Yeasts take up iron by three main mechanisms. In the reductive uptake mechanism, specialized flavo-hemoproteins (Fre) dissociate extracellular ferric complexes by reduction involving trans-plasma membrane electron transfer. The resulting free iron is then imported by a high-affinity permease system (Ftr), coupled to a copper-dependent oxidase (Fet), which channels iron through the plasma membrane. As a consequence, iron uptake by this mechanism is dependent on the availability of copper. In the siderophore-mediated mechanism, siderophores excreted by the cells or produced by other bacterial or fungal species are taken up without prior dissociation, via specific, copper-independent high-affinity receptors. The iron is then dissociated from the siderophores intracellularly, probably by reduction. In the heme uptake mechanism, free heme or heme bound to hemoglobin is taken up as such, probably by endocytosis. Iron is released intracellularly after hydrolysis of the porphyrin ring catalyzed by heme oxygenase. Within the cell, iron is stored in vacuoles or in siderophores.

Iron can be mobilized from vacuoles by a reductive mechanism homologous to that found at the plasma membrane. Regulation of iron uptake and iron use are mediated by transcriptional regulators acting either as activators in iron-deficient conditions or as repressors in iron-rich conditions, according to the yeast species; these regulators thus adjust the iron uptake flux to the cell's requirements. In the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a post-transcriptional mechanism is active under low iron conditions, involving the degradation of RNAs encoding inessential iron-utilizing proteins. Other fungi have mechanisms serving a similar purpose at the transcriptional level. Studies in S. cerevisiae show that mitochondria are central to regulating cellular iron homeostasis, through the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters.

Further reading: Iron Uptake and Homeostasis in Microorganisms

Labels: fungal, fungi, Iron acquisition mechanisms, Iron transporters, Iron uptake in Yeasts, Iron uptake systems, Iron-homeostasis, Iron-uptake, mycology, Siderophores, yeast, Yeasts

"This feast of hugely topical science culminates with an overview of novel industrial applications of Aspergillus oryzaee genomics (Abe et. al., Chapter 10), inciting much enthusiasm for potential applications or exploitations of similar methodologies in other Aspergillus species. Not only does this conclude the suite of species examined with our recognised industrial work horse for heterologous enzyme production, it also presents the opportunity to consider the application of Aspergillus species to biodegradation of plastics and how cell sensing and signalling mechanisms are integral to maximising success in all of the applications under consideration; cue a trans-genus comparison of signal reception and transduction and its relevance to drug screening."

from Dr Elaine Bignell (Imperial College London) in Biotechnology March 2010

Further reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

Labels: aspergillus, Aspergillus-Biotechnology, Biodegradation-of-plastics, book review, Book Reviews, fungi, Industrial-Applications-of-Aspergillus, mycology

"...(a) feast of hugely topical science ... This book presents a modern-day dictionary of all things Aspergillus. It is highly readable and has been considerately crafted in terms of structure. From the very first chapter a sense of excitement about the new opportunities afforded by this fascinating genus is derived, which extends far beyond the interests of any single researcher but succeeds in capturing the relevance of genus-based findings for all who work with aspergilli. The essence of functional genomics and systems biology therefore permeates the volume, and ultimately the readers psyche. Not only does it provide a concise and highly current overview of Aspergillus genomics, it also manages to archive decades of relevant and highly insightful biology in a portable format. The book is a must-read for anyone whose work or study involves any member(s) of the Aspergillus genus. I, certainly, will be consulting it daily for a long time to come."

from Dr Elaine Bignell (Imperial College London) in Biotechnology March 2010

Further reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

Labels: aspergillus, Aspergillus-Biotechnology, book review, Book Reviews, fungi, Industrial-Applications-of-Aspergillus, mycology

Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editors: Masayuki Machida and Katsuya Gomi
Publication date: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-904455-53-0
"This volume is essential reading for anyone interested in Aspergillus and related fungi." read more ...

from SciTech Book News

Further reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

Labels: aspergillus, book review, fungi

The aspergilli are a fascinating group of fungi exhibiting immense ecological and metabolic diversity. These include notorious pathogens such as Aspergillus flavus, which produces aflatoxin, one of the most potent, naturally occurring, compounds known to man. Conversely, also included are other fungi, such as A. oryzae, involved in the industrial production of soy sauce and sake or A. niger used for the production of citric acid and enzymes such as glucose oxidase and lysozyme.

