Aspergillus Glaucus
1. Classification
Aspergillus Glaucus
a. Higher order taxa
Fungi; Ascomycota; Eurotiomycetes; Eurotiales; Aspergillaceae
2. Description and significance
Aspergillus glaucus is a species of fungus that grows in hyphae, have conidial heads (1) and is characterized by smooth ascospores (2). A fungus with a wide environmental distribution that spans both the Arctic and urban soils, A. glaucus is a pathogen that rarely infects humans because of its high susceptibility to various antifungals (3). Its relative lack of mycotoxin production in many strains lowers the chance for human infections (4). However, as with other members of the Aspergillus genus, A. glaucus is capable of causing infections in immunosuppressed individuals (3). A case of A. glaucus infection is noted in a fatal instance of central nervous system aspergillosis which commonly includes symptoms of mental changes, seizures, and hemiparesis (5).
A. glaucus possesses specialized metabolic capabilities and a novel biosynthetic pathway that produces aspergiolide A, an anthraquinone derivative that is shown to reduce the growth of cancerous cells (6). Aspergiolide A is toxic against several cancerous cell lines including A549 (carcinomic lung cells) and HL60 (leukemia cells) (6). Further research on the pharmacological applications and drug development using aspergiolide A, as well as the efficacy of this secondary metabolite to destroy tumor cells, is conducted (7).
3. Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
4. Cell structure
Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”
5. Metabolic processes
Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).
6. Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
7. Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
7. Key microorganisms
Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a microbial process, rather than a specific taxon/group of organisms
8. Current Research
Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose
9. References
It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.
