The Experts below are selected from a list of 516 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Jay A Yoder - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
vertical transmission of the entomopathogenic soil fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis as a contaminant of eggs in the winter tick dermacentor albipictus collected from calf moose new hampshire usa
Mycology, 2019Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Benjamin M Rodell, Lucas A Klever, Cameron J Dobrotka, Peter J PekinsAbstract:Moose naturally acquire soil fungi on their fur that are entomopathogenic to the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus. Presumed to provide a measure of on-host tick control, it is unknown whether these soil fungi impact subsequent off-host stages of the tick. Eggs and resultant larvae originating from engorged, adult female winter ticks collected from dead calf moose (Alces alces) were used to investigate the presence and extent of fungal infection. Approximately 40% of eggs and larvae were infected, almost exclusively by the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis (teleomorph Microascus Brevicaulis: Microascaceae, Ascomycota). Eggs analysed on the day of oviposition and day of hatching had high frequency (40%) of S. Brevicaulis, whereas the frequency in eggs harvested in utero was minimal (7%); therefore, exposure occurs pre-oviposition in the female's genital chamber, not by transovarial transmission. At hatching, larvae emerge containing S. Brevicaulis indicating transstadial transmission. Artificial infection by topical application of eggs and larvae with a large inoculum of S. Brevicaulis spores caused rapid dehydration, marked mortality; pathogenicity was confirmed by Koch's postulates. The high hatching success (>90%) and multi-month survival of larvae imply that S. Brevicaulis is maintained as a natural pathobiont in winter ticks.
-
susceptibility of winter tick larvae and eggs to entomopathogenic fungi beauveria bassiana beauveria caledonica metarhizium anisopliae and Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis
Alces : A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose, 2017Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Peter J Pekins, Blake W Nelson, Christian R Randazzo, Brett P SiemonAbstract:An isolate of the soil fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis was identified from the surface of female winter ticks ( Dermacentor albipictus ) collected from recently dead moose ( Alces alces ) calves in New Hampshire in the northeastern United States. It was the sole isolate, and it matched with 98% nucITS similarity (molecular systematics Blast match) to S. Brevicaulis species from soil and other tick species. Inoculation of tick larvae and eggs with 108 spores/mL + 0.05% Tween (aqueous inoculum) resulted in mortality, reduced survival time, and recovery of S. Brevicaulis from within tick tissues. Rapid water loss and death from dehydration were the pathogenic consequences of the fungal infection. Three entomopathogenic fungal isolates from laboratory culture ( Beauveria bassiana , B. caledonica ,and Metarhizium anisopliae ) inoculated concurrently at the same dose, were slightly less pathogenic to eggs than larvae of winter ticks. We conclude that S. Brevicaulis imposes a limitation on the free-living stages of the winter tick population in specific environmental conditions, but commercial fungal treatments as used in local situations to control ticks, are impractical as a means of controlling winter tick density across moose habitats.
-
an endosymbiotic conidial fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis protects the american dog tick dermacentor variabilis from desiccation imposed by an entomopathogenic fungus
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2008Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, David L Denlinger, Justin L Tank, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract The functional role of an endosymbiotic conidial fungus (Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis) prevalent within the integumental glands and hemocoel of the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) was investigated to explore the nature of this tick/fungus association. D. variabilis is normally highly resistant to Metarhizium anisopliae, a widely-distributed entomopathogenic fungus, but when mature female ticks harboring S. Brevicaulis were fed a solution containing a mycotoxin (Amphotericin B) to purge this mycobiont internally, the ticks inoculated with M. anisopliae displayed classic signs of pathogenicity, as evidenced by recovery of M. anisopliae from ticks by internal fungus culture, greatly accelerated net transpiration water loss rates (nearly 3× faster than ticks containing S. Brevicaulis naturally) and elevation of critical equilibrium humidity (CEH) closer to saturation, implying a reduced capacity to absorb water vapor and disruption of water balance (water gain ≠ water loss) that resulted in tick death. The presence of S. Brevicaulis within the tick was previously puzzling: the fungus is transmitted maternally and there is no apparent harm inflicted to either generation. This study suggests that S. Brevicaulis provides protection to D. variabilis ticks against M. anisopliae. Thus, the S. Brevicaulis/tick association appears to be mutualistic symbiosis. Given that both organisms are of medical–veterinary importance, disruption of this symbiosis has potential for generating novel tools for disease control.