Such is the interest in Aspergillus that, to date, the sequences of fifteen different Aspergillus genomes have been determined providing scientists with an exciting resource to improve the understanding of Aspergillus molecular genomics and act as a spring board for mining for new metabolites and novel genes of industrial or medical importance.

Further reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

Labels: aflatoxin, aspergilli, aspergillus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, fungal, fungi

A list of conferences, meetings, symposia and workshops relating to all aspects of mycology, yeast and fungal science and medicine.

February 1 - 14, 2009. Comparative analysis of in vitro and in vivo Candida albicans-host interaction systems
Madrid, Spain Further information
Federation of European Biochemical Societies advanced practical and lecture course. The aim of this two-week course is to introduce students to the latest techniques of in vivo infection and ex-vivo/in vitro interaction models between the human pathogen Candida albicans and the host.
Suggested reading: Candida Book

March 17 - 22, 2009. 25th Fungal Genetics Conference
Asilomar, California, USA Further information
Billed as the biggest worldwide conference on genetics of filamentous fungi.
Suggested reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

March 29 - 31, 2009. British Society for Medical Mycology (BSMM) Annual Scientific Meeting
Imperial College London, UK Further information
Translational Research in Medical Mycology
Suggested reading: Mycology Books

April 6 - 7, 2009. Economic and Social Impact of Fungal Deteriogens
Manchester, UK Further information
Organised by the British Mycological Society and the International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Society. Session titles include: Fungal Deteriogen of Materials and their Conservation, Fungal Deteriogens and Food Spoilage, Impact of Fungal Deteriogens on Health, Economic Impact of Fungal Deteriogens. In addition there will be a number of posters.
Suggested reading: Microbial Biodegradation: Genomics and Molecular Biology and Mycology books

May 25 - 29, 2009. The 17th Congress of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology 2009 (ISHAM 2009)
Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Further information
ISHAM2009 will address recent developments in medical, veterinary and environmental mycology with a focus on human and animal health. More than 30 symposia with distinguished speakers are planned, including keynote lectures, luncheon and evening seminars, and a new Poster Forum.
Suggested reading: Mycology Books

June 21 - 26, 2009 Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins
New London, NH, USA Further information
Gordon Research Conference. Presentation of leading-edge research on fungal, algal, and cyanobacterial toxins and the organisms that produce them. This multidisciplinary gathering will encompass the biology, ecology, genetics, chemistry and the public health and economic impacts
Suggested reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

July 19 - 24, 2009. 24th International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology
Manchester, UK Further information
Key conference themes will include: Cell Cycle and Morphogenesis, Control of Gene Expression, Genomes and Evolution, Protein Trafficking, Signal Transduction, Systems Biology, Yeasts as Cell Factories, Yeasts as Models for Ageing and Human Disease, Yeasts as Pathogens
Suggested reading: Mycology Books

August 26 - 29, 2009. Pasteur's Legacy: Yeast for Health and Biotechnologies (the 27th International Specialised Symposium on Yeast)
Institut Pasteur, Paris, France Further information

September 1 - 4, 2009. British Mycological Society annual scientific meeting
Dundee, UK Further information
The Fungal Cell. Including cellular organisation, metabolism and cellular regulation, fungal growth, morphogenesis and differentiation, and fungal interactions with other organisms including bacteria and plants.
Suggested reading: Mycology Books

October 18 - 21, 2009. 4th Trends in Medical Mycology TIMM4
Athens, Greece Further information
Organized jointly by the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) and by the Infectious Diseases Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (IDG-EORTC). The scientific programme will include plenary sessions on fungal infections in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts led by an internationally renowned faculty giving plenary talks, round table sessions, and meet-the-expert meetings. The poster session will encourage one-to-one discussions between faculty, presenters and delegates. The meeting is designed for infectious disease specialists, haematologists, oncologists, transplant physicians, microbiologists, immunologists, dermatologists, intensivists and others with interest in medical mycology.
Suggested reading: Mycology Books

