Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinlin Hu, Ping Yang, Changdong Chai, Jia Liu, Huanhuan Sun, Yanan Wu, Mingjie Zhang, Min Zhang, Xiaotian Liu, Hongjun Yu
Summary: This study reveals the structures and mechanisms of yeast FKS1 and the echinocandin-resistant mutant FKS1(S643P) using cryo-electron microscopy, advancing the understanding of fungal β-1,3-glucan biosynthesis and providing insights into drug-resistant mutations of FKS1. It establishes a foundation for the development of new antifungal drugs by targeting FKS.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xin Fu, Xin-Yi Zan, Lei Sun, Ming Tan, Feng-Jie Cui, Ying-Ying Liang, Li-Juan Meng, Wen-Jing Sun
Summary: In this study, the gene CMGLS encoding the membrane-bound beta-1,3-glucan synthase CMGLS in Cordyceps militaris was cloned and analyzed. The three-dimensional structure of CMGLS and its binding features with substrate UDP-glucose were proposed for the first time. These findings provide insights into the glucan synthesis process and catalytic mechanism of beta-1,3-glucan synthases in mushrooms.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mayuka Inukai, Naoya Kobayashi, Hirotoshi Endo, Koki Asakawa, Keisuke Amano, Yuki Yasuda, Ugo Cenci, Christophe Colleoni, Steven Ball, Shoko Fujiwara
Summary: Haptophytes synthesize unique beta-glucans with more beta-1,6-linkages than beta-1,3-linkages as storage polysaccharides. The study found that PhTGS, a homolog of yeast 1,6-beta-transglycosylase, is involved in beta-glucan synthesis in the haptophyte Pleurochrysis haptonemofera. Knockdown of PhTGS repressed beta-glucan accumulation and induced lipid production, suggesting its role in carbon metabolic flow. Furthermore, PhTGS was expressed more in light, indicating its specific function in beta-glucan synthesis during photosynthesis.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alia Rizvi Syeda Kazim, Yuting Jiang, Shengnan Li, Xiaoxiao He
Summary: Research has found that AmyG belongs to the GH13_5 family and functions mainly as an intracellular alpha-amylase that degrades starch into maltose in Aspergillus nidulans. The addition of maltose can rescue the phenotypic defect and alpha-glucan deficiency in a Delta amyG strain, providing evidence for the primer structure of alpha-glucan in fungal cells.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Guangshan Yao, Xinfeng Bai, Bingxin Zhang, Lu Wang, Songbiao Chen, Zonghua Wang
Summary: This study constructed a cell factory based on a marine-derived Aspergillus terreus strain to overproduce the secondary metabolite terrein. By manipulating transcription factors and global regulator genes, the production of terrein was significantly improved. This research provides an efficient strategy for large-scale production of terrein or other secondary metabolites in marine-derived filamentous fungi.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Marta Zubkowicz, Juergen Held, Michael Baier, Mathias W. Pletz, Miriam Kesselmeier, Stefan Hagel, Christina Bahrs
Summary: The retrospective cohort study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the fungal biomarker BDG using the beta-Glucan test and the Fungitell assay in real-life clinical practice. A positive test result of both BDG assays at manufacturer's cut-offs predicted a high percentage of proven or probable IFD. Adjusting the GT cut-off value improved the detection rate of IFDs.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Brian W. Vogler, Amy Ashford, Matthew C. Posewitz
Summary: The study knocked out two key enzymes responsible for chrysolaminarin synthesis in Nannochloropsis species using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, resulting in a significant decrease in soluble carbohydrate accumulation following nitrogen starvation.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Andrew S. Wagner, Stephen W. Lumsdaine, Mikayla M. Mangrum, Todd B. Reynolds