-
failure of ticks to transmit Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis deuteromycota a common filamentous fungal commensal of ticks
Journal of Medical Entomology, 2005Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Eric J Rellinger, Sam R TelfordAbstract:Abstract The capacity of ticks to transmit a fungus was examined by analyzing tick saliva, host tissue from feeding sites, and host blood for presence of Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis (Sacc.) Bainier, an internal mycosymbiont of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), and lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.). Although >85% of ticks were infected with S. Brevicaulis, conidia presence was low (0–5% of samples) in microscopic observations and mycological culturing of saliva expressed from larvae, nymphs, and adults. Additionally, the recovery of S. Brevicaulis from blood and tissue feeding sites from a rabbit where S. Brevicaulis-positive adult ticks had attached and fed was not increased compared with control tissue where no feeding occurred, indicating that transmission does not occur by the blood-feeding route. Tick mouthparts were found to contain S. Brevicaulis in addition to Penicillium glabrum (Wehmer) Westling, but these agents were sparse in isolations from the feeding sites, which ma...
-
water balance of a tick fungus relationship featuring the life cycle of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis sacc bainier deuteromycota in a tick host
International Journal of Acarology, 2004Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Eric J Rellinger, Seth A Murray, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract We report isolation of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), and document its association with hemolymph and integumental glands. The relationship thrives because the water balance of both the fungus and the tick are mutually preserved in spite of enormous fungus burdens, based on moisture requirements and antimycotic fungus removal. The fact that ticks are ideal to perpetuate this fungal life cycle is of public health interest because S. Brevicaulis is known to cause infections in humans.
Frank Kempken - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Development and Validation of a Fast and Optimized Screening Method for Enhanced Production of Secondary Metabolites Using the Marine Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis Strain LF580 Producing Anti-Cancer Active
2016Co-Authors: Scopularide A, Johannes F Imhoff, Annemarie Kramer, Linda Paun, Frank Kempken, Antje LabesAbstract:Natural compounds from marine fungi are an excellent source for the discovery and development of new drug leads. The distinct activity profiles of the two cyclodepsipeptides scopularide A and B against cancer cell lines set their marine producer strain Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis LF580 into the focus of the EU project MARINE FUNGI. One of the main goals was the development of a sustainable biotechnological production process for these compounds. The secondary metabolite production of strain LF580 was optimized by random mutagenesis employing UV radiation. For a fast and reliable detection of the intracellular secondary metabolite production level, a miniaturized bioactivity-independent screening method was developed, as the random mutagenesis yielded a large number of mutants to be analysed quantitatively and none of the existing hyphenated bioassay-dependent screening systems could be applied. The method includes decreased cultivation volume, a fast extraction procedure as well as an optimized LC-MS analysis. We show that deviation could be specifically reduced at each step of the process: The measuring deviation during the analysis could be minimized to 5 % and technical deviation occurring in the downstream part to 10–15%. Biological variation during the cultivation process still has the major influence on the overall variation. However, the approach led to a 10-fold reduction of time and similar effects on costs and effort compared to standard reference screening methods. The method was applied to screen the UV-mutants library of Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis LF580. For validation purposes, the occurring variations in the miniaturized scale were compare
-
De Novo Assembly and Genome Analyses of the Marine-Derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis Strain LF580 Unravels Life-Style Traits and Anticancerous Scopularide Biosynthetic Gene Cluster
PLoS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Abhishek Kumar, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Bernard Henrissat, Mikko Arvas, Muhammad Fahad Syed, Nils Thieme, J. Philipp Benz, Eric Record, Stefanie Poeggeler, Frank KempkenAbstract:The marine-derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis strain LF580 produces scopularides A and B, which have anticancerous properties. We carried out genome sequencing using three next-generation DNA sequencing methods. De novo hybrid assembly yielded 621 scaffolds with a total size of 32.2 Mb and 16298 putative gene models. We identified a large non-ribosomal peptide synthetase gene (nrps1) and supporting pks2 gene in the same biosynthetic gene cluster. This cluster and the genes within the cluster are functionally active as confirmed by RNA-Seq. Characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes and major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporters lead to postulate S. Brevicaulis originated from a soil fungus, which came into contact with the marine sponge Tethya aurantium. This marine sponge seems to provide shelter to this fungus and micro-environment suitable for its survival in the ocean. This study also builds the platform for further investigations of the role of life-style and secondary metabolites from S. Brevicaulis.
