Article
Microbiology
Maria Prieto, Natalia Montane, Gregorio Aragon, Isabel Martinez, Clara Rodriguez-Arribas
Summary: The success of lichens in ecological terms is influenced by both the fungal and algal components, which determine the physiological limits of lichen symbiosis and thereby affect their ecological niches and geographic distributions. Cephalolichens are a specific type of lichens that house both green algal and cyanobacterial symbionts, with the latter restricted to special structures called cephalodia. The degree of specialization within species or individuals in this type of lichen is still unknown, and the genetic analysis of cyanobionts from different cephalodia within the same thalli and from different thalli in three cephalolichen species revealed variability at different levels.
Article
Microbiology
Karla Veas-Mattheos, Katerin Almendras, Matias Pezoa, Cecilia Muster, Julieta Orlando
Summary: In this study, the genetic diversity of mycobionts and cyanobionts in Peltigera lichens from high Andean steppes in southern Chile was assessed. Seven mycobiont species and eleven cyanobiont haplotypes, including a potential new Peltigera species, were discovered. These findings highlight the importance of high Andean steppe ecosystems as habitats for unexplored lichen species and contribute to our understanding of global Peltigera biodiversity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Saatchi, Saewoong Oh, Il-Kwon Oh
Summary: Noise and environmental problems have significant impacts on human beings through various stressors. To address these issues, environmentally friendly strategies are essential, particularly in materials manufacturing. This study presents a novel biomimetic and biophilic design of a lichen-Schwarz metamaterial (SLSM) that achieves multifunctional properties in noise attenuation and humidity control. The SLSM structure mimics a biomimetic shell and meta-symbiotic exoskeleton, providing sound attenuation and humidity control capabilities for future sustainable architecture.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aysegul Akpinar, Asuman Cansev, Mehmet Isleyen
Summary: Terricolous lichens growing in contaminated soil have a positive impact on the growth and development of zucchini, despite the presence of oxidative stress. It was found that powdered application of Peltigera canina had more effective results compared to intact thallus application.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Poulami Chatterjee, Peter Schafran, Fay -Wei Li, John C. Meeks
Summary: This study investigated the temporal gene expression patterns during the establishment of an endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixing association between hornworts and nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. The results showed that nitrogen starvation resulted in downregulation of chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, and transcription of photosynthesis-related genes in symbiont-free hornwort gametophytes. However, these downregulations were reversed when the hornwort was cocultured with the symbiotic cyanobacterium, which provided NH4+ derived from N2. The study also revealed transient increases in transcription of ammonium and nitrate transporters, as well as a SWEET transporter that was initially independent of N2-derived NH4+. The findings suggest that the symbiotic cyanobacterium transmits signals to impact gene expression in the hornwort both before and after the provision of fixed nitrogen.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Zichen He, Takeshi Naganuma
Summary: Lichens are symbiotic systems consisting of fungal and algal symbionts. The plasticity in the combination of fungal and algal species contributes to the worldwide distribution of lichens, while the association between non-cyanobacterial bacteria and lichens has attracted attention.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregor Rolshausen, Francesco Dal Grande, Jurgen Otte, Imke Schmitt
Summary: Holobionts are dynamic ecosystems that can respond to abiotic factors with compositional changes. This study reveals diversity patterns of lichen holobionts along an elevational gradient and presents findings on the responses of fungal hosts, green algal symbionts, and bacterial communities to elevation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Consolacion Alvarez, Manuel Brenes-Alvarez, Fernando P. Molina-Heredia, Vicente Mariscal
Summary: This study analyzed the protein changes in rice and nostoc during the early stages of symbiosis using mass spectrometry, and identified differentially expressed proteins related to signal transduction, adhesion, defense, and cell wall modification. The study also revealed new proteins activated during the early stages of the nostoc-rice symbiosis. These findings provide important insights into the symbiotic interaction between nostoc and land plants.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Patricia Moya, Arantzazu Molins, Pavel Skaloud, Pradeep K. Divakar, Salvador Chiva, Cristina Dumitru, Maria Carmen Molina, Ana Crespo, Eva Barreno
Summary: A study on the lichen-forming genus Parmelia revealed two main groups of mycobionts, PSULgp and PSAXgp, with 13 fungal and 15 algal species-level lineages. The research also showed high specificity of Parmelia species for specific Trebouxia clades, with PSAXgp having interactions with a greater diversity of Trebouxia species.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Gregor Pichler, Lucia Muggia, Fabio Candotto Carniel, Martin Grube, Ilse Kranner
Summary: Lichens are unique fungal symbioses that can form a new structure together with photosynthetic partners. The signals involved in the transition from a free-living state to a symbiotic state, called lichenization, and the maintenance of the symbiosis are not well understood. This study synthesizes existing knowledge into a concept of signaling involved in lichenization, including five stages: pre-contact, contact, envelopment, incorporation, and differentiation. Compounds such as fungal lectins and algal cyclic peptides may initiate early contact, while phytohormone signaling, antioxidant protection, and carbon exchange are important throughout all stages.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gulnara Tagirdzhanova, John P. McCutcheon, Toby Spribille
Summary: The symbiotic relationship between lichen fungi and algae has been reevaluated in terms of ATP production, revealing that even though the ATP9 gene is lost in mitochondrial genomes, fungi can still produce ATP through nuclear genes.