Summary: To effectively induce disease, Candida albicans masks immunogenic β(1,3)-glucan epitopes within its cell wall under a layer of mannosylated glycoproteins. Treatment with the antifungal drug caspofungin enhances the exposure (unmasking) of β(1,3)-glucan, making the fungal cells more visible to the host immune system and attenuating disease progression. Our study reveals a correlation between increased chitin synthesis and β(1,3)-glucan unmasking in response to caspofungin, suggesting that altered chitin synthesis drives increased unmasking during drug exposure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruixue Sun, Dan Lv, Meng Xiao, Li Zhang, Jun Xu, Xuezhong Yu, Huadong Zhu, Jing Yang
Summary: In this study, we evaluated the serum levels of BG and LDH to support PCP diagnostic procedures in non-HIV patients. Our findings suggest that BG and LDH are reliable indicators for detecting P. jirovecii infection in HIV-uninfected immunocompromised patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Cristina Jimenez-Ortigosa, Jennifer Jiang, Muyuan Chen, Xuyuan Kuang, Kelley R. Healey, Paul Castellano, Nikpreet Boparai, Steven J. Ludtke, David S. Perlin, Wei Dai
Summary: Echinocandin drugs have become a front-line therapy against Candida spp. infections, but the rising resistance to these drugs by Candida species is a concern. By using cryo-ET and subtomogram analysis, researchers have provided a preliminary structure of the putative C. glabrata GS complex, laying the foundation for future studies on this elusive protein complex.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ki-Hwan Kim, Suzie Kang, Hyewon Seo, Cheol-Won Yun
Summary: We identified the novel signal peptidase AfSec1 from A. fumigatus, which removes the signal peptide of 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferases. It is a virulence factor and a potential target for a new antifungal drug.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong-Liang Xu, Huan Yuan, Na Li, Jian-Hui Xiao, Jun-Wei Xu
Summary: A β-1,3-glucan synthase gene was cloned and overexpressed in Ganoderma lingzhi, leading to an increase in intra-cellular polysaccharides content. Simultaneous overexpression of this gene and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene further enhanced the production of polysaccharides, with higher glucose content and improved antioxidative and anti-senescence activities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mingyang Ma, Yanhua Li, Jianping Chen, Fuchen Wang, Li Yuan, Yi Li, Baocai Zhang, Ding Ye, Danxiang Han, Hu Jin, Qiang Hu
Summary: Cultivating Poterioochromonas malhamensis under specific conditions can produce bioactive β-1,3-glucans suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Li-Hua Jiang, Xiang-Fei Li, Xin-Yi Zan, Xin Fu, Feng-Jie Cui, Hong-An Zhu, Wen-Jing Sun, Ting-Lei Tao
Summary: The study revealed that GFGLS2 plays a major role in mycelial growth and polysaccharide synthesis, with higher efficiency in downregulation compared to GFGLS. Cosilencing GFGLS and GFGLS2 had a synergistic effect, resulting in slower mycelial growth of Grifola frondosa.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuki Hori, Yukiko Enomoto, Satoshi Kimura, Tadahisa Iwata
Summary: Alpha-1,3-glucan and beta-1,3-glucan esters with carbon-carbon double bonds were synthesized from 3-butenoic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride. Analysis revealed structural transformations and higher molecular weights than the original glucan, suggesting possible intramolecular crosslinking. Surface modifications with thiol compounds via thiol-ene reactions were successful, as confirmed by spectroscopy and contact angle measurements.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yeseul Shin, Seok-Seong Kang, Jayoung Paek, Tae Eun Jin, Hong Seok Song, Hongik Kim, Hee-Moon Park, Young-Hyo Chang
Article
Microbiology
Joo-Yeon Lim, Hee-Moon Park
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joo-Yeon Lim, Yun-Hee Park, Young-Hee Pyon, Ji-Min Yang, Ja-Young Yoon, Sun Joo Park, Hak Lee, Hee-Moon Park
