- Email: [email protected]
Mycological Research News
mycological research 111 (2007) 379–380
available at www.sciencedirect.com
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/mycres
Mycological Research News1 In this issue Peronospora on Spinacia (pp. 381–391). Nemania plumbea sp. nov. (pp. 392–402). Xerocomus silwoodensis sp. nov. (pp. 403–408). Evolution in Cordyceps sinensis (pp. 409–415). Heterogeneity in Pythium helicoides (pp. 416–423). Mating systems in Lecanoromycetes (pp. 424–432). Viruses in Cryphonectria species (pp. 433– 442). Necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins in Moniliophthora perniciosa (pp. 443–455). Trehalase and invertase isoforms in Fusarium oxysporum (pp. 456–465). Dispersal of Neotyphodium conidia (pp. 466–472). Culture of lichen-fungi with asbestos fibres (pp. 473–481). Effect of burning on soil basidiomycetes in Australian sclerophyll forests (pp. 482–486). Stimulation of branching types in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (pp. 487–492). Ornithine cycle enzymes in Agaricus bisporus (pp. 493–502). Mycoparasites from Cretaceous amber (pp. 503–506).
Harpellales in black flies (simuliids) The trichomycete fungi have traditionally had few devotees, but their ecology and biology is fascinating, and they merit more attention in mycological courses. Now a major review of the biology, ecology and taxonomy of the Harpellales in black flies (Simuliidae) has been prepared by Nelder et al. (2006), who commend them as a model host system because of the range of symbiotic associations formed. There are some 1907 species of black flies known, which are hosts to 36 members of Harpellales, and a key to these fungi is included here. However, what I found most interesting was the wellillustrated and carefully explained accounts of the life-cycles, ecology and biology. The fungi can be commensalistic to mutualistic, with the biological relationships changing depending on the nutritional status of the larvae, to parasitic where fungal cysts replace eggs in females. The distribution of each species is presented, and host preferences are discussed; some can occur in a wide variety of flies, while others are much more host-restricted. Much pragmatic information on collection, examination, and culture is provided. The review concludes with suggestions that future research should focus on
1
understanding community parameters, the production of zygospores, prospecting for additional undescribed species, and the detection of cryptic species. In addition to including ample material for inclusion in courses, the review is so comprehensive that there is enough detail in it for it also to be used as the basis of student projects. Nelder MR, Beard CE, Adler PH, Kim S-Y, McCreadie JW, 2006. Harpellales (Zygomycota: Trichomycetes) associated with black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): world review and synthesis of their ecology and taxonomy. Fungal Diversity 22: 121–169.
Mini-host models for medically important fungi Several genes that are involved in the virulence of fungi in mammals have been found to have similar effects on invertebrates. This means that invertebrates have the potential for use in studies on pathogenicity and drug efficacy, and during the last decade mini-hosts using organisms with well-characterized genomes have increasingly been used. Chamilos et al. (2007) consider the features to be sought in potential mini-hosts, and summarize the mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans tested on roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans), fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), wax moths (Galleria mellonella), silk worms (Bombax mori), and amoebae (Acanthamoeba castellanii and Dictyostelium discoideum). Chamilos G, Lionakis MS, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP, 2007. Role of mini-host models in the study of medically important fungi. Lancet Infectious Diseases 7: 42–55.
Kinase regulation of mating in yeast The mating system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been the subject of numerous studies, but still manages to generate surprises. Paliwal et al. (2007) have studied gene expression and phenotypic changes associated with mating responses along defined pheromone gradients. Both switch-like and graded responses were found and proved to be dependent on a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) regulation of the pheromone-response transcription factor Ste12 and
Mycological Research News is compiled by David L. Hawksworth, Senior Editor Mycological Research, Departamento de Biologı´a Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramo´n y Cajal, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid 28040, Spain (tel/fax: [þ34] 91 857 3640; e-mail: [email protected]) to whom suggestions for inclusion and items for consideration should be sent. Unsigned items are by the Senior Editor. 0953-7562/$ – see front matter doi:10.1016/j.mycres.2007.04.001
380
D. L. Hawksworth
autoregulatory feedback on this gene. In a mutant without the MAP kinase Kss1, responses were reduced, suggesting that this kinase has a role in regulating the mating response – something previously not suspected.
Bonnardeaux Y, Brundrett M, Batty A, Dixon K, Koch J, Sivasithamparam K, 2007. Diversity of mycorrhizal fungi of terrestrial orchids: compatability webs, brief encounters, lasting relationships and alien invasions. Mycological Research 111: 51–61.
Paliwal S, Iglesias PA, Campbell K, Hilioti Z, Groisman A, Levchenko A, 2007. MAPK-mediated bimodal gene expression and adaptive gradient sensing in yeast. Nature 446: 46–51.
