MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Current Genetics' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:43:31 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5573426&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22215010%26dopt%3DAbstract [NSI (+)] determinant has a pleiotropic phenotypic manifestation that is modulated by SUP35, SUP45, and VTS1 genes. Curr Genet. 2012 Jan 4; Authors: Nizhnikov AA, Magomedova ZM, Rubel AA, Kondrashkina AM, Inge-Vechtomov SG, Galkin AP Abstract We recently discovered the novel non-chromosomal determinant in Saccharomyces cerevisiae [NSI (+)] (nonsense suppression inducer), which causes omnipotent nonsense suppression in strains where the Sup35 N-terminal domain is deleted. [NSI (+)] possesses yeast prion features and does not correspond to previously identified yeast prion determinants. Here, we show that [NSI ( + )] enhances nonsense codon read-through and inhibits vegetative growth in S. cerevisiae. Using a large-... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5573426 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5573426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5573428&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22210192%26dopt%3DAbstract We describe the genetic transformation of the mycelial tissue of Diaporthe phaseolorum, an endophytic fungus isolated from the mangrove species Laguncularia racemosa, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT). ATMT uses both the hygromycin B resistant (hph) gene and green fluorescent protein as the selection agents. The T-DNA integration into the fungal genome was assessed by both PCR and Southern blotting. All transformants examined were mitotically stable. An analysis of the T-DNA flanking sequences by thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (TAIL-PCR) demonstrated that the disrupted genes in the transformants had similarities with conserved domains in proteins involved in antibiotic biosynthesis pathways. A library of 520 transformants was generated, and 31 of these trans... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5573428 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5573428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5573427&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22210193%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we reconstruct the structural evolution of the hyper-variable P6b region of the group I trnLeu intron in a monophyletic group of lichen-symbiotic Nostoc strains and establish it as a useful marker in the phylogenetic analysis of these organisms. The studied cyanobacteria occur as photosynthetic and/or nitrogen-fixing symbionts in lichen species of the diverse Nephroma guild. Phylogenetic analyses and secondary structure reconstructions are used to improve the understanding of the replication mechanisms in the P6b stem-loop and to explain the observed distribution patterns of indels. The variants of the P6b region in the Nostoc clade studied consist of different combinations of five sequence modules. The distribution of indels together with the ancestral character reconstructi... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5573427 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5573427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5557444&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22205301%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dong M, Zhang X, Chi X, Mou S, Xu J, Xu D, Wang W, Ye N Abstract Normalization based on inappropriate reference gene may lead to the reduction of the accuracy of RT-qPCR. Although determination of suitable reference genes is essential to RT-qPCR studies, reports on the evaluation of reference genes in Ulva linza, a ubiquitous green-tide forming alga, are lacking. The expression levels of ten candidate reference genes were analyzed in U. linza across different experimental treatments, and the best-ranked reference genes differed across the treatments. The most suitable reference genes were tubulin2 (TUB2) among different salinity and UV treatments. Histone 2 (H2) was stably expressed in different temperature and desiccation stress treatments. 18S rRNA exhibited better expre... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5557444 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5557444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5543569&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198627%26dopt%3DAbstract Use of a ura5 (+)-lys7 (+) cassette to construct unmarked gene knock-ins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Curr Genet. 2011 Dec 25; Authors: Mudge DK, Hoffman CA, Lubinski TJ, Hoffman CS Abstract While the counterselectable Schizosaccharomyces pombe ura4 (+) gene can be used to prepare a site in the S. pombe genome to receive an unmarked mutant allele (loss of ura4 (+) confers 5FOA-resistant (5FOA(R)) growth), the desired unmarked knock-in strains are generally outnumbered by spontaneously arising 5FOA(R) mutants. Relative to the same approach using the homologous URA3 (+) gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, knock-ins in S. pombe are harder to identify due to a lower efficiency of homologous recombination and a relati... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5543569 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5543569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5543570&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198576%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, two genes encoding homologs of VeA and LaeA, representative fungal global regulators, were identified in ML-236B-producing Penicillium citrinum. Disruption of VeA and/or LaeA and complementation clearly demonstrated that both of them played critical roles in ML-236B production by controlling the expression of mlcR, the pathway-specific activator gene for ML-236B biosynthesis. Moreover, sequence analysis revealed that laeA in a mutant strain producing high levels of ML-236B (strain S-1567) possessed a single nucleotide alteration, which resulted in 15 surplus amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of LaeA compared to the LaeA in the wild-type strain (strain SANK18767). Introduction of the mutated laeA into SANK18767 proved that the extended carboxyl region plays a crucial role ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5543570 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5543570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5337562&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22016009%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jesenofsky R, Naehring J, Wolf K PMID: 22016009 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5337562 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5337562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5337563&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22008946%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vesteg M, Krajčovič J Abstract One group of hypotheses suggests archaeal and/or bacterial ancestry of eukaryotes, while the second group suggests that the ancestor of eukaryotes was different. Especially, the followers of the first group of hypotheses should ask the following: is the replacement of archaeal lipids by bacterial (or vice versa) possible? Do the phylogenies support the origin of one domain from another (or the others)? Can we consider the nutritional mode to resolve the problems of cell origin(s)? Is there any evidence that the ancestor of eukaryotes was intron-free? Would the symbiosis of α-proteobacterial ancestors of mitochondria be successful in an asexual host? Is there evidence that the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) or the last eukaryotic com... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5337563 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5337563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5224355&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21918884%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Deliz-Aguirre R, Atkin AL, Kebaara BW Abstract The eukaryotic nonsense-mediated mRNA (NMD) is a specialized pathway that leads to the recognition and rapid degradation of mRNAs with premature termination codons, and importantly some natural mRNAs as well. Natural mRNAs with atypically long 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) are degraded by NMD in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A number of S. cerevisiae mRNAs undergo alternative 3'-end processing producing mRNA isoforms that differ in their 3'-UTR lengths. Some of these alternatively 3'-end processed mRNA isoforms have atypically long 3'-UTRs and would be likely targets for NMD-mediated degradation. Here, we investigated the role NMD plays in the regulation of expression of CTR2, which encodes a vacuolar membrane copper transporter.... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5224355 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5224355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5224356&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21909999%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rioux R, Manmathan H, Singh P, de Los Reyes B, Jia Y, Tavantzis S Abstract Rhizoctonia solani, teleomorph Thanatephorus cucumeris, is a polyphagous necrotrophic plant pathogen of the Basidiomycete order that is split into 14 different anastomosis groups (AGs) based on hyphal interactions and host range. In this investigation, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) techniques were used to determine potential pathogenicity factors of R. solani in the AG1-IA/rice and AG3/potato pathosystems. These factors were identified by mining for sequences of pathogen origin in a library of rice tissue infected with R. solani AG1-IA and comparing these sequences against the recently released R. solani AG3 genome. Ten genes common to both AGs and two specific to AG1-IA were selected for exp... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5224356 Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5224356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5212497&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21901484%26dopt%3DAbstract This report elucidated this very fact in the case of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. A gene designated MoDUO1 that encodes a Duo1-like homolog (MoDuo1) was discovered in the M. oryzae genome. Two types of MoDUO1 mutants were obtained using genetic approaches of Agrobacterium-mediated gene disruption and homologous recombination. Both disruption and deletion of MoDUO1 can exert profound effects on the formation pattern of conidiophores and conidial morphology, such as abnormal nucleic numbers in conidia and delayed extension of infectious hyphae. Intriguingly, plant infection assays demonstrated that inactivation of MoDUO1 significantly attenuates the virulence in its natural host rice leaves, and functional complementation can restore it. Subcellular localization assays showed th... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5212497 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5212497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182916&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21879336%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gupta DR, Paul SK, Oowatari Y, Matsuo Y, Kawamukai M Abstract The cAMP-PKA is the major glucose-sensing pathway that controls sexual differentiation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Sequencing from the pka1 locus of recessive sam mutants, in which cells are highly inclined to sexual differentiation, led to the identification of mutations in the pka1 locus in sam5 (pka1-G441E) and sam7 (pka1-G441R). Rst2 and Ste11 proteins were induced and localized to the nucleus of sam5 and sam7 mutants even under rich glucose conditions, indicating that the function of Pka1 was completely abolished by mutations. Pka1-G441E and Pka1-G441R mutant proteins reside in the cytoplasm, even under glucose-rich conditions, while wild-type Pka1 resides in the nucleus, indicating that the functionality... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182916 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5182916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131293&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21833740%26dopt%3DAbstract This study indicated that ZRA1 is involved in ZEA production and shares a common regulatory mode with ZEA cluster genes by ZEB2. PMID: 21833740 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131293 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5131293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5084245&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21785949%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schunck T, Herrero S, Fischer R Kinesin molecular motors serve a variety of cellular functions usually in dynamic processes. One characteristic feature of many kinesins is their ATP-dependent processive movement along polymerized microtubules. However, many kinesins work as stationary polymerases or depolymerases. Therefore, it needs to be determined for each motor, whether it moves processively along microtubules or not. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe kinesin-7, Tea2, has been shown to be involved in cell end marker transportation towards the cortex to organize the actin cytoskeleton. In human, kinesin 7 promotes microtubule polymerization. In Aspergillus nidulans, the machinery for determining growth directionality is conserved, but there is no evidence yet that kinesin 7, Ki... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5084245 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5084245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4993139&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21701904%26dopt%3DAbstract We present here the first experimental evidence of RNA editing concerning a group I intron in plant organelles. PMID: 21701904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4993139 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4993139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4993140&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21698431%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides a first overview of P. cactorum genes that are up-regulated immediately prior to or during strawberry infection and also provides a novel method for selecting RxLR effector genes from the unsequenced genome of P. cactorum. PMID: 21698431 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4993140 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4993140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4939629&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21656278%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nair DM, Ge Z, Mersfelder EL, Parthun MR Pob3p is an essential component of the S. cerevisiae FACT complex (yFACT). Several lines of evidence indicate that the yFACT complex plays an important role in chromatin assembly including the observation that the pob3 Q308K allele is synthetically lethal with an allele of histone H4 that prevents the diacetylation of newly synthesized molecules. We have analyzed the genetic interactions between the Q308K allele of POB3 and mutations in all of the sites of acetylation that have been identified on newly synthesized histones. Genetic interactions were observed between POB3 and sites of acetylation on the NH(2)-terminal tails of H3 and H4. For histone H3, lysine residues 14 and 23 were particularly important when POB3 activity is compromis... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4939629 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4939629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848202&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21562713%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Honma Y, Yoshida Y, Terachi T, Toriyama K, Mikami T, Kubo T Polymorphic analyses of angiosperm mitochondrial DNA are rare in comparison with chloroplast DNA, because few target sequences in angiosperm mitochondrial DNA are known. Minisatellites, a tandem array of repeated sequences with a repeat unit of 10 to ~100 bp, are popular target sequences of animal mitochondria, but Beta vulgaris is the only known angiosperm species for which such an analysis has been conducted. From this lack of information, it was uncertain as to whether polymorphic minisatellites existed in other angiosperm species. Ten plant mitochondrial DNAs were found to contain minisatellite-like repeated sequences, most of which were located in intergenic regions but a few occurred in gene coding and intronic... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848202 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4848202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848201&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21562714%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang M, Jin K, Xia Y β-Glucan is an essential cell wall structural component in most fungi and its helical structure is important for maintenance of cell wall elasticity in fungi. The gene encoding β-1,3-glucan synthase in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum (MaFKS; HQ441252) was cloned. The function of MaFKS was analyzed by RNA interference (RNAi). FKS-RNAi transformants were more sensitive to agents that disturb the cell wall or cell membrane and to hyperosmotic stress than the wild type. In comparison with the wild type, aerial hyphae and conidial yield were obviously reduced in FKS-RNAi transformants on potato dextrose agar plates with Congo red, calcofluor white, sodium dodecyl sulfate, KCl, sorbitol or mannitol. The β-1,3-glucan content significantly decre... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848201 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4848201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848200&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21562715%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we first confirmed that LiAc and ssDNA synergistically improve the transformation efficiency of S. cerevisiae intact cells. We then used transmission electron microscopy to observe the cell walls of yeast incubated with both LiAc and ssDNA in the presence of negatively charged Nanogold (in this context, a mimic of DNA). Under these conditions, the cell walls exhibited protruded, loose, and porous structures. The Nanogold was observed within the cell wall, rather than on the surface. We also made observations using YOYO-1, a fluorescent DNA probe. Based on the transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence data, we speculated that ssDNA covers the whole cell and enters, at least partially, into the cell wall structure, causing the cell wall to become protruded, loose, and ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848200 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4848200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4791607&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544619%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Valente MT, Infantino A, Aragona M Many fungal plant pathogens secrete an array of cell wall degrading enzymes mainly involved in the pathogenesis. In this work, a cDNA clone encoding an extracellular endo-1,4-β-glucanase (named PlEGL1) from the causal agent of the Corky Root Rot of tomato, Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, was isolated and characterized, in order to understand its putative role in the pathogenesis and its mechanism of action. Multiple alignment of the deduced amino acidic sequence shows a high homology with other endoglucanases from different phytopathogenic fungi and detects a well-defined conserved domain of the Glycosyl Hydrolase family 61 (GH61). In vitro, Plegl1 gene transcription is correlated to a cellulolytic activity of the fungus, regulated, in its turn, b... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4791607 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4791607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4791606&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544620%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Flegontov P, Gray MW, Burger G, Lukeš J Phylum Euglenozoa comprises three groups of eukaryotic microbes (kinetoplastids, diplonemids, and euglenids), the mitochondrial (mt) genomes of which exhibit radically different modes of organization and expression. Gene fragmentation is a striking feature of both euglenid and diplonemid mtDNAs. To rationalize the emergence of these highly divergent mtDNA types and the existence of insertion/deletion RNA editing (in kinetoplastids) and trans-splicing (in diplonemids), we propose that in the mitochondrion of the common evolutionary ancestor of Euglenozoa, small expressed gene fragments promoted a rampant neutral evolutionary pathway. Interactions between small antisense transcripts of these gene fragments and full-length transcripts, ass... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4791606 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4791606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4791608&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21541695%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kumar RA, Bendich AJ DNA sequences similar to those in the organellar genomes are also found in the nucleus. These non-coding sequences may be co-amplified by PCR with the authentic organellar DNA sequences, leading to erroneous conclusions. To avoid this problem, we describe an experimental procedure to prevent amplification of this "promiscuous" DNA when total tissue DNA is used with PCR. First, primers are designed for organelle-specific sequences using a bioinformatics method. These primers are then tested using methylation-sensitive PCR. The method is demonstrated for both end-point and real-time PCR with Zea mays, where most of the DNA sequences in the organellar genomes are also present in the nucleus. We use this procedure to quantify those nuclear DNA sequences that a... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4791608 Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4791608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4791609&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21533645%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Terashima M, Specht M, Hippler M The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has emerged to be an important model organism for the study of oxygenic eukaryotic photosynthesis as well as other processes occurring in the chloroplast. However, the chloroplast proteome in C. reinhardtii has only recently been comprehensively characterized, made possible by proteomics emerging as an accessible and powerful tool over the last decade. In this review, we introduce a compiled list of 996 experimentally chloroplast-localized proteins for C. reinhardtii, stemming largely from our previous proteomic dataset comparing chloroplasts and mitochondria samples to localize proteins. In order to get a taste of some cellular functions taking place in the C. reinhardtii chloroplast, we ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4791609 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4791609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4737740&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21484258%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Coucheron DH, Nymark M, Breines R, Karlsen BO, Andreassen M, Jørgensen TE, Moum T, Johansen SD Expression and processing of mitochondrial gene transcripts are fundamental to mitochondrial function, but information from early vertebrates like teleost fishes is essentially lacking. We have analyzed mitogenome sequences of ten codfishes (family Gadidae), and provide complete sequences from three new species (Saithe, Pollack and Blue whiting). Characterization of the mitochondrial mRNAs in Saithe and Atlantic cod identified a set of ten poly(A) transcripts, and six UAA stop codons are generated by posttranscriptional polyadenylation. Structural assessment of poly(A) sites is consistent with an RNaseP cleavage activity 5' of tRNA acceptor-like stems. COI, ND5 and ND6 mRNAs were fo... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4737740 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4737740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4737739&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21484259%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hagiwara D, Mizuno T, Abe K PMID: 21484259 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4737739 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4737739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626893&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21409592%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Goetz KE, Coyle CM, Cheng JZ, O'Connor SE, Panaccione DG Genes required for ergot alkaloid biosynthesis are clustered in the genomes of several fungi. Several conserved ergot cluster genes have been hypothesized, and in some cases demonstrated, to encode early steps of the pathway shared among fungi that ultimately make different ergot alkaloid end products. The deduced amino acid sequence of one of these conserved genes (easC) indicates a catalase as the product, but a role for a catalase in the ergot alkaloid pathway has not been established. We disrupted easC of Aspergillus fumigatus by homologous recombination with a truncated copy of that gene. The resulting mutant (ΔeasC) failed to produce the ergot alkaloids typically observed in A. fumigatus, including chanoclavine-I,... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626893 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4626893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626891&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21409593%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Oowatari Y, Jeong H, Tanae K, Nakagawa T, Kawamukai M The msa2/nrd1 gene encodes an RNA-binding protein that negatively regulates sexual differentiation of fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe by repressing the Ste11-regulated genes. However, it is not known how Msa2 regulates sexual differentiation, and to characterize its role, we altered the msa2 gene by inducing point mutations and tested the resulting mutants for their ability to inhibit sexual differentiation and their suppressive effect on a temperature sensitive pat1 mutant. Several amino acids were found to be important, including three phenylalanine residues (F153, F245 and F453) in the three consensus RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and a threonine residue (T126) that normally functions as a phosphorylation site. R... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626891 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4626891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386837&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21246198%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Larson TM, Kendra DF, Busman M, Brown DW Fusarium verticillioides is both an endophyte and a pathogen of maize and is a health threat in many areas of the world because it can contaminate maize with fumonisins, a toxic secondary metabolite. We identified eight putative chitin synthase (CHS) genes in F. verticillioides genomic sequence, and phylogenetic evidence shows that they group into seven established CHS gene classes. We targeted two CHSs (CHS5 and CHS7) for deletion analysis and found that both are required for normal hyphal growth and maximal disease of maize seedlings and ears. CHS5 and CHS7 encode a putative class V and class VII fungal chitin synthase, respectively; they are located adjacent to each other and are divergently transcribed. Fluorescent microscopy found ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386837 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4386837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386838&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21234756%26dopt%3DAbstract This study stresses the importance of both detecting and reporting the occurrence of heteroplasmy in wild populations in order to enhance the knowledge of both the introduction and the persistence of mutant mitochondrial haplotypes in the evolutionary process. PMID: 21234756 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386838 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4386838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386840&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21229248%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bernhards Y, Pöggeler S Members of the striatin family and their highly conserved interacting protein phocein/Mob3 are key components in the regulation of cell differentiation in multicellular eukaryotes. The striatin homologue PRO11 of the filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora has a crucial role in fruiting body development. Here, we functionally characterized the phocein/Mob3 orthologue SmMOB3 of S. macrospora. We isolated the gene and showed that both, pro11 and Smmob3 are expressed during early and late developmental stages. Deletion of Smmob3 resulted in a sexually sterile strain, similar to the previously characterized pro11 mutant. Fusion assays revealed that ∆Smmob3 was unable to undergo self-fusion and fusion with the pro11 strain. The essential function of th... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386840 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4386840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386839&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21229249%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hagiwara D, Mizuno T, Abe K Ssk1- and Skn7-type response regulators are widely conserved in fungal His-Asp phosphorelay (two-component) signaling systems. SrrA, a Skn7-type RR of Aspergillus nidulans, is implicated not only in oxidative stress responses but also in osmotic adaptation, conidia production (asexual development), inhibition by fungicides, and cell wall stress resistance. Here, we characterized SrrA, focusing on the role of the conserved aspartate residue in the receiver domain, which is essential for phosphorelay function. We constructed strains carrying an SrrA protein in which aspartate residue D385 was replaced with either asparagine (N) or alanine (A). These mutants exhibited normal conidiation and partial oxidative stress resistance. In osmotic adaptation, mu... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386839 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4386839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386841&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21222124%26dopt%3DAbstract This study undertook initial characterization of the genetic system of C. ligniaria NRRL30616. Transformation using hygromycin as a dominant selectable marker was achieved using protoplasts generated by incubating cells in 1% (v/v) β-mercaptoethanol, followed by cell wall-digesting enzymes. Thirteen chromosomes with an estimated total size of 30.1 Mb were detected in C. ligniaria. The GC content of chromosomal DNA and of coding regions from cDNA sequences were 49.2 and 51.9%, respectively. This study is the first report of genome size, electrophoretic karyotype, and transformation system for a member of the Coniochaetales. PMID: 21222124 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386841 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4386841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4242071&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21132299%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Labbé J, Murat C, Morin E, Le Tacon F, Martin F It is becoming clear that simple sequence repeats (SSRs) play a significant role in fungal genome organization, and they are a large source of genetic markers for population genetics and meiotic maps. We identified SSRs in the Laccaria bicolor genome by in silico survey and analyzed their distribution in the different genomic regions. We also compared the abundance and distribution of SSRs in L. bicolor with those of the following fungal genomes: Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Coprinopsis cinerea, Ustilago maydis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus nidulans, Magnaporthe grisea, Neurospora crassa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using the MISA computer program, we detected 277,062 SSRs in the L. bicolor genome representing 8% of the... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4242071 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4242071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4242072&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21116630%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brown DW Killer protein 4 (KP4) is a well studied viral toxin secreted by the maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis that kills sensitive Ustilago strains as well as inhibits Fusarium and plant root growth by inhibiting calcium uptake. Numerous small, cysteine-rich proteins have been shown to play a critical role in fungal-plant-bacterial associations. The discovery of six KP4-like genes in F. verticillioides precipitated efforts to understand their function and evolutionary origin. Analysis of publicly available genomic sequence identified 31 additional KP4-like genes from a range of Ascomycota, a Basidiomycota, and the moss Physcomitrella patens. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicate that the viral KP4 and the moss and fungal KP4-like genes evolved from a common ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4242072 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4242072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211056&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21113595%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Olsson I, Bjerling P Significant progress has been made in understanding the functional organisation of the cell nucleus. Still many questions remain to be answered about the relationship between the spatial organisation of the nucleus and the regulation of the genome function. There are many conflicting data in the field making it very difficult to merge published results on mammalian cells into one model on subnuclear chromatin organisation. The fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, over the last decades has emerged as a valuable model organism in understanding basic biological mechanisms, especially the cell cycle and chromosome biology. In this review we describe and compare the nuclear organisation in mammalian and fission yeast cells. We believe that fission yeast is... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211056 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4211056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134486&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21046108%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Foulongne-Oriol M, Dufourcq R, Spataro C, Devesse C, Broly A, Rodier A, Savoie JM To assess the feasibility of marker-assisted selection in mushrooms, a comparative mapping study between two connected populations of the white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus was performed. The first mapping population had been used already for the construction of the A. bisporus reference linkage map. In the present study, a new linkage map based on the segregation analysis of a second generation hybrid progeny was developed. In order to increase the number of available anchor markers, we developed a conversion procedure of an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fragment into sequence-specific PCR marker. Seventeen AFLP-converted markers (ACM) were then used for mapping purpose, amo... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134486 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4134486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074888&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20941496%26dopt%3DAbstract We report here that Rpn10 binds Rpn11, and genetic studies revealed synthetic lethality of an rpn11-1 rpn10Δ double mutant. The carboxy-terminus of Rpn11 is critical for function, as deletion of 7 C-terminal residues prevented suppression of rpn11-1 rpn10Δ. Native gel electrophoresis showed increased levels of the proteasome 20S catalytic particle in rpn11-1 rpn10Δ, and altered assembly. The inviability of rpn11-1 rpn10Δ was suppressed by rpn10(uim), a mutant that can bind the proteasome, but not multiubiquitin chains. rpn10(uim) reduced the levels of free 20S, and increased formation of intact proteasomes. In contrast, rpn10(vwa), which binds multiubiquitin chains but not the proteasome, failed to suppress rpn11-1 rpn10Δ. Moreover, high levels of multiubiquitinated proteins were boun... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074888 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4074888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074889&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20936474%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ali S, Bakkeren G Genetic transformation of organisms with large genome fragments containing complete genes, with regulatory elements or clusters of genes, can contribute to the functional analysis of such genes. However, large inserts, such as those found on bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones, are often not easy to transfer. We exploited an existing technique to convert BAC clones, containing genomic DNA fragments from the barley-covered smut fungus Ustilago hordei to binary BACs (BIBACs) to make them transferable by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA transfer machinery. Genetic transformation of U. hordei with BAC clones using polyethylene glycol or electroporation is difficult. As a proof of concept, two BAC clones were successfully converted into BIBAC vectors a... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074889 Sat, 09 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4074889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4037202&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20886215%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Morrow MW, Janke MR, Lund K, Morrison EP, Paulson BA Since the secretory pathway is essential for Candida albicans to transition from a commensal organism to a pathogen, an understanding of how this pathway functions may be beneficial for identifying novel drug targets to prevent candidiasis. We have cloned the C. albicans KAR2 gene, which performs many roles during the translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during the first committed step of the secretory pathway in many eukaryotes. Our results show that C. albicans KAR2 is essential, and that the encoded protein rescues a temperature-sensitive growth defect found in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain harboring a mutant form of the Kar2 protein. Additionally, S. cerevisiae containing CaKAR2 as the sole c... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4037202 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4037202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023747&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20878325%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kurihara-Yonemoto S, Kubo T An increase in the unspliced cox2 transcript and accompanying decrease in the frequency of RNA editing near the exon/intron junction (intron binding site 1, IBS1) have been reported in cold-treated wheat. Here, an attempt was made to clarify whether a similar phenomenon occurs in rice. Levels of unspliced cox2 transcript increased and its editing at the IBS was abolished after cold treatment. The accumulation of COXII protein remained unaffected. The accumulation of intron-containing transcripts of another eight mitochondrial genes, 23 introns in total, was analyzed by Northern blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. An increase in 14 of the 23 intron-adjoining cDNA after cold treatment was observed. Six RNA editing sites in the IBS of four genes wer... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023747 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4023747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023748&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20872221%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Catalano V, Vergara M, Hauzenberger JR, Seiboth B, Sarrocco S, Vannacci G, Kubicek CP, Seidl-Seiboth V The aim of this study was to apply a generated Δtku70 strain with increased homologous recombination efficiency from the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma virens for studying the involvement of laccases in the degradation of sclerotia of plant pathogenic fungi. Inactivation of the non-homologous end-joining pathway has become a successful tool in filamentous fungi to overcome poor targeting efficiencies for genetic engineering. Here, we applied this principle to the biocontrol fungus T. virens, strain I10, by deleting its tku70 gene. This strain was subsequently used to delete the laccase gene lcc1, which we found to be expressed after interaction of T. virens with scleroti... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023748 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4023748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023749&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20848286%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang H, Liu K, Zhang X, Song W, Zhao Q, Dong Y, Guo M, Zheng X, Zhang Z A two-component signal transduction system is a common mechanism for environmental sensing in bacteria. The functions of the two-component molecules have been also well characterized in the lower eukaryotic fungi in recent years. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the histidine kinase Sln1p is a major component of the two-component signaling pathways and a key regulator of the osmolarity response. To determine the function of MoSLN1, a Sln1 homolog of Magnaporthe oryzae, we cloned the MoSLN1 gene and generated specific mutants using gene knock-out strategy. Disruption of MoSLN1 resulted in hypersensitivity to various stresses, reduced sensitivity to cell wall perturbing agent Calcofluor white, and loss of patho... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023749 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4023749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3960607&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20830585%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jung PP, Friedrich A, Souciet JL, Louis V, Potier S, de Montigny J, Schacherer J Yeasts of the Pichia genus have been isolated from different natural environments. Phylogenies based on multigene sequence analysis have shown that the genus is polyphyletic. Some species of this genus are member of the CTG group. In order to have a better insight into the relationship among species assigned to the yeast genera Pichia into the CTG group, we first sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the osmotolerant yeast Pichia farinosa. We then compared this genome with mitochondrial genomes of yeasts of the CTG group. The P. farinosa mitochondrial DNA is a circular-mapping genome of 32,065 bp, which contains 43 genes transcribed from both strands. It contains a complete set of tRNAs, the sm... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3960607 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3960607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880976&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20697716%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tran LT, Wang'ondu RW, Weng JB, Wanjiku GW, Fong CM, Kile AC, Koepp DM, Hood-Degrenier JK The Target of Rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) is a central regulator of eukaryotic cell growth that is inhibited by the drug rapamycin. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, translational defects associated with TORC1 inactivation inhibit cell cycle progression at an early stage in G1, but little is known about the possible roles for TORC1 later in the cell cycle. We investigated the rapamycin-hypersensitivity phenotype of cells lacking the S phase cyclin Clb5 (clb5Delta) as a basis for uncovering novel connections between TORC1 and the cell cycle regulatory machinery. Dosage suppression experiments suggested that the clb5Delta rapamycin hypersensitivity reflects a unique Clb5-associ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880976 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3880976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3832299&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20686894%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sakamoto T, Kitaura H, Minami M, Honda Y, Watanabe T, Ueda A, Suzuki K, Irie T PMID: 20686894 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3832299 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3832299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802670&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20668856%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Saifitdinova AF, Nizhnikov AA, Lada AG, Rubel AA, Magomedova ZM, Ignatova VV, Inge-Vechtomov SG, Galkin AP Non-Mendelian determinants that control heritable traits in yeast are subdivided into two major groups-one that includes DNA- or RNA-based elements and another that comprises protein-based factors that are analogous to mammalian prion. All yeast non-Mendelian determinants show dominant inheritance, and some of them demonstrate cytoplasmic infectivity. Only prions, however, harbor-specific features, such as high frequency of induction following overproduction of prion-encoding protein, loss of the protein's normal function, and reversible curability. Here, we describe a novel nonchromosomal determinant that, in addition to [PSI (+)] and [ISP (+)], is involved in epigenetic... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802670 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3802670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3763801&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20635087%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hoke SM, Irina Mutiu A, Genereaux J, Kvas S, Buck M, Yu M, Gloor GB, Brandl CJ Tra1 is a component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SAGA and NuA4 complexes and a member of the PIKK family, which contain a C-terminal phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-like (PI3K) domain followed by a 35-residue FATC domain. Single residue changes of L3733A and F3744A, within the FATC domain, resulted in transcriptional changes and phenotypes that were similar but not identical to those caused by mutations in the PI3K domain or deletions of other SAGA or NuA4 components. The distinct nature of the FATC mutations was also apparent from the additive effect of tra1-L3733A with SAGA, NuA4, and tra1 PI3K domain mutations. Tra1-L3733A associates with SAGA and NuA4 components and with the Gal4 activation dom... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3763801 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3763801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3741208&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20617318%26dopt%3DAbstract This study includes the first comprehensive analysis of RNA editing sites from a gymnosperm mitochondrial genome, and utilizes informatics analyses to determine conserved features in the RNA sequence context around editing sites. We have identified 565 editing sites in 21 full-length and 4 partial cDNAs of the 39 protein-coding genes identified from the mitochondrial genome of Cycas taitungensis. The information profiles and RNA sequence context of C-to-U editing sites in the Cycas genome exhibit similarity in the immediate flanking nucleotides. Relative entropy analyses indicate that similar regions in the 5' flanking 20 nucleotides have information content compared to angiosperm mitochondrial genomes. These results suggest that evolutionary constraints exist on the nucleotide sequences i... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3741208 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3741208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3700065&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20574726%26dopt%3DAbstract This study explores the evolution of linear mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) in the green-algal genus Polytomella (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta), the members of which are non-photosynthetic. Earlier works analyzed the linear and linear-fragmented mitochondrial genomes of Polytomella capuana and Polytomella parva. Here we present the mtDNA sequence for Polytomella strain SAG 63-10 [also known as Polytomella piriformis (Pringsheim 1963)], which is the only known representative of a mostly unexplored Polytomella lineage. We show that the P. piriformis mtDNA is made up of two linear fragments of 13 and 3 kb. The telomeric sequences of the large and small fragments are terminally inverted, and appear to end in vitro with either closed (hairpin-loop) or open (nicked-loop) structures as also shown here ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3700065 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3700065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679161&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20549213%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we have measured the size of the telomeric fragments in wild-type strains, and characterized the catalytic subunit of telomerase (YlEst2p). In silico analysis of the YlEst2 amino acid sequence revealed the presence of domains typical for telomerase reverse transcriptases. Disruption of YlEST2 is not lethal, but results in retarded growth accompanied by a rapid loss of the telomeric sequences. This phenotype is associated with structural changes at the chromosomal ends in the DeltaYlest2 mutants, likely the circularization of all six chromosomes. An apparent absence of several typical telomere-associated factors, as well as the presence of an efficient means of telomerase-independent telomere maintenance, qualify Y. lipolytica as an attractive model for the study of telomere... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679161 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3679161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652842&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20532887%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sakamoto T, Kitaura H, Minami M, Honda Y, Watanabe T, Ueda A, Suzuki K, Irie T We investigated the effects of a calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor, W-7, on the expression of lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) genes in Phanerochaete chrysosporium to consider the role of cam gene, which was upregulated in parallel with the total activities of LiP and MnP in our previous transcriptomic analysis. The addition of 100 muM W-7 to the fungal cultures repressed the total activities of LiP and MnP, whereas the addition of 100 muM W-5, which is a control drug of W-7, retained approximately half of them, indicating that the effect of W-7 was attributable to CaM inhibition. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that most of lip and mnp isoz... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652842 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3652842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652843&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20532780%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Han MJ, Kim NJ, Lee SY, Chang HN Extracellular proteins of filamentous fungi are important for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Aspergillus terreus not only comprises an important class of organisms that have significant commercial relevance to the biotechnology industry, but also is an emerging fungal pathogen. However, no information is available on the extracellular proteome of A. terreus. Thus, we analyzed the extracellular proteomes of A. terreus under different culture conditions using sucrose, glucose, or starch as a main carbon source. A total of 82 protein spots including 39 unique proteins was successfully identified by 2-DE and nano-LC-MS/MS. Of these, 12 proteins were detected in the presence of at least two different carbon sources, whereas 16 protein... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652843 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3652843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3596145&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20495806%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nakazawa T, Tatsuta Y, Fujita T, Nakahori K, Kamada T We characterized two developmental mutants of Coprinopsis cinerea, Apa56 and Sac29, newly isolated from a homokaryotic fruiting strain, 326 (Amut Bmut pab1-1), after restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) mutagenesis. Both Apa56 and Sac29 exhibited slower mycelial growth than the parental wild-type strain and failed to initiate fruiting when grown on standard malt extract-yeast extract-glucose medium under 12 h light/12 h dark cycle. Both mutants exhibited unusual differentiation in aerial hyphae: differentiated hyphae lacked clamp connections and exhibited irregular shapes. The differentiated hyphae were similar to the component cells of hyphal knots, but did not form hyphal knots: they spread as dense mycelial mat... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3596145 Fri, 21 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3596145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3596144&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20495807%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Robellet X, Oestreicher N, Guitton A, Vélot C While carrying out a systematic disruption of the genes of unknown function in the alc gene cluster from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, we observed a strong diminution of the transcription of markers inserted in the alcS gene. This was found to be the case for the two markers tested, nadA (from A. nidulans) and pyrG (from A. fumigatus) involved in purine utilization and uracil/uridine biosynthetic pathway, respectively. The same phenomenon was also observed with insertion of the nadA gene in the alcM locus, another gene of the alc cluster. In the case of nadA, the level of expression was directly correlated to the ability of the corresponding strains to grow on adenine as a sole nitrogen source. The insertion of th... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3596144 Fri, 21 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3596144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3578080&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20473673%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrated that A. rabiei uses a DHN-melanin pathway for pigmentation of pycnidia and this molecule may protect pycnidiospores from UV irradiation. PMID: 20473673 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3578080 Sat, 15 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3578080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560920&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20461519%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nizam S, Singh K, Verma PK Ascochyta blight caused by the ascomycete fungus Ascochyta rabiei, is a major biotic constraint of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), resulting in disastrous crop losses worldwide. To study early stages of development and pathogenic mechanisms of the fungus, two binary vectors for the constitutive expression of the red fluorescent protein (DsRed-Express) and the green fluorescent protein (EGFP1) were constructed. Furthermore, we have developed an improved and highly reproducible Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol for A. rabiei. Transformation events were confirmed through Southern hybridizations that suggest single-copy integration of reporter genes in majority of the transformants. High level expression of both DsRed and EGFP pro... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560920 Tue, 11 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3560920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3544497&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20449593%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schmollinger S, Strenkert D, Schroda M Several RNA silencing strategies employing antisense or inverted repeat constructs have been applied to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Problems inherent to these strategies, like off-target effects by unpredictable generation of siRNAs, were solved previously by constructs allowing for routine expression of specific artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs). Yet missing was a routine tool for inducible amiRNA expression, which to establish was the aim of this work. For this, we equipped a recently developed amiRNA expression vector with the NIT1 promoter, which is repressed by ammonium and activated by nitrate. We tested this conditional amiRNA vector with heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) as target. HSF1 transcripts in transformants were already reduced ~2 h ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3544497 Thu, 06 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3544497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3544498&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20446088%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Strawbridge EM, Benson G, Gelfand Y, Benham CJ Although a variety of possible functions have been proposed for inverted repeat sequences (IRs), it is not known which of them might occur in vivo. We investigate this question by assessing the distributions and properties of IRs in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) genome. Using the IRFinder algorithm we detect 100,514 IRs having copy length greater than 6 bp and spacer length less than 77 bp. To assess statistical significance we also determine the IR distributions in two types of randomization of the S. cerevisiae genome. We find that the S. cerevisiae genome is significantly enriched in IRs relative to random. The S. cerevisiae IRs are significantly longer and contain fewer imperfections than those from the randomized genomes,... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3544498 Wed, 05 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3544498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3512207&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20419375%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu H, Zhang B, Li C, Bao X Chitosanases are lytic enzymes involved in the degradation of chitosan, a component of fungal cell walls. The phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium solani produces an extracellular chitosanase, CSN1, the role of which in the physiology and virulence of the fungus remains to be expounded. Here, we studied the expression of the CSN1 gene through gene silencing and examined its effect on fungal pathogenicity. A vector construct encoding a hairpin RNA (hpRNA) of CSN1 was constructed and introduced into the F. solani 0114 strain. The results revealed that majority of the transformants exhibited a significant reduction in chitosanase activity compared with the wild-type strain. Further, transformants with silenced CSN1 exhibited no change in mycelial growth and... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3512207 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3512207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3464215&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20383711%26dopt%3DAbstract This report describes the analyses of three Candida albicans genes that encode Src Homology 3 (SH3)-domain proteins. Homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are encoded by the SLA1, NBP2, and CYK3 genes. Deletion of CYK3 in C. albicans was not feasible, suggesting it is essential. Promoter shutdown experiments of CaCYK3 revealed cytokinesis defects, which are in line with the localization of GFP-tagged Cyk3 at septal sites. Deletion of SLA1 resulted in strains with decreased ability to form hyphal filaments. The number of cortical actin patches was strongly reduced in Deltasla1 strains during all growth stages. Sla1-GFP localizes in patches that are found concentrated at the hyphal tip. Deletion of the first two SH3-domains of Sla1 still resulted in cortical localization of the truncated prot... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3464215 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3464215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3454940&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20379720%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we characterize the choC gene encoding a putative highly conserved phospholipid methyltransferase. The previously reported choC3 mutant allele results from a mutation leading to the E177K amino acid substitution. The transcript of choC accumulates at high levels during vegetative growth and early asexual developmental phases. The deletion of choC causes severe impairment of vegetative growth, swelling of hyphal tips and the lack of both asexual and sexual development, suggesting the requirement of ChoC and PC in growth and development. Noticeably, supplementation of the mutant with the penultimate precursor of PC N, N-dimethylaminoethanol leads to full recovery of vegetative growth, but incomplete progression of asexual and sexual development, implying differential roles of ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3454940 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3454940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3454939&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20379721%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: González-Guerrero M, Oger E, Benabdellah K, Azcón-Aguilar C, Lanfranco L, Ferrol N To gain further insights into the mechanisms of redox homeostasis in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, we characterized a Glomus intraradices gene (GintSOD1) showing high similarity to previously described genes encoding CuZn superoxide dismutases (SODs). The GintSOD1 gene consists of an open reading frame of 471 bp, predicted to encode a protein of 157 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 16.3 kDa. Functional complementation assays in a CuZnSOD-defective yeast mutant showed that GintSOD1 protects the yeast cells from oxygen toxicity and that it, therefore, encodes a protein that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS). GintSOD1 transcripts differentially accumulate during the f... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3454939 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3454939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3445371&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20364342%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Steiner S, Kohli J, Ludin K DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate meiotic recombination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and in other organisms. The Rec12 protein catalyzes the formation of these DSBs in concert with a multitude of accessory proteins the role of which in this process remains to be discovered. In an all-to-all yeast two-hybrid matrix analysis, we discovered new interactions among putative members of the meiotic recombination initiation complex. We found that Rec7, an axial-element associated protein with homologies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rec114, is interacting with Rec24. Rec7 and Rec24 also co-immunoprecipitate in S. pombe during meiosis. An amino acid change in a conserved, C-terminal phenylalanine in Rec7, F325A interrupts the interaction with Rec24. Mor... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3445371 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3445371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433346&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20355253%26dopt%3DAbstract Identification of a hybrid PKS-NRPS required for the biosynthesis of NG-391 in Metarhizium robertsii. Curr Genet. 2010 Apr;56(2):151-62 Authors: Donzelli BG, Krasnoff SB, Churchill AC, Vandenberg JD, Gibson DM The fungal entomopathogen Metarhizium robertsii (formerly known as M. anisopliae var. anisopliae) is a prolific producer of secondary metabolites of which very little is known at the genetic level. To establish the genetic bases for the biosynthesis of the mutagenic compound NG- 391, we identified a 19,818 kb genomic region harboring the predicted hybrid polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase NGS1, plus five additional ORFs. NGS1 knockouts generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation failed to produce detectable levels of NG-391, indicating the involvem... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433346 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3433346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3396841&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20309551%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrates that pyrosequencing is an efficient method for complete sequencing of mitochondrial genomes from diatoms, and may soon give valuable information about the molecular phylogeny of this outstanding group of unicellular organisms. PMID: 20309551 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3396841 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3396841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3396842&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20306265%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brust D, Hamann A, Osiewacz HD Wild-type strains of the ascomycete Podospora anserina are characterized by a limited lifespan. Mitochondria play a central role in this ageing process raising the question of whether apoptosis-like processes, which are also connected to mitochondrial function, are involved in the control of the final stage in the fungal life cycle. While a role of two metacaspases in apoptosis and lifespan control was recently demonstrated in P. anserina, virtually nothing is known about the function of the protein family of apoptosis-inducing factors (AIFs). Here we report data about proteins belonging to this family. We demonstrate that the cytosolic members PaAIF1 and PaAMID1 do not affect lifespan. In contrast, loss of PaAIF2 and PaAMID2, which both were loc... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3396842 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3396842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3379142&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20229292%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang Y, Diguistini S, Wang TC, Bohlmann J, Breuil C Grosmannia clavigera is a fungal pathogen associated with the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) which is devastating large areas of western Canada's conifer forests. This fungus also produces a dark melanin pigment that discolors pine sapwood. We have generated the draft genome of G. clavigera. However, functional characterization of genes identified in the genome sequence requires an efficient gene disruption method. In this work, we report a gene replacement strategy for G. clavigera using the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in conjunction with linear or split-marker deletion cassettes. In addition, we used long flanking regions up to 3 kb from both sides of the targeted genes in our deletion cassettes. W... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3379142 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3379142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307736&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20179933%26dopt%3DAbstract Is the mitochondrial cloud the selection machinery for preferentially transmitting wild-type mtDNA between generations? Rewinding Müller's ratchet efficiently. Curr Genet. 2010 Feb 24; Authors: Zhou RR, Wang B, Wang J, Schatten H, Zhang YZ In animal mitochondrial DNA inheritance, it remains largely unclear where the mitochondrial genetic bottleneck localizes and how it works in rewinding Müller's ratchet. In a variety of different animals germ plasm mRNAs typically aggregate along with numerous mitochondria to form the mitochondrial cloud (MC) during oogenesis. The MC has been found to serve as messenger transport organizer for germ plasm mRNAs. Germ plasm RNAs in MC will specifically distribute to the primordial germ cells of the future embryo. It has been proposed t... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307736 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3307736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291089&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20169440%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hendrickson PG, Silliker ME Similarity searches with Didymium iridis mitochondrial genomic DNA identified six possible ribosomal protein-coding regions, however, each region contained stop codons that would need to be removed by RNA editing to produce functional transcripts. RT-PCR was used to amplify these regions from total RNA for cloning and sequencing. Six functional transcripts were verified for the following ribosomal protein genes: rpS12, rpS7, rpL2, rpS19, rpS3, and rpL16. The editing events observed, such as single C and U nucleotide insertions and a dinucleotide insertion, were consistent with previously observed editing patterns seen in D. iridis. Additionally, a new form of insertional editing, a single A insertion, was observed in a conserved region of the rpL16 ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291089 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3291089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244204&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20127336%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the mtDNA inheritance pattern in haploid x non-haploid crosses. A total of 420 meiotic progeny and 173 fusants were obtained from five crosses and analyzed for two polymorphic mitochondrial markers. The percentage of meiotic progeny and fusants inheriting mtDNA from MATalpha or MATalpha/alpha parents ranged from 8 to 50%. The leakage was significantly greater than those observed in HH crosses, indicating that mtDNA inheritance is not uniparental in haploid x non-haploid crosses in C. neoformans. In addition, mtDNA leakage in the fusants, but not the meiotic progeny, of the MATalpha/alpha x MAT a cross was significantly higher than that in the MAT a/a x MATalpha cross, suggesting that the diploid parents with different mating types contribute differently in de... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244204 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3244204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244205&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20127247%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim S, Yoon MK To study genetic relatedness of two male sterility-inducing cytotypes, the phylogenetic relationship among three cytotypes of onions (Allium cepa L.) was assessed by analyzing polymorphisms of the mitochondrial DNA organization and chloroplast sequences. The atp6 gene and a small open reading frame, orf22, did not differ between the normal and CMS-T cytotypes, but two SNPs and one 4-bp insertion were identified in CMS-S cytotype. Partial sequences of the chloroplast ycf2 gene were integrated in the upstream sequence of the cob gene via short repeat sequence-mediated recombination. However, this chloroplast DNA-integrated organization was detected only in CMS-S. Interestingly, disruption of a group II intron of cox2 was identified for the first time in this study... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244205 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3244205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136960&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20043225%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Reiser K, Davis MA, Hynes MJ Filamentous fungi can use a variety of fatty acids (FA) as sole carbon and energy sources. Aspergillus nidulans has been shown to possess both peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathways. In these studies, the major peroxisomal long chain fatty acyl coenzyme A oxidase AoxA was identified. AoxA was shown to be localised to peroxisomes and deletion of the aoxA gene leads to reduced growth on long chain FA, but not on short chain FA. AoxA is predicted to be part of the same peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway as the bifunctional protein FoxA. In addition, an aoxA(p)lacZ reporter gene construct is induced by short and long chain FA and the induction is dependent on the transcriptional regulators FarA, FarB and ScfA with FarA being required for... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136960 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3136960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136959&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20043226%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Banuelos MG, Moreno DE, Olson DK, Nguyen Q, Ricarte F, Aguilera-Sandoval CR, Gharakhanian E The vacuole of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been a seminal model for studies of lysosomal trafficking, biogenesis, and function. Several yeast mutants defective in such vacuolar events have been unable to grow at low levels of hygromycin B, an aminoglycoside antibiotic. We hypothesized that such severe hypersensitivity to hygromycin B (hhy) is linked to vacuolar defects and performed a genomic screen for the phenotype using a haploid deletion strain library of non-essential genes. Fourteen HHY genes were initially identified and were subjected to bioinformatics analyses. The uncovered hhy mutants were experimentally characterized with respect to vesicular trafficking, vacuole morphology... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136959 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3136959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3134214&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20041252%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lenz H, Rüdinger M, Volkmar U, Fischer S, Herres S, Grewe F, Knoop V Transcripts in mitochondria and chloroplasts of land plants are modified through RNA editing, the exchanges of pyrimidines-a post-transcriptional process that may affect more than 1,000 sites in the mitochondrial transcriptomes of some plant species. RNA editing mainly acts as a correcting mechanism to re-create evolutionary conserved coding sequences on mRNA level and can be reasonably well predicted in new plant organelle gene sequence data. Identification and annotation of RNA editing sites is cumbersome and error-prone for larger data sets or organelle sequences subject to highly frequent RNA editing. We here present PREPACT, WWW-accessible at http://www.prepact.de , which allows prediction, analysis... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3134214 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3134214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3127651&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20039042%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zeppa S, Marchionni C, Saltarelli R, Guidi C, Ceccaroli P, Pierleoni R, Zambonelli A, Stocchi V The homocysteine synthase (tbhos) and putative sulfate transporter (tbsul1) genes have been characterized in order to understand the sulfate metabolism and regulation in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii. The analyses of tbsul1 and tbhos nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences led to the identification of the typical domains shown in homologous proteins. Sulfate starvation condition upregulates both genes. The real-time PCR assay of tbsul1 revealed that gene expression was about threefold higher in mycelia grown under sulfate starvation for 2 days than in the mycelial control and in the same starvation condition, the sulfate uptake increased. Real-time PCR and enzymatic a... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3127651 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3127651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3102406&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012864%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated a possible role for other histone modifying proteins. To this end, we tested a number of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases and we report that flocculation is induced in absence of the histone deacetylase Hda1 or the histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 during high-gravity fermentation. The absence of Gcn5 protein also improved utilization of high concentrations of maltose. Deletion of SIR2 encoding the HDA of the silent informator regulator complex, did not affect flocculation under high-gravity fermentation conditions. Despite the obvious roles for Hda1 and Gcn5 in flocculation, this work indicates that COMPASS mediated silencing is the most important amongst the histone modifying components to control the expression of the FLO genes duri... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3102406 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3102406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3102407&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012294%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pannunzio NR, Manthey GM, Bailis AM Studies in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have demonstrated that a substantial fraction of double-strand break repair following acute radiation exposure involves homologous recombination between repetitive genomic elements. We have previously described an assay in S. cerevisiae that allows us to model how repair of multiple breaks leads to the formation of chromosomal translocations by single-strand annealing (SSA) and found that Rad59, a paralog of the single-stranded DNA annealing protein Rad52, is critically important in this process. We have constructed several rad59 missense alleles to study its function more closely. Characterization of these mutants revealed proportional defects in both translocation formation and sponta... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3102407 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3102407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079938&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19998038%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Morán-Diez ME, Cardoza RE, Gutiérrez S, Monte E, Hermosa R The evolutionarily conserved Dim1 proteins belong to the TRX fold superfamily. An EST showing high identity values with genes coding for Dim1 proteins was selected from an EST library collection of Trichoderma virens T59. Here, we report the cloning, characterization, and functional analysis of a T. virens T59 TvDim1 gene. The TvDim1 gene, with a sequence size of 614 bp, was PCR-amplified and found to contain three introns. The TvDim1 gene was present as a single copy in the T. virens genome and was also present in another five Trichoderma strains investigated. Increased levels of expression and redox-activity were detected when the fungus was grown in the presence of H(2)O(2). The overexpression and silencin... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079938 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3079938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079937&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19998039%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xue JY, Liu Y, Li L, Wang B, Qiu YL Plants have large and complex mitochondrial genomes in comparison to other eukaryotes. In bryophytes, the mitochondrial genomes exhibit a mixed mode of conservative and dynamic evolution. Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome from hornwort Phaeoceros laevis, to investigate the level of conservation in mitochondrial genome evolution within hornworts. The circular molecule consists of 209,482 base pairs and represents the largest known mitochondrial genome of bryophytes. It contains 30 protein genes, 3 rRNA genes, and 21 tRNA genes, with 34 cis-spliced group II introns disrupting 16 protein genes. There are 11 pseudogenes in this genome, and nine of them are shared with the other fully sequenced hornwort chondriome from Megacero... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079937 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3079937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3072236&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19967377%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, to characterize egg cell mitochondria in rice, we used nonenzymatic manual dissection to isolate unfertilized egg cells of rice and observed the egg cell mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) simultaneously. These observations showed that the mitochondria in the rice egg cell are small and grain-shaped, unlike the mitochondria in geranium, maize, I. nil, and bracken. Double staining of mitochondria by MitoTracker and mtDNA by SYBR Green I showed that mitochondria in the rice egg cell have a large amount of mtDNA compared with the rice root protoplast. We also used real-time PCR analysis to quantify the mtDNA amount in the rice egg cell. We quantified the copy numbers of four mitochondrial genes per single rice egg cell and rice leaf protoplast. Real-time PCR analysis re... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3072236 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3072236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048532&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19949798%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang NY, Lin CH, Chung KR Heterotrimeric G proteins play a profound role in the recognition and transduction of extracellular signals in eukaryotic cells. We characterized the AaGalpha1 gene, encoding a fungal Class I Galpha subunit of the GTP-binding protein, in Alternaria alternata of citrus. Interruption of AaGalpha1 with a marker gene resulted in fungal transformants producing fewer conidia, becoming hypersensitive to KCl, and displaying elevated lipolytic and pectolytic activities. Expression of a functional copy of AaGalpha1 in a null mutant restored all altered phenotypes to the wild type. The AaGalpha1 mutants, whose conidia germinate normally, caused necrotic lesions on citrus indistinguishable from wild type. Application of cAMP, its inhibitors (atropine and theophyl... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048532 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000187&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19915845%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shin KS, Kwon NJ, Yu JH The roles of the Gbetagamma subunits of the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus were investigated. The predicted AfuSfaD (Gbeta) protein consists of 353 amino acids and shows 94-98% similarity with other Aspergillus Gbeta subunits. AfuGpgA consists of 90 amino acids showing 95-98% identity with other fungal G-protein gamma subunits. The deletion (Delta) of AfusfaD or AfugpgA resulted in severe impairment in vegetative growth, conidial germination and conidial trehalose breakdown. While the total number of conidia produced by DeltaAfusfaD and DeltaAfugpgA strains on solid medium was only about 1% of wild type, the growth-adjusted conidiation levels were twofold higher than those of wild type. Enhanced formation of conidiophores and elevate... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000187 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947609&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19876630%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamada M, Yawata K, Orino Y, Ueda S, Isogai Y, Taguchi G, Shimosaka M, Hashimoto S The filamentous fungus Coleophoma empetri F-11899 produces an echinocandin-like compound FR901379, the original source for micafungin which is prescribed to treat deep-seated mycoses. Despite its industrial importance, no genetic information on C. empetri F-11899 is currently available. To characterize FR901379 biosynthetic genes by insertional mutagenesis and to improve the compound production genetically, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) was attempted to make genetic manipulation possible in this strain. The optimum conditions for ATMT of C. empetri were determined for the cell density of bacteria, time period of co-cultivation and types of filters in co-cultivation. Us... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947609 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2947609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886984&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19820940%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Draper E, Dubrovskyi O, Bar EE, Stone DE The filamentous/invasive growth pathway is activated by nutrient limitation in the haploid form of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas exposure to mating-pheromone causes cells to differentiate into gametes. Although these two pathways respond to very different stimuli and generate very different responses, they utilize many of the same signaling components. This implies the need for robust mechanisms to maintain signal fidelity. Dse1 was identified in an allele-specific suppressor screen for proteins that interact with the pheromone-responsive Gbetagamma, and found to bind both to a Gbetagamma-affinity column, and to the shared MEKK, Ste11. Although overexpression of Dse1 stimulated invasive growth and transcription of both fil... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886984 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2886984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804412&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19756627%26dopt%3DAbstract This study shows that the mitochondrial genomes evolve extremely slowly in liverworts, the earliest-diverging lineage of extant land plants, in stark contrast to what is known of highly dynamic evolution of mitochondrial genomes in seed plants. PMID: 19756627 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804412 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2804412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804411&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19756628%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JH, Kim HW, Heo DH, Chang M, Baek IJ, Yun CW The function of endocytic pathway in filamentous fungi has remained elusive. Recently, we have identified that FgEnd1, which has a 27% amino acid homology and shares specific EH3 domain with ScEnd3 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a putative member of the endocytic machinery in Fusarium graminearum. The failure of the scend3 mutant to uptake Lucifer yellow (LY) was recovered by introducing FgEnd1 into S. cerevisiae. The deletion of fgend1 in F. graminearum resulted in a 2-fold decrease in the rate of uptake of the endocytic marker FM4-64 when compared to wild-type cells. The rate of uptake was similar to that seen in latrunculin A (Lat-A)-treated cells. Furthermore, fgend1 deletion strain of F. graminearum showed lower ferrichrom... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804411 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2804411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804410&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19756629%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we discovered multiple variants, a putative "gene family", of the gene psbA in the plastid minicircles of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense, which have persisted for almost 3 years in culture. Each variant, like the ordinary psbA, existed on distinct minicircles of similar size (5-6 kb). These psbA variants retained all, or almost all, the coding sequence of the ordinary gene, and all four were transcribed and edited after transcription, even though they could not encode the entire protein due to intervening or translocated sequences. Repeat elements were generally found in the relatively large non-coding region of these minicircles. Each psbA variant might have been generated by DNA recombination and/or replication slippage, as for previously reported aberrant minici... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804410 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2804410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2770320&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19730866%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Manalil NS, Junior Te'o VS, Braithwaite K, Brumbley S, Samson P, Nevalainen KM Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring cosmopolitan fungus infecting greyback canegrubs (Dermolepida albohirtum). The main molecular factors involved in the complex interactions occurring between the greyback canegrubs and M. anisopliae (FI-1045) were investigated by comparing the proteomes of healthy canegrubs, canegrubs infected with Metarhizium and fungus only. Differentially expressed proteins from the infected canegrubs were subjected to mass spectrometry to search for pathogenicity related proteins. Immune-related proteins of canegrubs identified in this study include cytoskeletal proteins (actin), cell communication proteins, proteases and peptidases. Fungal proteins identified inclu... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2770320 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2770320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2711930&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19685245%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sieńko M, Natorff R, Owczarek S, Olewiecki I, Paszewski A Homocysteine is an intermediate in methionine synthesis in Aspergillus nidulans, but it can also be converted to cysteine by the reverse transsulfuration pathway involving cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CGL). Because homocysteine is toxic to the cell at high concentrations, this pathway also functions as a means of removal of its excess. We found that the transcription of the mecA and mecB genes encoding CBS and CGL was upregulated by excess of homocysteine as well as by shortage of cysteine. Homocysteine induced transcription of both genes when added to the growth medium or overproduced in a regulatory mutant. The derepressing effect of cysteine shortage was observed in some muta... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2711930 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2711930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2684284&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19662416%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we provide a concise review on C. parapsilosis biology and highlight its interesting biological features. In addition, we summarize approaches for genetic manipulation, which have enhanced research on this species by overcoming limitations of conventional genetic analysis caused primarily by an apparent absence of a sexual cycle and the diploid state of its genome. PMID: 19662416 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2684284 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2684284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2668051&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19649636%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Boldo JT, Junges A, do Amaral KB, Staats CC, Vainstein MH, Schrank A Chitinases have been implicated in fungal cell wall remodeling and play a role in exogenous chitin degradation for nutrition and competition. Due to the diversity of these enzymes, assigning particular functions to each chitinase is still ongoing. The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae produces several chitinases, and here, we evaluate whether endochitinase CHI2 is involved in the pathogenicity of this fungus. We constructed strains either overexpressing or lacking the CHI2 chitinase. These constructs were validated by Southern, Northern and Western blot analysis, and chitinase production. To access the effects of CHI2 chitinase in virulence, the cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus was used as... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2668051 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2668051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2658413&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19641921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Basnayake S, Maclean DJ, Whisson SC, Drenth A Sequence analysis of the genomic region of Phytophthora sojae close to the Avr4/6 locus specifying virulence on soybean identified a Ty1/Copia-like retrotransposon that we have named Phytophthora sojae Copia-like retrotransposon (PSCR). Twelve near-complete homologs of PSCR were found in the published P. sojae genome sequence, none of which encoded a full-length polyprotein characteristic of Copia-like retrotransposons, or appears to exhibit transcriptional activity or show evidence of recent movement, suggesting they are non-functional and unlikely to have caused pathogenic variability. However, reconstructed consensus PSCR sequence encoding a full-length polyprotein resembles a functional, ancestral retroelement within P. sojae. ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2658413 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2658413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2650289&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19636558%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kilaru S, Collins CM, Hartley AJ, Burns C, Foster GD, Bailey AM Dominant selectable markers are beneficial for transformation of many fungi, particularly those model species where repeated transformations may be required. A carboxin resistance allele of the Coprinopsis cinerea sdi1 gene, encoding the iron-sulphur protein subunit of succinate dehydrogenase, was developed by introducing a suitable point mutation in the histidine block responsible for binding of the associated iron ion. This modified gene was used successfully to confer carboxin resistance upon transformation of C. cinerea protoplasts. Plasmids previously used to establish hygromycin transformation systems of several basidiomycete species, such as pAN7-1 and phph004, failed to give rise to hygromycin-resistant tr... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2650289 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2650289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2650288&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19636559%26dopt%3DAbstract This study shows that it is allelic with the proline-tRNA(CGG) gene SPATRNAPRO.02. Its nucleotide sequence contains a C-->T substitution in the region corresponding to the B-box of the putative intragenic promoter and the TpsiC loop of the mature tRNA. The substitution drastically reduces the transcription efficiency of the gene and pleiotropically affects numerous cellular processes. spl1-1 cells are temperature sensitive, osmosensitive, bend at higher temperatures, have extended G2 phase and are defective in cell separation (septum cleavage). The proline-tRNA(TGG) gene SPATRNAPRO.01 can partially suppress the spl1-1 mutation when introduced into the cells on a multicopy plasmid. The effect of a mutation in a tRNA gene on cell separation brings a new element into the complexity of the ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2650288 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2650288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2650290&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19633981%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rehman MA, Yankulov K Autonomously replicating sequences (ARSs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been extensively characterized as both origins of DNA replication and as chromatin repressors/silencers. It has been conclusively shown that the origin and the silencer activities of ARS are substantially, but not entirely interchangeable and that they are modulated by position effects and chromatin environment. It remains unclear how these two quite divergent functions of ARS co-exist. This perspective focuses on recent advances, which have shown that slight differences in ARSs can modulate their affinity for origin recognition complex and their activity as silencers or origins. PMID: 19633981 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2650290 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2650290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2639506&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19629489%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we identified MgATG5 as an autophagy-related gene in Magnaporthe oryzae that is homologous to ATG5. Using targeted gene replacement, an Mgatg5 mutant was generated and fungal autophagy was blocked. Cytological analysis revealed that the mutant had poor fungal morphogenic development, including a shortened aerial hyphae lifespan, decreased conidiation and perithecia formation, delayed conidial germination and appressorial formation, postponement of conidial cytoplasm transfer during appressorium formation, and reduction in formation of the penetration peg. Turnover of endogenous matter in the Mgatg5 mutant was also affected, as demonstrated by defects in the formation of conidial lipid droplets, and in the degradation of conidial glycogen deposits during appressorium formatio... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2639506 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2639506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2639507&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19629488%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dobrowolska A, Staczek P Dermatophytes are the fungi that can cause infections of skin, hair, and nails due to their ability to utilize keratin. The genetic transformation systems of dermatophytes were successfully applied to Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. Here we describe the procedure for genetic transformation of Trichophyton rubrum by electroporation of their germinated conidia. A linearized transformation vector (pCHSH75-Pch/GFP/TtrpC) containing bacterial hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) and green fluorescent protein gene (egfp) was introduced into the germinated conidia of T. rubrum by electroporation. PCR reaction analysis showed that egfp gene was integrated randomly and Southern blotting analysis demonstrated a single integration of hph ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2639507 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2639507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626755&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19621226%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou J, Lin CZ, Zheng XZ, Lin XJ, Sang WJ, Wang SH, Wang ZH, Ebbole D, Lu GD Identification of enzymes that are expressed during host colonization and characterization of their biochemical properties are prerequisite to understanding their role in the pathogen-host interaction. Nine alpha-1,2-mannosidase homologs were identified in the analysis of the Magnaporthe oryzae genome. Endoplasmic reticulum localized alpha-1,2-mannosidases play an important role in protein glycosylation. However, several members of the alpha-1,2-mannosidase gene family are predicted to be secreted. The biological role of such extracellular enzymes in host colonization has not been defined. Here, we characterized a secreted alpha-1,2-mannosidase of M. oryzae, MGG_00994.6, and found that the mature poly... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626755 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2626755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2556518&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19562342%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was undertaken to define the role of Ygr150cp in mitochondria biogenesis. Repression of Ygr150cp expression in complemented mutants prevented their use of glycerol or lactate, but allowed limited growth on ethanol-containing medium. RNA hybridization studies showed that Deltaygr150c meiotic segregants produced COB and COX1 transcripts but failed to process them into the mature forms. Detailed RT-PCR assays revealed that Deltaygr150c specifically failed to remove the fourth intron of both COB and COX1 pre-mRNAs while all other group I introns were excised. Expression of Ygr150cp mutants without any of the PPR motifs did not complement the growth phenotype. Accordingly, we designate YGR150C as CCM1 (COB and COX1 mRNA maturation). This report provides the first evidence of PPR prot... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2556518 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2556518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542681&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19547974%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JE, Lee HJ, Lee J, Kim KW, Yun SH, Shim WB, Lee YW Gibberella zeae causes Fusarium head blight of cereal crops, and sexual spores of the fungus play an important role as primary inocula. We isolated a restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) transformant, ZH431, of G. zeae with defects in perithecia formation and virulence. Integration of the REMI vector resulted in disruption of GzCHS7 gene, which encodes a putative class VII chitin synthase with high similarity to Fusarium oxysporum ChsVb. A second chitin synthase, GzCHS5, is adjacently located in a head-to-head configuration with GzCHS7, and its deduced protein sequence showed similarity with a class V chitin synthase in F. oxysporum. Neither DeltaGzChs5 nor DeltaGzChs7 mutants produced perithecia or caused diseas... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542681 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542680&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19547975%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we cloned and characterized a putative MAPKKK gene ChSte11, orthologous to yeast STE11, of Cochliobolus heterostrophus. DeltaChste11 strains showed defects in conidiation, sexual development, melanization and the formation of appressoria. These mutants were significantly less virulent on corn plants than the wild type. Similar phenotypes were observed in mutants of Chk1-MAPK, a putative downstream protein kinase of ChSte11. These results suggested that ChSte11 regulates various morphological changes and pathogenicity via Chk1 MAPK. Both DeltaChste11 and Deltachk1 strains showed severe sensitivity to oxidative stress, hydrogen peroxide, and heavy metals, cupric or ferric cations. DeltaBmhog1 strains, mutants of the HOG1-type MAPK, did not show sensitivity to these forms of st... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542680 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542682&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19506875%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang C, Xia Y Metarhizium anisopliae is an important insect pathogenic fungus widely used in biological pest control. The aim of this study was to identify genes differentially expressed in vivo by M. anisopliae CQMa102 in the hemolymph of infected Locusta migratoria. Suppression-subtractive hybridization was performed using cDNA generated from hyphal bodies purified from hemolymph and the fungus germinating and differentiating on locust wings. A total of 350/1,600 random clones screened by cDNA array dot blotting were sequenced, resulting in 120 uniquely expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were up-regulated during colonization of hemolymph. Among these 120 ESTs, 42 (35.0%) had matches in the NR protein database, and 29 (24.2%) were significantly similar to known proteins inv... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542682 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542684&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19488756%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Geimer S, Belicová A, Legen J, Sláviková S, Herrmann RG, Krajčovič J The characterisation of transcript levels of chloroplast genes and their changes under different conditions is an initial step towards understanding chloroplast gene expression and the functional integration of the plastid chromosome into the entire integrated compartmentalised genome of the plant cell. Using RNA from cells of 12 different developmental stages and stress treatments, we have studied the transcript patterns of all 96 genes of the circular plastid chromosome of Euglena gracilis, Pringsheim strain Z, by a macroarray-based approach and Northern analysis of selected genes representing approximately half a dozen operons. The unicellular alga possesses complex, triple-envel... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542684 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542683&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19488757%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sakamoto Y, Nakade K, Sato T We compared the gene expression patterns of Lentinula edodes fresh fruiting bodies and fruiting bodies 3 days after harvest, by suppression subtractive hybridization, to characterize the physiologic changes that occur after harvest, such as gill browning and cell wall lysis of the fruiting body, which are responsible for the loss of food quality and value. We found increase of transcription levels of several enzyme encoding genes, such as, two phenol oxidases encoding genes (tyr tyrosinase, lcc4 laccase), and several cell wall degradation-related enzyme-encoding genes, such as mixed-linked glucanase (mlg1), chitinases (chi1, chi2), chitin deacetylase (chd1), and chitosanase (cho1), after harvesting. We isolated a putative transcription factor-encod... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542683 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542695&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19360408%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rehmeyer CJ, Li W, Kusaba M, Farman ML Telomere-linked RecQ helicase (TLH) genes have been identified in several fungi, where they occur as small gene families with each member copy residing within ~10 kb of a telomere. Here we describe the characterization of all 11 TLH gene copies in the reference strain of the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. A consensus gene prediction revealed that the previously reported TLH1 gene is actually a mutated copy, and the full-length gene is almost two times longer. Only four full-length TLH genes were present in the strain that was analyzed, with the remaining copies containing premature stops caused by point mutations, indels, transposon insertions, and a telomere truncation. Interestingly, all of the TLH gene copies possessed numerous mutations i... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542695 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542694&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19396443%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nare B, Garraway LA, Vickers TJ, Beverley SM Leishmania must survive oxidative stress, but lack many classical antioxidant enzymes and rely heavily on trypanothione-dependent pathways. We used forward genetic screens to recover loci mediating oxidant resistance via overexpression in Leishmania major, which identified pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1). Comparisons of isogenic lines showed ptr1 (-) null mutants were 18-fold more sensitive to H(2)O(2) than PTR1-overproducing lines, and significant three- to fivefold differences were seen with a broad panel of oxidant-inducing agents. The toxicities of simple nitric oxide generators and other drug classes (except antifolates) were unaffected by PTR1 levels. H(2)O(2) susceptibility could be modulated by exogenous biopterin but not folat... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542694 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542693&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19396602%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sato S, Feltus FA, Iyer P, Tien M As part of an effort to determine all the gene products involved in wood degradation, we have performed massively parallel pyrosequencing on an expression library from the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium grown in shallow stationary cultures with red oak as the carbon source. Approximately 48,000 high quality sequence tags (246 bp average length) were generated. 53% of the sequence tags aligned to 4,262 P. chrysosporium gene models, and an additional 18.5% of the tags reliably aligned to the P. chrysosporium genome providing evidence for 961 putative novel fragmented gene models. Due to their role in lignocellulose degradation, the secreted proteins were focused upon. Our results show that the four enzymes required for cellulose de... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542693 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542692&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19421754%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Piłsyk S, Paszewski A Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring is the main mechanism allowing proper localization of secretory proteins in cell membranes. We have isolated an Aspergillus nidulans homolog of the human PIG-P gene, which encodes a subunit of acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GPI-GnT)-an enzyme involved in the synthesis of GPI anchors. A. nidulans pigP mutants have significantly decreased GPI synthesis. On solid media they show strong growth retardation (the "button" phenotype) while in liquid minimal media they show overall good growth but with hyperbranched and bulbous hyphae with impaired septation. Furthermore, the pigP strains, in contrast to the wild-type, abundantly secrete a 33-kDa alkaline serine protease (ALP) into the liquid medium. PMID: 194... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542692 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542691&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19437021%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Astromskas E, Cohn M Gene replacement (knock-out) is a major tool for the analysis of gene function. However, the efficiency of correct targeting varies between species, and is dependent on the structure of the DNA construct. We analyzed the targeted insertion mutagenesis method in the budding yeast Saccharomyces castellii, phylogenetically positioned after the whole genome duplication event in the Saccharomyces lineage. We compared the targeting efficiency for target DNA constructs in the respective ends-in and ends-out form. For some of the constructs S. castellii showed a similar high degree of homologous recombination as S. cerevisiae. In agreement with S. cerevisiae, a higher targeting efficiency was seen for the diploid strain than for the haploid. Surprisingly, a higher... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542691 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542690&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19449185%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Braukmann TW, Kuzmina M, Stefanović S The exact phylogenetic position of Gnetales, a small, highly modified group of gymnosperms with an accelerated rate of molecular evolution, is one of the most challenging issues for seed plant systematics. Recent results from entire plastid genome (ptDNA) sequencing revealed the absence of the entire suite of plastid ndh genes in several species of Gnetales and the pine family (Pinaceae) potentially highlighting a major structural feature linking these two groups-concerted loss of all plastid genes for the NADH dehydrogenase complex. However, the precise extent of ndh gene loss in gymnosperms has not been surveyed. Using a slot-blot hybridization method, we probed all 11 ndh genes in 162 species from 70 of 85 gymnosperm genera. We fi... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542690 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542689&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19449186%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we identified this gene by genomic sequencing of chloroplast DNA and genetic analysis. Chloroplast DNA sequencing of 16 wild-type and 16 Wogon-Sugi plants showed a 19-bp insertional sequence in the matK coding region in the Wogon-Sugi. This insertion disrupted the matK reading frame. Although an indel mutation in the ycf1 and ycf2 coding region was detected in Wogon-Sugi, sequence variations similar to that of Wogon-Sugi were also detected in several wild-type lines, and they maintained the reading frame. Genetic analysis of the 19 bp insertional mutation in the matK coding region showed that it was found only in the chlorophyll-deficient sector of 125 full-sibling seedlings. Therefore, the 19-bp insertion in the matK coding region is the most likely candidate at present for... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542689 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542687&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19466416%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ando A, Sakuradani E, Horinaka K, Ogawa J, Shimizu S The sdhB gene encoding an iron-sulfur (Ip) subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH, EC 1.3.99.1) complex was cloned from Mortierella alpina 1S-4. The deduced amino acid sequence of SdhB from M. alpina 1S-4 showed high similarity to those of SdhB from other organisms. The mutated sdhB (CBXB) gene encodes a modified SdhB with an amino-acid substitution (a highly conserved histidine residue within the third cysteine-rich cluster of SdhB replaced by a leucine residue) and is known to confer carboxin resistance. We succeeded in transforming M. alpina 1S-4 by using the CBXB gene as a selectable marker gene and expressing the heterologous uidA gene encoding beta-glucuronidase of Escherichia coli. Moreover, transformation efficiency... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542687 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542685&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19479257%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim HY, Han KH, Lee M, Oh M, Kim HS, Zhixiong X, Han DM, Jahng KY, Kim JH, Chae KS The veA gene is one of the key genes in regulating sexual development of Aspergillus nidulans. During the study on the veA gene, it was observed that the veA expression level is slightly higher in a veA1 mutant than in a wild type at 37 degrees C, suggesting that the wild type veA gene is necessary for the negative regulation of the veA expression. In the veA1 mutant, the veA expression was higher than in a wild type grown at 42 degrees C but equal at 30 degrees C. Furthermore, in a veA deletion mutant having its own promoter and the N-terminus of the VeA ORF, expression of the N-terminus by the veA promoter was highly up-regulated, supporting the possibility that the veA gene is important for t... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542685 Thu, 28 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542686&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468735%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schorsch C, Köhler T, Boles E The yeast Pichia ciferrii produces large quantities of the sphingoid base tetraacetyl phytosphingosine (TAPS) and is an interesting platform organism for the biotechnological production of sphingolipids and ceramides. Ceramides have attracted great attention as a specialty ingredient for moisture retention and protection of the skin in the cosmetics industry. First attempts have been started to metabolically engineer P. ciferrii for improved production of TAPS and other sphingoid bases. However, rational metabolic engineering of P. ciferrii is difficult due to a low gene targeting efficiency. In eukaryotes, two major pathways coexist, which are responsible for genomic DNA integration, homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joini... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542686 Mon, 25 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2542688&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19466415%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Watanabe M, Watanabe D, Nogami S, Morishita S, Ohya Y To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the budding phase transition, 4,711 Saccharomyces cerevisiae haploid nonessential gene deletion mutants were screened with the image processing program CalMorph, and 35 mutants with a round bud and 173 mutants with an elongated bud were statistically identified. We classified round and elongated bud mutants based on factors thought to affect the duration of the apical bud growth phase. Two round bud mutants (arc18 and sac6) were found to be defective in apical actin patch localization. Several elongated bud mutants demonstrated a delay of cell cycle progression at the apical growth phase, suggesting that these mutants have a defect in the control of cell cycle progression. PMID... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2542688 Sat, 23 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2542688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2320573&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19352680%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Peng G, Xie L, Hu J, Xia Y The insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is widely used as an insect biocontrol agent. The M. anisopliae conidium plays an important role in pathogenesis and disease transmission. The aim of this study was to identify genes whose expression is up-regulated during conidiogenous cell development. This is a powerful strategy for obtaining insight into the molecular events that regulate conidiation. We isolated genes that are preferentially expressed in the developing conidiophores of the common fungal locust pathogen M. anisopliae CQMa102 using suppression subtractive hybridization. Based on the results of cDNA array dot blotting, we identified 109 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were up-regulated more than fivefold during conidiop... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2320573 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2320573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2320574&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19337734%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tarkka MT, Sarniguet A, Frey-Klett P Interactions between bacteria and fungi are well known, but it is often underestimated how intimate and decisive such associations can be with respect to behaviour and survival of each participating organism. In this article we review recent advances in molecular bacterium-fungus interactions, combining the data of different model systems. Emphasis is given to the positive or negative consequences these interactions have on the microbe accommodating plants and animals. Intricate mechanisms of antagonism and tolerance have emerged, being as important for the biological control of plants against fungal diseases as for the human body against fungal infections. Bacterial growth promoters of fungal mycelium have been characterized, and these may... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2320574 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2320574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2293896&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305999%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we compared the roles of polymerase zeta (Pol zeta) and non-homologous DNA-end joining (NHEJ) in starvation-associated spontaneous base substitutions and frameshifts, using yeast mutants carrying deletions of REV3 (encoding the catalytic subunit of Pol zeta), YKU80 (encoding a protein involved in the initiation of NHEJ), or both genes. We found that approximately 50% of starvation-associated spontaneous frameshifts and 40% of base substitutions required NHEJ to occur. The role of Pol zeta was only slightly less pronounced, with 30-40% of frameshifts and 35-45% of base substitutions being dependent on Rev3. In comparison with the single mutants, the rev3 yku80 double mutant showed an additive decrease in the level of both base substitutions and frameshifts, indicating that Po... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2293896 Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2293896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2281560&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19296112%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Elleuche S, Pöggeler S The ubiquitous metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) catalyzes the interconversion of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. This enzyme has been investigated in mammals, plants, algae, bacteria, archaea and fungi. Based on distinct structural characteristics, CAs can be assigned to five independently evolved classes (alpha, beta, gamma, delta and zeta). beta-CAs can be further subdivided into plant-type and cab-type sub-classes. The recent characterization of CAs in fungi led us to initiate a systematic search for these enzymes in filamentous ascomycetes. The genomes of basidiomycetes and hemiascomycetous yeasts contain only beta-CAs, while the filamentous ascomycetes also possess genes encoding alpha-class CAs. Here, we present a phylogenetic analysis of... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2281560 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2281560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2281561&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19290527%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we describe and compare the gene sequences, motifs, genomic copy number, and chromosomal localization of the Trichomonas vaginalis, Trichomonas tenax, and Tritrichomonas foetus 5S rRNA genes. T. vaginalis and T. foetus have a single type of 5S rRNA-coding region, whereas two types were found in T. tenax. The sequence identities among the three organisms are between 94 and 97%. The intergenic regions are more divergent in sequence and size with characteristic species-specific motifs. The T. foetus 5S rRNA gene has larger and more complex intergenic regions, which contain either an ubiquitin gene or repeated sequences. The 5S rRNA genes were located in Trichomonads chromosomes by fluorescent in situ hybridization. PMID: 19290527 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2281561 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2281561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255545&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19277664%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nowrousian M During fungal fruiting body development, hyphae aggregate to form multicellular structures that protect and disperse the sexual spores. Analysis of microarray data revealed a gene cluster strongly upregulated during fruiting body development in the ascomycete Sordaria macrospora. Real time PCR analysis showed that the genes from the orthologous cluster in Neurospora crassa are also upregulated during development. The cluster encodes putative polyketide biosynthesis enzymes, including a reducing polyketide synthase. Analysis of knockout strains of a predicted dehydrogenase gene from the cluster showed that mutants in N. crassa and S. macrospora are delayed in fruiting body formation. In addition to the upregulated cluster, the N. crassa genome comprises another clu... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255545 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2255545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255544&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19277665%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Strobel I, Breitenbach J, Scheckhuber CQ, Osiewacz HD, Sandmann G Carotenoids have been identified in the fungus Podospora anserina and a parallel pathway to neurosporene and beta-carotene was established. Three genes for the beta-carotene branch have been cloned and their function elucidated. They correspond to the al-1, al-2 and al-3 genes from Neurospora crassa. They were individually and in combinations over-expressed in P. anserina in order to modify the carotenoid composition qualitatively and quantitatively. In the resulting transformants, carotenoid synthesis was up to eightfold increased and several intermediates of the pathway together with special cyclic carotenoids, beta-zeacarotene and 7,8-dihydro-beta-carotene, accumulated. All transformants with an over-expresse... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255544 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2255544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2243022&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19266201%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Olzhausen J, Schübbe S, Schüller HJ Coenzyme A (CoA) is a ubiquitous cofactor required for numerous enzymatic carbon group transfer reactions. CoA biosynthesis requires contributions from various amino acids with pantothenate as an important intermediate which can be imported from the medium or synthesized de novo. Investigating function and expression of structural genes involved in CoA biosynthesis of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that deletion of ECM31 and PAN6 results in mutants requiring pantothenate while loss of PAN5 (related to panE from E. coli) still allows prototrophic growth. A temperature-sensitive mutant defective for fatty acid synthase activity could be functionally complemented by a gene significantly similar to eukaryotic pantothenate ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2243022 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2243022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2224501&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19242694%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dzikowski R, Deitsch KW Malaria caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum is characterized by long-term, persistent infections that can last for many months. The ability of this parasite to avoid clearance by the human immune system is dependent on its capacity to continuously alter the surface exposed antigenic proteins that that are vulnerable to antibody recognition and attack, a process called antigenic variation. Significant work in recent years has contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this process, including the genes encoding the antigenic proteins and the DNA sequence elements that control their expression. In addition, the epigenetic "marks" that are associated with activation and silencing of individual genes have been extensivel... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2224501 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2224501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2218586&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19238386%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mercker M, Kollath-Leiß K, Allgaier S, Weiland N, Kempken F The bud emergence (BEM)46 proteins are evolutionarily conserved members of the alpha/beta-hydrolase super family, but their exact role remains unknown. To better understand the cellular role of BEM46 and its homologs, we used the model organism Neurospora crassa in conjunction with bem46 RNAi, over-expression vectors, and repeat induced point mutation analyzes. We clearly demonstrated that BEM46 is required for cell type-specific hyphal growth, which indicates a role for BEM46 in maintaining polarity. Vegetative hyphae, perithecia, and ascospores developed normally, but hyphae germinating from ascospores exhibited a loss-of-polarity phenotype. We also found that the BEM46 protein is targeted to the perinuclear en... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2218586 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2218586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2188769&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19214514%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ngari C, Combier JP, Doré J, Marmeisse R, Gay G, Melayah D In an attempt to get a marker gene suitable for genetical transformation of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma cylindrosporum, the gene Hc.Sdh (R) that confers carboxin-resistance was isolated from a UV mutant of this fungus. It encodes a mutant allele of the Fe-S subunit of the succinate dehydrogenase gene that carries a single amino acid substitution known to confer carboxin-resistance. This gene was successfully used as the selective marker to transform, via Agrobacterium tumefaciens, monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains of H. cylindrosporum. We also successfully transformed hygromycin-resistant insertional mutants. Transformation yielded mitotically stable carboxin-resistant mycelia. This procedure produced tr... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2188769 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2188769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2175194&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19198841%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we used chloroplast CAPS markers that differentiate between the two species to survey wild and weedy populations of B. rapa for the capture of B. napus chloroplasts. A total of 464 B. rapa plants belonging to 14 populations growing either in close proximity to B. napus (i.e. sympatric <5 m) or else were allopatric from the crop (>1 km) were assessed for chloroplast capture using PCR (trnL-F) and CAPS (trnT-L-Xba I) markers. The screen revealed that two sympatric B. rapa populations included 53 plants that possessed the chloroplast of B. napus. In order to discount these B. rapa plants as F(1) crop-wild hybrids, we used a C-genome-specific marker and found that 45 out of 53 plants lacked the C-genome and so were at least second generation introgressants. The most plausib... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2175194 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2175194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153716&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19184026%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim H, Livingston DM The deletion of the gene encoding the high mobility group protein Hmo1 suppresses the growth retardation of the DNA pol delta mutation, pol3-14, at the restrictive temperature. pol3-14 mutant cells undergo cell cycle arrest, and hmo1Delta alleviates the arrest permitting continual division of the double mutant. Bypass of cell cycle control occurs with an increased rate of mutation. Both pol3-14 and hmo1Delta are mutators and their combination provokes a synergistic rate of CAN1 mutations. RAD18 controls branches of DNA repair pathways and its deletion also suppresses pol3 mutations. Comparing hmo1Delta and rad18Delta suppression of pol3-14 shows that while both require the presence of RAD52-mediated repair, their suppression is independent in that both can... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153716 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2153716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153715&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19184027%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we provide general information on the little studied eukaryotic ribosomal protein rpL15. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two genes, YRPL15A and YRPL15B that could potentially code for yeast rpL15 (YrpL15). YRPL15A is essential while YRPL15B is dispensable. However, a plasmid-borne copy of the YRPL15B gene, controlled by the GAL1 promoter or by the promoter controlling expression of the YRPL15A gene, can functionally complement YrpL15A in yeast cells, while the same gene controlled by the authentic promoter is inactive. Analysis of the levels of YrpL15B-mRNA in yeast cells shows that the YRPL15B gene is inactive in transcription. The function of YrpL15A is highly resilient to single and multiple amino acid substitutions. In addition, minor deletions from both the N- and C-termina... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153715 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2153715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2098730&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19137300%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chevanne D, Bastiaans E, Debets A, Saupe SJ, Clavé C, Paoletti M In fungi, vegetative incompatibility is a conspecific non-self recognition mechanism that restricts formation of viable heterokaryons when incompatible alleles of specific het loci interact. In Podospora anserina, three non-allelic incompatibility systems have been genetically defined involving interactions between het-c and het-d, het-c and het-e, het-r and het-v. het-d and het-e are paralogues belonging to the HNWD gene family that encode proteins of the STAND class. HET-D and HET-E proteins comprise an N-terminal HET effector domain, a central GTP binding site and a C-terminal WD repeat domain constituted of tandem repeats of highly conserved WD40 repeat units that define the specificity of alleles during... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2098730 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2098730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077095&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19116716%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Scherm B, Schmoll M, Balmas V, Kubicek CP, Migheli Q A rapid subtraction hybridization approach was used to isolate genes differentially expressed during mycelial contact between Trichoderma harzianum (Hypocrea lixii) and Rhizoctonia solani, and could serve as marker genes for selection of superior biocontrol strains. Putatively positive clones were evaluated by transcription analysis during mycelial contact with R. solani versus growth on glucose, and for their differential transcription between two strains with either strong or poor biocontrol capability before, at, and after contact with R. solani. Besides four clones, which had similarity to putative but as yet uncharacterized proteins, they comprised ribosomal proteins, proteins involved in transcriptional switch and regu... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077095 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2077095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077096&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19115055%26dopt%3DAbstract This study focuses on the cloning and characterization of the major nitrogen regulator element from the ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii, TbNre1. Sequence analysis of the predicted protein and complementation experiments in Neurospora crassa demonstrated that the cloned gene is orthologous to areA/nit-2 gene. Transcriptional expression investigations by real-time RT-PCR showed TbNre1 up-regulation in the presence of nitrate or in the absence of nitrogen during free-living mycelium growth. On the contrary, TbNre1 mRNA levels remained at basal values in the presence of preferred nitrogen sources like ammonium and glutamine. Furthermore, TbNre1 mRNA was found to be up-regulated during T. borchii and T. platyphyllos interaction. All these data suggest that the regulatory protein TBNRE1 cou... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077096 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2077096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077097&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19112563%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bégu D, Araya A We studied the genomic structure and RNA editing of mitochondrial cox1, cox2, cob and atp9 from the horsetail Equisetum arvense, a representative of an old fern lineage. Editing of cox1, cob and atp9 mRNAs occur only by C-to-U transitions. No changes were found in cox2 transcripts constituting one of the rare examples of unedited mitochondrial mRNA in land plants. From three intervening sequences in cox1, cox1i395 and cox1i624 are group IB introns homologous to the Marchantia polymorpha cox1 introns, and cox1i747 is a group IIA intron different to other introns found in plant mtDNA. The group II intron cox2i373 is very similar to other introns found in cox2 from vascular plants. While cob and atp9 have no introns and display the gene structure found in see... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077097 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2077097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2066273&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19107486%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kreimer G Most flagellate green algae exhibiting phototaxis posses a singular specialized light sensitive organelle, the eyespot apparatus (EA). Its design principles are similar in all green algae and produce, in conjunction with the movement pattern of the cell, a highly directional optical device. It enables an oriented movement response with respect to the direction and intensity of light. The functional EA involves local specializations of different compartments (plasma membrane, cytosol, and chloroplast) and utilizes specialized microbial-type rhodopsins, which act as directly light-gated ion channels. Due to their elaborate structures and the presence of retinal-based photoreceptors in some lineages, algal EAs are thought to play an important role in the evolution of ph... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2066273 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2066273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2042828&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19083240%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Duchêne AM, Pujol C, Maréchal-Drouard L During evolution, most of the bacterial genes from the ancestral endosymbiotic alpha-proteobacteria at the origin of mitochondria have been either lost or transferred to the nuclear genome. A crucial evolutionary step was the establishment of macromolecule import systems to allow the come back of proteins and RNAs into the organelle. Paradoxically, the few mitochondria-encoded protein genes remain essential and must be translated by a mitochondrial translation machinery mainly constituted by nucleus-encoded components. Two crucial partners of the mitochondrial translation machinery are the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and the tRNAs. All mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and many tRNAs are imported from the cytosol into the... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2042828 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2042828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1993707&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19034452%26dopt%3DAbstract This study allowed enlarging the assortment of P. ostreatus laccases and increasing knowledge to improve laccase production. PMID: 19034452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Genetics) Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1993707 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1993707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1956551&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19002465%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hagiwara D, Kondo A, Fujioka T, Abe K Calcium signaling systems are widely employed in eukaryotes and are implicated in the regulation of diverse biological processes. Calcineurin is an important signaling component, which mediates ion homeostasis and virulence in several fungi. Based on intensive studies conducted on budding yeast, transcription factor Crz1p is thought to be a target of calcineurin. To provide insight into calcium signaling, a Crz1p homolog (CrzA) in a filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans was identified and its function with special reference to calcium response was characterized. A crzA gene disruption mutant exhibited sensitivity to high concentrations of Mn(2+) and Ca(2+), and mediated the expression of P-type calcium-ATPase homologous genes. Comprehens... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1956551 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1956551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1941002&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18987859%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barnay-Verdier S, Beckerich JM, Boisramé A This paper reports the identification and the characterization of two new components of Yarrowia lipolytica Golgi multi-protein complexes. Blast analysis on the Y. lipolytica complete genome allowed us to find a new alpha-1,6-mannosyltransferase, YlAnl2p, which displays an overall identity of 59% and shares a Golgi cellular localization with the previously described YlAnl1p. Moreover, YlAnl2p was shown to directly interact with YlMnn9p using the two-hybrid system suggesting that the two proteins form a second Golgi sub-complex. In order to further elucidate the composition of the Y. lipolytica Golgi complexes containing alpha-1,6-mannosyltransferases, as M-Pol complexes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two-hybrid screens were perform... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1941002 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1941002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1941001&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18987860%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rubio MB, Cardoza RE, Hermosa R, Gutiérrez S, Monte E The cloning and characterization of the Thcut1 gene, which encodes a cutinase protein of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum T34, is reported. Cutinases, which are secreted enzymes that hydrolyse cutin, belong to a class of serine esterases able to hydrolyze fatty acid esters and emulsified triglycerides. The Thcut1 gene was isolated by screening of a genomic DNA library from EST 2104, generated from a T. harzianum T34 cDNA library constructed under mycoparasitic and nutrient stress conditions, as a probe. Thcut1 shows similarity with fungal cutinase genes and is present as a single copy in the genome of T. harzianum. RNA blot analyses revealed that Thcut1 mRNA is strongly induced in vitro by olive oil and the ... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1941001 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1941001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1857365&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18836726%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brunner K, Omann M, Pucher ME, Delic M, Lehner SM, Domnanich P, Kratochwill K, Druzhinina I, Denk D, Zeilinger S Galpha subunits act to regulate vegetative growth, conidiation, and the mycoparasitic response in Trichoderma atroviride. To extend our knowledge on G protein signalling, we analysed G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). As the genome sequence of T. atroviride is not publicly available yet, we carried out an in silico exploration of the genome database of the close relative T. reesei. Twenty genes encoding putative GPCRs distributed over eight classes and additional 35 proteins similar to the Magnaporthe grisea PTH11 receptor were identified. Subsequently, four T. atroviride GPCR-encoding genes were isolated and affiliated to the cAMP receptor-like family by phylogen... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1857365 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1857365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1830853&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18813928%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smith CA, Robertson D, Yates B, Nielsen DM, Brown D, Dean RA, Payne GA Naturally occurring Antisense Transcripts (NATs) compose an emerging group of regulatory RNAs. These regulatory elements appear in all organisms examined, but little is known about global expression of NATs in fungi. Analysis of currently available EST sequences suggests that 352 cis NATs are present in Aspergillus flavus. An Affymetrix GeneChip((R)) microarray containing probes for these cis NATs, as well as all predicted genes in A. flavus, allowed a whole genome expression analysis of these elements in response to two ecologically important temperatures for the fungus. RNA expression analysis showed that 32 NATs and 2,709 genes were differentially expressed between 37 degrees C, the optimum temperature f... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1830853 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1830853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1818301&cid=s_38081_50_f&fid=38081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18807043%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bakhrat A, Baranes-Bachar K, Reshef D, Voloshin O, Krichevsky O, Raveh D Exportin-5, an evolutionarily conserved nuclear export factor of the beta-karyopherin family, exports phosphorylated proteins and small noncoding RNAs. Msn5, the yeast ortholog, exports primarily phosphorylated cargoes including Ho endonuclease and a number of transcription factors and regulatory proteins. The Msn5-mediated nuclear export of Ho is dependent on phosphorylation of Thr225 by kinases of the DNA damage response pathway. Although Msn5 has been the object of many studies, no NES sequence capable of binding the exportin and/or of leading to Msn5-dependent export of a heterologous protein has been identified. Here we report identification of a 13-residue Ho sequence that interacts with Msn5 in vit... Current Genetics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1818301 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1818301