Review
Immunology
Joo-Yeon Lim, Hee-Moon Park
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Dong Chan Won, Yong Jin Kim, Hye Kim, Hee-Moon Park, Pil Jae Maeng
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joo-Yeon Lim, Eun-Hye Kang, Yun-Hee Park, Jun-Ho Kook, Hee-Moon Park
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu-Ri Lee, Kamal Khan, Kim Armfield-Uhas, Sujata Srikanth, Nicola A. Thompson, Mercedes Pardo, Lu Yu, Joy W. Norris, Yunhui Peng, Karen W. Gripp, Kirk A. Aleck, Chumei Li, Ed Spence, Tae-Ik Choi, Soo Jeong Kwon, Hee-Moon Park, Daseuli Yu, Won Heo, Marie R. Mooney, Shahid M. Baig, Ingrid M. Wentzensen, Aida Telegrafi, Kirsty McWalter, Trevor Moreland, Chelsea Roadhouse, Keri Ramsey, Michael J. Lyons, Cindy Skinner, Emil Alexov, Nicholas Katsanis, Roger E. Stevenson, Jyoti S. Choudhary, David J. Adams, Cheol-Hee Kim, Erica E. Davis, Charles E. Schwartz
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joo-Yeon Lim, Seung-Hyun Jang, Hee-Moon Park
Summary: Research has shown that Aspergillus nidulans' sexual reproductive process is influenced by genetic and external factors, with MpdA identified as a key protein in sexual development. Deletion of mpdA results in ascospore genesis failure, increased hyphal branching, and decreased conidial heat resistance.
Article
Immunology
Joo-Yeon Lim, Yeon Ju Kim, Seul Ah Woo, Jae Wan Jeong, Yu-Ri Lee, Cheol-Hee Kim, Hee-Moon Park
Summary: The LAMMER kinase AfLkhA in Aspergillus fumigatus plays a crucial role in multiple cellular processes, including development and virulence, by modulating the expression of key developmental regulatory genes. Its deletion affects colonial growth, conidia production, and sexual development, as well as the content of cell wall pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The absence of AfLkhA also results in increased production of mycotoxins and protease activity, and alters the interaction between conidia and macrophages, ultimately impacting pathogenicity at the organismal level.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Immunology
Joo-Yeon Lim, Yeon Ju Kim, Seul Ah Woo, Jae Wan Jeong, Yu-Ri Lee, Cheol-Hee Kim, Hee-Moon Park
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Joo-Yeon Lim, Yeon-Ju Kim, Hee-Moon Park
Summary: G-protein signaling is crucial for signal transduction in cells. This study focused on the role of G beta-like protein CpcB in Aspergillus fumigatus and found that it is involved in sexual development, phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages, biosynthesis of the cell wall, and oxidative stress response.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyun Woo Lee, Hee Moon Park, Eun Jin Jang, Chang-Hoon Lee
Summary: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple therapy with different doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results showed that triple therapy with high dose (HD)-ICS demonstrated a lower risk of exacerbation compared to triple therapy with low dose (LD)-ICS or medium dose (MD)-ICS, particularly in patients with longer treatment duration.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Joo-Yeon Lim, Ye-Eun Jung, Hye-Eun Hwang, Cheol-Hee Kim, Nese Basaran-Akgul, Sri Harshini Goli, Steven P. Templeton, Hee-Moon Park
Summary: Deletion of SvfA in Aspergillus nidulans leads to decreased cell wall components, biofilm formation, and protease activity, and increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, resulting in reduced virulence.
Article
Agronomy
Kibum Park, Joo-Yeon Lim, Je-Hoon Kim, Jieun Lee, Songju Shin, Hee-Moon Park
Summary: Lkh1 acts as a negative regulator of filamentous growth and flocculation, and is involved in the response to oxidative stress in the fission yeast. It controls cell size and cell cycle progression, and interacts with the transcription complex MBF to regulate the expression of cell cycle genes during G1/S phase.
Article
Agronomy
Yoon-Dong Park, Soo Jeong Kwon, Kyung Sook Bae, Hee-Moon Park