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Dimorphic behaviour and taxonomy of Trichosporiella sporotrichoides.

Three strains of Trichosporiella sporotrichoides van Oorschot showed divergent reactions to suspension plating. A comparison was made with other yeast-like fungi and some descriptive terms were redefined or introduced. Strain CBS 671.74 developed the same hyphae with lateral conidia as in streak cultures. Strain CBS 577.77 showed initial-stage budding eventually giving rise to hyphae with lateral conidia. CBS 152.76 showed phenotypic segregation with suspension plating and an additional pseudomycelial form in liquid culture. Further differences between the strains were found in carbohydrate composition of cells, ultrastructure of cell walls and in growth patterns on various sugars. Two strains with basidiomycetous affinities are reclassified in the genus Trichosporon. A third strain with ascomycetous affinities is redescribed as Trichosporiella ornithopoda spec. nov.

Culture Media↗

Molecular and biochemical characterization of an aminoalcoholphosphotransferase (AAPT1) from Brassica napus: effects of low temperature and abscisic acid treatments on AAPT expression in Arabidopsis plants and effects of over-expression of BnAAPT1 in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Aminoalcoholphosphotransferases (AAPT, EC 2.7.8.1 and EC 2.7.8.2) catalyze the transfer of CDP-aminoalcohols to sn-1, 2 diacylglycerol (DAG) to form phosphatidylaminoalcohols with the release of CMP. The Brassica napus L. AAPT1 gene (designated BnAAPT1) was identified from cDNA libraries of seedlings and developing seeds. Functional characterization was accomplished by heterologous expression of BnAAPT1 in a yeast strain deficient in AAPT activities. BnAAPT1 exhibited a greater preference for utilizing CDP-choline as a substrate with Vmax of 35 [14C]phosphatidylcholine nmol h(-1) mg(-1) protein and apparent Km of 32 microM while CDP-ethanolamine had a Vmax of 13 [14C]phosphatidylethanolamine nmol h(-1) mg(-1)protein and an apparent Km of 127 microM. The enzyme was activated by Mg2+, Mn2+ and phospholipid mixtures, and inhibited by Ca2+. A CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase motif, Asp99-Gly100-(X2)-Ala103-Arg104-(X8)-Gly113-(X3)-Asp117-(X3)-Asp121, was completely conserved in BnAAPT1 and its catalytic role was confirmed by scanning alanine mutagenesis. Over-expression of BnAAPT1 under the control of the double 35S promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants led to elevated levels of the corresponding transcript and enzyme activity. In four of the high over-expression transgenic lines, phospholipid and fatty acid composition analyses revealed that chloroplastidic and extrachloroplastidic membranes isolated from transgenic leaves had about a 25% increase in phosphatidylcholine and in the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids [18:2+18:3], relative to the control. There were also consistent, but small differences observed in the proportions of 18:3 in transgenic green siliques and in 20:1 in mature transgenic seeds of these lines. Induction of Arabidopsis AAPT transcription in response to (+)-abscisic acid and low-temperature treatments, and the cold tolerance in BnAAPT1 transgenic seedlings implies that AAPT may play a role in resistance to damage at low growth temperatures.

Abscisic Acid↗

Engineering yeasts for xylose metabolism.

Technologies for the production of alternative fuels are receiving increased attention owing to concerns over the rising cost of petrol and global warming. One such technology under development is the use of yeasts for the commercial fermentation of xylose to ethanol. Several approaches have been employed to engineer xylose metabolism. These involve modeling, flux analysis, and expression analysis followed by the targeted deletion or altered expression of key genes. Expression analysis is increasingly being used to target rate-limiting steps. Quantitative metabolic models have also proved extremely useful: they can be calculated from stoichiometric balances or inferred from the labeling of intermediate metabolites. The recent determination of the genome sequence for P. stipitis is important, as its genome characteristics and regulatory patterns could serve as guides for further development in this natural xylose-fermenting yeast or in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lastly, strain selection through mutagenesis, adaptive evolution or from nature can also be employed to further improve activity.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Enhanced production of anticoagulant hirudin in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae by chromosomal delta-integration.

Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were developed to overproduce an anticoagulant hirudin. The delta-sequences of the yeast retrotransposon Ty1 and URA3 were used as target sites for a hirudin expression cassette. High copy-number transformants were successfully selected using a dominant selection antibiotic, G418. The copy numbers of the hirudin expression cassette integrated into delta-sequences of the yeast chromosome ranged from five to ten copies per cell. Production of hirudin in the delta-integrated recombinant S. cerevisiae system increased over two-fold compared with the YEp-based episomal hirudin expression system. A linear relationship between the copy number of the hirudin expression cassette and hirudin expression level was observed up to 10 copies. The hirudin expression cassettes integrated into the yeast chromosome were stably maintained in non-selective culture conditions.

Antithrombins↗

Possible mycological etiology of oral mucosal cancer: catalytic potential of infecting Candida albicans and other yeasts in production of N-nitrosobenzylmethylamine.

Yeasts were isolated from 12 cases of oral precancerous lesions (leukoplakia and erythroleukoplakia) by sampling the lesion as well as normal mucosa of each patient, yielding 21 strains of Candida albicans belonging to 15 biotypes, two strains of C. tropicalis, one strain of C. parapsilosis and two strains of Torulopsis glabrata. Biopsies were obtained from the lesions for histologic examination. The catalytic potential of the yeast strains to form N-nitrosobenzylmethylamine (NBMA) from the precursors N-benzylmethylamine and nitrite was assessed at pH 6.8. The NBMA produced was identified and quantitated by h.p.l.c. and confirmed by g.c.-m.s. Nitrosation rates were calculated as total nitrosamine subtracted the chemically produced nitrosamine, and related to number of yeast cells. The yeast strains differed in nitrosation potential (P less than 0.001), ranking from 0 to 1.2 micrograms NBMA/10(6) cells. Candida albicans strains, belonging to the biotypes 051, 147, 151, 153, 157 and 353, which constitute more rarely occurring biotypes, exhibited the highest nitrosation potential. Candida tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and T. glabrata were ranked lower. Strains with high nitrosation potential were generally isolated from lesions with more advanced precancerous changes. The yeast cells were present in the superficial part of the epithelium of the lesions as branching mycelium, and in some cases extending from the mucosal surface to the deeper epithelial cell layers. This might represent a fungal transportation system which could channel precursors in the saliva at the mucosal surface to the deeper part of the epithelium where the produced nitrosamine could be deposited. Thus, further evidence is provided supporting the hypothesis that certain strains of C. albicans and of other yeasts play a causal role in the development of oral cancer, by means of endogenous nitrosamine production.

Candida↗

The DNA-A component of a plant geminivirus (Indian mung bean yellow mosaic virus) replicates in budding yeast cells.

Understanding the biochemistry of DNA replication of the plant DNA viruses is important for the development of antiviral strategies. Since DNA replication is little studied in plants, a genetically tractable, easily culturable, eukaryotic model system is required to pursue such studies in a facile manner. Here we report the development of a yeast model system that supports DNA replication of a chosen geminivirus strain, Indian mung bean yellow mosaic virus. The replication of plasmid DNA in the model system relies specifically on the virus-derived elements and factors. Usage of this model system revealed the role of at least one hitherto unknown viral factor for viral DNA replication. The episomal characteristic of single-strandedness of replicated plasmid DNA was shown, and the expression of viral genes was also confirmed. This model system is expected to shed light on the machinery and mechanism involved in geminiviral DNA replication in plants.

Base Sequence↗

Genomic libraries and a host strain designed for highly efficient two-hybrid selection in yeast.

The two-hybrid system is a powerful technique for detecting protein-protein interactions that utilizes the well-developed molecular genetics of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the full potential of this technique has not been realized due to limitations imposed by the components available for use in the system. These limitations include unwieldy plasmid vectors, incomplete or poorly designed two-hybrid libraries, and host strains that result in the selection of large numbers of false positives. We have used a novel multienzyme approach to generate a set of highly representative genomic libraries from S. cerevisiae. In addition, a unique host strain was created that contains three easily assayed reporter genes, each under the control of a different inducible promoter. This host strain is extremely sensitive to weak interactions and eliminates nearly all false positives using simple plate assays. Improved vectors were also constructed that simplify the construction of the gene fusions necessary for the two-hybrid system. Our analysis indicates that the libraries and host strain provide significant improvements in both the number of interacting clones identified and the efficiency of two-hybrid selections.