Article
Microbiology
Lucie Vanurova, Jiri Malicek, Jana Steinova, Pavel Skaloud
Summary: This study investigated the effects of climatic conditions and mycobiont identity on phycobiont distribution within lichen genera. The selection of phycobionts was driven by mycobiont specificity and environmental conditions, mainly temperature. Different fungal species responded differently in their selection of algal symbionts along environmental gradients.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cesar D. Bordenave, Lucia Muggia, Salvador Chiva, Steve D. Leavitt, Pedro Carrasco, Eva Barreno
Summary: Trebouxiophyceae is a diverse class of green algae found in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Among them, the genus Trebouxia is widely distributed in lichens worldwide. However, the current species descriptions do not fully represent the overall diversity of the genus. By studying the ultrastructure of pyrenoids and the morphology of chloroplasts, it is possible to differentiate and characterize species-level lineages effectively.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Diego Leiva, Fernando Fernandez-Mendoza, Jose Acevedo, Margarita Caru, Martin Grube, Julieta Orlando
Summary: Lichens host highly diverse microbial communities, with bacteria being one of the most explored groups in terms of their diversity and functioning. Bacterial communities in lichens were found to be different from those in their subjacent substrates, suggesting that lichens may carry some components of their microbiome when propagating, but also acquire part of their bacterial community from the substrates.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Soraia P. S. Fernandes, Petr Kovar, Milan Psenicka, Artur M. S. Silva, Laura M. Salonen, Begona Espina
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption performance of three COFs for different MC derivatives, revealing different adsorption efficiencies for different toxins. By selecting COF functional groups, specific compounds can be selectively targeted or excluded, providing insights for the design of more efficient and selective adsorbent materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Risto Vesala, Aleksi Rikkinen, Petri Pellikka, Jouko Rikkinen, Laura Arppe
Summary: Fungus-growing termites and their symbiotic Termitomyces fungi play a crucial role in carbon and nutrient recycling in arid and semiarid environments of sub-Saharan Africa. This study found that two species of Macrotermes termites have broad dietary niches and do not show dietary specialization. Woody plant matter in the fungus combs increased with increasing woody plant cover in the nest surroundings. Woody plant matter seems to represent a more profitable food source for large colonies of Macrotermes termites.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander R. Schmidt, Lukas Steuernagel, Hermann Behling, Leyla J. Seyfullah, Christina Beimforde, Eva-Maria Sadowski, Jouko Rikkinen, Ulla Kaasalainen
Summary: Lichens play a significant role in modern terrestrial ecosystems, but their fossil records have been limited. However, recent discoveries of new fossil inclusions from European Palaeogene ambers have greatly improved the fossil record of lichens. This study reports the first fossil evidence of animal-lichen interactions from Bitterfeld amber in central Germany.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander R. Schmidt, Petra Korall, Michael Krings, Stina Weststrand, Lena Bergschneider, Eva-Maria Sadowski, Julia Bechteler, Jouko Rikkinen, Ledis Regalado
Summary: This article describes 20 new fossil species of Selaginella found in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, as well as revises a previously described species. These fossils provide important clues about the diversity and distribution of Selaginella during the Cretaceous period and contribute to the study of its evolutionary history.
