Aspergillus Glaucus: Difference between revisions

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=5. 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).
Little is known about the metabolic processes specific to A. glaucus, but most Aspergillus species are defined as xerophilic and halophilic (1). Studies of the metabolic processes may be limited for the same reasons as genomic data, in that low frequency of DNA repair pathways makes A. glaucus fragile to work with and study. A. glaucus has been derived from saltern locations, indicating its extremely high NaCl metabolic capabilities (1). Both xerophilic and halophilic characteristics allow the fungus to reproduce in dry environments, specifically ones with extremely low water activity or colder temperatures. Growing in highly saline conditions would infer that A. glaucus uses a protection system to prevent detrimental loss of water through osmotic gradients. One way this is achieved is through synthesis of organic compounds that are stored in the cytoplasm. Metabolic toxicity of A. glaucus is noted and a result of two metabolites that it produces, kotanin and desmethylkotanin (10).
 
=6. Ecology=
=6. Ecology=
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

Revision as of 21:33, 3 December 2015

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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

Unlike other species of Aspergillus, including A. niger, A. nidulans, A. fumigatus, and A. oryzae, A. glaucus lacks a complete genome sequence. However, genomic characteristics have been studied in relation to other halophilic characteristics and strains of A. glaucus have been shown to contain specific genes that are upregulated while under stress from high salt concentrations (8). Genes that code for the ribosomal protein AgRPS3aE, which is also found in halophilic yeasts, has been studied in relation to A. glaucus’ halophilic capabilities (9). These genes are capable of producing pharmacologically active metabolites, which would prove helpful in future biotechnology and molecular level research. However, these genes are coupled with low frequency of homologous recombination (8). Genome sequencing of A. glaucus may lag behind other species of Aspergillus due to this lack of homologous recombination and nonhomologous end joining pathway. These pathways allow double stranded DNA to be repaired when damaged. Further, without these pathways, targeted gene sequencing and replacement is difficult (8).

4. Cell structure

All Aspergillus species portray growth of yellow perithecia and develop walls that separate the sides of the cell during germination. More specifically, A. glaucus grows in multicellular filaments, or hyphae (2, Figure 1). The individual cells display uniseriate conidial heads that radiate outwards. The conidial heads are often green, blue, reddish, orange, or yellow (1, Figure 2). A. glaucus is characterized by smooth ascospores, typical of fungi classified as ascomycetes, ranging in size from 4.5-10.5 µm (2, Figure 2). These ascospores are a major identifier when differentiating between Aspergillus species.

5. Metabolic processes

Little is known about the metabolic processes specific to A. glaucus, but most Aspergillus species are defined as xerophilic and halophilic (1). Studies of the metabolic processes may be limited for the same reasons as genomic data, in that low frequency of DNA repair pathways makes A. glaucus fragile to work with and study. A. glaucus has been derived from saltern locations, indicating its extremely high NaCl metabolic capabilities (1). Both xerophilic and halophilic characteristics allow the fungus to reproduce in dry environments, specifically ones with extremely low water activity or colder temperatures. Growing in highly saline conditions would infer that A. glaucus uses a protection system to prevent detrimental loss of water through osmotic gradients. One way this is achieved is through synthesis of organic compounds that are stored in the cytoplasm. Metabolic toxicity of A. glaucus is noted and a result of two metabolites that it produces, kotanin and desmethylkotanin (10).

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.