Exposure of Cryptococcus neoformans to low nitrogen levels enhances virulence.

Previous studies have shown a correlation between nitrogen levels and Cryptococcus neoformans pathogenicity. Here we report on the in vivo effects of cryptococcal pre-exposure to ecologically relevant nitrogen levels. C.

Biocontrol of Fusarium Species Utilizing Indigenous Rooibos and Honeybush Extracts.

Mycotoxins produced by several Fusarium species have a significant effect on reducing maize yield and grain quality and have led to food safety concerns. The antifungal activities of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush ( species) tea extracts reduced the growth of plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea, but their efficacy against Fusarium spp. is unknown.

Draft Genome Sequence of sp. strain YC2, an Isolate from the South African Medicinal Plant Pelargonium sidoides.

A rhizosphere-associated species was isolated from Pelargonium sidoides DC () tubers, whose commercial extracts are used in respiratory tract infection treatment. Genomic data for isolates associated with is lacking. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of sp.

The copper transporter, Ctr4, and the microtubule-associated protein, Cgp1, are important for Cryptococcus neoformans adaptation to nitrogen availability.

Nitrogen limitation was previously shown to be an important regulator of several genes associated with virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans. Among the most highly expressed genes under low-nitrogen conditions were CTR4 and CGP1, encoding a copper transporter and a microtubule-associated protein, respectively. However, the functional association of these genes with nitrogen limitation-a nutritional stress experienced in both environment and host-remains to be determined.

Stress modulation as a means to improve yeasts for lignocellulose bioconversion.

The second-generation (2G) fermentation environment for lignocellulose conversion presents unique challenges to the fermentative organism that do not necessarily exist in other industrial fermentations. While extreme osmotic, heat, and nutrient starvation stresses are observed in sugar- and starch-based fermentation environments, additional pre-treatment-derived inhibitor stress, potentially exacerbated by stresses such as pH and product tolerance, exist in the 2G environment. Furthermore, in a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) context, the organism is also challenged to secrete enzymes that may themselves lead to unfolded protein response and other stresses.