Base Sequence↗

In vitro reactivation of spindle elongation in fission yeast nuc2 mutant cells.

To investigate the mechanisms of spindle elongation and chromosome separation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we have developed an in vitro assay using a temperature-sensitive mutant strain, nuc2. At the restrictive temperature, nuc2 cells are arrested at a metaphase-like stage with short spindles and condensed chromosomes. After permeabilization of spheroplasts of the arrested cells, spindle elongation was reactivated by addition of ATP and neurotubulin both at the restrictive and the permissive temperatures, but chromosome separation was not. This suggests that the nuc2 cells are impaired in function at a stage before sister chromatid disjunction. Spindle elongation required both ATP and exogenous tubulin and was inhibited by adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMPPNP) or vanadate. The ends of yeast half-spindle microtubules pulse-labeled with biotinylated tubulin moved past each other during spindle elongation and a gap formed between the original half-spindles. These results suggest that the primary mechanochemical event responsible for spindle elongation is the sliding apart of antiparallel microtubules of the two half-spindles.

Adenylyl Imidodiphosphate↗

Nutritional requirements for growth and yeastlike development of Mucor rouxii under carbon dioxide.

Unlike five other strains of Mucor rouxii previously studied, certain nutritional factors must be present for rapid growth and completely yeastlike development of M. rouxii (National Regional Research Laboratory 1894) under CO(2); high CO(2) tensions markedly inhibit growth of this strain. Addition of yeast extract, peptone, or enzymatically hydrolyzed casein in substrate amounts to a basal medium (containing acid-hydrolyzed casein) completely relieved CO(2) inhibition of growth and permitted yeastlike development. The "CO(2) growth factor" activity of these supplements proved to be dialyzable and acid labile. These findings, together with the results of gel filtration and amino acid analysis, suggested that CO(2) growth factor activity can be attributed to small peptides.

Amino Acids↗

High-level expression of Rhizopus niveus lipase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and structural properties of the expressed enzyme.

Rhizopus niveus lipase (RNL) has a unique structure consisting of two noncovalently bound polypeptides (A-chain and B-chain). To improve this enzyme's properties by protein engineering, we have developed a new expression system for the production of recombinant lipase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For the present study, we developed a more efficient expression system using the strain ND-12B and the multicopy-type plasmid pJDB219. We purified two types of recombinant lipases, each to a single peak by gel-filtration HPLC, although they were found to be heterogeneous by SDS-PAGE. Analysis of reversed-phase HPLC, N-terminal amino acid sequence, and sugar content showed that the difference between the two types of lipases was due mainly to their sugar content (high or low mannose type). Moreover, there were two species within each type of lipase. One kind was processed to the A-chain and B-chain as in the native lipase, while the other remained unprocessed. Although these yeast-purified lipases contained several posttranslational modifications and different glycosylations, their secondary structures were the same as those of the native lipase as measured by circular dichroism spectra and determination of disulfide bonding. This suggests that protein folding of the recombinant lipase occurred correctly in yeast.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A mixed culture of Propionibacterium jensenii and Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei inhibits food spoilage yeasts.

Screening for antimicrobial features of 197 propionibacteria and tests with several antifungal lactobacilli led to the development of three protective cultures containing Propionibacterium jensenii SM11 and Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei strain SM20, SM29 or SM63. These cultures showed inhibitory activities (up to 5 orders of magnitude) against yeasts in dairy products such as yoghurt or cheese surface at refrigerator temperatures (6 degrees C) without an influence on the quality properties of the food. Initial cell numbers of 5 x 10(7) cells/g of propionibacteria and 1 x 10(8) cells/g of lactobacilli were the optimal concentrations to yield a total inhibition of the spoilage yeasts (Candida pulcherrima, Candida magnoliae, Candida parapsilosis and Zygosaccharomyces bailii).

