Growth and Mating of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii on Woody Debris

A total of 36 Cryptococcus neoformans strains originating from South Africa were screened for wood degrading enzymes. All strains tested positive for cellulase activity while none where capable of xylan degradation. Three C. neoformans var. grubii strains, originating from clinical and environmental...

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Published in:	Microbial ecology Vol. 57; no. 4; pp. 757 - 765
Main Authors:	Botes, A, Boekhout, T, Hagen, F, Vismer, H, Swart, J, Botha, A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	New York New York : Springer-Verlag 01.05.2009 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc Springer-Verlag Springer Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Acacia - microbiology Acacia mearnsii agar Basidiospores Biological and medical sciences Biomedical and Life Sciences carbon Cellulase Cellulases - metabolism Cryptococcus Cryptococcus neoformans Cryptococcus neoformans - enzymology Cryptococcus neoformans - genetics Cryptococcus neoformans - growth & development Culture Media Debris Detritus Ecology Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases - metabolism endo-1,4-beta-glucanase Enzymes epidemiological studies Epidemiology Eucalyptus Eucalyptus - microbiology Eucalyptus camaldulensis Filamentation Filaments Fruiting Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology FUNGAL MICROBIOLOGY Fungi Genes, Mating Type, Fungal Genotype Genotypes Geoecology/Natural Processes Hardwoods Juices Life cycle Life Sciences Mating Medical research Microbial Ecology Microbiology Microorganisms Nature Conservation Nitrogen Observational research Original Article Pathogens Plant species Reproductive behaviour screening South Africa Strains (organisms) trees Water Quality/Water Pollution wood Wood - chemistry Wood - microbiology Xylan Xylans - metabolism Yeast Yeasts Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Southern Africa Europe Var Africa South Africa France Xylanase Activity Silica Sand Cellulase Woody Debris Cellulase Activity Yeast Cryptococcus neoformans Growth Xylan Fungi Mating Dicotyledones Angiospermae Myrtaceae Hardwood forest tree Fungi Imperfecti Debris Wood Enzyme Sexual behavior Genotype Acacia mearnsii Eucalyptus camaldulensis Carbon Breeding behavior Strain Glycosylases Leguminosae Glycosidases Sex partner Hydrolases Environment Spermatophyta Yield Mediterranean region
ISSN:	0095-3628, 1432-184X, 1432-184X
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Summary:	A total of 36 Cryptococcus neoformans strains originating from South Africa were screened for wood degrading enzymes. All strains tested positive for cellulase activity while none where capable of xylan degradation. Three C. neoformans var. grubii strains, originating from clinical and environmental samples, representing the same genotype (VNI/AFLP1--C. neoformans var. grubii) and MATα, were evaluated for growth on debris of two common tree species in South Africa: Acacia mearnsii and Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The mating capability of all the C. neoformans strains was evaluated on similar debris. Strains grown on A. mearnsii yielded substantially greater yeast populations. A total of 26%, 6%, 46%, and 80% of the 36 C. neoformans strains tested were either able to mate or develop filaments when crossed on A. mearnsii and E. camaldulensis debris, V8 juice, and yeast carbon base (YCB) agar, respectively. Filamentation and monokaryotic fruiting was observed in 3% of strains when C. neoformans was cultured on either A. mearnsii, E. camaldulensis debris, or YCB. The results indicate that this fungus is capable of completing its life cycle and can produce basidiospores on woody debris. In the future, these findings should be considered when studying the epidemiology, microbial ecology, and proposed infection process of this global pathogen.
Bibliography:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00248-008-9452-1 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 14 content type line 23
ISSN:	0095-3628 1432-184X 1432-184X
DOI:	10.1007/s00248-008-9452-1