Byssochlamysol, a new antitumor steroid against IGF-1-dependent cells from Byssochlamys nivea. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activity.
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A new antitumor steroid, byssochlamysol, was isolated from the mycelium of Byssochlamys nivea M#5187. Byssochlamysol inhibited IGF-1-dependent growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with an IC50 of 20 ng/ml, whereas serum-dependent cell growth was not inhibited by less than 10 microg/ml of byssochlamysol. This substance induced apoptosis in IGF-1-dependent Colo320DM human colon cancer cells. (+info)
Byssochlamysol, a new antitumor steroid against IGF-1-dependent cells from Byssochlamys nivea. II. Physico-chemical properties and structure elucidation.
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The structure of byssochlamysol, a new antitumor metabolite against IGF-1-dependent cancer cells from Byssochlamys nivea M#5187, was determined to be a highly oxidized ergostane steroid as shown in Fig. 1 by NMR studies. (+info)
New filamentous fungus Sagenomella chlamydospora responsible for a disseminated infection in a dog.
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A filamentous fungus that caused a fatal systemic infection in a dog has been identified as the new species Sagenomella chlamydospora. When the case was initially reported, the fungus was identified as Paecilomyces sp. This study emphasizes how difficult can be the identification of the causative agent of an infection when an uncommon microorganism is involved. This is the first time that this genus has been involved in animal infections, including humans. (+info)
Isolation of Neosartorya pseudofischeri from blood: first hint of pulmonary Aspergillosis.
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We report a case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Neosartorya pseudofischeri S. W. Peterson [anamorph Aspergillus thermomutatus (Paden) S. W. Peterson]. The diagnosis was initially based on a positive blood culture for a strain isolated from a neutropenic patient by means of a BACTEC 9050 blood culture system. The final diagnosis was established based on X-ray and computer tomography scan results as well as the detection of Aspergillus antigen in the patient's serum. (+info)
Inducible production of alcohol oxidase and catalase in a pectin medium by Thermoascus aurantiacus IFO 31693.
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Thermoascus aurantiacus showed the best growth on medium containing pectin as a carbon source. The enzyme involved in the production of catalase in the fungus was alcohol oxidase. Formaldehyde dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase, in addition to alcohol oxidase and catalase, were detected in the cells grown on pectin. Alcohol oxidase was alkali resistant (pH 7 to 11), and was comparatively heat stable (55 degrees C). (+info)
Mistaken identity: Neosartorya pseudofischeri and its anamorph masquerading as Aspergillus fumigatus.
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Invasive fungal infections caused by Neosartorya pseudofischeri S. W. Peterson [anamorph Aspergillus thermomutatus (Paden) S. W. Peterson] are extremely rare. Phenotypically, the anamorphic state of N. pseudofischeri resembles Aspergillus fumigatus, the predominant agent of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts. We report the recovery of three clinical isolates of N. pseudofischeri, all initially misidentified by morphological characteristics as A. fumigatus. All three isolates were correctly identified by sequencing portions of the beta-tubulin and the rodlet A genes. Only one of the three isolates produced the confirmatory fruiting bodies and was thus classified as N. pseudofischeri; the other isolates did not produce asci and were therefore identified as A. thermomutatus. All three isolates had higher MICs to voriconazole in vitro compared to A. fumigatus Af293. This report emphasizes that phenotypic identification of filamentous fungi may not identify morphologically similar, but genetically distinct, members of the genus Aspergillus section Fumigati. Accurate identification of these organisms may be clinically meaningful, given their potential differences in antifungal susceptibilities. (+info)
Novel Neosartorya species isolated from soil in Korea.
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Phenotypic and genotypic characters of strains of Neosartorya spinosa and related taxa were analysed. N. spinosa, Neosartorya botucatensis and Neosartorya paulistensis had identical partial beta-tubulin and calmodulin gene sequences and could not be differentiated on macro- and micro-morphological characteristics, including by scanning electron microscopy. Based on partial beta-tubulin and calmodulin gene sequences and ascospore morphology, two separate groups are distinguished and are proposed as novel species. Neosartorya laciniosa sp. nov. has microtuberculate ascospores with two bent crests and two distinct equatorial rings of small projections. Neosartorya coreana sp. nov. has rugose to weak reticulate ascospores with two often bent crests, but without the equatorial rings of small projections. The type strain of N. laciniosa is CBS 117721T (=NRRL 35589T=KACC 41657T) and the type strain of N. coreana is CBS 117059T (=NRRL 35590T=KACC 41659T). (+info)
Glass-fiber disks provide suitable medium to study polyol production and gene expression in Eurotium rubrum.
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Eurotium species often dominate the fungal population in stored grain and are responsible for spoilage. In this study we tested the usefulness of glass fiber disks to aid the analysis of growth, polyol content and gene expression in E. rubrum in response to various water activities. Growth measurements based on ergosterol content and conidial production indicated that E. rubrum grew as well at 0.86 aw as 0.98 aw. The rate of growth was considerably reduced at 0.83 aw and 0.78 aw. In contrast, under our conditions, Aspergillus flavus and A. nidulans were able to grow only in the highest water activity (0.98 aw). Mannitol was the predominant polyol in all three fungal species grown at 0.98 aw. When E. rubrum was grown at 0.86 aw or lower, glycerol comprised greater than 90% of the total polyols. After a shift from 0.86 aw to 0.98 aw, mannitol levels in E. rubrum increased to 89% of the total polyols within 24 h. Of six genes whose expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, three were affected by water activity. Expression of putative hydrophobin and mannitol dehydrogenase genes was higher at 0.98 aw than at 0.86 aw. A putative triacylglycerol lipase gene was expressed at higher levels in 0.86 aw.. The results of this study indicate that the disk method is suitable to study the effects of water activity on growth, polyol biosynthesis and gene expression in E. rubrum. The results also indicate the potential competitiveness of E. rubrum over A. flavus and A. nidulans in low water environments associated with stored grain. (+info)