-
identification of the scopularide biosynthetic gene cluster in Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis
Marine Drugs, 2015Co-Authors: Mie Bech Lukassen, Frank Kempken, Wagma Saei, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Anu Tamminen, Abhishek Kumar, Marilyn G Wiebe, Jens Laurids SorensenAbstract:Scopularide A is a promising potent anticancer lipopeptide isolated from a marine derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis strain. The compound consists of a reduced carbon chain (3-hydroxy-methyldecanoyl) attached to five amino acids (glycine, l-valine, d-leucine, l-alanine, and l-phenylalanine). Using the newly sequenced S. Brevicaulis genome we were able to identify the putative biosynthetic gene cluster using genetic information from the structurally related emericellamide A from Aspergillus nidulans and W493-B from Fusarium pseudograminearum. The scopularide A gene cluster includes a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS1), a polyketide synthase (PKS2), a CoA ligase, an acyltransferase, and a transcription factor. Homologous recombination was low in S. Brevicaulis so the local transcription factor was integrated randomly under a constitutive promoter, which led to a three to four-fold increase in scopularide A production. This indirectly verifies the identity of the proposed biosynthetic gene cluster.
-
development and validation of a fast and optimized screening method for enhanced production of secondary metabolites using the marine Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis strain lf580 producing anti cancer active scopularide a and b
PLOS ONE, 2014Co-Authors: Annemarie Kramer, Johannes F Imhoff, Linda Paun, Frank Kempken, Antje LabesAbstract:Natural compounds from marine fungi are an excellent source for the discovery and development of new drug leads. The distinct activity profiles of the two cyclodepsipeptides scopularide A and B against cancer cell lines set their marine producer strain Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis LF580 into the focus of the EU project MARINE FUNGI. One of the main goals was the development of a sustainable biotechnological production process for these compounds. The secondary metabolite production of strain LF580 was optimized by random mutagenesis employing UV radiation. For a fast and reliable detection of the intracellular secondary metabolite production level, a miniaturized bioactivity-independent screening method was developed, as the random mutagenesis yielded a large number of mutants to be analysed quantitatively and none of the existing hyphenated bioassay-dependent screening systems could be applied. The method includes decreased cultivation volume, a fast extraction procedure as well as an optimized LC-MS analysis. We show that deviation could be specifically reduced at each step of the process: The measuring deviation during the analysis could be minimized to 5% and technical deviation occurring in the downstream part to 10–15%. Biological variation during the cultivation process still has the major influence on the overall variation. However, the approach led to a 10-fold reduction of time and similar effects on costs and effort compared to standard reference screening methods. The method was applied to screen the UV-mutants library of Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis LF580. For validation purposes, the occurring variations in the miniaturized scale were compared to those in the classical Erlenmeyer flask scale. This proof of concept was performed using the wild type strain and 23 randomly selected mutant strains. One specific mutant strain with an enhanced production behavior could be obtained.
-
Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis mutant strains on WSP30 petri dishes; a) Example of UV treated (left) and not treated (right) conidia growing on petri dishes: UV-radiation was performed using 312 nm wavelength for a time periods of 85 seconds and 13.742 W m−2 (85 s: 1.17 kJ m−2) radiation intensity. 1% (mean of 20 colonies) of the conidia were germinating; b) Colonies of different mutant strains growing on petri dishes upon UV mutagenesis.