Candida↗

A variant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae pep4 strain with improved oligotrophic proliferation, cell survival and heterologous secretion of alpha-amylase.

A variant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae pep4 strain 20B12, with improved oligotrophic proliferation, cell survival and secretion of heterologous mouse alpha-amylase, is described. Previously we reported a procedure to enrich NI transformants that are not inhibited by cytotoxic expression of hepatitis B virus surface antigen in the secretion pathway of the protease-A-deficient (pep4) strain. To use the NI cells as a host for heterologous expression, we tried to amend the introduced pYAS/12S vector and obtain a host strain, NI-C, with stable NI phenotype and trp1 marker restored. Southern analysis of genomic DNA of NI-C suggested that the original pYAS/12S was abnormally rearranged and not completely corrected. Further assay showed that the viability and mitotic ability of the NI-C strain were increased. While using the NI-C strain as host for plasmid transformation and heterologous expression of mouse alpha-amylase, we observed that transformed colonies grew more quickly and secreted more alpha-amylase than general yeast strains. A further test showed that the NI-C strain was able to use mouse alpha-amylase as a positive selection marker to form transformed colonies on nitrogen-starved plates that contain starch as the sole carbon source. The results imply that the NI-C variant is an improved pep4 strain that can be used for heterologous expression and for the development of new selective markers in the yeast transformation system.

Animals↗

Recombination during transformation as a source of chimeric mammalian artificial chromosomes in yeast (YACs).

Mammalian DNAs cloned as artificial chromosomes in yeast (YACs) frequently are chimeras formed between noncontiguous DNAs. Using pairs of human and mouse YACs we examined the contribution of recombination during transformation or subsequent mitotic growth to chimeric YAC formation. The DNA from pairs of yeast strains containing homologous or heterologous YACs was transformed into a third strain under conditions typical for the development of YAC libraries. One YAC was selected and the presence of the second was then determined. Co-penetration of large molecules, as deduced from co-transformation of markers identifying the different YACs, was > 50%. In approximately half the cells receiving two homologous YACs, the YACs had undergone recombination. Co-transformation depends on recombination since it was reduced nearly 10-fold when the YACs were heterologous. While mitotic recombination between homologous YACs is nearly 100-fold higher than for yeast chromosomes, the level is still much lower than observed during transformation. To investigate the role of commonly occurring Alu repeats in chimera formation, spheroplasts were transformed with various human YACs and an unselected DNA fragment containing an Alu at one end and a telomere at the other. When unbroken YACs were used, between 1 and 6% of the selected YACs could incorporate the fragment as compared to 49% when the YACs were broken. We propose that Alu's or other commonly occurring repeats could be an important source of chimeric YACs. Since the frequency of chimeras formed between YACs or a YAC and an Alu-containing fragment was reduced when a rad52 mutant was the recipient and since intra-YAC deletions are reduced, rad52 and possibly other recombination-deficient mutants are expected to be useful for YAC library development.

Animals↗

Proficiency testing program for clinical laboratories performing antifungal susceptibility testing of pathogenic yeast species.

Antifungal susceptibility testing is expected to facilitate the selection of adequate therapy for fungal infections. The general availability of antifungal susceptibility testing in clinical laboratories is low, even though a number of standard methods are now available. The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate a proficiency testing program (PTP) for the antifungal susceptibility testing of pathogenic yeasts in laboratories licensed by the New York State Department of Health. A number of quality control standards, and methods for documenting laboratory performance, were developed in consultation with the laboratory directors. The participating laboratories were provided with five American Type Culture Collection strains of pathogenic yeasts for which the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amphotericin B and fluconazole were well defined. A majority of laboratories (14 of 17) used broth microdilution, and these were evenly split between the NCCLS M-27A protocol and the Sensititre YeastOne method. The other three laboratories performed susceptibility testing with Etest. Overall, the levels of agreement between MIC reference ranges and the reported MICs were 85 and 74% for amphotericin B and for fluconazole, respectively. All laboratories except one successfully detected fluconazole resistance in a Candida krusei strain. However, amphotericin B resistance in a Candida lusitaniae strain was not detected by any of the participating labs. It is concluded that a suitably designed PTP could adequately monitor the competence of clinical laboratories performing antifungal susceptibility testing.

