Life cycle and mating compatibility in the Japanese white jelly mushroom, .

In this study, white jelly mushrooms that were collected in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, were identified as by phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA-ITS region. Fluorescent microscopic analysis using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining to visualize the nuclei in each cell revealed that basidiospores isolated from the fruiting body were monokaryotic. Furthermore, monokaryotic yeasts were germinated from these basidiospores and the resulting crossed mycelium was dikaryotic and bore clamp cells, suggesting a heterothallic lifecycle for this species.

Inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation by strobilurins isolated from mushrooms and their synthetic analogues.

Strobilurins A and X, isolated from Mucidula venosolamellata culture extracts, demonstrated potent inhibition of human melanoma G-361 cell proliferation. Strobilurin X exhibited milder inhibitory effects on human fibroblast cells (NB1RGB) compared to strobilurin A. Additional strobilurin-related compounds were isolated from the other mushroom species.

Identification of Cyclocybe erebia metabolites that affect the circadian rhythm of Eluc expression under control of Bmal1 promoter in mouse fibroblast cells.

Pharmacological intervention of circadian rhythms is a potentially useful approach for ameliorating various health problems caused by disturbed circadian rhythms including sleep disorder and metabolic diseases. To find compounds that affect circadian rhythms, we screened mushroom extracts using mouse cells expressing the luciferase gene under the control of the mouse Bmal1 promoter. The culture filtrate extract from the basidiomycete Cyclocybe erebia enhanced the oscillation of bioluminescence caused by the expression of the luciferase gene and prolonged the period of bioluminescence.

Full Stereocontrol in α-Glycosidation of 3-Deoxy-d--2-octulosonic Acid (Kdo) Using Macrobicyclic Glycosyl Donors.

We describe a method for the α-selective glycosidation of 3-deoxy-d--2-octulosonic acid (Kdo) using a macrobicyclic Kdo donor as the precursor of a bridgehead oxocarbenium ion, whose stereoselectivity is not affected by the substrate structure and reaction conditions. Strapping Kdo via tethering in the α-configuration at the C1 and C5 positions completely blocked nucleophilic attack to the β-face of the anomeric center by sterically hindering the bicyclic system, realizing full α-selectivity during glycosidation.

Argeloside I inhibits the pathogenicity of Porphyromonas gingivalis TDC60.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis, produces several virulence agents in the outer cell membrane, including gingipains and hemagglutinins. These virulence factors enable the bacteria to adhere to periodontal tissue and degrade host proteins to obtain the nutrients needed for dental plaque formation. P.

5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde purified from Japanese pear ( Nakai cv. Nijisseiki) juice concentrate inhibits melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells.

Pear juice concentrate prepared by boiling Japanese pear ( Nakai cv. Nijisseiki) juice can significantly inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin synthesis in human skin. Using the ethanol extract of pear juice concentrate, we homogeneously purified an active compound that was identified as 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) through H- and C-NMR and mass spectroscopy.

Isolation of isolactarane sesquiterpenes from a culture filtrate and their growth promotion effects on lettuce roots.

The ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrate of promoted elongation of the lateral roots of lettuce seedlings at 250 µg/mL. We purified two compounds that promote root elongation by using activity-guided chromatographic fractionation. On the basis of spectroscopic analyses, these compounds were identified to be isolactarane sesquiterpenes derived from the dehydrogenation of merulactone, which was previously isolated from the same species.

A lemon myrtle extract inhibits glucosyltransferases activity of Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans is a bacterium found in human oral biofilms (dental plaques) that is associated with the development of dental caries. Glucosyltransferases (GTFs) are key enzymes involved in dental plaque formation, and compounds that inhibit their activities may prevent dental caries. We developed a screening system for GTF-inhibitory activities, and used it to profile 44 types of herbal tea extracts.

Evolutionary changes in defensive specialized metabolism in the genus Hordeum.

Plants have developed defensive specialized metabolites over the course of evolution. In the genus Hordeum, which includes the important cereal crop barley, specialized metabolites such as hordatines, benzoxazinones, and gramine have been identified. Hordeum species are classified into four clades, H, Xu, Xa, and I.

Convergent synthesis of 4,5-branched inner-core oligosaccharides of lipopoly- and lipooligosaccharides.

The convergent synthesis of branched inner-core oligosaccharides of lipopoly- and lipooligosaccharide with a 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) disaccharide acceptor was achieved. The l-glycero-d-manno-heptopyranose (Hep) units for the branched core oligosaccharide Galβ(1-4)Glcβ(1-4)Hep and Hepα(1-3)Hep were prepared from the corresponding Hep building blocks. To obtain 4,5-branched core oligosaccharide structures, the common acceptor Kdoα(2-4)Kdo was glycosylated with the Hep units.

Biosynthesis of integric acid isolated from the wood-decay fungus Xylaria feejeensis 2FB-PPM08M.

The biosynthesis of integric acid, a secondary metabolite of the wood-decay fungus Xylaria feejeensis strain 2FB-PPM08M, has been studied. Labeling experiments using [1-(13)C], [2-(13)C] and [1,2-(13)C2] acetate and L-methionine (methyl-(13)C) were separately performed with fungal culture. The labeling patterns of these metabolites indicated the same origin, and determined that integric acid was formed through the condensation of a sesquiterpene and a polyketide.