October 29 - 31, 2009. Mycology MasterClass IV
Hamilton Island, QLD, Australia Further information
Advanced medical mycology course for specialists and trainees in infectious diseases, microbiology, haematology and intensive care medicine and for laboratory scientists/technicians specialising in medical mycology.
Suggested reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics

Labels: aspergillus, conference, fungal, fungi, mycology, yeast

Six further conferences have been added to our list at Microbiology Conferences

• December 1 - 5, 2008. International Research Conference on Huanglongbing
  Orlando, USA
  The disease of citrus fruit caused by the bacterium Candidatus spp.
• February 24 - 28, 2009. Conference on Amoebiasis
  Guanajuato, Mexico
  Amebiasis: Molecular approaches in an important but neglected disease.
• March 17 - 22, 2009. 25th Fungal Genetics Conference
  Asilomar, California, USA
  Billed as the biggest worldwide conference on genetics of filamentous fungi.
• May 3 - 6, 2009. 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals
  San Francisco, CA
  General and concurrent sessions, as well as two poster sessions, tabletop exhibits and social events are planned.
• June 15 - 17. SPORE2009 - Spore forming bacteria in food
  Quimper, France
  Despite investments of the food and feed industry to control contaminants in the food chain, the achievement of commercial sterility requirements has been hampered by the presence of unintended heat-resistant spores in food. Sporulated bacteria are involved in food spoilage, but also in toxin-mediated food poisoning, two phenomena that lead to high economic losses. Different evolution trends have been observed over the past two decades highlighting the urge to focus on the (re)emergence of sporeformers in food and discuss whether an adaptation or selection of sporeformers by food processes is occurring. The SPORE2009 meeting aims at presenting and discussing state of the art research and the very latest scientific developments on the theme of sporeformers in food.
• July 12 - 17, 2009. 1st International Conference on Nitrification (ICoN1)
  Louisville, Kentucky, USA
  The first International Conference on Nitrification (ICoN1) is meant to be the start of a tradition of bringing together investigators and students at all levels to discuss the most recent concepts in nitrification research. The meeting will present and discuss reports on the ecology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics and evolution of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria and archaea, and their roles in the nitrogen cycle.

For further details of these conferences please visit Microbiology Conferences

Labels: Amoebiasis, conference, fungi, Huanglongbing, microbiology conference, microbiology meeting, Nitrification, spore

Writing in the journal Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, Steven Bates of the University of Exeter, UK, reviews a new book on Pathogenic Fungi published by Caister Academic Press. His comments include:

"The book Pathogenic Fungi: Insights in Molecular Biology, edited by Gioconda San-Blas and Richard A. Calderone, is a natural extension of the two volume set previously published in 2004 (Pathogenic Fungi: Structural Biology and Taxonomy, and Host Interactions and Emerging Strategies of Control). The current volume extends on the previous two by detailing some of the major advances that have been made in recent years through the application of 'omics' technologies and the generation of new molecular tools. The application of these technologies has resulted in a significant increase in the published research on pathogenic fungi, and this book provides a timely survey of key topics that have been advanced through their use ... The book clearly meets the stated aim of the editors 'to help the busy research scientist and/or teacher of medical mycology to keep abreast of all the latest advances'. Overall the book provides essential reading covering the recent advances, utilising molecular biology approaches, to further our understanding of fungal pathogens of humans. Despite the high price it would be a valuable addition to collections, and recommended reading for those with an interest in the molecular biology of human pathogenic fungi."
For full details please visit Pathogenic Fungi: Insights in Molecular Biology

Labels: book review, fungi

Molecular diagnostic methods are currently being used for the early detection of many viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections. Due to their high specificity and sensitivity, these methods will be inserted in the routine of the clinical laboratories to complement information provided by more conventional methods and above all, to help in the diagnosis of dubious cases. The design of specific probes, coupled to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique provides the required specificity and sensitivity to identify fungal species in a short time. Multicopy genes such as those of ribosomal origin are preferred by many researchers to achieve well defined results. However, because they may generate false positive results, other researchers have looked at single-copy genes of high specificity. This technology is being applied to the identification of frequently found causative agents of systemic mycoses such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and other species within these genera, or agents of less frequent mycoses produced by Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, among others.

Further reading: Pathogenic Fungi: Insights in Molecular Biology

Labels: diagnosis, fungi, mycology, PCR, real-time PCR