Zygotorulaspora chibaensis sp. nov. and Zygotorulaspora danielsina sp. nov., novel ascomycetous yeast species from tree bark and soil.

Multiple isolates belonging to the ascomycetous genus Zygotorulaspora were obtained from forest soils and tree bark in Shiba Prefecture in Japan, and Lake Daniels, Lewis Pass, in New Zealand. Phylogenetic analyses employing combined sequences of the D1/D2 domain and ITS region support the recognition of two new species: Zygotorulaspora chibaensis sp. nov.

A population genomics insight into the Mediterranean origins of wine yeast domestication.

The domestication of the wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is thought to be contemporary with the development and expansion of viticulture along the Mediterranean basin. Until now, the unavailability of wild lineages prevented the identification of the closest wild relatives of wine yeasts. Here, we enlarge the collection of natural lineages and employ whole-genome data of oak-associated wild isolates to study a balanced number of anthropic and natural S.

Functional characterization of PMT2, encoding a protein-O-mannosyltransferase, in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

Diazobenzoic acid B (DBB), also known as diazonium blue B or fast blue B, can be used to distinguish basidiomycetous yeasts from ascomycetes. This chemical has long been used for the taxonomic study of yeast species at the phylum level, but the mechanism underlying the DBB staining remains unknown. To identify molecular targets of DBB staining, we isolated Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated insertional mutants of Cryptococcus neoformans, a basidiomycetous pathogenic yeast, which were negative to DBB staining.

Method for rapid detection and identification of chaetomium and evaluation of resistance to peracetic acid.

In the beverage industry, peracetic acid has been increasingly used as a disinfectant for the filling machinery and environment due to merits of leaving no residue, it is safe for humans, and its antiseptic effect against fungi and endospores of bacteria. Recently, Chaetomium globosum and Chaetomium funicola were reported resistant to peracetic acid; however, little is known concerning the detail of peracetic acid resistance. Therefore, we assessed the peracetic acid resistance of the species of Chaetomium and related genera under identical conditions and made a thorough observation of the microstructure of their ascospores by transmission electron microscopy.

Method for identifying heat-resistant fungi of the genus Neosartorya.

Species of the genus Neosartorya are heat-resistant fungi that cause the spoilage of heat-processed acidic foods due to the formation of heat-resistant ascospores, and they produce mycotoxins, such as fumitremorgins and gliotoxin. Their anamorphs are phylogenetically and morphologically very close to Aspergillus fumigatus, which has never been reported as a spoilage agent in heat-processed food products. Therefore it is important to discriminate between the species of Neosartorya and A.

Three novel species of the anamorphic yeast genus Candida in the Candida intermedia clade found in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan.

Four strains of yeasts isolated in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan were found to represent three novel species of the genus Candida. The three species are located in a clade including Candida tsuchiyae, Candida thailandica and Candida akabanensis in a tree based on the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit rRNA genes but clearly differentiated from these relative species. Three novel species are proposed for these strains, i.

A new Barnettozyma species forming hat-shaped ascospores isolated from soil in Japan.

In the course of a study on yeast diversity in Japan, we isolated 331 yeast strains from natural substrates in Rishiri Island, which belongs to the subarctic zone. Among the isolates from soil, two strains produced hat-shaped ascorspores and showed that reproduction occurred by conjugation of a larger cell and a smaller one. We surveyed strains preserved in our culture collection, NBRC, and found one Barnettozyma strain; thus we examined these three strains.

Candida potacharoeniae sp. nov. and Candida spenceri sp. nov., two novel galactose-containing ascomycetous anamorphic yeast species isolated in Thailand.

Fifteen strains of anamorphic yeasts isolated from various natural substrates collected in various places in Thailand were found to represent two novel species of anamorphic yeast genus Candida based on the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA genes, chemotaxonomic and conventional properties used for the classification of yeasts. These strains are located in the clade including Candida etchellsii and Candida magnoliae. Fourteen strains represented by ST-490(T) (BCC 15176(T)=NBRC 106439(T)= CBS 11674(T)) are closely related to Candida sorbosivorans in the D1/D2 sequences but 11 nucleotides (2.

Mode of vegetative reproduction of the bipolar budding yeast species Wickerhamomyces pijperi and related strains.

To clarify the budding pattern of Wickerhamomyces pijperi, the vegetative cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The cells grew by bipolar budding, but cells that budded from the shoulder of a mother cell were occasionally observed. We examined the cell morphology and phylogeny of five strains of Wickerhamomyces sp.

Candida wancherniae sp. nov. and Candida morakotiae sp. nov., two novel ascomycetous anamorphic yeast species found in Thailand.

Seven yeast strains isolated from natural substrates of Thailand were found to represent two novel species of Candida, an ascomycetous anamorphic genus. Three strains, ST-233, ST-259 and ST-260, isolated from insect frass and plant leaves were found to represent a single novel species related to Metschnikowia agaves in a tree based on the D1/D2 domain sequences of the 26S rRNA genes. This species is clearly discriminated from M.