Article
Ecology
Hanna Rosti, Henry Pihlstrom, Norbert Rottcher, Simon Bearder, Lucas Mwangala, Marianne Maghenda, Jouko Rikkinen
Summary: We conducted a survey on tree hyrax populations in different habitats in coastal Kenya to determine the species and assess the threat level they face. Using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), we recorded the vocalizations of tree hyraxes for a total of 84 hours in January and February 2022. We also documented their behavior with thermal imaging camera and captured photographs of individuals. It is crucial to implement conservation measures to prevent the extinction of these isolated D. validus populations in Kenya due to human pressures.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ulla Kaasalainen, Paul M. Kirika, Neduvoto P. Mollel, Andreas Hemp, Jouko Rikkinen
Summary: A study was conducted on the Sticta species in East Africa using genetic barcoding marker nuITS and morphological characters. 14 Sticta species were confirmed, including 5 new species. The study highlights the need for further taxonomic studies of lichenized fungi in the region.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sila Arsin, Endrews Delbaje, Jouni Jokela, Matti Wahlsten, Zoe M. Farrar, Perttu Permi, David Fewer
Summary: Two structurally distinct MAAs were identified in the lichen symbiont strain Nostoc sp. UHCC0926, and their biosynthesis in cyanobacteria was found to occur through a branched pathway. The presence of similar gene clusters in other cyanobacterial genomes suggests rapid evolutionary processes leading to chemical diversity in this family of microbial sunscreens.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tania Keiko Shishido, Endrews Delbaje, Matti Wahlsten, Inkeri Vuori, Jouni Jokela, Muriel Gugger, Marli F. Fiore, David P. Fewer
Summary: This study reports the isolation of a harmful cyanobacterium (Kamptonema sp. UHCC 0994) from a benthic microbial mat collected in shallow water on the coast of Helsinki. Genome sequencing analysis revealed similarities between this harmful cyanobacterial strain and strains isolated from the Baltic Sea, all of which contain the biosynthetic genes for the production of the harmful compound cylindrospermopsin. These findings suggest that these toxic cyanobacteria may exhibit a tychoplanktic lifestyle in the Baltic Sea and could be a potential source of environmental toxins.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Christodoulou, Matti Wahlsten, Kaarina Sivonen
Summary: Cyanobacteria found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments have been extensively studied in Finland, but the diversity of terrestrial rock-inhabiting cyanobacteria is often ignored. In this study, two Pseudanabaena-like cyanobacterial strains were isolated and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses using both 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S ITS region revealed better resolution of species relationships, and based on these analyses, two new species were described. The study also highlighted the need for taxonomic revision in the poorly studied cyanobacterial genus Pseudanabaena.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Xiaodan Ouyang, Paul M. D'Agostino, Matti Wahlsten, Endrews Delbaje, Jouni Jokela, Perttu Permi, Greta Gaiani, Antti Poso, Piia Bartos, Tobias A. M. Gulder, Hannu Koistinen, David P. Fewer
Summary: In this study, a comparative bioinformatic analysis was used to identify radiosumin biosynthetic gene clusters in the genomes of 13 filamentous cyanobacteria. The entire biosynthetic gene cluster was captured and expressed in Escherichia coli. High-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and chemical degradation analysis revealed the chemical structure of novel radiosumins produced by cyanobacteria. Radiosumin C was found to inhibit human trypsin isoforms selectively.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Clemente, Nicholas Johnson, Xiaodan Ouyang, Rafael Popin, Sergio Dall'Angelo, Matti Wahlsten, Jouni Jokela, Alessandro Colombano, Brunello Nardone, David P. Fewer, Wael E. Houssen
Summary: The prenyl-D-Arg-containing autum-nalamide A is identified as a member of the cyanobactin family, and the AutF prenyltransferase can target the guanidinium moiety in arginine and homoarginine, making it a useful tool for biotechnological applications.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
