance and high pullulan and liamocin biosynthesis; the Snf1/Mig1 pathway controls glucose repression on pullulan and liamocin biosynthesis; DHN-melanin biosynthesis and stress resistance are regulated by the CWI signaling pathway and TORC1 signaling pathway. In addition, the HSF1 pathway may control cell growth of some novel strains of A. melanogenum at 37 °C. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of high temperature growth and thermotolerance of some novel strains of A. melanogenum and glucose derepression in A. melanogenum TN3-1 are still unclear.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Glucose; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34974157
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107898 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Apr 2009It has been well documented that Aureobasidium pullulans is widely distributed in different environments. Different strains of A. pullulans can produce amylase,... (Review)
Review
It has been well documented that Aureobasidium pullulans is widely distributed in different environments. Different strains of A. pullulans can produce amylase, proteinase, lipase, cellulase, xylanase, mannanase, transferases, pullulan, siderophore, and single-cell protein, and the genes encoding proteinase, lipase, cellulase, xylanase, and siderophore have been cloned and characterized. Therefore, like Aspergillus spp., it is a biotechnologically important yeast that can be used in different fields. So it is very important to sequence the whole genomic DNA of the yeast cells in order to find new more bioproducts and novel genes from this yeast.
Topics: Aquaculture; Ascomycota; Biological Products; Glucans; Hydrolases; Industrial Microbiology; Pest Control, Biological; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Siderophores
PubMed: 19198830
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-009-1882-2 -
Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology Apr 2006Corneal ulcer caused by Aureobasidium pullulans is considered to be a rare entity. So far very few reports have appeared in the world literature and the authors'...
BACKGROUND
Corneal ulcer caused by Aureobasidium pullulans is considered to be a rare entity. So far very few reports have appeared in the world literature and the authors' hospital is the first to report from Nepal. Although A. pullulans is regarded as a contaminant, it should be considered as a pathogen if isolated from corneal ulcer specimen with clinical signs of infection and with growth of the organism on two or more culture media or growth in one medium with consistent direct microscopy findings or growth of the same organism on repeated corneal scrapings. In the present study, a series of proven cases of A. pullulans corneal ulcers at a tertiary eye care centre of Eastern Nepal is reported.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of stored data of microbiological and clinical cases of corneal ulcer was carried out. All consecutive patients (447 patients) with presumed microbial keratitis from 1 August 1998 to 31 July 2001 were evaluated with regards to clinical details, microbiological examination and management.
RESULTS
Of 200 fungal organisms isolated from the cultures, 25 were identified as A. pullulans. These ulcers showed negligible improvement to topical natamycin and required either topical fluconazole or topical itraconazole in all along with systemic intravenous fluconazole in eight patients. Of 25 eyes, 22 responded well to antifungal therapy and 2 required therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. One patient was lost to follow up for 3 months and revealed phthisis bulbi on subsequent examination.
CONCLUSIONS
Aureobasidium pullulans corneal infection should be considered as a cause of keratomycosis.
Topics: Ascomycota; Corneal Ulcer; Eye Infections, Fungal; Female; Fluconazole; Humans; Itraconazole; Ketoconazole; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 16671907
DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2006.01201.x