Ogataea paradorogensis sp. nov., a novel methylotrophic ascomycetous yeast species isolated from galleries of ambrosia beetles in Japan, with a close relation to Pichia dorogensis.

Two yeast strains isolated from galleries of ambrosia beetles in Japan and maintained in NITE Biological Resource Center (NBRC) as Pichia pini were found to represent a hitherto undescribed species. This species shows close relationship to Pichia dorogensis by the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA but is clearly differentiated from it by a DNA-DNA reassociation experiment. It is described as Ogataea paradorogensis sp.

Candida kanchanaburiensis sp. nov., a new ascomycetous yeast species related to Pichia nakazawae isolated in Thailand.

Three yeast strains, ST-633, ST-634 and ST-635, isolated from the fruit body of a mushroom, Coprinus sp., and rotted fruit of guava collected in the western region of Thailand, were found to represent a hitherto undescribed species. This yeast is related to Pichia nakazawae var.

Two new ascomycetous anamorphic yeast species related to Candida friedrichii--Candida jaroonii sp. nov., and Candida songkhlaensis sp. nov.--isolated in Thailand.

In a study of yeast diversity in Thailand, eight strains of hitherto undescribed anamorphic yeasts were isolated: four from insect frass, two from Marasmius sp. fruiting bodies, one from a flower, and one from jackfruit exudates. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of 26S ribosomal DNA nucleotide sequences indicated that the eight strains represented two new species related to Candida friedrichii.

Torulaspora maleeae sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species from Japan and Thailand.

Nine strains of a new Torulaspora species were isolated from natural samples collected in Japan and Thailand including one strain obtained from a leaf of Rhizophora stylosa (NBRC 11061T), one strain from soil (NBRC 11062), six strains from mosses (ST-14, ST-266, ST-510, ST-511, ST-513 and ST-581) and one strain from sediment in mangrove forest (RV-51). On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and the sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) (ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2) region, the nine strains were found to represent a single novel species of the genus Torulaspora, which were named Torulaspora maleeae sp.

Candida kazuoi sp. nov. and Candida hasegawae sp. nov., two new species of ascomycetous anamorphic yeasts isolated from insect frass in Thailand.

Two strains of anamorphic yeasts isolated from insect frass collected in southern Thailand were assigned to the genus Candida based on the conventional taxonomic criteria used for yeast classification. In the phylogenetic tree based on the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA, these strains are distant from the known species of yeasts and considered to represent two different new species. They are named Candida kazuoi sp.

First total synthesis of antitumor natural product (+)- and (-)-pericosine A: determination of absolute stereo structure.

The first total synthesis of (+)- and (-)-pericosine A has been achieved, enabling the revision and determination of the absolute configuration of this antitumor natural product as methyl (3S,4S,5S,6S)-6-chloro-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate. Every step of this total synthesis proceeded well with excellent stereoselectivity. Structures of the intermediates in crucial steps were confirmed by detailed 2D NMR analysis.

Two new species of Kazachstania that form ascospores connected by a belt-like intersporal body: Kazachstania zonata and Kazachstania gamospora.

Four strains of ascomycetous yeasts were isolated from samples collected at two locations in southern Japan. The strains formed two warty ascospores that were joined together by an intersporal body appearing as a belt. Phylogenetic analysis of rRNA gene nucleotide sequences indicated that the strains represented two new and closely related species of the genus Kazachstania.

Inductions of germ tube and hyphal formations are controlled by mRNA synthesis inhibitor in Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is a pathogenic dimorphic fungus. When yeast cells were pre-incubated in YPD medium at 25degreesC and released into HFM7 medium containing 4% serum at 37degreesC, germ tubes emerged within 0.5 h.

Analysis of serotype AD strains from F1 progenies between urease-positive- and negative-strains of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic basidiomycete with a defined sexual cycle involving mating between haploid yeast cells with a transient diploid state. We examined F1 progeny from a crossing between the urease-negative strain (environmental isolate, serotype A, mating type alfa, haploid) and a tester strain (B 3502 from NIH of USA; urease-positive, serotype D, mating type a, haploid) for serotype, mating type, ploidy and urease activity, and performed partial sequencing of the urease gene. Phenotypes of the F1 progeny and results of SSCP analyses suggested that the serotype AD strain of the F1 progeny is a hybrid of the parental serotype A and D strains.

Difference in FKS1 gene sequences between serotypes A and D of Cryptococcus neoformans.

We compared sequences of the glucan synthase (FKS1) gene in serotypes A and D of Cryptococcus neoformans. Four introns were present in serotype D but not serotype A. PCR with primers that flank these introns permits simple differentiation of serotypes A and D.

Depolarized cell growth precedes filamentation during the process of ethanol-induced pseudohyphal formation in the yeast Candida tropicalis.

Ethanol has been reported to cause mycelial growth in Candida tropicalis Pk233, and mycelial growth has also been shown to be abolished by concomitant addition of myo-inositol. In this study, the process of ethanol-induced mycelial growth in this organism was examined in combination with cytological characterization of actin localization. Cultivation with ethanol gave biphasic growth curves.