DOI of original article: 10.1016/j.mycres.2006.11.006
Erratum
New scientific names in this issue
In the paper by Bonnardeaux et al. (2007) two errors in the proofs were not noticed by the authors: Page 52, line 6 (up): Replace ‘‘1994’’ by ‘‘1944’’ Page 54, legend to Fig 2: Replace ‘‘Pterostylis’’ by ‘‘Pyrorchis’’
Entropezites patricii gen. sp. nov. Mycetophagites atrebora gen. sp. nov. Nemania plumbea sp. nov. Palaeoagaracites antiques gen. sp. nov. Xerocomus silwoodensis sp. nov.
available at www.sciencedirect.com
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/mycres
Mycological Research News1 In this issue Peronospora on Spinacia (pp. 381–391). Nemania plumbea sp. nov. (pp. 392–402). Xerocomus silwoodensis sp. nov. (pp. 403–408). Evolution in Cordyceps sinensis (pp. 409–415). Heterogeneity in Pythium helicoides (pp. 416–423). Mating systems in Lecanoromycetes (pp. 424–432). Viruses in Cryphonectria species (pp. 433– 442). Necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins in Moniliophthora perniciosa (pp. 443–455). Trehalase and invertase isoforms in Fusarium oxysporum (pp. 456–465). Dispersal of Neotyphodium conidia (pp. 466–472). Culture of lichen-fungi with asbestos fibres (pp. 473–481). Effect of burning on soil basidiomycetes in Australian sclerophyll forests (pp. 482–486). Stimulation of branching types in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (pp. 487–492). Ornithine cycle enzymes in Agaricus bisporus (pp. 493–502). Mycoparasites from Cretaceous amber (pp. 503–506).
Harpellales in black flies (simuliids) The trichomycete fungi have traditionally had few devotees, but their ecology and biology is fascinating, and they merit more attention in mycological courses. Now a major review of the biology, ecology and taxonomy of the Harpellales in black flies (Simuliidae) has been prepared by Nelder et al. (2006), who commend them as a model host system because of the range of symbiotic associations formed. There are some 1907 species of black flies known, which are hosts to 36 members of Harpellales, and a key to these fungi is included here. However, what I found most interesting was the wellillustrated and carefully explained accounts of the life-cycles, ecology and biology. The fungi can be commensalistic to mutualistic, with the biological relationships changing depending on the nutritional status of the larvae, to parasitic where fungal cysts replace eggs in females. The distribution of each species is presented, and host preferences are discussed; some can occur in a wide variety of flies, while others are much more host-restricted. Much pragmatic information on collection, examination, and culture is provided. The review concludes with suggestions that future research should focus on
1
understanding community parameters, the production of zygospores, prospecting for additional undescribed species, and the detection of cryptic species. In addition to including ample material for inclusion in courses, the review is so comprehensive that there is enough detail in it for it also to be used as the basis of student projects. Nelder MR, Beard CE, Adler PH, Kim S-Y, McCreadie JW, 2006. Harpellales (Zygomycota: Trichomycetes) associated with black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): world review and synthesis of their ecology and taxonomy. Fungal Diversity 22: 121–169.
Mini-host models for medically important fungi Several genes that are involved in the virulence of fungi in mammals have been found to have similar effects on invertebrates. This means that invertebrates have the potential for use in studies on pathogenicity and drug efficacy, and during the last decade mini-hosts using organisms with well-characterized genomes have increasingly been used. Chamilos et al. (2007) consider the features to be sought in potential mini-hosts, and summarize the mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans tested on roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans), fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), wax moths (Galleria mellonella), silk worms (Bombax mori), and amoebae (Acanthamoeba castellanii and Dictyostelium discoideum). Chamilos G, Lionakis MS, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP, 2007. Role of mini-host models in the study of medically important fungi. Lancet Infectious Diseases 7: 42–55.
Kinase regulation of mating in yeast The mating system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been the subject of numerous studies, but still manages to generate surprises. Paliwal et al. (2007) have studied gene expression and phenotypic changes associated with mating responses along defined pheromone gradients. Both switch-like and graded responses were found and proved to be dependent on a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) regulation of the pheromone-response transcription factor Ste12 and
Mycological Research News is compiled by David L. Hawksworth, Senior Editor Mycological Research, Departamento de Biologı´a Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramo´n y Cajal, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid 28040, Spain (tel/fax: [þ34] 91 857 3640; e-mail: [email protected]) to whom suggestions for inclusion and items for consideration should be sent. Unsigned items are by the Senior Editor. 0953-7562/$ – see front matter doi:10.1016/j.mycres.2007.04.001
380
D. L. Hawksworth
autoregulatory feedback on this gene. In a mutant without the MAP kinase Kss1, responses were reduced, suggesting that this kinase has a role in regulating the mating response – something previously not suspected.
Bonnardeaux Y, Brundrett M, Batty A, Dixon K, Koch J, Sivasithamparam K, 2007. Diversity of mycorrhizal fungi of terrestrial orchids: compatability webs, brief encounters, lasting relationships and alien invasions. Mycological Research 111: 51–61.
Paliwal S, Iglesias PA, Campbell K, Hilioti Z, Groisman A, Levchenko A, 2007. MAPK-mediated bimodal gene expression and adaptive gradient sensing in yeast. Nature 446: 46–51.
DOI of original article: 10.1016/j.mycres.2006.11.006
Erratum
New scientific names in this issue
In the paper by Bonnardeaux et al. (2007) two errors in the proofs were not noticed by the authors: Page 52, line 6 (up): Replace ‘‘1994’’ by ‘‘1944’’ Page 54, legend to Fig 2: Replace ‘‘Pterostylis’’ by ‘‘Pyrorchis’’
Entropezites patricii gen. sp. nov. Mycetophagites atrebora gen. sp. nov. Nemania plumbea sp. nov. Palaeoagaracites antiques gen. sp. nov. Xerocomus silwoodensis sp. nov.