A dodecylamine derivative of cyanocobalamin potently inhibits the activities of cobalamin-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase of Caenorhabditis elegans.

In this study, we showed that cyanocobalamin dodecylamine, a ribose 5'-carbamate derivative of cyanocobalamin, was absorbed and accumulated to significant levels by Caenorhabditis elegans and was not further metabolized. The levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, which serve as indicators of cobalamin deficiency, were significantly increased in C. elegans treated with the dodecylamine derivative, indicating severe cobalamin deficiency.

Gene cloning and biochemical characterization of eryngase, a serine aminopeptidase of Pleurotus eryngii belonging to the family S9 peptidases.

Pleurotus eryngii serine aminopeptidase that has peptide bond formation activity, redesignated as eryngase, was cloned and expressed. Eryngase has a family S9 peptidase unit in the C-terminal region having a catalytic triad of Ser, Asp, and His. In the phylogenetic relations among the subfamilies of family S9 peptidase (S9A, prolyl oligopeptidase; S9B, dipeptidyl peptidase; S9C, acylaminoacyl peptidase; S9D, glutamyl endopeptidase), eryngase existed alone in the neighbor of S9C subfamily.

Gymnopilins, a product of a hallucinogenic mushroom, inhibit the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Gymnopilins are substances produced in fruiting bodies of the hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus junonius. Although, only a few biological effects of gymnopilins on animal tissues have been reported, it is believed that gymnopilins are a key factor of the G. junonius poisoning.

Multiple effects of gymnopilin on circulatory system of the rat.

Gymnopilin is one of the substances produced by the hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus junonius. In this study, we examined effects of gymnopilins purified from wild fruiting bodies of G. junonius on contractile activity of aorta preparations and blood pressure in rats.

Gymnopilin--a substance produced by the hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus junonius--mobilizes intracellular Ca(2+) in dorsal root ganglion cells.

Gymnopilus junonius is a widely spread mushroom in Japan and well known as a hallucinogenic mushroom. Gymnopilin was purified from the fruiting body of G. junonius and was reported to act on the spinal cord and depolarize motoneurons.

Western blot analysis of neisserial lipooligosaccharide at the lower femtomole level with normal human sera.

Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is a major immunogenic component of pathogenic Neisseria species such as Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae. Recent immunochemical studies have found that normal human sera (NHS) contain bactericidal anti-LOS antibodies that bind to the oligosaccharide (OS) moiety of neisserial LOS.

Novel effects of extracts from poisonous mushrooms on expression and function of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene channel.

Unlabelled: The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the α subunit of the potassium current I(Kr), which plays a pivotal role in cardiac action potential repolarization. Inherited mutations of this gene cause Long QT syndrome type 2. hERG expression is altered by several types of drugs as well as by temperature.

Eryngase: a Pleurotus eryngii aminopeptidase exhibiting peptide bond formation activity.

An aminopeptidase that has peptide bond formation activity was identified in the cell-free extract of carpophore of Pleurotus eryngii. The enzyme, redesignated as eryngase, was purified for homogeneity and characterized. Eryngase had a molecular mass of approximately 79 kDa.

Isolation and characterization of 3-N-trimethylamino-1-propanol-degrading Rhodococcus sp. strain A2.

The aerobic degradation of 3-N-trimethylamino-1-propanol (homocholine) as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen has been found for a Rhodococcus sp. bacterium isolated from soil. The isolate was identified as Rhodococcus sp.

Enzymatic characterization of peroxisomal and cytosolic betaine aldehyde dehydrogenases in barley.

Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH; EC 1.2.1.

4-N-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase: purification and characterization of an enzyme from Pseudomonas sp. 13CM.

4-N-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. 13CM was purified 14-fold to apparent homogeneity by hydrophobic chromatography on a Phenyl-Toyopearl, and affinity chromatography was done on a 5'-AMP Sepharose4B in the presence of dithiothreitol. The enzyme was found to be a trimer with identical 55 kDa subunits.

Transcriptional regulation of two cellobiohydrolase encoding genes (cel1 and cel2) from the wood-degrading basidiomycete Polyporus arcularius.

In the current studies, we sequenced and characterized the genomic and complementary deoxyribonucleic acid clones encoding the cellobiohydrolase encoding genes cel1 and cel2 of Polyporus arcularius. The predicted amino acid sequences of Cel1 and Cel2 are similar to glycosyl hydrolase family 7 and 6 proteins, respectively. The expression of cel1 and cel2 was induced by microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and cellopentaose but repressed by glucose, cellobiose, cellotriose, and cellotetraose.

Transcriptional regulation of two endoglucanase-encoding genes (cel3A and cel4) from the wood-degrading basidiomycete Polyporus arcularius.

In the current study, the genomic and cDNA clones encoding the endoglucanase (cel4) of Polyporus arcularius were sequenced and characterized. The amino acid sequence of Cel4 indicated that it is a glycosyl hydrolase family 5 protein. The expressions of the previously cloned endoglucanase cel3A and cel4 were induced by Avicel (microcrystalline cellulose) and cellopentaose but repressed by glucose, cellobiose, cellotriose, and cellotetraose.