2014Co-Authors: Annemarie Kramer, Johannes F Imhoff, Linda Paun, Frank Kempken, Antje LabesAbstract:Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis mutant strains on WSP30 petri dishes; a) Example of UV treated (left) and not treated (right) conidia growing on petri dishes: UV-radiation was performed using 312 nm wavelength for a time periods of 85 seconds and 13.742 W m−2 (85 s: 1.17 kJ m−2) radiation intensity. 1% (mean of 20 colonies) of the conidia were germinating; b) Colonies of different mutant strains growing on petri dishes upon UV mutagenesis.
Joshua B Benoit - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
an endosymbiotic conidial fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis protects the american dog tick dermacentor variabilis from desiccation imposed by an entomopathogenic fungus
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2008Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, David L Denlinger, Justin L Tank, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract The functional role of an endosymbiotic conidial fungus (Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis) prevalent within the integumental glands and hemocoel of the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) was investigated to explore the nature of this tick/fungus association. D. variabilis is normally highly resistant to Metarhizium anisopliae, a widely-distributed entomopathogenic fungus, but when mature female ticks harboring S. Brevicaulis were fed a solution containing a mycotoxin (Amphotericin B) to purge this mycobiont internally, the ticks inoculated with M. anisopliae displayed classic signs of pathogenicity, as evidenced by recovery of M. anisopliae from ticks by internal fungus culture, greatly accelerated net transpiration water loss rates (nearly 3× faster than ticks containing S. Brevicaulis naturally) and elevation of critical equilibrium humidity (CEH) closer to saturation, implying a reduced capacity to absorb water vapor and disruption of water balance (water gain ≠ water loss) that resulted in tick death. The presence of S. Brevicaulis within the tick was previously puzzling: the fungus is transmitted maternally and there is no apparent harm inflicted to either generation. This study suggests that S. Brevicaulis provides protection to D. variabilis ticks against M. anisopliae. Thus, the S. Brevicaulis/tick association appears to be mutualistic symbiosis. Given that both organisms are of medical–veterinary importance, disruption of this symbiosis has potential for generating novel tools for disease control.
-
failure of ticks to transmit Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis deuteromycota a common filamentous fungal commensal of ticks
Journal of Medical Entomology, 2005Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Eric J Rellinger, Sam R TelfordAbstract:Abstract The capacity of ticks to transmit a fungus was examined by analyzing tick saliva, host tissue from feeding sites, and host blood for presence of Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis (Sacc.) Bainier, an internal mycosymbiont of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), and lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.). Although >85% of ticks were infected with S. Brevicaulis, conidia presence was low (0–5% of samples) in microscopic observations and mycological culturing of saliva expressed from larvae, nymphs, and adults. Additionally, the recovery of S. Brevicaulis from blood and tissue feeding sites from a rabbit where S. Brevicaulis-positive adult ticks had attached and fed was not increased compared with control tissue where no feeding occurred, indicating that transmission does not occur by the blood-feeding route. Tick mouthparts were found to contain S. Brevicaulis in addition to Penicillium glabrum (Wehmer) Westling, but these agents were sparse in isolations from the feeding sites, which ma...
-
water balance of a tick fungus relationship featuring the life cycle of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis sacc bainier deuteromycota in a tick host
International Journal of Acarology, 2004Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Eric J Rellinger, Seth A Murray, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract We report isolation of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), and document its association with hemolymph and integumental glands. The relationship thrives because the water balance of both the fungus and the tick are mutually preserved in spite of enormous fungus burdens, based on moisture requirements and antimycotic fungus removal. The fact that ticks are ideal to perpetuate this fungal life cycle is of public health interest because S. Brevicaulis is known to cause infections in humans.
-
maternal transmission of a fungus to eggs in the american dog tick dermacentor variabilis say
International Journal of Acarology, 2004Co-Authors: Joshua B Benoit, Jay A YoderAbstract:Abstract Isolation of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis (Sacc.) Bainier from eggs of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, is reported. This fungus is apparently acquired while eggs are in the genital chamber, rather than transovarially, and then transmitted subsequently to larvae, nymphs and adults transstadially. As the primary fungus, S. Brevicaulis may confer a protective advantage against secondary entomopathogenic infections, thereby promoting the abundance and distribution of D. variabilis.
