An Endophytic Fungus, Talaromyces radicus, Isolated from Catharanthus roseus, Produces Vincristine and Vinblastine, Which Induce Apoptotic Cell Death

Endophytic fungi isolated from Catharanthus roseus were screened for the production of vincristine and vinblastine. Twenty-two endophytic fungi isolated from various tissues of C. roseus were characterized taxonomically by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA and grouped into 10 genera: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Colletotrichum, Dothideomycetes, Eutypella, Eutypa, Flavodon, Fusarium and Talaromyces. The antiproliferative activity of these fungi was assayed in HeLa cells using the MTT assay. The fungal isolates Eutypella sp-CrP14, obtained from stem tissues, and Talaromyces radicus-CrP20, obtained from leaf tissues, showed the strongest antiproliferative activity, with IC50 values of 13.5 mu g/ml and 20 mu g/ml, respectively. All 22 endophytic fungi were screened for the presence of the gene encoding tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), the key enzyme in the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway, though this gene could only be amplified from T. radicus-CrP20 (NCBI GenBank accession number KC920846). The production of vincristine and vinblastine by T. radicus-CrP20 was confirmed and optimized in nine different liquid media. Good yields of vincristine (670 mu g/l) in modified M2 medium and of vinblastine (70 mu g/l) in potato dextrose broth medium were obtained. The cytotoxic activity of partially purified fungal vincristine was evaluated in different human cancer cell lines, with HeLa cells showing maximum susceptibility. The apoptosis-inducing activity of vincristine derived from this fungus was established through cell cycle analysis, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation patterns.

Is epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) specific fungus of fishes a primary pathogen?: an opinion

Earlier findings on epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) and the present observation of the authors on transmission of EUS to snakehead (Channa sp.) without skin damage provide evidence to suggest that the invasive fungus associated with EUS is a primary pathogen.

Removal of fungus and prevention of fungal reinfestation in stored dry salted fish

A simple and effective method is described for converting dry fish products infested with fungus and red halophilic bacteria to acceptable ones. Washing, drying and then smearing with a mixture of 3% sodium propionate in dry, refined salt in a ratio of 1 part mixture: 10 parts dry fish resulted in the fish having a shelf life of 5 months.

In vitro effects of fungicides on the fungus Haliphthoros philippinensis

Pure cultures of Haliphthoros philippinensis, isolated from infected Penaeus monodon larvae, were exposed for 24 hours to varying concentrations of antifungal agents. The efficiency of each agent to inhibit sporulation and mycelial growth was measured. Effects on P. monodon eggs and larvae were also investigated. It is concluded that preliminary bioassay of larval tolerance to the suggested effective doses should always be made prior to prophylaxix or therapeutic applications.

Differential selection on gene translation efficiency between the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii and yeasts

Background: The filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii grows into a multicellular mycelium that is distinct from the unicellular morphology of its closely related yeast species. It has been proposed that genes important for cell cycle regulation play central

Phomoeuphorbins A-D, azaphilones from the fungus Phomopsis euphorbiae

Four azaphilones, named phomoeuphorbins A-D (1-4) were isolated from cultures of Phomopsis euphorbiae, an endophytic fungus isolated from Trewia nudiflora. Structures of 1-4 were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including application of