Phospholipid Supply for Autophagosome Biogenesis.

Autophagy is a cellular degradation pathway where double-membrane autophagosomes form de novo to engulf cytoplasmic material destined for lysosomal degradation. This process requires regulated membrane remodeling, beginning with the initial autophagosomal precursor and progressing to its elongation and maturation into a fully enclosed, fusion-capable vesicle. While the core protein machinery involved in autophagosome formation has been extensively studied over the past two decades, the role of phospholipids in this process has only recently been studied.

Rim aperture of yeast autophagic membranes balances cargo inclusion with vesicle maturation.

Autophagy eliminates cytoplasmic material by engulfment in membranous vesicles targeted for lysosome degradation. Nonselective autophagy coordinates sequestration of bulk cargo with the growth of the isolation membrane (IM) in a yet-unknown manner. Here, we show that in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, IMs expand while maintaining a rim sufficiently wide for sequestration of large cargo but tight enough to mature in due time.

The Metallotolerance and Biosorption of As(V) and Cr(VI) by Black Fungi.

A collection of 34 melanized fungi isolated previously from anthropogenic contaminated sites were assessed for their tolerance to toxic concentrations of As(V) and Cr(VI) anions. Three strains of the species , , and (Chaetothyriales) were identified as hyper-metallotolerant, with estimated IC values that ranged from 11.2 to 16.

Recolonization dynamics of marble monuments after cleaning treatments: A nine-year follow-up study.

The prevention and control of biological patinas on outdoor stone monuments represent a demanding challenge for the conservation of cultural heritage also due to some microorganisms, particularly resistant to treatments, such as black meristematic fungi, an eco-physiological group well known for its tolerance to extreme conditions. Even if several methods and eco-friendly products have been proposed as new alternatives, traditional biocides are still far from being completely replaced. Recolonization is a natural process that occurs sooner or later after cleaning.