Fusarium venenatum

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Classification

Fungi; Ascomycota; Sordariomycetes; Hypocreales; Nectriaceae

Species

NCBI: [1]

Fusarium venenatum

Description and Significance

Fusarium venenatumis a filamentous, soil-dwelling, non-pathogenic fungi that is widespread in soils across the globe (King et al. 2018). It is closely related to Fusarium graminearum, a pathogenic fungus known to cause head blight on wheat which is also a producer of potent mycotoxins. When first cultured in the search for novel sources of mycoprotein, it was identified as F. graminearum, but further analysis of molecular phylogenetic, morphological, and mycotoxin data supported its reclassification as F. venenatum (O'Donnell et al. 1998). It is most well-known and studied as the fungus used as mycoprotein in the production of the food product known as Quorn (Wiebe 2002).

Life Cycle, Cell Structure, Metabolism

When grown in culture, F. venenatum produces multinucleate, multi- septate, banana-shaped spores known as macroconidia.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; environmental or industrial relevance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as host symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by _____, student of Dr. Marc Orbach, University of Arizona .