-
moisture requirements of a soil imperfect fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis bainier in relation to its tick host
International Journal of Acarology, 2003Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract We report heightened dehydration in ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), parasitized by a ubiquitous fungus common in soil, Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis. Ticks harboring this fungus had greatly accelerated net water loss rates (nearly twice as high compared to controls), and were unable to absorb water vapor from hydrating relative humidities. Parasitism did not alter tick water content and dehydration tolerance. Mortality was attributed to water losses that reached the dehydration tolerance limit of the tick. Because of the impact of S. Brevicaulis on tick water balance, varying levels of infection of this fungus may alter the water balance profile, thereby restricting ticks to specific environments. Thus, this is the first study to propose that a naturally occurring fungus may influence the distribution of D. variabilis.
Lawrence W Zettler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
an endosymbiotic conidial fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis protects the american dog tick dermacentor variabilis from desiccation imposed by an entomopathogenic fungus
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2008Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, David L Denlinger, Justin L Tank, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract The functional role of an endosymbiotic conidial fungus (Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis) prevalent within the integumental glands and hemocoel of the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) was investigated to explore the nature of this tick/fungus association. D. variabilis is normally highly resistant to Metarhizium anisopliae, a widely-distributed entomopathogenic fungus, but when mature female ticks harboring S. Brevicaulis were fed a solution containing a mycotoxin (Amphotericin B) to purge this mycobiont internally, the ticks inoculated with M. anisopliae displayed classic signs of pathogenicity, as evidenced by recovery of M. anisopliae from ticks by internal fungus culture, greatly accelerated net transpiration water loss rates (nearly 3× faster than ticks containing S. Brevicaulis naturally) and elevation of critical equilibrium humidity (CEH) closer to saturation, implying a reduced capacity to absorb water vapor and disruption of water balance (water gain ≠ water loss) that resulted in tick death. The presence of S. Brevicaulis within the tick was previously puzzling: the fungus is transmitted maternally and there is no apparent harm inflicted to either generation. This study suggests that S. Brevicaulis provides protection to D. variabilis ticks against M. anisopliae. Thus, the S. Brevicaulis/tick association appears to be mutualistic symbiosis. Given that both organisms are of medical–veterinary importance, disruption of this symbiosis has potential for generating novel tools for disease control.
-
water balance of a tick fungus relationship featuring the life cycle of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis sacc bainier deuteromycota in a tick host
International Journal of Acarology, 2004Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Eric J Rellinger, Seth A Murray, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract We report isolation of the fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), and document its association with hemolymph and integumental glands. The relationship thrives because the water balance of both the fungus and the tick are mutually preserved in spite of enormous fungus burdens, based on moisture requirements and antimycotic fungus removal. The fact that ticks are ideal to perpetuate this fungal life cycle is of public health interest because S. Brevicaulis is known to cause infections in humans.
-
moisture requirements of a soil imperfect fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis bainier in relation to its tick host
International Journal of Acarology, 2003Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract We report heightened dehydration in ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), parasitized by a ubiquitous fungus common in soil, Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis. Ticks harboring this fungus had greatly accelerated net water loss rates (nearly twice as high compared to controls), and were unable to absorb water vapor from hydrating relative humidities. Parasitism did not alter tick water content and dehydration tolerance. Mortality was attributed to water losses that reached the dehydration tolerance limit of the tick. Because of the impact of S. Brevicaulis on tick water balance, varying levels of infection of this fungus may alter the water balance profile, thereby restricting ticks to specific environments. Thus, this is the first study to propose that a naturally occurring fungus may influence the distribution of D. variabilis.
-
effects of salt and temperature on the growth rate of a tick associated fungus Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis bainier deuteromycota
International Journal of Acarology, 2003Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Joshua B Benoit, Lawrence W ZettlerAbstract:Abstract Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis Bainier, an imperfect fungus (Deuteromycota) and internal associate of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), was cultured in vitro to determine optimal growth rate with respect to salt concentration and temperature. Colony growth was most pronounced under mesophilic conditions, and peaked on media (potato dextrose agar, nutrient agar, and blood agar) containing 0.1-1.0M NaCl when incubated at 24°C. This preference for salt-based media suggests that S. Brevicaulis may be capable of exploiting similar substrates in nature. Although the mode of entry by S. Brevicaulis into ticks remains unclear, it is conceivable that the host's protein-rich, saline blood meal may play a key role in enticing the fungus to enter and persist within the tick.
