Fungal Alcohol Dehydrogenases: Physiological Function, Molecular Properties, Regulation of Their Production, and Biotechnological Potential.

Fungal alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) participate in growth under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, morphogenetic processes, and pathogenesis of diverse fungal genera. These processes are associated with metabolic operation routes related to alcohol, aldehyde, and acid production. The number of ADH enzymes, their metabolic roles, and their functions vary within fungal species.

Secretion of the siderophore rhizoferrin is regulated by the cAMP-PKA pathway and is involved in the virulence of Mucor lusitanicus.

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by Mucorales, with a high mortality rate. However, only a few virulence factors have been described in these organisms. This study showed that deletion of rfs, which encodes the enzyme for the biosynthesis of rhizoferrin, a siderophore, in Mucor lusitanicus, led to a lower virulence in diabetic mice and nematodes.

Aerobic processes for bioleaching manganese and silver using microorganisms indigenous to mine tailings.

Mining wastes containing appreciable concentrations of silver are considered alternative sources for metal extraction, although these wastes are often refractory due to the presence of manganese oxides. The high cost and/or environmental impact of the hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical extraction processes make it necessary to search for biotechnological processes for the solubilization of manganese compounds. This paper describes the characterization of chemoorganotrophic microorganisms indigenous to the tailings of a silver mine located in Coahuila, México, regarding their capability to remove manganese and silver present in these residues by lixiviation.

Hidden Costs in the Physiology of Argia anceps (Zigoptera: Coenagrionidae) due to Pollution.

Before a population becomes extinct, there are hidden costs in the physiology at the individual level that provide valuable insights into their condition. Here, we study two dams with one species in common (Argia anceps Garrison, 1996) to evaluate whether their physiological condition differed (total protein quantity, prophenoloxidase (proPO) and phenoloxidase (PO) activity, and protein carbonylation) during two consecutive years. The first dam, "El Gallinero" (contaminated, C), contains organic input from mines and agricultural activity, whereas the second, "Paso de Vaqueros" (non-contaminated, NC), is part of a biosphere reserve.

Alteration of Fermentative Metabolism Enhances Mucor circinelloides Virulence.

The fungus undergoes yeast-mold dimorphism, a developmental process associated with its capability as a human opportunistic pathogen. Dimorphism is strongly influenced by carbon metabolism, and hence the type of metabolism likely affects fungus virulence. We investigated the role of ethanol metabolism in virulence.