Antifungal Agents↗

An inverse correlation between stress resistance and stuck fermentations in wine yeasts. A molecular study.

During alcoholic fermentations yeast cells are subjected to several stress conditions and, therefore, yeasts have developed molecular mechanisms in order to resist this adverse situation. The mechanisms involved in stress response have been studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae laboratory strains. However a better understanding of these mechanisms in wine yeasts could open the possibility to improve the fermentation process. In this work an analysis of the stress response in three wine yeasts has been carried out by studying the expression of several representative genes under several stress conditions which occur during fermentation. We propose a simplified method to study how these stress conditions affect the viability of yeast cells. Using this approach an inverse correlation between stress-resistance and stuck fermentations has been found. We also have preliminary data about the use of the HSP12 gene as a molecular marker for stress-resistance in wine yeasts.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Development of a bisphenol A-adsorbing yeast by surface display of the Kluyveromyces yellow enzyme on Pichia pastoris.

A novel surface-engineered strain of yeast Pichia pastoris was constructed that displays at its surface Kluyveromyces lactis Yellow Enzyme (KYE) fused to the C-terminal half of Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-agglutinin. The expression of the fusion protein was controlled by the AOX1-promoter. The new strain showed an increased sorption of the xenoestrogen Bisphenol A (BPA). It was shown that sorption of BPA depended on the presence of methanol in the growth medium and on the pH of the binding assays. The binding kinetics were typical for binding at a surface. The present results demonstrate that the alpha-agglutinin surface display system can be used in the yeast P. pastoris.

Adsorption↗

In situ development and application of cDNA-AFLP to isolate genes of Candida oleophila (strain O) potentially involved in antagonistic properties against Botrytis cinerea.

The yeast Candida oleophila (strain O) presents a high level of protective activity against Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) on postharvest apples. The cDNA-AFLP technique allows the comparison of mRNA populations extracted from cells grown in different conditions. In order to isolate yeast genes potentially involved in biological control properties, that technique was applied on strain O cells growing on apple wounds. The biological control properties of 8 C. oleophila strains and strain O were assessed in order to compare the gene expression of a non antagonistic strain against gene expression of strain O. In the absence of a non-antagonistic strain, an other comparison model was designed. It was based on the growth of strain O in different in situ conditions: strain O applied on apple wounds (O), strain O applied on apple wounds in presence of B. cinerea (B) and B. cinerea alone on apple wounds (F). A recovering technique, based on the washing of cells in the wound and a RNA extraction method followed by a DNase treatment were optimised before cDNA-AFLP application. Thirteen primer pairs were used. Their application resulted in an average of 54 and 55 bands for O and B respectively whereas no bands were observed for F. Among these bands, 8 were expressed more intensely in presence of the pathogen (1.1% of the fragments).

Botrytis↗

Complementation of a capsule deficient Cryptococcus neoformans with CAP64 restores virulence in a murine lung infection.

Cryptococcosis is a systemic infection in humans caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. The infection usually presents as chronic meningoencephalitis, but infects via the respiratory tract. A polysaccharide capsule is a major virulence factor, which allows the yeast to resist host defenses. However, the essential role of the capsule in allowing it to resist host defenses during the initial lung infection has not been clearly shown. A mutant acapsular C. neoformans strain 602 was complemented with the CAP64 gene to obtain an encapsulated strain, TYCC38-602. TYCC38-602 persisted in the lungs of C.B-17 mice after intratracheal inoculation and disseminated to the brain, whereas the mutant acapsular 602 and the plasmid control transformant CIP3-602 strains grew less readily in the lung and were infrequently detected in the brain. T cell-mediated immunity, developed to the encapsulated organism, was required to control growth within the lungs and had a significant impact on numbers of yeasts detected in the brain. The parent acapsular strain, but not the transformant control, also required T cells for optimal inhibition of growth within the lung, but not for maintaining control of the colony-forming units (cfu) in the brain. In summary, the cryptococcal capsule plays an important role in lung virulence and dissemination to the brain, and intact immunity is required to control lung growth of the encapsulated yeast.

Animals↗