-
internal and external mycoflora of the american dog tick dermacentor variabilis acari ixodidae and its ecological implications
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2003Co-Authors: Jay A Yoder, Peter E Hanson, Lawrence W Zettler, Joshua B Benoit, Fiorella Ghisays, Kurt A PiskinAbstract:Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis, the anamorph of Microascus Brevicaulis (Microascaceae, Ascomycota), has been identified in the body contents of the tick Dermacentor variabilis. After topical application of the fungal inoculum, tick mortality was marked. This is the first account describing the internal mycoflora of D. variabilis with a novel technique used to recover potential biological control agents.
Jens Laurids Sorensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Cluster
2016Co-Authors: Anticancerous Scopularide, Abhishek Kumar, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Bernard Henrissat, Mikko Arvas, Muhammad Fahad Syed, Nils Thieme, Eric Record, Biosynthetic Gene, Stefanie PöggelerAbstract:The marine-derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis strain LF580 produces scopularides A and B, which have anticancerous properties. We carried out genome sequencing using three next-generation DNA sequencing methods. De novo hybrid assembly yielded 621 scaffolds with a total size of 32.2 Mb and 16298 putative gene models. We identified a large non-ribo-somal peptide synthetase gene (nrps1) and supporting pks2 gene in the same biosynthetic gene cluster. This cluster and the genes within the cluster are functionally active as con-firmed by RNA-Seq. Characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes and major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporters lead to postulate S. Brevicaulis originated from a soil fungus, which came into contact with the marine sponge Tethya aurantium. This marin
-
De Novo Assembly and Genome Analyses of the Marine-Derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis Strain LF580 Unravels Life-Style Traits and Anticancerous Scopularide Biosynthetic Gene Cluster
PLoS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Abhishek Kumar, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Bernard Henrissat, Mikko Arvas, Muhammad Fahad Syed, Nils Thieme, J. Philipp Benz, Eric Record, Stefanie Poeggeler, Frank KempkenAbstract:The marine-derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis strain LF580 produces scopularides A and B, which have anticancerous properties. We carried out genome sequencing using three next-generation DNA sequencing methods. De novo hybrid assembly yielded 621 scaffolds with a total size of 32.2 Mb and 16298 putative gene models. We identified a large non-ribosomal peptide synthetase gene (nrps1) and supporting pks2 gene in the same biosynthetic gene cluster. This cluster and the genes within the cluster are functionally active as confirmed by RNA-Seq. Characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes and major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporters lead to postulate S. Brevicaulis originated from a soil fungus, which came into contact with the marine sponge Tethya aurantium. This marine sponge seems to provide shelter to this fungus and micro-environment suitable for its survival in the ocean. This study also builds the platform for further investigations of the role of life-style and secondary metabolites from S. Brevicaulis.
-
identification of the scopularide biosynthetic gene cluster in Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis
Marine Drugs, 2015Co-Authors: Mie Bech Lukassen, Frank Kempken, Wagma Saei, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Anu Tamminen, Abhishek Kumar, Marilyn G Wiebe, Jens Laurids SorensenAbstract:Scopularide A is a promising potent anticancer lipopeptide isolated from a marine derived Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis strain. The compound consists of a reduced carbon chain (3-hydroxy-methyldecanoyl) attached to five amino acids (glycine, l-valine, d-leucine, l-alanine, and l-phenylalanine). Using the newly sequenced S. Brevicaulis genome we were able to identify the putative biosynthetic gene cluster using genetic information from the structurally related emericellamide A from Aspergillus nidulans and W493-B from Fusarium pseudograminearum. The scopularide A gene cluster includes a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS1), a polyketide synthase (PKS2), a CoA ligase, an acyltransferase, and a transcription factor. Homologous recombination was low in S. Brevicaulis so the local transcription factor was integrated randomly under a constitutive promoter, which led to a three to four-fold increase in scopularide A production. This indirectly verifies the identity of the proposed biosynthetic gene cluster.